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Show life C4 A Dead End Road : ; : MONDAY • NOVEMBER 20 -2006 Upcoming Holiday Movie Releases ^-^^r; By Erik Frederickson £ Garrett Larsen Chapter 2: Internal Struggle Luke Hickman "Beau, Beau, Beau!!!" "Hey, I'm awake." • ' •: ; : Life Editor : "3 - '. . '•". • ' •" Every Thanksgiving we get a good dose of fun and quality movies. This holiday season is no exception. You got your action flick, your satirical comedy, your sci-fi thriller, your fantasy/drama and even your lame, singing, dancing, penguin movie. Thanksgiving is always a good time for the box office. "Beau, it would be nice if my best student was engaged in the discussion." Man, I can't even open my eyes-let alone participate. If I can only stay awake lill noon, then I can go home to sleep. My mind is running farther and farther fromrayschool duties. School is at the bottom of my to-do list, but now is when I really need to buckle down. I just dpn't have a desire to bust my butt to please my teachers anymore. I just want'to gel high. But I also don't want to serve tables for the rest of my life. . • ( • - ^.;. "Beau, can I speak with you after class?" . ':'-:i-:':"-^'K'''> " V" "Yes, Mrs. Ashes." Just cause I've missed some homework and have a B instead of an A. I wish people would mind their own business. ;:;, 'Beau, you're worrying me with your attitude toward academics of late." "I know, I just have some things going on lately. But don't worry, Mrs. Ashes. I will get back on fe ' - / v v ;>•>'•• ; --- trade" T m expecting that from you, and I hope you are true to your word." • 'S • : ; *Y"' Damn. Mrs. Ashes is right. This partying is doing nothing but slowing me down. No more until the semester is over. What's the point of even trying if I'm going to end up with Cs?Oh no, what the heU is that? 1 can't believe those bastards gave me a ticket and booted my car. "Hey, am I speaking lo the idiots that booled my car?" "Yea, nice to talk to you. Where are you, so we can gel our 30 bucks and take It oft?" ->':.,•• "Rogers, what-up man? You home?" ._ . : ..:• ;r "Yeah, what you doing?" '••"•••'\.•'•-•"•£"••'"••>"•'-''" ' . > . - ' • - . • • s v \ \ : " 1 just got a half gallon of Smirnoff, and I'm coming over." - .^jt "Hell yeah. Come on over." ^ ^ ; • :. "I don't even care about school; I'm just going to get drunk as hell and sleep oil day tomorrow" , "Whatever you think is going to work for you, man." Wow, what was I thinking? I've never had a worse headache in my life. Damn it, and I have a history test today. Who cores? I'm going backtobed. No, I can't. I have lo take that teat. Who am I joking, my head feels like the epicenter of an earthquake. This sucks* but I have to-gcr up and at least take it. "Beau, nice of you to join us this morning. Just to let everybody know, 1 have postponed the test till Friday. So, you have more lime lo study." \ • • You can't be serious! Now 1 have to sit here and listen to this clown lecture about garbage; I knew 1 should have just stayed home and slept. That's it. Tonight I'm going lo get drunk and high as hell, then I'm buckling down and getting caught up. Then no more partying until the semester is over. Best picks for local bands Cameron Runyan (Drums). They are a group based out fall in love with what- of Provo, and they have a ever they are singing about, sound that is amazing. They • and in many cases, the sound a little like Bright Eyes with a twist of Ryan The band in Utah that Adams (not to be confused accomplishes this task bet- with Bryan Adams). Paloter than anyone else is Pal- mino describes their music omino. The band consists as alternative/trance/counof Briton Jones (vocals and try, which is true; they hit guitar), Jake Fish (bass), all the bases, as far as chill Marcus Bentley (guitar) and out music goes. From PALOMINO • C1 Palomino has, not only a great sound, but also an amazing stage presence. The group really loves to make music, and you can tell, not only in their songs, but also in the way that they perform them. Palomino makes you think about their lyrics and what it is that each song is talking about. Many of Palomino songs make Courtesy Photo/Buena Vista Deja Vu (PG-13) - Nowadays people shy away from the sci-fi genre. In reality, sci-li movies should get more attention because they have the most room for originality. Director Tony Scott {Domino, Man on Fire) has turned this sci-fi thriller into a mix of the movies, Enemy of the State and Minority Report. Denzel Washington plays Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agent Doug Carlin, who's called into New Orleans after a terrorist attack on a ferry filled with U.S. sailors. While investigating the crime, Carlin is called in by a special, FBI task force to work on a project involving secret technology that allows them to see in the past. The deeper they get, the more intricate and tangled the story gets. The dynamics of Deja Vu work very well, and, once again, Scott has given us another unique movie that actively involves the audience in the guessing game of how it's going to end. you say, "If my life were a movie, this song would be playing in the background right now." This band has incomparable talent and, in the next few years, will go far. That is why they are the best band in Utah County. For those who want to see this band live, they are playing Dec. 1 attheVelour in Provo, on University Avenue. Courtesy Photo/Warner Brothers From NERVOUS - C1 The New Nervous stands on their own, entirely separate from former musical styles. With new philosophies and a band reformation, unlike former projects, The New Nervous is here to stay. I had a chance to sit in with The New Nervous during their practice to observe and to interview. When asked how they felt about being considered one of Utah County's greatest bands, equally they replied: "Humble and honored, because there are a lot of great bands we would consider better than us, Neon Trees and Another Statistic, for example. There are plenty of good bands, like Return to Sender." When asked how they differ from these bands and others who may be considered Utah's best, bassist Josh Dunn said: "I think we are quite From JAMES • C1 unique in our music style. I think it has mostly to do with our personalities and our different influences. We're four people with different backgrounds, different influences, from different places and different homes and completely different lives. We all bring something to the table, and I think that sets us apart and makes us unique." To no surprise whatsoever, this band is by far the most mature out of dozens of bands I have witnessed during their weekly jam sessions. The New Nervous typically practices twice a week for three to four hours. With their own jargon and technical descriptions, they jam out new songs like true professionals. They make everything about being in a band (and playing an instrument) appear to be incredibly easy. During their practices, they run through their set list like a machine. They blaze through and discuss it afterward, rather than most James doesn't stop there, either. He also has put some riencing life as it is time into a side project that lived. goes by the name William Joshua James' solo work will be collected in the near James and the Underground future on two releases titled Railroad. With this projThe Sun is Always Brighter ect James and fellow local and B-sides It's Dark Out- singer/songwriter McKay Stevens (Wake Up Seattle, side. Aside from his work Big J and the MC-K.) put with his solo act, he heads together some funkier, laidthe country-folk band Josh- back indie sounds, Stevens ua-James and__t_he South- providing much of the voern Boys. Joshua James' cals. William James and the southern boys generate an Railroad outstanding blend of well- Underground cover songs like Marvin orchestrated stories influGaye's "Let's Get It On," enced by most everything adding some personal under the sun. rhythm and soul, making it Joshua James and the their own, and the DJ Jazzy Southern Boys are also Jeff and the Fresh Prince conring--out.with-a record hit, "Parents Just Don't Unduring 2007, tentatively derstand," with their own titled The Devil & Gospel. bands, which tend to stop at of without leaving your several points, nit-picking past entirely behind. Ryan themselves into arguments Hone (drummer) said: and break ups. Good friends "One of my most favorand great musicians, The ite things about Scott and New Nervous understands the way he writes lyrics ... what it takes to commu- you can't really understand nicate their artistic points it from the surface. You of view and collaborate in have to dig deep. Most making an incredible and bands, you hear their lyrics unique band. and laugh. They are kind of Their dedication and cheesy. I actually like how maturity shows not only you have to invest yourself in their practices, but also to understand him. There's in their live sets. The a lot of meaning that can be New Nervous played one construed, different ways." of their final shows of the Song by song, change year last Friday at Liquid by change, chord by chord, Joe's. When The New I was enthralled. The Nervous took the stage, I unique voice and passion was instantly zoned into of singer Scott Shephard the music. I was amazed. combined with deep jazzThrown by crescendos and like bass lines from bassist taken back by diminuen- Josh Dunn, ambient harmodos, every change seemed nies and chord progressions to match my evolving by Kellen Holgate, and the mood and somehow got to sharp snare of Ryan Hone me more than ever before. blend to create the perfect The New Nervous has a mood and tone that should style that is simply artistic. be known as none other The lyrics are metaphors, than. The New Nervous. describing a life that you seem to want to break out unique take, along with other songs all influenced by war, love and God. Whether William James is just a pseudo-name for Joshua James or whether it has other references remains a mystery, but the project's sound lets one forget about the mystery and focus on the soulful, thoughtful and original sounds the group brings to the table. All of James' acts are part of the independent record label The Underground Railroad. Joshua James' most recent performance was Saturday night in "Cowboys and Indies #2," hosted by Velour with other local acts such as Neon Trees, The Weak Men and Band of Annuals on Nov. 17 and 18. He will also be performing for KOHS radio on Nov. 21 and at the BYU Freeze Fest on Dec. 1. Joshua James, arguably one of the hardest working musicians in the Utah County area will continue to be a definitive part of the diverse music scene in the valley. His work is definitely some of the best the area has to offer to the world. And he deserves all the publicity and recognition he ever receives. Other upcoming live performances by any of Joshua James' entities can be viewed at www.myspace. cora/joshuajamesmusic The Fountain (PG-13) - Visit our entertainment blog at http://uvscmoviereview.blogspot.com to read Luke Hickman's full review of this drama/sci-fi/fantasy flick. Courtesy Photo/Fox Searchlight Fast Food Nation (R) - Fox Searchlight sure has hit it big with indie films this year, like Little Miss Sunshine and Thank You For Smoking. Along the same lines as the latter, Fast Food Nation satirically dives into such highly controversial and unspoken topics as illegal immigration, the corrupt and powerful nature of corporate America, food quality and sanitation, fast food organizations (by name) and "the man." With an all-star cast and crew, including Greg Kinnear, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Wilmer Valderrama and many more, Fast Food Nation is going to drive a hunger for change from within. Courtesy Photo/MGM * Casino Royale (PG-13) - James Bond is back and better than ever in his 21st movie. With Daniel Craig {Munich, Layer Cake) taking on the role as Bond, the franchise also mixes things up a bit. Casino Royale is a prequel based on Ian Fleming's first Bond novel. Learn how Bond became a double-O agent and what made him the world's most iconic spy. Unlike every other Bond movie, Casino Royale isn't filled with impossible stunts, lame one-liners or constant sexual references. Casino Royale does make Bond just as much a human as Mission: Impossible III made Ethan Hunt. Throw your Bond misconceptions out the window, and make a bet on Casino Royale. |