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Latest Articles
Arts Writers Nominate Their 2011 Summer Jams
There’s no shortage of hits, but with no clear frontrunner, some of our writers make a case for their personal Summer Jams—the tracks they've been tanning to for the past two months.
Chris Brown Grapples With His Past on ‘F.A.M.E.’
“F.A.M.E.” bounces between youthful innocence, explicit sexuality, and time-tested weariness. Though it offers many potential hit singles, the album lacks a cohesive sound and style.
'Swamplandia!' is Murky, Convoluted Despite Charm
At times, Karen Russell’s “Swamplandia!” is an ode to prose, filled with clever turns of phrase, sharp insight, and language so rich and detailed that images of an isolated Florida swamp seem to jump from the pages of the book directly into the mind. However, its murky plot and tiresome back-and-forth narration overwhelm Russell’s stylish prose and the charm of her characters, and the novel sinks into a swampy, convoluted mess.
‘Colored Girls’ Doesn’t Do its Source Justice
"For Colored Girls" paints black women as strong but emotionally imbalanced victims of a resoundingly negative portrayal of black masculinity.
The New Face of January
Though professionally run and varied in content, the Arts Intensives Harvard will offer to students in January face many challenges in their pilot stage.
‘Red’ Isn’t Ready to Retire
All ages and demographics should get a kick out of "Red," and most will probably wish that they could be badass enough to be classified “Retired, Extremely Dangerous” in old age.
‘Lonely Avenue,’ Crowded With Talents
“Lonely Avenue” is exactly what anyone would expect from a collaborative work involving Ben Folds and Nick Hornby – cerebral, melancholy, and musically adventurous.
‘Easy A’ Doesn’t Make the Grade
"Easy A" has a storyline that isn’t particularly original, believable, or funny, and the plot spins completely out of control in the final third, but the movie manages to remain entertaining because of Stone and a few outstanding performances by her supporting cast.
Jukebox the Ghost, Mediocre but Happy
It’s not that “Everything Under the Sun” is a particularly bad album, but rather that it sounds like nice background music, a comfortable amalgamation of Top 40, indie pop, and contemporary adult that you might hear in Urban Outfitters.
‘Going The Distance’ Is A Bad Idea
"Going The Distance" stands as yet another flop in Drew Barrymore’s extensive resume of mediocre romantic comedies.