19 FILM REVIEWS times feels like a fashion mon- tage married to a music video. The truth is that she has a good strong voice with exactly the right amount of range to pull off the many songs required for this movie, but we never really get to enjoy the voice the movie is way too concerned with making sure that the music doesnt inter- fere with shots of Aguilera doing a fan dance or writhing around on a sofa. Burlesque does not shoot high enough, or maybe its low enough, to really be the movie it prom- ises. There isnt enough camp or enough seriousness brought to the endeavor and I found myself always wanting both more (in the way of singing and burlesque stagecraft) and less (everything else). But it does make for a very fun, very bedazzled runner-up to the all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza I really want it to be. B- Rated PG-13 for sexual content including several suggestive dance routines, partial nudity, language and some thematic material. Writ- ten and directed by Steve Antin, Burlesque is an hour and 40 min- utes long and distributed in wide release by Sony Pictures. Bob Thornton) on his tail. This shady-seeming law enforcement officer (in his last few days before retirement but of course) has problems of his own, including his untrusting partner (Carla Gugino) and his angry, divorce-seeking wife, Marina (Moon Bloodgood). In addition to a seething need for vengeance and having Johnny Law on the chase for him, Driver is being hunted himself by a com- puter genius turned psychokiller (Oliver Jackson-Cohen). Seems one of Drivers potential victims is getting proactive. Few character names, slender threads of plot, wisps of charac- ter motivation, lines of dialogue consisting of only one word Faster has pared down the revenge movie to its barest elements, leaving the most room possible for fighting and killing. At times, this works perfectly. Car chases, fight scenes, shootouts these are the reasons youd see a movie like Faster to begin with. (And, incidentally, while the movie does have some speedy driving, faster isnt particularly meaningful as a title angrier or muscley-er would have fit better. On the other hand, in this why-waste-time-with- words affair, faster works as well as any other random word.) My quibbles with Faster dont come from its sparseness or its laser focus on the tough-guy stuff. There was at times something grim and unfun about the movies approach, and a sudden burst of plot near the end muddles things just at the moment when youre looking for the most impact. There is very little joy about this movie, very little excitement in how its put together. A movie doesnt have to be all clowns and monkeys to be fun and energetic, but Faster is frequently dull and plodding where it should be speedy and lively. Faster offers plenty of nonstop action but not quite enough fun. C+ Rated R for strong violence, some drug use and language. Directed by George Tillman Jr. and written by Tony Gayton and Joe Gayton, Fasteris an hour and 38 minutes long and distributed in wide release by CBS Films. Burlesque By AMY DIAZ For the York Independent Cant afford Chicago? Want that Cabaret feel but without the impending fascism? I give you Burlesque a totally unnecessary, frequently hilarious, sporadically awesome movie. There are three songs in this movie three! about the fact that what the singers and dancers are doing, right then as they are singing, is, in fact, burlesque. It would be like a movie about art where the main characters spent a lot of time painting still-lifes of paintbrushes and acrylic tubes, just so you really got that they were artists. This movie works on that level of subtlety why just have feathers when feathers, glitter and fishnet tights really drive the point home? Ali (Christina Aguilera) is just a small-town girl living in a lonely midwest world who takes a mid- afternoon bus going anywhere specifically to Los Angeles to be a Star!, which we know that she can be because weve seen her do an impressive song-and-dance routine at the bar where she was waitress- ing. Shockingly I mean, gasp she is not able to instantly find a job as a singer and/or dancer. However, while walking down the street, Ali sees a girl, tarted up in a corset and stockings like some kind of naughty Sugar Plum Fairy, and follows her inside what appears to be a nightclub in the Weimar Republic, complete with Alan Cumming (who plays some kind of performer or something; his awesomeness really serves no purpose here I suspect he comes with the costumes). There, she is enchanted by burlesque and all its retro-glam sexiness. She approaches the clubs owner, Tess Burlesque (PG-13) (Cher), and attempts to get herself a job interview. When that doesnt work, she sweet-talks bartender Jack (Cam Gigandet) into letting her work as a waitress, thus get- ting her sparkly-shoe-wearing foot in the door at the club, where she eventually gets a chance to dance on stage. Top girl Nikki (Kristen Bell) is none too thrilled with this blonde and sassy newcomer, but her attempt to sink Ali backfires when she turns off the vocal track the girls usually lip-sync to. Turns out, Ali isnt only able to perform Nikkis moves but she has a good set of pipes on her as well. Stanley Tucci also appears here my guess is that, as with Alan Cumming, hes onscreen because if you have this much fabulous- ness in a movie, by law, you must also have Tucci, even if you dont really have a role for him. Its, like, an OSHA thing. As there are really only two characters who matter in this movie and Cher and Christina are already diva-ing it out in those roles, Tucci has to settle for the relatively thankless job of playing Chers gay best friend (though he does eventually get a little charming romance of his own). Peter Gallagher shlumps through the movie a few times, playing a sad sack whose only real job is to make Cher look even more glittery and goddess-like by comparison. And because Chris- tina isnt one to be outshone in the outshining-supporting-c department, Eric Dane oozes through the story like some kind of mucus-secreting, spray-tanned slug. SPOILER ALERT we never get the much-longed-for Cher/ Aguilera sing-off. Nor, because this is PG-13, do we really get any naughty bits. And, while Im mak- ing a list of things we dont get, theres also very little in the way of believable dialogue, sense-mak- ing plot or multi-dimensional char- acters. But what Burlesque lacks in storytelling basics it makes up for in jazz hands and sequins. This isnt a movie about plot or ra- tional actions this is a movie about a fad that crested some five or so years back and how much more spectacular that fad can be if you add Cher to it. Because, my god, Cher is a whole kick-line musical by herself. Her skin is disturbingly unwrinkled, her face is fascinatingly flawless, her voice is strangely deep and smoky but also breathy and thin. Sometimes she sounds like someone doing an impersonation of Cher, sometimes she sounds like a woman with a bean up her nose and serious chest cold. Who what is this woman? I dont know and yet I cant help but watch her. Christina Aguilera isnt quite that far down the road into fanta- syland, but shes moving there at a fast clip with this movie that at Cyan Magenta Yellow Black The Rock memorizes some nine lines of dialogue and gets to work killing stuff in Faster, a revenge- based action movie built around the concept Rock want smash. And if Dwayne Johnson had ever actually said Rock want smash in the movie, it would have been one of his longer speeches. We first see the character identi- fied mostly as Driver (Johnson) pacing his jail cell, looking like an angry bull raring to trample some tourists. As soon as the prison gate opens, he runs to the car that will take him from one person to the next, exacting (as we eventually figure out) revenge on the people he holds responsible for his broth- ers death. Because this brand of justice leaves bodies in its wake, the Driver soon has a Cop (Billy Faster (R) 19 WHERE TO SEE THE FLICKS For films and showtimes, call the theater. Wells Five Star Cinema 7 75 Wells Plaza, Wells, Maine (207) 646-0500 Regal Cinemas New- ington 15 45 Gosling Road, Newington, N.H. (603) 431-4200 The Music Hall 28 Chestnut St., Ports- mouth, N.H. (207) 436-9900 Smittys Sanford Cinema & Pub 1364 Main St., Sanford, Maine (207) 490-0000 Smittys Cinemas Biddeford 8 420 Alfred Road, Bid- deford, Maine (207) 283-4500 The Cinemagic & IMAX in Saco 779 Portland Road, Saco, Maine (207) 282-6234 Cinemagic Grand Stadium at Clarks Pond 333 Clarks Pond High- way, South Portland, Maine (207) 772-6023 Faster 19 December 3 - 16, 2010 The York Independent
1 York The Independent The hometown voice of the greater York region FREE Dec. 3 - 23, 2009 Volume 11 Issue 24 April 10 - April 16, 2010 Volume 13 Issue 7 Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Inside: introducing yorks gingerbread house expert! PAGE 4 Free www.yorkindependent.net Not budging ge me Pa o H furt
2 Publishers Note 300 years and counting By JEFF RAPSIS The York Independent Last June, this newspaper published a story about Boon Islandyou know, that pile of rocks that pokes above the surface of the ocean about six miles off the York coast. Our focus was the Boon Island Lighthouse, which we dubb
3 Local winners will advance to the District, State and National shoot-off. The Elks Hoop Shoot is the largest non-commercial co- educational sports program in the country. For more information contact Jim Pratt at 361-2965. Ogunquit to celebrate Christmas by the Sea Beginning Friday, Dec. 10 and co
4 Sarah patch 4 Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Q&A By Taryn Plumb The York Independent Shes built up walls and torn them down. Shes even eaten a few. Clearly, were not talking drywall herethis is the domain of the gumdrop- festooned, candy cane-embellished, icing-sided gingerbread house. And just in time
5 a crucial component. Should people eat them? Depending on the source and where they get it, they eat them. It also depends on the turnaround time. The ingredients are edible, its just a matter of choice. Some families have fun traditions where they put it outside and the birds eat it throughout th
6 me Page o H Cover Story Catch a Piece of Maine 6 Cyan Magenta Yellow Black A guide to online shopping for food-related gifts from Maine By SARAH GRANT The York Independent So youve decided you want to buy Maine products as often as possible in order to keep Maine money in Maine and help our local
syrup since the early 1900s. In annual state competitions, their syrup has been judged to be the best in the state for six of the past nine years. They The answer the phone dur- Lariviere family ing regular has been maple business hours, Mon- syrup since the day through early 1900s. Friday from 8 a.
8 Listings Send us your listings! List your event in the York Independent for free! Listings are run on a space available basis. Send complete information about your event, including exactly when and where it takes place, any admission charges, and anything else necessary for readers to take action.
9 Visual Arts Listings holiday tunes Send us your listings! Got a gallery exhibit coming up? Send the info to yorkindependent gmail.com. Listings run on a space available basis Jonathans Ogunquit is proud to announce the first ever Young Maine Readers Holiday Tea at Jonathans. Join special guest au
10 Its a Fabulous Fundraiser! When the power went out... Tues., Dec 7 th , 2010 Social Hour:....5pm Dinner: ............6pm ize Surpr s! Door Prizes! Great Food! 10 Cyan Magenta Yellow Black We care about you and your family so so we offer a variety We care about you and your family - we offer a var
11 ART PO Box 850 Per Gal *For up-to-the-minute pricing please visit www.yorkoil.net York Beach, ME 03910 his street one house stood out not that it Price Is: An Affiliated Company of Woods Family, Inc. 9/10* Tel. 363-OILS www.yorkoil.net was unusual, it just seemed to have more Per Gal *For up-to-
12 L ocal FOOD By SARAH GRANT The York Independent James Haller met Phil Hughes when Phil was the baker and cook at Flynns News Stand in the village of South Berwick. James, who likes to be called Jim, was going through a bout of cancer, and Phil was the only guy in the neighborhood who made him the
13 Cannot be combined with any other offer. Coupon has no cash value. Must be presented at time of purchase. F lavor s Breakfast Lunch Sandwich Sandwich 50 Off $1 Off Breakfast & Lunch FULL LINE OF ESPRESSO DRINKS AND LARGE COFFEE SELECTION. 18 DIFFERENT BAGELS, SOUPS, SALADS, SANDWICHES, FROZEN DRI
14 Eat here A weekly column about local food Winter Farmers Markets: The first of the season Gateway Winter Farmers Market at Wentworth Greenhouses (141 Rollins Road, Rollinsford, N.H. (603) 742- 1113) picked up where the last one left off last spring without skipping a beat. There were 52 vendors
15 Holiday Open House Dec 3, 4 & 5 th G Irwin Co Fine Jewelry Ann Pardoe Owner Join us for holiday cheer, refreshments, unique items at affordable prices. Enter our drawing for a $100.00 shopping giveaway. New Store Now Open! Ann Veronica Meadowbrook Plaza 647 US Route 1 York (do not have to be pre
16 in Alfred, or at Shaker Hill Kitchens on Thornton Ave. in Saco. People interested in having cards mailed to them will be asked to pay for the postage. Please contact Mary Doyle at 324-1137 or by e-mail at mqdoyle gmail.com if you would like to support the York County Shelter Programs and order an
17 Music listings WHOS PLAYING, WHEN & WHERE FRIDAY, DEC. 3 Chris Isaak, 8 p.m, Tickets are $90 or $75. Tickets can be purchased at The Music Hall box office at 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, NH, by phone at (603) 436-2400, or online at www.themusichall.org. Nanci Griffith, 8 p.m., Jonathans Restaur
18 CAR TALK BY TOM AND RAY MAGLIOZZI Loose bolts may be cause of major excitement RAY: Did the Check Engine light come on? Finally, a good use for that light! TOM: I dont think the engine fell out, Robyn. But it could have fallen down. RAY: You really cant run over the engine and see it bouncing dow
19 FILM REVIEWS times feels like a fashion mon- tage married to a music video. The truth is that she has a good strong voice with exactly the right amount of range to pull off the many songs required for this movie, but we never really get to enjoy the voice the movie is way too concerned with maki
20 THE PET CONNECTION Looking for a home Ogunquit, Christmas by the Sea hosts a Cookie Walk from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4, upstairs at the Dunaway Center at 23 School St. The Village Food Market, 230 Main St., will graciously supply cookies for the Animal Welfare Society table
21 NEWS OF RECORD OBITUARIES Ernie Reppucci Ernie Reppucci, 64, of 2 Skylark Lane, died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 at home. He was born Aug.10, 1946 in Cam- bridge, Mass., a son of the late Ernest J. and Margaret B. (Murray) Reppucci Jr. He had worked as an auto body tech and also an alignment tech at S
Classified Ads $8.00 per 15 words. Payment is due when ad is placed. We accept cash, check and all major credit cards. ADVERTISING DEADLINE Monday by 5:00 p.m. prior to publication date. 22 CLASSIFIED LINE ADS Call 363-8484 x3, email classifiedsyorkindepen or stop by The York Independent office, 4 M
23 COMMUNITY SERVICE Send us your listings! Let the community know about your group, service, or good cause. E-mail it to us at yorkindependentgmail.c Listings run on a space available basis. Donations, volunteers needed The Yarn Sellar is support- ing a local mom with a deployed soldier knit up of
24 Realty One Office: 439 US Route One York, ME 03909 84 School St (intersection of RT 1) Ogunquit, ME 03907 Each offi ce independently owned & operated & 207.363.2497 MOODY Toll Free: 800.272.4366 YORK BEACH 207.646.4546 YORK Priced to Sell All Day Long! Value you might find in a short sale, but r
