US – Tuesday, February 9
The Grid
The week's releases
Metro staff reviews the latest CDs, DVDs and books for your reading pleasure.
 
The Word
Stern: I’d do ‘Idol’ for $100M
Howard Stern took to his radio show yesterday to address the rumors that he’s a possible replacement for Simon Cowell for the next season of “American Idol.” To sum it up? He’s not going for it.
 
New York Arts
Dancing while the skinny lady sings
You’ve heard of the jukebox musical? David Parsons and singers AnnMarie Milazzo and Tyley Ross of the East Village Opera Co. offer a jukebox opera, playing nightly at the Joyce. Eleven Parsons dancers share the stage with Milazzo and Ross, who clutch microphones cranked to 11 and stroll through the action. On the recorded soundtrack, three drummers create a wall of sound so loud you — well, I — want to hide under the seat. Digital video of abstract patterns, natural landscapes and stunning architecture change for each song.
 
My Books
The facets of Anne Frank and her diary
Generations of schoolchildren have read and recognized their own experiences in the words of Anne Frank, finding surprising commonalities with this young girl despite the passage of generations and the unique horror of  her situation. But according to Francine Prose’s fascinating new account of the writing of Frank’s diary, our veneration of her outpourings has eclipsed a proper assessment of Anne Frank — conscientious author.

 
Movies
Channing Tatum on love and war
Channing Tatum has worked in his fair share of genres, from indie films (“A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints”) to dance flicks (“Step Up”) to blockbusters (“G.I. Joe”). In his latest, “Dear John,” the Alabama native takes on a heavy Nicholas Sparks love story about a soldier in love while at war. He talks with us about true love and blowing stuff up.
 
Published 02:22, November the 25th, 2009
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Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee share a rare soda in the post-apocalyptic world. Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee share a rare soda in the post-apocalyptic world.
Photo: COURTESY OF DIMENSION FILMS
 

A dark and bumpy ‘Road’

Story origins

A little inspiration
Author Cormac McCarthy has been quoted as saying he was inspired to write “The Road” because of his relationship with his 12-year-old son.

 

‘The Road’
Director: John Hillcoat
Stars: Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Rating: R
Grade: ➊➋➌➍➎

Anyone who’s read Cormac McCarthy’s novel “The Road” will tell you that it’s a bit of a downer, but will fervently recommend it anyway. The same goes for its faithful film interpretation, which effectively creates the desolate yellowed landscape and the mind-boggling prospect of a world without supermarkets and electricity.

The gravity of the situation of a man and his child struggling to get to the ocean — where they hope to find a better life —   seems insurmountable, but, like another Oscar contender this season, “Precious,” the tragedy gives way to an overwhelming sense of hope, which turns this into the strangest brand of an almost-feel-good film.

This is pulled off, ultimately, by sober acting by talented people. Only an actor as accomplished as Viggo Mortensen can lecture his son (played by 13-year-old Kodi Smit-McPhee, who is amazingly mature for his age) about “the good guys” and romantically daydream about life before the apocalypse without turning it into a Hallmark made-for-TV movie.

HEIDI PATALANO
 
 
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Music
MMMpod
The February MMMpod features conversation from Ozzy Osbourne. Michael Emerson from "Lost" tells us about his days enjoying punk rock in Boston. We also dig up an old interview from the late great Howard Zinn. We have a song from Delta Spirit and The Soft Pack, who tell us where they got their name.

 
 
 
Metro Life Panel
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