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Film Review: Captain UnderpantsCaptain Underpants: The First Epic Movie is based off the children’s comic book series from the turn-of-the-century (the 21st century, obviously). As children’s books, it is chalk full of fart and toilet jokes — humor perfectly tailored for its prepubescent readers. The story lines throughout the 12 books have elementary themes of friendship and basic morality, ideas that fit the maturing mind of a child. These are great for a child to laugh at the incredibly juvenile jokes, pun fully intended, but lose all entertainment value as the reader ages. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but shows its roots as solely children’s entertainment. The film does not stray far from the source material: It is full of Uranus jokes and quips about gross names. This is not necessarily a poor decision; it pleases its target audience, and not much else, due to its one-dimensional perspective. Promotin’ the General WelfareLadies FirstAs a father of two daughters who knows there can be no shortage of successful role models for young women, I am not going to exploit the recent, clichéd Wonder Woman analogy when I say it’s a good sign that two of the city’s declared candidates for mayor are women. Rather, I’m going to yank out a line from one of my favorites, The Matrix. Near the end of the original film, as he holds Neo’s head close to the subway rail, Agent Smith asks, “You hear that, Mr. Anderson? It’s the sound of inevitability.”
That, New Orleans, is now your reality.
Who Comes Next?Michael Hahn vs. a BrickEach week, historian Sean Michael Chick will highlight some of the country's unsung heroes during the Civil War era who could serve as positive replacements following the takedown of New Orleans' Confederate monuments. This week, learn about Louisiana politician Michael Hahn. Film Review: Wonder WomanI just went to see Wonder Woman for the second time in three days. My family had yet to see it, so I joined them to watch this summer blockbuster for a repeat viewing. As I entered the Dolby Cinema, a flagship theater that brings the most complete movie experience, it was sold out. There was a different crowd in the theater. This time it was filled with girls, mostly tweeners, wearing Wonder Woman shirts, socks, decals on their face, and various stylish apparel options. I grinned and let out a soft chuckle; they were me as a child. I remember watching Spiderman in my own costume times, spewing spidey webs from my wrists, imagining that I can be Peter Parker. Film Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No TalesThe Pirates of the Caribbean series is one of the highest grossing movie franchises ever to come to the big screen. With four movies grossing over $3.7 billion from 2003 to 2011, it was only a matter of time until the fifth installment of the swashbuckling action movie got the green light. Dead Men Tell No Tales may share the name of the franchise, but differs in the puerile tone of the previous three installments, instead drawing inspiration from the original flick. It is still what you would expect a Pirates of the Caribbean film to be: funny and enjoyable at times, but suffers from pacing and narrative issues that leaves the audience wanting more. Rice as NiceJazzmen Rice Shares Insights into American Agriculture, Global Markets, and Louis ArmstrongCrescent City foodies and locavores might recognize the name 'Jazzmen Rice' from the many restaurants around town that namedrop the local white and brown grain varieties on their menus. Indeed, in just seven years this distinctly flavorful rice has gained a reputation for supplying “music for your mouth” to New Orleanians and global consumers alike, successfully wedding sustainability and health consciousness with a bit of Louisiana's cultural heritage.
Particle DevotionThe Louisiana-Bred Band Talks Southern SoundsIt’s unfortunately easy for the Baton Rouge music scene to be overshadowed by the rich musical history of New Orleans. Though the Crescent City is the birthplace for many of the country's most legendary performers, the Boot's capitol is seriously gaining ground for its artistic outputs. One local band is making it their mission the bridge the gap between these two cities, while thinking ahead for eventual word domination. The Art of ActivismPicolla Tushy's 'Resist This' Series Blends Politics with PerformanceResist This, an ongoing activism-infused affair presented by Picolla Tushy with her troupe The Bluestockings, held its June edition on Saturday (6.10) night at Sidney's Saloon. The intimate night weaved burlesque, comedy, music, poetry, and vaudevillian varieties to raise funds and awareness for the LGBT Community Center, during New Orleans' Pride weekend. Horoscopes for Week of June 12thNeptune transiting Pisces, and there until 2025, is not to be taken lightly. Neptune in Pisces reminds us that there is a divinity/god/higher power worth surrendering to. Neptune stationing retrograde in Pisces reminds us that we need to honor that same divinity which flows within us if we are to experience external shifts that allow us to step into our power more and more. Film Review: My Cousin RachelIn My Cousin Rachel, Rachel Weisz plays a quietly hypnotic young widow who may have murderous designs on her cousin’s inheritance. The story, based on a 1951 novel of the same name by romance-mystery author Daphne Du Maurier, is a gothic meditation on personal impressions that leads both characters and viewers alike to feel uncertain of any absolute truth. Promotin’ the General WelfareTime to Handle This 'Crime Thing'New Orleans has a crime problem. New Orleans has a problem dealing with crime. New Orleans is in denial about its crime problem. New Orleans has long been in denial about its crime problem. If New Orleans was serious about solving its crime problem, it would have addressed the systemic issues which contribute to the persistent crime problem long ago. |
ContributorsRenard Boissiere, Evan Z.E. Hammond, Naimonu James, Wilson Koewing, J.A. Lloyd, Nina Luckman, Dead Huey Long, Alexis Manrodt, Joseph Santiago, Andrew Smith, Cynthia Via, Austin Yde PhotographersArt Director Michael Weber, B.A. EditorListings EditorLinzi Falk Editor EmeritusAlexis Manrodt Published Daily |
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