Arts & Entertainment

A&E

“Aloha” is a white-washed, red-hot mess

By Elizabeth McCauley | July 7, 2015

A love story can be incorporated into just about any topic. Ideally, the romance would encompass and advance the entire narrative, such as the love between a poor artist and a wealthy aristocrat which fosters a broader message against classism in “Titanic.” Framing a love story within unique or trying circumstances is convenient from a writing standpoint and for making historic or tragic events more comprehensible.

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A&E

Sense8 is a bold and grand piece of work despite flaws

By Sam Henson | June 19, 2015

The first season of “Sense8” is the latest release from streaming-powerhouse Netflix. The show was conceived and driven by the Wachowski siblings, best known for the “Matrix” films, and co-creator J. Michael Straczynski. 

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A&E

'Pitch Perfect 2' hits a few sour notes

By Ellen Adams | June 2, 2015

“Pitch Perfect,” the musical comedy that centered around the world of competitive collegiate a cappella, became a surprise hit and highlighted a cappella as a cultural phenomenon after it’s release three years ago.

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A&E

The Southern's birthday tribute to Bob Dylan

By Dixon White | June 2, 2015

To celebrate legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan’s 74th birthday, The Southern’s “Released: A Birthday Tribute to Bob Dylan” showcased eight Charlottesville musical groups paying their respects to Dylan and performing their interpretations of his songs. Kai Crowe-Getty, of the headlining band Lord Nelson, introduced the show with a traditional acoustic cover of “Highway 61 Revisited” track “Queen Jane Approximately.” Following the introduction, he gave an emotional speech about discovering Dylan’s music through his dad, who also joined him on stage for his last song.

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A&E

Marvel Mondays: heroes ranked

By Charles Hancock | May 26, 2015

The release of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” provides a great opportunity to take stock of the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far, despite the fact Phase Two technically concludes with July’s release of “Ant-Man.”

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A&E

“Mad Max: Fury Road” paves new course for action films

By John Mattingly | May 21, 2015

In Rob Reiner’s 1984 mockumentary, “This is Spinal Tap,” a member of the eponymous, fictitious rock band explains that, unlike most speaker systems, which go from one to 10, theirs go to eleven.

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A&E

Who is Snoop Dogg?

By Karim Saoud | May 19, 2015

Those looking for the Snoop Dogg’s classic rap styles will be thoroughly disappointed in his newly released album “Bush.” While the artist retains his quirky lyrics and cannabis-focused themes, the vocals in each of the ten songs fully overpower the little remaining rapping.

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A&E

Marvel Mondays: Age of Ultron

By Charles Hancock | May 19, 2015

In 2012, Marvel’s first installment of “The Avengers” rewrote the book on superhero blockbusters and on modern franchises.

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A&E

A summer of C’Ville concerts, part one

By Candace Carter | May 19, 2015

Charlottesville’s nightlife and live music scene rock on during the summer months after many students have left Grounds.

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A&E

Melodies to Reminisce

By Karim Saoud | May 19, 2015

With graduation day and the semester’s end approaching, these goodbye songs are sure to match the mood on Grounds as students begin to leave.

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A&E

“4” collects fourth-year creative writing in concrete and abstract forms

By Robert Shimshock | May 13, 2015

An anthology is the salad bowl of literature — in fact, this is what “4: An Anthology of Fourth-Year Writing” strives to be.

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A&E

The Jefferson Theater’s best shows of the semester

By Arts & Entertainment Staff | May 13, 2015

Charlottesville’s music scene is a busy one, and this past semester proved to be no exception to this rhythmic rule.

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A&E

A major debut for Major and the Monbacks

By Matthew Leon | May 6, 2015

The eight-piece rock ‘n’ roll band known as Major and the Monbacks, featuring U.Va. alum Cole Friedman, his twin brother Neal and several other Norfolk natives, offers a sound reminiscent of 1960s rock.

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A&E

“The Messengers” is filled with choppy acting, sub-par visuals, but lots of potential

By Anelle Mensah | April 29, 2015

Given the CW’s current trend of focusing on supernatural and post-apocalyptic shows — like “The Vampire Diaries,” “The Originals,” and “The 100” — it comes as no surprise that the CW has gone one step further with its latest show “The Messengers,” which adds angels into the fictitious fray. “The Messengers” follows five individuals who are granted supernatural powers when a meteor strikes the Earth.

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A&E

O Records presents music for students, by students

By Charles Hancock | April 29, 2015

Artists of Charlottesville’s O Records took over the second floor of Boylan Heights April 10 for their spring semester showcase.

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A&E

“Botched” is no hack job

By Anelle Mensah | April 24, 2015

The hit E! reality television series “Botched” chronicles the work of plastic surgeons Dr. Terry Dubrow and Dr. Paul Nassif as they seek to rectify cases of plastic surgery that have gone horribly, horribly wrong.

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A&E

Same Game, New Rules

By Ryan Waligora | April 24, 2015

Warning: This review contains spoilers. Winter has passed, and “Game of Thrones” is back.

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A&E

HBO: More than just “Game of Thrones”

By Walker Peterson | April 24, 2015

Sunday night has always and will always be the best time for television dramas. Now, with “Game of Thrones,” the final season of “Mad Men,” and network powerhouse “The Good Wife,” all playing on this hallowed field, HBO has competition.

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A&E

20th Annual Fourth-Year Poetry Reading showcases student talent, personalities

By Kristen Clevenson | April 23, 2015

On Monday, the University Bookstore opened its doors to poetry lovers, friends, professors, and teaching assistants for the 20th Annual Fourth-Year Poetry Reading.

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A&E

Hoos in the Stairwell steps it up

By Reilly Sheehy | April 23, 2015

Virginia’s all-female musical theatre a cappella group Hoos in the Stairwell — also referred to as the Hoosits — will perform their spring concert, “Our Time” Tuesday, April 28.