November 16, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on Don’t Call It a “Comeback”: Mulaney’s Latest Dazzles
Fresh off the failure of his sitcom, John Mulaney reminds audiences what made his comedy so exciting
November 12, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on “Bone Tomahawk” Flawlessly Cannibalizes the Western
Blood Meridian: “Bone Tomahawk” mashes genres with reckless abandon.
Drew Goddard’s overrated horror satire is an exercise in restatement.
October 21, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on Idiot Box: “You’re the Worst”
Stephen Falk’s “You’re the Worst” embraces the messiness of modern relationships.
As Dr. John Thackery, Clive Owen heads up “The Knick’s” stellar ensemble cast.
October 14, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on “Steve Jobs” Delivers Stellar Ensemble Performances
Danny Boyle energizes Fassbender-led “Steve Jobs.”
October 12, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on Idiot Box: Scream Queens
Ryan Murphy’s Scream Queens attempts satire with all the grace of Jason Voorhees.
October 8, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on “Sicario” Explores the Drug War’s Dark Heart
Emily Blunt and Benecio del Toro carry the relentless “Sicario.”
October 2, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on Matt Senreich ’96 Discusses the Superhuman Dysfunction of “SuperMansion”
Defective comics: “SuperMansion” turns superheroes upside down.
Eli Roth’s latest endeavor makes cannibalism toothless.
For all its messiness, “American Horror Story” keeps audiences captivated.
September 23, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on Johnny Depp Can’t Save “Black Mass” From Self-Importance
“Black Mass” does little to illuminate the mystery of “Whitey” Bulger.
September 23, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on Honeymoon Dispenses with the Irony and Nuance of Ultraviolence
Rather than expanding on her oeuvre, Honeymoon has Elizabeth Grant doubling down on her Lana del Rey persona.
September 13, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on Idiot Box: “Show Me a Hero”
David Simon’s “Show Me a Hero” is a blistering, low-key examination of politics and change.
Colbert’s much-anticipated return to television creates surprising results.
Wes Craven has left behind a colossal legacy on the horror genre.
September 3, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on Arts Summer Roundup: Movies
From brains to post-apocalyptic roadways, this summer’s films found hits in unexpected places.
April 22, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Restores Magic of Shakespeare Staple in Russell House Garden
April 20, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on “ESQUE” Creates Beautiful Art from Raw Truth in Malcolm X House
“ESQUE,” a series of performances about non-normative desire designed by a group of students in response to WesBurlesque, arrived unapologetic last weekend.
April 16, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on Sayon Soeun Discusses Move to America and Return to Cambodia for “Lost Child” Documentary
Djemba Djemba, The Julie Ruin, and Jeremih make up a diverse and surprising Spring Fling slate.
April 9, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on John Darnielle Extends The Mountain Goats’ Musical Winning Streak with Beat the Champ
February 5, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on “A Most Violent Year” Brings Nuance and Humanity to the Streets of 1980s New York City
J.C. Chandor’s latest is anchored by Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain’s magnetic turns.
January 29, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on “The First Bad Man” Finds Profundity in Oddness
Michael Darer ’16 says Miranda July’s first novel, “The First Bad Man,” will leave the reader “speechless and restless.”
January 26, 2015 by Michael Darer, Arts Editor . Comments Off on “Selma” Showcases a Nuanced Movement, Not Just Martin Luther King, Jr.
David Oyelowo assertively plays Martin Luther King, Jr. in Ava DuVernay’s biopic “Selma,” lingering in the details of a defining event in the Civil Rights Movement.
“Inception” director’s latest film is ambitious but falls short of its mark.
“Not that Kind of Girl” by Lena Dunham offers a touching, humorous, and occasionally chaotic portrait of life as a young woman in today’s world.
October 27, 2014 by Michael Darer, Assistant Arts Editor . Comments Off on Taylor Swift “Shakes Off” Country Style on 1989
T-Swizzle bursts out of the woods, shakes off country sound on new album.
The Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle explores the blurred line between reality and imagination in his first novel.
The fourth installment of this biannual festival keeps fans engaged.
September 4, 2014 by Michael Darer, Staff Writer . Comments Off on El Pintor Doubles Down on Interpol’s Somber Style
Interpol’s greatest new influence is, well, Interpol.
December 6, 2012 by Michael Darer, . Comments Off on Best Films of 2012 Thus Far (Unordered)