Ten-Minute Play Festival Spotlights Student Theater

Green Room presented its Ten Minute Play Festival, celebrating student theater with four original plays. Managing Arts & Living Editor Alex Brandfonbrener ʼ23 gives his thoughts on the productions’ humor and whismy.

“Survivor”: Season 44, Episode 4

“Survivor” expert Vaughn Armour ’25 breaks down this week’s episode, which took a sudden turn when contestants were forced to swap tribes.

“The Milk Man” Brings all the Viewers to the Yard

AC Production Company premiered its first film “The Milk Man” on Saturday, Feb. 18. Staff Writer Joe Sweeney ’25 is ambivalent towards the mockumentary, which follows a student who makes the best milkshake Amherst College has ever seen.

Time-Warped Records: “Play”

In this edition of Time-Warped Records, Columnist Alden Parker ’26 reviews Moby’s 1999 album “Play,” which catapulted the musician from has-been to worldwide superstar.

A Jazzy Night: Gemini and Modality

On Saturday, the Eighmy Powerhouse hosted back-to-back performances featuring the musical ensembles Gemini and Modality. Staff Writer Davis Rennella ’24 reviews the contrasting performances, from Gemini’s evocative musical landscapes to Modality’s unorthodox improvisation.

Spirituality and Song in “Myths and Hymns”

This weekend, the Theater & Dance Department debuted Sterling Kee ’23’s senior thesis performance “Myths and Hymns,” which explores themes of self-discovery and the human relationship to the divine. Olivia Lynch ’25 reflects on the transcendent nature of the performance.

“Gods and Monsters:” DC Studios’ Last-ditch Expansion

Last month, DC Studios announced the first chapter of their upcoming extended universe, with plans for ten new projects. Vaughn Armour ’25 sees this as the studio’s final attempt to shift towards a more cohesive and distinct cinematic universe.

A Tale of Two Theses in Buckley Recital Hall

On Feb. 4, the Music Department produced two senior theses: “The Second Seed,” a composition thesis by Sam Wright ’23, and “Einheitswanderschaft,” a vocal thesis by Patrick Spoor ’23.

Time-Warped Records: “Graceland”

In his inaugural edition of Time-Warped Records, Alden Parker ’26 reviews Paul Simon’s 1986 album “Graceland,” detailing Simon’s experience recording in South Africa during apartheid.

“Avatar: the Way of Water” is an All-American Blockbuster

“Avatar: The Way of Water” is the eagerly anticipated sequel to “Avatar,” but it left some fans wanting more. Ross Kilpatrick ’24E criticizes the film’s use of propaganda and uninspired writing.

UMass Dining: A Comprehensive Review

Assistant Podcast Editor Andrew Rosin ’25 offers an inside look at UMass Amherst’s Berkshire Dining Commons, asking for himself the eternal question: “How good is it, really?”

Mastering the Genre: Figuring Out Fiction with George Saunders

I’ve read a fair cross section of writing advice books, from John Gardner’s “The Art of Fiction,” to Anne Lamott’s “Bird by Bird” and Stephen King’s “On Writing.” Inevitably, these kinds of books come around to a singlepoint, their climax, where they grapple with the beauty of fiction. They try to get their hands around it, grasp it and tame the beast they’ve dedicated their lives to. George Saunders’ “A Swim in a Pond in the Rain” is in many respects no different. It, too, is trying to hunt dow

The Show Must Go On? The 93rd Academy Awards Falter in 2021

Last Sunday, over 100 filmmakers and actors gathered in Union Station in Los Angeles to celebrate the 93rd Academy Awards. The ceremony had been postponed from its original date of Feb. 28 to extend the eligibility period for films and to account for some of the impacts of Covid-19 on Hollywood. Producer Steven Soderbergh emphasized that the ceremony would be shot “like a movie,” but did not specify what he meant. It turns out that this meant no music between awards and reorganized categories.

“Grey’s Anatomy” Goes Downhill in Its 17th Season

*Contains Spoilers for “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 17* Most fans would agree that “Grey’s Anatomy,” now on its 17th season, is no longer as entertaining or engaging as it was in its first few seasons. At this point, I’m really just watching because, after investing the time to watch the 16 previous seasons, I want to see what happens to the characters next. But this season focuses heavily on Covid-19 and for me, it’s not working. I understand the importance of acknowledging the pandemic, especia

"Slime Language 2" Leaves Emerging Rappers in the Lurch

Throughout the late 2010s, Young Thug proved himself as one of this era’s most significant rappers, shaping the genre both sonically and stylistically. While his eccentric delivery and untamed vocal inflections have inspired countless imitators, Thug has also directly promoted several relatively unknown artists by signing them to his Young Stoner Life (YSL) Records imprint under 300 Entertainment. With YSL’s latest release “Slime Language 2,” the follow-up compilation album to 2018’s “Slime Lang

"Ticket to Ride" Provides High Stress and High Excitement Entertainment

Imagine a long train ride, carrying you all across Europe with regular stops in new cities where you can meet new people each day.  Unfortunately, for the moment, the pandemic has made travel experiences like that only possible in our daydreams. In the meantime, my friends and I have discovered the next best thing: “Ticket to Ride.” “Ticket to Ride” is a fun and intense board game that requires lots of focus and persistence. The board is a map — the version I play is Europe, but they make many

From Covid Vaccines to YouTube, SNL Thrives With Daniel Kaluuya as Host

In last weekend’s episode of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL), Daniel Kaluuya, who has mostly starred in dramatic roles (most recently, “Judas and the Black Messiah”), showed off his natural comedic timing and charisma as a host for the show. While some of the sketches fell flat, others shone through alongside musical guest St. Vincent’s impressive performance. The episode starts with a cold open sketch of Britney Spears (Chloe Fineman) hosting a talk show wild enough to keep viewers intrigued in th

Watching “Gummo” (1997) in 2021: A Violent Exploration of Class in Contemporary America

Shaky handheld clips of dilapidated homes, power lines and families flip through the screen as a child sings an expletive-filled nursery rhyme. A child starts to mumble: “Xenia, Ohio. A few years ago, a tornado hit this place. It killed the people left and right … Houses were split open … People’s legs and neck bones were sticking out … I saw a girl fly through the sky, and I looked up her skirt.” The narrator jumps between sounding like a child and like he’s spitting prose. The seemingly arbi

“The United States vs. Billie Holiday” is a Misguided Portrayal of the Jazz Singer’s Life Story

Before her 25th birthday, jazz singer Billie Holiday had already earned a career’s worth of artistic accomplishments. After overcoming a shockingly turbulent childhood, she broke through with a number of hit recordings alongside legendary artists Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton, toured with the nationally acclaimed Count Basie Orchestra and even appeared in a film alongside Duke Ellington. She also broke racial barriers by touring with the Artie Shaw Orchestra and becoming the first Black woman

Netflix’s “Night Stalker” Docuseries Unveils the Horrific Events Behind Serial Killer’s Past

Netflix’s new limited docuseries “Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer” uncovers how two Los Angeles detectives, Gil Carillo and Frank Salerno, captured the notorious “night stalker” (Richard Ramirez) in the summer of 1985. The series dives into the events that led to Ramirez’s capture and offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives forever upended by his actions. “Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer” puts the focus largely on Ramirez’s victims and the events preceding his capture