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To enter this sweepstakes, register at campuscircle.net/ sweeps/SonOfRambow No purchase necessary. While supplies last. All winners chosen at random. Limit one prize or pass per person. Not responsible for late, incomplete or illegible entries. No phone calls please. Each run of engagement pass admits two to a showing of the film at a particular theatre chain after the film’s opening day, valid Monday–Thursday only (excluding holidays). Pass does not guarantee admission to a particular showing of the film. Employees of Paramount Vantage, Campus Circle and their affiliated agencies are not eligible. This film is rated PG-13. IN THEATRES MAY 2 Angela Matano,RyanMcWhorter, Anthony Sanders, SeanSchlemmer, MikeSebastian, Robert Axelrod, LeslieBarrie,LoriBartlett, 40 schoolsandover800retail locations James Dusenberry, JamesFamera,Sandra Sandra Fernando,Frederick Mintchell Horton, DamonHuss,ShaneIgoe,Sophia apsCircle Campus Elsy Benitez,SarahBennett,ChinaBialos, Fernando, JoshHerman,ZachHines,Joe 47 timesayearandisavailablefree at Bourbon WithBrendan, MichaelBuzzelli, Perl-Raver, KeyvonPierre, ParimalRohit, Desianto, SheilaDichoso,DitaDimoné, Kidd, MatthewKitchen,JonathanKnell, Miller, JohnOchoa,BrienOverly, Sasha throughout LosAngeles.Circulation: Simmons, DougSimpson,DavidTobin, Sam Roudman,DovRudnick,Rayhané Emmanuelle Lee,Lucia,EbonyMarch, Castaneda, Kantreal Daniels,Natasha Henry Senecal,LauraShumate,Alissa April 30-May6,2008 Michael Lee,Lauren Rosenblum Elsy Benitez,EmmanuelleLee, [email protected] 5042 Wilshire Blvd.,PMB600 Alexander L.Carpenter, Richard Assistants tothePublishers Connie Shao,Brendan Turrill Mike Venezia, KevinWierzbicki [email protected] © 2008CampusCircle, Inc. 30,000. Readership:90,000. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Sasha Ali,Jeff Bachman, CAMPUS CIRCLE,INC. Los Angeles,CA90036 www.campuscircle.com Contributing Artists& [email protected] (323) 939-8656Fax All rightsreserved. Contributing Writers Managing Editor Editorial Interns PUBLISHED BY Photographers (323) 939-8477 Editor-in-Chief Ronit Guedalia Jessica Koslow Jessica Koslow ADVERTISING Yuri Shimoda Alance Ward Art Director Joy Calisoff Film Editor Sean Bello newspaper ispublished • Vol. 18Issue17 Credit: LeslieNolan,courtesy ofPlanJam ON THECOVER:Kristen EckandGarrett Nolan 27 27 26 26 26 26 25 22 22 21 21 20 19 17 15 14 INNER CIRCLE 19 19 18 18 18 SPOR 16 13 12 11 11 10 10 Shares HisL.A.Faves 13 Honor an 10 MUSIC 9 8 7 7 6 Meet theeffervescent 93-yearold,MimiWeddell. 7 Hilarious PortraitofGrowing upin’80sBritain 6 FILM 4 4 10 6 HATS OFF RAMBOW OF SON DVD REVIEWS SHOTS SCREEN ME SCHOOL REVIEWS PROJECTIONS THE ON WOODEN NICKELS NTEMENU THE ON 10 SPOT EXHIBITIONS ESSENTIAL L.A. COMEDY CALL CURTAIN FEATURE PHOTO NOVELS GRAPHIC NEWS CAMPUS BEAT COLLEGE L.A. FACES LIFESTYLE: PLANJAM LOVE OF ART THE GUIDE GIFT MOTHER’S DAY FASHION101 CAMPUS ON CAUGHT PRIX GRAND BEACH LONG AVP CROCS RESULTS NFL DRAFT PLAYOFFS THE LAKERS IN CYCLE SPIN REPORT MUSIC FREQUENCY L.A. UNDERGROUND NE-YO SICKESTKIDS THE FOREVER RED BULLAIRRACE IESO REVIEWS SHOW LIVE REVIEW DVD CD REVIEWS TS Underdog Alma Mater Alma Underdog ODT H HT HOUSE WHITE THE TO ROAD 20 INSIDE 22 22 contentsWeb site atAIRFORCE.COM orgive usa call at1-800-423-USAF. NMTO RTR WORKSHOP WRITERS ANIMATION assistance athundreds ofcolleges and 80 fieldsofstudy. TheAirForce alsooffers upto 100%tuition Air Force. Registration isfree, andthecollege offers more than Earn anassociate’s degree from theCommunityCollege ofthe http://animationwriters.tripod.com/ iny ik B oe okhpfaue Q&A features Workshop more. & PBS Nick, Disney, ihdvlpeteesfo h ao studios. major the from execs development with ALL OFTHECOLLEGE EDUCATION. er o owie&pthaiae hw for shows animated pitch & write to how Learn NONE OFTHECOLLEGE TUITION. Call -a okhpi $175 is workshop 2-day mzn ewrigOpportunity! Networking Amazing okhprn a.My1t n 18th. and 17th May Sat. runs Workshop w epefo h atcasnwhave now class last the from people Two 818.681.1311 hw nAtv Development! Active in shows rvstorwbsite. web our visit Or nvriis Visitour universities. eev etnow! seat a reserve - o oeinfo. more for [ APRIL 30-MAY 6 CROSS INTOTHEBLUE CROSS INTOTHEBLUE ’ 08 ] Campus Circle | 3 4 | Campus Circle [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08]

Students wooden nickels | BY JOE HORTON Free on Sunday JURIST PRUDENCE Voting for Superior Court Judges

A RELATIVELY NONDESCRIPT NOTICE judges appointed when deemed “not appeared in the L.A. Times last week: an qualified” may be made public. All Vintage endorsement list for 17 judicial offices on the appointments must be made within a Los Angeles Superior Court. On June 3, six yearly time frame of the seat becoming judges will be on the ballot due to a specious available, and on the occasions when the Fashion write-in campaign to unseat them, one will run JNE does not have enough time to review a against a challenger, and 10 other offices will candidate, the governor cannot appoint a open due to retirements. judge to that office. Expo All of this will go on quite under the radar In such instances, an open election fills for most citizens as they focus on the the seat. Superior Court judges are retained presidential race, state legislative offices or for six-year terms and are automatically re- what’s for dinner. Yet the makeup of the judges elected if no one challenges them. May 10-11 on the Superior Court, the nation’s largest trial Not infrequently, however, sitting court, and the means by which they are judges will time their retirements to fall Joe Horton Santa Monica appointed are essential matters for all An- inside of the mandatory 90-day re- gelinos to understand. quirement for the JNE Commission at the Civic Most often, the governor appoints judges end of a yearly cycle, thereby removing the Olson, a bagel shop owner in Manhattan to fill vacancies based on the required rec- power of appointment from a politically Beach. Olson was admitted to the Bar in 1989, Auditorium ommendations of the Commission on Judicial unfriendly governor. but had not been a practicing attorney in years Nominees Evaluation. Known commonly as What complicates matters is that without a and refused to meet with the Los Angeles the JNE (“Jenny”) Commission, volunteer screening process by the governor, the County Bar Association, who deemed her not Main St. at Pico $10 examiners are given 90 days to investigate, governor’s staff and the significant JNE qualified. $2 off Reg Adm with ad interview and ultimately render a private Commission vetting process, voters are left to Responding to widespread outrage, Gov. recommendation to the governor falling fill the new offices, often armed with limited Schwarzenegger immediately reappointed Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5 between “exceptionally well-qualified,” “well- advice and ignorant of recommendations from Janavs to another opening on the Superior Early Buy Sat: 9-10:30 $20 qualified,”“qualified” and “not qualified.” local bar associations and newspapers. Here, in Court, saying, “This unfortunate result should The examination process is intense – these open elections, the quality of applicants not rob California of a fine jurist.” Many had 707-793-0773 CC prospective judges supply a lengthy application can vary widely, and potential judges run with speculated that Janavs’ loss was due to her with 50 to 75 references, lists of hundreds of disparate records and levels of experience foreign name on the ballot. attorneys that practice in their respective while pandering to voters who may see their This is my plea: if you haven’t seen the counties and, ultimately, submit to a personal names for the first time as they open a ballot. recommendations by the relevant bar as- interview. The minimum standard for all trial Take the curious case of Dzintra Janavs, a sociations or read the endorsements in the judges is 10 years with the State Bar as- 20-year Superior Court veteran, rated as paper, please leave the judicial section of your sociation. exceptionally well-qualified and endorsed by ballot blank. There’s no shame or harm in that. The governor may appoint judges as he the local sheriff and district attorney, who was Understand how important you are in the law sees fit; however, the recommendations of any unseated in the 2006 election by Lynn Diane and order of this state.

ON THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE ANTONIO’S A Weekly Report on Campaign ’08 MOTHER’S DAY AND BY JOE HORTON “DIA DE LAS MADRES” THE BUCK STOPS HERE 10-point victory, she raised $3 million John McCain, meanwhile, has crisscrossed CELEBRATION! overnight. Such funds are desperately needed, the nation holding fundraisers to fill his coffers Consider the money thrown around in both as she has suffered increasingly dramatic debts for his continuing “primary” campaign. Democratic and Republican camps. Barack on the campaign trail. He finished March with a personal record There will be two Mother’s Day celebrations Obama raised $41 million in March alone, most of She famously loaned her campaign $5 of $15.2 million raised, but lags badly behind here at Antonio’s! There is the one on the 10th of May, which it from smaller, repeat donors under the $2,300 million in January, but ultimately ended March both Democratic candidates who have bene- is celebrated in Mexico. We celebrate that day limit for personal contributions in the primary $800,000 in debt. Estimates suggest that her fited from a highly energized electorate keen to here with a special menu, cards and goodies, as season. campaign spends $1 million a day, and many of unseat Republicans in November. well as a musical trio performing. Then there is the one on Sunday celebrated He outspent Hillary Clinton nearly 3-1 in her contributors have already given the maximum Some have suggested he will accept public here in the U.S. We will have the special menu, advertising and outreach in the Pennsylvania amount. financing for his presidential run, giving him cards, and goodies, as well as the trio to sere- primary, but Clinton held serve and after her She must keep winning to keep her candidacy an $85 million limit to spend after the nade the moms. We at Antonio’s always treat the moms spe- financially afloat. September GOP convention. cial, so make your reservations and whichever day you decide, the 10th or the second Sunday of May as celebrated here in the states, we will www.collegeprowler.com make sure mom is given the extra special site pick High school seniors are finally Gregory Crewdson treatment. getting their big envelopes! Now event pick Lecture Call (323) 658-9060 comes the hard part: Where to go? for reservations and “Recuerde a Mama”! We all had to make the decision, but now prospective May 1 @ Billy Wilder Theater students have a great new resource to use. College Prowler helps Gregory Crewdson, a Professor of Photography at the Yale students pick the college that perfectly suits them. School of Art, will be lecturing on and presenting his most recent 7470 Melrose Ave. They aim to be the most accurate, complete and honest work. In addition to Los Angeles, the works will also be shown in Tues-Fri: 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sat: noon-11 p.m., resource on U.S. colleges. The Web site also offers free tips and tricks New York and London. The event starts at 7 p.m. and is free to the Sun: noon-10 p.m., closed Mondays to getting into the school of your choice. —Lauren Rosenblum public. —Michael Lee invites you to enter to win a pair of run of engagement passes to see SPEED RACER in Los Angeles.

WARNER BROS. PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH VILLAGE ROADSHOW PICTURES A SILVER PICTURES PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH ANARCHOS PRODUCTIONS “SPEED RACER” EMILE HIRSCH CHRISTINA RICCI JOHN GOODMAN SUSAN SARANDON MATTHEW FOX BENNO FÜRMANN HIROYUKI SANADA RAIN MUSIC COSTUMES EDITED PRODUCTION RICHARD ROUNDTREE BYMICHAEL GIACCHINO DESIGNED BY KYM BARRETT BY ZACH STAENBERG, A.C.E. ROGER BARTON DESIGNER OWEN PATERSON DIRECTOR OF EXECUTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID TATTERSALL, B.S.C. PRODUCERS DAVID LANE SELTZER MICHAEL LAMBERT AND BRUCE BERMAN PRODUCED WRITTEN AND BY JOEL SILVER GRANT HILL ANDYWACHOWSKI LARRY WACHOWSKI DIRECTED BY THE WACHOWSKI BROTHERS

Score Album on Varèse Sarabande www.speedracerthemovie.com To enter, visit campuscircle.com/sweeps/speedracer I N T H E A T R E S M A Y 9 APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2008 • VOL. 18 ISSUE 17 • campuscircle.com FILM IN LOS ANGELES SON OF RAMBOW A UK Kid’s Funny Take on

of Rambow, Garth Jennings and Nick

First Blood Goldsmith’s delightful follow up to Maggie Ferreira their 2005 hit The Hitchhiker’s Guide to BY SASHA PERL-RAVER the Galaxy. Set in England during the summer of 1982, Rambow follows Will Bill Milner and Will Poulter prepare for a scene with director Garth Jennings on the set of Son of Rambow. IMAGINE YOU’VE GROWN UP IN either – someone has given you a copy Proudfoot, a quiet but imaginative 11- a world where television and movies are of the Stallone spectacular First Blood, year boy whose family are members of verboten. where Sly takes on an army of men with the Plymouth Brethren, a puritanical brilliant. Brilliant!” them from becoming self-conscious. So Now imagine someone sneaks you just a knife and a stick … and he wins. Christian group that forbids “worldly The film celebrates what Gold- there were no monitors on set, no a contraband video cassette, VCR and To call the experience mind-blowing influences” like films, television and smith calls “that time in your life when playback. The first time they ever saw TV. For the first time, images flicker would be an understatement. music. When Will meets Lee Carter, his anything is possible. You didn’t themselves on film was at a screening.” before your eyes. Not just any images, So begins Sundance sensation Son school’s notorious miscreant, an understand the fear of consequences. Rambow feels very much like early, unlikely bond is forged over First Blood You just do stuff,and if things go right, British Spielberg. While he was an and they set off to shoot their “sequel,” they go right. If they go wrong, they go inspiration, “we get influenced by very Son of Rambow. wrong. But it didn’t matter, it was the odd films,” admits Jennings. “Certainly AGREATAGREAT STORYSTORY Co-written by Jennings and joy of doing it.” Singin’ in the Rain. When we shot the ““ Goldsmith, Jennings describes their A quality the filmmakers still hold stunt sequence, it reminded us of Gene everyone will love. ADELIGHT.” division of labor as extremely dear. Kelly donning goggles and motor -Jeffrey Lyons, collaborative: “We’ve worked together “I don’t feel that far off from 12,” biking into a shed. Another film we NBC/REEL TALK on everything we’ve done since we left says Jennings. loved the arc of was Midnight Cowboy. school. Even though Nick is the Casting child actors to portray the That doesn’t have any tonal similarities producer and I’m the director, we do young filmmakers took five months. to our film, but we loved the idea of this everything together. We think the best Eventually they discovered 11-year-old naïve man and despicable rogue way to do this job is as a team.” Bill Milner (Proudfoot) and 13-year- striking up an unlikely friendship.” Rambow is “very much based on old Will Poulter (Carter). And what did Rambo think of our own stupid experiences” says “We found these two that had Rambow? Jennings. “It was coming out of these never ever acted in anything before, “[Stallone] saw the film, and he little movies I used to make as a kid.” except one had been a munchkin in the loved it,” Jennings beams, “He sent a Jennings’ childhood forays school play,” says Jennings. “They were lovely message through the studio and included work that he describes as less two of the nicest, most delightful people was so complimentary. We got his than masterful. For example, when he I’d ever met, and they had no idea how blessing, and we couldn’t have asked for wanted to show a shed on fire, he good they were. Absolutely no idea.” more.” waved a piece of burning paper in “They were so themselves, but still front of the lens. You can hear him in able to be other people,” gushes Son of Rambow releases in select theaters the background proclaiming, “This is Jennings. “Our job was just to keep May 2.

projections | essential film events CALARTS FILM/VIDEO SHOWCASE CalArts’ film students are known May 1-3 @ REDCAT for form innovation and idea challenging works, so don’t miss out on this semester-ending event. 9900iiss tthhee nneeww4400!! BY SARAH BENNETT Admission is free for all three nights, so go early and check out the FAR FROM THE SUBURBAN at the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts current gallery exhibition (Dave nothing of Valencia, California Theater with an evening of long-form McKenzie: Screen Doors on Institute of the Arts, the self- shorts and continues through the Submarines, through June 15) or stay proclaimed “premier college for the weekend with shorts from the best after in the lounge and discuss the study of the moving image,” is using student directors and filmmakers in night’s show over a Cat-a-tonic, the its Downtown Los Angeles theater to the school. Now in its fifth season of theater’s signature cocktail. present three nights of specially- supporting emerging performance LAEMMLE’S chosen live-action works by students and visual artists, REDCAT, nestled in REDCAT is located at 631 W. 2nd STARTS FRIDAY SUNSET 5 in school’s Film and Video and Film a street-level annex at the Walt Disney Street, Downtown. For more in- 8000 SUNSET BLVD., W. HOLLYWOOD Directing programs. Concert Hall, continues to encourage formation, call (213) 237-2800 or visit MAY 2 (323) 848-3500 The showcase kicks off on Friday and celebrate artistic risk. www.redcat.org. [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08] Campus Circle | 7 HATS OFF school me film To the Remarkable CINESCOPES 93-Year-Old, Mimi Weddell What Your Favorite BY HENRY SENECAL Movies Reveal About You WITH THIS FEATURE-LENGTH life and lifestyle are hats. They documentary, filmmaker Jyll John- define her mood. One would BY ALISSA SIMMONS stone affords us a glimpse at the naturally wonder how many hats history and day-to-day life of a she owns, but in keeping true to remarkable woman, Mimi Weddell. her philosophy, her focus is on I’M A DEDICATED IDEALIST. IF YOU’RE NOT SURE WHAT THAT Weddell is an acclaimed actress quality, not quantity. means, you can read all about it and find out what you are in and model. She’s a mother and a “I feel sorry to say that I Cinescopes, the new book that turns your favorite movies into a grandmother. She’s a dancer and a really don’t remember [how Mimi Weddell in one of her many hats personality profile. dreamer. many hats I own]. It’s probably Ezra Werb and Risa Williams watched and researched over 3,000 She was voted by New York around 150. I revolve around the films in preparation for writing Cinescopes. It’s a new way of looking at Magazine as one of the “50 Most hats and the apartment does, too,” she “Pygmalion.” your favorite films and what they could reveal about your personality, Beautiful People in New York,”and the says. “You talk about being frustrated? “I tried to emulate her on several fears, dreams and goals. By simply making a list of your 10 favorite honor is well deserved! She collects If you can’t find the right hat, it’s total different occasions,” she says of the movies and finding their codes in the and wears many hats both figuratively hell. They are waiting for me down- great actress before continuing on to glossary at the back of the book, you’ll and literally. She’s also 93-years-old stairs in the car to get off and do a describe the hat with enthusiastic soon discover if you’re a Passionate and began her acting career at 65. shoot, and I’m looking for the little, gestures. “It’s an 1890 hat, and the Maverick, Magical Creator or one of 14 Powered by her motto “Rise old hat I made a thousand years ago feathers come down like this, and [it other personality types. You can then Above It,” Weddell typically spends for something or other. Also, it keeps has] that piquant, flirtatious look that read about that personality type and 14-hours a day auditioning for new me awake at night. I am redesigning those hats had.” gain a better understanding of why you roles, working out, doing gymnastics – my hats in my mind. It’s awful.” Hats Off is a refreshing take on the are attracted to certain films. anything to stay a step ahead of what During the course of Hats Off we documentary format, in that, its I had a personal analysis done by the might make her routine mundane. meet her children and grandchildren examination of Weddell doesn’t beat authors, and it turns out that I’m a She has an inherent charm and and bear mute witness to a somewhat the viewer over the head with a Dedicated Idealist. After reading the demeanor that recalls an earlier time strained mother/child dynamic, each predetermined message or moral. The description, I’d have to say that they’re in our history when manners and class side represented by very different film allows the viewer to observe the pretty right on, even though I began to were de rigeur for people of a certain personalities and points of view. Not subtleties of her everyday life as it wonder how they determined this when station in life. surprisingly, when asked what mo- showcases her amazing spirit. I found out that more than half my listed films were not in their She exudes charisma and a dry, tivates her and what role she enjoys Johnstone was wise enough to let glossary. elegant personality but is a vibrant most, she says, “I don’t think my the content of this movie impress you Despite lacking some of the films that I listed, the psychoanalysis woman and is most definitely living in favorite hat would be a mother hat.” on its own. Doing so allows the film’s seems well-researched and founded. It should be. After all, Williams has the present. Her lifestyle, as showcased Instead she becomes a starry-eyed impeccable style and gentle demeanor a master’s degree in psychology and Werb works as a behaviorist. in the film, shatters any preconceived dreamer as she mentions one of the to caress the viewer and showcase After reading some of the other personality descriptions, I began to notions of what it might mean to be a actual, physical hats in her collection. Weddell and her story. Hats off to diagnose my friends as well. senior citizen. It serves as an example It’s a vintage chapeau that was once them both. I asked the authors how they could possibly code over 3,000 movies to be followed by people of all ages. worn by Mrs. Patrick Campbell who and deduce 16 distinct types. They freely admit that they’ve not seen One very important part of her originated the role of Eliza Doolittle in Hats Off releases in select theaters May 2. every movie in their glossary, but they research in detail the characteristics of the protagonist of each film and then code them. They also mentioned how certain groups of people tend to like similar films and end up with similar profile outcomes, but oddly film notes | reviews Even more troubling is that the there’s not one of the 16 different personality types that appears more murderer – much like Italy’s Monster often than the others. of Florence – has been going around After reading the book and thoroughly perusing the glossary, the staging elaborate crime scenes that book is insightful, but not unpredictable or terribly exciting once you make him or her an extremely sticky get the idea of what they’re looking at. I was also quite disappointed in wicket when it comes to being the amount of movies left out of the glossary. captured. With Cinescopes, Ezra Werb and Risa Williams have found a fun This stylized crime drama is and enlightening way use film to describe personality traits, much like directed by H.S. Miller and pits the astrology uses the stars. It’s definitely something that every film geek venerable talents of Dafoe up against should own. It provides a new way to show up our friends with our some contemporary talents like Scott movie knowledge. Speedman (Underworld) and Clea DuVall (“Heroes”). For more information, visit www.cinescopes.com. Although the look of the project is stark and interesting, ripe with all the aesthetic pleasures (and sicko through comedy. In the movie, Tina and predictable path, Poehler’s violence) of a Cronenberg flick, the Fey plays Kate, a successful single random antics make up for it. Lacey Terrell story and acting are anything less businesswoman trying to get preg- As long as you don’t go in than spectacular. nant but who can’t. Enter Angie expecting Knocked Up or Juno (and Grade: C (Amy Poehler), a surrogate who’s just seriously, if you’ve seen the trailer or —Ebony March about the complete opposite of Kate the commercials, can you even expect Carl Unger (Scott Speedman) and Stan Aubrey (Willem Dafoe) hunt a killer in Anamorph. Anamorph releases in select theaters the clean-freak, and who ends up that?), you’ll find yourself being May 2. moving in with her. entertained for a good hour and a Anamorph He’s a gumshoe that must solve Cue the hilarity, right? For the half. (IFC) Hollywood’s favorite thrill-seeking Baby Mama most part, yes. Poehler and Fey play Grade: B Willem Dafoe is the type of actor dilemma: a serial killer on the loose. (Universal) the odd couple very well, and there —Michael Lee

who is highly believable as the “man And what better place for a nutcase to Following the footsteps of the are numerous funny moments Baby Mama is currently in theaters. on the beat.” In Anamorph, the actor stalk than the streets of New York successful Knocked Up and Juno, Baby throughout the movie. Although the « portrays Detective Stan Aubray. City? Mama also explores pregnancy story walks down a very formulaic CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 8 | Campus Circle [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08]

film screen shots film notes | reviews « CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 BY ZACH HINES

Fugitive Pieces Standard Operating was pointed for their appearance in Robert Townsend’s Doc on Black Comedy (IDP/ Samuel Goldwyn) Procedure the photos as well as Janis Karpinski, Actor/director Robert Townsend (The Five Heartbeats, “The Parent The third film from the (Sony Pictures Classics) brigadier general at the head of our ’Hood”) has been putting together a documentary titled Why We Canadian born writer/director, Jere- These days there’s a flood of prisons in Iraq who was relieved of Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy. The doc will include my Podeswa, is no less a poignant documentaries examining the U.S. her command. interviews with prominent black comedians like Bill Cosby, Chris Rock, drama of love and loss as it is a military operations that followed It would be easy to loath those Paul Mooney, Kat Williams, Steve Harvey and George Wallace, just to meditation on redemption. 9/11 in the name of a so-called War who carried out these acts, but by the name more than a few. Based on the best-selling novel on Terror. If you see only one, end of the film, one gets the sense I’m definitely going to see this because with all those guys involved, by Canadian poet Anne Michaels, make it Standard Operating Pro- that most of the MPs, like many of it already sounds great; but I can’t help but wonder exactly who the Fugitive Pieces follows the life of cedure. the prisoners, were simply in the intended audience of this documentary is? Is this documentary for Jakob Beer, a young Holocaust It was the scandal that rocked the wrong place at the wrong time with black people or white people? survivor who fled Poland after world and left the U.S. military no feasible way out of the hell in I’ll bet if you ask Robert Townsend he’d probably say that it’s for witnessing his parents’ execution and apologizing to the global community. which they were deposited. Cer- everyone. OK, great. But I always thought that the point of a sister Bella’s abduction. Photos released to the public de- tainly, this wasn’t what they signed documentary was to make people aware of something. Bella’s fate is forever unknown, picting deplorable treatment inflicted up for as fresh-faced youths at the You make a documentary about starving children with the and Jakob is permanently haunted upon detainees at Abu Ghraib recruiting office. intention of drawing awareness to it. Right? by her lingering voice and ap- shocked America and did much to Danny Elfman provides a per- I know that I’m more interested in seeing a documentary on things parition. Teaching and writing offer turn the tide of public opinion of our fectly haunting soundtrack to I don’t know about. So either the purpose of this documentary is to a temporary relief, but the torment role in Iraq. Errol Morris’ stunning visuals that increase awareness of black comedy to black people or to white people. of his past still burdens Perhaps both? him. I understand that a book written by Darryl J. Littleton titled Black Jakob is incapable Comedians on Black Comedy: How African-Americans Taught Us to of living in the mo- Laugh was the inspiration for this project. The book gives a historical ment, but the same rundown of black comedy and has comments from black comedians. cannot be said of his I get the impression that this doc is going to examine the social and friends and lovers. cultural impact of black comedy rather than trying to explain how They are not char- black humor works to people who don’t get it. acters in his book or phantoms from his Frank Miller’s Spirit past. They eat and This next piece isn’t breathe and sleep and actually something that’s drink tea. They already definitely happening but it’s know there is no past something I desperately would or present. Jakob must like to see happen, so I’m learn there is only now. covering it in the hopes that it Grade: A will. Comic book —James Famera writer/illustrator turned film Fugitive Pieces releases writer/director Frank Miller is in select theaters May 2. now finishing up his big screen adaptation of Will Eisner’s The Redbelt Lorey Sebastian Spirit, and he recently dropped (Sony Pictures Classics) a hint at what his next project I can’t bring myself might be. to love or hate this Miller suggested that he movie. It’s a film by might try to adapt another of David Mamet, one of Redbelt’s Chiwetel Ejiofor and Alice Braga as Mike and Sondra Terry. his own creations: Hard Boiled the pre-eminent writers (not to be confused with the of our time, so it has to John Woo/Chow-Yun Fat be great, right? Not necessarily. Standard Operating Procedure drag the audience into the horrors action film of the same name). Mike (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a good asks: what are the stories behind of the Iraq prisons and do much to It is a comic that Miller wrote guy. He’s a Jiu-Jitsu teacher and lives those photographs, what happened instill a greater understanding and in the mid-’90s that was his life practicing the principles this outside of the frame of a photo and empathy than the photos at the illustrated by Geof Darrow, Brazilian martial art preaches. For all why would soldiers photograph such heart of the scandal could ever do who aside from being a of his efforts, however, he and his horrible acts when so many were alone. brilliant comic book artist wife (Alice Braga) are barely getting aware in their hearts that what was Grade: A+ himself was the conceptual by. going on was wrong? The film —Natasha Desianto designer of The Matrix films. Though the world of profes- interviews many of the so called “bad Standard Operating Procedure It tells the story of a sional fighting surrounds him and its apples,” the MPs at whom the finger releases May 2. cyborg-assassin who believes prize money is tempting, he cannot he’s an insurance investigator compete. He believes that “com- leading a normal life. There’s petition weakens the warrior,” but an no question that this comic unusual series of events leads him to staff pick comedy. Together, these two have would make an incredible film, test his morals against those temp- teamed up to create a mostly I will vouch for that. I was tations. improvised masterpiece of hi- reading Miller’s work years Mamet leads his characters in a The Party larity. before Sin City. refreshingly unpredictable di- May 2 @ Nuart Theatre If you’ve ever loved Jim Carrey The setting is a film noir-ish future with sprawling retro-futuristic rection, but it’s a far-fetched plot Peter Sellers was a sexy bitch or David Cross, then Sellers is cityscapes and advanced forms of weaponry and robotics. At one point, that gets them to that end. A more back in his day. It’s true! Although definitely one to watch. The Party Warner Bros. was going to make the film with David Fincher directing believable storyline would have left many people know him as the is part of Friday Midnight Movies and Nicolas Cage starring, but that never materialized. you sure you loved the film, kooky Inspector Clouseau from at the Nuart. —Ebony March As much as I love Fincher, I’m more curious about how Miller instead of trying to decipher why the Pink Panther movies, the guy would do it. Miller co-directed Sin City with Robert Rodriguez, whose you didn’t. was actually a highly gifted Nuart Theatre is located at 11272 stamp was all over that film, so we’ll have to wait to see how Miller is as Grade: C comedian. Santa Monica Blvd., West Los a solo director when The Spirit comes out this summer. But until then, —Henry Senecal Blake Edwards has also been Angeles. For more information, visit I’ve got my fingers crossed. Redbelt releases in theaters May 2. called a genius of cinematic www.landmarktheatres.com. [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08] Campus Circle | 9

be a newspaper man, even if it’s for a film, by yelling things at his actors 10th rate rag, the mere mention of like “Run out your hit!” As Cagney film dvd dish | reviews which embarrasses his gangster recounts in his autobiography, he friends. (“It’s on the way up,” he and Ralph Bellamy were quietly assures them, but all the murderers rehearsing a scene together when his tongue years later, in Cagney by Bridge on the River that makes the hokey concept actually and blackmailers look down at their they heard Bacon cry out “Cut – Cagney: Kwai and Lawrence of genuinely suspenseful. And the shoes.) print it!” “That was the ultimate efficiency – Arabia (Collector’s Editions) flashback device of taping over a Baseball fan Lloyd Bacon filmed “Hey you,” Cagney responded. “I shooting a damned rehearsal!” (Columbia Tri/Star) previous recording of the lead Picture Snatcher in 15 days, a few was rehearsing!” Grade: A Two of David Lean’s classic epics get character’s failed relationship is days under the typical shooting “It looked fine from here!” —Sean Schlemmer reissued in honor of the visionary ingenious. schedule for a Warner Brothers B You can almost hear Cagney cluck Picture Snatcher is currently available. director’s 100th birthday. However, the These two-disc col- camcorder conceit is also lections are pared down its own worst enemy. The versions of the limited shots that are obviously edition sets issued a couple reminiscent of the footage FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE years back, leaving out of people fleeing the ® some of the more un- crumbling towers on 9/11 ACADEMY AWARD WINNER ‘THE FOG OF WAR’ necessary elements while are borderline in bad taste. AND ‘THE THIN BLUE LINE’ still offering myriad extras The limited perspective that include: several in leaves any larger plot depth documentaries/- questions unanswered, “THE NEW INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARY BY ERROL MORRIS, featurettes, a news reel of leaving the viewer feeling Lawrence’s New York premiere, photo unsatisfied. ONE OF OUR MOST ORIGINAL FILMMAKERS.” galleries, a bizarre USC short film There are some really great, –Frank Rich, THE NEW YORK TIMES narrated by William Holden that suspenseful moments. You almost explains what goes into making a movie regret when they actually show the CGI “A TRULY IMPORTANT FILM. THE FILM GETS AT THE ESSENCE OF and appreciations by John Milius and monster. PHOTOGRAPHY AS A MEDIUM. THE GLORIOUS SCORE BY DANNY Steven Spielberg. Grade: B+ To be truly appreciated, both of —Mike Sebastian ELFMAN ABSOLUTELY HAUNTS THE CORNERS OF THE FRAME.” these films (Lawrence in particular) Cloverfield is currently available. –Dennis Dermody, PAPER should be seen on the big screen. But on the small screen, these anamorphic, re- The Orphanage mastered presentations are the way to (New Line) go. Sick of torture porn? Here’s a Grade: A genuinely suspenseful ghost story that —Mike Sebastian will have the hairs on your neck Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence standing up – a beautifully shot, of Arabia are currently available. skillfully constructed and well-acted story about a woman who returns to the Charlie Wilson’s War home where she grew up as an orphan. (Universal) Meanwhile, she struggles to Yet another war film brought to you understand her HIV positive son as he with good intentions and all-too grows increasingly obsessed with his transparent politics, Charlie Wilson’s invisible friends. When he suddenly War fares better than some (Lions for vanishes, she suspects that there may be Lambs, Rendition). something to his stories after all. Still, with the Iraq war spiraling This film by young Spanish down endlessly and a big election year filmmaker Juan Antonio Bayona comes looming, the last place most people with the stamp of approval from want to escape to is a dark movie theater producer Guillermo Del Toro (Pan’s where someone else’s opinion gets Labyrinth). If it doesn’t all totally add up shoved down their throat. in the end, you don’t really mind. It’s one Charlie Wilson’s War,a more of the best-made horror films since The historical and humorous approach, Sixth Sense. succeeds mostly when Philip Seymour Grade: A- Hoffman comes into view. Terrific in —Mike Sebastian The Savages and Before the Devil Knows The Orphanage is currently available. You’re Dead, Hoffman’s original per- formance would be surprising in its Picture Snatcher sheer bravado if it weren’t for the fact (Warner) that we’ve come to expect nothing less Reformed racketeer James Cagney from him. pursues at last his lifelong ambition, to If only the rest of the cast, and the film itself, could have risen to Hoffman’s level. Grade: B- (Hoffman: A) Eleven Recent —Angela Matano PROPAGANDA Charlie Wilson’s War is currently available. FILMS: 1) Rendition Cloverfield 2) Redacted 3) Lions for Lambs (Paramount) 4) In the Valley of Elah WWW.TAKEPART.COM WWW.SONYCLASSICS.COM It’s Godzilla meets The Blair Witch 5) Reservation Road READ THE Project. And yet, it kinda works. 6) Stop-Loss BOOK FROM Filmed entirely as a home video 7) World Trade Center recording documenting a group of 8) Atonement friends having a going away party when 9) Rescue Dawn STARTS FRIDAY, APRIL 25 IN NEW YORK & FRIDAY, MAY 2 IN LOS ANGELES! New York suddenly comes under attack 10) No End in Sight 11) United 93 COMING SOON TO A THEATRE NEAR YOU! by some sort of creature, the video —Angela Matano VIEW THE TRAILER AT WWW.STANDARDOPERATINGPROCEDUREMOVIE.COM technique lends a certain immediacy 10 | Campus Circle [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08]

music music 101 | artist feature cd reviews MAKING THE GRADE: A EXCEPTIONAL FOREVER THE B WORTHWHILE | C MEDIOCRE D SAVE YOUR MONEY F WILL BE ON HELL’S JUKEBOX SICKEST KIDS Infectious in a Good Way

BY BRIEN OVERLY (l to r) Kyle Burns, Kent Garrison, Jonathan Cook, Caleb Turman, Marc Stewart and Austin Bello are Forever the Sickest Kids.

THE HALLS OF ROCK PAST AND writing as a band, we felt we had to be be showering their band with praise. Garrison. “We all come from great present are lined with portraits of writing on our own, either acoustic or “That was something our label homes, we have great support and bands that made it big by accident, the on our computers,” says keyboardist brought up to us, that since we are a they’re always talking to us, saying vast majority of which we as a society Kent Garrison. “The pressure was brand new band we are going to get ‘don’t forget who you are and who you will look back on in five years (or less) good for us, it got our creative minds some hate, so they had us go on the were brought up to be.’” and cringe at our own bad taste. For thinking when we were practicing. Of road and grind,” says Burns. “They As such, Garrison and his band Gran Ronde the powerpop rockers of Forever the course we’d like more time to write threw us in a van and made us tour for aren’t taking anything for granted nor Secret Rooms Sickest Kids, however, the online faux music, but it really brought the songs the entire summer with hardly any are they about to get egos over their (Filter) pas that catalyzed their popularity out of us, and we can’t wait for kids to money. We thought major label bands quickly growing fan base. This L.A. foursome calls may be one that benefits the modern hear it.” have tour buses and all this stuff, but “Any opportunity we get, we try to their music “melodramatic rock scene and its constituent With a self-assuredness in who they’re making us go out there and stay out after the shows and talk to all popular song,”and they have the listeners. And for once, it’s something they are that belies both their ages work for it.” the kids. We want to be best friends melodramatic part right, even if that doesn’t involve x-rated pictures and the short amount of time they’ve Echoing these sentiments, Gar- with everyone at a show and they need to work on the taken on a Sidekick. been together as a band, Garrison rison adds, “We had never been on hopefully, they see us like that, too,”he popular a bit. The band seems to The story goes that after an and his band mates – bassist Austin the road before as a band, then we says. be infatuated with U2, the accidental purchasing of featured ad Bello, drummer Kyle Burns, vocalist toured all summer by ourselves and With that appreciation for both Killers and the Cure, and they space on PureVolume, the Dallas Jonathan Cook and guitarists Marc it really helped us grow. If we didn’t where they’ve been and the people channel those groups’ easily natives were under the gun to record a Stewart and Caleb Turman – pride do some of the things we did last who will get them to where they’re identified sounds for much of song, because until then … they didn’t themselves on their stylistic diversity. summer, we wouldn’t have written going, along with the work ethic to Secret Rooms. have anything to feature. Three days “We have some songs that are some of the songs we wrote and maintain their longevity, these guys Just when the mimicry later, “Hey Brittany” was offered up to more techno’d out, we have an wouldn’t have the record we have just may prove that even in this starts to wear thin, Gran Ronde the Web-surfing public, and the fan acoustic track, we have some straight right now so it definitely worked out modern scene of fleeting one-hit pulls a rabbit out of their hat support started pouring in, followed up rock songs, we have a ballad and for the best.” artists, some things can last forever. with “Gold.” The song departs quickly by label attention. some other stuff,” says Garrison. “We Luckily, the band has a full from the pop-shimmer formula After signing to Universal, the really tried to get into every type of support team behind them to help Underdog Alma Mater is currently by slowing down the tempo to band continued its condensed work song we could on this record and maintain balance and keep them available. Forever the Sickest Kids will the pace of a Neil Young dirge, schedule to write and record their show what we’re all about.” grounded amidst the ever-increasing perform at Warped Tour June 20 in the languid beat taking on an debut album, Underdog Alma Mater. Balancing that confidence is also chaos being a member now entails. Pomona and Aug. 17 in Carson. For eerie aura, thanks to the liberal “It was really a time crunch. an awareness among the band “How I was brought up definitely more information, visit use of Theremin (or perhaps a Whenever we weren’t in the jam room members that not everyone is going to keeps me sane on the road,” says www.foreverthesickestkids.com. very Theremin-sounding key- board.) The song is well-written and played, but it is un- fortunately the only tune here that really offers anything music dvd review Playing songs from her mutitude distress or helpless cats in trees. unique. of albums, she chats, charms and “I am not a pretty girl,”DiFranco Grade: B ANI DIFRANCO entertains a sold-out house of tells us. “That is not what I do. I ain’t —Kevin Wierzbicki Live at Babeville adoring, predominately female fans. no damsel in distress, and I don’t Secret Rooms is currently (Righteous Babe) In the first half of the concert she need to be rescued.” available. More than just your average breaks a guitar string almost every Like the best of DiFranco’s concert, this performance takes place song, giving her acoustic playing a music, the song then stretches New Found Glory in Buffalo, N.Y. at a 135-year-old bit of an awkward twang. beyond male/female politics to Hits church that DiFranco not only saved But when the strings warm to politics in general: “I am not an (Geffen) from demolition, but spent a decade her fingers she becomes electric, angry girl, but it seems like I’ve got These guys have racked-up turning into an awe-inspiring music mixing bluesy politics with deep everyone fooled. Every time I say nearly three million units in venue and home base for her indie lyrical insight into the female psyche. something they find hard to hear, sales, so don’t snicker that this record label, Righteous Babe. Her crowd-rousing song “Not a they chalk it up to my anger and collection of favorites is called As her band warms up the stage, Pretty Girl” sheds light on perhaps never to their own fear.” Hits. Ten of the 12 inclusions can DiFranco says to a member in the the often annoying way in which Grade: B+ be found on past albums, and audience, “You named your son after men seek to be the hero in a —Bourbon With Brendan the songs are pretty much me? I’ll try not to fuck it up and relationship, relegating their female stacked in chronological order; make you regret that in any way.” counterparts to mere damsels in Ani DiFranco: Live at Babeville is currently available. so you can relive the band’s rise to fame beginning with the buoyant emo of “Hit or Miss (Waited Too Long),” from their with a highly polished melodic rocker track on a Japanese collection. (R.n.l.g.) self-titled major label debut in called “Situations” that, until now, Grade: B Megaphone restored my faith in 2000, right through to “Hold My was only available for one month as a —Kevin Wierzbicki hip-hop. It’s not everyday main- Hand,” from 2006’s Coming streaming cut on the Warped Tour Hits is currently available. stream radio stations play feel-good Home. Web site. The compilation closes out hip-hop like this. Two previously hard-to-find with “Constant Static,” a speedy Moe Pope and MCs Moe Pope (Project Move-

cuts frame the oldies, and they dressing-down of a lover who Headnodic ment) and Headnodic (Crown City prove to be goodies worth complains all the time, that was Moe Pope and Headnodic Are « waiting for. The album starts previously released only as a bonus Megaphone CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08] Campus Circle | 11 l.a. underground | BY DITA DIMONÉ music

when he channels a hillbilly Elvis Costello for “King of Drugs.” THE MEZZANINE OWLS With the ability to sound a little L.A. outfit is the answer to on the deranged side, Todd sings some of these tunes, “Wrong the ’90s British invasion. Turn” in particular, like an edgy John Hiatt. And of course when you’re MEZZANINE OWLS WEREN’T “It starts with a piece or a phrase dealing with Chuck Berry- formed in the United Kingdom, but or a word, a chord progression, a inspired boogie you’re bound to they’ve accomplished making a sound punctuation, a question mark, a Pavement. On the other hand, Why do they still have day jobs? find something that sounds like that rivals the best acts of the UK’s clause,” continues Burnside until “Temporary Health” is a tempera- Rest assured there will be more to early Stones, and that’s here in shoe-gaze and post punk eras. Jack Zeitlin joins in. “It starts with a colon mental song that fluctuates from loud come from the Owls; they’re in it for the form of “Long Love Letter” Burnside, Dan Horne, Pauline Mu and or a semicolon.” and bleary guitars to jangly and almost the long haul. and “The December 12th Blues.” Jonathan Zeitlin make up the quartet Don’t let the moodiness of the CD ballad-y arrangements. “Ghost Ship” is “I think if you love something, you Grade: C that makes you want to turn off the fool you; offstage, the pair can easily reminiscent of Joy Division if they were should keep doing it. If you really —Kevin Wierzbicki lights and dance in the dark while headline the Comedy Store in into ’50s doo-wop, while in “Snow enjoy something, like we really enjoy Holdin’ Onto Trouble’s Hand is getting your heart ripped out, then Hollywood. Globe,” Burnside manages to make making music then you just keep currently available. placed back in with a warm and fuzzy “It’s really about beginning with losing your mind sound romantic. making it. There are periods where it coating. Yeah, it’s like that. something and allowing the process to The new work follows their debut comes quickly and easily, and there are The Owls excel in crafting robust work itself out and find its own EP, Slingshot Echoes (2006), that periods where it’s like trying to get and memorable melodies, with meaning,” says Zeitlin. sounds like running though an blood from a stone,” explains the soaring choruses and a bittersweet The, as of yet, unsigned L.A. band enchanted forest where the darkest, singer. “The most difficult part is sensibility about life and human recently released its self-titled most exciting and heartfelt fairytales trying to make music that you feel is emotions. Burnside and Zeitlin are the sophomore CD under Jaxart Records. are formed. For that work, the band representative of your experiences primary songwriters of the outfit that’s The four-track CD LP is a dreamy enlisted the help of friend and music while matching it up with stuff that permeating Los Angeles’ music scene concoction of shatteringly loud, guru Andy Lemaster (Now It’s you enjoy. It’s hard to make sure you like a hot bullet shot out of a glock droning neo-psychedelia with a Overhead, Bright Eyes, Azure Ray). come up with something new as with a silencer. moody, mysterious kind of ambience. Made in Lemaster’s studio in Athens, opposed to just improving on other “We both have a common thread Burnside’s vocals are buoyant one Ga., the CD exposed Burnside’s robust things.” of not having a deliberate handle on minute and cavernous the next. The yet melancholic crooning, as well as what the songs are about; we do that so songs build and flow as if they were the ethereal orchestration of fuzzed Mezzanine Owls is currently available in The Sword people can explore them and draw actual living beings. out guitars layered with reverb effects. the form of a 7” vinyl release, as well as a Gods of the Earth their own conclusions. [The songs] The only thing wrong with this CD Like their previous work, digital download. Mezzanine Owls will (Kemado) start somewhere and evolve from is that there aren’t more tracks! “Drift”is Mezzanine Owls is a stunning piece of perform every Monday night in May at In the mid-1980s, bands like there. I don’t think any song is about a beautiful track that sounds like work that leaves you to wonder: Why Spaceland. For more information, visit Saint Vitus and Trouble listened one specific emotion,” says Zeitlin. Placebo crashed head on with doesn’t everyone know about them? www.mezzanineowls.com. to a lot of early Black Sabbath and decided to put “heavy” back into “heavy metal”by turning up the overdrive, emphasizing low- frequency | essential concerts | BY BRIEN OVERLY pop, having been in the game for 30 end tonality and slowing the years now and influencing some of songs down. Other bands the top rock, pop and synth acts of gravitated toward this sound, Sugarcult of unshowered genre clichés, today. If there’s one thing the and, in time, the subgenre of May 1 @ Canyon Club spending this weekend with foursome knows how to do, it’s to go “stoner doom metal” was born. It’s been a little while since Tim California’s country-folk and who- big (even despite the absence of Austin, Texas’ the Sword Pagnotta and company have been ever else would fly out for a Judds Warren Cuccurullo, cue rim shot), formed in 2003, inspired by out and about, and for as much as reunion should do the trick. and with a full catalogue of hit some of the “stoner” bands. Yet I’ve semi-playfully prodded at them The three-day festival’s lineup singles and fan favorites to pick as this band reveals on Gods of in past writings, I’m pretty sure that also sees none other than rock icons from, the Birmingham natives would the Earth, its new album, it deep down I really do love them as Andrew Eccles the Eagles headlining, along with the have to actively try to be anything cannot be easily classified in any an integral part of my youth. It feels unaging Mike Ness of Social Dis- less than awesome. ready-made metal category. like just yesterday I was blasting the Carrie Underwood: Southern-fried girl-emo … tortion, Shooter Jennings, pop- Calling this music “stoner tracks of Start Static at weekend with less self-deprecation … and bigger hair. princess-turned-artist-with-cred Alicia Keys doom” underestimates the work parties in high school, when pop Michelle Branch and barely legal May 5 @ Staples Center ethic that must have gone into punk was pop punk – before it was a boy’s forte, as one might expect. singer-songwriter phenom Taylor Country may not be my thing, its creation, because this is high- fashion statement made via MySpace Slightly more predictably, Swift. but I’ll surely be the first to say that energy rock. pages. however, I have an unabashed love Contrary to earlier statements there are precious few artists, be they Songs like “The Frost- for one Carrie Underwood. I mean, saying otherwise, maybe I can give rock bands or otherwise, who can Giant’s Daughter” sound like Stagecoach Festival she’s practically Southern-fried girl- up the whole dark and gloomy rock pry into the innermost depths of four or five of Iron Maiden’s best May 2-4 @ Empire Polo Field emo … with less self-deprecation … thing for one weekend after all. your soul like my girl Alicia. Granted, riffs stitched seamlessly together I’ll admit I’m not the most and bigger hair. What? her first album is her best, but Keys into one song. Lyrically, the knowledgeable column writer when Well, anyway, if driving out to Duran Duran has certainly not lost her edge when Sword focuses on melancholic it comes to the area of country Indio last weekend to hang with May 4 @ Nokia Theatre it comes to pouring her heart into themes of mythic war and music. It’s … not exactly an emo elitist hipsters didn’t fill your quota These guys are icons of rock and every note she lets loose. Nordic-style demigods, which can be quite daunting. Yet as epic as the songs are, in three to four minute blasts they never Rockers) manage to make a hip-hop like Timbaland, Q-Tip and Pat Todd & the those songs should have been left off overstay their welcome. CD without reiterating how many Just Blaze. Members of Project Rankoutsiders the album as they tend to all sound The highpoint of the album kilos they’re pushin’ or hoes they Movement, Gift of Gab of Holdin’ Onto Trouble’s Hand alike after awhile; a similar fate has is “To Take the Black,” which have. Instead, they step their game up Blackalicious and Woodstock from (Rankoutsider) befallen many (shorter) George stampedes through rolling by delivering ingenious heart-felt Crown City Rockers make ap- Todd is a guitarist and vocalist Thorogood albums. drum breaks and even acoustic- rhyming coupled with undeniably pearances as well. who dwells primarily in the rock ’n’ Todd is at his most interesting guitar flourishes. All the while,

innovative beats. Grade: A roll rave-up realm, and more than when he tones it down a bit, like singer-guitarist J.D. Cronise Moe Pope and Headnodic give —Kantreal Daniels half of the 20 cuts presented here fall « « shout-outs to hip-hop predecessors Megaphone is currently available. into that category. Probably half of CONTINUED CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 12 | Campus Circle [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08]

music live show reviews AMOEBA BESTSELLERS 6400 SUNSET BLVD. (323) 245-6400 ROBYN HITCHCOCK/ They dove enthusiastically into the set, NICK LOWE banging their longhaired heads forward and April 11 @ El Rey back under the blazing spotlights while 1) Mariah Carey — E=MC2 2) M83 — Saturdays=Youth Robyn Hitchcock and Nick Lowe: wry, gripping their precious guitars for sweet 3) The Raconteurs — Consolers of the Lonely intelligent white-haired Englishmen, con- visceral escape. The boys put on a good show, 4) Black Keys — Attack & Release summate showmen, spellbinding songwriters jumping up on the amps and speakers, then 5) Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds — Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! about the mysteries of human behavior. leaping simultaneously into the air and getting 6) Radiohead — In Rainbows 7) Gnarls Barkley — Odd Couple Hitchcock opened the all-acoustic evening a classic scissor kick in before landing back on 8) She & Him — Volume One with odes to metamorphosis (“Balloon Man,” stage. 9) The Breeders — Mountain Battles “Trilobite,” “Olé! Tarantula”) and folktales In mid set, Bruno looked out at the crowd 10) MGMT — Oracular Spectacular about phantasmagoric kingdoms (“Ghost and said, “Happy tax day, everyone,” then 11) R.E.M. — Accelerate 12) Cut Copy — In Ghost Colours UPCOMING IN-STORES at AMOEBA! Ship,”“Idonia”). upon brief reflection added honestly, “I don’t All shows are FREE and ALL AGES! 13) Nine Inch Nails — Ghosts I-IV Equally entertaining was his fantastical even know what that means.” 14) Vampire Weekend — Self-Titled For full calendar of events visit: AMOEBA.COM banter about tar pits, ocelots and meerkats, —Bourbon With Brendan 15) The Kooks — Konk (Limited Edition) consciousness and consumerism, and an old 16) Crystal Castles — Self-Titled 17) Leona Lewis — Spirit IWjkhZWošCWo)š*fc Los Angeles where Irving Thalberg was a JAY-Z/MARY J. BLIGE 18) Sun Kill Moon — April dentist, Louis B. Mayer an osteopath. April 16 @ Hollywood Bowl 19) Dodos — Visiter CHARITY AUCTION Lowe investigated tribulations of the heart I cried at least five times tonight. The first 20) Air — Moon Safari 10th Anniversary Come in and bid on memorabilia, collectables, tickets & more with your host Brently Heilbron! Proceeds benefit green charities with songs ranging from his recently reissued was when Mary sang, belted, screamed and and New Orleans relief efforts. Jesus of Cool and Labour of Lust to The cried (yeah … she, too) out the lyrics to “No Convincer and his new At My Age.“Cruel to Be More Drama.”Mary looked so beautiful as she cried upon hearing “Big Pimpin,’” “Jigga Jk[iZWošCWo,š-fc Kind” had a tangerine-haired girl swaying strutted around the stage, breaking into her What” and so many more. EVEREST gleefully beside me; “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) cute, trademark Mary-jigs. The only surprise guest was, of course, Peace, Love, and Understanding” had the As she ran through her hits we saw the Memphis Bleek and a picture of Barack “Everest consists of members with ties to a handful of reputable bands like Alaska!, Earlimart, the Watson Twins, Folk Implosion, congregation reverently singing along. evolution of an artist and a woman. She spoke Obama on the big screen that followed an Great Northern, and Stanford Prison Experiment. Combine that with the epic alt-rock, Tom Petty/Wilco-esque nature of their tunes Hitchcock joined Lowe to perform Johnny directly to the ladies when she assured them image of Bush that the crowd flipped off. The and it’s plain to see why they’ve earned such lofty labels.” Kidd & the Pirates’ “Hungry for Love,” the they were worth all the money their men finalé was pure heaven as Blige and Jay-Z came — LAist.com Their debut album Ghost Notes comes out May 6th on Vapor Beatles’ “If I Fell” and Buddy Holly’s “Peggy spend on them – a lesson that was hard for out together for two encores, including “Heart Records. Sue.” This marvelous show offered abundant Blige to learn herself. of the City” (the name of their current tour) lessons on love, time, mortality and humanity. As Blige’s set came to an exhilarating end, complete with fireworks and one last tear- M[Zd[iZWošCWo-š-fc —Anthony Miller a film clip went up on the big screen of Blige shedding. URI CAINE and Jay-Z sitting side by side, explaining why —Jessica Koslow The LA Chamber Orchestra and Amoeba are proud to welcome CRYSTAL CASTLES each is so awesome. Jay-Z extolled Blige’s composer and jazz/classical pianist Uri Caine back to Amoeba! April 12 @ Local Heroes Warehouse Party, maturation as an artist and big upped her as a ARLO GUTHRIE His most recent is The Classical Variations (Winter and Winter 2007). “An audacious flurry of activity by Uri Caine has Premiere Events Center round-the-way girl the guys could really talk April 17 @ Royce Hall, UCLA lifted the New York-based pianist to the upper echelons of his Boy-girl duos are as common as your to in the hood, while Blige boasted about Jay- The name of Arlo Guthrie’s current tour, trade ... testament to both his exemplary compositions and generic douche bag rock stars, Solo Reunion Tour – Together at virtuoso playing.” — BBC but Crystal Castles tops them all. Last, encapsulated the wit and Electro punk has been reinvented biting humor of the legendary folk thanks to this ultra-hip duo, singer-songwriter, as he appeared JMEM;;ABO:@I;JI whose sound blasts through with for the first time since 1965 nostalgic Atari-era noise. completely alone on stage with his M;:D;I:7OIš-#'&FC Los Angeles was definitely well guitars and harmonica. represented with an all-star lineup As one of the funniest of some of the city’s soon-to-be storytellers I’ve witnessed, his show C7D:7B7 superstars. IHEARTCOMIX dar- was more than just a typical Our weekly in-house DJ series featuring rotating styles on the 1’s and 2’s! lings Acid Girls, dubbed one of concert, complete with humorous the best live acts in Los Angeles anecdotes and hysterical, yet electronic music section), signature mash-ups that always Los Angeles”) and motorcycle takes the reins as our Friday night resident! carry a surprisingly guilty pleas- riding (“The Motorcycle Song”), as ure. Still, Crystal Castles drunk- well as instrumentals (a ragtime enly owned the night, as vocalist piano piece and a guitar song Check out the new MUSIC WE LIKE Alice Glass hopped around the influenced by Guthrie’s time in BOOKS (a handy collection of our main stage in a spastic tantrum Hawaii filming the “Byrds of that was probably set off by the Paradise” TV series). ijW¢Êi\Wleh_j[d[mcki_YWdZcel_[i bright, blinding strobe lights that Some of the most touching available now for FREE could give any healthy person a moments were when he shared seizure. memories of his late father,

Wj7ce[XWCki_Y —John Ochoa Brendan Turril musician and writer Woody Guthrie. DRIVE A And as he belted out “The City ,*&&IKDI;J8BL:$ April 15 @ KeyClub of New Orleans,”“This Land is Your )() (*+#,*&& For the scant 15 years of life Youngster Bruno Mascolo of Drive A doesn’t even know what filing taxes means. Land” and the nearly 20-minute- CED#I7J'&0)&7C#''FCšIKD''7C#/FC experience most of the members long Vietnam War draft protest of Drive A have under their song, “Alice’s Restaurant,” it was 8KO#I;BB#JH7:;09:I"BFI":L:I"L?:;EI"B7I;HI"J7F;I"FEIJ;HI" *+I"-.I"C;CEH78?B?7CK9>"CK9>CEH; metal-studded belts, these kids have a decent Z’s Brooklyn swagger, stating, “He’s the truth.” plain to everyone in the auditorium that the grasp on what it means to play rock ’n’ roll. And then, out came Jigga and his BK sentiments conveyed in many of Arlo AMOEBA.COM “Are you guys fucking ready?” lead singer swagger. Every Hov song is a classic. It’s as if he Guthrie’s words ring as true today as they did FREE PARKING AT THE ARCLIGHT GARAGE! Bruno Mascolo asked the club as the band took Brooklyn hip-hop and made it a in the late-’60s. 7ce[XWlWb_ZWj[i\ehWd^ekhe\fWha_d]m_j^fkhY^Wi[ converged together on stage. household name. Over the next hour-plus, I —Yuri Shimoda [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08] Campus Circle | 13

AMOEBA TOP 10 music report | BY KEVIN WIERZBICKI Independent Local Artist Releases music 6400 SUNSET BLVD. (323) 245-6400 1) Jack Bond — Dali in New York 2) Patti Smith & Lenny Kaye — Feb. 10 1971 Achozen Wyclef Jean. The album has just hit the 3) Devil Doll — Queen of Pain Gesundheit! OK, really this is streets this week. 4) The Younghearts — Hey Love nothing to sneeze at. The members of 5) Eric Roberson — Left Achozen have been casually jamming Happy Birthday, 6) Omar Rodriguez — Omar Rodriguez together for a while, but now they’ve 7) Slackers — Boss Harmony Sessions Sub Pop 8) AM — Side by Side gotten serious and laid out some plans. 9) Ray Ricky Rivera — Neighborhood Fame Shavo Odadjian (System of a Feel like a road trip to Seattle? Sub 10) Jay Green — Half Life Down), the RZA (Wu-Tang Clan), Pop Records is celebrating their 20th Kinetic 9 (Killarmy) and newcomer the anniversary this summer, and they’re Reverend William Burke have just planning a few days of fun to celebrate. Superfuzz Bigmuff May 22. The Sub finished recording the Achozen self- Dubbed the SP20 Festival, the Pop Singles Club will also launch a titled debut that’ll be released this celebration will include concerts in limited run commemorative series. summer on Odadjian’s digital label, Marymoor Park on July 12 and 13 and a Tickets for the comedy show are on urSession. comedy show at the Moore Theatre on sale at subpop.com, while one or two- Odadjian says the new music is not July 11. A partial day passes for the concerts have to be rap-metal but “heavy hip-hop” that line-up for the purchased through Ticketmaster. focuses on lyrics that he calls “some of concerts in-

the most innovative, poetic and cludes Katy Perry – One of Phil Knott righteous words and vocals that I’ve the Boys ever heard.” No one could ever mistake Guesting on the album are George Katy Perry for a man; the sassy Clinton (Parliament/Funkadelic), John L.A.-based singer calls her debut Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers), album One of the Boys because it Ne-Yo will serenade Staples Center. Killah Priest and GZA (Wu-Tang features lots of songs about Clan), MC Sick Jacken and Angolan neurotic boyfriends. rapper Leggezin Fin. While you’re “I think people can appreciate waiting for tour and album release a songwriter who shows different dates you can enjoy the track “Deuces” sides and this album has many that is now available at urSession.com. different colors,”Perry says. NE-YO Lots of big-time producers like Get a Lyfe! Max Martin, Dave Stewart and Butch Soul singer Lyfe Jennings already Walker helped polish One of the Boys, The Gentleman is Michael Elins owns a platinum record award that he causing Perry to quip, “I feel like the collected for his debut album, Lyfe 268- luckiest bitch in town right now.” “Irreplaceable.” 192, and now he hopes to earn another The album drops June 17, but in one with the release of Lyfe Change, his the meantime you can hear a few tunes third release overall. Jennings says that at katyperry.com or at iTunes. NOT ONLY DOES HE CROON THE HITS – Lyfe Change is a personal testimony, “The luckiest bitch in town,” Katy Perry “So Sick,”“Make Me Better” – from his No. 1 debut, and that the idea is to encourage people Tribe Called Quest, De In My Own Words, and Platinum-selling sophomore to make a positive change in their lives Mudhoney, Low, Kinski, No Age, Pissed La Soul and Pharcyde and the lives of others. Jeans, Wolf Parade, Seaweed, Iron & Rock the Bells CD, Because of You, but he has penned some of “I’m a musician; I’m not in a box,” Wine, Flight of the Conchords and the Titan hip-hop festival Rock the today’s most memorable R&B smashes: Beyoncé’s says Jennings.“That’s what I hate about Helio Sequence. Patton Oswalt, Todd Bells held an exclusive press conference “Irreplaceable,” Mario’s “Let Me Love You” and categories: people put you into one and Barry and Eugene Mirman will appear on April 22 to announce this year’s bill. dare you to come out! I’m just trying to at the comedy show. Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and all Rihanna’s “Unfaithful,” to name just a few. do something meaningful and classic, Sub Pop is considered to be one of the original members of the Pharcyde While the smooth operator may hang his hat in something that can be remade in 20 the most important indie labels ever, were just a few of the headlining acts on ATL, he loves performing ’round the world, years.” and they most famously brought hand for the announcement. One of the new songs deals with a Nirvana into the spotlight with the Other acts include Mos Def, Nas, especially as the opening act for Alicia Keys. Here’s subject where urgent change is needed: release of the Bleach album. Some of Rakim, Method Man and Redman. the 411 on the half Chinese-American soul man, “It’s Real” draws attention to the the label’s significant titles will see re- Rock the Bells ’08 will hit Los Angeles including some of his favorite L.A. spots. HIV/AIDS epidemic. Guesting on Lyfe release in conjunction with the Aug. 9. Change are Snoop Dogg, T.I. and anniversary, starting with Mudhoney’s —Ryan McWhorter

Restaurant: P.F. Chang’s (121 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles) cd reviews « CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 Places to shop: Gucci (347 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills) and Beverly Center (8500 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles) avoids the ubiquitous “cookie monster together by a passel of Indian Neighborhood: No favorite neighborhood. I’m a rolling stone. Any voice” of so much latter-day metal, musicians and a group of Davis band place can be made to feel like home. opting for something more remin- alumni that includes bassist Ron iscent of Rob Tyner of the MC5. Carter, pianist Chick Corea, drummer Music venue: Gimme a stage and a few willing listeners, and I’m good! Grade: A Jimmy Cobb and guitarist Pete Cosey, —Damon Huss Miles from India vastly expands on Hotel: The W (930 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles) Gods of the Earth is currently those explorations. available. On some songs the results are Favorite thing about Los Angeles: The women and the weather! stunning. “Blue On Green” begins Various Artists with wordless vocals sung by Shankar What can fans expect from a Ne-Yo show? Expect a taste of every Miles from India Mahadevan but they give way to a emotion: happiness, sadness, sensuality … from laughter to tears, it’s (Four Quarters Ent.) guitar jam that leads into a trumpet all here. Not to mention just GOOD MUSIC! This album is a tribute to the late and violin frenzy and eventually all of very quiet piano interlude. jazz great Miles Davis, who first the sounds combine to finish the song. Much of this project is done in a Year of the Gentleman will be available June 24. Ne-Yo will perform May experimented with Indian music by “Great Expectations” moves along to a fusion style that recalls the early work 5 at Staples Center with Alicia Keys. For more information, visit

using sitar and tabla drums on his spy vs. spy beat with trumpet and sitar www.neyoworld.com. 1972 release, On the Corner.Put overlays but it also includes a brief, CONTINUED ON PAGE 17 « 14 | Campus Circle [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08]

inner circle caught on campus | PHOTOS & TEXT BY ELSY BENITEZ STOP DEPORTATION RALLY April 23 @ UCLA

While yelling chants of “Hey, hey, ho, ho, hell no we won’t go!” a diverse group marched from the Memorandum of Understanding, that allows for the repatriation of some Vietnamese citizens arriving top of the famous Janss Steps on the UCLA campus, where notable figures such as Martin Luther King, in the U.S. on or after July 12, 1995. This agreement affects about 1,500 Vietnamese individuals. Jr. and John F. Kennedy have held rallies, to Meyerhoff Park. After the march, a group of students gathered to hear fellow students speak out These students were protesting an agreement between the United States and Vietnam, known as the against this agreement. You are invited to the ROMANTIC COMEDY EVENT of the summer

CAMP DARFUR April 14-17 @ McCarthy Quad, USC PHOTOS BY CONNIE SHAO “‘Fight On for Darfur’ is a campus-wide student movement meant to unite the students, staff, faculty and surrounding community of USC through increasing awareness and promotion of activism against the inhumane genocide occurring in Darfur.” —www.fightonfordarfur.com

STARTS FRIDAY, MAY 2

WEST LOS ANGELES The Landmark At Pico & Westwood Blvd. 310/281-8233 L.A./BEVERLY HILLS Pacific’s The Grove Stadium 14 • 323/692-0829 #209 SANTA MONICA Mann Criterion 6 • 310/248-MANN #019 Free Parking 4 Hours On-Site Validated Parking Only $2.00 SHERMAN OAKS Arclight Sherman Oaks At The Galleria HOLLYWOOD ArcLight Hollywood At Sunset & Vine 323/464-4226 WESTWOOD Mann Bruin 310/248-MANN #051 818/501-0753 4 Hours Validated Parking - $2 $3.00 Parking After 6:00 PM in Privilege Parking Lots $1.00 Refund with Paid Admission 4 Hours Validated Parking–Free UNIVERSAL CITY CityWalk Stadium 19 with IMAX® 800/FANDANGO #707 WEST LOS ANGELES Movie Parking Rebate $5 General Parking Rebate at Box Office with Movie Ticket Purchase (Excludes Preferred & Valet) The Bridge Cinema De Lux 310/568-3375 AND AT A THEATER NEAR YOU [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08] Campus Circle | 15 fashion 101 | TEXT & PHOTOS BY EMMANUELLE LEE inner circle SUMMER TAKES SHAPE As summer draws near, it’s time to spread our wings and stretch our imaginations to new lengths and heights with different shapes, colors, sizes and … sunglasses. All sunglasses by A.J. Morgan (www.ajmorganeyewear.com). For more information, e-mail [email protected].

There’s a world outside: Amanda wears a Punch & Judy top with Sasha wears a dress by Empress. Connect the dots: Corrie wears a dress by H&M. a LeCross skirt and Vintage Antiger bag. Window to the soul: Jen wears a Unyx hooded top.

Stretch it to the limit: Nina wears a vintage Esprit skirt with Between the lines: Laci wears an H&M dress with a Sushi Co. Floral freedom: Nina wears a floral top by 7th Heaven and an Fit to be square: Sasha wears a dress by Lush. Cobalt jewelry and scarf. necklace. American Apparel headband. 16 | Campus Circle [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08]

CAMPUS CIRCLE READERS USE THIS COUPON TO GET: music spin cycle | l.a. dj culture

Any LARGE FRIDAY, MAY 2 PIZZA at DJ Spinna @ Echoplex the MEDIUM 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park 21+/9 p.m./$11 adv./$15 day of show Prince vs. Michael Jackson – price! who can choose? Luckily, tonight you don’t have to, as DJ OFFER GOOD • BURBANK – 4006 W. Riverside Dr. 818-843-8550 Spinna lays down a special four- hour set of nothing but Prince, AT THESE • CULVER CITY – 5770 Rodeo Rd. 323-296-1543 Michael Jackson and their 8 LOCATIONS: • GLENDALE – 309 N. Brand Blvd. 818-247-1946 extended family – including • HOLLYWOOD – 1618 N. Highland Ave. 323-467-5791 Janet, Jermaine, Sheila E., KOREATOWN Vanity, the Time and maybe • – 3432 Wilshire Blvd. 213-386-6884 even Apollonia. Opening set • MAR VISTA – 3519 S. Centinela Ave. 310-398-0180 from DJ Jeremy Sole. • WILSHIRE/HIGHLAND – 5044 Wilshire Blvd. 323-939-7661 • USC – 2510 S. Figueroa St. 213-745-5566 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30

The Grasshopper @ Little Temple 4519 Santa Monica Blvd., Silverlake; myspace.com/grasshopperwednesdays 21+/9 p.m./$5 This monthly party, hosted by Aceyalone, presents its “I Love L.A.” edition. Special guest DJs Val the Vandle and Trek Life join DJ Tommy Blak beatmakers Dibiase, N/A and Aspect One for hip-hop, dancehall, R&B, soul and funk. Sport your L.A./Los Angeles-themed apparel and get in for free before 11 p.m.

Must present coupon when ordering. Only one coupon per order, per customer. SATURDAY, MAY 3

Funky Sole @ Jimmy’s Lounge 6202 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood; myspace.com/funkysole 21+/9 p.m./FREE For the finest in funk and soul, look no further than this Hollywood staple, where it’s all about the dancing. Resident DJs Music Man Miles, Egon, DJ Clifton and an impressive array of special guests keep the funk alive every week.

SUNDAY, MAY 4

Banana Split Sundaes @ LAX 1715 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood 21+/10 p.m./free, RSVP: bpmmagazine.net/bananasplit If you feel like hitting the Hollywood scene hard and destroying your week by going out tonight, this is definitely the place. Resident DJs Steve Aoki, DJ AM (when he’s around), Mike B and special guests hold down the dance floor with indie rock, electro and anything else that’ll make you move. Early arrival strongly recom- mended – unless you derive pleasure from standing in a really long line. —Sandra Fernando

A less puzzling evolution on SLF terms is staff pick their sound – one of the most relevant bands in both Irish and punk rock history, the group’s Inflammable Material holds up as one of the roughest, most politically forward Stiff Little Fingers records ever made. Today, they’re a bit May 2 @ House of Blues Sunset Strip saggier, and their last studio effort in 2003 Since their inception more than 30 years wasn’t quite as gripping. ago, Stiff Little Fingers have expectedly Frontman Jake Burns now sings with less undergone a number of lineup changes, of a burning growl – perhaps why he focused most recently bringing back in Ali on an easy solo release of Irish drinking songs McMordie, their second bass player, to last year. But for all they’ve lost over the years, replace Bruce Foxton, who’d replaced SLF still make smarter punk than anyone McMordie until returning to the Jam around. (rather, a slight variation thereof). —China Bialos [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08] Campus Circle | 17 gift guide | BY LAUREN ROSENBLUM cd reviews « CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 music

of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, no surprise actual covers, as the compilation is, for the HELPFUL HINTS FOR since Mahavishnu guitarist John McLaughlin most part, a bunch of punk kids butchering is on board including as composer of the title rap classics. song. Grade: C- MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS Grade: A —John Ochoa —Kevin Wierzbicki Punk Goes Crunk is currently available. Miles from India is currently available. From flowers to photos, Flips to The Wood Brothers Various Artists Loaded trips, show mom she’s No. 1. Punk Goes Crunk (Blue Note) (Fearless) Roots-oriented the Wood Brothers share a Still haven’t found the right gift for your mom? Don’t worry, this Mother’s Unlike the title promises, the seventh bond with the Bee Gees, the Kinks and Van Day gift guide will help you out. By the way, Mother’s Day is May 11! installment of Fearless’ Punk Halen: they all feature Goes series falls short of siblings. Oliver (who anything punk and virtually performs in blues-based FAMILY PHOTO/VIDEO view of the mountains and spa services? The contains no crunk at all, aside King Johnson) and Chris Let mom take pride in her finest Horizon Hotel (1050 East Palm Canyon Drive, from Set Your Goals’ cover of Wood (Medeski, Martin and accomplishment – her family – with a special Palm Springs; www.thehorizonhotel.com) is Lil’ Jon’s “Put Yo Hood Up,” Wood) went in musically keepsake that will help celebrate her maternity. offering a “Mother’s Day”package deal: two-night partly sung in a bad and geographically separate Get your siblings to pitch in and help you hire a stay (May 9-11), 60-minute in-room massage and impression of Star Wars’ Yoda. direcions, but, despite differ- professional photographer like True Blue flowers and Gloria Ferrer Champagne upon her Aside from some comical ences, have joined to create Photography to take a true family arrival. Luxuriate by the pool, renditions, especially Say an affable, if derivative, mix portrait this year. jacuzzi and poolside bar of this Anything’s blasé cover of Ol’ of rock, blues and folk that Be sure to coordinate your gorgeous mid-century modern Dirty Bastard’s “Got Your will please Ben Harper, clothing so no one will become hotel, then rinse off in the glass- Money,” the compilation hits a few standout Jakob Dylan or John Mayer fans. the focus of the photo and scout a encased shower in your room as tracks, including Skee-Lo’s “I Wish” reworked Loaded is the duo’s sophomore release location in advance, taking into you gaze at the stars. by the Secret Handshake, Scary Kids Scaring and has an informal rapport only kin can account the possible weather Kids’ somber take on “Notorious Thugs” by create. Jimi Hendrix’s “Angel” (arranged in a conditions. True Blue Photo- STATIONERY the Notorious B.I.G. and Bone Thugs-N- faux-reggae style) and Bob Dylan’s “Buckets of graphy is based in Southern For the busy mom who’s always Harmony and All Time Low’s surprisingly Rain” (done as a back porch jam) add a sense California, available anywhere. making lists and trying to keep memorable version of Rihanna’s “Umbrella.” of familiarity. For more information, call (562) things organized, give her a Still, the track listing is much more Grade: C 299-2506 or visit www.trueblue- personal gift that she can use impressive – with songs from rap legends —Doug Simpson photography.com. Flip Video Ultra camcorder everyday. Personalized notepads Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and others – than the Loaded is currently available. Or present mom with a Pure or stationary make perfect gifts. Visit Digital Flip camcorder (www.theflip.com). This www.stationarystudio.com to check out all of the video recorder is so compact it fits easily into a thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts they have to offer. pocket or purse, and the oh-so valuable footage If you don’t have enough time to order can be instantly downloaded to the computer and online, you can always pick up something special e-mailed around or uploaded to YouTube. There at Soolip Paperie & Press. Soolip Paperie & Press are four colors to choose from – black, white, is located at 8646 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. orange and pink – for well under $200. For more information, call (310) 360-0545 or If only calculus visit www.soolip.com/intro.aspx. FLOWERS Are you looking for a truly original gift idea SWEETS for mom this year? Take a classic gift of flowers Was mom always telling you eat your fruits was and kick it up a notch. and veggies? If so, now you can give her a taste of Cigar Box Blooms combines vintage cigar her own medicine! boxes with beautiful, fresh flowers to create a truly Edible Arrangements specializes in creating unique flower creation. All of the flowers are cut delicious fruit designs filled with fresh straw- fresh and can last up to three weeks, but once the berries, pineapple, grapes, oranges, cantaloupe, this flowers die, mom can reuse honeydew, bananas and the one-of-a-kind cigar box pears. Arrangements are or keep the flowers in them guaranteed fresh and are and display a beautiful dried available in a variety of easy. bouquet. styles and sizes. Contact Cigar Box I recommend the Blooms with any questions Sweetheart Bouquet: ch- It’s so easy. We bring the container to you. Take your time loading or orders at (310) 314-3576. ocolate covered straw- it — it’s the same affordable price for 1 day or 30. Then, we move Also, check out their berries that are sure to the container or store it in one of our many clean and secure Storage Centers. Facebook group online to show mom how sweet she look at photos of the various is. Edible Arrangements Move your belongings to school. arrangements. has locations all over L.A. Poolside Bar at Horizon Hotel Store them between semesters. For more information, call SPA/ESCAPES (877) 363-7848 or visit Move to a new city after graduation. Mother’s Day often means breakfast in bed – www.ediblearrangements.com. Containers available in 3 sizes: 7 ft., 12 ft. and 16 ft. complete with undercooked pancakes, sloshing Or maybe you want to send her into sugar Call or visit our website to get your quote or book a reservation. syrup and rock-hard toast. Despite the shock – just for this one day, at least. Send her a Use the promotional code 1345 and save up to 10% off. undeniable appeal of annual indigestion, every box of chocolates from Valerie Confections mom secretly yearns for something a tad more (www.valerieconfections.com). OFF* 866 440 2631 self-indulgent. Not only are they decadent and delicious but 10% PODS.com Spoil mom with a handheld massager this the presentation is delicate and divine. And who year. Sharper Image sells a variety of massage could resist Salt and Pepper Truffles or Almond Promo Code: 1345 ® products that will help her relax with a Fleur de Sel Toffee? REINVENTING MOVING & STORAGE therapeutic massage every day. For more Official Moving and Storage Company of the PGA TOUR Portable On Demand Storage * Discount applies to initial delivery and fi rst month’s storage for local service only. Additional mileage charges may apply if outside standard delivery area. For moves between information, call (626) 254-0821. markets, customers receive a 5% discount off first month’s storage, administrative fees and transportation costs up to $50 off. Both offers available for a limited time only at participating locations and service areas. Void where prohibited by law. Must mention promotional code at time of order. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Or why not whisk her away to a room with a With additional reporting by Jessica Koslow. FpsWAUN2/08 18 | Campus Circle [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08]

inner circle sports NOTES FROM THE 2008 DRAFT 21 by the Falcons, OG Chilo Rachal BY SHANE IGOE at No. 39 by the 49ers and TE Fred 2008 NFL DRAFT RESULTS Davis at No. 48 by the Redskins. The first day of the draft, which needed much help with a record included the first two rounds, was Booty Call Winners and Losers number of Pro-Bowlers returning completed in a mere three hours QB John David Booty finally from last season, but the Cowboys and 31 minutes, the fastest first day got a call from a team late in the BY MATTHEW KITCHEN strengthened their running game since 1990, and in almost half the second day as he was picked up by and will look to provide a one-two time of last year’s six-hour and Vikings in the fifth round with their THE LIVES OF 252 YOUNG MEN THREE WINNERS OF THE punch with Arkansas running back eight-minute marathon. 137th pick overall. Booty might be were changed this weekend, as 32 NFL WEEKEND: Felix Jones joining Marion Barber in questioning his decision three years teams selected players in this year’s Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs the backfield. They also addressed Return of the Magnificent Seven ago to leave high school early as his draft and many dreams became reality. chose early and often, getting what their biggest hole at cornerback with Seven USC Trojans were draft value could have vaulted with Jake Long started things off, going to many assumed was the best player in Mike Jenkins out of South Florida. selected during first day, with four an additional year of college play. the Miami Dolphins with the first the draft in LSU’s defensive tackle Atlanta Falcons: Boston College going in the first 32 picks – the most And RB Chauncey Washington, overall pick, and Chris Long followed Glenn Dorsey. Quarterback Matt Ryan should do as Trojans selected in the first round who at one point started ahead of closely behind to the St. Louis Rams at They also added cornerbacks much off the field to help the image of since 1968. Most picks will be seeing Reggie Bush, has to wonder what No. 2. Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr to the troubled Falcons as he’ll do on the some familiar faces when they could have been (he was eventually Like most drafts, there were good shore up their holes in the secondary field to help solidify the changing role report to their respective teams’ selected in the last round by picks and bad. There were teams and were lucky enough to have Texas at QB, which saw three different training camps. Jacksonville with the 213th pick) grasping at straws, and teams making running back Jamaal Charles fall to starters for the Falcons last year. Like DT Sedrick Ellis was drafted had he avoided off the field troubles late round steals; Most teams just fell them in the third round. Kansas City, the Falcons used a great seventh by the New Orleans Saints during his time as a Trojan. somewhere in the middle. Dallas Cowboys: Not that they deal of picks to help the numerous where he will be not only be holes on both sides of the ball. A good reunited with Reggie Bush but with Bad News Bears start to a big rebuild for the Falcons. Ed Orgeron, former Trojan D-line The Bruins held their spring coach. LB Keith Rivers’, selected scrimmage the same day as the THREE LOSERS OF THE ninth by the Cincinnati Bengals, draft. Three Bruins were taken in WEEKEND: first congratulatory call came from the later stages of draft over the LAKERS VS. Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags none other than former Trojan QB weekend, but, unfortunately for traded too much for too little when Carson Palmer who warmly Bruin fans, both of their senior QBs they moved up to get Derrick Harvey welcomed Rivers to the struggling were injured in back-to-back plays out of Florida, who would have likely squad. during the intrasquad scrimmage. NUGGETS been available at their original position The Seattle Seahawks selected Patrick Cowan will miss all of 20 spots later. They gave up three late DE Lawrence Jackson with the 28th the upcoming 2008 season due to an Onward and Upward! rounders for the eighth overall pick pick, and “LoJack” will be reunited injured ACL, while Ben Olsen will and didn’t address nearly enough with defender “Lofa” Tatupu, while undergo surgery to have a screw put needs because of their lack of choices, CB Terrell Thomas will suit up with into his right foot in the coming BY MATTHEW KITCHEN which is especially unfortunate since former SC standout Steve Smith weeks. they play in the AFC South, considered and the Super Bowl champion In the meantime, OLB Bruce by many to be the toughest division in Giants. Davis was selected by the Steelers, IT AIN’T OVER … BUT IT’S OVER. football. Other Trojans selected the first and FS Matt Slater was picked by the After the career defining games of Pau Cleveland Browns: While the day include: OT Sam Baker at No. Patriots. Gasol and Kobe Bryant to start the choices they made were good ones, series, game three showed what the such as UNLV linebacker Beau Bell, Lakers can do with a total team effort. the fact that they didn’t have a pick in build from the ground up without won’t be making much noise come With nearly seven players in double the first three rounds meant that the early round draft picks. next season. The Titans didn’t figures and the ball moving well, the talent pool was a bit shallow by the Tennessee Titans: While Ten- address their huge hole at wide Lakers looked almost unbeatable time they had a turn. nessee might have made one of the receiver until the fourth round, and against the hapless team from Denver. An excellent off-season in free best defenses in football that much then, could only get Cal’s Lavelle Nuggets coach George Karl states that, agency should help turn them into a better by drafting defensive end Hawkins, who is too small and slow “Kobe, when he’s making his jump- playoff team this season, but you can’t Jason Jones, a team that can’t catch to contribute in any major way.

shot, is somewhat indefensible.” Michael Goulding/Orange County Register/MCT The effort of the Lakers and their strong team play has lead to questions Carmelo Anthony of the Nuggets looks about the Nuggets and their equal for a basket as Lakers Kobe Bryant and desire to win. Pau Gasol defend on April 26, 2008, PILOTS FLY LOW IN SAN DIEGO in Denver. “Yeah. We quit. Everybody. From the coaches to the players, we quit. And I said it,” star Nuggets forward Red Bull Air Race blasts into fifth season. Carmelo Anthony fumes. The Lakers are likely to match up against the New Orleans Hornets – BY PARIMAL M. ROHIT San Diego is one of throughout the course of the day. whose star, MVP Candidate Chris Paul, has torched the Dallas Mavericks two American cities and “This improved race format in their first round series – in the Western Conference Finals. The 10 cities worldwide that fulfills the new safety requirements Hornets might want to avoid getting too chippy with Kobe and the DO NOT BE ALARMED BY THOSE will host the Red Bull Air Race. This that were discovered throughout the Lakers, as both the stars of the team and the “Bench Mob” – including loud sounds in the San Diego Bay – the year will feature a new race format 2007 season. Pilots will now fly a Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton and Ronny Turiaf – admit to feeding off the world’s best pilots have come out to that includes the following flying maximum of three flights per day to energy provided by the anger and emotion of the other team. play. For the second straight year, the sessions: Training, Qualifying, Point counteract the fatigue,” says Heinz “I take it as a challenge when there’s a lot of talking going on. It’s fun. Red Bull Air Race World Series returns One, Super Eights, Semifinals, Third Möller, Head of Aviation. “But the I certainly enjoy it, and my teammates enjoy it. It’s something we all feed to San Diego, featuring pilots who will Place Fly-off and the Final. most exciting thing about this format off of,” says Bryant. compete in the harbor just outside Also included is a format is that the crowds will now get the For the Nuggets, and stars Anthony and Allen Iverson, it may be time downtown on May 3 and 4. introduced in the 2007 race – the chance to see all pilots perform on to go back to the drawing board. Even after ending the season with 50 The weekend race, which tests knock out format, which takes place in race day.” wins, it seems as if Denver is a second tier team that will find it hard to speed, precision and skill, highlights the final three rounds. However, the get over the hump and compete well with the top teams in the West. fast, agile and lightweight racing planes format is slightly adapted in 2008, The Red Bull Air Race will take over the For the Lakers, their first series win of the decade without Shaq that will navigate on a low-level aerial which allows for all 12 pilots to bay between the Embarcadero Marina might be just what they need to prove they finally belong amongst the track made up of air-filled pylons at demonstrate their skills on race day, parks and Coronado in San Diego top teams in the league. speeds up to 240 miles per hour, while regardless of ranking. This new format May 3-4. For more information, visit withstanding forces up to 10 Gs. allows pilots to fly up to four times www.redbullairrace.com. [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08] Campus Circle | 19

why and I am months. I get jealous over her keeping the art of love | BY LUCIA depressed. In slight phone contact with a couple of sports inner circle a way I want past boyfriends. to leave, but How should I deal with this? Dear Lucia, in a way I don’t. —Wade I am involved with a woman who I don’t trust him, but I love him, I Dear Wade, blows up and nitpicks at me about guess? I really just want to move on, You either accept it or stop seeing everything. She does not want me to and I want you to tell me how so I can her. Really. touch her – no sex, kissing, hugging or get over this and him. People generally have an ex or three let alone sleeping in the same bed. —Erin that they keep in touch with, especially She tells me that she loves me, but Dear Erin, if it was a long-term relationship. Slight I don’t know what to do when she is We’ve all walked in your shoes. phone contact is minor. like this. She beats down my Some chose to keep them, some chose Unless she’s given you a reason to confidence. It feels like I am walking to get new shoes. believe there may be something going on eggshells. I wish I had more details, so I will on, this is more a question of your own —Joe have to give you a general answer. insecurity. All you can do is be the best Dear Joe, What was the reason he cheated? Is date/boyfriend you can be, and if that Love is a verb. It doesn’t matter how it because he wasn’t happy with your isn’t enough for her, there’s nothing you often someone says they love you if they sex life or was he just being selfish? Has can do! don’t show it in their actions. he said he’s sorry and that he won’t do it She is withholding sex, being again? Hi Lucia, verbally and emotionally abusive and Trust can only be rebuilt slowly – I’m a pretty even keeled guy, but you have to tiptoe around her. Gee, you can’t expect to trust him 100 when I read your reply to Cammie, I sounds like a match made in heaven! percent right away. If this means you thought, “Wow!” I don’t like to drive, Why is she behaving this way? Part have to question him about things and have been hit twice while stopped. of the reason is because she knows she sometimes, he has to understand this is I tend to get upset when people can, and she’s right, because you’re still the price he has to pay for continuing to make dangerous moves around me. I there putting up with it. If she was be in your life. If he doesn’t accept that, never realized the link between that dating someone who she knew would then there’s no need to stick around. and abuse, and how that might affect David Martin Warr never put up with that behavior, unless However, if you are certain that you somebody I date. Thanks for pointing she has mental health issues, she want to move on, then the only way to that out. probably would not behave that way. do it is to make other people and things —MJ Phil Dalhausser rose to victory in Miami. You need to be a man and tell her a priority in your life. Do the things you you will no longer put up with her were doing before you met him that Remember: Love inspires, abusive behavior. Inform her that you you may have let go of because you were empowers, uplifts and enlightens. will not see her anymore until she either spending time with him. Re-connect adjusts her attitude or gets counseling. with people you haven’t talked to or Write to Lucia at: 2008 AVP In the meantime, start dating seen in a while. www.theartoflove.net. women who treat you well and Finally, instead of focusing on appreciate you. being a victim, focus on reaching out Read an excerpt from Lucia’s CROCS TOUR and helping other people. You’d be Lessons of Love at Dear Lucia, surprised how good it can feel to think www.lessonsoflove.net. Brings Sand to the Beach I was cheated on for the first time. about other people at a time like this. I went against my own morals and got Listen to Lucia live every Sunday in 15 Cities back with him afterwards. Hi Lucia, at 3 p.m. PST on Now, everyday, I sit and wonder I have been dating a woman for six www.bbstalkradio.com. BY PARIMAL M. ROHIT

ONE YEAR REMOVED FROM THE RETIREMENT OF A sports | BY PARIMAL M. ROHIT volleyball icon, the AVP Crocs Tour returns in 2008 building upon last year’s momentum as a new generation of sand athletes continue to attack the net and build a fan base. The 2008 Tour already had a strong start in Miami and Dallas, where Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers picked up from where they left

2008 TOYOTA GRAND Doug Gifford off last year – winning early and maintaining their position as favorites. The duo has won 20 of 33 AVP events they have competed in and Pit action at the Champ Car World Series improved to 10-0 in match play this season. PRIX LONG BEACH Things are no different on the female side, where Misty May- Treanor and Kerri Walsh, also winners in several cities on the 2007 Champ Car leaves Long Beach first lead on the first corner of the tour, won in both Miami and Dallas this season. May-Treanor and 1.968-mile circuit through the streets Walsh have won 22 of their past 25 AVP events and are now 53-7 in with a bang. of downtown Long Beach. AVP championship matches. In second place was France’s In addition to showcasing their talent on the AVP Tour, both teams Franck Montagny, who finished 5.094 are also preparing for the Summer Olympics in Beijing. Both teams THE INDYCAR SERIES HAS A for Champ Car to re-establish itself as seconds behind Power. Mexico’s have virtually locked up spots on this summer’s U.S. Olympic Team lot to look forward to when it takes one of the sport’s elite. Dominguez finished third, which was and hope to be playing their best volleyball leading up to the Beijing over the Long Beach Grand Prix next Thanks to Will Power and Mario a symbolic finish. It was the first time Games. year. Its darling driver, Danica Patrick, Dominguez, the Champ Car World he or his team finished on the With Miami and Dallas already out of the way, the next stop for became the first woman to win a Series may find itself back on the path podium. His Pacific Coast Motor- the AVP Tour is Huntington Beach on May 2 through 4. The Tour will major open-wheel race in history (in to finding its glory days even though sports operation was one of the then move on to Charleston, S.C., Louisville, Ky. and Atlanta, Ga., Motegi, Japan) on the eve of the final they closed shop at the Long Beach smallest to compete in the race. before returning to Hermosa Beach on June 6 through 8. On July 25, Champ Car World Series running its Grand Prix on April 20. This year’s This year’s Grand Prix was the last beach volleyball fans can catch the tour in Long Beach or in San Diego final laps at the popular Southern race was the final one for Champ Car, to use Champ Car-specific Panoz car the following week (Aug. 1 through 3). California event. which merged with Indy Racing and Cosworth engine, developed for The Tour will make a stop in California’s Central Coast on Sept. 6 Champ Car concluded its final League in February. the series in 2007. through 7, and return to Southern California for the final time on Sept. hurrah in Long Beach, but not In his third career victory at the Nine drivers have now moved to 19 through 21, where the Tour’s flagship event will take place in without a last ditch effort to reclaim Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the IRL full-time, which began April Manhattan Beach. Five days later, the Tour concludes in Glendale, past glory. A race that at one time had Power, who raced for Kalkhoven and 27 at Kansas Speedway. Points from Ariz. a larger fan base than NASCAR stock Co., won the final race in the Champ the Long Beach and Motegi, Japan car racing, last weekend’s Long Beach Car World Series. The Australian led races both count toward the For more information, visit www.avp.com. Grand Prix served as an opportunity in 76 of the 105 laps after taking his championship. 20 | Campus Circle [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08]

inner circle lifestyle | BY SHEILA DICHOSO PLANJAM Creating Out-of-the-Ordinary Dates for the College Set

THE LEGENDARY RIVALRY Bruins. someone with an SC shirt between USC and UCLA is as intense “This year, with the basketball walks up we go, ‘Go Bruins!’ as the one between the Capulets and game when we beat them, I called her and when someone with a Montagues, so that a Trojan and a up and said, ‘I don’t know if you UCLA shirt walks up we go, Bruin dating are like a pair of star- know, but we won today! Bye!’ Click!” ‘Go Trojans!’ And then you crossed lovers. “I was so mad!” Eck says. “But guys walked up, and we didn’t But you just can’t help whom you neither of us take it that seriously.” know what to do!’” fall for, even if it is the “enemy.” Such Besides going to rival schools, Next up was a psychic is the case for USC sophomore their problems are the same as any reading, which both Nolan and Garrett Nolan, 20, and UCLA junior other couples: finding time to hang Eck call “interesting.” Kristen Eck, 21, an inter-rival couple out and trying to find something to “One of the first things she that have been together for about a do together besides the same old tells me is, ‘Is that your boyfriend?’ And I said “Yeah,” and she said, ‘You’re not soul “This year, with the basketball mates.’” Eck continues, “But you were soul mates in a past game when we beat them, I life, and that’s why you guys feel so close, but it’s not meant Garrett Nolan and Kristen Eck take a spin on the carousel at Santa Monica Pier. called her up and said, ‘I don’t to be.” “The next day I was just know if you know, but we laughing and writing on her Facebook impressive, ranging from hot air Ron Zvagelsky masterminded wall, “non-soul mate!!”” Nolan jokes. balloon rides to the unconventional, PlanJam while sitting in his en- won today! Bye!’ Click!” Despite surprising psychic revel- such as a category for “Haunted trepreneurial studies class at USC, ations, “it was fun because we actually Spots.” simultaneously thinking about a date “I was so mad!” Eck says. went out and did something,” he says. Here’s how the site works: just he had with a girl that lived in Sylmar, “But neither of us take it “It’s just nice because they give us input your zip code, and select your about 25 miles away from where he lived in West Los Angeles. that seriously.” “I thought, OK, so I have to drive there [from West L.A. to Sylmar] and pick her up, then drive back to L.A. year. thing every night. where I know what to do, then drop Eck, an Anthropology major, and The biggest dilemma? Movies. her back off, then drive back home. Nolan, a USC Football Player, are Although they share a love for It’s a long trip! But wouldn’t it be subject to odd encounters all the time Disney films (Nolan’s other lifelong great if I could find ideas or things to whenever they sport their respective dream is to play Gaston in Beauty and do in that area without having to garb out in public. the Beast), going to the video store is search for them?” “When we walked out of [this] not a picnic. Hence, PlanJam was born. restaurant, this car drove past us with “We always go to Blockbuster and Since creating PlanJam, friends a woman and a man inside. They we always end up getting upset because ask Zvagelsky all the time for date looked over, stopped the car, backed I want to see a certain movie, but she’s recommendations. up, rolled down the window and said, already seen it or she doesn’t want to “For some reason, everyone has ‘How does that work?’” see it. And we end up leaving all to date in the evening, right? I think She wondered the same thing. disgruntled,” he explains. dating should be during the day “The first time I met him all he Instead of another doomed because there’s just so much more to talked about was SC football, and I Blockbuster night, Eck and Nolan do,”he says. He suggests going hiking, remember thinking, ‘This isn’t going decided to create a date on a new site horseback riding or making pottery. to work out,’” she says, laughing. called PlanJam that allowed them to “Somewhere fun, where we can Eck grew up a Bruin; her dad played combine their common interests and chat, and that’s not too expensive football for UCLA, and she frequently partake in a new adventure. because college students are on a attended Rose Bowl games as a kid. Combining their love for the beach, budget,” he suggests. “I’ve been very conditioned to they began their date (donning their Nolan and Eck are sure they’ll use think, ‘we’re the good guys. They are respective school garb, of course) at Leslie Nolan the site again for future dates. the bad guys,’” she says. the Santa Monica Pier where they “It gave us ideas,” she adds. “They Likewise, Nolan grew up in a had an oil painting done, checked were really different than what we Trojan household, with his grand- out the aquarium and rode the would normally do.” father, uncle, sister and cousin as carousel, which made for an amusing While it doesn’t solve college alumni. His childhood dream was to moment. places to go…” ‘scene,’ from ‘girls night out’ to rivalries, PlanJam will solve date- play football for USC. Eck explains, “There were college- “…that are cheap instead of ‘romantic.’ Next, a selection of planning frustrations (and will It’s not easy being an inter-rival aged kids working the booth and they movies or food,” she finishes. activities will be displayed according to definitely spare those disgruntled couple, especially when Eck lives in looked at us and went ‘uh,’and the guy PlanJam is a useful site that helps your scene. Once you choose your nights at Blockbuster Video.) Westwood and her Trojan boyfriend in back of him goes, ‘Go Stanford!’ you plan a perfect date or to find new activities, PlanJam will automatically loves to visit and parade around And we were like, ‘what?’ And he things to do, and also has articles and calculate the cost and time of your For more information, visit wearing his USC shirt and taunt the explained, ‘it’s because usually when city guides. Its listing of activities is date. www.planjam.com. [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08] Campus Circle | 21

and held onto the work until the thin l.a. faces | BY SOPHIA KIDD paper started to erode into itself. She college beat inner circle laughs about the decomposition of her early work, which indicates how much she embraces nature’s way. Khare’s work takes its inspiration ADONNA from life, from explorations in nature and from magical stories. She says that many of her family members are KHARE avid storytellers, her aunt especially. It was her aunt who took her on walks through forests and fields and The Re-emergence would ask young Adonna, “Who do you think is in that tree? What’s behind that stone?” Together they of Wonder would explore the options: fairies, © Disney Channel goblins, gnomes or little creatures AN ART MAJOR, ADONNA KHARE caught between kingdoms. really wanted to study biology when This woman who opened Khare’s she entered CSU Long Beach. It heart, mind and stylus to the wonders Dan Povenmire creations: Perry the Platypus, Phineas and Ferb wasn’t until after her right brain of creation and imagination is now in balked at the mere math of it that she her 90s. She traveled far to attend the succumbed to her parents’ gentle wish opening of Khare’s current show. – that she pursue art. Once there, Khare’s aunt hovered ‘PHINEAS AND FERB’ After taking her B.A. in 2003 and alone in a chair by the Lioness (68- M.F.A. in 2007 at CSULB, Khare got inch x 42-1/4-inch charcoal on USC alum Dan Povenmire picked up immediately by the Lora paper), for over an hour. Asked what Schlesinger Gallery in Santa Monica. she’d been doing all that time, she has a hit on his hands. Since then her charcoal studies of explained she was listening to what plants, animals and human bodies words people uttered in the drawing’s have coalesced into an organic riot of presence. BY MICHAEL LEE form and transformation. I asked Khare about her Except for an appearance in the intentions as an artist. She talked REMEMBER THE GOOD OL’ DAYS, WHEN YOU WOULD Surrealism Today exhibition at New about the disappearances of magic, of willingly wake up early on Saturday only to spend the next four hours York’s Nassau County Museum, Lioness, by Adonna Khare open space and of wonder, watching cartoons? You may feel like you’ve outgrown cartoons, but Khare’s work has appeared exclusively particularly in Los Angeles. She wants Disney Channel’s new series, “Phineas and Ferb,”seriously stirs up some in the greater L.A. area. Her work’s her art to re-create that feeling of Saturday morning nostalgia. been favorably reviewed in the L.A. little wood whittling. magic and whimsy, both in the world Dan Povenmire, a USC Film School alum, is one of the creators of this Times, Art Ltd. and on KCRW. When she was a little kid, Khare and in people’s hearts new show. Having worked on shows such as “The Simpsons,”“Family To bring things up do date, her would wake up on summer mornings She adds, “If you look behind Guy,”“Looney Tunes,”“Hey Arnold!” and “SpongeBob SquarePants,” current solo show (running though and, first thing, unroll one of the large things, there’s always more.” Povenmire has plenty of experience when it comes to animated shows, and May 10) at the Lora Schlesinger scrolls of printer paper that her More indeed, but who’s afraid of he brings this experience to the very entertaining “Phineas and Ferb.”Even Gallery, By a Thread, has nearly sold parents got for her and start to draw. the big bad wolf? the conception of the show began with childlike imagination. out in a mere three weeks. But none She drew so much she covered the “I was in a restaurant with butcher paper and crayons on the table,” of this matters – she just really loves to walls of her childhood home and To view more of her work, visit Povenmire recalls. “I just started doodling and came up with this triangle- draw with charcoal, paint with filled up boxes with drawings. www.adonnak.com or shaped kid that I liked.” watercolor and oil and, lately, enjoys a Her parents cherished all of it, www.loraschlesinger.com. After tearing off the butcher paper to take home with him, he came up with the rectangle-shaped kid alongside the triangle-shaped one to create Ferb and Phineas, respectively. As for inspiration, Povenmire is a big fan of Bugs Bunny and “Tom smile. and Jerry,”whose influences can be seen in “Phineas and Ferb.” THE OPEN It’s antics like these “[Those shows] have a great blend of visual gags and clever writing,” that have earned Chris- Povenmire asserts. “You can turn off the sound and still find it funny.” SPACE’S HASSAN topher the mad scientist The premise of the show falls into that genre of absurd and episodic reputation. As one enters comedy that has come back in recent years in full force with “SpongeBob” the studio, with its and “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends.”Even though many shows can CHRISTOPHER beautiful wooded floors be filed under this genre, and even though the show oozes a nostalgic and yes, open space, one charm, the show can still stand on its own. Who is Combustible? feels a definite vibration. Episodes often feature several plotlines at once involving the cool and “Potential energy,” as unbelievably smart Phineas and Ferb, the hysterical Candace and the BY DOV RUDNICK pher hopes will be a Christopher calls it, with downright awesome Perry the Platypus and Dr. Doofenshmirtz (the latter meeting ground for that same grin on his face. voiced by Povenmire), and by the end of the episode the separate plotlines AT 34-YEARS-OLD, DANCER/- dancers of all types Multiple creative pro- all converge. choreographer Hassan Christopher is to inspire one jects have this young artist Povenmire goes one further and, along with his partner, tries to come in mid-flight. another and promote positive social on the move. Besides the day-to-day up with a song for every 11-minute episode. They’ve already generated “This is a leap of faith,” he says change through movement. The Open running of the studio and producing quite a bit of content, with songs ranging from heartfelt ballads to classic with a chuckle when asked about his Space sponsors the monthly per- events, he also teaches and performs rock ’n’ roll, and from folksy tunes to catchy jingles about make-believe success in Los Angeles. formance event “Anatomy Riot,” regularly. holidays. Since arriving in 1999, Christo- which features original choreography “My goal is simply to get to a place The most important factor that goes into making the cartoon a great pher has been the recipient of from young dance artists. where I can be creative everyday. It is a one, though, is simply having fun. numerous awards for original cho- This weekend, the space will host dream in process,” he explains. “I get to go to work and draw silly pictures and draw silly gags,”laughs reography. its very first addition, “Spontaneous The words echo in the empty Povenmire. “This is what I’d be doing if I was unemployed – except now I “The thing I love about L.A. is that Combustion,” a brainchild of studio space, dreamlike themselves, get paid to do it.” you cannot take it at face value. What Christopher’s whereby three different and one feels a creeping sensation of So, even though your younger sibling may have taken the reins when it you see is not what you get,” muses choreographers are “locked in” the inspiration. comes to watching cartoons, give this one a shot – you’ll definitely Christopher while reclining on a space for a 24-hour period and given remember those days of eating too much cereal and getting sore from couch in the corner of his downtown the challenge to create an original Spontaneous Combustion takes place sitting still too long. dance studio simply called, the Open piece to be performed at the end of May 3 at the Open Space located at “It’s nothing but fun,”states Povenmire. Space. said time period. 209 S. Garey St., Los Angeles. It is both a rehearsal space and “I just want to see what happens,” For more information, e-mail “Phineas and Ferb” airs Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. on Disney Channel. performance venue, which Christo- Christopher says with a mischievous [email protected]. 22 | Campus Circle [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08]

Men, Dr. Arcane’s genetically altered inner circle campus news graphic novels | reviews mutants, take center stage in this book, having created their own BY JEFF BACHMAN government reservation-style city/ Albert and the Others theme park where Normals can come (Drawn and Quarterly) and gawk at them. UCLA’s long battle with music has come The silent panels unfolding like When one of the citizens/- to an end. a flipbook, Guy Delisle’s book attractions winds up dead, the Well, it’s over. The contest to find a new fight song began in 1984 when captures the heartache and government sends agent Kilcrop to the UCLA Alumni Association called for a song to replace the fight song absurdity of relationships, loneli- investigate. His search leads him to “Sons of Westwood,” which simply appropriated the music from the UC ness and the hang-ups that get in the corporate headquarters, its Berkeley fight song “Sons of California” and replaced the lyrics with ones the way of happiness. ominous two-headed CEO and the more suitable for the Los Angeles campus. Originally published in France, demigod Dr. Von Schadel who The song chosen in 1984, entitled “The Mighty Bruins,” which was co- Albert’s appeal is universal, which is control the city. written by composer Bill Conti, famous for having written the score to underscored by the visually in- Like an episode of “The X-Files” Rocky, ultimately did not last as the school’s fight song. However, out of ventive ways in which Deslisle com- without any of the mystery, writer that song’s ashes has risen the new, unofficial winner of that very same municates his ideas. At times John Whalen can’t really find a contest. obscene, at times heart wrenching, narrative to fit the premise, and the Jim Mann, the writer of the new UCLA fight song, had been trying for 24 Albert skewers our superficiality story never really leaves the ground, years to get his fight song into the hearts and minds of Bruins fans, and it may and inability to conquer our own despite containing some very have finally come to fruition. The “New UCLA Fight Song” by Professor petty preoccupations in relating to interesting elements, such as a Mann can be downloaded at www.myxertones.com for 99 cents. others. satirical subplot about an upcoming It’s a slim work, which can be reality show, “American Freaks.” read in one sitting, but it’s the kind Introduction by creator Len of insightful, poignant book that Haunted Wein. you can pick up again and again. (Drawn and Quarterly) Grade: C Grade: A French superstar Philippe Dup- —Mike Sebastian —Mike Sebastian uy’s autobiographical graphic novel The Un-Men: Get Your Freak On is Albert and the Others is currently is sublime, profane, hallucinatory currently available. available. and a wholly original work of art. Dupuy depicts himself as a jogger Wormwood Volume 2: It Green Arrow: Year One who envisions a series of intro- Only Hurts When I Pee (DC) spective encounters in the form of (IDW) Green Arrow is one of my lucid dreams, which involve a self- Volume two of Ben Temp- favorite superhero comics in recent amputating dog, Lucha Libre lesmith’s series finds the Gentleman memory. This definitive origin wrestlers, the anthropomorphic Corpse infected by a leprechaun bite. story of how Oliver Queen became “Forest Friends” and his mother. Now with his cyborg sidekick (with Green Arrow is expertly plotted and At first glance the roughly newly installed genitalia) and his sketched illustrations, which bring to Guardian, he must travel to mind the doodle quality of John Leprechaunia to find the Queen Lennon’s portraits, belie their leprechaun. understated expressive power. But As usual, Templesmith’s art is they soon suck you into the dream great to look at, but this corpse

Rob Kim/Landov/MCT world. This is a transcendent work. doesn’t smell quite as fresh as it did Grade: A the first time around. Many of the —Mike Sebastian same tropes are rehashed here, with Haunted is currently available. fewer jokes. We already met the grotesque Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Time’s “Hero for the Planet” The Highwaymen leprechauns in volume one, so a (Wildstorm) whole planet of slobbering carbon The near future: Two retired copies doesn’t really pay off as it RFK Jr. speaks at USC. government operatives, once known On April 23, the day after Earth Day, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke about as the Highwaymen, get a message his passion for environmentalism at a 7 p.m. seminar on USC’s campus. from former President Bill Clinton The son of the former Attorney General and nephew of President John F. informing them about a potentially Kennedy has turned his life around after a 1983 arrest for heroin disastrous government weapon that possession. Kennedy now works to protect the natural world, particularly has been set loose on the world. water-covered areas of the Earth such as New York’s Hudson River, and has They’re the only ones who can stop it. been named a “Hero for the Planet” by Time magazine. Now the government’s secret force of Kennedy has also followed in his famous father’s footsteps as a lawyer, genetically enhanced agents want becoming the senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council. excitingly executed by writer Andy them dead. The NRDC is a non-profit environmental lobby group, founded in 1970, to Diggle and artist Jock, the team An homage to Hollywood action promote conversation and environmentalism in Congressional legislation. behind The Losers. blockbusters, there are car cashes and Unfolding like a good action gun fights galore, punctuated by the $25 Million Donation to USC flick, it’s equal parts Rambo and witty back and forth of the two old Alumnus Verna B. Dauterive, 85, decided to give the University of Robinson Crusoe – a gripping heroes. And of course, there’s always a Southern California a donation of $25 million in honor of her late revenge story with a great plot girl. husband, Peter W. Dauterive, also an alumnus. The couple had met on engine and a compelling new The near future conceit works USC’s campus in 1947 before Peter became a successful banker and villain, China White. It strikes the really well and the action never lets Verna had begun her career as a Los Angeles school administrator. perfect balance of character and up. The gift is the largest single donation from an African-American action that good superhero comics Grade: A- individual to a university in the United States and one of the largest ever strive for. —Mike Sebastian should. However, we are introduced in USC’s history. The greatest donation ever received by the school was a The artwork is kinetic and flows The Highwaymen is currently to the Brothers Calamari, inter- $175 million donation from George Lucas’ Lucasfilm foundation for the beautifully, with kickass cover art available. dimensional planet harvesters, who School of Cinematic Arts. The largest donation from an African- between chapters. Also included are promise to play a bigger role as American source, prior to this one, was Bill and Camille Cosby’s $20 script excerpts, sketches and an The Un-Men: Get Your Wormwood’s nemesis in the next million gift to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia in 1987. introduction by Brian K. Vaughan. Freak On – Volume 1 installment. The $25 million given by Verna Dauterive will be delivered over the Grade: A (Vertigo) Grade: B next couple years and is stipulated in her living will. —Mike Sebastian A spin-off featuring the H.G. —Mike Sebastian Green Arrow: Year One is currently Wells-inspired side characters who Wormwood Volume 2: It Only Hurts available. originated in Swamp Thing, the Un- When I Pee is currently available. Richard Roeper “A LOT OF FUN...ROBERT DOWNEY JR. GIVES A BLAZING PERFORMANCE!” “THE BEST POPCORN FLICK SINCE ‘SPIDER-MAN.’” ORLANDO SENTINEL Roger Moore

STARTS FRIDAY, MAY 2 AT THEATRES EVERYWHERE. CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATRES AND SHOWTIMES.

For information on group sales call 1-877-PAR-GRP5 Text Iron to 33287 for showtimes and mobile content. Standard messaging rates apply. SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT - NO PASSES OR DISCOUNT TICKETS ACCEPTED 24 | Campus Circle [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08]

inner circle pages | book reviews “Influence is bliss,” he writes in The tone ranges from serious Maps and Legends, a collection of appraisal (the essay on Doyle essays published by McSweeney’s. We reminded me strongly of John receive the spiritual fire when we take Irving’s essay on Dickens in Trying to American Dream suffocated by a work of art into us – and then we go Save Piggy Sneed), to that of an e-mail greed, and a country left direct- for it, making paintings and music from a very bright, very dear friend. ionless. Zebulon, last of the and novels of our own. Maps and Legends is an affirming, mountain men, is cursed, doomed to When asked how to be a writer, generous book. live between life and death. Saul Bellow remarked that he only Grade: A He falls in love with another knew one should take the greatest —Sean Schlemmer cursed soul, an exotic, beautiful half- works of literature in, like the Maps and Legends will be available breed. As the whole world descends Eucharist. And then they will change May 1. on California, the pair must evade the us, gradually, over time. posse that hunts them and find their Sex, Sushi & Salvation: souls. Thoughts on Intimacy, Yonder has the mark of a classic, Community, and feeling as if it has been there all along, Eternity somewhere between McCabe & Mrs. (Moody Publishers) Miller and High Plains Drifter, and Christian spirituality is a difficult yet feeling altogether fresh and subject for many people. Many have original at the same time. reduced Christians to annoying person’s life but the whole world. Grade: A Bible-thumping citizens of the Deep Believing in the Christian —Mike Sebastian South. Others associate Christianity religion or not is not the primary The Drop Edge of Yonder is currently with prejudice against the question of this book. Rather, in the available. homosexual community. richness and seriousness that The Drop Edge of Amidst a vast amount of permeate this collection of thoughts, Yonder Maps and Legends diverging opinions, though, author there’s a perceived desire for (Two Dollar Radio) (McSweeney’s) Christian George is able to articulate dialogue. Rudolph Wurlitzer, screenwriter On Jan. 15, Lewis Hyde made an the Christian faith, both from an Religions of this world have been of Two-Lane Blacktop and Pat Garrett appearance at the Billy Wilder academic and a personal perspective. clashing for centuries on an & Billy the Kid, as well as the cult ’60s Theater near UCLA and challenged a Sex, Sushi & Salvation is a collection ideological level, yet in his latest novel Nog, has crafted a western that way of thought that the likes of Ralph of profound anecdotes on the book, George writes of his own has the bleak winteriness of Jeremiah Waldo Emerson and Harold Bloom, experiences of a Christian man. intimate experiences. This is a deeply Johnson, the explosive violence of The in their respective centuries, have From heartbreaking personal (if at times a little repetitive) Wild Bunch and the earthy poetry of sworn by: the self-reliant individual, In Maps and Legends we are conversations with a Russian book that’s useful for anyone seeking Blood Meridian. the artist who suffers from the privileged to encounter Chabon’s prostitute to chronicles of European truth. Set during the Gold Rush, as the anxiety of influence. One of Hyde’s Eucharistic influences: Will Eisner, travels, the book comes from a place Grade: A- days of wild frontier mountain men aesthetic children, Michael Chabon, Jack Kirby, Cormac McCarthy, F. of sincerity. George is utterly —Alexander L. Carpenter gave way to civilization, it’s an is rarin’ to catch the football and run Scott Fitzgerald, Sir Arthur Conan convinced that his beliefs are Sex, Sushi & Salvation is currently allegory for the modern day, for an with it. Doyle … the list (of course) goes on. sufficient to change not only a single available.

criterion collection | reviews early a.m | dvds for the kid in you

Blast of Silence —Mike Sebastian Hiya, Kids!!: A ’50s Saturday Programs were held to a certain code of It opens with an Blast of Silence is currently Morning ethics. The rebellious decade that followed explosive second person available. (Shout! Factory) would change all that. voice-over, cursing the day Complete with such time Grade: A you’re brought into this Death of a Cyclist honored classics as “Howdy —James Famera world, as a roaring train Winner of the critics’ Doody” and “Flash Gordon,” Hiya, Kids!!: A ’50s Saturday emerges from a womblike award at the Cannes Film Hiya Kids!!: A ’50s Saturday Morning will be available May 6. tunnel. Then we’re in New Festival in 1955, this film by Morning offers no shortage of York, the real New York, with Spanish director Juan Anton- nostalgia. In a forgotten era Justice League – The Frankie Bono, a hitman. io Bardem (uncle of actor when only three networks New Frontier Blast is an original, latter Javier) tells the story of a competed for viewers on the (Warner) day noir from 1961, coming couple having an affair that still untested medium, pro- Any film that renews a sense after the postwar genre had accidentally hit a bicyclist duction budgets were mini- of wonder in superheroes, that already been filtered through and, fearing their relationship scule. The shows, however, were makes you go “Oh…wow,” as if France and back again, just being exposed, flee the scene. no less imaginative. you’re seeing Batman for the first before Godard would completely deconstruct Soon their relationship and careers begin Each Saturday morning time, or tickles you as the Flash them. to suffer as they deal with increasing pressure those archaic bubble screens whizzes, a red blur, through 1950s The voice-over continues as Frankie and an art critic who may have witnessed the transmitted black and white Las Vegas, has done its job. follows his target around the streets of New incident and may now be trying to blackmail images of sock puppets and The graphic novel by York. It’s one of the first films them. It leads to a desperate marionettes, cowboys named Darwyn Cooke is quite some- to be shot with a low budget, and inevitable ending that Buffalo Bob and clowns thing else, a classic. DC’s on location immediacy, still shocks. named Clarabelle, Midwestern animated adaptation is a little lending the film a certain It’s a film about guilt, backdrops painted with a too compressed, a little too existential realism. When consequence and selfishness, brush and easel and alternate simplified to be spoken of in Frankie comes into contact a scathing attack on the universes strung together by the same breath. with some old friends it upper class in Franco’s Spain. wire. But it’s damned enter- becomes more a mediation It’s beautifully shot in black And who can forget the taining. The voices – especially on loneliness than a thriller. and white, with a newly characters? The Annie Oakleys, Jeremy Sisto’s as Batman – are This is a flawed, but restored high def transfer. the Roy Rogers, the Lassies. rich and on point. All in all, a nevertheless arresting noir, Grade: A- Lassie alone became the face of success. which is also a time capsule of —Mike Sebastian countless movies and spin-off shows. Grade: A New York and cinema in the Granted, the humor is tame by today’s —Sean Schlemmer early ’60s. Death of a Cyclist is currently standards but never without its familiarity. It Justice League – The New Frontier is Grade: A- available. was the “Golden Age” of television, after all. currently available. [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08] Campus Circle | 25 photo feature | PHOTOGRAPHS BY GILLIAN LAUB inner circle TESTIMONY ESSAYS BY ARIELLA AZOULAY AND RAEF ZREIK (Aperture) ALL IMAGES © Gillian Laub From Testimony (Aperture, 2007) ALL IMAGES © Gillian Laub From Testimony

Bitanya I am twenty years old, and emigrated from Ethiopia to Israel at the age of nine. I feel completely Israeli and Hila with Hava and Manar Jewish in every way, even though I made aliyah [Jewish immigration to Israel] at a relatively late age. Right now I am On April 22, 2001, I was on my way to work, waiting at the bus stop in Kfar Saba. A man blew himself up, killing two, and living in Tel Aviv and studying dance. My dream is to be a professional dancer — the type of dancer that as soon as injuring ninety-seven people. My ribs, jaw, and teeth were all shattered. Today, two years after the bombing, I am undergoing a long people see her, they feel the same kind of inexplicable magical energy that I feel when I dance. series of treatments and in about five months I will undergo the last surgery on my jaw. I haven’t been able to work in two years and Recently I’ve been thinking a lot and have reached the conclusion that my family and I have been through some am in a very bad emotional and financial state. My husband left me while I was pregnant and now I’m raising my eight-month-old pretty difficult times. We came to Israel for a better life. Starting life in a new culture with a new language, especially daughter on my own. We have to deal with all the suffering and difficulties alone. I hope and pray to God that we will not know any when you look very different from everyone else, is so hard. I don’t think it’s normal to be totally cut off from an more sorrow and pain. I hope and pray for only good things. I must be strong for Hava; we must no be broken. I wish everyone identity you thought you’d have for the rest of your life. But really, I wouldn’t change it for anything. All this has made happiness and love, and, most importantly, good health. me stronger and into the person that I am today. Haifa, July 2003 I recently made a trip to Poland. While I was standing in the former gas chamber in Auschwitz, there was a group of girls praying in Yiddish. Even thought I couldn’t understand the words, this prayer had so much power. It was then that I no longer felt divided, but finally connected. I believe you don’t have to be born Jewish to have a Jewish soul. Tel Aviv, September 2005

Yussie in the old city My whole family is back in America. I was just there, and everyone — my friends and family — was trying to convince me to stay. They were afraid for me to go back to Israel because of the situation. I understand why they worry, but I tried to explain to them that my heart and soul are in Israel. I can’t live in America without this part of me. That’s why I am back in Israel. As I see it, a person has two ways of living: either with their mind, or their heart and soul. I am happy with my decision. I have to and will always follow my heart. Jerusalem, May 2002

Ben and Gil on a break GIL: We’re just resting in our room, after hours of being on duty. We’re combat soldiers stationed at the border of Lebanon. Even though it can be hard here — days can go by without us even taking our shoes off to Peter with Olga, his sister sleep — we have made friendships that are as thick as PETER: I was sixteen when my family came to Israel. I immediately liked it here. Two years later I began my army blood. We would die for each other. Unfortunately our service. I was trained as a marksman, and the day of my injury, I was on patrol duty in Jerusalem. The day before, a bus filled girlfriends just broke up with both of us. It’s probably with children had been hit by Palestinians. So I was put on duty to protect the Settlers driving on this road. Then I got hit by because of the army. We never get to see them. Hopefully, a sniper. I am OK, but my parents don’t stop crying. They constantly look at the same pictures of me from graduation day. when we’re done with our service, we will travel together OLGA: Peter is my older brother. I was the only person home when an officer came to the door to tell my family the in Australia and New Zealand. news. I am still in shock. Peter and I were becoming really close these past couple of years, but now he is so quiet. He just BEN: There are only three things that scare me: G-d, kind of closed himself off since the injury. He doesn’t complain, but he also doesn’t say very much. I can’t sleep at night civilian life after the army, and my mother. thinking about the future. I just found out I am allowed to postpone my army service six months so I can help take care of Rosh Hanikra, August 2004 Peter. At least we have him home again. Bat Yam, October 2002 26 | Campus Circle [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08]

inner circle curtain call essential l.a. | cool hot spots ‘MILK AND COOKIES’ BLANKSPACES Now-May 24 @ Sidewalk A New Alternative for Studio Theatre Potential customers learn about the rates in a private Freelance Workers office at Blankspaces. BY MIKE BUZZELLI spaces is a modern, communal BY LAUREN ROSENBLUM workspace environment where free- lancers can come in and work when WHEN A BANK TELLER IS POISONED BY A KILLER COOKIE, THE LIFE OF A FREELANCER then I’m hovering and awkward. Look they want to escape from the house and Margaret Nancy Reagan Ballmouth (Beth Patrik) flees the scene of the isn’t easy. I tried it myself last weekend. at all these laptop people. get a more social atmosphere. crime, abandoning her two small children, the unwitting perpetrators of Here’s a little taste of what went on in OK the guy is getting up. Here we Blankspaces combines the social the heinous act. On the run, Marge meets Bruce (Marc Aden Gray), and my head: go. Thanks. OK! Plug charger in. Turn elements of a coffee shop with the crazy conspiracy theories collide. Oh, there’s a table, I hope no one on laptop. Crack knuckles. Sip drink. productive, functional elements of an Some authors can tackle snags it. I have to sit near an outlet. Laptop turning on and ... ahh! The office. Unlike Starbucks – where you absurdist comedy. Eugene Should I get reduced fat coffee cake or volume is turned up, and it played the have to fight for a table near an outlet – Ionesco’s “Rhinoceros” or Samuel splurge with a cookie? Or neither? Let’s Windows start-up music really loud! BlankSpaces provides individual Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” are do the cookie. “Grande skinny vanilla I’m embarrassed. Why should I be cubicles, private offices and conference shining examples. “Milk and latte please and a chocolate chip embarrassed? Who cares? People did rooms. The facility is also equipped Cookies” is absurd without cookie.” $6.30! Rip off! Do you really look up though. I’m a rookie. with mailboxes, color laser printers, meaning or substance. think I need a receipt? How long does it copiers, fax machines, high-definition Worst of all, the play’s not take to make one of these latte things? projectors, WI-Fi and most important, funny. The actors make a valiant Ahh! Some jerk just snagged my table A new breed of worker, fueled by parking. attempt, but with bad dialogue, before he even got in line! He just caffeine and modern day technology, is Some people drop in for a few idiotic situations and dumped his stuff on it! Calm down. taking over the coffeehouses of Los hours, while others seeking a more unredeemable characters, none You’re just mad because you know you Angeles. Just walk into any Starbucks permanent space can rent a private of them make it work. Heidi should have done that first. and you’re bound to find people sitting desk for a monthly fee. Either way, Fielek gives her best shot, Now what? There are no tables. in front of their laptops, chatting on Blankspaces gives freelancers and milking the only laughs in the show. What, do I just stand here and wait their cell phones, surfing the Web and entrepreneurs the ability to network with my oversize laptop? Do I start doing the sort of work that would once and share ideas in a creative Sidewalk Studio Theatre is located at 4150 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake. drinking my drink? It is hot, but I feel have required a fully-equipped office. environment. For more information, visit www.sidewalkstudiotheatre.com. like I should wait until I get a table. And they do it all for no more than the But if you start to miss your Venti That guy looks like he’s getting ready to price of a cup of coffee and a muffin. Chai Latte, there’s surely a Starbucks get up. Is there an outlet by that table? It’s a whole new way of working one block away. Yes! I guess I should go over there and that’s becoming increasingly popular. stand close by so no one else snags it That’s why architect Jerome Chang For more information, visit comedy | laugh out loud first. But I can’t stand too close because decided to start Blankspaces. Blank- www.blankspaces.com. ‘ALL ABOUT WALKEN’ exhibitions | museums • art galleries Now-May 15 @ Theatre 86 everythingologist. Following are dio- ramas, sculptures and re-creations of THE WORLD IS BOUND some of his work. BY JEFF BACHMAN Kircher’s lifelong fascination with magnetism – which he believed THIS POST-MODERN SERIES OF WITH SECRET KNOTS every interaction was based on (love interlinked comedic sketches puts the and hate, god and mortal, Campus audience in the shoes of Christopher Ongoing @ Museum of Circle and City Beat) – led him to Walken, or at least how actor-writer- exclaim the exhibit’s title: “The world director Patrick O’Sullivan might Jurassic Technology is bound with secret knots.” picture him, through the talented As the list of his accom- acting of nine Walken impersonators. BY JOSH HERMAN plishments is too convoluted to Sometimes the sketches called for reproduce here, so would a worthy audience participation such as the explanation of Kircher or this improvisational “Choose Your Own IF THERE WERE EVER A MUSEUM (“Garden of Eden on Wheels”) and exhibit. Like the remainder of the Walken” segment, where the audience of museums, then the Museum of cures for incontinence involving dead museum, you just have to explore it was asked to choose several movies to Jurassic Technology would most mice, then the name is as ludicrous as to understand it. have the Walkens act out. But, the certainly be featured as an astounding attempting to write about this … Or not. Find the diorama of a fox show consisted mostly of pop culture specimen of an exhibit. Whenever one place. head in the dessert by following the riffs (like an MTV-inspired episode of overhears visitors in a cultural While the MJT doesn’t have barks through the stygian museum. “The Real Walkens”) on the cult sensation that he is and the fun that institution pontificating, “This one’s changing exhibits, a section is Look through the eccentric glasses his stilted style of speech allows. real. I think,” you know this is no devoted to Athanasius Kircher. affixed to the side of this seemingly These parts were among the most entertaining because it allowed quotidian place-where-coughs-echo- Kircher was an inventor, composer, innocuous exhibit, and you’ll see the the cast to really show their range for impersonation and the loudly-off-the-walls. geographer, geologist, Egyptologist, inside of the fox’s head, wherefrom characters they had created. Cast member Amy Kelly, in particular, Even the Jurassic’s mission – historian, adventurer, philosopher, the howls emanate: it’s not a view of stuck out with her aggressive style of physical comedy at times and “dedicated to the advancement of physicist, naturalist, archeologist, the fox’s linguistic cortex, it’s a fat exaggerated De Niro impression. knowledge and the public ap- architect, author of over 40 pub- man sitting on a chair barking. Overall, the experience was hit or miss, sometimes vulgar, but preciation of the Lower Jurassic” – is lished works and propagator of one definitely a very fun night out. as darkly vague as the picayune of the first public museums, et al. museum itself, which defines the After a brief didactic on Kircher, The Museum of Jurassic Technology is Theatre 86 is located at 5419 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. For more Lower Jurassic as the Nile Delta. there’s a working model of his located at 9341 Venice Blvd., Culver information, visit www.myspace.com/allaboutwalken. Unless tyrannosauruses figured out Magnetic Oracle and an amusing – if City. For more information, visit how to create X-ray bats, trailer parks quiet – film on the dictionary of this www.mjt.org. [APRIL 30 - MAY 6 ’08] Campus Circle | 27

10 spot | BY FREDERICK MINTCHELL on the menu | a taste of l.a. inner circle FRIDAY, MAY 2 THE COURTYARD “Sexercise Live!” Mbar, 1253 Vine St., Hollywood; 8543 Santa Monica Blvd., www.discotechs.net This tribute to the potty- West Hollywood mouthed, yet profound, Millie Jackson manages to hilariously BY FREDERICK MINTCHELL mix comedy, disco and sex. 8 p.m. $20, plus $10 food minimum. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU WALKED BY A PLACE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND paid it no attention? We get so wrapped up in where we’re going or what we’re doing that we miss many things right under our noses. The Courtyard is one of those places for me. I’ve literally walked or driven past it hundreds, if not thousands, of times and never gave it a second look. My loss. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 The restaurant is set up like a Mediterranean courtyard, natch, complete Los Angeles Job Fair with a fountain in the center. If it wasn’t Holiday Inn Los Angeles – Intl. Airport, 9901 La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles (310) 649-5151; for the sound of police sirens, I could resources.monster.com/job-fairs almost imagine being in a quaint Spanish Graduating soon or just need a better job? There will be scores of companies representing over 16 village; the atmosphere doesn’t feel like the industries on hand at this fair to help with your career search. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. middle of Los Angeles. In fact, CitySearch has listed the Courtyard as one of the top THURSDAY, MAY 1 10 outdoor dining establishments for two Los Angeles Spring Comedy Festival years running. They feature tapas, but big plates are www.lacomedyfest.com In its third year, the Los Angeles Comedy Festival offers loads of laughs all around town. Highlights also offered if you go in with a healthy include the Sultans of Satire, the Man’s Man Show and the Alt. Comedy Show. Through May 18. appetite. And what better way to wash down your tapas than with Sangria?

FRIDAY, MAY 2 Traditional Sangria is on the menu, and Mike Ransdell/Kansas City Star/MCT they also offer blueberry, apple and peach. Cinco de Mayo If you’re on a budget, never fear. El Pueblo Historical Monument, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles (213) 485-8372; Happy hour is 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. every www.cityofla.org/ELP day. There are discounted tapas along with $3 beers, $5 martinis and Sangria at half off. A celebration of Mexico’s victory over the French forces in Puebla, Mexico in 1862! Enjoy popular Mondays feature $5 martinis all night. Buy one tapa and get one half off on Tapa and traditional music, cultural presentations, dance and food. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. FREE. Tuesdays. If hump day has you down, you can’t miss Wine Lovers Wednesdays when wine is half off with dinner. With 17 labels to choose from, there’s wine for every taste. SATURDAY, MAY 3 Their menu features dishes with beef, chicken, lamb, pork, seafood and vegetarian Derby Doll SoCal Showdown entrees, so you should be able to find what your taste buds are craving. Obviously, I couldn’t try everything on the menu, but my favorites were the dates & bacon, plantains and the flan. The Doll Factory, 1910 Temple St., Downtown; www.derbydolls.com/la Sometimes flan can be sort Come out and witness girl-on-girl action at the highly anticipated grudge match between the Los Angeles and San Diego Derby Dolls. 6 p.m. $20 online; $25 at the door. of bland, but theirs pleasantly surprised my friend and me. The Santa Fe Art Colony Open Studio Speaking of favorites, I think my friend is now addicted to Santa Fe Art Colony, 2401 S. Santa Fe Ave., Downtown (323) 587-5513; the blueberry Sangria, but since www.santafeartcolony.com blueberries are chock full of Over 50 painters, photographers and sculptors open their private studios to the public. You can antioxidants, I guess there are look and also, if it strikes your fancy, buy! Also Sunday. Noon-6 p.m. FREE. worse addictions.

Venice Garden and Home Tour Opens daily at 4:30 p.m. For Las Doradas Children’s Center, 804 Broadway, Venice (310) 821-1857; www.venicegardentour.org more information, call (310) Tour the awe-inspiring gardens and homes of Venice, with proceeds benefiting the non-profit 358-0301 or visit Neighborhood Youth Association. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $60 in advance, $70 at the door. www.thecourtyardla.com. Xin Lu Video Bus Tour Bus leaves from Director’s Guild, 7920 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; ROOMMATE WANTED pzacad.pitzer.edu/~mma/work/work.html Culver City Share home with Step up and get onboard and watch this conceptual road movie while taking a tour of the film’s mature professional with locations. How meta! 12:30-3:30 p.m. Also Sunday. $25 includes lunch and beverages. private bath. W/D. Garage. No smoking, drinking or drugs. MONDAY, MAY 5 $1100 (310) 822-4570 ... Tequila! El Carmen, 8138 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood; (323) 852-1552 You can’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo without tequila, and El Carmen has over 450 different kinds to choose from. They do have other drinks, as well as your standard Mexican bar food. Open ’til 2 a.m. PENIS ENLARGEMENT FDA APPROVED Medical vacuum pumps. Gain 1"-3" permanently. TUESDAY, MAY 6 Resolve impotence. Viagra, Room 367 Launch Party Testosterone, Cialis. FREE information and brochures. (619) A + D Museum, 5900 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile; room367.eventbrite.com 294-7777, www.getbiggertoday.com A business and social networking event for green-minded individuals. Enjoy the open bar, organic hors d’oeuvres and live DJ entertainment. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. $20 advance; $25 at the door. THE SUNDANCE SENSATION IS NOW THE BIGGEST BRITISH COMEDY OF THE YEAR!

“####” “#####” “####” STAR THE SUN TOTAL FILM “‘Son Of Rambow’makes you feel like a kid again.” “The summer’s sleeper comedy.” GIANT STAR “The best British comedy in years.” “Wildly funny.” NEWS OF THE WORLD FILM JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL “The funniest British film since ‘Hot Fuzz.’” “One-of-a-kind...an endearingly wacky look at boyhood FRONT and aspiring moviemakers. I really like this film.” “If you only see one Rambo movie this year, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT make sure it’s this one.” “One very charming, very brilliant film.” EMPIRE IN STYLE

EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENTS Hollywood West Los Angeles Glendale ND START FRIDAY, MAY 2 AT SUNSET & VINE (323) 464-4226 AT W. PICO & WESTWOOD (310) 281-8233 THE AMERICANA AT BRAND • COLORADO STREET AT BRAND BLVD.