Dare is a teen movie that feels like it's trying really hard not to be a teen movie. It stars Emmy Rossum as a girl who appears torn between her best guy buddy (Ashley Stringer) and the campus bad boy (Zach Gilford). Problem is the best friend and the bad boy kinda start messing around, too. Awkward! This movie reminds me of that early '90s college rom-com Threesome, remember that one? In other words, we've kinda been there, done that.
Release date: Nov. 13
Chance of box office success: Not the greatest -- it's a limited-release indie with no big-name stars being released amid the crush of Oscar contenders. Methinks it'll sink faster than it swims.
Should you see it?: Eventually ... I'd call this one a must-rent.
Just to drive home the fact that Austin's Zilker Park was on fire Sunday during the annual ACL Music Fest, I thought I'd share a live recording of Toadies performing Mexican Hairless, set to some pics of their near-flawless set.
Er, NO, we're not giving away a D-FW haunted house, just tickets to one. Today through Friday, you'll have a chance to win a pair of tickets to Screams, the ghoulish Halloween theme park in Waxahachie. Two tickets -- that's a $44 value! All you have to do is be the first to send your name and address to ffleurima@quickdfw each day after a giveaway-related post, featuring Mr. Jack o'lantern above, appears on the Web site. So keep your eyes on this site and your hand on your mouse. Good luck!
L is for Live Music. Sure, anyone can pipe in The Carpenter's greatest hits over a P.A. system and call it a day, but pre-recorded tunes don't hold a candle to the real thing. The State Fair of Texas plays host to numerous live musical acts, covering multiple genres and eras.
Where else can you see Miranda Lambert, The Commodores, En Vogue, Jason Castro and 38 Special? Or, one of my personal favs, Aubree-Anna, as seen above, performing on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 on the Chevy Main Stage.
OK, so you caught me. I'd never heard of Aubree-Anna before I snapped the pic of her above, but she was pretty darn good! That's the cool thing about live music at the fair. You can easily discover new, interesting artists while you play air drums with that turkey leg you've been chewing on all day.
The studio of Jack White (the White Stripes and the Raconteurs) was the birthplace of the Dead Weather, the union of Alison Mosshart, Jack Lawrence, Dean Fertita and White, all known for their work with other bands. With Imaad Wasif. 8 p.m. House of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar St. $30-$50. ticketmaster.com.
You can't turn on pop radio without hearing Rob Thomas' distinctive voice and songwriting, no matter if he's going solo or fronting Matchbox 20. His first solo CD was a smash hit, and he's hitting the road alone again, supporting his second solo effort, Cradlesong. With OneRepublic and Carolina Liar. 7:30 p.m. Nokia Theatre, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie. $30.75 and $50.75. ticketmaster.com.
British foursome Arctic Monkeys has maintained its buzzworthy status over the course of three albums, mainly because it never sticks with one style or formula. The latest release, Humbug, sees the guys enter psychedelic territory under the guidance of producer Josh Homme (of Queens of the Stone Age fame). With the Like. 8 p.m. Palladium Ballroom, 1135 S. Lamar St. $25. ticketmaster.com.
Sunny Day Real Estate was part of the booming emo-alt-rock scene in early '90s, when the fertile ground of Seattle was the place, and Sub Pop was the label. The original lineup has reunited for the first time in a decade, including bassist Nate Mendel, who became a full-time Foo Fighter after Sunny Day disbanded. With Jealous Sound. 8 p.m. Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave. $22. 214-824-9933 or granadatheater.com.
The Q Network and the Silent Partner presents Ken Hamlin's Super Bowl Mondays at Geisha House. Watch Monday Night Football in the Roppongi Lounge. Complimentary sushi from 6 to 8 p.m. with drink purchase. DJ Jay Clipp spins before the game. After-party hosted by Ken Hamlin and his teammates with DJ Steve Nice. 6 p.m. 2600 Cedar Springs. No cover. 214-986-3494.
Happy Hour All Night Long at the Barley House. 4 p.m. 5612 SMU Blvd. No cover. 214-824-0306. thebarleyhouse.com.
Tommy C Productions presents Detour Mondays at Mick's Bar. Each week features a different guest DJ who spins dance and hip-hop. 6 p.m. 2825 Greenville Ave. No cover. 214-827-0039. myspace.com/micksbar.
Schwa, Fugita 5, Hot Flash and Big J supply the music at Cool Out Mondays. Happy hour specials all night. 10 p.m. The Cavern, 1914 Greenville Ave. Free. thecaverndallas.com.
Paul Slavens performs his weekly show in Denton. 10 p.m. Dan's Silverleaf, 103 Industrial St., Denton. Free. 940-320-2000 or danssilverleaf.com.
Sun Club presents Disco Workout, featuring dance music from "the '70s and beyond," at 10 p.m. at Hailey's, 122 Mulberry St., Denton. No cover. haileysclub.com.
The final installment of the three day Austin music event starts with none other than our wonderful Toadies! By the time Vaden Todd Lewis (above) and company walked onto the Livestrong stage, the ground was turned into a giant mud bath, the sun was blistering and the crowd was never-ending. It didn't seem to matter much, as every Toadies song had the crowd begging for more.
Normally, you have to leave one band halfway through their show, if you want to catch the beginning of another band on the other side of the park. The Toadies performance was the only one I stayed for the entire set. I couldn't help it. They were that good.
You know who wasn't that good? Dirty Projectors were playing nearby, and I was forced to walk by them. I wish I hadn't. It was so bad, it was almost like a joke - as if Ashton Kutcher were about to jump on stage and tell everyone they were just Punk'd.
Ben Harper (above) was pure genius. He had such great control of the crowd and was so vibrant and energetic on stage. It was good stuff. Now, as for Girl Talk (below), I'm not sure what to think of that show. It was like a giant high school house party gone terribly wrong - or terribly right, depending on your level of insobriety. Don't get me wrong, it was very entertaining, but more in a WTF sort of way.
As for Pearl Jam closing out the show, we weren't allowed to photograph them. Their PR person somewhat randomly chose news services who could and couldn't take photos of the band. I wound up on the couldn't list. Instead, I will paint a one word picture of their set for you: Rawktasticalicious!!!
I know. It's a completely made up word, but Pearl Jam deserves their own exclamation! If you didn't know better, you'd think the band was lip syncing, they were so tight. And, from what little I could see on the giant screens, the band was putting their all into the performance. It was a nice ending to a long weekend.
Speaking of endings, I will leave you with an extra dose of the residents of Mudville. Enjoy...
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