Courtesy Photo
HAILING FROM THE CITY of the (lance’s origin, Tango Buenos Aries will seduce Lincoln audiences tonight at the
Lied Center.
Tango set to seduce Lied
By Liza Holtmeier
Senior staff writer
The tango has often been compared
to sex.
With its closely held bodies, stacca
to beat and ardent lunges, the dance has
become a metaphor for the passion
between a man and a woman.
And because of its overt sexuality,
the tango developed a seedy reputation
in its early stages.
Tonight, Tango Buenos Aires
explores the history of the tango and its
many styles. During a performance at
the Lied Center for Performing Arts, the
company of dancers and musicians will
trace the history of the tango from 1905
to the present.
The company, founded in the mid
’80s, began by performing at the
Michelangelo cabaret in Buenos Aires.
Led by Argentinian composer and tango
director Osvaldo Requena, the dancers
and musicians have been taking the
tango around the world.
The tango originated in the cabarets
and dance halls of Argentina. In the
beginning, only men danced the tango,
using it to symbolize their virility and
courage. Eventually, women paired up,
emphasizing the catlike moves of the
dance. Finally, men and women danced
together, transforming the tango into a
celebration of passion.
Though the dance began with an
unsavory reputation, eventually even
the aristocracy caught on to it. They
took the tango out of the dance halls and
put it into their high-class ballrooms,
refining the rough edges of the dance.
A little less than a century later, the
once-notorious dance has become the
Lied Center j
The Facts
What: Tango Buenos Aires
Where: Lied Center for Performing Arts,
12th and R streets
When: Tonight at 8 p.m.
Cost: $29, $25 and $21, half-price for
students
The Skinny: Argentinean troupe of dancers
and musicians brings sexy tango to stage
symbol of the city of Buenos Aires. And
thanks to movies such as “True Lies”
and “Scent of a Woman,” the dance has
witnessed a rebirth in America.
Tonight’s performance by Tango
Buenos Aries should provide an authen
tic taste of this historic, once-scan
dalous dance.
‘Nature’fails to make sparks
By Sam McKewon
Senior editor
“Forces of Nature” is a movie des
tined to get mixed reviews. Some will
love it. Others will hate it. And it all
comes down to one thing: chemistry.
Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock are
the principal elements of chemistry
here, as two wayward travelers trying to
get from New York to Savannah. Ben
(that’s his name in the movie, too) is
going to get married. Sarah (Bullock)
makes up a bunch of stories, but she’s
basically there to get some money and
see a family member.
They get stuck together after their
plane crashes and they’re forced to
drive, ride trains and brave a hurricane.
Sarah’s a winsome free spirit, Ben’s a
conservative straight man. It’s a road
trip film.
Generally, this movie is a slight play
on “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.”
But first things first. “Forces of Nature”
is not that funny. Not even in the same
ballpark as “Planes.” Affleck’s no Steve
Martin and Bullock isn’t John Candy.
But you’ll immediately notice the
movie takes on many of the personali
ties in “Planes.” Bullock has real prob
lems, a la Candy. There’s a fire they both
laugh at even though it’s utterly depress
ing. There’s even a rental car scene.
And while Ben is worried about
being late to his own wedding to Bridget
(Maura Tierney in a thankless role), he
finds himself falling in love with Sarah.
Here’s the chemistry thing. Some
will really feel it, as Bullock virtually
wills Affleck to notice her. There are
some real scenes here, with some real
acting, especially by Bullock. A hotel
scene especially stands out as one of the
better (although physically a little
unflattering) moments in her movie
... Kmwmmmmmsm,..—_g__ m wmmmmm i—B—
_ Courtesy Photo
SARAH (SANDRA BULLOCK) and Ben (Ben Affleck) pass themselves off as a
young married couple to get a ride with a busload of senior citizens in the
romantic comedy “Forces of Nature.”
career.
If there’s a lack of chemistry, it’s
Affleck’s fault. He doesn’t give up the
smugness ingrained in his acting easily,
and here it shows. The looks on his face
never seem to match his emotions.
And a movie like this depends so
much on that spark. If it works, and for
some, it will, the contrivances wash
away into a series of funny yet romanti
cally tense moments. If it doesn’t,
“Forces” turns into a long, boring film.
This is illustrated by the end of the
film, which raises serious questions
about the point of the movie.
Most, if not all, that has been estab
lished in terms of Affleck’s and
Bullock’s relationship throughout the
film is brought tumbling down.
So much goes into those final
scenes as to whether or not the chem
istry works or not. And the ending
seems to validate that it did not. For oth
ers, it might have completely validated
it. As said before, mixed reviews.
It might not haye mattered had the
film been drag-out funny. But it’s not,
nor is it played up to be. Director
Bronwen Hughes is more equipped to
do drama than humor. Scenes that could
have been funny aren’t, simply because
there’s too much editing and too many
angles.
There’s good material here, albeit
not all that fanny. Ultimately, “Forces”
betrays the romance it had going for it
throughout the movie, but especially at
the end. Even if the chemistry was there,
it wasn’t enough.
Film Review
The Facts
Title: “Forces of Nature”
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Ben Affleck
Director: Bronwen Hughes
Rating: PG-13 (adult language)
Grade: C
Five Words: Forced chemistry in the film
New Tae Bo Classes
1st class free!
Beginning, Intermediate &
Advanced classes
Brian Nunn's Spinning Program
643 South 25th Street
Across from Lincoln High
435-8555
Appearing at: The Royal Grove
Date: Saturday, April 10th Time: 7:00 p.m.
Call the Chippendale information line toll free at l-888-799-CHIP(S)
for ticket information or to purchase with a credit card.
Experience the magic of the original Chippendales.
I . , . . i
Women’s Tennis
at Woods Tennis Center, 33rd & J ♦ free Admission)
* $ • *'f * • v ^ mi * y/ .V ^
NU vs. Colorado State -+ Fit, March 26 at 5 pm