Arts & Entertainment • March 2014
Page 15
Monarch Critics
G Eazy: Back in the Bay By Lauren Belotti Staff Writer
For the last three years, I have been he allowed his Santa Cruz audience access trying to see G Eazy (otherwise known as to material usually reserved for family and Gerald Earl Gillum) perform in concert, and friends. In fact, at multiple points in the on March 4th, I finally got the chance to evening, he confessed that “Santa Cruz feels see his “These Things Happen” tour at the like a second home to me.” Catalyst in Santa Cruz. G Eazy is in a unique poOriginally from Oakland, sition in his career: when he this artist is known for his collaborates with artists who confident, and at times poetic, are outside the rap arena, his rap style. Born and raised in works (“Marilyn” and “Runthe Bay, G Eazy was not afraid around Sue”) hit new heights of to show his hometown spirit creativity. But, when he works throughout the evening, even with other rap artists, his work making quick changes from a tends to rely on rap cliches, Sharks to an Oakland A’s jersey. which, while enjoyable, are far Although the show started from memorable. two hours late, once he hit the In a time period where stage, the energy within the stylish teens are raiding thrift crowd instantly elevated. For stores, G Eazy is retrofitting many who had only seen the music from the 1950’s and dapper and suited up G Eazy 1960’s. He could be classified before on album covers, getting as a “retro rapper.” What makes to witness his interactive and him unique is his ability to take passionate stage dynamic within universal themes and combine the intimate setting of the venue them with older melodies and was a surreal experience. his own sense of modern angst. Everyone in the audience Photos by Lauren Belotti Three years ago, I heard left feeling as if they had a deeper under- “Endless Summer,” G Eazy’s earliest ode to standing of G Eazy and his music. From creativity, and I wanted to know the person having his mother come on stage to greet the behind the song. Last month, after a long audience, to premiering never-before-heard wait, I finally felt a deep understanding and singles from his latest unreleased album, appreciation for this rap artist.
uppets Least Wanted By Camille Contreras Staff Writer
When going to see Muppets Most Wanted, directed and written by James Bobin, I had an open mind about the movie, because I loved watching the show as a kid. Unfortunately, it was not worth the time or money. The movie opens with a song about sequels, in which they state that everybody knows the sequel is never as good as the first one. They were right. I wouldn’t recommend spending your money on this movie for a number of reasons. First, the writing is sub par and the dialogue is not very funny. Secondly, there are way too many cameos, including one by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga for about 15 seconds. My least favorite was Celine Dion, which, as expected, was way over the top, lengthy, and pretty much pointless. Third, there are a lot of cheesy movie references that are super predictable
and not very comedic. This gave off a vibe of the writer trying way too hard to get some laughs. Lastly, there was a lot of singing and especially bad Broadway numbers. It’s nice to have a couple of songs, but this time it felt like everything was a song or dance number, leaving no room for comedy or plot build up. Just about the only semi-good parts of the movie were scenes with Tina Fey, who plays a Broadwayobsessed prison guard in a Siberian prison, and Ty Burrell, who plays a French detective who basically employs just about every European stereotype you can think of. However, even their roles were not that great due to the average writing. Overall, this movie was not a success and I would definitely advise you to save your dollars and time on this one.
In a Nutshell
By Jisoo Kim A&E Editor
By Klara Barbarossa Staff Writer
By Lexi Breitbart Staff Writer
By Kristyna Otto Staff Writer
Thankfully for fans of the 1980 original, Cosmos: A Personal Voyage a worthy new version is here. As a producer of this sequel, Seth MacFarlane of Family Guy fame traded his usual crude humor for honoring the legacy of the late astronomer Carl Sagan. This iteration of the show, known as Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, stars acclaimed NOVA host Neil deGrasse Tyson as narrator in place of his former mentor, Sagan himself. Thanks in part to the astonishing footage of outer space, it is no exaggeration to say that people of all ages will enjoy each episode, slowly discovering their place in the universe. Historical animations strike the delicate balance between freshman religion class cartoons and the Deathly Hallows paper cutout scene narrated by Hermione. Every week, a new theme merges history and all types of science so effortlessly and successfully that there’s no doubt Sagan himself would be proud.
Have you ever gone to the movies and felt surrounded by a cult? Veronica Mars, a CW show about a spunky private investigator, was cancelled after its third season. Fans took their obsession to the next level by crowdfunding $5 million through Kickstarter to help create its film version. Sitting in the audience among fans sporting Veronica Mars t-shirts, I didn’t fully understand some of the references. However, I still appreciated the movie without having watched the series. As a newcomer, I enjoyed the tricky mystery and the heart-pumping action. The audience loved the undeniably witty dialogue and performances delivered by Kristen Bell and Enrico Colantoni. Appearances from Max Greenfield and James Franco were the cherries on top of this already delightful movie. I left the theater with a smile on my face, wondering why I missed the show’s hype in the first place. Perhaps fans can next convince Netflix to show it too!
Instead of sticking with the signature aesthetic of chart topper “Pumped Up Kicks,” Foster the People’s new album Supermodel, as frontman Mark Foster says is, “more organic and more human.” Supermodel still incorporates the enticing pop formula that led to the band’s initial success, but also manages to change the overall sound of the band. Acoustic light rock, passionate psychedelic sounds, and hummable tunes all contribute to the band’s embrace of a new, raw sound as they reject over-produced studio music. This album is described as being “achingly, devastatingly beautiful,” and I couldn’t agree more. I am in love with this album; every track is memorable and perfectly transitions to the next, creating a rhythmical, soulful journey with a liveat-a-concert vibe. This impeccable album and a nearly sold out world tour is an incredible start to what is clear to be a memorable 2014 for the Foster the People.
Thrilling, entertaining, thought-provoking and action-packed are all words that can be used to describe the new movie Divergent. Starring up-and-coming American actors Shailene Woodley as Tris, Ansel Elgort as Caleb, and English actor Theo James as Four, the film is based on the eponymous book by Veronica Roth, and follows the story of Beatrice Prior—more commonly known as Tris. Set in a future in which the city of Chicago has been divided into five factions that each represent various virtues. However, some ruin the system created for peace by belonging to more than one faction, and they are the ones known as the divergent. Comparing the movie to the book, the movie is very similar, which is definitely pleasing to any fans of the Divergent novel-series like myself. Without a doubt, when you leave the theater after seeing Divergent,, you will be completely satisfied and begging for the sequel.