The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

Arts & Entertainment

Senior music students will complete their capstone projects virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured is Sarah Lehman singing.

Music majors complete senior capstones virtually

Anneliese Esparza, Editor-in-Chief May 9, 2021

Ten music students specializing in vocal performance, composition, piano, bass guitar and more performed or will perform in three livestreamed recitals this month. An additional six music seniors performed their projects during their capstone class. Performances came from homes, backyards and CSUSM’s...

Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo star in new quirky comedy Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar, now available to stream on Netflix.

REVIEW: Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar shows that middle-aged women can still have their “hot girl summer”

Angelica Cervantes, Staff Writer May 3, 2021

Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar is an eccentric and poppy new film that amplifies vacation vibes on the sunny coast of Florida.  As we head into spring and summer months, this film livens the mood for coming holidays and is perfect to watch with family and friends. This film is a physical representation...

The Chronicle Entertainment Rundown

Jaelyn Decena and Angelica Cervantes May 3, 2021

Book: Transcendent Kingdom Yaa Gyasi released her debut novel Transcendent Kingdom in September 2020. The book does not hesitate to take on darker topics such as abuse, addiction and depression. The story follows Gifty, the youngest daughter of a Ghanian family that immigrated to America. Gifty...

REVIEW: True-crime documentary Why Did You Kill Me? exposes the power of social media and false identities to solve a murder

Melanie Ramirez, Staff Writer April 26, 2021

Netflix released Why Did You Kill Me?, a true-crime documentary about the tragic death of Crystal Theobald, on April 14. This Netflix original brings to light to the fatal 2006 shooting of the innocent 24-year-old woman.   Crystal, her boyfriend and her brother were driving around one night when...

 In the Earth is now available to stream on Netflix.

REVIEW: Horror film In the Earth falls short in scaring its audience

Angelica Cervantes, Staff Writer April 26, 2021

This review may contain spoilers.  Ben Wheatley’s new film, In the Earth (2021) blends both fictional and scientific ideologies.  The story centers around Dr. Martin Lowery (Joel Fry) and Zach (Reece Shearsmith). Both the scientist and park scout are seemingly innocent comprehensions of folklore...

REVIEW: CSUSM professor shares how to write through self-identity at virtual event

Angelica Cervantes, Staff Writer April 26, 2021

The Cross-Cultural Center held an online event called “Writing as a Tool of Resistance” on April 13. Cross-Cultural Center programs specialist Karla May introduced Sonia Gutierrez, who led and discussed the necessary elements in creating a story. Gutierrez teaches critical thinking and writing,...

CSUSM’s Office of Global Education hosted an International Student Showcase to highlight creative international students’ work.

International students get the spotlight at a multi-campus showcase event

Magali Castillo, Staff Writer April 26, 2021

CSUSM’S Office of Global Education hosted their first multi-campus international student virtual showcase event in conjunction with San Diego State University (SDSU), UC San Diego (UCSD) and the University of San Diego on April 15. Danielle McMartin, director of Global Education, introduced the...

The Chronicle Entertainment Rundown

Jaelyn Decena, Kat Parra, and Magali Castillo April 26, 2021

Book: Ripples by Wai Wai Pang Ripples by Wai Wai Pang is a unique mystery graphic novel. As Pang’s debut novel, Pang redefines the boundaries of graphic novels. The story follows two detectives who work for the Big Lakes police department. When they investigate a missing person’s report, the...

Taylor Swift brings a fresh take on her album Fearless 13 years after the original’s release.

REVIEW: Taylor Swift reinvigorates an old classic with Fearless (Taylor’s Version)

Anneliese Esparza, Editor-in-Chief April 16, 2021

Taylor Swift has come a long way since her early days as a fresh-faced girl with a guitar who brought the female teenage experience to life, writing and singing songs about love, loss and growing up. But whether she’s selling out stadiums or creating intimate, stripped-down music in quarantine, Swift...

 CSUSM Arts & Lectures series hosted local poets to share their work.

REVIEW: San Diego poets unite to share their work

Sonya Vargas, Staff Writer April 14, 2021

CSUSM held a virtual spoken word event, “Poets’ History of San Diego Spoken Word,” hosted by CSUSM’s own professor of ethnic studies Jason Perez, on April 8.  Perez was joined by poet and CSUSM professor of sociology Lori Walkington and nationally-acclaimed and award-winning poets Anthony...

Zack Snyder releases his take on the film Justice League, now available on HBO Max.

REVIEW: Snyder Cut leaves fans in awe after a second take at the Justice League film

Kat Parra, Assistant A&E Editor April 14, 2021

This review may contain spoilers. To those that left 2017 behind, here are a few refreshers with the Justice League film. The squad officially all came back together to defeat the common enemy, Villain Darkseid, thanks to Batman/Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck). And just when humanity rests on the verge...

The Chronicle Entertainment Rundown

Magali Castillo, Kat Parra, and Jaelyn Decena April 14, 2021

EP: Freedom. by Justin Bieber On Easter, Justin Bieber dropped an EP titled Freedom., just over two weeks after the release of his album Justice. The album stirred some controversy for its tracks with Martin Luther King preaching, since Justice was more about love songs towards his wife. In Freedom.,...

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