Arts

Columns

For the Culture: In defense of J. Cole

By Paul Osmond | April 11

Last week, following the chaos generated from Kendrick Lamar’s diss on “Like That,” J. Cole unexpectedly released a new mixtape, titled “Might Delete Later.” Although the body of the mixtape initially received some positive reviews, many listeners reacted negatively to the concluding track, “7 Minute Drill,” wherein Cole pointedly disses his contemporary: “I came up in the ‘Ville, so I’m good when it’s tension/ He still doin’ shows, but fell off like the Simpsons/ Your first s--- was classic, your last s--- was tragic/ Your second s--- put n----- to sleep, but they gassed it.”

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Columns

The Bookmark: ‘I’m Glad My Mom Died’ by Jennette McCurdy

By Natalie Bricker | April 11

A note: Perhaps it goes without saying based on the shocking title, but Jennette McCurdy’s memoir contains intense and potentially triggering topics, so I definitely encourage reading content warnings before diving into this book. Now, for the review you’ve all been waiting for: “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” This book caught the attention of pretty much every reader when it came out — and it’s been brought back into many conversations recently due to the popularity of the new docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” (2024).

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Arts

‘RUNAWAY’ with Sarabande in a spectacular spring showcase

By Jennifer May | April 10

Sarabande took the stage with brilliance and grace for its spring showcase “RUNAWAY,” held in Cohen Auditorium on April 4 and 6. Tufts’ all-gender contemporary and commercial jazz ensemble is a powerhouse of talented dancers and choreographers who spend countless hours rehearsing and preparing for an end of semester performance. This semester’s show was called “RUNAWAY” and featured a diverse range of dance styles and song choices, ranging from Lady Gaga to Ethel Cain. The show not only included 11 stunning dances from Sarabande, but also four additional performances from different Tufts dance groups. With fresh interpretations of newer songs and classic hits, Sarabande continues to inspire audiences through the medium of dance.

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Columns

Public Cinemy No. 1: ‘Dream Scenario’ and its thesis on online culture

By Sacha Waters | April 9

If I had to pick a favorite movie from 2023, I would pick “Dream Scenario,” the mid-budget fantasy film starring Nicolas Cage in all his crazed glory. The film centers on Cage’s character, run-of-the-mill biology professor Paul Matthews, who suddenly starts appearing in people’s dreams all over the world. Although his dream self first exists as a passive observer, it turns into a sadistic entity that brutally tortures the dreamer as Matthews starts taking advantage of his newfound fame. This prompts a social backlash that sees him placed on leave from his job and forced to exit public places when his presence makes people uncomfortable, culminating in his wife leaving him.

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Columns

Tok the Talk: The plight of child stars

By Annika Pillai | April 9

“I feel like people just have a consensus that I’m still nine years old, and it’s crazy because I’m turning 18 this year. I feel like people still think of me [as that age] because I’ve been so young for most of my career,” actor Mckenna Grace said, referring to her growth as an actor in the public eye. Grace, who has been acting since she was five years old, starred in several prominent movies and TV shows in her youth — including “Gifted,” “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” and “Young Sheldon.” Grace frequently plays younger versions of other characters, which is perhaps part of the reason many find it difficult to grasp the concept that she is growing up. But beyond that, she is a victim of the difficult pipeline of transitioning from a child star to an adult personality.

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Arts

Kara Swisher is fed up with tech bros in ‘Burn Book’

By Lang Law | April 8

Kara Swisher has lost her patience. The self-described “liberal, lesbian Donald Trump of San Francisco” has been arguably the foremost tech journalist of the past three decades but has gradually shifted into an activist role due to her dismay with the people she once covered so closely. This past February, she published a memoir titled “Burn Book.”

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Arts

'HOPE ON THE STREET' is pure love for art

By Odessa Gaines | April 5

On March 29, J-Hope of BTS dropped his second official album, “HOPE ON THE STREET VOL. 1.” The album is made up of six tracks and was released alongside a docuseries on Amazon Prime Video. The release of the “HOPE ON THE STREET” project comes over halfway through J-Hope’s military service, a duty all Korean male citizens must fulfill.

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Columns

Harmonies in the Limelight: A ‘Dancer in the Dark,’ forever dreaming of singing and dancing in the light

By Ethan Essner | April 5

Lars von Trier emerged as a filmmaker who experimented with intertwining the avant-garde and melodramatic. He and Thomas Vinterberg penned the Dogme 95 manifesto, which outlined a new generation of art house creativity. It called for all camerawork to be handheld, denounced superficial action and prohibited optical work and filters, amongst other rules. Independent films after the 1995 conception of the Dogme 95 movement, especially those from von Trier, were not all strictly a part of the movement but remained mostly inspired by its goals and guidelines. “Breaking the Waves” (1996) is a prominent and majestic example of the style in action. “Dancer in the Dark” (2000) is possibly the strangest example, while also being one of the most remarkable.

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Columns

For the Culture: Does hip-hop have an industry plant problem?

By Paul Osmond | April 4

So far, I have not dedicated an entire article to one artist. However, I believe that the truthfully meteoric rise of Dallas-based singer and songwriter4batz warrants some consideration in the conversation of industry plants. Despite having just released his first song, “act i: stickerz “99”,” in June 2023, and so far, only five songs total, 4batz somehow currently maintains 17 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Moreover, 4batz received the ever-coveted “Drake Stimulus Package”— essentially, the phenomenon of when Drake remixes the song of an up-and-coming artist, which massively boosts their streams, clout and revenue. 

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Columns

Confessions of a Cooking Fanatic: Cabin Fever? Berry Fever

By Elizabeth Foster | April 4

As flowers begin to bloom and the occasional breath of fresh air becomes more frequent, we know that spring is on its way. Unsurprisingly, my cabin fever is manifesting itself in a desire for fresh spring and summer produce, as evidenced by my recent YouTube history. I’m dreaming of Saturday morning trips to Minneapolis farmers’ markets to get June ramps, July corn and August tomatoes.

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Columns

The Bookmark: ‘Hello Beautiful’ by Ann Napolitano

By Natalie Bricker | April 4

“The four sisters had beat with one heart for most of their lives.” This line sums up the central message of “Hello Beautiful”: a close bond of family can span generations and survive many forms of disaster.

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Arts

Olivia Rodrigo spills her guts a second time

By Ryan Fairfield | April 3

Last September, Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore album “GUTS” (2023) brought everyone’s favorite angsty pop-punk artist back into the spotlight. With hits like “vampire” and “get him back!,” Rodrigo’s songs were inescapable on social media, the radio and your post-breakup friend’s headphones. Over six months later, Rodrigo has released her deluxe version of the album, titled “GUTS (spilled),” featuring five new songs, four of which were previously featured as “secret tracks” on vinyl editions of “GUTS,” as well as one brand new track.

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Columns

Brown and (Usually) Blue: Holi moly

By Ishaan Rajiv Rajabali | April 2

A few weeks ago, I was sitting with my friend and her study group in The Commons Marketplace, working away on an assignment. As we talked spring break and the onset of March, the conversation turned to the Indian festival of Holi. “Oh yeah!” exclaimed someone at the table, “Isn’t that like Indian paintball?” I suppressed a chuckle, agreed and added that we also dance around a fire at midnight and offer a vial of our blood to celebrate springtime. The comparison did stay with me though, having struck me.

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Columns

Public Cinemy No. 1: The rise of the biopic and the death of the A-lister

By Sacha Waters | April 2

“Bohemian Rhapsody.” “Blonde.” “Oppenheimer.” “The Iron Claw.” “Rocketman.” “Maestro.” “Elvis.” “Priscilla.” “Napoleon.” “Ferrari.” “Nyad.” All are films that came out in the last six years, and all are films that denote Hollywood’s staggering obsession with biopics. Biopics have always been a staple in American cinema, but their explosion in recent years is a Band-Aid over the fatal wounds dealt to Hollywood by streaming.

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Arts

Nonprofit co-founded by Tufts alum addresses ethics in reality TV

By Annika Pillai | March 29

Reality TV has long been critiqued for its false presentation of authenticity. The genre, which rose to popularity in the 90s, has raised several concerns in the eyes of the public. Some argue that the genre’s true purpose lies in deceiving viewers through misleading editing, coaching participants and concocting inauthentic storylines.

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Arts

The Venice Biennale: A celebration of contemporary art and cultural dialogue

By Urvija Mafatlal | March 28

The La Biennale di Venezia is one of the most prestigious events in the art world and returning in 2024 to captivate audiences with an exhibition of contemporary visual art. Established in 1895, the Biennale has evolved into a platform that showcases the latest trends, innovations and perspectives in the realm of visual arts, architecture, cinema, dance, music and theater. This iconic art event is held every two years in Venice, Italy (a separate festival featuring architecture is held on odd-numbered years) and attracts artists, curators, collectors, critics and art enthusiasts from around the globe.

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Columns

Confessions of a Cooking Fanatic: Freezing your toes (and your tofu) in Iceland

By Elizabeth Foster | March 28

The stereotypical college spring break involves jet setting to the sunniest of beaches in countries with a lower drinking age. And yet, my spring break group was not yet sick of the cold. We traveled to Iceland last week and found ourselves in a remote fishing village in the Westfjords during their worst snowstorm this season.

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Columns

For the Culture: The ‘Big 3’ battle for the crown of hip-hop

By Paul Osmond | March 28

After 10 years of silence, Kendrick Lamar has finally dissed Drake and J. Cole. Following the release of his verse on “Control” (2013) by Big Sean, wherein Lamar threatened several major hip-hop artists of the time, both Drake and Cole have released subliminal and conspicuous disses directed towards the rapper.

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Arts

If the pointe shoe fits, dance in it: Boston Ballet’s ‘Cinderella’

By Jennifer May | March 27

Fantasy and reality intertwined at the March 14 premiere of the Boston Ballet’s 2024 production of “Cinderella,” where every scene sparkled with breathtaking dance and a spellbinding set, and a classic love story was performed delicately and dreamily. The stage of the Citizens Bank Opera House went from a dusty living room to a grand ballroom, a place of hopelessness to one of romance. Through graceful movement and magical stagecraft, the familiar story of a turn of fate created a feeling of wonder the audience enjoyed for a dreamlike two and a half hours. The production, which ran from March 14–24, was a captivating journey into enchantment, fitting perfectly into the company’s impressive repertoire.  

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Arts

Sufjan Stevens’ ‘Illinoise,’ or, how to enamor an entire audience with hymns and ballets, or, the war for morality, state and sanity, or, an ode to the unabashed joy of being alive

By Ethan Essner | March 27

Such a view is the place from where singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens looks out at a world — cold and complex. It’s full of joy, peril and an untellable delicacy. Bordering Lake Michigan is the heartbeat of the Midwest, Illinois, a place of superheroes, zombies and forsaken love stories. In 2005, Stevens peered at the prairies and penned a 22-song mammoth of an album. It’s a collection of tunes that transcend the term ‘album’ as they fashion the experience of an ‘epic.’ The album reads like a grim, romantic and, at points, sardonic comment on the rich culture of Illinois with the ever-so exclamatory title of “Come On! Feel the Illinoise!”

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