Kansas.com: Entertainment

'Carol' needs human touch

ROGER MOORE — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:57 CST

The new Disney "A Christmas Carol" is another epic achievement in motion-capture animation, advancing the art form closer to photo-realism than "The Polar Express" or "Beowulf." Dazzling, ornate visuals take us to the snowy London of 1837, swooping over its digital rooftops and down its digital chimneys. Faces take on musculature, expression and detail.

But like those earlier films, and certainly to a greater degree given the pathos, warmth and wit of the story, "A Christmas Carol" lacks and needs — desperately — that human touch.

That cinematic literalist Robert Zemeckis, who in Forrest Gump had a character say "I'm going to San Francisco" and then scored the scene with the pop song "If You're Going to San Francisco," gives us Dickens straight, no chaser. He grasps the tone of the Charles Dickens novel (darker than most film versions). He lays out the familiar story beats and even more familiar touchstone lines.

ICP has the last laugh

Brian McCollum — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:57 CST

In 1994, a New York record executive caught a glimpse of a Detroit music kingdom in the making.

Jeff Fenster, a vice president with Jive Records, had jetted into Detroit for a show by Insane Clown Posse, a rap duo with a fetish for Faygo and painted faces. He was struck by the sight: hordes of Michigan teens decked out in ICP gear, many in wicked-clown makeup like the group's Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope.

"We just watched these kids at the merchandise table, buying multiple T-shirts for a band most of us had never heard of," he says. "They were ponying up to buy into this culture."

SINGER JEWEL NO LONGER TOURS NONSTOP

BOB CURTRIGHT — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:57 CST

The singer known simply as Jewel used to be on tour two years at a time.

These days, including for her upcoming stop at the Orpheum, she prefers to tour only two weeks at a time so she can have a real life.

"I sing 14 concerts in 14 cities and then go home," Jewel said by phone from her home in Stephenville, a town of about 15,000 in north-central Texas.

Church a work of art

Joanna Ramondetta — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:57 CST

Among the things a first-time visitor to St. Anthony's Catholic Church notices are the intricately designed stained glass windows.

Bob Walterscheid, a lifelong church member, is proud to see his family's name on one of the windows in the 104-year-old church. His grandfather, an original member of the church, was there when construction began in 1902.

Over the years, Walterscheid and fellow church members have worked tirelessly to keep the church in the beautiful condition it stands in today.

Gig guide (Oct. 29)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:22 CDT

BLUES/R&B

Bubba’s Nekked BBQ, 2428 W. 13th Craig Steward Today 5 p.m.

C. Major’s Rockin Daddy’s, 110 S. Hillside Jukes w/ Dan Monnat Today 9:30 p.m., $5

Step out on Halloween

Eagle staff — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:08 CDT

Bars and clubs in the Wichita area are getting into the spirit of Halloween this weekend with costume contests, decorations, drink specials and more.

Here's a look at what some nightspots are doing. Events are Saturday night unless otherwise noted:

* Champs, 1106 S. Seneca: Costume party Friday and Saturday with cash prizes.

'Serious Man' never finds way

ROD POCOWATCHIT — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:09 CDT

Joel and Ethan Coen's films have always had a distinctive style.

Whether cartoonish ("Raising Arizona"), sultry ("Blood Simple"), comical ("The Big Lebowski") musical ("O Brother, Where Art Thou?) or violent (their Oscar-winning "Fargo" and "No Country for Old Men"), the writing/editing/producing/ directing brothers create movies with universes all their own. Yet, somehow, they all have a common tonality.

So the brothers' latest comedy/drama, "A Serious Man," is unmistakably theirs. It feels every bit like a Coen brothers film, and that's both good and bad.

A chance of byways

Lori Linenberger — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:59 CDT

Art enthusiasts will have a chance tonight to see all nine of the large-scale paintings done by noted Kansas artist Stan Herd as part of a state project to promote culture and tourism.

The richly hued works won't be for sale, however. Next month, they'll be given away by the Kansas Lottery to those who bought specially designated tickets. Each has a value of about $5,000.

Herd, who's known internationally for his crop art as well as his paintings and film work, will be at Artifacts Gallery, 4729 E. Douglas, tonight to talk to visitors. He'll have other paintings as well as prints and postcards at the gallery for sale.

HALLOWEEN PACKED WITH FUN EVENTS

Eagle staff — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:54 CST

If you like Halloween, it doesn't get much better than this: The scary holiday falls on a weekend this year, so there's a lot more time to pack in fun events.

Some of the more popular events traditionally held this time of year were held last weekend, but there's still lots going on this weekend.

Here's all the information you need:

Gig guide

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:24 CDT

Blues/R&B

Bubba’s Nekked BBQ, 2428 W. 13th, Wayne & Arthetta Long, Today 5:30 p.m.; Tom Page, Dustin Arbuckle, Sat. 5 p.m.

Chelsea’s, 2848 N. Rock Road, Rachelle Coba, Today 6 p.m.

Tallgrass Film Festival program

ROD POCOWATCHIT — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:49 CDT

The seventh annual Tallgrass Film Festival program features several Kansas-made projects as well as almost 30 other feature films, and several short film programs.

Note that most films are unrated and some may be suitable only for adult audiences. Screening times and locations are subject to change. Go to www.tallgrassfilmfest.com for updates.

Special events with screenings

'Amelia' fails to fly high

ROBERT W. BUTLER — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:49 CDT

"No borders, just horizons," enthuses aviator Amelia Earhart in the new biopic "Amelia." "Who wants a life imprisoned in safety?"

And yet this film, coming 72 years after Earhart vanished, plays it awfully safe.

Under Mira Nair's direction, "Amelia" is respectable and respectful, with a solid performance from two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank.

FOLDS TRIES TO WRITE SONGS THAT DRAW YOU INTO THE MOMENT

Ed Condran — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:49 CDT

Ben Folds is regarded by his fans as one of the most clever, amusing performers in pop-rock.

The vocalist-pianist, who will perform Sunday at the Cotillion, talked recently during a phone interview about what's missing in pop music and his approach to songwriting.

Gig Guide (Oct. 16)

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:57 CDT

* Denotes performances that are part of the Blues in Delano Event, no cover charge

Blues/r&b

Bubba’s Nekked BBQ, 2428 W. 13th, Tom Page Trio, Today 5:30 p.m.

Not wild enough

CHRISTY LEMIRE — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:20 CDT

"Where the Wild Things Are," the book, is just 339 words long. But in turning it into "Where the Wild Things Are," the movie, director Spike Jonze has expanded the basic story with a breathtaking visual scheme and stirring emotional impact.

It's a gorgeous film: This may sound contradictory, but it's intricate and rough-hewn at the same time, dreamlike and earthy. What keeps it from reaching complete excellence is the thinness of the script, which Jonze co-wrote with Dave Eggers.

The beloved and award-winning children's book, which Maurice Sendak wrote and illustrated 45 years ago, still holds up beautifully today because it shows keen insight into the conflicted nature of kids — the delight and the frustration that can often co-exist.

Twice the horror, twice the fun

Maria Mannani — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:05 CDT

The young couple stepped onto a bridge leading to Haunted Island, flinching as they heard screams floating in the chilly night air.

Laura Magnuson clutched her boyfriend, Scott Hayworth, as they entered Ravenwood Manor. A masked figure greeted their entry to the haunted attraction at Watson Park.

Magnuson let out a scream. Hayworth laughed as she held onto his jacket and the two began their haunted adventure.

Talent core of Asian Festival

Christina M. Woods — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:35 CDT

From yo-yo stunts to folk dances and more, the talent performances at the annual Wichita Asian Festival offer a glimpse into Asia's vast diversity.

This year, about 18 performances are planned that will entertain Asian and non-Asian people alike, organizers say.

"In a diverse community like Wichita, understanding of various cultures is important to promote harmony and peace," said Mohan Kambampati, festival coordinator.

Road next step in musical journey

Jason Dilts — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:30 CDT

If you frequent Wichita coffee shops or bars, odds are you've seen Tony Ngo. He's the affable singer-songwriter clad in plaid flannel or sporting a hip, ironic T-shirt.

With a guitar strapped around his shoulder, the acoustic musician has drawn audiences to venues large and small with his voice. Now with a band and an EP recording under way, he plans to take his talent on the road.

Ngo began playing solo on the open mic circuit, frequently playing at places like Clifton Square's Bay Leaf Cafe and the Riverside Perk. He says that his musical career took off after he met bass player Derek Tucker through a mutual friend.

NEARLY 400 BEERS ON TAP AT MIDWEST BEERFEST

DENISE NEIL — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:54 CDT

Serious beer fans will travel long distances to sample new and unusual microbrews.

Serious Kansas beer fans won't have to travel far this weekend, though. Saturday's annual Midwest Beerfest is featuring more microbrews than ever before.

Eight of the 11 registered microbreweries in Kansas — including Wichita's River City and Cheney's Hank Is Wiser — will be providing some of the nearly 400 beers on tap.

ARTAID FUNDRAISER TO HAVE 'HEROES&VILLAINS' THEME

Jason dilts — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:24 CDT

"Heroes & Villains" will abound in the Cotillion Saturday night for ArtAID 16.

That's the theme of this year's annual fundraising event for Positive Directions, which has become one of the city's most anticipated events and one of the nonprofit organization's most profitable ventures. Organizers anticipate that it will bring in more than $100,000, all of which will go toward running the operations of the local AIDS care organization.

Attendees, many of whom will be decked out as their favorite good or evil comic characters, will be transported to another dimension as they enjoy an evening full of art and fashion.