MOM 4 Page behrcolls @ aol.com Friday, November 1, 2002 The Behrend Beacon This 'Punch' is spiked with wit, humor if Sandler does have another movie by Daniel J. Stasiewski like "Punch-Drunk" I might have to. staff writer Sandler's costar Watson is the perfect companion. As Lena, Watson is able **** **** out of to portray her character with the poise of a Hollywood starlet and still seem Describing any P.T. Anderson film completely reluctant to do so. There's as both bizarre and brilliant should sweetness in her hesitation, and Lena never come as a surprise. He is, after becomes the most honest character all, the man who wrote the climactic because of it. frog-raining scene in "Magnolia." The characters, however fun, are However, using the word brilliant to not the film's biggest attribute. P.T. describe an Adam Sandler movie isn't Anderson has directed a masterwork, just surprising, it's almost unheard of. here. "Punch-Drunk Love," even with The Sandler/Anderson collaboration, its contemporary plot, finds a way to "Punch-Drunk Love," is more than combine old, otherwise conflicting just brilliant. It's as funny as it is Hollywood film styles. The complete scary, as timid as it is edgy. It's a absurdity of a screwball comedy, the dizzying mesh of classic styles and a passion of an old-fashioned romance, modern story. "Punch-Drunk Love" and the sinister thrills of film noir are is as big an oxymoron as a brilliant all present. With a shrill female voice Adam Sandler film ought to be, and I repeatedly singing "He Loves Me" loved every moment of it. and an iris shot on Lena and Barry Life is tough for Barry Egan holding hands, all this film needs is a (Sandler). The troubled small fast- motion sequence to throw silent business owner is looking for film into the mix. anything to fill the void in his lonely I'm convinced that the life. His seven irksome sisters don't tson, shows his serious acting ti extraordinary Billy Wilder (director of help, as their interference only sets off "Some Like it Hot" and "Sunset his explosive temper. Instead of Blvd.") would have loved this movie working on his social skills, Barry Barry's life of pudding cup that is peculiar in every way. The lack of self confidence behind a single It's zany and madcap, romantic, and concerns himself with collecting promotions and threatening phone sex opening scene of a sudden, violent car blue suit because he "thought it would incredibly dark. Not all at once, but Healthy Choice pudding in order operators gets more complicated when crash followed by the mid-street drop- cups be nice to get dressed up to go to repeatedly and appropriately. For to take advantage of a loophole in its he finally finds that special someone off of an old harmonium is as jarring work." Ofcourse he wears the same Sandler this is a much-needed airline promotion. in his sister's coworker, Lena (Emily as thousands of frogs falling from the miles suit everyday, wherever he goes. separation from his days as "Happy Barry does recognize that he needs Watson). Lena is a frequent traveler, sky. When Egan picks the harmonium Barry's idiosyncrasies also help Gilmore." Actually, everyone needs a help. Instead of turning to a which works great with his plan to out of the street, the reality of how Sandler give a solid performance. No, break from those days, and there's no psychiatrist, Barry looks for collect thousands of airline miles from utterly fantastic "Punch-Drunk Love" support it's not anything spectacular and it's better place to find it than in in the sultry voice of a phone sex pudding. Now ifhe could just get the is just begins to take shape. nowhere near Oscar worthy, but as Anderson's "Punch-Drunk Love." operator. When the operator tries to phone sex company off his back. The characters in "Punch-Drunk Barry, Sandler is able to try something scam Barry out of $750, he refuses Punch-drunk is the perfect way to Love" are a quirky bunch of misfits new without completely abandoning only to start an all-out war with the describe your condition after walking and outcasts. Take Barry, for the hot-blooded character he is known phone sex company owner (Philip out of this film. For an hour and a example. Beside his pudding for. I won't compare Sandler's turn Seymour Hoffman). half, writer/director P.T. Anderson collection, phone sex therapy, and from slapstick to Jim Carrey's yet, but takes the audience through a world volatile tern • er, Ba hides com slete Five reasons why everybody The Code invades should love Raymond Edinboro on Saturday

Raymond" is basedonRay Romano's real life. So some of the outrageous situations Ray Barone finds himself in can't be too far off from reality. 2) "Idiot!" Ray's wife, Debra's term of endearment for her husband can be heard weekly, as he tries to cope with what she calls her"gothic-novel"type of life. Who could blame her? Her in-laws could almost be considered "live-in-laws." Besides Marie's less than sympathetic feelings toward her daughter in law, she views Debra(Patricia Heaton) as a messy The Code plays raw punk rock with political and social mes- housekeeper, awful cook, and less sages. than nurturing mother. Plus Debra PHOTO FROM EVERYBODYLOVESRAY COM must deal with Ray's "hands-off' Fa114)4 believe the social pOl Even though Ray Romano, not yet signed next approach when it comes to household byKevin and we all love he has on for punk waning year. duties. She's got to take on the staffwrites of have been Butthee;j€.li...i,!:..;:.:,:: superwoman role as she battles her decade. - - ' is we's of kids becoming moo awn* evil, intrusive in-laws, her unwilling The 6ced is one twill that talk. around them." husband, and the regular pressures ofthe modernhomemaker. TheCode playsraw streetpunk, in the Clinger, an Erie native, proved to by Rachel Lyon Unfortunately, she has yet to conquer all three. She may win vein ofOperation Ivy;andBad Religion, Pittsburgh and formed the &teie after staffwriter overall, she's losing the and sometimes a few battles, but war, witha political and message. But few failed attempts at bands in Brie. sacrifice ofher sanity. However, she and Ray unite in social at the the bend doesn'tjust sing aboutpolitics, The band soon signed to A.F. menik When one hears about must-see TV comedy, one would end, and the two are agreeable on the fact that their the it is active as which is run by members ofAnti-Flag. assume "Friends,""Frasier," or even "Will and Grace." And "relatively normal." wen. relationship is example; last Saturday the Code Since then the band has played thaws those comedies deserve respect. Fix 3) "I was born with this family. I'm stuck AI them!" played an anti-war benefit show and with bands such as Good Ridding* as However, for the past seven years, CBS has worked up Yes, family. Can't live with them, can live without them. protests Washington well as staying activein the punk Monday nights, anchored by participated in in ow. their own little "must see TV" At least Ray would agree. Ray's parents, Frank and Marie, The Code will tour with Anti-Flts the tube's hottest shows, "Everybody Loves one of played by Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts, call his house just right the Vietnam andthe BouncingSouls thiswinter: Bitt slew Emmy winners, including Ray "We were near Raymond," starring a of as much ofa home as their own.. sight across the street. And Memorial with 11200,000 people," said first, the Code will playthe Hangout in and Brad Garrett. The hit focuses a Romano, Patricia Heaton, it's a wonder the 60-some couple haven't killed each other. singer Clinget jltwas amazing. Edinboro on Saturday, along with and the unfortunate Mare on the Barone family, Ray, his wife, They argue constantly over issues such as who invented the It very peaceful, It's aboutshowing Common Rider, featuring members of the street. was situation of his parents living across lawn. Then there's older brother Robert (Brad Garrett). Dear we don'twantviolence as a means to an Operation Ivy and Scratching Wheasel, It's true that "Ray" is not hyped the way NBC hypes its old, bumbling, pathetic Robert, also, for a time, living across end. It was probably one ofthe greatest some of the Code's influences and simply, CBS doesn't have to. Raymond comedies, but quite the street with his parents. And Ray's older bro never lets thingsI've ever been apart ofin my life." idols. has its audience and consistently finishes in the top thing that I learned from Erie, found him forget who the favorite is in the family. "Raymond. He's The Code's CD, "Alert Aware "One So, if you &hitt five when the weekly Nielsen Ratings come out. the center of attention; the center of affection; he gets the Involved," showams the band's socially especiallythe hardcore scene, was it is haven't seen "Everybody Loves Raymond," here are five center chair at the table..." and so on. conscience message though fast paced all about doing to for yourself," said reasons why, you too, would loveRaymond. 4) "Everybody Loves Ray" Every night bare-bones punk rock. Songs such as Clinger. "Its funny to come back to a 1) "Who is that, the devil?" asks Ray of his daughter's If you haven't seen "Ray" prior to now, don't wait until "Riot" and John Doe" show the band's town where you grew up and had no success in with bands and hand-drawn picture of Hell. Monday at 9 p.m. to see for yourself. WJET-24 reruns the political side; something the band thinks come back and there's 300 kids singing along to "No, it's you," she replies, matter-of-factly show every weeknight at 7:00. If you haven't seen these has been lacking in punkrock. life. your lyrics. It really inspires Yes, Ray certainly has his hands full of family episodes before, they're new to you. "We as people need to work together me husband would "There whenever I come back." But he'd rather not. The sports columnist 5) Time May Be Running Out! more,"- saidClinger. are so many help clean things in this (messed) up The band hopes to makemorepeople rather sit on the couch and watch the game than As of yet, Romano. has not signed on for the next year of worldthat are with pass off. alert, aware, and involved by playing up after the kids, talk to his wife, Debra, or go to church the sitcom. Yes, it seems so many sit-corns are threatening that we We need to be more alert, aware, and involved about the shows and pushing their punk ideals. the family. to pull the plug after this year, but when it comes to things that go us thatrule our After all, as Op Ivy said, "There However, Ray keeps audiences in stitches with a happy "Raymond"better safe than sorry. Tune in Monday nights at on around ain't nothing wrong with another unity comedic medium of being funny, but not hilarious. His dry 9 p.m. on CBS before time if up. "Tice fibout punk song." humor mixed with almost childish antics makes him different rant thing rock in doing your own thingl• from his comedic rivals at NBC. In fact, "Everybody Loves it's about