Arts and Entertainment

Spooky Sweets: S-Tier Stars and Subpar Selections

The most artistic and entertaining department proudly presents our ranking of 16 of the most loved (or most controversial?) Halloween candies.

Bite of the Issue: The Worst Halloween Candy Imaginable.

Eating every bad bean from BeanBoozled.

Moana (2026) Live Action: A Wave of Nostalgia or a Cash Grab?

The Moana live-action movie is a cash grab, and not the only one Disney has produced.

Fueling the Fire: How Sydney Sweeney Uses Outrage to Set a New Standard For Advertisement

Outrage marketing is becoming the new norm for advertisement, and Sydney Sweeney’s recent ad campaigns are the driving force promoting this method. With its reliance on a heavy media response, Sweeney’s new ad campaign for Novig is a prime example.

“1 More” Homage to Persona 5 (2016)

Persona 5’s tenth anniversary truly leads players to reflect on what makes it unforgettable, even now.

To Infinity and Beyond: The Return of Toy Story

Toy Story 5 and how it reflects our modern day society.

Bite Of The Issue

Tashkent Supermarket’s shawarma offers Stuyvesant students an unusually filling, affordable, and delicious lunch just two subway stops away.

I’ve Tried Hard Enough To Like It: Where Teen Of Denial (Joe’s Story) Falls Flat

Car Seat Headrest released a reimagined version of their indie rock classic album, Teens of Denial, but misses the mark by not living up to the greatness of the original.

Fakemink’s Terrified .: A Brilliant Mess

While Fakemink’s Terrified . offers some of the most compelling, self-produced experimental rap of the year, its brilliant moments are repeatedly sabotaged by a frustrating tracklist structure and bloated interludes.

Underdog Superstar Finds Strength in Consistency

“Raxan’s Underdog Superstar refines his 2000s-swag-inspired sound into his most cohesive project yet, though that consistency occasionally comes at the expense of variety.”

On Love and Loss: Phoebe Bridgers’s Lost Weekend

Phoebe Bridgers returns with an album that combines the best of her past music and the maturity she gained during her hiatus in Lost Weekend.

Art Beyond Representation

A look into notable works at the Art Institute of Chicago’s Beyond Form: Abstraction at Midcentury and the shift away from realism in response to global political change.

An Apocalyptic Mix: A Review of X-Men ‘97

Season Two of X-Men ‘97 is solid because of the animations, character development, and decent storyline, but it is weakened by the show’s rushed pacing and script.

PlayAsia #7: Back-to-School Season

Listen to these albums by Asian artists for back-to-school season!

PlayAsia #6: Best of K-pop Before Summer

PlayAsia reviews the best K-pop albums of 2026 (so far)!

Chaos and Intrigue Abound in Mitski’s Latest Album

Mitski explores uncomfortable topics in her new, chaotic, and controversial album

Why Smallville Works Better Now Than It Did Then

The current revival of Smallville says a lot more about how audiences today value character-driven, earnest television than just empty nostalgia.

The Missing Piece

Manon’s mysterious hiatus from the hit global group KATSEYE has highlighted concerns about the mistreatment of Black women in the entertainment industry.

You Can’t Take It With You Was a Blast!

STC’s spring comedy, You Can’t Take it With You, stunned audiences with amazing comedic rapport, heartfelt human connection, and stunning sets.

Parsons Brings it Back in Backrooms (2026)

Backrooms, directed by Kane Parsons, is a masterpiece despite overwhelming public dissatisfaction.

Olivia Rodrigo New Album: Will it live up to the hype?

Olivia Rodrigo is exploring new territory with her third studio release, and continuing to navigate the music industry.

Impressions on Impressionism

Impressionism was a revolutionary artistic movement that originated in the late 19th century and left behind a vibrant cultural legacy.

GameOVerse: A Pilot That Redefines Indie Animation

GameOVerse’s pilot proves to be an exemplary model of indie animation, from its ambitious animation to innovative story and worldbuilding. While it isn’t a perfect pilot, it has a lot of potential if it gets greenlit for a full series.

Lord of the Flies (2026): A Look into Human Nature

Netflix’s adaptation of Lord of the Flies features stunning visuals and strong acting to create an immersive and compelling series, though it is held back by uneven tttttrrryrrtretrrrrrpacing.

The Mei Lanfang Connection

The Mei Lanfang exhibit showcases the Chinese-American cultural connections of Peking opera.

The Cost of Craze: How Trends Exploit Cultural Ingredients

Viral food trends like matcha, ube, and Dubai chocolate may capture global attention, but their rapid rise comes at the expense of cultural authenticity, shortages, and strain on the supply chains that sustain the communities behind these ingredients.

The Devil Still Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada 2 debuts as an unnecessary, narratively confusing legacy sequel, with acting that did not stand the test of time.

Food is my one true love

The A&E department shares their best bites of the issue. The food that melted in their mouths, the one that satiated their insatiable desires, the one where every bite told a story, teasing their taste buds, leaving them craving the next mouthful long after the plate was empty.

Aesthetic Authoritarianism bores me: The Secret Agent

The Secret Agent is authoritarianism on a slow, slow summer’s day.

Art? Science? History? What is Art Conservation?

Stuyvesant alumna Sara Levin, objects conservator for the African and Oceanic art department at the Met shares insights into the art conservation profession.

The Sound of Spring: How Popular Music Reimagines the Season Across Decades

A playlist-like analysis of how popular music across decades has redefined the idea of the “spring song,” transforming spring from a symbol of simple renewal into a more complex emotional and cultural metaphor.

Bite of the Issue

Tang Sushi in the East Village is both reasonably priced and delicious, with their hand rolls being some of the best in Stuyvesant’s vicinity.

PlayAsia #6: Best of K-pop Before Summer

PlayAsia reviews the best K-pop albums of 2026 (so far)!

Chaos and Intrigue Abound in Mitski’s Latest Album

Mitski explores uncomfortable topics in her new, chaotic, and controversial album

Why Smallville Works Better Now Than It Did Then

The current revival of Smallville says a lot more about how audiences today value character-driven, earnest television than just empty nostalgia.

The Missing Piece

Manon’s mysterious hiatus from the hit global group KATSEYE has highlighted concerns about the mistreatment of Black women in the entertainment industry.

You Can’t Take It With You Was a Blast!

STC’s spring comedy, You Can’t Take it With You, stunned audiences with amazing comedic rapport, heartfelt human connection, and stunning sets.

Parsons Brings it Back in Backrooms (2026)

Backrooms, directed by Kane Parsons, is a masterpiece despite overwhelming public dissatisfaction.

Olivia Rodrigo New Album: Will it live up to the hype?

Olivia Rodrigo is exploring new territory with her third studio release, and continuing to navigate the music industry.

One of a Hundred Kills: The Punisher: One Last Kill

The Punisher: One Last Kill was a perfect continuation of Frank Castle’s story, with its new addition of character development, violence, and emotional impact.

Impressions on Impressionism

Impressionism was a revolutionary artistic movement that originated in the late 19th century and left behind a vibrant cultural legacy.

GameOVerse: A Pilot That Redefines Indie Animation

GameOVerse’s pilot proves to be an exemplary model of indie animation, from its ambitious animation to innovative story and worldbuilding. While it isn’t a perfect pilot, it has a lot of potential if it gets greenlit for a full series.

Lord of the Flies (2026): A Look into Human Nature

Netflix’s adaptation of Lord of the Flies features stunning visuals and strong acting to create an immersive and compelling series, though it is held back by uneven tttttrrryrrtretrrrrrpacing.

The Mei Lanfang Connection

The Mei Lanfang exhibit showcases the Chinese-American cultural connections of Peking opera.

The Cost of Craze: How Trends Exploit Cultural Ingredients

Viral food trends like matcha, ube, and Dubai chocolate may capture global attention, but their rapid rise comes at the expense of cultural authenticity, shortages, and strain on the supply chains that sustain the communities behind these ingredients.

The Devil Still Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada 2 debuts as an unnecessary, narratively confusing legacy sequel, with acting that did not stand the test of time.

Food is my one true love

The A&E department shares their best bites of the issue. The food that melted in their mouths, the one that satiated their insatiable desires, the one where every bite told a story, teasing their taste buds, leaving them craving the next mouthful long after the plate was empty.

Aesthetic Authoritarianism bores me: The Secret Agent

The Secret Agent is authoritarianism on a slow, slow summer’s day.

Art? Science? History? What is Art Conservation?

Stuyvesant alumna Sara Levin, objects conservator for the African and Oceanic art department at the Met shares insights into the art conservation profession.

The Sound of Spring: How Popular Music Reimagines the Season Across Decades

A playlist-like analysis of how popular music across decades has redefined the idea of the “spring song,” transforming spring from a symbol of simple renewal into a more complex emotional and cultural metaphor.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: Too Many Stars, Not Enough Story

A review of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie with emphasis on its storytelling, character development, and its effectiveness as a sequel.

Spooky Sweets: S-Tier Stars and Subpar Selections

The most artistic and entertaining department proudly presents our ranking of 16 of the most loved (or most controversial?) Halloween candies.

Julian Casablancas’ Failed Monte Cristo: Reality Awaits

Evil Residents, Stoked Fans

Resident Evil (2026) is Zach Cregger's attempt to finally do a beloved franchise justice.

Bite of the Issue: The Worst Halloween Candy Imaginable.

Eating every bad bean from BeanBoozled.

Finding Heaven in Lizzy McAlpine’s Angel

A review of Lizzy McAlpine’s Angel, an exploration of love in its many forms.

The New York Earth Room: Your Actual Breath of Fresh Air

The New York City Earth Room is a breath of fresh air (literally and figuratively).

Moana (2026) Live Action: A Wave of Nostalgia or a Cash Grab?

The Moana live-action movie is a cash grab, and not the only one Disney has produced.

Fueling the Fire: How Sydney Sweeney Uses Outrage to Set a New Standard For Advertisement

Outrage marketing is becoming the new norm for advertisement, and Sydney Sweeney’s recent ad campaigns are the driving force promoting this method. With its reliance on a heavy media response, Sweeney’s new ad campaign for Novig is a prime example.

Yayoi Kusama: Forever in Infinity

Bearing a few hundred dollars, sixty kimonos, and 2,000 drawings, twenty-nine-year-old Yayoi Kusama looked down from the observation deck of the Empire State Building and promised herself that “one day [she] would conquer New York and make [her] name in the world.”

“1 More” Homage to Persona 5 (2016)

Persona 5’s tenth anniversary truly leads players to reflect on what makes it unforgettable, even now.

To Infinity and Beyond: The Return of Toy Story

Toy Story 5 and how it reflects our modern day society.

Bite Of The Issue

Tashkent Supermarket’s shawarma offers Stuyvesant students an unusually filling, affordable, and delicious lunch just two subway stops away.

I’ve Tried Hard Enough To Like It: Where Teen Of Denial (Joe’s Story) Falls Flat

Car Seat Headrest released a reimagined version of their indie rock classic album, Teens of Denial, but misses the mark by not living up to the greatness of the original.

Fakemink’s Terrified .: A Brilliant Mess

While Fakemink’s Terrified . offers some of the most compelling, self-produced experimental rap of the year, its brilliant moments are repeatedly sabotaged by a frustrating tracklist structure and bloated interludes.

Underdog Superstar Finds Strength in Consistency

“Raxan’s Underdog Superstar refines his 2000s-swag-inspired sound into his most cohesive project yet, though that consistency occasionally comes at the expense of variety.”

On Love and Loss: Phoebe Bridgers’s Lost Weekend

Phoebe Bridgers returns with an album that combines the best of her past music and the maturity she gained during her hiatus in Lost Weekend.

Art Beyond Representation

A look into notable works at the Art Institute of Chicago’s Beyond Form: Abstraction at Midcentury and the shift away from realism in response to global political change.

The Met’s Musical Bodies Exhibition Brings Refreshing Diversity to Music History

Musical Bodies explores themes of gender, sex, family, and death through art of diverse mediums and origins.

A New Day, But a Classic Spider-Man

With Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Destin Daniel Cretton brings Spider-Man back to his roots, giving Tom Holland’s Peter Parker his most personal and classic story yet.

An Apocalyptic Mix: A Review of X-Men ‘97

Season Two of X-Men ‘97 is solid because of the animations, character development, and decent storyline, but it is weakened by the show’s rushed pacing and script.

The Odyssey (2026): Oddly Archetypal

The Odyssey attempts to take its place in cinema history; is it a diamond in the rough or a Trojan horse?

PlayAsia #7: Back-to-School Season

Listen to these albums by Asian artists for back-to-school season!