Idol Mania

By Gabriella Cifu, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

We’re done with the auditions, the dreaded Hollywood week (for both contestants and viewers), and top 36 eliminations. The Top 13 have been chosen, and the ever anticipated countdown begins for who will be the next American Idol.

There have been several changes to the show this year (both good and bad). To begin with the traditional Top 12 was expanded this year to include Anoop Desai, one of the most popular contestants among fans, despite his often less than stellar performances.

However, because an additional week was not added to the show, two contestants were eliminated in the first week. However, I think this flexibility was a good idea, because it gave viewers one more chance to see several of the singers that had not had consistently good performances, but were nonetheless early favorites of the fans.

A rule concerning eliminations has also been implemented. In past years, fans, and judges have been shocked when contestants (such as Chris Daughtry) were voted off the show long before expected. To avoid similar issues, the judges have been given the right to nullify the elimination of one contestant over the entire season. The following week, two individuals will be eliminated, yet producers hope this will limit the chance of a great contestant being voted off too early.

This past Wednesday, Jorge Nuñez and Jasmine Murray were the first two contestants of the top 13 to be eliminated. Both had unremarkable performances and the eliminations came as no surprise to fans or judges. When asked if they would like to reverse the eliminations of these individuals, the judges were quick to say no.

Kara Dioguardi, a respected songwriter and singer, has been added as a fourth judge to the show. I was initially against the idea of a fourth judge; a sentiment that has not changed in the slightest. To begin with, they already had a good balance of judges.

The kind, but out of touch with reality Paula, the brutally honest, but reliable Simon, and the dependable, but often incoherent Randy result in three diverse judges that are well-known and loved by all Idol fans. Kara is clearly the oddball out. It seems she has personality swings, and she goes from being overly nice like Paula, to trying to be more critical like Simon. Dealing with Paula’s quirks was painful enough, but we are now forced to deal with yet another judge who doesn’t offer a unique personality to the panel.

Even though it is only the first week, there are some clearly identified favorites that are predicted fly to the top. Sixteen year old Allison Iraheta is astonishingly good not only compared to the other teenagers in the show, but the entire mass of contestants. Although she is certainly not the best singers, she will have the support of the younger generation throughout the competition, and will definitively be in the top contestants.

Danny Gokey is one of the top two singers on the show this year. His voice has a beautiful gravely pitch, and he has had consistently solid performances this season. My only criticism against him is that he does not have the stage presence that many of the others have. But I can definitely see him being successful in the future based on vocal ability.

Adam Lambert is hands-down one of the best contestants the show has ever seen. He truly has it all: vocal range, a great personality, a unique image and incredible stage presence. His history of musical theater may make some of his performances look like acting, but there is no doubt that he has an incredible voice and even more astounding range.

The last contestant of particular interest this year, Scott Macintyre. He is the first contestant on Idol that is blind. However, he does not need any kind of sympathy support because he has a stunning voice, and is great with his accompaniments on piano during his performances. While he may not be the best singer, he certainly is not letting his disability slow him down in any way, and is predicted to be a more popular contestant this season.

Although they are still in the process of separating the good from the great, several of the season eight contestants are simply in a league of their own.

There is no telling which contestants will pull ahead and stay original each week, but with the changes this year the show is promising to be as popular and entertaining as ever.

The judges of season 8 deliberate on a contestant.
Photo courtesy of http://www.blogcdn.com.

I'm Just That Into It

by Elaine Hillgrove, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

I really wanted to not like this movie. The whole premise of a movie based off of a book based off a quote that was said in a TV show shocked me. Have we really come so far that we can’t come up with any new ideas for a movie? However, this movie surprised me. It was funny, touching, and did not overly gag me with a bag of sugar sweet.

In case my opening paragraph went right over your head, let me explain the origins of this movie. During an episode of Sex and City, someone told Miranda (a main character) that a guy she liked was just “not that into you [her].”

Greg Behrendt and Liz Tucillo apparently found this quote inspiring, so they wrote a self-help book, which they creatively titled “He’s Just Not That into You.”

The book was then taken and adapted into a screenplay by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein. Ken Kwapis directed.

The movie follows four main couples who all have some sort of relationship problem stemming from the fact that one of the partners is more into the other.

There’s Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin), a girl who is continually ruins her chances with men by obsessing over them to the point of stalking. She likes Connor (Kevin Connolly), and gets relationship advice from Alex (Justin Long), a bartender friend of Connor’s who is busy fending off the advance’s of a bar hostess (Busy Phillips).

Connor is a real estate agent who is really interested in starting a relationship with Anna (Scarlett Johansson).

However, Anna is currently having an affair with Ben (Bradley Cooper), who in turn is married to Janine (Jennifer Connelly). Janine works with Beth (Jennifer Aniston), whose boyfriend of seven years (Neil, Ben Affleck) won’t propose.

The plot looks complicated when it’s listed out like that (especially when you consider that Drew Barrymore is also in this movie playing a character that doesn’t really fit in anywhere), but in reality, it was very easy to follow.

The main reason for this is the transitions that were used between each scene. Rather than cut to an unrelated character and confuse the audience, a line from the book is placed up on the screen that relates to the movie (i.e. he’s not calling you) and random people comment on what it says.

What the movie boils down to is this: the actors can actually act and the jokes are actually funny. It’s rare in an all-star cast like this one to have every actor give a spectacular performance. Likewise, it’s always touch and go when it comes to jokes and romantic comedies. There can’t be too many jokes so that the movie strays away from the romantic side of the genre, and there can’t be so few jokes that the audience never laughs.

Alex and Gigi talk at his bar. Photo Courtesy of http://www.imbd.com

Neil and Beth at the park. Photo courtesy of http://www.imbd.com

Simply Aussome

By: Gabriella Cifu, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

From cattle stampedes to romance, bar-fights to fine aristocratic balls, Australia covers all the bases. Viewers leave with the feeling of having just seen a truly memorizing film.

Australia follows the life of a sophisticated Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who must travel to Australia to bring her husband, who is working as a cattle raiser, back to England.

Upon her arrival, she learns of his tragic death. Rather than go back to England, she takes an interest in her late husband’s estate.

With the help of a cattle drover (Hugh Jackman), Ashley makes plans to bring her cattle to the city, in an attempt to beat her husband’s rival cattle breeder, who is believed to be stealing her cattle. Along the way, a romance spurs between Ashley and Drover. Ashley also becomes fond of an aboriginal child, Nullah (Brandon Walters), who is living on the ranch with his mother.

The second half of the movie deals with the Japanese bombing of Darwin, Australia. The arrival of the Japanese is devastating to Ashley, who must fight to keep her new family together through this difficult time.

Meanwhile, Nullah believes it is time that he join his grandfather, King George (David Gulpilil), to “walk-about”, a coming-of-age tradition in his culture, of which Lady Ashley does not approve.

I absolutely loved this movie. Despite the many negative reviews it received, every moment of this movie kept me fully engrossed. The scenery was beautiful, the actors were fit for the part, the script was well-written, and the plot was easy to connect with.

Kidman, gave an entertaining and commendable performance. She managed all of Lady Ashley’s quirks which added humor to the film; in addition, she was also likeable and easy to connect with. Her rendition of “Over the Rainbow” was truly unforgettable.

At only eleven years old, Walters gave one of the most heartwarming performances I have seen in a while. From his adorable accent, to his mature acting, this kid’s got everything.

You instantly fall in love with him and can’t help but smile the whole time he’s on the screen. Walters was chosen by director Baz Luhrmann, from his home in Western Australia.

The power portrayed by his character was simply amazing, especially for a child-actor.

Hugh Jackman. The perfect guy. Whether it’s his breathtaking acting or his enthralling accent, here is another Australia native born for the role.

It doesn’t hurt that he looks great no matter what he’s doing, where he’s going, beard or no beard. The combination of Jackman and Walters was enough to fill a theater. .

Nullah's colloquial diction adds a whole other element to the film, particularly his line, “bring dem cheeky bulls to the bloody metal ship” stands out among the rest.

Also, there is the perfect contrast of history and character focus in the movie; the movie has some factual foundation, but is also concentrated on character relationships.

There was also a good equilibrium between the more sentimental scenes, and those centered on action.

The special effects were well executed throughout the movie, whether it was during the Japanese bombing scene or the gruesome cattle stampede on the rocky mountain ledge.

From Nullah’s sweet melody to King George’s tribal chant, music was another element that made this movie the epic it was.

The only fault I found, was when Ashley escaped from the bombings without a scratch, when all her people were dying.

There have been no recent movies in theaters that I have enjoyed quite as much as this one and I would highly recommend it. If you aren’t already, you will become a fan of Jackman, Kidman, and even Walters.

Australia will keep viewers transfixed from previews to credits.

Nicole Kidman and Brandon Walters. Photo courtesy of http://movies.about.com.

Introducing the Superglue Ghandis

by Elaine Hillgrove, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

Sometimes, people aren’t what they seem. The girl sitting next to you could be a champion badminton player. The boy in the front of the room could be a professional harpist. In the case of Maggie Walker’s own Gene Roland, the facilities manager walking down the hallway across from you is also a guitar player in a band that has recently released an EP.

When I first got the CD from Mr. Roland’s band, The Superglue Gandhis, I was a little apprehensive. I never really associated Gandhi with rock music. Or, for that matter, with Superglue. I was pleasantly surprised, then, when the music turned out to be good.

I’m no music expert, so I can’t determine exactly what type of rock they play or who their major influences would be. What I do know is that they can keep a beat, write lyrics, and keep up a decent melody. On their website, the Superglue Gandhis describe themselves as “a simple band - to the point and uncluttered with processing. No additives and no preservatives.”

Currently, the band has one EP, titled Blast Furnace 14. According to the band’s website, this title is “in honor of our cherished - and hopefully soon to be distant – practice space.”

Blast Furnace 14 has only four songs on it – Snow on the Radio , These Scars, Song Like Diane, and (my personal favorite) Exraordinary.

The band played most recently at Colonial Downs and Alley Katz.

You can learn more about the Superglue Gandhis at www.supergluegandhis.com


Mr. Roland. Photo courtesy of www.superglueghandis.com/.

Embrace Gervais

by Lindsey Toiaivao, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

It may be a ghost movie, but it definitely does not merit a “boo”.

“Ghost Town” comes across as witty and enjoyable, owing largely to its leading man, Ricky Gervais, the star of the popular British comedy series The Office and Extras. The movie is oddly formulaic, with a plotline straight from the book of romantic comedy ideas. Gervais’ performance keeps “Ghost Town” from falling flat on its face with banality.

The plot is reminiscent of most romantic comedies: a man falls in love with a woman (Téa Leoni) he has always ignored and starts to turn his life around. From here, the movie starts to depart from the stereotype.

To start, the opening scene finds us tailing a suave and debonair, if shamelessly immoral, man named Frank Herlihy, played by Greg Kinnear. He strolls through the city, wearing a formal suit and berating his real-estate agent over the phone for telling his (Herlihy’s) wife about the new love nest he had just bought for his mistress. A rich, handsome adulterer with a penchant for secrets? This sounds like a great leading man!

But wait. He’s not. And within a few minutes, he’s dead. (An air conditioning unit falls from the window of an apartment building, which he notices and dodges into the road to avoid. He is promptly hit by a bus.)

Enter Ricky Gervais as Dr. Bertram Pincus, a deadpan misanthrope who seems to have gotten into dentistry as a way of professionally silencing people. When he cannot shut people up by obstructing their mouths with dental instruments or plaster for taking impressions, Pincus effectively quiets and alienates people with a blank, uncaring stare or a sly patronizing quip.

After a botched colonoscopy renders him dead for seven minutes, Pincus awakens from his flatline to find that he can see dead people. (Don’t think “The Sixth Sense”; there is no gory makeup here.) Now faced with an entire town of the deceased whom he cannot silence or avoid despite his best efforts, Pincus reluctantly agrees to help Herlihy break up his widow and her self-righteous new boyfriend if the legions of other undead citizens with unfinished business agree to leave him in peace.

Let the hilarious hi-jinx ensue!

Pincus, who happens to live in the same building as Herlihy’s widow, finds himself attracted to her, apparently an odd new feeling for him as a people-hater. He fumbles over his words, trying to joke about dentistry or the times that he didn’t hold the elevator for her and stole her cab. Shockingly, she is not immediately won over.

The progression of their relationship is hindered by her undead husband, always hovering beside them and making additions to their conversations that only Pincus can hear, which ultimately make Pincus even more awkward, especially as he makes references to her dead husband whom he’s not supposed to know.

Gervais plays the part like no one else could, reviving the dry fast-paced humor and awkward pauses that made his performance in The Office (UK) magical. In reality, he is the movie’s saving grace; without him, none of the jokes would fall, even classic jokes about how Chinese names sound funny. Though the plot is essentially old and thin, the resolution, wherein Pincus learns to accept and understand the people he once found irritating and loathsome, satisfies because Gervais makes it believable. Overall, the movie is good for a romantic comedy, but only because Gervais shines in his role.




Ricky Gervais being quite the misanthrope

Good Cop, Bad Neighbor

by Gabriella Cifu, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

When is having a policeman next door a bad thing? Chris and Lisa Mattson (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) find out in Lakeview Terrace, when they move in to an upscale Californian neighborhood.

They appear to be happily setting in, until they meet Abel Turner (Samuel L. Jackson), an opinionated law enforcement officer.

As time passes, the Mattsons are offended by Turner, and Turner’s insistence on having a light on his house directed into the Mattson’s bedroom is only the start.

Turner particularly embarrasses Chris by sharing secrets, such as the fact that he smokes, with Lisa. In addition, Turner aggressively proves that not only does he dislikes his neighbors, but is unwilling to passively sit-back and accept their residence in the neighborhood.

This harsh side of Turner is eerily countered by his role as a father in the movie. At times, he seems like a loving father. Other times, his stringent rules make the viewers want to call child services. As Turner’s past is revealed, his motive, apparently racially based, becomes more pronounced, as does his desire to torment the Mattsons.

Jackson was born to star as Abel Turner. His forceful manner and threatening persona caused readers to fear his power, and wonder what limits he would extend to in order to harass his neighbors.

I never had any difficulty believing the credibility of his character. He was fully committed to the role, and portrayed Turner as the character needed to convincingly aggravate his perfectly cordial neighbors. Wilson and Washington, while both well suited for the roles, did not nearly contribute as much emotion to their characters. Their anonymity as actors made their character portrayals enjoyable, but forgettable.

Unexpectedly, this movie was a gripping psychological thriller. While mundane and predictable throughout parts, it seemed fresh in comparison to the clichéd horror movie phenomenon that exists in the present movie industry.

The location of the film was beautiful and encompassed many smaller plots, such as the California wild fires. The set was well designed and brought viewers into the mix of the disgruntled suburban neighborhood.

The script was nothing extraordinary, but Turner had some particularly memorable lines. His short, rhetorical questions such as “Or what?” or “Says who?” often left Chris speechless, and played perfectly into his character still.

Unlike so many predictable suspense films however, Lakeview Terrace still had me sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering how the conclusion would play out. As more was found out about each character, I continually amended what I thought the finale would bring.

How could a loving father become a symbol of downright terror, once outside the walls of his house?

Lakeview Terrace is sure to provide nerve-wracking entertainment, if not also a new perspective on living next to a police man.

Kerry Washington meets Jackson’s children.

Jackson and Wilson become acquainted.

Hot Off the Press!

By Gabriella Cifu, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

Its title does not reflect art, history, nature, or the ancient world, yet its content includes it all. The Newseum offers exhibits encompassing all types of media.

Lining the exterior walls of the museum, the front pages of the most influential newspapers in the world draws in tourists.

The Newseum holds a room of newspaper front pages from many of the most significant and momentous days in history. Ranging in interests from Pearl Harbor to September 11th, the newspaper cover pages are well organized in roll-out drawers. While intriguing, these drawers are situated in a long and narrow room. The inconvenient shape of the room made it difficult to maneuver, especially when crowded with tourists.

The popular 9/11 exhibit offers a new angle. Complete with a documentary by reporters and journalists who covered the event and were literally feet away from the collapsing building, viewers are satisfied by the insightful perspective: the impact of this unfortunate day on those individuals whose responsibly it was to broadcast it to the world.

This exhibit also includes a wall of newspaper headlines from the days following the attack, which shows the impact of this day on other countries.

The documentary theater is just one aspect of the 9/11 exhibit. Viewers crowd around the artifact boxes and mini-T.V. screens, both blocking the flow of the exhibit, as well as causing ennui to the many viewers who also want to watch the complete documentary and slowly peruse through the interesting artifacts.

However, the documentary is well made, and the emotion is apparent in every reporter. The displays in this exhibit also were neatly arranged, with detailed information prearranged to read as heartfelt stories about the reporters involved in this tragic event.

There are limited artifacts when compared to other 9/11 exhibits. However, they commemorate William Biggart, a skilled reporter and photographer who died documenting the event.

As a fun addition, the Newseum presents an interactive opportunity to televise a news broadcast. Participants may choose their background setting and subject matter and read a teleprompter, emulating professional reporters. The Newseum provides these mock reporters with a picture of their experience and a link to view their broadcast online.

This exhibit shows just how hard it is to read a teleprompter, while having to do a “live” broadcast. It’s entertaining to rewatch the broadcast, as well as watching reports from other Newseum attendees. Unfortunately, this experience carries an additional cost to the entrance fee at the museum.

A highly visual exhibit on the Berlin Wall includes several large pieces of the wall, as well as the only East German guard tower in the U.S. Visitors are allowed to stand in the tower, where there are realistic sound effects of guards shouting and marching.

While the Newseum is on the whole unique and informative, it is not set up to accommodate many visitors in any one exhibit at a time. The theaters are small and the seating provisions are even fewer. There is a 4-D I-MAX highlighting some of the great journalists and reporters of our time, which is unfortunately relatively short.

While many museums in the D.C. area are free, the Newseum charges twenty dollars per person. Consequently, many tourists may bypass this museum for one of the other equally intriguing, free museums in the locale.

However, the Newseum is well worth the visit. Its variety in subject matter and unique concepts make for a new and exciting addition to Washington D.C.’s recognized collection of museums.

The main entrance of Newseum. Photo courtesy of http://onlinenewswatch.blsci.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/newseum-06.jpg