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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Film

Elle Fanning plays Violet Valenski in about a teenager who competes in a singing competition, trying to become a pop star. (Courtesy of Interscope Films)

Fanning Brings Depth to the Flossy Sugar High of ‘Teen Spirit’

Though it sometimes defers to tired tropes and supplanting aesthetic luster for psychic nuance, Max Minghella’s “Teen Spirit” offers a stylized Cinderella story that is undeniably contagious.
Julie Goldberg, Staff Writer April 8, 2019

It’s no secret that Elle Fanning is a captivating presence on screen. In “Teen Spirit,” an indie take on a Cinderella story, she proves to possess not only serious acting...

The Fusion Film Festival. (via Facebook)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: April 4 to 7

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Alex Cullina, Theater & Books Editor April 5, 2019

Midterms are done with, and finals are still a ways away — or so I’d like to think. Why not enjoy the mid-semester lull — and the beautiful weather — by checking out one...

(On the left side, top to bottom) Fish Night, Beyond the Aquila Rift, Alternate Histories, (The right side, top to bottom), When the Yogurt Took Over, Three Robots, Zima Blue.(Courtesy of Netflix)

‘Love, Death & Robots’ Is Good, Great and Forgettable

From farmers fighting aliens in mech suits to a cup of yogurt taking over the world, the new Netflix anthology series can be an emotional rollercoaster.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor April 1, 2019

David Fincher helped bring Netflix’s popularity to new heights with the critically acclaimed “House of Cards,” one of the streaming service’s first big hits. He came back...

Promotional poster of Don Quixote. (Courtesy of Falco Ink)

‘The Man Who Killed Don Quixote’ Is a Lackluster Comedy Adaptation

The story of how Terry Gilliam’s adventure comedy made it to the big screen is more interesting than the film itself.
Fareid El Gafy, Staff Writer March 31, 2019

Nearly two decades of development hell would defeat most ordinary filmmakers, but Terry Gilliam of Monty Python fame is not deterred so easily. “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote”...

Hail Satan documentary poster directed by Penny Lane (via Facebook)

‘Hail Satan?’ Depicts a Religious Villain as an Icon of Rebellion

The new documentary explores the religious activism within the infamous Satanic Temple.
Yaroslava Bondar, Staff Writer March 29, 2019

The title card of Penny Lane’s documentary on the Satanic Temple “Hail Satan?” waits a beat before presenting the question mark, and these opening seconds set an inquisitive...

Activists Marcella Gilbert (Oohenumpa and Ihanktowan Bands of the Lakota and Dakota nations) and Madonna Thunder Hawk (Oohenumpa Lakota, enrolled citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe), in the documentary "Warrior Women." (Photo by John G. Larson, courtesy of NMAI)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: March 28 to 31

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Alex Cullina, Books & Theater Editor March 28, 2019

Spring has finally sprung, people! This is not a drill! Go outside and do stuff! Steinhardt’s “Opera Now: Three to See” at Provincetown Playhouse, March 28 - 31 Come...

Poster for Be Natural. (Courtesy of Zeitgeist Films)

The Secret Origins of the First Female Filmmaker

The new documentary tells the true story of Alice Guy-Blaché’s fascinating legacy and how she helped transformed Hollywood into what it is today.
Joey Hung, Copy Chief March 28, 2019

In her 2018 documentary “Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché,” director and producer Pamela B. Green aims to revive the life of the first female filmmaker, Alice...

(via 20th Century Fox)

Unpopular Opinions: Animal Characters

No animals were harmed in the making of this list.
Guru Ramanathan, Dante Sacco and Alex Cullina March 27, 2019

The live-action “Dumbo” remake comes out this week, and it got the Arts Desk thinking about the countless animal characters that have graced the silver screen, especially in...

Haley Lu Richardson and Cole Sprouse in 'Five Feet Apart'. (Courtesy of CBS Films)

‘Five Feet Apart’ Depicts the Necessity of Human Touch

The latest hospital romance film improves on its medical accuracy but falls short elsewhere.
Yaroslava Bondar, Staff Writer March 26, 2019

“Five Feet Apart” chronicles the unfortunate love story of Stella (Haley Lu Richardson) and Will (Cole Sprouse), two teenagers with cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening illness...

Aml Ameen plays a young courier named ‘D’  in 'Yardies'. (Courtesy of Rialto Pictures)

‘Yardie’ Is a Jamaican Throwback to Gang Dramas of Old

Idris Elba tries his hand at directing in “Yardie,” based on Victor Headley’s novel.
Dante Sacco, Deputy Arts Editor March 26, 2019

They are the familial and relational conflicts that preface and define their violent stories: Grangerford or Shepherdson, Greaser or Soc, Shark or Jet, Native American or Dead...

Anupam Kher as "Oberoi" in director Anthony Maras' Hotel Mumbai, a Bleecker Street release. (Courtesy of Mark Rogers / Bleecker Street)

Anupam Kher on Tragedy and Compassion in ‘Hotel Mumbai’

The acclaimed Bollywood thespian spoke with WSN about playing a real-life character in his new film.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor March 25, 2019

Eleven years ago, the Indian metropolis of Mumbai was brought under siege by Pakistani terrorists in a deadly attack. A popular restaurant, two hospitals and the Taj Mahal Palace...

Dev Patel (left) as "Arjun" and Anupam Kher (right) as "Oberoi" in director Anthony Maras' Hotel Mumbai, a Bleecker Street release. (Courtesy of Kerry Monteen / Bleecker Street)

‘Hotel Mumbai’ Thrilling, but Not Too Profound

The new international thriller is intense, though it does not have as much depth as it thinks it does.
Fareid El Gafy, Staff Writer March 24, 2019

Thrusting ordinary people into extraodinary situations is a recipe followed by many gripping films, and it is certainly the backbone of Director Anthony Muras’ “Hotel Mumbai.”...