‘Wicked’ defies expectations (and gravity) with powerful performances

‘Wicked’ defies expectations (and gravity) with powerful performances

“Wicked,” starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera, is a movie adaptation of the classic 2003 Broadway show of the same name, which is itself an adaptation of a 1995 book by Gregory Macguire. It follows the story of Elphaba and how she comes to be known as the Wicked Witch of the West. It explores the concepts of good and “wicked” and what makes someone such a thing. The film’s release was also accompanied by a wild press tour, which generated the viral meme of “holding space” for Defying Gravity, a phrase used in an interview conducted by Mount Holyoke College alum Tracy E. Gilchrist FP ’04 with the film’s two leads.

Students watch ‘Shirley’ in honor of Shirley Chisholm’s 100th birthday

Students watch ‘Shirley’ in honor of Shirley Chisholm’s 100th birthday

As doors at Mount Holyoke College often seem to be when you need them most, the entrance to Dwight Hall was locked on the evening of Nov. 22. However, entry was well worth the wait: the building’s event of the night was a celebration of Shirley Chisholm's 100th Birthday, with a post-dinner screening of the 2024 biopic “Shirley.”

Students reimagine Shakespeare in “Much Ado About Nothing” production

Students reimagine Shakespeare in “Much Ado About Nothing” production

For many, the name Shakespeare invokes a sense of dread, bringing to mind memories of high school English classes filled with stale interpretations of dense and unrelatable text. This fall, Talia Pott ’25 set out to challenge these preconceptions through her senior thesis project: a genderqueer reimagining of “Much Ado About Nothing,” which was performed Nov. 22 through Nov. 24 in Rooke Theatre.


Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield’s chemistry shines in “We Live in Time”

Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield’s chemistry shines in “We Live in Time”

“We Live in Time” poses an unusual meet-cute: accidentally hitting your future soulmate with your car as he drops his chocolate while crossing a busy highway. This new romance film, starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh and directed by John Crowley, interweaves humor and tear-jerking moments, ultimately emphasizing a reminder that our time together is finite. 

They may be flowers, but they aren’t wilting: Student band Twolips performs at Pratt

They may be flowers, but they aren’t wilting: Student band Twolips performs at Pratt

As a picturesque sunset fell over Pratt Music Hall, Mount Holyoke College student band Twolips began their Sept. 19 concert on the grass just outside the building. A small crowd gathered before the show began, but several more listeners came after the music started, attracted by both the melodies and the s’mores offered by the Office of Student Involvement a few feet away.

A cappella groups showcase their skills at O-JAM

A cappella groups showcase their skills at O-JAM

Mount Holyoke College’s a cappella groups brought their best to a mixed group of auditioners and supporters at O-JAM, hosted on Friday, Sept. 6. Each group was greeted by chants from the audience, as well as individual shoutouts to some particularly supported performers. However, no matter who they were there to see, the crowd had consistent energy and enthusiasm for the entirety of the performance.

Eight horror movies to watch around the campfire this summer

Eight horror movies to watch around the campfire this summer

Although horror is most associated with fall, anyone on summer break will know that summer has plenty of scary elements as well: bugs everywhere, sleepless humid nights and the creeping feeling of dread that you’re wasting your time. Besides, summer also provides various opportunities to get outside: the best place to watch a horror movie! Here are eight summer horror movies you need to add to your summer watchlist.

Review: “Late Night With The Devil” captivates in ’70s style

Review: “Late Night With The Devil” captivates in ’70s style

The horror genre has grown stale in recent years, but “Late Night with the Devil” is fun, refreshing and creepy. It packs in several tropes but offers an original spin on each one. It’s mysterious without being incoherent, scary without being gratuitous and a genuinely good watch. 

JoJo Siwa declares herself ‘CMO of gay pop’ after releasing new single, ‘Karma’

JoJo Siwa declares herself ‘CMO of gay pop’ after releasing new single, ‘Karma’

JoJo Siwa, of “Dance Moms” and Nickelodeon fame, has attracted the spotlight again this spring with an announcement that she’s pioneering gay pop. The actress and dancer, who identifies as pansexual, has previously appeared in “The Fruitties Are Back” (2022), “Kung Fu Sock” (2022), “The Angry Birds Movie 2” (2019) and “Siwa’s Dance Pop Revolution” (2021). On April 5, 2024, she released her latest project, a pop single accompanied by a music video titled “Karma.” 

‘Anyone But You’: The start of a rom-com renaissance?

The immense popularity of the new romantic comedy “Anyone But You” has led some critics to hail the start of a rom-com renaissance. The film was a box office success, earning more than $200 million globally, and has begun trending on social media. It has even started a TikTok trend featuring the end credit song “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield, which has made the Billboard Top 20 in the U.K. for the first time in 19 years. 

‘Stopmotion’ elevates the inanimate to something terrifying

‘Stopmotion’ elevates the inanimate to something terrifying

In a time when plenty of horror movies seem uninterested in originality, “Stopmotion” elevates a common concept through excellent character design. This alone makes it worth watching, though you probably won’t be able to look at steak the same way again. 

“Drive-Away Dolls” is a poor parody of lesbian cinema

“Drive-Away Dolls” is a poor parody of lesbian cinema

“Drive-Away Dolls” marks the solo directorial debut of Ethan Coen, who is famed for his work with his brother, Joel Coen. The movie is thematically similar to many of their combined works, though the cast is radically different from that of movies like “The Big Lebowski.” 

It follows Jamie (Margaret Qualley) and Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) as two friends who embark on a road trip after Jamie’s infidelity-based breakup with her police officer-girlfriend Sukie (Beanie Feldstein.) 

Cliches rise from the dead in ‘Lisa Frankenstein’

Cliches rise from the dead in ‘Lisa Frankenstein’

Written by Diablo Cody, best known for “Jennifer’s Body” and “Juno,” “Lisa Frankenstein” is a quirky teen horror-comedy about Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton), her life with her happy-go-lucky stepsister Taffy (Lisa Soberano), and her interactions with a resurrected corpse (Cole Sprouse).

Chelsea Wolfe gets weird on ‘She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She’

Chelsea Wolfe gets weird on ‘She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She’

Chelsea Wolfe is an artist who has done a bit of everything, from collaborating with metalcore band Converge and dark folk act King Dude to co-writing the soundtrack for the 2022 horror movie “X” starring Mia Goth. Now, Wolfe has released her seventh album, “She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She,” which came out on Feb. 9. The album combines the stylings of early Grimes’ electronica with those of Mitski’s emotional depth.

Dancing abounds at Marsh Arts House shoegaze and grunge musical show

Dancing abounds at Marsh Arts House shoegaze and grunge musical show

As the outside world remained bitterly cold, showgoers slowly gathered at Amherst College’s Marsh Arts House at 6:30 p.m. for a show that mixed elements of shoegaze, grunge and classic punk. Over the next hour, the space became increasingly crowded, with attendees perusing merchandise for bands Tributary and Blandest, including Ruby Thompson’s “Unrequited Fanzine.”

Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘Poor Things’ and its strange approach to the coming of age genre

Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘Poor Things’ and its strange approach to the coming of age genre

Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest film, “Poor Things,” is a bizarre yet hilarious reimagination of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” The film, based on a novel of the same name written by the Scottish author Alasdair Gray and published in 1992, uses mesmerizing cinematography inspired by surrealist art, catches the viewer’s eye and engages them in this eccentric coming-of-age story.

Anti-Blackness disguised as rap beef: has Nicki Minaj gone too far?

Anti-Blackness disguised as rap beef: has Nicki Minaj gone too far?

Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, professionally known as Megan Thee Stallion, released her latest single, “HISS,” on Jan. 26, sending the internet into a frenzy, especially on X, formerly known as Twitter. Minutes after its release, stans and casual listeners alike were in shock over Megans’ diss track, especially regarding its references to Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, also known as Nicki Minaj.

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