Gloria Swanson (playing Patricia "Kitty" Kelly) in Erich von Stroheim's unfinished masterpiece Queen Kelly. This scene later appeared in "Sunset Boulevard." Filmed in 1929, Queen Kelly was released in France and Argentina in an abreviated version in 1931, and then reconstructed in 1985, this 2025 version by Dennis Doros and Amy Heller of Milestone further completes the film. The new orchestral score is by Eli Denson. Restored by Milestone Films in collaboration with the George Eastman Museum at Metropolis Post, NYC.

Film Review: “Queen Kelly” Restored — Erich Von Stroheim’s Mad Genius Resurrected

Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions: February 15 through March 2 — What Will Light Your Fire

Our expert critics supply a guide to film, visual art, theater, author readings, television, and music. More offerings will be added as they come in.

The Arts Fuse Currents

Music

Album Review: Django Festival Allstars Keep Gypsy Swing Vibrant on “Evolution”

By Allen Michie | February 25, 2026

“Evolution” is a major statement from master musicians building on a strong tradition and taking it forward into our own generation with passion and elegance.

Visual Arts

Visual Art Review: The Sacred Act of Making — Boston Artists Explore Ritual and Space

By Lauren Kaufmann | February 15, 2026

In this exhibit, curator Robin Hauck celebrates ten Boston-area artists who resist the relentless distractions that contemporary life imposes on all of us.

Film

Film Review: “Queen Kelly” Restored — Erich Von Stroheim’s Mad Genius Resurrected

By Betsy Sherman | February 26, 2026

Cinema lovers with a taste for the exotic and a tolerance for narrative loose ends should take advantage of the re-emergence, via 4k digital makeover, of “Queen Kelly”.

Books

Book Review: “I Give You My Silence” is Vargas Llosa’s Final, Gentle Vals — A Swan Song of Art’s Quiet Power

By David Mehegan | February 24, 2026

Mario Vargas Llosa’s final novel is a sweet, light story about art and idealism—and its ever-present opposite, cynicism.

Poetry at The Arts Fuse

Weekly Feature: Poetry at The Arts Fuse

February 26, 2026

This week’s poem: Marina Lazzara’s “passionflower”

Dance

Dance Review: Trisha Brown Dance Company — Elegance, Wit, and Enduring Innovation

By Debra Cash | February 15, 2026

The question was how well these mid-20th century works would hold up and how, with the passing of time, those dances would look to both familiar and fresh eyes.

Theater

Theater Commentary: Theater for Young Audiences — What Role Can It Play In Saving Our Democracy?

By Joan Lancourt | February 25, 2026

Meeting today’s challenge—harnessing the performing arts to prepare the next generation to sustain democracy—requires broader collaboration not only with schools and community partners but among TYA companies themselves.

Television

Television Review: “The ‘Burbs,” A Suburban Snooze — Fangless and Flat

By Sarah Osman | February 16, 2026

Considering its hard-to-fault premise, Peacock’s “The ‘Burbs” should be a lot more fun than it is.

Podcasts

Short Fuse Podcast #84: A Conversation with Author Bsrat Mezghebe

By Elizabeth Howard | February 12, 2026

In this episode, Elizabeth Howard speaks with Bsrat Mezghebe about her debut novel, “I Hope You Find What You’re Looking For.”

Short Fuses

February Short Fuses — Materia Critica

By Arts Fuse Editor | February 1, 2026

Each month, our arts critics — music, book, theater, dance, television, film, and visual arts — fire off a few brief reviews.

Spotlight

Theater Commentary: Theater for Young Audiences — What Role Can It Play In Saving Our Democracy?

By Joan Lancourt | February 25, 2026

Meeting today’s challenge—harnessing the performing arts to prepare the next generation to sustain democracy—requires broader collaboration not only with schools and community partners but among TYA companies themselves.

About the Arts Fuse

The Arts Fuse was established in June, 2007 as a curated, independent online arts magazine dedicated to publishing in-depth criticism, along with high quality previews, interviews, and commentaries. The publication's over 70 freelance critics (many of them with decades of experience) cover dance, film, food, literature, music, television, theater, video games, and visual arts. Support arts coverage that believes that culture matters.

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