Arts

Big Bang' implodes in its fifth season

For a show about highly intelligent people, CBS's "The Big Bang Theory" requires viewers to use very few brain cells. The show often uses jokes and storylines aimed at the lowest common denominator. To a degree, that approach seems to work, as "The Big Bang Theory" is consistently one of the most watched programs on television. Sadly, as the show's degeneration proves, "most watched" is not a synonym for "highest quality."

The Good Wife' heats up, keeps sensible feel

It would be easy and not entirely incorrect to write off CBS' "The Good Wife" as, well, an old−person show. The pithy legal procedural centers on late 30− and 40−somethings, features '90s−esque hair and makeup that no millennial would dare venture near — who is plucking JuliannaMargulies' eyebrows and lining Christine Baranski's lips? — and lacks the swift pacing and relentless conflict supposedly needed to keep younger viewers hooked.

Movie magic permeates Scorsese's 'Hugo'

Though the magic of movies is a phenomenon seen and referred to less and less often, viewers of "Hugo" will rediscover cinematic magic in its full force in legendary director Martin Scorsese's latest.

Sweet Cheeks features sweet food, sour prices

FX sitcom is a 'League' above the rest

Von Trier's nuanced 'Melancholia' dazzles

Disaster movies occupy a certain spot in contemporary cinema. They usually conjure images of gridlocked city streets, wailing crowds and lots of fire. Lars von Trier's latest film, "Melancholia," refreshingly subverts the genre by focusing intensely on a small group of people in the days that precede the apocalypse.

Keep Shelly rocks small, dedicated crowd

Greek quartet Keep Shelly in Athens played at the Brighton Music Hall last week to a small but enthusiastic crowd. The opening act, a Brooklyn quartet called Body Language, got the crowd warmed up with their up−tempo, occasionally eccentric electronic tunes. Using xylophones and various types of drumsticks, Body Language had the crowd dancing maniacally on the rather empty dancefloor.

Hip-Hopera' places fresh spin on Shakespeare

A first-time reader of William Shakespeare's plays is bound to voice one famous, 21st century complaint: "Is this even English?" Well, tonight, toss your 14-year-old self a bone with Bare Bodkin, Pen, Paint & Pretzels and Torn Ticket II's production of "Hamlet, the Hip-Hopera," running tonight for one night only. The piece, directed by senior John-Michael Sequeira, lays out Shakespeare's classic tragedy of familiar power struggles in the accessible format of hip-hop.

Chris Poldoian | Extra Butter

Remember the show "The Brady Bunch" (1969−1974)? Of course you do! It was on Nick at Nite after episodes of "Hey Arnold" (1996−2004), "Catdog" (1998−2004) and other horribly deformed cartoon characters. And do you remember the character Jan? Of course you don't! She was the bespectacled middle child who forever lived in the shadow of her older sister, the super−popular Marcia. Other than the time Marcia got hit in the face with a football and her nose swelled up, Jan could never compete for the spotlight.

Real Housewives of Atlanta' strikes it rich

"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" (RHoA) women are no strangers to new money. With the exception of Grammy winner KandiBurruss, it seems that the other women are living Bravo paycheck to Bravo paycheck. With Birkin bags, one−hit wonders and catch phrases galore — my personal favorite is Sheree Whitfield's season two "who go'n checks me, boo?" — this season featuring Georgia's ripest peaches started as juicy as ever.

Drake's new album probes emotional depths

For some reason, it has become cool to hate Drake. The common wisdom on the Toronto−born rapper is that he's the "softest rapper in the game," in Kanye West's words — a weak phony who represents everything that's wrong with the rap industry.

The Artsy Jumbo | Bowe finds solace in music and memories

What was your most recent excuse for missing school? Maybe a cold? Maybe a hangover? Maybe sheer laziness? Unlike senior English major Justine Bowe, you probably couldn't claim to be polishing off your first studio−recorded album.

Crazy Clown Time' wavers between compelling and flat

"Crazy Clown Time," released on Nov. 7, is the first solo album by the 65?year?old filmmaker David Lynch. Lynch's trademark dark wit and esoteric creepiness shine through in many of the atmospheric tracks. His music evokes the complex and precise sound design evident in many of his films.

Reading 'Infinite Jest' fills void for contemporary literature courses

Books can be difficult to teach for several reasons. They can be too stuffy, profane, archaic, mundane or pretentious. There are many students who would happily banish novels like these from their classrooms, but there exists a whole category of books that aren't regularly taught for a simple logistical reason: they are too long.

Religion and sexuality collide in 'Next Fall'

The Daily earlier this semester reviewed the Speakeasy Stage Company production of "Next Fall." This is a preview of the on-campus production of the same play.

Tai Frater | Chewing the Fat

Given my enthusiasm for food and my lack of shame in dropping obvious hints, I get invited to some amazing dinner parties. Last week, I received such an invitation: My classmate, Andrew, was throwing a party to thank his host family for its hospitality. Andrew had met the couple in question through CouchSurfing.org, and they had put him up when he first arrived from Taiwan.

Bergamot puts distinctive spin on commonplace recipes

The experience of dining out is often a series of compromises. The "either−or" scenario leaves diners weighing the importance of service or ambiance in relation to the quality of food. Generally, if the food is good, diners will overlook subpar service or ambiance. Yet, the holistic dining experience is more than what appears on the plate; rather, it is the aggregate of miniscule details.

Alexandria Chu | Hit Li(s)t

Taking indulgence to a new level, let's venture into the world of drug−addled, paranoia−fueled hysteria. It's Vegas, baby. Author: Hunter S. Thompson Title: "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream" (1972) Number of Pages: 204 in the 1998 Vintage Edition Out Now: "The Rum Diary" (2011)

Eastwood's shallow 'J. Edgar' disappoints

With successes like "Mystic River" (2003) and "Letters from Iwo Jima" (2006), critics and fans have come to expect a lot from director Clint Eastwood. Thus, the hype surrounding "J. Edgar" was nothing less than lofty. Sadly, this time around, Eastwood disappointed, as the John Edgar Hoover biopic failed to meet its expectations.

Mooo...' dresses up steakhouse with charm

As you can probably tell by its name, Mooo… is a steakhouse. But it's not just any steakhouse. Mooo… boasts the title of the best steakhouse in Boston as rated by Boston Magazine and is reputably one of the city's 50 best restaurants of 2011. This is something I can personally attest to.