The Oscars 2025: Nostalgia Won’t Save Us

The 2025 Oscars celebrated independent cinema with major wins for some, yet Managing Arts & Living Editor Emeritus Sophie Durbin ’25 explores how the ceremony underscored Hollywood’s struggle to break free from nostalgia.

The Story Behind Modern Art’s Storyteller — Alumni Profile, Erica Gangsei

As the director of Interpretive Media at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Erica Gangsei helps uncover the narratives of artworks.

Film Society x The Student: “The Substance”

In this week’s Film Society x The Student review, Managing Arts & Living Editor Sophie Durbin ’25 argues that the recently released body horror film “The Substance” lacks substance, writing that it reiterates sexist horror tropes.

Fresh Faculty: Youssef Ben Ismail

Youssef Ben Ismail is an Assistant Professor of Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought (LJST). Managing Arts and Living Editor Sophie Durbin ’25 spoke with him about teaching, Middle Eastern studies, and his love for Amherst Cinema.

Sarah Weiner: A&L Editor Puts the Art in Living

From dance to Spanish to writing, Sarah Weiner’s interests at Amherst have spanned the arts and humanities. Her far-reaching creative pursuits are perfectly encapsulated within her role as Managing Arts & Living Editor at The Student.

Amherst Rings In the Year of the Dragon

Lunar New Year festivities rolled through campus over the past week, from Val’s special Lunar New Year dinner to events hosted by campus affinity groups ASA, CSA, and SEASA.

Film Society x The Student: “Phantasm”

In the first Film Society x The Student column of the semester, Managing Arts & Living Editor Sophie Durbin ’25 reviews cult horror film “Phantasm,” writing that its poignancy completely defied her expectations.

Love Confessions … Is Your Name Here?

The Arts & Living Editors solicited anonymous love notes from your peers. Browse over 60 confessions to find out if you have a secret admirer on campus.

Film Society x The Student: “Priscilla”

Sofia Coppola’s newest film, “Priscilla,” showcases the filmmaker’s strengths while falling flat in the second half. Managing Arts & Living Editor Sophie Durbin ’25 reviews the film, which, at times, plays into tired biopic tropes.

A 50-Year Journey of Journalism — Alumni Profile, Cullen Murphy ’74

Although Cullen Murphy ’74 is best known for his career at The Atlantic and Vanity Fair, he has also maintained strong ties to Amherst as an alum, serving, among other roles, as Chair of the Board of Trustees.

The Green Room’s “Amherst Psycho” Kills at Premiere

The Green Room presented their original play “Amherst Psycho” last Friday. Managing Arts & Living Editor Sophie Durbin ’25 reviews the play, appreciating its humor and collegiate commentary.

Film Society x The Student: “The Royal Hotel”

Assistant Arts & Living Editor Sophie Durbin ’25 describes “The Royal Hotel” as a cautionary tale for female travelers and a horror story about unreliable friends in this week’s installment of Film Society x The Student.

Bottoms Up (Reviews Down?)

Managing Arts and Living Editor Sarah Weiner ’24 and Assistant Arts and Living Editor Sophie Durbin ’25 offer their opposing takes on the crass humor and familiar tropes of queer teen release “Bottoms.”

Editors’ Picks: The Arts & Living Summer Roundup

Before the stress of the semester starts, the Arts & Living editors reflect on their favorite summer reads, listens, and watches.

The Quiet Death of the Open Curriculum

In response to the new Latin honors policy, Contributing Writer Sophie Durbin ’25 argues that the breadth requirement will undermine the strengths of the open curriculum.