Culture Curmudgeon

It’s the devil, you know: A book review of “The Recovering”

Weezer is dead: A review of the Teal album

With “Pinkerton”, Weezer elevated themselves to the level of indie rock darlings. With the “Teal album”, they’ve turned into an embarrassing tribute band.

Love in the margins: A film review of “Shoplifters”

With the emotionally complex and brilliant “Shoplifters”, Japanese Director Hirokazu Kore-eda has become one of this generation’s most gifted directors. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review of probably one of the best films of the last decade.

Theater review: “Indecent” finds salvation in art

‘Indecent’ is about the persistence of art and memory, especially in the darkest of times. CGTN’s Culture Curmudgeon reviews Paula Vogel’s masterpiece.

The madness of motherhood: ‘Cry It Out’ reviewed

Motherhood is hard, especially if you’re a career woman who seemingly “has it all.” The Culture Curmudgeon reviews “Cry It Out” and reflects on the madness and miracle of becoming a parent.

Not great, but you gotta see it: A review of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’

There are only two reasons why you should see “Bohemian Rhapsody”. First, it’s a flashy nostalgia trip about Queen’s music. Second, Rami Freakin’ Malek. Watch him and be amazed. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review.

Fight, prevail, repeat: a review of ‘The Fall’

“The Fall” is about the fight of South Africans for a more equal society. It’s a story of struggle that resonates deeply with the state of American politics and race relations today. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review.

Forgetting family: A play review of “If I Forget”

Studio Theatre’s “If I Forget” reminds us that we can’t choose our families, but it doesn’t mean we can’t love them. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review

To be rich is noxious: A review of Crazy Rich Asians

On the surface, “Crazy Rich Asians” is a great romantic comedy. But dig a little deeper and it’s a scathing indictment of the rich and their lifestyle. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review.

Film review: ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?’

“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” harkens back to a kinder America where everyone was willing to welcome the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses regardless of where they’re from. The Culture Curmudgeon looks back fondly on Fred Rogers’ legacy.

Love neverlasting: A review of “The Remains”

“The Remains” isn’t about the redemptive power of love either. If anything, Ken Urban’s play kicks Cupid in the privates, rips the audience’s collective heart out of their chests and stomps on it. It’s not a play that reaffirms marriages. Instead, it calls into question why we even get into relationships at all.

Play Review: “Two Trains Running” on a changing America

These are extraordinary times in U.S. politics and race relations. That’s why Arena Stage’s version of August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running” is must see theater in Washington D.C. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review.

Review: A disappointing “Winter’s Tale”

There’s a reason why “The Winter’s Tale” is one of William Shakespeare’s lesser known plays. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review of Aaron Posner’s visually appealing, but ultimately disappointing production.

Play review: “Hold These Truths” shows the risk of being an American

History ignored, history repeated again and again. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeoin’s review of “Hold These Truths” and why it’s ultimately a hopeful take on the promise of America.

Review: On violence and “Black Panther”

Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther” is not just a great action flick, it’s also probably the angriest superhero movie I’ve ever seen. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review

Play review: Finding the “Familiar” in a strange world

“Familiar” is about family and finding one’s place in the world regardless of how strange and alien it is. Here’s my latest review.

Play review: “Sovereignty” and the politics of erasure

Despite its flaws, “Sovereignty” is an important work especially in this age of Trump. Here’s my review of the production playing at Arena Stage.

“The Wolves” are a teenage riot

Teenagers have always had it rough. “The Wolves” shows they’re more resilient than you think. Here’s my review of Sarah DeLappe’s excellent play.

Review: ‘The Way of the World’ is slapstick-fueled darkness

“The Way of the World” looks at the lives of the wealthy: a slapstick comedy on the surface with a very dark underbelly.

‘Nina Simone: Four Women’ is transcendent reminder of icon’s message

The struggles these women face are nuanced and painful. Like Miss Simone herself, Ham’s play is not always an ease to watch — and that’s why it’s so brilliant.

Review: ‘The Pajama Game’ disappointingly unchanged from ’50s original

Aside from an inter-racial cast, nothing about the Arena Stage’s production reflects anything that’s transpired in the 63 years since the musical first premiered on roadway in 1954.

Review: Master storyteller Daniel Kitson finds dignity in disagreement

For anyone who has ever been in an argument, storyteller and comedian Daniel Kitson will make you think and then think twice.

Review: If Romeo and Juliet grew up, they’d be Antony and Cleopatra

Take the tragedy down a notch, and pump up the sexuality. Why the Culture Curmudgeon believes Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra” is a better version of Romeo and Juliet.

“The Price” of surviving our families

We can’t choose our families but we can choose how to recover from them. Or not. Here’s Ahmad Coo’s review of Arena Stage’s production of Arthur Miller’s “The Price”, a fascinating study of the American family dynamic.

“The Effect”: Love is a chemically splendored thing

When you look at your boy/girlfriend wife/husband who do you see? Do you see a person you love or someone you regret? Lucy Prebble’s “The Effect” goes inside your head to find out.
Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s loving review.

High and Low: Death and decay in postwar Japan

“High and Low” is one of the greatest films ever made: both a police procedural and a scathing portrait of postwar Japan. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review of one of Akira Kurosawa’s lesser known master works.

Skeleton Crew: An American dream transformed

The American dream is alive and well in Dominique Morisseau’s “Skeleton Crew”, but it’s not the version your parents grew up with. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review.

Columbus: Architecture as panacea

Every once in a while, there are films that become masterworks of art. Kogonada’s “Columbus” is in that elite group. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review.

The Big Sick: Funny yet painfully inadequate

The Big Sick was undeniably funny and heartbreaking. But its take on race and culture got in the way. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review.

‘Atomic Blonde’: Charlize Theron goes nuclear

Atomic Blonde was the movie Wonder Woman should have been. Charlize Theron shows everyone who’s boss. Here’s the latest from our Culture Curmudgeon.

Dunkirk: Christopher Nolan’s film explores the complexities of war

Christopher Nolan’s ‘Dunkirk’ is probably one of the greatest films about war ever made. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review.

OKNOTOK: Radiohead’s “OK Computer” is 20 years old

Radiohead’s OK Computer is one of those albums that will remain ageless. The band’s dystopian vision of the future is still vital.

A Taxing Woman: a look into 1980s Japan

The 1980s were spectacular years for Japan’s economy and society, until they weren’t. Juzo Itami’s “A Taxing Woman” shows how it all went wrong. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review.

Wonder Woman: A great, but flawed superhero movie

For all its groundbreaking firsts, “Wonder Woman” could have been so much more. Try harder next time Hollywood. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review.

Twilight’s tragedy: A review of ‘The Father’

Age is just a number, that is until your mind starts to unravel. ‘The Father’ explores the steady and tragic decline of a man in his twilight years. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review.

Timon of Athens: A review

We are mercurial, unpredictable creatures prone to inconsistencies and hysteria. Sometimes we appear to have everything together but underneath our stolid exterior lies an amorphous blob of anxiety- a mixture of insecurities, ignorance and fear.

Dumb ‘Smart People’: a review

Arena Stage’s ‘Smart People’ isn’t so smart and not that funny either. Unless you’re a fan of stupid television sitcoms, take a rain check and wait for the next season. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeons review.

Fate of the Furious: Still fast, still stupid, still awesome

Fate of the Furious has all the fun, excitement and unintended hilarity of a big, dumb, and loud Hollywood summer blockbuster. Those who mistake it for anything else should get their heads examined. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review.

Trainspotting 2 review: Lusting for life

Trainspotting 2 is funny. But not the funny most of us would expect. The laughter I hear in my head is from people defeated by life.

Yours drearily: a review of Chekhov’s ‘Three Sisters’

People don’t really suck. According to Russian playwright Anton Chekhov, the problem is way worse than that. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review of “Three Sisters” playing at Washington D.C.’s Studio Theatre.

‘Intelligence’ in a post-fact world

Depending on your politics, the Trump presidency is either a disaster, godsend, maybe even both. While some blame Obama for leading to his rise, others think differently.
In the play Intelligence, the blame mostly lies on number 43. Our Culture Curmudgeon decides who’s right.

I am Not Your Negro: A review

Racism is alive and well and social tensions have never been higher, especially in Trump’s America. But as Raoul Peck’s new film ‘I Am Not Your Negro’ about the late James Baldwin tells us, those racial divisions have never really gone away.

Paterson and the Magic of the Everyday

Jim Jarmusch’s latest film ‘Paterson’ is a tribute to the people who brave everyday drudgeries and humiliations. It also highlights the magic of gratitude and the million little things in life we take for granted.

Yasiin Bey and the Infinite

Some are skeptical about how he serious is about retiring from hip hop, but then again Yasiin Bey isn’t really like most of his peers.

The Black Side of the Moon

Our Culture Curmudgeon Ahmad Coo shares his experience watching the socially reflective, ever-so-timely “The Black Side of the Moon”

The tragedy of ‘Straight White Men’

Korean American playwright Young Jean Lee takes on the quagmire of identity politics in the U.S. And it’s not all good, brah.

Agents of Chaos: A review of Moby Dick

“Moby Dick” is a tale of revenge and a multi-layered allegory of modern life.

Carousel of life: A letter to Billy Bigelow

Oh Bill, Billy, Billy-boy, you’re an insufferable idiot… A modern appreciation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s CAROUSEL, currently playing at Arena Stage in Washington, DC.

Love Under ‘Moonlight’

The film ‘Moonlight’ is about a journey from an unforgiving childhood to a conflicted adult life. It’s also a romantic film that succeeds in expressing love’s first blush on screen.

Magical Thinking in the Age of Trump

I read Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking quite a while ago but I’ve never really felt the full brunt of the first few lines of her masterpiece until Donald Trump was declared President elect of my adopted home.

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