“State of Play” Review

Fast-paced action and a blatant thought-provoking message characterize director Kevin Macdonald’s political thriller, State of Play.

Some might find the film’s criticism of the current state of newspapers harsh, but it also acts as a plea to fix the newspaper problem, offering a suggestion for both how to fix the problem and why it is worth fixing.

Running at just over two hours, the film Stars a round-faced Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams and Helen Mirren. Crowe plays Cal McAffrey, the glorified hero, a veteran journalist who does not blog or write flashy stories to sell papers, but always gets the real story. Della Frye (McAdams) is the newbie blogger who has to learn the traditional ways of hard-news reporting. The two work together to keep the government in check and show their editor that publishing the truth is a more important goal than getting out a quick gossipy story that will make money.

It is set in Washington D.C. and shows a glimpse of the idealized and romanticized world of big-city political journalism, a message that is contrary to the current state of major newspaper organizations.

State of Play features convincing acting and an amazing cameo by Jason Bateman, also known as Arrested Development’s Michael Bluth.

The plot is based on the 2003 BBC series, which explains the English-sounding names like Della Frye and Robert Bingham. Although condensed, the film adaptation closely follows the TV series plot.

During the credits, images of newspaper printing show that when the important story is finished, it goes to newsprint rather than online.

The film is worth watching for the concept and worth liking because it is as rich in style as it is convincing.

Brad Pitt and Edward Norton were originally cast to play the leading roles, but when Pitt backed out, both had to be replaced. Crowe and Affleck filled their roles.
-Christine Labit

“Adventureland” Review

Eisenberg (left) and Stewart (right) play off each other well in Adventureland

With the release of his newest film Adventureland, Superbad director Greg Mottola continues his run of funny, agreeable mainstream comedies with a surprising amount of depth to them as well. Just like Superbad turned out to be uncommonly insightful about male friendships and their use of the three words “I love you,” there’s more to Adventureland beyond the corn dogs and crotch-punching (although those comprise some of the best parts as well).

Admittedly, this film seems more obviously personal than Superbad, with the heart of the film being a romance story. After James’ (Jesse Eisenberg) parents run into financial trouble, he is forced to cancel a post-college graduation trip to Europe, and possibly his planned move to New York. He ends up working in the Games section of the Adventureland amusement park, where he meets indie-rock girl Em (Kristen Stewart), makes her a mixtape and staggers through a summer crush.

It’s important to note that nearly all of the main characters are college-aged rather than within the high school surroundings of Superbad, with James just about to enter graduate school. Sometimes this concept stretches belief (Do all college students and alumni still live in their parents’ houses?), but it does place the characters’ circumstances in a different, slightly unhappier context.

While all the protagonists of Superbad had to lose was waiting until college to lose their “scarlet V” and possibly an unpleasant bus ride home, the stakes are higher for the cast of Adventureland. They are twenty-somethings who should have their lives reasonably together, yet the greatest constant in their existences remains a summer job at an amusement park – among their other troubles. Even the ditzy Rides girl who dances unironically to Falco’s “Rock Me Amadeus” has to work in order to pay for her father’s injury.

Ryan Reynolds plays an older mechanic for the park, but his life is no less problematic, as he resists a life of faithful domesticity with his wife. The manager couple of Adventureland (played by Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig) at least both seem to be content for the film’s entire running length. Then again, Hader’s character also has a mustache in this movie, and it is a well-known scientific fact that mustaches bring stability.

Speaking of stability, there’s the movie’s consistently great soundtrack. Among the film’s best surprises was to hear a Husker Du song, and the also excellent The Replacements play a fairly prominent role in Adventureland’s music. I always thought “Unsatisfied” in particular was begging to be put onto celluloid somewhere, and I’m glad it ended up in a reasonably good movie like this one. On top of all that, the band Yo La Tengo is responsible for the film’s score.

Finally, the acting is also strong. Jesse Eisenberg plays a far more likable character here than his The Squid and the Whale counterpart, and both Kristen Stewart and he act capably enough here to forgive some of the contrivances in the plot of their relationship. I’m grateful too that Martin Starr, who was in the great, short-lived television show Freaks and Geeks and is just a generally hilarious guy, has a fairly large supporting role in this movie. He plays Joel, James’ sarcastic, intellectual Games co-worker whose idea of a come-on is giving his object of affection a book by Russian author Gogol- and his scenes belong in the film’s highlights. The personalities of these three characters are not unlike Adventureland itself- imperfect, but also witty and affable enough to overlook any negative traits. Adventureland definitely warrants a recommendation. -Jimmy Geurts

Review: Who Killed Amanda Palmer

Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls’ latest release, Who Killed Amanda Palmer is a show tunes masterpiece on compact disc. Not for the faint of heart, this album caters to a specific group of listeners: fans of musicals and angry rock music.

Fans of show tunes and piano rock fans will appreciate the release, her first solo album, produced by Ben Folds. According to the group’s Web site, the collaboration came about when Folds wrote a gushy fan letter and offered his recording studio.

The Web site, does not explain the other collaborations on the album, such as East Bay Ray of the Dead Kennedys on Guitar Hero. The song is a criticism of Blackwater Worldwide providing soldiers with video games and other video game use and references to Iraq and war in general.

The site does show multimedia inspiration for each song. News clips, videos and pictures of under the lyrics help fans decipher meaning from the strong words.

Songs on the album range from an upbeat song titled “Oasis”, complete with handclaps, to piano ballad “Ampersand”, a violent rejection of marriage. Palmer tackles politics, feminism, relationships, abuse, video games and Internet pornography, all with her signature melancholy or angry tone.

Palmer’s vocals are at times soprano and at times bass, but always strong.

Who Killed Amanda Palmer continues the Dresden Dolls’ theatrical style, but more personal and without the self-ascribed “punk cabaret” show.

For fans that want to feed Palmer and friends, follow the link on her MySpace to sign up for a scheduled date and specific instructions about what types of local, vegetarian, homegrown and wheat-free food the band members are interested in. -Christine Labit