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The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

Dìdi: A Cinematic Reflection on Identity and Belonging

Dìdi: A Cinematic Reflection on Identity and Belonging
Sean Wang’s debut film "Dìdi" explores feeling like an outsider in a place where you think you should belong, capturing the tension between cultural identity and self-acceptance.
Alexis Marion, Staff Writer September 29, 2024

What does it feel like to be an outsider in a place you think you should belong to, where everyone looks like you? Sean Wang, a 30-year-old Taiwanese American filmmaker hailing from Fremont, California, dove into the unique experiences of his childhood that sparked this question in his first feature-length...

“Don’t Worry Darling” review

The recently released film "Don't Worry Darling," starring Harry Styles and Florence Pugh, lacks the drama that swirls around it offstage.
A film surrounded by off-screen drama has a fatal flaw: it isn’t dramatic.
Brendan Peters, Staff Writer September 25, 2022

With rumors spreading about cast drama, “Don’t Worry Darling” hit theaters this weekend. While the rumors might generate buzz and ticket sales, the film itself fails to live up to the hype, which causes it to fade into the past once the media has had its fill of quick clicks. THE DRAMA Pop sensation...

“Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul” Review

Sterling K. Brown stars in the recently released satirical comedy "Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul."
A surprisingly dark satire asks not what we should believe, but whom we should follow.
Brendan Peters, Staff Writer September 6, 2022

Very rarely do films touch on something that is real; instead, they often grasp at a caricature and hope an audience will latch on. The new film “Honk for Jesus” is, at first glance, a show that only scratches the surface of the complex relationship between scandal and religion but hidden beneath...

‘Fantastic Beasts 3’ is not worth your time or money

Jude Law portrays Albus Dumbledore in 'Fantastic Beasts 3.'
The third time is not the charm for J.K. Rowling’s increasingly unnecessary prequel series.
Chris Charpentier, Staff Writer April 16, 2022

While the mainline Harry Potter series continues to captivate millions of fans to this day, J.K. Rowling’s “Fantastic Beasts” prequel fails to have the same impact. Both the “Fantastic Beasts” original and “Crimes of Grindelwald” have received mixed to negative reviews from critics and...

“Laurel Hell” is another hit from Mitski

“Laurel Hell” is another hit from Mitski
Mitski’s songwriting is better than ever and her new foray into synthpop is a success.
Chris Charpentier, Staff Writer February 8, 2022

Indie singer-songwriter Mitski gained popularity from her last two albums, “Puberty 2” and “Be The Cowboy.” Her highly-anticipated follow-up “Laurel Hell” is finally here and finds her changing up her usual rock sound for a throwback to 1980s synthpop. SONGWRITING BLISS Mitski is known...

Norwegian pop star AURORA releases eerie and eccentric ‘The Gods We Can Touch’

Norwegian pop star AURORA releases eerie and eccentric 'The Gods We Can Touch'
Featuring punchy and alien production, AURORA’s latest piece shows maturity and idiosyncratic tendencies.
Natalie Willis and Emily Coffey February 3, 2022

AURORA released her fourth album “The Gods We Can Touch” on Jan. 21, a healthy distance from her previous album, “A Different Kind of Human (Part II).” It is contemplative at times, and at others, a head-banging, 80s infused anthem about love.  INTO THE DIVINE AURORA has dabbled in several...

“Scream” is an unsuccessful revival

“Scream” is an unsuccessful revival
This 2022 entry in the long-standing franchise struggles to grasp what made the original good.
Chris Charpentier, Staff Writer January 15, 2022

“Scream,” also known as “Scream 5,” is the latest entry in the famous ‘90s slasher franchise, made famous by its self-awareness of the classic horror films tropes that defined the genre for decades. The original director, the late Wes Craven, left the series on an indefinite hiatus.  Now,...

“An Evening With Silk Sonic” is the best album of the year

“An Evening With Silk Sonic” is the best album of the year
Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars team up to revitalize the ‘70s Motown soul genre for the modern day.
Chris Charpentier, Staff Writer November 16, 2021

With Bruno Mars’ last album, his turn to old-school R&B made him a perfect candidate for a collaboration with Anderson .Paak. “Leave The Door Open” proved that their new moniker as a duo, “Silk Sonic,” could become a favorite among critics and fans alike. Released on Nov. 12, the duo constructed...

“Dear Evan Hansen” offers an important message on mental health

“Dear Evan Hansen” offers an important message on mental health
Despite an overgrown male lead, the musical turned movie is worth watching.
Natalie Willis and Amanda Frese September 28, 2021

On Sept. 24, Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “Dear Evan Hansen” made its debut across theaters. While movie musicals grew in popularity after the successful release of “La La Land'' and “The Greatest Showman,” the adaptation of Evan Hansen was not met with enthusiasm.  Despite an onslaught...

Kanye West drops long-awaited “Donda” album

Kanye West drops long-awaited “Donda” album
West’s magnum opus is filled with some of his highest highs and mediocre lows.
Chris Charpentier, Staff Writer August 31, 2021

The “Donda” album released Sunday at 5 a.m. on Aug. 29 — marking a surreal moment for Kanye’s listeners. The lead-up itself was anything but ordinary, from three unique listening parties that stirred drama, to multiple release date announcements featuring different album covers. With no reliable...

Temitope releases transformational album

Temitope releases transformational album
Biola alumnus shares his heart in his newest album, meant to resemble the heartbeat of heaven.
Kate Bomar, Photographer February 5, 2021

Biola class of 2012 alumnus, Temitope, released his second album, “Meji,” on Jan. 15. Translating to “two” in his family’s native language of Yorùbá, the album focuses deeply on unity and reconciliation. While writing this album, Temitope wanted to create a music movement to empower the church...

Niall Horan’s “Heartbreak Weather” lacks spark

Continuing an arguably vanilla legacy, Horan drops ballad-heavy breakup album.
Emily Coffey, Managing Editor March 14, 2020

Released yesterday, Niall Horan’s “Heartbreak Weather” is at best, relatable, and at worst, 46 minutes and four seconds of sound that seemingly blends into the rest of pop genre anonymity. After releasing a few slappy singles, the rest of Horan’s new material remains mostly unnotable. However,...