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Show A&EDiversions Page 6 2.) H Pre-Emptive Critics 'Rio' Brazil: known for beautiful beaches, soccer and Carnival. Now add an underdog - well, underbird - named Blu, who lacks the ability to fly, a search for what may be the last female Macaw, some crazy monkeys and kidnappers and what do you get? "Rio." Some may be groaning at the idea of another animated film, but because this film was made by the makers of "Ice Age" (a pretty good movie, if I may) I would give this film a chance. It looks well-made with small incidental jokes thrown into a bright and colorful environment we can only dream about during those cold wintery Logan nights. Besides, everyone likes a story about an underdog rising up to a challenge, possibly falling in love and saving the day, right? Additionally, "Rio" has Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenburg teaming up to voice the main roles, with George Lopez and Wanda Sykes voicing some humorous sidekicks. Will.I.Am also delivers the movie's theme song, "Hot Wings." Overall, "Rio" seems like a pre-summer crowdpleaser suitable for all with its "G" rating. Also, I'm pretty sure no birds were harmed in the making of this film. I think. 'The Conspirator' This recreation of Abraham Lincoln's infamous assassination brings a unique perspective to the well-known historical tragedy. The star-studded cast, including Alexis Bledel, Evan Rachel Wood, James McAvoy, Robin Wright and Justin Long seems to epitomize an intriguing twist to what history has told us about Honest Abe's death. Perhaps I've been decieved, but I never knew about a female conspirator (hence the title) - Wright's character Mary Surratt - in Lincoln's assassination. Maybe I just was not paying enough attention. The trailer calls it "the true story you thought you knew," leaving me quite curious about Surratt's position in the theatre tragedy. We all know John Wilkes Booth, but the surprising addition of a woman is enough for me to want to see this film. Though the trailer gives off a made-for-TV vibe, I would still go. And, the all-star cast allows me to allow the film a certain amount of legitimacy. According to the clip, Surratt holds to her innocence despite accusations and her arrest. The defense by lawyer Frederick Aiken (McAvoy) seems intense and worth viewing. I am predicting innocence of the poor accused mother, maybe because of my unawareness of her existence in any historical literature or maybe because I think Wright is such a fantastic actress and could never kill my favorite president. I will have to see the movie to unravel its many mysteries. - natashabodily@gmail.com - jessie.a.sweat@aggiernail.usu.edu Friday, April 8, 2011 'Scream 4' If they didn't hear you scream the first three times, chances are they won't hear you the fourth. Although, the nerdy-looking actors in the preview of "Scream 4" say the rules are changing, I'd expect this movie to be more of the same: Attractive women screaming their heads off while being chased by someone in a Halloween mask and wielding a knife. The nerdy boys say the rage is to film murders to make them more extreme but I'm pretty sure that's already been done, too. My biggest question is how they got such a quality cast. The creators of "Scream 4" must have had an adventure finding filming dates when Kristen Bell ("Gossip Girl"), Lucy Hale ("Pretty Little Liars"), Courteney Cox ("Cougartown") and Hayden Panetierre ("Heroes") could all get together. And let's not forget Anna Paquin ("True Blood") or Nickelodeon star Emma Roberts. Clearly, audiences should prepare themselves for some high-quality acting. "The unexpected is the new cliche," so should we expect to see ... the expected? One more twist - "virgins can die now." So to the high percentage of readers who thought they were safe for this reason, you'd better watch your back. If you're into stuff like this, a predictable sequel's sequel's sequel with creepy phone calls and unrealistic violence, I guess it'd be a good way to spend your Friday night. Otherwise, do something better with your hour and 43 minutes. - m.noblegaggiemail.usu.edu The pre-emptive critics write knee-jerk analyses of upcoming films based solely on hearsay, advance publicity and most importantly movie trailers. They have not seen the movies. Don't forget to read Regrettably yours, Alex or Taylor at utahstatesman.corn This week they review "Tourist History." by Two Door Cinema Club ROADBENT Financial Services Getting Nlarrtedthis summer? need health insurance for you and your honey? For free quotes go to our website: www.broadbentfs.com or call 435.752.7200 Rates as low as $205 a month for -a couple! 40 W. Cache Valley BLVD (1250 North), Bldg. 3A Logan, UT 84341 Our Editor is Leaving. Yes, it's true. Sad but true that, for some, graduation really does take place. Speaking of taking place, if you think you have the skills and superhuman abilities to take his place, please see the adviser of The Statesman, TSC 105, before Monday, April 18, Noon. STUDENTS PERFORM "DIE ZAUBERFLOTE," Mozart's last opera, which he wrote to help a friend who was about to lose his opera house. The USU Opera Theater and USU Symphony Orchestra have teamed up to present this German tale to the University. ARMEN HOVSEPYAN photo Opera: Student production has relevant moral for today continued from page 5 Prince Tamino, who stumbles into the land of the Queen of Night, where he is attacked by a giant serpent. He is rescued by three ladies, who show him a picture of the beautiful Pamina, and Tamino instantly falls in love. Protected by a golden flute, he sets off with the bird-catcher Papageno to rescue Pamina from the clutches of the sorcerer Sarastro. But, the sorcerer is actually a wise priest, who tells Pamina that though she and Tamino are destined for each other, they must first prove their love. Bernal said, "It was written long ago, But the moral messages were relevant in Mozart's time, and are still relevant today." Morgan Hall, a senior in vocal performance playing the priest, said there is a lot of variety in the emotions the opera provides to the audience. Love, solemnity, comedy, and spirituality are all united in one work. Kacee Cambron, a junior in vocal performance, plays Pamina. She said the whole opera is in German, but the department has translated each line and will set the translations up on the super-title screen so the audience can understand what the players are saying. "I think it's a very inspiring story," she said, "even though it's not as plot-driven as others. The real purpose is that it's teaching a moral, which is to say that light will always conquer darkness. The comic Papageno, and the serious Tamino are both tested in their resolve to be good people, and they are rewarded with love." Hall said one of the most challenging things about performing opera is that even though the whole thing is in German, you have to know what you're saying at all times, and what the other characters are saying, so you can respond correctly. "It was really helpful for me to know what I was singing about the whole way through," Cambron said, "and to understand who my character is and what she's going through. From day one, my number one priority was to make sure that I wasn't just singing random German words without meaning." Anthony Eversole is finishing his student teaching in Cache Valley and has his undergraduate degree in vocal performance from Utah State. He is playing the role of Papageno. "It was kind of hard to decide where my character is coming from. Really, he's a bird-catcher that dresses up like a bird, which is a little weird. It's intimidating to perform arias that are well known because the community already knows them so well, even if they don't know they do," he said. Eversole said the process of learning a part in German is very intricate, and carefully done. The leads translate the words from German to English, and memorize the English translations. Then they add the German and speak the text with Mozart's rhythm. Afterwards, they sing the notes without the text, and then finally add the perfected German text to the notes. Jordon LeBaron, a senior majoring in vocal performance and business and playing the part of Sarastro, said, "The hardest part of any opera is being able to display the emotion of the piece, and focusing on portraying the character, but keeping that emotion married with the vocal technique required to sing these parts, especially in a huge venue like Kent." He said individual rehearsal is huge for the leads. They may expect to get a lot of one-on-one coaching, but they are also expected to translate and do all memorization on their own. The members of the chorus also put in many hours of preparation for the performance. Kelsie Packham, a junior in vocal performance, said the chorus was required to attend seven hours of rehearsal every day the week before the performances. Eversole said there is bias against opera, and towards any classical music, that it is boring or out of date. He said, "Society has become so fast-paced. We like going to a movie more than sitting back and meditating with the music. But this is what people did 300 years ago, and people would like it if they just let the music enrich them." LeBaron said, "People go to watch operas for the wrong reasons, to be entertained or thrilled, but to appreciate the sound a human body can make and the skill that requires is a huge reason to attend an opera, and appreciate it. It's just like going to a sports event and witnessing what the athletes can do with their bodies, that's something that excites people." Keisker said that the greatest reward for all the hard work is having the opportunity to be the medium for an audience to receive joy and inspiration after all the puzzle pieces come together in the performance to create a beautiful picture. The opera runs April 7-10 in the Kent Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. - kmarshal1222@gmail.corn |