z CONTACT US z Call toll-free: 800-228-0429 Cara Recine, Lifestyles and special projects editor cara.recine@thesouthern.com / ext. 5075 Brenda Kirkpatrick, lists, live music flipside@thesouthern.com / ext. 5089 Rhonda Ethridge, cover designer rhonda.ethridge@thesouthern.com / ext. 5118 The Southern Illinoisan (USPS 258-908) is published daily at a yearly subscription rate of $178. It is published at 710 N. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901. It is owned by Lee Enterprises of Davenport, Iowa.
WHAT’S INSIDE Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Music . . . . . . . . . .4-7 Cover story . . . . . . .6 Live music . . . . . . . .7
Books . . . . . . . . . . .8 Things to do . . . . . .8 Theater . . . . . . . . . .8 Movies . . . . . . . .9-11
Page 2 Thursday, March 11, 2010 FLIPSIDE
Top 20 Restaurant of the Week: Hunan BY DAVID ZOELLER SPECIAL ADVERTISING COPY
CARBONDALE — Next month will mark 23 years that Chan San has been offering diners fine Chinese cuisine at Hunan restaurant. His recipe for success is reflected in the succinct way he describes the dining experience his restaurant provides: “Unique. Clean. Good food. Good service.” He knows commitment to quality is what keeps customers coming back. Hunan opened in Murphysboro in 1987, and a second location in Carbondale came after. A couple of years later, the decision was made to close the Murphysboro restaurant. The menu includes a wide selection from various regions of China. “We try to keep our basic menu and create new things to please our customers,” San said. Each year they take a look at which dishes were popular and which ones were not, and make adjustments. Hunan also has several signature dishes, among them Honey Walnut Shrimp, the popularity of which got a huge boost a few years ago when an ESPN basketball commentator who was in town for the College Game Day segment broadcast from SIU Arena mentioned on the air how much he liked it. “We had people come in and ask for it because they heard about it from the game,” San said, with a smile. In addition to a strong local following, Hunan draws customers from Cape Girardeau, Paducah and St. Louis, according to San.
DAVID ZOELLER / THE SOUTHERN
Enjoying the fine Chinese cuisine at Hunan in Carbondale are Carbondale residents (clockwise from lower left) Kathy Sanjabi, Parviz Sanjabi, Armen Asaturian and Debbie Asaturian.
‘We try to keep our basic menu and create new things to please our customers.’ CHAN SAN OWNER OF HUNAN RESTAURANT IN CARBONDDALE
The restaurant employs about 40 people. While there is some turnover among students who work as servers while they attend school, the staff, especially in the kitchen, is very stable. Because his staff is experienced, San likes to focus his attention on the customers. He can be seen regularly out in the restaurant, greeting patrons and making sure their dining experience is enjoyable. Hunan provides catering for groups of any size, the largest one being a couple of years ago when nearly 1,000 people were served at an event of the
Buy one entrée and get one free at this restaurant and other featured restaurants across Southern Illinois with the 2010 Top 20 Dining Card. Top 20 Cards are available for purchase at The Southern offices in Carbondale and Marion by calling 618-529-5454 or online at www.thesouthern.com/top20. Cards are $20 each plus $1 per order for cards to be mailed. Some exclusions may apply. See card for details.
DETAILS Who: Hunan Restaurant What: Asian cuisine, seafood, chicken, beef, pork, appetizers, soups, salads Where: 710 E. Main St., Carbondale Hours: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.10 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday Phone: 618-529-1108 Malaysian Student Association at the SIU Arena. In addition, Hunan also provides a lunch option at the Carbondale High School. San appreciates the support his business receives, and he gives back to the community in a number of ways from fundraisers to serving on
the boards for local tourism and the chamber of commerce. “This area has been good to me,” said San. “I raised my family here, I sent my kids to school, and I operate a business. It’s a nice and safe place. If I can give back to the community, I will. If I can help somebody, I will.”
Anthropomorphizing Little Muffy NEWS OF THE WEIRD Chuck Shepherd
A
February St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times report found several local people who regularly cook gourmet meals for their dogs and who revealed their dogs’ (or maybe just “their”) favorite recipes. “Veggie Cookies for Dogs,” for example, requires whole-wheat flour, dried basil, dried cilantro, dried oregano, chopped carrot, green beans, tomato paste, canola oil and garlic. Asked one chef: Why feed “man’s best friend” what you wouldn’t eat yourself?
Compelling explanations z Sheriff’s deputies in Austin, Texas, arrested Anthony Gigliotti, 17, after complaints that the teen was annoying women by following them around in public and snapping photographs of their clothed body parts. Gigliotti told one deputy that he needed the photos because the sex education at his Lake Travis High School was inadequate. z Fredrick Federley, a member of the Swedish Parliament, said he has always campaigned as someone who does not take gifts from those he is responsible for regulating, but he was called out by the newspaper Aftonbladet in February for having accepted a free travel holiday from an airline. Federley denied that “he” accepted the trip. He reminded reporters that he is a notorious, flamboyant cross-dresser, and thus that it was his alter-ego “Ursula” who received the free holiday.
in 1995 and, Show said, had been unopened since then. z Sabrina Medina filed a lawsuit against the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort in Hawaii in January, claiming an employee caused her husband’s death. The late Humberto Murillo had swiped two 12-packs of beer from a store at the resort, but the manager pursued and confronted him. Murillo started punching, and bystanders came to the manager’s aid, restrained Murillo and held him down. Murillo, who was bipolar and had marijuana in his system, passed out and asphyxiated. z Anthony Avery, 72, a retired insurance underwriter, filed a lawsuit in December against the exclusive Rye Golf Club in East Sussex County, England, for lingering injuries caused when he slipped on the wet floor of the club’s shower room. The floor, he said, was “too” slippery.
Ironies In February, the trade group Mortgage Bankers Association announced the sale of its Washington, D.C., headquarters for $41 million. The association had purchased the building in 2007, at the peak of the real estate bubble, for $79 million.
Fine points of the law
z Iraqi immigrant Laith Alani murdered two doctors in a British hospital in 1990 and has been confined to mental facilities since, taking clozapine to control his schizophrenia. Since Alani is not a citizen, the government has sought deportation, but in January the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal ruled that would violate Alani’s “human rights.” Only the British hospitals, reasoned the judges, can Our litigious society guarantee that Alani will receive uninterrupted clozapine, without z Craig Show, 49, filed a lawsuit in January against Idaho State Police which he would become dangerous. z Israel Elias and his then-wife and Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, Susan Zirkin were divorced under demanding compensation after his DUI arrest in August. Show said the British law in 1962, but Zirkin has cops seized a “medicine bag” on his been unable to remarry since then because Orthodox Jewish law does motorcycle and, in opening it for inspection, permitted the “mystical not recognize divorce unless the husband grants the wife a “get,” and powers” inside to escape. The bag was blessed by a “medicine woman” Elias has refused. Within the
Orthodox community, Zirkin would have been shunned had she remarried, as would any children she had. A few rabbis try to work around the system, but their attempts are not widely accepted. Zirkin, now 73, was believed to be the world’s longest-standing “chained” wife, but in February, after 37 years, she became a free woman. Elias passed away, and the “get” is no longer necessary.
Least competent criminals z Myesha Williams, 20, and a friend walked in to the police station in DeLand, Fla., in January and demanded to know why their photos appeared in local crime news on TV. After questioning, police decided Williams was the woman on their surveillance video robbing a beauty shop and arrested her (but since Williams’ friend had left before the actual robbery, she wasn’t charged). z The burglar who stole alreadyfilled prescription orders from the West Main Pharmacy in Medford, Ore., in January puzzlingly limited his take to the pickup-ready packages filed under “O.” Police guessed that the burglar must have been after the commonly stolen “oxycodone” and was unaware that outgoing prescriptions are filed by customers’ last names, not their medications.
Recurring themes z Last May, a 13-year-old boy in Galt, Calif., became the most recent inadvertent beneficiary of foolish behavior. Acting on a dare, the boy chugged eight shots of tequila and lost consciousness. A routine CT scan at the hospital exposed an until-then-unrevealed brain tumor, and the boy is slowly recovering from lifesaving surgery. z In January, James Shimsky, 50, became the most recent priest in the Catholic Diocese of Scranton, Pa., to be arrested for wayward behavior (with several recent instances reported in a January edition of News of the Weird). Shimsky was arrested on a Philadelphia street for allegedly buying cocaine. SEND ITEMS to weirdnews@
earthlink.net.
FLIPSIDE Thursday, March 11, 2010 Page 3
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC zWINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z
Exhibit reveals the secrets of ‘The Division’ CARBONDALE — If you like “Demons and Angels” and “The Da Vinci Code,” you’ll love this exhibit at University Museum. “The History of The Division” offers a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes of the secret, Illuminatus organization of The Division. On display are the personal objects of three men, from the past 150 years, who are all a part of the fraternal order. There are the objects from the sideshow performer Dr. von Heidelberg III, a magical healer from the mid1800s, who cured people with a mummy; there are wax figures of Rudolph Stiener, a German tank commander who fought the Nazi regime from within, using magic; and The Unknown Soldier from Vietnam. Also on display are bizarre costumes from secret rituals, actual magic kits used by the organization and other rare historic artifacts. Matthew Schultz has assembled this entire world of The Division as his master of fine arts thesis. The exhibit is up Tuesday to March 26 in the University Museum Galleries, are on the first floor of Faner Hall North on the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, at 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. An opening reception will be 4 to 7 p.m. March 19; the closing reception is 4 to 7 p.m. March 26. — The Southern
Entrants are needed for Logan Days photo exhibit MURPHYSBORO — Entries are needed for the fourth annual Logan Days Photo Exhibit. The exhibit invites amateur photographers from the region to submit photos of the sights, scenes and personalities of Southern Illinois. The competition is open to all
Call for Art Paducah Photo 2010 Juried Photography Exhibition: The Yeiser Art Center, 200 Broadway St.; open to all photographers working in digital or film photography; original work, completed in the last three years; cash prizes totaling $1,700; deadline for early submissions, May 1; final deadline, May 7; www.paducahphoto.com. Juried Art Exhibition: Entries sought for exhibition March 30-April 3, Surplus Gallery, Glove Factory, 432 S. Washington Ave., Carbondale; drop-off entries from noon-8 p.m. March 27 and 9 a.m.-noon March 28; entry forms available in the SIUC School of Art and Design offices, Allyn Building.
Displays, Exhibits Student Art Show: Opening reception, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Rend Lake College, 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway, Ina; refreshments, 6-7 p.m.; awards, 7 p.m.; runs to April 15; 618437-5321, www.rlc.edu. The History of The Division: By Matthew Schultz, opening reception, 47 p.m. March 19, University Museum, SIUC; see behind the scenes of the secret organization of The Division.; hours, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; closing reception, 4-7 p.m. Friday, March 26; www.museum.siu.edu or 618-4535388. Ansel Adams: The Man Who Captured The Earth’s Beauty: University Museum, SIUC, Faner Hall; $5; all students free; through March 21. Stewart Wessel: A Carpenter’s Son, The Gallery Space, law office of Joni Beth Bailey, 1008 Walnut St., Murphysboro; large wooden 3-D sculpture; through March 26; 618684-8668. The MALE art show: More than 40
Page 4 Thursday, March 11, 2010 FLIPSIDE
amateur photographers and features four categories that capture a piece of Southern Illinois’ culture, beauty and people. The categories are buildings, landscapes, flora and fauna, people and events, celebrations or activities. There also is a junior
division for photographers ages 10 through 17 in the same categories. Cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded for each category in the adult division and junior division, and photographs will be displayed in the museum at 1613 Edith St. Entrants must be a amateur
pieces of art created strictly by males including works by Allen Carstens, Mike Faris, Kris Killman, and Tom Rabideau, Little Egypt Arts Centre, Tower Square, Marion; through March 31; 618-9988530, or killman@mchsi.com. Real and Abstract Landscape: Little Egypt Arts Centre, Tower Square, Marion; through March 31; 618-9988530 or www.littleeygptarts.com. George Ions: Orlandini Vineyard, 410 Thorn Lane, Makanda; Italian landscapes compliment vineyard décor; through March 31; 618-9952307; www.orlandinivineyard.com; george.ions@yahoo.com. Kat Shaffner: Central Showcase at Realty Central, 1825 W. Main St, Murdale Shopping Center, Carbondale; gallery hours, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. MondayFriday and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday; through April 3; 618-457-4663. Feminist Art of Indiana: New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, corner of Church and Main Streets, New Harmony, Ind; 812-682-3156; through April 3; www.nhgallery.com;. Mrs. B’s Illustrations: By Andi Butler, Beck Family Center Gallery, Cedarhurst, Mount Vernon; Butler, features whimsical/ retro illustrations; through April 4; www.cedarhurst.org; 618-2421236. Homily: Qualis Vita, Finis Ita: Oil paintings by Jed Jackson, Main Gallery, Mitchell Museum, Cedarhurst Center for the Arts. 2600 Richview Road, Mount Vernon; hours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday; free; through May 9; 618-242-1236 or www.cedarhurst.org. SIUC Photography Exhibit: Works from the Department of Cinema and Photography at SIUC, Beal Grand Corridor Gallery, Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, Mount Vernon; through May 9; 618-242-1236 or at www.cedarhurst. org .
photographers, earning less than 10 percent of their annual wages from the photo business. The photos must be taken in Southern Illinois. Details regarding entry fees, submission instructions and deadlines are posted at www.loganmuseum.org.
Shrode Art & Craft Competition Exhibition: Paintings, drawings, printmaking, clay, fiber, mixed media, wood, fine jewelry and metal, Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, Mount Vernon, Regenhardt Gallery of the Shrode Art Center; through May 9; 618-242-1236, ext. 249 or www. cedarhurst.org. Masters of Photography: University Museum, SIUC; highlights from the museum’s permanent collection; includes photograph of silent film siren Gloria Swanson; through May; free. A Warrior’s Story: Oglala Sioux Buffalo Robe, University Museum, SIUC; through May; free. Carolyn Gassan Plochmann display: Work and life of the Carbondale artist, Morris Library, SIUC; view the display in the cases outside the Hall of Presidents on the first floor of the library; see artwork in the Special Collections Research Center reading room and other locations within the library; 618-453-2516. Ongoing art exhibit: Featuring photographs of Juhree Veach, mosaics from Janet Altoff and sculpture from Tom Horn, StarView Vineyards, 5100 Wing Hill Road, Cobden; 618-893-9463 or www.starviewvineyards.com.
Lectures Seeing Eye to Eye: The Art of Collaboration in Fine Arts by Joe Segura, printmaker, 7 p.m. Monday, March 15, Lawson Hall, room 101, SIUC; free; artanddesign.siuc.edu/ newsevents/visiting_artist.html. The Persistence of Place: Contemporary Midwestern Art by James Yood, critic, 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18, University Museum Auditorium, SIUC; free; artanddesign. siuc.edu/newsevents/visiting_artist. html.
— The Southern
Concerts Southern Illinois Mysterious Morning: By John Sampen and Mark Bunce, saxophone and multimedia, 4 p.m. March 20 Altgeld Hall, Room 112, SIUC; free; 618-536-8742. Inside the Bachs: 7:30 p.m. March 20 and 5 p.m. March 21, Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall, SIUC; celebrating birthdays of Bach, Handel and Scarlatti; free; 618-536-8742. Brazilian guitar: David Burgess 7 p.m. March 19, O’Neil Auditorium, John A Logan College, Carterville; 618-985-2828, ext. 8287. Eric Lenz: With Luther College Early Music Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. March 19, Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall, SIUC; free; 618536-8742. Great Collaborators: Logan, Rend Lake and Southeastern Illinois college choirs, 7 p.m. March 26, O’Neil Auditorium, John A Logan College, Carterville; 618-985-2828, ext. 8269. Kevin Skinner: 8 p.m. April 17, Harrah’s Metropolis Casino, Riverfront Event Center; winner of NBC’s 2009 “America’s Got Talent” TV show; $15; metropolis. frontgatetickets.com or 888-512-7469; or go online at www.mykevinskinner. com. Joe Bonamassa: 7:30 p.m. May 5, Shryock Auditorium, SIUC; 618-453-6000 or go online at www.southern lightsentertainment.com.
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC zWINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z
Jim Stafford brings comedy, class to Metropolis COUNTRY SCENE Vince Hoffard
Jim Stafford 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Harrah’s Casino, Metropolis; $34.99, $29.99; call 888-512-7469.
S
ome people tell jokes. Some people sing. Some people play a musical instrument. Individually these talents are not rare. However, when you find one person that is incredibly proficient in all three areas, you have a very special performer. After more than 10 years of grinding it out in the music industry, Jim Stafford reeled off three hilarious singles in 1974 and became a virtual overnight sensation with “Spiders & Snakes,” “My Girl, Bill” and “Wildwood Weed.” Stafford is much deeper than a trio of threeminute ditties. He is a comedic genius. He was a favorite of Johnny Carson and appeared on “The Tonight Show” many times. He was also head writer for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. A self-taught musician, Stafford is a dynamic guitarist and has released multiple classical instrumental albums. Using all three talents, in 1981 the Florida native opened the Jim Stafford Theater in Branson, Mo. For the past 20 years, the theater has ranked in the top three shows in the Ozark Mountain tourist mecca. “I don’t talk about Tiger or politics or tell dirty jokes,” Stafford said,
PROVIDED
It would be a mistake to relegate Jim Stafford to that guy who sang the funny songs. He’s a heralded comedy writer, musician, host and songwriter.
during a telephone interview Monday. “This is good, clean, family entertainment.” Stafford said the climate in southern Missouri during the winter is often brutal, so he was eager to dust off his traveling shoes. The 67-year-old Stafford doesn’t have a huge entourage. “I’m a one-man show,” he said. “I don’t travel with a band. They wouldn’t have anything to do. I do a lot of comedy and talking, mixed with some singing and guitar picking. I have a thrilling job. I’m getting to do what I really love to do.” With his vast experience, it would be easy for Stafford to coast through a show, but he doesn’t. He takes his craft very seriously and will often practice two hours a day on one instrumental tune he plans for a performance. “I’ve a very serious guitarist,” he said. “Through the years, I’ve done it all — jazz, rock, folk and country.” Stafford seemed destined for greatness at an early age. He was once in a band that included
Kent LaVoie, Bobby Braddock and Gram Parsons. LaVoie took the stage name Lobo and released “Me And You and a Dog Named Boo.” Braddock wrote the George Jones classic “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” considered by many to be the greatest country song ever recorded. (Hank Williams fans would argue.) Parsons is considered the father of country rock/alternative county music. Sparked by the popularity generated by his 1974 hits, a major pop music publication listed him fourth in its ranking of Top Male Vocalists, behind Elton John, Stevie Wonder and John Denver. Stafford was once married to “Ode to Billy Joe” singer Bobbie Gentry. He is also a television veteran, hosting 56 episodes of “Nashville on the Road” and co-hosting “Those Amazing Animals” with Priscilla Presley and Burgess Meredith.
String Quartet performs at Cedarhurst MOUNT VERNON — The Euclid Quartet, a dynamic string quartet known for performances filled with personality and vibrant color, will perform at the Cedarhurst Chamber Music Series at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The event will be in the Mitchell Museum Performance Hall at Cedarhurst Center for the Arts in Mount Vernon. The quartet has performed to high acclaim across the country, earning significant success and recognition at major competitions. In 2002 and 2003 the quartet was one of three ensembles selected worldwide to participate as a fellowship quartet at the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado. For more information about Euclid Quartet, visit www.euclidquartet.net. Tickets are $18 for adults, and $5 for students and music teachers.
PROVIDED
The Elucid Quartet plays at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Cedarhurst Center for the Arts.
Cedarhurst Center for the Arts is at 2600 Richview Road, Mount Vernon. For more information, call 618.242.1236, ext. 234 or visit www.cedarhurst.org. — The Southern
Icarus Himself to rock PK’s promoting album CARBONDALE — The band Icarus Himself will be stopping at PK’s on their tour promoting their latest release, “Coffins.” Icarus Himself is a two-piece from Madison, Wis. They have added a drummer for the tour. The band create a “sort of a multilayered, lush psych-folk sound utilizing guitar, vocals, drums, sampler and many effects pedals run through
baritone guitar.” Their sound has been compared to the likes of Neutral Milk Hotel, Beirut and “a lost Bowie demo tape with acid confessions.” The show begins at 9 p.m. Thursday, March 18 at PK’s, 308 S. Illinois Ave. Also performing will be Secondary Modern and The Moon Buggy Kids. You must be 21 to attend. — The Southern
VINCE HOFFARD can be reached at 618-658-9095 or vincehoffard@ yahoo.com.
FLIPSIDE Thursday, March 11, 2010 Page 5
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC zWINERIES z COVER STORY z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z
The music of sound Radio show host expands his experimental program Listen ‘It’s Too Damn Early’ airs on WDBX (91.1) from 4 to 6 a.m. Saturdays; ‘Sounds Like Radio’ will air from 3 to 5 a.m. Sundays on WSIU-FM (91.9).
Submit music Dave Armstrong’s new radio show on WSIU-FM, ‘Sounds Like Music,’ is seeking submissions from experimental musicians across the region. Music may be sent to WSIU-FM,
c/o Dave Armstrong, Communications Building 1003, Mail Code 6602, SIUC, 1100 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale IL 62901 BY ROB CROW THE SOUTHERN
Several months ago, Dave Armstrong underwent a routine dental procedure. At least, for most people, it would be routine. But while having a tooth pulled, Armstrong felt something. It wasn’t any
pain or discomfort; it was the type of experience Armstrong has had repeatedly throughout his life, the type of experience he’s not likely to forget anytime soon. “It was the sound of it that was interesting to me,” Armstrong said. “Sound is touch. Sound is actually something hitting your ear; it’s a touch sense, and people forget that. So, to have the sound of it played through your jawbone without the touch of it,
presents
The Musical Charles Dickens’ touching tale of an orphan boy who runs away from the orphanage and tries to pick a pocket or two for Fagin, but gets caught. As Fagin tries to save him, all Oliver wants to do is go to his uncle, and live a good life.
at the Marion Cultural & Civic Center March 25th, 26th, & 27th @ 7:00pm Sunday, March 28th @ 2:00pm
Purchase tickets at Civic Center box office or by calling 997-4030.
Music, Lyrics and Book by Lionel Bart. Licensed by Arrangement with Olivery Productions, Ltd. and Olivery Promotions, Ltd.
Page 6 Thursday, March 11, 2010 FLIPSIDE
that’s a really unique sonic experience.” And it’s the type of experience Armstrong said he hopes people have while listening to his radio shows. The voice and vision behind WDBX’s “It’s Too Damn Early” since 2001, Armstrong is preparing to begin a new program, “Sounds Like Radio,” which will premiere next month on WSIU-FM. His WDBX show — on which Armstrong goes by the name “Dave X” — airs from 4 to 6 a.m. Saturdays. “Sounds Like Radio” will air from 3 to 5 a.m. Sundays, although an exact start date has not yet been chosen. Armstrong will use his last name on his WSIU show. Both of Armstrong’s shows deal with experimental music, although it may also be called avant-garde music or sound art. No matter what it’s called, Armstrong’s selections sure aren’t likely to be heard on Top-40 radio. To describe experimental music, Armstrong first discussed other genres. “For instance, if you have country music or heavy metal, you can discern the difference quite immediately between, say, Johnny Cash versus Metallica,” he said. “Yet, if you just looked at it, you couldn’t immediately discern the difference, because there’s guitar, there’s bass, there’s drums.” The difference,
PAUL NEWTON / THE SOUTHERN
Dave Armstrong of Carterville is starting a new experimental music show on WSIU next month.
Armstrong said, is in the music’s end result, the artist’s need to make music sound a certain way and fit into a certain mold. And that’s where experimental music differs. “Experimental music doesn’t have that end in mind,” he said. “The results can be anything from, potentially, what we call country music to what a person would ordinarily call noise, if they weren’t focusing on it as music. “I’m not even as interested, sometimes, in the end result as the process, or to say that the process of making it is as important as the result.” Armstrong said he’s been interested in the process of sound for as long as he can remember. One of Armstrong’s most vivid childhood memories, he said, was listening to insects in the woods. As he continued to listen, he heard more and more insects, and more and more layers of sound that they created. He said that was his first experience as an “active listener,” which is the type of person he hopes to attract to his shows.
“I don’t consider this to be music that people should just chill out to,” Armstrong said. “This is something that you need to focus on, something that’s intended for you to think about. Even though there aren’t lyrics or a dance beat, it’s intended for you to be an active listener, and the act of listening is a really important part. “The more a person can take on the role of an active listener, the happier I think they’re going to be with the show.” And they may even leave the show with the same feeling Armstrong had when he left the dentist’s office. “Don’t come into the show with a preconception. Don’t come into it thinking, ‘I want this,’” Armstrong said. “Come into it with the conception of, ‘There’s this guy at the dentist, and he just had a remarkable sound event happen to him.’ That’s not normally how people approach it, but isn’t that fun? Isn’t that unique?” rob.crow@thesouthern.com 618-351-5085
CRAVING KARAOKE?
WEEK OF MARCH 11-17
Coffeehouses, Cafés, Eateries David and Roselyn: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Cousin Andy’s Coffeehouse, United Church of Christ, 515 Orchard Drive, Carbondale; www.cousinandy.org Swamp Tigers: 7 p.m. Friday, Crazy Joe’s Fish House, 708 Suchman Road, Ava, 618-763-4417 Ivas John Band: 8:30 p.m. Friday, The Palace Pizzeria, 215 Appleknocker Drive, Cobden; 618893-4415 Wil Maring and Robert Bowlin: 8 p.m. Saturday, Yellow Moon Café, 110 N. Front St., Cobden; www.yellowmooncafe.com; 618-8932233 Mr. Mago: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Palace Pizzeria, 215 Appleknocker Drive, Cobden; 618893-4415.
Wineries Kapsalis & Ivanovic: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Rustle Hill Winery Dirtwater Fox: 2-5 p.m., Saturday, Von Jakob Orchard EL Kurtz: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Blue Sky Vineyard Kristin Kearns: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, StarView Vineyards The Dorians: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Rustle Hill Winery
Kapsalis & Ivanovic: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Walker’s Bluff Sofa Kings: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Lau-Nae Winery Bill Harper: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Blue Sky Vineyard Dave Caputo: 2-5 p.m., Sunday, Von Jakob Orchard Carlos Alberto: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Rustle Hill Winery
Blue Sky Vineyard: 3150 S. Rocky Comfort Road, Makanda; 618-995-9463. Lau-Nae Winery: 1522 Illinois 3, Red Bud; 618-282-9463. Orlandini Vineyard: 410 Thorn Lane, Makanda; 618-995-2307. Rustle Hill Winery: U.S. 51, Cobden; 618-8932700. StarView Vineyards: 5100 Wing Hill Road, Cobden; 618 893-9463. Von Jakob Orchard: 230 Illinois 127, Alto Pass; 618-893-4600. Walker’s Bluff: North on Reed Station Road, Carterville; 618-985-8463.
WANT TO BE LISTED?
Karaoke and DJ lists are online at flipside online.com.
Call 618-351-5089 or e-mail brenda.kirkpatrick@thesouthern.com
z FRIDAY
z TONIGHT BENTON Duncan Dance Barn:: Spring Pond Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m. CARBONDALE PK’s: Sam West Tres Hombres: The Whistle Pigs MOUNT VERNON The Tavern on 10th: Live Blues Trio, 7-11 p.m. SPILLERTOWN Track Side Dance Barn: Robert Ray and Yesterday’s Country, 7-10 p.m. WEST FRANKFORT WB Ranch Barn: Little Egypt Country Band 6:30-9:30 p.m.
CARBONDALE PK’s: Hobo Knife and GoGo Jesus Tres Hombres: Barnacle Billy and the Zebra Mussels, 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. MARION John Brown’s on the Square: Level D, 8:3011:30 p.m. Marion American Legion: Dave Caputo, 7:30-11:30 p.m. INA Ina Community Building: Friday Night Jam Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
SPILLERTOWN Track Side Dance Barn: Mike’s Band, 7-10 p.m. THOMPSONVILLE Lion’s Cave: Rebel Country, 7-10 p.m. Old Country Store Dance Barn: Country Sidekicks, 7-10 p.m. WHITE ASH The White Ash Barn: The Vintage Country Band, 7-10 p.m. WHITTINGTON Corner Dance Hall: The Prospectors Band, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
z SATURDAY CARBONDALE PK’s: The Bourbon Knights MARION Marion Eagles: Salty Dog, 8 p.m.-midnight MOUNT VERNON Double K’s Kickin Country: Woody and The Knight
Hawks, 7-10:30 p.m. MURPHYSBORO Murphysboro Elks Lodge: Dave Caputo Band, 7-11 p.m. THOMPSONVILLE Lion’s Cave: Weekenders, 7-10 p.m. Old Country Store Dance Barn:
z SUNDAY CARBONDALE Key West: Ivas John Blues Band
z TUESDAY MARION Marion Eagles: Salty Dog, 6-10 p.m.
z MONDAY CARBONDALE Tres Hombres: The Transpoetic Playground
MARION Marion Youth Center: Ragtag Band, 7-10 p.m.
z WEDNESDAY CARBONDALE Tres Hombres: The Giant City Slickers/Black Yodel, 10 p.m.-1 a.m..
Lil’ Boot & Classic Country, 7-10 p.m. SPILLERTOWN Track Side Dance Barn: Mike’s Band, 7-10 p.m. WHITTINGTON The Zone Lounge: Homegrown Harmony, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
DU QUOIN Ten Pin Alley: Piano Bob, 6-9 p.m.
CARBONDALE PK’s: Whistle Pigs Tres Hombres: Patrick Meyers MOUNT VERNON Double K’s Kickin Country: Jacks-RBetter, 7-10:30 p.m. SPILLERTOWN Track Side Dance Barn: Robert Ray and Yesterday’s Country, 7-10 p.m. WEST FRANKFORT WB Ranch Barn: WB Ranch Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m. WHITE ASH The White Ash Barn: The Heartland Country Band, 7-10 p.m.
DIRECTIONS & DIGITS Corner Dance Hall: 200 Franklin St., Whittington 618-303-5266 Double K’s Kickin Country: Illinois 37, Mount Vernon 618-359-0455 Duncan Dance Barn: 13545 Spring Pond Road, Benton 618-435-6161 The Get-Away: 804 N. Douglas St., West Frankfort 618-937-3545 Ina Community Building: 504 Elm St., Ina/618-315-2373 John Brown’s on the Square: 1000 Tower Square, Marion 618-997-2909 Key West: 1108 W. Main, Carbondale 618-351-5998 Linemen’s Lounge: 100 E. Broadway, Johnston City Lion’s Cave: South Street, Thompsonville/618-218-4888 Marion American Legion: Longstreet Road, Marion 618-997-6168 Marion Eagles: Rural Route 3, Marion/618-993-6300 Marion Youth Center: 211 E. Boulevard St., Marion 618-922-7853 Mollie’s: 107 E. Union St., Marion 618-997-3424 Murphysboro Elks Lodge: 1809 Shomaker Drive Murphysboro 618-684-4541. Old Country Store Dance Barn: Main Street, Thompsonville, 618-927-2770. Orient American Legion: 404 Jackson St., Orient 618-932-2060 Perfect Shot: 3029 S. Park Ave., Herrin/618-942-4655 Pinch Penny Pub/Copper Dragon: 700 E. Grand, Carbondale/618-549-3348 PK’s: 308 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale/618-529-1124 Ramesse: 1754 Illinois 37, Lake of Eygpt/618-995-9104 Steelhorse Saloon: 202 Dewmain Lane, Carterville 618-985-3549 Tavern on 10th: 224 S. 10th St., Mount Vernon/618-244-7821 Tomigirl’s Rollin-in: 14960 Illinois 37, Johnston City 618-983-7655 Trackside Dance Barn: 104 Rock St., Spillertown 618-993-3035 Tres Hombres: 119 N. Washington St., Carbondale 618-457-3308 WB Ranch Barn: 1586 Pershing Road, West Frankfort 618-937-3718 Whisker Willy’s Bar & Grill 13510 N. Illinois 37, Marion 618-983-5300 White Ash Barn: 207 Potter St., White Ash / 618-997-4979 Xrossroads: 101 Rushing Drive, Herrin / 618-993-8393 The Zone Lounge: 14711 Illinois 37, Whittington/618-6292039
FLIPSIDE Thursday, March 11, 2010 Page 7
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC zWINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z
Local popcorn, music and a film about what we eat at the Liberty MURPHYSBORO — Food Works, a local and regional food and farmer-focused non-profit in Southern Illinois, will be screening the film “Fresh” at 7 p.m. Friday, March 19, at the Liberty Theater in Murphysboro. The documentary features farmers, ranchers and entrepreneurs who are working hard to provide food that is not only fresh, but healthier for consumers, more profitable for rural and urban communities and more friendly to the planet. Food Works will help to bring these issues even closer to home by sharing their experiences with the local food system in Southern Illinois. Food Works will serve local popcorn grown by Tom Ming near Marion and have healthy snacks and drinks available at the Liberty’s concession stand. Live acoustic tunes by Devin and Thom Brown will greet moviegoers as they settle in for the film. The film begins at 7 p.m.; music begins at 6 p.m. There is a 7$ suggested donation. Proceeds go to Food Works and the Liberty Theater, which is downtown. For more information, e-mail info@eatsouthern illinois.org or call Jerry at 618-319-2715 or Dayna at 618-319-0542. Also, Saturday, March 13, the Liberty will be hosting a showing of “Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace.” There will opportunities to participate in a meet-and-greet with film characters and watch the film at two times during the day. The first meet-and-greet is at 10 a.m. with the film at 11 a.m.; the second is at 4 p.m. with the film showing at 5 p.m. There is a suggested donation to help support the theater. — The Southern
Books, Authors ‘Giant City State Park and the Civilian Conservation Corps’: A History in Words and Pictures by Kay Rippelmeyer; book signing, 2 p.m. Saturday The Bookworm, 618 E. Walnut St., Carbondale’s Eastgate Shopping Center; hardcover, $34.95; soft cover, $19.99; 618-457-2665.
Company from Chicago; 800-383-3006; for complete schedule, go to www.soillimprov.com. Comedian Ron “Tater Salad” White: 7:30 p.m., Sunday, April 18, Shryock Auditorium, SIUC; 618-4536000 or www.southern lightsentertainment.com.
Film
Fresh: 7 p.m. Friday, March 19, Liberty Theater, Comedy Murphysboro; presented by Food Works, a regional food Comedian Cleveland and farmer-focused nonJackson: 8 p.m. Friday, profit group; the The Zone Lounge, 14711 Illinois 37, Whittington; tickets documentary features are $10 in advance and $15 at farmers, ranchers and entrepreneurs who are the door; 618-629-2039. striving to produce healthy Rated L Comedy Show: food; music by Devin and 8 p.m. Friday, March 19, Thom Brown; donation, $7; Shryock Auditorium. SIUC; eatsouthernillinois.org or comics Lil Duval and Damon 618-319-2715. Williams; Duval and Williams have appeared on BET’s Comic View, and Williams has History hosted episodes of “It’s Showtime” at the Apollo, as The History and Heritage well as performing as the of Hardin County: By Todd opening act on The Original Carr, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Kings of Comedy; $10; SIUC March 11, Eldorado Old City students, $7; 618-536-3393; Hall Museum, 1604 Locust www.spc4fun.com or St., Eldorado; 618-273-5879. www.facebook.com/spc.siuc. So Ill Improv Comedy Festival: Thursday-Saturday, Theater/Performance March 25-27, Longbranch Auditions: For Gilbert and Coffeehouse and Varsity Sullivan’s The Mikado, 6-9 Center for the Arts, p.m. Monday, March 15, Carbondale; featuring The Sesser Opera House, 110 W. Improvised Shakespeare Franklin St., Sesser; singers
and actors of all ages; bring a short song selection with sheet music or CD; appointments for auditions may also be available; rehearsals for “The Mikado” will start April 5 and the show will run May 27-30; 618-927-0860. Pat Cook’s The Best Haunted House Ever: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday; buy advance tickets at the Chester High School office; adults are $7 and students are $4; for more information, call 618-826-2302. ‘Disney’s High School Musical 2’: WednesdaySaturday, March 17- 20, Shawnee Community College, Ullin; school matinees, 9 a.m. and noon Wednesday-Friday; student tickets,$3, adults, $5 for matinees; evening shows, 7 p.m. Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20 and matinee performance, 2 p.m. Saturday, March 20; evening and Saturday matinee performance , adults, $10; 12 and under, $5; advance ticket orders for school matinees, 800-4812242, ext. 3250 or 618-6343250. ‘The Vagina Monologues’: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 19-20, McLeod Theatre, Communications Building. SIUC; the Eve Ensler production explores women’s sexuality, body image and
gender violence via an assortment of powerful monologues; $8 in advance and $10 at the door; proceeds go primarily to The Women’s Center Inc.; vaginafriendly carbondale@gmail.com or 618-529-5149. ‘Steeling the Heart’: Women Turning the Tide During World War II, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, March 25-27, Kleinau Theater, SIUC, Communications Building; directed by Jamie Huber, co-directed by Molly Wiant-Cummins and Christi Wells; general admission is $7; students are $5; 618-4535618; kleinau@siu.edu. ‘Journeys 2010’: A presentation of new one-act plays 7:30 p.m., ThursdaySaturday, March 25-27 and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 28, Christian H. Moe Theater, Communications Building, SIUC; $6; mcleod.siuc.edu or 618-453-3001. ‘Oliver’: 7 p.m. ThursdaySaturday, March 25-27 and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 28, Marion Cultural and Civic Center; stage adaption of Charles Dickens’ novel, Oliver Twist; musical presented by Artstart; $12; 618-997-4030 or visit www.marionccc.org Nickelodeon Presents: Storytime Live! Friday, March 26 and Saturday, March 27, the Carson Center, Paducah; $15-35; 270-450-4444 or www.thecarsoncenter.org.
Author to discuss, sign copies of new book on Giant City State Park CARBONDALE — A new book, “Giant City State Park and the Civilian Conservation Corps: A History in Words and Pictures,” provides the first in-depth portrait of Giant City Park’s creation, drawing on rarely seen photos, local and national archival research and interviews to present an intriguing chapter in
Illinois history. Southern Illinois author Kay Rippelmeyer will discuss and sign copies of her book beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bookworm, 618 E. Walnut in Carbondale’s Eastgate Shopping Center. The new book traces the geological history of the park and provides background on and
Page 8 Thursday, March 11, 2010 FLIPSIDE
cultural history of the area surrounding the park, including the effects of the Great Depression and the New Deal on Southern Illinois and relief efforts by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which began setting up camps at Giant City in 1933. The men of the CCC are brought to life through
vividly detailed, descriptive prose and hundreds of black-andwhite photographs that lavishly illustrate life in the two camps at the park. The book not only documents the men’s hard work — from the clearing of the first roads and building of stone bridges, park shelters, cabins, and
hiking and bridle trails, to quarry work and the raising of the lodge’s famous columns — it also reveals the more personal side of life in the two camps at the park, covering topics ranging from education, sports, and recreation, to camp newspapers and even misbehavior and discipline.
Rippelmeyer, a southern Illinois native, is retired from her work as a lecturer, researcher, and academic advisor in the College of Liberal Arts at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. For more information on the event or the book, call the Bookworm at 618457-2665. — The Southern
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC zWINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z
‘Green’ is a failure of intelligence Green Zone
field rations. The movie pales further by arriving in theaters just days after the Academy Awards triumph of the vastly superior Iraq war story “The Hurt Locker,” a film many people have yet to see. “Green Zone” emulates the let’s-build-ademocracy-just-like-ours BY DAVID GERMAIN intent of the U.S. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS occupation of Iraq in All the war-zone 2003, as chronicled in authenticity in the Arab Washington Post reporter world cannot salvage the Rajiv Chandrasekaran’s silly Hollywood plot at the “Imperial Life in the heart of “Green Zone,” Emerald City,” a book cited Matt Damon and Paul in the credits as the Greengrass’ first inspiration for the movie. collaboration outside the Greengrass and Jason Bourne realm. screenwriter Brian Their thriller about the Helgeland have taken a futile search for weapons setting rich with novel of mass destruction in Iraq dramatic possibilities and is a visual and visceral made up a fictional action knockout that’s utterly tale just like any other, deflated by a story as with the same lame plot common, coarse and contrivances and the same unappetizing as Army stiff, artificial characters.
Rated R for violence and language; starring Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear and Amy Ryan; directed by Paul Greengrass; opening Friday at ShowPlace 8 in Carbondale and Illinois Centre 8 in Marion.
You’ve got the incorruptible workingclass patriot in Army Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller (Damon), who leads a WMD team frustrated that detailed intelligence reports continually fail to turn up any traces of Saddam Hussein’s supposed arsenals. You’ve got the sniveling, scheming bureaucrat in Pentagon intelligence man Clark Poundstone (Greg Kinnear) and an internecine clash with his honorable nemesis in CIA man Martin Brown (Brendan Gleeson). You’ve got the cliched journalist in Wall Street Journal reporter Lawrie Dayne (Amy Ryan), who seems incapable of piecing together a story unless it’s handed to her. And you’ve got the Special Forces thug in Lt. Col. Briggs (Jason Isaacs). We all know now the
STUDIO
Matt Damon and Amy Ryan star in ‘Green Zone.’
weapons that prompted the invasion of Iraq did not exist. The filmmakers concoct a simple-minded WMD conspiracy to explain the bad intelligence reports, then lob Miller in the middle. There’s barely a story to hold “Green Zone” together, the movie just
hurtling through firefights and chases, pausing for breath with the occasional revelation to prod Miller on in his quest. For pure ambiance, “Green Zone” is a marvel. Greengrass, who directed Damon in “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “The Bourne Supremacy,”
applies similar techniques to create the same sense of documentary immediacy in “Green Zone.” Chandrasekaran’s book is a work of sharp, informative journalism. That “inspired by” credit sounds a little insulting when the result is tired, standard action fare.
‘Remember Me’ unforgettable for ‘Twilight’ fans, boring for the rest of us Remember Me
psychotic do nothing to suggest dude has a prayer of a fangless career. A more “adult” romantic melodrama that pushes the boundaries of how sexual you can get without earning an R-rating, “Remember Me” smashes mushy up against mental illness. Pattinson plays Tyler, a morose, aimless and seemingly bipolar hunk who dotes on his BY ROGER MOORE much younger sister, MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS STUDIO mourns a dead brother, As a package pandering gets into fights just to feel ‘Twilight’ heartthrob Rob Pattinson stars with Emilie de Ravin to members of the Rah Rah in ‘Remember Me.’ something and dates a Rob Pattinson Fan Club, cop’s daughter just to get “Remember Me” But Pattinson’s fussy, romantic setting, gets to back at the NYPD showcases the “Twilight” smoke and play tough, affected acting, his grab detective (Chris Cooper) hottie in all his zoned-out, gallant and troubled. And bag of screen mannerisms who roughed him up. sideburned, hair-tossled if there are no fangs, Team and a script that has him But this girl (Emilie de and chin-flexing glory. lurching between moony Edward can still imagine Ravin) isn’t to be trifled Pattinson is placed in a romantic and wild-eyed them there. with. She’s interested,
Rated PG-13 for violence, sexual content, language and smoking; starring Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Pierce Brosnan; directed by Allen Coulter; opening Friday at University Place 8 in Carbondale and Illinois Centre 8 in Marion.
even though he asks her out with his face all beaten up. She stays interested after seeing his violent temper and his moods and meeting his jerk workaholic dad (Pierce Brosnan) and needy little sister (Ruby Jerins). But someday, he’s going to cross paths with her dad, who will remember him. Someday he’s going to find out why she never rides the subway — 10 years before, in 1991, her mom was murdered right in front of her. And eventually, as a viewer, you’ll do the math adding 10 years to 1991 and figure out where this contraption is headed. A huge problem is the script by Will Fetters, who
apparently used this as a means of landing the assignment of re-writing “A Star is Born.” A saving grace here is Brosnan, finding his postBond niche not in musicals but in playing perfectly coiffed power-suited jerks. Director Allen Coulter made his mark with “Hollywoodland,” but unlike Brosnan, he hitched onto the Pattinson popularity express and brought nothing to the ride. The film’s tone is all wrong, the pacing is dead and the veering between sex, sadness and sadomasochistic violence is enough to give you motion sickness. It’s a bad movie.
FLIPSIDE Thursday, March 11, 2010 Page 9
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC zWINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z New on DVD Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire An abused and illiterate 16-year-old sees a glimmer of hope from her abusive life when she enrolls in an alternative school. With Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Mariah Carey. R (child abuse including sexual assault, and profanity) Capitalims: A Love Story In this documentary, Michael Moore explores his view of what led to the country’s economic meltdown. R (some profanity) Up in the Air A corporate ax man lives out of his suitcase and loves it, until he falls for his female counterpart. With George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman. R (profanity and some sexual content) Planet 51 American astronaut “Chuck” Baker is the alien invader when he lands on a planet inhabited by tiny green people. With Dwayne Johnson, Seann William Scott, Jessica Biel, Gary Oldham. PG (mild sci-fi action and some suggestive humor) — McClatchy-Tribune News
Queen’s reign of terror. With Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Alice in Wonderland Alice Helena Bonham Carter and returns to the whimsical Mia Wasikowska. Directed by world she first encountered Tim Burton. In Disney Digital as a young girl to find her true 3D and IMAX 3D. PG (fantasy destiny and end the Red action/violence involving scary images and situations and for a smoking caterpillar) Avatar James Cameron’s mega-expensive, technological marvel is also a S HOW T IMES FOR M ARCH 11 TH whole lot of fun: A gamer Dear John (PG-13) 1:10 3:50 6:50 9:30 Avatar (PG-13) 1:50 generation’s “Dances With The Wolfman (R) 1:00 4:30 7:00 9:50 Wolves,” with a human soldier 3D Alice in Wonderland (PG) falling in love with a blue12:50 3:40 6:30 9:20 Brooklyn’s Finest (R) skinned alien from the planet 12:30 3:30 6:40 9:40 Shutter Island (R) 12:40 4:00 7:20 10:20 Pandora. PG-13 (violence, Alice in Wonderland (PG) 1:30 aggressive action, alien 2:10 4:20 5:00 7:10 7:50 10:00 10:40 beasts, adult themes) Boondock Saints (R) 7:30 Brooklyn’s Finest In the course of one chaotic week, the lives of three conflicted New York City police officers Valentine’s Day (PG-13) are dramatically transformed 12:50 3:40 7:00 9:50 Crazy Heart (R) by their involvement in a 1:30 4:15 7:20 10:10 massive drug operation. With The Crazies (R) 1:45 4:50 7:30 10:00 Cop Out (R) 1:15 2:00 4:00 5:00 Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, 6:50 7:50 9:40 10:20 Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes Percy Jackson & the Olympians (PG) 1:00 3:50 6:40 9:30 and Ellen Barkin. Directed by Antoine Fuqua. R (bloody violence throughout, strong sexuality, nudity, drug content and pervasive language) Shutter Island (R) 12:50 3:40 7:10 10:15 Cop Out Two longtime Cop Out (R) 1:50 5:00 7:30 9:50 NYPD partners on the trail of Valentine’s Day (R) 1:20 4:10 7:00 10:00 a stolen, rare, mint-condition Alice in Wonderland (PG) 12:40 baseball card find themselves 1:40 3:30 4:30 6:20 7:20 9:10 10:10 up against a merciless, Crazy Heart (R) 1:10 4:00 6:50 9:40 The Crazies (R) 2:00 4:50 7:40 10:20 memorabilia-obsessed Percy Jackson & the Olympians (PG) gangster. With Bruce Willis, 1:00 3:50 6:40 9:30 Tracy Morgan, Adam Brody,
Still Playing
Page 10 Thursday, March 11, 2010 FLIPSIDE
STUDIO
‘The Hurt Locker’ Fresh off wins for best director and best picture at the Academy Awards Sunday night, ‘The Hurt Locker’ returns to Carbondale. Opening Friday at University Place 8, the movie is a riveting and profoundly intense war movie set in Baghdad in 2004 and follows a bomb squad as they look for IED’s and to stay alive. The movie, which was directed by Kathryn Bigelow, is rated R. Among the cast is Jeremy Renner (above.)
Kevin Pollak and Jason Lee. Directed by Kevin Smith. R. The Crazies A husband and wife in a small Midwestern town find themselves battling for survival as their friends and family descend into madness after a mysterious toxin in the water supply turns everyone exposed to it into mindless killers in this terrifying reinvention of the 1973 George Romero horror classic. With Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell, Joe Anderson and Danielle Panabaker. R. Crazy Heart Jeff Bridges delivers an Oscar-worthy — no, Oscar-required — performance as a whiskeysoaked one-time country legend trying to put his life back together in this sublime American indie. Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall and
an uncredited Colin Farrell all offer up memorable turns. A low-key, down-home gem. R (profanity, alcohol abuse, adult themes) Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief A young boy discovers he’s the descendant of a Greek god and sets out on an adventure to settle an ongoing battle between the gods. With Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Sean Bean, Pierce Brosnan, Steve Coogan, Rosario Dawson, Joe Pantoliano and Uma Thurman. PG (action violence and peril, some scary images, suggestive material and mild language) The Hurt Locker Kathryn Bigelow’s riveting and profoundly tense war movie, set in Baghdad, 2004, follows
the members of a bomb squad as they go looking for IEDs, looking to stay alive.Actor Jeremy Renner, who stars in the movie, was nominated for best actor. Also starring Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty and Guy Pearce. R (violence, heavy gore, profanity, adult themes) The Wolfman Lawrence Talbot, a haunted nobleman, is lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes. Reunited with his estranged father, he searches for his brother and discovers his horrifying destiny. With Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving and Art Malik. Directed by Joe Johnston. R (bloody horror, violence and gore) Shutter Island Two U.S. marshals are summoned to a
fortress-like island housing a hospital for the criminally insane to investigate the implausible disappearance of a multiple murderess from a locked room. With Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley and Max Von Sydow. Directed by Martin Scorsese. R (disturbing, violent content, language and some nudity) Valentine’s Day The stories of a group of Angelenos as they find their way through romance over the course of one Valentine’s Day are told in intersecting storylines. With Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane and Patrick Dempsey. PG-13 (sexual situations, brief partial nudity) — The Associated Press, McClatchy-Tribune News
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC zWINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z
‘League’ hits right out of the ballpark She’s Out of My League Rated R for language and sexual content; starring Jay Baruchel, Alice Eve, Krysten Ritter, T.J. Miller, Debra Jo Rupp; directed by Jim Field Smith; opening Friday at University Place 8 in Carbondale and Illinois Centre 8 in Marion. BY ROGER MOORE MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS
STUDIO
Lance Gross and America Ferrara star in ‘Our Family Wedding.’
Laughs abound at ‘Family Wedding’ Our Family Wedding Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and brief strong language; starring Forest Whitaker, America Ferrara, Lance Gross, Carlos Mencia, Charlie Murphy; directed by Rick Famuyiwa; opening Friday at ShowPlace 8 in Carbondale and Illinois Centre 8 in Marion. BY ROGER MOORE MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS
Forest Whitaker has the Bernie Mac role and Carlos Mencia fills in for George Lopez in “Our Family Wedding,” a broad and formulaic culture-clash comedy built on fill-in-the-blank wedding comedy cliches. The novelty here? The cultures clashing are Mexican-American and African-American. The filmmakers leave few stereotypes unuttered in this cute yet coarse, sweet and slow farce about America Ferrera tying the knot with Lance Gross. Their characters are co-habiting New Yorkers who trek back to LA to surprise each other’s family with the news that, yes, they’ve been dating outside their race and culture and, yes, they’re getting married. Since their equally successful dads
(Whitaker and Mencia) are as quick to play the race card as they are to blurt out “you people,” this could get interesting. And messy. Only it doesn’t. This meek little laugher doesn’t have the wit to take things into uncomfortable territory and doesn’t have the cast to make the thin set-ups — an inter-family softball game, “tradition” bashing and bonding — sing. Singing is actually one thing that does work, as the leads and even supporting players (the hilarious Charlie Murphy) croon the Babyface hit, “As Soon as I Get Home” to comic “whipped” effect. Whitaker is game for playing a womanizing DJ who won’t let his lawyer (Regina King) or his son get too close, and is unafraid of mixing it up with Mencia in their dust-ups. The leading man is bland, the older generation of Mexican and African-Americans are played as Tyler Perry buffoons and Rick Famuyiwa’s film sags in the middle as the writers run out of jokes. “Our Family Wedding” is like a wedding for an iffy marriage: It begins with a little promise and attains a hint of edge before the air goes out and we’re all fleeing before they shove cake in each other’s faces. Violently. And a goat and spilled Viagra tablets won’t be enough to save it.
Kirk is so bird-chested he doesn’t even fill out his TSA airport security uniform. He drives a battered Neon, has next to no ambition and apologizes to one and all at the drop of a hat — even if it was somebody else’s hat. Women walk all over him. “You’re a moodle,” his pal Stainer complains, “a man poodle.” And Molly, the blonde who has a law degree but who would rather be a high-end, highly paid event planner? “She’s a hard ten,” Stainer notes. “A hard ten.” What on earth could she see in him? The sweet-spirited and well-acted “She’s Out of My League” takes that “Knocked Up” / “50 First Dates” loser guy-hot girlfriend cliche around the block a few more times. There are a few sensitive scenes, but it’s the big blasts of raunchy that deliver its laughs. Jay Baruchel plays Kirk, who is just witty enough
STUDIO
Jay Baruchel and Alice Eve in ‘She’s Out of My League.’
that we can almost believe that the stunning Molly (the stunning Alice Eve) would give him the time of day after she leaves her phone at airport security and he chivalrously delivers it to her at a swanky party. Baruchel (“Knocked Up,” “Fanboys,” “Tropic Thunder”) plays put-upon well, never better than in the scenes in which he all but begs his thoughtlessand-faintly-cute ex-girlfriend (Lindsay Sloane) to take him back. He has lots of chances to grovel, since she also works at the airport and she’s in the habit of bringing her new beau to his house. She has adopted Kirk’s parents. But Molly ends that groveling in one bombshell heartbeat. The only problem? No one — not his friends, not hers, not his parents (Debra Jo Rupp is a slack-jawed hoot) or hers — can believe it. “You being with Molly defies the laws of nature,” Stainer (played by T.J.
Miller, a cut-rate Jason Segel) declares. But the half-cute couple presses on, though one and all stare at them in stupefied wonder. Unknown director Jim Field Smith doesn’t get maximum laughs out of the “There’s Something About Mary” bodily fluids moment here, but he uses Pittsburgh well, letting the lad nicknamed “Pirate” take Ms. Out of His League to the city’s attractions. Baruchel is winning, in a whiney way. And Eve (“Starter for 10,” “Stage Beauty”) makes Molly more than a “hard 10,” but a woman with issues and depth. No, we still don’t believe them as a couple. No, there aren’t many surprises here. But “She’s Out of My League” demonstrates that the Judd Apatow blend of sweet and crude can be photocopied, even by the guys who scripted that “Sure Thing” ripoff, “Sex Drive.”
FLIPSIDE Thursday, March 11, 2010 Page 11
Page 12 Thursday, March 11, 2010 FLIPSIDE