Arts
Strong cast of characters keeps 'Parks and Recreation' successful into fourth season
February 12"Parks and Recreation" is one of those rare shows that is unceasingly cheerful. It seldom attempts to deal with the serious plotlines that have become so prevalent in medical or teen−oriented dramas such as "Grey's Anatomy" or "Gossip Girl." The show is currently in its fourth season and, in spite of the digressive romances between characters, it has not lost the charming, character−driven subplots that make it such a successful show.
The Fray return to their original sound, rebound from weak sophomore album
February 12After nearly two years of inactivity, The Fray have returned to the music scene with their third album, "Scars & Stories" — a major relief for fans that held on after their sophomore slump, the self-titled "The Fray" (2009). Mixing an agreeable number of upbeat tunes and melodic ballads with just enough of lead singer Isaac Slade's falsetto vocals, the new record is an enjoyable experience despite the few flaws that mar the surface.
From the raw bar to the dessert cart: The collegiate guide to dining on Valentine's Day
February 9Love is in the air, and for couples, the big day should be filled with joy, flowers and a decent place to eat. Let the Daily suggest places to suit every budget — but make your reservations early! For more suggestions, check out last year's list on www.tuftsdaily.com.
The Artsy Jumbo | Girltalk influenced, Andrew Dempsey makes fresh music mashups
February 8Earlier this week, Tufts University Freshman Andrew Dempsey released his debut EP online under his pseudonym, Kimbo Slice. Dempsey works with mash ups and his six-track release shows his impressive talent and ear for unique mixes.
Del Rey's debut album 'Born to Die' fails to live up to hype
February 8To enjoy Lana Del Rey's new album, "Born to Die," the listener really needs to buy into her 1950s Hollywood glamour persona. That becomes increasingly difficult, especially as this image has recently become the talk of Internet blogs that are criticizing her for being fake and completely constructed.
Top Ten | Creative ways to offend people at the Super Bowl
February 8As recent years have shown, it's not too difficult to anger the family-friendly mobs that inevitably gather for the Super Bowl. Public nudity and now M.I.A.'s middle finger have both taken center stage in offending sports fanatics all across Amurrica. But how else could one, you know, annoy a crowd?
Niki Krieg | The Queen of Cibo
February 8Cibo: [CHEE-bo] A noun. Any substance that provides nourishment and energy when eaten or drunk. A source of sustenance, nutrition and a variety of tastes. Chews, gulps and "mmm's." Clinks of glasses and plates.
Aristocratic life gets a new treatment in Masterpiece Theatre's 'Downton Abbey'
February 8If you are convinced of nothing else by Masterpiece Theatre's"Downton Abbey," let that one thing be Maggie Smith's amazing acting abilities.
Boston University Art Gallery chronicles century of performance art history
February 7The Boston University Art Gallery is hosting a traveling exhibit until late March, titled "100 Years (version #4 Boston, 2012)." The exhibit reveals the evolution of performance art and is intended as an archive of information about the medium for students of the fine arts. The gallery boasts reproducible texts along with photographic, film and audio materials. All are in loose chronological order in a timeline. Many of the pieces are unsettling but undeniably fascinating.
The Office' fails to deliver laughs after seven seasons
February 6Quit while you're ahead. That sound advice is rarely heeded by the television world. In the case of NBC's "The Office," such words of wisdom were thoroughly ignored after the show's star, Steve Carell, left last season. Instead, the series has plodded onward without its iconic lead. The result has been the steep, steady decline of a once brilliant comedy series into a sad, painful half hour of television.
Masterful acting, direction make 'A Separation' a classic
February 6Critically, 2011 was a mediocre year for Hollywood, perhaps one of the most disappointing in a long time. Despite pumping out a variety of moneymakers over the summer, very few quality films surfaced. Yet, standing out among the numerous letdowns is the lauded Iranian film, "A Separation," which, in its brilliance, rose high above the rest.
James Barasch | Barasch on Books
February 6Welcome back from winter recess, everyone. Hopefully you had an opportunity to catch up on some great reading. The new year inevitably brings in a batch of historical biographies, and in my next two reviews I examine new biopics on two important figures: Karl Marx, the founder of one of the most influential socio−economic−political movements of the 20th century, and George Kennan, arguably the greatest grand strategist of the American Cold War.
Holt's three-dimensional installations defy conventional exhibition
February 5Art has traditionally been thought of as a two-dimensional, individual experience; indeed the term "art" itself often evokes the image of a solitary viewer looking at a flat painting hanging on a flat wall. Artist Nancy Holt seeks to defy that perception by forcing her audience to engage in an entire landscape, extending art out of its standard, rectangular canvas into a living, three-dimensional environment.Unfortunately, this interactive aspect of her work is lost at her Tufts University exhibition. Because many of Holt's pieces are large-scale, outdoor installations assembled in remote locations, the gallery is forced to use photographs and videos of these projects to display them. Although these substitutes can still provoke interest among visitors, they are ultimately incapable of capturing the true visionary grandeur of some of Holt's more prominent productions.
Lo-fi heroes Vile and Moore put on introspective performance
February 5Though they were born generations apart, there are many similarities between the music of fellow long-hairs Kurt Vile and Thurston Moore. Their emphasis on lyrics and lo-fi production make them perfect tour partners.
Glacial pacing limits scares in 'The Innkeepers'
February 5Despite its slow pace, "The Innkeepers" manages to keep audiences engaged. The film focuses on dorky hotel employees Claire (Sara Paxton) and Luke (Pat Healy) as they work the last weekend at the spooky Yankee Peddler Inn. The inn is closing for good on Monday, so this is Claire and Luke's last chance to find proof that the hotel is haunted. Luke's previous encounters prompted him to create a website and record any of the hotel's strange happenings. Claire begins to document bizarre occurrences like a piano playing by itself. Inspired by her findings, she works harder to find more evidence and makes contact with the hotel's spirits with the help of one of the inn's last remaining customers, Lee (Kelly McGillis). Lee's healing psychic abilities are the perfect aid to Claire, whose quest is not just to find ghosts, but also herself.
SMFA courses canceled over low enrollment numbers
Jewish students, unfiltered
