Thursday, February 25, 2010
Vox Magazine, 2/25/10
The Reel Story: True/False in Columbia
By Lauren Zima
When the Vox staff began discussing what we would write about this year’s True/False Film Festival, we found ourselves almost out of ideas. What was left to say about this fabulous festival? It’s a cultural mecca that takes over downtown, consumes Columbians and brings in business. Community members are so invested in it that hundreds volunteer every year, no payment expected. So, we decided to go behind the scenes. Our feature examines how True/False documentaries are chosen, covers what volunteers really do, gets the inside scoop on what some directors think and more. It is, in essence, Vox’s written word documentary of True/False.
This year’s True/False theme is “There are no small stories.” With that in mind, we kept our other pages True/False-free and devoted them to the stories of Columbians: Read about MU alum Greg Warren’s comedy career. We also interview author Peter Hessler, a Columbia native who’s been to Beijing and back. His story is anything but small.
Vox Magazine, 2/18/10
Get your fix
By Lauren Zima
A few months ago, after getting dressed up for a presentation, I headed toward my car. As I stepped in, I heard — and felt — my favorite I’m-a-professional dress rip at the seam along the back. Luckily, my wardrobe had not malfunctioned during my speech, but I had one of those classic Laverne & Shirley moments when I got home and tried to walk into my apartment (up a flight of stairs) with my tote bag strategically held behind me.
Life happens, and things break. This is nothing new. But we’re usually naive to the best places to fix the fractured. I didn’t know whom to trust with this precious dress, a cornerstone of my closet, but our feature got me well-read on repairs: It covers everything from cars to clutter.
And often it’s the everyday person who finds solutions. We have a story on the slow food movement: Locals are volunteering at schools to teach our kids where what they eat comes from. We also cover BiblioCommons, a new program that brings social networking to avid readers. So, read on, Columbia, and get your Vox fix.
By Lauren Zima
A few months ago, after getting dressed up for a presentation, I headed toward my car. As I stepped in, I heard — and felt — my favorite I’m-a-professional dress rip at the seam along the back. Luckily, my wardrobe had not malfunctioned during my speech, but I had one of those classic Laverne & Shirley moments when I got home and tried to walk into my apartment (up a flight of stairs) with my tote bag strategically held behind me.
Life happens, and things break. This is nothing new. But we’re usually naive to the best places to fix the fractured. I didn’t know whom to trust with this precious dress, a cornerstone of my closet, but our feature got me well-read on repairs: It covers everything from cars to clutter.
And often it’s the everyday person who finds solutions. We have a story on the slow food movement: Locals are volunteering at schools to teach our kids where what they eat comes from. We also cover BiblioCommons, a new program that brings social networking to avid readers. So, read on, Columbia, and get your Vox fix.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Vox Magazine, 2/11/10
Mountain lions, barbershops and Vox, oh my!
By Lauren Zima
Bigfoot. The Loch Ness monster. Area 51. As a child I was enthralled by legends and lore — I pored over books about the Bermuda Triangle, and I loved the Indiana Jones movies. My juvenile obsession with these monster myths reared its dorky head when I read our feature on mountain lions in Missouri: Are they real? Could they be in your back yard? Use your cat-like reflexes to discover what’s fact versus fiction.
Another childhood quirk: I hated getting my hair cut. I loved my long (we’re talking past-my-waist long) hair, and looking back at pictures of myself, I wonder why my mother allowed me to resemble Cousin Itt so closely. I clearly could’ve used the razor-sharp wit and classic cuts offered by the local barbershops profiled in our feature. Of course, I might have felt a bit out of place. For these old-school barbers, theirs is a man’s world.
Other businesses turn a focus beyond Columbia’s residents: We have a story on local efforts to raise money for relief in Haiti. Oftentimes it’s the true stories that are the most fascinating.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Vox Magazine — 2/4/10
Spring into Columbia
By Lauren Zima
When I first moved from Chicago to Columbia, my family and friends scoffed at this fair city. They wondered what people did for fun here — how, they pondered, could life in a small (in comparison to Chicago) town in Missouri stack up against Chi-town? I quickly provided tales of Mizzou football games, weekend nights out with friends, Wednesday evening concerts at The Blue Note, big-name comedians at Déjà Vu and afternoons window shopping in The District with a Main Squeeze smoothie in hand. Columbia has a smorgasbord of stuff to do. So this week, Vox’s annual spring preview helps you prepare for the next few months by highlighting some of the biggest and best events. Whip out your iPad, and mark your virtual calendar.
As for what to do right now, we’ve got a story about the Heartland Men’s Chorus, a Kansas City choir that’s singing its way into Columbia’s progressive heart. And we cover the literal ups and downs of The District — check out the best places to visit above and below ground. So until the sun comes out, grab a blanket, mark your calendars, and catch an early spring fever.
Vox Magazine — 1/28/10
Boys II Men:
By Lauren Zima
Dozens. I can count dozens of men and women I know who got married the year after they graduated college. Marriage at 22? Kids by 25? No thanks. I’m not ready for marriage, kids or anything along those lines. Like many 20-somethings, I’m stunted in an in-between kind of adulthood. Legally and biologically, I’m an adult, but I’m not mature enough for so many of the milestones we consider part of adulthood in our society. In a time when both men and women are marrying older, I plan to wait a while. Apparently, many of the men of Columbia share my attitude. In this issue, Vox explores what it means to be a man in this town, whether that be the ability to grow a beard, land a job or simply be strong-willed enough to choose a lifestyle that doesn’t fit stereotypes. It might or might not be time for Columbia to man up — you decide.
For those who would rather read about strong women, check out our story on Beth Pike, a Mid-America Emmy winner. Or if you want to avoid a battle of the sexes altogether, read about personalizing your car. If bright yellow rims on your Range Rover aren’t symbols of manhood, I don’t know what is.
Illustration by Erica Mendez
Movie Review: Daybreakers (Vox Magazine)
Movie Review: Daybreakers
By Lauren Zima
Daybreakers has a lot in common with last year’s hit horror/comedy Zombieland: Both movies went big on gore, boast old-school, gun-wielding defenders of humanity, and don’t take themselves too seriously. And both are fun to watch.
But Daybreakers is more of a movie with a message than Zombieland was, and part of that message is that audiences can still enjoy classic, blood-dripping-from-their-chins vampires as opposed to ones with sparkling skin a la Twilight. In this film, vampires rule the world and humans are on the verge of extinction. Vamps have only one month before the blood supply runs out, and if they don't find a substitute, they'll morph into crazed, deformed creatures.
Ethan Hawke plays the vampire scientist responsible for developing a substitute, and he’s got a soft spot for humans. This is where the movie’s main message emerges: Vampires are abusing their power and treating humans (which most of them used to be) like property, not people. So Hawke hooks up with a group of humans in hiding, and from there the film takes off: Enter Willem Dafoe — total rock star.
Indeed, Dafoe’s character is even named Elvis. Elvis is a vampire who turned back into a human (the “cure” he discovered is ridiculous, but accept it) and wants other vampires to follow suit. Elvis spends the film shooting vampires, speeding in classic American muscle cars and spouting down-home phrases such as, “I love a good barbeque!” when he’s about to fry some blood-suckers. Dafoe, like Woody Harrelson in Zombieland, makes the movie.
Daybreakers also goes classically vampire on the blood-and-guts parts of the film — brother-director due Michael and Peter Spierig have spared no expense. The plot is unique — it makes vampirism a fact of life, not a secret society with across-the-ages history. Daybreakers’ main problem is that its plot points don’t make much sense — are vampires so stupid that they’d wait until they had only a month’s worth of blood left to try to solve the problem? And what exactly the “cure” is gets confusing by the end of the film.
Ultimately, viewers will leave theaters excited, but in a way that makes them want to go home and order better vampire-butt-kicking movies on Netflix. And we recommend Blade, Underworld ... basically anything but Twilight.
Vox Rating: VVV (out of five)
Originally published Jan. 23, 2010
Photo from Lionsgate
Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes (Vox Magazine)
Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes
By Lauren Zima
Director Guy Ritchie has pieced together a fun action movie perfect for a family night out with Sherlock Holmes.
In this new adaptation of one of the oldest adventure series, Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and best bud Watson (Jude Law) are in hot — well, as hot as a horse and buggy can get — pursuit of murderous Lord Blackwood, who appears to have risen from the dead.
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Ritchie takes the classic stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and gives them an action-movie spin. It works. This Holmes is a bit of a playboy — he’s funny, smart and can throw a punch — but he’s still relatable; Holmes’ feminine counterpart, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), plays games with his heart. Robert Downey Jr. is, as always, excellent, though sometimes his thick accent and soft (though incredibly emphatic) voice make him hard to understand.
Watson is also now a fisticuffs kind of guy. Law and Downey Jr. have great on-screen chemistry — they expertly showcase one of the world’s first bromances. McAdams is passable, though not particularly memorable, as Adler.
Holmes will give Americans exactly what their minds picture when they think “London”: Ritchie’s set is all grays and gloom and cobblestone streets. But this movie is a fun escape, and it’s age appropriate for most, except the littlest tykes. At 2 hours and 14 minutes, it is a bit long, and the ending could have been better. But the ending also blatantly sets up for a sequel, and if that movie is as good as this one, it’ll be a sequel worth seeing.
In short, this holiday season, don’t stay home. Go see Holmes.
Vox Rating: VVVV (out of five)
Originally published Jan. 21, 2010
Photo from Warner Bros. Pictures
Movie Review: Brothers (Vox Magazine)
Movie Review: Brothers
By Lauren Zima
Brothers is an affecting film about the life of a simple family being torn apart, but it’s this simplicity that makes it more melodramatic than memorable.
Director Jim Sheridan's movie follows its characters separately; Capt. Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) is a good man and a good marine, but he’s thought dead after his helicopter crashes in Afghanistan. He’s captured, and torture scenes provide some serious squirming potential. At home, Sam’s wife, Grace (Natalie Portman), and his screw-up brother (Jake Gyllenhaal) become close as they try to recover from the loss of Sam while taking care of Sam and Grace’s two daughters.
Maguire, Portman and Gyllenhaal shine here as three standout, A-list, so-on-and-so-forth actors of their generation, but when their dialogue includes a five-minute conversation about who at the dinner table loves or hates peas, there still isn’t much in-depth character or plot development. Grace is especially stagnant, largely reacting to what’s happening rather than ever taking any kind of stand.
Sam does make it home, where he suffers from PTSD and becomes suspicious that Grace and Tommy are having an affair. What’s hard to believe is that, even in his fragile, distracted state, he’s come to that conclusion; the evidence to go on is next to nil.
Indeed, Brothers’ best element is its cast, from the three leads to Sam Shepard, who can always be counted on for a grave performance, to Bailee Madison and Taylor Geare, the relative unknowns who play daughters Isabelle and Maggie, respectively. Madison, in particular, is shockingly good — in one scene she smiles at her now-changed dad when he tries to make a joke to comfort her, but as he reaches down to hug her, she cries silently over his shoulder. (Watch out, Academy.)
And that scene is emblematic of the whole. Ultimately, Brothers will move you, even if the feeling is a little superficial.
Vox Rating: VVV (out of five)
Originally Published Dec. 5, 2009
Photo courtesy of Lionsgate
Movie Review: The Blind Side (Vox Magazine)
Movie Review: The Blind Side
By LAUREN ZIMA
The Blind Side isn't just a family film, it's a film about family. And the movie is enjoyable, though it leaves a few big issues in its blind spot.
Sandra Bullock stars as Leigh Anne Touhy, a stylish Southern woman who always gets her way. Touhy takes in Michael (Quinton Aaron), a 6-foot-6-inch homeless black teen, and helps him start a career in football. More importantly, she makes him part of her family (Tim McGraw is her husband, and Jae Head and Lily Collins play son S.J. and daughter Collins.) The movie is based on the true story of Michael Oher, who now plays for the Baltimore Ravens.
Bullock's performance is solid, if understated. Sandra's lookin' great, but she could've had a little more fun as Touhy; instead of a steel magnolia, she's platinum. This is the The Blind Side's problem: It stays surface-level throughout. Touhy is shown as a firecracker, but viewers never find out what made her that way. And in an even bigger blind spot, the obvious issue of race comes up but isn't truly addressed. McGraw is good, not great, as Sean. Head is a hilarious little burst of energy in every scene, and Collins (yes, Phil's daughter) is decent in her first film. Aaron doesn't have many lines, but he speaks volumes with subtle nods and expressive eyes.
In terms of sports films, inspiration has been done better before. But moviegoers will find themselves laughing several times, especially at the adorable relationship between Michael and S.J. (watch for when tiny S.J. helps "Big Mike" train for football season). The problem is The Blind Side never makes the Hail Mary gamble that would've made it a classic. Viewers might get the sense that they’re supposed to cry, but the tears just don’t come. Ultimately, while the film’s not necessarily a dead ball, its attempt is incomplete.
Vox Rating: VVVV (out of five)
Originally Published Nov. 21, 2009
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
Movie Review: He's Just Not That Into You (Vox Magazine)
Movie Review: He's Just Not That Into You
By Lauren Zima
If films were potential partners, Breakfast at Tiffany's would be a soul mate. He's Just Not That Into You? An immature relationship between 20-somethings. It's not perfect, but it’s emotional, relatable and a learning experience.
Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) spends her life, from work to yoga class, obsessing over whether a guy she met during happy hour the night before will call. Goodwin skillfully makes Gigi so hopeful and naïve that, as she gets turned down, the audience cringes in discomfort.
Women will find this offensive. Gigi is unbelievably unaware when it comes to dating practices, and she bases her entire life around men. She’s hardly an admirable leading lady.
It’s the side stories that make He’s Just Not That Into You worthwhile. Anna (Scarlett Johansson) goes to Conor (Kevin Connolly) for self-esteem boosts but nothing more. Beth (Jennifer Aniston) and Neil (Ben Affleck) have been dating for years. She wants to get married, he doesn’t. Audience members are sure to see themselves or past, perhaps even present, partners in these characters. Their motivations are real, and they evoke real emotion.
As people in relationships do, He’s Just Not That Into You makes a few mistakes. Testimonials from random characters are interspersed throughout the film. Some are funny, but Sex and the City (He’s Just Not That Into You is based on a line of the same wording from the show) dropped this practice early on and the film should have done the same. Other A-list cast members are underused; Drew Barrymore is given little to work with. Gay characters in the film are hardly more than stereotypes.
Still, the movie will make audiences laugh, cry and think. It’s good for a girls’ night out, but ladies, if you don’t want your boyfriend to see a Gigi in you, leave him at home.
Vox Rating: VVVV (out of five)
Originally published February 5th, 2009
Photo from New Line Cinema
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