FINNEY

The University of South Carolina Department of English has hired nationally prominent poet Nikky Finney, who won the 2011 National Book Award. This addition will greatly increase the importance of the poetry program and should draw high-level students. I love when USC improves its national status. We're not only about football.

SEC

SEC football is simply the strongest in the nation right now, and has been. No conference comes close. There are teams who on good days playing their best can defeat SEC teams, but I don't see too many that could survive 8 weeks of SEC hammering, unless they joined the SEC and could similarly recruit. One has to give Texas A&M a lot of credit (and having a special QB) for doing as well as they did, and will likely to next year. Next season should be pretty exciting. I am optimistic about the Gamecocks. I would love to see maybe a TAMU v. USC SEC title game. That would be cool. But Alabama is still dominant, and Georgia will be strong (both depending a little on how much they lose). USC loses a good crop this year. But Clowney and our QBs will be back. Young OL will be bigger and better, I think. If another running back emerges to pair with Davis, we should be ok. Shaq needs to step up at receiver. Biggest challenge I see is linebackers. GO COCKS!

RED STATE

Kevin Smith delivers an unusual and startling small-budget independent film, an action-comedy-horror-satire loosely based on a violent Westboro Baptist Church type evangelical preacher and his family/flock (who are fueled far more by hate and their belief in a vengeful angry God than a sin-forgiving Church of Jesus Christ), in Red State (2011). Michael Parks is absolutely wonderful, and creepily menacing, in the lead role as the Phelps-like minister, charismatic and cruel, a true believer, who takes his congregation a step further toward the Apocalypse in physically confronting their devils on earth. Into a dangerous trap spun by the minister fall three high-school students expecting some free sex, helping trigger an encounter with local and federal law enforcement. Yet, not all of the firebrand's followers see eye-to-eye, as his granddaughter Cheyenne (Kerry Bishe) frantically tries to protect the innocents. John Goodman also takes up an untypical role, as a conflicted ATF agent who has been monitoring the church's activities. All of the actors are very good, and you will recognize a few in small roles, but I was especially impressed by the group that plays the congregation, from Melissa Leo (who plays the ministers adoring, hard-core daughter Sara) down to the little kids. Smith does not only poke fun and criticism upon the fanatics, but also picks at government officials. Purposely inciteful to a degree, there will be some offended, but movie fans will find a lot to love here, from the great acting to the tight cinematography. I think independent filmmakers could learn a lot from the movie.

I also saw BRAVE (2012). I love just about anything Pixar does. Amazing animation, though not their best story, it is still funny and breathtaking, with a touch of usual Disney moral teaching and magic. The minute I recognized Kelly (Boardwalk Empire) Macdonald's voice, I was "I'm in." A good movie for the kids (and adults too).

SCOUTS

FIRST THURSDAY: JANUARY 2013

Approaching the downtown area usually dedicated to the monthly arts festival that is First Night in Columbia, all I saw was quiet and dampness, and worried that organizers had canceled the event. But lights were on at Tapps (the bedrock facility for the event) and inside dancers of the Columbia Classical Ballet were preparing to perform. And they delivered a nice program of short dances, featuring an interesting mix of traditional and modern, to the appreciative, cozy crowd. It was nice to see these young artists up close. I am sure women in the audience were especially delighted with the "Magic Mike" orientation of the Japanese male dancers. Sasha and Lauren were just about the only dancers I knew from the older company, and they performed well in the more traditional opening piece (featuring two pairs). Unfortunately, Zoltan was nowhere to be seen. One Japanese male dancer wearing a long skirt did a really interesting modern piece that was beautiful; he was followed by a peppy Japanese ballerina doing a quirky and delightful piece. The only drawback was the uncooperative cd player; you'd think they would have a better sound system there. But the dancers carried on nevertheless. I wish I knew this young company as well as I did their immediate predecessors, but I think they are a wonderful and beautiful company. The Korean (I think) ballerina who dances is striking and precise, but would love to see her smile a little more (that was one thing I loved about Akari dancing, she just seemed to enjoy every minute out there). I am glad the CCB got to showcase some of their talent and hope there is a good turnout for the upcoming LIFECHANCE (26 January). This event was like a small tasty appetizer, whetting our appetite for the coming attractions. It was also nice to chat with Radenko and Myra for a little bit. I would like to see more dance as part of future First Night events, maybe setting up a larger outside stage (perhaps right on the street) where less-constrained dances can be offered.

There wasn't too much new art, and fewer venues were showing off stuff, which was sad. I did like some photography on display. My friend Fred showed up. The crowds were sparse, especially in comparison to last month, but I hope that does not discourage the artists or sponsors. We need more events like this and we definitely need to support the arts.

TWEET HEAVEN

One of the two tweets I made on the Clowney hit during the Outback Bowl got mentioned in The State newspaper. How cool is that? I am not-so-secretly delighted. Such a dweeb am I. My friend Eric Bargeron noticed it and passed it along to me.

http://m.thestate.com/state/db_295846/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=47WwIlNP&storycount=49&detailindex=2&pn=&ps=

The second tweet I wrote, however, was better: IHOP should introduce the Vincent Smith: Corn flour (maize) blueberry pancakes topped with whipped cream and crushed pineapple.

CLOWNEY HIT

I am putting this link of Clowney's enormous hit in the Outback Bowl for myself, so I will have it. Amazing. Ignited the team. I think it gave them confidence to come back and win the game. And it showed the world in one play just how special a player he is. Top two highlights of Sport Center tonight belonged to the Gamecocks. Hopefully a couple recruits said to themselves, "I'd like to be a Gamecock."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC44nP7ClxM&feature=youtu.be