Mean Girls flounders in the space between remake and copy

Mean Girls flounders in the space between remake and copy

Depending on your age, “Mean Girls” might mean any number of things to you. The franchise has undergone numerous transformations over the years. The 2004 movie was adapted from a 2002 nonfiction book called “Queen Bees and Wannabes” by Rosalind Wiseman. The movie was followed by a 2011 sequel, then adapted into a 2017 Broadway musical with a book by Tina Fey. Unfortunately, the stellar legacy of the narrative has been tarnished by the 2024 remake, which haphazardly combines both movie and musical without adding anything of its own.

Todd Haynes’ film ‘May December’ illustrates life after grooming

Todd Haynes’ film ‘May December’ illustrates life after grooming

The first few moments of “May December,” Todd Haynes’ new film for Netflix, are eerily peaceful — we see butterflies, then a brief shot of a school and then the exterior of a large house, complete with a white picket fence. Unfortunately, peace doesn’t stay.

‘Napoleon’ falls short, and not just because it’s all made up

‘Napoleon’ falls short, and not just because it’s all made up

On Friday, Dec. 3, the Mount Holyoke History Department sponsored a trip to Tower Theaters to see the latest historical epic. Unfortunately, Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” was a disappointment — the tone and the narrative are incomprehensible. It feels like the film can’t decide between being a warrior epic, a tragic love story or a comedy. It's not impossible to do all three, so it’s a letdown to see a skilled director like Scott fumble.

Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” finally tells Priscilla Presley’s story

Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” finally tells Priscilla Presley’s story

Sofia Coppola’s latest film “Priscilla” gives audiences a window into the life of Priscilla Presley, based on the latter’s 1985 memoir “Elvis and Me.” The film’s story begins at a party in Germany in 1959, where a 14-year-old Priscilla (Cailee Spaeny) and 20-four-year-old soldier Elvis (Jacob Elordi) first meet. As other characters point out the couple’s obvious age gap — “She sure is young isn’t she? Like a little girl” — Coppola begins the story of a young, impressionable girl caught in the trap of fame and fortune.

Marriage Pact returns, tests its matchmaking skills on Mount Holyoke’s campus

Marriage Pact returns, tests its matchmaking skills on Mount Holyoke’s campus

On an unsuspecting fall afternoon, word spread amongst students that an Instagram account had posted for the first time in over a year with the caption, “Lovebirds. We’ve missed you.” Mount Holyoke College Marriage Pact was back, once again promising companionship for its followers.

Gabrielle Korn’s debut novel focuses on queer love amid climate disaster

Gabrielle Korn’s debut novel focuses on queer love amid climate disaster

Taking place in a not-so-distant future New York City ravaged by climate change, Gabrielle Korn’s recently-released debut novel “Yours for the Taking,” has been called “[a]t once a mesmerizing story of queer love, betrayal, and chosen family, and an unflinching indictment of white, corporate feminism,” by its publisher, Macmillan.

Department of Film Media Theater and students put on ‘Night of Scenes’ with students

Department of Film Media Theater and students put on ‘Night of Scenes’ with students

This past weekend, attendees of the Department of Film Media Theater’s “Night of Scenes” were treated to not one but four distinct narratives. Students put on four scenes from Dominican writer Juliany Taveras’ 2016 play “the anatomy of light,” one from Theresa Rebeck’s “Mauritius,” Jonathan Yukich’s “A Brief History of Weather” and David Ives’ “Sure Thing.”

Musician Chmba Ellen Chilemba ’17 talks on grief, gratitude, President Holley’s inauguration and reflects on her time spent at Mount Holyoke

Musician Chmba Ellen Chilemba ’17 talks on grief, gratitude, President Holley’s inauguration and reflects on her time spent at Mount Holyoke

Today, many on campus know Chmba Ellen Chilemba ’17, better known by her stage name CHMBA, as the DJ who performed at President Danielle R. Holley’s 90s-themed inauguration party. The talented musician has opened for musicians like American pop star Madonna and Benenise singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo. Her second EP, “Okongola Caucus,” came out earlier this year.

'One More Time': Blink-182 returns to the old days

'One More Time': Blink-182 returns to the old days

Pop-punk is back.

In the past two years, Paramore, Simple Plan and Taking Back Sunday have all released full-length albums. Say Anything, Green Day, Busted and Hawthorne Heights are coming out with new songs. Amidst the revival of a genre they helped pioneer, it only makes sense that Blink-182 would come back as well — though, to be fair, they’ve been consistently releasing since 1994.

More than just a TikTok trend, Wes Anderson’s style elegantly serves the story of ‘Asteroid City’

More than just a TikTok trend, Wes Anderson’s style elegantly serves the story of ‘Asteroid City’

A small desert town in the midst of the Cold War, a science competition for kid geniuses and an alien landing:  these are all part of the play at the center of “Asteroid City,” Wes Anderson’s newest film. The film frames itself as an anthology television series retelling the history of a play called “Asteroid City.” We meet the playwright and the actors and gain a description of the setting. 

The story kicks off when the play itself begins. By putting these different narratives on top of each other, “Asteroid City” positions itself as a discussion of grief and self-realization. Anderson’s ability to dive deep into the fragility and beauty of the human experience, even within the strangeness of his own style, is what makes him an enduring modern filmmaker. 

Mitski explores loneliness, grief, and approval in seventh studio album

Mitski explores loneliness, grief, and approval in seventh studio album

Mitksi’s music manages to encapsulate universal emotions in two or three minutes. She uses simple metaphors and beautiful music to represent things that can’t quite be captured in words, which is likely what inspires the undying devotion of her fans. Arguably, there’s not a person alive who can listen to a Mitski song and not relate in some way. Beyond simply inspiring empathy in her listeners, Mitski makes pain feel precious, longing feel divine, and happiness feel infinite.

‘Nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana’: The Return of Trap Bunny

‘Nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana’: The Return of Trap Bunny

Singer-songwriter Bad Bunny takes us back to the beginning of his career with his latest release, “nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana.” The album combines his trap roots, reggaeton and pop elements to bring together old and new fans and display the range he has as an artist.

‘The Wolves’ scores points with the Mount Holyoke community

‘The Wolves’ scores points with the Mount Holyoke community

Amid the rainy weather of friends and family weekend, members of the Mount Holyoke College community gathered in Rooke Theatre for a sold-out performance that marked the first theatrical production of the 2023-24 school year. Soccer balls were kicked — not into the audience, as Melanie Cosdon ‘26 mentioned to the Mount Holyoke News with pride — whistles were blown and the audience was moved to tears.

'Madame Architect’ highlights women’s voices in architecture, emphasizes community

'Madame Architect’ highlights women’s voices in architecture, emphasizes community

An innovator in the architectural world, Julia Gamolina is a New York City-based architect, writer and educator best known for her digital magazine Madame Architect, which both highlights the stories of and builds community for women architects. 

Gamolina was invited to speak in Gamble Auditorium on Wednesday, Sept. 27, for the event “Towards Madame Architect: Dialogues for a Different Future,” where she talked about her startup and offered career advice to students.

Paul McCartney reveals that artificial intelligence helped formulate one final song from The Beatles

Paul McCartney reveals that artificial intelligence helped formulate one final song from The Beatles

81-year-old former Beatles singer and bass player Paul McCartney recently announced plans for a “final” Beatles song created with the help of artificial intelligence. The song is scheduled for release later this year, according to The New York Times. 

Nicolas Cage is a bloodsucking professional in new Dracula film

Nicolas Cage is a bloodsucking professional in new Dracula film

“Renfield” is a ridiculous, campy and excessively gory new adaptation of the story of Dracula — it is fantastic, provided that those adjectives appeal to you. The film pays its dues to the Draculas that came before it, even making direct cinematic references to the 1931 “Dracula” starring Bela Lugosi. The backstory comes in a “flashback” montage that recreates moments from that film, including the iconic lighting that illuminates just his eyes. Set in present-day New Orleans, Robert Montague Renfield (Nicholas Hoult), Dracula’s familiar, finds himself hoping to escape Dracula’s control. He has been serving Dracula (Nicolas Cage) for 90 years, bringing him victims and defending him from his enemies. In exchange, he receives agelessness and a fraction of Dracula’s powers, which he activates by eating insects.

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