Campus Circle Newspaper Vol. 18 Issue 46

Page 1

2 | Campus Circle

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

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4 | Campus Circle

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

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Editor-in-Chief Jessica Koslow editor.chief@campuscircle.net

Managing Editor Yuri Shimoda managing.editor@campuscircle.net

Film Editor Jessica Koslow film.editor@campuscircle.net

Art Director Alance Ward Editorial Interns Grace Ansani, Nicole Boisvert, Lauren Brodsky, Jennifer Driessen, Devon Klug, Paige Parker, Farnaz Youshei

Bartlett, Elsy Benitez, Sarah Bennett, China Bialos, Zach Bourque, Michael Buzzelli, Erica Carter, Natasha Desianto, Sandra Grier, Josh Herman, Zach Hines, Joe Horton, Damon Huss, Jonathan Knell,

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12 HOLIDAY FILMS

Fill your season with these hot movies.

8 PROJECTIONS 8 HOLIDAY FLICKS 9 TV TIME 10 SCREEN SHOTS 10 REVIEWS 11 DVD REVIEWS

MUSIC

20 LONGWAVE

Prove Secrets Are Sinister

20 20 21 21 22 23 23

CD REVIEWS L.A. UNDERGROUND MUSIC REPORT FREQUENCY LIVE SHOW REVIEWS SPIN CYCLE DVD REVIEWS

SPECIAL FEATURE

27 STUDY AT THE SASSOON ACADEMY

david.haar@campuscircle.net

INNER CIRCLE Assistant to the Publishers Frederick Mintchell

Campus Circle newspaper is published 47 times a year and is available free at 40 schools and over 800 retail locations throughout Los Angeles. Circulation: 30,000. Readership: 90,000.

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Contributing Writers Sasha Ali, Alli411, Robert Axelrod, Lori

Henry Senecal, Alissa Simmons, Doug

Caddy Concepts

12

contents

HOLIDAY

Dec. 3 - Dec. 9, 2008 • Vol. 18 Issue 46

PUBLISHED BY CAMPUS CIRCLE, INC. 5042 Wilshire Blvd., PMB 600 Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 939-8477 (323) 939-8656 Fax info@campuscircle.net www.campuscircle.com © 2008 Campus Circle, Inc. All rights reserved.

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FASHION101 CAUGHT AROUND TOWN BOTTOMS UP CURTAIN CALL GRAPHIC NOVEL THE ART OF LOVE ESSENTIAL L.A. LIFESTYLE THE BAR EXAM THE UN-HIPSTER L.A FACES GAME ON TECH BYTES PAGES EXHIBITIONS GET UP, GET OUT THE SPORTS WANDERER BRODSKY’S BANTER SPORTS: UCLA vs. USC 10 SPOT CAUGHT ON CAMPUS ON THE MENU NIGHTLIFE101

COVER: Evan Rachel Wood in The Wrestler CREDIT: Niko Tavernise, courtesy of Fox Searchlight

6 | Campus Circle

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

campus news | B Y G R A C E A N S A N I

college central | B Y

DEVON KLUG

On Nov. 23 hundreds of students from across California gathered at UCLA to protest the proposed state budgets cuts and to call for a solution to rising tuition. This past September Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger approved a reduction of UC funding by $15 million. Also, in May there was a 7.4 percent increase in student fees for the 2008-2009 school year. Students expressed that, as public universities, the UC schools should offer equal education to all people, not just the wealthy. The protest ended with a unity march in which students sang songs and cheered.

Business Competition at USC The Center for Entrepreneurial Studies will be offering a New Venture competition for all USC students or faculty willing to compete. The competition is for business ideas that are ready to be launched. The competition will be divided into undergraduate and graduate categories. The first place winner from each category will receive $20,000 and six months of free rent for their businesses at the Los Angeles Technology Business Center in Altadena. Five thousand dollars will be given to the runner-up. Participants must prepare an executive summary based on careful research, with an aim to use the prize money to start their businesses. Application deadline is Jan. 30. Participants will have about two months to work on their summaries and exhibits.

New Software for Brain Aneurisms Ronald Reagan University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center has started to use new computer software to help doctors get a glimpse of their patient’s futures. The software is used to reconstruct 3D aneurisms. The program simulates blood flow direction, speed and friction, which can help in predicting when the aneurism might burst. Doctors say that the software gives the patients more control when they are first diagnosed with an aneurism. George Mason University is the only other center using the software under a federal grant.

USC Leads in International Student Enrollment For the seventh year in a row, USC takes the No. 1 spot among U.S. universities for international student enrollment. In the 20072008 academic year, USC had 7,189 international students and enrolled its largest-number ever in the 2008-2009 academic year. NYU comes in second and Columbia third. The school had a 19 percent jump in the number of students that came from mainland China, most likely due to the USC’s international presence, its reputation as a top university and help from expanding alumni groups in China’s biggest cities that helped with recruiting interested students. The school boasts students from 115 countries. Indian students make up the largest part of the student population with 1,571 students, and China comes after with 1,015. Almost 73 percent of the international students were enrolled in USC graduate programs in the 2007-2008 academic year. —Devon Klug

Robert West/The Dallas Morning News/MCT

Protests of UC Budget Cuts

LOOKING FOR A JOB IN THE ECONOMIC CRISIS? Don’t stress – too much! THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CRISIS has done more than cause the stock market to crash and many companies to file for bankruptcy. For many college seniors, it has provided some premature gray hairs instead of job offers. Seeing people who have already graduated struggle with landing their first job out of college is not promising for those who are still in school and looking for opportunities in the same markets. The best way you can handle the situation is to stay calm and stay realistic (and optimistic) about what the future holds for you. “I know a lot of people who were planning on just getting a start on a career right after college, but now I feel like I’m hearing about more and more people are deciding to stay in school for as long as possible and go to grad school,” comments Blair Zeiser, a senior at USC. “That actually doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all when you are faced with what could be a long and disappointing process.”

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“It’s kind of actually nerve wracking – and so real,” says Laura Olson, a senior majoring in finance. “You think that all you have to do is go to college, work hard and then it will all pay off. But now we have the current economic situation, which is making it harder and harder for us to actually go out into the ‘real world’ and be successful fresh out of graduation.” What some people might not realize is it is never easy to have that dream job just waiting for you before you even leave your college campus. While it may seem like there is even more competition than ever before, that shouldn’t prevent you from doing what you would have to do anyways (most likely) – apply and interview over and over again until you finally get an offer. For all of you who are freaking out, the first stop I suggest you make is to your school’s career center. At USC, there’s the USC Career Planning and Placement Center Web site,

careers.usc.edu. There are a few articles that deal with subjects like “The Economy and Your Job Search” that can help a student on the verge of a mental breakdown take somewhat of a breather. The Web site offers a few suggestions, and they all sound like practical and basic ideas anyone should follow when looking for a job. Networking is one thing that could prove to be beneficial. Go to your school’s career center to look for alumni that are in the area of profession you are interested in. You never know what connection you could find. Also, with the holidays coming up, start asking family members for any advice or any connections they might have. You never know what Uncle Steve’s college roommates might have to offer you. The career center has lots to offer before you even take the alumni route. There are probably job fairs on your campus or in your area that would definitely be helpful in meeting people in the professional world, and who knows, maybe even in securing an interview? In the meantime, it might not hurt to apply for one more internship to bulk up your resume, which could even turn into a job offer. Instead of reading the newspaper and looking at the crashing stock market, get out there, fine-tune your resume, get your interview suit dry cleaned and get yourself out there.

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

JOE HORTON

GOD’S TEAM Softball teaches hope and forgiveness. I AM REMINDED, AS THIS HOLIDAY season revs its spiritual motor into high gear, that in Los Angeles, there’s no place holier than the softball field. This is the operating philosophy: Jesus loves softball. We love softball. Jesus loves us. Team Tiger Beat took the field one unseasonably warm day at Whittier Narrows for the annual softball tournament sponsored by Los Angeles’ hippest, most progressive church. We expected God to smile on us more than everybody else. Yes, we are all His flock, but can’t He show favor to the best and the brightest? Most of the team is doing the acting thing – we collectively feature appearances on “E.R.,” “Las Vegas,”“Veronica Mars,”“Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List,” a tour-de-force performance in Jamie Lynn Spears’ “Zoey 101” and commercials for Cici’s Pizza, Circuit City, Old Navy and Tic Tacs. We are marvelous and very humble. That doesn’t leave a lot of time for practice. We play five 25-minute games. Our first opponents are a consortium of massive, vaguely Eastern European-looking gentlemen. Russian Orthodox? Meet Non-Denominational. They bring a selection of their own bats. They mutter things to each other that could be, horrifyingly, strategy. Goliath? Call us David. Oh. And they don’t have a pitcher. They ask to use ours. We agree. That’s called Charity. We lose 5-0. Our own pitcher smokes us. Nasty. “That’s OK, guys, that’s OK. Skill wins the first game, but heart wins the rest. And we’ve got heart!” says John, our spiritual leader. The second game tests our Fortitude. The next team is much older and stars a pitcher in military fatigues who throws a mean slow pitch fastball. And he pitches before we’re ready to hit.

This, I have been told, is cheating. “What a swine!” Justin says in the dugout. “Je-sus CHRIST!” Scott reJoe Horton sponds. This game ends poorly; we lose 10-0. We form the handshake line at the end to show that there are no hard feelings.

It’s only a matter of time before our Faith loses out to a three-run triple that puts the game out of reach. “D-bag,” Scott says under his breath. Game the third is all about Patience. We have an umpire for the game – he may have been living in the nearby Port-O-Potty and was enticed by the smell of Gatorade and happiness – and he’s calling it close. We can’t buy a strike from this guy, and we walk the bases full before they blast one over the heads of our outfielders. When we are up to bat, however, we’d much rather swing away rather than wait for a good pitch. Patience is for the weak. “Alright, who didn’t go to Church this week?” asks Kevin in our post-loss chat. No response. “Alright, did ANYONE go to Church this week?” he asks again. No hands. “That’s why we’re losing! God is against us!”

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Dec. 3-7 @ UCLA, Macgowan Hall Freud Playhouse Berlin’s Volksbühne, a prominent and controversial theater company, will be performing Chekhov’s first play. It will be a modern, bold interpretation that takes place in late 19th century Russia. Picture brilliant acting and a stage covered with mist. It is in German with English supertitles. $15 for students. —Grace Ansani

Ever wonder which has more results on Google, North Pole or South Pole? Or how about UCLA vs. USC? Well, at this Web site you can compare any two things. The site will then declare a winner according to how many Google results they have. The North Pole kicks the South Pole’s butt with about 3 million more results. Want to know UCLA vs. USC? Check it out yourself. —Grace Ansani

But in the next game, it’s the third inning, and we’re clinging to a 1-0 lead. We are starting to believe: This is our time. Faith. But our opponents have uniforms. And skill. God is great, but there’s only so much you can do against skill-filled uniforms if you’re without a few plagues o’er the land in your pocket. It’s only a matter of time before our Faith loses out to a three-run triple that puts the game out of reach. “God! Damn this game!” I yell. We run to the next diamond to sit in on the shady side. If we’re going down, we’re sure as hell not going to burn before we get there. Our fifth and final game lacks Devotion. We’re 0-4, with no hope of the championship or the redemption of our softball souls. We play a highly organized, predominantly Latino team with an impressively mustachioed coach and elaborate team signals. At this point, we’re watching them win. They really seem to be enjoying themselves on this beautiful day. I bet they’ll go back to their friends and families and say how relaxing and reinvigorating it was to spend a lovely afternoon in the company of such fine people. This, they will say, is the spirit of togetherness. I think the score is 20-0 before we’re mercifully released from our torment. After the games conclude, as we drink Capri Suns and massage our aching muscles, we are treated to an impromptu sermon from one of the frequent churchgoers. He tells a long-winded parable about being shot in a paintball game and the importance of having proper expectations. The world is tough, he says, and not everything is going to work out your way. Trust in God, and you will find your path. I think he’s right. Our expectations for God might have been a tad high. But He surely could have done better than 0-5. That’s OK. The real messages here are Forgiveness and Hope. Breathe deep. Look up. I find my path back to my car, picking grass out of my hair, thinking of the catch I almost made.

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wooden nickels | B Y

Campus Circle | 7

DEC. 3 - DEC. 9, 2008 • VOL. 18

ISSUE 46 • campuscircle.com

FILM IN LOS ANGELES 2002 for his portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the movie Boycott and can be credited for introducing audiences to the troubled painter Jean Michel Basquiat whom he also portrayed in 1996. Currently starring in Oliver Stone’s biopic W. as Colin Powell, Wright’s uncanny ability to pick the right projects has earned him a spot as one of the most underrated and underexposed actor of his generation. “Each role, whether fictional or biographical, has its own challenges, but you try to do justice to the story, and I choose roles for the richness in the part and also relative to how much time it’s going to take me away from home,” claims the Washington, D.C. native who can also be seen as Felix Leiter, the American CIA agent in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace. A family man married to Carmen Ejogo, a Scottish-Nigerian actress whom he met on the set of Boycott, Wright cites music as being a huge attraction to Cadillac Records, a period piece which follows the rise and fall of the record company that launched the careers of artists Etta James and Chuck Berry. “The entryway into this character was through the music, for there is a lot of information encoded in the music, so it was finding Muddy’s voice and listening to the way he expresses himself musically,” he says. “What I really adore about the blues is that it’s the language of the black American

CADILLAC RECORDS BY SAMANTHA OF “IF ELVIS PRESLEY WAS THE king of rock ’n’ roll, then Muddy Waters was the god of rock,” claims Jeffrey Wright, “for he created that musical universe.” The actor is talking about his portrayal of legendary musician Muddy Waters (real name: McKinley Morganfield) in the movie Cadillac Records, which also stars Adrien Brody, Mos Def, Columbus Short and Beyoncé Knowles. Best known for his compelling character Peoples Hernandez in the remake of the movie Shaft with

Samuel L. Jackson, Wright first came to public attention in 1994 OLE when he won a Tony Award for his spellbinding performance as nurse Belize in Tony Kushner’s award-winning Broadway play “Angels in America.” Reprising the role in HBO’s mini series of the play earned him both a Golden Globe and Emmy Award just a few years later, and it’s been nonstop for the talented thespian, whose additional credits include Jonathan Demme’s remake of The Manchurian Candidate, The Invasion with Nicole Kidman and M. Night Shyamalan’s Lady in the Water. No stranger to biographical characters, he earned an AFI Award in

holiday flicks | reviews Holiday Inn (Universal) Right up there with Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas and, for some reason, It’s a Wonderful Life (the tone doesn’t seem particularly holiday-ish), sits Holiday Inn. With music and lyrics by the spectacular Irving Berlin (“White Christmas,” “There’s no Business Like Show Business” and “God Bless America”), Holiday Inn thrusts Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby into an impossible love triangle with Marjorie Reynolds. Astaire’s dancing and Crosby’s singing, arguably the best Hollywood served up in the ’30s and ’40s or even through the present, holds up beautifully. The perfect antidote to the political and economic insanity of the last few months, make a cup of cocoa and cozy up to Holiday Inn. Grade: A —Angela Matano Holiday Inn is currently available.

The Perfect Holiday (Sony) It’s a perfect love story with a predictable plot, seen-it-all-before stereotypes and cheesy romance. Yet it’s the cast that makes this film extremely watchable and even elicits tears of joy. Gabrielle Union as Nancy, the mother of three, isn’t believable, but

you can see how her ex would be an extremely rich and famous rapper (think Diddy) and that she’s being pursued by a guy who is struck by her beauty on the street. Charlie Murphy is a hilarious J-Jizzy (Diddy character) that you cringe at while you chuckle. Morris Chestnut as the hero is so hot he melts the snow. Grade: B —Jessica Koslow The Perfect Holiday is currently available.

This Christmas (Sony) Yes, it’s worth it to see and hear Chris Brown sing “This Christmas.” He’s no Donny Hathaway, but he puts his own soulful spin on the classic seasonal tune. The ensemble cast works well here, each character contributing to the complicated fabric that is “family.” Regina King whups ass, Mekhi Phifer plays a naughty Santa, Idris Elba snarls and barks, Columbus Short falls for a white woman and Lauren London is a cute, and also naughty, college coed. There’s drama, mayhem and emotional turmoil, but you can’t help but love – and root for – the Whitfields. Grade: A —Jessica Koslow This Christmas is currently available.

Eric Liebowitz

The Wright Stuff: Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters

Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters in Cadillac Records

South and is a language I grew up with because my grandparents were from Southern Virginia and North Carolina. Doing this movie was also a way of introducing my kids to blues because it’s so central to popular contemporary music and is created by folks who were slaves. It’s important that our children remember and celebrate this journey and understand it comes from a very specific place.” Written and directed by Darnell Martin (Their Eyes Were Watching God) and produced by the film division of record label Sony BMG, Cadillac Records depicts the rise of the

Chicago blues and the birth of rock ’n’ roll, and centers around Brody’s character Leonard Chess, an ambitious Polish emigrant who’s anxious to cash in on the burgeoning record label business. With Mos Def as Chuck Berry, Columbus Short as Little Walter, Eamonn Walker as Howlin’ Wolf and Cedric the Entertainer and Gabrielle Union rounding out the cast, the film follows the lives of some of American’s greatest musical legends. Cadillac Records releases in theaters Dec. 5.

projections | essential film events

ZERO FILM FEST Dec. 3-6 @ Various Locations BY SARAH BENNETT Catch Buster on the opening night of Zero Film Fest.

WHEN RICH HOOBAN AND BRAD Bores couldn’t get film festivals to take their self-funded road trip flicks seriously, they decided to create an outlet for overlooked, D.I.Y. moviemakers like themselves. Maxing out their credit cards in true independent filmmaker fashion, the two friends started Zero Film Fest – a weeklong, five-venue movie extravaganza showcasing zero-budget projects from local and international artists. The result is a slew of raw, gritty, truly underground movies created out of the dedication and possible insanity of their crews all compiled into one avant-garde occasion. This year, the festival has an entire week’s

worth of daily feature showcases, “experimental” nights, late night horror lineups and – because it wouldn’t be an Eastside event without it – nightly after parties at a warehouse in Downtown with equally-as-independent bands (think Warpaint, RESTAVRANT and the Growlers) playing until last call. Zero Film Fest doesn’t like pansies with investors and isn’t impressed with B-list actors on the bill. They prefer movies like The Closer She Gets — a voice-over and interview-free account of a woman’s brain cancer battle as shot by her 26-year-old son – and opening night’s premiere, Buster, which brags about its “sub-zero”

budget, including developing the ?lm “in the sink using cheap equipment secured from Russia” and extracting the necessary sulfuric acid from old car batteries. With all the theater-hopping and late-night, music-fueled parties, Zero Film Fest has turned a passion for the unloved and underappreciated into a community-wide event, bringing art lovers and mainstream haters together for six days of independent film fury. For more information, visit zerofilmfest.com.

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

t.v. time | reviews

film

According to Jim: The Complete First Season (Lionsgate) This paint-by-numbers sitcom stars Jim Belushi and Courtney Thorne-Smith (“Ally McBeal”) in the typical sitcom roles of heavyset macho patriarch and feisty, attractive wife. The show chronicles their comic misadventures in domestic life but is beyond stale. Grade: D —Mike Sebastian According to Jim: The Complete First Season is currently available.

Back to You – Season 1 (20th Century Fox) This lackluster sitcom stars Kelsey Grammer, Patricia Heaton and Fred Willard as a local evening news team. Grammer is a disgraced big-time anchor who returns to a smaller market only to discover that he fathered a child with Heaton eight years previous. The show’s style is pure outmoded sitcom and the writing is not very sharp. It’s a disappointment considering the names involved. Grade: C—Mike Sebastian Back to You – Season 1 is currently available.

Mobile (Acorn Media) This British miniseries follows four interconnecting stories in a global techno-thriller. Someone is blowing up cell phone towers around England. Police suspect a former employee of the cell phone company. Dying from a brain tumor, he blames the company for his affliction and the loss of his pension. But there may be a wider conspiracy at work. Action packed, though a tad melodramatic in spots, “Mobile” is still an entertaining ride with plenty of twists. Grade: B+ —Mike Sebastian Mobile is currently available.

The Odd Couple – The Final Season (Paramount) Premiering in 1970, this popular television adaptation of Neil Simon’s play ran for five seasons. Tony Randall stars as neat freak Felix Unger, while Jack Klugman is the woman-chasing slob, Oscar Madison.

Campus Circle | 9

After leaving their wives, the pair became comically mismatched roommates. The episodes are digitally remastered but contain no extras. Grade: B+ —Mike Sebastian The Odd Couple – The Final Season is currently

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available.

The Outer Limits: The Complete Original Series (MGM) This box set collects the entire run of “The Outer Limits” in honor of its 45th anniversary. A sci-fi/horror anthology series in the vein of “The Twilight Zone,” the show examined space/time travel and other paranormal phenomenon. A rotating cast included appearances by Robert Duvall, Martin Landau and Leonard Nimoy. Grade: A —Mike Sebastian The Outer Limits: The Complete Original Series is currently available.

The Streets of San Francisco: Season 2, Vol. 2 (Paramount) Karl Malden and Michael Douglas starred in this police procedural, which ran from 1972-1977. Malden is the veteran SFPD detective who shows the ropes to his green partner, while Douglas utilizes his criminology degree and book learnin’. Stylized zooms and funk music pervade, making for a fun time capsule. Now if only CBS would stop splitting up their TV seasons… Grade: A—Mike Sebastian The Streets Of San Francisco: Season 2, Vol. 2 is currently available.

Trial & Retribution, Set 1 (Acorn Media) This BBC series by Lynda La Plante, creator of the popular “Prime Suspect,” takes the form of “Law & Order,” following a crime from its inception to the investigation to the prosecution. With high production values, sharp writing and acting from stars David Hayman (Sid and Nancy) and Kate Buffery (“Wish Me Luck”), it’s a riveting and convincing drama. Grade: A—Mike Sebastian Trial & Retribution, Set 1 is currently available.

REGISTER FOR THIS SWEEPSTAKES AT CAMPUSCIRCLE.NET/SWEEPS/NOTHINGLIKETHEHOLIDAYS THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A HOLIDAY EVENING IN LOS ANGELES! ONE LUCKY GRAND-PRIZE WINNER WILL RECEIVE A GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM OR PLUS, TWO PASSES FOR A NIGHT OF SKATING AT THIS FILM IS RATED PG-13. PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13. Please note: Run-of-engagement passes are good Monday - Thursday (excluding holidays). Passes received through this promotion do not guarantee you a seat at the theatre. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and theatre is open to paying customers. All federal, state and local regulations apply. A recipient of tickets assumes any and all risks related to use of ticket, and accepts any restrictions required by ticket provider. Overture Films, Campus Circle and their affiliates accept no responsibility or liability in connection with any loss or accident incurred in connection with use of a prize. Tickets cannot be exchanged, transferred or redeemed for cash, in whole or in part. We are not responsible if, for any reason, winner is unable to use his/her ticket in whole or in part. Not responsible for lost, delayed or misdirected entries. All federal and local taxes are the responsibility of the winner. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. Participating sponsors, their employees and family members and their agencies are not eligible. NO PHONE CALLS!

IN THEATRES DECEMBER 12

film

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

screen shots | BY ZACH HINES

Peter Sorel

Twilight Sequel Already in the Works I’ll bet there’s no better feeling than the sweet realization that you have a movie franchise on your hands. The teenie bopper vampire flick Twilight had a big opening weekend, becoming the smash hit everyone involved hoped it would be. It’s also a particularly awesome project because it was directed by a woman (Catherine Hardwicke), written by a woman (Melissa Rosenberg) and based on a book written by a woman (Stephenie Meyer). An artistic trifecta of womaness. At this time I haven’t seen the film, but it’s at the top of my list, and my hat goes off to them and everyone behind the film for its success. The big news of course, is after Twilight’s strong first weekend, the next book in the series, “New Moon,” has been greenlit as a film. The filmmakers are most likely attempting to turn this series into a big franchise like Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia and the Jason Bourne films. Summit Entertainment is the studio behind the film, and while there’s no way to know at what point they made the decision to start developing the next one, they were smart to wait to announce it until the first one proved successful. Obviously, when you spend a lot of money on a film you don’t exactly have the complete luxury of not caring whether it’s successful or not, but at the same time I don’t think it’s a good idea to assume that something is going to be a hit too early in the game. I’ve seen situations where a big tentpole film is about to be released and the studio announces the start of development on the Will Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson return for a Twilight sequel? sequel. A couple weeks before The Golden Compass came out they announced that a script based on the next book was being written, and then the film came out and barely doubled its massive budget. My point is this: Make one good film. Some of the strongest franchises were built around one good film that the filmmakers put their all into. Examples of that are Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Batman, James Bond, The Bourne Identity and The Godfather. As much smack as I talk about sequels and remakes, when it’s done right it’s oh-so-lovely.

Smith and Spielberg Aim to Make Old Boy New This isn’t an official announcement, but I felt the need to speak on it because it involves people that can easily get projects made, and they’re talking about remaking one of my favorite films. The people in question are Will Smith and Steven Spielberg, and the film in question is director Chan-wook Park’s masterpiece Old Boy. I love Smith and I love Spielberg, but I’m already foreseeing an issue here with redoing this film for an American market. The original film, based on a Japanese Manga of the same name, is about a man who is mysteriously imprisoned for no apparent reason and upon release after years in captivity he embarks on a quest for revenge against the mysterious people who are responsible. The film is brilliant, and the ending is absolutely magnificent in a shocking, twisted, disturbing kind of way. The ending makes this film what it is. I won’t spoil it, but I will say in my opinion I don’t think it’s an ending that mainstream America will be able to handle. If you’ve seen the film, you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, rent it. European audiences are a bit more open to far out stuff when it comes to film, unlike American audiences who need the Care Bears to screen everything to make sure there’s nothing naughty going on. Smith has said in interviews that they aren’t intending to remake Park’s film but rather do another interpretation of the source material. Considering his big demographic of young children, I don’t see how the original ending is going to fly. I’ll say again, I love Will Smith and I love Steven Spielberg, and nothing would tickle my funny bone more than to see them work together, but go watch the original Old Boy and try to tell me that America is going to be able to handle watching Will Smith have sex with … Oh, I’ve said too much! Send feedback to screenshots@campuscircle.net.

film notes | reviews A Good Day to Be Black & Sexy (Magnolia) Paying homage to its title, A Good Day to be Black & Sexy spends most of its screen time in the bedrooms of its actors telling themed, interconnected stories over a single day in Los Angeles. The segments bear titles like “Reciprocity,” “Reprise,” “American Boyfriend,” “Her Man” and “Tonight,” yet it’s a daring, pointless and rather confusing depiction of intimacy in black relationships. Directed by Dennis Dortch (Honey), it weaves six tales of troubled relationships where the issues range from jealousy and fidelity to the challenges presented by interracial relationships. Despite a decent cast, which includes Emily Liu (“Boston Legal”), Allen Maldonado (“The Shield”) and Kareem J. Grimes (Jarhead), it’s extremely slow and a rather tedious watch. Grade: C —Samantha Ofole A Good Day to be Black & Sexy releases in select theaters Dec. 5.

The Black Balloon (NeoClassics) Uplifting and unexpected, The Black Balloon, writer-director Elissa Down’s touching semi-autobiographical film, centers around Thomas (19-year-old Rhys Wakefield in a remarkable performance) as he tries to fit into to his family’s new home. Desperate to assimilate and win the affections of Jackie (Gemma Ward), Thomas has to grapple with his pregnant mother (the imminently watchable Toni Collette), a father who likes to consult with his teddy bear, Rex (Erik Thomson), and his severely autistic brother, Charlie (Luke Ford). Ward manages to sidestep most model-turned-actor clichés and delivers a performance that is both ethereal and stirring, while Ford, who some may remember from this summer’s Mummy sequel, gives the most convincing portrayal of a profoundly handicapped child since Leonardo DiCaprio in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, a film that shares many parallels with Balloon and deserves similar praise. Grade: B+ —Sasha Perl-Raver The Black Balloon releases in select theaters Dec. 5.

Children of Winter: Never Grow Old (Warren Miller Ent.) When do enormous mountains, like Mt. Bachelor and Silverton Mountain, become playgrounds with lots of possibilities? When men and women are great athletes or simply snow enthusiasts with a passion for fresh powder and a snowboard or a pair of skis. Children of Winter chases these great men and women of snow as they

Ryan Creary

10 | Campus Circle

Children of Winter’s Take Sakamoto in Hakuba, Japan

leap and fly in the air, turn and twirl and sometimes go headfirst into the fresh powder or even manage to collide with tree tops, tree trunks or a cabin. Narrated by Jonny Moseley (known for winning the 1998 World Cup Mogul Skiing title), Children of Winter follows world-class snowboarders, skiers Daron Rahlves, Marco Sullivan, Seth Wescott and Wendy Fisher and surf legend Gerry Lopez, and many more, as each tells his or her amazing story of discovery as storms come in and powder sets, to background music by Weezer, Radiohead and Gnarls Barkley. The mastery by which each scene is shot and, more importantly, the ease by which these athletes quite literally fly down the mountains inspires one to fall for the powder even if they end up flat on their back. So, boys and girls, grab your skis and snowboards and hit those great powdery big rocks. And for those of you who do not have the flexibility, coordination and the backbone of these great athletes, well, there’s always Children of Winter. Grade: A —Farnaz Youshei Children of Winter screens in select L.A. theaters Dec. 4-Dec. 9. For more information and times, visit skinet.com/warrenmiller.

Hunger (IFC) What happens when man is forced to live in subhuman conditions, is violated and his freedom taken from him? What happens when he is pushed to the limits so much so

staff pick DIRECTOR ALAN BALL PRESENTS ‘TRUE BLOOD’ Dec. 4 @ Paley Center for Media Renowned film director Alan Ball (Towelhead) brings “True Blood” – his latest project for

that he is forced to use his body as a weapon of political warfare? What happens to the body when it is deprived of nourishments? Based on the events that took place in the Maze Prison’s H-Block in 1981, Hunger follows the Irish Republican soldiers who were captured, beaten and violated simply because they wanted political status and not to be treated like common criminals. After staging their “blanket” and “wash” protests and negotiating with the British government did not get them anywhere, the film slowly continues as the prisoners decide to go on a hunger strike led by Bobby Sands (played by Michael Fassbender). Filmed in beautiful and scenic Northern Ireland, Hunger is Steve McQueen’s first feature film. Influenced by Sands’ passion, McQueen’s film tries to relay to the audience the anguish and torment both the prisoners and guards felt. His amazing directorial skills greatly portray Sands’ last days. However, as a last single tear trickles down Sands’ face and the credits roll, the audience is left with only one question: Was it worth it? Grade: B —Farnaz Youshei Hunger releases in select theaters Dec. 5.

Nobel Son (Freestyle Releasing) Stuck in a no man’s land between family drama, caper flick and acerbic comedy, Nobel Son stars Alan Rickman as Nobel Prize nominated Professor Eli Michaelson. When his son, Barkley (Bryan Greenberg, “October Road”), is kidnapped on the eve of his acceptance of the award, he is forced to pay $2 million in his prize winnings as ransom while stumbling into a swirling plot of deception and retribution. Directed and edited by Randall Miller, the film features a number of actors from his far superior, actually lucid film Bottle Shock including Rickman, who delivers one of his signature, scenery-chewing, I’m-sobad-I’m-good performances, and Bill Pullman as Detective Max Mariner, a mumbling, extraneous police investigator shoehorned into an already incoherent plot. Mary Steenburgen, Shawn Hatosy and Eliza Dushku round out the cast of this over-amped, under-conceived melee. Grade: D —Sasha Perl-Raver Nobel Son releases in theaters Dec. 5.

television – to a hungry audience at the Paley Center. The show, which has picked up quite a bit of buzz for HBO, stars Academy Award winner Anna Paquin and Rutina Wesley (How She Move) as a couple of bayou babes livin’ and lovin’ in the thick of some treacherous vampire country. 7 p.m.-8:30 pm. —Ebony March

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

dvd dish | reviews

—Natasha Desianto Psychic Kids is currently available.

Fanfan la Tulipe

The Spy Who Came in From the Cold

(Criterion) Those unhappy few who feel the weight of Daniel Craig’s James Bond movies dragging them down and dream of the springtime of Roger Moore can turn to the Gérard Philipe swashbuckler Fanfan la Tulipe for a little innocent pleasure. Bouncy, acrobatic, impossible to get down (or pin down), Philipe’s hero is as shallow and enjoyably indestructible as Felix the Cat. And just as tricky. Gina Lollobrigida is the Bond girl who never was. Kenneth Turan’s essay puts it all in perspective. Grade: A —Sean Schlemmer Fanfan la Tulipe is currently available.

Fanny Hill (Acorn) Salacious, licentious and libertine, 18thcentury style Fanny Hill follows the exploits of a simple country girl trying to make her way in the big city. Orphaned by small pox, Fanny journeys to London and, without fully realizing, falls into prostitution. Ms. Hill just as easily falls out of prostitution and then back in again as she learns the ways of the world. Adapted by writer Andrew Davies (adapter of the most delicious BBC version of Pride and Predjudice), from John Cleland’s book, Fanny Hill just manages to walk the line of sex for hire without teetering over. Grade: B —Angela Matano Fanny Hill is currently available.

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (Magnolia) We lost a great voice when Hunter S. Thompson took his own life. But even before he had, documentaries attempting to capture the pioneer of Gonzo journalism were many. The man was never without his tape recorder, and there was no shortage of raw footage. For the Hunter devotee there is little new here. The ubiquity of Johnny Depp in these Hunter docs (here again reading Thompson’s words) is by now nauseating. However, director Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side) does a commendable job of organizing the hours of footage into an arc of the man’s life and career. Grade: A-

—Mike Sebastian Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson is currently available.

The Jewel in the Crown (25th Anniversary Edition)

(Criterion) “Communism. Capitalism. It’s the innocents that get slaughtered.” At the height of the Bond craze, John le Carré’s novels scrubbed the gold off the naked body with a wire brush,

exposing vulnerable, scared individuals looking for happiness, hugging onto their dignity, as implacable forces dictated from obscure places they move this way and that. As with Mishima, Criterion’s release of Spy is not only a superb presentation of a noteworthy film, but also an occasion to meditate on a writer and his universe. The package comes with an abundance of in-

Campus Circle | 11

film terviews and documentaries, which investigate and illuminate le Carré’s life, career and themes. Grade: A —Sean Schlemmer The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is currently available.

“‘CADILLAC RECORDS’ IS A CHART-TOPPING HIT!

(A&E) The Jewel in the Crown, which may just be the jewel in the crown of PBS’ Masterpiece Theatre series, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Having run weekly in the ’80s for a few defining months, The Jewel in the Crown branded PBS for better or for worse with its distinctly British, imperialist and class-ridden themes. Grade: A —Angela Matano The Jewel in the Crown (25th Anniversary Edition) is currently available.

Finally, a film depicting the true origins of rock and roll.” Ken Lombardo, CBSNews.com

Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal (A&E) With shows like “Ghost Whisperer” drawing in viewers and the continuing popularity of “real” psychics on the talk show circuit, A&E has jumped on the bandwagon with “Psychic Kids.” The show typically follows three youths per episode with different psychic abilities. Most are plagued by their gifts, living in fear of what they see and sense all around them. These children, isolated from their taunting peers and family who cannot relate, find solace in each other. Professional psychic Chip Coffey and psychologist Dr. Lisa Miller take them under their wings for a weekend of bonding and learning that shows them it’s OK to be different. Grade: B+

“A SENSATIONAL END-OF-THE-YEAR SURPRISE!”

Scott Hoffman, MoviePictureFilm.com

®

Michael Musto, The Village Voice

The Best of MASTERPIECE THEATRE 1) The Jewel in the Crown 2) The Six Wives of Henry VIII 3) I, Claudius 4) The Duchess of Duke Street 5) House of Cards 6) Bleak House 7) Wives and Daughters 8) Prime Suspect 9) Jeeves and Wooster 10) Brideshead Revisited 11) The Forsyte Saga 12) Upstairs, Downstairs —Angela Matano

“AS ETTA JAMES, BEYONCE TURNS IN A RIVETING PERFORMANCE DESERVING OF AN OSCAR NOMINATION.”

SONY MUSIC FILM AND PARKWOOD PICTURES PRESENT A SONY MUSIC FILM PRODUCTION ADRIEN BRODY JEFFREY WRIGHT CASTING “CADILLAC RECORDS” GABRIELLECOSTUMEUNION COLUMBUS SHORT CEDRI C THE ENTERTAI N ER EMMANUELLE CHRI Q UI EAMONN WALKER WITH MOS DEF AND BEYONC BEYONCÉ É KNOWLES BY KIMBERLY R. HARDIN DESIGNER JOHNETTA BOONE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR OF EXECUTIVE MUSIC CODESIGNER LINDA BURTON PHOTOGRAPHY ANASTAS MICHOS, ASC EDITOR PETER C. FRANK, A.C.E. PRODUCER PETRA HOEBEL MUSIC PRODUCER MARSHALL CHESS PRODUCER STEVE JORDAN EXECUTIVE ORIGINAL MUSIC AND BEYONCÉÉ KNOWLES MARC LEVIN PRODUCEDBY ANDREW LACK SOFIA SONDERVAN WRITTEN SCORE TERENCE BLANCHARD SUPERVISOR BETH AMY ROSENBLATT PRODUCERS BEYONC DIRECTED BY DARNELL MARTIN SOUNDTRACK FEATURES MUSIC BY BEYONC BEYONCÉ,, Q-TIP, BUDDY GUY, RAPHAEL SAADIQ, NAS FEATURING OLU DARA, SOLANGE AND MORE

STARTS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5

.

HOLLYWOOD At Sunset & Vine 323/464-4226

UNIVERSAL CITY CityWalk Stadium 19 with IMAX® 800/FANDANGO #707

CENTURY CITY AMC Century 15 310/289-4AMC

L.A./BEVERLY HILLS Pacific’s The Grove Stadium 14 323/692-0829 #209

WEST LOS ANGELES The Bridge Cinema De Lux 310/568-3375

SANTA MONICA Mann Criterion 6 310/248-MANN #019

SHERMAN OAKS . At The Sherman Oaks Galleria 818/501-0753

AND AT A THEATER NEAR YOU

12 | Campus Circle

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

film

DEC. 12 Che (IFC) Screened for one week as a fourplus hour biopic, Steven Soderbergh’s Spanish-language passion project in the making since Traffic, will be released to audiences as two separate films, Che Part 1: The Argentine and Che Part 2: Guerilla in January. If you can help it, don’t let the ambiguous reviews deter you. It’s true that Soderbergh’s Che Guevara abides by what many would call a saintly myth of a politically righteous icon, but the film is jampacked with a brilliant execution of the

y a d i l o H

The Reader (Weinstein Company) Director Stephen Daldry (The Hours, Billy Elliot) adapts the bestselling novel set in post-WWII Germany by Bernhard Schlink about a man (Ralph Fiennes) who discovers that the older woman (Kate Winslet) with whom he had had an affair when he was a teenager, may be guilty of Nazi war crimes.

FILM GUIDE

Wendy and Lucy (Oscilloscope) The writer/director team behind 2006’s Old Joy is back with a conversational, but often-silent lament set in the Pacific Northwest. Wendy Carol (an excellent and constantly improving Michelle Williams) is driving to Alaska with her dog, Lucy, after hearing they need workers at the Northwestern Fish Cannery. She’s got big hopes for a new life and a fresh start, but when her car breaks down in Oregon, the thin fabric of her plan – and finances – comes apart, as she is confronted by the reality of her situation in a series of minor but fateful crises. It’s a quiet film about how pregnant with possibility, how fertilized for despair and how ultimately fragile life is for people trying to make it on their own without much to back them up.

Daniel Daza

’Tis the Season to See Movies B Y R AY H A N É S . S A N D E R S

fascinating – and heavily researched – war strategy responsible for the overthrow of Batista’s Cuba and the installation of Castro. Benicio Del Toro did not win Best Actor at this year’s Cannes Film Festival for nothing, either; he is incredible as Guevara, and you can’t take your eyes off him ... even when they’re tested for over four hours! Part 1 tells the story of Guevara’s relationship with Castro and how he climbs the ranks in the rebel army, as well as addressing Guevara’s visit to the United Nations where he was confronted by the New York elite, the international media and displaced Cubans angry at the revolution. Part 2 deals with Guevara’s time – and ultimate failure and death – in Bolivia, where, incognito, he attempts to stage the great Latin American Revolution by replicating what was done in Cuba.

The Day the Earth Stood Still (20th Century Fox) A remake of the 1951 classic sci-fi film about an alien (Keanu Reeves) who visits Earth with a message: Live in peace, or be destroyed. Jennifer Connelly, John Cleese, Kathy Bates and the sexy Jon Hamm costar.

Doubt (Miramax) Writer/director John Patrick Shanley adapts his play about a Catholic school going through changes

(Yari Film Group) Brian (Mark Ruffalo) and Paulie (Ethan Hawke) are two broken kids running loose on the crime-laden streets of South Boston. As they get older, they get into more and more trouble until, finally, they find themselves in jail. When they get out, Paulie asks Brian to help him on one more con job before they go clean, and Brian has to decide between standing by his friend and salvaging his family.

DEC. 17

The Wrestler (Fox Searchlight) Having won the Golden Lion at this year’s Venice Film Festival, this latest by Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain) is one of the most surprising and

in the Bronx during the mid-’60s. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Father Flynn, a priest who is trying to modernize the school’s customs, but who inspires suspicion of foul play in the principal (Meryl Streep) and a young nun (Amy Adams) when he develops a relationship with the school’s first black student.

Nothing Like the Holidays (Overture) Washington Heights director Alfredo De Villa goes commercial with this holiday movie about a family reunion at the Rodriguez home in Chicago. John Leguizamo, Debra Messing, Luis Guzmán, Alfred Molina and Freddy Rodríguez star.

Niko Tavernise

Aleida Guevara (Catalina Sandino Moreno) and Che (Benicio Del Toro) in Che

What Doesn’t Kill You

In anticipation of turtle doves, French hens, partridges in pear trees and the arrival of $20 poinsettias at your neighborhood Whole Foods, we present our guide to all your holiday movie going needs. Enjoy!

Evan Rachel Wood and Mickey Rourke star in The Wrestler

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

Adam Resurrected (Ehud Bleiberg/Werner Wirsing Production) Adapted from the Israeli novel by Yoram Kaniuk, this is the off-kilter story of a Jewish circus entertainer (a startling Jeff Goldblum) who is kept alive by the Nazis to entertain Jews as they march to their deaths. Willem Dafoe costars. The Class (Sony Pictures Classics) This is a must-see. Winner of the highly coveted Golden Palm at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the French-language film (original title:

Gomorrah (IFC) Having been nominated for the Golden Palm at Cannes, the film won the festival’s Grand Prize, along with wins at both the Chicago and Munich Film Festivals. Based on an exposé of Italy’s criminal underbelly by Roberto Saviano, (published in the United States by Farrar, Strauss & Giroux) for which the author has been forced into hiding due to Italian mob threats, the film consists of six short episodes with six main characters, all revolving around the four-sided crime between the ports of Naples, Scampìa, Castel Volturno and Terzigno.

Nothing But the Truth (Yari Film Group) Taking a page from the Valerie Plame incident a couple years back, this political thriller stars Kate Beckinsale as a Washington, D.C. political journalist who writes a coup exposé that reveals the identity of a covert CIA agent (Vera Farmiga). When a special government prosecutor (Matt Dillon) demands she divulge her source, she refuses and finds herself behind bars, struggling to defend the principles she has based her career upon. Alan Alda, Angela Bassett, David Schwimmer and Noah Wyle costar.

Melissa Moseley

DEC. 19

look at what it means to take a lowpaying public school teacher job in one of the world’s most diverse student populations.

Jim Carrey, John Michael Higgins and Terence Stamp in Yes Man

Marley & Me

Pleasantville) from the novel by Kate DiCamillo (Because of Winn-Dixie), this animated feel-gooder stars Matthew Broderick as Despereaux, a tiny mouse with overly large ears who startles his community by not being fearful of the things they tell him to be fearful of. He confronts mousetraps, cats and humans, and learns to read, teaching all the other mice a thing or two. But fatefully, he must learn a lesson from them as well. With the voices of Emma Watson, Dustin Hoffman, Sigourney Weaver, Stanley Tucci, William H. Macy, Kevin Kline, Frank Langella, Frances Conroy, Richard Jenkins, Christopher Lloyd and, of course, Tracey Ullman.

(20th Century Fox) An ambitious young reporter (Owen Wilson) and his wife (Jennifer Aniston), also a reporter, move to Florida, buy a house and adopt Marley, a Labrador puppy that is difficult, untrainable and, apparently, teaches them important life lessons.

The Spirit (Lionsgate) Writer/director Frank Miller (Sin City), does what he does best – it’s not for everybody – and adapts the comic book series by Will Eisner, in which the Spirit (supercutie Gabriel Macht from A Love Song for Bobby Long, whose other film choices I personally don’t understand), tracks the coldhearted killer, the Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson),

Yes Man (Warner Bros.) Merrick Morton SMPSP

In a fun, high concept story, Jim Carrey stars as a man who usually says no to everything, but commits to a self-help program based on one simple principle: Start saying yes, to everything. Transformation and madness ensue! Zooey Deschanel plays the love interest.

DEC. 25 Rosario Dawson and Will Smith star in Seven Pounds.

Seven Pounds (Sony) Director Gabriele Muccino (The Pursuit of Happyness) works with Will Smith again, the latter here playing an IRS agent with a fateful secret who sets out to redeem his past by forever changing the lives of seven strangers he carefully selects. Rosario Dawson, Barry Pepper, Woody Harrelson and Michael Ealy round out the cast.

The Tale of Despereaux (Universal) Adapted by Gary Ross (Big, Dave,

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Paramount) A real treat, this highly anticipated latest from director David Fincher (Se7en, Fight Club, Zodiac) and writer Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, Munich, The Good Shepherd), is adapted from the F. Scott Fitzgerald story about a man (Brad Pitt) who is born in his eighties and ages backwards, from 1918 New Orleans into present time. Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng and Taraji P. Henson costar.

Lionsgate/Odd Lot Entertainment

Entre les murs, “Between the Walls”) is based on schoolteacher and writer François Bégaudeau’s autobiographical novel about a year with his racially mixed students in a tough Parisian neighborhood middle school. Ethnicities, cultures and attitudes clash in the classroom; the students are at turns amusing, inspiring and frustratingly difficult; and Monsieur Bégaudeau’s methods are surprising, refreshing, controversial and at times, catastrophic. A wonderful vérité-style

The Spirit’s the Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson, center)

while facing a bevy of beautiful women (Eva Mendes, Scarlett Johansson) all trying to seduce, love or kill him.

Waltz with Bashir (Sony Pictures Classics) Nominated for the Golden Palm at Cannes, and for, among others, a British Independent Film Award, this animated feature documents the filmmaker’s journey toward recovering his memory of – and discovering the truth about – an Israeli Army mission he participated in during the first Lebanon War of the early-1980s that left him with severe posttraumatic stress disorder and memory loss.

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thoughtful films I’ve seen in a long time. Mickey Rourke – who, by the way, has never been better – plays Randy “The Ram” Robinson, an ’80sera pro wrestler whose fame, admiration and ability to manage his life are dwindling fast. After a heart attack throws the future of his fledgling career into question, he starts facing the reality of his situation and finally confronts the karma of his past, particularly with the daughter (an always good Evan Rachel Wood) he abandoned years ago. A wonderful Marisa Tomei costars as the wrestler’s favorite stripper and voice of conscience.

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14 | Campus Circle

holiday film guide

(Overture) New Yorker Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) isn’t doing so well: He loses his job and his daughter, whose wedding he has flown to in London, when she chooses to have her stepfather walk her down the aisle instead of him. As he drowns his sorrows in the airport bar, he strikes up a conversation with Kate (Emma Thompson), whose life is limited to work, the occasional humiliating blind date and endless phone calls from her smothering mother, and compassion blooms.

Revolutionary Road

Francois Duhamel

(Paramount Vantage) Director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) adapts the late Richard Yates novel – and universal story – about a young couple (the reunion of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet!) who get married, move to Connecticut and start a family to live

Good (ThinkFilm) Adapted from the play by C.P.

What sounds like another boring thriller may just be interesting here because of Tom Tykwer (Run, Lola, Run, Winter Sleepers). Tykwer directs Clive Owen and Naomi Watts as Interpol Agent Louis Salinger and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman in their effort to bring one of the world’s most powerful banks to justice.

Defiance (Paramount Vantage) Based on a true story – and far more interesting than Valkyrie – this is the story of four Jewish Brothers (including Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber) who escape Nazi-occupied Poland into a forest where they join up with Russian resistance fighters, build a village right there and save the lives of more than 1,200 other Jews.

New York, I Love You (Palm Pictures) In this next stop in the series started by Paris, Je T’aime before the producers head to China, a camp of 12 diverse directors, including Mira Nair (Mississippi Masala, Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake), Scarlett Johansson, Brett Ratner, Natalie Portman, Joshua

Defiance’s Tuvia Bielski (Daniel Craig) and Zus Bielski (Liev Schreiber)

Serbis (Regent Releasing)

Rourke) who wants them dead. Rosario Dawson and Joseph GordonLevitt costar.

Nominated for the Golden Palm at Cannes, this Filipino-language film is a day-in-the-life portrait of a familyrun movie theater in the Philippines. But the family business is actually a porn house, a seedy theater that plays graphic pics and allows prostitution among the aisles, and the family members are embroiled in a million little dirty and dark dramas of their own. Though not a documentary, the film is shot on video, and its grainy and graphic scenes recall, both aesthetically and in content, such Dogma movement masterpieces as Festen.

The Lodger (Sony) Adapted from the book by Marie Belloc Lowndes, which also inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s 1927 silent film of the same name, this thriller puts a modern spin on the tale, trading in London for West Hollywood, where a serial killer hopes to recreate the work of history’s most famous murderer: Jack the Ripper. Starring Hope Davis, Simon Baker (The Devil Wears Prada), Alfred Molina and Donal Logue.

JAN. 9

JAN. 21

Bride Wars

Of Time and the City

(20th Century Fox) Two best friends (Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway) engage in Kate Winslet as April Wheeler and Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank bridal warfare when Wheeler star in Revolutionary Road. their weddings end up on the same day and neither one will budge about the location of the Plaza out society’s suburban ideal of adult in New York. Candice Bergen and life, only to find that they are perfectly Kristen Johnston round out the cast. miserable and feel cheated by their lives. Set in the 1950s, the cultural questions are as relevant today as ever. Gran Torino (Warner Bros.) In this latest from director Clint Eastwood, Eastwood (who else?) plays Valkyrie (United Artists) a grumpy, widowed Korean War Set in Nazi Germany, Tom Cruise veteran whose prize possession is a stars in this true story of Colonel Claus 1973 Gran Torino he keeps in mint von Stauffenberg, who dared to condition. Chronically unhappy, he is organize a group of men to overthrow happy to stay out of the world’s affairs and eliminate Hitler. Directed by Bryan and insists on being left alone himself Singer (The Usual Suspects) and ... until the troubles of his neighbors, an costarring Bill Nighy, Kenneth Asian family, visit his front yard, and he Branagh, Eddie Izzard, Tom Wilkinson is drawn against his will into the brutal and Terence Stamp, it’s 50 percent gang violence that is taking over the morality play, 50% percent action neighborhood. movie. Think Schindler’s List meets Mission: Impossible.

DEC. 31

The International (Sony)

(Strand) Nominated for a British Independent Film Award, this poetic film is both a love song and a eulogy to

FEB. 6

Coraline (Focus) A perfect holiday treat, writer/director Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas) adapts Neil Gaiman’s (Stardust) book into a morbidly magical animated feature about a young girl who unlocks a

In the Other World, Wybie (Robert Bailey Jr.) and Coraline (Dakota Fanning) are drawn to a circus in Coraline.

mysterious door in her new home and enters into a parallel version of her troubled life, seemingly perfect, but really dangerous. With the voices of Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders and John Hodgman.

He’s Just Not That Into You (Warner Bros.)

Thao (Bee Vang) and Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) in Gran Torino

filmmaker Terence Davies’ hometown of Liverpool, whose essence has changed alongside its skyline over the years.

JAN. 16

JAN. 23

Notorious (Fox Searchlight)

Killshot (Weinstein Company)

They’ve finally done it. They’ve made a drama biopic about Biggie.

Adapted from the Elmore Leonard novel, and produced (at least

The line that “Sex and the City” made famous, and that made dating book authors (some might say hacks) Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo rich, is now a Drew Barrymore-produced movie starring Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Aniston, Ginnifer Goodwin (Walk the Line, “Big Love”), Ben Affleck, Justin Long, Kevin Connolly, Jennifer Connelly, and – wait for it – Kris Kristofferson. Basically, all you really need to know is that a hardline advice guy falls for a woman who seeks him out because she can’t figure out the men in her life. Oh, and that it marks the (commercial) return of Wilson Cruz!

Jay Maidment

Last Chance Harvey

FEB. 13

initially) by Quentin Tarantino, this thriller stars Diane Lane and Thomas Jane as a husband and wife for whom the Witness Protection Program is no match for a mob killer (Mickey

© 2008 Laika, Inc.

DEC. 26

Angela Bassett plays Voletta Wallace, Biggie’s mom; Anthony Mackie plays Tupac; Derek Luke stars as Puffy and newcomer Jamal Woolard channels Big Poppa himself.

Taylor, here we have another story of how not all Germans during Hitler’s time were bad (hence the title). John Halder (Viggo Mortensen) is a German literature professor in the 1930s whose book, a novel advocating compassionate euthanasia, is unexpectedly enlisted by Nazi political figures in support of government propaganda. Excited by the rise in his career, Halder becomes increasingly conflicted as he considers his role in a country that is spiraling out of contrl.

Karen Ballard

« CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

Anthony Michael Rivetti

film

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

The International’s Clive Owen and Naomi Watts

Marston (Maria Full of Grace) and Allen Hughes (Menace II Society, Dead Presidents), and a cast that includes Kevin Bacon, Rachel Bilson, Orlando Bloom, James Caan, Julie Christie, Chris Cooper, Ethan Hawke, Shia LaBeouf, Natalie Portman, Christina Ricci, Olivia Thirlby and Robin Wright present a collection of short films shot in each of the city’s boroughs that explain how we love in, and just plain love, New York.

Two Lovers (Magnolia) Nominated for the Golden Palm at Cannes, and what Joaquin Phoenix announced was his last movie, this romantic drama follows an aspiring photographer (Phoenix) who moves back in with his parents in Brooklyn after a breakup. His concerned mother (Isabella Rossellini) tries to fix him up with a family friend, but he becomes enamored with their troubled new neighbor (Gwyneth Paltrow) instead.

FEB. 20

Youth in Revolt (Weinstein Company) An adaptation of C.D. Payne’s novel by Gustin Nash, screenwriter of last year’s immensely flawed but still admirable Charlie Bartlett, here we have the journal of Nick Twisp (Michael Cera), and 18-year-old high school student who goes on a quest to lose his virginity after his parents separate. Justin Long, Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta, Fred Willard and Mary Kay Place costar.

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18 | Campus Circle

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

LEFT ALONE

2008 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

Model: Alexa

Nov. 23 @ Nokia Theatre

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Austen Risolvato

Austen Risolvato

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music

cd reviews M A K I N G TH E G R A D E : A B C D F

EXC E PTI O N A L WO RTH W H I L E MEDIOCRE SAVE YOUR MONEY WILL BE ON HELL’S JUKEBOX

music 101 | artist features

LONGWAVE

Living the dream has come at a cost. stint with the group as did bassist Dave BY EBONY MARCH

Godhead At the Edge of the World (Driven Music Group) Godhead released their first album in 1995 and have issued a fairly steady stream of releases since. Fronted by Jason Miller, Godhead churn out industrialtinged metal noted for gothic influences, lyrically, if nothing else. By the time they began putting music on disc, Tool had already released Opiate and Undertow, and it would not surprise this reviewer if Godhead took significant inspiration from Tool’s output. In fact, At the Edge of the World sounds like Tool, but only in superficial ways. Miller’s vocals often sound like Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell but at times delve into a more polished Maynard-style delivery. The melodies and harmonies, however, show a mostly middleof-the-road pop sensibility. For all the synthesizer flourish and bombast that went into Godhead’s songs and especially the production, the instrumentation is not as exploratory as Tool’s. The song “Edge of the World” has a good rhythm, but the rest of the songs lack convincing hooks. The album ends with a series of nonthreatening techno remixes that reveal that there is nothing that scary about this gothic sound. Grade: C —Damon Huss At the Edge of the World is currently available.

MUSICIAN STEVE SCHILTZ HAS crammed nearly a thousand lives into one. His band, Longwave, launched then landed smack dab in the heart of the indie rock boom of the early 2000s. The group’s single, “Wake Me When It’s Over” became a college radio hit and its video entered into heavy airplay on MTV’s “Subterranean.” Its seductive and airy melody ushered in a promising new extension of the shoegaze genre while setting itself apart from the pack of Joy Division hopefuls. In the early years, the band would release a total of three full-length CDs and along the way, even fall victim to several very public changes in lineup. “I would love it if the first four guys had remained the first four guys,” confesses Schiltz. Drummer Jeremy Greene left early on in Longwave’s rise to the top of the college charts because according to Schiltz, “He didn’t want to tour.” Drummer Mike James ended his

Marchese. About the latter split, Schiltz expresses a kind of melancholy. “We don’t really talk a lot,” he says. “I think he’s in L.A.” The coming and going of good friends, as well as the inevitability of adulthood can be heard loud and clear on the band’s newest release, Secrets Are Sinister, an electrifying addition to an already impressive discography. Schiltz exposes his soul to the listener in a way that is neither complicated nor trite. Tracks like “I Don’t Dare” as well as “Life is Wrong” (which happens to be one of his personal favorites) may seem, at first glance, dark and ripe with sadness, but instead carry with them a wonderful sense of philosophy. In order to achieve such a tall feat of moving forward with emotionally driven songs (in a time when most people wish to escape, as oppose to living through what ails them), Schiltz says that it comes down to a couple of techniques. “The writing of the songs is done mostly in one to two ways,” he says. At times, it is his band mates who

l.a. underground | B Y

(l to r) Morgan King, Shannon Ferguson, Steve Schlitz and Jason Molina of Longwave

will approach him with a melody that they all contribute to with multiple instrumentation, followed by Schiltz’s vocals. “We’ll bang that into shape after I don’t know how long,” he adds. The second way happens simply by chance. “Sometimes we have the sound right away. It’s just a lot of trial and error, really.” Although Longwave remains this prolific talent’s main focus, Schiltz has taken time out to explore other interests. He recently toured as the guitarist for another well-known indie favorite, Albert Hammond, Jr. Schiltz confesses that being on the road keeps things interesting for him. “I like playing the shows. I guess it’s pretty common to feel that way,” he says. Some of his favorite places to perform are the Double Door Nightclub in Chicago, as well as the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, which according to Schiltz, looks “like a birthday cake.”

Revue: Volume One. This album features a variety of songs performed with both electronic and traditional instruments including acoustic bass, violin, trumpet and tenor saxophone, turning these themes and background soundtracks into vibrant songs that are equally enjoyable, even if you do not know the source material. Classic gaming fans will note, though, that Retro Remix Revue does not simply concentrate on the wellknown pieces. Granted, gaming fans will all recognize pieces from “Super Mario World” and “Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time,” but many of their songs are more obscure pieces taken from all-but-forgotten games because of their unique musical sound and the fact that they were able to stand on their own as solid songs. “We got what we felt was good music in games,” Jones explains, “not just what was popular.” Of course, considering the fact that

He’s also expanding his mind when it comes to the heights Longwave can reach through various media. With its soundtrack-friendly catalogue, it’s no wonder that Hollywood has come calling. “We did have a song [“There’s a Fire”] in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,” says the singer. He even jokes that his music landed in the Tina Fey/Amy Poehler comedy, Baby Mama. While he finds humor in that unlikely (and nonexistent) pairing, Schiltz and his band are prepared to do things the right way the next time an opportunity presents itself. “Basically, because of the contract we signed, when all was said and done, [Longwave] only got, like $1.27 for that movie,” he says, laughing.“We won’t be doing that again.” Secrets Are Sinister is currently available. Longwave will perform Dec. 10 at the Troubadour. For more information, visit longwavetheband.com.

J O N AT H A N K N E L L

RETRO REMIX REVUE Video games make good music. reinterpretations of classic game music, FOR SOME PEOPLE, CLASSIC video games are a matter of nostalgia. For others, they represent a passion that has developed as they grew older. For Blaine McGurty and Davis Jones of Retro Remix Revue, classic games are a source of art. The name Retro Remix Revue may be a bit misleading as the fruits of this production team – with keyboards and arrangements by McGurty and engineering by Jones – sound more like jazz than remixes. The term “remix” in the video game music online community has come to mean any

Seth Smoot

20 | Campus Circle

and the guys from Retro Remix Revue have been praised for their solid arrangements and high quality engineering. Jones explains that the two of them have been proud fans of classic video games and their music, but many of the songs could not reach their full potential as they were produced with the limited musical resources that the hardware allowed. Jones says that the band hopes to deliver “video game music the way it was meant to sound.” To this end, the duo has recruited various well-respected artists to help create their first album, Retro Remix

the Internet gave birth to the video game remix community, it is only fitting that fans of beautifully arranged, well-engineered performances of video game classics can find the band’s music online. Retro Remix Revue: Volume One is currently available in digital format on Amazon.com and iTunes, and the band has said that a physical CD will be available around December. For more information, visit retroremixrevue.com.

Kathleen Grace Band But she is far more adventurous than that. On “Penny” she doles out her lyrics in little bursts of stop/start sing-song, a quirk that many listeners will recognize as having its genesis in the work of Kate Bush. Mirror is essentially a jazz album, though, and “Penny” completely smokes as Grace, on piano, leads her

five-piece in a hip jam featuring guitarist Perry Smith. Grade: A —Kevin Wierzbicki Mirror is currently available.

Sparks Exotic Creatures of the Deep (Lil Beethoven)

For a band whose first album was released in 1970, Sparks does not show any signs of age. This band of brothers Ron and Russell Mael offers up a unique mix of clever lyrics and oddly catchy tunes. Their newest album, Exotic CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

«

Mirror (Monsoon) The seven songs on Mirror zip by in about 30 minutes, but there’s an amazing amount of musicianship packed into that short timespan. Grace has the pipes of a mature pop singer, and for brief moments it seems that she’s ready to dish out typical mellow radio fare.

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

music report | B Y Anthony Kiedis, This is Your Life The unconventional childhood of Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis will be the subject of a TV series currently in development for HBO. Kiedis will have a major creative role in the series, tentatively titled “Scar Tissue.” The show will be an edgy, autobiographical look back at Kiedis’ childhood in the fast lane during the early/mid 1970s in Los Angeles and his unorthodox relationship with his father, Spider, a latter-day outlaw and seminal figure of the Sunset Strip nightlife scene. The show is being produced by Catapult 360, the Peabody, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning company that also brought the “The Bernie Mac

staff pick ‘CHANGÓ EN PARIS’ Dec. 4 @ UCLA, Royce Hall “Changó en Paris” celebrates the liberation of the Batá drums, which were outlawed for many years. There will be nearly 100 performers on stage, including Afro-Cuban jazz funk and percussion and a 60-piece hip-hop orchestra. 7:30 pm. $15 w/student ID. —Jessica Koslow

Show” and “Entourage” to the small screen.

Barney’s Beanery Honors Jim Morrison A celebration of what would have been the 65th birthday of Jim Morrison will occur at Barney’s Beanery Dec. 8. The place was a favorite hangout for the late Doors singer, and he was once banned from the eatery for allegedly urinating on the bar. In fact, the establishment intends to put a plaque on the bar at the spot where Morrison marked his territory. Former Doors members Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger will be on hand for the party, as will radio station KLOS and DJ Jim Ladd. The three will discuss old times during a live broadcast and also sign copies of a new two-CD release from the Doors archives and Rhino Records called Live at the Matrix 1967. The shows represented on the CDs were recorded in March of ’67 just months before the band had their first hit with “Light My Fire.”

The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists Joel McIver’s book about great metal guitarists will soon be available in paperback. Not a tiny thing though; the paperback version of The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists is fit for coffee table display, and each axman

frequency | essential concerts | B Y From Aphony

Justin Renney

Dec. 4 @ KeyClub Since there’s more awful than is worth mentioning playing this show,

High energy with all the epic guitar riffing you could ask for, these Seattle young’uns put on a live show to match whether they’re playing for five kids or 500. And after watching them log the Warped Tour hours when either situation is entirely possible day-today, I can say for certain these dudes are legit.

The Bronx

The Bronx boogies down in L.A.

dare I say more than even I’m capable of cutting down with my snarky cynicism, I’m only going to focus on the one worthwhile band on this bill.

Dec. 5 @ The Echo The only truly worthwhile people bearing the moniker of “Bronx” right now (Don’t worry, you’ll get it by the end of the article if you don’t already.), these L.A. rockers are doing something that’s actually noteworthy. Gritty and raw with a very distinct hard rock-rooted edge, the fivesome

“Good Morning” to dramatic, instrumental pieces like “This Is Renaissance.” As a whole, the album is a delight. Grade: B+ —Jonathan Knell Exotic Creatures of the Deep is currently available.

Yves Klein Blue On the Rox They swear their only intention is to teach American audiences that “Polka can rock.” I have it on pretty good authority though, that they’re kidding. Find out what Yves Klein Blue Aussie group Yves Klein Blue is about when they play On the Rox Dec. 13 in support of their new EP, Draw Attention to Themselves.

B R I E N O V E R LY draw on some classic rock influence as well, finding the perfect balance of old school and modern. And sometimes mariachi. No joke.

The Color Turning Dec. 8 @ Silverlake Lounge Maybe it’s because I’ve been hearing nothing but the beginnings of holiday mall music for the last week that I’ve thrown all this riffing and shredding and yelling at you guys this week in rebellion against anything with melody, harmony or potentially containing jingle bells. But be that as it may, I’ll still gladly make room for the moody and atmospheric stylings of the Color Turning. Also L.A. natives, these guys are some of the best emotionally

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BMI Music Panel at Zune L.A. Nov. 18 Filled with a diverse group of the music industry’s best and brightest including producer Rodney Jerkins, Senior VP of Marketing for Atlantic Records Urban Division James Lopez and newcomer recording artist Mickey Factz, the consensus of the night was that the music industry is in the pits. Discussing what they could do to help, Rodney Jerkins unveiled his contribution in MusicMogul.com, a virtual world where musicians will be able to get linked directly to A&Rs and have the chance to win record deals. –J. Poakwa

resonant indie our city has to offer without any of the pretention we’re plagued by stereotypes of.

Fall Out Boy Dec. 8 @ The Troubadour For some reason, Pollstar tells me Fall Out Boy is playing my beloved Troub on this date, not that I ever specifically asked anyone what Fall Out Boy was up to this week, but no where else is it mentioned on the Web except for their MySpace. Assumably, this is a private show or something that I don’t care to investigate how to get into, but I’m not going to lie … there’s a big part of me that wants to be there and wants to be that dude that yells from the crowd, “Bronx Mowgli Wentz? Seriously? WTF, man?” And yes, I did just use “WTF” in print journalism commentary. Integrity be damned.

Two Cow Garage Speaking in Cursive (Suburban Home) On fourth longplayer, Speaking in Cursive, Ohio alt-country/roots rockers Two Cow Garage fuse bar band romps, amped up acoustics and CONTINUED

«

Creatures of the Deep, offers a fresh batch of frantic, piano-driven pieces that defy any consistent categorization, all of which fall into the flow of a refrain of “I don’t care if you love me, just so you like me” that repeats throughout the album. Exotic Creatures of the Deep ranges from disco-esque pieces like

(or he and his band) gets at least one full page photo in their profile segment. McIver also includes a short “genius moment” sidebar for each player. For Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, McIver says the moment is “Everything from 1970 to 1975. Yes, everything. Even after that Iommi’s guitar playing remained world-class until he was outpaced by the rise of the technical shredder in the mid’80s.” The book is set up so that guitarist No. 100 is at the front so you have to work your way to the back to get to the big boys. Examples of some rankings are: Zacky Vengeance of Avenged Sevenfold at No. 73, Dave Murray of Iron Maiden at No. 47, Björn Gelotte of In Flames at No. 34, Zakk Wylde at No. 4 and holding down the No. 1 slot, Dave Mustaine.

KEVIN WIERZBICKI

Campus Circle | 21

Micah Schnabel’s literate bluecollar observations. Schnabel sings about downtrodden characters with a whiskeygargled voice hoarse as Tom Waits and weathered as Keith Richards, with appropriate backup from a rough and tumble group that at times sounds like the Drive-By Truckers sparring with Crazy Horse. Schnabel and the band succeed in evoking previous decades while rarely inducing nostalgia. Highlights include brisk “Bastards and Bridesmaids,” concerning small people with big attitudes; power-poppy “Skinny Legged Girl”; and slowburning “Sadie Mae.” Basically, Two Cow Garage is a quintet of down-to-earth guys who understand there are times that call for a shot of Wild Turkey and a Camel Light. Grade: B —Doug Simpson Speaking in Cursive is currently available.

Hank Williams III Damn Right, Rebel Proud (Sidewalk) Country outlaw Hank Williams’ III fourth official release, Damn Right, Rebel Proud, makes clear righteous anger hasn’t left the building. III may not have the answers, but he’s enthusiastic about what boils his gizzard. Williams’ callused honky tonk voice (He’s a dead ringer for his famous grandpa.) is perfect for his off-the-rail tales of hard drinking, harder living, and a laundry list of rancor. Opener “The Grand Ole Opry (Ain’t So Grand)” nails country conservatives to the wall, while Merle Haggard doppelgangers “Wild & Free” and “Me & My Friends” offer libations and hellraising as liberation. Unfortunately, hillbilly punk piece “P.F.F.,” with the vivid chorus “punch, fight and fuck,” misplaces noted psychopath GG Allin as an undiluted rebel. At least Williams’ new century country isn’t watered down, and that’s the kind of change we need. Grade: B —Doug Simpson Damn Right, Rebel Proud is currently available.

22 | Campus Circle

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

music

Elsy Benitez

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JAZZ CELEBRATION! m_j^ if[Y_Wb ]k[ij >;HC7D B;ED7H:

Sharing stories of his remarkable life and experiences with music and cultural icons from his more than 70 years of photography. He will also sign copies of his book, Jazz, Giants, Journeys: The Photography of Herman Leonard. Amoeba’s Jazz room will feature live DJs and a delectable assortment of musical treasures, including jazz imports, rare, out-of-print titles. MOSAIC box sets, vinyl, Blue Note t-shirts and more!

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Abe Vigoda, Vivian Girls, Love is All

Marnie Stern

Nov. 18 @ The Smell Though the galloping rhythm of Abe Vigoda was pushed back from its previously

Nov. 15 @ The El Rey With the release of her second album, This Is It & I Am It & You Are It & So Is That & He Is It & She Is It & It Is it and That Is That, Marnie Stern once again hits the tour circuit. One thing that is clear about Stern, and perhaps can be inferred by the title of her album, is that she is no average, play-by-the-rules musician. When Stern took the stage the crowd watched with focused intensity. Any fears of a disappointing show dissipated and were replaced with movement from the audience as Stern played on. Somewhere in the middle of the Michael Vidal of Abe Vigoda can’t see you! show a nameless friend joined her onstage while playing air guitar with her pet Maltese. Undoubtedly Stern provided listed headlining space and into that an entertaining and exciting show, even sophomore hole known as the supporting slot, without the magnetic drumming of Zach Hill. the Smell was already quite full when they took —Elsy Benitez the stage early on and after rather friendly rockers Nodzzz. There was dissonance. There was a pit! And there was Sweden. New York’s Vivian Girls, who visually represent Williamsburg, played dumb, openchord punk rock as it’s meant and harmonized with apathy like a riot grrl act straight out of the ’90s. They’re nice girls in banter and slightly vicious in their delivery – an odd match, then, but a perfect lead-in for Sweden’s Love is All, who are perhaps the happiest looking group to play at the Smell in some time. Fronted by dainty Mia Farrow look-alike Josephine Olausson, whose accent is sweet and thick, and supplemented with the sax action of James Ausfahrt, whose glasses are perfectly ’80s, Love is All seemed to bring together the mods and rockers for a big merry dancefest, with everything from their debut’s “Talk Talk Talk Talk” to a cover of “I Ran” (off their recent Covers EP). Every act on the bill was a Vanessa Briscoe Hay of Pylon joy not to be missed! —China Bialos China Bialos

AMOEBA’S ANNU?LAL; >EB?:7 A?O:IJ 7JE<?LO :; 79HH;I

Marnie Stern is no play-by-the-rules musician.

6400 SUNSET BLVD. (323) 245-6400 1) Healamonster & Tarsier — Cupcake Cave 2) The Binges — Self-titled 3) Ray Ricky Rivera — Neighborhood Fame 4) Flycat — Our Sign 5) Laughing Light of Plenty — Rose/Listen Here 6) Devil Doll — The Return of Eve 7) Black Tales — Self-titled 8) Patti Smith & Lenny Kaye — February 10, 1971 9) Ectoplasm Girls — Forever Nothing 10) Olmeca — Semillas Rebeldes

aimlessly. With eyes closed and a glossed over look on his face the crowd was hard-pressed for inspiration. The vocals were on point and the band was tight, but the energy one expects from an MC with a catalogue of heartfelt, poignant songs needs to be over the top. To say the least, disappointment was everywhere. At several points in the show, Matisyahu would either sit down or walk to the edge of the stage and lean against the wall while looking off into the crowd in a daze. Not very reminiscent of someone who was known for bringing a high-energy show to every town he hit. —David Tobin

Jon McLaughlin Nov. 18 @ The El Rey With his lightning quick fingers and luring Midwestern charm, Jon McLaughlin knows how to entertain. From piano ballads to dueling guitar solos, McLaughlin and his band covered every end of the musical spectrum while singing of high school woes and hometown Joes. His unorthodox playing style coupled with his stage presence won the audience’s attention and mesmerized with every keystroke. At times his hands were moving so fast it was hard to see them, let alone believe someone was playing what was being heard. McLaughlin re-entered the stage for an encore alone with a harmonica in hand. Not knowing what to expect, the audience bustled around until McLaughlin broke out into Billy Joel’s “Piano Man.” Although his music seemed somewhat repetitive throughout the evening, the unparalleled piano work and enthusiastic stage presence of McLaughlin make his show one to see. —Nicole Boisvert

David Tobin

Every Saturday in December at 4 pm! On 12/6 our host, Brently Heilbron, auctions two pairs of MURS concert tickets, a pair of tickets to see CSS at the Echoplex, Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones, Beatles and The Simpsons memorabilia and more! All proceeds benefit local and global relief efforts! As always, Amoeba will match your individual donation up to $1,000!

Independent Local Artist Releases

White, is always held on Sunday nights. The duo has gained a reputation for spinning the most obscure and all-around awesome bands from the punk/funk/new wave/no wave canon. This year they turned the night into in an allday festival. The first annual fest openly traded in nostalgia. Granted, much of the audience wasn’t yet alive or old enough to remember the golden age of post-punk. The headlining acts were groups that haven’t performed in over 20 years, but it seemed that much of the audience, young and old, was excited and thrilled to see them. The newly reunited Pylon absolutely stole the show. A Certain Ratio rounded out the bill, along with Mika Miko, Vivian Girls, the Muslims and Medium Medium. —Elsy Benitez

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AMOEBA AUCTIONS

AMOEBA TOP 10

live show reviews

Part Time Punks Festival

Matisyahu

Nov. 16 @ The Echo & Echoplex The Part Time Punks dance club, founded by DJ partners Michael Stock and Benjamin

Nov. 18 @ Club Nokia With lackluster energy, Matisyahu took the stage wandering around

Matisyahu couldn’t rev up the crowd.

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

spin cycle | l.a. dj culture

Campus Circle | 23

music dvds | reviews

music

Paul McCartney

SUNDAY, DEC. 7

Boys Like Girls

Secondhand Sureshots @ Silent Movie Theatre 611 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles; dublab.com/secondhand All Ages/7 p.m./$13 general, $9 members This documentary film from the fine folks at dublab follows L.A. beat makers Daedelus, J-Rocc, Nobody and Ras G as they travel to thrift stores in search of dusty old vinyl to use to cook up new sonic creations. After the screening, some of the guys will be on hand for a live beat making demonstration – and attendees are even encouraged to bring their own records along for them to sample. And to add to the spirit of recycling, bring a secondhand shirt and the Hit + Run crew will be there to throw a design on it and make it new again.

THURSDAY, DEC. 4 Remix Hotel Los Angeles @ The School of Audio Engineering Los Angeles 6565 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; remixmag.com/remixhotel/schedule 16+/3 p.m.-9 p.m./$50 for 3-day all access pass (in advance) I don’t usually write about stuff like this, but for any aspiring artists, producers or DJs, this could be interesting and maybe even useful. Aside from classes and product demonstrations (one with DJ Babu!), there are some pretty intriguing panel discussions, including one on the history of L.A. hip-hop with Daddy Kev (Alpha Pup) and Rick Ross, one on touring, featuring Guns N Bombs and Thes One and a debate on “Taste vs. Technique.” Through Dec. 6

SATURDAY, DEC. 6

Read Between the Lines (Sony) This film, which follows the band during their Soundtrack of Your Summer Tour, is more than your average music DVD. While it includes about 45 minutes of footage from concerts around America, it also tells a story, the story of the band’s humble beginnings, from being evicted from their dingy one bedroom apartment to eventually showing the mayhem of screaming fans before a sold-out show. At times overdramatic, especially if you’re not a particularly huge fan, the DVD forces the viewer to develop a connection with the band through in-depth interviews with members, partying before a show, hanging out with their fathers and even a shout-out to a long ago love. By the end of the DVD, I creepishly felt like if I happened to ever see any of the members on the street, it would be OK to give them a hug. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. Grade: B+ —Grace Ansani Read Between the Lines is currently available.

The Space Within Us [Blu-ray] (A&E) From crowd shots filled with hysterical middle-aged men and 20-something girls in tears, The Space Within Us illustrates how Beatlemania transcends age, race, even space (One song during a tour stop in Anaheim, Calif. was beamed to two astronauts aboard the International Space Station.). The DVD documents Paul McCartney’s 2005 trek across the United States, dubbed the “Us Tour” and the concert footage, captured by 25 hi-def cameras, is stunning – almost better than being at the show watching monitors from the rafters. Another side of the music legend is shown through his onstage banter, interaction with backstage guests (from diehard fans to will.i.am, Nicole Kidman, Jay-Z and Beyoncé), interviews with the likes of former President Bill Clinton, Eddie Vedder, Cameron Crowe and Steve Jobs and a peak at McCartney’s childhood home. But most revealing are the clips of Macca reflecting on his life and fame. It’s refreshing how genuinely touched he is that the Beatles’ music continues to mean so much to so many. Grade: A —Yuri Shimoda The Space Within Us is currently available.

BoomBox Two-Year Anniversary @ Grand Star 943 N. Broadway, Chinatown 21+/9:30 p.m./$10 before 10:30 p.m. w/RSVP to going.com/boombox2year, $12 otherwise This hip-hop monthly has always been able to bring in some pretty impressive talent, and this anniversary celebration definitely represents that with guest DJs Waajeed (Platinum Pied Pipers) and DJ Revolution, and guest host Kev Brown. Add to that a producer showcase with 14KT, Swiff D, House Shoes and STRO the 89th Key, plus sets from the residents Inka One, Ben Diggin, Rob C. and One Man Jazz, and you’ve got yourself a party.

bottoms up

SCARLET LADY SALOON

SATURDAY, DEC. 6 Bootie LA Holiday Mashup Party 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park; bootiela.com 21+/9 p.m./$5 before 10 p.m., $10 after Is it Christmas season already? According to Bootie LA, the answer is most definitely yes. They’ll be in full deck-the-halls mode tonight with a special all Christmas mashup set from 10 p.m.-11 p.m., and a holiday-themed dance number at midnight. Special guest DJs the Hood Internet (Chicago) plus resident DJs Adrian, Mysterious D and Paul V. will keep that spirit To submit an event for alive throughout the night. And you can too – if you wear a Santa hat, you’ll be rewarded with a consideration, e-mail free “A Very Bootie Christmas” mashup CD. spincycle@campuscircle.net. —Sandra Fernando

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THE AMERICAN MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC ACADEMY NEW YORK • LOS ANGELES

AMDA offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in Acting and Musical Theatre and a two-year Conservatory Program Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Scholarships are available. and Conservatory Programs. Last season 29 alumni worked Full-time programs in Acting on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in for Stage, Film and Television, National and International Tours, and Musical Theatre — and in Film and Television. Audition required. Auditions held monthly in National & International New York City, Los Angeles Student Body. and in 34 cities in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Student Housing available in Los the United Kingdom. Angeles and New York City.

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24 | Campus Circle

inner circle

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

curtain call

‘WEST SIDE STORY’ Now-Dec. 21 @ Hudson Backstage Theatre BY ROBERT AXELROD DIRECTOR KEN GRAY SCOLARI HAS DONE A TERRIFIC JOB putting together an excellent cast to assay this modern version of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” The occasional sour note is forgiven because of the raw emotion of delivery. Standout duets and ensemble work are the strong suits in this production. Laura Darrell, as Maria, creates effortless beauty with every note she sings. Her duet with Janet Krupin as Anita, “A Boy Like That/I Have a Love,” is gorgeous. “West Side Story” is a treat to see. The Musical Theatre of Los Angeles tackles the project with a refreshing honesty that shines through every moment the actors occupy the A few of the Jets with their girls from “West Side Story” stage. Arthur Laurents’ book, Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics and Leonard Bernstein’s music are immortal. This version should produce full houses and a clamoring for tickets. Hudson Backstage Theatre is located at 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, visit plays411.com/westsidestory.

graphic novel | review Batman: Rules of Engagement (DC) Andy Diggle (Green Arrow: Year One) wrote this arc, originally published in Batman Confidential, the series that focuses on Batman’s first encounters with his greatest enemies. In this collection, Bruce Wayne competes with Lex Luthor for a defense contract to provide the army with advanced robot soldiers. When Bruce is attacked by one of his own robots, Batman investigates, leading him to suspect Luthor of a hidden agenda. Diggle’s storytelling is competent but not his best. However, artist Whilce Portacio’s (Wetworks) scratchy, hooded eye style is wildly uneven, sometimes combining great cinematic panels and distractingly poor close-ups in which people look like gargoyles on the same page. Grade: B+ —Mike Sebastian Batman: Rules of Engagement will be available Dec. 16.

the art of love | Hi Lucia, I was on a second date with someone who only talked about himself. We only had appetizers, but when the bill came, he said, “You got this one?” I was like,“Nooooo.” I don’t mind paying, but this is the stage where the guy should still be trying to impress me, and it was just a total turnoff when he said that. He later texted me, “When are you going to take me out?” I would like to contribute but that just screams ... I am cheap... I don’t like you. I am an independent woman. I don’t want to settle. It’s hard enough to find a decent man, but if someone is asking me to pay for the whole thing after the second date I might as well just go out with the girls.I don’t mind helping out but not on the second date. —Jess Hi Jess, I totally agree with you. This isn’t about being an independent woman. It’s about being a smart woman and letting someone show you who they are. In all the animal kingdom, the male has to impress the female before she will have sex with him. For some reason, many human females are willing to be with anyone who will pay them a bit of attention. As you said, he’s cheap and/or isn’t that into you. He’s just out for himself. You did the right thing. Lose him!

BY LUCIA he responded to three days later asking to meet me. He also asked if he could call me, but I responded with: I’d like to e-mail first to see if we connect. We e-mailed for two days and then he was out Lucia of town for his brother’s surgery. His last e-mail to me was to call him anytime and even e-mailed his phone number. He’s supposed to be back in town today. I have yet to call him and not sure if I should. What do you say? —Roz Hi Roz, As usual, let the man be the man. If he’s interested, he’ll contact you. My only concern is that it sounds as if he’s just looking for something casual, otherwise, he wouldn’t have tried to meet you in his first e-mail. Tread carefully.

Hi Lucia, I met this very attractive man on the Latina Romance Network. I noticed his picture first and sent him a very short but sweet message, which

Hi Lucia, I am 37 and African-American. I typically date Caucasian women five15 years older than me. My conventional wisdom creeps into my head that many older, white women have no experience with interracial dating and this could be a major roadblock to both dating and a strong relationship. I live in the Twin Cities, and this is the most diverse city and accepting of interracial relationships that I have seen. What advice can you give me on how to attract those quality cougars that are open to dating interracially? There are a lot of wannabe cougars,

essential l.a. | B Y

A N G E L A M ATA N O

but clearly they are not in the league of those true cougars. Many women think because they are older and look decent and date younger that makes them cougars, which it doesn’t. I consider myself a charming, witty, beguiling, confident man but need a few pointers to get me to the next level. —Tony Hi Tony, Thank you for pointing out that just because a woman is older and dating a younger man, that she is not automatically a cougar. I believe a cougar is the Rolls Royce of older women. She is at the top of her game and has it together mentally, emotionally, physically and sexually. Since you are in the Twin Cities, it should be easier to find a woman who is open to interracial dating. If you want a quality cougar, you need to be a quality cub. This means you look good, have class and manners and, of course, are great in bed. After that, it’s a matter of going to places where an older woman might go and approaching anyone who catches your eye. If you’re as charming as you say you are, you shouldn’t have any problem getting a phone number!

Write to Lucia at theartoflove.net. Read an excerpt from Lucia’s Lessons of Love at lessonsoflove.net. Listen to Lucia live every Sunday at 3 p.m. PST on latalkradio.com. Remember: Love inspires, empowers, uplifts and enlightens.

FIX MALIBU 22741 Pacific Coast Highway, Ste. 200, Malibu AH, MALIBU! SOME PEOPLE actually live in this obscenely attractive place, the rest of us, however, are free to visit. Perhaps one of the most breathtakingly gorgeous places in the world, Malibu, 21 miles of coastline, provides a new view at each bend of PCH. I can’t think of a city better situated to visit for an afternoon of relaxation and beautification. Taking advantage of this nirvana, Fix Malibu offers a variety of aesthetic treatments right on the Pacific Coast Highway. An oasis in itself, Fix sits in a tranquil spot overlooking the sea. Decorated in shades of Jonathan Adler white with judicious splashes of apple green, Fix provides a balm for

the senses directly upon entering. There’s a meticulous sense of detail, from the orchids and lime-tinged roses to the smell of sage-pomegranate mingling with the ocean air to the sunlight pouring through the windows and onto the outdoor patio. Luxury awaits, as I replace my clothes with a wrap-like robe softer than cashmere, and snuggle into a bed of scrumptious blankets to cocoon myself in for the duration of my facial. Not just any facial, mind you, but a Hydrafacial. One of the few procedures I know of that involves extracting blackheads without pain. Intrigued, I wait as my gentle and attentive facialist, Natasha, cleanses and steams my face. When the pore

extraction begins, Nastasha uses an extremely unobtrusive vacuum to clear away debris. No bright white light, no pinching, no pulling – like going to the dentist and being handed a gummy bear! My skin glowed, and I felt relaxed and refreshed. Fix Malibu, I think I may have died and gone to heaven. Fix offers many other magical treatments including Oxygen Infusions, Microdermabrasion and Antiaging facials, as well as waxing, tinting, haircuts and color. For more information, visit fixmalibu.com.

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

B Y PA I G E PA R K E R

Paige Parker

lifestyle |

Throw your hands in the air at the annual Dance Marathon.

UCLA STUDENTS WITH A CAUSE

Coeds aim to make the world a better place. THEY SELL CHALLAH BREAD ON campus to raise funds for the victims of the genocide in Sudan. They wear highlighter-colored T-shirts to publicize for a campus-wide fundraising event. They have an emergency response vehicle parked in the plaza to draw attention to the importance of emergency preparedness, and wear posters around their necks calling for a more sustainable way of life. These UCLA students make up a community of activists, philanthropists and concerned citizens – they are the students with a cause. For many UCLA students, college does not consist of only school, work and play. Marked by their passion and enthusiasm, there is a percentage that spends their time between classes and on weekends brainstorming and working with a student group to make a difference. Few UCLA students have not heard about the delicious Friday challah bread sales. Through weekly bread baking sessions and sales, UCLA’s Challah for Hunger group raises funds for victims of the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. “[I’ve realized] how incredible it is that we’re really helping on an issue that’s not getting that much attention,” says the group’s CoPresident Lily Stern. “It really rounds out my college experience at UCLA, so it’s not like I’m here just doing work, just being at school. I’m also doing something in the world that’s actually making a difference.” Challah for Hunger is not limited to Jewish students – challah is a Jewish bread – although the group does try to

embody the Jewish phrase “Tikkun olam,” which means “repairing the world.” Stern, who is Jewish, also feels a certain personal connection to the cause considering the genocide of Jews during the Holocaust. “It’s really about doing something about this huge problem in our world right now,” Stern says. “It’s so important to the Jewish values to help others who are now suffering just the way we were.” A group that gives back in a much more localized way is Green the Greeks, which aims to educate the Greek community about the sustainable lifestyle, and to implement policy changes within the sororities and fraternities that support sustainability. By building partnerships with the student house managers, the group has already seen results in many of the 30 or so sorority and fraternity houses, including increased recycling bins, timed light switches and composting of food waste. As the group’s internal Vice President Vincent Phamvan says, the results can be seen in little efforts on the students’ part: Buying reusable shopping bags, turning off the sink when brushing one’s teeth and switching off the lights at night can all benefit the environment in the long run. “A lot of times, when you’re on campus and you finish a drink you can either throw that in the closest trashcan or you can walk 20 seconds to the closest recycling bin. It’s just getting that into the mindset, and getting to a point where people make those decisions that can make an

impact on a larger level,” says Phamvan. There is also a social aspect to such groups, as they draw together people with common interests. “It was just really neat to surround myself with other people who had the same green mindset,” says Phamvan. “These [club members] are the people who are going to end up on our alumni list in 20 years for doing something famous, or winning a prize for changing the world. They’re motivated and they’re passionate about what they’re going to do.” The members of the Red Cross of America club at UCLA are also marked by their passion. The group seeks to prevent, prepare and respond to emergencies through such educational programs as disaster training, first aid, CPR training and blood drives. Stephanie Be, the President of the UCLA chapter says, “I just hope that when there’s an earthquake or when there’s a small disaster somewhere or if someone has some drunken incident where they cut their foot on a piece of glass they’ll be like, ‘Oh, I remember my first aid training’ or ‘I have this brochure with the number to call.’” Whether they’re handing out informational brochures, hosting a blood drive (the USC rivalry blood drive began Nov. 24), or educating high school students about earthquake safety, the club has had a busy fall quarter. While the Red Cross club’s emergency response vehicle parked in the UCLA main plaza at the beginning of the school year did draw attention, perhaps one of the most genius advertising techniques is the infamous Dance Marathon T-shirts, which are worn by the committee members and are so brightly colored one cannot help but look. Dance Marathon, one of the most publicized events on the UCLA campus, is a 26-hour fundraising event that raises awareness and funds for pediatric aids research and camps for children with and affected by HIV and AIDS. The “dancers” make pledges to raise a set sum of money and then to stand for the 26-hour event. It is the largest student-run philanthropic event west of Mississippi. “I don’t know what I do without it because it kind of keeps me grounded,” says Victoria Tenney, a member of the event’s planning committee. “Dance Marathon is that part of me that gets to do something for someone else. And I feel like it actually changes something in the world, which is great.” Service groups are what make the college experience a well-rounded one, Tenney says. There’s school, there’s socializing and then there’s service. “It was nice to know that even though we’re a great school that has great academics and great sports, but that there’s something more, that you can actually make a difference in the world.”

the bar exam

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LIBRARY ALEHOUSE

2911 Main St., Santa Monica BY ZACH BOURQUE FIRST OFF, NO, YOU CANNOT CHECK OUT books here. The bartenders are not old women in plastic underwear. Instead, the Library Alehouse, located in the heart of Santa Monica’s Main Street, represents a unique synthesis of swanky restaurant and beer drinkers haven. The draft selection was comparable to the female population within the alehouse; Zach Bourque plentiful, highly variable and mighty fine. (Note to Self: Move to Main Street, Santa Monica) While the lighting was dim, it was castle dark, not haunted house dark. Lots of candles and other ambient light added warmth that was pleasing to the eyes. Unfortunately, my eyes deceived me. The small size of this alehouse, coupled with the (relatively) big crowd and lack of bar space rubbed this beer drinker the wrong way. It all felt more than a bit claustrophobic and uncomfortable, a feeling that was reinforced by the table we had to share with a couple on a date. Awkward? This is not a place to watch football or stretch out and relax. Luckily, the beer selection is quite unique and packs some serious game. There is a dedicated beer menu that breaks down the taps based on brewery, type and even alcoholic content. Those who don’t feel confident in their beer knowledge can simply ask the informed waiter or bartender for guidance. He was two for two on recommendations with some amazing beers I have never had before including Bear Republic’s Racer IPA and the aptly titled Pranqster Belgian Ale that was simply superb. Those looking for a romantic place to take the lady should feel confident that the Library Alehouse is up to snuff. Beer snobs and everyday Joes will appreciate the beer selection from afar, but unfortunately this Library isn’t exactly worthy of a full figured endorsement from the Bar Exam. For more information, call (310) 314-4855 or visit libraryalehouse.com. Send feedback to bars@campuscircle.net.

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[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

the un-hipster

l.a. faces |

BY YURI SHIMODA

NOAH GALUTEN Man Bites World one day at a time. Jessica Go

L.A. THE UN-HIP WAY

AFTER GRADUATING UCLA, INspired by his passion for food and the plethora of ethnic cuisines that Los Angeles has to offer, Noah Galuten decided to embark on a most ambitious endeavor: to sample a different country’s cuisine every single day. Manbitesworld.com is where he documents his adventures.

It’s not something that I saw coming, but it’s something that’s managed to happen anyway. That, for me, has been one of the most dynamic and mindset-altering developments of this entire Personal Food Project in Blog Form. The sense of community that food creates, the number of people

BY JESSICA GO “Dear Vodka, It’s me the Freshman 15…” Your first year of college is exciting, new and … fattening? I pray not! Well, along with all the important life decisions that are being made in college such as “What kind of person do I want to be?” “What career path should I choose?” “Who are my real friends?” one of the most important is “What am I going to look like over the next four years?” Enter cue for the dreaded Freshman 15. Weight has always been a big issue with me, and I’ve never been a stick skinny girl, but I was pretty healthy in college, up until the late night Domino’s pizza and party antics kicked in. It is easy to let yourself go in college with the bigger portions available and less healthy food conveniently lying around. When it is 1 a.m. and you’re just starving, pizzas are more likely to meet you at the door than salads. I know you fellow college students are currently sitting at your desk cramming endless PowerPoint slides, flashcards and diagrams into your head in preparation for dreaded finals week. Yet, as finals come around people let their guard down and junk food in. Therefore, in honor of my infamous and mortal enemy, here are my top five tips to avoid the Freshman 15. I definitely need to start following my genius advice!

1) Avoid sugary drinks like soda and juice. Eat your calories, don’t drink them! Sugary drinks are just empty calories that you won’t even notice ’til you’re trying to zip on your jeans. Instead, opt for water or diet soda and indulge in a glass of orange juice every once in a while.

Noah Galuten samples Peruvian fare.

2) Get some sleep! If you’re sleeping more, that’s less hours of eating and more hours of rejuvenation. You feel me?

3) Limit alcoholic beverages. Alcohol has calories too and drinking too much usually makes you hungry and then the food binging begins. P.S. Drinking ’til you’re puking might help you avoid gaining weight, but it is just as unhealthy as it is unlady like!

His quest not only examines what each culture has to offer the culinary world, but leads to discoveries about society as a whole and, most importantly, about himself. Noah’s 81st consecutive new dining experience finds him at my home for “Philippines Day.” To follow is an excerpt from our time together.

4) Workout religiously. Go to the gym and stare at the hotties, but at the same time focus on increasing your incline on the treadmill or your speed on the ellipticals! Personally, I hate the gym and prefer the great outdoors, but whatever you do, find a workout buddy and get sweaty together! (Now I feel very creepy for writing that last part.)

5) Avoid eating late and junk food. Pulling all-nighters for that huge midterm or coming back from a crazy party all lead to hunger pangs. Therefore, my best suggestion is at least if you’re going to binge, eat healthy! So instead of having Domino’s on speed dial, always have healthy snacks and water around.

A desire for loneliness is a strange phenomenon. “Alone” is not a terrible thing to be. I’ve wanted it, even craved it ever since I was a kid. But things can change. The right people, the right setting, the right reason – and you slowly find yourself turning into someone that actually likes company. You start finding scenarios that you enjoy and then try to surround yourself with people who make you feel better as opposed to worse.

who happily welcome me into their circles and even become my friends is staggering. When you enter a place with that sense of community, you can tell right away. So when Yuri invited me over for Filipino food, I agreed, but didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. It turned out to be one of those gatherings that – regardless of the fact that you’ve never been there before, never eaten the food and don’t know a single other person involved – makes you feel like you genuinely belong. Friends come in (bearing a bounty of Filipino beer, San Miguel), and we huddle near the kitchen over Lumpia Shanghai, addictive pork spring rolls, fried golden and served with a sweet chili sauce. I consume at least 10, already feeling like I’m relaxing with old friends.

Once everyone is assembled and the food is ready, we each grab big serving bowls and walk up to a table in the back yard. Everyone packs in happily, with little mention or care as to why this dinner came about. They’re here because of each other, and I get the distinct feeling that even if it weren’t “Philippines Day,” they’d still be hanging out and having dinner together anyway. The bowls are passed around family style as we start piling food on our plates. Adobo may be the most well known dish of the Philippines, and after one bite you know why. We’re having Chicken Adobo, which is simmered in garlic, vinegar and soy sauce, and has an uncanny taste of familiarity to it. Pancit Bihon is a cornstarchbased, stir-fried noodle dish with vegetables and tiny slices of sausage. We eat Kare Kare, oxtails braised in a spicy peanut sauce (a wonderful combination of fatty proteins), and Afritada, Spanish influenced stewed chicken with bell peppers and potatoes, reminding me of a lot of South American cuisine, which often mixes similar elements. There’s a tamarind-based soup (Sinigang) with whole shrimp, antennae and all. I get a few style points for chewing them up head, brain, exoskeleton and all. The fruity, sour tamarind really makes this soup interesting. Tamarind is used primarily in Asia and Latin America, but finds its way just about everywhere in the world, even as an ingredient in basic Worcestershire sauce. We head back inside and have a cup of tea with dessert. I try Hopia, a small, round pastry made from mung beans. The hopia are crumbly, buttery and pleasant, but my favorite desserts of the night are unusually purple and made primarily from ube. Ube is a purple yam and gives both the ube ice cream and Ube Macapuno Cake a distinctively bright and vibrant, deep purple color. Both desserts have a wonderful, earthy flavor that is unlike any I’ve had before. The ube tastes like what would happen if you crossbred a sweet potato with a blueberry – definitely worth trying. Time has flown by, and the three hours I’ve been here feels like 45 minutes. There’s a closeness to this group that, once combined with a plate of wonderful food, starts to seem an awful lot like family. So go to restaurants, cook at home, have a picnic or do whatever it is you and the people around you like doing together. I for one, even after this project is long over, will be throwing a heck of a lot of dinner parties for the great people and friends I’ve collected since this all began. I guess the company of others can be pretty darn nice after all. Noah is accepting meal invitations and donations in the hopes of extending the project through 100 days. For more information, visit manbitesworld.com.

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

special feature | B Y

E M I LY P O L S B Y

CAREER FOR A BAD ECONOMY

by companies that are only interested in pushing their own products, so it’s important to carefully vet a program before signing on. Simeon Lee, a UC Davis grad with a degree in managerial economics, chose the Academy for the business background it provided. “I’m planning to open my own chain of salons,” he says. “And I knew Sassoon was the best place to prepare me for that.” “Our graduates pass at a rate of about 98 percent,” says Stephen Moody, Executive Director of International Education for Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica, Calif. (often referred to as the “Harvard of Hair”). “On average, our students receive about three excellent job offers right away.” “We always have lots of college grads,” Moody continues, “but we also have lots of students who opted to switch to a career in cosmetology after a successful career doing something else. They were attracted by the flexible hours, the ability to express

Why not be a happy hairdresser? Cosmetology careers thrive in down times.

A college degree is no longer a guarantee of a good job – in fact, it’s not a guarantee of a job at all in these uncertain times. High finance, manufacturing, marketing and so many of the other career paths that once looked rosy have gone away, so what’s an ambitious grad to do? With every cloud bank, there comes a silver lining and these tough times have emphasized a career that has been a constant for years, often maligned in boom times, even though studies show it’s one of the most rewarding professions on earth – and a great choice when the economy turns rough.

Why the happiest workers on earth are a growing field! Cosmetology has been ranked as one of the happiest careers by a leading British career survey and many economists believe that hairdressing is a recession-proof profession because research reveals that in economic downturns, people cut back on expenses, but not on their hair. In fact, according to the Daily Mail newspaper, both economists and surveys have found that in tough times, people splurge more on their hair.

The evidence keeps mounting! US News’ 2008 Best Careers Report added hairdressing/cosmetology to their list of most desirable careers for college grads. According to the new 2008 Green Book (beauty industry) study, there are close to 500,000 salons in the United States – and their most significant challenge is

recruiting talented stylists to serve customers. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Outlook Handbook’s new 2008-09 Edition) predicts that employment for “personal appearance workers” will grow faster than the average for all occupations – and that opportunities for entry level workers will continue to grow!

44 Weeks to Earn Hairstylists can prepare for their career and be earning in fewer than two years and there is no limit to what they can earn. Cosmetology school prepares nascent style professionals for an exam (each state administers their own). Look for a school with a high pass rate on the exam and a good track record placing grads in jobs. Sassoon trains their students in more than just the basics of cut and color – they also prepare them to run their own businesses or even start their own chain of hair salons one day while some cosmetology schools are owned

game on

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HOLIDAY GAME BUYING GUIDE B Y J O N AT H A N K N E L L

Action Games Got a friend who loves the fast-paced runand-jump action? This holiday season welcomes back two classic characters with a next-gen revamp. “Prince of Persia” gets a whole new celshaded look with a new prince, a new companion and tons of breakneck jumps. If you need more gunplay in your action game, Lara Croft is returning to “Tomb Raider: Underworld.” Younger gamers or fans of the classics may love the new “Sonic Unleashed.”

Fighting Games Honestly, there is pretty much one horse in the race. “Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe” offers fast-paced fighting action in a unique crossover that gains enough in the upgrade to the next-gen consoles that it makes up for the weak Fatalities.

Music Games Let’s face it, even non-gamers love to rock the microphone or wail on a guitar controller. Assuming you’re willing to shell out the cash for a rock game, “Rock Band 2” is probably the best choice this season as you can download your “Rock Band” songs into the sequel. “Guitar Hero: World Tour” does have those cymbals, but all in all, “Rock Band 2” is the more solid game.

Role Playing Games

themselves creatively and the potential to control their own earnings, since really successful stylists can earn well upwards of six figures. Now, with layoffs so rampant, many, many people are switching to something they know they can count on.” Take Quentin Phillips. This graduate of Amherst College and Harvard Law School recently turned his back on more than a decade as a high-powered corporate attorney and opted to start his career over at the Sassoon Academy. “I consider it a luxury in life to be able to be a beginner at something again,” says Quentin. Quentin is far from the first highly compensated businessperson to make the switch to a career in hair late in life. Sassoon has educated former lawyers before, along with consultants, health care professionals, teachers, cops and more. The Sassoon Academy is located at 321 Santa Monica Blvd., just off the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. For more information about exciting careers in cosmetology, visit sassoon.com/education or call (888) 751-5100. Emily Polsby is freelance journalist and screenwriter.

Assuming that your RPG-loving buddy is not afraid of a little gunplay, “Fallout 3,” the new first-person reinvention of the top-down classic series is a non-stop treat to play with engrossing storylines and intense action. Assuming that you have a gamer friend who has been unable to find the cash to feed the WoW addiction, the “World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King” expansion pack is here. Classic RPG fans can rediscover their old favorites remade on the Nintendo DS in “Final Fantasy IV” and “Chrono Trigger.”

Shooters If your buddy spends late nights shooting up the online battlefield, then there is enough ammo and gore to go around this holiday season. Xbox 360 owners are all rushing out to get the ultra-gory, sci-fi shooter sequel “Gears of War 2,” while PS3 heads get their own sequel with “Resistance 2.” If horror is more their speed, they can take on the darkness of space on their own with “Dead Space” or take on countless zombies in “Left 4 Dead.” Traditional soldiers will also have a battleground of their own in “Call of Duty: World at War.”

Sports Games Sports games are a no-brainer. Just look for EA Sports on the label. While there may occasionally be better titles, they are consistently good. The only exception, of course, is that the only name you need to know in wrestling is “WWE: Smackdown vs. Raw 2009.”

Other Games In the realm of the indefinable, the standout from the crowd has to be “LittleBigPlanet.” Aside from being one of the few PS3-only titles to really shine, this quirky sandbox game has both charm and an insane addictive quality. On a far different level, gamers whose Wii Fit balance boards are just gathering dust may find new life for this quirky peripheral in “Rayman Raving Rabbids: TV Party” where gameplay includes controlling the game with your butt.

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[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

get up get out!

ADULTCON

Dec. 5-7 @ Los Angeles Convention Center BY DAVID TOBIN IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN. NOPE, NOT THE HOLIDAYS. It’s the time of year when the porn world lets the rest of us mere mortals join them for a weekend of sex, toys and anything goes. The convention hits Los Angeles just before the holidays from Dec. 5 through 7. The focus of this year’s event is shopping. Retailers from all over are here to provide the best alternative to the usual gifts for this time of year – everything from clothing and toys to movies and the best board games since “Monopoly.” Aside from the aisles of vendors on the convention room floor, you’re sure to find the real attractions of this event are ... the pornstars. Women and men from the most notable movies will be onsite to take pictures and sign autographs. They will also be promoting their new features and toys, so there will be plenty of fun things to experience. Something else worth noting is that this convention is offering an insurance policy: If it rains when you’re getting your ticket or picking up your stuff, you get a $5 pass for the next day. Plus, if you’re in the military or if it’s your birthday on any of the days of the convention, you get a free VIP pass. The VIP pass for this event is actually worth it; you get access to a private area that will have strippers performing ’round the clock, and you get into the afterparty at the Rio Gentlemen’s Club. And if that wasn’t enough for the extras, by using your ATM card at the machine onsite you get a free DVD from Pink Visual. It finally seems that a convention is taking steps to make sure you get more for your buck. There’s nothing worse than just wandering around a convention with a bag collecting coupons. With all the extras available and the low cost of entry at $35, this is a great way to spend a weekend in Los Angeles doing something different. Los Angeles Convention Center is located at 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. For more information, visit adultcon.com.

tech bytes | review

SCRIVENER (Literature & Latte) Scrivener is an ingenious writing program for Mac OS X geared toward large projects, from novels to screenplays to term papers, with the aim of incorporating a writer’s every resource into one program. With Scrivener, one can import all of his research materials, notes, photos, etc. He can outline in traditional format or using note cards on a virtual corkboard. Scrivener excels at keeping large projects organized and laid out in a clear, visual manner, which is invaluable when in the midst of a

pages | reviews Creative Careers in Museums (Allworth Press) Jan E. Burdick’s book is an enlightening look at all the different career fields that are housed in the museum world. The author examines first the history of how the museum came to be along with what institutions are technically considered museums. Within these different art galleries, zoos, historic collections and more, are multitudes of creative jobs and people that keep them running. From the more traditional to the unexpected, Burdick introduces the reader to professionals with exciting careers in the museum field and examines the paths they took to get there. Topped off with great suggestions and resources for forging one’s own

novel. And for those writers who are easily distracted, there is a full-screen mode, which blacks out everything except for the page. This is an exceptional writing tool, which was obviously designed by a writer. Clicking back and forth between programs while your desk is covered in hard copy notes is a thing of the past. Now you can take your entire desk with you anywhere. A big software update is coming

path into a museum job, Creative Careers in Museums is a fun, useful book for anyone interested in the museum field. Grade: A —Alissa Simmons Creative Careers in Museums is currently available.

Love All The People: The Essential Bill Hicks (Soft Skull Press) Like many artists worth paying attention to, comedian Bill Hicks was underappreciated in his time, not receiving much mainstream attention until after an appearance on “The Late Show” was censored. Hicks has since gone on to become a revered cult figure of comedy.

early next year, which will be free for licensed users. It’s a truly addicting program, well worth the modest $39.95 price tag. A trial version is available at literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html. Grade: A —Mike Sebastian Scrivener is currently available.

In the ’80s and early ’90s Hicks was the heir apparent to George Carlin, skewering the cruel absurdities and hypocrisy of modern America with the righteous anger of the only sane man in an insane world. As with many cynics, the anger hinted at a true humanistic underbelly. And like many sensitive voices, Hicks’ was silenced too early (He died of cancer at the age of 31.). Here is the essential Bill Hicks, just enough biography to illuminate his work, which is presented verbatim in chronological order, from his earliest performances to his letter to Letterman requesting a tape of his censored performance. Grade: A —Mike Sebastian Love All The People: The Essential Bill Hicks is currently available.

exhibitions | museums • art galleries

NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY* Field Guide To Urban Art Species Los Angeles EDITED BY JOSH HERMAN *This is the fifth in a multi-part series presenting excerpts from the above-mentioned Field Guide. Species: Blek Le Rat Description: Intricate black and white stencils. Life Cycle: Blek has proved incredibly resilient, with many believing all subsequent Urban Art species evolved from this one that began graffiting stenciled-rats in Paris

in 1981. In Los Angeles, the life cycle is uncertain: Bleks have been found years after they were thought to go extinct. Call: “When I’m in a city, I look at the walls a lot – more than the people. What’s written on the walls reflects the society that lives in the city.” Habitat: Walls, others’ wheat posters, doors, picket fences. Range: Extremely rare; if found, caution should be taken to keep their

location secret so as not to attract too many visitors who may scare (read: wash) the creature off. Blek was imported to Los Angeles for his first solo exhibition last May, and escaped; there’s still evidence on the streets of this elusive, but beautiful, creature.

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

the sports wanderer | B Y TEN POINTS TO A CIRCLE 1) Lady Bruins keep on kicking. The Lady Bruins scored six goals to commemorate their sixth straight College Cup berth. Now comes the hard part – actually winning the College Cup. UCLA (22-0-2) cruised to a 6-1 victory over Duke (15-6-3) as the Bruin women’s soccer team advanced to the semifinal game of the College Cup against North Carolina in Cary, N.C. Should UCLA advance to the championship game, the Lady Bruins will set a school record for most wins in a season (22 wins in 2005) and have a chance to win their first-ever national championship.

2) Fight on for some roses. The Trojans are headed to the Rose Bowl. On Saturday, fifth-ranked USC (10-1, 7-1) will face-off against UCLA in the annual rivalry game in Pasadena. Should the Trojans win, they will probably earn a spot in the Rose Bowl Game Jan. 1 against Penn State. Southern Cal strengthened its Rose Bowl chances after defeating Notre Dame, 38-3, Nov. 29 at the Coliseum. Quarterback Mark Sanchez threw two touchdowns and two interceptions on 22-of-31 passing and 267 yards against the Fighting Irish. The Trojan defense allowed only four first downs and limited Notre Dame to just 91 yards in total offense. If USC loses on Saturday, Oregon State will have a chance to play in the Rose Bowl.

PA R I M A L M . R O H I T

3) No bowling team at UCLA?

Boxer Chris Arreola (254 pounds, 26-0) UCLA’s streak of six continued his pursuit to consecutive bowl be the first-ever Mexican appearances came to an heavyweight champion end last week in Tempe. with a three-round, Rick Neuheisel’s first knockout victory over season as Bruin head Travis Walker (29-2-1). coach will be a losing one, More than 5,400 fans after Arizona State (5-6, attended the first-ever 4-4) defeated UCLA, 34- Parimal M. Rohit boxing match in the new 9. 10,000-seat Citizens With the loss, UCLA (4-7, 3-5) is Banks Arena in Ontario. no longer bowl-eligible and cannot finish the season with a winning 7) Randolph finally record. The last time UCLA missed a arrives. bowl game was in 2001, when the The Knicks and Clippers finalized Bruins failed to qualify despite a 7-4 their trade Nov. 26, bringing Zach record (4-4 in PAC-10). Randolph and Mardy Collins to Los Angeles. After a shaky debut, Randolph scored 10 of his 27 points in 4) No Holiday Break for the fourth quarter of a 97-96 Clippers Bruin Basketball (3-13) victory over Miami (8-9) Nov. Despite playing just 19 minutes, 29. freshman Jrue Holiday made all eight of his shots and led all Bruins (4-1) with 20 points in an 89-54 victory 8) Chess Moves against Florida International on for Kings Saturday. He also had four rebounds, Justin LaBarbera returned to the three steals and two assists. Kings’ net Dec. 1 against Toronto, spelling starter Erik Ersberg for one game. Defenseman Denis Gauthier is 5) Kobe rides pine, expected to sit out a few games with a misses milestone. foot injury. Playing just 30 minutes against Toronto on Sunday, Bryant found himself on the bench again in the 9) Back-Up Duck fourth quarter, as the Lakers (14-1) Goalie Jonas Hiller improved to earned another easy victory, 112-99 5-1-1 as the backup to starter Jeanover the Raptors (8-8). Sebastien Giguere, after the Ducks Despite scoring 23 points, Bryant defeated Chicago, 1-0, Nov. 28. fell 15 points short of becoming the youngest player (30 years, 99 days) to 10) Circle That Quote score 22,000 points. (Wilt “He’s a strong guy.” —Boxer Chris Chamberlain scored 22,000 points in Arreola tells reporters about opponent 30 years, 100 days). Travis Walker.

6) Heavyweight rumbles new arena.

brodsky’s banter | B Y

LAUREN BRODSKY

RIVALRY WEEK UPDATE TWO EXCITING AND HIGH-SCORING games went down during Rivalry Week in Stillwater and Corvallis. Previously ranked No. 12 Oklahoma State took on previously ranked No. 3 Oklahoma in a fight down to the last touchdown. The Cowboys kept it close until the fourth quarter when Sam Bradford set up three touchdowns and a field goal to win the game. With national title hopes on the line, the Sooners beat another ranked team and convinced BCS voters they deserved a chance to play Missouri next Saturday in the Big 12 South championship. The Sooners jumped Texas to No. 2 in the BCS standings winning the three-way tiebreaker and claiming the Big 12 South. The Oregon State Beavers had only one more game to put in the bag in order to see a long-awaited BCS Rose

Send feedback to sports@campuscircle.net.

Florida at the SEC title game, which probably will decide which team will go to Miami in Bowl berth, but the Oregon January. Ducks had something else The Crimson Tide in mind when the Civil will travel to play what War game ensued on seems like an unstopSaturday. The Ducks ofpable Gator team. Florida fense came out ready to destroyed Florida State play, passing and rushing 45-15 on Saturday to 694 yards for a total of 65 prove that they deserve to points against the Beavers. play for the national title Oregon State tried to again this year. stay in it scoring 38 points, Texas and Texas Tech but their efforts weren’t Lauren Brodsky fans might be upset this enough to clinch the Pacweek because after big 10 title. As long as No. 5 wins they won’t be heading to the Big USC (who defeated Notre Dame 38-3) 12 South title game, but like the rest of can beat UCLA this weekend in us … will have to wait until Sunday for Pasadena, they will see their fourth the BCS bowl show to see the final straight Rose Bowl appearance and standings. play the Big-10 winner, Penn State. Undefeated Alabama shutout Upcoming Game to Watch: Dec. 6., No. Auburn 36-0 and kept their spot at No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Florida. 1. Next week, Alabama will see No. 4

sports

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inner circle

USC VS. UCLA: THE ULTIMATE LOCAL RIVALRY

Dec. 6 @ The Rose Bowl BY LAUREN BRODSKY EVERY YEAR THOUSANDS OF FANS GEAR UP IN THEIR cardinal and gold or their baby blue to cheer on their favorite team in the highly anticipated game that pits two teams in one of the greatest rivalries in college football. The crazed fans don’t hold anything back … USC and UCLA both set up a week full of events in preparation for the game. The last game of the season is always saved for this exciting rivalry and each year the location of the game switches from the Coliseum to the Rose Bowl. This year the Bruins will host the Trojans in arguably the nation’s most famous college football stadium – the Rose Bowl. In Southern California, it is not the hype for the game that is most exciting, however, it is the tailgating before the game that draws over 90,000 fans to Pasadena. For this, I will give you a step-by-step guide on how to have the best USC-UCLA football game experience. How to Get Ready for the Game: In the week before the game, there are tons of events going on at both USC and UCLA. First there’s the “Clash of the Cans,” which is a food drive where you can donate food and volunteer time or money that goes to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Each school races during the week to see who can raise more money. At USC, the week before the game there are numerous events that culminate in Thursday’s CONQUEST 2008. This event, hosted by Mindy Kaling from the hit TV show “The Office,” features USC football players, the world famous Song Girls, fireworks and a Ferris wheel all set up in McCarthy Quad. The headlining band this year is the Gym Class Heroes. At UCLA, they have “Blue and Gold Week” with events every night such as a car bash, bonfire and performances from a bunch of groups on campus. UCLA also conceals their Bruin Bear mascot in a huge blue box three weeks prior to the game so no crazed USC students attack him. How to get Tickets for the Game: Tickets for this big football game can be purchased through UCLA’s Central Ticket Office or USC’s Ticket Office. If they’re sold out, you can also check StubHub and other online ticketing Web sites that offer cheaper tickets in bulk. If you can’t manage to get a ticket before the game, you can watch the game at one of the various tailgates that have flat screen televisions right outside the stadium. Game Day Preparation: When game day rolls around, it’s important to deck yourself out in your team’s colors with jerseys, dresses, T-shirts, shorts, scarves and anything else you can find that overwhelmingly shows your support for your chosen team. Face tattoos and signs are also common at games along with loud Female Trojans show their Pride. chants of either Fight On or U-C-L-A. Tailgating: The Rose Bowl is quite different than USC’s version of tailgating on campus, but UCLA traditions are unique in their own way. If you have an RV, parking costs $40 and gates open at 7 a.m. on West Drive. Golf course parking for $15 is also available four hours prior to kick off. Most Bruin fans usually arrange their tailgate on the Brookside Parking Lot that holds the most cars, but designated tailgaters arrive as early as 5:30 a.m. on game day to ensure a spot in the front row of the popular Lot H for $15. It is located next to the Fan Zone, FoodZone, and this reserved tailgating area opens 10 hours prior to kick off. What’s at Stake: The winner of the annual USC-UCLA football game is given yearlong possession of the Victory Bell and the all-sports trophy, the Lexus Gauntlet. The 295-pound bell currently resides in Heritage Hall at USC. UCLA takes measures to protect In 2006, UCLA pulled off the their Bruin. impossible upset that ruined USC’s chances of playing in the title game. Last year, higher ranked USC destroyed UCLA 24-7. What’s in store for this year … we will have to wait until Dec. 6 to find out!

30 | Campus Circle

inner circle

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

caught on campus

KSCR CONCERT NIGHT Nov. 21 @ Ground Zero Coffeehouse, USC PHOTOS BY SHAUNT & LEVON GHARIBIAN

To view additional photos, visit clubsoda.fm.

10 spot |

BY FREDERICK MINTCHELL

FRIDAY, DEC. 5

Cycle World International Motorcycle Show Long Beach Convention Center, 300 Ocean Blvd., Long Beach (562) 436-3661; motorcycleshows.com

Hundreds of bikes – new, fuel efficient, tricked – are all here along with pulse pounding stunts. Through Sunday.

THURSDAY, DEC. 4 Light of the Angels L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Downtown (213) 763-LIVE; lalive.com Start your holiday a little early this year. This new entertainment complex will be hosting a state-ofthe-art light show with holiday music and thousands of holiday images. Every hour from 7 p.m.-10 p.m., every night through Dec. 31. FREE.

FRIDAY, DEC. 5 Montana Ave. Annual Holiday Walk Montana Ave. between 7th and 17th Streets, Santa Monica Come visit Santa Claus, enjoy the live music, indulge in tasty holiday treats and listen to strolling carolers to start the holiday season. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. FREE.

SATURDAY, DEC. 6 Battle of the Bands Home Depot Center, 18400 Avalon Blvd., Carson; homedepotcenter.com Seven national and local high school marching bands battle for the $10,000 prize. Solange Knowles, Rahsaan Patterson and Chaz Shepherd are the halftime entertainment. Proceeds benefit the Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation and the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. 2 p.m. $10.

Conscious Holiday Gift Show

on the menu | a taste of l.a.

LAX Hilton, 5711 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles (310) 410-4000; consciousgiftshow.com You can buy everything from organic clothing to handmade jewelry to green household items from environmentally conscious vendors and small business owners. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Also Sunday. FREE.

IZAKAYA BINCHO

Craft Riot

112 N. International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach

Plummer Park Fiesta Hall, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood For art lovers and gift seekers, buy some handmade crafts from local artists, plus catch entertainment, food and raffles. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE.

BY ALLI411

Festival of Trees

alli411

HERE’S A FAB DISCOVERY IN REDONDO Beach that’s definitely worth the drive, or a great place to stop by if you happen to be in the neighborhood. Izakaya Bincho is an unassuming place on the International Boardwalk near Fisherman’s Wharf with great Japanese comfort food. We arrived late, around 8 p.m. (Parking was easy; there were plenty of empty spots in the large, public lot.). There were only four people in the place: all Japanese men in their 30s. Two were sitting at a booth, one on a barstool. The owner was behind the small counter that stretched along one side of the tiny restaurant, chatting with everyone in Japanese; a good sign that it’s an authentic restaurant. We were seated and handed two menus: the regular, printed menu and the specials-ofthe-day menu handwritten with a blue ball point – a cute detail demonstrating the intimacy of the place. Even though the owner spoke little English, he was friendly and provided great service. In addition to waiting on tables, he does all the cooking.

The homemade Ricotta Cheese Tofu was absolutely divine. In the owner’s broken English, I understood him to say that it was made with soy, ricotta, soy sauce and gelatin. It was a silky custard served like a scoop of ice cream with a slightly grainy texture of ricotta. That dish alone makes this a place definitely worth returning to. We also ate small, light meatballs served in a Tsykyne Mizore sauce. The radish was OK, the meatballs delish, as were the fried chicken wings, spicy with a zing to them. The roasted ginkgo nuts were served beautifully on a bed of salt. I’d never tried them before. The taste and texture was odd. It looked like a miniature, yellow grape that had the skin of a fruit but the interior of a soggy nut –definitely an acquired taste. Izakaya Bincho: What a great food adventure and find! The tasty food, friendly service and innovative dishes make this a fantastic discovery. For more information, call (310) 376-3889.

Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier (562) 699-0921; rosehills.com Ready for a snowball fight? This sixth annual festival features a forest of decorated trees, sledding in real snow, a crafts fair and Santa pictures. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. FREE.

Winterfresh Festival Lot 61, 1999 W. 60th St., Los Angeles (877) 71-GROOVE; winterfreshfestival.com Four winter themed areas + 40 world class performers + laser and light show + snow = One great reason to dance all night! 7 p.m.-5 a.m. $45.

Winter Vaudeville Show NoHo London Music Hall, 10620 Magnolia Blvd., N. Hollywood (818) 762-7883; nohoartsdistrict.com Los Angeles’ only traditional vaudeville show includes magic, juggling, sword swallowing, mind tricks, belly dancing and more! 8 p.m. $20. $15 for students. Also Sunday at 3 p.m.

SUNDAY, DEC. 7 Sustainable Sundays Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles (213) 763-DINO; nhm.org There will be an interactive urban planning art project from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and speakers at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. discussing the sustainability of different environments. $9.

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To submit an event for consideration, e-mail calendar@campuscircle.net.

STRIP CLUB NOW HIRING DANCERS No Experience Necessary/ Make Cash Daily Must be 18+ For more information call (818) 890-7777 or log onto www.VintageStripClub.com

PENIS ENLARGEMENT DR. JOEL KAPLAN FDA APPROVED Medical vacuum pumps. Gain 1"-3" permanently. Resolve impotence. Viagra, Testosterone, Cialis. FREE information and brochures. (619) 2947777, www.getbiggertoday.com

[DEC. 3 - DEC. 9 ’08]

nightlife 101 | P H O T O S

BY ANNA WEBBER

APL FOUNDATION LAUNCH PARTY Nov. 18 @ Vanguard

apl.de.ap of Black Eyed Peas

Carmit Bachar

DJ Mia Guzman

Taboo of Black Eyed Peas

nightlife 101

Campus Circle | 31

inner circle

BPM MAGAZINE X BUDDY Nov. 22 @ Downtown Art Center Gallery PHOTOS BY SHAUNT & LEVON GHARIBIAN To view additional photos, visit clubsoda.fm.

OPENING SOON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S CLOSEST WINTER RESORT

mthigh.com

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