Movie Review: ‘American Hustle’ Starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence
Director David O. Russel is certainly on a winning streak after The Fighter (2010) and Silver Linings Playbook (2012). Then again, looking back on his career, he’s never really made a bad film. Three Kings (1999) was met with almost unanimous praise from critics, and I Heart Huckabees (2004) is one of my favorite comedies […]
Album Review: ‘Goodnight Moon Part II’ by Rookie of the Year
There are some songs/albums that just beg to be played on a summer car ride with the windows rolled down. I could list a dozen of each that I’ve played from my iPod/phone countless times. Beyond that, though, there are bands whose entire catalogs appear to be written in this manner. On a roadtrip with your […]
St. Louis Symphony Opening Weekend Starts September 28. A Look Back at Last Season’s Finale.
Finally! Symphony season is upon us. as such, I’d like to give a brief recap of last seasons finale… Let me start by admitting that I am no veteran of attending symphony performances or even listening to classical composition. While I’ve always appreciated the form and style, I never caught the bug, so to speak, […]
Concert Review: Reel Big Fish & Friends Rock the Pageant. Yes, Again.
Ska-punk stalwarts Reel Big Fish conquered The Pageant July 12. They played “Sell Out,” “Beer” and their version of A-Ha’s “Take On Me” while telling corny jokes and encouraging circle pits. Blah, blah, blah. None of this is news. I started putting together a review, but then I realized that I really had nothing left […]
Concert Review: Brian Setzer Puts His Cat Clothes on for STL
I have a confession: I used to think Brian Setzer was a cat. I’m not crazy, I promise. But with his band being named the Stray Cats and all the songs they wrote about felines, my five-year-old self just naturally assumed that Setzer had whiskers and a fluffy tail. Ahhh, fun times in 1982. I’ll […]
Interview: Faux Bono Is Almost “Even Better Than the Real Thing”
As an iconic band that’s been together for 35 years, U2 is looked up to by many musicians, but they’re not often imitated well. One of the rare bands that rises to the challenge is Elevation, and they go well beyond basic sound-alike karaoke. Elevation, which bills itself as the best U2 tribute band on […]
How To: Survive the U2 General Admission Line
No, I’m sorry, U2 general admission ticket holders – you cannot waltz into St. Louis’ Busch Stadium at 7 p.m. this Sunday and expect to find a great spot on the floor. What’s that? You had no idea that you’d have to fight 10,000 people for a decent spot? Fine, fine. I, as a veteran […]
Concert Review: U2 + Chicago, Sittin’ in a Tree
Your dedicated reviewer went to Chicago on July 5 for her first of three U2 shows this month. Other “360 Tour” shows she’ll be reviewing include Busch Stadium in St. Louis (7/17) and Heinz Field in Pittsburgh (7/26), the final stop for the tour. Tickets still are available for both shows. Learn more at u2.com. […]
Concert Review: Weird Al Yankovic at the St. Charles Family Arena (2011)
When I was an adorable moppet, my father gave me a 45″ vinyl single of Weird Al Yankovic’s “Eat It.” To my young ears, the song was the best thing I’d heard in my life. In fact, I loved it so much that I took that record to school for Show and Tell Day. I’d […]
