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The Dartmouth
December 24, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth
Arts
Arts

'Spitfire Grill' expands quality of roles for women

By R. D. Rees | October 1, 1996

Quality women's roles in Hollywood today are few and far between. In response to this dearth of female parts, independent films often feature believable, complex parts for actresses to really sink their teeth into. "The Spitfire Grill" is one such film, starring three powerhouse performances by women. After the film won the coveted Audience Award at last year's Sundance Film Festival, Castle Rock Entertainment bought the rights to "The Spitfire Grill" for a record sum, the highest for an independent film to date. In order to help defer the cost of the film, Castle Rock accepted an investment from a production company known as Gregory Productions, the for-profit arm of the Roman Catholic Church. Though not a religious movie per se, Gregory Productions certainly would approve of the themes of redemption and healing, as well as the subtle pro-life message. "The Spitfire Grill" is the story of Perchance Talbot, a woman just released from a Maine prison for manslaughter.

Arts

DFS reveals similarities in two films

By Keith Zorn | September 30, 1996

The Dartmouth Film Society's Fall term series continued on Friday with a triple feature that included "Manhunter," a film which is now best known as a precursor and model for "Silence of the Lambs" (1991). Though there are minor differences in characterization and tone, in their story lines the two films are essentially the same: a psychopathic and cannibalistic serial killer is pursued by a young F.B.I.

Arts

Olodum shows social awareness in music

By Jack Vaitayanonta | September 26, 1996

Bonded by the dual purposes of creating an innovative rhythm and forging a cultural and societal bond, the Afro-Brazilian percussion group Olodum will appear tonight in Spaulding Auditorium. Olodum (pronounced oh-lo-DOOM) uses rhythm, melody and folklore to create a societal bond that fosters the individual and collective self-worth by providing a cultural point of reference from which to be inspired and grow, according to Music Professor Hafiz Shabazz. The group's name is the shortened form of the Yoruba word olodumare, translated into English as God of Gods or God Almighty. Shabazz wrote in the journal Bossa, a Brazilian jazz music guide, that the group is an important unifying force in Brazil through both its music and community service, especially for Afro-Brazilians. Their sound is samba-reggae.

Arts

Austen time again: 'Emma' is standard romantic comedy

By Deborah Lee | August 20, 1996

Like the majority of the prospective viewers of "Emma," I have not read Jane Austen's book. I hope, however, that they, like me, will be keen to do so after seeing the film. A craze for Austen has recently afflicted closet Anglophiles, shameless romantics and English majors who just need to refresh their memories.

Arts

Aaron Spelling's 'A Prime-Time Life' is a prime-time dud

By Shelly-Ann Scott | August 20, 1996

If anyone actually hoped to find out anything new about famed television producer Aaron Spelling from his recently published autobiography "A Prime Time Life," written with Jefferson Graham, then they would be better advised to wait for the unauthorized version. Spelling has produced a highly sanitized history of his years in television, with scattered tidbits of his personal life thrown in almost as an afterthought. No one is going to find any dirt in this biography, a departure from the usual fare of Hollywood tell-alls (remember "Mummy Dearest?"). Spelling seems to have decided not to ruffle any feathers in Hollywood, and to let bygones be bygones, because he has nothing bad to say about anyone or anything in this book.

Arts

The Braxtons create musical identity without sister Toni: Tamar, Towanda and Trina Braxton are featured on their debut R&B album titled 'So Many Ways' from Atlantic

By Arika L. Easley | August 16, 1996

Just when you thought Toni Braxton could not sing "another sad love song," her three younger sisters, The Braxtons, have recently surfaced on the R&B scene with their debut album, "How Many Ways," released this Tuesday. It is certainly a bit of a coincidence that the title of the album and first release is strikingly close to Toni Braxton's hit "How Many Ways" from her self-titled debut album. Currently, "How Many Ways" is scaling the R&B charts and will appear on the soundtrack to a forthcoming film, entitled, "High School High." There is surely nothing sad about this tune, which manages to balance an upbeat tempo while maintaining a sultry allure. The notable producer, Jermaine Dupri, attempts to echo Sean "Puffy" Combs, in the way he rhythmically ad-libs throughout the song and Tamar (18), Trina (21) and Towanda (22) Braxton surge forth with unmitigated sex appeal. This album actually is not the first one to bear The Braxtons' name.

Arts

Hanover-Hartford television station goes on-line

By Charles Davant | August 14, 1996

In an era when people shop on the Internet, conduct research on the Internet and communicate on the Internet, it makes sense that they would watch television on the Internet. Well, almost. The local NBC affiliate, WNNE-TV Hartford-Hanover has started a World Wide Web page, which includes local weather, television listings and links to other web sites. WNNE Account Executive Wally Caswell, who is in charge of the website, said the studio is promoting the site as "a link to a lot of other great places." "We are a place to start your browsing day," he said. On the page, station meteorologist Tom Hoyt's weather forecast is frequently updated and presented in an easy-to-read manner.

Arts

Although unfinished, 'The Mineola Twins' entertains

By Debbie Lee | August 12, 1996

Be warned: do not ever go to see "The Mineola Twins" on the supposition that it has anything at all to do with "The Venetian Twins." It may prove the vast potential for humor in the "mistaken identity" gag, staple fare of the Dartmouth entertainment scene this summer, but there the similarity abruptly ends.

Arts

Ms. Braxton's Opus: 'Secrets' may disappoint listeners: Fusion of spiritual and pop, 'Secrets' is a slower release for the R&B singer, lacks pizazz of debut

By Michael A> Posey | August 12, 1996

After a brief hiatus, R&B phenom Toni Braxton returns to the music scene with a work that improves upon her debut and gives new insight into the saucy R&B songstress. A dizzily rich, witty and satisfying release, "Secrets" is filled with the fodder which made Braxton's debut so popular -- an album equal parts heartache, independence, and fun. Braxton's self-titled debut saturated radio stations everywhere.

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