“Knives Out,” directed by Rian Johnson and theatrically released on Nov. 27, contains a scene in which a character describes the film’s forbidding mansion setting as “practically […] a Clue board.” It is an unexpected but wholly appropriate moment. A whodunit murder mystery inspired heavily by “Clue,” “Knives Out” isn’t interested in shying away from its modern time period or in denying its genre roots. Part homage and part subversion, “Knives Out” relishes the way it plays with audience expectations, seeming to welcome comparison to other works.
Posts published in “Arts and Culture”
In the depths of the bottom floor of the Campus Center, tucked into a corner, lies the WOZQ station for Smith College Radio. Lined floor to floor with disks, records, polaroids, drawings, letters and posters (specifically, a four-foot-tall poster of 2010-era Kevin Jonas, red-lipstick-kissed on his cheek), over eighty Smithie DJs come to broadcast their shows seven days a week.
At the beginning of November, Smithies and the Northampton community flooded into the Botanic Garden of Smith College to see the highly anticipated Fall Chrysanthemum Show. Nicknamed “the mum show,” this visually stunning display of bonsai, chrysanthemum cascades, oversized standard blooms and diverse variety of mums has a rich history that stretches across the globe. For a show with a little bit for everyone, its popularity is rightly deserved.
Thursday, Nov. 14th, I attended the 29th anniversary of Smith Celebration, an annual event on the Wilson House steps on the Quad which celebrates love in all forms.
This fall, Duct Tape Productions (DTP) is following up its spring production of “The Addams Family” with another movie-based show they hope will entertain. From Thursday, Nov. 14 to Saturday, Nov. 16, Smithies will have the opportunity to see "Shrek the Musical" in all its verdant (and, reportedly, heartwarming) glory.
“Defiant Vision: Prints & Poetry” by Munio Makuuchi will be exhibited until December 8 at the Smith College Museum of Art. As a Japanese-American artist and poet, Makuuchi’s work represents an important perspective on a moment in American history that was ignored during his lifetime.
At once a slick piece of cinema and a compelling instance of storytelling, “The Lighthouse” reminds us what it means to be completely stunned by a film in the current climate of conveyor-belt movie-making.
“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” debuted as a play Aug. 2, 2012, based off of the 2003 novel. Smith presented it Oct. 26, 2019. Smith also presented previews Oct. 22, 23 and 24 for the autistic community. I had the opportunity to attend the Wednesday preview. It was a standard preview, but instead of being asked about line delivery and pace, I was asked about the intensity of the lights and sound.
Trigger warning: sexual abuse. “They, Themself, and Schmerm” is straight-up, hilarious, vivacious and human.
Sweeney Concert Hall was awash with first chatter, then music, then the supportive cheers of the audience when the Asian Student Association (ASA) and Korean Student Association (KSA) started their annual Asian Culture Show (ACS) Saturday, Oct. 26. A staple of Family Weekend, the event highlighted the many talented Asian cultural dance and music acts within the Five College Consortium and beyond.