0 14B - The Michigan Daily - Weekend Magazine - Thursday, October 17, 2002 A guide to who's where, Thursday, Oct. 17 what's happening and why through you need to be there ... Wednesday, Oct. 23 Films opening IA The Michigan Daily - Weekend Magazine - Abandon Written and directed by the screenwriter of "Traffic," is it just another teen screamer or maybe more? Does this matter at all if Katie Holmes doesn't get naked? At Show- case: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:25, 9:35, 11:45 (Fri. and Sat.) Formula 51 I'm sorry, how many screenings are there? Jules and Begbie better have a wild card up their sleeve Films I Barbershop Cube is just killing time between "Friday" sequels. At Showcase: 1:00, 3:15, 5:30, 7:55, 10:05, 12:25 (Fri. and Sat.) 4 stars Brown Sugar I will even fight Taye for Sanaa Lathan;-well, not fist fight. At Showcase: 1:45, 4:40, 7:35, 9:55, 12:15 (Fri. and Sat.) 3 stars Igby Goes Down I thought it was Macauley Culkin who went down, not his brothers. We all follow in our broth- ers' footsteps, even if it means street- walkin'. At Madstone: 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30 3.5 stars Jonah: A Veggie Tales Movie We sadly received no guest reviews from any of you readers out there, is no one eating their vegetables? At Showcase: 12:40, 2:35, 4:35, 6:30, 8:30 Knockaround Guys This movie sucked. Speaking of Dennis Hopper, the new season of "24"rstartsinsa couple weeks and Jack Bauer now has a cool looking beard! At Showcase: 1:20, 3:35, 5:50, 8:10, 10:30, 12:30 (Fri. and Sat.) 1.5 stars Moonlight Mile Ellen Pompeo. Remem- ber that name, she is going to be a huge star very soon. This is like that Microsoft tip your dad got back in the 80s but ignored. Ellen Pompeo.2At Showcase: 1:50, 4:15, 6:55, 9:25, 11:55 (Fri. and Sat.) 4 stars My Big Fat Greek Wedding The money keeps rolling in. Film critics keep scratching their heads. Tom and Rita keep filling their wallets. At Madstone: 1:10, 3:10, 5:10, 7:10, 9:10 At Show- case: 12:45, 2:45, 4:45, 6:45, 8:45, 11:00 (Fri. and Sat.) 3 stars Red Dragon The money keeps rolling in. One particular Daily film critic keeps scratching his head. Dino keeps filling his wallet. At Madstone: 1:00, 3:25, 5:50, 8:15, 10:35 At Showcase: 12:40, 1:10, 1:40, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30, 6:40, 7:10, 7:40, 9:15, 9:45, 10:15, 11:50 (Fri. and Sat.), 12:20 (Fri. and Sat.) 1.5 stars 2 to deserve all this attention. At Show- case: 1:05, 1:35, 3:10, 3:40, 5:15, 5:45, 7:20, 7:50, 9:30, 10:00, 11:40 (Fri. and Sat.), 12:10 (Fri. and Sat.) The Ring Naomi Watts. If there is any- thing else I have to say, you can just let me know. Naomi Watts. At Show- case: 12:30, 1:30, 2:55, 4:20, 5:20, 7:15, 7:45, 9:40, 10:10, 12:05 (Fri. and Sat.), 12:35 (Fri. and Sat.) olding Rules of Attraction Didn't have such a good weekend money wise, but anyone who saw it definitely had a pretty great weekend movie wise. At Madstone: 1:00, 3:05, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45 At Show- case: 12:55, 3:20, 5:40, 8:00, 10:20, 12:35 (Fri. and Sat.) 3.5 stars Sex and Lucia Paz Vega is back in town. Paz Vega is back. My little Spanish peanut, I knew you would come back to me. At Madstone: 2:00, 4:30, 7:15, 9:45 4 stars Sex with Strangers This film changed my life. Now, I not only want to have sex with all my friends but strangers as well. At Madstone: 1:45, 3:45, 5:45, 7:45, 9:45 0 stars Sweet Home Alabama Patrick Dempsey just can't recreate the greatest film per- formance of our generation, his role as the pizza delivering "Loverboy." At Mad- stone: 1:20, 3:20, 5:20,;7:20, 9:20 At Showcase: 12:30, 1:30, 2:50, 4:10, 5:05, 7:00, 7:30, 9:20, 9:50, 11:35 (Fri. and Sat.), 12:05 (Fri. and Sat.), 12:35 (Fri. and Sat.) 3 stars Swept Away The broom is quickly sweeping Guy Ritchie's anti-"Snatch" out of theaters. It wasn't as bad as they said it would be, it is worse. At Show- case: 10:25, 12:25 (Fri. and Sat.) Tuck Everlasting Jonathon Jackson is so dreamy. I don't even know what that means, but I read it in YM and it sounds cool. At Showcase: 12:35, 2:40, 5:00, 7:05, 9:10, 11:15 (Fri. and Sat.) 2.5 stars The Tuxedo Jackie Chan recently vowed to make better pictures. If only it were that simple, Jackie. If it were then we would still remember what Sly Stallone looks like. At Showcase: 1:15, 3:25, 5:35, 7:45, 9:55, 12:00 (Fri. and Sat.) 1.5 stars White Oleander When word is that Renee Zellweger is the best part of a movie, you know that film is in trouble. No offense, Bridget, keep eating. At Showcase: 1:25, 4:05, 6:35, 9:00, 11:20 (Fri. and Sat.) I1star Athletic Mic League: Out f the hip-ho BY JOSPEH DAILY ARTS L I T M A N WRITER D O you have what it take s tobbe in the L? Are you athletic like lsiah Thomas? Effective like Gary Payton? Legendary like Larry Bird? Even more importantly, can you flow? The members of Ann Arbor's Athletic Mic League - a seven mem- ber hip-hop collective - fit all these criteria, and contrary to what the WNBA would have you believe, AMLs got next. Courtesy of Dreamworks Sooo hot, want to touch the hiney, aroooooohhh! Thursdav BOOKS Alex Shakar Reads Shakar reads from his book, "Savage Girl." 8 p.m. Shaman Drum Bookshop, 315 S. State. Free. 662-7407. CAMPUS CINEMA The Good Girl "Friends" wasn't as bad last week but I think Mike (Paul Rudd) had something to do with that. Mike'?! State Theater 7:15 p.m. Happy Times Legendary Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou brings a simpler, softer touch to his new film. Michigan Theater 7 & 9:15 p.m. Mostly Martha I want to see "Com- pletely Martha." You gotta give it your all. Michigan Theater 7:15 & 9:30 p.m. One Hour Photo It's the last screening. We'll miss you, Sy. Kind of. State Theater 9:15 p.m. Secretary James Spader delves into the dark world of sex that we never think about but he acts out in every movie he appears in. State Theater 7 & 9 p.m. MUSIC Yakum Shchmakum Loud classic rock, both new and old. Touch- downs. 21 and over. 10:30 p.m. Bear vs. Shark Smart money is on Shark, but that's only because Bear recently lost his girlfriend. Blind Pig, 208 S. First St., 10 p.m. $4 ($6 under 21). 996-8588. Lust: Seb Fontaine How come British dudes are such good DJs? Must be the kidney pies. The Necto. 516 E. Liberty St., 9 p.m. $10 ($15 under 21). 994-5835. The Ron Brooks Trio I'm thinking of printing up R1B3 t-shirts. They'll say 'Jazz; Not just lameos any- more". Bird of Paradise, 312 S. Main St., 9 p.m. $5. 662-8310. THEATER Medea The Abbey Theatre of Ire- land's critically acclaimed rendition of this classic Green drama by Euripides. Proof positive that one should never cross an ex-princess of Colchis who also happens to be a powerful witch. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. 8 p.m., Power Center, $20-42; 764-0395. The Spirit House An American diplo- mat and his family move to Thai- land in the 1960's, where they must learn to deed the "spirits" or suffer the consequences. 8 p.m., Performance Network, 120 E. Huron, Pay-what-you-can preview; 663-0681. Friday BOOKS Kurtis Sullivan Speaks A special program for Teen Read Week (Oct. 13-19). Comic book enthusiast and Vault of Midnight owner Sullivan shares his favorite comic books, illustrators and authors. 7:30 p.m. Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. Free. 327-4200. CAMPUS CINEMA Late Marriage A film about arranged marriage set in Israel but the incredibly realistic sex scene is what everyone will be talking about. Michigan Theater 7 & 9:15 p.m. Mostly Martha See Thursday. State Theater 7 & 9:15 p.m. Secretary See Thursday. State The- ater 7:15 & 9:30 p.m. MUSIC Pork Tornado Does John Fishman still play the vacuum cleaner? Cause that's cool even if you're not high. Blind Pig, 208 S. First St., 10 p.m. $15. 996-8588. Tom Loncaric & His Orchestra Well when we say orchestra what we mean is two monkeys with a kazoo, a washboard and an empty paper- towel tube between them. Now that's entertainment! Bird of Par- adise, 312 S. Main St., 6 p.m. $5. 662-8310. EMU Wind Ensemble IT BLOWS! Pease Auditorium, College P1. at W. Cross St., Ypsi. 8p.m. free. THEA TER Medea See Thursday, 8 p.m. The Spirit House See Thursday, 8 p.m., $27.50. Friends who met playing basketball in high school, DJ Haircut, Buff(1), Texture, Vital, 14KT, Sonny Star and Grand Cee have been rapping since 1995, and through their own label, AML recently dropped their first official album, Sweats and Kicks. With tight lyrics on top of beats (courtesy of their own production company, Lab Technicians), AML released a record worthy of high praise and reminis- cent of the distinct sounds of the Native Tongue Family or MCA's OkayPlayer stable. The title Sweats and Kicks is about more than clothes and sneakers, though; it is a soundtrack to their lives and the lives of all hip-hop heads who have long been immersed in a culture of hip-hop and athletic synergy. AML has been a fixture in the Ann Arbor and Detroit music scenes and has also spent time out in New Jersey navigating the elite hip-hop ehvironment of New York. Now back in Michigan and seeking wider distribution, Athletic Mic League recently took some time to speak with the Daily. The Michigan Daily: How did you guys come up with the name Athletic Mic League? Vital: Athletic Mic League - roots in actual ath- letics, cats playing basketball and stuff. Before we Editors.: Caitlin NIsh Weekend MAGAZINETaylorabe Writers: David Enders, Joel Hoard, Lizzie Horevitz Jospe h Litman, Neal Pais and Daniel Yowell Photo Editor: David Katz Photographers: Jason Cooper, Tony Ding, Emma Fosdick, Ryan Weiner, Alyssa Wood and Jessica Yurasek. Cover Photo: Jason Cooper Arts Editors: Luke Smith, Manaqinq Editor, Jeff Dickerson, Associate Etor Editor in Chief: Jon Schwartz even started rhyming, that's how we knew each other, as athletes. That wasn't even our original name; our original name was the Anonymous Clique. We pretty much exceeded that name and couldn't go on with it, so we just needed another name, and I figured Athletic Mic League. We just changed that into mic athletics. Texture: Basically, you start with that and can then look at it as an athlete: all the training, all the rules and guidelines - the work ethic - all that it takes, as an athlete, to be on top. That's what we try to apply in the music industry and with the mic. So' you know, we're mic athletes. Vital: There are many parts. You're about to get another side of it. I came up with the name in (1995). I was Wu-Tang influenced; cats got behind Wu-Tang and had something to rhyme about. Doing their thing, it wasn't a gimmick, but it was some- thing to rhyme about, and it provided a base to then expand on. So Athletic Mic League - that's where it comes from, things like that, having something to rhyme about. TMD: You all knew each other from playing ball? DJ Haircut: Before there was any hip-hop, there was basketball. TMD: So, who's the best? Buff(1): Everybody will tell you that they are. I think that I am. Sonny Star: I'm an all-around athlete. Buff(1): Texture is the most dedicated. TMD: Well, if you guys played the Detroit Shock, who would win? Texture: I'd put up some big numbers. Buff(1): We'd definitely win. I think we could beat Michigan. TMD: I don't know if you guys have the size ... Buff(1): The only reason that I say that is because I know a couple (of the players). Vital: On the low? A couple of Michigan basket- ball players were aspiring Athletic Mic League Members. Buff(1): But we'll keep that on the low. TMD: Since all of you are ballers and claim that you could beat the Detroit Shock and U of M, can each of you pick out a player from the NBA whose playing style is analogous to your rhyming style? Texture: I'll say Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars. Isiah was mad athletic, and he could do anything. Joe Dumars played smart and just knew how to operate and control even though he wasn't a real star; he looked like a star and everyone knew and respected him for his game. Buff(1): I hate to say it, because I really don't look up to him even though he's a great.player. I think I'm simple but effective, so I have to say someone like Gary Payton. He don't got no crossover, his j is ok, but he's still one of the best guards Texture: He ain't got no ring, though. Joe D and Isiah got the ring! DJ Haircut: Say what you want, but I'm gonna have to go with Larry Bird. Larry Bird came from a little town - French Lick, Indiana - and he came in the game and shocked a lot of people. He became a true leader and will be respected for all time because he was a true leader and a hall-of-famer. Coming from Ann Arbor and not having very many people to latch on to or to learn from around here, that makes it a close relationship. TMD: The album, Sweats and Kicks, came out July 25. What is something that you'd want everyone to know about it? Sonny Star: cats anc Sweats and Kicks ulti en is very multi-Tl tdi e dimensional; it's the clothes not just the clothes lifestyle, a ment and shoes. It's a we choose to lifestyle, a mentali- ty - a way that we mUSiC ... choose to catego- rize our music; it's our uniform when we go to work. It comes from our athletic background, and it transcended that and moved over to our whole lives. 14KT: Sweats and Kicks is all that, and if you lis- ten to the songs, you can pick out our influences and you can hear that lifestyle in the music. Vital: Our lives titled this album. TMD: Sweats and Kicks doesn't sound like any one particular artist or group, but instead like a lot of different types of hip-hop music. Collectively and individually, who would you say has influenced your music the most, in terms of beats, type of sound and flow? Sonny Star: The Hieroglyphics. Vital: If you want to go with something like a framework, then you could go Hiero/Wu for frame- work in terms of what we trying to do ... Buff(1): Nas, Common, Outkast. Outkast is def- initely one of my personal influences. DJ Haircut: Obviously, the Native Tongue Family, like (A Tribe Called Quest). Sonny Star: Yeah, there's a lot of stuff that dropped in the era when we got started. That was like the golden era of hip-hop. TMD: So, like the early '90s, mid-'90s? Sonny S TMD: R Tribe came Vital: So points in ti sound. DJ Hair beyond hip- soul music 1 Vital: Gc Sonny S Vital: Th we were sta M.C.s - th listening to. we wanted Buff(1): this, but w have anyt[ you hear, s ing to or r your music Vital: A Kicks ional; i and sh ity - a categ( -so j S ali album. I li Buff(1): out in like because it TMD:T Vital: Y any of the TMD:Y Vital: I h Those are]I DJ Haim the dark ag crappy shit TMD: W new collab Sonny S Buff(1): tion. DJ Hair Buff(1): the same ti Sonny S that; it mus Texture: Phone Numbers: Michigan Theater: 668-8397; Quality 16: 827-2837; Showcase: 973-8380; State: 761-8667. Showtimes are effective Friday through Thursday. Matinee times at State Theater are effec- tive for Saturday and Sunday only.