Leisure

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

Leisure

Better than Marriage

A column in the Oct. 31 edition of the New York Times by music critic Kelefah Sanneh has been the subject of great debate among music critics for its attack on “rockists,” or those who have a bias towards rock over other forms of popular music.

By the November 11, 2004

Leisure

Slim Susie highlights quirks of small-town Sweden

While Sweden may seem a flawless bastion of democratic socialism to some, myself very much included, films like Slim Susie remind us that no society is without its problems.

By the November 4, 2004

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Mexx showcases new line of Euro clothes, mid-price champagne

As I stumbled down to M Street in my four-inch stiletto heels and Old Navy jeans for European clothing store Mexx’s opening night fashion show, a scene from Zoolander flashed through my mind.

By the November 4, 2004

Leisure

Zutons: Who Killed The Zutons

In an age where music reissues, throwbacks and tributes seem more prevalent than creative innovation, it’s easy to become jaded.

By the November 4, 2004

Leisure

Pavement: Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LA’s Desert Origins

Pavement’s sloppy, unwashed introduction to the world at large came with their now-classic 1992 debut Slanted and Enchanted, which established them as the definitive ‘90s indie rock band.

By the November 4, 2004

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Avedon’s “Democracy”

“I’ve worked out of a series of ‘no’s’,” photographer Richard Avedon once said.

By the November 4, 2004

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A Primer for quantum mechanics, confusion

Primer is a twisted, massively confusing new thriller about time travel.

By the October 28, 2004

Leisure

The truly lazy do it on a Segway

Touring the D.C. area before graduation may be a “G-town college experience,” but when it comes down to it, remarkably few students actually want to take the time to cross that off their list.

By the October 28, 2004

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Fenton photos show innovation, imperialism

The title of the first exhibition in the National Gallery of Art’s new permanent photography gallery is appropriately titled “All the Mighty World.”

By the October 28, 2004

Leisure

Chocolate or stereotypes? An easy choice

Oh my God, you guys, isn’t eating great?

By the October 28, 2004

Leisure

Better Than Marriage

Maybe it’s the lack of the Bush administration’s anti-freedom agenda, or maybe it’s the decriminalized bud, but for whatever reason, Canada has been spawning exciting new music over the last few years.

By the October 28, 2004

Leisure

Pygmalion brings a girl up from the gutter

Theater patrons rush into the rain, frantically trying to find cabs and stay dry, while a modest flower girl attempts to earn enough change to see herself through the night.

By the October 21, 2004

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Ana Mendieta smears Hirshhorn with inspiration, blood

A film projects the image of a woman standing still with her arms spread against a wall, slowly sliding her body down and leaving red paint smears of what appears to be a birth canal.

By the October 21, 2004

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Mission of Burma escapes its certain fate

For a rock band to still be alive, let alone functional, 25 years after beginning is astounding.

By the October 21, 2004

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Team America is no A-Team

OK, we get it: America is bad. We don’t care about the rest of the world. Bush is evil. Enough already.

By the October 21, 2004

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Better Than Marriage

New York magazine recently ran a cover story on what they called “the blurry teen pill culture,” describing the lifestyle of New York City teenagers who use black market antidepressants and their friends’ Adderall to survive school and enjoy their Friday nights out on the town.

By the October 21, 2004

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Love, Tolstoy, and cigars in Anna of the Tropics

It’s doubtful that many living people have had the experience of falling in love in a 1920’s Cuban cigar factory in Florida.

By the October 14, 2004

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I half-heart huckabees

Some movies need to be reviewed in terms of their college-ness.

By the October 14, 2004

Leisure

Drag nuns in D.C.

Leather-clad dominatrixes, ultra-conservative Republicans and cross-dressing nuns come together this week for the 14th annual Reel Affirmations Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

By the October 14, 2004

Leisure

Critical Voices: Frank Black, Frank Black Francis, 4AD

Charles Thompson devised the stage name of Black Francis from a combination of a few family names.

By the October 14, 2004