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 Books . . . . . . . . . . .4 Things to do . . . . . .4 Theater . . . . . . . . . .4 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Music . . . . . . . . . .6-9
Live music . . . . . . .6 Cover story . . . . . . .7 Concerts . . . . . . . . .8 Still playing . . . . . .10 Movies . . . . . . .10-11
SATURDAY SPECIAL $1.00 OFF
STEAK ENTREES 721 W. Washington • Benton • 618-435-2600 Sun.-Sat. 8:00 am-8:00 pm
Saturday, May 15th • 3-7pm
James Manno
Sunday, May 16th • 2-6pm
Adam Williams
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.
618-893-WINE
www.starviewvineyards.com
Page 2 Thursday, May 13, 2010 FLIPSIDE
Top 20 Restaurant of the Week: Thai Taste BY DAVID ZOELLER SPECIAL ADVERTISING COPY
CARBONDALE — There was a time, as a college student in Texas studying biology, when Jetaime “Tam” Rachatanavin was on a career path quite different from the one that eventually landed him here. “There was a bunch of us from San Antonio” Rachatanavin said. “I had friends who moved up here and were going to school.” As he continued his studies in Texas, his friends took note of the lack of Thai cuisine in Carbondale. Because his parents operated a Thai restaurant in San Antonio and he had worked there for some time, Tam’s buddies naturally thought of him as a solution to the problem they had identified. “I had finished school, and my friends said, ‘You need to come up here and open a restaurant,’ so here I am,” Rachatanavin said of the decision that led him to change course and open Thai Taste Carbondale in December 2004. The first few months of operation were busy, Rachatanavin recalls, and a little rocky. Being a new owner and, among other things, having a staff unfamiliar with the cuisine, was a learning experience. “We were caught off guard a little, and it took us a while” to get things running smoothly, he said. Thai Taste, on the southwest corner of Main Street and Illinois Avenue, offers appetizers and soups, noodle and rice dishes, and a variety of entrees. According to Rachatanavin, it is the raw ingredients that
DAVID ZOELLER / THE SOUTHERN
Regular customers Taylor Secrest, Matt Wilcut and Darin Griffin, all of Marion, enjoy their meal at Carbondale’s Thai Taste. ‘If I lived in Carbondale, I’d probably eat here three times a week,’ Griffin said. Thai Taste serves authentic Thai cuisine.
distinguish Thai food from standard Asian food. “It is the ingredients we use to make our sauces,” he said. “You’re going to find a lot more fish sauce, lime juice and a lot more herbs and spices. There are similarities; it’s mostly the flavor and texture that’s different.” Diners are asked to select the level of spiciness they would like using a scale of one to 10. “Ten is pretty hot,” Rachatanavin said. “We use two primary types of spices: dry red chiles and fresh green chiles. It’s just a matter of how much we put in your food.” The restaurant can seat about 55 patrons. Thai Taste is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner Sunday through Thursday, and from 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner on Friday and Saturday. Dress is casual.
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: Thai Taste What: Authentic Thai cuisine Where: 100 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale Hours: 11-a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, 5-9 p.m. SundayThursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday Phone: 618-457-6900 Reservations are not required but are encouraged on the weekends when dinner crowds are generally heavier. According to Rachatanivan, the restaurant draws not only from the local community, but attracts business in
the region from the likes of Mount Vernon, Cape Girardeau and Paducah. Marion residents Taylor Secrest, Matt Wilcut and Darin Griffin, among the diners on Saturday night, are regular customers. “If I lived in Carbondale, I’d probably eat here three times a week,” Griffin said.
Sometimes rulings just don’t make any sense NEWS OF THE WEIRD
Unclear on the concept
Ukrainian parliament squared off over a cooperation-with-Russia bill that eventually involved headlocks, punching, a smoke bomb, glue (in the voting machines) and cartons of eggs tossed at the speaker’s platform. Russian president Dmitry Medvedev called it the chamber’s “traditional elegance.” (2) Sweden’s Metro newspaper reported in March that a 21-year-old inmate at Kirseberg prison in Malmo faces discipline for continuing his protests against jail conditions by aiming his gas-passing directly at guards.
z At press time, the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal is considering declaring veteran comedian Guy Earle guilty of Chuck Shepherd discrimination against two uncloseted lesbians who were heckling him in a night club. Our expanding ‘rights’ According to Earle, the women were (1) In April, a high official of the loud, rude to the waitress and European Union called for member- contemptuous of Earle, and thus nations to subsidize “vacations” for opened the door to combat-type seniors, the disabled and those too comedy of insult-exchange, poor to afford one. Said except that some of his insults Commissioner (for enterprise and referred to the women’s sexual industry) Antonio Tajani, “Traveling orientation and frisky behavior for tourism today is a right.” (2) In at the table. Earle said his job April, the town of Olathe, Kan., Recurring themes requires him to be “offensive” and became the second city in two years that the traditional verbal jousts z Federal agents in April to settle lawsuits filed by citizens between comedians and hecklers are uncovered an elaborate bestiality who were arrested for flashing their not the same as illegal “hate ring (involving horses) in middle fingers at police officers, speech.” Washington state. Facility operator thus appearing to acknowledge that z More fuzzy thinking: (1) Schools’ Douglas Spink is suspected of using flipping the bird contemptuously at conventional “zero tolerance” the site to make pornographic a cop is expressive conduct policies prohibiting guns or videos for perverts, and a visitor protected by the First Amendment. weapons on campus not only apply from England was arrested as a (Philadelphia paid out $50,000; (as they have recently) to drawings suspected paying customer. This Olathe, one-sixteenth the size, paid of guns and to a 2-inch-long toy farm is near Bellingham, Wash., and out $5,000.) charm in the shape of a gun, but, at the operation is completely separate an Ionia, Mich., school, to making from the 2005 raid on a similar the familiar, thumb-up hand Can’t possibly be true facility near Enumclaw, Wash. representation of a gun, for which z The Westboro Baptist Church of Mason Jammer, 6, was suspended in (about 110 miles away), in which one man died of a perforated colon Topeka, Kan., famously pickets March. (2) Carly Houston, 29, was following penetrative sex by a horse. targets around the country with arrested in Naperville in March after The state had no specific antiexplicit anti-homosexuality signs a rowdy early-morning dispute with bestiality law in 2005, but one was and recently chose as venues the a taxi driver, and, given her enacted after the Enumclaw funerals of deceased U.S. soldiers customary “one phone call” to ask a episode. and Marines (calling such deaths friend to post bond for her, she God’s punishment for America’s chose instead to call 9-1-1 and acceptance of gays and lesbians). report that she was “trapped inside Readers’ choice One grieving Marine family in York, a detention facility” (thus causing (1) Albert Bailey, 27, and a 16Pa., filed a lawsuit accusing police to add “abuse of 9-1-1” to the year-old buddy were charged with Westboro of “intentional infliction charges). robbery of a People’s United Bank in of emotional distress” by picketing z Erlyndon Joseph Lo, 27 and a Fairfield, Conn., in March, after their son’s 2006 funeral, but a U.S. graduate of Southern Methodist they made it much too easy for Court of Appeals ruled in March University law school, was arrested police by calling the bank that such protests are protected by in April after threats against a Dallas beforehand and demanding that the First Amendment. Piling on, the women’s clinic that performs money be set aside for them to pick Court added that the grieving family abortions. Police were tipped the up at a certain time. Police were must also pay Westboro $16,510 to day before when Lo appeared at the waiting in the parking lot. (2) Megan cover its costs in having to defend federal courthouse in Plano, Texas, Barnes, 37, was arrested in March the lawsuit. and sought a formal judicial ruling after being spotted driving z Michelle Taylor, 34, was that would protect him from harm, erratically in Cudjoe Key, near Key sentenced in Elko, Nev., in April to even if he were to use deadly force WEDDINGS • RECEPTIONS West, Fla. After several implausible life in prison, solely for the crime ofPARTIES “to defend the innocent life of PRIVATE explanations, Barnes admitted she forcing a 13-year-oldWine boy to touch• Mixed another human being.” • Beer Drinks had a razor and was giving herself a her breasts, twice. The sentence was “bikini shave” as she drove. Several B E L L A T E R R A mandatory under a certain state law, traffic charges were filed against Latest protests W I N E R Y but, said her lawyer, “She is getting her. Exit 7 off I-24 onto Tunnel Hill Rd. east a greater penalty 2... than if she killed (1)Springs In April, recent miles north of Tunnel Hill off Creal Rd. outdoing the326 S. Main St • Anna, IL • 618-833-GIFT(4438) (the boy).” (She could be eligible for 618-658-8882 partisan spats in the U.S. Congress, SEND ITEMS to 11am to 6pm daily. BellaTerraWinery.com • email: wine@bellaterrawinery.com parole after 10 years.) several dozen members of the weirdnews@earthlink.net.
WEDDINGS • RECEPTIONS PRIVATE PARTIES Wine • Beer • Mixed Drinks
BELLA TERRA WINERY
Exit 7 off I-24 onto Tunnel Hill Rd. east 2 miles north of Tunnel Hill off Creal Springs Rd. 11am to 6pm daily. 618-658-8882 BellaTerraWinery.com • email: wine@bellaterrawinery.com
Specializing in Country Decor & Crafts Momma Mayberry’s Gifts & Crafts 326 S. Main St • Anna, IL • 618-833-GIFT(4438)
Specializing in Country Decor & Crafts Momma Mayberry’s Gifts & Crafts
FLIPSIDE Thursday, May 13, 2010 Page 3
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC z WINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z visitors an elevated view of the confluence of the Book sale: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mississippi and Missouri Monday, May 24, Herrin rivers; museum features a Library, 120 N. 13th St.; new 55-foot replica of the and used books, paperbacks, keelboat, which made the cookbooks, sheet music, expedition journey, plus a record albums, video tapes, replica of the log and mud fort movies, children’s books; to in which the members of the support library’s history room expedition spent the winter of and summer reading 1804; also Education Day is program; 618-942-6109. Friday and public exhibits Saturday and Sunday; 618251-5811 and www.hartford Events illinois.net/lewis_clark.htm Lewis and Clark Little Black Dress Party: Expedition commemoration: 8 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Opening of Hartford Tower, Harrah’s Riverfront Event Friday, The Lewis and Clark Center; wine, appetizers and State Historic Site, Illinois 3 music by The Respectables; and New Poag Road, Hartford; tickets start at $20; benefits viewing tower to provide American Cancer Society;
Book sale
888-512-7469 or metropolis. frontgatetickets.com. The New Oldywed Game: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21, McLeod Theater, Communications Building, SIUC; couples compete in an event similar to the old TV show; married couples will be selected depending on the length of the marriage from one to 50 years; food, drinks; tickets, $50; 618-453-3001 or mcldpub@siu.edu. Midwest Cat Show: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 29 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, May 30, Williamson County Pavilion, 1602 Sioux Drive, Marion; $4/$10; 618-625-6136 or rkman@ verizon.net Barbecue contest: Entries are being sought for the Backyard Barbecue Contest, Saturday, June 5. Cobden; categories, chicken, pork chops and pork steak; also, flea market, entertainment and activities for children; 618-893-2425 or knocker@ shawneelink.net.
Festivals Frontier life on display:
BELLEVILLE ANTIQUE
FLEA MARKET BELLE-CLAIR EXPOSITION CENTER at the BELLE-CLAIR FAIRGROUNDS
SATURDAY & SUNDAY MAY 15TH & 16TH 9a.m. - 4p.m. Both Days
• NO COST OR OBLIGATION • OVER 600 TABLES • HUGE VARIETY OF EXHIBTORS FREE ADMISSION • FREE PARKING • Antiques • Collectibles • New & Old Jewelry • Old Tools • Hand Crafted Furniture • Antique Furniture • Old Quilts & Lamps Stamps • Coins • Baseball Cards • Comics • Oriental Items • Watches & Pocket Watches • Old Books • Depression Glass • Miltary Memorabilia
Rt. 13 (Just off Rt. 159 & 13), Belleville, IL For More Information call (618)233-0052 www.bcfairgrounds.net Third Full Weekend of Every Month! Page 4 Thursday, May 13, 2010 FLIPSIDE
Reds, Whites & Blues Festival to entertain at Blue Sky MAKANDA — Blue Sky Vineyard in Makanda is hosting its Reds, Whites & Blues Festival on Saturday and Sunday. The event features live music, fine wines, food and the works of local artisans. Admission is $6 and includes a wine glass and four samples. Children who are 15 years old and younger get in free. Blue Sky opens at 10 a.m. both
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Saline County Pioneer Village and Museum, 1600 S. Feazel St., Harrisburg; demonstrations, displays; 618-253-7342. Kite Festival: noon-5 p.m. Saturday, May 22, Kite Hill Vineyards, 83 Kite Hill Road, Carbondale; veteran kite flyers from the Midwest will fly kites; also fly your own kite; children 11 and younger make kites; also kite-flying contest and casting contest in Kite Hill’s lake; dog obedience demonstrations and dogs available for adoption; bring
days, with music starting at about noon. Alivin Jett and Phat NoiZ, a St. Louis blues band, opens Saturday. Americana musicians Wil Maring and Robert Bowlin close out Saturday’s performances. Maring and Bowlin begin festivities Sunday, followed by blues band King Juba. The vineyard is at 3150 S. Rocky Comfort Road. For more information, call 618-995-9463. — The Southern
lawn chairs; rain date, May 23; Winery, 301 N. 44th St., www.chicagokite.com or Mount Vernon; Owsley is a kitehillvineyards.com. jazz educator, author and radio host; 314-5339900.
Film
‘Ratatouille’: On outdoor Theater/Performance screen, 8 p.m. Friday, Walker’s School House Rock Jr.: Bluff, north on Reed Station Presented by the Marion Road, Carterville; 618-985Junior High Choir, 7:30 p.m. 8463 or www.walkers Friday, Marion Cultural bluff.com. and Civic Center; tickets are $8 and are available at the Lecture junior high or the civic center; $1 from each ticket goes to The Importance of Jazz: Relay for Life; 618-997-1317, By Dennis Owsley, 5:30 p.m. ext. 295. Friday, May 21, Genkota
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
In Business 25 Years
The Party Shop 3033 S. Park Ave.
1/2 Mi. North of New Rt. 13 on Hwy 148 (Across from Affordable Home Furniture) Mon-Fri 10-5:30 • Sat 9-4
Herrin, IL • (618) 942-4431
Located at exit 77 along I-57 • 618-629-2302 www.pheasanthollowwinery.com
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC z WINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z www.museum.siu.edu or 618-453-5388. Fiber Fair: Southern Illinois Lindsey Greer: 10 a.m.Spinners and Weavers, 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Fort 1-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Massac, Metropolis; wheel University Museum, SIUC; spinning, drop spindling, through Wednesday. coiled baskets, rug hooking Jennifer Crescuillo: Glass, and various demonstrations University Museum, SIUC; throughout the day. through Wednesday. Lower Town Arts & Music Sacred, Philosophical, Festival: Friday-Sunday, May Mythological: By Leslie Dean 21-23, Paducah; artists from Price, The Gallery Space at within a 200-mile radius will the Law Office of Joni Beth be featured; also, street Bailey, 1008 Walnut St., theater; Taste of Paducah will Murphysboro; includes provide a wide variety of food; drawings, paintings and lowertownartsandmusic poetry from World War II festival@gmail.com; www. experience; through May 28; zapplication.org. 618-684-8668. Coffee House Event: The Spring Fling exhibit: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, May 22, Spring-themed works of art, Cohen Home, off of Buena Little Egypt Arts Centre, Vista Street, Chester; artists downtown square, Marion; from numerous mediums Kelli Henderson to showcase including paint, photography, portrait paintings on north jewelry and metal yard art; wall through May 31; Spring complimentary gourmet coffee and pastries available; Fling exhibit through June 15. Masters of Photography: 618-826-5465. University Museum, SIUC; highlights from the museum’s Classes, Workshops permanent collection; includes photograph of silent Little Egypt Arts Centre film siren Gloria Swanson; classes: Beginning through May; free. photography, drawing, art A Warrior’s Story: Oglala history classes, 601 Tower Sioux Buffalo Robe, University Square, Marion; register at Museum, SIUC; through May. 618-998-8530. George Ions: Orlandini Student Center Craft Vineyard, 410 Thorn Lane, Shop: Variety of crafts and Makanda; Italian landscapes classes offered, SIUC; compliment vineyard décor; 618-453-3636, www.siuc through May 31; 618-995studentcenter.org. 2307; www.orlandini vineyard.com; george.ions@ Displays, Exhibits yahoo.com. George Ions: Varsity Center People and Places in for the Arts, Carbondale; Paint: Watercolors by Mary Pachikara, Rend Lake College landscape oil paintings, including a number of local gallery, Ina; through Sunday. subjects; through May 31. Eileen Doman and Sarah A Collection of Shoot: Central Showcase at Collections: Cobden’s anthill Realty Central, 1825 W. Main St., Murdale Shopping Center, gallery, 102 N. Front St.; vintage art, games, toys and Carbondale; gallery hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday housewares including rolling pins, washboards, crockery, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday; tea pots, glass nesting hens, through Saturday; 618-457tin-litho globes and banks, 4663. candy and cake molds, Jason York: Metal, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday aprons; noon-6 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays; through and 1-4 p.m. SaturdayMay 31. Sunday, University Museum, Paintings by Jan York: SIUC; through May 19;
Art Events
Yellow Moon Café, 110 N. Front St., Cobden; through May 31; www.yellowmoon cafe.com; 618-893-2233. 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. Kris Killman: Watercolors, Harrisburg District Library; closing reception, 2-4 p.m. Sunday, June 6. Creatures Great & Small: A curated group exhibition, Yeiser Art Center, 200 Broadway St., Paducah; through June 12; www.theyeiser.org Beauty in the Midst of Struggle: Gretchen M. Smith, The Tribeca Restaurant & Gallery, 127 S. Second St., Paducah; through July 7; encaustic works; facebook. com/people/tallartist; 270-210-1753. 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. Abstract and nonobjective paintings and sculptures: From members of Little Egypt Arts Association, Shawnee Community College, 8364 Shawnee College Road, Ullin; H hallway; through Aug. 20; 800-481-2242. 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; see artwork in the Special Collections Research Center reading room and others; 618-453-2516. Ongoing art exhibit: Featuring photographs of
www.starviewvineyards.com. Juhree Veach, mosaics from Janet Altoff and sculpture from Tom Horn, StarView Receptions Vineyards, 5100 Wing Hill Andrea LeBeau: Reception, Road, Cobden; 618-893-9463,
5-7 p.m. Friday, Carbondale Civic Center Corridor Gallery, downtown Carbondale; exhibit runs through May.
FLIPSIDE Thursday, May 13, 2010 Page 5
CRAVING KARAOKE?
WEEK OF MAY 13-19
Coffeehouses, Cafés and Eateries
WANT TO BE LISTED?
Pizzeria, 215 Appleknocker Drive, Cobden; 618-893-4415 Wayne ‘The Train’ Hancock: 8 p.m. Friday, Yellow Moon Café, 110 N. Front St., Cobden; $10; www.yellowmoon cafe.com; 618-893-2233. Blue Plate Specials: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Palace Pizzeria, Cobden.
z TONIGHT
Whistle Pigs: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Rustle Hill Winery Alvin Jett & Phat Noiz: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Blue Sky Wil Maring & Robert Bowlin: Saturday, Blue Sky Vineyard Steve Kirn: 2-6 p.m., Saturday, The Bluffs Vineyard and Winery Etherton Switch: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Owl Creek Vineyard James Manno: 3-7 p.m. Saturday, StarView Vineyards Dirtwater Fox: 3-6 p.m., Saturday, Von Jakob Orchard Storm Limit: 6-9 p.m.
Saturday, Rustle Hill Peter Bradley Adams: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Walker’s Bluff Wil Maring & Robert Bowlin: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Blue Sky King Juba: Sunday, Blue Sky Vineyard Fertile Soil: 2-6 p.m., Sunday, The Bluffs Vineyard and Winery Adam Williams: 2-6 p.m. Sunday, StarView Troubadours of Divine Bliss: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Rustle Hill Acoustic Twist: 3-6 p.m., Sunday, Von Jakob Orchard Anita Rosamond: 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Walker’s Bluff
z SUNDAY
Blue Sky Vineyard: 3150 S. Rocky Comfort Road, Makanda; 618-995-9463, www.blueskyvineyard.com The Bluffs Vineyard and Winery: 140 Buttermilk Hill Road, Ava; 618-763-4447 or www.thebluffswinery.com.
Cobden; 618-893-2700, www.rustlehillwinery.com StarView Vineyards: 5100 Wing Hill Road, Cobden; 618-893-9463, www.starview vineyards.com Von Jakob Orchard: 230 Illinois 127, Alto Pass; 618-893-4600, www.von jakobvineyard.com. Walker’s Bluff: North on Reed Station Road, Carterville; 618-985-8463, www.walkersbluff.com
Curtis & Loretta: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Cousin Andy’s Coffeehouse, Fellowship Hall, Church of the Good Shepherd, United Church of Christ, 515 Orchard Drive, Carbondale; $10; students, $5; www.cousinandy.org Rich Fabec Band: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Palace
Wineries
Owl Creek Vineyard: 2655 Water Valley Road, Cobden; 618-893-2557, www.owlcreekvineyard. com. Rustle Hill Winery: U.S. 51,
Page 6 Thursday, May 13, 2010 FLIPSIDE
Karaoke and DJ lists are online at flipsideonline.com.
BENTON Duncan Dance Barn:: Spring Pond Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m. CARBONDALE PK’s: Devin Miller/The Rosetta Squirrel Tres Hombres: Strange
CARBONDALE Key West: Ivas John Blues Band
z FRIDAY Arrangement SPILLERTOWN Track Side Dance Barn: Jam Night, 7-10 p.m. WEST FRANKFORT WB Ranch Barn: Little Egypt Country Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
MARION Marion Eagles: Rag Tag Band, 6-10 p.m.
z MONDAY MARION Marion Youth Center: Ragtag Band, 7-10 p.m.
6:30-9:30 p.m. MOUNT VERNON Double K’s Kickin Country: Jacks-R-Better, 7-10 p.m. WHITE ASH The White Ash Barn: The Heartland Country Band, 7-10 p.m.
z WEDNESDAY CARBONDALE Tres Hombres: Giant City Slickers, 8:30 p.m.
BENTON Brew City:: Boogamous, 9 p.m.1 a.m. CARBONDALE Pinch Penny/Copper Dragon: The Brat Pack PK’s: Knapsack Problem Tres Hombres: The Natives, 7 p.m. INA Ina Community Building: Friday Night Jam Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m. MARION John Brown’s on the Square : The Black Fortys, 8:30-11:30 p.m. Ramesse: Mixed Company, 9 p.m.1 a.m.
Whisker Willy’s Bar & Grill: Naked Turtles, 9 p.m. MOUNT VERNON The Tavern on 10th: Daze of Darkness SPILLERTOWN Track Side Dance Barn: Mike’s Band, 7-10 p.m. 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: Battle Creek Band, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
z SATURDAY
z TUESDAY CARBONDALE PK’s: Whistle Pigs SPILLERTOWN Track Side Dance Barn: Rightous Rebel, 7-10 p.m. WEST FRANKFORT WB Ranch Barn: WB Ranch Band,
Call 618-351-5089 or e-mail brenda.kirkpatrick@thesouthern.com
DU QUOIN Ten Pin Alley: Piano Bob, 6-9 p.m.
CARBONDALE Pinch Penny/Copper Dragon: Under The Radar PK’s: Alison Floyd Tres Hombres: The Soothsayers Jug Band DU QUOIN Timeout Sports Bar: Naked Turtles, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. MARION Marion Eagles: Rag Tag Band, 8 p.m.midnight Ramesse: Mixed Company, 9 p.m.1 a.m. Whisker Willy’s Bar & Grill: Lights Out,
Metal Toyz, 64 East, 2 p.m.-2 a.m. Marion American Legion: Shakey Jake, 8 p.m.-midnight. MOUNT VERNON The Tavern on 10th: Jeff & Ian. SPILLERTOWN Track Side Dance Barn: Mike’s Band, 7-10 p.m. THOMPSONVILLE Lion’s Cave: Weekenders, 7-10 p.m. Old Country Store Dance Barn: Lil’ Boot & Classic Country, 7-10 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
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z COVER STORY z MUSIC z WINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z
Hot summer licks The season is coming once again for outdoor summer concerts BY D.W. NORRIS
ranging from rock ‘n’ roll to reggae. “Each show is a different genre,” said Donald Castle, It’s hard to imagine a assistant director of the better way to get into the Southern Illinois rhythm of summer than University Carbondale with a cooler brimming Student Center and with refreshments, a member of the series’ blanket covered with planning committee. friends and the sounds of “We’re excited about the live music filling the air. From weekend shows at diversity and quality of the bands this summer.” local wineries to weekly The Sunset Concerts are concerts in public spaces, free and begin at 7 p.m. Southern Illinois offers The shows rotate on music fans plenty of Thursdays between the chances to sit back and Shryock steps and Turley enjoy a show. Park on Carbondale’s west Carbondale’s popular side until July 29. Alcohol Sunset Concert Series is OK, but glass bottles, opens its 32nd season kegs, underage drinking, Thursday, June 17 on Shryock Auditorium steps, pets and solicitation are with Grammy-nominated prohibited. In Nashville, the fourth bluesman John Primer and will feature a lineup of acts edition of the Washington
THE SOUTHERN
County Arts Council’s Concerts on the Courthouse Square gives local performers a chance to shine on stage beginning June 3 with percussion and popular music groups from Nashville Community High School. Shows run 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays through July 22. Rick Harris, a member of Washington County Arts Council, said back-toback shows the first two weeks of July had him excited. Oldies band The Geezers plays July 1, followed by The Beacoup Bottom Band featuring the Bathon Sisters on July 8. The arts council provides free popcorn, lemonade and iced tea. Lawn chairs and blankets
are recommended. In Mount Vernon, the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts hosts Satisfaction, a Rolling Stones tribute band, in its summer concert June 26. Tickets are $15; $10 for Cedarhurst members. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with the show at 7 p.m. Concertgoers are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Live music isn’t limited to evenings. The Brown Bag Concert Series under the pavilion on Carbondale’s town square begins with local bluegrass band Etherton Swtich at noon May 19 and is every Wednesday through Aug. 25. dw.norris@thesouthern.com 618-351-5074
Brown Bag Concert Series
7 to 9 p.m. June 17 through July 29; free admission; Shryock Auditorium steps and Turley Park; coolers, blankets, lawn chairs OK. June 17: John Primer, blues, Shryock Auditorium steps June 24: The McClymonts, country, Turley Park July 1: Sleeperstar, alt/pop/rock, Shryock Auditorium steps July 8: The Giving Tree, folk/rock, Turley Park July 15: Shaggy Wonda, blues/southern rock, Shryock Auditorium steps July 22: Sandcarvers, Celtic rock, Turley Park July 29: Seefari, reggae/jam band, Shryock Auditorium steps
Concerts on the Courthouse Square 6 to 8 p.m. June 3 through July 22 in Nashville; free admission and refreshments; lawn chair or blanket recommended. June 3: Nashville Community High School percussion group and popular music June 10: Random Acts of Music, folk/soft rock/country June 17: Celtica with Celtic Pipes and Drums of Southern Illinois, traditional Irish music June 24: George Portz and Friends, folk July 1: The Geezers with special guest Sean Anderson, 1960s and 1970s soft rock July 8: Beacoup Bottom Band featuring the Bathon sisters, folk July 15: The Twilight Jazz Club Band, jazz July 22: Mount Vernon Central Christian Church’s Praise and Worship Band and Choir
The Great Boars of Fire
June 9: The Swamp Tigers Noon Wednesdays through June 16: Hot Sauce Aug. 25; Town Square June 23: The Parsley and Pavilion, corner of North Sagebrush Band Illinois Avenue and West June 30: The JW Brown Trio Main Street, Carbondale; Aug. 4: The Blues Bandits free admission. Aug. 11: Big Larry May 19: Etherton Switch May 26: Christine Bauer June 2: The Natives
2010 Sunset Concerts
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The many sides of Ray Stevens come to Paducah COUNTRY SCENE Vince Hoffard
Ray Stevens 7:30 p.m. Friday, Carson Center, Paducah; $30$120 at 270-450-4444.
I
t’s hard to put a label on Ray Stevens. With hilarious ditties like “Ahab, The Arab” and “Gitarzan,” he qualified as a comedic singer, a reputation that was solidified in 1974 when he turned the nation’s passion for running around nude in public into “The Streak,” which
topped the Billboard charts for three weeks. There is a serious side, too. Stevens won Grammy Awards in 1970 for “Everything Is Beautiful” and in 1974 for “Misty.” He is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and was recently honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame for his dynamic session work in Music City during the 1960s and 1970s. Just when you think Stevens has done it all, he rambles off in a new direction. He is now cranking out music and videos with political overtones. His tune “We the People” is played at rallies for the tea party and an accompanying video
has received more than 3 million hits on You Tube. The many sides of Stevens will be on display at 7:30 p.m. Friday when he appears at the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center in Paducah. Clay Campbell and the Kentucky Opry Show will serve as the opening act. Stevens was inspired to write “We the People” after watching Congress piece together health care reform legislation. “‘The Streak’ was for fun; this is serious,” Stevens said. “I’ve always written and recorded songs that espoused a conservative point of view.” In the tune, Stevens laments that grandma may
Give the Graduate on your list a Gift to Last a Lifetime • • • • •
VINCE HOFFARD can be reached at 618-658-9095 or vincehoffard@yahoo. com.
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Over 200 Pianos, Organs, and Keyboards on display
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Southern Illinois Wayne ‘The Train’ Hancock: 8 p.m. Friday, Yellow Moon Café, 110 N. Front St., Cobden; $15/$17; www.yellowmooncafe.com; 618-893-2233; www. bloodshotrecords.com/ artist/wayne-hancock. John A. Logan College Community Band: 7 p.m. Saturday, Tilden and Rosalie Parks Rotary Amphitheatre, Marion; the outdoor theater is located west of Marion High School at the south end of Carbon Street; free; 618-751-0009. Etherton Switch: noon, Wednesday, 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. 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. Gary Allan: Tickets now on sale for 8 p.m. July 3 performance, 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 The Van-Dells: 3 p.m. Saturday, May 15, Boot City Opry, 11800 S. Highway 41, Terre Haute; $15; www. bootcityopry.com or 812-299-8379.
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Cash. He released “Everything Is Beautiful,” in 1970. On March 11, he released “Caribou Barbie,” which puts a positive twist on the derogatory term cable talk shows have assigned to Sarah Palin.
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Ray Stevens will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Paducah.
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need a new pacemaker, but with the new guidelines all she is going to get is a pain pill. “To me, it’s pretty obvious the government is doing a bunch of crap that we don’t need and we don’t want, and they don’t care what we want — they’re going to do it anyway,” he says. “I think I’ve heard it called ‘progressive.’ I don’t know what’s progressive about it. It seems like to me it’s stupid.” The 71-year-old Stevens was raised just outside Atlanta in Clarksdale, Ga. In 1969, he was a budding superstar. He had back-to-back pop hits with “Gitarzan” and “Along Came Jones” and was making regular appearances on “The Andy Williams Show.” He was the first artist to record the Kris Kristofferson song “Sunday Mornin’ Coming Down,” a tune later turned into a classic by Johnny
Concerts
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Ray Stevens: 7 p.m. Friday, May 14, Carson Center, Paducah; opening act, Clay Campbell and the Kentucky Opry Show; $30-$120; 270450-4444 or www.thecarson center.org.
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Alt-bluesman Devin Miller returns to PK’s for a free show at 10 p.m. Friday
PROVIDED
CARBONDALE — Southern Illinois guitarist and singer Devin Miller makes his return to Carbondale’s live music scene with a free 10 p.m.
show Friday at PK’s, 308 S. Illinois Ave. Backed by former Massive Funk drummer James Barnes and Bottletones bassist James
Ricks, Miller will perform original alternative blues songs stripped down to their basics. Miller said he will also have surprise guests join him on stage,
and he’ll play a mini-set of original punk. Miller hasn’t played Carbondale in at least three years. Instead, he’s performed at blues
festivals in cities such as Memphis, St. Louis, Chicago and Minneapolis. The Rosetta Squirrel, alt-country, will open. — The Southern
The ‘Train’ is a’comin’ this way Great Times Country music rebel Hancock to play Cobden at Wayne Hancock
touring musician, had to get back on the road as part of a busy schedule that has him in Cobden on Friday for a show at the Yellow Moon Café. Taking Hancock out of Nashville was tricky. He figured he was one of the last people to escape the BY D.W. NORRIS city on Interstate 65 before THE SOUTHERN the floodwaters shut down COBDEN — Wayne “The everything. Taking Nashville out of Train” Hancock is a rebel, from his distinctive sound Hancock, however, was a lot easier because there’s to his disdain for slickly not much Nashville about produced schlock, but the 45-year-old Texan. even he knew it was time Hancock’s driving, juketo get the hell out of joint swing harkens back Nashville, Tenn. to country music’s oldThere was a flood school days with a standup coming to Music City a bass and steel guitar, but couple weeks ago, and there’s nothing moldy or Hancock, an inveterate dusty about it. “I just try to keep it ONLINE: Get a fresh,” Hancock said. “I don’t know how I do it, link from this but I’m glad I can do it.” story for a Hancock’s songs rarely preview of ‘The Train.’ approach 5 minutes, and he said he can cut a record www.flipsideonline.com
8 p.m. Friday, Yellow Moon Café, 110 N. Front St., Cobden; tickets are $15 in advance, $17 day of show; for tickets or info, call 618-893-2233.
REGISTRATION FOR DANCE CLASSES
in a day. The voice heard on recordings, compared favorably to Hank Williams’, is unvarnished — no filters, no annoying computer tinkering. While everything he does seems to go against the industry grain, Hancock, said he’s not anti-Nashville. “It’s really just anti-top40, I guess,” he said. Hancock, who has written songs since he was 12 years old, has put out seven studio albums, beginning with 1995’s critically acclaimed “Thunderstorms and Neon Signs.” All his albums, including his 2009 Bloodshot Records effort, “Viper of Melody,” have been done off the big-record-label grid. Staying with smaller companies allows the onetime Marine and former drunk to play what he wants, how he wants. While he’s never
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recorded for the big boys, Hancock has an idea about what would happen if he did: he’d have to change. “I’d probably have to have drums in my band,” he said. “That’s just not my thing, you know? I’d rather work for a living than do that.” But not yet. “To borrow a line from Hank Williams: If the good lord is willing, and the creek don’t rise, I’ll be around for another 20 years,” he said. dw.norris@thesouthern.com 618-351-5074
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FLIPSIDE Thursday, May 13, 2010 Page 9
z MOVIES z POP CULTURE z ART z MUSIC z WINERIES z THEATER z THINGS TO DO z BOOKS z New on DVD Daybreakers *** Few humans have survived a plaque that has turned mankind into vampires, leaving the bloodsuckers with a dwindling supply of blood. R (violence, profanity, nudity) Edge of Darkness ** ½ When a detective’s daughter is killed in front of him, he suspects he was the intended target and does some investigating. Mel Gibson. R (violence, profanity) North Face *** ½ Hitler wants to demonstrate Aryan superiority and he encourages the climbing of the “death wall” — the north face of the Alps’ Eiger mountain. NR Legion * Angels and demons descend on a diner where a waitress’ unborn child could be the world’s salvation. R (violence, profanity) — McClatchy-Tribune News
S HOW T IMES
FOR
M AY 10 TH - 13 TH
Nightmare On Elm Street (R) 4:10 4:50 7:10 7:50 9:40 10:20 3D How to Train Your Dragon (PG) 3:40 6:30 9:00 Iron Man 2 (PG-13) 3:50 4:30 5:00 6:10 6:50 7:30 8:00 9:10 9:50 10:30 Date Night (PG-13) 4:20 **7:20 10:00 **Not Showing Thurs. DCI 2010: The Countdown Thursday 5/13 @ 7:30 Only
where a case of mistaken identity turns their evening The Backup Plan ** After into the ultimate date night deciding to have a baby on gone awry. With Tina Fey and her own, a women meets a Steve Carell. Directed by man and falls in love with him Shawn Levy. PG-13 (sexual during the hormonally content, strong language, charged nine months of drug references, violence) pregnancy. With Jennifer Death at a Funeral *** A Lopez, Alex O’Loughlin, Eric funeral ceremony turns into a Christian Olsen, Michaela debacle of exposed family Watkins, Melissa McCarthy secrets and misplaced and Anthony Anderson. bodies. With Zoe Saldana, Written by Kate Angelo. Luke Wilson, James Marsden Directed by Alan Poul. PG-13 and Columbus Short. (sexual content, some crude Directed by Neil LaBute. R material and language) (language, drug content and Clash of the Titans **½ some sexual humor) Perseus volunteers to lead a Furry Venegeance *½ dangerous mission to defeat Developers feel the wrath of Hades, the vengeful god of the forest dwellers they try to the underworld, before he can displace. Scheming woodland seize power from Zeus and creatures go on a rampage. unleash hell on earth. With Slapstick involving car Sam Worthington, Liam crashes and critter-bites. PG Neeson, Gemma Arterton, for some rude humor, mild Alexa Davalos, Jason Flemyng language and brief smoking and Ralph Fiennes. Green Zone *** Matt Screenplay by Matt Manfredi, Damon brings his Bourne Travis Beacham and Phil Hay. gravitas (and box office) to Directed by Louis Leterrier. this frenetic Iraq war movie, PG-13 (fantasy action set shortly after the 2003 violence, some frightening invasion, starring as an images and brief sensuality) intrepid Army officer on the Date Night *** A suburban hunt for WMDs — and sorely couple whose lives have disillusioned as he discovers become routine reignite the all his intel is bad. R (violence, marital spark by visiting a profanity, adult themes) trendy Manhattan bistro, Hot Tub Time Machine
Still Playing
How to Train Your Dragon (PG) 3:50 6:15 The Back Up Plan (R) 4:20 6:50 Iron Man 2 (PG-13) 3:40 4:40 6:40 7:40 Clash of the Titans (PG-13) 4:50 7:30 Date Night (PG-13) 4:30 7:10 Nightmare on Elm Street (R) 4:00 7:00 Furry Vengeance (PG) 4:10 6:30
season. The magnitude of destruction far exceeds that of its predecessor and includes repeated instances of characters walking away from a massive fireball without looking back. And director Jon Favreau, working from a script by Justin Theroux, throws in too many subplots, too many characters. With Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johanssen, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, and Samuel L. Jackson. PG-13 (sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, and some language) Kick-Ass **½ A comicbook fanboy decides to become a real-life superhero with no real superpowers. With Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Grace Moretz, Mark Strong and Nicolas Cage. Screenplay by Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn, based on the comic book by Mark Millar and John S. Romita Jr. Directed by Vaughn. R (strong brutal violence, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and drug use) The Last Song **½ A reluctant teenager begrudgingly spends the summer with her estranged
father and they bond over a love for music. With Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Bobby Coleman, Hallock Beals, Nick Lashaway, Carly Chaikin, Nick Searcy, Kate Vernon, Kelly Preston and Greg Kinnear. Screenplay by Nicholas Sparks and Jeff Van Wie, based on Sparks’ book. Directed by Julie Anne Robinson. PG (some violence, sensuality and mild language) Nightmare on Elm Street ** Wes Craven’s 1984 shocker is the latest horror classic to get a Hollywood remake, with Jackie Earle Haley taking over for Robert Englund as the sadistic madman fond of striped sweaters and unusual handgear. A group of interchangeable teen actors are visited by Freddy in their dreams and die horrible deaths. Samuel Bayer makes his directorial debut. R. Oceans **** More celebratory than scientific, this widescreen nature doc from the team behind “Winged Migration captures the life aquatic in all its surreal and extraordinary splendor. Narrated by Pierce Brosnan. G (fairly discreet marine life predatory behavior) — The Associated Press, McClatchy-Tribune News
‘Just Wright’ is a boring, stale romance Just Wright
Furry Vengeance (PG) 4:00 6:40 9:10 Oceans (G) 4:10 6:50 9:00 The Back-Up Plan (PG-13) 4:30 7:20 9:50 Kick Ass (R) 4:20 7:00 9:40 Hot Tub Time Machine (R) 10:15 Death at a Funeral (R) 5:00 7:40 Clash of the Titans (PG-13) 4:45 10:00 Green Zone (R) 7:30 Mon. Only
**½ 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) Iron Man 2 ** Lots of things get blown up and torn apart in “Iron Man 2,” as you would expect from any selfrespecting blockbuster kicking off the summer movie
Rated PG for some suggestive material and brief language; Queen Latifah, Common, Paula Patton; directed by Sanaa Hamri; opening Friday at University Place 8 in Carbondale and Illinois Centre 8 in Marion. BY ROBERT W. BUTLER MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS
If it weren’t for the solid screen presence of Queen Latifah, there’d be no reason to stick with the utterly mechanical “Just Wright.”
Page 10 Thursday, May 13, 2010 FLIPSIDE
This ugly-duckling romance is as stale as last week’s bagel. Latifah plays Leslie Wright (yes, it’s an awful title), an NYC physical therapist unlucky in love. Even if a guy is interested in the substantially built Leslie, he defects upon meeting her gorgeous, gold-digging cousin, Morgan (Paula Patton). Michael Elliot’s screenplay centers on Leslie’s chance encounter with NBA star Scott McKnight (Common), who invites her to a party at his plush town house. Of course, she brings along
the fortune-trolling Morgan, who immediately attracts Scott’s attention. Hurt but keeping a stiff upper lip, Leslie applauds her cousin’s romantic success. When Scott suffers a career-threatening injury, though, the shallow Morgan sees her dream evaporating and bails. Meanwhile, Leslie steps in as his therapist, trainer and ... well, see if you can guess. Latifah and Patton are fine. Rapper-turned-actor Common seems comfortable with the camera but hasn’t yet
STUDIO
Musician Common makes his movie debut with Queen Latifah in ‘Just Wright.’
developed much range. The real villain, though, is the cliche-riddled script and the boring direction of Sanaa Hamri (“Something New,” “Sisterhood of the
Traveling Pants 2”). By the time this one is through, you’ll be groaning louder than Common going through a killer rehab session.
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‘Robin Hood’ is an enchanting journey back in time Robin Hood
Scott, his screenwriter (Brian Helgeland of Rated PG-13 for violence, “Green Zone”) and Russell including intense Crowe take us back before sequences of warfare and men in tights to the some sexual content; leather, blood, bows and starring Russell Crowe, arrows of Crusader’s England for a film that Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Max von Sydow, Mark presents Robin Hood as a working-class archer who Strong, Matthew becomes a freedomMacFadyen; directed by fighting nobleman. And Ridley Scott; opens Friday for the most part, it’s a at University Place 8 in very entertaining history Carbondale and Illinois from the Third Crusade to the fight for the Magna Centre 8 in Marion. Carta, which guaranteed civil liberties by limiting BY ROGER MOORE the power of the king. MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS Robin Longstride is a weary warrior riding with Here, at last, is Ridley reckless King Richard the Scott’s “Russell Hood: Prince of Prequels,” a dark Lionheart (Danny Huston) and brawny version of the home from that crusade. When Richard is killed at a Robin Hood legend that siege in France, the anchors itself in English plainspoken Robin and a history and loses some of few “merry” men make the merriment in the their way back to England process.
on their own, but not before interrupting the attempted theft of the English crown by the Norman double-agent Godfrey (Mark Strong). Robin impersonates the fallen knight entrusted with escorting the crown, Robert Loxley, and promises to return the man’s sword to his father in Nottingham. When he does, he meets not only the blind old nobleman (Max von Sydow), but the “real” Robert Loxley’s wife, the feisty Marion (Cate Blanchett). They “meet cute” in the best Hollywood “Robin Hood” tradition. Helgeland’s script is a grab-bag of history and earlier films, from “The Lion in Winter” to “The Return of Martin Guerre.” The touchstones of the Robin Hood legend are
here — Little John (Kevin Durand), Will Scarlet (Scott Grimes), Allan A’Dayle (Alan Doyle) and Friar Tuck (Mark Addy). The Sheriff of Nottingham (Matthew MacFadyen) is a cruel fop. Godfrey, played by that villain’s villain, Strong, is the real heavy. So for all the glorious detail, the sprinkles of wit and the thrilling action, what we have here is two hours of war and intrigue and historical and character clutter leading up to Robin’s taking to the woods with a gang of “Lost Boys” and becoming “Robin of the Hood.” It’s fun and rousing. But brush up on your Third Crusade, Magna Carta and the First Barons’ War if you want to follow Robin from ChalusChabrol to Sherwood.
STUDIO
Russell Crowe stars as ‘Robin Hood,’ which was directed by Ridley Scott, whose ‘Gladiator’ made Crowe a big star. Crow plays Robin as a bit of a poser and huckster, a brooding, scruffy foot-soldier just back from the Crusades.
‘Letters’ dull and faded in this long-lost romance of a film Letters to Juliet
Lovely Amanda — playing a New Yorker factchecker who stumbles across a weathered “letter to Juliet” left at the house that tradition says was home to Shakespeare’s legendary heroine — does little to animate her character in a movie built around her efforts to bring two long-parted lovers back together. But Redgrave, the Oscarwinning pro, keeps trying BY ROGER MOORE to show her how it’s done. MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS Give the camera something to look at every time it’s on As an old woman in you — an expression, some search of the love she little bit of business. When abandoned in Italy 50 her character, Claire, folds years before, Vanessa Sophie (Seyfried) in a Redgrave puts on an acting motherly embrace, clinic in “Letters to Juliet.” Redgrave twirls Seyfried’s If only the star of this hair as if she were romantic comedy, Amanda forgetting herself and “Mamma Mia!” Seyfried, thinking this was her own had taken notes. daughter.
Rated PG for brief rude behavior, some language and incidental smoking; starring Amanda Seyfried, Vanessa Redgrave, Gael Garcia Bernal, Christopher Egan; directed by Gary Winick; opens Friday at Illinois Centre 8 in Marion and University Place 8 in Carbondale.
You relish magical moments like that, because “Juliet,” directed by the chap who inflicted “Bride Wars” upon humanity, is mostly blown opportunities. It has humor and a touch of charm, but plainly needed more love, more passion, more Shakespeare. Seyfried’s Sophie is in fair Verona on a “prehoneymoon” with her workaholic chef fiancé (Gael Garcia Bernal). Left on her own to sight-see, she visits Juliet’s house, sees the “advice to the lovelorn” letters weepy women leave there, and follows those notes as they’re collected by the “Secretaries of Juliet.” Sophie stumbles across a 50-year-old plea, answers it, and this lovely British widow (Redgrave) shows
up, much to the annoyance of her cranky grandson. Christopher Egan plays Charlie, who reluctantly drives granny Claire and Sophie around as they search for Lorenzo, that love who got away. It’s a movie of blandly pretty “establishing shots,” Seyfried walking her lovely self across this piazza or that vineyard. But the real courtship here, between the spokenfor Sophie and the doesn’t-believe-in-love Charlie, fizzles. Still, “Letters to Juliet” has the smell of a romancenovel hit. That’s a shame, because until Seyfried starts taking notes from the Redgraves and Streeps she is honored to work with, she is never going to be anything more than fairfaced set dressing.
FLIPSIDE Thursday, May 13, 2010 Page 11
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Page 12 Thursday, May 13, 2010 FLIPSIDE