For anyone having trouble categorizing the new movie “The Green Knight” starring Dev Patel and directed by David Lowery, here is a little context. “The Green Knight” was produced by A24, who have also produced terrifying and funky movies like  “Midsommar” and “Hereditary.” “The Green Knight” is the newest retelling of the Arthurian legend “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” but with the atmosphere of an LSD trip. With that in mind,  let’s look at what “The Green Knight” is trying to say. 

First and foremost, this is not a movie of action scenes followed by action scenes. When we meet our hero (or villain), Sir Gawain, (Dev Patel) your expectations of a traditional fantasy movie hero are immediately challenged. The infamous Green Knight, a mysterious giant, appears at Camelot’s Christmas feast and introduces his “Christmas Game.” The ominous music and reluctance of more seasoned knights to accept the challenge point to a trap, into which Sir Gawain, young and eager, falls. The Green Knight challenges any would-be champion to a duel, the sole condition being that any blow which the challenger manages to land must be returned, one year hence, by the Green Knight.  Gawain, perhaps oblivious to the implications of this clause, beheads the Green Knight, who suddenly picks up his severed head and rides into the distance. The Christmas Game has begun. 

The rest of the movie consists of Sir Gawain riding to meet his fate at the Green Chapel, where he is to receive the blow he landed on the Green Knight. As you watch, you lose the sense of reality and fiction. The screen morphs into a fever dream. Beyond grappling with the absurdities Gawain faces on his journey, the movie poses important questions for the viewer: What is the true meaning of knighthood? What is honor? As the movie concludes and Gawain meets his fate in the Green Chapel, he has perhaps arrived at the answers to some of these deep questions. Though as for the answers themselves, you will have to see the movie to find out. 

As far as cinematography, this movie is beautifully shot. The director, David Lowery, has a talent for capturing intimate facial expressions before panning to a wider shot. Filmed in Ireland, the luscious green hills and ancient castles capture the mood of King Arthur’s time. The color palette is often hauntingly beautiful when panning outdoor scenes, but also quickly turns dark at certain points. Think of the bright tones of the first few Harry Potter movies and how they subsequently turned eerie and somber after the fourth movie; the Green Knight combines both of these disparate color schemes.  Because of the color tone of this movie, it might have better served as a winter film,  rather than being released in the dog days of summer. However, some brighter points in the film, which are often humorous and used to reference key turning points, add dimension and distract from the heavy plot. 

The movie was impressive on the acting front. Dev Patel easily handled the nuance his character required, impressively evoking Gawain’s youth, constant yearning and fear. The role of King Arthur, played by Sean Harris, perfectly plays the part of a wise king whose prime is behind him. At the end of the movie, the only character who still feels unexplored and mysterious is the Green Knight himself. 

So is this a movie SLU students should take time to watch? For fans of “Midsommar” and movies that make you think, this is a movie worth seeing. However, it may not be the movie that everyone needs. As college students, we spend most of our time challenging ourselves mentally. This is a movie that takes effort. However, once you begin delving into the themes and the niche the director has created, you are left with a fulfilling movie that demands a rewatch or two in order to grasp its full meaning.

For those of you who do not know, America has a bit of a problem with diet culture.  Billboards display the preferred body type—usually a 5’10 model weighing 120 pounds. Instagram ads for FitTea, juice cleanses and protein powders dominate people’s feeds. Actors lament the stories of producers who requested they lose weight for a certain role. Despite our country’s obsession with tiny bodies, there is also a raging obesity epidemic. Clearly, something is not working. 

In 1995, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch published a book called Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program That Works. This book focused on intuitive eating, the idea that your body knows what food it wants and will eat it if you allow it. However, our diet-obsessed culture has blocked many of our hunger and fullness signs and people no longer listen to their intuitive feelings about food. 

During the holidays, the media once again rears its ugly head telling you how and what to eat. How many times have you heard “wear your comfy pants” or “it’s time to unbutton the pants”? Intuitive eaters listen to their hunger and do not overeat— avoiding the discomfort and bloating. Thanksgiving and Christmas do not have to be one-stop shops to fill yourself up with decadent food. Along with the media’s emphasis on food during the holidays, they hit you again on New Years’ to lose weight and focus on your health. Let’s skip the holiday health stress and look at the basic principles of intuitive eating: 

1. Reject the Diet Mentality: To master intuitive eating, you need to reject any diet practices that you may be holding onto. No counting calories or rules about when to eat. Basically, no restrictions. Trust that your body knows what food it needs. 
2. Honor Your Hunger: Tribole and Resch make it very clear that this is not a hunger-fullness diet. However, pay attention to your body’s signs. Are you eating socially or because you are actually hungry? This may seem obvious, but eat when you are hungry—you want your brain to trust that you will give it food. Otherwise, you may turn to overeating to compensate. 
3. Make Peace with Food: Many people forbid high-calorie foods from their diets. However, this forbidden food does not stay off the table as you eventually lose restraint and binge. Permit yourself to eat any and all foods. Your body will guide your food decisions. 
4. Challenge the Food Police: How often do you find yourself labeling foods as “good” or “bad”? Stop policing the food you eat. Food is food. The idea is that once you take emotions out of your eating, you will just be guided by what you want. 
5. Discover the Satisfaction Factor: Have you ever been at an uncomfortable dinner or lunch? Do you remember what your food tasted like? The satisfaction factor highlights that you need to appreciate your eating experience. 
6. Feel Your Fullness: This principle asks you to pause when eating to evaluate your fullness. Trust your body and intuitive eating. 
7. Cope with Your Emotions with Kindness: After living in diet culture, you probably have a lot of emotions associated with food. Have you heard the term “emotional eating”? This step wants to help you with any emotional eating. Find new ways to deal with your emotions outside of food.
8. Respect Your Body: To accept intuitive eating as not being a diet, you have to practice self-love. While self-love seems overplayed, it is critical. “Just as a person with a shoe size of eight would not expect to realistically squeeze into a size six, it is equally futile (and uncomfortable) to have a similar expectation about body size.” Find clothing you are comfortable in. 
9. Movement—Feel the Difference: Instead of practicing regimented exercise, find movement that is comfortable for you. Do you feel like dancing? Then dance! Do you feel like walking instead of going for a run? Good for a walk! Let your body move in comfortable ways.
10.  Honor Your Health—Gentle Nutrition: Intuitive eating is not about restriction. However, Tribole and Resch want to emphasize how healthy eating is beneficial. Nutrition should be about making people feel their best.

For SLU students looking for a taste of international travel without the travel, drive to South St. Louis for a peek into Bosnian life. “Little Bosnia” is the affectionate name of the St. Louis community Bevo Mill. In 1992, civil war broke out in Bosnia and Herzegovina, forcing thousands of refugees to seek resettlement in the United States. Thousands of the Bosnian refugees were sent to St. Louis to start a new life. This created a tight community in St. Louis of around 70,000— the largest number of Bosnians outside of Bosnia in the world. Bosnian refugees have built a home in St. Louis with thriving businesses in Bevo Mill as well as in the nearby suburbs. 

It can be overwhelming when looking at the community of Bevo Mill to decide what to do first. Najda Samardzic, a sophomore at SLU studying sociology whose parents came to the U.S. as refugees, had advice on how to tackle the area. When asked about how to visit the area in a culturally sensitive way, Samardzic answered that the main thing to remember is that not all Bosnian immigrants are going to be the same. “Some areas are poorer than others, so knowing not to brag about all of the things you have back at home can really be more beneficial than not. We are easy people to talk to and straightforward. I guess it is the foreign in us that makes us that way. Overall, it is a beautiful place and I know so many people that go there frequently, and not once do I hear them complain.” 

One starting point in Bevo Mill could be the St. Louis Sebilj Fountain, a replica of a famous monument built to commemorate the relationship between St. Louis and the Bosnian community. 

And when it comes to experiencing any new culture, most would argue that the most important step is trying the food. The same is true for Bevo Mill. Samardzic recommends several local eateries: Berix, Biser, and J’s Pitaria. As far as specific food, any pita is good to try, with Samardzic’s favorite being krompirusa. 

For students looking for freshly baked bread or a sweet treat, Bevo Mill also has several bakeries. Samardzic’s advice: “If we are thinking bread wise, the best places to go are Biser and Zito, however, if you are thinking sweets, it would be Halal Meat given that they have a whole variety of options to choose from.” While this list of dining options may already be overwhelming, there is one more key part of Bosnian dining and community that we have not looked at yet. 

To college students, coffee already seems like an integral part of daily life. However, coffee has a different but arguably more important relationship with the Bosnian community. Coffee is described as the foundation of social life as people gather around a hot fildzan to talk and relax. This relationship is described by Samardzic: “Drinking coffee is a normal thing for Bosnians considering that they drink it multiple times a day and they always have someone with whom they can interact with.” She recommends stopping in at Vivid Cafe or Grbic for a taste of Bosnian coffee. 

Driving to Bevo Mill or the surrounding suburbs is a great way to be exposed to the Bosnian community in St. Louis. Bosnia also had ties to Saint Louis University. Patrick McCarthy, Associate Dean of University Libraries at SLU, wrote a book on one Bosnian family in St. Louis after the Bosnian civil war. There is also the Bosnian-Herzegovina Student Association at SLU which Najda Samardzic is a part of. She describes this association: “It is about bringing together the people and sharing the experiences of those who are interested in learning more about the culture’s history.” Little Bosnia is a rich, thriving community right here in St. Louis that all SLU students should consider experiencing.

Typically, when students return to campus there are opportunities to help people through community service and engagement. During Welcome Weekend, SLU even incorporates a day of service into the festivities. However, we are also living during a pandemic and normal choices may not be safe. One safe action that students can take is to give blood. The St. Louis Red Cross Donation Center on Lindell Boulevard is steps off SLU’s campus. Blood donations are needed now and always and are still safe during the pandemic. 

In March, our country went on lockdown to keep coronavirus rates from spiking. As the country shut down, many of the community organizations had to close and cancel upcoming blood drives. According to the American Red Cross, there are no blood shortages now but as our country is not back to normal, the Red Cross is not getting the same amount of donations as in the past. It is true that most respiratory viruses do not spread through blood transfusion. Accordingly, there has been no evidence that the coronavirus can spread through blood transfusion. Giving blood is a safe process that can save lives.

While there is no evidence that coronavirus can spread through blood transfusions, it is still important to take precautions when giving blood. The American Red Cross has limited the amount of people that can be in the donation site. Both donors and health personnel are required to wear masks. Giving blood is considered an essential community service. As the U.S. Surgeon General said, “Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement.” All evidence shows that giving blood is still a safe act of service. 

When students first consider giving blood, it can be a daunting process. The American Red Cross has a mobile app titled “Blood Donor” which is extremely user friendly. Once the user creates an account, you can look up upcoming blood drives that are near you. The app also has a useful feature about how to prepare to give blood, from eating a good breakfast to resting well the night before. After donation, students can track their “blood journey”: donation, processing, testing, storage and completion. You can even see what hospital your blood ends up at! As people donate, there are different badges and accomplishments that come with each donation. You can even join the SLU team of blood donors. 

One bonus of giving blood during the coronavirus is the antibody testing that comes along with each donation. Students can learn if they may have been an asymptomatic carrier. This is important information when students consider their social choices throughout the year. While blood transfusions are not typically needed when treating severe cases of the coronavirus, there is potentially a benefit to plasma donations. Giving COVID-19 patients a transfusion of plasma with positive antibodies is a promising treatment. Donating plasma is another altruistic action that SLU students can do at the Red Cross location on Lindell. 

For students looking to help the community, donating blood or plasma is a safe choice. SLU prides itself as a school that serves others and this is a great way for students to fulfill that mission. The SLU Red Cross team has already saved 800 lives and students who join can add to this total. And for all the Halloween fans, donations during the month of October win the vampire badge on the Red Cross app!

In anticipation of Valentine’s Day 2020, I began looking for love. In the absence of a boyfriend, I watched a movie, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” Peter Kavinky and Lara Jean’s love story immediately drew me in. It is the classic tale of pretending to be in love and then actually falling in love. The bright colors, new characters and perfectly imperfect scenery kept my eyes glued to the TV. I was in love. 

After watching “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” I convinced my friends to watch the sequel, “To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You on Valentine’s Day.” As we snuggled in with our blankets and popcorn, we had high expectations for how the love story would continue. After all, how do you go wrong with such a great duo? 

As it turns out, you can go wrong with a pretty bland plot. The story starts with Lara Jean and Peter trying out their new relationship. Lara Jean is a 16-year-old who is insecure with her relationship. She constantly bemoans that she does not know how to be a girlfriend. While this is convincing and realistic for a young, high-school relationship, it is not fun for the viewer to watch. Lara Jean is then introduced to one of her letter-receiving former flames, who is pretty much perfect. The love triangle has been introduced. Unfortunately, there is no real threat to the relationship. It is clear that Peter Kavinsky loves Lara Jean, despite his communication flaws. Despite the unconvincing love triangle, “To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You” strengthened one female relationship. Lara Jean comes to the realization that Evil Gen is not so evil, and the love between best friends never truly leaves. 

After finishing “To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You,” I felt disappointed. I had seen a beautiful, colorful movie that failed to entertain. Let’s hope that a third “To All the Boys” movie brings back the charm of the first one.

My hand reaches for the black mouse pad on my laptop while my brain screams “No!” One short tap and my life will delve into drama, the drama that “The Bachelor” provides. My hand continues its procession forward toward my laptop as my brain protests. Finally, my fingers tap the mouse pad and “The Bachelor” recap begins to play. Despite my suspicion of the show’s premise, I continue to watch the Bachelor, just as so many others do, but why?

The Bachelor is supposed to be the story of one man finding love. This man has 25 to 40 beautiful women competing for his hand in marriage. To stay on the show, each woman must receive a rose at the revered rose ceremonies. Without a rose, the women often leave in tears and hysteria as their hopes of love are crushed. This is the story of “The Bachelor.” Now we ask why this story draws millions of viewers in every season. 

I have grown up around the Bachelor. In eighth grade, I stayed home sick and decided to lay in bed all day so I could watch “The Bachelor,” specifically Sean Lowe’s season. My friends were always sharing their favorite contestants in the hallway, and I was ready to join the “club.” I watched a few more seasons and then took a break. While I was not actively watching “The Bachelor,” it was everywhere. Every Monday night, while the weekly episode aired, the Twitter Explore page recounted the drama of the night. The last few seasons seemed to hold social media’s attention. I knew all about Hannah Brown’s night in the windmill and the religious debate that followed without watching an episode. Then I came to SLU and heard about a new Bachelor watch party popping up every Monday night. Many people watch “The Bachelor” just to have a conversation with the legions of other people who watch.

As we approach Valentine’s Day, one can make the argument that a few, rare people watch the bachelor for the romance it provides. Despite the suspicion that the romantic interactions are faked, the contestants seem to be convinced they can find love. Every week there is another girl admitting she thinks she is falling in love, while the bachelor (this year, Peter Weber, or Pilot Pete) repeats that he really likes her. As more drama unfolds, reaffirmations of trust are made. Despite all the trust that is exchanged, suspicion lurks around every corner as one man tries to find love in a sea of girls. As the season draws closer to the end, watchers pick their favorites and cheer for love to prevail.

The last and most important reason to watch “The Bachelor” is the drama on the screen. With every new bachelor comes a new crowd of girls vying for his attention. This leads to drama including catfights, tears and yelling. The drama we see may be manipulated by the producers, but it provides for an entertaining evening. 

Despite the degrading nature of the show toward females, “The Bachelor” remains a pillar of reality TV. It has been popular enough to demand several spinoff shows, including “Bachelor in Paradise” and “The Bachelorette.” For better or worse, “The Bachelor” and it’s spinoffs are here to stay, at least for a few more seasons. When watching “The Bachelor,” it is important to remember that you do not condone the actions on screen and instead take it for what it is, the guiltiest of guilty pleasures.

When I was tasked with creating a list of the best last-minute Halloween costumes, I did not realize I would be needing my own advice so soon. And yet, two days later, my friends and I needed costumes so we could be properly attired when handing out candy to children in the dorms. Of course, we did not want to spend any money and we only had our limited closets to create the ultimate costume. Additionally, we were dressing up to hand out candy to children, so dressing as a sexy mouse was not going to be suitable. Based on those criteria, this is the list I compiled.

Ghost

While many people may think of a ghost as the most boring, overused costume in Halloween history, I have never actually seen a ghost when trick or treating. A ghost is also classic Halloween. It is timeless and unisex. In order to make your perfect ghost, take a sheet and cut two holes, near the eye area. If you do not have an extra sheet in your dorm, walk to CVS and buy a plastic white tablecloth. 

Decades

When rifling through your closet, you may notice much of your clothing has been borrowed from decades past. Flare pants, a leather jacket and a funky belt can all be reused for a costume that is specific to a decade. While the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s are all fun decades to replicate, I commend the person who dares to replicate the early 2000s.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

If you have the colors grey, black, or white in your closet, you can pull this group costume off. In order to become a rock, simply wear an entirely grey outfit. If you would really like to go above and beyond, tape some bland, crinkled newspaper onto your torso to create the illusion of texture. To become a piece of paper, dress entirely in white. If you are feeling extra bland, tape a piece of white copy paper to your chest. Lastly, to become an authentic pair of scissors, wear black pants and a colorful top. To create the scissor handles, cut a piece of construction paper (same color as your top) into a large C. Tape the C shape to the bottom of your forearm to create a pair of scissors. After a quick 15 minutes of preparation, you are ready for…“rock, paper, scissors on three.”

THE Laziest Costume

For the person who has been dragged to a Halloween party against their will, we have a costume for you too. All you need is a name tag. Simply write a name, besides your own, on the name tag, and voila, your costume is complete!