Album Review – The District’s “Popular Manipulations”
Written By Emily Bennett, Editor-Elect
September 19, 2017
Filed under Arts & Entertainment
Stepping into their third full length, The District’s “Popular Manipulations” chronicles the concurrent depth and superficiality of the Philly-based rock quartet’s changing sound. It’s no secret that the Districts have grown up in the public eye. Four childhood friends originally from Lititz,...
‘Mother!’ is a chore to endure
Written By Michael Richter, A&E Editor
September 19, 2017
Filed under Arts & Entertainment
Upon completing a single viewing of "Mother!," I felt as though I had ran a mental marathon. This movie repeatedly warns viewers to the point of nauseam about the downfall of fame. After leaving the theatre, I was shocked to learn via IMDb that it clocks in at 121 minutes -- it seemed like I was in the...
‘It’ clowns around too much
Written By Michael Richter, A&E Editor
September 12, 2017
Filed under Arts & Entertainment
Fear is the central theme of "It," but the movie's demonic clown Pennywise does little to strike fear in the audience. The latest film adaptation of Stephen King's novel "It" is akin to what would happen if Freddy Kruger clashed with the Goonies -- which looks good on paper, but it's poorly execu...
2017’s upcoming fall TV lineup will provide good replacements for shows ending in the summer
Written By Zachary Matthew
September 12, 2017
Filed under Arts & Entertainment
Summer does not officially end until Sept. 22, but the fall season of TV has already begun. Viewers are coming off the high of shows like “Game of Thrones” and “Twin Peaks” and need new addictions to soothe their craving for good television. Plenty of new and returning shows will be gracing ...
Twin Peaks goes out with apt almost perfect two-part finale
Written By Michael Richter, A&E Editor
September 6, 2017
Filed under Arts & Entertainment
Twenty-six years after the original series left the “Twin Peaks” pure, boy scout-esque protagonist Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) possessed by the show's ultimate evil Bob, the third season finale (possibly series finale) managed to raise even more questions. In fact, "Twin Peaks: The Retur...
Bedtime in the ‘Burgh
Written By Sarah Gibson
September 5, 2017
Filed under Arts & Entertainment
Rachael Bindas and Alyssa Minkos are two college students who are trying to bring a little more variety to the medium of children's literature in Pittsburgh. "Before the Sun Wakes Up" a children's book currently in production with a planned release in March of 2018. It's a book with an intended ...
LCD Soundsystem – “American Dream”
Written By Mick Stinelli, A&E Editor
September 5, 2017
Filed under Arts & Entertainment
It is impossible to review the new LCD Soundsystem album without bringing up the band’s breakup in 2011. The band split for over four years, released a film of their grandiose final concert (“Shut Up and Play the Hits”) and a live album of said concert (“The Long Goodbye”) before reuniting in...
The War on Drugs’ new LP contains some of the band’s best songs yet
Written By Mick Stinelli, Co-Arts and Entertainment Editor
August 29, 2017
Filed under Arts & Entertainment
After 2014’s triumphant “Lost in the Dream,” Adam Granduciel’s The War on Drugs has returned with their latest LP, “A Deeper Understanding.” This album hits upon familiar War on Drugs touchstones: their signature Springsteen-with-reverb approach to songwriting, passages of ambience and Grandu...
X Fest to include wide array of rock bands this year
Written By Josh McCann
August 29, 2017
Filed under Arts & Entertainment
The annual music festival known as X Fest returns to Stage AE for an outdoor show on Sept. 9. This year’s all-day and into the night rager features a diverse lineup of multiple genres including headlining alternative pop act Bastille. It also includes metal slaying trio Highly Suspect, Southern roo...
‘Good Time’ thrills as Robert Pattinson reinvents himself
Written By Michael Richter, Co-Arts & Entertainment Editor
August 29, 2017
Filed under Arts & Entertainment
"Good Time," directed by siblings Benny and Josh Safdie, is a riveting crime thriller about two brothers that is comprised of unexpected turns, suspense and a dollop of absurdist comedy. While many bank heist movies demonstrate the hazards that accompany crime, the Safdie brothers' film manages to take...
