Page 16 Arts 6c Entertainment April 18, 2002 ‘Changing Lanes’ bumps its way to top Colin Donohue Sports Editor “Changing Lanes” is a study in human psychology that success­ fully delivers. Far from the con­ trived action movie “Changing Lanes” appears to be in trailers, the movie, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Affleck, details the lives of two people who had no reason to meet each other. Gavin Banek (Affleck) is a young lawyer climbing the corpo­ rate ladder of his father-in-law’s firm. Doyle Gibson (Jackson) is a recently separated father of two Kerry Hayes/Paramount Pictures who is crawling out of the hole of Gavin Banek (Ben Affleck) and Gibson Doyle (Samuel L Jackson) alcoholism. The two men get into get into a fender bender that leads to a case of road rage gone a minor car accident and in a hur­ extreme in “Changing Lanes. ” ried shuffle, Banek leaves behind an essential document. Their two conquering the dramatic role as he lives come undone from there. often does. The audience can sympathize Sydney Pollack’s character says, with both Banek and Gibson in mance in a dialogue-heavy movie. “At the end of the day, I do more When he strays from the contrived good than harm. What other stan­ their quest to do the right thing. Susanne Tenner/Columbia Pictures genre of romantic comedy, his abili­ dard have I got?” “Changing Director Roger Michell and Cameron Diaz (left) and Christina Applegate get their groove on in ties as an actor truly emanate. Lanes” forces the audience to re­ writer Chap Taylor create a strong “The Sweetest Thing.” The film resembles Diaz’s comic Jackson is strong throughout. examine the actions of their lives. film based around character inter­ performances in “There’s Something About Mary” and “My Best action. Friend’s Wedding.” As their lives deteriorate, Banek Top Five Grossing Films and Gibson come to several real­ A pril 12-14 izations that ultimately lead to their Diaz is queen of comedy final meeting at the end of the film. Changing Lanes ^17.5 million Michell utilizes the popular camera-shake style made popular Panic Room ^11.3 million Erin Cunningham by “Law and Order.” He also uses The Sweetest Thing ^10 million News Editor r e V I e w juxtapositional editing to give the Ice Age ^8.7 million. audience a glimpse of what each Girls just want to have fun, and style is a mixture of Jennifer character is enduring. The Rookie ^8.1 million “The Sweetest Thing,” starring Aniston and Diaz. Affleck gives a superb perfor- Christina Applegate, Selma Blair Blair’s role calls for her to be and Cameron Diaz, conveys this continually embarrassed by sexual theme with a mixture of humor and adventures. She explains a Monica Chapel Hill ♦ Durham • Greensboro chqrm. Lewinsky-type stain to the dry Elon • Raleigh « W inston«^to « It has the essential plot: women, cleaner, becomes tangled with a St men, sex, a wedding and a road trip. below-the-belt piercing and has on- 20 Ween, Guilford College, 2 / Artist's Talk: Tom Christina (Diaz) meets the man of the-job sex with a man dressed as April her dreams in a club and obsesses an elephant. Blair also worked with Greensboro Knechtel, Weatherspoon Art 18 Kevin Pace Band, The Museum, Greensboro over him until Courtney director Robert Kumble in 1999’s Zone, Moseley Center (Applegate) coerces her into going “Cruel Intentions.” 20 Josh Rouse, Room Four, to a wedding he is attending. Their Diaz’s performance was a cross 21 Elon Flute Ensemble Spring 18 Brian Wiitsey, West End, Carrboro road trip involves a hilarious romp between her roles in “There’s Elon Concert, Yeager Recital Hall in the men’s room, an aluminum Something About Mary” and 20 12th Annual Grady Tate Jazz foil swan and a movie montage. “Charlie’s Angels.” 19 Brian Wiltsey, Jennifer on Festival, Durham 23 jazz Ensemble Spring Con­ They make it to the wedding just Her brilliant ability to be a com­ Sunday, Lighthouse Tavern, Elon in time to see the would-be Prince pletely oblivious airhead has be­ cert, McKinnon Hall Charming, Thomas Jane, marry come her trademark. 21 Senior Art Show Reception, 18-21 "As You Like It," N.C. someone else. Case in point: Christina pretends Isabella Cannon Room, Model 24 Big Head Todd & the Mon- School of the Arts, Winston- The three leading ladies are to pleasure Courtney while actually Salem Center for the Arts sters. Cat's Cradle, Carrboro comic geniuses. Applegate has looking for her lipstick. Courtney come a long way from her “Mar­ joins in, moaning to turn on spec­ 19 Cowboy Mouth, Greens­ 21 Elon Gospel Choir Spring 2 6 Jump, Little Children, Elon ried With Children” days. Her co­ tators. The gag goes down as the boro Coliseum Concert, Whitley Auditorium University__________________ medic timing is perfect, and her most hilarious aspect of the film..