The Ithacan

Sophomore students dial up the downtown DJ scene

By Tess Ferguson, Senior Writer • December 4, 2024

What started as a dorm room hobby turned sophomores Maddie Schnitzlein and Ari Klein into a dynamic duo at the helm of Ithaca nightlife. The pair began DJing at the local venues Moonies Bar & Nightclub and Lot 10 Bar and Lounge in October and have since made a name for themselves on and off campus. Despite beginning their practices solo, Schnitzlein and Klein have been perfecting their craft together and performing most Thursday nights all semester.

Stress beyond finals season: travel logistics prove difficult close to holidays

By Mariana Contreras, Life and Culture Editor • December 4, 2024

Though Thanksgiving break has come to an end, Ithaca College’s next break creeps right around the corner as students prepare for their last weeks of classes and finals. In addition to studying for finals, many students have to deal with the extra stress of traveling. From finances and logistics to weather conditions, there are various factors they need to consider when getting ready for the holiday break.

Q&A: Local author and Tompkins County Legislature’s guide to Ithaca’s unique charm

By Liam McDermott, Staff Writer • December 3, 2024

Amanda Jaros Champion released her new book “100 Things to Do in Ithaca Before You Die” Sept. 1. This marks Champion’s second published book after “Labor of Love: A Literary Mama Staff Anthology” released Jan. 26. Champion has lived in Ithaca for about 24 years and has been serving on the Tompkins County Legislature since 2018. Staff writer Liam McDermott spoke with Champion about her new book and the inspiration behind it, including her history with the City of Ithaca.

Kendrick Lamar continues to flaunt West Coast confidence in ‘GNX’

By John Baker, Staff Writer • December 3, 2024

On Nov. 22, one of hip-hop’s most beloved icons, Kendrick Lamar, released his sixth studio album “GNX” by surprise. Although there were no singles or promotions for this release, there was certainly no lack of anticipation after his feud with Canadian rapper and music superstar Drake. This beef was one of the ugliest and most vicious rap beefs, with scathing accusations made on both sides. The battle between the two hip-hop moguls was capped off with Lamar’s hit single “Not Like Us” — which does not appear on this new release — debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, earning over 900 million streams over just a few months.

Ridley Scott plays with new cinematography and fresh cast for ‘Gladiator II’

By Logan Thompson, Staff Writer • December 3, 2024

“Gladiator II” is the highly-anticipated, 20-years-in-the-making sequel to 2000’s “Gladiator.” Ridley Scott brings the heat with bigger battles, rabid CGI animals and the flawless casting of Denzel Washington as the film’s lead antagonist. While earlier scripts had Russell Crowe’s Maximus fighting through the underworld to reclaim his life, this sequel includes only a few flashback clips of the original protagonist. Maximus’ bold presence is instead filled by Lucius (Paul Mescal), Lucilla’s (Connie Nielsen) son from the first film. Unlike Maximus, general of the vast Roman army and an established leader from the get-go, Lucius commands his village’s small artillery that tries to fend off the Roman ships.

New Netflix sitcom ‘A Man on the Inside’ has a promising first season

By Maya Silveira Scuri, Contributing Wrier • December 3, 2024

The newest addition to Michael Schur’s legacy of sitcoms arrived on Netflix Nov. 21. “A Man on the Inside” stars Ted Danson as Charles, a retired professor and recent widower, who accepts an offer from a private investigation firm to work undercover in a retirement home. The first season follows Charles as he figures out how to be a 70-year-old spy and step out of his lonely shell, finding companionship alongside the other residents at the home.

‘Wicked’ is holding space for fans but not for musical-cynics

By Mariana Contreras, Life and Culture Editor • December 3, 2024

One of the most awaited films of the year made its debut in theaters Nov. 22, with fans restlessly preparing to see the green-pink duo in “Wicked.” Ironically and a little tediously, the movie opens with a voiceover where Glinda addresses the Munchkins, and the audience, to address any rumors and speculations and “tell [them] the whole story.” It’s hard to measure the movie’s success and mass appeal without accounting for the existing fanbase.

Shawn Mendes redefines himself with a soulful dive into vulnerability

By Mariana Contreras, Life & Culture Editor • November 23, 2024

As foreshadowed by its title, “Shawn” — released Nov. 15 — allows listeners to get close and personal with the Canadian singer-songwriter as he shares the battles he’s been fighting since the release of “Wonder” in 2020. After canceling his 2022 world tour to take care of his mental health and going through a somewhat public breakup with Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes shares part of his journey in this album full of rootsy folk-rock lullabies.

Local events for students to visit as campus grows quiet over the break

By Nolan Sheehan, Staff Writer • November 23, 2024

As the majority of students prepare their bus tickets, check over their boarding passes and fill up the gas tanks of their family cars, Ithaca College prepares to close down campus for Thanksgiving break. The college’s classrooms will go dark, and with them, any major presence of a student body for the week. Despite most students returning home for the interim, some students are here to stay. The remaining students will find there is very little to do on campus once the break begins. With Dining Services and academic buildings closed, the minuscule numbers of students and staff result in a low amount of entertaining and community-bonding events.

Netflix’s musical ‘Emilia Perez’ beautifully explores a gender transition in the face of war and murder

By Logan Thompson, Staff Writer • November 22, 2024

"Emilia Perez" is a bombastic musical set in Mexico that has just landed on Netflix. A darling of critics and industry awards — the leads jointly won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival — the film juggles multiple plotlines during its short two-hour runtime: murder, infidelity and gender transitioning, all set against the brutal backdrop of Mexico’s unending drug war.

Press Bay Alley & Court: Launchpads for first-time small-business owners

By Matthew Telyczka, Staff Writer • November 22, 2024

What used to be a production center of Ithaca Journal –– the first newspaper in Ithaca –– has been home to Press Bay Alley since 2014 as a springboard for first-time small-business owners. For them, the space represents a support system built upon a shared experience. This sense of community is fostered in part because of John Guttridge, the founder and managing partner of Urban Core LLC, the real estate development company behind Press Bay Alley & Court.

Star-studded cast cannot save ‘Red One’

By Tim Anzalone, Contributing Writer • November 20, 2024

“Red One,” released Nov. 15, is Hollywood’s marketing dream. Two of the biggest stars, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Chris Evans, travel around the world with name-brand toys like Hot Wheels. Their mission is to save Santa, who is codenamed RED ONE, and played by another one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, J.K. Simmons. Callum Drift (Johnson) is a member of the North Pole’s Enforcement, Logistics and Fortification team and Santa’s right-hand man. Callum teams up with heartthrob Jack O’Malley (Evans), a deadbeat dad trickster who happens to be a master thief and hacker.