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(02/14/01 9:17pm)
\"Erin Brockovich" is the true story of a struggling single mother without any legal training who discovered water pollution in Hinkley, Calif. She then heralded the townspeople to fight against a large corporation and won the largest settlement ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit in the United States, $330 million. Although this would easily be made into another "A Civil Action," the mesmerizing cast, masterful direction and witty script make "Brockovich" extremely absorbing and entertaining. \nGiving undoubtedly the best performance of her career, Julia Roberts stars as the film's feisty, Norma Rae-esque title character. An unemployed former beauty queen with two previous bad marriages and three kids to support, Brockovich hit rock bottom when her car was broadsided by a speeding driver who ran a red light and her burnout lawyer, Ed Marsy, (Albert Finney) lost the case. She subsequently landed a job handling files at Marsy's law firm after numerous unsuccessful job interviews. After stumbling on some health information in a real estate case, Brockovich set out to clear up the confusion. She then persuaded the town's 600-some citizens with her wit, charm and dedication to organize a law suit against Pacific Gas and Electric, the source of the area's pollution.\nDirector Steven Soderbergh, best known for "Sex, Lies and Videotape" and "Out of Sight," once again proves he is one of the best American directors working today. Although Soderbergh has significantly toned down his style for this film, his amazing ability of getting great performances from his actors is fully at work. \nThe much joked-about cleavage of the Brockovich character soon takes a back seat to Roberts' acting. From a helpless single mother to a determined crusader, Roberts is completely winning throughout the film. Her acute comic timing helps to flesh out the wonderfully witty screenplay by Susannah Grant. The supporting actors all deliver earnest performances that help make the film credible. As a lawyer wary of the loopholes of the law, who gradually rediscover a passion for humanity, Finney's subtle performance always rings true. Aaron Eckhart, who plays Brockovich's supportive biker boyfriend, shows a wonderful tender side previously undetected from performances in films such as "In the Company of Men."\n"Erin Brockovich" is the best film Hollywood has offered us so far this year. It is a very commercial star vehicle for Roberts, but is uncompromising and heart-warming. Roberts' star quality never makes anyone doubt for a second this is the true story of the triumph of ordinary people.
(12/07/00 6:22am)
Most likely to dump his wife, get an earring and run off with Jack Nicholson's girlfriend: Harrison Ford\nMost bizarre friendship: Michael Jackson and Macauley Culkin\nBest Movie Sex Scene: The chickens of "Chicken Run"\nMost like a teenage Celine Dion: Jessica Simpson\nMost Gratuitous Nudity: Richard Hatch in "Survivor"\nBiggest Anglophile: Madonna\nThe Jennifer Lopez Award for Most Revealing Outfit: Tie -- Britney Spears and Geena Davis\nWorst Song of the Year: Tie -- Aaron Carter's "Aaron's Party (Come 'n Get It)" and O-Town's "Liquid Dreams"\nMost Informative Election Coverage: Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show"\nFreakiest Couple: Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton\nWorst Sequel: Tie -- "Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows" and "Urban Legends: Final Cut"\nMost likely to be rehab bunkmates: Robert Downey Jr., Ol' Dirty Bastard and Darryl Strawberry\nScariest Ally McBeal "Dancing Baby" rip off: The baby in "Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps"\nMost upsetting departure from television:Andy Richter \nFunniest Movie Title: "The Eyes of Tammy Faye"\nBest Marketing Ploy to Get Men Into a Chick Flick: "Coyote Ugly" and "Charlie's Angels"\nMost stuck-up "It" girl: Kate Hudson\nMost In Need of Forehead Reconstruction By Way Of Baseball Bat: James van der Beek\nBest Job at Proving He's Still an Idiot: Keanu Reeves with "The Replacements" and "The Watcher"\nMost Likely to Make You Want To Drown Yourself in a Bathtub: "What Lies Beneath"\nBest "Wall Street" Rip Off: "Boiler Room"\nCheesiest Movie: "Duets"\nBest Movie Ruined in the Last 10 Minutes: Tie -- "Almost Famous" and "Frequency"\nBest Former Child Star Turned Full-On Hottie: Kirsten Dunst\nMost Depressing Film: "The Virgin Suicides"\nBest Special Effects that Look Like You Did Them Yourself In Your Backyard: "Thomas and the Magic Railroad"\nWorst Movie to See on Drugs: "The Cell"\nBiggest Beef:Eminem and Everlast\nBiggest Pair of Underwear on Screen:"Road Trip"\nCelebrity We're Most Sick of Seeing: Helen Hunt\nMovie Most Likely to Make You Want to Turn and Run From Scientology: "Battlefield Earth"\nGreediest Couple: Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones for making money on their wedding\nMost Senseless Fun: "Charlie's Angels"\nBest Line: Shaft: "It's my duty to please that booty"\nThe Ricky Martin Award for Latin Flavor of the Month: Penelope Cruz\nBest On-Screen Duo: Chris Rock and Morgan Freeman in "Nurse Betty"\nBoy Band Most Likely to Kick All the Other Boy Bands' Asses in a Fight: 98 Degrees\nMost Dragged Out Departures: Tie -- Barbra Streisand leaving concerts and Kathie Lee Gifford leaving "Live"\nBiggest Kiss-Ass: Carson Daly\nThe Next Kriss Kross: Lil' Bow Wow\nBiggest Disaster Since Titanic: "The Beach"\nMost likely to make you ask, "How did you get out of the trailer park?" Threeway Tie -- Christina Aguilera, Fred Durst and Eminem\nBest Sample: Offspring using Rob Schneider\nWorst Sample: Jessica Simpson using John Mellencamp\nChannel Most Obsessed with Crappy Music of the past: VH1\nChannel Most Obsessed with Crappy Music of the present: MTV\nMost Drool-worthy Video: D'Angelo's "Untitled (How Does it Feel)"\nMost vexed actor:Joaquin Phoenix\nWeirdest Career Turnover: Christian Bale going from Jesus in "Mary Mother of God" to title character in "American Psycho"\nWorst Use of Facial Hair: The Backstreet Boys\nMost Accurate Movie Title: "Loser"\nMost Likely to Single-handedly Kill Teen Movies: Freddie Prinze Jr.\nCelebrity with More Money than God: Oprah (but she is God, right?)\nFunniest new guy: Owen Wilson\nHeaviest Rotation of Annoying Song: "The Thong Song" by Sisqo\nBand We're Gonna Miss the Most: Smashing Pumpkins\nThe Winner of the Gwyneth Paltrow/Ben Affleck Award for "We don\'t give a #@!* if they're dating anymore:" Tie -- Russell Crowe/Meg Ryan and Britney Spears/Justin Timberlake
(12/07/00 6:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Although most people aren't familiar with Dave Hollister, it's hard to forget his voice once you hear it. His work with the group BLACKstreet certainly raised more than a few eyebrows, but he was soon forgotten by the fans after the group underwent a few lineup changes worthy of the comparison of what Destiny's Child recently went through.
(12/07/00 5:17am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The music business is really thriving this year. While most people probably can think of numerous songs they enjoy, very few of them can name a single album they truly like from beginning to end.
(12/07/00 5:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>OutKast has been able to reinvent itself with each album, but this time the Atlanta dynamic duo is here to change the game. Stankonia, the pair's fourth album, is not only its best, it is also one of the wittiest, the bravest and the most ingenious albums you'll hear this year.
(12/07/00 5:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Although most people aren't familiar with Dave Hollister, it's hard to forget his voice once you hear it. His work with the group BLACKstreet certainly raised more than a few eyebrows, but he was soon forgotten by the fans after the group underwent a few lineup changes worthy of the comparison of what Destiny's Child recently went through.
(12/07/00 5:00am)
Most likely to dump his wife, get an earring and run off with Jack Nicholson's girlfriend: Harrison Ford\nMost bizarre friendship: Michael Jackson and Macauley Culkin\nBest Movie Sex Scene: The chickens of "Chicken Run"\nMost like a teenage Celine Dion: Jessica Simpson\nMost Gratuitous Nudity: Richard Hatch in "Survivor"\nBiggest Anglophile: Madonna\nThe Jennifer Lopez Award for Most Revealing Outfit: Tie -- Britney Spears and Geena Davis\nWorst Song of the Year: Tie -- Aaron Carter's "Aaron's Party (Come 'n Get It)" and O-Town's "Liquid Dreams"\nMost Informative Election Coverage: Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show"\nFreakiest Couple: Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton\nWorst Sequel: Tie -- "Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows" and "Urban Legends: Final Cut"\nMost likely to be rehab bunkmates: Robert Downey Jr., Ol' Dirty Bastard and Darryl Strawberry\nScariest Ally McBeal "Dancing Baby" rip off: The baby in "Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps"\nMost upsetting departure from television:Andy Richter \nFunniest Movie Title: "The Eyes of Tammy Faye"\nBest Marketing Ploy to Get Men Into a Chick Flick: "Coyote Ugly" and "Charlie's Angels"\nMost stuck-up "It" girl: Kate Hudson\nMost In Need of Forehead Reconstruction By Way Of Baseball Bat: James van der Beek\nBest Job at Proving He's Still an Idiot: Keanu Reeves with "The Replacements" and "The Watcher"\nMost Likely to Make You Want To Drown Yourself in a Bathtub: "What Lies Beneath"\nBest "Wall Street" Rip Off: "Boiler Room"\nCheesiest Movie: "Duets"\nBest Movie Ruined in the Last 10 Minutes: Tie -- "Almost Famous" and "Frequency"\nBest Former Child Star Turned Full-On Hottie: Kirsten Dunst\nMost Depressing Film: "The Virgin Suicides"\nBest Special Effects that Look Like You Did Them Yourself In Your Backyard: "Thomas and the Magic Railroad"\nWorst Movie to See on Drugs: "The Cell"\nBiggest Beef:Eminem and Everlast\nBiggest Pair of Underwear on Screen:"Road Trip"\nCelebrity We're Most Sick of Seeing: Helen Hunt\nMovie Most Likely to Make You Want to Turn and Run From Scientology: "Battlefield Earth"\nGreediest Couple: Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones for making money on their wedding\nMost Senseless Fun: "Charlie's Angels"\nBest Line: Shaft: "It's my duty to please that booty"\nThe Ricky Martin Award for Latin Flavor of the Month: Penelope Cruz\nBest On-Screen Duo: Chris Rock and Morgan Freeman in "Nurse Betty"\nBoy Band Most Likely to Kick All the Other Boy Bands' Asses in a Fight: 98 Degrees\nMost Dragged Out Departures: Tie -- Barbra Streisand leaving concerts and Kathie Lee Gifford leaving "Live"\nBiggest Kiss-Ass: Carson Daly\nThe Next Kriss Kross: Lil' Bow Wow\nBiggest Disaster Since Titanic: "The Beach"\nMost likely to make you ask, "How did you get out of the trailer park?" Threeway Tie -- Christina Aguilera, Fred Durst and Eminem\nBest Sample: Offspring using Rob Schneider\nWorst Sample: Jessica Simpson using John Mellencamp\nChannel Most Obsessed with Crappy Music of the past: VH1\nChannel Most Obsessed with Crappy Music of the present: MTV\nMost Drool-worthy Video: D'Angelo's "Untitled (How Does it Feel)"\nMost vexed actor:Joaquin Phoenix\nWeirdest Career Turnover: Christian Bale going from Jesus in "Mary Mother of God" to title character in "American Psycho"\nWorst Use of Facial Hair: The Backstreet Boys\nMost Accurate Movie Title: "Loser"\nMost Likely to Single-handedly Kill Teen Movies: Freddie Prinze Jr.\nCelebrity with More Money than God: Oprah (but she is God, right?)\nFunniest new guy: Owen Wilson\nHeaviest Rotation of Annoying Song: "The Thong Song" by Sisqo\nBand We're Gonna Miss the Most: Smashing Pumpkins\nThe Winner of the Gwyneth Paltrow/Ben Affleck Award for "We don\'t give a #@!* if they're dating anymore:" Tie -- Russell Crowe/Meg Ryan and Britney Spears/Justin Timberlake
(12/07/00 4:37am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>OutKast has been able to reinvent itself with each album, but this time the Atlanta dynamic duo is here to change the game. Stankonia, the pair's fourth album, is not only its best, it is also one of the wittiest, the bravest and the most ingenious albums you'll hear this year.
(12/07/00 4:35am)
That's (almost) a wrap.\nThe year is not over yet, and a number of noteworthy films are still to be released. But as the fall semester is coming to an end, it's a good time to reflect on the movie scene this year.\nMany critics and moviegoers agree that 2000 has been an unremarkable year for Hollywood. Most films that come off the Hollywood assembly line are mediocre at best. Summer blockbusters such as "The Perfect Storm," "X-Men" and "Mission: Impossible 2" all came and went without truly capturing the nation's fascination. Early Oscar favorite "Erin Brockovich" still remains a serious contender in the year-end awards race.\nThe lack of movies people can really be excited about has resulted in many theater chains such as United Artists, Edwards, General Cinemas and Carmike all filing bankruptcy this year. Theaters often decide to put potential blockbusters on several screens, but many of these event movies just don't perform to the theaters' expectations. Unfortunately, these theater chains haven't learned anything, and they continue to build even more multiplexes. This year, Bloomington saw the Kerasotes Theaters take away our beloved three-screen Von Lee Theatre to open the 12-screen, stadium-seating Showplace West 12. \nOn the indie front, a number of movies have become modest hits this year. But there is no breakout hit that is worthy the comparison to the box-office record of "The Blair Witch Project." Even the "Blair Witch" sequel "Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2" fails to achieve half the success of the original. This year, independent movies such as "Billy Elliot," "Saving Grace," "Croupier," "The Tao of Steve," "Sunshine," "Up at the Villa," "Dancer in the Dark" and "The Virgin Suicides" have thrived on very limited releases in select cities.\nOn average, the foreign-language movie business was better than usual. There are a number of minor hits such as the Oscar-nominated "East-West" (France), the crowd-pleasing "Shower" (China), "The Girl on the Bridge" (France), "Bossa Nova" (Brazil), "Kikujiro" (Japan), "Not One Less" (China), "The Butterfly" (Spain), "The Color of Paradise" (Iran) and "Mifune" (Denmark). Although no foreign-language movie this year has yet reached the same level of commercial success as Italy's "Life is Beautiful" or Germany's "Run Lola Run," many industry watchers are predicting Taiwan's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" will become a runaway hit. \nAnother welcoming trend in the foreign-language film business this year is that distributors are taking chances on many non-European films. Aside from some of the aforementioned movies, other non-European titles that have made it to this side of the Atlantic include "Non-Stop" and "Adrenaline Drive" from Japan; "Suzhou River" from China; "Lies," " Nowhere to Hide" and "Chunhyang" from South Korea; "A Time for Drunken Horses" and "The Wind Will Carry Us" from Iran; "The Cup" from Tibet; as well as "Yi Yi (A One and a Two)" from Taiwan. \nJudging from the increasing attention and commercial success some of the independent and foreign films are receiving, it's clear that more and more moviegoers are fed up with the mind-numbing Hollywood products. \n"Erin Brockovich" is the sole Hollywood entry in this critic's 10-best list this year. Those movies that have made the list are not only emotionally powerful, they are also stylistically impressive. Most importantly, the filmmakers really have something of significance to say with these films that have made the list. Although many movies mentioned probably won't ever play in Bloomington, hopefully you will be able to track them down at a video store in the not-too-distant future. \n
(12/07/00 4:01am)
How can we sum up 2000 without mentioning the national obsession that is "Survivor?" How can we not recall Richard's strategizing, Rudy's homophobia, Colleen's loveliness and Susan's "rat vs. snake" rant? Aren't we glad the year is almost over, so we can soon revisit that madness when "Survivor: The Australian Outback" airs Jan. 28?\nHow can we talk about "Survivor" without mentioning the year's phenomenon that is reality television? This year, we've seen several reality-based programs that span the very good ("Survivor," "The 1900 House," "American High"), the mediocre ("Big Brother," "The Real World") and the very bad ("Making the Band," "Road Rules," "Real World/Road Rules Challenge 2000"). Regardless of the quality, reality programs prove to be a hugely successful alternative to off-season reruns.\nBack to "Survivor." There are so many elements that help make the show the phenomenon it is. Aside from the lucrative prize money and the exotic locale, the show boasts a superb cast that never ceases to intrigue the audience. Although "Survivor" is far from perfect (some of the challenges and the product placements are lame), it certainly has successfully transformed countless viewers' voyeuristic curiosity into full-fledged obsession. \nAnother national obsession, although on a smaller scale, is Food Network's Japanese import "Iron Chef." Combining elements of a cooking show and a game show, complemented by the frantic voiceover of a former sports commentator and the slow-motion instant replays, you have this otherworldly and entertaining cult phenomenon. Iron Chef's competition with Food Network's own Bobby Flay stands as one of the must-see television events this year.\nAside from reality programs, most of the year's new shows aren't that impressive despite the high ratings. "Bull," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "The Fugitive" are fairly amusing. But it's clear that some of the best shows on television are the returning ones. "Oz" and "The Sopranos" remain the most captivating dramas on the tube, while "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Dharma & Greg" are always wonderfully funny.\nPrograms such as "Oz" and "The Sopranos" constantly make you aware of how bad movies are these days. While the second season of "The Sopranos" is a little uneven, the gritty prison drama "Oz" delivers yet another seven mesmerizing episodes. Despite the year's reality craze, "Oz" still remains as television's best. Thankfully, the second part of the fourth season of "Oz" will begin airing Jan. 7 With the return of "Oz" and "Survivor" in both January, 2001 will start with a bang.
(11/29/00 3:39am)
Whenever a "best list" is compiled, it always manages to stir up some conversation. It is impossible to find a best list that is indisputable -- everyone has an opinion. Following the American Film Institute's disastrous "100 Greatest Movies" list, MTV and Rolling Stone magazine collectively came up with their own controversial ranking of "100 Greatest Pop Songs." \nHow is a pop song defined? The MTV and Rolling Stone list consists of so many different genres that it's impossible to distinguish what makes one song better than the other. While the majority of songs that end up on the list probably do deserve their place in the music history, the criteria for ranking of these songs is completely questionable. \nIs Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way" really a better song than John Lennon's "Imagine"? Is Britney Spears' "…Baby One More Time" better than Janet Jackson's "Nasty"? Is Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" better than U2's "One"? The answer according to this critic is no, no and no. No matter how MTV and Rolling Stone have come up with the ranking, a recount seems much needed. What is up with MTV and Rolling Stone's fixation on Nirvana, anyway? Ranking the band among The Beatles and The Rolling Stones seems like a joke. Will anyone be listening to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in 10 years?\nThe "Greatest Pop Songs" list has a tendency to give undeserved credit to those pop songs that haven't really stood the test of time (for example, Blink 182's "All the Small Things"). And if Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC and Britney Spears have made the list, don't we think New Kids on the Block or Boyz II Men also deserve a spot? And if Eminem's "My Name Is" has made the list, then where are 2Pac's "California Love," Juvenile's "Back That Thang Up" or Master P's "Make 'em Say Uhh?"\nAnother tendency of the chart is to underestimate the R&B and rap genres. Many rock songs end up receiving better rankings than their R&B counterparts. Maybe Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean" (No. 5) doesn't measure up to Beatles' "Yesterday" (No. 1), but it is a much more influential song than The Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (No. 2) and Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (No. 3). \nBecause of so many questionable choices, MTV and Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Pop Songs" list becomes another list no one really cares about. Despite star-studded appearances of Backstreet Boys, Destiny's Child and Jennifer Lopez, the countdown show on MTV is nearly as boring as the rerun of "Undressed"
(11/15/00 5:03am)
BET Holdings, Inc. has been purchased by Viacom for $3 billion in stocks. The acquisition means that BET will become the sister network of MTV, MTV2, VH1 and The Box. It also means that BET is no longer under black ownership, although founder Robert Johnson will become a major shareholder at Viacom.\nStock analysts say the purchase is a good move for both companies, but it also stirs up some controversy in the black community. Some people are pleased to see black entrepreneurs finally being acknowledged by corporate America, while others complain that another media organization is no longer in the hands of African Americans. Johnson himself is under fire from reporters, including one from BET's newsroom. What everyone wants to know is -- is a white ownership going to affect BET's programming?\nIn the past few years, BET has really tried hard to reinvent itself each season to compete with other similar music-oriented networks. Gone are the days of Donnie Simpson, Sherry Carter and "Video Soul." The network now has "106 & Park: BET Top Live," its answer to MTV's "TRL." It also has "Hits from the Street," a variation of MTV's "The Tom Green Show."\nThere are a number of unique programs at BET that really define the network's identity. "Teen Summit," a forum for thinking teens to address a variety of important issues, remains one of the most important programs of the network. "Oh! Drama," a talk show with three chatty black actresses as hosts, is always smart and substantive while addressing some of the most controversial topics. "Cita's World," a video program led by a computer-animated VJ, really shows the innovation of the network.\nThe Viacom ownership of BET can mean a number of things. On the dark side, BET probably will become more like MTV. In other words, you'll probably see the same programs endlessly repeated on BET. And you probably won't be seeing high-minded but unpopular programs like the gospel-oriented "Lift Every Voice" remaining on the network for long. But on the bright side, BET viewers probably won't be seeing the endless informercials every Sunday.\nPerhaps the best thing for BET is the fact that it will no longer have to fight the system on its own for survival as it has done in the past 20 years. BET has now become part of the system that is Viacom. BET is the sister network of the CBS, one of the Big Three. Those who are fans of the network should be proud of the fact that BET has finally graduated from the minor league and it is now playing on the major league field. But, with luck, the network will remain faithful to those who have watched it grow.
(11/09/00 5:00am)
Summer event movies just don't get better than this one. The movie obviously has tons of glitzy visual effects and stunning production design by Bo Welch, but it is also smart and funny. Fans of the movie who have been impatient for the release of the DVD will be pleasantly surprised to find the three DVD versions of the film well worth the wait. But those with extra cash will definitely want the limited edition of the DVD. \nThe film's anamorphic widescreen transfer is perfection, as you can expect from any Columbia Tristar Home Video releases. In the limited edition of "Men in Black," there is so much bonus material here that a second disc is actually needed to include all of them. \nThe set includes the commentary with director Barry Sonnenfeld and star Tommy Lee Jones, storyboards, featurettes, the trailer and the Will Smith music video. Some of the nifty exclusive features in this set include a second audio commentary with the Industrial Light & Magic special effects team, scene editing workshops and production photo galleries. \nOne minor complaint about the "Men in Black" set is that Columbia Tristar should have combined the two discs into a single DVD-18 disc (as Artisan did with "T2" and "The Blair Witch Project"). Aside from that, this is a truly impressive set.
(11/09/00 5:00am)
Even though it's been nearly 400 years since William Shakespeare passed away, Hollywood is still trying to milk his talent for all its worth, thanks mainly to the tasteless Miramax Films and the Oscar-minted success of the ridiculous "Shakespeare in Love."\nMost of these Shakespeare productions lack originality. After all, how can you expect them to be original? The few interesting recent attempts at Shakespeare ultimately turn out to be pretentious and empty egotrips -- namely Kenneth Branagh's "Love's Labour's Lost," Julie Taymor's "Titus" and Michael Almereyda's "Hamlet."\nWhile the new "Hamlet" is sleek and stylish, the film's modern-day setting is unexpectedly appalling. The film has shamelessly borrowed so many fresh ideas that worked wonders in Baz Luhrmann's 1996 "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet." Unfortunately, these ideas seem to be too much of a stretch in "Hamlet" that they are almost laughable here. \nEthan Hawke is at his most moody in the title role. As you may have guessed, he is no Laurence Olivier. Hell, he's not even as good of a poseur as Branagh or Mel Gibson. Sporting orange-tinted shades and a wool hat, Hamlet aspires to be a digital filmmaker. As Hamlet screens an amateurish film he has made to confront his parents about the murder of his father, the film has gone so far that even the pretentious faux movie buffs will burst out into laughter.\nAny sensible moviegoer would hope that Hamlet's mom Gertrude (Diane Venora) and villainous step-dad Claudius (Kyle MacLachlan) will whip his grungy Gen-X ass and teach him some "reality bites" lessons. \nThe film's bizarre typecasting turns out to be a minor asset. Venora, MacLachlan, Julia Stiles (as Ophelia), Liev Schreiber (as Laertes) and Bill Murray (as Polonius) throw some interesting subtext to the otherwise outrageous screenplay. Carter Burwell's score and John de Borman's cinematography are ultimately the only decent elements in the film. \nTo see or not to see, that's not even a question. Don't expect high school English teachers to approve this "Hamlet," and don't expect high school students to find it "cool" either.
(11/09/00 5:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter's new album The Dynasty Roc La Familia (2000- ) is no Reasonable Doubt, his 1996 debut which still stands as his best album to date. But Jay-Z's latest is no Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life either. So be warned y'all Jigga fans and haters -- it is apparent from the get-go that Jigga's onto some different stuff this time.
(11/09/00 2:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter's new album The Dynasty Roc La Familia (2000- ) is no Reasonable Doubt, his 1996 debut which still stands as his best album to date. But Jay-Z's latest is no Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life either. So be warned y'all Jigga fans and haters -- it is apparent from the get-go that Jigga's onto some different stuff this time.
(11/09/00 2:36am)
Summer event movies just don't get better than this one. The movie obviously has tons of glitzy visual effects and stunning production design by Bo Welch, but it is also smart and funny. Fans of the movie who have been impatient for the release of the DVD will be pleasantly surprised to find the three DVD versions of the film well worth the wait. But those with extra cash will definitely want the limited edition of the DVD. \nThe film's anamorphic widescreen transfer is perfection, as you can expect from any Columbia Tristar Home Video releases. In the limited edition of "Men in Black," there is so much bonus material here that a second disc is actually needed to include all of them. \nThe set includes the commentary with director Barry Sonnenfeld and star Tommy Lee Jones, storyboards, featurettes, the trailer and the Will Smith music video. Some of the nifty exclusive features in this set include a second audio commentary with the Industrial Light & Magic special effects team, scene editing workshops and production photo galleries. \nOne minor complaint about the "Men in Black" set is that Columbia Tristar should have combined the two discs into a single DVD-18 disc (as Artisan did with "T2" and "The Blair Witch Project"). Aside from that, this is a truly impressive set.
(11/09/00 2:34am)
Even though it's been nearly 400 years since William Shakespeare passed away, Hollywood is still trying to milk his talent for all its worth, thanks mainly to the tasteless Miramax Films and the Oscar-minted success of the ridiculous "Shakespeare in Love."\nMost of these Shakespeare productions lack originality. After all, how can you expect them to be original? The few interesting recent attempts at Shakespeare ultimately turn out to be pretentious and empty egotrips -- namely Kenneth Branagh's "Love's Labour's Lost," Julie Taymor's "Titus" and Michael Almereyda's "Hamlet."\nWhile the new "Hamlet" is sleek and stylish, the film's modern-day setting is unexpectedly appalling. The film has shamelessly borrowed so many fresh ideas that worked wonders in Baz Luhrmann's 1996 "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet." Unfortunately, these ideas seem to be too much of a stretch in "Hamlet" that they are almost laughable here. \nEthan Hawke is at his most moody in the title role. As you may have guessed, he is no Laurence Olivier. Hell, he's not even as good of a poseur as Branagh or Mel Gibson. Sporting orange-tinted shades and a wool hat, Hamlet aspires to be a digital filmmaker. As Hamlet screens an amateurish film he has made to confront his parents about the murder of his father, the film has gone so far that even the pretentious faux movie buffs will burst out into laughter.\nAny sensible moviegoer would hope that Hamlet's mom Gertrude (Diane Venora) and villainous step-dad Claudius (Kyle MacLachlan) will whip his grungy Gen-X ass and teach him some "reality bites" lessons. \nThe film's bizarre typecasting turns out to be a minor asset. Venora, MacLachlan, Julia Stiles (as Ophelia), Liev Schreiber (as Laertes) and Bill Murray (as Polonius) throw some interesting subtext to the otherwise outrageous screenplay. Carter Burwell's score and John de Borman's cinematography are ultimately the only decent elements in the film. \nTo see or not to see, that's not even a question. Don't expect high school English teachers to approve this "Hamlet," and don't expect high school students to find it "cool" either.
(11/07/00 11:43pm)
Those who listen to pop stations are fed up with what gets on the playlist nowadays. Whenever Creed, Everclear and Baha Men come on, most of the sensible listeners immediately search for the "seek" button. Although the new singles of Samantha Mumba and Debelah Morgan are infectious, it's unlikely anyone can stand them after the tireless heavy-rotation airplay they get all day everyday. As a result, songs that are more deserving of airtime never make it onto the playlist and end up sitting on the stations' shelves gathering dust. \nWhile teen pop still dominates the music industry, it's surprising that Spice Girls' new single "Holler" is getting so little airtime. After all, the group is responsible for single-handedly putting pop music back onto the American music map. After a two years hiatus, the group has returned with a mature and sleek new track. Despite the group's multi-platinum achievements in the past, its addictive new single is completely ignored by stations and MTV. \nSince we're on the subject of pop music, there are a few songs out there worthy of the attention newcomers Mumba and Morgan have gotten. 3LW's red hot single "No More (Baby I'm a Do Right)," a sweet, catchy track reminiscent of the sound of a teenage TLC, is yet to catch on across the country. Robbie Williams' mesmerizing new single "Rock DJ" is also receiving little attention, although it deserves some.\nA number of R&B songs with strong crossover potentials are strangely absent from both pop and urban radio station playlists. With captivating lyrics and a simple melody, it's mind-boggling that Sparkle's new track "It's a Fact" isn't getting a lot of airplay. Dave Hollister's beautiful and affecting new single "One Woman Man" is pretty much suffering the same unfortunate fate. \nWith radio stations' intolerable programming and the gradual decrease of music programs on MTV and BET, the only way to listen to a variety of new songs is by going to the Internet. If services such as Napster start charging royalties, where can the consumers go to sample new music before spending $12.99 on a new CD?\nThe limit of No Limit\nWith platinum-selling artists Mystikal and Snoop Dogg both leaving the label, it's difficult for fans not to worry about the fate of the once glorious empire that is No Limit Records. Although the new releases of 504 Boyz, C-Murder and Silkk the Shocker are doing reasonably well on the charts, the label's boss Master P seems to be falling faster and harder than Puff Daddy.\nThe pathetically cheap videos by No Limit soldiers such as 504 Boyz and Silkk the Shocker indicate the label is really in trouble. Yet Master P and company are still stubbornly flashing their cars and jewelry in their videos. We all know that diamond-studded tank in the background of Silkk's video "He Did That" is fake, so why are they still flossing? The Cash Money camp has better made videos than the No Limit camp. Trick Daddy, Trina and Nelly can afford slick looking videos. Even ex-No Limit soldier Mystikal can afford to make a pretty fancy Little X-directed new video. Maybe Master P just needs to stop fronting. Busta Rhymes rarely brags about the platinum wrists or the platinum grills, yet he always makes the most expensive and inventive videos. If Master P has the dollars, he needs to hire Hype Williams to make a real video.
(11/03/00 12:52pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Robert Redford's latest film, "The Legend of Bagger Vance," is exactly everything you expect it to be. It is unlikely that anyone will be disappointed by it, while no one will be surprised by it either. In other words, "Bagger Vance" is "Good Will Hunting" meets "The Horse Whisperer" and "Ordinary People." You can see every generic formula and cliché coming from miles away while watching this film.