Jackie Cavicchio, A & E Editor behrcolls@aol.com Four Feathers not four stars by Daniel J. Sllasiewski staff writer Somewhere around halfway through 'The Four Feathers, - there's an image of a hanged British soldier who was killed after his fort was invaded. Every time I think of this film, my mind drifts hack to the noose comfortably wrapped around the actor's neck while his shoulders are forced up by an obvious harness that makes his execu tion look awkward and unnatural. This careless moment is exceptional not because it stands out in a film of awful scenes. Rather, it's an inconsistently sloppy scene in a film so meticulously shot that this movie implodes from its contrived at tempts at equaling the epic films that pre ceded it. At the height of British Imperialism, Harry Faversham (Heath Ledger) becomes an officer in the British military. He loy ally trains alongside his best friend Jack DUITafiCC ( Wes Bentley). with his proud fa ther, a General, always observing his progress. Harry is also watched over by his adoring fiance lithne (Kate Hudson). Soon, Harry's battalion is told it will be ship ping out to a real battle, and a panicky Harry abandons his military post for the safety of civilian life. Once word of I larry's desertion reaches his fellow officers. the men quickly con demn the decision. Three former comrades each send Harry a white feather, a sign of cowardice. Worse, his banc6 presents a fourth white feather to Harry. in an attempt to counter the shame she too will inevita bly face. Only Jack defends I larry and en courages his reengagement, which is espe cially hard when Jack is also infatuated with Ethne. Jack can't reassure I lorry before the regi ment ships out, and I larry's guilt begins to drive him mad. Motivated by the four re minders he always carries with him, Hany decides he must go to Africa. There he will risk the life he was so keen on saving in attempt to protect his honor and save his friends. It's usually hard to tell the overall qual ity of a film just in the first 10 minutes. With the campus master plan there is a very care ful plan in tenns of land use, a plan for fa cility development, - said Negri. "It is all spelled out over the next five- to 10- year period what we hope to develop in terms of facilities." That's the only reason I didn't walk out of "I he Four Feathers. - The first impression of this being another war-love triangle (the fourth in a little more than a year) was something I was prepared to over look. Sadly, the romance is not only bland and insensitive; it turns out to be even less attractive than the impotent triangle featured in another wannabe epic, "Pearl Harbor. - The dreadful love story results from my complete hatred for the three main charac ters. Since there is no initial character build ing, all three embody an almost cartoony quality of the pompous British upper-class with no concern for sentiment. No one is comfortable with their character and the film moves too fast to absorb anything that might appear between the lines. And that's just the first 10 minutes. I did say that the film is shot with a me ticulous eye. No surprise: it's directed by Shekhar Kaphur of "Elizabeth" fame. However, there's a fine line between the magnificent art he attempts and the shal low garbage he releases. The camera angles are taken to the extreme in dizzying fash ion. All I wanted was the damn thing to settle down. It eventually does, only to make you suffer through an endless pro cession of simple, slow-motion scenes. At least the film slows down for awhile. I needed proof that there is nothing between the lines. If I were to elaborate on every one of the film's hollow pretensions, this review might never end. Instead, I'll say this. "The Four Feathers" is no epic. It's nothing more than an arrogant and artificial attempt at Oscar glory. In a year without "Rollerball," this could have easily been considered the worst movie. Honestly, I don't know which is more horrible: calling it the worst movie or putting it on the same level as "Rollerball." 1/2 Star out of four. Penn State Behrend music poll Survey reveals the music students want to hear by Olivia Page staff writer A survey of 100 Behrend stu dents about the music they want to hear reveals there is harmony in regard to musical tastes. Stu dents who were polled voted in the categories of favorite music type, favorite vocalist, rap artist or mu sic group, and the most liked and hated musician. Behrend's favorite musician It was six years ago that Tupac Shakur was killed and became a legend. Six years is a long time to be dead but it seems like only a few years. He is still being por trayed on MTV, BET, and VIII music channels and there is a new documentary on him practically every other week. Tupac has unreleased albums coming out ev ery year. He was voted as Behrend students' number one favorite mu- Nician The ever-so favorite and the ever-so hated: Hritnev Six people out of a hundred who The anticipated premieres of the fall season by Rachel Lyon staff writer After taking a well-deserved summer vacation, primetime television is back in full-swing, with returning favorites and new hopefuls. Here's a few of the shows looking to make a big impact on the small screen. Fen Most Anticipated Fall Premieres I. "Alias" (ABC)- Jennifer Garnet played undercover on two fronts. in lien CIA-based hit, returning for a second year. and to the public as well. Virtually unknown last September. Garner proved herself as an actress. picking up an Emmy nomination liar Best Actress in a drama series. Garner's character, Sydney. finds herself in conflict with her long-lost mother and Will becomes mote involved in her world in the season premiere, Sunday at 9 p.m. 2. "Survivor: Thailand" (CBS)- The newest installment of the hit reality series premiered last Thursday amid all the hype built up by the network. However, CBS needs to create more conflict, more danger, and more unexpected twists to ensure that the show survives another season. If you can stand another competition, watch Thursdays at Bp.m. 3." Everybody Loves Raymond" (CBS)- Simply the best comedy for CBS, especially after three stars took home Emmys in their respective categories. The end of last season had Debra saying (or almost saying) the M word to Marie. In classic "Raymond" style, one simple situation leads to complete family dysfunction. However, there's nothing dysfunctional about the fact that Ray and company anchor CBS's big night of comedy, and could do so for years to come. See why "Everybody Loves Raymond" on Mondays at 9 p.m. 4."Friends"(NßC)-After a friendly showing at the Emmy's, the sitcom kicks off its ninth season with the most pressing question in television: Joey or Ross? Also, what about Monica? Will she be the last female friend to conceive? This is the last big hurrah for what has truly been an amazing nine-year run. "Friends" will easily he the top-rated comedy, if not the top rated show in America again this season. Tune in with the rest of America, Thursdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. '.) Friday, September 27, 2002 MO says they absolutely hate rap music. Who else (I() people on cant Tupac came out at number one in the recent Behrend music Ines hate? Brinier Spear.. 'Then came favorites came rap, R&I3 S." Law and Order" ( NBC )- The King of Wednesda imeti .aw kder - gears up for its 13' seamm. Filmed on 10Cilli011111 NeV, Turk City, the season ennere will spell trouble as an American Muslim seeks to dispio‘e that he killed in the name (il his religion. Sure to he itiwthoi , a:a , ,oti, time in I\eillit -, dal at 10 p.m. (1." ('Sr i('HS)- No doubt. "CM - was the biggest success of the previous year, and its heavy hitting lineup on Thursdays ould Uneaten NBC's night of comedv the I .as Vega., bawd drama chatactei Ihr gathei ing and analv/ing pioecy, ()I the forensics team. The end of last season had Grissom coming to terms with his otosclerosis, which could eventually lead to permanent loss of hearing. If one is tired of NBC's comedic lineup, watch CBS. Thursdays at 9 p.m. 7."Wi1l and Grace" (NBC)- Perhaps the hest thing that happened to NBC since "Friends, - "Will and Grace" start their fifth season with Will and Grace's life altering decision to have a child. lowever, the arrival of Harry Connick Jr. could shake things up a hit, but that's exactly what the sitcom needs, especially when in competition with "CSI. - "Will and Grace" can he seen as part of NBC's "Must See TV - Thursdays at 9p.m. 8. "24" (lox)- After a sensational performance for Fox last year, "24" could become the network's biggest show. After Emmy nominations for best drama and best lead actor, Kiefer Sutherland has the breakout show ready to run with the the runners-up the most hated Marilyn Manson, techno, Kid Rock. 106. and hype. Its biggest competition, ABC's "NYPI) Blue - is no longer competition. The first season was recently released on lA/l), and the second season begins Oct. 29, 9 p.m. on FOX. 9." ER" (NBC)- Another heavy-hitter to NBC, "FR - takes vou hack to the hospital where a young girl died of smallpox. Despite a kickdown and quarantine, Carter and Ahhy had the chance to kiss, hinting at perhaps a new romance. Possibly a smart move, considering the show needs to reinvent itself in order to sustain for another few Years. The nail-biter can he seen Thursday nights at 10 p. M. on NBC. Drama. they can be Emmy winners in an "off year," then expect big things from Martin Sheen and company this season. The show kicks off with a two-hour season premiere and then can be seen Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC. New series that will show strong this year and return next year I ."CSI: Miami"- Ask NBC: spin-offs work. The "Law and Order" series has already spewed two clones in the past two years, so why wouldn't this concept work for - CSI," considerably better than Us rival at NBC. The new setting will give it the "CSI" feeling mixed with a little hit of "Miami Vice." Although executive producer Anthony Zuiker points out. "They'll wear their emotions a bit more on their sleeves," compared to their counterpart, "CSI." "CSI: Miami" airs Mondays at 10p.m. on CBS. roll, alternative, classic rock and roll, techno, and punk. Those polled also chose jazi, classical. reggae, meringue. and salsa. Ashanti. T w o 13ehrend Weakest Link Britney Spears was voted as this campus's most hated singer. Some scandalous jokes about Britney that will not he here, but Britney has been rated as this campus's weak- Nineteen est link. females said they hated Ashanti'N music negative Are changes needed? This poll could help determine what music is played on campus. What this poll reflects is a need for change. Rap music and R&l3 were voted as the two favorite music types on this campus. Perhaps lo cal radio stations need to ponder the results of this poll. Nearby cities such as Buffalo, Cleveland. and Pittsburgh. have stations devoted primarily to rap and R&l3 music, airing almost every day and night. Why can't Erie have a station that reflects the music tastes of all ages? Notes went to Country music Country muslc was also a favorite of 13 people Favorite Music Type order of rock and 2."8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter"- John Ritter's new comedy caught the attention of 2I million viewers with the show's premiere last Tuesday. The series is based on a hook of humorous essays, written by W. Bruce Cameron. Executive producer Tracy Gamble says the premise of the show is "a wonderful gray area where the father is trying to parent the kids, at a time when they don't want to he parented." TV Guide says"B Simple Rules" has the best chance of reclaiming ABC's family comedy crown. 'Tune in at Bp.m. Tuesdays on ABC. 3. "Boomtown"- NBC will definitely hit it big with this one. Bringing a refreshing angle to the crime genre. "Boomtown" lets the viewer look into all aspects of Los Angeles. A crime is committed, and contradictory points of view from cops, bystanders, and paramedics arc shown. "Band of Brothers" writer Graham Yost feels that "sometimes in trying to tell the whole story, its better to tell little hits of the story." To he part of the puzzle, tune in to NBC, Sundays at 10 p.in. Il)."The West Wing" (NBC)- "What we are interested in here are the t wo minutes before and after the president is on CNN." says creator Aaron Sorkin "Mid-season replacement, standing Although "TV Guide" felt the Shows on the outs halfway through drama hit some I."Fastlane"- "The Fast and The Furious" for the small screen. The main character's name is even Van, (similar to Vin). Again, Fox tries to push the envelope with lots of violence and sex, in an HBO-like fashion. Executive producer John McNarama teamed with video turned movie director, McG, who wondered, "How come there's no cool, young, hot, fun cops on TV?" Although the show offers fast-paced, adrenaline pumping action, it will fail to hold viewers attention due to lack of substance. To indulge in this big-screen wannabe, check out Fox on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. creative snags last season, "The West Wing" still managed to capture the Emmy for Best 2." That Was Then"- Travis Glass finds himself and his life a complete loss. At 30, he still lives with his mother; ho, still pines after his high school sweetheart, now married to his brother, and oh, what to do? Easy. Glass travels hack to the late 1980 s at which point he gets to relive his adolescence and right all that's wrong. This offspring of "The Wonder Years - and "Back to the Future" basically is identical to the WB's new show "Do Over." Except the WB gets the edge for trying to he funny. TV Guide simply summed up "That Was Then" as "a mess." See for yourself, Fridays at 9p.m. on ABC. The Behrend Beacon Page
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