King of parody brings polkas and fun to Ann Arbor
"Multi-platinum rock star" isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of "Weird Al" Yankovic. His long, kinky black hair, silver-frame glasses and Hawaiian shirts may fool you, but the accordion-toting King-of-Parody shined brighter than any star at his Wednesday performance at Hill Auditorium.
Soprano Valente, pianist Raim unite for 'Briefly it Enters'
The 118th season of the University Musical Society opens impressively with a solo recital by distinguished American soprano Benita Valente. The concert features the World Premiere of William Bolcom's Song Cycle "Briefly it Enters," based on the poems of Jane Kenyon.
Rising star Matt Ross cruises into the Hollywood limelight
Actor Matt Ross cruises down Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, answering interview questions with all the charming self-assurance of someone who is going places. If his portrayal of Eddie Brodsky in the recently released film "Ed's
Next Move" is any indication, Ross is headed in the right direction.
Refreshing 'Ed' serves up a sweet indie treat
"DISGRUNTLED MOVIEGOER seeks sweet, engaging romantic comedy under two hours. Experience of cast not an issue. Preferably set in Greenwich Village, N.Y."
If this sounds remotely like anything you could handle, then "Ed's Next Move" is the right movie for you. Free of pretentious and freer of residual "Generation X" stereotypes, here is a film that offers a refreshingly honest look at dating in the '90's. Despite a shoestring budget and a cast of newcomers, independent film writer / director John Walsh serves up a clever script and some impressive performances.
Author uncovers Microsoft's myths
Call it real-life "Microserfs." A year after Douglas Coupland's novel about life in the computer industry comes Fred Moody's "I Sing the Body Electronic," a nonfiction account of what really happens at Microsoft. Moody vividly describes a year's work by one product development group - and ensures that his readers will never take their CD-ROMs for granted again.
Cinematography shines in reborn 'Cuba'
"Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese present," solemnly announces the very first title of "I Am Cuba" - Mikhail Kalatozov's 1964 epic that was shelved in the Soviet Union immediately after its completion, only to be resurrected and unanimously hailed as a classic 30 years later. It took the combined clout of two of the best directors of our time to give this movie an initial push into American art house release; from there on, "I Am Cuba" will speak for itself. The film transcends the curio status of several recent revivals ("The Umbrellas of Cherbourg," "Purple Noon") and claims its place on the international cinematic landscape virtually from its first minute.
Modern dance explores evolution
Conceived in 1993 and initially performed in Arizona and New York City, University dance Prof. Evelyn Velez-Aguayo has reconstructed her full evening works, "Sol-A" and "Te Regalo Una Rosa," with student performers and guest musician and singer, Maria Rebecca Cartes.
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