Each year the beginning of the summer movie season comes a little earlier as the studios try to get the jump on each other for the huge profits the hottest months of the year bring. If this trend continues, the summer movie season will begin around Groundhog’s Day in a few years.
Category: Arts & Culture
Destinations
Tuesday, April 23
Lecture, “From African to African American: The Atlantic Slave Trade and the Black Diaspora,” by Maureen Elgersman Lee, presented in conjunction with the Gloria S. Duclos Convocation “Diaspora: Meanings of Home” exhibit, “Exodus and Exile: The Spaces of Diaspora,” 6 p.
The final curtains
What are your plans after graduation? Get a job, go to grad school, pay some bills? Senior theater majors Matt Cary and Matt Curtis probably have a better answer than most grads. The two plan to drive cross-country to Los Angeles to start their careers in the film industry.
Script, director, even Affleck shine in”Lanes”
Thanks to the talent of its filmmakers, “Changing Lanes” avoids triteness and finds itself in a unique category: The gutsy studio movie. It delves deep into the human soul and finds some truth about us all. And like any true exploration of humanity, the film finds both dark and redeeming characteristics.
The final curtains 2
The Department of Theatre presents the final production of the 2001-02 season-multi-medi@tion- a student-created performance piece directed by faculty member Assunta Kent.
“multi-medi@tion” is an original work created by students in Assunta Kent’s theater class, THE 399-Devised Theater.
Destinations
Monday, April 15
USM Jazz Combos in concert, 7:30 p.m., Corthell Concert Hall, Gorham, $5 public, $3 seniors/staff/students, 780-5555.
Tuesday, April 16
USM Chorale conducted by Robert Russell, 7:30 p.m., Corthell Concert Hall, Gorham, $5 public, $3 seniors/staff/students, 780-5555.
Celebration of writers and artists underway
Why did junior English major Gregory Bates submit a story for the 2002 edition of Words & Images?
“It was a logical step,” he said. “A little affirmation of your creative work is always good.”
Words & Images is an annual collection of writings and art by USM students, faculty and regional artists.
Make your own pie, er, pizza
There is a tiny pizza shop on India Street with unique style. Portland Pie Company’s goal is right on the back of their menu: To stand out from the thousands of other pizza shops in town, written by owners Steve Freese and Nat Getchell.
They offer specialty pizzas that in my opinion top the rest.
Judd and Freeman fine, but “Crimes” disappoints
“High Crimes” is the best film of the year, if one had never seen a movie before. However, if this were one’s second movie, he or she would dismiss it as riddled with cliches.
The film has some ambition to rid itself of those cliches, but ultimately succumbs to the easier route of the thriller genre.
Destinations
Monday, April 8
Lecture, “The Enigma of Diversity & Understanding Race,” Elaine Pinderhughes, author of “Understanding Race,” 7 to 8 p.m., Luther Bonney Auditorium, Portland, free and open to the public, 228-8024.
Tuesday, April 9
USM Jazz Combos in concert, 7:30 p.
Foster returns with thrilling “Panic Room”
“Panic Room” is a suspenseful thriller with all the potential of slipping into banality, but keeps its footing because of the talented filmmaking behind it.
In the film, Meg Altman, played wonderfully by Jodie Foster, is a recently divorced woman who moves into a Manhattan townhouse with her teenage daughter Sarah (Kristen Stewart).
No MTV for you!
Another opportunity for USM to be in the national spotlight has passed.
Student organizers of Spring Fling 2002 had hoped to close a deal with entertainment giant Clear Channel to bring MTV’s Campus Invasion to the Gorham campus on Monday, April 29.
The Free Press learned late Friday afternoon that all dates for MTV’s campus tour are booked and the popular program would not be added to the Spring Fling event schedule.
One man, one show, one angry inch
Braden Chapman may be the busiest man in Portland. His days are spent sewing 150 cubits of fabric for the stage on which he will perform a one-man version of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” He’s also going to need props, costumes, and a set.
Don’t worry-he’s got that covered too.
It’s Deweys for atmosphere and conversation
An Old Port landmark, Three Dollar Deweys has been in Portland for 22 years. With 36 beers on tap and free popcorn, this stop is a haven for the after-work crowd. Located on the corner of Commercial and Union Streets, the pub is a convenient place to unwind at day’s end.
Words & Images to hold release party
Words & Images hosts a day long event in conjunction with the University’s Celebrate Writers Festival, entitled Words & Images 2002: The Event, A Celebration of Maine’s Literary and Visual Creativity. The event, scheduled for this Friday, April 12 at the USM, will coincide with the release of the much-anticipated 2002 Edition of “Words & Images.
Jeremiah Freed local boys hit the road
It’s a common adolescent fantasy to start a rock band with your best friends and travel from club to club in a beat-up old van. What happened to the members of Jeremiah Freed when fantasy became reality?
“We bought a new van,” said Nick Goodale, the band’s lead guitarist.
Modeling nude for the sake of art
Lin Lisberger’s intermediate drawing class is almost done for the day. There are eight students sitting or standing around the edges of a small room with no windows save four small skylights. The room’s track lighting is mostly focused on the two women resting in the middle of the floor.
“40 Days” is predictable but sweet and funny
In his latest film Josh Hartnett vows to give up sex for a torturous 40 days and 40 nights. This may sound like a harsh test for someone with his good looks, but for the rest of us it’s called existence.
But regardless of its exaggerated dilemma, “40 Days and 40 Nights” is an amusing romantic comedy that goes beyond its high-concept aspirations and become an enjoyable movie.
Bombay Club provides spicy sustenance
My taste buds were craving some spice last Tuesday, so I indulged in some Indian cuisine at Bombay Club on the corner of Congress and State Streets. This restaurant is a nice change from the bland, ordinary food I am accustomed to eating.
My first Indian dining experience was truly “a culinary journey to the exotic,” as it says on the menu.
Destinations
Tuesday, March 5
“The Thin Line,” one-woman play addressing eating disorders followed by a panel discussion, 2 p.m., Luther Bonney Auditorium. Sponsored by the Women’s Studies Student Organization. Free and open to the public, 780-4289.
“Life on the Run,” exercise and diet workshop free and open to the public, March 5, 12 p.
Greek blues coming to Corthell Hall
By Scott Marcoux
Arts and Entertainment Editor
Greek blues returns to USM this week when DEPTAM, the Municipal Ensemble of Mytilene, Greece performs Saturday in the Corthell Concert Hall.
The event, “Rembetika: The Greek Blues,” is another part of this year’s USM Convocation, “Diaspora: Meanings of Home.
“Woods” is not your momma’s fairy tale
Who ever heard of Little Red Riding Hood carrying a concealed weapon? Or Cinderella’s Prince being a cheating bastard? These classic fairy tales are brought to life with a contemporary twist by the Music School and Theater Department’s production of “Into the Woods.
Academy prepares again to pit talent against popularity
Picking Oscar winners is not a logical process. Academy voters are schizophrenic in their choices and predicting their behavior is next to impossible. They will choose winners based on performance or throw away an Oscar because they think someone is old enough to get one.
Eat-it
I found another great breakfast stop that is quaint, cozy and full of flavors.
The Friendship Cafe on Congress Street stands out with its bright yellow storefront and its friendly and refreshing pineapple trademark that decorates the place both inside and out.