The original "Batman" was an unmemorable and mediocre film. The long and boring "Batman Returns" put more people to sleep than warm milk. "Batman Forever," with its excessive action and stale dialogue, made viewers question whether director Joel Schumacher even graduated from junior high. Consequently, the new installment, "Batman and Robin," would be expected to be mind-numbingly terrible. With its formulaic plot, childish script and superfluous scenes, the movie fulfills these low expectations and further desecrates a cultural icon.
"Batman" sequel bombs
Last Friday saw the classic proto-grunge group the Melvins invade Detroit. With Soundgarden's recent breakup, the Melvins are the last band from the seminal Seattle compilation "Deep Six" to survive. And they still pound away like the Northwest sledgehammer they've always been.
Melvins bring Seattle rock sound to Shelter
The next generation has not lost its father's style. The choreography of Paul Taylor is alive and well in the six dancers who make up Taylor 2, a smaller version of the Paul Taylor Dance Company. The dancers, all of whom hold college degrees and a wealth of performance experience, shared three varied works from the Taylor repertory Friday night at Power Center.
Ann Arbor Summer Festival: Power Center hosts array of music, dance performances.
The local-band sound the BoDeans bear creates a comforting melody that soothes ravaged nerves. The experienced tone that stems from the group's classic ballads epitomizes great music. Even more than this, the BoDeans' unending battle to produce chart-topping hits has created many excellent albums that brand the music industry with the BoDeans' name.
When a Broadway performer comes to town, it is considered a happening. Not too often do the stars of the stage come to Ann Arbor for special performances. Last Wednesday the Ann Arbor Summer Festival hosted Betty Buckley for a special performance of her concert tour.
Nicolas Cage just might be the coolest movie star working today. That is, until John Travolta struts onto the screen. This one-upmanship of coolness seems to be the underlying master plan of John Woo's "Face/Off," in which Travolta and Cage take turns exhibiting the macho swagger, over-the-top acting and endearing eccentricities that audiences have come to embrace -- but with a twist.'Face' sizzles onscreen
Music festivals are risky propositions. They seem like a great idea at first. You pay the same price as a regular ticket and you get to see several different bands and you feel like the smart concert shopper.Frog Island Festival offers jazz, zydeco, fun in the sun
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