The University News

SLU professor hits the right notes

[email protected] • January 29, 2009

Saint Louis University has it very own rock star on campus in the communication and English departments. Richard Burgin, known in some circles for his critically-acclaimed 12 books, mostly novels and short stories, has just released an album, The Trouble With Love.

Windmills of My Mind

Allison Reilly • January 29, 2009

How could I forget my prized possessions? my autographed hardcover copy of Minos, a Romilia Chacon mystery novel by Marcos M. Villatoro. I spent two summers in writing institutes studying under the author, back when I wanted to write stories instead of the news.

Bands bring warm beats to chilled feet

Elizabeth Glueck • January 29, 2009

The weather may have been horrible, but the winter chill couldn't keep the music lovers away from the Billiken Club last night. Tuesday's show featured three indie bands-Light Pollution, Pico vs. Island Trees and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin-who braved the snow from parts unknown to warm the ears of an audience with vigorous beats.

Rap titans set to perform at Chaifetz

Will Holston • January 29, 2009

Two of the biggest names in rap are hitting Chaifetz Arena this month, one of them for the last time in 12 months, give or take time served for good behavior. Grammy-nominated rap artist T.I. will perform at the concert mere weeks before he begins a yearlong jail sentence for firearms possession charges.

Show pays tribute to Beatles

Will Holston • January 29, 2009

The music of The Beatles is coming to St. Louis. The Fabulous Fox Theatre is hosting the band Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles on Feb. 4 and 5. Made up of five musicians, each standing in for a member of The Beatles over the course of its decades long career, Rain divides the career of The Beatles into five distinct acts: a recreation of the foursomes 1964 appearance on the "Ed Sullivan Show," the music at the time of their record breaking concert at Shea Stadium, the music found on their album Sgt.

Holston’s 10 Best Films of 2008

Will Holston • January 29, 2009

10. Dear Zachary: When director Kurt Kuenne set out to make a documentary about the murder of his friend by an ex-girlfriend, he never could have imagined the turn of events. Kuenne wisely arranges the unfolding of the real life narrative chronologically, revisiting visuals or quotes that take on an extra level of urgency.

Burris’ top 10 of 2008

Landon Burris • January 29, 2009

10. Slumdog Millionaire: This has one of the most original premises of any film released this year. It has great performances from a slew of actors unknown in the U.S., and it is a strikingly real fairy tale that's happy ending is well worth the wait. Though all the awards and acclaim may make the film seem larger than life, it shouldn't be taken as anything more what it is.

Clooney, Reitman casting extras in the St. Louis area

Landon Burris • January 22, 2009

St. Louis isn't necessarily known for its rich cinematic history. One of the most well known films to be shot in the city, John Carpenter's Escape from New York, didn't even feature St. Louis, but instead used the city as an example of what New York City would look like after the apocalypse.

Windmills of My Mind

ADAM TAMBURIN • January 22, 2009

After I first listened to folk singer Jackson Browne's "Lives in the Balance," I assumed he was either a conspiracy theorist or, given the pan flute played throughout the song, a Native American criticizing the nation's colonial past. However, these mostly serve as a background for the issues that the song addresses.

Craig shows new strength

Landon Burris • January 22, 2009

Director Edward Zwick has a knack for telling lesser-known war stories on the big screen, as seen in past films like Glory and The Last Samurai, and he's doing it again with Defiance (Paramount Vantage). Defiance tells the remarkable story of the Bielski brothers who saved more than 1,200 Jewish refugees by moving them into the forests of Belarus during World War II for three years.

Bubbly musical gets straight A’s

Kat Patke • January 22, 2009

Ohmigod, ohmigod, you guys. MGM's 2001 film Legally Blonde starring Reese Witherspoon has arrived in musical form at The Fabulous Fox Theatre, with dance numbers and approximately 15 pounds of glitter and rhinestones to match. The musical follows the familiar plotline of the movie, with Elle Woods (Lauren Ashley Zakrin) journeying from sunny Los Angeles to Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Mass.

Duo fuses art and music

Will Holston • January 22, 2009

Philadelphia-based artistic duo Vorcan is bringing its unique stylings to St. Louis this week. Artists and Pennsylvania State graduates Vort and Chris Cank joined forces to fuse their two passions, painting and musical performance, into one traveling sensation.