Tableau

LOX cohort's debut a 'Walk' to remember

The current state of the inner cities of America causes many to raise their eyebrows. It seems that as the rich get richer, the poor get poorer, and this desperation causes a disproportional amount of violence in America's so-called "ghettos." When you consider the glorification of drugs, guns, murders and misogyny ubiquitous in the rap lyrics that saturate the airwaves, one has to wonder:Is art imitating life, or is life-imitating art?

'Man' for all seasons: 'Idol' runner-up steals spotlight

Clay Aiken was the gracious loser. After being defeated by Ruben Studdard for the "American Idol" title, he gave Studdard a hug and then left the stage so the winner could enjoy the glory.

Too 'Hot' for Tennessee: Pop-Punkers explode onto scene with harmony, fervor

Currently headlining the "Why Don't You Change YOUR Name Tour," Feable Weiner knows that its name is ridiculous, but the Tennessee-based pop-punkers revel in this fact.

Hard 'Kash': Duo anneals house formula

Both good and bad kinds of density exist in music. While the mind-numbly inane density in, say, Jessica Simpson's lyrics maintain prevalence, a rarer, powerful form of density also exists -- one that results from layer upon layer of sound, embellishments over embellishments, so thick that the music is nearly solid, and constantly shifts in aural focus.

Ludacris speed: Motor mouth uproariously reps Dirty South

Having hoes in different area codes is quite a responsibility indeed; as the hottest single rapper from below the Mason-Dixon line, Ludacris carries a lot of careers (and arguably the future of the entire Dirty South) on his shoulders.

The Big EZ: Hip-hop prodigy drops debut

Everybody has his or her own definition of hip-hop. When the art form first sprang up there was no need define it -- it just was.

Leatherface came, he sawed, he conquered

It will be difficult for me to review "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" -- difficult because I spent a large portion of the film hidden under my jacket.

Veridct is in: Grisham adapation 'Runaway' hit

After a slew of predecessors, John Grisham's latest novel to be adapted into a feature film is the smart and well-acted thriller, "Runaway Jury." The star-studded cast, including Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, John Cusack and Rachel Weisz, effortlessly crafts a suspenseful and entertaining courtroom drama about gun control and the liability of major gun manufacturers. Wendell Rohr (Hoffman) is the prosecuting attorney who takes on a monumental case against the gun industry.

At 22, Lang must cope with 'Coming'of age

Jonny Lang, former child star. Well, maybe not quite "child"

A 'New' exploration of folly of fortune

One-third "Citizen Kane," one-third "Godfather" and one-third police thriller, Pavel Lounguine's "Tycoon: A New Russian" is a movie that takes its cue from a great number of classic films to tell the true story of the richest man in Russia.

The annual Virginia Film Festival, sponsored by U.Va's College of Arts and Sciences, returns this Thursday to Charlottesville.

Gulpilil, of 'Rabbit-Proof Fence' fame, visits festival

Through simplicity, more deep and profound meaning often arises. Such is the case for "The Tracker." David Gulpilil, a highly renowned Australian actor from "Rabbit-Proof Fence" fame, stars in this moving epic set in the wilds of the Outback.

Documentary takes brave look at Romanian history

Irene Lusztig's documentary "Reconstruction" explores the journey motif on a number of different levels: Her physical journey to Romania serves as a foundation for an emotional journey to discover her grandmother's past.

Remake far outshines original, takes new twists while paying homage to source

What comes to mind when you think of deceit, Mini Coopers, an ingenious plot to steal Italian gold and revenge?

Noir classic still a standard in heist films

"Du Rififi Chez Les Hommes" is the prototypical film noir, a stylish classic of the genre that remains as relevant and enjoyable today as it was in the 1950s.

Make way for the bad guy: Pacino as Tony Montana

Until a few days ago, I was the only person in the world who had never seen "Scarface." Somehow in the 21 years of my life I never got around to watching the movie, and I suppose the reason was that on some level I had already seen the film.

Game on! Leggat, Ze Frank detail culture, nuance of modern videogames

Loaded with classic and contemporary videogames, Game Engine comes to Charlottesville fresh off its premiere at this summer's New York Video Festival, where it received solid reviews. This energetic compilation of short films characterizes the burgeoning world of videogame graphics and how evolving technology is used in the hands of capable and creative gamers. In exploring the spectrum of game manipulation, from mastery of a commercial product to professional development of a film using modified in-game graphics, Game Engine defines how modern software has impacted story-telling by chronicling the cycle of videogame playing, alteration and acceptance in popular culture. Grossing more than $11 billion dollars in game and console sales last year, the videogame industry is clearly integrated into American culture.

'Three Kings' visionary even four years later

"Three Kings," which was released in 1999, provided an assessment of the Gulf War that was long over due.

'Translation' of despair: Pair finds life meaning in Japan

In Sophia Coppola's "Lost in Translation," her first film since "The Virgin Suicides," she effortlessly chronicles the story of Bob and Charlotte, played by Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, respectively.

Far from 'Intolerable,' actors shine

At first glance, "Intolerable Cruelty," the most recent film from the accomplished Coen brothers, may appear to be just another romantic comedy.