Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, and the Court of Public Opinion
(06/28/22 4:00am)
Content warning: This article describes sexual abuse, domestic abuse, and assault, which may be disturbing and/or triggering for some readers.
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Does Disney+'s Acquisition of "Dancing with the Stars" Foreshadow the Death of Broadcast TV?
(04/20/22 6:29pm)
After 30 seasons, ABC announced last week that it had dropped network darling Dancing with the Stars following a steep decline in ratings in the coveted 18–34 demographic. However, loyal fans have nothing to fret over. Disney+ announced that it had acquired the ABC staple in what may initially seem like a surprising investment for the kid–oriented streaming service. Shock aside, its implications are vast for the platform, which has seen its subscriber growth stagnate due to a lack of adult programs.
In Memory of Philadelphia's Forgotten Movie Theaters
(04/11/22 3:00pm)
With the COVID–19 pandemic exacerbating difficulties faced by the movie theater industry, conversations about the death of the movie theater experience have come to the forefront. But for many, movie theaters as they knew them died a long time ago.
Google Chrome Extension SignUp Fights to Make Movies Deaf–Accessible
(04/06/22 3:00pm)
When I first speak with Mariella Satow, I have to bite my tongue to keep from interrupting her with stories about my 7–year–old sister, whom I will inevitably boast about before we sign off. In the background, the 2022 Oscars gear up: A few hours from now, Troy Kotsur will become the first deaf man to win an acting Oscar, and CODA will win Best Picture in a ceremony overshadowed by controversy.
The Monkey and The Elephant Doesn't Just Have Coffee, It Has Heart
(03/29/22 2:40pm)
In an interview with Street last semester, Eastern State Penitentiary Vice President and Director of Operations Brett Bertolino spoke fondly of the vendors the Penitentiary employs for Halloween Nights—in particular, his soft admiration for the mission–based coffee shop The Monkey and The Elephant immediately piques my interest. Despite being located in Brewerytown, a sector of Philadelphia I have yet to visit in my Penn career, it registers as an immediate must–try.
A World–Class Creative Team Can't Save 'The Batman' from Subpar Writing
(03/21/22 4:00pm)
Matt Reeves’ The Batman is almost perfect. Visually, it’s stunning. Performance–wise, it hits the nail on the head. Its soundtrack is immaculate and its action scenes are genuinely entertaining to watch. In fact, it falters where you least expect: the storyline. With a runtime of nearly three hours, the film is an over–glorified snoozefest, and it’s a real tragedy considering how much promise it shows.
Bent Button Vice President Kota Yamamoto Talks Turning His Hobbies into Tangible Results
(03/14/22 11:00pm)
When Wharton sophomore Kota Yamamoto started Penn in 2020, the traditional red and blue balloon arches, scattered move–in carts, and awkward first meetings took a back seat to Zoom links and surgical masks. At the height of the COVID–19 pandemic, he sought camaraderie, comfort, and a creative outlet, and soon began to search for a community outside of Penn’s pre–professional sphere.
Should Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther Be Recast?
(03/01/22 12:00am)
When Chadwick Boseman passed away from colon cancer in 2020, Marvel fans were devastated. The actor, who played Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, left a huge hole not only in the franchise but in the hearts of millions of admirers. Remembering him as an inspiration on– and off–screen, Marvel President Kevin Feige announced soon after that Boseman’s role as T’Challa would not be recast in honor of his irreplaceable portrayal of the character. However, fans of the franchise have begun to clamor for the actor to be recast in its upcoming sequels. In fact, a petition to do so has garnered nearly 60,000 signatures, and the growing movement has even gained the support of Boseman’s brother.
Living in the Past: The Rise of De–Aging Technology in Hollywood
(02/27/22 10:44pm)
There’s no doubt that Spider–Man: No Way Home—not only the highest box–office earner during the COVID–19 pandemic, but also the sixth highest–grossing movie of all time—was a success of epic proportions. However, its appeal may not have been the emotional storylines, young stars, Tom Holland and Zendaya, or even the beloved character at the center of it all, but rather something that’s increasingly changing the face of Hollywood as we know it: de–aging technology.
How Disney is Subverting the Fairytale Narrative
(02/20/22 9:31pm)
For decades, Disney relied on Prince Charming for a happy ending; however, the company has since retired its signature plot device. In the last ten years, fairytale romances have morphed into touching meditations on familial relationships.
For Ejun Hong, Animation is a Means of Self–Discovery
(01/31/22 6:00pm)
When Ejun Hong (C '25) was ten years old, she struggled with an unidentifiable eye disorder that threatened her academic journey. However, as she watched various animated films, she found herself inspired. Animation felt empowering—in it, she saw something that “delivers hope, happiness, and inspiration" not only to her but to others around the globe.
M. Night Shyamalan's Brilliant Direction Shines in the Season Three Premiere of 'Servant'
(01/24/22 7:00pm)
When I first imagined attending an advanced screening, I anticipated long lines and crammed theaters. Press, celebrities, and dedicated movie–goers contend for a coveted seat, and a few unlucky individuals are turned away. Rather, when I attended an advanced screening of Apple TV’s Servant, I was hunched over my twelve–inch computer screen in pitch black. My best friend and I spoke animatedly, ready to decode the season three premiere. Despite the widely different reality compared to my expectations, there was a certain intimacy to it.
How Betty White Crossed Generational Borders
(01/17/22 5:00am)
On Dec. 31, 2021, Betty White passed away, just two and a half weeks shy of her centennial birthday. She was 99 years old, yet her death sent shock waves through the entertainment world; many, including myself, couldn’t fathom that such an ever–present force in Hollywood was gone.
A Look Back on Stephen Sondheim's Finest Works
(12/09/21 7:19pm)
On Nov. 26, 2021, legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim passed away. The quintessential voice of the American musical, the 91–year–old writer had seemed like an impenetrable force. Nobody was prepared to lose one of theatre’s most revered figures, and he left Broadway devastated in his wake.
‘Eternals’ Falls Victim to the Marvel Formula
(11/29/21 7:39pm)
When Oscar–winning Nomadland director Chloé Zhao was chosen to direct Marvel’s latest attempt at reinvigorating the Marvel Cinematic Universe post–Endgame, fans were quick to express their excitement at the implications of such an incredible talent. However, when Eternals was released on Nov. 5, 2021, Zhao’s blockbuster quickly became one of the most divisive films that the franchise has ever seen, receiving the worst CinemaScore grade in the MCU’s history. Now, for all of its cinematic charm, Zhao’s ambitious entry into the MCU may falter in its attempt to deliver the witty, action–packed narrative that longtime fans are accustomed to; but does the film really deserve worse reviews than any of its recent counterparts?
PAFA’s New Exhibit Highlights the Female Gaze
(11/17/21 2:00pm)
On October 28, 2021, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts debuted its new retrospective of American feminist painter Joan Semmel, entitled Joan Semmel: Skin in the Game. The first such display of Semmel's work in her six–decade career, the exhibit openly brandishes an erotic abstraction that offers a candid look at the female body, disputing the male gaze.
These Four Films are Touching Odes to Journalism
(11/10/21 4:19pm)
All the President’s Men, Alan J. Pakula’s 1976 hard–hitting film on the Watergate scandal, is often considered one of the quintessential odes to journalism in film. However, the past decade has seen many journalistic tributes come out of Hollywood, from Oscar–winner Spotlight to Wes Anderson’s newest work, The French Dispatch. Here are four of Street's favorites.
'From Scratch' Shows John Mulaney In His Most Honest Set Yet
(10/31/21 6:01pm)
John Mulaney is 'right outta rehab' and it’s no surprise that his vibe has undergone a major readjustment.
Terror Behind The Walls Isn’t Coming Back This Year, But Maybe That’s Not All Bad
(10/20/21 5:28pm)
Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind The Walls is a beloved crowd—pleaser and Philadelphia classic. However, with Eastern State's introduction of Halloween Nights, a festival—like event with 15 attractions, America’s most renowned haunted house is rebranding.
JoJo Siwa: The Queer Icon of Our Generation?
(10/04/21 5:49pm)
Sporting her signature bow, JoJo Siwa is this generation’s quintessential children’s star—quirky, imaginative, and energetic; however, this January, the YouTuber ventured into new territory when she came out as queer.
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