A movie is only as good as its villain, and a good villain is much more than a monster with maniacal laughter or a sinister-looking entity surrounded by henchmen. From the anarchist Joker to the cunning and brutal Annie Wilkes, countless successful films have earned their iconic status thanks to their antagonists. Each week, columnist […]
Category Archives: Arts Columns
Gamer’s Guidebook: Open-world games allow for more exploration, but can be inhibited by repetition
Games have always been a huge part of the entertainment industry, but what makes them entertaining? Game makers expend significant effort making design decisions people often don’t think about when they’re playing each game. Each week, columnist Evan Charfauros will examine the pros and cons of different game mechanics as seen in the modern gaming […]
Reel Representation: ‘Annihilation’ features actresses of color, but struggles with whitewashing
My heart dropped when I saw the words “whitewashing” and “controversy” appear in a headline about the upcoming film “Annihilation.” I’ve been excited for the film ever since its trailer dropped in December. The movie features an all-female scientific team exploring a mysterious environmental disaster zone, with two of the main characters played by Gina […]
Movie review: ‘Black Panther’
World-changing technology meets rural grasslands in Marvel’s latest venture. “Black Panther,” the sixth film in Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, follows T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) after he becomes king of Wakanda. In addition to his royal transition, T’Challa must defeat the unscrupulous smuggler Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) and lethal criminal Erik Killmonger (Michael B. […]
Playing the Villain: Female filler villains detract from fair representation of women
A movie is only as good as its villain, and a good villain is much more than a monster with maniacal laughter or a sinister-looking entity surrounded by henchmen. From the anarchist Joker to the cunning and brutal Annie Wilkes, countless successful films have earned their iconic status thanks to their antagonists. Each week, columnist […]
Gamer’s Guidebook: Expensive expansion packs make trading-card games less enjoyable
Games have always been a huge part of the entertainment industry, but what makes them entertaining? Game makers expend significant effort making design decisions people often don’t think about when they’re playing each game. Each week, columnist Evan Charfauros will examine the pros and cons of different game mechanics as seen in the modern gaming […]
Stress Less: ASMR fails to tap into tingling sensations but still provides relaxation
Alissa Evans’ experience with stress stems primarily from her inability to definitively choose a major, a recently received D that taints her otherwise mediocre GPA and her complete and utter confusion regarding the abstract concept commonly referred to as her “future.” In the midst of a midcollege crisis, the Daily Bruin columnist decided to try […]