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Monthly picks: A woman-led movie, book and album for March

By Katelyn Smith | Lifestyle Editor | March 6

March is designated as Women’s History Month; It’s a time to celebrate the contributions of women to America’s history, their accomplishments and how they have impacted society. In honor of this celebration of women, I’ve picked a movie, book and album that are created by women and feature empowering stories, but also capture the essence of the upcoming spring season.

‘Bridgerton’ is so back: Review of season four

By Amelia Gatzke | Lifestyle Writer | March 2

On Jan. 29 and Feb. 26, Netflix released the fourth season of its hit series "Bridgerton" in two parts. The drama is set in the regency era, following the affluent and popular Bridgerton family, with each season focusing on one of the Bridgerton siblings and their love stories. Season four features second son Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) attempting to locate a mysterious woman he met at a masquerade ball, who actually ends up being a maid named Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha). This season in particular portrays a mixture of emotions, all while successfully bringing back the charm that made viewers fall in love with the show in the first place.

Heights without depth: A review of 'Wuthering Heights'

By Foster Mayhall | Lifestyle Writer | February 21

The newly released 2026 adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel “Wuthering Heights,” directed by Emerald Fennel, is likely the most infuriating attempt at adapting a classic novel I have ever watched. It acts in contrast to everything the novel does right, has nothing to say and handles its darker elements with a surprising lack of grace. 

Fear the Yellow Sign: 'The King in Yellow' analysis

By Logan Myers | Columnist | February 11

For almost 150 years, horror author Robert W. Chambers' "The King in Yellow" has entrapped the minds of artists and readers alike. No matter where you turn, this collection of short stories has served as inspiration across the arts, from books to video games to television, while its namesake entity lurks, silently watching from the shadows.

From friends to lovers: 'The People We Meet on Vacation' review

By Margaret Griffin | Lifestyle Writer | February 10

"The People We Meet on Vacation" is a natural and heartfelt romantic comedy that was recently released on Jan. 9, 2026. This uplifting film captures the beauty of connection, timing and personal growth as experienced through two characters navigating their life and love across years of shared adventures. Directed by Brett Haley, the film combines realistic endeavors with themes of passion, confidence and staying true to oneself. From beginning to end, this film takes the audience on a compelling journey that lasts long after the movie ends. 

Shakespeare play turned 90s rom-com: '10 Things I Hate About You’ review

By Amelia Gatzke | Lifestyle Writer | February 9

As the Valentine’s season draws near, romantic comedy movies tend to be a popular category, with ‘10 Things I Hate About You (1999)’ being a forerunner for the more modern take on the genre. The film follows the two Stratford sisters: abrasive and antisocial Kat (Julia Stiles) and popular and yearner-for-romance Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). When their strict father says Bianca can’t date until Kat does, two of their peers, Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Michael (David Krumholtz), do whatever they can to find Kat her ideal mate.

Ferrophobia: A review of 'Iron Lung'

By Foster Mayhall | Lifestyle Writer | February 8

“Iron Lung” is a must-see for any fans of unique horror, especially eldritch horror, and its smaller scale doesn’t hold it back from being an ambitious movie and a perfect example of what a dedicated team can accomplish on a shoestring budget and a solid concept.

Monthly picks: A 'timeless' movie, book and album for February

By Katelyn Smith | Lifestyle Editor | February 1

As the ice of January melts away, February marks a time of celebrating the special connections we have in our lives. Whether it be family, friends or significant others, this month is focused on all sorts of love. To celebrate the new month, I’ve curated a list of entertainment, including a movie, book and album, guaranteed to set the mood for the season.

The game that broke the internet: A review of 'Hollow Knight: Silksong'

By Sydney Gallardo | Assistant News Editor | December 15

After years of waiting by excited fans, "Hollow Knight: Silksong," the sequel to the acclaimed "Hollow Knight," was released by indie developer Team Cherry on Sept. 4. The game was so highly anticipated that it crashed Steam, a widely-used platform hosting thousands of video games. After years of "Silksong tomorrow" jokes and theorizing, fans across the globe descended upon Steam all at once. As a Hollow Knight fan, I, too, coveted my chance to play "Hollow Knight: Silksong" with bated breath until I finally got the opportunity. Through all this excitement, however, we must ask ourselves: Is it worth the hype?

An ‘Elf’ review: ‘Santa! I know him!’

By Amelia Gatzke | Lifestyle Writer | December 8

When many people think of a Christmas classic, it’s safe to say that “Elf” is one of the first movies to come to mind. The 2003 film stars Will Ferrell as Buddy Hobbs, a human who was raised by Santa’s elves in the North Pole, and follows his odyssey to New York City to discover who he truly is. “Elf” explores themes of family, romance and acceptance, while aiming to warm the hearts of its viewers during the holiday season.

A profitable, forgettable sequel: 'Predator: Badlands' review

By Logan Myers | Columnist | December 3

In "Predator: Badlands," writer-director Dan Trachtenberg does away with the traditional cat-and-mouse structure of a Predator film, focusing instead on a buddy-cop adventure film with no human characters. While certainly an ambitious venture, this attempt at humanizing the Predator takes away from the aura of mystery that made the monster so iconic in the first place. For the first time in the history of the series, our titular Predator is given a name — Dex — and daddy issues.

Classical Christmas: A review of Capra’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | December 2

Frank Capra’s 1946 Christmas film ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ covers the life of George Bailey (James Stewart) and the struggles that he faces between his family, his finances and missed opportunities. After facing financial ruin due to a bad relationship with the town’s richest man, Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore), and a bad night with his wife, Mary Hatch (Donna Reed), George plans to end his own life. Just before he carries out his plan, a guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers) visits George and helps him realize all of the good that he has put into the world around him.

'Wicked: For Good' review: 'It's looking at things another way'

By Chloe Glass | Lifestyle Writer | November 28

After its premiere on Nov. 21, the sequel to “Wicked” (2024) has finally hit theatres, leaving audiences changed for good.

'We're taking turkey off the menu' — A review of 'Free Birds'

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | November 27

The 2013 film “Free Birds,” details the adventures of two talking turkeys, Reggie (Owen Wilson) and Jake (Woody Harrelson) who travel back in time to the year 1621, with the goal of stopping turkey from being served at the first Thanksgiving feast. Reggie and Jake meet a slew of turkey friends when they travel back in time. Reggie also develops a crush on Jenny (Amy Poehler), a charming turkey from 1621. Reggie, Jake and the turkeys they meet in 1621 work to fight a group of colonists hunting them for the first Thanksgiving feast. 

Ride like lightning, crash like thunder: A review of 'The Place Beyond the Pines'

By Logan Myers | Columnist | November 17

There are films that entertain, and there are films that haunt you long after the credits have rolled. "The Place Beyond the Pines" belongs unmistakably to the latter. Derek Cianfrance’s third feature is not merely a story about men and their choices; it is a meditation on legacy, guilt and the invisible threads binding fathers and sons across time.

Staying active in Auburn

By Margaret Griffin | Lifestyle Writer | November 9

Whether students enjoy late afternoon runs in "The Rec," walks with friends around campus or fitness classes conveniently located near their apartment, there is no shortage of ways to stay active in Auburn. Within the past couple of years, recent fitness additions, such as workout classes or local gyms, have grown to help students maintain healthy lifestyles year-round. These new fitness communities are becoming multigenerational, as they are populated with college students and residents who enjoy a breadth of exercise options.

The scariest movie of all time: A review of Friedkin's 'The Exorcist'

By Katelyn Smith | Lifestyle Editor | October 25

Once hailed as "the scariest movie of all time," William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist” follows the paranormal possession of a young girl and the lengths her worried mother goes to help her. Throughout the movie, Regan (Linda Blair) starts behaving strangely, developing symptoms such as vulgar outbursts, grotesque physical transformations and violent behavior. While I did not necessarily find it scary, the practical effects, the story and the incredible performance by Blair really sold the film for me. It is a movie that just feels evil, with its disturbing scenes and the sinister energy that the young girl possesses.

A classic slasher: Review of 'Halloween' (1978)

By Amelia Gatzke | Lifestyle Writer | October 21

On Oct. 25, 1978, director John Carpenter’s breakthrough film, “Halloween”, was released. This movie follows the iconic masked figure Michael Myers (Nick Castle), who had been in a mental institution for murdering his teenage sister when he was just six years old. After 15 years, Myers managed to escape this institution and returned to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois to begin his prowl for new victims. “Halloween” became a staple for slasher films as we know them and paved the way for the “Final Girl” trope as well.