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Home , Eddie Murphy, Eyes Adrift, From Autumn to Ashes, Jennifer Nettles, Rene Russo

ENTERTAINMENTpage 21 Technique • Friday, March 15, 2002 • 21 Gravity dragging you? What’s the Buzz? You might like the Jennifer Nettles That’s what the Technique asked the ENTERTAINMENT Band’s new release entitled Gravity: baseball team’s junior catcher Tyler Drag me Down. They’re playing Parker in a new question-and-answer Technique • Friday, March 15, 2002 Eddie’s Attic tomorrow. Page 23 column in Sports. Page 29 It’s ‘Showtime’ for De Niro and Murphy and take comedic antics to the crime in director Tom Dey’s dangerously funny new cop-action spoof Showtime. also makes an appearance as none other than himself. By Chris Webb holds a boot camp, so that the Staff Writer officers can “properly” jump onto car hoods and test for drugs. Of Film: Showtime course, TJ Hooker never had to Studio: Warner Bros. deal with the reality of car repair Starring: Robert De Niro, or as Preston explains, “There’s Eddie Murphy, a reason why cops don’t taste MPAA Rating: PG-13 cocaine, it could be cyanide.” Rating: yyy 1/2 In further hopes of making Preston a bigger star, the pro- Eddie Murphy and Robert ducers replace his land yacht for De Niro put on a badge and a jet-black Hummer and con- lay on the laughs in Showtime. vert his living room into a ad- The movie is a lampoon of TV vertisement for Ikea. Their hands shows such as Miami Vice and even renovate station movies like the Lethal Weapon from a grungy mess of papers series. into a slick office with chic com- Mitch Preston (De Niro) is puter desks and a confessional a “by the book” 26-year veter- for one-on-one time with the an detective with a penchant TV audience. for pottery. While on a drug Nevertheless, Preston takes bust, a media helicopter swarms no pleasure in the changes that in creating confusion and a have become imposed upon his deadly gun battle. In the midst life. He grudgingly accepts the of battle, the drug dealer, played torture if only to keep from get- by rapper Mos Def, pulls out a ting fired. The best lines in the gargantuan gun that fires ura- movie come from his witty com- nium-depleted bullets. In a race ments about the “realness” of thing in the movie might be the to catch the fleeing dealer, Pre- the whole situation. gun. The movie isn’t that bad, ston gets entangled with a me- The movie could have picked the gun is just that good. Imag- dia cameraman. He shoots the up the jokes and run with them ine if someone carried around a camera in disgust. for a few more laughs. Shatner bazooka the size of a machine In trouble with the police was superb as himself, but a few gun. Even though De Niro in- for destroying the camera, Pre- more cameos would have gone a forms the audience that real cops ston is forced to participate in long way to pick up some of the don’t have gun battles or see the reality-based cop show duller moments. Perhaps Judge exploding cars, this spoof is full “Showtime.” His new partner, Reinhold could have appeared of them. Critically, this is also Officer Trey Sellers (Eddie to reprise his the worst part of the film. In the Murphy), is an incompetent role. process of making a cop spoof show-off more concerned with Showtime isn’t a bad movie, the writers fell into the same his struggling movie career than but it isn’t the sidesplitting com- traps of cars explosions and bank catching criminals. The remain- edy that its talent warrants. The robberies. That shouldn’t dis- der of the movie involves the result relies too much on the tract you from seeing the movie. two police officers’ quest to comedic talents of Robert De You will like this movie if find the gun. Only steps be- Niro, known far more for his you watch any kind of cop show hind them trail producer Chase dramatic acting. Eddie Murphy just to laugh at their stupidity. Renzi (Rene Russo) and a cap- plays essentially the same jokes This movie will suit you per- tive TV audience. throughout the movie. There are fectly. Expect this movie to be The best parts of the movie only so many times that his in- the major blockbuster of the Photos courtesy WARNER BROS. PICTURES are found when Renzi tries to tentionally poor acting resonates weekend. If you can, wait until Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro (top) are the stars in the reality-based television make Preston into a cop star. into a laugh. your friends see it to gauge their show called ‘Showtime’ in the new movie of the same name. Rene Russo and William Shatner (as himself) Sadly enough, the coolest reaction. William Shatner (bottom) are the producers trying to weave a tale of TV gold. Minogue continues Australian invasion By Kimberly Rieck tastes are fickle, the fad ended, Touring Rent Staff Writer and Minogue became a virtual unknown again in the United show delights Artist: Kylie Minogue States. Label: Capitol Records Despite the fact that Minogue Title: Fever had lost her popularity in Ameri- crowds at Fox Tracks: 12 ca, she continued to rise in popu- Rating: yyy larity with worldwide audiences. By Bryan Basamanowicz The former Neighbours star re- Assistant Entertainment Editor It appears that every few years leased eight in addition the U.S. pop scene reaches out to to her greatest hits collection and It’s been six years since Rent a specific culture and grants a few a live . Minogue has had opened off Broadway. Ironically, just of the culture’s superstars their over 30 hit singles and sold over hours before the first cast took their 15 minutes of fame. It was not 30 million records. In , positions on the stage for the show long ago that the Latin pop scene she’s their answer to Madonna or debut in January of 1996, Rent’s writer had a heavy impact in pop music. . Like Madonna and and composer, Jonathan Larson, died Before that, European pop was Jackson, she has acted in numer- suddenly on account of an undiagnosed all the rage on MTV. Now it ous films and collaborated with aortic aneurysm. appears that the newest fad has numerous international pop stars Since its creator’s untimely death at come full circle from the . like Robbie Williams and the Pet 35, Rent has earned the late Larson a Back then, Kylie Minogue was Shop Boys. Pulitzer Prize for Drama, four Tony singing “Loco-motion,” which In 2000, U.S. audiences once Awards (including Best Musical), and dominated the charts in 1987. again heard the Kylie’s name when a $5 million deal with Miramax for During that time, Crocodile she performed ABBA’s “Danc- movie rights, attracting the interest of Dundee movies were also enor- ing Queen” and her song “On A directors such as . By Steve Shaw / CAPITOL RECORDS mously popular with audiences. Night Like This” in front of over See Rent, page 22 Incredibly popular and successful in her homeland, Australian pop Then Americans proved that their princess Kylie Minogue is attempting to find an American niche. See Kylie, page 24 22 • Friday, March 15, 2002 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT

cess have been brought along for gela Wendt and Tony Award-nom- Rent from page 21 the show’s run in . inated choreographer Marlies Yearby. Paul Clay, stage designer for on- The acoustics of the Fox The- In addition to Larson’s own fame, Broadway sets for Rent has brought atre are stretched to their peak per- Rent has also launched the careers his vision to the Fox. The stage at a formance via the efforts of sound of many of its original Broadway glance seems to just be a loud as- designer Steve C. Kennedy whose cast members. Jesse Martin launched Broadway credentials include Cats, from his role as Collins in the orig- Starlight Express, Song and Dance, and The Phantom of the Opera. inal Broadway show into a role on It’s an outrageously NBC’s hit series Law and Order as The cast of this touring produc- detective Ed Green. Taye Diggs fun procession of loud tion is full of a rightfully aspiring energetic team of musicians and ac- (Broadway’s Benny) went on to land music, loud acting, major roles in films such as How tors that keep the energy of the show Stella Got Her Groove Back and Go, and explosive visual well afloat. Notable performances include those of many debuting stage and is also starring in the upcoming decadence... within film adaptation of Chicago along- actors such as Krystal L. Washing- side Catherine Zeta-Jones and Ri- an intelligent and ton (Mimi) and Kevin Spencer (Rog- chard Gere. deeply moving theme er), each of whom make convincing Six years after the fact, Rent is no contributions to their characters. less an extravagant experience to have. Atlanta is one of the first stops On stage, it’s an outrageously fun on a tour that has almost three months procession of loud music, loud act- sembly of randomness. However, left to it so some of the actors haven’t ing and explosive visual decadence, as soon as the actors start supplying quite yet broken into their roles en- all situated within an intelligent and and applying the stage design with tirely, yet the overall energy of the deeply moving theme. purpose it takes on an highly organ- show is still almost more than the Thanks to the Atlanta Broad- ic character that brings Bohemia to Fox Theatre can contain. way Series, Rent is once again in life. feeling like Nostradamus lately? put that to work. Atlanta, hosted by the Fox Theatre. Other notable Broadway talent Rent will be showing at the Fox this To sweeten the deal, much of the being showcased at the Fox includes Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and forecast the . nique.net/oscars talent behind Rent’s Broadway suc- the work of costume designer An- Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ENTERTAINMENT Technique • Friday, March 15, 2002 • 23 Atlanta fan favorite Jennifer ...10101010 10 10101010100101010...... Two Bits Nettles Band back at it again This is a very important year for Train” was the band’s last big hit. you that it’s all his parents’ fault By Madhu Adiga to rock to bluegrass, the band fol- the Technique. Yours truly, the Two Feeling quite self-satisfied, I thought that he works in a toll booth. Staff Writer lows the variety of themes in the Bits Man is celebrating Ten Years to myself, “Hmm. Serves them Walk forward with me, into the album without missing a beat. of Cynicism in a year long salute to right.” I suppose that was also my mid-90s. We learned that as long as Artist: Jennifer Nettles Band The seamless blend of musical negativity. I realize that Disney is first taste of schadenfreude, but I’ll the economy is good during a pres- Release: Gravity: Drag Me Down styles reflects Nettles’ upbringing; also having a yearlong celebration let someone else have a yearlong idency, you can forget about the Label: independent she grew up around rock, blues, to commemorate 100 Years of Magic celebration of schadenfreude. associated debauchery. I would like Genre: Folk/Rock folk, and soul. She first broke out in but as year-long salutes go, I can Since 1992, amazing innovations to take a moment to reflect on this Tracks: 12 the Atlanta acoustic scene in 1996 yyyy guarantee you that if you must cele- have occurred in the world of cyni- fact: “Yaaaaaay!” It proves that you Rating: with the now-disbanded Soul Min- brate something this year, go with cism. For example, in the mid-90s, can simultaneously be happy and er’s Daughter, flexing her song-writ- the cynicism. In the card game of it was cool to hate the world. In cynical, because respect for the Amer- After telling the Story of your Bones, ing muscles with this project. In life, cynicism trumps magic. (Ac- fact, if you hated yourself as well, ican Presidency was at an all time Atlanta-based musician Jennifer 1999, she formed the Jennifer Net- cording to standard rules though, that was considered a major bonus. low, yet we all voted for The Mighty Nettles is back with Gravity: Drag tles Band with bassist Wesley Lupold, stupidity always wins the game, and I remember my sophomore year in Bill. I know I would have were the Me Down, the eclectic and soulful drummer Brad Sikes, percussionist that explains middle school and high school when an über-punk- ’96 election not a few short weeks follow-up to her band’s 1999 debut Mike Cebulski, and pianist Scott middle management.) angry-chick started yelling at me before my eighteenth birthday. album. Nicholson. The era of cynicism started with because I never really got into Nir- Shortly thereafter, what was then The album covers the broad spec- The band’s debut CD, Story of the 1992 release of Soul Asylum’s vana’s music. “ died the most fearful event in human trum of human emotions and expe- Your Bones, sold 4000 copies in its Grave Dancers Union. Many of you for our sins you (expletive delet- history, occurred. I, of course, am riences, and the musical styles remember when the truly elite tee- referring to Y2K. In the last few employed follow suit. From blues See Nettles, page 24 nyboppers in your eighth-grade class months of 1999 events occurred learned the riff from “Some- Your own Two Bits that polarized cynics. Negative peo- body to Shove.” Those were the ple were divided into rivaling fac- kids who got all the dates. Their Man is celebrating tions: those who thought the world moms were always taking them and Ten Years of Cynicism, would most assuredly end on Janu- their seventh-grade girlfriends to see ary 1, 2000 and those who thought PG-13 movies and eat at Mc- in a special year-long that the aforementioned faction was Donald’s. I digress though. I don’t salute to negativity. comprised of nitwitted nebbishes. really dwell on my pubes- I should note that I was on the latter cent loneliness, just because I didn’t side, yet I still respected the others learn to play guitar until college. because they worked to promote Instead, the Two Bits Man recalls ed)!” I told her that I didn’t appre- the cause of cynicism. Soul Asylum for their other big hit ciate her comparing Kurt Cobain By the end of 2000, it was back from Grave Dancers Union, “Run- to Jesus like that. After all, I feel to politics. The 2000 election made away Train.” If you remember the relatively confident that Jesus was a the whole country lose faith in Flor- early pre- 90s, then you should far better singer. ida. By the end of November, it was be imminently acquainted with that Around the same time, Genera- simply called “that other state.” I socially motivated and fairly grat- tion X started to stand up and whine. can’t recall any event that brought ing ballad. MTV showed the video While the Two Bits Man has made cynics as closely together as the hang- for that song at least twice hourly a writing career of cynically ranting ing chad. I salute Florida for prov- because it featured posters of ab- about the world, X-ers made it their ing that nepotism is alive and well, ducted children, which were released life’s work. This is a whole subclass and for ending 2000 on a cynical in three different versions in three of the population famous for utter- note. different videos. ances like, “Dammit. I don’t know I won’t bore you with the rest of That song also marks the very why I can’t get a six-figure salary the story, since I’m sure that the rest first cynical thought which I can with a masters degree in East Asian of the cynicism is still fresh in your recall. Yes folks, when that song Studies.” I am about nine years too mind. On behalf of the Technique, came out, I thought to myself, young to be an X-er, and as such, I I welcome you to celebrate Ten Years Photo courtesy 360 MEDIA “Hmm. I bet those media leeches am only an amateur cynic. If you of Cynicism with us. Until next Born and raised in South Georgia, Jennifer Nettles earned her chops on did that just for the air time.” It want to find out how to truly object week, this is your Two Bits Man the Atlanta music scene. Her band is back with their latest release, worked stupendously. I would like to the world, talk to your neighbor- wishing you a cynical Saint Patrick’s Gravity: Drag Me Down and will be playing at Eddie’s Attic tomorrow. to further point out that “Runaway hood thirty-two-year-old. He’ll tell Day. 24 • Friday, March 15, 2002 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT

The opening track, “What You Far from the diluted angst or Head” is an entertaining, dance mix. Nettles from page 23 Signed Up For,” is a sassy testimo- fluff that dominates the women’s Kylie from page 21 The lyrics describe obsessive love, ny of a woman tired of her lover’s folk and rock scene, Nettles is known and the song itself is one that will first six months, and was a popular games set to a backdrop of a relaxed for her mature song-writing, and is sure to be one that you will keep mainstay on many college radio sta- blues groove and a voice bleeding a candid but poised storyteller. She 4 billion people at the closing of the hearing over and over again on pop tions in the South. Nettles herself with soul. declares in “Page #2,” “And as long Sydney Olympic games. Madonna radio stations, TRL and VH1. The has gained much acclaim, landing a The vocals and music of “Change” as I’m breathing I’ll sing my joy and even provided free publicity when title track “Fever” is a great dance spot on the 1999 Lilith Fair tour, are reminiscent of a smoke-hazed my grieving/And I’ll fumble with she wore a bejeweled “Kylie” shirt song that is the ideal club music. and was recognized as Independent the guitar until arthritis takes these at an awards show that was similar Minogue is subtlely encouraging Musician of the Year in 2000. She hands.” to her infamous Britney Spears t- audiences to discover her in the same and her band have performed at Nettles’ voice is as The crunching and drums shirt. Film audiences also got a way that the rest of the world has. many venues around the South and in “Shift” prove that Nettles can do glimpse of Minogue when she ap- “More More More” wonderfully at such popular festivals as Music dynamic on this more than “fumble” with her in- peared as The Green Fairy in Mou- augments Minogue’s exotic diva vo- Midtown and 99X’s Big Day Out. album as the lyrics strument and that the band rocks lin Rouge. cals. “Gravity” and “Drag Me Down,” out as deftly as they deliver the blues. Minogue’s latest album Fever Unfortunately, most of the al- the two title tracks on this album, and musical With such versatility and matu- has sold over 2 million copies and bum is a disappointment. It is de- juxtapose the surrendering attitude styles...she gives the rity, this band will definitely keep a went double platinum in the U.K. pending on a few good songs to of someone who has been broken strong fan base and be a mainstay in Capitol Records is releasing Fever catapult Minogue to U.S. stardom. down with pure defiance, accord- kind of delivery her folk rock. Gravity: Drag Me Down in the United States in the hopes The other songs sound like they are ing to Nettles. The album has al- lyrics demand. does not follow any rules, and it that Minogue can capitalize on her blatantly trying to follow the same ready sold 2000 copies in its first also has something for everyone to recent publicity, and the new wave corporate machine-formula that has week of release. enjoy. of popularity for Australian culture. launched other TRL acts into the Nettles’ voice is as dynamic on Her album comes out at a time when pop stratosphere. The few songs that this album as the lyrics and musical jazz lounge, and the chorus seam- During their current tour, the Jen- fellow Aussies and are good will most likely be enough styles. With the ability to sing at a lessly breaks out with a gospel feel. nifer Nettles Band will be making a are nominated for to give Minogue her 15 minutes of soft twang at one minute and then “El Camino,” by contrast, is rich stop in Atlanta at Eddie’s Attic to- Oscars as well as Moulin Rouge for fame on MTV. belt out with all the power and col- with the energy of a bluegrass barn morrow night and the Roxy on April Best Picture Oscar. Over the past However, if Minogue is looking or her vocal chords possess, she gives dance, as Nettles sings invitingly 19. Tickets for the Roxy show are month, Natalie Imbruglia and Ka- for the album to catapult her into exactly the kind of harsh and hon- with her Southern twang, “Hey babe, currently $12 in advance and $14 at sey Chambers have also released al- superstar status in , she has est delivery her lyrics demand. why don’t we go honky tonkin’?” the door. bums. to produce more quality songs than Fever highlights Minogue’s cor- the few that are offered in Fever. porate pop sensibilities. The inter- She has the potential to achieve lon- national diva fails to produce any gevity, but first she has to break out new sounds or insights. Her vocals of the corporate mold and produce are great, but only a few tracks stand a full album instead of only a couple out. “Can’t Get You Out of My infectious songs.

The Live List: Your Official Spring Break Edition!

COTTON CLUB (152 Luckie St.) PHILIPS ARENA (1 Phillips Dr.) (404) 688-1193 (404) 878-3000 http://www.atlantaconcerts.com/ http://www.philipsarena.com cottonclub.asp 3/25 Santana 3/18 12 Stones 4/8 Champions on Ice 3/19 Eels 4/17 Crosby / Stills / Nash & Young 3/27 Anti-Flag ROXY (3110 Roswell Rd.) 3/29 Soul Underground http://www.atlantaconcerts.com/roxy.asp 3/30 Poison the Well 3/15 Angie Aparo 3/31 Damian Marley & The Ghetto Youth 3/16 Puddle of Mudd Crew 3/22 Ruben Blades 4/6 Millencolin 3/30 They Might Be Giants 4/8 Tanya Donelly 4/13 Cracker 4/13 Big Wu / Strangefolk SMITH’S OLDE BAR (1580 Piedmont Ave.) 4/15 Eyes Adrift (404) 875-1522 4/16 Vox Rox the Stage 2002 http://www.smithsoldebar.com 4/21 Local H 3/15 The Hot August Nights / Lithp / Field Day 4/23 Apex Theory 3/16 Kinchafoonee Cowboys 4/25 Talib Kweli / Blackalicious 3/18 Hardly Time / Adam Wolfe / Aslyn 4/26 Mary Prankster 3/19 Open Mic / Late Night with Antigone 4/28 Dave Weckl Rising 4/30 Super Furry Animals 3/20 Railroad Earth / Barefoot Manner ECHO LOUNGES (551 Flat Shoals Rd.) 3/21 Kevn Kinney Band / Grob Droll (404) 681-3600 3/22 Reckless Kelly / Cross Canadian http://www.echostatic.com/echolounge Ragweed / Blue Jays 3/15 Crybaby 3/23 Gran Torino 3/16 Bitch and Animal 3/24 Dan Bern / Ian Webber 3/17 Holly Golightly (ex-Thee Headcoatees) 3/25 Copper / Maple Yum Yum / Homemade 3/18 Hood Water 3/19 Girls Against Boys (Jade Tree) / The 3/26 Launching Dragon / Haha Pattern (Lookout Records) Show 3/20 Ted Leo and the Pharmacists 3/27 Charlie Robison / Lucero 3/21 The Briefs (From ) / Lords of 3/28 Black Goldstein / The Hiss Altamont (ex-Bomboras) 3/29 Ghost Trane / Baseman / Captain 3/22 The Woggles (Telstar Records) / The Soular Cat Deadly Snakes (feat. Greg Oblivian) 3/30 Push Stars / Hanging Francis FOX THEATRE (660 Peachtree St. NE) 3/31 Ed Zachary / X List (404) 881-2100 TABERNACLE (152 Luckie St.) http://www.foxtheatre.org (404) 659-9022 3/12-3/17 Rent http://www.tabernaclemusic.com 3/18 3/15 Nelly Furtado 3/21-3/24 Hearts of Men 3/16 Buddy Guy 3/25 Royal Winnipeg Ballet (Sleeping Beauty) 3/17 Jars of Clay 3/29 Steven Curtis Chapment 3/18 311 3/30 3/21 Bush 4/5-4/7 Madame Butterfly 3/23 112 4/9-4/14 Music Man 4/1 Tenacious D 4/17 Grigorvich Ballet (Spartacus) 4/2-4/3 Pat Metheny Group 4/18-4/19 Barry Manilow 4/9 Brute 4/20-4/21 String Cheese Incident 4/11 Gov’t Mule 5/2-5/5 La Rondine 4/14 Youssou N’Dour GEORGIA THEATRE (Athens) 4/18 Sevendust http://www.georgiatheatre.com 4/19-4/20 Willie Nelson 3/15 Second Annual Zac Weil Memorial 4/24 Rob Zombie Benefit 5/6 Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds 3/16 XXX Harddrive / Wide Open / Yucko the 5/13 Belle & Sebastian Clown UNDER THE COUCH (Couch Bldg.) 3/26 Bob Mould Carnival of Light and Sound (404) 206-0985 / Her Space Holiday http://utc.gatech.edu 3/28 Club D’Elf 3/16 Used For Comparison, The Orphins, 3/29 Cosmic Charlie Popad, Polly Factor 4/2 Pat Mcgee Band 3/18 Unearth, , Diecast, 4/3 Nickel Creek Black Paper Diary, Cast Aside The Fallen 4/4 Dave Matthews Cover Band VARIETY PLAYHOUSE (1099 Euclid Ave.) 4/5-4/6 Soundtribe Sector 9 (404) 521-1786 4/11 Tony Furtado http://www.variety-playhouse.com 4/17 Rollin’ in the Hay / Deep Blue Sun 3/15 Joan Baez 4/18 Gran Torino 3/16 Larry Keel / Hackensaw Boys MASQUERADE (695 North Ave.) 3/18 Stanton Moore (404) 577-2007 3/20 Leftover Salmon http://www.masq.com 3/22 Rhonda Vincent / DaVinci’s Notebook 3/19 Mushroomhead 3/23 Norah Jones 3/22 Victory Records Tour Feat. Catch 22, 3/24 Micheal Brecker Quartet Grade, Reach the Sky 3/27 Bob Mould 3/30 Business 3/28 Steve Smith’s Vital Information 4/4 Hatebreed 3/29 Jump Little Children 4/5 Flogging Molly 3/30 Cubanismo 4/17 Twiztid ENTERTAINMENT Technique • Friday, March 15, 2002 • 25

now, i get to say “bring it on.” last fall, you had to beat it’s time for the first ever technique

matthew bryan, andrew santelli, oscars forecast editor-in-chief entertainment editor in the football forecast. try to be the movie expert. enter at nique.net/oscars