Dec 21-27, 2005
Winter Reading Issue: Why Do So Many People Want to Write a Book?; Librarians Tell You What to Read; The Perils of Publishing
News Quirks 12.21.05
Curses, Foiled Again Washington, D.C., police reported that Michael V. Donahoe, 53, robbed a bank, making off with $2000, but a witness thwarted Donahoe’s getaway by blocking the taxi that he was escaping in. Then a dye pack, which the teller had put in with the stolen money, exploded in front of a crowd, which…
Astrology 12.21.05
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Happy Holy Daze, Aries! I’ve been meditating on the perfect holiday gift for you. What symbolic item might inspire you to take maximum advantage of the cosmic currents in 2006? And the answer is: “The Daughter of Jacob Meyer,” one of Vincent van Gogh’s first drawings. He did it when he…
VALIANT**1/2
Ewan McGregor, John Cleese and Tim Curry are among the voice cast for this computer-animated comedy about a plucky homing pigeon who volunteers for a daring mission during WWII. Gary Chapman directs. (109 min, G) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/valiant/
THE ISLAND**
Scarlett Johansson and Ewan McGregor are paired in Michael Bay’s futuristic action-thriller about a utopian community whose leaders harbor a nightmarish secret. With Djimon Hounsou. (134 min, PG-13) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/the_island/international/
THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY***
Hans Petter Moland directs the saga of a young man’s arduous pilgrimage from Vietnam to Texas in search of the American G.I. father he’s never met. Starring Damien Nguyen, Nick Nolte and Tim Roth. (125 min, R) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/the_beautiful_country.html
THE BAD NEWS BEARS***1/2
Billy Bob Thornton stars in this remake of the 1976 comedy about a crusty former minor-league player who winds up coaching a woefully inept Little League team. Costarring Greg Kinnear and Marcia Gay Harden. Directed by Richard Linklater. (111 min, PG-13) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/
ROLL BOUNCE***
Nick Cannon and Lil Bow Wow star in this ’70s-set comedy about roller skaters who must try to fit in at a fashionable uptown facility when their local rink shuts down. With Chi McBride. Directed by Malcom D. Lee. (112 min, PG-13) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/roll_bounce/
Ken Mahren, Silk Brocade: Acoustic Guitar Impressionism
(Self-released, CD) South Burlington guitarist Ken Mahren recently released a CD version of Silk Brocade, a collection of solo instrumentals originally issued on cassette back in 1984. Although this set is more than 20 years old, Mahren’s talent is hardly dated. Mahren describes the album as a “collection of new age, folk, jazz and classical…
The Wards, Christmas Punk
(Self-released, CD) Vermont’s immortal punk rockers The Wards have finally done it. No, they aren’t headlining the Vans Warped tour. They’ve released a Christmas album. Now my holiday can be truly complete. Christmas Punk kicks off with a ridiculous little number called “Dear Santa.” With its double-time drums, simple, sludgy guitar and chant-along background vocals,…
