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Articles by Judah Belgrade
Resident Evil (2026): The Beating Heart of the Zombie Smashing Hit
Zach Cregger is known for his original horror films such as 2022’s Barbarian and 2025’s critically acclaimed Weapons. Resident Evil (2026) is his first movie attached to a larger property, and a smash hit at that. With a 96% from critics and a 90% from general audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, not to mention the $60 million made from its domestic opening, it is the highest rated film based on the Resident Evil franchise (there are seven others—none of them are good), and the most successful.
‘Castlevania’, Game Feel, and Franchise Identity
When I started playing “Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse”, it became apparent to me and many fans of the series that it didn’t exactly ‘feel’ like the Castlevania games we’ve played before. However one decides to interpret this as a good or bad thing is up to them, but the most tactile way to describe this feeling is through its ‘game feel.’ That being all, the aspects that contribute to the experience of the players tactile playing of the game. Every game has a game feel.
It’s all about the games!
Throughout the year, I’ve been playing video games. Old games, new games, it doesn’t matter when it came out. All that matters is if you have fun. And to quote Reggie Fils-Aimé, “if it’s not fun, why bother?” This school year has been a long one, as it is every year. New experiences lengthen one’s awareness of each moment, before it becomes expected and usual, then it becomes a short year.
Game Freak, Pocket Card Jockey and the Beauty of Creation
“Pocket Card Jockey” is a mix of horse racing and solitaire, where the better you play solitaire, the better your horse performs, but not without correctly paying attention to a handful of factors like the motivation, mood, and positioning of your horse that could be a boon for your performance and sponsor or spell out your doom on the track. The premise is fittingly just as ridiculous. You play as a lazy jockey who tried to ride a racing horse and got kicked off so hard that they died.
Sunblighted: Chapter 7
Last time on Sunblighted: As Tev, the mysterious Canthi lookalike, guides Gefrol and a passed-out Lih through the forest, Gefrol is confident that Lih has made this better future possible, and that he can help Lih fix the world. When Tev asked for Gefrol’s unconditional assistance, claiming that he is The God of the Winds of Change and the subject of a prophecy, he refused, telling her that he only serves Lih, his master. —————————— The common room is not particularly special.
You and I are Polar Opposites: Not your typical highschool romcom (and I really mean it)
Winter 2026 has been a very busy season. Not because of the constant blizzards (as I write this, I’m stuck in New Jersey an extra day after break), nor because of the incoming major proposal deadline (I’m doing this instead), but because there is an abundance of new anime to watch.
‘Final Fantasy Adventures’: Your mystical bittersweet journey
Last semester, I finally purchased a retro game collection that has been sitting on my wishlist since 2019: Collection of Mana featuring Final Fantasy Adventures for the Game Boy, Secret of Mana, and for the first time outside of Japan, Trials of Mana, both for the SNES. The Mana games are some of Square Enix’s more experimental RPGS, as they take on more action-combat than turn-based combat like the world-renowned Final Fantasy series.
Why are there days off for Jewish Holidays?
Brandeis has fundamental origins within the fight against religious and ethnic segregation, as it was founded by the American Jewish community in 1948, when higher education was limiting the entrances of those in minority ethnic and racial groups, as well as women. Part of that comes from their established policies and mission statement to support religious and ethnic pluralism.
Will you conquer your backlog?
The Backlog is a pillar of gaming discourse and general self-deprecating humor. A never-ending list of titles, new and old, at the whims of the player, sounds perfect on paper. You always have something to play … or so it seems. The backlog is a list of games; they aren’t the literal games themselves. As such, it is less required for one to have the game to know that you want to play it.
Games to play on Halloween
Want to play something spooky? Something to get you in the Halloween spirit … but what’s the vibe, y’know? Maybe you don’t want to be scared shitless, you just want to have some spooky vibes! Well, I’m here to help, with some specific recommendations that range from Haunted House to Graveyard to Nightmare. Note, I haven’t played all of these.
Playing as a nameless protagonist
Let’s do a thought experiment. Think of a video game. I’ll give you 10 seconds. OK, now, does that game have a protagonist? Can you name them anything from Dennis to Poopface? Have you ever thought about why that is (or isn’t)? The main character of a video game is one that the player takes control of. It’s how it works. Mario is the main character of Super Mario Bros., so you play as Mario. Nathan Drake is the protagonist of Uncharted, so you play as him.
The games of my summer 2025
Starting in May and ending in August, the Brandeis school year has returned from vacation (and for those who stuck around during the heat, God bless your air conditioning units). But even as the last breaths of summer lift students out of bed and into classrooms, I can’t help but reflect on all that I accomplished during the summer. I played a lot of video games. I tried out new genres of games, returned to classics, cleared some of my backlog and bought some fresh titles.
Six Weeks With The Jewish Link: Past, Present and Future
After working for The Jewish Link for about a month, it feels appropriate to do some self-reflecting on where I started. In June 2022, I was looking for something to do in my free time other than working retail. I was doing some creative writing on my own, but I wanted to do something more official. I knew Moshe Kinderlehrer from the Beth Aaron youth minyan, and he reached out and offered me the chance to write a feature piece for The Link.
Keeping Your Shelf Open to Genres
Many people say things like “They say variety is the spice of life.” In response, many people decide to say something just as verbose, if not more clichéd. They might say, “Who’s they?” looking to nip this segment in the bud before the warm feeling of sunlight melts the irony-clad clasps that seat them tight in their above-average high horse.
A Sturdy Companion to Take With You to College
Reviewing: “10 Things Every Jew Should Know Before They Go to College” by Emily Schrader and Blake Flayton. Griffith Moon Publishing. 2025. 322 pages. ISBN-10: 1736773879. Written by Emily Schrader and Blake Flayton, with illustrations by Kimberly Brooks, “10 Things Every Jew Should Know Before They Go to College” is a streamlined and digestible presentation of the larger context behind the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The “10 Things” in the title are divided into 10 chapters: 1.
Chaverim of Bergen County Helps Keep Kids Cool And Safe This Summer
The Chaverim of Bergen County have taken on a new initiative this summer: making sure no kid is left inside the car alone. Whether the air conditioning is on or off, the daily routine of many parents is shifted when going from school to summer. They might not be paying attention to who’s in the car. Sol Itzkowitz, the chief of Chaverim of Bergen County, wanted to do something about this.
Seeing God in Our Words and Actions
Parshat Balak presents a profound change of perspective from the entirety of Sefer Bamidbar, if not the entire Torah. The majority of it takes place within the thoughts and actions of the Moabite King and his entourage as well as the Prophet Bilaam, in their failed attempts to curse the Jewish People.
Three Weeks, Four Additions to Your Audio Catalog
It’s that time of year again, folks. The Three Weeks are right on top of us, and it is the tradition of many people at this time to avoid getting married, getting a haircut, wearing new clothes and listening to music from … well, musical instruments. So the biannual problem for our generation is finding a good way to spend our usual music time with something else. Here are some current popular podcasts and a cappella groups to keep your day moving at the beat of your eardrums.
Zohran Mamdani’s Win Raises Concern Among Jewish Voters
Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic Socialist, has won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. His victory is causing concern in the Jewish community due to his past record on Israel and Jewish issues.
A Glimpse Into People’s Upheaved Summer Plans
With the situation in Israel fluctuating, many personal plans and summer programs must pivot on varying scales to accommodate this abrupt change in the status quo. As of Wednesday, these are the current statements made by official program sources. Jeremy Joszef, Director of Morasha Recently announced, with Israel opening its airspace, Sulam and Amcha will run their standard program with the regular itinerary.
Detroit Philanthropist Gary Torgow Elected JFNA Chair
Gary Torgow, a philanthropic businessman from Detroit, has been elected chair of the Jewish Federations of North America, with his term set to begin on July 1. “I am appreciative and honored to be elected chair,” said Torgow in a release from the Jewish Federation. “The North American Jewish community is at an inflection point and looking to its federation leadership to ensure that we not only overcome the challenges we face, but thrive.
Columbia Antisemitism Lawsuit Settled in Favor of Jewish Student
On June 13, The Lawfare Project announced that the civil rights lawsuit they had filed with Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP against Columbia University has been settled. “We have reached a confidential settlement with Columbia that includes a monetary component as well as other relief,” said Ziporah Reich, director of litigation at The Lawfare Project, in a statement by the organization.
Jewish Groups React to NYS Senate Passage of Medical Aid in Dying Act
On June 10, the New York State Senate passed the Medical Aid in Dying Act (S.138) with a majority of 35 to 27. This bill allows the prescribing of lethal drugs for patients who have been diagnosed with six or fewer months to live by two physicians, and have been referred for a psychiatric evaluation by their physician if necessary. The Orthodox Union (OU) and Agudath Israel of America released statements expressing their disappointment in this legislative decision.
‘AI: The Somnium Files’: the value of voice acting
As the Pesach break was approaching, I had the urge that everyone has during the spring: to spend money. I opened up the Nintendo Switch eShop and began browsing the best selling tab before checking my wishlist for anything that caught my attention. I noticed a game has been sitting in my library for a while, that being “AI: The Somnium Files” from Spike Chunsoft of Danganronpa fame (or infamy).
‘Hotel Dusk: Room 215’ - A novel gaming experience
Over this February break I took some time to play a game that has been rotting in my backlog: “Hotel Dusk: Room 215” for the Nintendo DS. Developed by the now defunct Cing Inc. and released on Jan. 22, 2007, you play as Kyle Hyde, an ex NYPD detective turned salesman looking for his former work partner, Brian Bradley, at the titular Hotel Dusk on the night of Dec. 28, 1979.
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