Kaylee DeFreitas, Deputy Managing Editor
All content by Kaylee DeFreitas
Staff Recs: Comfort Movies
Sometimes when the outside world becomes too much, a good movie is the best form of escapism.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Ana Cubas, Sasha Cohen and Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer
• September 23, 2020
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
The Highs and Lows of Virtual Reality Grad Alley
WSN’s top gamers went to Virtual Reality Grad Alley. Here’s what happened.
Fareid El Gafy, Bella Gil, Abby Hofstetter and Ethan Zack
• May 21, 2020
Fareid El Gafy
Fareid El Gafy
• May 7, 2020
Weekly Radio Roundup: Final Edition of the Semester
The most exciting tunes as you get ready to let loose in the summertime.
Vanessa Handy, Alexandra Bentzien, Alexandra Chan, Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer and Ethan Zack
• May 6, 2020
‘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
Photo: Dua Lipa’s Pop Escapism Arrived Just in Time
April 7, 2020
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.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Ethan Zack, Fareid El Gafy, Sasha Cohen, Ashley Wu and Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer
• March 23, 2020
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
Weekly Radio Roundup: March 7 – March 13
The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.
Ethan Zack, Izzy Salas, Isabella Armus, Ana Cubas, Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Charles Smith and Alexandra Bentzien
• March 12, 2020
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
‘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
‘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
Staff Recs: Valentine’s Day Edition
The Arts Desk recommends the best films, music and galleries for you to enjoy this Valentine’s Day.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Ethan Zack, Sasha Cohen, Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Ashley Wu and Fareid El Gafy
• February 14, 2020
Photo: ‘I Lost My Body’: A Hand’s Odyssey
February 14, 2020
‘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
Weekly Radio Roundup: Jan. 31 – Feb. 3
The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.
Ethan Zack, Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Alexandra Bentzien and Ashley Wu
• February 6, 2020
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
‘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
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.
Kim Rice, Alexandra Chan, Jake Capriotti, Helen Wajda, Sasha Cohen, Ethan Zack, Asha Ramachandran, Gabby Lozano and Abby Hofstetter
• January 30, 2020
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
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
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
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
The Final Staff Rants (of the Semester)
In honor of the semester’s final Staff Rants, we have no theme — only pent-up rage.
Ishaan Parmar, Abby Hofstetter, Sakshi Venkatraman, Melanie Pineda, Ethan Zack, Alexandria Johnson, Fareid El Gafy, Mandie Montes, Sam Klein and Anna-Dmitry Muratova
• December 4, 2019
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
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
Staff Rants and Raves: Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a divisive holiday, to say the least. Here’s what our staff has to say about it.
Alexandria Johnson, Mandie Montes, Ethan Zack, Sam Klein, Bela Kirpalani and Abby Hofstetter
• November 27, 2019
‘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
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
‘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
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.
Bella Gil, Ethan Zack, Victor Porcelli, Anna-Dmitry Muratova, Alexandria Johnson, Lauren Gruber and Lisa Cochran
• November 20, 2019
Staff Rants: Course Registration
We have no Staff Raves this week. Course registration is the worst.
Ethan Zack, Mina Mohammadi, Melanie Pineda, Mandie Montes, Lauren Gruber, Alexandria Johnson and Lisa Cochran
• November 13, 2019
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.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Ethan Zack, Fareid El Gafy and Julie Goldberg
• October 24, 2019
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.
Ethan Zack, Calais Watkins, Ishaan Parmar, Mandie Montes, Anna-Dmitry Muratova and Bela Kirpalani
• October 23, 2019
‘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
‘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
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
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
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
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
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.
Ethan Zack, Lauren Gruber, Abby Hofstetter and Anna-Dmitry Muratova
• September 24, 2019
‘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
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.
Claire Fishman, Fareid El Gafy, Ethan Zack and Julie Goldberg
• September 11, 2019
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.
Lauren Gruber, Anna-Dmitry Muratova, Victor Porcelli, Melanie Pineda, Abby Hofstetter, Kaylee DeFreitas and Sam Brinton
• September 10, 2019
Unpopular Opinions: Unconventionally Hot Girl Summer
The Arts Desk weighs in on some underrated hotties in the entertainment industry.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Ethan Zack, Fareid El Gafy, Claire Fishman and Julie Goldberg
• September 9, 2019
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.
Sam Brinton, Ethan Zack, Anna-Dmitry Muratova, Alexandria Johnson, Bela Kirpalani and Diya Jain
• September 4, 2019
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
‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind’ Lives up to its Radical Name
Fareid El Gafy, Film & TV Editor
• September 3, 2019
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
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
‘Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus’ Delights Inferior Humans Young and Old
Fareid El Gafy, Film & TV Editor
• August 24, 2019
‘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
‘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
‘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
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
‘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
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
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
American Idol | Face the Reality of Music Competitions
Ethan Zack, Staff Writer
• April 3, 2019
Richard Linklater | Everyday Realities in a Cinematic Dream
Fareid El Gafy, Staff Writer
• April 3, 2019
‘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
‘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
‘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
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
‘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
‘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
‘Styx’ Is a Modern Tragedy
Wolfgang Fischer’s drama is a deliberately paced, yet beautiful masterpiece.
Fareid El Gafy, Staff Writer
• February 25, 2019
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
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
Super Bowl Halftime Show Sacrifices Ambition for Safety
Even SpongeBob couldn’t save the show from mediocrity.
Ethan Zack, Staff Writer
• February 6, 2019
‘The Seventh Seal’ Is Revitalized at Film Forum
Kaylee DeFreitas, Staff Writer
• December 5, 2018
‘Mirai’ Wants You to Love Your Family
Fareid El Gafy
• December 4, 2018
‘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
‘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
‘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
‘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
‘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
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
Netflix Historical Drama ‘Outlaw King’ Falls Short of Epic
Fareid El Gafy, Contributing Writer
• November 14, 2018
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
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
‘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
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
‘1985’: A Gripping and Private View into the AIDS Epidemic
Kaylee DeFreitas
• October 29, 2018
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
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
Move Over Netflix, DC Has a New Comic Book-Crazed Streaming Service
Ethan Zack, Contributing Writer
• October 25, 2018
ISIS Survivor Bears the Struggle of the Yazidi People ‘On Her Shoulders’
Fareid El Gafy, Contributing Writer
• October 25, 2018
‘Stella’s Last Weekend’ Is a Family Film Project That Fails to Charm
Kaylee DeFreitas, Contributing Writer
• October 17, 2018
‘My Hero Academia’ Exceeds Fan Expectations
Fareid El Gafy, Contributing Writer
• October 17, 2018
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
Chalamet’s ‘Beautiful Boy’ Scratches the Surface of Addiction
Kaylee DeFreitas, Contributing Writer
• October 15, 2018
The World Has Had Enough ‘Venom’
Ethan Zack, Contributing Writer
• October 9, 2018
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Antonio Johri, Contributing Writer • November 5, 2024
Brianna Ly, Staff Writer • November 5, 2024