THE ITHACAN

‘Challengers’ volleys with a true erotic triangle

By Mariana Contreras, Assistant Life and Culture Editor • May 1, 2024

When it comes to desire, passion and lustfulness, Luca Guadagnino is an expert at capturing it — the excitement, the thrill and even the shame of it all. He has proven himself capable of seducing the audience through his depictions of sensible and, at times, out of the box erotisms. It’s no surprise then when Guadadino and novelist-playwright Justin Kuritzkes take tennis, one of the most erotic sports, and craft a restlessly sexy, infuriating film in “Challengers.” Since its release April 26, “Challengers” has become No.1 in the box office with a domestic gross of $15 million.

Famous features on St. Vincent’s newest album

By Sammie Macaranas, Staff Writer • April 30, 2024

On April 26, Annie Clark, more widely known as St. Vincent, released her seventh studio album, “All Born Screaming.” The musician has made a name for herself since leaving alternative indie artist Sufjan Stevens’ touring band in 2006. The multi-talented artist took a new step with this album, making it her debut as a producer. Clark’s musical abilities are once again put on display as she plays the electric piano, bass, acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, vocals and more.

True dedication to historical and cultural accuracy shown in ‘Shōgun’

By Ray Milburn, Video Editor • April 29, 2024

During the era of “peak TV,” FX had a problem. A 2015 Variety report criticized FX for its lack of diversity in the director’s chair. In response, CEO John Landgraf adjusted the network’s efforts to represent women and people of color in their TV series. Soon after, “Atlanta” debuted on FX, earning its network 26 Emmy nominations and seven statuettes during its four-season run.

Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: Many Action Hiding Weak Characters

By Nolan Sheehan, Staff Writer • April 29, 2024

When it comes to Guy Ritchie, one can only expect the most outlandish, over-the-top action centerpiece to arrive at theaters with explosive flare. Supported by an incredible cast that is fronted by Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson, “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” is a film that plays to its director’s strengths every chance it gets.

Directors of ‘Abigail’ craft a delightfully devilish dance of horror

By Sarah Payne, Staff Writer • April 29, 2024

In an era where movie critiques and visual essays analyze every frame of a film, artistry is often the priority. While creative in its own right, “Abigail” is a film that focuses on fun — and the watching experience is significantly better for it. The slightly comedic vampire horror/thriller movie was first released April 19.

Pearl Jam’s sonic evolution as it fusions grit and grace in ‘Dark Matter’

By Billy Wood, Sports Editor • April 25, 2024

Despite critical appeal never being lost for grunge icon Pearl Jam, 2020’s “Gigaton” was a commercial disappointment, becoming the band’s first album since 2002’s “Riot Act” to not chart at No. 2 or higher in the United States. Seeing this, the band decided to bring on GRAMMY award-winning producer Andrew Watt to help infuse modern magic into the band. This resulted in Pearl Jam’s 12th studio album “Dark Matter” which was released April 19. While the hard guitars and Vedder’s unique vocals are still present, Watt’s history of producing for pop stars is shown through the tendency to opt for more light instrumental starts.

Even Nicolas Cage could not save ‘Arcadian’

By Rua Fay, Contributing Writer • April 23, 2024

This year’s South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas was filled to the brim with incredible new projects. Festival goers were able to get first-looks at Alex Garland’s “Civil War,” Dev Patel’s “Monkey Man” and Amazon Prime’s new “Fallout” series. But every large media festival is bound to have some less than satisfactory projects, and SXSW is no different.

Wounds exposed and mended in ‘The Tortured Poets Department’

By Georgie Gassaro, Staff Writer • April 23, 2024

After accepting the GRAMMY for Best Pop Vocal Album for “Midnights,” Taylor Swift surprisingly announced that her next album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” would be released April 19. Anticipation for Swift’s next studio album was already high, given its classification as the first “breakup” album since her 2012 album, “Red.”

Girl in Red explores self-love and confidence in “I’M DOING IT AGAIN BABY!”

By Ava Suffredini, Staff Writer • April 18, 2024

Marie Ulven Ringheim, better known as indie pop artist girl in red, takes a big leap with the release of her sophomore album “I’M DOING IT AGAIN BABY!.” Released April 12, this album follows the legacy of her first studio album “if i could make it go quiet” released April 30, with elements of indie pop and rock.

Maggie Rogers ensures that she’s not forgotten

By Syd Pierre, Editor-In-Chief • April 18, 2024

Maggie Rogers goes back to her past, both lyrically and sonically, with the release of her third studio album, “Don’t Forget Me.” The brief 35-minute, 10-track album was released April 12, following her 2022 album “Surrender” and 2019 album, “Heard It In A Past Life.” Rogers, arguably most known for getting “discovered” by Pharrell Williams when she was a student at NYU, said she wrote “Don’t Forget Me” over a five-day span.

‘Civil War’ leaves much unexplored and unclear

By Matt Minton, Senior Writer • April 17, 2024

In director Alex Garland’s raging, uneasy portrait of the United States’ near future in “Civil War,” the finite details of what issues people are fighting for are intentionally left unclear and unexplored.

Conan Gray transitions to glam rock in ‘Found Heaven’

By Sammie Macaranas, Staff Writer • April 15, 2024

On April 5, American indie pop singer/songwriter Conan Gray released his third studio album, “Found Heaven.” He amassed a large fan base after the release of his extended play, “Sunset Season,” in 2018, featuring the iconic songs “Crush Culture” and “Generation Why.” In his new album, “Found Heaven,” Gray keeps his emotional tone, but sings over a new sound inspired by the pop music of the ’80s instead of his usual guitar centered songs.

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