Entertainment Eric Momou, Entertainment Editor New movies guaranteed to dazzle audiences b y s c r e a m i n g fun. What he does fans. Their coach REVIEW i s e s s e n t i a l l y ‘Whip It’ is seated in the ‘Zombieland’ take underused REVIEW Sierra Gillespie c e n t e r w i t h a Josh Heath ideas from other Production Assistant clipboard full of plays. The Master Production Assistant entertainment sources. of Ceremonies, hilariously played by For example, he takes the idea Drew Barrymore’s family tree dates Saturday Night Live veteran Jimmy Zombies are unintelligent due to of projecting words onto the area back to classic Hollywood, and now Fallon, blares through the speakers. rotted brains and usually slow and around the characters, like Columbus’ living up to her family name, Barrymore Although they lose this match, Bliss shambling. Do they pose a threat? Of “rules to survival.” He also adopts the has released a masterpiece. After hones her gift and soon the team starts course. And it is really not different at slow-motion montage intro, which 31 active years in the entertainment winning. all in “Zombieland.” is actually done exceptionally well. industry, Barrymore has finally debuted Their main drive is to defeat the The entire world, except for maybe six And even the funny zombie film was her directorial skills. running champs, led by the vile captain people, have all been forcefully drafted obviously inspired from the Simon Ellen Page hits the screen as a Iron Maven, played by Juliette Lewis. into the shambling masses. Within this Pegg vehicle “Shaun of the Dead.” But teenage misfit, much like her former With this in mind, Bliss learns to gem of a film lies reliable characters, Fleischer’s casserole of ideas comes role of Juno MacGuff in the 2007 overcome her passive nature, letting amusing jokes and exhilarating action out just swell even if it is not the most phenomenon. out her bottled-up frustration on the sequences. So load up your shotgun, original thing on the planet. Page stars as Bliss Cavendar, whose rink. buckle your seatbelt and get ready for Although the movie is really fun, the social life is the extent of an after- Meanwhile, somehow making time a great ride. story itself is quite weak. Columbus school job at a restaurant in her small with her hectic schedule, Bliss casually One can easily identify with all meets Tallahassee, and they meet Texas town. Her mother dominates sees Oliver (Landon Pigg), a boy she four of the main characters. There is Little Rock and Wichita, together Bliss’ time by forcing her to unwillingly met while at her first derby. Their Columbus (“Adventureland” veteran going cross-country in search of a participate in local pageants. relationship blossoms throughout the Jesse Eisenberg), who tags along with safe haven. Pretty in story scope, but While in Austin, Bliss notices a film, but eventually ends because of Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), a nobody went to “Zombieland” for the flier for a roller derby. Intrigued, she activities that occurred while Oliver’s kick-butt-and-take-names zombie- engrossing story. They went to see convinces her best friend to sneak band is on tour. Though heartbroken slaying cowboy. These two find s o m e engaging zombie out and attend. Once they arrive Bliss by this loss, Bliss continues to skate Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little k i l l s and to laugh out is overwhelmed by the brutal yet and is crowned “rookie of the year.” Rock (Abigail Breslin), congirls loud. The movie entertaining sport. The tremendous pressure from the who also happen to be sisters. delivers both, with After the tournament concludes, skating puts a strain on her relationship Columbus plays like any character most coming from Bliss tells the skaters, “I just wanted to with her parents, played by Daniel ripped right from the Michael Tallahassee. As an let you all know that you are my new Stern and Marcia Gay Harden. This Cera mold, having the same added bonus, there is heroes.” The skater, who becomes a results in Bliss temporarily moving mannerisms and speech patterns. one of the best cameos good friend and mentor to Bliss, replies out of the house and deciding the Little Rock’s performance is also by a big-time celebrity with, “Put on some skates. Be your importance of skating. reminiscent of any of Dakota of all time, but own hero.” Hours later she pursues In the end, the film has an ultimatum Fanning’s overly mature revealing it here this goal, starting by unearthing her like many other sports movies, yet ‘tweenager’ roles. would give away childhood roller skates. somehow it is different. Originally These are the only a rather splendid Bliss goes to tryouts and discovers when her parents were informed of negative things surprise. her remarkable skill. With this talent her newfound love, they disapproved. to be said of the The undead, she makes the “Hurl Scouts” with When the film concludes, they support characters. And, ghouls, brain teammates such as Maggie Mayhem their daughter in her new endeavor, of course, Emma m u n c h e r s . (Kirsten Wiig) and Smashly Simpson leading the film to conclude with Bliss Stone is a stone- These despicable (Barrymore). Bliss dubs herself Babe continuing to skate. cold fox. monsters are always Ruthless and the action begins. Unlike many recent teenage-centered T h i s f i l m i s a r o u n d , a l w a y s Bliss soon realizes that the team she films, “Whip It” does not solely revolve director Ruben hungry and always belongs to does not have the best track around sex and drugs, which makes F l e i s c h e r ’ s intimidating—unless, record. In fact, her team has ranked it unique in the days of “Jennifer’s directorial debut. The criteria that of course, pianos are being dropped the lowest in the league for several Body” and “Pineapple Express,” yet has been seemingly implemented on them. years. When she discusses this with still appealing. onto new directors is that to become “Zombieland” delivers a well-needed her team, she finds that they believe The film is an explosive manifesto of big, one must bring a plethora of dose of comedy into the viewer’s life, the importance is the game, not the fantastic music, great acting and good new ideas to the table and craft an but it also kicks up the heartbeats with score. laughs. “Whip It” cements Barrymore’s extraordinary film, filled with fresh its invigorating action sequences. If Knowing her team always loses does status as a Hollywood icon, making her ideas and originality. Fleischer did not you have not gone out to see this film not comfort Bliss on the evening of entrance into the directorial world a do a bad job. Quite the opposite in fact. yet, you better, as Tallahassee said, her first match. She, along with her definite win, hopefully leading to many He is a competent director. The movie “nut up or shut up.” team, enters the rink surrounded more films to come. is polished, crisp and just overall ‘The Lost Symbol’: a regrettable read from author Dan Brown his sudden involvement in Brown, these whirlwind affairs and awkward sentences to u n i q u e Laura Meeker world-changing events. Since of a man whose hair has gone give any English teacher a characters. Graphic Artist the first book, “Angels and gray are far, far from the worst minor heart attack. The book In a book REVIEW In the most recent release by Demons,” Robert Langdon, a features of the book. Brown’s is also continuously praised with a large Dan Brown, author of “The Da college professor, with little writing of dialogue is awkward for the quick pace of action, cast of characters like “The Vinci Code” and “Angels and personality but for the banal, and toneless, with no ear for but this is because of a painful Lost Symbol,” this is a very Demons,” Robert Langdon, poorly-written phrases that his dialect or inflection. The clunky overuse of cliffhangers and bad thing. Guards, wise men, the James Bond of symbology, author allows him, manages to speech pops up repeatedly in character epiphanies. Usually, women and villains are masses embarks on yet another quest go through two passionate the introductions, setting for Brown’s work, the attention of cardboard cutouts shuffling of clues and mysteries. relationships. He has one in and buildings, which sound to detail and plot is easy to along from page to page. The latest book, “The Lost the first book with a stunning suspiciously like Brown copy applaud, but the twists and In the end, I can only Symbol,” follows Robert scientist named Vittoria, and and pasted Wikipedia articles turns of the book grow too recommend the book to Langdon’s path through the second in “The Da Vinci straight into his text without predictable as Brown uses someone in the mood for a Washington, D.C. in search Code” with an unsettling young bothering to correct any glaring many of the same plot devices quick read… if they enjoy of a Masonic treasure. The French girl named Sophie. contrasts to his own writing. over and over again. books that read like narrated problem is Robert Langdon is Evidence of the girls have all The book itself is an editor’s He repeats characters as textbooks instead of actual quickly becoming much like but disappeared. nightmare, full of enough well, having difficulty writing novels. James Bond in ways other than Unfortunately for Dan simple grammar mistakes many more than four or five

Page 10 The Purple Sage October 21, 2009 Entertainment Concert Choir records for Wisconsin Public Television Eric Momou Baskin Hall was their stage. Entertainment Editor For most, as noted by senior Eve Cuccia, it was an enthralling On October 5, Waunakee Concert opportunity in the limelight. In the Choir boarded the bus from Waunakee case of senior aspiring director Max High School to Wisconsin Public Thompson, it was a perspective into Televison (WPT) Madison headquarters the realm of film broadcasting. Yet to record a song by composer Tim for others, such as senior soloist, Bri Janis. Bruckner, the seconds that ensued There had been an air of keenness were a glimpse into a prospective as the bus made an approximate 30 dream in song recording. -minute trip—arriving at 821 University At the commencement of the school Avenue Violist’s Hall building in year, the choir worked on a festive downtown Madison. The base of mantra of “Wild Mountain Thyme” arranged by composer Tim Janis. Petroff received a call in the spring from the staff of Janis for a riveting new patriotic accompaniment to his composition entitled “Celebrate America.” Over 8,000 students are part Left to right: Soloists Greg Hamilton, Bri Bruckner and Eve Cuccia practice parts for their of the “Celebrate America” project. upcoming WPT performance. (Photo by Kelsey Rudisill) The broadcast of “Celebrate America” the production of the PBS National performance, the director yelled is a philanthropic project targeted at Parks series, an accompanying DVD ‘cut’ and there was a breath of relief, supporting the dynamic importance is to be released accordingly in March the importance of comradeship was of music and communal gifting. A for an annual fundraiser. realized. devout believer in the Christian faith, Janis, having firsthand experience Bruckner said, “It was once in a Janis’ own reverential address is one of with prominent namesakes such lifetime… .We all felt a little bit closer… goodwill, as the composer has been an as Billy Joel, George Clooney and to experience the experience…as a advocate for cancer research programs Ray Charles, helped direct the song choir together.” and HIV aid in impoverished Africa. procession. He was characteristically Said Petroff, “I think it far exceeded In addition to Wisconsin, Janis will nonchalant and jovial. expectations…It was comfortable [as set out on a nationwide excursion, “We ran through the piece a couple we got to] see a production first hand, touring Tennessee and New Hampshire of times,” said Cuccia. “He and the work with a composer hands on, and musicians ‘pretend played’ along with [it was] satisfying.” Choir director Molly Petroff leads the choir October 1 to November 17, whilst us.” Thompson concurred, “He was For more information visit: www. in vocal warm ups. (Photo by Kelsey Rud- taping a PBS special, fittingly coined very laid back and fun.” timjanis.com isill) “Believe in Dreams.” Soon to be aired in March 2010 for After 40 minutes of heartfelt Mike Birbiglia: Comedian visits Barrymore Theatre show a few weeks prior and we went. Mike autographed anything somebody our picture taken! Check Facebook for Josh Heath Parking was one of the toughest wanted him to sign. For me, he signed proof. Production Assistant parts of that night. We had to park at a one of his CDs I had bought back at Joe and I left very satisfied. Joe said, Stand-up comedy is funny, really. bar a few blocks away from the theatre. his first show here, a poster for the “Although Mike isn’t the most cerebral Even if you have heard the jokes But Lady Luck loves me, and as soon show and a shirt I had bought at his comedian, he is more consistently beaten to death on the tele, internet as I got out of the car there appeared first show. He even put a little “#2” by funny than any comedian today.” And or the CD that you purchased of that two bucks at my feet. That effectively his second signature. The best part Birbiglia will be back around this time comedian, seeing the comedian live and doubled the cash I had in my wallet. though was one of the staff members next year, so if you have the means, I in person makes the jokes funny once After that, we trudged to the theater stating that Mike would take pictures highly recommend picking up tickets more. And this being the second time through the already chilly night, waited with his fans, and that Joe and I could and checking him out. Or, see some of Mike Birbiglia in line to check our tickets and, finally, start the line. We waited for the others his stand-up at www.birbigs.com. has been in took seats up front to the extreme left to clear out, and Joe, Birbiglia and I got W i s c o n s i n , and the opening act came onstage. he was better I had never heard of Geoff Tate before, than ever. but he was actually very amusing. His set was at Varying the style of stand-up is difficult. the Barrymore He was like most other observational T h e a t r e , comedians. But surprisingly he never buried in a had a dud. Every one of his punch lines residential area landed on target. just off of East Tate’s set lasted for about a half- Washington. It is rather small for a hour. That is actually a long time for big-time theatre and its floors are an opening act, considering the last sticky, but it is pleasant and quaint in time Birbiglia was in town he had three a way. But not to worry, it is definitely opening acts all going for about ten a poppin’ palace o’ entertainment. The minutes each. miniscule bathrooms in the basement After Tate was done, there was a ten- of the building, though, are awful. The minute intermission. And, when we all lines are worse than Six Flags’. returned to our seats, lo and behold I had a companion on this journey Birbiglia. Thunderous applause filled of mine. No, not to the bathroom, but the full auditorium. Birbiglia, being the actual show. Joe Meeker, who I the loveable individual he is, slurred told about Birbiglia (a.k.a. Bahoosky, his words and told stories all night, via a publicized mispronunciation) even playing a few of his memorable accompanied me. songs at the end. He is, in my opinion, Joe had never been to a stand-up one of the greatest stand-up comedians show before in his life. He got the today. tickets online, informed me about the Then, when the show was over, Comic by Luke Thering

October 21, 2009 The Purple Sage Page 11 Entertainment Top 5 selections of new fall television shows The tone and pacing bring to to “High School Musical,” alright and it actually always funniest 22 minutes of TV so Josh Heath mind some of TV’s greatest scheduling “chill time” with fits within the show. It never far this year. It really feels Joe Meeker comedies and there are some his daughter’s boyfriend and feels forced. like a different show—so let Production Assistant real standout performances learning how to text. “Modern Wednesdays at 8 p.m. us treat it as such. Join us Opinion Editor from McHale, Chevy Chase, Family” has already found 4. Parks and Recreation in forgetting the last season and Ken Jeong who plays a sizeable audience and the Okay, you got us—NBC’s and viewing the newest as a Every year, networks unleash Spanish teacher “Señor Chang” show gets better every week. “Parks and Recreation” is not pleasant surprise. Season one? a cadre of new shows upon a with an absolutely hilarious If “Community” is the new “30 actually new. It debuted last What season one? discerning viewing audience. streak of impotent rage. (His Rock,” then “Modern Family” May with a six episode first Thursdays at 7 p.m. Unfortunately it is often hard Spanish name is ‘El Tigre-Cino’ is the new “Office”—and we season. However, despite 5. The Jay Leno Show to separate the wheat from the because his Spanish will “bite are more than okay with that. a promising premise—Amy Yes, loyal readers, we have chaff, as it will. Thank gosh your face off.”) “Community” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Poehler as frenzied head of always been a huge fan of for your friendly Sage staff, has all the makings of a future 3. Glee Pawnee, Indiana’s Parks and Jay Leno’s signature band who are here to help guide classic. Here’s hoping it finds FOX is notorious for putting Recreation department— of comedy. When he made you towards the finest new an audience. out a bunch of stinker shows. almost no hi-jinks ensued. The the move from late-night to shows of the fall. Clean your Thursdays at 7 p.m. They have had quite the run majority of the jokes fell flat, prime-time, we were worried weeknight schedule—you 2. Modern Family of failed sitcoms. Just watch the characters were shallow NBC would neuter Jay Leno’s have got some TV to watch. Premise old as U.S. time— the first episode of season and mostly uninteresting, excellent tonight show and 1. Community dysfunctional family tries to three of “Family Guy” to get and Poehler did not feel force Leno to tone it down so When we at the Sage learned cope with themselves and quite an extensive list. Are comfortable in her role. It as to keep from alienating a that “30 Rock” would not be their neuroses—but ABC’s you wondering why we are came off as a pale imitation substantially wide audience. debuting until mid-October, comedy “Modern Family” mentioning this? Well, it is of “The Office,” and despite We were pleased that Leno has we steeled ourselves for a still manages to feel really because “Glee” is actually a a promising final episode our not changed a thing. few painful weeks bereft of fresh. “Modern Family,” shot winner. It revolves around hopes were low. As much as we love Jay, the fastest and funniest show in ‘mockumentary’ style, in the Spanish teacher Will Schuester Imagine our surprise, then, we are surprised he is as on TV. A difficult wait was vein of “The Office,” chronicles (Matthew Morrison), who that “Parks and Recreation” has popular as he is. His shtick, made much easier thanks the lives of three families—a becomes head of the Glee been absolutely “bringin’ it” which humorously lampoons to the presence of NBC’s “traditional” Mom-Dad pairing, Club, attempting to restore since its season two premiere. the human condition through “Community,” the latest a gay couple with an adopted it to its former glory. And his The show suddenly feels as if it intentionally mediocre offering from Dan Harmon and daughter, and a middle-aged primary competitor is the has found its own identity, and comedy, would seem too “The Soup’s” Joel McHale. man with a young Columbian underrated actress Jane Lynch after only a few new episodes cerebral to hold appeal. Not McHale plays Jeff, an acerbic wife. Then the hook is that as Sue Sylvester, head of the has already stepped out of that we are complaining. Leno trial lawyer who’s ordered by the three families are related. Cheerios (school cheerleading the shadow of “The Office.” It remains as subversive as ever the bar to attend community Hi-jinks ensue. squad). She often steals the lacks some of “The Office”’s and continues to produce college and get his bachelor’s. The characters are well show from anybody else who verisimilitude but has an merciless satire at the expense McHale joins a study group rounded, the situations and happens to be in the scene. equally well-established cast of American comedy attitudes. of hilarious, well-rounded jokes all feel organic and the Even for somebody who of characters and has recently Leno’s inoffensive pablum is characters, finds a love interest writing is sharp in its own way. absolutely abhors musicals, been consistently funnier. consistently hilarious, though and is just generally rude to Performances are uniformly the music sequences in the Poehler is an absolute often cripplingly sad. We can everyone around. Community excellent but Ty Burrel as a show are tolerable. Well, star, her supporting cast only hope that no one is taking launches an all-out comedy self-proclaimed “cool dad” they are even better than is hilarious, the writing is his comedy seriously. assault; the jokes come fast absolutely steals the show. tolerable; they are good! sharp and the comics are Weeknights at 9 p.m. and furious, and for every dud Attempts to reach out to his kids The choreography works, uproarious. A recent episode, there are at least 10 winners. include learning all the dances the music choices are pretty “Sister City,” has been the ‘Dormitory’: the piano man is recording again Cassie‘ Venske That being said, all tracks are not only in “Dormitory” Managing Editor distinctly his writing. sound but “Monster” features the drum in creation, REVIEW 1. “Take On the World” Dan Collins’ new album talents of senior Luke Thering, the song 2 “The Fourth of July” “Dormitory” is much like a who has played on Collins’ was composed for a friend Ben Folds album in that it is previous releases. Collins whose mother passed away. 3. “Dormitory” solid with a track for every graduated from Waunakee Collins is donating all sales 4. “Woke Up At the White House (Pallid Dive)” listener. High School in 2008. Before of “Lullaby For The Patients Compared to Collins’ his graduation, he and Thering And The Patience” to Relay 5. “Snow Town” previous works, “Dormitory” became close friends through for Life. 6. “Monster” has a much more developed the school band. The two still The album is available for 7. “On This Piece of Paper” sound. With less piano rock collaborate on music when purchase on iTunes and www. and more piano pop, he takes possible. dancollinsandapiano.bigcartel. 8. “Lullaby for the Patients and Patience” a risk in changing his sound Collins wraps up the com. 9. “Hibernate” and succeeds. No single track album with a on the album shines above c o m m e n t a r y 10. “Feelings Beyond Our Own” the rest because each is very track aptly titled 11. “Epitome of Me (Remixed)” unique. “Dormmentary.” 12. “Do Feel Fine” For those unfamiliar with On this track, he Collins’ music, these select thanks listeners 13. “Dormmentary” tracks are reminiscent of well and explains the known artists. The album album, including opens with “Take On The an elaboration Elliott Mickleburgh designed Collins’ album art. World,” which would fit quite o n t h e s o n g The majority of “Dormitory” was recorded in well on a Hellogoodbye album “Lullaby For The Collins’ dorm room; a few tracks were recorded with its synthesized sounds. P a t i e n t s A n d “Woke Up At The White House The Patience,” in Collins’ basement in Waunakee. Recorded from (Pallid Dive),” takes a turn which may be winter of 2008 to summer of 2009, he released the away from a Hellogoodbye the most unique sounds and moves toward the t r a c k o n t h e album on October 2 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. realm of Death Cab for Cutie. album. Distinct

Page 12 The Purple Sage October 21, 2009