Author: Angela Lin

Angela is a senior studying English and the Environment. The only thing she loves more than writing and the arts are wombats.

REVIEW: The Shape of Water

Angela Lin 1 Comment

You have the antagonist, the romance, the action, the gore. It sounds like your average movie, but it is so much more. Throw in a beautiful amphibian-humanoid creature, a mute janitor, a closeted gay artist, and a scary general man. And did I mention it’s set in the 1960s with the Cold War heating things up? So add Russian spies to this crazy mix. And what do you get?

You get The Shape of Water, which is exactly like the shape of water ― something indescribable yet filling in the end. There are many elements to this film that are either incredibly bizarre or basically cliché. There were many chances for this to become a huge miss, yet Guillermo del Toro somehow makes it work, hitting it out of the park with this familiar fairy tale with a spin.

It’s an ordinary story line with strange, complex characters. Sally Hawkins’ portrayal of Elisa is stunning ― with very few words spoken, she is more developed than many other characters that won’t stop talking in other movies. Though she is disabled in one aspect of life, she is powerful and passionate and determined. In a world where she feels she is less than human, her humanity shines through an inhuman being. She displays her emotions loudly. She says what many fear to think. She lives her life unapologetically. She lives and she loves. And that makes Elisa such an admirable protagonist, an outcast just trying to leave her mark in the world in a small, meaningful way.

By her side are two trustworthy people that pass the tests of friendship time and time again. Octavia Spencer offers comic relief as Elisa’s coworker, translator, and friend. Her sassy remarks and attitude perfectly complements Elisa’s equally sassy, yet quiet, demeanor. Richard Jenkins, though just a supporting character, has his own sad, tragic life, yet his understanding and support for Elisa is heartwarming. There’s not much to say about Michael Shannon except that he is one scary man. I would not want him interrogating me, and every second the general was on screen made me tremble with fear. The cast really captured different extremes of personalities that are realistic but distinct enough. Motivations for each character are made clear and understood, even if they are despicable, but it shows the different underlying fears that ultimately drive the plot.

And now we get to “the Asset”. The graphics somehow make him oddly believable ― he’s not some crazy fantasy creature that can’t be imagined in real life. That’s the best part with this movie ― it presents some elements of fantasy, but it is executed in a way that makes it not completely out of the realm of possibility. Maybe this amphibian human really does exist somewhere in the world. After watching this movie, I wouldn’t be surprised.

Music plays a huge part in this movie, which I think is quite fitting. It is a form of communication and mutual understanding, a language on its own. It offers a bridge, a connection, between the silent and the surreal. There was only one scene in the middle that kind of took me out of the movie, as it felt out of place with everything else. Though its purpose was clear and it was like a fantasy dream within a fantasy tale, it was too over-the-top for me personally.

Nonetheless, this really is a beautiful film, and the message of it is clear: everybody is somebody, even if that somebody is an amphibian-man or a ruthless killer. Don’t mess with the Russians, but don’t mess with the Americans either. But even more importantly, don’t mess with love. Love is unbreakable. The bonds that form against all odds, against all explanations, against all reason, are the strongest.

So what is the shape of water? I don’t exactly know. It’s not something you can explain. Which is why you should go watch this movie and experience it for yourself. Now showing at the Michigan Theater for $8 with a valid student ID.

PREVIEW: Holiday Stories

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Need a break from studying for finals? Want a reward for surviving finals?

Treat yourself to some laughter and drinks at Pointless Brewery & Theatre. A special improvised one-act play inspired by a holiday memory, The League of Pointless Improvisers will take your mind off that exam you wish didn’t happen or that paper you need to write for an hour and a half and bring you into the holiday mood.

No two shows are alike. In an ideal world, you can see every show and laugh at all the brilliance that is improvised onstage. But, that’s not realistic (because you really should be studying), so just make it to one. Catch Holiday Stories on December 8 or December 15 at 10pm. Tickets are $10 online or $5 student rush tickets are available at the door with a valid student ID.

 

REVIEW: The Verve Pipe

Angela Lin 1 Comment

The sold-out show last night at The Ark was sold out for all the right reasons. The Verve Pipe’s performance was one of the best concerts I’ve seen, hands down.

In an age where much of the top hits are auto-tuned and live concerts expose artists for their true skills, it was definitely a heartwarming treat to hear The Verve Pipe sound exactly like they do on their records—if not better, as the power and passion radiated off the stage in a way no CD could ever justly capture.

Brian Vander Ark’s voice was tantalizing, and I’m sure it was just as beautiful and magical back in the 90s when the band first formed. He didn’t seem to have aged one bit, bringing a charisma and energy to every note he sang, whether he belted it out powerfully and held it for ages or whispered it with a rawness that touched the soul.

With Lou Musa on guitar, Brad Philips (who is a University of Michigan SMTD grad—Go Blue!) on violin, Channing Lee on tambourine and backup vocals, Joel Ferguson on bass, Randy Sly on keyboard and accordion, and Sam Briggs on drums, The Verve Pipe captivated the entire room with its spunk and rock. Musa and Philips had some unbelievable solos that just blew everyone away, and Lee’s soft yet powerhouse vocals beautifully complemented Vander Ark’s, with her occasional moments to show everyone what she’s got. Mark Byerly made several guest appearances on trumpet as well, which was just a cherry on top for a stage filled with incredibly talented musicians.

The band seemed to be having a wonderful time, smiling and laughing and rocking on stage, and the audience was absolutely loving it. This crowd of old-school fans definitely were past their youth, but the old hits brought out this energy in them that was just as youthful and lively. The ability for this 90s band to hold such a loyal and excited fan base is a true testament to the music they have created—music that continues to evoke emotions that never die with time, and the band’s continued presence by touring and creating new albums even today ensures their fan base is ever-expanding, which now includes yours truly.

I surprised myself by knowing almost all the words to 90% of the songs played, as I didn’t realize just how much I’ve listened to The Verve Pipe since I first stumbled upon them back in September. With the top 13 requested songs in the first half, pieces from their newer albums in the second, and encores that only left everyone screaming for more, the entire night was filled with enjoyable, quality music that is rare to find today.

One of my favorite moments was during their hit song, The Freshmen. They performed the original version as Vander Ark and Musa took the stage with this raw classic. Everyone was singing along from the beginning, and there was a moment when the chorus came around where Vander Ark stopped singing and let the crowd carry the song. It was so pure and powerful and beautiful, and Vander Ark was clearly touched by it. I’d be lying if I said tears didn’t come to my eyes during that moment.

The Verve Pipe was everything I imagined them to be live, and more. In an unforgettable night, I suffered a pop smear so great, I would be more than happy to “suffer” again and again with this group of humble, talented, just absolutely amazing people.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go listen to The Verve Pipe some more as I’m sure I’m going to be doing for the rest of my life.

PREVIEW: The Verve Pipe

Angela Lin 1 Comment

Twenty-five years. Three million albums sold worldwide. A Michigan-native rock and roll band formed in the 1990s, The Verve Pipe’s music explores heartbreak, family, love, and loss that is as real now as it was back then. Filled with soul-searching lyrics and layered instrumentals, their work tackles problems and evokes emotions that is rare to find in contemporary alternative music today.

Still touring and still going strong, the band is bringing back all their hits from their first two albums and fan favorites from their entire discography with an exclusive, personal show at The Ark that will surely live up to its reputation of dazzling live shows.

I’ve become a huge fan of their music and I’m really excited to see them perform in such an intimate venue. Join me as The Verve Pipe performs their show “I’ve Suffered A Pop Smear” at The Ark on December 2 at 8:00pm. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Michigan Union Ticket Office or online at www.thevervepipe.com.

REVIEW: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Angela Lin 1 Comment

I was not sure what to expect, going in to see this movie. The trailer didn’t give me much to go off of, and the brief summary provided little information as well. I just knew it was a black comedy drama as I sat in the Michigan Theater, waiting for the organist to stop playing and for the movie to start.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri greatly exceeded all my expectations.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a movie that literally made me tear up and gasp and cringe, my hand covering my mouth as I watched tragedy and horror unfold that numbed my heart and chilled my spine.

This was that movie.

It brought the crime and the drama and the intensity and the violence that made your heart pound one second and stop the next.

It tackled issues of racism, divorce, rape, murder, suicide face on. It didn’t shy away from controversial scenes, and forcing it in your face so casually and blatantly is what makes this movie so powerful.

The best part of Three Billboards was definitely the characters, people so tough-skinned and resilient and raw and tender and so human. That’s the thing with Mildred Hayes and Chief Willoughby and Officer Dixon. They are so flawlessly full of flaws that it makes them painfully real. As the characters persevere through that pain trapped in their minds and exacerbated by the community, they maintain a truthfulness that allows them to forgive but not forget, a moral authenticity that rips them open viciously only to piece them back together, fragilely yet stronger than ever.

This movie shows humanity at its worst and at its most pure; it shows all sides of humanity, and it reminds you of the humanity in people, through the facades they put up.

It was brutally nasty and brutally honest. It was heartwarming and heart-wrenching. It was emotionally intense and intensely emotional.

Yet there was laughter throughout the movie, a humor so dark it brought light to this grim film. Frances McDormand’s caustic performance of Mildred Hayes, along with dim-witted, stereotypical clueless young girls, slow advertising men and eager midgets, helps ease the weight in heavy situations. This fine balance of drama and comedy worked perfectly as every scene kept you on your toes and engaged your heart and your mind.

At what price does justice come at? How can anger and hate be reconciled with hope and love? Is forgiveness possible? How do broken hearts heal?

To reflect on these questions and watch them transpire in a sequence of scenes of sinking realization, follow the journey of a grieving, bitter mother coming to terms with the haunting limits of reality and the remains of what life holds.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is now showing at the Michigan Theater with student tickets for $8.

REVIEW: Intergalactic Pops

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This concert was not your typical concert. With hilariously-poorly-designed videos, a planet diss showdown, a lightsaber fight, and a game show, Michigan Pops definitely brought the pops to Michigan.

Before the main event, the early-arriving audience was entertained by Dicks and Janes, an a cappella group on campus.

 

Their singing was lovely, and I enjoyed listening to them as I relaxed and took in the beautiful venue, waiting for the Michigan Pops Orchestra to take the stage. I will definitely be on the lookout for acapella concerts after this!

After over 100 students and Music Director Rotem Weinberg filled the stage, there was lift off.

Opening with Also Sprach Zarathustra: Sonnenaufgang (which you may not recognize the name of, but you will definitely recognize the tune when you hear it) was iconic and set the stage perfectly for the rest of the concert. Some songs were very familiar, while some I never heard before. The program consisted of classical music, movie soundtracks, and video game theme songs, all centered around the theme of “space”. It featured soloists Benjamin Walker and Megumi Nakamura from SMTD, and their voices complemented the orchestra perfectly. “Sun and Moon” was captivating, and the bit from Pinocchio was such a childhood throwback — I wasn’t prepared for all the feels that night. But, the orchestra and voices were so powerful and beautiful that all I felt was the feels throughout the entire evening.

Music was not all there was in store, however. Before Jupiter, there was a battle for the title of best planet, ending with Assistant Music Director Tal Benatar claiming that “every planet is special in their own way.” Awwww.

Videos for Star Wars, E.T., and Mario were created and played.

Sometimes, I felt the videos were too entertaining that it was a bit too distracting from the music. I was too busy laughing at the pasted E.T. face that I forgot the orchestra was playing. However, during the Super Mario Galaxy 2 song, the music brought the video to life. So, I think the presence of the videos depended on the listener and whether that took away from the orchestra or added to it. It was enjoyable nonetheless. Additionally, there was a lightsaber duel that took place between two Pops alumni in a video that found its way into a live-action finale.

In the second half, there was a game show with audience participation called Planet or No Planet.

It was so ridiculous, it was amazing.

Ending with Reflections of Earth, which is from the IllumiNations show at Epcot, the night’s music really caused me to reflect on everything, known and unknown. At certain times, the orchestra was so intense and grand that I couldn’t handle it, and it caused me to realize once again how small and finite we are in the end. The power of their music was literally transcendent.

Finally, Michigan Pops brought it back home with a rendition of Hail to the Victors as an encore, ending with the Michigan pride that makes the stars shine maize and blue.

The time and energy the Pops orchestra put into preparing for this concert, in terms of music and all the entertainment, was as clear as the moon, and it paid off for an amusing night filled with laughter and emotions. As we journeyed through space on this night of wonder, I realized I’m really happy to live on this earth where I had the opportunity to experience all the talent produced by the lovely humans that graced the stage of the Michigan Theater that night. With their music, they filled our minds with universes beyond life. What I listened to was more transformative than a solar eclipse, more brilliant than a shooting star, more powerful than a black hole, more grounding than gravity; I listened to the Michigan Pops Orchestra. And it was certainly out of this world.