Archive

Keep away from Playing for Keeps: A romcom gone wrong

At first glance, Playing for Keeps seems to have all the substance required of a winning romcom; the story of a hot former soccer star with a Scottish accent (Gerard Butler) who is trying to do right by his son and ex-wife (Jessica Biel), while clichéd, at the very least offers a few hours of mindless entertainment.

By Mary Borowiec December 6, 2012

Taryn Simon dazzles and disturbs at the Corcoran Gallery

The Corcoran Gallery of Art is filled to the brim with colorful, eye-catching works of visual mastery, but you have to wade through that sea of technical skill to get to photographer Taryn Simon’s A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters, a massive, six-room exhibit that initially overwhelms its viewer with monotony. The walls are hung with gigantic, uniform, brown frames grouped into sets, all following the same formula—one or more with headshot photographs of somber-faced individuals, a slender one with small black writing, and another with photographs, legal documents, or other archives, all mounted with the most boring shade of tan you’ve ever seen.

By Leigh Finnegan December 6, 2012

Fuego Cocina douses authenticity

Fuego Cocina y Tequileria recently opened its doors in Clarendon promising diners an experience that doesn’t quite live up to its fiery name. The Mexican restaurant and tequila bar is the newest business from the owners of Passion Food Hospitality, a group of chefs with American, Latino, and seafood restaurants in the DMV area. With its stiflingly opulent atmosphere, the restaurant is a far cry from the local, small family owned taquerias that it ought to resemble.

By Alexandra Golway December 6, 2012

Critical Voices: El Perro Del Mar, Pale Fire

Much like the name it bears, Swedish solo act El Perro Del Mar’s Pale Fire contains all the subtle strength of a gently burning white flame. While melodically subdued, the record has a palpable power only slightly dimmed by Sarah Assbring’s reverberant, airy vocals that result in a satisfyingly ambient synth-pop concoction.

By Kirill Makarenko December 6, 2012

Critical Voices: Ke$ha, Warrior

With her signature riot of glitter and war paint, Ke$ha has established a character for herself that doesn’t stray far from a party girl stereotype. In spite of this image, the pop singer-songwriter has masterfully expanded her repertoire by capturing a vast array of styles and influences on her superb sophomore effort. True to its name, Warrior has Ke$ha fighting to continue doing what she does best: not giving a fuck.

By Kirill Makarenko December 6, 2012

Community concerned with D.C. school consolidation

On Nov. 13, D.C. Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson announced a plan to shut down 20 schools in 19 buildings and six wards before the beginning of the next academic year.... Read more

By Lucia He December 6, 2012

Under the Covers: Not all adaptations are alike

Konstantin Levin is expected to live the life of a 19th century Russian aristocrat—days devoted to a bureaucratic job, afternoons spent in St. Petersburg salons, discussing politics or more likely gossiping, and evenings devoted to a vodka fueled dinner, ball, or a night at the opera. But this isn’t satisfactory to the thoughtful Levin, an essential character in Tolstoy’s epic novel, Anna Karenina, and a significant figure in a recent film interpretation.

By Emilia Brahm December 6, 2012

The Corp joins with Google to map Georgetown’s landmarks

If you’re new to the Georgetown area or directionally challenged, you can now check out Google Maps to find all the classic Georgetown spots such as the Exorcist stairs or... Read more

By Jeffrey Lin December 6, 2012

University begins initiative to improve campus technology

On Tuesday, Provost Robert Groves announced to the University community an $8 million investment in an initiative on technology enhanced learning aimed at three areas: faculty-designed classroom innovation, improving the... Read more

By Matthew Weinmann December 6, 2012

Reel Talk: Quentin-ssential Tarantino

The path of a filmmaker’s career can often take twists and turns, at times making critics out of former fans. For Quentin Tarantino, such defectors are largely confounded by his most recent film’s compulsive dips into farcical comedy. How, they inquire, could the genius behind two ‘90s masterpieces create a movie as incoherent and painfully self-indulgent as Inglourious Basterds? Either the auteur is criminally misunderstood or his trademark obsession with violence and pop culture references has enervated audiences’ tolerance for the absurd. Tarantino apologists point to the former; the absurd is what they crave most. And they are right.

By Mark James December 6, 2012

City on a Hill: Autonomy at any cost

Mayor Vincent Gray wasn’t crazy about the D.C. Council’s plan to use a referendum to secure budget autonomy for the District when it was first proposed, and it seems his... Read more

By Gavin Bade December 6, 2012

Hoya women’s basketball nets two on the road

Coming off of a close victory over La Salle University (1-7) last week, the Hoya women’s basketball team (6-2) looked to continue their winning ways, squaring off in two road games versus cross-town rival George Washington University (4-3) and Monmouth University (2-5).

By Brendan Crowley December 6, 2012

The Sports Sermon: Hoya soccer could bridge a glaring gap

Non-revenue sports are in for a challenge when trying to find student support, but men's soccer could be the start of a change.

By Steven Criss December 6, 2012

Men’s soccer heads to first College Cup

With their win last Saturday against the University of San Diego (14-9-0) in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament, the 2012 Georgetown men’s soccer team (19-3-2) has written themselves into the Georgetown sports lore.

By Chris Castano December 6, 2012

Double Teamed: Belcher suicide raises alarm

For the typical American sports fan, waking up on an autumn Sunday means one thing: football. The thought of skipping it and missing any of the action, especially in our fantasy sports-driven culture, is almost unheard of.

By Kevin Joseph December 6, 2012