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MOVIE REVIEW Pacino perfects Shakespeare’s Shy lock “Merchant of Venice” ★★★out of ☆☆☆☆☆ By TAYLOR SMITH THE GAMECOCK Adapting Shakespeare to film has traditionally been a difficult task for even the most experienced directors, but Michael Radford has succeeded in bringing William Shakespeare’s inherently anti Semitic “Merchant of Venice” to the big screen, with big success. Set before the turn of the 17th century in a Venetian culture where the Christian tradition is dominant, it is near impossible to read Shakespeare’s masterpiece of alienation and vengeance without realizing how poorly Jews were treated. To avoid the eminent anti-Jewish stamp that it would have been garnished with in today’s society, Radford prefaced the opening scene with three scenes to explain the historical and societal hatred the Christians held. Consequently, this step took away from the film because of the predisposition probably 75 percent of the viewers took into the film after reading the work. The preface created a crutch for the treatment of Shylock (A1 Pacino) throughout the film aftd l : ' thus did not convey Shakespeare’s creative purpose for the antagonist as a pious crook, but rather a helpless usurper. Despite the lack of effective context, the film does an outstanding job of making one of Shakespeare’s more complex plays understandable to a modern cinematic audience. This feat is done through the steady and consistent acting supplied by some of the key characters'. Antonio (Jeremy Irons), Bassanio (Joseph Fiennes) and Portia (Lynn Collins). Perhaps the performances of Irons and Fiennes are expected (considering they are both British), but both adopt the Elizabethan script exceptionally well and make use of what were originally scarce stage directions by fixating on the synergy between a modern actor and his stage props. Texas-born Collins seems to struggle with Portia’s traditional image as authoritative, but redeems herself when Portia must dress as a man to serve as “fair and upright” judge at the trial of Antonio’s forfeited bond to Shylock. At 65, Pacino is concluding one of the most diverse careers in the movie business, but someone has forgotten to tell the Oscar winner because his performance as perhaps Shakespeare’s most memorable villain is nothing short of riveting. Although almost unrecognizable, Pacino adopts the appearance and persona of a pious, but oppressed, Jew who helps a Christian to end up destitute while losing another dear possession to a Christian. Shortly before the trial of Antonio, Pacino delivers the most important monologue (“Hath not a Jew”) of the work better than any actor before him. It is the other actors and the director’s historical meandering that hurt this film. Without Pacino’s incredible performance, this film would have failed like other international adaptations of the classic. With solid acting and probably the best playwright in the history of the world behind it, the film also manages to impress the modern viewer with exceptional form. The cinematography is edgy in segments, but in all reveals seamless editing and congruent action. Perhaps most underappreciated is the film’s score, which departs from the mega-studio orchestras and goes straight to the heartland of Italy with rich and passionate vocals and sweet violin that will serenade any viewer/listener. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gum.sc. edu Cookbook gives busy students recipes to turn junk food into gourmet meals By LUCY KAFANOV KRT CAMPUS Face it: In between cramming for exams, slaving away at an internship and waiting tables, college doesn’t leave much time for cooking. In fact, if it weren’t for your busy school schedule, you probably never would have considered Ramen Noodles and Beef Jerky as acceptable meal replacements. But just because you’re scarfing on a deadline and budget doesn’t mean that you can’t throw some gourmet flair into your microwavable or canned culinary creations, according to the authors of “Mini-Mart a la Carte: Tasty Recipes for the Convenience Store Connoisseur.” witn elegant recipes ror upgraded junk classics like POOP on a Pringle (Pringles, smothered with bean dip, garnished with Vienna sausage wedges) or the more upscale New England SPAM Chowder (fried SPAM, mixed with cream of potato and cream of celery soup, garnished with pepper, milk and potato flakes), your friends will never have reason to complain about your lack of culinary imagination. All you need is a short trip to your local mini mart, a can opener and a microwave (also available for your use at most mini-marts), and you’re on your way to kicking your junk food diet up a notch to the gourmet level. Artist/waiter Victoria Traig and musician/waiter Christopher Rouser are both self-taught experts in the art of convenience cuisine, and start you off with a variety of easy-to-make appetizers, snacks and sides. There’s the Chicken Wings Cordon Bleu, which involves wrapping sliced ham and American cheese around baked chicken wings in a mouth watering Franco-Yankee creation. Or the Pigs in a Poncho, which consists of hot dogs drenched with Kraft Easy Cheese and wrapped in taco-sized tortillas, garnished with a complimentary packet of taco sauce from the condiment bar. Advanced mini-market connoisseurs can try their hand at the Trojan Horse, a work of a hunk of SPAM into a horse, hollowing out the inside, and stuffing it with chunks of Velveeta cheese. The six-pack of Olde English malt liquor in the back of the photo indicates that certain, extra substances may be necessary to appreciate the taste of this dish. The main courses require a bit more effort, but with tasty creations like the SPAM Wellington (golden . Bisquick pastry wrapped around a chunk of roasted spam and smothered with deviled ham spread) or the Chef Boyardee Blitzkrieg (six cans of Chef Boyardee pasta and hot dogs, thrown together into a microwave), you’re guaranteed to impress everyone from dates, to moms, to roommates. And if your sweet tooth is feeling neglected, Traig and Rouser give you 19 tasty recipes for unique desert treats. Try the Banana Nicole Smith, which consists of a pint of vanilla ice cream, a can of whipped cream, banana flavored Laffy Taffy candies and maraschino cherries. Or create your very own edible Aquarium, populated with gummy fish that swim happily in your delicious Berry Blue flavored Jell O waters. Yet the most fascinating section consists of some very unique beverage recipes. There is the Cheese Smoothie (milk, cottage cheese, Cheez Whiz and crushed ice) and the Thousand Island Iced Tea (let’s just'say that vodka, rum and gin are combined with what you might use to garnish your hot dog). The big daddy of them all is the Pink of Health, which conveniently gets you smashed while fighting hangovers and heartburn: Pour Smirnoff Ice into a glass full of ice, add a splash of Pepto-Bismol, stir and, um, enjoy? While teaching you innovative ways to approach Mini-Mart gastronomy, this book is full of colorful photographs by mini mart photography specialist, Kate Kunath. The book also includes mini-mart etiquette sections that provide advice on anything from when not to prepare your meals in the store (stay away until the after-school candy rush dies down) to the proper way of gambling without stepping on customer and store clerk toes (decide in advance which scratch offs you want and step aside while scratching off so as not to hold up the checkout line). ■ ALIVE Continued from page 7 switched to vocal jazz instead. Carolina Alive performs a fall and spring concert every year, as well as gigs around Columbia. The choir has also performed at the state American Choral Directors Association. “It’s a different kind of concert than you’d normally come to, but it’s a really fun concert, interactive with the audience,” Nevitt said. “It’s really laid back. It s a really fun night that II keep you on your toes.” The show begins at 7:30 p.m. in School of Music 206. Admission is free. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc.edu : . 7 FOR ALL < MANKIND ORIGINAL PENGUIN ; LE TIGRE SALT WORKS BEN SHERMAN JUICY COUTURE SERFONTAINE BLUE CULT VITAMIN A EVISU Sales don't come along very often at Cobalt, the Main Street boutique with the biggest selection of high end denim in Columbia. But from April 6-12, we are celebrating our first anniversary with a Spring Blow Out. Everything in the store is at least 40 percent off. Some of our winter merchandise is discounted even more. We are overstocked, so our problem is your gain. Come to Cobalt and see how much better you will look in clothes the movie and rock stars wear. CLOTHING FOR MEN & WOMEN 1633 Main Street (across from theJapps Building) www.cobalt27.com New Movie Releases “FEVER PITCH” “SAHARA” For the weekend of April 8 illllllll _Dutch Square Mall / Movies Times Robots 1:30 3:50 7:10 9:25 ; Sahara 1:20 4:10 7:20 10:00 Hitch 1:50 4:20 7:00 9:30 I Beauty Shop 6:50 7:20 9:10 9:50 I Upside of Anger 1:15 4:10 7:20 9:55 Miss Congeniality 2 1:15 3:50 7:00 9:30 Ice Princess 2:00 4:50 7:30 9:50 The Ring TWO 2:00 4:40 7:30 10:00 Sin City 1:30 4:20 7:30 10:00 Fever Pitch 1:30 4:20 7:00 10:00 The Pacifier 1:40 4:10 7:15 9:20 Guess Who 1:50 4:30 7:30 9:50 Hostage 1:20 4:30 7:15 9:40 _Carmike Cinemas 14 / Movies Times Sahara 5:00 7:00 8:10 10:45 Hitch 1:15 4:10 7:00 9:50 Beauty Shop 5:50 7:00 8:15 9:30 Are We There Yet? 1:30 4:15 7:15 9:40 Because of Winn-Dixie 1:20 4:20 7:10 9:40 Miss Congeniality 2 1:30 4:15 7:00 9:35 The Ring Two 1:30 4:15 7:30 10:00 Million Dollar Baby 1:00 4:00 7:00 9:95 Sin City 4:45 7:00 8:00 9:45 Diary of a Mad Black Woman 1:10 4:10 7.15 10:00 The Pacifier 1:15 4:00 7:10 9:45 _Cnhimbiana Grande_ / Movies Times Robots 1:45 4;00 7:45 10:00 Constantine 1:05 4:05 7:05 9:50 Be Cool 12:55 4:15 7:35 10:15 Sideways 1:10 4:10 6:55 10:05 Bride and Prejudice 12:40 3:05 6:45 9:20 Ice Princess 2:45 5.05 7:25 9:45 Hotel Rwanda 12:45 4:35 7:20 10:10 Fever Pitch 7.00 7:30 9:30 10:00 Guess Who 6:30 7:50 9:00 10:15 Hostage 12:50 3:50 7:10 9:55 The Wedding Date 12:35 2:50 6:50 9:35 Downfall (Der Untergang) 1:20 4:40 7:30 __Regal Cinema 7_ Movies Times Sahara 1:20 4:15 7:10 9:55 Beauty Shop 2:20 4:55 7:30 10:05 Upside of Anger 1:10 4:10 7:05 9:45 Miss Congeniality 2 2:25 4:40 7:25 10:00 Ice Princess 2:35 4:45 7:15 9:35 Sin City 7:00 7:20 9:50 10:10