Culture

Local author John Green visits Indianapolis Public Library for Banned Books Week

This year, Banned Books Week took place from Oct. 1-7. The Indianapolis Public Library kicked off the week with a discussion featuring John Green at the central location on Oct. 2.  Green is a New York Times bestselling author and Indianapolis resident. He has been vocal about the effects of book bans, and has even had one of his novels, “Looking for Alaska,” challenged throughout the country. 

Review: “Oppenheimer,” a biopic worth your time

“Oppenheimer” is the latest in the stream of biopics the film industry has produced in the last few years, but, unlike the smash hits “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Rocketman,” “Oppenheimer” tackles a different kind of “rockstar.” The film is the most recent entry in Nolan’s filmography, joining the critically acclaimed ranks of “Dunkirk,” “Memento” and “The Dark Knight” trilogy, in addition to many others, and it seems that critics agree it will be put up as one of Nolan’s absolute best movies to date.

American K-pop girl group VCHA, the latest K-industry addition

  The trend of K-pop has continued to dominate the entertainment industry, with a wave of support pouring out across the globe in recent years. In a market that has been met with immense success for a select number of K-pop groups such as BTS and BlackPink, there is much anticipation for how it will develop and maintain its distinct trajectory. 

REVIEW: “Saw X” breathes new life into a 20-year-old franchise

After 19 years, one would think studios and audiences have grown tired of the “Saw” franchise. With “Saw X,” the filmmakers have finally figured out where to take this franchise and how to keep it fresh.

Review: The Garage Food Hall

The Garage Food Hall is a cafeteria-style hangout at the end of Massachusetts Avenue’s long stretch of restaurants and bars in downtown Indianapolis. They opened their doors on Jan. 5, 2021, with over 25 vendors selling various food and drink options. 

Review: Parlor Doughnuts is a flavor expedition

Parlor Doughnut, located on 805 W 10th St., is a blend of coziness and soft pride; its name is plastered on a plain, white-sheeted border in purple sans font, yet the walk inside is where its design shines.  

CULTURE: Early Predictions for the 2024 Academy Awards Part 2

This coming Oscar season looks like it will be another monumental time at the Academy Awards. With films by Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Greta Gerwig and David Fincher being released, I thought it would be fun to look at what has the potential to be nominated for the 23 awards in the academy’s catalog.

CULTURE: Early predictions for the 2024 Academy Awards Part 1

This coming Oscar season looks like it will be another monumental time at the Academy Awards. With films by Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Greta Gerwig and David Fincher being released, I thought it would be fun to look at what has the potential to be nominated for the 23 awards in the academy’s catalog.

2023 Walk to End Alzheimer's

OPINION: “Saw” Movies Ranked from Worst to Best

The “Saw” series is one of the most notorious horror franchises of the 21st century. With the tenth film in the franchise, “Saw X,” being released on Sept. 29, here is my personal ranking of the nine “Saw” films from worst to best. 

Ranking (Almost) All of the Barbie Movies: Our Final Rankings

  With Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling coming out this summer, we, Abby Godsen (copy editor and reporter) and Jackie Bozinovski (reporter and Abby’s roommate), decided it would be a great idea to rewatch and rank (almost) all of the Barbie movies to date in celebration.  This is the fourth and final part featuring an overall ranking for all the movies watched. Any movies that didn't make it to the three previous articles will have their reviews here, otherwise, check out the other three articles to see our thoughts on the rest of the movies we watched.

Ranking (Almost) All the Barbie Movies: Mermaid Movies Edition

  With Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling coming out this summer, we, Abby Godsen (copy editor and reporter) and Jackie Bozinovski (reporter and Abby’s roommate), decided it would be a great idea to rewatch and rank (almost) all of the Barbie movies to date in celebration.  This third installment features the mermaid movies of the Barbie franchise.

Ranking (Almost) All the Barbie Movies: Fairy Movies Edition

 With Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling coming out this summer, we, Abby Godsen (copy editor and reporter) and Jackie Bozinovski (reporter and Abby’s roommate), decided it would be a great idea to rewatch and rank (almost) all of the Barbie movies to date in celebration.  This second installment features the fairy movies of the Barbie franchise. 

Ranking (Almost) All the Barbie Movies: Princess Movies Edition

  With Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling coming out this summer, we, Abby Godsen (copy editor and reporter) and Jackie Bozinovski (reporter and Abby’s roommate) decided it would be a great idea to rewatch and rank (almost) all of the Barbie movies to date in celebration.  This first installment features the princess movies of the Barbie franchise.

Remembering the Holocaust Through Eva Kor

Antisemitism, or Jewish hatred, can be traced back to the third century. This racial hostility toward the Jewish community has been a consistent theme throughout history, and perhaps the largest and most well-known antisemitic period is the Holocaust.  The Indiana Historical Society museum in Indianapolis is bringing awareness and remembrance towards the recent revival of Jewish hatred with their new exhibit, “Eva Kor from Auschwitz to Indiana.” Eva Kor, Auschwitz survivor and Jewish activist, voices her experiences in the concentration camps and how these persecutions forever changed her life.

Islam in Indianapolis

Over the past month, Muslims around the world were unified through fasting from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is one the five pillars, or tenets, of Islam, alongside having faith in one God, praying five times a day, giving charity, and making the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia (if one is physically, mentally and financially able to). There are many Hoosiers who participate in Ramadan. According to Indiana Historical Society Press, Muslim sects have established themselves in Indianapolis as early as 1926. Today, a culturally diverse Muslim population calls Indianapolis home. At IUPUI, the Muslim Student Association (MSA), Pakistani Student Association (PSA), Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA) and IUPUI International Club have all hosted iftars— meals consumed when breaking the fast, traditionally starting with a date or water and in a group setting— over the past month.

Veganism in Indianapolis

Acclimating to a new environment at IUPUI, many vegan students, or students interested in trying vegan food, may wonder how Indianapolis fares in terms of vegan cuisine. Considering Indiana’s reputation for traditional Midwestern dishes and a plethora of food deserts in and around Indianapolis, students may be surprised to learn that farmers market vendors, small business owners, local organizations and established restaurant owners have been working to increase the vegan options in Indianapolis for over a decade. One example is Soulshine Vegan Café, which is one of the only vegan breakfast spots in Indianapolis. Located in Broad Ripple, a 20 minute drive from IUPUI’s campus, Soulshine provides a welcoming space to relax, study and enjoy a variety of vegan menu items, with its mission of making veganism more accessible.

Behind the Curtain: A Look at Indiana's Lesser Known Tradition

Show choir is an integral part of the Indianapolis cultural scene. Throughout the calendar year, thousands of people cram into venues across the metro area to see some of the most prestigious groups in the nation present shows that rival Broadway productions and inspire a whole new generation of performers. The most impactful facet of show choir is its effect on inspiring the next generation of performers to carry on its legacy of entertainment as well as embrace the same friendly yet competitive spirit that makes the performing art so distinctive.

Herron Opens Two New Exhibitions Highlighting Staff and Alumni Voices

Two new exhibitions opened at Herron School of Art and Design at IUPUI on March 22. “Pen Pals” was created by Sydney Craig, a professor of the foundations program, and Jared Cru Smith, the sculpture facilities manager. “It’s the only life that I’ve ever known” was curated by Robert Horvath, a painting professor.

OPINION: The Trivialization of Violence Has to End

On Mar. 27, a mass shooting occurred at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. The private Christian academy is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), an evangelical Protestant denomination. It's tempting to make it solely political, and forgot about the ones who died, but we are called to do more.