Maroon Weekly Issue 214

HOUSING GUIDE Get an inside look at some of the best places to live in BCS

DRALION

Cirque Du Soleil is making a stop in Aggieland

BOX OFFICE HITS Brandon looks at this weeks top 20 movies

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contents

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Business Manager Andrea Maynard Editor in Chief Chris Shepperd

maroonweekly.com // March 1, 2012

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Publisher Mick Maynard

MANAGING EDITOR Chris Zebo

calendar

Design/Layout Chris Weachock

March 1 - March 14 // Find out what is going on in BCS. We have the scoop on everything.

writers

cover

Autumn Dawson Shauna Lewis Erin McAllister Brandon Nowalk Tobin Redwine Ian Soares

housing

DISTRIBUTION Meredith Morse Erin Tanner

texas

INTERNS Morgan Brown Jon Gomez Meredith Morse Lauren Platt Chris Weachock

Dralion // Cirque Du Soleil is coming to Aggieland and Chris got an in depth look behind the scenes.

Housing Guide // Find out about some of the best places to live in Aggieland with our Housing Guide.

176th Anniversary// Come celebrate the day of Texas’ Independance at Washington on the Brazos.

movies

Maroon Weekly is an independent, student-operated publication and is not affiliated with Texas A&M University. Maroon Weekly receives no student fees or university funding.

Top 20 picks // See what Brandon has to say about this weeks top 20 box office hits.

Looking for Work??

School Media Business in Houston, Austin and Bryan/College Station, Texas is seeking sales professionals to work in a growing and lucrative atmosphere. We place ads on school buses in more than 30 Texas school districts with more being added monthly. School media is a new advertising medium and one that returns a majority of the revenue to the districts. This is a commissioned sales position, with unlimited income potential. No experience necessary . We will allow the right candidate to start part time and work from home. We need representatives in all areas, but particularly in Austin, Pflugerville, Manor and Smithfield areas.

Serious inquiries only please. Send resumes to Cdeeb@steepcreekmedia.com

Opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the editor, publisher or the newspaper staff. Maroon Weekly is not liable for omissions, misprints to typographical errors. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express consent of the publisher.

1st copy is FREE, additional copies are $0.50 each Maroon Weekly 216 W. 26th Street ste 29 Bryan, Texas 77803 ph: 979.696.3971 | fax: 281.312.5160 Š Copyright 2011 Legacy Media Inc.

www.maroonweekly.com March 1, 2012 maroon weekly // 3

hot picks

March 1-14

/concert///// ///Charlie Gore/// Defacto Productions is hosting a special show for First Friday in Downtown Bryan, featuring the CD release of Driver Friendly, along with pop-rock Austinites Quiet Company and local soul sensation Charlie Gore.

when

where

March 2 6 p.m.

Village Café

Calendar March 1

Salsa Night

From 9pm to 11pm enjoy a two-hour professional dance lesson before dancing the night away with DJ Traxx and his collection of salsa, merengue, and bachata 9pm-2am on Thursday, March 1 @ Velocity

Karaoke Night

Every Thursday & Sunday night, Schotzis offers a night full of karaoke.

Sunday night drink specials include $1 domestics, $2 wells, and $3 Vegas bombs and Jager bombs.

10pm-2am on Thursday, March 1 @ Schotzis

Tyler Cannon

Tyler Cannon can add “recording artist” to his resume after releasing his debut album Look at Me in the summer of 2011. With guitar driven rock-and-roll and Texas country lyrics, Cannon is a promising

step in a new direction.

10pm-1am on Thursday, March 1 @ La Bodega

The Velcro Pygmies

The Velcro Pygmies are back at Daisy Dukes and they are ready to rockand-roll. This band is everything all wrapped into one, including loud tight pants and foul language.

10pm-2am on Thursday, March 1 @ Daisy Dukes

Gary Floater

When you think legendary country, names like Cash and Willie sure do come to mind, but it’s time to add Floater to the list. Floater has a way of relating his music to everyone of all ages. 10pm-2am on Thursday, March 1 @ Church Street BBQ

March 2

Mike Gallo

Gentle love songs or rock the house out? Mike Gallo,

a solo artist, has made it a specialty to play small to medium venues, allowing you to enjoy his art while enjoying your friends, too. Gallo plays originals and covers favorite artists such as James Taylor and Eric Clapton. 10pm-1am on Friday, March 2 @ La Bodega

The Revival

A classic rock and folk influence sound, The Revival has a modern twist that will be stamped into your head. Coming from Victoria, The Revival is charged with soul.

10pm-2am on Friday, March 2 @ Schotzis

along with pop-rock Austinites Quiet Company and local soul sensation Charlie Gore. 6pm-2am free on Friday, March 2 @ The Village Café

Friday Night Flights Can’t ever decide what wine to have? Come by Terrazzo every Friday to try three wine flights for only $10. 6pm-11pm on Friday, March 2 @ Terrazzo

Crawfish Boil

The 22nd season of the Famous Tap Crawfish Boil is underway. Go Fridays for delicious crawfish and lively music. 6pm-12am on Friday, March 2 @ The Tap

Driver Friendly & Friday’s Finest Quiet Company Ladies Mr. 10-4 Promotions and with Charlie Gore Defacto Productions is hosting a special show for First Friday in Downtown Bryan, featuring the CD release of Driver Friendly,

Velocity have teamed up to bring a night dedicated to the ladies. This dress-toimpress night lets the first 50 ladies in free for a night

Brad Cooper @ Schotzi’s

By Morgan Brown

During his time at A&M, Cooper played a weekly show at The Republic Steakhouse and then headed to the mecca city of music, Nashville, Tennessee, to record at The Brown Owl Studio (has had bands like Owl City and Brandon Frazier pass through).

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Saturday

Can we get a big HOWDY for one of our own? Brad Cooper, who is no stranger here in Aggieland (class of 2009, Construction Science), knows how to throw some of his own flavor into the musical pot. It wasn’t until Cooper hit A&M University that he decided music was going to be his lifetime career.

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Billboard Magazine contacted Cooper in May 2011 informing him that his newly released EP, The Way I Feel, hit number 6 on the Billboard South Central Heatseeker chart just under Josh Abbott Band.

two spots ahead of Katy Perry.

Having a voice like John Mayer with undertones of Gavin Degraw, Cooper’s album hit #6 on the Billboard Breakout chart and #16 on the iTunes Pop chart, just

Cooper is currently working on new material for a full length album that is set to drop sometime this spring.

Schotzis will give him the stage March 3

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Exclusive

By Chris Zebo

Exclusive Interview: Cirque du Soleil’s PR Ringleader Takes Us Backstage The circus is coming to town, but this isn’t just any circus. Since the 1980s, Cirque du Soleil’s “nouveau cirque” (contemporary circus) has been awing fans from its birthplace in Quebec and in every continent on the globe except Antarctica. The entertainment company reportedly rakes in over $850 million a year, with its most lucrative US productions in Las Vegas playing nightly to thousands of people in various casino theaters on the strip.

Vanessa Napoli, publicist for Cirque du Soleil’s traveling Dralion production, flew in to College Station from Quebec recently to sit down with the press. We picked her brain about things we thought students at an A&M school would appreciate the most: The logistics of such a grand production.

Napoli gave us a verbal “backstage tour” of Cirque du Soleil’s production that includes how the circus rolls into town (on 18-wheelers, lots of them) to information about the troupe’s diet and party habits (they don’t eat fat and they party down... within limits).

Cirque du Soleil is coming to Reed Arena Wednesday, March 21 through Sunday, March, 25. For show times and tickets, visit the Reed Arena website at reed.arena-tickets.org.

MW: Dralion underwent a little hiatus. It took a break for a few years and now it’s touring the US and the world soon. Why the break?

Napoli: What happened was Dralion, before, was presented under a big top. Those are the traditional shows that most people have seen, under the big tops. So what we did was stop in 2010 and we underwent a re-staging. They re-staged it to fit into arenas, because this permits us to travel to other markets that have never had a Cirque du Soleil show before, like College Station and a lot of other cities that we visit in Texas and in the US and Canada in general.

Some of the cast changed, some of the acts changed—so if people saw Dralion before, under the big top, they’ll definitely see a lot of new elements in the show.

MW: Is the production bigger now, because of the increase in space?

Napoli: No. It’s about the same. We also scaled down the venue. We don’t use up a whole arena. So, what happens is we probably use up to 3,000 if not maybe 3,200 capacity. We black curtain everything, and the stage is placed in the middle of the arena, so everything behind it is black-curtained. Also, anything too high is blocked off. So it’s really trying to recreate that intimate space of the big top, to keep it intimate, so that www.maroonweekly.com March 1, 2012 maroon weekly // 7

Exclusive every seat in the house is a good seat.

MW: Did you have to come down here and scout Reed Arena, to see if the show fit the space?

Napoli: Exactly. Someone comes down before to make sure we fit in the space and that we have all of the stuff that we need to move in.

We come in with 19 semi trucks, and we have to make sure that we have space for wardrobe, because we travel with our own washers and dryers—so we also need plumbing to connect to and stuff like that.

MW: How long will the circus be here, in total, including the days of the show?

MW: For football teams in America, the coach will tell players that they can’t go out the night before the big game.

Is there a similar protocol for the troupe? You probably don’t want them hungover when they’re balancing flaming swords, right?

Napoli: No. I mean, they’re all told when they come to Cirque, “Be responsible. Your body is your work.”

Of course they like to party and go out and have fun, but they’re very careful about their bodies and what they eat. They make sure they eat well, because they need a lot of energy. They don’t eat things that are too fatty that weighs them down and

Napoli: We come in usually on a Monday and we leave Sunday nights, so almost a week.

MW: So it takes a couple of days to set everything up?

Napoli: No. It actually takes 12 hours. With the big tops, it used to take 9 days; now it takes 12 hours in an arena.

So it’s about 12 hours to set up, but we have a lot of people to set up.

We have 100 people on tour, so about 50 of those are all techs—they help with the set up and rigging and all that stuff. And then we hire about 80 locals to help us, to help unload all the semis and to help us set up, as well. We have a whole crew that comes in on Mondays. So, on Tuesday early morning, they start to set up. That way, by Tuesday night, it’s all done. Wednesday, it’s rehearsals and premier at night. Then they tear down after the last show on Sunday at 10 at night, and we leave the same night.

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MW: In recruiting the performers, you’re not just pulling them from Canada anymore. In this troupe, what nationalities are prominent?

MW: On the subject of language, the songs from this production are all sung in an invented language. That must make it easier for the performers to assimilate, with the troupe being such a polyglot.

Napoli: We have more than 13 nationalities on tour on Dralion. Half of the troupe comes from China, because this show is a specific blend of East and West. So half of the troupe is from China, and they perform all the ancient acrobatics that are in the show. And then we have all sorts of performers from Canada, from Russia, from Ukraine, from Japan, from South America. So language is always tricky.

Napoli: It does, but the language is more for the viewer experience. What makes Cirque different is the fact that different people can submerse themselves in this world, into this dreamlike fantasy, where there’s no English, no French, Spanish, or whatever that is familiar to our ears— it’s something completely different. It’s creating that dreamlike fantasy, with real people doing unreal things,

makes them not perform as well.

in amazing costumes, live music, and this invented language that you don’t understand but it’s still evoking emotions. I think that is the point. It crosses all boundaries, all cultures.

MW: The theme of Dralion surrounds the four classic elements, the timeless ones that have been characterized since pre-history: earth, wind, fire and water. When they were writing the storyline for Dralion, how did the producers decide what performances would best represent each element?

Napoli: Yes. They had to match the acts with the elements. So for air, everything is aerial. So

Exclusive

there’s a lot of flying that’s going around.

For fire, it’s everything that’s upbeat, aggressive. Bongo drums are playing—that act is very “BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!” And then you have the fire character that is juggling a diablo stick.

And then water—you have very fluid movements, a lot of Bollywood dancing, a lot of contortion, because contortionists move like waves.

MW: You have leading actors/ performers representing the central elements, and you have other figures that make their way into the script. For

example, the clown finds its way into the production, serving as a kind of trickster figure. It sort of jinxes the natural order, just as clowns played foils in traditional circuses of the past. It was a poignant way for you to bring the clown into a storyline involving nature in flux.

Napoli: Yes. Exactly.

And all our Cirque du Soleil shows have clowns. We really want to keep that traditional element, but with a twist.

They’re not your typical clowns so that they tie into the theme.

MW: Unlike the old school 3-ring circus, Cirque du

Soleil has one “ring” where all of the action transpires.

Logistically, that creates quite an undertaking for the cast, since the sets and transitions and technical apparatuses for the acts have to be changed right in front of the audience.

You’ve managed to write into the story the transitions, and the characters in the performance are also the stagehands, moving things in and out of view before and after each act.

Napoli: Exactly. When they pick the acts, they think, “How are we going to tie them in together to make sure it’s fluid and consistent. So, it’s not cabaret style, where you

have an act, they clap, you leave, it’s dark, and another one comes up. It’s a story.

It’s all about creating that fantasy and keeping people engaged completely.

MW: Which of the performances are getting the most positive feedback from the audience in Dralion?

Napoli: It really depends.

At the end of the show, the Chinese performers end with a group skipping number. And they really put a different twist on skipping rope. They have skipping ropes inside skipping ropes, and they’re twisting backwards while skipping rope while other people are

turning the ropes. It’s really ridiculous, and that’s really a crowd-pleaser.

The aerial hoops is huge, where they’re doing backflips and still manage to somehow fly through the hoops, which is crazy. We also have another hoop number, which is done by a solo artist, and it’s super fierce, very evocative. She does a lot of contortion inside the aerial. She goes more than 20 feet in the air, probably close to 30 feet, and she has nothing attached to her. She hangs by her neck, by her ankle on the hoop, and the hoop is spinning really, really fast and the crowd gasps!

www.maroonweekly.com March 1, 2012 maroon weekly // 9

Calendar of hip-hop, house, and top 40.

9pm-2am on Friday, March 2 @ Velocity

The Drowsy Chaperone

Famously known as “a musical within a comedy,” The Drowsy Chaperone’s success has earned itself a Tony Award for Best Book and Best Score. Started as a spoof of old musicals, the performance will surprise and delight, with a variety of characters, the circuitous story line, humor, and energy.

7pm on Friday, March 2 @ The Theatre Company

Industry Night

For all those in the service industry, the Century Cafe in the Four Points Sheraton says “thank you” by offering Happy Hour till Midnight every Friday. 5pm-9pm on Friday, March 2 @ Century Cafe

March 3

Brad Cooper

Being no stranger to Aggieland,

give Brad Cooper a loud and proud HOWDY. It wasn’t until Brad Cooper was a student at A&M that he decided to make a music career. In May of 2011, the pop singer-songwriter’s new EP reached the #16 on the charts, two above Katy Perry. 10pm-2am on Saturday, March 3 @ Schotzis

Joe Teichman

Local Aggie Joe Teichman has the twisted sound of old bluegrass and lyrics from today’s Texas country.

11pm-1:30am on Saturday, March 3 @ Church Street BBQ

The Drowsy Chaperone

Famously known as “a musical within a comedy,” The Drowsy Chaperone’s success has earned itself a Tony Award for Best Book and Best Score. Started as a spoof of old musicals, the performance will surprise and delight, with a variety of characters, the circuitous story line, humor, and energy.

7pm on Saturday, March 3 @ The Theatre Company

Salsa Saturdays @ The Village

Voted the #1 night of dancing in BCS, Salsa Saturdays begins with a fun 30-minute, “Crash Course Salsa Lesson” followed by a sweltering hot night of dancing. Great night to meet new Aggies, and it’s all ages! 10pm-2am on Saturday, March 3 @ The Village Cafe

Live Music @ Revolution

March 4

176th Anniversary of Texas Independence

Texas’ birthday is coming up! The 293-acre park of Washington-on-the-Brazos will be transported back to a time when Texas was a sovereign nation to celebrate the 176th anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

10am-5pm on Sunday, March 3 @ Washington Park

The Tron Sack is a band of “no rehearsals; just a loose plan and a bit of luck.” They fall under the genre “epic stoner” and were influenced by artists like Black Sabbath, Sleep Zombi, and Wendy/ Walter Carlos. The two-piece “band,” Matt Shea and Kelly Minnis, will play at 10pm at Revolution on March 3 with Laserz.

Laserz claims to be for the school behavior problem child and the kid who ate too much sugar and played too much Nintendo. You can listen to both bands at reverbnation.com/thetronsack and reverbnation.com/laserz.

Steel Magnolias @ Brazos Valley Troupe Shows March 2nd through March 4th

By Meredith Morse Friendship, forgiveness, female empowerment, and southern pride – what better way to kick off the spring theatre season than with one of the South’s most beloved plays? Steel Magnolias, a story about women who are as delicate as flowers but as tough as steel, will be featured at Brazos Valley Troupe starting March 2 and will continue each night for two weekends. Held at the Town & Country Center off of E. 29th Street in Bryan, this production is being generously underwritten by Classic Cuts, so ticket pricing is cheaper than ever.

Brazos Valley Troupe, known for its local involvement and community support, has brought quality entertainment to the Bryan/College Station area for the past sixteen years. Their productions include musical revues, sketch comedies, improv shows, musicals, and plenty of opportunities for children to get involved in their BVT YOUTH programs. BV Troupe provides an opportunity for locals to learn about acting, singing, directing, dance, and design, as well as enjoying some of theatre’s most popular plays.

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And now they will be showing “Steel Magnolias,” featuring the belles at their best, from March 2-4 and 9-10 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket pricings are listed online at their website, bvtroupe.com/UpcomingProductions, and group pricing for parties of twelve or more are available upon request.

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Housing Z-Islander Rental Community If you are driving down Wellborn and reach a place so different from every other building around, full of bright colors and tall palm trees, don’t worry. No need to slam on the brakes and think you made a wrong turn towards the beach. You are still in Bryan/College Station, but what lies before you is the coolest student apartment community around, Z-Islander.

Z-Islander is an island village themed student community and you will feel like you are living right on the beach. The apartments come fully furnished with queen sized beds and 26” flat screen HDTV in each bedroom. The living room includes a 50” plasma TV and continues the village theme with their furniture. Each apartment also comes with a screened in fully furnished patio, the perfect hangout place for friends or quiet spot to study in the outdoors.

Z-Islander boasts of having the area’s largest resort-style salt water pool. For those days when students are loaded up with homework, there is plenty to do just steps away from their bedroom. Poker rooms, workout centers, tanning beds, and theater rooms are only a few of the community highlights that keep residents happy without even having to leave the complex. Another huge plus that only Z-Islander can claim is an onsite car wash station, even though thanks to the various things to do in walking range, the only reason residents should even have to use their sparkling clean car is to go to class.

If that wasn’t enough to differentiate Z-Islander from the rest of the housing communities, they host various events throughout the year for their residents. Sports fans can enjoy Super Bowl and March Madness watching parties in their Clubhouse, creating an in-game atmosphere.

The complex also shows how much they care for each and every one of their residents by providing breakfast the week of final exams.

The annual Crawfish Boil they put on along with Candy 95 is a favorite event for leasing manager Caroline Lewis. The event, which this year takes place on April 1st from 2-6, is the 2nd Z-Islander has hosted and is always a good time with plenty of delicious crawfish for all to enjoy.

Events like these are what have all other student apartments in the dust behind this community which is the next generation of student living.

For any questions or further inquiries, be sure to visit their website at www.zislander.com or give them a call at (979)268-9999.

www.maroonweekly.com March 1, 2012 maroon weekly // 13

Housing

The Cambridge

With the amenities and feel of an apartment complex and the conveniences and worryfree lifestyle of a dorm, The Cambridge at College Station is a great fit for students seeking an independent lifestyle with the comforts of home. The Cambridge features a variety of floorplans with private bedrooms and bathrooms and shared living spaces while providing a full-service dining center, shuttles to campus, and other studentfriendly features.

“We’re a community within a community,” leasing agent Karl Sundin said. “Other students who live off-campus like to come here to hang out.”

Because the complex serves a student population, The Cambridge is an ideal place to meet new people and make lasting friendships with other residents.

The Cambridge creates a welcoming community for its residents with weekly special events. “[The Cambridge is a] family environment,” Sundin said. The complex hosts activities like Casino Night and holiday parties to engage residents socially.

Sundin also cited the complex’s proximity to campus as a major draw for students.

The complex is close to both the Texas A&M University and Blinn College campuses and offers a student shuttle service.

The Cambridge has numerous other unique amenities designed specifically to meet the needs and interests of students. Aside from the full-service dining facility, the Cambridge also features pools, a fitness center, a 60-seat theater/lecture hall, a cyber lounge with wireless internet access, computer labs and designated study areas, and a video gaming center.

For more information on The Cambridge, contact their leasing office at (979) 694-1500, visit them at 501 University Oaks Boulevard in College Station, or check them out online

14 // maroon weekly March 1, 2012 www.maroonweekly.com

Wood-Style Flooring Flat-Screens in Every Apartment Stand-Up Tanning Booth Fully-Equipped Fitness Center Basketball & Sand Volleyball Courts Individual Leases Resort-Style Pool Game/Activity Room

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Housing

Crossing Place

College is a unique experience and it’s always chaotic finding the right fit when it comes to living satisfaction. Allow me to introduce Crossing Place. With so many choices in the Bryan, College Station area, Crossing Place is a perfect fit for a worry-free environment that allows you to focus on the most important thing; being a college student.

Conveniently located on Southwest Parkway, near Wellborn road it’s a short shuttle ride directly to campus and in a great spot geographically to grocery stores, restaurants, and parks. From their friendly staff to vast package of amenities, every resident enjoys a resort style pool and Jacuzzi, access gates with card key entry, 24-hour emergency maintenance, basketball and volleyball courts, a fitness center, tanning bed and more.

Crossing Place offers frequent residential activities, providing opportunities for students to mingle in a relaxed and entertaining environment. Enjoy getting to know your fellow residents at pool parties, poker nights and themed holiday parties. Most importantly let Crossing Place help you focus on your success inside and outside the classroom. If you think Crossing Place will provide the unique college experience you’re hoping for, visit the website to learn more and set up an appointment to visit. www.maroonweekly.com March 1, 2012 maroon weekly // 17

Calendar Armadillo Dash Half Marathon March 5 Texas Hold ‘Em Tourney & 5k The Armadillo Dash Half Marathon & 5k is back for its 6th outing. With perfect forecast prediction in the 70s, it looks like a great day to race! 7am-9am on Sunday, March 4 @ Veteran’s Park

Karaoke Night

Every Thursday & Sunday night, Schotzis offers a night full of karaoke. Sunday night drink specials include $1 domestics, $2 wells, and $3 Vegas bombs and Jager bombs. 10pm-2am on Sunday, March 4 @ Schotzis

Messina Hof Bday Bash

Come celebrate Messina Hof winemakers Paul V. & Paul M. Bonarrigo’s birthdays with a fabulous brunch at the Vintage House Restaurant. Enjoy delicious Omelets & Crepes prepared by the Vintage House Culinary Team and mingle with the Bonarrigo family. 11am-1pm on Sunday, March 4 @ Messina Hof

Attention Hold ‘Em players: come showcase your winning talent at Fox and Hound every week. Winners can qualify for poker tourneys at various casinos each month.

7pm-12pm on Monday, March 5 @ Fox and Hound

Karaoke Night

Take the stage and share your voice every Monday night with karaoke at The Tap. 10pm-2am on Monday, March 5 @ The Tap

March 7

Doubt: A Parable

Before there was Jerry Sandusky and Penn State University, there was Father Flynn and St. Nicholas Church School. For one night, Rudder Theatre will transform into the fictional St. Nicholas Church School as Montana Rep, now one of the most respected touring theatre companies, and present the award-winning play Doubt. 7:30pm, tickets ranging $34-54 on Wednesday, March 7 @ Rudder Theatre

Tyler Cannon @ La Bodega

By Morgan Brown

As a young man already a few years into being a singer, songwriter Tyler Cannon has a nice blend of guitar-driven rock & roll infused with plainspoken Texas country. After taking trips to Corpus Christi, Cannon discovered that Roger Creager and Phil Pritchett were life-size examples of how a local boy with dreams, guts and talent could succeed as an independent young artist.

Backyard jams for family and friends soon turned into open mic performances which translated into booking gigs as he spent time here in the Brazos Valley. Blink 182 is a big influence of Cannon’s, since they were some of the first songs that he ever tried to play on guitar. But the biggest influence of all was Roger Creager, because it was at Creager’s concert that Cannon found his love for Texas country. To get a feel for who Cannon is through his music, he suggests you listen to tracks like “Sweet Southern Thing” or “Smile And A Wink”.

With La Bodega being a favorite venue, he’ll be returning there on March 1 for a special performance.

176 th Anniversary of Texas Independance @ Washinton on the Brazos

By Jon Gomez Texas’s birthday is coming up! On March 3 and 4, the 293 acre park of Washington-on-the-Brazos will be transported back to the time when Texas was a sovereign nation to celebrate the 176th anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The festival will be held on both Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 5pm, with endless opportunities for family-oriented activities.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site features three attractions that are open year round: Independence Hall, the Star of the Republic Museum, and Barrington Living History Farm. All admission fees will be waived during the celebration weekend including the Star of the Republic Museum’s new exhibit entitled, “A Slice of Life: Washington in the 19th Century.” The exhibit will show what life was like in the underdeveloped village of Washington during the 1830s while highlighting Washington’s biggest claim to fame: the Convention of 1836 that declared Texas’ independence from Mexico.

A special commemorative program will be held on Sunday afternoon at the Tom & Jane Bullock Ampitheater, which will include a performance by the Aggie Wranglers and a dramatic roll call of direct descendants of the 59 declaration signers. The program will conclude with a rousing 18 // maroon weekly March 1, 2012 www.maroonweekly.com

performance from The Tanner Family Minstrel Group. A Texas-sized birthday cake will be served to audience members to finish off the day, with legend Davy Crockett (Jeff Bearden), helping to cut the cake.

Located between Brenham and Navasota off State Hwy. 105 and FM 1155, Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is a forty-minute drive south of College Station. Directions and schedule of events will be available prior to the event at starmuseum.org or by calling 936878-2214.

Calendar

Texas A&M Presents Prelude to a Kiss Shows March 1st through March 3rd

By Lauren Platt Prelude to a Kiss, based on the 1992 box office hit Prelude to a Kiss starring Alec Baldwin and Meg Ryan, is this year’s spring show on campus sponsored by The Texas A&M Department of Performance Studies. The play and the film are written by playwright and screenwriter Craig Lucas. This stage version of Prelude by Lucas is a romantic comedy directed by A&M’s own Anne Quackenbush.

In the movie script Peter, the main character, marries the love of his life, the vivacious Rita played by Meg Ryan. On the day they take their vows, an old man stricken with cancer asks permission to kiss the bride. When he does, their souls switch places. However, in Lucas’ stage script, Peter takes the audience through the series of events via monologues. The monologues consist of Peter’s reflections on meeting Rita, their separation, and finally coming together again at the end.

Quackenbush says about the play, “The most striking facet of this

production is that, unlike any other production I’ve ever heard or read about, we are casting a woman as the character of the old man.”

Special makeup prosthetics are put to good use to portray a convincing old man. Phil Nichols, F/X professional for the play, spent some time on campus conducting workshops and giving lectures within the department on his work. Nichols created the prosthetics that will be used in the play. Some of his other works are included in movies such as Arlington Road, Ace Ventura II: When Nature Calls, and Powder.

The play will run in Rudder Forum on March 1-3 at 8pm and March 4 at 2pm. General admission is $10 and $5 for students and tickets can be ordered by calling the MSC Box Office at 979-845-1234.

Map Making 101

By Lauren Platt

SaLaD BaR Always fresh. It’s our nature.

Professor Richard Talbert, of the University of North Carolina, will be giving a lecture on the tradition of maps and map-making. His focus will be on the Peutinger Map. This Roman world-map created a turning point in Western cartography and influenced Christian map-making throughout the Renaissance.

The Peutinger Map shows the road network within the Roman Empire. The original copy was last revised in the fourth or early fifth century. The roadwork covers Europe, parts of Asia, and North Africa. The map is named after Konrad Peutinger, a German humanist and antiquarian and it was discovered in a library in Worms, Germany by Conrad Celtes, unable to be published until 1508 when it was passed to Peutinger.

The map shows many Roman settlements, roads, forests, and seas, and it plotted the most important cities of the time: Rome, Constantinople, and Antioch. Cities are marked with a symbol of two houses while major cities have the symbol of a medallion.

The importance of the map cannot be overestimated and it’s given archeologists an opportunity to gain access to ancient geography.

The lecture will be held on March 6 from 7-8pm in the Langford Architecture CenterBuilding C room C105. Free and open to the public.

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2818 Place 1300 Harvey Mitchell Parkway / 979-696-9500

22 Parkway Circle

401 Southwest Parkway / 979-696-6909

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Aggie Station 4151 Wellborn Rd / 979-691-0100

3

Arbor Square 1700 Southwest Parkway / 979-693-3701

23 Parkway Place

1350 Harvey Mitchell Parkway / 866-6835972

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The Reserve 3405 Treeline Dr. / 979-703-7944

5 Briarwood

1201 Harvey Road/ 888- 897-9508

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Callaway Villas 305 Marion Pugh / 979-695-2300

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Campus View 505 Harvey Road/ 979-693-1111

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The Cambridge @ College Station 501 University Oaks / 979-694-1500

9

College Edge 1512 HollowHill Drive

10 College Main

4302 College Main / 979-846-2089 11 Crossing Place

400 Southwest Parkway / 979-680-8475 12 Enclave Apartments

1800 Holleman Drive / 979-694-3700 13 Factory Apartments

418 College Main # 100/ 979-268-4780

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14 Huntington

1907 Dartmouth Dr / 979-693-8922

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15 Laurel Ridge

801 Spring Loop/ 979-846-2976

24 Peppertree

2701 Longmire/ 979-693-5731 25 Redstone

1301 Barthelow Drive / 979-696-1848 26 Scandia

401 Anderson Drive / 979-693-6505 27 The District on Luther

601 Luther Street West / 979-680-3680 28 The Gables

401 University Oaks / 979-693-1188 29 The Heights - College Station

1101 Luther Street West / 979-485-8000 30 The Lofts at Wolf Pen Creek

614 Holleman Drive East

979-693-LOFT (5638) 31 The Tradition @ Northgate

301 Church Avenue / 979-268-9000 32 Trace Meadows

2328 Trace Meadows/ 979-694-0320 33 University Square

313 Lincoln Street/ 888-867-9042 34

Villa West 3500 Finfeather Rd, Bryan / 979-822-7772

35 Vinyard Court

1205 A Vinyard Court/ 979-694-0320

16 Fox Meadow

701-A Balcones Dr/ 979-694-0320

36 Walden Pond

1331 Harvey Mitchell Parkway 979-696-5777

17 Madison Pointe

503 Southwest Parkway/ 979-696-9100

37 Warehouse Apartments

405 Cross St # 100/ 979-846-4400

18 Midtown

1600-1612 Holleman Dr/ 979-694-0320

38 Waves Z Islander

3803 Wellborn Road/ 979-268-9999

19 Navarro Fourplexes

800 Navarro / 979-696-9492

39 Woodlands of College Station

1725 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy S/ 979-6937812

20 Oak Forest

1210 Westridge Court / 979-775-9000 21 Paloma Ridge

3500 Paloma Ridge Dr/ 979-694-0320

40 Woodsman

1806 Woodsman Dr/ 979-694-0320 41 The Zone @ College Station

2001 Holleman Dr / 979-485-0516

Housing University Heights

University Heights, otherwise known as “The Heights” is the perfect fit for the modern student who wants a worry-free environment and a place to enjoy the experience that is college.

Located on Luther Street where there are a ton of apartment complexes, none compare to the off-campus living you’ll experience at The Heights.

With a bus route directly to main campus and the convenience of your own bedroom and private bath, you won’t be disappointed.

The Heights offers One, Two, Three and Four bedroom apartments plus private baths for each, along with roommate matching, fully furnished interiors and individual leases.

The Heights strives for the perfect balance of work and play. Amenities are designed for specifically that balance with their resort style pool, billiards, darts, study rooms, and a 24-hour computer lab. Also, enjoy the Friday night pool parties!

Check out The Heights Facebook page for deals and specials, especially if you are interested in this luxury living.

Let The Heights worry about the bigger stuff and leave you to focus on being a college student.

If you think The Heights is the right fit for you check out their website. http://www.theheightsatcollegestation.com/

22 // maroon weekly March 1, 2012 www.maroonweekly.com

Calendar Salsa Wednesdays

Your mid-week salsa dancing fix.

Salsa Wednesdays offers an hour and a half professional dance lesson (8pm) followed by dancing from 9:30-12am. A great night to learn how to dance or just let loose on the dance floor. 8pm-12am on Wednesday, March 7 @ The Village Cafe

Piano Bar

Every Wednesday Night, recommend your favorite songs for Russell & Mike to play during Piano Bar night at The Tap. 10pm-2am on Wednesday, March 7 @ The Tap

March 8

Salsa Night

From 9pm to 11pm enjoy a two-hour professional dance lesson before dancing the night away with DJ Traxx and his collection of salsa, merenge, and bachata 9pm-2am on Thursday, March 8 @ Velocity

Nick Verzosa & Walt Wilkins Nick Verzosa will be joining the highly regarded producer/singer/songwriter Walt Wilkins. Verzosa has a classic country style with rock attitude. Wilkins adds a subtle sound and a true Texas country voice, just like Pat Green, he will pull you in.

9:30pm-12am on Thursday, March 8 @ Church St. BBQ

Honeybrowne

Honeybrowne, from Victoria, is a Texas country band that we can all relate to. “Texas Angel” is a popular track that you might recognize from their debut album in 2001.

Just like Josh Abbott or Eli Young Band, Honeybrowne will get you on the dancefloor.

10pm-2am on Thursday, March 8 @ Daisy Dukes

Austin English

As a dancehall favorite, Austin English sure has made his Texas country

sound known around College Station. 10:30pm-1am on Thursday, March 8 @ La Bodega

Karaoke Night

Every Thursday & Sunday night, Schotzis offers a night full of karaoke. Sunday night drink specials include $1 domestics, $2 wells, and $3 Vegas bombs and Jager bombs. 10pm-2am on Thursday, March 8 @ Schotzis

March 9

Crawfish Boil

The 22nd season of the Famous Tap Crawfish Boil is underway. Go Fridays for delicious crawfish and live music. 6pm-12am on Friday, March 9 @ The Tap

Friday Night Flights

Can’t ever decide what wine to have? Check out Terrazzo every Friday and try three wine flights for only $10.

6pm-11pm on Friday, March 9 @ Terrazzo

Finest March 10 James Promotions and Band

Friday’s Ladies

Mr. 10-4 Velocity have teamed up to bring a night dedicated to the ladies. The dress-toimpress night lets the first 50 ladies in free for a night of hip-hop, house, and top 40.

9pm-2am on Friday, March 9 @ Velocity

Industry Night

For all those in the service industry, we here at the Century Cafe in the Four Points by Sheraton want to say “thank you” by offering our Happy Hour til Midnight every Friday. 5pm-9pm on Friday, March 9 @ Century Cafe

ArtFest

The MSC Visual Arts Committee is proud to open its annual ArtFest exhibit, showcasing artwork from students at TAMU. 9am-5pm on Friday, March 9 @ University Club

Delgado

The James Delgado Band is set to release their first studio EP this spring. A duo from San Antonio, they’re influenced by all genres. Described as Texas country with a touch of folk, these boys are a little bit like Randy Rogers and John Mayer mixed together.

10pm-2am on Saturday, March 10 @ Schotzis

Salsa Saturdays @ The Village

Voted the #1 night of dancing in BCS, Salsa Saturdays begins with a fun 30-minute, “Crash Course Salsa Lesson” followed by a sweltering hot night of dancing. Great night to meet new Aggies, and it’s all ages! 10pm-2am on Saturday, March 10 @ The Village Cafe

March 11

Karaoke Night

Every Thursday & Sunday

Montana Repertory Theatre presents DOUBT: A Parable

By Jon Gomez

Before there was Jerry Sandusky and Penn State University, there was Father Flynn and St. Nicoholas Church School. Or was there?

That is the premise of DOUBT: A Parable, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and a Tony Award for Best Play (2005). Taking on issues of faith, trust, mendacity, friendship, and the Church, playwright John Patrick Shanley pulls the audience in emotionally, psychologically and intellectually.

With 525 performances and 25 previews on Broadway, the play began production starring Meryl Streep and Viola Davis in 2007.

Merly Streep reprises her stage role in the 2008 film adaptation, alongside Philip Seymour Hoffman, and together deliver Oscar-nominating performances.

With an opener like “Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty,” it is easy to get lost in this world where little is certain.

Set in the fall of 1964 at a fictional St. Nicholas Church School in the Bronx, times are changing and all but the school’s principal are aware. Charismatic priest Father Flynn does his best to adapt by revisiting the school’s notoriously strict disciplinary practices set by the iron-willed principal, Sister Aloysius. When Sister James notifies the principal that Father Flynn has been spending an unusual amount of time with St. Nicholas’ first black student, Sister Aloysius begins a merciless crusade to reveal the beloved clergyman as a lecherous child molester and has him permanently expunged from the school.

24 // maroon weekly March 1, 2012 www.maroonweekly.com

As the play unravels, the audience is left to wonder two questions: Is Father Flynn using his position to encourage youngsters or take advantage of them? Is hard-headed Sister Aloysius protecting children from harm, or is she falsely accusing an innocent man of a shocking betrayal of trust?

For one night, Rudder Theatre will transform into the fictional St. Nicholas Church School as Montana Rep, now one of the most respected touring theatre companies, presents the awardwinning play DOUBT. Quoted by the New York Times as “Shanley’s best play to date,” DOUBT will premiere at MSC OPAS March 7 at 7:30pm. Tickets are on sale ranging from $34 to $54. Visit MSCOPAS. org for more information.

Red Mango + you With your help we have raised over $5k for student organizations and charities.

Help continue that trend.

To schedule a fundraiser email or call us: redmango.cstx@gmail.com (979)-696-1840

Calendar night, Schotzis offers a night full of karaoke.

Sunday night drink specials include $1 domestics, $2 wells, and $3 Vegas bombs and Jager bombs. 10pm-2am on Sunday, March 11 @ Schotzis

March 12

Texas Hold ‘Em Tourney

Attention Hold ‘Em players: showcase your winning talent at Fox and Hound every week.

Winners can qualify for poker tourneys at various casinos each month. 7pm-12pm on Monday, March 12 @ Fox and Hound

Karaoke Night

Take the stage and share your voice every Monday night with karaoke at The Tap.

10pm-2am on Monday, March 12 @ The Tap

March 14

Salsa Wednesdays

Your mid-week salsa dancing fix. Salsa Wednesdays offers an hour and a half professional dance lesson (8pm) followed by dancing from 9:30-12am. A great night to learn how to dance or just let loose on the dance floor. 8pm-12am on Wednesday, March 14 @ The Village Cafe

Nick Verzosa @ Church St.

By Morgan Brown

Piano Bar

Every Wednesday Night, recommend your favorite songs for Russell & Mike to play during Piano Bar night at The Tap. 10pm-2am on Wednesday, March 7 @ The Tap

AXO Presents Paintwars BTHO Domestic Violence with Paintballs

By Erin McAllister

Alpha Chi Omega Paintwar is a paintball tournament used to raise money for victims of domestic violence.

“Paintwar is our annual philanthropy at Alpha Chi Omega” said Laura Kiker, Alpha Chi Omega Paintwar Co-Chair.

“We recruit guys from the corps and other organizations to come out and play paintball all day to raise money for domestic violence.”

Paintwar is open to students that want to come and play paintball for the day and raise money for the cause. The only rules are that you must have a team of 8 and it costs $25 per person on the team.

“We have used a paintball tournament for the past several years as our philanthropy project,” Kiker said. “We think this is a fun way to involve people from all around campus to come and show support towards

our philanthropy.”

The event is held at Zoomz Paintball at College Station. Each team that participates gets a paintball rental, mask rental, unlimited carbon dioxide for the guns, 1000 paintballs, lunch the day of the event, and a T-shirt.

“We want to get as many people involved as we can.” Kiker said. “Paintwar can be seen symbolically as all of us fighting for those that battle domestic violence.”

Proceeds from the event not only go to the Alpha Chi Omega foundation but also to Phoebe’s Home. Phoebe’s Home, located in Bryan/College Station, is a shelter for domestically abused women and children.

“We can’t wait to see who wants to Beat the Hell Outta Domestic Violence with us,” Kiker said.

Countrychart.com stated “From the first track to the last, Nick Verzosa proves that he’s the real deal. And the five stellar tracks on “The Smoking Gun EP” will leave Texas Country music aficionados aching for a complete album.”

Nick Verzosa is set to return to the studio with Walt Wilkins, a highly regarded producer/singer/ songwriter, with whom he will be accompanying March 8 at Church St. BBQ for an acoustic performance.

Hailing from College Station, the local Aggie wants perspective and hopeful singer/songwriters to make their voices and lyrics heard.

Verzosa has a classic country sound with a dash of rockabilly attitude that is portrayed through his powerful voice. “She Only Loves Me”, the newly anticipated complete record, is bringing a sound to your car or your house or even your office that you’d expect to hear at live shows. Verzosa has an independent style that meshes well with his hardworking ethic, something requisite in a competitive business like the Texas country music market.

The 4-piece band continues to travel around the state and prove to their growing fan base that their music is something to be trusted. “I feel very blessed to have been prepared for the opportunities that have unexplainably come my way,” says Verzosa, “ I can’t wait to see what’s around the next corner.” www.maroonweekly.com March 1, 2012 maroon weekly // 25

Housing

Campus View

Campus View luxury apartments works hard to insure that time spent outside the classroom is time well spent. Conveniently located in the heart of Research Valley, where innovation, traditions and values are core to its culture, Campus View student housing is minutes away from Texas A&M University, with immediate access to restaurants, grocery stores, Post Oak Mall and Lake Bryan.

What really sets Campus View apartments apart from the rest are their many amenities, floor plans and services. Campus View luxury apartments are designed for busy college students that are looking for a variety of living arrangements to suit their lifestyle. With a selection of 18 different floor plans, they also offer a computer lab, dining center, high speed Internet and much more. It is no wonder these student apartments are a must see.

Campus View offers many apartment and community features that can’t be found anywhere else. Every apartment is equipped with cable TV with HBO, brand new kitchens with oak cabinets, spacious closets and super-fast Wi-Fi. With a fitness room, basketball court, free covered parking, business center, 24-hour emergency maintenance and friendly on-site staff. Campus View brings all the quirks of a luxury hotel to student living. Family pets are also welcome.

For more information about Campus View apartments visit: campusviewcollegestation.com

www.maroonweekly.com March 1, 2012 maroon weekly // 27

Housing

The Tradition at Northgate

Are you looking for all the ease and convenience of living on campus, but the luxury and privacy of your own townhome? Then look no further than The Tradition at Northgate!

Conveniently located across the road from Texas A&M’s campus, The Tradition at Northgate combines all of the comforts you’d find in an offcampus apartment with the closeness to classes that you need to succeed!

Not only are you guaranteed your own private bedroom, but at The Tradition at Northgate you’ll also receive free high speed Internet, a fully furnished suite including chairs, couches, a built-in entertainment center, and more! The rooms also boast a mini-fridge/ freezer, private vanity area for each room, free weekly housekeeping, and small kitchen area. All utilities are included, and an attached covered parking garage allows you to park on your own floor and simply walk to your door.

The Tradition at Northgate has everything you need to succeed as a student at Texas A&M. Along with a well-staffed Academic Success

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Center which provides free tutoring for all core curriculum classes, The Tradition also has study rooms on every floor, game rooms and fitness centers with a fabulous view of College Station, heated lap and volleyball pools, and a surround sound movie theatre. If you’re in a hurry and want a quick bite on the run, The Tradition at Northgate also features one of the best places to eat in town – The Edge Café, a full-service dining hall.

There are three available floor plans to choose from – the 2 bedroom/1 bath at 512 square feet plan allows you to live with a friend while enjoying the privacy of your own room; the 1 bedroom/1 bath at either 320 or 920 square feet ensures that you’ll never be woken up by a noisy roommate; and, for those of you who are looking for a little extra space to sleep, study and play, the 2 bedroom/1 bath at 952 square feet is just the thing to suit your tastes!

Located right next to campus across University St., The Tradition at Northgate is the best combination you’ll find for all of your student living needs!

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apply today @ collegestationstudenthousing.com Callaway Villas: 979.695.2300 • 305 Marion Pugh

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Limited time only. Zero down on select floor plans only. Rates, fees, deadlines & utilities included are subject to change.

30 // maroon weekly March 1, 2012 www.maroonweekly.com

Movies

By Brandon Nowalk

Wanderlust

Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston R|

It’s a shame Wanderlust COMEDY stops wandering so early. For the first several scenes, the film is a seamless collection of sketches following New Yorkers Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston from the real estate agent’s office where they buy their “micro-loft” to Atlanta to stay with his obnoxious brother Ken Marino.

It’s a breathless ride.

We have a few minutes with a brassy realtor, a few minutes with a comically small apartment, a few minutes with our heroes humorously failing in their careers, a few more minutes with the realtor, and so on.

The State, Childrens Hospital, and Wet Hot American Summer.

After being woken up by a party going on downstairs, the exhausted urbanites zag: they join the hippies and have a blast. Naturally, the sketch has to end, and the next morning, they leave for Atlanta. But then they return, and you can see the air leaking from the film as it settles for the usual Hollywood narrative, sadly abandoning its radical, adventurous spirit.

No fat, no filler, no transitions, just an elegant string of sketches that together build this story of a lost couple.

That’s not to say Wanderlust is typical, exactly. It loses steam spending the last two acts inside the same sketch, but it remains surprisingly funny. If you haven’t heard about Paul Rudd talking into the mirror yet, you will.

And Aniston comes close to matching him, shedding uptight New York for hallucinogenic Elysium.

Along the way to Atlanta they stop at a bed-and-breakfast that turns out to be a commune, an intentional community populated by friends of director David Wain, i.e. co-stars from

Wanderlust is emotionally nimble, beautiful, fleet, and humane, even when skewering its caricatures. But it’s hard not to wish for a little less stasis and a little more wanderlust. www.maroonweekly.com March 1, 2012 maroon weekly // 31

Housing

The Reserve

The Reserve has set out to revolutionize student living. As a result, situated on a scenic landscape just minutes from campus, The Reserve is bringing students the best of both worlds by combining the freedom, size, and space of a house with all the amenities and convenience of an upscale apartment complex. The Reserve gives students the freedom of their own home while being surrounded exclusively by students.

The gated community has all of the amenities of a high-end luxury apartment complex like an on-site movie theater, fitness center, resort style pool and spa and even a private shuttle to campus. These 4 bedroom homes offer unique apartment community indulgences with the safety, size and feel of a large neighborhood.

With bedrooms that are nearly twice the size of your average apartment and large walk-in closets, large open floor plans providing plenty of space for meetings or group gatherings, and world class customer service,The Reserve is bringing Aggies the best of both worlds.

Leasing is now available. Pricing is based on 3 levels of options within a furnished or unfurnished home. The private shuttles, flat screen, covered parking, fenced in yard and premier cable are all additional options that can be added.

The Reserve isn’t just about amenities though. They are high on customer service. Their staff is highly trained with Ritz Carlton systems and they offer a four-hour response time to any maintenance request. With customer care being a priority, The Reserve sets themselves apart from the standard complex.

To learn more about The Reserve, visit their website at www.reserveatcollegestation.com

www.maroonweekly.com March 1, 2012 maroon weekly // 33

Housing

The District on Luther Looking to live somewhere with spacious bedrooms and comfortable furniture provided? How about somewhere blocks away from campus, located steps away from a bus stop? What about a place where the workers greet you with a smile and organize events so that you can make new friendships with your neighbors? If you are looking for a place like this, The District on Luther is the student living community for you!

“This is a great place for student living,” says Natalie Chipinski, current resident at The District.

“Its convenient location next to the bus stop, friendly and engaging staff, and nice furnishings have made it a very enjoyable place to live in this past year. I couldn’t see myself living anywhere else!”

Natalie isn’t the only resident who feels this way, as most residents enjoy this off-campus student housing community dedicated to providing a wonderful place to stay and an even better place to study. Their apartments come fully furnished and include wood-style flooring, a 42” flatscreen TV, full-size washer & dryer, cable, and high speed internet. Residents also have complete privacy thanks to individually locking bedroom doors.

The District always hosts events in order to make students feel right at home.

They keep residents’ stomachs happy by giving away food like barbeque or smores on special holidays. They also create fun events like poker night and the dating game to help students become well acquainted with one another.

The District also gives away awesome prizes at these events like cash, gifts cards, or sometimes even free rent!

Being away from parents and hometown friends can be hard, but The District makes every effort to assure all resident feel comfortable and happy in their fancy new abode.

Visit their website at www. thedistrictonluther.com to see more.

34 // maroon weekly March 1, 2012 www.maroonweekly.com

Movies

By Brandon Nowalk

1

Contraband

1/2

Then again, pretentious, fluffy, and wannabe inspirational practically scream Oscar.

Contraband

I hope taping stuff to your torso becomes the first meme of 2012.

At the very least, it’s a topical way to smuggle food into Contraband, a cheesy okay time. Actual catchphrase: “That’s no bueno.”

15New Year’s Eve

So many celebrities are crammed into this running time it’s like a benefit concert, only none of the proceeds are going to Africa.

Sample dialogue: “My water broke.”

“All of it?” These are the jokes.

top20 films

2Beauty and the Beast

While less artistically ambitious than The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast finds relevance in Aesopstyle fable but transcendence in swooning romanticism, from the Busby Berkeley-inspired “Be Our Guest” to the Ophulsian title song.

The centerpiece—Ethan Hunt climbing the BurjKhalifa in Dubai— is alone worth the price of admission.

Simon Pegg and Jeremy Renner mercifully leaven Tom Cruise’s Scientology intensity, but Brad Bird’s slumming it and it shows.

4Joyful Noise

No one’s denying the virtues of Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah, and Joyful Noise gets by entirely on their charm. But, shockingly, Glee: In Church isn’t equipped to take on theodicy, much less comedy.

Sadism masquerading as a slick raperevenge potboiler, it’s immaculate trash, like Da Vinci sifting through your just used toilet, arranging the contents into a sculpture, and telling you to look at it for two and a half hours.

There’s a reason audiences are booing this latest exorcism horror.

Hint: it’s insultingly bad. Don’t worry, I won’t ruin the ending for you. The Devil Inside does that all on its own.

and the Chipmunks: 8Alvin Chipwrecked Do parents have no self respect?

There are so many great children’s movies in theaters, but the squeakquel to the Squeakquel is at nine digits. Just Say No: It’s not just for kids anymore.

Holmes: A Game 9 5Sherlock of Shadows In this sequel Holmes and his life partner are joined by the whole gang: brother Mycroft, thief Irene Adler, and villain Moriarty. Like the original, it’s a pleasant diversion, but it’s no Sherlock the TV series.

Girl with the Dragon 6The Tattoo

17

Hugo

1/2

A group of kids (Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Max Minghella) visiting Moscow save the planet from invisible aliens in this subTV suspense flick. They went from headlining Oscar indies to this? My sincerest condolences.

Impossible: Ghost 3Mission: Protocol 7The Devil Inside 1/2

16

The Darkest Hour

Warhorse

Pretty much what it looks like: Spielberg’s title horse goes from person to person spreading the disease of tears across a war torn Europe. It takes more than pretty skies and horses to reach John Ford.

10

The Iron Lady

1/2

Sorry, my worship arm is tired. Meryl Streep is Hollywood’s greatest ringer, giving grand

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performances in mediocre movies, and I’m done praising her for it.

Someone’s gotta play disappointed parent: You have so much potential!

11We Bought a Zoo

Splotchy “everyman” Matt Damon has never looked worse than he does here, and he once played Greg Kinnear’s Siamese twin. Oh, he buys a zoo and gets sad and then happy again. Bravo, Cameron Crowe.

Adventures 12The TinTin 1/2

of

It takes some adjustment getting into this European picaresque, but once you do, Tintin is a deliriously fun 3-D adventure that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Just don’t forget that the target demo is children.

13

The Descendants

George Clooney’s adulterous wife is in a coma, launching his sentimental coming-of-middle-age, wrapped up in unruly teens and a Hawaiian land deal. But Shailene Woodley steals the show as Daughter #1. Where’s her Oscar campaign?

14

The Artist

This smarmy modern silent is so lightweight you could forget you’ve seen it, but it wowed Cannes and is on course to win Best Picture.

1/2

An orphan living in a train station finds a magical mystery.

Scorsese made a great 3-D kid’s story—emphasis on vocab, for instance—but it’s really a bait-andswitch involving classic cinema. Get ‘em hooked early!

18Carnage

What could be mere PC mockery becomes straight-up political philosophy as two groups of parents get together to discuss a fight between their children. Come for the waspy passive-aggression, stay for the state of nature.

Breaking Dawn 19Twilight: Part 1

It’s hard to imagine Twilight getting worse, but in that respect, this is one impressive franchise. Bella has Rosemary’s Baby and Robert Pattinson glowers it out of her womb.

Or something. I was asleep.

20A

Dangerous Method

Freud’s sex research is met with a stiff upper lip in this brilliant battle for the minds (and the liberation) of 1920s Europe. Talk about Best Actor: Michael Fassbender even upstages Keira Knightley’s jawbone.

38 // maroon weekly March 1, 2012 www.maroonweekly.com