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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

Ella Sabrina Malabanan

Ella Sabrina Malabanan, Copy Chief

Ella Sabrina Malabanan is a senior studying English literature and linguistics — which basically means she really likes studying words, both from a scientific and literary perspective. In her free time, she is often at the theater watching a new show, obsessing over her next meal or worrying about the Golden State Warriors. You can find her on Instagram @malabanella or at [email protected].

All content by Ella Sabrina Malabanan
(Courtesy of Matthew Murphy)

Review: ‘Smash’ makes a messy TV show even worse

The new Broadway adaptation of the 2012 NBC series struggles with the transition from screen to stage.
Ella Sabrina Malabanan, Deputy Copy Chief April 18, 2025

NBC’s 2012 series “Smash” is the ultimate guilty pleasure. Even though it is often described as a hate-watch, the show’s phenomenal original music by “Hairspray” composer-lyricists...

8 must-watch films by Black female directors

8 must-watch films by Black female directors

From historical dramas to romantic comedies, here are some films to add to your watchlist — and not just during Black History Month.

This Black History Month and beyond, it’s important to spotlight the work of Black female directors, a historically underrepresented group in Hollywood — only 5.3% of directors...

An illustration of a Christmas wreath wrapped in shiny gold ribbon and an ornament, with red and green sections showing different film posters. In the middle is the Netflix logo wearing a red santa hat.

Ranked: Every 2024 Netflix Christmas rom-com

This year, Netflix put out four new holiday romantic comedies, ranging from trashy to genuinely fun.
Ella Sabrina Malabanan, Staff Writer December 9, 2024

Every holiday season, you can find a ton of new, usually low-budget, Christmas romantic comedies on Netflix. While the streaming giant that gave us three “The Princess Switch”...

10 songs for your cold-weather playlist

10 songs for your cold-weather playlist

It’s finally feeling like winter is near, and these songs will let you lean into your chilly-weather sensibilities.

Sure, it hit 80 degrees on Halloween. But as we creep into the second half of November, it’s hard to deny that students are breaking out their winter coats and bracing for colder...

A collage of four illustrated book covers.

Books beyond Bobst: An art criticism compilation, a romance set in Communist Poland and more

Books beyond Bobst is a book-rec column highlighting what NYU students are reading now, outside of their classes. If you’re in need of a new read, look no further.

“Hot, Cold, Heavy, Light, 100 Art Writings 1988-2018” by Peter Schjeldahl “Schjeldahl has enriched the sensibilities of several generations by narrating his own process...

An illustration of a film reel frame depicting a woman holding an umbrella surrounded by other people.

How a long-lost Filipino masterpiece came to NYFF 62

Writer and producer Gil Quito spoke to WSN about the restoration of Lino Brocka’s “Bona,” which premiered at this year’s New York Film Festival.
Ella Sabrina Malabanan, Contributing Writer October 1, 2024

Filipino director Lino Brocka’s 1980 film “Bona” is known as one of the greatest works in Philippine cinema. The film depicts the story of titular character Bona, documenting...

An illustration of a laptop screen and red mug in front of a purple background. On the screen is a woman in a red dress holding a red shawl above her head.

Off the Radar: The stylish, picture-perfect escapism of ‘Funny Face’

Off the Radar is a column surveying overlooked films available to students for free via NYU’s streaming partnerships. “Funny Face” is available to stream on Kanopy.
Ella Sabrina Malabanan, Contributing Writer September 20, 2024

When “Funny Face,” Stanley Donen’s movie-musical with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire, first premiered in 1957, it was a box office disappointment. Seven years later —...