Arts & Entertainment Reviews
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Girl in a Coma
At Muddy Waters, Wednesday, July 16.
Although Girl in a Coma doesn’t sound much like Morrissey (their namesake artist and biggest musical inspiration), they’re still pretty good. Read story.
Made in Hollywood: Photographs from the John Kobal Foundation
At the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Shows through October 5.
Collecting shots of one’s favorite celebrities wasn't always as easy as hopping on the Internet. Read story.
The Dark Knight
Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, and Maggie Gyllenhaal star in a film written by Christopher and Jonathan Nolan and directed by Christopher Nolan.
Sometimes I wonder what comic book Batman thinks about his feature film incarnations. Read story.
Twelve Angry Men
At Center Stage Theater, Saturday, July 19. Shows through August 2.
Center Stage Theater has been transformed for this excellent production of Twelve Angry Men. Read story.
Summer Music Indoors and Out
Music Academy of the West Chamberfest (Tuesday, July 15) and Takács Quartet (Thursday, July 17) at the Lobero Theatre; The Voices of Romance at Savannah Farms on Friday, July 18.
Perfect July weather in Santa Barbara seems to include beautiful music, equally ravishing indoors at the Lobero and under a full moon beside a picturesque lake in wine country. Read story.
Mamma Mia!
Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgård star in a film written by Catherine Johnson and directed by Phyllida Lloyd, based on the stage show by Johnson.
Sure, you could try to strike a detached ironic pose while watching the big-screen version of Mamma Mia! the global blockbuster stage musical, but you’d be missing out on a lot of fun. Read story.
Melvins
At Velvet Jones, Wednesday, July 16.
The Melvins showcased their newest wares last Wednesday to an enthusiastic Velvet Jones crowd as they ignited their latest tour with a set that was every bit as explosive as lead singer/guitarist Buzz Osborne’s hair. Read story.
Hank Pitcher: Montecito Beaches 1978-2008
At Sullivan Goss, An American Gallery. Shows through August 31.
With the plans for Rick Caruso’s hotel project at Miramar making headlines, and the newly refurbished and thoroughly re-imagined Coral Casino now open for business, there has never been a better time to take a closer look at the legendary beaches of Montecito. Read story.
The Human Landscape
At East/West Gallery. Shows through August 1.
Not that the East/West Gallery needed to reaffirm its standing as one of the leading conveyors of classic fine art photography here in town, but its latest exhibition, The Human Landscape, effortlessly does just that. Read story.
Sean Hayes and James Hunter
Sings Like Hell, at the Lobero Theatre, Saturday, July 12.
Last Saturday’s Sings Like Hell concert series showcased two highly talented, yet intriguingly varied artists whose one commonality might be an appreciation of—and deep respect for—the legacy of Sam Cooke. Read story.
Rumors
At SBCC Garvin Theatre, Friday, July 11.
Upstairs, Charley Brock, the deputy mayor of New York, is recovering from a minor, apparently self-inflicted bullet wound, while below, in the living room of the Brock’s elegant, old-fashioned New York mansion, four couples participate in a kind of inadvertent contest to see who can make up the most outlandish story about what happened to him. Read story.
Port O’Brien
At Muddy Waters Café, Wednesday, July 9.
“We have a limited amount of mikes up here, and we need ‘em to hear a few instruments, but if we’re all quiet we can kinda vibe-out,” said Port O’Brien lead singer Van Pierszalowski before jumping into a slow and harmonious song featuring soul-wrenching saw and bow, accordion, and layers of layers guitar, vocals, and banjo. Read story.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, and Jeffrey Tambor star in a film written and directed by Guillermo del Toro.
Guillermo del Toro may be a genius, but in real life he’s insanely funny. Read story.
Tell No One
François Cluzet and Kristin Scott Thomas star in a film written and directed by Guillaume Canet, based on the novel by Harlan Coben.
You’ll always have Paris? Fuhgeddaboutit. Read story.
Christopher Taylor, piano
At the Music Academy of the West’s Hahn Hall, Wednesday, July 9.
Christopher Taylor does not look as if he intends to save the world. Read story.
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