Arts

Spiritualized loses its edge to sentimentality

As their most famous album, "Ladies and Gentlemen We are Floating in Space" (1997) shows, Spiritualized are masters at channeling heavy emotions through dense, elaborate arrangements and production techniques. The noise?filled droning and expansive soundscapes were all skillfully employed in conveying the album's dark themes. Songwriter Jason Pierce's penchant for lavish melodies was always tempered and obscured by these production choices, making for a tense listening experience that never quite resolves itself, leaving listeners with a desire to start all over again.

Alex Kaufman and Jacob Passy | Sassy Cinema

In honor of GAYpril, which is slowly coming to a close, we give heed to gay movies of the ages - and for us that means the past 30 years or so. Gay movies come in all different shapes, sizes, genres and styles, from full?on drama like "Brokeback Mountain" (2005) to biopics such as "Milk" (2008) to musical fantasies like "Were the World Mine" (2008).

Dead Campus' gives zombie apocalypse a Medford twist

If and when the zombie apocalypse strikes Tufts University, will you be ready? Since the days of George A. Romero's seminal work "The Night of the Living Dead" (1968), the idea of a re?animated corpse feasting on human flesh has intrigued viewers and artists alike. Recently, zombies have been the subjects of numerous films, ranging from intense horror flicks such as "28 Days Later" (2002) to slacker comedies such as "Shaun of the Dead" (2004) to a dramatic AMC series, "The Walking Dead."

The Artsy Jumbo: Kira Patterson

Kira Patterson has been performing since she was four years old, but over the course of her freshman year at Tufts she has taken her acting career to the next level, appearing in an impressive five productions. Patterson's sincere love for the stage led her to declare as a drama major, and she intends to major in psychology as well. Eventually, she hopes to turn this passion into an actual livelihood.

Niki Krieg | Queen of Cibo

Maybe it's because I'm about to start the next chapter of my life - that being anything and everything post?college, which is really scary to consider - but this semester has brought about a ton of changes.

Ted Simpson's 'The Underpants' promises laughs, wild antics

The last play the Tufts Drama Department is offering this semester is a change from the graveness of performing previous productions "Oedipus and Antigone" and "Our Class." In a refreshing contrast, "The Underpants" is a comedic farce that will have the audience tearing up from laughter instead of sadness.

TV Review | Weak characters, laughably dramatic storyline sink ABC's 'Scandal'

Some TV shows try too hard. Through excessively eccentric writing, over acting and forced drama, they push the boundaries of authenticity a bit too far, never realizing just how over?the?top they actually are. ShondaRhimes' latest ABC production, "Scandal," happens to fit just such a formula and the result is atrocious.

M. Ward returns with subtlety and poise

Fans of hushed folk music rejoice: M. Ward has released a new album. His latest record, "A Wasteland Companion," follows the example set by his previous albums. Though fans may not see a new side of singer?songwriter Matthew Ward, they'll get a solid dose of everything they liked about him the first place. What "A Wasteland Companion" may lack in originality it more than makes up for with its poignant, understated songwriting and high production values.

The Mentalist' features solid writing, great cast

Currently in its fourth season, the procedural show "The Mentalist" is showing why it was just renewed for a fifth. The show is centered on protagonist Patrick Jane (played by Simon Baker), a consultant with a haunted past who works for the fictional California Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Having previously used his smarts and observational skills as a pretense on a faux?psychic show, Jane was punished cruelly for his baiting of a notorious serial killer known as Red John when he murdered his wife and daughter.

'The Mentalist' features solid writing, great cast

Glee' searches for its lost panache in third season

"Glee" has stopped at the Daily for its midseason checkup, and the prognosis isn't looking good. This season has left viewers confused with crisscrossing story arcs, weak subplots and a lack of a true lead.

The Artsy Jumbo | Katie McNally

Sometimes it can be too easy to pigeonhole any particular musical instrument with the genre it is most frequently associated with. While many people are comfortable with this attitude, senior Katie McNally shows that the violin can offer far more than the classical repertoire one might expect from it. That's because McNally has been studying the fiddle since she was 11.

Graham Coxon continues successful solo career with 'A+E'

Graham Coxon, formerly a member of Britpop harbinger Blur, has released his eighth solo studio album, "A+E." Blur helped shape the direction and style of the music industry during the 1990s, and Coxon has been attempting to branch out from that niche ever since the release of his first solo album in 1998. Still, Britpop will always be in his blood.

Celebrity Autobiography' showcases private lives of the famous

Did she really say that yesterday on television? Did you see his picture on the front page? Are they still together or did she cheat on him again? The lives of celebrities are entertaining to those of us who have not achieved fame or status. It is almost unbelievable what happens to professional movie stars in their daily lives, and how normal these same people can seem when showing fear and emotion if they allow you to look behind the scenes.

Helen's Roast Beef & Pizzeria exceeds reputation as late-night student hangout

Director of 'Boy' discusses his influences

The Killing' back on track after mediocre first-season finale

New Zealand vistas, naive fantasy mingle in 'Boy'

Critically acclaimed New Zealand director TaikaWaititi's latest film, "Boy," is a hilarious and heartfelt coming of age story, spiked with a twist of '80s island pop culture. Not only has the film been greeted with much critical success, but it is also currently the number one all?time box office performer in New Zealand.

Happy to You' lacks carefree abandon of band's debut

At the end of March, electro-pop act Miike Snow dropped its sophomore album, "Happy to You." Miike Snow has enjoyed growing popularity since the 2009 release of its eponymous debut, making this album one of the most anticipated releases of the year. The trio is comprised of American songwriter Andrew Wyatt and Swedes Christian Karlsson and PontusWinberg. The latter two are more often known as the powerhouse production team Bloodshy and Avant and are responsible for Britney Spears' megahit "Toxic" as well as tracks by artists such as Madonna, Kelis and Jennifer Lopez. "Happy to You" delivers the masterful production, clean melodies and introspective lyrics listeners have come to expect from Miike Snow. The album has some good songs, even a few great ones, but none that emerge with the same kind of immediate accessibility as hits like "Animal" and "Black & Blue" from their first release.

Chris Poldoian | The Gourmand

I live to eat. I don't mean that in a pseudo?philosophical way. I'm not waxing poetic about primitivism when I say that food is the key to my existence. When you are getting your jollies off on some website, I'm salivating (and, if I'm feeling frisky, masticating) over recipes and restaurant menus. I couldn't give a damn about the rivalry between the Red Sox and the Yankees - talk to me about Alice Waters versus Anthony Bourdain. I spend plenty of time ruminating on eating. (Ten points to whomever got that pun.) In other words, I am a cliche. I am a foodie.