'Daylight' stays in the dark
We've seen three true "Die Hard" films. We've sat through even more "Die Hard" impostors. We've paid for die-hard-on-a-battleship. We've witnessed numerous examples of die-hard-on-an-airplane. We've been forced to watch die-hard-in-an-amusement park. Is there any steam left in the "Die Hard" machine? What could possibly be next?
To answer that question is the ever-original Sylvester Stallone - whose die-hard-in-an underwater-tunnel film, "Daylight," breaks into theaters everywhere this week.
'Messiah' charms Hill audience
The grandeur and glory of Handel's "Messiah" exploded into Hill Auditorium this past weekend as the University Musical Society Choral Union continued its 118-year tradition - once again astonishing the audience with the sheer intensity with which they performed it.
The four soloists were huge assets to the musical quality of the work. Soprano soloist Janet Williams sang with the beautiful operatic sound that has landed her roles with the New York Metropolitan Opera. Her voice was the only one that managed to completely fill the auditorium - its strength and beauty was showcased best in the soprano solo of "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth."
'Holmes' cast makes scant plot enjoyable
It is said that people who do something wrong eventually get what is coming to them. In University Productions' enactment of "Sherlock Holmes," this idea was put to the test. Through careful reasoning, Holmes captured his man, solved a crime, and returned important property to its rightful owner.
The theme of the play is blackmail. Holmes has been hired to find some letters which could destroy the entire empire, should they be found by the wrong party. These letters have been placed in the safekeeping of Miss Alice Faulkner, who in turn has been taken prisoner by the evil Larrabees. Professor Moriarty, and then Dr. Watson, become wrapped up in the plot, and the show ends in a rather surprising manner.
Talented Anthony Hopkins survives inconsistent 'Picasso'
The latest from the famed Merchant / Ivory production team, "Surviving Picasso" deals with the tumultuous 10-year relationship between the renowned artist and Francoise Gilot, the only woman to break the emotional stronghold that the legendary figure had on the opposite sex.
The film begins just after the German occupation of France during World War II, when an aging Picasso (Anthony Hopkins) meets Francoise (Natascha McElhone), a university student who paints in her spare time. After inviting her to his studio to see his work, it isn't long before Francoise moves in with Picasso, whose popularity and ego are at an all-time high due to his crafty resistance to the Nazi regime. Slowly, she is exposed to the artist's unique world, full of women who, although forsaken by Pablo, remain disturbingly devoted.
'Burn This' sets hearts ablaze
Sheer awe is what most of the audience must have felt after they walked away from taking in director Allison Tkac's ingenious presentation of Landford Wilson's "Burn This." The play was a comedic drama whose main themes covered the process of grieving personal losses as well as the hardships of living as a creative artist. The strongest aspect of the show came from the powerful and moving performances given by the strong actors, all of whom are School of Music theater students.
The beginning of the play ascends to the lofty New York City apartment where Anna (Kelly King Simpson), a choreographer of modern dance, is dealing with the loss of her former friend and roommate, Robby (whose life as a homosexual dancer went unnoticed by his own family).
Author Anshaw explores tale between the lines
If you are looking for a novel that takes you on a literary rollercoaster ride - with a steady building of plot culminating in a rich and penetrating climax - then this is not your book. Anshaw's "Seven Moves" is not a story that is painted out in bold black letters - it is the tale that lies between the lines, the allegory that remains untold in literal terms that makes her work so captivating. Anshaw's stylistic way of making even the most guarded reader fall in love with her often poignant writing is the key to appreciating her work.
Devoted artists contribute to uplifting Hanukkah disc, 'Festival of Light'
So, it's day four of Hanukkah and you haven't lit candles yet? Well, grab yourself some latkes, spin a dreidel and get yourself in a Jewish mood by popping "Festival of Light" into your CD player. The diverse musical stylings by artists ranging from The Klezmatics to Marc Cohn are sure to light up some religious fervor and may even help you study for finals.
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