Drea Garcia Avila, Creative Director: During my first year of university in November 2021, my friend off-handedly mentioned that The McGill Tribune was looking for illustrators. What started as a creative outlet led to me becoming a Staff Creative for two weeks, Design Editor for the next three semesters, and,[Read More…]
Articles by Charlotte Hayes
A&E on the most impactful novels they’ve encountered in the classroom
Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin (RUSS 223: Russian Literary Giants 1) – Isobel Bray, Contributor Eugene Onegin is a timeless novel-in-verse set in 19th-century Russia. It follows the titular aristocrat, who, after inheriting his uncle’s estate, retreats to the countryside. Eugene is bored with high society and indifferent to those[Read More…]
A spotlight on the student strike for Palestinian liberation’s film screenings: ‘Gaza Fights for Freedom’
The arts have long been a powerful medium for human rights activism. Last week, students hosted two film screenings alongside workshops and teach-ins during the Student Society of McGill University (SSMU)’s student strike for Palestinian liberation. “It’s to reiterate that our education is not just happening within the classroom,” Rama[Read More…]
Best and worst moments from the 2025 Oscars
Daniel Blumberg wins Best Score for The Brutalist – Annabella Lawlor, Staff Writer A stark clanging of percussive metal counts two eighth notes and one whole note. The plucked guts of the piano’s strings shudder in the stark wind, amongst a wave of tremendous brass. Softly grazed piano keys twinkle[Read More…]
What we did not like this break
The Arts & Entertainment section has decided to complain. We present an attack on architecture, travel entertainment, and terrible takes on television. The CN Tower – Kellie Elrick, Arts & Entertainment Editor I do not like the CN Tower! Visiting Toronto over reading week, I stood in King’s College Circle,[Read More…]
PGSS councillors debate McGill’s proposed labour cuts and referendum question selection
The Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) of McGill University held its second council meeting of 2025 on Feb. 12. After approving the agenda, PGSS councillors moved on to discuss budget cuts, hiring freezes, and questions for the upcoming referendum. The first discussion item was the potential impact of staff cuts in[Read More…]
Arts & Entertainment recommends
The Eternal Memory (dir. Maite Alberdi) – Shani Laskin, Managing Editor From Chilean director-producer Maite Alberdi, The Eternal Memory follows life partners Paulina Urrutia and Augusto Góngora as they navigate the latter’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The film intertwines the couple’s day-to-day routines with home videos and archived footage of Góngora’s career[Read More…]
What we liked this winter break
Squid Game Season 2 – Bianca Sugunasiri, Staff Writer Dec. 26 marked the release of director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s highly anticipated Squid Game Season 2. The show revolves around the titular “Squid Game,” which extorts the vulnerabilities of financially struggling Korean citizens by offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a fortune.[Read More…]
Puppets, blood, and Southern charm collide in ‘Hand to God’ from Players’ Theatre
Walking out of Players’ Theatre on Tuesday, Nov. 26 after the inaugural showing of Hand to God, it would be hard to miss the floored yet delighted reactions of audience members. The phrase “fucking badonkers” echoes off the high ceilings of the University Centre—and quite frankly, it’s a fairly apt[Read More…]
The Tribune presents: The Best/Worst of 2024
Best: Pop Culture Moo Deng’s rise to fame As Gossip Girl’s Serena van der Woodsen once said, “Lipstick lasts longer, but gloss is more fun,” and 2024’s “It Girl” is the glossiest girl around. Some may tell you that the title belongs to Taylor Swift or Sabrina Carpenter, but Moo[Read More…]
‘Hearing Things’ is a lighthouse for the future of music journalism
In January 2024, magazine conglomerate Condé Nast announced that it would be folding Pitchfork, a music coverage site, into Gentlemen’s Quarterly (GQ), resulting in mass layoffs for the site. This sparked outrage for fellow journalists and readers alike—along with concerns for the future stability of cultural journalism. On Oct. 15,[Read More…]
Montreal needs to plan around its cultural heritage
On Sept. 23, the Court of Appeal of Quebec ordered La Tulipe, a century-old concert hall in the heart of Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, to halt all shows due to a long-standing series of noise complaints from surrounding residents. While the Court’s original ruling from May 2023 stated that the theatre[Read More…]
Bowen Yang might be the best person to talk about Chappell Roan
Season 50 of Saturday Night Live (SNL) premiered on Sept. 28 to the highest ratings it has received since 2020, but the comedic sketch show’s return was not without controversy. Cast member Bowen Yang appeared on Weekend Update dressed as famed internet hippo Moo Deng. In recent years, Yang has[Read More…]
Arts & Entertainment Hot Takes
Abolish the pop star ad-lib By Charlotte Hayes, Staff Writer After discovering Sabriana Carpenter through the song of the summer, “Espresso,” it suddenly dawned on me: A lot of young pop stars love an ad-lib. Singers often tack these cheeky improvised quips onto the beginning or end of a song[Read More…]
Reading your way through the campus-novel canon
As much as I love Montreal summers for their longer days, warmer weather, and seemingly endless stream of festivals, I spent most of my June and July longing for the fall months to come. This summer, to balance out the endless monotony of an office job, I took on a[Read More…]
What we liked this summer break
We Are Who We Are (TV miniseries) By Jordana Curnoe, Contributor The HBO miniseries We Are Who We Are, directed by Luca Guadagnino, follows a headstrong army brat from New York City named Fraser (Jack Dylan Grazer) who moves to a fictional American military base in Chioggia, Italy. There, he[Read More…]
Let’s go lesbians…to the movies!
From boxers to bodybuilders to road trippers and beyond, the past six months have given us an unprecedented number of movies about queer women. As slow, candlelit period pieces fueled by stolen glances, often the sole lesbian representation in media, feel increasingly outdated, this new “golden age” presents an exciting[Read More…]
The 2024 Oscars were surprisingly well done
A general sense of nervous anticipation filled the air as the red carpet unfurled for the 96th annual Academy Awards. After a few years of less-than-stellar ceremonies, many worried that this was the beginning of the end for the Oscars. Much to the delight of movie lovers around the world,[Read More…]
In Montreal, public art is its own form of architecture
Montreal’s rich history of public art is well-documented, with much attention given to the vibrant murals that adorn the city’s streets and alleys. But an often overlooked component is sculptures—an art form that may not be as trendy but has an equally large impact on the city’s residents. Whether commissioned[Read More…]
An ode to Ayo Edebiri
From her roles in Bottoms to The Bear, 2023 was an incredibly busy yet successful year for Ayo Edebiri. Being Hollywood’s most in-demand young actress can’t be easy—but the people’s princess does it flawlessly. Her impeccable style and unparalleled work ethic have attracted the attention of audiences and critics alike,[Read More…]
The Tribune presents: THE BEST AND WORST OF 2023
TV Shows Best The Bear (Season 2) Avoiding the sophomore slump attributed to most sequels (I’m looking at you, Madagascar 2), season 2 of The Bear manages to retain the first season’s hype. The series allows for the exploration and growth of supporting characters: Pastry chef Marcus (Lionel Boyce) travels[Read More…]
‘A Haunted Girl’ is a soul-stirring take on mental health and a hero’s journey
Mentions of suicidal ideation and mental illness Four years ago, in a hospital cafeteria, Ethan Sacks (BA ‘94) sat waiting for visiting hours to start in the pediatric psychiatric ward. As his mind turned over, he wrote down, “The fate of all life on Earth depends on a girl who[Read More…]
Pop culture journalism keeps the arts alive
On Oct. 6, Entertainment Tonight (ET) Canada aired its final episode, marking the end of an 18-year-long run in Canadian entertainment reporting. Although the closure appeared sudden, it would not come as a surprise to those following the state of Canadian arts and entertainment reporting in recent years. A decline[Read More…]
What we liked this reading break
With midterm season in full swing, this past fall reading week served as a much-needed reprieve from the academic grind—and the perfect chance to relax with a good book, movie, or album. From stellar British hip hop albums to the Fat Bears gracing your Twitter timelines and everything in between,[Read More…]
Hasan Minhaj’s anecdotes aren’t just dishonest, they’re detrimental
Comedians often embellish for comedic effect, but when exaggeration is used to manipulate emotions for connection, it takes a darker turn. On Sept. 15, The New Yorker ran a story titled “Hasan Minhaj’s ‘Emotional Truths’” in which journalist Clare Malone uncovers an unsettling truth about the comedian’s stand-up: Minhaj had[Read More…]
‘Bottoms’ tops all other summer comedies
Dubbed ‘Lesbian Fight Club,’ Bottoms is Canadian director Emma Seligman’s second feature film. Reminiscent of beloved 90s and mid-aughts teen comedies like Superbad and American Pie, the film delivers a hilarious and unapologetically gross romp that is sure to become an instant cult classic. With a tight 90-minute runtime, Bottoms[Read More…]
What’s on the marquee?
In an age of endless sequels and superhero movies dominating the box office, a select few repertory theatres remain in Montreal, working to persevere the rich history of film and expose audiences to a broader selection of films, from new indies to classics. Repertory cinemas, otherwise known as revival houses,[Read More…]
‘The Happiness Theorem’ is a refreshing portrayal of early pandemic life
After debuting at the San Diego Movie awards, The Happiness Theorem opened in theatres across Canada on Feb. 3. This charming independent Italian production tells an uplifting story of perseverance and community in times of crisis. As one of many in a wave of early-COVID period pieces, the film balances[Read More…]
‘Women Talking’ is as vibrant as it is harrowing
After premiering at the Telluride Film Festival in the fall of 2022, Women Talking made its way to theatrical audiences on Jan. 13. Adapted from Miriam Toews’s 2018 novel of the same name, the film was co-written and adapted by Toews and Canadian director Sarah Polley. Women Talking follows eight[Read More…]
The McGill Tribune presents: THE BEST AND WORST OF 2022
BEST OF Albums Mitski, Laurel Hell – Ella Buckingham Japanese-American singer-songwriter Mitski’s sixth studio album, Laurel Hell, comes off the back of her three-year hiatus and is an artful collection of head-bopping pop numbers and slow, narrative ballads. Though veering more toward the mainstream than her previous albums, throughout this[Read More…]
Pop Dialectic: To binge or not to binge?
Since the dawn of time, many great conflicts have arisen—from religious crusades to World Wars. The most polarizing? Whether streaming services should release episodes every week or all at once. While the introduction of platforms like Netflix boasted users’ ability to binge new content rather than wait, many have returned[Read More…]
What we liked this summer
While the start of the fall semester typically means replacing movie nights with late-night study sessions at Redpath, the Arts & Entertainment team isn’t ready to forget their summer favourites just yet. Here are the best tunes and flicks to check out from the all-too-short summer break. Marcel the Shell[Read More…]
The McCord Museum’s Artist-in-Residence Niap weaves a story of Inuit women through inventive beadwork
The McCord Museum’s newest Artist-in-Residence, Niap, is a Montreal-based multidisciplinary artist from Kuujjuaq, Nunavik. Her sculptures, textiles, and murals are currently displayed in some of Canada’s largest galleries. On March 25, her new exhibit, Piqutiapiit—meaning “precious belongings” in Inuktitut—premiered at the museum, a display of past and present Inuit beading[Read More…]
While some see comedic actors as uncut for drama, their performances can become gems
Comedy is said to stem from tragedy, so it isn’t too far of a stretch to suggest that a great comedic actor could be an equally great dramatic actor. In fact, many performers have proved this hypothesis, from Adam Sandler’s tremendous performance in Uncut Gems to Steve Carell’s captivating role[Read More…]
Local artists explore the trials and triumphs of Quebec’s hip-hop scene
In the dark depths of winter, the PHI Centre, a creative space known for hosting many of Montreal’s most creative and experimental art installations, is bringing a little light back to the city. Their latest exhibit, entitled Visions Hip-Hop QC, displays the work of Marven Clerveau, a 26-year-old contemporary auditory[Read More…]
2022 Oscar nominations: Winners, losers, and snubs
After yet another long and tumultuous wait, this year’s Oscar nominations have been released—and I, for one, am pleasantly surprised. With the past year yielding a wide variety of films from across the globe, the 94th annual Academy Award nominations recognized an impressive collection of well-deserving work. It can be[Read More…]
‘Food for Thought: Riddles and Riddling Ways’ explores whimsical culinary rituals
As of Feb. 1, McGill’s McLennan Library has become home to Food for Thought: Riddles and Riddling Ways, the newest exhibit presented by the Rare & Special Collections, Osler, Art, and Archives (ROAAr) branch. The exhibit—dubbed The Riddle Project—was curated by English professor and associate dean of McGill Library Nathalie[Read More…]
Where do I begin: NFTs
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are the new year’s craziest phenomenon and strangest mystery. Following in the footsteps of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency investments, these tokenized digital commodities have taken the internet by storm. NFTs allow collectors to own original pieces of artwork in the digital form. What started as a way[Read More…]
Where do I begin: ‘Hot Ones’
In the Internet’s depthless sea of celebrity interviews, YouTube series Hot Ones offers a refreshingly authentic look into the lives of celebrities. The secret? Feeding guests unbearably hot chicken wings. Hosted by Sean Evans and produced by First We Feast, the show draws audiences in with promises of, as Evans[Read More…]
‘Firebird’ is a stunning, emotionally vulnerable portrait of the cold war
Warning: Spoilers ahead For over three decades, the image+nation Film Festival has worked to promote local and international queer filmmakers, and this year is no exception. From Nov. 18-28, the festival played a variety of international 2SLGBTQIA+ films at the Centre PHI, including Firebird//, an Estonian film based on Sergey[Read More…]
‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ fails to recapture the magic of its predecessor
Hollywood’s obsession with reboots has given birth to one of its worst yet, Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Arriving in theatres across North America on Nov. 19, this long-delayed film might have been better off going straight to video-on-demand. Although director Jason Reitman is the son of the original installment director Ivan Reitman,[Read More…]
‘The French Dispatch’ is the height of the Wes Anderson aesthetic
Nearly three years after his last feature, beloved American filmmaker Wes Anderson is back with The French Dispatch. Premiering in Toronto and theUnited States on Oct. 22, the film was released in theatres across Canada on Oct. 28. Anderson described it as a “love letter to journalism,” and it is[Read More…]
‘Dune’ is a return to the grandeur of in-person film
The pandemic has placed restrictions on movie theatres since March 2020, forcing many large studios to push back the release dates of their most anticipated films. One of the victims of these delays was Dune. Following its premier at the Venice International Film Festival, Dune finally debuted on HBO Max[Read More…]