Staff picks: Escape the cold with these video games during break

Graphic by Audrey Hanan ’28

By Quill Nishi-Leonard ’27

Editor-in-Chief

With the pressure of finals and the emptiness of winter break rapidly approaching, Mount Holyoke News’ staff have put together a list of eleven games from a variety of genres for Mount Holyoke students to try out. Beat exam-induced stress and the subsequent winter-brought boredom with these game recommendations, spanning everything from action-adventure RPGs to cozy games.

Action-Adventure RPGs

Dragon Age II

Starting off with my personal favorite game of all time, we have Bioware’s 2011 dark fantasy RPG Dragon Age II. Clocking in at around 30 hours to complete, this short game is both deeply flawed and full of heart. Join refugee Hawke and their scrappy friend group — consisting of several queer criminals and also straight boy Sebastian Vael — on a quest to obtain power and freedom, maybe even becoming the savior of a city in the process. Dragon Age II features a relatively standalone narrative, so players don’t have to be familiar with the first game in the franchise, Dragon Age: Origins, to understand its story.

Dragon Age II has its fair share of issues — from its gameplay to its politics — but every time the end credits roll and Florence and the Machine’s “I’m Not Calling You a Liar” begins to play, I still find myself crying. Players interested in unreliable narrators, tragedy and copious amounts of blood may get a kick out of this game. Because of its age, Dragon Age II is most easily accessible today via Steam on Windows.

Avowed & The Outer Worlds

For those searching for a more recent contribution to the action-adventure genre, Obsidian Entertainment’s games Avowed and The Outer Worlds may be the perfect fit. Avowed, set in the high fantasy Pillars of Eternity universe, takes a more lighthearted — but just as soulful — approach to storytelling compared to Dragon Age II. For those who prefer sci-fi, The Outer Worlds takes place a few hundred years in the future, on the other side of the Milky Way galaxy.

These two games are characterized by epic stories, vibrant environments, fast-paced combat, a healthy dose of humor and difficult choices. Fans of Fallout: New Vegas, one of Obsidian’s older works, may especially enjoy their gameplay mechanics and narratives. Both are available on Windows, Xbox and Playstation. The Outer Worlds is also playable on Nintendo Switch.

Co-Op & Multiplayer

Untitled Goose Game

For those feeling nostalgic about the College’s dearly departed Jorge goose, indie developer House House’s 2020 hit Untitled Goose Game may scratch that waterfowl craving. Honor and embody  Jorge’s unique hater spirit in this fun sandbox game where players take on the role of a chaotic goose with a singular purpose: To make everyone else’s life as difficult as possible. As the game’s website says, “It's a lovely morning in the village and you are a horrible goose.”

Untitled Goose Game can be enjoyed alone or with a friend on Windows, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Playstation and Xbox. 

Castle Crashers

If you’re in the mood for combat, you should check out indie game developer The Behemoth’s 2008 game Castle Crashers. Castle Crashers is a wonderfully illustrated sidescrolling 2D fighting game in which up to four players can team up to rescue four princesses who have been kidnapped by an evil wizard. The variety of environments, enemies, and weapons keep the game from feeling repetitive or boring. The multiplayer aspect is easy to manage, as players can drop in or out of a game as they please. While the combat can be intense, the game overall still feels relatively casual, and isn’t too difficult for newcomers to jump into.

Players can jump into Castle Crashers on Windows, Xbox, Playstation and Nintendo Switch.

Cozy

Potion Permit

Farming simulator fans looking for a career change may enjoy Potion Permit, a lovely 2022 game by indie developer MassHive Media. This life simulator features mechanics similar to games like Stardew Valley and Story of Seasons, but with an alchemy-inspired twist. Players travel to Moonbury as an aspiring chemist, where they can forage for ingredients, fight enemies, form friendships, play minigames to diagnose illnesses and craft medicines, and so much more.  As players progress through the story, they can improve their lodgings, unlock new areas to explore, and even fall in love!

Potion Permit can be played on Windows, Mac, Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

Those who’d prefer to pursue a variety of professions may take to one of LEVEL5 Inc.’s newest releases, Fantasy Life i. A sequel to their 2012 3DS game of a similar name — Fantasy Life — Fantasy Life i expands upon its predecessor’s premise, allowing the player to freely rotate between 14 different jobs, which include everything from miner to tailor to paladin. Travelling through time on the back of a dragon, players can build a town, explore an open world, and uncover a secret plot that jeopardizes the fate of an entire island: Past, present and future.

Fantasy Life i is available to play on Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and Playstation.

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood 

If you’re looking to escape the concept of a day job entirely, look no further than indie developer Deconstructeam’s 2023 interactive visual novel The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood. Play as Fortuna, a witch exiled to an asteroid, who makes a deal with an eldritch entity to regain her fortune telling powers and provide guidance to her friends. Featuring a mystical space aesthetic and thought-provoking narrative about community and identity, this game offers a brief reprieve from the boredom and loneliness of winter break. As Contributing Writer Emily Finnila ’27 describes it, The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is “a cozy queer game about tarot reading and witches!”

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood can be played on Windows and Nintendo Switch.

Strategy & Management

Hearts of Iron IV

Fans of Sid Meier's Civilization looking for a new take on the strategy genre may find Hearts of Iron IV to be a breath of fresh air. In this 2016 game, players can take control of a country during World War II, re-enacting history or changing it entirely. According to Copy Chief Karishma Ramkarran ’27, “HOI4 is a pretty complex game and takes a bit of time to get into. But the arduous effort made to learn the mechanics is extremely rewarding and fun.” 

Hearts of Iron IV can be played on Windows, Mac and Linux.

Pixel Cafe

Pixel Cafe is a 2023 time management game by Baltoro Games in which players assume the role of Pixel, a barista who’s recently left behind her small-town life for the big city. The game primarily consists of fast-paced levels in which the player must cook food, brew drinks and serve customers interspersed with slower narrative scenes, which beautifully craft a picture of Pixel’s life outside her job. Fans of Overcooked who are looking for a fun game to play solo may especially enjoy Pixel Cafe’s mechanics. 

Come for the satisfying gameplay and stay for the story: Pixel Cafe is available on Windows, Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.

The Sims Series

The Sims is one of the most well-known franchises in the life simulator genre. The Sims 4, the newest main release in the series, is probably the most popular, but there are also several previous iterations of the game that are still available for purchase and play. For those looking for a classic experience, The Sims 1 is available for purchase on Steam and EA Games, and is listed as The Sims Legacy Collection. If you’d prefer to try out its chaotic and beloved successor, The Sims 2 Legacy Collection is also available to play on Windows. Both legacy collections come packed with most of the games’ DLC, so players get access to a wealth of content without having to break the bank. 

All games in the mainline Sims franchise — from 1 to 4 — are known for being flexible to players’ wants and needs. As Mount Holyoke News’ HR Coordinator Abigail McKeon ’26 puts it, “I think it’s a game that can suit most people’s interests as you can pretty much do whatever you want, from playing as a suburban mom of 2.5 kids to being abducted by aliens. There are also a ton of easily downloaded custom content items and mods that you can use to enhance your gameplay for free, which I enjoy.”

Karishma Ramkarran ’27 contributed fact-checking.

2026 Grammy nomination highlights, lowlights and no-lights

Graphic by Betty Smart ’26

By Quinlan Cooke ’29

Staff Writer 

On Friday, Nov. 7, the nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards were announced. The Grammys are awards given to musicians and other musical artists. This award ceremony is run by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, also commonly referred to as the Recording Academy. This ceremony happens every year, and the eligibility period for the 2026 ceremony ran from Aug. 31, 2024, through Aug. 30, 2025. The nominations for the ceremony for the coming year have brought many surprise snubs and repeat nominations. 

There are over 75 Grammys in all, but only some are televised in a ceremony, and there are a “big four” categories that are most coveted. These categories are listed as 1. Record of the Year, 2. Album of the Year, 3.Song of the Year, and 4. Best New Artist. There are other categories that have to do with genre, music videos, composers and producers, but they are not televised on prime time. 

Artists, songs, albums and producers are not chosen at random. To be nominated, the artist’s label or a member of The Recording Academy has to submit the music they want to be considered. The Recording Academy then sifts through all the considerations, narrowing things down. They verify if the submission fits the categories submitted to, and if they are “worthy” of nomination in said categories. Some artists try to campaign for nomination and release posters or billboards with what they want nominated, while others do not say anything under the chance that their submission is not nominated. 

This year, the lack of nominations for The Weeknd comes as a shock to many. In 2021, he announced a boycott of the ceremony after his releases that year were not nominated. The lack of nominations is especially notable after his surprise performance at the 2025 Grammys ended his boycott of the ceremony. His album “Hurry Up Tomorrow” was eligible and submitted for consideration, but was ultimately rejected. 

Jack Antonoff was nominated for seven categories this year, but he was not nominated for the category most would associate with him: Producer of The Year, Non-Classical. Two nominations for record and album of the year—“Manchild” and “GNX,” respectively — were produced by Antonoff. He is also under two of the other “big four” categories, with two nominations for each category. It is a shock that someone with so many nominations in such big categories would be passed up for the position of Producer of The Year, Non-Classical. 

Alt-pop duo, Twenty One Pilots, was also noticeably missing from the 2026 nomination lineup. While their most recent album, “Breach,” was a month shy of eligibility, they had two singles submitted for consideration for several categories. “The Line” was released in November of 2024 as a single featured in the series “Arcane,” and the lead single for “Breach”—“The Contract”— did not garner any nominations. “The Contract” made it to #33 on pop charts, but it hit #1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart. Some believe the duo is blacklisted from future Grammys, as they accepted their most recent award by stripping down to their boxers when they stood up to walk to the stage. Despite this, I am still holding out hope for 2027. 

The most surprising lack of nomination this year, in my eyes, has to do with Gigi Perez. Her “Sailor Song” charted wildly and still gets radio play; it even made an entrance onto the Billboard Hot-100, and was vastly popular on TikTok. During the summer of 2025, Perez opened for Grammy-winner Hozier — known for his song “Take Me to Church”— on tour. 

While “Sailor Song” did not meet the criteria to be nominated on its own, it was released one month shy of the eligibility period, Perez’s album “At the Beach, In Every Life” does. This album, released April 25, 2025, houses the song “Fable.” “Fable” also became a hit, with radio play and TikTok fame. It also made it to the charts, peaking at 55, and it stayed charting for 7 weeks total.

Perez submitted for consideration for 5 categories, and was not selected for any of them. I find this to be criminal, especially considering those nominated for Best New Artist. For a few, I could not name any songs they have sung, and I do not believe that they have had the same radio impact. 

Nevertheless, despite several snubs, many of the nominations were well deserved and happily received by both artists and fans. Truthfully, the Grammys will never leave everyone happy; everyone will always have something to say about them. If this weren't the case, there would be no show. 

Abigail McKeon ’26 contributed fact checking. 

Kate Eberstadt’s ‘heaven on earth’ is heartbreak in album form

Kate Eberstadt’s newest album, “heaven on earth,” doubles as her debut, and was recently released

BY MARRI SHAEFFER ‘29

STAFF WRITER

If you watched Timothée Chalamet in “Call Me By Your Name” and were instantly taken aback by his outstanding performance, you’ll likely find yourself equally obsessed with Kate Eberstadt’s debut album, “heaven on earth.”

The first track on the album is “timmy chalamet,” a song in which Eberstadt uses Chalamet’s name to reminisce about her life pre-breakup with a long term partner. The music video for this song is a love letter to the movie as well, featuring Eberstadt in the iconic striped shirts worn by Chalamet throughout it, and a nostalgic atmosphere primarily invoked by the use of film to shoot the entirety of the music video.

While this song is instantly intriguing due to the standout nature of its title and subject matter, it’s simply one part of the wonderful whole that is Kate Eberstadt’s “heaven on earth.” This album, released on Nov. 11, blends club music with indie pop, and is absolutely soaked in emotion. If you’re looking for a new artist to yearn to this dark winter season, Kate Eberdstadt very well might be it.

“heaven on earth” is a complete standout in its genre, and the intersection of classical instrumentation — such as strings and piano — with electronic sound effects instantly causes it to be an album I want to have on repeat. Eberstadt’s voice is a standout as well, with deep, sultry tones that invite the listener in. 

While this is Eberstadt’s solo debut album, it is not her first contribution to the music scene. After graduating from Columbia University, Eberstadt, along with her sister, taught music to refugees in Berlin. Following that, they debuted as a duo under the name DELUNE, in 2018. In addition to her music career, Eberstadt is also a theatrical composer, and currently has residency as an artist at New York City’s Ars Nova.

It’s clear that Eberstadt has put a piece of her own soul into this album. Each song tells a story, whether it’s the club nights of  “candy” or the desire to escape that’s explained throughout “rv.” She appeals to pop culture reference-obsessed college students with “tarantino angel,” “that vampire weekend song,” and of course, “timmy chalamet,” and yet somehow bypasses the cringe typically associated with reference-laced songs in favor of deeply touching lyrics.

When I first listened to “candy,” I could instantly tell the world that Eberstadt wanted to bring me into. The instrumentals of the song are a blend of pure club music with a fast pulse, and slower, more intimate moments, which make me feel like I’m the mirror Eberstadt is singing into when she states that there is “another face in the mirror,” and she doesn’t “know her anymore.” 

When the pulse speeds up, Eberstadt’s voice fades as if I’m right next to her at the club, and the music is too loud to hear her anymore. While it’s upbeat and could easily be played at a party, the lyrics are heartwrenching, painting a direct narrative of the feeling of losing your identity in favor of being a more entertaining version of yourself.

I didn’t originally expect to be able to find a piece of myself in this album. However, “rv” explains the exact sense of longing that I felt when I was deciding to move almost 2,000 miles away from my hometown. I too had that “little daydream” of having my “bags packed for a long long trip.” 

Eberstadt is singing of her own experience of wanting to escape with her partner, and fears that they might leave her and she would have to “start over” without them. While I can’t relate to that part exactly, something about the smooth combination of Eberstadt’s voice and the voice of her producer, Jake Crocker, makes me feel as if I absolutely could. 

The throughline of every song on this album is that Eberstadt not only tells a story, but gives the listener a place in it too. Her lyrics and unique use of instrumentals make it extremely easy to close your eyes and imagine yourself in her place. I suggest finding yourself the most Pinterest-esque location on campus, such as a chair near a window in the Reading Room, or a study room when it’s dark and drizzly outside, and letting yourself completely immerse in the absolutely stunning narrative that is Kate Eberstadt’s “heaven on earth.”

Angelina Godinez ’28 contributed fact-checking. 

'Iris' by Mount Holyoke professor staged in Springfield

Photo by Quill Nishi-Leonard ‘27

Rooke Theatre is home to the theater portion of Mount Holyoke College’s film media theater department; it is located on the southern end of campus by Gorse Parking Lot, Creighton Hall, and Buckland Hall.

BY GENEVIEVE ZAHNER ‘26

NEWS EDITOR

Visiting Assistant Professor in Film Media Theater Olivia Finch recently had the opportunity to present her play, “Iris,” in a staged reading at the Majestic Theatre in West Springfield. “Iris” follows a couple, Harper and Iris, through their grief following a miscarriage. Different characters — including Iris’ mother and an unnamed child — flitter in and out, representing different experiences and moments in the couple’s journey. The realistic and emotional tone draws the audience into the moment with the characters, allowing them to feel the grief as if it were their own.

Finch told Mount Holyoke News in an email, “I wrote Iris because I'd never seen a play in which a miscarriage was the narrative's entire focus … But a single pregnancy loss can be a life-altering experience.” She said that the “cycle of creation and transformation” that happens during a pregnancy loss was “rich and compelling” material for a play. 

Finch also noted that she wrote “Iris” because it was a play that she wished she had seen in her own experience of loss. “That's normally how my process begins. I write the thing that I haven't yet seen but feel like I need,” said Finch. Finch wrote how it can be healing to see a representation of one’s own experiences, and that “the theatre is a unique place of collective witness,” which is one of her favorite qualities about playwriting. 

“Iris was a commission that was part of a fellowship that I did after my MFA in Iowa. I got to spend a year writing and developing it through the University of Iowa and the Dee Silver new play commission,” Finch said. This is the third staged reading but the ninth draft of “Iris.” “It can be challenging to feel like you're still "discovering" two years after starting writing, but I've learned to trust the process as much as possible.”

Additionally, Finch loves the collectivism of the theatre and working on pieces for an audience; being in rehearsal is her favorite part of the process. “I love how much actors and a director bring to a piece, that they bring it to life. I always feel so grateful that something I wrote alone at a desk allows a bunch of people to come together and make something.” 

For Finch, the most rewarding part is sharing the play with others, in collaboration with actors and directors, as well as audiences: “To hear how the piece resonates with other people and how it touches them is really rewarding.” 

At the performance on Nov. 17, the audience reacted viscerally, with some members wiping away tears, or murmuring in agreement during key moments. The play took place in the rehearsal space for the Majestic Theatre, with rows of chairs set up black box-style and actors carrying stands around the minimal set and stage space. While at times the silence was palpable, occasional tension was broken with light laughter, and people seemed to really appreciate the intense attention to detail of the nuances of this play.

Angelina Godinez ’28 contributed fact-checking. 

ODotteMita: Meet the College’s very own J-Pop dance troupe

Photo courtesy of ODotteMita

ODM members pose at VariAsians 2024 after having performed “No Brand Girls” from LoveLive!

Aspen Pearson ‘28

Staff Writer

As a dance group focused on bringing J-Pop to the stage, ODM is a community at Mount Holyoke College with performances that reach across the Five College Consortium.

The group’s name stands for Odottemita, a Japanese term that translates to “try to dance.” The style traces back to amateur dancers in Japan who learned choreography from anime, comics, games, or music and uploaded their performances online with “odottemita” in the title. These routines were designed to be fun and accessible, often performed in living rooms and shared widely across platforms like YouTube. While the genre now includes professional dancers, its origins remain rooted in openness and creativity: Values ODM emphasizes in its own practices.

ODM began as a Five College-club, but has become centered at Mount Holyoke over time, with occasional members joining from Smith College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The group is best known for its appearances at cultural events across campuses. In recent years, they have performed at VariAsians, hosted by the Asian Students Association, China Night with the Chinese Cultural Association, Korea Night with the Korean Students Association, and Japan Night with the Japanese Cultural Club. They have also appeared at Smith’s Asian Culture Show and at Amherst College’s Night Market.

Past performances have highlighted ODM’s range, spanning J-Pop, anime dances, and even occasional K-Pop routines. At VariAsians, the group performed “No Brand Girls” from LoveLive! alongside “Salamander” by DECO*27. At China Night, they presented “Ci Ke Memories,” choreographed by Miyuki, and at Korea Night, they performed “La Vie en Rose” by IZONE.

This year, ODM is preparing for a new round of performances. At Japan Night, they plan to showcase “Living Beautifully” by Takaneno Nadeshiko, while Korea Night will feature their version of “Secret Story of the Swan.” Other members are working on additional projects, including duets and wota-inspired choreography, which blends fan chants with dance.

The group emphasizes accessibility and openness to all students. There are no auditions and no requirements for prior dance experience. At the beginning of each semester, members release a sign-up sheet with available dances, which functions on a first come, first serve basis. Dances are selected and run by instructors, who are club members themselves. Practices vary in format; sometimes groups learn together directly from a video, while other times an instructor breaks down choreography step by step.

“Most of our members are beginners with no dance background,” explained Joyce Jiang, a veteran ODM member. “I’ve danced for many years, but teaching has been just as valuable for me. It gives me a chance to think carefully about movement and how to explain it. Watching beginners gain confidence is one of the best parts.”

For Jiang, the group’s greatest value lies in its spirit of encouragement. “ODM is a very inclusive and chill place,” she said. “You don’t worry about making mistakes. It’s about working together, sharing happiness, and having fun.”

Leah Dutcher ’28 contributed fact-checking.

Creative writing workshop highlights building alternative worlds

Photo by Sarah Berger ’26

Alan Pelaez Lopez came to Mount Holyoke College to teach a creative writing workshop about imagining worlds different than one’s known reality.

By Sarah Berger ’27

Section Editor

On Monday, Sep. 8, students gathered in the Willits-Hallowell Conference Center and Hotel for a creative writing workshop, led by the scholar Alan Pelaez Lopez, who described themself as a creative writer and installation artist from Oaxaca, Mexico. They mentioned that they’re working on a book about how politicians and countries disable people.

At the beginning of the workshop, attendees pushed tables together to cultivate an intimate and conversational vibe. Pelaez Lopez made an effort to address each student by name. Students were primarily from Mount Holyoke College, although one Amherst College student also participated.

The workshop focused on building alternative worlds, or what it might mean to imagine something other than the present. Pelaez Lopez described freedom dreaming, which is a term coined by Robin D.G. Kelley to describe visualizing the future that we want to live in and trying to make that dream a reality. After a general discussion of the terminology needed to participate in the workshop, two different poems were offered up for analysis. “And When People Woke Up, They Were Safe” from Sonia Guiñansaca’s “Nostalgia & Borders,” and “The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On” by Franny Choi. Both poems were read twice, once to take it in and a second time to digest and annotate.

Towards the end of the allotted workshop time, participants took out pieces of paper. Pelaez Lopez provided seven lines from Sonia Guiñansaca’s and Franny Choi’s work. Each line was a “ghost line,” and the exercise involved writing for two minutes to each line until the timer went off. The workshop concluded with a discussion of whether the activity was helpful. Participants found that cohesion came more readily than expected, even when it wasn’t intended.

Leah Dutcher ’28 contributed fact-checking.

‘Directing Actors’: Students create short films in college class

Graphic by Sindy Maldonado ’27

Sindy Maldonado ‘27

Contributing Writer

Mount Holyoke College prides itself on having rigorous academics and a plethora of unique, hands-on courses available to students. One of these courses is Directing Actors for the Screen, offered by the department of film, media, and theater and taught by Visiting Assistant Professor in Film Production, Dien Vo.

The course aims to give film students foundational skills needed in the sphere of production, such as screenwriting, casting, and most importantly, directing. Students take on these roles by creating their own short films or scenes if working on a bigger project. They have already wrapped up auditions, which were open to all students within the Five College Consortium, and are now entering the filming phase following their table reads held the week of Oct. 5.

Students currently in the class gave Mount Holyoke News insight into the course and their projects. Gabriella Cordero ’26, a neuroscience and behavior major and FMT minor, is creating a short film titled “Chandelier.” The story takes place inside a parked car at a gas station, and follows two characters, Aubrey and Dylan, on their first date. Why it is called “Chandelier” is a secret.

When asked what the story means to her and why she chose these characters, Cordero said, “I just really wanted to capture that, you know, teenage feeling of liking someone else and finally allowing yourself to open up.” The two characters bond over their shared love for music and film but find it difficult to become fully comfortable since the characters don't know if they can quite trust each other yet.

Cordero mentioned that her inspirations include directors like Greta Gerwig and Sofia Coppola, who have created coming-of-age films, such as Cordero’s favorite from 2017, “Lady Bird.”

The course requires collaboration and peer support throughout the creative process. Cordero said the class has been amazing so far, especially during the script writing phase. She described the environment by stating: “Picture a writer’s room in a circle and we are just spilling out different ideas, talking to each other, editing every day [and] peer reviewing.” Apart from the directors she looks up to, Cordero also drew inspiration from old journal entries and conversations with friends. She “kind of fell in love with the story,” and as she continued writing, “it kind of just came out” naturally.

Another student, FMT major Ryan Heller ’26, shared similar experiences in developing her film. Heller anticipated taking a directing-focused course after already gaining experience in production assistant roles. She was excited to explore the “niche part of filmmaking that you don’t really think about.”

Heller’s film, “Getting Nowhere,” is described as a scene from a “mockumentary of students at a liberal arts college.” It features three characters: Jessica, Charlie, and Chrissy. The friends are working on a thesis and developing a film script. However, Charlie and Jessica get distracted by their banter, while Chrissy continuously attempts to keep them on track. Heller was inspired by mainstream sitcoms like “Abbott Elementary” and “The Office,” as well as other shows and movies that highlight the “behind the scenes of creating entertainment,” such as “The Studio” and “Hacks”.

Having grown up with theater experience as well, Heller explained, “I pretty much stick to, like, dramatic theater … so I wanted to challenge myself and do something more comedic.”

As an FMT major, Heller has accumulated hands-on experience with media in other courses and through internships in the entertainment industry, including impressive roles such as production assistant work and brand partnership positions at talent management agencies like Producer Entertainment Group and Breakpoint Booking, both based near Los Angeles, where she is from.

Heller stated this was her first time getting to write a script. Despite this, she was not nervous and instead leaned into writing about familiar environments. She implemented cliches to create character archetypes one would typically find in cinema, describing her characters as "chaotic, sarcastic film students.”

Students taking this course get the opportunity to express their personal experiences, passions, and interests through the art of writing, filming, and production. They get to engage in different forms of communication and learn about the different perspectives that can be found on a film set. According to the students interviewed, it is uncertain whether films created in this course will be publicly showcased. However, because they are personal projects, students have the option to include them in portfolios and feature them independently.

Leah Dutcher ’28 contributed fact-checking.

Cheap ending of "Weapons" becomes its own undoing

Graphic by Betty Smart ’26

Contains spoilers for “Weapons” and “Barbarian.”

By Sarah Berger ‘27

Arts & Entertainment Editor

If you’ve been online in the past several months, chances are you’ve seen a trailer for “Weapons.” The premise of the movie is immediately intriguing. One night, all the children in a classroom at school disappear, arms splayed out as they fal into the void. All of them… except one. “Weapons” centers on the children’s teacher — who is the prime suspect — as well as the father of a missing child, the school principal, a police officer, and a man addicted to drugs. The first hour or so of the movie is incredible. Although your feelings about each of the different characters may vary, the way suspense is built through each of their perspectives is highly effective. The viewer repeatedly sees the same scenes play out, with different details added each time,culminating in a reveal where “Weapons” will either grab you or lose you.

The reason that the children disappeared is a witch. The ultimate success of this reveal depends on both what you were expecting and what you’re willing to tolerate. There are allusions to the supernatural early on in the movie, but most of them turn out to be dreams. About twenty minutes before the big reveal, it may be obvious that something paranormal is at play, but perhaps not, making it an effective surprise, but maybe not a welcome one.

While what the witch represents is truly horrible — lack of agency, loss, forced silence, selfishness — since she is the physical manifestation of these things, it’s important to consider what she looks like. She’s an old woman who wears obscene amounts of makeup, dresses in outdated clothes, and has hair a clownish orange reminiscent of Pennywise the Clown. Horror movies are often reliant on grotesque and cartoonish representations of evil, for better or for worse, but considering director Zach Cregger’s former work, a theme emerges. In 2022’s “Barbarian,” one of the antagonists was an emaciated nude woman known as Mother. Although Mother wasn’t necessarily framed as evil, her presence made up the movie’s primary scares. Mother subjugates the characters of “Barbarian” in order to fulfill her desire to parent. Gladys, the witch in “Weapons,” forces the residents of the town into a catatonic state in order to remain young and/or healthy. It seems as though the worst thing that Cregger can imagine is an unattractive woman with inconvenient desires.

Weapons is not a comedy. It can be heartbreaking and terrifying, with many scenes that are best watched from in between your fingers. It’s a shame that it forgets this in its last ten minutes, in which the missing children are directed by magic to chase Gladys. The ensuing scene, while conceptually cathartic, relies far too heavily on comedy. The children smash through windows. The sound cuts in and out. A neighborhood father complains about the effect that the Witch’s eventual dismemberment has on his lawn. It would better fit a chase scene from Looney Tunes than the conclusion to a horror movie. In the context of the rest of the plot, the scene is silly, undercutting the terror the movie has worked so hard to create.

“Weapons” could have been memorable for its plot and tone, but instead, it is more likely to be remembered for the seemingly unnecessary, over the top grotesquery achieved by countless horror movies before it.

Quill Nishi-Leonard ’27 contributed fact-checking.

Five films to watch that capture the essence of fall at Mount Holyoke

Graphic by Brianna Stockwell ’28

Mary Grahn

Staff Writer

With temperatures in the 70s and trees still green, it’s been easy to forget that fall is almost here. Despite the weather’s reluctance to leave summer behind, many Mount Holyoke College students are ready to welcome autumn and all of its seasonal festivities and rituals: celebrating Mountain Day and Halloween; wearing sweaters, and cozying up to watch films that capture the fall spirit. Here are some films that do just that!

Little Women (2019)

“Little Women” adapts Lousia May Alcott’s classic novel by the same name. The film centers on the March sisters as they navigate their lives as women in 19th-century America, exploring themes such as growing up, family and love. Although the story takes place over several years and seasons, the film’s sweeping landscapes, autumnal foliage, and cozy vibe make it feel quintessentially fall.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Set in a preparatory boarding school, “Dead Poets Society” follows a group of students as they encounter a new English teacher who inspires them to seize the day: Carpe Diem. As the film depicts the students’ self-discovery, it slowly transitions from fall to winter, satisfyingly showcasing the beauty of the two seasons.

Knives Out (2019)

“Knives Out” is a whodunnit, a class commentary, and an all around delightful watch. The film revolves around the family of successful crime novelist Harlan Thrombey, who argue over the distribution of the massive wealth left after the patriarch’s mysterious death. Soon, detective Benoit Blanc begins to investigate. The film’s wardrobe of cozy sweaters and coats is perfect for fall. Moreover, the story’s mystery pairs well with the spooky atmosphere of the season.

Various Horror Movies

In a list of fall films, it would be remiss not to include any horror movies. Unfortunately, if this article included every frightful film that deserved a mention, it would be too long for MHN to print. Thus, here is an abbreviated list of horror movies to watch this fall: “Jennifer’s Body” (2009), “The Ring” (2002), “The Conjuring” (2013), and “Halloween” (1978).

Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

How does one summarize Rocky Horror? The film has been influential for its depiction of sexual freedom and gender nonconformity. Additionally, it is an incredibly entertaining movie that plays with all sorts of horror and sci-fi tropes, which makes it perfect for Halloween. It’s also a rock musical. There’s a lot to say about this film and that’s not even mentioning the shenanigans that take place at many in-person screenings. If this description intrigues you, you can check it out yourself at a showing at Amherst Cinema on Oct. 30.

Quill Nishi-Leonard ’27 contributed fact-checking.