'Disturbia' is no classic, but no failure either

Director D. J. Caruso's "Disturbia" is one of those films I wanted to hate - but I couldn't.

Screenwriters Christopher Landon and Carl Ellsworth have taken the premise of Alfred Hitchcock's suspense-filled classic "Rear Window" (1954) and updated it for a teenage, technology-obsessed audience. What "Disturbia" lacks in depth, it surprisingly nearly makes up for with fantastic timing and truly gripping suspense.

Kale (Shia LaBeouf) has been getting into trouble for the past year, ever since his father passed away in a nasty car wreck. When Kale goes too far and punches his Spanish teacher (Rene Rivera), he is sentenced to house arrest - complete with an ankle monitor - for summer vacation.

This doesn't seem too daunting until his mother (Carrie-Anne Moss) cuts off access to his X-Box live and iTunes, as well as the cable in his bedroom. Without these distractions, he becomes horribly bored - shown in a sequence backed by the appropriately placed System of a Down's "Lonely Day" - and tries to find some form of entertainment.

So, he looks out the window and his new hobby is born. He watches his new neighbors - especially their sexy teenage daughter, Ashley (Sarah Roemer). He also spies on a group of unruly pre-teens and Mr. Turner (David Morse), who oozes creepy vibes as he compulsively mows his lawn.

Whether due to cabin fever or a nose for detective work, Kale theorizes that Mr. Turner's car looks a bit like one that had been seen in connection with a local disappearance. Suddenly, house arrest is more like a game of "stake-out," in which his buddy Ronnie (Aaron Yoo) and Ashley - who, after realizing Kale was watching her, seems unrealistically comfortable with his voyeurism - sit around Kale's room and use surveillance equipment (supposedly, courtesy of some quirky relative of Ronnie's) to spy on Mr. Turner.

No one could accuse the characters in "Disturbia" of being multi-layered, but that doesn't make them boring. And with such shallow characters, the acting can't be bad. Moss' mom-on-her-last nerve and Morse's creepy-loner are the film's best performances.

Rated PG-13 for sequences of terror and violence, and some sensuality, "Disturbia" will do best as a date movie for teens, but it's certainly rent-worthy on merit of suspense alone.

Those who haven't seen "Rear Window" will probably enjoy "Disturbia" more without the comparisons - but since it borrows the concept without trying to remake the film, "Disturbia" manages to be much better than it should be.

Originally published in The Chronicle in April 2007 as Jade Lee Culberson

Diners - the new endangered species

When I think about Round the Clock restaurant in Highland, I remember nights of catching up with old friends over coffee, evenings of dinner and studying with classmates during finals, and the last stop near sunrise after a long Saturday night out. I'm sure I'm not alone in this recollection-on many visits there I'd look around and see high school and college students from all social cliques at tables or booths chatting for hours.

I noticed that Round the Clock in Highland was remodeling, but I was unconcerned. Even when they shut down completely for a short time, I attributed it to dust and hoped they'd reopen soon-though I have little time this semester for long coffee-soaked conversations, I still enjoy popping in for a bowl of lemon rice soup to go.

The day after they reopened, I dropped in for just that-and I was horrified to see the changes the restaurant has undergone. The diner atmosphere has disappeared, and both the interior and exterior are covered in kitschy décor that seems to be reminiscent of "home cooking" but really just does a bad imitation of what Cracker Barrel specializes in.

The restaurant is now completely non-smoking, as well-fine for the health-conscious, but bad for the smokers who once migrated there for late night coffee and conversation. I can't help but think the owners must be consciously making the environment unfriendly for the young crowds who once made up much of their nightly business.

And Round the Clock it is not, anymore-the 24-hour business now closes at midnight during the week. This change is another reason I believe much of their previous customer base are now unwelcome.

Looking online, I found the Schererville location has also been remodeled-and the Merrillville location, for which there are no pictures, is also listed as having a "new look inside." I think their changes are a mistake, and I won't be patronizing their business anymore.

I hope others will do the same in avoiding Round the Clock's new atmosphere, and supporting actual diners instead - after all, the Denny's in Merrillville/Hobart (on Route 30, near the Radisson, on the way to the mall) is still 24 hours.

Originally published in The Chronicle in April 2007 as Jade Lee Culberson.

British screenwriters hit a home run with 'Hot Fuzz'

What writers' Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg "Shaun of the Dead" (2004) did for horror films, "Hot Fuzz" does for action movies.

Outrageously funny and jam-packed with excitement, "Hot Fuzz" is much less a parody of action films and far more an homage.

Nicholas Angel (Pegg) is a good cop with one major flaw - the inability to stop working. Promoted by the London Police to Sergeant and transferred to Sandford (the safest place in England, and consistent winner of Village of the Year) so he'll stop making his squad look bad with his remarkable arrest record, Angel is beyond disappointed with his relocation.

While staying in Sandford's quaint hotel - reminiscent of something out of John Carpenter's "In the Mouth of Madness" (1995) - Angel quickly finds everyone knows everyone in a village that seems perfect.

After arresting a would-be drunk driver his first night in town, Angel is horrified to learn the man is not only his new partner, Police Constable Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), but the son of Chief Inspector Butterman (Jim Broadbent).

Things quickly go from bad to worse for Angel when he realizes some of the local accidents (of which there are many) may actually be murder, a theory outright mocked by the other officers and the community at large.

And the community at large is rather unique. Angel works with two useless detectives - both called Andrew (Paddy Considine and Rafe Spall) - as well as the village's only police woman, Doris (Olivia Colman), who claims to have been "around the station a couple times."

Local pub owners, the Coopers (Eric Mason and Billie Whitelaw) obsess over an error in the newspaper listing Mrs. Cooper as two years older than her age. Spelling-impaired newsman Timothy Messenger (Adam Buxton) is more interested in fluff pieces than investigative reporting. The neighborhood grocer, Simon Skinner (former James Bond, Timothy Dalton), is a "slaughter of prices" as well as a theatre snob. And everyone worries when a local swan escapes.

"Hot Fuzz" is buddy film, an action movie, and an uproarious comedy rollercoaster that unrolls one twist after another.

Rated R for violent content including some graphic images, and language, "Hot Fuzz" is a clever and exhilarating all-round good time for the grown-ups.

Published in The Chronicle in April 2007 as Jade Lee Culberson

Musical delight 'Grease' offers spring entertainment

Director David Perkovich and musical director Malcolm Ruhl bring the 1950s to life with the lively musical "Grease" at Theatre at the Center in Munster.

Mousy Sandy (played by the lovely Meg Miller) and bad-boy Danny (well performed by Brandon Koller) come from very different social groups but find themselves attracted to each other after.

As Sandy tries to fit in with The Pink Ladies, a group of girls who put fun before high school in their senior year, Danny struggles with his identity as a leader of the Burger Palace Boys (a watered down version of the film's T-Birds) and his attempts to keep Sandy's attention - even while accidentally attracting the too-bubbly cheerleader Patty Simcox (delightfully over-the-top Lara Mainard).

The group sings and dances their way through difficult life choices. Pink Lady Frenchy (played by the extremely excited Dina DiCostanzo) considers whether to finish high school with her friends or go to beauty school. And Kenickie (Richard Strimer, who looks and acts the part perfectly) tries to make a used car into a dream machine worthy of the name Greased Lightening. Unfortunately, we're denied the interesting movie sub-plot of Kenickie's race at Thunder Road.

This version of "Grease" seems to rely a bit more on the book by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, which includes more focus on the other boys. Doody (Patrick John Moran, who should consider a long career in musical theatre) performs songs for his friends, including a cleverly comedic rendition of "Those Magic Changes." Rodger (portrayed well by Mik Dempsey) and Jan (Shelly Koop, an energetic songstress) find unlikely romance via a new song called - for two reasons - "Mooning."

Choreographer Stacey Flaster and scenic designer Robert Andrew Kovach have created a non-stop masterpiece of dazzling dance among realistic, though minimal, scenery. Costumes designed by Janice Pytel and managed by Paula Consdorf capture the 1950s perfectly, especially Kenickie's rebel garb and Patty Simcox's preppie attire.

Though departing a bit from the well-known film version, Perkovich's "Grease" includes one exciting song after another. Old favorites - including "Summer Nights," "Beauty School Dropout," and "We Go Together" - remind us that this is still a story we know and love - even if the story has changed a bit this time around.

Published in The Chronicle in May 2007, as Jade Lee Culberson.

'Hello, Dolly!' shows audience energy

Director William Pullinsi's "Hello, Dolly!" - appearing at Theatre at the Center - provides energetic enchantment for theater enthusiasts this fall. Set in 1890s New York, this production stars the exuberant Paula Scrofano as Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi, a matchmaker among other vocations, and best known as a professional meddler - who also happens to be a widow.

Dolly's current task is helping an unemployed artist, Ambrose Kemper (Jon Cunningham), marry overly emotional Ermengarde (lovely Audrey Billings), the niece of a half-millionaire proprietor in Yonkers, Horace Vandergelder (John Reeger, a natural in the role). Vandergelder, a widower, is not ready for his niece to get married, not only because he is protective of the young woman, but because he would then be left without a woman around the house.

Since he realizes her marriage is inevitable - though he has forbade Ambrose - he is seeking a new wife for himself. In "It Takes a Woman" - one of many delightfully sung and brilliantly choreographed numbers throughout the performance - Vandergelder reminds audiences what a wife was important for in the 1890s, use as a housekeeper.

Vandergelder is not only strict with his family, but also with his employees. Head clerk Cornelius (Ed Kross) and helper Barnaby (Zach Zube, who excels at mousy) never have an evening off - and thusly make plans to take advantage of Vandergelder's trip to New York City to visit and likely propose to Irene Molloy (played by the delightful Cory Goodrich), by planning a trip of their own.

Dolly has other plans for Vandergelder that does not include Irene, but provides a chance at ending her professional meddling days by matching herself to the half-millionaire. As Dolly escorts Ermengarde and Ambrose into the City, while Vandergelder heads off to see Irene, Cornelius and Barnaby are also on their adventure. Kross shows off his immense vocal talent in "Put on Your Sunday Clothes," in which the two young men declare they won't leave New York City "until we've kissed a girl." The New York adventure is sometimes funny, sometimes heartwarming and always amusing.

Even those who find the premise a bit old-fashioned and corny may pleasure in the sheer aesthetic of the play - the ensemble is remarkable with perfect vocal harmony and flawless timing in the complicated dance numbers. William A. Underwood conducts a magnificent orchestra. The minimal setting is maximized by perfect prop selections by Valerian Bajak. The costumes, provided by Costume World Theatrical and supervised by Paula Consdorf, are timely, lovely and vibrantly charming. There is also a brief but intense strobe light sequence during the performance.

"Hello, Dolly!" runs through Oct. 21. Performances are held Wednesdays at 2 p.m., Thursdays at 2 p.m., Fridays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., along with a few additional showings. Ticket prices vary from $36 to $39, depending on the day and time, and can be purchased in person, by calling the box office at 219.836.3255 or online at theatreatthecenter.com.

Originally published in The Chronicle in September 2007.

Wizard World Chicago

Entering Wizard World is like stepping into a sprawling city. Comic book enthusiasts, video gamers and self-proclaimed nerds find themselves at home during this yearly event - Wizard World Chicago, held at the Rosemont Convention Center. This year's event, held from Aug. 9-12, was host to countless celebrity appearances, product premieres, vendors selling everything from clothing to Japanese toys to DVDs and, of course, comic books of all genres.

Video gamers could hang out at the Sony PlayStation area where attendees sampled PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable games. Participants of all ages (and skill levels) stopped by for the "SingStar Pop," a PS2 karaoke game, competition. Prizes were awarded several times a day, and the competition stage was surrounded by waiting competitors and curious onlookers from open to close all three days. Andy Denst, a sophomore majoring in computer graphics design, took a break from perusing comics on Friday to join in the competition during his fifth consecutive year attending Wizard World.. "It's my vacation," he said.

For video gamers looking to preview new games, a stop by the "Bioshock" booth yielded a look at the survival game for X-Box 360 and Windows which was released Aug. 21. "Bioshock" producer Anthony DeLuca defined the game as "a mix of first-person shooter action and story." Wizard World was the public premiere of "Bioshock."

"People are enjoying the game, it makes [the effort] worth it," said DeLuca. According to DeLuca, the game is fun because of the story and the accessibility for the player. "You have choices, [the game is] concentrated on using your environment to your advantage," DeLuca explained.

Ashley Kroc, a senior majoring in psychology, worked at the "Bioshock" booth during the convention. Kroc said her first impression of "Bioshock" was positive. Kroc recommends the game to "people who have an appreciation for the supernatural. [In the game] you can make bees come out of your veins."

While Wizard World is host to the premiere of many products and comic books, many who attend the convention seek old, unique and/or collectable comic books. Vendors from around the country sell individual issues, collections and bound collections (known as trade paperbacks) at the convention. Denst explained he enjoys his yearly visit to Wizard World because he can shop around the vendors to get good deals on comic books and related items. "This year, mostly I've been looking for collections," he said.

Large companies, such as Marvel and DC, have booths with their writers, artists and products, but Wizard World is also hosted to many other comic book publishers. Deeper inside the "city," smaller up-and-coming publishers were represented as well. Small press Legion Studios sold copies of the newest issue of "Queen of Sin," published Aug. 7, as well as their older books and a special convention edition called "Warring With Wolves."

Scott C. Guffey, a graduate student in English, is the managing editor of Legion Studios. After attending Wizard World for years as a participant, Guffey attended this year as an exhibitor for the second time. Writing comic books is Guffey's passion. "I returned to college so I could improve my ability to write so I could go back to doing comics," he said.

The main character in "Queen of Sin" is modeled after the historical and mythological character Lilith. "We've retold her origin and given the story of where she is today," said Guffrey. In addition to the historical and mythological aspect of Lilith, Guffey explained the importance of the psychological premise in which Lilith is part of every woman, rebelling against submission and craving power. Guffey said Legion Studios plans to continue the "Queen of Sin" book, begin a new series called "Sadistic Stories of Suburbia" (by Nov./Dec. 2007), and publish Part 3 of the "Book of Legion" trilogy (in early 2008). Legion Studios will also be at Wizard World in June 2008, said Guffey.

Rosemont Convention Center has been host to Chicago's Wizard World in August for the past few years, but the convention is scheduled earlier next summer, with preview night on June 26 and the convention running from June 27-29. Robert Felton, Vice-President/Associate Publisher of Wizard Entertainment, said the convention - established in 1997 -originally started in an earlier time slot.

According to Felton, the convention will return to an earlier spot because exhibitors requested space between other shows. The new dates are already planned for the next five years. With the convention earlier in the summer - and further from the start of the semester for students - Felton recommends a first time or return visit. "There's so much to do. It's worth the trip; you can't possibly see everything in one day," he said.

For attendees seeking amusement other than comic books and video games, there are many activities. The Wizard booth hosted the Wizard Wheel of Doom, a trivia challenge where participants could choose a category, receive a question and - if their answer was correct - spin the wheel for a prize. Participants who answered a question wrong were faced with a physical challenge followed by their chance to spin.

Attendees were able to meet and receive autographs from celebrities including Tricia Helfer ("Battlestar Galactica"), Lou Ferrigno (TV's original "Incredible Hulk") and Michael Madsen ("Kill Bill" and "Sin City"). From the premiere of the Marvel stamps by the U.S. Postal Service to talent searches for new writers and artists to Wizard School - hour-long educational sessions on how to write, illustrate, color and pitch comics - the weekend offered a myriad of comic book related activities.

While fans were busy seeking out collectibles, aspiring writers and artists were able to learn about the trade and network. Art devotees strolled through Artists Alley for a peek at the wares of artists from around the country -and sometimes around the globe - often purchasing prints or commissions (personalized pieces). Whether you're looking to buy, look, learn or play, mark your calendars for next summer's Wizard World Chicago.

Originally published in The Chronicle in August 2007.

Wii adventures

My husband and I just bought a Wii, a compact yet stylish Nintendo next-gen video game system with most games requiring you to wave the controller (that looks like a remote control) around like a monkey flinging bananas.

After missing the pre-orders, we wandered into Target the other night and happened on to a whole pile of Wiis just waiting for purchase. This was far more exciting to him than to me - we also have an X-Box 360, which not only has better graphics and a superior roster of games, but also a controller you can use like a civilized human being.

It turns out the Wii is far more player-friendly than it looks. The controller is fairly easy to use except when games purposely complicate it (such as in "WarioWare Smooth Moves," where you have to do everything from dancing while spanking yourself with the controller to holding it to your face like an elephant's trunk). "Wii Sports" is my new guilty pleasure. How else can you (physically) play tennis, baseball, golf and bowling in your bedroom - alone or with friends - at 2 a.m. without waking your neighbors?

And the Wii is cute - not just because the actual console is tiny and somewhat reminiscent of a wireless router, but because you can design an avatar for game play called your Mii. You can make your Mii actually look like yourself - or have fun creating goofy-looking (or spoofy-looking, with caricatures of celebs) Miis to play with.

The Wii may not have as many titles as the other next-gen systems, but there is plenty of downloadable content in the way of older Nintendo games (which you can purchase with Wii Points). Still, the Wii is not without its major titles - and I look forward to the Wii's take on the "Resident Evil" franchise in October. I'm not saying I'll ever give up my X-Box 360, but I can enjoy a game of tennis or bowling, then check the weather (in Hammond, California or Guam, for that matter), which is at least as amusing as convenient.

Originally published in The Chronicle in September 2007.

'Halloween' starts strong, loses momentum

"Halloween" (1978) was a horror classic by the legendary John Carpenter staring Jaime Lee Curtis as the innocent but resourceful Laurie Strode, sister of masked murderer Michael Myers. There have been a whole host of sequels, some clever in their own right and some absolutely ridiculous. It was both disappointing and angering that a new one was created - there are some films that can never be recaptured or modernized successfully. As most other horror fans would agree,"Halloween" is one of those films. But if any young writer/director knows 1970s horror, it's Rob Zombie.

Unfortunately, Zombie seems to have trouble doing anything inventive with modern horror. Zombie's "Halloween" opens with a look at the environment in which a murder is made. Sherrie Moon Zombie (Baby in Zombie's "House of 1000 Corpses" and "The Devil's Rejects") plays Michael's clueless mother - a stripper with no parenting skills but a fair amount of love for her twisted son.

While the character concept is interesting - after all, there was never any information about Michael's parents in the original - her flat acting turns what could have been a beautifully sad role into a caricature somewhat reminiscent of a less homicidal version of Baby, 10 years later. Michael's step-dad, Ronnie (William Forsythe), is an abusive jerk. His older sister, Judith (Hanna Hall), is neglectful of her younger brother and - like the rest of the family - missing all the signs that something is terribly wrong with young Michael.

The beginning, still set in the 1970s and punctuated by a clever soundtrack (Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper" has rarely been used better), is what we expect and love from Zombie. It's violent, but menacingly and interestingly so, and intelligent. The cinematography by Phil Parmet is remarkable (throughout the entire film) - choppy, out of focus shots during highly violent scenes heighten the experience, like seeing the images through crazed eyes. The plot from the original remains - Michael kills most of his family on Halloween night and is placed in an institution where he is analyzed by Dr. Loomis (played more sympathetically by Malcolm McDowell).

Once the "15 Years Later" hits the screen, everything goes down hill. The plot becomes formulaic, the killings are predictable and fairly unimaginative and the setting is far more 2007 than the 1990s. Scout Taylor-Compton is no Jaime Lee Curtis - she spends far more time screaming than thinking. Her friends Annie (Danielle Harris) and Lynda (Kristina Klebe) are so oversexed, inappropriately vulgar and annoying that it's nearly impossible to care what's coming to them. A brilliant beginning makes the film worth watching, but "Halloween" certainly leaves something to be desired.

Originally published in The Chronicle in September 2007.

Y comic books are more than just fluff

I've been reading an interesting story about survival and love, a tale that uses an abstract concept to illustrate the importance of perspective. This story is epic in length, well over 1,000 pages, yet absolutely captivating.

"Y the Last Man," the tale of a young man named Yorick who is searching for his fiancé in a post-apocalyptic world, is written by Brian K. Vaughan. "Y the Last Man" is also a comic book. It has substance, addresses issue of philosophy and contains fantastic art. When I started reading comic books (unlike most comic book enthusiasts, I didn't start reading them until college), I imagined most comics were focused on superheroes. However, after reading many series - distributed by various publishers, written by a myriad of authors and covering many genres - I realized, to my happy surprise, that I was wrong.

I've been avidly reading comic books and graphic novels for many years now. I look forward to regular trips to the comic shop - my husband and I frequent Creative Comics in Griffith - to pick up some of our monthly subscriptions (we're up to approximately 30 titles). For me, comic books are a form of entertainment. But, in my graduate research, I've discovered that comic books, graphic novels and even comic strips can be educational tools as well. These things can help students (elementary through high school students as well as college and non-traditional scholars) who are reluctant or remedial readers, or who have English as a Second or Other Language (ESL) concerns, gain context for language.

Many great pieces of literature - including Kafka's "The Metamorphosis," a shortened version of Melville's "Moby Dick," and several Edgar Allen Poe tales - have been translated into graphic novel form. But for those who prefer tales of history, political intrigue, science fiction or actual science, there are comic books/graphic novels for you as well.

I really believe that people - even fairly hard-to-please individuals - willing to spend a bit of time looking at various books will find a genre, author and/or series they enjoy. So, for those of you who have never picked up a comic book - or whose former collection is collecting dust in your basement between high school year books and posters of 80s bands - I suggest stopping by a local comic book shop and perusing the selection. Who knows, maybe next year I'll see you at Wizard World Chicago.

Originally published in The Chronicle in September 2007.

Take a walk down 'Crooked Little Vein'

Warren Ellis' "Crooked Little Vein" is a warped little walk in the shoes of private Dick Michael McGill, a man for whom without bad luck he'd know no luck at all.

Twisted tales are no stretch for Ellis - known by most for his work on graphic novels "Transmetropolitan," "Planetary" and "Nextwave." His newest comic book, "Doktor Sleepless" (published by Avatar Press) is a science fiction story of a discontented future. In his first novel, Ellis proves that his crazy creations only get better as they get longer. "Crooked Little Vein" is deliciously disturbing all the way through.

Ellis wastes no time with pleasantries before greeting the detective with a visit from the chief of staff - a heroin-addicted man with a mission to find the political Holy Grail. According to the chief of staff, there is an alternate Constitution - a presidential book of secrets that forces those nearby to read the text and obey the message. This book, which he claims can restore America's morality, is missing. If McGill can find and return the book he'll receive a payment beyond his wildest dreams. In the meantime, he has the chief of staff looking over his shoulder.

Finding a book sounds easy - even a rare antique shouldn't be too hard to find when you have leads. But this is no ordinary book. McGill suddenly finds himself in a world of underground depravity that make even his strangest days past look like Disney films.

First, he finds a link to a branch of the porn industry involving large lizard (Godzilla-type creature) enthusiasts. There he meets Trix - who is not actually a large lizard enthusiast, but a student writing her thesis on extreme self-inflicted human experiences - a sexy and lustful young woman who agrees to work as McGill's assistant while he looks for the book. Things just get weirder from there.

During whirlwind travels that begin with a group of men who enjoy injecting salt water into their nether-regions, and then a beef and bull soaked trip through Texas, McGill and Trix discover they've only reached the tip of the conspiracy theory iceberg. Ellis jabs at American politics - not with a knife but a broad sword - cutting social commentary without losing the wit, intrigue and shock soaked through the heart of the novel.

Not for general consumption, "Crooked Little Vein," will offend many and cause projectile vomiting in the faint of heart (and right-wing conservatives). But for those who want to join Ellis on this perilous journey, the reward is great.

Originally published in The Chronicle in September 2007.