Leisure

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

Leisure

Vinyl is better

There’s no denying the economy is in the pits, so what should you do with that last wad of cash stashed in your underwear drawer? Invest in a turntable and... Read more

By February 5, 2009

Leisure

Good die young

A few years ago, I began to realize that following television was very different from being a fan of most other mediums. There is no chance that when you go... Read more

By February 5, 2009

Leisure

Critical Voices: Beirut

From eastern European gypsy-folk to French chamber pop, Beirut’s Zach Condon finds inspiration in odd places. Yet he’s always been able to fuse his disparate influences into coherent records dripping... Read more

By February 5, 2009

Leisure

Vroooooom show

More than just a means for transportation, cars in America have long served as indicators of status and as treasured collectibles. Celebrities always flaunt their auto collections on MTV’s “Cribs,”... Read more

By February 5, 2009

Leisure

DC Shorts

For the past six years, one festival has been bringing the District’s short film lovers their heart’s desire: The DC Shorts Film Festival. Moviemaker Magazine praised the festival as “one... Read more

By February 5, 2009

Leisure

Lez’hur Ledger: Valentine 3-D rips out one writer’s ‘Real-D’ heart

I hate horror movies. If you asked me to explain, I’d probably offer all kinds of reasoned explanations as to why most straight-up “horror” films are generally lacking any merit,... Read more

By January 29, 2009

Leisure

An animated Waltz through post-war trauma

Waltz with Bashir, an animated documentary, follows director Ari Folman’s poignant journey to retrieve his lost memories as an Israeli soldier during the Israel-Lebanon war of 1982. Folman brilliantly taps... Read more

By January 29, 2009

Leisure

Darwin blooms

“Orchids Through Darwin’s Eyes,” the Smithsonian’s 15th Annual Orchid Exhibit, brings a fresh perspective to the horticulture of the most diverse flowering plants in the world. Their beauty and boundless... Read more

By January 29, 2009

Leisure

Something’s funny about The Foreigner

Tackling the Klu Klux Klan, marriage, manipulation of religion, and emotional insecurity is ambitious. Trying to make the audience laugh at the same time is an even greater undertaking. Though... Read more

By January 29, 2009

Leisure

Books for the indigent

Now that everyone is poor, recessionistas have discovered something cheapskates have known about for a long time: libraries. Even Carrie Bradshaw saw fit to snuggle up with a library book... Read more

By January 29, 2009

Leisure

Drink to health

I had a Russian teacher in high school who told the class that in Russia, the fool proof home remedy for any ailment was a big ol’ shot of vodka.... Read more

By January 29, 2009

Leisure

The outsider

The exhibition “Looking In: Robert Frank’s The Americans” at the National Gallery couldn’t have come to D.C. at a more appropriate time. The Americans, one of the most important photography... Read more

By January 29, 2009

Leisure

Critical Voices: Zion-I

Zion-I has always been one of the more schizophrenic California hip-hop groups, as their albums jump from Cali-hyphy style raps to self-righteous hip-hop ballads. On their newest effort, The Take... Read more

By January 29, 2009

Leisure

Critical Voices: Telepathe

My first run-in (or rather, almost run-in) with Telepathe was this past fall, when they were part of the oddly assembled Mad Decent Tour (dance DJ Diplo, tropical noise-punksters Abe... Read more

By January 29, 2009

Leisure

Hi-fi sci-fi

Last week, the sixth season of 24 made its long-awaited debut after being off the  air for over 18 months. Much of the talk surrounding the show’s return centered on... Read more

By January 22, 2009

Leisure

Stratomaster

Some musicians refer to their guitar as an “axe.” I dislike that term because it implies a certain bluntness the instrument simply does not have. Sure, the guitar can produce... Read more

By January 22, 2009

Leisure

Critical Voices: Andrew Bird

If Andrew Bird had lived in the middle of the 20th century, he might have been an American folk legend. Either that, or he would have traveled the countryside wearing... Read more

By January 22, 2009

Leisure

Critical Voices: Franz Ferdinand

Franz Ferdinand used to be my favorite band. Hell, theirs was the first concert I ever went to (Electric Factory, Friday, September 10, 2004). To my 14-year-old self, they offered... Read more

By January 22, 2009

Leisure

The Wrestler rams the big screen

Alone, facing a wall, a man sits in a state of palpably deep introspection. All we see is professional wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson’s back, his face buried in emasculate... Read more

By January 22, 2009

Leisure

D.C. gets punk’d

D.C. has lost its edge. A mere three decades ago this city was a hub for the clashing of discordant guitars and politically charged lyricism. This was the city that... Read more

By January 22, 2009