Oscar Isaac Discusses His Great Performance in ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’
Fitting for a film about a musician, the songs in Inside Llewyn Davis, the new release from the Coen Brothers, sneak inside your head past the images and actions onscreen, which is surprising because those frames have a haunting quality of their own. Take, if you will, a picture of the first time we see…
Most Valuable Player of 2013: Forest Whitaker
Do you recall the first time you recognized Forest Whitaker, when he was in the kind of role that made you take notice of his presence? Was it back in 1986 when he appeared in his first major double feature: as Big Harold in Oliver Stone’s Platoon and as the pool shark Amos in The…
Winter 2014 TV Preview
New year, new shows! After holiday hiatus, primetime programs continue, new series begin and established shows return with new seasons. Here’s a look at what’s to come, plus additional premieres in this week’s listings. The Spoils of Babylon (10 p.m. Jan. 9, IFC) – Tobey Maguire, Kristen Wiig, Haley Joel Osment (yup) and a bevy…
Ten Visual Art Shows to Savor from 2013
Looking back at Cincinnati visual arts in 2013, I found these 10 exhibits, events and occurrences especially worth savoring as we enter 2014: Charles Woodman’s Lateral Thinking, Rake’s End: On a Saturday night in October, electronic artist and DAAP professor Woodman presented his audio-visual improvisational ensemble Lateral Thinking at the Rake’s End art bar in…
The Circle
“It’s heaven.” Those are the words Mae Holland uses to describe her first day at work at The Circle, a futuristic, high-tech consumer interface and the world’s biggest Internet company, which is at the center of Dave Eggers’ latest novel. Mae is one of a handful of bright-minded young overachievers recruited by the three partners…
The Goldfinch
Since bursting onto the literary stage in 1992 to huge acclaim and equally impressive sales with The Secret History, Donna Tartt has been content to immerse herself in her writing, publishing only two other books since. Her latest, The Goldfinch, has received overwhelmingly positive reviews on both sides of the Atlantic and has been named…
Blast From The Past
T he halcyon days of walking into a pizza place, mall or convenience store to play a round of “Pac-Man,” “Donkey Kong” or “Frogger” on video game arcade cabinets supposedly ended decades ago, but all is not lost — arcades are making a big comeback nationwide, and Cincinnati’s in the midst of the boom. Jesse…
Curmudgeon Notes 12.31.13
• CBS’ 60 Minutes broadcast an uncritical presentation of National Security Agency’s justifications for its constitutionally suspect surveillance of Americans. CBS allowed no critical voices. Maybe we should blame the narrator, John Miller. He told viewers, "Full disclosure: I once worked in the office of the director of National Intelligence, where I saw firsthand how…
Consensus Building
O hio’s leading LGBT groups continue to disagree whether 2014 or 2016 is the right year to place same-sex marriage legalization on the ballot, even as one of the groups moves forward with its efforts to secure a public vote on the issue within a year. The ongoing conflict could decide when Ohio will join…
What to Watch in 2014
Just like 2013 was a big political year for Cincinnati, it’s increasingly looking like 2014 will decide where the rest of the state will go for at least four years. But the exact direction — whether it will be progressive or a continuation of the tea party agenda — remains unclear until Ohioans file their…
Considering Confirmation Bias at CBS News
We can learn from CBS News’ retreat from another major story after fiercely defending its veracity. The primary lesson is the havoc that “confirmation bias” can inflict on news gathering. A secondary lesson is that journalistic integrity is fragile and CBS News is suffering self-inflicted wounds from its unprincipled search for ratings. Confirmation bias occurs…
The Last Time I Saw Melissa
I found out about Melissa’s death on Dec. 15, 10 days before Christmas. I found out while purchasing Christmas cards at the Walgreens on Madison Avenue in Covington, Kentucky. A friend of hers named Amy — who’s a prostitute just like Melissa was — told me about it. On that day, Amy was looking for…
Here Comes ‘The Book of Mormon’
T he following are some phrases used to describe The Book of Mormon since the award-winning musical opened on Broadway in 2011: an “entertaining act of musical-comedy subversion,” “bawdy and irreverent,” “slick and smutty,” “incredibly sweet,” “blasphemous, scurrilous and more foul-mouthed than David Mamet on a blue streak,” “a mixture of reverence and ridicule,” “happily…
Cincinnati vs. the World 1.1.13
City Councilman Christopher Smitherman went on a legit Twitter rant last weekend, calling University of Cincinnati Trustee Rob Richardson Jr., a communist and defending the claim to The Enquirer despite the fact that McCarthyism was ridiculous the first time it came around 60 years ago. CINCINNATI -1 Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts came out…
Ashes to Ashes
My niece, to whom I haven’t spoken in probably decades, is having her father cremated. D. died Christmas Eve morning. Mourning a ghost is a very particular thing; it runs on the biographical fuel of memories, speculation and family-grapevine news. I got the news from another brother. When I saw I’d missed his call last…
Worst Week Ever!: Dec. 25-31
Gov. Kasich Opens up About How Things Ought to Be Ohio Gov. John Kasich recently opened up to members of the business community about his wish list for 2014. Much like last year, our governor is interested in finding tax cuts and reducing personal-income tax. In the past, Kasich has proposed radical ideas such as…
Portune Announces Bid for Governor
Democrats face a potential wrinkle in their campaign to unseat Republican Gov. John Kasich following Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune’s announcement Monday that he will run for governor of Ohio. At a public press conference, Portune said he intends to mount a primary challenge against Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, who previously looked like the…
Chris Comer Jazz Explosion
Cincinnati Jazz pianist Chris Comer spent 2013 performing with his trio at venues from Chez Nora to Fountain Square. To kick off 2014, Comer is funking things up a little bit to expand into venues more traditionally known for Rock acts. The Chris Comer Jazz Explosion (which Comer describes as “funkier and less ‘Jazz’ ……
Against Me! with The Sidekicks and The Shondes
In 2012, singer/songwriter/guitarist Tom Gabel of Floridian rockers Against Me! made the kind of announcement that 20 years ago would have been met with scandal and backlash. A testament to evolving cultural understanding, Gabel’s revelation that she was in the process of physically becoming a woman and would now go by the name Laura Jane…
CEA and Best New Bands Lineups Confirmed
You have just about two weeks left to vote for your favorite local musical acts nominated for Cincinnati Entertainment Awards . Voting (including in the late-addition write-in category, “Best Band/Musician That Wasn’t Nominated”) for the 17th annual awards closes at midnight on Jan. 14. Visit citybeat.com/cincinnati/cea-voting to make your selections now. After voting, you’ll want…
A Siren in the Dark
In Greek mythology, a Siren was a gorgeous woman whose enchanting songs caused innumerable sailors to shipwreck, never to be seen again. It is somewhat ironic, then, that Northern Kentucky-based Siren is a Heavy Metal group featuring four very furry young men. But for local metalheads, Siren’s mix of a Doom foundation — with Thrash…
‘Saint’ Maker
The brief hand-scrawled note accompanying Rob Fetters’ latest solo missive, the patently excellent Saint Ain’t, contained a demand and a threat from the veteran Cincinnati vocalist/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter, talented tongue jammed firmly into accommodating cheek. “Call me when you have every note and word memorized,” Fetters instructs. “Then the lying shall begin in earnest.” Fetters has never…
New Year’s Food Traditions
Midnight, Dec. 31: The tipping point for the New Year, when the clock strikes 12, and we all guzzle a little champagne, kiss our significant other (or drunkenly tongue the face of the person next to us) and set our intentions for the next 365 days. The goal is to end the old year with…
Comedy: Amy Schumer
After appearing on The Last Comic Standing in 2007, Amy Schumer struck comedic gold. She has gone on to write for Cosmo and appear next to the likes of Jimmy Kimmel and Conan O’Brien. Schumer has been dubbed one of the hottest stars in the world of comedy, as Rolling Stone, The New York Times…
Holiday: The Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival
Bring your holiday season to a close with one of the oldest continuing Christmas traditions, The Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival. Although more than 600 years old, the Boar's Head was first celebrated at Christ Church in Cincinnati in 1940. Each year, embers from last year’s yule log are used to light its predecessor…
Event: Wendy’s Bridal Show
For those of you who said, “Yes,” over the winter holiday, get a head start on planning your big day at Wendy’s Bridal Show. At the show, you’ll be able to talk directly with 150 professional wedding day vendors ranging from videographers and event planners to musicians, caterers and beauty professionals. There will also be…
Event: Wine Tasting with Chip Emmerich of Burnet Ridge Winery
Chip Emmerich, master winermaker behind award-winning (and local) Burnet Ridge Winery, visits Jungle Jim’s Fairfield for a New Year’s wine tasting. Sample some of Burnet Ridge’s new releases and be surprised by some of his barrel samples. 1-3 p.m. $20. The Cooking School at Jungle Jim’s Fairfield, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, junglejims.com.
Music: Against Me!
In 2012, singer/songwriter/guitarist Tom Gabel of Floridian rockers Against Me! made the kind of announcement that 20 years ago would have been met with scandal and backlash. A testament to evolving cultural understanding, Gabel’s revelation that she was in the process of physically becoming a woman and would now go by the name Laura Jane…
Art: What’s New: Will Hillenbrand at the Cincinnati Public Library Main Branch
The award-winning work of local illustrator Will Hillenbrand is on view now at the main library’s atrium. After graduating from the Art Academy of Cincinnati, Hillenbrand worked in advertising before getting his first book illustration job. Since then, he’s illustrated almost 60 books, including Bear in Love, Spring Is Here, Whopper Cake, Down by the…
Art: Final Weeks of Antique Christmas and Telling Tales at the Taft Museum of Art
You have just a few weeks left to view two excellent exhibitions currently on display at the Taft Museum of Art: Antique Christmas and Telling Tales. The former, a display of antique Christmas ornaments, toys and decorations, features everything from a German Nativity pyramid from 1890 to a tree trimmed entirely in vintage cat and…
Comedy: Cy Amundson
A huge Country and Rockabilly fan, comedian Cy Amundson would have loved a career in the music business. “My dad is incredibly musically talented and my brother Greg is a Country musician and has an outrageous voice,” he says. “But I got nothing.” Still, he respects when performers tackle art forms outside the ones they…
Art: Shot in Cincinnati at the Miller Gallery
Catch the tail end of photographer Tyler Shields’ Shot in Cincinnati exhibit at the Miller Gallery, featuring a world debut of 15 special-edition photographs shot locally between 2012 and 2013. Shields, an L.A.-based photographer, is best known for his edgy celebrity portraits, including one where his then-girlfriend Francesca Eastwood (as in Clint Eastwood’s daughter) poses…
Onstage: Around the World in Eighty Days
Since opening this holiday musical in early December, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati has taken audiences around the globe nearly 30 times. There are just seven more outings before Phileas Fogg and Passepartout pull back into London one last time on Sunday at 2 p.m. Jules Verne’s story about the precise 1899 adventurer, who wagers his fortune…
The Eagle Food & Beer Hall (Review)
Although Cincinnati sits right on the northernmost border of the South, we’ve been bereft of many authentic Southern restaurants — excluding barbecue and Cajun joints. Realizing a niche needed to be filled, brothers Joe and John Lanni and business partner Alex Blust opened The Eagle Beer & Food Hall in December. And since The Eagle…
Party Like It’s 2014
500 Miles to Memphis at the Southgate House Revival: Say goodbye to 2013 with the band, one of the best live groups in the area. 9 p.m. $8 pre-sale; $10 day-of. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, Ky., 859-431-2201, southgatehouse.com. Big Easy New Year’s Eve: Ring in the New Year New Orleans-style with the Cincinnati Symphony…
Governor’s “Ohio Miracle” Falling Far Short of Promises
Despite Gov. John Kasich’s claims to the contrary, the only miracle in Ohio’s economy might be how bad the state is doing compared to the rest of the nation. The proof: Ohio’s economy was among just two states in the nation that actually worsened during September through November compared to August through October, according to…
Party Like It’s 2014
500 Miles to Memphis at the Southgate House Revival: Say goodbye to 2013 with the band, one of the best live groups in the area. 9 p.m. $8 pre-sale; $10 day-of. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, Ky., 859-431-2201, southgatehouse.com. Big Easy New Year’s Eve: Ring in the New Year New Orleans-style with the Cincinnati…
Morning News and Stuff
Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune will announce today whether he'll run for governor. If he decides to run, Portune will face off against Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald to decide which Democrat should face off against Republican Gov. John Kasich next November. Until now, it has been widely assumed that FitzGerald would take the gubernatorial…
2013: The Year in Local Recordings
Acarya – Reperio Terra Although Acarya’s minimal lineup — Wes Davidson on vocals and acoustic guitar and Liz Wu on percussion and harmony vocals — might suggest something sparse and perhaps even gentle, the group’s chosen descriptor, “Tribal Rock,” comes a lot closer to capturing the full, lively sound the duo conjures on its debut EP, Reperio Terra.…
500 Miles to Memphis with Fifth on the Floor
Thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign, rootsy, melodic rockers 500 Miles to Memphis are gearing up for the release of a brand new album in 2014. You can say goodbye to 2013 with the band, one of the best live groups in the area, when they perform on New Year’s Eve at the Southgate House…
Why?
After another year of globe-trotting, plus the release of Golden Tickets (featuring songs written about specific fans who purchased merch from the band’s site as part of a Willy Wonka-inspired contest), locally based, internationally beloved Indie crew Why? will play its final show of 2013 at the intimate Comet in Northside (4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-541-8900) on New…
The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars
Cincinnati Bluegrass greats The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars are giving fans a belated Christmas gift on Sunday during their free, weekly gig at The Comet (4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-541-8900, cometbar.com). The ensemble will be celebrating the release of its fourth recording, Songs That Tell a Story, a 14-track album featuring almost exclusively original material (a first…
Gigs for the Holidays
• The Kelly Richey Band caps off a successful year that saw the release of Richey’s 15th album of soulful Blues Rock, Sweet Spirit, and the introduction of local bass wizard Freekbass and drummer Big Bamn to the group with a show this Friday at the Blue Wisp Jazz Club (700 Race St., Downtown, 513-241-WISP, thebluewisp.com).…
Stage Door: Post-Holiday Options
Don't despair that the Christmas holiday is behind you. Several theaters are still staging enough cheer to keep you going for another week or so. Here's what continues this weekend: At the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park you'll find the traditional Christmas favorite A Christmas Carol as well as The Complete History of Comedy (abridged)…
Morning News and Stuff
Construction on the $132.8 million streetcar project restarted yesterday, marking an end to the nearly two-month drama brought on by Mayor John Cranley’s election and his threats of cancellation. City Council paused the project for a little more than three weeks to conduct an audit on its costs, but the legislative body agreed to restart…
A Year in Reviews
Each week our intrepid dining writers review and profile new Cincinnati restaurants, and in 2013 they definitely had some favorites. The following are of some of their top picks from this past year along with some extra insights as to why. Arrechissimo 8100 Blue Ash Road, Deer Park, arrechissimo.com “Arrechissimo” is Venezuelan slang for “spectacular,”…
New Year’s Eve: The Big Easy with the CSO
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra invites you to ring in 2014 New Orleans-style with an evening of jazzy Big Band and Dixieland favorites with trumpeter Byron Stripling, who will be paying tribute to NOLA great Louis Armstrong with hits like “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Basin Street Blues” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Hang around after the…
New Year’s Eve: New Year’s Eve Blast on Fountain Square
If you don’t have any plans for your New Year’s celebration, why not head down to Fountain Square for a party with the rest of Cincinnati? Ice skating and skate rentals on the Square are free all night long and the celebration culminates at the start of 2014 when Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks light up the…
New Year’s Eve: Midnight in Munich
Mecklenburg Gardens, the historic Cincinnati German restaurant and beer garden, invites you to travel to Munich this New Year’s Eve, without the jetlag. Ring in the New Year German-style with the restaurant’s annual Midnight in Munich party, featuring a special German buffet with roasted pig, Glühwein (warm, spiced wine), a champagne and large pretzel toast…
New Year’s Eve: Happy Zoo Year
Kids and parents can celebrate a family-friendly New Year like party animals — before midnight. Catch a glimpse of the final days of the Festival of Lights during the Happy Zoo Year event, complete with an early NYE countdown, Madcap Puppet Theatre black-light show, party favors and costumed characters plus appearances by Baby Zoo Year…
New Year’s Eve: Know Theatre/CityBeat Speakeasy Party
Ring in the New Year like it’s 1923. Get dolled up in your best flapper dress and don your best fedora for the eighth annual CityBeat and Know Theatre New Year’s Eve speakeasy party. This underground bootleggin’ ball is the cat’s meow at Know’s downstairs bar with backroom gambling, appetizers, music, classic Prohibition-era cocktails and…
Music: Sidewalk Chalk
Chicago live Hip Hop ensemble Sidewalk Chalk proved itself to be a great party band with substance to local audiences at the past few MidPoint Music Festivals. No doubt, many who caught the eight-member Hip Hop/Soul/Jazz collective at a recent MPMF will be moving their feet to Sidewalk Chalk when the band returns to Cincinnati…
Art: CAC @ 21c
This docent-led tour gives guests the special opportunity to visit two popular modern Cincinnati art destinations in one night. Join Contemporary Arts Center docents for a half-hour guided tour of 21c Museum Hotel galleries and then a half-hour tour of the CAC exhibitions. Current exhibitions at the CAC include JR, Diane Landry: by every wind…
Art: Final Friday at the Pendleton Art Center
Got friends or family in town over the holidays who might be interested in seeing an exhibition of small-scale paintings culled from Cincinnati’s largest collection of artists under one roof? Look no further than the 510 Gallery at the Pendleton Art Center. The freestanding gallery directly across from the main entrance to the multi-studio renovated…
Class: Make a Monster
This kooky workshop allows individuals of all ages and skill levels to create their own stuffed toy monster. All the materials are provided — students are supplied with a pre-sewn form of the monster they can stuff, sew shut and personalize with fun items such as ribbon, buttons and felt courtesy of local plush artist…
Event: Art After Dark: Blurred Lines
Wind down post holiday with an after-hours happy hour in the Cincinnati Art Museum. This edition of Art After Dark will feature docent-led tours of Degas, Renoir, and Poetic Pastels, focusing on the blurred and misty shapes throughout the collection. Dance company Pones, Inc. will also be on-hand to bring the spirit of Degas’ dancers…
Sports: Harlem Globetrotters
The first sports team to allow fans to vote on the game’s rules is coming to Cincinnati. Known for their amazing trick shots and ball handling skills, the Harlem Globetrotters are making a stop here to put on their “Fans Rule” show. This show has the team playing in unique games like Hit-or-Miss, where making…
Comedy: Gabe Kea, Alex Stone and Sam Evans
This week, Go Bananas offers a great chance to catch some very funny comics with ties to the Cincinnati scene. Born to Canadian parents in Georgia, Gabe Kea grew up in Missouri. And though he has never lived north of the boarder, he’s often identified as a Canadian. “When I started doing comedy people would…
Onstage: The Complete History of Comedy: Abridged
Need a few good laughs to round out your holiday season? The Cincinnati Playhouse has the perfect show for you on its Shelterhouse stage. Three guys race through the history of comedy — from its birth (literally) through funny bits that include Abraham Lincoln (“America’s funniest president”), Anton Chekhov (Star Trek fans beware) and a…
The Wolf of Wall Street
Based on all of the advanced buzz surrounding Martin Scorsese’s latest film, a version of Jordan Belfort’s true story of his high flying wheeling and dealing (with all of the sordid illegal details mashed-up for extra incentive), The Wolf of Wall Street sounds like a drug-addled frat party at a business school where students of…
The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty
The ever-unassuming Walter Mitty (director Ben Stiller, seemingly unable to choose just one side of the camera to focus on) frequently zones out. That’s what his sister Odessa (Kathryn Hahn) and their mother Edna (Shirley MacLaine) call it. He’s been doing it since he was young, probably since his father died and he had to…
47 Ronin
Keanu Reeves, as Kai, heads up another rebellion, this time leading a roaming band of samurai (also known as ronin) seeking revenge against the shogun who killed and dishonored their master. The odds (47 ronin versus and army of thousands augmented by dark magic) are not in the favor of the underdogs, but apparently there’s…
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Idris Elba captures the rugged fighting spirit of Nelson Mandela, a boxing enthusiast as well as one of the few black lawyers in South Africa. But the actor, known to audiences for his breakout role as Stringer Bell in the HBO series The Wire and currently as the Asgardian gatekeeper Heimdall in the Thor franchise,…
Q&A with Josiah Wolf of WHY? and Dream Tiger
A lot of great things emerge from Cincinnati: goetta, Graeter's Ice Cream, George Clooney… Among those locally bred gems is WHY?, the eclectic indie Hip Hop band with some of the most brilliantly complex and candid lyricism out there, courtesy of Jonathan “Yoni” Wolf. In addition to its lyrical genius, WHY? is never lacking in…
My Quest for the Perfect Cincy Macarons
It all started when I ate at Bottega Louie in downtown Los Angeles for the first time. My boyfriend and I were vacationing in SoCal and went out to dinner with friends — L.A. natives and frequents of the popular restaurant and gourmet market with the most extraordinary bakery. Right as we walked through the…
Report: Minimum Wage Increase to Benefit 330,000 Ohioans
When Ohio’s minimum wage automatically increases by 10 cents to $7.95 per hour at the start of 2014, roughly 330,000 workers will receive raises across the state, according to an analysis from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). That could be good news for all of Ohio: EPI found the minimum wage increase will benefit the…
Worst Year Ever!: 2013
WEDNESDAY JAN. 23 State Board of Education President Debe Terhar has made some folks not so happy. She shared a link on Facebook from some pitiful source who posts things like photos of our president with the caption “Where’s Lee Harvey Oswalt when you need him?” (their misspelling, not ours) and a picture of a…
Give Me a Reason
Since this is the time of year when everyone’s list-happy — Paula Dean’s ever-so-slight slippage form white grace, the pretty much expected Trayvon Martin verdict, “twerk” (for white people only), “selfies,” Kimye, the government shutdown and the marathon coverage of the Boston marathon bombing suspects — I’ve come up with a list myself. It’s sooo…
Top Stories of 2013
W ith the end of 2013, Cincinnati is wrapping up a year that saw the election of a new mayor and City Council, the slim survival of the streetcar and a scuttled attempt to privatize Cincinnati’s parking meters. At the same time, Ohio is wrapping up a year in which state legislators continued pushing an…
Morning News and Stuff
A federal judge on Monday ordered Ohio authorities to recognize same-sex marriages on death certificates. Although the ruling was narrow, many advocates of gay marriage argue the merits of the judge’s decision indicate a broader problem with Ohio’s marriage laws following the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling against a federal anti-gay marriage law. The judge’s…
