Review
New Kid on the 4000 Block: Harvest Seasonal Grill
Harvest brings locavore chic to this side of the Schuylkill.
Album Review: The Vaccines - "Come of Age"
Described as heralding the return of guitar–driven rock music, the Vaccines’ sophomore album “Come of Age” proves that a 21st century rock band does not need a synthesizer.
Here Comes the Blah
Kevin James underwhelms in cliche underdog story "Here Comes the Boom"
Review: "Argo" is Sleek and Satisfying
When did Ben Affleck start walking in the footsteps of Clint Eastwood and Orson Welles?
Album Review: Freelance Whales - "Diluvia"
In their sophomore effort, indie pop rock band Freelance Whales deliver a dreamy explosion of noise.
Review: "Until The Quiet Comes" - Flying Lotus
Flying Lotus’ latest album is a jumbled experience, and fans of his 2010 near-masterpiece "Cosmogramma" might be initially disappointed.
Review: “Transcendental Youth” - The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats, like a fine wine, just get better with age. In their 14th album, “Transcendental Youth,” the indie folk band delivers jazzy instrumentals coupled with poetic storytelling.
Review: "Lightning" — Matt & Kim
“Some things are better with age / some things no longer remain,” belts out Matt Johnson of indie pop duo Matt & Kim on “Now,” a song from their newest album.
Review: "Frankenweenie" Remakes The Monster Story
Tim Burton has made some great films in his career, and some not-so-great ones. Tinged with his signature darkness, they often take a trope and turn it on its head, changing the way we think about things.
Restaurant Review: Kilimandjaro
Just moved here from Africa? The center of Philadelphia’s Ethiopian, Senegalese, Malian and many other African communities, West Philly boasts a plethora of African restaurants that will have you feeling right at home.
"Liberal Arts" Reminds Us Why We're Glad To Be Here
There is a reason why 19–year–old girls fall in love with 30–year–old men.
Trailer of the Week: "Promised Land"
Last week saw the premiere of a trailer for perhaps the most culturally relevant film of the year—about an environmental battle for the soul of the small–town American Farm, directed by Gus Van Sant, and titled “Promised Land.” It’s about a kingpin natural gas salesman (Matt Damon) and his assistant (Frances McDormand) who arrive in a farm town to modernize it, only to be met by hesitant residents and an angry farmer determined to fight against his destructive efforts (John Krasinski). What We Love: The film’s construction crew is tremendous and up to the task — not only is the human–interest-oriented Van Sant at the helm, but the screenplay is by Damon and Krasinski, with a story by Dave Eggers. The cast is great, also featuring Hal Holbrook, whose elderly, gravelly drawl is the best of the voiceovers. The scenery — panoramas of rolling pastures, horses trotting in wooden corrals and a Main Street with awning-ed buildings, miniature models of which would compliment any model train set — is gorgeous. And the plot is thoughtful, topical and passionate. What We Don’t: Even though there hasn’t been a film that deals so directly with the American conflict between industry and homesteads, the trailer looks fairly cliché. Everyone’s an archetype: Damon is a good–hearted hero with a questionably moral vocation, and Krasinski is a funny, likable antagonist.
Review: A Wrinkle in Crime
JGL thrills as a younger Bruce Willis in “Looper”
Review: Band of Horses, “Mirage Rock”
Two years after a moderately successful third album, indie rock group Band of Horses have released their fourth, “Mirage Rock.” Fans still yearning for the plaintive and personal melodies that defined the group’s debut, “Everything All the Time,” will be disappointed by this release, which lacks tenderness and memorability.
...Is That It?
You might think that the whole point of making a high concept, animated movie would be to explore all of the plot’s driving forces.
Review: "Pitch Perfect" Hits a High Note
“Glee: The Movie" is probably what you'd expect of “Pitch Perfect,” the new college comedy from director Jason Moore and “30 Rock” writer Kay Cannon.
Review: “Babel"— Mumford and Sons
Fans of folk–rock rejoice!
Review: "Battle Born” — The Killers
Thirty seconds into “Flesh and Bone,” the opener on The Killers’ new album, “Battle Born,” it is easy to believe the band has not changed in eight years — the pop synths, edgy guitar chords and Brandon Flowers’ raspy vocals are reminiscent of their first studio production, “Hot Fuss.” Nonetheless, “Runaways,” undeniably the strongest track on "Battle Born," features high–soaring vocals and riveting drumbeats that showcase the group’s distinctive Springsteen and 80s rock influences in a completely new way.
Review: Shields - Grizzly Bear
After three superb studio productions, the expectations for Grizzly Bear’s newest album were high.
