Since Netflix’s Voltron: Legendary Defender debuted in 2016, critics have praised the streaming network’s reboot of the iconic 1984 Saturday morning cartoon Voltron: Defender of the Universe (which itself was an adaptation of a Japanese anime series). Consensus throughout the reboot’s first two seasons was that … Continue reading How Netflix’s Voltron: Legendary Defender became an essential animated series
A new study about a rise in onscreen smoking is helping firm up the link between the media’s influences and our real-life behavior. A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that between 2010 and 2016, the number of instances tobacco was used in any calendar week’s top 10-grossing movies had grown by a whopping 80 percent. From 2010 to 2016, the big screen increased overall tobacco impressions — otherwise known as the individual occurrences of tobacco use — by 72 percent, or 1,321 films. Among R-rated films, the trend grew 90 percent over that six-year period while films … Continue reading A new CDC report could reignite the debate over Hollywood’s influence on teen tobacco use
After 56 years at Barbie’s side, Ken is getting a makeover. Mattel announced this week that it’s expanding its fleet of Mr. Rights, offering 15 variations of Ken dolls in three body types, seven skin tones, eight hair colors, and nine hairstyles. Like Barbie’s … Continue reading Barbie has adapted to the idea that all women are not the same. Now Ken has too.
Stories of inspiration and triumph coat the testimonial pages of Proud Theater’s website, but that should come as no surprise. For the last 16 years, the nonprofit community theater has served hundreds of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth across the state. … Continue reading Community theater gives voice to LGBT youth
One University of Wisconsin professor’s decades-long appreciation for J.K. Rowling is helping keep the magic of Harry Potter alive in Wausau. Holly Hassel is a professor of English and women’s studies at the UW Marathon County. She is also the co-author of “The Critical Companion … Continue reading Wausau prof is a Harry Potter scholar
Never judge a book by its cover. That doubly goes for author and designer Jill Kuczmarski’s hodag Happy — an all-teeth-and-no-bite take on a local legend. In fact, Kuczmarski has spent the last decade using Happy to re-spin a dark and scary urban legend into a picture … Continue reading Author offers sweet spin on Hodag story
Abbey White 