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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 21, 1997)
The Battalion Classified Page 5 Monday • April 21, 1997 Murder proves action's demise By Aaron Meier The Battalion During the ’80s, all an action flick needed was Arnold Schwarzenegger and a bunch of commies to make millions. Today, however, things do not come as easy for writers in the action genre. Enter Murder at 1600, a movie about the U.S. presidency. The movie begins with the murder of a young woman in the White House. Harlan Regis (Wesley Snipes), a street-wise homicide detective, arrives at America’s most famous address to investigate. Regis soon discov ers the powers that be do not want him to inquire too much about the murder. Agent Nina Chance (Diane Lane) is assigned by the Secret Service to control Regis’ inves tigation and close it as quickly as possible. However, Chance’s integrity and Regis’ tenacity as an investigator soon uncover evidence that points to the Oval Office. Snipe’s portrayal of Regis pro vides the mindless acting that action stars need. Snipes’ energy and wit have become his strongest traits as an actor, and he needs to utilize them more if he wants to remain an action star. Lane (who also appeared in Judge Dredd) has a presence Murder at 1600 Starring Wesley Snipes and Diane Lane Directed by Dwight Little Rated R Playing at Post Oak Cinema ** (out of five) few actresses possess. She con veys both beauty and strength, letting neither one overpower the other. However, her acting in 1600 falls nothing short of bad. Maybe it is the script or maybe it is the character, but Lane’s capabilities as an actress do not shine. The supporting cast is filled with actors on their way up and those on their way down. Daniel Benzali (TV’s Murder One) gives a forceful perfor mance. Benzali plays the head of White House security, Nick Spikings. His deep, gravel-filled voice commands the screen, invoking respect and quiet fear. With more performances such as this, Benzali could be another James Earl Jones. 1600 entertains, but it does not excite. It does not stray far from the cookie-cutter movies Hollywood loves to turn out during the spring months. 1600 is an easily forgotten movie that will not even make a ripple in the film world. Wesley Snipes plays a detective opposite Diane Lane in Murder At 1600. Even 'back then,' youth was timeless I am old. I did not come to this realization on my own—my 10-year- old cousin told me this in an e-mail last week. She had an English assignment to interview someone many years older than her. I'm 21. Apparently I’m old. My cousin sent ques tions I was supposed to answer. No problem, I thought. As I went to answer them, I had to think twice about the “truths” I should share with a 10-year-old. Besides, not that much has changed since “back then,” right? That’s what I thought, top. J. How did you study for school? I honestly don’t remember having homework in grade school. If I did, it was probably done about an hour before school that day. This being, of course, “back then,” when we had to wake up early to feed the chickens, chum butter and milk cows. My answer: “I raced home from school every day and eagerly did my homework before dinner. After din ner, I went straight to bed so the next school day would arrive faster.” (Yeah, right). 2. Did you get made fun of? Let’s see. I was always the new kid in school, I have a big nose, I was always overweight and I was the first one to get zits. My answer: “No, people were much nicer ‘back then.’” 3. What is your worst memory? Grade school. Or maybe prom night. Yes, definitely prom night. My answer: “When my dad was caught in a fire. I was very scared.” (That’s true, but grade school runs a close second, with prom night right up there with it). 4. Was fashion impor tant? What kind of clothes did you wear? As I went to answer this question, I remem bered neon the first time it was around. I remem bered the 3,000 plastic bracelets in my jewelry box in every color on and of the rainbow. More importantly, I remem bered jellies. I had them. I wore them. I loved them. I slept in them. And any one who wears them now must be on drugs or eight years old. My answer: “No. Everyone wore what their parents bought them.” 5. Looking back, do you like being grown up or being a kid the best? This is a tough question, and I had a hard time answering it. I really still am a kid. I’m still learning, I sleep with stuffed ani mals (shut up), and I own three Slinkies. What is that fine line between being grown up and being a kid? Who knows? Not me. 6. What advice could you give 10-year-olds? This was easy. My answer: “Don’t try to grow up too fast. Experience everything you can. Try things you have never done before to see if you like them. Swing on as many swing sets as you can. Don't ever stop learning. Be 10 — don’t try to be any older than you are. Your time will come.” I pondered this, and found it odd that I probably should take my own advice, even if it is for 10-year-olds. The difference is you don’t know what stress is when you are 10. Maybe I did like being a kid the best. Naaaah. Guest Columnist Katherine Arnold Senior journalism major We've Moved Aggieland Awards & Discount Trophies are now under one roof @ 209 S. Main, Downtown Bryan Cast bronze A&M ring Crest® weight 20% off thru June 1, 1997 Makes the perfect graduation gift Career Opportunity Continental Airlines Continental Airlines is looking for May and August graduates Opportunities are available in the following areas: Human Resource/Staffing Inflight Recruitment Bilingual Reservations **Summer/Fall Airport Operational Opportunities also available** Major with language skills in Russian, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese and German are especially encouraged to attend! Date: April 22, 1997 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Place: Informational Tables at the MSC l For more information call: Maria Martha Fernandez at Latin American Programs 845"3367 Step Off... into the Spotlight Ring Dance Senior Week Tuesday, April 22 Karaoke Kick-off at Bullwinkle’s Bar & Grill 9:00 pm Wednesday, April 23 Discount Night at Various B/CS Establishments 6:00 pm Keep an eye open for location information Thursday, April 24 Senior Bash at Shadow Canyon 9:00 pm Friday, April 25 lee Cream Social at Dr. J. Mai on Southerland’s House 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Sponsored by the Vice President for Student Affairs Office Saturday, April 26 Senior Banquet at College Station Hilton 6:00 pm and Conference Center 9:00 pm - 1:00 am Ring Dance at Memorial Student Center and Rudder Tower The biggest social event of your college career will feature eight rooms filled with endless entertainment. You will see the Killer Bees, a Latin music D.J, a comedy pianist, a big band orchestra, a 60s-80s DJ, you (karaoke), Elvis, and Chris Wells and the Texas Edge all in the ° SPOTLIGHT! For more information, contact the Class of 1997 at 845-1515 For tickets and t-shirts, call the MSC Box Office at 845-1234