Howl’s Moving Castle Review/Comparison 

May 21, 2021

 

By:  Gabby Mosurinjohn-Lockey, Grade 12

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Diana Wynne Jones’s novel Howl’s Moving Castle, written in 1986 is a story filled with magic and curiosity! In 2004 Hayao Miyazaki co-founder of Studio Ghibli released a film adaptation of the novel. Before reading the novel I was a huge fan of the movie, I had watched it multiple times and I loved the story and characters. 

Both stories follow 18-year-old Sophie Hatter, a hatter working in Ingary, a fictional kingdom filled with magic when suddenly the Witch of the Waste curses Sophie, turning her into an old lady. After this, she leaves her hat-making job and winds up working as a house cleaner for Howl, a literally heartless wizard feared by all based on rumors about him eating young girls' hearts. While working for Howl, Sophie meets Calcifer (a demon) and Micheal (Howl’s wizarding apprentice). 

 

In the movie, Miyazaki made Howl be a kind, and friendly wizard; being heartless doesn’t stop him from being a good person. While watching the film it is easy to see how Sophie could fall in love with him. This is the opposite of Wynne Jones’s original version of Howl. Howl is the definition of a creep. He is able to gain the attention of young women because of his beauty (which he completely enhances with magic), and once the girl loves him, he leaves her heartbroken. In the novel, during his first interaction with Sophie, he says “It's all right, you little grey mouse - I only want to buy you a drink. Don't look so scared.” To be honest, this is a creepy sentence. Interestingly enough in the movie, these lines were given to two guards, who corner Sophie in an alley and Howl comes to her rescue. This raised multiple questions: why was his character changed to such an extent? Why did Howl not seem heartless at all during the movie? And why was he only creepy in the book? Although I adore the movie version of Howl, he did not act heartless. The novel shows a more accurate portrayal of a character who is unable to feel love or care about people. 

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One of the main themes in the movie is war. Howl is fighting for the king of Ingary in a war that was brought about because the neighbouring kingdom believed that their prince had been kidnapped by Ingary. This is a huge part of the movie's plot because Howl is actually fighting in the war. In the book, this war is still occurring, for the same reason, but Howl is in no way interested in fighting or helping. He makes magical items for the king and the military to use, but that is it. (he never actually fights). In conclusion, while there are many differences between the book and the movie they are both worth your time to read or watch as they are both entertaining and engaging!

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JACOB NUSBAUM MUSIC

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April 28, 2021

 

By: Jacob Nusbaum

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JACOB NUSBAUM MUSIC

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March 24, 2021 

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By: Jacob Nusbaum

 

 

 

 

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SPRING SONG RECOMMENDATIONS

March 24, 2021 

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By: Gaby Loyst

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Here’s a list of the songs that have been in my frequent rotation:

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Why I Love You- JAY-Z, Kanye West, Mr Hudson Half Mast- Empire of the Sun 

Lover, You Should’ve Come Over- Jeff Buckley Guilt Trip- Kanye West 

Whole Wide World- Bahamas 

Sunsets for Somebody Else- Jack Johnson 

HAD ENOUGH- Don Toliver, Quavo, Offset 

Unbearably White- Vampire Weekend 

rock n roll- Dijon 

Alameda- Elliott Smith 

(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano- Sampha 

It Will Rain- Bruno Mars 

High Tops- Del Water Gap 

Moon Song- Phoebe Bridgers 

ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?- Tyler, The Creator I Won’t Hurt You- The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band Pork and Beans- Weezer 

Excuse Me- A$AP Rocky 

Two-Headed Boy- Neutral Milk Hotel 

Asleep- The Smiths 

i saw you in a dream- The Japanese House

 

SCI GUYS PODCAST

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March 24, 2021

 

By: Miriam Felman

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Sci Guys, one of my absolute favorite podcasts, is all about stories from the science world. In each episode, the host, Corry, teaches a new subject to his co-hosts, Jamp and Luke, with lots of jokes told along the way. The podcast takes a refreshingly inclusive look at the science world, by exposing the horrifying truths of how marginalized people have been taken advantage of as test subjects, and also telling the stories of marginalized people making huge advancements in science that our textbooks leave out. 

In commemoration of International Women’s Day, here is a list of Sci Guys podcast episodes that celebrate the successes of women in STEM. 

 

• Episode 47 - Marie Curie and Radioactivity

• Episode 51 - The Trimates

• Episode 70 - Feminism and Fossils

• Episode 72 - The Stolen Cure for Leprosy 

• Episode 97 - Gays In Space: Dr. Sally Ride

 

You can listen to Sci Guys on all audio streaming platforms, or check out their YouTube channel, “Sci Guys”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

11 BLACK PEOPLE TO FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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February 26, 2021

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By: Anna Carsley-Jones, Grade 12

 

One of the most important ways to be an ally is to start, or continue, listening to Black people, Black history and Black perspectives. The people listed below are all either educators, activists, and/or influencers, who’s profiles are filled with important information, conversations and stories. The first step to being an ally is learning what’s true, and unlearning what’s inaccurate and harmful. So please, follow these people through social media and listen. Widen your understanding of Black people, Black history and Black perspectives- because it is crucial. 

 

These tags are for their Instagram accounts, but most of them can be found on platforms like Twitter as well!

 

Ericka Hart, @ihartericka

 

Blair Imani, @blairimani

 

Rachel Cargle, @rachel.cargle

 

Brandon Kyle Goodman, @brandonkgood

 

Rachel Ricketts, @iamrachelricketts

 

Marie Beecham, @mariebeech

 

Jemele Hill, @jemelehill

 

Sonya Renee Taylor, @sonyareneetaylor

 

Angel Arutura, @angelarutura

 

Brittany Packnett Cunningham, @mspackyetti

 

Emmanuel Acho, @emmanuelacho

 

PLAYLIST FOR HEARTBREAK

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January 15, 2021

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By Anna Carsley-Jones, Grade 12

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This is a playlist I made for heartbreak- of any kind, whether that be heartbreak for a relationship (romantic, friendship, family, etc.), a place, or a time in your life. 

 

In no particular order:

 

Dirty Nikes- Ruth B.

 

Good Stuff- Griff

 

Older Than I Am- Lennon Stella

 

Falling Asleep at the Wheel- Holly Humberstone

 

BEFORE LOVE CAME TO KILL US- Jessie Reyez

 

Moral of the Story- Ashe

 

when the party’s over- Billie Eilish

 

What We Had- Sody

 

COFFIN- Jessie Reyez (ft. Eminem)

 

You should be sad- Halsey

 

Bedroom Ceiling- Sody

 

Sh*tty Places, Pretty Faces- Ashe

 

90 Days- P!NK (ft. Wrabel)

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JACOB NUSBAUM MUSIC

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November 18, 2020

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By Jacob Nusbaum, Grade 10

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JACOB NUSBAUM MUSIC

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October 15, 2020

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JACOB NUSBAUM MUSIC

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September 25, 2020

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By Jacob Nusbaum, Grade 10

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4 songs submitted by Jacob Nusbaum!

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