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Arts & Entertainment


A&E

Bullet for My Valentine’s “Venom” injects a terse but lethal dose of metal

When asked in a 2006 interview with Popworld whether heavy metal band Bullet for My Valentine would go more commercial, the band’s frontman Matt Tuck replied, “We would never do [that] ... We’re more interested in what our music sounds like than what our f---ing hair looks like.” Since then, the band has lost its catchy sound and dropped their iconic screaming for radio-friendly vibes. Nevertheless “Venom,” BFMV’s fifth album, has stopped the band’s spiral into mediocrity.


A&E

Dr. Dre’s “Compton” is a fitting finale

Dr. Dre released his third and final studio album, “Compton,” on Aug. 7, 16 years after his last album, “2001.” A compilation of everything that makes Dre, Dre, “Compton” is an ode to his hometown, reflects on his upbringing and features many of the rap artists he’s helped along the way. “Compton” does its best to transport listeners to the city of Compton, beginning with a newscast-like introduction to the story of Compton’s potential glory and rapid downfall.


A&E

“Magic Mike XXL” learns to embrace levity

People generally go see strippers for one reason: to watch them strip. People go see movies about strippers for a slightly more varied set of reasons — perhaps for the cast, perhaps for a little narrative context to go with their chiseled abs — but for the most part, they want stripping.


A&E

“Entourage” lacks plot, substance

In “Entourage,” the film adaptation of the identically-named HBO series, main characters Vince (Adrian Grenier), Ari (Jeremy Piven), Eric (Kevin Connolly), Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) and Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon) are up to their old antics.


A&E

“Aloha” is a white-washed, red-hot mess

A love story can be incorporated into just about any topic. Ideally, the romance would encompass and advance the entire narrative, such as the love between a poor artist and a wealthy aristocrat which fosters a broader message against classism in “Titanic.” Framing a love story within unique or trying circumstances is convenient from a writing standpoint and for making historic or tragic events more comprehensible.


A&E

'Pitch Perfect 2' hits a few sour notes

“Pitch Perfect,” the musical comedy that centered around the world of competitive collegiate a cappella, became a surprise hit and highlighted a cappella as a cultural phenomenon after it’s release three years ago.

Puzzles
Hoos Spelling

Latest Podcast

In this episode, Mona El Khafif, an Associate Professor of Architecture, explains biophilic design, which refers to the integration of nature into urban and architectural spaces. Through her work on the Biophilic Region Exhibition and her emphasis on the role of educational collaboration, she highlights the importance of shaping architecture and learning for an environmentally conscious future, even here in Charlottesville.