Culture Corner

The Arts Desk’s weekly picks for music, movies and more

Movie: “Emma.” dir. Autumn de Wilde (2020)

Autumn de Wilde gave us “Emma,” and then vanished when we needed her most. The current state of the period piece genre is unforgivable, which is why this 2020 adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel is now such a treat. The film follows its heroine, Emma, as she plays cupid and meddles in the social lives of those surrounding her. The preferred version of the story tends to be “Clueless” (1995); the loosely adapted rom-com, although hilarious and charming, cannot possibly compare to the romantic period setting of the 2020 adaptation. The visuals alone are stunning, but the cast also truly delivers in every way. Bringing the talents of Josh O’Connor, Mia Goth and Anya Taylor-Joy together, the ensemble blends the perfect amount of comedy with sincerity in their memorable performances and undeniable chemistry.

TV Show: “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” created by Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin (2019)

I have almost completely adopted Tim Robinson’s mannerisms into my own life because of this iconic Netflix comedy series. The show’s format (episodes made up of multiple skits) is perfectly suited for anyone who’s become a victim of the short-attention-span epidemic. The best part of this Tim Robinson series is that it is fully subversive of every expected comedic trope; whenever you feel ready for the bit Robinson may have prepared, you realize you had no idea what to expect and are already in a fit of laughter. There’s no denying that the other projects of Robinson’s land effectively with the audience he has procured, but “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” will always be my ultimate comforting discomfort show.

Video Game: “Life is Strange 2” by Don’t Nod (2018)

When people think of the “Life is Strange” series, their minds tend to go to Max and Chloe’s stories first — not shocking considering the series would not exist without them. The game that really stuck with me, however, was the second installment with the Diaz brothers, Sean and Daniel. This installment follows the two brothers, who are faced with the loss of their father after a tragic and mysterious event. Players take on the role of the older brother, Sean, as they attempt to raise and train Daniel in his newfound powers while on the run from the law. A rare feat for a video game, “Life is Strange 2” also provides relevant commentary on and representation of racism, fully confronting a contemporary social issue. It’s emotional in every aspect of the word and genuinely one of the best choice-based games I’ve played in my entire gaming experience. Despite being overlooked by the “Life is Strange” fanbase, I believe this installment deserves all the love possible and more.

Book: “Looking for Alaska” by John Green (2005)

I can’t say that I’m a dedicated fan of John Green’s work, but, in my opinion, “Looking for Alaska” has to be one of his greatest. Towards the end of my high school experience, I went through a young adult (YA) fiction phase and came across this novel. I’d never felt attracted to any of his other books, but something about “Looking for Alaska” just got me — maybe it was the ridiculous name for a character I couldn’t resist. Much like his other novels, “Looking for Alaska” is an absurd imitation of what should be a group of high school students struggling with some coming-of-age dilemma. The narrative follows Miles Halter through boarding school, a lonely kid who’s in search of a “Great Perhaps,” which refers to the famous last words of French Writer François Rabelais. The dialogue is unnatural, but there’s something charming about Green’s approach to the YA genre — perhaps it’s the predictability of his writing style that can feel comforting. It’s unlikely I’ll pick up another novel of Green’s, but “Looking for Alaska” will continue to have a special place in my heart: odd traits and all.

Written by: Bella Peterson — arts@theaggie.org