FILM & TV




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So You Want a Virginia Cannabis License? Read This First.

Editor’s Note: Following our recent coverage of Virginia’s cannabis market, where independent retailers face mounting pressure from enforcement and monopolistic lobbying, Max Jackson, founder of Cannabis Wise Guys and a presenter at the...

D’Angelo, Groundbreaking Neo-Soul Artist from Richmond, Dies at 51

Michael Eugene Archer, better known to the world as D’Angelo, has passed away. The Richmond-born singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist didn’t just help create neo-soul, he refined it. His music, “thick as molasses,” as Rolling Stone once wrote, carried a voice...

Teen Drug Use in Chesterfield: A Student’s Perspective

In Virginia, teen drug use isn’t some distant statistic, it’s here, and it’s part of daily life. Nearly one in five teens in the state reports smoking marijuana within the past month, and Chesterfield County is no exception. What’s more troubling is how casual it’s...

It’s Still Our City | Ep. 15 James Munoz

"James Munoz, man, talk about a jack of all trades, this guy really does it all, and he’s one of the kindest people you’ll meet. A fun-inducing staple in the Richmond scene. Vocalist and guitarist for Xed Out. Vocalist for The Bled and Glock/Coma. Bartender at Cobra...

One Night Only: Julien Creuzet and Ana Pi at ICA VCU This Friday

Editor's Note: For further context, read our article HERE. Julien Creuzet with Ana Pi: Your Source at the Feet of the Green PeaksFriday, October 10 from 5 to 7 PMInstitute for Contemporary Art at VCUFree admission with RSVP HERE When French-Caribbean artist Julien...

Op-Ed | A Decade of artoberVA: Why the Arts Belong to Everyone

by Catie-Reagan King This October, artoberVA turns ten. That’s ten years of murals and music, plays and poetry, galleries and gatherings. Ten years of Richmond and the Tri-Cities showing off just how creative, bold, and welcoming this region really is. When the idea...

The Farewell: Loss, Identity, and Lies

Lulu Wang's directorial debut, The Farewell, explores the morality of lies and the complexities of family dynamics. Lulu Wang's The Farewell features a scene where Billi, played by Awkwafina, learns from her grandmother, or Nai Nai, how to dispel toxins from her body. The routine involves exhaling and then forcefully thrusting one's arms in front...

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Criterion Resurrects Paranoid Neo-Noir Classic Klute

Featuring Jane Fonda at her early-70s best, this atmospheric mystery from Alan J. Pakula shines in its new Criterion Collection reissue. Successful producer-turned-director Alan J. Pakula hit a hot streak in the 1970s, beginning with his “Paranoia Trilogy” -- three films with a visceral sense of atmosphere and a Hitchcock-ian sense of voyeurism,...

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Tearing Down Toxic Masculinity with The Art of Self Defense

In his latest film, director Riley Stearns takes on deceptive ideologies to shock audiences with humor and horror.  In our modern age of fast information and lack of fact-checking, it has become easier than ever to indoctrinate and brainwash populations. This is seen in the rise of the Alt-Right in particular, as well as the general rise of...

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The Technicolor Horror Of Midsommar

In Midsommar, the horror of a Swedish cult ritual takes a backseat to the horror of a decaying, toxic relationship. Nothing is worse than hanging out with a couple at the end of their relationship. The snide remarks, the palpable tension in the air, the frustrating lack of action. These situations can be unbearable, and only seem worse once the...

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The Souvenir Is A Heartfelt and Insightful Memento

When going back through memories of past events, old friends, and lost loves, it’s easy to get lost in them like a daydream. Trying to remember and re-experience every emotion and sensation like the first time, making sure you can recount as many details as possible. These experiences are not just fun to look back on, but they can also be...

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Nightmare Van Brings Skateboard Carnage To The Big Screen

Will Rosenstock, Bust Crew, and Venue Skateboards are bringing Richmond's best skateboarders to the Byrd Theatre next Friday with Nightmare Van. The crusty, gritty streets of Richmond are a haven for a familial group of skaters that seems to keep on growing. And on June 28, they'll hit the big screen, as Nightmare Van, a video by Will Rosenstock,...

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Who Loves Galaxy Con? Kel (and RVA Mag) Loves Galaxy Con.

Is it true? Mmhm, we do, we do, we do-oooooo... Conventions are easy to get lost and overwhelmed in. Between Pikachu and Ms. Frizzle cosplayers on your left and volunteers on your right screaming to see your badge, it’s a lot. But they are absolutely worth it. A couple weeks ago, one of the biggest fan conventions in rotation right now,...

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