Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/18418
Welcome to the Peepshow Moguls & Movie Stars begins at the beginning of Hollywood history TV by DEAN ROBBINS The seven-part Moguls & Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood (Monday, 8 p.m., TCM) takes a sweeping look at the American film industry from the late 19th century to the 1970s. “From the first flicker- ing images of the 1880s,” says nar- rator Christopher Plummer, “it was a story as dramatic and unexpected and involving as the grandest Hollywood epic.” He ain’t lying. Even part one (1889-1907) is thrilling, despite the profusion of grainy footage and hairy, homely actors. In this period, the prominent figures were not stars and directors, but inventors and engineers. They dreamed of creat- ing the illusion of life — an advance on the magic lantern shows that passed for screen entertainment in America. Thomas Edison took up the challenge in the 1880s, inventing the peepshow. He caused a sensation with an early film showing an assistant doffing his cap over and over again. (Ah, the easy-to-please 19th- century movie audience.) If an episode about obscure beginnings is this good, imagine the fun when the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Katharine Hepburn show up. I plan to doff my cap to Moguls & Movie Stars throughout November — over and over again. School Pride Friday, 8 pm (NBC) This new series sets out to “restore pride and achievement to America’s schools” by renovating aging facilities. That sounds like a preposterous goal for reality TV. Shouldn’t saving schools be the responsibility of local boards and the federal Department of Education rather than a gimmicky show of the Extreme Makeover variety? I initially resisted this week’s episode as it set up camp in a Nashville neigh- borhood whose elementary school had been destroyed by a flood. The team head- ing up the renovation project incongruously includes a former Miss USA and a comedian. At times, product placement seems more important than education. “Thank you, Walmart!” a crowd of kids is instructed to chant. But I admit that School Pride won me over, thanks to the dedicated commu- nity members who crowd onto the screen. Their spirit trumps all the contrivances and the corporate self-interest. These folks truly love their school, and it’s touch- ing to see their passion for saving it. The kids break your heart, especially a cute bespectacled boy with a speech impediment who has more devotion to the school than anybody. “Education is vewwy impowtant!” he says earnestly. Hey School Pride — do you have room for a TV critic on your incongruous team? Walking Dead Sunday, 10 pm (AMC) I enjoy a good zombie picture as much as the next guy: the tension of being trapped inside the horror for a couple of hours, then the relief when it’s finally over. In Walking Dead, though, the horror doesn’t end. This is a zombie series, featuring week after week of shuffling flesh-eaters and the terrified humans forced to shoot them through the brain. That, I’m here to report, is not enjoyable. Walking Dead brings nothing new to the zombie genre. You get your para- noid survivors, your horde of extras in sickening makeup, your post-apocalyptic sets. The one fresh element is not exactly welcome: an awful new level of violence for extended basic cable. Luckily, there’s a way to end the horror — turning off the TV. I tried it, and it worked like a charm. Zombie problem solved! WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM “Your Direction Is Our Direction” • Pick Up • Delivery • Courier Service • Mobile Notary •Transportation Personal and Business Service Available! R&J Rip N Run Errand/Courier Service LLC Proudly Serving Fayetteville, Ft. Bragg, Spring Lake, Hope Mills and Surrounding Areas CONTACT US TODAY TO FIND OUT WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU! 910.578.1855 Enter for your chance to WIN tickets Name______________________________________ Phone Number___________________________________ Email_______________________________________ Please send completed entry form to Up & Coming Weekly, 208 Rowan St., Fayetteville, NC 28301 or fax to 910.484.9218. The Marquis Bistro at the DOUBLETREE HOTEL proudly presents Thanksgiving Brunch • Carving station featuring freshly roasted favorites • Made to order Belgian waffe and omelet stations • Traditional and innovative side dishes fe and omelet stations raditional and innovative side dishes • Wonderful array of salads and delicious desserts • Complimentary glass of champagne 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seating by Reservation Only Adults: $22.95 Children under 10: $12.95 Please call today to make your reservation 910.323.8282 1965 Cedar C eek Rd 1965 Cedar Creek Rd. • www.fayett ville doubletree com fayetteville.doubletree.com OCTOBER 27 - NOVEMBER 2, 2010 UCW 23 NEW COMPANY!