Film reviews

Dr. Feelgood: Billy Bob Thornton dispenses the details of deception in School for Scoundrels. School forScoundrelsPG-13, 100 minutesNow playing at CarmikeCinema 6Stephen Potter was a British humorist who penned a series of mock “self-help” books in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s. Potter’s books on Gamesmanship, Lifemanship and Oneupmanship purported to teach “ploys” for manipulating […]

Chuck Brown

He may be 68, but the dashing and dynamic Chuck Brown lays down his nonstop go-go jams with more energy than rockers half his age. music True originals in the music scene are few and far between. Maybe that’s why Chuck Brown, the man who pioneered the booty-shaking funk mélange known as go-go, has built […]

Sam’s Town

cd  In their brief career, The Killers have always favored bold strokes. Their 2004 debut, Hot Fuss, was an oversized serving of glittery rock inspired by David Bowie and new wave. Frontman Brandon Flowers formed an early version of his band after seeing an Oasis show, and many of the band’s early moves seemed to […]

Way to “Blue”

"Best of C-ville" rockers American Dumpster have seen their share of trials and tribulations as of late- but with a trio of upcoming shows, they’re playing through the pain. When it rains, it pours. Local favorites American Dumpster have just survived a stretch that makes Fleetwood Mac look like The New Christy Minstrels.     Among […]

Amadeus

If Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart suddenly floated down out of the sky and waltzed into the nearest record store, he would see ample evidence that the relative indifference paid to his music during his life has morphed into something resembling religious worship. Just as Friedrich Nietzsche said, “Life without music would be a mistake,” classical music without Mozart’s splendidly conceived and melodically sublime compositions would be unimaginable.

Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy

games  The Lego Star Wars series is a bright, shiny path to not one, but two galaxies far, far away: the one George Lucas created for us back in the 1980s, and our old childhood galaxy, where we created entire universes out of colorful plastic blocks.    The sequel to last year’s surprise hit changes little […]

Dave Matthews Band

music A show for young and old alike! It’s the last show of the summer tour and three generations of Dave Matthews Band fans have arrived at what is now officially Charlottesville’s arena from as far away as Canada and as near as Albemarle High School. With me for the evening is 15-year-old Simon, whose parents just bought tickets outside. Simon says a lot of people his age are at the concert. How many are here with their parents? Pause. “Pretty much all of them,” 14-year-old Madeline, Simon’s friend, says. Simon is so excited he can barely speak, until the lights go out and he yells, “Yeah!” People wave cell phones like lighters. Dave walks out first, alone. The crowd roars and he throws his arms up in triumph. He is glad to be home.

Film Reviews

The Black DahliaR, 119 minutesNow playing at Seminole SquareCinema 4 Over half a century after she was murdered, Betty Short continues to fascinate us. She’s become a screen upon which we project our hopes and fears about fame and fortune, beauty and lust, art and commerce, and that place where it all comes together, Hollywood. […]

Flawless no more

Ask around town about favorite local bands, and you are very likely to find Sparky’s Flaw at the top of many people’s list. Ask Sparky’s Will Anderson about the reason for the band’s popularity, and he will give you the most nuts-and-bolts answer there is: “Good songwriting, good live shows and hard work.”    Touring up […]