Arts & Entertainment

A&E

Mystery Thriller Novel Strives to Help Sexual Violence Survivors

By Stephanie Hendarta | February 2, 2015

Set in a small, fictional Massachusetts town, Tom Lukas’ “Special Operations” claims to be “a thriller that could save a life.” The novel follows old-fashioned, no-nonsense First Detective Nick Giaccone as he tries to understand the twisted mind of the Illuminator, a war-veteran-nurse-turned-vigilante. Giaccone is about to retire when the Illuminator appears in sleepy Goddard, Mass.

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A&E

Viet Cong faces their own mortality on their maiden voyage

By Zachary Byram | January 30, 2015

In their morbid self-titled debut album, Viet Cong approaches a deep existential dilemma. Throughout their LP, Viet Cong grapples with the inevitability of death with reckless abandon. Featuring Matt Flegel and Mike Wallace from Calgary’s much-beloved noise-rock outfit Women — who permanently disbanded following the unexpected death of guitarist Chris Reimer — Viet Cong is a sort of continuation despite the tragedy.

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A&E

Michael Coleman takes the Annex by storm

By Rachel Gaffin | January 29, 2015

Cold January rain splattered against the windows of Mudhouse — a downtown Charlottesville hot-spot for a cup of coffee on a Friday night.

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A&E

A checkup with Dr. Dog

By Helen Broad | January 29, 2015

The Jefferson Theater thrives on its intimate setting. Every audience member is privy to a clear view of the band regardless of proximity to the stage.

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A&E

Cloudshadow entrances the Tin Whistle with Irish spirit

By Therese Codd | January 29, 2015

Of the many ways to connect with a culture, music has to be the most enjoyable. Each culture produces its own style — its songs or instruments conjuring images of landscape, people and traditions.

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A&E

Sleater-Kinney won’t give in

By Noah Zeidman | January 29, 2015

In 2010, Carrie Brownstein announced that riot grrrl/punk band Sleater-Kinney would put out a new album some time in the next five years.

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A&E

Oscars Frontrunners

By Charles Hancock | January 29, 2015

Until now, any prediction of Academy Awards winners was pure speculation.

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A&E

Falling in Reverse falls short with new set of singles

By Robert Shimshock | January 29, 2015

Falling in Reverse’s newest album has fans giddy with anticipation.

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A&E

“Togetherness” stands alone with rare unique charm

By Sam Henson | January 29, 2015

Sundays are a big night for HBO.

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A&E

The Decemberists’ latest welcomes a confused “World”

By Julia Stembridge | January 27, 2015

The Decemberists kicked off the new year with its lively seventh studio album, “What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World” — marking a 15-year-long career.

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A&E

“Cake” falls flat

By Ellen Adams | January 27, 2015

Jennifer Aniston has long been the poster girl for the romantic comedy heroine: unlucky in love — until she meets the perfect guy.

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A&E

Reading at The Bridge

By Caroline Crossman | January 26, 2015

Fiction writer Thomas Pierce and poet Ansel Elkins shared their latest works at The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative earlier this month.

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A&E

The mess that is “Mortdecai”

By Christian Salcedo | January 26, 2015

“Mortdecai” is a lousy film, riddled by a weak and linear plot. The plot brings the audience to some attractive destinations — England, Hong Kong, Russia, and the United States — but the locales are wasted on the film’s lackluster premise and execution. The film’s protagonist — played by the ever-quirky Johnny Depp — is Charlie Mortdecai, an art-dealing English aristocrat who finds himself saddled with 8 million pounds of debt.

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A&E

“Archer” aims high in season 6

By Ryan Waligora | January 23, 2015

In season five, “Archer” veered away from its tried and true formula of portraying the exploits of a bumbling spy agency made up of mad scientists, chronic alcoholics and sex maniacs, shutting down the agency in the pilot episode.

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A&E

Meghan Trainor’s “Title” is bland not only in name

By Vondrae McCoy | January 22, 2015

The pop music industry is tough to crack into — requiring the right timing, the right voice and the right song.

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A&E

“American Sniper” is a powerhouse feature

By Christian Salcedo | January 22, 2015

It is no easy feat to quiet a theater audience. Once the credits start rolling, it is normal to hear whispers and laughs as people get up from their seats to awkwardly shuffle towards the exit.

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A&E

The importance of “Selma”

By Nina Lukow | January 22, 2015

“Selma” is the most important film of the year. “Birdman” may be the most technically creative.

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A&E

‘The Interview’ not worth the controversy

By Flo Overfelt | January 21, 2015

“The Interview,” the highly anticipated satirical film with duo Seth Rogen and James Franco, falls short of the hype that accompanied its release.

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A&E

Fourth-year comedian brings together students and locals

By Candace Carter | January 21, 2015

Fourth-year Commerce student Campbell Ross will take the stage at The Southern this Thursday to represent the University during the venue’s Laugh Your Ass Off stand-up comedy night. The LYAO series is part of a local initiative to fill what Lindsay Dorrier, marketing manager for The Southern and The Jefferson, calls “a glaring hole in the local entertainment scene.” Dorrier created the LYAO comedy showcase, using the scheduled performance of comedians Noah Gardenswartz and Kenny Wingle to forge a connection with the University and draw students Downtown in support of Ross. “I’m interested in club level comics that don’t hold back,” he said in an email — and it seems Ross fits the bill. Upon being asked to recommend a successful student comedian, Christopher Hutson, fourth-year College student and president and co-founder of the Student Stand Up Club, said he immediately thought of Campbell. Ross began performing in high school, when he presented a mixture of stand-up comedy and improv for a senior project. Now Ross tackles a variety of topics onstage, and said his time at U.Va.

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A&E

Belle and Sebastian try to dance with two feet

By Ty Cadogan | January 20, 2015

For nearly two decades, Belle and Sebastian have provided the soundtrack to a cloudy day with calm, pensive and melancholy music.