Arts & Entertainment

It: Chapter Two is a repetitive and disappointing sequel

By COLE DOUGLASS | September 12, 2019

If the first part of the It saga was about the terrors of childhood — the uncertainty of growing up, the possibility that adults can’t or won’t help you solve your problems — then It: Chapter Two is a treatise on stagnation, the fear that maybe we can’t ever escape the demons (metaphorical and otherwise) that haunted us as children. 

Mourad Asap / CC BY-SA 4.0
Joe Mabel / CC BY-SA 4.0  Director Justin Chon’s recent film Ms. Purple unveils a new side to Asian-American life.

Director Justin Chon reevaluates the American dream in Ms. Purple

By ARAN CHANG | September 17, 2019

Many may recognize Justin Chon as a frequent collaborator of popular Asian-American Youtubers Wong Fu, Ryan Higa and KevJumba. Or to others less familiar with YouTube, he can be associated with Eric Yorkie from Twilight or Brenda Song’s annoying brother in Disney’s Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior. 

Thugger breaks musical ground with So Much Fun

By BRANDT MATTHEWS | September 11, 2019

With the release of So Much Fun, Young Thug is finally seeing the commercial success fans have wanted for him for years. Despite being a household name for many as far back as 2015 with his Barter 6 project, or even 2014 through the single “Lifestyle” as a part of Rich Gang, Thugger’s road to superstardom has been long and fraught to say the least. 

Frank Schwichtenberg / CC BY-SA 4.0  Young Thug’s album So Much Fun stands out among contemporaries.

Student groups dazzle freshmen at dance show

By JAE CHOI | September 11, 2019

The annual Hopkins Dance O-Show took place this past Saturday at the Shriver Hall auditorium. The event is a popular showcase of the University’s dance performance groups, usually held a couple weeks after freshman orientation. Several minutes into the show, the auditorium was already filled to the brim, with more students shuttling into the auditorium between performances. 

Hail Satan? Takes us Behind The Satanic Temple

By KATIE TAM | September 17, 2019

Premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and released shortly after in April, Hail Satan? follows the rise and growth of The Satanic Temple (TST), a “nontheistic religious and political activist group,” according to Wikipedia. The documentary, directed by Penny Lane, draws attention to The Satanic Temple and their confrontations with local governments and media outlets as they advocate for religious pluralism and the separation between church and state. 

Public domain In Hail Satan? The Satanic Temple protests against religious symbols on government grounds.
Rinkydinkpanther/cc by-s.a 4.0 The Great British Bake-Off judge Paul Hollywood brings personality to the competition.

The Great British Bake-Off returns for its tenth season on Netflix

By EMILY MCDONALD | September 5, 2019

The Great British Bake-Off is back for its tenth season, with new episodes available on Netflix every Friday, just three days after they originally air in the U.K. By now, the reality show has garnered a reputation for being undeniably soothing. It’s the show you fall asleep to after watching a horror movie, and it’s the show you turn on when the news is stressing you out. 

Netflix's The Great Hack isn't that great

By CHRISTIAN HELGESON | September 5, 2019

It’s somewhat ironic that the stylish aesthetics of The Great Hack, Netflix’s recent documentary on the 2018 Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data scandal, are so indebted to the social media world it indicts. Throughout the film, its subjects walk through city streets bustling with digitally superimposed messages and posts hovering in the air. 

Jwslubbock/cc BY S.A 4.0 The Great Hack follows the Facebook-Carmbridge Analaytica Scandal.
UNKNOWN/CC BY-s.a 2.5 Thousands of Dayton residents were left unemployed after the General Motors plant closed.

American Factory delves into complex struggles

By KATY OH | September 8, 2019

 With the 2020 presidential election around the corner and my summer mornings on the subway inundated with bolded headlines across passengers’ phones about the Democratic debates, tensions are at an all-time high.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark presents old stories with a contemporary twist

By JAE CHOI | September 5, 2019

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, directed by André Øvredal and produced by Guillermo del Toro, is a film adaptation of the popular children’s book series of the same name. Although it has a running time of only 108 minutes, the film manages to develop unique renditions of the original stories and creatively incorporates them into the larger narrative plot of the film.

Midsommar delivers compelling, genre-defying narrative

By JAE CHOI | August 7, 2019

Midsommar, a newly released folk-horror film from director Ari Aster, follows his highly acclaimed debut film Hereditary, which was released only a year ago. After relishing in the delightfully gruesome premise and fantastic acting of Hereditary, my expectations for Midsommar were high. 

Producer Showcase: Jarreau Vandal and Edacs

By NIKITA SHTARKMAN | May 2, 2019

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been constantly listening to music from two completely unique and distinct producers. Both are fantastic and should be far more popular than they are, though they make completely different music. 

Naval Historical Center/CC BY-SA 1.0 Taegukgi depicts the cruel conditions of the Korean War.

South Korean film delivers nuanced portrait of war

By CHRISTIAN HELGESON | May 2, 2019

Liberty in North Korea JHU (LiNK), a student group under the umbrella organization of the same name, held its rescheduled screening of the 2004 South Korean film, Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War, on Wednesday, May 1. Although I could not attend in person, I was able to watch the film on my own time. 

Cuz I Love You is about overcoming vulnerabilities with confidence

By MARVIS GUTIERREZ | May 2, 2019

When Lizzo brazenly opened “Tempo” with the words, “I’ve been waiting for this one,” teasing her collaboration with Missy Elliott, I knew I wasn’t ready. It’s been a month since “Tempo” dropped, with Lizzo’s full album, Cuz I Love You, released on Friday, April 19, but I still don’t think I’m quite ready to tackle analyzing the absolute bops featured.

andy witchger cc by-sa 2.0 Lizzo’s new album Cuz I Love You is an uplifting album full of memorable beats and lyrics.
nicolas genin cc by-sa 2.0 French film director Claire Denis’ High Life is a visceral sci-fi film featuring Robert Pattinson.

Claire Denis’ film, High Life, is an engrossingly gross sci-fi film

By EMILY WHITNEY | May 2, 2019

Claire Denis’ film High Life, which was released on Friday, April 12, is definitely unique. And it is also certainly a showcase of the most bodily fluids I’ve seen in a science fiction film, so much to the point where I pledged to walk out at five different points. But the film has an impressive and elusive gravity to it that kept me in my seat, despite being grossed out right up to my limits.