Kaylee DeFreitas, Deputy Managing Editor
Staff Recs: Comfort Movies
Sometimes when the outside world becomes too much, a good movie is the best form of escapism.
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.”
The Highs and Lows of Virtual Reality Grad Alley
WSN’s top gamers went to Virtual Reality Grad Alley. Here’s what happened.
Weekly Radio Roundup: Final Edition of the Semester
The most exciting tunes as you get ready to let loose in the summertime.
‘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.
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.
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.
Weekly Radio Roundup: March 7 – March 13
The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.
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.”
‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ and a 40-Year-Old All-American Boy
“Sonic the Hedgehog” is a bog standard first outing for the blue blur.
‘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.
Staff Recs: Valentine’s Day Edition
The Arts Desk recommends the best films, music and galleries for you to enjoy this Valentine’s Day.
‘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.
Weekly Radio Roundup: Jan. 31 – Feb. 3
The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.
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.
‘The Good Place’ Walks Through the Final Door
The series finale of the NBC comedy focuses on the beauty of the end.
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.
Grammy Awards 2020 Winners Include Seven NYU Alumni
Former NYU students featured across numerous categories, from Album of the Year to Best New Artist.
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.
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.
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.
The Final Staff Rants (of the Semester)
In honor of the semester’s final Staff Rants, we have no theme — only pent-up rage.
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.
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.
Staff Rants and Raves: Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a divisive holiday, to say the least. Here’s what our staff has to say about it.
‘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.
Staff Recs: Good Music for Studying
The Arts Desk collects the perfect chill tunes for a serious study session.
‘Funhouse’: A Concert By, for and Featuring Students
The Quadio-Tigris collaboration celebrated local musicians late into the night.
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.
Staff Rants: Course Registration
We have no Staff Raves this week. Course registration is the worst.
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.
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.
‘The Lighthouse’ Merges Classic Saltwater Horror with Modern Experimentalism
Robert Egger's latest film proves there is indeed enchantment in the light.
‘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.
A Purpose in Every Pixel
One Tisch alumnus infuses his video games with autobiographical meaning and meticulous artistry.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
Unpopular Opinions: Unconventionally Hot Girl Summer
The Arts Desk weighs in on some underrated hotties in the entertainment industry.
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.
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?
BROCKHAMPTON Rests On Its Laurels With “GINGER”
The band’s new album does a solid enough job, but could have been so much more.
Pom Pom Squad Walks Forward While Looking Back
The local indie rock group’s homegrown roots haven’t stopped their forward momentum.
‘One Punch Man’ Season 2 Pulls Its Punches for Now
The follow-up to the successful anime is off to a disappointing start.
‘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.
‘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.
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.
‘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.
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.
Anderson .Paak Releases an Ode to Old
The R&B musician’s latest album harkens back to his hazy soul roots.
‘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.
‘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.
‘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.
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.
‘Gloria Bell’ Gets the Remake Game Right
Julianne Moore shines in the quirky romance ‘Gloria Bell,’ a remake of an Oscar-nominated Chilean film.
‘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.
‘Styx’ Is a Modern Tragedy
Wolfgang Fischer’s drama is a deliberately paced, yet beautiful masterpiece.
Ariana Grande Is Brutally Transparent on Her Latest Album
"thank u, next" sets itself apart as an extremely personal project for the pop megastar.
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.
Super Bowl Halftime Show Sacrifices Ambition for Safety
Even SpongeBob couldn’t save the show from mediocrity.
![Bengt Ekerot and Max von Sydow in "The Seventh Seal," playing a chess match of life and death. (Courtesy of Nico Chapin [CMPR])](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/film-seal-900x646.jpeg)
‘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.
‘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.
‘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.
‘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.
‘Fantastic Beasts’ Sequel Loses Magic
Only two films in and the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ series is already starting to spiral downward.
Gamers Reject Mobile Successors to Favorite Franchises
As much as they’d like to, mobile games can’t replace better video game experiences
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.
NYU Sketch Comedy Group Joins New York Comedy Festival
Please Don't Destroy kills cows and you with laughter.
‘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.
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?
Music Taste Could Score You a Match on Tinder
How picking the perfect Anthem could determine who swipes right and who swipes left.
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.
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.
