Leisure

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

Music

“Look At Her Now”: Selena Gomez Finds Her Self-Worth and Artistic Identity on Rare

What feels like light-years ago, Selena Gomez sang “Who says you’re not perfect? / Who says you’re not worth it? / Who says you’re the only one that’s hurting?” in... Read more

By January 17, 2020

In the District

Making Art Out of Sweets and Sentiments in Anna Katalkina’s Candy and Mementos

On a particularly warm January afternoon, dozens of patrons arrived at Touchstone Gallery to attend the opening of Contemporary Still Life: Candy and Mementos by Anna Katalkina. Friends and strangers,... Read more

By January 17, 2020

Movies

The Fall of a Franchise in The Rise of Skywalker

Star Wars: Episode IX-The Rise of Skywalker has a lot to live up to. It is simultaneously the finale of the new trilogy of Star Wars films and the conclusion... Read more

By December 24, 2019

Movies

“Earn Your Place”: Bombshell Explores the Harsh Realities of Workplace Sexual Harassment

As the elevator descends to the second floor, three women stand side by side, an eerie series of staccato notes being sung in the background. They face forward, arms clasped... Read more

By December 22, 2019

Movies

Curiosity Kills Tom Hooper’s Cats

Thirty-eight years ago, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s fever dream of a musical Cats premiered in London’s West End and has spent its nearly four-decade life as one of the most popular... Read more

By December 22, 2019

Performance

Fiddler on the Capital: A Perfect Holiday Outing for the Whole Family

Perhaps one of the most defining moments of a young Jewish child’s adolescence is seeing Fiddler on the Roof. The musical, first performed in 1964, is a celebration of love... Read more

By December 15, 2019

Music

Best of 2019: Albums

1. Cuz I Love You – Lizzo On her third studio album, singer/rapper Lizzo finally got her big break—and wow, was it worth the wait. She raps about confidence and... Read more

By the December 6, 2019

Movies

Best of 2019: Movies

1. Booksmart Directed by Olivia Wilde, this coming-of-age movie perfectly balances raw, unrequited love with hints of a happily ever after. Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and her best friend Amy (Kaitlyn... Read more

By the December 6, 2019

Performance

Disney’s Newsies at Arena Stage Immerses Audiences in a World of Youth Activism

Upon entering the Fichlander Theater this winter, audiences immediately find themselves immersed in the world of New York City just before the turn of the 20th century. To reach their... Read more

By November 24, 2019

Movies

Waves Will Sweep You Off Your Feet

Cinema is musical. When well-wielded, the language of film—rhythmic and lyrical—demands to be heard as well as seen. In the first moments of Waves (2019), a camera spins within the... Read more

By November 21, 2019

Movies

Beware, The Good Liar is Trying to Con You

I once read the following anecdote, which describes the process of a con job. At a casino, a con man invites a potential victim to play cards and sits across... Read more

By November 20, 2019

Movies

Unlikely and the Underlying Problem of Higher Education

Unlikely (2019) follows five individuals from different parts of America and their second chances at a college education. Directed and produced by award-winning husband and wife filmmaking duo and, Jaye... Read more

By November 17, 2019

Music

Critical Voices: Colorado, Neil Young and Crazy Horse

“I’ve always been an eccentric, a rocker at heart. I can’t play the guitar, but I can play the griddle.” – Guy Fieri If you have the volume up loud... Read more

By November 15, 2019

Performance

Storm Clouds on the Horizon: The 34th annual Donn B. Murphy One Acts Festival is unlike any other

One week before opening night on Nov. 13, the storm was raging at full speed. Mask and Bauble staff members yelled to each other over a thunderous cacophony of crows,... Read more

By November 12, 2019

Music

Critical Voices: Jesus is King, Kanye West

I am a Christian. Growing up, my brothers and I were only allowed to listen to Christian music, excluding the occasional Whitney Houston song my dad would smuggle onto a... Read more

By November 4, 2019

Movies

A Great Cast Shambles Through a Middling Comedy Sequel in Zombieland: Double Tap

In the years since the original Zombieland (2009), Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) have settled into their lives as a weird... Read more

By November 1, 2019

In the District

Laugh Your Head Off at Timothy Johnson’s Fables of Decapitation

Just one stroke of Timothy Johnson’s paintbrush bites like the blade of a guillotine, leaving his subjects headless and bleeding off of the canvas. The local artist’s latest exhibit, Fables... Read more

By and October 26, 2019

Music

Hana Vu Plays the Starring Role in Double EP Nicole Kidman / Anne Hathaway

Hana Vu is busy. Between a West Coast tour opening for Nilufer Yanya and the release of her double EP, Nicole Kidman / Anne Hathaway (2019) on Oct. 25, she... Read more

By and October 25, 2019

Performance

Focus Cia de Dança Builds Surreal Moments in STILL REICH

In complete silence, Roberta Bussoni and Marcio Jahú faced each other on the side of a half-lit stage. Their dance began with isolated arm movements, but it quickly evolved into... Read more

By October 25, 2019

In the District

National Gallery of Art’s New Exhibit Demonstrates the Versatility of Pastels Throughout Time

The Touch of Color exhibit at the National Gallery of Art opens with a simple image of pastel sticks, in a range of colors and shades, tightly packed together. Aside... Read more

By October 21, 2019