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Latest Marvel Film Focuses on Mental Health

Marvel’s latest cinematic venture, Thunderbolts*, opens up with the line “There's something... wrong with me. An emptiness. I thought it started when my sister died, but now it feels like something bigger. Just a... void.”

This line should tell viewers that this is not just another run-of-the-mill superhero.

Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* eschews the typical high-octane action sequences, bombastic music scores, and never-ending jokes and one-liners that make up most Marvel films, instead focusing on a quieter, character-driven film that focuses on the traumas and issues of the main cast, and their struggles to find a purpose in their lives and a reason to keep living.

The film's ensemble cast gives amazing performances, with each actor nailing the traumas and issues afflicting their characters. Florence Pugh gives an understated yet emotional performance as Yelena Belova, who is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from her horrific childhood and depression from her sister’s death.

Pugh delivers her with the hopelessness, irritability, and tired energy that is all too common with depression, while utilizing enough energy and emotions in her role to make it clear that she is not phoning her performance in.

Sebastian Stan continues to shine in his performance as former assassin Bucky Barnes, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus gives a gloriously despicable performance as the self-serving, narcisistic Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.

However, the standout performance in the film is Lewis Pullman as Bob Reynolds, also known as the Sentry. A controversial character amongst comic book fans, Pullman had the challenge of playing a character who is simultaneously the emotional center of the film and a dangerous, unpredictable threat more powerful than all of the Avengers.

Despite these challenges, Pullman excels at portraying Bob’s mental health issues in a sympathetic light, which can be relatable to people who suffer from depression, cognitive disorders or split personalities.

Pullman also has the challenge of portraying Reynold’s darker persona, The Void, an alternate personality created from his abusive childhood and history of drug abuse and an unspecified mental disorder.

An allegorical character, The Void is a representation of mankind’s darker thoughts and feelings, feeding off of people’s depression and feelings of uselessness, calling them to stop living and give in to the darkness and trapping them within a literal prison of their worst memories, greatest shames, and darkest thoughts.

Void also pleasures himself in torturing Bob, telling him that he is a useless failure with no friends or loved ones, and that he will always make things worse for people around, and tries to goad him into destroying both of them in the climax of the film.

The film also chooses to avert the typical superhero movie third act, choosing to focus on an intimate, emotional journey literally into the center of Bob’s mind. The day is saved not through violence and fighting, but through people understanding one another’s traumas, realizing they are not alone and accepting themselves and each other for who they all, warts and all.

For anyone who has suffered from mental health issues, the final act of the film should be a cathartic experience in how it handles these themes. Rather than magically solve everyone’s issues, the film highlights how many of their problems are a cycle of pain that the characters tend to repeat.

The film highlights how the struggles that people focus on in life are not guaranteed to get easier, but things can get easier if people let others in on their problems and are willing to open themselves up to others. People need to remember that they are not alone and that there are people out there who will love them for who they are.

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Starkville Hosts The Third Annual Dachshund Derby

On Saturday, May 3rd, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Starkville’s Cotton District hosted the third annual Starkville Dachshund Derby. Presented by the Bocock Brothers, The Derby consisted of live music, food trucks, a dog costume contest, and the world’s largest charity weiner dog race, The Dachshund Derby.

The goal of the derby is to provide awareness and financial aid to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society.

Michelle Anderson is the Executive Director of the Oktibbeha County Humane Society. Anderson explained what the money raised at the event would go towards.

“It's going to go directly to helping the more than 6000 animals that we can take care of each year at the animal shelter and through our other programming and services that we offer,” Anderson said.

Anderson explained that besides the money raised from vendor fees, OCHS also made money from the registration fees for people to enter their dogs into the race.

Before the beginning of the race at 10, the race track was blessed by Father Tristan Stovall, the parochial vicar of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

“They asked me to come out and bless the track,” said Stovall. “So I said a prayer and blessed the track with holy water for the safety of the participants, the dogs and the spectators here.”

However, not all the dogs and their owners were there for the race,

Hannah Campbell is a Hartselle, Alabama resident and the owner of the Dachshund Heidi. Instead of entering Heidi in the race, Campbell competed in the costume competition.

“She is just participating in the costume contest just for fun,” said Campbell. “They have a bunch of dogs dressing up, and then at the end, they will get presented with a prize, like the dogs that race.”

Campbell said that it was her first time at The Starkville Derby, commenting that “it's just cute to see all the dogs and the other costumes.”

In addition to the dog owners and spectators, there were numerous vendors at The Derby who were hoping to raise a profit and awareness.

Ania Debicka-Dyer is a Starkville resident who worked at the stand for Art House Town. Debicka-Dyer has been supporting The Derby since it started.

“I just thought it was a fun event,” said Debicka-Dyer. “A great opportunity to meet people in the community and support the Humane Society.”

Debicka-Dyer explained the process that vendors go through to participate in the event.

“I had to donate money to the Humane Society,” said Debicka-Dyer. “So I still keep my profit, minus the sales taxes. But then, instead of paying a fee to the organizer of the event, my fee goes directly to the Humane Society.”

Taylor Hasson is an employee of Petsense by the Tractor Supply Company. She was manning the booth during The Starkville Derby to raise awareness for their business.

“We are doing a giveaway,” said Hasson. “We have got treats of all different kinds. Tennis balls, frisbees, whatever you need. Everything is for free right here.”

Hasson said that this was her first year working at The Starkville Derby, but that she appreciated the dedication put into the event.

“It is a big, great event that makes a lot of money for the pups here,” said Hasson. “And OCHS does a great job here raising money for their shelter.”

Hasson commented that she was willing to do her part to raise money and awareness for the Humane Society’s work.

Stovall said that he felt that, besides the money and awareness raised for the Humane Society, The Starkville Derby had a positive impact on the Starkville Community.

“I hope everyone has a great time,” said Stovall. “I think it's a great event for building up a community, or encouraging people to give back to the community and to come together for a joyful, fun-filled day.”

[theintrepidfreelancer]

Maryland Passes a Law For Residents With Unseen Disabilities

On April 7, the Maryland General Assembly adjourned from a 90-day session during which it passed 878 pieces of legislation for Governor Wes Moore to sign or veto.

Among the laws passed was a bill, HB 707, that would provide Maryland residents with an unseen disability, from hearing problems to autism, an opportunity to request a special symbol on their driver’s license or State ID to notify that they have a disability when interacting with law enforcement or emergency workers.

In addition, HB 707, known as ‘Erik’s ID Law’ in honor of autistic Maryland resident Eric Carpenter-Grantham, ensures that Maryland Law enforcement shall “immediately implement training concerning interactions with individuals who have a nonapparent disability notation” on their driver’s license or state ID card.

The bill was introduced by Maryland Senator William C. Smith, who hopes that it will result in safer interactions between law enforcement and people with disabilities.

"Across the country,” said Smith. “We have seen tragic incidents involving law enforcement that often stem from miscommunication and misunderstandings.”

This law is similar to previous initiatives enacted in Maryland, from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration’s Voluntary Developmental Disability Disclosure Card to the Ethan Saylor Alliance of 2015 that aimed at “providing increased training for members of law enforcement and other public service entities on specific needs of those with developmental and intellectual disabilities.”

Eric Carpenter-Grantham is a 20-year-old resident of Silver Spring and a student at Montgomery College. He and his mother, Linda Carpenter-Grantham, were inspired to champion this policy following the murder of George Floyd out of fear of what could happen in future police interactions.

“I was scared for my friends and I if they ever get hurt by the police and they would not know they have a disability,” said Carpenter-Grantham. “And this is when I brought the idea, Eric’s ID Law. And now it is a reality to become law in the state of Maryland.”

Ms. Carpenter-Grantham agreed with her son’s idea, sharing his concerns.

“Me being concerned as a mom, should he be stopped by law enforcement, is how that could turn out and they not know he has autism, which is an invisible disability,” Ms. Carpenter-Grantham said. “The possibilities of him being hurt, harmed or killed were scary for me.”

Carpenter-Grantham explained that people who have hidden disabilities will be able to get a butterfly sticker on their license or ID card.

“Butterflies represent hope, peace, freedom and change,” said Carpenter-Grantham. “And inside the butterfly represents all colors for hidden disabilities.”

Carpenter-Grantham has been advocating for this law since 2023, and is proud to have been able to design the logo, stating that "God has blessed me with the idea to create special logos to put on IDs for people like me and my friends, who have invisible disabilities."

If signed by Governor Moore, Eric’s ID Law would be ratified in October.

Carpenter-Grantham said he intends to live by what his mother taught him and continue to advocate for disabled people.

“My mom always told me this quote: ‘I was created to stand out, not to fit in,” he said. “And so, to others who don’t feel they fit in, you’re created to stand out.”

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Local Fraternity Volunteers at Habitat for Humanity

On Saturday, April 12, members of the Mississippi State Charter of Alpha Gamma Rho volunteered to work at Habitat for Humanity for the day. From 8 to 11 a.m., the volunteers were expected to work on the construction efforts taking place within Habitat’s plans to build an entire neighborhood.

Jackson Grace is a sophomore animal dairy & science major in Alpha Gamma Rho. He explained that the fraternity frequently works with numerous charities and events.

“We have several planned events throughout the year,” said Grace. “And we always help with Habitat for Humanity. It is our one required event.”

Another member of Alpha Gamma Rho, junior microbiology major Jake Klauber, agreed with Grace’s sentiments stating “It is what my fraternity was doing, so I decided to go with them.”

Young Kerby is an employee of Habitat with a long history of working for them.

"I was a volunteer for over twenty years,” said Kirby. “When I retired from another job, I started part-time for Habitat, and have spent five years as a volunteer coordinator.”

Kirby explained that Starkville Habitat’s usual plans for constructing houses vary on the amount of land they can buy.

“Up until this area, wherever we could buy a plot of land, we would put one, two, maybe four houses in the city, or out in the county,” said Kirby. “About four years ago, they bought 11 acres with the intent of building an entire neighborhood.”

This plot of land, known as Kelly Estate, is located on 16 Section Road, next to the Mississippi State Golf Club.

This is a first for them to have that much development in one place.

Kirby stated that building a neighborhood from the ground up resulted in some additional challenges.

“We have had some trouble with getting the road built,” said Kirby. “As well as infrastructure panned out. It is nice to be in one spot. We are getting a lot of volunteers from the university and local community, and everyone knows where it is.”

In addition to the construction at Kelly Estate, Habitat also uses the help of volunteers at a special location that is open only once a month.

Located at 1632 Rock Hill Road, and open from 8 to 11 a.m. on the first Saturday of the month, Habitat for Humanity’s Warehouse is available for customers looking to buy used or donated items at a cheap affordable price.

“We take in donations of all kinds of items,” said Kirby. “And when we sell stuff through our warehouse or retail store downtown, most of that money goes to building materials for the houses that we build.”

Kirby explained the significance of this warehouse to the Starkville branch of Habitat for Humanity.

"This was the first house of Starkville Habitat before we got the office and the retail store downtown,” said Kirby. “One of the very first houses we built is up the driveway from here.”

Volunteers working at the warehouse are required to dust off items, write the measurements and prices for sails, and assist customers in their purchases.

Grace appreciated the work he put in, stating that he “enjoys it when we get to do work to help the community and see a bunch of cool stuff that they have to sell here,” and that it is always “fun because it is a group of us always coming out to help, which is always a blast.”

[theintrepidfreelancer]

"A Minecraft Movie" fails to create an identity for itself.

“A Minecraft Movie” faced the challenge of adapting a video game famous for having no story, dialog, or developed characters into a film with all of those qualities. In doing so, Mojang created a movie that struggles to not only find an audience to connect with but fails to establish an identity for its film.

The film features a quirky cast of characters who find themselves in a blocky dimension where creativity is limitless. They meet Steve (played by Jack Black) who needs their help in stopping an evil army of Piglins from taking over the Overworld, and purging the world of joy and creativity.

The cast in this film is very talented, but their characters lack depth. Jack Black and Jason Momoa steal the film with their comedic timing and on-screen chemistry, but they play to their respective typecast with very little that stands out.

Sebastian Hansen, Emma Myers, and Danielle Brooks have good comedic timing, as well as great reactions to the absurdities they run into, but their characters are left fighting for the little screentime that Black and Momoa leave for them.

A major issue with the film is the plot. Besides the challenges of adding a plot to a game famous for not having one, the story is a fairly generic “stop the evil overlord from taking over the world” plotline with a quest to find a magical MacGuffin.

The pacing is all over the place, with the first third of the film moving way too fast and cramping in far too much information, and the rest of the film sluggishly moving with no sense of urgency. The tone is equally disjointed, bouncing back and forth between being self-aware of itself and playing scenes straight. The humor of the film is very hit-and-miss with some scenes setting up running gags that either fall flat or are never given the payoff they deserve.

The visual design of the film is atrocious, with terrible character designs and CGI that seem reminiscent of the original “Ugly Sonic” design, and flat and dull cinematography that never bothers to create tension or atmosphere. “Scary” scenes fall flat because they are filmed without any unique angles or pacing to build suspense, and action scenes lack the frenetic energy needed to get the audience involved.

The film is equally confused about who its target audience is. Steve spends good chunks of the film explaining the different monsters, the logic of Minecraft, and how to build and craft tools and weapons. However, the film also relies on obscure references to spinoff games, outside lore and fandom-related jokes and references, as well as featuring cameos from known Minecraft YouTubers, including a surprisingly heartfelt tribute to the deceased Technoblade.

“A Minecraft Movie” was made in an attempt to appeal to multiple demographics, as well as gamers and non-gamers. Unfortunately, the end product was a generic, if harmless film which failed to capture the spirit of the game.

Verdict: 5/10.

[theintrepidfreelancer]

US Senator Cory Booker makes a historical speech.

US Senator Cory Booker delivered a speech on March 31 at 7 p.m., criticizing the Trump administration’s actions. The speech lasted 25 hours and five minutes, making it the longest in U.S. Senate History.

What is the purpose of his speech?

In a video posted to his X account, Booker said he was inspired by “hearing from people all over my state and indeed all over the nation calling upon folks in Congress to do more. To do things that recognize the urgency and crisis of the moment. So, we all have a responsibility, I believe, to do something different.”

Booker criticized the second Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency in his speech, stating his intention of “disrupting the normal business of the United States Senate” to express his belief that “the threats to the American people and American democracy are grave and urgent, and we all must do more to stand against them.”

He admonished the Trump administration's cuts to Social Security and Medicare, mass layoffs of federal workers, and attempts to dismantle the Department of Education.

Despite failing the requirements of a Senate filibuster, a speech intended to delay or block a bill, Booker's speech was a symbolic protest against President Trump’s policies.

What are the requirements to hold the floor?

To hold the Senate floor, Booker was required to stand at his desk, not eat meals or leave to use the restroom. He could drink water as needed, answer questions from colleagues, and hosted an open prayer at noon, allowing him quick breaks to regain his composure and focus.

To prepare, Booker stopped eating on Friday and stopped drinking Sunday night to prevent the urge to use the restroom. He ordered a Senate aide to remove his chair to avoid the temptation of sitting. His staff drafted and organized binders containing 1,164 pages of materials, including two hundred stories from American citizens, to use in his speech.

Booker said that his hardest challenge was spasms, stating that “the biggest thing I was fighting was that different muscles were starting to really cramp up,” and cause pains throughout his body.

To prepare mentally, Booker leaned on his Christian faith, prayed with Senator Raphael Warnock and carried a notecard of Isaiah 40:31, “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

What is the historical impact of his speech?

Booker’s speech had a historical impact, breaking the previous record for the longest Senate speech set by Senator Strom Thurmond with a 24-hour and 18-minute filibuster on the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

Booker was “very aware of Strom Thurmond’s record,” and that it “always seemed wrong” that the longest Senate speech was from a segregationist.

Despite his intentions, Booker had no intention of breaking that record, and his mission was to “elevate the voices of Americans, to tell some of their really painful stories, very emotional stories, and to let go and let God do the rest.”

What are the reactions to his speech?

Live streams of Booker’s speech were trending on TikTok, resulting in unverified claims of more than 350 million ‘likes,’ and 300,000 viewers. His office phone received over 28,000 encouraging voicemails, including calls from California Representative Nancy Pelosi and former Vice President Kamala Harris.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised the speech, stating that it was “an incredibly powerful moment ... because he is fighting to preserve the American way of life and our democracy,” while also noting that the previous “record was held by Strom Thurmond who was defending Jim Crow segregation.”

However, not all the reactions were positive.

Despite acknowledging that the speech could boost morale in the Democratic Party, former White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield said that the speech “won’t have a tangible impact on business in Washington.”

Intelligencer columnist Ed Kilgore, took a neutral stance, stating that “for the moment, he’s just another disempowered Democrat trying to placate angry constituents and activists who may have unrealistic ideas about what a minority party in a governing trifecta regime can do to throw sand in the gears of the Trump train. If talk can make them feel better, Booker has become the man with the plan.”

US President Donald Trump has yet to comment on the speech.