Each week, the staff here at The Anchor give their recommendations on an album, book and movie to enjoy. Here are our recommendations for the week of 11/4-11/10.
Album (Castalia L.): Isotope by Wasia Project (2024)
Brother-sister duo Wasia Project has released their new EP Isotope this year, and the album, though not topping charts with mass appeal, has delivered a carefully constructed album filled with intricate instrumentation. The vocals, as usual, are impeccable, with Will Gao (the resident pianist) lending his voice to the particularly moving song “To Get Better.” Although much of the album centers around themes of uncertainty, anxiety, and sometimes regret, there is an underlying sense of hope that grounds the album and allows for both a somber but intellectual listening experience. In all, Wasia Project set out to release an album full of both emotion and technical skill, and managed to achieve both seamlessly.
Movie (Maximilian C.): Nimona by Nick Bruno (2023)
Nimona, released in 2023, is a sci-fi/fantasy animated film directed by Nick Bruno. The movie follows Ballistor Boldheart, a knight, trying to prove himself as the first knight from non-royal blood. However, before he can be knighted, a strange beam of light emanating from his sword kills the queen, framing him for the murder. In prison, he meets Nimona, a strange girl with shapeshifting powers, and together they vow to clear Ballistor’s name. The movie uses the idea of “monsters” as a clever allegory for mass belief of a harmful ideal, being scared of something due to a misconception from thousands of years ago. With a meaningful story, good writing, beautiful animation, and stellar voice cast, Nimona is definitely something worth watching.
Book (May B.): The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (1999)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, written by Stephen Chbosky, shows Charlie’s journey in his freshman year of high school. This book tells his story through diary-like letters. Charlie had a rough childhood, his best friend Michael committed suicide at the end of 8th grade and his aunt wasn’t what she seemed to be. At the start of his freshman year, Charlie is seen as an outsider and loner, but when he goes to the high school football game on a friday night, he meets his new best friends: Patrick and Sam, a pair of step-siblings. That night, Charlie fell in love with Sam, despite the fact that Sam is too old for him. Lots of people can relate to Charlie’s journey through high school. This coming of age story is an amazing and short read with 218 pages.
