Arts & Entertainment
battle of the hip-hop allstars
If there is one thing hip-hop loves more than expensive cars, loose women, and the occasional drive-by, it's a highly publicized battle involving its biggest stars.
woodcock rocks
If the man sitting next to me in the movie theater wrote this review, Mr. Woodcock would be getting a crotch-thrusting four stars.
Feelin' hot, hot, hot
It's surprising that the action-packed police movie isn't parodied more often, because Hot Fuzz, the hilarious and slightly insane new film from the creators of Shaun of the Dead, makes it look so easy.
La Vie en Rose
Director Olivier Dahan's new film La Vie en Rose had its Philadelphia premiere last Thursday night at the Philadelphia Film Festival and it received a standing ovation.
Listening Party
The song: Modest Mouse's "Fire it Up" off We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank Leo: Have not been so impressed by new MM, though never was so into them.
Notes on a festival: part deux
Waitress This year's closing night film tells the story of a lonely (but married) baker and waitress in a pie shop in the deep south.
This movie needs some snoop!
At times, expos‚s of modern suburban anomie (see: Ghost World, the entire canon of Todd Solondz) can inspire us to look deep into our own lives and contemplate just what tools the media-corporate complex has made us as a collective.
My Pet Movie
His eyes droopy and features looking deprived of melanin, the instantly recognizable Mike White sits lethargically on a couch in a Four Seasons hotel room overlooking Logan Square.
Reviews
Redman Red Gone Wild Redman aka Reggie Noble is a self- acknowledged jokester, who wittily balances ridiculous weed-aggrandizing verse with hilarious social commentary.
Unbreakable
Throughout hip hop's three decade plus history, no true superstar has emerged from Philly. Emcee after Philly emcee has seen fleeting success, but problems (usually legal) stopped any true movement from occurring (see Beanie Sigel's State Property camp). So, the answer might have to come in the form of a producer.
The movies been berry, berry good to her
On tour promoting her sexy new suspense thriller Perfect Stranger -- no, not an adaptation of that 80's sitcom with Balki Bartokomous - Oscar-winner Halle Berry had a quick chat with 34ST. STREET: What have you not yet accomplished in your film career?
Five questions for Ben FOlds
34th Street: Do you remember performing here before, Ben? [Folds performed at Spring Fling in 2000] Ben Folds: With my schedule, its hard, but when I show up there I will remember.
Notes on a festival
ROY DISNEY Last Sunday night, Roy E. Disney was in town to receive the Philadelphia Film Festival's first ever Inspiration Award, a tribute to his lifetime of dedication and contribution to the entertainment industry.
Tarantino's grand 'grind' experiment
It's not often that one equates gratuitous violence and sexual content with skillful, calculated filmmaking.
The 'force' be with you
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters is an adventure. Just like the late-night Cartoon Network show from which it's derived, this film relies on the key elements of a typical episode of the cartoon: lots of absurd moments and aimless yet humorous dialogue.
Pass over
Hilary Swank must be content with her two Oscars; she certainly isn't trying for a third with the supernatural thriller The Reaping.
The Plagues of n.o.l.a.
Those who frequent Bible Study (or anyone who's watched The Prince of Egypt) are probably familiar with those 10 little inconveniences called the deadly plagues: locusts, frogs, rivers of blood and all that jazz.
Stevie nicks
Before Britney shaved her head and Madonna abused wigs, there was Stevie Nicks and her static sorceress hairstyles.
Macy Gray
Perhaps trying too hard to "Finally [Make You] Happy," Macy Gray's most recent album, Big, moves away from Gray's identifiably scratchy brand of R&B/soul towards a more sell-out sound of popular funk.
