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Aaliyah dies in plane crash
R&B singer and actress Aaliyah, 22, was killed Saturday when the small Cessna plane she was traveling in crashed in the Bahamas.
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Isley Brothers offering a romantic gem
The Isley Brothers Eternal (Dreamworks) Ever since I heard The Isley Brothers’ new single “Contagious,” which I’ve now memorized, I’ve been waiting to hear the rest of the album. And I have to admit, I was surprised by “Eternal.” “Contagious” made it seem like Ronald and Ernie Isley were taking a new, harder approach to the love game that has been their inspiration for 40 years, but that’s hardly the case. R.
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Fest to give area weekend blues
National acts will team up with local legends at the third annual Mid-Michigan Blues Festival this Friday and Saturday. The festival features 13 local blues bands and two nationally recognized acts, a variety of Cajun and Creole food and activities ranging from face-painting to a harmonica workshop. Jambalaya’s, 5942 E.
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Jadakiss raps well about same old stuff
Jadakiss Kiss Tha Game Goodbye (Interscope) If you’re looking for an original rapper with something to say, Jadakiss isn’t the artist for you. On the other hand, if you need a soundtrack to roll to on a Saturday night, “Kiss Tha Game Goodbye” might be exactly what you’re looking for.
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The Others chills, thrills with great acting, cinematography
Finally, a good scary movie has come to theaters and - as the thriller mantra goes - you pay for the whole seat, but you only need the edge. There are typically two types of horror movies.
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Murrays talents wasted in sophomoric Osmosis Jones
Man eats poorly and gets infected by a horrible disease, so a heroic blood cell cop must save him and all other organisms from extermination. That’s the plot of the very mediocre “Osmosis Jones,” starring Bill Murray as Frank, the unhealthy eater, and the voice of Chris Rock as the title character. The movie cuts back and forth between live action and cartoon sequences, all detailing how Frank gets infected with a nasty virus (voiced by Laurence Fishburne) and how Osmosis attempts to save Frank’s body. Osmosis is a renegade cop inside the body, which houses a whole life system of organisms working to ensure the body’s running smoothly.
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Buckcherry hits Lansing
After having already played in Philadelphia, Toronto and Detroit this month, Buckcherry’s summer tour is making a pit stop in Lansing. The nationally acclaimed rock band plays at 9 or 10 tonight, depending on opening acts, at Club Hot Shots 2, 3323 N.
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Classic cars cruise on campus
A few classic cars cruised around campus this weekend, mixing in with the typical blend of modern sport utility vehicles and sedans.The fourth annual Cars on Campus charity event kicked off Friday with a mix of classic automobiles rolling down Grand River Avenue and culminated in a car show featuring more than 200 vehicles Sunday afternoon.“There are literally hundreds of car shows this time of year in Michigan,” said Steve Purdy, the show’s event director who designed a poster with an image of MSU’s Sparty reflected on the hood of a Cadillac for the event.
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Pie is excellent choice on movie menu
I’m tempted to lead this review of “American Pie 2” by saying something stupid like “line up for another serving of comedy!” Or “you’ll want a big piece of this one!” Of course, no one really likes reading such obvious and horrible catchphrases, no matter how good or bad a movie may be.
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Pete album is about four years behind
Pete. Pete. (Warner Bros.) Pete, a common name for a common band. The self-titled debut from New Jersey band Pete is missing a few things - namely original lyrics and an original sound. I bet Pete is a great band to see in a bar or a club because it sounds exactly like Creed, but you can see Pete for a fraction of the price. Not only does Pete sound like a Creed cover band, but it sounds like it’s playing the same song over and over.
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Sin not original but Jolie, Banderas work
A great cast, featuring Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie, comes together for the overly long and labored “Original Sin.” Like a lot of modern movies attempting to use expressive camera work and great acting to flush out a script that’s not up to the task, “Original Sin” really isn’t that bad.
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Suicide Machines record a gem
The Suicide Machines Steal This Record (Hollywood) Anyone who thinks Blink-182 and Sugar Ray are still punk and ska bands should take the chance to listen to The Suicide Machines’ new album, “Steal This Record.” The Suicide Machines are following in the tradition of great punk and ska bands such as MC5 and The Stooges, which first made reputations for themselves playing on the Detroit music scene. “Steal This Record” is a back-to-basics album that would make any punk fan proud.
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Rush Hour 2 is mostly smooth sailing
There’s no reason why anyone wouldn’t like Brett Ratner’s “Rush Hour 2” - just check your smarts at the door and enjoy. The movie, starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, relies on the same formula that filled the original installment of the series - lots of action, featuring martial arts master Chan, followed by plenty of Tucker’s trash-talking.
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Jazzy beats fill Lansing
LANSING - Walking around the city at 11:30 p.m. on a Saturday night may seem unusual to some people, but for others, it’s an opportunity they’d never miss. While some area residents were asleep, others were listening to Detroit trumpeter Marcus Belgrave as he wrapped up the second night of the 2001 JazzFest in Lansing’s Old Town, on Grand River Avenue. The JazzFest ran from Friday through Sunday and featured performances by Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra Big Band, Those Delta Rhythm Kings and Ramona Collins, among others.
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JazzFest comes to Lansing for food, fun
Hot jazz and spicy food will highlight the 2001 Lansing Old Town JazzFest this weekend. Terry Terry, president of the Old Town Business and Art Association, said the association organized the annual festival seven years ago to provide an art medium for the community. “This is one of the most diverse events you will find in the area,” Terry said. Terry, who is also the owner of The Message Makers, 1217 Turner St.
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Concert series comes to end
The Ann Street Plaza Concert Series comes to a close this weekend with performances from Rachael Davis with Brett Hartenbach on Friday and the Sea Cruisers on Saturday.The concert series has already hosted 12 acts this summer since its opening weekend June 15.Ami Field, East Lansing community events specialist, said the concerts have been held for more than 15 years and have become a tradition in East Lansing.“We work very hard to have free events that improve the community,” Field said.
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U alumnus returns for new book
An MSU graduate is coming back to Michigan to publicize his new book, “Queen of Aces.” The book, which has received a number of good reviews, is the story of a female pilot during World War II who deals with sexism and a love triangle.
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Rocker Perry Farrell goes electronic
Perry Farrell Songs Yet to be Sung (Virgin Records) Those familiar with Perry Farrell’s name will recognize him as the frontman of early-1990s rock group Jane’s Addiction, one of the forerunners of popular alternative rock.
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Live music in E.L. needs help
Some stereotypes about college towns are obvious. Partying, businesses - namely bars and restaurants that stay open late - and a diverse live music scene.
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No flow: Crystal Method album disappointing
The Crystal Method Tweekend (Geffen) I don’t know what method Los Angeles duo Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland used when they created “Tweekend,” but they need to check their recipe. The follow-up to their 1997 debut, “Vegas,” is sluggish and more than a little weak compared to its hard-hitting predecessor.