NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 40
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013
University considers remodeling Albert By SU SIE PARK
Albert, NYU’s online database, will soon receive a facelift less than a year after its most recent redesign. CAS freshman Abhinay Ashutosh created a beta version for an Albert remodeling that may be implemented. The beta version was presented to NYU President John Sexton last Wednesday at the Stern School of Business’ Paulson Auditorium. Sexton was impressed by the designs and is looking for a way to
use them, Ashutosh said. Like many NYU students, Ashutosh was frustrated with the current version, especially during class registration periods. He said the system is clunky, slow and outdated. He was concerned with the amount of time it takes students to find the information they need and to register for the appropriate classes before they fill up. In early April, Ashutosh heard from Tech@NYU and Internet
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Student election results released By WSN STAFF
After the week-long period of electronic voting, the results of the all-university elections have been announced. Six undergraduate schools and three graduate schools have selected new leaders for the 2013-14 school year. Coordinated by the Student Senators Council, the elections are held around April each year. Each
school has a different number of student council positions. Students were asked to vote by electronic ballot by last Friday. While presidents are members of each school’s student council, all seven of the newly elected senators are involved in the university’s decisionmaking process. Sixteen of these senators are elected by student vote and sit alongside faculty, deans
and administration on the University Senate. Policies introduced by the senate are then ratified by the Board of Trustees. Meet the new senators and presidents of some schools on page two. Except for the CAS president, all positions have been announced. Check out nyunews.com for the full list of the newly elected student representatives.
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NYU Albert will see a facelift, although the design is not final.
NYU alum talks Tribeca film ‘G.B.F.’
By JEREMY GROSSMAN
There are few movies more unabashedly fun, campy and colorful than the 1999 cult comedy “Jawbreaker,” in which Rose McGowan plays a high school student who accidentally murders her best friend and then struts down the hallway as if everything is peachy keen. Now, “Jawbreaker” director and NYU alumnus Darren Stein has returned with “G.B.F.,” premiering at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. WSN spoke with Stein about making his new film and what exactly the definition of a G.B.F. is. “A G.B.F. is a gay best friend,” Stein said, citing Carrie Bradshaw and Stanford Blatch’s friendship on “Sex and the City” as an example of television setting the trend. “I think it’s a really special, unique and
privileged relationship because there’s a closeness and an intimacy to it.” “I’ve been G.B.F. to the same girl for, I wanna say, almost 17 or 18 years,” he added. “She’s my best friend, and she calls me her gay husband. She’s been married and divorced, she’s had boyfriends, but we’re always there for each other. It’s something that only a gay man and his girlfriend can understand.” Still, as Stein pointed out, the gay best friend is often seen as a fashion accessory rather than an actual friend. “I’ve met friends who have daughters who go to high school, and they’re telling their parents now, ‘Mom, I want a G.B.F.,’” Stein said. “That can’t be purchased at Forever 21 … it’s a special
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DANIEL HUANG FOR WSN
Bringing music to the streets Local artist Jay Shells prints famous rap lyrics on street signs to remind passers-by of the presence of past songwriters. Though many of the Rap Quotes have been removed to authorities, Shells says nothing will discourage him.
STORY ON PAGE 3
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ON THE SIDE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE Senator: Kevin Jones Year: Junior Major: Psychology and politics major with a child and adolescent mental health studies minor What’s the key to representing the greater NYU community of your school? “I am planning on holding several informational panel events, conducting schoolwide surveys and working with the CAS policy committee to ensure that I am getting in touch with a large portion of CAS students.”
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TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS President: Anderson Heinz Year: Junior Major: Dramatic writing What is one major change that you would like to implement? “Establishing more programs that give students the opportunities to combine their talents in their respective artistic fields on projects together.”
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GALLATIN SCHOOL OF INDIVIDUALIZED STUDY President: Gaby Garcia Year: Sophomore Major: Concentration in war and society with a creative writing minor What is one major change that you would like to implement? “I would like to implement a registration policy so that there would be a week delay before students from other schools could register for Gallatin courses. This way, Gallatin students would be the first to have access to our school’s classes.”
LIBERAL STUDIES PROGRAM President: Rohit Mittal Year: Freshman Major: Prospective international relations major with a business studies minor What’s the key to representing the greater NYU community of your school? “Surveys along with listening to other students both are the keys to successfully representing LSP in the NYU community.”
GALLATIN SCHOOL OF INDIVIDUALIZED STUDY Senator: Michael Hengerer Year: Freshman Major: Concentration in public policy and law What is one major change that you would like to implement? “I would like to ensure that Gallatin students are more aware of the ongoings of the university in order to promote a more informed and sophisticated community within the student body.”
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university TATIANA BAEZ city/state VERONICA CARCHEDI investigative NICOLE BROWN arts JOSH JOHNSON features KRISTINA BOGOS sports MARY JANE DUMANKAYA multimedia RACHEL KAPLAN copy MICHAEL DOMANICO,
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LIBERAL STUDIES PROGRAM Senator: Brad Hong Year: Freshman Major: Prospective international relations major What is one major change that you would like to implement? “Communication, communication, communication. The student body lacks the ability to easily hold conversations with administration and faculty to bring about fundamental reformation.”
ANDREW KARPAN books/theater OLIVIA GEORGE film JEREMY GROSSMAN entertainment ALEX GREENBERGER music ALEXANDRIA ETHRIDGE the highlighter blog SAM RULLO features HELEN HOLMES, JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU beauty & style MICHELLE LIM dining ANGEL CHANG sports FRANCISCO NAVAS multimedia REBECCA CLEMENTI, JOON LEE
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STEINHARDT SCHOOL OF CULTURE, EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT President: Joseph Gery Year: Sophomore Major: Media, culture and communication What is the key to representing the greater NYU community of your school? “In each of [Steinhardt’s] programs, we represent numerous professional fields. I think it is important to keep this in mind when representing Steinhardt and the NYU community as a whole.”
STEINHARDT SCHOOL OF CULTURE, EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Senator: Jessica Hawk Year: Sophomore Major: Public health with a nutrition minor What is one major change that you would like to implement? “I would like to better inform club representatives and general assembly members about proposals and encourage involvement in the Student Senators Council since, after all, we were elected to represent their opinions.”
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STERN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS President: Priya Saksena Year: Junior Major: Finance and computer science What is one major change that you would like to implement? “NYU should [make] it easier for students to pursue different interests, even if it’s cross-school. Specialization in your major is definitely still key, but diversity in education is becoming increasingly important.”
STERN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Senator: Daniel Kao Year: Junior Major: Management and entrepreneurship What is one major change that you would like to implement? “I want to create more cross-school opportunities to bridge the communities of the university and to plan programs and events with greater scale that can impact the entire student body.”
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MAXIMILÍANO DURÓN, JAEWON KANG, FRANCIS POON, MERYLL PREPOSI, AMANDA RANDONE, EMILY YANG About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Amy Zhang at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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ALBERT continued from PG. 1
NYU student creates possible Albert redesign
Technology Advisory Board, two student-run clubs that ITS was looking for a different design. “I [created] a design concept that I knew I would want to use myself,” he said. Ashutosh, who calls himself a “passionate designer, developer and entrepreneur,” created the alternatives on his own but asked several friends to give their feedback. Adam Alter, a Stern professor of marketing, praised the model’s minimalistic look. “I think it looks excellent — very clean and well-designed,” Alter said. CAS professor Efrain Azmitia, who frequently works with Albert for her classes, said the redesigned Albert site provides a user-friendly and efficient interface for selecting courses appropriate for majors and can also help with advisement. CAS freshman Sarah Shin stated that even though appearance is not the most important component, the new Albert has a simple, attractive layout. “If it makes registering for classes and putting classes in
your shopping cart easier, with less clicks and a faster system overall, then I think it would really be great to change the current Albert design,” Shin said. The site, which will be divided into several parts accessible from the top of the page — announcement, class schedule, enrollment and other tabs — will provide easy direction for students using the system. LSP freshman Jasmine Luo said Ashutosh’s updated Albert is innovative, and the different sections are user-friendly. “I think this is very helpful since right now everything’s mixed up in one part in the student center,” Luo said. Luo also said the site is convenient because she could see her shopping cart directly. “I really like this idea because right now when I pick my class I always want to recheck what I’ve already got,” she said. Su Sie Park is a staff writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.
Wasserman recognizes excellence in student film By TANAY HUDSON
Many Tisch students saw the success of their films when the winners were announced for the annual Wasserman Awards on April 11. Hosted by the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television in the Tisch School of the Arts, the ceremony highlighted students’ dedication to and passion for filmmaking. Every year, three undergraduate and three graduate students are given Wasserman Awards, which include grants from the Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation. The first-place winner is awarded $10,000. Four additional prizes were given, recognizing excellence in screenwriting and directing. The award-winning films will be shown at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles on June 6. The Wasserman Awards are named after the late studio executive Lew Wasserman, who is known for creating the studio system used in filmmaking. Undergraduate winners were pleased with the reception of their films and plan to use their grant money for future productions. “So many people poured endless amounts of time and energy into ‘Bombshell,’ and it’s so gratifying to see everyone’s work appreciated,” said Tisch senior Erin Sanger, the first-place undergraduate winner. “[I can] pay off some debt, pay for film festival fees, buy myself some time for rent and living expenses to write a feature,” Bruce Li, a fellow Tisch senior, said about the grant money. Li’s film “Caught” placed third in the undergraduate category. Faculty members of the Kan-
bar Institute said the Wasserman Awards give students a great opportunity to further their careers. “I was happy to see Erin’s hard work and creative instincts publicly recognized,” said Kanbar professor Susan Seidelman, who oversaw the filmmaking process of Sanger’s film “Bombshell.” “This recognition will be extremely helpful to Erin’s career as a film director in terms of opening doors to future opportunities.” Kanbar professor Christine Choy said the awards are a good way for students to keep making their products even better, as well as inspire a little competition. “I think it’s giving the students the opportunity and a window to study the industry,” Choy said. “Every year the works are getting better.” Sheril Antonio, associate dean for film, television and new media in the Kanbar Institute, expressed her gratitude for NYU’s relationship with the Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation. “The King Family is a vital relationship for the school, and these grants are an essential step for our students toward their career goals,” Antonio said. “I really can’t even imagine where we would be without them.” Fellow Kanbar film student and senior Eli Shapiro said the Wasserman Awards are very generous. “The students spend so much of their own money on these projects, so an award like $5,000 or $10,000 will just cover the budgets of these films, allowing people to keep making movies,” she said. “Plus, it’s nice to know good work can be rewarded.” Tanay Hudson is a staff writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.
Singing in the streets: artist connects lyrics with famous spots By DANIEL HUANG
When we were in grade school, our natural inclination was to inscribe things — words, symbols, doodles — into our surroundings. Whether with a name, phrase, quote or random hieroglyphic carving, engraving in a permanent place was a way to extend the temporal relationship between our person and our place. Even though many of us may no longer be in the time-out corner, our initials still are. Local artist Jay Shells brings this feeling to life through a street art project called Rap Quotes. In a celebration of New York and hip-hop culture, Shells takes lyrics from rap songs that mention New York streets and manufactures signs to post on the streets themselves. “When you’re on a corner that’s been called out in a rap song, I think it’s cool to know that,” he explained. Shells puts up signs displaying lyrics that describe the location of the street sign, immortalizing the connection between a master of ceremonies and his block. When Animal, an online art magazine, released a video three weeks ago documenting Shells’ exploits with his first batch of signs, his popularity skyrocketed.
Since then, the story has been reblogged, retweeted and reshared countless times with coverage from Huffington Post, Metro New York and Hot97. But Shells said the great ideas aren’t always his own. He’s taken many recommendations from fans. “People keep writing to me, ‘Do Biggie, oh you gotta do Biggie,” Shells laughed while throwing his hands in the air. “No shit, I love Biggie. Send me a fuckin’ lyric.” While Rap Quotes has garnered by far the most attention, it is not Shells’ first street art project. His past work includes a variety of signs, posters and stencils that he said tries to pack the same punch as New York itself — quirky, often funny and bursting with attitude. One subject he’s tried to tackle is sidewalk etiquette. Designed in the exact same style as street signs that might say, “No Parking 4 to 7 p.m.,” they instead exhibit messages like, “Pay attention while walking, your Facebook status update can wait,” or “Pull up your pants, no one wants to see your underwear.” All of Shells’ signs are well-received, but some hit home more than others. He said his “Pull up your pants” sign randomly found success among a mix of schools throughout the United
States. “I was getting emails from administrators asking if they could print my signs to hang in their halls,” Shells said. Most of Shells’ work is only up for so long before curious New Yorkers or disgruntled authorities get their hands on it. “Of course I wish they would stay up longer, but that’s just the way it is. People take them down,” he said. Not that he lets that bother him. Tools of the trade in hand — spray paint on some days, wrench and bolts on others — Shells continues to roam the city, always vigilant for the next idea. Daniel Huang is a contributing writer. Email him at cstate@nyunews.com.
DANIEL HUANG FOR WSN
Jay Shells sports a T-shirt from self-made brand RAP.
Study ranks New York top city for college graduates By TANAY HUDSON
A recent study names New York City the most popular U.S. city for college graduates. On a list released last week by Apartment Guide, an apartment-hunting website, New York City was ranked No. 1 among the best cities for new graduates. Real estate data analysts from OnBoard Informatics considered the quality of nightlife, bars, entertainment and restaurants as criteria for the ranking. The study did not take job availability or rent costs into consideration. Washington, D.C. was ranked second and Philadelphia at number three. Other top cities included Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago and Las Vegas. “Of course, there are more realities to life after graduation than the most fun or entertaining area,” said Jackie Berg, marketing director at OnBoard Informatics. “I assume that is why over 60 percent of the people in [Apartment Guide’s] study said price and value are the main parameters for choosing where to start their post-grad lives.” Urban policy and planning professor Mitchell Moss said no other place compares to New York City. “If you are young, smart, intelligent and creative, New York is the place to be,” Moss said. “Compared with New York City, everything looks like a barren environment. No other place can match New York City.” CAS senior Victor Figueroa, who has received a scholarship offer from the University of Southern California for graduate school, said he would consider staying in New York but is unsure. “I think while I’m single and developing a
career, I would like to stay around New York,” Figueroa said. “The city provides a world that is better than probably anywhere else in the United States. The 24-hour delis, the Broadway shows, the bars and clubs, if you can afford them. Having everything so accessible [can make] not spending really difficult.” Diana Adebambo, a 2011 graduate from Norfolk State University, moved to New York after graduation to be a middle school science teacher. She said a benefit of living in New York City is its diversity, another factor not considered by Apartment Guide’s study. “Since I’m in education, I’ve had the opportunity to work with students from various backgrounds and learning abilities — something that may not have been possible if I were still down South,” Adebambo said. Tanay Hudson is a staff writer. Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.
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NYC was named the best place for graduates.
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DINING
EDITED BY ANGEL CHANG DINING@NYUNEWS.COM
Sugar and Plumm brings French treats to West Village By HELEN OWOLABI
The Upper West Side’s little, whimsical bistro Sugar and Plumm has become a destination renowned for its delectable French sweets, pastries and chocolates. Now their treat are more convenient for Downtown residents thanks to their location in the West Village, which opened March 28. Situated on the corner of Bleecker and Cornelia streets, Sugar and Plumm offers a quirky, French cafe-like atmosphere. There is only a small seating area — with large windows looking out onto the charming neighborhood — and is better suited to takeout. This neighborhood is home to myriad shops and restaurants, including popular bakeries and dessert shops, such as Amy’s Bread and Molly’s Cupcakes. But Sugar and Plumm’s fun ambience sets it apart from other treat stops. Sales associate Erose Aziza loves working at the Sugar and Plumm in the West Village. “The main thing [that makes us different] is how much effort we put into our bakery,” Aziza said. “We get the best ingredients and some of the best chefs, who are all from France.” And the effort shows. Sugar and Plumm’s menu includes delicious, highquality, French-inspired desserts at reasonable prices. Their popular French
macarons ($2.25) come in flavors such as pistachio, rosewater, banana-chocolate and passion fruit. Their breakfast pastries include scrumptious varieties of scones, muffins and their famed almond croissants ($3-4). For the chocolate lover, the bistro also serves amazing homemade confections and boasts some of the world’s best raw ingredients for their chocolates. And you cannot forget the tasty cookies. All priced at $2.50, flavors range from classic chocolate to a mouth-watering creme brulee. The bakery also has great gluten-free cookies in a variety of flavors, freshly brewed coffee and cute bags of candies and chocolates that make perfect small gifts. CAS sophomore Manuela Gil-Cupello tried the cookies and was far from disappointed. “The creme brulee cookie was unique to me because I had never heard of that flavor before,” she said. “It was cakey and light, not too sweet and not too heavy. I also sampled the gingersnap cookies, which were a perfect blend of spicy and sweet.” Sugar and Plumm is a great option either for satisfying a sugar craving with some delicious, high-quality sweets or for finding a charming gift for a friend. Sugar and Plumm is located at 257 Bleecker St. Helen Owolabi is a contributing writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
BambooTori serves affordable, fast-casual yakitori cuisine By CAITLIN SCHNACK
Recent Babson College graduates Jonny Hermijanto, Christophe Van Aerde and Hendy Lamothe opened BambooTori, a new, fast-casual, Japanese-style yakitori restaurant, last October. Yakitori, a popular dish in Asia, is made of chicken — usually all parts — or other meat grilled on skewers. Described by Hermijanto as “yakitori for everyone,” BambooTori aims to offer affordable, high-quality dishes that are more familiar to American consumers while still maintaining aspects of traditional yakitori cuisine. Van Aerde stated that BambooTori is similar to restaurants like Chipotle, offering healthy, all-natural dishes at a fast-food pace. But BambooTori is one of the few fast Japanese grill restaurants in the country. “[BambooTori] is a fast-casual yakitori place that’s in-between the high-end version and ... the fast-food version,” Van Aerde said. He also said to expedite the process of yakitori cooking while maintaining quality, the skewers are cooked as they rotate on a high-tech machine — the only of its kind in the United States. As the owners are businessmen, not chefs, they enlisted the help of two-time “Chopped” contestant Marc Bynum for several recipes. BambooTori offers a variety of skewer options, including chicken thigh with scallions ($1.50), pork belly ($1.50) and eggplant ($1.50),
as well as their popular asparagus and bacon ($2) and three types of meatballs — chicken, pork and beef — made with ginger and scallion ($1.75). Diners can also create their own meal, starting with organic white or brown rice or salad, a choice of four skewers, and for $1 to $2.50 more, an extra skewer, steamed buns, miso soup or dessert. Nothing is fried, and the meat for meatballs is ground fresh daily. The skewers are made-to-order with all-natural meats and vegetables. BambooTori recently began offering daily specials with the purchase of a meal — for example, on Thirsty Thursday diners can get a free can of soda and on T.G.I. Friday, a free dessert. For dessert, they offer BambooTori snowballs made from rice pudding with sliced oranges and a caramel glaze ($3). Aside from offering these specials, BambooTori caters and has done so for clubs including the Chinese Student Association, Hong Kong Student Association and NYU Club Anime. “BambooTori is a great, friendly yakitori place that’s perfect for a college student on a budget,” CAS freshman Hannah Weinstock said. Located south of Union Square at 106 University Place, BambooTori is bound to become a favorite spot for students hoping for a quick bite to eat without breaking the bank. Caitlin Schnack is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
New York’s top wine selections complement dinners, desserts By BRYNA SHUMAN
Any WSN readers over the age of 21 can relax and enjoy time with friends at one of the top 10 wine bars in New York City. VIN SUR VINGT I 201 W. 11TH ST. Here you’ll find a relaxing and intimate environment with a regular rotating wine menu of 50 varieties, a knowledgeable waitstaff, and French bistro-inspired dinner and brunch menus. LELABAR I 422 HUDSON ST. The elegant Lelabar features an extensive wine list with a smallplates menu of cheese, meat and chocolate to match. Lelabar also offers guided wine tastings twice a month ($60 per person). CORKBUZZ WINE BAR I 13 E. 13TH ST. Corkbuzz not only offers a pairing dinner menu for their wine list but also offers wine classes, from Wine 101 to Cheese and Wine, and spring seafood feasts with four specially picked bottles. AYZA WINE AND CHOCOLATE BAR I 1 SEVENTH AVE. SOUTH Ayza expertly pairs wine with assorted chocolate truffles ($3 each), chocolate desserts ($8-$12) and their ever-popular chocolate fountain. For those who don’t want to eat dessert first, Ayza
also offers a dinner menu.
THE BOURGEOIS PIG I 111 E. SEVENTH ST. This is a cozy and funky spot that not only has a wide selection of wine but also provides a pairing menu of cheese boards ($15-$30), sweet and savory fondue ($24-$32), small plates ($5-$11) and rich desserts ($8) to complement your wine of choice ($8-$13 per glass). CITY WINERY I 155 VARICK ST. City Winery does not sacrifice service for such a large establishment. Wine stewards take your wine order and suggest menu pairings to match, and the venue features live music almost every night. KAIA WINE BAR I 1614 THIRD AVE. Kaia is a cozy wine bar on the Upper East Side that really makes you feel right at home. Kaia serves a wide selection of wines on tap in addition to traditional South African cuisine. SWEET REVENGE I 62 CARMINE ST. Sweet Revenge takes dessert to the next level by pairing wine with their artisan cupcakes. Favorite pairings include the signature Sweet Revenge cupcake with a region one malbec from Spain or the crimson and cream cupcake with a raspberry Bellini.
BUVETTE I 42 GROVE ST. This is a small French bistro that offers guests a page-by-page guide to ordering wine with a small storybook-like instruction manual. Once you finish your bottle, don’t forget to toss the cork into the good-luck bicycle basket on the way out. CASELLULA I 401 W. 52ND ST. Nestled in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, Casellula Cheese and Wine Bar offers over 40 types of exotic and delicious cheeses ($6 per cheese plate) whose flavors range from mild to obscure. These are deftly paired with selections from their wine list. Each cheese and wine pairing is also complemented by a seasonal accompaniment, from curds and pickles to candies and cakes ($4-$17). Bryna Shuman is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
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STEIN continued from PG. 1
‘Jawbreaker’ director discusses film, NYU experience
relationship with another human being. So really, I think it comes down to being a good person and treating the other person as an individual and with respect.” Stein admitted that he enjoys casting older actors as teenagers — McGowan was 25 when “Jawbreaker” came out — but he made an exception for Sasha Pieterse. Pieterse, who plays the devilish Alison Di-
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Laurentis on “Pretty Little Liars,” is another mean girl and queen bee in “G.B.F.,” and she was only 16 when the film was shot. “Sasha has this preternatural brightness about her,” Stein said. “She has this great sophistication. She’s kind of like a little woman.” Stein spoke fondly of his memories as a student at NYU. “I lived in Rubin residence hall, and it was awesome,” Stein said. “For a kid from Encino [Calif.], you know, the Valley, to suddenly go to a super metropolis like New York … it was just a rush of life I had never experienced.” Stein also revealed that he actually came out of the closet when he was a sophomore. “I think you find yourself in that first four years of college,” he said. Stein explored a similar path of discovery for viewers in “G.B.F.” “‘G.B.F.’ has a lot of heart, which is great,” Stein said. “‘Jawbreaker’ was pretty cool, but it’s definitely … darker. Whereas this, I think, it was really about people coming together and treating each other as equals.” Jeremy Grossman is film editor. Email him at jgrossman@nyunews.com.
Tribeca documentary explores Internet’s feline obsession By ISABEL JONES
“Lil Bub & Friendz,” premiering at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, is an inside look at the phenomenon of Internet cat obsession. The documentary focuses on fanfavorite Lil Bub, a cat that forever looks like a kitten, and her owner, Mike Bradavsky. The film follows the duo as they travel the country meeting other notable Internet cats. Lil Bub suffers from the bone disease osteoporosis, but that hasn’t stopped her from going viral with YouTube videos that often garner hundreds of thousands of hits. Co-director and producer Juliette Eisner worked on the film with co-director Andy Capper. Both are employees at the magazine and website Vice, and the two stumbled upon Lil Bub by chance. “So it kind of all started when I went to the first ever Internet cat festival, which was taking place at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis,” Eisner said. “At
Weak dialogue, pacing dull ‘Big Knife’
By ALEXANDER TSEBELIS
In 1948, theater critic Walter Kerr published his first piece in The New York Times, an editorial on the rise of the three-act play and its damage. The next year, Clifford Odets’ three-act “The Big Knife” debuted at the National Theater. Now, the three-act has long been dead and buried. Doug Hughes directs a cast starring Bobby Cannavale and featuring an excellent, menacingly ridiculous Richard Kind. Unfortunately, this production cannot save itself from its own self-importance, as the characters inexorably march toward their doom for no better reason than what awful people they are. Cannavale plays Charlie Castle, Hollywood’s biggest star, an alcoholic and womanizer. In the first act, we’re given the suggestion that he was involved in a car accident, killing a child. How the Louella Parsons stand-in (Brenda Wehle) didn’t sniff this out faster than the audience goes unexplained. A three-act play sounds like it could logically correspond to the three acts of
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any dramatic structure, but it does not. Odets muddled through these problems, writing a play that chicanes through minor turns instead of hitting us with a big, end-of-act-one reversal. What’s worse than “Knife’s” sluggish progression through a fairly standard two and a half hours is the way it pales in comparison to some of the great post-noir, industry-centric films of the 1950s, such as Alexander Mackendrick’s “Sweet Smell of Success.” “Success” features the kind of dialogue that stays with you. Certainly “Knife” includes something similar. Lines like “A woman with six martinis can ruin a city,” and “Never underestimate someone just because you don’t like them,” stand out. But “Knife,” at least in its current incarnation, is all arsenic and no cookie. The dialogue has the same bite, just with less wit pulling you in, and the characters are so wretched that when murder enters the discussion you wonder why foregone conclusions are even worth entertaining. At the time, it wasn’t
rare for a lauded New York playwright to find himself dragged into the sort of unpleasant Hollywood machinations “The Big Knife” draws on. One such playwright was Odets, who wrote the much better script for “Sweet Smell of Success.” “The Big Knife” is presented by the Roundabout Theatre Company and is playing now through June 2 at the American Airlines Theatre. Alexander Tsebelis is a contributing writer. Email him at theater@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF UNITED ARTISTS
first I was shocked that a really renowned museum was putting on a festival for cat videos, which I thought was hilarious.” ”Essentially I pitched the idea, and we were going to make a very short kind of 10-minute-ish segment for [Vice],” she said. “I actually reached out to Bub’s owner to come along because I thought it would be fun to have a celebrity with us. And after meeting Bub and the owner and getting to know her story, we decided we had to do something longer because it was such an inspiring and interesting story.” Luckily, Eisner and Capper’s ideas caught the attention of the Internet cat community. “We started looking into it more and realized that people were just over the moon and obsessed with cats on the Internet, more so than any other animal,” Eisner said. “So we did our research and found A-list celebrities and reached out and told them we were making a movie about Internet cats and Bub
to see if they wanted to join, and everyone was on board and loved the idea.” Among Lil Bub’s “friendz” are Grumpy Cat, Nyan Cat, Keyboard Cat — all celebrity memes — and their respective creators or owners. And what exactly is it that has propelled our feline friends into such Internet stardom? “That’s the question of the moment. I don’t know if I have the end all, be all answer to that, but I do think that it has something to do with cats being a little more mysterious than other animals.” While there is a playful feel to “Lil Bub and Friendz,” the film also carries a real message. Lil Bub has lifted the spirits of many and brought joy — and economic prosperity — to her struggling owner. A small, deformed kitty, perpetually sticking her tongue out at the world, Lil Bub is affecting lives. Isabel Jones is a staff writer. Email her at film@nyunews.com.
Iron & Wine release cannot escape past influences By PETER SLATTERY
“Ghost on Ghost,” the fifth studio album from singer-songwriter Iron & Wine, aka Sam Beam, dips its musical toes into a variety of genre pools. Influenced by jazz, pop and R&B, the new album is perhaps Beam’s most refined effort yet. There are moments in “Ghost on Ghost,” like the first few seconds of “Caught in the Briars” or the saxophone solo in “Low Light Buddy of Mine,” that reflect the anxious energy of Beam’s previous records, but the album stays mostly consistent in its colorful but calm sound. However, colorful and calm don’t quite combine so much as coexist in “Ghost on Ghost.” The album alternates between soft, folksy tracks like “Joy,” “Sundown (Back in the Briars)” and “Winter Prayers,” and funkier, vintage-sounding cuts like “The Desert Babbler” and “Singers and the Endless Sun.” Beam’s voice often feels happy and haunting at the same time, which creates an interesting effect. “Ghost on Ghost” feels a little sleepy in general but hits home when Beam is able to augment his typical strippeddown style with the pep of more polished instruments. Album highlights “Caught in the Briars” and “New Mexico’s No Breeze” focus on Beam’s warm vocals but also add strings, horns and understated drums that develop a
bright sound perfect for spring. “Grace For Saints And Ramblers” is perhaps the driving centerpiece of “Ghost on Ghost,” a fluid, soulful cut that strikes a perfect balance between arranged and homespun. Lyrically, the album is loose and playful, a wistful potpourri of Americana. Beam writes evocatively, rarely creating specific scenes or characters, but instead connects his songs with simple themes like love and faith. Yet Beam’s folksy, personal style is frequently obscured by the constant echoes of jazz, R&B and easy listening resulting from the accompanying 12-piece band. This eclectic blend sounds immediately pleasant but becomes a little dull — Beam seems content to lull the listener rather than excite. Beam’s lyrics and voice are heartfelt but lack bite, resembling ’70s pop more than earnest 21st century folk. “Ghost on Ghost” marks an impressive expansion of musical layers and has by and large done away with the rougher folk that grounded Iron & Wine earlier in the decade. The album is painted on an inventive — if not overly polished — palate. It is a warm and mellow jaunt without many twists or turns, balancing new and classic musical elements while perhaps leaning too much on older ways in the process. Peter Slattery is a staff writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
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Crossword Across 1 Like the “i” in “like” 5 De ___ (in practice) 10 Read digitally 14 Not quite closed 15 Home near the Arctic Circle 16 ___ stick 17 Lady paid for one insect? 20 One of the Baldwins? 21 Old touring car 22 Charge to appear in a magazine 23 ___ Minor 25 Groups of limos, e.g. 26 Rodent that lets air out of balloons? 31 Gene arising through mutation
ANSWER L A W S
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61 Copier need 62 Abscond
Edited by Will Shortz 1
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY SAMEER JAYWANT OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
HOPE
Boston tragedy reveals bravery, community By RAQUEL WOODRUFF
I first found out on the Associated Press app on my phone. The alert looked like a text message, but instead of the average drag, it said, “Two explosions at the finish line of Boston Marathon.” It was like a punch in the gut. When I discovered the two explosions occurred within moments of each other, I knew it was an act of terror. It wasn’t an accident. Whether foreign or domestic, it was a planned attack on a symbolic day for Boston and for the United States. I reached out to my friends who study in Boston, and when I heard cell service was down, I checked Facebook for any updates from those near the site of the bombings. All prominent cities in the Northeast went into high alert, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that the New York Police Department would be especially vigilant. As I walked home, I passed a few NYPD officers on the street. The concerned look on my face caught their attention, and I could feel their eyes on me. When I met their glances, they
offered me a consoling smile — it was really powerful. We all understood that Boston was on everyone’s mind. But no matter how immune we seem to have become to these premeditated attacks, we never are — and never will be — mentally prepared for their tragic aftermath. Three people dead — one, an 8-year-old boy — and 170 injured. For me, no matter how many statistics are spewed out following devastating attacks like these, I will never grow detached from the notion that these are real people who, by terrible luck, have had their life or limbs stolen from them. Acts of terror shock and scare us, and the randomness of the victims makes it all the more horrifying. They
disrupt us in the most traumatic way at a time when we feel the most safe and comfortable. They make us continually fear for our own safety, and we never know if or where there will be another strike. But on Tuesday night I still went to class. I still walked through Washington Square Park and Union Square on my way home. Life goes on. While somber and sobering, these senseless acts of violence cannot make us afraid of living — if they do, we become permanent victims of terrorism. Perhaps Boston already knows that — videos of the first blast show countless people immediately rushing toward those affected by the bombs rather than running away for their own safety. The weeks ahead will be challenging, but the display of community and bravery that Boston has already shown in the wake of this crisis is always a reminder that the city remains and will continue to move on. Raquel Woodruff is a deputy opinion editor. Email her at rwoodruff@nyunews.com.
POLITICS
GOP rhetoric only appeals to extremists By SAMUEL BARDER
The Republican National Committee reaffirmed its position on same-sex marriage on Friday during meetings in Hollywood, Calif. This followed the Supreme Court’s hearing of arguments on what could be a landmark gay rights case just weeks ago, and the reaffirmation is coming from a party that is desperate for a rejuvenated and modernized platform that will attract independent and young voters. In reiterating that it is opposed to same-sex marriage, the RNC continues to dig itself into a deeper hole, one that will come back to haunt the party in 2016. Although RNC chairman Reince Priebus insists Republicans must stay true to their principles, voters seem to disagree. A Wall Street Journal/NBC poll released Friday indicates that 53 percent of voters support same-sex marriage. More importantly, 54 percent of independents are in favor. Republicans, following the last election, knew that their social values were in need of the most change. They had lost the election because they failed to appeal to independent voters, people who often support left-wing social policies. Even some top Republicans like Ohio Sen. Rob Portman and former
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Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. have embraced the cause. Both are seen as bearers of the Republican future because they have been willing to move toward the center on important issues. Not only have they been met with backlash from the Republican Party, but they have seen their presidential aspirations silenced because they lacked the backing of the so-called party base. Far-right Republicans — the people who Priebus and the RNC have behind them in the same-sex marriage debate — provide the votes needed in red state primaries. As we have seen in 2008 and 2012, though, this tends to translate poorly in a general election. Candidates continually find themselves pushing each other
further right, leading to poor results when they are placed against more moderate Democrats. By reaffirming its position on same-sex marriage, the RNC may be making its loyalists happy, but who cares? The faithful won’t help the RNC win elections — the youth vote and independents will. Those people are turned off by announcements like these. Whether this reaffirmation is just for show, it says one thing: the Republican Party is unwavering, no matter what its rhetoric claims. Whether Republicans like it, social issues such as gay marriage are a factor in voters’ minds. Republican strategy still needs improvement. The fact that Priebus claimed that Republicans “do have to do things differently” but remained publicly against gay marriage, and had a certain Dick Cheney speak at the donor luncheon, proves this. People like Huntsman and Portman are electable because of their ability to appeal to all Americans, not just to Republicans. This is what should matter if the Republican Party hopes to see an elephant in the White House anytime soon. Samuel Barder is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
King’s vision far from fulfilled 50 years later
Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s landmark work, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” Writing from inside a prison cell, King responded to a group of clergymen who had publicly criticized his campaign against segregation in Birmingham, Ala. Countering the clergymen’s claims that the nonviolent protests were unwise and untimely, King gave a powerful moral justification for the urgent need to intervene in Alabama’s segregationist practices. One resonating line from King’s letter reads, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” It is important to realize that American injustice is no longer black and white. Injustice exists among socioeconomic classes, New York City boroughs and generations. It thrives in schools, the workplace and the legal system. Given this, to what extent has King’s dream of equality and justice been achieved? Despite some economic growth in the last 50 years, there is still great disparity between the rich and the poor. This economic stratification is particularly evident in large urban areas. The New Yorker recently created an interactive display of New York City’s income distribution varying by subway lines, which shows the stark contrast in household incomes. The income gap between the highest-earning riders in Manhattan and the lowest-earning in the Bronx and Brooklyn is greater than $100,000. Aside from economics, there are other policies in place that segregate people and distort justice, such as the New York Police Department’s infamous stopand-frisk policy. Last month, Kimani Gray, a young black male, was shot and killed by two police officers near his home in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. Although stop-and-frisk did not actively cause Kimani’s death, it certainly contributed to the conditions that enabled this tragedy. It seems King’s vision has yet to be fulfilled, and his urgent call to action remains neglected. King once asserted that the arc of history is long but bends toward justice. But of course, we the people must bend that arc toward justice. This task shouldn’t be the prerogative of the next generation but of our own.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Sameer Jaywant (Chair), Raquel Woodruff (Co–Chair), Edward Radzivilovskiy (Co–Chair), Nickhil Sethi, Matt Luo, Nina Golshan, Ian Mark, Jess Littman, Marcelo Cicconet
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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SPRING 2013 ON NEWSSTANDS