Tag: Julia Vaccarella ’20
Netflix’s Daredevil Returns for Third Season
by The Cowl Editor on November 8, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
New Episodes Provide Hope for the Future of Marvel’s Television Series
by: Julia Vaccarella ’20 A&E Staff
Despite Netflix’s recent announcement to cancel two series grounded in the characters of the Marvel Universe, [Luke Cage and Iron Fist], the streaming platform has released a third season of Marvel’s Daredevil that runs 13 episodes long. This came as a surprise to many, considering that just a few years ago, the reciprocity between Netflix subscribers and Marvel fans was growing extensively. In a review of the new season, Alin Sepinwall of Rolling Stone asserts that, “Canceling Fist and Cage on consecutive Fridays, coupled with the diminished buzz and praise for the whole franchise after Cage Season One, suggested the whole thing could go away without too many people objecting. But fans want to like these shows, if only they would be offered enough reason to beyond the characters themselves.”
In fact, much of the appeal for Marvel shows is based in the characters themselves, heroes and villains alike. The show stars Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil. The character is a blind lawyer who was presumed to be dead at the conclusion of the crossover series, The Defenders, but was subsequently found alive.
The premise of the new season returns its focus to Wilson Fisk, the primary villain from Season 1 who was largely absent from the plot of the show during the second season. Additionally, there are multiple subplots, from characters’ backstories to a second villain, that ultimately come together in this season.
The depth of the characters is reflected in their attachment to the city in which the show takes place: New York. Daredevil provides the most apparent display of this attachment, because his desire to rid the city of people like Wilson Fisk is the entire plot of the show itself.
However, this sentiment is also reflected in characters like Karen Page, who is a journalist for a newspaper in New York, and is dedicated to exposing the truth, even if it means risking her own life at times. The newest antagonist of Daredevil, Ben Poindexter, also convinces himself that his actions are justified, branding himself as an FBI agent intending to bring about justice, rather than accepting the killer that he comes to be.
Daredevil also provides an adequate balance between action and heartfelt emotion. Season 3 has received positive reception from fans regarding the final fight scene between Murdock, Fisk, and Poindexter. At the same time though, Murdock and Karen Page’s family issues from the past are incorporated into this season and undoubtedly influence their actions. Murdock’s former law partner, Foggy Nelson, also faces a dilemma that will affect his family, and such interactions make the show more realistic.
With Disney in the process of creating its own streaming service, the future of Marvel shows on Netflix remains unclear, but Daredevil certainly provides something for fans in the meantime.
New EP From the American Teen
by The Cowl Editor on November 1, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
Khalid Releases Suncity, Demonstrates Growth and Versatility
by: Julia Vaccarella ’20 A&E Staff
R&B artist, Khalid, unveiled a new EP with seven songs entitled Suncity on Oct. 19. The release comes more than a year after his debut album, American Teen. Khalid has, however, been active in the industry between his two albums, featuring on songs by Billie Eilish, 6LACK, and several others.
In his review of Suncity, Elias Leight of Rolling Stone says, “since breaking out with ‘Location’ in 2016, Khalid has focused on trying to establish himself as a pop powerhouse. This makes sense, as there are more opportunities available in the pop space than in any other arena; the difficulty is that historically, only a handful of non-white performers have been allowed to compete there.” Although Khalid’s music is arguably based on the R&B genre, he has found a presence within pop as well.
Khalid has worked with artists of varying genres, from alternative to rap. Namely, he was a part of Logic’s “1-800-273-8255,” a song that has now become synonymous with suicide prevention. Another song on which he was featured, “Love Lies,” by Normani, was incorporated on the soundtrack of the film Love Simon and made its way into the pop charts for quite some time. Considering that it has been awhile since Khalid released his own music, it will be interesting to see where the songs of Suncity land on both R&B and pop charts.
In comparison to the themes that pervade American Teen, Khalid’s new project is substantially more mature. Insofar that he is twenty-years-old, this shift could merely be seen as a representation of Khalid growing up and phasing out of the teenage world. The change is also just as likely a way for Khalid to reveal the different aspects of music that he can to bring to the table, while he is still trying to figure it all out for himself.
Suncity contains two interludes lacking vocals, as well as the song “Better,” which was released as a single prior to the EP. The song “Saturday Nights” is somewhat reminiscent of Khalid’s previous music but is less sophomoric in nature than the songs of American Teen such as “Young Dumb and Broke.” According to Billboard, Khalid said, “More than anything in life right now I want growth. I want my music to grow and represent how I am growing up. Suncity is the start of a new era for me…”
Khalid’s new music reveals that he is still trying to figure out what works best for him both in terms of genre and message. Suncity is also a testament to the many different types of music that Khalid can create for those willing to listen. Many are hopeful that he will maintain his position in the R&B genre rather than completely submitting to mainstream pop. It is possible that a full-length album will be released at some point during 2019, and fans will be eager to see what angle Khalid takes on next.
American Horror Story: Apocalypse Integrates Characters from Past Seasons
by The Cowl Editor on October 25, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
The Return of Jessica Lange, Evan Peters, and Other Show Staples
by: Julia Vaccarella ’20 A&E Staff
At the peak of its eighth season, FX’s anthology series American Horror Story is still running strong. The show, which aired its first episode back in 2011, takes on a different sub-theme each season with a unique time period, location, and cast at each rendition.
This season, though, co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk opted to do something slightly different by crossing over characters from previous seasons. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Murphy has said of season eight, “It’s a very high concept. It’s a season unlike anything we’ve done because there’s a big hook to it.”
American Horror Story has provided viewers with instances of a connected universe before. For example, a character featured throughout Season Two, Asylum, was also extensively present two seasons later in Freak Show. Another character from Asylum, played by Sarah Paulson, was also included in an episode of American Horror Story last year. However, the way that this technique fits into the current season is much more central than it has been in the past.
Initial episodes of season eight focused on an entirely new concept. Taking place “eighteen months in the future,” and following the aftermath of a nuclear explosion that eradicated much of the world’s population, several survivors are provided shelter in an underground outpost. Much of the series’ returning actors, such as Evan Peters and Kathy Bates, were cast as new characters for these scenes. Paulson, who has been with American Horror Story since Season One, has played three different characters thus far, including her roles from the first and third seasons.
The character played by new cast member, Cody Fern, represents the link between the different seasons of American Horror Story that have been included in Apocalypse. Fern plays Michael Langdon, a direct link back to season one. Additionally, Murphy and Falchuk have included characters from Coven (season three), namely Emma Roberts and Gabourey Sidibe, among others. On the episode which aired Oct. 17, the plot shifted once again from season three to season one.
This transition also marked the return of American Horror Story’s most revered and respected cast member, Jessica Lange. Lange opted to leave after being involved with four seasons of the show. She won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in season one and was nominated for the three subsequent seasons as well. Fans have been eagerly anticipating her return since it was announced earlier this year. Bustle says, “…perhaps the most intriguing announcement surrounding the latest series was the news that fan-favourite Jessica Lange would be returning to the franchise.”
Crossing over between season one and three is a fitting technique for American Horror Story at this point in time because many fans have been watching the show since its first season. Although many of the characters change as new seasons premiere, much of the core cast is still the same, and this is something that viewers appreciate about the show. American Horror Story has already been renewed for a 9th, and 10th season, and continues to be one of FX’s most popular shows.
Twenty One Pilots’ Trench Continues to Surprise Fans
by The Cowl Editor on October 18, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
Versatility, Pressure, and Isolation Set the Tone
by: Julia Vaccarella ’20 A&E Staff
On Oct. 5, Twenty One Pilots released Trench, the duo’s first album in three years. The band, featuring Josh Dun and Tyler Joseph, rose to popularity back in 2015 with hits such as “Stressed Out” and “Ride.” The new record, however, was recorded with little publicity over a year-long period and included a strategic debut of several singles before the October release.
Trench builds upon many of the themes featured in the duo’s previous release, Blurryface, and has been characterized as a concept album thereafter. Much of the band’s music incorporates messages about depression and anxiety; fans have expressed sentiments of satisfaction with the element of relatability that Twenty One Pilots so blatantly radiates. The pair has been relatively vocal about inspiration for the album and also took part in an interview with Beats 1 that is featured on Apple Music. In the interview, Joseph explains some of the many themes that come to light in Trench, from isolation, to faith, and spirituality.
The album builds upon the perpetual notion of a “trench,” as identified and said by Joseph himself. Joseph and Dun have explained that the album itself is reflective of a fictional city known as Dema. This concept alludes back to the core of what Twenty One Pilots is known for, and implies an escape from reality. The album also incorporates the difficulty of being in two places at once, a noteworthy theme when considering the growing popularity that the band has dealt with in the past several years. It also factors in the pressure that Twenty One Pilots faced in releasing a follow-up album after the mainstream success of Blurryface back in 2015.
Another significant aspect of the Twenty One Pilots brand that is noticeably apparent on Trench is the versatility of different musical genres that comprise the album. Twenty One Pilots is most directly characterized as an alternative band. However, it has been argued that Joseph and Dun also cross the lines into the rock genre in unconventional ways. Additionally, many of their songs also feature lyrics that incorporate rap.
This is something that has been noticed by fans and critics alike. Brad Heaton of Billboard writes in his review of the album, “Trench revels in the confounding genre-blurring and cavernous conceptualism that has defined Twenty One Pilots over their nearly decade-long existence. If anything, it’s weirder than its predecessor, and even more self-assured in its pursuit of a cohesive concept, which again centers on Joseph’s inner-turmoil.” One of the songs on the album, “Morph,” is a prototypical example of the band’s ability to slip between different musical genres. This song, which highlights the theme of what life will be like after death, is unlike any other Twenty One Pilots’ song.
It is unknown what Twenty One Pilots will come up with for their next album. Most likely, though, the duo will continue to reach the core of its strongest fanbase and meet its listeners with more unexpected surprises. Joseph and Dun kicked off their Bandito tour Oct. 16.
Jack Whitehall’s Travels With My Father Continues to Highlight Family
by The Cowl Editor on October 4, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by: Julia Vaccarella ’20 A&E Staff
Jack Whitehall is among many stand-up comedians and actors who have had features on Netflix. The actor was featured on the Channel 4 show Fresh Meat and the streaming platform released his own special At Large last year. However, Whitehall has gained popularity in the past year for the series Travels with My Father that, alongside his father Michael, incorporates both his personal and professional life. Netflix recently released Season 2, containing five episodes.
The series deviates from the typical standup routine and follows Jack and Michael in a documentary format as they travel through different countries. Initially, Jack characterizes the trip as a “gap year” within South East Asia. The disparities between Jack and Michael’s interests quickly become apparent in the show’s first episode, when the pair arrive at a hostel in Bangkok, Thailand and Michael instead opts for a five-star luxury hotel.
The Whitehalls visit unusual, hidden sites in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam over the course of a five-week period. Much of the show’s comedic appeal comes into play with Michael’s brazen remarks about his son as well as his apprehensiveness towards doing things that go beyond his comfort zone.
Caitlin Gallagher from Bustle comments on this aspect of the show, relaying, “The father-son duo‘s jokes may often come at the expense of their tour guide, but they are funny, and they do still manage to cover a lot of ground.” However, viewers come to see that the essential reason that Michael has come on the trip is to spend time with Jack.
In this aspect, there is a reciprocal feeling of companionship among Jack and Michael. Moreover, this is the root of what encompasses the show’s most recent season. “That‘s a wrap. One month, six different countries, few arguments, many happy memories,“ Jack wrote on Instagram after filming had concluded.
Alternatively to Jack’s “gap year” from Season 1, Season 2 has the duo travelling throughout Eastern Europe on Michael’s terms, visiting historical sites like Adolf Hitler’s holiday home. Michael and Jack continue their travels, hitting Istanbul, Bavaria, and Moldova. Jack also manages to retain his image from Season 1 when he plans for him and his father to take part in a clown parade, aware of the fact that Michael has a mild fear of them.
Lea Palmieri of Decider.com speaks on the show’s second season as having an ability that allows viewers “to witness all the shenanigans for themselves,” and “to watch a genuine father-son relationship realized right in front of their eyes.” Season 2 is arguably even more profound because the relationship dynamics between the father and son pair have been clearly defined in the first set of episodes.
Jack acknowledges the importance of spending as much time as he possibly can with his father, who is 78 years old. This sentiment of family is certainly something that can be reflected across all of the individuals who watch. Seasons 1 and 2 of Travels With My Father are currently available to stream on Netflix.
Serial Season 3: Nonfiction Podcast Takes on a New Story
by The Cowl Editor on September 27, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by: Julia Vaccarella ’20 A&E Staff
The first season of the unsurprisingly popular investigative podcast, Serial, was released back in 2014. Serial’s debut provided listeners with an introspective look into the 1999 homicide of high school student, Hae Min Lee, and the case of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, who was ultimately convicted of her murder. The show has since then become one of America’s top podcasts, and even prompted the movement for an additional investigation into Syed’s case.
Many people were drawn to listen to Serial because of its systematic and detailed approach to storytelling. The extreme attention to detail that may have been overlooked in criminal cases is appealing to many and deviates from the typical true crime entertainment that is highlighted in the media today.
A Huffington Post writer discussing Season One said, “the story has many of the classic features of a mystery: It’s a whodunit that combines the pleasures of a police and courtroom procedural. The twist is that the crime supposedly has been solved and we get those events retold.”
Appeal for Serial is also heavily based in the episodic nature of the show that has become a precedent in the first two seasons and will continue in Season Three.
Past episodes ran for an average span of 50 minutes. This left many viewers eager to hear the next part of the story when the following episode aired. There was an undeniable element of uncertainty in whether the speakers were telling the truth throughout the podcast.
The podcast remained on the top of the iTunes podcast charts for months after the first episode and has been successful not only in the United States, but in England and Australia as well.
The show is also the first podcast to be awarded a Peabody award, which it received in 2015. The podcast’s success can also be attributed to its ties with the creators of This American Life, a popular radio show that has aired over 600 episodes to date.
Although the creators of the podcast and host Sarah Koenig will be starting anew, there is still much promise for the behind-the-scenes auditory journalism that has drawn so many to Serial in the past four years. Season 3, which aired its first episode on Sept. 20, is based in Cleveland, Ohio and focuses on the American justice system.
According to Serial’s podcast website, this particular city was selected because creators were able to, “record everywhere—courtrooms, back hallways, judges’ chambers, prosecutors’ offices” and “outside the building, into neighborhoods, into people’s houses, and into prison.”
One of the central differences of the new season is that Koenig will be incorporating the stories of multiple individuals rather than focusing on one overarching case. While this is an alternative move for the podcast, it will provide listeners with an unusual perspective on the country’s justice system.
Another premise is that these are “ordinary” cases; however, the way in which Serial operates alludes to the fact that there are bigger issues at hand with each respective story. Listeners can find all seasons of Serial on the website, serialpodcast.org.
Egypt Station: Paul McCartney’s Legacy Continues On
by Kerry Torpey on September 20, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Julia Vaccarella ’20
A&E Staff
At the height of the 1960s, The Beatles’ innovative sound was just beginning to take over the music industry. Decades later, the band’s legacy still remains present to composers, fans, and individuals all over the world. This is particularly evident in the case of renowned singer and instrumentalist, Paul McCartney, who recently released a solo album entitled Egypt Station, which debuted on the Billboard 200 chart at no. 1.
This album is McCartney’s first studio release since 2005. At 76 years old, it is clear McCartney is not yet finished producing music. Undoubtedly, McCarthy is still regarded very highly, with Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone stating in a review of the new album, “Make a list of all the songwriters who were composing great tunes in 1958. Now make an overlapping list of the ones who are still writing brilliant songs in 2018. Your list reads: Paul McCartney.”
Egypt Station boasts a full setlist, consisting of 16 tracks. Many of the songs adhere to the acoustic sound that initially brought so many towards the music of the Beatles. Those who listen to any song on the record will hear visible incorporations of steady drum beats, and calming bass. There is also a rather consistent balance of slow, melodic songs with faster-paced lyrics.
Furthermore, the cover art for the album was extracted from artwork produced by McCartney back in 1988. It features a colorful landscape scene of a blue sky with clouds and the sun, as well as characteristically “Egyptian symbols and shapes.” Clearly, his inspiration for the artwork was the concept of simplicity.
“I liked the words ‘Egypt Station.’ It reminded me of the ‘album’ albums we used to make…‘Egypt Station’ starts off at the station on the first song and then each song is like a different station,” McCartney has said regarding the new record. “So it gave us some idea to base all the songs around that. I think of it as a dream location that the music emanates from.“
One of the most notable songs that reflects the sound and style of The Beatles is McCartney’s “Confidante,” which was released prior to the complete album. While the typical definition of the word connotes the image of a trusted friend or advisor, McCartney explains that the song is a tribute to his guitar and the impact the instrument has had on him since the early days of his career. This parallel, among others, is an indication that McCartney still has much more to offer the music industry, whether that be as a historically noteworthy member of The Beatles or simply as a champion and lover of music.
It is clear that McCartney has come a long way since The Beatles’ Please Please Me was released in 1963. Egypt Station leaves listeners with a well-rounded picture of who Paul McCartney is as an artist.
Fall Television: A Different Kind of Comedy
by The Cowl Editor on September 13, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by: Julia Vaccarella ’20 A&E Staff
For many, the beginning of the fall season marks the transition towards cooler weather and the return of pumpkin spice everything. The end of summer, however, gives us an influx of new and returning television premieres.
Among the many shows that will be returning to television this season is It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which premiered its 13th season on Sept. 5. These new episodes are available after a long hiatus due to cast scheduling conflicts. The show, which has been running on FX and FXX since 2005, has already been renewed for a 14th season.
The newest episode of the series guest stars Mindy Kaling . Appeal for It’s Always Sunny, however, is moreso derived in the crude, and often dysfunctional nature of the show’s recurrent characters. This, coupled with plotlines that incorporate current political and social issues, has allowed the series to continue.
An article from the New Yorker states, “Wednesday’s premiere of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which is back for its thirteenth season, is a reminder that there’s still a place for comedy—hilarious, grotesque, delirious, pointless comedy.” This particular season debut, entitled ”The Gang Makes Paddy’s Great Again,” incites a direct allusion to Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again.”
Another comedy series that returns on Sundays this fall is Showtime’s original, Shameless. Coming up on its ninth season, this show, like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, has generated much of its popularity based on the type of comedy it presents viewers with. The show’s main protagonists, the Gallagher family, are arguably just as dysfunctional as “the gang;” this element is something that viewers of both shows genuinely like to see.
Specifically, for Shameless, this season will see the last of Fiona played by Emmy Rossum, shifting focus towards William H. Macy as Frank. It is unknown how the show is going to continue going forward, but it is likely that season nine is going to encompass much more of the gritty antics that fans have seen in past episodes.
“We’ve been watching these characters grow up. We get to tell these stories of people becoming adults—and, of course, Frank, who is never planning on being an adult,” said John Wells, the showrunner of Shameless, to Entertainment Weekly.
Netflix is also playing into the “dark comedy” genre, with the animated series, Bojack Horseman. Season five is set to air on Sept. 14, starring Will Arnett, Aaron Paul, and Amy Sedaris. Like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Shameless, Bojack Horseman tackles current issues in a satirical fashion and also deals with addiction and depression.
All three shows boast a well-rounded cast and this too has impacted the longevity of each. The writers of these shows have been able to adapt over the years and ultimately provide content that audiences continue to watch.
Honoring “The Queen of Soul:” Aretha Franklin Dies at 76
by The Cowl Editor on August 30, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Julia Vaccarella ’20
A&E Staff
International superstar and soul singer Aretha Franklin has died at the age of 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The “Respect” singer rose to prominence in the 1960s as a symbol of civil rights and has left behind a musical career that spans decades.
Entertainment Weekly explains that Franklin’s “voice is so deeply embedded in our culture that the mere mention of her name elicits a profound sense of love, strength, independence, and history. She didn’t just sing songs, she sang battle cries.”
Franklin’s singing career began within the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. From a young age she served as a member of the gospel choir before signing with Columbia Records at 18 years old. After experimenting with several other record companies throughout the following years, Franklin was ultimately crowned “The Queen of Soul.”
Franklin leaves behind a legacy as a champion of both black and female empowerment. She found herself at the forefront of controversial issues from early in life because of her father’s role as a preacher.
In 2012, she was revered as, “the voice of the civil rights movement, the voice of black America,” and a “symbol of black equality” during her induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Franklin donated to organizations that support Native Americans. She was also the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio; she received this honor in 1987. Throughout the span of her career, Franklin won a total of 18 Grammy awards and countless other honors. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, which is the highest honor a United States civilian can receive.
Jeff Jampol, of Jampol Artist Management, expressed high esteem for Franklin in a recent Billboard article affirming, “She was a black leader at a time when we were living under Jim Crow law in [many] parts of the country and certainly prior to the Civil Rights Act… She is one of the greatest singers of all time and I think she became an icon of hope and of courage for a lot of women who followed her musically and non-musically.” Because Franklin left no will, Jampol is handling the distribution of her assets.
However, the impact and legacy that Franklin left behind far surpasses her material possessions. The immediate response from influential figures within the music industry and politics, as well as from her countless fans, confirms that her contributions will be revered for generations to come.
DAMN.: Kendrick Lamar Wins Pulitzer Prize
by Kerry Torpey on April 26, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Julia Vaccarella ’20
A&E Staff
The Pulitzer Prize, which was first awarded in 1917, is granted for outstanding work in journalism, literature, music composition, and other related fields. This year, Kendrick Lamar received the music award, established in 1943, for his album DAMN. This is quite an accomplishment for Lamar, who is the first artist to win a Pulitzer Prize for a hip-hop album.
The Pulitzer selection committee was united in their decision to choose Lamar. In fact, the record was said to be “the best piece of music” among those considered by David Hajdu, a juror and critic for The Nation. Despite this, there are mixed responses regarding this decision, as the music Pulitzer often focuses on works in the classical genre. John Pareles, however, the chief pop music critic at the New York Times, says, “To me, this prize is as overdue as it was unexpected…It’s an award for hard-won persuasiveness.”
Since early on in his career, Lamar has established himself as not only as a rapper, but also a genuine lyricist. Fans praise the depth of his songs and the words that he speaks, which are essentially responsible for the great success of DAMN. The selection committee characterized it as, “a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life.”
In the record, Lamar draws upon themes such as pride, loyalty, and fear, all of which are titles of his songs. In Lamar’s most popular song on the album, “HUMBLE.,” he reflects on his personal success in comparison with other contemporary rappers. Many also praise DAMN for its spotlight on police brutality and racial profiling.
Lamar has been praised for his ability to paint a highly personal picture of himself and of African-American life in the 21st century. He additionally discusses the issue of poverty in black communities. He specifically highlights Compton, California, where he grew up, in many of his songs.
Lamar’s award has also prompted a response regarding the extent of lyrical artistry within the genre of hip-hop and rap music. Proponents of Lamar’s talent have argued that this type of composition has the ability to produce just as strong of a message as classical music. The fact that the Pulitzer committee selected Lamar to receive this award presents rappers with new and improved levels of artistic appreciation.
It will be interesting to see what Lamar produces next as many will be looking closely at his lyrics in conjunction with the music that he produces. In an article with Rolling Stone after the release of DAMN, Lamar said, “If I can make one person—or 10 million people—feel a certain type of euphoria in my music, that’s the whole point.”