University of South Carolina Libraries
IEtc) W presents ) \\ / ^ 4i j| vMrn^mm -*^4, & i3mi8i& * Simon Birch (Ian Michael Smith shares ice cream with his friend J LIGHTS! CAMERA! REACTION! SIMON BIRCH (out of five stars) Simon Birch was the smallest delivery ever recorded in the history of Gravestown Memorial Hospital. The doctors proclaimed him a miracle, and ever since, he's been quick to remind anyone who forgets. Simon is certain he's eoine to be a hero . . . he's iust not sure how. His destiny becomes linked to that of his best friend Joe after a tragic high foul ball. Starring Ian Michael Smith, Oliver Piatt and Ashley Judd. Written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson, suggested by the novel KA Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving. gamecock critic EMILIE GREENE icicif According to the credits, "Simon Birch" is "suggested by" John Irving's novel "A Prayer for Owen Meany," but Elbow Room up Blue Plate staff writer BECKY MCCLELLAN Are you tired of the same old lunch routine? Do you love live music? Are you short on money? If you answered ^es to tnese questions, tnen come out at 12:30 p.m. to the Russell House Patio on Thursdays to check out the Blue Plate Special. Sponsored by the Elbow Room and Carolina Productions, the Blue Plate Special is a concert series showcasing local bands from around the Southeast. Seven bands are participating, with one performing each week through Oct. 15. The bands involved with the Blue Hate Special come to Columbia to perform at the Elbow Room on Thursday nights, but arrive early to play a free show for the USC campus during lunch. "It's a taste of what's going on at the Elbow Room," said Vance McNabb, Elbow Room owner. "It also gives students who are involved with Carolina Productions a chance to organize a concert event." The Sept. 3 show featuring the Mellow Blue Marsh Band canceled because of rain, so the concert series commenced on Sept. 10 with The Marvelous 3 from Atlanta. They attracted students to . ?~M ^ m 9/24 SMNGNGHTI 9/25 JOLENE W 9/26 SPIDERMOH 0/90 ooTDira ni |u/lu nimmrPT E SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK ), a small boy with big dreams, oe Wenteworth (Joseph Mazello). reportedly, Irving himself was so dissatisfied with the outcome of the movie that he refused any involvement. I do not doubt for a moment that the novel is far superior, as almost all books are, to its film version. I, however, have not read the book, and I enjoyed the movie immensely jn and of itself. Perhaps one of the strongest points in the movie's favor is its appropriate casting. Ashley Judd's performance surpasses any of her recent work, and Oliver Piatt proves with depth and candor that he can be more than just a comic character actor. Ian Michael Smith is a compelling Simon-rarely sentimental and never melodramatic. However, despite the fact that Smith has the title role, the most impressive cast member is Joseph Mazello as Simon's friend Joe. Both Mazello's character and his portrayal are authentic and above all, mature. There are several instances when either the film or the actor could rely on standard movie cliches particularly after the death of Joe's mother?but neither fall into the trap. Joe is a 12-year-old faced with more , CP serves j Special their show with an energetic performance of tossing guitar picks and entertaining stage choreography.' Last week, Charlotte's Come On Thunderchild took the stage at the Russell House playing a classic style rock. They opened for The Derek Trucks Band at the Elbow Room that night. "The Elbow Room has been very supportive of us out of town," band member John Morris said. "As far as the kind of hospitality an out of town band can receive, it's unprecedented." Come On Thunderchild also performed in Columbia when they opened up for Sister Hazel at the Carolina Coliseum on Sept. 4. "They have a good sound, but I wish the concert at the Patio was more publicized," junior Dorian DelPriore said. If you missed the first two performances, you still have four more to go. The upcoming bands include Seven Foot Politic, Urban Grind, Albert Hill and Hello Dave. Come out to the Russell House Patio around noon, get some food and find a seat by the stage to eat and listen to some live music?and best of all, it's free! You can catch the bands again at the Elbow Room that night. Anyone 18 and older is welcome'. J*v\" V/ SEVEN FOOT POUTIG ROBBIE FULKS IKEY WIS GROUP :no than one tragedy, and Mazello performs even the most complicated scenes with admirable simplicity and realism. Some of the strength of the acting has to be, at least in part, due to the script, which is well-written for the most part. However, there are a few problems. Jim Carrey appears in the first^nd last scenes in an unadvertised cameo, which is more of a distraction than an asset. He also provides the voiceovers, which are unnecessary and consequently annoying. The acting and writing within the scenes are conscientious enough already. Further explanations through voiceovers seem entirely too obvious. A few scenes are also more contrived than the rest of the film, like a Christmas pageant sequence which unsuccessfully attempts slapstick comedy in an already moving drama. Still, the acting and writing in "Simon Birch" overcome these imperfections. Though flawed, the movie remains remarkably sincere. As a whole, the film moves the audience while provoking thought about family, friendship and most importantly, faith. gamecock critic BRIAN MARTIN irkirk "Simon Birch" is a story about faith and destiny and how a really little kid tries to make sense out of all of it. Oh, and he's homy, too. This film is also the first for Ian Michael Smith, and it's an impressive debut. As the exceptionally small Simon, Smith provides an intelligent character. One can't help feeling sorry for him as he faces his many obstacles. Simon courses with pure honesty, and this is what frequently gets him into trouble. As said before, he's homy. However, he portrays his character, who believes he is on a mission from God, with such conviction that, although he almost sounds I r>. ruppci m "It : % ^jfffint' <#^ Ruth Nettles THE G Senior journalism major D'Ambrose as Eddie in last year's Horror Picture Show" will be co-d this year. LOTTERY SEPTEM LOTTERY SEPTEM Priority Reservations L 2nd Floor Lobby Russell! September 30, 1998 9 a.m. - 1st Ballroom 10 a.m. - 2nd Ballroorr For more information, contact the 1 Office at 777-7127 or sjpp by Russc ORJ crazy, you just can't help but believe him. The film is less a story about Simon Birch and more a film about the people he interacts with and the lives he touches. Cast highlights include both David Strathairn as the troubled Rev. Russell and Oliver Piatt as Ben Goodrich, the suitor of Ashley Judd's character. Both deliver strong performances. Strathairn is wonderful as a priest who often seems to find himself confused by the implications of his faith. And Piatt, who has been seen this year in such films as "Bulworth" and "Doctor Doolittle," plays a very different kind of character as the caring and nurturing Goodrich, further proving his versatility as an actor. That's not to undermine the rest of the cast, which does a fantastic job as well. Joseph Mazello, who is probably best remembered as Tim, the kid who threw up in the juggernaut "Jurassic Park," has finally landed in a dramatic role, as Simon's best friend Joe. He begins to show a maturity in his acting. Ashley Judd is radiant, as usual, as his single mother. The cast also features a barely recognizable Jan Hooks as the overbearing Sunday school teacher Miss Leavey, as well as a special appearance by Jim Carrey, who provides narration as the older version of Joe. The characters are endearing, and so is the story. Despite some very predictable plot elements, such as the revelation about Joe's father, the story still delivers surprises. Just as you think you know where Simon's mission is leading him, the film takes an abrupt turn and ends in a totally different way. The film truly touches something inside the viewer, which more than makes up for the totally cliched final scene featuring Carrey and his son (who is, incidentally, played by Joseph Mazello's brother). igime ann staff writer MARTHA WRIGH USC's Puppet Regime, a s organization of thespians ar ater afiqonados, agreed last W day to put on four different for the fall season. The group will present performance of the "Rocky I Picture Show" at 11 p.m. at th sell House Theater on Oi through 30. In the tradition production, members of the F Regime will reprise their rc uber-nerds Brad and Janet ai sweetest of transvestites, Fra "Getting a lot of peopl closed space is kind of what yV about," said senior Ralph! I Later in the season they planned tentatively on "All Timing," a play based on im sational theater games; "U ground Lovers," an experim play that revolves around li the subway; and "Heads: A munist Love Stoiy," written by AMECocx Compton, an American Uni Ralph ty student. Compton is a fri< "Rocky senior Ah Freeman, who is i lirecting president of the Puppet Re Rus m Wi DDIflDITV I. Ilr. rniumi i i. uii (See Definitioi HQ PRIORITY II: Cs jmLM] (See Definitioi PRIORITY III: R ,, (See Informat ber 30 rrr'v (Academic De ottery organizations House NOTE: Acaden Qate (See Definitioi t Date **Lottei Because of the high Reservations to ensure equitable d :I1 House 218. of demand is for Bal rcscrvable rooms in \ "Simon Birch" probably won't break any box office records, but it is a significant film that will doubtlessly be looked upon, and learned from, for decades to come. gamecock critic JAMIE BOWMAN Vg As if being 12 years old isn't hard enough, imagine being afflicted with dwarfism, having parents that wish you d never been born and being the cause of death of your best friend's mother (Ashley Judd). For Simon Birch (Ian Michael Smith) this was a harsh reality. The movie is set in Gravestown, Maine and begins with an older Joe Wentworthe (Jim Carrey) visiting his best friend Simon's grave. The plot builds up through a series of cliched life lessons and depicts society's cruel and insensitive ways through the eyes of the two outcasts. The part of Simon is played with a clever wit in combination with a series of one-liners that play off his frail size. Ian Michael Smith gives a strong performance. His character is well developed, but the others seem weakly thrown together. Throughout the film, Simon makes references to the idea that "God has a plan for us all." Simon's search for heroism and redemption parallels Joe's search for his father, a secret that his mother took with her when she died. In regards to "A Prayer For Owen Meany," the film is basically a loose spin-off of Chapter 1, but there are classic moments that shouldn't be missed: the softball game, the armadillo and the dreaded conclusion. Had I not read the book prior to watching the film, I would have enjoyed it a lot more. As it stands, the movie is worth seeing and there are a few tear-provoking scenes that stay with you long after the movie has ended. ounces fal T tudent "Getting a lot of j id the- space is kind of's eanesshows a live "Rocky lorror e Rus- All the plays the group select* ct. 29 were suggested by members of tl of this Puppet Regime. Wendy Mauri uppet said she recommended the play "U les as derground Lovers" because of tl tid the variety and number of unusual cha mk-N- acters roaming the subway statio In one scene, a row of people wi e in a masks on backwards is facing aw: Rock- from the audience. Then the peop D'Am- are encountered by the protagonis "They're strangers until 1 r have brings their faces out," Mauritz sai in the The Puppet Regime elected i: provi- coming officers during the Wedne nder- day meeting. Kyle Stevens ar Lental Wendy Mauritz were voted co-pre eve in idents. Kerry Doherty is incomir C om- vice president, Sarah Hammond Chris treasurer and Emily Davidson versi- secretary. These officers will sen end of after shadowing the current ofl acting cers. gime. The group also addressed son issues that will affect theater i sell House Univ Priority Reserva January to Jul iversity Wide Event n Art norruc in.i 7d in th* r LA Vf II pClgVt3 A Jmt ~ A Smf~w Alt inv v irolina Productions i on page 124 in the Caroli egistered Student Organizal ion below for times for the ither partments or Administrati as designated in the Caroli lie Space will not be reserve! 1 on pages 123-124 in the Ca ry September 30** Lottery demand for room usage in the Russell H listribution of spaee to registered studeni lroom reservations, however, the lottery ihe Russell House. NatureSpace, throughout September, South Carolina State Museum. Admission fee required. For more information, call (803) 898-, 4921. "Mexican Masks of the 20th Century: A Living Tradition," through Nov. 8, McKissick Museum. For more information, call (803) 777 7251. Mexican Mask Fiesta (held in conjunction with opening of Mexican Mask exhibition), 7-9 p.m., Sept. 24, McKissick Museum. Free admission for members; $5 for nonmembers. Seven Foot Politic, 12:30 p.m., Sept. 24, Elbow Room. "A Stranger In This Country" (the Scottish-American ballad and song connection), 7:30 p.m., Sept. 25, Unitarian Universadist Fellowship. For ticket information, call (803) 799-1746. Carolina MusicFest '98, Sept. 2526, uptown Charlotte. For ticket information, call (704) 522-6500. Celine Dion (with special guest Andre-Philippe Gagnon), 8 p.m., Sept. 27, Charlotte Coliseum. For ticket information, call (704) 522-6500. "Odyssey" by the Aquila Theatre, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 29, Roger Center. $15 adults, $8 students. "West Side Story," through Oct. 3, Town Theatre. For ticket information, call (803) 799-2510. "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," through Oct. 4, Longstreet Theatre. For more information, call (803) 7772552. I season people in a closed vhat 'Rocky's' about." Ralph D'Ambrose Horror Picture Show" cast member jd USC. Jim Hunter, adviser for the le theater departm ent, brought up the tz administration's plans to build a n- new performance facility in the basele ment of the Booker T. Washington ir- auditorium. The stage will be availn. able for use around September 1999. th Hunter also suggested off-stage ay plays to increase the group's visile bility. st. Another issue concerning the le group was practice space. Junior d. Lindsay Wray offered up a solution n- to scheduling conflicts, s- "We've taken our roots through id student government. That's s- where we need to start," Wray said, lg "If you want to go to a poweris ful person to get space, you need to is go straight to administration," Ali re Freeman said. i- For more information about Puppet Regime, call the USC theater le department at 777-4288. it ersity Union itions for ly 1999 September 25,1998 arolina Community) September 28,1998 ina Community) tions September 30,1998 Lottery on Sept. 30,1998) October 2,1998 ve Units or other student na Community, page 124) d until January 25,1999 xolina Community) September 30** louse a "lottery" system is used t organizations. The highest level system will apply to all