He has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland University
Wild At Heart
Getting myself involved in too many things which while I love experiencing new things, sometimes I feel overwhelmed so I just needed to get this out today while I am still thinking clearly.
The Rochester Community Chorus is doing a "Salute to the American Poet" based on the arrangements of James Weldon Johnson who was an American author, politician, diplomat, critic, journalist, poet, anthologist, educator, lawyer, songwriter, and early civil rights activist. And I thought I had a lot of titles. Johnson however is remembered best for his writing, which includes novels, poems, and collections of folklore which is why this concert is right up his alley. The show is featuring the works of Walt Whitman and Robert Frost's poetry set to music and will be done with the accompaniment of the Rochester College Band on Friday, Apr 23rd at 7:30PM @ Rochester Church Of Christ. Tickets are available at the door. For more info call 248-218-2149 or email music@rc.edu.
Landmark Theatres sells almost 2 million bags of popcorn every year which can add up to a lot of trash. In honor of Earth Day, they are initiating the launch of the new EcoSelect popcorn bag in its 55 theatres across the country. EcoSelect popcorn bags are made of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified natural fiber – up to 50% of the energy used to produce the natural fiber is sourced from hydro power and renewable bio-fuels. The bags are printed with water-based inks on natural, chlorine-free paper and are 100% biodegradable. So go see a good film, like "City Island", "The Runaways" or "Greenberg" while the knowledge that going to the theatre will be helping to more for our planet. Why does that theatre popcorn taste so damn good!
Speaking of "City Island", that is the latest Andy garcia movie hitting the big screen. City Island itself is a small island (as of the 2000 census, the island had a population of 4,520) approximately 1.5 mi long by .5 mi wide in Westchester County and it is part of the New York City borough of the Bronx. The town itself would look more appropriate in New England than as part of NY which is part of it's charm. The film itself takes place on City Island as correctional officer Vince Rizzo (Garcia) and his family are on the precipice of lies that can topple a family when he finds that a new inmate at his facility is his son from a relationship before his marriage to the tough as nails Joyce (Julianna Margulies). Joyce has no idea he had a kid before they met which makes Vince's decision to have Tony (Steven Strait) relased into his custody to serve the remaining 30 days of his sentence at his home a nice trigger to bring the house's secrets down. Among the secrets are Vince's desire to be an actor and their daughter dropping out of school and working a shady job to raise money to go back without telling her parents. Their is a stupid side plot with the younger son being a feeder but that could have easily been discarded. Tony's appearance has brought everyone's emotions to the brink and forces everyone to come clean. In the end, we realize that family is the most important thing and secrets are usually not as bad as we make them. The movie itself is by the book and nothing overly special but the relationship between Vince and Joyce is portrayed strongly enough along to make up for the fact that the movie dodges real drama. The film should feel the need for anyone looking for a well acted movie that doesn't ever really
self destruct. My grade is a B.
Tune in to my radio show on Saturday morning 8-10AM (WXOU 88.3FM or online at www.wxou.org) this week for a ton of interviews including "Little Traitor" director Lynn Roth, actress/producer Kimberly Kates about the locally filmed movie "Sucker" (also actor/director Michael Manassari), singer Langhorne Slim and possibly members of the bands Taddy Porter and Saving Abel who are playing at the Crofoot tonight. I also hope to have reviews of "Spring Awakening" at the Fisher, "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" at Meadowbrook and "The Very Last Green Thing" at the Detroit Opera House. Now pordon me while I go into a coma and everyone have a good weekend.