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