MUSIC
MOVIE
Little Miss Sunshine
A knockout comedy with heart, "Little Miss Sunshine" follows a dysfunctional family as they drive to California for a beauty competition. The family is comprised of a father who is a motivational speaker (Greg Kinear), a frustrated housewife (Toni Collette), an optimistic and sweet daughter, Olive (Abigail Breslin), a heroin addicted grandfather (Alan Arkin), a scholarly uncle and a
teenage son who has taken a vow of silence.
This delightful film works because of its fast-paced, smart script and the perfect comedic chemistry of the cast. Throughout the film, there is a feeling of normalcy in their conversations, frustrations and everyday clothes, despite their unconventional journey.
Funnyman Steve Carell, as Olive's uncle, is one of the film's many highlights. His
sarcastic side comments are icing on the cake.
Newcomer Abigail Breslin, as Olive, is adorable and shows great depth in the film's dramatic scenes. It is her determination to compete in the pageant that gives the film grounding sincerity through the wild plot. This "Sunshine" seamlessly manages to be sweet without being cloy, funny without being gross and heartfelt without being sappy.
"Little Miss Sunshine" is one of the best and most hilarious movies I've seen in a long time. Sorry Captain Jack, "Little Miss Sunshine" is the best film of the summer.
Rated: R
2 hours
Sarah Tucker
Regina Spekt Begin To Hope
After Paris Hilton released an album, I was beginning to question whether I should ever listen to music again. After all, in my opinion the music world had basically ended. But after hearing "Begin To Hope"I knew that, in the end, good music would prevail.
Singer-songwriter Regina Spektor follows up her popular album, "Soviet Kitsch" with "Begin To Hope," an album filled with depth, variety and a lot of great songs.
The album starts strong with the groove-heavy "Fidelity," followed by the up tempo rocker "Better" and one of my favorite songs on the album, "Samson," filled with smart lyrics and a beautiful melody.
Broadway-esque "Après Moi," the schizophrenic "20 Years of Snow" and the jazzy "Lady." Nevertheless, they're better than anything Lenny Kravitz has ever put out.
The album loses power in the middle section with some experimental tracks, including the
"Summer in The City" closes out the album the way it should be done, with a beautiful song that will leave you pining for the carefree days of summer.
So in a world that allows Paris Hilton to record an album, it's nice that genuine music still exists. And that's what can be found on "Begin To Hope."
ALL RATINGS ARE OUT OF A POSSIBLE FIVE STARS.★★★★★
JAYPLAY SAYS
READ SWEET AND VICIOUS
Boy meets Girl.Boy and Girl fall in love. Boy and Girl are chased across the country by Chicago gangsters who are after their stolen diamonds.
David Schickler's "Sweet and Vicious is packed with love, action and crime.The brilliant novel reads like a movie — full of graphically sexual and violent scenes mixed with touching moments. Even if you're not the avid reader, you won't be able to put this one down.
Carolyn Tharp
CLICK COLLEGE MINDSET LIST
Virtual pets, brides wearing white and our propensity for using "google" as a verb have shaped who we — those born between 1983 and 1988 — are. Beloit College in Wisconsin recognizes these and other factors (bar codes, the death of the fax machine and a stained blue dress included) in their College Mindset List for the class of 2010.
Navigate to http://www.beloit.edu/~pubaff/mindset to access the list that is used by educators, military recruiters and others who want to understand us, and maybe you'll end up understanding yourself.
Becka Cremer
DOWNLOAD THE RASTERBATOR
Ready to redecorate, but reluctant to drop much cash? Download the Rasterbator from http:// homokaasu.org and use this simple program to turn any photo into a giant-sized poster. With just a few clicks and a minute or two of waiting, your favorite photo can quickly become wallpaper for an entire room. Bonus:The Rasterbator + photos of the time your roommate passed out in the shower = ultimate blackmail.
Becka Cremer
If you haven't heard it already, check out Iron and Wine's album "Our Endless Numbered Days." Its soothing acoustic sound is perfect for rainy days, studying or taking naps with your boo. Had a long day? The rhythm of the guitar and songwriter Sam Beam's vocal will croon you to calm.
BUY
OUR ENDLESS
NUMBERED DAYS
Carolyn Tharp
18+JAYBLAY 08.31.2006