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Contraband Contraband stars Mark Wahlberg as Chris Farraday, a retired drug smuggler who is pulled back into a life of crime to protect his brother-in-law from an insane drug lord. Chris’s brother-in-law, Andy, was supposed to do a deal with Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi) but he botched it. Chris's wife, Kate, and his children are being threatened by Briggs to make sure Chris completes the smuggling of money and drugs from Panama to America for Briggs. Chris has to pick …
Haywire is a different kind of movie. The film’s plot revolves around a Black Ops CIA operative, Mallory, who gets framed by the government for a crime she didn’t commit. Mallory has to figure out who in her organization framed her. The plot of this movie is very thin but some superb fight scenes make up for a sub-par story. Haywire was directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Lem Dobbs. Haywire’s lead actress is MMA Fighter Gina Carano. Carano …
Giving teenagers telekinetic powers is a bad idea. Filming the same teenagers as they grapple with how to handle the powers they are given though, is an excellent idea. Chronicle is one of those films that shouldn’t be good, but it is fantastic. Chronicle is a first time feature for director Josh Trank and screenwriter Max Landis. Found footage is not a film genre that I’m a fan of but this time it works. Chronicle is one of those rare …
Underworld: Awakening is my guilty pleasure. The Underworld franchise is one of those film series that people shouldn’t like, but the over-the-top violence and attractive female lead, played by Kate Beckinsale, make it impossible not to enjoy this horror-action franchise. The Underworld films focus on the war between lycans (also known as werewolves) and vampires. Awakening is the fourth installment in the Underworld franchise and the first in six years to have Kate Beckinsale’s character, Selene, as the film’s lead. …
Red Tails is a film that has been George Lucas’s passion project for the past two decades. The problem with passion projects is that they can be hard to finance. The other issue inherent with making a passion project like Red Tails is that it stars an all African-American cast, and studio executives don’t believe that a film with minorities as the main characters can appeal to an international audience.
Carnage is one of those films that felt simple at first, but underneath each character were layers of thoughts, feelings and ideas that were unexpressed. Carnage is a rarity — it’s one of those experiences that I wish I had more often at the movies. The entire film takes place inside an apartment. Roman Polanski, who directed and co-wrote this film, crafts a story with Yasmina Reza (based on her play) about two children. One child hit the other with …
The Mission Impossible Force makes an incredible comeback in this, the fourth entry of the series. The plotline for this film is very simple. The Russians are in a fight with the Americans because someone fired a nuclear weapon at the Kremlin and blamed Ethan Hunt’s team. Ethan and his team are disavowed and have to work on their own to find out who originally fired the missile at the Kremlin and why that person would seek to insight a …
THE TOP TWO MOVIES OF 2011 In 2012, time itself will take a final bow, when the 13th and final Baktun of the 5,125 year Mayan “Great Cycle” ends in December. Mexico is preparing for an influx of apocalyptic tourism, but I’m not sure being at the great architectural sites of the Yucatan or Guatemala will be all that dramatic (particularly if overrun with Corona-drinking tourists). Nothing noticeable is going to happen anyway. Eternity is eternity, which means it’s all …
War Horse is the first film by Steven Spielberg since 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The story revolves Albert Narracott and his relationship with Joey, a horse that he trains. Joey has to leave Albert’s care because he gets sold to the Army as a war horse. Joey interacts with many people on both sides of the war while fighting to get back to his original owner Albert. War Horse is one of those films …
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, based on the novel by Steig Larsson, is a suspense thriller directed by David Fincher and written by Steven Zaillian. The film introduces us to Mikael Blomkvist, a prominent journalist who lost a case against a man named Hans-Erik Wennerström. Mikael decides to withdraw from being co-owner and writer of Millenium magazine because he lost his case against Hans. He then almost immediately receives an offer from a man named Henrik Vanger to solve …
Most Recent Arts Comments
Local, I forgot to offer you a piece of sage advice. Don’t bag on 39 south because they represent your potential collector pool. Even though I haven’t lived in Champaign since 1997, 39 south is still the only arts entity that has promoted my work as an…
Lest 39 South feels picked on: Check this from the Urbana City Public Arts Program: “Calling all Champaign County Artists! We’re pleased to announce a Call for Entries for a new initiative called Murals on Glass, which will feature artwork reproduced in adhesive vinyl displayed on the…
You forgot Jonathon Fineberg was also personal pals with the Christo’s. I’ll agree that Dr. Fineberg has done a tremendous job communicating to undergrads why this stuff is important, but I won’t kiss the ring because he also contributed to the dismantling of crafts at the U…
And boom goes the dynamite.
I think the best and most exciting arts programming in Champaign-Urbana is at the Krannert Art Museum. The depth and quality of the museum’s permanent collection speaks highly to the intelligence of the art history faculty at the University. I have to say taking Art History with…
Another mystifying thing is 39 South touts the fact that when you consider all things that are considered “art”, i.e. music, exhibits, movies, performances, craft fairs, circuses, ect; art in Champaign County apparently generates $60 million dollars of “economic activity” every year, so says 39 South. And…
I have to agree, I’m a bit confused as to the purpose of 40 North, although I am aware that the organization is in a period of restructuring and re-examination. And yes, the “staff of 1” does work tirelessly to keep the operations afloat, but the fact…
“Making art accessible to everyone and cultivating the art and artists in Champaign County is 40 North’s main mission.” FACT: When the Urbana City Council proposed to form a new public arts council of its own in 2008, 39 South actually sent letters from board members Cody…
On behalf of the New Art Film Festival, I’d like to thank you for highlighting our event in this article. It is our pleasure to put together this showcase for the community and the recognition is highly appreciated by all of us involved in the NAFF. Also,…
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Most Recent Comments
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
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Thanks for the sage advice Mary Anna, but I’m long done with the sucking up and being thankful for the scraps. The most important thing an artist can do to live with yourself is tell the emperor he’s got no clothes, and spray paint something on his…