Leisure

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

Leisure

Critical Voices: DNCE, DNCE

DNCE’s self-titled debut album, set to be released on Nov. 18, is an upbeat expression of shameless individuality and optimism, fitting for the emergence of a band comprised of Joe... Read more

By November 18, 2016

Leisure

Wind Me Up, Maria! Surprises and Delights at The Gonda Theater

A combination of talented actors, live music, and a witty script, Wind Me Up, Maria! A Go-Go Musical is an amusing modern day take on The Sound of Music. The... Read more

By November 14, 2016

Leisure

Need Not Apply: Beatty’s Rules is Strange Fun

Billionaire Howard Hughes’ eccentricity was known to be legendary, stranger than fiction even, and capturing it on screen has led to mixed but mostly entertaining results. With the arrival of... Read more

By November 14, 2016

Leisure

Concert Preview: Two Door Cinema Club, Nov. 17 Echostage

Irish indie-pop trio Two Door Cinema Club is back with the release of their latest album, Gameshow, which premiered last month. Gameshow is the band’s third album to date and... Read more

By November 11, 2016

Leisure

An Irishman, Hip-Hop, and a Folky Soul: James Vincent McMorrow at 9:30 Club

James Vincent McMorrow delivered a performance nothing short of spiritual at the 9:30 Club on Nov. 9. Although the audience did not fill the entire venue, his set was both... Read more

By November 11, 2016

Leisure

Concert Preview: Good Charlotte, Nov. 17, Echostage

Although they’ve gone through a couple of roster changes since, forming in 1996. Good Charlotte began as four high school friends from Waldorf, Maryland, fronted by twin brothers Benji and... Read more

By November 10, 2016

Leisure

Critical Voices: A$AP Mob, The Cozy Tapes Vol. 1

The death of A$AP Yams in early 2015 continues to play a defining role in rap collective, A$AP Mob’s artistic expression, and the coziest crew in the rap game has... Read more

By November 9, 2016

Leisure

Moana, an Exciting Change in the Disney Formula

Three years after the cultural phenomenon that was Frozen, Disney’s newest “princess” movie isn’t about a princess at all. It’s about a chief, perhaps the first female in her village... Read more

By November 8, 2016

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Doctor Strange Has Dimensionality

The trope of the arrogant, assholish genius is one familiar to both Benedict Cumberbatch and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Both actor and movie empire have thrived because of the archetype,... Read more

By November 7, 2016

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Hacksaw Ridge Looks for God in Hell

Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson, tells the story of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Private Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield). Doss, a conscientious objector to violence, heroically saves the lives... Read more

By November 7, 2016

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Critical Voices: Meek Mill, Dreamchasers 4

It has been over a year since rapper Meek Mill released a full-length studio album, but the Philadelphia-based rapper has certainly remained a relevant name in the hip-hop world.  Since... Read more

By November 7, 2016

Leisure

James Vincent McMorrow: 9:30 Club, Wednesday 11/9

James Vincent McMorrow is an Irish singer-songwriter known for his soulful indie-acoustic sound and delicate vocals. He has released three albums to date, each one building on the previous to... Read more

By November 4, 2016

Leisure

Grouplove: Echostage, Wednesday 11/9

Grouplove’s upbeat music is the ideal representation of the band’s perpetual, industrious energy. Since the group’s formation in 2009, Grouplove has released three complete albums and numerous EPs, and their... Read more

By November 2, 2016

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Critical Voices: Tove Lo, Lady Wood

Since the release of her last album Queen of the Clouds, Tove Lo has been working on the creation of a darker pop album that is accompanied by a short-film... Read more

By November 1, 2016

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Critical Voices: Lady Gaga, Joanne

After years of red carpet commotion and outrageous performances in which concerts were elevated to  spectacles, the public has grown to expect nothing but the abnormal from Lady Gaga. Naturally... Read more

By October 31, 2016

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A Buffalo and Bubbles: Relient K and Switchfoot at The Fillmore, 10/26

Before moving further down the east coast in their Looking for America tour,Christian rock bands Relient K and Switchfoot made their last Maryland stop at The Fillmore on Oct. 26... Read more

By October 30, 2016

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The Plight of An American Daughter

An American Daughter, produced by the Black Theater Ensemble and the Mask and Bauble Dramatic Society, is a play without a Hollywood ending. In fact, it’s a play that leaves... Read more

By October 29, 2016

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Beautiful Reminders of a Grim Future: Mist of the Earth Intersects Art and Science

Through skillful integration of art and science, Brazilian artist Denise Milan’s latest exhibition, Mist of the Earth, expertly depicts the importance of nature to humanity. This stunning exhibition, housed in... Read more

By October 28, 2016

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Crash and Burn: Inferno Fails to Ignite

It is never a good sign when the part of the film I’m most interested in is the score. Yet midway through Inferno, I stopped and thought to myself, “Is... Read more

By October 28, 2016

Leisure

Concert Preview: Foals, 11/3 Echostage

British indie/alt rock band Foals  has an impressive resume. Having released four studio album and over 18 singles, the group doesn’t show any signs of stopping. Popular for their songs... Read more

By October 28, 2016