HOW-TO PAGE 2B.
FILM NOTEBOOK PAGE 3B.
B
THE MICHIGAN DAILY
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2007
The movie
theaters
ofA2
Here at Daily Arts, we
constantly tell you what
films to see or not see. But
where's the best place to find them?
Look no further.
We can start with the little ones,
which despite
their small
stature are big
in value. The
Michigan and
the State the-
aters are often
underappreci-
ated luxuries
in Ann Arbor, PAUL
and you should TASSI
attend some
sort of event at both during your
college career. It just feels classy
walking down State Street to either
establishment to see a film, and if
you can get over the cramped seat-
ing arrangements, you'll have a
good time. often the movies shown
are independent films you won't be
able to find in a mainstream the-
ater, so it might be a good chance
to see something that doesn't star
Cameron Diaz or involve Michael
Bay.
The Briarwood Dollar Theater
should be mentioned here, because
if you're the kind of person who still
hasn't seen "Superman Returns,"
chances are its still playing there.
It's cheap - real cheap. It's at the
Briarwood mall and the bus will
drop you right at the door. The fun
part is seeing if the bus is there
when your movie gets out at 2 a.m.
The money you save on tickets will
be most likely converted to cab fare
unless you feel like camping out in
the empty mall.
And now, Showcase Cinema
Ann Arbor, one of the area's two
multiplexes. Here's a reenactment
of the one and only time I paid for
a ticket at there. My friends and I
approached the nearly empty ticket
queue at 7 p.m. on a Friday fresh-
man year.
"Hi, can I get one for 'Bourne
Supremacy' at 7:20?"
"Sure, that'll be $9.75."
"Wow, that's a lot, I'm glad I'm a
student."
I flashed my M-Card.
"We don't do student discounts
here."
I froze.
"What? Are you serious?"
"Yes, I'm sorry."
She wasn't sorry.
"But this is Ann Arbor!"
"No, this is Ypsilanti."
"Fuck!"
So after my five friends and I
collectively dropped damn near
$100 on tickets, food and drinks,
we all swore we'd never go back
to Showcase again. No wonder no
one is ever there. I mean seriously:
You're one of two major theaters in
a college-town area, and you don't
offer a student rate? That's like not
having a senior citizen discount
at Bob Evans. They do have some
movies in 3-D and IMAX which
is cool, but not cool enough to add
another $2 to an already ridiculous
ticket price. If you don't know
where Showcase is, I'm not even
going to tell you. Just don't ever go
there and maybe they'll go out of
business. Why they haven't already
is a mystery to me.
So where should you go to not
get jacked? That $10 could eas-
ily buy a case of Natty Light or a
box of Franzia, so save $4.50 of
it by going to the (relatively) best
theater around. Quality 16 is well,
quality. It's nothing spectacular,
but it's your best bet for most all
new releases in the Ann Arbor
area. In addition to offering a
severely discounted student rate
of $6.50, Quality also makes for a
good time because it's just hilari-
ous (and the awesome $5 tickets
See TASSI, page 2B
ELIST
Jan. 18 to 21
The Daily Arts
guide to the
best upcom-
ing events - it's
everywhere you
should be this
week and why.
A walk through Cobo
By PAUL TASSI stranglehold around domestic produc- Its sweeping lines and protruding tail-
DailyArts Writer ers' necks, this year's North American lamps give it the impression it's flying
International Auto Show (NAIAS) is even when standing still. Don't let the
Look, I know that in Ann Arbor, more relevant than it's ever been. Here odd name fool you: This is a thinly
cars are little more to you than those are some of its highlights and lowlights veiled concept aimed at testing the
big shiny things that almost hit you according to me, your objective guide: waters for the next Supra. Then next
as you blindly cross the street on the time you'll see it will most likely be
way to class. But in Michigan, the auto Best Concept: Toyota FT-HS - with Paul Walker behind the wheel in
industry is massively important to the The designers call it "perfectly imbal- "The Fast and the Furious 4" in 2009.
FOREST CASEY/Daily economic future of the state, and with anced." Despite the tagline not making
Lamborghinis and beautiful women - what failing auto industry? foreign automakers tightening their sense, the car is absolutely gorgeous. See AUTO SHOW, page 4B
ON STAGE
There's nothing like a little indie
rock and tinnitus at The Blind Pig
to kick off another frozen week-
end. Ann Arborites Mason Proper,
Detroit natives The Satin Peaches
and The Pop Project will each per-
formtheir own brand ofindie tonight
at the Pig. Expect everything from
upbeat rock-outs to way-out jams
and everything in between.
Doors at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $6 or
$9 for those under 21.
Sekou Sundiata, the Grammy-
nominated New York City poet,
will perform his acclaimed work
this Saturday at the Power Center.
"The 51st (Dream) State" combines
poetry, modern dance, video and
live Indian and R&B music to form
a stirring reflection on post-Sept. 11
America. The show will begin at 8
p.m. Tickets are $14-$34 in advance
or at the door if available. Call 734-
764-2538 for info.
The University's Museum of
Art's new off-site exhibit, "Embrac-
ing Eatonville," will open Saturday.
Eatonville, Florida is the oldest his-
torically black town in the country.
Photographers Lonnie Graham, Car-
rie Mae Weems and Deborah Willis
each contributed new work to the
exhibit. Open Tuesday, Saturday and
Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednes-
day, Thursday and Friday 11a.m. to 10
p.m. Free admission.
ON SCREEN
The State Theater gives a nod
to Ethan and Joel Coen and their
quirky films this month with its
Midnight Movie series, which con-
tinues Saturday with the presenta-
tion of "Raising Arizona," the 1987
flick starring Nicholas Cage and
Holly Hunter. Stay tuned next week
for cult-hit "The Big Lebowski."
Tickets, as always, are $6.75 for
students and $8.50 for the general
public.