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News

Film puts up good 'fight,' loses

By Bryan Koenig | April 23

It's amazing how little of the title activity actually takes place in "Fighting." Channing Tatum plays Sean MacArthur, a garden-variety struggling citizen of the Big Apple who sells whatever anyone will buy and knows how to throw a punch. In formulaic fashion, he meets up with Terrence Howard's Harvey Boarden, who fixes MacArthur up with some illegal, high-bet prize fights.

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News

Students create 'tight' situation

April 23

Since this is the last fashion column of the semester, we thought we'd dedicate it to a pressing issue on college campuses - nay, the world. An epidemic has outlawed a once-valued article in every wardrobe. Pants are indeed becoming an endangered species.

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News

'Soloist' lacks personal note

By Jordan Coughenour | April 23

For a movie that profiles the crashes and falls of Beethoven's greatest symphonies and attempts to capture the heartbeat of Los Angeles itself, "The Soloist" feels remarkably claustrophobic. Despite immersive and touching performances by its stars, Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx, the film never reaches a viable climax and lacks any significant character or theme development.

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News

This Providence discover voice, sound

By Traci J. Brooks | April 23

Music is an evanescent entity, and no band knows this more than This Providence, a now four-piece band from Seattle that has had eight different line-ups in a three-year period. The alternative/indie band's current roster features original members Dan Young and Gavin Phillips as vocalist and guitarist, respectively, as well as David Blaise on bass and Andy Horst on drums.

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News

The week in fun calendar

April 23

Thursday, April 23 Ponytail, Imperial China and The Gagged 8:30 p.m. WHERE: DC9, 1940 Ninth St. N.W. METRO: U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (green and yellow lines) INFO: Loved seeing Ponytail at their Capitol Punishment performance? Catch the Baltimore-based band again at DC9.

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News

Riddick bridges genres

By Michael Conte | April 20

It's rare that movie-licensed games are competent, let alone innovative and better than the franchise they're based on. Such was the case in 2004 with the acclaimed shooter game "The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay." The game is now ported over with modern graphics to the current generation, even alongside a sequel and a multiplayer game with the new title "The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena.

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News

'Informers' fails with sex, drugs, no plot

By Bryan Koenig | April 20

The most likely question any member of the audience misguided enough to watch "The Informers" is likely to have is, "Am I meant to take this seriously?" Between the globbed-on hair gel, pointless plot, disconnected acting and copious amounts of random sex, the most likely answer is a resounding "no." One would hope director Gregor Jordan actually intended for viewers to leave the theater with a headache and the knowledge that early '80s Los Angeles was full of omni-sexual, drug-fueled mannequins attempting to pass for really shoddy impersonations of human beings.

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News

Sunny songs sizzle

By Jordan Coughenour | April 20

There's no more assured way to make yourself miserable than by playing The Beach Boys in the wintertime. There are certain songs, movies and even books that should be banished from your shelves or iPods during the snowy months of the year. Playing the classic strums and "oo-ee-oos" of "Good Vibrations" with anything more than shorts and a T-shirt on is the musical equivalent to the electric chair.

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News

Film showcases broadway casting

By Marivic Tagala | April 20

At some point in our young lives, we've all wanted to be on stage whether singing, dancing or acting. That's why so many viewers tune into "American Idol" or "So You Think You Can Dance" each week. We want to see these everyday people like ourselves achieve their dreams and practice their passions.

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News

District's 'Blue Line' channels '90s influences

By Hilary Leister | April 20

When Washingtonians hear the words "the blue line," they should no longer think of the Metrorail. Instead, they should picture Ross Jacobson, Ben Payes, Nick Scialli and Dave Chaletzky - the four members of The Blue Line, an up-and-coming local band that's been charming fans with their rocking rhythms, catchy lyrics and charismatic style.

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News

Lily blossoms at 9:30

By Jordan Coughenour | April 20

A sold-out crowd seized the 9:30 club Friday night, dancing for the right to acceptance and the power to party on its own terms. British songstress Lily Allen and Seattle-based indie pop/techno band Natalie Portman's Shaved Head (NPSH) played to a crowd that collectively raised its middle fingers in the air in rejection of small-mindedness and sexual frustration.

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News

D.C. hosts new Kennedy

By Stephanie Jaar | April 20

Actor-comedian Jamie Kennedy is on tour looking to make others laugh. Kennedy played four shows Friday and Saturday at the Arlington Draft House. He is now living the dream that once felt completely out of his reach. Kennedy was 19 years old when he first started trying out some comedy routines.

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News

Efron sheds image

By Hilary Leister | April 20

Just when you think Zac Efron has finally managed to escape his role as basketball star/theater enthusiast Troy Bolton in Disney's "High School Musical" series, he starts his new film, "17 Again," in a high school gym dancing with cheerleaders and shooting hoops.

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News

'Horse' sing from heart on deep new material

By Katrina Casino | April 16

An Horse are a simple band with surprisingly complicated songs hidden behind a grammatically awkward name. The two-part band from Brisbane, Australia began as lead singer and guitarist Kate Cooper's solo project but became An Horse with the addition of drummer Damon Cox, an old friend from her record store-managing days.

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News

The week in fun calendar

April 16

Thursday, April 16 Camp Lo 8:30 p.m. WHERE: Bohemian Caverns, 2003 11th St. N.W. METRO: U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (green and yellow lines) INFO: The hip-hop duo brings their lively jams to the District. COST: $15 Grapes with the Apes 6 p.

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News

D.C. makes film cameo in 'State of Play'

By Bryan Koenig | April 16

"State of Play" is a relevant exploration of Washington and 21st century power that deftly navigates the streets of the city of D.C. from the eyes of a dying breed. Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) is a dinosaur, a relic of the print media's past - and he knows it.

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News

'Violet' exposes American penal system

By Michael Conte | April 16

The United States holds 25 percent of the world's prisoners, despite having about 5 percent of its population, imprisoning five times the world average, according to The Economist. But as ACLU lawyer Dan Boyd said, "most Americans don't react to statistics.

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