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Monday, May 06, 2024

The Avenue

Florida Alligator
THE AVENUE  |  MOVIES AND TV

'Role Models' is a model comedy

By DAVID STUZIN | Nov. 12, 2008

From "Zach and Miri Make a Porno" to "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," there seems to be a lot of coming-of-age movies playing this fall. Though they all span different ages on the 18 to 39 range and have individual takes on the genre, they boil down to basically the same struggles, general plot points and quirky romantic involvements, which can get boring. But "Role Models" takes the conventions of the genre and somewhat reinvents them in a way that is both original and hysterical.

Florida Alligator
THE AVENUE  |  MUSIC

Album review: The 88 – "Not Only … But Also"

By ROBERT HILSON | Nov. 12, 2008

Alert the accent authorities. Joining a long list of faux pond-hoppers - Madonna, Johnny Ramone - On "Not Only … But Also," The 88 take their sunny, So-Cal pop tunes and cake them with a heavy layer of English inflection. You can't blame these lads for wanting to sound like the Beatles, but fact is, their talents lie elsewhere. For instance, Keith Slettedahl manages some Blind Melon-esque notes on uptempo ballad "Sons and Daughters." "Save Your Breath" fits the heart-on-sleeve, crooner mold, though impressively displays powers of ESP with the line "I don't want this anymore." Mind reader! Still, bogus Brit-pop influences undercut melodies like, "I'm gonna run through the door/ talk to the floor/ it must be true." A word of advice: Lock the door. The British are coming, sort of.

Florida Alligator
THE AVENUE  |  MUSIC

Album review: Lady GaGa – "The Fame"

By ROBERT HILSON | Nov. 12, 2008

The CD spine says Lady GaGa, but music for "The Fame" was actually co-written by Bilal Hajji, Josh Schwartz and a handful of other less attractive, more talented songwriters who churn out star-making cuts for the likes of Britney Spears and Nick Carter. You won't see the funnily-named song writer Brian Kierulf on "The Hills," but GaGa, a Factory Girl in training, hit up an Audrina party on said program thanks in large part to catchy, beat-heavy club cuts like "Paparazzi" and "Money Honey." Don't equate GaGa with fluff. She flourishes lyrically - "Let's have some fun, this beat is sick." And she pulls her weight in marketing: Rob Fusari can't rock jet-black spandex, and Martin Kierszenbaum doesn't sell records.

Florida Alligator
THE AVENUE  |  FASHION

Black Friday not so bleak

By REGINA STUZIN | Nov. 12, 2008

Do you know what my favorite part about Thanksgiving is? It's not the food or the good company or even the days off of school. It's Black Friday. For the fashion unaware, Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving when almost everything goes on sale. Electronics, clothing, you name it. Chances are, there is something seriously discounted. Black Friday is a vicious battle, and it is every man, woman and child for himself or herself.

Florida Alligator
THE AVENUE  |  NIGHTLIFE

Just a couple things

By GABRIELLE FALCONEIRI | Nov. 12, 2008

One of the perks of bartending is that I get to people-watch during lulls. People-watching in a bar gives you insight into relationships that no psychology class could accomplish. Couples who come into the bar generally fit into a few types, and I have found they are by far the most entertaining people to watch.

Florida Alligator
THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

How to crash class

By ERIK VOSS | Nov. 12, 2008

In a university that relies on massive, lecture-based classes to educate a herd of students, it's easy to feel neglected and forgotten. However, I recently found that being another face in the crowd has its benefits.

Florida Alligator
THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

Wanted: girlfriend for loney bachelor

By ERIK VOSS | Nov. 5, 2008

After the first hint of the holiday season, I'm beginning to notice that girlfriend-shaped empty space by my side. Sure, Halloween may not be the most romantic of all holidays, but something about seeing all those girls in slutty cat costumes awakened my companionship instinct.

Florida Alligator
THE AVENUE  |  MUSIC

In good company

By ZACH SEYMOUR | Nov. 5, 2008

Crammed into Nick Greene's sound-proof bedroom, Boss Lady and the Company played a few of their original tracks Thursday night. Instead of awkwardly standing around explaining what they're about, the band members decided to show it.

Florida Alligator
THE AVENUE  |  MUSIC

Album review: Electric Six – "Flashy"

By ROBERT HILSON | Nov. 5, 2008

Bravado by any other name is Electric Six. The opening cut from "Flashy" not only self-references a past "classic" but actually features the a cappella chorus "Gay Bar Part Two," which gives you some idea of how unabashedly cheeky this band really is. Amidst a barrage of guitar fire and trumpet riffs, Detroit's "Full Monty" punk troupe dishes an unending slew of one-liners in preparation for showtime at The Apollo. There's a little Chris Rock - "In the event of a water landing / you can use my body as a flotation device." There's a lot of Krusty the Clown - "You never want to find yourself trapped in heavy woman's thighs." So bust out your best heckle routine and a box of tomatoes. If you don't think it's funny, then the joke's on them.

Florida Alligator
THE AVENUE  |  MUSIC

Q&A with Danny Boone from Rehab

By ROBERT HILSON | Nov. 5, 2008

Earlier this year, Rehab's "Bartender Song (Sittin' At a Bar)" made the leap from jukebox phenomenon to Hot 100 entry. Now Danny Boone, mastermind of the honky hip-hoppers, finds himself on the cusp of fame. On Nov. 8, Rehab will play alongside bands such as Hinder and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus at the Planetfest, a music festival in Jacksonville. Has life changed? How could it not? Says Boone, "We've got more beer than we've ever had in our life."

Florida Alligator
THE AVENUE  |  MUSIC

Album review: AC/DC – "Black Ice"

By ROBERT HILSON | Nov. 5, 2008

Via a lucrative contract, "Black Ice" sells exclusively through Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. No big deal - we already knew AC/DC was in tight with Satan. Of more importance, after an eight-year sabbatical, the Australian metal titans still rest their laurels on a time-tested principle as fundamental to rock 'n' roll as the band itself: play three chords and let the truth do the rest. "Rock 'N Roll Train" sounds like the classic here, aiming for and achieving a big thrills, no frills anthem best played loud. Likewise, the power-chord manifestos "War Machine" and "Rock N Roll Dream" reaffirm the Young brothers' status atop the riff-rock hierarchy. There are no variations, no pointless detours and, really, no need. The Highway to Hell is a one-way street.

Florida Alligator
THE AVENUE  |  MUSIC

Album review: Land of Talk – "Some Are Lakes"

By ROBERT HILSON | Nov. 5, 2008

Lots of chatter coming out of Montreal these days. With Arcade Fire on hiatus and Of Montreal not actually of Montreal, Land of Talk now generate the most noise in this ice-cold indie hotbed with dense, groove-oriented music evocative of Neil Young in all his "Ragged Glory." On "Some Are Lakes," atop layers of distortion and heavy-handed drumming, Elizabeth Powell offers up cryptic poetry about the perils of darkness in a gentle, inflection-free tone. Perhaps her singing lacks emotional resonance, or maybe the pounding rhythms simply drown her out. In this case, it lacks volume, though she does speak up on "Young Bridge." Chiming guitars and harmony galore give way to the line "There's no light underneath you," another mystery phrase that deserves a follow-up question: Is Land of Talk in fact saying anything?

Florida Alligator
THE AVENUE  |  MUSIC

Album review: Brett Dennen – "Hope for the Hopeless"

By ROBERT HILSON | Nov. 5, 2008

Tall and bulky under a mess of red hair, Brett Dennen looks like the guy who used to stuff you in your locker in the sixth grade- and then serenade you with gentle, acoustic lullabies. On "Hope for the Hopeless," the former camp counselor and current Bay Area folkie uses his powers - expressive wordplay, hippie guitar - to spread West Coast peace and love. He claims this record was inspired by "Exile on Main St." Yes, and this review was inspired by "The Grapes of Wrath." Not buying it: "San Francisco" and "Heaven" are breezy, Stones-free odes to diversity. "Hope" works as a sermon to the converted - music for sandaled peaceniks. As for lingering misconceptions, Dennen clears things up on the effortless "Wrong About Me." He's a lover, not a fighter.

Florida Alligator
THE AVENUE  |  MOVIES AND TV

'Zac and Miri' make a porno and many laughs

By DAVID STUZIN | Nov. 5, 2008

In "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," lifelong friends Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) find themselves on the verge of bankruptcy and can't seem to make the awkward newly adult years work for them. Barely able to keep a roof over their heads, the two find themselves working minimum wage jobs just to cover expenses. Left without any other option, they decide to make, as the title would suggest, a porno. With the help of a strangely assorted cast and crew assembled from the bottom tier of society, the two set to work, finding out along the way that they might have feelings for each other beyond friendship.

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