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The Behrend Beacon
'8 Mile' provides drama,
powerful perfomances
Eminem, with Britnay Murphy, is a white rapper with street knowledge in "8 Mile
by Daniel J. Stasiewski
***l/2 out of ****
TRL, multi-platinum records, and a load of Grammys:
Eminem's current star status is unmistakable to anyone who
hasn't been locked in a dark room for the past three years. Still,
the rapper's rise to superstardom is only ambiguously alluded
to in his lyrics.
Eminem's pre-celebrity life is more intimately chronicled in
the semi-autobiographical "8 Mile." His against-all-odds
struggle to succeed story may seem like it was packaged for
..H iywpod, but the first time actor's obviously personal
ce legitimizes this harrowing melodrama.
buring his first battle rap, Jimmy "Rabbit" Smith, Jr.
(Eminem) freezes up. The crestfallen rapper leaves the stage
an even bigger joke than before, just for being white. Worse,
Jimmy just broke up with his girlfriend, which means its back
to the trailer park to live with his mother (Kim Basinger) and
little sister. When he gets there, he finds his mother living with
one of his old classmates so she can get a piece of a huge accident
settlement.
Jimmy's only reason not to completely blow off his home
life is his sister. Instead, Jimmy avoids the trailer park by
working at a local stamping factory. Still, he has his ambition
to make it as a rapper. The harriers in his personal life. however.
are reinforced by a group of "Detroit" rappers who would love
to see the white guy out of their hip-hop world. Even with his
closest friends as support, Jimmy realizes the only way he is
going to make it is on his own.
I didn't like Eminem when I went into this movie. I'd heard
his lyrics, read them for additional scrutiny, and still considered
him to be more arrogant and overstated than poetic. In "8 Mile."
everything still revolves around Eminem, hut with the humility
and sincerity his lyrics always lacked.
Maybe it's because this film is so near to him or maybe it's
because he's actually an actor, hut Eminem gives what is easily
the most powerful performance in the film. The camera is on
Introducing the artist formally known as MTV
by Rachel Lyon
staff writer
Remember the good ol' days?
School consisted of recess, no job to
worry about, and MTV actually
showed music videos.
Perhaps the biggest link to pop
culture in our generation is MTV. It
brought one of the greatest concepts
ever invented: the fusion of music and
TV, broadcast live in our homes, 24/7.
Sadly, it seems, those days are over as
MTV has taken a nose-dive in the form
of ridiculous "original series" and the
lack of actual videos. Obviously, it
doesn't see a problem with lying that
the network is "music television." But
it did forget the music part of it.
staff writer
Debuting in 1981, MTV was one of
the most influential pieces of pop
culture in history. Musical icons
became more popular then ever, thanks
to the television set. But these days
MTV has almost forgotten about the
artists. Actual music videos are
scarcely seen unless, of course, you
want to stay up very late at night or
awaken early in the morning. Perhaps
maybe you could skip a few mid
afternoon classes.
Of course, the network airs different
countdowns daily. "Total Request
Live," one of MTV's most popular
shows counts down the 10 most
requested songs of the day. Sort of.
Actually, MTV shows short snippets
of the videos. The rest of the time is
taken up by irrationally screaming
teenage girls and host Carson Daly's
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PHOTO FROM ROTTENTOMATOS.COM
him all the time and I expected to see him buckle under the
pressure. Instead, Eminem's film debut is intense and
passionate. The occasional hostility gives way to a pervasive
sensitivity which is only amplified by Eminem's meditative
demeanor.
With Eminem on screen all the time, it doesn't give much
room for the supporting cast to fully realize their respective
characters. Kim Basinger, as Rabbit's mom, is the only
standout. It's not that her character is complex, but Basinger
doesn't allow her character not to be.
Even the up-and-coming crowd pleasers, Brittany Murphy
and Mekhi Phifer, are barely there. While they are essential
plot points, neither character is more than an accessory to
Eminem. Murphy and Phifer are so transparent, in fact, it wasn't
even necessary to mention their characters in the plot summary.
The lack of cast association, however, pushes Eminem's already
tremendous performance closer to the forefront.
Eminem's role is most important as the movie tries to fight
off the cliched overcoming -all-obstacles plot. This isn't your
basic success story. It doesn't necessary have a happy ending,
only because not everyone is going to succeed.
When a bruised and battered Jimmy says, "I'm gonna do it
on my own." his success becomes inevitable, but so does the
failure of even his closest friends. The graffiti stained streets
and blighted neighborhoods will eat people alive. Eminem
knows this and doesn't allow anyone else to forget it.
Now, beyond the drama this is a movie about a rapper. I
don't know hip-hop; I won't fake it. But even I can't deny the
exhilaration that comes with battle rapping. Not only are the
scenes entertaining, but the battles are where you fall in love
with Jimmy Smith, Jr. "8 Mile" thrives because of them.
The racial tensions in this film cannot be ignored. They are
a major part of Eminem's motivation. Though the combination
of racism and dysfunctional family life don't overwhelm a film.
Eminem embraces these elements and is able to keep them
grounded. Even if you don't like Eminem, you can't help but
appreciate how far he has come. An obvious labor of love, "8
Mile - is an inspiration to the wanna-be and dreamer in everyone.
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Friday November 15, 2002
attempt at witty banter with whomever
his guest may be that day.
TRL debuted during the growing age
of what became the nemesis teen pop
at the later part of the 90s. Another
problem. The countdown, and the
network in general, bombarded
viewers with 'N Sync, Britney Spears,
the Backstreet Boys, and other clones
of the music industry. The money
making media machines controlled
MTV, the way Castro came in and took
over Cuba. Many musical refugees
had to flee to VHI in order to get their
videos played.
But, those countdown shows are few
and far between. Recently, MTV has
taken into its own hands, these
spontaneous creations of "quality
television." Remember "Beavis and
Butthead?" One of television's lowest
Trouble doesn't stop R.
Kelly from making music
by Olivia Page
staff writer
R. Kelly's soon to be released album,
"Chocolate Factory," comes during a
cloud of controversy for the artist.
"Chocolate Factory" features "Ignition"
where Kelly sings about the same subject
that has gotten him into so much trouble.
"I want to stick my key in your ignition
baby," Kelly sings. Kelly, who is accused
of raping minors, is still making his songs
very sex-oriented. This is not helping his
plea, among fans. His many previous sex
songs have put more doubt in fans'
opinions on if he is innocent or guilty.
Sales of Jay Z / R. Kelly, "Best of Both
Worlds", which was expected to be one
of the year's best sellers have been poor.
R. Kelly, whose new album is set to hit shelves in early 2003, is in
hot. water with both fans and the law.
Jay-Z is also distancing himself from
Kelly. Kelly was supposed to do a duet
with Ashanti on her album but she decided
to perform with Ja Rule instead. Many fans
have lost all hope in Kelly and will not
even listen to any of his songs. Many radio
stations have also refused to play any of
his songs.
Kelly has kept fans, though. Some of
his fans proved their loyalty to Kelly by
appearing in court with him. A group of
adults and 40 children walked in court,
some wearing Pro-Kelly shirts and saying,
"We Love You" and "Not Guilty," also
sang the songs, "I Believe I Can Fly" and
"Heaven I Need a Hug." "Heaven I Need
a Hug," is a song to earn sympathy for him
and it goes, "I've given 13 years of my
life to this industry/ hit song or not, I've
given all of me/ you smile in my face and
tell me you love me/ but then before you
know the truth your so quick to judge me.
R Kelly has been awaiting trial but can
do concerts as he pleases. He has been out
of jail on a $750,000 bond which he has
paid $75,000. He has been ordered to
reside in Illinois until trail, but early
forms of entertainment struck a chord
with younger viewers using two
moronic characters with nothing better
to do than sit around and make indecent
references to bodily functions. Not to
be outdone, MTV soon debuted the first
of what would become a national trend
in the form of reality television. "The
Real World" first aired in 1992. It
showed that the real world was nothing
more than people acting about as real
as you can when television cameras
follow you 24 hours a day. Then the
so-called "Real World" on Wheels
followed by the name of "Road Rules."
Both programs are still around today
if you care to tune in for yourself.
MTV's more recent popular programs
include "The Tom Green Show,"
"Undressed," and "Jack-ass." Their
newest crack at animation comes in the
Kevin Fallon, A & E Editor
behrcolls@aol.com
November, Judge Vincent Graughan
granted Kelly's wish to leave Illinois Nov
12-19• despite prosecutor's objections.
The reason for this argued by Kelly's
Attorney is so that Kelly can earn an
income. The reason Kelly wants to leave
the state is to do a concert. The concert
"Powerhouse," is on November 14 and
is sponsored by WWPR-fm, at the
Continental Airlines Arena in East
Rutherford, New Jersey. The concert will
also feature Ja Rule, Ashanti, Busta
Rhymes and others. Thing is Kelly has
been granted to leave the state on other
occasions. In September he was allowed
for a Labor Day weekend in Florida
although a court date was near. In August
he was allowed to leave for Miami to
perform at a night club.
Kelly is definitely not getting it easy.
Singer Sparkle, who worked with Kelly,
niece is alleging rape by 35 year old
Kelly. He was arrested on June 5, 2002.
If he is convicted, he could be sentenced
up to 15 years in prison and a $lOO,OOO
fine. He has had court dates and his next
one is December 20. Kelly has been
accused not just by Sparkle's 13 year old
niece. There was a civil complaint from
a former dancer who claims she was in
the video, "XXX," which was
supposedly of Kelly raping girls. She
claims she never gave any permission to
be video taped. Another incident
involves, Patrice Jones who claimed she
had sex with Kelly when she was 16.
Kelly has also reached an undisclosed
deal with Tracy Sampson, who accused
him of seducing her when she was a 17
year old Epic Records Intern. In 1998,
Kelly paid S2SO,(XX) to Tiffany Hawkins,
who claimed Kelly had intercourse with
her and coerced her into an orgy with
other teenage girls when she was 15.
form of "3
-South," airing Thursday
nights at 10:30.
For those who actually want music,
VI-11 is a channel that has music. Also,
its "Behind the Music" series has been
given Emmy nods in the past, and is
journalistically more credible than the
vast majority of MTV programming.
Also, MTV 2 seems like a great idea.
For now. But give it a couple years
before it becomes the garbage can for
all MTV programming rejects.
Basically, MTV needs to get back
to its basics, videos, and music in
general. The theme song to "Jack-ass"
does not count as music. So MTV, for
the viewers' sake, for your own
credibility's sake, please let the
network serve its musical purpose.