Evenings of Intimate Jazz series wraps up, page 5
Get blown away
Jeff Marker’s summer movie preview sorts sizzlers from fizzlers, PAGES 11-12 Thursday May 17, 2012
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on the web
www.yosemiteconservancy.org/webcams For people who haven’t ever been to Yosemite, perhaps seeing one of the park’s main attractions in real time will prove too enticing to resist. Webcam images are uploaded every 30 seconds, click refresh to update webcam view.
music
The North Georgia Chamber Symphony will strike a chord with music lovers this weekend with a spring tour. PAGE 5
family
Take the kids out for cookies, face painting and fun with insects at the 16th annual Butterfly Release in Gainesville. PAGE 6
FILE | The Times
outdoors
Ever wonder how people survived in the 1800s? Here’s your chance to find out. The African American Heritage Site is hosting the fourth annual Folk Life Festival this weekend, complete with demonstrations. PAGE 7
on the cover
From drama to comedy, action to adventure, Jeff Marker takes a look at the hits and misses of the most anticipated movies of the summer. PAGES 11-12
arts
Are you looking for serious art in a fun atmosphere? Check out Suwanee’s Arts in the Park as it unveils the 2012 SculpTour. PAGE 15
Thursday, May 17, 2012
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etc. events This week
Volunteers for Our Neighbor, Inc. Spring Book Sale, Gainesville. May 19-20. Need volunteers to help set up prior to sale to move, categorize and sort books. Any interest or available time, please call D’ete Sewell at 678-6566965 to coordinate. The Jackson County Historical Society meeting, Commerce. 2:30 p.m. May 20 Rogers Church. Kenneth Bridges, grandson of Benjamin Rogers, will present a program on the church and Rogers Mill. After the tour of the buildings, those interested can drive to a family cemetery near the church. Free and open to the public. 706-207-6889. Gardens on Green classes, Gainesville. 1 p.m. May 22. Topic: Bees in the Garden with Bob Bradbury. Adult classes sponsored by Hall County Master Gardeners and Hall County School System. As weather permits, classes will meet in the gardens, 711 Green St., Gainesville. Otherwise, a conference room inside. Email williamllovett@ bellsouth.net.
If it’s free...
IT’S FOR ME! Highlighting free activities around the region Gardens on Green classes, Gainesville. 1 p.m. May 22. Topic: Bees in the Garden with Bob Bradbury. Adult classes sponsored by Hall County Master Gardeners and Hall County School System. As weather permits, classes will meet in the gardens, 711 Green St., Gainesville. Otherwise, a conference room inside. Email williamllovett@bellsouth.net. Legacy Link Living Well Workshop, Gainesville. 1:30 to 4 p.m. each Wednesday through May 30. A chronic disease self-management program from Stanford University. For anyone suffering any chronic condition or their caretakers. Gainesville-Hall County Community Service Center, 430 Prior St., Gainesville. 770-538-2650, lshoward@legacylink.com. Butterfly Release in Wilshire Park, Gainesville. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. May 20. Wilshire Park in Gainesville. Northeast Georgia History Center, 322 Academy St., Gainesville. 770-297-5900. www. negahc.org. The North Georgia Chamber Symphony spring concert. 7:30 p.m. May 17, Grace Presbyterian Church in Dawsonville; 7 p.m. May 18, Old Courthouse on the Square, Blairsville; 7:30 p.m. May 19, Dahlonega
United Methodist Church. Features music from the 1700s through the 20th century. Donations welcomed. 706-867-9444, northgeorgiachambersymphony.org. Athens Youth Symphony Spring 2012 Concert, Athens. 4 p.m. May 20. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall, UGA Performing Arts Center. Featuring 85 young North Georgia musicians in works by Bernstein, Gabrielli, Smetana, and Tschaikovsky, and violinist Leah Bonas in Vivaldi’s Concerto in g minor. 706-543-1907. CCC Wednesday evening rides, Gainesville. 6 p.m. Leave from the parking lot at Frances Meadows Aquatic Center. Chicken City Cyclists 770-534-7075, or UNNOLDL@Charter. Net. Arts in the Park, Suwanee. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 19. Town Center Park. www.SuwaneeArtsinthePark.com Abstracts by Ferdinand Rosa, Buford. Through June 1. Adam’s Restaurant and Piano Bar, 15 E. Main St., Buford. 678-745-0379, ferdinandrosa. carbonmade.com Third annual North Georgia Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Dahlonega. Through March 2013. North Georgia College & State University’s campus. 706-867-2832.
Upcoming
Pie Squared Pie Competition and Tasting, Dahlonega. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 26, Hancock Park and St. Luke’s Catholic Church, downtown Dahlonega. $5 charge to enter a pie in the pie baking contest. $10 per ticket for the pie tasting. The Lumpkin County Literacy Coalition, 706.867.9607 or lumpkinliteracy.org/events.
Ongoing
Learn Conversational Spanish. Free. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays. Goodwill Oakwood Career Center, 3715 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. 770-538-4209 Dahlonega Farmers
Market. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through Oct. 27. West Main and Waters streets, downtown Dahlonega across from The Holly Theater. 706482-2707, rebeccashirley@ dahlonegadda.org. Legacy Link Living Well Workshop, Gainesville. 1:30 to 4 p.m. each Wednesday through May 30. A chronic disease self-management program from Stanford University. For anyone suffering any chronic condition or their caretakers. Free. Gainesville-Hall County
Community Service Center, 430 Prior St., Gainesville. 770-538-2650, lshoward@ legacylink.com. Spout Springs Farmers Market, Flowery Branch. 4 to 7 p.m. every Thursday until the end of October. Spout Springs Library parking lot. Fresh and local produce and crafts. The market will run Free to attend. SSLFarmersmarket@gmail. com Community garden plots, Clarkesville. Community plot still available. Tools, water, fertilizer, mulch and some seeds provided for
10 by 10 plots. Located on the Clarkesville Greenway. 706-754-5290, www. soque.org. Friendship Woman’s Club, Flowery Branch. Meets every fourth Thursday. Flowery Branch Depot, Flowery Branch. 404-394-9865 or SallyWeatherbee8@aol. com. East Georgia Genealogy Society, Winder. 7 p.m. every second Tuesday of the month. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 36 Sims Road, Winder. www.eastgageneology.
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If you would like your event listed in Get Out, here’s what we need to know: n The name of the event, or a short description n The time and date of the event n The location, street address or a short description of the location n Admission and contact information
Email your information to getout@gainesvilletimes.com. The deadline to have your event listed in Get Out is the FRIDAY before the next publication. If you would like to place an ad, call Betty Thompson at 770-532-1234 or email bthompson@gainesvilletimes.com com. American Business Women’s Association, Gainesville. 6 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month, Ryan’s Family Steakhouse, 2415 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville. 770-967-3352. Toastmasters, Gainesville. Improve your public speaking skills. 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays.
Jacobs Building Room 208, Brenau University, 340 Green St., Gainesville. Free. 678-469-2777. gainesvilletoastmasters@ yahoo.com. Old-fashioned square dance, Hiawassee. 7 p.m. Mondays. Senior Center, 48 River St., Hiawassee. Free. 706-896-1060 or info@townshistory.org.
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Tickle the ivories Take a musical tour Barker Quartet wraps up jazz series From staff reports The Larry Barker Quartet is the last of five featured performers in the Evenings Of Intimate Jazz at The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center. The quartet will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 19. Gainesville resident Barker is a jazz pianist with an eclectic musical background. Originally from St. Louis, he holds a masters degree in jazz performance and teaches elementary music in Gwinnett County schools. He has performed or recorded with Charles Glenn, the U.S. Army Band, the Glenn Miller Band, Tom Kennedy, Theo Peoples, Peter Mayer and The Drifters. He has collaborated frequently with vocalist Charles Glenn, resulting in one CD release (“Offerings”) and many jazz club performances. Since moving to Georgia in 2006, Barker has performed with Atlanta Acoustic Jazz, Atlanta Beat, Sam Skelton, Ken Watters, the Sweet Lu Quartet, FootLights, and regularly plays solo piano at Grapes & Hops Bistro in Flowery Branch.
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Larry Barker Quartet Evenings of Intimate Jazz series When: 8 p.m. May 19 Where: Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St., Gainesville How much: $30, plus tax More info: The Arts Council, 770-534-2787, info@ TheArtsCouncil.net, www.TheArtsCouncil.net
Accompanying him in the group are Dave Frackenpohl on guitar, Neal Starkey on bass and Clay Hulet on drums. All three have toured with several big ticket acts such as “High School Musical,” and “Chicago” and have
concert calendar This Week
Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, Atlanta. 7 p.m. May 19. Aaron’s Amphitheater, Atlanta. $25 and up. www. livenation.com. Athens Youth Symphony Spring 2012 Concert, Athens. 4 p.m. May 20. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall, UGA Performing Arts Center. Featuring 85 young North Georgia musicians in works by Bernstein, Gabrielli, Smetana, and Tschaikovsky, and violinist Leah Bonas in Vivaldi’s Concerto in g minor. Free and open to the
played with jazz greats like Kenny Barron, Eddie Harris, Sonny Stitt, John Campbell, Joe Daley, and Bunky Green. Tickets are $30. To order, call 770-534-2787 or visit www.TheArtsCouncil.net.
From staff reports The North Georgia Chamber Symphony has scheduled a series of spring concerts in Northeast Georgia cities today through Saturday. The Dahlonegabased group begins its concert series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17, at Grace Presbyterian Church in Dawsonville. The second is at 7 p.m. Friday, May 18, at the Old Courthouse on the Square in Blairsville. The final performance will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Dahlonega United Methodist Church. Admission is free, but donations to cover expenses will be accepted. This concert features music from the 1700s through the 20th century, from classics to pop. It will include Johannes Brahms’ “Scherzo from Serenade No. 1,” then Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.” Felix Mendelssohn’s “Songs without Words No. 35 and No. 6 (Venetian Gondola Song)” follow. Director Laurin Smith solos on the violin solo on Ernest Lubin’s “Pavane.” Rebecca
public. 706-543-1907. Brenau University Seniors’ Music Recitals, Gainesville. 7:30 p.m. May 21. Pearce Auditorium. Tenor Jeff Akana, a music performance major, will sing. Matt Scout will perform with classical selections for trumpet. Free and open to the public. 770-538-4764 or visit www.brenau. edu/music.
Upcoming
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Chamber Symphony holds concert series
Neil Diamond, Atlanta. June 6. Philips Arena. Foster The People, Atlanta. June 7. Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Atlanta. $65 and up. www.ticketmaster. com.
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North Georgia Chamber Symphony When: 7:30 p.m. May 17, at Grace Presbyterian Church, Dawsonville; 7 p.m. May 18, Old Courthouse on the Square, Blairsville; 7:30 p.m. May 19, Dahlonega United Methodist Church How much: Free, donations welcomed More info: northgeorgiachamber symphony.org, 706-867-9444.
Gerstenlauer plays solo on viola and Concertmaster Bob Christmas on violin on Claude Debussy’s “Girl With the Flaxen Hair.” Other 20th century favorites include Duke Ellington’s “Caravan” and Brian Wilson’s “Surfer Girl.” The performance concludes with a folk arrangement, “Fiddler’s Stew,” by Richard Meyer. At intermission, professional musicians from the Chamber Symphony will perform
a movement or two of chamber music. Other members who perform regularly with the group who will take part in the concert series include Barbara Spruell, first violin: Betty Florence (principal second), Hannah Mott and Jan Chester, second violin; Paula Jean Redditt, third violin; Mary Drath, viola; and Jan Hill, cello. For more information, visit northgeorgiachamber symphony.org or call 706867-9444.
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Fluttery fun
family events This Week
Butterfly Release is Sunday From staff reports Take flight with a few winged friends this Sunday for the 16th annual Butterfly Release at Wilshire Trails Park in Gainesville. The release is a collaboration between Gainesville Friends of the Parks and Greenways, the city of Gainesville and Gainesville Park and Recreation. From 1 to 4 p.m., families can enjoy making paper sailboats, which will be set sail in the creek, decorating butterfly sugar cookies and the Gainesville High School cheerleaders will be facepainting butterflies and flowers on little cheeks. Gainesville Ballet members also will be circulating in butterfly costume, and fire trucks and EMS vehicles will be
16th annual Butterfly Release When: 1-4 p.m. Sunday Where: Wilshire Trails Park, Gainesville Cost: Free
More info: 770-5312680.
on hand for tours. Of course the big event, 1,500 painted lady butterflies, will be released at 3 p.m. “We were notified ... the first batch has hatched at the farm. They will be delivered to us Saturday to awake and take flight on Sunday,” said Northeast Georgia History Center member Connie Propes.
FILE | The Times
Parking is free at Centennial School and Gainesville High School. There is a shuttle bus that will run during the afternoon between the lots and Wilshire Trails. “Our annual T-shirts will be on sale bearing the logo selected from 60-plus entries from this year’s school, Enota. Our winner will be announced Friday morning at the Honors Day event at Enota, as well as being recognized at the Butterfly Release on Sunday. All of the art entries for the logo will be on display at the park.”
Giant sale with big benefit Event helps fund local nonprofits From staff reports This weekend, put down the Kindle and the Nook and buy a book. For a good cause, of course. The Giant Book Sale at 131 Bradford St., off the downtown Gainesville square, will feature thousands of titles and topics for the reading enthusiast. New this time also will be an indoor yard sale including clothes, home goods and more. All proceeds of the Giant Book Sale will benefit Our
Neighbor and The Next Chapter Bookstore. Our Neighbor is a Gainesville-based nonprofit that provide independentliving opportunities to young adults with disabilities. Next Chapter also assists individuals with disabilities by providing job training and experience. The shop is located at 118 Main St. in downtown Gainesville. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 19 and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 20.
In addition to more than 10,000 hardback and paperback books, the sale will also include records and CDs. All of the materials have been sorted into categories. According to organizers, with the exception of rare collectibles, everything else is less than $5. Garage sale items will be priced as marked. Cash, checks and credit cards all will be accepted. For more information call
678-656-6965, or email booksthat changelives@gmail. com
Various exhibitors, like the Hall County Master Gardeners and the Northeast Georgia History Center, will have displays for viewing. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. “Last year we had an estimated crowd of over 2,500. We expect an increase this year.” Propes said the event serves “our mission as a cultural, educational and recreational resource to develop, maintain, restore and preserve passive and active leisure pursuits in Gainesville-Hall County.”
Giant Book Sale Benefiting Our Neighbor, Inc. and The Next Chapter Bookstore When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m Sunday Where: 131 Bradford St., Gainesville Cost: Free
Fish Craft Week, Gainesville. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 14-18. $1 per craft, members free. Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, 999 Chestnut St., Suite 11, Gainesville. 770-536-1900. www.inkfun.org. Community Contra Dance, Sautee. 8-11 p.m. May 19. Sautee Nacoochee Center historic gym, 283 Ga. 255 N, Sautee. Live music by Pine Top Revival. Easy-tofollow calling by Rob Harper. Potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. (bring a dish to share). Welcome lesson at 7:30 p.m. Adults $8, students $4 and children younger than 8, free. 706-754-3254, SNCA.org. Passport Party at the Splash Zone, Gainesville. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 19. Frances Meadows Aquatic Center, Splash Zone will open for 90 Day, 90 Day Fit Plus, Annual and Annual Fit Plus Passport holders only. Rain date 1-5 p.m. May 20. Splash Zone opens to the public for the summer season May 26. 770-533-5850. Butterfly Release in Wilshire Park, Gainesville. 1-4 p.m. May 20. Wilshire Park in Gainesville. Northeast Georgia History Center, 322 Academy St., Gainesville. 770-297-5900. www.negahc.org.
Upcoming
“The Smurfs;” Movies Under the Stars, Buford. May 26. Mall of Georgia. Film at dusk. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. 404-233-3993 or jworrall@bravepublicrelations.com. Friday Night Flicks, Clarkesville. Film at dusk. June 1. “Muppets.” Sam Pitts Park. Free. 706-754-2220. “Hugo;” Movies Under the Stars, Buford. June 2. Mall of Georgia. Film at dusk. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. 404-233-3993 or jworrall@bravepublicrelations.com. “Jack & Jill;” Movies Under the Stars, Buford. June 9. Mall of Georgia. Film at dusk. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. 404-233-3993 or jworrall@bravepublicrelations.com. “Alvin & the Chipmunks Chip-Wrecked;” Movies Under the Stars, Buford. June 16. Mall of Georgia. Film at dusk. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. 404-233-3993 or jworrall@ bravepublicrelations.com. Friday Night Flicks, Clarkesville. Film at dusk. June 22. “Adventures of Tin Tin.” Sam Pitts Park. Free. 706754-2220.
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19th century celebrations Folk life, slave dwelling on display at Sautee festival From staff reports The African American Heritage Site will hold the fourth annual Folk Life Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on the campus of the Sautee Nacoochee Center. The festival will celebrate the common skills, tools and traditions of Native, European and African-American settlers. Traditional crafts such as gourd banjos, corn shuck chair bottoms and split white oak baskets will be on display. Historical interpretations of life in the mid-1800s rural Georgia, re-enactors, traditional music, “interpretive laundry” and folk life demonstrations will immerse visitors in the heritage of Appalachian Mountain culture and customs. Other demonstrations of folk life skills will include shingle splitting, blacksmithing, wood carving, poplar berry baskets, corn shuck dolls, gold mining and spinning. Festivalgoers can even take a turn at shelling corn or go on a horse and buggy ride. Visitors to the festival will have guided tours of the Nacoochee slave cabin. Atlanta History Center’s Candis White and Andrea Chanay, docents of the Tullie Smith Farmhouse, will offer interpretative history and descriptions of what 19th century life was like for enslaved black people and early white settlers. Together, descendants of slaves and slave owners restored a slave dwelling and established an African American Heritage Site at the Sautee Nacoochee Center to raise awareness about the story of enslaved people in Nacoochee Valley. “If we don’t keep this history alive and save what’s left, our children and grandchildren will never know the history and hardships of our ancestors,” said Lena Dorsey. Framed by 19th-century landscaping, this antebellum cabin now provides a focal point for the story of a people whose labor contributed in countless ways to life in Northeast Georgia. Food and refreshments will be available for lunch on the grounds and a Craft Raffle will be held later in the day. Admission is free. The center is located on Ga. 255, four miles southeast of Helen. Donations and raffle proceeds support the African American Heritage Site and future programs.
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outdoors events This week
Fun at the Fort, Winder. 7-9 p.m. May 18 and 25. Antique methods including candle dipping, brick oven bread baking, card loom. Fort Yargo State Park, 210 South Broad St., Winder. $3, $5 parking. 770-8673489. Run for a Reason 5K, Cumming. 8:30 a.m. May 19. Event will raise scholarship funds for Forsyth County students. Cumming City Park. Participants can register online at Run-for-a-Reason.com, or at 7 a.m. the day of the race. Pre-registration is $20, and pre-registered runners will be guaranteed a T-shirt. Race day registration costs $25. Runners registering on the day of the race should arrive early. Entry forms will be available at the registration tables. 770-757-2559, runforareason@gmail.com. Wildlife Show, Winder. 6-7 p.m. May 19. Fort Yargo State Park, Winder. Live wildlife demonstration featuring native and exotic animals. Amphitheater in Campground 1. $3, plus $5 parking. 678-963-8891. Flowery Branch Masonic Lodge 212 Spring Walk and Fun Run, Flowery Branch. 8:30 a.m. May 19. Downtown Flowery Branch. Preregistration is $20 per runner, $25 day of event. $5 for every paid runner will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. Register at www.active.com or www.flowerybranchlodge.com to print registration and mail to Flowery Branch Lodge No. 212, P.O. Box 624, Flowery Branch, Ga. 30542. Kids Day at the Park, Helen. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 19. Smithgall Woods State Park, Helen. Hands-on exhibits in outdoor sports, recreation and environmental education. $6 parking. 706-878-3087.
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Sheep & Alpaca Shearing Days, Cleveland. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 18 and 20. Watch a professional shear a sheep in less than seven minutes, take home free wool samples, learn about the different types of wools and fibers, processing, spinning and felting. North Georgia Zoo & Petting Farm, 2912 Paradise Valley Road, Cleveland. $7 adults, $5 children. 706-348-7279 www.northgeorgiazoo.com. Yargo Disc Golf Invitational, Winder. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 19. Fort Yargo State Park, Winder. Youth class, ages 10-15; adult class, ages 16 and older. Register by May 14. Trophies to top three finishers. $10. $5 parking. 678-963-8891. Boating safety course, Flowery Branch. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 19. Flotilla 29 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Lake Lanier, will hold a one-day seven-Lesson ”About Boating Safely” course. Coast Guard Auxiliary Operations Center, 6595 Lights Ferry Road, Flowery Branch, just before the entrance to Aqualand Marina. $40. Discounts are available for additional family members. 770271-4059, lakelanier.ga@aol.com. 2012 USA Canoe/Kayak Marathon Trials. May 19-20. Lake Lanier Olympic venue. Canoe and kayak trials for London Olympics. 770-287-
7888, www.lckc.org. 2012 Doubles Disc Golf Tournament. 2 p.m. May 20. North Georgia Canopy Tours, 5290 Harris Road, Lula. Fee: $15 (includes $5 greens fee). No pre-registration required. Contact: keith10444@ aol.com, 770-869-7272, www. northgeorgiacanopytours.com. Spectators welcome. 10th annual Dogleg Charity Golf Tournament, Dawsonville. May 21, Chestatee Golf Club, 777 Dogwood Way, Dawsonville. Registration, lunch, “putting for puppies” starts 11:30 a.m., shotgun start 1 p.m. Dinner, awards, silent auction. Individual golfer fee $110, includes green fees, cart, lunch, awards dinner, prizes. Proceeds benefit the Dawson County Humane Society. 706-265-6360, www. dawsoncountyhumanesociety.org
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movies
“Romanticism,” Helen. Noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays, through May 27. Featuring the art of Christy Green, and Phil and Janine Shelby, along with art by other members of the Helen Arts & Heritage Council, 25 Chattahoochee St., Helen. Free. 706-8783933, www.helenarts.org.
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The Dahlonega-based group begins its concert series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17, at Grace Presbyterian Church in Dawsonville. The second is at 7 p.m. Friday, May 18, at the Old Courthouse on the Square in Blairsville. The final performance will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Dahlonega United Methodist Church.
North Georgia Chamber Symphony.
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arts
music
Arts in the Park, Suwanee. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 19. Town Center Park. www. SuwaneeArtsinthePark.com
Thie movie had a common strategy: Base the movie on a property instantly recognized by everyone, cast so many stars no one will notice if the writing is bad and throw in copious scenes with irresistible kids. Each story is underdeveloped, a flaw in all of these big-cast comedies. Individual episodes are funny but the film doesn’t hold together as a whole. It feels like an extended
‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’
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The Larry Barker Quartet is the last of five featured performers in the Evenings Of Intimate Jazz at The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center. The quartet will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 19.
Larry Barker Quartet.
THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
weekeND plANNeR
Northeast Georgia’s entertainment guide
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Brenau Barbecue Championship, Brenau University Campus. May 25-26. Memphis Barbecue Network-sanctioned event, 60 teams, including national champions and local teams. Vendors, car show, music, kids’ activities. $5, kids free. 770-534-6161, jbarco@ brenau.edu, www.brenau.edu/bbq.
FilE | Get Out
MElissa MosElEY | Lionsgate
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Take flight with a few winged friends this Sunday for the 16th annual Butterfly Release at Wilshire Trails Park in Gainesville. 1,500 Painted Lady butterflies, will be released at 3 p.m.
16th annual Butterfly Release.
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if the writing is bad and throw in copious scenes with irresistible kids. Each story is underdeveloped, a flaw in all of these big-cast comedies. Individual episodes are funny but the film doesn’t hold together as a whole. It feels like an extended sitcom. Thanks to a funny cast and occasionally clever writing, the movie is surprisingly funny and overdelivers on an awful premise.
lOOkING AHeAD
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Historical interpretations of life in the mid1800s rural Georgia, re-enactors, traditional music, “interpretive laundry” and folk life demonstrations will immerse visitors in the heritage of Appalachian Mountain culture and customs on Saturday in Sautee Nachoochee.
Fourth annual Folk Life Festival.
Fish Craft Week, Gainesville. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 14-18. $1 per craft, members free. Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, 999 Chestnut St., Suite 11, Gainesville. 770536-1900. www.inkfun.org.
Watercolor workshop by Tony Couch, Gainesville. July 16-20. Gainesville Civic Center. Presented by Gainesville Watercolor Society. 786-208-4320.
Mall of Georgia’s 10th annual Fabulous Fourth, Buford. 2 to 9 p.m. July 4. Mall of Georgia. Fireworks display begins at dusk. “Sherlock Holmes 2” shown postfireworks. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. 404-233-3993 or jworrall@bravepublicrelations.com.
North Georgia Chamber Music Festival, Dahlonega. June 15-24. Gloria Shott Performance Hall, North Georgia College & State University. $30.
“Dearly Beloved,” Clarkesville. 7:30 p.m. evenings, 2 p.m. matinees, June 8-10, 14-16. Habersham Community Theater, 1370 Washington St., Clarkesville. $13, adults; $8 children and full-time students. www.habershamtheater.org, 706-839-1315.
Outdoor Adventure Weekend, Dawsonville. 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 2, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 3. Early morning kids’ fishing rodeo, trail maintenance and guided hikes to honor National Trails Day. Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge. $5 parking. 706-265-1969.
JUNe 2: JUNe 8-10: JUNe 15-24: MAY 25-26: JUlY 4: JUlY 16-20:
outdoors
family
movies
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Thursday, May 17, 2012 | gainesvilletimes.com/getout
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‘Expecting’ delivers unexpected laughs JEFF MARKER jmarker@gsc.edu
Film Review At first glance, this seems to be the week when Hollywood hits bottom. The big releases are “Battleship,” based on a board game played with pegs, and “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” based on a pregnancy guide. Need any more proof that Hollywood has run out of ideas? What’s next? “Roget’s Thesaurus, in 3D!”? Yes, “What to Expect” seems to signify much that is wrong with contemporary Hollywood. But I’m not going to pronounce that judgement for two reasons. First, the movie’s strategy has been common since the sign Melissa Moseley | Lionsgate still said “Hollywoodland:” Base the movie on a property instantly Chris Rock, left, and Rodrigo Santoro, right, are shown in a scene from “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” recognized by everyone, cast so many stars no one will notice if wanes, though, as she struggles Decker, who only recently With the Stars”-type show. Jules the writing is bad and throw in with how hard it really is to grow began acting, deserves some must learn that even she can’t do copious scenes with irresistible and deliver a baby. credit for being genuinely funny everything by herself. kids. Banks anchors the entire as a woman whose pregnancy Also dealing with an We can’t claim this is the movie, embodying the expectant goes sickeningly smoothly. unplanned pregnancy are Rosie decline of Hollywood, when it is everywoman enduring back She never gets gas and wears (Anna Kendrick) and Marco nothing new. pains, a bladder with a mind of designer heels in her third (Chase Crawford), whose Second, the movie isn’t as its own and “backne.” (That’s trimester. Skyler is that pregnant one-night stand turns into a bad as you might expect. Oh, it acne on the back, in case I woman whom other pregnant commitment. isn’t very good, either, but it will misspelled it.) Banks is incredibly women hate, yet Decker makes All of this has little to do with please its audience. relateable and funny in the role. it endearing. the book on which the movie is The movie is structured like Falcone, who broke out in Holly (Jennifer Lopez) and Alex based, except that both book “New Year’s Eve,” “Valentine’s last year’s “Bridesmaids,” is (Rodrigo Santoro), meanwhile, and movie try to capture typical Day” and other recent comedies also very funny as he grapples have tried in vitro fertilization pregnancy-related experiences. that feature several themewith life in the shadow of his and everything else yet still Each story is underdeveloped, related storylines and staruber-competitive father, Ramsey can’t conceive. They decide to a flaw in all of these big-cast studded casts. In this case, each (Randy Quaid). adopt, but a series of financial comedies. Individual episodes storyline centers on a pregnant Ramsey is a retired NASCAR and marital problems complicate are funny but the film doesn’t woman. legend now married to young, matters. hold together as a whole. It feels Wendy (Elizabeth Banks) and trophy wife Skyler (Brooklyn Television fitness guru Jules like an extended sitcom. Gary (Ben Falcone) have been Decker). Ramsey and Skyler (Cameron Diaz, channeling Jillian The Rosie and Marco story trying for two years of their become pregnant at exactly the Michaels) gets pregnant thanks begins very strongly, promising marriage to get pregnant and are same time as Wendy and Gary. to an affair with her dancing some real drama which thrilled when it finally happens. Dad once again upstages his partner Evan (Matthew Morrison) unfortunately never materializes. Wendy’s excitement slowly son. during filming of a “Dancing That’s perhaps the biggest
‘What To Expect When You’re Expecting’ Starring: Cameron Diaz, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick, Dennis Quaid, Jennifer Lopez Rated: PG-13, for crude and sexual content, thematic elements and language Runtime: 1 hour, 40 minutes Bottom line: You get what you expect
shame of the movie. “What to Expect” was filmed and is set in Atlanta, and plays like a tourism ad for the city. The Georgia Aquarium, Piedmont Park and numerous locations around Midtown get great screen time. The Black Lips make an appearance, and Atlanta actor J. Todd Smith has a speaking role. It’s great to see our capital city pictured so lovingly. Thanks to a funny cast and occasionally clever writing, the movie is surprisingly funny and overdelivers on an awful premise. Jeff Marker teaches film and literature at Gainesville State College. His reviews appear weekly in Get Out and on gainesvilletimes.com/getout.
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Summer movie Preview
Plenty of hot flicks in store goo The Action
Men in Black III May 25
JEFF MARKER jmarker@gsc.edu
Film Review
Ever since January, when Variety and the Hollywood Reporter each ran pieces making similar proclamations, the prevailing wisdom in the industry has been that if the 2012 summer slate can’t bring people to the theaters, nothing will. Thus, 2012 has become a makeor-break year for American movie theaters and Hollywood along with it. That is probably an over-statement, but there is no denying that this is the strongest summer movie slate we’ve seen in years. Here’s a rundown of some of the most promising releases of the season. Jeff Marker teaches film and literature at Gainesville State College. His reviews appear weekly in Get Out and on gainesvilletimes.com/getout.
“Men in Black II” released way back in 2002 and did much less business than the franchise starter. So do people care about a third installment? Surprisingly, the answer seems to be yes. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back, but it looks like Josh Brolin, doing a hilariously accurate impression of a young Jones, is going to steal the show. The trailer looks fun and there’s healthy buzz building.
Prometheus June 8
Ridley Scott’s prequel to the Alien franchise looks amazing, the cast is a dream team of hot actors (Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba) and the anticipation is feverish. Yet we don’t much about the film’s plot. Space explorers discover something that reveals something about the origins of mankind, and they fight aliens. Who cares? I’m there.
The Bourne Legacy Aug. 3
Is it a good idea to continue the Bourne franchise without Matt Damon or either director of the previous films? Tony Gilroy wrote all three Bourne films; he directs and co-wrote “Legacy,” which is a plus. So is the cast. Jeremy Renner stars and gets support from fellow newcomers Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach and Oscar Isaac, while franchise veterans Albert Finney, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Scott Glenn reprise their roles. Still, this may have been a very bad idea.
movies
Snow White and the Huntsman June 1
The year’s second unconventional adaptation of Show White (that story deserves a whole, separate column), this action-adventure take on the tale features Kristen Stewart as the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen, played by Oscar winner Charlize Theron. The queen finds that this Snow White fights back, thanks to having trained with a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) dispatched to kill her. This looks surprisingly good and promises stunning visuals and Theron reveling in the evil queen’s deviance.
The Amazing Spider-Man July 3
This is one of the fastest reboots we’ve ever seen. The last Spider-Man trilogy, helmed by Sam Raimi and starring Tobey Maguire, just ended in 2007. Now the franchise is resurrected with a new director, Marc Webb of “(500) Days of Summer,” new Spidey (Andrew Garfield), new love interest (Emma Stone), new villain (Rhys Ifans) and new everything else. I’m dubious about rebooting so soon, but the cast is strong and the writing team boasts great talent: Steve Kloves (Harry Potter franchise), James Vanderbilt (“Zodiac”) and Alvin Sargent (“Ordinary People”). Cautiously optimistic.
Lawless
Total Recall
Aug. 31
Aug. 3
Filmed entirely in Georgia, this could be a great period action movie. Set in the Depression, the move follows a tough-as-nails bootlegging family battling crooked cops and federal agents. Director John Hillcoat (“The Road,” “The Proposition”) directs a script penned by Nick Cave and a heavyweight cast: Tom Hardy, Jessica Chastain, Shia LeBeouf, Guy Pearce, Gary Oldman and others. Huge potential here.
Like “MIBIII,” the question here is whether people will care. There is certainly plenty of room to improve upon the original, especially Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “acting” and the visual effects. Don’t expect this remake to be smarter, but it should provide plenty of thrills and better performances from a cast that includes Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Bryan Cranston, Jessica Biel and Bill Nighy.
The Dark Knight Rises July 20 The epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. What else is there to say? I’ll see you there.
The Expendables 2 Aug. 17
I wonder is anything will blow up in this movie?
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Thursday, May 17, 2012 | gainesvilletimes.com/getout
The Family
The Drama
Your Sister’s Sister
The laughter
June 22
Everything about “Brave” signifies a return to top form for its studio, Pixar. They’re back to breaking new visual and narrative ground, with their first female protagonist and first venture into mythological territory. Be excited.
Writer/director Lynn Shelton (“My Effortless Brilliance,” “Humpday”) has built a strong reputation on the indie scene now offers her highest profile release yet. Here, she sheds most of the mumblecore style but keeps the focus on raw, intimate drama and witty comedy. Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt and Mark Duplass star in a film that will make us both laugh and cry.
June 8
Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo and Melman the Giraffe are still fighting to get home to their beloved Big Apple and of course, King Julien, Maurice and the Penguins are all along for the comedic adventure. Their journey takes them through Europe, where they find cover in a traveling circus. This franchise has always been about jokes more than story, so let’s hope for more of the same.
Wes Anderson (“The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “Rushmore”) returns to familiar territory with a coming of age story about exceptional kids. Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton and Bob Balaban join Anderson regulars Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman. Even when he isn’t great, Anderson is always worth watching.
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World June 22
July 13
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
“Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane writes and directs his first film, and it is, as expected, a little demented. The live action/CG-animated comedy tells the story of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a grown man who must deal with the cherished teddy bear who came to life as the result of a childhood wish ... and has refused to leave his side ever since. The trailer is a riot.
The unexpected
Ice Age: Continental Drift Manny, Diego and Sid are back a fourth time, and this time there are animal pirates. Hmm. This might be one Ice Age too many.
Moonrise Kingdom
July 13
June 15
Brave
Ted
Take This Waltz
June 29 Sarah Polley’s directorial debut, “Away From Her,” announced her as a major emerging talent. Michelle Williams, widely considered one of the best working actresses, anchors this film, which explores the difficulties of marriage and repressed desires. Sarah Silverman and Seth Rogen should lend some levity to the heaviness.
Hope Springs Aug. 10
Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones play a married couple trying to spice things up and reconnect, with the help of a couple’s specialist played by Steve Carell. Oh yeah, I’ll watch that.
A 70-mile-wide asteroid is en route to Earth, and humanity will soon end. What do you do? Soft-spoken insurance salesman Dodge (Steve Carell) and his introverted neighbor Penny (Keira Knightley) go on a road trip. Dodge wants to track down the love of his life and Penny wants to reach her family in England before world ends. On the road together, the unlikely traveling companions’ respective personal journeys accelerate, and their outlooks – if not the world’s – brighten.
June 15
To Rome With Love June 22
Here comes Woody Allen’s annual travel comedy, right on time. The last two (“Midnight in Paris” and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”) were great, so why not go ahead be excited? Starring Woody Allen, Alec Baldwin, Roberto Benigni, Penélope Cruz, Judy Davis, Jesse Eisenberg, Greta Gerwig and Ellen Page.
Magic Mike June 29
Set in the world of male strippers, “Magic Mike” is directed by Steven Soderbergh and stars Channing Tatum in a story inspired by his real life. The film follows Mike (Tatum) as he takes a young dancer called The Kid (Alex Pettyfer) under his wing and schools him in the fine arts of partying, picking up women and making easy money. Soderbergh excels at mining unusual scenarios for great filmmaking.
Ruby Sparks July 25
Calvin (Paul Dano) is a young novelist who achieved phenomenal success early in his career but is now struggling with his writing – as well as his romantic life. Finally, he makes a breakthrough and creates a character named Ruby who inspires him. When Calvin finds Ruby (Zoe Kazan, who wrote the screenplay), in the flesh, sitting on his couch about a week later, he is completely flabbergasted that his words have turned into a living, breathing person. This seems like something we’ve already seen, but co-directors Jonathan Dayton and Valeria Faris are the team that brought us “Little Miss Sunshine,” so I’m in.
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showtimes
Bargain shows denoted by parenthesis ( ).
Hollywood Stadium Cinemas 770-539-9200 120 Green Hill Circle, Gainesville
Battleship (PG-13) Fri.-Sun. 1:00-2:00-4:00-5:00-7:008:00-9:45 Dark Shadows (PG-13) Thu. 4:15-5:15-7:15-8:15-9:45 Fri.-Sun. 12:15-1:15-2:454:15-5:15-7:15-8:15-10:00 The Dictator (R) Thu. 4:155:00-7:00-8:00-9:45 Fri.-Sun. 12:00-1:00-2:00-3:00-4:005:00-7:00-8:00-9:00-10:00 The Hunger Games (PG-13) Thu. 4:00-7:00-9:30 Fri.-Sun. 1:00-4:00-7:00-9:30 The Lucky One (PG-13) Thu. 4:45-7:15-9:45 Fri.-Sun. 12:15-2:30-4:45-7:15-9:45 Marvel’s the Avengers (PG-13) Thu. 3:30-4:30-6:30-7:309:30 Fri.-Sun. 12:30-1:303:30-4:30-6:30-7:30-9:30 Marvel’s the Avengers 3D (PG-13) Thu. 4:00-5:007:00-8:00-10:00 Fri.-Sun. 12:00-1:00-2:00-4:00-5:007:00-8:00-9:00 The Pirates! Band of Misfits (PG) Thu. 5:00-9:30 Fri.-Sun. 12:00-5:00-10:00 The Pirates! Band of Misfits 3D (PG) Thu. 7:00 Fri.-Sun. 3:00-7:00 The Raven (R) Thu. 5:00-7:3010:00 Safe (R) Thu. 5:00-7:15-10:00 Think Like a Man (PG-13) Thu. 4:15-7:00-9:45 Fri.-Sun. 1:15-4:15-7:15-9:45 The Three Stooges (PG) Thu. 4:30-6:45-9:00 What to Expect When You’re Expecting (PG-13) Fri.-Sun. 1:30-4:30-7:15-9:45
Regal Mall of Georgia Stadium 20 678-482-5858 3333 Buford Drive, Suite 3000, Buford
The Artist (PG-13) Thu. 4:459:05 Battleship (PG-13) Thu. 12:01 Fri.-Sat. 12:00-12:35-1:20-
gainesvilletimes.com/getout | Thursday, May 17, 2012
Avengers’ rules with record $300M LOS ANGELES — “The Avengers” followed a recordshattering $200 million opening with another Hollywood high — a $100 million-plus second weekend. The top 5 movies Friday through Sunday, followed by distribution studio, total gross and number of weeks in release, as compiled Monday by Hollywood.com are: 1. “The Avengers,” Disney, $373,071,647, two weeks. 2. “Dark Shadows,” Warner Bros., $29,685,274, one week. 3. “Think Like a Man,” Sony Screen Gems, $81,432,840, four weeks. 4. “The Hunger Games,” Lionsgate, $387,007,048, eight weeks. 5. “The Lucky One,” Warner Bros., $53,788,233, four weeks. 2:00-3:05-3:40-4:20-5:106:10-6:40-7:20-8:05-9:0510:20-11:00-12:05 Sun. 12:00-12:35-1:20-2:003:05-3:40-4:20-5:10-6:106:40-7:20-8:05-9:05-10:20 The Cabin in the Woods (R) Thu. 12:15-5:05-9:55 Chimpanzee (G) Thu. 10:3512:45-2:45-7:05 Dark Shadows (PG-13) Thu. 11:45-12:00-2:202:35-4:55-5:10-7:307:45-10:05-10:20 Fri.-Sat. 12:00-1:15-2:35-3:50-5:106:25-7:45-9:05-10:20-11:45 Sun. 12:00-1:15-2:35-3:505:10-6:25-7:45-9:05-10:20 Dark Shadows: The IMAX Experience (PG-13) Thu. 10:15-4:15-7:00 Fri.-Sun. 4:10-10:15 The Dictator (R) Thu. 10:30-11:15-12:45-1:202:55-3:45-5:15-5:50-7:307:55-9:45-10:15 Fri.-Sat. 12:00-12:45-2:10-2:554:20-5:15-6:50-7:30-9:009:45-11:10-11:50 Sun. 12:00-12:45-2:10-2:554:20-5:15-6:50-7:30-9:009:45 The Five-Year Engagement (R) Thu. 10:15-1:30-4:157:00-9:45 Fri.-Sat. 1:304:15-7:00-9:45-12:30 Sun. 1:30-4:15-7:00-9:45 The Hunger Games (PG-13) Thu. 12:55-4:05-7:25-10:30 Fri.-Sun. 12:55-4:05-7:3010:30 The Lucky One (PG-13) Thu. 12:05-2:25-4:50-7:15-9:55 Fri.-Sat. 12:05-2:25-4:507:15-9:55-12:20 Sun. 12:052:25-4:50-7:15-9:55 Marvel’s the Avengers (PG-13)
Thu. 10:00-12:00-1:153:05-4:30-6:10-7:45-9:15 Fri.-Sat. 12:20-1:30-3:254:35-6:30-7:45-9:35-11:00 Sun. 12:20-1:30-3:25-4:356:30-7:45-9:35 Marvel’s the Avengers 3D (PG-13) Thu. 11:45-12:151:00-2:50-3:20-4:15-5:556:25-7:30-9:30-9:45-10:30 Fri.-Sat. 12:00-1:002:15-3:05-4:10-5:256:10-7:20-8:30-9:1510:25-11:40-12:20 Sun. 12:00-1:00-2:15-3:05-4:105:25-6:10-7:20-8:30-9:1510:25 Marvel’s the Avengers: An IMAX 3D Experience (PG-13) Thu. 1:00-10:15 Fri.-Sat. 12:45-7:00-12:40 Sun. 12:45-7:00 Mirror Mirror (PG) Thu. 2:357:25 The Pirates! Band of Misfits (PG) Thu. 10:30-12:55-3:105:20-7:35-9:50 Fri.-Sun. 1:20-3:40-6:00 The Raven (R) Thu. 11:552:25-4:45-7:10-9:40 Safe (R) Thu. 10:20-12:402:55-5:10-7:25-9:40 Fri.-Sat. 9:40-12:25 Sun. 9:40 Think Like a Man (PG-13) Thu. 10:30-1:30-4:30-7:35-10:25 Fri.-Sun. 1:30-4:30-7:3510:25 The Three Stooges (PG) Thu. 12:05-2:20-4:40-7:05-9:20 Titanic 3D (PG-13) Thu. 11:55-4:00-8:00 Fri.-Sun. 8:25 What to Expect When You’re Expecting (PG-13) Thu. 12:05 Fri.-Sat. 12:10-1:252:40-4:05-5:10-6:45-7:409:20-10:10-11:55 Sun.
12:10-1:25-2:40-4:05-5:106:45-7:40-9:20-10:10
Movies 400 678-513-4400 415 Atlanta Road, Cumming
Ga. 365 at Cody Road, Mount Airy Battleship (PG-13) Fri.
13
4:45-7:05-9:25 Fri.-Sun. 12:05-2:25-4:45-7:059:25 Marvel’s the Avengers (PG-13) Thu. 4:00-5:007:00-8:00-10:00 Fri.-Sun. 1:00-1:30-4:00-5:007:00-8:00-10:00 Marvel’s the Avengers 3D (PG-13) Thu. 4:00-7:0010:00 Fri.-Sun. 1:00-4:007:00-10:00 The Pirates! Band of Misfits (PG) Thu. 4:20-9:25 The Pirates! Band of Misfits 3D (PG) Thu. 7:15 The Raven (R) Thu. 4:057:05-9:45 What to Expect When You’re Expecting (PG-13) Fri.-Sun. 1:00-4:05-7:00-9:30
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Battleship (PG-13) Fri.-Sun. (12:30-3:35) 6:40-9:45 Chimpanzee (G) Thu.-Sun. (12:10-2:20-4:30) 6:40-8:50 Dark Shadows (PG-13) Thu.Sun. (12:45-3:30) 7:15-10:00 The Dictator (R) Thu.-Sun. (12:55-3:10-5:25) 7:4010:00 The Five-Year Engagement (R) Thu.-Sun. 7:05-10:00 The Hunger Games (PG-13) Thu.-Sun. (12:00-3:15) 6:309:45 The Lucky One (PG-13) Thu.Sun. (1:15-3:50) 7:25-10:00 Marvel’s the Avengers (PG13) Thu.-Sun. (11:30-2:45) 6:00-9:15 Marvel’s the Avengers 3D (PG-13) Thu.-Sun. (12:001:00-1:30-3:15-4:15-4:45) 6:30-7:30-8:00-9:45 The Pirates! Band of Misfits 3D (PG) Thu.-Sun. (12:002:20-4:40) The Raven (R) Thu. (1:003:35) 7:30-10:05 Safe (R) Thu. (12:30-2:555:20) 7:45-10:10 What to Expect When You’re Expecting (PG-13) Fri.-Sun. (1:00-3:40) 7:00-9:40
Habersham Hills Cinemas 6 706-776-7469
3:40-7:00 Sat. 1:35-4:407:40 Sun. 12:50-3:45-7:00 Dark Shadows (PG-13) Thu. 3:20-5:55-8:25 Fri. 3:205:50-8:15 Sat. 1:00-3:306:05-8:35 Sun. 12:503:20-5:50-8:15 The Dictator (R) Thu. 3:105:10-7:05-9:00 Fri. 4:306:25-8:25 Sat. 12:302:35-5:05-7:00-9:00 Sun. 2:25-4:30-6:25-8:25 The Lucky One (PG-13) Thu. 4:00-6:20-8:40 Fri. 3:055:30-7:50 Sat. 2:00-4:156:35-8:50 Sun. 1:45-4:457:15 Marvel’s the Avengers (PG-13) Thu. 3:30-5:006:40-8:00 Fri. 4:00-7:25 Sat. 12:31-3:50-7:20 Sun. 1:10-4:15-7:25 Safe (R) Thu. 4:30-7:25 What to Expect When You’re Expecting (PG-13) Fri. 3:00-5:30-8:05 Sat. 12:40-3:05-5:35-8:10 Sun. 12:30-3:00-5:308:05
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Dawson 400 Stadium Cinemas 706-216-1622 189 North 400 Center Lane, Dawsonville
Battleship (PG-13) Fri.Sun. 1:00-1:30-4:005:00-6:55-8:00-9:45 Dark Shadows (PG-13) Thu. 4:10-5:10-7:10-8:00-9:40 Fri.-Sun. 12:00-1:152:35-4:10-5:10-6:508:00-9:40 The Dictator (R) Thu. 4:307:25-9:40 Fri.-Sun. 12:202:25-4:30-7:25-9:40 The Hunger Games (PG-13) Thu. 4:00-7:00-10:00 The Lucky One (PG-13) Thu.
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too often is crammed with fish-out-of-water gags as Barnabas struggles to make sense of the time in which he’s found himself. “Dark Shadows” feels too languid, and bogged down as it is with an obsessive eye for costumes and period detail rather than offering anything resembling an engaging story. And by the time Burton finally puts his visual effects skills to their best use, in a climactic showdown between Barnabas and the witch who cursed him (Eva Green), it’s too late. With Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter and Jackie Earle Haley.
Movie reviews from Associated Press and McClatchy Newspapers. Stars out of four.
openING ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’ ■ Review, 10
‘Battleship’
HH½ (PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, action and destruction, and for language.) This is big, dumb fun that knows it’s big, dumb fun and enthusiastically embraces its big, dumb, fun nature. Director Peter Berg has crafted an almost fetishistic homage to Michael Bay — like the “Transformers” series, this is yet another action extravaganza inspired by a Hasbro product — with its epic set pieces, swaggering bravado, panoramic skies and cheesy romance. It doesn’t lean all the way into parody, but rather feels more like an affectionate and knowing approximation of a very specific, muscular genre: one of those the-world-isending-we’re-all-gonna-die movies. And because it’s a little cheeky and doesn’t seem to take itself totally seriously, it’s more enjoyable than one might expect from a movie based on a board game created in the 1960s. Taylor Kitsch gets more to work with here than he did earlier this year in “John Carter” as Alex Hopper. A slacker and troublemaker at the film’s start, he joins the Navy at the insistence of his older brother, Stone (Alexander Skarsgard). A certain gorgeous blonde named Sam (Brooklyn Decker) also provides some inspiration. Flash-forward and Alex is a lieutenant on one Naval destroyer while Stone is the commanding officer of another. Both
Melinda Sue Gordon | Paramount Pictures
Sacha Baron Cohen, portrays Admiral General Aladeen in a scene from “The Dictator.”
answer to Adm. Shane (a withering, well-cast Liam Neeson), who happens to be Sam’s father. They’re all taking part in some international war games off the Hawaiian coast when — oops! — a satellite signal sent to a newly discovered planet that looks a lot like ours in a neighboring galaxy provokes some angry extraterrestrials.
‘The Dictator’
H½ (R for strong, crude and sexual content; brief male nudity; language; and some violent images.) Sacha Baron Cohen is back with “The Dictator,” his leastfocused film yet, although it has an actual script compared with the guerrillastyle mockumentaries that preceded it. Baron Cohen stars as Admiral Gen. Aladeen, who has ruled the oil-rich, fictitious North African nation of Wadiya cruelly and cluelessly since he was 7 years old. Aladeen oppresses his people from the comfort of his opulent palace, sleeps with movie stars (including Megan Fox in a cameo) and orders the
execution of his underlings for the silliest of perceived offenses. But when he travels to New York to make a speech before the United Nations, he finds he’s been double-crossed by his right-hand man (Ben Kingsley) and forced to survive as a commoner. Stripped of his trademark thick beard, Aladeen is rendered unrecognizable and ends up working at an organic grocery store run by the androgynous, ultra-politically correct Zoey (Anna Faris, who’s nearly unrecognizable herself). For a long time, it’s hard to tell what Baron Cohen’s point is in spoofing this type of despot: that torture and rape are bad? Could it really be that simple? A speech Aladeen gives highlighting the benefits of a dictatorship hits close to home, but it’s a long slog through hit-or-miss grossout gags to get there.
continuING ‘Dark Shadows’
H½ (PG-13 for comic horror violence, sexual
content, some drug use, language and smoking.) Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are snuggled warmly in their comfort zone in this chilly horror-comedy. You don’t need to know a thing about the “Dark Shadows” TV series that provides the inspiration. Tonally, thematically, visually, you’ve seen this movie before, with its oddball characters, skies in varying shades of gray and a foreboding sense of gothic mystery. It’s actually a wonder that Depp hasn’t played a vampire before; still, his long-undead Barnabas Collins, who’s been buried alive for nearly two centuries and suddenly finds himself back in his insular Maine hometown in 1972, fits squarely within his well-honed on-screen persona. He thinks he’s quite the charmer, but he’s actually a bit awkward, and that contradiction provides the main source of humor. Or at least, it’s supposed to. The script from Seth Grahame-Smith (“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”) allows its family full of weirdoes to shine, but
‘Marvel’s The Avengers’
HHH½ (PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout and a mild drug reference.) The hype has been building for years and it couldn’t possibly be more deafening at this point. After a series of summer blockbusters that individually introduced Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor and Captain America, all these characters come together alongside several other friends and foes. And with director and co-writer Joss Whedon, they couldn’t be in better hands. He’s pulled off the tricky feat of juggling a large ensemble cast and giving everyone a chance to shine, of balancing splashy set pieces with
substantive ideology. Stuff gets blowed up real good in beautifully detailed 3-D, but the film as a whole is never a mess from a narrative perspective. Whedon keeps a tight rein on some potentially unwieldy material, and the result is a film that simultaneously should please purists (one of which he is) as well as those who aren’t necessarily comicbook aficionados. He also stays true to the characters while establishing a tone that’s very much his own. As he did with the recent horror hit “The Cabin in the Woods,” which he co-wrote and produced, Whedon has come up with a script that’s cheeky and breezy, full of witty banter and sly pop-culture shout-outs as well as self-referential humor, one that moves with an infectious energy that (almost) makes you lose track of its 2½-hour running time. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), the head of S.H.I.E.L.D., assembles a dream team of superheroes to retrieve the Tesseract, the cosmic blue cube that gives its bearer unlimited power, when the evil Loki (Tom Hiddleston) descends from Asgard and steals it. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) are among those on the case — once they stop fighting each other, that is.
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gainesvilletimes.com/getout | Thursday, May 17, 2012
2012 SculpTour opens Suwanee fest gets serious about the arts From staff reports Art in a variety of forms will be celebrated, demonstrated, exhibited, performed and savored Saturday at the Arts in the Park festival at Suwanee’s Town Center Park. The annual arts festival will feature more than 50 fine artists, an upscale circus-themed entertainment lineup, and the official unveiling of the city of Suwanee’s 2012 SculpTour exhibit. The festival is set for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is free. Hosted by the North Gwinnett Arts Association, Arts in the Park aims to be a “serious” arts festival. “We don’t want to replicate Suwanee Day, and we don’t want to be a craft festival,” says NGAA President Vickie Johnson. “We want to be a serious arts festival like the ones at Piedmont Park, something that is really all about the arts.” Many of the exhibiting
artists will be demonstrating and creating their art on site, and the eclectic entertainment lineup includes a roving magician, women’s a capella barbershop-style group, contemporary circus performers and performances of “operatizers.” In addition, attendees will have a chance to participate in artistic endeavors — having their photo taken as the face of Edvard Munch’s “Scream,” and trying their hand at the Pollock Painting Canvas, a group art project. “There’s a lot of focus with this event on education. So this is a great opportunity to bring your children and let them learn about the arts,” Johnson said. Suwanee SculpTour is a walking exhibit of 15 outdoor sculptures. The 2012 exhibit is being installed in and around Town Center Park. The exhibit includes sculptures
Arts in the Park When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 19 Where: Suwanee’s Town Center Park Cost: Free to attend
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made from a variety of materials and features artists from Georgia and five other states. Town Center Park is located at Buford Highway and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road. Limited parking is available at Town Center and along Main Street; look for the yellow and black “Event Parking” signs.
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Quinlan Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. $5 per session. 770-5362575, www.quinlanartscenter.org.
go o the arts
Arts in the Park, Suwanee. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 19. Town Center Park. www. SuwaneeArtsinthePark.com Quinlan Photography League meeting, Gainesville. 7 p.m. May 21. Hosted by photographer Juan Alonso. Please bring a flash drive and five photos to share. $5 suggested membership dues.
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theater events
Center, 5509 Main St., Flowery Branch. 678-357-7359, www.FifthRowCenter.com Funny Fridays at Aurora Theatre, Lawrenceville. May 18, 7:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. $15. Aurora Theatre, 128 E. Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222, www. auroratheatre.com
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Xperimental Puppetry Theater, Atlanta. 8 p.m. May 17-19; 5 p.m. May 20. Talkback with the artists following every performance. Center for Puppetry Arts Mainstage Theater, 1014 Spring St. and 18th, Atlanta. 404-873-3391. www.puppet. org. “Steel Magnolias,” Flowery Branch. May 18-20. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $12 adults, $10 students. Presented by Fifth Row
Summer Saturday Art Amble, Clarkesville. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 6. Self-guided stroll through studios, workshops, storefronts and art centered events in a four-county corner of the mountains. Free. For map and more info, www. artstour.org.
Upcoming
“Dearly Beloved,” Clarkesville. 7:30 p.m. evenings, 2 p.m. matinees, June 8-10, 14-16. Habersham Community Theater, 1370 Washington St., Clarkesville. $13, adults; $8 children and full-time students. www.habershamtheater.org.
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Thursday, May 17, 2012