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Joel Pesantez

Insider Beat: d4vd on leveling up with 'Beats on the Banks'

Like many teenagers, David Burke, known by his stage name d4vd, spends hours playing video games like "Fortnite" and losing himself in internet rabbit holes. The only difference between him and his peers is that he's managed to turn it into a line of work. 12 hours ago

Knights, Camera, Action: Jessica Darrow

Before Jessica Darrow was starring in Disney productions like "Encanto" and captivating audiences with catchy tunes, she was just another Rutgers student, trying to figure out where she belonged. The Miami-based singer and actress took some time to acclimate to a whole new world in New Brunswick.6 days ago

Garden State Film Festival offers close-up of New Jersey filmmakers

Last week, the Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) began its four-day festival run. Amid theaters shutting down across the state, the event looks to keep the tradition of moviegoing alive — this year marks its 22nd rendition. Mar 28

Insider Beat: Rutgers alum Laurie Berkner on finding inspiration from Brower Commons

When Laurie Berkner was deciding where to go to college, she wasn't completely sure of what she wanted to do. One option she mulled over was going to med school and becoming a biochemistry major. Unfortunately, the decision was partly out of her hands — she was paying for a majority of her tuition and needed something affordable.Mar 22

Insider Beat: Kathy Griffin talks to Daily Targum about 'crazy sh*t' in New Jersey, opens up about tour

For the first time in six years, comedian Kathy Griffin is returning to the stage, embarking on her new standup tour, "My Life on the PTSD-List." Mar 7

Dubs versus snubs: Recapping 2024 Oscars nominations

Now that a week has passed and the dust has settled on this year's Academy Award nominations, we can finally examine the nominated films without our spur-of-the-moment emotions getting in the way. So, as much as we all loved "Bottoms," we can all admit it never really stood a chance.Feb 1

NJ Film Festival 2024: Reel deal, breaking down films shown in Week 1

This past weekend, the 42nd Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival kicked off with its first lineup of films. Jan 31

New Jersey Film Festival returns to Rutgers with vibrant lineup

It's tough being a movie fan in January and February — most major studios save their blockbusters for later in the year, leaving the market feeling pretty dry. Luckily, the Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center and the Rutgers' Department of Cinema Studies are here to the rescue!Jan 26

Winter Break 2023: Tired of 'Home Alone'? Make room for these new seasonal classics

If you were to go around Rutgers, asking students what their favorite holiday movies were, there are a few common answers you'd get.Dec 14

Netflix subverts typical true crime with 'May December'

In the ever-evolving media landscape, there is one genre that consistently manages to captivate: true crime. Strangely, the thrill of being a spectator to some of the darkest corners of humanity has intrigued so many people.Dec 12

'Squid Game: The Challenge' negates original show's message, proves no real fun

In recent years, Netflix has made several questionable decisions — whether it's canceling a beloved show, limiting password sharing or raising their subscription prices, the platform can't seem to get anything right.Dec 7

'Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' offers tiring runtime full of mischaracterization

Throughout the majority of the 2010s, it was almost impossible to avoid the "Hunger Games" franchise, whether it be through the books or the movies.Dec 5

'Priscilla' reinvents traditional Elvis narrative, shines light on trappings of fame

Despite its popularity and widespread acclaim, the film’s high-energy editing and over-the-top acting amounted to a superficial biopic that merely summarized Elvis Presley’s life and failed to add any depth or nuance to the superstar. Nov 21

Scorsese revamps his own style in 'Killers of the Flower Moon'

If you had to guess any movie enthusiast's favorite movie director, it would be a safe bet to assume they would praise Martin Scorsese.Nov 10

This Halloween, rank Jordan Peele movies with 'Us' or 'Get Out'!

For most of his career, Jordan Peele had made a name for himself in the world of comedy, writing and starring in offbeat sketch comedy shows like "Key & Peele."Oct 24

From 'Wolf of Wall Street' to 'Dumb Money': Are finance bro movies worth investing in anymore?

The 2010s witnessed a growing trend in finance and Wall Street-focused films, notably with the commercial and critical successes of "The Wolf of Wall Street" in 2013 and "The Big Short" in 2015. But the most recent addition to this genre, 2023's "Dumb Money," fails to achieve the same level of recognition.Oct 22

Mitski explores new frontier in 'The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We'

As the summer fades away, our favorite indie singer-songwriter Mitski is back, just in time with another collection of heartfelt, melancholic ballads to add to your fall playlist. Her seventh studio album, "The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We," comes on the heels of a busy couple of years for the artist. Sep 26

Despite plot flaws, 'Mutant Mayhem' has major 'Turtle Power'

Following a string of lackluster and forgettable live-action films, our favorite reptiles are back with something to prove in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem." Under the guidance of a brand-new team of writers and animators, this reboot is a breath of fresh air for the iconic franchise, leading to arguably its finest outing yet.Sep 25

Family feud: Predicting which ‘Succession’ character will come out on top

If you're looking for a show with high-stakes drama, look no further than "Succession." One of the most acclaimed shows in recent years, the HBO Max hit has captivated audiences with its clever writing, unforgettable characters and mind-blowing twists.May 1