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THEY SAID IT "Republic ... it means people can live free, talk free, go or come, buy or sell, be drunk or sober, however they choose." Page 9 JOHN WAYNE Monday, April 4, 2005 ACTOR MOVIE REVIEW ‘Woodsman’ investigates taboo topics, relationships “The Woodsman” ★★★★ out of ☆☆☆☆☆ By RYAN DALLAS FOR THE GAMECOCK What happens when a convicted sex-offender and pedophile is released from a 12 year stint in prison? If it’s anything like Nicole Kassell’s adaptation of “The Woodsman,” then the parolee will probably be moving in across the street from an elementary school. In this striking and thought provoking drama, Kevin Bacon plays Walter, a just-released pedophile trying to put his past behind him and get over the urges and impulses that got him in trouble in the first place. Bacon gives one of the most outstanding performances of his career, and it’s a shame mainstream Hollywood overlooked the movie because of its less-than-attractive topic. T-L _ 1 _ I r • ■ r-» x UI1UUUU UdtUII conveys at particular points is startling, especially when these moments occur when Bacon is doing nothing more than sitting in silence. It is through these silences that true insight into Walter is gained. Bacon is able to show the audience a person who struggles with his inner demons every moment of his life. This inner struggle becomes the central focus of the movie — how he fights it, how he tries to recover from it, how he tries to forget it and how others react to it. At work, Walter meets a love interest named Vickie, played by Kyra Sedgwick. She becomes one of only a few characters who are willing to give Walter anything more than the time of day. Problems occur at work when people learn of Walter’s past, but Vickie and Walter’s boss, played by David Allen Grier, defend him. After work, Walter’s day doesn’t get any better when he comes home to his disingenuous brother-in-law, played by Benjamin Bratt, who dangles his sister and niece in front of him so I ♦ Please see WOODSMAN, page 10 Renowned journalist to discuss j how Americans approach their liberty By CARRIE GIVENS ASSISTANT MIX EDITOR Emmy-winning news anchor and author John Stossei will share his ideas Wednesday night at the Roger Center about society’s handling of American liberty as part of his presentation, “Freedom and Its Enemies.” Sponsored by Carolina Productions, Stossei will discuss how Americans inadvertently risk the gifts of freedom by their choices as consumers and citizens. Stossei is co-anchor for the ABC News program “20/20.” He is also the author of the best-seller “Give Me a Break,” a continuance of his weekly TV segment. With 30 years of journalism experience, Stossei has become known for Iris candid reporting aimed at protecting and informing American consumers. As the winner of 19 Emmys, Stossei has reported on topics such as the American free market, corporate- versus federal government-sponsored programs and the effects of mass media on society’s fears. He has worked with renowned journalists Barbara Walters and Elizabeth Vargas. Second-year biology student and Carolina Productions’ Ideas & Issues Commissioner Manish Dave said the Ideas and Issues Commission has been planning the Stossel event since November. Carolina Productions’ Ideas and Issues Commission is responsible for inviting lecturers, politicians and other public speakers to use. Dave said the board aims “to enrich minds of students and to program intellectually stimulating, fun events and to bring lectures that everyone can enjoy.” Stossel not only has name recognition, but is an “icon in the world of American media and journalism,” Dave said. “(Stossel has a) mix of liberal and conservative views. “He won’t polarize or isolate any members of the audience. “The whole goal of Carolina Productions and the Ideas and Issues Commission is to stimulate new ideas and give a new outlook on what you may want to do differently as an American,” Dave said. Dave encourages the entire USC community to attend Stossel’s presentation. “It’s not often that you get to hear an interesting, engaging national leader for free,” he said. Following Stossel’s lecture, there will be a chance to meet Stossel, along with a reception and book/poster signing. The presentation starts at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Koger Center. The event IF YOU’RE GOING WHAT: John Stossel WHERE: Koger Center WHEN: 8 p.m. Wednesday is free for USC students, faculty and staff. Tickets may be picked up at the Russell House information desk before 6 p.m. Wednesday or at the Roger Center after that. Tickets are $ 15 for the general public and are available at the Colonial Center. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc. edu MOVIE REVIEW 4Upside of Anger’ offers optimistic view on life ^-—T||»W.___ PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK Kevin Costner (Denny) plays a retired baseball player who develops a relationship with Terry (Joan Allen) after her husband leaves her. “The Upside of Anger" ★★★★★ out of ☆☆☆☆☆ By MARJORIE RIDDLE FOR THE GAMECOCK Kevin Costner and Joan Allen shine in the poignant but hilarious “The Upside of Anger.” Costner plays Denny Davies, a retired professional baseball player and mediocre radio personality, and Allen stars as Terry Wolfmeyer, a woman enraged by the recent departure of her husband, who supposedly left her for his Swedish secretary. Denny, also a neighbor and family friend of the Wolfmeyers, consoles Terry in her heartbroken state. Terry’s four daughters worsen the devastation of her absent husband by resenting practically everything Terry does. The story unfolds as Terry tries to reconcile her relationships with her daughters, come to terms with the void left by her husband and understand her developing romance with Denny. Each of the four daughters presents her own angst-ridden problems. The oldest, Hadley, played by Alicia Witt, graduates from college, gets married and has a child. Andy, played by Erika Christensen, rebelliously refuses to attend college and becomes a production assistant to Denny’s radio producer Shep. Subsequendy, Andy has an affair with tbe much-older, womanizing Shep. Terry despises Shep from the first time she meets him, and in a riotous scene, she envisions his permanent disappearance from her daughter’s life. Emily, played by Keri Russell, wants to go to college to study ballet, while her mother wants her to attend a more sensible university. Emily also battles an unknown ailment. And the youngest daughter, |H affectionately nicknamed Popeye, played by Evan Rachel Wood, has to deal with an unrequited crush and the usual junior-high pressures. Popeye narrates the film, explaining how her mother was once sweet and considerate, but with her father’s departure, her mother’s tranquil demeanor changes to angry and resentful. The heart-rending conclusion brings the family together in an unexpected way, and they must come to terms with the fact that not everything is as it seems, and in the middle of heartbreak, life has to go on. Costner is moving, funny and unassuming as Terry’s goofy but reliable boyfriend. Costner is no stranger to the part of a baseball player dealing with the end of his career, considering he played similar parts in “Bull Durham” and “For Love of the Game.” But somehow Costner exhibits a deeper humanity as Denny, possibly lending more of himself to his role in “The. Upside of Anger” than he has in most of his previous films. Allen brilliantly portrays Terry’s cycle of emotions, and the audience feels her pain as her life ♦ Please see UPSIDE, page 10 By JENEE OSTERHELDT KRT CAMPUS KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Once upon a rime, jeans were the comfort clothing of choice. They were broken-in, worn down and perfect for Saturday lounging. It used to be all about dress-down Fridays, complete The I red hot BLUE JEAN with jeans and a T-shirt. These days, denim is getting a major upgrade. Fridays, it’s all about taking jeans from the boardroom to a dinner date. In Hollywood, jeans are walking ofF the runway and onto the red carpets. Jennifer Lopez unveiled a $2 million pair at her Sweetface fashion show during New York’s fashion week (the button is a 17 carat diamond). Uma Thurman stole the spotlight at a Louis Vuitton fashion show in Paris earlier this month as she entered wearing a silk ivory-ribbed coat and jeans. And Halle Berry recently admitted to a love affair with Juicy Couture jeans. Vince Flumiani said you can thank everyday people for that. ♦ Please see JEANS, page 11 %