Essay - The Amherst Student

"Space Jam," Copyright and the Death of Culture

There’s a particular moment in the trailer for “Space Jam: A New Legacy” that encapsulates our current tone-deaf, strangely referential culture. It’s a single detail in the background: As LeBron James plays basketball with a cast of horribly smooth-looking CGI “Looney Tunes” characters, the droogs — a violent gang

Art

Is Genre Dead?

There are many who seem to believe that the death of genre is imminent. Publications like the New Yorker and Varsity have already described such a demise. Varsity references Portugal. The Man’s 2017 hit song “Feel It Still,” noting that it broke down the walls between its pop, rock

Arts and Living

Big Monster Go SMASH: A Retrospective on Godzilla and King Kong

“Godzilla vs. Kong” made landfall in the U.S. on March 31, 2021, having been released internationally seven days prior (Fear not, readers: no spoilers shall darken these pages.) At the time of this article’s publication, it has done well for itself, already sitting as the third-highest-grossing film of

Art

Visits to the Museum: An Unexpected Respite in Uncertain Times

Even though Covid cases in the United States are steadily declining, many people are still trying to stay socially distanced. During warmer months, it was easier to see friends safely as people could comfortably stay outside. I spent much of my summer in Central Park, having socially distanced picnics or