Review
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.
Review: Coexist - The xx
It didn’t seem possible for The xx to become more minimalist, but they may have succeeded in doing just that on their sophomore album, “Coexist.” The vocals of Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft have not lost their smooth and dreamy qualities, but instead of each song packing its own unique punch as they did on “xx,” the songs run in a nearly unchanging stream, both lyrically and musically, the sounds melting together in an indiscernible mix.
Review: Beacon - Two Door Cinema Club
In their sophomore effort, the Irish band reprise their catchy, clean–cut blend of indie rock and electro–pop, proving that in the two years since “Tourist History” they’ve matured without losing their upbeat energy.
Bachelorette is Girls Behaving Badly
Let’s get this out of the way right now: "Bachelorette," the new indie rom–com from writer–director Leslye Headland, adapted from her play of the same name, is not "Bridesmaids." Yes, the two do share a similar “B” title, and both center on the upcoming nuptials of the protagonist’s BFF.
Review: "Montage" - City Rain
If there’s one word to describe City Rain’s new EP, "Montage," it’s anthemic.
Review: "The North" - Stars
Stars, the Canadian baroque–pop quintet, are back this fall with their sixth full–length album, "The North." The album opens with “Theory of Relativity,” a track that’s classic Stars, weaving together singer Torquil Campell’s even notes with the high chimes of Amy Millan’s voice.
Review: Centipede Hz
They obviously don’t care about their social status
Comic on Campus
Locust Moon brings the good ol' days back to campus
Out of Towners: Forked Out
What we learned from girl-boy rock duos, mosh pits and organic food stands.
