When you sit down to watch “The Zone of Interest” (2023), the first thing you may question is the bitter blackness that chokes the screen. It is then complemented by the faint sound of chirping birds, rustling trees and then a deep-pitched overture. The screen remains static, as you stare into dark nothingness.
Hip-hop has a problem: unoriginality. Espoused by “oldheads” and hip-hop traditionalists for years, criticism of unoriginality in hip-hop is now an established sentiment within the community. Although some hip-hop artists and groups like JPEGMAFIA, Smino, EARTHGANG and Griselda maintain the experimental and innovative spirit of the genre, mainstream hip-hop is overwhelmed with strikingly stale records.
The thing I will grieve the most about leaving Boston is that I will not have access to the network of events and intellectuals that Boston ushers in. Spending a weekend at MIT’s iQuHACK? Attending Hilary Hahn’s performance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra? Listening to Sohla El-Waylly’s book conversation at the Harvard Book Store?
The five-member K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE released their second full-length album on Jan. 29, titled “2.” The group, consisting of Soyeon, Minnie, Miyeon, Shuhua and Yuqi, debuted in 2018 and has consistently put out hit after hit since then. So, does “2” continue their rise in the industry?
Twenty-five years ago, on Feb. 1, 1999, Stephen Chbosky introduced the world to a character named Charlie through a series of letters in the phenomenal coming-of-age novel, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” “ Perks” tackles themes of love, sexuality, abuse, mental health and much more. The novel captures many of the struggles of a teenager, and while it can be intense at times, its relatability is what has allowed it to remain a must-read for teenagers 25 years later.
One of the most talked-about films of this past year is undoubtedly Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” (2023). The public consensus on the film’s politics is divided: In one camp, many praise it for portraying their experiences and highlighting feminist principles; in another, they complain of its attacks on patriarchy and toxic masculinity.
“Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” (2010) is a widely condemned film adaptation of the beloved “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” book series (2005–). While many fans were left disappointed by the film, its biggest hater could be found in the man who started it all. Rick Riordan, the series’ creator, described the movies on Twitter as his “life’s work going through a meat grinder.”
The Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andris Nelsons, presented its final performance of Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” on Friday. “The Rite of Spring,” or “Le Sacre du printemps” in its original French, was composed by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky and premiered in Paris in 1913 at Russian impresario Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes dance company.
TWS, the South Korean boy band, recently made their debut on Jan. 22 with their mini-album “Sparkling Blue,” following the pre-release of their single “Oh Mymy : 7s” on Jan. 2. The PLEDIS Entertainment-backed group is comprised of six members: Dohoon, Shinyu, Youngjae, Kyungmin, Jihoon and Hanjin. The members were officially announced a month before their debut in a series of videos and shorts on the YouTube channel of HYBE LABELS, PLEDIS ENTERTAINMENT’s parent company.
The Grammy Awards, presented by the Recording Academy, have been a nationwide favorite since their inception in the 1950s. The 2024 Grammys will take place on Sunday, Feb. 4, and the event is a source of anticipation as listeners from all over the world tune in to see if their favorite artists will leave with any gilded gramophones. The excitement around this year’s awards ceremony continues to rise as CBS, which broadcasts the ceremony, unveils more artists in the event’s lineup.
I float several recipe ideas to friends. Among the options: Erin Jeanne McDowell’s vegan chocolate chip cookies (too safe of an option) and Sue Li’s orange, pistachio and chocolate shortbread (I read too many comments saying that people didn’t like candied orange peels). Claire Saffitz’s pistachio pinwheels are selected. I consider substitutions for the butter and egg yolk.
The runways have been cleared, and it is officially a wrap on Paris Men’s Fashion Week. Countless designers from across the globe flocked to Paris to showcase their contributions and collections for the Fall/Winter 2024-25 season and the looks did not disappoint.
Playing now through Feb. 4 at the Boston Citizens Bank Opera House, the touring production of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” is a dazzling display of performance. Based on Baz Luhrmann’s beloved 2001 film, the stage adaptation premiered just blocks away from the Opera House in 2018 at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre before making its Broadway opening in 2019 with stars Aaron Tveit and Karen Olivo. The stage production expands on the movie’s jukebox musical score, combining more than 70 songs to create an eclectic lineup of pop hits.
As I began making my first grocery list this semester, I found myself overwhelmed by variables, many resulting from my lack of a set routine while my schedule was still up in the air. By the end of the fall semester, I had a stable routine and knew how many meals I was cooking in a week. Whether you are looking to cook more meals yourself this semester or are still adjusting to off-campus living, here’s how I’ve learned to structure my grocery shopping:
As 2024 rolls around, the endless fashion machine continues to change and evolve, producing new looks. Certainly, some of the defining trends of 2023 — coquette fashion, bow-mania, the Y2K revival and quiet luxury — will continue into the new year. But here are some styles to also be on the lookout for to inspire a new year of dressing.
The onset of the new year heralds the coming of awards season, which typically kicks off with the annual Golden Globe Awards. Aside from bets and predictions about winners and nominees, the most anticipated aspect of these awards is perhaps the opening monologue. From Ricky Gervais’ acerbic, brutal roasts to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s side splitting chemistry to Seth Meyers’ dry wit, each year has provided the internet with endless meme fodder and some hard-hitting truths. Jo Koy’s introduction at the 81st Golden Globes also followed this trend, albeit not in the way one would think.
2023 was a big year for movies. As Hollywood continued to recover from the pandemic, the industry was shaken by unprecedented strikes as the actors’ and writers’ unions fought for fair pay and protections against artificial intelligence. Amid the chaos, audiences returned to the theaters, making 2023 the highest grossing year for movies since 2019.
With the start of a new semester at Tufts comes a new wave of theater performances on campus. From the theater department to Torn Ticket II and Pen, Paint, and Pretzels, we can expect a semester full of art and passion.
As I return to campus, my refrigerator is conveniently devoid of its meat and dairy products. And so I must ask myself: What would going vegan look like this semester?
Roxane Gay, bestselling author and opinion writer, spoke at the Cambridge Rindge & Latin School on Saturday, Oct. 28. She spoke about her recent novel, “Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People's Business” which features a collection of her essays from the past decade.
