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Show Friday, Sept. 4, 2009 A&EDiversions A love story lacking the love “500 Days of Summer” is advertised as a movie about love, one of the best soundtracks ever created, the movie weaves an but not a love story. The story follows, un-chronologically, the artistic masterpiece of scenes using elements from animation courtship of Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer (Zooey to cityscape cinematography. Deschanel), who are two coworkers at a gift card company. At times the movie portrays the inner thoughts of Tom’s Tom is the romantic, down-to-earth young man looking for mind, like a dinner party magnificently done by split-screen“the one.” Summer is the skeptical, independent, free thinker ing his expectations and reality, or a communal dance number who shuns the relationship labels put on someone by society down the streets of downtown L.A. to the tune of Hall and and doesn’t care much for, or believe in, love. Oates’ “You Make My Dreams Come One might be tempted to think of this movie True,” arguably the best scene of film this senior news writer year. as a simple chick-flick, but what sets this movie apart is that instead of bogging itself down Benjamin Wood The absence of a linear timeline makes in the “aww-shucks” mundanity of unrealistic you stop and look at the pieces of what meet-cutes, it strips the story down to the skin makes a relationship. Why is it that some and bones uncertainties of real life and real fail and some succeed? Is it merely an people. No tricks, no gimmicks, just cold, hard effort by the people involved, or are there life. warning signs in the entire process that “There are only two kinds of people in the lead to cataclysm? world,” a narrative voice says during a scene. Gordon-Levitt’s Tom is the quintes“There are women, and there are men.” sential every-man: the perfect blend of Grade AThe first glimpse we get of Tom and thinking and quirky eccentricity. “500 Days of Summer” logical Summer is on day 488, registered by a dayHe hates his job while succeeding, is ometer that skips forward and backward charming without charms and is unique throughout the movie for effect and clarity, sitwhile average. ting on a park bench hand in hand. Deschanel is both intoxicating and infuriating as the femiImmediately after that, the count zips back to before 300 ne-idealist Summer. In the space of two hours her character where Tom is being consoled by friends and family after bounces from sexy eccentric to cold-hearted Siren and back his and Summer’s abrupt break up. Confused? Don’t worry, without ever losing credibility. you’ll have all the details eventually as their story is related in This is the romantic comedy for today’s generation. It is patchy segments that jump from twitterpated bliss to daunting a sharp, witty, endearing look at modern romance and the depression. non-fairy-tale frustration and pitfalls into which we all fall. If The magic of this movie is not the story itself; all of us have you’ve ever been in love, or plan on being in love, this is your either participated in our own version or know someone close movie; after all, it’s not a love story, it’s a movie about love. to us that has. It is the “how” not the “what” in the storytell–b.c.wood@aggiemail.usu.edu ing that makes you remember this movie. With the backing of Reel Reviews Book: USU alumnus creates Logan pictorial Page 7 “Having a credit card has been useful when making expensive purchases, and I’ve received small cash rebates for using my card at designated retail locations.” Don’t miss “Watching Your Wallet” Found each Wednesday only at www.aggietownsquare.com Utah State University Discover Greek Life Sorority Recruitment - Sept. 8-9 Both nights start in the Sunburst Lounge, TSC •Tues: Orientation & Entertaining House Tours Time: Choose one: 6:00, 6:30, 7:00 p.m. •Wed: “Focus on Philantrophy” night Time: Chose one: 6:00, 6:45, 7:30 p.m. Fraternity Recruitment - Sept. 8 Meet and on the TSC and go6:00 frompm there! 6:00 Patio we’ll go Patio from there! Register on-line: www.usu.edu/asusu/htm/greeks/register More info? call or visit Student Involvement: 326 TSC/435-797-2912 -continued from page 6 come from Ray Somers, who Smith said after pestering him for ly hit the exact spot where the photographer was.” years, gave him permission to use his photos shortly before his Smith said finding information took a longer amount of death. time. He said he would use Polk directories. Smith said these Because of the quality of many photos, Smith said he would are similar to phone books and began in Logan in 1904. Polk optimize the photos. He said he would directories gave information, such as work with the photos as much as he could where things were located, the proprietor “It was like playing a and even added a sepia tone to some. and the person’s occupation. “I didn’t have a problem with adding Networking was also a method of game of treasure hunt. the tone because it left a flavor of the Old gathering information Smith used. He Once you find it, you West, which I thought was important,” he said he would call an individual and they stand in the exact spot said. would refer him to another individual and Every modern-day photo in the book, the process would be repeated. and that is where you Smith took himself. He said some photos “Everyone I contacted was very kind get the most satisfache had taken were 20 years ago. to me and helpful,” he said. “Without tion and the biggest “The reason why I took them so long these people giving me information here ago was sheer randomness,” he said. “It rush. It is fun to finally and there I couldn’t put the book together. was to show that things change. I was curiI needed to get the knowledge that others hit the exact spot ous how things would change and I had no had that I did not. I am very appreciative, where the photograidea how they would. I didn’t know that and I couldn’t have done this by myself.” now there would be houses, apartments or Smith invites everyone to take a look pher was.” storage sheds in the way.” through his book. He challenges to read it –Darrin Smith through alone and then with a friend. He However, Smith recently took many of the photos. He would study the picture said there will always be something found and recreate the photo by standing in the within to talk about. same spot with the same angle as the photographer in the his“I wanted this book to be fun,” Smith said. “History can be toric photo. fun. I put in quirky things, interesting tidbits and little funky “It was like playing a game of treasure hunt,” he said. “Once things as well as serious. I would like to see people indulge in you find it, you stand in the exact spot and that is where you it. If that book ropes any type of emotion then I have accomget the most satisfaction and the biggest rush. It is fun to final- plished what I have set out to do.” Questions, comments or to buy a copy of the book, contact Smith at darrinkaysmith@gmail.com. The book is also available through The Herald Journal or found at the Cache Valley Visitors Bureau Gift Shop, located 199 North Main, inside the Historic County Courthouse. –courtnie.packer@aggiemail. usu.edu FREE BURGER & FRIES FREE with the purchase of large drink! BURGER &aFRIES 2095 North Main with the purchase of a large drink! 435-755-7061 one per person expires 09/09/2009 2095 North Main 435-755-7061 one per person expires 09/09/2009 THE FOOT OF OLD MAIN HILL is one of the drastic changes over the years at USU. Above, the building to the right was a residence hall for male and female students built in 1891. The building to the left was the heating plant for USU. It was demolished in 2003. Below, the parking terrace currently occupies the foot of Old Main HIll. photo courtesy DARRIN SMITH |