Idol Chatter: June 2007 Archives

Hamid’s recent novel, "The Reluctant Fundamentalist," is written as a monologue, a very challenging style since the author has to guarantee credibility while safeguarding against tedium. It is stimulating, unsettling prose, and the novel’s surprise ending is thought-provoking and evocative.

The author's second novel draws upon his experiences in America: It's the story of Changez, who is living an immigrant's dream in pre 9/11 America. He is at the top of his class in Princeton and is snapped up by the elite evaluation firm of Underwood Samson. What drives him are the energy of New York City and the budding romance with a rich classmate, the elegant and beautiful Erica. With Erica, Changez has the promise of entry into Manhattan society at the same exalted level once occupied by his own family back in Lahore, Pakistan.

But in the wake of the tragedies of 9/11, Changez’s world is turned upside down. His position in his adopted city is abruptly reversed. His relationship with Erica is eclipsed by the reawakened ghosts of her past. Changez starts questioning his own identity. Ethnic profiling and external influences unearth allegiances more fundamental than money, power, and maybe even love.

Florida-based Christian rock band StorySide:B is serving up a fresh mix of musical talent with their new album, "We Are Not Alone," a follow up to their 2005 debut, "Everything and More."

Comprised of guitarist/vocalist Lu Rubino, drummer Jordan Mohilowski, bassist/pianist Ron McClelland, and guitarist Preston Phol, these guys seem to work well together if past success is any indication.

Their debut single "Miracle" off "Everything and More" peaked at #2 on the Christian Hit Radio (CHR) chart, as did their follow-up single "Everything and More"--which went on to become the seventh most played song on Christian radio last year.

Now it seems as if their second album could see another hit, especially with, "Tell Me What You Think of God." The strong message of this song relates to everyone whether a believer or not. Each day we have seemingly countless choices in life, and whatever we might think about God, the guys still tell us "He believes in you." Sounding unlike any other popular Christian song I’ve heard, the song is sure to stand out from the rest.

The lyrics are sometimes inspiring, like in "Demons and Angels” where Rubino sings, "Enchanting melodies, bitter and sweet, tell me what You want from me." But other times they are just plain dull, such as in "Be Still": "It's then You whisper in my ear, be still and know I'm here."

Quite a large lack in harmonies leaves the vocals a bit boring, and when there are harmonies, they are not strong enough. The music itself though, is amazing, and has a cool echoing sound which drew me into it. The songs are creatively arranged with the number of upbeat and downbeat tracks well-balanced.

"We Are Not Alone" brings a message of the importance of service to God, along with the struggles and joys Christians face. StorySideB: sounds a bit like of Jars Of Clay if you throw in a small twist of Creed--it's definitely worth checking out. Although these four guys have a bit more growing to do lyrically and vocally, I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of them in the future.

--Jana Melpolder

I was completely obsessed with the famous French singer Edith Piaf when I was in high school. I would spend hours and hours playing her records until I could do a passable imitation of "Non, je ne regrette rien" in front of my bedroom mirror. Although I was too young to have the regrets mentioned in her song, the drama and heartache of her delivery and her longing for love seemed to reflect my teenage angst. Piaf was the main reason I became a French major. But although she died in 1963, early in my last year of high school, I knew very little about her life. The new film "La Vie en Rose" (the title of her most famous song) has finally changed all that.

Piaf's life was anything but rose-colored. This tiny woman with the huge voice, whose stage name, Piaf, means sparrow, was born to itinerant street performers in a wretched environment of alcohol, drugs, poverty, and abuse. (If the film is accurate, her grandmother was the madam of a brothel, where good-hearted prostitutes gave Edith the only mothering she ever knew).

I won't spoil the film for you, but even after her gift was discovered on a Paris street corner, her life consisted of one tragedy after another, grist for the mill of that incredible voice. (Gilda Radner's saying comes to mind: "It's always something.") Piaf became the most beloved singer in France--appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show; she was the emblematic voice of France in the U.S. and around the world.

To the end of her life she dressed in simple black with a cross at her neck. The film portrays a woman of childlike tantrums and childlike faith, who prayed to St. Therese of Lisieux and heard voices, like fellow visionary Joan of Arc. The film is wonderful, with Marion Cotillard inhabiting the role of Piaf. Go see it. Meanwhile, thanks to the miracle of YouTube, you can see and hear Piaf herself performing her immortal songs.

--Wendy Schuman

Walking into the Sherry Lansing Theater at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles last Thursday, I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy evening. While looking forward to the screening of “A Mighty Heart”--as I had read the Marianne Pearl memoir it was based on about three years ago--I dreaded the expected feelings of despair and anguish from viewing the tragedy surrounding the kidnapping and death of Wall Street Journal writer Danny Pearl.

It can’t be denied there were moments where that theater chair felt uncomfortable, but the film was captivating, as humanity, and at times the lack of it, was eloquently depicted. From the Pearls’ love story to the account of the investigation by the then-pregnant Marianne with colleagues from the WSJ and Pakistani and American officials, I was intrigued almost as much by their interactions as how the search was conducted.

The latter because it was ultimately the point of the evening: To see how a Buddhist, Christians, Jews and Muslims came together to search for Pearl and how that unity could be built upon now.

That was literally expressed after the film with a panel discussion titled “Building Unity and Understanding in Today’s World,” and event co-sponsored by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Progressive Christians Uniting, and Paramount Vantage, and which featured the following panelists: producer Dede Gardner, CAIR’s Hussam Ayloush, Jews on First’s Rabbi Haim Dov Beliak, and PCU’s Reverand Peter Laarman with Lisa Smithline from Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace moderating.

While it wasn’t unique to have a panel discussion after a film viewing, the five-minute break that included a prayer option outside the building was.

When I was in film school in Los Angeles, I went to sneak previews all the time. It's a great chance to see movies before critics and friends ruin them for you, and best of all, the audiences are a hodge-podge of teenagers, couples, college students, and families who come for free seats and glory of gloating: "I-saw-it-first."

So last week when I was invited to an advanced screening of "Evan Almighty in my new hometown of Colorado Springs, I expected more of the same. But this was something entirely different. People in Jesus t-shirts were scattered all over the auditorium. I ran into friends who work at Focus On The Family, Young Life, and many of the other evangelical companies and churches in town. Everyone was talking; entire rows seemed to know each other. I direct theatrical productions for a local megachurch, and this screening felt just like the megachurch’s lobby on a Sunday morning. It was bubbly and fun and loud.

Once the theater was at capacity, a disc jockey from the family-friendly radio station welcomed us to the screening. “This film is just as funny as 'Bruce Almighty,'” he shouted. “Only this time it’s safe for the whole family!”

The audience cheered. And I cringed.

While many artists are out there stumping for their own music, it is such a delight to find albums that promote something more important than the artists themselves--a good cause. "Instant Karma", a new two-CD set, is doing just that...

Karma, chance, fate, destiny, and providence, are the muses for a set of tales skillfully crafted by Rishi Reddi in her debut collection of short stories titled “Karma and Other Stories.” Set mostly in the Boston area, the stories vividly...

While many artists are out there stumping for their own music, it is such a delight to find albums that promote something more important than the artists themselves--a good cause. "Instant Karma", a new two-CD set, is doing just that...

In a summer of blockbuster sequels and mixed reviews, I found the latest sequel, “Ocean’s Thirteen,” to be surprisingly fun and wonderfully done. Even though it wasn’t very new. Where “Ocean’s Twelve” sought to go deeper but confounded audiences and...

HBO’s “Big Love” promises delights and intrigue in its second season, as it premieres on its new night tonight at 9 p.m. (ET). Compared to last year, the second season is more comfortable in both its dramatic and comedic skin....

It was little more than two years ago that Tyler Perry seemed to come from nowhere--actually, it was from the African-American theater scene--to see his debut film, "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," gross more than $50 million. That made...