Blog

By Samuel Owino

DISCLAIMER: I do not promote or encourage addiction. This piece is satirical.

This is a question I have been asking myself for the last year since I started using Coke. Not to be misinterpreted by cocaine, No! No! No! I mean the soda beverage Coca-Cola. I have been drinking way too much of it ever since I started intentionally minding the food I eat; that I learnt from my physical education class.

I saw in an advertisement last year from the billboard that you can usually see from class at the DAC block when you are zoning out, or looking away from the lecturer so that they do not point at you to answer a question. Anyway on this billboard, it said, “Coca-Cola brings you happiness.” I thought about it for a long time and went out to test if Coca-Cola really brings one happiness.

After that class, I bought a 500ml bottle of Coca-Cola soda and drank it with really high expectations: an instant mood booster, instant relief, and a moment of happiness, much like you see in the advertisements. I was extremely disappointed that none of these things happened even though I doubted that it would deliver.

I kept buying Coca-Cola every chance I got to prove the advertisement right and over time it was the only soda I could have. I tried going back to the other sodas but none of them gave me satisfaction of any sort. This couldn’t be true, it didn’t bring me any happiness but it was a kind of bond I had established with this beverage. Soon after I was drinking this soda whenever I felt low, whenever I felt good, whenever I tried to avoid the temptations of trying alcohol. It was my go-to drink now.

Being with my friends too made me realize this addiction. They are usually stunned by just how much soda I can have in a day. Just today, by 3 pm I had already had three cans of soda— I could start as early as 8 am— and this led me to reflect on how much of this soda I take.

This also got me thinking about how far advertisement goes and its importance to the customer. I really did start drinking Coke because of an advertisement. I wonder how different my life would be if I had never been in a class in DAC and what other mediocre (in my opinion) drinks I would have been drinking. Would I have thought of them as mediocre? Would I even like soda at all?

 

By Joe Aura 

The film industry continues its tradition of delivering blockbuster excitement, and 2025 is shaping up to be a year to remember. With a mix of thrilling sequels, nostalgic remakes, and fresh storytelling, this year’s lineup promises to captivate audiences worldwide.

Here’s a glimpse at some of the most anticipated movies set to hit theaters and streaming platforms in 2025:

 

February

Captain America: Brave New World

The iconic superhero takes center stage as Captain America embarks on a journey that explores his legacy, duty, and humanity in a rapidly changing world.

 

March

Snow White

Disney’s beloved 1937 animated classic gets a live-action reboot. Fans are eager to see how this adaptation breathes new life into the timeless tale of the princess and her seven dwarfs.

 

May

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) returns for his most perilous mission yet, battling an evil AI in a race against time. Will this final chapter solidify the franchise’s legacy?

Thunderbolts

A group of supervillains, including familiar faces from the Marvel universe, team up for high-stakes government missions. Expect action, intrigue, and a few surprises.

Lilo and Stitch

Disney continues its trend of live-action adaptations with this heartwarming story about family, friendship, and an unusual extraterrestrial pet.

Karate Kid: Legends

This new chapter follows kung fu prodigy Li Fong as he navigates life in New York City. With the help of Mr. Han and the legendary Daniel LaRusso, Li learns to channel his strength in and out of the ring.

 

June

F1

Brad Pitt stars as a retired Formula One driver mentoring a younger talent. High-speed action and emotional depth promise to make this film a thrilling ride.

How to Train Your Dragon

The beloved animated tale of Vikings and dragons gets a live-action adaptation. Fans will rediscover the story of a young Viking and his unexpected bond with a dragon named Toothless.

M3GAN 2.0

The killer doll is back! Following the success of the original, this sequel ups the ante with more thrills, chills, and killer dance moves.

 

July

Superman

This reboot brings the Man of Steel back to his roots, exploring his journey to balance Kryptonian heritage with human values in a modern world.

Jurassic World: Rebirth

Five years after Jurassic World Dominion, scientists brave equatorial regions to extract DNA from prehistoric creatures for groundbreaking medical research. But nature always finds a way.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Set in a retro-futuristic 1960s, the Fantastic Four face their greatest challenge yet—saving Earth from Galactus and the enigmatic Silver Surfer.

 

September

The Bride

In 1930s Chicago, Frankenstein’s monster finds a companion in this reimagined tale. Love, societal upheaval, and intrigue converge in this gothic romance.

 

 

October

Michael

The King of Pop’s life takes center stage in this biopic, exploring Michael Jackson’s extraordinary talent and complex legacy.

Tron: Ares

Ares, a highly advanced program, escapes the digital world to complete a dangerous mission in reality. Expect groundbreaking visuals and a gripping story.

 

November

Wicked: For Good

Dive into the untold story of Elphaba and Glinda, exploring their complex relationship and the events leading to The Wizard of Oz.

Zootopia 2

Brave cop Judy Hopps and her cunning partner Nick Wilde return for a perilous case that tests their friendship and courage.

 

December

Avatar: Fire and Ash

The sequel to Avatar: The Way of Water promises more breathtaking visuals and an epic continuation of Pandora’s story.

 

Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation delves deep into the monstrous and the human, as Dr. Pretorius continues Frankenstein’s experiments 40 years after the original tale.

 

2025 is poised to be a cinematic extravaganza, with films that cater to every taste. From superhero epics to heartfelt dramas and nostalgic reimaginings, there’s something for everyone. Which movies are you most excited to watch?

 

Genre: Drama/Indie Film

Duration: 1h 31m

An Indie Film A Day, by Joe Aura, aurajoe6@gmail.com 

 

Kids* (1995), directed by Larry Clark and written by Harmony Korine, is a raw and unflinching portrayal of teenage life in New York City. The film delves into controversial themes of youth, sexuality, drug use, and the consequences of a reckless lifestyle. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 47%, an IMDb rating of 7/10, and a Metacritic score of 63%, Kids has divided audiences and critics alike.

 

The film follows Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick), a manipulative and hedonistic teenager, as he pursues a predatory lifestyle of seducing underage girls. This unsettling character is the kind of figure parents dread—a “sex machine” exploiting naivety. Alongside him are other teenagers navigating a world rife with drugs, violence, and moral ambiguity. Rosario Dawson, discovered at just 15 years old, made her acting debut in the film, playing a role that mirrors the gritty reality of urban youth. Jenny, another pivotal character, brings emotional weight as she discovers her HIV-positive status and embarks on a desperate search to confront Telly.

 

The film’s graphic depiction of teenage life sparked widespread controversy upon its release, earning an NC-17 rating for explicit content. Its unrelenting honesty makes Kids both difficult to watch and deeply impactful. It shines a harsh light on societal issues such as AIDS misconceptions, stereotypes, and the dangers of unchecked behavior among youth.

Contrary to misleading synopses, the film does not explicitly state that Telly is aware of his HIV status, which is crucial to understanding his character’s oblivious recklessness. This narrative choice shifts the moral commentary, making the story even more haunting.

 

Kids remains a cult classic of the 1990s, celebrated for its devastating honesty, brash violence, and brutal humor. It captures the stark realities of growing up in a world without boundaries, providing a snapshot of a generation often ignored by mainstream cinema. Its influence can be seen in later films like Mid90s and City of God, which also explore the struggles of youth with raw authenticity.

 

Watching Kids is not an easy experience. It made me uncomfortable, but the ability to bring out that discomfort is precisely the beauty of the film—it forces viewers to confront difficult truths. This film opened my mind to controversial subject matters that demand discussion. While it’s not suitable for children, Kids is essential viewing for those interested in exploring the darker corners of youth culture and urban life.

Larry Clark’s Kids is a cinematic punch to the gut—a film that doesn’t hold back, offering a brutal yet poignant exploration of adolescence. It’s a must-watch for anyone seeking a raw, realistic portrayal of the challenges and consequences faced by a lost generation.