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Jeff, Who Lives at Home R 3/4 stars Jeff, Who Lives at Home is a comedy that approaches humor in the way that most indie style comedies do. They’re funny in an ironic and sarcastic manner, keeping a perceived level of sophistication above anything that may venture into straightforward joke or slapstick. Instead, much of the effort is focused on trying to break your heart. They will try to tear you down and then build you up with subtle wit, …
| Coriolanus (R) Ralph Fiennes takes on acting and directing duties in Coriolanus, a Shakespearian tragedy based on actual Roman leader Caius Marcius Coriolanus. Fiennes makes his directorial debut and takes on the title character. If you’re familiar with Shakespeare then you know that Coriolanus will be plagued by a tragic flaw. But Coriolanus’ flaw is not as easily pinpointed as Hamlet, for instance. Hamlet is indecisive and unreadable in character at times, whereas Coriolanus is much the opposite. He …
Linotype: The Film — In Search of the Eighth Wonder of the World plays on Thursday at Parkland Theatre. Proceeds from the event (the suggested donation is $7) will go to Parkland's Fine and Applied Arts Department. A panel discussion will take place after the film. The poster for the film was designed by Molly Poganski, shop manager of the Living Letter Press in Champaign. Paul Young, a design instructor at Parkland, asked Poganski for the design. Smile Politely had …
Crispin Hellion Glover has starred in a variety of films over the years, including: Back to the Future, Rivers' Edge, Wild at Heart, The Doors, Charlie's Angels, Willard, and Hot Tub Time Machine to name a few. You could call him a character actor but that seems too specific for him. Glover seems to break the typical mold of any sort of label, resulting in wacky, eccentric characters and unique, dare-we-say, mind-boggling projects. Some say he's weird, but weird is …
Documentary Film Festival, March 30–April 10 The Art Theater documentary festival last September brought a variety good films to choose from that normally wouldn’t get exposure in a small market such as ours. The upcoming installment looks like it could even top that. The lineup this time around includes festival opener All In: The Poker Movie (a film that we hope to see and have a review to offer in a few days), a new Herzog film, some Sigur Rós, …
Pina (2011) PG Pina is a tribute to legendary modern dance choreographer Pina Bausch. Bausch died in 2009, five days after being diagnosed with lung cancer and just two days before filming began on this documentary. The result is a feature-length documentary that honors her art and almost functions as a filmed eulogy, comprised of both speech and dance, because "words can't do more than just evoke things — that's where dance comes in again." Directed by Wim Wenders, Pina …
The Artist (PG-13) There’s a good chance you’ve heard of The Artist by this point, whether you’re an avid film fan or not. Just a week ago it received 10 nominations from the Academy and last month it came away with the Golden Globe for Best Picture: Musical or Comedy (one of the few films in that category that actually belonged there). Even the dog, Uggie, who stars in the film has been praised and walked the red carpet. A …
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a well-executed film, technically. The acting couldn’t really be of higher quality. The chameleon-like Oldman (that guy looks different everywhere doesn’t he?) puts in a standout performance amongst an all-star cast that all get a fair amount of screen time: Colin Firth, John Hurt, Toby Jones and Mark Strong. The surprise standout, however, is Benedict Cumberbatch (Peter Guillam), who is apparently not a newcomer to fans of the BBC Sherlock series. Cumberbatch is a welcome …
My Week with Marilyn (R) I wasn’t completely captivated with My Week with Marilyn the way that many were with the legend herself. I had mixed feelings about the film and what it was trying to do. I like Michelle Williams, and I believe that she did a fine job with what she was given, but I think she was overshadowed at times by Kenneth Branagh as Laurence Olivier. He's authentic—fiery, impassioned, impatient, meticulous and flawed. He puts a lot …
Bellflower (R) Bellflower is not for everyone. It’s violent, graphic and discomforting at times. The dialogue is authentic, but there are times that you can sense that it’s not professionally acted. Frankly it doesn’t matter though because you detach yourself and just watch a bunch of friends hang out and live their crazy lives. And you believe it. It’s an interesting and intense insight into manhood that traverses the tear between the nice guy and the whiskey-fueled badass that men …
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…