Leisure

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

Leisure

Reel Talk: Rom-Cons are long gone

As I spent my Valentine’s Day devouring cookies and avoiding whatever it is Fifty Shades of Grey is offering, I got to thinking about the state of romantic comedies, as... Read more

By February 19, 2015

Leisure

CV: Imagine Dragons, Smoke + Mirrors

After the rapid, unexpected success of their first album, Night Visions, Imagine Dragons set expectations for a follow-up as demanding as the illustrious anthems which dominated their debut. Their highly... Read more

By February 19, 2015

Leisure

CV: José González, Vestiges and Claws

José González’s first release in seven years, Vestiges and Claws, shows that while he may not have been in the studio since the release of the first iPhone, he has... Read more

By February 19, 2015

Leisure

Black Theater Ensemble’s That Face a bold, bed-ridden journey

“Rahhh! Euuugh! Aghh! Nooooo!” Fifteen minutes before showtime, alarming shrieks and cries ring out of the Walsh Black Box Theater. Whether this is some bizarre pre-show ritual, or last-minute practice... Read more

By February 12, 2015

Leisure

After Peacock Room’s cuisine soars

Imagine Ernest Hemingway, Jay Gatsby, and a Portland hipster collaborated to create a restaurant. Mirrors fill the room to give the illusion of a grand space within an intimate café.... Read more

By February 12, 2015

Leisure

Vaughn’s Kingsman: The Secret Servive proves worthy of crown

Much was made of director Matthew Vaughn’s departure from X-Men: Days of Future Past in late 2012. Many wondered if his issues with Fox would stall his promising career. As... Read more

By February 12, 2015

Leisure

Under the Covers: Books should start at the beginning

Sometimes, the bits that go nowhere are the most important ones. I’ve been reading Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I know, I know. I’m about seven years... Read more

By February 12, 2015

Leisure

Deadbeats: The Persistence of Sub Genres

One of the biggest rules of the internet is “never read YouTube comments.” Often bigoted and hate-filled, YouTube comments are the world’s new-age heckling, where one can find the loudest,... Read more

By February 12, 2015

Leisure

CV: Father John Misty, I Love You, Honeybear

Father John Misty—Joshua Tillman since leaving Fleet Foxes—is not your average priest. He pushes disenchantment with love rather than a higher power. In his sophomore album, Tillman confirms his gifts... Read more

By February 12, 2015

Leisure

CV: Ricky Martin, A Quien Quiera Escuchar

No matter what language you speak, Latino pop star Ricky Martin’s latest creation is sure to strike a beat. With the release of his tenth studio album, A Quien Quiera... Read more

By February 12, 2015

Leisure

Fu’s Land of Deities leaps off the page, redefines the pop-up book

Remember your first pop-up book? The three-dimensional, brightly-colored images have the incredible power to keep young children occupied and amused for hours. Yet interestingly enough, pop-up images in books were... Read more

By February 4, 2015

Leisure

DC’s El Camino not a walk to remember

El Camino has a long road to travel until it can live up to the vibrancy and flavor of great Mexican cuisine. Although it offers an imaginative and appealing array... Read more

By February 4, 2015

Leisure

Sponge out of Water serves up the secret formula for success

Since the summer of 1999, the world has watched SpongeBob SquarePants faithfully protect the coveted Krabby Patty secret formula from the ever persistent Plankton. The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of... Read more

By and February 4, 2015

Leisure

Unite at Unity Live!

This Friday, the School of Nursing and Health Studies Academic Council and the GU AIDS Coalition are collaborating for the 3rd year in a row to host the 6th annual... Read more

By February 4, 2015

Leisure

Out of Control: New Pokémon games aren’t very effective…

Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver version are the greatest installments of the series to date. There. I said it. Pokémon is the undisputed champion of handheld role-playing games. It is... Read more

By February 4, 2015

Leisure

Reel Talk: The director Hollywood deserves

In the case of Wes Anderson, perhaps we should alter the truism “It’s an honor just to be nominated,” to something like “It’s a relief to see him nominated.” After... Read more

By February 4, 2015

Leisure

CV: Murder by Death, Big Dark Love

Murder By Death is known for musical experiments, and their latest LP, Big Dark Love, is no exception. All in all, the band gives their seventh studio album a decent... Read more

By February 4, 2015

Leisure

CV: Bob Dylan, Shadows in the Night

There’s no doubt that Frank Sinatra and Bob Dylan are two defining voices of the 20th century. Yet putting them together produces a rather peculiar animal. In his most recent... Read more

By February 4, 2015

Leisure

Oribe Ware shatters experimental expectations at Freer Gallery

Fully expecting a ceramic exhibition that showcased the traditional precision and symmetry of Japanese art—think delicate cherry blossoms on a silk screen—I could initially only find two words to justify... Read more

By January 29, 2015

Leisure

China Chilcano’s combinations prove all that glitters is (edible) gold

From its fascinating décor to its agglomeratic dishes, José Andres’ newest eatery, China Chilcano, manages to find near-perfect harmony in cultural synthesis. Chilcano combines traditional Peruvian cuisine with Chinese and... Read more

By January 29, 2015