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The Torch
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Documentary provides honesty unmatched by top dollar films MOVIE REVIEW “Confessions of a Superhero”
HHH
Stars: Maxwell Allen, Christopher Denis, Jennifer Gerht
Currently available to rent or to own on DVD
Drew Hudson Staff Writer
In the wild world outside of our corn-bordered box, there lies a place of wonder and mass appeal that attracts attention throughout the country. That place is Hollywood, Calif. Many creative, original minds flock out to the West Coast every year looking for fame, fortune and the chance to make their mark among the rungs of the wealthy and powerful. “Confessions of a Superhero” is a documentary that tells the story of four people who have traveled to, drifted to or ended up in Tinseltown. While struggling to become serious actors, these four intricate, mysterious people give the audience a look into their lives as street performers on Hollywood Boulevard. The four performers (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and The Hulk) all have something to bring to the table. From Superman allegedly being the child of Sandy Dennis, an Oscarwinning actress, to Batman’s stories of working with the mob, the film lifts the lid on the dark, yet hopeful, souls of these four people. With interviews that are perfectly lit and character development following a riveting, suspenseful pattern, the picture easily captures
all the glamour, hurt, fame, fortune and sadness that is mixed into the experience of becoming a star. Every character is a melting pot of emotion and shines in his or her own way while still retaining his or her humanity in the face of the monster that is Hollywood. During the movie, however, there are many points where the audience feels disconnected from the emotion of it all due to poor footage and a lack of depth. Various shots feel improvised and used just to fill space instead of being important and insightful. Documentaries are supposed to tell a story no one pays attention to, but tell it in a way that makes the audience want to listen. If the interviews and story weren’t so great, this movie would greatly suffer from flat shots of film and repetitive video
that are capable of more than a few yawns. Overall, the tale of finding one’s way in a world of cruelty and fame is heartwrenchingly sad and overwhelmingly hopeful at the same time. The audience sees the broken pasts of these people, but is also allowed to peek at the potential in their futures. “Confessions of a Superhero” is the definition of the dreamer’s manifesto that tells no lies and apologizes for no dark truth it unveils. Even with the boring footage, the documentary is worth its weight in gold (approximately $2,299.10) because it is a human-interest piece that will not be matched in caliber for years to come. “Confessions of a Superhero” is available to rent or own at select stores and through any movie rental store.
Zoo:
April 17, 2008
New butterfly, insect exhibit brings unique experience to Henry Doorly
Michelle Schlueter Staff Writer
On a weekend afternoon, many students enjoy going to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo. There they can view sharks, gorillas, penguins, orangutans, ostriches, parrots, leopards and lions, just to name a few. Whether creepy, furry, scaly, noisy, or wacky, these animals will soon have something new to contend with. Currently under construction, the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion will be opening on May 15. “There will be two parts, first there is a Butterfly Wing, where around 1500 butterflies from all over the world are flying around and landing on people,” supervisor of the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion Kay Klatt said. Students can expect to find more than butterflies throughout this wing however. There will also be several water features, displays of frogs and tropical plants. The second wing of the building is called the Insect Wing. “You will find all sorts of insects such as beetles, mantis, ants, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes and spiders,” Klatt said. “There are also waterfalls, tropical plants and exotic birds.” This new exhibit however has more included than exotic butterflies and creepy crawly
kayla Clark/THE TORCH
Construction for the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo’s Butterfly exhibit is scheduled to finish next month. As a fundraiser, the zoo gave members the opportunity to adopt a butterfly.
insects. As with every exhibit in the zoo, it is designed to not only fascinate but also relay a message. “Bugs are so important to us, and this exhibit will explain how insects benefit the earth,” Klatt said. “Bugs are cool too.” In addition to the butterfly and insect rooms, there will also be a butterfly breeding room, insect breeding room and an amphibian room. “There will also be a lower level, but the public can only view this from outside looking in the windows,” Klatt said. For those who are not spellbound by the bizarre and alien, they have another reason for visiting the pavilion. “The public will also see the giraffes up close and
personal,” Klatt said. However, it takes more than just constructing a home and bringing the insects in to make this exhibit work. “There are several permits needed for the new building,” Klatt said. “USDA has strict regulations for housing certain insects.” Many students who enjoy the zoo are thrilled to see another exhibit arrival. “I go to the zoo a lot and think it would be a new and exciting add on,” sophomore Emily Harriman said. Because of the regulations, not many zoos have the opportunity to house exhibits such as the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion. “This is the first butterfly building in Nebraska,” Klatt said. “I know people will really enjoy it.”
WHAT’S HOT NOW? MUSIC
BOOKS
MOVIES
Billboard Hot 100 for March 30 through April 5
USA Today Top Sellers for March 30 through April 5
Highest Grossing Films for the weekend of April 4-6
1) “Touch my Body,” Mariah Carey 2) “Love in this Club,” Usher ft. Young Jeezy 3) “4 Minutes,” Madonna ft. Justin Timberlake 4) “Bleeding Love,” Leona Lewis 5) “No Air,” Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown 6) “Sexy Can I,” Ray J & Yung Berg 7) “Lollipop,” Lil Wayne ft. Static Major 8) “With You,” Chris Brown 9) “Love Song,” Sara Bareilles 10) “Low,” Flo Rida ft. T-Pain
1) “A New Earth,” Eckhart Tolle 2) “Compulsion: An Alex Delaware Novel,” Jonathan Kellerman 3) “The Final Warning: A Maximum Ride Novel,” James Patterson 4) “Eat, Pray, Love,” Elizabeth Gilbert 5) “The Other Boleyn Girl,” Philippa Gregory 6) “Simple Genius,” David Baldacci 7) “Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson,” David Oliver Relin 8) “1 Magic Treehouse #39: Dark Day in the Deep Sea,” Mary Pope Osborne, Sal Murdocca 9) “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules,” Jeff Kinney 10) “Twilight,” Stephenie Meyer
1) “21”-$15.3 M 2) “Nim’s Island”-$13.2 M 3) “Leatherheads”-$12.7 M 4) “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who”-$9.1 M 5) “The Ruins”-$8.0 M 6) Superhero Movie”-$5.4 M 7) “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns”-$3.42 M 8) “Drillbit Taylor”-$3.41 M 9) “Shutter”-$2.83 M 10) “10,000 B.C.”-$2.8 M