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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 7, 1997)
Battalion Page 3 Monday • April 7, 1997 aint Val Kilmer stars as a man of many identities in The Saint ^venturesome flick blessed with solid direction Weak in Rock MTV steals and sanitizes music and culture By James Francis The Battalion e background singers are humming, duh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuhhhhh... You sit on the bus, reading a newspaper, when suddenly you feel eyes all about you. Duh nuh nuh nuh mh nuhhhhh... E You slowly let the paper slide down below your level of sight and begin to scrutinize the other bus e riders. Duh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuhhhhh... ^ 1 A voice from behind says, “Don't turn around. You Ee in grave danger.” Duh nuh nuh nuh nuhhhhh... ■ You quickly respond by asking 1 in a nervous state of mind, “Who jeyou?” Duh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuhhhhh... “I am Bustapa Rid- (}re,” the stranger says. “I was ^■amed after the Catholic saint ie .jstfho rescued students’ bus passes Rafter torrential Texas winds blew j£viem to the O&M Building.” The music stops, and the l0<[ ' film begins. u®** The Saint opens in a dank Moscow setting, with a boy named Simon being punished in a strict I Catholic school for not stating his name. He is a common thief, and from this moment on he takes on names of Catholic saints, each pertaining to Whatever situation he must escape from. But the jlm doesn’t concentrate solely on Simon. Elisabeth Shue portrays Dr. Russell, a scientist |ttempting to perfect the formula for cold fusion. If achieved, she will break new ground in the search 3r world warmth (Moscow has exhausted its supply of Seating oil). In essence, the Russians are starving, cold The Saint Starring Val Kilmer and Elisabeth Shue Directed by Phillip Noyce Rated PG*13 Playing at Hollywood 16 ★ 1/2 (out of five) and in desperate need of a good leader and hero. In steps the now-adult Simon (Val Kilmer) as one of his masked avengers, who steals the formula from Russell and plans to “deliver the goods” to a Russian buyer. Problems arise when Simon begins to develop feelings for Russell. At this point, the film takes the audience on a seesaw of raw action, love, deceit and movie magic. Unlike previous roles, Kilmer portrays a character who is lost in a sea of false identities. While the premise of his role might seem a bit trite, Kilmer proves a master of disguises with enough acting talent to make his por trayals believable and screen-worthy. Shue, coming off the not-so-cele- | brated The Trigger Effect after her 1 critically-acclaimed prostitute role I in Leaving Las Vegas, is a breeze of j fresh air amidst the smog and cold 1 snow of Moscow. As her character I falls in love with Kilmer, her perfor- | mance of up-close moments moves I the hearts of audience members — 1 it’s as though she is talking to every person seated in the theater. Along with these two solid perfor mances, the film is well-directed, pushing all action scenes to the forefront of excellence. One of the best mo ments in the film occurs when Shue is chased in slow mo tion as she runs toward the American embassy for safety. The Saint is a fun, adventuresome film about love and the search for inner peace. The film is no great clas sic, but a good version of what trinkets sometimes fall out of the Hollywood attic. The band strikes up again. Duh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuhhhhh... The bus comes to a sudden halt atyour stop. Duh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuhhhhh... As others get up, you stand and immediately turn around, only to find an emp ty seat behind you. Duh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuhhhhh... This was no dream—it was a meeting with a profession- K URT LODER: This is MTV News, where you hear it... first. Today in music news, fans of Kurt Cobain gath ered in Seattle to mourn the death of the late gen erational spokesman. Here’s a clip. WEEPY GIRL #1: He was, like, the poet of my generation, only he wasn’t a poet, and I couldn’t actually understand any thing he sang. WEEPY GIRL #2: He reminded me of Jesus Christ, in a way. I mean, if Jesus Christ used heroin and was married to a vaguely an noying slut. LODER: In related news, Cobain’s widow, Hole singer Courtney Love, announced plans to star in the re make of Jesus of Nazareth — as the Columnist Michael Schaub Sophomore English major Virgin Mary. In a rare press con ference, Jesus Christ said he was doubtful about the casting of Love as his mother. JESUS CHRIST: Well, I really liked her in The People vs. Larry Flynt, but quite frankly, I was pushing for Demi Moore. LODER: Christ de clined to comment on whether he was, in fact, the son of God, but did say, quote, "Memo to Marilyn Manson: Lose the make up, babe. I talked with Satan, and even he’s kind of bored with you.” MTV’s hit show Singled Ouf visit ed College Station, Texas, home of Texas A&M University, last week. Hi larity ensued when A&M mascot Reveille, a collie, mauled and killed host Chris Hardwick. Here’s a clip. Men follows character’s lead NEW YORK (AP) — Ellen De- 'neres is coming out in real life, too. After a season of controversy- ring rumors, her character on ten will acknowledge her homo- uality on the ABC sitcom April Now, DeGeneres says she’s a les- too. “When I decided to have my char ter on the show come out, I knew I as going to have to come out too,” eGeneres says in the latest Time magazine. “But I didn’t want to talk about it until the show was done. I never wanted to be the lesbian ac tress. I never wanted to be the spokesperson for the gay communi ty. Ever. I did it for my own truth.” DeGeneres admits being con fused sexually as a young woman. T dated guys,” she says. “I liked guys. But I knew that I liked girls too. 1 just didn’t know what to do with that.” The 39-year-old comedian says she quit dating men at about age 20 and recently met a woman she hopes to forge a lasting relationship with. Asked about the Rev. Jerry Falwell, who resorted to name-calling in blasting DeGeneres’ morals after news of the upcoming on-air an nouncement was released, the sit com star said she’d heard it all before. “Really, he called me that? Ellen DeGenerate?” she said. “I’ve been getting diat since the fourth grade.” CHRIS HARDWICK: OK, Carl, what clandestine ROTC group do you prefAIIIEEEEE! Get it off! For the love of God, help ... AUDIENCE: Whoop! Whoop! LODER: In other MTV news, the cast of Road Rules encoun tered some trouble when their van broke down in rural southeastern Louisiana. Let’s watch. MAN IN OVERALLS AND STRAW HAT: You look pretty, boy. Real pretty. So pretty I think I’m gonna call you “rump.” LODER: Fans of late genera tional spokesman Shannon Hoon, of Blind Melon, gathered in New Orleans to mourn the dead, whiny singer. Both mourn ers left after five minutes to enjoy some cold Dixie beers. Be sure to watch Friday when The Real World LX debuts on MTV This time, the cast will spend a year homeless on the streets of East St. Louis. Wackiness will abound. Speaking of “wacky,” former U.S. Senator Bob Dole has found a new job — hosting Yo! MTV Raps! Dole said his goal is to keep “f— kin’s—t up, old school.” BOB DOLE: Bob Dole’s cornin’ at you from the streets of Russell, Kansas. Watch out, Clinton, the Notorious D.O.L.E. is here from the Notorious G.O.P, and he’s keepin’ it real. We out. LODER: Dole’s first episode as host of Yo! MTV Raps! wi\\ be a tribute to slain rapper, actor and criminal Tupac Shakur. Fans of Shakur gathered in Las Vegas last week to mourn the killing of the generational spokesman. WEEPY GIRL #3: He was, like, the poet of my generation, only he wasn’t a poet. He was a convicted rapist who ordered the murder of his enemies. WEEPY GIRL #4: I’ve spent my entire high school life co-opting African-American culture to justify my overprivileged, imperialistic white-bred existence. Now what, I ask you? Now what? LODER: Ha, ha. Don’t worry, miss, MTV is always here to help steal cultures and drag them, sani tized, into the mainstream so all col lege fraternities can enjoy them. That’s all tor MTV News today. Here’s Alanis Monisette, with “Ironic.” Portuguese Speakers Part-time Jobs Universal Computer Systems, Inc., in business since 1970, develops, installs and supports the most sophisticated computer systems available in our industry. We are currently seeking mtry-level, bilingual writers/translators, to help with our expansion ito South America. These jobs will be based in our Bryan/College nation office and requires written and verbal fluency in Portuguese nd English. 20 - 30 hours per week. Non-smokers only. E.O.E. Call to apply. Universal Computer Systems, Inc. (800) 883-3031 Do You Have Panic Attacks? Freedom Research, Inc. is seeking volunteers for a 12-week research study of an investigational medication for panic disorder. You must be 18-65 years old in good health. You may be paid up to $200 for your particpation in the study. For more information call: 229-0049 ORACLE DATA BASE COORDINATOR The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler has an immediate opening for an Oracle Data Base Coordinator. Candidates must have knowledge of complex relational database concepts, technical architecture and processes. Experience in database definition, instance creation, security, recovery, structure, documentation, and operational guidelines. Requires Windows NT and Oracle 7 experience, bachelors degree in appropriate field, and strong team skills. SQL Server and Visual Basic experience a plus. Interested applicants contact: Employment Services, The University ofTexas Health Center at Tyler, P.O. Box 2003, Tyler, Tx. 75710. Ph. 1-800-435-3985 or FAX (903) 877-7729. An EEO/AA Employer. M.EVD. 'ixtonzifz- 725B University Drive FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 6 - 10 TICKETS GO ON SALE SUNDAY 4-5 PM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING MON TUES WED THUR Apr 7 Apr 8 Apr 9 Apr 10 CHEM 101 PECK/ BECKFORD 3-5 CH CH CH I111S1PI PM 9,10 11 12 PHYS 5-7 CH CH CH CH 201 PM 13,14 15,16 17,18 19 PHYS 7-9 CH CH CH CH 202 PM 36 37 38 39 CHEM 9-11 CH CH CH CH 21 B 102 TANG/WOLF PM 20 26.23,24 21A &PRAC TEST PHYS 11PM- CH CH CKi 2 & PRAC PRAC TEST #B 218 1AM 9 10,11 TEST #A BUSINESS SUN MON TUE WED Apr 6 Apr 7 Apr 8 Apr 9 ACCT 5-7 CH CH CH CH 230 PM 9 7,8 8,11,12 12,13,14 FINC 7-10 PART PART PART 341 PM I II III 7-9 PM asti! Meet the man who made the KKK pay! MSC Great Issues presents: Teaching Tolerance featuring speaker Morris Dees Co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center and credited with bankrupting the KKK Monday, April 7, 1997 7:00 PM Rudder Theater Admission is free. Persons with disabilities please call 845-1515 to inform us of your spe cial needs. We request notification three (3) working days prior to the event to enable us to assist you to the best of our abilities. Presented in conjunction with Whoopstock (Saturday, April 12) ArtFest 1997 juried exhibit of student artwork Entries accepted April 9 to 11 2 to 6 pm in room 227 MSC $5 per entry All TAMU students invited to enter! Winning entries displayed in MSC Visual Arts Gallery Prizes awarded: * painting total value over $400 ^ drawing best of show $60 ^ photography plus 1st, 2nd, 3rd^ computer generated in each category sculpture presented by MSC Visual Arts Committee Official Rules: http: / / vac.tamu.edu Phone: 845-9251 Email: vac@msc.tamu.edu PROFITABLE NUMBER! 845-0569 The Battalion Classified Advertising