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Superhero bliss
‘Iron Man’ gold in every aspect
By Marty Sliva
Marvel comic book fans rejoice: Our savior is upon us, and his name is Tony Stark.
After the recent slew of Marvel movies, which can only be described as terrible abominations in the eyes of God, hope seemed lost in the house that Stan Lee built. Thankfully, “Iron Man” kicks off the summer movie season about as perfectly as any blockbuster has in recent memory.
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Harold and Kumar go up in smoke
It has been four years since Harold and Kumar last went to White Castle, and within that time, there’s been a serious drought of stoner comedies. While “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay” has its moments, it lacks a certain charm that the first film captured so well within the pot-smoking realm.
The movie introduces the dynamic duo right where the last film left off. Harold and Kumar are getting ready to head on over to Amsterdam to chase after Harold’s dream girl, Maria. One thing leads to another and before the viewer knows it, the two are caught up in a world of government rhetoric and improbable situations.
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In search of the obscure
It’s the end of semester, and that means the end of the UWM Post. Until next fall, that is. This semester, my column has spanned nearly the entire century (1919-2007), and included comedies and dramas, and both celebrated and less-known directors.
I hope that I have introduced you to films that will become some of your favorites too. Now, it is time to take a break. But no worries, I’ll leave you with plenty of tips for discovering more overlooked flicks.
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‘Baby Mama’ three trimesters of hell
Look at the list of names in “Baby Mama” and you will find Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Greg Kinnear, Steve Martin and Sigourney Weaver. Judging by this amalgamation of stars in various points of their careers this movie was destined for mediocrity and it still came up short.
Since having a baby is the new black in movie plot lines, the veteran screen writer and first time director Michael McCullers (writer of “Thunderbirds” and “Undercover Brother”) created his own heartwarming story about a woman’s desire fill an empty void in her single working woman’s life by letting another woman go through the pains and trouble of childbirth.
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Breaking down the summer movies
This is how the summer ends: not with a bang, but with a whimper. By the time the eighth month of the year roles around, most of us will be all blockbustered out.
Luckily, the month is shaping up to be entertaining for two reasons. First off, there are a few flicks that look to be so bad, that they could be thoroughly entertaining. Secondly, there are two comedies that, if their previews are any indication, should leave audiences in stitches.
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Conchords don’t fly as high on record
Good comedy is hard to come by these days. With the likes of Dane Cook suffocating you with the same loud, obnoxious, re-hashed jokes, it can be difficult to come up for air and take in a sweet breathe of fresh funny. I assure you though; putting down your overplayed Dane Cook album is well worth the effort once you hear Flight of the Conchords.
Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement’s latest media adventure is oddly named “Flight of the Conchords: Flight of the Conchords.” The self-naming wouldn’t be so peculiar if they hadn’t already released their album, “The Distant Future” in 2007. Maybe New Zealand’s “former fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo” (as they refer to themselves) are referring to their new hit HBO show, “Flight of the Conchords.”
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UWM artist spotlight: ATLATL
"It was reported earlier that ATLATL will play live on-air as part of WMSE's Local/Live series on Thursday, May 8th. Their show is actually scheduled for 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 6th. We are sorry for the error and any subsequent inconvenience."
We at the fringe section of The Post pride ourselves on a solid appreciation of all art forms, be it visual, musical, literary, or otherwise. In the past, we’ve worked to bring you thoughtful criticism and commentary on some of our favorite artists from all over the world. However, sometimes we can’t shake feelings of occasional neglect toward some of our homegrown artists, right here at UWM.
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‘It’s a hit’
The infectious, pop-savvy vocals along with smart, and often brash lyrics of Rilo Kiley will be making a stop in Milwaukee on May 23 at the Pabst Theater.
The band, fronted by former child star Jenny Lewis, boasts an impressive discography since their formation in the late ‘90s. Since then, fans have seen their sound evolve from country-esque to indie folk-rock.
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It’s a ‘Swell Season’ in Milwaukee
It has been quite a year for songsters Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. The pair has seen their low-budget film “Once” become massively successful in the United States, even winning the World Cinema Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. The soundtrack, with songs written and performed by Hansard and Irglová, soared to the top of the Billboard charts, where it patiently stayed for some time. Their song, “Falling Slowly” also won the Oscar for best original song.
Life cannot get much better for the Swell Season, the band the two formed. Now they are bringing their immense talent and success to a sold-out show at the Riverside Theater on May 8.
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TV on your terms
I’ll just come right out and say it. It takes a whole lot of motivation to get me to sit down in front of the TV these days. It’s not for a lack of programming, either. Busy schedules, coupled with frustratingly long, routine commercial blocks and steep cable bills are enough to make me look elsewhere for entertainment.
With the online success of Radiohead’s “In Rainbows,” and Nine Inch Nails’ “Ghosts I-IV,” more and more musicians are cautiously jumping ship on their labels in favor of a more direct, and ultimately profitable online-heavy link to the consumer. Now, the motion seems to be rubbing off on whole companies looking to cope and move on in the age of piracy, namely television.
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Blast from the past
The clutter of ancient artifacts and a foreboding sign on the door caught my attention as I approached the otherwise unassuming entryway.
“No children allowed without the supervision of an adult!”
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Everyday inspiration
Summer. Finally, a chance to catch up on all of those half-finished projects I have lying around the house – and an opportunity to use all the supplies I bought because I thought I had to have them, although I had no idea what to use them for.
If summer will open up some free time for you as well, here are some things to do when you are not at work or the beach.
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Squirreling away summer
Summer is prime time for a few things: movies, high temperatures and seasonal jobs. Gamers tend to stay away from physical labor—their small, fragile frames are better suited for IT work, but sometimes it’s inevitable.
Going out and getting a landscaping or roofing job does not sound the least bit inviting, especially since I did that during my high school summers. So, I sympathize with those of you who still do that kind of work.
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Miranda’s Top 20 in Milwaukee
I thought I would end my column for the year on a high note. And what better way than to share my favorite places to eat in the city? I didn’t include any place that I cannot stand so if you are wondering why a certain place didn’t make my list, there is a good chance that I hate it. So without further ado, my favorite restaurants in Milwaukee.
20. Café Brucke
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The world ends with you
The abuse that my DS’s touch-screen has taken playing “The World Ends With You” these past two weeks rivals the abuse it had received over the past two years prior to my owning the game. I’m sure that any day now it will crack open and ooze some kind radioactive material all over my hands, ultimately causing them to shrivel up and fall off, signaling the end of my gaming “career.”
“The World Ends With You” is Square Enix’s latest RPG made for the DS. Take “Kingdom Hearts” minus the Disney, throw in a dash of amnesia ala “Final Fantasy” and then slather the whole mess in more Fall Out Boy-cutting-oneself-angst emo-ness and you get the basic idea of “The World Ends With You.”
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A Liberty City story
Society is about to crumble, and we can all thank “Grand Theft Auto IV” for that.
While some ignorant talking heads who crave attention will make uneducated claims about how video games are causing rampant moral depravity in today’s youth, the true reason that society will crumble is because “GTA” is so addictive, that once you pick it up you’ll find it hard to pry the controller from your hands.
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