Volume L | Issue 3 GothicTimes.net April 2020 WHERE DID EVERYONE GO? How COVID-19 Stole 2020 Sports
by Zoe Viant - Managing Editor
he COVID- 19 has left people with nowhere to go and for those die-hard sports fans, nothing to do at Thome either. Being that everyone is quarantined, now would have been a good time to sit back, relax, and watch some good ol’ ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network). However, any sport that was to take place during this season has been cancelled. Tragedy struck when Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz basketball team tested positive for COVID and after that it was a downward spiral. The next day, Donovan Mitchell, also on the Jazz, tested positive for the virus. Associations such as the NBA (National Basketball Association) and FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) were trying to find a middle ground to not have the virus spread anymore and at the same time give viewers at home a chance to watch. Photo displays stadiums going empty due to virus. Photo courtesy of Wgbieber/Pixabay Continued on page 2 FOOD SUPPLY FOR DORMING STUDENTS
by Kenise Brown - Editor in Chief
ore than 90 students remain says the Food Pantry is opened “from doing and if there is anything they need. at NJCU’s residence halls 12 noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Luciano says: “We support and provide Mdespite the university being Friday.” In addition, the pantry provides the students whenever we can. We closed. While many forage for supplies the students with backpacks. “The would even take runs to grocery stores due to the Coronavirus, the students backpacks contain basic essentials such to see what we can help them with.” on campus are being taken care of. as rice, beans, pasta sauce and canned However, due to limited supply, According to Jennifer Luciano, assistant vegetables. Students may also select not all students on campus have dean of Residence Life and Student a box of cereal and shelf stable milk access to masks and gloves. “While Engagement, Gourmet Dining has a while supplies last,” Quinones says. “I we cannot provide each student who variety of to-go meals for students. The will continue to do all I can to keep the is currently dorming with gloves and Food Pantry is also open if they need pantry stocked to meet student needs.” masks, we ensure them to always wash additional supplies.” In continuing to meet student their hands and have good hygiene. Robert Quinones, assistant needs, Luciano says Residence Life The cleaning staff has some gloves to director of Community Engagement contacts students to see how they are Continued on page 2 2 | News GothicTimes.net April 2020
Continued from page 1 WHERE DID EVERYONE GO? Their solution was to not have any April 30th seems promising athletic department has made the spectators come and watch the games. with hopes that the virus dies down a decision to cancel the remaining season The seats would be empty, but the game bit and they see fewer cases. With this leaving six programs behind. continues. information, it is likely that seasons Athletes that play for the school That idea was short-lived when that begin in the Fall may be pushed are disappointed including senior the Centers of Disease Control and back a couple of weeks. Kelly Cohen, Baseball outfielder, Juan Peña. Peña Prevention advised everyone not to a reporter for ESPN, said in an article says: “It’s very disappointing my senior gather in groups of 10 or more. Teams in in early March, “Japan Prime Minister year has come to an end due to the general would not be able to play in the Shinzo Abe and International Olympic COVID. Although we get eligibility for same space, forcing these associations Committee President Thomas Bach one more year, that isn’t the case for other to cancel their seasons. As the days agreed to postpone the Tokyo 2020 seniors that are graduating this May. Any passed, more and more athletes in the Olympics by about one year.” It has athlete shouldn’t have to end their career United States and other countries like been 80 years since the last time the like that. Some of us will end up in debt Italy, were being diagnosed everyday Olympics was cancelled, coincidentally, because we love what we do so much, with this fatal virus. The President of it was also supposed to take place in that we want to stay another year.” Not the United States has advised everyone Tokyo (bad luck or what?). Although many seniors need to stay an additional to stay indoors until they can get this it is postponed to no later than summer year considering they will have fulfilled virus under control, but the numbers 2021, the name will still be “Summer their credit requirements, but some are keep going up in new cases and deaths. Olympics 2020.” As for NJCU, the willing to stay full time students.
Continued from page 1 FOOD SUPPLY FOR DORMING STUDENTS
share but not for all the students,” that an international student who Luciano says. dormed at NJCU had tested positive Luciano also says the amount of for Covid-19. However, the student had students on campus usually increases already returned home. to 120 students but always decreases to Residence Life made sure to about 90. “It ranges because everyday sanitize all the dorms. Students had no you have students checking out and concerns after precautions were taken. coming back to grab more things they Luciano says :“We encourage left behind since Spring Break. No one social distancing and a 24-hour quiet anticipated this would happen while we place. No outside guests are allowed are on Spring Break so students would in the halls ...Overall the residence come back to get their school supplies community have been good at and the things they need. responding and being diligent towards Canned goods that can be found inside the food pantry. Photo courtesy of Salvation In early April, President Sue one another. Army US West/Flickr Henderson announced through email Additional reporting by Sandra Mendez
The Gothic Times would like for everyone to remain safe indoors. Please take precautions of social distancing. This will all be over soon. We hope to see you all next semester. Again, stay safe! 3 | Art/Entertainment GothicTimes.net April 2020
HOLLYWOOD TAKES A HUGE HIT The Entertainment Industry Bends the Knee to COVID-19
by Haresh Oudhnarine - Contributing Writer
Die” also faced multiple new dates and is foreign gross was less than the U.S. now slated for November 2020. Universal Pokémon film by more than $100 Studios’ “Fast 9” has been pushed back a million. “The Invisible Man” and “The complete year to May 2021. Way Back” were also performing fairly Disney’s “Mulan” and “Black well at the box office for films of their Widow” have new release dates as well. size before theatres ultimately closed. Although both films’ final trailers have Disney Pixar’s “Onward” was already been released, marking the end severely undercut from its potential of their ad campaigns; they will still success by being in theatres for only be able to have their run in theatres. a little over a week. The film had a “Mulan” already had its world premiere massive 72.9 percent drop in its second in Los Angeles on March 9th before and final weekend. The movie only it was ultimately pulled from being made $42 million overseas and $61.5 launched. “Mulan” is now set to be million domestically. released in July 2020. “Black Widow” Movies are not usually available is set for November 2020, on the date for purchase until after three months from Marvel's own “Eternals” was to be their theatrical release. Due to the ongoing released; all of the Marvel release dates pandemic, most of the films whose run have been pushed back due to this. have been cut short became available for Photo displays an empty movie theater. With COVID-19 being declared purchase on Apple TV and Amazon. A Photo courtesy Bahman Farzad/ Flickr a pandemic on March 11, most theatres few of those films are “Onward”, “Birds ajor blockbuster films, such remained open for one last weekend. of Prey”, “Call of the Wild”,“ Bloodshot”, as the James Bond movie Based on information from Box Office and “The Invisible Man”. M“No Time to Die” and Mojo, a total nearly $54 million was Netflix is one of the biggest Marvel’s “Black Widow” are getting made at the box office for the weekend competitors to the movie industry. new or pending release dates due to the beginning March 13. The Hollywood Although the streaming service grossed coronavirus pandemic. Movie theatres Reporter revealed that this was the $20.15 billion worldwide in 2019, its across the United States are forced to lowest weekend box office total since business model is very different from close their doors in order to help flatten September 2000, which was even that of theatres. Netflix’s goal is to always the curve of the COVID-19 spread as lower than the totals from the following keep their members subscribed through ordered by the Centers for Disease two weekends after the September 11 the constant release of new content; Control and Prevention (CDC) for all attacks. the main difference in comparison to non-essential businesses to halt. The movies which were released the theatre model is that Netflix users Some other films which have before March 11 proved unable to make pay a set price once a month whereas, been affected by this are “Mulan”, a significant impact in the overseas in order to watch a movie in theatres, “Wonder Woman 1984”, “A Quiet Place box office since many other countries each person would be charged to watch II”, “Fast 9”, “The New Mutants”,“Peter were battling the virus before the the film. Netflix also has a surplus of Rabbit 2”, and dozens more. United States. Paramount’s “Sonic the content slated to grace their platform Warner Bros’ “Wonder Woman Hedgehog” was able to make a huge in the upcoming months. They recently 1984” has its third new release date splash in the domestic market with released “Self Made”, “Ozark” season scheduled for August 2020 after being about $146 million after a dismal first- 3, and the “Tiger King” docuseries. pushed to June 2020 from its original reaction to its debut trailer. Although Many have posed the idea for November 2019 date because the grossing slightly more domestically studios such as Disney to put their producers wanted the film to be released than a similar live-action video game in the summer. Paramount’s “No Time to movie, “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” Continued on page 8 4 | Opinion/Editorial GothicTimes.net April 2020 WHO’S ON YOUR BOOKSHELF? Own Voices in the Classroom
by Rebecca Richardson - Contributing Writer
ou can tell a lot about a school great, the issue occurs before the book just by looking at its classroom even has a spine. Ylibraries. Classroom libraries are Recent strides to push diverse collections of books and magazines used authors onto the forefront of the book to encourage independent reading in a market occurred in 2015 when Corinne designated space of a K-12 classroom. Duyvis, a YA (Young Adult) fantasy Whether there’s a lavish and science fiction author, pioneered space with comfy bean bag chairs Own Voices, a twitter hashtag to accompanied by the latest bestsellers, shed light on books where the creator boxes of roughed up bent paperbacks on and main character share a form of a windowsill, or no classroom library at marginalization. According to Blue all, this component of a classroom can Crow Publishing LLC, a small press reveal a school’s culture and priorities. that only allows submissions from Own Students of NJCU’s College Voices authors: of Education are reminded about the “Own voices” means that if you importance of encouraging literacy as a are writing a main character who is part part of everyday life. Some students are of marginalized group, you are part easier to convince than others that books of that marginalized group. If you are are magical—a whimsical escape from writing a trans* main character, you are reality that fuels ideas and possibilities. a trans* person. If you are writing about Maybe the struggle to convince K-12 an American Indian main character, you students to read is a lot closer to home are American Indian. If you are writing than one may think. How can we expect about a disabled main character, you are students to want to read, if they can’t see disabled. And so on. themselves within the literary world? Still in 2017, only 7 percent of Just like in the movies, in sports, the new children’s books published that and even in Congress etc. representation year were written by Black, Latinx, matters. While books centered towards and Native authors combined. In our diversity and multicultural themes are classrooms at NJCU, we’re above the Photo displays Children books. national average in Photo courtesy of Wokingham Libraries/ Pixabay overall diversity, ranking #154 in libraries of their colleagues and make the nation as above the classrooms of America truly average in student representational of the neighborhoods body ethnic diversity. in America.” For this purpose, Publishers, it’s 2020. It’s time Professor Tamara that you invest more in pushing books Tallman, an adjunct by Own Voice authors to the front professor at NJCU, shelves. From there, the representation says, “Students at of a creator from a marginalized group NJCU should feel can inspire readers to read, create, inspired to write and transform any field because of the their own stories inspiration drawn from one book. This and look to have is the magic of literacy and it all starts them published to in the classroom library. Photo displays Children books. Photo courtesy of Wokingham Libraries/ Pixabay add to the classroom 5 | Opinion/Editorial GothicTimes.net April 2020
THE QUEST FOR WATER ON CAMPUS
by Monica Ortiz - Contributing Writer
etween commuting, going chloramines, and chlorine. fill station. The installation required from class to class, clubs and The water bottle refill stations unforeseen piping and electrical Bextracurricular activities, are not only convenient but also good reworking,” according to Rago. students can get thirsty very quickly. for the environment. Instead of using Now that four buildings on There are multiple places on campus 3-5 plastic bottles a day, you could use campus have these stations, students where thirsty students can get water, one reusable bottle and simply refill it can enjoy filtered water while saving e.g., Dunkin Donuts, the cafeteria, throughout the day. the environment and saving money. I book store, and vending machines all The main company behind the personally haven’t paid for bottled water sell water for various prices. However, filtration systems is Elkay. The cost of in months because of these stations. it can be quite costly to constantly buy one of these stations is about $1050.00, The next step is to have the water bottles throughout the day. not including installation and piping. refilling stations implemented in other Doctors recommend people drink Rago has said that as of January 16, NJCU dormitories like West Campus eight 8-ounce glasses. To give you a 2020, all the stations have been paid for Village and Co-op. Since there is perspective on how much that is: it is by the university. So far these stations already one in Vodra, it only makes estimated to be about 2 liters, or half a have been implemented in Vodra, sense to have one in the other dorms gallon of water a day. So, people might Hepburn, Rossey, and Karnoutsos. After as well for the students who spend the have to buy 3-4 bottles of water daily that people were starting to wonder why most time on campus since they should when they’re on campus. This is where they were not installed in the building have access to convenient, filtered water these water bottle refill stations come where most students go to. in their dormitory. into play. The idea for the stations was Suddenly, a station appeared in These water filtration stations developed by President Sue Henderson. the Gilligan Student Union building are great for the environment because it What do these filters do? Well, as (GSUB) despite all the talk that they cuts down on plastic. It is also beneficial Anthony Rago, Director of Facilities, couldn’t and there wasn’t enough to the students on campus so they can explains, “the purpose of the filter is money in the budget. That leaves save money on bottled water. Plastic is to screen out general impurities in the questions of “How?” and “Why?”. I extremely damaging to the environment water and ‘polish’ water for a more spoke to Anthony Rago and every little step in using less plastic palatable taste by tempering chlorine “The plumbing behind the helps the environment. and turbidity.” These filters provide existing water fountain had to be cleaner and safer water for all of completely removed, replaced and our students by removing sand, silt, relocated to make it work with the
Vending Cafeteria Dunkin Book Store Machines
$1.95 X $1.75 (20 oz) - $2.59
X $2.30 X X
(23.7 oz) - $2.29 $2.45 X $2.50 (33.8 oz) - $2.99
Chart and Illustrations made by Aminah Chaudhary 6 | Opinion/Editorial GothicTimes.net April 2020
THEY LOST GOD AND FOUND TRUMP: A New Conservitive Wave
by Keion-Mekhi Jackson Keion-Mehki Jackson is a minister, activist, commentator, and contributing writer for the Gothic Times.
“In the “lynching era,” between 1880 to 1940, white Christians lynched nearly five thousand black men and women in a manner with obvious echoes of the Roman crucifixion of Jesus.Yet these “Christians” did not see the irony or contradiction in their actions.” James H. Cone, The Cross and the Lynching Tree
onservative people have oric we see the rise of conservative na- usage of biblical philosophy. This has historically fused together tionalism which puts into perspective been the central issue of their theolo- Ctheir belief in Christ with their the american view of terriorism, with- gy. In the words of the Rev. Dr. Ottis patriotism. The Christian-right sees out realizing that xenophobia is a type Moss III, when we look critically at the Jesus from a place of privilege, they of terriorism itself. This xenophobic gospel, it is a political manifesto of lib- see him as a nationalistic, patriarchal ideology propelled itself into conserva- eration and change. When Jesus tells mascot, Aryan; and not a reformed tive theology especially with its most Peter to drop his fishing net and follow Jewish rabbi. There lies a question, “profound” voices such as Franklin him in the gospel according to St. Luke, would they recognize Jesus if he Graham and Pat Robertson in an arti- Rome the Oppressor was without fish, walked through their church doors.The cle by the Christian Daily spoke high- Jesus then places the power back into Christian-right does not see Jesus as a ly of Trump’s Armed Forces trans ban the oppressed people under the rule of dark-skinned, curly haired, Palestinian and immigrant detention centers. Now, the Roman government. Jew who liberated the poor, and stood up when we read the gospel of Christ it Since then, I have been basing to religious and Roman leaders. In 2016 calls us to be rooted in love across re- my critiques of this movement from Donald J. Trump was elected to be the ligion, orientaion, sex, gender, and skin my Judaeo-Christian background as a 45th President of the United States of color. Jesus in nature expanded his min- Theologian, Pastor and African-Amer- America. This shocked some people but istry by engaging people deemed un- ican man. It is safe to say that Donald for some of us it did not. Trump added fit for his time. Trump, if he is truly a Trump has appropriated a neo-slavocra- more coal to an already burning fire Christian, a student of Christ, he should cy in America, being that this rhetoric rooted in racism, sexism, homophobia, destroy walls not construct them. seems to be rooted in Jacksonian phi- xenophobia and pigmentocracy which Furthermore, when Trump en- losophy regarding people of color. This is the basic foundation conservative joins that Haiti, El Salvador, and an as- said philosophy is problematic, because social theology and American society sortment of African nations the appropriation of Jesus Christ as cap- as a whole. This then sets the precedent are “Sh**thole countries’’ he has then italist is false. Jesus Christ is a socialist, of the conservative view of President radicalized, tribalized, and verbally re- because his whole work was centered Trump in 21st century American colonized these places which allows his around taking from Caesar to restore politics. followers to re-assert their whiteness life back into Lazarus, not just in the President Trump, in his first 100 in everyday life. Whether it be telling form of liberation, the gospel, but alms days in office not only deemed himself Spanish speaking folks to speak En- for survival. The truth is that in order an evangelical Christian, but also creat- glish or telling Black people to go back for America to be cleansed of its past ed an anti-christian manifesto which led to their country these types of behaviors he must realize that racism, sexism, to the building of a wall along the Mex- are cruel and rooted in whiteness. In the homophobia, xenophobia and pigmen- ican border with a concentration of im- Garden of Eden when God tells Cain tocracy is demonic in nature. America migrants who are Latinx descent. This that his brother's blood cries out to him must define itself once and for all as ei- led to a travel ban which vehemently from the ground, asking him if he has ther an Anglo-Saxon nation or a melting focused on West African, North African realized what he has done by killing his pot for all people. Then and only then and Middle Eastern countries which brother, calls us to question if Donald will this land be the land of the free and are predominantly Muslim. By putting Trump and his conservative cronies re- the home of the brave. fourth anti Latinx and anti-Muslim rhet- alize the impact of their legislation and 7 | News GothicTimes.net April 2020
THE BAN ON PLASTIC BAGS
by Monica Ortiz - Contributing Writer
id you know, Americans use 100 made of polyethylene. Ethylene billion plastic bags a year, which is derived from natural Drequires 12 million containers gas and petroleum. of oil to produce? The average family Reusable plastic only recycles 15 bags a year while the bags can be made rest end up in landfills or as litter. This of recycled plastic, is an incredible waste of resources that recycled bottles, Jersey City has been leading the charge thick plastic that is to fight. more durable than Starting in the summer of 2019, disposable plastic Jersey City started enforcing a ban on bags or cloth. single-use plastic bags. Jersey City was New Jersey the largest city in the state to implement started banning plastic
this ban, causing a ripple effect of other bags town by town Photo courtesy of publicdomainvectors.org towns and cities to soon follow along. starting in early 2020. Back Despite the ban, the cafeteria at in December, N.J. lawmakers NJCU still has plastic bags available forwarded legislation to ban the use of January, said, “I think it’s extreme and for use. According to Ed Mallaney, plastic and paper bags, as well as plastic quite annoying. I will not only have to an operational controller for Gourmet foam containers. The ban is making its purchase reusable bags for me but for Dining on campus, Gourmet Dining was way through several towns across the my mother. If the president of the United told to continue having plastic available state. There is still a debate on whether States does not care about saving the and to operate as usual. Plastic bags are there should be a bill or not banning environment, how is not using plastic being used to bag Subway Sandwiches plastics. bags in the supermarket really going to and plastic bags are available by the North Bergen resident Maria help? It should start at the top.” cash registers for students to put their Elena said, "Overall, I think it's a great “I know there are stores that lunches in, regardless of regulations. idea and a step in the right direction. collect plastic bags and say they recycle According to Jodi Bailey, director People need to take issues regarding them, but I don’t think they do”, says Jon of Student Affairs and Enrollment our environment seriously. I do think Wagar, Deputy Executive Director from Management, “this law has not been however there needs to be more Duke Farms. “I don’t think anybody enacted yet, and all entities have up promotion about it because I feel like has an answer [whether reusable plastic to 18 months to comply. Gourmet a lot of people walking into stores with bags can be recycled]”. Duke Farms is Dining has the right to use its supply up no clue about the ban." a nature preserve in Somerset County. before needing to adjust their practices Despite the positive impact on Despite some disagreement from accordingly”. Whether NJCU should go the environment, some people think people, the positive effects of plastic through and ban plastic is up in the air at a ban on plastic is an inconvenience. bag bans outweigh the inconveniences the moment. “Yes, because they're only Some say the ban can hurt the people it may have for some shoppers. for temporary use and they’re thrown that produce the bags because it can lead Research shows that plastic bans reduce away and then end up everywhere to layoffs for people who manufacture trash, waste, and improves the uses of afterward.” says freshman Kimberly De plastic bags. Many people find the resources. Disposable plastic bags lead Leon on whether plastic bags should be upfront cost of buying reusable bags to more problems then reusable ones banned on campus. inconvenient and would rather just use and banning them in a step in the right According to Waste Management, plastic bags and go about their day. direction to helping the environment. only 1 percent of plastic bags are Susana Fernandez, a resident of returned for recycling. Plastic bags are Secaucus where plastic was banned in 8 | Art & Entertainment GothicTimes.net April 2020
Continued from page 3 2019, Disney earned over $10 billion will be for movie theatres within the in the worldwide box office, the most upcoming months. There is a lot left up in delayed releases on their streaming for any studio of all time. This does not the air about COVID-19; whether it will service Disney+. This begs the question include the money which Disney has dissipate by May or August, a range many if the company would risk not making earned from their multiple theme parks, experts have predicted. Many theatres are a billion dollars from “Black Widow”, merchandise, and other sales, which already facing possible bankruptcies. Will a film in the Marvel franchise where added up to over $69 billion in 2019. the movie business be able to return back each entry has earned more than a With the future of Hollywood in to normal after COVID-19 passes over? billion or at least gotten very close. In limbo, it is unknown what the situation Only time will tell.
MULAN: A FAMILIAL REFLECTION (Film Preview)
by Arianna Bianciella - Contributing Writer
pon watching the trailer Understandably, it is a darker sidekicks, Mushu and Cri-Kee, both of Mulan, the differences retelling of Mulan’s journey. The of whom were adored by Western Ubetween the live-action and cinematography is noticeably vibrant audiences and initially provided for animatedrelease are prevalent. The and flashy. Undoubtedly, audiences are comedic relief, might have detracted Imperial Chinese Army, stricken by the drawn to the characterization of Mulan’s from Mulan’s mission. In an earlier traumas of war, the familial detachment, façade, the darker themes, and the color cut of the live action film, Chinese the mystical elements, and the reality of scheme of the film itself especially audiences abhorred themes of romance. an aging father without a son to carry the usage of red. A transformative, Chinese audiences believed the an engraved weapon into war. It is not multifaceted shade reflecting Mulan’s animated spin to be too unoriginal, meant to be a remake but a retelling of growth as a character from a frightened Americanized, and preferring accurate The Ballad of Mulan—a focus on an woman to a dignified soldier appearing storytelling. China did not enjoy age-old epic lost over time. in flashes through Mulan’s pancake the animated take on Mulan’s story Compared to the animated story makeup, lit candles, and traditional garb. abhorring the character Mushu as of Mulan, the live-action film continues In spite of Disney’s intervention, the dragon is symbolic in Chinese to shock audiences. There are no song- the story of Mulan is relatively culture— a representation of willpower and-dance sequences and instead unknown. Moreover, Disney has chosen and dignity. When facing war, Chinese instrumental versions of the original to glamorize cultural details. Talkative warriors did not trim their hair as Mulan songs. It is a story highlighting bravery famously did before her departure. - one that does not cut corners. Western However long hair is a subtle symbol of audiences might be conflicted with the confidence. upcoming film, its lack of musicality Starring Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen, and focus on a direct storyline. and Gong Li, the 2020 release is based Through the steady scope of on the origin story of The Ballad of the trailer, one can view Mulan’s Mulan, where Mulan forgoes her family perseverance and fiery optimism as a in order to protect them. Becoming a testament to her father’s sacrifice for member of the Imperial Army to protect the Hua family. Li Shang, Mulan’s her ailing father from the shadows of original love interest, is replaced with war, she is forced to protect herself, Commander Tung and Chen Hongfui, the other recruits, her family, those the latter of whom Mulan gravitates unbeknownst to her whereabouts, and toward. Hongfui’s character is on a might become subjected to violence and similar playing field being a soldier. humiliation if her identity is revealed to The focus might appeal to wide- the public. Astory of sacrifice, Mulan ranging audiences, and those seeking seeks to lead the Imperial Army to Hua Mulan’s true story vaguely retold victory. through her father’s eyes. Photo courtesy of IMDB.com 9 | Art & Entertainment GothicTimes.net April 2020 CHRIS BENOIT The Man Who Almost Destroyed Wrestling
by Angel Madera - Contributing Writer
ne of WWE’s (World of wrestling, I remember seeing Chris Wrestling Entertainment) Benoit every Friday Night Smackdown Ofinest performers, a visionary, doing what he loved. The last time idolized by fans and wrestlers alike. I saw him wrestle was in an ECW ( If you are a fan, you already know the Extreme Championship Wrestling) person by one of their ring nicknames: match against Elijah Burke in a pay- Canadian Crippler or the Rabid Wolf. per-view event called Vengeance which We are talking about Chris Benoit, but Benoit ultimately won. I remembered what people remember about Benoit the bewilderment I felt when he was is the unforeseen double-murder- replaced by Johnny Nitro. Soon after, suicide that occurred in 2007, promptly the news of his death was announced destroying his reputation and almost- on Monday Night Raw and viewers wrestling, altogether. Eldest son David watched the tribute with loss for Benoit, sister-in-law Sandra, formerly words. WWE did not know enough close friends, members of the famed details surrounding Benoit’s death and Benoit and Eddie Guerrero as WWE 2004 Champions. Photo courtesy of Sousa Guerrero family and Chris Jericho later regretted the prerecorded tribute, Online/Flickr. remember the good, the bad, and the blacklisting the Benoit name. ugly of Benoit in the docu-series, “The Regarding the cinematic aspects as it correlated to Benoit’s later actions. Dark Side of the Ring,” which explores of the docu-series, the camera work is Later, the unexpected passing of Eddie the ills of the industry. stilted and intense. The camera focuses Guerrero rocked Benoit, who depended Personally, this two-part on home-movies of Benoit, his family, on Guerrero as if he were salvation documentary by Vice News was the his sons, and relationships with the itself, but Guerrero depended more on finest piece they have ever done, Guerrero family. There were even old his heart which ultimately gave out on considering their recent focus on daily photos shown still pressed into albums him. The memory of Eddie Guerrero news, politics, intense subjects like as if their memories remain alive. weighed on Chris Benoit’s emotional sexuality and addictions. As a young fan Before that fateful day in June, well-being, noted by equally devastated Chris met his future wife, Nancy family members. Toffolini, where she was then-known Benoit became overwhelmed by a variety of ring names. Toffolini by his grief, and the progression of a was said to be a feminine pioneer then-unknown condition lurking in the that revolutionized women in a background. The documentary explores male-dominated industry. Toffolini’s how Benoit suffered at the hands of character was one of grandeur, a deadly chronic traumatic encephalopathy force during her debut, one starkly (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease before her time where women remained caused by repeated head injuries. solely at the sidelines to cause disarray Undoubtedly, sports and in the ring. Tumultuously married to wrestling fans will enjoy the series. another wrestler named Kevin Sullivan, Chris Benoit was no doubt an icon in Toffolini sought an escape. Placed into the wrestling world. Unfortunately, a storyline-relationship with Benoit, he many of his accomplishments were and Toffolini became permanent as her overshadowed by the abrupt tragedy. relationship with Sullivan deteriorated. Had the tragedy never happened, Chris After welcoming a son, Daniel, Benoit would have been inducted into sooner than expected, relatives and close the WWE Hall of Fame and his family Photo courtesy of IMDB.com friends reminisced about their marriage could tell the tale of an unflawed athlete. 10 | Art & Entertainment GothicTimes.net April 2020 NO TIME TO DIE (Film Preview)
by Angel Madera - Contributing Writer
here is a new addition to the not appear to be another solo mission under Bond’s skin.” Malek also says Bond franchise. As he played for Bond like previous times as a new about the character that he is a person Tthe iconic MI6 agent since 2006, spy has emerged to stardom at MI6 that sees “himself as a hero almost in Daniel Craig will end his run of his during Bond’s 5-year hiatus. Played the same way that Bond is a hero.” It is role with this last film, “No Time To by Lashana Lynch, Nomi is a new ‘00’ reasonable to ponder whether Safin has Die”. Originally slated to release in the agent that may hold skills and talent any connections to Ernst Stavro Blofield United States on April 6th of this year, that matches those of Bond. No doubt, (Christoph Waltz), last seen in “Spectre” the producers have decided to push the we should expect these two alphas to and now imprisoned. Let us not forget release date for November 25th due to clash as they face an imminent threat. as well, the MI6 crew that makes their obvious health concerns. From the trailer, we see the new routine appearances in every Bond film In the last film “Spectre”, we villain, Safin , played by Rami Malek. as they will once again assist Bond. left off with Bond leaving the Secret Producer Barbara Broccoli described These are of course M (Ralph Fiennes), Intelligence Service (MI6) and settling the character as “one that really gets Q (Ben Whishaw), Bill Tanner (Rory down with Dr. Madeleine Swann. In Kinnear), and Moneypenny (Naomie the “No Time To Die” trailer, we see Harris). Viewers are in for a thriller that that Bond and Swann have settled they will enjoy. down in Jamaica and possibly married Personally, I am excited as a each other. It also appears that Bond’s Bond fan and I am looking forward to American CIA ( Central Intelligence the end of this iteration of Agent 007. Agency) ally Felix Leiter (Jeffrey I was especially astonished to hear the Wright) is recruiting Bond to help theme song by Billie Eilish, “No Time with what looks like another world To Die.” The score will also be done threatening dilemma. A scientist named by the impressive Han Zimmer who Valdo Obruchev (David Dencik) went will no-doubt impress fans. There are missing and appears to have been questions surrounding who will be the abducted. Action-packed sequences next James Bond. Some names have and desperate dialogue indicate that been put out such as Idris Elba, Henry Swann is not all what she seemed. All Cavil, or Tom Hiddleston. Whoever the this takes us back to MI6 headquarters next James Bond may be in the coming where the services of James Bond are years, James Bond will always be the needed again to save Queen and the iconic franchise it always has been. country once more. However, this does Photo courtesy of IMDB.com
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