‘The Drama’ movie review: Zendaya and Robert Pattinson glitter and jitter in crackling, edgy romance The film The Drama, directed by Kristoffer Borgli, reimagines the traditional romance genre with a sharp, unflinching lens. The story follows Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Robert Pattinson), a couple whose relationship begins with a meet-cute at a New York café and quickly evolves into a complex exploration of love, trauma, and societal pressures. Their journey is marked by moments of tenderness, such as a midnight kiss at a Manhattan museum, but these are soon overshadowed by the revelation of Emma’s past—a dark secret that fractures their bond and forces them to confront the intersection of personal history and political realities. Borgli’s approach to the narrative is audacious, blending elements of dark comedy and psychological drama. The film opens with a seemingly straightforward romantic setup, but the tone shifts dramatically as Emma’s hidden trauma surfaces. The title of the book she reads—The Damage—serves as a metaphor for the film’s central theme: the idea that personal pain often mirrors broader societal wounds. This duality is central to the story, as Emma’s past is revealed to be deeply tied to the polarized history of her country, making their relationship a microcosm of a fractured nation. The film’s structure is fragmented, with Borgli employing rapid jump cuts and non-linear storytelling to create a sense of dissonance. This technique is most evident in the pivotal scene where Emma, under the influence of alcohol, recounts her teenage fantasies of violence. The dialogue, sharp and unfiltered, underscores the film’s exploration of how trauma is both personal and political.#manhattan #new_york #zendaya #robert_pattinson #kristoffer_borgli
Live Nation CEO says it’s ‘disgusting’ that an employee talked about ‘robbing fans blind’ Michael Rapino, CEO of Live Nation Entertainment, testified in a civil antitrust trial in Manhattan, calling it “disgusting” that a top ticketing employee used internal messages to describe charging fans high fees as “robbing them blind.” The trial involves roughly two dozen states accusing Live Nation of operating as a monopoly by leveraging its control over ticketing, venues, and advertising to charge excessive fees. Rapino, who has led the company since 2005, faced scrutiny over rising ticket costs, exclusivity deals, and profit margins. During cross-examination, Rapino was questioned about internal communications from 2022 involving Ben Baker, then-head of ticketing for Venue Nation, a Live Nation division. In a Slack message, Baker wrote, “robbing them blind baby. That’s how we do,” to which a colleague replied, “lol.” Rapino condemned the remark, calling it “disgusting and not the way we operate.” Another message from Baker referred to VIP fees as “f—ing outrageous,” adding, “these people are so stupid.” Baker later testified that his comments were “indefensible” and expressed shock at the prices fans were willing to pay. Rapino defended Live Nation’s business model, stating he is “very proud” of the company’s growth. He acknowledged that fees for tickets, parking, food, and seating at Live Nation-owned venues come from fans but denied calling these charges “outrageous.” When asked about a 20% fee Ticketmaster charges for secondary market ticket sales, Rapino dismissed the idea of capping such fees, saying, “I’m the only one that says I want to cap secondary, so it goes against the motive you’re trying to deliver.#live_nation_entertainment #michael_rapino #manhattan #ben_baker #venue_nation
Morning Briefing: March 16, 2026 New York City faced challenging weather conditions on March 16, 2026, with a wind advisory in effect. Wind gusts could reach up to 50 mph, accompanied by showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. Heavy rain and strong winds were expected in the late afternoon, with gusts persisting into Tuesday morning. Temperature forecasts showed highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s. The Department of Transportation launched a citywide effort to repair road damage, deploying over 80 crews to fill potholes. This initiative, dubbed the "pothole blitz," followed a harsh winter marked by prolonged freezing temperatures, snowfall, and repeated cycles of melting and refreezing. More than 10,000 potholes were addressed in a single week, according to transportation officials. St. John's University's basketball team advanced to the NCAA Tournament, securing a No. 5 seed in the East region. The team will face Northern Iowa in the first round on March 18. Head coach Rick Pitino, who revitalized the program, is preparing to analyze Northern Iowa's strategies ahead of the matchup. In a gesture of unity, a Manhattan synagogue hosted an Interfaith Iftar event, bringing together Jewish and Muslim community members. The gathering took place after Shabbat services at Temple Emanu-El on the Upper East Side, where attendees shared a traditional meal to break their Ramadan fast. The event highlighted shared religious values and cultural traditions. National headlines included the 98th Academy Awards, where the film "One Battle After Another" won Best Picture and Michael B. Jordan claimed Best Actor. U.S.-China trade talks began in Paris, setting the stage for a planned summit between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.#new_york_city #manhattan #department_of_transportation #st_johns_university #temple_emanu_el
Manhattan Construction Accident Lawyer Publishes Guide on Scaffold Law Protections Steven Louros, a Manhattan-based personal injury attorney, has released a detailed guide aimed at helping construction workers, their families, and advocates navigate the legal protections provided by New York’s Scaffold Law. The resource focuses on strict liability provisions under New York Labor Law §240, which holds property owners and contractors accountable for injuries caused by inadequate safety measures at elevated work sites. The guide outlines key aspects of the law, including compensation options for injured workers and scenarios where the law applies. Construction site accidents continue to be a major cause of severe injuries and fatalities in New York City. The Scaffold Law is designed to enforce a heightened duty of care for property owners and general contractors, ensuring they provide necessary safety equipment at elevated work areas. Unlike standard negligence claims, which require proof of fault, the Scaffold Law allows injured workers to seek compensation without demonstrating that the employer or contractor was at fault. This legal framework prioritizes worker safety by holding parties responsible for failing to meet safety standards. The guide explains that New York Labor Law §240 creates strict liability for property owners and contractors who neglect to supply proper safety devices, such as guardrails or harnesses, at elevated work sites. It also clarifies which workers are eligible for protection under the law, details common accident scenarios in NYC, and identifies the parties that can be held liable for injuries. Injured workers are encouraged to consult with legal professionals to understand their rights and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.#manhattan #steven_louros #law_office_of_steven_louros #new_york_city #scaffold_law
Law Firm Publishes Guide on New York Scaffold Law for Construction Workers The Law Office of Steven Louros, a Manhattan-based personal injury firm representing construction workers across New York City and Long Island, has released a detailed legal guide explaining New York Labor Law §240, also known as the Scaffold Law. The resource aims to educate injured construction workers, their families, and legal advocates about the protections provided by this statute, which is considered one of the most robust worker safety laws in the country. Construction site accidents remain a major cause of severe injuries and fatalities in New York City, where scaffolding, ladders, hoists, and high-rise work are common on job sites spanning all five boroughs. The Scaffold Law imposes a heightened duty of care on property owners and contractors, holding them accountable when safety measures fail to protect workers at elevated heights. This legal framework recognizes the inherent risks of working at height and ensures that responsible parties face consequences for negligence. Steven Louros, Esq., founder of the firm, emphasized the importance of the resource in addressing the dangers faced by construction workers. “Construction workers put their lives on the line every day building New York City, and too many of them are seriously injured because property owners and contractors cut corners on safety,” he stated. “This guide is designed to help workers and their families understand the protections the law provides. Labor Law §240 exists specifically to hold responsible parties accountable when they fail to keep workers safe at elevated heights. If you or someone you love has been injured on a NYC construction site, you should not have to navigate the legal process alone.#construction_workers #new_york_city #scaffold_law #manhattan #law_office_of_steven_louro
The concert ticket industry is broken, the U.S. Department of Justice claims as a trial against Ticketmaster and Live Nation begins. During opening statements in Manhattan, a DOJ attorney argued that the companies have created a monopolistic system that harms artists, venues, and fans. The case involves dozens of states seeking compensation for consumers who allegedly overpaid for tickets. An attorney for New York state testified that Ticketmaster retains an average of $7.58 from each ticket sold at major concert venues. This fee, which exceeds the charges of competitors like AXS, is central to the allegations that the company exploits its market dominance. The DOJ and state attorneys general argue that Live Nation and Ticketmaster have used their control over ticketing and venue operations to suppress competition and inflate prices. The trial centers on claims that Live Nation, through its Ticketmaster subsidiary, has maintained illegal monopolies in key markets. The DOJ alleges that the company forces artists to use its promotion services when performing at its owned outdoor amphitheaters. Additionally, Ticketmaster is accused of dominating ticket sales through long-term exclusive contracts with venues and threatening rivals to secure its position. Attorney David Dahlquist, representing the DOJ, told jurors that the concert industry is "controlled by a monopolist" and that Live Nation’s practices have distorted the market. He emphasized that fans have paid excessive fees, with estimates suggesting overpayments ranging from $1.56 to $1.72 per ticket. Jonathan Hatch, another state attorney, described the financial impact as "real money coming out of people’s wallets." Live Nation’s defense claims the company is not a monopolist and operates in a competitive industry.#ticketmaster #manhattan #federal_trade_commission #live_nation #us_department_of_justice
