The University News

Film provides audiences frustration rather than humor

Landon Burris • April 18, 2008

Pompous is the new smart-at least, according to Smart People (Miramax, April 11). Smart People is a new "romantic dramedy" revolving around the dysfunctional Wetherhold family. Lawrence Wetherhold (Dennis Quaid, Vantage Point) is a professor at a small college and a single dad still hung up on the loss of his wife.

Let Me Explain: Baby, you can’t drive my car

KATIE LEWIS • April 18, 2008

First cars are like first loves. Let me explain. I'll never forget him: The AC smelled like catfish during the summer. The automatic locks didn't work when it rained. The driver's-side door wouldn't open for two months, and one of the backseat shoulder straps didn't retract.

A cappella groups perform in BSC

Kelley Dunn • April 18, 2008

The St. Louis Room in the Busch Student Center will be alive with the sound of music-beat boxing, whistling and a cappella music. On Friday, April 25, from 7 to 9 p.m., Saint Louis University's female a cappella group, Beyond All Reason, will host its annual spring show on the third floor of the BSC.

Midwest rockers The Audition bring tour to St. Louis

Megan Kenny • April 18, 2008

After the release of its second album, Champion (Victory Records, Jan. 22), Chicago-based, pop-punk band The Audition is enjoying its rising fame as it headlines the Spring Break '08 tour, presented by smartpunk.com. The tour includes bands Hit the Lights, Early Avenue and The Morning Light and played St. Louis' downtown venue 2 Cents Plain on Wednesday, April 16.

SLU students show artistic prowess

Will Holston • April 18, 2008

Students taking classes in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts will display their best work on campus beginning today in Boileau Hall as part of the Annual Student Art Exhibit. The show focuses on work from art students that has not previously been exhibited on campus galleries.

Exhibit encourages autism awareness

[email protected] • April 11, 2008

A local art gallery is giving a glimpse into the world of autistic children with a new exhibit of their artistic works that will coincide with April, which celebrates National Autism Awareness Month. The Sheldon Art Galleries will present the exhibition "Things That Matter: Art by Children with Autism," opening April 19 at the AT&T Gallery of Children's Art (3648 Washington Blvd.

‘OC’ star takes on challenging new role

Kelley Dunn • April 11, 2008

For actor Benjamin McKenzie, better known as brood first, punch second Ryan from FOX's "The OC," life after one of TV's most influential teen-dramas has been anything but expected. "TV is a very powerful medium," McKenzie said. "To be on a show that had some success and kind of permeated pop culture during its run . makes people associate you with that character, more so than if it was just a film or a short-lived experience.

New dark thriller takes place in college classroom

KATIE LEWIS • April 11, 2008

The characters in Will Lavender's haunting debut Obedience (Shaye Areheart, Feb. 19) have issues with authority-particularly, with their puzzling Logic and Reasoning 204 professor. Lavender's fast-paced labyrinthine thriller takes readers through an imaginary rural Indiana university with three college students, each initially concerned with grades, but soon concerned for his or her life.

R.E.M. Accelerates back into music scene

Matt Wilhelm • April 11, 2008

What is in a name? In the case of alternative music, a whole lot more than there used to be. The label of alternative music has been stretched wide to cover a wide variety of sounds that are neither rock, pop nor indie music. The question of whether indie music is nomenclature for a sound instead of simply the branding of a major label only adds another layer of ambiguity.

On the Inside: Eating, drinking and getting acknowledged

Kelley Dunn • April 11, 2008

Ever since I was knee-high to the Billiken Bush, I knew I had a calling. I had a special interest that was always above everything else, a longing that could never completely be fulfilled. I wanted to meet celebrities-and I wanted to meet them now. My desire for wanting people with even a hint of public recognition to recognize me started early on in my life, and I blame The Babysitter's Club.

Local band hits it big, releases new album

Carly Doenges • April 11, 2008

It has been three years since the release of their sophomore album In the Wake of Determination, and St. Louis' own Story of the Year is back on the scene with the band's new album The Black Swan (Epitaph Records, April 22). Story of the Year, which gained recognition in 2004 with the single "Until the Day I Die," has come a long way since the band's beginning.

SLU comedians take center stage versus Mizzou

Kelley Dunn • April 4, 2008

It was the battle of the belly laughs-and Saint Louis University did not come out on top. Rooftop Comedy's 1st Annual National College Comedy Competition took place on Tuesday, April 1, at Funny Bone Comedy Club (614 Westport Plaza). After cracking jokes at the first round of comedy held on March 3 at the Billiken Club, SLU's brightest comedians took the stage against the University of Missouri's most talented funnymen and women.