ENTERTAINMENTpage 11 Technique • Friday, June 30, 2000 • 11 Fox Summer Movies A time for walking The summer film festival at the Two Bits Man ponders the ENTERTAINMENT Fabulous Fox began this week. multitude of alternatives to the Schedule on Page 14 Stinger. Page 14 Technique • Friday, June 30, 2000 See chicken, see ‘Chicken Run’ Cameron’s ‘Aliens’ a By Alan Back must see classic on DVD Col. Sanders’ worst nightmare By Jayson Wehrend MPAA Rating: G Entertainment Staff Starring: Voices of Mel Gibson, Julia Sawalha, Miranda Richardson There seems to be an unspoken law in Hollywood: Directors: Peter Lord, Nick Park Thou shalt not make a good sequel. Practically every Studio: DreamWorks/Pathé time a sequel comes out it can’t live up to the original. Running time: 85 min Apparently, James Cameron didn’t pay attention in Rating: yyyyy film class because he completely disregarded that tradi- tion when he made Aliens. He took what was essentially Life on a poultry farm is hard. You a horror film and turned it into one of the definitive sci- put in long hours feeding the flock, col- fi movies of our time. lecting eggs, and doing everything else The storyline in a nutshell: Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) that needs to be done to keep the place is found in suspended animation 57 years after killing running. It’s even less enjoyable for the the first alien. Reoccurring nightmares and a promise birds, of course—but what if they start to kill all of the aliens prompts her to return to the hatching breakout plans along with their planet where it all began. Accompanying her on this eggs? mission are a squad of heavily armed colonial marines Picture that scenario and you have and the company businessman, Burke (Paul Reiser). the core of Chicken Run, the latest offer- From a relatively simple story, Cameron fashions an ing from the Aardman animation team. intense action experience. The surreal comedy of the group’s Wal- If you are going to watch Aliens, attempt to watch it lace and Gromit short films gives way to in DVD format, which includes a special extended cut more conventional cartoon humor (no that comes in at a healthy 154 minutes. Naturally, a penguin jewel thieves or psycho robot DREAMWORKS PICTURES whole slew of new footage is included. Each of these dogs here), but the finished product still In Chicken Run, Rocky (Mel Gibson, right) and Ginger (Julia Sawalha) have to new scenes is a worthy addition to the disc. Varying in offers a thoroughly enjoyable ride with find a way off the poultry farm before they get cooked for an hour at 400 degrees. length from a couple of seconds to a number of min- a bird’s-eye view of the action. utes, these scenes fill in some critical gaps in the narra- Ginger (Julia Sawalha) spends almost him and see their ticket out. The fast- including bits from Indiana Jones and tive. Some of the highlights include learning that Ripley as much time in solitary confinement talking Yankee and the reserved Brit the Temple of Doom, Star Trek, and even had a daughter and watching Newt’s father get at- for her escape attempts as she does on find themselves in an unlikely partner- The Matrix (watch for Mrs. Tweedy to tacked by a facehugger. An entire action sequence was the farm with the other chickens. She’s ship as they map out one last strategy to take an impossible flying leap through also added with some robotic sentry guns. These auto- tried everything she can think of—dig- save the flock from a visit to Mrs. Tweedy’s an upper-story window). matic weapons go through 2000 rounds trying to stop ging under the fence, tunneling out, pie-making plant. Stereotypes are milked for all they’re the alien onslaught. You watch as the bullets run dry, sneaking away in a giant scarecrow— What makes Chicken Run work, aside worth, but to good effect. Rocky is a hearing the screams of the approaching aliens. Watch- but all she gets for her effort is trip after from the silly poultry jokes, sight gags, loud, brash, lazy Yank, while the more ing the sentries tear into the aliens was well worth the trip to the hole. “No chicken escapes and excellent action sequences, is its off- levelheaded Ginger has to keep him price of this DVD. from Tweedy’s farm!” shouts Mr. Tweedy the-wall mixture of cultural references. grounded in reality in order to get any Video: Presented in the original theatrical aspect (Tony Haygarth), as he tosses her in The opening sequence—full moon shin- work out of him. Babs (Jane Horrocks), ratio of 1.85:1 and with a new high definition transfer, once more. ing through barbed-wire fences, a lone a true dumb cluck, thinks Ginger’s fre- this movie has never looked better. For a movie that It’s Mrs. Tweedy (Miranda Rich- inmate making a break for it, guard quent absences are just vacations, and was made in 1986, its age doesn’t show. The colors ardson) who really runs the show, though, dogs barking in the distance—could have Mac (Lynn Ferguson) is an engineer showed a pleasant range from the vibrant blues and keeping an eye on which chickens have been lifted straight from a classic POW whose mix of technobabble and a thick greens of the computer screens to the muted grays and been meeting the egg quota and send- movie like The Great Escape. When the Scottish burr makes it impossible to lis- greens of the military gear. The characters’ skin tones ing the slackers to the chopping block. chickens hold planning sessions, hut 17 ten to her without cracking up. looked very natural and the black level was perfect. I She treats her husband (who might be is their headquarters, a nod to Stalag 17. Chickens have their own particular was expecting it to be a little washed out given its age, just a bit smarter than he sounds or The World War II sendup continues reasons for crossing the road (or the but I was pleasantly surprised. In some of the darker looks) nearly as badly as the chickens, with Fowler (Benjamin Whitrow), an perimeter fence, in this case). Whether scenes, I actually lost the black bars. The film is inten- but at least she doesn’t plan to turn him old rooster who’s seen service with the you want plenty of bad jokes, pop cul- tionally grainy in some scenes but otherwise the picture into a pot pie anytime soon. British air force, and a pair of rats who ture tie-ins, or just a chance to root for was clear. When Rocky the Flying Rooster (Mel can get Rocky and Ginger any supplies the feathered folk, you should lay a few Gibson) crashes the gate, Ginger and they need—if the price is right. More tracks across your favorite piece of as- See Aliens, page 14 the rest of the chickens take one look at modern references abound, though, phalt to catch Chicken Run.

Our guide to a fun, Veruca Salt falls flat with ‘Resolver’ By Jon Kaye should illustrate. In most of the songs, is dominated with a -style affin- fabulous Fourth of July Entertainment Staff repeats herself a ridiculous- ity for screaming, the disc does have a Centennial Olympic Park ly great number of times. For example, few ballads that break the monotony of The park’s third annual celebration offers a parade at Album: Resolver in one song, she repeats the word “im- an otherwise pseudo-riot-grrlish album. 1:00, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra beginning at Artist: Veruca Salt perfect” (or imperfectly) roughly twen- In fact, the only truly great cut on the 7:00, and fireworks beginning at 9:30. Admission is Tracks: 13 ty-two times. To reiterate the same word album is “All Dressed Up.” This song, free. Call 404-222-7275 for more info. Length: 48:02 over twenty times in a four minute song written two years before the CD’s re- Label: Velveteen Records is simply laughable. Secondly, the band lease is a woman’s outcry to a lover who yy Lenox Square Mall Rating: feels as though it must attempt to rhyme ignores her. If all songs on “Resolver” Activities at the 41st annual event begin at 1:00, with as many phrases as possible. Unfortu- could meet the standard set by “All the fireworks beginning at 9:40. Admission is free. Call When reviewing an album for a re- nately, this technique backfires as it makes Dressed Up,” this album would score 404-233-6767 for more info. spectable publication, one needs to main- most of the tracks sound contrived. Not five stars; unfortunately, such is not the tain a certain level of decorum. However, only does Veruca Salt sound foolish with case. Peachtree Road Race there is no easy way to be discreet when their contrived attempts at rhyming, they This album takes some getting used Watch runners race down Peachtree to 10th Street and telling about the initial reaction that also sound silly with some of the places to. On the first spin, “Resolver” appears Piedmont Park. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. and is free Veruca Salt’s newest album offers a lis- they choose to insert profanity. Profan- to be one of the worst recordings in for spectators. Call 404-231-9064 for more info. tener. When you first cue this disc, you ity is unmistakably necessary in some years. However, by the third of fourth will be absolutely dumbfounded at how songs to offer a proper descriptive edge. spin, you can see some of Veruca Salt’s Screen on the Green awful it is. The once mighty band that However, many of the cuts on “Resolv- underlying talent. The lyrics, while mostly The weekly summer series comes to a finale with The brought us that powerful er” have foul language tossed carelessly unimaginative, will tend to fade into Wizard of Oz. Located at Piedmont Park; movie starts anthem, “Seether,” has completely fall- about to give Post a bad-girl image. Again, the background as you grow to appreci- at Sunset. Admission is free. Be sure to bring a blanket en from grace on its third full-length that backfires, because she just looks ate the band’s unique playing style. While to sit on. Go to http://www.piedmontpark.org/ album. like a wannabe in her attempts to be this album is not as much a piece of movie.html for more info. The first time you listen to this al- bad. garbage as it initially seems, it certainly bum, it will be impossible to ignore the However, if you listen to “Resolver” falls short of grandeur. The majority of Stone Mountain complete lack of effort that the band a few more times, you can get past the the songs are dull and repetitive, but Laser show starts at 9:30, and fireworks follow. Admis- put forth in the writing of the lyrics. lyrics and appreciate the music. Flecked nonetheless, “All Dressed Up” saves the sion is $6 per car. Call 770-498-5690 for more info. The words, which are shallow, uncre- with aggressive guitar riffs and Louise album from complete failure. With that ative, and crass, are significantly below Post’s pungent voice, the tracks are vaguely in mind, this album is a great triumph the maturity level a third-release band reminiscent of Hole. While “Resolver” in mediocrity. 12 • Friday, June 30, 2000 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT ...0101010101010101010101010101010101010101...... Two Bits Every time I ride the Stinger, I could carry me one mile in twenty- the Stinger’s six. Current Stinger in an arcade knows that it’s not that provide a convenient transit meth- am overcome with the random urge five minutes. Well folks, the Two drivers could be trained to engineer difficult, and besides when you be- od across campus, but they’d re- to rant. Gee, I wonder if I’m the Bits Man dropped the ball on that a train, and then they could wear come a taxi driver, you’re immedi- quire no serious digging under only one who has this impulse. one. I started looking at my watch, those awesome engineer hats. I don’t ately permitted to drive horribly. I campus like the subway would. The Whatever the case, as I was stand- and no bus. Looked some more; no think there’s a single Stinger driver know I could use a ready excuse to way I see it, Connect with Tech ing at the bus stop today, I remem- bus. Watched cars pass the bus stop; who would pass up that opportuni- drive badly. How cool would that group leaders could point to the bered that I hadn’t written Two still no bus. At 11:55, I decided that ty. As an added bonus, those who be? sky-buckets, and say, “See? Emory Bits yet, and then it hit me. I should a walk was inevitable, so I took off have cars at Tech could actually use Of course, neither of these ideas doesn’t have sky-buckets!” Sky-buck- utilize this dandy copyrighted stu- like a bat out of hell and arrived at that pedal on the right, you know - have any real panache, so we should et technology has been tested re- dent publication to fume about the Junior’s at 12:07. After having lunch the one that makes the car go. They work on that. Since people come peatedly at amusement parks around wondrous bus system with which shortened by a quarter, I also wound wouldn’t know how to handle them- from all over the world to attend the world, and has been proven an Georgia Tech has so graciously pro- up soaking wet when I went to my selves if they could actually drive school in Atlanta because of our effective means of transit from one vided us. 12:30 class. Moral of the story: - the full speed limit across campus delightfully warm climate and fresh side of the park to another. I hope Today’s Stinger fiasco began er is bad. without an aggravating bus block- air, we need to show people what an that Tech will consider this, because about 10:30 in the morning when a So, after this ordeal, I started ing them. This may sound crazy, exciting and social place Tech really it would be a sad, sad day if society friend ICQed to ask if I’d like to thinking about possible alternatives but it would actually be as easy as is. As it stands, if a high-schooler has reached a point where a top-ten grab some lunch at Junior’s at noon. to Stinger, because we certainly need driving off-campus. has narrowed his choices to Tech research institution can’t take ad- Only a weirdo would pass up an some. If we can’t get support for a sub- and Emory, Emory will probably vice from Six Flags. opportunity to have some of Jun- To begin with, how about a sub- way, how about a student-run taxi win out, because they have leather Alas, they will probably just keep ior’s chicken tenders, so I naturally way? I’m thinking that if we had service? That way, you could get sofas in their library (or so I’m told), the Stinger until the teleportation told my bud that I’d see him there. stations on East Campus, West Cam- directly to your destination with and people will always choose to sit booth becomes a practicality. So, Anyhoo, I decided that I’d take the pus, one at the Student Center, and little effort. Students could use their on a former cow if given the chance. that means that the Two Bits Man Stinger, seeing as I live on West one at GLC, we could quickly get own cars as cabs to make a little That being said, Tech needs to de- (and everyone else at Tech who is Campus, and I didn’t want to show between classes without the nui- extra dough in between their class- velop something cool that will make ever trying to stay on schedule) will up at my 12:30 class drenched with sance of waiting for the slow bus. es. How hard could it possibly be to students realize why we’re the best just have to walk as they always sweat. I went to the bus stop at Furthermore, the train could move carry people around anyway? Any- school in Atlanta. I think Tech needs have. Until next issue, I am the Two 11:35, because presumably the bus at sixty miles per hour as opposed to one who’s ever played Crazy Taxi sky-buckets. Not only would they Bits Man, and these are my thoughts.

Aliens from page 11 Movies at the Fox

7/3 Erin Brokovich ○○○○○○○ Audio: Considering how much of this The aliens are everywhere at once, in front an interview with James Cameron made in ○○○○○○○○○○○

7/6 Toy Story ○○○○○○○ movie is based on its incredible sound effects and behind. In a medlab/facehugger scene 1986. It’s fairly entertaining and sheds some ○○○○○○○○○○○

7/24 The Green Mile ○○○○○○○

and the tension-building score, the audio has you can hear them skitter around behind light onto how Cameron chose to write and ○○○○○○○○○○○

7/24 Stuart Little

○○○○○○○ to be first rate. As in most discs, the center you, moving from left to right. Explosions, direct the film. Next up was a “behind the ○○○○○○○○○○○

speaker was used primarily for dialogue and thuds, and crashes all get extra punch from scenes” section. It takes you through many of 8/7 U-571 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

some of the front based sound effects. All of the Low Frequency Effects Channel (LFE). the models that were used to create the realis- 8/10 Gladiator

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

the vocals came in well, with the occasional Whenever a heavy door closes, whenever a tic special effects. A standard grouping of 8/14 The Sound of Music

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

yell getting a little brittle. flame-thrower goes off, and every time the trailers for all four Alien movies is included. 8/17 Scream 3 and TBA

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Effects (such as tanks, gunfire, and flame- drop ship shows up (especially when it ex- The last extra is the photo gallery. Just about 8/21 Raiders of the Lost Ark

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

throwers) move from left to center to right plodes) the sub coughs up a deep low rumble. anything you could possibly want a picture of 8/24 Mission: Impossible 2

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

speaker naturally. The rear speakers weren’t Some other nice examples are when the aliens is included in this section. My favorite still 8/28 Summer blockbuster — TBA

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

active during the entire movie, but they were are pounding on doors, crashing out of the remains the pictures of all of the marines’ 8/31 Summer blockbuster — TBA ○○○○○○○ put to good effect. The first place you really ceiling, and when the queen is tromping around. equipment. The only omission I noticed was ○○○○○○○○○○○ notice them is outside the colony. Wind from Listening to the aliens pound on the doors the lack of a commentary track by Cameron. Movies begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $6.50, the storm buffets you from all sides. Inside still gives me the creeps. These extras are a must-see for any fan of the cash only, and are available at the box on the compound, the sound gains an eerie echo; Extras: Ah extras, the lifeblood of any movie. the day of the show. you can hear just how empty this colony is. good DVD. The extra section starts off with