Playlist 2/28/2006

Playlist Title: more like alexander the so-so
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good Time Family Band Solution by J Henson
Andrew Bird - Candy Shop
Beck - Girl
The Greenhornes - There is an End
The Hold Steady - The Swish
Old Canes - Taxi on Vermont
The Elected - Not Going Home
Belle & Sebastian - White Collar Boy
The Notwist - Chemicals
The White Stripes - Girl You Have No Faith in Medicine
Love is All - Turn The Radio Off
Built to Spill - Distopian Dream Girl
The Cloud Room - Hey Now Now
The Decemberists - Billy Liar
Saturday Looks Good to Me - Dialtone
Pixies - Debaser
Spoon - The Beast and Dragon, Adored
Elliott Smith - Son of Sam
M.I.A. - 10 Dollar
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood
The Minus 5 - With a Gun
Film School - He's A Deep Deep Lake
Pavement - Shady Lane
Art Brut - Moving to L.A.
Steve Earle - Rich Man's War
Broken Social Scene - Major Label Debut (Fast)
The Arcade Fire - No Cars Go
The National - Mr. November

Unstoppable.

The third film in a series typically suffers from creative complications and over-the-top theatrics – “Final Destination 3,” however, breaks the mold.

James Wong, a producer of “The X-Files” and director of the original “Final Destination,” returns to direct the second sequel in the lucrative series. Like the previous films, “Final Destination 3” begins with a forewarning of a horrible accident. The senior class of McKinley High School has rented a local amusement park for the night.

Wendy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead, “Sky High”), a young photographer, is documenting the event for the yearbook.

She has an eerily realistic premonition of a rollercoaster crash, killing everyone on board. Wendy and her best friend’s boyfriend, Kevin (Ryan Merriman, “The Ring Two”), leave the ride with several classmates. Minutes later, the ride plunges to the ground and sets off a chain of events meant to kill all the survivors.

Unbeknownst to her, Wendy’s photos are the clues to the discovery and prevention of her and her classmate’s deaths.

Granted, the film doesn’t stray far from the plot of the preceding films, but the scares remain fresh.

The latest string of PG-13 horror movies, “Boogeyman” and “When a Stranger Calls,” left audiences only wanting more – more violence, more scares, more shocks and more carnage. “Final Destination 3” delivers.

The days of suggestive violence, perfected by Alfred Hitchcock and John Carpenter, are gone. The film holds nothing back. “Destination” unabashedly exhibits the most gruesome and ridiculous deaths seen in film. From tanning booth combustion to nail gun lacerations, Wong and co-screenwriter Glen Morgan (“Willard”) leave nothing to the imagination.

The movie is thrilling because, unlike most teen horror films, it contains no masked lunatic or chainsaw wielding psycho. Death is a force with which to be reckoned. Although the students do their best to avoid their demise, solving each intricate clue isn’t a simple task.

Despite the ludicrous humor and shockingly amusing brutality, the film is no masterpiece. It won’t be nominated for Academy Awards or make the critics’ top-10 lists, but it is a decent way to spend an hour and a half. Characters are altogether forgettable, and rightfully so. Most of them play off of tired stereotypes – the ditzy blonde cheerleader, the creepy skeptical goth, the pompous loudmouth jock and the obligatory snotty underclassmen. Lacking emotional ties to the cast, the senseless deaths and massive body count are inconsequential.

Regardless of the goofiness and leaky story, “Final Destination 3” is a terrifyingly entertaining film.

Playlist 2/21/2006

Playlist Title: i wouldn't take a dump in an olive garden
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good Time Family Band Solution by J Henson
Belle & Sebastian - The Blues are Still Blue
The Boy Least Likely To - Hugging My Grudge
The White Stripes - Apple Blossom
The Thrills - Don't Steal Our Sun
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Let Me Know
The Strokes - Razorblade
A.C. Newman - On the Table
Rilo Kiley - A Better Son/Daughter
The Black Keys - Heavy Soul
Feist - Mushaboom (Postal Service Remix)
Spoon - Merchants of Soul
Built to Spill - Car
Phoenix - Too Young (Zoot Woman Remix)
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Pangea
Beulah - A Good Man is Easy to Kill
Rogue Wave - Everyday
Art Brut - Good Weekend
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Animal Midnight
The Walkmen - Thinking of a Dream
Antony and the Johnsons - Hope There's Someone
Sufjan Stevens - The Tallest Man, The Broadest Shoulders
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead
Badly Drawn Boy - The Shining
The Unicorns - Jellybones
The Streets - Weak Become Heroes
William Shatner (feat. Henry Rollins) - I Can't Get Behind That
Love is All - Untitled

A Love That Will Never Grow Old...

Forbidden love is often explored through film, but Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain” breaks new ground by presenting the illicit affair of two male Wyoming ranch hands.

Based on a short story by E. Annie Proulx, the film was recently nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

The film opens during the early ‘60s in a rural town. Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger, “10 Things I Hate About You”) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal, “Donnie Darko”) stand quietly outside a ranch owner’s trailer hoping to acquire summer employment. The two are given positions as sheep herders on Brokeback Mountain.

The men bond over canned beans and family histories. Like many Bradley students, Jack and Ennis turn to alcohol as the monotony and deplorable living conditions set in. Given time and desperation, the two discover a profound love. As quickly as they discover their sexuality, they realize the necessity of restraining desire when returning to society at summer’s end.

Ennis becomes close-mouthed and distant. He marries Alma (Michelle Williams, “Dawson’s Creek”) and starts a family. Haunted by the past and struggling with his sexuality, Ledger shatters his teen heartthrob reputation with his heartbreaking portrayal of Ennis.

Jack, on the other hand, finds romance at the rodeo. Lureen (Anne Hathaway, “The Princess Diaries”) is a rodeo princess. She catches Jack’s eye and the couple soon marries.

Despite the two men embarking on separate paths, they never forget the summer they spent on Brokeback. Years later, Jack writes to Ennis and a rendezvous on Brokeback Mountain becomes an annual occurrence.

The love between the men is not devoid of obstacles. Jack desires for the two men to begin a life together, but Ennis can’t ignore the adversity the relationship may generate.

The social mores and attitudes of rural Wyoming hinder the men’s expression of love. Much of Ledger’s powerful scenes are largely without dialogue. The inner anguish he expresses speaks louder than words.

Although the film generated negative press from the religious right, it is an amazingly profound tale of the power and prevention of forbidden love. Director Ang Lee (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “The Ice Storm”) deserves to walk away with an Academy Award for “Brokeback.” Not since Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather” has a director explored the talents of a young group of actors with such amazing perfection. Lee creates a canvas upon which four capable performers are permitted to display their craft.

Furthermore, the backdrop of the film is as stunning as the story itself. Although filmed in Canada and New Mexico, the cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto (“Alexander,” “21 Grams”) is breathtaking.

“Brokeback” would lose a portion of its commanding effect without the striking score by Gustavo Santaolalla. The film’s theme became immediately recognizable in its unrelenting parodies.

In spite of the quality of the film, audiences are split on its content. The substance of the film is not a political statement or attack on Americana; “Brokeback Mountain” is a testament to the forces driving people together and the overwhelming power of love.

Playlist 2/14/2006

Playlist Title: i wish i knew how to quit you....
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good Time Family Band Solution by J Henson

Outkast - Happy Valentines Day
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins - You Are What You Love
Stars - Elevator Love Letter
Beulah - Popular Mechanics for Lovers
Pavement - Summer Babe (Live)
Fruit Bats - When U Love Somebody
Magnetic Fields - Love is Like a Bottle of Gin
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps
Devendra Banhart - Chinese Children
The Beatles - She Loves You
Talking Heads - Love--> Building On Fire
Captain and Tenille - Love Will Keep Us Together (...for Brian)
Lou Reed - Satellite of Love
The Rapture - Love is All
The Cure - The Lovecats
Dogs Die in Hot Cars - I Love You 'Cause I Have To
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Is This Love?
The Elected - It Was Love
Eels - Love of the Loveless
The Black Keys - Have Love, Will Travel
Rogue Wave - Publish My Love
Bloc Party - This Modern Love
Prince - I Wanna Be Your Lover
The Cloud Room - O My Love
My Morning Jacket - Why Don't You Love Me?
The Futureheads - Hounds of Love
Pixies - La La Love You
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - This is Why You Love Me
Brendan Benson - Alternative to Love
Ben Lee - Love Song
Wilco - I'm Always in Love
The Concretes - You Can't Hurry Love
Iron & Wine - Love and Some Verses
Drive-by Truckers - Feb. 14

The End Crowns All...

Cineplex Politics

As war, wiretapping and gas prices linger in Americans’ minds, politically charged films are flooding theaters and acquiring countless honors. The Academy Award nominations, announced last week, were the latest to shine a light on recent political movies.

Historically, the amalgamation of politics and film has led to high acclaim. Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 satire, “Dr. Strangelove,” openly scoffed at existing political policies. The film earned numerous awards. But in post-Sept. 11 America, criticism of current policies can be confused with anti-American sentiments.

Steven Spielberg’s controversial “Munich” received a surprise Best Picture nomination. Support for the film began to wane as the politics behind the movie polarized viewers and critics. The film focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict following the 1972 Olympic massacre of 11 Israeli athletes.

Despite documenting events taking place nearly 34 years ago, the issues in “Munich” remain pertinent. Many viewers have connected the Israeli hunt for Palestinian terrorists to the pursuit of terrorists today, arguing the hunting and destruction of enemies makes the hunter a terrorist as well. Spielberg has never been one to stray from controversy. However, the latest vocal Hollywood incendiary is the star of recent political potboilers, George Clooney.

Clooney stars in director Stephen Gaghan’s latest film, “Syriana,” dealing with the world’s dependency on oil. Gaghan highlights the influence of corruption and malfeasance in the oil trade through interweaving storylines.

The film has come under fire from conservative groups for expressing an anti-American attitude. The filmmakers have repeatedly stressed that the film disregards political parties and looks at the issue objectively. President Bush underscored America’s “addiction” with oil last week in the State of the Union Address.

The rabble-rouser, Clooney, did not stop with “Syriana.” He served as director, co-writer and star of the Red Scare-themed “Good Night, and Good Luck.”

The film examines the notorious on-air battles between Communist witch hunter, Joe McCarthy, and the do-gooder journalist, Edward R. Murrow. The correlations between the Communist scare and prevailing terrorist threats are astonishing. Again, in spite of its fair share of conservative cynics, the film has earned tremendous accolades. The work remains small in scope throughout and packs a powerful punch.

Murrow, played by Academy Award nominee David Strathairn, delivers several embattled orations against the reckless abandonment of liberties. The timing for a film of this nature is ideal, as debate over President Bush’s imposed wiretappings comes to a boil. Major complaints against the film have been directed at the historical accuracy. It seems some critics concentrate on details rather than the big picture.

While Hollywood is continually accused of swinging to the left, both liberals and conservatives have found fault with romantic drama “The Constant Gardener.”

Most critics hailed “The Constant Gardener” as one of the best films of the year. A select few panned the film, arguing it served no purpose other than propaganda. In reality, the film spotlights an ill-fated romance developing against a backdrop of drug company corruption in Africa.

The dilemma with politically inspired film is friction between the film and audience. Viewers tend to skip the trip to the theater if their ideals differ from the filmmakers’.

Furthermore, the widespread political apathy in America and, to the same extent, on Bradley’s campus, produce viewers favoring Hollywood riffraff over penetrating films. Although film has proven itself a powerful medium, audiences continue to travel in droves to movies the caliber of “Big Momma’s House 2.”

There is a sense of irony in political and critical complaint with the new breed of radical filmmaking. Politicians and critics have commonly agreed that contemporary film is nothing more than trash or fluff. It seems that as the art transforms, more detractors arise.

Until a balance is reached between Hollywood litter, “Big Momma’s House,” and Hollywood brilliance, “Munich,” America is destined to debate.

Playlist 2/07/06

Playlist Title: wang chung (or i'll kick your ass)
Show Title: Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good Time Family Band Solution by J Henson

Air - The Vagabond
Tom Vek - C-C (You Set the Fire in Me)
Yo La Tengo - Today is the Day
Wilderness - Marginal Over
Stars - Ageless Beauty
New Buffalo - I've Got You & You've Got Me (Song of Contentment)
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - When You Go Out
The Black Keys - The Lengths
Devendra Banhart - Korean Dogwood
Okkervil River - The Latest Toughs
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Gold Lion
Ambulance LTD. - Stay Where You Are
Neutral Milk Hotel - Song Against Sex
The National - Murder Me Rachael (Live)
Everybody Uh Oh - S/T
My Morning Jacket - Tonight I Wanna Celebrate With You
The Sleepy Jackson - Good Dancers
Wilco - Jesus, Etc.
Grandaddy - El Caminos in the West
The Microphones - I Felt Your Shape
The Gerbils - Is She Fiona?
Spoon - Paper Tiger
Pavement - Stop Breathin'
Stars - One More Night
Thomas Lowery - Occasional Syndrome of My Attic Son
The Decemberists - Los Angeles, I'm Yours

Bursting the Release Date "Bubble"

It’s no surprise Hollywood theorists are thinking outside the box when it comes to release tactics.

Last year’s box office totals dropped $400 million, according to Nielsen Entertainment Data, Inc.

One idea stirring up controversy is the multi-format release of “Bubble.” Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh wrote, produced and directed the low-budget, independent film.

Soderbergh’s film choices have swayed between unconventional indies and big budget smashes, “Sex, Lies and Videotape” and “Ocean’s Eleven,” respectively.

“Bubble” first generated press when Soderbergh reported he would cast nonprofessional actors and film on location in rural Ohio. The $1.6 million film was shot in a mere three weeks on digital video. Centered at a doll factory in a small Ohio town, “Bubble” has generated a handful of favorable reviews.

This kind of film is by no means groundbreaking. Since “Clerks” and “The Blair Witch Project,” filmmakers have consistently capitalized on independent films with lower budgets. Small films released independently often hit a high note with college students.

Sophomore civil engineering major Kyle Michaelsen said he enjoys the occasional indie film.

“I really like some of the independent comedies of the last few years,” Michaelsen said. “The movie ‘Super Troopers’ was hysterical and didn’t need a big star to sell it.”

The revolutionary aspect to the latest Steven Soderbergh experience is not only the content, but its release strategy.

The film was released on a paltry 32 screens last Friday. That same night, cable network HDNet broadcast the film twice. Tuesday, the film was released on DVD, available in all retail stores and Landmark Theaters. This innovative strategy has stirred controversy among many theaters. Fearing a greater decline in attendance, many theaters stressed their refusal to show the film.

Despite this small setback, DVD sales are higher than expected. This may be because audiences, including Bradley students, would rather watch a DVD in the comfort of his or her residence.

“Of course I would rather rent the movie,” Michaelsen said. “Renting it would be so much cheaper and more logical as a college student.”

Freshman elementary education major Nicole Schmidt said she shared similar sentiments.

“Well, I don’t have a car on campus,” Schmidt said. “But I do have a Blockbuster card. For me, it would just be a lot easier.” There has been talk about minimizing the timeframe between theatrical and DVD releases.

However, some students aren’t interested in renting films if the same movie is in theaters.

Freshman AEP major Lisa Sireci said she would prefer to make the trip to the theater.

“It’s a completely different experience,” Sireci said. “Seeing the film on a big screen with amazing sound is important.”

The results of Steven Soderbergh’s latest experiment aren’t fully available. Time will tell if multi-format releasing does indeed sell. “Bubble” is in stores and playing in limited release at Landmark Theaters.

What's Worth Watching?

After studying is finished and the books are put away, many Bradley students turn on the TV hoping to discover a new favorite program.

The latest round of midseason replacements has settled in among old favorites. While some shows have found success, others have found nothing but disappointment.

NBC’s “The Book of Daniel” and ABC’s “Emily’s Reasons Why Not” received the ax before viewers caught on.

As more muck infiltrates the airwaves, it’s become increasingly difficult to discern the shows worth watching.

Sunday nights are generally spent relaxing after a busy weekend. What better way to spend Sunday than with a group of surgical interns? The subject matter of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” is genuinely compelling and, at times, comical. The second season of the surprise hit has gathered several nominations and wins from critic groups. By mixing the gripping drama of “E.R.” with the off-the-wall goofiness of “Scrubs,” an interesting balance is found.

“Grey’s Anatomy” is a refreshing departure from the series of crime-centric shows currently saturating TV. This Sunday, watch the hospital members’ lives threatened by the arrival of a new patient. “Grey’s Anatomy” airs at 9 p.m. Sundays on ABC.

A return to class after the weekend can trigger severe stress.

Unfortunately, Fox’s “24” offers no reprieve from stress. The program is picking up steam as the nonstop season continues. Screen Actor’s Guild award winner Keifer Sutherland is Jack Bauer, who is at the center of the counterterrorism thriller. Despite five brutal seasons, Bauer attempts to thwart terrorist group’s use of weaponized nerve gas this season.

Don’t miss a minute of the action as “24” airs at 7 p.m. Mondays on Fox. Tuesday nights offer a break from surgical drama and terrorism. CBS has brought TV favorite Tom Cavanagh back to primetime. The former star of “Ed” plays Tom in “Love Monkey,” a dramedy about an artist rep from an independent music label.

The show has a lot of heart and is grounded by Cavanagh’s genuine charm. Not only does he sign some of the hottest new acts, he grapples with his proclivity to his friend and the flirtations of an eye-catching receptionist.

Don’t miss “Love Monkey” at 9 p.m. Tuesdays on CBS.

Wednesday nights offer two great programs, which unfortunately air at the same time.

“Veronica Mars” on UPN and ABC’s “Lost” are arguably the two best written programs of the past few years.

Producers for both shows have emphasized the merits of the rival programs. With “Lost” available for download on iTunes for a mere $1.99, I recommend viewers turn to “Veronica Mars.”

The show features Kristen Bell. Besides being cute as a button, Bell walks with a tone of sophistication. She plays the title character as she helps her father solve the mysteries of the swanky and crooked residents of Neptune, California.

Channeling the spirit of TV hit “Twin Peaks,” the show plays like an intelligent “O.C.” The inhabitants of Neptune are ruthlessly sinful and Veronica aims to catch them in their wrongdoing.

“Veronica Mars” solves the case at 8 p.m. Wednesdays on UPN.

Fans of the BBC’s “The Office” were skeptical when NBC announced an American produced version was in the works.

NBC’s “The Office,” starring Steve Carell as the inept boss, has proven doubters wrong.

As one of the freshest and funniest comedies on TV, it’s no surprise that Carell recently picked up a Golden Globe for his performance. The personnel of Dunder-Miflin deal with Carell’s racist, sexist and bigoted comments in this documentary-style program.

Love blossoms between several employees and, with the obnoxious Dwight, brownnosing doesn’t always pay.

Watch “The Office” at 8:30 p.m. Thursdays on NBC.

Friday nights generally don’t provide a great environment for primetime hits.

Most students would rather head to parties than settle down to watch their TV.

This Friday, however, Fox is presenting the last of this season’s “Arrested Development” run. The critical hit has yet to find an audience, but the network is hesitant to give up the program.

The madcap comedy ends the third season on a high note. Somehow a member of the family winds up in an Iraqi prison due to a risky magic act. Tune in at 7:00 p.m. Friday to Fox.

Despite the number of flops this season, there are more than enough decent TV shows to keep Bradley students glued to their sets.