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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

Kaylee DeFreitas

Kaylee DeFreitas, Deputy Managing Editor

Kaylee DeFreitas is a senior (Yikes!) majoring in Journalism and Educational Theatre with a minor in Irish Studies. When she isn’t writing for WSN, you can find her watching “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” doing embroidery and taking care of her plants. Born and raised in New Jersey, she will fight anyone who says Central Jersey doesn’t exist or calls a pork roll sandwich a taylor ham. Follow her and say hi on Twitter and Instagram at @kaylee_defre.

All content by Kaylee DeFreitas
Movies like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro will transport you to new places without leaving the comfort of your bedroom. As the nights get colder and longer, the Washington Square News staff wants to make sure you have great movies to watch. (Staff Illustration by Chandler Littleford)

Staff Recs: Comfort Movies

Sometimes when the outside world becomes too much, a good movie is the best form of escapism.

“Fiddler on the Roof” by Norman Jewison Sasha Cohen, Arts Editor My grandma and I sing “If I Were a Rich Man” a lot. What can I say? We just love practicing our “biddy...

(From left) Pete Davidson and director Judd Apatow with crew members on the set of "The King of Staten Island." (Photo by Kevin Mazur / Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Judd Apatow Finds the Humor in Grief in ‘The King of Staten Island’

Judd Apatow talks to WSN about grief, heroism and his new film, “The King of Staten Island.”
Kaylee DeFreitas, Arts Editor June 10, 2020

Judd Apatow has always found himself drawn to stories of underdogs. From working on “Freaks and Geeks,” the TV show about high school misfits, to his directorial debut “The...

"NYU announced it would still be holding Grad Alley — just over VR." (Image by Bella Gil)

The Highs and Lows of Virtual Reality Grad Alley

WSN’s top gamers went to Virtual Reality Grad Alley. Here’s what happened.

To call these times unprecedented would not only be an understatement, it would also just be repetitive. But something that perhaps nobody expected, despite everything that’s...

Fareid El Gafy

Fareid El Gafy

Fareid El Gafy May 7, 2020

Joining WSN was the best decision that I made at college. It got me to do things and develop skills I never thought I would. Contributing to the Arts Issue, attending press screenings,...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Weekly Radio Roundup: Final Edition of the Semester

The most exciting tunes as you get ready to let loose in the summertime.

The end is near and the statement isn’t necessarily foreboding. The end suggests the completion of finals and the freedom to wander the streets freely for the first time in months....

Directed and co-written by Annie Silverstein, “Bull” centers around 14-year-old Kris who discovers a passion for bull riding with mentor Abe Turner. “Bull” was released last week and was meant to be screened at SXSW. (Photo courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films)

‘Bull’ Offers an Intimate Glimpse Into Rodeo Life

Annie Silverstein’s intimate narrative brings intense realism and powerful performances that make the film worth watching.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Arts Editor May 3, 2020

From the beginning of Annie Silverstein’s “Bull,” it is apparent that Kris (Amber Havard) has become resigned to her circumstances. The adults around her show her little...

Dua Lipa released her second studio album "Future Nostalgia" in the last few days of March.  With its dance music power, each song takes you out of your mind, out of whatever bleak interiority exists in that moment, and into a higher plane of existence, especially amid this grim reality we are living in. (Staff Photo by Fareid El Gafy)

Photo: Dua Lipa’s Pop Escapism Arrived Just in Time

April 7, 2020

Dua Lipa released her second studio album "Future Nostalgia" in the last few days of March. With its dance music power, each song takes you out of your mind, out of whatever bleak...

Online gift cards, donations, live streams and more are still viable options during this time. The WSN Arts desk lists some ways you can still support independent artists from a safe social distance. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

How to Support New York’s Vibrant Independent Arts Scene

Even though New York is on pause, that doesn’t mean you still can’t support your favorite local bookstore or movie theater from home.

One week ago, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered New York City movie theaters to shut down as part of many initiatives to hopefully “flatten the curve.” Earlier in...

The annual Tribeca film festival since 2002 hosted in Manhattan shows a wide variety of independent films. The festival has now been cancelled due to COVID-19. (Illustration by Cicek Erel)

Tribeca Film Festival Postponed Due to Coronavirus

Yet another film festival has fallen to the coronavirus pandemic. Tribeca Film Festival, which normally runs during the month of April in New York City, announced its decision to postpone.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Arts Editor March 12, 2020

The Tribeca Film Festival made an announcement on their website this Thursday, stating that due to the coronavirus and New York Governor Cuomo banning gatherings of over 500 people...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week.(Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez)

Weekly Radio Roundup: March 7 – March 13

The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.

It’s National Women’s History Month! But we’re also navigating a global pandemic and the constant presence of hovering parents at a time when we should be enjoying the blessedness...

The lost boys race up a slope behind Peter Pan, played by Yashua Mack. Ben Zeitlin’s “Wendy” gives a unique new look at the classic Peter Pan story. (Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures and Samantha Fetner)

A Seven-Year Journey To Neverland

Oscar-nominated director and writer Benh Zeitlin returns with his second feature film “Wendy,” a new take on the classic “Peter Pan.”
Kaylee DeFreitas, Arts Editor March 2, 2020

From a young age, director/writer Benh Zeitlin and his sister Eliza were captivated by the tale of Peter Pan, a boy who would never grow up.  “We were for some reason terrified...

Sonic's design is significantly improved from what we've seen at the film's reveal. The visual success, nonetheless, couldn't save the film from its flimsy plot. (Photo by Hassan Elgamal)

‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ and a 40-Year-Old All-American Boy

“Sonic the Hedgehog” is a bog standard first outing for the blue blur.
Fareid El Gafy, Film Editor February 19, 2020

“Sonic the Hedgehog” is exactly what we thought it would be. If the film portended by the “Gangsta’s Paradise” trailer appeals to you, then you will likely see past its...


“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” is now playing in cinemas. The film explores the blossoming relationship between two women in the 18th century. (Staff Photo by Kaylee DeFreitas)

‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’: A Masterful Exploration of Love

The Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay Winner is a stunning portrayal of love through the gaze of an artist.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Arts Editor February 18, 2020

The Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay Winner is a stunning portrayal of love through the gaze of an artist. A group of women hum different notes around a fire....

In the mood for love? WSN recommends some Valentine singles you may have missed this week.(Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez)

Staff Recs: Valentine’s Day Edition

The Arts Desk recommends the best films, music and galleries for you to enjoy this Valentine’s Day.

Ashley Wu, Deputy Arts Editor  Even though Valentine’s Day was invented by Hallmark to sell greeting cards, let’s try to forget about capitalism for a second and celebrate...

Half of the critically acclaimed French Film "I Lost My Body" follows the misadventures of a disembodied hand, as told through animation. The film is one of several Netflix films nominated for Academy Awards this year. (Staff Photo by Fareid El Gafy)

Photo: ‘I Lost My Body’: A Hand’s Odyssey

February 14, 2020

Half of the critically acclaimed French Film "I Lost My Body" follows the misadventures of a disembodied hand, as told through animation. The film is one of several Netflix films...

The cold traps a woman in a lodge to confront the trauma from her past. Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala's The Lodge is now playing in select theaters. (Photo by Ethan Zack)

Photo: ‘The Lodge’: An Elegant Horror Movie that Stumbles at the Last Hurdle

February 13, 2020

The cold traps a woman in a lodge to confront the trauma from her past. Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala's The Lodge is now playing in select theaters. (Photo by Ethan Zack)

A poster of the stars of And Then We Danced, Sweden’s Oscar submission at the Cannes Film Festival. The film, set in Georgia, tells a compelling coming-of-age story of young dancers and serves as the director’s tribute to his heritage. (Staff Photo by Kaylee DeFreitas)

‘And Then We Danced’ Shows the Freedom Within the Language of Dance

A Georgian coming-of-age story that uses dance as a way to communicate words left unsaid.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Arts Editor February 10, 2020

Sweden’s Oscar submission opened to buzz at the Cannes Film Festival, but in Georgia, the country the film is set in, it opened to intense protest. Due to the LGBTQ+ content...

Weekly Radio Roundup: Jan. 31 - Feb. 3

Weekly Radio Roundup: Jan. 31 – Feb. 3

The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.

In a week of wonders, Porter Robinson is back after a long hiatus and Elon Musk is now an aspiring artist? I guess if this edition of Weekly Radio Roundup proves anything, it’s...

The Russian drama is now playing at the Film Forum on Houston St. (Staff photo by Kaylee DeFreitas)

In ‘Beanpole’ Peacetime is Anything But

Russia’s Oscar entry for Best International Feature focuses on the bond between two women as they try to seek ways to heal from the traumas of war.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Arts Editor February 3, 2020

When war is over, is there ever peace? What happens to those most affected? How do they go back to the lives they had before the war? All these are questions posed by the film...

The Emmy-nominated comedy aired its series finale on January 30. (Staff illustration by Jake Capriotti)

‘The Good Place’ Walks Through the Final Door

The series finale of the NBC comedy focuses on the beauty of the end.
Ethan Zack, Arts Editor February 3, 2020

Content warning: This article contains spoilers. I was just five minutes into the series finale of “The Good Place” when I started crying. When the penultimate episode...

Staff Rants and Raves: Back to School

Staff Rants and Raves: Back to School

The first week of courses always fills people with mixed emotions. Here are our staff’s takes on the subject.

Rants On Masks Alexandra Chan, Deputy Photo Editor Growing up in post-SARS Hong Kong, wearing masks is very normal to me. It blows my mind that there is an American (or...

Seven NYU Alumni took home nine wins at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night. (Image via Wikipedia)

Grammy Awards 2020 Winners Include Seven NYU Alumni

Former NYU students featured across numerous categories, from Album of the Year to Best New Artist.
Ethan Zack, Arts Editor January 28, 2020

At the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night, 23 NYU alumni managed to total 36 nominations across 22 categories. At the end of the night, the alumni had taken home eight wins. Winners ...

After a tumultuous release, graphic designers were charged with adjusting the film's effects based on audience reactions. (Image via pixabay)

The Patched Film Adopts the Worst From Video Games

Films such as “Cats” and “Sonic the Hedgehog” show that the movie industry is taking a spooky page from the video game industry in releasing unfinished products and rushing fixes at the artists’ expense.
Fareid El Gafy, Film & TV Editor January 27, 2020

Any film or video game buff will tell you that when the two mediums come together the result is often ugly and offensive. Video game films gave us such abominations as the peanut-headed,...

(From back then clockwise) Matthew O’Connor, Vanneeda Keowmang, Jacob Linen, Vivian Gisle and Heather Vaxer.

Advanced TV Pilot ‘Mary and the Mob’ Blazes Trail for Sustainable Set

Showrunner and Tisch alumna Vivian Gisle and sustainability officer Bradley Sachs talk set sustainability and hopes for future Tisch and industry standards.
Fareid El Gafy, Film & TV Editor December 5, 2019

Every year at the Tisch School of the Arts, students and professors make more than 5,000 films. In the process, they discard food waste, single-use plastics, water bottles, expendables...

Six Steps Towards Sustainability

Six Steps Towards Sustainability

Sustainability can be hard, but have no fear: with these six easy steps you will be on your way to achieving your green goals in no time.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Deputy Arts Editor December 5, 2019

Many assume that going green also involves spending a lot of money, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Instead of throwing away old glass jars that used to hold salsa, save...

The Final Staff Rants (of the Semester)

The Final Staff Rants (of the Semester)

In honor of the semester’s final Staff Rants, we have no theme — only pent-up rage.

On Free Space By Ishaan Parmar, Deputy News Editor Look, I get it. We’re all on the homework grind. CAS, Liberal Studies, Stern, Tisch — we all have homework, and none...

Tongue-in-cheek lyricism and pop-sensible melodies mixed with gritty, raw, Hayley Williams-esque vocal prowess is what is making everyone talk about NYC singer-songwriter Morgan Keller.  (Via Morgan Keller)

Morgan Keller Is in the Business of Music

The Steinhardt junior uses her studies of the music industry to get songs all the way from lyrics on a page to Spotify.
Ethan Zack, Music Editor December 4, 2019

Morgan Keller wants to be a part of it all. The Steinhardt junior and musician isn’t satisfied just sending away her vocals for some producers to package into a final product...

Professor Sameh Zoabi digs deep into his roots as the director of "Tel Aviv on Fire." (Photo by Hassan Elgamal)

Sameh Zoabi: The Palestinian Director With an Israeli Passport

NYU professor and director Sameh Zoabi discusses his latest film, Luxembourgish Oscar contender “Tel Aviv on Fire,” and what it means to be a Palestinian filmmaker and an Israeli citizen.
Fareid El Gafy, Film & TV Editor December 2, 2019

Professor Sameh Zoabi has had to explain who he is since the day he was born. Born in a Palestinian village outside of Nazareth, Israel, Zoabi is a man stuck in the middle. When...

Staff Rants and Raves: Thanksgiving

Staff Rants and Raves: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a divisive holiday, to say the least. Here’s what our staff has to say about it.

Rants On Family Bonding By Alexandria Johnson, Deputy News Editor Don't get me wrong — I love Thanksgiving. I love waking up at 7 a.m. to cook food and eating it at the...

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, directed by Marielle Heller, is a story based on the real-life friendship between journalist Tom Junod and television star Fred Rogers. (Via Facebook)

‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’ is a Lesson in Forgiveness and Healing

The new film about children’s television icon Mr. Rogers is a touching tribute to how one man’s kindness helped shape the life of someone in need.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Deputy Arts Editor November 25, 2019

How should we deal with anger? Why do we hold onto it instead of attempting forgiveness, hard as forgiveness may be? How can we begin to constructively deal with feelings holding...

From pop to lofi, WSN's Arts Desk recommends their favorite music to study to. (via YouTube @ChilledCow)

Staff Recs: Good Music for Studying

The Arts Desk collects the perfect chill tunes for a serious study session.
Ethan Zack, Julie Goldberg and Fareid El Gafy November 22, 2019

“logical” by Shuttle358 Songs with lyrics are a bust for me when it comes to background music for studying. I always feel tempted to turn the volume up so I can hear the vocals...

Jeffrey Miller performs his first-ever set at the "Funhouse" concert. (Via Quadio Media)

‘Funhouse’: A Concert By, for and Featuring Students

The Quadio-Tigris collaboration celebrated local musicians late into the night.
Ethan Zack, Music Editor November 20, 2019

On the Smarties-adorned stage inside the SubCulture building on Bleecker Street, in a purple-pink haze of smoke and sweat, stood a small, huddled group. For the combined forces...

Staff Rants and Raves: Transportation

Staff Rants and Raves: Transportation

We’re all going places in some way or another. Here’s what our staff has to say about it.

Rants On the NYU Airport Shuttle By Bella Gil, Beauty and Style Editor Getting back and forth between JFK airport and campus is one skill I’ve yet to master. If traveling...

Staff Rants: Course Registration

Staff Rants: Course Registration

We have no Staff Raves this week. Course registration is the worst.

On Jumping Through Hoops By Ethan Zack, Music Editor Can someone please tell me why underclassmen have to make an appointment with their advisor before they can register...

From "Mamma Mia!" to "Joker", the Arts Desk recommends several last-minute, movie-inspired costumes for Halloween. (via Warner Bros)

Staff Recs: Halloween Costumes

Scrambling to put together a last-minute Halloween costume? The Arts Desk has you covered with these costumes based on characters from some of our favorite movies.

Donna Sheridan from “Mamma Mia!” (the movie version) Be the ultimate dancing queen this Halloween in your very own Donna Sheridan costume from “Mamma Mia!” Halloween...

Staff Rants and Raves: Twitter

Staff Rants and Raves: Twitter

Twitter: Where memes come to life, where movements come to fruition, and where presidents come to rant. Hear what our staff has to say on what might be both the most multifaceted and divisive form of social media.

Rants On Dreams of Anonymity By Ethan Zack, Music Editor Having a Twitter account is a constant struggle between the absolute euphoria of being seen and the unrelenting...

The Lighthouse, a thriller movie directed by Robert Eggers, released on October 18, 2019. (Via Facebook)

‘The Lighthouse’ Merges Classic Saltwater Horror with Modern Experimentalism

Robert Egger's latest film proves there is indeed enchantment in the light.
Ethan Zack, Music Editor October 20, 2019

“The Lighthouse” could have been nothing more than a novelty. The stylish black and white veneer of the film that harkens back to early cinema ensured a unique visual treat...


Jojo Rabbit is a satire movie about Nazi Germany now playing in limited release. (via Fox Searchlight Pictures)

‘Jojo Rabbit’: Not Your Typical Coming-of-Age Story

Taika Waititi’s latest film satirizes the Third Reich with comedy and heart, but lacks the teeth to say anything truly profound.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Deputy Arts Editor October 20, 2019

Most children have an imaginary friend growing up. For Jojo, that imaginary friend just so happens to be Adolf Hitler. The film follows 10-year-old Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis),...

A Purpose in Every Pixel

A Purpose in Every Pixel

One Tisch alumnus infuses his video games with autobiographical meaning and meticulous artistry.
Ethan Zack, Music Editor October 16, 2019

Tisch alumnus Julián Cordero ’19 doesn’t own a single modern video game console. He doesn’t like to play games for more than a short period of time. He rarely interacts...

A New Champion in the Fight for Tech Equitability

A New Champion in the Fight for Tech Equitability

Ashley Jane Lewis has made great strides in the new media art world, and she doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Deputy Arts Editor October 16, 2019

When asked about the one thing she wants people to take away from her work, Tisch graduate student Ashley Jane Lewis splits the question into two categories: art and education....

An Artist’s Sensibility, With an Engineer’s Mind

An Artist’s Sensibility, With an Engineer’s Mind

Morgan Mueller, a graduate student at Tisch’s Interactive Telecommunications Program, approaches the arts world with the calculating demeanor of an engineer.
Fareid El Gafy, Film & TV Editor October 14, 2019

“I love being the stupidest person in the room,” Mueller said. 25-year-old Morgan Mueller is a second-year graduate student at NYU Tisch’s Interactive Telecommunications...

Tisch professor Chris Chan Roberson has worked extensively in the film industry before teaching at NYU. (Via NYU Tisch)

Chris Chan Roberson: The Fastest Professor Alive

Tisch professor Chris Chan Roberson discusses his experience in and outside of the industry from “Surf Nazis Must Die” to hawking vintage clothes.
Fareid El Gafy, Film & TV Editor September 30, 2019

Blink and you’ll miss him. From every corner of the film industry to every classroom at the Tisch School of the Arts, two decades of professional experience has left no stone...

Staff Rants and Raves: Music

Staff Rants and Raves: Music

Whether you’re listening to your favorite playlist on the way to work or overhearing someone else’s at 4 a.m., music can evoke many emotions. Here’s what our staff has to say about it.

Rants On Pointless Effort By Ethan Zack, Music Editor Trying to make a good playlist has to be one of the most excruciating things you can subject yourself to. You’re...

Hustlers, starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, is an empowering film that broke traditional barriers in Hollywood. (via Facebook)

‘Hustlers’ Is the Female-Driven Crime Drama Everyone Has Been Waiting For

“Hustlers,” featuring Constance Wu and Jennifer Lopez, tells the unbelievable true story of a group of strippers-turned-criminal-masterminds who take on Wall Street. Originally featured in New York Magazine, their story has now hit the big screen in a film full of female empowerment.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Deputy Arts Editor September 16, 2019

Drugging Wall Street men with a mix of MDMA and ketamine and making them max out their credit cards on booze in strip clubs? It may sound crazy — it sure sounded that way to...

(via YouTube)

Staff Recs: Pretentious Films to Impress Your Fake Friends

Need to sound like you know about movies? Here are a few of our go-tos.

Your friends told you to watch it. It was on your Amazon recommended list. And now the Arts Desk of WSN, a group of complete strangers, is going to reinforce everything that they’ve...

Staff Rants & Raves: Textures

Staff Rants & Raves: Textures

Some things are fun to touch, and some things aren’t — it’s not too complicated. Let our staff tell you why.

Staff Rants On Manicures By Lauren Gruber, Deputy Culture Editor Let me preface this by saying I love getting my nails done. I love not being able to use my phone for thirty...

Larry David at a film festival in 2009. (Via Wikimedia)

Unpopular Opinions: Unconventionally Hot Girl Summer

The Arts Desk weighs in on some underrated hotties in the entertainment industry.

Hot Girl Summer is ending and with so many unconventionally attractive additions to the Hot Girl Summer canon (Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Beto O’Rourke), we at the Arts Desk thought...

Staff Rants & Raves: Welcome Week Edition

Staff Rants & Raves: Welcome Week Edition

Welcome Week might technically be over, but it lives on forever in the hearts of our staff. Here’s why.

Staff Rants On Getting Rejected from Events By Sam Brinton, Copy Chief My Welcome Week experience can be summed up by long waits and longer-lasting disappointments. For...

arts-theirishman

Is Netflix’s Next Step a Deep Dive Into the Film Industry?

It would appear that Netflix is beginning to make the full commitment to film distribution by appeasing critics. Is this change due to the big-name stars or is there another reason?
Kaylee DeFreitas, Deputy Arts Editor September 3, 2019

As awards season approaches, more films are beginning their campaigns in hopes of an Oscar. Meanwhile, the debate over whether streaming services’ films should be considered...

“Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure” kicks off a fifth season, “Golden Wind,” exciting longtime viewers and garnering new fans alike. (via YouTube)

‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind’ Lives up to its Radical Name

Fareid El Gafy, Film & TV Editor September 3, 2019

Housewives, toddlers, senior citizens and dogs with the body of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Jacked and flamboyant heroes duking it out with super-powered manifestations of their fighting...

BROCKHAMPTON released its new album, GINGER, on Aug. 23. (via Twitter)

BROCKHAMPTON Rests On Its Laurels With “GINGER”

The band’s new album does a solid enough job, but could have been so much more.
Ethan Zack, Music Editor September 3, 2019

Maintaining their streak of a project per year, genre-bending boy band BROCKHAMPTON released its sixth album “GINGER” as a swan song after a summer chock full of large-scale...

Pom Pom Squad frontrunner Mia Berren. (via Facebook)

Pom Pom Squad Walks Forward While Looking Back

The local indie rock group’s homegrown roots haven’t stopped their forward momentum.
Ethan Zack, Music Editor August 24, 2019

It wasn’t too long ago that the Brooklyn-based indie rock band Pom Pom Squad was nothing more than an inkling of an idea in the back of the mind of a high schooler. Now, the...

Still from Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus. (Photo via Netflix)

‘Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus’ Delights Inferior Humans Young and Old

Fareid El Gafy, Film & TV Editor August 24, 2019

The year is 2000. Nickelodeon has redefined children’s media with the likes of “Ren and Stimpy”; crass humor and gratuitous violence abound. American mothers shudder in the...

The second season of One Punch Man is out now and on episode three. (via Facebook)

‘One Punch Man’ Season 2 Pulls Its Punches for Now

The follow-up to the successful anime is off to a disappointing start.
Fareid El Gafy, Staff Writer May 5, 2019

“One Punch Man” was an instant hit with anime fans in 2015, taking the internet by storm with memes and parodies featuring its dopey, bald star. A second season was soon announced,...

Former Rolling Stone bassist Bill Wyman pictured with instrument. (via Susan Norget Film Promotion)

‘The Quiet One’ Tells a Rock Star’s Life Story Through His Own Archives

The documentary focuses on Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman, who built his own archives throughout his career.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Staff Writer May 2, 2019

Sitting alone amid piles of cameras, photos, videos and more, Bill Wyman begins to give the audience a trip through the archives he has built across five decades. The former Rolling...

A still from the documentary “Framing John DeLorean,” which had its world premiere last night at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film, which focuses on the automobile titan’s involvement in a cocaine scandal, uses a unique blend of narrative techniques to tell DeLorean’s story. (via Sundance Selects)

‘Framing John DeLorean’ Attempts to Capture the Man Behind the Name

The new documentary — which premiered last night at the Tribeca Film Festival — is the first film to tell the story of the auto executive’s involvement in a multi-million dollar cocaine smuggling scandal.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Staff Writer April 30, 2019

When you hear the name DeLorean, what do you think of? “Back to the Future?” The car itself? Cocaine scandals? No matter what image the name conjures, many people have something...

Wendell Pierce as a preacher "Burning Cane" (via Susan Norget Film Promotion)

Presenting the Youngest Director in Tribeca Film Festival History

At age 19, Tisch first-year Phillip Youmans is the youngest director in history to have a feature film premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Staff Writer April 29, 2019

For most people, junior year of high school consists of hustling to maintain their GPA, gearing up for college applications, hanging out with friends and dreaming about prom. Phillip...

The main subject of the documentary, Gemma, a troublemaking teenager who comes of age in a declining Scottish steel town. (via Falco Ink)

‘Scheme Birds’ Is a Scottish Story Long Overdue

Ellen Fiske and Ellinor Hallin frame Scotland in a new light in “Scheme Birds,” a coming-of-age documentary.
Fareid El Gafy, Staff Writer April 28, 2019

“Maggie Thatcher took the steel industry from Scotland and Ireland, [and] gave it to England.”  Twenty-one-year-old Gemma sums up the history of her sleepy Scottish hometown...

A poster for "Barry," a new HBO comedy series that follows a low-level hit man turned actor. (via facebook.com)

Second Season of ‘Barry’ Promises a Steady Descent Into Darkness

The show’s sophomore season feels like a natural continuation of something that was already great by itself.
Ethan Zack, Staff Writer April 15, 2019

When the main character isn’t shooting people full of lead, he’s making time to take an acting class and find some friends. It’s an unlikely premise, but Bill Hader and Alec...

Anderson Paak (via facebook)

Anderson .Paak Releases an Ode to Old

The R&B musician’s latest album harkens back to his hazy soul roots.
Ethan Zack, Staff Writer April 14, 2019

In a turnaround so quick it might have given his fans whiplash, rhythm and blues artist Anderson .Paak released his fourth studio album “Ventura” just months after his third,...

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”...

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.”...

Detective Mike Hoolihan (Patricia Clarkson) investigates the murder of Jennifer Rockwell (Mamie Gummer) (Courtesy of BBC Films)

‘Out of Blue’ Hides Its Messy Narrative Behind Impressive Atmosphere

The new detective thriller feels like an experiment into what a competently-made movie would look like if it had its narrative amputated.
Ethan Zack, Staff Writer March 11, 2019

I spent more time trying to make up my mind on how I felt about “Ocean Blue” than I spent actually watching the film. The Carol Morley-directed flick is an adaptation of the...

Weezer's Black Album Cover. (via Facebook)

Fortnite’s Music Releases Can’t Replace Traditional Methods

The battle royale game has been hosting several musical events in the past few months, but they don’t move beyond simple novelties.
Ethan Zack, Staff Writer March 11, 2019

Before Weezer’s latest self-titled album — referred to as the “Black Album” — released in stores on March 1, there was only one platform to preview several of its songs....

Julianne Moore starring in the 2018 film Gloria Bell. (Courtesy of A24)

‘Gloria Bell’ Gets the Remake Game Right

Julianne Moore shines in the quirky romance ‘Gloria Bell,’ a remake of an Oscar-nominated Chilean film.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Staff Writer March 4, 2019

From its opening shot, “Gloria Bell” fulfills its intentions effectively and fearlessly. In a room full of people, the titular character (Julianne Moore) seemingly blends in...

"How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" is the third and final film in the DreamWorks franchise. (via Flickr)

‘How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World’ Has Great Visuals, but the Same Old Story

The final film in the franchise does not live up to its acclaimed predecessors.
Fareid El Gafy, Staff Writer February 26, 2019

As Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and Toothless solidify their place in film history with a complete trilogy, I have to say, let’s end the journey here. In terms of longevity and revenue,...

Sussane Wolff in "Styx".(Courtesy of Amour Fou)

‘Styx’ Is a Modern Tragedy

Wolfgang Fischer’s drama is a deliberately paced, yet beautiful masterpiece.
Fareid El Gafy, Staff Writer February 25, 2019

Every year, thousands of refugees risk everything to find safety abroad. Many from war-torn countries near the Mediterranean often brave the open sea in a desperate and often fatal...

The thumbnail of Ariana Grande's "thank u next" audio version. (via Youtube)

Ariana Grande Is Brutally Transparent on Her Latest Album

"thank u, next" sets itself apart as an extremely personal project for the pop megastar.
Ethan Zack, Staff Writer February 20, 2019

Having already transcended the status of a humble musician to become a veritable cultural phenomenon, Ariana Grande finally released her highly anticipated album “thank u, next”...

The Cranberries's final album, In The End, is set to be released in April. (via facebook.com)

Cranberries Begin Final Chapter With Poignant New Single

Released after lead singer Dolores O’Riordan’s death in 2018, “All Over Now” sets the stage for the band’s last album.
Ethan Zack, Staff Writer February 14, 2019

Over a year after the death of the Cranberries’ vocalist Dolores O’Riordan, hearing her voice on the band’s newest single “All Over Now” feels melancholy, yet oddly comforting...

Maroon 5 performing in the Super Bowl Half Time Show (via Yahoo Entertainment)

Super Bowl Halftime Show Sacrifices Ambition for Safety

Even SpongeBob couldn’t save the show from mediocrity.
Ethan Zack, Staff Writer February 6, 2019

With all the controversy that surrounded the selection of musical acts for the Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show, it became clear very early on that the number one priority would be...

Bengt Ekerot and Max von Sydow in "The Seventh Seal," playing a chess match of life and death. (Courtesy of Nico Chapin [CMPR])

‘The Seventh Seal’ Is Revitalized at Film Forum

Kaylee DeFreitas, Staff Writer December 5, 2018
Ingmar Bergman’s iconic film is revived in new 4K restoration.
Promotional poster for the film "Mirai". (Courtesy of GKIDS Films)

‘Mirai’ Wants You to Love Your Family

Fareid El Gafy December 4, 2018
The director of “Wolf Children” returns with another unique family tale.
Bryan Cranston in "Network," an adaptation of the 1976 film. (Courtesy of the National Theatre)

‘Network’ Is a Genius Adaptation of the Film

This new play featuring Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston hopes to find the same success it had on the West End on Broadway.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Contributing Writer December 3, 2018
This new play featuring Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston hopes to find the same success it had on the West End on Broadway.
A poster for "Ralph Breaks the Internet," the sequel to "Wreck It Ralph." "Ralph Breaks the Internet" explores themes of self-improvement in the digital age. (Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures)

‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ Wrecks the Mold Again

The sequel to the 2012 hit finds the titular character entering the internet for another colorful adventure that parodies online trends and culture.
Fareid El Gafy, Contributing Writer November 26, 2018
The sequel to the 2012 hit finds the titular character entering the internet for another colorful adventure that parodies online trends and culture.
 A player with Eevee in the new Pokemon game "Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!" (via twitter.com)

‘Pokémon: Let’s Go’ Proves Satisfying Yet Unambitious

Hard as they seem to try, Game Freak just can’t make a bad Pokémon game — but there's nothing like the good old days.
Ethan Zack, Staff Writer November 26, 2018
Hard as they seem to try, Game Freak just can’t make a bad Pokémon game — but there's nothing like the good old days.
Stills of Willem Dafoe as Vincent Van Gogh for the "At Eternity's Gate" review running tonight. (Courtesy of CBS Films)

‘At Eternity’s Gate’ Is a Masterful Portrayal of Van Gogh’s Final Years

Academy Award-nominated actor Willem Dafoe has been receiving critical acclaim ever since the film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Staff Writer November 20, 2018
Academy Award-nominated actor Willem Dafoe has been receiving critical acclaim ever since the film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival.
Dan Fogler and Eddie Redmayne in a still from "The Crimes of Grindelwald," the disappointing sequel to "Fantastic Beasts." (via Facebook.com)

‘Fantastic Beasts’ Sequel Loses Magic

Only two films in and the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ series is already starting to spiral downward.
Ethan Zack, Staff Writer November 18, 2018
Only two films in and the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ series is already starting to spiral downward.
A promotional photo for Blizzard's controversial game "Diablo Immortal" to be released on Android and iOS. (via facebook.com)

Gamers Reject Mobile Successors to Favorite Franchises

As much as they’d like to, mobile games can’t replace better video game experiences
Ethan Zack, Staff Writer November 15, 2018
As much as they’d like to, mobile games can’t replace better video game experiences
Chris Pine in "Outlaw King." (via netflix.com)

Netflix Historical Drama ‘Outlaw King’ Falls Short of Epic

Fareid El Gafy, Contributing Writer November 14, 2018
The Scottish biopic starring Chris Pine was re-edited following its TIFF premiere, but it’s still a mixed bag
Goblin Slayer, a character from the namesake Japanese series. (via facebook.com)

Five Anime to Watch and One to Sit In on

With a slew of new anime releases on the horizon, WSN has the picks of what to watch and what to avoid this fall.
Fareid El Gafy, Contributing Writer November 14, 2018
With a slew of new anime releases on the horizon, WSN has the picks of what to watch and what to avoid this fall.
(Courtesy of John Hollands)

NYU Sketch Comedy Group Joins New York Comedy Festival

Please Don't Destroy kills cows and you with laughter.
Fareid El Gafy, Contributing Writer November 7, 2018
Please Don’t Destroy, made up of three current NYU students and three alumni, is set to perform as a part of a week-long comedy blowout.
Theodore Pellerin and Lucas Hedges in "Boy Erased." (Courtesy of Focus Features)

‘Boy Erased’ Depicts the Jarring Realities of Gay Conversion Therapy

Based on a true story, the Oscar hopeful is one of two dramas this year that focuses on gay conversion therapy.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Contributing Writer November 5, 2018
Based on a true story, the Oscar hopeful is one of two dramas this year that focuses on gay conversion therapy.
Harrison Ford in a still from "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope," which has since produced numerous sequels. (via facebook.com)

Modern Sequels and the Death of Continuity

With the new trend of retconning old sequels in a franchise, the real question is, what will happen to Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo?
Ethan Zack, Contributing Writer November 5, 2018
With the new trend of retconning old sequels in a franchise, the real question is, what will happen to Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo?
Cory Michael Smith in a still from "1985." Courtesy of 1985thefilm.com

‘1985’: A Gripping and Private View into the AIDS Epidemic

Kaylee DeFreitas October 29, 2018

Based on his short film of the same name, Yen Tan’s “1985” follows Adrian (Cory Michael Smith) as he visits home in Fort Worth, Texas after moving to New York and not returning...

(Illustration by Sophia DiIorio)

Music Taste Could Score You a Match on Tinder

How picking the perfect Anthem could determine who swipes right and who swipes left.
Ethan Zack, Contributing Writer October 29, 2018
How picking the perfect Anthem could determine who swipes right and who swipes left.
Though the number of exclusively local or couch multiplayer games has dwindled in recent years, fans of these sorts of games believe the experience remains unique and cannot be replicated through online multiplayer. (Photo by Sam Klein)

Is There Still Room for Couch Multiplayer?

Technology may be taking over, but there’s still room on the couch to salvage the multiplayer gaming experience.
Ethan Zack, Contributing Writer October 29, 2018
Technology may be taking over, but there’s still room on the couch to salvage the multiplayer gaming experience.
The logo for DC Universe: DC Entertainment's new streaming service. (via facebook.com)

Move Over Netflix, DC Has a New Comic Book-Crazed Streaming Service

Ethan Zack, Contributing Writer October 25, 2018
DC Entertainment's new streaming service, DC Universe, shows promise, but offers an incomplete library and won't appeal to the average consumer.
Nadia Murad, Yazidi refugee and activist, subject of documentary "On Her Shoulders." (Courtesy of Oscilloscope Laboratories)

ISIS Survivor Bears the Struggle of the Yazidi People ‘On Her Shoulders’

Fareid El Gafy, Contributing Writer October 25, 2018
Director Alexandria Bombach's documentary "On Her Shoulders" tells the story of Nadia Murad, a survivor of sexual slavery at the hands of ISIS who seeks justice for the Yazidi people.
The poster for "Stella's Last Weekend." (via facebook.com)

‘Stella’s Last Weekend’ Is a Family Film Project That Fails to Charm

Kaylee DeFreitas, Contributing Writer October 17, 2018
"Stella's Last Weekend" is a nice family effort from Nat and Alex Wolff and their mother, Polly Draper, but it fails to build a sincere, emotional connection with the audience.
A still from season 3 of "My Hero Academia." (via facebook.com)

‘My Hero Academia’ Exceeds Fan Expectations

Fareid El Gafy, Contributing Writer October 17, 2018
The latest season of popular anime "My Hero Academia" has fresh writing, heart and heroism and exceeds expectations.
Student browses through Spotify’s homepage. Spotify has recently made itself much more accessible to independent artists, including students. (Photograph by Alana Beyer)

Spotify’s New Free Upload Initiative Splits Budding Artists

Spotify's new initiative to empower independent artists might be causing them more harm than good.
Ethan Zack, Contributing Writer October 15, 2018
Spotify's new initiative has left some musicians uncertain about what kind of impact it will have on the landscape of the streaming service and the music industry at large.
Timothee Chalamet in "Beautiful Boy." (via youtube.com)

Chalamet’s ‘Beautiful Boy’ Scratches the Surface of Addiction

Kaylee DeFreitas, Contributing Writer October 15, 2018
Based on memoirs by David and Nic Sheff, "Beautiful Boy" tackles the weighty topic of addiction, but fails to contribute anything new to the genre.
The poster from the movie "Venom".

The World Has Had Enough ‘Venom’

Ethan Zack, Contributing Writer October 9, 2018
"Venom" has the seeds of being a proper addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but fails to blossom into something that meets viewers' expectations.