Hollywood Classic tackles mental illness
BY ISAAC MICHAEL DONOVAN ’19
As both a person who struggles with mental illness and a film studies major, I have often found that depictions of mental illness in film fall short of portraying its actualities and the lives of those who experience it. However, the 1942 film “Now, Voyager,” starring Bette Davis (“The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex”), is one of the most accurate portrayals of mental illness I have seen to date. It is shocking to think that a classic Hollywood film could ever succeed in portraying mental illness — a taboo subject even today — and do so in a progressive way. Davis excels in capturing the struggles of mental illness and the long journey towards self-determination and self-understanding.
The 2018 Grammys: Kesha and #MeToo Movement steal the show
BY SARAH OLSEN ’18
Music took center stage Sunday night as the Grammys celebrated artists, producers, songwriters and other members of the music industry. The 60th show featured nine of the 84 awards being handed out on-air between memorable performances from popular artists, such as Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna.
Women of Color to Watch in 2018
BY AHLIA DUNN ’20
In the midst of the push for more diversity in Hollywood and #TimesUp, there has been an added pressure on Hollywood to give women of color the opportunities — and pay — that they deserve. According to the website Women and Hollywood, women accounted for “only 28 percent of all creators, directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors and directors of photography working on broadcast network, cable and streaming programs.” Here are some women of color in entertainment who are on top of their game and whose future you should be paying attention to.
Acapella groups seek new members
Mount Holyoke’s acapella community held their Spring Showcase in Chapin Auditorium Friday night. The Victory Eights, M&Cs, Diversions and Nice Shoes came together to exhibit their signature styles, celebrate their history and promote upcoming auditions. The group’s respective sets included arrangements of Sara Bareilles’ “King of Anything”, George Gershwin’s “Summertime” from the opera Porgy & Bess and the V8s’ classic the “Mount Holyoke Drinking Song.”
End of the F***ing World
“The End of the F***ing World” is part coming-of-age story, part “Pulp Fiction” tribute, with viewers following moody teenager Alyssa (Jessica Barden) and self-proclaimed psychopath James (Alex Lawther) as they try to outmaneuver the police — and their parents — after running away from home. Set to a retro soundtrack of American rock and doo-wop hits, the scrawny fugitives leave a path of destruction in their wake.
2-Minute Reviews of the 2018 Best Picture Nominees
Blanchard gallery exhibits student photography
BY OLIVIA MARBLE ’21
Themes spanning from personal identity to family structures were explored in the Blanchard Student Art Gallery during its latest exhibit, “Frame the Invisible.” The exhibit, which ran from Nov. 30 to Dec. 5, featured the final projects of the students in Digital Photography 1, an introductory photography course taught by Professor Amanda Herman that focused on photography basics through digital technologies.
Review of “Pocket Camp”
BY CHLOE JENSEN ’20
After much anticipation, Nintendo released the newest version of the popular game “Animal Crossing,” called “Pocket Camp,” for iPhone and Android players on Nov. 21. While Animal Crossing’s revival is a nostalgic moment for those who played it on GameCube or Wii, it has also gained a younger following of avid phone gamers. According to the research firm SensorTowers, the new mobile game has been downloaded more than 15 million times since its release. “Pocket Camp” is more accessible than previous games, which required the purchase of both a game and a gaming system. Though “Pocket Camp” has fewer features than the original games, it manages to evoke just enough fun to make playing a worthwhile experience.
Reboots and remakes: laziness in Hollywood
BY SARAH OLSEN ’18
“Beauty and the Beast,” “The Mummy” and “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” are just a few examples of this year’s releases that are reboots or remakes of previous films. Rebooting a beloved franchise or remaking a favorite classic has been a Hollywood money-making scheme for years, but it’s time to stop.
Regina Spektor performs solo set in Northampton
BY EMILY BLOMQUIST ’18
“I love Paris in the rain! I love Northampton in the rain!” sang singer-songwriter Regina Spektor in Smith College’s John M. Greene Hall last Tuesday night. Northampton is just one stop of many on the native Muscovite’s fall 2017 U.S. tour dubbed a “A Very Special Solo Performance.”
Dance concert moves performers and students
BY AHLIA DUNN ’20
Last week, the Mount Holyoke dance department held their annual faculty dance concert in the Kendall Sports and Dance Complex. The show featured student performances choreographed by faculty from Mount Holyoke and some of the Five Colleges. The show’s program describes the Five College dance department and the event as a “collaboration founded on a commitment to honor, respect and support the individual perspectives on dance characteristic of each campus.”
Mother Nature spotlighted at open mic
BY SARAH OLSEN ’18
The Thirsty Mind stage was in the spotlight Sunday as students celebrated Mother Nature with an open mic event. Hosted by the Mount Holyoke College International Student Organizing Committee (ISOC), the event, titled “Mother Nature,” featured students performing music and poetry that explored the topic.
BY OLIVIA MARBLE ’21
In the days leading up to Halloween the campus was quiet as students, curled up in blankets and munched on Eggos, preparing for the second season of “Stranger Things.” The long-awaited season managed to be as fast-paced and mind-boggling as its predecessor, staying true to the show’s retro style and lovable characters while taking the drama to new heights. This resulted in a stellar season that was worth the wait. According to Variety, the first episode was viewed 15.8 million times within the first three days after its release, and there were 7.2 million posts about the season on Facebook and Twitter.
Orchestra offers double performance of Monsters Ball
BY OLIVIA MARBLE ’21
Abbey Chapel was decorated with skeleton bones, cobwebs and spiders last Saturday for the annual Monsters Ball. The outer space-themed concert, put on by the Mount Holyoke Orchestra, was, featured celestial music and the orchestra’s conductor, Tian Hui Ng, wore an astronaut suit. Members of the orchestra and many audience members also dressed up for Saturday’s two performances, The Kids’ Monsters Ball and Monsters Ball.
The Killers are “Wonderful, Wonderful,” in new album
Jazz Concert honors Ella Fitzgerald
BY OLIVIA MARBLE ’21
During Family and Friends weekend, Chapin Auditorium hosted a crowd of parents and students for “Ella’s Swell-a!,” a concert put on by the Mount Holyoke Jazz Society in honor of Ella Fitzgerald and what would have been her 100th birthday. The concert featured the Mount Holyoke College Jazz Ensembles with Big Band, Vocal and Chamber Jazz. The ensembles played a variety of songs, including recognizable Fitzgerald hits “What’s Your Story, Morning Glory?” and “Summertime.”
The Free Bin Femme
BY MARIANA JARAMILLO ’20
Despite being a millennial, sophomore Annabelle Plowden’s wardrobe is able to emulate the 90’s style of Kurt Cobain. With a head of green hair, Plowden is hard to miss on campus. She leads a busy life that requires a comfortable wardrobe that still allows her to express her rebellious attitude. Like most people, Plowden doesn’t put a lot of thought into her clothes but is still subliminally inspired by all the media she consumes and by what she sees people around her wearing.
K-Pop group’s new album disappoints
BY RACHEL KIM ’21
The Korean pop group BTS, or Beyond the Scene, has been topping charts, winning awards and making history worldwide since their debut as a seven-member South Korean boy band in 2013. Hailed for their explosive choreography, inventive music videos and lyrics that criticize society, it’s no surprise that BTS is the new face of today’s international K-pop craze. According to Gaon music chart, the group’s latest album, “Love Yourself: Her,” released on Sept. 18, 2017, sold an impressive 1.2 million albums in South Korea. Despite its commercial success, in comparison to BTS’ previous albums, “Love Yourself: Her” is a disappointing diversion from the group’s original sound and spirit.
Demi Lovato is “Simply Complicated” in new documentary
BY SARAH OLSEN ’18
“I went on like a bender for like two months where I was using daily. There was one night where I used a bunch of coke and I popped a few Xanax bars and I started to choke a little bit, my heart started racing, and I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, I might be overdosing right now.’”