Maddie’s monthly movies & music: November

Maddie Hughes ’16:

Music of the Month: 

If you’re looking for new pop music to indulge in this month, Taylor Swift’s new album 1989 came out on October 27th. Catchy, energized tracks such as “Shake It Off” and “Out of the Woods” will surely get stuck in your head and leave you wanting more. More music to listen to this month is the new single Don’t Wait by Mapei. The vocals on the track are memorably unique, and the beat is also a standout. It’s a good song for any occasion, ranging from focusing on writing that essay to getting ready for a night out. Check out these songs for the month of November!

Movie of the Month:

One of the most anticipated movie releases of the fall was The Maze Runner, based off the best-selling series by James Dashner. Though I had not read the book, I can say that the movie definitely delivered in terms of excitement and action. The action immediately begins with the film opening up to a young man named Thomas, portrayed by Dylan O’Brien, as he finds out he is trapped in a “Glade” without any recollection of who he is. Immediately, he is shown the ropes by an older boy named Alby, who explains that they are trapped in the Glade by a maze. Everyone has a job within the Glade—particularly, the runners, those who delve into the maze searching for a way out. Besides the maze, there are more obstacles in the way. The maze closes at night and if a boy is trapped within it after dark, monsters called “Grievers” kill him. Thomas is immediately curious about his surroundings and once he remembers his name, we learn more about his past through dreams. These dreams, however, are confusing and unnecessary to the movie as it is conveyed that there is something unique about Thomas’ past through the plot itself.   Following true action movie formula, The Maze Runner is fast-paced, which is good because there were no dull moments, but simultaneously a bit messy as the pacing seemed far too unrealistic. However, the characters are the standouts of the film. Aside from Dylan O’Brien as the lead, scene-stealers included Ki Hong Lee as the runner Minho and Blake Cooper as a young teenage boy named Chuck. Another character that had potential to stand out but was unfortunately not fleshed out enough was Teresa, the only girl in the Glade, played by Kaya Scodelario. A remarkable quality of this film is the blurred lines between good and bad. Though it is clear that Thomas represents the protagonist, and another character, Gally, represents the antagonist, the audience experiences how both sides can be sensible in a situation as abnormal as being trapped in a maze. Ultimately, The Maze Runner is a movie that can be confusing at times but will you leave wanting more by the cliffhanger at the end. If you’re faint of heart, Runner’s creepy twists and turns may not be for you. But if you’re up for an exciting action flick, then it’s perfect whether or not you have read the book.