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(11/17/00 5:00am)
Feeling a little down recently, I have been doing some soul-searching. I've decided that my real life is OK. I still have the same great friends, have made some new ones and have turned 21 and thereby have had more social opportunities than ever. Classes are easy and grades are good. So what's lacking (besides the easy answer: boyfriend)? Recently, at a particularly horrible movie, I figured it all out.\nAs reviews editor for IDS Weekend, I spend a good deal of my overall time figuring out what's playing, assigning movies to be reviewed, reading the reviews, making sure every "t" is crossed and every "i" is dotted. I even do reviews myself, which means I spend a lot of time trying to think up clever, interesting things to say about whatever movie I have just seen. I spend all this time making sure movies get their due, and what do I get in return from the movies?\nThis year, for whatever reason, the film industry has been putting out one huge disappointment after another. Films like "Wonder Boys," "Pay it Forward," "Autumn in New York" and "The Way of the Gun" have enticed me but ended up leaving me empty-handed. In my opinion, the only really good movies have been the mindlessly entertaining action fare like "X-Men," "The Perfect Storm" and "Charlie's Angels." If that is the most fulfilling thing I am getting at the movies, if that's as deep as movies are willing to go for me, then I am involved in a very unhealthy relationship.\nCase in point: where have all the beloved chick flicks of years past been hiding? The first time I ever really got interested in movies, the first time movies ever touched me, it was because I fell in love with chick flicks.\n"Dirty Dancing" was my first movie obsession, quickly followed by "Girls Just Want to Have Fun."\nThese coming-of-age sagas taught me the good stuff: what a real friend is all about, what first love feels like, what "Tune-In Tokyo" is, not to always accept that your parents are right and, most importantly, not to say dumb things like "I carried a watermelon" to the man of your dreams. Plus, these movies had action, adventure and intrigue brought out by the ultimate chick artform ... Dancing!\nLater, I got into chick flicks which have a little bit more to offer. I wore out my copy of "A League of Their Own." This film touched me deeply, not just because of its messages about feminism and female bonding, but also because it showed me I wasn't the only person in the world dealing with a sisterly inferiority complex.\nMy own sister, much like Geena Davis's character Dottie, was an overshadowing force in my life -- tall, beautiful, stylish and infinitely more popular than I ever was. Kit, the little sister to Geena Davis's bombshell, only came into her own when she stepped away from the shadow of her sickeningly perfect and benevolent oppressor. If I hadn't learned at the early age not to compare myself to my sister, to make my own way through life, I'm not sure I would be able to be her maid of honor in January without throwing up.\nThroughout junior high, I was infatuated with the movies "Fried Green Tomatoes" and "Thelma and Louise." Although the movies are very different indeed, both taught me just about everything I ever needed to know about female empowerment and the adult meaning of friendship. Geena Davis's character in "Thelma" and Kathy Bates and Mary Louise Parker's characters in "Tomatoes" all broke away from tight patriarchal constraints and became free in the most amazing sense of the word. It was the first time I ever realized sexism still exists.\nThe last chick flick, and as far as I'm concerned the best in the world, I was ever amazed by was actually made many years before these others. When I was in high school, I saw "Terms of Endearment," and I was ruined to movies forever. The James L. Brooks Oscar winner is witty, hilarious, destroyingly sad, stylish, timeless, hopelessly realistic and covers every inch of the spectrum including love, family, friendship, marriage, health and wealth. With Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger at the center, it has two of the strongest and most three-dimensional female characters ever on screen battling it out for power and acceptance. I have seen the movie way more times than I can count, but I never, ever, finish it dry-eyed. This is a movie that treats me right.\nI think I still go to the movies because I have a small glimmer of hope that one day I will discover another movie that made me feel something. I painstakingly search the previews for a glint of some diamond-in-the-rough chick flick but haven't been satisfied for many years. Diane Keaton and Meg Ryan will probably never do it for me, though they will keep trying.\nI just want to put this in print: James L. Brooks, throw us a friggin' bone! Do it again, we like it, we like it! Baby, come back to me.\nIf I'm going to invest myself in movies to this degree, I really need to have a payday like "Terms of Endearment" more than once in a lifetime. But I guess that is what makes it so special. Geez, what a rip-off.
(11/17/00 5:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Why do people go to mediocre sci-fi movies over and over again, seeing basically the same movie, the same plot, the same characters in every single one? My best guess is that special effects are like drugs. Viewers see something they like once but always want to see the newest thing in the next movie. They are always searching for that better high.
(11/17/00 4:54am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Why do people go to mediocre sci-fi movies over and over again, seeing basically the same movie, the same plot, the same characters in every single one? My best guess is that special effects are like drugs. Viewers see something they like once but always want to see the newest thing in the next movie. They are always searching for that better high.
(11/17/00 4:11am)
Feeling a little down recently, I have been doing some soul-searching. I've decided that my real life is OK. I still have the same great friends, have made some new ones and have turned 21 and thereby have had more social opportunities than ever. Classes are easy and grades are good. So what's lacking (besides the easy answer: boyfriend)? Recently, at a particularly horrible movie, I figured it all out.\nAs reviews editor for IDS Weekend, I spend a good deal of my overall time figuring out what's playing, assigning movies to be reviewed, reading the reviews, making sure every "t" is crossed and every "i" is dotted. I even do reviews myself, which means I spend a lot of time trying to think up clever, interesting things to say about whatever movie I have just seen. I spend all this time making sure movies get their due, and what do I get in return from the movies?\nThis year, for whatever reason, the film industry has been putting out one huge disappointment after another. Films like "Wonder Boys," "Pay it Forward," "Autumn in New York" and "The Way of the Gun" have enticed me but ended up leaving me empty-handed. In my opinion, the only really good movies have been the mindlessly entertaining action fare like "X-Men," "The Perfect Storm" and "Charlie's Angels." If that is the most fulfilling thing I am getting at the movies, if that's as deep as movies are willing to go for me, then I am involved in a very unhealthy relationship.\nCase in point: where have all the beloved chick flicks of years past been hiding? The first time I ever really got interested in movies, the first time movies ever touched me, it was because I fell in love with chick flicks.\n"Dirty Dancing" was my first movie obsession, quickly followed by "Girls Just Want to Have Fun."\nThese coming-of-age sagas taught me the good stuff: what a real friend is all about, what first love feels like, what "Tune-In Tokyo" is, not to always accept that your parents are right and, most importantly, not to say dumb things like "I carried a watermelon" to the man of your dreams. Plus, these movies had action, adventure and intrigue brought out by the ultimate chick artform ... Dancing!\nLater, I got into chick flicks which have a little bit more to offer. I wore out my copy of "A League of Their Own." This film touched me deeply, not just because of its messages about feminism and female bonding, but also because it showed me I wasn't the only person in the world dealing with a sisterly inferiority complex.\nMy own sister, much like Geena Davis's character Dottie, was an overshadowing force in my life -- tall, beautiful, stylish and infinitely more popular than I ever was. Kit, the little sister to Geena Davis's bombshell, only came into her own when she stepped away from the shadow of her sickeningly perfect and benevolent oppressor. If I hadn't learned at the early age not to compare myself to my sister, to make my own way through life, I'm not sure I would be able to be her maid of honor in January without throwing up.\nThroughout junior high, I was infatuated with the movies "Fried Green Tomatoes" and "Thelma and Louise." Although the movies are very different indeed, both taught me just about everything I ever needed to know about female empowerment and the adult meaning of friendship. Geena Davis's character in "Thelma" and Kathy Bates and Mary Louise Parker's characters in "Tomatoes" all broke away from tight patriarchal constraints and became free in the most amazing sense of the word. It was the first time I ever realized sexism still exists.\nThe last chick flick, and as far as I'm concerned the best in the world, I was ever amazed by was actually made many years before these others. When I was in high school, I saw "Terms of Endearment," and I was ruined to movies forever. The James L. Brooks Oscar winner is witty, hilarious, destroyingly sad, stylish, timeless, hopelessly realistic and covers every inch of the spectrum including love, family, friendship, marriage, health and wealth. With Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger at the center, it has two of the strongest and most three-dimensional female characters ever on screen battling it out for power and acceptance. I have seen the movie way more times than I can count, but I never, ever, finish it dry-eyed. This is a movie that treats me right.\nI think I still go to the movies because I have a small glimmer of hope that one day I will discover another movie that made me feel something. I painstakingly search the previews for a glint of some diamond-in-the-rough chick flick but haven't been satisfied for many years. Diane Keaton and Meg Ryan will probably never do it for me, though they will keep trying.\nI just want to put this in print: James L. Brooks, throw us a friggin' bone! Do it again, we like it, we like it! Baby, come back to me.\nIf I'm going to invest myself in movies to this degree, I really need to have a payday like "Terms of Endearment" more than once in a lifetime. But I guess that is what makes it so special. Geez, what a rip-off.
(11/09/00 5:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The trailers for "Charlie's Angels" featured such blatantly sexist gems as full close-ups of Cameron Diaz shaking her itty-bitty butt in an itty-bitty pair of cartoony boy-underwear, Drew Barrymore unzipping her wet-suit revealing miles of dripping wet cleavage and Lucy Liu in what has now become her typecast role as the dominatrix bitch.
(11/09/00 2:32am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The trailers for "Charlie's Angels" featured such blatantly sexist gems as full close-ups of Cameron Diaz shaking her itty-bitty butt in an itty-bitty pair of cartoony boy-underwear, Drew Barrymore unzipping her wet-suit revealing miles of dripping wet cleavage and Lucy Liu in what has now become her typecast role as the dominatrix bitch.
(10/30/00 4:38am)
The Ray Charles show Friday was a real treat. The kind of treat where audience members just feel privileged to be in the presence of greatness. And Charles wasn't even the only source of greatness, the whole night was full of it. \nThe opening act, the African American Choral Ensemble, under the direction of James Mumford, showcased three separate groups, the all-female Sojourner, God's Progress and the all-male Soul-ACE. Some songs were sung with the full force of the 22 singers, others were presented in the smaller, distinctive groups. All of the songs featured vocals that make you remember what singing is all about. \nSojourner, named after abolitionist Sojourner Truth, gave the most outstanding performance with its bluesy-gospel ballad "Nothing to Lose," but the entire ensemble finished its performance up with an amazingly powerful "You Can Lean on Me." \nAfter the break, it was time for Charles to take the stage, but he didn't actually set foot on the stage until a full 20 minutes of his set had passed. Instead, the audience was treated to a classy old-school big-band set up where The Ray Charles Orchestra was allowed center stage. One by one, trumpet, saxophone and baritone saxophone soloists moved to the microphone at center stage to feature some world class jazz. \nThe band was very nice, indeed, but it was obvious that members of the crowd were restless to get the man himself up there. A standing ovation greeted the legend as he positioned himself behind the keyboard. (As a sidebar, this was one disappointing aspect of the show. You expect to see Ray Charles behind a grand piano as big as a boat, not behind a small, albeit technically impressive, keyboard). \nHe began the show by playing "Black Top Highway," and it was clear that all trademark Ray Charles moves were very much intact. The arch of the neck, the cock of the head, the wild, dancing feet and the huge smile continued throughout the performance. \nCharles got into full groove only during his third song, the classic, highly recognizable "Georgia on My Mind." Although his voice does not have quite the staying power to hold out the harder, longer notes of the song's original incarnation, Charles proved throughout the night that his voice could be strong and clear as a bell when he needed it to be. \nThe multitudes of couples gravitated even closer to each other and the sweetness of the atmosphere was magnified even more during the lovesick ballads of "Till There Was You" and "Can't Stop Loving You." \nCharles, his band and audience members all got rocking during renditions of "Shameless" and "They Don't Need No Band to Keep Time." Charles often rocked and swayed, rapidly jumping off his seat into a playful crouched standing position. When the "Raelettes" took the stage, Charles joked about their scene-stealing nature. Although the Raelettes gave flawless performances and elevated the energy level a bit, it was still quite clear that one of life's certain impossibilities is stealing a stage away from Ray Charles. \nSadly, just when the show was reaching its peak, with the wildly popular rendition of "What'd I Say," the concert was over. Charles thanked and said goodbye to the standing ovation of his extremely appreciative audience who would have begged for more had the lights not promptly gone on. \nBy the end of the show, there seemed to be a pervasive opinion of "Man, I just feel so lucky to have been here tonight," among the audience. Perhaps it is the fact that Charles is 70 years old. Perhaps it is the fact that he has more money than God and really has no reason to give his all to a Bloomington audience. Most likely, though, it is simply the fact that watching a man like this perform inevitably gives everyone a massive inferiority complex.
(10/27/00 4:12am)
THE Ray Charles is performing here, tonight? Yep, You've got the right one baby, uh-huh. The legendary blues-jazz-rock-soul superstar is playing to an almost sold-out crowd at 8 p.m. today at the IU Auditorium.\nIt marks only the third time Charles has performed at IU -- the last concert was in 1992. Fans have shown an outpouring of excitement for the rare treat of watching a legend perform.\n"It's one of the most popular events in Bloomington, when he comes," Doug Booher, facilities and events manager for IU Auditorium, said. "His brand of music receives such strong support from the community and his performance is fantastic."\nCharles went totally blind at the age of seven. He began performing in clubs at the age of 16. He has won 12 Grammys throughout his 50 years of making records. At the age of 70, Charles is still performing frequently all over the world. \nSome students might only be familiar with Charles through his landmark "You've got the right one" Pepsi commercials. In the early 90s, the ad campaign won prestigious advertising awards and scored higher consumer points than any other consumer product, according to The Economist. \nPepsiCo approached Charles because their research had shown "his appeal crosses age boundaries like few other performers."\nIndeed, Charles had appeal long before the Pepsi campaign. His signature high energy performances and high-profile back-up singers, the Raelettes, have proven him to be a commercial powerhouse for decades. \nBut Charles can boast more than commercial viability. His music is critically acclaimed for being an inventive force in the rock and roll and soul revolutions of the 1950s. Hits such as "What'd I Say," "Hit the Road, Jack," "Georgia" and "You Are My Sunshine" kept him on the top of the charts from the late '50s on. \n"One thing I've always loved about his music was how it crosses styles," said James Mumford, director of the music school's African American Choral Ensemble. "He has everything -- country, rock, gospel, soul, jazz -- but he always puts his unique, private stylings on the sound." \nMumford will direct the African American Choral Ensemble as they open for Charles tonight. \n"I grew up listening to his music; he was one of my heroes," Mumford said. "Now, we have been chosen over many other professionals who tried out for this spot to open for Ray Charles. It is a great honor and just one more recognition of our work." \nThe 22-member ensemble will open with an old African American spiritual, then lead into traditional and contemporary gospel songs. Eventually, they will sing more popular contemporary music, showcasing jazz. \n"We didn't want to get up there and do the same kinds of things he'd be doing, we're doing music that is an outgrowth from and the genesis of his music," Mumford said. "We want to show how gospel has influenced his music and how his music has influenced gospel. It is a criss-cross of influences." \nOn his official Web site, Charles devotes a page to soul and speaks of church influence. \n"Originally, soul music had a strong element of the church, of spiritual music. That's soul's makeup -- the fusion of gospel and blues," Charles wrote. "At first I got some criticism for playing soul music; there were people who objected to soul being played on the radio because of the depth of feeling in the music."\nAlthough the Auditorium management made the decision to have the ensemble open, Charles had to listen to their recordings and OK them.\n"We think he is happy to have some music that is very connected to what he does opening up for him," Mumford says. \nBut don't worry, audience members shouldn't expect a reverent, holy performance once Charles and the Raelettes get on the stage. \n"He really sells it all out for the audience, he doesn't hold anything back," Booher said. \nBalcony tickets are still available at the Auditorium Box Office and all Ticketmasters. For more information, call (812) 855-1103.
(10/26/00 9:54am)
By far the worst show one of the Big Three Networks has put out in many years, the trouble with "Normal" is that it's just plain stupid. The new sitcom follows the adventures of four highly paranoid neighbors and their new shrink, Claire Garletti (Paget Brewster).\nWith such an impressive cast (including "Pretty In Pink's" Jon Cryer and "The Ice Storm's" David Krumholtz), it is really a shame to see a concept that could have worked out brilliantly fall so flat. The plot lines are so unrealistic, unfunny and uninventive. The only thing viewers have to be paranoid about is letting the airwaves of this bomb come through their sets.
(10/26/00 9:53am)
How schmaltzy and WB-esque perfect does this show look? Very. But if you actually look behind the picturesque setting and picture-perfect lead actresses, the new drama is quite charming. "Gilmore Girls" is the story of society girl Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), who had her daughter Rory at the age of 16. \nNow that Rory (Alexis Bledel) is 16, and Lorelai hasn't progressed much further in age, the household is full of laughs. In a pivotal scene, Lorelai and Rory fight bitterly over whose boobs are bigger. "Gilmore Girls" showcases that mother-daughter relationship most of us females wished we could have had with our moms ... that of a sister. Then again, Lorelai's absurdity, while funny, will often make you feel relief if your mom was as normal as apple-pie. Either way, it's a win-win situation for female viewers.
(10/26/00 9:46am)
The Emmy fave has returned for its fourth hard-hitting season. Although the show did not win as many Emmys as in previous years (it had to give "Sopranos" a break), it is still in award-winning shape. This season, David Kelley's (Ally McBeal) favorite subject, law, is ruling the show. There have hardly been any scenes in the new season that aren't in a courthouse or a jail cell. \nKelley seems to be following a new pattern, focusing on long-term cases and taking the focus off the lawyers' lives. The problem with this is that "The Practice's" players, featuring the diverse talents of Dylan McDermott, Lara Flynn Boyle, Camryn Manheim and Michael Badalucco, might be squandered if they don't get a chance to show their softer sides. Knowing Kelley's work, though, he won't be able to stay out of the characters' bedrooms for long. Expect an intriguiging season from this all-star lineup.
(10/26/00 9:45am)
Entertainment Weekly, "Entertainment Tonight" and "Access Hollywood" have all recently been proclaiming this year the year of the gays ... in sitcoms, that is. Basically this is a reaction to the Emmy wins of Will, Grace and the show's supporting stars, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes. Whether or not networks are clamoring to line up the next gay superstar, "Will and Grace" certainly has broken the Ellen taboo in becoming the first successful show to feature gay lead characters.\nThis season looks promising indeed. Grace had a chance to bond with Jack (Hayes), and Will (Eric McCormack) got insanely jealous. The best part of the show, the ridiculously hilarious Mullally, is back in full force. If you haven't yet seen this show, what are you waiting for? Will and Grace has the most famous time slot on air this year (the ex-"Seinfeld" spot), so get cracking.
(10/26/00 9:43am)
At the end of last season, Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Monica (Courtney Cox) proposed to each other surrounded by candlelight, flowers and each other's tears. For viewers who are worried the show will lose its sarcastic bite amidst the sappiness of wedded bliss, they should have no fear. There are plenty of pre-wedding disasters to keep the show awash in funny turmoil.\nIn the season opener, a lonely Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) kissed a befuddled Ross, and Monica spouted off with venemous fury about Rachel stealing her thunder once again. It was back to our fittingly neurotic Monica again. This season promises to be full of humor once again.
(10/26/00 9:42am)
"Felicity" is back, complete with a full head of hair. For those who don't know, "Felicity" was almost cut from the TV lineup last year because she cut her hair. Gah, how superficial are these viewers? Well, it really did look pretty bad. \nFelicity (Keri Russel) is back with Ben (Scott Speedman), back at The University of New York City and back to her idealistically charming best. This season, Julie (Amy Jo Johnson) has left the cast and Noel (Scott Foley) is dealing with a wife from hell (Ali Landry, the Doritos chick). If you've liked "Felicity" during its first two years, you won't be disappointed by the new season. But if you had your doubts when you've seen it before, don't bother with this season. It's just more of the same with more hair.
(10/26/00 9:41am)
The best show you are not watching is "Roswell." The supernaturally thrilling and addictive drama about alien teens and their human counterparts has suffered from poor ratings but has an extremely loyal following. Last year when the network was considering axing the show, fans of Roswell launched a full-force campaign and successfully brought the show back for a second season. \nIn the beginning of the new season, the show is even more of a sci-fi extravaganza, as the four aliens are battling it out with hordes of other evil aliens sent to Earth to destroy the "royal four." If you are confused, it's OK. You can watch the "previously on 'Roswell'" bit at the beginning of each show and pretty much get the gist. The only thing you really need to know is the this show is "My So-Called Life" meets "X-Files." Can't beat that with a stick
(10/26/00 9:40am)
Wait a second, this is too good to be true. Gabriel Byrne, as in the hottest middle-aged Irish actor to come along since Liam Neeson, has his own sitcom? There has to be a catch. Oh, here it is: the show comes on at 9:30 p.m. Friday, making it practically impossible for the average college student to catch on a weekly basis. \nThe title men in Madigan Men are Byrne's character, Benjamin, his father Seamus (played with delightful cynicism by Roy Dotrice) and Luke, his son (played by the elfishly cute John Hensley II). Three generations of Irish Americans living in the same house makes for a delightful family comedy, similar to "Frasier." The only thing that is hard to figure out is how ABC can sit on such a high-profile goldmine, allowing Byrne to waste away on a Friday night death slot.
(10/26/00 4:00am)
Wait a second, this is too good to be true. Gabriel Byrne, as in the hottest middle-aged Irish actor to come along since Liam Neeson, has his own sitcom? There has to be a catch. Oh, here it is: the show comes on at 9:30 p.m. Friday, making it practically impossible for the average college student to catch on a weekly basis. \nThe title men in Madigan Men are Byrne's character, Benjamin, his father Seamus (played with delightful cynicism by Roy Dotrice) and Luke, his son (played by the elfishly cute John Hensley II). Three generations of Irish Americans living in the same house makes for a delightful family comedy, similar to "Frasier." The only thing that is hard to figure out is how ABC can sit on such a high-profile goldmine, allowing Byrne to waste away on a Friday night death slot.
(10/26/00 4:00am)
The best show you are not watching is "Roswell." The supernaturally thrilling and addictive drama about alien teens and their human counterparts has suffered from poor ratings but has an extremely loyal following. Last year when the network was considering axing the show, fans of Roswell launched a full-force campaign and successfully brought the show back for a second season. \nIn the beginning of the new season, the show is even more of a sci-fi extravaganza, as the four aliens are battling it out with hordes of other evil aliens sent to Earth to destroy the "royal four." If you are confused, it's OK. You can watch the "previously on 'Roswell'" bit at the beginning of each show and pretty much get the gist. The only thing you really need to know is the this show is "My So-Called Life" meets "X-Files." Can't beat that with a stick
(10/26/00 4:00am)
"Felicity" is back, complete with a full head of hair. For those who don't know, "Felicity" was almost cut from the TV lineup last year because she cut her hair. Gah, how superficial are these viewers? Well, it really did look pretty bad. \nFelicity (Keri Russel) is back with Ben (Scott Speedman), back at The University of New York City and back to her idealistically charming best. This season, Julie (Amy Jo Johnson) has left the cast and Noel (Scott Foley) is dealing with a wife from hell (Ali Landry, the Doritos chick). If you've liked "Felicity" during its first two years, you won't be disappointed by the new season. But if you had your doubts when you've seen it before, don't bother with this season. It's just more of the same with more hair.
(10/26/00 4:00am)
At the end of last season, Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Monica (Courtney Cox) proposed to each other surrounded by candlelight, flowers and each other's tears. For viewers who are worried the show will lose its sarcastic bite amidst the sappiness of wedded bliss, they should have no fear. There are plenty of pre-wedding disasters to keep the show awash in funny turmoil.\nIn the season opener, a lonely Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) kissed a befuddled Ross, and Monica spouted off with venemous fury about Rachel stealing her thunder once again. It was back to our fittingly neurotic Monica again. This season promises to be full of humor once again.