![Standing center stage, senior Ananya Akula conducts the Phoenix Chorale. “[Conducting and teaching] is really fun,” Akula said. “Music education is what I want to do.” On the day of the choir assessment, Akula found out that she received the President’s Music Scholarship – a full ride to the University of Miami Frost School of Music.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ananya-1200x800.jpg)
![With the energy and effort the Bolts were bringing to the game, the Phoenix had to step up and match them to make it through their first game of the season. Many of the girls on the team, including freshman Nazly Rostom, have been playing soccer since their childhood and have grown a love for the sport as a result. “It was fun to see how we actually played in a [real] game,” Rostom said. “Even though the outcome was not what we were hoping for, I’m still happy we got to play together.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0154-1200x800.jpg)
![Held up by a group of cheerleaders, flyer sophomore Leyu Yonas poses as part of a stunt, also supported by flyer junior Shayne Mitchell behind her. (Left) Prior to the pink out football game on Oct. 13, the athletes practiced in the aux gym from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Right) On Oct. 19, the cheerleaders competed in their District Championships at Woodgrove High School. “We definitely put all our effort on the mat [at Districts], and it showed,” Mitchell said. Left: Photo by Nadia Shirr. Right: Photo by Steve Prakope via Victor O’Neill Studios.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/feature-image-1200x823.png)
![Sophomore Xavier Smith (6), the Phoenix quarterback, runs the ball as his teammates help hold up the defense. “My [offensive] line collapses, so I just [have to run], and its a good way to get first downs because [Tuscarora’s] defense was really good,” Smith said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5383-1200x897.jpg)
![As the referee throws the ball up for the tip-off, freshman Simone Diby leaps towards the ball to get it in Phoenix possession. Diby is a new member of the Phoenix girls basketball team, and despite it being a change, she finds it enjoyable. “It’s definitely a different experience if you’ve never played on a team, [but] I think it’s still fun.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0057-1200x662.jpg)
Horror Movie “Choose or Die” Lacks Jump Scares, but Makes Up For It With Exciting Plot
The movie was expected to be similar to “Truth or Dare,” but the film excelled in plot more than horror.
Asa Butterfield and Lola Evans share a stage in the horror and suspense of the film.
May 24, 2022
The horror movie “Choose or Die,” released on April 15, 2022, caught viewers’ attention with a familiar cast. Isaac, the main character, is played by Asa Butterfield, who appeared on “Sex Education,” a popular Netflix original show which attracted several fans to “Choose or Die.”
“Truth or Dare,” another horror film with a similar concept, also led fans to the movie.
“Choose or Die” starts with a collector of old video games named Hal (Eddie Marson) finding a game called “CURS>R.” He expects it to be a regular old game, which it was, until objects around him in real life start moving. Hal soon learns that his decisions in the game hurt him in real life, such as his family being harmed.
A few months later, college student Kayla (Lola Evans) visits her nerdy friend Isaac (Asa Butterfield), where she discovers the same “CURS>R” game and a phone number offering a $125,000 prize. She calls the number and gets a recorded message telling her to finish the game and insert the number code at the end to get the prize.
Kayla starts playing the game in a cafe. This simple decision to play soon turns to regret as she finds out that it affects real life. It resulted in innocent people dying, especially the people close to her.
Butterfield plays Isaac very well with the way he plays a nerd who also is friends with a more outgoing girl. This also leads me on to saying that Evans plays Kayla well with how mysterious and curious she was. Overall, the directors do a great job picking actors for roles.
This movie did a great job with making an interesting plot, but the horror elements were lacking. Although there were a few deaths, it didn’t leave the same impact as other horror films. Rather, horror in some scenes would have enhanced the movie and made it better. They could have had more jumpscares in the scenes with scary things. Instead, they chose to make a well-done plot instead of focusing on the actual aspect of making a horror movie.
Even with a strong plot, this horror movie did not live up to the hype; therefore, it earns a 6/10.
“Choose or Die” is now streaming on Netflix.
