Daniel J. Stasiewski, A&E Editor The Behrend Beacon The longest ‘days’ Review by Daniel J. Stasiewski There is a very basic formula when it comes to the caught-in-a-lie romance. One person lies about something, which is the reason the other person falls for them. The fib comes out, the liar repents, and the couple ends up to gether. Simple, right? Well, not in “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” In this battle of the sexes, there are two liars. They work against each other, while making fun of every dating cliche both sexes have to offer. Sure, the gender jousting is a lot of fun. but as a romance, two wrnnos mn’t make a rieht. Benjamin Barry (Matthew McConaughey) is a woman izing ad executive who considers two nights with one woman a long relationship. When a couple of his female co-workers device 3 plan to sfpal a huge diamond account from him, Barry nearly throws a temper tantrum. After all, it was his tip that opened the account to the firm. So. Barry makes a deal with the devious women; if lie can make one girl fall in love with him by the time they pitch the account, he can have it. But the person his co-workers pick out has a little se cret, as well. Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson), a writer for the Cosmo-clone Composure, is working on a new "I low To” column. Her assignment this month is to be the worst bad-date cliche she can be, attempting to lose a guy in 10 days. Luckily she doesn’t have to hunt because Barry ap proaches her. When the two begin their fraudulent rela tionship, neither is aware of the other’s motives, which poses a real problem as they start to fall for each other. The best part of a good romance is there’s something to root for. The two lovers defy the odds, break down all barriers. That what makes a person fall in love with any romantic duo, even if the obstacles arejust plain silly. The worst part of “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” is there is nothing to root for. This comedy puts a twist on the old caught-in-a-lic ro mance by making both of its leads into frauds. Because they both lie at the start of their relationship, it's impos sible to find any sincerity in the romance. The whole rea son the deception plot usually works is because you are Musical 'Chicago' dazzles Oscar by Daniel J. Stasiewski A & E Editor With a flash of leg and a taste of temptation, “Chicago” danced its way to 13 Academy Award nominations in cluding Best Picture, Tuesday. The movie-musical became only the ninth film in Academy history to receive 13 or more nods, putting its name along side classics like “Gone with the Wind,” “From Here to Eternity,” and “All About Eve.” “Chicago” will compete with fellow Miramax releases, “Gangs of New York” and “The Hours,” along with the fantasy sequel “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” and Roman Polanski’s Holocaust epic “The Pianist” for the top prize. Renee Zellweger received her sec ond consecutive nomination in the Best Actress category for her role in the flashy musical, while Golden Globe winner Nicole Kidman also received a second consecutive nod for her por trayal of Virginia Wolf in “The Hours.” A&E Editor Catherine Zeta-Jones in Best Picture nominee ‘Chicago.’ Juliannc Moore received a second Best Actress nomination for her role as an embattled suburban housewile in “Far From Heaven.” The two-time nominees will face Oscar newcomers Diane Lane and Salma Hayek. Ei'J’fsliT&'ttJttlSft'JT able to sympathize with at least one of the two characters, the true of heart. Neither Barry' nor Anderson fits that description, so when they do start to become a little more honest, it's too late. It's not that there is no chemistry between Hudson and Met onaughey. The pair makes a great comedic duo. It’s casv to laugh at Hudson as she belts out Carly Simon’s "You're so Vain." while putting doilies and stuffed ani mals all over McConaughey’s bachelor pad, or when McConaughey finds Vagasil next to a set of his and her’s toothbrushes. Still, the comedy alone can’t make them fall m love, especially since McConaughey’s character is vtnch :i Anderson is a strong, female character with career am bitions and a noticeable conscience who unfortunately pre tends to have a dreadful personality. That’s forgivable, when she does begin to fall for Barry. Barry, on the other hand, pretends to be a genuinely good guy, but is truly despicable. The last time I hated a male lead as much as Barry was in "What Women Want,” which at least had a better moral, even if it did have less chemistry. In “Women,” Mel Gibson’s ability to hear what his female conquests are thinking is comparably dishonest with Barry sham gentle man. Still, Gibson’s character and McConaughey’s Barry have that special bond only man-whores can share. At least “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” isn’t com pletely formulaic. Sure, the new twists are all wrong and it ends the same way most romantic comedies do. Big kiss, pan out. Still, there’s something to be said for breaking a bit of new ground. Especially, because it’s so rare from any studio film these days. out of 4 stars The only first time nominee in the Best Actor category was “The Pianist’s” Adrien Brody. Brody will compete with previous Best Actor win ners Nicholas Cage, Daniel-Day Lewis, and Jack Nicholson, plus two time Supporting Actor winner Michael Caine for the trophy. Meryl Streep made history when she received her 13th acting nomination for her supporting role in “Adapta tion.” Streep will face “Chicago’s” sinister sisters Catherine Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah, Kathy Bates, and Julianne Moore who is also up for Best Actress. Streep’s “Adaption” co-star Chris Cooper recieved a Supporting Actor nomination, as well. Cooper will face John C. Reilly, who was in three of the Best Picture nominees, but was nomi nated for “Chicago.” Paul Newman, Ed Harris, and Chris topher Walken also earned Supporting Actor nominations. AUTS* & Friday, February 14, 2003 PHOTO COUI ‘How to Lose a Guy 10 Days, ’ directed by Donald Petrie, starring Matthew Me Corning h ey, Kate Hudson, and Bebe Neuwirth is currently showing at Tinsletown. The biggest surprises, however, came out of the directing category with Female artists may takeover Grammy night by Roger Gorny staff writer The Grammy nominees in the top cat egories this year are of a very diverse crowd, covering most popular music genres, and ranges from the jazzy piano chanteuse Norah Jones to older rock fa vorites like Bruce Springsteen. I will ana lyze four of the top categories from my perspective, and try to determine, to some degree of accuracy, who will win. The cat egories are: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. Grammy nominee Vanessa Carlton The nominees are: “A Thousand Miles,” Vanessa Carlton; “Without Me,” Eminem; “Don’t Know Why,” Norah Jones; “Di lemma,” Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland; and “How You Remind Me,” Nickelback. Who should win: Vanessa Carlton, be cause she’s traveled more than “A Thou sand Miles” on the road to success. Giv ing up ballet was the best choice she’s ever made. Dark horse: Norah Jones. She has made gradual inroads to getting the airplay that she deserves, and she is a natural choice for critics who want to side with an artist they may consider to have more substance. Album of the Year The nominees are: “Home,” Dixie Chicks; “The Eminem Show,” Eminem; “Come Away With Me,” Norah Jones; “Nellyville,” Nelly; “The Rising,” Bruce Springsteen. Who should win: Either Norah Jones or the Dixie Chicks. The first album has been out 49 weeks; the latter around 20. The first is highly-touted, jazzy, and bare bones; the latter is pure bluegrass at its’ raw, best down-home goodness. Dark horse: Eminem, if his controversial status is overlooked and his talent for uniquely satirical rhyming take center stage. The night has the potential to be Eminem’s show. The nominees are: “Complicated,” Avril Lavigne and The Matrix (Avril Lavigne); “Don’t Know Why,” Jesse Harris (Norah Jones); “The Rising,” Bruce Springsteen (Bruce Springsteen); “AThousand Miles,” Pedro Almodovar scoring a nomina tion for his Spanish language film “Talk to Her.” While Martin Scorsese, Rob Marshall, Stephen Daldry, and Roman Polanski all grabbed nods for their direction of Best Picture nomi nees, Almodovar pushed “Lord of the Rings” helmer Peter Jackson out of the running. Almodovar’s “Talk to Her” will also compete for Best Original Screenplay with “Far From Heaven,” “Gangs of New York,” “Y Tu Mama Tambien,” behrcol!s @ aol.com Vanessa Carlton (Vanessa Carlton); “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)," Alan Jackson (Alan Jackson). Who should win: Avril Lavigne. This tom boyish, feisty, punk-rock skater girl from Napanee, Ont. has re-defined cool in ev ery way, including fashion. She has given girls (and guys) a reason to rock out and tear Britney posters down. Plus, she has a powerful voice. Dark Horse: Bruce Springsteen, because he’s a dear sentimental, emotional favor ite in light of 9/11; and this is the year the Grammys' return to New York City, too. He is also a proven veteran with a pen chant for penning songs that always pull our heart strings. gest New Artist For one of the most anticipated category every yeat, the nominees are: Ashanti; Michelle Branch; Norah Jones; Avril Lavigne; John Mayer. Who should win: Norah Jones. This 23- year-old Dallas native, has brought smol|y, ballroom jazz of the past to the forefront of current popular music. Her bare-bones approach is so good that I don’t know why she wouldn’t win. Dark horse: John Mayer. As the only male nominated in this category, he has consid erable ability on the acoustic guitar. He will be buzzing around this category just like one of the titles of his songs, “neon,” on the outside of this category. But, he could still pick up this award if enough votes fly in for him. In short, I’m predicting women will sweep. There were so many dominant, multi-talented female artists that ruled the charts in the past year that females should have the best chance to win. Now, all we can do is watch and wait. The 45th annual Grammy Awards will ah Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. on CBS. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROLLINGSTONE.COM and audience favorite “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” “Adaptation,” “Chicago,” “About a Boy,” “The Hours,” and “The Pianist” were nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. Oscar winners will be announced at the 75th annual Academy Award cer emony, hosted by Steve Martin. The awards air live on March 23 oi ABC. Page
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