Tag: Madison Palmieri ’22
Taylor Swift Reclaims Her ‘Reputation’
by The Cowl Editor on February 6, 2020
Film and Television
Insightful Documentary Premieres on Netflix
by Madison Palmieri ’22 A&E Staff
On Friday, January 31, Netflix released its much-anticipated Taylor Swift documentary. Directed by Lana Wilson, the film details the singer’s private life and her relationship with the public, incorporating footage of concerts, recording sessions, meetings, and other pivotal moments in her career.
Miss Americana opens with Swift serenely seated at a piano, her eyes focused and her gaze intent. She is clearly in her element—until one of her cats paws across the keyboard. Laughing, Swift cuddles with her furry friend as the scene transitions to her combing through old diaries.
She describes how, as a young artist, she felt the need to always be perceived as good. “It was the complete and total belief system I subscribed to as a kid,” Swift explains. “I was so fulfilled by approval that that was it.” With her public image at stake, she sighs, “I became the person who everyone wanted me to be.”
The narrative then shifts to Grammy nomination day, 2018. A visibly anxious Swift is on the phone with a member of her team, asking them several times to let her know when the nominations are announced. “If I don’t beat everything I’ve done prior, it’ll be seen as a colossal failure,” she laments.
The 2018 awards, in particular, were an important year for the artist, as her album Reputation served as a message to the world after a year of silence following the fallout of a feud with Kanye West that began at the 2009 Video Music Awards, when she won the Video of the Year award, and he infamously interrupted her speech, leaving the young singer embarrassed and speechless. Although she later realized that the crowds were booing West, “I thought that they were booing me,” she explains.
Swift describes her mother’s ongoing battle with cancer, emphasizing how the hardship helped her realize what truly matters in life: “She’s my favorite person…it woke me up from this life where I used to sweat all these things, but do you really care if the internet doesn’t like you today if your mom’s sick from her chemo?”
Continuing to divulge information from her private life, she explained her complicated relationship with food and body image. “It’s not good for me to see pictures of myself every day because I have a tendency, and it’s only happened a few times…to just starve, a little bit, just stop eating,” Swift recalls. “We’re not doing that anymore,” she asserts. “That didn’t end us up in a good place.”
While these struggles all weighed heavily on the artist, it was the 2017 controversy surrounding Swift, Kanye West, his wife Kim Kardashian, and lyrics to West’s song “Famous” referencing Swift “was the hardest to bounce back from.” Swift maintained that she was not fully aware of the lyrics, whereas West and Kardashian insisted she was, prompting the viral #taylorswiftisoverparty. “Do you know how many people have to be tweeting that they hate you for that to happen?” she explains.
After that, Swift recalls, “Nobody physically saw me for a year, and I thought that’s what they wanted…the reason why that backlash hurt so much is that it used to be all I had.”
From this time of darkness, however, Swift gained strength and clarity. Upon returning to the public eye, she went to court against a radio DJ who inappropriately touched her at a meet-and-greet and who lost his job as a result. He sued her for millions of dollars; she simply asked for a mere, symbolic dollar.
Even though she won the case, Swift was angry. “You don’t feel a sense of victory when you win because the process is so dehumanizing. This is with seven witnesses and a photo. What happens when you get raped and it’s your word against his?”
In the documentary, she shares her concerns with fans at a concert, “I guess I just think about all the people that weren’t believed, the people who haven’t been believed, the people who are afraid to speak up because they think they won’t be believed, and I just wanted to say I’m sorry to anyone who ever wasn’t believed because I don’t know what turn my life would’ve taken if someone didn’t believe me when I said that something had happened to me.” With these words, she begins to play “Clean” from her album 1989, a standout hit and fan favorite about overcoming tough times.
The documentary then details another pivotal moment in Swift’s career: her vocalization of her political views. She and her mother are seated together on a couch and the rest of her team, all men, sit on the other side of the room. The singer explains why she needs to publicly denounce the Senate candidate from her home state of Tennessee, Republican Marsha Blackburn, pleading, “I need to be on the right side of history.”
In a tense scene with publicist Tree Paine, Swift agonizes over publicly sharing her views on Instagram. Visibly anxious, she breathes a sigh of relief as her post uploads. Various news reports interrupt her narration, offering commentary on the singer’s declaration. A giddy Swift remarks, “Donald Trump likes my music 25 percent less!”
Although Blackburn ultimately won the election, Swift does not regret speaking her mind. “I just felt really good about not feeling muzzled anymore…I needed to learn a lot before I spoke to 200 million people, but I’ve educated myself now and it’s time to take the masking tape off of my mouth, like, forever,” explained Swift.
“The Archer,” a single off of her latest album, Lover, played as Swift mused about her past, present, and future. “After 13 years of constantly feeling like I was misunderstood, knowing that everything that happened was all going to turn into this moment is (expletive) awesome.” She once again combed through her diaries, smiling to herself as she reminisced.
While the documentary is sure to please fans, its true power lies in giving Swift complete authority over her own narrative and her own reputation. Despite everything that she has been through, the singer declares, “I want to still have a sharp pen, and a thin skin, and an open heart.”
Saying Goodbye to The Good Place
by The Cowl Editor on January 30, 2020
Film and Television
NBC’s Hit Show Comes to an End After Four Seasons
by Madison Palmieri ’22 A&E Staff
The final episode of the hit NBC television show The Good Place will premiere on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 8:30 p.m. The comedy series has been on the air for four seasons—which are available to stream on platforms such as NBC, Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube TV—and amassed a substantial following.
The show, created by Michael Schur, who is best known for his work on comedies such as The Office and Parks and Recreation, details the misadventures of a motley crew of recently deceased humans as they navigate the complexities of the afterlife and befriend a host of quirky entities.
These characters grow both as individuals and a group, becoming better versions of themselves, while learning a great deal of philosophy and finding themselves in hilarious situations in the process.
Kristen Bell stars as protagonist Eleanor Shellstrop, a woman of dubious morals who wants to earn her spot in the titular Good Place. She enlists the help of deceased ethics and moral philosophy professor and fellow new arrival Chidi Anagonye (William Jackson Harper), who happens to be her assigned soulmate. Along with the other new arrivals, snobbish socialite Tahani Al-Jamil (Jameela Jamil) and drug-dealing DJ Jason Mendoza (Manny Jacinto), they attempt to find their place in eternity.
Rounding out the main cast are Ted Danson’s Michael, the Good Place architect in charge of the four humans, and D’Arcy Carden’s Janet, a robot programmed with all knowledge and the ability to grant wishes.
With such an unusual premise, the show could have easily disappeared after a handful of episodes. Instead, it has garnered praise from viewers and critics alike, securing nominations for the People’s Choice Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, and the Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as wins at the Critics’ Choice Awards for Most Exciting New Series in 2016 and Best Actor in a Comedy Series 2018.
The show is clearly a hit with viewers, as evidenced by the show’s 655,000 followers on Instagram, and its tendency to trend on Twitter after an episode airs. Perhaps this is due to the chemistry between the actors. Their dynamics are natural and never forced, which is no small feat considering the offbeat scenarios they are constantly tasked with performing.
Maybe these situations are the keys to the show’s success, combining nonsensical hilarity with fundamental questions about existence. Viewers are forced to think deeply about their own lives, morals, and beliefs, but laugh out loud as they do so.
Indeed, Providence College students, familiar with ethics and morality thanks to the Development of Western Civilization (DWC) and the philosophy core requirements, may especially enjoy The Good Place, with its recurring references to Kierkegaard and an entire episode centered around the Trolley Problem.
Although the show, unlike the existences of its mortal characters, has come to an end, The Good Place, with its stellar cast and examination of friendship, life, death, and morality, is sure to endure for years to come.
New Year, New Releases: Disney’s 2020 Film Lineup
by The Cowl Editor on January 16, 2020
Arts & Entertainment
by: Madison Palmieri ’22 A&E Staff
With the new year comes a new lineup of movies, television shows, albums, and other forms of entertainment to be released over the course of the next 12 months. Disney, in particular, will release a number of new films in theaters in 2020. Ranging from reboots to adaptations to entirely new material, there is sure to be much for viewers to enjoy.
The first Disney film of the year to be released, Onward, is a collaboration with Pixar that will come to theaters on March 6. Marvel actors Chris Pratt and Tom Holland lend their voices to the leading roles, a pair of teenage elf brothers on a magical quest. With the actors’ talents and the unique ability of Pixar films to evoke emotion, Onward is sure to be a hit with children and adults alike.
Three weeks later, on March 27, the live-action remake of Disney’s 1998 film Mulan will be released in theaters. Chinese actress Liu Yifei will star as the titular character. Based on the success of recent re-imaginings of Disney classics, such as Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, the film will likely induce nostalgia in fans of the original animated film and introduce a new generation to the beloved story.
Avid Disney fans must then wait an entire month for a new theatrical release, but will be rewarded with the premiere of the much-anticipated Black Widow standalone film on May 1. Avengers actress Scarlett Johansson will reprise her role as the titular character, promising fans a deeper look at the character and her story than has been portrayed on screen so far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
At the end of the month, Disney’s book-to-screen adaptation of Artemis Fowl hits theaters on May 29. Based on the beloved children’s series by Eoin Colfer, the film will star newcomer Ferdia Shaw in the title role alongside Judy Dench and Josh Gad.
The summer months bring three more family-oriented releases. Soul, in theaters June 19, follows a middle school music teacher who goes on a journey to discover what makes everyone unique. Jungle Cruise, releasing on July 24, will feature Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt in a cinematic adaptation of the popular Disney World attraction. In addition, The One and Only Ivan, in theaters Aug. 14, will bring to life the bestselling children’s book based on true events.
Another exciting offering from Marvel Studios comes to theaters on Nov. 6 with the release of The Eternals. The film will tell the story of some of the most powerful heroes in the universe and feature an all-star cast including Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, Salma Hayek, and Kit Harington.
Disney will finish the year with another adaptation of classic tales. Gigantic, based on the story of Jack and the beanstalk, hits theaters on Nov. 25. Whether a casual fan or a Disney die-hard, the studio’s 2020 films will surely offer something for everyone.
Everyday Life: Coldplay Release Eighth Studio Album
by The Cowl Editor on December 5, 2019
Music
Group Returns with Politically Charged Album on Unrest
by Madison Palmieri ’22 A&E Staff
After a long period of near-silence following their 2015 album A Head Full of Dreams, Coldplay has made their triumphant return.
On Oct. 29, a photo of the band members dated November 22, 1919 and accompanied by instrumental music was posted to Coldplay’s Instagram account, prompting fans to speculate that the group would soon have a new album.
Indeed, an official announcement came several days later, confirming that Everyday Life would arrive in November. To give fans a preview of what was to come, the band released singles “Orphans” and “Arabesque.”
The former’s jubilant tone distracts from its dark subject matter, calling to mind earlier songs such as “Charlie Brown” from the group’s 2011 album Mylo Xyloto. A timely piece, “Orphans” is one of the album’s strongest tracks. The latter’s heavy brass and clear Middle Eastern influence underscore its message of a universal human experience with lyrics that are simple, but powerful.
The album’s title track debuted on Saturday Night Live, giving fans a hint of the group’s examination of current social issues while providing a hopeful, if cautious outlook on an increasingly chaotic world.
Indeed, as front man Chris Martin explains to Apple Music, “Not that there hasn’t always been craziness, but it’s so in-your-face all the time. It can only make you feel like it doesn’t matter the consequence; you have to sing what’s coming through.” As a closing song, “Everyday Life” is a less optimistic, but still perfect successor to A Head Full of Dreams’ closing “Up and Up.”
To celebrate the album’s release, the band gave two live performances in Jordan at sunrise and sunset on Nov. 22, live-streamed on YouTube for fans all over the world.
The first half of the album, Sunrise, begins with a classical music-inspired instrumental of the same name and then leads into the upbeat “Church.”
The recurring sentiment of social unrest manifests itself in “Trouble in Town.” Siren-like guitar wails accompanied by crashing drums and piano tell a story of racial tension before transitioning back to the religious with the spiritual “BrokEn,” a call-and-response track featuring a choir and reminiscent of “Death Will Never Conquer,” a bonus track from Coldplay’s 2008 album Viva La Vida.
The remainder of Sunrise consists of “Daddy,” a soft, haunting piece with echoing drum beats that calls to mind the band’s Ghost Stories era, “WOTW/POTP,” a stripped-down song about hope, “Arabesque,” and “When I Need a Friend,” another choir-featuring track that takes the form of earnest prayer.
The second half of the album, Sunset, opens with “Guns,” a guitar-heavy political commentary on American gun violence, and then leads into “Orphans,” followed by “Èkó” and “Cry Cry Cry.” Rounding out the album are “Old Friends,” a tear-jerking, standout ode to those we have lost touch with, “Children of Adam,” “Champion of the World,” and “Everyday Life.”
Overall, Everyday Life blends Coldplay’s signature style with new subject matter. The result is at times disjointed, as tracks move from themes of faith and hope to unrest and back again, but is an overall honest, earnest effort that casual listeners and diehard fans alike are sure to enjoy.
Writer vs. Writer: Is Christmas Music Before Thanksgiving Acceptable?
by The Cowl Editor on November 21, 2019
Arts & Entertainment
Yes
by: Madison Palmieri ’22 A&E Staff
Now that Halloween has come and gone, attention has immediately shifted to the upcoming holiday season. Already, stores are advertising special deals, Starbucks and Dunkin’ cups are shades of red and green, and Christmas music is returning to the radio.
While it is understandable to protest the apparent neglect of Thanksgiving that this phenomenon entails, those eager to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year should not have to wait until Black Friday to listen to festive tunes.
For some, Christmas music can be enjoyable year-round. Haley Gervino ‘22 says that she generally does not listen to holiday tunes before Thanksgiving, but “Happy Holidays” by NSYNC and “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber are acceptable all the time.
Others only begin to listen to festive music after Halloween, but do so in moderation. “My playlists have started shuffling in some Christmas music, and I don’t mind,” says Megan Puthota ‘22. “I think that as long as you listen to it in moderation before Thanksgiving, there’s no harm in enjoying it.”
This view appears to be common among listeners. A November 2018 Spotify article, “Is It Too Early For Christmas Music?” stated, “According to holiday streaming in 2017, most countries see the first surge in listening around November 1…The United States and Canada wait until November 13 to start.”
Indeed, Christmas music is often enjoyed beyond the holiday season, and so long as listeners take care not to forget the importance of Thanksgiving and do not immediately rush from Halloween to Christmas, there should be no reason why they should have to wait to listen to festive tunes.
No
by: Peter Keough ’20 A&E Co-Editor
Only a few weeks out from Halloween, the annual swell of Christmas cheer has already begun to overtake the national consciousness. Christmas music plays in stores, elf-filled commercials for sales fill advertising slots during primetime television, and festive lights and trees already adorn many residences.
For some, this is a welcome change, as they desire to begin celebrating the Christmas season as early as possible. However, some reports claim that this premature celebration of the holiday can actually have negative psychological effects on individuals.
In a 2017 report from CBS News, clinical psychologist Linda Blair established a link between repetitious Christmas music and high levels of holiday-related stress. She claimed, “[H]earing a Christmas song can spark thoughts of all the things you have to do before the holiday, like shopping, party planning, and traveling.” Essentially, listening to an overwhelming amount of this kind of music could do more unintentional harm than good.
Couple this with stations that are already playing this kind of music, such as New York’s 106.7 Lite FM and St. Louis’ 102.5 KEZK, and you get a recipe for a potentially high-stress public. With a more extensive time period dedicated to this music, and only a limited amount of songs, stations like these may contribute to these kinds of unhealthy mental effects.
Taking factors like this into account, maybe it is best to dedicate less time to Christmas music on radio stations nationwide. This is not meant as a slight against Christmas, but instead as a safeguard that could lead to a healthier and more enjoyable holiday season for all.
Disney Musicals Offered to Providence Schools
by The Cowl Editor on November 14, 2019
Theater
Global Program Provides Opportunities for Self-Expression
by Madison Palmieri ’22 A&E Staff
The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) has announced that five public elementary schools in the Providence community have been chosen for this year’s Disney Musicals in Schools initiative, through which they will have the opportunity to produce a Disney musical at no cost.
The program aims to foster theater programming in schools across the country and around the world, especially in areas where children may not otherwise have access to theater nor the opportunity to perform.
Beginning in January 2020, Alan Shawn Feinstein Elementary School; Robert L. Bailey, IV Elementary; Harry Kizirian Elementary School; Carl G. Lauro Elementary School; and Webster Ave Elementary School will participate in the 17-week program. Each institution will be supported by a team of PPAC teaching artists and receive performance rights and education materials.
The initiative will not only introduce local children to the world of theater, but also train their educators to teach them more about it. Through the program, teachers will learn how to play the roles of producer, director, and choreographer.
All of these efforts will result in the performance of 30-minute Disney KIDS musicals at each school, after which the Providence Performing Arts Center will hold a Student Share Celebration where the five schools will each have the opportunity to perform in front of their fellow students, teachers, families, and other members of the Providence community.
Significantly, this is the Providence Public School District’s first year participating in the Disney Musicals in Schools initiative, and it appears that this program may become a mainstay in the district, as five more elementary schools in the city are already set to be selected for next year. In addition, the grant lasts for two years, guaranteeing future development as well.
The program is structured to build relationships both in schools and communities, allowing students to work together in order to develop skills crucial to the production of a musical, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking. These skills will translate to other aspects of the students’ lives, whether it be learning in the classroom or playing on a team.
Launched in New York City 10 years ago as a result of growing concerns that public elementary schools lacked access to the performing arts, the program was met with immediate success and soon spread to other school districts throughout the country.
The musicals themselves are 30-minute adaptations of seven beloved Disney classics: 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin, The Aristocats, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, Winnie the Pooh, and Cinderella.
No matter which musicals the Providence schools produce, the experience is sure to be memorable for everyone involved, especially for those students who lack access to the performing arts.
Indeed, in this era of tight budgets for school districts across the nation, the arts are usually the first programs to be cut from schools. Students are deprived of art, chorus, band, and theater, subjects crucial to the development of self-expression, imagination, and creativity. Disney Musicals in Schools works to combat this startling trend and ensure that students across the country will be able to enjoy the art of theater for generations to come.
Apple TV Premieres The Morning Show
by The Cowl Editor on November 7, 2019
Film and Television
Addresses Timely Issues of Sexual Assault, Misogyny
by: Madison Palmieri ’22 A&E Staff
A middle-aged woman with perfectly styled blonde hair sits behind a news desk. The cameraman makes a gesture to indicate that she is on air. The anchorwoman greets her viewers with a stoic expression, masking the emotion behind what she is about to share with the nation:
“Good morning. I’m bringing you some sad and upsetting news. And while I don’t know the details of the allegations, Mitch Kessler, my cohost and partner of 15 years, was fired today.”
This chilling moment opens the trailer for The Morning Show, a highly-anticipated drama released by Apple TV.
The show opens with the firing of a longtime news anchor (Steve Carell) after allegations of sexual misconduct surface. His co-anchor, Alex Levy (Jennifer Anniston), is left to process the accusations against her longtime friend and coworker—and share the news with the nation.
Adding to her woes is the search for new on-air talent, which comes in the form of journalist Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon). Alex’s concerns that the network aims to replace her with the younger Bradley only add to her already mounting despair. The series is set to follow Alex on her emotional journey as she comes to terms with both the allegations against Mitch and tries to prevent Bradley from replacing her.
The Morning Show will evidently address topics that are incredibly relevant. From the trailer, it is clear that the scandal of sexual abuse in Hollywood and the media, which has galvanized the #MeToo movement in recent years, will be a driving force in the narrative.
The opening scene itself calls to mind the chilling moment nearly two years ago when Savannah Guthrie broke the news that her Today Show co-anchor Matt Lauer had been fired amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Whether or not Carell’s Mitch Kressler is guilty of such crimes remains to be discovered, but guilty or not, his presence in the drama promises an unexplored perspective on an issue that has dominated the media for the past several years and continues to do so today.
Equally important to The Morning Show is a discussion of misogyny, specifically in the workplace. Alex’s breakdown is ruthlessly chronicled by the media, and she is forced to view newcomer Bradley as a rival rather than a potential ally. Her character promises a realistic look at the hardships endured by women in the public eye. Indeed, Alex clearly recognizes the lack of agency that she and women like her possess: “I just need to be able to control the narrative so that I’m not written out of it,” she exclaims.
The question of whether or not Alex is able to do so will undoubtedly be answered in the Apple TV drama which aired on Nov. 1. The Morning Show’s timely takes on misogyny and the #MeToo movement, in addition to the sheer star power of the triple threat that is Aniston, Witherspoon, and Carell, will certainly make it a newsworthy addition to an already stellar lineup of fall television.
PC Debuts Witty Comedy Something Rotten!
by The Cowl Editor on October 31, 2019
Arts & Entertainment
Broadway Play Gets Its Northeast Collegiate Premiere
by: Madison Palmieri ’22 A&E Staff
Something Rotten! is something special. Providence College’s Department of Theatre, Dance, and Film has been granted the privilege and honor of giving the show its northeastern regional collegiate premiere this past weekend.
The production offers something for everyone, from casual theatregoers to diehard fans of Shakespeare, who will be sure to catch every one of the many theatrical references made throughout the show’s two acts.
For the past couple of months, the talented cast and dedicated crew have worked tirelessly to bring the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit to life in the Angell BlackFriars Theatre in the Smith Center for the Arts.
Directed by Jimmy Calitri, with music direction by Lila Kane and choreography by Jennifer Hopkins, the show chronicles the misadventures of the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel. It follows their attempts to create a successful show in Renaissance-era England, in an attempt to compete with their rival, the beloved William Shakespeare. With a colorful cast of characters and outrageously hilarious musical numbers, the brothers and their friends learn about the importance of friendship, love, and theatre.
The characters, from the wittily-named Bottom brothers to the Bard himself, are expertly portrayed. The dynamic duo of Nick, played by Daniel Jameson ’21, and Nigel, played by Nolan Donato ’22, showcase their vocal powers in songs ranging from the upbeat, undeniably catchy “God, I Hate Shakespeare” to the heartfelt “To Thine Own Self,” and bring to life the close bond the brothers share.
The fierce feminist Bea, portrayed by Emily Smith ’20, and hopeless romantic Portia, played by Halle Pratt ’22, serve as more than mere love interests to Nick and Nigel, respectively. The two bring humor and heart to every scene they are in. Portia’s tyrannical Puritan father, Brother Jeremiah, depicted by William Oser ’19GS, likewise captivates the audience with an exaggerated, innuendo-filled take on Renaissance religion.
Rounding out the cast are Steven Sawan ’20, villainous, flamboyant Shakespeare; the nephew of the great seer Nostradamus, portrayed by Thomas Edwards ’20, who shares his gift of foresight; and members of the Bottom brothers’ troupe and ensemble.
The score is upbeat, and the opening number “Welcome to the Renaissance” gleefully starts the show off by describing new science and art. The closing song, “Finale: Welcome to America,” leaves the audience with hope for the possibility of new beginnings. Numbers such as “A Musical” and “To Thine Own Self” cleverly play with both Shakespeare’s works, especially Hamlet, and beloved musicals from Les Miserables and Rent to The Sound of Music and West Side Story, making it clear that Something Rotten! is a love letter to the art of theatre.
The catchy songs are performed with captivating dance numbers, notably the chorus line in “A Musical” and the egg-cracking antics of “Make an Omelette,” in costumes brilliantly designed by Anna Grywalski and her talented crew.
Whether audience members are unfamiliar with Shakespeare’s works or can recite any given soliloquy upon request, Something Rotten!’s humor, heart, and talented cast make it a must-see musical.
Those interested in attending the show can purchase tickets for the remaining performances scheduled for Nov. 1, 2, and 3 on the TDF website or at the Smith Center for the Arts Box Office.
Popular Halloween Costumes from Popular Culture
by The Cowl Editor on October 24, 2019
Variety
How Television, Film, and Music Can Inspire Your Outfit
by Madison Palmieri ’22 A&E Staff
As the leaves start to fall and the days grow shorter, one of Providence College students’ favorite holidays rapidly approaches: Halloween. Whether they prefer spooky movies or handing out candy, students from freshmen to seniors get into the spirit of the season by dressing up.
Some costumes reappear every October, from the traditional witches and vampires to the more modern superheroes and celebrities. Each year, however, brings movies, television shows, and music for students to take inspiration from, and 2019 has been no exception.
On television, this year saw the end of one of the most beloved shows in recent history, Game of Thrones, as well as the much-anticipated return of Netflix’s hit Stranger Things. Both series’ popularity, as well as the myriad of characters in the ensemble casts, are sure to inspire fans. Those who are not fantasy lovers may choose to dress up as beloved characters from dramas such as Riverdale and The Handmaid’s Tale or comedies such as Brooklyn 99 and The Big Bang Theory. Without a doubt, some students will find a purple bandana and do their best Prison Mike impression or grab a stuffed monkey and dress up as everyone’s favorite paleontologist Ross Geller, proving the lasting appeal of classics like The Office and Friends.
In 2019, movies belonged to the superheroes. Marvel’s juggernaut Avengers: Endgame towers above the rest of the releases, but the studio’s Captain Marvel and Spiderman: Far From Home, along with DC’s Shazam! and The Joker, will provide plenty of inspiration for students. Whether students want to assemble their friends and be the Avengers or take on a darker role, these heroes and villains are sure to be present in Friartown this Halloween.
Those who still have not heard the spoilers for Infinity War, or have never heard of Tom Holland, need not despair; plenty of other films released this year can provide inspiration. On the one hand, for those longing for the days of trick-or-treating and Halloween specials, characters from Disney’s Aladdin, The Lion King, and Toy Story 4 can recapture the sense of childhood wonder particular to Oct. 31. Those aiming to scare, on the other hand, can look to films such as Midsommar or Us.
Students can also turn to the world of music for inspiration. From any of the iconic outfits Taylor Swift wears in her music videos for “ME!,” “You Need To Calm Down,” and “Lover” to the western vibes in the summer hit “Old Town Road,” music fans are sure to find a famous figure to emulate. Indeed, fans of rising musical stars such as Billie Eilish and Lizzo can become these artists, if only for one night.
The world of popular culture provides a host of shows, films, and artists for students to take inspiration from. No matter what they decide to wear, however, hopefully they will choose costumes that are respectful of other people, cultures, and ideas, so that everyone in Friartown can have a fun, safe, and happy Halloween.
New Chapters for Civ Classics
by The Cowl Editor on October 10, 2019
Arts & Entertainment
Great Works Retold in Young Adult Fiction
by Madison Palmieri ’22 A&E Staff
Love it or hate it, participating in the Development of Western Civilization program is a requirement for all Providence College students. While many are content to spend only a week with Augustine, Austen, Socrates, and Shakespeare, some leave the program fascinated by these authors and their works. One way for students to satisfy this intellectual curiosity is by reading modern retellings of the classics they encounter in class. In recent years, such adaptations have become a popular phenomenon in literature, thus providing readers with a wide range of retold works to enjoy.
The Odyssey, for instance, is reworked in Francesca Lia Block’s Love in the Time of Global Warming. This novel tells the story of a young woman named Penelope living in the wake of a catastrophic event, the Earth Shaker, which has devastated the city of Los Angeles. Readers follow Penelope’s journey to safety and her reunion with her family. Parallels to The Odyssey exist not only in the heroine’s name and the nature of her voyage, but also through a direct connection to the epic poem—Penelope carries a copy of Homer’s great myth with her as she navigates the post-apocalyptic world.
Likewise, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller recounts the events of The Iliad from the perspective of the titular Achilles’ close friend and confidante, Patroclus. Miller begins the story with memories from their shared boyhood in Phthia and ends with the course of events from its source material. Miller’s adaptation of this epic makes for a satisfying read because it offers the comfort of familiar characters and stories but explores them in a new and thought-provoking way.
Miguel De Cervantes’ Don Quixote finds a modern-day counterpart in Libba Bray’s Going Bovine. This retelling follows high school student Cameron, who has been diagnosed with Mad Cow Disease and must come to terms with the fact that he is going to die. The fantastical Dulcie enters his life with the promise of a cure, and the two embark on a journey across America during which they wrestle with questions about life and reality, similar to those addressed by Cervantes in his masterpiece.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen has received a great deal of attention from writers as they reimagine the premise of the original novel in nearly every conceivable way. The most popular versions of these retellings, those that take place in high school, are told from the character Elizabeth Bennet’s perspective. These books are relatively light reads that tend to maintain elements of the original love story and dispense with the underlying themes of classism and marriage. Tiffany Schmidt’s Bookish Boyfriends: A Date with Darcy and Elizabeth Eulberg’s Prom and Prejudice exemplify this subcategory of Austenian adaptations.
While some students may rejoice when they no longer have to examine classic works, those who wish they could take DWC for all four years of college may find intriguing reads in these modern adaptations.