Far From Heaven
Far From Heaven 2002, PG-13, 107 min. Directed by Todd Haynes, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson, Viola Davis. Far From Heaven begins just like Douglas Sirk’s 1952 Hollywood melodrama All That Heaven Allows: The camera cranes through a grove of treetops, through their fiery display…
“The Subtext of a Yale Education” and “University Inc.”
“The Subtext of a Yale Education” and “University Inc.” NR, 85 min. Directed by Kyle Henry, Laura Dunn, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring . The program consists of Laura Dunn’s “Subtext of a Yale Education” (1999, 31 min.), which follows the labor strikes at Yale in 1996 from a student’s point of view,…
Une Nouvelle Vie (A New Life)
Une Nouvelle Vie (A New Life) 1992, NR, 122 min. Directed by Olivier Assayas, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Bernard Giraudeau, Judith Godrèche, Sophie Aubry. This early work by the acclaimed director of Irma Vep and Alice et Martin is a twisty mystery of psycho-sexual intrigue that uses abrupt time shifts, delayed information…
Ator the Fighting Eagle
Ator the Fighting Eagle 1983, PG, 98 min. Directed by Joe D’Amato, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Miles O’Keeffe, Laura Gemser, Ritza Brown, Sabrina Siani. Ator the Fighting Eagle is the first of several Italian fantasy films directed by D’Amato in the Eighties that star the amazingly untalented Miles O’Keeffe as a muscular…
The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter (1980) and “Chimps: So Like Us”
The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter (1980) and “Chimps: So Like Us” NR, 60 min. Directed by Connie Field, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring . An exceptional documentary, The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter (60 min.) looks at the role of women on the homefront during WWII. The film’s…
The Best of the Austin 48-Hour Film Project
The Best of the Austin 48-Hour Film Project NR, 90 min. Directed by Various, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring . The top 11 films, based on judge and audience surveys from the 2002 local competition will screen, and the final winner and other awards will be announced. Included on the bill are: “The…
Charade
The sexual chemistry between Hepburn and Grant, when set against the suave thriller’s tumultuous backdrop of shifting identities, makes this movie an enduring favorite.
American Mullet
American Mullet 2001, NR, 52 min. Directed by Jennifer Arnold, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring . “I’ve had one person tell me it was a lesbian haircut, but I’m cool with that – I like women,” admits one mulletized biker in the opening to this digital doc on all things mullet. For the…
2002 Texas Book Festival Schedule
All events listed are free, open to the public, and take place at the state Capitol. Free parking is available in the garage at 12th and Guadalupe and in the Capitol visitors garage on San Jacinto between 12th and 13th. Key: CExt. = Capitol Extension Room; GER Tent = Giving an Earful Reading Tent at…
It’s a Trans, Trans, Trans, Trans World
Drag culture has impact and implications on larger transgender issues. We spoke with local psychotherapist Katy Koonce about these cross-pollinations. Austin Chronicle: Why do people don drag, and does doing so make them transsexual? Katy Koonce: People come to drag with their own very subjective experiences. Drag kings and drag queens kind of fit under…
Naked City
Ain’t no shortage of opinions about what went wrong for the Democrats last week, but Naked City finds our own Austin American-Statesman’s take to be, uh, novel. The daily’s day-after lead editorial told readers that the Dems are split between “more moderate centrists who don’t see business and the military as necessarily evil … and…
Readings
Greg Garrett’s surprisingly funny debut, Free Bird, “doesn’t hide its convention and occasional sentimentality: It capitalizes on it.”
Second Helpings
This sandwich is your sandwich, in this week’s “Second Helpings.”
Beyond Himself
Roger Gathman talks to Jonathan Safran Foer about the author’s unconscious grasp of the Jewish literary tradition.
Take It or Leave It
Are the Strokes great? The Chronicle’s Christopher Gray says no, but talks to them anyway.
Naked City
The Texas Dept. of Transportation holds an open house on its statewide rail plan today (Thursday), 3-8pm (with a presentation at 7pm) at the TxDOT district office conference room, 7901 N. I-35. Have the recent drug reform defeats at the polls got you down? Want to know where — and how — the drug reform…
Readings
John Taliaferro’s biography of a man and a mountain
Page Two
Denuded of ideological trimmings and vicious rhetoric, much of the agenda that motivates talk radio hosts is common to most of us.
Tracks of My Tears
A new documentary, Standing in the Shadows of Motown, signs a light on the men behind the Motown sound, the Funk Brothers.
Naked City
Last week the state commissioner of education, Felipe Alanis, ordered that five of the state’s “low-performing” charter schools, serving about 2,000 students in all, be closed at the end of the school year. These are the first charter schools to be closed by the Texas Education Agency for academic reasons, although others have been shut…
Drag and Trans Resources
BOOKSGender Trouble, Judith Butler, Routledge Female Masculinity, Judith Halberstam, Duke University Press The Drag King Book, Del LaGrace Volcano & Judith Halberstam, Serpant’s Tail Drag King Anthology MAGAZINESKingdom, International Drag King Magazine published by Carlos Las Vegas and Ken Las Vegas; kingdomidkm@yahoo.ca or www.geocities.com/kingdomidkm Transgender Magazine FILMSBy Hook or By Crook W/D: Harry Dodge and…
After a Fashion
CATWALKING The Shair (Shoes + Hair) event at Daya Salon & Day Spa turned out to be a jewel in the glittery string of parties lately (as you’ll see, we’re obsessed with jewelry this week). It was a benefit for the very worthy Candlelight Ranch, and director Jeri Barr was deeply touched by the turnout.…
Dancing About Architecture
American Idol picks Austinite Dana Clark to hopefully win the hearts of America in the next round of finals.
Naked City
Melinda Ballard, dubbed the “Mold Queen” by the Texas Assoc. of Business BACPAC in the campaign of ousted state Rep. Rick Green, filed a libel suit Nov. 6 against Farmers Insurance Group and its spokesman Bill Miller, claiming that Miller made false and damaging statements about Ballard in an October Statesman article. Specifically, Miller told…
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
The second year at the Hogwarts is better than the first, but still a bit sophomoric.
Day Trips
The Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center outside of Lajitas officially serves as the eastern gateway to the Big Bend Ranch State Park, but it makes the perfect introduction to the entire Big Bend region even though it is nearly 100 miles inside the great curve of the Rio Grande. The Big Bend area is one…
Phases and Stages
Beck & the Flaming LipsBass Concert Hall, Nov. 12 The final step into this stately academic venue was either entrance to the Greatest Show on Earth or gateway to the bizarre dreams of a fringe lunatic, depending on your tolerance for large furry animal suits. Flaming Lips’ frontman Wayne Coyne was PT Barnum, and this…
Naked City
Former Austin Assistant City Manager Marcia Conner — now city manager in Durham, N.C. — is under fire there for awarding lucrative contracts without soliciting bids, executing signed documents, or notifying the Durham City Council. Among the recipients is Conner’s former Austin City Hall colleague Byron Marshall — now executive director of the Austin Revitalization…
Standing in the Shadows of Motown
Standing in the Shadows of Motown 2002, PG, 104 min. Directed by Paul Justman, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring . Just about every American of a certain age knows the Motown sound and can rattle off his or her favorite hits with enthusiastic alacrity, whether they be tunes by Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross…
Mr. Smarty Pants
Some Iranian clerics don’t like dogs because they are considered “unclean,” and some have called for all dogs to be arrested.Many stylebooks are firmly against use of the word “hopefully” to mean “in a hopeful manner.”There are two different types of crocodiles, salt water and fresh water. The salt water variety are bigger and more…
Phases and Stages
Neko CaseBlacklisted (Bloodshot) If alt.country ever needed a diva, Neko Case is she. The Chicago-based singer certainly has the vocal prowess, and her magnetic stage persona speaks to both loyal fans and the unconverted. Blacklisted, her third disc, is a sharp turn in many ways, but what remains is that voice. It soars, it swoops,…
Naked City
Today and Friday, the State Board of Education is scheduled to vote on proposed social studies texts to be approved for use in Texas school districts. On Tuesday, the Texas Freedom Network hosted a press conference and rally on the Capitol steps to publicly deliver thousands of postcards addressed to the board, the Texas Education…
Waking Up in Reno
Waking Up in Reno R, 91 min. Directed by Jordan Brady, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Tony Orlando, Holmes Osborne, Natasha Richardson, Patrick Swayze, Charlize Theron, Billy Bob Thornton. Not reviewed at press time. After sitting on the picture for more than a year, Miramax has finally seen fit to release Waking Up…
To Your Health
I’ve decided I’m ready to give up coffee and thinking of switching to tea. What are my other options for a replacement?
Phases and Stages
Tom Petty & the HeartbreakersThe Last DJ (Warner Bros.) It’s no doubt a coincidence that lead-off/title track “The Last DJ” opens as a dead ringer for Leonard Cohen’s “The Future.” Instead of irony-dripping requests for crack and anal sex, Tom Petty just wants a radio station with some imagination, man (what a hippie). But like…
Naked City
On Nov. 6, the day after a generally disappointing election for state and national Democrats, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett sent an e-mail to supporters warning against a “natural” tendency to “feelings of both cynicism and helplessness” and “the need to find someone or something to blame.” “We do not get to choose our time in…
The Grey Zone
The Grey Zone 2002, R, 108 min. Directed by Tim Blake Nelson, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Steve Buscemi, David Arquette, Harvey Keitel, Natasha Lyonne, Mira Sorvino, Allan Corduner, David Chandler, Daniel Benzali. Bleak and often hard to watch, this well-meaning film based on actual events tells the story of Auschwitz’s twelfth Sonderkommando.…
Letters at 3AM
America has engaged in a long-term strategy, through three presidential administrations, to take over the Iraqi people whom we’ve made helpless from a ruthless form of bio-warfare.
Phases and Stages
LiarsThey Threw Us All in a Trench and Stuck a Monument on Top (Blast First/Mute) NYC’s Liars are a young, art-damaged avant-punk quartet, at least two of whom actually attended art school. This album, originally released last year on Gern Blandsten, posits the group as obtuse techno-scavengers herky-jerking through the crumbling ruins of a decaying…
Naked City
On Nov. 7 city officials announced the selection of an independent investigator — the Dallas law firm of Bellinger & DeWolf — to review the June police shooting of Sophia King, sparking the Austin Police Assoc. to file a contract grievance with APD Chief Stan Knee. The Dallas firm will be paid $40,000 for its…
Roger Dodger
Roger Dodger 2002, R, 104 min. Directed by Dylan Kidd, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Elizabeth Berkley, Jennifer Beals, Jesse Eisenberg, Isabella Rossellini, Campbell Scott. Roger Swanson (Scott) is a character we’ve all encountered at some point or another. A dislikable guy who considers himself God’s gift to women despite an inner self-loathing…
About AIDS
Drug Assistance Program Needs Support Neither the Texas Legislature’s looming budget challenges nor last week’s Republican sweep of important political races bodes well for people with HIV. Getting caught in the crunch is the Texas AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which provides health-prolonging, life-saving medications for HIV-positive people across the state. Funding shortages are predicted this…
Phases and Stages
Lynyrd Skynyrd: Remembering the Free Birds of Southern Rockby Gene Odom with Frank Dorman Broadway Books, $22.95, 221 pp. On Nov. 28, 1976, Lynyrd Skynyrd rocked Austin’s Armadillo World Headquarters as few bands ever did. Storming the sold-out hall like redneck rebels, the South rose again with anthems like “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Tuesday’s Gone,” and…
Speak, Mr. Craddick
The new choice for state House Speaker circles his political wagons.
Articulations
The threat to Austin Musical Theatre and the passing of Austin storyteller and artist Helen Handley
Northwest Neighborhood Treasures, Near and Far
Virginia B. Wood and Erin Mosow report with five new reviews of family-friendly ethnic cafes and East Coast-style pizza parlors.
Phases and Stages
As the northern winds blow, ’tis the season for cozy fireplace music, and just in time comes the return of Sigur Rós. ( ) is the Icelanders’ nameless MCA follow-up to last year’s stunning Ágætis Byrjun, and while it doesn’t resonate like its predecessor, the new collection is still dominated by the reverberating scrapes, aural…
The Hightower Report
It’s my 737, I’ll land if I want to; and a Day of Action against Wal-Mart.
Exhibitionism
In The Presidents, Rich Little mimics every president from JFK to the present occupant of the Oval Office, and in his visit to the Paramount Theatre the impressionist nailed them all with his utter ease of delivery and master craftsmanship.
Northwest Neighborhood Treasures, Near and Far
Las Colinas 8127 Mesa Dr., 794-8128 Monday-Friday, 11am-2pm; 5:30-9pm Las Colinas is a small, cheerfully decorated restaurant tucked into the corner of a strip center, north of the intersection at Mesa Drive and Spicewood Springs Road. The 14-year-old eatery is the kind of place where neighborhood diners eat regularly, greeting each other across the dining…
Between Round Rock and a Hard Place
Northridge Acres can’t find water, water anywhere.
All Attitude
“I’m a very nice girl — who happens to be completely amoral,” says cult queen Mary Woronov. She’ll present two films — Death Race 2000 and Rock ‘n’ Roll High School –at the Rolling Roadshow’s Rock ‘n Roll Drive-In this Saturday.
Exhibitionism
With its exploration of men’s actions in the midst of war, Herman Melville’s Billy Budd could not be more timely and relevant, but while Mainline Theater Project’s production is perfectly cast, poor artistic choices cause the show as a whole to fall flat.
Northwest Neighborhood Treasures, Near and Far
Ms. B’s Authentic Creole Cuisine 8105 Mesa Dr., 372-9529 Monday-Saturday, 11am-3pm; 5:30-10pmwww.msbscreole.com Just around the corner from Las Colinas, you’ll find another little jewel of a restaurant tucked into yet another strip center. Restaurateurs Billy and Brenda McGowan opened Ms. B’s a little more than three years ago, bringing Brenda’s delectable renditions of the Creole…
A Place for Democrats
In the new spirit of bipartisanship, perhaps we should let the GOP establish colonies in Central, East, and Southeast Austin. Only this may give the R’s a fighting chance of taking Travis County away from the Democrats. Travis now has six state House seats, and three belong to each party. House districts are all about…
‘Idol’ Chatter
Local celebrity judge Belinda Acosta graded Austin’s American Idol hopefuls.
Capitol Letters
What we’ve done here, in addition to our previous features on attendees Edward Swift and Josephine Sacabo, is provide a couple brief interviews and a few reviews regarding Texas Book Festival authors. It’s a preview, a head start.
Northwest Neighborhood Treasures, Near and Far
Cafe Spiazzo 5416 Parkcrest, 459-9960 Monday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday, 11am-11pm Saturday, 4-11pm; Sunday, 4-10pm The Center at Parkcrest is home to the Junior League of Austin as well as a few small businesses, one of which is the 12-year-old Cafe Spiazzo. Take a few steps down from the parking lot into this little trattoria, festively decorated…
Preparing for Springsteen’s Appeals
Two attorneys build separate cases for overturning yogurt-shop defendant Robert Springsteen’s death sentence.
The Artful ‘Dodger’
First-time writer / director Dylan Kidd talks about his award-winning indie debut, Roger Dodger.
Texas Book Festival 2002 Book Reviews
Accept the premise that no work of historical fiction dealing with Native Americans can match Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian and you’re on your way to appreciating David Marion Wilkinson’s Oblivion’s Altar for what it is,” writes James McWilliams. “An entertaining, imaginative, and historically informed story about the ruthless displacement of the Cherokee Nation from its…
Northwest Neighborhood Treasures, Near and Far
Saccone’s Pizza and Cafe 2701-A Hwy. 183 S., Leander 259-1882 Monday-Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-10pm; Sunday, 3-9pm 13812 Research Blvd. 257-1200 Monday-Sunday, 11am-10pm Close your eyes and picture the perfect pizza … if it comes with free CinnaStix, then it’s time to let you in on a secret North Austinites have been keeping — Saccone’s Pizza…
The Business of Educations at T.A.B.
The Texas Association of Business carried out an “educational” campaign for this election.
Short Cuts
A new Vietnam Film Series, a Cine Las Americas call for entries, aGLIFF’s “Secret Cinema,” and a fond farewell to AFS film programmer Salvatore Botti.
On the Way to Anywhere
Sarah Hepola talks to the three panelists of one of the Texas Book Festival’s most eagerly anticipated panels, “At the Crossroads: Mexican-American Literature.”
Northwest Neighborhood Treasures, Near and Far
Reale’s Pizza and Cafe 13450 Hwy. 183 N. 335-5115 Monday-Thursday, 11am-9:30pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, noon-10pm Reale’s Pizza and Cafe has built up a loyal following with more than 20 years in the business. Diners love the family atmosphere created by manager Gino and his brothers, who serve humor, love, and most importantly — good pizza.…
Naked City
Quote of the Week: “Charter schools should not be shut down simply because they are not meeting criteria set by bureaucrats in Austin.” — Chris Patterson, educational “expert” at the hard-right Texas Public Policy Foundation, whining after the state ordered closed five schools that have failed to meet state standards for three years running (see…
TV Eye
More adventures in Idoldom.
Texas Book Festival 2002 Book Reviews
Debut novelist and SWT grad Diana López “captures a Tejano culture in flux” in her Sofía’s Saints, writes Sarah Hepola.
Not Your Daddy’s Facial Hair
Kate Messer brings us up to date on the drag king scene in Austin.
Naked City
Naked City congratulates state Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos after the birth of his fifth and sixth grandchildren. Twins Jacob and Isabella Medel were born to Barrientos’ daugher Adelita on Nov. 6, about 14 hours after Barrientos was re-elected. “After such a long and, at times, nasty campaign, this reminds you what’s really important in life,” Barrientos…
Video Reviews
Hellman’s cult uses Western frontier justice to reflect the political climate of the mid-Sixties.
