Monday, February 13, 2012
Film / Film Reviews Film Flashback: Ghost Rider
Posted by Matt Brunson on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 3:38 PM
By Matt Brunson
This Friday will see the release of Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, with Nicolas Cage reprising his role from 2007's Ghost Rider. Since this sequel isn't being screened in advance for critics, we offer CL's original write-up on its predecessor, which was mauled by reviewers but nevertheless earned $115 million from stateside audiences (although its $110 million budget meant it barely broke even here, with the foreign market once again having to come to the rescue). If this review reminds you exactly how much you disliked the original (after all, it's hard to find anybody who champions it), then for God's sake, do us all a favor and stay away rather than convince the studio of the need for a third GR flick starring Cage.
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Is it possible that before making the big-screen version of Ghost Rider (*1/2 out of four), writer-director Mark Steven Johnson had never even read a Ghost Rider comic book? Yes, I know as well as anyone that faithfulness to the source material is a low priority when it comes to Hollywood, whether adapting Stan Lee or Lee Child. But Johnson, whose version of Daredevil wasn't quite as bad as the press made out, here botches what would have seemed to be a fairly manageable assignment.
The comics' original Johnny Blaze wasn't a joke-a-second character like Peter Parker or The Fantastic Four's Ben Grimm. He was more somber and serious, as one would expect from a biker who sold his soul to the devil (to save the life of a loved one) and then found himself living under a curse that transformed him into a flaming-skull creature whenever in the presence of evil. Of course, when you hire Nicolas Cage to star in your movie, it's safe to assume that camp was what was intended all along.
Cage, whose best film in recent years has been the hilarious Wicker Man re-edit on YouTube (check it out here; it has the power to brighten anyone's week), falls back on the eye-popping, head-rolling overacting that has turned him into this decade's Rod Steiger. Amazingly, though, he doesn't deliver the movie's worst performance; instead, he lands in the show position, right under Eva Mendes as the somnambular love interest and the mesmerizingly awful Wes Bentley as one of the least convincing — and therefore least threatening — villains of recent vintage.
On the plus side, the special effects are pretty cool, and it was inspired to cast Peter Fonda as Mephistopheles (Easy Rider, meet Ghost Rider). Otherwise, this is yet another comic book adaptation that goes up in flames before our very eyes.
News / Democratic National Convention 2012 Democratic National Convention 2012 Notebook: Why Madeleine Albright likes Charlotte
Posted by Mary C. Curtis on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Albright wore a new pin — a crown representing the Queen City — as she made the rounds to city officials and convention fundraisers, and began planning for convention visits from foreign leaders and diplomats through her National Democratic Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that promotes democracy. They will be happy to get out of the New York-Washington orbit, she said.
The “very good Democrat” was cheerful about her visit, reminding me she made her entry into national politics raising money for Sen. Edmund Muskie. She said she had been meeting with the Charlotte mayor, Chamber of Commerce and others. Foreign visitors sometimes think of America as Washington and New York, “maybe San Francisco,” she said, adding that they appreciate seeing what’s called the “real America,” maybe dispelling misconceptions about the South in the process.
Charlotte, Albright said, “seems very friendly, which, if you live in Washington, you know is at a premium.”
News LGBT activists confront Charlotte's first openly gay City Council member
Posted by Mark Kemp on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Mayfield's comment was a reply to an audience member, who asked if the Charlotte City Council was considering a resolution officially opposing the anti-LGBT amendment that North Carolinians will vote on during the May 8 primaries. Other cities, including Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Greensboro, have already passed such resolutions.
Civil rights activist Matt Comer, former editor of Charlotte's LGBT magazine QNotes, wrote about it at his blog, InterstateQ: Destination Equality, on Friday and again today. Here's a snippet:
Anyone with even a single iota of knowledge on how local government works knows that city councils and other local governing bodies (e.g. county commissions, transportation commissions, etc.) take public positions on state and federal matters on a regular basis ... The City of Charlotte is no exception. The council’s Governmental Affairs Committee meets regularly in order to discuss, debate and propose the city’s annual state and federal legislative agenda. They even publish a calendar outlining the timing of their deliberations and subsequent approval by city staff and city council.
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Monday
Posted by Anita Overcash on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 8:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Feb. 13, 2012 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• AIGI Charlotte's Letterpress Fest at The Chop Shop
• Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School at Roux
• Monday Funday at Dixie's Tavern
• Rules for a Romance Novel Marriage lecture at Matthews Community Center
• Find Your Muse Open Mic at The Evening Muse
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Arts Matters of the heart for Buff Faye
Posted by Anita Overcash on Sat, Feb 11, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Buff Faye’s calendar is filled with fun drag-centered events that usually promote a good cause. In regards to Valentine's Day next week, this weekend's Sunday Drag Brunch dubbed "Flava of Love" is offering a little heart-warming competition to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Faye and her entourage of lovely ladies (Kiana Layne, Miley Virus, Starla DaVinci, Detra Panucci and Jessica Raynes) will entertain, while five straight (and single) men dress in their drag best for a chance at being picked as Faye's fav. Sounds like this could get very interesting, huh?
Sunday, Feb. 12. 12 p.m. Hartigan's Irish Pub, 601 S. Cedar St. more information on the brunch and other upcoming Buff Faye events, visit www.eatmorebuff.com.
Arts Find your way to Purgatory
Posted by Anita Overcash on Sat, Feb 11, 2012 at 9:00 AM
It's time for another one of Single Cell Productions' BDSM-centric Purgatory parties. Themed Black Hearts Ball, its set to feature the following:
•Â Live stage shows by Single Cell fetish artists, Djinn the NyteChyld, Ophelia Anu, Little Devi and Vivica Hallow.
•Â Aerial silk performance by Miss Marilyn Chen of Liquid Sky and interactive rope suspension by Toby of Black Garden.
• Electronic dance music by DJ Harkonnen, Architech and Mixtress Krikett.
•Â VIP fetish playground with Djinn the NyteChyld, Sheppard and Dr. Spankenstein.
For more on Single Cell Productions, visit http://singlecell.us/. 25. Saturday, Feb. 11. 8 p.m. Amos' Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St.
Arts Where's Waldo?
Posted by Anita Overcash on Sat, Feb 11, 2012 at 8:45 AM
Forget trying to dress to impress, the Where's Waldo Bar Crawl is a time for uniform. In an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records, the EpiCentre crawl allows for Waldo/Wenda costumes only.
This consists of a white hat with a red bobble and red trim, clear glasses, a red and white striped shirt, blue jeans and appropriate footwear (see pics of the characters below). For more details or to purchase advanced tickets, visit http://whereswaldobarcrawl.eventbrite.com.
Arts Jim Gaffigan goes nuts for Hot Pockets
Posted by Anita Overcash on Sat, Feb 11, 2012 at 8:30 AM
Comedian Jim Gaffigan is critical of food. He’s not a vegetarian, thinks salad bars are absurd, and likes cake too much to waste his time on muffins (especially the mini ones). Don’t even get him started on Hot Pockets (see vid below). $39.75-$49.75. Saturday, Feb. 11, 7-10 p.m. Ovens, Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte.
Arts Runway for the Ballet merges dance and fashion
Posted by Anita Overcash on Sat, Feb 11, 2012 at 8:30 AM
NC Dance Theatre's annual Runway for the Ballet is an elegant combo of footwork and fashion. At the event - themed "Heart & Soul" this year - dancers perform contemporary vignettes between runway shows premiering Neiman Marcus' spring collection.
Check out a review of last year's Runway for the Ballet here. For more information on the shindig or to purchase tickets, visit www.ncdance.org/runwayfortheballet. $40 and up (includes a reception with complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres). Saturday, Feb. 11. 4 p.m. & 8 p.m. Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance, 701 N. Tryon St.
Arts Valentease me, please
Posted by Anita Overcash on Sat, Feb 11, 2012 at 8:00 AM
The Saturday before Valentine's Day is as good of time as any (better, in fact) to celebrate the lovey dovey holiday. After all, those in the working world know a late night Tuesday (which V-Day falls on this year) is less enticing than sleep. Right? Keeping that in mind, Visulite Theatre is the place to party this weekend, as classic vaudeville and burlesque comes in a form that's as sweet as chocolate. The 6th Annual Valentease Show is filled with a variety of burlesque performers — with titles as delicious as Cherry Muffin and Ginny Tonic — and comedians like Hannibal and Johnny Millwater. DJ Spider spins the music and Charlotte fav Big Mamma D is prepared to dazzle the crowd with her biggest moves and vocal chords. $18. Saturday, Feb. 11. 8 p.m. Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave.
