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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 1996)
Arts ©Entertainment Tuesday, February 20, 1996 Page 6 # Cliff A. Hicks Swap site raises legal dilemma The Internet once again is faced with a conundrum that won’t be easy to solve, between what’s legally right and morally right, that is. The University of Nevada has run a site — for quite some time now — where guitarists can swap chords and guitar tablatures for songs by popular and not-so popular artists. This site, which came to be known about a year ago as OLGA (the On Line Guitar Archive) was shut down a few weeks ago because of what the site’s creators call “raised legal issues.” The crux of the matter is, EMI Music is suing for copyright infringe ment. Since neither EMI nor the univer sity will go on record, almost all the information anyone has is hearsay, but this is what we have. OLGA housed thousands of songs in both tab and chord format. Almost all of these were figured out by aver age people in their spare time. These files were available to anyone who could connect to the site, at no charge. All songs have, as of recently, sprawled across the top of them: “This file is the author’s own work and rep resents their interpretation of the song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research.” The above bit is an attempt to get OLGA to fall under the copyright pro vision known as fair use. There have been volumes written on fair use and what does and does not fall under this law. bo when we get down to it, all 1 can do is give my honest opinion re garding the whole, tangled, bizarre issue. I’m no lawyer, so I really can’t say, professionally, what is legal. But just by looking at it, I would think EMI might have a case. The fact that the lyrics are printed for many of the songs is probably a violation. But, again, I’m not sure. Consult the law itself to form your own opinion. The copyright laws can be found at (http:// www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/ index Jitml). EMI’s justification is that it is los ing money, but most of what was con tained on OLGA never has been printed. So how can profits be lost from something it never gained from? Morally, however, I think EMI is so far out of line that it’s incredible. OLGA is non-profit and just about everyone who used the archive used it to learn songs for nothing more than to play for themselves. There was no malicious intent, and there was no profit. All in all, it’s re ally just a giant music library, which may or may not fall under the fair use section of copyright law. OLGA was just a place where old hats to guitar could help out the new guys who were just learning, and where people could share favorite songs. It all comes down to the joy of music. And EMI seems to be trying to take that away from the Internet. Even if EMI wins, more than 50 sites already have all of what OLGA did. It’s just harder to find. Hklu is a freskmaa aews-edltorial aad Eaglisk major aad a Dafly Nebraskaa staff reporter. Photo courtesy of Jim Henson Productions Kermit the Frog (left) holds back the bacon (a.k.a. Miss Piggy) in the newest Muppet film, “Muppet Treasure Island.” New Muppet film a treasure By Brian Priesman Rim Critic Jim Henson would be proud. Son and heir to the crown of Muppet mas Movie Review ter, Brian Henson “has successfully filled his father’s rather large shoes. “Muppet Treasure Is land” is a fun filled romp through Rob ert Louis Stevenson s classic novel, “Treasure Island.” But to tell the truth, this movie has about as much to do with the original classic as “Monty Python’s The Life of Brian” has to do with the life of Christ. Starring a wide variety of celeb rities, “Muppet Treasure Island” does not shy away from fun. Tim Curry leads the human cast as the infamous Long John Silver. He’s glib, fun and charming as the one-legged rascal. His human co star, newcomer Kevin Bishop as the toothy, wide-eyed Jim Hawkins, is delightful.. But as in any Muppet movie, the real stars are the Muppets. The Abbott-and-Costello-like team of Gonzo and Rizzo is hysteri cal, cracking one-liner after one liner. The two leave no stone unturned as they make references to various things from “Star Trek” to water-skiing. Unlike “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” where Rizzo had the bulk of the jokes, Gonzo gets the majority of the screen ^time. And being the ham that he is, he makes the most of it. But don’t worry; Rizzo gets his fair share too — mostly eating and trying to make a quick buck. But because this is a Muppet movie, Kcrmit is around as the lov able Captain Smollet. As always, Kcrmit plays a goody-goody frog who’s not afraid of getting his legs wet. But Kcrmit did make some Film: “Muppet Treasure Is land” Stars: Kermit the Frog, Gonzo, Rizzo the Rat, Tim Curry Director: Brian Henson Rating: G Grade: B+ * Five Words: Kermit has a tat- : , too. Cool. changes this time around. Kermit appears to have a tattoo of his love, Miss Piggy, emblazoned on his chest. And speaking of Miss Piggy, no Muppet movie would be complete without her voluptuous form. And other Muppet classic char acters make their appearances as well.The Swedish Chef, Sam Eagle and more make their presence known as the Muppets sing and dance their way through this delight ful musical mirth. “Muppet Treasure Island” is a festive voyage through the classic novel. Worth every penny, it’s even better than the original. New-release videos are spooky, stylish m By Gerry Beltz Him Critic Well, another slow week on the new release shelves, but the good news is that neither of this week’s films suck. That’s a good thing! Plus, the pick of the week goes in the style of an upcoming theatrical release. “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Ev erything, Julie Newmar” (PG-13)— A great deal of this film was shot in Nebraska, but that is only second to the fine quality and style of the film. And this film has style by the bucket. Vida (Patrick Swayze), Noxeema (Wesley Snipes) and Chi-Chi (John Leguizamo) help the residents of Snydersville—and one another — with a variety of problems and so cial issues. The movie has lessons to be learned, but director Beeban Kidron uses a deft hand by making it fun. Definitely worth a look. “Copycat” (R) — Don’t watch this one alone. It’ll freak you out from now until Christmas. Psychologist Helen Hudson (Sigourney Weaver) is scared to come out of her own home, but po lice detective M.J. Monahan (Holly Hunter) needs her help to catch a killer who is copying famous serial killers. Harry Connick Jr. also puts in an appearance as the vicious killer who attacked Hudson years before. He has less screen time than Sean Connery in “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.” Great, spooky film to be watched with the lights low, “Copycat” is one creepy piece of work. PICK OF THE WEEK — With “Rumble In The Bronx,” opening this Friday, curious moviegoers can check out Jackie Chan in “The Big Brawl.” The entire film centers on Chan’s training and performance in a fight, but the true showpiece would be Chan’s acrobatics and skill at his art of Chinese kung fu. Chan’s blend of comedy and bril liant martial arts make this a very fun film. Nebraska Brass to play blues From Staff Reports The Nebraska Brass will continue its 1995-96 concert season tonight at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1144 M St., with “Brass and Blues.” Tonight’s concert will feature three guest artists —Annette Murrell on vocals, Jim Williamson on piano and John Scofield on drums — in addition to the group’s usual lineup of Dean Haist and Brad Obbink on trumpets, Richard Ricker on French horn, Jay Pralle on trombone and John Thomason on tuba. Murrell has performed profes sionally for more than 17 years. She has sung blues, jazz and gospel throughout the United States and is probably most recognized for her work with the Thblerockers, a Chi cago-style blues band that released its first compact disc last fall. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $4 for students, $7 for senior citizens and $ 10 for adults. Sandler turns golf into chaos By Lane Hickenbottom Film Critic The latest film from the “Satur Movie Review • aay Nignt Live” breed of slap-happy ac tors gives pro fessional golf a twist, replac ing hockey sticks with sand wedges. Adam Sandler plays Happy Gilmore, a short-tempered, wanna-be hockey player whose lack of skating skills keeps him out of the pros. When the Internal Revenue Service repos sesses his beloved grandmother’s house, Gilmore must find lots of money fast. Otherwise, Grandma will live the rest of her life in an old age home from hell. Luckily, Gilmore discovers that his powerful hockey slap shot can be transformed into a tremendous 400-yard drive on the golf course. Chubbs Peters (Carl Weathers) is a former professional golfer whose promising career was cut short when an alligator made a light snack out of his hand. Upon seeing Gilmore’s amazing drive, Peters is convinced that he can help Gilmore become the next golf great, and he talks him into joining the pro circuit. Gilmore becomes the John McEnroe of golf as a hollering, fist throwing, spectator-attracting golfer. As the exciting new guy, he claims much of the attention that golf ace Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) feels he deserves. Film: “Happy Gilmore” Stars: Adam Sandler, Christo pher McDonald, Carl Weathers Director: Dennis Dugan Rating: PG-13 (language, vio lence) Grade: B Five Words: An all-around happy movie Conflict develops as the self-im pressed McGavin wants Gilmore off the pro circuit. Gilmore finds help from his beautiful golf public rela tions manager, Virginia Venit (Julie Bowen). Before becoming ro manced by Gilmore, Venit helps control Gilmore’s temper so he will not be booted from the circuit. “Happy Gilmore,” a Dennis Dugan film, is a hilarious comedy that does not fall short if all you want out of a movie is a good laugh. Sandler is his typical self, a child trapped in a grown-up’s body. His short temper leads him to many fist fights, including an incident when he goes for blows with game-show host Bob Barker, who plays the role of, well, Bob Barker. The humorous wit makes up for the shallow, predictable plot and “Saturday Night Live’Mike acting. “Happy Gilmore” is a movie that will make you laugh, but it certainly will not make you think. It is a movie that is consistent with Sandler’s pre vious flick, “Billy Madison.” It is a must-see for comedy buffs and a movie a plot-seeker easily can miss.