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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

Ellen DeGeneres hosted the 86th oscars. (via Youtube)

Unpopular Opinions: Oscar Hosts

The Arts Desk is tired of giving hot takes on snubs and surprises and have decided to critique a different aspect of awards shows: the hosts!

Well, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided to forgo a host for this year’s Oscars, so what better way to ignore such a boring move than to celebrate the art...

Tim Blake Nelson as the titular character in "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs." (Courtesy of Cinetic Media)

Coen Brothers’ Latest Is a Hit-or-Miss Wild West Anthology

Netflix’s “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” is another Oscar hopeful for the streaming service.
Lily Dolin, Staff Writer November 16, 2018
Netflix’s “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” is another Oscar hopeful for the streaming service.
We Need to Reconsider the Way We Talk About Sexual Assault

We Need to Reconsider the Way We Talk About Sexual Assault

Sarah Lifson, Contributing Writer February 1, 2018
All students at NYU must come together to start a positive dialogue on consent and sexual assault.
Celebrities Must Use Their Platforms

Celebrities Must Use Their Platforms

Shraddha Jajal, Contributing Writer January 31, 2018
Celebrities should use their platforms to actively support women's rights.
The 2018 Oscars Awards presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will honor the best films of 2017 on March 4, 2018 in Los Angeles.

NYU at the Oscars, Again

Alex Cullina, Contributing Writer January 26, 2018
The Academy Awards' efforts to reform and diversify its membership shone a little brighter this year with wide-ranging nominees and multiple NYU alums.
NYU Alumni Sterling K. Brown (MFA, ‘01) and Susan Kelechi Watson (Tisch, ’03) took this years SAG awards for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series and for Best Television Ensemble.

SAG Awards Sidestep the Big Issues

Lily Dolin, Staff Writer January 23, 2018
Hot on the heels of the 2018 Golden Globe Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards continued the discussion on gender equality and sexual harassment. The night was filled with touching tributes, awards for NYU alumnus and commentary that failed to address current problems in Hollywood.
Former NYU professor James Franco directs and stars in ‘The Disaster Artist’

James Franco Turns ‘Disaster’ Into Masterpiece

Daniella Nichinson, Film Editor November 27, 2017
Over 15 years ago, Tommy Wiseau made a film called "The Room." Now, James Franco has created a film about that film, "Disaster Artist," which comes out this Friday.
HBO’s “The Deuce” shows the grittier side of New York City with James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

HBO’s ‘The Deuce’ Has Grit

Lily Dolin, Staff Writer September 11, 2017
HBO's new original series "The Deuce," focuses on New York in the 1970s, and the emergence of mainstream pornography films.
Herzog’s film “Queen of the Desert,” starring Nicole Kidman, chronicles the life of Gertrude Bell. The film will open on Friday, April 7 at the IFC Film Center at 323 Sixth Ave.

Werner Herzog’s ‘Queen of the Desert’ Is No ‘Lawrence of Arabia’

Carter Glace, Staff Writer April 6, 2017
"Queen of the Desert," Werner Herzog's dramatic 2015 tale of the life of archaeologist and freedom fighter T.E. Lawrence, is like if you took everything about "Lawrence of Arabia" and made it bad.
The bizarre thriller, “The Institute,” directed by James Franco and Pamela Romanowsky, opened on March 3.

New Film ‘The Institute’ Satisfies With a Twist

Anubhuti Kumar, Staff Writer March 8, 2017
James Franco and Pamela Romanowsky’s latest directing venture "The Institute" is less of a thriller than the same-old psych ward mystery flick, though its twist ending keeps it from being a copycat work.
James Franco plays Mac McLeod in “In Dubious Battles,” based on John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name.

Horde of Stars Brings ‘In Dubious Battle’ to the Screen

Carter Glace, Staff Writer February 15, 2017
James Franco's latest exploits in film adaptations of classic literature bring us "In Dubious Battle," a star-studded but relatively adequate project.
James Franco and Zachary Quinto star in the new film by Justin Kelly.

James Franco Brings Necessary Ambiguity to “I Am Michael”

Tye Musante, Contributing Writer January 25, 2017
Considering his own history of questioned sexuality, James Franco's casting as famed LGBT-turned-Christian Michael Glatze was perfect.