Drama department cancels spring semester productions
By Xavier Johnson, Web Editor
April 25, 2020
Due to the closure of the Contra Costa College as a part of the statewide effort to limit the exponential spread of COVID-19, the drama department canceled its spring productions “We Won't Pay, We Won’t Pay” and “The House of Bernarda Alba.” The now shelved performance of “We Won’t Pay”...
“Animal Crossing” offers a little something for everyone
By Eric Martinez, Advocate Staff
April 25, 2020
From catching bugs to donating to a museum, and everything in between, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” has a little something for everyone. Commonly abbreviated as “ACNH,” in the latest titular game from Nintendo you play as a human villager who has recently moved to a deserted island. There,...
TikTok spreads joy in dark times
By Evalyn Soungpanya, Advocate Staff
April 2, 2020
The coronavirus has taken its toll on everyone. No open movie theaters, restaurants or in-person classes. Some are working from home or doing school from home. It feels like life will not get back to normal anytime soon. Yet one way people are coping through the shelter-in-place is using the TikTok...
‘Hunters’ is a thoughtful, must-see show
By Luis Lopez, News Editor
March 23, 2020
It’s often said two wrongs don’t make a right. However, when the opportunity for revenge presents itself, no matter how long after a wrong is committed, few would have the will to resist taking action. “Hunters” is Amazon Prime’s premier show, best described as a combination of Academy...
‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ earns $265 million at box office
By JoJuan Johnson, Advocate Staff
March 4, 2020
In his feature film directorial debut, Jeff Flower brings to life the classic SEGA video game character Sonic the Hedgehog. “Sonic the Hedgehog” has been a hit with audiences, earning a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 95 percent and an A rating on CinemaScore. Flower is known for his smaller...
Film portrays painful reality of depression
By Luis Lopez, Advocate Staff
March 4, 2020
"Horse Girl” is a psychological thriller on Netflix starring Alison Brie, who tackles psychotic depression through the lead character’s paranoid breakdown. Brie delivers a superb performance that carries the film’s confusing but meaningful narrative to the end. The film was written by Brie...
“Parasite” masterfully plays with expectations
By Xavier Johnson, Web Editor
February 19, 2020
It’s easy to go into powerhouse director Bong Joon-ho’s acclaimed new film “Parasite” feeling cynical. The Korean filmmaker dominated the global film conversation since his film burst onto the scene at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. Now that “Parasite” has added a couple Oscars to its name, ...
‘Ambitious’ exhibit explores growth
By Christian Medina, Advocate Staff
February 19, 2020
As a self-taught artist, Steven Berndt is no stranger to the term “Growth”, in fact, the word represents Berndt experience as a student at Contra Costa College. Recalling his work with the tabletop gaming company, Frontline Gaming, until their move to San Diego, he describes how the company’s...
Poets heal through art
By Christian Medina, Advocate Staff
February 19, 2020
Berkeley — Wednesday nights are like no other at the Starry Plough Pub, a quaint Irish Pub a few blocks from the Ashby BART Station. The venue has hosted the Berkeley Poetry Slam since 1998 and has seen its fair share of well-known poets & their contemporaries, however, in recent years the longest r...
Energetic, funny production transforms Knox Center stage
By Jose Arebalo, News Editor
December 11, 2019
A short-but-sweet drama department showing of a uniquely produced show shared a hysterical story of change and exploration at the Knox Center for four performances this past weekend, Thursday through Sunday. In a move that brought audiences a new experience, the play was performed in a curtained off...
‘The Mandalorian’ brings a new perspective to ‘Star Wars’
By Xavier Johnson, Web Editor
December 11, 2019
It feels like it’s been forever since fans have gotten a more down-to-earth “Star Wars” story that doesn’t revolve around a Jedi, the Force or galactic politics, but instead focuses on the relatively normal individuals who reside in the rich “Star Wars” universe. “The Mandalorian,”...
Indie rock stars host emotional night
By Jose Arebalo, News Editor
December 11, 2019
Their songs revel in the intimacy they create with listeners, unafraid to tackle topics like the dualities we find in our lovers and the passing of time.