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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 1992)
ember 1,1 Walker !S rowd iRISONAND 3 WEN raised cowlm er pitchei! :er Jerry College Stab day night wit f country at' lis band, ;s, opened h ation nightsf? 's with "Eas id "Up Again up then trealt isical histon i ; classics fi® ick Blues' "Nolan Ryai 11 the bases, il style ran^i mtry sound e reggae flar mn Bad Las for the Resio ponded entliii new songs ivorites. Tune 5," "L.A. Free i Truck Sonf ging in unis? of the sho* ut the crowc a Wine' ai a i ting for mted, "JEM his group hi a encore. Till Pissin' in (Ik d the p Up the Ten t, local n excel lent |« ; crowd. Tin covers acres id pei y, pro atmos crowi September 1,1992 Texas A&M ARTS &L tlNTERTAINMENTThe Battalion Page 7 'Christopher Columbus: The Discovery' fails to discover the talents of its crew By ANAS BEN-MUSA Staff Writer of THE BATTALION "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery" Starring Marlon Brando, Tom Selleck, George Cor- raface, Rachel Ward Directed hy John Glen Rated PG-13 Playing at Cinema III in Albertson's shopping cen ter If you are looking for a sweet, innocent, fairy-tale story, then "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery" is everything you would hope for in such a story. "Columbus" never deals with the political and eco nomic implications of Columbus's proposition to travel to the Indies. Throughout the film, the treachery and deceit in flicted by the various monarchs Columbus petitions for his voyage are never answered. During the first half of "Columbus," the audience is thrust into a sur real world where every adventure-and predicament Columbus gets into ends in joyous laughter. Director John Glen touches lightly on the political landscape that Columbus had to deal with in Spain. During the time Columbus was pleading with Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand for his commission, Spain was fighting the Muslim Empire in southern Spain and expelling the Jews. Yet, Glen only gives the audience a glimpse of these major historical events. 1 was not expecting a detailed account of every battle, but more depth would have helped embellish the story. It would have answered many questions about why Columbus had to wait so long for his commission. Instead, Glen shows Columbus waiting around trying to convince people that his plan to sail around the world to the Far East is legitimate. Of course, Glen overlooked the major.religious events of that period, mainly the Spanish Inquisition. The Inquisition affected every single aspect of life. including the reason it took Columbus several years to get his commission. However Glen blows by that aspect of Spain's history, like Carl Lewis in the 100- meter dash. When Glen tried to embellish the film with some historical accuracy, he failed miserably. As Bugs Bunny would say, he forgot to take a left at Albu querque. In one scene, Columbus makes a deal with the crew that if land is not sighted within three days they can chop off his head. The history books never tell this event in Columbus's life. Nor does history presume Columbus is that confident or stupid to make such a proposition. Yet, the lack of history can not compare to the lousy acting by some well established actors. Tom Selleck, playing King Ferdinand, distracts the attention and focus of the story. Jessica Tandy would have been more appropriate to play Ferdinand then Selleck. Selleck moves in and out of his English ac cent like a‘ yo-yo. My question is why Ferdinand, the Spanish King, would have an English accent? Furthermore, Rachel Ward's portrayal of Queen Isabella compares with Julie Andrew's portrayal of Mary Poppins. Her character is so sweet and proper, as Wayne would say, "It makes you wanna hurl." Is abella at the time was fighting the Moors in southern Spain and had no problems kicking out the Jews; yet, "Columbus" makes her out to be a spiritual, delicate flower. However, the most disappointing aspect of the film is Marlon Brando's portrayal of the Spanish In quisitor, Torquemada. Brando's character was so dull and obsolete that I saw no purpose in baving him around. Unlike the real person, "Columbus's" Torquemada is a slow, stupid man. If you are looking for a film that deals with fantasy and little reality, then go see "Christopher Colum bus: The Discovery." The film dealt with as much history as Walt Disney's "Beauty and The Beast." y 'Material Issue' soars with Destination Universe By TRICIA MARTINEZ Reviewer of THE BATTALION Material Issue "Destination Universe" Polygram Records Chicago's Material Issue is known as one of the foremost practioners of pop/rock and, their latest project, "Destination Universe", enhances their repu tation. "Destination Universe" is a great LP which has already spawned a great lead track in "What Girls Want." This tune has a solid, steady, driving beat. It contains amazingly clever lyrics, and Jim Ellison, lead vo cals/guitar, belts out strong vo cals. "What Girls Want" is gaining popularity on the record charts with lyrjcs. such as "I want love. I want drugs, I want sex and af fection," sung throughout the tune. Ellison wrote all the songs for "Destination Universe," and the three member group is able to pull off sounds that would make one think the band is chock-full of members by utiliz ing their guitar strengths and synthesizer sounds. Ted Ansani, bass/vocals, and Mike Zelenko, drums, do a fan tastic job in adding individuali ty to the LP. Ansani is a master at back-up vocals, and his har monizing is one of the best fea tures of ^Destination Universe," while Zelenko never misses on his rapid drum beats. Most of the songs on "Desti nation Universe" are fast-paced. "Girl From Out Of This World" is a rocking little tune where El lison really shows his vocal range. When I first heard this one I thought it was a female on vocals because of Ellison's high range. He does, however, pull it off with class. Material Issue really cranks all the way through "Destina tion Universe". The group pos sesses music versatility with crosses between pop, rock and some funk. ! The LP does con tain a few ballads which are not really the band's strong point. "Everything" and "Don't You Think I Know," are good songs, they just aren't great. Material Issue is known for its fun and crazy lyrics com bined with grooving' guitars and drums. "Destination Uni verse" exemplifies this along with a "get-to-the-point" rock and roll sound. An Aggie Without A 2™ Man Checking Account Is Like A OPEN AN ACCOUNT AND GET A FREE PRINT OF THE TEXAS A&M CAMPUS! If you’re new to Texas A&M, you’ll need to know about First American Bank’s 12th Man Checking Account, the best and most inexpensive way to handle your money while in Aggieland! GIG ’EM ® Minimum Balance Required A T 17' c? f ^ Monthly Service Charge ^ J A l u FREE MPACT Automated Teller Card ■ 200 FREE Aggie Checks ■ $100 Opens Your Account Your first 12 debits every month are free. After that, each debit is $1. 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Tfxas Instruments 1992 Texas Instruments Incorporated 1H000101A 0 '"' mode m EXIT more mm a, Pha ^ f VAR del — Si; -o.v OAI „ * , 0 . ” SMr A sin 1 H ^ e * _ X1 a r LN EE H ] ( 1 C AL| /- ^ J K M/URX , 7; r -gp™ M CPLX N B 7 Math ^ P CONS Q 8 V tKBgm list sro. = ™ - mt mm ■ all imi £y t £nt er KTSRt(92.1 4k MSC AggteSG CLUB & STUDENT PROGRAMS present MSC SHOWCASE tvu,, , CRotember 3 7:30pm inursday,auditorium Rudder ^ ® pg/xTURING: !*¥ David Naster * ^ i $ [MACA CAMPUS comedian of the year ALSO P E RFORMl | ' jG: fcVKlNPSSI VOCAUST r Jill McClure 1992 Miss Texas ASM David Garza Champions of Texas music scene i,. aiiMk. i -' Is Freshman tickets J,, - “ u st present fee ^ 43 AU other students » Non-student $ 5 fice 'mm and immediately f<> lloWWS ms ACCIf mumiiinjLLr^v (INCMA The Alternative Films Series ~ SEASON PREMIERE ~ $2.00 9:30 p.m. Rudder Theatre Winona Ryder Gena Rowlands Giancarlo Esposito Armin Mueller-Stahl Rosie Perez Matti Pellonpaa Isaach De Bankole Beatrice Dalle Roberto Benign! “Exct Mially funny.” —Vincent Canby, r(EW YORK TIMES Captivating.” —Jan Stuart. Newsday A FILM BY JIM JARMUSCH Night on Earth F,VE Taxis. FiveCit.es. One Night. Music By Tom Waits fRl^. (f) fS F'Nfl.Nt NANI) C it# CWMA CORE #1 RIGHTS RESERVED OfiKSHW SWCIMOt AVARA8U OR ISUW COMPACT DISCS AND CASSETTES