Music and Movies

By Samuel Moser The timed lab assignments during the first four weeks of class have made it very challenging for me to focus on the accuracy of my information. Before turning in my paper, I need to make sure that everything is accurate, in proper AP Style , and nothing can be editorialized. On top of that, the time deadline is pushing me to work faster than I would prefer. However, I like the challenge, and I try my hardest to embrace it. At the end of the day, real journalists have to meet tight deadlines , so I have no problem with building these skills. I would rather be challenged now than when I am writing stories professionally.  According to the majority of my writing feedback on previous labs, I need to improve greatly on reducing AP Style errors, and I need to improve on ranking information based on its importance. I have no doubt in my mind that this improvement will come with time as long as I keep working hard on my skills. 

By Samuel Moser The 59th New York Film Festival returned to Manhattan with a live audience last Friday the 24th and will run until October 10th according to the New York Post and The New York Times . All members of the audience will have to wear a mask this year, but those who are attending don’t seem to care as long as they get to watch in person this year, according to The New York Times. In addition to mandatory masks, all audience members will have to provide proof of vaccination in order to ensure everyone’s safety, according to the New York Post. The most anticipated film this year is Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth”. Denzel Washington is starring, and it is his first time dealing with a Shakespeare story, according to The New York Times. Other anticipated films include: “The French Dispatch”, “Parallel Mothers”, and “Passing”. However, all films are appreciated at the festival. The New York Post also was kind enough to suggest a variety of ethnic restaurants to anyone atten

By Samuel Moser People of all ages across America have recently been crate-digging for old vinyl records in search of a better sound, according to The New York Times and NPR . Marcus J. Moore from The New York Times, uses crate-digging as a technique to cure his writer's block. When digital speakers don't do the trick, he needs that warm sound of vinyl to help him relax. However, the vinyl experience is much more than just a vintage sound. It's the physical process of grabbing an album off the shelf, putting it on the turntable, and listening to a complete work of art that creates favorable vibes for the listener, according to NPR.  Unfortunately, record stores are dying off, and the pandemic has been the main culprit. The record store is more than just a place to buy a record, it is a center of community for music lovers, according to Moore.  Moore described how there is nothing quite like old music on vinyl, and he doesn’t like the thought of limiting himself to one genr

By Samuel Moser Wesley Lowery was interviewed by Longform in June, 2020 about his experience as a journalist covering the Black Lives Matter protests in Minneapolis. Minneapolis had emerged as the center of all the attention surrounding the movement.  At the scene, he said people treated the daytime as a block party while there was much more chaos at night. The protesters and the journalists that were present were all simply exercising their first amendment rights. He mentioned how it can be challenging for him to approach people for interviews at times. However, he realized that the people at these protests all wanted to share their voice, so the interviewing process was rather simple. Some of his most important and useful insight was when he spoke about the importance of putting yourself out there as a journalist. He said he would never get his dream story unless he tried. Another of his challenges resonated with me as someone who never wants to draw too much attention to myself. He

By Samuel Moser Terrence Blanchard will be the first Black opera composer to play the Met in New York City on Monday, according to The New York Times and AP News .  This is monumental in the world of music, but it is specifically important to the opera community and the Black Lives Matter movement. The Black Lives Matter movement also played an important role in allowing Blanchard’s opera to hit the stage in 2021 compared to its original date in 2023. Blanchard has built up an accomplished resume in the classical music industry while scoring multiple Spike Lee films.  “It’s a phenomenal honor, and it’s an overwhelming thing”, said the 59 year old composer . He credits a lot of his inspiration to his father.  Blanchard has never composed for voices until now, and he says that it has been a challenging learning experience. “When you write for cello, you write for cello,” he said, “But no baritone is the same; no tenor is the same….” The Met is historic, and it is widely considered to be

By Samuel Moser Dr. Anthony Fauci has his own documentary that highlights his work throughout the AIDS and COVID Pandemics coming out in early October on Disney+ according to The New York Times and National Geographic. He agreed to have a camera crew follow him around as long as they didn’t interfere with his work. They have been able to collect footage of him working tirelessly to slow the pandemic. According to Dr. Grady , Fauci hasn’t taken a day off in over 18 months. The movie shines light on his dedication to serving the United States.  As a result of the recent pandemic, Fauci has become a household name, and he is arguably the most famous doctor in the United States or even the world. Fauci is a little bit uncomfortable with having so much attention drawn to him, but he agreed to partake in the documentary anyway.  He is 80 years old now, and he doesn’t plan on retiring until the Coronavirus pandemic has passed.  After retiring, he plans to release a memoir about his life. Howe