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‘The Flame Alphabet’: Fiery novel blazes with linguistic heat

Ben Marcus, author of his third novel, “The Flame Alphabet.” The book was picked as Amazon’s best book of the month this January and was featured in Harper’s magazine.

Every once in a while a novel comes along that leaves readers gasping at the skill of an author’s use of language. Ben Marcus’ startling experimental fiction, “The Flame Alphabet,” fits this bill. In his world, the planet is tainted by words. Language has become a toxin, spewing forth first from the mouths of Jewish [...]

‘The Woman in Black’: Mystifying horror fights through fog

In his first major film role since “Harry Potter,” Daniel Radcliffe wipes all thoughts of the boy wizard from viewers’ minds in his new role as a somber, curious young lawyer chasing shadows in James Watkins’ “The Woman in Black”. Set in the early 1900s, the film follows Arthur Kipps (Radcliffe), a young father whose [...]

‘The Artist’: Charismatic film bound to charm

It’s no surprise Parisian writer and director Michael Hazanavicius captured the attention of critics with “The Artist,” a playful and modern rendition of silent film that is unspeakably charming. In crisp black-and-white with next to no dialogue, it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that the film is another inaccessible Golden Globe favorite. However, a [...]

‘Shame’: Sex-crazed role gives raw show

British director Steve McQueen’s second film, “Shame,” is a character study dealing with the cynical world of addiction, while also excusing clichés in its poetic execution. Michael Fassbender plays a young sex addict named Brandon. A frequent customer of call girls and a chronic masturbator, Brandon lives a life consumed by sex without passion or [...]

‘Scars & Stories’: Emotionally charged album exposes band’s hidden scars

For their third studio album, The Fray delivers 12 highly emotional and candid songs to their fans. The band  exposes their emotions in a way they never have before. In their sensibly titled release, “Scars and Stories,” The Fray openly discuss accounts of their trips abroad — but with a twist. All the songs relate [...]

‘Attack On Memory’: Abrasive sound shocks senses

With the release of their new LP, Cloud Nothings have now put forth three albums in less than two years. “Attack On Memory,” their new effort, is a grunge-punk manifesto filled with feisty angst. Frontman Dylan Baldi and company employ clashing guitars, rapid-fire snare drums and guttural screams to deliver an energizing blast to listeners’ [...]

‘Lines of Control’: Exhibit explores artistic lines of origin

Amid Cornell University’s classic, ivy-covered architecture, the distinctive lines of the Johnson Museum stick out. Inside, 33 international artists continue this powerful contrast through their exploration of the power of lines. The boundary-shifting 1947 split of Pakistan from India, and later Bangladesh, inspired “Lines of Control,” an art exhibit of more than 40 works by [...]


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