Reviews

Movie Reviews

Lauren Conrad’s designs take Boston by storm

Christina Loridas Fashion, Art & Culture, Reviews
It’s not easy being only 22 years old, having a hit TV show, a fashion line, and millions of girls screaming your name–just ask Lauren Conrad.
 

BOSTON–The screams echo throughout the luxurious high-ceilinged foyer. Girls populate every visible corner, dancing and moving to the rhythm, together forming a blur of tiny black dresses and silk tops, lost in the music. It is Saturday night, Nov. 15, at The Estate, an elite and upper class club.laurenfashiontourminneapolis-3.jpgI can feel the excitement and anxiety in the air as hundreds of girls anxiously watch the stage waiting for the show to begin. Lauren Conrad’s newest line of clothing was to premiere at 9 p.m.

But perhaps the audience is not just hoping for the show to start, but also to catch a glimpse of Conrad, the biggest “it” girl in entertainment today. Continue reading →

Bond is back—Shaken not stirred

Ron Campbell Entertainment, Reviews , , ,

Daniel Craig hit theaters Nov. 14, 2008, reprising his role in the reboot of the famous 007 series, topping box offices and becoming the highest grossing opening night film in November and the highest grossing Bond film ever.

Quantum of Solace movie poster.

“Casino Royale” was seen as a huge success in the Bond series, the 22nd film marked the reboot of the 007 franchise, with new cast members and new story lines, literally starting the story line from scratch.

“Quantum of Solace” is a direct sequel to “Casino Royale,” starting one hour after where the last movie left off. Bond has just captured Mr. White and is in a car chase to get him into the safety of MI6, the British secret service.

White confesses about a secret organization called Quantum that backed “Casino Royale’s” villain, Le Chiffre, and that eventually leads to the death of Bond’s love, Vesper Lynd.

Continue reading →

Swords, magic and monsters?—only in a video game

Ron Campbell Reviews , , , , ,

Blizzard Entertainment released its third installment to the “World of Warcraft” video game series with the expansion, “Wrath of the Lich King,” Nov. 13, 2008. The highly anticipated Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game, or MMORPG, is based on traveling to the new land of Northrend to defeat the evil Lich King.

Cover Art of the box.

A Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game like “World of Warcraft” is more of a community than a game. Based on teamwork in an open area where all players can interact socially, it is its own little world.

The “World of Warcraft” series has been seen as the highlight of this genre for many years due to its constantly changing world and additions that keep players entertained.

Even though the last expansion to the game, “The Burning Crusade,” was seen as a let-down to veteran players because the new content made the game too easy, Blizzard managed to boost the player base from eight million to 12 million in its two-year span by attracting new players.

Continue reading →

A theatre’s take on Twilight

Katlyn Murray Entertainment, Reviews , ,

BOSTON — Stephanie Meyer’s novel, Twilight, came to theatres everywhere on Nov. 21, a long-awaited date according to several readers.  Books turned into movies are generally different from one another, and viewers had much to report on their findings.

Twilight is a story about a girl, Bella, moving to live with her father in one of the rainiest towns in all of the U.S.  An adopted family of vampires resides in this town, trying to mainstream into everyday life as “normal” people.  The two main characters Edward (a vampire), and Bella fall in love with each other and struggle to make their relationship work as two different beings.  It is in Edward’s main interest to protect Bella, which deems to be fairly difficult, as Bella constantly gets herself into trouble. Continue reading →

Hookah bar is popular hang-out for students

Alaina Spaziani Community, Entertainment, Reviews

ALLSTON, Mass. – Just steps away from Boston University’s campus, hookah bar Nile Lounge is the newest hot-spot for Boston’s 250,000 college students.

Located just over the Allston-Boston border at 70 Brighton Ave., Nile Lounge is a hip, fun, and low-key destination for people of all ages. As the weather gets colder, students are eager to find indoor destinations which cater to thier needs and budgets. Nile Lounge is definately that place, where anyone can be entertained for hours without spending money, and still bond with friends. Contrasted to typical nights out at bars, restaurants, and clubs, it is amazing that hookah lounges did not become popular earlier. Continue reading →

Twilight: The new obsession

Brittany Jasilli Entertainment, Reviews

twilight-2.JPGBOSTON–Every 10 years, a new phenomenon sweeps across the nation. There were pet rocks in the 70s, leg warmers in the 80s and fanny packs in the 90s. The millennium is no exception. The new obsession of kids and adults alike is a series of books, specifically the Twilight saga written by Stephanie Meyer.

Twilight is Meyer’s first book and it was unexpected that the book series would have a real impact on society. The Twilight books follow the characters of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen through a tumultuous love story. Essentially their story is not so different from hundreds of others that have been written: boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, drama ensues. Continue reading →

The discovery of The Road

Kira LaFosse-Baker Entertainment, Reviews , , , , ,

BOSTON — Somewhere in a log cabin in the southwestern part of this country, a strange old man sat down and dreamed up a tale to tell. He wasn’t quite looking for inspiration but rather letting the inspiration find him and through this odd process of subconscious unearthing, Cormac McCarthy discovered The Road. It’s a simple story; in an ambiguously decrepit world a man and a boy go on a journey to find a safe haven. Their resources are scarce, their vigor is fading and of the few people they encounter, the only ones they can trust are each other. Continue reading →

Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers celebrate five years

Carolyn Hessel Entertainment, Reviews

event-pic.jpgBOSTON–When three musicians from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst started playing music together five years ago, not one of them would have guessed they would come this far. Playing sold-out shows and seeing their names in the bright lights was always something they had dreamed of, but was never guaranteed.

The band members include Stephen Kellogg (lead vocals-guitar), Brian “Boots ” Factor (drums-vocals), and Keith “Kit ” Karlson (piano-bass-vocals). Each member of the group brings his own distinct personality; Kellogg with his witty humor, Factor with his ability to quote any movie made in the past 10 years at the drop of a dime, and Karlson with his jaw dropping dance routines.

Continue reading →

Ben Folds plays “fake” concert for real fans

Alaina Spaziani Entertainment, Reviews ,

BOSTON – Ben Folds shocked die-hard fans Friday night when he opened his show with a disclaimer – “None of you have heard any of these songs before.”

The fans crowded into the Orpheum were confused. Arriving at the Boston, Mass., theatre that evening, we were all expecting to hear songs from Folds’ new album, Way to Normal, which had been leaked onto the Internet three months prior to the artist’s fall tour. Instead, we were informed by the cheeky pianist and songwriter that everything we had heard online from the previously unreleased album had been a joke – fake versions of real songs. The band had recorded the fake album while bored one night in Dublin, and then ‘anonymously’ leaked it onto the Internet as a joke to fans.
Continue reading →

Goodwin amplified

Ted Karczewski Entertainment, Reviews , , , , ,

BOSTON — It was dark out when Keith Goodwin’s career was on the line. Growing up in a business where record labels signed and abandoned him several times, life had spun full circle again.

With the new formation of his band Good Old War, Goodwin controlled the stage with an authoritative presence. His modest personality caused his voice to quiver over the amplifier. He picked up his guitar, rested it on his right leg and bellowed a loud note. The crowd was silent. Everyone was paying attention. Fan approval meant life or death for Goodwin and his new project. Continue reading →

HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical

Felicia Homan Entertainment, Fashion, Art & Culture, Reviews , , ,

BOSTON — The year was 1968. The Vietnam War was in full swing, along with an emerging American culture built on the principles of love, peace, and political protest. This culture was defined by a radical group known as hippies; their hair was long, their clothes were tie-dyed iridescent shades of the rainbow, and their symbol was the peace sign.

The movement spread world-wide, but was most active in large cities such as New York. Within this innovative society in New York City’s East Greenwich Village, the story of HAIR: the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical unfolded. Continue reading →