THE RETRIEVER WEEKLY FEATURES PAGE27

20th Century Fox Say It With Flowers: Cate Pat Pushing Blanchett is on the receiving end of John Cusack's floral apology in Mike Newell's Encounters comedy-drama Pushing Tin. able comedy and drama. But then Thrbulence Jolie disappears from the film alto­ gether, Blanchett is tossed by the JAMIE PECK wayside until a phony finale and Retriever Weekly Staff Writer Thornton's walking enigma becomes unmasked when he begins ... espous­ The bumpy ride known as Pushing Tin ing Zen-like philosophies on how to (**112 out of four) fmds John Cusack and "let go?" (Oh, and a bomb scare and _Billy Bob Thornton playing adversary air­ female bodybuilding contest are traffic controllers, adding layers of tension given ample attention, too.) Tin isn't to a job that already carries a remarkably sub­ quite your average movie, which ul­ stantial stress-factor. A movie that takes you timately neither serves it nor does it so deep inside such a little-seen world auto­ justice. matically wins bonus points, and Pushing Tin In the middle is wbere Pushing Tin slathers on the very interesting and never ends, stuck between underdeveloped boring details of this risky occupation. But relationships viewed through an un­ it's never a good thing when employment­ steady tone and an engaging spin on related education overshadows most every­ nominee, and Angelina Jolie, a young, on­ screen Russell Bell (Thornton), a bit of a mys­ a reliable man-against-man plot. It's not good thing else in the film, and that's what unfor­ the-:-rise actress who seems to get better in tery man with his dark motorcycle and shady news for the actors, who never cease to per­ tunately happens here. every role. But for some odd reason, Push­ past. Once Pushing Tin begins to chart their form with conviction even in the most ludi­ Poor Pushing Tin. It has such potential­ ing nn carelessly juggles these swell-sound­ anything-you -can-do-I -can-do-better rivalry, crous scenes. Blanchett (British but hiding it this glimpse into highly original territory, a ing elements like bowling balls. the movie improves drastically, paving the admirably) and Jolie perform with convic­ proven director (Mike Newell of Four Wed­ Even the set-up ami opening 30 minutes way to an hour-mark plot twist that's very tion, chameleonic Thornton adds to his list dings and a Funera[) and an ensemble cast are a bit of a slog, as Cusack's Nick Falzone, hard to swallow but still rightfully hikes the of ever-changing roles, and Cusack is given undeserving of such a mediocre screenplay. the smoothest operator at New York's Ter­ dramatic stakes among them. some moments that are sure to go down as Not only are Cusack and Thornton given the minal Radar Approach Control center, gets For a while, as several lives spin out of all-time highs in the vintage Cusackian hand­ leads, but playing their respective spouses are introduced to - and immediately becomes control in the surprise's aftermath, Pushing book. Just ready yourself for some in-flight Cate Blanchett, the terrific Elizabeth Oscar- obsessed with disliking - new blip on the Tin provides a healthy smattering of believ- turbulence and you'll be OK. Gay Old Time at the Gay Prom from PROM, page 15

which is really different," she said. ''Usually we get negative chalkings, anonymous notes, and other negative feedback." "This is the most comfortable dance I've ever been to, and for the first time I feel I can dance without being laughed off the floor," added George Skleres, an18-year-old music composition major. In fact, Ho1lywood the Prom fmished off a great week of Freedom Alliance activities. The previous nightPatapsco Hall's She Plays Bass Coffeehouse featured a drag queen named Tia. Film major Rachel Dwiggins, 18, ex­ plained that although the often-controversial events of the week had drawn very little nega­ tivity, "there' a lot of support generally on our campus." "It's awesome that a lot of straight people are here to show support," added 18-year-old Jeannie Yoon, a photography major. As the night came to a close, the guests went away happy. "I feel sorry for anyone who didn't come. This is the best party you're ever gonna have on campus," said IS-year­ old computer cience major Avi Kempler. "Freedom Alliance throws the best parties," added Lady Lu cious. the 20-year-old biol­ ogy major who was crowned prom queen. Senior Matt Dahl described it the best, though, when he stated simply: "It was gay."