Consider it Transformers on steroids. Movie Review

In the sequel Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, just about everything is pumped up — the action, the number of Autobots and Decepticons, the jokes and the eye-candy for the guys who can’t seem to get enough of Megan Fox.

If you’re one of those people who don’t buy into the idea that less is more, you’ll enjoy the sensory overload delivered by director Michael Bay.

In Revenge of the Fallen, two years have passed since Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and the Autobots have saved the human race from the invading Decepticons.

Life seems to be getting back to normal for Sam as he heads off to college for the first time. However, things change pretty quickly as he realizes that the battle between the Autobots and the Transformers — who are now trying to anonymously co-exist with humans on earth — is far from over.

The Autobots, who are partnering with the military of a secret team called NEST, spend most of their time tracking down the remaining Decepticons hiding among them on earth.

Though this battle between good and evil robots lends itself to a few interesting fight scenes, a more sinister Decepticon plot is unveiling itself with Sam as the prime target.

At the same time that the Decepticons are preparing to wage an all-out war in an effort to destroy earth, a few government officials have decided that the Autobots are too dangerous to live among humans. One in particular makes it his personal mission to drive them out of town.

Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, agrees to leave but issues a warning that our planet wouldn’t have what it takes to defend itself against the Decepticons.
The film starts off with plenty of lighthearted comedy relief, delivered by some unlikely characters, including Sam’s mother (Julie White), and then quickly transforms (pun definitely intended) with a heavy dose of robotic battles.

With more actors and robots, Revenge of the Fallen can get a bit overwhelming at times. Even so, the introduction of Ramon Rodriguez as Sam’s roommate Leo and the return of National Security Advisor Theodore Galloway (John Benjamin Hickey) provide a nice balance to the cast of characters on the run from the Decepticons.

And, of course, male moviegoers can expect to get enjoy plenty of scenes with Megan Fox who gets some competition from a blonde co-ed (Isabel Lucas) who obviously has a thing for Sam.

If you’re into over-the-top action, a slew of fighting robots and a parade of college students who could double as runway models, check out Revenge of the Fallen.

by Shari Finnell

Travel; Chicago, IL The Field Museum’s “Real Pirates” exhibit merges past with present

by Rebecca R. Bibbs

Looking for an educational day trip that gives you the feeling of having left the city without breaking the bank?

Consider taking your young buccaneers to see “Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship” at Chicago’s Field Museum. The Whydah is the first authenticated pirate ship found in U.S. waters.

The 8,400-squre-foot interactive touring exhibit organized by National Geographic and Arts and Exhibitions International may not be exactly what you’d think. Though it features a treasure chest filled with silver coins and other artifacts like eating utensils and weaponry, it doesn’t glamorize it in a swashbuckling Hollywood kind of way. Instead it’s a sobering, looking at the history of one ship from its days on the high seas in the 1700s to how the shipwreck was found in 1984 by underwater explorer Barry Clifford off the coast of Cape Cod, Mass.

This exhibit is a great piece of multicultural history that examines the lives of some of the crew, including Capt. Sam Bellamy; Hendrik Quintor a free man of Dutch and African descent; John Julian, an afro-amerindian born into Nicaragua’s mosquito tribe; and 11-year-old John King, the youngest known pirate aboard the ship. Built to transport slaves in what now is called the Middle Passage, the history of the Whydah brings into focus the realities of life in the Caribbean.

Though no women are featured, there is a section of the exhibit that explains that plenty of women were attracted to this lifestyle and often were more brutal than men.

“Real Pirates” continues through Oct. 25. Gold Pass tickets to Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship includes basic admission to the Museum and are priced at $23 for adults, $20 for seniors and students with ID, and $13 for children 3-11.

For information, visit www.fieldmuseum.org or call or call 866-FIELD-03.

Jenny Lewis lights the stage The Pageant

by Solange Deschatres


If there were one artist who could lure the pretty birds from their comfortable treetop perches, Jenny Lewis would be the one to do it.

There were no birds inside the Pageant, but Lewis, clad like a flower child in a floating white t-shirt, bellbottoms and a crown made of a Hawaiian garland, flung wide the doors of her feral world and enticed her audience inside.

No recording could ever do justice to the silky, yet road-dusted quality of Lewis’s vocals, nor the mysterious life power that gives them effortless strength. Lewis’ inner vibrancy intoxicates, whether she’s giving serious hip-jutting sass to “See Fernando,” or sultry swaying to “Pretty Bird.” Her inner sunshine is warm and comfortable, and reaches gently out to liquefy the chilliest of hearts.

The acoustic weds effortlessly with the singer’s friendly, strolling countenance and candied, rosey vocals in the bittersweet ballad, “You Are What You Love.” Band members weave deftly around Lewis’ and her boyfriend/co-collaborator, Jonathan Rice’s lead, with Farmer Dave of Deer Tick working the steel lap guitar, Barbara Gruska swanging the beat on drums, and Danielle Haim tackling complex and varied percussion. The band never leaves a moment to slouch, all drinking from the same pool of magnificent energy.

You’d never know the band just got back from hard partying at Bonnaroo, the legendary Tennessee summer music festival. Lewis, still reeling from her “Carpetbaggers” duet with Elvis Costello, banters with the audience about her weekend — and about her similar encounter with the notoriously raunchy puppet comedian, Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog, who traded some of the lyrics for, “I’ll do you from behind”, to which Lewis had replied, “And I’ll smile the whole time.”

Although perhaps a little burnt out from a weekend of rock n’ roll, Lewis and the band plow through the set fresh as morning glories. Lewis’s muscle-bound vocal chords seem pull and drag those sedimentary emotions from far below the surface, leaving nothing but awe in their place.

Singer-songwriter wizardry astounds when Lewis and Rice reach out to the new crowd of St. Louis, where the indie rock scene is comparatively miniscule to many other big cities. The exquisitely tuned lead guitar and lead singer work their magic over the locals as they soften and ebb to find no tittering, no shifting, not even the tinkling of ice in a glass, from the gob smacked public. The silence throughout an entire venue is yet another instrument, one that not many artists can master, but once mastered, is the most incredible sound that the human ear can obtain.

Well, one of the most incredible sounds. The most incredible sound of the evening is the gospel revival-inspired, “The Next Messiah,” which turns up the heat and torches engines as Lewis writhes and prances across the stage, leading the audience on a string. Past and present, hot and cold, reel wildly in do-si-do during this number, as the band leads the way to what we hope can only be eternal salvation. Or maybe we just need a good shot of whiskey after all of that Sunday reeling.

New songs join the mix as well. “Just Like Zeus,” a rollicking electric number, feels like an old friend come to stay. It’s going back to her rock roots, which heads in a different direction from the gothic alt-folk/country vibe of her last album. “Big Wave,” part of the three-song encore, is again more electric, scorching, but fun. If these tracks are any indication of the direction Lewis and Rice are headed, we have a lot to look forward to on the next album.

Leading the acoustic rendition of “Acid Tongue,” with all band members on vocals around a single microphone, Lewis includes the audience in her intimate circle. When she flits charmingly from the stage before the band members after the final song, “Sing a Song For Them,” we don’t complain. The show has been everything it’s meant to be, and more. The bats return to the belfry, and, as for the birds, they get to take flight once again.

Conner Prairie’s Balloon Voyage carries guests back in time Travel, Indianapolis, IN

Fun fact: The first manned airmail balloon flight took off in 1859 from none other than Lafayette, Ind.

Destined for New York City, the balloon, manned by John Wise, got caught in winds and instead landed in Crawfordsville, Ind. The mail then was delivered to New York by train.

In the spirit of the launch, which drew thousands that August day in Lafayette, Conner Prairie opened its 1859 Balloon Voyage exhibit June 6, allowing guests to step back in time –– and soar more than 350 feet above Indiana soil.

Guests can experience the excitement of Lafayette that day by taking in the sights and sounds of a recreated Lafayette streetscape, which includes Lafayette Drug Store, Dry Goods Store, Art Gallery and Print Shop and Lafayette Gas Works.

Visitors also can build, fill, launch, navigate and land a balloon –– all while fighting what Wise called “rivers of wind,” or the jet stream, in Flight School.

The main attraction, however, is the 105-foot-tall balloon, which is twice as large as your typical hot air balloon and takes up to 20 guests per 10- to 15-minute flight.

I was lucky in that the day I went up was clear and picture perfect. The ascent is smooth (although that didn’t stop me from keeping a firm grip on the rail), and it only takes a few minutes to reach your height.

Since it was so clear, we were able to see downtown Indianapolis, Keystone at the Crossing and the Pyramids at 86th Street and Michigan Road. Everything certainly takes on a whole new perspective as you look down on it from a few hundred feet in the air.

The balloon held pretty steady as we “floated” there — it remains anchored to the ground the whole time so any movement is minimal — but I still didn’t feel comfortable enough to walk around in the gondola.

In all, Balloon Voyage is a fun –– and unique –– attraction.

Balloon Voyage is open through November. The balloon only operates in safe weather conditions, so check www.connerprairie.org before your visit to make sure it’s running.

Tickets are $15 per person non-members and $12 per member. A $5 coupon is available at area BP am/pm locations.

Call (317) 776-6000 or log on www.connerprairie.org.

by Laura Kruty

Fox Theatre The Touring Production of RENT Gives Broadway a Run for its Money

by Solange Deschatres

The late Jonathan Larson’s epic Broadway achievement, RENT, has pared its way down to suit the smaller stages of a touring production, but for this tale of La Vie Boheme, the scaled-down version works — maybe better than its larger counterpart. The Fox Theatre’s mid-sized stage recreates the cramped quarters of New York City, where climbing over the sleeping homeless and running into your neighbor are inevitable everyday occurrences. The space creates an element of intimacy, of shared experience, that makes the big world of the Big Apple appear a lot smaller and more familiar than it is.

The familiar spirit is perhaps what has kept some of the cast coming back to the brilliant rock score and heart-wrenching story for more than 13 years. Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp have returned to the show since performing in its April 1996 debut on Broadway. As roommates Roger Davis and Mark Cohen, respectively, the duo has created a solid central foundation for the show’s other players. Unlike many off-Broadway productions, RENT affords St. Louis the rare treat of having the players who defined the central characters to the original performances live and in living color on the stage. Gwen Stewart, playing Mrs. Jefferson, also brings her brilliant Broadway voice back to this exquisite tour.


The rest of the cast flavors the pot with seasoned actors, actresses and fantastic singers. Michael McElroy (Tom Collins) possesses an angelic set of pipes, rivaling any of today’s most amazing pop singers. Considering all of the vocal performances in the show are amazing, the fact McElroy stands out above most is quite a fantastic feat.

Opposite McElroy, the lively Justin Johnson flashes across the stage with rhythm, pizzazz and major sass as the loving drag queen, Angel. Johnson’s dance numbers separate the men from the boys when it comes to shaking a tail feather, and his drumming — though not his first talent — comes through with body-moving precision. Johnson adds a sprightly, fun element to the bleakness of poverty on the streets of New York.

Speaking of fun, Nicolette Hart portrays the loveable-in-spite-of-her-ways Maureen, an actress whose true bohemian spirit and fun-loving ways have left many a lover distraught and heartbroken. Hart’s cheeky — in more ways than one — portrayal of Maureen adds comedic relief to the show just when things begin to get too serious.

The comic highs and dramatic lows of RENT come to St. Louis tightly stitched by a tight cast. Former American Idol contestant, Lexi Lawson, left the television competition to don unfathomably tight blue rubber leggings as the heroine-addicted seductress, Mimi Marquez. Lawson possesses the perfect emotional naïveté in order to portray the young, lost soul, unsure of who she is or why she does what she does. Discovering in the end that love is all she needs to survive, Lawson’s vulnerability adds fuel to the bubbling chemistry with Pascal’s vulnerable character, Roger.

The St. Louis performance of RENT appears absolutely seamless and unshakable. With an entire cast of strong players, certain magic occurs. The energy of the players bounces from character to character without stopping. It’s a magic that is truly a delight to behold, and sincerely, not to be missed.

St. Louis Black Repertory Blues in the Night, A Musical Revue by Sheldon Epps

By Nancy Larson

A fading femme fatale, a woman of the world and a wide-eyed ingénue have one thing in common: a snake of a man who leaves them each with the blues.

Living in a rundown Chicago hotel, the trio sings and harmonizes together, but never actually lay eyes on one another. Separated by wallpapered panels, three adjacent boudoirs make up the set, with props like black and white photos, a vintage radio and a leather suitcase recreating the year 1938. When one sings, the others make up their faces, do their nails, drink wine or peruse an old scrapbook. A character known only as “the man,” played by Black Rep veteran J. Samuel Davis, sneaks around the set and croons about wild women and the innate flaws of the male species.

Though you can’t help but ache for these women, had the nameless man not done them wrong, they would have no reason to belt out the torch songs of Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith and others with a power that shakes the theatre like a thunderstorm.

Anita Jackson’s sultry rendition of “Buggy Ride” (“Honey, I like it when you pull that clutch … ) is a heated affirmation that the words don’t matter when the tone and the hip swings drip with suggestion. “I love the way he bastes my ham,” sings Jackson in her washed-up performer role, in a similarly raunchy rendition of “Kitchen Man.”
As the worldly one, Willena Vaughn shakes her stuff with an energy and vocals that rival Jackson’s in “Rough and Ready Man” and several other numbers. Though Black Rep regular Leah Stewart’s range, projection and ability to emote can’t begin to match up to either of the other women’s, the voice of her sweet-young-thing character blends well in their numbers together, and she shines on her own in “When Your Lover Has Gone.”

Near the end, all three women tell it like it is in “I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues.” A standing ovation let them know the audience could listen to them exercise that right just about any time they choose.

Travel, Nashville, TN The Gaylord Opryland Resort Hotel & Convention Center epitomizes Southern hospitality and world-class opulence

by Andrew D. Smith

You never need to leave
the resort for scenic views.

The Gaylord Opryland Resort Hotel and Convention Center should be prime destination for travelers seeking a relaxing, fun filled, enjoyable vacation, honeymoon or long weekend. Located in extraordinary Nashville, Tenn., the resort is conveniently located to numerous attractions including the Grand Ole Opry, The Country Music Hall of Fame, LP Stadium, the vibrant and active dining and nightlife of downtown Nashville, the airport, and numerous golf courses and other outdoor activities.

> Personal accommodations: This luxurious hotel, the flagship property of the Gaylord Hotels family, is a true resort. Starting with the nine acres of beautiful gardens, lush and dramatic waterfalls, a winding river and creative landscaping, a visitor could spend days simply enjoying the soothing and relaxing panorama of nature.

The hotel features 2,881 newly remodeled guest rooms, including 174 spectacular suites. Each room features high-speed wireless Internet access and two phones, including one cordless. If one desires to be treated to a truly memorable experience, stay in the Presidential Suite, with its dual master baths, dining/conference room and catering kitchen.

> Convention facilities: Seeking a world class convention experience? Look no further than the Gaylord Opryland Resort Hotel and Convention Center. Offering more than 600,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, the property has not only the most plentiful and flexible meeting space of any Nashville hotel, it boasts the largest non-gaming, in-hotel exhibition space in the world.

Savor crabmeat eggs
benedict served at
Cascades Seafood
Restaurant.

> Restaurants: Enjoy a lavish Sunday brunch at Water’s Edge Marketplace Buffet, a sumptuous dinner at Cascades Seafood Restaurant or a mid-day snack at the more casual Stax.

> Spa and fitness: A trip to the 20,000 square foot spa and fitness center may just be what the doctor ordered after sampling the tasty creations of the Opryland resort’s 5 executive chefs.

> Activities: If working out isn’t your cup of tea, you can walk off your meal by shopping at one of 25 distinctive fashion and gift boutiques. After shopping, take a relaxing flatboat tours.

Enjoy a great view
from the balcony of one of
the resort’s nearly 3,000
newly remodeled guest rooms.

> Nightlife: If you’re looking for bright lights and dance music, look no further than Fuse, the resort’s hip new nightclub. Billed as a Las Vegas-style club, Fuse is the perfect place to wind down with an apple-tini. And with celebrities like Kim Kardashian or Kid Rock who have stopped by, you’ll never know who you’ll see.
The Opryland resort is very easy to navigate. Signs and helpful staff guide you throughout.

Numerous limousines, shuttle buses, taxi cabs, and other transportation are available to take a traveler off the resort.

A discerning traveler seeking convenience, choice and value may wish never to leave this stunning resort.

Travel, Nashville, TN Country music in the big city

by Rebecca R. Bibbs

If you love country/western and bluegrass music, Nashville, Tenn., is the place for you. As you plan your trip to the Music City, consider dropping by some of the following places:

You never know who
Bill Cody will have on his
WSM radio program.

> WSM Radio: Located in the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, this was the radio station that put country music on the map. If your timing is right, you just might catch personality Bill Cody interview one of your favorite country/western music stars.

> The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Located on Nashville’s Music Row, the museum, originally located in a barn-shaped building, moved to it’s $37 million high-tech digs in 2001. Witness the history and view the artifacts of country music legends like the father of country music Jimmie Rodgers, the coal miner’s daughter Loretta Lynn and the legendary Williams family.

> Music City Walk of Fame: Similar to the Hollywood walk of Fame, this stretch between Fourth and Fifth Avenue South pays homage to entertainers like Vince Gilll, Reba McIntire and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Feel the history inside
RCA Studio B.

> RCA Studio B: Make it a point to visit the studio that brought you Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers and Connie Smith. Feel the history as you sit at the piano where Elvis recorded his Grammy-nominated hit “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”

> Ernest Tubb Record Shop: Visit the store that put country/western into the hands of fans to be played over and again.

> Bluebird Café: Spend an evening listening to original country music, often by the songwriters behind the hits. If you think you’ve got what it takes, get onstage at the Monday night Open Mic or Sunday Writers’ Night.

> Ryman Auditorium: Take in a show at the “Carnegie of the South,” a former church that was the longest running home to the Grand Ole Opry until its move to its current site.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

> Grand Ole Opry: No visit to Nashville is complete without a trip to the newest home of the Grand Ole Opry. Take a backstage tour, where you’ll see the post boxes of Opry members like Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner’s dressing room and the circle of flooring removed from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium that is the Holy Grail of every country music hopeful. Enjoy the Opry Classics show, featuring country music legends like Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seeley and Jean Shepard or take in the Saturday night program, featuring superstars like Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts and Brad Paisley.