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(02/27/22 10:44pm)
There’s no doubt that Spider–Man: No Way Home—not only the highest box–office earner during the COVID–19 pandemic, but also the sixth highest–grossing movie of all time—was a success of epic proportions. However, its appeal may not have been the emotional storylines, young stars, Tom Holland and Zendaya, or even the beloved character at the center of it all, but rather something that’s increasingly changing the face of Hollywood as we know it: de–aging technology.
(02/21/22 4:00pm)
When Mary Tyler Moore died in January of 2017, I was completely oblivious to the fact that the world had just lost a star, someone who had charmed American households over the CBS airwaves for decades. That's because I wasn’t aware of her groundbreaking, aptly–named television program, The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The show is a sitcom from the 1970s about a young woman, Mary Richards, who breaks off her engagement and moves to Minneapolis to start a career. She balances her time between the newsroom of a local television station, where she serendipitously lands a job as an associate producer, and her modest, but glamorous studio apartment.
(02/20/22 9:31pm)
For decades, Disney relied on Prince Charming for a happy ending; however, the company has since retired its signature plot device. In the last ten years, fairytale romances have morphed into touching meditations on familial relationships.
(02/14/22 8:00pm)
I’m Sorry.
(02/14/22 4:00pm)
People seem to have a love–hate relationship with romantic tropes: They’re frustrating yet satisfying, predictable yet comforting, cringe–inducing, and yet, you can't peel your eyes away from the screen. The best rom–coms and romantic dramas have shamelessly embraced romantic tropes and made them their own, resulting in a plethora of timeless classics at one’s disposal around this time of the year.
(02/08/22 1:38am)
Definition Please, directed by and starring Sujata Day, begins with a flashback of a young Monica Chowdry correctly spelling out "opsimath," earning herself the title of the 2005 Scribbs National Spelling Bee champion. What she seems to be doing is spelling out success—the audience is set up to believe that this is a story about a precocious child going on to do great things.
(02/04/22 3:42am)
Superhero movies have been around for decades, with the first superhero movie arguably being a 1916 French film called Judex. Judex centers on a dark–cloaked vigilante named Jacques de Tremeuse who possesses no powers and relies on high–tech gadgets. Sound familiar? Yes, twenty–three years before writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane created Batman in May 1939, a Batman–esque hero had already been introduced to the world.
(01/31/22 6:00pm)
When Ejun Hong (C '25) was ten years old, she struggled with an unidentifiable eye disorder that threatened her academic journey. However, as she watched various animated films, she found herself inspired. Animation felt empowering—in it, she saw something that “delivers hope, happiness, and inspiration" not only to her but to others around the globe.
(01/31/22 9:00pm)
Just last year, being in the Hype House—a $5 million content house that once housed social media superstars such as Charli D’Amelio and Addison Rae—seemed like a teenager’s wildest dreams. From living with young, attractive, and successful influencers to being given the opportunity to work with up–and–coming social media stars, the allure and clout of the Hype House was simply unquestionable. In fact, Hype House–adjacent influencer Nikita Dragun described it best: the Hype House is “a fraternity filled with people who have millions of followers and dollars at their fingertips with high school drama and like… a ring light.”
(01/29/22 4:46am)
It’s likely that, on an average stroll down Locust Walk, a Penn student might be walking alongside future billionaires, government leaders, or technology geniuses. But what most Penn students might not know about their campus is that they are also walking around a film set every day.
(01/24/22 7:00pm)
When I first imagined attending an advanced screening, I anticipated long lines and crammed theaters. Press, celebrities, and dedicated movie–goers contend for a coveted seat, and a few unlucky individuals are turned away. Rather, when I attended an advanced screening of Apple TV’s Servant, I was hunched over my twelve–inch computer screen in pitch black. My best friend and I spoke animatedly, ready to decode the season three premiere. Despite the widely different reality compared to my expectations, there was a certain intimacy to it.
(01/25/22 4:01am)
(Ed. note: This article contains spoilers for 'Encanto.')
(01/18/22 12:31am)
Typewriters; wax seal stamps; vintage outfits with an emphasis on beige and brown hues. You’ve seen it all before, and probably imagined it too—attending boarding school in New England, penning (or receiving) love letters, spending your days surrounded by books and Gothic architecture. Originating on Tumblr in 2012, the subculture of dark academia has long fascinated a particular kind of young person.
(01/27/22 5:25pm)
The 2021 movie lineup featured a plethora of well–reviewed theater–only movies such as West Side Story, The Last Duel, and Nightmare Alley. But while all of these films might have superb visuals, immersive production, and gripping musical scores, they also share one major similarity: they're all box office bombs.
(01/17/22 5:00am)
On Dec. 31, 2021, Betty White passed away, just two and a half weeks shy of her centennial birthday. She was 99 years old, yet her death sent shock waves through the entertainment world; many, including myself, couldn’t fathom that such an ever–present force in Hollywood was gone.
(12/10/21 2:20am)
Entertainment has been a crucial part of the transition this year from isolation to pseudo–normalcy. Last winter, we snuggled up in bed binging tried and true comfort shows (Community for me), while major blockbusters like Dune were postponed due to COVID–19 concerns.
(11/30/21 12:46am)
I walk towards Houston Hall on a windy, brisk fall day in November. College senior Eli Ricanati calmly waits for me on a bench, in a confident manner. His confidence is warranted, given the success of his first short film released in October: The Frontiers Are My Prison.
(11/29/21 7:39pm)
When Oscar–winning Nomadland director Chloé Zhao was chosen to direct Marvel’s latest attempt at reinvigorating the Marvel Cinematic Universe post–Endgame, fans were quick to express their excitement at the implications of such an incredible talent. However, when Eternals was released on Nov. 5, 2021, Zhao’s blockbuster quickly became one of the most divisive films that the franchise has ever seen, receiving the worst CinemaScore grade in the MCU’s history. Now, for all of its cinematic charm, Zhao’s ambitious entry into the MCU may falter in its attempt to deliver the witty, action–packed narrative that longtime fans are accustomed to; but does the film really deserve worse reviews than any of its recent counterparts?
(12/10/21 5:00am)
Todd Haynes’ The Velvet Underground translates the band into energy, embodying the people, art, and sounds of New York City during the rise of experimental rock. The 2021 documentary mimics the hypnotic nature of Andy Warhol’s influence and The Velvet Underground at its height. Similar to Warhol’s work, Haynes’ documentary holds the potential to “extend time,” drawing out the narratives of each band member and their respective contributions to the group. Rather than creating a chronological—or purely historical—account of The Velvet Underground, Haynes recreates the same temporal dissonance that is emulated in their music. By doing so, Haynes expands the definition of the band, whose influence has extended beyond the music industry and into a cultural phenomenon.
(11/17/21 9:00pm)
It’s that time of the year again—November means Thanksgiving, daylight savings, and the return of Mariah Carey’s Christmas album. For the unlucky high school seniors, it marks the beginning of the dreaded college application season. It might feel like a lifetime since you had to submit a college essay, but I think it’s time we revisit the age–old question of "Why Penn?" In fact, why go to college at all?
