Arts

Beauvois' third effort, 'Of Gods and Men,' presents a beautiful, jarring look into the past

For a film with deep undercurrents of spirituality, "Of Gods and Men" can be, at times, jarringly soulless. While the terrain covered here could certainly be expanded into grand, sweeping drama, French director Xavier Beauvois opts instead to work on a smaller scale, one at a greater distance from his viewers, as the film has a pervasive sense of emotional remoteness, the source of both its beauty and its narrative frustrations. In crafting such an aesthetically dense, but emotionally sparse tale, Beauvois creates a portrait that is as alienating as it is impressive.

Haute couture in the Hub: Three individuals discuss Boston and Tufts fashions and the role they play

Fully covering Boston's fashion scene would be a nearly impossible task. As a city with over 50 universities in the metropolitan area, Boston has a demographic that is not only skewed toward a younger population, but also a diverse one. Students from all over the country and the world call Boston their temporary home, making the city's fashion style more of a melting pot than anything else. East Coast sophistication blends with West Coast ease, while Southern lightheartedness is thrown in with New York gravity.

Torn Ticket II's 'Pippin' puts the comedy back in dark comedy

If you've seen the episode of "Gilmore Girls" (2000-07) in which Miss Patty's dance school puts on a corny and somewhat eclectic dance recital, then you're already familiar with "Pippin." The recital kicks off with invasive and enthusiastic children in bright leotards singing "Magic to Do," an upbeat song that maps out the journey the performers hope to guide the audience through. "Magic to Do" also happens to be the opening number for "Pippin," Torn Ticket II's spring major play, and though the piece is just as lively in the Tufts troupe's hands, it's also something more: It's sexy, jarring and even a little sinister.

Haute couture in the Hub

Fully covering Boston's fashion scene would be a nearly impossible task. As a city with over 50 universities in the metropolitan area, Boston has a demographic that is not only skewed toward a younger population, but also a diverse one. Students from all over the country and the world call Boston their temporary home, making the city's fashion style more of a melting pot than anything else. East Coast sophistication blends with West Coast ease, while Southern lightheartedness is thrown in with New York gravity.

Brookline Jewish deli overwhelming in size and price

As any Jewish mother will tell you, a hot bowl of matzo ball soup can cure anything from a bad mood to stage-four lung cancer. Thus, in preparation for the last week of tests and assignments due before spring break, my friend and I decided to find a Jewish deli in Boston.

ABC's comedy lineup overshadowed by Emmy winner, not getting the full respect it deserves

This is the third installment in a four-part series investigating the current state of television comedy. Over the course of the week, the series will look at the half-hour comedy offerings on the four major broadcast networks. Today's installment focuses on those comedies airing on ABC, including last year's Best Comedy Emmy winner, "Modern Family."

Sucker Punch' a visually stunning but empty experience

"Sucker Punch," the new film by Zack Snyder (who also directed "300" (2006) and "Watchmen" (2009)), is a movie surprisingly not made by an ADD-ridden, hormone-crazed middle schooler. The film has near-nude women, wars, androids, dragons and huge undead samurais. This all adds up to a film that was probably really enjoyable to create. The viewer, however, does not get the same kind of satisfaction from seeing the final product.

Fox offers laughs beyond Seth MacFarlane

This is the second installment in a four-part series investigating the current state of television comedy. Over the course of the week, the series will look at the half-hour comedy offerings on the four major broadcast networks. Today's installment focuses on those comedies airing on Fox, the top-rated television network in the all-important adults 18-49 demographic.

Certified Copy' boasts compelling character portraits

Imagine the quintessential French film — coffee, cigarettes, plenty of quietly intellectual conversation and an effortlessly casual pace. Fold in a bit of philosophical musing on art, add in Parisian superstar Juliette Binoche, and you have "Certified Copy." Indeed, what could possibly be more French? Perhaps a picture crafted by a French director. Because, for all its overwhelmingly Gallic qualities, the film is but the latest work of acclaimed filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami — who is, in fact, Iranian.

After five-year hiatus, The Strokes return with new sound

From the first calypso-inflected notes of "Machu Picchu," it's clear that those five years apart did something to The Strokes. Gone is vocalist Julian Casablancas' trademark slurred delivery, replaced by cleaner, more polished elocution. Over a bouncing, almost-danceable guitar line, it's the opening salvo from a band that's barely recognizable in its new sonic clothes.

Madeline Hall | The Tasteful and the Tasteless

I already feel a sheepish sense of misplaced intention by writing this column on my chosen topic. This cultural phenomenon is not more complicated to understand than any other broached in my writing; in fact, the subject of this week's column has a distinctly straightforward style in communicating its message. That being said, by writing a column with a Tuesday timestamp, I think I immediately compromise my purpose and confuse my reader. After all, the only day of the week that truly matters is Friday.

CBS offers solid, if generic, programming

This is the first installment in a four−part series investigating the current state of television comedy. Over the course of the week, the series will look at the half−hour comedy offerings on the four major broadcast networks. Today's installment focuses on those comedies airing on CBS, the most−watched television network in America.

Lincoln Lawyer' barely passes low bar it set for itself

The problem with low expectations is that they are often easily met. Commercials for "The Lincoln Lawyer," adapted from Michael Connelly's novel of the same name, gave the impression that this movie was an utterly pedestrian crime drama with attractive stars, absurd plot twists and an underwhelming ending that would be both unsatisfying and pointless. The movie has a few saving graces, but, ultimately, the initial low expectations are exactly what the movie meets.

Exhibition contrasts the macabre with youthful humor

Although the sinister nature of the American illustration artist Edward Gorey suggests an adult audience, it is likely that you would recognize Gorey's books from your childhood. Gorey, who is being commemorated by the Boston Athenæum in an expansive exhibit called "Elegant Enigmas: The Art of Edward Gorey," was one of the 20th century's most prized illustrators, primarily in children's literature.

Second Chances | On the bubble for cancellation, 'Fringe' deserves a second shot

This article is the latest edition of "Second Chances," a semi−recurring feature that looks at TV shows that deserve a second chance from viewers. Their ratings may be low, but their quality is high, so if you tuned out early on, here's our case for why you should give each show another try. Up this time: Fox's "Fringe."

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