The Box didn’t screen in time for print but Drew Lazor went anyway. Here’s what he had to say:
Donnie Darko director Richard Kelly’s latest expands a remarkably short, short story by sci-fi icon Richard Matheson into a peculiar, campy, frustrating but undeniably original two-hour creepfest. Matheson’s tale, one of those ones so well-suited for middle-school English class discussions, takes the classic morality play setup and repackages it into what’s basically a Staples “Easy” button. An odd stranger presents a struggling couple with a proposition: If they choose to push a weird button on a weird box, a stranger will die — but not before they’re awarded a large chunk of money. Kelly’s version has the male lead (James Marsden) employed by NASA, the wifey (Cameron Diaz) as a repressed schoolteacher and the odd stranger (a frightening Frank Langella) touting natty suits and extreme facial disfigurement. Kelly is a gifted weaver of suspense, and The Box score — constructed brilliantly by members of Arcade Fire — trumps up the screenplay’s many moments of Hitchcockian paranoia. The movie’s shortcomings are not based in implausibility (all in the game), but rather in the occasional stiffness of Marsden and Diaz’s performances. We can all agree that pretty people can’t always sell middle-class — but this film’s built like a nesting doll, so we expect our leads to get sharper as the answers starting rolling in.
If you happened to be anywhere near the corner of Third and Race streets this morning at 8 a.m., you might have noticed Stephen and Ophelia Clark — the creators of AntiPop Ltd. — plastering boarded-up windows, guerrilla style, with their art. This week’s First Friday Focus gets into the meaning behind the mostly-black-and-white multimedia collages that have popped up in Old City and other neighborhoods as a fitting juxtaposition to gallery-bound First Friday. Here’s a snippet from the column:
“As experience tells us, art and creative expression suffer greatly under corporate control,” says Stephen. This is not a diss on First Friday but a call to action for artists living in a world where expression is trumped by advertising, capitalism and the Internet. “Our concern is for the next generation of artists, since we are witnessing individuality being co-opted by pre-packaged rebellion, creating youth that will be bereft of culture, independent thought and artistic intent.”
Our very own Neal Santos got up bright and early this morning to follow the Clarks as they installed their public exhibition. Watch the video below; then read a Q&A with the artists, who want to make sure you don’t get the wrong idea about what they’re doing. “We’re not political or anti-technology or anti-popular culture,” says Stephen. “What we’re trying to do is put these things into perspective in a world that is seemingly becoming more and more reliant upon them.”
Bill Withers is probably one of the least polarizing artists of all time. Do you know anyone who reaches for the radio dial when “Lovely Day” or “Ain’t No Sunshine” comes on the radio? Of course you don’t, it’s musical blasphemy. That voice! Those arrangements! But when Withers was at the top of his game, he simply walked away from it all for a quieter, outta-the-spotlight life. On Sunday, November 8 the First Person Festival screens the documentary Still Bill (check out the trailer above) tracks down the reclusive Withers and he opens about why he shunned the limelight and what he plans to do from now. Withers obvs won’t be there (reclusive isn’t a word you throw around lightly), so Johnny Ingram will be there, singing the hits, instead.
While you’re at it, watch Withers receive an achievement award from the R&B Foundation last year at the Kimmel Center, with Dionne Warwick (”Use Me” is my fave Withers song too, Dionne!) introducing a Withers and a medley of his tunes:
Remember last week when we got crazy excited about Frank Reynolds (aka Danny DeVito) flashing around a copy of the City Paper, Carolyn Huckabay’s cover story on T. Desiree Hines to be exact, on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia? We promised we’d give you the goods when the episode went up on Hulu. Without further ado, lower the lights and check CP out:
Also, if you saw last night’s episode, it’s in your best interest to visit dicktowel.com. Like, now.
Technically the First Person Festival of Memoir and Documentary Art kicked off on Tuesday night (and that doesn’t even include the Oct. 26 preview dinner with Ruth Reichl, or the First Person Arts-sponsored Welcome House you might have noticed in early October). So far there’s been a burger cruise, a “group eating” event, a movie screening, a festival salon and even a concert by Woody Guthrie’s granddaughter. Whew.
But the majority of fest events are happening this weekend, and there’s a lot of noteworthy stuff out there. We figured since we can barely keep track of it all, you might need some help, too. Here’s a rundown of don’t-misses (all events take place at Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., and cost $20, unless otherwise noted):
treehugger.com
Going to Extremes >> If you’ve ever sat for hours at La Colombe, sipping perfect cappuccinos and people-watching the coffee shop’s Euro-fabulous clienetele, you have Todd Carmichael to thank. The La Colombe owner’s not just known for torrefaction, though — he’s a daredevil who’s trekked across Antarctica and has plans for the Namib Desert and Death Valley National Park. He’ll talk about his wacky adventures and misadventures and give audiences a chance to ask questions. Like, Who does that? Fri., Nov. 6, 7 p.m.
Karaoke Obsessed >> As many drunken nights at Yakitori Boy can attest, karaoke just sometimes … happens. Brian Raftery, like all of us before our first time, once thought karaoke was for chumps. We don’t know what his first song was, but it changed his mind, and now the author of How Karaoke Conquered the World and Changed My Life is an addict. He’ll read from his book, and then hand the mic to Sara Sherr, she of Sugar Town and the Khyber’s Karaoke that Doesn’t Suck, for some audience participation. Get ready to sing your heart out. Fri., Nov. 6, 9 p.m. Click For More »
Hannah, “An Exhibition of Nude Photography,” Proximity Gallery.
If you’re in need of First Friday suggestions, take a look at Carolyn Huckabay’s First Friday Focus column (and the slideshow that goes along with it). Then hit up our revamped gallery listings, which are complete with images from the shows, gallery hours, and summaries written up by City Paper staff members.
Afterward, if you think of a way to make the listings better, feel free to leave a comment below or e-mail holly.otterbein@citypaper.net.
While it’s ostensibly a by-the-numbers spy thriller, I’ve been fascinated by Saltsince they started discussing it in the trades earlier this year. It simply looks like Angelina Jolie in yet another bid to show that she can simultaneously be a serious actress, shoot stuff and have lips so pillow-y you could Rip Van Winkle-it on them and not really give a shit that you slept through the last century (plus, when you wake up, there could possibly be flying cars. While a definite plus, that’s not the point). That’s not why this is an interesting movie: The role of “Evelyn Salt” was originally written as Edwin Salt with Tom Cruise slated as the lead. Look, movies often drastically change from script to screen. Annie Hall was supposed to be a murder mystery but a gender switch in an action movie seems like an even farther leap than that.
I would love to get my hands on the original Salt script and see how it changed. Sexuality isn’t a huge component to the persona of the male action role. He can take it (James Bond) or leave it (Rambo). But action roles written for women always have a sexual component to them, whether that chemistry is ultimately with a love interest or a villain. Click For More »
Don’t know what to do tonight? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
— I will always be indebted to Mallrats for teaching me what the Stink Palm is. Kevin Smith, the genius director behind that scene (as well as those in Chasing Amy and Clerks) will be performing tonight at the Merriam Theater (250 S. Broad St., 215-732-5446) at 8 p.m., for $39-$66.
— Think we don’t live in a post-sexist society just yet? (Think we do? You must not have been around for this.) Well, neither does fem Barbara J. Berg, who will read from her book Sexism in America: Alive, Well and Ruining Our Future at Wooden Shoe Books (704 South St., 215-413-0999) at 7 p.m. for free. Fans of Tucker Max not allowed.
— Speaking of people I’m indebted to … regardless of what Obama’s presidency is or will become, thank you, David Plouffe, for getting John McCain not elected. Prez Barack Obama’s chief campaign officer will be reading his new book, The Audacity to Win, at the Free Library (1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322) at 7:30 p.m., for $7-$14.
Every Thursday, we give you this week’s LGBTQ to-do list.
Before I begin, let me just say: Shame on you, Maine, for voting to repeal the state’s decision to allow gays to marry. I’m truly disappointed. I thought you were cool.
OK, moving on …
— On Fri., Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m., for a $20 donation, Giovanni’s Room(345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960) is hosting a Philly Drag Poetry soiree to benefit the Global Women’s Strike. A diverse group of nine artists will be reciting their poetry while clad in drag. The best part is that these performers aren’t professional drag queens and kings … so be ready to see a room full of hot mess (and I mean that kindly). It’ll be hilarious. Among the most well known participants is Eleanor Wilner, famed author and recipient of a prestigious MacArthur Foundation Fellowship.
— If dancing is on your agenda this weekend, you should head to Rise & Fall atStir (1705 Chancellor St., 215-732-2700) on Fri., Nov. 6 at 9 p.m. for a free dance party that’s going to tear the walls down — literally. Held in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the falling of the Berlin Wall, Stir has invited German DJ Ipek Ipekcioglu (pictured) to spin a sexed-up set of Middle Eastern beats mixed with gritty Berlin elektro. This edgy mix of tunes will be a welcome break from the same old same old mash-up of pop divas you hear everywhere else. Wear something sexy like the cool German kids from one of my favorite fashion blogs, Still in Berlin.
— See what it’s like to be on a gay game show at Bike Stop (206 S. Quince St., 215-627-1662) on Thu., Nov. 12 at 6 p.m., byparticipating in the free Fetish Feud. Hosted by the fierce and feisty Crystal Tee Electra, the game is styled after the classic TV show Family Feud. You can form your “family” with your friends or be spontaneous and team up with strangers in the bar. Keep in mind that this event is centered around the annual Philadelphia Leather Weekend, so don’t be afraid if the strapped-up guy next to you bends over for a playful spanking.
— Don’t forget: The First Person Festival started this Wednesday. (Check out our A&E and Agenda sections for lots of FPF coverage.) There’s an exciting program of events scheduled at the Painted Bride Art Center (230 Vine St., 215-925-9914) that are taking place throughout the weekend. Among them is a reading of Sweet Tea on Sun., Nov. 8 at 6 p.m., for $12-$20, which Iwrote about in this week’s A&E section. I’ll also be stopping by Karaoke Obsessed on Fri. Nov. 6 at 9 p.m., for $15-$20, and the Still Bill screening on Sun., Nov. 8 at 7 p.m., for $20-$30. Check out Critical Mass throughout the week for a review of these haps and more.
There’s a certain wave of sadness that washes over us when the two-week Live Arts/Philly Fringe bonanza wraps up in mid-September. (K. Ross Hoffman wrote about the malaise in our Oct. 1 issue.) We’re exhausted from attending dozens and dozens of shows, but the high of witnessing such innovative dance/theater/weirdo-experimental-whatever is tough to come down from, especially since there’s always one big nasty dreary winter standing in the path to the next year’s fest. Waaaah.
But good news, Philadelphians! The Live Arts Festival folks have just announced that, as of right-now, they’re launching an artist-in-residency program, coupled with free every-second-Thursday performances, in their new studio space in NoLibs, from now till June. Hooray!
Some details from the press release:
The inaugural 2009/2010 Artists in Residency program includes five Philadelphia-based artists: Nichole Canuso (Wandering Alice, 2008 / The A.W.A.R.D. Show!, 2009), Tania Isaac (stuporwoman, 2008), The Lucidity Suitcase Intercontinental/ Thaddeus Phillips (THE MeLTING BRiDgE, 2008), Subcircle (Still Unknown, 2007), and Kathryn Tebordo/Workshop for Potential Movement (The A.W.A.R.D. Show!, 2009).
The program provides free work space in the Live Arts Festival’s studio, expanded development time, opportunities for early audience feedback, and additional resources. The support will allow participating artists to take more risks by investigating new processes, methodologies, and ideas, which will yield greater personal growth for the artists and even higher quality final productions.
We’re all for artists taking risks and investigating new processes — but to be honest, what we’re even more stoked about is this second-Thursday business. (Free beer + free admission = best winter ever, as far as we’re concerned.)
Next week’s Second Thursday Series features Thaddeus Phillips, Kathryn Tebordo and Subcircle’s Jorge and Niki Cousineau. Did we mention this is free?
Second Thursday Series, Thu., Nov. 12, 7 p.m., free, The Festival Studio, 919 N. Fifth St., 215-413-9006, livearts-fringe.org.
Staff Blog
THE SCENESTER: Don’t block The Box, staring at Goats and more
