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Articles by Eric Althoff

From left, actress Klara Kristin, director Gaspar Noe, actors Karl Glusman, and Aomi Muyock pose for photographers during a photo call for the film Love, at the 68th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)

‘Love’ film by Gaspar Noe contains real sex but lackluster story

It is nearly impossible to discuss a film that features real sexual activity between the actors and its relative artistic merits in the same breath because it is precisely that dimension that is meant to be its singular draw. This fact in and of itself is the Achilles' heel of real intercourse's use in mainstream filmmaking, and it begs an important question: Can "Love" -- or any film -- be enjoyed on its own value if the real sex were perhaps substituted with its less-risque R-rated approximations? In the case of "Love," I found the answer to be a resounding negative.

November 5, 2015
The Sanderling Resort in Duck, North Carolina, offers an amazing way to experience the Outer Banks. (Photo by Murphy O'Brien)

TRAVEL: Sanderling Resort offers prime Outer Banks N.C. experience

After a 2013 multimillion-dollar renovation to the AAA-rated Four-Star, Four-Diamond property, the Sanderling has increased the dining and residency options to offer a relaxing and enticing experience no matter the desires of the traveler. The Washington Times recently had an opportunity to experience the stellar property in the mid-fall to wine, dine and enjoy all that the Sanderling and the nearby Outer Banks communities had to offer.

November 4, 2015
(guidestar.org)

Young America’s Foundation poll finds liberal students back censorship

A recent study commissioned by Young America's Foundation (YAF) has found that a majority of self-identified college-age liberals, despite professed claims at supporting free speech, are actually more inclined to back censorship of ideas with which they disagree. According to the study, while 97 percent of those surveyed claimed to value the importance of free speech, slightly more than half -- 54 percent -- also decried the Confederate battle flag as hateful and should rightfully be banned in public displays.

November 3, 2015

Fox reporter proposes to film critic girlfriend with movie quotes

An entertainment reporter for the District's Fox affiliate surprised his girlfriend with a wedding proposal composed partially of quotes from the couple's favorite films. Kevin McCarthy of WTTG Fox 5 and girlfriend of four years Lauren Veneziani were being photographed together with actors dressed up as characters from "The Nightmare Before Christmas" at Disney World over the weekend when Mr. McCarthy dropped to one knee and began his film quote-laced soliloquy.

November 2, 2015
In this June 9, 2015, publicity image, actor and producer Bruce Campbell, left, playing the role of Ash Williams, walks with actor Dana DeLorenzo, playing the role of Kelly Maxwell, during a scene from "Ash vs Evil Dead" filmed in Auckland, New Zealand. More than 30 years after the low-budget horror movie “The Evil Dead” was released and became a cult classic, Ash is back and premiering on Halloween on cable network Starz. (Matt Klitscher/Starz via AP)

Bruce Campbell returns to horror-comedy in ‘Ash vs. Evil Dead’

"Yes, [Mr. Raimi] is just as cruel as he always is," Mr. Campbell told The Washington Times of picking up the chainsaw again in "Ash vs. Evil Dead," a new series bowing Halloween night on Starz. Picking up 30 years after the events of "Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn," "Ash" finds the titular slob still working his dead-end job at ValueMart and fighting the memories of combating the Deadites at that remote cabin. A little heavier, a little less suave -- but still a ladies' man -- Ash unwittingly comes back to bat when the evil from beyond returns to raise hell.

October 30, 2015
This photo provided by Starz Entertainment shows, Ray Santiago, from left, as Pablo, Bruce Campbell as Ash and Dana DeLorenzo as Kelly, in the new Starz original series “Ash vs Evil Dead,” premiering Fall 2015. Starz will present their San Diego Comic-Con panel of the series on Friday, July 10, 2015. The series is produced by the original filmmakers of the franchise, Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Bruce Campbell, along with showrunner Craig DiGregorio. (Matt Klitscher/Starz Entertainment via AP)

TV REVIEW: ‘Ash vs. Evil Dead’ a worthy companion to ‘Evil Dead’ films

It's been 23 years since lowly retail clerk Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) snarkily battled the undead in the "Evil Dead" films, but thanks to the currently en vogue phenomenon of reviving old properties on cable and online, the jive-talking, chainsaw-handed Casanova is back to tangle with more vile creatures from beyond on Starz' "Ash vs. Evil Dead," appropriately premiering on Halloween.

October 28, 2015
Sarah Silverman arrives at the The Hollywood Reporter's Women In Entertainment Breakfast on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Sarah Silverman channels dark comedy into ‘I Smile Back’ performance

That comedienne Sarah Silverman has a naughty mouth is not news. However, the 44-year-old actress and comic has turned her talents for shock and gasps into a performance of sheer transcendence in the new film "I Smile Back," which opens in the District Friday. Even more surprisingly, despite the fact the movie has several moments of uncomfortable laughter, it is far from a comedy.

October 28, 2015

Astro of UB40 talks about band’s resurgence with CD ‘Silhouette’

UB40 all but defined the R&B/reggae sound of the late '80s and early '90s thanks to such staples as "Red Red Wine" and "Can't Help Falling in Love." "We've been touring that since November last year, and it's been going great," said Astro, who is touring alongside original members Ali Campbell and Mickey Virtue.

October 26, 2015

‘Rosa—These Storms’ to play Washington West Film Festival

It remains sobering that women and girls around the world often lack educational opportunities -- often forcefully by their families or entrenched cultural strictures. The new documentary "Rose--These Storms" follows the inspirational story of one young woman determined to better herself after a life of hardship.

October 23, 2015
In this image released by Sony Pictures Classics, Cate Blanchett portrays Mary Mapes in a scene from, "Truth." (Lisa Tomasetti /Sony Pictures Classics via AP)

MOVIE REVIEW: Well-made ‘Truth’ tries too hard to excuse journalistic lapses

Here is the haughtily named "Truth," recounting the infamously discredited 2004 report on then-President George W. Bush's military record that sent several CBS employees to the unemployment line and forced veteran anchor Dan Rather into retirement -- and, arguably, helped Mr. Bush to reelection. The film stars Cate Blanchett, ever reliable, as fiery "60 Minutes" producer Mary Mapes.

October 22, 2015
"Tab Hunter Confidential" tells the story of the 1950s matinee idol in his own words. (caiff.ticketmob.com)

Tab Hunter tells life story in new documentary ‘Tab Hunter Confidential’

Tab Hunter recalls a time when the word "gay" didn't even exist in its current context. As a closeted homosexual in the 1950s, the matinee idol movie star lived a double life -- even in the more permissive culture of Hollywood. Mr. Hunter's amazing journey from Hollywood teen idol to a has-been actor struggling with public perceptions of his sexuality is showcased in the new documentary "Tab Hunter Confidential," which opens Friday at the District's Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market

October 22, 2015
In this image released by Sony Pictures Classics, Robert Redford portrays Dan Rather in a scene from, "Truth." CBS has refused to run advertising for "Truth," the film starring Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford that revisits a painful episode in the network's past involving a discredited 2004 news story on former President George W. Bush's military service record. CBS has denounced the movie, which opens Friday, as a disservice to the public and journalists. (Lisa Tomasetti /Sony Pictures Classics via AP)

‘Truth’ director James Vanderbilt discusses casting Robert Redford as Dan Rather

James Vanderbilt refers to Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings and Dan Rather as the "three wise men" of his childhood, with their omniscient, booming baritones informing his young mind of the world's events on a nightly basis. "I thought the idea of an icon playing an icon could be really cool," Mr. Vanderbilt said of casting Robert Redford as Mr. Rather in "Truth," which Mr. Vanderbilt wrote and directed.

October 22, 2015

Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone offers urban entertainment

While Santa Barbara may be the coastal crown jewel of Southern California on the Pacific, the fact remains the town where movie stars have second homes away from Hollywood remains a community where jobs can be difficult to come by, yet someone still has to man the malls, In n' Out burgers and various eateries that make Santa Barbara -- sometimes known as the American Riviera or the Queen of the Missions -- rolling. Like many urban centers, this creates a distance between rich and poor and little in the way of middle class opportunity. However, thanks to Funk Zone, that trend may be changing.

October 21, 2015