Arts

Concert Review | Boston Symphony Orchestra shines under Marcelo Lehninger's conducting

Boston Symphony Orchestra assistant conductor Marcelo Lehninger directed an outstanding rendition of PyotrIlyich Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet" at Symphony Hall on Oct. 4, despite his overly extravagant conducting style. It was a refreshing return to Tchaikovsky since Lehninger's failed performance of the composer's Sixth Symphony "Pathetique" last fall.

How to Dress Well releases instant indie classic

R&B continues to infiltrate the world of indie music, with bands like the xx listing Aaliyah as a major influence and Frank Ocean rising to superstardom with his pensive tracks. How to Dress Well's second album, "Total Loss," furthers this phenomenon by using the R&B framework to create an artistic and somewhat challenging work that has become an overnight indie classic.

Inauthentic 'Taken 2' falls short of its predecessor

Every few years, that special kind of film comes around - the kind that, despite being indistinguishable from other movies in its genre, still manages to become a hit. It's the kind of film that will be quoted and watched repeatedly, with its absurdity enjoyed rather than ridiculed. "Taken" (2008) was that kind of film. Its sequel, however, has missed the mark altogether.

Elizabeth Landers | College Chic Report

The outskirts of St. Petersburg fulfill every notion you've ever had of a former communist country: cruise ship?like buildings of monolithic proportion and approach, with identically cut windows, traffic circles flowing around forged metal temples that pay homage to Swedish?Russian battles from the 19th century and even an airport split in half by domestic and foreign?bound flights. The periphery's appearance reflects the ever?evolving steps being taken towards modernization.

Seven Psychopaths' is black humor and it knows it

It's hard to review writer/director Martin McDonagh's latest film, "Seven Psychopaths," without comparing it to his feature debut, "In Bruges" (2008), another black comedy starring Colin Farrell. While there are vast differences between them, such as setting, plot and the level of humor, certain themes pervade each film that, when compared side?by?side, make the two appear quite similar.

Kaleidoscope Dream' is dreamy, articulate, mature showing from artist on the rise

Miguel's second album, "Kaleidoscope Dream," avoids the current R&B trends of Euro?pop flavorings and House infusions pushed by artists like Usher and Justin Bieber. Instead, Miguel's sound is closer to R&B's earlier masters like Sam Cooke, which is why his new album is so incredibly refreshing.

The artsy Jumbo | Junior Richmond brings stage designs to life

Film Profile | 'The Choice 2012' turns politicians back into people

Sara Gardner & Mae Humiston | Let's Talk About Food

Glee' still in tune at fourth season's start

Interview | Sophia Banks-Coloma

Opera Review | Technical and production misfires mar 'Porgy and Bess'

In honor of the 114th birthday of American composer George Gershwin, the Tanglewood Festival Chorus joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra to perform "Porgy and Bess," the classic "American folk opera" written in African American vernacular that tells the story of the residents of "Catfish Row," a fictitious town in Charleston, South Carolina.

Homeland' continues to thrill, intrigue

If the Emmys told you anything, it's that if you aren't watching "Homeland" yet, you should be.

Megan Clark | Where's the Craic?

Starring Liam Neeson in the title role, "Michael Collins" (1996) traces historical events spanning from the 1916 Irish rebellion against the British - known as the Easter Rebellion - to the Irish Civil War fought between the "Freestaters" and the "Republicans." The former supported the establishment of an Irish Free State and accepted Northern Ireland's inclusion in the United Kingdom, and the latter advocated for a united Irish republic free of British rule. The film also tracks the rise of Michael Collins, the mastermind behind the first successful guerilla war waged against the British in Ireland and the man responsible for shaping the Irish Republican Army, otherwise known as the IRA. Collins also helped negotiate a peace with Britain, resulting in the creation of the Irish Free State under British dominion and the partition of Ireland between the Republic and Northern Ireland. As the unofficial founder of the IRA and a key negotiator of an unsatisfactory compromise with the British, the historical Michael Collins has a complicated legacy.

Pitch Perfect' hits all the right notes

As far as comedy is concerned, "Pitch Perfect" (2012) is a knockout and manages to achieve what recent college comedies have generally lacked: humor.

Grey's Anatomy' premiere resolves cliffhangers

"He's not going to die." "Don't die. Please."

Mumford & Sons branch out on 'Babel'

English folk rockers Mumford & Sons shot to fame after touring their debut album "Sigh No More" (2009). Coming from the burgeoning folk scene in London, the band soon proved that it was more than apt at delving further into this genre of music. Renowned for their use of banjos, mandolins and other conventional folk instruments, Mumford & Sons emit a rich, fully satisfying sound on each song.

Joe Stile | BASSic

A few days ago, Adele released her hotly anticipated single for the latest James Bond film, "Skyfall".

Trite 'Perks of Being a Wallflower' wilts in theaters

Not another teen movie. Please God, not another teen movie.

Weekender | Talking drugs with the king of psychedelia

Plenty of people do drugs, but a comparative few try to understand them. Hailed by his internet following as the new Hunter S. Thompson, Hamilton Morris has built a name for himself as the reigning king of all things psychoactive. From Sapo frogs in the Amazon rainforest to Haitian zombie powder, Morris has tried it all, written about it and spawned a loyal band of fans who follow his writings through Harper's Magazine and Vice, among others. Both a scientist and a journalist by trade, Morris examines drugs and drug culture through an academic lens. His travels have taken him around the world and through a mind-boggling array of alterations in consciousness.