SCENE
Thanks to the Kardashian sisters and other reality TV stars, it seems like anyone can get on the tube these days. But it’s not just Hollywood: Local citizens are also producing their own shows for Columbia Access Television, the city’s public access station.
September 02, 2010
Spy-thriller puts less emphasis on action, more on romance
(Web Exclusive) Before heading in to watch an espionage-thriller, audiences often expect one of two things: layers of tangled stories or nonstop, Bond-flavored action. Unfortunately, in The American, audiences don’t get either.
Make your own TV show with Columbia Access Television
How to produce and air a public-access TV program
Thanks to the Kardashian sisters and other reality TV stars, it seems like anyone can get on the tube these days. But it’s not just Hollywood: Local citizens are also producing their own shows for Columbia Access Television, the city’s public access station. Some use it as a creative outlet, some as a way to fulfill a lifelong goal and others as a good reason to quit their day jobs. Vox offers some tips on how to get things rolling from Columbia Access Television execs and public access veterans — just in case inspiration strikes.
It’s hard to find a genre in TV that hasn’t been tapped yet, but local producer Tim Burgess might be creating his own. Think late-night talk show meets E.T., with a splash of comedy sketches.
September 01, 2010
Deja Vu’s ‘Last Comic Standing’ winner returns to Columbia
(Web Exclusive)
August 29, 2010
VIDEO: Peace Nook 20th Birthday
Peace Nook celebrates 20 years at Stephens Lake Park
(Web Exclusive) The Peace Nook celebrated its 20th birthday Sunday afternoon with a party at Stephens Lake Park. Guests enjoyed veggie burgers and veggie hot dogs while listening to various musicians, wandered around the lake on nature walks and celebrated the community that has kept the non-profit alive for two decades.
August 28, 2010
Movie Review: The Last Exorcism
Horror movie leaves audiences — not heads — spinning
(Web Exclusive) If viewers going to see The Last Exorcism expect head spinning, spewing of green vomit or the wielding of holy water, they will be sadly disappointed. Although other films might portray the true exorcising of a demon, this movie follows a less-than-faith-driven reverend as he tries to expose the practice for the fraud it truly is.
Heist flick takes script for granted
(Web Exclusive) Director John Luessenhop picked a pretty bunch to star in Takers. So good-looking are Paul Walker, Tip “T.I.” Harris, Hayden Christensen, Michael Ealy, Idris Elba, Chris Brown and even the aging Matt Dillon, that it’s almost difficult to notice the unimaginative script and lack of character development or context. Almost.
Duvall and Murray carry this dark comedy
(Web Exclusive) Meet Boo Radley. Sort of. In 1962, Robert Duvall made his screen debut as the famous character in To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s only fitting that he should reprise his role as a hermit in a Southern town with a storied and rumored past in what will likely be one of his final roles.
August 26, 2010
MU film studies students create horror film
Blood Ties’ murderous butler serves laughs
When expensive jewelry and priceless heirlooms go missing, the household help is first to be blamed, regardless of whose handiwork it was. In the latest film shot and produced in Columbia, there’s cause for pointing fingers at the butler: He’s murdering people left and right.
Pick your flicks: Student filmmakers
Although most undergrads prefer such cinematic gems as Transformers and The Hangover, these students, who are involved with MU’s film studies program, show perhaps a tad more sophistication. Each picks the movie that inspired him or her to study film.
August 21, 2010
Bow Wow wows
(Web Exclusive) Nothing makes a movie enjoyable like a cast of rappers-turned-actors. At least that's what Erik White, director of Lottery Ticket, must have thought. With Bow Wow, Ice Cube and T-Pain (who sadly did not speak in Auto-Tune) in important roles, this movie was borderline pathetic.
Movie Review: Nanny McPhee Returns
Silly sequel delivers successful magic realism for children
(Web Exclusive) If it were at all acceptable for 20-somethings to have nannies, Nanny McPhee would be significantly busier than she already is. In the past five years alone, the hideous caretaker has tutored and trained 13 children in her two big-screen appearances with nothing on her side but fortitude, a magic walking stick and a jackdaw named Mr. Edelweiss. Let’s see SuperNanny do that.
RomCom fails to break the mold
(Web Exclusive) Wally Mars (Jason Bateman) masturbates to a Diane Sawyer New York Magazine cover to replace his best friend’s sperm donor’s semen, which he poured down the drain while blackout drunk. Seven years later he meets her child, a hypochondriac and veritable mini-Wally. Wally sees Diane Sawyer on television, gets aroused and boom: His memory of replacing his best friend’s donor semen with his own comes back.
Movie Review: Mid-August Lunch
Italian comedy is as refreshing and delicious as a light meal
(Web Exclusive) Gianni is living the nightmare: He shares an apartment with his mother, he’s in debt and he doesn’t have a job or romantic prospects. Unlike many sad-sack men for whom this is a reality, Gianni is not in his 20s or even 30s but in his late 50s.
Movie Review: Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky
Stunningly beautiful film fails to captivate
(Web Exclusive) At any point in history (with the exception, perhaps, of the French Revolution), it seems like Paris is the place to be. It’s the high culture epicenter of the world, and this is rarely more so the case than it is in Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky.
These prehistoric fish make your Betta look tame — and more screenworthy
(Web Exclusive) Every year, Arizona’s Lake Victoria is invaded by motorboating, booty-shaking, beer-bonging spring breakers who just want to get wet. This year, though, some uninvited prehistoric piranhas released from the underwater depths near an earthquake join in the fun — in 3-D, no less.
August 19, 2010
Vampire laughs lack fangs
(Web Exclusive) There was a lot of laughter, and even some crying. Unexpected plot twists abounded. The audience was on edge. Amazing special effects danced across retinas and pulled the viewers in to a cinematic dreamland from which they would never want to wake. The movie-going experience was all the film gods had intended it to be.
Quick eats from carts and shacks
When hunger strikes, sit-down restaurants aren’t worth the wait. But for the sophisticated eater, McDonald’s won’t cut it, and neither will Taco Bell. When appetites call for finer cuisine, these carts and shacks find ways to make the greasy gourmet.
Play This: Put on your Poker Face with Texas hold 'em
Regulars at the Thirsty Turtle get their inner Kenny Rogers on every Thursday
The backyard of Thirsty Turtle fosters a family. Some tied by blood and others bonded by friendship, the poker players of Columbia unite on what avid player Craig Davis calls “the best night of the week.”
August 14, 2010
Movie Review: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
A punchy, powerful parody of playfulness
(Web Exclusive) Scott Pilgrim has problems lots of young men would like to have. He doesn’t have a job, he has a United Nations of pretty young women vying for his attention, and he has awesome super powers.
Twitter
Facebook
