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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

All content by Holden Lay
Four women looking scared on a subway platform. One of them is holding a skateboard.

Review: ‘Madame Web’ is somehow worse than you thought

He was in the Amazon with her mom when she was researching spiders right before she died, and I was asleep in my seat. Also, the line wasn’t even in the movie.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer February 23, 2024

“Madame Web” is an indefensibly bad film. Such poorly made and agonizingly dull schlock can only be the result of a complete lack of inspiration. “Madame Web” is the...

A black-and-white photo of the four members of The Beatles. They are all wearing suits. They appear to be raising their arms and waving. There are people behind them.

AI gave us the ‘last’ Beatles song

The first unheard Beatles song in nearly 30 years is now here, but at what cost?
Holden Lay, Staff Writer November 6, 2023

The Nov. 2 release of the Beatles song “Now and Then” would not be possible without the use of artificial intelligence. Has music-industry greed finally gone so far as to have...

Three people wearing white shirts are lying down with paper cutouts of eyes, lips, hands, and legs on top of them.

Review: Animal Collective is still grooving on new album

On “Isn’t It Now?,” Animal Collective demonstrates how chemistry is the key to its sound.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer October 12, 2023

From the explosive maximalism of “Merriweather Post Pavilion” to the mind-bending one-of-a-kind acoustic sounds on “Sung Tongs,” Animal Collective has adeptly explored...

To the left of the photo there is someone wearing a blue shirt, looking down. Behind them there is a landscape with a blue sky, clouds, and hills.

Review: Joan Baez says goodbye her own way in new documentary

“Joan Baez I Am a Noise” follows the political activist and musician as she embarks on her farewell tour and looks back on her storied career.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer October 6, 2023

Early on in “Joan Baez I Am a Noise,” the titular musician says “I always said I didn’t want to do a farewell tour, because people who say that always come back. But maybe...

An illustration of actor Tom Cruise operating a fighter jet. He wears a green suit and a blue helmet.

The case for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

Industry insiders and fans alike have been wowed by the sleek blockbuster, and it's just been nominated for best picture.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer March 9, 2023

In 2009, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences changed the manner for how the best picture Oscar was selected. Hot off the heels of excellent back-to-back winners “The...

Three women wearing pink and white dresses gather around two men wearing black and white tuxedos. They toast their glasses in front of a stained-glass and wooden wall behind a table with a pink table cloth, flowers and lit candles.

Review: ‘The Cathedral’ is an understated stunner

“The Cathedral,” Ricky D’Ambrose’s latest, is carefully intimate yet captivating in its distance. The film is playing as part of New Directors / New Films 2022 at Film at Lincoln Center beginning on April 23.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer April 22, 2022

With his sophomore feature, “The Cathedral,” director Ricky D’Ambrose, best-known for tightly constructed narrative and documentary shorts, crystallizes his highly stylized...

The musician JPEGMAFIA wearing a bandana. He has a beard and tattoos on his chest and arms. He has his eyes closed and is looking down.

Review: JPEGMAFIA commands attention on ‘OFFLINE!’

The experimental rapper-producer’s latest EP shows off his softer side without sacrificing dynamism.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer March 8, 2022

With five tracks and a runtime of just under 12 minutes, JPEGMAFIA’s new EP “OFFLINE!” is a condensed and ruthlessly confident victory lap. Following last year’s fantastic...

Paul Lazar walks barefoot across a stage. He is wearing a black blazer, royal blue T-shirt and denim jeans that are cuffed at the ankle.

Structured theatrical chaos in ‘Cage Shuffle Marathon’

Paul Lazar’s latest performance is a joyous celebration of losing control.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer February 28, 2022

Paul Lazar’s “Cage Shuffle Marathon” began and concluded its sold-out limited run at the experimental theater La MaMa this week.  “The Cage Shuffle” is one of actor...

A still from Parquet Courts’ “Homo Sapien” music video, which is one of the songs on their most recent album “Sympathy for Life.” This album’s songs lean more heavily into abstract lyrics and a techno sound than their previous albums. (Image courtesy of Pitch Perfect PR)

Review: Parquet Courts evolves their sound on ‘Sympathy for Life’

The ever-influential Parquet Courts allow themselves to be daring and inspired on their latest album.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer November 3, 2021

On their latest album, “Sympathy for Life,” Parquet Courts once again brings a new set of influences to the table, rejuvenating their sound and crafting one of the most interesting...

Todd Haynes’ first documentary, “The Velvet Underground,” hones in on the emotional core of the iconic band. Haynes weaves together archival footage and recent interviews to create a heartfelt portrait of the band and its members. (Image courtesy of Apple TV+)

Review: The obsessive beauty of ‘The Velvet Underground’

Todd Haynes’ first documentary is an eccentric look at the avant-garde legends of rock ‘n’ roll.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer October 27, 2021

Todd Haynes’ latest film, “The Velvet Underground,” is a relentless charmer that stands out among the most personal of music documentaries because every second of it shows...

The movie adaptation of the musical “Dear Evan Hansen” was released on Sept. 24. The film, which stars Ben Platt as Evan, has disappointed fans of the stage musical. (Photo by Alexandra Mettler)

Review: ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ movie is an embarrassment

The musical should have never wandered off of Broadway.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer October 7, 2021

Greek tragedy, excessive hubris — “Dear Evan Hansen” made Ben Platt shine on Broadway, but the film breaks him into pieces. The director, the creative team and the producers...

"Cherry" is a film for Tom Holland to stretch his acting muscles while offering nothing else. (Staff Photo and Illustration by Jake Capriotti)

Tom Holland can’t stop ‘Cherry’ from going sour

“Cherry” is a lifeless film simply intended for Tom Holland to exercise his acting chops.
Holden Lay, Contributing Writer April 5, 2021

Driving around the streets of an empty Los Angeles late last year, I found myself overwhelmed by a staggering amount of For Your Consideration billboards for “Cherry.” Behind...