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(05/12/05 4:00am)
In my high school I was involved in theatre, so I knew a lot of kids in the drama department. During lunch period, they enjoyed the occasional, impromptu play and performing the usual off-Broadway show tune. However, the drama kids I knew tended to have conversations turn into movie quotes. The only reason I knew that the quote conversation had turned on was because they would switch to their version of a British accent. They liked to quote "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." I had only seen the television show, so I was never able to participate. \nHowever, my problem was not that I wanted to join in, but more that I thought they needed to use these quotes in a way that is more effective, especially since they took all that time to memorize them. Additionally, I always felt isolated, since I had no idea what they were talking about. It was not like I could add to the conversation with a different movie's quote. I think movie quotes are great. They have the potential to be funny and perfect for the moment in question. However, sometimes they can become superfluous and tend to drown out the real situation, instead of adding to the conversation. \nAs a result, I propose two rules for the use movie quotes in everyday life: 1) practice/show off knowledge through the correct use of the quote and 2) implement the quotes into their corresponding meanings. Of course, I am only proposing these rules to be followed, but to make them easier to understand I will explain with an example.\nFor instance, lets start with the classic Hollywood film "Scarface" (that is, the second classic version from 1983). At the end of the film, Tony Montana, played by the lovable Al Pacino, stands up with his machine gun, and with a fierce look in his eye he yells, "Say hello to my little friend!" More than likely, the average college student is not going to be standing in a similar situation. Well, at least I have not found myself holding too many machine guns in my life, so this quote seems difficult to reenact. However, there are ways to present this quote successfully without buying a super-soaker water gun. Lets look at the rules ... \nFirst, we have to make sure we say the words in the correct order. A movie quote loses all its power when someone forgets the actual quote and it gets even worse when they continue trying to fix the quote. So, we want to memorize the words found in the quote in the exact order that Montana yells them. Repeat after me: "Say hello to my little friend!" Good job. It is after we have the words down that we can begin to bring them into conversations. This is where things can become tricky or even a bit confusing. We want to use the quote in a situation where we can show off our knowledge in front off people who enjoy the film. Yet, the key here is striving to also keep those folks who have no idea who Montana is, and may have not met his "friend," feeling like they can be part of the conversation. \nThus, this is what I propose for this quote. Imagine working this summer at a children's day camp where you are in charge of walking your cabin to a campfire event. When you enter the event raise your hands with the children standing beside you and say, "Say hello to my little friends!" Not only will the "Scarface" fans catch the crucial phrase, but also the line fits perfectly in the situation. The children are certainly not machine guns, but they sure are little. \nI understand not everyone will be working with the children this summer, but I am asking people to look at the function of their chosen movie quote and the important role it plays in conversations. They are fun to say, but try not to make people who lack the previous knowledge feel like idiots because they did not see the film. \nMy last name, for example, is Hansell. Until I saw "Zoolander," I was completely stumped on why people kept talking about my modeling work and how hot I was. Accordingly, I think these rules could change the critical role of everyone's favorite movie quotes. No longer will we misunderstand when someone is quoting David Bowie in the "Labyrinth" or Amy Sedaris' hilariousness in "Strangers With Candy." The quotes will begin to make sense. Moreover, I think it is possible to effectively implement movie quotes in everyday life. The key is looking at the situation and casting the quote into its correct role. So, next time you are about to quote Arnold Schwarzenegger or "Napoleon Dynamite" just think about the rules and you may notice a greater response from your audience.
(05/12/05 1:58am)
In my high school I was involved in theatre, so I knew a lot of kids in the drama department. During lunch period, they enjoyed the occasional, impromptu play and performing the usual off-Broadway show tune. However, the drama kids I knew tended to have conversations turn into movie quotes. The only reason I knew that the quote conversation had turned on was because they would switch to their version of a British accent. They liked to quote "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." I had only seen the television show, so I was never able to participate. \nHowever, my problem was not that I wanted to join in, but more that I thought they needed to use these quotes in a way that is more effective, especially since they took all that time to memorize them. Additionally, I always felt isolated, since I had no idea what they were talking about. It was not like I could add to the conversation with a different movie's quote. I think movie quotes are great. They have the potential to be funny and perfect for the moment in question. However, sometimes they can become superfluous and tend to drown out the real situation, instead of adding to the conversation. \nAs a result, I propose two rules for the use movie quotes in everyday life: 1) practice/show off knowledge through the correct use of the quote and 2) implement the quotes into their corresponding meanings. Of course, I am only proposing these rules to be followed, but to make them easier to understand I will explain with an example.\nFor instance, lets start with the classic Hollywood film "Scarface" (that is, the second classic version from 1983). At the end of the film, Tony Montana, played by the lovable Al Pacino, stands up with his machine gun, and with a fierce look in his eye he yells, "Say hello to my little friend!" More than likely, the average college student is not going to be standing in a similar situation. Well, at least I have not found myself holding too many machine guns in my life, so this quote seems difficult to reenact. However, there are ways to present this quote successfully without buying a super-soaker water gun. Lets look at the rules ... \nFirst, we have to make sure we say the words in the correct order. A movie quote loses all its power when someone forgets the actual quote and it gets even worse when they continue trying to fix the quote. So, we want to memorize the words found in the quote in the exact order that Montana yells them. Repeat after me: "Say hello to my little friend!" Good job. It is after we have the words down that we can begin to bring them into conversations. This is where things can become tricky or even a bit confusing. We want to use the quote in a situation where we can show off our knowledge in front off people who enjoy the film. Yet, the key here is striving to also keep those folks who have no idea who Montana is, and may have not met his "friend," feeling like they can be part of the conversation. \nThus, this is what I propose for this quote. Imagine working this summer at a children's day camp where you are in charge of walking your cabin to a campfire event. When you enter the event raise your hands with the children standing beside you and say, "Say hello to my little friends!" Not only will the "Scarface" fans catch the crucial phrase, but also the line fits perfectly in the situation. The children are certainly not machine guns, but they sure are little. \nI understand not everyone will be working with the children this summer, but I am asking people to look at the function of their chosen movie quote and the important role it plays in conversations. They are fun to say, but try not to make people who lack the previous knowledge feel like idiots because they did not see the film. \nMy last name, for example, is Hansell. Until I saw "Zoolander," I was completely stumped on why people kept talking about my modeling work and how hot I was. Accordingly, I think these rules could change the critical role of everyone's favorite movie quotes. No longer will we misunderstand when someone is quoting David Bowie in the "Labyrinth" or Amy Sedaris' hilariousness in "Strangers With Candy." The quotes will begin to make sense. Moreover, I think it is possible to effectively implement movie quotes in everyday life. The key is looking at the situation and casting the quote into its correct role. So, next time you are about to quote Arnold Schwarzenegger or "Napoleon Dynamite" just think about the rules and you may notice a greater response from your audience.
(05/12/05 1:48am)
"Darkness" is another entry into what is becoming a virtual onslaught of the horror/thriller genre that have been released recently. Unfortunately, the DVD, just like the movie, is a disappointment.\nIn "Darkness," a family -- parents Maria (Lena Olin) and Mark (Iain Glen) and two children, Regina (Anna Paquin -- looking closer in age to her performance in "The Piano" than anything recent) and Paul (Stephan Enquist) -- move into a house in rural Spain (where the "Rain in Spain..." proverb holds ridiculously true). Unfortunately, they've moved into a house where something bad happens. \nWhat exactly takes place isn't revealed until late in the movie. For the first hour, you're only given flashes of what happened ... about every minute. I'm convinced that if you watch the movie in slow motion, you'll eventually see a frame that's just a thesis explaining what in the world is going on. \nAnyway, something bad has taken place in this house and it appears that history may be repeating itself as strange things are taking place in the house -- the power goes out, things move across the room on their own. Also, something with the occult and dead babies is going on. Maybe if you're into the Spanish occult you'll understand -- I didn't. \nI find it hard to say that "Darkness" is really a bad movie; I enjoyed the last half hour, even though it was pretty incoherent. I just think that it's very incomplete. Ironic, since the film was originally supposed to be released nearly three years ago. \nThe film feels a lot like a foreign film -- that is, an extremely watered-down, Americanized version of one. It's tries to have that raw feeling of foreign horror but it just doesn't work. I can't help but feel that Dimension (the company that released the movie) is mostly to blame for this; it makes the most sense, because of their reputation for throwing movies out on the market, hoping to recoup some lost funds without any quality control. \nSince there are only five bonus features, let's just break them down for a minute: "Cursed" preview -- not a real extra. "Sin City" preview -- not a real extra, but it is probably the highlight of the features. Dimension movie catalog: glorified commercial for a bunch of Dimension films on DVD -- not a real extra. "Darkness Illuminated": five minutes of interviews with the main cast and the director. Two movie trailers for "Darkness": I still fail to see how movie trailers for a movie you just watched are worthwhile.\nIn the end, you get five minutes of extra material for your $20 DVD purchase. With all the extra space on the DVD, the entire movie "Cursed" could have been put on the DVD and sold as a double pack. At least you'd be getting ripped off less than before.\nIf you're really into the occult, bad horror movies or Paquin, this might be worth a rental. Otherwise, go watch something else like "Sin City"
(05/12/05 1:44am)
Hoop Dreams" is the story of the lives of two inner-city Chicago boys, Williams Gates and Arthur Agee, whose grand dreams of careers in basketball precede all other things. Originally released in 1994, "Hoop Dreams" was filmed over a five-year period and over 11 full days of film was shot for the project. Director Steve James, editor Frederick Marx and cinematographer Peter Gilbert painstakingly cut the wealth of footage down to a slim 171 minutes and emerged with one of the most compelling documentaries ever made about the search for the American Dream and the highs and lows that go along with it.\nReleased for the first time on DVD courtesy of the Criterion Collection, the picture quality has been improved drastically from the muddy 35mm-to-VHS transfer, making the boys' journey from grammar school to college all the more vibrant in presentation. As William and Arthur lament their economically lacking lifestyles, while at the same time professing their love for their families and those who support their goals, viewers begin sympathizing with the boys, all the way to the point where a game-winning free throw attempt takes on the same sense of heightened suspense as a hard-boiled action scene in most other films. The boys' deep admiration for the likes of Isaiah Thomas, Bobby Knight and various NBA superstars is tangible, palpable and all the more draining as we become unsure if the boys' dreams will ever come true.\nTrue to form, the Criterion Collection has laced this single disc edition with meaningful extras including two full-length commentary tracks, one featuring the filmmakers and the other featuring Gates and Agee in the present day. Both give unending insight into a film already packed with heady material, but only Gates' and Agee's track packs an emotional punch as the two men wax romantic on their former dreams of stardom. Also offered with this disc is a featurette chronicling Siskel & Ebert's undying devotion to getting this film out to audiences and award show voters and a 38-page booklet with several valuable essays.\nThroughout "Hoop Dreams" we're fully aware that the boys' true talent is there, as is obvious from the get-go, but as the film progresses, and the boys' hopes and aspirations are equally encouraged and dashed, it becomes less a film about whether or not William and Arthur will make it to the NBA and more about whether or not they will make successful lives for themselves.
(05/12/05 12:39am)
Smack in the middle of his two biggest commercial triumphs, 1975's Born to Run and 1984's Born in the U.S.A., Bruce Springsteen released his single finest (and yet somehow most obscure) record. Armed with nothing more than his voice, harmonica and acoustic guitar, Springsteen painted 1982's Nebraska as a bleak, haunting portrait of Reagan's America that clawed its way deep into the brain of anyone who dared give it a listen. 13 years later, the criminally underrated Ghost of Tom Joad proved itself the sequel to Nebraska in terms of tone and topicality. Both albums showcased Bruce virtually solo, telling gripping, first-person stories of individuals left behind by their own society, grasping at any semblance of optimism, affection or self-worth.\nSpringsteen's 13th studio and third solo album, Devils & Dust, quickly proves itself more heavily produced than either Nebraska or Joad (courtesy of Brendan O'Brien, who gave The E Street Band's last collaborative effort a splash of grandeur), but rather than overshadowing the intimacy of the lyrics or sincerity of the performance, the added tonal flourishes only amplify what Springsteen is aiming at here, which is a politely cautionary yet hopeful album designed specifically for these heady times.\nOften heralded as a spokesman for the common working man, especially on earlier classic tracks like "Stolen Car" and "One Step Up," Springsteen shifts gears on Devils & Dust to paint himself as a voice for the chronically disillusioned. The title track is a lament by pawns on both sides of the current war as they mistakenly assume their own personal deity is on their side while at the same time simply doing their best to survive the whole ordeal. \nThe touching "Matamoros Banks" is an elegy for every Mexican who perishes in their attempt to find a better life for themselves and their family by crossing the Rio Grande. "The Hitter" tells the tale of a man who makes his living through violence despite being, in his own mind, a desperate and weary pacifist, while "Leah" emanates from the mouth of someone who desires nothing more than a grounded life and comfortable love in the face of stars that seem to be aligned against him.\nDelving into graphic sexual territory for the first time ever on a Springsteen record, "Reno" is less about the instant, guiltless gratification of a tryst with a prostitute than it is about a piteous search for fleeting companionship. "Long Time Comin'," "Maria's Bed" and "All I'm Thinkin' About" are more upbeat than fans of Springsteen's solo work are used to, but all three exude an air of country flair that are unmistakably infectious. Even the dobro and pedal steel are all-inclusive, and only The Boss could make a washboard seem universal.\nIf Devils & Dust has a single weak moment, it's "Jesus Was an Only Son," which is a competent, if formulaic tune in its own right but feels forced when placed up against the 11 superb tracks that surround it. The track ought to have been left off in favor of one of several possible B-sides that packed more of a punch.\nSpringsteen, solo or with E Street, has not recorded an album as confident, consistent or intimate as Devils & Dust since 1987's Tunnel of Love. It's a remarkable return to form for a man who has recently been preoccupied with partisan politics (however noble) and the resurrection of a more rational pre-9/11 national mindset. As Springsteen says on "All the Way Home," "I know what it's like to have failed, baby, with the whole world lookin' on." Regardless of his recent political failure, he's conjured up the finest record of 2005 so far.
(05/12/05 12:23am)
One night in 1971, Douglas Adams was lying in a field in Innsbruck, Austria staring up at the stars, and pouring over a borrowed copy of a travel book called "Hitch-hiker's Guide to Europe." Then the thought occurred to him that someone ought to write a guide for hitchhiking the galaxy. \nSince then, the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" has appeared in many forms. It has been done and redone as a radio program, video game, television show, and of course the prolific five-book trilogy. It has accumulated a cult following of biblical proportions (and God said unto them "We apologize for the inconvenience"). Millions of "Hitchhiker" fans simultaneously exhaled a deep sigh of relief since first time director Garth Jennings didn't mess up the movie that they have been waiting years to see. Maybe that's why it was so windy on Friday ... \nIf you have never heard of the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," the plot is quite simple. Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) and his friend Ford Prefect (Mos Def) escape Earth just moments before it is destroyed by Vogons. They do some interstellar hitchhiking and find themselves on a stolen ship with Galactic President Zaphod Beeblebrox (Sam Rockwell), his girlfriend Trillian (Zooey Deschanel) and a clinically depressed robot named Marvin (voiced by Alan Rickman). Together they go on a quest to find the ultimate question to Life, the Universe and Everything ... and some tea for Arthur. Of course I use the term "plot" loosely, since the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" is not as much a story as it is a bunch of funny ideas being constantly interrupted by other tangential funny ideas lazily meandering their way toward a bizarre and seemingly pointless end. But it's funny. Very funny. Probably the funniest movie to come out so far this year.\nThe acting is great; particularly by Rockwell, whose performance can best be described by the phrase "what if George W. Bush was a rock star?" Even the smaller roles brought in great performances from Bill Nighy as Slartibartfast, John Malkovich as Humma Kavula, and a brief cameo by Jason Schwartzman as Gag Halfront. The only possible exception was Deschanel, who's flat performance was still not enough to detract from the great effort by the rest of the cast.\nAdams was working on having a "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" film produced at the time of his death in 2001. It is a shame that he isn't alive to see how good of a job they did with his script, but this film is a wonderful tribute to one of the funniest authors of all time.
(04/21/05 4:00am)
As an American currently living in Spain, I have become very perceptive to the differences between the United States and Europe. Sure, most people in my position will tell you their horror stories about being fed weird exotic dishes, or how they had a run-in with some crazy locals. (I might add that since being here I have tried almost every part of the pig imaginable, and encountered numerous crazy locals, who enjoy taunting Americans with obscenities and chasing pigeons in the plaza on a regular basis.) But I've decided to write about the subtle differences across the Atlantic, mainly those regarding popular culture. To quote Vincent Vega, "It's the little things."\nTake film for example. Going to the movies in Spain is a completely different experience than back home. Similar to in the States, large multiplexes replaced most of the old European cinema paradisos. However, the theaters here are still very different. For starters, many of the venues here have assigned seating when you buy your ticket, which clears up the whole "saving of the seats" fiasco. Popcorn portions are smaller, there are very few cell phone disruptions (in fact some cinemas in France are currently testing out cell phone blocking devices) and the majority of foreign films screened are dubbed in Spanish. \nWhile dubbing might be fitting for old Spaghetti westerns and low budget kung-fu flicks, I find that it is the worst way to view a film. Take, for example, "Million Dollar Baby," which I went to see for the second time here with some friends. Instead of hearing Clint Eastwood's rough American voice or Morgan Freeman's soothing narration, we were left with two random Spanish men who sounded the same. Now while people here don't seem to mind dubbing, I find it interesting that some American television programs and most foreign DVDs feature subtitles (I can confirm this as my señor, Oscar, has a small film library which consists of such American classics as "Casablanca," "Gladiator" and "Sister Act II: Back in the Habit"). \nTelevision programming is something completely different as well. Current American hit shows like "The Simpsons" and "Mujeres Desesperadas" ("Desperate Housewives") are as popular over here as in the States, and there seems to be a popular resurrection of older programs such as "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper," which answers the question, what ever happened to Mark Curry and his charming alter ego? The answer: Spanish syndication. However, the Spanish programs are what truly interest me. Before going on, I must explain one important aspect about Spanish television and the media in general. Censorship is extremely relaxed here. This doesn't mean that there is not a media rating system like in the States, but Spaniards would never freak-out over events like the unfortunate Janet Jackson nipple debacle or Howard Stern's battle with the Federal Communications Commission because honestly, they just don't care. \nIt is not uncommon to find full frontal nudity, foul language and adult content on primetime Spanish television. An example of this is the Spanish family sitcom "Los Serrano" about two rich single parents who marry and combine families. According to my señora, this is one of the most popular shows on TV, but would probably never even make it to basic cable due to its unsavory content. On any given episode it is not uncommon to hear curse words exchanged, kids might get caught looking at computer porn and then there is the case of the incestual-esque love affair between the father's eldest son and the mother's eldest daughter (think "The Brady Bunch" only Alice catches Greg and Marcia in bed together). However, the show is still enjoyed by all, both young and old.\nTV commercials also go to extremes. There are deodorant ads that could very easily double as soft porn, raunchy Tampax commercials and a candy bar commercial that features a young male with "morning wood" in his bed as a band serenades him with the candy bar's theme song. \nNow while some of this sounds weird and a bit disconcerting, the lack of censorship actually makes sense here. My host family told me that Spaniards are not really concerned about nudity and bad language in the media, and actually find it ironic that Americans are quick to censor little things, yet continue to release the majority of violent films in the world and produce tons of obscene music. \nFinally, there is popular music. American music is extremely popular over here, as you could imagine. However, Spaniards often seem to be behind on what is the latest hot craze. Sure they love to play artists like Gwen Stefani and the Black Eyed Peas on the radios and in the discos, but Spaniards also have a tendency to resurrect hits from our past. \nWhile out and about on the town I have heard classics as diverse as LL Cool J's "Mama Said Knock You Out," Sisqó's lone opus "The Thong Song" and an abundance of Dr. Dre (apparently the artist's album Chronic 2001 is still a huge hit.) In fact, nothing says Americanization more than hearing a mob of Spaniards chant the lines, "I'm the motherfucking D-R-E! Dr. Dre motherfuckerrrrrr!!!" while bobbing their heads to the beat. I can safely say that, with the exception of country music, a genre we as Americans can still claim as our own since most Europeans scorn its existence, every style of music can be heard here. \nIn many ways, living abroad has taught me a lot about European customs, as well as our own culture and effect on the world. I may never be able to watch "The Simpsons" again without thinking about how much my host family loved the show, I will always be reminded of sangria and Spanish discos when I listen to Dr. Dre and I will always be able to relate to that classic "Pulp Fiction" discussion of European life. For those curious I have yet to actually find a "Royale with Cheese," but know from experience that mayonnaise is, in fact, the condiment of choice here.
(04/20/05 4:57am)
As an American currently living in Spain, I have become very perceptive to the differences between the United States and Europe. Sure, most people in my position will tell you their horror stories about being fed weird exotic dishes, or how they had a run-in with some crazy locals. (I might add that since being here I have tried almost every part of the pig imaginable, and encountered numerous crazy locals, who enjoy taunting Americans with obscenities and chasing pigeons in the plaza on a regular basis.) But I've decided to write about the subtle differences across the Atlantic, mainly those regarding popular culture. To quote Vincent Vega, "It's the little things."\nTake film for example. Going to the movies in Spain is a completely different experience than back home. Similar to in the States, large multiplexes replaced most of the old European cinema paradisos. However, the theaters here are still very different. For starters, many of the venues here have assigned seating when you buy your ticket, which clears up the whole "saving of the seats" fiasco. Popcorn portions are smaller, there are very few cell phone disruptions (in fact some cinemas in France are currently testing out cell phone blocking devices) and the majority of foreign films screened are dubbed in Spanish. \nWhile dubbing might be fitting for old Spaghetti westerns and low budget kung-fu flicks, I find that it is the worst way to view a film. Take, for example, "Million Dollar Baby," which I went to see for the second time here with some friends. Instead of hearing Clint Eastwood's rough American voice or Morgan Freeman's soothing narration, we were left with two random Spanish men who sounded the same. Now while people here don't seem to mind dubbing, I find it interesting that some American television programs and most foreign DVDs feature subtitles (I can confirm this as my señor, Oscar, has a small film library which consists of such American classics as "Casablanca," "Gladiator" and "Sister Act II: Back in the Habit"). \nTelevision programming is something completely different as well. Current American hit shows like "The Simpsons" and "Mujeres Desesperadas" ("Desperate Housewives") are as popular over here as in the States, and there seems to be a popular resurrection of older programs such as "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper," which answers the question, what ever happened to Mark Curry and his charming alter ego? The answer: Spanish syndication. However, the Spanish programs are what truly interest me. Before going on, I must explain one important aspect about Spanish television and the media in general. Censorship is extremely relaxed here. This doesn't mean that there is not a media rating system like in the States, but Spaniards would never freak-out over events like the unfortunate Janet Jackson nipple debacle or Howard Stern's battle with the Federal Communications Commission because honestly, they just don't care. \nIt is not uncommon to find full frontal nudity, foul language and adult content on primetime Spanish television. An example of this is the Spanish family sitcom "Los Serrano" about two rich single parents who marry and combine families. According to my señora, this is one of the most popular shows on TV, but would probably never even make it to basic cable due to its unsavory content. On any given episode it is not uncommon to hear curse words exchanged, kids might get caught looking at computer porn and then there is the case of the incestual-esque love affair between the father's eldest son and the mother's eldest daughter (think "The Brady Bunch" only Alice catches Greg and Marcia in bed together). However, the show is still enjoyed by all, both young and old.\nTV commercials also go to extremes. There are deodorant ads that could very easily double as soft porn, raunchy Tampax commercials and a candy bar commercial that features a young male with "morning wood" in his bed as a band serenades him with the candy bar's theme song. \nNow while some of this sounds weird and a bit disconcerting, the lack of censorship actually makes sense here. My host family told me that Spaniards are not really concerned about nudity and bad language in the media, and actually find it ironic that Americans are quick to censor little things, yet continue to release the majority of violent films in the world and produce tons of obscene music. \nFinally, there is popular music. American music is extremely popular over here, as you could imagine. However, Spaniards often seem to be behind on what is the latest hot craze. Sure they love to play artists like Gwen Stefani and the Black Eyed Peas on the radios and in the discos, but Spaniards also have a tendency to resurrect hits from our past. \nWhile out and about on the town I have heard classics as diverse as LL Cool J's "Mama Said Knock You Out," Sisqó's lone opus "The Thong Song" and an abundance of Dr. Dre (apparently the artist's album Chronic 2001 is still a huge hit.) In fact, nothing says Americanization more than hearing a mob of Spaniards chant the lines, "I'm the motherfucking D-R-E! Dr. Dre motherfuckerrrrrr!!!" while bobbing their heads to the beat. I can safely say that, with the exception of country music, a genre we as Americans can still claim as our own since most Europeans scorn its existence, every style of music can be heard here. \nIn many ways, living abroad has taught me a lot about European customs, as well as our own culture and effect on the world. I may never be able to watch "The Simpsons" again without thinking about how much my host family loved the show, I will always be reminded of sangria and Spanish discos when I listen to Dr. Dre and I will always be able to relate to that classic "Pulp Fiction" discussion of European life. For those curious I have yet to actually find a "Royale with Cheese," but know from experience that mayonnaise is, in fact, the condiment of choice here.
(01/13/05 5:00am)
"Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" follows a simple premise that is summed up in the film's title. Harold (John Cho) and his roommate/buddy Kumar (Kal Penn) get stoned in their apartment, watch television and eventually get the "munchies." After a White Castle hamburger commercial literally lifts them out of their seats in a trance-like manner, the two stoners head for the closest miniature hamburger eatery to satisfy their craving. \nSuch is the plot of the movie. Along the way to their destination the two friends manage to go on little adventures that include picking up a foul-mouthed and horny Neil Patrick Harris (playing himself), driving to Princeton University, getting arrested, hang-gliding and riding a stoned cheetah around New Jersey. Now while all these little adventures sound funny, they are actually rather dull (with the exception of Neil Patrick Harris' cameo and his thoughts about the "chicks" on his television show "Doogie Howser, M.D.").\nThe movie plays out as any stereotypical stoner film would but doesn't bring the laughs the same way classics such as "Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke" or "Half Baked" did. The situational comedy of the film is often too silly to find funny or faulted because of its predictability. However, with this said, there is one thing that does hold this movie together: the actors. \nWhen this film was out in the theaters its tagline boasted, "Starring the Asian guy from 'American Pie' and the Indian guy from 'Van Wilder.'" Both actors, though not worthy of a golden Oscar, play their roles very well. The two create characters that are different from what most people are used to in this genre. In the end, they actually come across as quite funny. \nThe film comes in two DVD formats one is plain, while the other totes the title of "Extreme Unrated." "Harold and Kumar" succeeds as an amusing film but doesn't quite leave you craving more.
(01/13/05 5:00am)
At the start of this year, Hollywood seemed destined for an overall theme of controversy with the release of Mel Gibson's somber religious opus "The Passion of the Christ" and Michael Moore's "Let's kick him back to Texas" film "Fahrenheit 9/11." After that hiatus came the summer of sequels and epics followed by the season of biopics and Oscar contenders such as "The Aviator," "Kinsey," "Finding Neverland" and "Hotel Rwanda."\nNow, while most of the films mentioned and many more were truly some of the best this year, and without doubt will receive the attention of the Academy, I thought it would be more alluring to compile a list of films that most people may not have seen. These films, many of which were indies or from abroad, but are equally as rewarding as the big budget films that most of us are familiar with.\nTherefore I give you my picks for the best "unseen" films of 2004:\n1) "Sideways" -- Alexander Payne seems to be maturing with every film he makes. "Election" and "About Schmidt" were original and grabbed our attention but ultimately were still fairly mundane. Then there's "Sideways," a film that, in my opinion, is flawless and the best film this year. Now while critics continue to praise this film, and there is already Oscar buzz, I think it is still a film that many people have not seen, therefore topping off my list at number one. \n2) Tie: "The Sea Inside"/"Bad Education" -- Spain had a very good year releasing two amazing films. "The Sea Inside," like last year's best foreign film winner "The Barbarian Invasions," deals with accepting death and bringing closure to life with an incredible performance by Javier Bardem, (his best since "Before Night Falls"). "Bad Education," the new film by acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, is a dark plot-twisting piece of film noir for a modern age starring the always wonderful, Gael García Bernal (Y Tu Mamá También.)\n3) "Baadasssss!" -- This, for much of the year, was my favorite film. Chronicling the making of one of the first independent films in America, "Baadasssss!" gives us a look at the raw side of filmmaking. While this will probably not receive any credit from the Academy, it should due to its wonderfully written screenplay and honest portrayals by its cast and actor/director Mario Van Peebles.\n4) "A Very Long Engagement" -- French director Jean-Pierre Jeunet is one of the most interesting filmmakers today. Using stunning visual effects and creating fascinating, complex stories, he continues to astound me. Those who are familiar with Jeunet's previous film "Amelie" may be in for a surprise with this harsh World War I set film, however don't let this discourage you. The film is a beautiful story that shows the horrors of war, the strength of love and stars the wonderful Audrey Tautou.\n5) "The Machinist" -- This is another film that most people probably missed or didn't even know about due to its limited release. The little publicity it received was due to the extreme act of weight loss actor Christian Bale undertook in preparation for the part. While this aspect of the film was very effective for the feel of the film, it is the wonderfully crafted story that makes this a brilliant psychological thriller.\n6) "Before Sunset" -- In my mind this film, combined with its prequel "Before Sunrise," is one of the best modern day romance movies to date. Director Richard Linklater is a master of creating fascinating dialogue with previous films like "Dazed and Confused" and "Waking Life," but here the director, in real time, literally captures one giant conversation between two strangers rekindling a one night stand from their past.\n7) "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" -- Clive Owen is now one of Hollywood's favorite actors with performances in films like "Closer" and the upcoming "Sin City," however there is a side of him that many people are not familiar with and that is his British roots. This film is the second collaboration between Owen and British director Mike Hodges (the first being the clever "Croupier") who creates a haunting tale of revenge and remorse in this crime noir drama.\n8) "Bon Voyage" -- Another wonderful French film that many people are probably unaware of. This one takes place in France before World War II and features one of the most complex and intricate plots seen on celluloid in a long time. The film is part love story, part political statement and part comedy with great performances all around. \n9) "Touching the Void" -- It is hard to categorize this incredible true-life tale of survival. In many ways the film is a documentary because it is based on a true story and features interviews with the actual survivors, but at the same time features actors playing out the parts. Bottom line is if "Jaws" or "The Blair Witch Project" did anything with your feelings towards swimming or camping, this will definitely steer you clear of rock climbing.\n10) "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" -- Again this is a film that most people know about because of actor Jim Carrey and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, however surprisingly very few people actually saw the film in theaters. Kaufman is one of the most original storytellers working today and in my mind this is his best work yet.
(01/13/05 4:28am)
At the start of this year, Hollywood seemed destined for an overall theme of controversy with the release of Mel Gibson's somber religious opus "The Passion of the Christ" and Michael Moore's "Let's kick him back to Texas" film "Fahrenheit 9/11." After that hiatus came the summer of sequels and epics followed by the season of biopics and Oscar contenders such as "The Aviator," "Kinsey," "Finding Neverland" and "Hotel Rwanda."\nNow, while most of the films mentioned and many more were truly some of the best this year, and without doubt will receive the attention of the Academy, I thought it would be more alluring to compile a list of films that most people may not have seen. These films, many of which were indies or from abroad, but are equally as rewarding as the big budget films that most of us are familiar with.\nTherefore I give you my picks for the best "unseen" films of 2004:\n1) "Sideways" -- Alexander Payne seems to be maturing with every film he makes. "Election" and "About Schmidt" were original and grabbed our attention but ultimately were still fairly mundane. Then there's "Sideways," a film that, in my opinion, is flawless and the best film this year. Now while critics continue to praise this film, and there is already Oscar buzz, I think it is still a film that many people have not seen, therefore topping off my list at number one. \n2) Tie: "The Sea Inside"/"Bad Education" -- Spain had a very good year releasing two amazing films. "The Sea Inside," like last year's best foreign film winner "The Barbarian Invasions," deals with accepting death and bringing closure to life with an incredible performance by Javier Bardem, (his best since "Before Night Falls"). "Bad Education," the new film by acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, is a dark plot-twisting piece of film noir for a modern age starring the always wonderful, Gael García Bernal (Y Tu Mamá También.)\n3) "Baadasssss!" -- This, for much of the year, was my favorite film. Chronicling the making of one of the first independent films in America, "Baadasssss!" gives us a look at the raw side of filmmaking. While this will probably not receive any credit from the Academy, it should due to its wonderfully written screenplay and honest portrayals by its cast and actor/director Mario Van Peebles.\n4) "A Very Long Engagement" -- French director Jean-Pierre Jeunet is one of the most interesting filmmakers today. Using stunning visual effects and creating fascinating, complex stories, he continues to astound me. Those who are familiar with Jeunet's previous film "Amelie" may be in for a surprise with this harsh World War I set film, however don't let this discourage you. The film is a beautiful story that shows the horrors of war, the strength of love and stars the wonderful Audrey Tautou.\n5) "The Machinist" -- This is another film that most people probably missed or didn't even know about due to its limited release. The little publicity it received was due to the extreme act of weight loss actor Christian Bale undertook in preparation for the part. While this aspect of the film was very effective for the feel of the film, it is the wonderfully crafted story that makes this a brilliant psychological thriller.\n6) "Before Sunset" -- In my mind this film, combined with its prequel "Before Sunrise," is one of the best modern day romance movies to date. Director Richard Linklater is a master of creating fascinating dialogue with previous films like "Dazed and Confused" and "Waking Life," but here the director, in real time, literally captures one giant conversation between two strangers rekindling a one night stand from their past.\n7) "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" -- Clive Owen is now one of Hollywood's favorite actors with performances in films like "Closer" and the upcoming "Sin City," however there is a side of him that many people are not familiar with and that is his British roots. This film is the second collaboration between Owen and British director Mike Hodges (the first being the clever "Croupier") who creates a haunting tale of revenge and remorse in this crime noir drama.\n8) "Bon Voyage" -- Another wonderful French film that many people are probably unaware of. This one takes place in France before World War II and features one of the most complex and intricate plots seen on celluloid in a long time. The film is part love story, part political statement and part comedy with great performances all around. \n9) "Touching the Void" -- It is hard to categorize this incredible true-life tale of survival. In many ways the film is a documentary because it is based on a true story and features interviews with the actual survivors, but at the same time features actors playing out the parts. Bottom line is if "Jaws" or "The Blair Witch Project" did anything with your feelings towards swimming or camping, this will definitely steer you clear of rock climbing.\n10) "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" -- Again this is a film that most people know about because of actor Jim Carrey and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, however surprisingly very few people actually saw the film in theaters. Kaufman is one of the most original storytellers working today and in my mind this is his best work yet.
(01/13/05 4:20am)
"Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" follows a simple premise that is summed up in the film's title. Harold (John Cho) and his roommate/buddy Kumar (Kal Penn) get stoned in their apartment, watch television and eventually get the "munchies." After a White Castle hamburger commercial literally lifts them out of their seats in a trance-like manner, the two stoners head for the closest miniature hamburger eatery to satisfy their craving. \nSuch is the plot of the movie. Along the way to their destination the two friends manage to go on little adventures that include picking up a foul-mouthed and horny Neil Patrick Harris (playing himself), driving to Princeton University, getting arrested, hang-gliding and riding a stoned cheetah around New Jersey. Now while all these little adventures sound funny, they are actually rather dull (with the exception of Neil Patrick Harris' cameo and his thoughts about the "chicks" on his television show "Doogie Howser, M.D.").\nThe movie plays out as any stereotypical stoner film would but doesn't bring the laughs the same way classics such as "Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke" or "Half Baked" did. The situational comedy of the film is often too silly to find funny or faulted because of its predictability. However, with this said, there is one thing that does hold this movie together: the actors. \nWhen this film was out in the theaters its tagline boasted, "Starring the Asian guy from 'American Pie' and the Indian guy from 'Van Wilder.'" Both actors, though not worthy of a golden Oscar, play their roles very well. The two create characters that are different from what most people are used to in this genre. In the end, they actually come across as quite funny. \nThe film comes in two DVD formats one is plain, while the other totes the title of "Extreme Unrated." "Harold and Kumar" succeeds as an amusing film but doesn't quite leave you craving more.
(12/03/04 4:49am)
Senior Monika Chhabria made two mistakes Wednesday night at the Indiana Memorial Union's Alumni Hall. First, she chose to sit in the front row of the large auditorium, and second, she wore a bright pink sweater. \nWhen the stage lights came back on after the previous act and the man on stage pointed at her, Chhabria knew she was in for a surprise.\n"It was definitely weird, but fun," Chhabria said.\nChhabria was one of a handful of students chosen to participate in The Second City comedy performance Wednesday night presented by the IU Union Board. After asking the nervous Chhabria a number of random questions regarding what she last ate and her dream job, the group of comedians, without hesitation, jumped into a 10-minute musical number celebrating the fictional holiday Monika Day.\nFor Chhabria, who had attended three previous Second City shows in Chicago, the experience was unexpected, but also exciting.\n"They normally do a lot of improv, where they pick on people in the audience," said Chhabria. "I just didn't know they would pick me."\nThe improvisational comedy troupe, best known for making names for such comedians as Bill Murray and Chris Farley, got its start in Chicago 45 years ago and currently has a number of different stages in the United States and Canada, as well as a number of touring groups, according to www.secondcity.com. \nDuring the 1970s and '80s, The Second City also had a television program, "SCTV," which was modeled after "Saturday Night Live." Performing a wide range of original and classic sketches, the group at Wednesday's show kept the audience in stitches throughout the evening.\n"When you look for someone to do sketch comedy, you look for the best," said junior Cody Bell, the director of comedy acts for Union Board. "(The Second City) is one of the best."\nThe nearly three-hour show was part of the Union Board's IU Late Night Program, aimed at keeping underage students out of the bars, and was free for all IU students. The program supports local groups such as the Full Frontal Comedy troupe, who perform most Friday nights at various campus venues, as well as more mainstream acts such as comedian Dave Attell, who performed last month at the IU Auditorium.\n"I think it's cool that they got (Second City) to come out," said sophomore Becky Levi, who came to see the show. "I was also really glad that it was free."\nThe group, which last performed on campus two years ago, featured five trained improv actors who poked fun at everything from religion and politics to the national obsession with Sport Utility Vehicles and annoying grocery store self check-out lines. \nThe sketches ranged from short one-line jokes to longer, more elaborate skits, as well as a number of improv acting games where the players asked audience members questions and then based a skit off their responses. At one point the group made light of the Christian Science religion and conservative television host Bill O'Reilly, only to jump into a new scene about a superhero name Captain Apathy.\n"They're definitely one of the foremost names in comedy," Bell said.\nWhile The Second City is best known for its ties with many different "Saturday Night Live" alumni including Mike Myers and Tim Meadows, there are many others who have roots at the center. Comedy Central's "Daily Show" news correspondents Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell, actresses Bonnie Hunt and Amy Sedaris, and actors Fred Willard and John Candy are just a few names that make up the list of alumni, according to www.secondcity.com. \nWhile the many stage performances are what The Second City is best known for, there are also a number of training centers across the country aimed at leading people toward the art of improvisation through workshop-type settings. \nFreshman Emily Chovanec, a member of Full Frontal Comedy, has attended many Second City shows and workshops in the past but said she was pleasantly surprised at this particular show. \nAt the end of the show, the group invited a number of Full Frontal Comedy members to join them on stage for some improvisational games. Having no time to prepare, the students jumped right into scene after scene playing off each other's reactions.\n"It felt very familiar being up there, only it was with Second City," Chovanec said. "It was a lot of fun."\nThe Second City touring company is currently performing in venues across the Midwest, but stage shows can be seen at theaters in Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Toronto and Las Vegas.\n"(The Second City) represent a different brand of comedy," Bell said. "We knew they would bring us an entertaining show."\n-- Contact staff writer C. Warner Sills at csills@indiana.edu
(11/11/04 4:26pm)
Best of Bloomington results.
(11/11/04 5:00am)
Best of Bloomington results.
(11/11/04 5:00am)
"Dazed and Confused," Richard Linklater's ("Before Sunrise," "School of Rock") 1970s-based high school drama/comedy, is the kind of film that will forever be a classic. Instead of creating a complicated plot with conventional teen themes, Linklater gives us an honest look at how high school was during the 1970s through the use of realistic characters. \nThe film takes place in a rural Texas town on the last day of high school and chronicles the lives of a handful of students as they prepare for the long-awaited summer through a 24-hour period of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. \nWhat's great about "Dazed and Confused" is how easy it is to relate the characters even though the film was set during the 1970s. Every high school has its own token stoner like Slater (Rory Cochrane,) or its stereotypical football star like Randall "Pink" Floyd (Jason London), and most likely, we all have our own memorable high school experiences. While this film is the director's ode to his high school experience in Texas, we all see a piece of ourselves in the characters.\nLinklater is the type of filmmaker who explores every type of genre imaginable and is usually quite successful. He's tackled the more mainstream Hollywood with movies such as "The Newton Boys" and "School of Rock," but also experimented with more art-oriented films such as "Before Sunrise/Sunset" and the wonderful "Waking Life." \nWith all this said, it is a shame the film's recent "special flashback edition" DVD release does not give this film a proper treatment. Instead of the plethora of special features that were given to Linklater's first film, "Slacker," on its recent Criterion DVD release, this edition fails miserably. For those who have not seen the film, it is worth the rent, but for the hardcore fans thirsting for interviews, commentaries, etc., your wait will have to continue.
(11/11/04 5:00am)
Oh, how we love comeback albums. It's an amazing thing when successful musicians release one or two great albums, then go into hiding, never to be heard from until their miraculous comeback release. It's hard to truly know the reasons behind these decisions. Some artists may say fear of failure is the cause; others may find a new calling in life. Whatever the case may be, there are a number of artists out right now who are past due for a comeback.\nIn many ways, the past two years were perfect examples of musicians coming out of hiding. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band reformed to release the politically-charged album, The Rising. Groups from the 1980s like The Cure and the artist Morrissey both released stunning albums this past year, while William "Captain Kirk" Shatner recently brought back his quirky spoken word music with Has Been, which, incidentally, received nothing but praise upon its release.\nWhile the latter group of musicians mentioned are mainly those who were prominent figures 20 years ago, there are a number of examples of recent musicians of the '90s who also made strong comebacks. U2 followed up the mediocre 1997 Pop with 2000's wonderful, Grammy-winning comeback album, All That You Can't Leave Behind. The Red Hot Chili Peppers made a huge comeback with its two hit albums Californication and By the Way.\nAs you can see, this trend is usually very rewarding and exciting for fans everywhere. \nNow while I advocate a strong musical comeback, it is important that your timing is right and that you indeed have a following waiting for you. (I highly doubt there is a fan club waiting for miraculous return of Skee-Lo.) That said, here is a group of noteworthy musicians worthy of a comeback, who hopefully won't keep us waiting any longer.\n1. Lauryn Hill -- The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was by far one of the best records of the '90s. Many say she recorded the album as a way of getting back at her ex-lover and former Fugee member Wyclef Jean (whose solo career was taking off). Whatever the reason may be, Miseducation made her an R&B star. In 2002, Hill released a live "MTV Unplugged No. 2.0" album featuring an all acoustic, fairly dull, set of religious tunes. Lauryn, we all love you and want more.\n2. D'Angelo -- Speaking of R&B, D'Angelo jumped onto the music scene in 1995 with Brown Sugar. However it was his 2000 sophomore release, Voodoo, that really caught our attention. By combining hip/hop rhythms with a soulful voice, D'Angelo, along with the help of artists like Lauryn Hill, helped bring back R&B music during the '90s. While it's true, I may be the only guy who digs his music, I think that he is in many ways a modern day Marvin Gaye (sorry Usher) and is well overdue for a comeback.\n3. The Verve -- Right around the time Radiohead and Oasis were putting out brilliant records, another group from the UK was making a name for itself. The Verve's first album was released in 1993 but it wasn't until its 1997 release, Urban Hymns, that it really shined. The album combined a unique sound with Richard Ashcroft's passionate lyrics and became an instant hit. Since then it has yet to release a follow-up album and seems to be staying on its native island.\n4. Daft Punk -- This French duo of electronic musicians perfected the art of combining Euro-techno beats with '70s and '80s rock to create a peculiar, but interesting, sound. Its first album Homework featured some notable tracks, but it was 2001's Discovery that helped cross them over from dance club-friendly techno musicians to experimental electronic rockers. Since then, the group tours, always hiding their true identities but is still in need of some studio time.\n5. Fiona Apple -- Before Norah Jones hit radios and Starbucks across the country, Fiona Apple was the finest jazz/pop/rock musician out there. Her strong, chilling voice and touching lyrics made her one hell of a musician. During her 1990s career she released two powerful albums, Tidal and When the Pawn…, dated director Paul Thomas Anderson ("Punch-Drunk Love") and became known for her provocative music videos and short temper. Lately she tends to stay out of the spotlight but has a strong fan base yearning for a third album. \n6. Wu-Tang Clan -- OK, this is sort of cheating since all nine of the New York-based rap group are still around, mainly working on solo albums, as well as making television and film appearances. However, wouldn't it be something if the whole gang "reunited" for a comeback album? I believe ODB, or whatever he's going by these days, is out of prison, and so a new album is not entirely out of the question. The crew recently released a live concert album with the whole gang involved, and its greatest hits CD hit the streets late last month.
(11/11/04 3:58am)
Oh, how we love comeback albums. It's an amazing thing when successful musicians release one or two great albums, then go into hiding, never to be heard from until their miraculous comeback release. It's hard to truly know the reasons behind these decisions. Some artists may say fear of failure is the cause; others may find a new calling in life. Whatever the case may be, there are a number of artists out right now who are past due for a comeback.\nIn many ways, the past two years were perfect examples of musicians coming out of hiding. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band reformed to release the politically-charged album, The Rising. Groups from the 1980s like The Cure and the artist Morrissey both released stunning albums this past year, while William "Captain Kirk" Shatner recently brought back his quirky spoken word music with Has Been, which, incidentally, received nothing but praise upon its release.\nWhile the latter group of musicians mentioned are mainly those who were prominent figures 20 years ago, there are a number of examples of recent musicians of the '90s who also made strong comebacks. U2 followed up the mediocre 1997 Pop with 2000's wonderful, Grammy-winning comeback album, All That You Can't Leave Behind. The Red Hot Chili Peppers made a huge comeback with its two hit albums Californication and By the Way.\nAs you can see, this trend is usually very rewarding and exciting for fans everywhere. \nNow while I advocate a strong musical comeback, it is important that your timing is right and that you indeed have a following waiting for you. (I highly doubt there is a fan club waiting for miraculous return of Skee-Lo.) That said, here is a group of noteworthy musicians worthy of a comeback, who hopefully won't keep us waiting any longer.\n1. Lauryn Hill -- The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was by far one of the best records of the '90s. Many say she recorded the album as a way of getting back at her ex-lover and former Fugee member Wyclef Jean (whose solo career was taking off). Whatever the reason may be, Miseducation made her an R&B star. In 2002, Hill released a live "MTV Unplugged No. 2.0" album featuring an all acoustic, fairly dull, set of religious tunes. Lauryn, we all love you and want more.\n2. D'Angelo -- Speaking of R&B, D'Angelo jumped onto the music scene in 1995 with Brown Sugar. However it was his 2000 sophomore release, Voodoo, that really caught our attention. By combining hip/hop rhythms with a soulful voice, D'Angelo, along with the help of artists like Lauryn Hill, helped bring back R&B music during the '90s. While it's true, I may be the only guy who digs his music, I think that he is in many ways a modern day Marvin Gaye (sorry Usher) and is well overdue for a comeback.\n3. The Verve -- Right around the time Radiohead and Oasis were putting out brilliant records, another group from the UK was making a name for itself. The Verve's first album was released in 1993 but it wasn't until its 1997 release, Urban Hymns, that it really shined. The album combined a unique sound with Richard Ashcroft's passionate lyrics and became an instant hit. Since then it has yet to release a follow-up album and seems to be staying on its native island.\n4. Daft Punk -- This French duo of electronic musicians perfected the art of combining Euro-techno beats with '70s and '80s rock to create a peculiar, but interesting, sound. Its first album Homework featured some notable tracks, but it was 2001's Discovery that helped cross them over from dance club-friendly techno musicians to experimental electronic rockers. Since then, the group tours, always hiding their true identities but is still in need of some studio time.\n5. Fiona Apple -- Before Norah Jones hit radios and Starbucks across the country, Fiona Apple was the finest jazz/pop/rock musician out there. Her strong, chilling voice and touching lyrics made her one hell of a musician. During her 1990s career she released two powerful albums, Tidal and When the Pawn…, dated director Paul Thomas Anderson ("Punch-Drunk Love") and became known for her provocative music videos and short temper. Lately she tends to stay out of the spotlight but has a strong fan base yearning for a third album. \n6. Wu-Tang Clan -- OK, this is sort of cheating since all nine of the New York-based rap group are still around, mainly working on solo albums, as well as making television and film appearances. However, wouldn't it be something if the whole gang "reunited" for a comeback album? I believe ODB, or whatever he's going by these days, is out of prison, and so a new album is not entirely out of the question. The crew recently released a live concert album with the whole gang involved, and its greatest hits CD hit the streets late last month.
(11/11/04 3:50am)
"Dazed and Confused," Richard Linklater's ("Before Sunrise," "School of Rock") 1970s-based high school drama/comedy, is the kind of film that will forever be a classic. Instead of creating a complicated plot with conventional teen themes, Linklater gives us an honest look at how high school was during the 1970s through the use of realistic characters. \nThe film takes place in a rural Texas town on the last day of high school and chronicles the lives of a handful of students as they prepare for the long-awaited summer through a 24-hour period of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. \nWhat's great about "Dazed and Confused" is how easy it is to relate the characters even though the film was set during the 1970s. Every high school has its own token stoner like Slater (Rory Cochrane,) or its stereotypical football star like Randall "Pink" Floyd (Jason London), and most likely, we all have our own memorable high school experiences. While this film is the director's ode to his high school experience in Texas, we all see a piece of ourselves in the characters.\nLinklater is the type of filmmaker who explores every type of genre imaginable and is usually quite successful. He's tackled the more mainstream Hollywood with movies such as "The Newton Boys" and "School of Rock," but also experimented with more art-oriented films such as "Before Sunrise/Sunset" and the wonderful "Waking Life." \nWith all this said, it is a shame the film's recent "special flashback edition" DVD release does not give this film a proper treatment. Instead of the plethora of special features that were given to Linklater's first film, "Slacker," on its recent Criterion DVD release, this edition fails miserably. For those who have not seen the film, it is worth the rent, but for the hardcore fans thirsting for interviews, commentaries, etc., your wait will have to continue.
(11/04/04 5:00am)
The first half of Jonathan Glazer's ("Sexy Beast") "Birth" is quite interesting and sets the stage for what could be a fascinating film. The story opens with a long steady shot of a man jogging through Central Park who then unexpectedly drops dead, most likely of a heart attack. This is followed by a shot of a baby's first breath of life. \nThe idea of life after death is covered in many film genres, however there are very few movies that deal with the idea of reincarnation. "Birth" asks the question, what would you do if a child entered your life claiming to be a dead loved one?\nNicole Kidman stars as Anna, a woman who is engaged to be married and is finally at peace with the unexpected loss of her husband Sean. In the first 10 minutes we see her full of joy at an engagement party and completely in love with her snooty fiancée Joseph, played wonderfully by Danny Huston ("21 Grams"). All this changes, however, when a young child, also named Sean (Cameron Bright,) enters Anna's apartment during a birthday party and tells her that he is her husband Sean and that she should not marry Joseph. \nAt first Anna does not believe what the young boy tells her, but after the boy brings up personal information about her prior life with Sean, Anna begins to have second thoughts. As the movie progresses we see her fall in love with her late husband all over again, even though he is living in the body of a 10-year-old boy. \nKidman gives a very strong performance in this movie and is convincing as a woman confused with a sudden change in her life. A certain amount of curiosity and suspense grows in the first half of the movie, but diminishes as the rest of the story unfolds due to a number of logistical errors, the biggest being the role of young Sean's parents.\nWhile the film wonderfully explores Anna's feelings toward young Sean's entrance in her life, we do not see how the boy's mother and father deal with their son's strange transformation. This side of the film, although a side story, would be interesting to see considering it's not every day your child claims to be the husband of a 40-year-old woman.\nTo add to this dilemma, there is also the issue of the time that Sean spends with Anna and her family during most of the film. Throughout Anna's search for answers, young Sean attends the family functions, spends a night at the stranger's apartment and even shares a bath with Anna, all while his parents are at home somehow not wondering where their son is.\nJonathan Glazer, whose previous work includes many of the British rock band Radiohead's music videos and the creepy 2000 film "Sexy Beast," brings a certain amount of style to the film, and the story is interesting. However, somewhere along the lines the suspense is lost, and the film bails out with a sub-par ending.