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ENTERTAINMENT
THE BATTALION
5A
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Starring Nathan Pillion, Adam Baldwin
and Morena Baccarin
Fox Home Video
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JossWhedon became a master of crafting witty dialogue and
outrageous plot twists with his shows “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
its spin-off “Angel ” So it’s a shame that what could quite
possibly have been his best show, “Firefly,” was cancelled before
a chance to spread its wings. “Firefly” is a science-fiction
western that ran for 14 episodes in the fall of 2001 on Fox. Newly
on DVD as a box set containing every episode, the show
lisbeen granted a new life in the aftermarket.
Combining western sensibilities with an intergalactic saga,
firefly" is a show that’s not afraid to bend the rules of what a sci-
uce-fiction show is supposed to be. Don’t expect any bumpy
or pointy ears; “Firefly” lacks extraterrestrial life.
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ay alive,
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changing Instead, the show focuses on character interaction and the ongo
ing arcs.
“Firefly” features the continuing saga of the starship Serenity
ml its crew of nine. Captained by Mai Reynolds (Nathan Pillion),
iecrew battle to survive in a harsh universe 500 years into the
tore.Taking work when it comes, the crew isn’t afraid to break
ifew laws, often bringing them trouble from the ever-present
ianceand shadowy government forces with deadly secrets.
The show features clever dialogue and exceptionally good
rlaracter interaction. Each episode is enjoyable in its own right
uidfeatures a wide array of subjects from train robberies to boun-
. The show takes western themes of loyalty and honor
tidcleverly inserts them into the far-flung future in a way that’s
Terent than most American television today.
Characters such as the hilariously lewd Jayne Cobb (Adam
Saldwin)and the space prostitute Inara (Morena Baccarin) add to
lie colorful cast of characters and bring freshness to every
isode. Whedon’s attention to detail works wonderfully to bring
life a vast universe and scope that is amazing, considering the
inber of episodes produced. From the fact that prostitution is
pally one of the most respectable jobs of the future to the use
ofChineseasa language as fluent as English, the show has a flair
toitthatmost programs lack.
The DVD contains all 14 episodes produced, including the
Iw-hour original pilot episode and three never-aired episodes.
Standout episodes include “Our Mrs. Reynolds,” the hilarious
story of Capt. Reynold's accidental wife; “Out of Gas ” the space
horrorstory interwoven with flashbacks of the crew’s beginnings;
aadDbjects in Space.” which showcases Whedon at his finest
villi the story of a insane bounty hunter.
The DVD also comes with seven episode commentaries, an
mini-documentary on the bittersweet history of the
afeature on the spaceship’s design, four deleted scenes and
.The set includes four disks that are each impressively
yated and designed. The episodes are presented in the order
Ik/to meant to be aired, although this privilege was denied to
diesliov when it originally aired.
Overall, “Firefly" is an excellent addition to any DVD collec
tion. Few shows today manage to be as consistently thrilling,
fthing and hilarious. The set is easily worth its moderately
Iteflyprice tag. With a “Firefly" motion picture on the way from
.expect to hear big things from the crew of “Serenity.”
tore
letablt,
If you see it on the video shelT
uaU away as fast as you can
MM*
Only watch it to please your date
m
Good for Saturday afternoon TV
MM
Pick up a copy when you have a
chance
MM*
You should have bought this yesterday
$6606
Robert Saucedo
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
il
film starring
Robbins, Morton
premiers at Austin's
South by Southwest
film festival
it
i
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NEW YORK (AP) —The futur
istic “Code 46,” starring current
Oxar nominees Tim Robbins
and Samantha Morton, will have
Is United States premiere on
tpening night at the South by
Southwest film festival.
Tbefilm from director Michael
Winterbottom ("24 Hour Party
People,” “The Claim”) is among
neatly 200 being shown at the
festival, which runs from March
12-20 in Austin, Texas.
“Code 46” is about an insur
ance investigator (Robbins) and
a woman (Morton) who have an
affair, but their relationship is
complicated by the proliferation
oi cloning.
Robbins is up for a support
ing-actor Oscar for “Mystic
River,” while Morton is nomi
nated for best actress for “In
America.”
Also on the South by
Southwest schedule,
announced Monday, are Kevin
Smith’s “Jersey Girl," with Ben
Aflleck and Jennifer Lopez; and
Intermission,” with Colin Farrell.
Justin Timberlake
heads to Hollywood
NEW YORK (AP) — After
adding the title of Grammy
winner to his resume, Justin
Timberlake is going after
another: movie star.
Timberlake will star with
Kevin Spacey, Morgan
Freeman and LL Cool J in
“Edison.”
“After many years of look
ing at many scripts, he’s
decided on what we think is a
terrific project,” Timberlake’s
publicist, Ken Sunshine, told
The Associated Press
Tuesday. “You can judge by
the quality of the people
associated with the film the
direction he’s headed as he
begins his film career.”
The ’N Sync singer will play
a young journalist who dis
covers an elite team of cor
rupt police. Freeman plays
the veteran reporter who
helps him, and Spacey plays
the district attorney’s top
investigator.
When asked whether shar
ing the screen with such for
midable company will intimi
date Timberlake, Sunshine
said, “Justin’s 22.1 don’t think
anybody has handled the kind
of success he’s had in their 22
years better than he has.”
i
\ i
i-
Mona Lisa Smile
Starring Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst
and Maggie Gyllenhaal
Columbia Pictures
Stifling the potential of women is a "crime," the penalty of
which has been lessened over time, but is something that should
not be forgotten.
“Mona Lisa Smile” takes a step back in time to the 1950s when
women went to college to find a husband and were taught how to
become obedient housewives. It was a time when other options were
not encouraged nor even available for women.
Julia Roberts displays her everlasting charm and self-sufficient
style. She plays Ms. Katherine Watson, a confident and “before her
time” art teacher from California, whose greatest dream is to teach
at Wellesley College, the distinguished all-women’s institute.
Despite the controversy, her teaching style provokes at the College,
she helps influence the minds and viewpoints of her students.
Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles and Maggie Gyllenhaal portray three
of Ms. Watson’s most prominent and troublesome students who
have three very different outlooks on what life should hold after
graduation. Dominic West (Chicago) plays the role of Bill Dunbar,
the typical, handsome womanizer who attracts all the women yet is
taken aback by Ms. Watson.
In addition to the strong cast and touching performances, the
visual and audio aspects of Mona Lisa Smile are fantastic. The
soundtrack augments the feeling and emphasis of the storyline.
One noticeable difference between women in the movie and
women of today is their attire. Though the clothing of the 1950s is
depicted as delicate and feminine, reflecting the era’s attitude
toward women, it seems that today’s outfits are more comfortable
and diverse. In regards to the accessories, it was intriguing to see all
the different styles of gloves, hats and ankle-strap high heels. One of
the most baffling aspects of the film is that all the women were
smoking in the classroom, meetings, dorm rooms, everywhere; it
was seemingly glamorous to do so at the time.
This multi-generational film is entertaining for all, but especial
ly for female audiences. The younger viewers will likely realize how
many more opportunities are available to them now. It also serves a
nostalgic value for older generations that lived in that era.
Overall, Mona Lisa Smile may seem slow-moving and unenter
taining for male viewers. Yet the audience will leave feeling uplift
ed and re-energized.
PeAceWoRKS
Wet-LNess CeNTeR
By Appointment Only • Gift Certificates Available
979-731-8770
2402 Broadmoor, Bldg. A, Ste 103 * Bryan,Texas
Society of Women Engineers
General Meeting
When: Wed., February 1 l ,h
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Where: RICH 101
Speaker: Lyondell Equistar
New members always welcome!
/
SimdnG.
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