The Best Art Shows in Metro Phoenix in 2015

It was a banner year in metro Phoenix for exhibitions featuring works created or collected by some of the world’s most famous artists. Phoenix Art Museum presented exhibitions featuring works by Leonardo da Vinci, Andy Warhol, and Ai Weiwei. And the Heard Museum presented photographs from Frida Kahlo’s personal collection…

The 10 Best TV Sex Scenes of 2015

It’s the end of the year, and that means looking back at our favorite cultural moments, celebrity relationships, theatrical productions, and art exhibitions. But it’s also time to reflect on the best sex scenes from our favorite TV shows of 2015 — from the cerebral final season of Mad Men to…

Ian Christiansen Riffs on Star Wars and the Holidays at Crescent Ballroom

The week after Christmas offers a welcome respite from Frosty and Rudolph and those other sing-along carols. For a real break from musical tradition, though, locals have the benefit of performer Ian Christiansen’s holiday cabaret. Part holiday jamboree, part post-celebration celebration, Wreck the Halls is the latest in Christiansen’s “Lil…

5 Free Things to Do This Week in Metro Phoenix

Merry Christmas and Happy Festivus to those who celebrate. While we’re sure you’re having a grand time celebrating, we want you to have plans outside of the traditional gift-opening and grievance-airing that will likely take place — though hopefully you’ll have one less grievance after reading through these five free…

10 Signs It’s Christmastime in Phoenix

In case you’re new to town and haven’t noticed yet, the Christmas season in Phoenix looks a little different than it does in, say, New York or Chicago.. Here are 10 Phoenix Christmas traditions that are sure signs Santa’s on his way: 10.) Everyone is buying and selling tamales by…

Ex-NFL Player Hosts an Early Screening of Concussion at iPic in Scottsdale

When Concussion hits big screens across the country on Christmas Day, it’s sure to spark discussion. The film is based on a true story and stars Will Smith as Dr. Bennet Omalu, the Nigerian-born forensic pathologist and former medical examiner who first discovered a deadly brain injury in professional football players. It…

10 Best Feminist Sci-Fi Characters in Recent Pop Culture History

This winter packs some major milestones for science fiction television and film. Star Wars will once again grace the silver screen with J.J. Abrams’ The Force Awakens on December 18. It is sure to redefine, once again, the use of lens flare. X-Files will also be returning to our homes on January 24, hopefully with the same…

How Star Wars-Style Fantasy Violence Conquered Our Culture

A while back, a friend expressed concern that her son, a 10-year-old, was watching too much My Little Pony. “It’s sweet,” she said, “but not what I’d choose.” I asked what she would prefer that he watch. “Well, his dad started him on that new Star Wars cartoon.” That cartoon…

It’s Well Acted, but James White Strains to Make Us Care

Cynthia Nixon is such a terrific actress that she can steady even the wobbliest material. In writer-director Josh Mond’s modestly scaled family drama James White, she plays Gail, the mother of 20-something underachiever James (Christopher Abbott, of Girls), a guy who can never seem to lay hands on a clean…

Sisters Isn’t Brilliant, but Fey and Poehler Make It a Bash

What’s quietly revolutionary about Sisters is that it’s a dumb party movie like a million others. The hosts score booze, invite over dozens of friends and frenemies, and then watch in horror — and a touch of self-congratualtory awe — as their house gets trashed. With the sunrise comes lessons,…

Relax. The Force Awakens Is the Third Good Star Wars Movie

George Lucas is the L. Ron Hubbard of Hollywood. Both men were sci-fi dreamers turned mega-millionaires who spun their pulp adventures into a religion. Tap the power within yourself, they urged. The faithful forked over their dollars. Then both Lucas and Hubbard mucked up their simple premise with add-ons like…

11 Arts Shows You Should See in Downtown Phoenix This Week

In a couple of weeks, it’ll be time for everyone to wallow in shame over all the things they should have done in 2015 but never did. For those already starting to fervently wish they’d spent more time supporting local arts and culture, December’s Third Friday is a chance to…