Arts

Paul' as out of this world as Hollywood allows

"Paul" has all the hallmarks of a cult hit: It's a road−trip movie starring, and written by, fan favorites Simon Pegg and Nick Frost ("Shaun of the Dead" (2004) and "Hot Fuzz" (2007)), about two nerds who team up with a wiseacre alien while traveling through the American West. It has a stellar cast, great special effects, strong jokes and a clever plot. But it will almost definitely fail at the box office, and it's a damn shame.

Agrippina' offers a gripping opera experience

It is a popular saying in theater that "dying is easy, comedy is hard." In Boston Lyric Opera's (BLO) "Agrippina," the actors have to do both. Fortunately for audiences, they do it well.

Bubs sing on 'Glee' album to be released next month

An album to be released by Columbia Records next month will feature songs performed by the Tufts Beelzebubs on the current season of Fox's "Glee."

Low-key debut album 'My Divider' is not likely to divide Dinosaur Bones fans

Quirky 'Rango' triumphs as a Western parody

The Select' is an amusing but poor interpretation of Hemingway

In TV show, ABC helps millionaires spread the wealth

Watching "Secret Millionaire" will reveal the answer to a question many of us ask on a day−to−day basis: Are there truly good people out there?

Noah and the Whale explore new, more upbeat style

Noah and the Whale fans will be surprised by the more upbeat sound of the eagerly anticipated third album from the folksy quartet. "Last Night on Earth" is a positively happy sounding album, and those with educated ears will know it marks a change from the band's previous sound.

Madeline Hall | The Tasteful and the Tasteless

I write this column genuinely torn and reluctant to continue. There are so many more worthwhile and pressing topics that deserve the attention of exerted brain power. For example, the difficulty of rebuilding post−disaster Japan, the continuing struggle of rampant childhood obesity, and even the discussion of what my roommate's next−day outfit will be all warrant more time and consideration than this week's topic. In light of my self−disgust, it must be unclear as to why I even decided to write on such a worthless issue, then. To that, I can only say this: I give the readers what they want, and all anyone ever wants is to win.

Rialto: Overpriced and underwhelming

Who knew that everyday pasta and pizza could be chic? Eating good Italian food in Boston is not necessarily limited to the North End, where oven−baked ziti is presented in a hot skillet that's twice as large as your face, where pizzas slide out of the oven onto your plate, and where semi−intoxicated musicians serenade you with boisterous tunes then field you sympathetic stares to get a few dollars out of your pocket.

The Real Housewives of Orange County' complain and bicker throughout season premiere

Boiling out all of the inessential elements, "The Real Housewives of Orange County" is about deep tans, blonde hair and fake boobs. Though it flirts occasionally with brunettes, it maintains this central concept through its sixth−season premiere. All the necessary qualities are there, tan lines and all, but someone forgot one key ingredient: making it worthwhile.

Lupe Fiasco's latest trades depth for commercial appeal

Lupe Fiasco is better than this. His debut album, "Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor" (2006), is a groundbreaking piece of alternative hip−hop. Rather than empty boasts about chains and loose women, his lyrics offer social commentary and creeds against deadbeat dads. "The Cool" (2007) mixed these themes with more energetic beats and a loose overarching story about the album's titular character.

Senior honors thesis 'Knowing You' takes the stage

‘Knowing You,' written and directed by Claire Redfield as her senior honors thesis in drama, tells the story of an American student traveling abroad in South Africa and re-discovering home. It is showing tonight at 8 p.m. in the Balch Arena Theater.

Fantasy and reality collide in 'Uncle Boonmee'

Apichatpong Weerasethakul's "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives" is a unique fusion of the bizarre and the mundane. The film, which won the Palme d'Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, is a visual experience that creates its own world, whose composition and meaning are usually just beyond the viewer's grasp.

Eugene Kim | Alleged But Not Convicted

Look, let me get this out of the way early. "The Human Centipede" (2009) is a super gross movie — it has been listed under the fairly new genre of "biological horror." It's poorly written, has weak characters with little to no motivations and is overall a piece of crap (har har har). But, it does have a place in the pantheon of notable movies worth seeing … maybe not next to "The Shawkshank Redemption" (1994) or "The King's Speech" (2010), but somewhere.

Hymowitz's new book 'Manning Up' makes a weak case

Girls, we've all been there: dealing with the guy who just can't grow up and face the relationship in a mature way. As frustrating as it can be, however, your immature male counterpart may not be the only one responsible. According to writer Kay Hymowitz, an alumna of the Tufts master's program in English literature, we are in fact dealing with a recent cultural phenomenon.

Social justice groups take message to gallery

For centuries, art has been used as a means to create and communicate social and political messages. From documentary photography to political cartoons to mural−sized paintings like Picasso's famous "Guernica" (1937), images have often been used to spread powerful messages.

reasons to be pretty' takes a deep look at America's obsession with beauty

"reasons to be pretty," a 2009 Tony nominee for Best Play, allows the audience to witness the aftermath of a seemingly innocuous remark made by a young man about his girlfriend's face. By cataloguing the struggles of four friends and the breakdown of their relationships, playwright Neil LaBute offers a realistic commentary on the tiresome shallowness of certain lifestyles and relationships and also, more generally, on the American obsession with physical appearance.

NBC's newest reality show has familiar ingredients, new recipe

Bobby Flay knows what it takes to have a successful restaurant. But what does it take to have a successful show about restaurants? Well, apparently Bobby Flay knows that, too.

reasons to be pretty' takes a deep look at obsession with beauty

"reasons to be pretty," a 2009 Tony nominee for Best Play, allows the audience to witness the aftermath of a seemingly innocuous remark made by a young man about his girlfriend's looks. By cataloguing the struggles of four friends and the breakdown of their relationships, playwright Neil LaBute offers a realistic commentary on the tiresome shallowness of certain lifestyles and relationships and also, more generally, on the American obsession with physical appearance.