Author: Caitlin Cardenas

This is The Greatest Show! Man!

Caitlin Cardenas

Last December, a movie that stole my heart and moved me to tears came out in theaters. Granted that I am a very easy crier, this movie just hit me right in the heart. From the cinematography to the music, from the characters to the choreography this movie musical had it all. Of course I’m talking about The Greatest Showman.
Now I wanted to see this movie because I absolutely love musicals but I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t listen to any of the music before seeing it so it just all surprised me during my first viewing. That first viewing had me so overwhelmed I literally cried within the first 20 minutes of the movie.
The music was everything you would want in a movie musical. You can dance to it, sing it at the top of your lungs, and even cry your heart out.My personal favorites: A Million Dreams, From Now On, This is Me (which won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar), Never Enough, and obviously Rewrite the Stars.

When I say that everyone’s vocals were at the top of their game I mean it. For someone who only saw the second half of Les Mis I was very surprised that Hugh Jackman was such a strong singer.
As for Zendaya and Zac Efron, absolutely phenomenal. We all know Zac Efron is no stranger to musicals with High School Musical and Hairspray under his belt, while Zendaya has a few songs under hers as well. Their song together, Rewrite the Stars was one of the most beautiful duets I’ve listened to in a long time. I mean its an actual duet where the people are singer to each other and not just singing different verses. The choreography for that scene was insanely beautiful and I’m getting butterflies just thinking about it.
As you can see I was absolutely smitten with this movie. If you haven’t seen it, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! Watch it right now.

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Rock n Roll is Dead

Caitlin Cardenas

For a long time now I have noticed that there isn’t many rock bands in this day and age. While listening to KROQ, a rock station in LA, I noticed that most of the music they were playing was classic rock or songs from the early to mid 2000s. Almost simultaneously, me and dad turned to each other and said “why are there no rock bands anymore?”. We went into a conversation that lasted about an hour reminiscing on the height of rock music (which I wasn’t even alive for) and the decline of it.
My dad said “name a band right now that is releasing music that you think is rock?” I personally couldn’t think of anything. Yea I thought of Panic! at the Disco, Fall Out Boy and The Killers but their height was in the early 2000s when pop punk was it. For me, personally it takes a lot for me to get into a new artist so maybe there are some bands but how many of them will be held as rockstars.
I grew up taking after my dad’s and brothers’ music taste which is mostly classic rock. Names such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Animals, and Queen were always listened to. These bands are still my most listened to on Spotify (behind Harry Styles). I love watching documentaries on bands from the 60s-80s when Rock was the main event. People went crazy over these rockstars. And that is no longer around. Maybe I miss the counterculture of rock that I wasn’t around for.
This also isn’t just an opinion. As of now Hip-Hop/Rap is the most popular genre as opposed to rock which held the number one place for decades. Now, I do agree that times change and its time for something else to be on top I must admit that I miss Rock n Roll.

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They Deserved Better: Michael Cordero Jr. and Wes Gibbins (Spoiler Alert)

Caitlin Cardenas

I have two favorite shows: Jane the Virgin and How to Get Away with Murder. My favorite characters from each show were Michael Cordero Jr and Wes Gibbins. I used to enjoy watching each of these characters interact with others and watching their character grow. But what did I get in the third season if both of these shows… DEATH!! The Death of both of these characters! Why? Why are all of my favorites taken from me?
Wes Gibbins was literally the main character of How to Get Away With Murder. The entire show started because of him. Throughout the first two seasons we saw Wes go from a scared kid to a grown, strong man who is trying his best to make sure everyone is ok. He lost so much as a kid; his mother killed herself and he didn’t know who his father was. He went through so much crap and when he finally gets into a good relationship with someone he loves he is killed. The way he is killed is also heartbreaking. To see someone I loved and was attached to struggle for breath and then seeing his burned body in a morgue. I know that it sounds brutal but it was and it hurt. He deserved so much better than he got.
Lastly, the only tv show character who I believe I was completely in love with just as much as the main character Jane. A person who brings happiness to my soul. A person who made me know what love is. Michael Cordero Jr. Him and Jane went through their ups and downs but he never doubted that they were meant to be together. When they finally got married it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen on tv. As they seasons progressed Jane and Michael were very much in love and Michael was providing Jane with support for her writing and with her child and so much love that even my heart couldn’t bare it. To start with his misfortune he got shot in the chest on his wedding night. Now if the tears didn’t start flowing after that I don’t think I could trust you. He then had to go through surgery and no one knew if he would make it and then he did. Everything was going great until he dropped dead in an exam room. My heart along with the hearts of millions of viewers were broken. He was one of the best guy characters ever to be created. He was loving. He was love. He deserved better.

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5 songs everyone should listen to

Caitlin Cardenas

I have very strong opinions about what people should do, especially when it comes to music and movies. So, below is a list of five songs I think that everyone should listen to at least once.

“Human Nature” Michael Jackson
I know we all know the King of Pop and his greatest hits, but a song that I usually see missing from that list is this song. With its smooth, soft melody and Micheal’s beautiful, ageless voice this song is everything one needs for a relaxing day. “When they say why, tell them that it’s human nature.”

2.  “Silver Springs” Fleetwood Mac
An iconic song from the iconic “Rumors” era. But it wasn’t on the original release of the album because of time. Stevie Nicks wrote this song about her then ex-boyfriend and Fleetwood Mac’s very own guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. Her voice increasing with urgency and frustration and the fact that she sings this on stage with him, looking him straight in the eye makes it all the more powerful. “Time casts a spell on you but you wont forget me.”

3. “This River is Wild” The Killers
From the worldwide known album Sam’s Town, this song tends to be forgotten… at least so I thought. On Jan. 30, 2018 I had the pleasure of seeing them live here in San Diego. Before they played this song (I was surprised that they even had it on the set list) Brandon Flowers said “we played this whole album in Sam’s Town for the 10 year anniversary and this song surprising had the most hype, so here is ‘This River is Wild’.” I was thrilled because this song is my favorite on the album. This song actually feels like a river. Rushing downstream. “I just wanna to show you what I know and catch when the current lets you go.”

4. “Silly” Deniece Williams
Now I couldn’t let y’all go without some soul and r&b. This song can be felt by everyone. Everyone has felt foolish loving someone who didn’t love you back. Willaim’s childlike voice, sounding innocent and silly makes the song really embody its title. “Silly of me to think that you could ever really want me too how I love you.”

5. “F*** With Myself” Banks
If you want to feel like the baddest in the land listen to this song. This song is for looking in the mirror, getting ready for the club, and just really feeling yourself. When Banks released this song a new level of confidence was unlocked within my soul. Her sultry voice and haunting beats makes this song of legendary status in my mind. “ I used to care what you think about me. Cause my love so good. So I f*** with myself more than anybody else.”

All of these songs and more are available in a playlist on spotify called “Songs that everyone should listen to”  I made of all the songs I think everyone should know.

 

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