Writer archives: Joel Pelachik
Contact Joel: jdpelach@syr.edu
KJ Apa’s charisma is sole spark in mediocre James Stewart biopic ‘Jimmy’
Despite KJ Apa’s stellar performance, James Stewart biopic “Jimmy” falls short because of its cliches and subpar acting from the cast. Read More »
Glazed & Confused earned ‘staple’ moniker with 10 years of quality, charity
Downtown Syracuse’s Glazed & Confused doughnut shop celebrated its 10-year anniversary in June; Nov. 17 marks its ninth year on North Clinton Street. Read More »
From RBG twins to sad ant memes, these SU students lean niche for Halloween
While some Syracuse University students opt for simple Halloween costumes, others strive to make their ensembles as niche as possible. Read More »
SU professors underscore mental health advocacy on Emmy-nominated ‘Spiral’
David Tarleton and Adria Dawn were nominated for two New York Emmy Awards for their 2025 movie “Spiral.” Read More »
Get your Deadhead on at Grateful Dead tribute show, see ‘Rent’ this week
Jam with Big Shrimp and the Joe Marcinek Band or catch a performance of Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "Rent" this weekend. Read More »
Beyond star ratings, Letterboxd acts as personalized outlet for SU students
Despite uncertainty surrounding Letterboxd's future ownership, SU film enthusiasts continue to use the app to share their personal tastes. Read More »
One real-life incident sparked American High’s immersive film ‘Rolling Loud’
Liverpool’s American High’s latest movie, “Rolling Loud: The Movie,” is based on the true story of a father losing his son at the Rolling Loud music festival. Read More »
Robert Pattinson lands chilling ‘Primetime’ portrayal despite tepid framing
Despite Robert Pattinson’s unnerving performance, the muddled message of “Primetime” keeps the film from becoming one of 2026's greats. Read More »
‘Everybody’s Italian’ at Syracuse’s culinary celebration Festa Italiana
From Italian food to a meatball-eating contest, Festa Italiana hosted its three-day food festival, which has been around since 1998. Read More »
Grateful Dead’s ‘mind-altering’ ‘76 Syracuse show etches Deadheads’ memories
Though the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, the band’s legacy lives on through its loyal fans, known as Deadheads. Read More »
SU alum wrote ‘Studying for Dummies’ to help you view learning differently
What started as an offhand comment led Miles Painter to write a book with study tips for students and nonstudents alike. Read More »
Unwind with board games in Bird or pick apples at Abbot Farms this week
This week, get involved with different clubs and organizations at the Fall Involvement Fair located at the Shaw Quadrangle. Read More »
'Coyote vs. Acme' proves big-screen worthiness through hilarity, clever cameos
Though “Coyote vs. Acme” struggles with pacing issues, the film uses a clever and humorous storyline to create an enjoyable watch adored by fans and critics alike. Read More »
SU roommates deck out dorms with merged aesthetics, tokens from home
Every year, Syracuse University students go all-out to decorate their dorms, creating a comfortable and inviting environment to live in. Read More »
Rich acting, strong ensemble in ‘Tony’ delectably serve Bourdain’s story
While “Tony” delivers strong performances and clever storytelling techniques, its embellished storyline is the film’s biggest flaw. Read More »
Goon Squad aids SU move-in donning orange gear, high spirits for 8 decades
Since 1944, the Goon Squad has become a helping hand for incoming new students, with traditions beginning and evolving throughout the years. Read More »
'The Odyssey' shines light on human condition in mind-bending masterpiece
Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” fleshes out humanity’s greatest strengths and pitfalls through an exceptional cast, incredible cinematography and a fitting score. Read More »
AI use, flavorless performances overpower patriotism in ‘Young Washington’
While Jon Erwin’s “Young Washington” features passable acting portrayals and lazy writing, the use of artificial intelligence was the film’s biggest downfall. Read More »
Underbaked themes overshadow heartwarming dynamics in DC’s ‘Supergirl’
While the dark motifs of “Supergirl” deviate from the typical superhero movie trope, its underbaked themes hinder the movie from standing out. Read More »
Pixar’s ‘Toy Story 5’ channels nostalgia but fails to revive trilogy magic
While “Toy Story 5” sees Jessie take the lead, the film fails to live up to the original trilogy with its safe, formulaic plot. Read More »
Q&A: SU’s Emmy-winning producer maps road to acceptance in memoir ‘Stunted’
Francis DiClemente, a senior producer for Syracuse University’s Division of Marketing, released his memoir “Stunted: A Memoir of Delayed Manhood” on May 25. Read More »
Meet 6 members of SU’s class of 2026 who made their mark on campus
With graduation season approaching, The Daily Orange spoke with six Syracuse University seniors who have made great contributions to campus during their four years at SU. Read More »
4 years, 1 frame: Photographers capture SU seniors’ final moments
Once graduation rolls around, photographers can be seen with a camera in hand capturing soon-to-be graduates during some of their final moments on campus. Read More »
Action-thriller ‘Normal’ disappoints with predictable, lifeless plot
Ben Wheatley’s latest action movie, “Normal,” lives up to its name, with a fittingly predictable and lifeless storyline, our columnist says. Read More »