ENTERTAINMENTpage 15 Technique • Friday, September 21, 2001 • 15 Get your crossword on! Get your live music on! Check out what mind-boggling There’s a lot to listen to in Atlanta, and ENTERTAINMENT challenges we have in store for you in the Technique is your source for this week’s grueling puzzle. Page 20 information on what to do. Page 21 Technique • Friday, September 21, 2001 Heart of new film ‘Hearts of TV debuts fall program choices Atlantis’ in the right place By Chuks Ibeji The four major broadcast television networks are set to bring out their new crop of Contributing Writer shows, including many designed to ride the tide of reality TV’s popularity with viewers. MPAA rating: PG-13 Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Anton Yelchin, Mika Boorem, Hope Davis Director: Scott Hicks Studio: Warner««« Bros. Rating: 1/2 “We live in the age of hit-and-run mov- ies—screaming directors, screaming pro- ducers, all action—and it’s so mindlessly boring. But this is a very touching story. I like these small, well-contained, beautiful films.” The above quote comes from Anthony Hopkins. Typical. Would you really ex- pect anything different coming from him? He has, after all, made a living playing characters in movies that made you dig for some purpose. Movies, which at the very least had intentions that were as fiery as Hopkins himself. It’s this indignant reser- vation that causes one to believe that Hop- kins holds some sort of revulsion towards Hollywood’s blockbusters. Granted, he’ll step out and do a Mission Impossible 2 or a Hannibal every now and then. But for the most part he sticks to his guns and plays for Courtesy of ABC Photography and New Media the underdog. A new series from the creator of ‘Felicity,’ ‘Alias’ stars Jennifer Garner as a athletic grad-student who works as a CIA agent after school. This time around, Hopkins’ underdog An agent for SD-6, a top-secret division of the intelligence agency, her job and the details of the show have remained quite secret. comes in the form of Hearts in Atlantis. The film is the partial cinematic take on Stephen in early and are too lazy to change by day, CIA agent by night! Fox comes into King’s book of the same name. It’s partial ABC keeps old the channel from the formulaic Sounds corny, but it’s not. Jen- because the movie deals primarily with the formula with and reheated reality show for- nifer Garner projects braininess, its own this fall first portion of the book, “Low Men in mat of ‘Mole II.’ John Stamos sloe-eyed allure, and a kickbox- By Chris Webb Yellow Coats.” For those of you who don’t and Melissa George play dia- ing move that’ll have jaws drop- new additions Contributing Writer know, the book has garnered praise near mond thieves who are caught by ping all over this new spy hour.” and far. King, who’s best known for scaring By Jennifer Schur the FBI and must recover miss- “Alias” premieres on Friday, Sep- Gone are the days when Fox the living snot out of their readers, again Contributing Writer ing government property to keep tember 30 at 9 p.m. them out of jail. Along with be- ABC sticks with veteran ac- was the ugly stepchild of net- ventures out into mainstream waters. And work television. This fall, Fox again has one of his dramas made into a ABC’s fall lineup is a decid- ing an action drama, ‘Thieves’ tors for the starring roles in all has a dynamite lineup geared motion picture. The Green Mile was a hit edly homogeneous mix of fami- incorporates a romantic element: but one of their new series, with specifically toward the college both at the box office and with critics. And ly-oriented sitcoms, legal dramas, “…the only thing hotter than Garner being the exception. and twenty-something crowd. The Shawshank Redemption—what can you and their now classic hit, “Who the merchandise is the sexual ‘Philly’ is ABC’s obligatory new The perennial powerhouses of say? It rocked. Wants to be a Millionaire.” ABC tension between this dynamic legal drama; produced by Steve hopes to strike another compet- duo” touts the network’s pub- Bochco and lead by Kim Delaney ‘The Simpsons,’ ‘The X-Files,’ The bad news is that Hearts isn’t as good and ‘That 70’s Show’ return once as either film. The good news is that you itive cord in their audience with licity material. (‘NYPD Blue’). The storyline is again with new popular favor- still have a small, quiet, decent film. Just the new action dramas “Alias” ‘Alias,’ ABC’s new Sunday an unrealistic mash of a single- ites such as ‘Dark Angel’ and the way Sir Anthony likes it. and ‘Thieves.’ ‘Thieves’ (pre- evening offering, has been in- parent mom just out of law school ‘Family Guy.’ The movie follows the life of Bobby miering on September 29) fills cessantly advertised online, on who owns her own firm and takes Comedy reigns with the new Garfield (David Morse). After learning about the 9:00 p.m. Friday time slot television, and is even the sub- on assignments from the public following ‘Mole II,’ ABC’s only ject of a code-breaking sweep- defender’s office to help a friend. programming on Fox. The break- the death of a childhood friend, he heads down is as follows: 2 reality shows, back to the neighborhood where he grew primetime reality series whose stakes. Official descriptions of Jim Belushi comes to net- 3 action dramas, 3 real-life po- up. From there, the plot unfolds by way of lack of success doesn’t hold much the show are nonexistent in ABC’s work television in the new show, lice shows, and 12 comedy shows. flashback and Anton Yelchin assumes the promise for a rise in ratings for furtive treatment to hype the ‘According to Jim,’ which is a The most promising of this role of an 11-year-old Bobby. We are brought its sequel. ‘Thieves’ fresh plot spy drama. Entertainment Weekly friendly romp through a fami- new flock of comedies is ‘Unde- back to 1960 where Bobby has two friends and theme might provide some describes the show’s lead char- ly’s day-to-day actions in the face viewers for ‘Mole II’ who tune acter; “She’s a college student of life with three kids, a brother- clared.’ A veteran writing team and an entire summer at his disposal. One leads this romp through college day a strange man named Ted Brautigan in-law and a sister-in-law. This life. If writers like Kristofor (Hopkins) moves into the second floor of contemporary comedy premieres Brown, a former head writer for Bobby’s house. Booby soon learns that the Wednesday, October 3 at 8:30 “Beavis and Butthead,” can shine old man is the owner of a paranormal gift p.m. ‘Philly’ debuts on Tues- on public television this show and the two create a relationship that rede- day, September 25 at 10:00 p.m., an excellent time slot right after will be the hit of the season. The fines the course of the young boy’s life. ratio may be a little different, One of Hearts’ main goals is to create an the season premiere of ‘Spin City’ but the laughter will surely trans- atmosphere of childish innocence. It was with Michael J. Fox at 9:30 p.m. late at Tech. basically left up to Yelchin to get this task Another highly anticipated Another possibly hilarious accomplished. And he had to do so going series, premiering on October 2 comedy is a live action version toe to toe with Hopkins. A formidable task at 9 p.m., is Jason Alexander’s new work ‘Bob Patterson.’ Al- of ‘The Tick.’ Patrick Warbur- for a seasoned thespian let alone a prepu- ton will play the kind yet in- bescent youngster, but he does an excellent exander’s show focuses on the competent crime fighter, the job. It is a delight to watch this kid do his life of Patterson, a single self- Tick. You might remember War- thing. When the film gets you to smile or help guru trying to piece his life burton as Puddy, Elaine’s boy- brings you to the edge of tears it’s usually back together. The show’s friend on ‘Seinfeld.’ Previous because of Yelchin’s performance. premise is promising, but only attempts at translating a comic Director Scott Hicks helps things along time will tell if the writers will grow tired of composing what to small screen tended to floun- by providing subtle yet powerful visuals. der and die. Anyone remember His portrayal of the 1960s is engaging, seems to be the same basic sto- ‘Flash?’ Perhaps you don’t be- particularly when seen through the eyes of rylines for each episode. cause it didn’t survive one sea- an 11 year old. This style reaches a climax Although it was pushed back, son. The Tick animated series during a touching goodbye between Bobby the ABC Fall TV Season still was a huge success, so I’ll keep and one of his friends, Carol Gerbert (Mika has a multitude of offerings that By Aaron Rapoport / FOX can be integrated into an effec- my fingers crossed. See Hearts, page 21 Fox’s new show “Undeclared” follows this recipe: Fill co-ed dorm tive plan for procrastination and with freshmen overjoyed with new freedom, just add hormones.