Ten flicks worth a second look: These remakes rival the original films April 12, 2010
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentBy Ross Bonaime, Staff Writer
Hollywood is always ready to look to its past for inspiration for its future. In fact, this month alone, we will see remakes of Clash of the Titans, Death at a Funeral and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Since it is growing frequently popular to remake older films, here are the top 10 modern film remakes.
10. Hamlet (2000)
While not as great as Laurence Olivier’s Shakespeare adaptation, this modern retelling of one of The Bard’s greatest stories is almost as inventive as Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet revamp.
9. Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Zack Snyder’s first film is a surprisingly good modern take on George Romero’s classic horror film. With it, Snyder creates one of the only decent horror reboots recently made.
8. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
After several film adaptations of the play, Tim Burton took his own turn and made a very effective take on this morbid story.
Using his usual go-to guy Johnny Depp, Burton creates a gothic, yet touching story.
7. The Mummy (1999)
One of the great Universal monsters came back to life with this guilty-pleasure remake. The Mummy brought Rachel Weisz to the public’s attention and the furthering of the story, while staying true to the original, makes this remake a silly, but fun retelling.
6. King Kong (2005)
No one can beat the 1933 classic, but Peter Jackson did his best by utilizing all the special effects he could to bring the world’s most famous ape into the 21st century.
5. Funny Games (2007)
Director Michael Haneke’s shot-by-shot remake of his own film for American audiences is a chilling and unconventional horror film, which also comments on viewers’ love for violence in this overlooked gem.
4. Insomnia (2002)
Before Christopher Nolan was the guy who revitalized the Batman franchise, he remade the Norwegian classic of the same name. Featuring an ensemble cast starring Oscar winners Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank, this film is a great showcase of Nolan’s talents.
3. 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
The 3:10 to Yuma remake took an already fantastic Western, added some great depth to it and cast two of the greatest actors of the 2000s — Christian Bale and Russell Crowe. This created a film that is as great, if not better, than the 1957 original.
2. The Departed (2006)
Many people prefer the original Hong Kong Infernal Affairs to Scorsese’s American remake The Departed. However, The Departed shows why Scorsese is considered one of the greatest living directors with his staggering directing, the performances he gets from his fantastic cast and one of the most surprising endings in a modern Hollywood film.
1. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
A remake should take an original film and make it better in every possible way. This is exactly what director Steven Soderbergh did with the Las Vegas caper film Ocean’s Eleven.
The film oozes style, with a cast, starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Julia Roberts to name a few, that is even greater that The Rat Pack who starred in the original.
Soderbergh delivers a film that is leaps and bounds greater than the mediocre film it was originally based on and, in the process, made one of the greatest remakes of all time.
Sigismondi resurrects The Runaways: First-time director conquers passion project April 12, 2010
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentBy Kayla Beardsley, Broadside Correspondent
Floria Sigismondi is most known for her direction of music videos such as Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People.” But after April 9, Sigismondi will be known for something much bigger: her first feature film.
Sigismondi has been an artist from a very young age. “I would look at a paintbrush and just have to touch it, or use it,” she said. As a child, Sigismondi painted and drew, but as she grew up, her passion turned to photography.
Sigismondi wanted to tell the story of the ’70s rock band The Runaways because she was inspired by their story.
“I loved the story of two completely different girls coming together and doing something that girls weren’t supposed to do at that time,” she says. “Cherie Currie and Joan Jett were so different . . . yet they created something awesome.”
The real Joan Jett and Cherie Currie played a large role in the filmmaking process by helping Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning develop their characters; Sigismondi even had the chance to sit down with Currie’s family.
Although many may be a little taken aback by seeing Dakota Fanning as a rock and roll star, Sigismondi saw no other actress to play the role.
“It helps that people have grown up with her,” she said. “That way, the audience will go through the transformation with her instead of being totally caught off guard.” She adds, “I was very lucky to have her; she’s a wonderful actress.”
The easiest part for Sigismondi was the live performance scenes because of her background in music videos. “I didn’t have a lot of time to film this movie,” she said with a laugh, “but when we got to those scenes, I was relieved because that’s what I do best — I just wanted a really energetic feel and I didn’t have to worry too much about getting it.”
The Runaways will hit theaters next month and people are already highly anticipating its greatness.
While the film may take theaters by storm, Sigismondi plans to spend the next few months relaxing. “Right now, I’m reading, sleeping and eating,” she said. “I have a few projects in mind, but for now, I just want to relax.”
GMU Players nerd out: Mason’s theater group shines in The Nerd April 12, 2010
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentBy Dylan Hares, Staff Writer
We all have people in our lives that we just can’t stand. Luckily, few of us can say that those people literally ruin our lives and bring us to the brink of madness.
But such is the case for the character of Willum Cubert when a long-lost friend comes over to stay in the George Mason University Players’ rendition of Larry Shue’s 1981 play, The Nerd. The stage lights up with the rather bland architect Willum surprised by his more lively friends, Tansy and Axel.
A long exchange ensues, and the audience learns that Willum’s primary love interest, Tansy, is moving away, leaving Willum and his fast-talking friend Axel depressed.
Student Michael Burgos, who plays Willum, plays the slow-talking awkward role to near perfection, exuding that too-nice guy feel — he can’t speak up, say no or express what he actually wants.
Willum’s birthday party takes a turn for the worse when a character from his past, Rick Steadman, comes over with all the subtlety of a bull on cocaine.
English major Joshua McCreary is absolutely stunning in this role as the boisterous Rick. From the moment he comes on stage in a ridiculous purple monster costume, the audience watches Rick’s every movement and laughs at just about everything he does.
As with most stories of the house guest who can’t take a hint and the host who just can’t say no, Rick invades and ruins just about every part of Willum’s life from his job to his relationship to his sanity. He wrecks the birthday party, keeps Willum up at night and, most horrifically, throws cottage cheese on Willum’s boss.
Freshman English and theater major Paul Laudiero plays Axel in his first show at Mason and does a stunning job with timing and expression.
While being one of the more vulgar characters, he is certainly one of the most entertaining. Junior theater and communication major, Maxie Morales plays the lovely Tansy, the conflicted love interest of Willum. Her comedic dynamic with most of the characters, especially the wild Axel, leaves the crowd laughing and wanting more.
As to be expected from the Players, every single one of the actors delivered an astonishing and marvelous performance that, thanks to the comedic styling and surprisingly well-written script of Larry Shue, left the crowd laughing throughout the entire play.
Not to be ignored was the magnificent music choice of not only the intermission but the final song which fit perfectly with the unexpected ending that can only be described as genius.
Come on, feel the noise: Five bands, one night, one chance for the ultimate gig April 9, 2010
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentBy Pearson Jones, Asst. Style Editor
The coveted spot to play a gig at Mason Day is up for grabs once again. So apply some eye liner, wash your heavy metal t-shirt of choice that’s at the bottom of your closet and get your devil’s horn wrist control down because battle of the bands is coming to George Mason University.
The free event, which will be held in Dewberry Hall on Thursday from 8-10 p.m., will give five bands the chance to prove that all those late nights in the garage practicing weren’t just an excuse to rebel against their parents and get chicks.
At the end of the night, one band will be crowned the champion, while the rest will be left in rock purgatory.
The rock n’ roll show down will be fueled by the music of five bands with rivaling individual styles.
Two of the bands duking it out, House of Echo and Rites of Ash, are bands on two different extremes of the genre spectrum, who will be attending the event.
House of Echo’s soulful rock hybrid sound runs parallel to that of Dave Matthews Band and The Police.
Equipped with a brass section and Mason’s very own Paul Eldridge on guitar, the band can be counted as one of the top competitors.
Then there is Rites of Ash, a hard rock electric pop group that intertwines scream-o music with House of GaGa influences creating a genre all their own. Their no strings attached attitude — the band is independent — allows them to test and decipher what makes their multi-genre sound a success.
The other bands participating in the musical staged brawl will be I Am the Kaleidoscope, Find the Focus and The Automatics.
The progressive rock sounds of I Am the Kaleidoscope, with stand-out tracks like “Skeleton Key,” contain tight guitar riffs akin to those of John Frusciante during the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ By The Way era.
Find the Focus, will balance Kaleidoscope’s fast-paced songs with acoustic tracks that feature mellow, soft-spoken lyrics.
This multi-genre show will give any college radio advocate a reason to come out and take a listen.
A prize of $200 and an opportunity to play at Mason Day will be awarded to the first place winner. The second place band will receive $100 and third place will receive $75.
The Runaways primed to scare off the competition: Young starlets bring rock ‘n’ roll to life April 5, 2010
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentBy Kayla Beardsley
The Runaways will shock and sometimes disgust, but it will keep you entertained the entire time.
The film tells the story of the famed ’70s rock band formed by Joan Jett (played by Twilight’s Kristen Stewart) and follows them through the good times, the hard times and all the rock and roll along the way.
Stewart has come a long way from her role in the famous tween vampire saga. She is convincing, empowering and all around awe-striking in her performance as the sexually confused rock star.
In the story, The Runaways’ lead singer Cherie Currie (played by Dakota Fanning) realizes her dream of being in a rock band.
But after a full makeover of her wardrobe and then her entire life, she slowly realizes the rock and roll lifestyle may not be what is really important to her. While watching the sweet and innocent Fanning (known for films like Charlotte’s Web and Uptown Girls) in a corset, with her legs spread, singing about “grabbing boys until they’re sore” will make audiences feel incredibly creepy, her performance will rock you.
However, one performance in this movie soars above the rest — Michael Shannon’s portrayal of the band manager, Kim Fowley. This eccentric, raunchy, hardcore character is played flawlessly and a few of his scenes will be etched into audience’s brains for a long time.
At times, The Runaways feels like watching a long episode of Behind the Music. However, the performances will amaze, the music will entertain and the story will definitely satisfy.
In Bed with Billy: Slow and Steady Wins the Race April 5, 2010
Posted by Sonya Hudson in : Style , add a commentBy Billy Curtis, Sex Columnist
We all remember the story of the tortoise and the hare, and we all know the outcome. It seems as though the older we get, the faster time goes by. This may simply be because time tends to move quickly in and of itself, or it could also be the sheer fact that as we age, we begin to move more slowly. We are stuck in life as hares. but, unfortunately, age doesn’t allow us to stay that way.
Unlike age, relationships have been moving faster and faster with every passing minute. I know someone who moved in with his boyfriend after dating for only five months, and that’s too early for anyone. Even friends who have dated for over a year haven’t been able to make the before-marriage-move-in work out. That’s not to say that all couples move in too quickly, but just know that for most of you, the odds aren’t very favorable. And that isn’t me being cynical.
Those are facts.
Whether it’s moving in together too quickly, or going in for that first kiss just a little too soon, the fact stands that people are moving too quickly through life. It was only 10 years ago that cell phones popped onto the market, and I can keenly remember my mother’s bulky Zack Morris cell phone from back in the day. Now she has an iPhone like me, and that’s something that scares me more than fast relationships.
Since my last relationship, I managed to get over the mistakes that made the relationship end — on my part and his — and attempted my move back into the dating scene. The first guy I went out with, Matt, ended up wanting a little too much a little too quickly and that was the end of that date.
On our first date, he tried to get me into his bed.
Frankly, I was shocked that he would so easily assume that I would be willing to. Although, having sex with him would have surely been enjoyable, I wasn’t going to give it up that easily. When it comes to relationships, I like to take it slowly. Hell, I don’t even kiss on the first date, especially when I really like the person.
The next guy I dated, David, a graphic designer in D.C., seemed to be normal enough. We went out on a couple of dates, and one night when we were watching a movie, he got really unnerved and started acting weird around me.
While he wasn’t willing to say it, I knew he most likely had just gotten out of what seemed to be a long-term relationship, and clearly wasn’t ready to be dating again. He was yet another example of someone moving too fast, and I had to pay the price for his impatience.
I was extremely happy when my friend Nicolette told me a suprising story regarding her own relationship. Nicolette had been dating her boyfriend for over a year, and not once had they said the words “I love you” to each other.
To them, the word “love” meant something special, and it was certainly something that shouldn’t be thrown around lightly. When she told me this, I was not only surprised that some people knew how to take things slowly, but it proved that the word “love” still does hold significant meaning to some.
With the way this world has been moving, it seems that we will only continue to move faster as we maneuver our way through life. We all need to take a step back, smell the fresh-brewed Starbucks and slow down. If you don’t, you may end up passing up on a person or opportunity that could have been the best thing for you.
We may be able to multitask, check Facebook and Twitter all at the same time on our phones, but we are certainly missing out on our race of life because we are moving too quickly.
Rushing into anything can turn out to be problematic; rushing into sex can give you an STI (or STD as they are more commonly known), and rushing into a relationship . . . well that, that can break your heart. Be the tortoise. Be the tortoise.
Causing mass Hysteria April 5, 2010
Posted by Sonya Hudson in : Style , add a commentBy Evan Benton, Staff Writer
Let me take you back nearly 30 years to the era of the much underappreciated and misunderstood glam-metal genre.
Its heyday lay between the glitzy, extravagant and unapologetic years of 1981 and 1989, characterized by titans like Great White, Cinderella, Winger, Firehouse and L.A. Guns.
This was a time of rampant androgyny, of tight spandex pants and their essential bulges.
This was the golden age of Mötley Crüe, of Poison, of Warrant, who combined are responsible for truckloads of Jack Daniels passed through their collective veins, crates of cocaine passed through their naval cavities and tens of thousands of groupies just plain passed around.
This was a time of men, a time of giants.
And in terms of popularity, no band was more gigantic than Def Leppard, legendary libertines of the stage and multi-platinum recording artists.
Already a household name and relative icon of the age thanks to 1983’s Pyromania and almost constant MTV coverage, Def Leppard took nearly four years on hiatus before producing their next album.
In 1984 the band had to overcome a debilitating setback that would have ultimately destroyed a lesser group — the loss of drummer Rick Allen’s left arm in a freak car accident on New Year’s Eve.
But the band remained intact and stuck by Allen, rigging up an experimental electronic-acoustic kit with an array of foot pedals that replaced the accents that Allen would have usually used his left arm for. In 1987, after one of the longest album production process in rock music history, Hysteria was released, its name coming from the experience Allen suffered during his ordeal.
Hysteria is one of only a handful of albums that has charted seven singles on the U.S. Top 100 — surprising but completely warranted even with a casual listen to the album. “Women,” an ode to the fans that Def Leppard most loved to satisfy, sets the album in motion, establishing the more pop-oriented sound that became successful due in a large part to the mechanical, beat-driven ethereality of Allen’s electronic drum kit. “Animal,” the title track “Hysteria” and the love-hating power-ballad “Love Bites” are my favorites, with the catchy hooks and radio-friendly sounds that endure to this day.
Upon release, Hysteria immediately reached the top of U.K. and most European music charts, though not becoming the colossal hit it would eventually become in the U.S. until the release of “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” “Sugar,” along with Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” and Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” is one of the era’s greatest rock anthems.
The popularity of “Sugar” boosted Hysteria to the peak of the U.S. Billboard 200 chart almost a year after its release, and the album today is certified 12-times platinum by the RIAA. This makes Def Leppard the most successful band of its genre.
Sketched into the silver screen: 10 greats that went from comic book pages to Hollywood April 5, 2010
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentBy Ross Bonaime, Staff Writer
Next week, the movie adaptation of Mark Millar’s comic book Kick-Ass, about a high school student who becomes a superhero after being influenced by his favorite books, will be released.
Over the last decade, comic book films have become immensely popular, giving us some fantastic films. With that, here are the top ten films based on comic books.
10. Road to Perdition
Sam Mendes’ follow-up to American Beauty told the story of an even more dangerous family — a mafia family. Tom Hanks is chilling in one of his few darker roles and the noir tone makes you feel like you’re reading the graphic novel.
9. American Splendor
This story of eccentric comic writer Harvey Pekar deconstructed the typical autobiography, while showcasing the soon-to-be-star Paul Giamatti in one of his first great roles.
8. Sin City
If you want to keep the essence of the source material, why not hire the writer to direct? That’s what Robert Rodriguez did with his co-director Frank Miller in the adaptation of Miller’s work, starring a cavalcade of stars and featuring a visually striking style.
7. Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr. was the perfect choice to play the rich and cocky Tony Stark. With the second film coming out this summer and an even greater cast, expect Iron Man to only get better.
6. Oldboy
Based on the Japanese manga of the same name, the story of a man imprisoned for 15 years and then released to seek revenge is not only a great adaptation, but a phenomenal Japanese film that is immensely surprising.
5. Men in Black
Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith took viewers into a world where aliens do exist in this action-comedy. Even with its horrible sequel, Men in Black remains one of the best comedies of the ’90s.
4. A History of Violence
One way to enrage fans of a great comic is to completely disregard large parts of the the original story in your adaptation.
Yet, in A History of Violence, David Cronenberg directs a suspenseful and fascinating deconstruction of how much we really know about the people in our lives.
3. X2: X-Men United
Sandwiched in between the two other mediocre X-Men films, X2 was unlike any comic book film of its kind when it was released.
Giving each character an importance in this large cast while introducing new ones and an interesting story, X2 showed just how to make an action film with a huge ensemble cast, and how to do it well.
2. Spider-Man 2
What makes Spider-Man 2 so incredible is that it makes the audience care just as much about the web-slinger as it does his true persona, Peter Parker. Sure, you’re interested to see if he can take out Doc Ock, but it’s his emotional and relationship conflicts that remain just as compelling.
1. The Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan revolutionized the comic book film with Batman Begins, but he took it a step further with The Dark Knight.
Heath Ledger plays the Joker, one of the greatest villains of all time. Some of the greatest action sequences in recent memory and a dark, realistic and gritty take on Gotham City helped Nolan not only become film’s newest auteur, but also created what many believe to be the greatest comic book adaptation of all time.
Public confessions get loud at open mic night: Pride Week event gives performers the chance to confess personal struggles and cultural insight April 5, 2010
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentBy Ramy Zabarah, Staff Writer
Open Mic Night is a Pride Week event dedicated to bringing people of all genders and expressions together to share music, poetry, comedy or art in front of an audience of their peers.
Cheese, crackers and fruits were served as students, faculty and staff situated themselves in front of the stage at the Johnson Center Bistro Thursday night. Although the turnout wasn’t as high as anticipated, there was plenty of fun and good spirit in the air. Acts ranged from poetry, spoken word and singing to comedy and a metal band.
Overall, the audience enjoyed the talent, and everyone had a great time. The significance of an event like this is the opportunity for members of a marginal group to express themselves in a forum without censorship.
Associate Director of LGBTQ Resources Ric Chollar agrees. “What I love most about this event is that it gives a chance for each participant to share something personal and provide insight about their culture,” he said, “In a way, that makes Open Mic Night my favorite Pride Week event.” Last week was filled with fun and educational events intended to bring people together in recognition and appreciation of the LGBTQ culture.
Open Mic Night was one of the week’s most entertaining events, along with the Pride Week Carnival, the Drag Show and the After-Drag Show Dance Party.
Drag show a raucous, high-energy hit April 5, 2010
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentBy Hayley Roder, Broadside Correspondent
The lights dimmed in the Johnson Center atrium. The stage lit up as Reann Ballslee walked up the steps and back into the spotlight.
Reann Sassie D’Loceanono Ballslee sparkled in a green, black and white dress, silver heels and her Ms. Mason 2009 sash and tiara. She captivated the cheering group of students, family members and friends who lined all three levels of the Johnson Center. She readied the crowd for a fierce and fabulous night of performances and fashion as she kicked off the 2010 Pride Week Drag Show.
Better known during the day as Ryan Allen, Ballslee returned to host Pride Week’s main event after graduating last year.
She has been a crowd favorite since she first appeared in the drag show four years ago and has hosted the annual event ever since.
Ballslee gained international media attention after being crowned Mason’s Homecoming Queen last year. Friday night, she told the audience that she was updating her Wikipedia page to reflect that she is also George Mason University’s final Homecoming Queen, since the competition was redesigned this year to be more inclusive and featured only one winner crowned “Mason Majesty.”
Usually a festive event, Friday’s show began on a somber note as Ballslee took a moment to remember and honor her “drag daughter” Brianna Spice who passed away last fall.
“I’m only going to be serious once tonight,” Ballslee said as she dedicated the show to Spice, also known as Brian Picone, a Mason student who graduated last May.
“She’s with us in our hearts,” Ballslee said. “She was always the light of our drag show, and we dedicate all of our performances tonight to her.”
Picone’s mother and father sat in the front row at Friday’s show to show their support for Mason’s drag community and the show he performed in for two years.
As in years past, the 2010 show included a mix of student performances and professional performances from the female impersonators at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, which Ballslee described as Northern Virginia’s only gay bar.
A crowd favorite was professional impersonator Destiny B. Childs who was the first to perform. She came on stage in a gold sequined cape with a fur collar and began to sing a slow version of Ke$ha’s “TiK ToK” before the music returned to its normal beat and she threw off the cape, revealing sparkly black undergarments and knee-high black boots.
After Childs’ initial performance, Ballslee reclaimed the stage to tell the crowd that tipping the queens and kings is not only polite, it’s expected. Ballslee said that anyone attending the drag show and not tipping the performers would be immediately de-friended by her on Facebook.
Matt Loffman from Connect2Mason conributed to this article.