Off the Charts: The Song-Poem Story
Off the Charts: The Song-Poem Story 2003, NR, 63 min. Directed by Jamie Meltzer. The world of song-poems is the music equivalent of the vanity press, in which amateur poets send their lyrics to producers who arrange for professional musicians to crank out tunes to accompany the songs. This documentary, which first screened at SXSW,…
Captain Blood
Captain Blood 1935, NR, 119 min. Directed by Michael Curtiz, Starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Lionel Atwill, Basil Rathbone. With this, his first swashbuckler, Errol Flynn became a star. He charismatically sails through this drama about a good doctor who is sold into slavery for treating the wounds of rebels. He escapes the Jamaica…
The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry
The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry 1945, NR, 80 min. Directed by Robert Siodmak, Starring George Sanders, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Ella Raines. Rarely screened, this tension-fraught melodrama was execeptional for its time. Sanders plays a fabric designer who lives with his two spinster sisters. But when he falls in love and wants to marry and move…
The Calaboose African-American History Museum & San Marcos MLK Historic District
Did you know that the first jazz musician to record with an amplified electric guitar came from right here in Central Texas? Did you ever hear the story of the blacksmith who was both terrorized by, yet a favorite among, Hays County Ku Klux Klansmen? Is it any surprise that you haven’t, knowing that both…
Phases and Stages
Red Hot Chili PeppersVerizon Wireless Amphitheater, Selma, Texas, June 13 “All around the world, we could make time, rompin’ and a stompin’, ’cause I’m in my prime.” Who would’ve believed that more than 20 years after Anthony Kiedis, Michael Balzary (Flea), and original guitarist Hillel Slovak were aspiring romper stompers in a SoCal high school…
Naked City
On Monday, Superintendent Pat Forgione presented to the Austin ISD board of trustees the latest draft of his proposed budget for 2003-2004. The most dramatic change from earlier versions is a $7.5 million increase to provide 2% pay hikes for all teachers and staff. The raises were made possible by AISD’s portion of the $1.2…
Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd
Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd 2003, PG-13, 82 min. Directed by Troy Miller, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Eric Christian Olsen, Derek Richardson, Luis Guzmán, Eugene Levy, Rachel Nichols, Mimi Rogers. Drowsing through some late-night television the other evening, I stumbled across actor Eugene Levy offering his comments on Dumb and…
Articulations
A trip to Minnesota, where the state Legislature recently approved major support for two theatre construction projects, inspires a new way of looking at arts funding in Texas.
Phases and Stages
ZZ TopFrank Erwin Center, June 13 When you’re ZZ Top, you don’t need a new album to sell an arena show. And when you’re ZZ Top and have a new album, it doesn’t need to be released in order to tour. That’s the advantage of being one of the great jukebox bands in rock history:…
Naked City
Chalk one up for the Blue Creek Property Owners Association in Dripping Springs. The group won its first development battle last week when a residential builder yanked its plans for the proposed Estancia subdivision — even after winning the City Council’s preliminary blessing. “You could say we won the battle but not the war,” said…
Love the Hard Way
Love the Hard Way 2003, NR, 104 min. Directed by Peter Sehr, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Adrien Brody, Charlotte Ayanna, Jon Seda, August Diehl, Pam Grier, Katherine Moennig. Made prior to Adrien Brody’s leap into stardom with his Oscar win for The Pianist, Love the Hard Way represents the kind of small,…
Exhibitionism
Although it harbors minor inconsistencies, Allen Robertson’s The Bremen Town Musicians, set in Depression-era America and scored with gospel and bluegrass music, is a fine play for family viewing. It has enough talking, singing animals to satisfy any kid and music that is highly enjoyable in and of itself.
Phases and Stages
Starlight Mints, Liz Phair, the Flaming LipsStubb’s, June 11 On a night that showcased the reedy grasping of a musical has-been trotting out her greatest hits to a marginally interested crowd and the theatrical visual bombast of a hard-working band that should know better, the Starlight Mints turned in the best performance at Stubb’s bursting…
Naked City
Last week was filled with more news spawned by the infamous 1999 Tulia drug busts. On June 16, 12 of the remaining Tulia defendants were finally released from jail on bond, the result of a bill authored by Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, sponsored by Rep. Terry Keel, R-Austin, and signed into law by Gov. Rick…
The Hulk
The Hulk 2003, PG-13, 138 min. Directed by Ang Lee, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Eric Bana, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliott, Josh Lucas, Paul Kersey, Cara Buono. Hulk smash good, Puny Human, but Nick Nolte just look smashed. It’s an unfortunate visual coda to Nolte’s career. The actor – who plays…
Book Review
“Everything about this book — the racy subject matter, the present-tense prose, the episodic form and dramatic use of white space — points to an edgy, emotional train wreck of a tale,” writes Jessica Garratt of Hollis Hampton-Jones’ debut. “And yet there I was, not caring nearly enough.”
Phases and Stages
Ziggy MarleyStubb’s, June 14 It’s a decidedly un-irie sign when the namesake of his own band feels the need to record a solo album. Worse still, Ziggy Marley’s new Dragonfly manages even less melody than the ever-dwindling flow found on almost a dozen LPs from his childhood group, the Melody Makers. It was Virgin Records…
Naked City
The latest episode in the tale of the Killer-D Manhunt assumed a comic opera character Monday, as the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General released the report of its internal investigation into the potential misuse of the agency’s resources by the security agency’s Air and Marine Interdiction Coordination Center to assist…
Alex & Emma
Alex & Emma 2003, PG-13, 96 min. Directed by Rob Reiner, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Luke Wilson, Kate Hudson, Sophie Marceau, David Paymer, Rob Reiner, Chino XL, Lobo Sebastian. With the recent news that “bling-bling” has made it into the New Oxford Dictionary, I’d like to propose another addition to our lexicon:…
News/Print
Eyes only.
A Quarter Ounce a Day
George McMahon of Tyler is one of seven people in the United States currently granted federal permission to use marijuana for medicinal purposes, under the “Compassionate Investigational New Drug” (IND) program of the Federal Drug Administration. At age 52, McMahon has outlived the typical life span of most people diagnosed with the disease from which…
Naked City
Children’s Hospital of Austin moved from public control to private ownership last week with the City Council’s final approval of a package deal brokered with the Seton Healthcare Network. Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Goodman cast a skeptical eye and the lone vote against the privatization angle of the agreement but voted with the rest of…
Owning Mahowny
Owning Mahowny 2003, R, 107 min. Directed by Richard Kwietniowski, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Minnie Driver, Maury Chaykin, John Hurt, Sonja Smits. Part cautionary tale, part psychological study, Owning Mahowny tells the 1982-set story of Dan Mahowny, a rising Toronto bank executive with a gambling addiction, who siphoned $10.2…
Page Two
We struggle with the obscenity of a special legislative session aimed at redistricting, and we mourn the passing and celebrate the life of Al Ragle, an almost unsung hero of the Austin music scene.
The Missoula Study
The Missoula Chronic Clinical Cannabis Use Study examined the overall health status of four of the seven surviving patients in the Compassionate Investigational New Drug (IND) program of the Federal Drug Administration. The patients had used “a known dosage of a standardized, heat-sterilized quality-controlled supply of low-grade marijuana for 11 to 27 years.” The study,…
Capitol Chronicle
The first 200 bills signed by Gov. Perry are a very mixed bag.
The Sea
The Sea 2003, NR, 109 min. Directed by Baltasar Kormákur, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Gunnar Eyjólfsson, Sigurour Skúlason, Hilmir Snær Guonason, Kristbjörg Kjeld, Hélène de Fougerolles, Gudrun S. Gísladóttir, Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir. Colder and bleaker than the Icelandic countryside in winter, this domestic psychodrama by the director of 101 Reykjavík does Mike…
After a Fashion
Elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist! You know that our diva style avatar Stephen made the scene (and quite a scene) at the Pride Parade. And what hot li’l purring mama will soon be off the singles list?
Judge Rules in Favor of Supercuts in “Off-the-Clock” Case
On June 11, the latest stage in the lawsuit of Josephine Johnson et al. v. Rainbow Group Ltd. and Alan Sager began in the 126th District Court of Judge Darlene Byrne. As reported in the Chronicle May 30 (“Getting Sheared by Sager”), a decade ago a group of hairstylists sued Rainbow and Sager, their former…
Austin @ Large: Austin at Large
The council gives Children’s Hospital to Seton before anybody knows what it’s worth.
Day Trips
Rows of lavender crawl over the rolling landscape west of Blanco like giant green caterpillars covered with purple hairs. The short bushes with fragrant blooms have become the newest cash crop of Central Texas. “The Hill Country really lends itself to growing lavender,” says Jeannie Ralston at Hill Country Lavender in the Blanco River Valley.…
Will RAVE Act Stomp Out Drugs — Or Dissent?
Drug reformers plan to sue to overturn a new federal law they say was used to stifle their criticism of government policy.
The Hightower Lowdown
The Pentagon and Boeing play kissyface; and Bush becomes the Terminator.
Mr. Smarty Pants Knows
Sea lore holds that all ships must be launched on a Wednesday, or else it’s bad luck.Boris Karloff (William Henry Pratt) first appeared on stage at 9 years old as the Demon King in Cinderella.The wasabi powders and pastes usually found in grocery stores and restaurants are made from horseradish and mustard powders and are…
Up, Up, and Away! Utilities Ready to Raise Rates
The budget gap will be plugged with rising utility rates.
Travels With Saúl
Austin filmmakers Ryan Polomski and Frank Bustoz found not just a subject in Guatemala, but a co-director, too.
To Your Health
Why is aspirin good for so many different things? Is there anything like aspirin among the nutrients?
APD Faulted in Hit-and-Run
According to the Austin Police Dept., the hit-and-run accident at the end of the Gay Pride Parade on June 7 was caused by a drunk driver who got tired of waiting for the parade to pass over the Congress Avenue bridge and drove around the parade’s police escort, careening through the crowd and hitting marcher…
About AIDS
National HIV-Testing Day Is Friday, June 27
King Fisher Creek: It’s Back!
Kensington Park Neighborhood Association President Lee Sloan and his neighbors thought the Parker Springs low-income condominium complex, which sits half-finished off East St. Elmo Road in southeast Austin, was dead. Last December, Parker Springs developers King Fisher Creek Ltd. failed to finish construction in time to begin moving folks into the 35-unit complex by Dec.…
Play Ball!
High Heat 2004 3DO, $49.98 PlayStation2MVP Baseball 2003EA Sports, $49.98 PlayStation2 Prepare for a bat infestation. You know what I’m talking about, Mr. Sammy “Say It Ain’t” Sosa. With his bat now uncorked, it opens the question of exactly how many players out there doctor their lumber for an undue advantage. If the major-leaguers were…
The Zoot Allure
Zoot 509 Hearn, 477-6535 Tuesday-Thursday, 6-10pm; Friday-Sunday, 5:30-10pmwww.zootdining.com Zoot has had an unassailable reputation for offering some of Austin’s finest food for so long, it might be easy to take it for granted. When Erika and Bick Brown opened Zoot, along with chef Stewart Scruggs, Austin was still in its culinary adolescence. They displayed courage…
Naked City
Quote of the Week: “I always say that representing Texas is like having a child in jail. There’s a crisis every minute.” — U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, celebrating 10 years of having a child in jail — uh, we mean, representing Texas in D.C. (Is this her way of saying she won’t run for…
Play Ball!
Inside Pitch 2003Microsoft Game Studios, $49.99 Xbox Nonfans of the sport often identify America’s favorite pastime more with the movies that capture its romance than with the actual game itself. And who could blame them? It’s far more interesting to witness locker-room sex scenes, stadium light explosions, and raising of the dead than any nine-inning…
Food-o-File
Virginia B. Wood reports from the fields of lavender in this week’s “Food-o-File.”
Naked City
Mandatory auto smog testing is just one of several “potential emission reduction measures” being considered by local leaders in Central Texas’ attempt to forestall “nonattainment” of federal air-quality standards. The Clean Air Coalition of local elected officials, chaired by Williamson Co. Commissioner Mike Heiligenstein, submitted the list to state and federal regulators this week, marking…
Short Cuts
Party on, Barna.
Second Helpings: You Scream, I Scream, We All Scream
“Second Helpings” offers tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week’s entries were updated by Erin Mosow. For quick, reliable info about Austin eateries, check here. Dr. Chocolate 4001 N. Lamar in Central Park, 454-0555 Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm; Sunday 1-6pm The ice creams designed by the talented culinary…
Spangles and High Heels
Dreams come true, just ask “Her Tallness,” Marcia Ball.
Naked City
The Texas Civil Rights Project on Tuesday filed suit against the town of Crawford and its police chief on behalf of five protesters arrested May 3 for violating the town’s demonstration ordinance. That law, enacted after the McLennan Co. hamlet’s most famous resident became president, requires protesters, in groups of any size, to get permits…
TV Eye
Keeping one eye on television and the other on pop culture.
TCB
Hepatitis C and the damage done.
Mr. Bass Man
“We have a high energy level and enjoy doing what we do onstage. Long as you’re having fun, everything works great. Good, clean fun.” Don Bennett sums up 22 years as Marcia Ball’s bassist and onstage foil with a combination of aw-shucks acknowledgement and a well-deserved sense of accomplishment. Born and raised on the border…
Naked City
Democrat Howard Dean will formally declare his candidacy for president on Monday, June 23. Dean for Texas organizers will hold a “Declaration Celebration” that evening at 5:30pm at Ruta Maya HQ, 3601 S. Congress; organizers expect 1,000 people to gather to hear Dean’s Vermont speech rebroadcast on the Internet. Before you go for coffee, drop…
DVD Watch
Considering trilogy storytelling has once again become Hollywood’s new cash cow, it was only a matter of time before all three of Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future films were released as a box set.
Post-Minstrel Syndrome
“Colored Women.” That’s how the freshly minted placard on the shed door read as we returned from visiting the farm animals in the small, fenced field behind our cottage. This cozy B&B runs along one of the many highways that crisscross the Hill Country. Hill Country hospitality — I had heard about it since my…
Marcia Ball Reviewed
Marcia BallSo Many Rivers (Alligator) What’s not to like about Marcia Ball? The long, tall South Austin singer-songwriter/pianist has built a long, tall career mining the musical mother lode that radiates out from her Texas-Louisiana border origins and stretches along the Gulf Coast’s Route 90 from Houston to the Crescent City. Following on the heels…
Naked City
They’ve only just now gotten used to calling him “mayor-elect,” and now the City Council will have to learn to go all the way. In a Palmer Events Center room stuffed with sweet tea, smiles, and standing ovations, Will Wynn was sworn in as Austin’s 53rd mayor Monday night. Joining him in the oath were…
Ralph Nader’s Open Letter to the Legislature
May 20, 2003 Members of the Texas Legislature Capitol Building Austin, Texas, 78701 Dear Legislators: Lacking any last-minute enlightenment, the Texas legislature is expected to enact the most profound roll-back of injured citizen rights that our nation has witnessed. If you dismantle citizen access to Texas’ civil justice system as planned, you will reinforce the…
