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Crossword Answers — Fall at Brandeis

  ACROSS 3. HOOT 6. OCTOBER 8. PUMPKIN 10. SABRINA 11. SPIDER 13. FRANKENSTEIN 14. USHER 17. SALEM 19. PACT

Creating a culture of creativity: Basement Records empowers students

Art evokes many different meanings. No matter the medium, art is thought-provoking and compels us to have a shared experience through our emotions. While Brandeis may be known for its research, it shares a large community of talented artists and creators through the student body. Basement Records, a campus club, aims to bring together artists of all kinds. They helped to create a directory of students that are  creating film, music, photography and other mediums as well as create a community. The club was born in 2016, and while there was some loss in membership during the pandemic, it was revived in late 2021. When the president at the time went to study abroad, it was time for a leader to rise. Lizbeth “Liz” Sandoval ’25 serves as the current president of Basement Records alongside several other students on the leadership team. Her vision was to create a community that supports and uplifts BIPOC — Black, Indigenous, People of Color — artists and creatives. 

"Mr.Parent": A play on education, race and intersectionality

A theatre student take — Triona 

"Red, White and Royally Blue": A Royal Critique

I read “Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston for the first time the summer before I started college. I couldn’t put it down and it quickly became one of my favorite rom-com books. RWRB explores the romantic relationship between Alex Claremont-Diaz, the first son of the United States, and the Prince of England Henry George Edward James Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor — yes, that is really his name. As two of the world’s most prominent political figures, Alex and Henry must balance their growing love for each other with their responsibilities to their countries. Although there are many reasons to love “Red, White & Royal Blue,” some of my favorite aspects include the adorable emails that the two main characters exchange, the development of sibling relationships, and the mandatory happy ending that all good, fun rom-coms must have. 

The Black Handguide to time travel: A review of ‘See You Yesterday’

As a young Black woman who loves engaging with and consuming all kinds of media, I strive to find stories that reflect my identity and interests and tell amazing stories in powerful ways. Often within Black media in particular it can become cacophonous to see the same stories repeated —  the films about slavery or the Civil Rights Movement that are only really showcased during Black History Month. I would be remiss to not express and acknowledge that these stories are important and necessary to talk about. These stories need to be told and remembered in order to educate and inspire us to create a better future. It is also important to recognize that these stories do not define us, but rather are part of our shared history. 

Be your own Weird Barbie

The release of the film “Barbie” undoubtedly raised a frenzy this past summer as the allure of Barbie and her dream world not only applies to young girls who dream of “becoming” Barbie, but also to women of all ages who seek their childhood memories. However, rather than immediately showcasing Barbie’s iconic dream house and the signature Barbie pink, the movie takes a different approach by retelling the history of Barbie.

“Strong Women in Renaissance Italy,” only a train ride away!

On Sept. 9, 2023, the Museum of Fine Arts opened an exhibition titled “Strong Women in Renaissance Italy,” which focuses on the life and works of women and craftswomen of 16th and 17th century Italy. The exhibition was curated by Marietta Cambareri, a senior curator of European sculptures and author of the related publication, “Strong Women in Renaissance Italy.”Additionally, she assisted Simona Di Nepi, curator of Judaica at the MFA, in the exhibition. Female artists in history have not been highlighted nearly as much as their male counterparts despite their historical contributions. Cambareri aims to highlight the contribution of artists that history has left out of the narrative. Located in the MFA’s Gallery 184, this exhibition takes the viewer through fine arts and detailed crafts to show the Renaissance through the women of the time.

Sanaa Lathan’s ‘On The Come Up’ is ‘Bri-lliant’

It seems as though most of us spent our summer doing internships, working, or trying to relax before getting back into the groove of all-nighters, exams, and papers. If you know me, I love to find new films, especially at the intersection of music and poetry. I rewatched several of my favorite films like “Hidden Figures” and some cute Pixar comfort movies, but I enjoyed watching “On the Come Up” the most. I initially read the book “On the Come Up” by Angie Thomas last summer, but I was beyond excited when I heard it was being turned into a film, specifically as Sanaa Lathan’s directorial debut.  

‘Jujustu Kaisen’: A Review

 With the long-awaited release of the anime adaptation of the mnga book series “Jujutsu Kaisen’s” Shibuya Incident arc, both manga readers and those experiencing it for the first time are steeling themselves for an especially dark point in the show’s storyline. This anticipation did not appear out of nowhere, however, and it was a previous arc’s handling that made it happen. The TV series “Secret Inventory” finished airing this past summer, a prequel to all other arcs taking place in the youth of Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto, the latter having been the main villain. They were hinted to have been allies in the past until Geto betrayed Jujutsu High, a story elaborated in this series. Being only five episodes long, “Secret Inventory” adds a surprising amount of context to the story, but most importantly creates a sense of expectation that enhances the arc that follows it. 

Student Art Spotlight (Samuel Diaz)

Samuel Diaz is a digital illustrator from Venezuela. He spends a lot of his time drawing his own characters and writing stories about them. He is also a pre-med student, so he can also be found freaking out about science classes. He enjoys indie video games, anime, and rock music.

Abbott Elementary: The sweet season

Most of us have heard of the hit ABC show “Abbott Elementary.” For those of you who haven’t, the series is a fresh take on American sitcoms and the mockumentary television style that rose to prominence with shows like “The Office” and “Parks & Recreation”. Created by Quinta Brunson and set in Philadelphia, the series explores the world of public school through the lens of passionate and hardworking teachers and a dubious yet hilarious principal. What is most heartwarming is the focus on Black joy and Black womanhood through the series despite the setting being a poor, Black neighborhood in Philly. With 15 nominations and three Emmys, including Quinta Brunson’s Outstanding Writing for Comedy Series and Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Outstanding Supporting Actress, “Abbott Elementary” is doing quite well for itself.

Dre from “Swarm:” A Psychotic Take on Invisibility

Brandeis Organization of Poets finds its poetic voice

"Radium Girls" radiated my Brandiesan experience

 The “Radium Girls” production  was presented by Brandeis students  in the Multi-Purpose Room of the  Shapiro Campus Center on April 20,  with a total of four shows. I was lucky  enough to be part of the production  staff as the props designer. I was  asked to help with the props for the  show and I was originally hesitant  to agree. As every student here can  attest to, it can be hard to balance  class work, social activities, and  clubs, but I ultimately agreed to  join the production crew. It was an  amazing experience and I’m so glad I  was able to be a part of this amazing  show. I can’t believe I ever considered  turning the position down.  By the time that tech week rolled  around, all the major props were  bought and sitting in the first floor  of the SCC. Because the show was  performed in the Multi-Purpose  Room on the second floor of the SCC,  the production staff and cast had to  carry everything from the first floor  to the second. It was a lot to move,  and the transportation of curtains,  props, and lights added a significant  amount of time to rehearsals. Despite  this inconvenience, everyone  involved with the show took it in  stride. It was amazing being a part  of a team that worked so hard and  with such passion to put on the best  show possible. Alyssa Allen ’24, our  director, and Phoebe Shapiro ’25, our  stage manager, worked to make sure  that both cast and crew had a fun,  welcoming environment to work in.  Whether it was playing an energetic  pre-show game, organizing giftgiving among the cast and crew, or  sharing inspirational words before a  performance, the “Radium Girls” set  was such an amazing place to be.  Laughing, singing, and dancing  was a pivotal part of every rehearsal  and show. “Radium Girls” was truly  an amazing show to work on. If you’re  ever on the fence about participating  in a production, don’t hesitate to join.  It’s such a wonderful experience and  you won’t regret it! 

Springfest 2023 makes a splash

Springfest 2023 has officially come and gone, and it has certainly left its audience with mixed feelings. On Sunday, April 30, a smattering of Brandeis students braved the rain and 50-degree weather to shiver on Chapel’s Field, enjoy some free food trucks, and listen to live music. Unfortunately, what typically is the last big celebration of the spring semester before exam season officially begins ended up being a slightly disappointing concert series, mostly because of the horrible weather — thanks, Massachusetts. However, while this year’s Springfest may not have been quite as crowded or popular as previous years, there were some great moments despite the freezing rain and swamp-like conditions on Chapel’s Field. 

“Evil Dead Rise” is not your average horror film

In 1981, Sam Raimi, a Michigan State University student quit college to make a film for $350,000. That movie was “Evil Dead.” It ended up grossing millions, jumpstarting both his career and the careers of Bruce Campbell and his brothers. The sequel, “Evil Dead II,” would become a cult hit and a tremendous box office success. Together, they elicited a moral panic in both the United States and Great Britain over both the violence and goriness of the films. Those debates faded as the films grew more popular. And ever since, the Necronomicon and its Deadite creations have plagued the silver screen. Traditional horror comedies, the “Evil Dead” films — and television show for that matter — have spawned a large cult following that is probably larger than any other horror fanbase. Today, our standards for horror and gore are much lower. This film is by far the most intense and disgusting “Evil Dead” movie. There are stabbings, “cheese gratings,” eyeball eating, decapitations, and definitely more similarly gruesome things that I cannot recall. Yet, I enjoyed it, but probably only because I have become nearly completely desensitized at this point, having seen as many horror films as I have. Directed by Lee Cronin, creator of the critically acclaimed film “The Hole in the Ground,” “Evil Dead Rise” is a gruesomely entertaining horror flick that will inevitably scar people that wander into this film expecting anything similar to its comedic predecessors. Yet, for those that have a strong stomach and are not dissuaded by a bit of violent gore, this film will be a fun ride. 

On dystopia, apocalypse and society; A review on Franny Choi’s newest book

I enjoy reading poetry, but I am absolutely obsessed with spoken-word poetry and the intersection of theater and poetry; I often end up binge-watching poet performances on Button Poetry or TEDx. Since taking a poetry class this semester, I have had the opportunity to read poetry collections and engage with them in a new way. Recently, I read Franny Choi’s fourth poetry collection titled “The World Keeps Ending and the World Goes On.” The collection does not argue that the world is dying, but instead very explicitly proves that the world has died so many times already. She beautifully articulates all the pain that several groups of marginalized people have faced and explains how the several wars, crimes and violent atrocities committed have created the imminent end of the world. Before diving into her book, I decided to read and learn a little more about Franny Choi: She is a Korean American poet, performer, playwright, and editor. While she has authored several books, she is also an educator for project VOICE, an initiative that allows a collective of poets to do live performances and helps students through workshops and professional development. She has also offered educational resources through her poetry, particularly in the pieces “Teaching the Museum of Human History” and “A new species of beautiful.” Choi received her B.A at Brown University and attended the University of Michigan’s Helen Zell Writer’s Program where she earned her MFA. Her work lends itself to tackling issues that are pervasive in Asian Diaspora, but I appreciate how inclusive she is of other races, specifically the Black community. I enjoyed listening to her piece on Button Poetry called “Whiteness Walks into a Bar” — its balance of humor is so cleverly written. Her collection does much the same, balancing contemporary social issues while finding dignity and beauty in life. 

‘Milf Manor’ breaks ground rules and enforces stereotypes

When looking at the landscape of reality television, one thing has been missing: MILFs. But no longer, thanks to TLC and their new show “MILF Manor.” MILFS, or “Moms I’d Like to Fuck” for the shocking few that are not in the know, rule this new show that has a shocking twist: eight MILF head to Mexico in search of love with — get this — their eight sons. That’s right, “MILF Manor” explores the untapped market of familial dating, and although the MILFS do not date their own sons, the show is equally as salacious — thankfully, minus the incest. 

‘About Time’ is not your average Rom-Com

It’s been 10 years since the movie “About Time” graced the screen, and it’s still one of the best romantic comedies I have ever seen. While there are many wonderful rom-coms, “About Time”  encompasses all of the best aspects of rom-coms with a heartwarming couple, funny awkwardness, and a beautiful conclusion. I love these elements in rom-coms, but "About Time" brings even more to the table that makes it one of the best rom-coms, even after nearly a decade has passed. 

The last chapter: A review on ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’

“Yeah, I’m thinking I’m back.” After a long four year hiatus, precipitated by the pandemic and other conflicts, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) has returned. And with his return arrives the greatest action film of the last 10 years. Directed by Chad Stahelski, Keanu Reeves’ former stuntman on “The Matrix,” “John Wick: Chapter 4” is the latest entry into this original action thriller franchise that has thus far dominated both critically and popularly. I have been looking forward to this film since the third one ended four years ago. So when I entered the theater on March 23, I had nothing but high expectations. It did not disappoint.