The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, April 01, 2004, Image 7

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    ENTERTAINMENT
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Thursday, April 1,2004
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“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”
Starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet
Focus Features
Imagine the death of a loved one, a breakup between a couple
at is genuinely in love or the hurt of a double-crossing friend,
hen, after one all-night procedure. Imagine being able to erase
ose painful events from one’s memory and leaving with blissful
norance. The angst, pain and longing would be gone, and all that
ould be left would be peaceful nothingness. This is “Eternal
[unshine of the Spotless Mind.”
Holding true to Charlie Kaufman’s screenwriting, “Eternal
unshine of the Spotless Mind” is a strange movie. As opposed to
her Kaufman films, the movie stays relatively in bounds and tame,
ut compared to other mainstream movies, it is a labyrinth full of
Ivists and turns. Viewers should be prepared to see some strange
| nages and have their brains stretched a bit.
Funnyman Jim Carrey thrives as main character Joel, a shifty,
inely, soft-spoken geek. The character is a great new acting direc-
on for Carrey, and it is similar to the character he played in his
iovie “The Truman Show.”
Joel decides to undergo the unbelievable removal of memories of
|isex-girlfriend, Clementine (Kate Winslet). Elijah Wood, Kirsten
iunst, Mark Ruffalo and Tom Wilkinson complete a stellar cast that
:eps the movie interesting and flowing.
The story takes place against a snowy New York backdrop, where
doctor has opened up a shop with a sketchy procedure of erasing
rtain parts of people’s memories.
This movie is a psychological quandary, leaving many questions
answered about the effects of having your memory erased, but it
^logical enough to pacify audiences and make the story believable.
The movie is hilarious at times as we see Joel in his childhood,
lanting to be held by his mother and taking a bath in a sink. It is
| So heartbreaking at times though, as he is stripped of his memories
f Clementine.
One of the most creative movies embraced by mainstream box
Iffices, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” is extremely
lought-provoking and a memory you will not want quickly erased.
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Photo Courtesy of • MIRAMAX
“Jersey Girl”
Miramax Pictures
Starring Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler
"Jersey Girl” marks a new beginning for director Kevin Smith,
raving behind the “View Askewnjverse” that has been home to
mith’s previous five films featuring creations “Jay and Silent Bob,”
Imithhas decided it is time to move on to a different movies genre. If
Jersey Girl” is any indication of what the future holds for Smith, audi-
ncescan expect bright things from the former clerk.
In "Jersey Girl,” Ben Affleck plays Ollie Trinke, a New York music
didst who falls in love with and marries Gertrude (Jennifer Lopez),
together the two of them prepare for the arrival of their first child.
Infortunately, life doesn't give the couple a happy ending. Gertrude
iesofan aneurysm during childbirth, leaving Ollie to care for their
ewdaughter alone. Still grieving over his wife’s death, Ollie throws
imself into his work in an attempt to distance himself from the pain
is dealing with.
On one ill-fated day, Ollie is forced to bring his daughter to a work
/ithhim. Stressed out over his child’s constant crying and a room of
hanting press, Ollie loses his cool and, in front of a packed room of
ress, lashes out at his client, the fresh prince of Bel-Air himself. Will
. His career ruined, Ollie goes from a professional at the top of
is career to a blue-collar worker living out of his father’s house in
lighlands, N.J.
Affleck’s performance as a man who is as in love with his past as
Rich as he is in love with his daughter is easily one of his best roles
et. Affleck has always been on the top of his game while working with
win Smith. His role in “Jersey Girl” takes his standard up a notch.
While Affleck does tend to ham up this role, his portrayal of a son
ying to learn to be a father is always watchable, and many will even
onsider it good. Not many actors can call a 7-year-old girl a “little
T and still manage to be charming 10 minutes down the line,
udience members will have no problem being able to tap into the
taracter and empathize with his predicament.
The movie is filled with actors on the top of their game. George
arlin's performance as Ollie’s father is easily one of the best on-
:reen roles of Carlin’s career. In one scene, Carlin remarks it’s not that
ewants Ollie to stay with him, it’s that he doesn’t want to die alone.
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He then glances down at the mug of beer in his hand, and in that
moment audiences see the pain in his eyes and realize that Carlin is
not only a legitimate actor, but a great one.
Lopez’s role is short and audiences will only catch a fleeting
glance of her in the film. The movie’s real love interest is Maya, a
video store clerk/graduate student played by Liv Tyler. Tyler’s joy
ful performance reinforces the idea that a man can move forward
from his past for a beauty and personality.
The real standout of the movie is Raquel Castro as Gertie Trinke,
Ollie’s daughter. Castro manages to be precocious without being
annoying, a seemingly impossible task for many child actors.
The other star of “Jersey Girl” is the outstanding music selection.
The movie features a collection of great songs from such bands as
The Cure, A1 Green and Fleetwood Mac. The songs are craftily timed
to not only offer a nice soundtrack, but also serve as great transitions.
Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond is a great addition to Kevin
Smith's library of friends and with luck, the two of them will con
tinue a productive relationship. Zsigmond works to brings a sense of
scope and craft to Smith’s visual style.
While “Jersey Girl” may leave some of Smith’s core audience
feeling left out, it is a great step forward for Smith’s career. While
the story features an abundance of warmth and heart, don’t expect
too much of a downgrading of Smith’s dialogue. While there is a
notable lack of the f-Bomb, his finely-tuned dialogue features a
frankness that may cause many parents to feel uncomfortable with
their children watching. “Jersey Girl” is a great indicator of Smith’s
potential and an excellent begnning to the next stage of his career.
- Robert Saucedo
STUDENT
GOVERNMENT
ASSOCIATION
TEXAS A AM 1 iXiVERSiTV'
E LECTION
C OMMISSION
sZ a/s/s/s/szf s/s/s/s/s/s/sZ s/
VOTE
TODAY
sZsZsZsZaZsZsZsZsZsZsZsZsZsZ
...for Student Body Elections!
March 31 s * and April 1 st - 9AM to 5PM
• • •
Vote at the MSC, Commons, Sbisa, West
Campus Library, Rec, and vote.tamu.edu
Let's Co
Out To Eat
Thursdays in The Battalion
MEXICAN CAFE
3312 S. College Ave., Bryan
Serving the freshest and best mexican fast food since 1969.
Crispy Tacos
No Limit. Show Student ID
Expires 04-02-04
Between Farm Patch and Villa Maria
B
AKER
Baking It Great!
Bakery ♦ Pizzeria
ANY PIZZA *r SANDWICH
CCMBCI
Offer Expires: 4/15/04. One coupon per transaction.
201 Dominik Drive (979) 696-5055
View our menu at: www.BlueBaker.com
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Mwvuvwvvwini^yi
JfeaOen
Sandwich Shoppe
Old Fashioned Sandwiches
Fresh Baked Bread
Soups - Quiche - Salads
Baked Potatoes
Homemade Desserts
BRYAN
At the Intersection of
Villa Maria Briarcrest
731-8891
f. ' .. *
COLLEGE STATION (
Rock Prairie Rd next to I
College Station Med Center J
I CD
764-9222
\
3901 S. Texas Ave.
(I/2 mile North of University Dr.)
[ Sun - Thurs. II a.m. - 2 p.m., 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Fri tV Sat. II a.m. - 2 p in., 5 p.m. - I0 p.m.
CLOSED MONDAYS
_ .
2 Can Dine!
5 Pc Mixed,
2 Reg. Sides
6 2 Biscuits
5.
99
Expires 04/17/04
3 Pc Mixed, | Texas A&M
1 Reg. Side J Students
& 1 Biscuit j with a valid
ID get
$0 99! io% off
^ | on regular
I
Expires 04/17/04 I
menu items.
Present coupon when ordering. One coupon per customer per visit. Void
where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. Good at participating
Popeyes only. ©2003 AFC Enterprises, Inc.
Authentic Italian Casual Cafe
260-6666
SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS ONLY
Present your Student I.D. and
GET ONE FREE FRITTELLA !
w/ purchase of a Pepsi drink (* 1.50) /
fT/uffeZ/rr
Italian Cafe
^Ruck’s Pizza
PIZZA - STROMBOLI HOAGIES
| 2 Medium One Topping Pizzas
$ 9.99
Limited time offer. Some restrictions apply.
Free delivery
Ag owned & operated
222 n. main in historic downtown brvan
979.822.2675
Monday-Friday 7:30 am-4 pm
Saturday 8 am-2 pm
Drive-Thru Available
Regular Hours for Carry Out
Call ahead for Casseroles £ Dishes
Phone-in orders welcome
Cakes and Diet Desserts Available
Catering Available
Wholesale Orders Welcome
WEDDING CAKES, ALL OCCASION CAKES,
SPECIALTY CAKES, KOLACHES, PASTRIES,
SOUPS, SALADS, SANDWICHES,
LUNCH SPECIALS AVAILABLE
j#FREE Cookie £ Drink with Meal Speciai
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L * " I*
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