Arts & Entertainment

The screening of "Harriet" at the Virginia Film Festival was followed by a discussion moderated by The New York Times writer Jamelle Bouie.

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‘Harriet’ hits home given Virginia’s history of enslavement

By Loree Seitz | October 28, 2019

Producer Daniela Taper Lundberg and actress Vanessa Bell Calloway discussed the intensity of filming on plantations as the film likely reflected true history that occurred there.

Co-director of "Western Stars" Thomas Zimny spoke on stage with Miller Center Director William Antholis following the screening.

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‘Travel On, Pilgrim’ to Bruce Springsteen’s vision of the new American dream

By Cate Pearce | October 28, 2019

"Western Stars" is everything Springsteen is — eloquent, raw, concise and beautiful.

Michael B. Jordan plays civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson in "Just Mercy," which opened the Virginia Film Festival Wednesday night.

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VAFF’s ‘Just Mercy’ is just captivating

By Dan Goff | October 27, 2019

VAFF nailed it three years ago by selecting “Loving,” and this year, with Bryan Stevenson biopic “Just Mercy,” they have again hit upon the perfect film for the occasion.

Writer and former U.Va. professor Ann Beattie read at Old Cabell Hall Oct. 17.

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Ann Beattie succeeds in pleasing writing crowd

By Elliot Van Noy | October 27, 2019

One-time University professor Ann Beattie shared her short fiction in an Old Cabell reading and masterclass with MFA students and creative writing undergraduates.

Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails has become a mainstay in the film score industry as of late.

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How a 90s rock star found new relevance by defining Hollywood’s sound

By Max Patten | October 27, 2019

Trent Reznor was changing music by angrily screaming into grungy records decades before his clean, instrumental sound defined a new sound in Hollywood.

Performers from the Charlottesville Ballet previewed "The Nutcracker" and shared other dances for the crowd at the Beer and Ballet event.

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Charlottesville Ballet’s classical kickback

By Sarah Howorth | October 24, 2019

Locals were welcome to both pilsners and pirouettes while contributing to the Charlottesville Ballet and enjoying a preview of "The Nutcracker."

Artist Bayeté Ross Smith talks on Oct. 16 at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center with Kevin MacDonald, the University's Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

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Artist Bayeté Ross Smith is tired of monolithic identity

By Max Patten | October 22, 2019

Artist Bayeté gave a talk Oct. 16 that spanned his multimedia art career of sculpture, photography, video and interactive technological elements.

Cristin Milioti, pictured here in 2014, plays Maggie in Amazon's "Modern Love."

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Not so modern after all, Amazon’s ‘Modern Love’ disappoints

By Katie Kenny | October 22, 2019

The story is somewhat unoriginal on its own, and is not aided by the writing or acting, which consistently feels mushy and over-simplistic.

Gucci Mane performs in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in August 2010. Since his career began in 2005, Gucci has released 15 studio albums.

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'Woptober II' isn’t anything new

By Omari John | October 22, 2019

Due to the ups and downs in Gucci’s career, fans were not sure what to expect from "Woptober II."

Author and comedian David Sedaris shared four essays from his new collection at the Martin Luther King Performing Arts Center Oct. 16.

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David Sedaris shares his dark, intimate humor with Charlottesville audience

By Gracie Kreth | October 20, 2019

While never crossing the line, Sedaris masterfully led the audience up to the edge of compassion and comfort with an intimate reading of four essays.

Get yourself pumped for the next game by listening to these classic tracks.

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Your soundtrack for watching the football team set ‘The Standard’

By Robin Schwartzkopf and Kate Granruth | October 17, 2019

These 10 songs capture the essence of the long uphill journey of Virginia Football and will get you pumped to watch your favorite team crush the remainder of this season.

Lead vocalist of Big Thief Adrianne Lenker performing with the band at Haldern Pop Festival in 2018.

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‘Two Hands’ sees Big Thief at their best

By Stefan Lizarzaburu | October 15, 2019

The album’s opener sets the tone pretty early on — “cry with me / cry with me” can be interpreted more as an order than as an inquiry.

Writer and director Vince Gilligan and star Aaron Paul have worked together for over a decade.

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‘El Camino’ is the best kind of fan service

By Max Patten | October 15, 2019

Netflix had its moment of pride with the surprise reveal of “El Camino” this summer, a “Breaking Bad” sequel delivered in the format of a movie.

Harry Styles dropped a much-anticipated new single and music video on October 11.

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The return of Harry Styles

By Anna Miller | October 15, 2019

After a two year drought, Harry Styles’ new single, entitled, “Lights Up,” is the content fans knew they needed.

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‘Closer Than Together’ and different than before

By Joanna Ashley Clark | October 14, 2019

How do you cope with not loving your favorite band’s new album?

Toni Morrison speaking in 2008 in New York City.

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Book launch, documentary screening will celebrate Toni Morrison’s legacy, memory

By Dan Goff | October 14, 2019

“Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” will be screened on Wednesday, Oct. 16 in the Newcomb Hall Theater at 5 p.m. A panel and book signing will follow.

Hurry up and listen to these fall tracks before winter takes the autumn weather away.

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Six songs to soundtrack your autumn

By Stefan Lizarzaburu | October 14, 2019

Before all the leaves are gone and your cute sweaters get replaced by clunky coats, let these songs soundtrack your autumnal bliss.

Tony Bennett performs in front of the Rotunda at the "Honor the Future" campaign event.

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Tony Bennett — no, not that one — shines at ‘Honor the Future’ concert

By Eva Sirotic | October 14, 2019

While the concert mainly drew in alumni attending fundraising events for the University and Charlottesville locals, there were pockets of students that attended.

Despite the TV-PG rating of “Raising Dion,” creator Carol Barbee designed a series capable of conveying deep emotion and complex thought.

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'Raising Dion' in a modern world

By Keyandra Morris | October 13, 2019

Despite the TV-PG rating of “Raising Dion,” creator Carol Barbee designed a series capable of conveying deep emotion and complex thought.

While Joaquin Phoenix delivers a strong performance, the new DC Comics-derived film suffers from a lackluster screenplay.

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‘Joker’ is mostly derivative

By Gregory Lee | October 11, 2019

“Joker” certainly has the tools to drum up tension, to set the heart pounding the blood pumping — but it’s all setup and no punchline.