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CULTURE

‘People We Meet On Vacation’: The romcom everyone needs

By Ayla Peden | January 31, 2026

As many people in my life may know, I have been anxiously awaiting the release of Netflix’s latest romcom, “People We Meet On Vacation,” which is based on the Emily Henry novel of the same name.I had been talking about it constantly, so when the movie came out on Jan. 9, I sat down with my boyfriend and pressed play — and it is safe to say I was not disappointed.

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CULTURE

Glue guns, scissors and paint: Crafting is making a comeback

By Stella Powers | January 30, 2026

Crafting and “analog hobbies” are making a comeback this year, with related topics trending online, according to a story from the TODAY show. This crafting trend has been visible at Miami University as well, with students spending more time doing artistic activities with friends, and clubs forming around those pastimes.

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CULTURE

From Sabrina Carpenter to KATSEYE: A Culture editor’s Grammy picks

By Ayla Peden | January 29, 2026

Around this same time last year, The Miami Student’s Culture Editor Stella Powers and former Culture Editor Chloe Southard shared who they would like to see win in select categories at the Grammys. So, with the 2026 Grammy Awards show being hosted on Feb. 1, I thought it would be only fitting that I, the latest assistant Culture editor, also share my opinions on the best music of 2025.

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CULTURE

Pushing the boundary of family, legacy in ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’

By Olivia Patel | December 28, 2025

As an avid fan of the Avatar franchise, Dec. 19, the release date of “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” has been on my calendar for over a year. After seeing the second movie — “Avatar: The Way of Water” — in theaters two years ago and leaving the three hour screening with extreme Post-Avatar Depression Syndrome, I was hungry for more.

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CULTURE

5 cute and cozy classics to read this winter

By Karma Abboud | December 19, 2025

As falling leaves turn to snow, there’s no better way to pass the time indoors than to brew a cup of tea, curl up on the couch and get lost in a good book. But rather than reaching for the latest Colleen Hoover, why not broaden your horizons with a beloved classic?

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CULTURE

Beloved holiday favorites: "Gilmore Girls" and "Harry Potter"

By Chloe Craig | November 26, 2025

Nothing pairs better than the holiday season, a warm cup of hot cocoa and “Gilmore Girls” on TV. Or maybe your family of muggles will finally give you some alone time to travel to Hogwarts to relive the magic of that fairytale. Regardless, we can all agree that the chilly weather pairs wonderfully with cinematic bliss.

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CULTURE

Bookworm Review wrapped: Our writers’ best and worst reads

By Shannon Mahoney , Ayla Peden and Parker Green | November 25, 2025

As the semester comes to a close, so does another year of great — and not so great — books that made 2025 that much more entertaining. As you may or may not know, every other week, writers Ayla Peden, Shannon Mahoney and Parker Green each take turns to recommend some of their favorite books to you, lovely readers.So, in this edition, they have decided to come together and share their favorite and least favorite books of 2025.

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STYLE

‘When she puts her mind to anything, she’ll do it’: Miami senior takes on one-woman show, MUF&D presidency

By Claire Weston | November 23, 2025

When senior Sara Rose Detwiler decided to try out to play Heidi Schreck in “What the Constitution Means to Me,” she knew no other acting role would push her limits more.

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CULTURE

Miami’s Stage Left takes audiences back in time with fall musical ‘Firebringer’

By Ayla Peden | November 22, 2025

Miami University’s student-run theater organization, Stage Left, held its annual fall musical in Wilks Theater during the weekend of Nov. 14–16. This year, club members came together to perform their rendition of “Firebringer.”

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OPINION

‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show:’ The performance worth waiting a year for

By Taylor Powers | November 21, 2025

Last year, two other The Miami Student staff members and I bought tickets to see an 11:59 p.m. Halloween showing of “The Rocky Horror Show” — a live, theatrical, interactive performance of the 1975 cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” — at The Carnegie in Covington, Kentucky. However, we didn’t think to double-check the date, and we ended up arriving a whole year early.This year, we were committed to making the most out of the night. Driving through pitch-black at 10 p.m. on Halloween night, singing our hearts out to keep us awake, we all hoped that the show would be worth our effort.Let me tell you, it was.

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CULTURE

‘I couldn’t be happier’: The thrilling conclusion to the ‘Wicked’ story is simply Oz-mopolitan

By Stella Powers | November 21, 2025

Anyone who has ever had a conversation with me knows how much I love “Wicked,” “The Wizard of Oz” and anything and everything to do with Oz. It’s magical. If there’s a way to bring up “Wicked” in any conversation, I’ll do it. If there’s not, I’ll still find a way.“Wicked” was the first live theater performance I ever saw at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square, and back in August, I finally got the chance to see it on Broadway. Life-changing. When the first “Wicked” film was released, I decided I had to review it, and it was, without a doubt, a 10/10. So, naturally, I felt it was my duty to review “Wicked: For Good” as well.

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CULTURE

Only male directors play God: Guillermo’s new ‘Frankenstein’

By Layla Norris | November 20, 2025

The monstrous green stereotype of “Frankenstein” is efficiently disproven in Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 reimagining. However, as beautiful as this movie was, I struggled to see through the glaringly-obvious male lens it was filmed through.Toro’s reimagination of “Frankenstein” entered theaters on Oct. 28 and was available on Netflix starting Nov. 7. I had high expectations for this movie because I love the original novel, and the promotion looked promising.

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CULTURE

The tradition, talent, brotherhood of the Miami Glee Club

By Elise Hanna | November 14, 2025

For over 100 years, the Miami University Men’s Glee Club has stood as a symbol of art, expression and brotherhood in Oxford. Founded in 1907, the club boasts a rich history, as well as providing hope and resources for its continued success.

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CULTURE

In the editor’s rotation: Time for holiday music

By Stella Powers | November 10, 2025

Hello! Welcome back to my column, “In the editor’s rotation.” My streaming has been all over the place recently; however, as soon as it hit Nov. 1, I had to tune into a bit of holiday music.Look, I know a lot of people think you should wait until after Thanksgiving to listen to any Christmas music, but some of it is just so good, so why wait? Holiday tunes haven’t fully infiltrated my streams yet – thankfully – but they’re definitely starting to make an appearance. Don’t worry, I’m still listening to plenty of showtunes.

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CULTURE

Kelly Reichardt’s ‘The Mastermind’ may be the answer to all of our cinematic woes

By Joey Dimacchia | November 9, 2025

Over the course of its lifespan, Hollywood has shown a simultaneous progression and regression. This has created public confusion regarding the “state of cinema” — constantly overtaking both public and industry conversations.Is there a formula for filmmaking that directors and writers should adhere to? Or, on the contrary, must we constantly evolve the art form so as to remain relevant and original? The work of Kelly Reichardt, now more than ever, shows us that the answer is both.