Category Archives: A & E

“Bohemian Rhapsody” blasts the rock but needs soul Reply

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By Colin Froment & Casey DiBari – Co-Editor-in-Chief & Opinion Editor 

As one of the most popular rock bands of all time, Queen was bound to get a documentary highlighting their formation and success. “Bohemian Rhapsody,” released Nov. 2, focuses on Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek) joining Queen as their new lead singer during the band’s rough beginnings, their gradual increase in popularity all the way to their final “Live Aid” charity performance. Even though the title directly references one of their time- less hits, the film doesn’t exactly feel like the Queen movie fans deserved.

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“The Grinch” captures the holiday spirit Reply

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Holly Feola – 1851 Staff 

“How The Grinch Stole Christmas” is a well-known classic holiday movie. This new version, titled “The Grinch” adds its own modern twist for younger audiences and fans of the original. The Grinch (Benedict Cumberbatch) refuses to participate in Whoville’s celebration of Christmas and rebels by trying to steal their treasured holiday.

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Lasell and Regis partner to perform Reply

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Lasell College Drama Club partnered with Regis College Theatre Club for the fall musical “Footloose.” Robby Rowe (bottom left) shined in his first lead role playing Ren McCormick. Rowe, Taylor Viles and a Regis student (bottom right) dancing during a musical number. Working together has provided students an opportunity to work with larger casts, as well as a larger performing facility. Mixing the talent from both schools could also help the students in the cast and crew, by learning from each other and helping each other throughout the show. Photos courtesy of Lizzy Leahy.

 

 

Wedeman exhibits dimensions of wellness 1

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Megan Palumbo & Danielle Hogan – Co-editor-in-chief & 1851 staff

“Re ection” by Dianne Freeman displayed how she reconnected with a past lover and ignited a part of her she previously denied. Photo by Danielle Hogan

This month, the Wedeman Gallery in Yamawaki featured “Wellness: Art for Physical and Emotional Healing.” This exhibit featured artists from Unbound Visual Art based in Allston-Brighton. Artists featured in this exhibit live and create in the Greater Boston area including Newton, Chestnut Hill, Brookline, and Cambridge. 

The art reflects different interpretations of wellness. According to the National Wellness Institute, there are six dimensions of wellness: emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social, physical, and occupational. The artists depicted various concepts of wellness for themselves such as nature, nutritious food, anxiety, and others. 

Executive Director of Unbound Arts, Inc. John Quatrale curated the gallery. “We want people to think about the various aspects in their own life. What aspects of wellness are they good at, which ones are they not so good at, and this gives them a reminder ‘oh yeah I have to get outside more’ or ‘I need to have more relationship.’ But you can also just look at it for its beauty,” he said. 

“Reflection, a Self-portrait” by Dianne Freeman created a memoir through art. According to Quatrale, Freeman was homeless for many years, but holds an art education. The piece tells the story of how she reconnected with a past lover “who stirred in me part of my womanhood I had been denying.” 

“Wellness” puts the meaning behind a picture holds a thousand words. Each piece holds a unique understanding of the aspects of wellness through art. “I think [wellness] is more important than happiness, when you get right down to it. Wellness will create happiness,” Quatrale said.  

This was a brilliant exhibit to schedule for this time of year as the days grow shorter and colder. Students are drowning in the midst of mid-semester activities and the Wedeman Gallery provides a  visual “Wellness” space for students. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday 1-4 p.m. 

 

A star somewhat shines Reply

by • A & E, Reviews • Tags: , , , ,

Emily Long & Pavel Zlatin – 1851 staff

The highly anticipated film starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper released on Oct. 5, “A Star is Born” is the third remake of the musical drama film released in 1937. The movie is another major role for Gaga and Cooper’s directorial debut. 

The film follows Jackson Maine (Cooper) and Ally (Gaga), two star crossed lovers who meet under unlikely yet completely cliché circumstances. Maine is a musician plagued by alcohol and substance addiction. After performing in Los Angeles, he meets Ally as she performs “La Vie en Rose” in an obscure bar. The pair get drunk and Ally sings one of her original songs to Maine. Her talent strikes him immediately, leading him to introduce her to the music world. As Ally’s career progresses, Maine is further ravaged by his inner demons. 

The duo’s acting is nothing but fantastic. Cooper has fully embodied the persona of Maine, a rugged Arizona cowboy. Gaga allows Ally to grow throughout the film from timid performer to a full-fledged starlet. 

The clear star of the movie is the soundtrack. Gaga’s vocals are a powerhouse with her edition of “La Vie en Rose”. The film showcases how well Gaga performs in a variety of styles from ballads with Cooper to pop songs similar to Gaga’s personal style. Cooper’s music talent is reminiscent of classic rock. 

While most of the elements of the film are great, the plot of the movie is awkward, paced too  quickly, and cliché. Luckily, as clumsy as the plot is, it is not bad enough to ruin all the good things about the movie. The original film also had a clumsy plot line, forgiving that particular flaw. 

Overall, “A Star is Born” is a movie worth seeing. The acting is incredible, the soundtrack is simply beautiful, and Gaga has proved once again that she can do it all.

“Venom” lacks a clean bite Reply

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Colin Froment & Brian Cohen – Co-editor-in-chief & 1851 staff

Spider-Man supervillain Venom swings back into cinemas in his self-titled film, “Venom,” released on Oct. 6. The film highlights the character’s anti-hero persona on a path of redemption in a film separate from any Marvel film released. 

Investigative journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) attempts to revamp his career by investigating the Life Foundation and its sinister founder, Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed). This causes him to be forcibly bonded with the alien symbiote Venom, giving him superhuman strength, shapeshifting abilities and a constant hunger for human beings. Brock must learn to find the balance between his morals and the symbiote’s cannibalistic intentions in order to take down the Life Foundation. 

And the film does get as interesting as it sounds – for the most part. 

“Venom” really struggled with pacing. The first half of the film is a large, dull exposition that takes a slow approach focusing on Brock, making fans wait what seems like forever for him to actually become Venom. Once the symbiote finally emerges, there is more excitement to witness, but then the movie feels rushed as it progresses. As the predictable climax comes to a close, the audience is left thinking, “wait, that’s it?” 

The film left little time for character development for the supporting cast. Drake is about as generic as it gets when it comes to devious corporation CEOs, even when attached to the murderous symbiote, Riot. Michele Williams as Anne Weying had stand out moments that set her apart from other superhero love interests, but it doesn’t completely make up for some personality flaws she displays in the beginning of the film. 

On a less darker side, Hardy proves to be the perfect choice as both Brock and Venom, mixing two very distinct personalities into one character with such ease. The monster unleashes brutal action scenes and displays signature dark humor to create the film’s funniest moments. With a visually striking and frightening appearance, thanks to detailed visual effects, Venom looks ripped straight out of the comic pages for enjoyment.

With a rushed plot that begins at a snail’s pace and dull characters, “Venom” feels like an unfinished product but with a little glimmer of a potentially fun flick. “Venom” is like Play-Doh, a messy but entertaining pile of goop that kids might not want to eat a second time around.