Leisure

Reviews and think pieces on music, movies, art, and theater.



Halftime Leisure

Cunk on Life: Does it hold a candle to the original?

We find ourselves in need of a guiding figure to clarify our society and development—someone to teach us the true meaning of life.

Leisure

Georgetown alum RaMell Ross on his Oscar-nominated film, Nickel Boys

Ross’s experimental and fiercely empathetic sensibilities are obvious in Nickel Boys’ first-person point of view style.

Halftime Leisure

The Voice Predicts the 2025 Grammys

After a particularly nasty streak of snubs in the Big Four categories over the last few years, the Academy has backed itself into a corner.

Leisure

Kathy Griffin returns to center stage: And she’s pulling no punches

After regaining her voice in more ways than one, Griffin looks to reestablish herself as the stand-up legend audiences know her to be.

Leisure

Oshi no Ko: Behind the curtain of stardom and society

Oshi no Ko presents a fictionalized yet reflective question about the entertainment industry while maintaining a unique and engaging story.

Halftime Leisure

From donutgate to Hamilton, 10 things turning 10

The sun may have set on Glee, but the age of gleeks never ends. A decade later, fans are craving a reboot. What’s not to miss?

Leisure

A Complete Unknown is not really that unknown, but it is very impressive

Hollywood’s most recent biopic approaches stages of the star’s life with an effervescent, reverberating ambition.

Leisure

Nosferatu might be the Christmas special you never knew you needed. And you might not.

Nosferatu is a film better appreciated than enjoyed, despite its effective storytelling.

Leisure

GNX rides the wave of vicious victory, yet is not as sharp as previous releases

GNX is more centered on Lamar’s own power and esteem, a far cry from the humble, sincere lyricism of previous releases.

Leisure

Signature Theater’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum can be your winter delight

Forum is a whirlwind of chaos, comedy, and mistaken identities—culminating in a tale of love, reunion, and above all, whimsical humor. 

Leisure

On Homesick, Angelica Cox yearns for simpler days

Amid this season suspended between endings and beginnings, Angelica Cox is feeling, understandably, Homesick (2024). 

Leisure

Odie Leigh brings a little pop-punk to your sad girl autumn in D.C.

Electrifying energy was brewing for Odie Leigh—and when the Louisiana native took the stage, she doubled it.

Leisure

A Drag Queen Christmas: Your next holiday season tradition

As far as holiday traditions go, A Drag Queen Christmas certainly made its case for me to add it to my list of seasonal shows to attend.

Leisure

Gladiator II is an archetypal sequel

Gladiator II is a respectable film, worth the movie ticket but perhaps not a rewatch.

Leisure

Wicked: Magic from stage to screen

Wicked had big shoes to fill, but I dare say that they sized up.

Leisure

DCAF: Georgetown’s a cappella hits all the right notes

From Car Barn to Southwest Quad, DC A Cappella Fest is an opportunity to feature the best of a cappella in the District—at least west of Wisconsin Ave.  

Leisure

In liminal space, mxmtoon attempts to explore the unknown, but doesn’t venture quite deep enough

mxmtoon seems to have traded her ukulele for a banjo—with limited success.

Leisure

The “Holy Trinity” walked so Kylie Minogue could fall behind

Kylie Minogue’s new album, Tension II (2024), feels more repetitive and recursive than ever.

Leisure

Alice Phoebe Lou stuns in magical opening performance

Alice Phoebe Lou not only sounded like one, but throughout her set, the singer performed like a fairy as well: magical in all aspects of the word. 

Leisure

Songs Of a Lost World channels the gloomily sublime in a perfect gothic rock revival

Songs Of a Lost World is a pinnacle in modern music, soaring above uninspired radio hits.