By Jill Craig staff reviewer Short stories. Quite possibly the best thing for frazzled college students since Kraft Easy Mac. They offer escape and demand little brain power. I forgot the temporary charm and fast satisfaction of short stories until I picked up Alice Adams' "The Last Lovely City." Adams, an award-winning author, has been called a "master of the genre." She doesn't dress her descriptions up with flowery, wasteful adjectives, yet "The Last Lovely City" still manages to fit into the "chick book" category. Yes, just as there are "chick flicks," there are "chick books" as well. If you liked "Beaches," then this might just be the short-story collection for you.
First is the story of a man named Carter and his relationships with his wife and his wife's best friend in "His Women." Woven through this 15-page tale is a common theme of clinging to things that are familiar. On a shorter, yet touching, note is a story called "A Very Nice Dog," in which a woman plans to get to know a man through his dog. "The Islands" is my favorite selection. It's not really about islands at all, but this story is about a woman dealing with the loss of her cat. Ironically, she mourns the passing of Pink, a gray Manx, more than the death of her husband Andrew. She acknowledges her feelings and attributes them to her belief that she and Pink seemed to be one and the same. Somehow, she manages to avoid the neurotic qualities of people who tend to treat their pets like their children, and she is instead honest and sensitive. Anyone who has ever lost a pet will identify with the passage in which she describes memories of her deceased pet when on a vacation in Hawaii. The second half of "The Last Lovely City" reads a little like a novel as it explores the story of two couples and their interwoven marriages, affairs, careers, betrayal and passion. Told via four separate stories - "The Drinking Club," "Patients," "The Wrong Mexico" and "Earthquake Damage" - the story comes together to give scope and dimension to the characters. Although this is the story of some middle-aged professionals, the message is universal and applicable to all ages. If you are seeking a short, easy read, check out "The Last Lovely City." If you are in the mood for something a little less touchy-feely, but still enjoy a hassle-free, one-sitting style read, do not overlook the quick, yet fulfilling, short story. Just like people, there is sure to be one out there for you. And I promise you the library is a lot less scary than the dating pool.
By Guy Bickers staff reviewer Japan. Land of 110-foot monsters. Home of countless killer robots. Creator of the most bizarre - and addictive - animation the world has ever seen. The thrust of my final thoughts for the year lean toward the latter end of the list: cartoons. Mention cartoons and most Americans get images of tunneling rabbits and ACME rocket sleds in their minds. Others think of scantily clad fish-women singing underwater. Some even imagine giant robots battling vampires in the recesses of the Neo-Tokyo sewer system to save an enclave of women from the evil tentacle machines. Guess which one I am. Japan turns out some of the most incredible animation in the world, both the stories and the art. Correction: That should be the most incredible, period. Now, when I say "Japanese animation" most of you conjure up visions of Speed Racer, Astro Boy or Pokémon. (A few probably think fondly of Dragonball Z, but that's the same few who really need to quit drinking.) While these series represent the style of Japanese animation (anime), they don't hold a candle to the diversity of the genre as a whole. Raise your hand if you've seen Princess Mononoke. Cool, three hands. Disney's PG-13 import is the most incredible animation ever committed to celluloid. Disney ain't got nothin' on this. It has everything the recent Disney films don't: a plot, a distinct setting, clothed women and decapitations. And there ain't no singin' horsies in this one! Studio Ghibli, the creators, agreed to let Disney show it in U.S. theaters on one condition: No editing, hence the PG-13 tag. Anime is not made for kids. Sure, some of it is like Pokémon, but the vast majority is made with grown-ups in mind. Look at Speed Racer. The original Japanese series had people dying in every explosion and a healthy dose of sexual innuendo. Not here. It was sterilized and sold to 5-year-olds. Funny stuff. On the completely opposite end of the spectrum is the stuff like Cool Devices or Angel of Darkness. Shows like these, called hentai, are absolutely, positively NOT FOR KIDS! Japan loves violence in its anime almost as much as sex, which is where the hentai comes in - overly graphic sex. The stories also run the gamut. One of the most popular genres is high-school drama, with a very funny twist. Usually one of the characters has some sort of superpower or a serious problem - such as vomiting whenever he sees a girl in any state of undress. A series will chronicle an adventure or two and often doesn't have a neat, tidy wrap-up. The other major genre is sci-fi. However, it ain't as cut-and-dried as you might think. Again there has to be some sort of twist. Some series, such as Gundam Wing, are deadly serious. Others, such as Cowboy Bebop or Outlaw Star, are really sitcoms wrapped up in a sci-fi world. One thing common to almost all anime is the love triangle. It seems Japan has some obsession with guys being forced to choose between two hot girls. (I'm in the wrong country.) This is often merely a side gag thrown in for laughs, but some series make it the crux of the series. Anime is possibly the most diverse genre of film in the world. As anime catches on in the United States, Disney will find itself playing catch-up. If you're jonesing for good sci-fi, go rent Ghost in the Shell. Even the Matrix can't keep up, it's that good. And there's a lot more where that came from. And now for my parting thought: 42.
By Kristen Naquin campus editor If you hadn't heard of Vertical Horizon before, you may have become familiar with the band since the June release of its RCA Records debut album, "Everything You Want." The 70,000 of us "grassroots fans" who purchased one or more of the band's three self-released, or independent, albums recorded since its formation in 1991 will notice the same self-awareness but a new music-business knowledge, which comes in handy with a major-label debut. For the rest of the world, however, "Everything You Want" and VH, in general, are well-kept secrets worth discovering - and sharing. VH began as an acoustic duo comprising lead vocalist/guitarist/chief songwriter Matt Scannell and vocalist/guitarist Keith Kane, both Georgetown University undergraduate students at the time.
Scannell himself said that returning to his "roots as a rock-based music writer" will help the band increase its fan base and national and international prominence, especially since "Top 40" radio stations are reluctant to give air time to folksy, acoustic musicians. "We hope to gain new fans now with a little harder sound," he told a Billboard magazine reporter in May. And based on the album's opening track, "We Are," it appears the band will succeed. The vocals, especially the harmony between Scannell and Kane, are energetic, and the title is chanted in a way that drills the song in your head for a long time, begging you to listen again and again and again. The guitars are well-arranged throughout the entire album. The simple, choppy guitar part in the chorus of "You're A God" animates the entire track and makes you glad you listened that far. Although "Shackled" is heavily guitar-driven, with two - instead of just one - solos, the playing proves that VH is better than a lot of the bands it will inevitably be compared to. But the honesty and sincerity that characterize much of VH's work is not lost in the transition from acoustic to electric. In fact, many of us can probably say that the track, "Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)," which chronicles a failed relationship, describes a similar experience in our own lives. VH offers something for everyone, mainly because its songs tap into the feelings we all feel, without getting too specific. That is, the lyrics always leave the doors open for interpretation. The band's latest album, "Everything You Want," is no exception. It truly is an album that can be enjoyed from start to finish.
By Lisa Perdue staff reviewer I had been hearing the rumors for a while. Despite what I'd heard, I was still skeptical that Me & My Monkey, a local band, will really sound anything like the Beatles. Everyone knows the Beatles are a magical part of history - a part that's gone forever except in the memory of those who lived it. As I took my seat at the bar, I just hoped that I wouldn't be too disappointed. Five minutes after Me & My Monkey hit the stage, I caught my breath and realized that I'd just found a way to turn back the hands of time. For anyone who's ever loved rock and roll, Me & My Monkey promises sheer excitement. Kyle Creel, George Jara, Rodney Bollinger and Michael Daniel make up this ultimate Beatles tribute band that's understandably taking the Dallas/Fort Worth area by storm. Everything about them is Beatles - the sound, the look, the excitement. From the vintage Vox amplifiers, guitars and gray Ludwig drums to the classic black suits, this band specializes in authenticity.
One of the highest points in the performance is the cuts from "Magical Mystery Tour." To the amazement of die-hard Beatles fans, Me & My Monkey actually performs "I Am the Walrus," an extremely difficult piece that few bands have attempted to cover. Lead guitarist George Jara recalls that "When we first decided to try it, everyone agreed to just go home and work on how they thought their part was supposed to sound." They put it all together, and the results are indeed magical. The personality of this band is a treat in itself. With their British accents come plenty of humor and clowning around between songs. Even someone who never enjoyed the Beatles would have fun with these guys. As they play "Drive My Car," "Twist and Shout," "Ticket To Ride" and "Rocky Raccoon," it's apparent that they're having just as much fun as the audience. Me & My Monkey puts on a show that is pure entertainment in every sense of the word. From the awesome guitar riffs and drum solos to the magnificent vocals, its genuine adoration for the Beatles is obvious in every move it makes. Hanging just behind the band on stage are five posters of its famous heroes. No doubt they would be proud. You can discover Me & My Monkey for yourself every Thursday night at Papa G's Sports Bar and Grill on Rufe Snow, or visit the band's Web site at (Meandmymonkey.com).
For a sweet treat, try making homemade candy such as fudge or nut brittle. For fudge, use the recipe on the back of the marshmallow creme jar. For brittle, try this:
Hazelnut Brittle (any nut can be used):
Ingredients: 4 cups sugar 1 cup water 1/4 teaspoons apple-cider vinegar 5 1/2 cups hazelnuts, or mixed nuts vegetable oil for pan and knife
Directions: 1.) Oil an 11-inch by 17-inch baking pan. 2.) Stir sugar, vinegar and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. 3.) Cook without stirring until mixture is dark amber, 18 to 25 minutes. Stir in nuts. 4.) Pour into pan. Let set until firm but still soft enough to cut. 5.) Unmold onto a cutting board. Working quickly, use an oiled chef's knife to cut into six rectangles. Store in an airtight container up to one week. From: Christmas with Martha Stewart Living For a gift for your more whimsical friends and family members, try making your own organza sachets. These are great for tucking into your linen closet or anywhere else you want to keep safe from moths.
Materials for one sachet: two 4 1/2 inch squares of organza mixture of two parts lavender, wormwood, cedar or patchouli with one part rosemary, tansy, cinnamon or cloves
Directions: 1.) Place squares on top of each other, and pin together. Sew three sides with a zigzag stitch, leaving a 1-inch seam allowance. 2.) Funnel the herb mixture into the pouch and sew remaining side. Trim the edges with scalloped scissors.
Tips: 1.) If you don't want to sew, try hot-gluing the pouches shut. From: Christmas with Martha Stewart Living
By Kristen Naquin campus editor After a semester of being grown-up, responsible college students, "I think it's time to return to the innocence of childhood." And Disney's and Pixar's "Toy Story 2" provides the perfect outlet, although there's definitely an important message for all of us in it.
In captivity, Woody (Tom Hanks) finds that he is a valuable collectible from a 1950s TV show. Woody meets his co-stars from "Woody's Roundup," Jessie the cowgirl (Joan Cusack), Bullseye the horse and Stinky Pete the Prospector (Kelsey Grammer). The movie is full of scenes with light-hearted humor and clever one-liners. For example, in their attempt to rescue Woody, Buzz and the gang must cross a busy, four-lane highway, using individual traffic cones to shield themselves from traffic. Oblivious to what is going on outside the cones, the toys cause a massive, hundred-car pile-up. Cynical Hamm - (John Ratzenberger) actually a piggy bank - provides the classic one-liners in a manner reminiscent of "Friends'" Chandler. While quickly flicking through TV channels, Hamm passes the one for which he is looking. When his friends point out that he passed it and implore him to go back, his witty response is, "We're already in the 40s, have to go around the horn again. It's faster." But just like Hamm's double-meaning name, the entire movie is a statement of something much deeper.
But, more importantly, the movie - like most things in life - is a statement of love and loss. During one scene, which is vocally accompanied by Sarah McLachlan, Jessie laments the loss of her former owner, Emily, who eventually replaced dolls and stuffed animals with nail polish and music posters. Woody must choose whether he will spend the rest of his life in a collector's museum in Japan or return to Andy, his best friend. Although Jessie reminds him that Andy will eventually grow up and neglect him, Woody must decide if the time he currently has with Andy is worth the pain of loss and rejection. It's as if a toy with a ripped arm is reminding us that it's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. And no matter how old - or young - we are, we all need to hear that message often. "Toy Story 2" is not just a kids' movie. In fact, it may be more of an adults' movie after all. |
Adams' stories always have a few things in common
- San Francisco, for example - but the 13 tales that make up the collection
each retain their own identity and tone.
The band's first album, "There and Back
Again," was released in 1992 and was followed by "Running on
Ice," which featured additional instrumental accompaniment, in 1995.
Drummer Ed Toth and bassist Sean Hurley joined in 1996, and a live set,
"Live Stages," was released in 1997.
Their sound is so real, so full of energy, that
it's easy to forget what decade you're in. They ease through "Day
Tripper," "Help," "She Loves You," "Oh Darling"
and "Came In Through the Bathroom Window" as everyone sings along.
The sequel to the 1995 blockbuster "Toy
Story," this movie begins with Andy's (John Morris') departure for
Cowboy Camp. With Andy gone, the toys are left to fend for themselves until
Al McWhiggin (Wayne Knight) - an obsessive toy collector and owner of Al's
Toy Barn - kidnaps Woody.
There are witty allusions to "Star
Wars" in Buzz's arch enemy Emperor Zurg (Andrew Stanton), who, at
one point, says "I am your father" in a deep voice strikingly
similar to Darth Vader's.