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 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 Weird News . . . . . . .3 Music . . . . . . . . . .4-5 Live music . . . . . . . .5 Cover story . . . . .6-7
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Southern Illinois Chamber Music Society presents World Famous, Grammy® Nominated
Eroica Trio
All Chamber Music Recital
Sunday, April 11 at 3:00 p.m. Unitarian Fellowship 105 N. Parish Lane, Carbondale Selections to include music from Beethoven, Brahms, and Joan Tower Tickets at the Door General Public $20 Students $3
Page 2 Thursday, April 1, 2010 FLIPSIDE
Top 20 Restaurant of the Week: Mase’s Place BY DAVID ZOELLER SPECIAL ADVERTISING COPY
POMONA — To say that Mase’s Place is a little off the beaten track is like saying the one-pound “Hog Burger,” one of the specialties you can find there, is a lot of meat. However, plenty of people seem to be finding their way to this selfdescribed “neighborhood grill” that features a unique blend of southernspecialty cooking, regional wines and blue-ribbon barbecue. Nestled within the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail on Hickory Ridge Road, Mase’s Place is approaching its three-year anniversary. The restaurant/bar is owned by Scot and Patty Mason. In trying to come up with a name, calling the establishment “Scooter’s” after Scot’s nickname was considered. And while a nickname was used to officially christen the place, it was their son Josh’s nickname, Mase, which was given the honors. According to Scot Mason, the eatery’s popularity has been growing steadily. “The response has been great,” Mason said. “People love our food. We get a lot of new customers because of our food.” The Masons have promoted the restaurant on Facebook, and they see business by way of local wineries whose wine they serve. Equal distance from Pomona and Murphysboro, the restaurant draws a solid, local following, but customers come from a wide area. “We get people from everywhere,” he said. On a recent Saturday night, interspersed with
DAVID ZOELLER / THE SOUTHERN
Eating off the beaten track Mase’s Place in Pomona are (left to right) Pat Allen, Delizabeth Allen and Jont Allen, all of Champaign.
local patrons were Jont Allen and his family from the Champaign area. Allen grew up around Chicago and “couldn’t believe that there were any parts of Illinois that weren’t flat.” A friend told him about the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois, and the family decided to check it out. Mase’s Place is open 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. A variety of appetizers are offered, from jalapeno poppers to toasted, onion-battered green beans, to the Mason Jar Special, a jar layered with baked beans, slaw, pulled pork, and topped with a pickle spear. Sandwiches run the gambit from Mase’s Unique Smoked Pulled Pork and the Hog Burger to the Alaska Salmon Burger and the Grilled Turkey Burger. Friday night’s special is all-you-can-eat white fish with two sides. Saturday night spotlights the barbecue sampler platter,
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: Mase’s Place What: Appetizers, fish, barbecue, burgers, salads Where: 5162 Hickory Ridge Road, Pomona Hours: 5 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday Phone: 618-684-8000 smoked brisket, baby back ribs and pulled pork with two sides. The half-pound Pig Burger is Sunday’s special. Mason does all the barbecuing and handles food preparation. “I was always the cook at family gatherings,” he said. Mason, who works at E.A. Knight Construction in Carterville, built most of the restaurant and the
outdoor improvements, which include a deck and pond adjacent to outdoor seating. “A lot of our business depends on the weather,” Mason said. And, while the restaurant business, like the weather, can be unpredictable, he thinks he knows why the place is steadily growing. “It’s a place where most people feel comfortable,” he said.
An example of the (in)justice system in Texas Columbia, Ky., sheriff’s deputy Charles Wright accidentally locked himself in a cell and was fired after Inexplicable he tried to shoot open the lock. (2) A z In January, Aretha Brown, 66, Collier County, Fla., sheriff’s deputy who has lived in the same house in suffered a broken ankle when he and Callahan, Fla., (pop. 962) for 30 a colleague accidentally locked years, suddenly became unable to wheels while patrolling in Naples on leave her yard unless she crawled their Segways. between CSX railroad cars blocking z It wasn’t pretty, but sheriff’s her access to the road. Tracks had deputies in Montcalm County, always been in place, but the railway Mich., got their man March 3. Mark only began storing train cars on McCuaig, in court on an earlier them this year. CSX told The Florida charge, became unruly and escaped Times-Union that it would soon from two different sets of officers build Brown an access road to the (despite a Tasering). Another court street. officer tried to stop him outside, but z The entertainment manager at McCuaig got loose (despite being Thorpe Park in Surrey, England, Maced). He locked himself inside a announced in February a contest van, but officers surrounded it, seeking foul-smelling urine. The broke a window, and Tasered him again, yet couldn’t stop McCuaig park has introduced a live action from driving off. After a high-speed horror maze based on scenes from the “Saw” movie series and decided chase, state troopers disabled his tires with “stop sticks” but couldn’t that it was missing a “signature apprehend him before he reached stench” to “really push the his home, where he barricaded boundaries” of disgustingness. himself. Officers surrounded the Manager Laura Sinclair suggested house, and four of them (plus a that submissions’ pungency would police dog) entered, but McCuaig be enhanced after consumption of escaped and got into another such foods as garlic and asparagus and offered a prize of the equivalent vehicle. Finally, after another chase, of about $750 for the winning urine. he was forced off the road, Tasered a third time, and subdued. exclusively on his business affairs.
NEWS OF THE WEIRD Chuck Shepherd
I
n March, juries in Smith and Matagorda counties sentenced Henry Wooten and Melvin Johnson III to 35 years and 60 years in prison, respectively, for possessing small amounts of drugs (but enough under Texas law to allow jurors to infer an intent to distribute). Wooten, 54, had 4.6 ounces of marijuana (same penalty as for 5 pounds), and Johnson had 1.3 grams of crack cocaine (about half the weight of a U.S. dime). (Wooten’s prosecutor actually had asked the jury for a sentence of 99 years.)
Can’t possibly be true z It’s good to be a British welfare mother: Under the government’s Local Housing Authority, Essma Marjam, age 34, unemployed and the mother of six, is entitled to rental assistance for a five-bedroom home, and the only suitable one she could find is in an exclusive London suburb in which her neighbor is Sir Paul McCartney. Luckily, the generous allowance (equivalent of more than $9,000 a month) covers the rent on the nearly $3 million (U.S. equivalent) mansion. (Additionally, according to the Daily Mail, Marjam’s nonhousing government benefits total the equivalent of about $22,000 a year.) z Alan Rosenfeld, 64, a New York City lawyer and real estate entrepreneur, is also a full-time schoolteacher, although he has been prohibited from teaching since 2002 because of accusations of leering at female students. He is thus a “rubber room” teacher whose union contract requires full salary and benefits even though the Schools Chancellor has barred him from the classroom as a “danger” to students. The Department of Education pays him $100,000 a year plus health care (plus retirement benefits worth at least $82,000 a year). The New York Post reported that Rosenfeld reports to “the room” each day but works
Questionable judgments A recent epiphany caused millionaire Austrian businessman Karl Rabeder, 47, to be depressed about his wealth, and by February, he was in the process of giving away an estate worth the equivalent of about $5 million. Two luxury properties are for sale, with proceeds going to charities he established in Central and South America, and he plans to move into a small hut in Innsbruck. “Money is counterproductive,” he told a reporter. “I had the feeling I was working as a slave for things that I did not wish or need.” (According to London’s Daily Telegraph, Rabeder’s wife was with him at the time of the epiphany, but the story curiously is silent about her view of his decision.)
Least competent police
Update Robert “Prince Mongo” Hodges had been disturbing people, and sometimes running for office, for 10 years before he came to News of the Weird’s attention in September 1992 by attracting nearly 3,000 votes in a campaign for mayor of Memphis, Tenn. Since then, the perpetual performance artist (always “333” years old, always from the planet “Zambodia”) has been annoying his neighbors in Memphis, and in Fort Lauderdale and Volusia County, Fla., usually as revenge for their complaints about his quixotic property maintenance. Last year, he built a deck on his Volusia home, without a permit, and neighbors complained, thus provoking Hodges recently to dump a mountain of sand in his front yard and to install clotheslines covered with women’s panties. He faces various violations.
z Embarrassing: (1) In March, on duty on opening day of the jail at the SEND ITEMS to new Adair County judicial center in weirdnews@earthlink.net.
FLIPSIDE Thursday, April 1, 2010 Page 3
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC z WINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z
Steel guitars highlight Mount Vernon show ard core country music has always been COUNTRY closely associated with a crying steel guitar. SCENE On a daily basis, the Vince Hoffard most talented musicians with this instrument are either scattered in studios throughout Nashville or Southern Illinois Steel are out on the road with Guitar Show major stars. Rarely are April 15-17, Mount Vernon they all under one roof. Holiday Inn and Undeterred by a Convention Center; ticket countless scheduling issues, organizers of the prices vary on day, threeday pass is $38; for tickets 10th annual Southern Illinois Steel Guitar Show or more information, call have attracted many of the Joe Arview at 618-218top pickers in the 2517, Lendell Johnson at business, including Mike 618-932-0211 or Bobby “Cookie” Jones, Joe Wright, Mike Sigler, Al Reed at 615-419-9642. Svenddal and “Cowboy” Eddie Long.
H
The event will be April 15 to 17 in Mount Vernon Holiday Inn and Convention Center. Performances begin at 1 p.m. April 15, and tickets are $8. Entertainment starts at 10 a.m. April 16, and tickets are $15. The first act takes the stage at 10 a.m. April 17, and tickets are $20. A threeday pass is available for $38. “These guys like to hang out together. They don’t get to see each other much because they are always working,” Reed said. “They are used to hanging back in the studio or on the road and playing an occasional intro, pad or fill. This is different. They
World Famous Grammy Award
Eroica Trio Performing Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra
Tuesday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. Shryock Auditorium
Exclusive chance to dine with the artists on Saturday, April 10 at Stone Center ($500 per person). Call 453-3004 by April 6 to reserve a seat. Page 4 Thursday, April 1, 2010 FLIPSIDE
are the main attraction and not the sideshow. In this business, that doesn’t happen too often.” Reed was especially pleased with a roster which includes “Cowboy” Eddie Long, considered in many circles to be the best steel guitarist in the world. Long will be in familiar territory. He played in the Paducah area as a member of The Bama Band in the early 1980s and would join forces with Hank Williams Jr. to play at the SIU Arena and Du Quion State Fair. In his 16 years of touring with Hank Jr., he played on 22 studio albums and helped create the signature sound on “Born To Boogie” and “A Country Boy Can Survive.” Long has recorded with Bono of U2 and played on hits “Queen Of Memphis” and “Jesus & Mama” for Confederate Railroad, with whom he also toured. He then moved on to a twoyear run with Kenny Chesney. A busy session player, Long has played on 18 albums which have been certified gold or platinum. He is listed in the liner notes of albums which have sold more than 500 million units. Just when it seemed his career had peaked, Long joined forces with Jamey Johnson, playing
SCHEDULE 5:10 p.m., “Cowboy” Eddie Long 6 p.m., Break 6:30 p.m., Ron Elliot 7:20 p.m., Mike “Cookie” Jones 8:10 p.m., Mike Sigler 9 p.m., Joe Wright
April 15 1 p.m., Gary Sill 1:40 p.m., Larry Baker 2:20 p.m., Joe Fortune 3 p.m., Carl Kilmer 3:40 p.m., Vernon Mandrell 4:20 p.m., Dan Burnham 5 p.m., Bill Vaughn 5:40 p.m., Break 6:30 p.m., Cord Fitch & Friends 7:20 p.m., Johnny Arview 8:10 p.m., Bobby Reed’s Variety Show April 16 10 a.m., Bill Dobkins 10:40 a.m., Jack Hearn 11:20 a.m., Dave Flanagan Noon, Bobby Reed 12:40 p.m., Lyle Clary 1 p.m., Fred Rushing 1:40 p.m., Lee Brothers 2 p.m., Roger Crawford 2:40 p.m., Lynn Owsley 3:30 p.m., Al Svendall 4:20 p.m., Eddie Dunlap numerous sold out shows on a recently concluded CMT tour. Long’s breathtaking intros can be heard on nearly every track on the That Lonesome Song album, including award winning “In Color.” Johnson even jokes with Long at the end of one track and laughs about the “bee sting” story Long tells about his Bama Band days. Reed said he is bringing a full band of sessions musicians from Music City to accompany the performers. “While the focus is on the steel guitarist, there will be a back-up band
April 17 10 a.m., Rob Parker 10:40 a.m., Leon Mercer 11:20 a.m., George King Noon, Larry Dolan 12:40 p.m., TBA 1:20 p.m., Dave Bowlin 2 p.m., TBA 2:50 p.m., Ron Elliot 3:40 p.m., Jeff Surrat 4:30 p.m., Lynn Owsley 5:20 p.m., Eddie Dunlap 6 p.m., Break 6:45 p.m., Al Svendall 7:35 p.m., Mike “Cookie” Jones 8:25 p.m., “Cowboy” Eddie Long 9:15 p.m., Joe Wright with great fiddle and excellent guitar,” Reed said. “This is going to be a big show with nothing but tremendously talented people. They can play anything.” This is a virtual “Who’s Who” of steel guitarist. For example, “Cookie” Jones was with Barbara Mandrell during her glory years, Joe Wright played on all the Charlie Pride hits and Ron Elliot helped create the Hank Snow sound. VINCE HOFFARD can be reached at 618-658-9095 or vincehoffard@yahoo. com
FLIPSIDE ONLINE: For more entertainment news, go to www.thesouthern.com/ flipside.
WEEK OF APRIL 1-7
Coffeehouses, Cafés and Eateries Andrew Calhoun: 8 p.m. Friday, Yellow Moon Café, 110 N. Front St., Cobden; www.yellowmooncafe.com; 618-893-2233 68 Whiskey: 8:30 p.m. Friday, The Palace Pizzeria, 215 Appleknocker Drive, Cobden; 618-893-4415 After Barbed Wire: 8 p.m.-midnight, Saturday, Yellow Moon Café, Cobden. Craig Roberts Blues Band: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, The Palace Pizzeria.
Wineries Mel Goot: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Walker’s Bluff. Bone Dry River Band: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Rustle Hill Winery. Tim Berg: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Lau-Nae Winery. Elliott Ranney: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Blue Sky Vineyard. Larry Dillard: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Rustle Hill Winery. Blues Bandits:
3-6 p.m., Saturday, Von Jakob Orchard. Wil Maring and Robert Bowlin: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, StarView Vineyards. Bill Booth & The Usual Suspects: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Rustle Hill Winery. Rich Fabec: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Walker’s Bluff. Anderson & Powell: 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Rustle Hill Winery.
Blue Sky Vineyard: 3150 S. Rocky Comfort Road, Makanda; 618-995-9463 or www.bluesky vineyard.com Lau-Nae Winery: 1522 Illinois 3, Red Bud; 618-282-9463 or www.lau-nae winery.com Rustle Hill Winery: US 51, Cobden; 618-8932700, www.rustle hillwinery.com StarView
Vineyards: 5100 Wing Hill Road, Cobden; 618 8939463, starview vineyards.com Von Jakob Orchard: 230 Illinois 127, Alto Pass; 618-8934600, www.von jakobvineyard.com Walker’s Bluff: North on Reed Station Road, Carterville; 618985-8463, www.walkersbluff. com
CRAVING KARAOKE?
WANT TO BE LISTED?
Karaoke and DJ lists are online at flipside online.com.
Call 618-351-5089 or e-mail brenda.kirkpatrick@thesouthern.com
z TONIGHT
z FRIDAY
BENTON Duncan Dance Barn:: Spring Pond Band, 6:309:30 p.m.
CARBONDALE Pinch Penny/Copper Dragon: LoCash Cowboys/Brushfire PK’s: The Natives
INA Ina Community Building: Friday Night Jam Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
CARBONDALE PK’s: Gatsby The Great
HERRIN Park Plaza Pub: Dave Clark and Deanna Freeman, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
THOMPSONVILLE Lion’s Cave: Todd Wiliford Country Band, 7-10 p.m. Old Country Store Dance Barn: Country Sidekicks, 7-10 p.m.
WEST FRANKFORT WB Ranch Barn: Little Egypt Country Band 6:30-9:30 p.m.
z SATURDAY CARBONDALE PK’s: The Natives HERRIN Herrin American Legion: Stagefright, 8:30 p.m.. MARION Marion Eagles: Feelin’ Country, 8 p.m.midnight MOUNT VERNON Double K’s Kickin Country: Ronnie D and Sweet River, 7-10 p.m. The Tavern on 10th: Whistle Pigs, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. THOMPSONVILLE Lion’s Cave: Weekenders, 7-10 p.m. Old Country Store Dance Barn: Lil’ Boot & Classic Country, 7-10 p.m.
JOHNSTON CITY Linemen’s Lounge: Skinny Jim and The #9 Blacktops, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. MARION Desperado’s: Naked Turtles, 8-11:30 p.m. John Brown’s on the Square : Fattback w/Adam Williams, 8:30-11:30 p.m.
z SUNDAY CARBONDALE Key West: Ivas John Blues Band
WHITE ASH The White Ash Barn: The Vintage Country Band, 7-10 p.m. WHITTINGTON Corner Dance Hall: Battle Creek Band, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
z MONDAY MARION Marion Youth Center: Ragtag Band, 7-10 p.m.
z TUESDAY CARBONDALE PK’s: Whistle Pigs MARION John Brown’s on the Square: The Ivas John Band, 8:3011:30 p.m. 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. 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, April 1, 2010 Page 5
Get ready to roll Southern Illinois Roller Girls ‘Fling into Spring’ with fundraiser for The Women’s Center Southern Illinois Roller Girls Fling into Spring
Southern Illinois Roller Girls are warriors of the rink. Clad in the armor of the their sport 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.; — knee and elbow pads, helmets and Saturday, April 17; Williamson County the occasional fishnet stocking — the Pavilion, Marion; $5 in advance girls are a curious blend of ultra(www.brownpapertickets.com/event/ femme and outré tough. Their ponytails and braids belie the 104982) or $7 at the door, children bad girls beneath who participate in a ages 12 and younger are free; a sport that is essentially a race on portion of the proceeds goes to The skates, albeit an aggressive, Women’s Center in Carbondale. sometimes bone-crunching race on skates. BY BECKY MALKOVICH “We get to have separate THE SOUTHERN personalities,” SIRG co-president Elizabeth Cook said. “I go to work in heels, make-up and all that, but here By day, while perhaps not mild or it’s pigtails and miniskirts.” meek, they work or go to school. And athleticism. By night however, the women of the
STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERN
Kenna Allen, aka Theda Barium, skates past the opposing team during announcement of team lineups during the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre on Feb. 20 at Williamson County Pavilion in Marion. It was the Roller Girls’ second public scrimmage.
Page 6 Thursday, April 1, 2010 FLIPSIDE
STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERN
The Southern Illinois Roller Girls pose for a group photo after their Season’s Beatings bout Dec. 10 at Williamson County Pavilion in Marion. This was the group’s first public scrimmage.
“This makes me be athletic. The closest I came before was ‘Dance Dance Revolution’,” she said, laughing. Founded early last summer, the roller derby girls are a physical team — and they have the bumps and bruises to prove it. Katy Rogers, founder and copresident, was sporting a bruise the size of a flapjack during a recent warm-up at Marion’s Williamson County Pavilion, the girls’ home turf. “It’s a full-contact sport,” Rogers said. “We haven’t had any major injuries but we wear a lot of padding.” They are also trained to avoid injury from the time they start the sport as “fresh meat.” “Someone who comes in as fresh meat doesn’t know much about the sport. They learn the basic skills and
how to be safe on skates. We spend a lot of time teaching people how to fall safely,” Rogers said. The girls go through rigorous training, which includes written and physical tests on the sport as well, to reach the different levels. The training and skill tests are important as the team aspires to join the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, which would allow them to compete nationally. Preston Reed, referee and fresh meat coach for the team, has been involved since the first organizational meeting. “It’s a blast — excellent fun and awesome exercise. I’ve lost two pants sizes since I started with them,” he said. Reed helps train team maneuvers such as “the whip.” “Basically, you grab another player
‘It’s a fun night. There’s a lot of action. People get the chance to see a bunch of strong women who are really good at the sport. It probably doesn’t hurt that we’re in short skirts and fishnets either.’ KATY ROGERS, FOUNDER AND CO-PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ROLLER GIRLS
by the hand and fling them. You give them your momentum and it speeds them up,” he said. Melissa Devall is a music and business student by day and fresh meat at the teams twice-weekly practices. “I love skating and physical contact sports, so this is pretty much a dream sport for me,” she said. “I’ve never broken a bone, but in this sport, I feel I could.” The team is drawing crowds to their scrimmages. “We had 430 people at our first scrimmage and 1,200 at our last,” Rogers said. “It’s a fun night. There’s a lot of action. People get the chance to see a bunch of strong women who are really good at a sport. It probably doesn’t hurt that we’re in short skirts and fishnets either.” The upcoming Fling into Spring scrimmage will see a portion of the proceeds go to The Women’s Center. “All of our scrimmages benefit some organization. We want to be more than just a lot of girls knocking each other around,” Rogers said. “We want to give back to the community.” beckymalk@gmail.com 618-927-5633
ALAN ROGERS / THE SOUTHERN
Amanda Wedekemper, aka Arcane Sugar, (right) puts a hit on Meg Rhame, aka Hedz McCracken, during a Southern Illinois Roller Girls scrimmage Feb. 20 at Williamson County Pavillion in Marion. The roller derby league’s second intraleague scrimmage drew an estimated 1,200 spectators.
Art, music and bruises The Southern Illinois Roller Girls are putting their own twist on a rite of spring with the SIRG Black and Blue Prom. The fundraiser is billed as featuring art, music, black eyes and bruises, and encourages attendees to wear prom attire, whether “bedraggled or beautiful.” A Derby Prom King and Queen will be crowned; an instant photo booth will be available for prom pictures and special prizes will be awarded. Planned for May 7th at Tres Hombres in Carbondale, the fundraiser will have musical performances by The Black Fortys, Parlor and DJ Phil Garcia; and live art by Justin Rosenfield. The team is looking for donations of art to be auctioned off during a live art auction. Donations, with names, phone number and address attached, may be dropped off at Plaza Records at 816 E. Main St. in Carbondale. The deadline is April 30.
READY TO ROLL? For more on Southern Illinois Roller Girls, go to www.fipsideonline.com and get the link you need. FLIPSIDE Thursday, April 1, 2010 Page 7
Get ready to roll Southern Illinois Roller Girls ‘Fling into Spring’ with fundraiser for The Women’s Center Southern Illinois Roller Girls Fling into Spring
Southern Illinois Roller Girls are warriors of the rink. Clad in the armor of the their sport 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.; — knee and elbow pads, helmets and Saturday, April 17; Williamson County the occasional fishnet stocking — the Pavilion, Marion; $5 in advance girls are a curious blend of ultra(www.brownpapertickets.com/event/ femme and outré tough. Their ponytails and braids belie the 104982) or $7 at the door, children bad girls beneath who participate in a ages 12 and younger are free; a sport that is essentially a race on portion of the proceeds goes to The skates, albeit an aggressive, Women’s Center in Carbondale. sometimes bone-crunching race on skates. BY BECKY MALKOVICH “We get to have separate THE SOUTHERN personalities,” SIRG co-president Elizabeth Cook said. “I go to work in heels, make-up and all that, but here By day, while perhaps not mild or it’s pigtails and miniskirts.” meek, they work or go to school. And athleticism. By night however, the women of the
STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERN
Kenna Allen, aka Theda Barium, skates past the opposing team during announcement of team lineups during the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre on Feb. 20 at Williamson County Pavilion in Marion. It was the Roller Girls’ second public scrimmage.
Page 6 Thursday, April 1, 2010 FLIPSIDE
STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERN
The Southern Illinois Roller Girls pose for a group photo after their Season’s Beatings bout Dec. 10 at Williamson County Pavilion in Marion. This was the group’s first public scrimmage.
“This makes me be athletic. The closest I came before was ‘Dance Dance Revolution’,” she said, laughing. Founded early last summer, the roller derby girls are a physical team — and they have the bumps and bruises to prove it. Katy Rogers, founder and copresident, was sporting a bruise the size of a flapjack during a recent warm-up at Marion’s Williamson County Pavilion, the girls’ home turf. “It’s a full-contact sport,” Rogers said. “We haven’t had any major injuries but we wear a lot of padding.” They are also trained to avoid injury from the time they start the sport as “fresh meat.” “Someone who comes in as fresh meat doesn’t know much about the sport. They learn the basic skills and
how to be safe on skates. We spend a lot of time teaching people how to fall safely,” Rogers said. The girls go through rigorous training, which includes written and physical tests on the sport as well, to reach the different levels. The training and skill tests are important as the team aspires to join the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, which would allow them to compete nationally. Preston Reed, referee and fresh meat coach for the team, has been involved since the first organizational meeting. “It’s a blast — excellent fun and awesome exercise. I’ve lost two pants sizes since I started with them,” he said. Reed helps train team maneuvers such as “the whip.” “Basically, you grab another player
‘It’s a fun night. There’s a lot of action. People get the chance to see a bunch of strong women who are really good at the sport. It probably doesn’t hurt that we’re in short skirts and fishnets either.’ KATY ROGERS, FOUNDER AND CO-PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ROLLER GIRLS
by the hand and fling them. You give them your momentum and it speeds them up,” he said. Melissa Devall is a music and business student by day and fresh meat at the teams twice-weekly practices. “I love skating and physical contact sports, so this is pretty much a dream sport for me,” she said. “I’ve never broken a bone, but in this sport, I feel I could.” The team is drawing crowds to their scrimmages. “We had 430 people at our first scrimmage and 1,200 at our last,” Rogers said. “It’s a fun night. There’s a lot of action. People get the chance to see a bunch of strong women who are really good at a sport. It probably doesn’t hurt that we’re in short skirts and fishnets either.” The upcoming Fling into Spring scrimmage will see a portion of the proceeds go to The Women’s Center. “All of our scrimmages benefit some organization. We want to be more than just a lot of girls knocking each other around,” Rogers said. “We want to give back to the community.” beckymalk@gmail.com 618-927-5633
ALAN ROGERS / THE SOUTHERN
Amanda Wedekemper, aka Arcane Sugar, (right) puts a hit on Meg Rhame, aka Hedz McCracken, during a Southern Illinois Roller Girls scrimmage Feb. 20 at Williamson County Pavillion in Marion. The roller derby league’s second intraleague scrimmage drew an estimated 1,200 spectators.
Art, music and bruises The Southern Illinois Roller Girls are putting their own twist on a rite of spring with the SIRG Black and Blue Prom. The fundraiser is billed as featuring art, music, black eyes and bruises, and encourages attendees to wear prom attire, whether “bedraggled or beautiful.” A Derby Prom King and Queen will be crowned; an instant photo booth will be available for prom pictures and special prizes will be awarded. Planned for May 7th at Tres Hombres in Carbondale, the fundraiser will have musical performances by The Black Fortys, Parlor and DJ Phil Garcia; and live art by Justin Rosenfield. The team is looking for donations of art to be auctioned off during a live art auction. Donations, with names, phone number and address attached, may be dropped off at Plaza Records at 816 E. Main St. in Carbondale. The deadline is April 30.
READY TO ROLL? For more on Southern Illinois Roller Girls, go to www.fipsideonline.com and get the link you need. FLIPSIDE Thursday, April 1, 2010 Page 7
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Author, musician stops in Carbondale CARBONDALE — Columnist and humorist Jonathan Richard Cring and musician Janet Clazzy will be making an appearance at Grace United Methodist Church Friday, April 9. The performance will be at 7 p.m. and will feature an evening of music and monologue, including readings from Cring’s book “Digging for Gold (in the rule)” with original music performed by Clazzy on the oboe and WX-5 Wind Machine. “Forty-seven minutes is all we have to give you music, humor, dialogue and some fresh insights about bringing creativity into our practical lives,” said Cring of Hendersonville, Tenn. “The presentation is a
delicate and delicious blending of spirit and humor that produces the wonderful by-product of good cheer.” Clazzy has played oboe in orchestras for 30 years from coast to coast and is the first female conductor in Tennessee. “I have this fabulous instrument called the WX-5 Wind Machine which gives me 250 sounds,” Clazzy said. “When you add some of the beautiful music and inspiring melodies, it just lends itself to an occasion to enrich the heart and exalt the spirit.” The church is at 220 N. Tower Road in Carbondale. For more information, call 6180457-8785. — The Southern
Books & Authors Sale: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. April 10, Brush Building, next to the parking lot of Carbondale Public Library, 405 W. Main St.; members of the Friends of Carbondale Public Library may shop at the Friends Only Sale from 4-6:30 p.m. April 9; memberships start at $5; books are half-price from 14 p.m. April 11; 618-457-0354.
Classes KiddyKeys: Music Discovery and Piano Preparation class for 2 ½- to 5-year-olds, Talent Education School of Southern Illinois; Classes begin in April; classes focus on piano concepts and music appreciation and character building; info@ tessimusic.org or 618-4576300; www.tessimusic.org.
‘The Seafarer’ set for Makanda’s Renascence House MAKANDA — Just to get you in the mood for the upcoming Southern Illinois Irish Festival, there will be a single reading performance of Conor McPherson’s award-winning play, “The Seafarer.” The reading will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Renascence House, just up the hill in Makanda. “The Seafarer,” a critical success in London and New York, is a darkly comedic fable about despair, faith and redemption. The play introduces a group of hard-drinking Irishmen playing cards in a shabby Dublin suburb on Christmas Eve. Their
motorcycles around the Smysor Plaza in downtown Murphysboro; 618-559-6265. Checker tournament: Illinois State Checker Tournament, SaturdaySunday, April 10-11, Illinois Comedy Centre mall, Marion; Ron White: 7:30 p.m. April registration begins 8 a.m. 18, Shryock Auditorium, SIUC; April 10, food court; checker play begins at 9:45 a.m.; 618-453-6000 or www. southernlightsentertainment. entry fee, $10; 618-962-3321 or gellison@hamiltoncom.net. com. Gem and Mineral Show: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, April Events 10 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Metro East Postcard April 11, Williamson County Show: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday Pavilion, Marion; adults, $2; and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, children are free; minerals, VFW Hall, 1234 Vandalia St., fossils, Indian artifacts, Collinsville; sell, appraisals, gemstones, jewelry, shells and learn about collecting; free; lapidary work; 618-531-4189. demonstrations; silent Cruise Nights: 6-9 p.m. auctions; mineral light shows; Saturday, Murphysboro; food available; 618-942-2387. attendance prizes, T-shirts, Carson Center Wine hotdogs; first Saturday of the Tasting & Auction: 5:30 p.m. month through September; Thursday, April 15, Carson come see cars, trucks, Center, 100 Kentucky Ave.,
CARBONDALE Our 35th year! FARMER’S MARKET Open Thru Nov. 27 th “Come and shop our large variety of locally grown Produce, Plants, Flowers, Baked Goods, Beef, Canned Goods, Woodworking, Pet Products, Crafts, Jewelry and more!”
Westowne Center, Rt. 13 West (Behind McDonald's) Rain or Shine • OPEN this Saturday 8 am - Noon BUY LOCAL FOOD • SUSTAIN LOCAL FARMS Page 8 Thursday, April 1, 2010 FLIPSIDE
joviality turns serious with the arrival of a stranger who seems not of this world and who raises the stakes of the game. The drama was directed by Christian Moe and features the University Players: Rick Williams, Tom Kidd, Charles Fanning, Kim Curlee and Nick Earll. The performance contains adult language and is not suitable for children. There will be no admission, but donations to support the Renascence House will be accepted.
Paducah; auction items include World Golf Championship Tournament tickets, Jimmy Buffet concert, Disney family vacation; proceeds benefit performing arts and educational programming at the Carson Center; call 270-443-9932, ext. 240, for reservations; www.ilistpaducah.com/ carsoncenter/winetasting 2010. American Quilter’s Society Quilt Show & Contest: Wednesday, April 21Saturday, April 24, Paducah; also, The National Quilt Museum includes more than 150 quilts on display; www.americanquilter.com; www.quiltmuseum.org.
— The Southern
and giveaways; proceeds benefit Beta Sigma Phi’s local chapter Alpha Kappa; 21 or older; doors open 7 p.m.; 888-512-7469 or metropolis. frontgatetickets.com. The Scientist: 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 16 and 17, Liberty Theater, Murphysboro; world premier by writer/director Zach LeBeau, who is a Carbondale native; 651-7881122, z@gypsyhouse.com; www.thescientistmovie.com
Theater/Performance
101 Dalmatians Kids: The Musical, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 17 and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 18, Marion Cultural and Civic Center; presented by the Paradise Festival Alley Players; adults, $10; Storytelling Festival: children, $7; www.marion Where the River Turns a ccc.org or 618-997-4030. Thousand Tales, FridayGrease: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sunday, April 9- 11, Cape April 23 and Saturday, April Girardeau, on the banks of the 24 and 2 p.m. Sunday, April Mississippi River; includes six 24, Southeastern Illinois of the nation’s premiere College Visual and Performing storytellers; $10/$20; 800Arts Center, Harrisburg; 777-0068, capestorytelling. adults, $8; students, seniors com. and staff, $6; 618-252-5400, ext. 2486 or 2487. Films Little Shop of Horrors: Chick Flick: Ladies Night 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Out featuring the movie, April 30 and May 1 and 2 p.m. “Pretty Woman,” 8 p.m., Sunday, May 2, O’Neil Saturday, April 10, Harrah’s Auditorium, John A Logan Riverfront Event Center, College, Carterville; tickets Metropolis; $10 includes are $8/$5; 618-985-2828 ext. entry to movie, appetizers 8287.
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC zWINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z 618-995-2307; george.ions@ yahoo.com. Skyscapes, Queens & Still Lifes: By Wil & Carolyn MacKay, Tribeca Gallery, between the youth artists and the CARBONDALE — Hooked on Art: downtown Paducah; through student art teachers. Studio Creations by Youth Artists is May 6; plumbart@bellsouth. The Varsity Center for the Arts in an exhibit of art created by youngsters net or 270-210-1753. Carbondale and Carbondale at Boys & Girls Club of Carbondale. Homily: Qualis Vita, Finis Community Arts were co-sponsors of As part of a community service Ita: Oil paintings by Jed the program. learning experience, Barbara Bickel Jackson, Main Gallery, A reception for the opening of the and Southern Illinois University Mitchell Museum, Cedarhurst exhibit will be 4:30 to 6 p.m. Carbondale art education students Center for the Arts. 2600 Thursday, April 8 at the Varsity Center taught a series of eight art classes at Richview Road, Mount for the Arts, 418 S. Illinois Ave., the club. Youngsters worked on Vernon; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Carbondale. The gallery will be open choice-based art projects exploring Tuesday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 10, from diverse media such as print-making, Sunday; free; through May 9; 5 to 7 p.m. April 13 and 22, from 7:30 wood carving, painting, drawing, 618-242-1236 or to 9:30 p.m. April 24 and 30, and from collage and sculpture. A diversity of www.cedarhurst.org. 2 to 4 p.m April 25. The exhibit closes styles, ideas and self-expression are SIUC Photography Exhibit: May 5. present in the art which developed — The Southern Works from the Department alongside relational co-learning of Cinema and Photography at SIUC, Beal Grand Corridor deadline for early Feminist Art of Indiana: Gallery, Cedarhurst Center for Call for Art New Harmony Gallery of the Arts, Mount Vernon; submissions, May 1; final 19th District Contemporary Art, corner of through May 9; 618-242-1236. deadline, May 7; Congressional Art Church and Main Streets, Shrode Art & Craft www.paducahphoto.com. Competition: Open to high New Harmony, Ind.; 812-682- Competition Exhibition: school students who reside in 3156; through Saturday; Paintings, drawings, Classes, Workshops the 19th congressional www.nhgallery.com;. printmaking, clay, fiber, mixed district or attend a school in Little Egypt Arts Centre Mrs. B’s Illustrations: By media, wood, fine jewelry and the district; deadline, April 30; classes: Beginning Andi Butler, Beck Family metal, Cedarhurst Center for 217-492-5090 or photography, drawing, art Center Gallery, Cedarhurst, the Arts, Mount Vernon, www.shimkus.house.gov. history classes, 601 Tower Mount Vernon; Butler; Regenhardt Gallery of the HerrinFesta Italiana Art Square, Marion; register at through April 4; www.cedar Shrode Art Center; through Competition: Accepting 618-998-8530. hurst.org; 618-242-1236. May 9; 618-242-1236 ext. 249. entries through May 5; Student Center Craft Eileen Doman and Kat Masters of Photography: artwork must be registered; Shop: Variety of crafts and Shaffner: Corridor Gallery, University Museum, SIUC; delivery of artwork, May 15; classes offered, SIUC; 618Carbondale Civic Center; highlights from the museum’s show runs from May 27-31; 453-3636, www.siucstudent closing reception, 5-8 p.m. permanent collection; www.herrinfesta.com/art or center.org. April 8; 618-457-5100; cca@ includes photograph of silent 618-559-7379. neondsl.com; www.absolute film siren Gloria Swanson; Logan Days Photo Exhibit: arts.com/portfolios/d/doman through May; free. Displays, Exhibits Entries needed for John A. A Warrior’s Story: Oglala /artist_biography.html or Laurie Blakely: noon-5 p.m. www.kathleenshaffner.com/ Logan Museum display; Sioux Buffalo Robe, University amateur photographers may weekdays; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Kathleen_Shaffner/Welcome. Museum, SIUC; through May. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. submit photos of the sights, Carolyn Gassan html. Sunday, Owl Creek Winery, scenes and personalities of Plochmann display: Work Corin Perez: University 2655 Water Valley Road, Southern Illinois; entries on and life of Carbondale artist, Museum, SIUC, Faner Hall; display in the Logan museum, Cobden; bowls, platters and Morris Library, SIUC; view the 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesdaylight fixtures made of clay, silk Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday- display in the cases outside 1613 Edith St., Murphysboro and glass; through Thursday, Sunday; through April 9; from May until midthe Hall of Presidents on the April 1; 618-529-2919. September; also, junior www.museum.siu.edu or 618- first floor of the library; see Art Exhibition: Through division for ages 10-17; artwork in the Special 453-5388. Saturday, Surplus Gallery, deadline, May 6; Collections Research Center Student Art Show: Rend Glove Factory, 432 S. www.loganmuseum.org. Lake College, 468 N. Ken Gray reading room and other Paducah Photo ’10 Juried Washington Ave., Carbondale. Parkway, Ina; through April 15; locations within the library; Kat Shaffner: Central Photography Exhibition: The 618-437-5321 or www.rlc.edu. 618-453-2516. Showcase at Realty Central, Ongoing art exhibit: Yeiser Art Center, 200 Patrick Williams 1825 W. Main St, Murdale Featuring photographs of Broadway St.; open to all sculptures: University Shopping Center, Carbondale; Museum, SIUC; through Juhree Veach, mosaics from photographers working in gallery hours, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Janet Altoff and sculpture digital or film photography; Sunday, April 25. weekdays and 9 a.m.-noon from Tom Horn, StarView original work, completed in George Ions: Orlandini Saturday; through Saturday; Vineyards, 5100 Wing Hill the last three years; cash Vineyard, 410 Thorn Lane, 618-457-4663. Road, Cobden; 618-893-9463. prizes totaling $1,700; Makanda; through April 30;
VCA exhibit features Boys & Girls Club artists
Lectures Glenn Adamson, art historian: 7 p.m. Monday, SIUC University Museum Auditorium; free. Sol LeWitt: A Wall Drawing Retrospective by Jock Reynolds, director, Yale University Art Gallery, 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, University Museum Auditorium, SIUC; free; artanddesign.siuc.edu/ newsevents/visiting_artist. html.
Receptions Antarctic Dreams: By Gary Kolb and Jay Needham, University Museum, SIUC; Reception, 4-7 p.m. Friday,
April 2; through May 9. Sculpture on the Green: Reception, 5-9 p.m. Friday, April 2, Edward Bernard Gallery, 107 West Drive, Cape Girardeau; outdoor event; showing through April 23; edwardbernardgallery.com. Fantastic Fibers and Julie Shaw: Opening reception, 57 p.m. Saturday, The Yeiser Art Center, 200 Broadway St.; through May 1; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; free; or www.theyeiser.org. Hooked on Art: Studio Creations by Youth Artists, Varsity Center for the Arts, Carbondale; opening reception, 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, April 8; through May 5; 618-453-5580.
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FLIPSIDE Thursday, April 1, 2010 Page 9
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC z WINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z Carroll. Directed by Tim Burton. In Disney Digital 3D Alice in Wonderland Alice and IMAX 3D. PG (fantasy returns to the whimsical action/violence involving world she first encountered scary images and situations as a young girl to find her true and for a smoking destiny and end the Red caterpillar) Queen’s reign of terror. With Bounty Hunter A down-onJohnny Depp, Anne his-luck bounty hunter gets Hathaway, Helena Bonham his dream job when he is Carter, Crispin Glover, Matt assigned to track down his Lucas and Mia Wasikowska. bail-jumping ex-wife, a From the books by Lewis reporter chasing a lead on a murder cover-up. With Jennifer Anniston and Gerard Butler. Written by Sarah Thorp. Directed by Andy Tennant. PG-13 (sexual S HOW T IMES FOR A PRIL 1 ST content including suggestive Green Zone (R) 4:40 Hot Tub Time Machine (R) comments, language and 4:50 7:40 10:10 3D Alice in Wonderland (P G) some violence 3:40 6:30 9:20 Bounty Hunter (PG-13) 4:10 7:00 9:50 Crazy Heart Jeff Bridges Shutter Island (R) 4:00 7:20 10:20 delivers an Oscar-worthy — Alice in Wonderland (P G) 4:30 7:10 10:00 no, Oscar-required — Our Family Wedding (P G-13) 4:20 Diary of a Wimpy Kid (P G) performance as a whiskey3:50 6:40 9:10 Clash of the Titans 2D (PG-13) 8:00 soaked one-time country 9:00 10:40 legend trying to put his life back together in this sublime American indie. Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall and Repo Men (R) 4:40 7:30 10:15 an uncredited Colin Farrell all The Last Song (P G) 4:00 6:50 9:30 offer up memorable turns. A Remember Me (PG-13) 3:50 6:40 9:40 low-key, down-home gem. R The Crazies (R) 4:50 7:50 10:20 (profanity, alcohol abuse, Crazy Heart (R) 4:15 7:20 10:10 adult themes) She’s Out of My L eague (R) 4:30 7:10 9:50 Diary of a Wimpy Kid The adventures of wise-cracking middle school student Greg Heffley, who must somehow How to Train Your Dragon (PG) survive the scariest time of 3:50 6:40 anyone’s life: middle school. Bounty Hunter (PG-13) 4:20 7:00 Based on the best-selling Hot Tub Time Machine (R) 4:40 7:10 The Last Song (P G) 3:40 6:30 illustrated novel by Jeff She’s Out of My League (R) 5:00 7:40 Kinney. With Zachary Gordon, Repo Men (R) 4:50 Alice in Wonderland (P G) 3:30 6:20 Robert Capron, Steve Zahn, Diary of a Wimpy Kid (P G) 4:10 6:50 Rachael Harris and Devon Clash of the Titans (PG13) Bostick. Directed by Thor 8:00 10:40 Freudenthal. PG (some rude humor, language) Green Zone Various intelligence-gathering agencies clash in the chaotic early days of the Iraq war when no one could be trusted and every decision could detonate unforeseen consequences. With Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear, Brendan Gleeson, Amy Ryan, Yigal Naor, Khalid Abdalla and Jason Isaacs. Based on the book “Imperial Life in the Emerald City” by Rajiv Chandrasekaran. Directed by
Still Playing
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Paul Greengrass. R (violence, language, graphic war images) 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. Directed by Steve Pink. 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 Mintz-Plasse and Kristen Wiig. Based on the book by Cressida Cowell. Directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders. PG (sequences of intense action and some scary images, brief mild language) Hurt Locker Kathryn Bigelow’s riveting and profoundly tense war movie, set in Baghdad, 2004, follows the members of a bomb squad as they go looking for IEDs, looking to stay alive. Far and away one of the strongest of the films to come out of the Iraq conflict — a whiteknuckle war movie. The movie and the director won Academy Awards Sunday. Actor Jeremy Renner, who stars in the movie, was nominated for best actor. Also starring Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, David Morse, Ralph Fiennes and Guy Pearce. R (violence, heavy gore, profanity, adult themes) Our Family Wedding A newly engaged couple learn the hard way that the path to saying “I do” can be rife with familial strife. With Forest Whitaker, America Ferrera, Regina King, Hayley Marie
Norman and Lance Gross. Directed by Rick Famuyiwa. PG-13 (some sexual content, brief strong language) Remember Me A rebellious young man in New York City finds love after a family tragedy separates his family. With Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Pierce Brosnan, Chris Cooper and Lena Olin. Directed by Allen Coulter. PG13 (violence, sexual content, language, smoking) She’s Out of My League A teen romantic comedy in which an average Joe meets the perfect woman, but his lack of confidence and the influence of his friends and family begin to pick away at the relationship. With Jay Baruchel, Lindsay Sloane, Alice Eve, T.J. Miller and Debra Jo Rupp. Directed by Jim Field Smith. R (language, sexual content) Repo Men Set in the near future when artificial organs can be bought on credit, a heart transplant patient struggling to make payments on his recent purchase goes on the run before his ticker is repossessed. With Jude Law, Forest Whitaker and Liev Schriber. Written by Eric Garcia and Garrett Lerner, based on Garcia’s novel. Directed by Miguel Sapochnik. R (strong bloody violence, grisly images, language, sexuality, nudity). Shutter Island Two U.S. marshals are summoned to a fortress-like island housing a hospital for the criminally insane to investigate the implausible disappearance of a multiple murderess from a locked room. With Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer, Jackie Earle Haley and Max Von Sydow. Screenplay by Laeta Kalogridis, based on the novel by Dennis Lehane. Directed by Martin Scorsese. R (disturbing, violent content, language and some nudity) — The Associated Press, McClatchy-Tribune News
STUDIO
‘Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too’ Reuniting the same cast and characters from his hit comedy/drama, ‘Why Did I Get Married,’ Tyler Perry brings us the next chapter in the lives of eight college friends struggling with the challenges of marital life in ‘Why Did I Get Married Too.’ Gathered together in the Bahamas for their annual one-week reunion, four close couples eagerly reconnect, sharing news about their lives and relationships. But their intimate week in paradise is disrupted by individual and partner tribulations. Written and directed by Perry, the movie stars Perry, Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Sharon Leal (above, left to right), Malik Yoba, Lamman Rucker, Richard T. Jones, Tasha Smith, Michael J. White, Cicely Tyson and Louis Gossett Jr. It’s rated PG-13 for thematic material including sexuality, language, drug references and some domestic violence. It opens Friday at University Place 8 in Carbondale and Illinois Centre 8 in Marion.
New on DVD An Education A 16-year-old honor student reconsiders her plans to attend Oxford University when she meets a much older playboy. With Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard. PG-13 (mature thematic material involving sexual content and smoking) Sherlock Holmes Super sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson watched their nemesis put to death, but he returns from the grave for revenge. With Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong. PG-13 (intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material) The Yes Men Fix the World Two filmmakers expose the people profiting from Hurricane Katrina, the faces behind the environmental disaster in Bhopal, and other events to demonstrate the greed behind businesses. $26.95. 87 mins. With Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno. NR Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Oh, the angst of having to attend school and compete with the Chipettes, a rival music group managed by the Chipmunks’ former agent. With Anna Faris, Christina Applegate, Justin Long, David Cross. PG (some mild rude humor) — McClatchy-Tribune News
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Titans clash at the end of the world in this fantasy film BY ROGER MOORE
mythology with digital eagles, giant scorpions, wraiths and a Kraken — Here we are, back at the the sea beast to end all sea beasts. end of the world in 2012. What hasn’t improved is Only this time it’s 2012 the silly, archetypal story, BCE, as the gods of or the stagey arguments Olympus set out to take “man” in the form of early among the gods of Olympus — Liam Neeson Greek civilization back to is Zeus, in chrome armor the stone age in a fit of that glows in soft focus. Olympian pique. STUDIO Men from the island of Warner Bros. has revived Sam Worthington stars as Argus are rebelling against “Clash of the Titans,” the Perseus in ‘Clash of the ultimate 1980s “sword and the gods, burning temples, Titans,’ out Friday. sorcery” epic, as a vehicle tearing down gigantic statues. And since the showing off the state of Clash of the Titans Olympians live on prayers movie special effects in Rated PG-13 for fantasy from the faithful, Zeus 3-D. The new film even action violence, some looses Hades (Ralph references and scoffs at frightening images and Fiennes) upon them. one of the puppetHades wants a sacrifice brief sensuality; starring animation characters (the Sam Worthington, Gemma mechanical owl) from the — the lovely Andromeda (Alexa Davalos). But not if original 1981 film, as if to Arterton, Liam Neeson; Perseus (Sam say, “Look at what we can directed by Louis Leterrier; Worthington) has do now.” opening Friday at anything to say about it. What we can do now ShowPlace 8 in Carbondale makes for a sometimes fun He’s a demi-god. Zeus and Illinois Centre 8 in tricked his mom into ride, a digital Olympic sex. He’s grown bastardization of Greek Marion. MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS
up knowing Pete Postlethwaite and Elizabeth McGovern are his adoptive parents, though he has wondered about that ageless beauty, Io, who looks over him from the shadows. Perseus sets out on a quest — to consult with witches, visit Medusa in Hades and find a means to defeat the Kraken and keep Hades at bay. Worthington is emerging as the new Charlton Heston — an actor big enough to fill a big screen with his bigness. But he plays every role the same — always a crewcut Marine, here battling beasties in the distant past. His out-of-place haircut and unflattering hemline do the “Terminator” / “Avatar” star no favors. The guy who really chews the “Titans”
scenery is Mads Mikkelsen, the Dane who made a meek Bond villain (“Casino Royale”) but who makes a fierce warrior, Draco, who prepares Perseus and escorts him on his journey. There isn’t a serious moment in it, and the light touches come from one-
liners and supporting players. For all the impressive (but not dazzling) effects, the scattered jokes and stentorian acting (especially from the Olympians), there’s not much here that will stick with you after the popcorn’s gone.
‘Last Song’ an emotional debut for Miley Cyrus The Last Song Rated PG for thematic material, some violence, sensuality and mild language; starring Miley Cyrus, Greg Kinnear, Liam Hemsworth; directed by Julie Anne Robinson; now playing at University Place 8 in Carbondale and Illinois Centre 8 in Marion. BY ROGER MOORE MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS
The trick for any starlet making the transition from teen queen to adult roles is finding just enough edge. Miley Cyrus does that with “The Last Song,” a film built around a rebellious but still family-friendly teen
dealing with love and loss in vintage Sparks fashion. Nicholas Sparks wrote the book and script, about a troubled girl sent to spend the summer with her father (Greg Kinnear), with Cyrus in mind. Thus, Veronica “Ronnie” Miller may pout like a teen, dress like a New York tart headed for trouble and already have a police record. But she’s still one of Sparks’ “good girls,” with a generous heart, a sense of right and wrong and a gift for bringing out the best in that boy whose eye she catches the day she wanders the Georgia beach where Dad lives. But Ronnie is still irked over her parents’ divorce and is happy to punish
Dad, ignoring the little brother (Bobby Coleman) who needs them all to get along. Two things soften Ronnie’s hard shell. She discovers a sea turtle nest and vows to protect it from raccoons. And she meets a boy. Will (Liam Hemsworth) may have a reputation, but something about Ronnie makes him get serious, or at least serious about showing her he’s serious. Slack pacing, sappy situations and banal dialogue plague films built on Sparks’ novels. Julie Anne Robinson, a TV veteran, directs her way around some of these pitfalls by keeping the story on its feet. The “simple
pleasures” of a Sparks story don’t play as much ado about not much. Robinson skips past those moments and keeps the focus on young love, a parent reconnecting with his child and lingering guilt. It’s not a great film, with some of the edge Sparks put in the novel left out of the script. But there’s real chemistry between the young lovers and an oldfashioned virtue to the father-daughter and father-daughter’s boyfriend scenes. Sparks often goes overboard with the maudlin and “old fashioned.” But with “The Last Song,” those traits don’t feel like a wet sack smothering the life out of it.
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