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Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Film / Film Reviews Halloween Countdown: The Thing from Another World
Posted By Matt Brunson on Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 2:00 PM
(In anticipation of the coolest day of the year, this month-long series will offer one recommended horror flick a day up through Oct. 31.)
THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951). Christian Nyby may be credited as director, but it's long been established that Howard Hawks (billed here as producer) was the one calling most of the shots on this horror/sci-fi hybrid. Certainly, the film fits right into his compendium of classics: Like Rio Bravo, The Big Sleep and oh-so-many-others, it features crackling dialogue, deliciously subversive humor, confident and competent heroes, and a healthy air of sexual playfulness between its romantic leads. Featuring James Arness (before Gunsmoke) as the deadly e.t. who makes life difficult for a group of soldiers and scientists huddled together at a North Pole research facility, this has endured largely because of all the top talent Hawks corralled for the project: ace cinematographer Russell Harlan (the sequence in which the men use fire to fight the alien is a standout of lighting and composition), top composer Dimitri Tiomkin (employing the theremin to great effect in his score) and revered screenwriter Charles Lederer. Equally recommended is John Carpenter’s excellent 1982 version (simply called The Thing), featuring Rob Bottin’s imaginative makeup effects and Ennio Morricone’s beautifully minimalist score. Best, however, to skip last year’s same-name prequel.
News / Opinion Election Notebook 2012: All politics is local, even when the VP is in town
Posted By Mary C. Curtis on Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 9:43 AM
The myth is that Obama-Biden supporters are unquestionably behind the candidate, no matter what. I’ve heard “black voters only voted for him because he’s black” so often, it no longer offends. I’m just kind of numb to it. It implies that African Americans are unthinking sheep and ignores the fact that black voters have been voting straight ticket for years, even when soul brother No. 1 Al Gore led the ticket.
It also ignores the questions that loyal African American Obama supporters often have about policies and results. On Tuesday, Vice President Biden stopped in Charlotte for the first time since his DNC speech, at The Fillmore. There was enthusiasm, for sure. When I asked why band director Duncan C. Gray had his West Charlotte “Pride of the Queen City” in front performing, he told me, “Come on, now. Who’s here?” But he acknowledged that a lot of people are still struggling. “It’s tough on the average family,” he said.
While he thought more could have been done in the last four years, he said that considering Obama's lack of support in Congress and what he inherited, the president has done a “remarkable” job. Gray acknowledged Biden can sometimes go off script; “he cuts it really close.” Still, “you need a Joe Biden in your corner, just in case you didn’t understand what I’m saying.”
- Wikipedia
- Biden
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Wednesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 9:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Oct. 3, 2012 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* Rachel Feinstein at The Comedy Zone Charlotte
* God of Carnage at Actor's Theatre of Charlotte
* BYO Craft Night at NoDa Brewing Company
* Tosco House Party at The Evening Muse
* Powerman 5000 at Tremont Music Hall
News / Opinion Races to watch leading up to Election Day
Posted By Mike Cooper on Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 2:00 AM
No doubt you are sick of the endless television advertisements, misguiding campaign mailers, soulless fundraising emails, and the traffic when Vice President Joe Biden or vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan come to town.
But bear with it at least until November: North Carolina is that much more important since it's a contested swing state. As we enter October, here is what to watch for in state politics, assuming you can pry yourself away from horror movie marathons:
- Wikipedia
- Election day is coming...are you ready?
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Film / Film Reviews Halloween Countdown: Brotherhood of the Wolf
Posted By Matt Brunson on Tue, Oct 2, 2012 at 2:00 PM
(In anticipation of the coolest day of the year, this month-long series will offer one recommended horror flick a day up through Oct. 31.)
BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF (2001). Movies that adopt an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach are often maddening messes, but this French import (original title: Le pacte des loups) is reminiscent of countless other films and yet still manages to retain its own swagger of originality. With a first half that plays like Sleepy Hollow, a second half that begs comparison to From Hell, and elements of Jaws, The Last of the Mohicans, The Company of Wolves and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon scattered throughout, this delirious experience covers most bases and makes at least a cursory stab at the few it misses. In 18th century France, a naturist/philosopher (Samuel Le Bihan) and his Iroquois companion (Mark Dacascos) are sent by the royal court to investigate a series of slayings in the French countryside. The creature responsible is reportedly a monstrous wolf, but as the pair investigate, they discover that several of the locals may know more about the affair than they're admitting. This one's got it all: martial arts, political intrigue, tender romance (between Le Bihan and Rosetta's Emilie Dequenne), steamy sex scenes (between Le Bihan and Irreversible's Monica Bellucci), and a snapping, snarling, bloodthirsty beast.
News Endorsement night at the Black Political Caucus
Posted By Mike Cooper on Tue, Oct 2, 2012 at 10:42 AM
For three weeks, the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg has hosted candidate forums across the city for races up and down the ballot, as part of selection process that culminated with their endorsement meeting Sunday evening at the Double Oaks Pre-K Center.
For nearly 50 years the Caucus the has been a fixture of Charlotte's political scene, formed to unite, educate and maximize the political clout of the black community.
In addition to hosting forums and organizing precincts, the organization gives members the opportunity to meet each election year to endorse candidates. "People look for our ballots every year," chairwoman Gloria Rembert said, referring to flyers listing the endorsements that are handed out at the polls by volunteers.
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Tuesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Tue, Oct 2, 2012 at 9:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Oct. 2, 2012 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* Beer Ed at Growlers Pourhouse
* Cursive, Junior Astronomers, and One Another at Milestone
* Trivia at Big Ben British Pub & Restaurant
* Tobacco Feeds My Family at Gaston County Public Library
* Open Mic at The Comedy Zone Charlotte
News / Opinion Hey 'Homeland’ critics, who cares if Charlotte doesn’t have the Potomac
Posted By Mary C. Curtis on Tue, Oct 2, 2012 at 1:30 AM
With a haul of Emmy Awards, Showtime’s “Homeland” is a hot TV show. Lead actors Claire Danes and Damian Lewis returned to where the show is shot, in Charlotte, with two of their own statuettes.
North Carolina’s tax breaks and varied environment keep the production team happy. Mooresville as Mexico? Why not.
And Charlotteans are nonchalantly accepting a random sighting of cast or crew as interesting — but nothing more. When I bumped into a shoot outside the Mint Museum Uptown, I was more concerned about the delay in traffic than figuring out if that was Danes taking a break in a van by a curb.
- Wikipedia
- Danes
Monday, October 1, 2012
Arts Let the River run
Posted By Grace Cote on Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 3:33 PM
Opening the door to Jerald Melberg Gallery’s new solo show of paintings by Brian Rutenberg is much like stepping into Dorothy’s shoes as she opens the door to a Technicolor Oz. Color is everywhere, thanks to a new exhibition titled River. These intensely hued abstract works hint at landscape, though any such illusion is overshadowed by the painter’s craft: panes of color, heaping brushstrokes, swipes of the finger, and the weave of linen beneath, which sometimes sneaks to the surface.
Rutenberg was born along the South Carolina coast and inspired by its natural beauty to paint from an early age. He remembers absorbing the colors of blooming azaleas by sinking his face into them; learning the power of rhythm through the ceaseless lull of crashing waves; and experiencing texture by way of pluff mud, which he sank his hands into, gathering piles to make mounds and cakes.
Film / Film Reviews Halloween Countdown: Day of the Dead
Posted By Matt Brunson on Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 2:00 PM
(In anticipation of the coolest day of the year, this month-long series will offer one recommended horror flick a day up through Oct. 31.)
DAY OF THE DEAD (1985). George Romero's 1968 Night of the Living Dead has long been considered a classic, as has its 1979 sequel Dawn of the Dead. As for this third installment — well, it's considered anything but a classic, yet it's better than the reputation it garnered upon its original release, when it quickly became apparent that this was the runt of its particular cinematic litter. Set in an underground military bunker, this finds a group of scientists, intent on studying the zombies in the hopes of finding a cure, engaged in a mental tug-of-war with the trigger-happy soldiers who would be just as content wiping out everybody (scientists and zombies alike) who vexes them. Largely missing is the primal horror of the first film and the sharp satire of the second, yet what remains isn't bad, with some of Romero's interesting ideas and Tom Savini's gory effects triumphing over some amateurish acting (major exception: Howard Sherman, who's effective, even touching, as Bub the domesticated zombie). Interestingly, this movie basically shares the same philosophy as the more recent — and more acclaimed — zombie flick 28 Days Later: A flesh-eating monster may be nobody's idea of a desirable companion, but he's no worse than a spirit-sapping military man.
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Question the Queen City: Hugh McManaway, the man behind the statue
It pays homage to a traffic director, friendly neighbor and one of Charlotte's most beloved local characters
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Longtime dancer to leave NC Dance Theatre 3
Mia Cunningham, a dancer who has spent 18 seasons performing with the North Carolina Dance Theatre, is set to retire.
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The Pull List (12/4/13): Marvel Knights gets indie edge
X-Men and Spider-Man series show promise.
