University of South Carolina Libraries
mi ©amecocR ssm . a ‘Billy Elliot’ dances into hearts by Chris Wright The Gamecock ft ft ft ft OUT OF , ft ft ft ft Unlike a good deal of modem day films filled with special effects, pro filed actors and altogether overdone Hollywood productions, Universal Pic tures’ “Billy Elliot,” directed by Stephen Daldry, promises to be some thing different from a young protago nist’s energetic entry to the silver screen. It’s unfortunate, but so many films today try to compensate for a weak plot by glossing over this ‘minor der tail’ with computer animation and some A-list actors, in hopes the viewing au dience will somehow overlook such a glaring flaw. “Billy Elliot” doesn’t take this route. It’s a touching story of a young boy’s search for self-identity. While at a boxing lesson, Billy be gins watching a ballet class going on in thd same club. After a bit of hesi tation, he decides to try ballet. Showing natural potential that can’t be taught, young Billy decides to pur sue his newfound talent. Billy’s wid owed and sometimes abusive father and equally repressed brother are less than supportive of Billy’s “sissy behavior.” With a cross-dressing, gay best friend, Billy’s father and brother are very critical about Billy’s seemingly feminine tendencies. Billy retorts, “It’s not just for poofs, y’know.” Set in the early 1980s in a small coal-mining town in northern England, young Billy soon finds that one’s dreams are not always easy to obtain. Faced with the struggles of a coal miner strike, Billy and his family must endure the hardships of poverty; the addition of Billy’s new interest in bal let adds even more strain. Billy is faced with the decision of either obeying the blunt and uncar ing demands of his father and brother to look after his senile grandmother and stop the “sissy ballet,” or follow ing his dreams. A moving story of difficult self discovery in a very close-minded town, “Billy Elliot” is directed with a sim ple yet truthful style that many direc tors today have lost sight of. The performances of Jamie Bell as Billy and Julie Waters as his balle,t instructor, Mrs. Wilkinson, are very convincing and portray the story well. The fact that fairly unknown ac tors were used in this film adds to its believability. Gary Lewis (Billy s fa ther), Stuart Wells (Michael), Adam Cooper (the 25-year-old Billy) and Jamie Draven (Tony) are also actors whose talents haven’t reached Hol lywood “big name” recognition — at least not yet. However, by not having the bag gage normally associated with big name actors, the audience is free to view the movie with an open mind and think about it without having the problem of going, “Oh, I remember him/her from that other movie.” As quoted from Universal’s Web site (www.billyelliot.com), “Inside everyone of us is a special talent wait ing to come out. The trick is finding it.” I couldn’t agree more. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlight@hotmail.com. Giles Keyte Special to The Gamecock Billy Elliot searches for self identity as a male ballet dancer. Whalum wails with a new jazz sound by Andrew Higginbotham The Gamecock The Kirk Whalum CD, “Uncondi tional,” is a fresh new take on modem jazz. His saxophone styling is phenome nal, and that’s not just lip service. Every song is filled with complexity I and precision of performance, something missed by many performers in this genre. The CD itself is an eclectic mix of tra dition and modem pop. This is especial ly true of original compositions like “Groverworked & Underpaid,” which got this jaded music listener’s toe tapping as Whalum mixes jazz sax with a scat-like dance beat. In other words, this one is a great fusion of old and new. And for those of you newbies who don’t listen to the blues classics, Whalum has also record ed his versions of some pop tunes, like “God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You” of *NSYNC fame. As a whole, this is a definite buy. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspottight@hotmail.com. Tsar disappoints listeners by Erin O’Neal The Gamecock -&■& OUT OF ☆ ☆ ☆ To add another band to an already overcrowded pink ‘n’ frilly power-pop music scene is a crying shame. Color me surprised. Okay, so Tsar’s members have obviously gotten in touch with their feminine sides, evident by their orange leather pants and lipstick, but what do they have to offer listeners other than their flashy, teenie-bopper fashion sense? Answer—a 10-track, self-titled romp through the world of optimistic, pre-pu bescent fluff, complete with annoyingly catchy lyrics and upbeat melodies. Tsar has managed to incorporate the profitable characteristics of Smashing Pumpkins, Goo-Goo Dolls and Britney Spears in one foul swoop, resulting in the ultimate mainstream, radio-friendly al- ' bum. Without making it pathetically ob vious, this California quartet has drawn from all these bands while somehow maintaining a sound that’s virtually im possible to nail down. Nevertheless, those with weak stom achs, beware. There’s enough pandering to pre-teen pop tastes in this record to make even N’Sync gag. Well, maybe. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotfight@hotma0.com. -1 ■ ■ " ' I Movie Times Carmike Wynnsong 10 5320 Forest Drive, 782-8100 * The Contender (PG-13) 1:30, 4:15,7:00, 9:45 Dr. T & the Women (R) 1:30,7:00 The Exorcist (R) 1:15,4:15,7:00, 9:45 Get Carter (R) 4:30, 9:45 Ladies Man (R) 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:15, 11:30 Legend of Drunken (R) 2:00,4:30, 7:15,9:30, 11:45 Lost Souls (R) 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:30, 11:45 Pay it Forward (PG) 2:00, 4:30, 7:00,9:15, 11:30 Red Planet (PG-13) 1:30, 4:00, 7:30,9:45, 11:45 What Lies Beneath (PG-13) 1:30, 7:30,10:15 Columbiana Grande Stadium Cinemas 1250 Bower Parkway, 407-9898 Almost Famous (R) 2:05, 4:50, 7:20,10:00 Bedazzled (PG-13) 1:05,3:30, 5:40, 7:55, 10:15 Best in Show (PG-13) 1:00,3:10, 5-20 7-15 9-20 Billy Elliot (R) 1:55, 5:00, 7:15, 9:20,9:25,11:45, Book of Shadows (R) 2:00, 4:30, 7:35,9:30, 11:45 Bring It On (PG-13) 1:05, 3:20, 5:30, 7:45,9:55 The Exorcist (R) 1:00,3:45,6:30, 9:10,11:50 Legend of Bagger Vance (PG 13) 1:15,4:00, 6:50,7:30, 9:25, 10:15, Little Nicky (PG-13) 1:00, 2:10, 3:15,4:45,5:25,7:10 7:40,9:20 Lucky Numbers (R) 1:20, 4:35, 7*00 9*35 Men of Honor (R) 1:10,3:50,7:05, 9:45 Pay it Forward (PG-13) 1:25,4:10, 6:55, 9:40 Dutch Square 14 800 Bush River Road, 750-3576 Bedazzled (PG-13) 1:50, 4:40, 7:50, 10:10 Blair Witch Project 2 (R) 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:40, 10:00 Charlie’s Angels (PG-13) 1:00, 2:00,3:10, 4:10,5:20, 7:05, 9:20, 10:00 Little Nicky (PG-13) 1:00, 2:50, 3:30,4:50, 5:30 7:20,8:00, 9:20, 10:10 Little Vampire (PG) 1:10, 3:50, 6:00 Legend of Bagger Vance (PG 13) 1:10, 4:10,7:10, 10:00 Lost Souls (R) 8:00, 10:10 Meet the Parents (PG-13) 1:50, 4:30, 7:30, 9:50 Men of Honor (R) 1:30,4:20,7:00, 9:40 Pay it Forward (PG-13) 1:15,4:00, 7:15,9:50 Red Planet (PG-13) 1:40,2:10, 4:20,5:00, 7:10,9:30,10:10 Remember the Titans (PG) 1:40, 4:00, 7:00, 9:30 Regal Cinema 7 • Richland Mall Rooftop, 748-9044 Book of Shadows (R) 8:00,10:10 Charlie’s Angels (PG-13) 12:15, 2:30, 4:40, 7:20, 10:00 Legend of Bagger Vance (PG 13) 1:00, 4:20,7:10,9:55 Little Nicky (PG-13) 12:30,2:40, 4:45, 7:30, 9:45 Little Vampire (PG) 1:55, 4:00, 6:05 Meet the Parents (PG-13) 1:45, 4:10,7:05,9:40 Men of Honor (R) 12:45, 4:00, 7:00, 9:50 Remember the Titans (G) 1:15, 4:05,7:15,9:35 Nickelodeon Main at Pendleton, 254-3433 Native American Film Festival I VOTE online on vvp.sc.edu November 13-17 www.sa.sc.edu/searchfor6 Celebrate the University of South Carolina Bicentennial Sixty-four individuals have been nominated. Students, you vote on one in each category. It is your decision to select the ones who most embody the Carolinian Creed. The six categories are: • Alumni • Art & Entertainment, Pop Culture, & Sports • Business & Industry, Science, Technology, & Medicine • Education, Literature, & Media • Politics, Law, World Figures, & Government • Religion use BICENTENNIAL WRHA MOVIE TIMES Monday, Nov. 13 2 p.m,: “The Crow” 5 p.m.: “American Psycho” 8 p.m.: “Rules Of Engage ment” 11 p.m.: “The Waterboy” 2 a.m.: “The Crow” Tuesday, Nov. 14 2 p.m.: “High Fidelity” 5 p.m.: “Arlington Road” 8 p.m.: “Pitch Black” 11 p.m.: “U-571” 2 a.m.: “High Fidelity” With our staff of experienced travelers, a global network of offices, great prices, ticket flexibility and a ton of travel services, we know first-hand what it takes to put together a mind-blowing trip... |travel| I 800.777.0112 p ISIBBMBBilMBBBBBglBW Find the Best Price on New and Pre-Owned Hondas www.rickhendrickhonda.com HONDA 791-5660 1650 Airport Boulevard • West Columbia, SC 291/ mm|3B3r Summer in Paris 2001 ; 25% off ! i Film Developing | i 1 One Hour Color • One Hour Slide Processing | | B&W Enlargements • Kodak Picture Maker . . Digital Services • Portrait Studio ■ Offer Good On One Roll Of 35mm Print I Film. Student Discounts Or Other expires , Coupons Excluded._ . 11/27/2000 Why are you missing out? www.FreeMarie.com