Amherst Wire

Ari Aster: The mind behind “Hereditary” and “Midsommar”

With the announcement of Joaquin Phoenix starring in Aster's next film, take a look at his early shorts.

Aaron Vincent Facundo, TV/Film Editor • February 27, 2021

Even before a Hollywood budget, horror director Ari Aster was making some of the most horrific films.

Daft Punk announces sudden disbandment

The music industry loses a pioneering act, as artists, celebrities, and fans worldwide learn of the duo's permanent split

Isabel Guilmette, Writer • February 24, 2021

The French duo leaves behind an electric legacy after nearly 30 years.

Studio Ghibli: A collection of amazing storytelling and nostalgia

Young or old, Miyazaki movies are made for everyone

Emilee Klein, Writer • February 24, 2021

Writer Emilee Klein invites us through her spoiler-free guide for the Studio Ghibli movies.

Goons Talk Tunes: Taylor Swift, The Weeknd’s halftime show and Tik Tok hits

Nick and Emma start their second season off strong

Emma Calnan and Nick Contardo • February 22, 2021

Tune in for a recap on music's biggest winter hits.

Colorfully flat: “I Care A Lot” fails to deliver a modern-day femme fatale

The latest Netflix film struggles to craft a contemporary femme fatale, resulting in a flat “girl boss”

Brianna Silva, Editor-In-Chief • February 20, 2021

With an intriguing plot and a promising cast, the film appears like another gripping adventure filled with twists and turns. However, it falls flat of its expectations.

Getting Through with Morbid: A True Crime Podcast

Lifestyle's pick of the week

Emma Sammuli, Lifestyle Editor • February 19, 2021

Editor’s Note: For the next few weeks, the Lifestyle section will be showcasing their favorite podcasts, tv shows, movies, books and more to help UMass students while self-sequestering, quarantining or just to pass the time as COVID continually keeps us indoors. Welcome to Getting Through.

UMass student Milou redefines repetition in his “Groundhog’s Day”-like album

The Greenfield native creates a powerful album, "The Colorblind & The Painter" that plays perfectly day or night

Julia Donohue, Managing Editor • February 18, 2021

Milou feels less like a current UMass Amherst student and more like an electronic Elliott Smith. He’s engaging, independent and interesting as he is interested in dissecting life through music.

Taylor Swift kicks off discography re-recording with new single

"Love Story (Taylor's Version)" empowers the artist and the audience who have grown up with her

Isabel Guilmette, Writer • February 17, 2021

The track, released Feb. 12, is just one of 26 tracks that will appear on the complete re-recording of Swift’s 2008 album "Fearless".

Marked As Read: #BeanDad versus “The Road” dad

Celina returns for 2021 with Twitter controversy and Cormac McCarthy

Celina Rivernider • February 15, 2021

Tune in for Celina's take on the #beandad Twitter controversy.

Six movies to swoon over this Valentine’s Day

Did you set up an at home theater this Valentine's Day? Next step is playing one of these movies

Aaron Vincent Facundo, TV/Film Editor • February 14, 2021

Can't decide on the perfect flick to watch with your beau? Here's six of our film editor's favorites.

“Judas and the Black Messiah” recreates an underlooked part of American history

Director Shaka King's studio debut leaves audiences wondering why anyone still trusts the FBI

Aaron Vincent Facundo, TV/Film Editor • February 12, 2021

Throughout the duration of the film, the audience is constantly presented with dramatic irony. While they are made well aware of O’Neal’s cooperation with the FBI, Hampton's lack of awareness plays into the heartbreaking betrayal.

The unknowable Britney Spears

What “The New York Times Presents Framing Britney Spears” tells us about the "Oops I Did It Again" Singer.

Kacey Connolly, Podcast Editor • February 11, 2021

On Feb. 5th, Hulu released a docu-series, “The New York Times Presents,” that offers six standalone documentaries on six different topics, the last of which consists of a full-scale investigation on the life of Spears.