entertainment
Music Review
000 3/4
By Matthew Filippi
Entertainment Editor
Robert Plant feels the touch of
Lcd Zeppelin on his new solo
album, Now and Zen. For those
of you who arc thinking, "It's about
time someone reviewed some good
hard Rock-n-Roll," my sentiments
exactly; it's about time some good
hard Rock-n-Roll has been released.
to be reviewed.
Plant doesn't need any make-up,
glitter, tight jeans or anyone to
write his lyrics and songs for him
like a lot of the hard rock musicians
of today, such as Bon Jovi, Bruce
Springstecn, Poison and a new band
called Guns and Roses who sings,
"I want to watch you bleed," in one
of their songs. Plant comments,
"These guys, the Bon Jovis and
company, when they weren't selling
A.. :.er tb2
.-iF',..Linion
Book Review
000 1/2
by Vail Weller
Feature Editor
I actually found a book to
read for pleasure in the Behrend
library. When I saw the cover, I had
a faint feeling of recognition I
could've seen it in a bookstore or in
an ad for a Book-of-the-Month
Club. Anyway, I picked it up and
read the book flap and decided to
check it out. I went back up to my
apartment and started to read it (this
was at approximately noon) and I
did not put it • down until: Haad
finished it. at 7:00 PM .-i -
and it is the twelfth
book written by Rona Jaffe, a
graduate of Radcliffe. This fiction
novel is the story of four women
who also graduated from Radcliffe
and of three men who arc graduates
of Harvard. It takes place 25 years
after their college graduation, when
the 1957 women's class of Radcliffe
were sent questionnaires.
They have all 'become
"Frantic"
Craftsmanship
Frantic - Movie Review
000 1/2
By Brett Taylor
Contributing Writers
In the movie Witness, Harrison Ford set a standard of acting for
himself so high that he may never be able to match it. In 'his new
movie, Frantic, he comes pretty close, though, and affirms his status
as one of the most powerful actors of the decade.
In Frantic, Ford plays a surgeon who was visiting Paris, where a
medical conference was being held. Within an hour of arriving at his
hotel with his wife, she disappears without a trace, and he is left with
only one clue: a suitcase she accidentally mistook for her own at the
airport. The search for his wife leads him, into the seamy underground of
Paris, and into a strained partnership with a sleazy young French
woman who routinely smuggles drugs into the country.
This film is relatively static in the beginning: a full forty minutes
pass before our hero even thinks of checking the jumbled baggage for
clues. An action picture this is not. Instead, the movie probes the
psyche of a man stranded and seemingly helpless in a foreign country,
forced into circumstances far beyond his control. There is an obvious
debt to the films of Alfred Hitchcock here, where ordinary people arc
ruthlessly dropped into extraordinary situations. Ford is excellent as a
frustrated and frightened man in a deadly game, who must appear tough
and uncompromising
Also excellent is Emmanuelle Scigner; the mercenary girl who is
the lifeline between Ford and his wife. She is at once enticing and
infuriating, as she aids Ford in his search, but then foils his hostage
exchange by demanding money from the kidnappers. She is also
blatantly sexual before the surgeon, even though he makes perfectly
clear-his one and only purpose: the rescue of his wife, regardless of the
cost. It is fascinating watching their relationship evolve, because we
know it must destruct somehow if and when the wife is found. There is
also a great deal of humor involved in their exchanges, as the two
opposites bail each other out of trouble. •
The plot is weak at some points, and the
-story is confused by a
number of different groups all pursuing the object which is.now in the
possession of Ford. The problems are few, however; 'and the : movie
proves to be completely satisfying. It is sporadically violent, sexy,
funny and frustrating. This film is the product of masterful
craftsmanship, a sturdy construction founded on Ford's superstar ability
and director Roman Polanski's care and experience.
Also worthy of note: although the entire film is set in Paris, the
Eiffel Tower is shown only once, in a quick and incidental shot.
Instead, attention is focused on a miniature replica of the Statue of
Liberty, looking small and ironic and out of place; much like the heio
himself. Again, the film displays a remarkable level of care and
craftsmanship not - often found in movies today. — ' '
Zolitt t :Itlattt
anything, they saw the- mechanism
working. They saw, they had to
follow the now strongly dictated
lines of the commercial process, to
come up with the choruses and
wiggle your ass at the right
moment." He goes on to say, "ICs
immaterial whether it's hard rock or
not. Fortunately, I had success
before a lot of these new rules," so I
say, F--- it." (Rolling Stone, Issue
522 March 24th, 1988)
Plant receives many demo tapes
in his mail. It wasn't until he
received a tape from Phil Johnstone
containing a song that Phil co
wrote, "Heaven Knows," that he
realized that he wants to be a bit
harder. "I want to play stuff that's
exciting again," says Plant.
(Rolling Stone) •
I agree that "Heaven Knows" is
a great song but I don't see how it
inspired Plant to go back to his
Zeppelin roots. The song sounds
successful in their careers and
appear to lead normal, happy lives.
But the questions they arc asked to
answer 'start to show us that in
reality every one of their lives is
unhappy, unfulfilled and full of
secrets. The questionnaire asked:
1. What. were your
hopes, dreams,, and expectations
when you graduated from college,
in terms of work, love and family
life?
your life where your values,
,:_cireams, and/or ~expect..ations
ch - anged? Plcase . expTain."
- As you enter into these
people's lives, little by little, you
begin to identify with most of
them. After hearing about their
college lives: sexual behavior,
scholastic indifference/perseverance.
goals, and marriages soon after
graduation, you soon begin to sec
friends of your own in these people..
I found this to be one of the most
appealing aspects of the book. I
began to really care about them. I
felt for thcm during their struggles
2. Did you achieve
3. Was there a point in
like a Robert Plant song more than
a Led Zeppelin song, but if it's
enough to get Plant to record some
more pseudo-Zeppelin songs, then
"Yea" for Johnstone. According to
Plant, Johnstonc is a full-fledged
Zeppelin fan. Plant liked Johnstone
so much that he wrote seven out of
nine tracks with him on Now and
Zen.
The only song that could pass
for a Zeppelin tune on Now • and
Zen is "Helen of Troy." It contains
catchy guitar riffs, which is a
characteristic of Zeppelin, and
strong bass drum and snare beats.
There arc other songs which sound
like Zeppelin in some parts but the
choruses reflect Robert Plant's solo
career. This is apparent in the song,
"Billy's Revenge."
It's really a shame to compare
someone's future career with
something they have done in the
past. But this is what Plant wants,
•
Review Ratings:
0 Poor
°° Average
000 Above Average
0000 Excellent
and honestly felt as if I had
accomplished something when one
of them did.
Their lives change after
college - they are all privileged and
attractive - people whom others
might envy. They settle into
beautiful homes, raise children and
go about their careers. Bin at the
same time, Taffe gives us a very
realistic view of today's common
and uncommon problems.
We are introduced (on
very personal and feeling level) toa
wealthy person's drug addittion;We
see• the heTl•of a suppos&lly - happy
marriage falling apart and resorting
to affairs out of sheer boredom. We
meet the retarded child of two
perfect parents and watch as they
alienate her because she doesn't
"look right" in their family. We see
a homosexual man and his wife
Grammies-Smash or Trash?
The Grammies - Review
By D&K's Discount Review
Contributing Writers
Staged in glamorous Radio City
Music Hall, the Grammies returned
home to New York for the first
time in seven years_ Hosted by
Billy Crystal, the show was given a
boost with a cavalcade of celebrity.
impersonations.
First on the agenda was the award,
for best female pop vocalist which
went to Whitney Houston for ".f .
Wanna Dance with Somebody
(Who Loves Mc)." In our opinion
the Grammy should have gone to
Belinda Carlisle whose smooth
flowing rendition of "Heaven is a The most outrageous portion of
Place On Earth" was much more the evening was when Little
pleasing to the ear than Whitney's Richard and Buster Poindexter
annoying rehash of "How Will I: presented the award for best new
Know." What's her next song artist. But before Jody Watley was
going to be? "How will I know HI revealed the winner, we were treated
wanna dance with somebody (who, with Richard's explanation of why
loves mc)?" And isn't there, he deserves a Grammy. Tears were
something a little queer about her shed when the well-deserving Jody
producer? graciously accepted her award.
Best male pop vocalist went to • The award for best comedy
Sting for his "Bring on the Night" - recording went to the untamable
Live LP. Needless to say his Robin Williams for "Live at the
victory was quite a surprise • Met."-- If you haven't seen or heard
especially considering that it came this it's simply a must.
over favorite Michael Jackson, who Unfortunately, the hyperactive
was also trumped out in three other, comedy hero was unable to accept
awards, the.award in person.
"1
_,ltrodsediva,
ITALIAN RESTAURANT
3512 Buffalo Road
' Wesleyville
- -• Phone: 899-3423
!! WE DELIVER OUR ENTIRE MENU
,
Pizza, Przsta, Wogs, Suis, Satturs,-4fiffinip or ChirkersDizincrs, finger foots
2 Large cheese:pizzas fel* only $9.99
- additional charge for exiifa toppings .
• .
e_ D vivered FREE to Behiend Dorms & Apartments
1
samonienb.a;*l - 2. - I•2 '.' :-.-ima—motonismi•easimmimmeonsrij
he wants to be as spontaneous as
Led Zeppelin used to be. He even
has Jimmy Page play guitar solos
on "Heaven Knows" and "Tall Cool
One." On the album cover there arc
"Zoso" symbols to represent the
songs that Page plays on.
"Tall Cool One" has a catchy
line which Plant belts out,
"Lighten up baby I'm in love with
you." This song is quite repetitive
but if you can make it through all
the repetition, it has a very creative
ending in which Plant samples
some tracks from old Zeppelin
songs like, "Whole Lotta Love,"
"Dazed and Confused," and "Black
Dog."
Plant's vocal ability is
outstanding. Nearly reaching forty,
Plants voice shows no signs of his
age. One would think that after
screaming during hundreds of
Zeppelin concerts his voice would
be worthless by the age of forty.
who love each other faultlessly but
only on a platonic level. We come
to know a single successful career
woman struggling to find a
committed relationship while still
holding on to her career
independence.
During a fantastically well
written series of connections, all of
these people end up intertwined in
each other's lives. The relationships
that they form help them all to
grow up twenty five years after
college. This book has many
interesting twists and by the end, I
was left with a feeling of hope and
anticipation of my future life. You
come to see how much people
actually change as they mature and
that it is never too late to go after
your dreams. Get down to the
library and check it out - it will
leave you feeling refreshed.
U 2 seized two Grammies for
album of the year and best rock
group performance for their album
"The Joshua Tree." Their
intoxicating style both mesmerizes
and bonds listeners to their cause.
They were the obvious choice in
both these categories.
• Alas, Whitney, you're not alone
on our gripe list. If anyone can
explain why Paul Simon's album
"Graceland" won record of the year,
please clue us in. In the first place
it is ridiculous that a song off last
years' winning album was even
nominated. In the second place,
South African tribal melodies just
don't compare with U 2.
••plus tax••
with coupon
anti? Ztrt
Instead his voice is remarkably clear
and shows no signs of scratchiness
or stretching. If anything, his voice
may be getting better.
Plant's lyrics arc loose. He
believes that this is a part of his
singing in the past. He must be
spontaneous. He can't be as
conservative as he has been on past
solo albums. On "Tall Cool One"
he sings, "With my one hand loose
I aim to satisfy / You like my
loving machine, I like your
bloodshot eyes." In "Heaven
Knows" he sings, "Now I find
myself fully occupied and half alive
/ with your head, heart, arms and
legs wrapped around my family
pride."
The album contains some
potential hit songs including a slow
song, "Ship of Fools," which
lightly plucks beautiful guitar riffs
and reflects Plant's solo career more
than anything he's done with
1M11,1,50r
E6Ol
Book Review
By Nanette Quatchak
Feature Editor
Sidney Sheldon is the author of
many number-one international best
sellers that have all been made into
major feature films or television
mini-series. Windmills of the
Gods, Sheldon's newest novel, is
no exception. This story, along
with all of his previous
books,gives you a behind-the
scenes look at a particular
occupation and lifestyle. In this
case, you • gain a better
understanding of a United States
ambassador in a communist
country.
Mary Ashley, a professor at
Other winners were Bruce
Springsteen for best rock vocalist,
Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor's
"Somewhere Out There" for song of
the year, Frank Zappa's "Jazz from
Hell" as best rock instrumental, and
Bill Medley and Jennifer Warncs'
"I've had the Time of My Life" for
best pop duct.
Here's a sporty family sedan
that sometimes thinks it's
a great station wagon, too.
MAZDA'S ALL-NEW 626 LX TOURING SEDAN.
The 626 LX Touting Sedan's secret is a fifth door
at the rear that opens wide and low, plus rear
seatbacks that fold flat to create a cavernous
cargo area anytime you need it. Otherwise it's
one of the roomiest, most comfortable family '
sedans you could wish for—one with European
mad-car performance from its new 12-valve fuel
injected engine and patented rear suspen.sion.
And thr - turbo - .Nti Tr ct
2315 West 12th Street • Erie, PA 16505
Collegian
Zep. This song will be a future
release. The album is a definite step
forward -in Plant's solo career. And
with Plant "stepping backward" in
order to move forward, his next
solo album should be even better.
I must commenton the pro
duction quality of the cassette ver
sion of Now and Zen. Don't buy
this album on cassette! The sound
quality is nauseating and the first
side has an annoying extended end
in order to make it even with the
second side. This would have been
much more pleasing if they would
have just put one of the songs from
the second side on to the first side.
This can be especially annoying if
you're listening to the cassette on
your car stereo and you have to
listen to minutes of "dead air"
before the tape flips sides. I hope
the quality of the album and CD is
much better or this could be a
major downfall for Now and Zen.
Kansas State University, is
appointed the new ambassador,
leaving behind the only life she has
known. Even before she begins her
new job she finds herself on the
hitlist of one of the world's most
successful assassins. If this is not
compelling enough, there is also an
enemy association that plans on
destroying everything that she
accomplishes. Mary also becomes
involved with a doctor from the
French embassy and tier deputy'
chief of mission. As tne story
progresses she realizes that one of
them is out to kill her.
The reason I enjoy Stkfldon's
novels so much is due 'ts.s, his
incredibly detailed knowledge of so
many occupations and lifestyles.
SEE Windmills, pg 6
In conclusion, despite the fact
that our preferences weren't
consistent with the academys', we
feel that this year's Grammy awards
show was well worth watching and
superior to previous shows.
(814) 452-6441
Page 5