Latest entries in Arts & Entertainment
A run down of on and off campus arts and entertainment news.
May 22, 2012
'Titanic: 3D': 4.75 out of 5 stars
Three words: Jack and Rose. 100 years later, and the haunting legacy of Titanic refuses to be forgotten. “Titanic” was released this April right around the 100th anniversary of the passenger liner’s tragic voyage.
For those of you who are uncertain whether or not to see the film, no need to worry; “Titanic: 3D” is the exact same film as the highly acclaimed, 1997 “Titanic,” the only difference being the 3D special effects.
“Titanic” revolves around two major plot lines, a fictional love story and the historical depiction of the RMS Titanic’s first and only voyage. It stars Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater and Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson.
“Titanic: 3D” brings audiences members into the fictional budding and ultimately tragic love story of Jack and Rose. Rose is high class and thrown into what is seemingly a loveless romance between her and future fiancé, Caledon “Cal” Hockley, played by Billy Zane. Jack has known poverty all of his life, but as fate would have it, he wins a ticket onto the Titanic. Fate brings Rose and Jack together through adversity and various events that test just how deep their love for one another goes, even facing the point of certain death. “Titanic: 3D” places this budding story of true love inside the tragedy of the sinking ship that resulted in more casualties than survivors.
If you never got a chance to see “Titanic” when it was originally released in 1997, here’s your chance. James Cameron, the Academy Award winning director of “Titanic” and 2009’s “Avatar," recently said, "With the emotional power intact and the images more powerful than ever, this will be an epic experience for fans and newcomers alike.”
The re-release of Titanic served two purposes: to remember the past and to give insight to a new generation. For those looking for a sappy love story, “Titanic: 3D” is the movie for you. For those of you interested in seeing a pretty accurate depiction of RMS Titanic’s final moments afloat, this is also the movie for you. Those of you looking to be soothed by the vocal sounds of Celine Dion, “Titanic: 3D” is also the movie for you. Whatever it is that is even remotely sparking your interest into paying less than ten dollars to see a movie that is already out on DVD, I would suggest you take the plunge to venture out and see it. 3D glasses are a small price to pay for this epic, epic story. Go ahead, see it. I’ll save you a seat.
'The Five-Year Engagement': 3.5 out of 5 stars
Classic Jason Segel jokes fill the screen for this romantic comedy. Whether he has his pants on or off, you’ll be sure to be laughing every time he’s in a scene. Emily Blunt gives a very convincing performance as the selfish fiancé trying to live out her dreams. However, the plot in this movie that lasts over two hours gets a bit tiring.
Starting out, you instantly love Tom, played by Segel, and Violet, played by Blunt, together; they seem like the perfect couple. You all probably know how it goes from seeing the previews; Violet gets a job offer in Michigan, so Tom graciously changes his entire life to accommodate his lovely fiancé’s dreams. After the move and some personal struggles that Tom goes through, he goes into major depression mode, sporting a lumberjack beard and just being pathetic all around, which I believe was a bit way too much, like they were trying too hard to get a few laughs out of people.
Anyway, after all of this, things get hard for the couple and well, that’s all I’ll say. The film provides laughs, yes, but after a while, you get tired of seeing this relationship routine play out, and you just want them to get married already.
For me, Suzie, Violet’s little sister, stole the show. Suzie, played by Alison Brie, is the cutest little thing in the movie. You see her whole life transform, but she still keeps her innocent-yet-not-so-innocent persona that you can’t help but laugh hysterically. Her character completes the movie with her upbeat and bubbly personality. She’s raunchy, yet innocent in a way, and she stole the movie with her entire attitude. Alex Eilhauer, played by Chris Pratt, was the best compliment to her character the casting director could have made. His performance provided just the right amount of a disgusting male to Brie’s character’s innocence, which works out to be the perfect formula for these background characters to steal the show.
Don’t get me wrong; Segel and Blunt are funny, too. The beginning was pretty funny when Segel tries to propose, and I loved the flashback scenes when the two met. But the plot of the movie is pretty long, and it just feels like it takes forever for it to get to the point. The ups and downs they go through are a little extreme, and you find yourself asking, “Will they just hurry up?!”
Overall, the movie was funny, just way too long and slow. A nice romantic comedy, but not enough spark for my taste.
'The Raven': 4.5 out of 5 stars
Being a lover of all things Edgar Allan Poe, I adored this movie. Each of his short stories that were used throughout the movie as murder scenes were incredibly accurate and eerily real. Seeing his writings come to life in such gory and horrific ways were just as Poe, if he were somehow able to see this movie, probably would have wanted them to be portrayed on the big screen.
Right from the beginning, you know how gory and intense this movie will be. Starting with “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” the movie brings to life the terrible crime committed in Poe’s short story. Police rush to the scene and Detective Fields, played by Luke Evans, is impressive with his knowledge of Poe’s works, which leads him to figure out this killer is working hard at making Poe’s stories come to life.
Edgar Allan Poe, played by John Cusack, is bewildered by the thought of someone bringing his horror to life and immediately goes to work with the police in trying to find the culprit. It isn’t long, however, before the killer kidnaps his love, Emily Hamilton, played by Alice Eve, and forces Poe to find her through clues left behind in other murders from Poe’s stories.
The whodunit plot has a few twists and turns and will have you holding your stomach in disgust at every murder scene. Trying to figure out who the killer is might take some time and still might be confusing when it is all explained. This is why it didn’t get a perfect review; the audience has a little too much to think about that even at the end, you’re a little confused.
Cusack plays a very good Poe, with his imagined awkwardness and clear stubbornness well played out. He’s a very depressed individual, yet Cusack provides a few little laughs at the character, which adds some good comic relief to the deep, dark film. Evans also compliments the film with his brash, yet lovable detective. Together, the two make the film, and they bounce off of one another quite well.
In the end, I loved the movie. All of Poe’s short stories came to life in such horrific, yet incredibly living ways that I can’t help but be impressed. The acting was pretty great and a few laughs were provided, which always makes a horror film seem a little light. The end was a bit hard to follow but all in all, I’m quite impressed.
April 16, 2012
‘Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23': 3.5 out of 5 stars
ABC’s brand new comedy follows a small-town girl’s move to the Big Apple. After an unfortunate turn of events including a jaw-dropping opening, June (Dreama Walker) finds herself jobless and homeless. She is brought to the doorstep of Chloe (Krysten Ritter) who, partly due to June’s naivety, seems like the perfect roommate. It’s only after June puts down her deposit that Chloe turns out to be her worst nightmare. Viewers find out through a conversation between Chloe and her celebrity best friend, James Van Der Beek, better known as Dawson from “Dawson’s Creek,” that Chloe isn’t all she’s cracked up to be.
Neither June nor Chloe maintains the personality she presents in the beginning of the pilot episode. New York takes a toll on June’s innocence and Chloe’s rough exterior seems to break down when faced with opportunities to be a loyal friend. The show seems to be working toward an unusual friendship between the two, but not without some unbelievable roadblocks along the way.
The show’s comedy mostly comes from its outlandish plot points meant to provide constant shock value. The dialogue isn’t necessarily as funny as it is outrageous, which ABC seems to be relying on most to draw in viewers. The show also relies on the fact that its viewers are at least partly made up of 90’s children who are cultured in teen soap operas. The show references “Dawson’s Creek” often, (including a scene in which Van Der Beek is able to woo a woman by wearing a flannel Dawson-esque shirt). This touch of nostalgia will make viewers remember a time in TV history when Katie Holmes was not yet married to a man who jumps on couches.
Off-setting Van Der Beek is Krysten Ritter, an actress who must be used to life as the sidekick, playing secondary roles in films such as “27 Dresses” and “She’s Out of My League.” Ritter finally gets to shine in a main role when she gets to play a scheming New Yorker whose tendency to drive away roommates has left her without a single girlfriend. From the first few episodes of the series, it seems Ritter will break out from background roles (think Judy Greer-- A.K.A. the snarky best friend in about 100 movies) and develop a successful comedic career.
Without a doubt, “Don’t trust the B----" will keep viewers questioning what crazy plot twists the writers will concoct next and looking forward to the unlikely friendship between a Midwestern girl, an unbearable roommate and a has-been actor who is tired of 15 years of fans singing the “Dawson’s Creek” theme song.
March 19, 2012
'Dance Moms': 5 out of 5 stars
When 4 p.m. approaches, the Abby Lee Miller Dance Company gears up for another daily rehearsal for an upcoming competition. Abby Lee Miller stands at the front of the studio commanding her dancers to point their toes and extend their arms. Her philosophy: practicing for 14 years ultimately makes a professional dancer.
Lifetime’s smash hit "Dance Moms" returns for another season with more tears, drama and dance numbers than its previous season.
One of the most sought-after dance teachers, Miller started her dance company in 1980 at age 14. Since then, she has taught as many as 3,000 students and has turned out countless professional dancers. Miller was inspired by her mother’s dance studio, where she spent most of her childhood. Her curiosity stems from accompanying her mom to numerous dance competitions.
The show documents eight young dancers and their careers in the dance business. They travel around the country competing in dance competitions and gaining the necessary skills to become professional dancers.
This season on "Dance Moms," Miller searches for a new dancer for the competitive team, a dancer contemplates giving up her future with the company and racy outfits make the moms question Miller's professionalism. Also, Candy Apples returns, instigating trouble as she “unintentionally” shows up to the same competitions as Miller’s dancers. As with last season, the dance pyramid continues to spark discussion each week between the moms.
By documenting the Abby Lee Miller Dance Company, "Dance Moms" displays a side of competitive dancing most people never get to experience. Just like any other competitive sport, a lot of time, effort, determination and sacrifices go into becoming a successful athlete. Although dance moms do not always agree with the types of costumes their girls wear or with a specific teaching method, one thing always remains true: the Abby Lee Miller Dance Company always comes out on top.
March 18, 2012
"Khloé and Lamar": 5 out of 5 stars
While everyone else in Calabasas is waking up and preparing to start another day at work, unfazed by their appearances, Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom wake up to cameras that capture every second of their busy lives.
Season two of E!’s hit show "Khloé & Lamar," a spinoff of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," is back with more laughs that will make viewers fall in love with the couple all over again.
During season four of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," Khloé announced her engagement to NBA superstar Lamar Odom, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, after less than a month of dating. The two met at a party Kardashian was hosting in LA for Ron Artest. Although attraction between the two wasn't instant, they soon clicked and got married shortly after. Many, including Bruce Jenner, were hesitant about the short engagement, but they wanted to get married before that year’s basketball season started.
This season of "Khloé & Lamar" continues to give viewers what they want: a closer look at the daily lives of Khloé and Lamar. In the season premiere, Rob Kardashian moves out so he can focus his attention on "Dancing with the Stars." This causes a rift between him and Lamar, but the boys eventually work out their differences. This season also documents the progress of the NBA lockout, which causes Lamar to have more free time than he is used to. This causes Lamar to have many sleepless nights, staying up late and playing video games into the early morning. Meanwhile, Khloé continuously researches ways to spice up her love life with her husband.
From friendly feuds to taking care of their professional lives, Khloé and Lamar make their marriage work. They continue to prove through thick and thin they will always be there for each other. What will the future hold for the crazy lives of one of reality TV’s most watched celebrity couples? Viewers should just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Feb. 12, 2012
H. Ray Sigler comes to MU for book signing of Tyrone Dust'
Author H. Ray Sigler “Tyrone Dust: A Saga of the West Plains to Rolla Road” signed copies of his debut novel on Wed., Feb. 1 at the MU bookstore.
The novel, released in Aug. 2009, follows character Earl Sigler in his pursuit of his love, Eva, during the Great Depression. Throughout this journey he must combat the haunting visions of his parents’ deaths and battle through Eva’s parents’ disapproval of their relationship.
“Tyrone Dust” is Sigler’s first book. As Sigler was describing his reasoning behind writing the book, he said he received encouragement from his older brother who told him, “You’re a story teller, you write it.”
Sigler grew up in southern Missouri and came back to his home state for his book signing tour.
“I decided to take a visit to the University of Missouri because of its renowned journalism school,” Sigler said.
Sigler lives in Illinois with his wife but, when asked how it felt to be back home in Missouri, he remarked, “I am always at home in Missouri. I may live in Illinois but my heart will always be in Missouri.”
There was a down side though.
“Parking at Mizzou is a nightmare for a 75-year-old with bad knees. I would have enjoyed motoring around the central campus but life's not easy these days,” Sigler said.
Even after battling the parking at MU, Sigler still sat with a smile on his face in the entrance of the bookstore.
Feb. 6, 2012
"Modern Family" - 5 out of 5 stars
The setting was beautiful, out of a romantic film that Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) would have loved, but would make the more stern Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) would have scream. The wedding had all white accessories, with the ring bearers and flower girls twirling around innocently. One special girl believed it would be good to show her appreciation by unleashing one word so foul (its four letters and rhymes with suck) that her two daddies baulked and the audience watching laughed so hard it begged for a fourth and hopefully fifth season.
It is those kind of “Oh God! They did that! And it’s not from 30 Rock!” moments that make "Modern Family" one of the most watched and award winning comedies on TV. Winner of multiple awards, including the Emmy and Golden Globes for Best Comedic Series, the mockumentary style farce details three sets of families going through everyday life with a smile, a frown and, in Phil Dunphy’s (Ty Burrell) case, mad masseuse skills. The premise has been done before, but never with this style, flair or all out enjoyment for the actors and audience involved.
The third season brings more of the same from the show in the form of family trips, humorous conversations–occasionally in Spanish– and lessons in life. This is a good step for the series because it shows their seriousness in between making others laugh. It feels as if the writers realized that they have an open forum to: 1) make people laugh and 2) send a message to inspire others, which explains why there are more life lessons and kind-hearted family conversations this time around. This doesn’t mean that the show still can’t get raunchy, which explains Lilly’s little slip up in the recent episode, which led into arguably the season’s kind-hearted life lesson. The comedy also shows that some adults just don’t grow up, which is highlighted when Cameron and Gloria (Sofia Vergara) get into a screaming match with a little girl over a dog. Most shows fall apart when trying to juggle too many elements at once, but only when they’re not as confident in their abilities or as smart with their solutions to the problem as “Modern Family” is.
The reason for the show’s success is not only accounted for by the writers, but the pure chemistry of the cast. From the first scene in the pilot episode, it was evident the actors had a true rapport with one another. This development was nothing short of astounding, given the fact that many actors seem to clam up when working with someone strikingly different from them in their personal lives. Let’s face it, in the entertainment industry, people are miscast as much as they are typecast, so to see the closeness that Cameron and Mitchell and Gloria and Jay (Ed O’Neill) have is remarkable given, again, the distinct differences (Stonestreet is “openly straight” and Vergara is well…fabulous).
Overall, the show may get a little too maudlin in their sentiments, but with a brass and hilarious take on families, “Modern Family” just can’t be beat. That doesn’t mean their cars can’t take the brunt though, courtesy of lovely watermelon.
Feb. 5, 2012
"Revenge" - 4.5 out of 5 stars
It has been said that the best type of revenge is served cold. However, the person who said that simply didn’t have the means to have that revenge served on a warm china plate by the finest gourmet chef available, like the folks in the Hamptons do in the saucy and spicy soap opera “Revenge.”
The plot is simple -for a soap opera- in that it is about a woman from a disgraced family that once dominated the Hamptons social scene. She now wants payback from those who took her father down. Emily Clarke, played with conviction and not so subtle bitchiness by Emily Van Camp, will stop at nothing until the Grayson clan is taken down. The family is led by Victoria Grayson, the sultry and devious matriarch played with even stronger conviction by the luminous Madeleine Stowe.
The real strength in this series lies with the performances. The acting is superb, especially by Van Camp and Stowe, whose subtle barbs thrown at one another harks back to older times, when being a bitch was simply not about sleeping with the first person you see in return for a ticket to the Missouri-Kansas game. When you were deemed a bitch, it was about playing and dominating the game and letting others do your bidding while looking fabulous at the same time. Throughout the first season Emily employs old friends, new friends from prison and even Victoria’s own son to intentionally, and unintentionally at times, make life very hard for Madame Grayson.
For all of her wickedly shrewd tactics, Victoria is a human being and a victim. While she is manipulative, life teaches us that when someone has to react so irrationally to even the smallest infractions by their peers something is not right with her family or herself. While this season thus far doesn’t fully uncover why she acts the way she does, hints of a former relationship with Emily’s now deceased father which may have produced a son, along with another well-kept secret hints there may be a method to her madness.
Scenery chewing aside, as far as plot and locations go, “Revenge” treads very familiar water. From the setting of scenes to the plot twists including abortion, friends sleeping with other friends’ husbands and even the psychotic -and possibly same sex oriented- family acquaintance, the series sometimes feels like a rushed series that ABC forgot was still on the air from 1983.
Even then, anyone who has the cajones to send someone else in their place as a puppet to manipulate their next victim is someone who obviously learned from the best, and had the writers of their show watch copious amounts of “One Life to Live.” While it is a familiar concept and brings nothing new to the table as far as originality goes, “Revenge” more than makes up for that with its spectacular performances and mile-a-minute pacing, leaving everyone in a drunk -and possibly poisoned- haze.
"Desperate Housewives" series - 4 out of 5 stars
It all started and possibly will end with a seemingly perfect woman’s secrets being unfolded for the world to see. "Desperate Housewives," the groundbreaking and, many times, delightfully feisty soap opera is ending its eight-season run later this summer. The show will be leaving us with much to think about, and maybe someone else other than Mary Alice (Brenda Strong) to mourn.
The season starts with the women reeling from the death of Gabrielle Solis’ (Eva Longoria) abusive stepfather and their subsequent reactions. The show immediately goes back to when Mary Alice and her husband Paul decide to kill and bury their son Zach’s birth mother. Some might say recycling that pattern is an act of desperation on the part of the "Housewives" writing team, but I say there is no issue in revisiting some storylines if the results are scary, interesting and deliciously catty at the same time. When people begin to suspect foul play, some of the ladies show more maturity than they ever have, specifically Susan (Teri Hatcher), while others fall into old habits (and possibly many men) like the gradually unstable Bree (Marcia Cross).
Beginning with the first scene of the season premiere, the energy of the season has easily surpassed the past three seasons. I always felt the writers continued to obsess over being as good as the now iconic first season of the show. The other seasons failed to impress because of lagging stories and non-endearing characters that made the show feel reductive. Those factors eventually created repeats of what had been done, but not in a fresh or innovative way. No one wants to see tired, redundant stories and people who went out of style like Chuck Taylors or Lindsay Lohan. People simply want to be entertained and provided something fresh and energetic, especially with the level of rapport the ladies now have with one another.
Another positive is the reappearance of the men this season. I exclaimed a resounding "YES!" when Mike Defino (James Denton) finally gets involved in something besides doting over MJ, when his storyline coincides with Susan’s. Tom Scavo (Doug Savant) also gets more screen time and more time to show off his serious side, something desperately needed for the guy because throughout the series, he was seen as, if not more oblivious to the events at Wisteria Lane as Mike. Tom and Lynette’s (Felicity Huffman) divorce goes smoothly until information about Tom’s new girlfriend turns the proceedings into a torrent of insults, stalking and humorous one-liners that are a reminder of when Lynette was actually fun to watch.
A negative for the show is surprisingly not its storyline, but the presence of Renee Perry (Vanessa Williams). As much as I love Williams as an actress and singer, this addition felt wrong from the beginning and showed in these past season. Her storylines are often too basic, too long and are slowly ruining the final season of what is still America’s guiltiest and, let’s face it, bitchiest pleasure.