Buzz Magazine: Nov. 5, 2003 by Buzz Magazine

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WHAT UP? | NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003 buzz

Film Festival at The Virginia Theatre

Nov. 17

The Graduate (1967) The Last Picture Show (1971) 11:15 p.m. A Clockwork Orange (1971) 6:30 p.m. 9 p.m.

Nov. 18

Raging Bull (1980) 9:30 p.m. Easy Rider (1969) 7 p.m.

The Films of New Hollywood

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Local store offers hope to Third World (page 7) The Graduate (1967) 105 minutes Directed by Mike Nichols Starring Anne Bancroft Dustin Hoffman Katharine Ross William Daniels

TICKETS

The Last Picture Show (1971)

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

118 minutes Directed by Peter Bogdanovich Starring Timothy Bottoms Jeff Bridges Cybill Shepherd Ellen Burstyn

137 minutes Directed by Stanley Kubrick Starring Malcolm McDowell Patrick Magee Michael Bates Warren Clarke

Raging Bull (1980)

Easy Rider (1969)

129 minutes Directed by Martin Scorsese Starring Robert De Niro Cathy Moriarty Joe Pesci Frank Vincent

94 minutes Directed by Dennis Hopper Starring Dennis Hopper Peter Fonda Jack Nicholson Phil Spector

On sale now at The Virginia Theatre 203 W. Park Avenue in Champaign 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or call The Virginia Theatre at 356-9063.

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Randolph and family spread love (page 10) CALENDAR

Return of Living Colour (page 15) FILM & TV

In the Cut gets sliced (page 21)

A daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reflections on a veteran

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Monkeys wreak havoc BY MICHAEL COULTER | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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buzz NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003 | BEWARE THE MONKEYS

very so often, my friend Matt and I go out for a few drinks. By every so often, I mean quite often, but that’s neither here nor there. We usually talk and watch a game on TV. Every so often though, we’ll look up from our drinks and see this captivating show that is without question the best piece of television ever produced. They remake portions of famous movies but use monkeys instead of human actors. I don’t know what it’s called, but it’s brilliant and we can’t turn away. There’s just something about a monkey. That said, I might have a different viewpoint if I lived in New Delhi. Apparently, they’ve got big monkey problems over there. They’re pretty tolerant in general, elephants and cows roam the streets, but the monkeys have evidently crossed the line. They’re screwing up bureaucracy. The monkeys are wrecking havoc, as only a monkey really can, by overrunning government buildings. Workers are being bitten and robbed. The monkeys are ripping up files, screeching at visitors, tearing down power lines and banging on office windows. OK, I’m sitting here writing this with a big smile on my face. If it were alligators doing this, I would be alarmed. If it were rats infecting government buildings, I would be repulsed. It’s monkeys though, and you know that shit is so funny to watch. Yeah, maybe they should ease up on the biting if they want to keep my support, but that’s about it. The Supreme Court has stepped in, declaring New Delhi a monkey-free zone after folks filed a lawsuit demanding protection from the monkeys. A “monkey-free zone” is really just another way of saying “the saddest place in the world” if you ask me, but maybe they have a point. Office workers say it’s especially a problem if they work late, as after dark the monkeys break into buildings and ransack rooms looking for food. If you’re there after hours, they will also rumble with you. Hey, I can see that side of it. I hate working late to begin with, but if you throw a hungry, rampaging monkey into the equation, I’ve got to tell you, time and a half just isn’t enough money an hour to have the bejesus scared out of you by marauding primates. The “monkey-free zone” idea isn’t working so well anyway. They’ve put up signs begging folks not to feed the monkeys. That’s tough though. It’s like saying “don’t pet the puppy.” They attempted to annoy them with loudspeakers. They’ve even tried deportation, but that only works if someone else would take the monkeys.

My favorite idea is control from within. The monkeys that are causing problems are rhesus macaques. In an attempt to bitch-slap these monkeys down, there is a patrol of “fierce looking” monkeys called langurs who are led around on leashes by keepers. The unruly monkeys are scared, but they simply run to another part of the city when they see the langurs. It’s probably a bad idea turning monkey against monkey anyway. It just sounds bad, like when a pig is a mascot for a barbecue place. The real problem is that some people don’t want the monkeys gone. The Hindus believe monkeys are manifestations of the monkey god, Hanuman, and come to worship the beasts on a daily basis with bananas in their hands as donations. Maneka Ghandi, a daughter-in-law of you-know-who, thinks the monkeys should be left in peace. I’m sure she tried to lead the monkeys in a peaceful demonstration, and I’m sure they just ended up crapping on everything and having a big shit fight. Her previous project was to stop the neutering of dogs in the city, saying it was cruel, so she’s really got her head on straight when it comes to dealing with animals. I’m sure she’s got her place all fenced in though, just in case a crazed monkey or a humpy dog tries to get on her property. Actually, it probably won’t be long before the monkeys are jumping the dogs, but that’s another column, another day. Right now, they’ve got a monkey problem, and what can they do? Here’s an idea. Tell the Hindus that these monkeys aren’t really manifestations of God and to get the hell over their monkey worship. Then ship all the primates to Michael Jackson. He loves monkeys, after all. He can hang an ape over a balcony and if one slips, well he’ll always have another one to take his place. Actually, I might take a couple of them. I’d always have a good reason why my apartment’s a mess, and I bet some terror-inducing monkeys would sure keep the dog’s ass in line. They could wash my car, do the dishes, and beat the hell out of my enemies. My bananas always go bad before I get them eaten as it is, so I could spare a couple. I should maybe try to get on their good side. What if the monkeys are God and not just a gift from God, like the Hindus believe? Geez Louise, how can you be against a monkey? buzz

Michael Coulter is a videographer at Parkland College. He writes a weekly e-mail column, “This Sporting Life,” and has hosted several local comedy shows.

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THINKING IS MORE INTERESTING THAN KNOWING | NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): Couvade occurs in a variety of indigenous cultures. It's a phenomenon in which a man experiences morning sickness, unusual appetites, and other symptoms similar to his pregnant mate. There's no known physiological basis for it. He may even have labor pains as the child is born, diminishing the mother's distress as if he has mysteriously been able to take some of it on. I suggest we make couvade your word of power for now, Aries. It's likely that someone close to you will soon be giving birth, at least metaphorically. The more you help bear a share of the wonderful ordeal, the bigger your reward will be later. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Change your relationship with mirrors, Taurus. If you tend to be obsessed with what they tell you, lose your addiction and escape their tyranny. If you usually avoid them out of fear, summon your courage and approach them with your warrior's heart fully engaged. And in the event you're typically rather apathetic towards them, develop a more intimate connection. It's time to shift the dynamic between you and your reflection. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini Kathleen Raine won several literary awards for her mystical nature poetry and was a highly respected scholar who specialized in William Butler Yeats and William Blake. She died last August at age 95. An obituary in "The Daily Telegraph" noted that she was surprised to have survived so long. More than 35 years ago, a prophetic figure in one of her dreams proclaimed that she had only 100 months (less than nine years) left to live. It just goes to show you that even the smartest, most refined students of the great mysteries are susceptible to being deceived about important matters by the little voices in their heads. Be aware of that as you listen to the jabber that fills your inner landscape in the coming week.

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CANCER (June 21-July 22): The Cancerian mascot is the crab, which is typically a small, shy creature that moves sideways and backwards a lot. The giant land crab of Cuba is a species apart, however. It runs so fast it can outrace a horse. I nominate this super-crab to serve as your power animal during the coming weeks, when cosmic forces will be conspiring to make you exceptionally robust, forceful, and direct. Charge!

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LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): To gather research for his book, The Age of Missing Information, Bill McKibben watched 1700 hours of videotaped TV shows. In the midst of the babble he detected a single subliminal message flowing relentlessly: "You are the most important thing on Earth." He was disturbed by his discovery, seeing it as a big reason our culture is infected with toxic levels of narcissism. Normally I share his aversion, but this week I'm

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making an exception. For a limited time only, Leo, you truly are the most important thing on Earth. Soak up the glory, the attention, and the adoration -- and be prepared to exercise far more responsibility than usual, too. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): "Dear Rob: Help! I'm stuck! I give till it hurts, then lash out at those I've lavished my generosity on. I hope too much, setting expectations too high almost on purpose so I have an excuse if things don't pan out. I worry about everything that MIGHT go wrong, sometimes precipitating exactly what I worry about. Please advise! -Virgo in a Rut" Dear Virgo: The lucid honesty you just demonstrated is a first step in quitting your addiction to the unwanted behaviors you described. Now is a perfect time, astrologically speaking, to go further. The next step is to feel compassion and forgiveness for the part of you that acts so automatically. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): "Your body contains enough iron to make a spike strong enough to hold your weight." So proclaims the www.madscience.com website. I would like you to visualize yourself holding such a spike right now, Libra. Think of it as your secret talisman for the coming weeks -- an inspirational symbol that will motivate you to transform your flabby sense of purpose into an iron will. You now have the power to intensify your discipline and drive beyond what you ever imagined was possible. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Warning and congratulations! Wakeup calls are on tap. Here are examples of the kinds of benevolent shocks you may be treated to. 1. You reverently approach a cherished idol. As you bow down, you spy a dirty sock on the floor. 2. You dream of hiking through green hills in springtime. As you loop around a huge boulder, you come upon a mare giving birth to a colt. 3.You receive a Hallmark card in an envelope with no return address. The corny cartoon on the front turns you off. But when you open it up you find a slip of paper on which is handwritten a brilliant poem that fills you with catalytic emotions. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Many mythic traditions describe an underworld where souls reside after death and where those who are still alive can visit to gain desperately needed insights. The latter category fits you right now, Sagittarius. You're wandering in the shadowy nether regions, searching for clues that will be of use to you when you come back to deal with your problems here in the sunlit realm. I'm guessing that this exploration, as confounding as it may be, is actually pretty fun in an eerie sort of way. The really hard part will come once it's time for your return.You may be tempted to hang around down there too long. Don't. The treasure you find will be wasted unless you bring it back promptly.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): "Thinking is more interesting than knowing, but less interesting than looking." That's what the German writer Goethe said back in the nineteenth century, and it's especially true for you now. Here's a corollary that's true only for you in the next two weeks: "Thinking is more useful than knowing, but less useful than looking." In other words, Capricorn, gathering facts and being an expert should be your lowest priority in the coming days. Questioning and analyzing should be moderately important. But the activity you should emphasize most is seeing into the heart of the world around you with compassionate, penetrating objectivity. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You have the keys to doors that don't exist yet; save those keys.You know the titles for stories that haven't happened yet; write those titles down. You've caught glimpses of your future, but they're confusing because you can't imagine how you'll get to that future; imprint those glimpses on your memory. In conclusion, Aquarius, shout "hallelujah" and pour yourself a glass of champagne.You have all you need to cultivate a potent kind of faith that's based on hard data, not hopes and wishes. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In addition to meditations on the cosmic omens, my preparations for writing this horoscope were extensive. I read John Milton's book, Paradise Lost, and the sequel, Paradise Regained. I ate both gourmet organic meals and greasy junk food. I rode the roller coaster with my scholarly friend, Arthur, with whom I discussed the Kabbalah, and watched horror films in the basement apartment of my smart but degenerate friend Rocky, who's writing a novel about his past life as a queer pirate in a seventeenth-century anarchist community in Barbados. In other words, Pisces, to work myself into the right frame of mind to channel your oracle, I had to soar to the transcendent heights and plunge into the grungy depths -- sort of like what you'll be doing this week.

✍ HOMEWORK:

Finish this sentence: "The one thing that really keeps me from being myself is _______." Send to: Excuses, Excuses, www.freewillastrology.com.

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ACROSS Phenom Cars discontinued after 1931 Choice for a hop Standing guard Real lowlifes Enlivens Some sing-along participants Foreshadow Marshaled Apply Save Annex Some suits Creator of the secretary Della It may be used for record-keeping “The Sound of Music” extra Stuff Flock-related Bullet sound Pool table part Provision of some chips Nation Franklin who sang “Piece of My Heart” Had something substantial “I’m ___” “Gift” to be skeptical of Vezina Trophy org. Prefix with posit Bombardier Aerospace product Puts on the right wavelength Off base, perhaps “Indeed” He played Van Doren in “Quiz Show” Like some sources Encourages

67 Gallery patron, maybe

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DOWN Troubles Cap site It may be worked by a tailor Don’t dash off Some confusion Hedge with a guardrail to contain livestock Makeup artist’s supply item Dealt with a mess, in a way Lulu Be plucky enough Lodge membership, maybe Park Avenue alternative Member of the mustard family Character in many jokes Committee worker, maybe: Abbr. Longtime power provider: Abbr. Small dams Unexpected shot Brand in the freezer Cinders of old comics Olivia in “Twelfth Night,” e.g. James Fenimore Cooper’s “___ Myers” Easily recite Hall with a mike Runs through Race abbr. Pronunciation key representation Concert recording, e.g. Show piece?

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A veteran’s daughter remembers her father ARTS

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Volume 1, Number 36 COVER DESIGN | Meaghan Dee 7

NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003 | FIRST DATES ARE INTERVIEWS

Rob Brezsny's Free Will ☎ Astrology beautyandtruth

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editor’snote

can remember my grandfather even though I was 5 years old when he died. I can remember how every day we would watch The Price is Right. I can remember him asking me to get him a can of Milwaukee’s Best at 10 a.m. I cannot remember him ever telling me about his experiences in World War II where he served as an Army Staff Sgt. in Germany. Sometimes, I wish I had heard his experiences from his mouth, instead from my mother and grandmother. I wish I had the opportunity to talk to my grandfather, Edward Pietrzak, as Heidi Waldman did with her father in this week’s community feature. I wish he could tell me what drove him to alcoholism for the rest of his life, what made him ruin the childhood of my mother and what gave him no motivation to live. With Veteran’s Day being celebrated Tuesday, I thought this would be the appropriate time to pay respect to our fallen veterans, those who gave their life on the battlefield and after the war. From piecing together conversations with my mother and grandmother, I gathered my grandfather served as a reconnaissance man, bolting in and out of German towns, figuring out whether our soldiers could advance. I understand many from his unit never made it as they scampered away, shooting bullets grazing their heads. One 23-year-old lieutenant whom everyone loved was one that did

not make it. He watched as the beloved leader bled to death on the enemy’s soil. Other memories that haunted my grandfather included the required shooting of SS men his company captured. The SS were an elite military group that served as Hitler’s bodyguard and special force in Germany. Every time the troop captured an SS man, they drew straws to see who would kill him. On six occasions, my grandfather had to do the killing, but one man he killed haunted him the most. As he began to shoot him, the man pulled out his wallet and began to show pictures of his children, pleading for his life. My grandfather had orders. He followed the orders. Weeks later, his company moved through the German countryside and entered a house to scavenge for food. While my grandfather began to enjoy the sausages and other stored foods in the home’s cellar, he noticed a photo, a picture of the man he had slain weeks before. It must have been memories of this that made this once caring, compassionate University of Illinois student become an alcoholic who missed his childrens’ lives. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, not in the same way as his lieutenant friend or the thousands of American soldiers who have spilled their blood to protect what they held sacred— their country, their family. In many ways, his suffering lasted for more than 30 years. Sometimes, I wonder if it’s his fault that he could never quit the drink or if his memories acted as manacles to the bottle, keeping him from life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As we celebrate this Veteran’s Day, let us remember a quote from General William Tecumseh Sherman that can only give us more reverence for our troops, even as they fight an

BUZZ STAFF

Editor in chief Tom Rybarczyk Art Director Meaghan Dee Copy Chief Erin Green Arts Katie Richardson Music Brian Mertz Entertainment Jason Cantone Calendar Marissa Monson Assistant Music Editor Jacob Dittmer Calendar Coordinators Lauren Smith, Cassie Conner, Erin Scottberg Photography Adam Young, Christine Litas, Suzanne Sitrick, Brian Warmoth Copy Editors Elizabeth Zeman, Suzanne Sitrick Designers Adam Obendorf, Carol Mudra, Jason Cantone, Marissa Monson, Amy Hanlon Production Manager Theon Smith Editorial Adviser Elliot Kolkovich Sales Manager Lindsey Benton Marketing/Distribution Melissa Schleicher, Maria Erickson Publisher Mary Cory

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All editorial questions or letters to the editor should be sent to buzz@readbuzz.com or 337-8137 or buzz, 57 E. Green St., Champaign, Ill., 61820.

Puzzle by Craig Kasper

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unpopular war, one that neither I, nor millions other agree with: “War is hell.” -TR

letterstotheeditor Buzz staff— I've lived in Champaign for 20 years and I just want to say I love reading Buzz. I have always been a big movie fan and Buzz does a great job covering reviews and also providing movie features. Two weeks ago, Jason Cantone's article on Ed Gein was very informative and well-written, which is something rarely seen with student journalists. It went beyond movies and talked about social issues. Last week, his published interview was lighthearted and a fun read that I really enjoyed. I'm sure it got more people over to Boardman's to see that movie. I just want to send kudos to him and the entire staff. Keep up the good work and I'll forgive you all for the poorly written hippies column from this summer. -—J.B. Brown Champaign

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A daughter’s reflections on a veteran BY HEIDI WALDMAN | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

y dad wore silver wings but guided a steel bird. Like Magellan and Columbus, he used a sextant to find his vessel’s position by the sky. He would “shoot the stars” or the sun, so to speak, and calculate distance along the imaginary lines that circle the globe. But the art of navigation has been replaced by technology. The Air Force uses global positioning devices and computers instead of a man’s shaky hand to guide its flocks these days. But my dad flew 2,477.2 hours with them before dying on Oct. 16, 1993. Major Waldman demanded order in his life. His children were expected to follow marching orders and be perfect in school. A 98 percent was an unacceptable grade. Forget that he passed college astronomy by copying Mom’s notes. We were to learn instruments but not practice within his hearing—flutes, bassoons and horns bawled cacophonous notes. Forget that he played accordion, sousaphone and box guitar. Growing up in the flatlands of western Kansas, he looked to the skies. My mother told me he would point to planes flying overhead and tell my grandma, Anna, that he wanted to be a pilot when he grew up. He wanted to see beyond the horizon of the wheat and milo fields. I never

heard that story from him though. My dad went into the Air Force as a second lieutenant but never became a pilot. Pilot slots were rare at the end of the Vietnam War and before the Cold War kicked into high gear. His ROTC class had one student who made the cut, so Dad trained as a navigator. He spent seven years in the Air Force and another five years with the Kansas Air National Guard’s 190th refueling wing. He flew on aerial gas stations, KC135s, and helped refuel F15s and other planes in the air. Dad worked as a glorified pump jockey. Between military stints, he worked as a stockbroker, a third-shift hospital security guard, a wood craftsman and a house cleaner. Forget that during a talk

about being a navigator he told my sixth-grade class that “math sucks.” Dad thought children were to be seen and not heard, or at least he told me that once when we were visiting my grandparents. Maybe he got that idea from Grandma Anna or the Italian orphanage where he lived until he was 8. When he would arrive home from a flight, we would hug him, kiss him, thank him for our gifts and then be expected to play with the gifts and not bother him. The silence invited mischief. An “innocent” look from sister to sister across the dining room table could convey tension so palpable he would yell for us to stop whatever we were doing. It perplexed Mom, who never figured out why we drove him batty. But then, she has a brother and a sister. Ten-year-olds don’t understand military protocol. I can’t remember having a heart-toheart conversation with my dad. I was 14 when he died. My most urgent concern was memorizing how to whistle a solo as the Nightingale of Samarkand in the high school’s production of Once Upon a Mattress. I didn’t want to think about my dad dying. I had already had enough of that. I spent junior high thinking about the trips my parents took to a Colorado military hospital that was the closest place he could get chemotherapy treatments and not have to pay. Classmates whispered in the hallway when they saw me and asked in hushed tones about him because they thought his sickness was a secret. I never tried to keep it as one, though. A few years after he died, I found a computer diskette with a book he had been writing about his pancreatic cancer experience. He never finished. There was a single reference to my siblings and me out of the 20 pages I read. He said he was proud of us and that we were old enough care for ourselves. At the time he wrote it, I was 12, Stephanie was 14 and Vince was 10. He added that he was happy that Samantha, who was 3, was named after him. When we talked, it was generally

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about Rush Limbaugh, who was on the living room radio weekday afternoons. Dad spent most of his last six months lying on the couch, an orange throw pillow tucked to his chest as he tried to think about things other than the pain. He had already beaten the doctor’s odds by surviving a year longer than the statistics predicted. Survival came at a price. Inactivity left him free to think, he would say, but his comments became increasingly conservative. Dad’s beliefs were extreme even for our small rural town. He told me when I finished high school I should go to Hillsdale College, a Michigan school that did not accept federal aid. He said a liberal education anywhere else would brainwash me from having any values or independent thought. He already had threatened to remove me from a sex education class in junior high. He said creationism should be taught next to evolution in the classroom. Celebrities should keep political opinions to themselves was another one of his rants. It generally involved any statement Bill Cosby made that wasn’t a joke. With Limbaugh having admitted to having an addiction to painkillers and Arnold Schwarzenegger preparing to govern the state of California, I’ve thought about Dad daily for the past month. It’s been more than 10 years since his death. He would have been 52 next July 1. I wanted to remember my dad but I had to live my own life. I didn’t go to Hillsdale. Memories are tricky things. I want to look at the past with rose-colored glasses, or contact lenses, as the case may be. I want to remember the man who was happy when he flew. I want to remember family trips, like the time he took us on a training flight to Hawaii. We left on a Friday and came back the following Monday. Stephanie and I made leis that he tucked against the tanker’s cargo doors to keep them fresh on the ride home. I want to remember the man who played backgammon to win, who killed spiders on my ceiling and broke his leg when trying to stop me from falling on ice. The man who made cinnamon rolls from scratch for Christmas morning and jumped rope with me. The last time I saw my dad he was in the Veterans Administration hospital in Topeka, Kan. Mom took me, Stephanie, Vince and Samantha to see him. I was bored and ready to leave. I asked Mom if it was time to go home. Dad heard. He said he wanted to go home, too. It was the first time and last time I ever heard

[

Memories are tricky things. I want to look at the past with rose-colored glasses, or contact lenses, as the case may be.

NOVEMBER 6-12, 2003 | WHY NOT SELL YOUR PURPLE MONKEY DISHWASHER HERE

DEADLINE: 2 p.m. Monday for the next Thursday’s edition. INDEX Employment Services Merchandise Transportation Apartments Other Housing/Rent Real Estate for Sale Things To Do Announcements Personals

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Services

Employment 000

BUSINESS SERVICES

HELP WANTED | Full Time Express Personnel Services 217.355.8500 101 Devonshire Dr., Champaign

HELP WANTED | Part Time Office Associate. Flexible hours, $8/hr. Meyer Drapery 330 N. Neil. Downtown Champaign. Apply in person or send resume.

100

Graphic design studio is seeking models, makeup artists for beauty and style photography. www.victoriasphoto.com Victoria’s Photographics 217-328-3013

Le Therapeutic Massage. Day/ Evening/ Weekend, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Only by appointment. 344-8879.

CLEANING Exact Extraction. Carpet & upholstery cleaning. Free estimates. 6883101. Persuasive, outgoing individual for secure part-time position with professional organization. Good problem-solving and customer service skills required. Will train in contemporary office automation skills. Competitive wage with opportunities for advancements. Apply at the Old Farm Shops, 1717 West Kirby.

LAWN CARE FREE ESTIMATES: Tree trimming, Topping, Removal, Stump Grinding. 384-5010.

Transportation 300

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES $250-$500/week. Will train to work at home helping the US Govt. file HUD/FHA mortgage refunds. No experience necessary. Call toll-free 1866-537-2906.

AUTOMOBILES ‘97 Pontiac Sunfire, 4-door, beige, $2500 obo. For details 390-7659.

Apartments

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished

400

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished | Unfurnished

JOHN SMITH PROPERTY MANAGEMENT www.johnsmithproperties.com (217)384-6930 “believe the hype”

August 2004, 2 & 4 bedroom campus apartments, newly remodeled, excellent condition, ethernet, dishwasher, laundry, parking included. 337-0742

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished

102 S. Lincoln Horizon Apts.

1 Bedroom Luxury Apartments

Green and Lincoln, U.

New Security Building

Washer/dryer, AC, balcony, dishwasher, intercom, ethernet, contemporary furnishings, microwave. 605 E. Clark St., C. www.mhmproperties.com 337-8852

1 month free rent! Large furnished 2 BR. January to August. Close to campus. Pets allowed. $485/mo OBO. 847-8589108. 101 E. Daniel, C.

New Security Building

1, 2 bedroom and bi-level 4 bedroom, two bath. Imported furnishings, balconies, skylights, cathedral ceilings, washer/ dryer in each apt. Security underground parking. Aug. 2004 www.mhmproperties.com 337-8852 101 S. Busey, U. 1 bedroom apartment with

PAID UTILITIES! Living room, eat-in kitchen, porch, parking, laundry facilities, air conditioning, furnished. August 2004. www.mhmproperties.com 337-8852

August ‘04. New 2,3,4 bedroom luxury furnished apartments.Sundeck, Balconies, Skylights, 2 Full Baths, Cathedral Ceilings, Ceiling Fan, Laundry on each floor. Assigned parking. Sound proofing. Utility discount, security system. www.mhmproperties.com 337-8852

107 N. Busey, U. August 2004 3 level townhouse, cathedral ceiling living room, loft deck. Must see to appreciate. Sleeps 4, 2 full baths, gas heat, central air, washer/dryer, dishwasher, garbage disposal, internet, and cable ready. Two free parking spaces. $1380/month. Call 352-3674 or 377-1552

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished 3 & 4 bedroom luxury apartments 205 S. Sixth St.

Security Building

Washer/ dryer, AC, balconies, dishwasher, ethernet, 48’ TV, microwave. www.mhmproperties.com 337-8852

502 W. Green, U Aug 2004 A fireplace and a private balcony is what you will have with this cozy 4 bedroom, 2 full bath apartment. Nice furniture, fully carpeted, washer/dryer, garbage disposal, microwave, and dishwasher. Internet and cable ready, central air. $1120/month. Call 352-3674 or 377-1552 805 S. Locust, C. 2 & 4 bedroom luxury furnished apartments. Contemporary furnishings, bi-level, laundry, AC, large rooms, microwave, dishwasher, parking. Aug. 2004. www.mhmproperties.com 337-8852

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Unurnished Brand new luxury 1, 2, 3, bedroom apartments available in Champaign. Call Manchester Property Management at 359-0248 for an appointment.

2, 3, 4 bedroom luxury apartment

New Security Building

808 S. Oak, Champaign Imported furnishings, sound proofing, A/C, 2 balconies, burglar alarms, laundry. Utility discount. Parking. Aug 2004. www.mhmproperties.com 337-8852

SUBLETS

SPRING SUBLET: 1 bedroom in 5 bedroom house. W/D, rent includes parking. RENT NEGOTIABLE. Call 708-307-2651.

Trendy Downtown Champaign Loft. 1200 square feet. 12 foot ceilings. Hardwood floors. Washer/Dryer. Parking. $695/month. Josh 3903108.

Other Rentals 500 HOUSES August 2004, 3 Bedroom House, Great location, excellent condition, ethernet, dishwasher, laundry, parking included. 337-0742

Campus Furnished Group Homes (On First, John, Clark, and Locust) 4-11 person, parking, porch, laundry, etc., August 2004. 337-8852 www.mhmproperties.com

ROOMS Efficiency rooms on campus $250-$310, all utilities paid. 3676626

Leasing for Spring Term. Close to Quad. Call 815-603-5582. Parking space also for rent.

202 E. John, 1 Bedroom, $560/mo contact Heather 847-772-4016.

Spring 2004 Sublet. Efficiency near Beckman. $300 per month bbayer@uiuc.edu.

ROOMMATES 1010 W. Springfield. Female Roommate wanted. 1 bedroom in 4 bedroom apt. Cheap. Price Negotiable. Available NOW or Spring ‘04. Call 847-476-9059 or E-mail apsa182@yahoo.com

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Page 1

film & tv

EDITOR’S PICK: LOVE ACTUALLY. | NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003 buzz

Route 45 & Burwash Ave.

Drive-thru Reviews

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SHOWTIMES 11/07 - 11/13

MATRIX REVOLUTIONS (R) 5 PRINTS / 5 SCREENS 1:00, 1:20, 3:50, 4:10, 6:40, 7:00, 9:30, 9:50 STADIUM SEATING 11:30, 12:00, 2:20, 2:50, 5:10, 5:40, 8:00, 8:30, 9:05 FRI/SAT LS 11:00, 11:20, 11:55 ELF (PG) 2 PRINTS / 2 SCREENS 12:55, 3:05, 5:10, 7:15, 9:20 FRI/SAT LS 11:25 STADIUM SEATING 1:10, 3:25, 5:30, 7:35, 9:40 FRI/SAT LS 11:45 BROTHER BEAR (G)3 PRINTS / 3 SCREENS 1:45, 3:40, 5:45, 7:30, 9:25 FRI/SAT LS 11:20 STADIUM SEATING 1:15, 1:30, 3:15, 3:25, 5:05, 5:20, 7:00, 7:15, 9:10 FRI/SAT LS 11:05 LOVE ACTUALLY (R) (SAT/SUN 11:00) 1:40, 4:15, 6:50, 9:25 FRI/SAT LS 12:00 BEYOND BORDERS (R) FRI/SAT LS 11:55 GOOD BOY! (PG) SAT/SUN 11:20AM SCARY MOVIE 3 (PG-13) 1:50, 3:50, 5:50, 7:50, 10:00 FRI/SAT LS 11:55 RADIO (PG) STADIUM SEATING 1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:40 FRI/SAT LS 11:50 RUNAWAY JURY (PG-13)1:45, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15 FRI/SAT LS 11:45 THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (R) 1:20, 3:30, 5:25, 7:20, 9:20 FRI/SAT LS 11:20 MYSTIC RIVER (R) COUPON 1:05, 4:00, 6:40, 9:20 FRI/SAT LS 12:00

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BEYOND BORDERS ★★★ ANGELINA JOLIE AND CLIVE OWEN This preachiness will repulse many viewers, but, as our elected officials are busy fomenting humanitarian crises, it’s a sermon comfortable Americans deserve to hear.While it’s unlikely audiences will elbow one another aside as they exit the theater in their haste to donate their stock portfolios to Amnesty International, the film’s heart is in the right place. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

BROTHER BEAR ★★ JOAQUIN PHOENIX AND PHIL COLLINS While American animators still have a long way to go to achieve the sheer grandeur and exhilarating imagination of foreign animation, such as in last year’s Spirited Away, Brother Bear shows they do have their moments. It’s just unfortunate that their visuals have to be spoiled by rudimentary plots, discardable characters, and downright ugly music. (John Loos) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

BUBBA HO-TEP ★★ BRUCE CAMPBELL AND OSSIE DAVIS It’s a fact that low-budget horror movies can be successful, but Bubba Ho-Tep shows why some fail—with the poor look to the mummy to the cheesy looking beetles that infect the nursing home. With all these combined it’s hard to take these

scenes as seriously as Coscarelli wanted. (Ryan Bicking) Now showing at Boardman’s

GOOD BOY! ★★★ MATTHEW BRODERICK AND BRITTANY MURPHY An alien dog talks to kids. Simply amazing. Watch Matthew Broderick’s career sink even further. Suprisingly, this film has been successful at the box office. (Arthur Mitchell) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

IN THE CUT ★ MEG RYAN AND JENNIFER JASON LEIGH This world of sex and violence thrives beneath an uncontrollable sheet of fear but largely falls back on the outdated thriller notion of the scary man in the dark corner. More than anything, the film exists to provide Ryan another long-awaited opportunity to revisit When Harry Met Sally and orgasm onscreen. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly

KILL BILL: VOLUME ONE ★★★★ UMA THURMAN AND DAVID CARRADINE Kill Bill is raw entertainment that packs brains with its brawn. That is because Tarantino is an expert at drawing feeling from his killers, robbers and sociopaths. In Kill Bill, Tarantino revisits his penchant for characters who have experienced past—and specifically, childhood—trauma, again hitting the mark with brave situational dichotomy.(Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

LOST IN TRANSLATION ★★★★ BILL MURRAY AND SCARLETT JOHANSSON Bill Murray finds a relationship with a younger woman in this intelligent film set in Japan and directed by Sofia Coppola. The enigmatic serenity of Lost in Translation confounds and astonishes while it simultaneously embraces and rejects convention. The link between Bob and Charlotte feels a touch familiar but, more importantly, perfectly natural. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly

MYSTIC RIVER ★★★★ KEVIN BACON AND SEAN PENN Three childhood friends are united after one loses his daughter. Expect brilliant performances.This story goes beyond the usual crime thriller and is filled with some brilliant performances expected to be honored with Oscars. (Andrew Vecelas) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

RADIO ★★ MYSTIC RIVER (R) Fri. & Sat. ELF (PG) (2 SCREENS) Fri. & Sat. 1:15 4:00 6:45 9:30 12:15 1:30 3:30 5:30 7:30 9:30 11:30 Sun. - Thu. 1:30 3:30 5:30 7:30 Sun. - Thu. 1:15 4:00 6:45 9:30 9:30 (2 SCREENS) Fri. & Sat. 1:00 3:00 5:00 7:00 9:00 11:00 RADIO (PG) Fri. & Sat. 1:00 Sun. - Thu. 1:00 3:00 5:00 7:00 3:15 5:30 7:45 10:00 12:15 9:00 Sun. - Thu. 1:00 3:15 5:30 7:45 10:00 ◆ MATRIX REVOLUTIONS (R) (4 SCREENS) Fri. & Sat. 12:45 4:00 7:00 9:30 12:10 RUNAWAY JURY (PG–13) Fri. Sun. - Thu. 12:45 4:00 7:00 9:30 & Sat. 1:15 4:00 7:00 9:30 12:00 ◆ (4 SCREENS) Fri. - Thu. 1:15 Sun. - Thu. 1:15 4:00 7:00 9:30 4:30 7:30 10:00 Fri. - Thu. 1:00 4:15 7:15 9:50 Fri. - Thu. 1:30 4:45 7:45 10:15 SCARY MOVIE 3 (PG–13) Fri. & Sat. 1:10 3:00 5:00 7:00 9:00 BEYOND BORDERS (R) Fri. & 11:00 Sun. - Thu. 1:10 3:00 5:00 7:00 Sat. 9:45 12:15 9:00 Sun. - Thu. 9:45 BROTHER BEAR (G) (2 SCREENS) Fri. & Sat. 1:00 3:00 5:00 7:00 9:00 11:00 Sun. - Thu. 1:00 3:00 5:00 7:00 9:00 (2 SCREENS) Fri. & Sat. 1:30 3:30 5:30 7:15 9:15 11:30 Sun. - Thu. 1:30 3:30 5:30 7:15 9:15

355.1236 105 N. Market St. Downtown Champaign

RUNAWAY JURY ★★★ DUSTIN HOFFMAN AND GENE HACKMAN Based upon the best selling John Grisham novel, this story was originally about tobacco farms, but becomes a tale of guns. Featuring two of the greatest actors alive, this film is exactly what a summer beach novel is good for: a lot of fun, provided that you suspend disbelief. (Jason Cantone) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

SCHOOL OF ROCK (PG–13) Fri. & Sat. 1:00 3:10 5:30 7:40 9:50 12:00 Sun. - Thu. 1:00 3:10 5:30 7:40 9:50

MAMBO ITALIANO (R) Fri. & Sat. 1:05 3:10 5:15 7:20 9:30 IN THE CUT (R) Fri. & Sat. 1:30 11:45 4:00 7:00 9:30 12:10 Sun. - Thu. 1:05 3:10 5:15 7:20 Sun. - Thu. 1:30 4:00 7:00 9:30 9:30 INTOLERABLE CRUELTY (PG–13) Fri. - Thu. 1:30 3:30 5:30 7:35 CHAINSAW MASSACRE (R) Fri. & Sat. 1:00 3:05 5:10 7:15 11:30 KILL BILL VOLUME I (R) Fri. 9:20 & Sat. 12:45 3:00 5:15 7:30 Sun. - Thu. 1:00 3:05 5:10 7:15 9:20 9:45 12:00 Sun. - Thu. 12:45 3:00 5:15 7:30 9:45 Showtimes for 11/7 thru 11/13

CUBA GOODING JR. AND ED HARRIS Cuba Gooding Jr.does his best to give a performance that will make his critics less likely to demand that he give back his Oscar after horrendous films such as Snow Dogs, but this film doesn’t do anything more than give a dramatic version of Adam Sandler’s The Waterboy. (Jason Cantone) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

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SCARY MOVIE 3 ★★★ CHARLIE SHEEN AND DENISE RICHARDS With the Wayans brothers gone, slapstick king David Zucker does his best to re-invent this dying franchise. Occasionally hilarious, but often stupid. (Andrew Crewell) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

SEABISCUIT ★★★★ TOBEY MAGUIRE, JEFF BRIDGES AND CHRIS COOPER The Seabiscuit phenomenon was one of the most captivating in United States history and this film does it justice. (Andrew Crewell) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy.

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE ★ JESSICA BIEL AND MIKE VOGEL While on a drug run to Mexico, a bunch of people pick up a bloodied hitchhiker who has been attacked by someone or something. The movie substitutes screams and gore for the careful artistry that is present in the original, only to create the same formula that moviegoers have seen a hundred times before and are frankly quite tired of. (Aaron Leach) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

OPENING THIS WEEKEND ELF

WILL FERRELL AND JAMES CAAN Sure, Santa Claus might bring some nice lil’ college students the Old School DVD this year, but imagine if Santa lived the life of those guys. Santa streaking the Quad probably won’t be in this film, but Ferrell’s hilarious antics will. (Jason Cantone) Opening at Beverly and Savoy

THE LEGEND OF SURIYOTHAI

JOHNNY ANFRONE AND MARISA ANITA Set in 16th century Thailand, this historical epic is about Queen Suriyothai. This is a Cecil B. DeMille-sized epic that employed hundreds of elephants and thousands of extras. Imagine what it was like to make a movie and clean up after all those elephants. (Jason Cantone) Opening at Boardman’s

buzz

him say he wanted to go home. Usually he was on his way out the door to work, smoke a cigarette or visit a bar near base. When he was home, he was usually in his workshop building furniture. Not even during phone calls from Saudi Arabia during the 1991 Gulf War do I remember him saying he missed home. But now he couldn’t go home, and orderlies held him down as he thrashed against restraints added earlier that week when he injured himself trying to leave. Mom ushered us into the hallway and I heard my dad cry. It was a gutwrenching sound, weak and raspy. He died calmly in his sleep two weeks later. I still have nightmares about him returning and not knowing that he is dead. Talismans help erase the nightmares and bad memories. I have two charms. The first is a simple gold necklace Dad bought for me in Saudi Arabia. Before that gift he always brought me home dolls. The charm has a stylized “H” for Heidi. I wear it during times of stress, at competitions, graduations and job interviews. I wore it to Dad’s funeral. The second talisman is a pair of silver wings he received when he became senior navigator Oct. 31, 1987. I recently took it from a drawer at my mother’s home filled with my dad’s handkerchiefs, cufflinks, rings and 10 years’ worth of dust. I think of my dad most when I fly. Especially at night when the silver moon illuminates thick clouds and creates ethereal peaks and valleys. In those moments, he isn’t so far away. When Dad died, he was buried in his dress blues with full military honors. My mom put his red baseball cap in the casket later. The day

LOVE ACTUALLY

HUGH GRANT AND EMMA THOMPSON This British love story features an all-star cast that attempts to kick Julia Roberts’ Notting Hill into obscurity. With Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson and Colin Firth providing support, this should be a winner. (Jason Cantone) Opening at Savoy.

MAMBO ITALIANO

LUKE KIRBY AND PAUL SORVINO Let’s face it: This film is an attempt to give My Big Fat Greek Wedding an Italian spin. (Jason Cantone) Opening at Beverly

OPENED WEDNESDAY THE MATRIX: REVOLUTIONS

KEANU REEVES AND LAURENCE FISHBURNE Everything that has a beginning also has an end. This is the end to the Matrix trilogy and there are a heap of expectations after The Matrix: Reloaded succeeded, but not to box office analysts’ expectations. (Jason Cantone) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy.

community

NOVEMBER 6 - NOVEMBER 12, 2003

From the view of a KC 135 are two F-15’s flanking another gas tanker.

was chilly but more than 200 people came. It was Wednesday. The junior high math teacher drove a school bus of students who knew my family. Relatives poured in from around the United States and the base sent a contingent. Dad wasn’t perfect, but no one is, and I think most people forgave him for his shortcomings. I know I do even if I don’t always show it. I did the day of the funeral though, when “Taps” sounded. Day is done Gone the sun From the lakes From the hills From the sky All is well Safely rest God is nigh. buzz

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Page 1

community

NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003

How did you become interested in the book? As a child, I was always interested in books. I was one of those kids who always loved to read and whose parents always read to them. I was lucky to have that opportunity.

Q & A

FloraForaci

PHOTO | CHRISTINE LITAS

How did you get started in the bookstore business? When my daughter was an infant, my college friends and I would go to resale shops and discover all sorts of treasures. I started specializing in antique books. Eventually, I found a partner and started the Jane Addams Bookstore in Chicago that specialized in feminist literature.

Special Event: ISDA Trunk Show November 23rd

New Jersey native Flora Faraci has always loved books. Now a resident of ChampaignUrbana, Faraci has owned and operated Jane Addams Book Shop since August of 1985. The bookshop, located at 208 N. Neil Street, in downtown Champaign, is open from 10-5 pm Monday thru Saturday and 1-5 pm on Sundays, with extended holiday hours on Fridays till eight pm.

What other jobs have you had besides this? I have worked at a library. I also worked for an alternative school in Chicago and worked for the American Print Service editing a newsletter called New School News. What is the most rewarding part of your job? I love it when people and books come together in some way. I enjoy meeting customers and talking about books. What kinds of books do you carry? All kinds. I don’t carry textbooks but I do buy academic books. Also there are books about history, sociology economics, literary criticisms, children’s books, cook books, feminist literature, postcards, scrapbooks, and letters.

What is the most interesting part of your job? My job is both interesting and fun. I like the excitement when new books come in and researching to find out more about it. How did the bookstore get its name? It started in Chicago as a feminist bookstore called the Jane Addams Bookstore. My partner and I both admired Jane Addams and her work both in the community and internationally so when we decided to close the store in Chicago, I kept the name for this shop, but changed it to Jane Addams Book Shop rather than store. People have always been quite happy with the name. How would you describe Jane Addams Book Shop? It’s a full-service antiquarian bookstore with used, rare, and out-of-print books. We also offer free search for out-of-print books. It has three floors and we can special order books as well. What are some of your other interests? I have a collection of Raggedy Ann dolls, postcards, books…etc. Johnny Gruelle, the author was born in Arcola, and his granddaughter has opened a museum there. I had some original illustrations but I have sold most of those to the family. I like the feeling that character elicits in people. My interests are all pretty narrow, mostly book related, but my other passion is gardening.

How do you find the older books? Auctions, estate sales, people also make appointments and bring books in.

★★

What is your greatest accomplishment? My kids. They have grown up to be wonderful people. What makes Jane Addams different a large chain bookstore? I carry primarily old and out of print books. I used to have new books at the Chicago store, and when I moved here I still carried new feminist and children’s books, but over the years I have changed that. There are hardly any new books, except special order. The look, feel, the smell, are all antiquarian, used books. It’s a very centralized, not decentralized like chains. The people that work here are all quite knowledgeable. What would you be doing if you weren’t a running a bookstore? Crying.

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dvdreview

What about a favorite book? Cat’s Eye by Atwood. If you could meet any character in a book who would it be? It would have to be Jane Addams.

film & tv

NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003 | NICOLAS CAGE NEEDS TO STICK WITH ACTING.

SONNY

Without Drugs.....

Downtown Champaign 359.2195

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Who is your favorite author? For fiction, Margaret Atwood.

HEADACHE RELIEF

Circles

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BY ALAN BANNISTER | STAFF WRITER

arol (Mena Suvari, American Beauty) screams “I don’t want honesty. I want to be ordinary,” at one of the many points of character breakdowns in Sonny. Carol’s line explains the entire struggle of the movie, as each character faces the harsh reality of life and only wants in some small way to be ordinary. At age 26 in 1981, after being discharged from the army, Sonny Phillips (James Franco, Spider-Man) returns home to New Orleans to a life he hopes to leave behind. His former life of prostitution immediately begins trying to suck him back in. Five seconds after seeing him, his mom begins talking of turning tricks again and introduces him to her new girl, Carol. Sonny resists at first and tries to square up; he even falls moderately in love with Carol, but ultimately finds he doesn’t have the strength to leave and face the new set of problems he would have to trade for his old ones. One letdown is enough to defeat him, but Carol does take her own advice at the end of the film: “Just run.” Sonny is deceptively simple in plot and filled with complex emotions juxtaposed with very simplistic cinematography. Nicolas Cage’s first attempt at directing shows some promise. He starts out very powerfully and full of intrigue and drama. The film opens with a head shot of clean-cut, handsome young Sonny starting down Bourbon Street. Bach plays in the background as the camera follows Sonny’s troubled gaze at the passing strip joints and bars. He pauses in front of a house and gets ready to knock on the door with a box of chocolates in his hand; the audience hesitates, trying to decide who he’s going to see, much like Sonny hesitates onscreen, unsure of his actions. Cage orchestrates scenes like this very well. With these scenes he reflects life to a T; the audience is just as lost as the characters themselves are. One of the large drawbacks to Cage’s naivety as a director is his overuse of the simple straight shots combined with low-key piano music. The style, which has a great deal of emotional impact at several moments, loses its power. The razor edge is dulled by that technique coming up every 15 minutes. It makes the movie predictable and stale in that regard. However, as a running theme contrasting the depravity of prostitution with the potential inherent in the characters, it is certainly a nice attempt. Cage redeems his faults as a beginning director through his depiction of the underside of New Orleans. A man who spent some time working in New Orleans, Cage explains in the

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT

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SONNY | JAMES FRANCO director commentary the elements to this movie, everything from the constant drinking to the choice of Bach, which was an association he always had with New Orleans. Using deep and vivid colors he envelops the audience in the steamy facade of prostitution and the city. He matches up this richness of color with vividness of character. As he says in the commentary, he let the actors and characters speak for themselves. No better conglomeration of a cast could have been assembled to speak for Sonny. Franco, Suvari, Brenda Blethyn (who plays Jewel Phillips) and Henry Dean Stanton (who plays Henry Wade, Sonny’s father, unknown to him) give particularly emotional performances, strengthening the film and bringing the audience into the characters. The extras provided on the DVD release are intriguing at best. Those who really enjoy watching director commentaries will be pleased with Cage’s dialogue and the snippets he reveals about his anxieties during the 30 days of filming. Writer John Carlen was given his own track on the DVD as well. This feature is particularly interesting as he discusses changes made during the creation of the screenplay and working with Cage to film it. It is rather poignant to remember while listening to the man delve into explanation of character actions that this screenplay was written while he was serving time and is based partly on his life experiences. The knowledge that some films dealing with “outlaw characters” and the underbelly of society actually are written by people who have experienced such hardships lies beyond the realm of refreshing information. In fact, it leaves a pleasant taste in one’s mouth to think that “one of (them) can make it out.” DVD Features: Commentary by director Nicolas Cage and producer Norm Golightly Commentary by writer John Carlen Theatrical trailers Widescreen anamorphic format Color, Closed-captioned Widescreen, Dolby Sound

Tickets on Sale This Saturday, Nov. 8 at Noon!

The Aragon Ballroom 1106 West Lawrence in Chicago 18 & Over Outlets

217-351-2626

ticketmaster.com

www.jamusa.com

PRODUCTION

Boardman’s

Art Theatre 126 W. Church St. Champaign, IL

Bubba Ho-Tep

The Legend of Suriyothai

R, FINAL WEEK, runs 92 minutes, starring Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis Presented in HPS-4000/DD. Daily at 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Francis Ford Coppola presents: “The Legend of Suriyothai”, R, runs 142 minutes presented in HPS-4000/DD. Daily at 7:00 p.m., matinees on Sat/Sun at 2:00 p.m.

Official site w/trailer: http://www.bubbahotep.com/

Official site w/trailer: http://www.sonyclassics.com/legend/core/ hasFlash.html

Showing at the Lorraine “Matrix Revolutions” & “Scary Movie 3” For showtimes and eTickets/reserved seats go to: www.BoardmansLorraineTheatre.com

BOARDMAN’S THEATRES www.BoardmansTheatres.com 1-800-BEST PLACE (800-237-8752) 217/355-0068 eTickets/reserved seats: www.BoardmansArtTheatre.com

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SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND. | NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003 buzz

moviereview

BUBBA HO-TEP MIRAMAX FILMS

★★ BY RYAN BICKING | STAFF WRITER

SCARFACE | AL PACINO

dvdreview

SCARFACE ★★★ BY AARON LEACH | STAFF WRITER

n 1998, Universal released the Scarface Collector’s Edition DVD. It came with one of the worst video transfers ever, substandard audio and not a single extra feature anywhere to be found. In an attempt to atone for their awful DVD sins, Universal has released the Scarface Anniversary Edition, which consists of both a regular two-disc set and a special boxed set. While they corrected some aspects, others still remain less than satisfactory. Scarface stars Al Pacino as Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who comes in search of the American dream. His dream is slightly skewed as he expects to not have to work hard for his wealth. This leads him to a life of crime that takes him to the top very quickly. The film is considered a classic by many and still holds up against the test of time even amongst many more controversial and violent films. The biggest improvement here over the 1998 release is the video quality. Presented in its original aspect ratio, colors here are brilliant and vivid. Some of the darker scenes, however, do come off a little murky and lose some clarity, but it’s still a big step over the 1998 DVD. The second disc is packed with some pretty good extras. Of course, with no extras on the original release, anything here is a step up. There are a couple good short featurettes that include interviews with director Brian DePalma, writer Oliver Stone and many of the film’s actors. However, actresses Michelle Pfeifer and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio are both absent from the extras, which is a big disappointment. There are also some deleted and extended scenes, but nothing new can be gained from these scenes. The box set comes with a few more goodies for a lot more dollars for the die-hard fans, including a Tony Montana money clip, some photos and a nice collector’s box. The biggest addition is the inclusion of the original 1932 Howard Hawk version of Scarface on DVD. Overall this a vast improvement from the meager offerings on the 1998 release that is sure to satisfy any fan of this flick. Additional DVD Feature: Def Jam Presents: The Origins of a Gangsta

here’s the old saying not to judge a book by its cover. While it may not be right to judge the movie Bubba Ho-Tep by its name, the title does describe how this movie incorporates two very different elements. Director Don Coscarelli even seems to play off this by opening the movie with the definitions of the two parts of the title. Ho-Tep, a pharaoh dynasty in ancient Egypt, provides the sense of horror, while Bubba, the definition of a southern gentleman and resident of a trailer park, shows the comedic aspect. Bubba Ho-Tep works wonderfully as a comedy largely due to the bizarre premise of the movie. Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis are both residents of an elderly home in eastern Texas, but Campbell is actually Elvis Presley while Davis is former president John F. Kennedy. Presley ends up at a nursing home after a bizarre string of events that began with him switching places with one of the best Elvis impersonators to escape the life of luxury and fame. So while the Elvis impersonator died from a drug overdose, the real Elvis performed

dvdpreview

CITY OF GOD ★★★★

BY AARON LEACH | STAFF WRITER

bjectivity is a trait often lost in most Hollywood films today. Even films that are supposedly based on true events or historical facts often have some sort subjective spin put onto them. Certainly some directors may pay great attention to detail when recreating historical scenes, however when these details are merely the scenery for a biased narrative, the truth is lost and tarnished in the glitz and stylization of Hollywood. This is exactly what Brazilian film City of God successfully avoids. A film that many critics felt was overlooked in the best foreign film category at this year’s Academy Awards, City of God does not attempt to sugarcoat or gloss over the events portrayed within. Director Fernando Meirelles uses his camera as a tool to transcend the lens of the human eye and allow us to simply look and witness. City of God tells the story of Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) and his life in a slum in Rio de Janeiro nicknamed the City of God. The film immediately hits the ground running at a breakneck pace and never really lets up. Through the use of quick cuts, an ever-mov-

as an impersonator until he threw out his hip during a show and went into a brief coma. Kennedy’s new life began after the fateful day in Dallas, where he wasn’t actually killed. He was betrayed by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. A small part of Kennedy’ brain is kept in Washington, D.C. This missing part is replaced with a bag of sand in Kennedy, who then has his skin dyed black, transforming him into an African American.The ultimate way to cover it up, says Kennedy. These two personalities lead to some interesting dialogue between them and some great one-liners, but a lot of the comedy comes from Presley. Throughout the movie Presley deals with how his life has changed so drastically, since he traded spaces to leave his life of luxury, and with becoming an old man. From fighting to make it to the bathroom in the middle of the night to dealing with a large growth he has south of the border, the movie shines when Presley is the focus largely due to the great job Bruce Campbell does portraying “the King.” His look, movements and voice make it almost impossible not to believe that it really is Presley on the screen. The movie could have stood alone focusing on just Presley and Kennedy living in the same nursing home and dealing with these issues. But instead Coscarelli put the element of horror into the movie by including a soul-sucking Egyptian mummy who feeds off the elderly living in the home. This fits with how bizarre the movie’s premise is but the mood of the movie changes drastically in going back and forth ing camera and a nonlinear, Tarantino vignette style, the more than two-hour long movie blinks by in no time. This visual intensity is an integral device in portraying the live for the minute life that seems to govern the lives of the slum inhabitants. The slum was built by the Rio government to keep the poverty away from the main city that needs to retain the picture perfect resort image. This socioeconomic separation has created an almost completely different type of society within the slum. The City of God is run by gangs who gain money from selling guns and drugs. Violence and danger are close to all its inhabitants, and when a turf war breaks out, nothing is safe, and any rules that may have existed are long forgotten. The atrocities that take place on screen pale in comparison to the realization that all of these criminals are mostly children. The gang members range from what appears to be around 7 years old to about 20, since most of them don’t live to see any age past that. Meirelles’ visually assaulting techniques create the perfect balance of disorder and disparity to shadow this village. His portrayal of violence is terrifying yet poignant and is never just there for the sake of violence. He allows the audience to witness and become a member of this slum truthfully with his camera’s visceral, unfiltered eye. At the heart of this chaos lies a story of choice. Young Rocket, through his dreams of becoming a photographer, never allows himself to be eaten alive by the culture that surrounds him. The story is as predictable as any true tale

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NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003 | IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD

Ten Thousand Villages in one stop

arts

BY SUZANNE SITRICK | STAFF WRITER

BUBBA HO-TEP | OSSIE DAVIS between the scenes. While the scenes with Presley and Kennedy work, the scenes with the mummy dressed as a cowboy (that’s where the Bubba comes into play) fail. It’s a fact that low-budget horror movies can be successful, but Bubba Ho-Tep shows why some fail—with the poor look to the mummy to the cheesy looking beetles that infect the nursing home. With all these combined it’s hard to take these scenes as seriously as Coscarelli must have wanted. Coscarelli had a great concept for the movie but attempted to mix in a whole new genre by adding the horror element. Instead of enhancing the movie, it separates the movie into two, just as the cover suggests: Bubba Ho-Tep.

CITY OF GOD | ALEXANDRE RODRIGUES of triumph, however that does not detract from the painful honesty of the tale being presented here. City of God shows that the choices people make set them on the path that will lead them to either prosperity and happiness, or just to wind up as another dead child. Often compared to Scorcese’s Goodfellas, City of God is visually and emotionally ferocious and brutal, and is not a film that should be missed. Editor’s note: This film is still playing in very limited release in New York City and Los Angeles. It was released in January 2002 and played in select theaters around Illinois this past summer. It is scheduled for full DVD release on Tuesday, Dec. 2. This DVD can now be pre-ordered at many DVD vendors online.

from out of town, too. The store used to be called Self Help Crafts of the World. According to store hough Ten Thousand Villages is best manager Naomi Rempe, known for offering fairly traded handicrafts when it started out, the store from around the world, the downtown was more of a gift shop. But Champaign shop also offers a little brotherly now it is driven more by colsupport. Their mission statement is to “provide lections and color scheme. vital, fair income to Third World people by Rempe, who has been store marketing their handicrafts and telling their manager for 11 years, says it stories in North America.” Artisans receive 50 is now more sophisticated. percent of the money ahead of time in order to Within the store there is pay for materials. Once the products are fin- something for everyone, ished, they receive the other 50 percent of the kids included. “There is a children’s area money. Then the products are shipped to the with toys and there is nice, United States. Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit organi- inexpensive jewelry for the zation of the Mennonite Central Committee preteens,” said assistant (MCC), the relief and development agency of manager Jill Schreiber, who Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in is also the educational coorNorth America. Although separately incorpo- dinator and visual merchanrated, Ten Thousand Villages is wholly owned dising coordinator. “It is by MCC. The Champaign store, located at 105 wonderful. It shows a lot N. Walnut St., is sponsored by four churches in of ethnicity, such as the the area. The majority of the workers at the Ten nativities, which match the culture.” Thousand Villages stores are volunteers. The products range in “I became involved as a result of a friend who volunteered here,” said volunteer worker price, with some expensive Celeste Valleau. Valleau has been working at items such as oriental rugs. These musical instruments, known as beaded calabash rattles, are made by an artisan group called Prescraft, in Cameroon, Africa Ten Thousand Villages for six years, driving in There are, however, a lot of once a week from Mahomet. While she said items in the $10 to $30 range, she is not a Mennonite, she has connections and a good number of items under $10 as well. products even if they are not bought,” said sell very well, the artist is protected. One of the largest providers of products is with the Mennonite church and is interested in “Someone can come in with pocket change and Rempe. For people who like music, Ten Thousand India. “One example of really working with a supporting their mission of fair trade. Many of find something,” Schreiber said. “I think students like the uniqueness of Villages offers a variety of compositions from group is the India brass workers. It is amazing the volunteers at the Champaign store come the products and the fact that pret- around the world. They also have drum circles how fickle the market is, and brass suddenly ty much everything is handmade. on Monday nights at the store. Most people became less popular,” Schreiber said. “So buyAnd there is a good mission to it,” bring their own instruments, but people are ers went and worked with the artisans to create new products—such as using their skills with welcome to use the instruments in the store. Rempe said. Educational coordinator Jill Schreiber gives colorful metals instead of brass.” “I know that I am making a difference The artisans try to preserve old art forms in many people’s lives by helping out educational talks twice a month to a myriad of here,” Valleau said. “And I get to meet groups. Her educational talks vary significant- that may be dying away. Sometimes, many interesting people from all over ly: from kindergarten classrooms and dis- though, Ten Thousand Villages will help cussing musical instruments to high schools the groups use their skills in new and difthe world.” Martin Maurer, from Austria, is a talking about the role of women to talking with ferent ways to make products that graduate student at the University of senior citizens about fair trade. This fall, she Westerners would like, so that these Illinois. He came into the Ten Thousand said, a University student organization ran a groups can continue selling their products. “For example, in North Thailand, there is an Villages to pick up a product that he had guided tour of the local businesses that offer ordered. He said he usually comes into Fair Trade products, and she spoke with them art form, or pattern that is typically used in costumes and women’s clothing,” Rempe said. the store to accompany his wife, but on as well. Ten Thousand Villages works only with “We might advise them to use it on something this day he is buying a present. “The store has beautiful things,” groups, not individuals. Buyers make reg- like a handbag instead.” “These people take every last resource and Maurer said. “I really like it, it’s for a ular trips to the different countries to ensure the artisans have good workings make something with it, things Americans great cause.” Ten Thousand Villages works with conditions and are receiving fair wages. would probably just throw away,” Rempe said. groups in 32 developing countries. The groups are given the entire amount of “It is just truly amazing.” buzz They send people to different countries money for their products before they are to find groups who would otherwise be shipped, so that they get their fair price. either underemployed or unemployed. Sometimes things happen in shipping, such as “The groups are carefully chosen and a cracks in wood due to climate changes or prodsmall commitment is made—to try to be ucts breaking. If things like this happen, the consistent with orders so that the group artists do not lose any money, since they This butterfly mobile was created in Indonesia by an artisan can depend on us to continue buying already have it. Even if the product does not group from Mitra Bali.

PHOTO | SUZANNE SITRICK

film & tv

PHOTO | SUZANNE SITRICK

3:37 PM

SILVER SPHERE ENTERTAINMENT

11/5/03

MIRAMAX FILMS

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arts

SO ART REALLY DOES HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS. | NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003 buzz

playreview

Anton in Show Business ★★

Jane Martin

BY ELIZABETH ZEMAN |CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ane Martin’s Anton in Show Business, now playing at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, is a satiric look at theater and its place in society. It’s a bold choice for Krannert, as it subverts and challenges the rules of realism and, by extension, the types of performances often seen at Krannert. Several members of its all-female cast play multiple characters of both genders, and the invisible fourth wall comes crashing down as one actress poses as an audience member who continually interrupts the performance. The play is edgy, unpredictable and full of wit. But there’s something missing in this production as it seems unable to sustain the humor of the play’s selfreferential jokes. The play follows three women—Holly, a surgically enhanced Hollywood TV star (Maria Alexina Pallas); Casey, a jaded New York fringe actress (Meaghan D. Sullivan); and Lisabette, an over-eager Texas newcomer to the stage (Sari Sanchez)—as they prepare for a production of Anton Chekhov’s The Three Sisters. Holly takes Casey and Lisabette under

her wing after hearing a director say they who plays four roles, changes characters with can’t act, and the three bond over men and impressive ease. Some of the other characters never really come to their struggles as actresses. Their lives aren’t often at the foreground, though, as the play’s life, though, such as Morgan Malone’s Ben and Hayley Maree Jannesen’s main focus is on thelong-winded Russian ater itself. It constantly director, Wikewitch. asks both explicitly and Wikewitch is good for a implicitly: Is theater culfew laughs—he gets a turally important enough rise from the audience, to be the subject of a play? for example, when he Along the way declares himself God— almost everyone and but he never feels quite every part of the thehuman or interesting ater is a target for the enough to warrant so play’s satire, with the much stage time. interesting exception Audience member of playwrights, and and play critic Joby these jokes work (Cristina Panfilio) asks remarkably well for the toward the play’s end first several scenes. But if critiquing theater the joke begins to die within a play is “like and by the second half beating a dead horse some of the eccentric from the inside.” This characters’ speeches production’s answer become painfully long to that question is and the audience Morgan Malone as Jackie, Maria Pallas as maybe. Anton in Show grows quiet. The play Holly, and Hayley Maree Jannesen as Business is worth seedoesn’t end so much Wikewitch ing for its message and as it slowly dies out. There are certainly some great moments, aims. It’s refreshing to see that Krannert such as the opening scene and Casey’s and doesn’t take itself too seriously and wants Lisabette’s simultaneous phone conversations to ask difficult questions about the cultural relwith their mothers. Sanchez’s Lisabette lights evance of what it does. It’s clear that the play’s up the stage with just the right amount of heart is in the right place, but it ultimately disinnocent enthusiasm, and Victoria Caciopoli, appoints by trying too hard.

Tommy G’s Bar and Grill

featuring food by Foudini’s

Fri., November 7 FREE FOOD FRIDAYS! 5-7 PM featuring Al Ierardi - free food, no cover!

E.S.P. - 10 PM

The triumphant return of lead singer Kelly Hazel!

Sat., November 8 The Barflyz

80’s rock tribute band from Peoria - All the “hair metal” you know and love - Come and see why these guys rule Peoria!

FREE MUSIC no cover weekdays! Every Tuesday Will Roger’s Acoustic Night Plus $2 Tuesdays - two dollar drafts,cans, dom. Bottles, well drinks, order of wings, basket-o-spuds, chips-n-salsa.

Every Wednesday Kilborn Alley Thursdays - Pool Tourney, Cash Prizes, 7 PM Coming in November

14 - Adam Wolf & The Party Hounds, 15 - Will Rogers 123 S. Mattis, Champaign - Counrty Fair Mall, 359-2177

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film & tv

NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003 | MEG RYAN’S NUDITY COULDN’T SAVE THIS MESS.

theatercolumn BY JEFF NELSON | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ooking at the remainder of the semester at Urbana’s Krannert Center is as simple as pointing out the riches available, but a few guideposts may help. November begins as the last month ended with the University of Illinois’ Department of Theater offering two first-rate productions of Gross Indecency (until Nov. 15) and Anton in Show Business (until Nov. 16). These two Studio Theater productions offer a modern look at elements that are a part of our modern theater. Gross Indecency uses original sources and biographical studies to recreate the 1895 trials of playwright and poet Oscar Wilde. The net result was a conviction for “gross indecency” (homosexual behavior) that landed him in jail for two years and nearly ended his career as a writer. Writer Moises Kaufman (The Laramie Project) vividly recreates late 19th century attitudes towards homosexuality and their tragic applications against one of the century’s greatest playwrights and poets. Director Henson Keys has a very talented student cast. Anton in Show Business by Jane Martin comes our way by the Actor’s Theater in Louisville, Ky., from a 2000 festival, and it targets the modern theater directly. This self-reverential, but savage send-up of the theatrical world has several clever lines, but no consistent satire that goes beyond the moment. Director Leslie Brott gets a lot of mileage from her all-female student cast, who are often more engaging than the script. Also appearing on Krannert’s stages during November are such diverse offerings as The Vienna Symphony on Nov. 11 , with an allBeethoven program. The CU Symphony will follow on Nov. 15 with a varied program that includes no Beethoven. Riches are abundant in November with The UI Symphonic Band (Nov. 18), UI Chamber Orchestra and UI Symphonic Band (Nov. 19), the UI Philharmonica’s late fall concert (Nov. 16) and finally, the UI Chamber Orchestra, premiering some winning student compositions along with some standards (Nov. 13). For lovers of vocal music, November offers two Puccini one-act operas, Suor Angeica and Gianni Schicchi, on consecutive weekends from the Nov. 7 to Nov. 16. Director Nicholas Di Virgilio, who has performed and directed many Puccini operas, will have his performers sing in Italian. Also, don’t miss the St. Petersburg Capella Choir on Nov. 8. Devotees of dance can help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Merce Cunningham Dance with performances on Nov. 18 and Nov. 20. If dance really grabs you with images of the holiday season, The Nutcracker will be performed December 12-14 by our own Champaign-Urbana Ballet. Just before The Nutcracker opens, you might want to pencil in the evenings of Dec. 10 and Dec. 11 as an extraordinary local artist comes back to grace our musical halls as part of his national tour. You don’t have to be a jazz enthusiast to love the music of the Laurence Hobgood Trio and Kurt Elling, but the jazz crowd will not be disappointed.

moviereview

IN THE CUT ★ BY MATT PAIS | LEAD REVIEWER

t is not clear whether or not writer/director Jane Campion knows that virtually every moment of In the Cut has been seen before—including Meg Ryan’s bare breasts, which are exploited here whenever possible. What is clear is that through high-production artistry and glossy cynicism, Campion believes that she has instilled the crime-thriller genre with a deeper layer of visual, frenetic paranoia. She’s wrong. Oh boy, is she wrong. In the Cut is so painfully generic and contemptibly brainless that Campion’s slick coat of super-polished imagery makes the whole production feel pompous and self-indulgent. Regardless of the hypnotic ambience drawn from the dimly lit bars and stark, sweaty strip clubs, anyone who has ever seen a detective/suspense film—and not just a good one; even Kiss the Girls would do—will be twiddling their thumbs throughout most of this drab cinematic dilapidation.

moviereview

BROTHER BEAR ★★

BY JOHN LOOS | STAFF WRITER

n 1989, Walt Disney Pictures came out with The Little Mermaid and on all levels it was a feast for the imagination. Bright colors, lush backdrops, catchy songs, quirky characters and an exciting love story all combined to create a landmark in animation history. Realizing this formula worked, studio execs then released Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King, and each were unique enough and impassioned enough to become rousing successes. Since then, however, someone set the animation studio on cruise control and it’s been slowly veering off the road ever since. The newest, most unoriginal entry, Brother Bear, centers around three brothers of the caveman era who live in the mystical Pacific Northwest. When one sacrifices himself to save the other two from a vicious bear, the youngest, Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix), seeks revenge on the animal and kills it. The spirits of the sky, including his dead brother, decide to transform him into a bear to help teach him about the beauty of love, the environment, open-mindedness, etc. While this seems like the bastard child of The Lion King and Pocahontas, it actually begins

For awhile, In the Cut threatens to offer a bleak look at the dangers of New York’s streets and the police corruption that undermines their safety. Based on Susanna Moore’s novel, the film centers on Francis Avery (Ryan), a sexually repressed high school English teacher collaborating with a student on a book of teenage hipster slang. When part of a murdered girl’s body turns up outside her apartment, homicide detective Giovanni Malloy (Mark Ruffalo) arrives to lead an investigation that focuses more on Francis than appears necessary. As Francis tries to determine if he is the man she saw being pleasured by the murder victim only hours before the killing, Malloy draws her into a steamy affair that utilizes Francis’ fear and sexual neediness. For two restless, predictable hours, In the Cut perceives an extreme connection between sex and violence that borders on pornography. Surpassing the gloomy malevolence of 8mm, which never presumed to be anything more than degenerative slop, it assumes an arrogant, humorless tone that clearly wants to be sleeker and sexier than it really is. Ryan produces some genuine heat as Francis allows herself to succumb to Malloy’s twisted games of sexual manipulation. Outside of Ryan’s performance, however, In the Cut has a lot more hot air than actual steam. While attempting to manufacture a hazy atmosphere of perverse intoxication from its violent backdrop, much of the sex-driven scenes instead come off simply as an excuse to quite promisingly. There are some gorgeous visuals and the interaction between Kanai and his brothers feels genuine and warm. But once Kanai becomes a bear every generic element that gives American animation a bad name abruptly crashes the party. Kanai the bear first meets a spunky cub named Koda (Jeremy Suarez) who becomes the obligatory and mildly annoying sidekick. Then the comic relief drops in, this time in the form of two very Canadian moose (Dave Thomas and the surprisingly still-existing Rick Moranis of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids) who offer nothing but their northern accents and symbolic brotherhood to the plot, which by this point is swiftly becoming uninteresting. And when Phil Collins begins singing it becomes the point of no return. There was a time when Disney’s musical numbers single-handedly made their films better. In Brother Bear, Collins’ insipidly uplifting melodies and awkward eye-rolling lyrics begin an unfortunate sabotage on what could have been a warm, satisfying story of brotherhood and familial love. These are easily the most forced songs to ever accompany a Disney film, if not just the plain worst. But in spite of Collins, it does appear that at least someone in the creation process cared about this project. There are some memorable moments, like when Kanai and Koda romp through a field of dandelions, and some humorous ones, like when an old senile bear mourns her dead husband only to hear him yelling from afar that he’s still alive. Overall the

talk dirty. In one hysterically unsexy scene, Malloy calls Francis, begins to engage her in phone sex, and then says, “I gotta go, bye.” This is obviously supposed to lend itself to an exciting, unconventional dynamic of sexual interplay, but stirs up more snickers than actual stimulation. Worse still, Campion undermines the warped world of sexual politics by relegating each character to preposterously stereotypical and insulting gender roles. The men are stone-cold workhorses and horny, dominant sexual aggressors, but women suffer even greater representational injustice. Francis and her sister, Pauline (Jennifer JasonLeigh appearing in an embarrassingly small, one-dimensional role), are like sex-starved teenagers, spending most of their time talking about how to get a man or just how to get on top of one. This type of unbridled sexuality might not be detrimental if it served as a means of strength for these women rather than a vain source of weakness. In fact, Campion is so committed to her female characters’ sexed-up desires that it overshadows their involvement in the serial killer storyline, and they appear ludicrously unaffected by death. After Francis tells Pauline that a detective came to investigate, as a result of the detached body parts found in her garden, Pauline responds, “Yuck. So is the detective good-looking?” Just when it seems In the Cut cannot grow more tiresomely conventional, it devolves into

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IN THE CUT | MEG RYAN an entirely dimwitted whodunit that incorporates a slew of underdeveloped characters as potential killers. As Francis suspects basically every man in her life of murder she becomes all the more aroused and the film becomes even more sprawling and self-important. This world of sex and violence thrives beneath an uncontrollable sheet of fear but largely falls back on the outdated thriller notion of the scary man in the dark corner. More than anything, the film exists to provide Ryan another long-awaited opportunity to revisit When Harry Met Sally and orgasm onscreen. But while she radiates the lone source of sincere, sultry sexuality, In the Cut just fakes it.

C-UViews BROTHER BEAR ★★★ Doug Macchia BUENA VISTA FILMS

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BROTHER BEAR | THE ANIMATED BEARS animation is attractive and sometimes almost striking. While American animators still have a long way to go to achieve the sheer grandeur and exhilarating imagination of foreign animation, such as in last year’s Spirited Away, Brother Bear shows they do have their moments. It’s just unfortunate that their visuals have to be spoiled by rudimentary plots, discardable characters, and, in this case, downright ugly music.

SCREEN REVIEW GUIDE

★★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★ no stars

Flawless Good Mediocre Bad Unwatchable

Darien

“A heartfelt movie.”

★★★ Anne Accurso Arlington Heights

“So good I cried.”

TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSARE ★★ Trenesha Biggers Urbana

“More gore than suspense”

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Featured Works XIII: "The Spirit of Mediterranean Pathos: The Early Work of Pierre Daura" – Pierre Daura (1896-1976) was a member of significant modern art movements in the early 20th century. This exhibition highlights a recent gift of works by Daura and explores the forms and colors of his paintings and drawings from about 1910 to the late 1930s. On display at Krannert Art Museum through Nov 2. 500 E Peabody, Urbana. Tue, ThuSat. 9am-5pm, Wed 9am-8pm, Sun 2-5pm. 333-1860. Suggested Donation: $3

ART OPENINGS The IMC's Middle Room Gallery is pleased to welcome Jessica Mullen with her digital prints and mixed media for our November exibit. Come join us for an opening reception on November 7th, from 7pm to 9pm. She says her artwork is a deeply personal form of creative expression. Her illustration work, as opposed to her design work, is entirely self-indulgent. The piece may be a result of a mood or concept, but generally the meaning is discovered after completion. Her intentions for the viewer are to show a different perspective, to activate the sadly oftendormant thinking process and to make one feel. The show will run until Thanksgiving. Faculty Art Exhibition – the newest work by current faculty in the School of Art and Design. This exhibition, a major event in the Urbana-Champaign art community, is one of the oldest, continuously-running faculty exhibitions in the country. Recent works of painting, sculpture, installation art, photography, glass, graphic design and other media will be exhibited through January 4, 2004. Four faculty members will give talks about their work at noon on the following Wednesdays: Nov 19 Conrad Bakker Dec 3 Kevin Hamilton Dec 10 Melissa Pokorny Dec 17 Gerald Guthrie "Nevertheless: That's Our Guarantee!" is a solo exhibit by local artist John Havlik. It will be on display at the Parkland Art Gallery from November 5 through December 12. Havlik, senior designer at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, will display the design work he has produced for Krannert Center as well as a selection of pieces created specifically for the space of the Parkland

WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com | NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003

Art Gallery. First, Havlik's collection of Krannert Center posters demonstrates his ability to visually respond to a wide range of artistic presentations.

THEATER LISTINGS Anton in Show Business – A hilarious skewering of American theatre-with its eccentric directors, impossible critics, inept producers, philistine sponsors, and cynical multiculturalism- Anton follows the adventures of a Hollywood soap star, a jaded New Yorker and an enthusiatic ingenue starring in a production of Anton Chekhov’s The Three Sisters. – Studio Theatre, Krannert Center, Nov. 6, 7:30pm, Nov. 8, 7:30pm, November 12 at 7:30pm $6-13 Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde – The story of how Oscar Wilde went from the toast of the town with two smash hits playing to packed houses to complete humiliation and utter scorn presents a gripping courtroom drama – Studio Theatre, Krannert Center, Nov. 7, 7:30pm, Nov. 9, 7:30pm, Nov. 13, 7:30pm, Nov. 15, 7:30pm Story Theatre – a play for adults that everyone thought was for kids. Adapted by Paul Sills from Aesop's fables and the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales, the play uses children's stories to mirror adult fears and foibles. Composed of 10 separate stories including well-known tales The Bremen Town Musicians, The Robber Bridegroom, and The Golden Goose, "Story Theatre" is a theatrical tour de force that demands virtuosity from its actors and imagination from its audience. Using mime, music, inventive props, and colorful costumes, our troupe of community performers take on the roles of chickens, dogs, peasants, thieves, and other colorful characters. Performances are November 5, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 at 8 p.m. and November 16 at 3p.m. “Little Shop of Horrors”– is a well-known production, both on stage and screen. Tuscola-based ARTCO has scheduled open auditions for this play for Saturday, November 15 from 4-8 p.m. and Sunday, November 16 from 1-4 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center located at 211 East Overton in Tuscola. Elysium on the Prairie, Live Action Roleplaying – Vampires stalk the city streets and struggle for dominance in a world of gothic horror. Create your own character and mingle

with dozens of players who portray their own undead alter egos. Each session is another chapter in an ongoing story of triumph, tragedy and betrayal. Friday, “Vampire: The Masquerade” For more information visit: http://ww2.uiuc.edu/ro/elysium/intro.html. Check site for location, 7pm.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS Call For Submissions – The Second Annual Filmic Dependency Film Fesitval, Jan 23 and 24 in Urbana, is now accepting submissions. Looking for all lengths and genres, the festival puts focus on the very best no budget, low budget and student films. New films by new filmmakers. Get your work seen! Send films in VHS, DVD or VCD format to Mongoose Productions, c/o Sam Ambler, 614 W. Washington, Urbana, IL 61801. Deadline: Nov 15. Questions, more info contact Gabrielle Reisman at mongoose_productions@hotmail.com

MIND BODY AND SPIRIT Sunday Zen Meditation Meeting – Prairie Zen Center, 515 S Prospect, Champaign, NW corner Prospect & Green, enter thru door from parking area. Introduction to Zen Sitting, 10 AM; Full Schedule: Service at 9 followed by sitting, Dharma Talk at 11 followed by tea until about 12 noon. Can arrive at any of above times, open to all, no experience needed, no cost. For info call 355-8835 or www.prairiezen.org Prairie Sangha for Mindfullness Meditation – Monday evenings from 7:30-9pm and monthly retreats on Sunday. Theravadan (Vipassana) and Tibetan (Vjrayana & Dzogchen) meditation practice. Meets in Urbana. More information call or email Tom at 356-7413 or shayir@soltec.net. www.prairiesangha.org Clear Sky Zen Group – Meets on Thursday evenings in the Geneva Room of the McKinley Foundation. Newcomers to meditation and people of all traditions and faiths are welcome – McKinley Foundation, 809 S Fifth St, 6:25-9pm

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Formerly-Fat Persons’ Support Group – Free social meeting every Saturday at 2pm at Aroma Cafe, 118 N Neil St, C. For more information contact Jessica Watson at 353-4934. Loose Womyn Discussion Section (discussion topics are loose, the women need not be )– December 18, 7pm, we'll discuss the book Not Your Mothers' Midlife by Marilyn Kentz and Nancy Alspaugh. Borders Bookstore, 802 Town Center Blvd., Champaign (217) 351-9011 Loose Womyn Discussion Section – (discussion topics are loose, the women need not be) – November 20 we'll discuss the book The Right Questions by Debbie Ford. Borders Bookstore, 802 Town Center Blvd., Champaign (217) 351-9011. Simplicity Discussion Group – December 4, 7pm, we'll discuss the book Inner Peace for Busy People by Joan Borysenko. Borders Bookstore, 802 Town Center Blvd., Champaign (217) 351-9011. Life Map Workshop – A life map is a collection of visual images, a method of connecting with your intuition, a tool for visualizing your dreams or goals. Come explorelife mapping--approaches, uses, and the opportunity to create your own life map. 9:15am-1:00pm on Saturday, December 6 at McKinley Foundation, C. $45. To register or for information, contact Jo Pauly, MSW, Whole Life Coach at (217) 337-7823 or jopauly@prairienet.org

HOLIDAY BAZAAR Holiday Bazaar – Dec. 6 – Hand crafted gifts and holiday ornaments made by local children. 10am-2pm. Church of The Brethren, 1210 N. Neil Champaign. Booth space available for school age children. $5.00 per table. Call Dawn at Motherlands at 398-5127 for more info.

AFFORDABLE ART SALE The UIUC Graduate Art and Design Community presents the Affordable Art Sale – Nov. 14 – 5 pm until midnight and Nov. 15 – 2 pm-10 pm 112 West Church Street (in downtown Champaign) Contact – Susanna Bluhm at (217) 351-9475

H A I R S A L ON Daily Lunch and Dinner Specials Extensive Beer and Wine Selection Carry out available

Church

Art Theatre

Monday - Thursday 11am-9pm 308 N. Randolph, Champaign Nitaya Thai Ph: 359-6977

Proud sponsor of the Buzz Film Fest

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arts

NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003 | MEAGHAN STOLE MY FUNNY LINES . . . AND MY HEART.

ARTIST CORNER BY BRIAN WARMOTH | STAFF WRITER

achel Buck is a senior in industrial design at the University of Illinois. She grew up in Champaign, attended Champaign Central High School and was always interested in various art forms—photography, ceramics and graphic design, among others. She also works at LaPayne Photography in Champaign. Her studio work at the University has included a kite, which last year was exhibited at the Smithsonian. How long have you known that industrial design was the field you wanted to go into? Probably since my senior year of high school. I was taking summer art courses at U of I. It seemed like a practical way to combine my creative interests with a degree. Where do you draw your inspiration from when you’re working? It’s very problem-based. You look at needs and try to design. There’s creativity in trying to find the solution that’s the most elegant, and there’s also a lot of creativity in the styling. Through design you can change people’s behaviors. Like recycling. Through design you can encourage these types of things.

What do you mean by “elegant?” In my case, the aesthetic that appeals to me

is simplicity. It’s whatever is most important to the issue that you’re addressing. A lot of times it’s something that you look at about a product and say, “Oh, why didn’t someone think of that before?” but it takes someone to think of it. What stands out as several of your favorite pieces that you’ve produced and why? It would probably be my hairdryer. We had a project where we had to design. The problems I was looking at there were with storage and aesthetics. Basically, what it is, it’s a cylinder so that you would have a dial for the control mechanism. When it’s sitting on your bathroom counter, it has the same visual language as your other bathroom products. Another interesting one would be a group project we did.

We were supposed to imitate the style of a company. So we did Adidas and designed beach products as if Adidas had designed them. I designed a cooler and beach bag. When families go the beach, they end up taking a lot of stuff with them. The way I designed was to separate it into three compartments. This way, it keeps wet towels away from the dry clothes. What do you see yourself doing when you’re done here? That’s a very timely question. I would like to use my degree. I would like to do design, preferably for a small firm somewhere. What’s interesting about that is you can have several jobs you can work on at once. I would like to something with furniture or handbags, accessories—that sort of thing.

PHOTO | BRIAN WARMOTH

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FEELING IT? THAT’S LAZY. EVEN FOR BLINK. | NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003

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Robert Randolph and the Family Band deliver gospel-funk to the Canopy

PHOTO | COURTESY OF BIG HASSLE MEDIA

he weeping voice of the pedal steel sounds as audiences of rowdy believers throw up their hands. Inspiration is Robert Randolph’s message and since he stepped on the scene he has been converting fans to the tune of his gospelinspired sound, sacred steel. Until recently, the familiarity of sacred steel didn’t extend far beyond the Nashville city limits, where crooners and cowboys added the haunting sound to the backdrop of their lonely twang. Sacred steel’s roots stem back farther.

In The House of God’s Church nearly 70 years ago, lap steel and pedal steel became a staple of the vigorous revival-like services. The sweet sound remained veiled to mainstream crowds until Robert Randolph took the jam band scene to a new level, charming modern jazz pacesetters like North Mississippi AllStars and John Medeski. Robert Randolph connected with the slippery-stringed pedal steel guitar and took it to a higher level than the typical Hawaiian coos and cowboy ballads. Starting in nightclubs and bars, Randolph embarked on a whirlwind of tour dates. The rest is history. “It was something about the sound, when

Robert Randolph stares down the neck of his token pedal steel guitar.

you hear it you go, wow, what is that sound?” Randolph said. “I started playing the pedal steel knowing that not too many people knew about the instrument.” His choice of instrument and the extraordinary talent of himself and the Family Band turned heads and boosted their popularity faster than they could produce an album. Modestly, Randolph said he continues to practice daily and is not close to mastering the instrument. Randolph’s humbleness is part of the positive 25-year-old’s charm. Randolph and the band’s success began by opening for bands like Dave Matthews Band, and they continue to draw large crowds at high profile festivals like Bonnaroo. The first single from their sophomore album, Unclassified, “I Need More Love,” has remained in heavy rotation on music channels since its release. Since childhood, Randolph looked to R&B greats Stevie Wonder and Al Green and his strong roots were planted in the church, helping to produce his diverse sound. Raised in the heart of New Jersey in a town near Newark, Randolph was brought up in the church but at times strayed to the violence of the street. His overcrowded high school was underfunded, and music provided an outlet for Randolph. He got involved with music when he picked up the drums in the youth choir at the Orange, N.J., sect of The House of God’s Church. His musical interest flourished and later Randolph took up the six-string lap steel. The Family Band, including two of

NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003 | WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com

Broken Oak Gallery – Local and national artists. Original art including photography, watercolors, pottery, oil paintings, colored pencil, woodturning and more.Refreshments served by the garden all day Saturday. 1865 N 1225 E Rd., White Heath. Thu-Sat 10am-4pm. 762-4907.

The new voice of sacred steel BY MARISSA MONSON | STAFF WRITER

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Randolph’s cousins, came later, and his rapid journey to mainstream success began. With the help of word of mouth, they cultivated a following in the jam band circuit long before they released a studio album. “That’s still the way it is now even though we have a new record,” Randolph said. “There’s still a big buzz with word of mouth about the music we play and the energy.” Sweeping through the Deep South, stopping at the Voodoo Music Festival in New Orleans, Randolph yawned. His nationwide tour of colleges, clubs and auditoriums seemingly hits nearly every state, but Randolph loves being onstage. Today, the band will stop in Urbana to play The Canopy Club. The band’s first release in 2002, Live at The Wetlands, received the critics’ approval, exposing the world to sacred steel and bringing the blend of bluesy-gospel to the mainstream. The Wetlands, a live music club in New York City, closed down, but not before Randolph and the band shook the walls, inspired the masses and recorded their album the night The Wetlands closed their doors. All in a day’s work for gospel’s present-day musical prodigy. “At the time, (The Wetlands) was closing down,” Randolph said. “ We hadn’t recorded a studio album yet.” Reaching across genre lines, Robert Randolph and the Family Band’s major debut release’s title, Unclassified, perfectly describes their eclectic sound that dips into blues, gospel, funk, soul, country, jazz and rock. The inspirational songs and high-energy musicianship blend and create a tangible message about love. On Unclassified, Robert Randolph and The Family Band effectively simulate the tight, uptempo collective sound that makes their live show exceptional. Where many touring bands step in the studio uncomfortably, Randolph said he enjoys crafting the tight grooves and vocals. “I’m just basically trying to tell kids, you know, teens and young adults, to live their lives carefully. I’ve been through so much in life. I’m just trying to help people make right decisions, have love, love one another” When Robert Randolph and The Family Band’s shows end, the audience leaves feeling inspired, and so does Randolph. Another group of music lovers have seen the light, and Randolph’s gospel-funk band continues on its mission of musical salvation. buzz

Robert Randolph and the Family Band will be performing tonight at The Canopy Club at 10 p.m. Los Lonely Boys will be opening and tickets are $15.

Cinema Galley – Local and regional artists including many University of Illinois and Parkland College faculty members. Currently on display through Nov 9:“Alpha and Omega” by Glen C. Davies. 120 W Main, Urbana. Tue-Sat 10am-4pm. Sun 1-5pm. 367-3711. Cafe Kopi – Swimming oil paintings and various works from local artist Paula McCarty on display through Oct. 109 N Walnut, Champaign. Mon-Thu 7am-11pm, Fri-Sat 7am-12pm, Sun 11am-8pm. 359-4266. Creation Art Studios – Hosts a continuous and evolving display of works by students and associates of the studio. Landscapes, florals, animal life and expressive art in various mediums by Jeannine Bestoso are also currently on display. For information, contact Jeannine Bestoso. 1102 E Washington St., Urbana. Tue-Sat 1-5:30pm and scheduled studio sessions. 344-6955. www.creationartstudios.com Country in the City – Antiques, Architectural, Gardening, Home Accessories. Custom designing available. 1104 E Washington St., Urbana. Thu-Sat 10am-5pm 367-2367. Framer's Market – Frame Designers since 1981. Current featured artists on display through Nov 17: Charlotte Brady, Barry Brehm, Lawerance Hamlin, Patrick Harness, Mary McDonald, Hua Nian, David Smith, Bill Stevens, Steve Stoerger and Bonnie Switzter. 807 W Springfield Ave., Champaign. Tue-Fri 9:30am-5:30pm, Sat 10am-4pm. 3517020. Furniture Lounge – Specializing in mid-century modern furniture from the 1920s-1980s, retro, Danish modern, lighting, vintage stereo equipment and vinyl records. 9 E University, Champaign. 352-5150. Sun-Mon 12-4:30pm, Wed-Sat 11am-5:30pm. Glass FX –Cast your vote! Entries in the Glass FX Stained Glass Competition are on display now through 11/15. Stop in to view work done by local glass artists andvote for your favorite! New and Antique Stained Glass Windows, Lamps, and unique glass gifts. Gallery is free and open to the public. Interested in learning the art of Stained Glass? Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Stained Glass Classes offered. 202 S First St, Champaign. Mon-Thu 10am-5:30pm, Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm. 359-0048. www.glassfx.com. Griggs Street Potters – Handmade functional and decorative pottery. 305 W Grigg St, Urbana. Mon-Fri 11am-4pm, or call for appointment. 344-8546. Hill Street Gallery Inc. – Oil and watercolor paintings, hand painted T-shirts, handmade jewelry. 703 W Hill, Champaign. Sat 12-5pm or by appointment during the week. 359-0675. International Galleries – Works from local artists including quilts by Nancy Summers. Lincoln Square Mall. Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-5pm. 328-2254. Larry Kanfer Gallery – University of Illinois images by photographic artist Larry Kanfer. Unique diploma frames and other UI gifts. Sepia Champaign-Urbana Collection also on display. Available now: 2004 Prairiescapes and University of Illinois calendars. 2503 S Neil, Champaign. Free and Open to the Public. Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm. 3982000.www.kanfer.com LaPayne Photography – Specializes in panoramic photography up to 6 feet long of different subjects including sporting events, city skylines, national parks and University of Illinois scenes. 816 Dennison Dr., Champaign. Mon-Fri 9am-4pm and by appointment. 356-8994. Old Vic Art Gallery – Fine and original art, hand signed limited edition prints, works by local artists, art restoration, custom framing, and periodic shows by local artists. 11 E University, Champaign. Mon-Thu 11am-5:30pm, Sat 11am4:30pm. 355-8338. Steeple Gallery – Vintage botanical and bird prints, antiques, framed limited edition prints. 102 E Lafayette St., Monticello. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm. 762-2924. www.steeplegallery.com Verde Gallery & Verdant News and Coffee – Magazines, newspapers, coffee, beverages and fine pastries along with the Verde Fine Art Gallery. 17 E Taylor St., Champaign. Cafe hours: Mon-Sat 7am-10 pm; Gallery Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-10pm. 366-3204. www.verdant-systems.com/Verde.htm

Ziemer Gallery – Original paintings and limited edition prints by Larry Ziemer. Pottery, weavings, wood turning and glass works by other artists. Gallery visitors are welcome to sit, relax, listen to the music and just enjoy being surrounded by art. 210 W Washington, Monticello. Tue 10am-8pm, Wed-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm. 762-9786. www.ziemergallery.com

ART ON VIEW NOW “Trio” – Paintings by Dylan DeWitt and Milena Tiner and ceramics by Tyler Bergfield on display at the Springer Cultural Center through Nov 16. Opening reception featuring live music from Jordan Kaye Oct 24, 6-8pm. Artists’ talk, 7pm. This is a free event. Springer Cultural Center. 301 N. Randolph, Champaign. Gallery Hours: Mon-Fri 8am9pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm. 398-2376. “Affixed” – Sixteen local artists display their work in a juried art show at High-Cross Studio through Oct 31. Entries range from 3D work such as Goddess alters and original dolls to photomontage and torn paper collage art. 1001 High Cross Road, Urbana. Gallery hours: TuesSun10-4pm. 367-6345. spiritofsandra@hotmail.com

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“Bulbs” – Pastel and collage series from Deeana Love on display at High Cross Studio through Oct 31. 1001 High Cross Road, Urbana. Gallery hours: Tues-Sun 10-4pm. 3676345. spiritofsandra@hotmail.com

“Colors of Islam” – In conjunction with Islam Awareness Week, the Muslim Students Association is cosponsoring an art show at the Illini Union Art Gallery until Nov 3. 1401 W. Green, Urbana. Open Everyday 7am-10pm.

“Prints in Process” – A display of contemporary fine art prints on view at the Parkland Art Gallery through Oct 31. Guest currated by Lawrence Hamlin, including work from Richard Dievenkorn, Grant Wood, Wayne Thiebaud and area native Christopher Brown. 115 E. University, Champaign. Mon-Fri 10am-3pm and Mon-Thurs evenings 6-8pm, Sat 12-2pm. 351-2485. Handicapped accessible and open and free to the public.

“First Annual Midwest Sequential Art Exhibition” – The Middle Room Gallery hosts an exhibition of comic and sequential art talent from the Midwest. Ranging in visual and narrative style from political to fantasy, from Japanese Manga to the familiar super-heroic conventions, this show will help shine a light on one of the most misunderstood and overlooked art forms today. Artists include Pam Bliss, Tim Broderick, Jacen Burrows, Darrin Drda, Brion Foulke, Hope Larson, Layla Lawler, Dirk Tiede, Dann Tincher, Charlie "Spike" Trotman. On View at the Middle Room Gallery through Oct 31. 218 W Main St., Urbana. http://www.gallery.ucimc.org/

“Pink” – On display at Gallery Virtu Cooperative through Oct 31. A juried exhibition to benefit area women with who have suffered from breast cancer. 25% of sales will be used to fund art journal classes for breast cancer patients. Other work includes original fine art and crafts from member artists including jewelry, pottery, paintings, collages, hats, handbags and other textiles, sculptures and journals. The Gallery also offers workshops; a new schedule of classes is on the website. 220 W Washington St., Monticello. Thu 12-4pm, Fri 12-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm. 7627790. www.galleryvirtu.org

“Whistler and Japonisme: Selections from the Permanent Collection” – Marking the 100th anniversary of James McNeill Whistler’s death, this exhibition highlights his works on paper and examines the influence that Japanese woodcuts had on his artistic technique. On display at the Krannert Art Museum through March 28, 2004. 500 E Peabody, Urbana. Tue, Thu-Sat 9am-5pm, Wed 9am8pm, Sun 2-5pm. 333-1860. Suggested Donation: $3

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CHICAGOSHOWS NOVEMBER 11/6 Less Than Jake @ Riviera Theater 11/6 Maroon5 @ House of Blues 11/6 The Rapture @ Metro 11/6 Xiu Xiu @ Fireside Bowl 11/7 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ House of Blues 11/7 Ween @ The Vic 11/7 David Mead @ Schubas 11/7 Flickerstick @ Metro 11/7 Ferry Corsten & DJ Rap @ House of Blues 11/8 King Crimson @ Park West 11/8 Ween @ The Vic 11/8 Twilight Singers @ Double Door 11/8 Godsmack @ Aragon 11/7 Dropkick Murphys @ Congress Theater 11/9 King Crimson @ Park West 11/10 Billy Bragg, Nightwatchman, Lester Chambers @ Park West, all ages 11/12 Badly Drawn Boy @ Park West 11/13 Mike Doughty’s Band @ Double Door 11/13 Rickie Lee Jones @ Chicago Theatre

25% Off Sale All vintage and used clothes

retro and recycled clothing for men & women 9 Taylor, Downtown Champaign

355-weed M-W 11-6 Th-Sat 11-9 Sun 1-5 proud sponsor

WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com | NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003

11/15 The Shins @ House of Blues 11/15 Qbert @ Metro 11/16 Fixx @ Abbey Pub 11/19 Fountains of Wayne @ The Vic 11/21 Anti-Flag, Rise Against @ Metro 11/22 Guided By Voices @ Abbey Pub 11/22 Cash Brothers @ Schubas 11/22 Tom Jones @ House of Blues 11/22 Alabama @ Allstate Arena 11/23 Guided By Voices @ Abbey Pub 11/23 Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs! @ Metro 11/23 Tom Jones @ House of Blues 11/24 Symphony X @ Metro 11/25 Jaguars @ House of Blues 11/25 Mindless Self Indulgence @ Metro 11/26 Mindless Self Indulgence @ Metro 11/16 OK Go @ Abbey Pub 11/28 Bollweevils @ Metro, all ages 11/29 Rocket from the Tombs @ Abbey Pub 11/29 Asylum Street Pranksters @ Schubas

DECEMBER 12/5 Donna The Buffalo @ Martyr’s 12/5 They Might Be Giants @ Vic, all ages 12/6 Autumn Defense @ Schubas 12/8 Fun Lovin’ Criminals @ Double Door 12/12 Atmosphere, Mr. Dibbs, Others @ Abbey Pub, 18 & over

C-UVENUES Assembly Hall First & Florida, Champaign, 333.5000 American Legion Post 24 705 W Bloomington Rd, Champaign, 356.5144 American Legion Post 71 107 N Broadway, Urbana, 367.3121 Barfly 120 N Neil, Champaign,352.9756 Barnes and Noble 51 E Marketview, Champaign, 355.2045 Boltini Lounge 211 N Neil, Champaign, 378.8001 Borders Books & Music 802 W Town Ctr, Champaign, 351.9011 The Brass Rail 15 E University, Champaign, 352.7512 Canopy Club (The Garden Grill) 708 S Goodwin, Urbana, 367.3140 C.O. Daniels 608 E Daniel, Champaign, 337.7411 Cosmopolitan Club 307 E John, Champaign, 367.3079 Courtyard Cafe Illini Union, 1401 W Green, Urbana, 333.4666 Cowboy Monkey 6 Taylor St, Champaign, 398.2688 Clybourne 706 S Sixth, Champaign, 383.1008 Curtis Orchard 3902 S Duncan Rd, Champaign, 359.5565 D.R. Diggers 604 S Country Fair Dr, Champaign, 356.0888 Embassy Tavern & Grill 114 S Race, Urbana, 384.9526 Esquire Lounge 106 N Walnut, Champaign, 398.5858 Fallon’s Ice House 703 N Prospect, Champaign, 398.5760 Fat City Saloon 505 S Chestnut, Champaign, 356.7100 The Great Impasta 114 W Church, Champaign, 359.7377 G.T.’s Western Bowl Francis Dr, Champaign, 359.1678

The Highdive 51 Main, Champaign, 359.4444 Huber’s 1312 W Church, Champaign, 352.0606 Illinois Disciples Foundation 610 E Springfield, Champaign, 352.8721 Independent Media Center 218 W Main St, Urbana, 344.8820 The Iron Post 120 S Race, Urbana, 337.7678 Joe’s Brewery 706 S Fifth, Champaign, 384.1790 Kam’s 618 E Daniel, Champaign, 328.1605 Krannert Art Museum 500 E Peabody, Champaign, 333.1861 Krannert Center for Performing Arts 500 S Goodwin, Urbana, Tickets: 333.6280, 800/KCPATIX La Casa Cultural Latina 1203 W Nevada, Urbana, 333.4950 Lava 1906 W Bradley, Champaign, 352.8714 Legends Bar & Grill 522 E Green, Champaign, 355.7674 Les’s Lounge 403 N Coler, Urbana, 328.4000 Lincoln Castle 209 S Broadway, Urbana, 344.7720 Malibu Bay Lounge North Route 45, Urbana, 328.7415 Mike & Molly’s 105 N Market, Champaign, 355.1236 Mulligan’s 604 N Cunningham, Urbana, 367.5888 Murphy’s 604 E Green, Champaign, 352.7275 Neil Street Pub 1505 N Neil, Champaign, 359.1601 Boardman’s Art Theater 126 W Church, Champaign, 351.0068 The Office 214 W Main, Urbana, 344.7608 Parkland College 2400 W Bradley, Champaign, 351.2528 Phoenix 215 S Neil, Champaign, 355.7866 Pia’s of Rantoul Route 136 E, Rantoul, 893.8244 Pink House Routes 49 & 150, Ogden, 582.9997 The Rainbow Coffeehouse 1203 W Green, Urbana, 766.9500 Red Herring/Channing-Murray Foundation 1209 W Oregon, Urbana, 344.1176 Rose Bowl Tavern 106 N Race, Urbana, 367.7031 Springer Cultural Center 301 N Randolph, Champaign, 355.1406 Spurlock Museum 600 S Gregory, Urbana, 333.2360 The Station Theatre 223 N. Broadway, Urbana, 384-4000 Strawberry Fields Cafe 306 W Springfield, Urbana, 328.1655 Ten Thousand Villages 105 N Walnut, Champaign, 352.8938 TK Wendl’s 1901 S Highcross Rd, Urbana, 255.5328 Tommy G’s 123 S. Mattis Ave, Country Fair Shopping Center, 359.2177 Tonic 619 S Wright, Champaign, 356.6768 Two Main 2 Main, Champaign, 359.3148 University YMCA 1001 S Wright, Champaign, 344.0721 Verde/Verdant 17 E Taylor St, Champaign, 366.3204 Virginia Theatre 203 W Park Ave, Champaign, 356.9053 White Horse Inn 112 1/2 E Green, Champaign, 352.5945 Zorba’s 627 E Green, Champaign

CHICAGOVENUES House of Blues 329 N Dearborn, Chicago, 312.923.2000 The Bottom Lounge 3206 N Wilton, Chicago Congress Theatre 2135 N Milwaukee, 312.923.2000 Vic Theatre 3145 N Sheffield, Chicago, 773.472.0449 Metro 3730 N Clark St, Chicago, 773.549.0203 Elbo Room 2871 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago Park West 322 W Armitage, Chicago, 773.929.1322 Riviera Theatre 4746 N Racine at Lawerence, Chicago Allstate Arena 6920 N Mannheim Rd, Rosemont, 847.635.6601 Arie Crown Theatre 2300 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, 312.791.6000

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UIC Pavilion 1150 W Harrison, Chicago, 312.413.5700 Schubas 3159 N Southport, Chicago, 773.525.2508 Martyrs 3855 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, 773.288.4545 Aragon 1106 W Lawerence, Chicago, 773.561.9500 Abbey Pub 3420 W Grace, Chicago, 773.478.4408 Fireside Bowl 2646 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, 773.486.2700 Schubert Theatre 22 W Monroe, Chicago, 312.977.1700

ART LISTINGS Workshop – Register now to join artist-instructor Sandra Ahten for "Drawing More" a one day workshop held on Oct. 25th to inspire you to dust off your sketch pad. Call 217-367-6345 or email spiritofsandra@hotmail.com to register. High Cross Studio. 1101 N High Cross Road. Portraits – Award winning portrait artist Sandra Ahten is currently accepting commissions for portraits for holiday giving. Portraits are priced at an affordable range and professional exchange or barter may be accepted. For examples of work and a quote, contact Sandra Ahten at (217) 367-6345 or spiritofsandra@hotmail.com Creation Art Studio Art Classes for Children and Adults – All classes offer technical instruction and the exploration of materials through expressive, spontaneous art and experimentation. Independent studies of personal interests and ideas, dreams, etc. are expressed and developed through collage and assemblage art and through drawing, painting, sculpture and ceramics. Children meet once a week, Mon-Thu 3:30-5pm. Adolescents meet Fri 45:30pm. Adults meet Wed at 10am and Sat between 1:305:30pm for two or more hours. Create designs, a still life, portraits, landscapes and more. Open to beginners and advanced students. Adult Open Studio meets Tue 7-9pm. Drop-ins welcome. Come with a friend. Call to make special arrangements for a group. CPDU's offered. For information, contact Jeannine Bestoso at 344-6955. Creation Art Studio is located at 1102 E Washington, Urbana. www.creationartstudios.com Join Artists and Workshops at Gallery Virtu – Gallery Virtu, an artist-owned cooperative, now invite applications from area artists. The Gallery also offers workshops for adults, teens and children in knitting, embroidery, photography, jewelry making, printmaking, papermaking, bookbinding and ribbon flowers. Gallery Virtu offers original works by the members including: jewelry, pottery, collages, sculptures, journals, hats, handbags and other textiles. For more information please call 762-7790, visit our Web site at www.galleryvirtu.org, e-mail workshops@galleryvirtu.org or visit the gallery. Regular hours: Thu 12-4pm, Fri 12-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm. 220 W Washington Street in Monticello. Art Classes at High Cross Studio – All classes are held at High Cross Studio in Urbana. 1101 N High Cross Road. Email or call for reservations and details. (217) 367-6345 or spiritofsandra@hotmail.com. “Portrait Paintings with Oils” – This course will provide instruction in painting portraits from photographs. Paint a portrait of your loved one or yourself. Mon-Fri daytime class and weekend workshop offered. "Collage for the Soul" – Students will learn a variety of collage techniques, including photo and photocopy transfer, papermaking and manipulation, and frontage, while exploring a particular subject, such as a place, a memory, an experience or a relationship. No art-making experience necessary. "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" – For adults who have always wanted to learn to draw, but felt as if they lacked talent or confidence. Other Classes:“Making Monoprints,”“Art With Intention” (Open Studio). For information on these visit http://www.spiritofsandra.com and click on "classes," then e-mail or call for reservations.

ART EXHIBITS & GALLERIES Boneyard Pottery – Ceramic Art by Michael Schwegmann and more. 403 Water St, Champaign. Tue-Sat 11am-5pm. 355-5610.

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music

NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003 | SHOUT. LET IT ALL OUT SETH.

Finding new happy endings MENDOZA MUSIC LINE BY SETH FEIN | STAFF WRITER

am moved by most every matter of the heart. Regardless of how hard I try to deny it, there is nothing that seems to inspire me quite the way that a woman can. And yes, I concede: I have recently reconciled with someone who means more to me than anyone has in years. It feels good, despite the difficulties of trying to maintain and keep hold of something so delicate and fragile. Okay, I admit it: I am a sucker for the melodramatic and romance. But there is something else that I am a sucker for. They were once the kings of the music world and are now the kings of 1980s compilations. For me, they have never recorded a mediocre album while they were in their original incarnation. Each of the three long players that they released in the ‘80s are above and beyond the normal scope of what I call rock music. In 1990, at a huge British music festival called Knebworth, Tears For Fears performed for the last time with both Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith onstage. They had been feuding for years by then. After the release of 1989’s The Seeds of Love and some minimal touring, they decided to split ways. Smith went on to record a solo record and start a band called Mayfield. Orzabal kept the name and recorded two more Tears For Fears records that went largely overlooked and widely underappreciated. They were not quite as good as the records he released with Smith, but I’d put them up against almost any album I’ve heard in the last decade. Bottom line? Tears For Fears is my favorite band of all time. It has been over 14 years since the release of The Seeds of Love and just this last summer, both Orzabal and Smith announced that they had reconciled their differences and decided to put a new album on Arista Records. The title? Everybody Loves A Happy Ending. It’s an aptly titled album if you know the history of the band. They got their name from studying Primal Scream technique as teenagers, which also was the inspiration for their most popular song, “Shout,” from the seminal mid’80s album, Songs From The Big Chair. After what seemed like an endless four-year delay, The Seeds of Love came out. Just like that, for reasons only they understand, their relationship went sour. So did their collaboration. I understand most people have forgotten Tears For Fears. They have been filed under a category called Dinosaurs of Rock Music. For me and my family, not a week goes by where one of us isn’t listening to their albums. In 1996, my then 14-year-old sister, Erin, begged her way backstage at The Vic in Chicago to go meet the band with my mom. My brother and I watched as they were led upstairs,

feelings of pride and resentment stirring in our guts. But my sister is no dummy. She knew how important this moment was for us as a family. She asked Orzabal if she could bring her big brothers upstairs so they could thank him for putting on a great show. He was happy to oblige. The largest security guard I have ever seen came down with her and grabbed us as if we had been caught doing something wrong. Our crime? Unadulterated passion for a band that, it seems, almost no one gives a shit about anymore. But I do. I give a shit about them. I give two or three shits about them. I give my entire intestinal system, my musically inclined gut, to Tears For Fears. My feelings for them have not only been vindicated since the news of their regrouping this last year, but my understanding of how difficult it is to play music in band has grown infinitely. It’s hard, this idea of playing in a band as a career. Not just lifting gear, playing for gas money, sleeping on floors or writing good songs that don’t tire out after a few shows. That stuff pales in comparison to the constant struggle and overwhelming feelings of anxiety that occur when one becomes close to other members of a band. The real challenge of playing music is whether or not you can stay together and share the same vision, while not killing each other over who gets to sleep and who has to drive the torturous road from Austin to El Paso. Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith have officially become my heroes. Their music, as good as it’s been to me, has taken a back seat to my feelings of pride and astonishment. I never thought they would get back together. But life is good like that. Surprises lurk around every corner. As a musician, I can only imagine how difficult and strange it must have been for them to salvage their relationship. As a person, I am positive that they are still working out the kinks. Reconciliation requires that there were enough moments that triggered feelings of resentment and anger that they caused one person to turn their back on the other. But the best part of life is that every morning is round two. Each day offers us the ability to recognize our faults and try to change them, not just for the sake of our own self-worth, but for our relationships with other people. Especially those relationships where there is love. Having the courage to apologize is not easy. And it’s only half the battle. Reconciliation, in it’s purest form, comes from showing it with feelings of honesty, communication and trust. It’s the only thing that we have to live for. I bet that Orzabal and Smith have taken a great deal of time in their reconciliation. They were dead on, like usual, in naming their new record: Everybody does love a happy ending. That should never be overlooked. buzz Seth Fein is from Urbana. He is a member of Orphans and he spins indie rock at Barfly every Monday night under the moniker 2ON2OUT. He can be reached at sethfein@readbuzz.com.

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this week Th Nov 6 U of I Black Chorus Noon, free Interval Series Patron Underwriter: Anonymous Creative Intersections Sponsor:

Wine Tasting 5pm, free Prague Chamber Orchestra and the Eroica Trio 7:30pm, $16-$32 Chamber Series Patron Sponsors: Avis and Dean Hilfinger Patron Sponsors: Elizabeth Sandage-Mussey and Robert Mussey Patron Co-sponsors: Lea and Robert Gieselman Gay and Donald Roberts Anonymous Anton in Show Business 7:30pm, $6-$13

Fr Nov 7 Jonathan Keeble, flute 7:30pm, $2-$5 Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi 7:30pm, $8-$20 Sponsors: Tom and Jacqueline Lord-Alge

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Sa Nov 8

Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi Libretto 6:30pm, $5.50 St. Petersburg State Academic Capella Choir 7:30pm, $13-$32 Patron Sponsor: Anonymous Patron Co-sponsors: Judith Rowan and Richard Schacht Anonymous Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi 7:30pm, $8-$20 Anton in Show Business 7:30pm, $6-$13

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Tu Nov 11 Concert Prep: Vienna Symphony 6:45pm, free Creative Intersections Sponsor:

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We Nov 12 Anton in Show Business 7:30pm, $6-$13

Th Nov 13 Wine Tasting 5pm, free UI Chamber Orchestra 7:30pm, $2-$5 November Playhouse Dance 7:30pm $8-$15 Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde 7:30pm, STH, $6-$13

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Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde 7:30pm, $6-$13

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KrannertCenter.com 217/333-6280 or 800/KCPATIX 217/333-9714 (TTY) 217/244-SHOW (Fax) 217/244-0549 (Groups) kran-tix@uiuc.edu Ticket Office Open 10am to 6pm daily; on days of performances open 10am through intermission.

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MENOMENA....WE LOVE SESAME STREET | NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003

CDReviews

11/5/03

MENOMENA I am the Fun Blame Monster Muuuhahaha!

★★★★ BY LOGAN MOORE You know, it’s bands like Menomena that make me feel quite OK with being willfully obscure. The fact that virtual unknowns can come out of nowhere and craft the sort of masterful album that is I am the Fun Blame Monster, the sort of album that many bands spend their entire career trying to achieve, makes me feel validated in the grand scheme of things. I’ve always felt, unlike many hipsters, that obscurity is something of a burden. I’m a populist sort of a guy. I’d love to be able to go into my job and discuss why the new Stereolab album pales in comparison to their earlier work. Instead, I usually just end up blundering through some exchange in which I futilely pretend to know something about NASCAR. Hey, I live in Florida, folks. The sound on I am the Fun Blame Monster provides something of a very refreshing critics’ challenge; it’s hard to describe their sound. The unique way in which they compose their songs may go a little towards explaining. Apparently, Brent Knopf, the lead singer/keyboardist has invented (yes, that’s right, invented) a computer program called Deeler which allows the band to improvise short ideas and then loop them to create a song. The band then learns to play the ensuing song live. The novelty of this approach, however, would mean nothing if Menomena didn’t use it to create such interesting, singular pop music. The unpredictability of improvisation is incorporated seamlessly into the song format. Menomena consistently use dynamics to defy all expectations of what their songs “should” sound like. Instrumental portions of a song will abruptly drop from the mix only to be reinstated later, enforcing their original brilliance. Just when a song seems like it should be building to some sort of anthem-like chorus, all the rhythm section will drop away to isolate just the piano or Knopf’s voice. Most thrillingly, however, when you least expect it, a song will explode, bringing all of its elements together into one messy brilliant explosion. Menomena implode the concept of the anthem. And all of this is propped up on the bedrock of a kick-ass rhythm section that drives the songs making them exciting and visceral and lending Menomena a distinctive sound. Drummer Danny Seim and bassist/guitarist Justin Harris lay their skills out on the line from the word “go” as the rhythmic blast of “Cough Coughing” explodes right out of the gate. Then comes Knopf’s simple, melodic vocals, cold and detached. While openly influenced by hip hop and dance music, Menomena retain none of the feel-good vibe associated with these genres. Instead the songs are haunted by a subtle eeriness, as if they were sung and performed by the victims or perpetrators of some awful tragedy and have now become detached and slightly unhinged as a result. “Late Great Libido” exemplifies these subtle histrionics, as a lovely, insistent piano ballad gives way to glockenspiels and haunted, random whirring synth before busting out a crazy guitar crunch worthy of Pink Flag-era Wire. And I’ll be damned if they don’t throw a baritone sax in there. Amazingly, just when you’ve thought you had a band this slippery pegged, they throw in one of the best songs on the album at the very end, “Monkey’s Back.” As Knopf tells the off-kilter tale of a monkey to whom he feeds grapes only to have him spit the seeds back in his face, the song builds with almost unbearable tension, cymbal flourishes, ascending bass lines and echoing drums all dart in and out of the song. Finally, the song and the singer snap simultaneously. A quiet coda rushes headlong into noisy keyboards and even noisier guitar that whirl and crunch for the remainder of the song.

Like Broken Social Scene earlier in the year, Menomena are one of those superb, unexpected surprises that confirm my never-ending expedition into the nether regions of today’s musical landscape. Granted, I have less time to bone up on the particulars of Richard Petty’s career, but hey, everyone’s got their specialty, right? Mine just doesn’t make as good of a bumper sticker.

THE APPLESEED CAST Two Conversations Tiger Style

★★★ BY JACOB DITTMER I hate emo. The whiny vocals and lyrics of some heartbroken young adult that hasn’t grown out of his high school days make me want to wretch. But apparently my view of emo is wrong because certain Web sites (All Music Guide) claim that groups like Modest Mouse are emo, and I would challenge that notion. Because love is the most covered subject in all art forms, especially music, the juvenile moans of lost love and all that made “her” great pale in comparison to the romanticism of someone like Van Morrison. So here I sit, pondering why this album by the Appleseed Cast that has emo pouring out of it manages to make me overcome my pretentious preconceived notions and enjoy their music. The Appleseed Cast was formed in Los Angeles in 1997 but soon relocated to the plush beauty of Lawrence, Kan., which is known for sharing their name with Lawrence of Arabia and the University of Kansas. The Appleseed Cast has put out numerous records showcasing their emo-stylings as well as experimenting with the sort of space rock that made Kid A the phenomenon it was. On their sixth record, Two Conversations, the Appleseed Cast employ producer Ed Rose, of acts like the Get Up Kids, and have released the record on their new label, Tiger Style. It can be assumed that this group doesn’t wish to adhere to the label of an emo group and that is rightly so. The lyrics are definitely what make the comparison necessary but the music and sound of the album is redeeming. Avoiding the crappy-punk wannnabe sounds of emo groups and expanding to the creative depths of a good indie rock sound is what makes this album truly a pleasure to listen to. The two conversations the title references are the internal conflicts a person has with the pros and cons of being with the one he or she loves. Half the songs present a flowery love that conquers all and questions why “she” can’t accept what he has to offer.The other half gives the scornful “you’ve done me wrong” side of love that showcases everything from unfaithfulness to indifference. I couldn’t help but think of my first impression of Built to Spill when I listened to this album. I loved the sound of Built to Spill’s complex guitar rock, but Doug Martsch’s vocals were borderline whiny emo. After many listens, the lyrics came through and made me a believer in Built to Spill. Similarly, Two Conversations offers quality music and arrangements, the difference being that the lyrics contained have all the emo sensibilities that have planted the seed of my hatred. In “Innocent Vigilant Ordinary” lead singer Christopher Crisci sings,“I want you to know that I’ll always love you / And always be your friend.” Simply put, the words say much but say it too much. Give me complexity, depth, metaphors and make me think. That is much to ask because I am the first to admit that writing song lyrics is no walk in the park. But that is what separates the truly great artists from the mediocre ones for me. In this case we have some mediocre ones, but at least they didn’t make me wretch.

The Appleseed Cast will be performing at Cowboy Monkey on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The Orphans and the Belles are opening and tickets are $8.

MUSIC REVIEW GUIDE

★★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★ no stars

Flawless Good Mediocre Bad Un-listenable

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NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003 | WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com

CHARTS

PARASOL RECORDS TOP 10 SELLERS 1. Guided By Voices - Hardcore UFOs: Revelations, Epiphanies and Fast Food in the Western Hemisphere (Matador Records) 2. Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts Of The Great Highway (Jetset Records) 3. Poster Children - No More Songs About Sleep and Fire (A Hidden Agenda Record) 4. Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell, Pt. 1 EP (Lost Highway Records) 5. Wheat - Per Second, Per Second, Per Second... Every Second (Aware Records) 6. Yo La Tengo - Today Is The Day (Matador Records) 7. Movietone - The Sand And The Stars (Darg City Records) 8. The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow (Sub Pop Records) 9. The Strokes - Room On Fire (RCA Records) 10. Belle And Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress (Rough Trade Records)

MondayNovember10 LIVE MUSIC Emotional Rec Club, Summer Hymns, Goldenboy, Mike Ingram – Cowboy Monkey, 9pm, $5 Openingbands.com Showcase: Sanya N'Kanta, Brother Embassy, Subset – Canopy Club, 10pm, $3 Finga Lickin – The Office, 10pm, free Billy Galt & Ed O'Hara – White Horse Inn, 10pm, free

DJ 2ON2OUT – Barfly, 9pm, free DJ Betty Rocker – Mike 'n Molly's, 10pm, free

KARAOKE "G" Force Karaoke – T.K. Wendl's, 9pm, free

COMEDY de Bono Improv Comedy – Courtyard Cafe, 9pm, free

RECORD SERVICE TOP 10 SELLERS 1. The Strokes - Room On Fire (RCA Records) 2. Lucky Boys Confusion - Commitment (Elektra) 3. Ben Folds - Sunny 16 4. Dave Matthews - Some Devil (RCA) 5. Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (Aware Records) 6. R.E.M. - In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1998-2003 (Warner Brothers) 7. Travis - 12 Memories (Epic) 8. Belle And Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress (Rough Trade Records) 9. The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow (Sub Pop) 10. Various Artists - Punk Goes Acoustic (Artist Direct/BMG)

NEW RELEASES 3 Doors Down - Another 700 Miles Greg Ashley - Medicine Fuck Dream Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise - Still Lovin’ You Celine Dion - 1 Fille & 4 Types Dream Theater - Train of Thought Dave Hollister - Real Talk Insyderz - Soundtrack to a Revolution Josh Groban - Closer Isley Meets Bacharach - Here I Am Kid Rock - Kid Rock Nick Lachey - SoulO Loveless - Gift to the World Matchbox Twenty - EP Pink - Try This Mike Park - For the Love of Music Dolly Parton - For God and Country Blake Rainey - Appetizer Sickness The Six Parts Seven - Lost Notes from Forgotten Songs Ringo Starr - Ringo Rama Steel Train - 1969 Still Life - The Incredible Sinking Feeling Randy Travis - Worship and Faith James Carter - Gardenias for Lady Day Consafos - Puppeteering the Lonely Cordalene - The Blue EP Datz Cold - A Green Hell Jean Grae - Veteran’s Day Hidden in Plain View Hidden in Plain View Brad Wilson - Brad Wilson

Jack Ingram, The Bird Dogs, Friday, The Highdive, 7:30pm, $12

ON STAGE The Secret Garden – presented by Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company – The Virginia Theatre, 7:30pm Anton in Show Business – A hilarious skewering of American theatre-Anton follows the adventures of a Hollywood soap star, a jaded New Yorker, and an enthusiastic ingenue – Studio Theatre, Krannert Center, 7:30pm, $6-13 Story Theatre – a play for adults that everyone thought was for kids. Adapted by Paul Sills from Aesop's fables and the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales, the play uses children's stories to mirror adult fears and foibles – Parkland Theatre, 8pm, $10

TuesdayNovember11 LIVE MUSIC Verde Hootenanny – Verdant News & Coffee, 7pm, free Open Mic Night – Espresso Royale Caffe, 7:30, free Adam Wolfe and Friends – Iron Post, 9pm, TBA Open Mic/Open Jam – featured performers: The Excape Engine, Larry Gates – Canopy Club, 10pm, $2 Appleseed Cast, Orphans, The Belles – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, $8 Crystal River – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm Will Rogers Acoustic Night – classic rock and country – Tommy G’s, 9pm-1am

DJ Seduction DJ Resonate – Barfly, 9pm, free DJ Hoff – Mike 'n Molly's, 10pm, $1 NOX – The Highdive, 10pm, $2

KARAOKE "G" Force Karaoke – T.K. Wendl's, 9pm, free

SundayNovember9

COMEDY

LIVE MUSIC

WednesdayNov12

Irish Traditional Music Session hosted by Lisa Boucher – Mike 'n Molly's, 5pm, free One Night Stand – Iron Post, 9pm, TBA The Blues Jam hosted by Kilborn Alley – Canopy Club, 10pm, $2 Crystal River – Rose Bowl Tavern, 8:30pm

DJ Fresh Face Guest DJ – Barfly, 9pm, free Blends by Otter – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, free Reel to Reel and the Wheels of Steel: Spicerack Movies with soundtrack by DJ Spinnerty and DJ Bozak: Mike 'n Molly's, 10pm, $1

KARAOKE "G" Force Karaoke – T.K. Wendl's, 9pm, free

WORDS Open Mic: Poetry/Spoken Word hosted by Illusion – Canopy Club, 7pm, $2

COMEDY Mike Coulter – Iron Post, 9pm

MUSIC PERFORMANCES Concerto Urbano – The School of Music’s early music ensemble plays period instruments for its presentation “Jewels of the Baroque: Vocal and Instrumental Chamber Works” – Foellinger Great Hall, Krannert Center, 7:30pm, $2-5

Spicy Clamato Improv Comedy – Courtyard Cafe, 9pm,

LIVE MUSIC ParaDocs – Iron Post, 5:30pm, TBA The Dog and Everything, Saraphine, Pomeroy, Anything But Joey – Courtyard Cafe, 8pm, $4 Boneyard Jazzy Quintet – Iron Post, 8pm, TBA The Great Cover Up: The Mezzanines, The Blackouts, Terminus Victor, Nadafinga, FeeD, Sick Day – The Highdive, 9:30pm, $6 Finga Lickin', The Station – Canopy Club, 10pm, free Open Mic Night hosted by Brandon T. Washington – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, $2 Sean Parsons Trio – Iron Post, 10pm, TBA Hot'N'Ready – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm The Dog and Everything, Saraphine, Pomeroy, Anything But Joey, & The Snake The Cross The Crown – Courtyard Cafe, 7pm, $4 Kilborn Alley – Tommy G’s, 9pm-1am Irish Traditional Music Session – Bentley’s Pub, 8pm, free

DJ DJ Joel Spencer – Mike n’ Molly’s, 10pm, $1 DJ Forrest – Lava, 9pm DJ Chef Ra – reggae – Barfly, 9pm, free

ON STAGE Anton in Show Business – A hilarious skewering of American theatre-Anton follows the adventures of a Hollywood soap star, a jaded New Yorker, and an enthusiastic ingenue – Studio Theatre, Krannert Center, 7:30pm, $6-13

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WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com | NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003 buzz

Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi – two operas sung in both Italian with English subtitles – Tryon Festival Theatre, Krannert Center, 7:30pm, $8-20

ON STAGE The Secret Garden – presented by Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company – The Virginia Theatre, 7:30pm Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde – The story of how Oscar Wilde went from the toast of the town to complete humiliation and utter scorn presents a gripping courtroom drama-contains adult content – Studio Theatre, Krannert Center, 7:30pm, $6-13 Story Theatre – a play for adults that everyone thought was for kids. Adapted by Paul Sills from Aesop's fables and the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales, the play uses children's stories to mirror adult fears and foibles – Parkland Theatre, 8pm, $10

SaturdayNovember8 LIVE MUSIC

Robert Randolph and The Family Band blends blues and gospel sensibilities to create an uplifting sound with the message of greats like Stevie Wonder and Rev. Al Green. They play at The Canopy Club Saturday, 10pm with openers Los Lonely Boys.

ThursdayNovember6 FridayNovember7 LIVE MUSIC

LIVE MUSIC

In Your Ear Big Band – Iron Post, 7pm, TBA Lamonte Parsons Jazz Trio – Senators Pub, 8pm, TBA The Pitch, Mock Orange, Nolan, Burn Disco Burn, Missing the Point – Cowboy Monkey, 9pm, $4 Damon Short Quintet – Zorba's, 9:30pm, $5 Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Los Lonely Boys –Canopy Club, 10pm, $15

The Prairie Dogs – Iron Post, 5pm, TBA Pointed, Terminus Victor, Head of Femur – Caffe Paradiso, 7pm, $4 John Mayer, Teitur – Assembly Hall, 7:30pm, $35.50 Jack Ingram, The Bird Dogs – The Highdive, 7:30pm, $12 Reasonable Doubt – Hubers, 8pm, TBA Special Consensus – Iron Post, 9pm, TBA Mike and Joe – Canopy Club, 10pm, $4 Agua Dulce – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, $7 Hello from Waveland – Mike 'n Molly's, 10pm, $3 Gabe Rosen, Kate Hathaway – Embassy Tavern, TBA, free The Audreys, The Locked Sound, Triple Whip – McLean Co. Bar, Bloomington, IL, 9pm, $2 Al Ierardi – blues – Tommy G’s, 5-7pm E.S.P – rock – Tommy G’s, 10pm-2am

DJ Red Room with DJ J-Phlip – Barfly, 9pm, free

DANCING Salsa Dancing – Courtyard Cafe, 8pm, free

MUSIC PERFORMANCES

Living Colour, Temple of Low Men – Canopy Club, 7pm, $17 He Who Corrupts, Black Market Fetus, Black Ice, Hollowed Out Useless Hero – Illinois Disciples Foundation, 7pm, $6 Soul Position, Illogic, Opus, Animate Objects – The Highdive, 7:30pm, $10 Darrin Drda – Borders, 8pm, free Blue Deacons – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, $3 Synesthesia, Larry Gates (of Lorenzo Goetz) – Iron Post, 10pm, $3 The Blackouts, Luke Walker – Brass Rail, 10:30pm, $3 Candy Foster and Shades of Blue – Embassy Tavern, TBA, free Hot'N'Ready – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm No Secret Band – The Pink House, Ogden, 8:30pm Salsa Band – Courtyard Cafe, 10:30pm, $3 The Barflyz – ‘80s tribute band – Tommy G’s, 5-7pm Trouble IS – Lava, 9:30pm-1:30am

DJ DJ Hipster Sophisto – Barfly, 9pm, free The Noiseboy, Holly Rushakoff, Arun Bhalla – Mike 'n Molly's, 10pm, $1 DJ Tim Williams – The Highdive, 10pm, $5 DJ Naughtyboy – Joe's Brewery DJ Stiffler – Lava, 9pm DJ Brad – T.K. Wendl's, 8pm, free "G" Force DJ Chris – White Horse Inn, 10pm DJ Showcase & Competion – Tonic, 10pm

KARAOKE "G" Force Karaoke – Lincoln's Castle, 9pm, free

Interval: U of I Black Chorus – The U of I ensemble inspires as it presents the music of Black Americans—Negro spirituals, anthems and formal music, traditional and contemporary gospel, jazz, and rhythm and blues – Lobby, Krannert Center, noon. free Prague Chamber Orchestra and the Eroica Trio – Foellinger Great Hall, Krannert Center, 7:30pm, $16-32

ON STAGE

"G" Force Karaoke – Lincoln's Castle, 9pm, free

FILM

The Secret Garden – presented by Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company – The Virginia Theatre, 7:30pm Anton in Show Business – A hilarious skewering of American theatre-Anton follows the adventures of a Hollywood soap star, a jaded New Yorker, and an enthusiastic ingenue – Studio Theatre, Krannert Center, 7:30pm, $6-13

MUSIC PERFORMANCES

Illinois-made Independent Film “Charming Billy” Screening – Armory 101, UIUC, 7pm

DJ Bozak – Barfly, 9pm, free DJ Tim Williams – The Highdive, 10pm $5 DJ Mertz – Joe's Brewery DJ Chad – T.K. Wendl's, 8pm, free

KARAOKE

Jonathon Keeble, flute – a program of traditional and unusual flue repertoire – Foellinger Great Hall, Krannert Center, 7:30pm, $2-5

MUSIC PERFORMANCES Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi – two operas sung in both Italian with English subtitles – Tryon Festival Theatre, Krannert Center, 7:30pm, $8-20 St. Petersburg State Academic Capella Choir – Foellinger Great Hall, Krannert Center, 7:30pm, $13-32

LECTURES A Filmmaker's Journey: From East St. Louis to Hollywood to Cyberspace – Warrington Hudlin has long been recognized as a pioneer in the black independent cinema movement. He co-founded the Black Filmmakers Foundation and DVREpublic.com to provide awareness of and support for an ethnically diverse cinema – Levis Faculty Center, 4pm The Romance of Violence in Western Culture – Professor Stephen Jaeger, Gutgsell Professor of Germanic Languages and Literatures and Comparative Literature, will critique the trend of ‘romance of violence’ in thought and trace its origins as well as its manifestations in American culture – Levis Faculty Center, 7pm

Blue Crush – 106 Lincoln Hall, 5:30pm

OTHER Appleseed Cast, an indie rock band from Lawerence, Kan. headline along with local favorites The Orphans and rounding out the line-up is The Belles. Oct. 11, 10pm, Cowboy Monkey

music

| IS IT BIGGER THAN A BREAD BOX JOHN?

MusicDVDReview THE WORK OF DIRECTOR CHRIS CUNNINGHAM Directors Label

★★★★ BY BRIAN MERTZ It is frustrating to watch Chris Cunningham’s music videos. It is not that they are bad or that they are confusing. Well, maybe they are a little confusing. But that isn’t the frustrating part. Cunningham’s video masterpieces are frustrating because they expose just how magnificent music videos could be and how terribly inadequate 95 percent of music videos truly are in comparison. As part of Palm Pictures new Directors Label series, all of Cunningham’s videos are available on DVD. From the beginning in 1995 with Autechre’s “Second Bad Vilbel” to Bjork’s “All Is Full of Love” in 1998, the relatively brief catalog of Cunningham’s work is on display in glorious digital sound and picture quality. In three short years, Cunningham guaranteed his position as one of the best music video directors that will ever live. Cunningham’s videos are often dark and slick. Their genius comes from his ability to create haunting and sometimes disturbing images and have them smoothly glide across the frame. Once someone has seen a Cunningham video, it is next to impossible to forget the images he used to tell his twisted story. Cunningham received the most airtime on music television for his treatment of Madonna’s “Frozen.” Madge’s body, shrouded in black, morphs into different animals in the middle of a bleak desert. It is visually appealing, but fell flat in

TopFive 1.“American Woman” Lenny Kravitz

Multiple artists from BTO to The Butthole Surfers have recorded versions of this Guess Who anthem. But the performer that ruined this song was Lenny “One Style” Kravitz. Everyone that owned a radio in 1999 was subjected to repeated (and I do mean repeated) listens. Any Lenny Kravitz song can be sung over another one of his songs, and “American Woman”is no exception.The only thing that was added to the original in the cover was Kravitz’s annoying singing voice and his masturbatory guitar solos. It’s hard to say that the Guess Who recorded a masterful version of a song, but when stacked up against Kravitz, Guess Who.

2.“Landslide” Dixie Chicks

To start with, some people have major problems with the original version of “Landslide.” Love or hate everyone’s favorite witchcraft-dabbling songwriter, Stevie Nicks created a song that stood the test of time. The latest revival of this song was performed by the patriotic country crooners, The Dixie Chicks. It got major crossover airplay. But what the listening audience and The Chicks themselves forgot was that this song had already been covered by the Smashing Pumpkins and released for airplay. By itself, that would be a major music foul. Compounding that problem is that the whiny vocals of The Dixie Chicks destroyed any value this song might have had. This is country-suckiness at its finest.

3.“Helter Skelter” U2

FILM

Wine Tasting – wine tasting at the Interlude Bar – Lobby, Krannert Center, 5pm, free

buzz NOVEMBER 6-NOVEMBER 12, 2003

“This song was stolen from The Beatles. We’re stealing it back.” Ah, Bono. What a noble sentiment to try to make a new version of “Helter Skelter” after Charles Manson had recorded his own version. Unfortunately, and uncharacteristically, U2

terms of widespread audience appeal. It is also the video that Cunningham views as his most compromised. On this DVD, sitting alongside that “flop” (if you can call anything Cunningham did a flop), are some of the most critically acclaimed and cult-praised videos ever made. Squarepusher’s “Come On My Selector”, the epic eightminute trip through a Japanese children’s insane asylum is here. The smooth, brilliant portrayal of robot love in Bjork’s “All Is Full of Love” is also here. And this reviewer’s all-time favorite music video, Portishead’s “Only You”is just as brilliant as it was when it came out in 1997. But what most people will know Cunningham best for (and perhaps without knowing his name) are the video treatments he did for Aphex Twin. If you have watched even a little bit of MTV, chances are you have seen the image of a large demon screaming at a terrified old woman from the video “Come to Daddy.” And while “Come To Daddy” continues Cunningham’s dark themes, it also shows his ability to match beats up with visuals. That talent actually must be seen to be fully appreciated. Having Cunningham’s eight music videos in one place may be enough for some fans. Other fans might want more than the few extra features that include interviews with Bjork and Cunningham, and some of Cunningham’s other short films and commercials. Especially in comparison to the other Directors Series releases for directors Spike Jonze and Michel Gondry, this DVD just feels short after one watch. But with a director that is as reclusive as Cunningham is, the point is not to get his life story, but instead appreciate the few glimpses of his genius that he did share with the world. Hopefully in the future there will be many more Cunningham releases (including a rumored full-length film). In the meantime though, his eight videos should serve notice that the bar for music videos was set high in the late 1990s by Cunningham. Few have been able to even touch, let alone clear the standard Cunningham set.

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Worst cover songs just bombed on this track. Bono’s vocals are strained and uninspired.The Edge’s guitar work loses its magic when he is playing other people’s melodies. And then “the other two guys”are just stuck with leftover crap. Maybe it is time for The Manson Family Band to steal it back another time.

4.“Tutti Frutti” Pat Boone

We all know this Little Richard classic for his token use of “wooo.” Richard made himself a well-known performer with his high-energy renditions of this fun song and his famous flamboyant sequinned jacket. Now, to have straight-laced white boy Pat Boone sing his craptastic version of this song makes us all appreciate Richard’s version. It’s hard to say that Little Richard put out superb music, but next to Boone’s pop sensibilities, give us the ecstatic Richard.

5.“Smooth Criminal” Alien Ant Farm

God bless pop radio and the overdoing of a song that isn’t even worth mentioning. We were struck by an awful cover of a mediocre Michael Jackson song with this cover. For some reason this song was huge and made Alien Ant Farm a popular name. With its horrible guitar work, it makes Nicklelback look like guitar gods and the ridiculous singing makes us wish for the androgyny of Michael Jackson’s voice.

Dishonorable Mentions “American Pie” - Madonna “Blue Monday” - Orgy “Come Together” - Aerosmith “Just a Friend” - Mario “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” - Britney Spears

Next week: Top five tribute albums. e-mail us at music@readbuzz.com

WITH SPECIAL GUEST

TEITUR

THIS FRIDAY! NOVEMBER 7 ASSEMBLY HALL Outlets, Assembly Hall Box Office & Illini Union

217-333-5000 ticketmaster.com

CHARGE-BY-PHONE: OR

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buzzpicks Living Colour at The Canopy RJD2 and The Blueprint

orget about KRS-One, the real hip-hop show that The Highdive should be proud of is happening this Saturday night. Soul Position will be throwing down beats and rhymes in support of their debut full-length album, 8,000,000 Stories, which is out in November on the Minneapolis-based label Rhymesayers. Soul Position is made up of Blueprint on the mic and critically acclaimed producer RJD2 on the beats. RJD2 has made beats for Mos Def, Aceyalone, El-P and Massive Attack. Critics and heads admire RJD2’s ability to dig through the crates for the most obscure samples for his beats. pening the evening will be Illogic, The Opus and the newest sensation on the hip-hop scene, Animate Objects. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are only $10.

iving Colour parted ways in 1995 after their first time in the spotlight with hits like “Cult of Personality.” They continued making music around the world as separate entities, and always kept their funk quartet in the back of their minds. Getting back together was inevitable. They began writing as a four-piece and produced four albums worth of songs. After their long hiatus from mainstream music, they released Collidoscope, a thoughtful, socially aware album with an array of funk-based rock and reggae grooves, the eclectic sound synonymous with Living Colour. They stop by The Canopy Club Saturday night at 10 p.m.

It’s Miller Time at Legends!

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THURSDAY AT 9:30

Thurs., Nov. 6 Fight Night Wet T-Shirt contest $250 cash and prizes 1906 W. Bradley Ave. • Champaign, IL 19 & up to Enter

Sat., Nov. 8 Trouble Is

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