Leisure

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

Leisure

King Arthur Decrees a Manic, Hugely Enjoyable Experience

A 100-foot tall elephant sweeps its tusk across the ground, destroying the unfortunate souls in its way. It crashes through a bridge, allowing the soldiers on its back to disembark... Read more

By May 15, 2017

Leisure

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Beyond Shimmering Skies

To enjoy Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, one must love three things: superhero action films, Chris Pratt with imposing, curled sideburns, and a certain tiny, adorable baby tree. The... Read more

By May 12, 2017

Leisure

Concert Preview: Ryan Adams, May 12, Merriweather Post Pavilion

Alternative-rock and country solo artist Ryan Adams will perform at Merriweather Post Pavilion on May 12 to promote his new album, Prisoner. Adams is known for his large repertoire of... Read more

By May 7, 2017

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Norman Redefines Stereotypes, Asks Audiences to Look Deeper

Norman Oppenheimer (Richard Gere) is a curious, awkward, and struggling New York fixer, someone who incessantly hatches illicit deals and schemes. The entire world of Norman: The Moderate Rise and... Read more

By April 28, 2017

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Short But Sweet: Art of Legacy Pop-Up Gallery

The old movie theater on Wisconsin and O street sits right in the middle of Georgetown, its recognizable neon sign lighting up the sidewalk below. The space, opened in 1913 as... Read more

By April 28, 2017

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Fun Home Remembers the Joy and Pain of Looking Back

I had my qualms about Fun Home. The national touring production of the five-time Tony winning musical was coming to D.C.’s National Theatre and my expectations were stratospheric despite my... Read more

By April 28, 2017

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Concert Preview: Rostam, May 2, 9:30 Club

D.C. native Rostam Batmanglij will be returning to his hometown on May 2 for a concert at the 9:30 Club. The former Vampire Weekend band member has been slowly releasing... Read more

By April 27, 2017

Leisure

Stranger in a Strange Land: Discover The Lost City of Z

The Lost City of Z understands one very important part of filmmaking: settings matter. Based on the David Grann novel of the same name, the film tells the story of... Read more

By April 27, 2017

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Concert Preview: The Maine, May 3, 9:30 Club

On May 3 the Arizona alt-rock outfit The Maine will take the stage at the 9:30 Club to promote Lovely Little Lonely, their sixth studio album. A holdover from the... Read more

By April 26, 2017

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Arena Stage’s A Raisin in the Sun Captivates All Around

There is a dangerous magic about theatre-in-the-round—and a heightened sense of communal experience. At Arena Stage’s 2017 production of Lorraine Hansberry’s 1959 play A Raisin in the Sun, the actors... Read more

By April 26, 2017

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Concert Preview: Jazz Cartier, April 29, U Street Music Hall

Jazz Cartier, Toronto’s latest rap export, has an upward trajectory as steep and sudden as any rap success story: after dropping his 2016 mixtape Hotel Paranoia, Cartier received nods from... Read more

By April 25, 2017

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Concert Preview: COIN, May 1, U Street Music Hall

Nashville-based indie rockers COIN are back with the April 21 release of their album How Will You Know If You Never Try. HWYKIYNT is the band’s sophomore album and features... Read more

By April 25, 2017

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Critical Voices: Kendrick Lamar, DAMN.

DAMN., Kendrick Lamar’s latest project, continues his trend of creating exceptional, politically-charged rap that forges a distinct sound. While DAMN. is difficult to characterize stylistically, it is a clear departure... Read more

By April 24, 2017

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Concert Review: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Verizon Center, April 12

Performing in an arena and engaging a 20,000 person audience is no easy task, but at the Verizon Center on Wednesday, April 12, the Red Hot Chili Peppers made it... Read more

By April 21, 2017

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Graduation Cleverly Contemplates Mortality in Adversity

Graduation, a Romanian film directed, produced, and written by Cristian Mungiu, grapples with ethical dilemmas, heartbreaks, and the pitfalls of cyclical corruption. Set in a small city in Romania, Graduation... Read more

By April 19, 2017

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Critical Voices: Arca, Arca

Arca, Venezuelan electronic producer, DJ, and songwriter, opened his recent self-titled project with haunting humming, rich bass, and ethereal ringing. This sound so severely defies expectations that one finds it... Read more

By April 18, 2017

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The Promise: A Love Affair Overshadowed by Atrocity

Over a million and a half Armenian men, women, and children were killed between 1915 and 1923. Distracted by the atrocities of World War I, the world turned a blind... Read more

By April 17, 2017

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Despite Clichés, Their Finest Inspires in the Face of Darkness

With the recently-released film The Zookeeper’s Wife and the anticipated summer release of  Dunkirk, World War II films are proving to be all the rage this year. Although the war... Read more

By April 17, 2017

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Critical Voices: The Chainsmokers, Memories…Do Not Open

Will The Chainsmokers (Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart) ever come out with a song that matches the success of “Closer?” That question is left unanswered even with the release of... Read more

By April 14, 2017

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A World that Needs Changing in Stupid F**king Bird

The lights dim. An actor steps forward and scowls at the still-settling audience. “The play will begin when someone says, ‘Start the f**king play,’” he says. There’s silence, hesitation, and... Read more

By April 12, 2017