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Entertainment

Asst. Culture Editor Ayla Peden shares who she thinks should win at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
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.

Editor-In-Chief Olivia Patel shares her review of the third movie in the "Avatar" franchise: "Avatar: Fire and Ash."
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.

Opinion writer Karma Abboud recommends reading classics over winter break.
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?

Culture writer Chloe Craig explores why people rewatch "Gilmore Girls" and the "Harry Potter" series at certain times of year.
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.

Asst. Campus and Community editors Parker Green and Shannon Mahoney, along with Asst. Culture editor Ayla Peden shares their favorite and least favorite books of 2025.
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.

(from left to right) Taylor Powers, Stella Powers, Shannon Mahoney and Sarah Frosch attended "The Rocky Horror Show" at The Carnegie on Oct. 31.
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.

Culture Editor Stella Powers attended an early screening of "Wicked: For Good."
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.

Writer Layla Norris thinks the new "Frankenstein" was filmed through an obvious male lens.
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.

Culture editor Stella Powers shares what she has been listening to.
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.

Writer Joey Dimacchia thinks "The Mastermind" is a timely film.
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.

Asst. culture editor Ayla Peden shares her favorite books to kick off the holiday season.
CULTURE

Holiday romances that will make you forget about seasonal depression

By Ayla Peden | November 8, 2025

As the sun sets earlier over the horizon and temperatures continue to drop, the best thing to look forward to is the upcoming holiday season. Now, I know there is debate about whether holiday celebrations should start on Nov. 1 or after Thanksgiving — I personally fight for the latter — but that doesn’t mean you can’t start preparing for when you’re in the festive mood.So, with that said, here are five holiday romance novels that give off the same cheesy, nostalgic vibe of a Hallmark movie.

Culture writer Annalyse Deming watches Hozier's performace at Austin City Limits.
CULTURE

Under the Lights of Austin City Limits

By Annalyse Deming | November 4, 2025

Welcome to Austin City Limits.Held at Zilker Park with a gorgeous view of the Austin, Texas skyline, Austin City Limits (ACL) is a nationally renowned music festival that runs for two consecutive three-day weekends each year. By invitation, a unique and diverse lineup of music artists plays hour-long sets throughout the day on different stages set up around the perimeter, culminating each night with two headliners that perform at opposite ends of the park.

Culture writer Ren Chaffee ranks her favorite Disney Channel Halloween specials.
CULTURE

Tricks, treats and TV: Disney’s top 10 Halloween episodes

By Ren Chaffee | October 29, 2025

The best way to get in the spooky spirit is by watching nostalgic Halloween specials. The most iconic run of Halloween specials during my childhood was Disney Channel’s “Monstober.” If you miss having a section of TV specifically for this holiday, then this list of top 10 Disney Halloween episodes might be for you.

Culture editor Stella Powers shares what she has been listening to.
CULTURE

In the editor’s rotation: Taylor Swift released a new album

By Stella Powers | October 28, 2025

Hello again! Welcome back to “In the editor’s rotation,” the column where I publicly reveal what I’ve been streaming in the weeks prior.As we’ve learned from my past few columns, I’m a bit of a musical theater nerd. However, Taylor Swift released a new album, so I‘ve dedicated a bit of time to listening to that, too. See, I’m capable of changing things up from time to time!

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