Arts
'Warm Bodies' enlivens zombie genre
February 3Who would have thought that a zombie could be the next fictional heartthrob? In that vein, who would have thought that a zombie's heart could even have a throb? "Warm Bodies", directed by Jonathan Levine who previously turned a potentially depressing cancer story into the comedic drama "50/50" (2011), is a surprisingly funny and romantic take on the zombie film.
MFA poster exhibit shows breadth
February 3If you were to make the trip to the Museum of Fine Arts, you'd probably walk past one of its latest installations, "Art in the Street: European Posters," and not even stop to smell the roses - or gaze upon the lithographs as it were. And that's a shame because this artwork deserves a bit more attention, from visitor and curator alike.
Elizabeth Landers | The Clothes Make the Woman
February 3In one of his many quotable moments, Mark Twain said, "Clothes make the man." But they also make the woman. As fashions wax and wane and the economy soars and plummets, clean and functional design becomes a core necessity, a respite to the insanity. And as I age, my taste in cut and clothing has followed suit, leading me to the treasure trove of pieces from my family's personal clothing collection. Collection is used accurately here, as some pieces salvaged from my great?grandmother's closet in Flossmoor, Ill. share shelf space with bright polka?dot skirt suits from my mother's working?girl days in the '80s. The most fascinating pieces, however, came from my grandmother.
'Burma in Transition' highlights cultural evolution
January 27In May of last year, a group of Tufts students who spent the year in a seminar with the Program for Narrative and Documentary Practice (PNDP) traveled to Burma for a 10?day, on?site workshop to explore Burmese life. PNDP, which is a program under the Tufts Institute for Global Leadership (IGL), allows students from various disciplines to gain skills in narrative storytelling through multimedia. The students journeyed to Yangon, the country's largest city, and their work has culminated in a photo exhibition entitled "Burma in Transition" at the Tufts Art Gallery. The exhibition opened at the Slater Concourse Gallery on Jan. 23. and will continue through the end of February.
TV Review | 'Justified's' plotlines, characters continue to dazzle
January 27"You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive." This, the title of a featured song by country singer?songwriter Darrell Scott, captures the gripping excellence that is "Justified."
Film Review | 'The Last Stand' contains few thrills
January 23If you saw the trailer for "The Last Stand" in the theater alongside movies like "Django Unchained" or "Zero Dark Thirty," you wouldn't be wrong in assuming that the film would be a miss. Based off of a preview filled with random explosions, Johnny Knoxville and groan?inducing Arnold Schwarzenegger one?liners, it appeared that "The Last Stand" would be the perfect embodiment of movies released in January, historically known as a dumping ground for studios to unload some questionable product. Surprisingly enough, all of the riff raff surrounding the film is mired in misconception. "The Last Stand" is not as terrible as the previews would lead you to believe. If you check your expectations at the door and doesn't take the movie too seriously, then "The Last Stand" is a decently entertaining, albeit mindless, action flick.
A$AP Rocky lives up to hype with debut album
January 23A$AP Rocky, a 24?year?old Harlem rapper, is just now re?emerging after his initial stardom to the delight of fans and critics alike. Lauded by many as a promising rapper to watch in coming years, Rocky has not disappointed with his most recent release, "Long.Live.A$AP." An album marked by clever beats, lyrical dominance and unique style, "Long.Live.A$AP" is the long awaited album following Rocky's mixtape "Live.Love.A$AP" that was released to rave reviews in 2011.
Concert Review | Mission of Burma still strong after 30 years
January 23Boston locals Mission of Burma performed a solid show along with opening band Reports at The Sinclair in Cambridge last Saturday. Though opening band Reports was a tad disappointing, Mission of Burma more than made up for the concert's slow start.
Indians soars on debut album 'Somewhere Else'
January 21"Somewhere Else," the debut album of the new group Indians, is an eclectic mix of sounds and styles. Favoring sprawling electronic jams as well as more accessible acoustic melodies, Indians' "Somewhere Else" is a uniquely familiar album that blurs the line between indie pop and contemplative electronica.
Film Review | Failures shoot 'Gangster Squad' in the foot
January 21The best way to describe director Ruben Fleischer's new film, "Gangster Squad"? Ridiculously violent. We're not talking an occasional scene with gunfire or fist fighting. We're talking 110 minutes of gruesome, graphic - and often gratuitous - slow?motion violence. If value of a film were directly correlated to the amount of on?screen violence, "Gangster Squad" would succeed with flying colors. It's a shame that this isn't the case.
TV Review | 'Girls' premiere promises engaging second second season
January 17Young adulthood can be scary, and Lena Dunham's hit HBO series "Girls" isn't afraid to admit it. Since its first season last year, the comedy?drama has unapologetically conveyed the simultaneous awkwardness and exuberance that accompanies the transition into the "real world" by following aspiring writer Hannah (Lena Dunham) and her group of friends: Marnie (Allison Williams) is Hannah's responsible best friend, Jessa (JemimaKirke) is an unpredictable hippie traveler and Shoshana (ZosiaMamet) is Jessa's naive, quirky cousin. It would seem that all the girls would clash with their conflicting personalities, yet Dunham kneads the characters into a cohesive group. All the characters share the same struggle in finding who they are as individuals and in surviving the harsh and unpredictable realities that they face as young women in New York City.
Restaurant Review | North End's 'Oceanaire' reserved for indulgent seafood lovers
January 17The Boston restaurant scene is globally renowned for its emphasis on fresh catch, and some of the world's best seafood can be found in local eateries and markets. Neptune Oyster, the perennially packed oyster enclave in the North End, draws businessmen and women who figure extra hours into their work travel schedules in order to pop in for a plate of fresh Maine and Massachusetts raw oysters. But if you're not one for long lines and no reservations, drive a little further into downtown Boston to The Oceanaire Seafood Room. Situated in the Financial District, this upscale restaurant offers an exhausting menu filled with plates that live up to their descriptions.
1600 Penn' predictable, yet to hit stride
January 15Ultimately, "1600 Penn" is a standard dysfunctional family comedy. This particular dysfunctional family just happens to live and work in the White House.
