Arts

Arts

'Midnight Memories' shows maturity with infectious rock

December 3

Just last week, tweens across the world rejoiced at the release of One Direction's third studio album, "Midnight Memories." For those who don't know, the band made it big after its stint on the hit U.K. show "The X-Factor" (2004-present) and because of this, many have prematurely dismissed One Direction and its songs as fodder for hormonal adolescent girls or soulless music used more for merchandising than for artistic expression. However, those people are dead wrong.

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Arts

Restaurant Review | First Printer charms with varied cuisine

December 3

On an unassuming side street, away from the crowds of Harvard Square, is a hidden gem of a restaurant. Around the corner from Au Bon Pain on a one-way alley, its location isn’t the only deceiving thing about this establishment. Its name, First Printer, makes the place sound less like an eatery (it’s certainly not as clear-cut as more direct titles like The Cheesecake Factory or California Pizza Kitchen) and creates a more historic, nostalgic vibe — which is exactly what it’s going for.

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Arts

‘Nebraska’ is beautiful yet flawed portrait of Midwestern family

December 2

With the holiday season upon us, Alexander Payne’s new film “Nebraska” reminds us that family comes first, no matter what. Following his previously successful films “Sideways” (2004) and “The Descendants” (2011), Payne returns with his passion for character driven storylines, this time focusing on a modern day Midwestern family.

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Arts

TV Review | Urban, Ealy shine in 'Almost Human'

December 2

"Almost Human," FOX's new show starring Karl Urban and Michael Ealy, is an intriguing mix between science fiction and procedural crime drama. In the year 2048, detectives are paired with robots with human appearances, known as androids, to combat increased criminal threat. Urban plays the damaged John Kennex, a detective with a dark past. Kennex's new partner is the android Dorian, who is different from the standard model of robot because he was designed to have emotions and empathize.

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Arts

TV Review | Urban, Ealy shine in ‘Almost Human’

December 2

“Almost Human,” FOX’s new show starring Karl Urban and Michael Ealy, is an intriguing mix between science fiction and procedural crime drama. In the year 2048, detectives are paired with robots with human appearances, known as androids, to combat increased criminal threat. Urban plays the damaged John Kennex, a detective with a dark past. Kennex’s new partner is the android Dorian, who is different from the standard model of robot because he was designed to have emotions and empathize.

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Arts

'Nebraska' is beautiful yet flawed portrait of Midwestern family

December 2

With the holiday season upon us, Alexander Payne's new film "Nebraska" reminds us that family comes first, no matter what. Following his previously successful films "Sideways" (2004) and "The Descendants" (2011), Payne returns with his passion for character driven storylines, this time focusing on a modern day Midwestern family.

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Arts

Interview | Will Forte

December 2

While promoting his new film "Nebraska," Will Forte took some time to sit down with the Daily and answer questions about the new Alexander Payne drama.

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Arts

Interview | Will Forte

December 2

While promoting his new film “Nebraska,” Will Forte took some time to sit down with the Daily and answer questions about the new Alexander Payne drama.

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Arts

TV Review | 'Doctor Who' special honors show's history

By Anjali Nair | December 1

Simulcast in 94 different countries and in more than 1,500 theaters to millions of viewers around the world, the BBC's "Doctor Who" 50th Anniversary special, "The Day of the Doctor," was an absolutely spectacular treat for the show's dedicated fans. This record-breaking special has certainly earned its place as one of the greatest science fiction episodes of all time.

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Arts

'Philomena' entertains, tugs at heartstrings

December 1

A film that lionizes and questions religion in the same breath, and moments later, has us cracking up about "effing" Catholics, "Philomena" will undoubtedly leave audiences in tears - tears of profound sadness and from sidesplitting laughter.

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Arts

TV Review | ‘Doctor Who’ special honors show’s history

December 1

Simulcast in 94 different countries and in more than 1,500 theaters to millions of viewers around the world, the BBC’s “Doctor Who” 50th Anniversary special, “The Day of the Doctor,” was an absolutely spectacular treat for the show’s dedicated fans. This record-breaking special has certainly earned its place as one of the greatest science fiction episodes of all time.

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Arts

‘Philomena’ entertains, tugs at heartstrings

December 1

A film that lionizes and questions religion in the same breath, and moments later, has us cracking up about “effing” Catholics, “Philomena” will undoubtedly leave audiences in tears — tears of profound sadness and from sidesplitting laughter.

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Arts

'Catching Fire' is compelling, entertaining

November 25

When we last left Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), she had just won her dystopian state's Hunger Games, where she defied the rule of the totalitarian Capitol by saving her fellow contestant Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). In "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," the forces of the Capitol - led by President Snow (Donald Sutherland) - are forced to celebrate Katniss' victory, while simultaneously attempting to suppress the revolutionary sparks she has ignited. Now the political powers of the Capitol have decided to send Katniss and Peeta into yet another Hunger Games, hoping that this time the population will see her as a conniving opportunist rather than the revolutionary hero she has inadvertently become.

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Arts

‘Catching Fire’ is compelling, entertaining

November 25

When we last left Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), she had just won her dystopian state’s Hunger Games, where she defied the rule of the totalitarian Capitol by saving her fellow contestant Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). In “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” the forces of the Capitol — led by President Snow (Donald Sutherland) — are forced to celebrate Katniss’ victory, while simultaneously attempting to suppress the revolutionary sparks she has ignited. Now the political powers of the Capitol have decided to send Katniss and Peeta into yet another Hunger Games, hoping that this time the population will see her as a conniving opportunist rather than the revolutionary hero she has inadvertently become.

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Arts

TV Review | ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ still strong in 10th season

November 25

When “Grey’s Anatomy” premiered in March of 2005 as the midseason replacement for “Boston Legal” (2004-2008), hardly anybody could have predicted that the show would still be on the air eight years later. But as the medical drama wraps up the first half of its 10th season, it shows no signs of stopping. Despite several seasons plagued with ill-conceived storylines and unpopular characters, “Grey’s Anatomy” has been experiencing somewhat of a creative renaissance in the past few years. Fans who abandoned the show when it went downhill are missing out; “Grey’s” has rebounded nicely and is now — arguably — better than ever.

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Arts

Daughtry’s new release is tired, offensive

November 25

Just when you thought that Chris Daughtry had disappeared from the music scene completely, he’s decided to reinsert himself in not-so-spectacular fashion. Attempting to justify the fame that accompanies a stint on reality TV is a predicament unique to the modern age. Indeed, for many of the contestants from the various talent shows that have become so integral to the American television experience, this is an insurmountable challenge. So, it’s no surprise that “American Idol” (2002-present) fifth season finalist Chris Daughtry has struggled to reach mainstream audiences ever since the initial excitement surrounding his music began to wane. Known for his hard rock persona — of course, only on “American Idol” is Chris Daughtry considered hard rock — Daughtry’s band, ingeniously called Daughtry, released their similarly self-titled debut in 2006. Since then, the band has been relegated to universal scorn, second only to Nickelback and Dane Cook.

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Arts

Feel-good 'Delivery Man' is campy, full of heart

November 24

It's fair to say that when we go to the movies, all we're really doing is picking a particular brand of the make-believe - be it action, comedy, romance or fantasy - to immerse ourselves in for a few hours. Of these options, feel-good movies are certainly some of the phoniest. This is why it is surprising that "Delivery Man," every bit a feel-good movie, works as well as it does. Granted, the film isn't perfect. But in the realm of campy cinema, it is a gem.

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Arts

Dev Hynes delivers solid album in 'Cupid Deluxe'

November 24

Dev Hynes - recording under his latest moniker, Blood Orange - has set out to capture the spirit of the streets of New York in his latest album, "Cupid Deluxe." By combining musical influences from the '80s with innovative, forward-thinking pop, the album embodies the feel of the city - where anything and everything can happen after sundown - with style and poise.

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Arts

TV Review | Meyers is commanding as ‘Dracula’ lead

November 24

NBC’s new series, “Dracula” — filled with plenty of intrigue, gorgeous mansions and beautiful people — would be a middling success were it not for its star. The handsome and charming Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays the eponymous character, and he brings enough mystery -— and more than a hint of danger — to keep both his character and the show interesting. The talent Meyers possesses is undeniable, and he commands every scene he is in, playing the legendary vampire with intensity and charm.

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Arts

Feel-good ‘Delivery Man’ is campy, full of heart

November 24

It’s fair to say that when we go to the movies, all we’re really doing is picking a particular brand of the make-believe — be it action, comedy, romance or fantasy — to immerse ourselves in for a few hours. Of these options, feel-good movies are certainly some of the phoniest. This is why it is surprising that “Delivery Man,” every bit a feel-good movie, works as well as it does. Granted, the film isn’t perfect. But in the realm of campy cinema, it is a gem.

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