University of South Carolina Libraries
Carolina life 4 The Gamecock Monday, April 23, 1990; The sci-fi f 'Star War My friends and I were sitting around watching the Star Wars trilogy, back to back no less, when I was reminded that they really are the best three science-fiction movies of all time. For those who arc recent immigrants from Mars, the Star Wars scries chronicles the epic adventures of a handful of characters as they resist the evil Emnire. Luke Skywalkcr, Darlh Vadcr and Han Solo, among others, arc still household names to many Americans. 2001: A Space Odyssey is the best movie of all lime, but I think it transcends the sci-fi category. No, for plain old wholesome entertainment, the Star Wars movies cannot be beat. But why do I mention a series of movies that started in 1977? Because, for all the attempts to recreate the magic of Star Wars, no one has even come close. Lord knows George Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars saga, has tried, he nas produced Willow, Labyrinth, and of course Howard the Duck, yet nothing equals the sense of joy and wonder of a light saber duel or the destruction of either Death Star. The Star Wars series worked so well for a variety of reasons: interesting characters, exotic locales, death-defying adventures, great special cllccLs and the best villains in the history of movies. Primarily, however, the series worked because the audience feels that the main characters care about each other. There is genuine chemistry between the actors in these movies, be they humans, Droids or Wookies. The interchange between Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Lcia (Carrie Fisher) is one example. Following an old tradition in It's w- . ? ^<1 616 Harden 5 Points 1 r\^rr-. Gr^rr, iuain Seven days a week 256-0557 -,~:p y\\ s' > \\ ? j- : - W UNIVERSITY CAROLINA , i / />7 y/ J COME BY THE S BOOKSTC AND PR! ONLY ATTEN CAPS A :Before y< the oppor America' AS WILL BE HON orce is with s' trilogy ^*1 DAVID \jJ BOWDEN A At the i Box Office j movies, these two hate each other at first but fall in love at the end. It might seem cliche, but Ford and Fisher deliver. The written word can't adequately describe their exchanges, but most readers probably remember comments such as when Lcia says "I love you," to which Han rcplys, "I know." This is just one of many relationships that are developed mrougn mc picture: Han and Chcwbacca, R2D2 and C3PO, Luke Skywalkcr and Ben Kenobi, Luke and Yoda. What little kid did not cry when Ben Kenobi was killed or when Yoda faded away? The audience must care about the characters themselves before they can care about what they arc doing. And people care about these movies. When I saw Return of the Jedi in the theater, it was the best film-going experience of my life. When the Death Star was destroyed, there was a standing ovation. These movies might never be duplicated. George Lucas had originally planned to make nine Star Wars movies, three separate trilogies, one set before and one after the first series. 1 doubt Lucas will ever., follow through with this plan. If he did make more with the same spirit as the last bunch, it would be incredible. Alas, to quote David Letterman, perhaps that is more excitement than humans should be allowed to have. Dming fjj\ Grand Opening Friday-April 27 ??) Saturday, April 28 Sunday, April 29 Watch for our Specials On Friday Sell the Best Fix the Rest WSSSh STUDENTS! YOU HAVE AN AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVE. OUTH CAROLINA ?RE AT THE CORNE1 MONDAY, TUESDAY APRIL 23rd, 24th, & 25 .VIEW HERFF JONE ' A $20.00 DEPOSIT IS NE TEL. 79S TION SENIORS: GRADl ND GOWNS ARE NOW COME BY AND PURC ou purchase another c tunity to compare the s fastest frowning ch 1 AN ADDKI) INCENTIV1 OREr IN ADDITION TC only one coupon pe All the taste, none < L.A. Gur Hy DENNIS SHEALY Staff Writer Today's popular music scene leaves 1 room for real honest to goodness rock'n'i The few bands that make it usually under the Revlon-dctox, zucchini-downspandcx, take a second to pose glam i gcnrc(i.e. Poison, Warrcnt) or slam-crui bang-bang-bang, neo-classical spe dexterity contest a la Death Angel, Yn? Malmstccn and virtually every artist Shrapnel Records, which is sometii passed off as music. The Los Angeles based band L.A. G manages to walk a fine line between tl extremes and comes out playing nothing hard-based blues rock'n'roll with just eno T'n'A and leather thrown in to attract c the most avid MTV top ten watchers. Once L.A. Guns took the stage Thurs night, there wasn't a head that wasn't t bipg or a foot that wasn't shuffling at Huger Street Concert Hall. Lights flared as the band went into opening bars of "Slap in the Face", and 1 singer Philip Lewis skipped out onto stage to perch himself just out of reach the grabbing hands. Love. Sex. Marriage. Inlaws. N MODERN M LOVE m V jHj.?? 2:15-4:45-7:15-0-45 J C pa thehunTtor ~\ | t J RED OCTOBER m J I 1 No Bargain Day No Passes J \ \ * 00-4 Qo-7 go-tq oo J f I LOVE YOU ,TO DEATH s \ 2:50-5:05-7:20-9:35 R y \ ^c\CA f R OF GREEN AND MAIN , AND WEDNESDAY th; 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM S QUALITY CAROLINA F EDED TO PLACE YOUR ORD >-7406 JATION ANNOUNCEMENTS , AVAILABLE AT SC BOOKS! HASE YOUR'S TODAY! ompany's ring, give yours price and quality of Herff iss ring company!!! E, COMPETITORS' COUPON: ) ALL SALE PRICES DURING :r ring order, please.) , jp ^WSm sp J8P* j|WJ|S|| H&yt jHp9RVM? pp^ RR ^ .. jjjBMBraWpP^^ ^ '^PPT^TOTOtF^of the filler is play at Hi ? Concert ? Review rock nch, The band played just over an hour and a ccj. half, but that was more than enough time for rWic them to dish out some of the meatiest hooks on and juiciest riffs the band-starved Columbia mcs music scene has been hungering for. And to localize the show just a little bit, ;uns the band brought out four of Columbia's lese own beautiful (and extremely firm) lasses in 5ut scanty undergarments (the girls, not the Ugh band) to dance and writhe during one partivcn cularly rocking song. The one low point of the show was the (|ay completely uninspired power ballad "The ,05. Ballad of Jane," which some record company (he executive forced them to write so that they could get a little MTV airplay. Luckily, the (hg band didn't wait for heart-felt sighs, but ingad stead, launched right into their signature call . I r\ Kn/lnmom "M/\ \ ^ /i ? /* i ? " iriC iW llv,uulll3il1) iviKsi^y. , 0f Lead guitarist Tracii Guns'(the "Guns" in Guns'n'Roses) solo showed a feeling and ENAGE MINI INJA TURTLES El With EVFR\ ses no bargain night-PG- fffl tz v en r y y Blood. Progr SSfTt Simple blood "^5S?4/<jXiy if you qualif' 105-3:10-5:20-7:15-9:50 J Ifi ^ K| students. ^ PRETTY WOMAN >i PI " She Hole his heart Hjfl . A RICHARD GERE rjri m M JULIA ROBERTS l?*J El 1 20-4 05-7 15-9 50 V A f W \ no passes S I A 1 ^nII fii^TPoWtA ? D Serologicals 3:10-5:25-7:40-9:45 JMM v.'|| ?- i if ; \> \ > V ' >>. ? k 'g'lV" ' Smai ? n aVU ' i I "HI liffifflSSI st. on Balfi Brain wave! Sjx College Rings s gNGS- $50onl4Kand Have a smart ai AND intelligent offer rORE. I smart to miss 01 .c UNIVE: >el f i ' Jones? s ; this time. ap ^ 1226 Pick Hp mL m A jger Street touch that many of today's guitarist lack, but he payed more homage to Hendrix, Rhodes and Van Halen than he displayed originality. The audience got sort of a treat when original drummer Nicky Alexander filled in for current drummer, Steve Riley (formerly of heavy metal band WASP), who was reported to be sick. Alexander had just joined up with the band a few days before the Columbia show and would be with the band for the next three shows when Riley would be able to join baclc up with his bandmates. Alexander did a remarkable job of playing to have just been back with his former band for a few days. He and bassist Kelly Nickels jelled perfectly together and didn't miss a beat, providing ample rhythm for those in the crowd who wanted to bang heads. L.A. Guns may wear leather but they are not glam. They play heavy but not heavy enough to send them out on tour with Metallica any time soon, but they are one of the best rock'n'roll bands out today, as anyone who was at the show can attest On a final note, their opening act, Hurricane Alice, will probably disappear into obscurity in a few months, those at the show will attest to that, too. MUM $20 PAID ' donation. Plasma & Whole : I t I I l_ I I A. A amo avail iui ail uiuou types. M test is all that is needed to see /. Special bonus program for Serologicals, Inc. 2719 Middleburg Dr. Suite 105 Columbia, S.C. 29204 254-6537 rt / / / mM / / * / up to ? / w )ur Gold College Rings. xial savings on Balfour Gold ping on right now! Save $30 on 10K, $80 on 18K Gold College Rings, lack-hurry in soon! Because this won 7 go on forever, and you re too it! RSITY BOOKSTORE \pril 23, 24, 25 9:00 -4:00 Balfour, sit required < ens St. Suite 5 - 254-5330 1