Year: 2006
Those looking to expand their horizons on art and narrative should make the time for Cleophas and His Own: A North Atlantic Tragedy, a very (nearly three hours) long but equally rewarding debut from director Michael Maglaras, who also stars in the film. By Adrienne LaFrance Cleophas and His Own is the recitation of a…
Read More“The Children’s Hospital” by Chris Adrian. (McSweeney’s) By Adrienne LaFrance Chris Adrian looks familiar because he looks ordinary. Dressed simply in khakis and a wrinkled, white Oxford shirt, he speaks just loudly enough to be heard and smiles only with his mouth closed. His calm restraint– like that of a monk or a surgeon– naturally…
Read MoreBy Jard Craig Going to Pieces, a new made-for-cable documentary (which airs this Halloween on Starz at 11 p.m.), charts the history of slasher films. The film starts off strong, but falls apart once the initial shock value of cinematic cut-and-slash overkill wears off. The film strings together the best scenes from new and classic…
Read MoreA new novel focuses on the plight of a young deaf woman who is trying to track down a man who stole her identity. “Talk Talk” by T.C Boyle. (Viking) By Lisa Weisstuch What strikes terror into the heart of society changes over time. Consider the panic the atomic bomb set off in the 1950s…
Read MoreKarole Armitage, once known as a “punk ballerina,” brings her dance troupe to the Berkshires. By Debra Cash Where has dancer Karole Armitage gone? Is “gone” a verb or adjective? Why has she put an exclamation mark smack in the middle of her new company’s name? The articulate choreographer with A-list artist friends, sweethearts and…
Read MoreThis final ArtsCast features the conclusion of our series examining Boston at the cultural crossroads. Bill Marx speaks with Maureen Dezell who has written for the arts in various publications including the Boston Globe and the Phoenix and you have heard on the podcast interview various cultural movers and shakers about Boston lagging in cultural…
Read MoreJournalist Amy Sutherland delves into everyday life at the world’s premier school for exotic animal trainers. “Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World’s Premier School for Exotic Animal Trainers” by Amy Sutherland. (Viking) By Abby Frucht I once saw a circus act in which an elephant sat in what looked like a…
Read MoreIn the past several podcasts, ArtCast has explored the competitive nature of cultural tourism in America today, focusing on how Boston has much to learn from Philadelphia, which is investing in new ways to bring more visitors into the city. Continuing with that theme we hear from one of Beantown’s cultural mover and shakers, the…
Read MoreBy Adrienne LaFrance, Regardless of your political affiliation, you have to admit that it’s good to see Al Gore beardless and moving on with his life, six years after the 2000 presidential election. Gore is pursuing what he’s called his life’s calling; spreading the word about global warming and its threats to civilization. Last night,…
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Music Commentary: A Deepdive into The Mothers of Invention’s “Plastic People”