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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (May 30, 1995)
wmmmm The Battalion • Page 3 Tuesday • May 30, 1995 Summer's blockbuster season With a bang ... and with a fizzle Jackson joins cast, pushes Die Hard to higher level By Nick Georgandis The Battalion Die Hard Wi th A Vengeance Starring Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson and Jeremy Irons Directed by John McTiernan Playing at Hollywood 16 ★ ★★★ 1/2 (out of five) The third installment of Bruce Willis’ Die Hard series opens with the funky beat of The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Summer in the City” and a massive bomb going off in a New York City department store. After this explosive beginning, audiences never have enough time to catch their breath until the end credits roll. It’s no wonder that Die Hard With A Vengeance is attract ing audiences, finishing second in last week’s ratings. The New York Police Depart ment scrambles to find a lead on the bombing, but a clue drops right into their laps when the terrorist re sponsible for the incident calls the station. He (Jeremy Irons) identifies himself as “Simon” and says he will speak only with Detective John Mc- Clane (Willis). The trouble is, McClane is on suspension and cannot easily be found. When he is located, he’s not in the best of shape —- blue jeans and an undershirt, with three-day old stubble and an ex treme hang-over. When Simon calls again, he gives McClane specific instruc tions and tells him that if he does not follow them to the letter, an other bomb will be set off in a After an explosive beginning, audiences never have enough time to catch their breath un til the end credits roll. “very public place.” Simon’s instructions take Mc Clane, newly and grudgingly rein stated to the force by his sergeant, to Harlem, where he must stand in the street wearing a sign with a racist message written on it. As anyone could guess, the locals quickly take note of McClane and his message. Enter Samuel L. Jackson. The hottest and arguably best actor in Hollywood to day portrays Zeus, a Harlem shopkeeper who tries to keep his kids out of trouble by turning them off of crime, drugs and white people. Zeus tries to do the right thing by getting McClane out of Harlem, but a local gang inter venes, and Zeus is forced to flee with McClane in a taxi. The pair’s “I don’t like you, you don’t like me” banter provides great comedy for the action flick. There are many twists and turns in the plot as McClane and Zeus slowly piece together what first seems to be a personal vengeance against McClane, but swells into an international eco nomic heist. Irons is master ful as the mania cal Simon, who taunts McClane and Zeus at every point of their grand adventure through New York City. He always seems in control of the game he’s playing with the po lice department. Willis is good as McClane, who joins John Rambo and Dirty Harry as one of the great action characters of all time. Going through the entire movie with an intense hangover provides good comic relief, as he asks anyone and everyone for as pirin, even when Simon bids him farewell before he attempts to blow McClane sky- high. Jackson’s name may be below the ti tle, but his performance raises the movie to a higher level. He is the hesitant me diator between McClane and the gang of Harlem youths to the end when he taunts Simon from a po lice helicopter. In short, this movie starts off the summer movie bonanza ... with a vengeance. Samuel L. Jackson's and Bruce Willis' characters form an unlikely alliance in Die Hard With A Vengeance. Mad Love fails with plot that lacks depth By Kristen Adams The Battalion Mad Love Starring Chris O’Donnell and Drew Barrymore Directed by Antonia Bird Rated PG-13 Playing at Schulman 6 ★★ 1/2 (out of five) Two words: date movie. Mad Love is not a life-altering movie, nor will it be an Acade my Award winner, but it is still an easy-to-watch movie that will make viewers talk. Mad Love has some heavy issues, but they are dealt with lightly. It can be a fun movie to watch as long as the viewers are not as mentally unstable as the movie’s main character. Chris O’Donnell plays Matt, a young, responsible knight-in- shining-armor who falls in love with Casey, a young damsel-in-distress played by Drew Barrymore. On the surface, Casey seems to be a girl who just likes to have fun. She goes for late-night jet-ski rides and dances wildly to music in her room when alone. She likes to pull fire alarms and skip school. But underneath this wild exterior, Casey has some seri ous mental problems. Matt thinks Casey is wild but not actually crazy. He sees her as misunderstood rather than mentally unstable. When she is locked up in a mental hospital, Matt decides to break her out. The two take off on a romantic adventure to escape everything. They head south with nothing but good times on their minds. But the further they travel from home, the harder things get. Casey starts to act off-bal ance and emotional, and Matt begins to realize that she is sick and needs help. Mad Love has a pretty good plot, but it is not devel oped until the sec ond half of the movie. For example, the audience knows that Casey has mental problems, but for the most part, she just seems like a free spirit. The seriousness of her problems are held out un til the end. The role doesn’t demand much from Barrymore. Casey is yet another fly-by-night re bellious character that doesn’t pose much of a challenge for the young actress. It seems like the director, Antonia Bird, never decided whether to make this a fun movie or a serious movie. Mad Love doesn’t make a commit ment to one emotion or the other, nor does it combine the two well. It is hard to figure out the message of the movie, if there is one at all. Basical ly, Mad Love is light hearted and fun with a little seriousness mixed in. If moviegoers aren’t looking for high drama or roaring laughs and don’t mind a few developmental problems, this movie may entertain them. But movie junkies should be ware — they may leave the theater with a feeling of apa thy and disappointment. If moviegoers aren't looking for high drama or roaring laughs and don't mind de velopmental problems, this movie may entertain them. STUDENT COUNSELING SERVICE ... a Dept, in the Division of Student Affairs PERSONAL COUNSELING GROUPS SUMMER 1995 WHAT IS GROUP COUNSELING AND HOW CAN IT HELP? Group counseling involves about four to ten people meeting with one or two counselors serving as group leaders. Group leaders work to provide a safe, confidential environment where group members are free to discuss their problems and concerns. Through the group, members identify with others who are experiencing similar issues and increase their self- awareness by obtaining genuine and honest feedback from others. How much you talk about yourself depends on what you are comfortable with. You can benefit from group even when you are saying little because you will learn about yourself as others talk about their concerns. SCS COUNSELING GROUPS FOR SUMMER 1995 If you feel that a particular group may be of help to you, make an appointment at the Student Counseling Service to speak to a screening counselor. The counselor can help you determine if group counseling would benefit you. If you have any questions or suggestions concerning group counseling, feel free to call Dr. Laura Bettor (845-4427 ext. 126) at the I Student Counseling Service. • AFRICAN AMERICAN SUPPORT GROUP Tuesday 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. S “ This group provides support for African-American students and explores issues related to gender-based expectations of performance. Issues such as self-awareness, sexuality, and self-discovery will be explored. S Leader: Brian Williams • BIOFEEDBACK WORKSHOP Monday 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Thursday 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. One-session workshops designed to give students an introduction to relaxation techniques, including how biofeedback aids in relaxation. Individual follow-up consultation available. Leader: Nick Dobrovolsky • DISSERTATION/THESIS SUPPORT GROUP Wednesday 4:45 - 6:15 p.m. This group is for graduate students who are struggling in the process of writing their theses/dissertations. Potential group topics are issues of competence, procrastination, anxiety, goal-setting, and struggles with bureaucratic hurdles. Co-leaders: Brian Williams & Laura Bettor • EATING ISSUES GROUP Tuesday 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. The purpose of this group is to increase insight abut eating problems, explore issues behind the problems and make progress toward racovery. Group topics may include dally eating and exercise behaviors, dealing with others about food issues, developing trusting relationships, expressing feelings, and managing stress, A DOCTOR'S RELEASE IS REQUIRED FOR GROUP PARTICIPATION. Co-leaders: Mary Ann Moore & Barbara Pettit • EMPOWERING YOURSELF I: SUPPORT GROUPS FOR WOMEN MOLESTED AS CHILDREN Tuesday 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Group for women with sexual molestation In their past. Identifying and exploring aftereffects of the abuse will be the focus. Emphasis is on handling relationships, building self-esteem, and gaining personal power. Co-leaders: Laura Bettor & Debbie Barton • GAY/LESBIAN/BISEXUAL GROUP Wednesday 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. This group will consist of 4 - 12 gay/lesbian/bisexual students. The primary focus of the groups will not be limited to sexual orientation issues, although issues related to this may be discussed. Topics may include but are not limited to: relationship issues, coming out to family and friends, religious concerns, and self-esteem. Co-leaders: Mary Ann Moore & Indira Hogan • GRIEF AND LOSS SUPPORT GROUP Wednesday 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. This support group is for students grieving the loss or terminal illness of someone close, or who themselves are terminally ill. Co-leaders: Brian Williams & Debbie Barton • INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS GROUP Thursday 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. International and American students meet weekly on a drop-in basis to discuss concerns, receive support, and learn helpful skills (e.g., adjustment, assertiveness, stress management, time management and cross-cultural communication skills) so that they can be more successful while studying at the university. Cultural exploration will be highlighted. Group participation, discussion and interaction among members are encouraged. Co-leaders: Gisela Lin & Juan Riker • INTERPERSONAL PSYCHOTHERAPY I Group 1: Monday 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Group 2: Tuesday 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. An experiential group for students wanting to confront troublesome interpersonal patterns that limit authentic encounters with others. Previous counseling experience required. Co-leaders: Ron Lutz & Barbara Pettit - Group 1 Ron Lutz & Gisela Lin - Group 2 • OLDER THAN TRADITIONAL AGE GROUP Thursday 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. This group Is for students whose concerns are related to issues which are different from traditional undergraduate concerns. Marriage, divorce, office politics, committee chairpersons, dissertation projects, and dealing with children and spouses are potential group topics. Co-leaders: Nick Dobrovolsky & Don Daughtry • UNDERGRADUATE PERSONAL GROWTH GROUP Thursday 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. The purpose of this group for undergraduates Is to facilitate self-exploration and personal growth through Interaction with other students. Co-leaders: Laura Bettor & Indira Hogan Texas A&M University has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, admission to Texas A&M University and any of its sponsored programs is open to all qualified individuals without regard to any subgroup classification or stereotype. Little Caesars* LOOK WHO'S DELIVERING DINNER! NEW DELIVERY SERVICES CALL US TODAY! Vcilid (it participating locations only. Our drivers tarry less than $20 Delivery areas limited to insure safe driving 1994 Little Caesar Enterprises, lire. BRYAN NORTHGATE COLLEGE STATION 776-7171 268-0220 696-0191 1775 Briarcrest 2 Large 1 Topping Pizzas Delivered >10.99 plus tax (§) Little Caesars* Not valid with any other coupon. Valid only at participating Little Caesars. BT - 05-30-95 Expires - 06-30-95 University & Stasney 2 Medium Pleasers of your choice Delivered $ 11.98 Texas Ave. & S.W. 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