By Jono Baron & Erin Hayes

Gargoyle senior editor & staff writer


Posted Monday, Jan. 29, 2007, The OG, arts

EACH WEEK WE'LL look ahead to the next releases in entertainment, from movies opening in C-U to DVDs and CDs hitting the stores. Plus we'll give you the heads-up on the best local concerts and performances scheduled for the coming week.

MOVIES OPENING IN C-U THIS WEEK

“Because I Said So” (official site)

Milly Wilder's mother, Daphne (Diane Keaton), is overprotective and overbearing. So, when Daphne tries to set Milly (Mandy Moore) up with the perfect man, Milly and her sisters must help her realize that even motherly love should have boundaries.

Opens Friday at the Beverly 18 and Savoy 16.

“The Messengers” (official site)

When the Solomon family (headed by dad Dylan McDermott and mom Penelope Ann Miller) moves from Chicago to a secluded North Dakota farm, their 3-year-old son, Ben, begins to see otherworldly apparitions. Sister Jess (Kristen Stewart), 16, begins to believe Ben, and her sanity is called into question as she tries to warn others. The film is co-directed by Danny Pang and Oxide Pang, who made “The Eye” and “Bangkok Dangerous.”

Opens Friday at the Beverly 18 and Savoy 16.

Jono's Pick: Nothing. While “Pan's Labyrinth” could be good, I think I'm going to make the smart move and spend my $6.50 on food. January has always supposedly been a black hole for fresh entertainment releases, and this week is living proof of it. A few potentially promising independent films are actually coming out this week, but none of them is reaching Champaign-Urbana — maybe I'll wait for one of those to come to the Art Theatre. In the interim, I think I'll be thrifty. After all, I'll be able to buy more music that way.

Erin's Pick: “Pan's Labyrinth” (official site). Already playing at the Beverly and Savoy, it starts Friday at Boardman's Art Theatre. As far as I can tell, this film should be pretty amazing. It's been nominated for six Academy Awards (including screenplay, cinematography, and score), and according to the movie's Web site, it has made over 130 “top 10” lists. I'm particularly excited to see it because of the sense of duality it supposedly presents. It is a fantastical tale of a child's imagination, filled with bizarre creatures, strange scenery, and lavish royalty; conversely, it is a brutal picture of the horrors of civil war and the cruelty of unhealthy relationships. As the movie's trailer states, “In darkness, there can be light; in misery, there can be beauty; in death, there can be life.” I just can't wait to gobble up the juxtapositions.

NEW CD RELEASES (in stores Tuesday, Jan. 30)

Norah Jones, “Not Too Late”

This album, Norah's third, will be her most personal to date. She returns with her jazzy and soulful voice, bringing life to songs that were all written (or co-written) by her.

Peter Frampton, “Frampton Comes Alive II”

“Is that Peter f*ing Frampton?” As a matter of fact, it is. Apparently, an original redo of “Frampton Comes Alive” wasn't enough — “Frampton Comes Alive II” (an album that came to us in 1995) is being re-released this week. This latest version of the original concert will include another CD and is coming out with a companion DVD.

Various artists, Millenium Collection Releases

This Canadian greatest hits series has been incredibly successful at producing exceptional career compilations from more than 400 artists. Some collections that will be released this week include The Who and Eric Clapton.

Beirut, “Lon Gisland” EP

Indie-folk band Beirut produce a quick followup to their 2006 full-length record, “Gulag Orkestar,” continuing to use diverse instrumentation and crooning vocals.

Jono's Pick: “Frampton Comes Alive II.” I'm not quite sure why, but this is the one for me. Don't get me wrong — I have very little faith in this album … I'm not even sure that there's much justification for its release (besides the fact that record companies and washed-up artists don't know what's best for their reputations). I don't even need this CD — I've got the original concert on vinyl, purchased for a buck. That said, I think “Frampton Comes Alive II” could be an important piece of evidence against “comeback” tours. At the very least, I might be able to get some laughs out of it …

Erin's Pick: Johnny Cash, “20th Century Masters: The Millenium Collection: The Best Of Johnny Cash.” I love Johnny Cash. Johnny Cash is my favorite class-conscious, drug-using, country-bluesing dead guy. Seriously, though, the influence of this “Man in Black” is endless in American music and culture, his life has already inspired a movie, and the man is still releasing new music posthumously. You go, Johnny.

NEW DVD RELEASES (in stores Tuesday, Jan. 30)

“Flyboys” Collector's Edition (official site)

This collector's edition DVD release of “Flyboys” is full of special features, including historical featurettes, deleted scenes, and even a computer game — all of which are bound to give the film justice as the first World War I fighter movie in decades.

“Law & Order Special Victims Unit — The Third Year” (five-disc set) (amazon.com page)

This spin-off of the “Law & Order” franchise on NBC has been one of TV's most consistently compelling works of drama for years. Fans of the series won't be disappointed, as this looks to be a handsomely made five-disc set with ample features.

Jono's Pick: “Flyboys”. Besides the fact that this film looks visually stunning from the start, the features offered on the collector's edition DVD set seem like perfect additions to the original movie release. I have to admit that I'd really enjoy watching the background featurettes on the film — and I think that the addition of a flight simulator was a fairly solid idea (whether it turns out to be a worthwhile play or not, it could pique some people's interest — mine included). Even if I don't actually purchase it, I'll definitely be looking to watch “Flyboys.”

Erin's Pick: “Law & Order Special Victims Unit — The Third Year” (five-disc set). Starring Golden Globe-winning Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni, “SVU” follows New York City detectives as they try to get justice for victims of sexual crimes. In my opinion, this show is the most addicting thing on TV. I watch it every chance I get and have wiled away many hours I could have spent doing homework. “SVU” is so compelling, however, that I really don't regret the waste of time at all. I would highly recommend this DVD set to anyone who is familiar with the show, and for those who aren't, it's on USA during weeknight prime-time, and you should check it out.

LOCAL SHOWS & CONCERTS

Friday, Feb. 2: Rock for Research presents Inept, Tony Sorrentino, Echoromeo, Kate Hathaway, The Dakota, 8 p.m., Illini Union Courtyard Café, cost TBA. This show features a variety of Illinois bands, from the Echoromeo (who have a very emo-ish feel) to Kate Hathaway, who has a much more folky, velvety feel.

Erin's Pick: Saturday, Feb. 3: Light Pollution, Dorian Minor, Probably Vampires, 8 p.m., Illini Union Courtyard Café, cost TBA. This show will be another typical Courtyard showcase of localish music, but I can't complain about that. Chicago indie band Probably Vampires have found success in the area and throughout Illinois, and are a well-liked staple of our friendly college radio. However, the not-so-well-known band Light Pollution is reason enough to see this show, in my opinion. I saw them at the Courtyard in December (click here for my review of the concert), and they really impressed me. In general, shows at the Courtyard are worth checking out because they are in such a close and personal environment that if you see anything you like, you can go chat with the musicians afterward without encountering huge crowds.