Category: Uncategorized

Today I went to the Michigan theater to see “Up in the Air”. I really did feel like a freshman when I entered the establishment for the first time in my life. My mouth was hanging wide open and all I could do was stare at the banisters, moldings, ceiling, grand staircases, and overall elegance of the lobby. I mean Wow! It’s beautiful and it looks like it hasn’t changed at all since it was first built. Of course that isn’t the reason I went to the movie, just a fantastic surprise as I freaked out because of my late arrival to the movie. Luckily, I only missed some previews. Whew!

Anyway, the movie. It started with introducing us to what Clooney’s character does for a living; firing people and traveling around the country to do so. He loves his life, absolutely no attachments, no “baggage,” and preaches a philosophy of freedom through having no ties to people or objects. He puts all deep connections to the world in a “backpack and burns it.” He claims that all the people that he needs are in the airports and hotels where he lives and his only goal is to rack up 10 million frequent flyer miles, something that only six other people have ever done. Poor guy doesn’t realize that he by living like this he is losing what it means to be human.

I don’t want to give away too much of this movie, so I’m not going to go too deep into the plot. Basically the movie takes place in America during the recession we’ve been in. All of the markets are going down and companies are constantly laying off more people. It’s milk and honey for Clooney’s company. A new intern “revolutionizes” the industry and designs a program that will save money by firing people via computer conference. His way of life threatened, Clooney begins his last trip with her to show her what exactly the company does. Both learn more about themselves and the things they’ve lost. The journey is revealing and personal and ends, as always it seems, with self enlightenment.

The movie was well acted and directed. The writing was fantastic and multifaceted. And the characters are emerging figures in our progressing society. “Up in the Air” is an incredibly modern film set in the same time and place as we are, with some of the same problems and life choices. Sexting, countless plastic cards to swipe, and impersonal relationships galore, the movie really puts a mirror in front of progress and asks “Really? Really? You’re serious?”

“Up in the Air” will be playing at the Michigan Theater through Thursday the 14th. Tickets are only $7 and soooo worth it. I recommend this movie to all my readers, if only to see this new perspective on relationships and modern society. Have a great week everyone!

As always, this is Danny Fob: Artist and Art Reviewer

Up in the Air. I’m actually kind of excited to be going to this movie tomorrow. Mostly because I need a break (kind of early in the semester to be saying that isn’t it?) and I think a good movie is just what I need. I saw a commercial a while ago about “Up in the Air” and I thought it looked interesting. It’s been nominated for 6 Golden Globes, so it has to be good, plus it has George Clooney in it, who has never stopped being attractive, even as he gets older. His character Ryan Bringham travels around the country as a corporate downsizing expert, which is relevant to the recession we’re in. His job is to fire people all over the country. Vera Farmiga plays a younger version of George except she finds a way to fire people via video conference calls, effectively rendering Clooney’s job useless and destroying his entire way of life. He takes her on one of his cross country firing trip and both realize the pain and suffering they cause. I’m looking forward to seeing this movie tomorrow afternoon. For others interested, here are the details:

What: Up in the Air

Where: The Michigan Theater

When: Today Saturday Jan 9th, 4:45, 7:00, and 9:15. Tomorrow Sunday January 10th at 3:45, 6:00, and 8:15. Also check the Michigan theater website www.michtheater.org as the movie errors later this week also.

How much? Student tickets are only $7 with your Mcard.

As always this is
Danny Fob: Artist and Art Reviewer

An event not to be missed, America’s “most trusted stranger,” Frank Warren, will bring his most inspirational stories and secrets to Ann Arbor this Friday.  Warren is the mastermind behind PostSecret, a community art project he started in 2004 that has since exploded into numerous publications across the globe and the largest ad-free blog, PostSecret.com, where every Sunday new secrets are posted.  Click here to see a moving collection of Postcards submitted to PostSecret.

“When I started PostSecret my motive was to create a “place” where people could feel free to share their private hopes, desires and fears,” says Warren, “A place where the secrets they could not tell their friends and family would be treated with dignity in a non-judgmental way.”

Read more: http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2007/10/ten-questions-w.html#ixzz0YeXhHojq

PostSecret is a place not only for those to share their own secrets but for readers as well who identify with those secrets, possibly giving them the courage to release their own.  Even Warren himself was inspired to send his own secret on a postcard to his house about a supressed childhood incident.  The secrets sent in are so personal, heartfelt, and insightful that the ones you identify with make you feel that you are not alone.

His fall tour to colleges across the U.S. coincides with the release of his new book, “Confessions on Life, Death, and God,” which will also be available for signing during the event.  Warren says the live events usually consist of background on the project as well as display of postcards that were banned by the publisher, and also a chance for audience members to share their own secrets in an open atmosphere.

If you’ve got something to get off your chest, or you just plain love PostSecret,  I highly suggest you get your tickets asap.  Tickets are still available through MUTO or on the ticketmaster website.

Recap:
Who: Frank Warren, creator of PostSecret, shares his stories as part of the ConversA2tions series.
When: Friday December 4th, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Michigan Theater
How much: $15-$35 a ticket

Hope to see you all there!

-Sarah

The Swell Season returns again, this time with an even bigger tide.  I unfortunately missed their performance last year but the infamous duo grace the Michigan Theatre with their presence a second time this Wednesday night.  You may recognize them from the critically acclaimed indie film, “Once” which was sort of a mockumentary documenting the creative and emotional growth between Glen and Marketa (I actually saw the film at the State Theater during my freshman orientation).  The movie is beautifully touching with a soundtrack that essentially loans the film its fame (Two Grammy nominations and an Oscar win for Best Origninal Song, “Falling Slowly”).

If you’re into mesmerizing, soul-touching music, I suggest you check them out this Wednesday night.  Sorry to get to you so late on this one (I only just got my tickets yesterday) but you should still be able to snag a seat.  Tickets are still available at MUTO ranging from  $29.50-$39.00 and you should also be able to stop by at the Michigan Theatre before the show at 7:30 to see if there are any still available. This concert celebrates the release of the follow up to the Once soundtrack with “Strict Joy,” you can check out the preview here.  Concert opener will be Rachael Yamagata, hope to see you all there!

Recap:
Who: The Swell Season
Where: Michigan Theater
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight!

-Sarah

What better way to ease back into the daily grind after an overstuffed thanksgiving break than with a lovely afternoon seranade? If you want to prolong this mini break as much as I do, I suggest  you bring in the holiday cheer this Sunday and check out the world renowned Vienna Boy’s Choir (a.k.a. Die Wiener Sängerknaben).

Formed during the late middle ages by Emperor Maximilian I of Austria, the Vienna Boy’s Choir is a long standing tradition, having worked with such big names as Mozart, Bruckner, Haydn, and Schubert (The names of their four respective touring choirs).  The choir itself is composed of 100 choristers from all over the country known for their angelic voices and skill but by the looks of it, seem to be regular 14 year old boys.  Check out this epic commercial they did last year for the European Football Championship, it won the best commercial at the ITB Berlin!  (BTW: If I could have O’Fortuna play everywhere I walked, I would be one happy gal)

Aside from touring the globe, working with world renowned composers, and being some of the most skilled choristers, I find it hard to believe these kids are all under the age of 14.  Their lives will be featured in the upcoming documentary, Silk Road-Songs Along the Road and Time, which aims to explore the history of the choir and its influence and unity through a year spent with the choir boys on tour and at home.

The choir originated exclusively for the Viennese Court and it wasn’t until 1918 that the choir disbanded and formed their own institution, allowing them to tour the globe.  Now in 2009, the choir boys return again, since their first performance at Michigan in 1933, and bring Christmas in Vienna all the way to Ann Arbor.  If you’re looking for a way to cure those coming winter blues, you should grab some hot cocoa and head over to Hill Auditorium at 3 tomorrow. where there will be carolers on the steps before the show at 4.  You can still snag some tickets for as little as $12 but unfortunately you can only buy them online (Click here to buy).

Recap:

What: Vienna Boy’s Choir

Where: Hill Auditorium

When: Sunday at 4 p.m. (Carolers on the steps at 3)

Why: To be inspired and amazed? For Christmas cheer? Something new? Insert reason here?

How much: 18 euros, or 12 buckaroos

See you there? Alright!

Later skater,

Sarah