Artsweek

January 12, 2012

Raised by Popular Culture: The Worst Movie of 2011

By Damion Damaske

Confession time: I don’t see a lot of movies out in theaters. Tickets are expensive, I am poor and I’m also terrible at torrenting, so I am selective about what movies I see on the big screen. What I am trying to say...

January 12, 2012

Snow Crash Humors the End of the World Theory

By Emily Hunt

If Dec. 21, 2012 does indeed signify the end of the world, I’m guessing it won’t be via any natural disaster. No, if our species (or rather, all species) are to conclude their existences within the next 12 months, it...

January 12, 2012

In Case of Zombie Attacks, ‘Shut Up or Nut Up’

By Nicole Valencia

Rather than lament on apocalypses or rhapsodize about a bright and shiny bang that leaves all sinners in its wake, this article is a practical guide to a practical movie, which in turn is a practical guide for readers li...

January 12, 2012

‘The Innkeepers’ Raises Horror Film Expectations

By Derek Boeckelmann

For horror fans like me, 2011 saw the decline of remakes, torture porn and slasher films. While the financial pull of these subgenres nosedived, there was an unexpected revival of the paranormal subgenre, with films like...

November 17, 2011

Common: From the Hood to Doing Good

By Victoria Essien

One of hip hop’s most illustrious and conscious artists, Common, graced Campbell Hall’s stage Tuesday night as part of his book tour to promote his new memoir, One Day It’ll All Make Sense (titled after his third s...

November 17, 2011

‘Whose Live’ Ignites Granada

By Corie Anderson

For comedy lovers, the Granada Theater was the place to be on Tuesday night when Arts & Lectures brought the popular improvability troupe Whose Live Anyway to Santa Barbara. The sold-out show produced a diverse range...

November 17, 2011

Magic Lantern Goes Ape-shit

By Darrell Hall

Ever wonder how it all started? As prequels are increasingly in cinematic fashion these last few years, come to one of the Magic Lantern’s screenings of “The Rise of the Planet of the Apes” to find out. Starring Ja...

November 17, 2011

Menopause Hits Lobero

By Audrey Bachelder

A has-been soap star; A professional diva; An earth mother guru; An Iowan housewife. Now, you might be thinking: what the heck is this laundry list of women for? What do they have to do with each other? Well, my dears, t...

November 17, 2011

‘Raised by Popular Culture’: The Three Worst Christmas Films to Ruin Your Holiday Spirits

By Damion Damaske

Well, the holidays are just around the corner, and I don’t know about you, but I’m not looking forward to this season. When I think of Christmas, I think of family — and by that I mean drinking, bickering, fighting...

November 17, 2011

Drake’s ‘Take Care’ Shows His Intimate Side

By Brandon Foo

When Drake first exploded into mainstream popularity in 2009 with the now-platinum single “Best I Ever Had,” I was not so much unimpressed as uninterested, carelessly dismissing the former “Degrassi” actor as jus...

November 17, 2011

Documentary Encourages Organic Sharing

By Alex Colletta

Casa Esperanza sponsored a screening of the motivational documentary “Urban Roots” at Santa Barbara City College last Saturday as they welcomed National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. In addition to the film...

November 10, 2011

Mac Miller’s Talent Is Sweeter than Kool-Aid

By Brandon Foo

Last Friday, Mac Miller played at the Hub as part of his Blue Slide Park Tour. A.S. Program Board sponsored the independent Pittsburgh artist’s show, where Mac Miller promoted his new album, also titled Blue Slide Park...

November 10, 2011

Heroes: The Good, the Bad and the B-List

By Damion Damaske

I’ve always felt that when you watch a movie, read a book or listen to music, you are always moved on an almost unconscious level. I don’t mean movies or songs that you remember or that changed your life and worldvie...

November 10, 2011

Cockeyed Optimist to Shed Light on UCSB

By Madison Medeiros

Southern California rock band Cockeyed Optimist will perform for UCSB next Monday as part of A.S. Program Board’s free afternoon concert series. Hailing from Orange County, the four-piece band is travelling to differen...

November 10, 2011

Zeds Dead at the Hub: Kind of Like Dating Girls, Ultimately More Satisfying

By Multimedia Editor

Chances are, if you’re into electronic music at all, or even if you’re not, you have heard the name Zeds Dead thrown around. Hailing from Toronto’s dubstep scene, Zeds Dead has become one of the top dubstep produci...

November 10, 2011

Remembering Del Close, King of Improv

By Howard Kahan

“Saturday Night Live” (SNL) debuted on NBC in 1975. The initial cast of “Not Ready For Prime Time Players” featured many “improv comedians.” Del Close, the Improvisation Guru, trained almost half of them. Ove...