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This Week in USC History April 4, 1990 — The director of special events announces that USC will host the annual Special Olympics. Page 8 Wednesday, April 4, 2001 by Mackenzie Clements The Gamecock LOS ANGELES He’s got every thing the typical hero should have — the fair locks, the chiseled jaw, the husky accent. And in following Hollywood’s love for men from Down Under, Heath Ledger is moviedom’s newest golden boy. “As a country, as a culture, we present new flavors, new spices underneath tlie characters,” Ledger said nhnut flip nrpHnminanrp of Australian action heroes — Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman — in American films. “It’s a fascination, I guess.” Ledger’s first American role came opposite Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You, a modern remake of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. By wooing Stiles’ character with a song-and-dance routine to “I Neal You Baby,” tlie then-unknown actor also wooed Hollywood. Trying to avoid the teen-movie genre, he didn’t accept another role until The Patriot, in wliicli he starred as Mel Gibson’s headstrong son. In addition to a large teenage following, Ledger’s two movie roles earned him good reviews. Hie success lias been overwlielming. “It’s all new for me, so I don’t exactly know how I’m going to deal with that,” Ledger said in an interview with The Gamecock. Despite it all, Ledger remains humble and relatively unintimidated by liis new star status. “I know I have to find the comedy in it and have a good laugh. I think it’s the only way to deal with it.” hi his latest movie, A Knight’s Tale, Ledger has the shirring role as a squire tumed-knight. Hie cast is largely a group of British unknowns, so Columbia Pictures is counting on the weight of Ledger’s golden-boy status to carry the movie in the box office. Director Brian Helgeland, who also wrote the script, said he chose Ledger for the lead role because he had something no other young actor had. “It’s hard to find any 21-year-old who has a sense of himself... and he had that,” Helgeland said. Ledger credits his family for much of his success. “They have the attitudes of letting tlieir kids grow up and discovering tilings for themselves, being liappy with themselves —just being who you are and being comfortable with who you are and not wanting or trying to do anything else but,” Ledger said. And for someone with no formal acting training who turns 22 today, Ledger certainly lias nice credentials, including two box-offic.e hits and a starring role. “1 was actually afraid of going to drama school... of being taken further and further away from my instincts,” Ledger said. “My college has been on the set. My college has been to watch myself, judge myself, find mistakes and fix them.” Ledger said the filming of A Knight’s Tale, which took place Ill rir^uc, WcO till tlLlUI b dream.” “Rehearsals” consisted of the cast bonding over cheap pitchers of beer, making the on-screen camaraderie genuine. “The set was like a playground for us all,” Ledger said. His headlining role didn’t intimidate him until filming had wrapped. “I was more intimidated after I made the movie,” he said, “and saw my mug on the posters,” which feature a large headshot of Ledger and the tagline “He Will Rock You.” This week, Ledger will return to Australia to take six months off— he’s been working for more than a year straight. Though lie’s semi-based in Los Angeles, “If I’m not working [in L.A.], I’m not needed to be here. I’ll be in Australia,” Ledger said. And as for being the latest “It Boy” in Hollywood, Ledger said, “I just live my normal life. I don’t dwell on it.” The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlight@hotmail.com ‘My college has been on the set. My college has been to watch myself, judge myself, find mistakes and fix them.’ Heath Ledger Ledger’s Filmography ■ 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) Considered I Ledgers breakthrough role in America, he played opposite Julia Stiles in this modem remake of Shakespeare s Taming of the Shrew. ■ The Patriot (2000) — Ledger waited a year before accepting this role as Mel Gibson s son, avoiding other roles in the teen-movie genre. ■ A Knight’s Tale (2001) — edger plays his first I leading role in this film, scheduled for release May 11. ■ Four Feathers (2001) — Ledger will play a British officer in this movie, set for release this year. MOVIE DIRECTORY Regal Cinema 7 Richland Mall 748-9044 Chocolat (PG-13) 4:00, 10:00 Enemy at the Gates (R) 1:20,4:20,7:05,10:05 Exit Wounds (R) 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50 Hearth re akers (PG-13) 1:10,4:10,7:15, 9:55 Pollock (R) 4:15, 7:10, 9:45 Say It Isn’t So (R) 1:30 Spy Kids (PG) 12:40, 2:55, 5:05, 7:20, 9:40 Tomcats (R) 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:40, 10:10 Traffic (R) 1:00, 7:00 GC Dutch Square 14 Bush River Road 750-3576 15 Minutes (R) 9 20 The Brothers (R) 1:20, 2:10, 4:00, 4:50, 7:00, 7:30, 9:20, 9:50 Down to Earth (PG-13) 1:20, 4:30, 7:30, 9:30 Enemy at the Gates (R) 1:30,4:00,7:00, 9:40 Exit Wounds (R) 2:00, 4:40, 7:20, 9:40 Hannibal (R) 1:00,4:00, 7:00, 10:00 Heartforeakers (PG-13) 1:30, 4:20, 7:10, 10:00 The Mexican (R) 1:40, 4:20, 7:40, 10:10 Say It Isn’t So (R) 1:50,4:30, 7:50, 10:10 See Spot Run (PG) 1:40, 4:10, 7:20 Someone Like You (PG-13) 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:10, 9:30 Spy Kids (PG) 1:00, 3:10, 5:10, 7:15, 9:15 Tomcats (R) 1:10, 3:10, 5:20, 7:40, 9:50 Traffic (R) 1:10, 4 10, 7:50 Carmike Wynnsong 10 5320 Forest Drive 782-8100 The Brothers (R) 1:15, 1:45, 4:15, 4:45, 7:00, 7:30, 9:15, 9:45 15 Minutes (R) 1:00, 4:15, 7:10, 9:45 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (PG-13) 1:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 Down to Earth (PG-13) 1:45, 4:15, 7:00, 9:20 Get Over It (PG-13) 1:20, 7:15 Hannibal (R) 1:15, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45 The Mexican (R) 1:30, 4:30, 7:15, 9:45 See Spot Run (PG) 1:30, 4:00, 7:10, 9:20 Someone Like You (PG-13) 1:45, 4:30, 7:15, 9:40 Sweet November (PG-13) 4:20, 9:30 Movies at Polo Road 9700 Two Notch Road 788-7818 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (PG-13) 3:25, 7:05, 9:30 Down to Earth (PG-13) 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 Exit Wounds (R) 3:05, 5:05, 7:05, 9:05 Heartbreakers (PG-13) 3:35, 7:20, 9:45 Say It Isn’t So (R) 7:10, 9:10 See Spot Run (PG) 3:20, 5:20 Someone Like You (PG-13) 3:10, 5:10, 7:10, 9:10 Spy Kids (PG) 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, 9:00 Tomcats (R) 3:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30 St. Andrews Road Multi Cinemas 527 St. Andrews Road 772-7469 102 Dalmatians (G) 2:40, 5:00 The Emperor’s New Groove (G) 2:20, 3:50, 5:20, 6:50, 8:20 The Family Man (PG-13) 2:30, 5:10, 7:30 Finding Forrester (PG-13) 7:00 Miss Congeniality (PG-13) 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00 The Wedding Planner (PG-13) 2:10, 4:10, 6:10, 8:10 Columbiana Grande 1250 Bower Parkway 407-9898 The Brothers (R) 1:45, 2:45,4:00, 5:00, 6:55, 7:55, 9:30, 10:25 15 Minutes (R) 2:10, 4:50, 7:20, 9:55 Cast Away (PG-13) 2:35, 5:30, 8:45 Chocoiat (PG-13) 2:05, 4:40, 7:05, 9:25 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (PG-13) 1:40,4:20, 7:30, 10:10 Down to Earth (PG-13) 1:50, 3:45, 7:10, 9:40 Enemy at the Gates (R) 1:30, 4:10, 7:15, 10:00 Get Over It (PG-13) 6:45, 9:00 Hannibal (R) 1:55, 4:55, 7:35, 10:15 O Brother, Where Art Thou? (PG-13) 2:00, 4:30, 6:50, 9:20 Recess: School’s Out (G) 2:40, 4:45 See Spot Run (PG) 2:15, 5:20, 7:25, 9:35 Someone Like You (PG-13) 1:35, 2:20, 3:50, 5:10, 7:00, 7:45, 9:15, 10:15 Car mike Cinemas 14 122 Afton Court 781-3067 3000 Miles to Graceland (R) 2:00, 4:30, 7 00, 9:30 Exit Wounds (R) 1:00, 4:00, 7:30, 9:45 Finding Forrester (PG-13) 1:00, 4:15, 7:00, 9:45 Heartbreakers (PG-13) 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:45 Malena (R) 2:00, 4:30, 7:30, 9:30 The Mexican (R) 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 Miss Congeniality (PG-13) 1:45, 4:15, 7:00, 9:15 Save the Last Dance (PG-13) 1:30, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 Say It Isn’t So (R) 1:45, 4:00, 7:30, 10:00 Shadow of the Vampire (R) 1:30, 4:00, 7:15, 9:30 Spy Kids (PG) 1:15, 4:00, 7:15, 9:30 Tomcats (R) 1:00, 4:00, 7:30, 9:30 Traffic (R) 1:15, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45 The Wedding Planner (PG-13) 1:30,4:15, 7:15, 9:30 Nickelodeon Theatre 937 Main St. 254-3433 Water Drops on Burning Rocks (NR) 7:00, 9:30 What’s Happening Wednesday, April 4 Live Music Blue Martini Skipp Pearson and Jazzology Decisions Muddy Quarters Delaney's Kenny Floyd Dianne’s on Devine Ross Holmes Elbow Room Robert Bradley s Blackwater Surprise, Bare Jr. Mac’s on Main Mac s Jazz Showcase Road Runner’s Open jam w/Steve Kemp USC School of Music Recital Hall Computer Music Concert Performino Arts Newberry Opera House Snoopy: the Musical Karaoke ley’s Karaoke Ladybug City Afro-oke w/Doc & Lady Tee Legends Karaoke w/Ken Martin McCaty’s Karaoke Opening Break Headline Karaoke Ramada Inn West Laser Karaoke w/John Ringo Jackson Rooster's Den Karaoke w/Tootie Rock Vickie s Karaoke Contest Sandra’s Rick and Tina s Karaoke Dance, DJs and Miscellaneous Art Bar NUVIBE Bottoms Up Holly Montana Crocodile Rocks Ladies Night Eddy Ho’s Pool Tournament Merlin’s DJ Cotton Talent Contest Rafters Temptation Island College Night Road Runner's Ladies Night Tavern on the Greene Listening Party Thursday, April 5 Uve Music Elbow Room Battle of the Bands Decisions The D. B. Bryant Band Delaney’s Kenny Floyd Mac’s on Main Jamfest Roadrunners Rick Stevens and Open Mic Night In The News ■ Mighty Mouse to star in ‘Power of Cheese’ ad LOS ANGELES (AP) - It ’s been a long time since Mighty Mouse first uttered those memorable words, “Here I come to save the day!” Now, the nearly 60-year-old cartoon rodent has been yanked from retirement to promote — what else? — cheese. In the “Ahh, The Power of Cheese” television commercial debuting April 9, the invincible superhero “caves to the crave” for cheese before saving the day — and singing his trademark song. Print ads will follow later this month. Isadore Klein created Mighty Mouse for Terry toons in 1942. Comic books came out four years later, followed by the Mighty Mouse television cartoons in 1955. The rodent retired in 1971 when Terryloons shut its doors. ■ VH1 Divas to honor queen of R-E-S-P-E-C-T NEW YORK (AP) —Mary J Blige, Marc Anthony and Jill Scott will be among the artists to give a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T to Aretha Franklin at VHl’s fourth annual Divas celebration on April 10. The concert will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall. Franklin will sing, but her only duet of the evening will be with rap-rocker ;uid fellow Detroit native Kid Rock. Janet Jackson will be a special guest. Other performers scheduled for the evening include members of the Backstreet Boys mid actresses from HBO’s The Sopranos. VH1 ’s Divas specials raise money for the Save the Music Foundation, a nonprofit orgmiization designed to boost music education in schools. Since 1997, the group has donated more than $10 million worth of instruments to 530 schools in 40 cities.