Masturbation. Anarchy. Murderous women. Mexican revolutionaries. Wal-Mart. Global war.

What do all these things have in common? Seemingly, not much – except they are all topics that will be covered in the alternative film series presented by the student organization Pandora’s Box.

The group – now in its second year as an official organization – is offering students a chance to view and discuss things they normally wouldn’t get the chance to, said member Tyler Wittenmyer, who suggested the alternative film series.

Pandora’s Box is kicking off the series with “The Fourth World War,” which will be shown Thursday in the Union.

The documentary takes an up-close look at the conflicts and wars raging across the globe – from the terrorist attacks in New York to the war in Iraq. It attempts to show aspects of war on the front lines that are rarely seen through the mainstream media.

The second film in the series, “Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price,” is part of a nationwide screening effort and will be shown on Nov. 14. The documentary exposes an unseen side of the multibillion-dollar company.

“If anyone is interested in learning about something new, they should come see these films,” Wittenmyer said. “They each cover an interesting topic.”

Documentaries aren’t the only type of films included in the series. The group will be showing “Baise-moi,” a controversial French film about two women who go on a sex and killing spree.

“It could be described as a more graphic, French version of ‘Thelma and Louise,’ ” said Jeanine Pfahlert, president of Pandora’s Box. “It’s not for the light-hearted.”

The group also included a sexual self-help video in the series. The film is titled “Self-Loving,” and it teaches women how to pleasure themselves.

“A lot of women find it difficult to acknowledge their own needs,” Pfahlert said. “The video encourages women to act on their needs in a way that is healthy.”

The wide range of subjects in the film series reflects the organization’s eclectic and unconventional pursuits.

Pandora’s Box is a “crafting, reading and conversation circle dedicated to community, consciousness and creativity,” Pfahlert said.

In addition to having knitting and crocheting lessons, “tantalizing” conversations and “radical” reading circles, the group hosts a variety of distinctive events.

“There aren’t many campus groups that have such a wide range of activities,” Wittenmyer said.

In its first year, Pandora’s Box held an anti-inauguration event after Bush won the presidential election, a May Day celebration in honor of the labor movement and a “kite cull,” where they flew hand-crafted kites.

For a more mystical activity, the group made a Ouija board to conjure the spirit of the deceased author, William S. Burroughs.

“Really, there is a mystical aspect to the group,” Pfahlert said. “Part of mysticism is coming to grips with things that are beyond yourself, and that is one of the things we try to do.”

In continuing with the mystical theme, Pfahlert is considering hosting a magic wand-making workshop this year.

In addition, Pandora’s Box would also like to put on a book fair, bring international performance artists to campus and host a visit from the local ACLU, Pfahlert said.

“A lot of what we do is about making materials that aren’t normally available accessible to more people,” Pfahlert said.

Pfahlert said she hopes more people will become interested in the group’s diverse endeavors.

The organization’s next meeting will be Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 208 at the Union.