+ KANSAN.COM ARTS & CULTURE McGough: 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2' has few surprises, but still delivers expected nostalgia @cammcgough CAMERON MCGOUGH This image released by Universal Pictures shows a scene from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2." Hollywood is becoming saturated with prequels, sequels, franchises and universes. Sometimes the original is best left alone. "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" provides an entertaining, yet overbearing continuation of the hit 2002 film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," giving credibility to the notion that the first film is usually the best. To be fair, returning screenwriter and star Nia Vardalos had a very hard task in front of her. The first film was adoringly original, spunky and quirky. It seems as though she tried to encapsulate that same spirit but with added ploys that would connect with an audience that is living in today's modern times and zoo of technology. This is all too apparent with multiple scenes involving an iPad equipped with FaceTime, or as some of the older characters refer to it; "the Facetimes" while they yell directly into the screen. Miraculously, the entirety of the original cast have made their way onto the limited screen space. If any of them had been recast, the film would have lost all sense of nostalgia and credibility. Among the returning cast are John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Michael Constantine, Gia Carides and Louis Mandylor, who are all probably thanking the Greek Gods for Nia Vardalos and their employment. Despite a cast full of some B-movie actors, the performances are energetic and easy to enjoy. blank line where the priest should have signed, thus making their marriage illegitimate. Kazan and Constantine reassume their roles with the same grace and chemistry as 14 years ago. Three main conflicts drive the plot of the film, making the movie, like the Portokalos family, a bit crowded. Seemingly out of the blue, Toula (Vardalos) and Ian's (Corbett) marriage isn't as firework-inducing as it was when they last shared screen time. In the midst of all that, they have a stereotypical teenage daughter who despises the fact that she's Greek and wants to go to college at New York University where she can be far away from her loud family. The most intriguing plot point comes when Gus (Constantine) uncovers his marriage certificate to Maria (Kazan). He discovers a Despite a chaotic, yet humorous, beginning, the film really picks up once the wedding preparations commence. The wedding plans are led by the shining star of the film, Aunt Voula, played by Tony winner Andrea Martin. Through her TMI one-liners and innate gravitas, Martin livens things up and takes on much more than the last film. Forget the big fat Greek family, and get Aunt Voula her own movie. George Kraychyk/AP Photo The film comes to a close in a rather predictable manner, as do most films of this nature. Everything ends happily ever after, though it sort of leaves you wondering what's next for the Portokalos family. If it were a stand-alone film, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" would have been tiring and confusing, but it's a film that successfully supplements a better first version. Vardalos brought all the familiar tricks to the party, but it would have been nice to see a few more new ones. - Edited by Skylar Rolstad American Gothic band Murder by Death will return to "second hometown" to perform at The Granada CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTINUED PHOTO "American Gothic" band Murder by Death. Murder by Death will play at The Granada March 31. MINSEON KIM @adropofsunny As a part of its 2016 spring tour, Murder by Death, a self-described "American gothic" band, will come to The Granada March 31. In 2001, members of Murder by Death met in Bloomington, Ind. Adam Turla, lead singer and guitarist, said they started making music for fun and eventually grew into what they are now. Since the band's inception, Turla said they have found what their sound is. With seven full-length albums and a handful of EPs under the band's belt, Turla said they never try to mimic any particular sound, but they use a song-to-song approach when crafting an album. Many of its songs follow a storytelling approach with characters in each song, following a general theme of redemption. Adam Turla lead singer "[There are some] like the idea of working to get out of a rut, characters finding their way despite having trouble at times," Turla said. While the band has never written love songs, it put its spin on one in "Big Dark Love." The song comes from a parent's perspective of being afraid to love their children and of losing someone they love. Turla said they tried to take the idea of traditional love songs, instead of writing the way that most people do. "We are trying to write about love in a way that usually you wouldn't have," Turla said, "to see how it factors into your life beyond just the way the people usually write about love songs." The band has played in Lawrence many times since its first house show in the city 15 years ago. With many good friends in the area, band memeber David Fountain said Lawrence feels like a home away from home. "It kind of feels like a second hometown in lot of ways," Fountain said. "It's always one of those cities that you look ahead on the calendar, and you have a good feeling going into it." Murder By Death's show is March 31 at The Granada, located at 1020 Massachusetts St. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show starts an hour later. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online At The Granada's website. 785-864-4358 JOBS Engineering Internship Engineering Internship City of Lawrence City of Lawrence The City of Lawrence is seeking an Engineering Intern to assist staff with civil engineering tasks related to stormwater infrastructure, roadway design & project inspection, including office & field work. Prefer current student in CE program w/working knowledge of GIS (ArcGIS & AutoCAD). Start payment is $13.00/hr. Requires driver's license. Apply by 03/25/2016 at www.lawrenceks.org/jobs HAWKCHALK.COM City of Lawrence, KS Provide landscape services & horticulture practices for City's parks & public right of way. Require Bachelors equivalent in Horticulture or related field w/ least 1yr landscape horticulture exp. Must be able to acquire CDL & KAA Arborist certificate within the first 6 months of hire. $18.35/hr. Must pass postoffer background check, physical & d.r.s screen. Apply by 03/26/18. 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Great American Bank is currently accepting applications for 2 P/T teller positions at our downtown Lawrence location. Hours are flexible but must be available to close up to 6pm and Sat. mornings. Send resume to HResources@greatambank.com or stop by one of our branches to complete an application. SET EM UP JACK'S SPORTS BAR Now hiring all positions. Apply in person 23rd St. just past Harper. HOUSECLEANING HOUSE CLEANERS WANTED HOUSE CLEANERS WANTED Are you detail oriented, organized, and a team player? Full or Part time Mon - Fri. Bam - 5pm. work 1 day a week or all 5. Vehicle & supplies provided. 939 lowd Street (785) 842-6264 Student Laborer Rock Chalk Park Highland Community College is Seeking a Director of Academic Advising & Student Success Center on the Highland, KS, campus. F/T w/benefits. Directs advising, disabilities, placement, tutoring & strategies to assist in student academic success. Masters required; Relevant experience. Position available May 1, but start date negotiable. Request application packet: 785-442-6144 or humanresources@highland.edu EOE EOE Responsible for assisting with field & facility preparation at Rock Chalk Park for soccer, softball & track events. Visit www.kuatletics.com for full details & to apply. Sunflower State Games seeks energetic and responsible summer interns to assist in event planning and promotions for Olympic Style Sports Festival. Visit sunflowergames.com or call 785-235-2295 to inquire. JOBS Shadow Glen Golf Club, off K-10 & Cedar Creek Parkway, is hiring for our wait staff. Training to begin in April. We prefer room experience, but we will train the right individuals. Enjoy free meals & earn golf privileges. Email your resume & availability to: barb@shadowen.org LEASING ASSISTANT MOVERS NEEDED FOR SUMMER Apply now start May after classes. Work entire summer 40+hrs per week, days, no Sundays. $12/hr+ tips. Bonus for completing entire summer. 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