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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 Tony Schwab
Mark Duplass and Sarah Paulson star in Alex Lehmann's Blue Jay.

Though Unique, ‘Blue Jay’ Ultimately Falters

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer October 5, 2016
In his new film "Blue Jay," Alex Lehmann takes a shot at the age-old story of two former lovers reunited by chance, with black-and-white shots and a refreshing sense of reality.
With our current tense political climate, directors Hemal Trivedi and Mohammed Ali Naqvi offer an interesting perspective on the state of radical Islam in Pakistan through their new film, "Among the Believers".

Documentary on Islamic Extremism Is Both Effective and Simplistic

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer September 29, 2016

Coming at a particularly heated moment of today’s political climate, “Among the Believers,” a new documentary directed by Hemal Trivedi and Mohammed Ali Naqvi, is an informative...

Jason Lew sat down with WSN to discuss studying at Tisch, transitioning to the role of director, and what it's like to work with other actors.

Tisch Alum Jason Lew Shares His Journey

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer September 22, 2016
Tisch graduate Jason Lew gives NYU the scoop on what it's like to work as an actor, writer, and director after leaving Tisch, and the scoop on his latest film.
NYU tennis competed this past weekend at both Fordham University and Vassar College.

Tennis Bounces Back at Vassar

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer September 19, 2016
The NYU men's tennis team played in the Four in the Fall Tournament at Fordham while the women played in the Vassar College Scramble.
This weekend at the Lion’s Kickoff Tournament, the men’s and women’s tennis team played TCNJ in Ewing, NJ.

Individual Performances Highlight Tennis Opener

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer September 12, 2016
Highlights of the men's and women's tennis action this weekend at The Lion's Kickoff Tournament in Ewing, NJ.
Matthew Wells scattered three hits over four innings of relief, allowing only one run on Wednesday's losing effort.

Baseball Pitches, Slips, Ultimately Misses in Coney Island Game

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer April 27, 2016
Hot bats weren't enough, as the NYU baseball team dropped their game against the College of Mount Saint Vernon, 6-5.
"Elvis & Nixon" is a film starring Michael Shannon as Elvis Presley and Kevin Spacey as President Nixon.

Tribeca 2016: ‘Elvis and Nixon’ Shames the Figures it Depicts

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer April 27, 2016
"Elvis & Nixon," starring Michael Shannon and Kevin Spacey, recounts the story of the two men meeting at the White House.
AMC’s miniseries “The Night Manager” is a captivating mystery adapted from John le Carre’s novel.

Avengers Star Manages the Night in Miniseries

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer April 25, 2016
"The Night Manager" is a new miniseries on AMC starring Tom Hiddleston as a hotel manager who is recruited to infiltrate an international arms network.
Diana King pitched excellently for the NYU Women's Softball team's win against Farmingdale State.

End-of-Week Wrap-Up: Tennis, Baseball and Softball

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer April 21, 2016
From the tennis court to the baseball diamond, here's what you've missed in NYU sports.
Premiering last week at the Tribeca Film Festival, David Byrne's concert film, "Contemporary Color" portrays a color guard performance put on at the Barclays Center last year.

Tribeca 2016: David Byrne Led “Contemporary Color” Dazzles at Premiere

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer April 18, 2016
Our dispatches from Tribeca begin with a review of "Contemporary Color", a documentary about the color guard concert put on by David Byrne at Barclays Center last year.
TEDxNYU hosted a Color Party to relieve some stress with art therapy.

TEDxNYU Gets Legit About Coloring

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer April 18, 2016
TEDxNYU hosted "Color Party" last week, to tout the stress relief benefits of coloring books for all ages.
NYU's Baseball team defeated SUNY Maritime 11-3 on Wednesday, April 13.

Baseball Creeps Up on .500

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer April 14, 2016
The NYU baseball team finished up a brief stint at home with a big victory against Maritime College.
NYU Track & Field team runner, Nathaniel Picard-Busky, ran hard through tough conditions to place third in the steeplechase.

Track Team Gets Split Between Two Meets Over Weekend

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer April 11, 2016
It was another busy weekend for the track teams, who sent participants to events in New York and New Jersey.
"The Idiot" is on display at Brennan & Griffin Gallery in Red Hook at 62 Delavan Street in Brooklyn, NY from April 1st - May 22nd.

Creepily Cheerful Art Inspired by Dostoevsky on Display in ‘The Idiot’

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer April 8, 2016
"The Idiot," Dave McDermott's new art gallery in Red Hook mixes the upsetting and the humorous.
Women's tennis claimed multiple victories at the UAA championships in Florida. (Courtesy of NYU Athletics)

Tennis Inconsistent in Ohio Over the Weekend

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer April 4, 2016
The men's and women's tennis teams spent the weekend in Ohio, facing off against Case Western Reserve University and Oberlin College.
Don Hany and Melissa George portray doctors in NBC's new drama, "Heartbeat".

NBC Drama ‘Heartbeat’ Flatlines

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer March 29, 2016
"Heartbeat" is a new NBC drama about a rule-breaking, renegade heart surgeon and her intriguing personal life.
Flaked is the new Netflix series created by and starring Will Arnett as the lead.

Don’t Flake on ‘Flaked’

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer March 23, 2016
Will Arnett stars in the new Netflix series "Flaked" as a struggling self-help guru in California.
Freshman Ryan McLaughlin  finished his game Wednesday with two runs and a triple.

Baseball Stumbles Their Way to Sixth Straight Loss

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer March 23, 2016
The baseball team's season continued to be a difficult one as the Violets dropped two to Centenary College to make it six consecutive losses.
Diana King hit her first home-run for the NYU Women’s Softball team in their huge wins against Baruch College.

No-No, Homers Carry Softball to 25-0 Drubbing

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer March 21, 2016
The NYU softball team was explosive against Baruch on Thursday, combining for 36 runs in 10 innings of action.
“Midnight Special” is a new film revolving around a young boy who has magical powers.

Supernatural Thriller Falls Short

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer March 21, 2016
Jeff Nichols' "Midnight Special" is thrilling sci-fi film starring Michael Shannon as a father on the run with his son, who has magical powers.
"To the Moon and Beyond: Graphic Films and the Inception of 2001: A Space Odyssey" is an exhibition featuring detailed sketches for 2001: Space Odyssey.

New Exhibit Reveals Team Behind ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer March 9, 2016
A new exhibit at the Museum of the Moving Image features sketches, blueprints and letters from the production of "2001: A Space Odyssey".
Samuel Khoshbin of NYU’s Men’s Tennis team defeated his opponent in straight sets on Sunday.

Tennis Manages Busy Weekend

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer March 7, 2016
The spring season rolled on as both of NYU's tennis teams competed in a busy weekend of action.
Women's Tennis player Carmen Lai won consecutive perfect sets to start off the Violets' first spring match.

Tennis Tries to Shake Off Winter Rust

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer February 29, 2016
The NYU tennis teams began the spring season on the road against Swarthmore College.

Producers Nicolas Gonda and Sarah Green talked to students in the course Producing the Independent Film about their work on Knight of Cups.

Tisch Class Gets Lowdown from Pros

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer February 29, 2016
Nicholas Gondas and Sarah Green are the producers for Terrence Mallick's new film "Knight of Cups."
Tisch sophomores Sarah Sampino and Sabra Kojis have started their own web series called TBH.

Tisch Sophomores Impress in New Web Series ‘TBH’

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer February 29, 2016
"TBH" is a new comedic web series produced by NYU students.
Sophomore Tim Kou got second place in the 200-yard breaststroke.

Men Take Third, Women Fourth in Swimming UAAs

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer February 22, 2016
The NYU men's and women's swimming and diving teams participated in the UAA Championships this weekend.
"Paperwork and the Will of Capital,” is a current photographic exhibition about the symbolic nature of flowers at the Gagosian Gallery.

Flowers of Diplomacy Wilt at Gagosian

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer February 22, 2016
The new exhibit "Paperwork and the Will of Capital" at the Gagosian Gallery features recreations of flower arrangements from important diplomatic meetings.
"Touched by Fire" is a new romance film directed by Paul Dalio, starring Luke Kirby and Katie Holmes.

Tisch Alum’s New Film Thoughtfully Portrays Bipolar Disorder

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer February 17, 2016
Katie Holmes stars as a poet with bipolar disorder in Tisch alum Paul Dalio's debut film "Touched with Fire"
Pilou Asbæk stars in "A War": an Oscar-nominated film directed by Tobias Lindholm.

‘A War’ Amounts to Courtroom Drama, Remains Too Stoic

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer February 10, 2016
The Oscar nominated film is a standard courtroom drama but with unsettling battle sequences.
“Picturing Prestige: New York Portraits 1700-1860” is a current exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York which showcases artwork from three different eras of New York City.

History Through the Eyes of the Portrait

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer February 8, 2016
"Picturing Prestige: New York Portraits 1700-1860" is a new exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York.
"The Club," directed by Pablo Larraín, follows the story of four former priests and the woman who tends to them and how their lives are disrupted by a Vatican emissary.

“The Club” Succeeds Without Being Preachy

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer February 5, 2016
The Chilean film is a thought-provoking look at priests and sexual abuse.
Tuesday night, the NYU men’s basketball team defeated Stevens Institute of Technology 74-66.

Senior Leadership Proves Key for Men’s Basketball

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer February 4, 2016
NYU's men's basketball team faced a stiff test from the Stevens Institute of Technology on Tuesday.
Chair of Tisch Undergraduate Film & Television, Joe Pichirallo, has produced a new ABC TV film called "Madoff".

‘Madoff’ Doesn’t Steal the Show

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer February 1, 2016
The new TV film is produced by Tisch Undergraduate Chair of Film & TV, Joe Pichirallo.
Chase Klein was a stand out player in the NYU men's volleyball team's loss to Hunter College on Tuesday, January 26.

Top-10 Violets Wilt Against Unranked Hunter

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer January 28, 2016
The NYU men's volleyball competed against Hunter College in a thrilling battle on Tuesday.
Junior guard Amy Harioka notched what ended up being the game-winning three-pointer for the Violets on Sunday.

Basketball National Title Hopes Still Alive

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer January 25, 2016
NYU's men's and women's basketball teams looked to stay hot on the road over the weekend.
Five films to catch over winter break

Five films to catch over winter break

Wondering what films to watch over winter break? Check out these five new films coming out this December.
Doc makes cartoons ‘Very Semi-Serious’

Doc makes cartoons ‘Very Semi-Serious’

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer December 7, 2015
"Very Semi-Serious" takes audiences through the process of how a cartoon goes from pen to The New Yorker.
"Framing Wall" by Barbara Bloom is on display at the Museum of Modern Arts until Dec. 20.

New exhibitions at MoMA worth visiting

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer December 3, 2015
Avoid the crowds in MoMA and check out the museum's smaller exhibits, like Barbara Bloom's "Framing Wall" and Ernie Gehr's "Carnival of Shadows."
The Wannabe is a 2015 American drama film set to release on December 4th.

New mob film ‘The Wannabe’ misses the mark

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer December 2, 2015
New mob film "The Wannabe" adds nothing new to the genre.
Neal Huff sat down with WSN to discuss his career after NYU, including his role in "Spotlight."

Tisch alumnus walks ‘The Wire,’ shines in ‘Spotlight’

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer December 1, 2015
NYU alumnus Neal Huff discusses with WSN about working in "Spotlight," his work on "The Wire" and how Tisch's environment energized his acting career.
Featuring over 50 works, “Jackson Pollock: A Collection Survey, 1934–1954”, is on display at the MoMA from November 22, 2015 to March 13, 2016

Pollock exhibit at MoMA goes beyond the splatter

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer November 30, 2015
Track the changes in Jackson Pollock's artistic tone from realistic to abstract in the MoMA's comprehensive collection survey of the artist's mid- to late-career work.
Lily Corsaro runs for NYU's Cross Country team. (via NYU Athletics)

Corsaro represents NYU at NCAAs

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer November 23, 2015
Lily Corsaro was the lone representative for NYU's cross country program at the NCAA Division III Championship in Wisconsin.
Collected by Thea Westreich Wagner and Ethan Wagner is the latest exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Massive gallery at Whitney chooses quantity over quality

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer November 23, 2015
The Whitney adds 500 works to its permanent collection, but the artwork's impressiveness is only in number, not in quality.
Dylan Lojac went undefeated, as did the NYU wrestling team with a 3-0 win at the Metro vs. PA Duals hosted at King’s College on Saturday.

Wrestling team starts season with strong lead

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer November 16, 2015
The NYU wrestling team was in action in King's Point, New York this weekend.
The Steinhardt BFA program presents the undergraduate work, “Not By Any Stretch,” which features the work of the Undergraduate Student Art Organization.

Art showcase features Steinhardt work

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer November 16, 2015
Steinhardt undergraduate students create somewhat unsettling artwork in the expansive exhibit, "Not By Any Measure."
Ocean of Images: New Photography is the latest exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art.

MoMA’s ‘Ocean of Images’ explores uncharted photography techniques

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer November 10, 2015
Photography gets impersonal at MoMA's latest photo exhibit, "Ocean of Images," featuring photographs by Japanese photographer Lieko Shiga and Israeli photographer Ilit Azoulay.
Petter Aasa recorded the Violet’s lone shot on goal in their final 2015 season match.

Soccer losses jeopardize season

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer November 9, 2015
NYU soccer was in action on Saturday against Brandeis University.
Laurie Anderson uses the death of her dog, as the starting point for reflections on life, death, religion and philosophy in her new film Heart of Dog.

Anderson’s ‘Heart of a Dog’ combines art forms to reflect on life and death

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer November 4, 2015
Experimental artist Laurie Anderson's new film "Heart of Dog" spirituality by combining several different art forms.
Frederick Wiseman's latest film, “In Jackson Heights,” explores the diversity of the Queens neighborhood.

‘In Jackson Heights’ director Frederick Wiseman talks gentrification

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer November 3, 2015
Frederick Wiseman's "In Jackson Heights" explores the intense cultural diversity of the Queens neighborhood. WSN spoke with Wiseman about gentrification robbing neighborhoods of local personality and his documentary style.
As Chelsea begins to struggle, people begin to wonder if the staff should answer. .

The case against Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer November 2, 2015
With Chelsea struggling, should the club's embattled manager José Mourinho be fired?
Hans Engel won gold in epee at the NYU Fencing team’s season-opener on November 1st, 2015.

Fencing opens season with solid start

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer November 2, 2015
NYU fencing was in action at the Temple University Collegiate Open over the weekend.
Sophomore Rayne Ellis finished the second match with 15 kills.

Women’s volleyball brings home victory

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer October 26, 2015
The NYU women's volleyball team was in UAA Round Robin action this past Saturday.
Laurie Anderson, a musician and performance artist, speaks about her upcoming film, Heart of a Dog.

Musician experiments with ‘Dog’

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer October 25, 2015
"Heart of a Dog" opens with a shot of director, artist and composer Laurie Anderson giving birth to her pet dog. Anderson sat down with WSN to discuss the Buddhist elements in the film and her favorite current musician.
Lily Corsaro finished first for NYU at the Inter-Regional Rumble hosted by Oberlin College on Saturday. October 17, in Oberlin, OH.

Cross country looking to peak in second half

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer October 19, 2015
The NYU cross country team splits in Oberlin and New London.
 Jack Quaid, an alumnus of the Experimental Theatre Workshop of the Tisch School of the Arts, spoke with WSN about his role in the upcoming HBO show “Vinyl” and his experience working in both New York and L.A.

Hammerkatz alum Jack Quaid on his short film, new HBO show

Tony Schwab, Staff Writer October 19, 2015
NYU alum Jack Quaid makes his directorial debut at the New York City Independent Film Festival with "After Lilly." WSN spoke with Quaid about his time as a comedian Hammerkatz, his upcoming role on HBO's "VInyl" and N.Y. vs. L.A.
Max Mudd helped the men's cross country team finished second at the Metropolitan Championship on Friday, October 9, at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.

NYU ranks high in cross country tournaments

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer October 13, 2015
NYU men's cross country has finished in the top 3 of all their competitions so far, and is looking to peak in the latter stages of the season.
“The Forbidden Room,” directed by Guy Maddin and Evan Johnson, is worth watching for the style that it creates and for a lesson on how this style can fall short.

In ‘The Forbidden Room,’ even surreal nightmares become repetitive

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer October 6, 2015
Colorful surrealist imagery does nothing in terms of the moralist plot for the film "The Forbidden Room." Daydreams, submarines and a child battalion make their way through Maddin's latest directorial venture.
Part of The New York Film Festival, “Arabian Nights” is a three-part movie that delves into Portugal’s financial collapse.

Portuguese recession meets Caliphate folk tales in 6-hour ‘Arabian Nights’

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer October 6, 2015
The six-hour, three-part film about Portugal's social collapse is more interesting and humorous than you'd think.
Junior Umberto Setter, the lone Violet remaining in the singles draw, lost to Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute's Tristan Wise 6-3, 6-4 in the Round of 16.

Tennis rounds out fall season

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer September 28, 2015
The NYU men's and women's teams competed at the ITA Regional Tournament over the weekend.
 A documentary which follows 26-year-old, 58-pound Lizzie, born with a rare syndrome that prevents her from gaining weight.

‘A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story’ sidesteps pity

Tony Schwab, Contributing writer September 23, 2015
Lizzie Velasquez voices her road from cyberbully victim to anti-bullying activist in "A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story"
Novak Djokovic won the U.S. Open in four sets.

Djokovic’s greatness under-appreciated due to subtlety

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer September 16, 2015
Despite his win in the U.S. Open, tennis fans still haven’t warmed up to Novak Djokovic. Tony Schwab explains why.
Frias had a pair of double-digit-kill matches for the Violets on Saturday.

Strong second day for volleyball, breaks .500

Tony Schwab, Contributing Writer September 14, 2015
The NYU women's volleyball team got back on track and pushed their record to .500 on the season.