Jan 10-16, 2007
A Homeless Man Crusades Against Condo Conversions in Burlington; Film Fest Founder Claudia Becker; Local Jewelers Tout “Conflict-Free” Gems; Predicting Vermont’s Food Trends
Milkman’s Union, Oh Boy
(Young Scientist Records, CD) Vermont indie-pop songsmith Henry Jamison-Root released his first disc as Milkman’s Union when he was just 17. That was last March. He certainly hasn’t been resting on his laurels, as his latest effort, Oh Boy, attests. The disc is full of sonic intricacies, bearing similarities to today’s most erudite indie acts.…
News Quirks 01.10.07
Curses, Foiled Again A man who demanded cash at a convenience store in Des Moines, Iowa, insisted that he had a gun in his pocket, but clerk Terry Cook scoffed that it was only his finger. The two argued the point until the frustrated robber left. “I knew it was his finger. I could see…
A SCANNER DARKLY***1/2
From Richard Linklater comes this visually adventurous adaptation of the Philip K. Dick novel offering dual cautions about the dangers of drug abuse and the government’s capacity to abuse its power. With Keanu Reeves, Woody Harrelson, Winona Ryder and Robert Downey. (100 min, R) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/warner_independent_pictures/ascannerdarkly/
ALL THE KING’S MEN**1/2
Sean Penn stars in this remake based on Robert Penn Warren’s 1946, Pulitzer-winning novel about the rise of an idealistic Louisiana politician and the corruption that leads to his downfall. With Jude Law and Kate Winslet. Directed by Steven Zallian. (120 min, PG-13) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/allthekingsmen/
GABRIELLE****
Isabelle Huppert and Pascal Greggory are paired in writer-director Patrice Chereau’s screen version of the Joseph Conrad story “The Return,” which explores the passions below the surface in a troubled marriage. (90 min, NR) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/gabrielle/trailer/
INVINCIBLE****
Mark Wahlberg stars in the fact-based saga of a down-on-his-luck bartender who realized his dream of playing professional football. Greg Kinnear and Elizabeth Banks costar. Ericson Core directs. (104 min, PG) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/invincible/
JET LI’S FEARLESS***1/2
In his final film in the genre, martial-arts superstar Jet Li plays Huo Yuanjia, the most famous fighter in China at the turn of the 20th century. With Anthony De Longis, Nathan Jones and Betty Sun. Ronny Yu directs. (103 min, PG-13) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/rogue_pictures/jetlisfearless/trailer/
LADY IN THE WATER**
M. Night Shyamalan directs this fantasy about a building manager who rescues a young woman, only to discover she’s a narf, a character from a bedtime story trying to journey back to her own world. Featuring Bryce Dallas Howard, Paul Giamatti and Jeffrey Wright. (110 min, PG-13) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/ladyinthewater/
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE****
Music video vets Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris make their feature-film debut with this road movie about a family that barely survives a trip to a children’s beauty pageant. The ensemble cast includes Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Alan Arkin and Steve Carell. (101 min, R) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/littlemisssunshine/
MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND**1/2
Uma Thurman and Luke Wilson star in Ivan Reitman’s comedy about a break-up that leads to more than hurt feelings. Costarring Anna Faris and Wanda Sykes. (95 min, PG-13) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/mysuperexgirlfriend/
STEP UP**1/2
Anne Fletcher directs this inspirational drama about young people realizing their dream to dance their way to a better life. With Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan. (98 min, PG-13) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/touchstone/stepup/
THE BEAUTY ACADEMY OF KABUL***1/2
Liz Mermin directs this documentary about a group of American hairdressers who head to Afghanistan to help open the country’s first post-Taliban school of cosmetology. (74 min, NR)
THE WICKER MAN**
Nicolas Cage stars in this supernatural thriller from Neil (Nurse Betty) LaBute, the story of a police officer who travels to a remote island to help an old friend find her missing daughter and uncovers unspeakable secrets instead. With Ellen Burstyn and Leelee Sobieski. (97 min, PG-13) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/thewickerman/
Sons Of Dawn, Sons Of Dawn
(Self-released, CD) Burlington rock trio Sons of Dawn play music that evokes used Lotto tickets and leaky dumpsters. Guitarist, vocalist and chief songwriter Michael Tonn says his tunes contain a strong “redneck folklore element.” Think Paul Bunyan on malt liquor. Backing Tonn on this disc is drummer Joey Adams, who also plays with the Cave…
