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Film Review: “Bottoms” — A Surreal High School Lesbian Sex Farce

Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions: August 13 through 29 — What Will Light Your Fire

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

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The Arts Fuse Currents

Music

Rock Album Review: A “Joyride” Well Worth Taking

By Scott McLennan | August 24, 2023

Karina Rykman’s rookie recored, “Joyride,” delivers a beguiling blend of pop smarts and psychedelic proclivities.

Visual Arts

Visual Arts Review: In Gloucester, Edward Hopper Became Hopper

By Charles Giuliano | August 6, 2023

A leitmotif of this exhibition underlines Josephine Nivison Hopper’s role in her husband’s emergence as one of the most successful and beloved artists of his generation.

Film

Film Review: “Bottoms” — A Surreal High School Lesbian Sex Farce

By Sarah Osman | August 25, 2023

The horndog plot of this wild comedy: two unpopular queer high school students start a fight club to have sex before graduation

Books

Book Review: “Writing for Their Lives” – How Women Established a Beachhead for Science Journalism

By Pat Reber | August 24, 2023

The nearly 60 women science writers mentioned in “Writing for Their Lives” – and listed in an  appendix – are testament to women’s pioneering contribution to science journalism.

Poetry at The Arts Fuse

Weekly Feature: Poetry at The Arts Fuse

August 10, 2023

This week’s poem — Jennifer Jean’s “Wild Orca Family Chased Down by Jet-skiers Wanting Selfies”

Dance

Dance Review: The Martha Graham Dance Company — Straddling Past and Present

By Charles Giuliano | August 23, 2023

The two vintage works on the program at Jacob’s Pillow demonstrated, in a palpable manner, to what extent Martha Graham’s work changed everything.

Theater

Theater Review: “Sanctuary City” — Hiding in Plain Sight

By David Greenham | August 24, 2023

In this script, dramatist Martyna Majok has created an opportunity for those who live in (or near) cities to see and hear the struggles of the underclass.

Television

Watch Closely: “Painkiller” is a Saga of Cruel Greed

By Peg Aloi | August 14, 2023

This limited series is not easy to watch, but “Painkillers” should be considered indispensable viewing because of the light it shines on the amoral face of corporate greed.

Podcasts

Short Fuse Podcast #62: The Week Mandela Averted Civil War and Forged a New Nation

By Elizabeth Howard | July 18, 2023

Host Elizabeth Howard talks to Justice Malala about his book “The Plot to Save South Africa,” an essential read for understanding modern South Africa.

Short Fuses

August Short Fuses — Materia Critica

By Arts Fuse Editor | August 2, 2023

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

Food

Film Review: “Flux Gourmet” — Food, Glorious Food

By Peg Aloi | August 23, 2022

Flux Gourmet occasionally reminded me of the films of Peter Greenaway, who often juxtaposed the grotesque or disturbing with the beautiful and ethereal.

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.