DVD review: “My Name is Bruce”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
“My Name Is Bruce”
With its kitschy horror, wisecracking humor and do-it-yourself production values, “My Name Is Bruce” lives up to its promise as the ultimate Bruce Campbell movie.
As with his funny 2005 book “Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way,” the B-movie star brings a hilarious, ego-defying brand of meta humor to the low-budget film. He plays a boozy, womanizing, obnoxious version of himself, an insufferable actor whose career in bargain-basement horror flicks has hit an all-time low with the horrid creature feature “Cave Alien 2″ (a spoof of Campbell’s Sci-Fi Channel movie “Alien Apocalypse”).
When a group of sex-crazed teenagers in small-town Gold Lick, Ore., defile the ancient graves of Chinese miners, they accidentally unleash the fearsome deity Guan-di, Chinese protector of the dead and bean curd.
Jeff (Taylor Sharpe), the only teen to survive Guan-di’s initial attack, is a Bruce Campbell superfan, and he persuades the townsfolk that their only hope is to kidnap Bruce and pit him against the deadly demon.
Convinced the situation is an elaborate birthday hoax arranged by his agent (Ted Raimi, entertaining in multiple roles), Bruce goes along with the villagers – until his first encounter with Guan-di. Bruce then must decide whether he has any real-life heroics in him.
“My Name Is Bruce” is packed with broad, satirical humor, cheesy special effects and Campbell’s mega-watt charm. Not all the gags work – Do we really need another “Brokeback Mountain” spoof? – but fans of the “Evil Dead” trilogy will delight in seeing Campbell and several familiar faces in full-on B-movie mode.
Oklahomans should keep an eye out for former local newsmen Butch and Ben McCain, who play Gold Lick’s musical mayor and sheriff and perform the folksy tune “Guan-di Is His Name.”
And Bruce Campbell fans will be thrilled to see that their B-movie hero’s steady gig on the successful and widely praised USA show “Burn Notice” hasn’t dulled his horror-comic sensibilities.
DVD features: The in-depth making-of documentary “Heart of Dorkness,” several behind-the-scenes featurettes, commentary with Campbell, trailer and a fake trailer and making-of featurette on “Cave Alien 2.”
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Q&A: “Fired Up!” becomes a learning experience for Nicholas D’Agosto
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Cheerleading film proved educational for actor
Crazy girl talk “Fired Up” star Nicholas D’Agosto
Nicholas D’Agosto may never need catch a cheerleader or base a human pyramid again, but the young actor still counts his starring role in the new teen sex comedy “Fired Up!” as an educational experience.
D’Agosto, 28, and Eric Christian Olsen star as high school lotharios who con their way onto the cheerleading squad so they can spend their summer romancing hundreds of pom-pom girls at cheerleading camp.
D’Agosto made his film debut while still in high school, when fellow Omaha, Neb., native Alexander Payne cast him in the 1999 cult favorite “Election.” After taking graduating from Marquette University, D’Agosto returned to acting with roles in TV shows “Heroes” and “The Office” and in independent films like “Rocket Science.”
The actor talked in a phone interview about what he has learned since “Election” and how he got “Fired Up” for his latest film.
Q: It looked like you were having fun in “Fired Up!”
A: We were having an immense amount of fun, actually. Eric and I really didn’t know each other … before we were cast in the film, but we spent three weeks at cheer camp before that kind of getting ready for some of the things that we would be doing in the film. But we really just hit it off as friends. … It was a really great feeling on set every day.
Q: So you actually had to go to cheer camp to prepare for the movie?
A: Yeah, I mean, the movie’s about these two guys, and that’s the most important thing. … It really is driven by the relationship of these two guys and their desire, you know, to kind of play out these impulses. …
For the cheer side of it, we did end up doing a lot of the moves you see on camera. Not the really acrobatic moves, of course, but most of the basing, the lifting, the catching. These types of things we did practice for a few weeks with a professional choreographer.
Q: Was it anything like the cheer camp in the movie?
A: Well, no. We shot at a stage down on the Sony lot, with a lot of pads laid out, but it was us two guys and 15 girls. Some of them were the principle actors … and the majority of them were the professional dancers … that were part of the (cheerleading) team. …
I tell you, One thing I wasn’t quite aware of is that when you are extremely outnumbered by a lot of girls and they become comfortable, it is outrageous what kind of stories they tell behind closed doors. (laughs) Eric and I became privy to a lot of really like crazy girl talk; in that way, I think we got an education.
Q: Since you made your debut in “Election,” which came out 10 years ago, what have learned as an actor?
A: It was what got my foot in the door. And I went out for that audition with a few of my friends … totally naïve to the process, but within a few weeks, I was reading opposite Matthew Broderick. It was really wild. …
I’ve learned an enormous amount about the business itself, about what it takes – the stamina and the dedication and the diligence – to succeed out here. …The challenge, of course, becomes picking yourself up and continuing on year after year after year, because for many of us, it’s a slow build. And I’m very, very thankful and I have a wonderful career, but it’s hard work. … I’m very comfortable with who I am as an actor now and excited to try all kinds of things.
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“Saving Grace” creator, actor visit Oklahoma City
“Saving Grace” actor Leon Rippy, who stars as Earl in the series, signs a DVD cover for Matt Westphalen Thursday at an event at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
Former University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer poses for a photo with “Saving Grace” creator Nancy Miller, Leon Rippy, who stars as Earl, and Becky Switzer at an event Thursday at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Switzer appeared in an episode of the show earlier this season. (Photos by Steve Gooch/The Oklahoman)
From Friday’s The Oklahoman.
The challenges of casting city’s TV stand-in
Oklahoma City native Nancy Miller senses a special vibe when she steps off an airplane in her hometown.
But recreating the people, places and peculiarities of her hometown on her TV show “Saving Grace” isn’t easy.
“It’s just difficult. Our season opener started in Bricktown, and it just didn’t look like Bricktown, but we did the best we could,” said Miller, the series creator and executive producer, said Thursday at The Oklahoman.
Miller and actor Leon Rippy returned to Oklahoma City Thursday to host a screening of the next new episode of “Saving Grace” at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. The second season of the TNT series resumes at 9 p.m. m2 Monday after a six-month hiatus.
Guests at the screening included Mayor Mick Cornett, former Oklahoma City Police Chief M.T. Berry, who has consulted with Miller on the show, and former University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer, who appeared in an episode earlier this season.
The series follows Grace Hanadarko (Holly Hunter), a self-destructive Oklahoma City police detective who is visited by an angel (Rippy). sent to help her reform her life.
In upcoming episodes, Grace and her colleagues investigate a murder in Heritage Hills, follow leads to Penn Square Mall and squabble over OU-Texas football. But in reality, the series is filmed in Los Angeles.
Miller said Oklahoma City doesn’t have the resources to support the series’ production. In the past, a second unit has come to Oklahoma City to get location shots.
“We don’t have the money to do it this season,” she said. “It is a great place; I wish we could show it to them (viewers).”
The series location manager, Gary Watt, hails from Oklahoma City, so he knows what to look for when he searches for places to film. Rippy said Miller’s first-hand knowledge is invaluable, too.
“I love it here. I love it. You know, it reminds me of home. People are friendly,” said Rippy, a Rock Hill, S.C., native.
“Saving Grace”
The second season of “Saving Grace” resumes at 9 p.m. Monday on TNT. The season will end with seven new episodes.
Christina Ricci (“Speed Racer”) will be featured in three episodes, starting with tonight’s.
Production on the third season will start April 1, with the new season set to debut in summer.
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What to do in Oklahoma on Feb. 27
Today’s featured event:
Hear Denton, Texas-based polka/rock band Brave Combo at 8 p.m. today at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley Ave.
To learn more about Brave Combo, go to www.myspace.com/bravecombo.
For more information on the show, go to www.bluedoorokc.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
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Weekend Warmup
Aaron Douglas (1899-1979), “The Creation,” 1935, from the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s special exhibit “Harlem Renaissance.”
A preview of Oklahoma events happening Feb. 27-March 1:
Arts
- Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s Free Admission Saturday: Take advantage of Free Admission Saturday, sponsored by Allied Arts of Oklahoma City, this weekend at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. Saturday hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. . See the “Harlem Renaissance” exhibit and make Mardi Gras masks during Drop-in Art from 1 to 4 p.m. Information: www.okcmoa.com.
- “The Diary of Anne Frank”: Oklahoma Children’s Theatre and TheatreOCU stage “The Diary of Anne Frank” at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Oklahoma City University’s Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center, 2501 N Blackwelder Ave. Information: 951-0011 or www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org.
George Lopez
Comedy
- George Lopez: Laugh with comedian George Lopez at 8 p.m. Friday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: 297-2264 or www.georgelopez.com.
Derek Trucks Band
Music
- Derek Trucks Band with Aaron Squirrel: See the Derek Trucks Band with Aaron Squirrel at 7 p.m. Sunday at Coca-Cola Bricktown Events Center, 425 E California. Information: (866) 966-1777 or www.okctickets.com.
- Stoney LaRue with Mama Sweet: Hear Red Dirt singer-songwriter Stoney LaRue with Mama Sweet at 9 p.m. Saturday at JT’s Cowtown USA, 40501 Benson Park Rd., Shawnee. Information: www.stoneylarue.com or www.mamasweet.com.
Starlight Mints
- Starlight Mints with Crocodile: Listen to local experimental pop-rock band Starlight Mints with Crocodile at 9 p.m. Saturday at The Opolis, 113 N Crawford. Information: www.okctickets.com or www.starlightmints.com.
- Son Volt: Hear alt-country group Son Volt with Doug Burr at 10 p.m. Friday at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Information: www.wormydog.com.
- Brave Combo: Catch Denton, Texas-based polka/rock band Brave Combo at 8 p.m. Friday at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley Ave. Information: www.bluedoorokc.com.
The World-Famous Lipizzaner Stallions (Associated Press photo)
Statewide
- The World-Famous Lipizzaner Stallions, TULSA: See the World-Famous Lipizzaner Stallions at 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Information: www.bokcenter.com.
- Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, TULSA: Hear Ryan Adams & the Cardinals at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Brady Theater, 105 W Brady Street. Information: www.bradytheater.com.
- Sanders Family Bluegrass Festival, ARDMORE: Check out the Sanders Family Bluegrass Festival at 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday at Lake Murray Resort, Interstate 35, Exit 24, in Ardmore. The event will include the Faris Family, Salt Grass, Southern Gentlemen, Eddie Sanders and Friends, Boggy River Bluegrass and White House Harmony. Information: (918) 423-4891.
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Christopher Titus’ “Love Is Evol” becomes ratings success
Comedian Christopher Titus’s latest standup special, “Love Is Evol,” debuted on Comedy Central on Valentine’s Day. The 90-minute show’s draw was so strong it came in No. 2 for all broadcasts, network and cable, with 18- to 34-year-olds in its time slot, according to a news release.
The hilarious and unflinching look at dating, marriage, divorce and tour de force on all things love was released Feb. 17 on audio CD, debuting at No. 2 on the comedy chart and No. 10 on the top new artists chart, and on DVD by Comedy Central Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment.
Titus declares his no-holds-barred intent at the special’s outset: “If you are here tonight and you’ve never contemplated suicide, you’ve never been in love. If you are here tonight and you’ve never contemplated murder, you’ve never gotten divorced. … Tonight’s show will fix your relationship or break it. Either way - you are welcome.”
With his keen eye for the comically absurd and vibrant actor’s presence, Titus slices away at such hot-button subjects as his divorce, his parents and his own conception (“my umbilical cord was a crazy straw”), sex, jealously (“the relationship death camp”), capri pants, men’s underwear, Alec Baldwin and “dating after 20 years in a relationship.” Titus takes the true tales from his vividly wild life and spins them into irresistible hilarity. The show ends on a high note as Titus cracks wise about his new relationship with an “out-of-my league” woman. “I have a dream,” he concludes, “because I have lived a nightmare.”
Titus has become one of today’s most provocative comedians by transforming his own dysfunctional family background and bizarre life experiences into side-splitting and insightful comedy. He starred, created and executive produced his self-titled Fox TV series “Titus” from 2000-02.
Raised in a family with parents who suffered from mental illness and alcoholism, Titus turned his background in fodder for comedy. Starting his career at age 18 and forging his way to popularity on the comedy club circuit, he debuted his one-man show “Norman Rockwell Is Bleeding” at the Hudson Theater in Los Angeles. His often dark and deeply personal storytelling connected with audiences and critics and became a hit. After wowing comedy fans at Canada’s prestigious Montreal Just for Laughs Festival in 1996, ’97 and ’99, Titus brought the show to the festival in 2000 for a sold-out run at Montreal’s Centaur Theatre.
“Norman Rockwell Is Bleeding” also became Titus’ first Comedy Central special in 2006 and was later released on CD. He followed it in 2007 with his “The 5th Annual End of the World Tour” on Comedy Central, which was released as a two CD set by Comedy Central Records.
He is also the founder of The Insight Project, a nonprofit organization that raises money for children who have suffered abusive backgrounds.
Titus also customizes classic cars and has written for Hot Rod and Street Rodder magazines, and appeared in 2004 on The Learning Channel’s “Rides,” detailing the construction of a Grand Master custom hot rod and the modeling of a customized Ford Thunderbird.
“I think our collective psychosis is hilarious,” Titus says in the release. “With the world moving as fast as it is, if we weren’t dysfunctional, we couldn’t function.”
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Def Leppard coming to Tulsa’s BOK Center
Def Leppard
British arena rock band Def Leppard will join forces with Poison and special guest Cheap Trick for a 40-city North American Tour set to stop in Tulsa’s BOK Center on Aug. 22.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. March 7; prices are to be announced. They will be available online at www.bokcenter.com, area Reasor’s and Homeland stores, Arby’s Box Office or by calling(866) 7BOKCTR.
Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning March 4 at 10 a.m. local time through Citi’s Private Pass Program. For complete presale details, go to www.privatepass.citi.com.
With combined sales of 100 million albums worldwide, and 65 million from Def Leppard alone, fans can expect hits like “Photograph,” “Rock Of Ages,” “C’mon C’mon,” “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” “Foolin’,” “Bringin’ On The Heartbreak, “Nine Lives,” and many others.
The tour, which kicks off June 23 in Camden, N.J., will highlight three decades of music from three great rock ‘n’ roll bands for a four-hour interactive concert experience that will begin the moment that the doors open. It will feature Bluetooth technology and delivery, text communications prior to and during performances and a host of interactive offerings. This in addition to an arsenal of nearly 60 Top 40 hits including Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” “Unskinny Bop,” “Ride the Wind,” “Somethin’ To Believe In,” and “Nothin’ But A Good Time,” as well as Cheap Trick’s “I Want You To Want Me” and “Surrender.”
“I’m very pleased that we are coming back to Tulsa” Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott said in a news release. “We’re gonna be touring with some new friends and some old friends and can guarantee it will be the rock tour of the summer.”
“There is nothing better than an epic summer concert and this tour is a dream come true for rock ‘n’ roll fans. It will be a night of a thousand hits with three hard-charging rock bands on the road together,” said Poison frontman and star of VH1′s top-rated “Rock of Love Bus” reality show Bret Michaels in the release.
Def Leppard (Joe Elliott – vocals, Vivian Campbell – guitar, Phil Collen – guitar, Rick “Sav” Savage -bass and Rick Allen – drums) is one of few a few select groups, including the likes of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Eagles, who have been awarded the RIAA’s prestigious Diamond Award more than once (for “Pyromania” and “Hysteria”). The band’s most recent album, “Songs From The Sparkle Lounge,” debuted last year at No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200; earning Def Leppard their highest-charting debut since their 1992 album “Adrenalize.”
Poison has been one of the music industry’s top acts, with multi-platinum album sales and sold-out tours since first bursting onto the scene in 1986. Poison’s Bret Michaels, C.C. Deville, Bobby Dall and Rikki Rockett have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and charted 12 top 10 hits. Throughout Poison’s career, the band’s members have enjoyed collaborative and solo successes from the stage to screen. Bret Michaels currently stars in the No. 1 viewed reality show on cable, VH1′s “Rock of Love Bus.”
With more than 5,000 performances, 20 million records sold, 29 movie soundtracks and 40 gold and platinum recording awards, Cheap Trick may be one of the most covered bands of all time. Since the 70s they’ve been blending elements of pop, punk and even metal in a way that is instantly catchy and recognizable.
Live Nation will produce the tour nationally. Def Leppard has teamed up with I Love All Access to offer the ultimate fan experience for the tour featuring a variety of packages. For more details, go to www.iloveallaccess.com.
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Video: Toby Keith talks TK Steelman
CMT was on the scene in Las Vegas last week when Oklahoma country music star Toby Keith unveiled his casual clothing line, TK Steelman. Here what Toby has to say about the brand in this video interview, posted here from CMT.com:
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Toby announces dates for Ally’s House charity event
Toby Keith hits a wall with a sledgehammer at Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City on Dec. 3, 2008. The hospital is making improvements to their oncology unit and Keith presented a check for $500,000 from Ally’s House. (Photo by Steve Gooch/The Oklahoman Archives)
For the sixth straight year, Toby Keith has pledged his support for Oklahoma children with cancer by setting June 12-13 as the dates for his 2009 Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic benefiting Ally’s House.
To date, the annual event has raised more than $2.3 million for Ally’s House, which Keith helped establish, according to a news release. The Norman-based nonprofit organization assists pediatric cancer patients and their families throughout Oklahoma.
In a year predicted to be tough for charity events, Keith strongly reaffirmed his support of the cause.
“I will always be committed to these kids,” Keith said in the release. “More of them are diagnosed all the time and they need our help now like never before.”
The two-day affair is a combination of a “Denim and Diamonds” Friday night party and a Saturday golf tournament.
The event will kick off June 12 at the Riverwind Casino in Norman, where golfers and their guests will enjoy great food, live music and the highly anticipated auction. Keith’s auction has a tradition of wowing attendees with the lineup of items up for bid. Last year’s items included a New York City trip with tickets to “Saturday Night Live,” a “Fighter Pilot for a Day” package, PGA passes including air and hotel, and a Seattle trip to join the crew of Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch.”
Toby Keith and his foundation have been unwavering in their support of Ally’s House, which is named for Allison Webb, daughter of Keith’s friend and original bandmate Scott Webb. Ally died of cancer in August 2003, one month short of her third birthday.
Since the organization began its mission in 2004, Ally’s House has helped the families of nearly 300 children during their cancer treatments. This assistance comes from paying for medical bills, prescriptions, housing, transportation, toys, food, clothing and other critical expenses. This year, the organization will complete major renovations to the oncology ward of The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Improvements include a new playroom, family resource room, infusion room and palliative care room.
For more information, go to www.allyshouse.net.
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Slideshow: Toby Keith’s TK Steelman clothing line
A model walks the runway in clothes from Toby Keith’s new casual brand TK Steelman at a launch party and fashion show Feb. 18 at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill in Harrah’s Las Vegas. (RD/Kabik/Retna Digital/Provided by Shock Ink)
Check out this NewsOK slideshow of last week’s launch party and fashion show for country music star Toby Keith’s TK Steelman casual clothing line.
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