Thursday, April 20, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section B • Page 5
movies
Lt. Andrew Tyler (Matthew McConaughey) and the crew of the S-33, which includes Rabbit (Will Estes), Wentz (Josek Nosewalt) and Lt. Hirsch (Jake Weber) embark on a dangerous top-secret mission. Contributed photo
World War II flick blends high volume, tense action
By Clare McLellan
What is it about being underwater that makes movies ten times more intense?
Kansan movie reviewer
Every drop of water invokes visions of pipes bursting and the ship plunging to the murky depths of the ocean, walking a thin line between captivating entertainment and nauseating stress.
As if the previews weren't a good indication, this is no chick flick. This is a testosterone-filled man's man movie. In fact, the only women in the film appear in the first 10 minutes and never resurface.
Such is the scenario in the latest military drama, U-571, starring Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton and Harvev Keitel.
It's a military movie set during World War II where political correctness and equal sex roles are not a factor. And for the genre, it's an entertaining film.
The fictional story highlights a U.S. submarine mission to capture a German encryption machine. But while this particular mission is made-up, many similar missions took place during the war and ordinary men became heroes for their
extraordinary efforts — this film is dedicated to those men.
Nothing goes right for the chosen crew, which carries out the mission once it boards the disabled enemy submarine. The plan was to get the machine, get off the sub and get the heck out of there before another German sub arrived with help.
No such luck.
Many adrenaline-pumping scenes ensue with lots of screaming, confusion, explosions and water — but surprisingly little swearing. Pouring down rain makes visibility a fatal weakness for the American sub.
U-571 is not lacking in action or suspense, but perhaps misses in writing and character development.
A warning — U-571 is LOUD.
Not just normal movie-theater loudness either.
Filmmakers insisted that theaters show the film at a higher volume than normal for heightened effect.
But the high volume level gets to be nauseating.
Aside from that, the audio and visual effects are great.
Every depth charge launched by the enemy ships is felt and every explosion pierces the preceding tense silence. The
U-571
Acting: B
Writing: B
Cinematography: A
Sound: C
Dontail: C
pinging of the sonar and the gurgling of the water as the destroyers cut through the ocean enhances the sensation of being underwater.
The acting is decent and the parts are well-casted, but the characters never progress.
McConaughey's Lt. Andrew Tyler is scorned at the opening of the film after being denied command of his own ship. After the mishap on the recovery mission, he's the highest-ranking official and is forced into the top spot. He struggles with the power, but never seems comfortable with it.
The supporting cast is highlighted by Jon Bon Jovi as Lt. Pete Emmett.
The rest of the cast members fit their parts but never form a cohesive whole. It's difficult to bond with these characters because they don't bond with each other.
Flaws aside, U-571 is a welldone military film that will keep you on edge.
28 Days — Sandra Bullock stars as an alcoholic woman in rehab in an attempt to become clean and sober. It's a cute, heavy-handed morality tale. Playing at Southwind 12, Theatre, 3433 Iowa St., American Beauty — A deceased man tells about turning his miserable life around and turning everyone else's upside down. Playing at Southwind 12.
Movie Listings
American Psycho — Christian Bale plays a young Wall Street trader by day and serial killer by night in the bloody screen version of Bret Easton Ellis' controversial novel. Playing at Plaza 6, 2339 Iowa St, he battles a gangster who takes over a department store and invades with Harlem's black high school Plainview at Plaza 6.
The Cider House Rules — A coming-of-age tale about New England orphan Homer Wells' (Tobey Maguire) initiation into the world. Michael Caline co-stars in this deliberately old-fashioned, yet successful, film about first love, the World War II home front and social consciousness. Playing at Plaza 6.
Ern Brockovich — Julia Roberts stars as Ern Brockovich, a Los Angeles worker mother who works at a law office in a self-created position as head investigator in a lawsuit against a California utility giant. Pleasing at Southwild 12.
Final Destination — After a 17-year visualization that the plane and his classmates are on explodes midair and that all on board meet their final destination — death — he and six others leave the aircraft, only to struggle to stay alive on the ground. Playing at Plaza
Frequency — A young man discovers that his ham radio set can reach 30 years into the past to communicate with his father, a firefighter.
Ghost Dog — A contract killer for the mfaa who adheres to ancient Japanese samurai is put to the test when he blames for a bunny attack.
Gossip — Three college students choose a class project on gossip and how fast it spreads, which spirals out of control. Playing at Southwind 12.
Here on Earth — A spoiled rich kid who is sentenced to community service for participating in a costly prank falls in love with a local waitress and eventually becomes entangled in a bitter teenage love triangle. Plavinat at Plaza 6.
High Fidelity — John Cusack plays a record store owner who, after being dumped by his girlfriend, revisits his romantic history and life. (STAR)
Love and Basketball — The story of two young neighbors who share a love for basketball and each other. Playing at Plaza 6.
Ready to Rumble — Two slacker bugges go on a quest to inspire their wrestling hero "King" to get his championship back from his
Rear Window — A re-release of Alfred Hitchcock's thriller in which a bed-ridden photographer witnesses a murder from his rear window. Playing at Liberty Hall.
*Return to Me* — A sickly young woman (Minnie Driver) and a Chicago skyscraper builder (David Duchovny) find love in an unlikely situation. Playing at Southwind 12.
The Road to El Dorado — Tullo and Miguel, two crooked gamblers who make their way to the lost city of gold when they get shipped off to the New World. Playing at Southwind 12.
Romeo Must Die — A young Chinese businessman in New York is asked to broker peace between two mobs, but he fails in love with the girl who lives next door.
Rules of Engagement — Samuel L. Jackson (as marine Col. Terry Childers) is accused of ordering a pointless civilian massacre while evacuating a besieged U.S. embassy in Yemen. Playing at Southeastern 12
The Skulls — Joshua Jackson plays an underprivileged, overachieving Theatrical student drawn into a world of an elite campus Society, Playground. (C)2013
The Third Miracle — The Vatican sends a priest to verify miracles performed by a woman who's been nominated for sainthood. Playing at Liberty Hall.
Where the Heart is — A pregnant 17-year-old is abandoned at a Wal-Mart in the middle of nowhere by her boyfriend with $7.77. She moves into the Wal-Mart and thus begins a new life. Playing at Southwind 12.
Where the Money is — Paul Newman stars as a legendary "bank man" posing as an invader in a nursing home to escape prison and gets pulled into a bank heist by his nurse, Linda Florentino. Playing at Southwind 12.
All Show. Only $2 * Purchase Tickets at the SUA Box Office Level 3. KS Union
Hollywood Theaters
SOUTHWIND 12 3433 IOWA
422-787-6000
BARGAIN MATTEES INDICATED BY ()
STADIUM SEATING • ALL DIGITAL
| | Stat & Samp | Daily |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 1 The Skulls **(93)** | 1.00 | 4.15; 7.15; 9.55 |
| 2 The Road To El Dorado **(94)** | 2.00 | 4.50; 7.20; 9.40 |
| 3 American Beauty **(95)** | 2.00 | 4.50; 7.20; 9.40 |
| Return to Heal **(96)** | 1.50 | 4.05; 7.10; 10.05 |
| 5 Rules of Engagement **(97)** | 1.50 | 4.05; 7.10; 10.05 |
| 6 Knowledge **(98)** | 1.15 | 4.05; 7.15; 10.00 |
| 7 High Fidelity **(99)** | 1.10 | 4.55; 7.10; 10.00 |
| 8 28 Days **(100)** | 1.10 | 4.25; 7.05; 9.40 |
| 9 Where The Money Is **(101)** | 1.55 | 5.00; 7.40; 9.50 |
| 10 Ready To Rumble **(102)** | 1.55 | 5.00; 7.40; 9.50 |
| 11 The Road To El Dorado **(103)** | — | — |
| also, Rules of Enforcement **(104)** | — | 4.00; 6.8; 9.35 |
also\_Rules of Engagement $^{(3)}$
12 Entr Browniock $^{(3)} \dots$ (1:40)
(4:00, 6:45, 9:35
10:10)
Wait, the hyphen after 12 in the image is a bit messy.
Let's just put it as a series of numbers.
12 Entr Browniock $^{(3)} \dots$ (1:40)
(4:00, 6:45, 9:35
10:10)
Sat & Sun Daily
1 Here On Earth™ (1.55) 1:40 3.30 7:10 9:40
2 Cider House Rules™ (1.45) 4.35 7.00 9:30
3 Romeo Must Die™ (1.45) 4.35 7.00 9:30
4 Final Destination™ (1.55) 4:45 7.05 9:35
5 American Psycho™ (2.00) 4:40 7.10 9:40
6 Black And White™ (2.00) 4:40 7.15 9:40
★ NO VIP • PASSES • SUPERSAVERS
SHOWMIES FOR TODAY ONLY
top of the hill is KU students' chance to vote for the best of Lawrence Fill out this form or the form on kansan.com with your favorites; return it to the Kansan business office, 119 Steuffsg.Eliot Hall.
Your name will be placed in a drawing for a dinner for two at the winner of the Best Overall Restaurant and for gift certificates.
Deadline: April 21, 2000
restaurants
2ars
Best Mexican:
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beauty services
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Best Movie Rental: ___
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retailers
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miscellaneous
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