For the second semester, new editors were chosen for wlhsNOW’s individual sections. Remy Gottschling and Ethan Gill are proud to be the Editor and Assistant Editor of the Arts and Culture section and thought it would be appropriate for the readers to know more about some of their favorite things.

Remy Gottschling: Arts and Culture editor

Ethan Gill: Assistant Arts and Culture editor

Favorite Movie:

RG: “American Graffiti” (1973)

Set three years after the death of Buddy Holly and two years before the assassination of John F. Kennedy, “American Graffiti” captures a lost time in American history with a story that would be just as impactful if it had taken place today.  Pact full with early 60s pop culture references and music, George Lucas’ first masterpiece is one every teenager should watch.

EG: “Cool Hand Luke” (1967)

Set in a post-war Florida prison, the film follows Lucas Jackson, a man who refuses to submit to the systems machine-like ways. Tethered by an engaging lead performance and many fantastic supporting roles, “Cool Hand Luke” is an all-time classic.

Favorite Album:

RG: “Revolver”: The Beatles (1966)

The Beatles’ sixth album comes in the middle of the transition that would come to define their discography.  Not quite the lovable lads from Liverpool and not quite the druggy art rockers they would become, John, Paul, George and Ringo came together to record the album that would define that transition.  Poppy songs like “Taxman” and “For No One,” mixed in with the psychedelic sounds of “Tomorrow Never Knows” and “I’m Only Sleeping.” “Revolver” is gross and messy, yet it’s imperfections are what makes it perfect.  

EG: “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim”: Jim Croce (1972)

A 12-track folk classic, each song on this 1972 album is a classic. While not innovative works, the songs on this album tell funny or heartfelt stories. From stories about big and tough pool hustlers to songs about isolation and loneliness in unfamiliar lands, reflections on bad luck, life, and love. If you haven’t listened to this album, you’re doing yourself a disservice.

Favorite T.V. Show:

RG: “Community” (2009)

The first three seasons of Dan Harmon’s “Community” is some of the best television ever made. Built mostly off of the old movie and T.V. tropes, self-references and surreal comedy, “Community” tells the story of a study group at Greendale Community College and their struggles with honesty, friendship, and love.

EG: The Office (2005)

Who doesn’t know this show? It’s even parodied by the LIVE Roar! The first five seasons are pure comic gold, and seasons six through seven are still quite good. Season eight is a bit of a slog, but season nine is a great send off to some of television’s most iconic characters.

Favorite Video Game:

RG: “Last of Us” (2013)

I’m a sucker for a story based video games.  I’m a sucker for great, well-developed characters and relationships.  And I’m a sucker for darkness and ambiguity plot details. Naughty Dog’s 2013 classic Last of Us, takes all of these elements and perfects them.  It’s a story of trust, loss, desperation, and fatherhood set to the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic hellscape, yet puts their characters and story above all else.  An amazing soundtrack, fun gameplay, and an engaging story make this game an all-time great.

EG: “Resident Evil 2” (2019)

“Resident Evil 2” is easily the most terrifying experience I have ever had. It is a masterwork of sound design and minimalist gameplay that keeps you on your toes the whole time. But be careful weapons aren’t abundant, and if you’re not careful, you’ll be face to face with something deadly.

Favorite Director:

RG: Wes Anderson

Breaking onto the scene with his 1996 film “Bottle Rocket,” Wes Anderson has been one of the most celebrated directors in the past 25 years.  Known for his quirky, the 60s inspired color pallets, soundtrack and wardrobe choices that first developed in his masterpiece second film “Rushmore.”  “Rushmore” is my personal favorite of his, but “The Royal Tenenbaums,” “The Life Aquatic,” “The Darjeeling Limited,” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox” are among my favorite movies of all time.  

EG: Steven Spielberg

Perhaps the most important director of his era, maybe even of all time, Spielberg is known for his rather diverse collection of work. Blockbusters like “Jaws,” the “Indiana Jones” movies, or “Jurassic Park,” or war films like “Saving Private Ryan,” or “War Horse” to powerful works of art in “Schindler’s List,” and those are just films he directed. He has executive produced dozens of other classic works. Whether you know it or not, you’ve probably seen at least ten pieces in theaters or on TV, that he was involved in.

Favorite Musician:

RG: Bob Dylan

Pegged as the voice of his generation from his early 20s, Bob Dylan stands as arguably the most influential American musician of all time.  It’s extremely hard to put into words just how great his peak in the mid-60s was. From 63-66 he went on arguably the best run any musician ever has.  Inspiring everyone from punks to the Beatles themselves, it’s easy to see why he is considered one of the greatest of all time.

EG: David Bowie

Bowie’s entire discography is an ever-changing body of work, from standard pop songs on his first few albums to sci-fi glam rock to commentaries on fame, nihilism, overcoming addiction, coming to terms with death and more.

Favorite Book:

RG: “The Lord of The Flies” (1954)

I first read William Golding’s “The Lord of The Flies” in the seventh grade and while it’s generally anti-war messaging got to me even then, I still didn’t realize some of the true meaning behind it until my second read through about a year ago.  While the main theme prominently is war and the consequences of it, surprisingly there were also themes of toxic masculinity and criticizing those in power. All wrapped together with great writing and an enjoyable story.

EG: “Lonesome Dove” (1985)

This book is to me a true masterwork. McMurtry is one of 20th century America’s greatest talents, and he doesn’t get quite enough appreciation as he deserves. The book is about two aging Texas Rangers confronting their mistakes, and their mortality. The book spends its wealth of pages deconstructing the cowboy myth and does so in an unforgettable manner.