Arts - The Tufts Daily

Arts

Boston's Cultural Guards

February 10

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.

Arts

Jumbo draws Tufts experience in cartoon panels

February 10

Some people keep journals. A few others, like Chase Gregory, record their lives in picture panels.

Arts

Top Ten | Movies That Should Have Been Nominated for an Oscar Besides 'The Blind Side'

February 10

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.

Arts

Tatum and Seyfried chat about 'Dear John'

February 10

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.

Arts

From the Office of the Tufts Daily

February 10

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.

Arts

Jewels of Modern Indian Art' now on display at MFA

February 9

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.

Arts

In its final season, 'Lost' promises to answer questions and tie up loose ends

February 8

Since last May, fans of ABC's serial drama "Lost" have been waiting anxiously for the arrival of its sixth and final season. After Season Five's dramatic "fade to white" ending, viewers were left without any knowledge of what happened to the characters they loved, having to wait out the time between the two seasons in doubt.

Arts

Weezy's 'Rebirth' a poor attempt at switching genres

February 8

Rapper extraordinaire Lil Wayne dropped his newest offering, "Rebirth," on Feb. 2, just one week before beginning his 12−month jail sentence at Rikers Island in New York City for weapons possession. The album, Wayne's foray into the rock genre, takes major risks by moving away from the traditional formulas of rap but lacks the energy, creativity and raw passion that made him a staple of the modern music industry.

Arts

When in Rome' lacks both romance and comedy

February 8

"When in Rome" totally fails to captivate audiences, scraping the bottom of the barrel with its predictable plot lines and mundane characters. Kristen Bell, who starred in the show "Veronica Mars" (2004−2007) and plays the infamous voice of Gossip Girl on the eponymous show, attempts to break away from television roles and take on Hollywood in this blundering romantic comedy. Alongside Bell is B−list actor Josh Duhamel, whose only contributions to the film are his charming, pretty− boy good looks.

Arts

CBS must standardize ad practices

February 7

Advertisements during the Super Bowl are arguably some of the most entertaining of the year; for some they can even be more entertaining than the game itself. But one ad this year — the non-profit organization Focus on the Family's spot featuring Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and his mother, Pam, a former Christian missionary — drew a particularly notable amount of attention. The ad, entitled "Celebrate family, celebrate life," features Pam discussing her "miracle baby" who "almost didn't make it into this world." While the ad itself does not explicitly discuss "their story" — Pam decided not to abort her child despite enduring a life-threatening pregnancy — it directs viewers to the Web site of the blatantly pro-life, evangelical Focus on the Family.

Arts

Plague infects 'One Flea Spare'

February 7

Whistler in the Dark's production of Naomi Wallace's "One Flea Spare" brings to light the human frailties tested during the time of the Black Death. Amid the backdrop of this disease-ridden world, love and loyalty are harder to find and deception is rampant, as one upper-class couple, a sailor and a girl are forced to remain together in a single room for a month under quarantine. Under Meg Taintor's direction, "One Flea Spare" opens and closes doors to the human heart as the characters confront disease, death and — almost as heartbreakingly — survival.

Arts

Mitchell Geller | Slings and Arrows

February 7

I'm so excited about this week's review. I want to get up and shout my excitement from the mountaintops. I want to dance through the streets proclaiming how incredible this thing is. I want to tell everyone and get riled up!

Arts

Fish Tank' paints a dark, honest picture of teen angst

February 7

"Fish Tank" is not a film for the faint of heart. This dark portrait of a teenage girl growing up in working-class England is harrowing in its brutal honesty. Writer-director Andrea Arnold offers a teen drama that Hollywood doesn't usually present. Instead of trendy lingo, a hipster soundtrack and a love interest to bring salvation, Arnold presents a harsh dose of real life.

Arts

New MFA exhibit presents a relevant, if imperfect, concept

February 4

Considering the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston's usual collection of African and Oceanic art -- a mere two rooms next to the special exhibition galleries on the first floor -- the appearance of "Object, Image, Collector: African and Oceanic Art in Focus" is a welcome celebration of two sectors not often highlighted at the museum. But, despite the exhibit's inclusion of several exquisite objects and its intriguing central theme, it doesn't pull the pieces together the way it should and, if anything, seems an overly cautious step toward a more thorough exploration of African and Oceanic art.

Arts

Eels produces average album with 'End Times'

February 4

"End Times," the latest record from the alternative rock band Eels, defies description. Lyrically, the album is a somber study of failed love; however, the band expresses depressing subject matter through a variety of arrangements. From melancholy solo-guitar songs to more upbeat, bluesy tunes with full instrumentation, the album fuses different styles, all held together by frontman Mark Everett's gruff, talky vocals.

Arts

Actors Cera and Doubleday discuss being youths 'in revolt'

January 24

The new film "Youth in Revolt," based on the novel by C.D. Payne, tells the story of Nick Twisp, a sex-obsessed adolescent who falls for the beautiful Sheeni Saunders. Wearing Converse, green corduroys and a blue collared shirt (buttoned to the top, of course), Michael Cera introduces himself with the friendly, albeit slightly nervous demeanor that's made him famous. He is essentially the same unassuming, awkwardly boyish character he plays in his other movies.

Arts

Youth in Revolt' puts hilarious twist on coming-of-age story

January 24

It's hard to imagine Michael Cera abandoning his classic nice- guy persona to cross-dress and portray a scheming, sleazy-looking, mustachioed Frenchman.

Arts

Rebecca Goldberg | Abroadway

December 10

I've never been the kind of person who falls in love with a place. I love the people and the memories from the places that I go, but the soil itself isn't the important thing. Plus, my parents sold my childhood home two weeks before I started college, and I've been something of a nomad ever since. For the past two years, I haven't really lived anywhere for more than four months (dorm rooms excepted, and no one really feels at home there).

Arts

A different view through the looking glass

December 10

SyFy channel's Nick Willing, who remade "The Wizard of Oz" as the 2007 miniseries "Tin Man," writes and directs a trippy new take on Lewis Carroll's classic stories. In his new two−part mini−series "Alice," Willing combines the stories of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking−Glass." The first half premiered Sunday, Dec. 6, and the second part aired the following night.

Arts

Eastwood's 'Invictus' tackles apartheid

December 10

Clint Eastwood is hunting for yet another Oscar nomination this year. In these final days of December, Eastwood releases his newest film "Invictus," a story about the beginning of Nelson Mandela's presidency that has the potential to garner numerous awards this season.