Sometimes, it’s wrong to bring up diversity in Hollywood. When promoting problematic or contentious film projects, actors have launched into discussions about diversity as a tool to circumvent more controversial topics. The tactic has most recently been used by actors discussing the controversy surrounding Woody Allen. Allen’s daughter, Dylan Farrow, accused the prolific director of […]
Category Archives: Arts Columns
Album review: ‘Ruins’
First Aid Kit has put a bandage on a slowly dying genre of music – folk-rock. The Swedish duo, composed of sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg, released “Ruins,” its fourth studio album, Friday. Though not a major stylistic departure, First Aid Kit still gives a strong performance, showcasing the Americana twang that brought the duo […]
Movie review: ’12 Strong’
“12 Strong” drops more literal bombs than emotional ones in an overtly explosive new feature starring Chris Hemsworth. Based on a book by Doug Stanton, “12 Strong” details a gritty, but true, war story about the fall of Mazar-i-Sharif. Hemsworth stars as Captain Mitch Nelson, leader of a band of Special Forces soldiers who are […]
Playing the Villain: Institutional villains in film explain main character’s motives
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: Video games explore themes of consequence via nonlinear narratives
Games have always been a huge part of the entertainment industry, but what makes them entertaining? Game-makers expend significant effort making design decisions that 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: Hollywood’s women of color suffer a disparity in nominations, awards
2017 was deemed by many the year of women in Hollywood – the #MeToo campaign helped oust dozens of sexual predators from their jobs and the three highest grossing films were led by female heroines. And the 75th Golden Globe Awards was perhaps the most “woke,” female-centric awards show yet. Stars wore black in solidarity […]
Stress Less: Painting can help students brush up on how to relax from school life
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 mid-college crisis, the Daily Bruin columnist decided to try […]