Arts

Arts

Social Network' source material lacks spice

October 5

Facebook is one of those fascinating companies that young entrepreneurs dream of creating. In "The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal," Ben Mezrich, the author of "Bringing Down the House" — the basis for the movie "21" (2008) — attempts to tell the story of how today's most widely used social network was born. Although informative, Mezrich's book uses overly simplified language and contains a bitter undertone, turning a potentially fascinating account into a drab tale of how two dorky Harvard students come up with a good idea.

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Arts

In the Next Room' is an electrifying performance set in an 1880s household

October 5

Electricity. The minute you walk in for the SpeakEasy Stage Company's production of Sarah Ruhl's "In the Next Room (or the vibrator play)," you can't help but notice the buzz both on and off stage. The electrical currents are palpable in the room, but fortunately for the audience members, the play lives up to the excited hum felt before the show. Shocks, sparks and bolts of all types define this scintillating and ultimately euphoric performance.

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Arts

Glee' retains fans, loses quality

October 5

"Glee" became an instant sensation when it first aired in September 2009. Since its pilot episode — the brainchild of Ryan Murphy, formerly known for "Nip/Tuck" (2003−10) — it has turned into something of a cultural phenomenon, evidenced by its 19 Emmy nominations and four wins.

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Arts

Ashley Wood | Fashion Contraceptive

October 5

As many of you are already aware, 2009 (and probably 2010, 2011 and so on) was dubbed the "Year of the Vampire," due to the outrageous popularity of the "Twilight" franchise and HBO's "True Blood." There appears to be something universal and fascinating about the desire for a blood−sucking, undead boyfriend. Even Tufts' curriculum has been affected by the trend: Vampires in Civilization is currently an Experimental College course. But what most people are probably not thinking about is how society's fascination with vampires affected the fashion industry during the 2009−10 season.

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Arts

HBO newcomer drama 'Boardwalk Empire' lives up to high expectations

October 4

As the fall TV season approached, it was "Boardwalk Empire's" game to lose. The stakes, not to mention expectations, were sky−high for Martin Scorsese's HBO show, a Prohibition−era drama featuring a thrilling cast that stars Steve Buscemi.

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Arts

Wake Up!' holds promise but does not deliver

October 4

Even for those who didn't live through them, the '60s are very much a part of the American consciousness, and protest and political activism still pervade as ideals of active citizenship.

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Arts

American remake of Swedish movie misses the point

October 4

As a new film, "Let Me In" is perfectly serviceable art−horror fare, putting a new, chilling spin on the national vampire craze. But as an unnecessary remake of a two−year−old, genre−bending critical darling, it deserves to be left out.

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Arts

Neil Young moves in a new direction with 'Le Noise'

October 3

Neil Young's new album, "Le Noise," is a medley of confusion, angst and more self−aware lyrics than his listeners have heard from him in years.

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Arts

False Priest' does not break new ground but is enjoyable

October 3

Kevin Barnes is back, and he's up to his same old tricks. Thirty seconds into "False Priest," it's obvious that you're listening to an Of Montreal album. The quick pop hooks, the tight harmonies and the driving electric beats all signal another well−crafted album in the same vein as 2008's "Skeletal Lamping." In fact, listen to any Of Montreal album since "Satanic Panic in the Attic" (2004) and you will find something very similar to their latest set. However, the consistency of the product does nothing at all to detract from the quality that shines throughout this album.

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Arts

The Event' attempts to corner 'Lost' market with mystery and suspense

October 3

Nick Wauters, the creator, writer and co−executive producer of NBC's new series "The Event," seems painfully unaware that he is not, in fact, J. J. Abrams.

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Arts

Combination of dry humor and strong characters keep series from boring viewers to death in second season

September 30

HBO's "Bored to Death" returned Sunday night for the start of its sophomore season of pseudo−noir and hijinks. The comedy, created by the writer Jonathan Ames, is about a writer named Jonathan Ames (Jason Schwartzman) who moonlights as an unlicensed private detective in his spare time.

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Arts

Hollywood juggernauts' collaboration on 'The Social Network' makes for best film of the year so far

September 30

Every morning millions of people log on to Facebook to check messages from their friends, create events, "like" Chad Ochocinco or simply ogle pictures of the pretty girl in their math class.

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Arts

Week in Review | TV

September 29

After last week's incredibly full slate of television premieres (including 17 new shows and over 30 returning ones), this week was a little less crowded, but still very eventful.

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Arts

TV Review | Third season of 'Fringe' starts slowly, but promises to pick up speed in later episodes

September 29

In the first two seasons of "Fringe," the show owed its distinctive charm to its harmonious balance between the utterly bizarre and the universally appealing. Everyday detective work and high−adrenaline shootouts fused brilliantly with graphic, nightmarish sci−fi images, coaxing sincere creativity from two hackneyed genres.

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Arts

Art exhibit, film series mark Latino Heritage Month

September 29

October's Latino Heritage Month events will kick off next week and center on the arts, offering students the opportunity to celebrate and learn about Latino culture.

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Arts

Top Ten | People Who Should Not Be On Sesame Street

September 29

On Sept. 23, "Sesame Street" announced that it would not run Katy Perry and Elmo's "Hot N Cold" duet because one of the celebrated figures — guess which — was baring a bit too much cleavage. And you thought Oscar the Grouch was trashy! In light of Perry's blunder, we've compiled a list of people who should be kept off the Street at all costs.

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Arts

Leonard Cohen is better than ever

September 28

Not everyone can be a vocal athlete. For singers who strain to get their range to a certain octave, embracing sincerity is the next−best alternative.

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Arts

Spy drama 'Undercovers' is fun but familiar

September 28

J.J. Abrams's production company, Bad Robot, has spawned some of the best television of the past decade — "Felicity" (1998−2002), "Alias" (2001−2006), "Lost" (2004−2010) and, while it has had rough spots, "Fringe." Bad Robot's latest television venture, "Undercovers," eschews Abrams's original touch and basically remakes "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" (2005) in serial form with a questionable degree of success.

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Arts

Ashley Wood | Fashion Contraceptive

September 28

As we all know, college life is not without its occasional embarrassments — whether it's slipping on a patch of ice in front of your peers, participating in the Naked Quad Run, drinking too much and accidentally saying or doing something stupid (and typically overtly sexual), or getting locked out of your dorm room in nothing but a towel. Being under minimal adult supervision leaves plenty of opportunities for funny−yet−mortifying moments.

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Arts

Laramie Project' remains relevant while 'Ten Years Later' lacks legs

September 28

Stella Adler once said, "The theatre is a spiritual and social X−ray of its time," referencing the art form's ability to effectively tap into a zeitgeist. This is certainly the case with Tectonic Theater Project's "The Laramie Residency," a double−whammy production of "The Laramie Project" and "The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later," now playing at the Cutler Majestic Theater in Boston.

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