Hillenburg was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2017. (Photo courtesy of Consequence of Sound) Jessica Kergo Connector Staff Stephen Hillenburg, creator of the highly acclaimed children’s animated television series “Spongebob Squarepants,” passed away at the age of 57 last Monday, Nov. 26. The cause of his death was a neurodegenerative disease known as amyotrophic…
A heartfelt defense of ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’
Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee makes a nonspeaking posthumous cameo in the movie. (Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) Hannah Manning Connector Editor Beneath the sometimes pandering and relentless references to the Internet of today and the lingering feeling that this film will be almost embarrassingly dated within six months of its release, “Ralph…
‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ and the franchise
Imagine Dragons performed the lead single “Zero” for the soundtrack. (Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) Owen Johnson Connector Editor “Ralph Breaks the Internet” is less “Wreck-it Ralph,” and more “The Emoji Movie.” In other words, yikes. After Ralph’s (John C. Reilly) hijinks in the Sugar Rush arcade game cause the game’s steering wheel…
‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ is criminally dull
Actors such as Christian Bale and Benedict Cumberbatch were considered for the role of Dumbledore. (Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures) Owen Johnson Connector Editor Magical spells and fantastic creatures might sound fun and interesting, but they are nowhere close to being enough to save “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” from being a dull…
Taylor Swift dove “Fearless” into fame 10 years ago
“Fearless” was Swift’s second studio album. (Photo courtesy of Big Machine) Troy Lafond Connector Staff On Nov. 11, 2008, a little over 10 years ago, now-world renowned country and pop superstar Taylor Swift released her sophomore studio album “Fearless.” At the time, Taylor Swift was fairly well known in the country industry, but not necessarily…
‘Civilization 6:’ From sticks and stones to nuclear apocalypse
The first major expansion for “Civilization 6” was released in Feb. 2018. (Photo courtesy of 2K Games) Vernon Gibbs Connector Staff There are countless genres of video games in today’s market, yet one of the least represented is the 4X strategy game: explore, expand, exploit and exterminate. “Sid Meier’s Civilization” series has a long running…
Little Mix spread their wings on experimental “LM5”
“LM5” is Little Mix’s fifth studio album. (Photo courtesy of Billboard) Troy Lafond Connector Staff Little Mix is one of the last English-speaking girl groups left standing. With Fifth Harmony recently split and extremely little competition in this regard, it stood to question whether or not they still had a place left in the industry.…
Imagine Dragons look back on ‘Origins’
Lead single “Natural” has peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. (Photo courtesy of Billboard) Troy Lafond Connector Staff Imagine Dragons need little introduction. The Las Vegas-based rock band burst onto the music scene in 2012 with three of the defining hits of that year: “It’s Time,” “Radioactive” and “Demons.” Since then, they…
