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Arrested Development Movie Might Just Happen After All

By The Observer · Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009

People always want more, especially of things they can't have. They want more time, they want more money, they want more freedom and they want more "Arrested Development." Lucky for fans of "Arrested Development," more adventures with the Bluth family may well be in the cards. For those unfamiliar with "Arrested Development," it tells the story of a once-wealthy family which falls under police investigation for possibly shady business practices. In the center of everything is Michael Bluth, played by Jason Bateman, the only normal level-headed child of the Bluth family. It falls upon him to keep his family together through several years of hardship. Add a couple quirky siblings, a controlling mother and a father in jail and you have the makings of a hilarious sitcom. Yet, through treachery and accusations, Michael manages to keep his family together. After the show was cancelled in 2006, AD fans were up in arms. Though it ran for three years and garnered much critical acclaim, the show never managed to build a solid fan base, and was thus cut from the air. Since the time it was cancelled, AD's cult following has continued to exponentially, annoying original AD fans who blame its cancellation on low ratings. But the fact remains that many people are hungering for more. Now the big question on everyone's mind is: "Will there be a movie?" The answer appears to be "Yes." Rumors about a film started flying after the airing of the last episode. In the last scene, Ron Howard, who does the narration for the series, is pitched an idea for a show based on the Bluth family. He replies: "I don't see it as a series. Maybe a movie." For nearly four years fans have hung on those three words and it appears that their dreams may finally be coming true. Speculation about the film has been confirmed recently as Mitchell Hurwitz, creator and executive producer, has gone on record saying he is working on a screenplay with his co-executive producer James Vallely. It appears that until recently the biggest roadblock for progress on the film was whether all the actors were on board with a reunion. Hurwitz insisted that he would not go ahead with the project unless all the main actors were committed. Rumors flew that Will Arnett and Michael Cera may have been holding up development, but most recent words have confirmed that all cast members are interested in the project. At this point it may prove difficult to arrange everyone's schedules in order to shoot. Since the end of AD, many of the cast members have gone onto very successful careers. As of now, the movie seems to be moving forward. Early predictions have a release date of 2011, but with no cemented script or production date it is hard to know. For all the anxious AD fans out there, one thing is certain: all the cast members are on board and it appears that everyone is very interested in making this movie a reality. If nothing else, they know that it will be a lucrative venture, as there has been a constant interest expressed since the show went off the air. Oh, and rumor is that David Cross is so excited, he blue himself. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer. Contact Genna McCabe at gmccabe@nd.edu

The Observer

Give Us More Gilmore

By The Observer · Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009

I've walked the halls of Chilton spazzing about my first missed test and cruel gossipy girls, stressfully compared the pros and cons of Dean versus Jess (Logan was never the one) and waited anxiously for my college acceptance letters, calming my nerves with a cup of Luke's coffee. I've fought with Richard and Emily Gilmore amidst Friday night dinners, celebrated with all of Stars Hollow when the Dragonfly Inn opened and laughed as I coached Kirk, by far the town's quirkiest resident, through his first date.   I've even structured this article similarly to Rory's high school valedictorian speech, recounting numerous adventures led by the people of Stars Hollow, who opened up a world no one wants to leave. "Gilmore Girls," a show vibrantly poignant, realistic and lovable, created characters that not only entered your life for an hour a week (or two hours daily if you watch the ABC Family re-runs …) but also ingrained themselves into your heart and mind. Kirk was the precursor to "The Office's" Andy and Dwight.  Lorelai was the mother and best friend you always came to in times of need. Rory was the girl who, even when she fell apart, kept it all together. Luke was the soulmate you always saw yourself ending up with. The closing of the "Gilmore Girls" series was like a delicious Thanksgiving feast without the pumpkin pie. It was nice and all, but that pleasantly and slightly robust feeling of gluttonous contentment was missing. Rory (Alexis Bledel) hopped on the Obama campaign trail, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Luke (Scott Patterson) reunited and the town said their goodbyes. But as Disney so wisely taught us, a story is not finished until there's a happily-ever-after ending and too many questions were left unanswered for this story to be complete. Even Amy Sherman-Palladino, creator and executive producer of "Gilmore Girls," agrees.  She and her husband Daniel could not come to an agreement with television station The CW to continue their contracts after the show's sixth season and left the fates of our favorite town's residents in the hands of David S. Rosenthal, the show's writer and producer. "I wanted different things for Rory. I wanted her to follow a different sort of path … (go) off on her own adventure," Sherman-Palladino said in an interview with Michael Ausiello posted online Monday. "I don't want to totally say (what my ideas were), because if there is a movie in the making, I'm going to be basically delving back into where I left off, and then I'm kind of (screwed)," Sherman-Palladino said. Did you read that line carefully enough? It's still possible that a "Gilmore Girls" movie could be created. Sherman-Palladino admitted in the same article that she was still in touch with Graham and Bledel and that if there was a good enough story to tell, they would tell it. Amy, three years is enough time to think about what kind of story to tell.  Before Graham and Bledel get too old and wrinkly, please give them a plot to run with. Bledel's career is crying for some reinvigoration, especially after her latest flop "Post-Grad." Sure, Graham's entered the Broadway scene, but we all know she'll always be a Gilmore. The characters you created are too fantastic to bury in a series finale and your fans too enthusiastic to leave stranded in the land of what-ifs. "Gilmore Girls," where you lead, I will follow. Any-anywhere that you tell me to. Please lead us, your fans, to the movie theatres to see that final perfect wedding between Luke and Lorelai, the union of Rory and her future spouse (hopefully Jess) and a comforting closure for all of Stars Hollow. For Kirk's sake, give us more Gilmore. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer. Contact Adriana Pratt at apratt@nd.edu

The Observer

Mystery Abounds in 'The Prisoner' Remake

By The Observer · Monday, Nov. 16, 2009

In its original form, "The Prisoner" was one of the most ambitious, revolutionary and compelling series ever aired on television. It acquired a dedicated cult following, and its influence has trickled into "The Simpsons," "The Truman Show" and even a few Slayer songs. The show was strange, beautiful, intriguing and heavy.

The Observer

Dining Hall Dish

By The Observer · Monday, Nov. 16, 2009

Welsh Family Hall recently opened a homemade baked goods store to rival the male dorm's pizza shops. Although this innovative idea begins to tackle the problem of unappetizing dinning hall desserts, I contend that with a little creativity, anyone can create saccharine sweets in our dining halls. This week's dish presents a few ideas for some decadent desserts. Channel your inner Paula Dean and start cooking!

The Observer

A Conversation with Shwayze

By The Observer · Monday, Nov. 16, 2009

Two weeks ago, a pair of Scene writers interviewed the music duo Shwayze in promotion of their new album "Let It Beat." The half of the interview involving producer Cisco Adler appeared last week. This is the (printable) portion of the conversation that transpired between Scene writers Mike Bartlett and Declan Sullivan and rapper Aaron Smith, a.k.a. Shwayze.

The Observer

Lady Gaga Unleashes 'The Fame Monster'

By The Observer · Monday, Nov. 16, 2009

After selling more than four million copies of her first album "The Fame," Lady Gaga will release an additional eight tracks on a re-release of the extremely successful album. The newly expanded album, entitled "The Fame Monster," will be available tomorrow.

The Observer

Pirate Radio: The Movie That Rocked

By The Observer · Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009

Originally called "The Boat That Rocked" in the U.K., the name change to "Pirate Radio" is literally banking on American's ability to make a hit (or hits) out of anything having to do with the outlaws of the ocean. This second film out of Richard Curtis, writer and director of "Love, Actually" doesn't fail in bringing these paisley and leather clad square pegs seamlessly together in a total ramshackle comedy.   Opening in the year 1966 and going through an epic year in the life of a rebel fraternity of disc jockeys with enough mojo to make Austin Powers look like a total drip, "Pirate Radio" capitalizes upon every possible stereotype imaginable about the time period, including the most outlandish outfits possible, with Rhys Ifans' character DJ Gavin often looking exactly like Snoop Dogg in the remake of "Starsky and Hutch." However, its hazy and floral-filled take on life makes for a spectacular romp through time, even pulling off possibly the most epic game of chicken ever conducted, and also is the first time the words "hep cat" have been used naturally in about 40 years. With headliners like The Who, Smokey Robinson and The Kinks, the music is practically another character, and one that is so stellar, the rest of the action has a hard time keeping up.       A nearly unrecognizable Sir Kenneth Branagh's performance as essentially "The Man," or a prudish BBC government minister, is spectacularly rigid, with the bland boxy-ness of his scenes completely contrasting with the colorful and swift-changing frames on the ship. The only color in his wardrobe is fantastically aristocratic pinky ring that only someone with a crest or Italian with "connections" could possibly pull off. He also has what some might categorize as an unhealthy obsession with the Queen. His character contrasts greatly with the always sublime, always slightly tipsy seeming Bill Nighy, who has played a pirate before in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy, and has not lost his roguish touch in playing the ship's more business-minded leader, Quentin.   Academy Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman plays essentially the same character as he did in "Almost Famous," although that is definitely not a bad thing. Just picture this role as a prequel to his 1970s counterpart. The comparison also begs the question further into the movie - why must all rock and roll movies have a near death scene? It takes ‘live fast, die young' to a spectacular level.    Adorable newcomer Tom Sturridge plays young Carl, who will steal every anglophile's heart as the quintessential bashful, pale, shaggy haired British boy. In fact, the only way they can make his near total inexperience with girls plausible is by mentioning he has spent his whole life at all boys schools. As our guide through this boat, he does his job well in providing an outsiders view of the odd crew, including a particularly fascinating pirate named Thick Kevin, who is either very dumb or downright brilliant, also a quick cameo by Emma Thompson makes for a strong female presence in this otherwise fraternal escapade.   If this movie is one thing, it is rock and roll. It's fun, careless and what-the-hell spirit make "Pirate Radio" heartwarming batch of vigilantism. It's fun for sure, but don't expect anything but shallow waters when it comes to a good look at the movie's historical inspiration, Radio Caroline. However, there is no denying the comedic energy of this amazing cast.    

The Observer

The Flaming Lips Still On Fire

By The Observer · Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009

Critical respect and commercial viability make strange if not unlikely bedfellows in the music world, and nowhere is this contradistinction more apparent than in the modern rock's psychedelic stratosphere.  More often judged by album sales than album reviews, mainstream success comes infrequently to those that carve a psychedelic niche rather than appeal to the broader rock proclivities of most listeners. What distinguishes psychedelia from other alternative rock is an instrumentalist view of technology and an ability to maximize sound through creative editing and a synthesis of traditional and futuristic pop conventions. Some of the most benevolent yet rapturous aural assaults of modern rock come not from the three-piece groups with a prominent lead guitar, but from the dizzying array of strings and synths characteristic of an entrancing psychedelic dissonance.       Enter The Flaming Lips, a band as renowned for its critical acclaim as its immense commercial popularity over the past decade. Twenty-six years young, this formidable and fluxing gang of Oklahomans is currently a quartet that pivots on the direction of front man Wayne Coyne. These Dust Bowlers can attribute their status as an indie rock paragon to their longevity and the artistic breakthrough of 1999's enthrallingly complex "The Soft Bulletin."  Lauded by fans and critics alike, this multi-faceted masterpiece drew primarily from the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" for inspiration, utilizing synthesizers, drum machines and studio manipulation to depart from the band's budding punk artistry. Succeeded by 2002's "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" and 2006's "At War with the Mystics," this euphoric triumvirate formed the basis for the band's popularity, resonating with college youths and rock enthusiasts versed in classic psychedelic outreaches ranging from Pink Floyd to The Who. Thematically these three albums were built as one – they all speak with a hopeful optimism about characters who battle to achieve their destiny, overcome internal vices intrinsic to humanity, and seek to transcend a world fraught with wickedness. Now, 10 years after the release of "The Soft Bulletin," the latest Lips release demonstrates another departure from the folds of their established conventions. The 12th studio release and first double album from the band, the aptly titled "Embryonic" is drenched in a sobering shower of evil, defeat and resignation to the inevitable.  "Convinced of the Hex," the album's opener and closest semblance of a single, utilizes all of the musical effects inherent to a Lips production, but delineates the album from its sanguine, if not thematically naïve, predecessors almost immediately with lyrics like "She says I like your theory/But it won't pass no test."  Perhaps a refutation of earlier optimism, other song titles suggest a similar distinction from past glories such as "Evil," a forlorn appeal to going back in time to correct one's inequities, "Powerless," and disc two opener, "The Ego's Last Stand." The album also features guest appearances by The Yeah Yeah Yeah's Karen O, whose vocals were recorded by Wayne Coyne via phone, and MGMT, and does hit several pop highs with "I Can Be a Frog" and "Silver Trembling Hands." "Embryonic" seeps slowly out of the stereo, wrapped in a cautious self-awareness that poses the most obvious difference from the triumphant signature ballads of The Flaming Lips. The album adds a solemn gravity to the typically atmospheric levity associated with the Lips' brand of psychedelic musicianship. Yet these differences, whether they prove a definitive reorientation away from the band's buoyant disposition or an ephemeral exploration of the murkier undercurrents of human nature, still make for an enjoyable album. Currently enjoying positive critical reception, the litmus test for "Embryonic" pivots around the opinion of Lips fans, who face a new sound and potentially a new direction from one of America's preeminent psychedelic rock groups.    

The Observer

Ryan Cabrera Still With Spikey Hair, Still Loveable

By The Observer · Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009

Ryan Cabrera's trademarked the poofy, spiky hair long before Edward Cullen's liberal use of hair gel ever started to make girls swoon. That's just one of the things the 27-year-old hasn't changed about his act. His crooning love songs are still catchy as hell even five years after they first became popular in 2004. The crowd at Legends on Saturday night knew all the words to songs like "40 Kinds of Sadness" and "Exit to Exit," and a few pockets of exuberant fans started chanting for Cabrera's biggest hit, "On the Way Down," even before opening act Steve Asiala had left the stage. Though he released a third album, "The Moon Under Water," in 2008, Cabrera mostly stuck to songs off 2004's "Take It All Away" and 2005's "You Stand Watching" for his 45-minute set. But the short performance still had room for some surprises. Standing alone on the stage with just his guitar, Cabrera wasn't afraid to experiment. During one song, he slipped in snippets from Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA," Hanson's "MMMBop" and even Stevie Wonder's "Superstition." He also took on a song from Josh Kelley, who he toured with this summer. Even with Legends' low stage and open floor, some performers have surprisingly managed to put up an aloof wall, proving distant and inaccessible despite the three-foot distance from the mic to the audience. It'd be easy to presume Cabrera would do the same – this is, after all, the guy who was a TRL mainstay a few years ago. (Other musicians have not been so congenial, either. Students may remember that Good Charlotte so graciously took time out of their 2008 performance in the JACC to complain about the one audience member's "has-been" comment.) Despite his early success as a pop heartthrob, his hair and his notoriety as Ashlee Simpson's first boyfriend, Cabrera thrived in the small venue and intimate setting, and it's obvious his music still attracts people. The early arrivals to Legends were almost exclusively female, but by the time Asiala was finishing up, a good number of guys had shown up. Some even held aloft signs saying "Marry me, Ry." Cabrera laughed about the display, especially a few with more explicit requests (Legends security confiscated those ones). From the start, Cabrera kept up crowd energy. His thumping guitar led to a few rounds of beat-keeping claps from the audience, and more than once he posed with the front row for a picture to go on his Twitter. After a few songs, he took off his jacket to reveal a Notre Dame T-shirt, which elicited a cheer from the floor. He was engaging, chatty and clearly singing his heart out on songs like "Shine On" and the much-anticipated "On the Way Down," which he let go on for a few more choruses so the crowd could sing along. People coming for a "Ryan Cabrera show at Legends" got exactly what they expected and then some: an energetic performer who was genuinely glad to be playing a fun, quick show.

The Observer

Asian Allure: Tradition and Novelty Combine

By The Observer · Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009

Thanks to Asian Allure, students at Notre Dame were transported halfway around the world on Friday and Saturday nights. The Asian American Association performed its annual cultural show celebrating dances, music, and fashion of Asia. This show is their chance to spread a little bit of their culture to other students who either do not see enough of it on campus or do not know what Bhangra or Pukol are.  Asian Allure used the theme of "Asian Allure Live" to tie the show together. Between the acts, the cast acted out variations of famous "Saturday Night Live" skits, such as "the Cheerleaders" and "Night at the Roxbury." Some of these went over better than others with the audience, such as "Coconuts," a deviation from the popular "Cowbell" skit with Christopher Walken. While the skits were amusing, they were not the main focus of the show and were not necessary. Most of them only had a loose connection to the following performance. Many of the acts were energetic and fun for the audience. The show started out with one of the best performances, Modern Tinikling, a Filipino dance. Performers had to be light on their feet, as they jumped in and out of long bamboo sticks that were being hit on the ground and against each other to the beat of the music. The dance is indigenous, but in Asian Allure, today's popular music was used. The Vietnamese Lion Dance was another crowd pleaser. Two students were in a traditional, ornate, lion costume and they danced to a mix of songs with widely known steps, such as "Soulja Boy" and "Cupid Shuffle." Throughout the show, the dances that used the juxtaposition of traditional dances with modern and familiar music were the most enjoyable. These dances represented Asia's rich history and tradition, which Asian students at Notre Dame chose to balance with their position as youth in a modern world. Some dances were strictly traditional, such as the Con Rong Chau Tien Vietnamese dance using fans and flags. Conversely, the KPOP act was performed by the Korean Student Association in stylish and provocative outfits. They danced to Korean pop music, instead of a historical dance. It was interesting to see a thoroughly modern representation of Korean culture.  The Japan Club and the Chinese Cultural Society performed intense acts: Soran Bushi and Students of Shao-Lin, respectively. Students of Shao-Lin used fans and martial arts in a way that was comedic and playful, yet impressive.  The Belly Dancing performance by the Arabic Cultural Club was traditional. However, it will always have a timeless appeal, so it translated well to today's audience. The Bollywood dance also added fun to the night, capitalizing on the popularity of "Slumdog Millionaire" by using the song "Jai Ho."   Apart from the dances, there were several vocal performances. senior Simon Chun gave a notable performance of "Hallelujah," and senior Jeanna Yoon sang a sweet and laidback version of "Fallin' For You" with graduate studentJoe Hagmann on guitar. Senior Greg Abbracciamento had some difficulties when his mike did not work during his first performance, but his impressive piano skills were still on display. Thanks to the seemingly endless cheers from his fan club in the audience, he was able to come back out to perform "When You Were Young" by the Killers at the end of the show.  Asian Allure does not feature flawlessly performed, professional dances, but this is part of its appeal. It is important to see how our friends and classmates present their cultures, which is such a large part of who they are and where they come from. Overall, Asian Allure was a fun and culturally rich night.  

The Observer

The Sugar Wife

By The Observer · Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

"Tea and coffee, such bitter little drinks …" This is one memorable line taken from Elizabeth Kuti's "The Sugar Wife," which is currently playing at DeBartolo Performing Arts Center's Decio Mainstage Theatre.  

The Observer

The Way We Get By

By The Observer · Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

Courtney Eckerle: How did this idea for a documentary start? Gita Pullapilly: I met [director] Aron Gaudet while I was working in news, and this was before I knew that anyone could just pick up a piece of equipment. We thought a documentary was our best option, coming from a news background. He took me home in December of 2004 to meet his mom, and we were looking and looking for stories and couldn't find anything. Aron's mother was going out to greet troops at three in the morning, and we went with her. It was the first time I met WWII veteran Bill Knight. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that day, and he was still at the airport greeting troops. Aron and I looked at each other and said, "Yes, this is going to be a good story." We realized the challenges, but five years later ... here we are." CE: Why are these three characters so compelling? GP: They were so open and honest, right from the very start. If they were happy, sad, if something was happening, you would go on this journey with them. We wanted that tone. If something was happening in their lives we wanted to go on that journey with them. When you watch the film, you are discovering things as we are. CE: What significance does the title have? GP: When we were making this film the title was the most important to us, because we knew it would either appeal to people or it wouldn't. It's about everyday life. "The Way We Get By" is really about ... the way we all get by. The way we overcome difficult obstacles in our life. We see it as a very universal film. People who watch it have a very deep, personal connection with all three of our subjects. So they come out of theater inspired to do something for their community. CE: You majored in finance at Notre Dame — how did you find your way into filmmaking? GP: I graduated with a finance degree, and my first job was financial analyst for General Mills. I quickly realized I did not want to work in the corporate world. I was looking for other opportunities, and I had done some work for The Observer and The South Bend Tribune in school. I went to grad school at Northwestern and did journalism there. I loved the storytelling aspect, and I loved the avenues video had. It's compelling to see how the visuals could tell a story, and that's how I got into television news — my first job was in Green Bay with a CBS station. I love being able to tell stories, but when you're in a newsroom your stories are really short so you really can't get to the heart of the story. CE: How important is the idea of growing older in this film? GP: One thing we realized about this film is senior citizens are pushed aside in our society. They have so many skills and talents, and they're just forgotten. We think that because they are past a certain age they have lost their purpose, but in fact they have more purpose than most of us. There are people who have had amazing careers and are still waiting to share their stories and wisdom. CE: What are some of the ideas you hope people come away with after seeing the film? GP: I think the film affects people in a lot of different ways because there are layers — supporting the troops and seeing that seniors have a purpose in their lives. Anyone can do anything in a short amount of time and have a huge impact. The story takes place in Bangor, Maine. It is seeing how in this small community, people aren't worrying about the politics and are seeing that these humans beings are sent off with respect and come home with respect. CE: What shape does the "hero" take in this film? GP: A lot of it is showing that ordinary people can do such ordinary things and have a huge impact on people. Our tag line is: "Sometimes all it takes is a handshake to change a life." And we really believe that. You don't have to be a superhero to do that. You can be an ordinary 87-year-old WWII veteran and know that you're doing something to change someone's life every day, and dedicated to something. Bill [cast member William Knight] struggles with finding purpose in his life. He finds this purpose and realizes that he is helping them do something, and making a difference. For Bill, this film has come full circle for him and he realizes that he does have meaning in his life, he does have a purpose. In all the theaters we've been to where he comes, he gets a standing ovation. CE: What makes this film so special? GP: At the heart of it, it's all about that human connection. We all know what it's like when we're coming home and someone's waiting there, and we all know what it's like when you come back and no one is waiting there. Multiply that with a life and death situation, like heading off to war, or coming back after being in a war zone for the first time or even the sixth time.  

The Observer

Lessons Abound in "What I Know Now" and "If I'd Known Then"

By The Observer · Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

If you could write a letter to your younger self, what age would you pick, and what would you say? It was by asking this question that Ellyn Spragins published her two New York Times bestsellers, books composed of a collection of highly inspirational and touching letters written by today's most successful, respected women, advising and motivating their younger selves to get through whatever difficulty or challenges they would face.  

The Observer

Inspired By "The Way We Get By"

By The Observer · Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

     "The Way We Get By" is a documentary directed by Aron Gaudet, a Notre Dame alumnus. The film gives a close-up view of the lives of three senior citizens who have dedicated their time to showing appreciation and support for the American armed forces. These three volunteers, along with many others, are on call around the clock to show up at the airport in Bangor, Maine to greet troops returning from service in Iraq or Afghanistan. Fittingly, the film debuted on Veterans Day on the PBS series "Point of View."

The Observer

Playlist of the Week: California Dreaming

By The Observer · Monday, Nov. 9, 2009

The amazing weather this weekend put me in a Californiastate of mind. Yet I know that soon enough our lives at Notre Dame will moreclosely resemble "California dreamin' on such a winters day". Hopefully thisplaylist will help you fight the winter doldrums and imagine yourself in warmand beautiful California. The amazing weather this weekend put me in a California state of mind. Yet I know that soon enough our lives at Notre Dame will more closely resemble "California dreamin' on such a winters day". Hopefully this playlist will help you fight the winter doldrums and imagine yourself in warm and beautiful California. 1.     California Dreamin' — The Mama's and the Papa's2.     Ocean Avenue — Yellowcard3.     California Girls — The Beach Boys4.     West Coast Friendship — Owl City5.     Californication — Red Hot Chili Peppers6.     Hotel California — The Eagles7.     Meet Me In California — Plain White T's8.     Lights — Journey9.     It Never Rains in Southern California — Albert Hammond & M. Hazelwood10.  Surfin' USA — The Beach Boys11.  California — Phantom Planet

The Observer

Illmatic: A Member of the Pantheon of Greats

By The Observer · Monday, Nov. 9, 2009

It's not a strange coincidence that the penultimate works of any modern artistic form come long before the form itself reaches its peak. The newest form will, without fail, attract the geniuses needed to push the form to its limits, leaving the future carriers of the form to merely fill in the blanks. As a general rule, this works: there will never be a better video game than "Zelda: Ocarina of Time," nor a better movie than "Citizen Kane."

The Observer

This Week On Campus

By The Observer · Monday, Nov. 9, 2009

Tuesday: The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day at Browning Cinema, DPAC, 9:30 p.m.The sequel to one of students' favorite cult movies, "The Boondock Saints," is being shown at a special free screening. Much like the first film, the sequel continues to follow Irish-Catholic brothers as they take revenge and bring justice in Boston after they are framed for a murder. The director, Troy Duffy, and several actors, such as Sean Patrick Flanery, will be present at the screening. Fans should take advantage of an informal discussion with the actors and director about the films in 105 Jordan Hall of Science at 7 p.m. Free tickets will be given out at the DPAC box office starting at noon Tuesday. Wednesday: The Sugar Wife at DPAC, 7:30 p.m. The Department of Film, Television and Theater presents Elizabeth Kuti's play about a couple living in a Quaker community in the 19th century. The couple faces moral dilemmas revolving around slavery, poverty and faith. The play is sure to make its audience think about how they would feel if they were in the same situations. Go to see your classmates assume the roles of these complicated characters, and stay to watch the compelling story unfold. Tickets are $10, and "The Sugar Wife" runs from Tuesday to Sunday. Wednesday: The Way We Get By, 9 p.m. Notre Dame alumnus Gita Pullapilly's new documentary film about three senior citizens who greet American troops as they depart for and return from Iraq airs on PBS as the Point of View special. Pullapilly interviews the subjects about their experiences with the soldiers, but the film also explores issues of aging, loneliness and mortality. Support a Notre Dame alumnus by tuning into the special, but this film also will open your eyes to two pushed-aside groups: the elderly and soldiers. Hopefully, viewers will be inspired to show more compassion towards strangers. Thursday: Baraka Bouts at JACC Fieldhouse, 6 p.m. The Notre Dame Women's Boxing Club is ending its 10th season with its annual Baraka Bouts, a charity fight night that allows the nearly 60 female boxers a chance to show off their hard work from training. You will be able to cheer on your friends and classmates as they pummel each other, while at the same time contributing to Baraka Bouts' charity, the Holy Cross Missions. Tickets are $5 at the door. Thursday: Funny People at Debartolo 101, 10 p.m. This week's Student Union Board movie is Judd Apatow's latest film, "Funny People." Starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogan, this film mixes Apatow's signature humor with a dramatic tone, pleasing all types of audiences. Sandler's character is diagnosed with a terminal health condition and decides to become a mentor to Rogan's struggling comedian. There will be plenty of laughs, but also many touching moments as the characters struggle with their life decisions. Tickets are $3, and the film runs Thursday through Saturday. Friday: Asian Allure at Washington Hall, 7:30 p.m.Sometimes Notre Dame gets the reputation of not being diverse enough, but this is not really the case, especially when students take advantage of cultural events like Asian Allure. The Asian American Association is putting on a show with singing as well as many traditional and modern dances. It is a great opportunity to learn about different cultures in an exciting way. Everyone is sure to be entertained with the many musical numbers. Tickets are $7 at Lafortune Box Office or $10 at the door. The show will also run Saturday night. Friday: Ryan Cabrera at Legends, 10 p.m. If you are in the mood for a concert, pop singer Ryan Cabrera is coming to campus. Cabrera is known for his hits "On the Way Down" and "Shine On," as well as his status as ex-boyfriend of Ashlee Simpson, who he appeared with often on her short-lived MTV reality show. The smaller venue of Legends will combine perfectly with Cabrera's music to give an intimate and personal feel to the performance. If you were a fan of the Howie Day show last year, you will not want to miss Ryan Cabrera. Saturday: Idan Raichel Project at Leighton Concert Hall, DPAC, 7:30 p.m. Israeli music is not instantly recognizable to Americans. Idan Raichel is trying to change this with his band, the Idan Raichel Project. Their music has Hebraic and African rhyme and rhythms that speak to the origins of humans and culture. This concert will allow students to experience a momentary escape from South Bend to halfway around the world. Maybe Israeli music will be your new favorite, and you can be the cool, trendy friend in your group who listens to Israeli music instead of Lady Gaga. Tickets are $15. Snite Museum Exhibits, Now-Dec. 20 For art lovers, take advantage of the on-campus Snite Museum, which is featuring three new exhibits: Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Ofrenda Installation Con Ganas (With Heart), Darkness and Light: Death and Beauty in Photography, and Bill Kremer: Sculptural Vessels. The Dia de los Muertos exhibit showcases art by Maria Elena Castro that honors her father and other deceased relatives in celebration of the Mexican holiday. Continuing with the theme of death, the Darkness and Light exhibit is a wide range of photographs that have underlying themes of death and beauty. Come support Notre Dame Professor Bill Kremer, who has had a large influence on ceramics at Notre Dame. These exhibits, as well as the permanent ones, are sure to be thought-provoking.

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