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...
Like a knot you’ve worked at until you finally feel it loosen, the many storylines throughout “True Detective” are finally coming undone in “Who Goes There.” Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson) is struggling to hold on to his own family, Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) slips back into his undercover life and the case erupts right in front of our tragic...
It is hard to say that one of the best-looking games from the PS3 and Xbox 360 needed a visual upgrade, but that is exactly what we got with “Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition." The game is a re-release of a reboot that came out a little less than a year ago in March 2013. Lara Croft made the jump...
I initially felt pretty relaxed as I sat down to listen to Katy B’s sophomore album “Little Red,” but halfway through, I was energized and feeling the groove. The British-born, Mercury Prize-nominated artist brought forth an excellent, synth-heavy house album that is bound to hit dance floors everywhere (if it hasn’t already). Not only were the beats extremely catchy,...
When I first saw “The Lego Movie” had received a 97 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, I just couldn’t fathom how it had happened to earn such rave reviews. Hollywood hasn’t had the best track record when it comes to turning children’s toys and board games into feature-length films. Whether it’s the action-packed and plotless “Transformers” movies or the...