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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 29, 2001)
Seagal return pathetic ■The martial arts actor is too old, overweight and slow for the action and unbelievable plot of his new movie'Exit Wounds.' BYOUySMUCX “Exit Wounds” is an over-saturated succession of street fights, gunfire, explosions and car chases in search of a plot that leaves no tired action dichl unturned. But who really goes to action movies for their story line anyway? ..- Besides, r-. . . . .J Steven Seagal -( IT T? J made a name for himself as a movie star in the martial arts/action genre playing similar roles in his first six films that attracted audiences because of their taste for a good ass whipping. Now, the 49-year-old Seagal is not only older, but he is heavier and slower, meaning this has been may not be able to cover up the wounds of this movie before audiences decide to make an early exit Seagal plays rage-aholic maverick cop Orin Boyd who is reprimanded for saving the vice presi dent's life in a reckless manner. As punishment, Boyd is reassigned to Detroit's 15th precinct and is forced to attend anger man agement classes where he meets the jabbering Tbm Arnold, who is the host of die Detroit Morning Show Similar to Joe Pesci’s role in Lethal Weapon 3 as Leo Gehts, Arnold tries to team up with Seagal and his partner Isaiah Washington, but his mouth gets in the way. In this follow-up film, director Andrzej Rartkowlak has brought a chunk of the cast horn his debut, "Romeo Must Die” including Washington, rapper DMX and Anthony Anderson from "Me, Myself and Irene.” Boyd has no trouble finding mayhem at his new post because die criminals are conveniently dropped in his lap right from the start when he finds some gangstas trying to break into his truck. From there, Boyd’s on the trail of the wealthy owner of his own Internet company and drug operation, DMX and his side-kick Anderson who runs a strip joint The corrupt police force and their business relationship with DMX is soon interfered with by the spoiler Boyd whose stunt double gets a heal Ay amount of stunt time as bad guys are brought down. However, when Seagal does appear A his own fight scenes, Bartkowlak uses a slow-motion tech nique that worked for him in “Romeo.” Originally used to enhance Jet Li’s movements to full expo sure, it is incorporated here to make up for Seagal’s sluggish motions. Despite whatever mechanisms Bartkowlak uses to accommodate for what this film lacks, Ae hollowness of “Exit Wounds” is too much to sal vage. Plenty of Mood and firepower keep the action level high, ridiculously too high in fact. And like clockwork, every 10 minutes, there is another over the-top action sequence that after awhile does more harm than good. The best part of the film was during the credit sequence where Arnold and Anderson exchange what appeared to be improvised toilet and mastur bation jokes. While it ends oh a funny note, the film as a whole is lacking even by its own standards and doesn’t make the grade. "Exit Wounds” is a good example that even action movies need something more than just heavy action. There needs to be a half-way con vincing story line that makes the action worth while and effective. Without that kind ofbackbone, films like this will continue to slump at the box office. “Exit Wounds” starring Steven Seagal, Tom Arnold, Anthony Anderson and DMX. Directed by Andrzej Bartkowlak. Rated R for violence, lan guage and nudity. Playing at Douglas 3 and East Parke. ■The four man band from Ames, Iowa has madea name for itself with'Coming Home/ its newest release. BY CASEYJOHNSON The main selling point of indie rock is that it holds the truth close to its bosom and clings to that epithet for lack of another foot to stand on. Sometimes this credo backfires in the indus try’s face when the artist or band goes past the grass roots ideology and tries to be something it is not This is not the case with the Ames, Iowa, based four piece band The Nadas and their latest release "Coming -1 Home." i /. r . * A< This sincere and honest effort depicts the allure and charm of a talented indie group that’s keep ing it real. Full of authentic and engaging songs, "Coming Home” soars through its length with a believability that is refreshing. The track "Rock Star" delves into the dreams and eventual reality most every musician goes through. Some of the songs tell stories and some are traditional sappy love songs, but then again, so are most songs ever written. Perhaps the most adventurous on die album, the tune “Mi Corazon" (My Heart) is a testament to the scars that bad relationships leave and the heart that pushes away from new ones. Set to a catchy Squirrel Nut Zippers meets Ricky Martin kind of backdrop, "Mi Corazon" stands out only musically from the average song on this album. Most of the songs are a representation of experiences that are common to most - the missed loved one, the desire to travel, envy, com placency and the desire to break things - die typ ical rock ‘n’ roll stuff. In other words, one does not need an expert in Radiohead speak to translate the message. Although sometimes a little too close to the cheese side of a food platter, the writing on this album is good. The incorporation of different instruments such as organ, harmonica, accordion and trum pet is done with modesty and adds just enough to relieve the monotony that a full album of lone ly guitar, bass and drums can bring. Not to say that these instruments aren't played skillfully because they are, one need only listen to songs such as “Cry" and "Let me sleep” to understand this. Forceful yet never overwhelming, the nuts and bolts of sound remain, song in and song out, without gaudy solos or other overused tricks such as too much distortion on guitars, obnox ious bass or flashy percussion. In its essence, "Coming Home” is just that, a return to the basics of its genre which is a sincere honesty, passion and appreciation for die won der that is independent music. '■Hjj HONORS Ariel By bee Richard Fleming Elizabeth Franklin Sara Granberg-Rademacker Robert Hitchcock Laurie Homer Dennis Leblanc Linda Major Hans Patuwo Joy Ritchie Viann Schroeder Kathy Stastny Lois White AWARD CELEBRATION & RECEPTION SUNDAY, APRIL 1 7:00 PM St Mark’s Episcopal Church 1309 R Street Celebrative Music PUBLIC INVITED i1 ■' Hewitt reveals, steals in 'Heartbreakers' BY SARAH SUMNER Love can be a miraculous joining of two passionate souls for the rest of their lives. They will forever share the ups and downs and hope for the best But if it doesn’t work out you hope that you will get a large chunk of change for the union. “Con” could be the middle names for the mother and daughter con-artist duo. Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt seduce rich men. The clever women make the blinded-by-love men marry mom, the daughter flirts until they succumb and mom finds diem, they divorce and the cadi is theirs. Eventually, they run into a 1 ■ 1-kirW^] small, legal problem. Tkxes. The money they have worked for is gone and now Paige (Hewitt) can't break off from her mom to start her own conning journey. They decide to go to a town where wealth is dripping. They track down a multi-billionaire who is practically on his deathbed to entice. Paige goes on a scheme of her own and might just break the cardinal rule of conning. Don't fall in love. Sigourney Weaver shows that she’s still got it, and boy, she isn't afraid to show it to the extreme. Weaver is very much a dominating actor ("Alien” 1-4 and "Working Girl”), but she interweaves a little womanly heart in by playing a mother. She has a softened look but still controls every step of her char-, acter. Hewitt, known for "1 Know What You Did Last Summer,” the sequel and the TV series "Party of Five,” is an experienced actress at quite a young age. Normally not one to overexpose her body, except for the here and there cleavage, she goes all out and all over with the clothes. She doesn't hide much. She switches her acting techniques well in die seemingly multi-personality Paige. It was strange to see the innocent Hewitt play a seduc tress, even though she has the body for it The characters were defi nitely a funny bunch of wackos, but the story rushed at die end. They spent too much time on the love story, setting up the main con and having some use less information thrown in, which caused for some prob lems to solve and some open ends. You invest two hours into a pretty humorous movie just to have the last three minutes dis appoint you in the end. “Heartbreakers*’ Starrring Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ray Liotta. Rated PG-13. Directed by David Mirkin. Showing at East Park 6, Douglas 3 and SouthPointe 6. • proisntotion Tk*a tot's f*t tltfUNLI Sexuality at UMiTpERSUNI) an looking for motivated and responsible students interested in providing educational programming in an inclusive, non judgemental ond appropriate manner. Students must enroll in and complete HITH230 for PSEs (during the first 5 week session on Tuesday and Thursday from II a.m. to 12:20 p.m.). Par atom InfornsaHem Community Health Education 12 University Health Center 472-7440, phone <ptetreaultlOunl.edu>, e-mail Apply on-line ats <http://www.uni.edu/hnBlth/PEKSUHi.html> RbUuinsfr dN4nii>nsfs<on*nl>f«4m» I Enjoy people from many countries of the world. Location: UNL Culture Center Admission isjust $3 Free Snacks & Soda’ 0 & Poet offers free read BY MATTHEW EBERT Knickknacks. Miniatures. “Precious Moments” figurines. All sitting on a shelf or table, waiting to be looked at and admired. Similarly, Judith Taylor’s laconic poems rest on off-white pages in her recently published first book, apdy tided “Curios.” Tkylor, who received her doc torate in English from the University of California at Berkeley and lived in Los Angeles, received ovation for her first book. “Reminiscent of the jewel-like marbles, shot glasses and lemon colored corks dreamily set in a Joseph Cornell Box,* said a review in “The Village Vbice.” Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in die Dudley Bailey library in Andrews Hall, ikyior will be reading from “Curios." The reading is free. Her poems range from "Nostradamus LA Style" where she quotes “Seinfeld," to “Day Glo" about two lovers in bed, to "Instructions to Her Next Husband" playing with vices and conduct "Instructions” is a favorite of Hilda Raz, University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor of English and editor of the “Prairie Schooner” “Taylor is a very lively poet whose work keeps expanding,” Raz said. Some ofTayior's new widen ing work was featured in the spring 2001 issue of "Prairie Schooner." g-_Training for Students 1 g^g Free Adobe Photoshop Hands-on m e Student Technology Workshop ps 1 ■*5* Wednesday, April 4 g ■ £ lucroft 239. HI CHv Cams_g Student technology workshops are free for registered UNL students. Space is limited. Sign up online: http://itg.unl.edu/training/student/ Make your reservation now for... Dining Etiquette Seminar Tuesday, April 10th Nebraska Union 5:00 p.m. Reservations Required Cost is only $12 /j Cost includes materials, mocktail ^ reception, and a 4-course meal! Reservation & payment due to Career Services by April 6th. Call I 472-3145 or stop } by 230 NU. Generous support provided by: J Ferguson Enterprises Buy a Whopper* Receive a coupon for a Hershey^s Sundae Pie Medium Frozen CokeT or Add Bacon and Cheese to your Whopper* Sandwich -Copy Center for your copying needs -Study areas great for groups or individuals -Billards, Game Tables, and Foosball at the RecRoom -24-hour Computer Lab for convenience offer 4/8/01 CoeeonsoodthroS/iyoi