Book Review: Some Girls: My Life in a Harem

Sometimes when we’re at work, we look out the window and fantasize about our secret desire to be a “kept woman.” You know the kind—she gets paid to look good, be social, maybe play a game of tennis and look past a pot belly or bald spot. And in return, she receives lavish jewels, budget-less shopping sprees and the envy of all the other women.

Well, Jillian Lauren did that—sort of. Some Girls: My Life in a Harem is the memoir by Jillian of her formative years, 1.5 of which she spent as the guest at the Sultan of Brunei’s palace. Well, even better; she was one of 40 girlfriends of his younger, more handsome brother, Prince Jefri. And of course you’ve heard of the Sultan, as he was, until recently, literally the richest man in the world. Yeah. And if you’re wondering if harems still exist? They do.

Jillian’s book (which we read in one day) is entertaining, yet in addition to a hefty dose of shock and awe—Dolce & Gabbana!, surveillance tapes!, sex scenes!—she includes the gory details of a less-than-idyllic suburban New Jersey upbringing, complete with a physically abusive father, a bit of bulimia and stripping in college to make ends meet.

But alas, after her stint halfway across the world at 18, Jillian returned to the U.S. for good. These days, she’s the wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner and the mother of a young son. And what did she do with all those clothes? Let’s just say, the babysitter loves her. And is she afraid of repercussions at having revealed the less-than-graceful liaisons of the twice-married (at once) prince? No, in fact; it would seem he would be flattered. You’ve really got to read the book.

Some Girls: My Life in a Harem, published by Plume, came out this week. Find out more about Jillian at www.jillianlauren.com.

—MM

Film Review: Waking Sleeping Beauty

You know that age in Disney animation when it seemed they released one major hit after another? Now-classics like The Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King were everywhere, from your 6^th-grade classroom to your lunch at McDonald’s and your family trip to Broadway.

Well, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Fans of “A Whole New World” and “Hakuna Matata” will love this week’s Hipp movie, Waking Sleeping Beauty, which chronicles the good times and the bad at Disney animation studios, from Walt’s own reign (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves) to the introduction of Pixar Studios and A Toy Story. Filmed in the style of home-video-turned documentary, the movie includes all that you never knew about the behind-the-scenes at this American powerhouse.

Revisit the classics by watching the fascinating Waking Sleeping Beauty on Wednesday (4/28) at 5:15 and 8pm, and on Thursday at 6:30 and 8:30pm.

*Win Tix! INsite's giving away a pair of tix to the Hipp Cinema. Follow us on Twitter to find out how to win.

—MM

SXSW Sneak Peek

Photo by John Davisson

One week, one head cold and tons of photos later, intrepid cross-country concert photog John Davisson is back from Austin's celeb-packed South by Southwest (aka SXSW) music festival (and on his way to Miami for Ultra, no less). Check back on Monday for a full slideshow and major story from the event.

February Issue Sneak Peek!

What's hot in the February issue? This month's features include:

• Tons of Events. From free wine tastings to lavish gala fundraisers, there's a lot going on in February.
• Plenty of VDay ideas. Don't get caught unprepared. We review three date-worthy restaurants, some great movies, a great gift idea for him or her, plus find some pretty cool one-of-a-kind Gainesville events.
• Fashion & Beauty. Like what you see on our cover? We transformed four local reader models to give them easy-to-do romantic hair and sexy makeup and added jaw-dropping jewels and simple, easy dresses for 8 truly unique looks. We also break down the classic smoky idea to prevent miss-haps.
• Celeb Interviews. We talk to Emily Blunt, who's been catching our eye since Devil Wears Prada. Her new movie looks pretty intense! Then, we chat with Dear John's romantic leads, Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried, about love and what makes this tearjerker stand out.
• Too much more to list, like drink specials, Nightlife pics, music and movie reviews, the whole lot!

Check for the INsite February on stands next week. Can't wait? Go to INsiteMagazine.com for online-only extras.

"The Lovely Bones" book review

"My name is Salmon, like the fish, first name: Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6th, 1973.”

Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones has come from the bestseller list to the box office in a matter of seven years.

After being murdered a by a neighbor, Susie Salmon tells her story from a place between heaven and earth. But, childish and dimwitted are two terms Sebold strays away from as she makes Susie the narrator. Most notably, in the first chapter, Susie explains in full detail the grotesque actions of her murderer, Mr. Harvey, which might persuade readers to close the book. Nevertheless, the sassy and perseverant 14-year-old, who acts twice her age, eloquently exposes her heaven and hell in the in-between where she resides.

While Susie consistently describes the feelings of her distraught father and silence-in-suffering mother, Abigail, Susie also reveals what she experiences in her perfect world full of gazebos, animals, Kool-Aid and fashion magazines. However, this perfect world Susie lives in is also a slice of hell. Without the fire and gloom, Susie reveals how she keeps track of her murderers' whereabouts as he walks among the living.

But deep into the text of Sebold’s work can bring comfort to those who have lost a loved one. Not only does the novel portray how people grieve differently with the loss of a loved one, but also how the dead cope with watching their family and friends grow old.

Sebold’s excellent use of visual imagery and her strong character development, Abigail in particular, drives the story from one chapter to the next.

Tomorrow (Jan. 15th), The Lovely Bones, directed by Lord of the Rings' Peter Jackson, premieres nationwide. The cast is comprised of Stanley Tucci, from The Devil Wears Prada, as Susie’s killery. Mark Whalberg and Rachel Weisz play Susie’s parents. Saoirse Ronan, Oscar-nominated for her role in Atonement, plays lead Susie Salmon and Susan Sarandon is cast as Susie’s eccentric grandma, Lynn. However, with such a well-written book it will be interesting to see whether the CGI effects will take away from the magnificent and moving plot of this New York Times bestseller.

—Alisha Kinman

Book: The Happiness Project

As people everywhere start writing down their New Year's Resolutions in an ultimate attempt to make themselves happier, Gretchen Rubin releases her book, The Happiness Project. The book, which hits book shelves today, traces Gretchen's journey testing out many tips, tricks and theories she found about happiness to find out what works. Ultimately finding that happiness comes from within and is different for each person. We talked to the author about what makes her book unique, what she learned from this project and what students should do after graduation.

Read the interview on our Web site!

AC/DC Keeps On Rocking

AC/DC returned to Florida as one of the last dates on their Black Ice US Tour, and they gave the fans exactly what they wanted at the Amway Arena in Orlando last week: larger than life arena rock. For some 30 years now, AC/DC has delivered hard-hitting, straight-forward rock and they have done it with an inimitable bombastic style that has garnered their fans, and kept them.

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Hawthorne Heights plays Common Grounds

JT Woodruff, lead singer of Hawthorne Heights, is standing at the merch table when I walk into Common Grounds at around 8 o' clock on Sunday night. He looks like he's in disguise with a black cap, polo shirt (red rim around sleeves) and black rimmed glasses - and a mini Groucho Marx mustache.

"Are you doing no shave November?"

"Yeah," he said. "But just the mustache part."

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New Moon Review

The New Moon midnight premier opened to cloudy skies, and a surprisingly uncrowded theater in Gainesville. The number of movie-goers sharply increased following a more saga-appropriate turnout for the 3am screening, as people lined throughout and outside of the Regal Cinemas in Butler Plaza. Walking out of the movie, found a mixed-bag of reviews, with avid book fans disappointed at the movie translation and others enthralled by the magic that is the Edward-Bella love story.

The second installment of Stephanie Meyer’s vampire book series continues the fantasy love story between a vampire, Edward Cullen, and a human teenage girl, Bella Swan. We see as Bella’s world falls apart after being abandoned by Edward, and she eventually finds comfort in Jacob Black, an old-friend, and mid-way into the movie, a werewolf. The story leads up to the final choice of Bella having to choose between Edward and Jacob (as if there was ever really a question).

If you go into New Moon with high expectations, you will leave disappointed. The below par acting, overdramatized, unsound special effects and the beyond corny scenes will leave you feeling a bit cheap and undersold. On the other hand, if you approach New Moon for what it is- a silly adventure romance – the movie doesn’t fail to amuse.

The true and undeniable flop of the movie goes to Taylor Lautner, who plays Jacob. Not even his Greek-god physique or Hollywood-watt smile can make up for his complete lack of acting skills. The cast is saved by the obvious chemistry between Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattison as Bella and Edward, which is all that really matters as the true catalyst behind the Twilight-mania. Dakota Fanning also impressed in the role of underworld princess Jane. The small role might just be what she needed to make the transition from creepy child actor to more grown-up roles. We still can't imagine a better Bella than Kristen, whose naturally awkward disposition make her perfect for playing the insecure and clumsy teenage role.

If you’re in for some mindless fun this weekend put aside your snobbery – no, the movie will never be as good as the book, and a beefed-up budget does not an Oscar-worthy make - and get lost in some New Moon fun. If anything, check it out for the soundtrack. With tracks by Bon Iver and Thom Yorke, New Moon might serve the higher purpose of introducing mainstream-loving teens to some good artists.

-Stephanie Granada

Into the Fest: Day 2

7:17 The Venue
Altercation Punk Comedy Tour (Austin, TX.)

In the side hatch, all the beer and smokes make the room smell like my grandfather's breath. There's a comedian spitting rapid-fire punk references. He's wearing a golfer's cap and rimmed glasses. He says stuff like "I'll beat you down with my Misfits box set." Also, "over 30, you get pissed off over the stupidest shit." He's J.T. Habersaat, and he's a vociferously angry dude.

7:30 The Venue
Less Than Jake (Gainesville, Fl.)

If you didn't know, Less Than Jake is a ska-punk band from Gainesville. They've been around for more than 10 years. It's Halloween, so costumes abound. This is the most insane crowd I've seen so far at the Fest. Among the chaos, it's a viscerally friendly environment. They play a song that "came out about 13 years ago, before any of you had any pubic hair." I get the sense that this is more than just a show to these folks—its a movement, a lifestyle. There's real emotion in this room. You can feel it. The smoke burns my eyes but the mood warms my stomach.

8:20 Durty Nelly's
Dan Padilla (San Diego, Ca.)
I wanted to see how the Fest affects bars like Durty's. This is a drinking crowd. Boisterous and sloppy. Fest-goers high five a lot in this bar. There's a black light over the stage and it gives a haunted house vibe, punk style. The band has a thick, crunchy chugging bass sound—like a sped-up semi engine. The snare drum hits feel like a hammer on a turtle shell—destructive.

8:50 Market Street
Joe McMahon (Smoke or Fire)
Joe McMahon plays intensely and honestly. He's a short, stocky guy with a fade. I feel the same kind of community energy that has been the theme of the whole Fest. Music brings it all together. A toga-wearing Fest-goer tells me that McMahon is in an awesome band called Smoke or Fire. There is a room full of heartfelt sing-alongs. It's nice. His music makes me want to put my arm around toga guy and sway. This experience continues to surprise me and squash my prejudices about punk rock music being aggressive and divisional.

9:45 The Kickstand
Vena Cava (San Diego, Ca.)
The stifling Fest heat has turned into a pleasant Halloween night. At Vena Cava, a short, dark-haired tattooed girl plays guitar. She's sexy in a punk girl kinda way. Conversely, playing bass is a beanpole mustached man. They play machine gun punk rock. The male singer sounds kinda like Bad Religion. They've been coming to Gainesville since the first Fest.

10:27 The Atlantic
Averkiou (Gainesville, Fl.)
Walking into The Atlantic, I'm greeted by some breezy guitar-driven indie rock. Averkiou sound spacey, like falling through the air and landing on fluffy white pillows. The Atlantic looks like a 1930s movie set—complete with architecture and art deco light fixtures. This is more of an indie crowd. There is distinct lack of hugging in here. Maybe everyone's too cool to really show some emotion. Maybe that's where punk rock really thrives and indie rock dies. Punk rock is "we're in this together" and indie rock is "we're standing here together."
10:50 The Atlantic
Hawks and Doves (Peoria, Il.)
The lead singer from the band stumbles and sways onto the stage. He's the drunkest guy in here I think. I expect this to be crappy; it's not. For some reason, with his raspy, tortured voice ... it works for him. His electric guitar streams out warm, soft tones. Out of nowhere, the band sneaks up and blows the stage up. They play the best set of the night. Little did I know, things were about to get even crazier. Instead of ending his set, new band members walk on stage.

He says, "That was Hawks and Doves; this is Planes Mistaken for Stars." The place goes insane. Men start screaming and rushing the stage. The energy is intense and I back up. A circle pit cracks open in the middle of the floor. The band kills it. I've never seen a room so full of blissful fury. After the set, everyone is hugging each other after having their minds blown. I did some research, and apparently Planes Mistaken For Stars broke up years ago but just played a secret reunion show. I'm honored to have witnessed something truly spectacular. Peace.

—Jon Silman; Photos by Sean Kelly

Modern Skirts play 1982

The Modern Skirts played at 1982 Bar on Wednesday (Oct. 28). Congratulations to our free-tickets winner! To those who didn't make it, here's how it went down.

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Silversun Pickups and An Horse rock The Venue

Last Friday (Oct. 2), INsite got to cover L.A.-based electro-rock band Silversun Pickup’s show at The Venue. Here’s our report.

When I walk into The Venue, An Horse is already on stage. I instantly feel like it’s summer again and I’m hanging out in the 12th grade. The place is pretty full. I’m surprised that there are only two people on stage because the sound is so full. The lead singer is petite with a blonde pixie cut. Each time she strums her oversized orange guitar, the overhead lights wink in response. The song comes to an end.

Someone in the crowd shouts, “Where are you from?” “Where am I from?” she responds. “Your dreams.” She’s sharp, this one. And she doesn’t miss a beat before the drummer in his checkered shirt has counted in the next song.

I find myself bobbing my head along to the music, and before I know it, another song has come and gone. The blonde speaks again. I still don’t know where her accent is from, but it’s adorable and I want to have the exact same one. She gets the crowd pumped up for Silversun Pickups before segueing into another song, and I remember that I haven’t found a way backstage.

I make my way over to the merchandise table, which, by the way, is conveniently set up right next to the metal detector. There’s a girl leaning against a stool with her hands in her pockets. Her curly hair is pinned in a side-chignon, her cardigan sparkles baby blue and her brown boots are so worn the toe is white. When I ask her name, she responds so quickly I just nod and smile. I want to be her best friend.

Apparently, An Horse is from Australia. No wonder I think the accent is so cool. It’s a 14-hour flight and this girl is still feeling a bit backwards. We start to chat, and she begins telling me about what it’s like to travel in their van from town to town. Today was their shortest drive— eight hours. An Horse has been in the states for 10 months and they often drive 12 hours or more between shows.

“How was the drive today?” I ask. “The only thing I saw for two hours was a dead horse.”

I bite my lip to keep from snickering. The irony seems to be lost on her. I’m suddenly aware of how quiet it is. An Horse’s set must be over. And sure enough the drummer comes behind the table covered in sweat sucking on a water bottle like it’s going out of style.

I say my goodbyes and go to stake out a spot for when Silversun gets on stage. The 20 minutes between sets feels like eternity. At 10:30 p.m. the hair on the back of my neck begins to prickle. The air is so electric I’m afraid something is going to start sparking.

The crowd explodes the second Christopher Guanlao, Silversun’s drummer, takes his seat on the drums. The first chords of “Growing Old is Getting Old” erupts from the speakers and the crowd turns into a full on mob. I am in heaven.

I spend the next 10 minutes in a full-on music coma. My jaw is inches from the floor and I’m screaming at the top of my lungs. The band is so into it. Nikki, the bassist, is headbanging with the best of 'em, and the drummer is taking such big strokes I’m afraid his drumstick is going to fly out and impale someone.

Suddenly, Brian Aubert speaks.

“Hello Gainesville, its nice to meet you.”

Why hello Brian, it’s nice to meet you too.

He starts singing “It’s Nice to Know You Work Alone,” and the mic isn’t working. Instead, he launches into a guitar solo and dances around the stage until someone can come up and change it out.

“Could you not hear me before?” he asks, catapulting into an acoustic version of the ending. His voice is like warm molasses.

“Better make sure you’re looking closely. Before you fall into your swoon,” he sings.

Too late.

—Victoria Phillips; Photos by Sarah Hsu

Want to get to know the band a little bit better? Check out INsite's interview with Silversun Pickups bassist Nikki Monninger right here on our blog!

Sneak Peek: INsite's October 2009 Issue

What's inside:

• Tons of Events. Hope your planner has some space—we give you so much to do this month, it's scary.
• When Bad Halloween Costumes Happen to Good People. Our tips for saving face (and body).
• Gossip Girl-inspired Fashion. Don't live on the Upper East Side? No worries. We scoured the Web to get prep-school fashion at public school prices.
• Celeb Interviews. We talk to Couple's Retreat's Malin Akerman and Sublime cover-band Badfish (and of course give away free tix in the process).
• Gainesville's Pool Scene. This indoor sport saves the day when those 70-degree temps make it just a tad nippy for a bathing suit.
• Too much more to list, like restaurant reviews, drink specials, Nightlife pics, the whole lot!

Check for the INsite October on stands next week. Can't wait? Go to INsiteMagazine.com for online-only extras.

Checking in with "The Almost"

Last Friday (Sept. 25), INsite visited The Venue to see alt-rock band The Almost. We got tons of awesome pictures and chatted with the band. Read on to find out about their stage presence, footwear choices and how The Almost feels about Creed.

Check out the full article on our Web site!

"Food, Inc." Review: A Beef With The Food Industry

*Win free tix! See below.*

Private investigators, hired by huge multi-national corporations, prowl the perimeter of each plot of land. Dark windowless sheds dot a once pastoral landscape. And from inside the feces-encrusted walls of those sheds comes much of the nation’s food. Sound like a horror movie? According to the documentary film Food, Inc., this is merely the state of food production today.

Food, Inc. confronts the cherished delusion that the family farm is at the heart of Americana. Documentary filmmaker Robert Kenner exposes the reality that our food is actually coming from factory-like farms owned by a handful of corporate giants, to the detriment of all Americans. Featuring the commentary of best-selling authors Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) and Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma), this film reveals how a few large food corporations lobby for lower health standards and less oversight while continuing to make the process of food production more dangerous and more unhealthy.

Like many calls to activism, Food, Inc. may initially come across as radical or liberal. Nothing could be further from the truth. Food, Inc. is an appeal to all Americans, regardless of political party or beliefs. For instance, in the film, a Democratic Congresswoman unites with a Republican mother who lost her son to an E. coli infection. A local farmer against big business is as prominently featured as the founder of the Stonyfield Farm Organic Yogurts, the third largest yogurt producer in the US. The documentary Food, Inc. attempts to be nothing if not balanced in its search for a solution to our looming food crisis.

Food, Inc. documents every stage food passes through, from its agricultural origins to the mouths of consumers. As the movie shows, many of today’s hot-button issues are affected by food politics, from illegal immigration to obesity and healthcare. The film’s implications are horrifying, but Food, Inc., for all its shock value, refuses to accept the status-quo. Instead, it appeals to America’s deep democratic ideals, calling for consumers to “vote” for healthy products with each purchase. As such, Food, Inc. frames the battle for higher food standards as the battle for the American spirit. The reality of the food industry may be less than appetizing, but Food, Inc. should leave all Americans hungry for change.

--Allison Griner

Food, Inc. premieres tonight at the Hippodrome at 6 and 8:30 p.m. It runs tonight, Saturday (9/26), Sunday (9/27), Wednesday(9/30) and Thursday (10/1) at 6 and 8:30.

**We’re giving away a set of tickets to Food, Inc. today!.
Follow us on Twitter to find out how to win! **

Win a Copy of "Historic Photos of University of Florida Football"

This month we talked with Dr. Kevin McCarthy, a UF English professor for 37 years and author of more than 40 books. His latest, Historic Photos of University of Florida Football, came this month and to celebrate, INsite is giving away a copy of his book!

Check out a clip from our interview below, and read the rest on our Web site:

How did you learn so much about Florida football? I taught a course for about 10 years on writing about football (in the fall), and writing about baseball (in the spring). So I came to know about the history of the SEC football and football at the school. Now I’m writing about the city of Lake City, where the university used to be, and I’m now discovering that there was a football team there in the 1890s.

Many of the photos haven’t been seen in a long time, or at all. How did you get access to all the pictures and research? From two sources—my own collection of photographs, which I’ve collected from the sports info archive on campus and the Florida archive in Tallahassee. I also collected pictures from UF archives and old yearbooks.

Any predictions for this year’s season? It much depends on injuries. If the Gators can stay injury-free, they can win the SEC championship. Then it depends on what other teams do.

**To win a copy of Historic Photos of University of Florida Football, follow INsiteMagazine on Twitter!**

GFW '09: BobbyK + Dahlia Runway Review

Gainesville Fashion Week ended on Friday with a bang, to say the least. The BobbyK and Dahlia fashion shows brought out the biggest crowd out of the whole week-long event series. Skyy Night Club was packed with enthusiastic fans. We were very impressed to see the Gainesville community come together in such a massive way to celebrate our local fashion scene.
Dahlia

After a one-hour fashionably late start, Dahlia opened the show with a silk and lace tank and jeans combo that set the tone for the whole collection she presented. The first look captured the aesthetic of the whole store—uber-stylish, easy-to-wear, designer casuals.
Look-after-look, we were impressed by the airiness of Dahlia's styling that made even the most high-end designer pieces seem approachable and wearable.

We love the range colors Dahlia gave us—cobalt blue swimwear, turquoise tops—it made even me, a black, white and navy uniform kind of gal, want to spruce up my wardrobe with some of the store's more electric pieces. We will definitely be checking back with Dahlia this week to snag some cute party frocks and trendy girl-about-town pieces.

BobbyK
After the Dahlia show, BobbyK took the stage with what he called "yet another of his many diva moments," as he thanked the massive audience and turned our attention to the "exotic yoga" cage dancer who opened his show. From the moment the lights turned on the dancer's pink hair, we know what we were in for with BobbyK's collection—sex appeal.

The prediction came true, as model after model walked the runway in super short, super tight minis that left little to the imagination and a bit to be desired.

BobbyK's "I'm In Love with a Robot" collection retained some of the style elements we saw in his last collection—the bubblegum pop colors from Alice in Wonderland, the structured, angular dresses from Jack the Ripper, and the soft cotton summery pieces from Amazonian. And although we can see this local designer has a definite designing point of view, Friday's collection was fresh.
Our favorite look was a pink anorak-style shirt-dress that flattered the model and was noticeably a departure from the more revealing looks surrounding it. Bobby hyped up the audience with his use of artfully placed zippers, exaggerated ruffled sleeves, funky tie-dyed fabrics and some space-age inspired dresses fit straight for a spaceship stewardess on her way to find the fifth element. We appreciated the addition of menswear to this collection and hope there will be more to come.
Before the show started Bobby told us he has been working for years to bring us what he did that night, and his hard work paid off as the hundreds of attendants shouts and hollers increased as the collection went on, all the way to and through the show's finale.

—Stephanie Granada
Photos by Sarah Hsu

Visioneers Screening Review

Suffer from dreams? The characters of the dark comedy Visioneers do, and it has them literally blowing up. We got to watch this movie last night (Thurs., Sept. 10) in the smoky interiors of the Common Grounds. This quirky movie stars The Hangover’s Zach Galifianakis, who plays George, a level 3 corporate drone who watches in fear as his colleagues explode around him out of frustration at their desolate, bleak lives. Visioneers follows George as he tries to hold it together in a loveless marriage and mindless job, seeking happiness hopelessly in materialism.

As the first feature film by director Jared Drake, Visioneers heralds the arrival of great talent. The film toes the line between edgy and mainstream, comedy and surrealism, such that it appeals to a wide audience. Being so well made, it seems hardly believable that the film was shot on location in and around the Drake family house and on an Indie-film budget no less.

While the film does sag in the middle due to its heavily melancholic tone, it stays consistently entertaining with its pop-culture parodies and its sarcastic depiction of dead-end jobs. Inventive editing and vivid imagery create searing scenes of dark offices and an equally dismal home life, but the film always has the allure of hope and humor. This movie is such an effective satire, you may come out of the movie too wondering if you’re just a “Tunt” waiting to break free or blow up. Visioneers is an explosively entertaining and relevant comedy that just might have you bursting ... with laughter.

Read our previous post with screenwriter Brandon Drake.

—Text and Photo by Allison Griner