poppop

• friday • feb. 19 • 2010

also inside: ‘King’ is a royally

good movie •

Appleseed Castheads to Norman

• NMF3 announces

open call•

Texas Sapphiressparkle

•Pierced Arrows

are flying•

Jack Splashtalks big

Mean green

filming

machine

popEditor-in-Chief: Aaron Wright

Phone: 366-3533

Fax: 366-3516

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all other inquiries to:

pop@normantranscript.com

Weekly deadline: 5 p.m.

Monday

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pop is published

each Friday by

The Norman Transcript,

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Norman, OK 73070.

To advertise in this

section,

COVER ART: Filmmaker

Brent Green is pictured in

Colombia filming a short

narrative, “En Tus Manos”

or “In Your Hands.” Green

along with Jeff Goldberg

opened Toy Gun Films in

January 2009.

page two pop friday, feb. 19, 2010

• Shutter Island- A U.S.marshal (Mark Ruffalo) and hispartner (Leonardo DiCaprio)travel to a Massachusetts islandto investigate the disappearanceof a criminally insane patient.R.

• Dear John- When onleave, soldier John Tyree falls forcollege student SavannahCurtis, who is on her springbreak.The two carry on theirrelationship through letters asJohn faces seven years ofdeployment. PG-13.

• An Education: Jenny is a16-year old with the worldahead of her.When David, anolder, more worldly suitor,sweeps her off her feet, hersuccessful plans seem to go outthe window. PG-13.

• Avatar in 3D: A band ofhumans are pitted in a battleagainst a distant planet’sindigenous population. PG-13.

• Crazy Heart- Bad Blake(Jeff Bridges) is a travelingcountry musician with a roughpast. He meets Jean (MaggieGyllenhaal), a writer, who helpshim to understand who he isunder all his baggage. R.

NEW RELEASES• Shutter Island: A U.S. marshal

(Mark Ruffalo) and his partner(Leonardo DiCaprio) travel to aMassachusetts island to investigatethe disappearance of a criminallyinsane patient. R.

NOW PLAYING• Dear John: When on leave,

soldier John Tyree falls for collegestudent Savannah Curtis, who is onher spring break.The two carry ontheir relationship through letters asJohn faces seven years ofdeployment. PG-13.

• An Education: Jenny is a 16-year old with the world ahead ofher. When David, an older, moreworldly suitor, sweeps her off herfeet, her plans seem to go out thewindow. PG-13.

• Avatar in 3D: A band ofhumans are pitted in a battleagainst a distant planet’sindigenous population. PG-13.

• Crazy Heart: Bad Blake (JeffBridges) is a traveling countrymusician with a rough past. Hemeets Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), awriter, who helps him tounderstand who he is under all hisbaggage. R.

• Edge of Darkness: DetectiveThomas Craven (Mel Gibson) ison a mission to investigate thedeath of his daughter, an activist. Inhis search, he uncovers a corporateand government cover up. R.

• Extraordinary Measures: JohnCrowley (Brendan Fraser) is livingthe life. Climbing higher up thecorporate ladder at work and

building a home with his wife andthree children. His priorities beginto change, however, when his twoyoungest children are diagnosedwith fatal Pompe disease. Crowleyturns to Dr. Robert Stonehill tohelp him find a cure. PG.

• From Paris With Love: JamesReece sets aside his cushy CIA dayjob to pair up with Charlie Wax(John Travolta) in a scheme to stopa terrorist bombing plot. R.

• It’s Complicated: After adecade long divorce, Jane and Jakehave rediscovered sparks. R.

• Leap Year: After receivingearrings instead of an engagementring, Anna (Amy Adams) decidesto take things into her own handsby traveling to Dublin to proposeto her boyfriend. PG.

NEW RELEASES:• Shutter Island: A U.S. marshal

(Mark Ruffalo) and his partner(Leonardo DiCaprio) travel to aMassachusetts island to investigatethe disappearance of a criminallyinsane patient. R.

NOW SHOWING:Avatar 2D and 3D: A band of

humans are pitted in a battle againsta distant planet’s indigenouspopulation. PG-13.

• Crazy Heart: Bad Blake (JeffBridges) is a traveling countrymusician with a rough past. Hemeets Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), awriter, who helps him tounderstand who he is under all hisbaggage. R.

• Dear John: When on leave,soldier John Tyree falls for college

student Savannah Curtis, who is onher spring break.The two carry ontheir relationship through letters asJohn faces seven years ofdeployment. PG-13.

• Edge of Darkness: DetectiveThomas Craven (Mel Gibson) ison a mission to investigate thedeath of his daughter, an activitst. Inhis search, he uncovers a corporateand government cover up. R.

• From Paris With Love: JamesReece sets aside his cushy CIA dayjob to pair up with Charlie Wax(John Travolta) in a scheme to stopa terrorist bombing plot. R.

• Percy Jackson and theOlympians:The Lightning Thief:Accident-prone teenager Percy is infor a shock — he is the son ofPoseidon. He sets out on a quest

when he learns that Zeus’slightning has been stolen to preventa war between the gods. PG.

• The Book of Eli: DenzelWashington stars in this futuristicmovie that fights to bring Americaback from the wasteland it hasbecome. R.

• The Tooth Fairy: Six-year-oldTess is highly disappointed whenDerek tells her the tooth fairy isn’treal. PG.

• The Wolfman: A man returnsto his family estate to look for hismissing brother.There, he discoversa curse that turns men into beasts.R.

• Valentine’s Day:This movie,chocked full of several A-listers,connects 10 people and theirValentine’s Day experience. PG-13.

By Mary Anne Hempespecial to pop

I love the Oscars but they drive menuts, too — especially when it comesto snubs. I’m still bummed MalcolmMcDowell was ignored for hishilarious and horrifying portrayal ofAlex in “A Clockwork Orange.” I can’tbelieve that “Star Trek,” one of themost exhilarating movies of 2009,didn’t make the cut for Best Picture.And how could the Academy notnominate Rupert Everett for his stellarportrayal of England’s doomed KingCharles I in “To Kill a King” (2003)?

Our story takes place in 1645, at theend of a long and bloody civil war. Thecommon people have finally won adecisive victory over their hatedmonarch, Charles I (Everett), a lousyking who had been taxing them todeath for years.

Now the commoners want whatthey’ve been fighting for all along — aconstitution, where the people have asay in their government, instead offollowing the whims of an arrogantfool.

No one is more anxious to fulfillthat promise than the popular Gen.Thomas Fairfax (a dashing Dougray

Scott). Thomas led commoner troopsto many victories during the long warand they all love him; those same loyalsoldiers are now depending onThomas to follow through. WithCharles “imprisoned” (in his lavishcastle, servants following his everywhim), it’s time to start working onthe new rules of order. Thomas has nodoubt they’ll all be able to handle thetransition to a new government in acivilized way. This is still England,after all.

Unfortunately, negotiations gosouth from the start, thanks to crankyOliver Cromwell (Tim Roth).

Cromwell, who served as Thomas’ssecond-in-command during the war,despises the king. He feels no loyaltyto Charles and treats him with norespect. Thomas wants to approachthe king with diplomacy and tact, butCromwell ignores him and barrels inlike a mad dog, demanding thatCharles sign over his power.

Charles might appear to be asimpering sissy on the outside, but

underneath all that satin and lace is acunning politician who refuses tobudge. The throne is his by divineright and he will never give it up.

Thomas is horrified when a furiousCromwell demands that Charles beput on trial, and executed if necessary.Although Thomas supportsCromwell’s ideas for a new govern-ment, he cannot condone regicide.Besides, Thomas’s noble-born wife,the luscious Lady Anne (OliviaWilliams), is close to Charles, and hersnooty family would never forgive himif he didn’t at least try to stop thismadness.

When Thomas tells Cromwell hisplan stinks, Cromwell flies into a rageand demands that Thomas be arrestedfor treason. None of the guards willcarry out the order. No matter.Cromwell has more important mattersto tend to than the traitorous Thomas.Cromwell has a king to kill.

Roth is great, as always, but it’s thedivine Mr. Everett who steals theshow as Charles. Funny, flamboyant,tough and pathetic, Everett makessure we don’t forget that Charles I isthe real star of “To Kill a King.”

You can find “To Kill a King” (notrated) at Hastings. Check it out.

Films playing at Warren Theatre Films playing at Hollywood Spotlight 14

Films playing at RobinsonCrossing 6

A royally good movieMary Anne Hempe

Forgotten Video

By Andrew W. Griffinpop writer

The TexasSapphires“As He Wanders …”(Fluttering UvulaMusic)

Billy Brent Malkus, aformer Maryland hogfarmer-turned-punker-turned-country-crooner andRebecca Lucille Cannon, aKitty Wells-esque singerwith a love of classiccountry and early rock n’roll, recently came togetherand have chosen to makebeautiful country musicunder the classy banner, TheTexas Sapphires.

Malkus and Cannon,along with guitar-slingin’Bob “Slim Bawb” Pearce,may be the new kids on therural route but they knowhow to get you wishin’ youcould grab your best gal andhit the dancehall floor withtheir mighty fine debutalbum, “As He Wanders …”

The Sapphires kickthings off with the steady-as-she-goes “NashvilleMoon,” an Arty Hill song,followed by the pedal-steeled beauty “190.” Theyget it right, if you knowwhat I mean.

There’s a formal frivolityto “How Did I Get SoSloppy Drunk (When IWas Drinkin’ Neat)” andCannon shines on thespare and lovely “MakeHim Make Me.”

The lyrically brilliant“Stunt Double,” aninfectious Junior Brown-styled track, featuresMalkus on lead singingabout getting a “tough fellato stand right in” and takewhat’s coming to him fromhis upset woman.

You’ll go from laughingto crying when you hearCannon take the lead onthe mountaintop bluegrasssong “Teardrops Or Rain”in the vein of PattyLoveless’s “MountainSoul” material.

“Farmer’s Tan,” writtenby Pearce, is a barn-burning bluegrass stomperwhile “Freiheit Rag” is apicker-and-a-grinner of anacoustic instrumental thatfits well alongside thevocal-propelled tracks on“As He Wanders …”

Overall, this album fromThe Texas Sapphires isenjoyable and appealing,

particularly for fans ofrootsy Americana musicwith a Texas sensibility.

The Texas Sapphireswill make an appearanceFeb. 27 at the Silver DollarSaloon in the Route 66Bowl at 3810 NW 39thSt. Doors open at 7 p.m.and there is a $5 cover. Formore information, call946-2717. Or visit

By Doug Hill pop reviewer

Pierced ArrowsDescending ShadowsVice Music

Fred Cole (vocals/guitar)will be 62 this year.

He’s old enough to knowthat Pierce Arrow was a fineAmerican motorcar back inthe day. Something his 20-something publicist for thisalbum was unaware of.

Cole has played in a halfdozen combos since 1964and he’s brought thatexperience to bear in thisfine American rock LP.

Along with spouse Toody(bass/vocals) and percussion-ist Kelly Halliburton they’vemade an uncompromisingset of songs that are beautifulfor their raw and often brutal

integrity.Beautiful isn’t always

pretty and that’s what you’llhear in tracks “Let it Rain”and “Paranoia.” Cole’s guitarjangles maniacally and vocals

are rarely harmonized butthe emotion and passioncan’t be denied.

“Buried Alive” sends anarrow right to the heart ofour youth’s current propensi-ty for making music on anApple. “It’s a technogeneration watching whatcan fail/ They can bend yourmind with sound waves, putyou into hell.”

Track 3 “On Our Way” isa defiant and ultimatelyhappy anthem of remainingtrue to their roots.

It’s common for femalesinger-songwriters to includetheir lyrics in the liner notesbut Cole did it here, too,leaving no doubt just howdark his shadows can be.

Pierced Arrows are flying

Texas Sapphires sparkle on the music scene

page four pop friday, feb. 19, 2010

By Aaron Wrightentertainment editor

Brent Green didn’t comeout of the womb ready tomake movies. In fact, itwasn’t until he was exitinghis teen years the art beganto capture his interest.

“I was never into art ormusic or anything,” Greensaid.

While attending classes atSouthern Nazarene Univer-sity in Bethany, Green reallybegan to dive into thecreative world.The next stopon his journey involvedassisting his dad on locationfor the filming of “End ofthe Sphere,” which his fatherproduced.Throughout hiswork, Green discovered hispassion for films.

“I learned on the job,”Green said of his skilldevelopment throughout themovie.

His following stint wasworking for his dad’s newlyformed documentarycompany. He started byassisting with the editing ofthe documentaries andended his two years there asvice president of new media.

Since then, it’s been a fastand furious ride that led this

26-year-old to create hisown film company,Toy GunFilms.

Toy Gun officially openedin January 2009, with anoffice in the Oklahoma Cityand an office in the LosAngeles area, where Green’spartner Jeff Goldberg works.

The goal of the filmcompany is to tell storiesaround the world thatchampion moral courage,Green said.Toy Gun is a(501 C3) not-for-profitenterprise.

“We do short films,documentaries and,hopefully, a full-lengthfeature one day,” Green said.“These can make a realdifference and be used inschool settings.”

A few months afteropening, Green foundhimself in Colombia, filmingwhat would become thecompany’s first shortnarrative, “En Tus Manos”or “In Your Hands.”

For this film, Greenpartnered with a productioncompany in Columbia. Healso hooked up with OneHope, a Colombianministry.

“They do a lot of value-based ministries,” Green

said. One Hope providedToy Gun Films with thestoryline for “En TusManos.”The tale is aboutCarlos, a young Colombianteen. Raised in an abusivehome in a violent neighbor-hood, Carlos decides to joina notorious gang. When he’sasked to murder a localpastor for his gang, Carlosbegins to re-evaluate his lifeand what he’s doing with it.

“It was a great story,” saidGreen.

“En Tus Manos” waswritten by Oscar Torres, whoalso authored “Voces

Innocentes.”The lead actresswas Paulina Gaitan, who hasalso appeared in the films“Trade” and “Sin Nombre.”

The film was screened inOklahoma City in Januaryat Harkins Theater.Currently, it is making itsrounds at film festivals aswell as being screened toyouth throughout LatinAmerica.

Green said he alsoknows of people who arescreening the film to gangmembers in Oklahoma.

Toy Gun also hasproduced a documentary

called “One Drop-WishingWell,” a story about thewater crisis in Rwanda.Green sees his next projecttaking place in Japan,highlighting materialismand “compensated dating.”He expects this to be onthe same scale as “En TusManos,” a short film withpotential to screen at

various venues. This will beGreen’s directorial debut.

Green also would like tostart shooting music videosfor local musicians. He hasplans to make a video forsinger Sherree Chamber-lain.

For more information onthe company, visit toygun-films.com.

On the cover

Local film company champions moral courage

pop staff

The Norman MusicFestival open call for musicvideos begins today.

This year the NormanMusic Festival will choosefrom original music videosby Oklahoma bands. Onceall music videos are receivedand reviewed, many favoriteswill be selected and shownon screens in the SoonerTheatre and other areasduring NMF3.

Bands have more thanone month to submit their

favorite song to NMF3.After March 25, judges willbegin the process to findOklahoma’s best originalmusic videos.

Entries must adhere tothe following guidelines:

• All music in videos mustbe original and written andperformed by the Oklahomaband submitting the video.Due to copyright issues onlyoriginal videos are qualified.

• All genres will beconsidered, and most will beincluded in the festival toone extent or another. Butthe Norman Music Festival

is, generally speaking, anIndie music festival.

• The Norman MusicFestival is a family orientedevent that is free and open tothe public. No videoscontaining nudity, violence,and/or profanity will beaccepted.

• Ensure the video/audiois of high enough quality.Low quality video or audiomay prohibit NMF3 fromplaying a video during thefestival.

To enter, include a copy ofthe music video on a DVDalong with a Band Bio, 150

words or less, describing theband is and what they areabout. Provide a band nameand contact information,including a contact person,phone number and valid e-mail address. Include thedisclaimer, which can beuploaded from www.nor-manmusicfestival.com.

Entries can be submittedto: Norman Arts Council,PO Box 85, Norman, OK73070, ATTN: NMFMusic Video.

Every submission willreceive a confirmation e-

mail within 72 hours of itsreception. Many moredetails, as well as entrytemplates, are available atwww.NormanMusicFesti-val.com.

The third annualNorman Music Festival willbe April 24 and April 25.The festival is free andopen to the public and willtake place on the 100, 200

and 300 blocks of historicDowntown East MainStreet, east of the railroadtracks in the Arts District.

For more information onthe Norman MusicFestival, open call and theofficial rules, call HollyJones at nmfpr@norma-narts.org or visit www.nor-manmusicfestival.com.

page five pop friday, feb. 19, 2010

NMF3 announces open call for music videos

• Group to performFeb. 24By Aaron Wrightentertainment editor

The Appleseed Cast,which hails fromLawrence, Kan., will kickoff a new tour at Norman’sOpolis Feb. 24.

On this tour the bandwill look to their past, play-ing songs from twoalbums, “Owl 1” and “Owl2,” released in the early2000s.

“It’s sort of like the 10-year anniversary,” said gui-tarist Aaron Pillar. Thealbum has recently been re-released on vinyl.

The Flaming Lips hasbeen one of the influencesfor the band over the years— a band that stayed trueto their sound and didn’tchange to fit into the fadmusic of the time. It took

them time to get discov-ered for the talent theyoffered, but they contin-ued making music, Pillarsaid.

“You want to play musicyou like and music youhope other people like,”he said.

Pillar said the processof revisiting the band’solder work has reinvigo-rated the group for song-writing.

Their last album,“Sagarmatha” was releasedin early 2009. AppleseedCast is in the process of

recording another album.They expect it to hitstores fall 2010 or early2011.

Check out the band at their MySpace,www.myspace.com/theap-pleseedcast, or at 8 p.m.next Friday at Opolis.

Appleseed Cast kicks off tour at Opolis

photo provided

The Appleseed Cast, which hails from Lawrence, Kan., will kick off a new tour atNorman’s Opolis Feb. 24.

By Doug Hillpop reviewer

Jack SplashHeir to the Throne Vol.I MixtapeJ Records

Jack Splash is betterknown for producing themusic of Alicia Keys, JohnLegend and Shakira, ratherthan making his ownrecords. He wants to changethat and isn’t thinking small.In a press sheet Splash isquoted as saying, “I wantedto make my version of ‘Sgt.Pepper’s’ or ‘Dark Side of theMoon’ for this generation.”That’s some big talk, but ifthis compilation is indicativeof what’s coming in a full-onLP later this year, there’s heft

backingthehype. “UDon’tKnowWhatYou’reMissin”high-lightsSplash’srever-ence forclassicfunk,harmony and horn sections.The lyrics and guestappearance by T-Pain are21st century but thearrangement and soul are1965 Detroit.Three trackstake their titles from legendsLittle Richard, Sly Stone

andJamesBrown.“In theFuture”and“Like aRing-tone” arestrictlyfluff andnot the“forevermusic”he’s

aiming for. But no matter,even the White Album hasits “Rocky Raccoon” toss off.Splash may not be heir toJohn Lennon’s throne butAndre 3000’s is anothermatter entirely.

ROBOTMAN & MONTY® by Jim Meddick

Jack Splash talks big