PREVIEW: Translation: A Modern Dance Event

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Translation: A Modern Dance Event

This weekend at the Power Center, the Department of  Dance will perform a modern dance piece inspired by last semester’s theme of Translation. The piece will feature four works: one by world renowned choreographer Bill T. Jones called “D-Man in the Waters,” and three others by celebrated U-M faculty including Jessica Fogel, Amy Chavasse, and Sandra Torijano. With inspirations from Marcel Danesi’s “The Puzzle Instinct,” Lewis Carroll’s whimsical writings, Latin American art and poetry, and the music of Felix Mendelssohn, this piece will translate an array of expressive mediums into the art of movement.

Performances will be held on Thursday February 7th at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday February 8th and 9th at 8 pm, and Sunday February 10th at 2pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. See you there!

Hitchcock Preview

LitaPitasMusings

We all know the professional story of Hitchcock, and for those IMDB enthusiasts, some of the personal stories as well. But although Hitchcock was the auteur behind almost 60 films, as well as the host behind the television show, Alfred Hitchcock Presents neither medium showcases his personal life.

Now for the first time  we can see the genius and purported pervert in the same man. We can see how he almost always crept up on people ( especially women); how he ‘closely observed’ women; how he almost destroyed the careers of certain actresses. But professionally speaking, we also see in which direction he pointed Psycho in, and this ultimately became his magnum opus.

But perhaps the best treat of this film is his relationship with his wife Alma,  played by the stunning Helen Mirren; and how he truly embraces this woman professionally and romantically.

Which if you think about it, might not be a bad movie to see before Valentine’s Day!!

Preview for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

LitaPitasMusings

Although Many of you have heard by now that this movie is not the koh-i-noor of Peter Jackson’s film work, I disagree and encourage you to see it. I would especially encourage you to see it if you are new to The Lord Of the Rings books or movies. I myself was a novice to this world, and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey brought much clarity. It also contains rich character portrayal, great costume design, art direction, and good character storylines. Bilbo’s dilemma is at the crux of the plot of the movie, and one, many of us will face in our life ( think Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken). Lastly, who does not want to see the rich landscape of Peter Jackson’s native land: New Zealand? So if you haven’t seen it please see do- it’s still playing!

Review for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

LitaPitasMusings 1 Comment

Review for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
I know what everyone is thinking.. that this movie was too long and put them unexpectedly on a journey to boredom! Or that it was not Peter Jackson’s best movie. Well, this is at least what my Lord of the Rings enthusiast boyfriend felt. However, for the Lord of Rings novice ( and self -proclaimed girlie girl who usually does not watch movies like this) like me, this movie helped me understand the world of the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. 10 or 11 years ago when I saw the first Lord of the Rings movie, I was very perplexed and apparently fell asleep. I had never read any of J.R.R Tolkien’s novels, and without any background knowledge those movies were very, very confusing to me.
However, with this movie it was very easy for me to understand what happened. Dwarf Thror was the original King of the Lonely Mountain and under him there was a time of peace and goodwill… until Smaug the Dragon comes to take over Lonely Mountain. His primary interest is of course the gold. Thror’s grandson Thorin wishes one day to have a home again. So Gandalf tries to get Bilbo’s help to steal the treasure so that Thorin and the dwarves can one day reclaim their home. This was such an understandable story and the voiceover of Ballin really was one of the most clarity filled voiceovers- if that ever was one.
But the real treasure of the movie is the arch of Bilbo’s character development in this movie. Bilbo starts off as a person who is very much in love with his hole in the cave house ( Which I have to say that the art direction/set design did an amazing job with). It’s very much organized to his liking, he has his mother’s treasured chest, his mom’s dishes, and really everything in his house is as it should be. Bilbo wants to enjoy the simple pleasures and comforts of his life, drinking tea, having the security of a packed pantry, and really doesn’t want to leave this life.
Then comes Gandolf who asks him for his “burglary” help in the Quest to reconquer Lonely Mountain. But in doing so, Gandolf poses it as a challenge to Bilbo and how it may a great growth opportunity for him. In this, the mainstream can identify. Bilbo’s story is of the common man, and how we can all stay safe in our little organized worlds or we can travel the journeys less traveled. Bilbo eventually takes the challenge and grows along the way (like figuring out spur of the moment how to delay the trolls from eating the dwarves). Of course, though many of us face the dilemma of which road to take, many of us unlike Bilbo never take the road less travelled.
I also loved the portrayal of characters in this movie. I loved Ballin and his wise, grandfatherly-ness as much as I loved the dark, brooding yet steadfastness of Thorin. They are tied as my favorite characters? For all my readers out there, what is your favorite character?
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The Bottom Line:
I will give it a 3 stars ( if not 3.5)…. And as I expect people to through rabbit poo pellets at me for daring to give it such a high rating but I’m sorry I liked it.
PS- I also realize that I am a tad ( like 1.5 months late reviewing this.. but school break happened when we cannot review, then the beginning of the semester was crazy.. So I am sorry)

PREVIEW: Hill Auditorium Celebration!

Kayla Silverstein

Hill Auditorium is turning 100 this year! To commemorate this historic event, this Saturday, February 2nd, will be a day full of history, art, and ideas to reflect the massive amounts of creative projects that filter in and around Hill. Specifically, UMS is presenting an original documentary on the founding and design of Hill Auditorium that will be premiered Saturday at 2pm in the very building it honors for this historic event.

Some other events to pay homage to the celebratory occasion include:
12 noon – 2pm: Self-Guided Architecture and History Tours and Lunch (on your own)

*2-3pm UMS on Film Special Event: World Premiere!

3:15-4:15pm: Hill @ 100 – The Past, Present, and Future of the Great Concert Hall

4:30-5:30pm: Reception

Should be a great time! All free – be there!!

more info here

PREVIW: El Anatsui Exhibit in the UMMA

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El Anatsui Exhibit in the UMMA

The feature exhibit this semester at The UMMA is the work of Ghanaian-bord artist El Anatsui. The collection “When Last I Wrote to You about Africa” is a lifelong retrospective comprised of more than sixty works.  The exciting thing about his international presence on campus is that not only will his art work be shown,  but the artist himself will be present  for the celebration. In honor of both the exhibit and his world-renowned guest appearance at U of M, The UMMA and several other related departments are hosting events throughout the semester, from the debut on February 2nd and the closing on May 5th. Click here for more information about El Anatsui and here for a close up on the information listed above.