3D’s Need to See: Halloween Edition
Well, it’s Halloween, so I have to get serious with my horror movie recommendation for today. No more horror/comedies or camp cult films. No, today’s recommendation is one of the bleakest and darkest films I’ve seen in a while. Fittingly, it is called “30 Days of Night.”
Based on a graphic novel (emphasis on graphic), this is a movie that takes vampires to one of their goriest and scariest incarnations. In other words, don’t you dare watch it if you like the vampires in “Twilight.” There is nothing sparkly or romantic about the bad guys in this film.
The movie is set in a small town in Alaska that is going through 30 days of darkness because of the time of year. Mostly, I like this film because of the setting. Not only is it interesting to see vampires in the snow, but this film eliminates the out of daylight. In most vampire films, you just have to make it till the sun comes up, but in this film, that is a very, very long time.
If you like dark, gory films and haven’t given this one a chance, then you need to see “30 Days of Night.”
Happy Halloween!
From 3D
College football for Oct. 31, 2009
OSU quarterback Zac Robinson has taken to printing the words “Press on” in his eye black this season. (Photo by Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman)
After a scary-tough football season, I’m hoping that none of my favorite teams gets spooked during today’s Halloween games.
My Oklahoma State Cowboys will face a daunting task as the No. 3 Texas Longhorns come to Stillwater today. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. and air on ABC.
The No. 13 Cowboys will be pressing on - the message QB Zac Robinson’s has been printing in his eye black the past few weeks – after the NCAA played a nasty trick on the Cowboy Nation this week. The NCAA declined to reinstate All-American wide receiver Dez Bryant, prompting OSU to appeal to the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee.
The University of Oklahoma Sooners are pressing on with a home game against Kansas State at 6 p.m. today. The game will air on Fox Sports Net.
It will be the first game in which Landry Jones will officially hold the title of starting quarterback, after Heisman winner Sam Bradford opted this week to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
The Florida Gators, the defending national champs and the traditional favorite of the McDonnell family, will try to keep their top ranking and undefeated season today as they face the Georgia Bulldogs at home in Jacksonville, Fla. The game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. today and air on CBS.
Go teams!
-BAM
Halloween treat: Ghouls Gone Wild slideshow with Wayne Coyne interview
People dressed as skeletons march in the March of 1,000 Flaming Skeletons Oct. 24 during the Ghouls Gone Wild Halloween Parade in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman)
Happy Halloween! Get into the spooky spirit of the season with this NewsOK slideshow featuring last Saturday’s Ghouls Gone Wild Halloween parade in downtown Oklahoma City.
The slideshow includes audio of an interview with Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne; the Lips annually lead the March of 1,000 Flaming Skeletons in the parade.
Bryan Terry, one of The Oklahoman’s award-winning photojournalists, took the photos, captured the audio of Coyne and other parade participants and compiled it all into this interesting slideshow.
I unfortunately didn’t make it out to Ghouls Gone Wild this year, but I’m definitely going to make it a priority to at least watch the macabre march next year.
In whatever way you celebrate Halloween today, be sure to make it a safe as well as fun festivity.
- BAM
David Cook to play Friday at Shawnee casino
David Cook (Associated Press photo)
A version of this story appears in Saturday’s The Oklahoman.
SHAWNEE – “American Idol” David Cook will return to Oklahoma to perform at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Firelake Grand Casino.
Born in Houston and raised in Blue Springs, Mo., Cook was working on his music career in Tulsa when he won a spot on the reality TV singing contest. Just a week after he won “Idol” in May 2008, he had 14 songs listed on Billboard’s Hot Digital Songs Survey and 11 on the Hot 100.
His self-titled debut album, released almost a year ago, has been certified platinum.
Cook credits his parents with enriching his musical beginnings. His parents had an eclectic record collection, so he listened to many different genres. He also grew up watching his dad play guitar. When he was in high school, he formed the band Axium with a friend.
After he graduated from Central Missouri State with a degree in graphic design, Cook chose to follow his passion for music rather than get a job in his degree field. He moved to Tulsa to play with regional band Midwest Kings.
By 2007, he had launched a solo career, playing gigs in bars and clubs around Tulsa. When his brother, Andrew, decided try out for the seventh season of “American Idol,” Cook went along for moral support. Cook opted to try out himself at the last minute.
When his sibling didn’t make the cut, Cook offered to quit, too, but his brother and mother insisted that he go on. He emerged as a dark horse favorite, winning the “Idol” title.
Cook, 26, embarked earlier this year on his first headlining tour, playing colleges, ballrooms and theaters. The tour has been extended several times, with the singer/songwriter/guitarist recently adding dates through the end of the year.
He also will appear on fellow Oklahoma “Idol” winner Carrie Underwood’s first holiday TV special, airing Dec. 7 on Fox.
For information or tickets to the Shawnee show, call 964-7263 or go to www.firelakegrand.com. Ticket prices start at $44. According to the casino, tickets are still available.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Oct. 31, 2009
Brady Williams, 23 months, of Moore, waits Tuesday with his mother, Krystle Williams, for a train ride at Haunt the Zoo. (Photo by Nate Billings/The Oklahoman)
Today’s featured event:
Take in shining jack-o-lanterns and eco-friendly candy from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at the family-friendly Haunt the Zoo for Halloween at the Oklahoma City Zoo, 2101 NE 50.
For more information, call 424-3344 or go to www.okczoo.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Oklahoma City Harkins theater selling “Twilight”/”New Moon” marathon tickets
Harkins Bricktown Theatres has tickets on sale now online and at the box office for the ”Twilight”/”New Moon” movie marathon beginning at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19.
The marathon will start with the one-day-only rerelease of “Twilight,” the movie adaptation of the first book in Stephenie Meyer’s mega-popular series. It will continue with the midnight Friday, Nov. 20 premiere of the sequel, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.”
Tickets for the marathon are available online at www.harkinstheatres.com or at the box office for $15. For those who have already purchased tickets at Harkins for the midnight premiere, they can simply purchase a marathon ticket and Harkins Theatres will refund the original midnight premiere ticket at the box office, according to a news release.
Harkins is also offering the “Twilight”/”New Moon” marathon in the Cine Capri at Bricktown, the theater’s extra-large-screen house. It is exclusively for guests who have already purchased midnight premiere tickets for the Cine Capri at Bricktown. Guests can bring their midnight premiere Cine Capri ticket to the box office and upgrade it for $5 to a ticket for both films.
In the second installment of Meyer’s literary phenomenon, director Chris Weitz brings to life this modern, visual, and visceral star-crossed story of the ultimate forbidden love affair – between vampire and mortal. “New Moon” stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Ashley Greene.
Harkins Bricktown 16 is located at Reno and Oklahoma avenues in Bricktown.
-BAM
Winter Jam bringing Christian artists to Tulsa’s BOK Center
Third Day
TULSA – The Winter Jam 2010 Tour, featuring Third Day, NewSong, Tenth Avenue North and more, will play the BOK Center at 7 p.m. Feb. 25, the venue announced today.
Tickets will cost only $10 at the door. No tickets required.
According to a news release, Christian music’s largest annual tour, the Winter Jam 2010 Tour Spectacular, will hit 44 cities beginning in January and is slated to feature some of the top artists in Christian music.
Hosted for the 15th consecutive year by Grammy-nominated NewSong, the tour will also include multi-platinum Reunion recording artist Third Day; internationally-renowned Inpop recording artist Newsboys; Dove Award-winning Reunion recording artist Tenth Avenue North; acclaimed Flicker recording artist Fireflight; and guest speaker Tony Nolan.
Winter Jam 2010 will kick-off Jan. 8 in Chattanooga, Tenn., stopping in Atlanta; Cincinnati; Oklahoma City; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Birmingham, Alabama; Wichita, Kansas; Nashville, Tennessee; Champaign, Illinois; and Des Moines, Iowa, among other cities, before concluding March 28 in Louisville, Kentucky. Admission is $10 at the door, and in addition to the main show artists, the Tour will include a Pre-Jam Party with Sidewalk Prophets, Robert Pierre and Revive.
“Our vision has always been to bring together great music, the Gospel message, and a low admission price in some of the biggest venues in the country,” said Eddie Carswell, NewSong founding member and Winter Jam creator, in the release. “We want families and youth groups to enjoy a night of top-notch entertainment that serves a greater purpose.”
“This year’s Winter Jam line-up is a great mix of some of the most respected artists in Christian music along with some of the brightest new acts,” said Roy Morgan, owner, Premier Productions, producer of Winter Jam, in the release. “We are honored to continue our partnership with NewSong for another year of excellent music and ministry.”
The Winter Jam 2009 Tour Spectacular ranked among the largest tours in the world, according to Pollstar’s First Quarter Attendance Chart. Earlier this year Winter Jam received the GMA Impact Award, which is presented to “the non-artist individual or organization that has made the most significant impact on the gospel music industry over the last two or three years.” In addition, Winter Jam 2009 was voted both “Concert of the Year” by Gospel Music Channel viewers and “Best Tour” in the CCMmagazine.com Readers’ Choice Awards.
Presented by Holt International, the Winter Jam 2010 Tour Spectacular is also sponsored by the American Bible Society, HearItFirst.com, Camp Electric, Premier Christian Cruises, All Access Merchandising, Texas TransEastern, Xtreme Conferences, and Wayne E. Bailey Produce.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
One of Christian music’s most highly regarded and successful bands, NewSong’s 28 years in ministry have yielded 17 albums; 20 No. 1 singles; and a Grammy Award nomination, among numerous other achievements. NewSong’s most definitive recording to date, “Give Yourself Away,” is slated to bow Nov. 24 on the band’s new label, His Honor Music (EMI CMG Distribution). Marking the official return of acclaimed vocalist Russ Lee to the group, the project is also NewSong’s first collaboration with one of Christian music’s most renowned producers, Charlie Peacock.
With 27 No. 1 singles, multi-platinum-selling rock band Third Day has played to sold out arenas around the world and earned numerous Grammy, Dove and American Music Awards. Their current CD, “Revelation,” captures the complexities of the Christian walk and features collaborations with Robert Randolph, Chris Daughtry and Flyleaf’s Lacey Mosely.
Achieving phenomenal success in two decades together, the Newsboys have earned five gold albums, sales exceeding 6 million records, 25 No. 1 radio hits, and a mantle of Dove Awards and Grammy nominations. Known for their groundbreaking tours, they have become one of the industry’s most iconic acts.
Recipient of the 2009 GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, one listen to Tenth Avenue North, and it’s obvious they have a gift for expressing truth in a way that educates, enlightens, and entertains. Their songs echo the heart of the human condition and the Hope of the risen Savior. “Simply, our mission as a band is to know Christ and to make Him known.”
From the band known for the smash hit “Unbreakable,” Fireflight’s latest effort, “For Those Who Wait,” once again delivers Dawn Michele’s soaring vocals and the band’s signature melodic rock. The album will be available everywhere in February.
Tony Nolan’s passion is “helping people get connected to God’s great love and salvation.” As a tour pastor for various Christian artists, Tony has experienced over 100,000 public professions of faith in Christ. An innovative Gospel communicator, he uses his wacky humor to help people connect with God in a life-changing way.
For further information and a complete list of Tour dates, please visit www.jamtour.com.
-BAM
David Cook to return to Oklahoma for Nov. 6 Shawnee show
SHAWNEE – David Cook, the 2008 winner of “American Idol,” will return to Oklahoma to perform at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Firelake Grand Casino.
Born in Houston and raised in Blue Springs, Mo., Cook was working on his music career in Tulsa when he won a spot on the reality TV singing contest. Just a week after winning “Idol,” he had 14 songs on Billboard’s Hot Digital Songs Survey and 11 on the Hot 100.
His self-titled debut album, released last fall, has been certified platinum.
However, music wasn’t the only career Cook considered.
“I thought I wanted to be a pro baseball player, but my fastball wasn’t fast enough and I couldn’t hit to save my life,” he says in a news release. “Performing was the only thing I ever felt I was great at.”
Cook can credit his parents with enriching his musical beginnings. His parents had an “eclectic record collection,” so he listened to many different genres. And he grew up watching his dad play guitar. When he was in high school, he formed a band with a friend. He continued to focus on music.
After he graduated from Central Missouri State with a degree in graphic design, he chose to follow his passion for music rather than get a job in his degree field. He moved to Tulsa to pursue his music career.
When his brother Andrew went to try out for “American Idol,” Cook went along for moral support. He decided to tryout himself at the last minute. When his brother didn’t make the cut, Cook offered to quit too, but his brother and mother insisted that he go on. He emerged as a dark horse favorite and eventually won the contest.
For tickets or information, call 964-7263 or go to www.firelakegrand.com. Ticket prices start at $44.
-BAM
Vince Gill, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts to be profiled in CMA TV special
Vince Gill (Photo by Chris Landsberger/The Oklahoman Archives)
Carrie Underwood (Associated Press photo)
Rascal Flatts (AP photo)
Oklahoma country music stars Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill and Rascal Flatts (which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher) will be featured on the television special “In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: Bright Light. Big Stars. All Access Nashville.”
The special will air on ABC (KOCO-5 in Oklahoma City) on Nov. 10, the day before the 43rd Annual Country Music Association Awards air live on the network. It will be hosted by “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts.
Tim McGraw and Martina McBride also will be profiled on the one-hour special, according to CMT.com. The show will include interviews with Gill, Rosanne Cash and Loretta Lynn about their musical families.
Also, President Barack Obama, Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts will take part in a segment about their favorite country songs. Viewers can go to www.abcnews.com to cast their votes for their favorite country track. The winning song will be revealed the following morning, the day of the big awards show, on “Good Morning America.”
ABC has started posting online a few snippets of Roberts’ interviews with the stars. Video clips up now include Underwood talking about the record deal she didn’t land when she 15 and the ways she copes with life as a celebrity. Also, bits featuring Underwood with her mom Carole and Gill with his daughter Jenny are available for viewing.
To see the clips and learn more about the special, go to http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/InTheSpotlight.
-BAM
Toby Keith’s emotional music video tribute to Wayman Tisdale premiering Monday on CMT
Toby Keith performs at Wayman Tisdale’s memorial service in May. (Associated Press photo)
The emotional music video for Toby Keith’s “Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song)” will premiere Monday morning exclusively on CMT.
The heartfelt ballad is a tribute to Keith’s friend and fellow Oklahoma star Wayman Tisdale. Tisdale, a former University of Oklahoma and NBA standout turned jazz bassist, died in May after a long battle with cancer.
A reliable source tells me the video is sure to break hearts and put lumps in throats, so my advice is to have some tissues handy on Monday morning.
-BAM
