There’ve been nine previous apocalypses at the Barn and somehow we’ve survived all of them. How did they come to be, though, and could the Comedy Apocalypse succeed in finally annihilating the human race? Prior to the show, I asked an eager attendee what his feelings were before it all began. He said, “If I don’t laugh, there’ll be...
Japanese role playing games (JRPG) have a reputation for clinging to the past when it comes to gameplay. Square Enix, the long-loved developer of the “Final Fantasy” series, has been accused of this practice for a while now. This all changes with “Bravely Default” on the Nintendo 3DS, which feels like an homage to the classic turn-based JRPG with...
This week’s episode of “True Detective” officially makes it the most unique detective narrative I have ever witnessed. Time becomes the ultimate motif in this episode, titled, “The Secret Fate of All Life,” as the philosophical Rusty Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) introduces his view on fate and how everyone is reincarnated to relive their lives over and over again in...
A small stage draped with scarlet and large-bulbed lights gave way for nostalgia-filled high notes, guitar riffs and that one vocoded bassline we’re all familiar with as Ginuwine serenaded an eager crowd last Thursday night at ASPB’s Winter Soulstice. Despite an initially lyric-shy audience, sharing the moonlit evening with Ginuwine was a warming experience. With love in the air,...
I think the biggest problem with movie remakes is they seem oblivious to the fact that the reason their source material worked so well back in the day was because they perfectly fit the cultural zeitgeist of their time. The original 1987 “Robocop” was such a smash hit not just because of its fun and bold action, but also...
For all you punk and garage rock junkies out there living in an age dominated by pop, rap and hip-hop music, there is still hope for getting your garage rock fix from new releases. The Fleshtones’ latest album, “Wheel of Talent” is a refreshing blast from the past that features the head-pounding, sweat-inducing, mosh-friendly, 1960s and 1970s style of...
Rows of chairs stand throughout the Barn’s space, but few are being used. I walk through the glass doors, 15 minutes late, into a sound check. A graffiti-styled banner reading “Underground Vol 2: The Rebellion,” sponsored by African Student Programs, catches my eye. An artist, St. Von, sets up his paintings along the stage as display pieces in hopes...
After two EPs and a ton of anticipation from fans of Chino Moreno — lead singer of the immensely popular nu-metal band, Deftones — Crosses’ dark and atmospheric full-length album is a hit. Combining electronic, 80s new wave and rock influences, “Crosses” is the perfect choice to blast while driving down the freeway at midnight, or while in an...
From “The Notebook” to “Sweet Home Alabama,” romance films have always been predictable. The romance is the same, the pursuit is the same and the lovers always seem to have the same personality. Nothing is complex, and everything is straightforward. “Winter’s Tale” is the exact opposite. Based on the 700-page bestseller by Mark Helprin, Martin Scorsese even said that...
As a self-declared rap connoisseur, I have seen my share of rap concerts — so when I first arrived at the Barn last Wednesday night for LA-based Hellfyre Club’s performance, I walked in expecting to see a performance similar to the shows I’ve seen before: a DJ-based set, with the rapper(s) rhyming over instrumental tracks. Hellfyre Club completely dismantled...