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Show life MONDAY. JULY 2 - 2 0 0 7 The heat is on The Rainmaker raises temperature at West Valley Hale Center Theater MelSindquist Life writer Indie Outbreak Illustration by. Brandon Schelin by Luke Hickman This summer's best independent films Death At A Funeral Once As proven by last year's Academy Award-winning comedy. Little Miss Sunshine, not all independent movies are pretentious, artsy and lame. Death At A Funeral is this year's Sunshine, focusing on a disastrous English funeral where all family skeletons literally come out of the closet. Though filled with crowd-rising comedic elements, there are several natural, touching moments. And ladies, it stars Mr. Darcy from 2005's Pride And Prejudice*. (Hickman) If you don't know about Irish indie music, this is the perfect introduction to it. Irish musician Glen Hansard plays a directionless heartbroken "guy" who spends his free time playing emotional songs solo in the streets. While performing, he meets a Czech "girl" who contributes to his music, his life and his heart. (Hickman) Paris JE T'AIME 23 directors from all over the world have joined together to tell one story about the worldwide love of one city: Paris, France. The finished product is one movie containing 18 short filrn^, all filmed in France. The directors include the Coen Brothers, Alfonso Cuaron and Gus Van Sant and srars actors like Natalie Portman, Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Elijah Wood. The title Paris, Je T'aime translates to "Paris, I Love You." (Hickman) Ckance It seems that recent high temperatures have chased good American drama out of Utah Valley. To see anything not laden with overbearing musical numbers, you'll have to travel north. I found a choice destination in the Hale Center Theater in West Valley, where John Adams is directing one of my favorite plays: N. Richard Nash's The Rainmaker, showing through July 28. As director, Adams nurtured a bond of familial love between the Currys and showed a superior grasp on comedic strategy. However, the show was directed as if it were to be performed at the E Center, and not on the Haie's small stage. The characters were all stuck at forte, leaving most chances for tender moments in the dust. Tracie Merrill as Lizzie Curry was a prime example of the show's refusal to turn the volume down. Even personal matters were said for all to hear. Just a few asides with her father, H.C., for example, would make her character more credible. Her facial expressions, however, were ideal. Her eyes, shadowed and desolate one moment, gleamed with hope a moment later. Kevin Killian Goertzen," who played Starbuck, was energetic and committed, but seemed out of place. Everything about him said musical, and it was obvious he was not used to working in the round, with audience members on every side of the stage. H.C., played by David Phillips, was impressive as the patient, loving father figure, but the standout among the Curry men was Mitch Hall as Noah, the eldest brother. His voice traveled up and down like an old carnpfire melody, holding the play's emotion to a firm tempo. Part Patrick Wilson, part Clint Eastwood, Hall portrayed the strict, Godfearing, by-the-books man just as the story required. The youngest of the Currys was Jimmy, played by Andy Rindlisbach. The "young pup" of the show was portrayed with an interesting balance of real human emotion and over-thctop youthful exuberance which balanced out Noah's taciturn nature very we 11. One of the be si characters in the show, albeit his lines were few, was Gordon Johnson as Sheriff Thomas. Redolent of both Sheriff Andy and Aunt Bea, his light-hearted goings-on were a welcome distraction. The low points of the show were the tacky, melodramatic tunes after every scene which were reminiscent of a bad western movie. Instead of attuning the audience's focus to the raw, emotional drama of the script, the music beat us across the head with reminders that the characters were cowboys and the state was Oklahoma. With several standout performances and few weaknesses. The Rainmaker is worth the extra miles. Well, as long as your car has air conditioning. UNIVERSITY MALL FREE PARIS! CINiMAi Showtimes for June 29 - July 5 ThelnrbINePO-13 12:05,2:20,4:40,7:00,9:20 USE THIS CARD TO FREE PARIS IF BY CHANCE SHE EVER GOES TO JAIL FOR BEING IN A DRUNKEN STOOPER AND GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL.. KHufblaK-13 12:10,2:25,4:45,7:10,90S WadwofGlofyK-13 12:00,240,5:00, 7 JO, 9 * ) WiWHegjpg-13 1230,7:15,9:10 Mhi Potter PS 2;45.5*0 AAruwn St O0 b-fara 6 pja. 51 JO d*r t jmv Sbdonb »/U>. I Oddrm 11.00 AU SHOWS W S. 700 f. Orem y*ti to Corto,' Cartoon by. Al Deans Both scholarship and work-study options are available. For more information, or to apply, stop by SC 220 or email eleanortakahashi@hotmail.com .Qresft opportunity to: The College Times looking Gain experience in a fun and I professional environment)? j See your designs in print.I j Build your resume. |