Theater and Cinema

"Waitress": A slice of life and pie

Admin — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 10:05:48 -0500

Waitress, a movie which this summer, has been one of the most highly regarded and praised movies to open yet, is certainly worth its many stars and stellar reviews. I was skeptical at first by all the great reviews as I couldn’t erase from my mindset the fact that this film was written by and directed by Adrienne Shelly, who also plays a prominent supporting role. Because Shelly was recently murdered in her New York City apartment, (while Waitress was in post-production), I couldn’t help but fear that the reviews I was reading were skewed in to preserve the memory of a young Hollywood talent lost. However my fears were put to rest after seeing this truly delightful and endearing movie. Read more »

"Avenue Montaigne" – Worth a stroll down

Admin — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 11:00:11 -0500

What might be thought of as a French version of a Meg Ryan romantic comedy, Avenue Montaigne offers a slice-of-life look into the lives of several extraordinary and not-so extraordinary people who are all struggling with life crises ranging from infidelity to disillusionment with one's own remarkable musical gift. The movie is set in modern-day Paris. A young girl, Jessica, who moves into the city from a small town, takes a job waiting tables at an unexceptional yet very significant brasserie. Located on Avenue Montaigne, the brasserie is the only outpost on a block littered with theatres, concert halls and the home of one very famous art collector. Read more »

Hot Fuzz Review

Admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 08:37:16 -0500

If you're like me, then April 20th has probably been marked on your calandar for months now. Why? Because that day marks the release of Hot Fuzz, Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright's follow up to 2004's brilliant Shaun of the Dead. That film focused on Pegg and Wright's fanatical love of the zombie film genre, while Fuzz turns it's eye on action films, specifically the buddy flicks of the 80's. Read more »

"Die Walküre" by the Washington National Opera

Admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 20:22:46 -0500

Its always a treat to see Plácido Domingo. You can imagine my disappointment then when an announcement was made prior to the beginning of the Washington National Opera’s performance of Richard Wagner’s Die Walküre, that Mr. Domingo was feeling a bit under the weather, and that, although he intended to still perform, he was apologizing in advance for a less than stellar performance. I couldn’t thereafter discern if Mr. Domingo had popped an airborne before curtain call and suddenly, within the ten minutes it took him to get on stage, had a resurgence of health and vibrancy, or if the earlier announcement was a prank because as it were, Plácido Domingo sounded typically phenomenal. Read more »

Last Best Chance

Admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 13:14:50 -0500

Review of the film "Last Best Chance"

Nuclear weapons, especially in the hands of terrorists, represents the greatest danger facing mankind today. It is a menace that rivals all threats facing us today including global climate change. Last Best Chance, produced by an organization called Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), presents a vivid and compelling case of why nuclear proliferation needs to be America's number one priority. Read more »

Borat Visits Washington, DC

Admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:52:20 -0500

Borat came to Washington, DC back in October to give a press conference.

The Pillowman: More intimidating than the Boogeyman?

Admin — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 10:34:18 -0500

An interesting play in its story line and relationships, The Pillowman focuses on the brief imprisonment of one Katurian Katurian (his parents were funny people he claims) and his semi-retarded brother Michal who live in a totalitarian state and find themselves the main suspects in the murder of three young children. The main subject of this play however is not murder or the effects of living under a totalitarian regime like one might guess – it is about story telling, family and the realities and consequences of our existence. If you have ever thought you had a strange family, or had wished your upbringing was on the whole more “ideal” well then this play may reset your bar on troubled childhoods and dysfunctional families. Read more »

"I Think I Love My Wife" Review

Admin — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 09:45:21 -0500

Beyond the Gates Review

Admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 10:49:08 -0500

Trailer courtesy of IFC Films

An estimated 800,000 Rwandans were slaughtered in a period of about 100 days in 1994, exciting the outrage of the international community––but little action.

Beyond the Gates is the latest cinematic effort to return to Rwanda and examine the genocide’s victims, perpetrators and survivors––and those who unwillingly straddled all three categories. Read more »

Mythical Disproportions: Review of "300"

Admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:35:23 -0500

Frank Miller is a god in the literary community, crafting some of the seminal works in modern comic book history. Recently, his work has found somewhat of a broader appeal. Elements of his legendary mini-series The Dark Knight Returns formed the basis for the recent “Batman Begins” film. In 2005, Robert Rodriguez adapted Miller's violent, pulpy “Sin City” novels into one of the most distinctive, albeit polarizing movies seen in years. Now another of Miller's creations has been adapted to film form. As a loyal fanboy who makes the weekly slog to Aftertime Comics every Wednesday, this is met with a combination of euphoria and trepidation. Read more »

Reno 911!: Miami Review

Admin — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 15:58:34 -0600

Pop quiz: You’re at a bar when your friend announces, “I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany.” You . . .

A) Change the subject rapidly.

B) Feign interest and ask which book your friend is currently reading.

C) Snarf your beer and reply, “I caught you a delicious bass.”

If A or B seem like reasonable responses to you, stop reading right now. "Reno 911!: Miami" was not made for you. But if you find yourself thinking, “C would work, but really I wanna be on you would have been a more appropriate response,” get your tickets now. Read more »