1. A&E 7
The 48 to Northampton
G
September 11, 2008 Mount Holyoke News
The
BY L ARISA
SUNDERLAND ‘11
Fast
trove of books you need and dependent films, documentaries and the occa-
Talker
books you want, all at prices that sional old classic flick. The main theater is
encourage you to buy. small, and the basement theater is even
Make sure you don’t smaller. Currently showing is one documen-
have to be anywhere any tary you shouldn’t miss, Man on Wire. The
time soon, because you film profiles the life and art of Philippe Petit,
will lose track of time a French tightrope walker. The theater was I'm still working on my rela-
between the overstuffed recently bought by Amherst Cinema, and is tionship with this school—let’s
bookshelves. run as a not-for-profit organization, so give just say “it’s complicated” be-
them your support! If there isn’t a movie play- tween Larisa Sunderland and
BY ANNIKA YATES ’11 The R. Michelson Gallery (132 Main Street) ing that looks good, head next door to the Mount Holyoke. Although I love
A&E CO-EDITOR M ov i n g seems to have an endless number of rooms, Pleasant St. Video Rental, which stocks hard- this incredible community, the
to the Pio- open vaults and artwork covering every sur- to-find movies and rent your own. classes and my friends here, I’ve
neer Valley area can feel like moving to the face. Once you get over the initial shock of the spent my entire pre-college life,
middle of the forest. Being surrounded by so volume of art in the building, you’ll find that Herrell's Ice Cream (8 Old South Street) as well as this past summer, tak-
many trees can make any student feel iso- there is artwork to please everyone. The col- makes a great end to the trip. If you haven’t ing in the good, polluted air of
lated. Although it seems like the only place lection ranges from photographs taken by been there yet, you need to go. The founder, Manhattan and loving every New
you can go without a car is a UMass frat Leonard Nimoy (the actor who played Spock Steve Herrell, was the first in the ice cream York minute of it.
party, the PVTA routes are treasure troves of on Star Trek) to a collection of Dr. Seuss world to mix toppings in with ice cream as the New York is a tributary of ex-
easy-access entertainment. In this first in- drawings. There are rotating shows in a sep- customer ordered them, instead of just throw- cellent free entertainment. This
stallment of a new series, we take you along arate upstairs room, as well. ing them on top. It’s an idea that has been cap- summer I saw Sam Waterson
PVTA Route 48. italized on by other ice cream chains but they (Jack McCoy on Law and Order)
Pleasant Street Theater (27 Pleasant have nothing on the local goodness of Her- perform in a free production of
Raven Used Books (4 Old South Street) Street) is tucked into one of the side streets is rell’s. There’s a myriad of toppings, a long list Hamlet. But even that wasn’t re-
looks just like the kind of place you imagined the Pleasant St. Theater, a destination for film of flavors including daily specials and home- ally free. It didn’t cost money to
Vicky Cristina Barcelona: Allen’s latest sizzles
yourself going to as a college student when geeks and aficionados, as well as the casual made whipped cream that comes in either get into Hamlet, but it did require
you were younger. The store is a treasure movie-goer. The theater shows foreign and in- regular or chocolate flavor. planning and time-commitment
(or at least friends who can plan
and will make you time-commit).
No, I don’t love New York be-
cause of all that super-fly, totally
Fabulous (yup, that “F” is capital-
ized) structured entertainment.
The release of a Woody Allen movie is Enter Juan Antonio, played by Javier All I really want to do is walk
BY JOANNA ARCIERI ‘10
A&E CO-EDITOR something of an annual occurence. But al- Bardem, a passionate painter who is down the street and have the en-
ways remember that when discussing the known in the art world for his violent tertainment come to me. I love
life and career of Woody Allen you should choose your words care- relationship with his ex-wife Maria New York because she’s always
fully. It is best to say that you strongly appreciate his work but his Elena (Penélope Cruz). After he willing to put on a show that’s
personal life disturbs you. This will earn you the respect of countless spontaneously invites the pair to just for me, all for free, with lim-
pop culture snobs and Annie Hall-aholics alike. Admitting to having spend the weekend with him in ited commercial interruptions (if
a thing for Woody Allen will most likely have others questioning your Oviedo, both women are seduced by you steer clear of Times Square)
state of mind. Considering the fact that Woody Allen releases ap- this Latin lover. This chance weekend and unlimited cigarette breaks.
proximately one film per year, this is valuable information to remem- in Oviedo disrupts both women’s lives After Hamlet, my friends and
ber, especially if you ever find yourself defending his films to a Mia and sends the film down a path of passion, I decided to walk home along
Farrow fan. intrigue and interesting scenarios. Central Park West, which gets re-
Allen’s latest effort is Vicky Cristina Barcelona, the director’s But the heart and true beauty of Vicky ally excellent around 11 p.m. after
fourth consecutive film shot outside of the United States and his Cristina Barcelona belongs to Penélope the City’s got some drinks in her.
forty-first film overall. Following the not-so memorable features Cruz. As Maria Elena, Juan Antonio’s crazy We passed an old couple lost in
Scoop (2006) and Cassandra’s Dream (2007), Vicky Cristina Barcelona ex-wife, the Spanish actress steals the lime- conversation (“Heidi, the kid’s a
is a much welcomed and appreciated return to the quality filmmaking light from the presumptive lead actresses. Unlike real schmendrick—always screw-
that Woody Allen is celebrated for. Much like his most celebrated fea-
Johansson who offers nothing more than pouty lips, ing up!”), some kids rocking Phat
tures such as Annie Hall (1977), Manhattan (1979) and Hannah and
Her Sisters (1986) during which New York City becomes a character blonde hair and blank stares, Cruz plays a dynamic Farm and falafels (“yo son, do I
into herself, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a celebration of the Spanish character that is full of fire, humor and pure fervor. got mad hummus on my lip?”)
city and Catalan culture. In scenes where Juan Antonio and Maria Elena’s arguments are so and then we ran into Ben Stiller.
Like most Woody Allen films, Vicky Cristina Barcelona ad- intense you can feel their emotions prickle under your skin, Cruz ef- Okay, maybe we didn’t run into
dresses matters of heart. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett fortlessly transitions from Spanish to English, never dropping the him, per se, but we did see him
Johansson) are two American friends spending the summer in scene’s quick pace or losing Maria Elena’s fieriness. And you’ll forget and scream “Oh my God, it’s Ben
Barcelona. Aided by a narrator we learn the innermost thoughts of to read the subtitles. It may only be September, but Cruz is already Stiller!”
the characters. Vicky is working on her Master’s degree in Catalan being mentioned as a likely Oscar-nominee. And there he was, in all his
identity, and knows what she wants from life. The following autumn, With Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Woody Allen once again proves Faulkner-tastic glory, stooping
why his films are often the most anticipated releases each year. over to talk to a homeless guy
TOP 5
she plans to marry her boring fiancé Doug (Chris Messina). Cristina
Allen’s superb writing and direction, as well as the beyond excep- about some skit his parents had
is her opposite; she is spontaneous and unsure of what she wants.
tional acting of Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, make Vicky
She just made a twelve-minute film about love but is still no closer to been in. My friends rushed over
Cristina Barcelona a film worth seeing.
finding it. to collect autographs and take
pictures, but I stayed put. Here
was New York, entertaining me
Time
1. The Hype Machine: With so many music blogs 4. Pajiba: Finding the perfect movie, television and as usual, putting on a real produc-
clogging the internet, how are we supposed to sort books blog is like Paris Hilton finding the perfect tion that I didn’t want to miss and
through them all? Luckily, The Hype Machine does Greek shipping heir. Pajiba offers witty, smart and you know something, you really
Wasting
it for you. It compiles new songs, remixes, mash- fresh critiques of the latest pop culture crazes (faux can’t watch the show if you’re in
ups, etc. that have recently been posted on the inter- bisexuality a la Katy Perry) and conundrums (Ryan it.
net. It offers personalization options, so you can Reynold’s abs). The best feature is “The Pajiba I really do miss the bright
Blogs
have a page that shows only the most popular songs Guides.” Unlike most entertainment guides, these lights, the diverse architecture,
or only stuff from your favorite music genres and lists frequently highlight something unexpected in the subway, the street musicians
bands. Your ipod will never be empty again. the enterainment industry. Like Tina Fey topping and the hoards of people. They’re
www.hypem.com The Most Bangalicious Celebrity of 2008 list. fascinating and everywhere. Of
www.pajiba.com course there’s great stuff going
2. Go Fug Yourself: Celebrity fashion is a mystery to on at Mount Holyoke and in the
us ordinary folk. Seriously, what is up with Katie 5. The Sartorialist: This blog quickly rose from a Valley but sometimes, after din-
Holmes and her pegged jeans? Another pair of leg- photographer’s small weblog to an influential voice ner ends and before the party
gings, Lindsay Lohan? Did you get dressed in dark in the fashion world. “The Sart,” as the photogra- starts, I find myself thinking, it
again, Mary-Kate Olsen? Fortunately the Fug Girls pher is affectionally called, photographs people would be really awesome to run
and their beloved Intern George are here to help us around the world who wear their clothes in unique, into Ben Stiller right about now.
sort through all these fashion faux pas and whip clever, and ingenuis ways. From inspirational uses But that’s actually when
these clueless celebrities into shape. of t-shirts to interesting montages of 1940’s Jazz Mount Holyoke gets great for me.
www.gofugyourself.celebuzz.com parties, the blog is nothing but pure inspiration. If I don’t have New York, so I’ve
only we all could dress as well as people in Paris been forced to leave my comfort-
3. Hipster Runoff: The Hipster Runoff offers nothing and Milan... able seat in the audience and take
useful to its readers, but I cannot get enough of this www.thesartorialist.com center stage. I’ve had to try and
guilty pleasure blog. The craziest and weirdest pho- entertain myself, which I’ve
tos from party pic blogs, commentary on music found is possible. When it does
and culture, and edited photos fill the pages. It’s happen, it’s neat because I feel so
not very P.C., there’s absolutely no grammar to COMPILED BY JOANNA ARCIERI & ANNIKA YATES darn self-sufficient and when it
speak of and the stupidity mixed with neon colors doesn’t, Chef Jeff is there for me.
will probably rot your brains. But hey, isn’t that And it helps that my best friends
why we like blogs, anyway? here all own a pair of footed,
www.hipsterrunoff.com glow-in-the-dark dinosaur paja-
mas, which is pretty entertaining.