Culture

Book Buzz: The Novels to Look for on the Shelves Elena Rouse StaffWriter ily. When Emira is babysitting and gets approachedbyapolice officer in a grocery store for being African gets asked to uncover the truth about what really happened to the famous Lula Laundry, a model who everyone Uncover… “Killers of the Flower Moon” (2017) by Jon Krakauer. American with a white child, the assumed committed suicide. Now, In 1920s Osage County, worlds of Emira and the Cham- Strike and his new temp, Robin, Oklahoma, a sinister conspiracy Grant Carter berlain family are forever altered. mustdive headfirstinto the worldof was unfolding around the area’s Co-Culture Editor Extremely relevant as it is touching, celebrities, family secrets and police newfound oil reserves and the local this novel provides insights on racism, push back to uncover the twisted Native Americans residing on top of Get the inside scoop on some of the latest novels to hit the shelves, with some of the most highly antici- pated books covering a wide range of genres, authors and interests. womanhood and adulthood all in a span of one highly popular novel. A pick for Reese Witherspoon’s book club, this piece is essential to read to continue developing an understanding of the ways of the world and truth. Featuring in-depth character development and a riveting mystery, this novel, along with the others in the series, is an ideal choice for a mind-bendingmysteryfix. The fifth them. The events exposed deep-seated sentiments of money, murder and racial injustice, which would eventually conceive what is now known as the FBI. Although Krakauer’s novel firsthitthe shelves in2017, itwas reIf You Need a Good Drama Fix…. “American Royals” (2019) by Kath- erine McGee. what needs change. If You Want to Face the Big Questions… “21 Lessons for the 21st Cennovel in the series, “Lethal White,” is set to be released this month. If You Want a New Conspiracy to centlyconfirmedto be the subjectof MartinScorsese’s nextfeature film, starring the likes of Robert DeNiro and Leonardo DiCaprio. “American Royals” has all tury” (2018) by Yuvul Noah Harari. the dystopian drama anyone could need. The story follows four charac- ters involved with the American royal family. What is the American royal family? Well, after the Revolutionary War, George Washington was not asked to be president, but instead was asked to be king. This story goes offthe ideathatWashingtondidn’t refuse a new hierarchy and instead started an Americanized royal gov- ernment. The book has everything one could possibly want in a drama read: forbidden romance, betrayal, secrets and friendship. There are twists at every turn, intertwined with fast paced intensity, so this story is not one to miss. Plus, the highly anticipated sequel “Majesty” was just released, so a continuation of the royal drama is at one’s disposal. Having already presented his take on the distant past and future in his best sellers “Sapiens” and “Homo Deus,” Harari turns his gaze to the present. Comprising several essays about a vast range of topics, “21 Lessons for the 21st Century” has already become a cult classic for history lovers, addressing some of the most prevalent questions as the world proceeds further past the turn of the millenia. This poignant and insightful take on modern discourse is written for readers of any age and background, making for an instant favorite read. Every chapter is certain to introduce ideas that will leave a lasting impression on your perception of the world and will likely make you feel smarter as a result.

If You Want to Gain Some Perspec- tive… “Such a Fun Age” (2019) by Kiley Reid.

This comedic yet poignant novel speaks on the issues of racism and privilege in the United States. The novel follows Emira, an English major and part-time babysitter for the upper class Chamberlain famIf You Need a Mystery to Solve… “The Cuckoo’s Calling” (2013) by Robert Galbraith.

Penned under “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling’s latest pseudonym, Robert Galbraith, this story follows private detective Cormoran Strike, who is struggling to make ends meet. That is, until he

Entries from Robert Galbraith’s “The Cormoran Strike” Series Courtesy of Elena Rouse

Drive-In Concerts at Citizens Bank Parking Lot in Philly

Julia Stanisci StaffWriter

If you are a lover of live music, hopefully you already know about the awesome event series that was launched in our very own City of Brotherly Love. Live-Nation Entertain- ment hosted a drive-in concert series in the Citizens Bank Parking Lot, known as “Live-In DriveIn,” which was dubbed as one of the biggest musical events since COVID-19. Shows ran from Aug. 16 to Sept. 7, and it was a lovely way to bring home the summer. The Citizens Bank stadium parking lot was turned into a lively, musical and fun stage suited for a maximum of 850 cars, with four people allowed per vehicle. Concertgoers were required to stay in their cars unless wearing a mask to use the bathroom (porta potties with wash stations outside) and music was transmitted through a drive-in movie style FM radio dial. Refreshments and merchandise were available through an online ordering system and ticketing was completely contact- less, scanned through closed car windows. Overall, the events were socially-distanced and managed effectively and smoothly, allowing for an incredible listening experience. Sophomore Laura Tschatchula and friends saw AJR live on Aug. 20. Tschatchula reported that the experience was awesome. “AJR was super creative in the way they made it all happen, Tschatchula said. “Everyone seemed just happy to be at a concert again.” Overall, the series was a huge hit for those in the Phila- delphia area and beyond, and we hope to see more from Live Nation soon. With COVID-19 still ram- pant in America and social dis- tancing required in order for us to move forward, drive-in movies and concerts like these are growing in popularity, so do not worry if you missed this series.

Ally Weitzman StaffWriter

Starting the first year of college is hard. One must adapt to his or her newfound independence, while also being thrown into a completely unfamiliar environment. However, the Class of 2024 faces a whole new challenge: acclimating to college during a pandemic. While many other college students are experiencing their first taste of undergraduate life solely through Zoom, the University freshman community is living on campus with COVID-19 restrictions. With mostly online classes, constant mask wearing and limits on the size of gatherings, it is easy to imagine the social struggles freshmen are facing. How can one feel a part of the University’s community with all these obstacles in place? Does the Villanova pride that we all know and love ring true for our new freshmen classmates? Although the restrictions make it challenging to connect with others, Maddy Holobinko, a freshman from New Jersey, be- lieves the current campus atmo- sphere is very welcoming and spir- ited. She considers the University’s Ryan Weicht StaffWriter The ever unique and steadily growing artist Sven Gamsky, better known as Still Woozy, returned to his music, releasing a new single this past Thursday, Sept. 10. The track, titled “BS,” explores a more passive side of Still Woozy. While still marked by Gamsky’s psychedelic bedroom pop style, the track is less flashy than some of his other work. However, the song is no less compelling than any of Still Woozy’s previous work, as a soothing, muffled guitar drives the tune while listeners float along with it. Gamsky sings softly about his desires and struggles with falling in love, easing listeners into a sleepy haze, while still providing thoughtful sentiment throughout. Accompanying the single was a music video, in which the singer rides through a myriad of scenic locations atop different modes of transportation. Still Woozy has kept busy in 2020 despite the pandemic, as he also released a song and a music video in mid-April. Though he has yet to release an album, Still Woozy continues to blaze his own path through mixing and match- ing acoustic and electronic sound, while infusing tracks with a variety of short noises. At a virtual press confer- ence organized by music group °1824, Still Woozy shared what he has been up to and his future with music. Gamsky began by discuss- ing his future productions. The singer said his new single is not necessarily indicative of what is to come. “I always try to make someCommunity First campaign to be the reason for this, as it brings a sense of unity among students. She recognizes that while inconvenient, the restrictions are necessary to live this new normal. “College has always been super intimidating for me,” Holobinko said. “I thought the COVID situation would ruin it, but honestly college is so much better than I thought it would be. It’s awesome to know that even during such a hard time, things can still work out.” When asked if there is anything that could be done to improve her experience, Holobinko was adamant that the school is doing a fantastic job with the circumstances. Between Orientation and CAT events, she appreciates the school’s commitment to the students’ happiness beyond the classroom. However, she does wish that club sports, in any capacity, were still active. “The varsity teams get to practice,” she said. “I wish we could have that because soccer has always been something I’ve done. Knowing that other people are practicing, I wish we could do something, even if it’s not a lot.” On the other hand, Zakai

Stanford Hall, one of the six South Campus residence halls for freshmen Courtesy of Villanova University York, describes his experience as nect with more people and have a “strange.” college experience that is more like “I don’t know what it was his previous expectations. supposed to be like or actually Although they have differ- would’ve been without COVID ent thoughts on the matter, both restrictions, but it feels awkwardly Holobinko and Bradshaw agree distant,” Bradshaw said. “Getting that they feel safe on campus and to meet people has been okay, but applaud the University for its it would’ve definitely been easier extensive planning for its return without social distancing.” to campus. In the end, both are However, Bradshaw is hopeful that Villanovans will keep hopeful that once student organi- in mind their desire to stay on zations truly start up again for the campus and truly be able to put semester, he will be able to con‘Community First.’

Still Woozy Talks His New Single, Artistry and More

Bradshaw, a freshman from New

Cover of Still Woozy’s single “BS,” which came out on September 10 Courtesy of Spotify

thing that keeps my interest, but there are all these different things I want to try,” Gamsky said. “It’s just a part of a whole picture.” He elaborated on his future art, talking about one of his biggest inspirations: his fiancé, Ami Cooks. Gamsky glowed as he discussed the ways that Cooks incorporates art into everything she does. The part- nership is not only a romantic one, but also a creative one, as Cooks creates the art for all of Still Woozy’s singles. Gamsky admires the thoughtfulness with which Cooks uses when making art. Commenting on the pan- demic, Gamsky said that he has been given time to work on his music. “Usually I would be on tour, and I’m not the kind of person who can do more than one thing at a time—I’m so tunnel visioned,” he said. Gamsky also commented on his relationship with his music, saying it is a coping mechanism for him. The singer discussed how he creates in order to work through his thoughts. He hoped that his music could provide his fans the same connection to the feelings he experiences. On the subject of self-producing, Gamsky explained why he still chooses to create on his own even while gaining traction as an artist. “I love playing with sounds and textures,” he said. “It’s so much fun to make beats and create something out of nothing. Building from the skeleton outward, it always blows my mind a little bit. I’ve also curated my own taste over the years — you would be able to tell if I released something that wasn’t produced by me.” Elaborating more on gaining traction, Gamsky also gave advice for new up-and-coming artists. “Focus less on getting big or getting famous and focus more on the music,” he said. “Get that to a point where you feel like it’s on the same level as everything out there.” Still Woozy has also often been included in the discussion of “genre-bending” or “genre-less” music. Gamsky commented on his feelings about these labels and genres in general, saying that he could never describe his own music. The singer has a variety of influences that fit into many genres, and because of this, he never wants to get stuck in just one. “I have so many ideas and I want to have enough space to explore,” he said. Perhaps the most relatable thing the artist mentioned was his desire to return to live concerts. Gamsky discussed how much he loved the energy of the crowd and how he missed being able to sing and dance within the pit of fans.

Grant Carter Co-Culture Editor

Amidst the chaos of 2020, something strange has reportedly taken grip of the American subconscious. According to an article published in April by National Geographic, some studies conducted by psychologists andresearchersofvariousfieldshave collectively found that since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, anotherunexpectedinflictionhasbecome even more widespread: remarkably vivid and, in most cases, absurd dreams. If real-life events are any indication of what might unfold in one’s head while sleeping, 2020 itself is certainly the ideal catalyst for strange dreams. From raging natural disasters to whisperings of ‘murder hornets’ and oncoming world wars, there is no shortage of content for the American subconscious. In regards to this, National Geographic argued, “Science has long suggested that dream content and emotions are connected to wellbeing while we’re awake. Bizarre dreams laden with symbolism allow some dreamers to overcome intense memories or everyday psychological stressors within the safety of their sub- conscious.” According to the American Psychological Association, it is widely Matthew Gaetano StaffWriter This year has been a slow one forthe realm offilm, with few movies oftrue significance being releasedeach month. Those films that do hold value have been relegated, mostly, to debuting across various streaming platforms. While this setup may not provide the same butter-scented, velvet-curtained atmosphere of movie theaters, it was a necessary step in maintaining the film industrythroughout2020. Exclusive content has always been a hallmark of streaming services with notable examples being, Netflix’s, “Stranger Things,” or “The Mandalorian,” on Disney+. Yet, with 2020’s distinct social landscape, now has become an optimal time, more than any, for streaming services to provide exclusive content, and to capitalize on the disruptedfilm industry. Disney has done exactly that, with the fan-favorite animated series, “Phineas and Ferb,” makingits return afterconcludingfive years ago in 2015. The show arrives again in the form of a new movie, “Candace Against the Universe,” as an exclusive piece of content on the highly-successful steaming service, Disney+. With the commercial incentive ofreleasingthis film, the movie begs the question of whether or not it will live up to the quality of the original series. As far as cartoons go, “Phineas and Ferb” was very formulaic. Each episode entailed the titular characters constructing a spectacular invention that their sister, Candace, sought to reveal to their mom. This was done with thathelddreamsarenotjustreflec- tions of personal stress but can also serve as a kind of ephemeral coping mechanism. Considering the plight of the average student in 2020, including those at Villanova, this is not hard to believe. As though it were an addition- al symptom of the pandemic, weird dreams have not been a limited phe- nomenon. University students have largely not been an exception. Several anonymous respondents from the University have reported themes of isolation and feeling cramped, an easy parallel to the stay-at-home mandates thatfirstbegantobeissuedasthe virus surfaced this spring. Some even described noticeable changes in sleep patterns and resultant feelings of stress and anxiety. Fourth year student Kiel Kittleson, who tested positive for COVID-19inMarch,said,“Idefi- nitely had some strange dreams early on, but I haven’t remembered a single one of them since testing positive.” Regardless of the exact cor- relation between the unpredictability of these last several months and the inner workings of students’ minds, this will undoubtedly go down as one the most memorable periods in recent history, for better or worse. It seems that for now, strange dreams are yet an ongoing chapter in the cycle of

Courtesy of Emma Kirchner

A Film Pitted Against the Universe: “Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe”

absurdity that is 2020. the hope that her brothers would be punished for their creative shenanigans. Each episode was backed by a story of the main family’s pet, Perry the Platypus, doubling as a secret agent and attempting to foil the pseudo-malevolent plots of Dr. Doofenshmirtz. Most, if not all, of these plots saw Dr. Doofenshmirtz attempting to utilize an inator (a machine created by Doofenshmirtz in an attempt to take over the Tri-state area) as revenge for some form of comedically melancholy childhood trauma. In the end of each episode, Doofenshmirtz’s plans would be thwarted by Perry the Platypus and the corresponding inator would be used to hide any trace of Phineas and Ferb’s invention of the day. All of this happens just in time for the primary characters’ mother to miss out on witnessing her sons’ latest fantastical creation. Though it was simple in plot, the cartoon delivered in abundance with catchy songs and witty humor; at least it seemed that way watching as a kid. Now, the film itself(like the other “Phineas and Ferb” related movies and specials) strays from the predictable episodic format. The story, which takes Candace as the lead in place of her brothers, is simple. Tired of being overshadowed by Phineas and Ferb, Candace begins to question her own self-worth until being captured by aliens, and being revealed as their “Chosen One.” With a newfound purpose, Candace grows content with her alien lifestyle, while her brothers seek to return her to earth. On their quest to retrieve their sister, Phineas and Ferb are accompanied by a plethora of recurring characters. Among them is Isabella (a self-confident girl scout), Buford (a lovably ignorant bully), Baljeet (a squeakyvoiced nerd), Vanessa (the moody daughter of Dr. Doofenshmirtz), Dr. Doof himself, and Perry the Platypus. Upon reaching Candace, the group learns that she doesn’t wish to leave her newfound role as “Chosen One,” which causes conflict between the protagonists until she inevitably makes up with her family and friends at the end of the film. Candace, ofcourse, does not have a change of heart about her role until realizing the dark secret of the alien species she has allied herself with. The story, though simple, has potential, especially in the hands of provenly-capable show- runners Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh. However, after watching “Candace Against the Universe” unfold, it seems the two fell short on delivering this continuation of their beloved series. The characters are kept consistent to the original cartoon, but the humor falls flat for the most part. There are a few lines from Dr. Doofenshmirtz that elicit at the very least a smirk, in addition to a very stupid usage of onamotopoeia at the end that had me laughing. These instances being set aside, the comedy was all less clever and the songs all less catchy than that of most “Phineas and Ferb” related projects. Part of me believes I’m simply too old for the humor here, let alone the movie in general. Yet, the movie contains a number of references to the original show and deals some heavy damage to the fourth wall, both of these things seemingly intended for the audience that grew up watching the series.

Ascene from the film, releasedon Aug. 28 Courtesy of IndieWire

The juxtaposition of these factors leads me to wonder: who this movie is for? It’s too dull and childish for the audience of col- lege-aged and older viewers who have a fondness for the classic cartoon. Also, I doubt it would have the same appeal to younger audi- ences that didn’t know the original show. With that being said, I can’t recommend the movie to older fans looking for a nostalgic and fun time. Additionally, even though the movie may be appropriate for younger audiences, I can’t seem to recommend it to them when the classic show and the much better animated feature, “Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension,” are available on the very same streaming service. Ultimately, “Candace Against The Universe,” and its messages of selfworth sought to appeal to everyone and in doing so appealed to no one. It seems that without a target audience, rather than Candace, the movie has pitted itself against the universe.