By Thomas Garvey It hit me about halfway through the second act, when a shirtless Joe Wilson, Jr. slid down a rope and began to work a truly spectacular set of pecs: “Ain’t Misbehavin’” could be the horniest show I’ve ever seen in Boston.
Wolfmother Not Loud Enough
When a band is as new and as hyped as Wolfmother, there are two factors that determine whether it will have lasting power. The first is live performance – can the band translate the energy of a hit record to the stage? The second is the all-important subsequent album.
Neil Young Lives With War But Doesn’t Love It
The only constant in Neil Young’s decades of pointed political songs is that he’s bound to do some more, sooner or later. At times he responds to headlines. Other times he calls up distant historical events. He can tackle broad social changes or personal issues he’s been turning over in his head. He’s cozied up […]
Going With the Flow With Elvis Costello
Okay, here’s the short version of my take on The River in Reverse (after an inadequate 1 1/2 listens):
Music Commentary: Talent Beyond Time — Music Veterans Quietly Have a Landmark Year
Of course this Social Security Six is a fluke, not a trend. And at first, the albums seem to have nothing in common beyond persistence and determination by the leaders. And not even that.
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America on Both Sides of the Camera
Perhaps the best way to review this wild satiric film is to get inside the head of Borat, the lead character: Jagshemash! Borat number one in U. S. and A. box office! High Five! Ingredients for make good movie, show racist Americans how stupid they are: find first really smart British/Jewish comedian; add naïve foreigner; […]
Film Review: The Marsden Hartley You Never Knew
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 […]
Anything But Ordinary
“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 […]
Film Review: Horror Documenary“Pieces” is DOA
By 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 […]
Book Review: Ego Robber
A 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 […]