Scene

Weekend Events Calendar

Thursday: "OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies" Where: DeBartolo Performing Arts Center When: 7 p.m. How Much: $3 for students "The Artist" may be the darling of Hollywood after its dominant performance at the Oscars, but before director Michel Hazanavicius and actor Jean Dujardin were Oscar winners, they collaborated to create a series of spoofs of the over-styled spy thrillers of the 60s and 70s, including this critically acclaimed 2006 comedy.

The Boss Returns with "Wrecking Ball"

Bruce Springsteen is an artist who certainly needs no introduction. Over the course of a 40-year career, he has released 17 studio albums which have sold over 120 million copies worldwide, received 21 Grammy awards and played thousands of shows both with and without his famous "heart-stopping, pants-dropping, house-rocking, earth-quaking, booty-shaking, Viagra-taking, love-makin', legendary E-Street Band," as Springsteen has come to refer to the group. "Wrecking Ball" is the first album Springsteen has put out since the death of saxophonist Clarence Clemons last June. Clemons, known as the 'Big Man', a nickname immortalized in crowd favorite "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," was Springsteen's sidekick and an integral part of not only the band's live show but their on-record performances as well. Springsteen addresses Clemons' death directly in the liner notes for "Wrecking Ball," which contain an excerpt from the eulogy Springsteen delivered at Clemons' funeral: "Clarence was big and he made me feel and think and love and dream big. How big was the Big Man? Too [expletive] big to die ... Clarence doesn’t leave the E Street Band when he dies.  He leaves when we die." "Wrecking Ball" opens with first single "We Take Care of Our Own," a song ripe for misinterpretation, much like "Born in the USA," which was used by the 1984 Ronald Reagan campaign as a patriotic anthem until Springsteen threatened a lawsuit, saying that using the song in such a manner was a complete misrepresentation of what it is about. "We Take Care of Our Own" is centered around the repeated refrain, "Wherever this flag's flown/We take care of our own." Rather than operating as an affirmation of the things that are done "wherever this flag's flown," however, the lyrics point to such recent missteps as the response to Hurricane Katrina. These lyrics do not point toward sarcasm or irony - tools rarely employed by Springsteen - but they are rather completely sincere. The narrator of the song seems to be wrestling with the idea that the country for which he has so much compassion has failed in some respects to take care of its people. As the track suggests, "Wrecking Ball" is a very political album-perhaps Springsteen's most political ever. "Death to My Hometown," a raucous number reminiscent of the cameo Springsteen did on Boston Celtic punks the Dropkick Murphys' cover of "Peg o' My Heart" last year, describes the damage the Great Recession has done to a particular community. "No cannonballs did fly/No rifles cut us down ... but just as sure as the hand of God/They brought death to my hometown," he sings. Elsewhere, "Jack of all Trades" depicts a character forced to work multiple working class jobs because of the poor economy; "Rocky Ground" takes the form of a quasi-spiritual albeit excellent song. It includes a rap verse performed by Michelle Moore that falls completely flat. Finally, "We Are Alive," the closer, takes the form of what Bruce calls an "Irish wake," while he sings about solidarity and closes the album on a hopeful note. The highlights of the album, however, are the two songs Springsteen fans have heard in different forms before this release. Title track "Wrecking Ball" is easily one of the best songs Springsteen has recorded since the E-Street Band's first breakup in 1989. First performed at the series of concerts the band did to close out Giants Stadium in their native New Jersey before it was torn down, the song is a rousing anthem, and the centerpiece of the album. A song that originally functioned as a semi-humorous ode to life in New Jersey from the stadium's point of view is transformed in this context into an impassioned plea to all people to "Hold tight on your anger/and don't fall to your fear" when "All our little victories and glories/have been turned into parking lots," because "Hard times come, hard times go" - the last line a refrain repeated for almost two minutes on the album, making this song sure to be a highlight of the band's live shows on their upcoming tour. "Land of Hope and Dreams," which originally appeared on "Live in New York City," features what will be the final two saxophone solos from Clarence Clemons. The song in this form is even more powerful, somehow, than the live version. Featuring electronic drums, a prominent mandolin riff, and one of Springsteen's best vocal performances in the past two decades, it is similar to the best Springsteen songs: a transcendent experience. This experience is pushed over the top when Clemons' wailing sax comes in just before the four-minute mark. Lyrically, "Wrecking Ball" shows Springsteen at the angriest level he has been in quite a while. However, through this anger there is always hope, and he is careful to always point this out. Musically, the album sounds noticeably different than "Working on a Dream," his last release, in part because he switched producers for the first time in 10 years - Brendan O'Brien is replaced by Rob Aniello. Aniello's fresh perspective benefits Springsteen's sound greatly. Most prominently, he makes greater use of electronic sounds, from the programmed handclaps in "We Take Care of Our Own" to the pulsating electronic drums in "Land of Hope and Dreams." "Wrecking Ball" is Springsteen at his finest. While it may not quite stand with such classic albums of his as "Born to Run" and "Born in the USA," very few albums from any artist's catalog do. Forty years into his career, Springsteen has created an album that is full of life and as relevant as anything as he has ever done and has managed to push all the emotional buttons from rage to hope and healing along the way. There's a reason that he will be remembered as one the greatest rock songwriters of all time and "Wrecking Ball" does nothing but further his claim to a piece of that title. 

Silent House: A flimsy house of cards

Houses are scary. They crack, creek and contort our imaginations to believe that something is going bump in the night. In "Silent House," something really is going bump in the night. This American re-do of a Uruguayan horror film stars the lesser-known Elizabeth Olsen as Sarah, who while helping her father clear out their old summer house is terrorized by some nefarious intruder. Olsen's responsibilities as an actress in "Silent House" are daunting to the say the least. The movie moves briskly at an 85-minute run time but it's edited to look as if it is all happening within one continuous shot. Therefore, Olsen is on screen for the entirety of the film and spends most of it hushed as a strange intruder stalks her. She is left with only facial expressions, screams and my personal favorite, screams where no noise comes out. The camera follows her closely while simultaneously being egregiously fixated on her cleavage. Olsen does a commendable job but the film hangs together by such weak threads that it doesn't do her performance proper justice. The cinematic decision of using a continuous shot throughout "Silent House" is often a useful gambit that establishes a hair-raising atmosphere of suspense. One of the older and more notable examples includes Alfred Hitchcock's Rope. "Silent House" does create this suspense initially, but fails to hold it. Over the course of the film it becomes more of a gimmick than a crescendo to a cathartic and terrifying climax. On the whole, the acting is staler than bread during the revolution and the writing didn't appear to survive the translation into English. "Silent House" even gets a little avant-garde in its later stages but causes more confusion than it does intrigue. Most importantly, however, "Silent House" isn't frightening. In fact, it's far less frightening than its trailer. There were no screams from the gallery and it appeared that after an hour the viewers' iPhones became more fascinating than what was on screen. Unfortunately, I cannot disagree with them. In "Silent House" the camera shakes incessantly and the dim lighting causes the audience to strain their eyes in an attempt to make sense of what they are seeing. However, when the image is finally revealed to us the payoff is furiously underwhelming and we feel as if we have been strung along for nothing. In a word we were cheated. 

Scene takes on the NCAA

Baking with Brenna

The Oreo celebrated its 100th birthday before spring break, and it's about time it gets a little facelift. Since I started writing this column, I have been asking my friends about easy recipes they love. Several suggested I try Oreo-stuffed cookies, which sounded intriguing and delicious. I decided to try them using Double-Stuffed Oreos, adding another layer of stuffing. This week, try making the "Triple-Stuffed Cookie": Double Stuffed Oreos inside a homemade chocolate chip cookie.

New to Your Queue

"Best Food Ever" This six-episode miniseries on TLC went across the country to find the best places withthe best food ever in six different categories ⎯ sandwiches, bakeries, food carts, diners, cheese and barbeque. Instead of falling into the cliché trap of having a celebrity chef taste all the food, the show instead opts to simply let the chefs and customers display the food in all its glory, allowing for maximum airtime for the unbelievable feats of culinary excellence. Plus, John Goodman narrates the show, and if any person in the history of food looked and sounded like they knew where to get a good meal, it's John Goodman.

Scene Selects

Cold Starbucks drinks Whether you need a boost to start your day, or just want a refreshing beverage while you're out in the sun, Starbucks' signature frozen and blended drinks are the way to go. Try the coffee giant's popular Caramel Frappuccino if you want something sweet and caffeinated. If you would rather laze on the quad, buy a signature smoothie in strawberry, orange-mango or chocolate.

Things to Do in South Bend: Spring Break

Spending Spring Break in South Bend? There's plenty in and around South Bend to keep you busy during your week off. Take advantage of some free time and (hopefully) nicer weather to explore Michiana and find some of the hidden gems just around the corner.

Laura Mulvey presents feminist film theory today at Notre Dame

Today is your chance to see a true film icon as she lectures in her area of expertise. Laura Mulvey, author of the seminal feminist essay, "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema," will visit Notre Dame to give a talk entitled, "Hitchcock's Blondes, Feminism and Psychoanalytic Film Theory."

Day Tripper

Day trips are a perfect way to get away from school during your week off. With easy access to Chicago, Michigan and of course the rest of Indiana, the possibilities for exploration are endless. Borrow a friend's car or find trains and buses to get out and see something new.

Regional artists in downtown South Bend

Most students at the University of Notre Dame have never set foot in downtown South Bend's art galleries. If they feel an urge to experience art, they might pay a visit to the Snite Museum on a non-football weekend or stroll through the Isis Gallery in O'Shaughnessy Hall between classes. Although that's certainly time well spent, students are nonetheless missing out on the vibrant arts community only a few miles south of campus.

Notre Dame's Pop Culture Presence

Notre Dame students have always bonded over pop culture, whether it's watching TV shows together in dorm rooms, belting out Lady Gaga at parties or quoting comedies over dinner at the dining hall. That's what makes it all the more exciting when we hear our very own school mentioned on a show or know that a celebrity is a fan just like us. This guide provides the most well known Notre Dame references in pop culture.

Breakfast' is good but not wholly satisfying

Chidera"Chiddy"Anamege and Noah "Xaphoon Jones" Beresin, better known as the rap duo Chiddy Bang, dropped their debut studio album, "Breakfast," February 22. The debut came after months of delays and eight months after the release of the album's first single, "Mind Your Manners."

Notre Dame gets jazzed up for 54th Collegiate Jazz Festival

The 54th Annual Collegiate Jazz Festival rocked Washington Hall Friday and Saturday, bringing together some of the best brass bands from across the country.

Now & Then

Notre Dame announces its commencement speaker at no specific time. But since the University typically makes the announcement a few months before the ceremony, we shouldn't have to wait much longer to hear who will send off the class of 2012. Though I don't know who will show up in May, based on history, I can speculate who won't be giving a speech.

Notre Dame gets jazzed up for 54th Collegiate Jazz Festival

The 54th Annual Collegiate Jazz Festival rocked Washington Hall Friday and Saturday, bringing together some of the best brass bands from across the country.

Student Stand-ups entertain and delight

For the last five years, the Notre Dame Student Stand-ups Club has been giving students a stage on which to joke about relationships, childhood, annoyances and every other aspect of their lives. While sacrilege and misogyny are not things we often find fit to laugh at, it sometimes takes a comedic perspective to paint an accurate picture of the way these issues play out in front of us.

Notre Dame Style Spotter

Things to Do in South Bend

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Luckily, Flat Top Grill is here to help you start a weekend morning off on the right foot. The Chicago-based chain offers a create-your-own omelet, pancake and French toast bar every Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m.

A Tradition of Hope, Healing and Dialogue

The topic of sexuality is still taboo on Notre Dame's campus. Since 2006, the Gender Studies Program has sponsored "Loyal Daughters and Sons," (LDS) a student written, directed and produced play based on issues surrounding sexuality and sexual assault.