Leisure
Reviews and think pieces on music, movies, art, and theater.
Film festival not short on inspiration
In an industry dominated by big budget sequels and tabloid stars, the D.C. Shorts Film Festival gives aspiring independent filmmakers hope to find not only an audience but also a venue that encourages collaboration and communication. Unconcerned with press or big names, the festival focuses about the artistic quality of the films and helps deserving directors with grants for future work.
Death Sentence: the bad side of Bacon
The logic behind Death Sentence is pairing a recognizable actor with some good old-fashioned ass-kicking. Enter Kevin Bacon, and a bevy of traditionally successful action-flick conventions: a convincing motive, some nameless people to be killed and perhaps a few cool cars.
One word too many at the D.C. Arts Club
The One Word Project, currently showing at the historic James Monroe house, offers explanations of its art work. Unfortunately, this contemporary approach isn’t wholly successful.
Malaysian persuasian at Kopitiam
Culinary routines can use a rethinking now and again, and the beginning of the year is a perfect time to try something new. Malaysia Kopitiam, just a five minute walk from Dupont Circle, offers an introduction into lesser-known Southeast Asian cuisine.
Sounds of Summer ‘07
The Voice Leisure team enjoys spreading the word on its favorite new albums. Unfortunately, we didn’t have that pleasure this summer, so here’s the best of what we missed.
YouTopia: everything you don’t need to know
Despite what Google might have you believe, YouTube stands firm as a terrifically disastrous idea: the general public + homemade videos + ADHD. Though the web site may provide a unique forum for free expression, there’s no escaping the deficient video production or the depression that comes with surveying the grim status of American culture.
Lezhur Ledger: The Awkward Ship Sails
On a campus of over 6,000 undergrads, packed like collar-popping sardines in a can, I had never felt more alone. I had been living at Georgetown for little more than a day and wishing my parents would leave and take me back with them, or at least just leave already.
Chu-less and hungry
Every year when students return to Georgetown, they are surprised to find a few welcome changes around campus, like the school-spirited crosswalk added on 37th and N Street and the new carpeting in Sellinger Lounge. The closing of Chu’s Café is an adjustment students will not enjoy making.
The Wind That Shakes stirs audience
The Wind That Shakes The Barley is the quietest war movie I’ve ever seen. A story of the Irish War of Independence, a small war on a small island, it manages to convey the horrors of wartime without explosions or flashing tanks.
Your guide to getting busy on the lawn
The weather is warm and finals season is ripe for slacking off. Even if you’re sick of getting hit in the face with a passing Frisbee, or not pretentious enough to know the difference between a stick of wood and a croquet mallet, there’s still room on the lawn for some creative tomfoolery. So sit back, unlace your Converse and behold the wonders of freshly mowed grass.