z CONTACT US z Call toll-free: 800-228-0429 Cara Recine, Lifestyles and special projects editor cara.recine@thesouthern.com / ext. 5075 Brenda Kirkpatrick, lists, live music flipside@thesouthern.com / ext. 5089 Rhonda Ethridge, cover designer rhonda.ethridge@thesouthern.com / ext. 5118 D.W. Norris, Lifestyles writer dw.norris@thesouthern.com / ext. 5074 The Southern Illinoisan (USPS 258-908) is published daily at a yearly subscription rate of $178. It is published at 710 N. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901. It is owned by Lee Enterprises of Davenport, Iowa.
WHAT’S INSIDE Art . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5 Music . . . . . . . . .5-10 Cover story . . . . . . .6 Live music . . . . . . . .7
Concerts . . . . . . . . .8 Things to do . . . . .10 Theater . . . . . . . . .10 Movies . . . . . . .10-11
Cajun Festival MAY 21 & 22 FRI 6pm - 11pm • SAT 11am - 6 pm Rain or Shine at Pheasant Hollow Winery
• Uncle Joe’s Barbeque • Cajun Food • Live Music • Dancing • Fine Wines
Located at exit 77 along I-57 • 618-629-2302 www.pheasanthollowwinery.com
Page 2 Thursday, May 6, 2010 FLIPSIDE
Top 20 Restaurant of the Week: Pagliai’s BY DAVID ZOELLER SPECIAL ADVERTISING COPY
CARBONDALE – Pagliai’s Pizza has been a mainstay on South Illinois Avenue for more than 40 years. And even with its recent move, it still will be for many more years to come. Pagliai’s, or “Pag’s” as it is affectionately known, last week completed its move to a new home at 509 S. Illinois Ave., actually just one building to the north of its previous location at 515 S. Illinois Ave. The new 4,000square-foot building has room to seat up to 256 patrons. Additional parking is also available. “We very happy with it,” said Melissa Parsons, owner and general manager. “We wanted to be in an area where the family can come. This is a family-oriented location. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from our customers.” Parsons has worked many years alongside of her father, Larry Anderson, who founded the local restaurant. Pagliai is her grandmother’s maiden name. The original hoods and ovens were brought over from the previous location. “We moved everything over that we could,” said Melissa’s husband, Tim, who did most of the construction. “We’re building on what Pag’s has been doing for 41 years.” Pagliai’s kitchen area is open and can be seen by the public. “We want people to see that we don’t try to hide anything,” said Tim Parsons. “And another thing is that all our ingredients are fresh. We make our own bread, our own sauce, own dough, our own sausage …”
DAVID ZOELLER / THE SOUTHERN
Carterville residents Sherra and Dan English (left) with their grandson, Xander Schmit, and Debra and Ron Durst, enjoy a pizza at the new Pagliai’s restaurant in Carbondale.
Pagliai’s features a number of specialty pizzas. “Joe’s Special is one of our most famous,” said Melissa Parsons. Years ago, a regular patron kept ordering the pizza, which features sausage, pepperoni, extra cheese, onions, Canadian bacon and extra sauce, and then his friends started ordering it and it just caught on, she said. Several different crusts are available, including a wheat crust. To accommodate healthconscious diners, the restaurant offers a light and healthy option and vegetarian pizzas, too. A new chicken ranch pizza is also very popular, Parsons said. The number of pasta dishes offered has been expanded and pasta Tuesday is a popular feature. A number of sandwiches, such as Italian beef, are menu mainstays. A pizza bread appetizer has also been added.
Buy one entrée and get one free at this restaurant and other featured restaurants across Southern Illinois with the 2010 Top 20 Dining Card. Top 20 Cards are available for purchase at The Southern offices in Carbondale and Marion by calling 618-529-5454 or online at www.thesouthern.com/top20. Cards are $20 each plus $1 per order for cards to be mailed. Some exclusions may apply. See card for details.
DETAILS Who: Pagliai’s What: Authentic Italian pizza, pasta and sandwiches Where: 509 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale Hours: 4 to 11 p.m. seven days a week Phone: 618-457-0321 The restaurant is open 4 to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Pagliai’s employs about 35 people, many of them students. The new facility features large, flatscreen teTVs, and two banquet rooms with large projection screens allow for presentations. Carterville residents Ron and Debra Durst and Dan and Sherra English, accompanied by their grandson, Xander Schmit,
all regulars at the old location, were impressed with the new facility. “It’s wonderful, the food, the lighting … the atmosphere,” said Sherra English, making her second visit within the first week. Ron Durst noted one of the features the new building has over the old one. “They’ve actually got windows,” he said, smiling.
Maybe together we can cause some earthquakes NEWS OF THE WEIRD Chuck Shepherd
I
n mid-April, senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Kazem Sedighi issued a warning that recent earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, and elsewhere were caused by women’s loose sex and immodest dress. Immediately, Jennifer McCreight responded on Facebook by urging women worldwide to dress provocatively on April 26 to create “boobquake” and test the cleric’s theory, and at least 90,000 women promised they would reveal serious cleavage on that date. On April 26, after a several-day drought of earthquakes, a Richter-scale-measuring 6.5 quake hit just south of Taiwan. (Slight advantage to the ayatollah, since a Purdue University seismologist observed that a 6.5 quake was not uncommon for that region.)
vial of oil, rubbed some on his fingers and then around the defense table, and he later shook hands with court personnel. Ridgeway was arrested when the prosecutor, a bailiff and the ticketing police officer became ill. Ridgeway explained that the virgin olive oil had been blessed by a Colorado pastor, specifically to “cast evil” from government facilities. z In March, leaders of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Baraboo, Wis., voted to fire the principal of its elementary and middle school because of his “question(ing) the church’s teachings.” The church had held a contentious meeting of members on March 21, but few spoke out for the principal, largely because female members were banned from speaking at all. (According to the Baraboo News Republic, women cannot vote on the church’s business but generally are allowed to talk at meetings until now.)
playing” anywhere on school grounds, declaring that it is too dangerous. (2) Ricardo West, 22, who performs as a Michael Jackson impersonator, was arrested in April in Allen Park, Mich., on 12 counts of sexual misconduct with an 11-yearold boy.
United Kingdom ninnies
(1) Macdonald Portal Golf and Spa Hotel (Cheshire, England) declined to provide a toothpick to a dinner guest on New Year’s Day (to dislodge a piece of meat between his teeth) because the facility’s manager said she believes that toothpicks are safety hazards. (2) Citing restrictions of Scotland’s Strathclyde Fire and Rescue force, a supervisor ordered firefighters on the scene not to attempt to rescue the 44-year-old woman who had accidentally fallen into a well. The restrictions require that only certified “mountain rescuers” are authorized to climb into wells. The nearest squad did not arrive for six Questionable judgments hours, and the woman died. (3) z Under Britain’s Department of Mirko Fischer, 33, filed a lawsuit Health guidelines, prisoners about against British Airways in January Cultural diversity to be released, and who had for separating him from his wife, One of the world’s longestpreviously taken drugs but cured even though they had valid tickets running TV comedy shows their addiction while incarcerated, for adjacent seats. BA regulations (according to an April Reuters are being purposely re-addicted by forbid seating an adult next to an dispatch from South Korea) is the wardens using methadone. unaccompanied minor, and thus weekly North Korean production According to researchers, the former Fischer, with wife on one side and “It’s So Funny,” with its undynamic addicts will then be less likely to 12-year-old boy on the other, was format of a man and a woman in overdose when they get back on the removed to the only open seat, far military uniforms talking to each street. Reportedly, more than 460 away from his wife. other (though they sometimes sing prisoners have thus been and dance). The latest episode “retoxified” in the last five years. A News of the Weird classic “extolled the virtue of beans,” wrote z In March, an employment the Reuters stringer, “while avoiding tribunal in Sydney, Australia, (February 2004) any flatulence humor.” “If we awarded pilot Bryan Griffin About once a month, the owners soldiers see beans, we become damages of $208,000 because of the Marina del Rey (Calif.) happy,” said the man, leading both Qantas, for which he worked from Sportfishing bait shop reap a hosts to laugh. According to 1966 to 1982, had allowed him to windfall. According to a January Reuters, “The two talk about how continue flying from 1979 to 1982 bean-fed North Korean soldiers with depression and anxiety attacks 2004 Los Angeles Times story, a Tibetan Buddhist study group drops were able to fight off U.S. that caused him nearly to by in a convoy after meditating on imperialist troops during the Korean deliberately crash his aircraft. As a War.” result of continuing to work, he had the “liberation of beings” and plunks down $1,000-$2,000 cash to several more episodes which buy as much live bait as they can, exacerbated his condition (and, Latest Religious Messages after which they go to Marina del obviously, placed his passengers in Rey Harbor and, in their terms, z John Ridgeway, 45, filed a jeopardy). “free” the bait (whereupon, of federal false-imprisonment lawsuit course, much of it is promptly eaten in March based on his 2005 trial News that sounds like a joke by fish). over a traffic charge. According to a report in Michigan’s Bay City (1) In January, the principal of D. SEND ITEMS to Times, just before the jury returned Roy Kennedy Public School in weirdnews@earthlink.net. with a verdict, Ridgeway opened a Ottawa, Ontario, banned “ball-
FLIPSIDE Thursday, May 6, 2010 Page 3
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC z WINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z Art Events, Programs Teen Poetry event: 3 p.m., Saturday, Carbondale Public Library; www.carbondale.
lib.il.us or 618-457-0354. Southern Illinois Arts Workshop Retreat: MondayWednesday, May 17-19, DuBois Center Camp;
registration deadline, Friday; beginners or advanced; workshops on creating by nature, alternative water media and watercolor
techniques; $195 covers seven meals, two nights lodging, and workshop of choice; 618-749-5256. Lower Town Arts & Music Festival: Friday-Sunday, May 21-23, Paducah; featuring artists from within a 200-mile radius; also, street theater; lowertownartsandmusic festival@gmail.com; www. zapplication.org. HerrinFesta Italiana Art Competition: Art show runs from May 27-May 31; www.herrinfesta.com/art or 618-559-7379.
LEAA hosts reception Friday MARION — The Little Egypt Arts Centre, located on the Tower Square, is hosting a reception for its Spring Fling and local artist Kelli Henderson from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. The reception is free, open to the public and will feature refreshments. Henderson and other artists will be on hand to discuss their work. Spring Fling is an annual event in which members of the Little Egypt Arts Association are encouraged to provide any spring-themed images. Spring Fling runs until June 15. For more information, call the Little Egypt Arts Centre at 618-998-8530. – The Southern
Call For Art, Poetry Logan Days Photo Exhibit: Entries needed for John A. Logan Museum display; submit photos of the sights, scenes and personalities of Southern Illinois; entries on display in the Logan museum, 1613 Edith St., Murphysboro from May to mid-September; also, junior division for ages 10-17; deadline, today; www.loganmuseum.org. Paducah Photo 2010 Juried Photography Exhibition: The Yeiser Art Center, 200 Broadway St.; open to all photographers working in digital or film photography; original work, completed in the last three years; cash prizes totaling $1,700; deadline, Friday; www.paducahphoto.com.
classes: Beginning photography, drawing, art history classes, 601 Tower Square, Marion; register at 618-998-8530. Student Center Craft Shop: Variety of crafts and classes offered, SIUC; 618-453-3636, www.siuc studentcenter.org.
Displays, Exhibits
Little Egypt Arts Centre
A Collection of Collections: Cobden’s anthill gallery, 102 N. Front St.; array of vintage art, games, toys, and house ware including rolling pins, washboards, crockery, tea pots, glass nesting hens, tin-litho globes and banks, candy and cake molds, aprons; noon-6 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays; through May 31. Paintings by Jan York:
Mondays
Wednesdays
Classes, Workshops
Men’s$Haircuts 10 ALL DAY
Cold beverages on the house!
$
10 Mani’s 5 Facial Wax $ 25 Full Sets of Nails
$
Beverages & Yummies after 3:00pm
We’ll Take You From Skanky...to Spank Me! 118 S. Illinois Ave Carbondale 618.519.9373
114 E. DeYoung Marion 618.997.4702
Open 7 days a week
Page 4 Thursday, May 6, 2010 FLIPSIDE
Yellow Moon Café, 110 N. Front St., Cobden; through May 31; www.yellowmoon cafe.com; 618-893-2233. Chris Scamehorn: Ceramics, Thursday-Sunday, May 6-9, University Museum, SIUC; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. TuesdayFriday and 1-4 p.m. SaturdaySunday; www.museum.siu. edu or 618-453-5388. Skyscapes, Queens & Still Lifes: By Wil & Carolyn MacKay, Tribeca Gallery, downtown Paducah; through May 6; plumbart@bellsouth. net or 270-210-1753. Beauty in the Midst of Struggle: By Gretchen M. Smith, The Tribeca Restaurant & Gallery, 127 S. 2nd St., Paducah; Friday-July 7; encaustic works; www. facebook.com/people/tall artist; 270-210-1753. Hyunsung Cho: University Museum, Faner Hall, SIUC; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 1-4 p.m. SaturdaySunday, University Museum, SIUC; through May 7; www.museum.siu.edu or 618-453-5388. Stephanie Ellis, University Museum, SIUC, Faner Hall, through Friday; www. museum.siu.edu or 618-4535388. Antarctic Dreams: By Gary Kolb and Jay Needham, University Museum, SIUC, Faner Hall; through Sunday; www.museum.siu.edu or 618-453-5388.
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC z WINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z Homily: Qualis Vita, Finis Ita: Oil paintings by Jed Jackson, Main Gallery, Mitchell Museum, Cedarhurst Center for the Arts. 2600 Richview Road, Mount Vernon; hours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday; free; through Sunday; 618-2421236 or www.cedarhurst.org. SIUC Photography Exhibit: Works from the Department of Cinema and Photography at SIUC, Beal Grand Corridor Gallery, Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, Mount Vernon; through Sunday; 618-2421236, www.cedarhurst.org . Shrode Art & Craft Competition Exhibition: Paintings, drawings, printmaking, clay, fiber, mixed media, wood, fine jewelry and metal, Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, Mount Vernon, Regenhardt Gallery of the Shrode Art Center; through Sunday; 618-242-1236 ext. 249 or www.cedarhurst.org. Jason York: Metal, TuesdayMay 19, University Museum, SIUC; www.museum.siu.edu or 618-453-5388. Lindsey Greer: TuesdayMay 19, University Museum, SIUC; www.museum.siu.edu. Jennifer Crescuillo: Glass, Tuesday-May 19, University Museum, SIUC. Eileen Doman and Sarah Shoot: Central Showcase at Realty Central, 1825 W. Main St., Murdale Shopping Center,
Carbondale; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.noon Saturday; through May 15; 618-457-4663. Sacred, Philosophical, Mythological: By Leslie Dean Price, The Gallery Space at the Law Office of Joni Beth Bailey, 1008 Walnut St., Murphysboro; includes drawings, paintings and poetry from World War II experience; through May 28; 618-684-8668. Masters of Photography: University Museum, SIUC; highlights from the museum’s permanent collection; includes photograph of silent film siren Gloria Swanson; through May; free. A Warrior’s Story: Oglala Sioux Buffalo Robe, University Museum, SIUC; through May. George Ions: Orlandini Vineyard, 410 Thorn Lane, Makanda; Italian landscapes; through May 31; 618-9952307; www.orlandinivineyard. com; george.ions@yahoo.com. Traveling display: Highlights of SIUC photojournalism project, Daum Administration Building and city hall, Murphysboro; display features pictures collected during an October workshop documenting a weekend in Murphysboro; through May; www.southof 64.com. George Ions: Varsity Center For The Arts, Carbondale; landscape oil paintings,
featuring local subjects; through May 31. Kris Killman: Watercolors now on display, Harrisburg District Library; all paintings for sale; closing reception, 2-4 p.m. Sunday, June 6. From Humble Beginnings, Lincoln’s Illinois 1830-1861: Southern Illinois Art and Artisans Center, Whittington; the exhibition presents a perspective of the Illinois Abraham Lincoln found when he entered the state in 1830; through Sept. 26; 618-6292220 or www.museum. state.il.us/ismsites/so-il. Carolyn Gassan Plochmann display: Work and life of Carbondale artist, Morris Library, SIUC; view the display in the cases outside the Hall of Presidents on the first floor of the library and Special Collections Research Center; 618-453-2516. Ongoing art exhibit: Featuring photographs of Juhree Veach, mosaics from Janet Altoff and sculpture
from Tom Horn, StarView Vineyards, 5100 Wing Hill Road, Cobden; 618-893-9463, www.starviewvineyards.com.
Receptions The Spring Fling exhibit: Spring-themed works of art, Little Egypt Arts Centre, downtown square, Marion; artist Kelli Henderson will also showcase her portrait paintings on the north wall through May 31; reception for the Spring Fling/Kelli Henderson exhibits, 5-7 p.m. Friday; Spring Fling exhibit now through June 15. Creatures Great & Small: A curated group exhibition, Yeiser Art Center, 200 Broadway St., Paducah; opening reception, 5-7 p.m. Saturday, www.theyeiser.org Andrea LeBeau: Reception, 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 14, Carbondale Civic Center Corridor Gallery; through May.
SATURDAY SPECIAL $1.00 OFF
STEAK ENTREES
Stace England and the Salt Kings to play PK’s CARBONDALE — Critically acclaimed local musicians Stace England and the Salt Kings are playing a free show beginning 9:30 p.m. Friday at PK’s with opening act May Day Orchestra, a band from the St. Louis area who is quickly becoming an artistic force. Stace England and the Salt Kings have already proven themselves top-notch storytellers and musicians with such noted releases as “The Amazing Oscar Micheaux” in 2009, “Salt Sex Slaves” in 2007 and “Greetings from Cairo,” which was named one of the top 10 albums of 2005 by The Village Voice. Like England and the Salt Kings, May Day Orchestra produces concept albums, the latest of which is the folk opera “Ota Benga” about the Congolese pygmy who was displayed at the 1904 World’s Fair. — The Southern
Saturday, May 8th • 2-6pm
Bradley & Maze
Sunday, May 9th • 2-6pm
Dave Simmons Our Cafe is open daily. Slushies are back. Award Winning Wines OPEN 7 DAYS/WEEK 20 minutes South of Carbonale 5.5 miles off of I-57 or 3.5 miles off of US51.
721 W. Washington • Benton • 618-435-2600
618-893-WINE www.starviewvineyards.com
Sun.-Sat. 8:00 am-8:00 pm
FLIPSIDE Thursday, May 6, 2010 Page 5
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC z WINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z
A show to call his own
ONLINE: See this story online for a link to the trailer for ‘The Yard: An A Cappella/Hip-Hop Musical.’ www.thesouthern.com/flipside.
SIUC alumnus Brandon Williams brings his self-produced ‘The Yard: An A Cappella/ Hip-Hop Musical’ back to Carbondale The Yard: An A Cappella/ Hip-Hop Musical
V-neck T-shirt and khaki cargo shorts, a glittering stud earring in his left ear 6:30 p.m. Saturday, beneath stylish squareShryock Auditorium, SIUC; framed glasses, Williams tickets are $10 in advance, was preppy college kid $15 at the door, and can be meets urban cool. After sitting down, the Southern purchased at Shryock Illinois University Auditorium or any Carbondale alumnus gave Ticketmaster outlet, and at what by now must be a www.tickemaster.com. well-practiced pitch for his original work “The BY D.W. NORRIS Yard: An A Cappella/ THE SOUTHERN Hip-Hop Musical,” which returns to Carbondale randon A. Williams with a 6:30 p.m. Saturday entered the coffee show at Shryock shop with a brownie Auditorium. in one hand and a “It’s pretty much about backpack slung casually college life,” he said, “and over one shoulder. it keeps on topics that Decked out in a green every college student can
B
The Great Boars of Fire extends their
Congratulations to the 2010 Graduates
NEW RESTAURANT OPEN FOR GRADUATION Graduation menu includes delicious steaks and succulent jumbo shrimp
Fri., May 14th 4pm-10pm Sat. May 15th Opening at 11am
PROVIDED
SIUC alumnus Brandon Williams brings back ‘The Yard: An A Cappella/Hip-Hop Musical’ to Shryock at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The show was created by Williams. Tickets for the show are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
relate to, no matter what background you’re from.” Those topics include
financial woes, Facebook addiction, issues with alcohol, suicide and interactions between men
and women. Williams was also selling another product — Brandon A. Williams, a guy from Peoria who wants to build an entertainment empire. With influences ranging from Kanye West and Tyler Perry to Spike Lee and August Wilson, Williams, the youngest of eight children, wants big shows and big dollars. He’s sure hustle and hard work will get it for him because it’s getting him
closer every day. The 24-year-old impresario has already been written up in The Source, a hip-hop magazine, as an unsigned artist to watch, and “The Yard” is playing Carbondale for a second time after shows at Southeast Missouri State and University of IllinoisChicago. In addition to materials related to “The Yard,” SEE THE YARD / PAGE 8
Come check out our large selection for Mother’s Day Don’t forget about our Gift Certificates & Free Gift Wrapping 920 Kratzinger Hollow Rd., Cobden (7 Miles South of Downtown Cobden on Old Hwy 51 Turn Right on Kratzinger Hollow Rd) www.greatboarsoffire.com • 1-800-440-4489 • 833-5858
Page 6 Thursday, May 6, 2010 FLIPSIDE
Momma Mayberry’s Gifts & Crafts 326 S. Main St • Anna, IL • 618-833-GIFT(4438)
CRAVING KARAOKE?
WEEK OF MAY 6-12
Coffeehouses, Cafés and Eateries Rick ‘Summer’ Droit: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Cousin Andy’s Coffeehouse, Fellowship Hall of the Church of the Good Shepherd, United Church of Christ, 515 Orchard Drive, Carbondale; $10; students, $5; www.cousinandy.org, Grant & Carmen: 8:30 p.m. Friday, The
Palace Pizzeria, 215 Appleknocker Drive, Cobden; 618-893-4415. Small Potatoes: 8 p.m. Saturday, Yellow Moon Café, 110 N. Front St., Cobden; $10; www.yellowmooncafe. com; 618-893-2233. Sam West: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, The Palace Pizzeria, Cobden; 618-893-4415
Wineries Giant City Slickers: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Rustle Hill Winery. Carlos Alberto: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Blue Sky Vineyard Larry Dillard: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Rustle Hill Winery Bud Summers: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Owl Creek Vineyard. Breeden, Bradley & Maze: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, StarView Blue Plate Specials: 3-6 p.m., Saturday, Von Jakob Orchard
Bone Dry River Band: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Rustle Hill Sojourn Rocks: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Walker’s Bluff Concordia: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Blue Sky Dave Simmons: 26 p.m. Sunday, StarView Blue Afternoon: 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Rustle Hill Breeden, Bradley & Maze: 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Rustle Hill Ashley Cleveland: Sunday, Walker’s Bluff
StarView Vineyards: Blue Sky Vineyard: 3150 S. Rocky Comfort 5100 Wing Hill Road, Cobden; 618-893-9463, Road, Makanda; 618995-9463, www.bluesky starviewvineyards.com Von Jakob Orchard: vineyard.com 230 Illinois 127, Alto Owl Creek Vineyard: 2655 Water Pass; 618-893-4600, www.vonjakobvineyard. Valley Road, Cobden; com 618-893-2557, www. Walker’s Bluff: North owlcreekvineyard.com. on Reed Station Road, Rustle Hill Winery: Carterville; 618-985U.S. 51, Cobden; 8463, www.walkersbluff. 618-893-2700, www. com rustlehillwinery.com
Karaoke and DJ lists are online at flipsideonline.com.
WANT TO BE LISTED? Call 618-351-5089 or e-mail brenda.kirkpatrick@thesouthern.com
z TONIGHT BENTON Duncan Dance Barn: Spring Pond Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m. CARBONDALE PK’s: Bosco and Whiteford Tres Hombres: Hotbed COBDEN Trails End Lodge: Whistle Pigs, 8 p.m. MARION Walt’s Pizza and Pasta: Thomas Tillman, 8 p.m. WEST FRANKFORT WB Ranch Barn: Little Egypt Country Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
z SUNDAY CARBONDALE Key West: Ivas John Blues Band MARION Marion Eagles: Salty Dog, 6-10 p.m.
z MONDAY MARION Marion Youth Center: Ragtag Band, 7-10 p.m.
z TUESDAY CARBONDALE PK’s: Whistle Pigs MOUNT VERNON Double K’s Kickin Country: Jacks-R-Better, 7-10 p.m. WEST FRANKFORT WB Ranch Barn: WB Ranch Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m. WHITE ASH The White Ash Barn: The Heartland Country Band, 7-10 p.m.
z FRIDAY CARBONDALE PK’s: Stace England and The Salt Kings Tres Hombres: Black Fortys, Phil Garcia and Parlor COBDEN Trails End Lodge: Blue Plate Specials, 8 p.m.midnight INA Ina Community Building: Friday Night Jam Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m. MARION John Brown’s on the Square: Dallas Alice,
8:30-11:30 p.m. MOUNT VERNON The Tavern on 10th: Whistle Pigs THOMPSONVILLE Lion’s Cave: Todd Wiliford Country Band, 7-10 p.m. Old Country Store Dance Barn: Country Sidekicks, 7-10 p.m. WHITE ASH The White Ash Barn: The Vintage Country Band, 7-10 p.m. WHITTINGTON Corner Dance Hall: JacksR-Better, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
z SATURDAY CARBONDALE PK’s: Jackhead w/Primo Camara Tres Hombres: The Rum Runners CARTERVILLE Outlawz Dance Club: Souls in Camo DU QUOIN Timeout Sports Bar: Line of Fire, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Marion American Legion: Just Another Band, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Marion Eagles: Salty Dog, 8 p.m.-midnight MARION Andy’s Country Club:
Lights Out, 9 p.m.1 a.m. MOUNT VERNON The Tavern on 10th: UFC 113 THOMPSONVILLE Lion’s Cave: Weekenders, 7-10 p.m. Old Country Store Dance Barn: Lil’ Boot & Classic Country, 7-10 p.m. WEST FRANKFORT Moose Lodge: The Lew Jetton Band WHITTINGTON Corner Dance Hall: Bob & Tina’s Band, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
z WEDNESDAY CARBONDALE Tres Hombres: Giant City Slicers, 8:30 p.m.
DU QUOIN Ten Pin Alley: Piano Bob, 6-9 p.m.
DIRECTIONS & DIGITS Corner Dance Hall: 200 Franklin St., Whittington 618-303-5266 Double K’s Kickin Country: Illinois 37, Mount Vernon 618-359-0455 Duncan Dance Barn: 13545 Spring Pond Road, Benton 618-435-6161 The Get-Away: 804 N. Douglas St., West Frankfort 618-937-3545 Ina Community Building: 504 Elm St., Ina/618-315-2373 John Brown’s on the Square: 1000 Tower Square, Marion 618-997-2909 Key West: 1108 W. Main, Carbondale 618-351-5998 Linemen’s Lounge: 100 E. Broadway, Johnston City Lion’s Cave: South Street, Thompsonville/618-218-4888 Marion American Legion: Longstreet Road, Marion 618-997-6168 Marion Eagles: Rural Route 3, Marion/618-993-6300 Marion Youth Center: 211 E. Boulevard St., Marion 618-922-7853 Mollie’s: 107 E. Union St., Marion 618-997-3424 Murphysboro Elks Lodge: 1809 Shomaker Drive Murphysboro 618-684-4541. Old Country Store Dance Barn: Main Street, Thompsonville, 618-927-2770. Orient American Legion: 404 Jackson St., Orient 618-932-2060 Perfect Shot: 3029 S. Park Ave., Herrin/618-942-4655 Pinch Penny Pub/Copper Dragon: 700 E. Grand, Carbondale/618-549-3348 PK’s: 308 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale/618-529-1124 Ramesse: 1754 Illinois 37, Lake of Eygpt/618-995-9104 Steelhorse Saloon: 202 Dewmain Lane, Carterville 618-985-3549 Tavern on 10th: 224 S. 10th St., Mount Vernon/618-244-7821 Tomigirl’s Rollin-in: 14960 Illinois 37, Johnston City 618-983-7655 Trackside Dance Barn: 104 Rock St., Spillertown 618-993-3035 Tres Hombres: 119 N. Washington St., Carbondale 618-457-3308 WB Ranch Barn: 1586 Pershing Road, West Frankfort 618-937-3718 Whisker Willy’s Bar & Grill 13510 N. Illinois 37, Marion 618-983-5300 White Ash Barn: 207 Potter St., White Ash / 618-997-4979 Xrossroads: 101 Rushing Drive, Herrin / 618-993-8393 The Zone Lounge: 14711 Illinois 37, Whittington/618-6292039
FLIPSIDE Thursday, May 6, 2010 Page 7
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC z WINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z Concerts Southern Illinois New Arts Jazztet: 7:30 p.m. Friday, SIUC, Altgeld Hall 112; free; 618-536-8742. Blend: A Doo Wop Experience, 7 p.m. Friday,
Marion Cultural and Civic Center; $15/$10; www. marionccc.org or 618-9974030. A World United concert: By The Southern Illinois Children’s Choir, 4 p.m. Saturday, May 8, First
Great Times at MONDAY $1 DRAFTS
Great Outdoor Patio
TUESDAY $2.99 MARGARITAS
“Pucker Up” They Are Good WEDNESDAY-Drink Specials $1.00 OFF All Wines 16 oz. Bud & Bud Light Bottles$2.79
TONIGHT May 6-Thomas Tillman Georgia's’ Country Music Star of the Year on the Patio 8-Close
SUNDAY-Family Night
Presbyterian Church, 310 S. University Ave., Carbondale; includes repertoire by Beethoven, Haydn, Holst, Schubert and Sibelius; 618-536-8742. The Ole Fishskins: noon, Wednesday, May 12, Town Square Pavilion, Carbondale; part of Brown Bag Concert Series hosted by Carbondale Main Street; bring lawn chairs; free; www.carbondale mainstreet.com or 618-5298040. Southern Illinois Improvisation Series: Sound Fair, 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 10, Altgeld Hall, 112, SIU; free; 618-536-8742. Wayne “The Train” Hancock: 8 p.m. Friday, May 14, Yellow Moon Café, 110 N. Front St., Cobden; $15/$17; www.yellowmooncafe.com; 618-893-2233; http://www. bloodshotrecords.com/artist/ wayne-hancock Lynyrd Skynyrd: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 29, Riverfront Outdoor Concert Venue, Harrah’s Metropolis Casino; 21 or older to enter; tickets start at $20; metropolis. frontgatetickets.com or 888-512-7469.
Indiana Man in Black: The Legend
of Johnny Cash, 7 p.m. Saturday, May 8, Boot City Opry, 11800 S. Highway 41, Terre Haute; tribute by Robert Shaw and The Lonely Street Band; $15; www.bootcity opry.com or 812-299-8379.
Kentucky Paducah Symphony’s Children’s Chorus: Spring concert, 3 p.m. Saturday, May 8, Broadway United Methodist Church, Paducah; 270-4440065 or www,paducah symphony.org. Ray Stevens: 7 p.m. Friday, May 14, Carson Center, Paducah; opening act, Clay Campbell and the Kentucky Opry Show; $30-$120; 270-450-4444 or www.thecarsoncenter.org. Tim Hawkins: 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 18, Carson Center, Paducah; opening act, Clay Campbell and the Kentucky Opry Show; $15$45; 270-450-4444 or www.thecarsoncenter.org.
Missouri Christine Bauer: 5-9 p.m. Friday, May 7, Aartful Rose, 631 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau; outside gardens; part of First Friday Opening Reception; 573-382-6261.
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Page 8 Thursday, May 6, 2010 FLIPSIDE
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The New Arts Jazztet to play Friday in Altgeld Hall at SIUC CARBONDALE – The New Arts Jazztet will debut original songs during its annual spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday in room 112 of Altgeld Hall on the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus. The New Arts Jazztet has been playing for more than 25 years and features some of Southern Illinois’ top local musicians, all of whom are SIU School of Music faculty. Friday’s concert will feature
popular standards as well as seven original works from the six-piece band. The New Arts Jazztet will debut “A Previous Life” by founding member and trumpeter Bob Allison, Changes We Can Believe In” and “Arkadia” by bassist Phil Brown, “DJ’s Wisdom” by pianist Mel Goot, “Clangtint” and “Deal With It” by reeds player Dick Kelley, and “G-n-J” by trombonist Tim Pitchford. —- The Southern
THE YARD: SIUC alumnus brings his musical to Shryock FROM PAGE 6
dates are different, and more pressure-packed. Williams carried in his “It’s very high risk,” backpack copies for sale of Williams said, “but I’m the “The Mo Better well versed in marketing Mixtape” CD that got him and advertising.” noticed by The Source. While Williams said his The brownie in his hand first show at SIU in was part of a tradeoff with October 2009 was a a group hosting a bake sale success, packing McLeod fundraiser in a high-foot- Theater’s roughly 500 traffic area of SIU’s seats, Shryock is more campus. He bought a than twice as large. Ticket treat, they put up a sales, he said, were poster. coming along. “Viral marketing and “They’re slowly rising,” word of mouth is the way Williams said. “Payday is to go,” Williams said. Friday, so that’s when I Especially when figure it’s going to reach everything is coming out its peak. Whether it’s two of Williams’ pocket, as it or 200, we’re still going to is with Saturday’s show. put on a good show.” He usually gets a $5,000 to dw.norris@thesouthern.com $8,000 appearance fee to 618-351-5074 play out of town. Home
FLIPSIDE ONLINE: Movie reviews, concert listings, local calendar, entertainment news; Find it all online at www.thesouthern.com/flipside.
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC z WINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z
Wild Horses trot back into town for HerrinFesta COUNTRY SCENE Vince Hoffard
M
ichael Blake Mahler loves country music fans in Southern Illinois. As front man for Wild Horses, a band that dominated the local scene for a decade before migrating to Texas about five years ago, he likes to plan something special for longtime supporters when the group comes back to the area for a concert. “It’s always a homecoming for us. We love the people of Southern Illinois,” Mahler said during a Tuesday telephone interview. “Some of our greatest honky tonk memories were made in those great clubs. It was a vibrant time, and we were inspired by our great fans. It was good.” For the first time in two years, Wild Horses will be back in their old stomping grounds when they appear at 7 p.m. May 30 at HerrinFesta Italiana as the opening act for Luke Bryan, named Top New Artist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music on April 20. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased in advance at herrinfesta.com. Discount tickets are available at Black Diamond HarleyDavidson in Marion or by bringing a special Mountain Dew can to the ticket office the day of the show. Beginning the festivities at 3 p.m. on May 30 will be the Colgate Country
Showdown, featuring special guest Brittany Clarke. Emily Riesen will take the stage at 5 p.m., followed by Wild Horses at 7 p.m. and Bryan at 9:45 p.m. Wild Horses, formed in 1989, is best known for tunes like “Ride Cowboy Ride” and “I Will Survive,” a national release for Epic Records, one of three major label deals the group secured. Mahler said the band will use the Herrin date for the national debut of the new “KMA Goodbye” album. The band will be hosting a special meet and greet with fans from 1 to 2:30 p.m. May 30 at the Herrin VFW. “We get so busy at the venue that it’s hard to get to talk to people,” Mahler said. “The meet and greet will allow us to shake hands and chat with people we haven’t seen in
a long time. These people supported us for a long time and they hold a special place in the hearts of everyone in the band.” Members of the group include: Mahler, lead vocals and lead guitar; Angela Rae, lead vocals; Ralph McCauley, drums; Steve Kellough, bass; Lon Holland, keyboards; and Chris Sigmon, steel guitar, dobro, fiddle and rhythm guitar. Rae and Mahler are married. They have three children, girls ages 2 and 5, plus a 15-year-old son. The first release from the album is the title track. Mahler wrote the song with Brian Gowan, who works as road manager for Rodney Adkins. “It’s a text messaging song. A guy messes up a relationship and the girl is cussing him out over the phone. We hadn’t heard the idea before, but we
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didn’t know how to write it. We had to call a bunch of young girls and ask them what they would say and how they would say it. It’s a lot of bad text message acronyms.” Mahler said the song is being played regionally in Texas and is heavily requested. “Things are a little different down here. There is a real appreciation for original music. Radio plays just about anything,” he said. “We’ve played ‘KMA Goodbye’ at a couple new clubs and got booked again simply because of that song.” The album is being released on Dreamkeeper Records, a well-established
Texas label. Also on the album is “Back Road Home,” which has received moderate radio airplay and is a very popular live song. The music is categorized as Red Dirt, a genre with superstars like Kevin Fowler and Randy Rogers. “The plan is to market the album pretty heavily in major college towns,” Mahler said. “Once you get the students burning up the phone lines with requests to radio, other things fall into place.” A video for the song was filmed at the Sefcik Hall, a historic dance hall build in 1923 and still in operation today. Mahler said Texas and Illinois music buffs are
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basically the same people, they have just been exposed to different influences. The Illinois party crowd has to hear classic rock by Bob Seger and Joan Jett once the beer gets flowing, while the requirements are more traditional in the Lone Star state. “If there is one song we must play every night, it would be ‘Empty Glass,’ an obscure song by honky tonk legend Gary Stewart. ‘L.A. Freeway’ by Jerry Jeff Walker would be a close second,” Mahler said.
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WE WELCOME & ENCOURAGE EVENING APPOINTMENTS FLIPSIDE Thursday, May 6, 2010 Page 9
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC z WINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z 25 cents-$1; 618-568-1843
Square parking lot; Little Miss & Mr. Rend Lake Coronation, Elkville book sale: Through 6 p.m. Friday, Benton’s Events Saturday during library hours, Capitol Park; parade, 10 a.m. Rick Warren Memorial Public Little Black Dress Party: Saturday; 618-438-2121. Library, 114 S. Fourth St., 8 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Kite Festival: noon-5 p.m. Elkville; noon-5 p.m. Thursday May 15, Harrah’s Riverfront Saturday, May 22, Kite Hill and Friday; 9 a.m.-noon Event Center; wine, appetizers Vineyards, 83 Kite Hill Road, Saturday; books are priced and music by The Carbondale; veteran kite Respectables; tickets start at flyers from the Midwest will $20; benefits American fly kites; everyone may also Cancer Society; 888-512fly their own kites and 7469 or metropolis.frontgate children ages 11 and younger tickets.com. can make kites; also kiteBarbecue contest: Entries flying contest and casting S HOW T IMES FOR M AY 3 RD - 6 TH Nightmare On Elm Street (R) are being sought for the contest in Kite Hill’s lake; dog 4:10 4:50 7:10 7:50 9:50 10:30 Backyard Barbecue Contest, obedience demonstrations The Back Up Plan (R) 4:00 6:50 9:40 Saturday, June 5 in Cobden; and dogs available for 3D How to Train Your Dragon (PG) categories: chicken, pork adoption; bring lawn chairs; 3:40 6:10 9:00 Bounty Hunter (PG-13) chops and pork steak; also, rain date, May 23; 5:00 7:40 10:20 flea market, entertainment Date Night (PG-13) 4:20 7:20 10:00 www.chicagokite.com or Kick-Ass (R) 4:40 7:30 10:10 and activities for children; kitehillvineyards.com. How to Train Your Dragon (PG) 4:30 7:00 9:30 618-893-2425 or Herrinfesta Italiana: knocker@shawneelink.net. May 24-31, downtown Herrin; features bocce tournament, talent show, art show, Festivals carnival, contests; parade, The Losers (PG-13) 4:10 7:00 9:30 Furry Vengeance (PG) 4:00 6:40 9:10 Rend Lake Water Festival: 11 a.m. Saturday, May 29; The Last Song (PG) 4:30 7:10 9:40 Today-Saturday, Benton; music by Wild Horses; Hot Tub Time Machine (R) carnival, Benton Public 7:40 10:15 www.herrinfesta.com.
Book sale
Death at a Funeral (R) 5:00 7:30 10:00 Diary of a Wimpy Kid (PG) 4:20 Clash of the Titans (PG-13) 4:45 7:20 9:50
We’re Makin’ Dolls A Porcelain Doll Shop
Quality heirlooms for tomorrow’s keepsakes. How to Train Your Dragon (PG) 3:50 6:15 The Back Up Plan (R) 4:20 6:50 The Losers (R) 4:50 7:40 Clash of the Titans (PG-13) 4:40 7:20 Date Night (PG-13) 4:30 7:10 The Last Song (PG) 4:10 6:40 Nightmare on Elm Street (R) 4:00 7:00 Furry Vengeance (PG) 3:40 6:30
$5 Doll Sale
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Page 10 Thursday, May 6, 2010 FLIPSIDE
Films Up: On outdoor screen, 8 p.m. Friday, Walker’s Bluff, north on Reed Station Road, Carterville; 618-985-8463 or www.walkersbluff.com Movie in the Park: High School Musical 2, dusk, Saturday, Riverside Park, Murphysboro; bring lawn chairs; concessions available.
Open Auditions Auditions: For Tom Sawyer, 7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, May 10-11, Varsity Center for the Arts, Carbondale; roles available for five boys, teens/early 20s, three girls, teens/early 20s, three adult women, seven adult men; show dates are July 22-25; rehearsals begin 6-8 p.m. June 14; 618-549-1409.
Theater/Performance The Yard: An A Capella/
Hip-Hop Musical: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 8, Shryock Auditorium, SIUC; written and directed by SIUC grad Brandon A. Williams; includes Q&A with Williams and live music during intermission, scholarship giveaways; $10 in advance at Shryock box office and ticketmaster.com and $15 at the door. Blood Brothers: Award-winning musical by Willy Russell, 7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Varsity Center for the Arts, Carbondale; $15/$10; 618-713-9199. School House Rock Jr.: Presented by the Marion Junior High Choir, 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 14, Marion Cultural and Civic Center; $8; tickets available at the junior high or the civic center; $1 from each ticket to Relay for Life; 618-997-1317, ext. 295.
Still Playing Bounty Hunter A downon-his-luck bounty hunter gets his dream job when he is assigned to track down his bail-jumping ex-wife, a reporter chasing a lead on a murder cover-up. With Jennifer Anniston and Gerard Butler. Directed by Andy Tennant. PG-13 (sexual content, language and violence) Clash of the Titans Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades, the vengeful god of the underworld, before he can seize power from Zeus and unleash hell on Earth. With Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Gemma Arterton and Ralph Fiennes. Screenplay by Matt Manfredi. Directed by Louis Leterrier. PG-13 (fantasy action violence, some frightening images and brief sensuality)
Cousin Andy’s Coffee House hosts Droit on Friday CARBONDALE — Cousin Andy’s Coffee House welcomes in Austin, Texas recording artist Rick “Summer” Droit for a one-night show beginning 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Fellowship Hall of the Church of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ at the corner of
Orchard and Schwartz Streets. Droit, a guitarist, songwriter and Americana performer, has toured Southern Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky in the past, and he will play selections from his studio albums “Gypsy Love” and “Laughing Like a Banshee.”
Droit has been compared favorably to Townes Van Zandt, who produced Droit’s most recent recordings. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for lowincome or students, and small children pay no cover. — The Southern
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC z WINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z Date Night A suburban couple whose lives have become routine reignite the marital spark by visiting a trendy Manhattan bistro, where a case of mistaken identity turns their evening into the ultimate date night gone awry. With Tina Fey and Steve Carell. Director by Shawn Levy. PG-13 (sexual content, strong language, drug references, violence) Death at a Funeral A funeral ceremony turns into a debacle of exposed family secrets and misplaced bodies. With Zoe Saldana, Luke Wilson, James Marsden and Columbus Short. Directed by Neil LaBute. R (language, drug content and some sexual humor) Diary of a Wimpy Kid The adventures of wise-cracking middle school student Greg Heffley, who must somehow survive the scariest time of anyone’s life: middle school. With Zachary Gordon, Robert Capron, Steve Zahn and Devon Bostick. Directed by Thor Freudenthal. PG (some rude humor, language) Furry Venegeance Developers feel the wrath of the forest dwellers they try to displace. Scheming woodland creatures go on a rampage. PG (some rude humor, mild language and brief smoking) Hot Tub Time Machine A group of best friends bored with their adult life wake up after a night of drinking in a ski resort hot tub to find themselves in the year 1986 and set out to change their futures. With John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Crispin Glover, Lizzy Caplan and Chevy Chase. R (strong crude and sexual content, nudity, drug use and pervasive language) How to Train Your Dragon An animated comedy adventure of a misfit Viking teen who encounters a dragon that challenges his tribe’s tradition of heroic dragon slayers. With the voices of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Craig Ferguson,
Jonah Hill, Christopher MintzPlasse and Kristen Wiig. Directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders. PG (sequences of intense action and some scary images, brief mild language) Kick-Ass A comic-book fanboy decides to become a real-life superhero with no real superpowers. With Aaron Johnson, Christopher MintzPlasse and Nicolas Cage. Directed by Vaughn. R (strong brutal violence, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and drug use) The Backup Plan After deciding to have a baby on her own, a women meets a man and falls in love with him during the hormonally charged nine months of pregnancy. With Jennifer Lopez, Alex O’Loughlin and Anthony Anderson. Directed by Alan Poul. PG-13 (sexual content, some crude material and language) The Last Song A reluctant teenager begrudgingly spends the summer with her estranged father and they bond over a love for music. With Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth. Directed by Julie Anne Robinson. PG (some violence, sensuality and mild language) The Losers An elite U.S. Special Forces unit, presumed dead after being sent into the Bolivian jungle on a searchand-destroy mission, must remain undercover while tracking a ruthless man bent on embroiling the world in a new high-tech global war. With Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana and Chris Evans. Directed by Sylvain White. PG-13 (sequences of intense action and violence, sensuality and language) A Nightmare on Elm Street Wes Craven’s 1984 shocker is the latest horror classic to get a Hollywood remake. A group of interchangeable teen actors are visited by Freddy in their dreams and die horrible deaths. R. — The Associated Press, McClatchy-Tribune News
‘Iron Man 2’ a knock-off but heavy on action BY MICHAEL PHILLIPS MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS
Iron Man 2 Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, and some language; starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Mickey Rourke, and Samuel L. Jackson; directed by Jon Favreau; opening Thursday at ShowPlace 8 in Carbondale and Illinois Centre 8 in Marion. “A passable knock-off”: That’s how the man in the Iron Man mask, the obscenely rich but heartsick industrialist played by Robert Downey Jr., characterizes the electro-weaponry wielded by his Slavic adversary (Mickey Rourke) in “Iron Man 2.” Much of this scattershot sequel to the 2008 smash feels like a passable knock-off as well. Here and there, director Jon Favreau’s diversion takes us back to the considerable satisfactions of the first “Iron Man,” whether in action mode, such as a nifty vivisection of metallic villainous drones or in a Downey Jr. wisecrack uncorked just so, usually in the form of a non-apology apology to long-suffering Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). It’s a curious, off-center sequel in some ways. The screenwriter Justin Theroux can be very witty. At one point Stark’s rival weapons manufacturer, a storm cloud of smarm played by Sam Rockwell, delivers a sales pitch for his latest and greatest
STUDIO
Robert Downey Jr. stars in ‘Iron Man 2,’ which opens Thursday in Carbondale and Marion.
weapons of mass destruction. In most comic-book movies, the scene would’ve been handled either as grim exposition or aggressive camp. Here, it’s a sprightly riff on that wonderful, awful gun dealer scene in “Taxi Driver.” “Iron Man 2” has a harder time with matters of story clarity and momentum. It’s a crowded blockbuster indeed, with Stark searching for a cure for his failing heart while fending off Senate investigators who want control of the Iron Man peacekeeping arsenal. Ivan Venko, alias Whiplash, has it in for Stark and Stark’s family, for vaguely defined reasons. Engaged in a virtual slink-off with Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson’s a Stark Industries employee with motivations of her own. Meantime Stark’s old pal Rhodey (Don Cheadle) has conflicting loyalties when it comes to the party boy,
which leads to a fuzzily motivated smackdown at Stark’s oceanside pad. A movie like this can handle a large character roster, but it helps if the story retains clean lines and a sense of propulsion. “Iron Man 2” sags and wanders in its midsection. And Stark himself is more louche this time, more narcissistic and less fun. What you miss are the little things, the relatively low-tech charms of Stark futzing around in his swank homemade lab as he created the first suit. In “2” Stark wrestles mainly with the grind and excesses of celebrity as an established superhero. Also, and I think this is key: The first “Iron Man” celebrated Downey Jr.’s Stark as a sardonic, charismatic winner while questioning the means by which Stark’s family made its billions. The new film is far more in love with its hardware; some of it veers too close to “RoboCop” territory for the good of
the Marvel Comics mythology. What saves it is Favreau’s work with the cast. He’s still no great shakes as a shaper of action sequences, but at least he and Theroux realize there’s more to a zillion-dollar franchise item than setting up the next destruction showcase. It helps that nearly every performer on screen has a verifiable, useful sense of humor. Downey Jr. and Rourke never quite emerge as epic contenders in a death match, but they’re terrific faces to watch. There are times when the conversational dialogue flies past “loose” and lands in “chaotic,” with everybody nattering at once. It’s a good comic impulse, though. I suspect Theroux is a talent best paired with more structure-minded screenwriters, so that the idiosyncratic detours have a smooth highway to return to when needed.
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