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Arts

Nature takes the starring role in 'The Way Back'

February 2

Outside their trappings as the premier awards ceremony for American film, the Oscars are still governed by the same idiosyncratic, unwritten rules as any other industry fixture: If you're the Coen Brothers, you get a nomination. If you've filmed a sobering drama featuring the Holocaust, you get a nomination. And if you don't get your film released in time to get on board the train of media buzz, you go home empty-handed.

Arts

American film awards and ceremonies a culture unto themselves

February 2

Every year, the whole world is made privy to a series of glamorous rituals in American culture. Elite celebrities get dolled up and stride down red carpets to various glitzy awards ceremonies, hoping to return home with some shiny token commemorating their accomplishments. Awards have been a major component of the American film industry for decades now, generating millions of dollars for nominated movies and creating reputations that can last for entire careers. Even though this award season is limited to film, the ceremonies have far-reaching implications in popular culture at large, shaping celebrities' images and determining the climate in Hollywood for the fiscal year to come.

Arts

Top Ten | Things We Wish Were Falling From the Sky Instead of Snow

February 2

If you haven't noticed, it has been snowing a lot lately. A lot. Like a snowpocalypse or something. So the Tufts Daily Arts Department got to thinking, what would we rather have falling from the sky instead of snow? Here are our Top 10 picks:

Arts

From the Office of the Tufts Daily

February 2

Dear Charlie Sheen,

Arts

MTV's 'Skins' adaptation a bust

January 31

For those of us fortunate enough to have seen "Skins," a UK television series that premiered in 2007, it should come as no surprise that the MTV adaptation of the series doesn't compare. It simply can't, due to the difference between British and American broadcasting standards. England's lenient polices have allowed for a fuller, more realistic depiction of modern−day teenagers, sexuality and drugs; the U.S. standards are too limiting for such a compelling portrayal.

Arts

Nine' brings the hallucinatory drama of Fellini's '8 1/2' to the stage

January 31

The SpeakEasy Stage Company's current musical production of "Nine" centers on Guido Contini and his varying relationships with many women — so many women, in fact, that even Guido can't keep track of them.

Arts

Seductive Subversion' at Tufts Art Gallery explores pop art, hardships faced by its female practitioners

January 31

For decades, artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Claes Oldenburg have made up the face of the male−dominated art movement known as pop art. The exhibit showing this semester in the Tufts Art Gallery at Aidekman Arts Center, however, honors an entirely different set of pop artists who failed to get attention because of the gender limitations placed on women in the 1950s and 60s. Approximately four decades later, many of the artists are now enjoying a Renaissance of their work.

Arts

Snooki's book, much like her height, falls short

January 27

"Life was hard. But a pouf? That should be easy."

Arts

83rd Oscar nominations offer a number of surprises

January 27

The list of nominees for the 83rd Academy Awards, released on Tuesday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, was filled with a number of surprising snubs and inclusions. The nominations have shaken up several of the categories, setting the stage for many interesting races over the next month.

Arts

American Idol': new year, new judges, same old show

January 25

After a pathetic ninth season, "American Idol" is back and more defensive than ever. Kicking off this year's first auditions episode with a dramatic montage about Simon Cowell's departure and the ongoing search for new judges, the show pledged to usher in "a new era of ‘American Idol'" as contestants begin to compete for "the most illustrious prize in music."

Arts

Cake's new album is a slice of heaven for fans

January 25

Jerry Garcia once said, "You do not merely want to be considered just the best of the best. You want to be considered the only ones who do what you do." Cake has theirs' and eats it too: "Showroom of Compassion," their sixth studio album in seventeen years, is as sublime as it is idiosyncratic in the modern music scene.

Arts

Istanbul'lu offers authentic Turkish cuisine in Teele Square

January 25

"Interesting" is rarely a good adjective when it comes to food. Most commonly, it comes across fully loaded: When your friend cooks you dinner and you don't have the heart to tell them it's bad or the poker face to lie, "interesting" is the perfect go−to word. In the case of Istanbul'lu, the recently opened Turkish restaurant in Teele Square, however, "interesting" is most certainly a good thing.

Arts

No Strings Attached' unoriginal, actors lack chemistry

January 23

The romantic comedy genre is one that is usually filled with cliches and tired ideas; "No Strings Attached" is no exception. The film stars Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher and features a storyline that most people could easily figure out from the title alone. That predictability does not mean the entire movie is awful, as Portman and Kutcher keep things light with goofy smiles and some charm, but weak situations and unfunny jokes dominate the movie.

Arts

Cage the Elephant adopts a more mainstream approach

January 23

Matt Shultz likes to scream. He screams, and he makes it sound good — in fact, it is his writhing, climbing and general theatrics that have gained Cage the Elephant a large fan base. History has shown that the band's raw, almost psychotic energy can mesmerize fans and draw impressive crowds to their shows.

Arts

Vino flows freely at the annual Boston Wine Expo

January 23

As Tufts students celebrated the beginning of the semester with popular beverages such as Natural Light and Rubinoff, a more refined crowd gathered at the Seaport World Trade Center in downtown Boston this weekend for the 20th Annual Boston Wine Expo.

Arts

Tapes 'n Tapes' latest, 'Outside,' gels sounds of past two albums

January 19

"Outside" starts with a bang. Literally. "Badaboom," the opening track, begins with the pounding of rhythmic drums. From there, a bass line, guitars, keys and vocals are layered over it, and the song instantly becomes both catchy and complex.

Arts

Violence and family life collide in 'Lights Out'

January 19

Looking to fill the void left by the failure of original series "Terriers" during the fall, FX on Jan. 11 rolled out its newest show, "Lights Out." After just one episode, the show promises to fill a Tuesday night niche for male viewers with a deep, complex sports drama unlike any on cable television.

Arts

Coen Brother's 'True Grit' too mainstream, not truly gritty

January 19

The Coen Brothers' newest film, "True Grit," is a hit, statistically speaking, but that's not necessarily a good thing.

Arts

Best of 2010 | Top 10 Albums

December 8

1. Kanye West, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy": It's hard to imagine West topping this "Fantasy." The album is a lush, richly-produced trip into the head of a "tortured" artist. Rather than featuring his trademark style — sped-up soul samples, 808 drum beats — "Fantasy" dabbles in genres ranging from electronic to rock to classical, all while staying firmly grounded in hip hop. It's Kanye's most thrilling album and his best work yet. It both rejects easy classification and holds universal appeal. Add to that an all-star roster of featured guests and infinite replay value, and it's a must-hear.

Arts

Best of 2010 | Top 10 TV

December 8

1. "Breaking Bad": It's a true testament to "Breaking Bad" that it can keep pushing its main character into darker and more irredeemable places yet keep the audience rooting for him. After Walt's (the continually amazing Bryan Cranston) actions in season two caused his separation from his wife and indirectly led to a two-jet collision over Albuquerque, N.M., it was hard to imagine creator Vince Gilligan and company topping themselves. Yet in its third season, "Breaking Bad" ratcheted up the tension, as Walt and Jesse (Aaron Paul) gained employment from drug lord Gus (Giancarlo Esposito) and caught the attention of the Mexican drug cartel. As the duo was pushed to increasingly great lengths, we were left on the edge of our seats. Season four can't come soon enough.