Leisure

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

Leisure

Ramones barely survive to see the end of the century

If there’s a lesson to be learned from End of the Century, a new documentary about punk rock forefathers the Ramones, it’s that sometimes it sucks to be a rock star.

The Ramones, in distilling rock and roll in the early ‘70s with speeding, sloppy guitars, simplistic lyrics and an intensity matched by few bands before or since, deserve much of the credit for the creation of punk rock.

By the September 23, 2004

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Leisure Ledger

There are some things too intrinsically good for even the most jaded hipster to reject. Little Debbie cakes, classes that have no finals and Johnny Depp come to mind immediately, but chief among these perfect ideas and/or individuals is Lance Armstrong.

By the September 23, 2004

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M. Butterfly floats like a you-know-what, stings like a bee

The themes that define M. Butterfly seem especially relevant in light of the issues of gay marriage and American arrogance in the international arena at the fore of national discussion today.

Arena Stage’s 2004-05 season opener comes with an inescapable warning.

By the September 16, 2004

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When old fashions come back to haunt new runways

They say it takes at least two years for style-changing runway fashions to trickle down the couture ladder to their toned-down, department-store offspring. The trends that appear on the street, recently characterized by ruffles, shoulder-baring tops and hoop earrings, are the diluted and more practical versions of their over-the-top runway cousins.

By the September 16, 2004

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Narcissistic visions of sex and politics: September Tapes

Forget hybrid cars. Hybrid films are replacing the environmentally-friendly vehicles with a trendiness all their own. An increasingly popular genre, hybrid movies are fictitious films masquerading as reality, often using untrained actors and actual footage.

By the September 16, 2004

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Narcissistic visions of sex and politics: The Brown Bunny

Sex can mean love, lust, obsession or even violence and domination. Plenty of movies explore the motives behind sex, but in The Brown Bunny, Vincent Gallo, the film’s writer, director, producer and lead actor, makes all these forces collide within the context of one relationship.

By the September 16, 2004

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Better Than Marriage

There’s an odd seasonality to concert schedules. Spring and early summer seem to bring more reunions, like those of the Pixies and Mission of Burma this year, while late summer and autumn bring more bands going on farewell tours and breaking up.

By the September 16, 2004

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The Lists

I will admit that I shamelessly stole this idea from McSweeney’s, a quarterly publication edited by Dave Eggers. That said, these lists are the product of at least 10 minutes of concentrated effort, during which I wracked my brain and tested the limits of my pop-culture knowledge.

By the September 16, 2004

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Two weeks worth of leisure-time activities

Thursday, Sept 16 Trashcan Sinatras, Roddy Hart, 9:30 Club, D.C. Friday, Sept 17 Lungfish, Black Cat, D.C. This long-running D.C. band continues to appeal to a devoted fan base with their distinctly original variety of slow, deliberate hardcore. Saturday, Sept 18 The Thrills, Black Cat, D.

By the September 16, 2004

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We don’t live here anymore: a wife-swappin’ good time

Adultery is a touchy theme, no?

By the September 9, 2004

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Promoting architectural awareness

Soup can sculptures, gentrification walking tours and workshops

By the September 9, 2004

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Fun for the ritalin generation:D.C. short film festival

The D.C. Short Film Festival offers 37 films this weekend, ranging “from a 56-second horror film to a 23-minute drama,” festival creator Jon Gann said.

By the September 9, 2004

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Striking the chords of compromise

“My brother got this dog named Midnight from a drug dealer,” bassist Justin Shuster (CAS ‘05) said, “and renamed it Roger. We put ‘em together.” And thus was born Midnite Roger.

By the September 9, 2004

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Critical Voices

The Voice reviews Bjork and Kings of Convenience

By the September 9, 2004

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Better than Marriage: Family Jewels

Your my butterfly, sugar, baby

By the September 9, 2004

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T.G.V.P.A.C.B.W.U.

(The Georgetown Voice’s Peforming Arts Center Bi-Weekly Update)

By the September 2, 2004

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Maria full of heroin

American director creates moving portrayal of young Colombian woman’s life as a drug mule

By the September 2, 2004

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Lez’hur Ledger: Scavenger hunt

Voice Lez’hur scavenger hunt: Find the clues, win a child!

By the September 2, 2004

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National Gallery digs Islamic artifacts

Current exhibit promotes awareness of Islamic culture through chalices, tapestries

By the September 2, 2004

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O Show brings theater to first-years

O Showtastic!

By the September 2, 2004