Josh Bell

Contributing Editor

Josh Bell is the film critic for Las Vegas Weekly.

Contact Josh via e-mail

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Film review: 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey': Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012; It's unbelievably padded, but there's still plenty to enjoy in the first of three installments.
Country strong: Tim and Faith debut impressively at the Venetian: Monday, Dec. 10, 2012; Not as gaudy as Shania Twain's Caesars spectacular, Soul2Soul focuses on singing and big hits.
Small film festivals struggle to make an impact: Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012; Now all they need is an audience.
Still the one: Shania Twain makes a triumphantly gaudy comeback: Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012; After an eight-year layoff, Shania Twain's live performance at Caesars Palace was energetic and engaged.
Don’t call them housewives: 'Sin City Rules' is a reality-TV pretender: Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012; Does Real Housewives really need to be imitated?
CD review: Alicia Keys' 'Girl on Fire': Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012; Uh, not really
'Citadel' is hard to take seriously: Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012; By literally dehumanizing its antagonists, Citadel not only muddles its political message but also undermines the gravity of its main character’s circumstances.
'Killing Them Softly' is a muddled crime movie: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012; Dominik delivers some striking elements that never add up to a cohesive whole.
'The Other Son' makes the political personal: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012; Levy's ultimate message is positive and humane.
Diva vs. diva: Rihanna and Christina deliver dueling mediocrities: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012; Aguilera over-sings and Rihanna's vocals are disengaged.
Five things I wrote in my notebook at the Deftones' House of Blues concert: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012; Audience chants, an energetic fill-in bassist and more.
Film review: 'Life of Pi': Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012; It falls a bit short, but it's not for lack of trying
‘The Twilight Saga’ ends with a whimper: Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012; And there's more to dislike than the usual series complaints.
CD review: Soundgarden's 'King Animal': Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012; Lots of reunited bands lose their fire after a long hiatus, but Soundgarden sounds as strong as ever.
What might the future hold for the 'Twilight' series’ three main stars?: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012; Pattinson will have a great career as an eccentric character actor. Stewart has undeniable movie-star charisma. Lautner? Straight-to-video thrillers.
'Lincoln' makes the legislative process entertaining and lively: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012; Director Steven Spielberg and screenwriter Tony Kushner populate the movie with so many other vibrant characters that Lincoln’s relative dullness becomes almost irrelevant.
Film review: 'The Sessions': Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012; Life lessons? Nakedness? We can live with that
Checking out indie buzz movies and a high-profile Vegas feature at AFI Fest: Monday, Nov. 12, 2012; Exploring some quality flicks, a few disappointments and the creepiest movie ever made about sound design.
CD Review: Aerosmith's 'Music From Another Dimension!': Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012; It could have been Aerosmith’s best album in years ...
'Skyfall' combines 007’s past and present strengths: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012; Its plot is less convoluted and more emotionally resonant than the previous two series installments.
Epic PollyGrind film festival was too much of a good thing: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012; 140 films, docs and shorts is a lot to handle, even over five weeks.
Film review: 'Flight' never quite takes off: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012; Denzel Washington makes his character sympathetic even in his darkest moments, but the movie doesn’t seem to trust his performance.
Film review: 'Wreck-It Ralph' is a loving video-game tribute: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012; It's not a Pixar movie, but you'd be forgiven for thinking that it is.
CD review: Taylor Swift's 'Red': Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012; Country? Please. Taylor Swift's latest CD is all pop
'Cloud Atlas' is full of flash, but not substance: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012; There’s so much flash and grandeur in Cloud Atlas that it’s difficult at first to see how little substance is behind it.
The horror franchise runs out of steam in ‘Paranormal Activity 4’: Friday, Oct. 19, 2012; Are the franchise's same old tactics still enough to scare?
TV: HBO biopic 'The Girl' struggles to connect: Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012; It’s just a story about a creepy guy and a pretty girl, and it rarely manages to be more than that.
Film review: 'Alex Cross': Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012; Tyler Perry strays from his own films—but should he have?
Madonna: concert review + setlist: The pop icon's latest live show is equal parts brilliant and baffling; Monday, Oct. 15, 2012; The pop icon's latest live show is equal parts brilliant and baffling.
Horror and more at the third annual PollyGrind Film Festival: Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012; The fest celebrates independent and underground horror and grindhouse movies.
The dubious history of horror movies set in Las Vegas: Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012; Sin City has had its fair share of terror.
Engrossing 'Searching for Sugar Man' explores legacy of Sixto Rodriguez: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012; Detroit native Rodriguez put out two low-selling albums in the early ’70s before fading into obscurity in the U.S.
Film review: 'Sinister': Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012; Finally, a movie about the guy who finds the footage ...
Affleck and 'Argo': The director takes his act beyond Boston in this suspenseful new film; Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012; The director takes his act beyond Boston in this suspenseful new film.
Second Vegas Cine Fest spotlights Teller, FDR and werewolves: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012; Event moved from Trop to Palms and enjoyed decent attendance this year.
The CW's new shows are a decidedly mixed bag: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012; The CW has two new shows this year. One's watchable. The other ... not so much
Two times the comic books in one Vegas weekend: Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012; MorrisonCon and Las Vegas Comic Expo promised very different events, but delivered something strikingly similar.
'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' captures the awkwardness of adolescence: Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012; The film adaptation of the popular book is directed by Perks writer Steven Chbosky.
'Frankenweenie' brings some energy to Tim Burton’s familiar style: Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012; "The homage to monster movies of the past is warm and funny."
CD Review: Green Day's 'Uno!': Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012; The first of a trilogy of Green Day albums serves as a nice palate-cleanser.
'Looper' is far more than standard science fiction fare: Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012; Time travel gets a nice twist in the loopy Looper
Film review: 'Pitch Perfect': Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012; Yes, another college comedy, but this one is a pleasant surprise
'Last Resort' looks like the fall’s most thrilling new show: Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012; But can a limited premise like a rogue nuclear submarine sustain an open-ended TV show?
TV review: 'The Mindy Project': Mindy Kaling successfully steps into the spotlight with her new show; Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012; Mindy Kaling is OB/GYN with a disaster of a love life.
Film review: 'Trouble With the Curve': Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012; Clint Eastwood should have stayed retired
TV review: 'Revolution': Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012; Will the high-concept serialized show be a success like similar series Lost?
Phone-sex comedy 'For a Good Time, Call ...' tries too hard: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012; The predictable rom-com arc lacks emotional impact.
Concert review: Jane's Addiction at Cosmo: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012; Jane's Addiction's Cosmo show was both too long and not nearly long enough
Social Media Film Festival needs a stronger hook: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012; If the Social Media Film Festival is going to continue, the organizers probably need to develop a stronger hook to reel in an audience.
2012 Fall A+E Guide: TV worth watching: Josh Bell watched 24 fall pilots so you wouldn’t have to; Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012; Josh Bell watched 24 fall pilots so you wouldn’t have to.

Las Vegas Weekly

Josh Bell

Contributing Editor

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