In his new book, “The Humbling,” author Philip Roth explores the decline of an actor as he hits rock bottom. As the character struggles through depression and thoughts of suicide, Roth draws upon experience to develop a complex novel that confirms his spot as one of the truly great American writers of our time.
Monday, May 21, 2012 | last update: 12:45 am
Independently serving the UMass community since 1890
“The Humbling” is a smashing success
Tags: book review, Philip Roth, The Humbling
Posted in Arts & Living, Words | No Comments »
“Legend” soars with stunning imagery
Zack Snyder emphasizes his highly-stylized visual flare in his newest film, “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole.” While the story lacks originality, the fast-paced action and stunning graphics create a fantastic children’s film.
Tags: film review, Jim Sturgess, Kathryn Lasky, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, Zack Snyder
Posted in Movies | No Comments »
Tao Lin’s “Richard Yates” impressive and moving
Lin’s new novel, about two fictional characters named Haley Joel Osment and Dakota Fanning, hit the racks on Sept. 7, and Mark Schiffer thinks you should buy it immediately.
Tags: book review, Richard Yates, Tao Lin
Posted in Arts & Living | 1 Comment »
Experimental rock band Xiu Xiu taps into new energy at Hampshire College
Xiu Xiu put on quite the performance at the Hampshire College dining commons on April 12. Their “thunderstorm of a set” even included the use of a Nintendo DS as an instrument. The band also used sexual outbursts at peak moments of their performance.
Posted in Music | No Comments »
Xiu Xiu to Rock Hampshire College
Xiu Xiu will perform tonight at the Hampshire College Dining Commons.
Posted in Music | 4 Comments »
Bong Joon-ho’s “Mother” thrills and spiritually engages
In a film climate where little substance appears to be occurring in the mainstream, it is nice to see a film like “Mother” (Madeo). What viewers are privy to is an incredibly gripping, thematically complex, and beautifully directed thriller by Bong Joon-ho. Now that it has won the 2010 Asian Film Award for best picture, it looks like it has the potential to be a runaway success.
Tags: asian film award, Film, korea, koren film, mother, movie
Posted in Arts & Living, Movies | No Comments »
Joanna Newsom’s latest is ‘One’ to be reckoned with
Four years ago, in a duet with Smog’s Bill Callahan, Joanna Newsom sang “I love you truly, or I love no one.” Curious, how in a career seemingly ridden with fantasy allusions and eccentricity, the conclusion to one of her greatest songs was something as relatable and emotional as that.
Tags: Baby Birch, Joanna Newsom, Music
Posted in Music | No Comments »
Amherst Cinema showcases Oscar-nominated shorts
Every year, the Oscars come and go. And yet, one category always seems to pass by unnoticed: the short films.
Tags: amherst cinema, oscars, short films
Posted in Movies | No Comments »
Sumptuous ‘Embraces’ (3)
Like a delicious Georgia peach begging to be bitten into, “Broken Embraces” unfurls a near-perfect synthesis of narrative and spectacle.
Tags: douglas sirk, hitchcock, melodrama, pedro almodovar, penelope cruz, volver
Posted in Movies | No Comments »
“Good Rockin’ Tonight” Reintroduces Legend to New Generation
Elvis Presley is currently associated with screechy blue-haired queens in Memphis, placing wreaths on his grave while talking about how they saw him last night in their hotel rooms. Hopefully, with today’s release of “Elvis 75: Good Rockin’ Tonight” – celebrating what would be Elvis’s 75th birthday – all this will change.
Tags: 75 birthday, CDs, elvis, elvis presley, Music
Posted in Music | No Comments »
