Dear Black Eyed Peas (but mostly Fergie), We in the Daily Arts Department, have some problems with your new music video. We know you liked "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (2009), but your new 10-minute-long extravaganza for "Imma Be Rocking That Body" is balls-out insane.
Good people of Tufts University, I would like to tell you why I'm wary of what I've read in the recent debate about the reality television show "Jersey Shore" (based on The Tufts Daily's Feb. 2 article, "New Jerseyans sound off on the traits of ‘Jersey Shore'"). Why has this particular show achieved such astonishing national popularity? And what does it have to do with the way the Tufts community, at least as documented in that article, has responded to the particular demographic that "Jersey Shore" defines and targets?
Director Chris Columbus' new film "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" suffers from an unfortunate affliction: It's a fantasy story made in the 21st century. As such, there are really only two movie franchises to which it will eternally be compared — "The Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" — and "Percy Jackson" simply can't keep up. Where "Potter" and "Rings" had characters with depth, stunning sceneries and intriguing plots, "Percy Jackson" has only characters who are more like cartoons and settings like Las Vegas, the Empire State Building and Hollywood that are as inconsequential as they are clichéd.
This semester, Tufts' Department of Drama and Dance tackles a dramatic classic as it stages "Hedda Gabler."
Society has taught us that there are only two possibilities when it comes to the issue of gender: Everyone in the world is either a man or a woman. There are certain guidelines that dictate how people are supposed to fulfill their designated role. However, there are some people who feel that they do not fit neatly into either of these categories.
Have you ever met a tough guy? We're talking about a guy with huge muscles, a black leather jacket, a short fuse and speaking skills equivalent to The Situation's after a couple of drinks. These men are everywhere, and they've been lionized in the WWE, professional (real) sports and the film industry. But lately the movie biz has used these hulk−like figures in a new manner: for comedy.
"Police, Adjective" (2009) is a sparse, slow−moving, socially critical comedic drama. While "comedy" may not generally be associated with those words, "Police, Adjective" astutely combines extreme deadpan with elements of a detective film to tell the story of a young police officer assigned to gather evidence to arrest a hash−smoking high school student.
Joe Johnston's "The Wolfman," a remake of the classic 1941 horror film of the same name, is a movie that acknowledges its limitations. By accepting its status as a remade, unapologetically B−grade flick, "The Wolfman" eschews the prestige it might have obtained as an innovative or psychological thriller. The result is a dark, gory and visually decadent film that promises to heartily entertain audiences before being banished to the realm of televised Halloween movie marathons.
Hot Chip's new album, "One Life Stand," progresses from its previously more upbeat, stimulating music. One might think it would be difficult to distinguish Hot Chip from the multitudes of electropop bands, such as Cut Copy and LCD Soundsystem, clogging the airwaves at the moment. Hot Chip, however, differentiates itself through a distinct style and front man Alexis Taylor's unique voice.
Thirty minutes after its show was supposed to start, Yes still hadn't taken the stage. As the audience waited in the House of Blues on Tuesday, the classical music that had been playing for the past 15 minutes began to crescendo. One might not expect Yes to keep its audience waiting for the most dramatic moment to appear, but, in hindsight, it isn't all that surprising. As the audience quickly learned, the prog rockers' taste for flamboyant showmanship has hardly diminished in the 42 years since the group formed.
Faces full of emotion, scenes filled with violence and views of dramatic landscapes are scattered throughout the photographs currently on display in the Tisch Gallery in the Aidekman Arts Center. These moving images of war, hunger, corruption and power are a collection of the work of 16 journalists from VII Photo Agency. VII, founded in 2001, is a group of concerned photographers. Not only do they take amazing photographs, but these men and women also photograph with the hope of bringing awareness and change to some of the most pressing matters the world is facing.
Now on its fourth season, Steve Frank's "Psych," broadcast on USA at 10 p.m. on Wednesdays, has become to crime shows what "Scrubs" is to the medical drama genre.
A soldier in the U.S. Army has certain responsibilities: a duty to his or her country, a commitment to a squad, a mission in a battle. But sometimes love becomes the real battle and the only thing worth fighting for. This question of a soldier choosing between his country and his woman is at the heart of "Dear John."
Want to make your weekend artsy? Check out these events! Dreamgirls: Buy tickets at the Colonial Theater this weekend for one last chance to catch this famous musical. What better way to spend Valentine's Day than listening to heart-breaking hit songs such as "One Night Only" and "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going?" Beyoncé might not be there, but this is one show still worth seeing. (Performances daily, ending Feb. 14, at the Colonial Theatre. Tickets $25+.) Tufts Film Series' Schizophrenic Valentine's Weekend: Feeling lonely? Get over it the healthy way with a double feature of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961) and "American Psycho" (2000). ("Breakfast At Tiffany's": Feb. 12 at 7 p.m., 13 at 9:30 p.m., 14 at 7 p.m. and 15 at 8 p.m. "American Psycho": Feb. 12 at 9:30 p.m., Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 14 at 9:30 p.m. Films shown in Barnum 008.) Total Eclipse of the Heart — ‘80s Love Song Sing-Along: Got the Valentine's Day blues? Why not sing your heart out with the likes of Pat Benatar and other classic ‘80s love songs? (Feb. 13. at 11:55 p.m, Coolidge Corner Theatre. Tickets $10.) Spotlight Talk: Luis Melendez — Master of the Spanish Still Life: Curatorial Research Assistant Claire Whitner delivers a 15-minute spotlight talk, going in depth on a few select works of art. (Feb. 14 at 1, 2 and 3 p.m., Torf Gallery at the Museum of Fine Art. Talk is free with museum admission.) Barefoot Truth with The Sweet Remains: Fans of acoustic rock will enjoy the music of Connecticut-based Barefoot Truth, who will be celebrating the release of their fifth studio album, "Threadless." The Sweet Remains open. (Feb. 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. Tickets $15.)
Nearly every tabletop in Smoki Bacon and Dick Concannon's elegant living room is filled with autographed pictures of the couple with authors, actors, politicians, poets and other famed literati. As the images suggest, the couple is well acquainted with some of New England's most cultured individuals. But, for Bacon and Concannon, these acquaintances extend beyond the Beacon Hill social circuit, of which they are legendary members.
Some people keep journals. A few others, like Chase Gregory, record their lives in picture panels.
We at the Daily Arts Department are seriously not amused because "The Blind Side" (2009) has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Seriously, what were you thinking, Academy? Not only is this movie unworthy of that honor, but there are plenty of other films that came out in 2009 that we think would be better suited for this prestigious nod. 10. Kittens Inspired by Kittens: "I'm her mom." "No ... she's not ..." Who says YouTube.com videos aren't worthy of an Oscar or two? 9. "Zombieland:" Bill Murray provides one of the best cameos ever and Woody Harrelson goes Rambo on some zombies. Plus, everyone loves Michael Cera clone-bot Jesse Eisenberg. 8. "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel:" Without a doubt the best sequel subtitle since "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo" (1984). A lot of talented people — including Justin Long, Amy Poehler, Jason Lee and Zachary Levi — shamed themselves and/or got their voices sped up for this movie, but hey, at least they got paid. 7. "Star Trek:" Technology came at the right time for this one. Let's face it, no one wants to see Leonard Nimoy in 3D, but Zachary Quinto? And this Vulcan has emotions? Uhura better watch out: BEAM US UP Scotty! 6. "The Hangover:" The picture slideshow at the end of this film speaks for itself. Is Carrot Top snorting that ... off a stripper? 5. "The Young Victoria:" Emily Blunt's strong performance as Queen Victoria of England lends a great deal to this film that explores the early years of the legendary queen's reign. The film is well acted and beautifully shot and includes enough period costume and architecture to satisfy even the most proper and historically conscious Britons. 4. "(500) Days of Summer:" There are more than 500 reasons to fall in love with this movie — the soundtrack being just one — and it's a complete crime that it's not included in the nominees. Zooey Deschanel doesn't do much aside from blink, but she's still better than Sandra Bullock. 3. "Sherlock Holmes:" Never has Sherlock been so badass — he's got the moves of a Jason Bourne, the British cool of a James Bond and the deductive reasoning of Socrates all rolled into one. So logically, this film merits an Oscar on the character's awesomeness alone! Elementary, my dear Watson. 2. "Fantastic Mr. Fox:" It's got Meryl Streep in it. Well, Meryl Streep's voice. Done deal. 1. "A Single Man:" Colin Firth gives one of the best performances of his career with his poignant portrayal of a heartbroken man learning to cope with the death of his longtime lover, played by Matthew Goode. The film is beautifully shot, courtesy of fashion designer and first-time director Tom Ford.
Channing Tatum of "Step Up" (2006) and Amanda Seyfried of "Mamma Mia!" (2008) star in the newly released film "Dear John" as two people who fall in love amid the tension of the Iraq war. Based on the 2006 novel by Nicholas Sparks, "Dear John" follows Savannah (Seyfried), an idealistic college student, and John (Tatum), a rugged soldier, and their love as it is tested when John is deployed to Iraq.
Dear Orca Playing the Part of Willy in "Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove" (2010), You got a lot of nerve, stepping into the illustrious shoes of your predecessor, Keiko the Orca — better known as Willy — in the first three "Free Willy" (1993, 1995, 1997) movies. Okay, we know orcas don't actually wear shoes, but you get the point.
When most people think of Indian art, intricate sculptures and ancient temples come to mind. Indian art for many is part of an ancient history — vestiges of a religious past that have somehow petered out and exist only in museums next to medieval paintings and bronze statues. It is precisely this misconception that "Bharat Ratna! Jewels of Modern Indian Art," now at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), strives to dismantle.
