Culture Curmudgeon

Theatre Review: “Exclusion” and the hard lessons of Hollywood

November 1, 2019

Film review: ‘Parasite’ holds a mirror to us all

Bong Joon-ho’s magnificent film “Parasite” is a mirror of our modern society- one that’s fracturing, twisted and ablaze. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review.

August 16, 2019

“The Farewell”: A film review

“The Farewell” highlights the cultural divide between east and west, but it also emphasizes the commonalities between the two in terms of love of family and the difficulty of coming to terms with death. Here’s the Culture Curmudgeon’s review.

April 5, 2019

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

“The Recovering” further cements the belief that redemption that leads to a life worth living is always possible. Even in the darkest of one’s days, life can still be a series of second chances that all of us have a right to.

February 1, 2019

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.

January 16, 2019

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.

December 18, 2018

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.

November 23, 2018

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.

November 15, 2018

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.

November 8, 2018

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.

September 28, 2018

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

September 12, 2018

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.

August 14, 2018

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.

June 8, 2018

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.

April 26, 2018

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.

April 11, 2018

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.

March 22, 2018

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.

March 5, 2018

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

February 19, 2018

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.

February 9, 2018

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.

January 26, 2018

“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.

January 22, 2018

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.

December 5, 2017

‘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.

November 24, 2017

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.

November 16, 2017

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.

October 27, 2017

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.

October 19, 2017

“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.

October 11, 2017

“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.

September 28, 2017

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.

September 15, 2017

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.

August 30, 2017

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.

August 18, 2017

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.

August 8, 2017

‘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.

July 26, 2017

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.

June 30, 2017

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.

June 22, 2017

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.

June 9, 2017

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.

June 1, 2017

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.

May 26, 2017

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.

May 11, 2017

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.

April 21, 2017

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.

April 14, 2017

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.

April 4, 2017

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.

March 24, 2017

‘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.

March 14, 2017

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.

February 9, 2017

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.