Don’t be fooled by trailers that promise sex and drugs. Don’t think just because Penelope Cruz is on the poster that she’s in the film for a long time, and that you’ll even like her. And just because you expect “Blow” to be a certain kind of film, doesn’t mean it has to be. In this film, director Ted Demme brings the story of drug trafficker George Jung (Johnny Depp) to the big screen.
Poll a majority of Americans about a new movie, tell them it’s called “Blow” and indicate it’s about a drug smuggler responsible for about 80 percent of America’s cocaine in the 1970s.
Self-expression: Look in U.S. history books and it’s everywhere.As seen in the scandalous dances of the Roaring Twenties, peace symbols around hippie necks, sit-ins by civil rights activists and strikes by Vietnam War protesters, Americans of all generations have made their voices heard at all costs.Underground publications have long played an important role in mobilizing support for social issues, beginning as early as 1776 with Thomas Payne’s “Common Sense” and continuing today with the publication of ’zines (pronounced “zeens”).Go to a number of local music stores and you’ll find these cut-and-paste, self-published, self-distributed magazines - often printed in black-and-white ink and bound by staples - available to browse and take home.Young people have long been the leading advocates and agents of social change, so it’s no surprise that most ’zines - derived from “magazines” - are produced by high-schoolers, college students and 20-somethings.“There’s a lot of local ones,” history senior Michael Krueger said.
Film festivals come and go, but ones that offer a little financial help are hard to come by. So students interested in heading up a project this summer, but don’t know from where the money will come, should find some comfort in Lawn Shorts. Taking place next fall, the festival will showcase short films made by and featuring MSU students.
Members of the MSU Repertory Dance Company visited Bowling Green University last month to participate in the Northeast Regional festival of the American College Dance Festival.And after a healthy dose of dance classes and workshops with professional choreographers, five MSU students were offered a chance to perform at a Gala Dance Concert, presented the last night of the four-day event.The modern dance piece performed by the repertory dancers, “Birds in the Air,” is meant to convey a sense of womanhood and community through movement, which represents quilt-making.“The dancers form positions that are representative of a wedding ring, a common quilt pattern,” said Dixie Durr, chair of the Department of Theatre.
Local rockers Under Construction have an unusual discrepancy with its latest release, “All Access Live.” The band can’t seem to write some of its songs quickly enough. “The only difficulty we ran into is that we have so many newer songs that are fan favorites that didn’t make it on the live album,” vocalist/guitarist Jesse Young said.
Colorfully packaged pasta, cookies and cereal line the shelves of Foods for Living, 2650 E. Grand River Ave.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (self-titled) Virgin Records Some bands know how to use fuzzy guitars efficiently, and the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club nailed it. The album opens with a 50- second stagnant and droningly fuzzy introduction which turns into a basic chord rock song with equally droning lyrics. One noticeable trait among each song is the monotone vocals of Peter Hayes.
I don’t know how she saw this.But for some reason a friend of mine in high school told me I looked like actor John Cusack and even went as far as to nickname me “Johnny C.”Not knowing who this dude was at the time, I was like, whatever.Eventually, I learned of his plethora of movies and became a huge fan of his acting.
Under Construction All Access Live UC Productions Many bands record live albums, moreso for another paycheck, but every now and then a band puts one out that plainly kicks arse. And for a live album, the material sounds really good on Under Construction’s latest.
Until 1998’s “The Faculty,” it seemed like writer/director Robert Rodriguez had carved out a niche for himself with such big-budget bloodbaths as “Desperado” and “From Dusk Till Dawn.” With that “my high school teachers are aliens” flick, it looked like he was getting softer. But now we have “Spy Kids,” a film that helps prove your average shoot-em-up is going out of style.
Things have changed for Christian and contemporary musician Sandi Patty since she first began performing. “When I first started out, there were not these big churches that had auditoriums and sound and light things,” she said. “A lot of times concerts had to be moved to theaters or arenas, but now there are so many wonderful churches and great options.” Patty will bring her unique set-up to the Wharton Center this Friday and said her music appeals to more of a family crowd. “There’s something for everybody, from little kids to youths to the younger parent to the older parent,” she said. Fifteen years ago, Patty’s debut album was released and earned $11 million in sales.
LYNN ELBER The Associated Press LOS ANGELES - In the new sitcom “That’s My Bush!” from the creators of “South Park,” President Bush plays host to beer-swilling fraternity brothers, is mocked by a White House maid and henpecked by the first lady. Bush, as portrayed by actor Timothy Bottoms, also accidentally executes a death-row prisoner and is terrorized by an anti-abortion talking fetus. The Comedy Central series is juvenile, coarse and impishly determined to offend.
Kathy Panoff said watching Brazilian brothers Sergio and Odair Assad perform together is like watching Serena and Venus Williams play tennis together. “Since they’re brothers they have the ability to play very complicated music, intuitively working with each other like the Williams sisters work together,” said the director of events at the Modlin Center for the Arts at the University of Richmond in Virginia. The world-renowned guitar duo will perform their revived contemporary music at the Great Hall in the Wharton Center Thursday. Sergio Assad said any formation of music requires the performers to know how it’s going to be set up. “Using the example of a string quartet, everyone writes for it,” he said.
LOS ANGELES - Miramax plans to launch a film series that will showcase at least 10 films a year from around the world in top U.S.
Kristy Snape and her roommates got to the Union two and a half hours early and were first in line to see former cast members of MTV’s “The Real World.” But she hasn’t seen the show much. “I’ve seen it because my roommates watch it, but I saw the episode of ‘Dawson’s Creek’ with Danny,” the nutrition sophomore said.
If you thought last year’s movies lacked good acting, writing, directing and originality, get ready for what may be coming up next.Beginning in May, the Writers Guild of America, which represents screenwriters, will likely go on strike unless it can reach an agreement with producers.
The MSU Department of Theatre’s production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” was a job well done.For two years, the Franks, Van Daans and dentist Mr. Dussell hid from the Nazis in the Secret Annex, a hidden apartment above a factory.
By LYNN ELBER The Associated Press BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - A writers’ strike that could have lasting effects on the entertainment industry appears likely, said Viacom President Mel Karmazin, whose company owns television networks and a movie studio. “I worry about it a lot now.
FRIDAY: “The Marriage of Figaro” will be presented at 8 p.m. at the Auditorium’s Fairchild Theatre.