THE ITHACAN
During my four years at The Ithacan, I wrote a wide range of articles, including features on local stories and the campus community, movie reviews, and profiles. In May 2020, I was honored with the "Mystique" award by the Life and Culture staff for being the Most Versatile Writer.
Review: Vibrant film charts family’s evolving dynamics
Unlike the root that can flourish anywhere it is planted, the Korean-American family in “Minari” struggles to grow both economically and spiritually after moving to a quaint farm in Arkansas. The film focuses on the family overcoming the challenge of feeling alienated in a new environment.
Student uses video games as medium for virtual photography
Will Walberg, an Ithaca College cinema and photography major, used photo mode in video games to take photographs with a real-life quality. Photo mode is an aspect of video games that allows players to capture a picture of their adventure.
Q&A: Ithacan alum named editor of Variety
In this Q&A, I spoke with Ithaca College alum William Earl ’08, who was named editor of Variety less than a week before our interview. We discussed his time at the college, what values he will hold important as he moves into this new role and the uncertain future the movie theater industry is facing.
Ongoing artist series provides respite from weekly stress
Ithaca College professor Gordon Rowland created an ongoing Zoom series called “Five Artists at Five” (or FA@5) to connect the IC community during the pandemic lockdown. Each week at 5 pm, a new faculty member will go on the show and give a live performance for their peers on Zoom.
Spotlight on films, TV, books and music by Black creators
As lovers of art and pop culture, the Life & Culture section published an article with mini-reviews that highlight Black creators. I wrote two reviews: one on Destin Daniel Cretton’s “Just Mercy” and the other on Boots Riley’s “Sorry to Bother You.”
Clubs carry on during COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 pandemic halted campus life in March, some Ithaca College student organizations found new ways to keep students engaged for the remainder of the semester. The feature interviews members of the IC Film Society, the Unbound Dance Company and ICircus.
Student film becomes Coca-Cola Refreshing Films finalist
This feature follows the story of the students behind the camera of the short film “The Friday Film Five,” which went on to be a finalist of the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program. Although the video is only 35 seconds long, it took 7 months to make, from conception to final product to distribution.
At the ReUse Center, second-hand objects find a home
Second-hand items fill the shelves of the Ithaca ReUse Center, where shoppers can browse through a number of items — from zany lamps and bright, floral cotton pillows to colorful picnic bags and suitcases. The nonprofit organization strives to enhance the economic strength and sustainability of the Ithaca community
Center dives into the history of Tompkins County
On Jan. 23, the Tompkins County Center for History and Culture opened the exhibit “Sisters of Change: Dorothy Cotton and Unsung Sheroes for Racial Justice, Human Rights and the Vote” in partnership with the Dorothy Cotton Institute. The center serves as a welcoming community hub that celebrates the great aspects of living within the Ithaca community.
Review: Movies from the winter season
The Life & Culture section published an article with mini-reviews of noteworthy films from the 2019 holiday blockbuster season. I wrote a review on Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story” — a film that takes the most unadorned details of the modern-day divorce process and turns them into riveting and nuanced scenes.
Review: Film captures realistic panic of war
Set during World War I, “1917” is a grand-scaled epic directed and co–written by Sam Mendes, who constructed a film that is not only meant to see in theaters but to make viewers feel like they are experiencing the setting — in this case, the trenches — in real time.
HSHP clinic provides treatment to performers
Every Friday from 10 a.m. to noon on the fourth floor of the Center for Health Sciences, the Ithaca College physical therapy and occupational therapy departments hold free injury evaluations for performing arts students, which includes musicians, dancers and any sort of actor or performer.
Review: “El Camino” stands apart from famous predecessor
“El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” picks up right where the “Breaking Bad” series ended and shows Jesse Pinkman speeding away to freedom in a 1978 Chevrolet El Camino. The film successfully builds upon the mythology in a way that does not feel tacked on and finally gives Jesse Pinkman a satisfying ending.
Review: DC offers a gritty look at the Clown Prince of Crime
“Joker” is much more than a comic book movie — it’s a drama, a psychological thriller and a masterpiece of the current generation. While most of the film uses the source material sparingly, the ending is a treat for any viewer familiar with the Batman mythology.
Salsa Night brings Latino culture to Ithaca
Every Wednesday night at AGAVA, it is normal for vibrant music and energetic dancers to fill every corner of the restaurant. People pair up with one another and move to the rhythm of Latin music, as the restaurant’s typical rustic vibe is transformed to accommodate a party and a massive celebration of Latino culture.
Researchers study increase in depression for students
In this news feature, a study conducted by Ithaca College psychology majors found that anxiety and depression have increased dramatically at the college in the last decade. They said this increase could be linked to the rise in social media use among students.
Review: Dynamic characters keep horror film afloat
The Losers’ Club reunites 27 years later in the part-two adaptation of Stephen King’s lengthy novel. “IT: Chapter Two” suffers marginally from the part-two syndrome and doesn’t quite live up to the original film. At the same time, it concludes King’s captivating story and the compelling character arcs on a satisfying note.
Ithaca band performs and teaches bagpipes and Scottish drums
On a typical Wednesday night, the blaring sound of bagpipes and the loud thud of drums echoes through the First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca. These unexpected instruments and tones are the sounds of the Finger Lakes Pipes and Drums band, a group that practices weekly at the church.
Students use Facebook page to share quotes they overhear on campus
Whether it’s featuring the latest wacky statement overheard in the Campus Center, a conversation about how to pronounce the word ‘bagel’ or memes speculating about the latest whereabouts of the Circles Burglar, the ever–growing Facebook group “Overheard at IC” has gained massive popularity on Ithaca College’s campus, with almost 6,000 members.
Review: Malek perfectly portrays Freddie Mercury mystique
Like Mercury’s character, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is flawed, yet beautiful. The film has some choppy pacing along with some eye-rolling moments. On the other hand, the film successfully told the story of Queen, featuring an eccentric performance from Rami Malek that captures the heart and soul of Freddie Mercury.
Review: ‘Venom’ refuses to evolve past paper-thin premise
From its opening scene to its farcical post-credit scene, it was hard not to chuckle and twit at “Venom,” the movie Sony Pictures plucked out of thin air. While there were a small handful of comedic scenes that actually worked, they were not the reason the audience was laughing — sadly, it was that laughter was the only medication to help get through this littered atrocity of a film.
Students gain confidence through stand up and sketch comedy
The college is home to four satire-related clubs — the IC Comedy Club, IC Stand Up, Acahti Players, which focuses mainly on improv, and IC Sketch Club, which produces short skits. All the clubs focus on a different genre of comedy and provide more opportunities for students.
Review: Perverse puppet cop comedy disappoints
“The Happytime Murders” proves that Hollywood can’t slap an R-rating onto a nostalgic property and expect it to work. While the film does feature some hilarious moments that will be fun to watch on YouTube, it’s not enough to save “The Happytime Murders” from its simplistic storyline, confused tone and forced humor.
Review: Refreshing romcom revitalizes the genre
From a charming cast to a heartwarming story featuring some gleeful moments and stunning visuals, “Crazy Rich Asians” is a rare film that’s hard to dislike. Not only is this film notable for its representation of women and of the different subsets of Asian culture, but it proves that romantic comedies can still make an impact in an industry dominated by dramas and CGI-filled action blockbusters.
Reviews from the summer season
A handful of Life & Culture writers reviewed a selection of summer’s biggest blockbusters and most complicated arthouse films. I reviewed “Solo: A Star Wars Story” — a new and exciting story that successfully expanded on “Star Wars” lore. Not only does the film have some kinetic, tense action sequences, but it also has some emotional character moments and performances.
Independent comic book shop expands store space
Since 1981, Comics for Collectors has served the Ithaca community as a place to browse, buy and discuss comic books. The owner, Tim Gray, said he believes there are enough stable consumers in the community to keep the shop running strong despite the trend of purchasing and reading comic books online rather than heading to the store to pick up a physical copy.
Alum returns to create a connection with chorus ensemble
On April 24, 2018, the Ithaca College Campus Choral Ensemble got to step on the stage in Ford Hall and perform its piece, “How to Survive Vesuvius.” A week beforehand, they had the opportunity to work with the composer that wrote the piece, IC alum Matthew Recio ‘13.
Review: Anderson’s animation brings beauty to bleak dystopia
Director Wes Anderson’s film, “Isle of Dogs,” was beautifully brought to life with fluid stop-motion animation. Many of Anderson’s creative decisions, such as including robot dogs and fascinating elements of Japanese culture, pay off in the best way possible.
Review: Science fiction film adaptation falls flat
“A Wrinkle of Time” lacks substance, which is what separates the film from Disney’s decade-spanning collection of movies, making it a forgettable film adaptation. The film should have spent more time developing elements of the lore it introduced, but instead, it falls flat on its face.
Shop showcases student printmaking in downtown exhibit
The walls of the studio gallery at The Ink Shop, located in downtown Ithaca, are filled with an array of artwork created by students from both Ithaca College and Cornell University. The art on display has been made by students in print classes at the schools. Printmaking is the art of producing an image typically on paper, fabric or parchment.
Review: Super team-up is leagues better than its predecessor
“Justice League” is an entertaining comic book movie, but it isn’t a perfect superhero adventure. At some points, the tone is inconsistent, and while the humor is a nice addition, it feels forced to feel more like a Marvel movie. Also, the plot is predictable as it could be, which has some blatant plot holes and story issues that are impossible to miss.
Review: Stellar visuals keep classic murder mystery on track
“Murder on the Orient Express” is the fourth live-action adaptation based on the 1934 novel by Agatha Christie. The film successfully retells one of the most famous mysteries for a new generation, even if the viewer nods off a few times during the ride.
Review: Strange sci-fi series’ second season soars
Creating a sequel to a beloved property such as “Stranger Things” is risky. In this case, “Stranger Things 2” is a home run. It does everything a sequel should do — preserve what the fans loved about the first season and introduce new and fascinating elements into the mix. Season two brilliantly balanced the humor, drama and scares of season one.
Witches and wizards wave wands at whimsical weekend
On Oct. 26 to Oct. 29, 2017, the third annual Wizarding Weekend took over The Commons in all of its mythical glory. In 2016, the event expanded to 10,000 people as more people attended the celebration and more vendors joined. Local business owners participated by selling products like wands and brooms and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance volunteers helped set up wizarding duels, wizard chess and an inflatable dragon
Review: Silly sequences squander sequel’s suspense
“Kingsman: The Golden Circle” is nowhere near as original as its predecessor. The film has its flaws, as there are quite a few problems that bog down the overall experience. Vaughn tried to make this film “bigger and better” by doubling down on the action and the satire, but in the end, it is a bit disappointing.
Review: Surrealism burns at the heart of Aronofsky film
“mother!” is a bizarre, unsettling and mystifying film that will leave viewers asking themselves: “What the heck did I just watch?” It is hard to tell if the film is a horror film, a thriller or a drama. It is probably none of the above, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that this movie is a masterpiece.