The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, April 04, 2001, Page 8, Image 8
This Week in USC History
April 4, 1990 — The director of special events announces
that USC will host the annual Special Olympics.
Page 8 Wednesday, April 4, 2001
by Mackenzie Clements
The Gamecock
LOS ANGELES
He’s got every thing the
typical hero should have
— the fair locks, the
chiseled jaw, the husky accent.
And in following Hollywood’s love
for men from Down Under, Heath
Ledger is moviedom’s newest golden
boy.
“As a country, as a culture, we
present new flavors, new spices
underneath tlie characters,” Ledger said
nhnut flip nrpHnminanrp
of Australian action
heroes — Mel Gibson,
Russell Crowe, Hugh
Jackman — in American
films. “It’s a fascination,
I guess.”
Ledger’s first
American role came
opposite Julia Stiles in 10
Things I Hate About You,
a modern remake of
Shakespeare’s Taming of
the Shrew. By wooing
Stiles’ character with a
song-and-dance routine
to “I Neal You Baby,” tlie
then-unknown actor also
wooed Hollywood.
Trying to avoid the
teen-movie genre, he didn’t accept
another role until The Patriot, in wliicli
he starred as Mel Gibson’s headstrong
son.
In addition to a large teenage
following, Ledger’s two movie roles
earned him good reviews.
Hie success lias been overwlielming.
“It’s all new for me, so I don’t
exactly know how I’m going to deal
with that,” Ledger said in an interview
with The Gamecock.
Despite it all, Ledger remains
humble and relatively unintimidated by
liis new star status.
“I know I have to find the comedy
in it and have a good laugh. I think it’s
the only way to deal with it.”
hi his latest movie, A Knight’s Tale,
Ledger has the shirring role as a squire
tumed-knight. Hie cast is largely a group
of British unknowns, so Columbia
Pictures is counting on the weight of
Ledger’s golden-boy status to carry the
movie in the box office. Director Brian
Helgeland, who also wrote the script,
said he chose Ledger for the lead role
because he had something no other
young actor had.
“It’s hard to find any 21-year-old
who has a sense of himself... and he
had that,” Helgeland said.
Ledger credits his family for much
of his success.
“They have the attitudes of
letting tlieir kids grow up and discovering
tilings for themselves, being liappy with
themselves —just being who you are
and being comfortable with who you
are and not wanting or trying to do
anything else but,” Ledger said.
And for someone with no formal
acting training who turns 22 today,
Ledger certainly lias nice
credentials, including two
box-offic.e hits and a
starring role.
“1 was actually
afraid of going to drama
school... of being taken
further and further away
from my instincts,”
Ledger said.
“My college has
been on the set. My
college has been to
watch myself, judge
myself, find mistakes and
fix them.”
Ledger said the
filming of A Knight’s
Tale, which took place
Ill rir^uc, WcO till tlLlUI b
dream.”
“Rehearsals” consisted of the cast
bonding over cheap pitchers of beer,
making the on-screen camaraderie
genuine.
“The set was like a playground
for us all,” Ledger said.
His headlining role didn’t intimidate
him until filming had wrapped.
“I was more intimidated after I made
the movie,” he said, “and saw my
mug on the posters,” which feature a
large headshot of Ledger and the tagline
“He Will Rock You.”
This week, Ledger will return to
Australia to take six months off— he’s
been working for more than a year
straight.
Though lie’s semi-based in Los
Angeles, “If I’m not working [in L.A.],
I’m not needed to be here. I’ll be in
Australia,” Ledger said.
And as for being the latest “It Boy”
in Hollywood, Ledger said, “I just live
my normal life. I don’t dwell on it.”
The spotlight desk can be reached at
gamecockspotlight@hotmail.com
‘My college
has been on
the set. My
college has
been to watch
myself, judge
myself, find
mistakes and
fix them.’
Heath Ledger
Ledger’s Filmography
■ 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) Considered I
Ledgers breakthrough role in America, he played opposite
Julia Stiles in this modem remake of Shakespeare s Taming
of the Shrew.
■ The Patriot (2000) — Ledger waited a year before
accepting this role as Mel Gibson s son, avoiding other roles
in the teen-movie genre.
■ A Knight’s Tale (2001) — edger plays his first I
leading role in this film, scheduled for release May 11.
■ Four Feathers (2001) — Ledger will play a British
officer in this movie, set for release this year.
MOVIE
DIRECTORY
Regal Cinema 7
Richland Mall
748-9044
Chocolat (PG-13)
4:00, 10:00
Enemy at the Gates (R)
1:20,4:20,7:05,10:05
Exit Wounds (R)
12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50
Hearth re akers (PG-13)
1:10,4:10,7:15, 9:55
Pollock (R)
4:15, 7:10, 9:45
Say It Isn’t So (R)
1:30
Spy Kids (PG)
12:40, 2:55, 5:05, 7:20, 9:40
Tomcats (R)
12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:40, 10:10
Traffic (R)
1:00, 7:00
GC Dutch Square 14
Bush River Road
750-3576
15 Minutes (R) 9 20
The Brothers (R)
1:20, 2:10, 4:00, 4:50, 7:00,
7:30, 9:20, 9:50
Down to Earth (PG-13)
1:20, 4:30, 7:30, 9:30
Enemy at the Gates (R)
1:30,4:00,7:00, 9:40
Exit Wounds (R)
2:00, 4:40, 7:20, 9:40
Hannibal (R)
1:00,4:00, 7:00, 10:00
Heartforeakers (PG-13)
1:30, 4:20, 7:10, 10:00
The Mexican (R)
1:40, 4:20, 7:40, 10:10
Say It Isn’t So (R)
1:50,4:30, 7:50, 10:10
See Spot Run (PG)
1:40, 4:10, 7:20
Someone Like You (PG-13)
1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:10, 9:30
Spy Kids (PG)
1:00, 3:10, 5:10, 7:15, 9:15
Tomcats (R)
1:10, 3:10, 5:20, 7:40, 9:50
Traffic (R)
1:10, 4 10, 7:50
Carmike Wynnsong 10
5320 Forest Drive
782-8100
The Brothers (R)
1:15, 1:45, 4:15, 4:45, 7:00,
7:30, 9:15, 9:45
15 Minutes (R)
1:00, 4:15, 7:10, 9:45
Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon (PG-13)
1:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30
Down to Earth (PG-13)
1:45, 4:15, 7:00, 9:20
Get Over It (PG-13)
1:20, 7:15
Hannibal (R)
1:15, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45
The Mexican (R)
1:30, 4:30, 7:15, 9:45
See Spot Run (PG)
1:30, 4:00, 7:10, 9:20
Someone Like You (PG-13)
1:45, 4:30, 7:15, 9:40
Sweet November (PG-13)
4:20, 9:30
Movies at Polo Road
9700 Two Notch Road
788-7818
Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon (PG-13)
3:25, 7:05, 9:30
Down to Earth (PG-13)
3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15
Exit Wounds (R)
3:05, 5:05, 7:05, 9:05
Heartbreakers (PG-13)
3:35, 7:20, 9:45
Say It Isn’t So (R)
7:10, 9:10
See Spot Run (PG)
3:20, 5:20
Someone Like You (PG-13)
3:10, 5:10, 7:10, 9:10
Spy Kids (PG)
3:00, 5:00, 7:00, 9:00
Tomcats (R)
3:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30
St. Andrews Road
Multi Cinemas
527 St. Andrews Road
772-7469
102 Dalmatians (G)
2:40, 5:00
The Emperor’s New Groove
(G)
2:20, 3:50, 5:20, 6:50, 8:20
The Family Man (PG-13)
2:30, 5:10, 7:30
Finding Forrester (PG-13)
7:00
Miss Congeniality (PG-13)
2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00
The Wedding Planner (PG-13)
2:10, 4:10, 6:10, 8:10
Columbiana Grande
1250 Bower Parkway
407-9898
The Brothers (R)
1:45, 2:45,4:00, 5:00, 6:55,
7:55, 9:30, 10:25
15 Minutes (R)
2:10, 4:50, 7:20, 9:55
Cast Away (PG-13)
2:35, 5:30, 8:45
Chocoiat (PG-13)
2:05, 4:40, 7:05, 9:25
Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon (PG-13)
1:40,4:20, 7:30, 10:10
Down to Earth (PG-13)
1:50, 3:45, 7:10, 9:40
Enemy at the Gates (R)
1:30, 4:10, 7:15, 10:00
Get Over It (PG-13)
6:45, 9:00
Hannibal (R)
1:55, 4:55, 7:35, 10:15
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
(PG-13)
2:00, 4:30, 6:50, 9:20
Recess: School’s Out (G)
2:40, 4:45
See Spot Run (PG)
2:15, 5:20, 7:25, 9:35
Someone Like You (PG-13)
1:35, 2:20, 3:50, 5:10, 7:00,
7:45, 9:15, 10:15
Car mike Cinemas 14
122 Afton Court
781-3067
3000 Miles to Graceland (R)
2:00, 4:30, 7 00, 9:30
Exit Wounds (R)
1:00, 4:00, 7:30, 9:45
Finding Forrester (PG-13)
1:00, 4:15, 7:00, 9:45
Heartbreakers (PG-13)
1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:45
Malena (R)
2:00, 4:30, 7:30, 9:30
The Mexican (R)
2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30
Miss Congeniality (PG-13)
1:45, 4:15, 7:00, 9:15
Save the Last Dance (PG-13)
1:30, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30
Say It Isn’t So (R)
1:45, 4:00, 7:30, 10:00
Shadow of the Vampire (R)
1:30, 4:00, 7:15, 9:30
Spy Kids (PG)
1:15, 4:00, 7:15, 9:30
Tomcats (R)
1:00, 4:00, 7:30, 9:30
Traffic (R)
1:15, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45
The Wedding Planner (PG-13)
1:30,4:15, 7:15, 9:30
Nickelodeon Theatre
937 Main St.
254-3433
Water Drops on Burning
Rocks (NR)
7:00, 9:30
What’s Happening
Wednesday, April 4
Live Music
Blue Martini Skipp Pearson and
Jazzology
Decisions Muddy Quarters
Delaney's Kenny Floyd
Dianne’s on Devine Ross Holmes
Elbow Room Robert Bradley s
Blackwater Surprise, Bare Jr.
Mac’s on Main Mac s Jazz Showcase
Road Runner’s Open jam w/Steve
Kemp
USC School of Music Recital Hall
Computer Music Concert
Performino Arts
Newberry Opera House Snoopy: the
Musical
Karaoke
ley’s Karaoke
Ladybug City Afro-oke w/Doc & Lady
Tee
Legends Karaoke w/Ken Martin
McCaty’s Karaoke
Opening Break Headline Karaoke
Ramada Inn West Laser Karaoke
w/John Ringo Jackson
Rooster's Den Karaoke w/Tootie
Rock Vickie s Karaoke Contest
Sandra’s Rick and Tina s Karaoke
Dance, DJs and Miscellaneous
Art Bar NUVIBE
Bottoms Up Holly Montana
Crocodile Rocks Ladies Night
Eddy Ho’s Pool Tournament
Merlin’s DJ Cotton Talent Contest
Rafters Temptation Island College Night
Road Runner's Ladies Night
Tavern on the Greene Listening Party
Thursday, April 5
Uve Music
Elbow Room Battle of the Bands
Decisions The D. B. Bryant Band
Delaney’s Kenny Floyd
Mac’s on Main Jamfest
Roadrunners Rick Stevens and Open
Mic Night
In The News
■ Mighty Mouse to star
in ‘Power of Cheese’ ad
LOS ANGELES (AP) - It ’s been
a long time since Mighty Mouse first
uttered those memorable words, “Here
I come to save the day!”
Now, the nearly 60-year-old
cartoon rodent has been yanked from
retirement to promote — what else?
— cheese.
In the “Ahh, The Power of
Cheese” television commercial
debuting April 9, the invincible
superhero “caves to the crave” for
cheese before saving the day — and
singing his trademark song. Print ads
will follow later this month.
Isadore Klein created Mighty
Mouse for Terry toons in 1942. Comic
books came out four years later,
followed by the Mighty Mouse
television cartoons in 1955. The
rodent retired in 1971 when
Terryloons shut its doors.
■ VH1 Divas to honor
queen of R-E-S-P-E-C-T
NEW YORK (AP) —Mary J
Blige, Marc Anthony and Jill Scott
will be among the artists to give a little
R-E-S-P-E-C-T to Aretha Franklin at
VHl’s fourth annual Divas celebration
on April 10.
The concert will be broadcast live
from Radio City Music Hall. Franklin
will sing, but her only duet of the
evening will be with rap-rocker ;uid
fellow Detroit native Kid Rock.
Janet Jackson will be a special
guest. Other performers scheduled for
the evening include members of the
Backstreet Boys mid actresses from
HBO’s The Sopranos.
VH1 ’s Divas specials raise money
for the Save the Music Foundation, a
nonprofit orgmiization designed to
boost music education in schools.
Since 1997, the group has donated
more than $10 million worth of
instruments to 530 schools in 40 cities.