Artsweek

October 9, 2008

Less Than Inspired

By Sara Weitz

The previews for "Flash of Genius" are inspiring, emotional and captivating.Unfortunately, the film in its entirety is a little disappointing. With a solid cast and an inspirational story, the film had a lot of promise. ...

October 9, 2008

Matinee Idol

By Penny Essakow Staff Writer

All you "American Idol" worshippers are familiar with Jennifer Hudson as a finalist from the shows' long-ago third season, while "Sex and the City" followers adored her character as Carrie's designer bag-borrowing assist...

October 2, 2008

Raconteurs’ Set at the SB Bowl Stops Short of Rocking

By Amy Silverstein

A curious thing happened last Thursday when I bought a $2 water bottle at the Santa Barbara Bowl: The vendor removed the cap, threw it away and handed me a now-decapitated bottle of Dasani.

October 2, 2008

Magic Lantern Screens Alum’s Latest Masterpiece

By Steven Morris

Animation extraordinaire and UCSB film & media studies alum Don Hertzfeldt returned to Isla Vista on Friday night to kick off Magic Lantern's fall line up.

October 2, 2008

Bird-Brained

By Sara Weitz

"Eagle Eye" is nothing short of predictable.

October 2, 2008

Palahniuk-Lite

By Artsweek Editor

Chuck Palahniuk should be handed some kind of award for being arguably the most darkly creative author of his generation (not to mention one of its most popular).

September 25, 2008

Getting Animated

By Sukhraj Singh

I was about to get off a local bus in Emeryville to arrive at a very special destination, when all of a sudden, five giant letters stopped all my thoughts.

September 25, 2008

Portraits of the Artist

By Karen Locke

He's one of the most popular and important artists of the 20th century, the rare figure whose name and work are recognizable to millions of people across the globe. No, I'm not talking about Walt Disney: I'm talking abou...

September 25, 2008

Masters of ‘Science’

By Stephanie Leong

Few bands have achieved the level of critical praise and rabid fanaticism that TV on the Radio has garnered over its three-album career, rendering the band a pioneer of the art-house canon.

September 25, 2008

She’s An Airhead

By Sara Weitz

Dane Cook is not -- and probably never will be -- a movie star. While his standup has proven to be immensely popular, it translates poorly to the big screen, and Cook's army of presumably adolescent fans have not bought ...

September 25, 2008

Action Jackson

By Steven Morris

If anything, "Lakeview Terrace" reminds us yet again: Samuel L. Jackson is one scary motherfucker.

September 25, 2008

Ghost Town

By Amy Silverstein

In David Koepp's "Ghost Town," at least five characters look into the distance and try, unsuccessfully, to hold back tears.

September 25, 2008

Current Arts Events for 9.25.08

By Staff

The Line-up (9.25) ONE Replacements Re-issues (ALBUM REISSUES) Yes, it’s a great time to be a fan of the Replacements, one of the most terminally underappreciated bands… well, ever. Not only has lead singer P...

September 18, 2008

Surfing the Channel

By Virginia Yapp

To paraphrase TV lawyer Alan Shore of "Boston Legal," the best work on television today is being done on cable.

September 18, 2008

Arts in the Autumn

By Virginia Yapp

A sea of students canvassed a packed Harder Stadium one pleasantly breezy evening in late August, singing along to the summery songs of UCSB alumnus Jack Johnson's catalogue as the sun sank behind the stage. Though there...

September 18, 2008

Chick-Lite

By Amy Silverstein

Diane English's "The Women," a less catty, more sappy remake of the 1939 George Cukor classic, plays out like a "Sex and the City" episode that got watered-down with excessive life lessons. There is not one male in this ...