Entertainment: Weekend
PAGE 16 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018 THE HERALD
Chazelle and Gosling land another triumph RICHARD ROEPER
Damien Chazelle’s glorious and beautiful and alternately operatic and intimate moon-mission
First Man êêêê Cast: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, Corey Stoll, Ciaran Hinds, Lukas Haas, Shea Whigham Rating: PG-13 for some thematic content involving peril, and brief strong language. film “First Man” is a master class in how to find dramatic intensity in a story with one of the most well-known endings in the history of human adventure. Spoiler alert! Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon. This is the story of how he got there, what it took to get him there, and what it felt like once he was there. From an engrossing, full-throttle, dizzyingly visceral opening sequence in which Armstrong pilots an X-15 that dances above the Earth’s atmosphere before coming precariously close to fatally spinning out of control; through the geeky, period-piece, procedural interludes; to the sometimes heartbreaking domestic sequences; to the stunning and breathtaking climactic voyage to the moon, “First Man” achieves authenticity and greatness. Put it right up there with “The Right Stuff” and “Apollo 13” in the ranks of the best movies ever made about NASA. Chazelle reteams with his “La La Land” leading man Ryan Gosling, whose onscreen persona is perfectly suited to playing Armstrong, who was passionately committed to the space program and dearly loved his family and had no shortage of self-confidence
DANIEL MCFADDEN/UNIVERSAL PICTURES/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ryan Gosling plays Neil Armstrong in “First Man.” The film opens Friday at Jasper 8 Theatres. but was something of a reluctant hero and an elusive public figure. Sure, Gosling is dashing and has movie star charisma and all that, but he has a natural affinity for playing characters who internalize their feelings, who aren’t big on sharing, who measure their responses before speaking. And that’s Neil Armstrong. With the exception of a few well-placed flashbacks, “First Man” travels a linear path covering the eight-year stretch between 1961 and 1969 when NASA mounted a determined, almost frenzied campaign to overtake the frontrunning Soviets and literally plant the American flag on the moon. Working from a superb screenplay by Josh Singer (”The Post,” “Spotlight”), who adapted James Hansen’s best-selling book “First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong,” director Chazelle frequently invokes a hand-held cam-
era, docudrama-style, whether the story is focusing on Armstrong’s home life or the camaraderie/ competition among the astronauts jockeying for position on a rapid progression of Gemini and Apollo missions. Gosling expertly captures Armstrong’s methodical, straightforward, guarded and sometimes infuriatingly closed-off approach to everything, from problem-solving any and all aspects of getting to the moon to dealing with the horrific deaths of a number of his colleagues to coping with the loss of the Armstrongs’ daughter, Karen, who died of a brain tumor before reaching the age of 3. Claire Foy’s electric, emotionally charged performance as Janet Armstrong provides a vitally important dramatic counterbalance to Gosling’s cool reserve and gives the movie its heart and soul. While Neil is consumed with the
mission (whether he’s at work or working at home), it’s Janet who tends to the everyday needs of their young sons, and it’s Janet who has to keep the family together. Eyes blazing, Janet demands Neil talk to the boys before he embarks on the historic but tremendously risky mission, and let them know this might be the last time they’ll see him. And she’s even more of a force when she calls out NASA supervisors for their “We’ve got this under control” line of B.S. The partial list of brilliant character actors playing key figures from the space race includes Ciaran Hinds as Robert Gilruth, the first director of NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center; Jason Clarke as Ed White; Kyle Chandler as Deke Slayton; Corey Stoll as Buzz Aldrin; Shea Whigham as Gus Grissom, and Lukas Haas as
min.)
Rob Riggle, Al Madrigal and Anne Winters, they’re welcome company as the Hart character’s fellow night school students, prepping for the GED exam under the tough-love guidance of the overworked Atlanta educator portrayed by Haddish. Hart remains an audience-pleaser, though I confess I found him a little wearing here; Haddish, a fresher
presence, can do only so much with a role that’s more function than form. The actors aren’t the problem with “Night School”; the material is. It’ll nonetheless likely prove a hit because of who’s in it, headliners and supporting ringers alike. (Comedy, PG-13, 1 hr., 51 min.)
Mike Collins. They have their own stories, their own ambitions, their own agendas, their own paths, but their collective respect and regard for Armstrong the astronaut and Armstrong the rock-solid man enhance our empathy for such a tight-lipped and (for the most part) emotionally inaccessible central character. (At one point late in the story, “First Man” briefly goes unabashedly sentimental and borderline corny, but it doesn’t come across like a grave manipulative offense.) The depiction of Apollo 11’s astonishing journey to the moon in the summer of 1969 is a triumph of filmmaking. We experience much of it through the viewpoint of Armstrong as he and the crew overcome various technical hurdles and execute one tricky maneuver after another, all leading to Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin touching down on the lunar surface, and Armstrong taking that one giant leap for mankind. “First Man” is an exciting and fresh take on a story told again and again. It’s a through-and-through salute to the American spirit and ingenuity and drive, which makes the pre-release controversy over the absence of a flag-planting scene even more ridiculous. First of all, we do see the American flag on the moon in a couple of wide shots. And prior to that, there’s hardly a shortage of visual references to the flag, including a poignant moment when a young boy raises the American flag to start the day. What makes the movie so memorable, so good, so strong, is the unvarnished, warts-and-all perspective. It pays fitting tribute to the awesome heroics of the first man to walk on the moon while reminding us he was also an ordinary family man whose oldest son reacted to the news of Dad’s big mission by asking, “Does that mean you’re going to miss my swim meet?”
E N T E R TA I N M E N T G U I D E
All times are Eastern unless otherwise noted.
Current cinema Currently playing A Star Is Born (Jasper 8 Theatres) In his directorial debut, Bradley Cooper (also the leading man) strikes the perfect balance between a showbiz fable and an intimate story with universal truths. As the protege who rockets to fame, Lady Gaga is a winning, natural presence, even in the scenes where she’s nowhere near a piano or a microphone. (Drama, R, 2 hrs. 16
Night School (Jasper 8 Theatres) Am I asking too much of “Night School”? It’s no big thing, this new movie starring Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish, and nobody’s expecting a formula-, game- or life-changer. You just don’t want to leave feeling shortchanged. Is that so wrong? Director Malcolm D. Lee’s commodity squeaks by, barely, with solid comic assistance from the delightful Romany Malco (serenely panicked, every second) and Mary Lynn Rajskub (“blessed,” she keeps saying, even though her character’s domestic life is pure hell). Along with
OCTOBER 12 & 13
Fri. 10 am-7 pm & Sat. 10 am-3 pm
• Food Truck • Fri. & Sat. Saturday… • Live Music • 11am-3pm • Pumpkin Painting • for kids • Artist Demo • Charity Auction to benefit Art Scholarship
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Smallfoot (Jasper 8 Theatres)
It’s not often an animated children’s movie features lessons about critical thinking. But in this zippy, silly, zany, cheery little tale, a skeptical Yeti (voice of Channing Tatum) in a land of Yetis learns the value of questioning the status quo. (Animated adventure, PG, 1 hr. 36 min.)
THE HERALD ■ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018
Venom ½ (Jasper 8 Theatres) The great Tom Hardy flounders his way through a terrible clunker about a man inhabited by a bloodthirsty alien. The special effects are underwhelming, and the villains — human and extraterrestrial — are forgettable. (Action/sci-fi, PG-13, 1 hr. 52 min.)
IMAX Showplace Cinemas East, 1801 Morgan Center Drive, Evansville: “First Man.” www. showplacecinemas.com
Events Attractions Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus: Hours (CT); Happy Holiday Weekends: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 27 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 28. www.holidayworld.com Indiana Railway Museum, French Lick. Excursion trains depart from the former Monon Railroad Passenger Station. The two-hour, 20-mile trip takes passengers though several limestone rock cuts, part of the Hoosier National Forest and the 2,200-foot Burton Tunnel. Train rides: 1 p.m. Tuesday-next Thursday. Special events: Wild West Holdups, Saturday-Sunday. Museum hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, free. 800-748-7246 or www.indianarailwaymuseum.org
tickets-50736465133 or the door; fre from children 10 and younger. Doors open at 6 p.m. Wonders in Wood Show and Sale, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. CT, Oct. 27, Salem United Methodist Church, 7311 Kratzville Road, Evansville. Craft and Hobby Show, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Nov. 3, auxiliary gym, Shoals High School. Booths available by calling Ann Stewart at 812709-9338, Lorna Troutman at 812-797-1567or Bobbi Turpin at 812-709-9234. Wine Pairings, 8 p.m. Nov. 9 and Dec. 28, Atrium, West Baden Spring Hotel. Reservations required. 812-936-5579 Community Trivia Night and Silent Auction, 7 p.m. Nov. 10, Jasper High School. $50 per team of four; preregister at
[email protected]. Sponored by the high school robotics team. Flea Market, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 10, Community Center, Stendal. Mixology Class: A History of Cocktails, 5 p.m. Nov. 11 and Dec. 2, West Baden Springs Hotel. Reservations required. 812-936-5579 Bourbon & Bites, 8 p.m. Nov. 30, Atrium, West Baden Springs Hotel. Reservations required. 812-936-5579 Will Read and Sing for Food, final show, Dec. 21, Astra Theatre, Jasper.
Jasper City Mill, 160 Third Ave. The mill features cornmeal ground on site, craft items, old-fashioned candy and local products. Exhibit (changes every six months): Dubois County Art Guild Gallery Walk — works by Abby Laux; items from artisans available in the gift shop. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Closed major holidays.
Exhibits
Other events
Saint Meinrad Archabbey Library
Trolley Tours, 11 a.m., Mondays and Tuesdays during October, meet behind West Baden Springs Hotel, depart from valet area. Will Read and Sing for Mentors for Youth, 7 p.m. today, Sultan’s Run, features WRASFF players Abbie Rumbach, Scott Saalman, Kyle Lueken, Debbie Schuetter, Isaac Gatwood, Megan Gatwood, Andy Hagedorn and Shawn Needham; artwork by local artist Kit Miracle, former JCAC director; and a questionand-answer session with Beth Seidl, co-owner of Wilson Flowers. $10 donation per person at the door; cash bar. Fall Fun Fest in the Park, Saturday, Orleans. Food Truck Alley, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Event Center Plaza, French Lick Springs Hotel. Craft Beer Experience, 7 p.m. Saturday, West Baden Springs Hotel. Reservations required. 812-936-5579 Mt. Zion Apple Fest, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, AEP Honey Creek Farm, 1249 E. County Road 500 N. Will Read and Sing for Crisis Connection, 7 p.m. next Thursday, The Parklands, Jasper, features WRASFF players Scott Saalman, Kyle Lueken, Debbie Schuetter and Trina Severson and special guests The Troubadours of Divine Bliss, humor writer Stan Levco and IUPUI novelist and award-winning flash fiction writer Sarah Layden. $10 donation per person at the door.
Upcoming events Stamp Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. CT, Oct. 20, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. CT Oct. 21, SWIRCA Ivy Room, 16 W. Virginia St., Evansville. Wine & Dessert Soirée, 8 p.m. Oct. 26 and 9 p.m. Nov. 16 and Dec. 14, Atrium, West Baden Spring Hotel. Reservations required. 812-936-5579 “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” 7 p.m. Oct. 27, Astra Theatre. $8. www. AstraTheatre.Eventbrite.com or at the door. The Very Big Show (Of Support), 7 p.m. Oct. 26, Jasper Arts Center. $10 at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/the-very-big-show-of-support-
Krempp Gallery Exhibits: Chet Beiselman and Robert Fry, through Oct. 29; and Visual Arts Committee, Dec. 3-26, volunteer reception, 5-7 p.m. Dec. 7. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays and noon to 3 p.m. Sundays. Closed major holidays.
Exhibit: Textual Portraits, through Nov. 15, features works by Leslie Nichols of Kentucky. Hours: Call 357-6401 or 800-9877311 or visit www.saintmeinrad.edu/ library/hours/
Dubois County Museum
WEEKEND REPORT ■ PAGE 17
Hall is closed and by appointment. Closed major holidays. 683-2211.
Santa Claus Museum & Village Village: 1880 Santa Claus Church, the original Santa Claus Post Office and 1935 Santa Claus Statue. Museum: exhibits on the history of Santa Claus, including the beginnings of the town, its post offices, Candy Castle and the evolution of Santa Claus Land to Holiday World and free letters to Santa. The museum is at 69 N. State Road 245. Gift shop, museum and village hours (CT): 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays, through November. 812-544-2434 or www. santaclausmuseum.org
Night Life Dances
American Legion Post 147, Jasper: 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays, line and couples dancing. $5, 482-5426 for information. Orange County Senior Citizens Center, 8497 W. Main St., French Lick: 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays, dance with live band. William Tell Center, 1301 11th St., Tell City, 7-10 p.m. CT Saturdays. Open to all ages; smoke and alcohol free. $5, includes snacks. Sponsored by the William Tell Senior Citizens.
Bars Gaslight, Huntingburg: Open Mic Night, 8-11 p.m. Thursdays.
On stage Actors Community Theatre Dinner theatre: “The Dinner Party,” April 4-6, 2019. Dinner theatre patrons must be 18 or older. Plays: “Into the Woods,” July 25-28, 2019. All of the shows will be performed at the Jasper Arts Center. Season tickets and twoevent packages are available at ActorsCommunityTheatre.com.
Jasper Arts Center Main Stage Series — O Sole Trio: Bravissimo Broadway, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3; “A Christmas Carol,” 7:30 p.m., Dec. 14; Mark Chesnutt and Joe Diffie, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 19; and Forever Young: You Life/Your Music, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 9. Backstage Series — Edmar Castaneda 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18; The Poulenc Trio, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27; and Matt Beilis, 7:30 p.m., March 8. Family Fun Series — The Amazing Max, 3:30 p.m., Feb. 24. Live at The Astra! — Farewell Angelina, 7:30 p.m., Friday; and The Good Humor Men, 7:30 p.m., March 15. Tickets are available by calling the arts center at 482-3070.
Area comedy Astra Theatre, Jasper: Todd McComas and Jeff Oskay of “The Bob and Tom Show,” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10. www.astratheatre.eventbrite.com
Area concerts
Casinos Tropicana, Evansville: Queens Blvd., Friday and Saturday; Dr. Zhivegas, Oct. 19-20; and Throw the Horns, Oct. 26-27. www.tropicanacasinos. com Horseshoe Casino, Elizabethtown: Showroom: REO Speedwagon, Nov. 16. www.ticketmaster.com French Lick Casino: Casino Lounge (8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.) — DJ Charlie, Friday and Saturday; DJ Rishi, Oct. 19-20; and EightySixt, Oct. 27. Event Center — Gaither Vocal Band and Holiday Homecoming Show, 7 p.m. Nov. 17. 888-936-9360 or www.frenchlick. com/entertainment/concerts
Astra Theatre, Jasper: Rodney Crowell, 8:30 p.m. Nov. 3; The Why Store, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 8. www. TheNextAct.org Jasper Arts Center: United State Air Force Band of Mid-America’s Concert Band, 7 p.m., Oct. 17. Free.
Other concerts Abbeydell Hall at the Legend of French Lick, 7328 W. County Road 100 W, West Baden Springs: I’ve Got the Music in Me: A ’60s and ’70s Musical Production, Friday and Oct. 17, 20, 22 and 27; and Christmas Treasures, Nov. 27 and Dec. 1, 8, 14-15 and 22. www. legendoffrenchlick.com/abbeydell-hall
Corydon Live (formerly Corydon Jamboree), 320 Hurst Lane, north of town square: Kelly Casey, Christy Miller, Clinton Spaulding and Billy Keith, Saturday. 812-734-6288 or www.corydon.live Owensboro Convention Center, 501 W. Second St.: Dwight Yoakam, Oct. 26; Tracy Lawrence, Nov. 17; and A Rockin’ Country Christmas, Dec. 15. OwensboroTickets.com Victory Theatre, 600 Main St., Evansville (all times CT): and Postmodern Jukebox, Oct. 21; Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra: Halloween Bash!, Oct. 29. www. evansvillephilharmonic.org or www. victorytheatre.com
Plays Actors Theatre of Louisville, 316 W. Main St.: “Dracula,” through Oct. 31; and “A Doll’s House, Part 2,” through Nov.4. 502-584-1205 or www.actorstheatre.org/visit/ ticketing-options/ Derby Dinner Playhouse, Clarksville: “Web of Murder,” through Nov. 11; “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley,” through Nov. 10; “Holiday Inn,” Nov. 14-Dec. 31; and “A Velveteen Rabbit Christmas,” Nov. 17-Dec. 22. www.derbydinner.com. Evansville Civic Theatre, 717 N. Fulton Ave.: “The Diary of Anne Frank,” Friday-Sunday and Oct. 19-21; “Dashing Through the Snow,” Dec. 7-9 and 14-16; “Big River,” Jan. 25-27 and Feb. 1-3; “And Then There Were None,” March 22-24 and 29-31; and “The 39 Steps,” May 17-19 and 24-26. www.evansvillecivictheatre.org or 812-425-2800. Hillview Christian Church, 4180 E. State Road 64, Marengo: “Raggedy Ann & Andy,” Oct. 26-27. PeacockChildrensTheatre.com or 812-338-3845 The Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St., Louisville: “Aladdin,” through Oct. 21; “Girl’s Night: The Musical,” Oct. 27; “A Christmas Story,” Nov. 27-Dec. 2; and “Hamilton,” June 4-23, 2019. www.kentuckycenter.org RiverPark Center, 101 Daviess St., Owensboro: “Chicago The Musical,” Oct. 30; “Wizard of Oz,” Feb. 7; “Something Rotten,” Feb. 26, 2019; and “Kinky Boots,” April 3, 2019. https://riverparkcenter.org/
Membership: 2019 memberships are available. Purchase a membership and receive free admission into the museum from the day the membership is purchased through Dec. 31, 2019.
Sunday, October 14, 2018 10am-3pm EST St. Anthony Campus Grounds 4444 S Ohio Street St. Anthony, IN 47575 Mass at 10am
Storytime for Kids, 10:30 a.m., Saturday and Nov. 10. Bicentennial Fall Harvest Day, 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Model Train Show and Swap Meet, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 20. See a train set made entirely of Legos “The Return of Sunshine: Poems By and For a New Grandpa,” reading by Jasper native Norb Krapf, 2 p.m. Oct. 20. Model Train Club, 6 p.m. Nov. 5. Kinder Karneval, 1:15 p.m. Nov. 25. Festival of Trees Opening, 5:30 p.m. trees and 6 p.m. program, Thursday, Nov. 15. The theme is Americana/ God Bless America. Haysville Ruritan Raffle drawing, 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18. Singing Seniors: Christmas Carols, 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 25. Refreshments. Hours: The museum, 2704 N. Newton St., is open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Admission charged. Can be found on Facebook and at www.duboiscountymuseum.org. 812-634-7733
Huntingburg Museum On exhibit: Commercial, manufacturing, military, school and social club memorabilia; the Geiger bedroom, family Bible and other belongings; a dollhouse inside a grandmother clock; a pony cart; and a 1950s kitchen. The museum is in Huntingburg City Hall, 508 E. Fourth St. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays unless City
Grilled Herb Chicken & Smoked Pork Loin Dinners (Dine in or carry out) Homemade Mock Turtle Soup (by the bowl or gallon) Hamburgers/Cheeseburgers Potato Haystacks Elephant Ears Ice Cream Blood Pressure Screening Theme Basket Raffle FREE Shuttle service & Handicap parking available
Licen se #148097
