Coulture
Category

Arts & Culture

Never Meet Your Heroes

The point made by the gap between the professed morality of superheroes and the actuality that lies behind Vought’s branding in The Boys is not particularly subtle or pioneering, but I think it is an important one in the world of parasocial relationships. A parasocial relationship is a one-sided relationship experienced by an audience member with a celebrity or some kind of performer in media.

Hayley Owens July 1, 2021
Why Does John Mulaney’s Divorce Hurt So Badly?

Though I never watched any of his shows before, John Mulaney was comforting. He is charismatic and agreeable. Cackling under the rainbow lights strung around my dorm with my roommate was one of the first times I felt UNC was the right choice.

Annie Gibson June 17, 2021
I Believe Aang Can Save the World

Though “Avatar” was a staple in the childhood of Gen Z, the impact it had on social media the first month it aired on Netflix was unpredictable. It broke the record for the show with the longest streak of being on the Netflix top 10 with a substantial 58 days.

Camila Moreno-Lizarazo June 3, 2021
I Care A Lot and “Unlikability” in Hollywood

I Care A Lot follows Marla Grayson, Pike, and her lover/business partner Fran, Eiza González, as they systematically, and somehow mostly legally, grift the livelihoods of old people. First they assume guardianship of the elderly with help from one corrupt doctor and an overworked judicial system. Then they promptly put them in nursing homes — cutting them off from their families as they sell their homes and belongings. The plausibility of the grift and its alignment with the morality of productivity culture seems to be the movie’s primary social commentary. It is terrifying to watch.

Hayley Owens May 20, 2021
Who Killed Laura Palmer?: An Examination of TV’s Dead Girl Trope

Although it only ran for a mere two seasons, the short-lived murder-mystery series gained a devoted cult following for its distinctive cinematography and eerie elements. “Twin Peaks” celebrated its 31st anniversary on April 8, and with it, presented the question: Why is TV so obsessed with Dead Girls?

Ashley Quincin May 7, 2021