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Theater
Experimental Theatre That Doesn’t Suck
Since 1999, Cutting Ball Theater has been regaling Bay Area audiences with the sort of stage productions that tend to be so rare in modern theatre: intelligent, provocative, challenging, impossibly literary pieces that teem with playfulness and a throbbing vein of experimentalism. Artistic director Rob Melrose tends to deal in creating minor monuments to the exhilarating range of possibility that live theatre can offer (without the bombast or ginormous budget), from brief dramaturgical sketches by local playwrights to cheeky, audacious revisions of beloved Shakespeare plays. More
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Beauty
Inspired Skincare and Primrose Natural Skincare
As summer gives way to days that are alternately balmy and windblown, you can certainly combat the unpredictability of the season by taking just a wee bit more care with what you choose to slather on your face or put in your body -- not to mention with whom you decide to entrust all your beauty needs. Don’t know? Well, whether your métier is gentle organics or thorough medical facials, here are two skincare specialists who deliver on their promise to bring distressed visages back to pH balance and dewy impeccability. More
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Restaurants
Sunny Fish Taco Spot Expands to Meet Demand
Until its recent expansion, El Metate's tiny dining room on Bryant near 22nd could barely accommodate its regular clientele of hipsters and local families, who'd spill out to the few sidewalk tables to wait for huge plates of fish tacos with fresh, delicious fixings. Is the magic still popping on this sunny Mission corner now that business has boomed? We snooped into the deep Mission to scope the situation. More
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Movies
Dumb and Dumberest
Brennan and Dale are losers. What else can you say about a pair of unemployed forty-somethings who live with their parents and waste their days watching reruns of "Cops"? They are infantile, irresponsible and seemingly incapable of any emotion besides anger. And their pet peeves include…well, pretty much everything. More
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Movies
Lush Period Melodrama
The second adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's classic 1945 novel, Brideshead Revisited is a sumptuous, beautifully shot, capably directed, impeccably acted period drama that explores the conflict between love and religion and sexual orientation. Adapted by Jeremy Brock and Andrew Davies and directed by Julian Jarrold (Becoming Jane, Kinky Boots, White Teeth), Brideshead Revisited is old school melodrama at its best (or at its worst, depending on your perspective). As such, the film's themes feel out of step with contemporary concerns, but that doesn’t take away its universal appeal. More
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Movies
Mulder & Scully’s (Somewhat) Excellent Adventure
Even in the estimation of its most ardent followers, "The X-Files" has rarely been a model of consistency, if only because creator Chris Carter’s vision is so audaciously complex that it sometimes collapses beneath the weight of its own ambition. At its best, it is lurid, cerebral pulp fiction that deftly combines elements of Carter’s religious faith with his predilection for paranormal fantasy and maddeningly intricate conspiracy theories. In its lesser moments, it is convoluted and unfocused, undone by its myriad twists and needlessly baffling turns. More
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Music
SF Station Blows It Up
Last Saturday Live Nation brought us the 3rd installment of the Download Festival and although the crowds were thin all the bands most definitely brought it. My day started with The Duke Spirit and ended with Jesus and Mary Chain and, man, did I have fun! But I will say my highlight was Gang of Four who still know how to stop a stage and drive a crowd into a frenzy. Look out for a new album from the boys in the new year. More
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Music
Released on IHEARTCOMIX, 7/24/2008
NME recently said of this New York City based indie-electro-indie pop group, “One day all bands will be like this.” I hope not all bands. But if you’re ready to dance, then you’ve found the right group. With barely any releases under their belt, this boy/girl combo is the brainchild of “Ben” and “Lo” (real names Ben Pollock and Leyla Safai). When not touring in HeartsChallenger, their ice cream truck, you can find them laying down the beats on tracks like “Switchblade” and “Wolves + Libertines” while still finding the time to inject enough keen pop sensibility that makes you want to head down to your local hipster dive. More
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Music
Released on Matador Records, 8/19/2008
Following the breakup of their former band, The Blood Brothers, Johnny Witney (vocals/keyboards) and Cody Votolato (guitar/bass) decided to rise from the ashes and form a new band. Joined by ex-Pretty Girls Makes Graves’ guitarist J Clark, now finding himself behind the drum kit, as well as adding additional keyboards and bass, Jaguar Love was born. More
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Music
Released on Capitol records 6/17/08
Given the ridiculous anticipation and expectations surrounding Coldplay’s latest effort, it’s hard to imagine Viva La Vida not disappointing on some level. But, Coldplay has nailed down perhaps the most commercially successful pop/rock blueprint since U2. While U2 has a much lengthier resume, it’s hard to argue the broad appeal Coldplay has, which at least rivals that of U2. Viva La Vida feels like a transitional effort in some respects as there are some sonic qualities that are definitely a departure from what Coldplay has offered in the past. But, there’s still plenty of the Coldplay chemistry to satiate the hungriest fan. More
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