John Mulaney knows what we’re thinking: What happened? Luckily, in his new stand-up set, “From Scratch,” he (mostly) tells us. Mulaney’s superb act, which he recorded at Symphony Hall in Boston on Feb. 25–26 for an upcoming Netflix comedy special, is a candid and wild exploration of his experience with drug addiction and recovery.
“Baptized by a pedophile/ In a church that reeks of oak and death” is the opening line of Annie DiRusso’s new EP, “God, I Hate This Place” (2023). While it might shock new listeners, fans who have heard her past singles know that this line is classic Annie DiRusso.
This semester at Tufts I’ve found myself mainly in courses and extracurricular activities that have less in common with my actual major than I thought. Personally, I don’t see this as a bad thing — I want to nurture my other passions while gaining my education. The plus from this? I am able to take courses that end up relating to K-Weekly, crazily enough.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra has named Samy Rachid as its newest assistant conductor, effective October 2023. Rachid, a young French conductor, formerly played cello for the Arod Quartet before leaving the ensemble in 2021 to focus on conducting. Since Rachid started his conducting career, he has won second prize in the 2021 Tokyo International Music Competition for Conducting, been a conducting fellow of the Verbier Festival 2022, and conducted many world-renowned orchestras such as the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Tokyo Philharmonic and Hungarian Symphony Orchestra Szeged. Rachid’s debut performance with the BSO will be summer 2024 at Tanglewood.
Co-written by Kenya Barris and Jonah Hill, and directed by Barris, “You People” (2023) debuted as Netflix’s No. 1 most-watched movie on its premiere date. The social comedy tackles a millennial interracial and interfaith love story and the reactions it elicits from the couple’s families. The movie boasts an impressive ensemble cast led by Hill and Lauren London as couple Ezra and Amira, and more importantly Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Eddie Murphy as Ezra’s stereotypical Los Angeles Jewish mom and Amira’s devout Muslim dad, respectively. Just those names are enough to draw in a broad viewership.
In the last two years, a new name has forced itself into the contemporary Hispanic poetry canon and the world feminist literature, gaining speed and acclaim like nobody else: Luna Miguel. Originally born in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, Miguel quickly jumped into the Spanish writing scene with her work as a journalist, editor and director in several publishing houses and magazines. However, she is most widely recognized for her poetry collections, gaining fame all throughout Latin America and Spain. Some of her collections include “Poetry is not dead” (2010), “Poesía masculina” (2021) and “Pensamientos estériles” (2011).
If one were to stand next to the Somerville Theater on the night of Feb. 15, they would probably think the building was closed. No lights, no sounds and only the cold air blowing in their faces to provide any semblance of movement in the area. Yet just one door over in the theater’s own recently revamped Crystal Ballroom, the sci-fi community of the greater Boston area was throwing the party of the year. The chandelier-clad room was bathed in blue light and as a remote-controlled Mouse Droid prop rolled around the replica TARDIS in the center of the room, a dozen people lined up in a variety of “Doctor Who” (1963–) related outfits for a costume contest. This was how the Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival, the second oldest independent genre film festival in the country, officially opened its 48th year.
The time has come: “Magic” Mike Lane is hanging up his G-string and packing away his body oils. No longer will he grind and flex — or so he says. In Steven Soderbergh’s latest installment, “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” (2023), Soderbergh follows Mike (Channing Tatum) as he is drawn to the stage for his final striptease. What can I say? The man just can’t seem to keep his hips from gyrating.
Queer music icons create positive representation in mainstream music while increasing visibility and topping the Billboard Hot 100.
As awards season comes to a close, it’s time to look back at the best Hollywood had to offer in 2022. Austin Butler amazed us. Ke Huy Quan made an incredible comeback. Angela Bassett did the thing. What do all of these stars have in common? They’re vying for recognition at this year’s Oscars, along with countless other actors, filmmakers and designers. Read on to see the Daily’s predictions in all 23 categories ahead of the 95th Academy Awards on March 12.
Disclaimer: This review contains spoilers for “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (2023).
It is no secret that classical music, or perhaps more broadly ‘art music,’ is generally an unpopular artform among young audiences. Many doomsayers point to the gray heads of audiences in symphony halls as proof of the death of classical music. The argument goes that without new, young classical fans, there will be no one to replace the current generation of fans when they pass away. I’m even guilty of making this argument. While these are valid concerns (the statistics tell a grim story), it is too pessimistic, melodramatic and disrespectful to the main base of elderly people to foretell the death of all classical music. I am not going to defend the artform, try to convert any skeptical readers or take some elitist stand professing the death of music. Young people have made their decision, and I will not try to argue for classical music for our generation, or even argue that there is anything wrong with our generation not liking classical music. Instead, I hope to share a few simple thoughts on listening.
It feels unfair to mention “Rocky” (1976) when discussing “Creed III” (2023). As the first film in the boxing franchise without the Italian Stallion in any capacity (minus a producing credit), it’s clear from the get-go that this is the beginning of the post-”Rocky” era for the, until now, aptly named “Rocky” series. It was an inevitable transition, and who better to lead it than Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) himself behind the director’s chair? Yet, for a film that is so clearly trying to move in its own path, it cannot help but continue to dwell in the past. “Creed III” feels like an unmade sequel to the first “Creed” (2015) — what “Creed II” (2018) would have been without Stallone or Russians — and except for an incredible performance from Jonathan Majors as the film’s antagonist, it falls just short of its predecessors.
First things first, watch the original movie “Willow” (1988). Starring Warwick Davis in the titular role alongside Val Kilmer as Madmartigan and Joanne Whalley as Sorsha, the film has a similar vibe to “The Princess Bride” (1987) as it tells a story of destiny, magic and love. With a story by George Lucas, the original film is certainly worth a watch.
Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why” (2002) played the other day on my Spotify shuffle. Immediately, I was transported back into my childhood bedroom, and I was 5 years old again. I was on Pandora listening to their pop radio station, and just like that, it was 2008 and things had never been so clear.
A few minutes away from the Kendall/MIT Red Line stop and free to the public, the MIT List Visual Arts Center is an accessible and intimate space to see art in Greater Boston.
Celebrities have always been used as marketing tools for companies. From Jennifer Garner splashing water on her face for a Neutrogena commercial to Shawn Mendes’ steamy photoshoot for a Calvin Klein campaign, celebrities grab our attention and draw much-desired eyes to a certain brand. In recent years, rather than using their publicity for another company, some celebrities and influencers have opted to create their own brands.
After about seven months of anticipation, PURPLE KISS finally came back with its fifth EP, “Cabin Fever,” on February 15, 2023. At only 16 minutes in run time, this EP serves as a fierce reminder that PURPLE KISS is one group that will always release a banger with a sound so addictive that you feel like you’ve ascended to heaven.
The Tufts Daily had the privilege of speaking with Stephan Pennington, one of Tufts University’s associate professors in the music department. When Pennington, an activist, military veteran and lifelong scholar, was first asked which set of pronouns would be best to refer to him, he wanted to make it clear that while he can be referred to using “he/him/his” pronouns, and he also noted that he generally does not share his pronouns because he wants to normalize a space where individuals can both “share their pronouns or not share their pronouns,” if desired.
Boston’s SpeakEasy Stage opened “Fairview” (2018), written by Jackie Sibblies Drury, on Friday, Feb. 17. Running through March 11, this production depicts the white gaze with a Pulitzer Prize-winning script and commanding cast.
