November 23, 2004 The Lion’s Eye Page 5 Eve on Entertainment Surviving holidays with a look into the future Events Media Veterans Day Parade BB Pu For most people, it was just another national holiday that further complicated life by closing the banks and post offices. The significance of the hol- 1day is masked by its inconvenience. But for those who found themselves in downtown Media, it was a day to remember. Veterans Day is always after the presidential election and this year was during a time when our country is greatly divided between political par- ties and opinions regarding the War on Terrorism. Encompassed by differences, one thing remains the same. Our veterans have served our nation honorably and we have served them by holding a parade in their honor. As the bands, veterans and other parade par- ticipants awaited the beginning of the 45th annu- al parade, citizens lined State Street to conduct a standing ovation fit for a king. Leading the parade was Media's very own VFW post 3460. As their representatives and colors marched forward, cheers, shouts of "Thank You" and salutes poured from the crowd. Amid this patriotism, several cit- izens exercised their freedom of speech by protest- ing the war. Regardless, the music of the bands created an ambiance of pure delight and enjoy- ment. At the procession’s end, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, the former Pennsylvania governor, Gov. Ed Rendell, "Band of Brothers" leader Dick Winters and others spoke. Challenge coins and flags were also presented to recently returning Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans. Finally, the ceremonies concluded with the playing of Taps and a four gun salute. I've fired a rifle many times, but never did it seem more important than it did on that cold Thursday after- noon in a small town in Pennsylvania. — TIMOTHY ENAS Movies Surviving Christmas I boycotted Halloween this year. While all my friends were dressing up and going to parties, and the trick-or-treaters were ringing my doorbell, my boyfriend and I headed to the movies. When we arrived at the theater we decided there was no better way to shun Halloween than to see a Christmas movie. There was nothing to do but purchase our tickets to "Surviving Christmas." Though it was a Christmas movie, it definitely kept the theme of a scary evening. The movie was nightmarish, the acting spooky and the script, written by Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont, was frightening. During the opening credits, there is a montage of different people spending their holidays. The last segment shows an old woman making sad- faced, gingerbread-man cookies, after which, she shoves her head into the oven. This is precisely what I wanted to do after the movie was over. Ben Affleck plays a 30-something executive who has no family, therefore, decides to hire one out for the Christmas season. At first, I thought with a cast like James Gandolfini, Christina Applegate and Catherine O'Hara, the movie would have a few redeeming qualities. I mean, come on, James Gandolfini is the guy on the award-winning show, "The Sopranos." Stick to TV drama, James, because movie culture hates you. I waited for these actors to make something of the movie, but as the closing credits rolled across the screen, I realized I would be waiting forever. I thought the movie could be a brilliant parody of the feel-good Christmas movies, like "Bad Santa" last season. That could explain why it pre- miered on Halloween weekend. Of course maybe it opened then because the writers and directors knew it would never survive the holiday box office alongside movies like "The Polar Express." They should have handed T-shirts out after the film, with the catchphrase, I survived "Surviving Christmas"...although I barely did. — BRIDGET MUNDY Music Jimmy Eat World ‘Futures’ Pe Jimmy Eat World's follow-up CD to their album "Bleed American" (which changed to a self- titled album after Sept. 11.), is appropriately named "Futures." The first song, called "Futures," lead singer Jim Adkins sings: "I always believed in futures, I hope for better, in November..." which was aimed to our political administration. "Bleed American," a pop-based album had emo mixed in. "Futures" contains deeper, more sophis- ticated tracks. With lyrics like: "It's a lie, kiss with open eyes, she's not breathing back..." (Pain) and "You promise that you're done, but I can't tell you from the drugs..." (Drugs or Me), "Futures" offers heartbreak and love all rolled into one. "I fall asleep with my friends around me, only place I feel safe, I'm going to call this home..." (The World You Love) warms the spot in your heart for your friends. Ballads on this album may not be as long as previous ones, ("Goodbye Sky Harbor" from the album "Clarity" with the time 16 minutes and 11 seconds), but they still clock in four to six minutes. Although some of the band's lyrics haven't reached the same level of maturity as their music, Jimmy Eat World has proven to still be able to reach the masses at almost 30 years of age. Their first single off of "Futures" titled "Pain" has been the No. 1 played song for two weeks in a row on Philadelphia's radio station Y100. One listen of "Futures" might not leave you wanting more, but listen two or three times in a row, and you just might be hooked. When you buy "Futures" you are buying the key to a Jimmy Eat World Secret Site which offers access to exclusive audio and video content. Make sure you check out this CD soon. : — KATIE NEWS
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