Politics as seen by Neeson

Jae-Ha Kim

“In an America where the Chinese were still stereotyped as meek house servants and railroad workers, Bruce Lee was all steely sinew, threatening stare and cocky, pointed finger – a Clark Kent who didn’t need to change outfits. He was the redeemer, not only for the Chinese but for all the geeks and dorks and pimpled teenage masses that washed up at the theaters to see his action movies. He was David, with spin-kicks and flying leaps more captivating than any slingshot. He was the patron saint of the cult of the body.”

Material witness

Jae-Ha Kim

Bassist Ted Ansani never wanted a solo career. As one-third of the Chicago-based power pop band Material Issue, Ansani was content to leave the spotlight to extroverted singer-guitarist Jim Ellison. But after Ellison committed suicide three years ago, Ansani and drummer Mike Zelenko found themselves in a predicament. Ellison had been their singer, songwriter and spokesman.

Dogstar at Park West

Jae-Ha Kim

You’ve got to hand it to Dogstar. It’s not easy being taken seriously when the media-and even some fans-don’t really want you to be. But the trio-which includes movie star Keanu Reeves on bass-was well-prepared for its one-hour concert Wednesday night at the Park West. Debuting 15 songs from their upcoming album, “Happy Ending,” the musicians’ aggressive set was a vast improvement over their 1995 Chicago debut at the same venue. Back then, Dogstar appeared tentative and somewhat cowed by the adulation aimed at their famous bassist. This time around, they confidently served up catchy songs with muscular rhythms and strong hooks.

Ben Folds Five

Jae-Ha Kim

Ben Folds Five plays “The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner.” Sounds like some weird concept piece at an arthouse, right? But it was actually a sold-out rock ‘n’ roll show Monday night at the Park West. You wouldn’t know it from “Brick” – the band’s breakthrough, bittersweet single in which Folds sang about an abortion his high school girlfriend had – but the group has a wry sense of humor.

Teen star Portman is bright, careful

Jae-Ha Kim

Vanity Fair’s May cover girl is Natalie Portman, 17, who stars as Queen Amidala in the “Star Wars” prequel “The Phantom Menace.” Leslie Bennetts’ story presents Portman as a serious high school senior with a grade-point average of 99 (out of 100). The actress excels in her advanced placement classes (which include calculus), takes Japanese lessons and has been accepted for early enrollment at Harvard and Yale universities.

98° at the Rosemont Theatre

Jae-Ha Kim

As long as there are girls, boy bands such as 98°, which performed Tuesday at the Rosemont Theatre, will fare just fine. And when you think about it, that’s not such a bad thing. Whose concert would you rather have your 12-year-old attend? The one by nice young men in 98°, who sing about eternal love, or a show by wacky Marilyn Manson, who likes to pick fights with Kurt Cobain’s widow?

“Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman” by Queen Latifah

Jae-Ha Kim

In her first book, rap star-turned-actress Queen Latifah, candidly writes about her steady rise to fame, her close-knit family and and how she treated her grief with alcohol and drugs after her brother died in a motorcycle accident. At 173 very short pages (the type is huge and the margins generous), readers are entertained and, to a certain extent, enlightened. But they never get the feeling that they have gotten to know the artist.

Viggo Mortensen: Renaissance Man

Jae-Ha Kim

Barefoot and clad in a pair of sweats that have seen better days, Viggo Mortensen walks over to introduce himself. His hands and arms are covered with names and phone numbers he has scribbled on himself after checking his answering machine. And his hair is tousled and flecked with tiny bits of paint. None of this can hide Mortensen’s deadly good looks.

Getting the last laugh: ‘N Sync shrugs off the parodies

Jae-Ha Kim

You’ve heard their song “Tearin’ Up My Heart” on the radio. You’ve seen the video on heavy rotation on MTV. And if you have a little sister, young niece or a daughter with a subscription to Teen People, there’s a good chance you could even pick Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone Jr., Chris Kirkpatrick or Justin Timberlake – the Fab Five who make up the pop band – out of a dreamy lineup.

“The Wizard of Oz”

Jae-Ha Kim

Deftly directed by Robert Johanson, who shows a keen eye for detail, the immaculately staged, 90-minute musical is a whirlwind of eye candy. With the collaboration of set designer Michael Anania, Johanson brings the scenes to life. One minute you see the cantankerous neighbor/witch flying high above the stage on her bicycle. The next, a farmhouse is furiously swirling through the epicenter of a tornado. All this sets the stage for the trip to Oz, where the kaleidoscope of colors are as bright as a rainbow and the onstage pyrotechnics just add to the fun.

20 Dates

Jae-Ha Kim

Myles Berkowitz was a man on a mission:  He would go on 20 dates with 20 different women, film each date and, hopefully, land  a girlfriend and a movie deal at the end of the project. The 36-year-old hyphenated guy (actor-screenwriter-director) couldn’t have scripted a better ending. He got engaged to lovely Elisabeth Wagner and he sold “20 Dates” to Fox Searchlight (“The Full Monty”). The film opens Friday at Pipers Alley.

Working girl: At 17, Britney Spears no stranger to show biz

Jae-Ha Kim

Forget about the Spice Girls. Britney Spears has real girl power. After debuting at No. 1 last month with her album ” . . . Baby One More Time,” the teenager has sold more than 800,000 copies. Surprisingly enough, the album has sold more copies each week that it has been out. Fans snapped up 230,000 copies of Spears’ debut album the week ending Feb. 14 – 50,000 more than the previous week.