“Moonlight” was only the beginning for director Barry Jenkins. Almost two years after his second feature film’s best picture win, Jenkins’ name has resurfaced in the Oscars conversation following the release of his highly anticipated new film “If Beale Street Could Talk.” Adapted from James Baldwin’s 1974 novel, the film is a delicate period romance […]
Author Archives: Alissa Evans
Exhibit explores optimism, beauty amid political climate
Brenda Williams canceled her art exhibition emphasizing optimism when she realized Donald Trump was on his way to winning the 2016 election. Williams, the assistant to the chair of UCLA’s design media arts department, said the show’s cancellation allowed the Walter Maciel Gallery to instead show pieces more pertinent to the election, like portraits of […]
Production of ‘Steambath,’ raunchy ’70s humor intact, comes to the Odyssey
Purgatory is a steam bath and God is a Puerto Rican attendant in Bruce Jay Friedman’s upcoming play. “Steambath,” which premieres Saturday at the Odyssey Theatre, follows the life and afterlife of protagonist Tandy as he grapples with his own mortality. After stumbling into a steam bath, Tandy meets an odd assortment of characters – […]
Movie review: Award-winning cast and talented crew guarantee ‘First Man’ a stellar reception
“First Man” became an Oscar contender before the first trailer was even released. The premature hype is unsurprising, though. Picture a stone-faced Ryan Gosling in full NASA garb as the famed Neil Armstrong, with Emmy-winner Claire Foy by his side. Now throw in a script by Josh Singer, who penned both “Spotlight” and “The Post.” […]
Music Preview: Artists reclaim their sound in albums dropping this fall
2018 is drawing to a close, but more artists are slated to drop new music throughout the fall. While fans saw summer releases from an array of performers like Nicki Minaj and Florence + The Machine, upcoming albums may mark shifts in the musical careers of many. Read more for some of the Daily Bruin’s […]
Movie review: ‘Sierra Burgess is a Loser’ continues Netflix’s rom-com winning streak
Netflix continues its summer-long bid for the title of rom-com kingpin with “Sierra Burgess is a Loser.” After “Set it Up” was met with wide critical acclaim and “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” garnered a mass following within mere hours, it is nearly impossible for “Sierra Burgess is a Loser” to dodge comparison […]
Alumna’s Harmony Project prepares to expand nationwide after repeated successes
A group of gang members walking through a Hollywood farmers market 21 years ago stopped to listen to a young boy playing the violin. The five-year-old violinist was the son of Margaret Martin, UCLA alumna and the founder of the Harmony Project. Martin said she was moved to tears as she watched the transfixed men […]