THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013
PAGE 9A
MOVIES
MCCLATCHY TRIBUNE
Director Lasse Hallstrom, left, chats with Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough on the set of "Safe Haven."
No surprises in 'Safe Haven'
MCCLATCHY TRIBUNE
When it comes to trying to make you cry, there are no safe havens in "Safe Haven."
The latest film based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, the author who's elicited more tears than an onion factory, includes plot points of spousal abuse, cancer, cute kids, children in peril, a hunk with a heavy heart, loss of a parent, letters from the grave and a lot more.
None of this story is very original. But if you have even the tiniest sliver of romance in you, see no other movie than this one on Valentine's Day. And be sure to bring some extra tissues.
"Dancing With the Stars" alumna Julianne Hough plays Katie, a woman on the run who ends up in
a sleepy, on the verge of comatose, little North Carolina community (a favorite locale for a Sparks tale of tears). No sooner is she off the bus than she meets the town's eligible widower, Alex (Josh Duhamel), who's trying do his best to raise his kids since his wife died a few years ago.
Sparks fly. But the relationship unfolds slowly because Katie has a dark past and Alex is cautious about bringing another woman into his family. His young son (Noah Lomax) dislikes the idea of any new woman who threatens the memory of his mom, while young daughter (Mimi Kirkland) is desperate for some maternal attention.
Since the story elements aren't that new, the major key to making a Sparks movie work is how much
you want the central couple to fall in love. The characters played by Duhamel and Hough have so much pain, it would be a sin for them not to find some happiness together.
Lasse Hallstrom's film is a beautiful blend of Hallmark Card moments, from meeting to sharing a disastrous date in the rain to eventually giving into their obvious attraction for each other. These are such schmalzy moments they block the dark side of the tale.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Sparks story without some hurdles to overcome. The film's biggest weakness is the police officer (David Lyons) on an unrelenting mission to track down Katie. There's devotion to duty and there's dark obsession. Lyons' performance goes way beyond both, to the point of caricature. He's
a modern-day melodramatic villain without the handlebar mustache.
There are points that can't be discussed without giving too much away. All that can be said safely is Cobie Smulders gets the most out of her role to make this romance a full tearjerker.
Sparks has never been subtle when it comes to being an emotional manipulator, and there are moments of "Safe Haven" that seem like the biggest manipulations of his career. Cynics, and those who believe love is nothing more than the name of a Beatles-themed Las Vegas show, should not wander into a theater showing "Safe Haven." This kind of emotional barrage can weaken even the hardest of hearts.
HOLIDAY
Celebrating V-Day around the world
CARA WINKLE
cwinkley@kansan.com
The lights are dimmed in the trendy five-star restaurant; glowing candles sit on tables draped with the restaurant's special occasion red table cloths. A couple is sitting in the corner ordering overpriced meals, while in the guy's head he is silently calculating how many shifts he is going to have to work to pay it all off at the end of the night. After the waiter leaves, the guy pulls out a card and a red rose accompanied by a small black box. The girl feigns surprise as they had previously agreed they weren't going to exchange gifts this year. This is what a typical Valentine's Day looks like according to American romantic comedies. However, countries around the world have their own ways of celebrating the Day of Love.
CHINA
In China on the national Day of Love, girls are the ones to give the gifts. Girls will nake or buy chocolates the night before to give to their loved ones. If they are single they will bring the chocolates to school and celebrate the day with classmates. Couples will usually go out to celebrate, according to Law Sin Tung, a sophomore student from Hong Kong. The guys aren't completely off the hook as the men in a relationship will normally buy their girlfriends flowers as well.
SCOTLAND
Scotland celebrates Valentine's Day a lot like we do, except way more low key. Gift-giving used to be big, but has gotten less and less popular. Ross Whyte, a junior student from Scotland, went to an Italian restaurant and a concert for Valentine's Day last year. He and his girlfriend didn't exchange gifts, but they each paid for a part of the night in its place. Typical traditions include exchanging cards and gifts and going out to a nice restaurant for
dinner. Family members don't usually exchange cards or gifts, but friends may exchange little cards just for fun, according to Megan Lackie, a junior international student from Scotland.
GERMANY
Sometimes countries don't go all out in celebrating a holiday like we do in the United States. In Germany, Valentine's Day is more of a commercial holiday. They don't really celebrate it. Nicole Westphal, a Lawrence middle school student teacher from Germany said that last year for Valentine's Day her boyfriend gave her a rose and some chocolates. There are not many people in Germany who go out to special dinners or exchange greeting cards. Not even elementary schools have Valentine's Day parties where kids exchange candy and cards.
BRAZIL
In Brazil, they don't celebrate Valentine's Day on Feb 14. However, they celebrate a similar holiday called Dia dos Namorados "The Day of Lovers," on June 12. According to Forbes magazine, this day is dedicated to celebrating Saint Anthony, the patron saint of matchmaking and marriage. During the celebration, single women perform rituals such as writing the names of crushes on pieces of paper the night before, folding them up and then opening one on the big day to determine who they should marry. Couples will also exchange small presents such as chocolate and flowers.
— Edited by Hayley Jozwiak
MUSIC
Spotify your Valentine's Day with this playlist
Lyndsey Havens
Valentine's Day brings about many emotions, and this playlist covers them all. Whether you are celebrating with a loved one or having a pity party, there is a song here for you. This playlist includes some good oldies by Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, and The Beatles as well as some of today's favorites such as Jack White, Ed Sheeran, Frank Ocean and many more. No matter how you are celebrating, do it right with some good music—it makes the best company.
http://bit.ly/YeS2jJ
THE UNIVERSITY OF KUANSAS
University Theatre
General admission tickets are on sale in the KU ticket offices. University Theatre.
864-3982. Lied Center.
864-ARTS, and online at ku theatre.com. Tickets are $15 for the public, $14 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff, and $10 for all students. All major credit cards are accepted. The University Theatre is partially funded by the KU Student Senate Activity Fee.
The University Theatre's 2012-2013 season is sponsored by the KU Credit Union
7:30 p.m.
February 14, 15,
16, 19, 20, 21
2:30 p.m.
February 17
William Inge
Memorial Theatre
KU CREDIT UNION
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