pop - Jan 22, 2010

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a n d d i ve i n • friday • jan. 22 • 2010

also inside: ‘Collateral’ a total hit • Norman filmmaker up for award • Movie is worth all the steps • Curator shares about public art • NMF announces open call • Haiti benefit concert set

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friday, jan. 22, 2010

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‘Collateral’ a total hit

By Mary Anne Hempe

Mary Anne Hempe

pop writer Editor-in-Chief: Aaron Wright Phone: 366-3533 Fax: 366-3516 E-mail all press releases and all other inquiries to: pop@normantranscript.com Weekly deadline: 5 p.m.

Monday All faxed or mailed information submitted must be typed.

All letters to the editor must

pop is published each Friday by The Norman Transcript, P.O. Box 1058, Norman, OK 73070.

To advertise in this section, COVER ART: Bill Glass takes a dip in the chocolate fountain during the Chocolate Festival at Norman North Feb. 7, 2009. (cover photo by Kevin Ellis)

I’ve always thought of Tom Cruise as more of a movie star than an actor, but every once in awhile he surprises me with a truly great performance — usually in a supporting role, oddly enough. He was magnificent (and Oscar-nominated) in “Magnolia” as the bitter son of a dying man, an absolute hoot as the fat, dancing studio exec in “Tropic Thunder” and a phenomenal bad guy in Michael Mann’s “Collateral” (2004), where the boyish Tommy transformed himself into a cold-hearted hit man with stunning results.

“Collateral” takes place in L.A., where we meet Max Durocher (Jamie Foxx), a nice guy in his 30s who’s working temporarily as a cab driver — for 12 years now. Max dreams of starting his own luxury limo business, but can’t seem to motivate himself to do much more than talk about it. So he keeps on driving.

Max doesn’t resent his “temporary” job; in fact, he’s an awesome cabbie (and definitely one of the best looking). Max knows all the fastest routes and takes great pride in his ride, keeping it the neatest in the fleet. But there’s no denying that driving a cab isn’t getting

Forgotten Video him anywhere — at least not until he picks up two fateful fares one night.

The first is a young woman named Annie (Jada Pinkett-Smith), a district attorney who’s just flown into LAX and needs a ride into town. Max drives right by her at first — then backs up when he realizes how cute she is.The two strike up a conversation on the way in, becoming such fast friends that Annie gives him her business card and tells him to call her when Max drops her off.

Moments after Annie leaves, a welldressed man hails Max’s cab. He looks like a rich businessman — distinguished gray hair, nice suit, big briefcase. He tells Max his name is Vincent (Cruise), and that he’s in town just for tonight to do a real estate deal. He has to make five stops and then needs a ride back to LAX. Would Max be interested in being his personal chauffeur? Max meekly protests that such arrangements are against regulations, until Vincent waves a wad of cash and promises to make it worth his while. It’s too tempting to refuse and besides, what could go

Films playing at Hollywood Spotlight 14 NEW RELEASES • Extraordinary Measures: John Crowley (Brendan Fraser) is living the life. Climbing higher up the corporate ladder at work and building a home with his wife and three children. His priorities begin to change, however, when his two youngest children are diagnosed with fatal Pompe disease. Crowley turns to Dr. Robert Stonehill to help him find a cure. PG. • Legion: A group of people in an out-of-the-way diner work to save the human race after God decides to send his angels to destroy them. R. • The Tooth Fairy: Six-yearold Tess is highly disappointed when Derek tells her the tooth

fairy isn’t real. PG. NOW PLAYING • Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: Alvin, Simon and Theodore return to school, where they work at saving its music program by winning a battle of the bands competition. However, they find their match in the Chipettes, a rival chipmunk singing group.

PG. • Avatar in 3D: A band of humans are pitted in a battle against a distant planet’s indigenous population. PG-13.

• Daybreakers: In this not-toofuturistic tale, vampires now out number humans. Most of mankind has been harvested for their blood. As the human popular

and the vampires’ food source dwindles, a group of vampires look for alternate solutions, which many just include the end of mankind altogether. R. • It’s Complicated: After a decade long divorce, Jane and Jake have rediscovered sparks. R. • Leap Year: After receiving earrings instead of an engagement ring, Anna (Amy Adams) decides to take things into her own hands by traveling to Dublin to propose to her boyfriend. PG. • Sherlock Holmes: Robert Downey Jr. stars as the clever Sherlock Holmes who is working to stop Lord Blackwood from his treacherous plan to take over London. PG-13.

wrong?

Everything, of course. Vincent, as it turns out, is actually a hit man with five contracts to fill before dawn. He was hired by a drug kingpin named Felix (Javier Bardem), who’s about to go to trial and needs to eliminate some pesky witnesses – along with a darling little DA named Annie.

Although Cruise has top billing, he really has the supporting part. Foxx is the lead character, even though he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. It doesn’t matter; they’re both superb, with Cruise edging out Foxx just a bit when it comes to scene-stealing. Maybe it’s the gray hair (he looks terrific with it, by the way).

While “Collateral” isn’t the tensest of thrillers, it’s still grand fun to watch Cruise and Foxx together on screen (especially when they visit Max’s mom in the hospital). And to think these parts were first offered to Russell Crowe and Adam Sandler.

Keep your eyes open for “Transporter’s” Jason Statham in a tiny role at the beginning.There’s also a Debi Mazur sighting in Max’s cab. You can find “Collateral” (rated R for a high body count — Cruise is responsible for 16 of them — and for language) at Hastings.

Check it out.

Now Playing at Robinson Crossing 6 • 2012: As the world is coming to an end, divorced dad Jackson Curtis looks for a way to save his family, meeting many people with the same goal along the way. PG-13 • A Christmas Carol: Jim Carrey stars in this retelling of the classic Christmas story written by Charles Dickens.

PG • Amelia: This movie tells the story of Amelia Earhart and her desire to circumnavigate the globe. PG. • Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: Inspired by the beloved children’s book, this film focuses on when food falls from the sky like rain. PG. • Fantastic Mr. Fox: The adventurous Mr. Fox has a habit of getting in trouble for raiding farms. After one particularly risky raid, Mrs. Fox makes him promise to give it up. A few years later, he becomes restless and begins trying to raid again, only to find himself in a heap of trouble.

PG

Films playing at Warren Theatre NEW RELEASES: • Extraordinary Measures: John Crowley (Brendan Fraser) is living the life. Climbing higher up the corporate ladder at work and building a home with his wife and three children. His priorities begin to change, however, when his two youngest children are diagnosed with fatal Pompe disease. Crowley turns to Dr. Robert Stonehill to help him find a cure. PG. • Legion: A group of people in an out-of-the-way diner work to save the human race after God decides to send his angels to destroy them. R. • The Tooth Fairy: Six-yearold Tess is highly disappointed when Derek tells her the tooth fairy isn’t real. PG. • To Save a Life: After the death of a fried, all-star athlete

Jake Taylor makes significant life changes. PG-13.

NOW SHOWING: • Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: Alvin, Simon and Theodore return to school, where they work at saving their school’s music program by winning a battle of the bands competition.

However, they find their match in the Chipettes, a rival chipmunk singing group. PG. • Avatar 2D and 3D: A band of humans are pitted in a battle against a distant planet’s indigenus population. PG-13.

• Blind Side: The story of Michael Oher, a homeless boy who becomes an All-American football player and first-round draft pick with the help of a woman and her family. PG-13.

• Did you hear about the Morgans?: In New York City, an

estranged couple who witness a murder are located to Wyoming as part of a witness protection program. PG-13.

• It’s Complicated: After a decade long divorce, Jane and Jake have rediscovered sparks. R. • Leap Year: After receiving earrings instead of an engagement ring, Anna decides to take things into her own hands by traveling to Dublin to propose to her boyfriend. PG. • Sherlock Holmes: Robert Downey Jr. stars as the clever Sherlock Holmes who is working to stop Lord Blackwood from his treacherous plan to take over London. PG-13.

• The Book of Eli: Denzel Washington stars in this futuristic movie that fights to bring America back from the wasteland it has become. R.

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pop

friday, jan. 22, 2010

Norman filmmaker up for best director at weekend film festival making a movie.

“Love Letters” was filmed in Purcell and Oklahoma City. It was shot in seven days.

After editing and turning it in for class,Tramel decided that the film hadn’t seen its last days.

He entered it into the Bare Bones Film Festival in Muskogee, where it was nominated for best picture.

By Aaron Wright entertainment editor

It was six years ago when Norman resident Clayton Tramel discovered a previously dormant passion for films.

Before the spring break of his freshman year of college, Tramel admitted that his movie tastes hadn’t ventured further than comedies like “Dumb and Dumber.” After renting the movie “American Beauty” when bored one night,Tramel found himself engrossed by the film.

“It was like getting hit in the head with a frying pan,” said Tramel about how the movie affected him. “It was like falling in love.”

He replayed the movie about seven times, trying to figure out exactly what made the story and characters so magnetic. What he found inspired him to try his hand at the art.Tramel enrolled in the film program at Oklahoma City Community College, where he created two works of his own and worked on various other movie productions.

One of these works, “Love Letters,” will have a screening tonight at the Trail Dance Film Festival in Duncan.The movie also is listed as a nominee for Best Oklahoma Film.Tramel also has been nominated for Best Director.

The film was actually his final project in the film program at OCCC. While most of his classmates were

photo provided

Norman resident Clayton Tramel, director, works to create a Vietnam set in Oklahoma. handing in five-page scripts for short films,Tramel gave his professors a 45-page script.The story followed a young man from the country who had just received his draft letter for Vietnam.The day before leaving, he meets a waitress and falls in love.

“For a student film, it was like an epic — at least that’s the way we felt,”Tramel said.

At first his teachers discouraged him, telling him it was too much for an amateur.There were too many set changes, too many costumes, too many characters. But Tramel was determined. A former

professor of his called the school to recommend they give Tramel the go-ahead.

He was excited about getting the news to proceed, but immediately faced another hurdle — funding.

Tramel contributed about a fourth of what he had budgeted for the movie, which was set in the 1960s in Texas and Vietnam, to cost.

“It was a period piece,” Tramel said. “Period pieces are always more expensive.”

Even with a campaign to obtain donations,Tramel found himself underfunded.

However, time was running short and he needed to go

ahead and start filming in order to get the movie completed in time for the end of his classes.

It was after he made this decision that a friend’s dad, who later became executive producer for “Love Letters,” stepped in to cover the rest of the costs.

“I’ve known that young man since he was in high school,” said Bob Johnston, who helped fund part of Tramel’s project. “It was his passion; I wanted to give him a shot.”

With Johnston to the rescue,Tramel was able to refocus on the main task —

The film also was a part of the deadCENTER Film Festival in Oklahoma City.

The Trail Dance Film Festival is its third run.

Whether he wins or not, Tramel said “Love Letters” has inspired him to keep making local movies.

Johnston believes that film making will be Tramel’s ticket.

“He’s going places,”

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pop

friday, jan. 22, 2010

On the cover Chocolate Festival arrives next week

By Aaron Wright

Festival participants

entertainment editor

Chocolate mice, chocolate fountains, chocolate cupcakes, oh my!

Dieters, beware. You’re about to be in for the temptation of a lifetime.

This year’s 28th Annual Firehouse Art Center’s Chocolate Festival takes place 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Forum at the University of Oklahoma, 1704 Asp Ave. At this time, 30 chocolatiers are gearing up for their part of the big day, which will include about 25,000 samples of delectable desserts.

New participants this year include The Melting Pot, Michelangelo’s Coffee and Wine Bar, Pink Elephant Cafe and Carriage Hill Farms Wedding Event Center.

Classic vendors, such as Legends, La Baguette, Kendall’s Restaurant and The Candy Basket will be there too with their yearly goodies such as Chocolate Amaretto Cream Cake and chocolate cinnamon rolls.

Norman business Fancy Cakes is keeping their chocolate sample a secret until the premier, adding suspense to the much-anticipated event. “[The Festival] focuses the states attention on Norman,” said Johnny Jazzar of La Baguette, in a release about the event. “Our hope for the future is that it goes back to what it was several years ago when it was nationally known and attracted people from many other states. The event concentrates on two areas: Chocolate and Art.” In addition to sampling, the festival will offer children’s activities throughout the day. The activities are aimed at promoting arts education. A Children’s Art Wall will be judged after the event, with the winner receiving scholarships to the FAC’s after school program.

Demonstrations by FAC faculty also will be going on during the event.

Information about the various businesses that have donated goodies will be available, too.

Tickets for the event are $20 for 10 samples of chocolate. The one-hour premier tickets, taking place at 10:30

1. “O” Asian Fusion (new) 2 Amy Cakes 3. B.J.’s Restaurant (new) 4. Bricktown Brewery (new) 5. Carriage Hill Farms Wedding Event Center (new) 6. CG Chocolates (new) 7. Chili’s 8. El Chico 9. Eskimo Snow 10. Fancy Cakes, Etc. 11. Interurban (new) 12. Iron Starr Urban Barbeque (new) 13. Kendall’s Restaurant 14. La Baguette 15. Legend’s Restaurant 16. Maggie Moo’s 17. Mazzio’s Pizza (new) 18. Michelangelo’s Coffee and Wine Bar (new) 19. Native Roots Market (new) 20. On the Border 21. Othello’s on Campus Corner (new) 22. Panera Bread (new) 23. Pink Elephant Café 24. Sam’s Club (new) 25. Sugar 26.The Candy Basket 27.The Melting Pot 28. Dishing It Up 29.The Diner 30.The Mont

pop photo by Kevin Ellis

“Chocolate Fields” by Margaret Murray is pictured during the 2006 Firehouse Art Center’s Chocolate Festival. a.m., are $30 and include 15 samples, a complimentary drink and a leftover container. Chocolate tasting sessions are scheduled for 11:30 a.m., noon, 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tickets sold at the event serve as the primary fundraiser for the FAC. “For 27 years, local restaurants, bakeries and businesses have supported the Firehouse by donating samples of their best chocolate desserts annually for the Firehouse Art Center’s Choco-

late Festival,” said Carla Chew, operations director for the FAC. “Providing these samples not only makes 4,000 chocolate lovers’ dreams come true, it helps provide Norman’s school-age children with the best visual art education chocolate can buy.”

To purchase tickets or for more information, call 329-4523 or visit www.normanfirehouse.com.

Jennifer Skinner and Jen Tregarthen contributed to this article.

page five

pop

friday, jan. 22, 2010

Movie is worth all the steps

By Kelsey MartynFarewell pop writer

“Every Little Step” is a documentary about the origins of the 1975 Broadway show, “A Chorus Line,” as well as the casting process for its 2008 revival show. If you loved the show, or even saw the 1985 film version, I guarantee you’ll love this documentary.

Fortunately, the documentarians were smart not to assume the film audience had any knowledge of the show, so if you have no idea what the musical is about you won’t be lost. If you are familiar with the show, you will get fantastic making of background information for the original production that includes audio tapes of conversations from which the show was written.

There also are videos of the 1975 version of the show as well as interviews with some of the cast and crew from that show both in the past and present day.

While I was already familiar with “A Chorus Line” before I saw this documentary, I had no idea the historical importance of the show when it came out, or that it was based on the lives of real dancers. It was captivating to hear the original audio tapes from a 12-hour conversation recorded by Michael Bennett (writer, director, and choreographer) to get inspiration to write a musical about the struggles of being a Broadway dancer. Some of the dialog from this conversation made it word for word into the monologues of the show. In the 1970s, it was

Curator shares thoughts about public art tonight

By Michael Bendure special to pop

When Marc Pottier sees public art, he sees museums without walls, potential for open conversation and longstanding cultural legacies. Pottier, a contemporary art and public art curator from France, will address an audience 6 tonight at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma.

His lecture, “Public Art,” from “Object to Artistic Environment,” will explore the history, diversity and relevance of art in public places. The lecture is free and open to the public.

The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is at 555 Elm Ave. Admission to the museum is free to OU students with a student ID and all museum association members, $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 6 to 17 years of age, $2 for OU faculty/staff, and free for children 5 and under.

The museum is closed on Mondays and admission is free on Tuesdays.

The museum’s Web site is www.ou.edu/fjjma.

Information and accommodations on the basis of disability are available by calling 325-4938.

Kelsey MartynFarewell

DVDs On Parade nominated for 12 Tony Awards, winning nine, as well as winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Several people involved in the 1975 show were involved in this documentary. For instance, the actors who were the original Connie and Cassie — Baayork Lee and Donna McKechnie — are heavily featured in one-on-one interviews. Lee also is the one teaching the present day hopefuls the dance routines for their various auditions, putting lots of additional stress on the actresses trying out for the role based on her life. I

found the interviews with multi-award winning composer Marvin Hamsilch particularly interesting as he discussed the making of the original show.

The current day auditions for the revival show spanned nearly a year and a half, holding rounds of auditions four months or more apart from each other.

The filmmakers pick several hopefuls out of the masses and do background stories on their lives as dancers. Overall, the film is life imitating art imitating life as many of the dancers had similar lives to the characters they were auditioning for. In turn, of course, the parts in the musical are based on real people.

If you watch the Fox

television show, “So You Think You Can Dance?” you will immediately recognize Tyce Diorio when he auditions. Diorio is a frequent Broadway choreographer for the show, picking up his first Emmy for choreography this year.

“Every Little Step” holds one nomination and one win for Best Documentary and I am not surprised.

Immediately after the credits rolled on this DVD I started watching it all over again, this time with the feature commentary.

For a film filled with hopes and dreams, along with some great music and dancing, check out “Every Little Step” today on DVD. Send your questions, comments and DVD recommendations to Kelsey at pop@normantranscript.com.

ROBOTMAN & MONTY® by Jim Meddick

NMF announces open call pop staff The Norman Music Festival has announced its open call for bands.

Interested musicians can submit work through Feb. 19. Selections will be made between March and April.

Entries should include a band bio, 150 words or less,

describing who the band is and what they are about.

Contact information and links to music online also are needed. It is asked that CDs or music files not be sent.

A description of the band’s best gigs and other recognitions also can be submitted, but must be 100 words or less.

Send all information to nmf3opencall@gmail.com.

The festival will be April 24 and 25.

For more information, visit NormanMusicFestival.com.

Look for more information in next week’s pop or online at www.normantranscript.com/entertainment.

Haiti benefit concert set • Event set for Feb. 4

By Aaron Wright entertainment editor

The South 77 Band has organized a benefit concert to aid relief and rescue efforts in Haiti 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Hidden Castle, 1309 24th Ave. SW. Aaron Vaughn, Ardmore, Maggie McClure, Norman, Emit, Oklahoma City, The Shining Lights, Edmond, and Union Soul, Oklahoma

City, will perform hour long sets, along with the South 77 Band.

The $5 cover charge will go to Mission of Hope Haiti. For more information on the charity, visit www.missionofhopehaiti.or g.

MICHAEL D MONROE (405) 360 9500 1100 Rambling Oaks Dr. Norman, OK 73072 MichaelMonroe@AllState.com

© 2007 Allstate Insurance Company.

$6.75 Bargain Matinees - All Shows Before 6PM $7.50 Student Admission With Valid I.D.

EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES (PG) 12:45 3:50 7:00 10:05 THE TOOTH FAIRY • (PG) 12:55 4:00 7:10 9:55 LEGION • (R) 1:05 4:15 7:20 10:15 THE BOOK OF ELI • (R) 1:10 3:55 6:45 9:45 THE LOVELY BONES • (PG13) 12:30 3:30 6:30 9:30 AVATAR 3-D (PG13) $3 SURCHARGE APPLIES TO ALL TICKETS 12:40 1:20 4:10 5:00 7:40 9:00

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS (PG) 1:30 4:25 6:50 9:20 THE BLIND SIDE (PG13) 12:50 3:40 7:05 9:40 IT’S COMPLICATED (R) 1:00 3:45 6:55 9:50 LEAP YEAR (PG) 1:15 4:05 7:25 10:10 SHERLOCK HOLMES (PG13) 12:35 3:35 6:35 9:35 THE SPY NEXT DOOR (PG) 1:25 4:20 6:40 9:10 YOUTH IN REVOLT (R) 1:35 4:30 7:15 DAYBREAKERS (R) 10:00

Amelia PG 12:30 2:45 5:00 7:20 9:30 Planet 51 PG 12:40 2:40 4:40 7:10 9:15 Ninja Assassin R 4:55 9:25 Where The Wild Things Are PG 2:50 7:05

2012 PG13 1:00 4:00 8:00 The Boondock Saints 2 R 4:35 9:35 Disney’s A Christmas Carol PG 12:50 4:50 9:20 Fantastic Mr. Fox PG 12:35 2:35 7:15 Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs PG 12:55 2:55 7:00

POP’S SOCIAL CALENDAR FRIDAY

JANUARY FEBRUARY

22 Marc Pottier lecture “Public Art, from the Object to the Environment,” Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., 6 p.m.

SATURDAY 23 “Divas Unleashed,” Sooner Theatre, 8 p.m., $20

SUNDAY 24 OU Symphony Orchestra/ Chamber Music Concert, Sutton: Gaye LeBlanc and Chamber Music, Gothic Hall and Pitman Recital Hall, 8 p.m.

MONDAY 25 Sutton Concert Series, Ira Wagner Trombone Concert, Sharp Concert Hall, 8 p.m.

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

26

27

See the artwork of Sharon Burchett and Stuart Asprey, on display at the Firehouse Arts Center, 444 S. Flood, until March 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2010 Faculty Exhibit, Lightwell Gallery in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 520 Parington Oval, open until Feb. 12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2

3

THURSDAY 28 Matt Gurley , Singer/ Songwriter, 7 p.m., Othello’s OU Young Choreographers’ Showcase at the Reynolds Performing Arts Center through Jan. 31; tickets 325-4101

Sunday Science Film Series at Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., “Madame Curie,” 2 p.m., free with paid admission to museum

29 Adam Ledbetter, Othello’s, Solo/Piano, 6:30 p.m. and Camille Harp, Singer/ Songwriter, Othello’s - 9 p.m.

30

31

The Firehouse Arts Center Chocolate Festival, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Forum at the University of Oklahoma, $20- $30.

Sunday Science Film Series at Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., “Chain Reaction,” 2 p.m., free with paid admission to museum

Supermarket Botany at Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., 9 a.m. to noon, $35

Winter Wind Concert at the Performing Arts Studio with Eliza Gilkyson, Santa Fe Depot, 7 p.m., $20

1

Green Corn Revival, Folk/ Rock, The Brewhouse, 102 W. Main St., 321-2739, 8 p.m.

4 Haiti Benefit Concert with South 77 Band, Hidden Castle, S.W. 24th St. and Lindsay Ave., 7 p.m., $5 cover

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK ??