Month: January 2014

Film Review: “The Past” — Another Superb Film from an Iranian Master

January 28, 2014
Posted in , ,

Director Asghar Farhadi is a master storyteller. He is particularly adept at painting characters in deep shades of gray.

Read More

Fuse Dance Review: PERFORMANCE — A Parade of Passersby

January 27, 2014
Posted in , ,

No amount of postmodern theory can paper over the fact that a half-baked cake, even one made with tasty ingredients, fails to satisfy.

Read More

Book Review: Richard Powers’s Urgent “Orfeo” — Can Art Save Us?

January 27, 2014
Posted in , ,

As with any Richard Powers novel, when you finish “Orfeo” you will have no doubt you are alive, awake, and likely ready to start over at page one.

Read More

Concert Review: At the BSO — Andris Poga conducts Wagner, Lutoslawski, and Shostakovich

January 26, 2014
Posted in , , ,

Saturday’s reading of Lutoslawski’s Piano Concerto greatly benefited from pianist Garrick Ohlsson’s steely yet sensitive account of the solo part.

Read More

Theater Review: Bread & Puppet Theater’s “Shatterer of Worlds” — Apocalyptic Art

January 26, 2014
Posted in , ,

Those willing to accept that powerful political theater can be as much about depicting pain as providing hope will find much to admire in this visually striking, dramatically compelling piece.

Read More

Fuse Book Review: “My Life in Middlemarch” — Expanding the Boundaries of Memoir

January 24, 2014
Posted in , ,

I don’t share Rebecca Mead’s awe for “Middlemarch,” but I share her enthusiasm for stretching the envelope of memoir.

Read More

Coming Attractions: What Will Light Your Fire This Week

January 24, 2014
Posted in , ,

Arts Fuse critics select the best in music, dance, film, and theater that’s coming up this week.

Read More

Book Review: The Unwavering Gaze — Fabritius and Donna Tartt’s “The Goldfinch”

January 23, 2014
Posted in , ,

In Donna Tartt’s much-lauded third novel, Fabritius’ painting “The Goldfinch” and the fleeting nature of, well, everything comes together for a brief and shining moment.

Read More

TV Review: HBO’s “Looking” — Gay Life as Sweet and Sincerely Humanist

January 22, 2014
Posted in , ,

Without being preachy, HBO’s “Looking” offers a fine lesson that being totally out of the closet, as are all the many characters, can lead to a cool cool (and also hot hot) existence.

Read More

Film Review: Two Amazing Stories of Triumph at this Year’s Reelabilities Film Festival

January 21, 2014
Posted in ,

Hidden among the screenings at this year’s Reelabilities: Boston Disabilities Film Festival are two strong tales of individuals overcoming incredible odds.

Read More

Recent Posts