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Monday, November 3, 2003
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Lost in Translation
Focus Films
Starring: Bill Murray, Scarlett
Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi
Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) sits on the window sill of her posh
hotel room in Tokyo, Japan, looking onto the city feeling small and
alone. A few floors up in the same hotel. Bob (Bill Murray) gazes out
his window adorned in a kimono with the same sad eyes. Charlotte is
in town with her celebrity photographer husband, who is constantly jet
ting off to the next exotic locale for a shoot, while Bob, an American
movie star, is in the country to do a commercial for a Japanese whiskey
that will earn him $2 million.
These two unsuspecting, lost people meet one late night in the hotel
bar, marking the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Spending time
with Charlotte keeps Bob’s mind off of his passive-aggressive wife,
who cares more about the color used in their study at home than how
her husband is doing.
Charlotte needs someone to listen to her and comfort her about the
fact that she “doesn’t know who she married.” As the couple sings hor
rible karaoke one night in a little Japanese bar and hits up a first-class
strip club, joy is brought into their lives again. They find in each other
just what they need at this point in their respective lives. It isn't neces
sarily sexual, although there is jealousy and obvious attraction, but it is
a connection between two lonely people.
Though the film is as dramatic as it is true-to-life, it is also somewhat
a comedy. From Murray’s unique rendition of Roxy Music’s “More
Than This” to the horribly off key, big haired Southern lounge singer of
the band called Saulsalito in the middle of the hotel bar, there are many
moments in which you will find yourself laughing out loud. Coppola
(Virgin Suicides), who wrote and directed the film, finds the perfect bal
ance between comedy and drama. There is Oscar buzz all around this
film, particularly around Murray for a standout performance in which
he makes the vulnerability and loneliness of Bob so authentic that it
shines through the screen. Johansson, 18, playing a 25-year-old woman,
keeps up with veteran actor Murray every moment.
This film is crafted in a way that is pure, simple and so intoxicating
you will not think about anything else while watching it. You will want
to see it again, if only to hear again the last thing Bob whispers to
Charlotte before they part. But, maybe the secret of what they found in
each other and how they managed to say goodbye should remain pri
vate, just between them.
- Lauren Smith
Th? Hulk
Universal
Starring Eric Bana & Jennifer Connely
When “The Hulk” came to theaters last summer, it suffered one of
the worst marketing campaigns in film history. Billed as a kid-friendly
superhero romp, audiences instead received the near equivalent of a
Greek tragedy starring a not so jolly green giant. Director Ang Lee’s
previous work includes the solemn and soulful dramas “The Ice Storm”
and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” Audiences swanned theaters
opening weekend, and not finding the fun adventure film promised,
turned around and ran. Newly released with a somewhat impressive
DVD, “The Hulk” is a movie that deserves a second look.
Based on the Marvel Comic character of the same name, “The
Hulk” is the released Id of Dr. Bruce Banner. Unleashed in a laborato
ry accident involving gamma radiation. Banner finds himself turning
into the Hulk whenever he gets angry. While many Hulk purists were
outraged at the liberties Lee took when transporting the Hulk to the big
screen, they all manage to create a tightly woven story with an almost
believable aura. Eric Bana plays Bruce Banner with an awesome inten
sity while Jennifer Connely is delightfully angelic as Banner’s ex-girl
friend. The real standout is Nick Nolle in his insanely ecstatic per
formance as David Banner, Bruce’s father.
When “The Hulk” was released in theaters, critics bashed the
movie’s computer generated creature. The effects are not as bad as crit
ics would lead you to believe.
One of the movie’s better features is the visually appealing editing
style that emulates the movie’s comic book origins. Broken into split
screens and fade-in dissolves, the visual style is a sight to behold; unfor
tunately, it is also part of the movie’s main problem. The humorless
drama and the tongue-in-cheek editing violently clash. When viewed
with the proper mindset, “The Hulk” is a film that shoots for the stars
and manages to hit near enough to be entertaining. The tiny nuances that
permeate the story help to create a movie that is open to repeat viewing.
The DVD promises greamess, but unfortunately leaves viewers with
an empty stomach. Several deleted scenes offer nothing incredibly
essential to the viewing experience. Ang Lee delivers a somewhat
informational audio commentary bursting at the seams with his passion
for the film. An entertaining collection of animated artwork from
world-renowned illustrators deserves a viewing. Several brief features
on subjects ranging from the history of the Hulk, some of the fight
scenes and a portrait of the director are mildly informative and enter
taining. One truly bizarre feature is “The Anatomy of the Hulk,” an
interactive exploration of the Hulk’s body. The DVD also features a
playable demo of the Hulk videogame for the X-Box.
With Universal’s history for releasing multiple versions of its DVDs,
casual fans may want to wait to pick up the lackluster DVD.
- Robert Saucedo
&&&&&
MM
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If you see it on the video shelfi
walk away as fast as you can
Only watch it to please your date
Good for Saturday afternoon TV
Pick up a copy when you have a
chance
You should have bought this yesterda
Fountains of Wayne
"Welcome Interstate Managers
Virgin Records
Newcomers Fountains of Wayne have been making largest
in music lately. With its first single. "Stacy’s Mom,” beingthnwi
rather heavy rotation around the United States and other pause!)
world, FoW has been propelled to the front line. “Stacie’sMoms
great indication of FoW style, both musically and lyrically.
the album, “Welcome Interstate Managers" follows suit.
With most songs probably falling into the category powerW
gum pop, FoW has perfected the music of this generation. Eacb
is usually between three and four minutes long and follows thes
dard verse-chorus-verse-chorus-break-chorus format. Catchy ly
well constructed instrumentation and the occasional dmmmxi
hand clap keep the toes tapping. The band has basically takenk
aspects of pop rock from the past five years or so, cleaned il up-
made it sound good.
The CD starts off w ith the song “Mexican Wine” follow;
“Bright Future in Sales" which tells the tale of an aspiringo
worker who can’t stay away from the “whiskey sour.""Stacysi:
tells of a young lawnmower boy’s love fantasy with a friend's®;
er. Other songs worth a listen are “Peace and Love,” "SuperColl I
and “Hey Julie.”
This album is worth your time. It’s fun and lighthearted theme! I
a welcome change.
- Daniel Chap-
Make it stop, my ears are bleedim
Don' t waste your hard drive spi:
Download it
Burn your friend's copy
Spend the dough, buy your om
Buy it, burn it, tell a friend
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Actress Innes honored with award
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actress Laura Innes received thisyei
Artistry Award from the gay rights organization Power Up forherp
trayal of a gay character on the hit medical drama “ER.”
* Innes plays Dr. Kerry Weaver on the NBC show.
"1 hope her inclusion in prime time helps break down barrier)
prejudice and injustice on-screen and off,” Innes said.
The Power Up organization promotes the visibility and integral
of gay women in entertainment.
Also honored were the Bravo Network and Judith Light, for!
portrayal of the mother of Ryan White, the boy who was ostracize!!
his school after being diagnosed with HIV.
10:00 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
11-4:00 p.m.
11-4 :00 p.m.
11:30 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
Chinese Food Carving Demonstration - Memorial Student Center (MSC) Flag Room
China Week Opening Ceremony - Stark Gallery Steps, F’miimt ty&tet to luynote.
Lion Dancers - Rudder Fountain
Knot Tying, Paper Folding, Cutting & Calligraphy Demonstrations - MSC Flag Room
Research Poster Display - MSC Flag Room
Kung-Fu Demonstration - Rudder Fountain (Rain Venue - MSC Flag Room)
Tai Chi Demonstration - Grassy Area Between Bizzell & Rudder Plaza
Kung-Fu Demonstration - Rudder Fountain (Rain Venue - MSC Flag Room)
Twsfaijt 4
10:00 a.m. Chinese Cooking Class - University Apartments Community Kitchen
10:30-11:30 a.m. A Journey Back to Ancient China by Linda Fang, Bush Museum Storytellers Guild -
Presidential Conference Center (PCC)
12:30-1:30 p.m. A Journey Back to Ancient China by Linda Fang - PCC
7:00 p.m. An Evening of Chinese Music and Dance with Pipa musician Ms. Changlu Wu,
dancer Kelsey Ni, Chinese vocalists and children’s dance group - PCC
2-4:00 p.m. Demonstration by artist Li Man - Stark Galleries
7:00 p.m. The Next Space Race? Chinese Space Program - MSC Forsyth Center Galleries
. 7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Tfiundjctj, 'HeVi^Pir £
The Story ofQiu Ju, lecture & film by Bing Yao, filmmaker - Rudder 301
Gallery Talk & Reception with Li Man -.Stark Galleries
Trifavj, 'HvVetnfor 7
10-1:00 p.m. Research Poster Session - PCC 1011C
5:30 p.m. Ping Pong Diplomacy Lecture by Judy Boehenski Hoarfrost &
Table Tennis Demonstration - Rec Sports Center, Room 281
7:00 p.m. Wonders of China - University Apartments, Room 1
d'k-u'k Out S.Ufcte.<{ Z-VmU!
8/30-1/4 Treasures of China Exhibit - Bush Presidential Libraries
10/23-J 2/15 Chinese Art Exhibit featuring the work of Li Man & Xiao Ping - Stark Gallery
10/20-11/8 Cultural Displays - TAMU Campus Libraries, International Center, MSC, PCC,
Bryan/College Station Libraries
■ ' :
11/2-11/8 China Week - Children** Museum of the Brazos Valley
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