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The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan

Reviews

'GNX' is Kendrick Lamar's followup album to his infamous feud with fellow rapper Drake. The album released on Nov. 22.

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's 'Gladiator II' takes on a plot similar to its predecessor from 2000 while introducing a new cast with Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington.

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.
'A Man on the Inside' is a new sitcom from writer and producer Michael Schur, who is known for 'Parks and Recreation' and 'The Office.' The first season released on Netflix on Nov. 21.

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. 
Since its release on Nov. 22, 'Wicked' has become the highest grossing Broadway-to-screen adaptation in the domestic box office. This film, which will be released in two parts, stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

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

By Mariana Contreras, Newsletter 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 embraces vulnerability and reinvention in his introspective fifth studio album, whose release got delayed until November 15.

Shawn Mendes redefines himself with a soulful dive into vulnerability

By Mariana Contreras, Newsletter 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. 
"Emilia Perez" stars Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofia Gascon and Selena Gomez. The musical drama follows the gender transition of a drug lord in the midst of Mexico's longstanding drug war.

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. 
"Red One" has not received much holiday cheer from critics since hitting theaters on Nov. 15. The film debuted at only $32 million despite a $250 million budget.

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. 
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