pop - Jul 22, 2011

BLAKE SHELTON

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COMIC-CON

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‘CAPTAIN AMERICA’

Summer on set Norman’s Brady Bell, 12, spends his vacation starring opposite comedian Chris Kattan in a new feature film ALSO INSIDE Music: Black Canyon, White Denim Books: ‘I Watch, Therefore I Am,’ ‘Master Chef’ companion cookbook Theater: ‘Ragtime’ Food: Legends Film: ‘Friends with Benefits’

Friday, July 22, 2011

pop Kendall Brown, editor Stacy Swan, layout artist CONTACT US

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CORRECTION POLICY

THE DISH

High Notes

DRINK SPECIAL

The Brewhouse

By K e n d a ll

Bro w n

POP Edit or

Coyne, Lips are flaming mad about auctioned memorabilia

W

ayne Coyne is angry.

Well, based on his recent tweets, angry may be an understatement. Wayne Coyne is livid.

Here’s what happened (from what I can gather): Coyne and the other guys in the Flaming Lips have a storage facility in Oklahoma City that they use to store old Lips memorabilia, including multiple costumes worn on stage during concerts. For a Flaming Lips fan, this stuff is near priceless.

Unfortunately for Coyne, when the storage locker went to default auction it was, of course, snatched up by a local buyer. The costumes have now begun popping up on

ebay, all with an individual starting bid of $500.

According to Coyne’s Twitter, attempts to contact the buyer and get back the items have been unsuccessful thus far.

Well, the buyer is willing to return them, but as Coyne tweeted July 16: “The guy selling this stuff knows we want it back but demands that we give tens of thousands of dollars ... Please DO NOT give him money.” (This particular tweet, by the way, was possibly the least angry and certainly the most cleanly worded).

So now fans are faced with a moral dilemma: Legally, the buyer has done nothing wrong. The items were lawfully obtained at

auction and he has the right to do with them what he will. That’s black and white. What’s quite a bit grayer, however, are the ethics of the situation. Is it OK for the buyer to profit (quite a bit) from what has happened? What about fans? They have the legal right to disregard Coyne’s tweets and bid to their hearts content on a piece of Flaming Lips history. But how sweet is the victory of owning a piece of your favorite band when the lead singer would be angry at you for purchasing it?

The choice is up to the fans.

Luckily (or maybe unluckily), I don’t have an extra $500 in my bank account to splurge, so that’s one decision I don’t have to make.

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE

Corrections of errors in fact will be published in this space and will be made as soon as possible after the error has been brought to the editor’s attention CONNECT Facebook.com/ normanpop Twitter.com/ transcriptpop

Ramon Jaraba poses dressed as Borg during the first day of Comic Con on Thursday in San Diego.

For more coverage of Comic-Con, see Page 5.

ON THE COVER

Brady Bell, right, and Chris Kattan rehearse a scene at Crest Market in Oklahoma City. Photo by Graham Carroll, provided

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Friday, July 22, 2011

AP Photo

Jarrett Henderson recommended The Brewhouse brew specials this week for ‘The Dish.’

The Brewhouse, located at 110 W. Main St., offers $2 pints of their house beer selections. House beer choices include strawberry pilsner, regular pilsner, wheat, amber, ESB (extra special bitter,) IPA, Irish and Stout.

The Dish is a weekly feature dedicated to reader suggestions on Norman’s culinary highlights. Next week’s category: Tea — who makes your favorite? To nominate, email pop@normantranscript.com.

DIY DELICACY This week’s D.I.Y. Delicacy is submitted by Robin Creamer Brown, who says this chilled dip is perfect for hot summer months when you don’t feel like turning on the hot oven.

Ranch Spinach Dip 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Dip mix 16 oz. sour cream 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained Optional: 8 oz canned water chestnuts, rinsed, drained and chopped Mix all ingredients together. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Serve with raw vegetables such as carrots, cauliflower and broccoli or with crackers. To dress up the dip, serve it in a bread bowl.

Have a DIY recipe for a beverage or side you want featured? Email pop@normantranscript.com

DINE-IN • CARRYOUT • DELIVERY

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MUSIC REVIEWS Blake Shelton

with Mrs. Shelton? All I know is that “Red River Blue” is no “Blake Shelton’s Barn & Grill,” the 2004 album that really caught my attention.

Listen to the history-making, monster single “Honey Bee.” It’s catchy in its own way. “You’re this, I’m that” phrasing and a references to Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty’s 1973 hit “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man.” It will feel like 1980 with the urban cowboy, Don Williamsstyled “Ready to Roll,” with its fat bass line and sing-a-long, beers-in-the-air chorus. It’s a good summer song and one of the best on the album.

But then the sappy ballads roll around — stuff like the saccharine “God Gave Me You” or the poppy “Drink On It.” Or cringe-worthy songs like “I’m

Sorry,” geared toward his female fans, I suppose. I don’t know what it is, but Shelton doesn’t shine as much on these sorts of slow songs.

But sometimes he does. The sensitive title track, with a tasteful acoustic flavor and vocals shared with Lambert, simply works well. This is not to be confused with the Luke Olson song of the same name.

But back to Shelton’s strengths. It’s the songs like the dobro-heavy “Good Ole Boys,” where Shelton laments the current lack of manners and fashion sense among the population and the lack of “good ole boys.” Fans of Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams Jr. will respond well to this outlaw-style track.

It was interesting to note that on the rowdy, Shelton-riffic “Get Some,” one of the co-writers is Zac Maloy, former member of The Nixons, the Oklahoma City band that hit big in mid-90s with grunge-lite songs like “Sister.” Good to see Shelton is giving fellow Okies some work.

“Red River Blue” is a mixed bag. If it had left off the schmaltz and been released as an EP — a successful move in the recent past — it would have been a far better release.

— Andrew W. Griffin

sonic palette, expanding to include country rockers and an off-kilter folksy blues number.

Serengeti — “Family & Friends”: Looking for listening pleasure in all the wrong downloads? Try Serengeti’s witty and detailed narration. This is matchmaking, hip-hop style.

Serengeti’s style is fresh and unexpected, not solely because of his range of subject matter but also regarding the variety in his vocal delivery. Musically, he travels an expansive field, including folk, boom bap, dance, disco, rock and indie pop.

Ricky Skaggs — “Country Hits: Bluegrass Style”: After a stellar country career in the ’80s that saw Skaggs rocket to the

top of the country charts with hit after hit while acting as one of the prime figures in the New Traditionalist movement, he returned to his bluegrass roots in the 1990s with Kentucky Thunder and his own label, Skaggs Family Records. Now he brings that bluegrass instrumentation to some of his biggest ’80s country hits in a set of crackling reinterpretations of old favorites.

Big Talk — “Big Talk”: Killers drummer Ronnie Vannucci sets down the sticks to take center stage on his rocking solo debut. Vannucci proves his vocal chops and multi-instrumental abilities on this outing.

— PopMatters.com

“Red River Blue” Warner Bros (2011)

White Denim “D” Downtown Music (2011)

This is the new LP by an Austin-based rock guitar quartet comprised of 20-something white guys, half with scraggly beards who wear blue denim, Tshirts and boots. Some of that is known from attending their concert on OU’s art museum lawn June 4. Their live concert sound was perfect for a warm spring evening outdoors.

White Denim’s studio music is polished and reminiscent of what’s found playing on classic rock stations anywhere in America. The very first track “It’s Him!” is like taking a spin with Steppenwolf’s soul grandchildren. Exuberant percussion, soaring vocals and intricate guitar riffs fade into an imaginary California sunset.

“River to Consider” sounds like they brought jazz flautist Herbie Mann back from the great beyond for one more solo.

White Denim’s willingness to experiment works well throughout this album.

A couple of tracks stand on the precipice of noodling for too long but never stumble into the abyss of tedium. Harmonized vocals, tambourine and galloping guitar on “Drug” display their psychedelic side that all the cool kids are buzzing about.

“Bess St.” continues the shimmering jazz/rock fusion that is a welcome sonic resurgence.

White Denim’s music is unlikely to fade in intensity, even after repeated listening.

— Doug Hill

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Oklahoma is becoming increasingly known as the home to a lot of entertainers, particularly musicians — and more specifically, folks in country music.

Ada-native Blake Shelton is no exception. For a decade now, Shelton, now living in Tishomingo with his country star wife Miranda Lambert, has been releasing hit after hit on country radio. With his latest, “Red River Blue,” Shelton has offered up a full-fledged album (11 songs) compared to his past two EP’s, “Hillbilly Bone” and “All About Tonight.”

The album is pretty standard Nashville fare with a few standout songs written by some of the best Music City has to offer. A who’s who of “Nashville Cats” provide appealing, accessible riffs and musical flair. It’s even produced by top-notch Oklahomanative and producer Scott Hendricks (Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn).

But is that enough? Is Shelton spending too much time as a judge on “The Voice” or back at the southern Oklahoma ranch

THE RIFF REPORT They Might Be Giants — “Join Us”: They Might Be Giants has finally taken a break from writing kids’ songs and in the form of “Join Us” have created an album for the parents — their first “adult” record since 2007’s “The Else.” With “Join Us,” you get 19 songs that veer wildly all over the map, but still carry They Might Be Giants’ stylistic hiccups and oddball lyrics.

Imelda May — “Mayhem”: Imelda May’s third record was originally released in the U.K. last year, spawning an impressive four singles. U.S. listeners can expect to enjoy May’s trend of increasing confidence and verve in the context of a broadened

Friday, July 22, 2011

Black Canyon “Battlefield Darlins” Independant (2011)

Oklahoma folk band Black Canyon surprised the music scene this week by releasing early their new album, “Battlefield Darlins.”

The album, spawned from lead singer Jake Morisse’s rural upbringing, shows that country is still cool and that just because you’re southern doesn’t mean you’re a hick.

The album features seven songs that tell the story of two lovers torn apart by the Civil War. With female vocals provided by the fantastic Sherree Chamberlain, you can almost hear the initial love and the lasting longing in the two character’s words. The album’s story, begun with songs of love and hope, spinning the tale of a shotgun wedding, quickly turns beautifully somber as he marches off to war. In song “Letters of Blood, Banjos of Hope” Morisse sings “The captain says hold no regrets for the souls that you’ve taken/See the reverend as he does/The gunshots keep me up at night as I’m thinking of you/I can’t find my way to sleep.”

It would be easy for an album dealing with such dark subject matter to slip into becoming very one-dimensional or heavy-handed. Black Canyon manages to present the idea of Civil War lovers without sledgehammering the subject to death. In fact, throughout the entire album, it’s never stated whether Morisse’s character is fighting for the north or the south, simply that he’s fighting. Morisse said he did this on purpose, as he wanted to to remain a love album, not an album about politics.

The album can be bought online at blackcanyon.bandcamp.com/album/battlefield-darlins for $7. Black Canyon will also host a CD release party with Ryan Lawson and Blue Valley at 9:30 p.m.

Aug. 19 at VZD’s in Oklahoma City.

— Kendall Brown, POP Editor

POP GETS LIT

Book uses TV to teach philosophical concepts

REVIEW

‘Master Chef’ recipe book looks great, but ingredients are pricey

T

he goggle box, the REVIEW tube, the boob tube, the idiot box, telly ... and attempts to clarify the television — no matter what theories of the great thinkers you call it, chances are you of the past through the have an opinion on its actions and adventures of social, cultural and scholarly television icons value. past and presSome believe ent. it has no value at The book is a all. Were the little on the great Aristotle heavy side at the still alive today, beginning, as he would disthe first couple agree. So, in of chapters lay turn, would on the philosoPlato, St. phy real thick Augustine, without enough Descartes, pop culture to Hobbes, Locke balance out the “I Watch, and even John mix. This alone Therefore I Am” Stuart Mill, who might be might even chalenough to turn lenge you to a bare-knuckle some readers away, or even boxing match over the issue put the more drowsy ones to but that’s neither here nor sleep. But by Chapter 3, the there. The point is, the great co-authors find their rhythm theorists and logicians of the while explaining the convenpast would have gone tions of Socrates and his bonkers for the little elecSocratic method through the tronic fireplace we call TV. likes of Sergeant Schultz At least that’s the case if from “Hogan’s Heroes” and Gregory Bergman and Peter Jerry Seinfeld. My personal Archer are to be believed. favorite though would prob“I Watch, Therefore I ably be Chapter 8, where the Am” is their new book from skepticism of Agent Dana Adams Media that explains Scully is used to illustrate the philosophical concepts great logical tool “Ockham’s through the episodes and Razor.” exploits of our favorite TV So, while “I Watch, characters. The co-authors Therefore I Am” gets off to a contend that there isn’t a sin- rough start, any book that is gle issue regarding the able to teach a subject as human condition that hasn’t potentially dry as philosophy been thoroughly explored can be under the guise of within our own popular cul- entertainment is a success as ture, specifically on the small far as I’m concerned. There screen. is plenty to learn from televiUsing examples such as sion, you just have to know Marcia Brady, Beaver how to look at it. So go Cleaver, Homer Simpson, ahead, watch a little TV ...

Don Draper and Captain or John Stuart Mill will Kirk the book delves into punch you in the face. deep philosophical concepts — Levi Lee

Before you do, howevhave a confession to make: I love Gordon er, make sure you look at the recipes closely. It’s Ramsay. I love the apparent right award-winaway that ning chef so Master Chef much, in fact, contestants had that he could access to topstage a show of-the-line where he did ingredients in nothing but the show make PB&J pantry — sandwiches for many of the an entire seadishes feature son, and I’d “Taste of Home top-notch still watch it.

This undy- Presents Master Chef ingredients like Premier Issue” filet mignon, ing love means fresh salmon I have, of filets and fresh mussels. course, been watching his newest show, “Master Not exactly your normal supermarket trip fare.

Chef,” faithfully. On the There are several show, thousands of home more-accessible recipes, chefs compete for the however. Particularly chance to be one of an elite few that will eventu- with the desserts, the cookbook helps to conally be narrowed down vince that everyone can to one winner — the cook something beautiful “Master Chef.” Now, and tasty. In addition, along with Taste of there are a few fun little Home, the Gordon side-food projects, such Ramsay empire has as how to make your released a companion magazine-style cookbook own mozzerella or hardshell chocolate ice cream for the show “Taste of topping. The instruction Home Presents Master Chef Premiere Issue.” for these seem easy, Many of the recipes are doable and don’t require based on dishes contesttrips to multiple markets ants cooked throughout or top-dollar grocery the show. budgets.

The cookbook has its So if you’re a fan of strong and weak points.

Gordon Ramsay and are It is well-designed, its looking for a fun readglossy pages filled with along for one of his page after page of stunshows, the cookbook is ning food photographs. for you. Just be prepared It’s enough to make your to lust for many recipes mouth water and to that are outside the daymake you want to get to-day grocery budget. your pots and pans out — Kendall Brown, right away.

POP Editor

I Photo Provided

Tracy Ho, dressed as Circe, and Demir Oral, dressed as Clark Kent, walk through the registration lines during Preview Night at the Comic-Con 2011 convention Wednesday in San Diego.

Comic-Con kicks off with fans, flicks, costumes

By Sandy Cohen AP Entertainment Writer

SAN DIEGO — Calling all superheroes, zombies, space aliens, comic-book lovers and kids of all ages: Comic-Con is here.

The pop-culture convention, which annually draws thousands of costumed fans to San Diego, began Thursday, with hundreds of exhibitors and more than 130,000 guests packing the Convention Center for the sold-out, fourday event.

“The people who go through those doors, most of them are film fans and fans of

pop culture, be it video games or movies or television shows, T-shirts or comic books, it’s all part of this big cultural stew,” says filmmaker Jon Favreau, who will premiere his latest flick, “Cowboys & Aliens,” at Comic-Con. “These are people who normally interact with one another through the Internet ... Then when you finally open it up to meeting in person, it just concentrates that experience.”

Derryl DePriest, a 35-year festival veteran now works for Hasbro.

“I’ve seen it go from an event based on comic books to Continued on Page 8

Friday, July 22, 2011

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COVER STORY

Norman boy shoots film with Chris Kattan in OKC

Photos by Graham Carroll, provided

Above: Brady Bell, 12, of Norman, and director Lance McDaniel discuss a scene at Crest Market on South May Avenue in Oklahoma City while filming “Just Crazy Enough,” starring Bell and comedian Chris Kattan. Below: Bell and McDaniel play twins for a day.

By Kendall Brown POP Editor

When Brady Bell heads to his first day of seventh grade at Whittier Middle School this fall, he’ll have one doozy of a “What I Did This Summer” essay.

That’s because this summer the 12-year-old is busy starring in a movie with Chris Kattan called “Just Crazy Enough.” He likes thinking about that summer essay, though.

“Here’s what the teacher would be saying, ‘OK, kids, write an essay over what you did for your summer,’ Bell said. “Here’s what mine would be in a nutshell: ‘Well, filmed a movie. Met Chris Kattan.

Met Desmond Mason the basketball star — and did I mention

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filmed a movie?’”

Bell grew up on Norman’s Sooner Theatre stage and has been an extra in several feature films.

This will be his first time as a principal character in a feature length film, however. For Bell, it’s a learning experience — he said working with and watching the older cast members, especially Kattan, has been eye-opening.

“Everybody is awesome,” Bell said. “They’re all really good.”

The film is produced in Oklahoma and stars Chris Kattan, best-known for his eight years on “Saturday Night Live,” and is directed by Lance McDaniel, the executive director of deadCENTER Film Festival. In the film, Kattan plays the dual lead — twins separat-

Friday, July 22, 2011

Continued on Page 7

Continued from Page 6 ed at birth, one a lifelong mental patient and the other a psychiatrist. The two twins end up switched, with the psychiatrist stuck inside the mental hospital and the patient on the outside with the good doctor’s family. The film has been a two-year labor of love for McDaniel and crew.

“It’s a really fun, uplifting family comedy,” McDaniel said. “We wrote it two years ago and have spent about two years raising money for it.”

Other than Kattan and one other actor, all of the actors are from Oklahoma.

Casting a local set of actors wasn’t the crew’s original goal, but McDaniel said they are glad it turned out that way. He said Kattan is ‘naturally and inherently hilarious’ and without such a stellar Oklahoma cast and crew, the film wouldn’t be the same.

“We’ve talked every night after he gets home to his hotel and I think he’s been blown away by how awesome the Oklahoma actors are and certainly he’s been raving about the crew and thinks we’re awesome,” McDaniel said. “Having the support of your cast is everything for a star. It has been awesome working with Chris, but it’s not just because of the great relationship he and I have. It’s because he has so much respect for the cast members and the crew members he gets to work with.” pop

IN THE CITY

Lyric Theatre’s ‘Ragtime’ questions truth, justice for all Johnnie-Margaret McConnell For POP

Equality appears to be Lyric Theatre’s summer season theme.

First, “Oliver!” took us across the Atlantic to 19th century England lack of child labor laws. Next, “Hairspray” brought us home to 1960s American and the variety of prejudicial acts playing out at home and across the airwaves. This week, “Ragtime” explores turn-of-the-20th-century American race and ethnicity relations.

Terrence McNally’s 1996 Tony Award-winning musical is a symbolic tale about three distinct American populations; blacks, established whites and immigrants.

Three leads represent each group; Coalhouse Walker Jr., a black Harlem musician; Mother, the matriarch of a WASP family in New Rochelle, N.Y.; and Tateh, a Latvian Jewish immigrant.

Each is challenged to find the good in others and with how to respond in the face of adversity.

“Ragtime” is based on E.L. Doctorow’s 1975 historical fiction novel. Historical figures such as Harry Houdini and Booker T.

Photo Provided

Lyric Theatre’s production of “Ragtime” runs Wednesday through Saturday at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. in Oklahoma City.

Washington are still included. Lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty developed a mostly sungthrough musical with McNally. This operatic style makes it all the more important for audience members to be able to hear the singers over the on-stage orchestra.

This was a problem throughout the first half of opening night taking away for understanding the development of the three intertwining stories.

Lyric’s own artistic director, Michael Baron, leads the 35-person cast and 21-person orchestra. Baron in a press release stated that he

believes “everyone, no matter their race, heritage or religion, can relate to the production of ‘Ragtime.’”

I would agree. America may still be seen as the land of opportunity, but at whose peril and sacrifice? Ragtime is not without human loss, but in the end turns optimistic about the human condition and the future our children may one day bring to us all.

Norman’s own Mateja Govich plays Tateh.

Relocating from New York City, Govich now teaches private voice and works with the Lyric’s Gaylord Academy and Norman’s Sooner Theatre Studio. Tateh seeks asylum for he and his daughter in the land of the free.

His optimism and artistic talents lead him to finally strike gold but never forget where he came from.

“Ragtime” runs a full three hours and is a full ensemble piece. Most numbers include at least one of the three mini-choruses representing each population with a few outstanding solos.

OU graduate Adrianna Hicks plays Coalhouse Walker’s estranged lover, Sarah. Destitute, she leaves her newborn baby in Mother’s garden. Taken in with her baby by the sympathetic affluent family, Sarah

begins to heal. Finally singing her pain away in “Your Daddy’s Son” you can feel the sobs through her shaking words. Another OU graduate Kristina Love playing Sarah’s friend sings low in her grief over her untimely death by the police. Slow and steady, Love’s range stretches the keyboard as she leads the audience in a soulmoving rendition of “Till We Reach that Day” before intermission. Hicks and Love are both in their third leading role this summer for Lyric.

“Ragtime” music’s syncopated rhythms of traditional European classical music remain highly emblematic of Americas continually fusing populations. A land of immigrants, there will always be a need for artist to give America a “new syncopation” to brings us together.

“Ragtime” runs 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. in Oklahoma City. For tickets, visit www.lyrictheatreokc.com, call 524-9312, visit Lyric Theatre’s ticket office located on 1727 N.W. 16th St. in Oklahoma City or call the Civic Center Box office at 297-2264 or 1-800-3647111.

Friday, July 22, 2011

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IN GOOD TASTE

Save room for dessert at Legend’s

By Kendall Brown POP Editor

When you first walk into Legend’s Restaurant, it’s hard to see how it came from the humble beginnings of a pizza delivery service. There are no remnants of the casual start left within the fine-dining establishment.

The décor inside Legend’s is formal but eccentric. Artwork of all types cover the walls, and hung from the ceiling above the dining tables are racks of wine glasses. Storing the glasses above diners helps bring a comfortable feeling to the dining room, as if you’re dining in someone’s kitchen. The first “decoration” you see upon walking into Legend’s, however, is the fully stocked dessert cabinet. Leading with the food first is clearly a principle that runs deep within the Legend’s family.

The service at Legend’s is really second to none. During my visit there, my waitress was friendly and expedient. When I expressed even the smallest dissatisfaction, she immediately remedied the situation.

Within moments of first sitting down, she appeared, asking for my drink order. Before I’d even received my salad, she passed out hot rolls.

The entire time I was there, not five minutes went by without being asked if I needed something.

During my visit to Legend’s I tried a chicken and a pork selection.

Their medallions of chicken dish, $17.95, featured boneless chicken breast meat medallions, dipped in bread crumbs and sautéed in a blend of olive and canola oils. The dish was served with a side of asparagus and carrots as well as a side of sour cream and chive mashed potatoes.

The chicken was perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. For an additional $2, a lemon caper sauce can be added to the chicken – and I can assure you, is absolutely worth it. The mashed potatoes were made with the skins on and then piped attractively onto the plate, perfectly blending the rus-

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Photo by Kendall Brown

Legend's crispy pork tenderloin medallions, $17.95, are sauteed and finished with warm marinated portobello mushrooms in a light Asian sauce and served with sour cream and chive mashed potatoes as well as a side of asparagus and carrots. The pork dish is ideal for those who enjoy stronger tastes for their palette, as the mushrooms and Asian sauce give the dish a definite kick. tic and formal elements of the plate.

My other selection for the evening, the crispy pork tenderloin medallions, $17.95, are sauteed and finished with warm marinated portobello mushrooms in a light Asian sauce and served with sour cream and chive mashed potatoes as well as a side of asparagus and carrots. The pork dish is ideal for those who enjoy stronger tastes for their palette, as the mushrooms and Asian sauce give the dish a definite kick.

If you’re looking for drinks of the adult kind, Legends has got you covered. They offer a strong collection of top-shelf liquor that is sure to satisfy anyone looking for a cocktail.

So, if you’re looking to be pampered or to enjoy a romantic evening out, Legend’s is a great place to go. My one tip is this: Don’t make my mistake and fill up too much on the main course. Their dessert selection looks spectacular, and I regret that I’ll have to wait until my next visit to indulge.

Friday, July 22, 2011

FAST FOOD FACTS

Legend’s Location: 1313 W. Lindsey St. Cuisine: Up-scale American and Italian Price Range: $15 - $40 Atmosphere: Semi-formal You Have to Try This: Medallions of Chicken Breast, seen above, featuring breaded boneless chicken breast meat medallions sautéed in a blend of olive and canola oils with the vegetable of the day and sour cream & chive mashed potatoes, $17.95 (Lemon Caper Sauce additional $2) Alcohol: Full-service bar The Skinny: Legend’s offers a fine-dining experience in Norman that will leave you feeling pampered.

Photo Provided

A woman sleeps in front of an Edward Cullen cutout while in line at the Comic-Con 2011 convention Wednesday in San Diego. “Twilight” fans waited in line since Tuesday for the panel Thursday with stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.

Continued from Page 5 a celebration of pop culture,” he said. “The (toys) we make are fantastic, but it’s the camaraderie built around them that makes it special.

Hollywood continues to command a headlining presence at Comic-Con, and Tinseltown’s offerings are some of the most anticipated.

“Captain America” will play in San Diego for a full day before its nationwide opening Friday, and star Chris Evans is set to introduce the earliest screening. “Cowboys & Aliens” will hold its world premiere at Comic-Con on Saturday — a festival first.

Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson are coming to the convention to talk about “The Adventures of Tin-Tin”; Sony is offering a peek at “The Amazing Spider-Man”; and the “Twilight” trio — Kristen

Stewart, Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson — will again greet fans.

Television’s “True Blood,” “Game of Thrones” and “The Walking Dead” are also big draws, while new shows such as “Person of Interest,” “Grimm” and “Terra Nova” will present preview footage and introduce their casts, hoping to attract viewers before their fall premieres.

“Comic-Con is this incredible celebration of the arts, and the arts spans movies, television, video games — which are incredibly artistic now. It’s toys, it’s collectibles, it is straight comics and graphic novels,” says documentarian Morgan Spurlock, who made a movie about Comic-Con and will introduce its companion photo book at this year’s festival. “It is this cornerstone of pop culture that has so much influence now.”

FILM

The ‘Friends with Benefits’ names it, falls short of claiming it MOVIE GEEK with

Jeff Johncox

NOW PLAYING

“Friends with Benefits” isn’t a bad movie — it’s just not a great movie, either.

The new “anti-romantic comedy” stars Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis, two surprisingly talented actors hard at work mapping out paths to the A-list.

As far as vehicles go, “Friends with Benefits” serves its purpose, offering up both actors as capable comedians — in the first half of the film anyway.

Simultaneously dumped by their respective partners and accused of being emotionally unavailable/damaged, Dylan (Timberlake) is lured from Los Angeles to New York by

quriky, fast-talking corporate headhunter Jamie (Kunis). His only friend in the Big Apple, the equally quirky Dylan spends more time with Jamie, and the two eventually find themselves lamenting about relationships over drinks and a sappy romcom. While discussing the merits of casual sex, the two strike a deal — friendship and sex with no emotional attachment.

The film references romantic comedy clichés in an obvious effort to “name it and claim it.” Things start out promising with the same kind of snappy dialogue that made director Will Gluck’s “Easy A” so much fun. But when Jamie finds

herself falling for Dylan and things get awkward, the film regresses into exactly what it attempts to poke fun at — just another pedestrian romcom.

There are a few good chuckles, especially from Woody Harrelson’s eccentric gay sports editor, who is thrown into otherwise bland stretches of the film like a molotov cocktail of hilarious.

Kunis and Timberlake have good chemistry, and the pair work well together. Timberlake struggles to regenerate the charisma he showed in “The Social Network,” but manages to be charming. Kunis, revealed as a very capable actress in “Black

Swan,” is dynamite as the outwardly confident “guy’s girl” but falls a bit flat with the rest of the plot when the film’s schtick gets tired.

But at least when the plot turns stale and starts to drag a bit, things don’t get overly sappy.

“Friends with Benefits” is a cute, movie if you’re in a good mood, but if you’re feeling cynical, skip this one.

It’s chuckle-out-loud funny — you won’t be rolling in the aisles. To be honest, it’s best to wait for DVD, or better yet, Redbox or Netflix.

“Friends with Benefits” is rated R for lots of nudity, sexual situations and raunchy humor.

— Stacy Swan

MOVIE LISTINGS

New Releases

CAPTAIN AMERICA THE FIRST AVENGER

Starring: Chris Evans, Natalie Dormer, Hugo Weaving, Stanley Tucci, Tommy Lee Jones Rated: PG-13 What Jeff says: Can Marvel keep their superhero movie mojo going with a World War II-era protagonist?

Or is this just an advertisement for next year’s Avengers? What superhero will Chris Evans portray next, now that Marvel universe continuity is out the window? These questions — and more — will be answered in this week’s Movie Geek! Same Geek time!

Same Geek channel!

Watch the @ .com review online

COMING SOON Aug. 5: Rise of the Planet of the Apes Starring: James Franco, Freida Pinto, Andy Serkis, Tom Felton, Tyler Labine, John Lithgow Rated: PG-13

• Captain America: The First Avenger — After being deemed unfit for military service, Steve Rogers volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, a superhero dedicated to defending America’s ideals. PG-13 (Warren Theatre, Hollywood Spotlight 14) • Friends with Benefits — While trying to avoid the clichés of Hollywood romantic comedies, Dylan (Justin Timberlake) and Jamie (Mila Kunis) soon discover however that adding the act of sex to their friendship does lead to complications. R. (Warren Theatre, Hollywood Spotlight 14)

Also Showing

• Bad Teacher — A comedy centered around a foul-mouthed, junior high teacher (Cameron Diaz) who, after being dumped by her sugar daddy, begins to woo a colleague — a move that pits her against a well-loved teacher. R. (Warren Theatre, Hollywood Spotlight 14) • Cars 2 — Star race car Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater head overseas to compete in the World Grand Prix race.

But the road to the championship becomes rocky as Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. G. (Warren Theatre, Hollywood Spotlight 14) • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 — The final chapter begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione Granger continue their quest of finding and destroying the Dark Lord’s three

remaining Horcruxes, the magical items responsible for his immortality. But as the mystical Deathly Hallows are uncovered, and Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again. PG-13. (Warren Theatre, Hollywood Spotlight 14) • Horrible Bosses — Three friends conspire to murder their awful bosses when they realize they are standing in the way of their happiness. R. (Warren Theatre, Hollywood Spotlight 14) • Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer — Third grader Judy Moody sets out to have the most thrilling summer of her life. PG. (Robinson Crossing) • Larry Crowne — After losing his job, a middle-aged man (Tom Hanks) reinvents himself by going back to college.

PG-13 (Warren Theatre) • Mr. Popper’s Penguins — The life of a businessman (Jim Carrey) begins to change after he inherits six penguins, and as he transforms his apartment into a winter wonderland, his professional side starts to unravel. (Robinson Crossing) • Rio — When Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, meets the fiercely independent Jewel, he takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro with this bird of his dreams. G. (Robinson Crossing) • Soul Surfer — A teenage surfer girl summons the courage to go back into the ocean after losing an arm in a shark attack. PG. (Robinson Crossing) • Transformers: Dark of the Moon — The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the Moon, and race

against the Decepticons to reach it and to learn its secrets. PG-13 (Warren Theatre, Hollywood Spotlight 14) • Thor — The powerful but arrogant warrior Thor is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sent to live amongst humans on Earth, where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders. PG13 (Robinson Crossing) • Winnie the Pooh — During an ordinary day in Hundred Acre Wood, Winnie the Pooh sets out to find some honey. Misinterpreting a note from Christopher Robin, Pooh convinces Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo, and Eeyore that their young friend has been captured by a creature named "Backson" and they set out to save him. G. (Warren Theatre, Hollywood Spotlight 14) • X-Men: First Class — In 1962, Charles Xavier starts up a school and later a team, for humans with superhuman abilities. Among them is Erik Lensherr, his best friend ... and future archenemy. PG13. (Robinson Crossing) • Zookeeper — A group of zoo animals decide to break their code of silence in order to help their lovable zookeeper (Kevin James) find love — without opting to leave his current job for something more illustrious. PG. (Warren Theatre, Hollywood Spotlight 14) For Hollywood Spotlight 14 showtimes, call 579-0911 or visit gohollywood.com. For Robinson Crossing 6 showtimes, call 4471005 or visit starplexcinemas.com. For Warren Theatre showtimes, call 703-

3777 or visit warrentheatres.com.

a 3-D premium will be applied to each purchased 3-D ticket.

Why wait in line?

PRINT TICKETS AT HOME www.GOHOLLYWOOD.com

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (R) WINNIE THE POOH (G) 12:55 3:55 6:55 9:15 9:55 1:10 3:35 6:15 CAPTAIN AMERICA 2D (PG13) HORRIBLE BOSSES (R) 1:05 4:05 6:50 9:35 12:45 3:15 3:45 6:45 8:15 9:45 TRANSFORMERS 3 3D (PG13) CAPTAIN AMERICA 3D (PG13) 1:20 4:40 8:05 1:15 1:45 4:15 4:45 ZOOKEEPER (PG) 7:15 7:45 10:15 12:50 3:50 6:50 9:25 HARRY POTTER 3D (PG-13) CARS 2 3D (G) 1:15 1:45 4:15 4:45 12:40 3:40 6:35 7:15 7:45 8:15 10:15 BAD TEACHER (R) HARRY POTTER 2D (PG-13) 12:25 7:05 10:05 12:30 12:45 1:30 3:30 4:30 6:30 7:30 9:15 9:30 9:45

Friday, July 22, 2011

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NINE NIGHTS IN NORMAN 23 SAT

7 p.m. — Old 97’s, Robert Ellis, The Workweek, Kentucky Knife Fight and The Lusitania, The Opolis, $20 pop pick 8 p.m. — America’s Favorite Dancers, Riverwind Casino, $18-$23 pop pick 10 p.m — Aaron Squirrell and Friends, The Brewhouse, $5 TBA — Hosty Duo, The Deli

9 p.m. — Dorian Small and Cherry Royale, The Opolis, $8 10 p.m — The Stumblers, The Brewhouse, $5 TBA — Dead End Drifters, Bluebonnet Bar, $5 pop pick TBA — Moai Broadcast, The Deli

24 SUN 7:30 p.m — Terry “Buffalo” Ware and the Shambles at Summer Breeze, Lions Park, Free pop pick TBA — Mike Hosty Solo, The Deli

7 p.m. — TBA, The Deli, Free 10 p.m. — The Damn Quails, The Deli

26 TUE TBA — Cherry Royale, The Deli

27 WED TBA — Deli All-Star Jam, The Deli

2 p.m. — All Shook 2 p.m. — All Up, Sooner Theatre, Shook Up, Sooner prices vary Theatre, prices vary 2 p.m. — Ragtime, OKC Civic Center Music Hall, prices vary pop pick 7:30 p.m. — All Shook Up, Sooner Theatre, prices vary 8 p.m. — Ragtime, OKC Civic Center Music Hall, prices vary

FILM & LIT

2 p.m. — All Shook Up, Sooner Theatre, prices vary 7:30 p.m. — All Shook Up, Sooner Theatre, prices vary pop pick 8 p.m. — Ragtime, OKC Civic Center Music Hall, prices vary

7 p.m. — Indie Movie Night, Michelangelo’s Coffee and Wine Bar, Free pop pick 8 a.m. — Farmers Market, Cleveland County Fairgrounds, Free pop pick 10:30 a.m. — Toddler Time, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Free with museum admission 2 p.m. — Discovery Days, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Free with museum admission

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25 MON

28 THU 10 p.m. — Jonbear Fourtet, The Brewhouse, $5 pop pick 7 p.m. — Camille Harp and Alan Orebaugh, The Deli, Free 10 p.m. — Albert Aguilar, The Deli

29 FRI 10 p.m. — The Nicnos Band, The Brewhouse, $5 TBA — My So Called Band, The Deli pop pick

30 SAT 10 p.m. — Kyle Earhart and the Lower Forty, The Brewhouse, $5 TBA — The Pidgin Band, The Deli

10 a.m. — Free Admission Tuesday, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Free pop pick

OFF BEAT

PERFORMING ARTS

VISUAL ARTS

MUSIC

22 FRI

pop

Friday, July 22, 2011

EVENT SUBMISSIONS To get your show or event in POP’s Nine Nights calendar, send the event name, time, date, location and admission price to pop@normantranscript.com.

Weekly deadline is noon Tuesdays.

9 p.m. — Heitz Movie Nitez showing “ET”, Marc Heitz Chevy Amphitheater, Free pop pick 4 p.m. — Toddler Time, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Free with museum admission

8 a.m. — Farmers Market, Cleveland County Fairgrounds, Free

8 a.m. — Farmers Market, Cleveland County Fairgrounds, Free 10:30 a.m. — Toddler Time, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Free with museum admission 2 p.m. — Discovery Days, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Free with museum admission pop pick

PATRONS: ‘ALL SHOOK UP’ AT THE SOONER THEATRE

PHOTO SUBMISSIONS Photo submissions for Patrons must be high-resolution and include caption information with the names of people in the photo, along with the date, place and name of event where it was taken. Photos are printed as space allows.

Young actors rehearse the Sooner Theatre production of “All Shook Up” during a dress rehearsal Tuesday at the theater. The “juke box” musical contains two dozen hits from Elvis Presley’s recording catalog, including “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Heartbreak Hotel” and the title tune. The show continues its run through Sunday.

PHOTOS BY JERRY LAIZURE

Friday, July 22, 2011

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