Culture Curmudgeon

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

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