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This Week in USC History April 23, 1982 — Nobel Prize winner Isaac Singer came to USC as the final guest of the 1982 Writers Series. Singer’s haunting writings focus on spirits and the supernatural. Monday, April 23, 2001 by Mackenzie Clements The Gamecock | REVIEW MOVIE: A Knight’s Tale STARRING: Heath Ledger, Paul Bettany DIRECTOR/WRITER: Brian Helgeland GRADE: ☆☆☆ out of ☆☆☆☆ FROM TOP: William (Heath Ledger, right) celebrates his victory with Chaucer (Paul Bettany). Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon) surprises her battered “knight" in a secret, late night rendezvous. Roland (Mark Addy), Kate (Laura Fraser) and Wat (Alan Tudyk) are William’s biggest fans, helping train him for victory. Amid the adrenaline charged cries of spectators, rookie squire William tries to become a sports superstar of his time. Special to The Gamecock A soundtrack featuring Queen, screaming peasants and big sticks — what more does a movie need? A Knight’s Tale, which hits theaters May 11, stars Heath Ledger and an ensemble of mostly British unknowns. Imagine Monty Python meets Bravelieart. Ledger holds his own as a lowly squire who masquerades as a knight so he can compete in the 14th century jousting tournaments, the equivalent of today’s pro-football games. But he’s on equal footing with the rest of the cast, who are all great actors. The noblewoman of his dreams is played by newcomer Shannyn Sossamon, who was discovered while DJing at one of Gwyneth Paltrow’s parties. And Paul Bettany makes his American debut as Geoff Chaucer — the Chaucer, whose life story had convenient holes during the time this film takes place. Special to The Gamecock'; William rushes toward an opponent during a jousting match — the 14th-century version of professional football today. The most credit, however, should go to writer/director Brian Helgeland (LA. Confidential). He wrote a script that combines romance, rock ‘n’ roll and raucous laughter. Of course, there are definitely some cheesy moments in the movie. But that’s almost expected from a film about knights. What’s amazing is how much of the movie actually works. Blaring “We Will Rock You” wliile men ride at each other with sticks is something that hasn’t been done before, and somehow, A Knight’s Tale pulls it off. In addition, the onscreen camaraderie of the actors is as genuine as it gets. “I hope people get the sensation ... that we’re just a good bunch of people that you’d like to spend an evening with,” Bettany said about the film. While A Knight’s Tale might not stir deep inner reflection, it’s a decent way to spend a couple of hours during the summer. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspottight@hotmail.coni MOVIE DIRECTORY Movies at Polo Road 9700 Two Notch Road 788-7818 Joe Dirt (PG-13) * 3:05,5:05,7:05,9:05 Spy Kids (PG) 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, 9:00 Along Came a Spider (R) 3:10, 5:15, 7:20, 9:25 Freddy Got Fingered (R) 3:10, 5:10, 7:10, 9:10 Blow (R) 3:45, 7:25, 9:45 Josie and the Pussycats (PG 13) 3:20, 5:20, 7:20, 9:20 Bridget Jones’s Diary (R) 3:30, *5:3 , 9:30 So ike You (PG-13) 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 Pokemon 3: The Movie (G) 3:15 General Cinema Dutch Square 14 Dutch Square Shopping Center 750-3576 Joe Dirt (PG-13) 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, 9:10 Spy Kids (PG) 1:00,3:10,5:10,7:10,9:10 Along Came a Spider (R) 1:40, 4:30, 7:30, 9:50 Freddy Got Fingered (R) 1:10, 3:20, 5:30, 7:50, 10:00 Blow (R) 1:10, 4:00, 7:00, 9:35 Josie and the Pussycats (PG 13) 2:00, 4:20, 7:10, 9:30 Bridget Jones’s Diary (R) 1:20, 3:20, 5:20, 7:40, 9:50 Exit Wounds (R) 7:20, 10:00 Heartbreakers (PG-13) 1:30,4:20, 7:20, 10:00 Someone Like You (PG-13) 1:50, 4:30, 7:10, 9:40 Pokemon 3: The Movie (G) 1:10, 3:15, 5:20 Kingdom Come (PG) 1:40, 4:10, 7:30, 9:40 Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (PG) 1:00, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:50 The Brothers (R) 1:20, 4:00, 7:00, 9:20 Just Visiting (PG-13) 1:50,4:10, 7:40, 9:35 Regal Cinemas 7 Richland Mall 748-9044 Joe Dirt (PG-13) 12:45, 2:50, 4:55, 7:25, 9:45 Spy Kids (PG) 12:40, 2:55, 5:05, 7:20, 9:30 Along Came a Spider (R) 12:25, 2:40, 5:00, 7:40, 10:00 Freddy Got Fingered (R) 12:35, 2:35, 4:45, 7:45, 9:50 Exit Wounds (R) 3:00, 5:10, 7:30 Hearthreakers (PG-13) 12:30, 9:45 Chocolat (PG-13) 1:00, 4:00, 7:10, 9:40 Enemy at the Gates (R) 1:20,4:10, 7:05, 9:55 Carmike Cinemas 14 122 Afton Court 781-3067 Joe Dirt (PG-13) 1:45, 4:15, 7:30, 9:30 Spy Kids (PG) 1:15, 4:00, 7:15, 9:30 Along Came a Spider (R) 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 Freddy Got Fingered (R) 1:45, 4:00, 7:15, 9:30 Exit Wounds (R) 1:00, 4:00, 7:30, 9:45 Heartbreakers (PG-13) 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:45 Just Visiting (PG-13) 1:45, 4:15, 7:30, 9:30 Malena (R) 2:00, 4:30, 7:30, 9:30 Finding Forrester (PG-13) 1:00, 4:15, 7:00, 9:45 Traffic (R) 1:15,4:00, 7:00, 9:45 Shadow of the Vampire (R) 1:30, 4:00, 7:15, 9:30 The Wedding Planner (PG-13) 1:30,4:15, 7:15,9:30 v The Mexican (R) 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 Tomcats (R) 1:00, 4:00, 7:30, 9:30 Carmike Cinemas Wynnsong 10 5320 Forest Drive 782-8100 Blow (R) 1:10, 4:20,7:10, 9:45 Josie and the Pussycats (PG 13) 1:20, 4:20, 7:20, 9:40 Bridget Jones’s Diary (R) 11:45, 4:45, 7:30, 9:45 Someone Like You (PG-13) 1:45, 4:30, 7:15, 9:40 Pokemon 3: The Movie (G) 1:20, 4:20, 7:00, 9:10 Kingdom Come (PG) 1:00, 1:30, 4:00, 4:30, 7:00 7:30, 9:15, 9:45 Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (PG) 1:45,4:15, 7:00, 9:20 The Brothers (R) 1:15, 4:15, 7:00, 9:15 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (PG-13) 1:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 Pastime Pavilion Cinema 8 929 North Lake Drive 951-3603 Joe Dirt (PG-13) 1:30, 3:30, 5:35, 7:40, 9:40 Spy Kids (PG) 1:15, 3:20, 5:20, 7:30, 9:30 Along Came a Spider (R) 2:00, 4:25, 7:10, 9:50 Freddy Got Fingered (R) 1:00, 3:05, 5:10, 7:20, 9:20 Blow (R) 1:35,4:15, 6:50, 9:35 Josie and the Pussycats (PG 13) 1:45, 4:05, 7:05, 9:15 Bridget Jones’s Diary (R) 2:30, 4:45, 7:50, 10:00 Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (PG) 2:15, 4:35, 7:00, 9:10 I__l TOP TEN Week of April 16 • ■ Shuggie Otis Inspiration Information... Gorillaz Tomorrow Comes Today Mouse on Mars Idiology Moods For Modern Loud And Clear The Danielson Family Fetch the Compass Kids John Hammond Wicked Grin Bardo Pond Dilate Bis Music For a Stranger D World Mice Parade Mokoondi Paul Newman My Pal God In The News ■ Paul McCartney ranks as Britain’s richest musician LONDON (AP) — Baby, you’re a rich man. Paul McCartney, who sang that song with The Beatles, is Britain’s richest musician, according to the Sunday Times’ annual list of the country’s wealthiest people. McCartney’s personal fortune grew by $235 million last year to $1 billion, the newspaper reported Friday. That put him No. 1 among musical moguls, but 36th on the full list. The paper didn’t release the name of the wealthiest person overall. The former Beatles worth increased with $200 million inherited from his late wife Linda, who died in 1998. McCartney, 58, also reaped rewards from The Beatles anthology I, which has sold more than 12 million copies. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is ranked second with an estimated fortune of $605 million, and producer Cameron Mackintosh is third with $575 million. In fourth place is Robert Stigwood, producer of musical films including Grease and Saturday Night Fever, worth an estimated $290 million. In fifth place is Chris Wright of Chrysalis Media Group, valued at $275 million. Among rock V roll’s richest are Madonna and her British filmmaker husband Guy Ritchie, valued at $260 million and sixth on the list. ■ Sting takes his ‘Brand New Day* tour to Middle East DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) —Sting opened the Middle East leg of his world “Brand New Day” tour in the tiny Gulf emirate of Dubai as part of a regional swing that also includes Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon. The English superstar, one of the biggest names ever to play in Dubai, began his Middle East tour Thursday evening in the emirate normally known for its world-class hotels and rich horse racing, but not its cultural offerings. “It is something that does not happen too often around here. Whatever we can get on a cultural basis, we take it, because there is not much choice,” said German national and Dubtti resident Sabine Auris, 33. The loudest applause of the evening c;unc when Algerian Rai singer Cltcb Mami joined Sting on sUtgc for their Ar.tbic-English duet “Desert Rose.” Sting travels next to Amm;ut, JortLui, for a concert on Sunday, then to Cairo, Egypt, for a show on . Wednesday.