THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL a&e FEBRUARY 11, 2016 THE FOURCAST 17

CULTURE POPS | The Fourcast’s Favorite Restaurants, Movies, Music, TV Shows and More

The Icing on the Cake (Bar) This is Good PHOTO BY BROWNAMELIA PHOTO PROVIDED BY RCA RECORDS

This is Acting Sia

Sia set the bar high last year with her hit “Chandelier.” A top-10 single, it peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and dominated the airwaves in late 2014 to early 2015. So you’ve probably heard of Sia – but you may not know that Sia was initially known for her songwriting rather than her singing. Although she had released songs prior to “Chandelier,” it wasn’t until last year that he hypnotic glow from the gold, metallic letters, listing flavors ranging from red velvet to she established herself as a singer as well Italian cream, draws me closer to the assortment of the pastries on the other side of the as a songwriter. Her powerful lyricism and her unique vocals are both showcased in dark blue door. Through the window I can see an unavoidable display of cake-covered her latest album, “This is Acting,” released on Jan. 29. countertops. Finally, after I give in to my sweet tooth, I face a new challenge inside the In an interview with New Musical Ex- shop: how do I only pick one flavor when they all sound so good? press, Sia revealed that she called the album “This is Acting” because “they are songs I was The Cake BarT at Trinity Groves Once you narrow down their to sit and enjoy your pastries and the result is a cake that tastes like writing for other people… I didn’t go in think- is a Southern-style pastry shop filled large and tempting menu you may the view. homemade banana bread, sweet- ing ‘this is something I would say.’ It’s more with a variety of homemade cakes, be left to choose between a classic Servings are generous. Each ened with several layers of frosting. like play-acting.” cookies, pound cakes, quick breads chocolate chip cookie, a mysteri- slice of cake is put into a clear But if you are looking for But that’s not to say that the music is and ice creams. Experienced baker ous slice of hummingbird cake or a container, making it easy for those something less sweet and rich, not genuine. With her instantly recognizable and founder Tracy German was in- full-sized red velvet cake. After the who want a cake to-go. However, you will also find zucchini, sweet voice, Sia adds her own unique twist to the spired to open this dessert hotspot decision is finally made, customers it would be nice if the shop offered potato and pumpkin quick breads album. Just as her previous album “1,000 after selling cakes from her house can enjoy the shop’s warm, bakery pastries on dining plates for those on the menu. To compliment their Forms of Fear” focused on Sia’s struggles for 14 years. German strives to bake feel which feels almost as if you had who wish to enjoy their sweets in pastries, the dessert bar also of- with alcoholism and bipolar disorder, there is the types of cakes that people used just walked into the heart of your the shop, rather than just in the fers traditional ice cream flavors an obvious theme with “This is Acting.” That to eat from their own kitchens with grandma’s kitchen after she has plastic to-go boxes. such as vanilla, chocolate and theme – liberation from fear and insecurity – sticky fingers from licking the batter baked a fresh batch of chocolate chip The menu includes many tra- butter pecan. resounds in each and every song. off the spatula. cookies. You can tell that everything ditional flavors such as red velvet Before you fill yourself to the The first two songs on the album, “Bird “Making food for people is a comes straight from the kitchen in cakes and chocolate chip cook- brim with whatever pastry you se- Set Free” and “Alive,” were supposed to be very personal thing,” German said the back of the shop and that each ies along with a variety of unique lect, you can’t forget to pose for a for Adele. It’s a fact made obvious from the on the official Cake Bar website. slice is cut from the dozens of cakes flavors such as piña colada cakes, picture with your dessert of choice first listen; the opening piano notes in “Bird “It connects you to every person.” displayed on the countertops. toffee pecan cookies and maple in front of the iconic, flashy Cake Set Free” sound eerily similar to Adele’s hit Growing up in Augusta, There is usually a small bacon pound cakes. Each slice is Bar sign. “Someone Like You,” and the steady back- Georgia, she watched her moth- mid-afternoon crowd, which gives moist, fluffy and crafted with a The variety and creativity on ground tempo in “Alive” parallels “Rolling in er improvise recipes to concoct a you the perfect amount of time balanced icing-to-cake ratio. their menu will certainly accom- the Deep.” Nonetheless, Sia makes the songs multitude of flavorful sweets. in line to debate which flavor to Although I usually feel like I modate any sweet craving. her own with her raspy timbre and strangely “She was the best scratch choose. But post-dinner the shop need a glass of milk to wash down appealing voice cracks. Along with the songs baker I knew,” German said on gets a little overcrowded, making any rich, chocolate dessert, the “Unstoppable,” “Cheap Thrills,” “Reaper” and Ideal Valentine’s Dates the official Cake Bar website. “She it difficult to find indoor seating. Cake Bar’s German chocolate cake AMELIA BROWN “Fist Fighting a Sandstorm,” the theme of BY BRENDA LEE didn’t need to follow a recipe, and Standing shoulder to shoulder is not too rich nor too sweet and STAFF WRITER confidence rings loud and clear. In “Unstop- if she did, she changed it to make with dozens of voices trapped in could stand on its own. Another pable,” Sia describes herself as “a Porsche it her own.” this small space, customers some- less traditional option to try is a with no brakes,” and in “Reaper,” she sings to Also, German encourages times struggle to enjoy their cake slice of their hummingbird cake, a Death, “no baby, not today.” customers to submit family rec- in this buzzing atmosphere. mix of pineapple, banana, toasted $$ The album mainly deals with Sia regain- ipes so she can recreate them When all the tables inside pecans and cinnamon, iced with 3011 Gulden Ln #117 ing confidence, but those who enjoyed her and feature them as cake of the are occupied, the patio, which cream cheese frosting. Although it Closed Monday previous tracks about depression and harm- month. With this idea, she wishes overlooks the Margaret Hunt seems like an unusual combination Tuesday–Thursday 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. ful love will still find something to enjoy. The to honor old memories, but also Hill bridge along with the rest of of ingredients, they all work to- Friday–Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. songs “House on Fire,” “Broken Glass” and to form new ones. Downtown Dallas, is a good spot gether to enhance each other and Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. “Space Between” are more similar to the songs on “1,000 Forms of Fear” and speak of breakdowns due to toxic relationships. scenes, I basically paid $10 to fall fullest, creating the most believable Although some songs tell depressing sto- Hail, Caesar? Fail, Caesar! asleep in a dim, warm theater. characters in the most unbelievable ries of unhealthy relationships, listeners will Hail, Caesar! Perhaps the larger narrative situations. Clooney is a startling be uplifted by the tracks “One Million Bullets,” was a bit messy, but the more min- facsimile for the daffy Whitlock, “Footprints” and “Summer Rain,” all of which The Coen Brothers ute details of Caesar truly indicate and even relative newcomer Eh- are significant departures from Sia’s usual the well attributed talent of the Co- renreich’s performance was out- tunes about abuse. Sia sings about separat- ens. Whimsical storytelling is a main standing, unabashedly sweet and ing herself from toxicity and finding herself component of the film and creates genuine. through healthier love. Her vocal fry – that he story-within-a-story seemed like an amalgam of smaller genuinely interesting subplots, like And though not billed as a co- trademark croakiness of her voice – comes subgenre is tricky to pull bits and pieces, rather than an in- DeeAnna Moran’s (Scarlett Johans- medic movie, Caesar is sharply and through strongly on “One Million Bullets,” but off, but can be enormously terconnected whole. son) accidental pregnancy, Hobie subtly funny, gaining laughs consis- not annoyingly so. It’s the only song on the al- rewarding and refreshing And it’s rather unfortunate, Doyle’s (Alden Ehrenreich) foray tently throughout the movie. Most bum that was not written for another artist. Twhen done right. But unfortunate- too—phenomenal actors like Scar- from the western countryside to notable is a scene in which Mannix “Move Your Body” and “Sweet Design,” ly, the Coen brothers’ new film, lett Johansson, Tilda Swinton and the silver screen and Burt Gurney’s calls in a variety of religious figures on the other hand, were clearly written for “Hail, Caesar!” barely fits the bill. Ralph Fiennes stud the bill, but (Channing Tatum) flirtation with (from a priest to a rabbi) to discuss different singers (Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, “Hail, Caesar!” follows stu- what’s the point of casting them if “The Future”—see the movie, and if a “reasonable American” will find respectively). Their fast-paced tempos and dio “fixer” Ed Mannix (Josh Brolin) they aren’t given enough material you’ll find out for yourself. the religious tones of the Hail, Cae- Latin dance rhythms contrast sharply with the managing the scenes of Capi- to exercise their acting chops? Additionally, what would a sar film offensive. The ensuing talk rest of the album, making them seem out of tol Pictures in post-World War This problem of continuity movie about Hollywood be without of God and His existence is a far cry place. It’s perhaps my only criticism for “This II Hollywood. When well-inten- remained throughout the film, and the color and pizzazz of its real life from derivative and boring. is Acting,” as the rest of the songs tie in nicely tioned-but-airheaded actor Baird quite frankly, made the “plot”—if counterpart? The Coens spare no While “Hail, Caesar!” might together to form a cohesive work of art. Whitlock (George Clooney), the you could even call it that—quite details of ornamental and exqui- take the slow route—and not with- Sia’s strong delivery and powerful lyrics star of Hail, Caesar (the film with- hard to follow. In the interest of site particulars; for example, richly out a few storyline U-turns and provide listeners with a triumphant experi- in the film), goes missing, it’s up to full disclosure, I will say this: I fell colored silk dresses, lavishly built roundabouts—to get to its (quite) ence – as I listened to Sia describe herself Mannix to find Whitlock and save asleep halfway through the mov- movie sets within the film and syn- whimsical destination, the visual overcoming insecurity and finding freedom, I the day. ie—only for 10 minutes! Granted, chronized swimmers all work to- composition and the dry wit of the felt liberated as well. If you enjoy intense vo- While it’s a signature Coen this may have been due to the gether to create a visually appealing film could potentially make up for cals and well-written songs, “This is Acting” brothers style to develop the plot movie starting at 9:45 p.m. (well motion picture. the sluggish journey. is definitely for you. loosely, their trademark falls flat past my bedtime), but I believe that Furthermore, it’s undeniable The album is available on iTunes for $9.99. here. What could have been a it was due to the overwhelming that the superstar bill of actors SUNILA STEEPHEN clean, sharp movie was instead lack of organization and cohesive- paid off—from leading roles to bit BUSINESS MANAGER AMANDA KIM bogged down by numerous sub- ness. Instead of following a film pieces, every part was acted to its STAFF WRITER plots, and in fact, the whole movie of sharp dialogue and fast paced THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL p NOVEMBER 6, 2015 THE FOURCAST 21 2 /perspectives

Currently Editor-in-Chief answers Sophomores debate A look into college debt Senior goes a week Y a student’s question p21 assisted suicide p22 and financial aidp22 without her phone p23 Land of the Free, Home of the Strange way you talk – seriously, what outfit of choice, Hockadayfateful encounter went down: around the American flag and is soccer? I love it here, but girls? See, where I come from, Me: Hey guys! I’ve missed chant USA! with frat bros you have to admit… Americans you dress up even if you’re go- you! How is everyone? and follow the @SorryIm- are really weird. Guys: what’s ing outside for only a few min- My friends: Amanda. Texan twitter account, but so hard about using the metric utes. I know for certain Hong What are you wearing. You alas, I cannot. e system? Everyone else does it. Kong isn’t unique in that as- look homeless. To be fair, I’m sure I seem Why do you feel the need to be pect–even in New York, people Me: Now I remember why plenty different to Ameri- Editor’s Corner so special? wear nice clothing to go out. I left Hong Kong. cans. I say “trainers” instead of Editor-in-Chief But America’s a big place, My sister goes to a university Okay, but all joking aside, “sneakers” and I call it “foot- Erin Thomas answers and I don’t have time to talk in New York and can verify this I really want to be a part of ball” not “soccer,” and I still the troubling questions about everything wrong with information. Really, it’s just a American society, but I’m not don’t understand why ham- it. Today I’m going to focus in part of being a self-sufficient sure if I’ll ever fit in properly burgers are called hamburgers of Upper School students. on a place closer to all of us: human being. Why is this such (hyphenated American, any- (seriously–where is the ham?). Junior Amanda Kim Hockaday. a hard concept for Hockaday one?). I wish I could wave Maybe someday, 20 years Q:It’s already our senior If you think American cul- girls to grasp? from now, I’ll be able to sit back year, and we still haven’t When I stepped on Amer- ture is weird, then Hockaday Just when I think I’ve in my American chair in my found the HockaPossum! ican soil three years ago, I fig- culture is even stranger. There’s assimilated nicely into American home and tell my What do we do? ured I was in for a little culture one thing I’ll never understand Hockaday culture, I have future American child about - Seniors Mahima Agrawal shock because I had lived in about it, no matter how long I to return home for the whether or not Johnny Ap- and Mercer Malakoff Hong Kong my whole life; live here. Girls in Dallas spend summer and reunite with pleseed was a real person however, America was far hours putting on their makeup my Hong Kong friends. In (I am still unsure of his ex- A: Dear concerned citizens, more different than I had and straightening their hair and Hong Kong, I’m constant- istence), but for now I’ll have Ah yes, the infamous first expected. making sure they look pret- ly reminded of how odd to be content with feeling out HockaPossum. Known for Sometimes it seems ty, but then they just go ahead Hockaday culture is. One of place. its stealth and cunning, the like you guys (or should I say and throw on a big T-shirt and time, I forgot that I wasn’t in HockaPossum rarely reveals “y’all?”) do everything differ- some Nike shorts and trainers Dallas, and I wore shorts and itself to any members of the ently; from your food to your and leave the house. a T-shirt to go meet up with human species. Unless, of measuring system to even the Why? Why is this your my friends. This is how that course, you’re me. ILLUSTRATION BY LILY SUMROW Once upon a time, during my freshman year, I was strolling through Metzger THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID: TEACHER EDITION Plaza when something brown and fluffy caught my eye. My time had come. The Hocka- Possum was going to reveal r rown I want to be on I know this is Russian but How have you its presence to me. Me! Of M . B : all people! a reality TV show. that’s no excuse for rushin’. gotten this far in I tracked it into the bushes. But, to my dismay, all Student: Like the Fine Arts Department Chair Ed Long in orchestra your education I found was a discarded math rehearsal, referring to a Russian piece textbook and what looked Kardashians? without like parts of homo naledi. knowing the After alerting Lee Berger Mr. Brown: No, like my about my findings, I contin- You guys are so interested graph of ued my search. Why would own. I don’t have a name the HockaPossum torment in the personal lives of rich e^-kx? me like this? I, however, re- yet. Maybe Brown Town? fused to succumb to the evil people. shenanigans of this wretch- Upper School math teacher Upper School physics teacher ed rodent. I would find the Andrew Brown in relation to Upper School history teacher Tracy Walder regarding her AP U.S. Richard Taylor to his HockaPossum, even if it was his dream of having a reality TV History class’s discussion on rich people of The Gilded Age AP Physics C class the last thing I ever did. show based on Hockaday After years of endless searching, I finally gave up. Junior Joy Nesbitt: But as I walked through Mr. Kramer, is Metzger Plaza once more as ARE YOU there a guillotine in here? a junior, I stopped, dead in my tracks. The HockaPos- ALRIGHT? Mr. Kramer: No ladies. sum – the myth, the man, the legend – had revealed itself Upper School history teacher Lucio Only my tests. to me. (This moment has Benedetto’s response to Seniors Talia been filed under Erin’s Best Meidan and Sunila Steephen applying lotion Upper School history teacher Steve Kramer’s Life Moments and is currently to Senior Manisha Ratakonda’s legs response to a student on Halloween ranked number two. See me for more details.) You wanna know the truth? You don’t find the STAFF STANCE | We Want Homecoming! HockaPossum. The Hocka- Possum finds you.

Punny asks, football, mums, Friday and throughout the week- consider reciprocating and open- dresses, suits, dinner and pictures. end. The school values the tradition ing Winter Formal to them. What does homecoming mean of the alumni returning to St. Mark’s. Winter Formal is a significant to you? For many Hockaday stu- We understand the signifi- tradition at Hockaday as well. By dents, they can never ask them- cance and respect this tradition inviting St. Mark’s, we would be selves this question. and are not asking to take part in able to keep it a tradition but simply Unlike many co-ed schools the alumni events. However, the allow more people into the event. where all students can go to actual dance part of home- We already share other tra- homecoming without a date or coming is for students ditions and social events: Junior with a group of friends, this op- and does not interfere Why can’t Patron’s Guild, mixers, spirit par- tion is not available for us. Why is we do the same with ties, football games and cheerlead- the tradition of homecoming that our brother school St. Mark’s? ers. They pick their homecoming started over 100 years ago so un- At the same time, it is no se- queens from our school, too. reachable to us? cret that the relationship between Thus, why is the dance part of To better understand this Hockaday and St. Mark’s has weak- homecoming not included? At the situation, the Fourcast spoke to ened over the years. Even The same time, why do we not include St. Mark’s Interim Head of Upper Remarker’s centerspread for the St. Mark’s in our Winter Formal? School Scott Gonzalez. September issue focused on this Could opening up these To Gonzalez, homecoming is with these events. deteriorating relationship. dances to each other be a way to more than simply a football game After all, Ursuline Academy of PHOTO BY QIN CHER The Fourcast completely reconnect us? Could this finally be and dance for the students. Aside Dallas, another all-girls school near agrees. We value the relation- a way for us to restore the bond from the game on Friday night and us, has the option to attend home- ship we have with St. Mark’s very we once shared? the dance on Saturday, St. Mark’s coming at their brother school, Je- much but believe that it could be The Fourcast asks both schools hosts a variety of alumni events on suit Preparatory School of Dallas. so much stronger. Thus, we would to consider this. THE FOURCAST THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL ARTs & EntERtaInMEnT 17 MAY 22, 2015

REVIEWS: Café Momentum • Entertainment Apps • Pitch Perfect 2

Café Momentum Reaches Out A ca--Awful PHOTO BY NOOR ADATIA PHOTO PROVIDED BY UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Pitch Perfect 2 Elizabeth Banks

aking a good sequel is diffi- cult—especially for a comedy. MThe director has to find a way to make it as funny, if not funnier, than its prequel; the plot has to have the same kind of appeal without making it an exact copy and there needs to be a good balance between story and jokes. All of these things are still no ex- cuse for making a movie as terrible as “Pitch Perfect 2.” Walking into the theater, I was pre- pared for the side-splitting laughs that the first movie gave me. Walking out, all Café Momentum nized into firsts (appetizers), seconds Cauliflower s’mores, toasted coconut ice cream, I could think was, “I kind of hated that.” (salads), thirds (entrees) and fourths Power a fruity variation on petit fours The plot was cheesy, and if you lay 1510 Pacific Avenue (desserts), we gave our selections to Served with and fried pie. The s’mores looked it out, it’s hard to ignore the fact that the friendly waiter. salsa verde and especially appetizing, served with “Pitch Perfect 2” has basically the same While the wait was rather yogurt sauce, graham cracker crust and smoked story as the original “Pitch Perfect”— lengthy, the food did not disappoint. cauliflower be- marshmallow fluff. the Barden Bellas suffer some kind of For an appetizer for the table, we or- comes a treat. They do not accept tips for embarrassing performance and then dered a cauliflower head. Steamed to the waiters. Rather, you are en- have to repair their reputation by go- ocated in the heart of down- a golden brown, the dish came with couraged to make a donation. ing against the odds and challenging town Dallas, Café Momentum salsa verde and a rather poignant yo- On my way out, I could not a much better group in a big compe- offers sophisticated dining in gurt sauce. While I could not exactly help but notice the elegant wall tition. The story is stunningly predict- an upscale environment. Dedi- place my finger on what exactly the decor, that supports the cause, able yet still manages to not be as bad Lcated to its goal of preventing teen re- yogurt sauce ingredients were, it sure as the humor. Seriously: the whole encouraging these teens and the cidivism, or the likelihood for some- was delicious. The flavors of the pow- work they do. Notes of support thing where they put “a ca-” in front of one to return to jail, the restaurant erful sauces and freshly prepared, and encouragement covered one other words has gotten old. It was fun- offers a paid internship for male ju- crunchy cauliflower complemented sidewall. Next to the bathrooms, ny in the original, but I was done hear- venile offenders. Chad Houser, who each other well. This dish certainly illustrations of a fork, knife and ing it by the sequel. Most of the other spoke at an assembly in October, made me want to eat my vegetables. spoon stood up, contributing to jokes felt immature and too forced, came up with the idea and developed Next came the main course. I had the learning environment fos- and it seemed like they were going for the restaurant. Currently Executive ordered the short ribs in a creamy po- tered at the restaurant. more gag humor than real jokes. Chef, Houser works with the Dallas lenta sauce. The presentation of the The restaurant does an out- However, it wasn’t just the “a ca-” County Juvenile Justice Department dishes here should be commended. jokes that made me cringe. There’s a standing job of conveying this huge difference between being offen- and teaches these teens job and life Garnished with coriander leaves, the message to its guests. Plates with skills, training them in many various sive and being funny, and it’s a dif- ribs lay on a bed of mashed potatoes stories of some of the interns ference that this movie fails to recog- aspects of a restaurant, from waiting and gravy. Although I’m not a fan of working there cover the back on tables to helping chefs prepare nize. Sexist jokes are made constantly meat, the short ribs were cooked thor- wall, while the back of the menu throughout, and every minority in the meals in the kitchen. oughly, with a little bit of red here and states: “Be Patient. Be Under- When I entered Café Momen- film is heavily stereotyped. The La- there to keep it juicy and flavorful. standing. Be A Mentor.” tina girl, at one point, reveals herself tum, I was asked to wait for 20 min- The polenta sauce, essentially boiled Come with this sort of atti- to be an illegal immigrant, with mul- utes. But no fear—I had heard the cornmeal, helped bring out the bold tude in mind. When going to Cafe tiple references to a troubled, terrify- food was promising, so I patiently beefy flavor. Fried baby onions dot- Momentum, it is important to re- ing childhood filled with drug-related waited. (Some words of advice: be ted the outside. The ribs were tender member that the people serving crimes. The lesbian character is overt- sure to make a reservation). The res- and moist, while the mashed potatoes you are teens trying to start over. ly sexual and seems to be physically taurant was packed on a Saturday were creamy. Be kind and be supportive. F incapable of looking at another girl night, with waiters flying in and out My brother ordered their market without making a crude comment, of the kitchen with multiples dishes fish. They offered salmon, with a side $$$ and when the Indian a cappella group in their hands. of coleslaw and parsnips. While he Open 5:30 p.m. -11 p.m. puts on an incredible show (performed My family and I were seated in no forbade me to eat any of his meal, he Thursday-Saturday by real-life a cappella group Penn Ma- longer than their requested waiting clearly enjoyed it. Valet parking is complimentary. sala), the only thing the performance time. The front of the menu resem- Since it had gotten quite late, I re- commentators have to say is a deroga- bled a wooden clipboard and read, frained from ordering dessert: a deci- Noor Adatia tory comment concerning Indian im- “Welcome to Our Classroom.” Orga- sion I regret. Dessert options include News Editor migrants in the United States and how many jobs they supposedly steal. Note to Universal Studios: if the audience is groaning in unison every time you try Apps for Your Entertainment and Pleasure to be funny, you’re failing. Along with these distasteful Oyster Dull Postmates “jokes” comes a plethora of celebrity cameos, including Barack and Mi- chelle Obama, Snoop Dogg, the Green Bay Packers and Pentatonix. Unfor- hen looking for an The fact that it’s a digital Depending on your lo- up the order there. tunately for Elizabeth Banks, putting excuse to procrasti- collection of e-books makes cation, Postmates can de- Okay, I’ll admit, not tak- cool people in your movie doesn’t nate finishing your me feel a little better about liver food from places such ing the effort to get out of make your movie cool. calculus home- taking a break from home- as Hopdoddy, East Hampton my chair and getting Chipo- The film’s soundtrack is catchy Wwork or outlining that English work. Hey, reading a book is Sandwich Company and Dive tle delivered was pretty great, and upbeat, with the perfect blend of paper, many students turn to more educational than being Coastal Cuisine. but the app should be saved easily recognizable pop classics and Netflix or social media for a on social media, right? Simply place your order for those nights when you’re everyone’s favorite recent chart-top- break. However, three new apps Another new entertain- using the Postmates app 20 to way too exhausted and sleep- pers. The soundtrack is responsible —Oyster, Dull and Postmates— ment app called Dull is, in re- 30 minutes before you want it, deprived to even move, not for for the only star I’ve given the movie. are quickly proving that nontra- ality, anything but dull. Dull provide the driver with your everyday use. But not even the greatest of mash-ups ditional ways to procrastinate lets you scroll through streams address and your fresh, piping All three apps are available could make this movie more than a are just as fun and distracting as of interesting things like ani- hot meal will arrive promptly on the App Store for iPhone money-hungry bigot that left me feel- traditional ones. mated GIFs, news stories, fun- when you want it. and Android. Downloading ing exhausted and almost physically In a nutshell, Oyster is an ny videos and music. It’s basi- The only con? The ridicu- Postmates and Dull is free, and ill after nearly two hours of subpar app that lets you access over one cally like BuzzFeed, but has a lous additional charges for a one month subscription to plot lines and juvenile jokes. There are a lot of bad comedy se- million e-books. It’s basically continuous stream of content delivery and tip. After order- Oyster will cost you $9.95. F Netflix for e-books and is just as that’s similar to Tumblr. ing my $8.75 burrito bowl from quels: “Mean Girls 2,” “Alvin and the interactive and easy to use. While you’re getting a Chipotle, I was a bit reluctant Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” and “Evan The best part about Oyster is good laugh with the Dull app, to pay a total of $12 when ex- Eshani Kishore Almighty,” to name a few. “Pitch Perfect that all of your books are finally you can now order food with tra fees were factored in. Call Staff Writer 2” fits perfectly on that list. F in one place —no more spending a new app called Postmates, me crazy, but maybe it’s just time trying to find that one book which is increasing the extent cheaper and better to make Amanda Kim that you want to read. of food delivery in Dallas. the drive to Chipotle and pick Staff Writer