Of course, we recommend that you check out our online newspaper THE HIGH 5 REVIEW for the most up-to-date reviews, editorials and interviews published by the Teen Reviewers and Critics and the Freelancers Corps. But when you need more -- and take it from us, there is ALWAYS more out there -- we have some suggestions.
New York Times Arts Section
NYT reviews are very literate and analytical and socially conscious. They are almost always fair. I like them because they're general interest but intellectual and they're fascinating because of the tremendous credibility they hold in the theater world. The problem is they are never generous, and can be a little self-indulgent and condescending when the reviews are negative. Sometimes the shows warrant these diatribes, and sometimes the wit comes off as arrogant. Overall, however, the reviews are very professional and well-written. Grade A-
Broadway.com
Broadway.com reviews can be more straightforward and descriptive than NYT, but they're not as artful, witty or broad. These reviews may be more comprehensive, but they're not as interesting to read. What I like about them is that they're very elegant and polished. They systematically cover all aspects of the production. Grade: B
Village Voice
Although Village Voice reviews are edgy and fun to read, they are so obviously biased and politically charged. Often you can easily figure out the reviewer's stance on the major issues of the day, even if they're not entirely relevant to the production. They can also be incomplete and cluttered. You can read Village Voice reviews to get an alternate point of view on a production, but you shouldn't rely on them. Grade: C
NYTheatre.com
The reviews on this website are considerate and polite. Even if they're not as sharp as those of NYT, the chief reviewer Martin Denton has a very trustworthy voice and a genuine respect for theater. They are relatively short and efficient, and are easy to read. Also, the site is extremely comprehensive and user-friendly. Grade: B
New York Post
They're not very thorough and the language is nothing special, but they get the point across in a casual and brief style. Their paragraphs are one sentence long, so they are perfect for an audience with a short attention span. Grade: B-
Culture Vulture
The reviews on this site aren't bad at all, although because their evaluations are fairly objective and unoriginal, you could probably find the same point of view expressed in better writing. Still, the site is a comprehensive listing of dance, film, theater and museum reviews, and it's worth checking out. Grade: B-
BOMB magazine
The website, instead of critiquing individual works of art, takes a unique route by having well-established artists interviewing other artists (novelists, playwrights, visual artists and musicians) in their field about their art and the intentions behind their art. It's certainly different, and having the artists themselves explain their art instead of cynical critics. However, the actual discussions are very inconsistent. One article can be an extremely intellectual discussion comparing minimalism to abstract expressionism, while another can discuss a playwright's dating habits. Often this inconsistency is exposed within a single review. Grade: B-
The New Yorker
The New Yorker, biased as it might be, is the only art criticism magazine bold enough to not only say an artwork is poorly executed, but can say the message and the intentions in the art are wrong, without denying artistic license. Conversely, they can acknowledge a highly publicized, quite often politically relevant work and criticize it for artistic reasons; and if artistic ability is not central to the work, they will point it out. Often they can overstep their boundaries, such as in Arlene Croce's feud with Bill T. Jones for the past quarter-century. Such sacrifices are necessary in especially biting, relevant and absolutely valid criticism of Quentin Tarantino's unabashed glorification of violence, Mel Gibson's sado-masochism under the veil of religiosity, or the dying state of theater, both on stage and off. The website posts reviews sparingly, but they pack a wallop enough to last to the next review. Grade: A
The New York Times
It's hard to criticize the most esteemed print journalism in America for being other than just that: journalism. While the skill in writing is top-notch and up to the Times' standards, it lacks a certain pathos necessary for art criticism. Very rarely do critics talk about their emotional reactions, and instead go on for too long about the technical skill of an artwork. Their criticisms and praise are all valid, often beyond the scope of any other critic in the world. They just lack a personality (with notable exceptions, such as Ben Brantley and A.O. Scott) that is rather necessary for such a personal topic. It's even more of a disappointment that the New York Times alone has the ability to make or break an artwork's success, especially in the theater. Grade: B
The Village Voice
Where The New Yorker succeeds, The Village Voice fails. Its reviews reek of a voice desperately trying to make an impression, so much so that the actual piece it is reviewing becomes obscured in inflammatory titles, self-centered analysis, and a total disregard for the content of the artwork being reviewed. The Voice is so concerned with rebelling against the political disregard for art, a theme in each review in the magazine, that it fails to truly treat each artwork autonomously. They'll often write a review that has no real pertinence to the artwork at hand, only to fulfill their message. Grade: D
The Brooklyn Rail
Quite unusual in structure, management and presentation, The Brooklyn Rail is successful in a wider variety of arts criticism than any other site listed. Each critic is allowed to be themselves in their writing, and as a result the reviews are intensely personal. Yet, the presentation of each review makes it accessible to just about every type of reader available. Its only fault is that the critics are so personal in their reviews that they sometimes fail to recognize the larger audience they have the potential to capture, and are thus less confident in their opinions. That doesn't stop the Brooklyn Rail from being one of the most refreshing vision of arts criticism in years. Grade: A-
The Lincoln Center Theater Review
Very few would debate that Lincoln Center is the elite art institution in the country. That's why it's disappointing, if not downright outrageous that such a collection of responses would be as insular, as narcissistic (as evidenced by the mere fact that they have five articles about one show, their own) and as poorly constructed as it is. The Editors themselves describe their own reviews as passionate, comic, urgent, contrary, generous," and even compare the reviews themselves to Lear, the play Lincoln Center performs this season. The voices they describe are disappointing in their lack of unity, something Shakespeare certainly did not lack in Lear. They present the play rather shallowly, each presenting the play in an incongruous light from the other, with very little information relevant to the production at hand. Grade: C
Hackwriters
This site has a good selection of reviews and it appears as if it selects general admissions. The quality of the individual reviews is not spectacular, but they are decent. This would probably be a good place to start submitting. Grade: A-
Filmthreat
The reviews are not very meaty, although they do seem to cover most films. It is unclear if they take submissions. This may prove helpful if one wants to look up a quick review of an indie before committing the $10. Grade: B-
All-Reviews
This seems to be a very extensive site that covers a broad range of movies, music and video games. They accept submissions, and they also have professional writers, so this sounds like a good opportunity. Grade: A
Punitive Art
Although just music reviews, this seems like a pretty cool website with eclectic subjects. There seems to be only one reviewer who must have an awful lot of time on his hands. There is blogging, though, to comment on the subject matter so overall the site may prove to be worthwhile. Grade: B-
New York Art World
This focuses on visual art (i.e. paintings, sculpture etc.) The reviews seem to be professional, and assume a certain knowledge of the subject area. It is base in New York, so it would be possible to see the shows that are reviewed. As a whole, the site is quality. Grade: B+
World Reviews
This site appears to be addressed to the reviewer rather than the review reader. The actual reviews are mediocre, but they are addressing amateurs so mixed quality is to be expected. The broad range of subjects from architecture to tennis (how does one writ e a tennis review?) makes this site worth checking out. Grade: C+
Art A Go Go
This site is cool because it has new art and commentaries plus reviews. They do reviews on museums and other art events, and interviews. The art is from all over the world.
Worldwide Reviews
This gives reviewers the opportunity to write about anything anywhere.
Art Times Journal
Reviews on everything: theatres, books, films, CD's.
Teen Ink
It's a cool site if we want to review for people our age. They take submissions.
Theatre Reviews
Dedicated to reviewing the shows that are going on in Manhattan right now and around the United States.
The New Yorker
Very detailed and fun reviews, and most are to my taste.
These are extra, for fun:
Gods of Music
They want reviewers for music.
Art Critique Gallery
They let you submit your own artwork for others to review, or for you to review. It's really cool.
Agora Gallery
Art Daily
Claims to be "The First Arts Newspaper on the Net." Covers both national and international exhibitions and shows; provides special depth features, which can also be considered, reviews of events the site deems worthy, excellent source for general information on history, particularly photography. Grade: A
Arts Journal
Calls itself "A Daily Digest of Arts, Culture and Ideas;" in essence, the site is a compilation of theater, media and dance reviews from various publications in New York with occasional Bostonian coverage; articles on current arts, social and political issues. Grade: A (variety of critics plus local coverage)
New York Metro
The trendiest online-magazine to find out what's hot and cool in the city, particularly in the music, movies and theatre scene; particularly like the references in reviews to the current political and social scene. Funny and hip, hip and funny. Perfect source for arts information for the city-artist on the run. Grade: A+ (the plus is subjective since I adore being able to read some gossip and then turn to the arts simultaneously.)
The New Yorker
Wonderful, independent music scene; catch the latest events, shows and screenings, in and out of town.
New York Times Arts Section
Reviews carry specific weight because of the newspaper's reputation, always interesting to read with an open mind, sometimes a gem pops up with wonderful metaphors and comparisons, but otherwise, can be blind and stiff, last-minute reporting.
The Philippine Star
An online newspaper which covers many subjects, The Philippine Star's Arts and Culture section gives information on Filipino artists and writers. A view into culture not usually explored by New Yorkers.
Art Review
A compilation of links to sites on art, Art review lends access to sources as diverse as the San Francisco Times and Expatica Spain. Information given on this site includes openings, reviews and sales of art.
The Nordic Art Review
The Nordic Art Review is committed to covering "the dynamic Nordic art scene." Art issues and Nordic artists comprise the body of this all-art website.
Sherry Art
A scatterbrained website with art only one of its facets, Sherry Art is worth a look for its fervent look at digital art. Seek (hard) and you shall find in-depth reviews.
New York Metro.com
A boon to the stereotypical cheap New Yorker, New York Metro.com is the magazine online, complete with art reviews. If you like the New Yorker's and New York Metro's reviews, you can get more of the same for free on this site.
Capital District Art Review
Capital District Art Review is a site focused on the art scene upstate. The draw of this site is that all the reviews are submitted by site visitors, not professional' critics.
TDR
For theatre lovers out there, check out this journal, only in print. The most recent issue includes a piece in memory of Joseph Chaikin, mentioned in Krista's discussion of her theatre influences.
Art Forum
For the art critics among you, or those searching for stylized critical voices, check out artforum.
Index
Check out Index magazine, a more trendy publication featuring new writers, artists, filmmakers, etc. Lots of stuff online!
NY Books
I think all of you would enjoy this. Our visiting film critic frequently writes for this publication, along with many other literary luminaries.
Believer
Heidi Julavits' screen against cheap book reviews was printed in this magazine. Plus, you can review your favorite motel/hotel and send it in &Check it out.
Tin House
A great literary journal with a sense of humor &
Variety
Keep up with the news/reviews related to the film biz &
Blind Spot
A great photography magazine. You can read it online only with a subscription.
Double Take
A fantastic look at documentary/nonfiction across several disciplines, mainly writing and photography.
The Brooklyn Rail
Don't forget Phong at The Brooklyn Rail.
And don't forget to look at Dave Hickey's book, Air Guitar!
The views expressed by our Teen Reviewers and Critics do not necessarily represent the opinion of High 5 and its underwriters.
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