FREE PUBLICATION
04.02.14 - VOL. 10, NO. 28 - MAROONWEEKLY.COM
Chilifest 2014
pg 2 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 2, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
contents
04.03-04.09
meet the team PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Chris Shepperd BUSINESS MANAGER Leisha Shepperd MANAGING EDITOR Chris Zebo CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bekah Skinner ASST. CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kaitlin Vickers WRITERS
Sara Gilmore Katie Lea Cheyenne Mueller Luke Murray Amanda L. Reynolds
Essentials: Listen Discover Taste Play Look
4 8 11 12 19
On the Cover:
9
Chilfest 2014 features an all-star lineup, including Hank Williams Jr., Randy Rogers Band, Cody Johnson Band, Roger Creager, and Turnpike Troubadours.
INTERNS Haley Clark Katy DeLuna April Elkins Alex Gieger Brittany Holm Avery Moore Kelly Porter Heydy Sanches Kyla Spaugh Camille Youngblood DISTRIBUTION Chris Frank Randy Shepperd
Maroon Weekly is an independent, publication and is not affiliated with Texas A&M University. Maroon Weekly receives no student fees or university funding.
Film: 19 - A new dramedy set
in space, Space Station 76, takes you back to the future.
Science: 14 - Aggie scientists are working on a peachy cure for some types of cancer in this week’s Campus Culture.
Sounds: 4 - Shakira is back
with hip shaking swagger, and Randy Rogers new release can be heard and seen.
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 or typographical errors. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express consent of the publisher. © Copyright 2014 Campus Press LP
RANDY ROGERS BAND Album: Homemade Tamales Live at Floore’s
Release Date: March 4, 2014
Rating: Tracklist:
DISC 1: Intro Trouble Knows My Name Interstate Buy Myself a Chance Tonights Not the Night Better Off Wrong Speak to the Devil Flash Flood This Time Around If I Had Another Heart Last Last Chance One More Goodbye Goodbye Lonely Somebody Take Me Home
This is the band’s third live album, and the setting this time is in Helotes, Texas. The Randy Rogers Band performs many fan favorites like “This Time Around” and “Too Late for Goodbye”, and they also have five new tracks on the live album. Right now on country radio, you can hear one of those Texas country tracks, “Satellite”, which was released in early March. If you’re already fan, or just like what you hear, the good news is that the Randy Rogers Band will be performing at Chilifest this year. If you like being cozy on the couch, than this live album / DVD is just for you.
pg 4 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 2, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
LISTEN
Handmade Tamales are no longer the treasure that for some secret and evil reason your grandmother or Hispanic neighbor keep from you until the Holiday season. Now Homemade Tamales Live at Floore’s is the name of Randy Rogers Band’s new live album / DVD.
••••••
DISC 2: Ten Miles Deep Kiss Me in the Dark Too Late for Goodbye In My Arms Instead Fuzzy Can’t Slow Down Like it Used to Be I’ve Been Looking for You for So Long They Call it the Hill Country Down and Out Satellite She’s Gonna Run
Reviewed by Katy De Luna
Shakira
“Shakira”
Release Date: Mar. 24, 2014 Reviewed by Heydy Sanches Hip shaking goddess and Latin pop royalty Shakira has finally released her tenth selftitled album after a long four-year break. With her last album, She Wolf, Shakira brought her Colombian flavor to the table by pushing the boundaries of dance music and by planting her Spanish roots in American pop soil. However, with this new self-titled album, Shakira is determined to charm listeners with her Grammy winning pop side rather than her sultry Latina roots. The album also includes other well-known cameos from artists like Rihanna and Blake Shelton.
Future Islands
“Singles”
Release Date: Mar. 24, 2014 Reviewed by Heydy Sanches Future Islands has finally gotten its big break! Singles manages to hook listeners by trading out the darker tone in their previous albums for a much more colorful, contemporary, strange, and original sound. In this 40-minute journey, Samuel Herring’s voice takes listeners to a colorful, luminous place that you’ve probably never been to before. Singles can easily be called a physical album, due to each song grabbing the listener in a magical way where they can imagine Herring showing off his best dance moves. No other band sounds like them; not even Future Islands sounds like Future Islands on this album. Singles gives you the feels.
maroonweekly.com • April 2, 2014 •MAROON WEEKLY • p 5
By Kelly Porter
Cody Canada & The Departed
at Grand Stafford Theater
www.brazosvalleybride.com
Brazos Valley Bride | spring/summer 2014
3
Once the lead singer of Cross Canadian Ragweed, Cody Canada, the American southern rock/ alt-country artist, is coming to Grand Stafford Theater in Downtown Bryan with his band The Departed. At the young age of 16, Cody Canada moved from Yukon to Stillwater, Oklahoma. During his time there, he was able to network with other musicians that inspired him and helped him find his niche in music. Although Canada experienced success with his previous band, Cross Canadian Ragweed, he made the decision to part ways and move on. He and long-term band mate, Jeremy Plato, formed The Departed and moved on to new adventures. Later, they added a few more key members and The Departed were ready to roll. They will be accompanied by ex-Gourds front man Kevin Russell, who is bringing his new group, Shinyribs, back to Bryan. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online.
the scoop WHAT: CODY CANADA & THE DEPARTED WHERE: GRAND STAFFORD THEATER WHEN: APRIL 10 | 8:00 PM pg 6 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 2, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
When northerners think of Texas country, they think of cowboys riding horses with banjos and fiddles and other silly legends that Texans will never understand. In reality, Texas country all about beautiful guitar-based music—a little two-step with a little rock under well-worn themes of love and heartbreak. College Station’s very own Nick Verzosa and the Noble Union are country music whizzes who have successfully become a respected band locally and across the Lone Star. After two years on the road performing in front of large crowds in over 200 venues, the group has finally been able to make new music. A very humble yet brilliant lyricist, Nick said, “I feel very blessed to have been prepared for the opportunities that have unexplainably come my way.” He’s proven himself as an artist with real talent, personality, and determination to rise in the charts.
Nick Verzosa and the Noble Union By Heydy Sanches
With five Top 40 singles on the Texas Music Chart, Nick Verzosa and the Noble Union are coming to Grand Stafford Theater in Downtown Bryan Thursday April 3rd at 9pm. The band will be celebrating a CD release for their six-track EP Love in Principle. The EP is only a small taste of what their full album, which debuts fall 2014, will sound like. Tickets are available online and at the door for $5.
1000 GEORGE BUSH DRIVE WEST COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77845 979.691.4000
bushlibrary.tamu.edu/students
@bushlibrary
ADMISSION maroonweekly.com • April 2, 2014 •MAROON WEEKLY • p 7
The 6th Annual ACAPPELLOOZA a cappella show is going to be a night full of a cappella groups from all over the great state of Texas using one instrument, their voice. The annual event is hosted by Texas A&M’s own a cappella group, HardChord DynaMix. Alyssa Dunn, Assistant Musical Director of HardChord DynaMix, says, “Acappellooza was put together by HardChord 6 years ago to give the Bryan/College Station area a taste of the amazing talent from universities all over Texas.” The groups performing this year are HardChord DynaMix (Texas A&M), Swaram (Texas A&M), Apotheosis (Texas A&M), Femmatas (Texas A&M), Men of Moores (University of Houston), One Note Stand (University of Texas), Ransom Notes (University of Texas), Acabellas (University of Houston), and Green Tones (University of North Texas).
By Haley Clark
As for the tunes the groups will be singing, Dunn says, “The groups pick their own set lists and HardChord tries to manage the overall set list to be sure that the audience can enjoy a wide variety of music. I don’t want to spoil the show, but we have songs from the Beatles, Fall Out Boy, Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Radiohead, Billie Holliday, Bastille, Awolnation, and so much more. A couple of the groups even arranged mashups of some songs to keep things interesting. And at the end of the show, all of the groups will work together to perform an oldie but a goodie.” ACAPPELLOOZA will be taking center stage at Rudder Auditorium on April 5. The show will begin at 7pm.
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pg 8 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 2, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
Chilifest Schedule April 4th, 2014 (Friday - TEAMS)
Chilifest 2014 Marks Twenty-Three Years of Country Music in Snook
5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
The Docs
6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
The Damn Quails
7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
William Clark Green
MIx together a country music festival, thousands of people drinking beer, and a giant chili cook off, and what do you get? Chilifest 2014. And if all that isn’t enough, what if we told you that big names such as Hank Williams, Jr., Randy Rogers, Turnpike Troubadours, Roger Creager, and Cody Johnson will be headlining? Good; now we’ve got your attention.
8:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
JB and the Moonshine Band
9:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.
Band of Heathens
10:00 p.m. – 10:45 p.m.
Whiskey Myers
10:45 p.m.
STRICT/SHOW OVER
Not a lot goes on in Snook, Texas, but this is where all the magic happens when it comes to Chilifest and this year marks their 23rd year. The colossal event is more than just drinking beer and having a good time – it’s also about giving back to the community. From 2000-2012, Chilifest donated over 2 million dollars to the Brazos Valley as well as surrounding areas. Organizations that received donations include Big Brothers Big Sisters, Brazos Valley Boys and Girls Club, Snook Volunteer Fire Department, Special Olympics, St. Jude’s Hospital, and more. So, whether you’re there because you’re an avid chili connoisseur, a lover of country music, or you want to help out your community, Chilifest is a great spring event each year. Chilifest will be taking place April 4th and 5th, but Friday is only open to Chilifest Teams (aka those participating in the Chili Cook-off) and VIP’s. Gates will open at noon on Friday and 10am on Saturday. There will also be a few more entertainers on Friday for Chilifest Teams only. Tickets are available at the gate for $45 but will sell out quick, so make sure to get there early or purchase them in advance, either online (where the price drops to $40) or at select ticket locations (C.C. Creations, Aggieland Outfitters, Inspirations, and The District). They also offer Park & Ride, which provides individuals with access to buses (running out of Post Oak Mall) on Saturday. Buses will begin running at 9am and will run to and from the event until 8pm. They’ll also have Carpool and cabs available upon return (please drink responsibly).
April 5th, 2014 (Saturday - PUBLIC) 10:00 a.m.
DOORS Open
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cody Johnson
1:20 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Roger Creager
2:50 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.
Turnpike Troubadours
4:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Randy Rogers
6:20 p.m. – 6:35 p.m.
Announcements
6:40 p.m. – 8:10 p.m. 8:30 p.m.
Hank Williams Jr. SHOW OVER – ALL OUT
maroonweekly.com • April 2, 2014 •MAROON WEEKLY • p 9
CHILIFEST
••••••
Hank Williams Jr. Headlines 2014 Chilifest Lineup
By Katy De Luna
The man whose first public appearance was at the Grand Ole Opry with a roaring encore is taking the headlining spot at Chilifest 2014. Hank Williams Jr. has several achievements under his belt, with four Emmys, 10 number one singles, 13 number one albums, 20 gold albums, and 6 platinum albums. So it is safe to say you will be in good hands with Hank Williams Jr., or Bocephus, as his father called him, slated this year’s headliner. His father, Hank Williams Sr., is known as country music’s “Hillbilly Shakespeare,” and after many years of trying to imitate his father’s music, Hank Jr. broke out and became a country / southern rock star in his own right. He has sung with country legends, including Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Ernest Tubb, and even a couple of his father’s songs have been re-recorded so Hank Jr. and Hank Sr. could sing “together.”
Cody Johnson Band By Kelly Porter Riding on the release of his latest album, Cowboy Like Me, award-winning country artist Cody Johnson is making an appearance in this year’s line-up at Chilifest. Johnson has released a total of 3 albums over the years, but says that Cowboy Like Me is different than his previous releases. “My first album was something that I recorded in one week, the entire thing,” Johnson told us. “This album was, ‘Let’s write–let’s just write and try to figure out the best songs that we can, talk about the album, discuss it.’” Johnson left his day job to pursue his music career, and the new album relates some of his personal story. His favorite song to record on the new album was the title track, “Cowboy Like Me.” Johnson says of the song, “It was too personal not to be. It was probably the most personal song on the album.”
Hank Jr. has had a lifetime career in music, starting at the age of six. He started doing small stage tours with his half-sister Lycrecia when he was eight; then he signed with a record label at the age 14. Now at 64, Jr. is still taking the country world by storm.
Park & Ride for Chilifest 2014 will take place at the POST OAK MALL. Buses will be running beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 5th to help Chilifest attendees get to and from Chilifest safely and will run to and from the event until 8 p.m. We want EVERYONE over the age of 21 to drink responsibly and get home safely by utilizing the resources available. Upon returning back to the POST OAK MALL at the conclusion of the event, we will also have Carpool and cabs available.
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maroonweekly.com • April 2, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 11
Turnpike Troubadours Randy Rogers Band This five-man band has come a long. They’ve opened for big names such as A group whose roots are deep in Oklahoma red dirt, Turnpike Troubadours Willie Nelson, the Eagles, Gary Allan, and Dierks Bentley, and were ranked is a five-piece fronted by lead singer Evan Felker and comprised of R.C. in Rolling Stone's list of Top 10 Must-See Artists in 2007. The group earned a whopping $2.5 million on tour in just one year and had over 2,200 people Edwards, Kyle Nix, Ryan Engelman, and Gabe Pearson. buy their album at an appearance at Wherehouse Music. Since the release of their first album in 2007, they've gone on to release a total of three studio albums, with their latest one, Goodbye Normal Street, The Randy Rogers Band has made quite a name for themselves, and their most recent accomplishment is their latest single, “Satellite”, released in reaching number 57 on the Billboard 200 chart. early March of this year.
Roger Creager There are a million types of energy in this world, such as that of a child in a candy store, a Jillian Michael’s workout video, or the roar of a lion. Then there’s Roger Creager! Although he may not be well known on a National Country Music level, since his first album in 1998, he’s built a Texas-size reputation across the Lone Star with his wild performances and catchy songs.
pg 12 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 2, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
THINK
pg 28 | maroonweekly.com | 01.23.13
maroonweekly.com • April 2, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 13
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By Katie Lea
A Cure for Cancer That’s Just Peachy Science is always on a neverending quest to best human beings’ most vicious enemy: cancer. Attacking the body on any number of fronts, cancer has been one hard foe to tackle, but according to some new research, the cure may be sweeter than you’d think. AgriLife Research at Texas A&M has been running tests that examine the effect of peach extract on breast cancer in mice. It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Researchers implanted an “aggressive type of breast cancer cells” in the mice, which they soon followed up with doses of the peach abstract. What they found was amazing. After just a few weeks, there were signs that the extract actually inhibits cancer metastasis (or the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body). What’s even
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more amazing is that according to Dr. Luis Cisneros-Zevallos the dose “was calculated that for humans it would be equivalent to consuming two to three peaches per day.” Not much of a sacrifice, considering peaches are generally tasty! The best part about the discovery is that down the road it could prove to be useful in cancer prevention in addition to cancer treatment. According to Cisneros-Zevallos, “it gives opportunity to include in the diet an additional tool to prevent and fight this terrible disease that affects so many.” This latest study follows up on conclusions in a prior AgriLife study, also led by Dr. Cisneros-Zevallos. That study found that natural chemicals in peaches and plums helped eradicate breast cancer cells while leaving normal cells unaffected. As the second most prevalent type of cancer, finding a cure or preventative measures for the disease would be a huge breakthrough. Each day, scientists are getting closer and closer to solving the mysteries of cancer. We can’t say for certain if an apple a day will keep the doctor away, but a couple of peaches just might.
pg 14 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 2, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
PLAY
••••••
By Kelly Porter
Round Top Antiques Fair One of Texas’ best-kept secrets is nestled in between Austin and Houston in the sleepy little town of Round Top. Three times a year, the town transforms into an all-out Antiques Fair, full of crafts, clothing, accessories, flea-market-esque finds, vintage paraphernalia, and (of course) antiques. Picture an endless abyss of unique, one-of-a-kind finds spilling over different venues and spaces—enough to take up an entire town. Round Top is heaven-on-earth for treasure hunters and junk collectors alike. This year marks the 46th year for the Round Top event, making it a pilgrimage destination for collectors. The three shows hosted each year consist of spring and fall antiques fairs, which take place in all four venues (the Big Red Barn, the Big Red Barn Tent, the Continental Tent, and the Carmine Dance Hall) as well as the newer winter antiques show (located in the Big Red Barn). Each venue is known to offer something a little different: the Big Red Barn is at the center of all the action. Shoppers can find an assortment of early Americana, Texas primitive, and Continental furniture and accessories as well as at the Big Red Barn Tent. The Continental Tent has quality items from England, France, Italy, Spain and other European countries–perfect if you’re on the hunt for European furniture. Lastly, the Carmine Dance Hall has been a part of the antiques fair pretty much from the start and is a wonderful spot to grab some award-winning BBQ (for when you need a rest from all the shopping). With so many different venues to choose from, you may be worried that you’ll be spending most of your time at Round Top lugging your newfound gems around. Not to worry. Porters are available to carry items to your car, and shippers are on site and available to handle large items. When you need to beat the heat, there are air-conditioned buildings for you to browse, as well. As you trek back and forth from barns to dance halls, tents to general stores, and through dusty fields, make sure to stop at a few of our favorite spots. You might have heard of Junk Gypsy from HGTV’s Garage Sale Wars. These free-spirited women began setting up at flea markets in 1998. Make sure to stop by their site; they always bring lots of quirky, fun items, sure to steal your heart (and the cash right out of your wallet). Another great stop is Zapp Hall–the perfect place for a bite to eat, with picnic areas and lots of catering options (including our favorite, Royers, which has lots of delicious pies to choose from). See what all the fuss is about at the spring antiques fair on Wednesday, April 2nd (9am-7pm), Thursday and Friday, April 3rd and 4th (9am-6pm), and Saturday, April 5th (9am-4pm). Parking is free, but they also offer paid parking at various spots (a good alternative).
maroonweekly.com • April 2, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 15
By Haley Clark, Katy De Luna and Heydy Sanches
P.S.-YOU’RE INVITED
by erica domesek Ever been in a store and just fell in love with something...and then once you saw the price, all your happiness turned bitter? Well, P.S-You’re Invited is here to show you how to make that same product on a budget! With over 40+ DIY projects teaching you to make cool things like jewelry, clothing, and even furniture, this book offers an easy way to add style, fun, and creativity to your life without breaking the bank. The book also offers different party themes and teaches you exactly how to make sweet decorations and adorable glam jewelry to show off at your next house-warming party. In addition, it’s filled with crafts that will get all your creative juice’s flowing. With its delightful illustrations and bold, colorful designs, P.S.-You’re Invited has all the ideas and inspiration you’ll need for extraordinary parties that are to DIY for.
JUST PAYING THE RENT by shyla lukens Jessie Billows is a twenty-something woman living rent free at a low-end apartment complex in Chicago. She’s a maintenance woman who lives quietly, trying not to think of her lacking love life. She also has a loudmouth, quirky best friend named Trish to follow her on all of her adventures. Throw in a murder, and an unexpected love triangle between Jessie, Eddie, an attractive Latino shop owner, and Devan Winters—the eye-catching British Detective—and you got quite a story.
COLLECTED COOL
by jay jeffers Jay Jeffers, founder of Jeffers Design Group in San Francisco, is a renowned interior designer who has been featured in Elle Décor’s A-List of Top Designers in 2011, 2012, and 2013. His designs have appeared in magazines, show houses, and Jeffers himself has taken part in various design panels throughout the country, as well.
Author Shyla Lukens was a paralegal before becoming a writer and has now written two novels about murder, mystery, and romance.
This is Jeffers’s first book, and the respected interior designer is well known for his bold use of color and pattern and his brilliant combination of art and furnishings. The book is divided into four sections: Collected Cool, Bold Bespoke, Unabashed Glamour, and Casual Chic. Each section includes a method and some guidance for reproducing the various looks on your own.
Just Paying the Rent is the first Jessie Billows Mystery novel of the soon to come series. The humorous novel is a concise, easy read. It’s a story for any fan of romantic-comedies minus the corniness, with a little bit of edge to boot.
Collected Cool is entertaining and clever, and it’s brimming with details about processes, color, furniture, and accessories to inspire readers to express their inner interior designer.
pg 16 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 2014 • maroonweekly.com March2,19, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
Back in 1989, one of the most successful TV mini-series of all time—and certainly one of the most beloved by Texans—featured Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones as Texas rangers who move cattle north to Montana all while encountering 384 minutes (divided into 4 episodes) of western genre drama. The tale, based on Larry McMurtrey’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, was written for TV by writer Bill Witliff and was watched in an estimated 26 million households—a record for a western at the time. Twenty five years later, Witliff and Duvall are sharing credits on a new film, A Night in Old Mexico, scheduled for theatrical and VOD release on May 13. The story centers around Duvall’s character, Red Bovie, an aged cattle rancher who has his property foreclosed. In lieu of accepting his fate and moving into a trailer park with others of his age, Duvall takes his grandson, Gally (Jeremy Irvine), on one last hurrah to Mexico. The encounters the two have along the way are part road-trip adventure and part coming-of-age story, with Bovie more reluctant to accept his vintage than his grandson. Duvall, who we spoke to at the film’s premier last month at SXSW, said his character was “like a great nephew to both of the guys portrayed in Lonesome Dove.”
A Night in Old Mexico Returns Robert Duval to Lonesome Dove Roots By Chris Zebo
The film is set in Texas, predominately in Brownsville, and was actually conceived many years ago. “It’s an original script by Witliff that he actually started 35 years ago,” Duvall said, “before Lonesome Dove.” Duvall reprises his legendary performance in the Dove series but years later and with a bit more grit and humor. He and Witliff had wanted to make the film for years and finally joined ranks with director Emilio Aragón (Paper Birds). The Cuban-born director told us he was excited to work with the Lonesome Dove legends and to bring Witliff’s script to life.
maroonweekly.com • April 2, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 17
Plotnick’s Space Station 76 Goes Back to the Future By Chris Zebo Imagine the future but set in the past. Imagine a time before the Internet, flat screen TVs, and cell phones. Now imagine being a writer or director from the 70s attempting to imagine what the future will look like. In some cases, writers and directors from shows such as Star Trek and movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey presaged today's technological advances. In Star Trek, it was Gene Roddenberry's “communicator” that foretold the future of telecommunication. The flip-phone-looking device allowed Captain Kirk and his crew to communicate from absurdly far distances. And Stanley Kubrick's HAL 9000, the sinister computer voice that short circuits in 2001: A Space Odyssey, was like a proto-Siri, minus the free will and psychopathy. In Jack Plotnick's (Meet the Fockers) first feature film, Space Station 76, the actor/writer and now director takes us back to that future. Starring Patrick Wilson (The Conjuring, Insidious), Liv Tyler, Matt Bomer (Guiding Light, Winter's Tale), and Marisa Coughlan (Super Troopers), the characterdriven dramedy is the kind of kitsch mashup only the 21st century could produce. In the movie, the 70s are re-imagined convincingly all the way down to the cast's wide lapels and the set's burnt-orange interiors. The space station on which the deadpan comedy transpires even alludes to many of the era's idiosyncrasies we just couldn't imagine today, such as smoking in outer space (and in the vicinity of an infant). But the real “thrust” of the film is its cast. Wilson plays Captain Glenn, a sexually frustrated alcoholic who prefers to be left alone but who is forced into a drama odyssey when Jessica (Liv Tyler) boards the station and pits the crew members against one another. Crew members Ted (a mechanic played by Bomer) and his wife Misty (played by Marisa Coughlan) have their marriage tested by other love interests aboard the
ship, while inanimate characters such as an R2-D2-looking droid only add to the tensions and follies assailing the crew like an unrelenting meteor shower. The feel of the film is a crafted pastiche of 70s-style drama unfolding amidst garish, anachronistic set pieces. “It was definitely inspired by the great movies of the 70s; Kubrick, The Shining, and for some reason, Ordinary People,” Plotnick told us at the film's premier at SXSW last month. “I love the original version of Let the Right One In, too. I was very inspired by the framing and the style of those movies.” The film's time-bending, playful singularity was something that immediately sold Wilson. “I don't do too much comedy, probably because I'm not funny,” he said. “But this was such a specific movie and such a different movie, and really that was part of the thrill. Even though I think it's very funny, the character I play is just going through a horrible, horrible time in his life—and that, of course, makes it even funnier.” Tyler wasn't as convinced at first when she read the script. But Wilson, who has worked with Tyler before, managed to get her aboard the ship. “I said to her, 'I don't know what this film is gonna be like, but I guarantee you it will be different than any other movie you've ever done.' And it's true. It's different than any other movie I've ever done and probably will ever do. And that's a real testament to the script that they created and to Jack's vision of the film.” Wilson, who turned 40 last July, has played a number of patriarchs in recent films. But Plotnick's space dramedy was a new challenge for the actor. “I've played different versions of sort of a suburban husband or father or a man going through what it's like to feel isolated and alone, but
pg 18 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 2, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
to do it set on a space station is bizarre and ridiculous,” Wilson said, laughing. “And that's why you do it; why you do movies that usually wouldn't see the light of day. And this is one of those movies that can have a commercial appeal and also it's a very heartfelt, bizarre comedy.” Bomer, who's making a successful, big-screen segue from the theater stage and his TV career, loved the script's underlying tensions, especially pertaining to suburbia's false promises. “What really spoke to me were the morality lessons of suburbia, about the idea that even though it takes place in a space station, there was this notion at the time that if you lived in the right place and had the right job, everything would be perfect,” he said. “As you read a lot of John Cheever's short stories, at a certain point, the darker aspects you try to suppress eventually come to light, and that's sort of what this movie's about. And it just resonated with me, growing up in the suburbs and seeing the duality of people who want to present a perfect image but have some darker things going on.” The suburban space drama also appealed to Coughlan, but not just for its subdued heady theme but also for its colorful characterizations. “The character Misty that I play is so phenomenal on the page that I don't know any actress who wouldn't take the part,” she said, “because she's crazy and evil, but nice and vulnerable and on drugs—you name it. It's about weighty issues, but it's done in a really comedic tone. And it's on a space ship in the 70s, but it's in the future; there's nothing like it.” Space Station 76 was recently picked up by Sony Pictures, with a release date to be announced soon.
In typical discussions among film nerds, director/producer David Gordon Green's film credits often begin with talks of his pothead classic, Pineapple Express. Although the indie filmmaker is often pigeonholed by the flick starring a red-eyed, cotton-mouthed Seth Rogen, his film credits also include a number of indie-film fodder, such as Camp X-Ray and Prince Avalanche. With Green, you're usually in either of two camps: one camp who wants more pineapples, and another who wants the touching, off-beat dramas he's achieved with his other indie efforts. In Joe, which stars Nicholas Cage, Tye Sheridan (Mud), and Ronnie Gene Blevins (Dark Knight Rises), we get the Green loved by the latter camp but with grim, dark edges. Joe premiered at the 2013 Venice Film Festival and screened last month at SXSW. Cage told us on the red carpet that he was delighted to work with Green and saw a lot of potential in his young counterpart, Sheridan. The Southern gothic film is based on the book by the same name by Larry Brown and was written for the screen by independent filmmaker Gary Hawkins. At times violent and brooding, Joe features Cage as the eponymous title character, an ex-con who runs a business of poisoning forests so that the land is deemed unfit and parceled for other purposes. When a fifteen-year-old drifter (Sheridan) comes to him asking for work, Joe becomes a role model in a twisted yet eventually redeeming way.
Nicolas Cage Plays Antihero Good-Guy in Joe By Chris Zebo
“Getting into character wasn't as difficult as you'd think, considering I've played a number of dark characters over the years,” Cage told us. “But this character has so many different qualities all wrapped into one.” His character's darkness is also made more manifest by a convincing supporting cast of other seedy figures and by a blighted deep south landscape. To keep things real, many of the supporting “actors” weren't actors at all and were cast for their working class naturalism, according to the director. Joe is scheduled for theatrical release on April 9 in select theaters.
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maroonweekly.com • April 2, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 19
By Cheyenne Mueller
Noah
Mr. Peabody & Sherman Muppets Most Wanted Animated (PG)
In 2011, director James Bobin brought The Muppets back to the big screen with an all-star cast in The Muppets. In 2014, he’s done it again with Muppets Most Wanted, bringing more big-name actors such as Tina Fey (30 Rock), Ricky Gervais (The Invention of Lying), and Ty Burrell (Modern Family) to the film. In true Muppets fashion, Bobin incorporates numerous brief celebrity cameos with Chloë Grace Moretz (Carrie), Tom Hiddleston (Thor), Salma Hayek (Savages), and Celine Dion, to name just a few. A new member to The Muppets crew was brought on in 2011 named Walter. With everyone back together, The Muppets set out for a grand world tour to promote their reunion, represented by Dominic Badguy (pronounced Bad-gee). However, nothing is as it seems when they find themselves caught in a European jewel-heist headed by Badguy and a Kermit the Frog look-alike named Constantine. After Kermit is mistaken for Constantine and thrown into a Russian prison, The Muppets’ performances turn into utter chaos without their leader. Badguy finds venues “conveniently” located near national treasure museums, allowing for him and Constantine to steal precious artifacts. The new Muppets member Walter is the only one who senses that the Kermit dopplegänger isn’t who he says he is, and with Animal and Fozzie’s help, he rescues Kermit before it’s too late. The dopplegänger motif isn’t a new one, but you know what they say: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Like yin and yang, the beloved Kermit’s opposite is the world’s number one villain. There are some subtle differences between the two: Constantine’s collar is wider and with shorter spikes than Kermit’s; also, Constantine’s “resting face” is more mean than Kermit’s; but the major difference between them is the mole. Constantine frames Kermit by slapping a fake mole on his face and concealing his own with green make up. Constantine’s accent is Russian (because that’s where the bad guys come from lately), but he goes undetected by the rest of the Muppets. Their lack of intellect isn’t really their fault; after all, they’re made of felt. The family-friendly flick really focuses on the idea that you don’t have to be blood to be family. With a memorable cast and clever wit, Muppets Most Wanted is a great film for all ages. It’s 107 minutes and rated PG for some mild action.
pg 20 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 2, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
Most of us, especially in Texas, are familiar with the story of Noah: God was disgusted by the humans he had created and regretted their existence, so he decided to eradicate them from the Earth. Fortunately, he found favor in Noah, told him and his family to build an ark, and the future of mankind was spared. There’s no need to look at a bible to refresh – we’ve known this stuff since bible study; it just isn’t that exciting. Well, director and screenwriter Darren Aronofsky wanted to spice things up with his movie based off the familiar tale in his film, Noah, starring Russell Crowe (A Beautiful Mind) as Noah, and Jennifer Connelly (Requiem for a Dream), Emma Watson (Harry Potter), and Logan Lerman (Perks of Being a Wallflower) as his family. The previews show a great big battle sequence and a nod to the big man upstairs. However, there is so much wrong with this movie even from the previews, and any hope for this film is practically non-existent. Why are all of the actors speaking in a British accent? And why is the one actress who is British not speaking with her usual voice? Why are they so clean? Why is their hair brushed? Why are they all white actors? This just doesn’t make sense. Also, Noah’s supposed to be 600 years old when the floods roll around. Who knows if this is supposed to be an insult to Russell Crowe or if Noah just aged really well, but nobody in the film looks as old as they’re supposed to be—at least according to the book of Genesis. There certainly isn’t an account of a great battle with the sinful humans who are trying to get onto the ark, which is the main climax of Noah. So… to say that director Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream) took a few creative liberties is the understatement of the year. While the ratings are positive so far at the box office, being labeled “biblically accurate” is quite a stretch. Noah is rated 138 minutes long and rated PG-13 for violence, disturbing images, and brief suggestive content.
1. Noah
A man is chosen by God to undertake a momentous mission of rescue before an apocalyptic flood destroys the world. PG13 (138 min)
2. Divergent
In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she’s Divergent and won’t fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it’s too late. PG-13 (139 min)
3. Muppets Most Wanted While on a grand world tour, The Muppets find themselves wrapped into a European jewel-heist caper headed by a Kermit the Frog look-alike and his dastardly sidekick. PG (107 min)
4. Mr. Peabody & Sherman The time-travelling adventures of an advanced canine and his adopted son, as they endeavor to fix a time rift they created. PG (92 min)
5. God’s Not Dead
College student Josh Wheaton’s faith is challenged by his philosophy professor, who believes God does not exist. PG (113 min)
6. The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson chronicles the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the world wars, and Zero Moustafa, a lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. R (100 min)
7. Sabotage
Members of an elite DEA task force find
themselves being taken down one by one after they rob a drug cartel safe house. R (109 min)
humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection. PG13 (138 min)
8. Need for Speed
15. Son of God
Fresh from prison, a street racer who was framed by a wealthy business associate joins a cross-country race with revenge on his mind. His ex-partner, learning of the plan, places a massive bounty on his head as the race begins. PG-13 (132 min)
9. 300: Rise of an Empire Greek general Themistokles leads the charge against invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes and Artemisia, vengeful commander of the Persian navy. R (102 min)
10. Non-Stop
After receiving a series of text messages demanding a transfer of $150 million into an offshore account, an air marshal must prevent a terrorist attack and clear his name. PG-13 (106 min)
11. The Lego Movie
An ordinary LEGO, mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the universe together. PG (100 min)
12. Cesar Chavez
A biography of the civil-rights activist and labor organizer Cesar Chavez. PG-13 (101 min)
13. Bad Words
A spelling bee loser sets out to exact revenge by finding a loophole and attempting to win as an adult. R (89 min)
14. The Single Mom’s Club The life story of Jesus is told from his
The life story of Jesus is told from his humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection. PG13 (138 min)
16. The Monuments Men An unlikely World War II platoon are tasked to rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their owners. PG-13 (118 min)
17. Frozen
In a kingdom cursed to endure permanent winter, a young girl voiced by Kristen Bell teams up with a mountain man to rescue her sister and stop the curse in the latest Disney animated adventure. PG (102 min)
18. Ride Along
Fast-talking security guard Ben joins his cop brother-in-law James on a 24-hour patrol of Atlanta in order to prove himself worthy of marrying Angela, James’ sister. PG-13 (100 min)
19. The Nut Job
An incorrigible, self-serving exiled squirrel finds himself helping his former park brethren raid a nut store to survive, which is also the front for a human gang’s bank robbery. PG (86 min)
20. The Lunchbox
A mistaken delivery in Mumbai’s famously efficient lunchbox delivery system connects a young housewife to an older man in the dusk of his life as they build a fantasy world together through notes in the lunchbox. PG (104 min)
maroonweekly.com • April 2, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 21
“It’s Really Nothing” - and nothing can stop you! Across 1 Casino features 5 Pacific Coast salmon 9 King novel about a rabid dog 13 Feeling regret 15 Group whose O doesn’t stand for “oil” 16 Quite a distance away 17 Commend highly 18 Inbox item 19 Expensive Japanese beef 20 Amount of time before you stop reading inflammatory Web comments? 23 Laughingstock 24 Glitch 25 Cincinnati-to-Detroit dir. 26 $ fractions, for short 29 Did hayfield work 31 Wonder-ful count? 33 Force that I’m certain will pull you back to Earth? 37 “Let the Rabbit Eat ___” (mail-in 1976 cereal contest) 38 Hosp. area for critical cases 39 Reese’s “Legally Blonde” role 40 Food label units that don’t mind waiting around? 45 Get retribution for 46 Sour, as a stomach 47 Icelandic band Sigur ___ 48 7, for 14 and 35: abbr. 50 Microbrewery product 51 Dr. with six Grammys 54 Burp after drinking too many colas? 57 Beloved honey lover 60 Change of address, to a realtor 61 Barracks barker, briefly 62 Neighbor of Hank Hill 63 Risk territory 64 Wrath 65 Several 66 Good, to Giuseppe 67 Word appearing before or after each word in the long theme entries
Answers
pg 22 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 2, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
Down 1 Moda Center, e.g. 2 Garb for groomsmen 3 Catchers wear them 4 ___-nosed kid 5 1978 debut solo album by Rick James 6 Abbr. on a phone dial 7 Castle Grayskull hero 8 “Nothing Compares 2 U” singer 9 Blue Velvet, for one 10 Roswell crasher 11 MMA move 12 Mined set? 14 Comprehensive 21 “To Sir With Love” singer 22 John of the WWE 26 Cook-off food 27 “Her,” “She” or “It” 28 Eye nuisances 29 Confine 30 Record label named for an Asian capital 32 Each’s partner 33 Face-valued, as stocks 34 “Top Chef” network 35 Focus of traffic reports? 36 Holy food? 41 Round toaster brand 42 Tension reliever 43 “I Shot Andy Warhol” star Taylor 44 “Battleship Potemkin” locale 49 Big name in farm equipment 51 Funeral lament 52 Rival of Rafael and Novak 53 January in Juarez 54 Use your jaw 55 Dash and splash 56 Horatio who played Aaron Neville on “SNL” 57 Kissing in public, e.g. 58 Lummox 59 “Nicely done!” � 2 014 Jonesin’ Crosswords jonesincrosswords.com)
(editor@
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April 26, 2014
7am– 2pm
FREE Event is at University Services Building Parking Lot– Enter HWY 30/Harvey Rd. East– No Entry from University Dr East
West Side Story By Haley Clark
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West Side Story, the timeless musical, is considered one of the greatest love stories of all time. It has captivated audiences for more than five decades and is based on Tony-award winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway guidance. The Broadway musical was inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and is now making its way to Texas A&M’s campus. In 1950s New York City, two rival teenage gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, inhabit the Upper East Side neighborhood. The Jets, a Caucasian gang, and the Puerto Rican Sharks clash and vie to claim the neighborhood they live in as their territory. The two gangs constantly dispute and don’t coexist harmonically to any extent. So when a former Jet, Tony, falls in love at first sight with Maria, the sister to the Sharks’ leader, tensions arise between the two gangs. Tony and Maria meet in secret at any opportunity, growing closer and falling in love. The two rival gangs, however, oppose the love affair and plan one last fight that will determine who claims the neighborhood as their own territory. A string of tragedies dot the horizon for Tony and Maria and for the two gangs as a whole. With exquisite dance sequences and infamous songs such as “Something’s Coming” and “I Feel Pretty”, West Side Story continues to be a spectacularly choreographed musical. West Side Story is coming to Rudder Auditorium on April 8 and April 9. The show will begin at 7:30pm and tickets are available at mscopas.org.
the scoop WHAT: WEST SIDE STORY WHERE: RUDDER AUDITORIUM WHEN: APRIL 8-9 | 7:30PM maroonweekly.com • April 2, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 23
TUE & WED, APRIL 8 & 9 • 7:30 PM • Rudder Auditorium
SPECIAL PRICES FOR STUDENTS
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MSC Box Office 979-845-1234 MSCOPAS.org Sponsored by