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The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

Graphic | Benjamin Zhang

In Review: Volume 4, 2025

El Estoque's staff review recently released media, ranging from LiAngelo Ball's first shot at music to Tate McRae's new pop experiment
AI chatbots can be a source of entertainment and, to an extent, even companionship. Illustration | Amberly Sun

Artificial Intelligence is increasingly taking a larger role in our daily entertainment

MVHS students and staff explore the effect of AI’s growth on entertainment
Owen Liu and Benjamin Zhang
January 30, 2025
Although affectionate gestures are often seen as romantic, the distinction between romantic and platonic relationships varies wildly from person to person. Illustration | Jillian Ju

So, does this mean we’re in love?

Learning to love the gray area between platonic and romantic
Jillian Ju
January 29, 2025
Reverend Marvin White delivers an address to the gathering of march participants at Yerba Buena Gardens. Photo | Benjamin Zhang

San Francisco hosts annual Martin Luther King Jr. march

Participants march a mile down Third Street in commemoration of King and the Civil Rights Movement
Isabelle Kok and Benjamin Zhang
January 25, 2025
“The Party Never Ends” is far from a bad album, but is ultimately underwhelming given its importance to Juice WRLD’s legacy and fans. Graphic by Grade A Productions | Used with permission

‘The Party Never Ends’ is a forgettable farewell

Juice WRLD’s final album is a sad reminder that all parties come to an end
Benjamin Zhang, Arts & Entertainment Editor
December 6, 2024
Mayhew’s capstone project with San Jose State University, the short film “My Turn,” depicts sisterhood in a slapstick cartoon style. Photo courtesy of Morgan Mayhew | Used with permission

Morgan Mayhew’s journey to becoming an animation producer

MVHS alum Morgan Mayhew ‘19 breaks down her favorite animated films, what it’s like to be an animation student and more
Alyssa Yang and Benjamin Zhang
December 5, 2024
The difference in how parents and their children view current media often feels like an unbridgeable chasm. Graphic | Benjamin Zhang

The generational gap

MVHS students and staff reflect on how different generations perceive current media
Corinna Kuo and Benjamin Zhang
December 2, 2024
The plot of “Red One” revolves around the kidnapping of winter demigod St. Nick and the attempt to rescue him just in time for Christmas. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures | Used with permission

‘Red One’ makes the naughty list of holiday films with charm

The star-studded movie takes a unique approach but fails to stand out from average Christmas cinema
Sagnik Nag Chowdhury and Benjamin Zhang
November 16, 2024
Photo Illustration | Benjamin Zhang

Rome wasn’t built in a day

MVHS Drama shares the work and hopes behind their adaptation of Shakespeare’s 'Julius Caesar'
Sana Karkhanis and Benjamin Zhang
October 28, 2024
“Joker: Folie à Deux,” despite its $200 million budget, turned out to be the worst possible fate for its already tortured characters. Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures | Used with permission

‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ is a double dose of pure delusion

The ‘Joker’ sequel is a pathetic shadow of its former self
Jillian Ju and Benjamin Zhang
October 8, 2024
A beautiful sunset was visible as Mitski began her “The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We” concert. Photo by Benjamin Zhang

Mitski’s ‘The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We’ tour saves itself with emotional intimacy

Mitski captures hearts with pure lyricism and vocals in spite of a disappointing atmosphere
Isabelle Kok and Benjamin Zhang
October 7, 2024
The theme of Homecoming 2024 is childhood TV, featuring "Teletubbies," "Spongebob," "Ninjago" and "Phineas and Ferb." | Illustration by Isabelle Kok

Homecoming from another lens

MVHS students and staff share experiences leading up to the 2024 Homecoming week
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