Wednesday - June 4, 1997
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rlAtyrannosaurus rex wreaks havoc in Jurassic Park: The Lost World. The movie, directed by
PjSteven Spielberg is based upon Michael Crichton's novel and is the sequel to Jurassic Park.
Jurassic Park uncovers
weak, predictable sequel
By James Francis
The Battalion
r I
O nce again the cast of the original
Jurassic Park (minus Laura
Dern, the children and their
[grandfather) find themselves on the is-
jlandthat man created and time will
^ soon forget. With the other members of
lefirst film gone,
^■leffGoldblum re
mains as the one
Pj diameter, Dr. Ian
Mcolm, who will
^ are again brave
.1 the uritou died
| land before
jtime.” Joining
|Goldblum are the
d animal
[counterparts:
[tyrannosaurus rex
[and family, Velo-
jceraptors, and a
whole cast of new dino-stars.
This time, Goldblum’s job is one of a
rescue endeavor. His girlfriend, Dr.
Sarah Harding (Julianne Moore), has
keen sent to the dinosaur island in or-
iertodo research on the continued be
havior of the prehistoric animals and
record some other scientific jargon the
film never ad dresses.
Unlike the first film, The Lost World gets
the audience in touch with the action im
mediately. There are the usual dinosaur-
human chase scenes, followed by fatalities
afboth man and beast, and a few one-lin
ers that make moviegoers laugh, cry or
scream at the top of their lungs.
The only drawback, the biggest of
many films lately, is that there really is
»o plot. Although the film attempts to
five the audience a reason to under
stand why Goldblum is going back to
the island, it would seem the film’s only
concern are the action sequences. But
this also is the reason the film will do so
Well at the box office. This past weekend
Slone, The Lost World raked in $32 mil
lion, an impressive gross that surpasses
all other top-ten films of the weekend
grouped together.
Cinematography rules the film in every
sequence the audience sees. From land
scape shots to up-close filming of a tyran
nosaurus rex mouth lashing out at main
characters, the visuals of the film are stun
ning, breathtaking and a bit frustrating (in
the sense that
they deliver
tense moments
to the audience).
Another
good aspect of
this sequel is
the acting.
Goldblum is
quirky as ever
as the masterful
doctor of chaos
science. His
screen de-
Jurassic Park: The Lost World
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring Jeff Goldblum and
Julianne Moore
Rated PG-13
Playing at Hollywood 16
★ ★★ (out of five)
meanor
throughout the film is one of intensity
and cautiousness, as other characters
do not know the havoc the “friendly”
dinosaurs can cause them.
Although many audience viewers
will miss the smile and nervous coun
tenance of Dern from the first film,
Moore gives a suitable performance of
a doctor who finds herself in awe about
every aspect of the island and its in
habitants. She knows when to deliver a
friendly smile and when to flash a mo
ment of true terror.
The Lost World may not be the best
movie showing at theaters, but it defi
nitely deserves a one-time viewing for
those individuals who could not get
enough of the dinosaur thrills the first
film presented.
And although the film has a definite
ending (with a cliffhanger, it would not
be worthy of a review), it will not be
surprising if ticket sales and audience
reactions prompt Spielberg to give an
other shot to dinosaur-mania to audi
ences across the world.
Fantastic debut redefines punk music
By April Towery
The Battalion
S ounds can be deceiving. And,
although the music of Bryan-
College Station band Kid Fan
tastic sounds like punk, the quartet
proves there is more to music than a
loud electric guitar on its debut al
bum, Closer To The End.
The growing trend of Texas punk
bands consists of unfocused musi
cians targeting a young audience,
because only skateboarding junior
high punks will think these bands
are talented. Austin punk band Gals
Panic fit this stereotype, and thus,
rarely started playing a show after 9
p.m., because its fans had a curfew.
The band broke up last July.
Kid Fantastic, however, has a little
more to offer. The members are all
students, but instead of coming
across as youngsters, they have bro
ken the monotony of other punk
bands and proved to be talented in
dividuals on Closer To The End.
The album was recorded in early
March at Malagro Studios in Hous
ton. It includes 12 songs, each of
which thrives upon lyrical interpre- ^
tation, demanding to be picked
apart and analyzed for meaning.
Vocalist, guitarist and songwriter
Tim Austin is nothing short of a lyrical
genius. The word combinations that
sound like nonsense come to life after
the album has been played a few times.
The concise lyrics express in a few
words what many artists could not say
throughout an entire album. The mu
sic is happy, but, at the same time, the
words inspire thought and reflection.
In the soul-searching tune "All Over
Me,” Austin sings, “And you all over me /
And my mind can’t believe this / ’Cause
my eyes are on you / I’ll lead you back /
Kid Fantastic
Closer To The End
Kid Records
(out of five)
I’ll lead you back again / Into a strange
hand / To find a soul again.”
Only one song, “High School
Meltdown,” causes the album to fit
the stereotypical punk release.
Austin sings of sitting in class next to
a girl whose “eyes cause a high
school meltdown.” Meaningless and
elementary songs such as this give
punk bands a bad reputation.
Ironically, this bubble gum pop
song may be the one to gain Kid
Fantastic its 15 minutes of fame.
“High School Meltdown” is receiving
local radio coverage on KHLR’s Sun
day evening program, Exposure.
Kid Fantastic experiments with
levels of depth and intensity. The
music forces listeners to explore
mind and soul and to deal with such
issues as love, hope, salvation and
personal beliefs.
Although the band has existed for
less than a year, the members mesh
well with one another.
Drummer Adreon Henry, a Bryan
native, has been in and out of local
bands for years, but has found his
niche with Kid Fantastic. Henry’s
perfect timing and speedy drum-
rolls add an upbeat, funky element
to the album.
Austin proves the versatility of his
voice on the mellow songs on the al
bum, but on the more upbeat songs,
1
the vocals occasionally sound weak
and nasal. Although whining is often
typical punk style, it detracts from
the overall instrumentation.
Bassist Nathan McKown and gui- .
tarist Jason Schleter equally con
tribute precision and tight instru
mentation. However, the basslines
are often dominant, and could be
better incorporated into the music.
Whether it be solid strumming or
well-timed beats, the individual talents
of each band member combine to
complete the sound.
Closer To The End has sounds that
may remind listeners of anything
from the strung-out vocals of Trip
ping Daisy’s Tim DeLaughter to the
toe-tapping pop flavor of Weezer to
the melodic rhythms of Fountains of
Wayne. Any way the music is ob
served, it is moving.
It is evident that these four young
musicians have talent and a future in
making music. The band has the ex
perience, the stage presence and de
termination to succeed as a Texas
punk band.
The music of Kid Fantastic is not
purple mohawk punk. It is fun, sing-
a-long punk, the kind that makes lis
teners smile.
Closer To The End explodes with
originality and creativity. And the
finished product is, well, fantastic.
Bluegrass Festival offers down-home fun
By Jenny Vrnak
The Battalion
A walk in the park this weekend might include some
out-of-the-ordinary activities,
. This Friday and Saturday the fiddle players
come to town for some down home country fun at the
8th annual Bryan Bluegrass Festival.
Musical performances will begin on Friday evening
and feature such acts as Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky
Thunder, High Stakes Rollers and The Lone Star Blue
grass Band.
Laurie Connally, special events programmer for the
Bryan Parks and Recreation Department, said she is ex
cited about the diverse lineup of bands this year.
“We have some very unique bands coming,” she said.
“I think that there is definitely something for everyone in
the family.”
Bluegrass music is a combination of different types of
music that evolved over 200 years ago in the Appalachian
Mountains.
Jimmy Eller, a member of the bluegrass band Cedar
Creek, said that many of today’s country music stars be
gan their careers playing bluegrass music.
“Bluegrass music is true American music, and it is also the
basis of modern country music,” Eller said. “Vince Gill, Garth
Brooks and Dolly Parton are just a few examples of country mu
sic singers that got their start in bluegrass.”
Eller has been attending the Bluegrass Festival since its
beginning, although his band formed last February. He
said he has always enjoyed sitting under the trees at the
Festival and playing music with the other bands.
This year the Festival is featuring a variety of bands. Red
Eye, Bluegrass, Etc. and Blue Highway, which won the In
ternational Bluegrass Music award for newcomer of the
year, are a few of the bands scheduled to perform.
The Festival will also be offering special activities for
children, such as face painting booths and a barrel train
ride. Arts and crafts, fishing, swimming and various
snacks will be available.
Visitors can bring their own camping equipment and
rent a tent space. The event will sponsor 24-hour secu
rity services for persons who stay at Lake Bryan Park.
Eller said he believes that this year promises to be bet
ter than the last.
“Without a doubt, this is the best year the Festival has
had as far as quality music goes,” he said.
Ricky Skaggs will perform at the Bryan Bluegrass Festival.
The Festival will be held Friday and Saturday at Lake
Bryan Park. Tickets can be purchased through the
Bryan Parks and Recreation Department at 361 -3656.
A taSte °f SLLMA4ER
3rd & 4th, 11-1 pm
10th, 7pm
11th, Noon-4pm
17th, 7-1 Opm
18th, 12:30-1:30pm
18th, 5pm
24th, 8:30pm
25th, Noon-1pm
25th, 4pm
26th, I pm '
A Taste of Summer—free lemonade
MSC LT. Iordan Institute: The People and Customs of New Zealand
MSC Town Hall: Beach Party—/fre music, swimming, free CDs!
MSC Nova: Gaming Night at Hullaballoo
--free bowling, games, refreshments
MSC Black Awareness Committee: Juneteenth Celebration
—featuring the Shiloh Area Youth Choir
MSC Visual Arts: Campus Art Tour
-a walk through of various exhibits Center
MSC Film Society: Clue
MSC Town Hall: Listening Party—free CDs!
MSC Great Issues: The Ethics of Cloning
MSC Visual Arts: Art: in the “Real World”
—a “Held trip" to Houston
Rudder Fountain
MSC 321
Rec Center Pool (A&jM ID req’d.)
MSC Hullaballoo
MSC Main Lounge
Meet at MSC Forsyth
Galleries
MSC 201
Rudder Fountain
MSC 206
Meet at MSC Forsyth
Center Galleries
1st, 8:30pm
| 2nd, Noon-1pm
I 8th, 7-10pm
lj 9th, 5pm
I 16th, Noon-1pm
’ 16th, 4 pm
17th, 8:30pm
y 22nd, 8:30pm
24th, 1pm
25th, 8:00pm
i 30th, Noon-4pm
MSC Film Society: Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
MSC Town Hall: Listening Party—free CDs!
MSC Nova: Gaming Night at Hullaballoo
--free bowling, games, refreshments
MSC Visual Arts: Campus Art Tour
—a walk through of various exhibits
MSC Town Hall: Listening Party—free CDs!
MSC Political Forum: Current Political Events Lecture
MSC Film Society: Animal House
MSC Town Hall: Rich Ames, Hypnotist
MSC Visual Arts: Art in the "Real World”
--a “field trip" to Houston
MSC Opera and Performing Arts Society: Broadway Cabaret
Rudder 601
Rudder Fountain
MSC Hullaballoo
Meet at MSC Forsyth
Center Galleries
Rudder Fountain
MSC Main Lounge
MSC 201
Rudder Theater
Meet at MSC Forsyth
Center Galleries
Rudder Forum
MSC Town Hall: Beach Party—five musk, swimming free CDslRec Center Pool (A&M ID req’d.)
4th, 8:30pm
6th, Noon-1 pm
MSC Political Forum and Film Society: Absolute Power Rudder 601
MSC Town Hall: Listening Party—free CDs!
Rudder Fountain
free admission to all events!
presented by the
. Memorial Student Center
Cx 845-1515
$ 19.97
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Expires 06-20-97.
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