January 2018

In The Handmaid’s Tale, the show and the book both explore themes of politics and the heteropatriarchy controlling women’s reproduction in a dystopian takeover of the former United States, now Gilead. This is presented from the viewpoint of Offred, a handmaid. While the show tends to stay fairly true to the book, some creative divergences from director Reed Morano help to create fuller storylines. Where the book remains more focused on the viewpoint of Offred, the show explores the perspectives and backgrounds of other handmaids and of those in power. I thought this added some depth to these characters and answered questions I still had after reading the book. The show depicted a followup to Moira’s storyline, which was one of my favorite parts of the series. The Handmaid’s Tale is a thought-provoking, intense, and terrifyingly believable story. The show creates a world beyond the viewpoint of Offred, which, for me, created a more full world and answered lingering questions.

Written by: Josie Steehler

Netflix contains a lot of interesting finds that may be overlooked due to the popular page and the very limited selections on the home screen. After many searches and watches the way that Netflix has conformed to me has been quite satisfying through the way that I have chosen what I watch. Most of the time when entering Netflix, I am looking for something new, something to binge, or something that looks extremely interesting to me. The way that I found most of these titles was by a random scroll through the many categories and genres on Netflix itself. While a couple of others were experienced by introduction and lead me to find even more interest in the subgenre that inspired searches which lead to many other finds of similar standing. Finding things that are enjoyable and suitable for yourself can be hard; here are some recommendations that I have found to be thoroughly entertaining.

Reign (TV Show): From romance to prophecies to politics and violence this show has a lot to offer to many different crowds looking for an extremely diversified plot. The character dynamic is a little frustrating as they always tend to make decisions that are going to inflict some sort of pain on them in the future *sigh* don’t you just love it when you get so invested at every twist and turn only to have them make the worst decision possible? This is what keeps us interested though, that they keep betraying what we want; and we keep watching so that they continue to spark our interest.

Boogie Nights (Movie): A film like this is nothing anyone expects it to be. With a setting in the 70’s this extremely graphic and sexual film explores what it was like for a young man to become something of himself through a group of porn actors. This coming-of-age film is chalked full of humor and hard-hitting happenings of this peculiar group of people who see their own way of getting through life. This film can really be of interest to people who are looking for an exploration of something a little off the beaten path, while enjoying some big stars such as Mark Wahlberg and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Copenhagen (Movie): This movie explores what it’s like to connect with someone. This is not a story about love, although it may seem that way when the two main characters begin to spend more and more time together and learn more about each other as well as a long-lost family member of one of the characters. This story is not only extremely inspirational in self-discovery, but it explores the idea of how being with someone doesn’t have to mean romance. There can be companionship and support while being around someone even though there seems to be a chance of romance. A feel-good movie that shows what travel can bring is a stunner for all audiences.

Adult World (Movie): Finding out about your idol can be a little unnerving, especially when they tell you that they have pretty much given up and aren’t anything like you expect them to be. In this film, there is exploration of passion and dedication as the main character seeks to find what she has always been searching and yearning for in her life as a poet. There is a lot of self-discovery in this flick as the main character struggles to accept the reality in which she is in, while also learning to accept it and the way that people are present in her life.

Easy (Anthology): This two season series is an interesting look at the sexual lives of ordinary people. The star-studded cast makes for interest as well as a captivating plot that reels people in through its inside look at each other’s sex lives. Learning about something that can be a bit awkward, as it is portrayed in the series is extremely relieving for viewers. This show depicts the realities of trying to maintain a healthy sex life which incorporates a feeling of understanding and recognition to the audience. This type of entertainment involves humor where it is needed and bits of seriousness sprinkled all about in order to really capture what it is to embark on such a relationship, and to maintain it, with another person.

Black Mirror (anthology): This series throws people off from the get go. There is no chronological order in which these episodes belong to and the stories within each season do not string together nicely as to create stories for the characters with an introduction of deep struggle. Each episode is its own movie of sorts. Sometimes there is not a resolution to the problems that are faced, which can leave a watcher distraught. The different types of futures that these episodes introduce give alternate ideas of how politics, technology, and overall social norms are founded when in these substitute ideas of futures. This show can really capture the interest of many audiences as it explores relationships, dystopian societies, extreme competition, and extremely serious social situations. These differing ideas can not only capture interest, but show watchers what can happen when there is an overconsumption of anything.

Written by: Crystal Pulido-Lugo

With shows like Stranger Things and Orange is the New Black, some Netflix films, shows, and documentaries can be pushed aside and left to collect cyber dust. Unless you enjoy digging through each genre and are willing to set some time aside to indulge in a new film, show, and documentary, it is likely you haven’t encountered some of the best stuff on Netflix. I have found each of these through spending too much time on Netflix (I am not alone) and giving works I have never heard of a chance. Taste in things is completely subjective, but the following shows, films, and documentaries are wonderful things to give a try.

Living in the Material (Documentary): From his Liverpool, England, beginnings to Beatlemania to Hinduism and so on, this documentary explores the personal life of musician, George Harrison. Through footage of his humble Beatles beginnings and interviews with Harrison himself explaining subjects from his personal life to his music, those who never had the privilege of meeting Harrison finally have the opportunity to understand and immerse themselves in the “quiet Beatle’s world.” Director Martin Scorsese delivers an intimate and beautiful documentary with unseen footage, acoustic and haunting demos of Harrison’s music, personal stories from friends and family (even Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr), and unseen photographs from the Harrison estate. This documentary is a bittersweet treat for all George Harrison devotees and music fans, no matter what genre you’re into. Don’t know who George Harrison was? This is where to start!

Shot! (Documentary): This fun biographical documentary explores the life of music photographer, Mick Rock. Rock himself goes through some of his memories from working as David Bowie’s personal photographer as he was metamorphosing into Ziggy Stardust, Lou Reed, Syd Barrett, Iggy Pop, and more. This documentary does a great job of both romanticizing and peeling layers to make the not-so-awesome side of rock and roll and its lifestyle visible. This psychedelic documentary is perfect for music and photography enthusiasts.

Love (show): Like Pat Benatar sang back in the 80s, love is a battlefield and Love has no problem facing this fact. Set in Los Angeles, California, Love explores the modern romance between love and sex addict, Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) and aspiring scriptwriter, Gus (Paul Rust). This series isn’t your typical and pleasing love story where boy and girl meet and everything is fated to end well, which is what makes it so infuriatingly organic. It’s about flaws and emotional unavailability, being in love and falling out of love, trying to find love in the millennial age, and dealing with sobriety and other obstacles. Too much of a realist to enjoy The Notebook or Twilight? This is the show for you.

Masters of None (show): This show follows Indian-American and aspiring actor Dev’s life and his handle of New York City and adulthood. Singlehood and dating apps, stereotypes, and more are explored in the show. Masters of None is co-written by Aziz Ansari (who plays Dev) and is inspired by his own life experiences. This show does not fail to have at least one theme or struggle that one can relate. It’s perfectly relatable, comical, and reminds us that we all have a little Dev in us who is just trying to find a special someone to split a bowl of spaghetti with.

Fun Fact: Master’s of None’s “Thanksgiving” episode won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. The episode follows Dev’s friend Denise and her journey with her sexuality, her coming out story, family, and being an African-American Lesbian woman today.

Freaks and Geeks (show): It is a bit painful to write about this show. Why? It was packed with awesomeness, great music, young James Franco and Seth Rogen, and was wonderfully written, but it was cancelled after its first season. Set in Michigan in the early 80s, Freaks and Geeks is about two groups of teens: The freaks who smoke marijuana, listen to rock, and skip class and the geeks, freshman who are trying to handle high school while getting bullied and playing Dungeons and Dragons. The two protagonists and siblings, Lindsay and Sam, try to find their place in high school and fall into the two categories along their journey. 18 episodes of pure greatness.

Carrie Pilby (film): This charming film follows the life of Carrie, a nineteen-year-old child prodigy, who has recently graduated from Harvard and is now taking on New York and adult roles/struggles. The socially awkward teenager is advised to complete a list of goals before the end of the year by her therapist. From doing something she loved to do as a kid to rereading her favorite book to going on a date, Pilby begins to find herself and invite people into her life and battle with things she has pushed aside. Carrie Pilby is a quirky film that reminds the audience to live a little and is a perfect story for us out here struggling at the whole adulting thing, too.

When the famous stairwell in the Church Fine Arts Building was defaced in mid October of 2017, the University of Nevada, Reno faced a shockingly changed campus atmosphere. The spray-painted swastikas, accompanied by the phrase “is this political enough for you?” caused varying reactions from students to faculty alike. From Marc Johnson’s email sent to the student body describing the creative space as a home for “a celebration of artistic expression” to one student claiming the graffitied swastikas are also “forms of expression,” a division at the University of Nevada, Reno was brought to light. However, this stairwell has since been covered with symbols of hope, portraits of leaders of peace, and motifs reflecting progress to a racially and ethnically torn campus environment.

The Church Fine Arts Building, erected in 1962, has stood for unity and expression since its first bricks were laid in the University of Nevada, Reno’s campus. Named after the late Edward Church, professor of classical art, history, German, and Latin, the Church Fine Arts Building houses the arts, music, theater, and speech communication departments. Yet, in the midst of the noteworthy Sheppard Fine Arts Gallery and Nightingale Concert Hall, the famous graffiti stairwell still is arguably the most creative place on campus. The multileveled system of stairs is covered in artwork created by spraycan, markers, brushes, or even the occasional fingers–and at one point, was covered in multiple roughly sprayed swastikas.

However, such symbols did not stay on the walls for long. Various artists congregated to paint over the symbols and phrases, one of which was 19-year-old artist Joshua Chang. He, along with other individuals, painted figures of peace in order to juxtapose the underlying motifs of hate, with different walls having different meanings.

“MLK Jr. and Coretta are both right above an olive branch that symbolizes peace,” Chang said.

In addition, one wall called “Triumph” will feature various black individuals who broke barriers in terms of educational and social reform. Another wall, “Create,” will feature figures of the newer generations similar to Martin Luther King Jr. who have aided history by their examples of equality.

However, one may ask: are the revisions enough to instigate peace on a campus atmosphere in which students may feel unsafe? With the University of Nevada, Reno facing the publicity spread from numerous controversial events this past semester alone, how can students be sure that each community in campus life is being protected and represented ethically?

“I felt this was an expression of how people on this campus can be so insensitive,” said Reece Gibb, a postgraduate political science student. “This shows how people can be so tone-deaf in regards to how to treat people, and also how people can truly be despicable human beings. It shows our campus’s true colors, both in terms of people drawing the swastikas and the administration’s response or lack thereof. Say something or do nothing.”

Despite the varying opinions surrounding the stairwell, the reaction regarding the symbolism used to overlay the harmful images is unanimous: one of hope and progression.

“As a Jewish individual, it was very jarring for my friends and I to see the swastikas in the Church Fine Arts stair complex,” said Ethan Guttman, 19. “The people or person that sprayed that over the artwork probably has some attention-seeking issues, as well as being prejudiced. But now, it looks fantastic.”

Indeed, the art community continues to thrive at the University of Nevada, Reno, as the graffiti stairwell continues to collect new additions of quotes, portraits, and general artwork. All creative  students are invited to contribute to the stairwell with their positive imagery, symbols of peace, and artistic expression in order to contribute to the theme of inclusion found in the Church Fine Arts Building.

“Being an artist is so much more than being good at painting or drawing,” said Hannah Abbott, an artist in her first year of studies at UNR. “Being an artist means seeing a swastika in the hallway of the art building, which is home to many students like me, and doing something about it. As an artistic community, we stand for expression, not hate. We will never stand for hate.”

I remember racing my older brother down the freshly groomed black diamond, hoping to make it down before him so that I could decide which run we went on next (obviously the reward for being first to the chairlift is being able to pick the next run). As I zipped down the hill, I felt the wind and flecks of ice shower my face, turning my nose and cheeks a painful pink. My skis sailed over the hard packed slope, slicing the icy ground beneath me as I turned. While I continued my adrenaline fueled descent down the mountain, I felt one of the worst feelings a seasoned skier could ever feel: a breeze on my forehead.

As I arrived at the chairlift after my brother, naturally, I looked at him and immediately asked, “Do I have a gaper gap?” Referring to the gap between my goggles and helmet, a tell-tale sign of a gaper. After he said no, I took a breath of release and chalked up the breeze as a freak incident. Growing up in a skiing community, I learned at a young age what a gaper is–and to avoid being one at all costs. Being a gaper in a ski area makes you subject to various forms of embarrassment as locals and avid skiers alike find great joy in making fun of gapers, typically behind their backs. By being a gaper you run the risk of being made fun of, not being taken seriously, and possibly even having a picture sent in to the infamous instagram account, @jerryoftheday.

A gaper is a beginning skier or snowboarder who doesn’t yet know what they’re doing nor do they know mountain etiquette. There are certain tell-tale characteristics of a gaper that you can see by just looking at them. These characteristics include:

• Out of fashion ski gear- this includes any vintage ski wear worn unironically, plaid, jeans, etc
• Helmets- People wear helmets now
• You don’t know where to stop on the ski hill – you stop either in the middle of the run or some place completely hidden
• You cut people off – this is the worst on cat tracks
• You wear a camera- but you aren’t filming anything particularly noteworthy
• Keeping up with ski lingo – using it improperly
• Unblended sunscreen-people will notice
• You carry your gear poorly – lack of spatial awareness can lead to injuries for yourself and others
• You tuck your pants into your boots-a great way to get snow into your boots
• Gaper gap-gap between goggles and helmet
• Unfortunate headgear-helmet covers, hats, etc
• Safety bar-Don’t pull it down until everyone is settled

This mockery of people, who are essential to the economy of these small ski towns, is by no means nice. However, it is entertaining, and it’s done in good fun. Skiers are almost always engaged in a one-up contest. People brag about how many days they logged in a season, where they’re skiing this year, what gear they’re wearing, and so on. Thus, having gapers is essential to the hierarchy of skiers. They serve as scapegoats. People make fun of them just because it’s a fun thing to do, and it’s part of ski culture.

Overall, being is gaper isn’t that bad. No matter how you ski, the most important thing to do is have fun. You can go ahead and break every one of these rules if you want-except the safety bar rule. Nothing makes a chairlift ride more awkward than when you wack someone’s helmet or stab their leg with the safety bar before everyone has settled into the chair. Anyhow, the most important rule is to enjoy yourself. So, put on your jeans and smear a snowball sized glob of sunscreen on your face, and have yourself a grand ol’ time.

Insight Magazine rang in the new year at South Lake Tahoe for the 7th annual SnowGlobe Music Festival. This three-day celebration featured brilliant, psychedelic sculptures, up-and-coming performers, and some of electronic dance music’s most popular artists.

Approximately 15,000 attendees traveled to Lake Tahoe Community College to witness the luminous lights, and hear the trancy melodies underneath the stars. Crowds gathered around the massive main stage, the pine tree encompassed sierra stage, and the dreamy igloo stage. EDM and trap music are experiencing a change in style–many artists are including musical elements unconventional to trap and EDM’s usual sound. These influences range from middle eastern music to the sound of raindrops hitting a window. SnowGlobe fans danced endlessly for three nights to the spellbinding music, dressed in their craziest, extraterrestrial snow gear, making the festival grounds feel like another world.

Day one kicked off with performers such as Khalid, Zedd, Spag Heddy, Travis Scott, and TroyBoi. During the closing performance of the night a massive crowd gathered around the sierra stage as TroyBoi played some of his most popular hits like “Do You” and “Afterhours”. The crowd was, indeed, untamed as people were headbanging left and right. Troyboi brought out the rowdiness in some fans as a girl next to me danced as she hung from a tree branch. The wooden fence behind me was destroyed as the crowd smushed in towards the front stage more and more. Still, the crowd raged on for 45 more minutes until the clock struck 11.

The second day of SnowGlobe offered some interesting performers such as Dillon Francis. An eclectic crowd embellished with kaleidoscope glasses and glitter gathered around the main stage to watch one of the night’s trippiest performances. Francis entertained thousands as the night went on. In the middle of the festival grounds stood the ZOA sculpture. The ZOA is an interactive sculpture that traveled all the way from Burning Man and EDC Orlando. The sculpture made of a soft, wrinkled material can be touched and spun around from its support beams. People laid on the ground and stared and the multicolored lights for hours as it twirled around.

New Years Eve was magical at South Lake. Justin Jay, a Los Angeles based five-piece, performed in the igloo under neon yellow and blue lights. Translucent beach balls were tossed amongst the crowd as striking keyboard notes rang throughout the venue. Time stood still as everyone swayed back and forth, smiling as we all soaked in the final hours of 2017. Jai Wolf rocked the crowd and even the security guards couldn’t resist jamming along. Australian DJ, Alison Wonderland, brought the year to a close as thousands gathered to witness the closing performance of the festival. Fireworks and confetti littered the sky, and 2017’s most captivating moments were played on the big screen as the countdown began. The clock turned midnight and another year of EDM and trap’s biggest music festivals came to a close.