Arts

Television

'Avatar' and 'Korra': The 2020 cultural juggernauts

By Christopher Panella and Stephanie Hoechst | October 13

Considering that “Avatar” first debuted over 15 years ago, it hardly seems the candidate to make such a strong comeback as (technically) a children’s show. However, “Avatar’s” newfound popularity –– as well as “Korra,” its sequel/spinoff series –– proves not only their mastery of TV storytelling, but their timelessness and relevance of cultural commentary.

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Arts

'Boys in the Band' is back in town

By Sibi Nyaoga | October 13

A lot has changed since the mid-20th century, but "Boys in the Band" (2020) reminds us that some struggles remain universal for gay men. With clear roots in performance, and an all-star, all-gay cast to boot, the movie has garnered a lot of attention. But does it deliver?

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Columns

On the big screen: 'Ava'

By Iverson Eliopoulos | October 13

Ava was the most popular movie on Apple TV in its opening weekend, but you should save yourself the seven dollars. Cliché after cliché leads you through a story that only gets more absurd, leaving you unsatisfied and frankly wondering how filmmakers can mess up movies so badly. I watched this movie so that you didn’t have to.

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Arts

Genre-busting andPlay duo transcends contemporary music norms

By Megan Szostak | October 12

On October 5, the Tufts Department of Music invited the genre-busting violin-viola duo “andPlay” to perform a live-streamed concert of contemporary string works by four female composers.

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Columns

Maeve’s Music Mondays: Nigerian Afrobeats hits different

By Maeve Hagerty | October 12

But what is the Afrobeats genre, specifically to Nigeria? As an extension of the earlier Afrobeat style (yes, the presence of the “s” is a distinction), it features lots of the same influences of jazz, funk, highlife and traditional Nigerian Fuji music. However, it has also drawn from more current pop music and techno, reaching a larger dance club audience and rising in popularity. 

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Arts

Jess Keiser explores the Enlightened psyche, "nervous fictions" in new book

By Yiyun Tom Guan | October 9

Terming a hybrid body of work, which includes scientific writing using literary metaphors and literature importing science to explore the psyche, as “nervous fiction,” the book asks important questions about the relationship between the body and the mind, between “rational” scientific inquiry and literary expression.

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TV

‘Emily in Paris’ underwhelms across the board

By Elizabeth Oxendine | October 9

Though quirky and headstrong, Emily’s character was not strong enough to overcome anything of substance or deliver a compelling story.

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Columns

Live-Streamed and Quarantined: James Blake

By Florence Almeda | October 9

Doused in glassy synths and mournful chord progressions, James Blakes’ music is equally enchanting as it is haunting. Like standing on a frozen lake in late December, his cascading melodies never fail to raise goosebumps.

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Arts

Spooktober: Flicks and frights

By Christopher Panella | October 8

Christopher Panella shares 13 movies and TV shows you should watch this month to get you in the Halloween spirit.

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Arts

Truth, Justice & The American Way: A look back at Action Comics #775

By Drew Weisberg | October 8

Don't let its age fool you, Action Comics #775 is the comic for today. In the midst of unprecedented change, it is somewhat reassuring to have something that advocates for us all to dream big.

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Arts

Meditation, mindfulness, reconstructing reality with Deepak Chopra

By Devina Bhalla | October 7

Deepak Chopra, a prominent doctor, author and figure in alternative medicine, 'Zoomed' to Boston on Oct. 1 to talk about alternative medicine and his new book “Total Meditation: Practices in Living the Awakened Life” (2020).

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Entertainment

Ryan Smith discusses Virtual Creative Careers Trek, new additions to program

By Christopher Panella | October 7

The Trek, which used to be a day trip to New York City, gives Tufts undergraduate students the opportunity to engage and connect with professionals in a variety of arts, media and entertainment careers.

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Columns

Keep the Cameras Rolling: The distribution dilemma

By Julian Levy | October 7

What happens when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force? Thus is the state of movies in 2020. It’s difficult to understate how profound an effect COVID-19 has had on the film industry; after a historic year in 2019, with Disney alone producing several, billion-dollar movies, major theater chains are now struggling just to stay in business.

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Arts

Ariana Neumann searches through her family history to tell stories untold

By Maeve Hagerty | October 6

Neumann (LA '92) spoke at the first History Alumni Author Series panel about her 2020 New York Times Bestseller "When Time Stopped: A Memoir of My Father's War and What Remains."

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Arts

'Ted Lasso,' latest Apple TV+ comedy, capitalizes on feel-good formula

By Stephanie Hoechst | October 6

In the world of “Ted Lasso” (2020–), positivity trumps all—a well-worded pep talk, a heartfelt apology or a can-do attitude can usually right any wrong. So goes the philosophy of Apple TV+’s most recent comedy, whose commitment to feel-good stories greeted us with open arms beginning in the middle of a harrowing summer.

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Column

On The Big Screen: ‘The Devil All The Time’

By Iverson Eliopoulos | October 6

“The Devil All The Time” is not for the faint of heart, but it’s an engaging film that seeks to strip away the people we pretend to be, giving way to our true natures. Whether or not it’s successful in that is debatable, but it’s worth a watch nonetheless.

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Arts

Kiniwe: 'Are you ready?'

By Megan Szostak | October 5

Kiniwe is an integral part of the music department, and is a large (and growing) community. The ensemble has even traveled to other locations in Massachusetts such as Worcester to perform at special events, in addition to holding regular concerts on-campus. 

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Arts

Leadership of Comic Relief, TFL speak on importance of representation in comedy

By Stephanie Hoechst | October 5

In the past five years, Comic Relief and TFL (which no longer stands for Tufts Funny Ladies, its original name, so as to include all non-cis-male gender identities) have emerged as a way to provide a space for traditionally underrepresented voices in comedy.

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Arts

Chinese fusion dance group Wuzee talks combining styles, building community

By Christopher Panella | October 5

Founded in 2014, Wuzee is a Chinese fusion dance group that strikes a balance between traditional Chinese dance styles and more Western contemporary styles. “That ranges from very traditional Chinese/ethnic dances to ballet and hip-hop components,” senior and co-captain Claire Liu said.

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Column

Maeve’s Music Mondays: British rock is the best

By Maeve Hagerty | October 5

British rock is, to me, the best. It spans dozens of subgenres within rock & roll and each is heavy with intricacies. And more than that, it’s really, really catchy.

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