As we sat in a hotel in New York on a rain-soaked Wednesday my colleague, T. J. Callahan, turned to me and said, “If more people could talk to filmmakers, we’d like more films.” She was speaking to the depth of understanding that dawns when you hear the genesis of a story, where it finds its mirrors in other art, and what in the work is meant to heal. Pinocchio is easy to adore in this iteration. It is a classic reshaped into a storybook in medias res, transforming the parable into something mythic but with teeth sharp enough to… Read more »
Over the last two years, most of us have had a lot of extra time at home. Some people chose to learn something new (I downloaded Duolingo and now hablo español), some people spent a lot of time on TikTok or Netflix (or both), and some people helped score a recreation of the cult classic The Princess Bride. Or at least that’s what Christo Bowman, lead singer of indie-rock band Bad Suns did. “I’ve never even seen the [original] movie,” says Bowman when I ask him about the experience. We’re chatting via Zoom—he’s in the green room at the Rialto… Read more »
A film based on the photograph of a man named Gordon, who suffered under enslavement and whose picture of his scarred back from past whippings publicized the cruelty of American chattel slavery. With added action for some reason.
Basically: A gorgeously crafted movie memoir, chronicling one boy’s love for family, truth, and more than anything the sorcery of cinema.
Basically: The world-famous detective Benoit Blanc is invited to a murder mystery weekend with a bunch of influential friends—but the game turns out to be more serious than everyone thinks… I have to admit I’ve never watched Knives Out completely; I only saw a few minutes of it and didn’t have time to finish. So when I had the opportunity to see Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery at its LA premiere, I liked going into it fresh. People underestimate how free it feels to watch a film without knowing anything about it beforehand. Premieres are not my bag because… Read more »
It was past midnight after an incredible but long day of music at The Gathering. The Happy Fits were set to go on and I knew there was no way I could pass up the opportunity to talk to them beforehand. Whenever I’m listening to an album on Spotify, when it wraps up, The Happy Fits always plays next. I’ll be dancing and jamming out, just to look down and see it’s who I should have suspected all along. The Happy Fits’ music is exactly what you would expect with a name like that. They’re energetic and fill your veins… Read more »
Basslines and Protest Signs is Brett Callwood’s column looking at the intersection of music and politics. This week talks about the importance of voting in the midterms.
George Clooney and Julia Roberts play a divorced couple who have to get along to try and stop their daughter from getting married.
What better way to kick off a weekend than with new music? Featuring new tracks from MxPx, PVRIS, Jimmy Eat World, and more.
photos & words by Austin Spruill As the blistering summer of 2022 winds down into the cooler weather of fall, musicians and fans alike are treated to a number of high-profile festivals raging across the country, from Welcome to Rockville and Inkcarceration to Rocklahoma and Louder Than Life. However, few were as highly anticipated as this year’s incarnation of Blue Ridge Rock Festival, taking place from September 8–11. Hosted at the world-renowned Virginia International Raceway in Alton, VA, hopes were high for the relatively young festival, as the successes and challenges of 2021 propelled the event further into the spotlight… Read more »
