entertainment
They're red hot
By Courtney Burtraw, Madeline Raskulinecz | Jan. 30, 2007, midnight | In Music »
The moment when guitarist John Frusciante giddily held up bloody fingers coming off a five-minute improvised duet, it was clear that even as they near their 25th year together, the Red Hot Chili Peppers still know how to rock.
The top six of '06 and seven to look out for in '07
By Kate Harter | Jan. 28, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Top six of '06 Now that the year 2006 is over (and did it fly by or what?), SCO has decided to take a brief look back at some of the best films of the year. A few of these films are still out in theatres, having such great appeal that viewers like you kept going back to see them, but a few of them are already out on video, ready for you to snatch up at your local Blockbuster. So sit back, relax and read about what SCO picked as the top six movies of 2006.
God grew tired, but the camera loved them
By Amanda Pollak | Jan. 28, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
In the early 1980s, war tore through Southern Sudan. A death warrant was placed on every boy in the region, prompting an exodus of 27,000. "It was as if, as people say, in the last day in the Bible, people will be judged," says one such boy, John Dau. "I thought God grew tired of us and he wanted to finish us."
"Nature Girl": A natural disappointment
By Alexis Egan | Jan. 26, 2007, midnight | In Books »
A neurotic ex-wife, her recently-released-from-jail-ex-husband and their son, split between the two. A jilted obsessed wife, a cheating husband with a quick temper and the investigator pulling them together. A trashy co-ed, several religious maniacs and a fugitive on the run from the law. At first glance, the cast of Carl Hiaasen's recently released novel "Nature Girl" appears to be compiled of characters from a soap opera, but soon they reveal themselves to be something far worse: not worth anyone's time.
"Perfume": a long lasting fragrance
By Alexis Egan | Jan. 24, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Smells waft in the air, a rich and overwhelming odor of fish heads, dirt and sweat. Herbs hanging from stalls sway stiffly in the warm wind as patrons, smelling both rich and poor, shop at the market. Beneath one of the stalls a new smell has just entered the world: that of the infant Jean Baptiste Grenouille, the star of "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer."
An intoxicating "Perfume"
By Lingfeng Li | Jan. 12, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
For Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw), the protagonist in the European import film "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer," scent is the meaning of life itself. It does not merely interest him, it enraptures him. His unusual sensitivity to all things olfactory takes him out of poverty, but it also makes him obsess single-mindedly about preserving scent. Bottling smell is Jean-Baptiste's sole purpose, his only respite from an otherwise empty life.
"Code Name: The Cleaner" should be wiped off the screen
By Jasleen Salwan | Jan. 8, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
The idea behind "Code Name: the Cleaner" — a silly comedy about a man who loses his memory — is one we've seen before (think "50 First Dates"). But this movie also features cool action scenes, which are supposed to separate it from the lame romantic comedy. Unfortunately, not even the most exciting fights in "Cleaner" compensate for its meaningless storyline and cheesy jokes.
Good riddance to "Good German"
By Laura Mirviss | Jan. 7, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Suppose you're a director and your name is Steven Soderbergh. You've directed "Oceans" 11 and 12, "Traffic" and "Erin Brockovich." You've proven your prowess, and are bestowed with complete artistic license on an independent movie starring three bodacious heavyweights: George Clooney, Cate Blanchett and Tobey Maguire. You have the talent, cinematography and screenplay — and you flop. You shoot for avant-garde black-and-white 1940's film noir, but you try too hard and forget the basics — like plot construction. Unfortunately, "The Good German" cannot be sustained on artsy-fartsy camera work alone, when the plot is rife with inconsistencies.
"Children” of the future
By Caitlin Schneiderhan | Jan. 7, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Machine gun fire shatters the air. The wall of a nearby building explodes outwards, showering those running for cover in debris. A woman screams — and is abruptly silenced by the "pop" of a pistol. Men and women round the corner, running for some kind of shelter, only to be met with soldiers in tanks, who open fire on all they see. Something that could only be blood splatters on the camera lens which records the humanity in a way that is somehow both removed and compassionate. Iraq? No — this is England, part of the "civilized" west, 20 years from now.
Scrumptious Sides
By Miriam Ragen | Jan. 3, 2007, midnight | In Sides »
Sometimes even the best meal can be ruined by a few unappealing side dishes; fruit cake is a serial meal spoiler. Luckily, SCO has taken the time to compile some side dishes that will have everyone asking for more this winter.
Chicken curry with asian pears
By Alexis Egan | Jan. 3, 2007, midnight | In Entrées »
Instead of trekking to the far corners of the county just to grab a taste of great Indian flavor and spices, Blazers can make their own at home. Chicken Curry with Asian Pears, dish with a variety of different roots, is distinctly reminiscent of the tastes of India, but also of other flavors. Strongly flavored with curry, a spice used in South Asian cooking, the dish is filling enough to stand alone, but tastes even better accompanied with rice. The variety of different toppings that the dish can be served with gives the recipes makers creative freedom.
"Dreamgirls" sparkles, shines and fades away
By Johanna Gretschel | Dec. 31, 2006, midnight | In Movies »
"Dreamgirls" was jinxed from the start. Any film generating Oscar buzz for months before its theatrical release is doomed to suffer the curse of unfulfilled expectations. Add that the semi-biographical film centers around the 1960s black music industry and stars Jamie Foxx and comparisons to Foxx's 2004 Oscar-winning film "Ray" are unavoidable. Unfortunately, "Dreamgirls" is nowhere near the same caliber film as the impeccable "Ray."
Night at the Mausoleum
By Sarah Kinter | Dec. 29, 2006, midnight | In Movies »
"You know how they say that in good museums history comes alive? Well in this one, it actually does."
Bezu — a delightful kiss of flavors
By Jasleen Salwan | Dec. 29, 2006, midnight | In Restaurant Reviews »
Though tucked away in the rather drab Potomac Village, Bezu, a new restaurant whose name is French for "kiss," is a lively spot. Its contemporary décor, complete with tiled white designs on the Mediterranean-orange walls and a backlit onyx bar, contributes to the vivacious atmosphere. The exceptionally friendly staff also amicably welcomes visitors as soon as they arrive.
Console Wars
By Boris Vassilev | Dec. 22, 2006, midnight | In Video Games »
The 2006 holiday season is finally here: let the gift giving, store camping and mall looting officially begin! As usual, some of the hottest items around this year are the new next-generation gaming consoles: the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. With the release of the PlayStation 3 on Nov. 17, people were trampled, shot at, robbed and generally disappointed as they tried to get their hands on limited units of the coveted game console. With less scandal, the Nintendo Wii debuted 2 days later, along with a considerably lower price and many fewer customer grievances. A year ago, the Xbox 360 flew off the shelves, selling 10 million units within 16 months of the release date, according to CNET. Which one of these souped up gaming machines it right for you? SCO gives you a look at the hardware, support and games backing each in your quest for the ultimate holiday gaming machine.
Time to "Start Wearing Purple"
By Courtney Burtraw | Dec. 22, 2006, midnight | In Music »
Gogol Bordello, a "Gypsy punk" band out of New York City's Lower East Side, rocked the 9:30 Club in a sold out show Tuesday night. With Eugene Hütz as frontman (you know him as Alex, the interpreter from "Everything is Illuminated"), Gogol Bordello is comprised mostly of Eastern European immigrants, and their music borrows heavily from Gypsy sound, mixed with The Pogues-esque punk with The Clash overtones.
Take a well-deserved "Holiday"
By Kate Harter | Dec. 22, 2006, midnight | In Movies »
Ever wish you could just take a quick holiday? Leave town—and everyone in it—and just set off on an adventure by yourself for two weeks, so that you can start over? In "The Holiday," Amanda and Iris are able to do just that.
"Unaccompanied Minors": Every child's dream
By Julia Mazerov | Dec. 21, 2006, midnight | In Movies »
Twas' the night before Christmas and all through the airport, ran loose five unaccompanied minors, left alone to cavort. Sound like a typical Christmas Eve? It certainly wasn't for a particular group of scraggly and disheveled kids, who find themselves stranded at Hoover Airport sans parents because of a blizzard in Warner Bros.' latest flick, "Unaccompanied Minors."
"Eragon" excels
By Priyanka Gokhale | Dec. 20, 2006, midnight | In Movies »
The most frequent complaint about the movie Eragon will be its similarity to other recent fantasy films. A fight in a dusty farmhouse will remind the audience of the famous Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp "brawl-in-a-barn" scene from "Pirates of the Caribbean." The magic spells cast will "conjure" images from the most recent "Harry Potter" installment, and the plethora of sword-wielding and the presence of fantastical creatures are reminiscent of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. But take these battles up with Eragon's author, Christopher Paolini—these parallels originated from the book, not the movie—because as a film, "Eragon" works.
"Charlotte's Web" won't catch all
By Rachita Sood | Dec. 20, 2006, midnight | In Movies »
Most teenagers can remember reading "Charlotte's Web," the classic E.B. White novel, with delight and awe in elementary school English classes. Fast-forward ten years and the story loses much of its charm. For this reason, director Gary Winick's screen adaptation may not hold the attention of most Blazers, but the movie is a simplistically well done film for another generation to delight over.
Minors Only!
By Josie Callahan | Dec. 20, 2006, midnight | In Movies »
"THUMP!" The pitter-patter of shoes kick the back of the chair. Above the volume of the previews, the unmistakable crunching of popcorn, slurping of soda, and rustling of candy wrappers can be heard. THUMP…CRUNCH…SLURP…THUMP…. The movie theater seems to explode with the cacophony of noise that can only mean one thing: small children. A warning to parents, babysitters, and older siblings alike: drop the minors off at the door, and run, do not walk away from "Unaccompanied Minors."
"Escape" while you can from Stefani's latest
By Johanna Gretschel | Dec. 18, 2006, midnight | In Music »
Once upon a time, Gwen Stefani was one cool chick. She was blue-haired sometimes, fearless all the time and sang girl-power anthems while fronting as the only female in third-wave ska band No Doubt. However, upon reaching "senior citizen" status as a 30-something, Stefani felt compelled to record "Love.Angel.Music.Baby.," throwing her rock cred out the window in favor of synth-heavy Madonna-wannabe singles tailor-made for repeat on 99.5 FM. Released Dec. 15, Stefani's sophomore solo album, "The Sweet Escape," is recorded in a similar vein to "L.A.M.B.," failing to introduce anything new and causing listeners to feel nostalgic for the good old "Tragic Kingdom," No Doubt's 1995 breakthrough hit album.
The "Black Gold" that makes the world go round
By Amanda Pollak | Dec. 17, 2006, midnight | In Movies »
As you sip your next latte, savoring its rich bitterness and creamy texture, think of the workers of the Oromia Coffee Farmers Co-operative Union, who toil away, malnourished, often for 50 cents a day, to make your caffeine surge possible. Or at least that's what "Black Gold," a new documentary by Nick and Mark Francis, would like. Though it may not get in the way of the global empire that is today's modern coffee giants, it serves as a poignant reminder that everything good comes at a cost — which in this case are the millions of people of the third world who remain dependent on the trade.
"Pac's Life" doesn't keep him living
By Betsir Zemen | Dec. 14, 2006, midnight | In Music »
Pac's Life commemorates the ten-year anniversary of Tupac's death at age 25. His eleventh posthumous album, "Pac's Life" is an entire album of collaborations with artists who knew or grew up listening to Tupac. Unfortunately, with all the featured artists and re-mastered beats, Tupac's true talent fails to shine through in "Pac's Life."
Hot and cold holiday drinks
By Iliya Smithka | Dec. 13, 2006, midnight | In Food »
Winter has arrived, and with it comes the holiday season. Whether you're trying to warm up after a snowball fight or throwing a party to celebrate the holidays, you can use these hot and cold drinks that could make even Scrooge happy.
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