Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE GAMECOCK ♦ Monday, January 28, 2002 5 f CONTACT US - THEY SAID IT Story ideas? Questions? Comments? EMERSON: “Enthusiasm is E-mail us at gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com the mother of effort.” . 1 ■ - ■ ■■ ..—1 - - - ■■■■ - - 1 - -- - -^--— - — BY ASHLEY VAUGHAN THE fiAMECOCK Carolina Productions, the campus organization that pro vides entertainment for stu dents, is planning events for the spring semester. “I’m excited about a new se mester of programs and having some new leaders on board... We’ve also got a really good movie selection,” said Mike Duncan, director of student ac tivities. “I’m really excited about the movie schedule this semester,” said Tug Baker, Carolina Productions’ cinematic arts commissioner. “We have a lot of sneak previews coming up, and the regular movie schedule has something for everyone.” There will be a sneak pre view of “Slackers” tonight at 8 p.m. in the Russell House Theater, and on Tuesday, a pre view of a Nine Inch Nails taped concert win De snown at a p.m. Although well-known for showing popular films, Carolina Productions supplies many oth er types of amusement as well, including the Late Night Comedy Series. As a continua tion of this series, comedian Adam “Ace” Burger will appear at the Russell House Theater on Friday at 11 p.m. “I think that the Late Night Comedy Series has the poten tial to be really great,” said Scott Sowell, special programs commissioner. Sowell is espe cially anticipating the perfor mance of Mitch Fatel. “He’s been on David Letterman and Jay Leno. He’s supposed to be a riot,” Sowell said. Fatel will bring his New Yorker antics to the stage March 1, and Sowell thinks there couldn’t be a bet ter time for comedy. “With all of the stuff that’s going on in the world, we need something to take our minds off of it. We need to sit back and laugh,” he said. For students who would rather be sipping java, the Christian Coffeehouse series also returns this semester. On Feb. 21, singers/guitarists Derek Webb (from Caedman’s Call) and Sandra McCracken will start off the series in the Russell House Ballroom at 10 p.m. “We’re cosponsoring it with the Shandon Student Ministry... and there will be an other coffeehouse series in March,” Sowell said. Also in the works for this se mester is an Academy Awards event in which students can watch the telecast together. “It’s not final, but we’re going to try to bring that back,” said Brandon Szmidt, traditional events commissioner. Students can also look forward to some concerts later in the semester. “We plan on doing some thing in March and April, but we haven’t figured out what artist is in our price range,” said Josh Terry, concerts com missioner. “We hope to do a na tional show with bands that are on the radio - big name bands, the ones you see on MTV ... It will be nothing outrageous be cause we don’t have that much money, but we hope to get a band that the community is fa miliar with rather than region al bands, which we’ve done in the past.” There is also the Last Lecture Series, with Nicholas Vazsonyi speaking on Feb. 1. Dr. Jocelyn Elders, the former surgeon gen eral under Bill Clinton, is visit ing the campus Feb. 27. “That’s an exciting event for us,” Duncan said. Carolina Productions prides itself on providing the types of entertainment students want, and the entire staff is open to suggestions. “We don’t want to plan programs that just we want; we want to do what the students want,” Sowell said. “That’s our main focus.” Duncan agrees. “We’re here to add to the col lege experience,” he said. Carolina Productions surveys stu dents and encourages them to have a voice about the programs. “If stu dents have suggestions, they can come by the office, room 235 in the Russell House,” Duncan said. “Each commissioner has a mailbox. They can talk to us directly or e-mail us from our Web site.” The Web site is http://www.sa.sc.edu/cp. If a student really wants to become involved, he or she can join Carolina Productions. “It’s open to any graduate or under graduate student in good standing,” Duncan said. Movie Schedule (ALL MOVIES START AT 8 P.M. IN THE _ RUSSELL HOUSE THEATER) Jan 30,31, Feb 1 - The Hurricane Feb 6,7,8- The Others Feb 13,14,15 - Serendipity Feb 20,21,22 - Rosewood Feb 27, 28, March 1 - Mulholland Drive March 6,7,8- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone March 20, 21,22 - Vanilla Sky. March 27,28,29 - Princess Mononoke April 3,4,5- Ocean’s 11 April 10,11,12-Ali__ __ _ April 17,18,19-Not Another Teen Movie April 24, 25,26 - The Royal Tenenbaums Carolina Productions sponsors concerts by favorite regional acts [like Jump, Little Children. PHOTOS SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK CP also sponsored hypnotist Michael Anthony, and later the Hgerburn at the State (Fairgrounds before the USC Clemson football game. ♦ The Gamecock WANTS and NEEDS you this Valentine’s Day! ♦ SEND US THE STORY OF YOUR WORST VALENTINE’S DAY EXPERIENCE, AND WE WILL RUN THE MOST HORRIFYING ON WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13. Stories must be 100-200 words typed with name, phone number and e-mail address, and are due by Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. They can be e-mailed to gamecockmixeditoi@hotmail.com or dropped off at RH 333. CD REVIEW * Ivy’s music in a league of its own LONG DISTANCE Ivy BY PEKKY MARQUEZ THE GAMECOCK While listening to Ivy, one tends to think that the band is from Europe instead of New York (except for singer Dominique Durand, who is French). Durand, along with her husband, Andy Chase, and Adam Sclessinger have always had an exquisite pop sound and melancholy lyrics that bring to mind maie pop group Stereolab. But in their latest, less guitar-driven work, “Long Distance,” it wouldn’t be out of context to compare them to such groups like French duo Air, The Cardigans, Black Box Recorder and Mono. But make no mistake, Ivy has its own sound. Ivy has been around for quite a while. The band formed in 1993, and in 1994, it released its first EP, “Lately.” This EP and the subsequent 1995 LP, “Realistic,” got the attention of the British and American indie press. “Realistic” was mostly composed of guitar-driven pop songs adorned with the breezy voice of Durand, and recalls The Beatles and Velvet Underground. In 1998, Ivy released the acclaimed “Apartment Life,” an album that continued in the same vein of “Realistic” but with a more mellow, compelling sound. After a long break extended by the burning down and relocation of the band’s studio and the birth of Chase and Durand’s daughter, Ivy finally Released its charming album “Long Distance.” This album is less guitar driven than the band’s earlier work, yet it has a more mature sound without losing its pop sensibility. The songs in this album are catchy pop songs with all the necessary ingredients combined in adequate doses. The melodies continue to be accessible and even a little more kitsch than those in the rest of their work, but they’re definitely more mature. Also, the brilliant collaborations of James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) and trumpeter Eric Matthews make for an album that is melancholy, yet warm and inviting. Completing the excellence are lyrics about relationships growing colder and falling apart. These lyrics are very well managed and chillingly interpreted by Durand’s sensual voice. The highlights of this album include the knavish “Disappointed,” the melancholy “Worry About You,” the bossa nova-esque “Let’s Stay Inside” and the Stereolab-esque “Midnight Sun.” In short, Ivy is walking the right path. They promise to give a lot to 21st century music. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockmixeditortg.Jiotmail.com WEB REVIEW Surfing for tickets FANDANGO http://www.fandango.com ★★★★outof***&* BY JENNIFER BIRD THE GAMECOCK In today’s technologically advanced society, Internet surfers can do anything from finding a lost relative to purchasing simple items online. Fandango.com lets movie seekers pre-purchase their movie tickets online to guarantee the simplest purchasing process possible. This technology is still trying to pave the way to the future and slowly is prospering in America’s major cities. But is this advancement more trouble than it’s worth? When customers first enter the Web site, movie ads and bright colors greet their eyes. To begin the process, customers first select a movie and enter a zip code. Not all movie theaters support this new wave of ticket purchasing; many still rely on the traditional box-office method. Only two theaters in Columbia, Dutch Square Cinemas and Regal Columbia Cinema 7, use Fandango.com. Fandango.com’s services and affiliations also exclude many local movie theaters and current movies from their availability lists. After deciphering which theaters accept its process, Fandango.com processes the customer’s credit card confirmation to reaffirm ticket availability at the box office. Ironically, customers must stop by the box office to pick up their tickets, raising the question, “Why not just purchase them the old-fashioned way?” Some people might find assurance in the Web site’s promise of a seat, especially during a typical blockbuster sellout. Fandango.com also offers an over-the-phone option, and the print-at-home icon on the Web site allows customers to pre-print ticket stubs and bypass the box-office lines. Some customers might question the safety of purchasing any product online, but the service does provide a secure connection. With Fandango.com’s convenience, many customers refuse to return to the Stone Age of movie ticket purchasing: the box office. In contrast, other customers find the credit and address requirements prohibitive. Still, in general, the site provides a helpful step-by-step guide for locating movie times and theaters. Fandango.com’s process is self-explanatory, and any customer would enjoy this convenience. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com MOVIE REVIEW Counting on the classics to pull through “THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO” Starring Jim Caviezel ★★★★ out of BY ADAM MCALLISTER THE GAMECOCK Alexandre Dumas, a name common in most high schools, might just have a hit on his hands. Despite passing away in 1870, Dumas, author of classics “The Three Musketeers” and “The Man in the Iron Mask,” has yet another film in a theater near you. This time, the adaptation takes the form of “The Count of Monte Cristo,” a sword-fighting love triangle based on the unadorned principle of revenge. After he is unjustly imprisoned and loses his fiance to his friend, we follow the tribulations of Edmund Dantes (Jim Caviezel) as he begins a 16-year fight for survival. His passion is fueled by hatred and bent on revenge, simply a chance to strike back at those who wronged him. His No. 1 target: Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce), his best friend. While in prison, Dantes happens upon fellow prisoner Faria, wonderfully played by Richard Harris (“Gladiator”). With Faria’s help, Dantes’ plan slowly takes shape. Nearing the end of his time in prison, Dantes learns of a much sought-after treasure, more than any man could ever imagine. After a daring escape and months at sea, Dantes is forced to return home to face his broken past. It is on this return that he learns his fiance is now wed to the man who betrayed him, and he puts his plans into action. Dantes sets out to find the gold, his means to enact vengeance. He invents a new life, a life based on Faria’s physical and mental teachings. With his newfound money, he sets out to become the Count of Monte Cristo and to lure the unsuspecting Mondego into his trap. Along the way, he must stay one step ahead of those questioning him while dealing with his long lost love’s revelations. “The Count of Monte Cristo” is an old-fashioned tale, as classic as when the novel was written. Wrapped up in this timeless tale, however, our 21st-century mentality will take solace in the consistent action, excellent performances and Kevin Reynolds’ wonderful direction. Reynolds, the director behind films such as “Waterworld” and “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” hasn’t been seen in better form. From the fantastic European locations to a great cast led by Caviezel, “The Count of Monte Cristo” rarely falls short. Nevertheless, we still see common Hollywood plot twists, once unique in Dumas’ day but now rather played out and predictable. But despite any story flaws, the evil, straightforward performance of Pearce (last seen in the indie hit “Memento”), coupled with the thrust-and parry sword fights, render this a memorable film. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com PHOTO BY JONATHAN HESSION / COPYRIGHT SPY GLASS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP. PL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Mondego (Guy Pearce), left, and Dantes (Jim Cavlezel) star in “The Count of Monte Cristo.”