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Short Fuse: “Django Unchained” — History Dumbed Down

December 28, 2012
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There is so much of a certain kind of violence here — the kind you’ve seen in Tarantino movies before — that it in a sense takes the violence out of violence.

Coming Attractions in Film: January 2013

December 28, 2012
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‘Tis the pre-Oscar season, but you might pause for some uncommon documentaries on the arts, sports, or farming. And take in one great revival.

Visual Arts Feature: Museums in the East, Part One

December 26, 2012
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In the first few days of our first visit to China, I was nonetheless unable to keep myself from formulating a hypothesis. In China the distinction between art, artifice and artificiality is not drawn as sharply as it is, at least in principle, in the West.

Classical Music Review: The Sound of Blue Heron — Pleasure Aplenty

December 24, 2012
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Several merits distinguish Blue Heron’s concerts, the most salient being the always-gorgeous singing of this pre-eminent Renaissance vocal choir.

Classical Music Review: The Boston Camerata’s Enthralling Hispanic Christmas

December 24, 2012
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Spirits were lifted; those in need of holiday cheer got a massive dose of it. Bravo to The Boston Camerata and to Les Fleurs des Caraïbes.

Jazz CD Reviews: Jazzhaus Ascendant

December 23, 2012
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We should look forward, eagerly, to hearing more lost, or previously issued music, from Jazzhaus. And be grateful to the European public for supporting these concerts and broadcasts.

Jazz CD Review: Charles Mingus –The Jazz Workshop Concerts 1964-65

December 23, 2012
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The new Mingus box set from Mosaic is a treasure trove — jazz lovers should get their hands on one of the 7,500 limited edition copies.

Theater Review: “A Little Calm Before the Storm” — The Art of Playing Hitler

December 22, 2012
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Director Guy Ben-Aharon is on a roll. Working through Israeli Stage and German Stage, he has brought together another smart, compelling foreign play (an American premiere) and a first-rate cast.

Short Fuse Review: Killing George Higgins Softly

December 22, 2012
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“The Friends of Eddie Coyle” was simply too good a movie, perfect, in its way, and the director of “Killing Them Softly” wants to avoid comparison.

Film Commentary: Visions of “On the Road,” the Movie

December 21, 2012
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Jack Kerouac once said that “On the Road” “was really a story about 2 Catholic buddies roaming the country in search of God,” but the spiritual element of his journey is completely lacking in the film.

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