James Baldwin's prose still awe-inspiring
As a prospective English major, it was upon first signing up for classes that I learned I was required to take Intro to Lit. This fact first frustrated me—I had just taken AP English and I did not have any desire to retake an intro class. Yet, since it’s required for the major, I took […]
‘MELA’ brings night of South Asian dance
MELA 2011 was by far the most well-attended event I have seen this semester at Brandeis. I arrived a half-hour early and still had trouble getting seats. People were there to support their friends and were enthusiastic all night long; people were truly invested in the performances. For those who are unaware, MELA is an […]
‘Au Revoir’ says hello to typical young adult writing
“Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick” by Joe Schreiber is quite the stereotypical young adult novel. All the right moves are made to attract readers to the book: hot girl, hot guy, prom, murder, suspense. Despite all these best efforts to target the proper teenage audience, the novel falls a bit flat, mainly because it seems […]
Documentary explores homosexuality in Israel
The 45-minute documentary “Mom and Dad: I Have Something to Tell You”—shown as part of “Out in Israel Month”—has something to say not only to parents of gay children in Israel, but to all people in every country. The documentary was presented at a screening this past Monday at the Wasserman Cinematheque on campus and […]
‘Cinderella Waltz’ puts new spin on old tale
“Cinderella Waltz,” staged by the Brandeis Ensemble Theatre (BET) this past weekend, was definitely an event to which I looked forward this parents’ weekend. One of Fall Fest’s sponsored events, this witty play with a cast of only nine actors succeeded in entertaining not only me, but my parents and grandparents as well. The play, […]
Novelist Evelyn Waugh still wows, even today
You wouldn’t normally think that Evelyn Waugh, usually shown in photographs as a middle-aged, portly man, could possibly inspire bonding between mostly normal college-aged students. I for one have always been a huge fan of this English author’s novels and, upon discovering my roommate’s interested in him, I’ve decided to unearth as many facts about […]
Sugarland soothes the soul
For those who aren’t avid fans, Sugarland is a country band, comprised of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, with five number-one singles under their belt. While I’m aware that country isn’t everybody’s favorite genre like it is mine, I want to impress upon everybody that Sugarland is capable of drawing fantastically large crowds of various […]
With a waggle of the hips, Matt Nathanson charms
Matt Nathanson—born March 28, 1973 (which makes him 38 and unfortunately too old for me)—is an American singer-songwriter who has toured with Sugarland, Train and currently Vanessa Carlton. He is San Francisco-based and has built up a pretty avid following during his years and years of touring. His songs have been played on hit television […]
In wake of film, revisiting the novel ‘One Day’
In the last month, the movie “One Day” came and went, quickly fading at the box office despite being based on a bestselling book. Published in 2009 by author David Nicholls, the novel became an international bestseller, topping the charts three times.On the other hand, the film—directed by Lone Scherfig, best known for 2009’s “An […]
‘Sense of Wonder’ reveals real Rachel Carson
Before seeing the one-woman play “A Sense of Wonder,” I knew only a few things about Rachel Carson; I’d heard of her most famous book, “Silent Spring,” and had even been to a wildlife sanctuary named after her. I essentially knew she wrote about something involving birds, wildlife and the effects of DDT. But I […]
