Tag: Kerry Torpey ’20
Editor vs. Editor: Which On-Campus Board of Programmers Event is the Best?
by Kerry Torpey on February 8, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Kerry Torpey ’20
A&E Co-Editor
As the weather gets warmer and students flock to Slavin Lawn for some time in the sun, Providence College’s Board of Programmers gears up to host their best event of the spring semester: Clam Jam. From food trucks to a 35-foot slide, Clam Jam has carnival games, live music, and so much more.
One thing that makes this event unique from other BOP events is definitely the food. Food trucks like Haven Brothers and Friskier Fries come together to keep Friartown satisfied with their signature subs and fries. Carnival favorites like cotton candy and kettle corn can be seen everywhere as students eat BBQ and delicious food from Rick’s Roadhouse.
There are plenty of fun games and activities that keep students laughing for hours. Last year, a fan favorite was the water gun game in which students shot water at a target to get a mini race car to move; the first person to get the car to the end got a prize. Other games like balloon darts, ski ball, and basketball are sure to keep you entertained.
For those who enjoy getting creative, Clam Jam has henna tattoo artists, sidewalk chalk, and necklace making. Students can be seen proudly showing off their DIY creations to their friends as they listen to live music.
For anyone who is 21+, the beer garden offers a variety of wines, beers, and other alcoholic refreshments. In 2017, customers enjoyed a bargain with $2 Bud Lights.
Last year, the grand prize of PC’s The Voice competition was a set at Clam Jam. With the voices of our fellow Friars as the soundtrack of the event, Clam Jam proves itself to be not only the ultimate grand prize for The Voice winners, but also the best BOP event on campus.
by Abigail Czerniecki ’19
A&E Co-Editor
Each year Providence College’s Board of Programmers hosts its own version of The Voice. The judges may not be as pretty as Adam Levine or as funky as Miley Cyrus, but the talent of these PC students can surely match up to the talent on the show.
Held in McPhail’s, this BOP event keeps its crowd entertained with the “humor” of Rev. Dominic Verner, O.P., and the judge’s reaction to the contestants once they turn around for the final reveal. And once all contestants have gone, the judges tally up their scores to identify the third, second, and first place winners.
The fun does not stop there; food is served from various places such as Big Tony’s and Anthony’s Deli at intermission to keep the crowd happy and the contestant’s bellies full.
This past weekend, BOP hosted their second PC’s The Voice and one thing is for sure: PC students can sing. Students can choose a song of their liking in hopes of demonstrating their skill to the judges. Some songs that were sung this past weekend were Rihanna’s “Murderer,” Khalid’s “Location,” and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” I swear Adele could have been the one signing on stage.
Beautiful sounds coming from beautiful people are what make PC’s The Voice special. It is a night that brings the student body together to recognize and appreciate the strong talent that PC has on campus.
The event is a wonderful way to encourage students to share their talent with others and to have some fun on a Friday night after a long week. Be sure to catch the next PC’s The Voice on Friday, February 9. Who knows, you may even listen to the next Adele.
Preview: Hamlet Comes to Providence College
by Kerry Torpey on January 25, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Kerry Torpey ’20
A&E Co-Editor
“Madness in great ones must not unwatched go.” With intense sound effects and choreographed fight scenes, the Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance, and Film’s upcoming production of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet will certainly capture the mania and drama of the tragedy.
In their final days of rehearsal, the cast of Hamlet is working tirelessly to perfect the well-known and notorious tale. Led by Director John Garrity ’73, who is an associate professor in TDF, the play follows Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, as he seeks revenge for the murder of his father, the king, by his uncle, Claudius.
Alongside Garrity are several collaborators who have put hours into the production. Trevor Elliot, who worked as assistant technical director and has designed the sets for Into the Woods and The Addams Family at PC, put together lighting and scenic design that encapsulates the commotion on stage.
Assistant Professor Megan Chang has served as a vocal coach for the actors. Furthermore, audiences should expect to see contemporary costumes designed by Maxine Wheelock, who also worked on Our Town.
Stereotypically recognized for his brooding nature, Hamlet teeters on the edge of sanity and lunacy. Audiences can anticipate Timothy Brown ’20 as Hamlet crazily running about the center stage one second and droopily dragging his feet the next.
Rather than performing in the Angell Blackfriars Theater in the Smith Center for the Arts, the cast will be in the Bowab Studio Theater, which is PC’s very own black box theater. Although it is small, the Bowab seems fitting for Hamlet, as the close proximity to the actors allows the audience to feel immersed in the drama at Elsinore Castle.
Certainly a standout moment for audiences will be the way in which the production crew presents the ghost of King Hamlet. Played by Daniel Carroll ’18, who also appears in the role of Claudius, the ghost of King Hamlet literally becomes a projection. Without revealing too much, Carroll will leave audiences startled with his powerful voice and expression.
Hamlet will run for seven performances total. Opening weekend is Jan. 26-28, with 7:30 p.m. shows on Friday and Saturday and a 2 p.m. show on Sunday. Following a week off, the cast will be back Feb. 8-11 with four final performances.
Tickets are $5 for students, $9 for seniors, and $13 for adults. They can be purchased online, in person in the Smith Center at the Box Office, or over the phone at 401-865-2218. Just as “madness in great ones must not unwatched go,” this showcase of Hamlet is not one to miss.
Camila Cabello: the New Princess of Pop
by Kerry Torpey on January 19, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Kerry Torpey ’20
A&E Co-Editor
After shocking fans around the world with her exit from pop girl group Fifth Harmony, Camila Cabello has taken the music industry by storm. With her first solo album Camila debuting at number one in over 90 countries, the Cuban-American singer joins a small percentage of successful performers who left their bands behind for solo careers.
Since their formation in 2012 on the United States edition of The X Factor, Fifth Harmony has become one of the globe’s most recognizable and popular girl groups. From wins at the American Music Awards to international nominations at the German Bravo Otto Awards and South Korean MelOn Music Awards, the group was on a rollercoaster that only went up.
Despite their success as a collective, the group members participated in solo endeavors outside of the group. Most notably, however, were Cabello’s features on Shawn Mendes’s hit song “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and Machine Gun Kelly’s “Bad Things.” Both collaborations included widespread media coverage with performances on talk shows like The Ellen Show and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
In December 2016, Cabello announced her exit from Fifth Harmony. The band’s Twitter account told fans that they tried to “sit down and discuss the future of” the group following the release of her first solo project, but Cabello refused to cooperate. Cabello, however, tweeted that she “was shocked” after reading Fifth Harmony’s response, claiming that the group was highly aware of her feelings about going solo following lengthy conversations.
With worldwide acclaim for singles like “Crying in the Club” and “Havana,” Cabello has managed to debut as a unique and influential artist of her own. As a songwriter behind the album, the singer explained to Rolling Stone that “there’s absolutely nothing wrong” with having songs “written by other people,” but, “it’s just not for me.”
Cabello pays special attention to her Latin heritage and credits producer Frank Dukes as being “a big part of taking a classic part of Latin culture and combining it with something new and modern.” Rather than play it safe and make songs that will establish Cabello’s solo career as soon as possible, Camila stands out as a debut because of this Latin-pop fusion.
Following in the footsteps of Zayn Malik of One Direction and Justin Timberlake of *NSYNC, Cabello is a success story, as many artists who go solo end up struggling to find fame on their own. Reggie Ugwu, a journalist for The New York Times, interviewed Cabello, describing her as, “just one in a cacophony of voices aiming to break through in a harsh, post-streaming environment.”
Tom Poleman of iHeartMedia explained to Ugwu that the platform of a band like Fifth Harmony does not guarantee success for an artist going solo. He explains, “The field is so competitive that you really need the planets to align.”
Poleman feels that Cabello stands out from these solo success stories as her “sensibilities as a songwriter” will help “define her career.” With the continued success of Camila on iTunes and other streaming services, the singer has set herself up for a steady and prosperous solo career.
Ethan Gruska: Following in His Family’s Footsteps
by The Cowl Editor on October 26, 2017
Arts & Entertainment
by Kerry Torpey ’20
A&E Co-Editor
As the son of three-time Emmy nominated composer Jay Gruska and the grandson of five time Oscar winning composer John Williams, you could say that music is in singer-songwriter Ethan Gruska’s blood. Gruska, and his sister Barbra found success with their band, The Belle Brigade, when they released their critically acclaimed self-titled album in 2011.
In 2014, the duo toured with Ray LaMontagne, and now Gruska is back on tour with LaMontagne following the release of his solo debut, Slowmotionary (2017). Recently, I had the opportunity to talk to Gruska about his new album, solo career, and what it is like to be back on tour.
KT: To start off, can you tell me a little bit about when you realized you wanted to be a musician?
EG: I don’t remember exactly when it was, it wasn’t like an “aha-moment” for me…but a lot of people in my family are professionals. My dad has a studio in our house and I always felt comfortable around it… [I’d say] when I was 14 or 15 I started writing songs and loved that so much…that’s when I thought that maybe I would like to do it, and as I got closer to 18 or 19 I actually started working.
KT: With the success of your father and grandfather in the industry, do you sense any sort of pressure coming from such a musically influential family?
EG: There’s definitely people who would love to add that pressure. Unfortunately, in this day and age, everything is about comparison and people have a hard time seeing something in its own inherent value…For me, I don’t feel that way, for my life and craft is different from what they do, and although I’d love to do what they do, I just don’t really think my art functions that way.
KT: It looks like this is your second time touring with Ray LaMontagne. How did you feel when you found out you would be touring with him again?
EG: I was happy! I’m a fan of Ray and he’s a friend of mine and I hadn’t seen him for a few years. I used to be in his band, and once that tour cycle ended and he went off and did his thing and I did my thing…I wasn’t sure when I was going to see him again, [and] it was like seeing an old pal. I was stoked to come and play for him.
KT: Is it anything different this time around now that you’re a solo artist apart from your former band, The Belle Brigade?
EG: Yeah, it’s totally different. Getting on stage this opening show is just me alone. That’s a totally different experience—to get up on stage by yourself. You know, before, I had Barb and she was playing drums and we could make a lot of noise…we could win people over with energy and [now] I still have to have energy, by myself…[There] has to be a sort of intimacy that has to get people intrigued, and it’s not easy, but…Ray’s crowd is a listening crowd [so I] feel comfortable.
KT: What is the best piece of advice someone has given you as you go down this path of a solo career?
EG: I guess some advice that I like in many different ways is to just keep making stuff and doing your thing. You know, the solo thing for me is just one aspect…I spent a long time with my sister and band and when that ended, I decided I wouldn’t do just one thing…I still play on a lot of sessions in LA and produce records and do scoring, so I don’t have a lot of pressure on this one aspect. So [my advice would be] to just keep yourself busy.
KT: And who are some of your biggest musical influences?
EG: It’s sort of always changing. I guess the few that never stopped are Elliot Smith [and] Joni Mitchell. I’ve become a huge fan of Mark Kozelek, who’s sort of an interesting presence in songwriting because he has lot of different projects that somehow become solo…I got introduced to his music by an artist whose album I produced, Phoebe Bridgers. We covered one of his songs on her record…I also listen to a lot of classical.
KT: Your album Slowmotionary came out in March earlier this year. What were the writing and producing processes like for you?
EG: It was, you know, just like a left turn for me. It’s very different than anything I’ve ever done. It’s really sparse and there’s nothing to hide behind. There’s just the songs [and] not many bells and whistles. The process was interesting…to be compelling as possible with as little as possible. I got to work with Tony Berg who produced the record and before that was an idol of mine…That was life changing for me to be able to work with Tony and change from him. To be able to work on a record that I’m proud of [with him] was life changing.
KT: Is there one track in particular you love to perform on stage?
EG: “Rather Be” because it has a little bit more rhythm than some of the other songs on the record, and live that helps to give people something to sort of sway with, [and] for me it’s in a good register.
KT: A song that really stands out to me off the album is “Crowded City Street.” Is there any story behind this track?
EG: That’s a song that I had, man, must’ve started that maybe six years ago. That was sort of an old spark and I was sort of always messing around with that song. What stuck was how short it was, I think it is just under a minute…During the process of writing the other songs, I realized a lot were short little vignettes and the thing was to keep them short and the music complex…the story is it took me a long time to realize it was done…it took me forever.
KT: Are you working on any new music currently?
EG: Yeah, before this tour I’ve been doing a lot of production with Tony in L.A. and that’s sort of been keeping me busy on off days…I have about 20 to 25 new songs and I haven’t started to record yet…I have a lot of new material and am sort of discovering [it all for] myself…half the battle is writing them.
KT: And finally, do you have any advice for young aspiring musicians who are hoping to have a professional career in the industry?
EG: Just continue to make stuff. And, you know, it’s not about validation from other people. It’s about feeling from within yourself that you’re improving and if you want to make it your job, you need that validation, [so] you’re gonna need a career and pay the bills. If you can make the priority to become a more refined writer and creator, then you can be happy with the hills and valleys within the career…if you have that drive to be a better artist, all the rollercoaster elements of the music industry, they can jab you but they can’t knock you out. Stay true to the art and try to keep your head down and ignore the false advertising of the world.
Editor vs. Editor: Iconic Duos
by The Cowl Editor on September 14, 2017
Arts & Entertainment
Michael Scott & Dwight Schrute
by Kerry Torpey ’20
A&E Co-Editor
Although some fans of the hit NBC sitcom The Office might argue that couple Jim Halpert and Pam Beasley are the best duo on the show, they are definitely out-“duo-ed” by Michael Scott (Steve Carell) and Dwight “Assistant to the Regional Manager” Schrute (Rainn Wilson).
The relationship between Michael and Dwight has a hilarious dynamic that helped create a foundation for The Office to become a powerhouse that continued on for nine seasons. Even when Michael left the show, his friendship with Dwight was still a major component of Dwight’s character.
One of the funniest aspects of their relationship is how overprotective Dwight is of Michael. No fan can forget the episode “Stress Relief” where Michael hosts a Comedy Central-inspired roast.
As each member of the office gets up and throws their best punches at Michael, Dwight stands up exclaiming, “How dare you all attack him like this? Michael is your superior, okay?” As Michael tries to interrupt him by repeatedly saying, “Idiot,” Schrute responds, “You don’t have any friends or any family or any land,” making this encounter one of the best examples of their dysfunctional relationship.
All jokes aside, however, Dwight and Michael have a lot of love for one another. Michael even came back in the final season to be the best man at Dwight’s wedding. While spaghetti and meatballs can keep you satisfied for a few hours, Michael and Dwight will keeps fans laughing for many years to come.
Spaghetti & Meatballs
by Abigail Czerniecki ’19
A&E Co-Editor
That’s Amore! Not only did spaghetti and meatballs define one of the best love scenes in movie history in Lady and the Tramp, but spaghetti and meatballs has been one of the best dinner duos of Italian and, quite frankly, American history.
Is it the dull, mild looking color of the meatball laid upon the pale yellow pasta that makes this duo so irresistible? Or is it the complimentary tastes of the two foods that each bite simulates?
Unlike some other food duos such as salt and pepper or cookies and cream, spaghetti and meatballs has had its fair share of celebrity appearances in many movies. Movies like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Lady and the Tramp, and for all you ’90s kids out there, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, have all had scenes of this duo playing a crucial role in the establishment of love.
There simply is no other food that is a perfect combination of romantic and tricky, almost to the point of awkward, to eat
Not only is this fantastic duo reasonably priced at restaurants, it is also one of the very few things that is safe to eat at Ray Dining Hall. Have I convinced you now that spaghetti and meatballs surpasses all other duos out there?
Whether you choose to eat it with a spoon and a fork, just a fork, or the no-hands sequence, spaghetti and meatballs always knows how to satisfy the hungry students of Providence College.
Do you really want Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company on your dinner plate?
Editor vs. Editor: Favorite Off-Campus Restaruant
by The Cowl Editor on August 31, 2017
Arts & Entertainment
by Kerry Torpey ’20
A&E Co-Editor
When morale is running low on the Providence College campus from endless nights of homework and study prep, nothing is better than taking a stroll down to The Abbey on Admiral Street.
A local burger and beer restaurant, The Abbey takes pride in its fresh ingredients and food made to order. The food, drinks, and atmosphere of The Abbey keep locals coming back for more.
One thing that really makes the hot spot popular is the burgers. With a long and growing list of premium burgers, such as “The Jay Burger,” a burger with “special seasonings,” Vermont Swiss, sauteed onions, mayonnaise, lettuce, and mushrooms. This is why BusinessInsider.com awarded them “Best Burgers” in Rhode Island two years in a row.
The Abbey has weekly deals perfect for PC students on a budget. With $5 burgers and fries on Mondays and 50 cent wings on Tuesdays, could it get any better than that?
For those who are of legal drinking age, The Abbey definitely has a lot to offer. With a total of 92 different beers to select from with 15 on draft, they certainly have made their mark among local bars.
And with numerous TVs hanging around the bar, it is a perfect spot for sports fans to go to cheer on their favorite teams. Even better, you might catch a glimpse of Men’s Basketball Head Coach Ed Cooley, who has been spotted by multiple students eating at The Abbey.
For those of you who are not fans of burgers, they have a great selection to choose from.
Whether you are in the mood for a Jumbo Quesadilla, Caesar salad, stuffed potato skins, and New England Clam Chowder. The Abbey can satisfy your hunger with a variety of great meals, service, and at incredibly reasonable prices. You will leave with your bellies full.
by Abigail Czerniecki ’19
A&E Co-Editor
With over 30 unique sandwich options, Anthony’s Italian Deli has made its name known to the students of Providence College.
Located only a few blocks from PC’s campus, students can do a quick grab-and-go of their favorite deli sandwich anytime.
The delicious recipes go beyond their exquisite homemade sandwiches. Anthony’s offers a range making it impossible to just choose one. From their classic Caesar salad to their vegetarian specialties, Anthony’s can satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
Its best seller, “The Godfather”, is the “Best Italian Sangwich eva.” Priced at only $6.99, the sandwich is filled with prosciutto, mortadella, capicola, sopressata, salami, sharp provolone, lettuce, tomato, hot pepper rings, hot pepper relish, onions, pickles, and drizzled with warm balsamic dressing.
With every bite, “The Godfather” is able to keep you wanting more. Eating half is never an option when it comes to this monstrous sandwich. Is your mouth watering yet?
The fun does not stop there. Every spring, Anthony’s Deli hosts the “Fan Submission Showdown.” This competition gets their customers to submit pictures through Instagram to see who can round up the most likes on their picture of their favorite Anthony’s sandwich.
The prize, you ask? A free deli sandwich of your choice. PC’s Ryan O’Malley ‘19 was the big winner of last year’s contest. Can it really get any better? While The Abbey is a shorter walk (only by a few hungry feet), Anthony’s Deli offers PC students a quick, easy, and finger-licking bite to eat.
Before the year gets too busy, take a stroll over to the ever-famous Anthony’s Italian Deli and find the sandwich that will make your taste buds beg for more.
The Kingsmen are Back, Some Even from the Dead
by thecowl.ae on May 4, 2017
Arts & Entertainment
By Kerry Torpey ’20
A&E Staff
Millions of fans of the worldwide box office hit Kingsman: The Secret Service woke up happy on April 24 with the release of the first official trailer for the sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Although it is a small glimpse of what to expect in the film, fans were shocked to see actor Colin Firth, whose character died in the first installment, alive and well.
In 2015, 20th Century Fox released Kingsman: The Secret Service. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, the film featured the star-studded cast of Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong, and Michael Caine, all of whom made the movie a huge success and attracted a large fan base.
The film follows Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin (Egerton), who becomes a part of a secret British spy organization called the “Kingsman.” With Harry Hart (Firth) as his mentor and guide, Eggsy finds himself on a mission to save the world from evil genius mastermind Richmond Valentine, played by Jackson.
With a total of $414 million made at the box office worldwide, there was no doubt a sequel would be made following the success of the first installment. Vaughn, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jane Goldman, announced that they started writing the sequel only four months after the U.S. release in February.
The Kingsman: The Golden Circle trailer begins with the voice of Harry Hart narrating what sounds like a personal letter to Eggsy. He explains that “Being a Kingsman is more than the clothing we wear or the weapons we bag. Its about being willing to sacrifice for the greater good.”
Shortly after, what appears to be a missile blows up the Kingsmen headquarters. A synopsis of the film says, “When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, [the Kingsmen’s] journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the U.S. called Statesmen…these two elite secret organizations band together to defeat a ruthless common enemy, in order to save the world, something that’s becoming a bit of a habit for Eggsy.”
There are a lot of familiar faces and characters in the trailer beyond Eggsy. Mark Strong reprised his role as the agent Merlin. Sophie Cookson, who plays Eggsy’s friend and fellow Kingsman Roxy, also makes an appearance in the trailer.
By far the most shocking reveal is that of Firth’s character, Harry Hart, who was killed in the first film. Fans see Hart shaving in front of a mirror with an eyepatch on. This revelation is definitely causing a lot of anticipation amongst fans and critics.
The sequel also includes a solid list of new characters played by some of Hollywood’s favorites. Julianne Moore stars as Poppy, who is the primary antagonist and associated with a secret organization called “The Golden Circle.” Jeff Bridges appears as Champagne “Champ,” who is the head of the U.S. spy organization, the Statesmen. Halle Berry plays Ginger, a member of the Statesmen’s tech support. Actors Channing Tatum and Pedro Pascal star as Statesmen Agents Tequila and Whiskey.
The official release date for Kingsman: The Golden Circle is September 22, 2017.
PC’s The Voice Shows Students Can Hit a Chord
by thecowl.ae on April 27, 2017
Arts & Entertainment
By Kerry Torpey `20
A&E Staff
McPhail’s may not have the biggest stage and Fr. Dominic is no Carson Daly, but Providence College’s edition of The Voice was still able to hit all the right notes.
On April 22, the Providence College Board of Programmers hosted their first annual singing competition inspired by the hit NBC competition series, The Voice. The lucky student winner of the night received the opportunity to perform at Clam Jam on April 28.
A total of 16 contestants took the stage at McPhail’s in hopes of becoming the first ever winner. The master of ceremonies, or MC, for the night was Fr. Dominic Verner O.P. “Celebrity” judges included Michael Gilmore ’17, Father Philip Neri Reese, O.P., and GA Joe Flynn `15.
When asked how he felt to be the first ever MC for PC’s The Voice, Fr. Dom said he was “very excited.” He felt his job as the MC “is to make [the competitors] look good.” He jokingly said, “[It is a] small student body…how much talent could there really be” before explaining how impressed he is with the very gifted and skilled students of PC.
Practically every seat in McPhail’s was filled with eager contestants and excited viewers. BOP member Michael Splann took the stage to explain how the night would work. Just like the television show, the judges had their backs to the stage during all the performances. Once a contestant finished his or her song, they would turn around, see who was singing, and then give some feedback.
Not only does the winner leave with a set at Clam Jam, but the top three all received StubHub gift cards so they can purchase tickets to live entertainment events of their choice.
The night kicked off with a performance of Sara Bareilles’ “Gravity.” Following the performance, Father Dom got the crowd laughing saying that “there was some real weight to that one.”
As the night continued, the audience heard covers of songs by artists such as Chris Young, Shawn Mendes, Rihanna, Billy Joel, Adele, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and more.
Contestants Ryan Cox ’18 and Fiona Pearlman ’20 showed off not only their singing skills, but their guitar skills with acoustic performances of “You” by Chris Young and “California King Bed” by Rihanna.
The judges gave some impressive feedback and remarks to many of the contestants. Kelli Jenney ’19 gave a performance of “Our Song” by Taylor Swift. As the crowd joined along with clapping and foot tapping, Father Philip Neri told Kelli “That’s a crowd pleaser and you pleased the crowd.”
The final performer of the night was Meghan O’Connor ’18, who gave a fun-filled performance of “Bust a Move” by Young MC. The audience really got into O’Connor’s performance and even busted a few moves of their own.
And with that, it was time for the judges to deliberate and select their winners. After finalizing their decision, Father Dom announced that the third place winner was Taralynn Vecchio ’17 and the second place winner was Mary Tracey ’18.
In the end, the judges selected two winners for the first place prize. Pearlman and Erin McCarthy ’19 took home the gold for their performances of Rihanna’s “California King Bed” and Beyoncé’s “Sandcastles,” respectively.
It’s Back and So Are Your Nightmares
by The Cowl Editor on April 6, 2017
Arts & Entertainment
by Kerry Torpey ’19
A&E Staff
The prayers of horror movie fans everywhere were answered on March 29, as the first trailer for the latest remake of the hit Stephen King novel It debuted. Having already smashed records with just a trailer release, It has quickly become one of 2017’s most highly anticipated films.
It was in 1986 that the world met Pennywise, the horrifying shapeshifter and villain in Stephen King’s equally terrifying novel, It. The novel follows the story of a group of seven children who call themselves “The Loser’s Club,” as they defend themselves against Pennywise’s powers.
About every three decades, Pennywise emerges from darkness to murder the children living in Derry, Maine. As a shapeshifter, It changes form to fit whatever It’s latest victim’s fears are. It utilizes trickery by frequently appearing as a clown in order to lure young children into It’s traps.
It first transitioned from page-to-screen for a 1990 ABC mini-series of the same name. Nominated for two Primetime Emmys, the series received positive reviews, particularly for Tim Curry’s performance as Pennywise.
King described his expectations for the series as “in the basement.” He told Yahoo, “Here was a book that sprawled over 1,000 pages, and they were going to cram it into four hours, with commercials. But the series really surprised me by how good it was. It’s a really ambitious adaptation of a really long book.”
The movie adaptation of It has been a long time coming. It took years to pin down a director willing to attach himself or herself to the film. According to Slate.com, director of the hit HBO series True Detective Cary Fukunaga was attached to It “as early as 2009” before separating from the film due to “clashes with the studio and refusing to accept major budget cuts.”
It was not until 2015 that Andrés Muschietti, who is best known for his work on the horror film Mama, signed on with Warner Bros./New Line Cinema to direct the film.
Will Poulter (We’re the Millers, The Maze Runner) was initially favored for the role of Pennywise but could not commit due to scheduling conflicts. In the end, Bill Skarsgård, who is best known for his roles in Simply Simon and Hemlock Grove, took on the role.
Another notable cast member includes Finn Wolfhard, who is best known for his role as Mike on the hit Netflix series, Stranger Things.
Upon its release, the trailer for the film has gone viral. According to Sarah Ahern of Variety, the trailer has “raced past” the trailer for the latest installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise, The Fate of the Furious. In 24 hours, the It trailer received 197 million views, surpassing The Fate of the Furious by 58 million views.
A lot of buzz came from those on social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Particularly on Twitter, Pennywise, It, and the red balloon emoji were trending.
Stephen King has given the latest adaptation his approval, saying the creators have done “a wonderful job with production.” With that, fans now eagerly await the film’s release on Sept. 8.
Divide and Conquer: Ed Sheeran Continues to Rise
by The Cowl Editor on March 23, 2017
Arts & Entertainment
by Kerry Torpey ’19
A&E Staff
After a four-year hiatus from releasing music, British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran released his third studio album ÷ on March 3, 2017. The highly anticipated album has already broken records, despite some mixed reviews from music critics.
Born in Halifax, West Yorkshire in England, Ed Sheeran began his recording career in 2004. In 2011, he made his U.S. studio debut with +, charting at number five with over $1 million total in sales. With an increasing following and continued success after his debut, Sheeran went on to release X, which debuted at number one with over $2 million sales.
Following the monumental success of X, Sheeran used his hiatus to really dive into his music and escape the public eye. He announced his hiatus on Instagram and told his fans that “the 3rd album is on its way and is the best thing I have made thus far.” Jon Caramanica of The New York Times describes Sheeran’s return to the music scene as “a batteries-fully-charged assault on the pop charts from a performer skilled in musical osmosis.”
According to Billboard, after only one week on the charts, ÷ is already the bestselling album of 2017. One week after release, the album had sold 322,000 copies in the United States alone. As of March 10, ÷ became the third-fastest selling album in the United Kingdom, with a total of 672,000 copies sold. Of those 672,000 copies, 232,000 were sold on the first day of release.
In terms of digital streaming, Sheeran broke Spotify’s record for most streams on the first day of release, with a total of 56,727,861 streams.
In terms of critical reaction, there is a bit of a mixed bag. One thing many critics took note of is the Irish and Ghanaian influence Sheeran utilized on multiple tracks, including “Galway Girl,” “Nancy Mulligan,” and “Bibia Be Ye Ye.”
“Galway Girl” debuted at number one on the Irish charts upon release, despite Sheeran’s label being initially against the track. He told Alexis Petridis in an interview with The Guardian that his label was “really, really against ‘Galway Girl,’ because apparently folk music isn’t cool,” but there is “a huge gap in the market” for it.
Maura Johnston of Rolling Stone described “Galway Girl” as a nod to Sheeran’s Irish heritage as he “offers his own spin on the Irish drinking song to the present-day pop world in a modern-day jig that recalls a synthesis of Justin Timberlake meets the Pogues.”
A major critic of the album is Laura Snapes, a contributor for Pitchfork. She writes that “Ed Sheeran sells trite innocence by the pound. He uses bland wisdom and unimaginative music to ponder the basic good and bad in people around him, without once looking inward.”
Snapes is particularly censorious of the variety of topics and issues Sheeran brings up throughout the album that range from celebrities to politics. She explains Sheeran wants it both ways: “artist and celebrity, nice guy who doesn’t want to alienate his fans with political convictions, anti-consumerist while gagging to dominate pop’s arms race.”
Despite the harsh critiques, many agree that Sheeran’s latest album is his best yet. Maura Johnston views ÷ as a “musical history lesson” that “is both well-timed and rip-roaringly fun, another example of [Sheeran’s] still-evolving craft.”