Spike Lee infiltrates patriotic epics with a bold, unapologetic approach
Joshua Irvine, Reporter
February 13, 2019
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Latest Stories, The Monthly
“BlacKkKlansman” begins with a coup de grâce. We hear a staccato drum cadence over the opening credits, the sort that invokes “Apollo 13”; “Forrest Gump”; the entirety of Michael Bay’s oeuvre. Then, in 4:3 ratio, a woman appears in the lavender dress, the southern belle navigating...
Move over, deep dish. Union Squared is serving up a better Midwestern-style pizza in town
Ally Mauch, Development and Recruitment Editor
February 13, 2019
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Latest Stories, The Monthly
There’s a different kind of pizza in town that’s been flying under the radar, and it just might be better than the Chicago-style deep dish all Midwesterners are bred to love. Union Squared, located at 1307 Chicago Ave., serves authentic Detroit-style pizza in a small but cozy space that is worth...
‘The Favourite’ deserves victory with its command of satire and absurdism
Danny Vesurai, Reporter
February 13, 2019
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Latest Stories, The Monthly
A race-winning duck named Horatio. Seventeen rabbits that run around and represent the death of children. Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone arguing, bickering and subverting power norms. That should convince you. Oscar voters should hand Best Picture to Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Favourite,”...
The stunning acting and emotional script begin a movie star-making turn for Lady Gaga
Gabby Birenbaum, Social Media Editor
February 13, 2019
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Latest Stories, The Monthly
It’s a moment that transcends the film, the actors and even cinema itself. You know the one: Lady Gaga’s Ally, trepidation and anxiety evident in her shoulders, walks over to Bradley Cooper’s Jackson. She grabs the microphone with both hands, and delivers the guttural, electrifying string of vowels...
The ins and outs of making it — or breaking it — in Northwestern’s comedy scene
Andrea Michelson, Arts & Entertainment Editor
February 13, 2019
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Latest Stories, The Monthly
At Northwestern, there are two paths for aspiring comedians: either you make The Titanic Players improv team freshman year, or you don’t. First-years can forget about trying for the Mee-Ow Show — rumor has it the last freshman to get a spot in the improv and sketch comedy group was Julia Louis-Dreyfus...
Alfonso Cuarón transforms a deeply personal narrative into a universal project in “Roma”
Charlotte Walsh, Reporter
February 13, 2019
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Latest Stories, The Monthly
On first scan, “Roma” appears to model the elements of films that have typically flooded the Oscars’ Best Foreign Film category: a hyperlocal setting; a simple, yet striking, plotline; a handful of complex characters that jump off the screen. But “Roma” is unique in that, despite these elements,...
‘Black Panther’ breaks the barriers of superhero films of the past, providing larger commentary on black culture and colonialism
Madeleine Fernando, Monthly Editor
February 13, 2019
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Latest Stories, The Monthly
Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther” could’ve been yet another addition to a long line of superhero films in a drawn-out franchise. After all, with 17 films under its belt, the Marvel Cinematic Universe had all but perfected the art of the modern superhero movie. This time, though, the studio took...
Former Disney animation director John Musker finds his happily ever after
Madeleine Fernando, Monthly Editor
February 13, 2019
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Latest Stories, The Monthly
Far before John Musker became a legendary director at Walt Disney Animation Studios, he was an English major at Northwestern, unsure what his future held. A commuter student from Norridge, Illinois, Musker spent his limited hours on campus playing pool in Scott Hall, serving as the resident cartoonist...
The teenage romantic comedy genre is witnessing a wave of revitalization on film after years in hiding
Stavros Agorakis, Monthly Editor
February 13, 2019
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Latest Stories, The Monthly
John Hughes defined love for an entire generation. Imagine being a teenager in the ’80s. Unapologetic neon jackets and Aussie hairspray-induced dos aside, growing up felt more like a thrilling challenge than an awkward theme park ride. Life lacked Tinder, but had Patrick Swayze in it. It lacked...
Editor’s Letter: Diverse films made major bank in 2018. Hollywood has no more excuses
Madeleine Fernando, Monthly Editor
February 13, 2019
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Latest Stories, The Monthly
I’ll admit it: I was one of those people crying in the theater during opening week of “Crazy Rich Asians” last August. And, no, it wasn’t out of longing for authentic Asian cuisine, or defending Rachel Chu when her beau’s overprotective mother delivers the callous line, “You will never be...
Adam McKay brings stylistic flair to modern history in Dick Cheney biopic
Maddie Burakoff, Print Managing Editor
February 13, 2019
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Latest Stories, The Monthly
The term “biopic” conjures up ideas of stuffy narration, clunky reenactments and a dry approach to history. Most importantly, it implies removed objectivity and undeniable fact. “Vice” — the 2018 comedy-drama about former vice president Dick Cheney — throws all those notions out the window....
NU alumni-produced musical to premiere at Chicago Musical Theatre Festival
Thea Showalter, Reporter
February 6, 2019
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Latest Stories, Theater, Top Stories
Ryan Martin and Elliott Hartman came into Northwestern University with a mutual love of theater but no definite plans of where to take their passions. They evolved from freshman-year roommates to classmates to friends, and have since graduated and become collaborators on Martin’s new original show,...
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