The Art Desk’s weekly picks for movies, music and more
By CHRIS PONCE — arts@theaggie.org
Book: “The Long Walk” by Richard Bachman (aka Stephen King) (1979)
Stephen King is known as “the king of horror” by many, but he is lesser known for his many works that escape the horror genre. Don’t get me wrong, every King book still has its fair share of thrills, but the best King books tend to subvert what he is typically known for. I can’t think of a better recommendation for this than “The Long Walk.”
“The Long Walk,” originally published under King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman, is a tense dystopian novel that follows a group of boys who enter a state-sponsored competition to see who can walk the longest. The winner gets granted anything they wish from the government, however only one person can remain walking. The novel is largely a critique of the Vietnam War, portraying the propaganda that leads to young people risking their lives for a cause “bigger than themselves.” The story heavily symbolizes themes such as propaganda, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and violence altogether. In a time when we can see similar propaganda in our own lives, I highly recommend “The Long Walk.”
Movie: “A Million Miles Away” dir. Alejandra Marquez (2023)
This recent film may have gone under your radar as it went straight to streaming in most cases, but it’s worth the watch nonetheless. “A Million Miles Away” tells the inspiring true story of José Hernández, the first Mexican migrant astronaut to go to space. As a child, Hernández worked in the fields alongside his parents, struggling to make ends meet. With a dream to go to space, Hernández applied to NASA 11 times and was met with a rejection every time. Not giving up, he applied and was accepted on his 12th application. This film does an excellent job showcasing the Chicano spirit of resilience and tells a very moving story.
TV Show: “The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On” created by Chris Coelen (2022)
Okay, hear me out, hear me out. I know that this recommendation does not match the serious themes in the rest of this Culture Corner, but everybody needs a trashy piece of media they can watch to turn off their brain. Over the last few months, “The Ultimatum” has become that guilty pleasure for me. The premise is bizarre: Troubled couples give each other an ultimatum to get married or move on (as the title suggests). Then, the couples split up and are matched with other “temporary” partners to help them realize what they are really looking for in a person. There aren’t any deeper messages to this show, no dark truths about human nature — only trashy and silly mindless entertainment. Come on, a guilty pleasure can’t hurt every now and then, can it?
Song: “Spineless” by Archer Oh (2025)
Archer Oh’s latest release, “Spineless,” emphasizes the indie-garage band’s surf-rock roots. This song, along with the rest of Archer Oh’s discography, is sure to become your next hidden gem. Originally from the Riverside area, Oh is a traveling Chicano rock band that gets bigger and bigger with every release. If rock is your sound, check out “Spineless” so you won’t miss out on the bandwagon that is being an Archer Oh fan.
Written by: Chris Ponce — arts@theaggie.org
