A lot of hype comes with the words "Magnet Arts Night." Rumors of auditions, cuts, "the list" and epic performances seem to fire like neurons through the 300s hallways in early February. And while the excitement may be contained upstairs, the whole school feels the after-effect of what is said to be one of the most impressive showcases at Blair. This year, Magnet Arts Night lived up to it all, making for a knock-out blend of new and old, tradition and modernity.
Their lyrics aren't poignant, make little sense, and often contain less content than their song titles. But there is something so catchy about Fall Out Boy's pop-punk ballads that allow this Chicago native band to cling to the "guilty pleasure" category for many listeners. Their latest installment, "Infinity on High," released on Feb. 6, is choc' full of witty titles and nonsensical stanzas. Fortunately, what lead bassist/lyricist Peter Wentz lacks in lyrical genius, he makes up for with spectacular instrumental collaborations with lead guitarist Jon Trohman and drummer Andy Hurley. Lead singer Patrick Stump's smooth and booming vocals complete this soulful sundae with a cherry on top.
Despite the excess of restaurants in the D.C. metropolitan area, finding a perfect place to dine is often a process just as painful as watching somebody incorrectly answer the 200 dollar question on "Jeopardy." If the "Jeopardy" answer is "a superb Italian restaurant in Bethesda" then, without a doubt, the question is "What is Pines of Rome?"
Almost every major street in Downtown Bethesda is dotted with one or two Italian restaurants aiming to distinguish themselves from the rest with unique flourishes and affectations. From the minute you step into Cesco to the second you leave, this trattoria will make you feel like royalty, if only for one night.
Neo-Nazi triplets, "The Tremors," complete with leather pants, shocking tattoos, poorly shaved heads and Sharpee Hitler moustaches. A famous peddler of card tricks showman from Las Vegas. A back-country, ninja-riffic 12 year-old hyped up on Ritalin who talks like he's watched too many re-runs of "Da Ali G Show." While in reality, most of these people could hardly be found in same hemisphere, director Joe Carnahan manages to successfully squeeze them into an amazing two hour ride into the realm of incredible action, wild characters and spent shell casings, "Smokin' Aces."
Football season is almost over, and those days of Sunday fun are coming to a close. Though this recipe can be used for every occasion, the final celebration of the season can be topped off with a bowl of guacamole.
Should you find yourself in downtown Silver Spring and in the mood for something other than the hustle and bustle of typical chains, then Moby Dick: House of Kabob, is the place to stop for some traditional Persian cuisine.
The moment when guitarist John Frusciante giddily held up bloody fingers coming off a five-minute improvised duet, it was clear that even as they near their 25th year together, the Red Hot Chili Peppers still know how to rock.
In the early 1980s, war tore through Southern Sudan. A death warrant was placed on every boy in the region, prompting an exodus of 27,000. "It was as if, as people say, in the last day in the Bible, people will be judged," says one such boy, John Dau. "I thought God grew tired of us and he wanted to finish us."
Top six of '06 Now that the year 2006 is over (and did it fly by or what?), SCO has decided to take a brief look back at some of the best films of the year. A few of these films are still out in theatres, having such great appeal that viewers like you kept going back to see them, but a few of them are already out on video, ready for you to snatch up at your local Blockbuster. So sit back, relax and read about what SCO picked as the top six movies of 2006.
A neurotic ex-wife, her recently-released-from-jail-ex-husband and their son, split between the two. A jilted obsessed wife, a cheating husband with a quick temper and the investigator pulling them together. A trashy co-ed, several religious maniacs and a fugitive on the run from the law. At first glance, the cast of Carl Hiaasen's recently released novel "Nature Girl" appears to be compiled of characters from a soap opera, but soon they reveal themselves to be something far worse: not worth anyone's time.
Smells waft in the air, a rich and overwhelming odor of fish heads, dirt and sweat. Herbs hanging from stalls sway stiffly in the warm wind as patrons, smelling both rich and poor, shop at the market. Beneath one of the stalls a new smell has just entered the world: that of the infant Jean Baptiste Grenouille, the star of "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer."
For Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw), the protagonist in the European import film "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer," scent is the meaning of life itself. It does not merely interest him, it enraptures him. His unusual sensitivity to all things olfactory takes him out of poverty, but it also makes him obsess single-mindedly about preserving scent. Bottling smell is Jean-Baptiste's sole purpose, his only respite from an otherwise empty life.
The idea behind "Code Name: the Cleaner" — a silly comedy about a man who loses his memory — is one we've seen before (think "50 First Dates"). But this movie also features cool action scenes, which are supposed to separate it from the lame romantic comedy. Unfortunately, not even the most exciting fights in "Cleaner" compensate for its meaningless storyline and cheesy jokes.
Suppose you're a director and your name is Steven Soderbergh. You've directed "Oceans" 11 and 12, "Traffic" and "Erin Brockovich." You've proven your prowess, and are bestowed with complete artistic license on an independent movie starring three bodacious heavyweights: George Clooney, Cate Blanchett and Tobey Maguire. You have the talent, cinematography and screenplay — and you flop. You shoot for avant-garde black-and-white 1940's film noir, but you try too hard and forget the basics — like plot construction. Unfortunately, "The Good German" cannot be sustained on artsy-fartsy camera work alone, when the plot is rife with inconsistencies.
Machine gun fire shatters the air. The wall of a nearby building explodes outwards, showering those running for cover in debris. A woman screams — and is abruptly silenced by the "pop" of a pistol. Men and women round the corner, running for some kind of shelter, only to be met with soldiers in tanks, who open fire on all they see. Something that could only be blood splatters on the camera lens which records the humanity in a way that is somehow both removed and compassionate. Iraq? No — this is England, part of the "civilized" west, 20 years from now.
Sometimes even the best meal can be ruined by a few unappealing side dishes; fruit cake is a serial meal spoiler. Luckily, SCO has taken the time to compile some side dishes that will have everyone asking for more this winter.
Instead of trekking to the far corners of the county just to grab a taste of great Indian flavor and spices, Blazers can make their own at home. Chicken Curry with Asian Pears, dish with a variety of different roots, is distinctly reminiscent of the tastes of India, but also of other flavors. Strongly flavored with curry, a spice used in South Asian cooking, the dish is filling enough to stand alone, but tastes even better accompanied with rice. The variety of different toppings that the dish can be served with gives the recipes makers creative freedom.
"Dreamgirls" was jinxed from the start. Any film generating Oscar buzz for months before its theatrical release is doomed to suffer the curse of unfulfilled expectations. Add that the semi-biographical film centers around the 1960s black music industry and stars Jamie Foxx and comparisons to Foxx's 2004 Oscar-winning film "Ray" are unavoidable. Unfortunately, "Dreamgirls" is nowhere near the same caliber film as the impeccable "Ray."
Though tucked away in the rather drab Potomac Village, Bezu, a new restaurant whose name is French for "kiss," is a lively spot. Its contemporary décor, complete with tiled white designs on the Mediterranean-orange walls and a backlit onyx bar, contributes to the vivacious atmosphere. The exceptionally friendly staff also amicably welcomes visitors as soon as they arrive.
"You know how they say that in good museums history comes alive? Well in this one, it actually does."
The 2006 holiday season is finally here: let the gift giving, store camping and mall looting officially begin! As usual, some of the hottest items around this year are the new next-generation gaming consoles: the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. With the release of the PlayStation 3 on Nov. 17, people were trampled, shot at, robbed and generally disappointed as they tried to get their hands on limited units of the coveted game console. With less scandal, the Nintendo Wii debuted 2 days later, along with a considerably lower price and many fewer customer grievances. A year ago, the Xbox 360 flew off the shelves, selling 10 million units within 16 months of the release date, according to CNET. Which one of these souped up gaming machines it right for you? SCO gives you a look at the hardware, support and games backing each in your quest for the ultimate holiday gaming machine.
Ever wish you could just take a quick holiday? Leave town—and everyone in it—and just set off on an adventure by yourself for two weeks, so that you can start over? In "The Holiday," Amanda and Iris are able to do just that.
Gogol Bordello, a "Gypsy punk" band out of New York City's Lower East Side, rocked the 9:30 Club in a sold out show Tuesday night. With Eugene HĂĽtz as frontman (you know him as Alex, the interpreter from "Everything is Illuminated"), Gogol Bordello is comprised mostly of Eastern European immigrants, and their music borrows heavily from Gypsy sound, mixed with The Pogues-esque punk with The Clash overtones.
Twas' the night before Christmas and all through the airport, ran loose five unaccompanied minors, left alone to cavort. Sound like a typical Christmas Eve? It certainly wasn't for a particular group of scraggly and disheveled kids, who find themselves stranded at Hoover Airport sans parents because of a blizzard in Warner Bros.' latest flick, "Unaccompanied Minors."
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