ENTERTAINMENTpage 23 Technique • Friday, February 23, 2001 • 23
Churchills mix it up Spend night with Oscar ENTERTAINMENT With a collection of songs featuring The Academy Awards gala is only a three different lead singers, this group month away. Get prepared with this Technique • Friday, February 23, 2001 offers quite a variety. Page 27 recap of the nominees. Page 29
‘Aida’ at the Ferst Crime is King on the way to ‘Graceland’ Teatro Lirico D'Europa performs By Vivian Vikili loss when the group disbands. one of Elvis's bastard children ous it all is. Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida at the Robert Ferst Writer of the week, month, year! When the group tears apart, and so he goes so far as to dress Of course, one never even Center for the Arts this Tuesday and Wednes- the characters of Costner and like Elvis all the time, complete finds out by the movie's end day, February 27 and 28. MPAA Rating: R Russell are thrust against each with sideburns. whether or not Costner is in fact Georgia Tech students, faculty, and staff Starring: Kevin Costner, Kurt other, each vying for the mil- Elvis's son or not. This non- can now buy tickets for only $15 (part of Russell, Christian Slater, lions gained from the Elvis Con- existent plot conclusion is not the Coca-Cola sponsored Rush Ticket pro- David Arquette, Courteney vention heist. Of course, both The cinematic uncharacteristic of the movie. gram) by presenting your ID at the Student Cox characters go through different But then again, it is difficult to Center Box Office. Your purchase also in- Director: Demian Lichtenstein obstacles during their time apart aspects of have a plot conclusion when there cludes the option to attend an “Opera 101” Studio: Warner Brothers and eventually get together again Graceland may be is no plot to begin with. workshop. Rating: yyy to show each other up. So is there a reason to see the Russell stumbles across the best part. movie? It would be unfair to For those with a greater than Courtney Cox's character and neglect the cinematic aspects of usual affinity towards the King her son. He slowly develops a the movie, as they may arguably of Rock 'n' Roll, or more specif- sense of paternal instinct towards This, of course, takes away be the best part. 3,000 Miles to ically, for those people with a the son and a sense of love to- from his validity as a serious, Graceland begins with a very at- greater than usual affinity for wards her. detached, serial killer. Even in tention grabbing computer ani- weathered Hollywood actors Costner, on the other hand, his most glorious moments of mation sequence with battling dressed up as the King of Rock deals with far stranger things. mass killing, his Elvis look makes 'n' Roll while engaging in reck- He basically thinks that he is one think twice about how seri- See Miles, page 26 less shooting sprees, this is the ideal movie. 3,000 Miles to Graceland, which boasts a list of actors such as Kevin Costner, Kurt Russell, Christian Slater, David Arquette, By Carrie Chin / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS and Courteney Cox, might not be the intense, action-packed, somewhat meaningful film mov- Monkeying around iegoers would have expected. Brendan Fraser is joined by a host of The movie is basically about recognizable faces (Bridget Fonda, Rose a group of men who decide to all McGowan, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Kat- dress up like Elvis, attend the tan, and Dave Foley) in Monkeybone, open- National Elvis Convention in ing in theaters today. A cartoonist ends up Vegas, and rob the joint. After in a coma and finds himself stuck in his successfully getting away with own creation and dealing with the cartoon the money, one of the thieves character that is the film’s namesake. challenges the leader of the pack and the group suddenly turns on itself. M4M at DramaTech It is unusual in that the group, DramaTech’s version of Shakespeare’s even before its members turn Measure for Measure ends its run tonight against each other, lack the chem- and tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. Admis- istry of Bonnie and Clyde, the sion is only $4.00 for students. For ticket glamour of Jesse James, the hu- reservations, call (404) 894-2745. For in- mor of the Reservoir Dogs cast, By Alan Markfield / WARNER BROTHERS formation, please call (404)894-3481. and just about everything else. Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner star in 3,000 Miles to Graceland, opening in theaters today. In order So obviously, there is no great to rob a casino, some ex-cons disguise themselves as Elvis during a convention in honor of the King. Matthew Kahler: Nowhere near the middle of the road By Alan Back airwaves about seven years down from Atlanta. Far away. He was About to become office furniture the road. planning to move to Alaska and That someone was Shawn take a long break from the mu- You could almost get perma- Mullins, then a regular at Deca- sic business in order to sort out nent whiplash from trying to tur’s Trackside Tavern. “He was his creative and personal issues. follow Matthew Kahler’s career. really young, and I remember “I was sort of ready to make a He’s been from coast to coast, thinking how good he was,” big move and start over again, come close to moving far enough Kahler said. “The arrangements maybe rediscover writing. I wasn’t north to freeze himself solid, and were really tight, with a drum- writing very much at the time, taken music room crowds for an mer and a bass player. That’s and I wanted to shock myself. I energetic ride in just about ev- when I first met him.” They thought making my life really ery set of circumstances you can joined forces for the first time simple would do that…I’d read think of. soon afterward, forming a friend- a lot about Alaska, about the He may describe himself as a ship that has lasted to this day. remoteness of it, and I thought late bloomer, but you know what When Trackside manager Ed- maybe it would be a great place they say—better late than never. die Owen struck out on his own to sort of disappear,” he mused. If you were to rewind a dozen to set up Eddie’s Attic, these Kahler’s friendship with years or so and head out to two followed him up the stairs Mullins would lead him to change southern California, you would and began to make themselves his mind and get back into the have found the Georgia boy at home in the new club. Mul- game. “By the end of Decem- getting his feet wet at open mic lins and Kahler built solid repu- ber, they asked if I wanted to do nights in the area’s coffeehouses. tations as acoustic performers a record with them—SMG, These gigs gave him his first over the years, releasing steady Shawn’s label…I told them yes, serious performance experience, streams of solid albums and per- after a couple of minutes of think- but not much satisfaction or forming both separately and to- ing about it, but there were con- pleasure. gether. Kahler put out two discs, ditions on my part that I had to “It was kind of hard after I My Own Medicine (1994) and promise to focus on, like trying made the trek out there, and it This Here and That There (1996) not to go wacky and crazy dur- took me about three and a half and he and Mullins cooked up a ing the recording process.” years to realize that I was able to joint effort, the 1995 double al- He explained that his past give myself permission to come bum Jeff’s Last Dance. experiences in the studio had back,” he explained. Returning So far, so good. Then, in late been less than pleasant, but the By Alan Back / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS to Atlanta in 1991, he soon 1999, Kahler made an announce- sessions for this new album, last Matthew Kahler likes to throw a curveball or two during his shows. His fingers may crossed paths with someone who ment that knocked the wind out do the talking for one song before his palms leap into the argument on the next. was fated to end up all over the of his fans: he was getting away See Matthew Kahler, page 24 24 • Friday, February 23, 2001 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT on keeping the beat, and you have a doesn’t always work, but sometimes This week on GTCN Matthew Kahler from page 23 lot of vocal exercise going on. There’s it works really well and it’s no other instrument but your voice.” surprising…The reason for doing By Rebekah Bardwell These days, when he steps behind it is to see what’s inside there and if GTCN Correspondant fall’s Out of the Blue, were much translate to the stage? Pretty well, his drums, the crowd gets to wit- I can offer something fresh that no more enjoyable. Influences ranging actually, with or without a group of ness a combination vocal workout one has heard at a concert before.” If you’ve ever wanted to know from James Taylor to Stevie Wonder talented players to back him. Jazz/ and calisthenics program. Either of Flying by the seat of his pants isn’t what goes on at the Parking Office, to the Eagles come together on this pop guitar virtuoso John Mayer these by itself is worth the price of just something he does at his shows, you’ll want to watch Phat Videos disc to pass that mood on to the (recently signed to Aware Records), admission, but watching him turn though. this week. Kara talks candidly with listener, even though his songs often bassist David LaBruyere, and session himself into a sort of singing wind- “I don’t think about the future. Assistant Director of Parking Al deal with heartbreak and frustrated drummer Gerry Hansen have worked mill is an unexpected treat. That’s not to say it’s never crossed Corry to find out about future plans desire. extensively with him to help bring An added bonus is the improvised my mind, but I’ve never had a plan. for parking at Tech. Student opin- A four-year gap between releases his work to life in front of a crowd story songs he likes to launch into That’s the truth. I know it’s not ions about parking highlight the can be enough of an obstacle for a and follow his sudden bursts of without warning. He might go into very healthy, but I can’t really help show. Phat Videos airs on GTCN’s big-name artist, but for a local act, intensity. it,” he admitted. He’s not plotting Channel 21 Sundays at 7:00 p.m. it may be the kiss of death. Kahler “We did a show at Smith’s [Olde another move to icebox territory, and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. was aware of this in the break after Bar] one time; they called me to do “I was sort of ready to but “if I do anything, it’ll probably Flava 101 delves into hip-hop, This Here: “The longer it got, the a show, and the first person I thought be to try to simplify my life a little Al Sharpton style. The nationally- more I thought that I was just done. of to open was John,” he recalled. make a big move and more—maybe move to somewhere recognized Sharpton speaks his mind I thought I might do another record “He’s far beyond his years musical- start over again, in North Carolina.” to the Georgia Tech community. someday, but I didn’t plan on how ly, and he has a terrific sense of For right now, however, Kahler Watch SGA students debate over to do it. I just thought that if I could humor, so we kind of hit it maybe rediscover has his hands very full. Touring in Sharpton’s appearance, and see what ever get the writing back on track— off…When you meet creative peo- writing…I wanted to support of Out (he just finished a students thought after his widely once you have the songs, you’re al- ple, you sort of like to pick their two-week stint opening for Mullins publicized speech. Richard gets a ready there and you can do another brains.” The Hansen/LaBruyere shock myself.” in listening rooms up and down the one-on-one with Sharpton when he asks about the images portrayed in record. Then it’s just a matter of rhythm section came together when Matthew Kahler, East Coast). Working out distribu- hip-hop and R&B videos. Flava 101 lining up studio time and musi- it was time to record Out and quickly on why he thought about tion and promotion for its songs. airs Sundays and Wednesdays at 7:30 cians. Everything goes back to the proved itself capable of switching moving to Alaska in late 1999 Setting up with a booking agent. songs.” gears at nearly any speed. Not too shabby for a guy who p.m. He credited Mullins with help- When Kahler goes on alone, he’s doesn’t think about the future. This week on The Latest Dish, ing to refine this latest offering with just as likely to make a beeline for The people who happen to be in Matt and Eric will mix things up respect to production and songwrit- his congas as he is to strap on an something that happened to him the room with him, when he at- with Spanish tapas. These “mini ing. “He made suggestions on where acoustic guitar. Solo drumming, for on the street earlier that week, poke tacks his six-string and congas and dishes” are sure to please your taste- stuff could be moved around. He’ll him, is a throwback to the way he fun at a person who was at the early gets caught up in the moment, don’t buds and are easy enough to whip tell you something like, ‘Well, this performed when he was young: beat- show, jump back into his childhood complain too much either. All they up in your dorm room in minutes! thing at the end, that’s your chorus. ing on boxes, desks, and just about for a minute—it’s all fair game. do is buckle their seat belts and get They will also feature experimental Let’s bring it up earlier in the song anything else that wouldn’t leave Kahler explained that these ready to catch whatever he throws films ranging from claymations to so you can have this refrain earlier him with a handful of broken fin- impromptu segments have been out next. computer generations. Get ready to than at the very end.’…He wouldn’t gers. He carried that habit over into useful for putting his creativity tune in and experiment! The Latest even so much as suggest anything his professional career, picking up through its paces. Matthew Kahler will be performing Dish airs on Sundays at 6:30 p.m. unless he thought I would be com- his first set of drums from a friend “I like putting myself in a cor- at Eddie’s Attic on March 2. Call and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. fortable with it.” along the way and strapping a tam- ner and having to slide out of it (404) 377-4976 for more informa- To find out more about these Having a friend like that is good bourine to them. onstage. Unless you just totally bail tion. You can also visit him online at shows or vote for the movies GTCN enough when it comes to recording, “It’s not easy to pull off a song out, you can’t really get out until http://www.smgrecords.com/live/ plays each month, go to http:// but just how does Kahler’s material that way because you have to rely you come up with something. It matthew.html. www.gtcn.gatech.edu.
Alan wants to strip naked, pour a bucket of red paint over his head, and come in here on his hands singing <
He says he still wouldn’t get any respect. I said no, you won’t, but we’d talk about it for years. 26 • Friday, February 23, 2001 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT
...1010101010 1010101010101010101010...... Two Bits Miles from page 23 giant silver scorpions. The ol’ Two Bits mailbag is once the October postmark probably someone even say something like bats was funny! I love how your Later in the movie, during the again overflowing, and I’m tired of means your Technique subscription that?—Apparently Atonal in Atlanta style is so much like Dave Barry’s, heist at the Elvis Convention, some- ignoring you all, so this week I’ve will have to be forwarded to you. Dear Apparently: I told you to because he just cracks me up each how the Fatboy Slim-esque pump- decided to go ahead and give you Ma’am, there is more than one shut your trap because I was sick time. Please keep it up.—Amazed up music is perfectly synchronized my answers to your most pressing thing you can do with whipped cream and tired of your destroying Gersh- in Atlanta to the movements of the Vegas danc- questions about life, the universe, and cherries. However, the fact that win by doing it while gargling! Dear Amazed: I’m sorry to break ers as well as to the gunshots fired and nothing in particular. The life your husband bought them himself Oh, and by the way, you may it to you, but that one actually was during the mass killings. of the Two Bits Man is never dull. seems to indicate a chauvinistic side. have rhythm, you may have music, by Dave Barry, hence his picture There are also a huge number of Dear Abby: My husband is cheat- By going to the store for you, he but if you think that face of yours is was the one seen there in the inset. frame stills in the movie, which one ing on me; I just know it. I found a was implying that your place is in going to get you a girl, you could However, I’ll take this as a would expect to perhaps make the can of whipped cream and a jar of the kitchen around the clock, even ask for quite a bit more upstairs, if compliment…even if it did come movie overdramatic and gaudy, but Maraschino cherries in the refriger- on sundae. you get my drift. from you. which in fact make it rather eye- ator, and I certainly didn’t buy them. I’d say dump him, but from the Dear Two Bits Man: Since I Dear Miss Manners: I… pleasing. The movie is also rich in What else would my husband get sound of things, you already did. preview your articles before they go Okay, that’s it. No wonder my deep, dark, lush colors...which works them for besides for use in his wild Dear Two Bits Man: My voice to press, I’d like to ask you about mailbag is so full—I’m getting all to add dimension to the screen. Cin- culinary bedroom practices? is not what it used to be. Just the your involvement in the events con- the rejects from the famous colum- ematically speaking, 3,000 Miles to I decided to have it out with him other day, I was singing in the dorm cerning Mrs. D. on the 23rd of Oc- nists who are too high and mighty Graceland is a movie that pulls off today. Please tell me what I should bathroom, and this guy told me to tober. —Alibi-seeking in Atlanta to deal with the wackos themselves. tackiness rather well. do…I’m not sure how long the po- shut up. Nobody’s told me to shut Dear Alibi-seeking: For the Until the mail bag fills again, All in all, it is definitely no inge- lice will let this standoff go on.— up before…ever! I was so upset that record, officer, I didn’t mean dump this is Two Bits Man (a.k.a. “Alone, nious Tarantino mobster produc- Unarmed in Atlanta I stopped singing at once. I don’t him in a ditch. Asking, Aboriginal and Aghast in tion, but it is ok...if you are just Dear Unarmed: First of all, your know what it is! Dear Two Bits Man: I read your Georgia”) wishing that less of his looking for action with a generally mail seems to have gotten lost. I Is there anything I should do to article a while ago in the Technique. readers would brush their teeth at meaningless plot and something hope you get this anyway, although better my vocals? And why would I really thought what you said about 2:30 in the morning. pretty to look at. , BUILDING
REE ERVICES UESDAYS F S T 137 REE PM F OOM TUDENT REE R : 7:00 :S :F EETINGS LACE IZZA M P P (Pizza)
Get Some
I just realized how old I am. No wonder I’m depressed. ENTERTAINMENT Technique • Friday, February 23, 2001 • 27 Churchills keep you on your toes By Jamie Schulz between the lyrics of Alanis Moris- the feel of the song. Waiting patiently for March 5th sette and the heavy piano-pound- When Shoudel is singing, the ing of Tori Amos. vocals have a canned, muted sound Artist: The Churchills Ron Haney brings a more popu- to them, as if they were all recorded Album: You Are Here lar feel to his numerous tracks, with on an old reel or something. Both Label: Universal Records “Beautiful” and “Mysticated Girl” Haney’s and Henry’s lyrics are more Genre: Rock echoing a blend of Collective Soul in tune to present-day, coming Tracks: 12 and Barenaked Ladies. As strange through clear on the tracks. Length: 40:56 as this comparison may sound, it You Are Here takes a different Rating: yyyy actually works. spin than a traditional album. Most Bart Shoudel (“Disposable,” artists take a particular system or My major complaint about this “Cars,” “The Wrong Side of the idea and run with it from beginning CD is that it iss very short. I don’t Bed,” and “Maybe Make Me Okay”) to end of the whole album. like CDs that are very short; I find brings an oldies feel to the tracks, Another entire group of bands them aggravating. along the lines of the Beatles and take the same idea and make an Yet You Are Here from the Elvis Costello. album on it (just listen to what’s Churchills boasts a nice blend of He does come off a bit cheesy in played on the radio ). different types of music. Some tracks some places, such as in “Cars” when Though The Churchills may have are heavier than others in the terms he interjects with a “Hey, slow down!” a similar feel to all the songs—that of rock, while others are more laid in the middle of the track. This of the jilted or unnoticed lover or back and almost classic rock. wasn’t exactly necessary, as it has no admirer—all the songs don’t wind The tracks also take a different real correlation to what the song is up the same rehash of depressing feel, depending on which band mem- about. lyrics and downbeat instrumenta- ber happens to be the lead singer. While the songs are different tion. Kim Henry (“Headstrong”) has musically within the confines of the Instead, they take a more upbeat By Sam Ericson / UNIVERSAL RECORDS the angry, jilted lover temperament, singer’s style, the tracks even sound perspective to it all, and keep the The Churchills are Bart Schourdel, Phil Bloom, Ron Haney, and Kim and her track sounds like a cross like the lyrics were recorded to match rhythm moving. Henry. Each member adds a unique and satisfying voice to the album. ‘Café Del Mar’ painfully dull, uninspiring By Jamie Schulz ing out on anything. This CD format—drum machine, piano piano, drum, and synthesizer to My own page-gee, wow would probably be best classi- and keyboards, and whispered a very slow dance tempo. The fied as commercial (or Old Navy) or sighing vocals. Dull. Insipid. CD does try to pick it up a bit Album: Café Del Mar, Vol. 7 music. The reason is that there’s Lifeless. with the ninth track, “A New Label: MCA nothing that evokes any kind of There is even an uninspired Funky Generation.” Sad, since Genre: Rock compilation emotion whatsoever. There is track from Moby, “Whispering you’d have to sit through eight Tracks: 13 hardly any type of entertainment Wind.” The title makes sense, slow-as-molasses tracks to get to Length: 67:00 value; the music would be best because the listener can hardly an actual dance tempo. But nev- Rating: y left playing somewhere in the distinguish the vocals. This is er fear—the disc soon reverts to background. Like when you go sad, given how original Moby’s the same tried-and-true bilge that The bad news: there are six to Old Navy. “Play” is (anyone who goes to makes up the rest of this CD. more of these. The worse news: All of the tracks gel a bit too the Library of Congress and mixes Usually, compilation CDs there’s another one coming this well together. There is hardly slave field songs into his music is showcase the best of what’s to summer. any differentiation from one to pretty darned original). offer in a certain music genre. Though I haven’t heard any the next. In fact, it’s hard to tell The CD even works well at Two problems arise with this of the other Café Del Mar al- that this is a compilation CD duping you. A couple of the tracks CD—this hardly sounds like By Mei Tao / V2 RECORDS bums, if the seventh one is any instead of a CD by a single artist do start out at a slightly faster what’s the best there’s to offer, Moby is only one of the many artists whose work kind of indication of what the with limited talents. tempo than the track before it, and there is no specific genre is featured on the latest volume of Café Del Mar. rest have to offer, I’m not miss- All the tracks follow the same but fall into the same rhythm- that this CD falls into.
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A chocolate chip bagel and cappuccino cream cheese does not give you a mocha bagel. It just makes you really hyper. According to Jamie, anyway. 28 • Friday, February 23, 2001 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT
AS I DE PAN STOP STOOD OMEN PART Potter zooms into theaters late this fall TONGUEP I ERC I NGS By Meghan Nutter the best of me, and I purchased the don’t notice it because they are so The Daily Athenaeum first book. Four hours later I closed caught up in making money and ER I S APE AUK the back cover and discovered my- outdoing each other that they can’t (U-WIRE) West Virginia U.— self hooked on Potter. see the magic around them. The REC USA JESSE A little guy named Harry Potter has Rowling’s imagination is so fresh books are all wonderful, and not IST ECTO TEL been showing up all over the world. and clever that it is hard not get just for kids. They are fun and silly, Who is he,and why is he such a big caught up in these books. They are but also deal with difficult issues OLDS GLOW SEAL deal? Harry Potter is the hero of a filled with fantasy, adventure, sus- such as death. Kids learn to believe P I ERCEBROSNAN very popular series of children’s books pense and danger. in themselves, and adults learn to by J.K. Rowling. The first book hit When we meet him, Harry Pot- pay attention to what is happening LENS ARON WOKS the shelves in 1997 and immediate- ter lives in a closet at his aunt and around them. The language is writ- IRE DREW LIB ly topped the adult best-seller lists uncle’s house. On his eleventh birth- ten beautifully but is still easy enough in Britain. day, he discovers the magic within for kids to understand. DANCE GEM FOF It was no surprise when it came him and learns the difference be- For those of you who haven’t LET ERA DOSE to the U.S. in 1998 and did the tween the muggle (humans with- read the Harry Potter books and same. Rowling’s second and third out magic) world and the world of were waiting for the movie, you are DAV I DHYDEP I ERCE installments were also at the top of wizardry. We follow Harry to Hog- in luck. The first movie of the series AMEN YOGA LEGA L the lists. How could a bunch of warts School of Witchcraft and will be released in the U.K. and the children’s books stay at the top of Wizardry, where he is faced with U.S. in November 2001. Harry Potter M I T T ME T EMERY the adult charts for so long, beating both real-life and fantasy conflict in and the Sorcerer’s Stone is currently great authors like Michael Crich- the form of friendships, homework, under production in Britain. The Here are the crossword answers. Have you finished working the puzzle, or are ton and Stephen King? dealing with bullies...and defeating other three books, Chamber of Se- you just cheating? Because cheating is definitely not allowed. We’re all Tech Many people shrug them off as the Dark wizard who orphaned him. crets, Prisoner of Azkaban, and Gob- students here, we’ll all supposed to be at least halfway intelligent. I know you another trendy addition to our pop- The world of wizardry exists with- let of Fire, will be made into movies can solve a crossword on your own. If not, write for the paper. It’ll help you. ular culture. When my curiosity got in the muggle world but muggles within the next few years.
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In search of a caring soul who would like to clean the Entertainment desk. I think it’s going to attack me if it doesn’t see daylight soon. ENTERTAINMENT Technique • Friday, February 23, 2001 • 29 Oscar faces lackluster year in film By Matthew Barrett and Christo- rector slot. expect her to finally get her paws on pher Cousino Jeff Bridges (The Contender) and Oscar for her role as the title charac- Michigan Daily Willem Dafoe (Shadow of the Vam- ter in Brockovich. Her competition, pire) have a handful to deal with in however, is tough, with strong per- (U-WIRE) University of Mich- the form of dual Soderbergh Best formances by fellow nominees Ellen igan—With one of the highest gross- Supporting Actor nominees. Beni- Burstyn (Requiem for a Dream), Laura ing non-holiday openings for a film cio Del Toro scored a Best Sup- Linney (You Can Count On Me), two weekends ago (Hannibal), Hol- porting Actor nod for Traffic along Juliette Binoche (Chocolat) and Joan lywood seems pumped and primed with Albert Finney for his role as an Allen (The Contender). to bounce back from a lack- Tom Hanks will go for luster year. The beginning of his third Best Actor award the end for 2000 came last Best Picture: for Cast Away. Aside from week when the Academy of Crowe, the Academy went Motion Picture Arts and Sci- Chocolat; Crouching Tiger, Hidden for the art house fare to fin- ences announced the nomi- Dragon; Erin Brockovich; Gladiator; ish out the Best Actor cate- nations for the 73rd Annual Traffic gory, anointing Javier Academy Awards, which saw Bardem (Before Night Falls), few surprises, several oddities Ed Harris (Pollack) and and the usual smattering of Best Director: Geoffrey Rush (Quills). perennial Academy favorites. Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot); Ang Academy alum Dame Judi Ridley Scott’s Spartacus- Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dench landed another nom- style epic Gladiator led the pack ination, this time for Best By David Appleby / MIRAMAX with 12 nominations, includ- Dragon); Ridley Scott (Gladiator); Supporting Actress in Choc- ing Best Picture, Best Direc- Steven Soderbergh (Erin olat. She faces competition tor and a pair of nods for its Brockovich, Traffic) from Marcia Gay Harden stars Russell Crowe (Best Ac- (Pollack), Julie Walters (Billy tor) and Joaquin Phoenix (Best Elliot) and the one-two rock- Supporting Actor). Best Actor: ing punch of Kate Hudson Close behind Gladiator was Javier Bardem (Before Night Falls); and Frances McDormand Ang Lee’s epic martial arts fa- from Almost Famous. ble Crouching Tiger, Hidden Russell Crowe (Gladiator); Tom Almost Famous scribe Cam- Dragon which netted 10 nom- Hanks (Cast Away); Ed Harris eron Crowe scored his sec- inations including Best Pic- (Pollock); Geoffrey Rush (Quills) ond Best Original Screenplay ture and Best Foreign Language nomination along with Ken- Film nods as well as one for neth Lonergan (You Can director Lee. Best Actress: Count On Me), Lee Hall (Bil- His competition, howev- Joan Allen (The Contender); Juliette ly Elliot), Grant and the writ- er, is double trouble in the form Binoche (Chocolat); Ellen Burstyn ing crew behind Gladiator. of director Steven Soderbergh, No year would be com- who received Best Director (Requiem for a Dream); Laura plete without a few snubs. nominations both for Traffic Linney (You Can Count on Me); Those left out include and Erin Brockovich. Both films Julia Roberts (Erin Brockovich) Michael Douglas, considered were also nominated for Best a near lock for Wonder Boys, Picture and Best Screenplay, Cameron Crowe, whose Al- recognizing Stephen Gaghan most Famous was passed over for Traffic and Susannah Grant for ornery lawyer in Brockovich. Del for Best Picture and Best Director, Brockovich. Rounding out the Best Toro is considered the front runner and the film’s “Fever Dog,” denied By Francois Duhamel / DREAMWORKS Picture nominees is Chocolat, whose in this category after his victory at in its bid for Best Original Song. Juliette Binoche already has one Oscar (for 1996’s The English Patient), director Lasse Halstrom was left out the Golden Globes. Now the real games begin. Who but could pick up another this year for her work in Chocolat, also in the cold in favor of Stephen Daldry Julia Roberts leads the pack in will win, who won’t and what will nominated for Best Picture. Tom Hanks could add to his two statuettes (for (Billy Elliot) for the final Best Di- the Best Actress category as most they wear on March 25? Philadelphia and Forrest Gump) with a Best Actor win for Cast Away.
Listening to deadline through ghetto headphones has a surprisingly calming effect.