Quality decays in King's 'Thinner'
When Paramount Pictures decided to put out a movie called "Thinner," they must not have been sure if the title described the state of the main character, the screenplay or the acting. Apparently, it describes all of the above, as there isn't much meat on anything in the film.
As the latest adaptation of a Stephen King novel, "Thinner" weaves the story of 300-pound Billy Halleck (Robert John Burke), a lawyer whose voracious appetite prevents him from losing weight. At his wife's urging, he tries every diet known to man, but can't seem to shed the pounds. When in a freak accident he runs over an old Gypsy woman and conspires to get off without even a slap on the wrist, the woman's father curses him to lose weight uncontrollably.
Quink harmonizes in thrilling A concert
It's no wonder that the Dutch group Quink has a world-renowned reputation for excellence in a capella music. From the moment tenor Harry van Berne and bass Kees-Jan de Koning opened the first notes of an "Alleluia" chant setting, it was obvious that Quink was not just your average quintet.
Alternating between two and five members performing at one time, Quink's colorful interpretations of Renaissance sacred music of the Low Countries were more than impressive. The group's rich voices surrounded the audience, wrapping them in a warm wash of sound enhanced by the acoustics of St. Francis' sanctuary. As Quink added alto Corrie Ponk for "Lectio Prima," the texture - but not the quality - changed, and when all five members finally sang together during "O vos omnes," the result was pure musical perfection.
'High School High' hits all-time low for Lovitz
"High School High," how do I abhor thee? Let me count the ways:
1. On the surface, "High School High" parodies teacher-as-role-model films like "Dangerous Minds" and "Stand and Deliver." After launching a barrage of weak one-liners, the film suddenly kicks into a blatantly patronizing gear. Predictably, it copies the "stay in school" message taught by the very films it supposedly trashes. Jon Lovitz plays Richard Clark, a nerdy history teacher who tries to turn his Marion Barry High School class of delinquents into grade-A students (about five actually graduate).
Rush leaves permanent waves
"Attention all planets of the Solar Federation: We have assumed control. We have assumed control."
If there were any nonbelievers in the strength of Rush before the band stepped onto the Palace stage on Friday, they were definitely converted by the end of the evening. But if you're still unable to imagine how a band that's been true to its own sound for nearly a quarter of a century can be anywhere near good, let this be a warning to you: They'll only get better. And that's a scary prospect for the rest of the music world to consider.
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