Arts
The Arts
FILM REVIEW: Style Over Substance In ‘Ant-Man And The Wasp’
Let’s face it. Paul Rudd has an ageless, amiable persona which translates perfectly to the big screen. It served him and the story really well in the first Ant-Man movie (2015). He’s now back as ex-thief Scott Lang, joined by Evangeline Lilly (Hope Van Dyne/Wasp), Michael Douglas (Dr. Hank Pym), and Laurence Fishburne (Dr. Bill Foster). However, there’s a fundamental problem this time. The freshness is largely gone, and the visuals are significantly more clever and amusing than most of the dialogue. Continue Reading FILM REVIEW: Style Over Substance In ‘Ant-Man And The Wasp’
FILM REVIEW: An Ethical Purgatory At The Southern Border In ‘Sicario: Day of the Soldado’
Day of the Soldado reunites CIA agent Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and the “hitman” of the title, Alejandro Gillick (Benicio Del Toro). With the initial blessing of the Secretary of Defense (Matthew Modine) and the supervision of a CIA handler (Catherine Keener), Graver and Gillick engineer a false-flag kidnapping to turn two Mexican cartels against each other. Continue Reading FILM REVIEW: An Ethical Purgatory At The Southern Border In ‘Sicario: Day of the Soldado’
To Answer Hollywood’s Diversity Problem, California Program Hands Kids The Camera
Youth Cinema Project students recently screen their films for the public. The program aims to create a pipeline to get kids of color in underachieving schools into the filmmaking industry. Continue Reading To Answer Hollywood’s Diversity Problem, California Program Hands Kids The Camera
FILM REVIEW: ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ Generates Intermittent Heat
In this derivative but fitfully inventive fifth installment of the Jurassic franchise, our heroes try to rescue Isla Nublar’s dinosaurs from extinction-by-lava, only to get their ash handed to them. Continue Reading FILM REVIEW: ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ Generates Intermittent Heat
Remembering Anthony Bourdain, Explorer And Enthusiast
The chef came to prominence writing about the restaurant kitchens he knew best. He was, particularly on his TV shows, infinitely curious, hungry for everything. Continue Reading Remembering Anthony Bourdain, Explorer And Enthusiast
Summer Music Festivals 2018
The warm, late-spring weather of recent weeks is a reminder that summer is just around the corner. One of the highlights of the season is the abundance of classical music festivals throughout the Northwest. Take a look at what’s in store this summer. Continue Reading Summer Music Festivals 2018
FILM REVIEW: Pontiff Gets Cinematic Pulpit In ’Pope Francis: A Man Of His Word’
In German director Wim Wenders’ new picture, an Argentinian nun who has known Pope Francis for many decades compliments him as the “shepherd of the world.” While he modestly deflects that praise, he clearly has the charisma of a movie star. Continue Reading FILM REVIEW: Pontiff Gets Cinematic Pulpit In ’Pope Francis: A Man Of His Word’
FILM REVIEW: A Meta-Hero Makes A Welcome Return in ‘Deadpool 2’
Superheroes now rule our world. At least the box office receipts tell us so. We’re just here to admire them, and assume the roles of background players. Thank goodness, then, we have the return of Wade Wilson in Deadpool 2. Continue Reading FILM REVIEW: A Meta-Hero Makes A Welcome Return in ‘Deadpool 2’
FILM REVIEW: Motherhood Isn‘t Perfect, Just Real, In ‘Tully’
It’s tough being a mom, even though it’s “such a blessing” to bring another life into the world. The central character in the new comedy-drama ‘Tully’ knows it all too well. Continue Reading FILM REVIEW: Motherhood Isn‘t Perfect, Just Real, In ‘Tully’
QUIZ: English Composer Or Politician? Test Your Musical Or PBS Knowledge
Can you guess which of these are Composers and which are English politicians featured in ‘Victoria’? Good Luck! Continue Reading QUIZ: English Composer Or Politician? Test Your Musical Or PBS Knowledge
FILM REVIEW: ‘A Quiet Place’ Updates The Creature Feature
The story of A Quiet Place spans approximately thirteen months, in the year 2020. Posters and aging newspaper clippings quickly reveal humankind has been ravaged by a merciless alien force. A family of five tip-toe into the nearest town to take supplies from the shelves of ransacked stores. Continue Reading FILM REVIEW: ‘A Quiet Place’ Updates The Creature Feature
Comic Michelle Wolf Responds To Backlash: ‘I’m Glad I Stuck To My Guns’
Though critics argued that the comedian’s barbed monologue at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner was too pointed, Wolf stands by her set: “I wouldn’t change a single word.” Continue Reading Comic Michelle Wolf Responds To Backlash: ‘I’m Glad I Stuck To My Guns’
