Review
Calvin Harris - "18 Months"
Calvin Harris has got the formula down with his newest album, “18 Months.” The Scottish DJ’s catchy electro beats have high energy and low experimentation, but they clearly work based on the popularity of two familiar tracks, “Feel So Close” and the Rihanna hit, “We Found Love,” both of which aren’t by any definition new — but they appear on the album anyway.
"A Late Quartet" Makes Sweet Music and That's About it
Yaron Zilberman’s “A Late Quartet” follows the Fugue, a famed musical ensemble struggling to stay together after its revered cellist Peter Mitchell (Christopher Walken) is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
"Gimme the Loot" is Teenagers Tagging Things
Adam Leon's “Gimme the Loot” follows two teenage graffiti artists out to tag a New York icon.
Neil Young - "Psychedelic Pill"
What’s the one word to describe “Psychedelic Pill”? Bland — Neil Young’s 35th studio album churns out a monotonous repetition of forgettable guitar riffs and tacky lyrics.
Review: The Sessions
“The Sessions” follows the true journey of poet Mark O’Brien (John Hawkes), who, at age 38, finally decides to lose his virginity.
Review: Holy Motors
Every year, Cannes cedes one of its Hollywood–monopolized screens for a patriotic celebration of insanity.
Album Review: Godspeed You! Black Emperor - "Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!"
With the release of "Allelujah!
Album Review: Taylor Swift - "Red"
With the release of her pensive new album, “Red,” Taylor Swift shows off a more mature version of herself. The record's only anti–boy rant is the cutely cranky “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” Everything else — such as the dubstep–esque “I Knew You Were Trouble,” and “The Last Time,” a surging duet with Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody — is adult. Both “22” and “Starlight” are about the timelessness of youth. The perky “Stay Stay Stay” mentions groceries and settling down. And “Everything Has Changed,” a raw duet with Ed Sheerhan, is a graduation into the indie coffeehouse jams of the thoughtful twentysomething. She’s still wholesome, lively, and genuine, but she’s older — and she’s seeing anything but red. 3/5 Stars
Review: “Simon Killer”
Despite a promising name and a promising director at the helm, Simon Killer fails to really deliver anything to its audience.
Review: “Paranormal Activity 4”
“Paranormal Activity” is nothing more than your normal spooks and scares.
Review: "Sinister" Lives Up To Its Name
“Sinister” is true horror at its finest.
Review: "Seven Psychopaths" Is Not Your Average Guys-With-Guns Movie
If you think you know what “Seven Psychopaths” is about because you’ve seen the trailers, you’re in for a big shock.
Concert Review: Animal Collective at the Mann Center
The stage at the Mann Center looked just like you'd expect at an Animal Collective show: strewn with giant fluorescent teeth and resembling a mouth.
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.
