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2.12.99
twelve.b
Love is in the air
Kansan critics set the mood for romance with their movie and music picks
By Matt Cox
Kansan music boy
On Valentine's day, resurrect those old CDs and prepare for a romantic night with the one you love.
These songs define romance. Some call them cheese. Some just call them very likely to be remade by Puff Daddy. I call it cheesy, future Puffy songs that you can't help but love.
One thing to remember is that not every love song will affect a couple in the same way. Below is a list of love types with appropriate song prescriptions.
When love is passionate
Sometimes passion can override rationality. The love between you and that special someone could make you change your major, hair color, or lifestyle.
Bands like Alias, Foreigner and Extreme understand you. They even took the risk of losing their small rock fan base to write love songs. I thank them for doing so.
More Than Words Can Say displays lyrics of longing with the instantly memorable hook, "I need you now, before I lose my mind," that affects even the hardest heart. More Than Words and I Wanna Know What Love Is typifies the struggle of first love; perfect for the passionate couple.
When love is a struggle
Love may be Jerry Springer material. Some songs fit the "i will accept you back for the nth time" theme.
Journey had both hard and soft radio hits, but the greatest of these was Open Arms. This is a classic slow dance song about a returning lover, timeless because of its universal theme and non-trendy structure. It's a shame pop culture-trendy Mariah Carey decided to annihilate it when she remade this song.
When love is established
Sometimes love endures and stays strong. These are songs for those who have forever in their grasp.
More successful veteran rockers Richard Marx and Bryan Adams have the magic formula for great love songs. Right Here Waiting rises above the rest because of its lyrical theme of enduring love that shines through the music. And Everything I Do replenishes the memory of that guy or girl across the gym you never asked to dance in middle school.
When love is sexy
Tom love may be based on a whim. The way your lips move may be the most important variable in your relationship.
In the song-from-big-movie genre, the unforgettable love anthem of a pilot and his instructor in Top Gun is perfect for sexy love. Take My Breath Away soared the charts in the '80s and became that year's most famous love song with it's endearing lyrics of a passionate kiss.
When love is deep
Some relationships are grounded in the soul. Sometimes the eyes are the gateway to the heart.
Even the adult contemporary market produced classics such as In Your Eyes. Peter Gabriel, a unique musician and writer, gives us a reason to listen to pop radio. Perhaps eyes are "a doorway to a thousand churches."
When love is innocent
The purest love is unconditional and the romance is so abundant. Some songs magnify these romantic moments.
The adult contemporary '90s suffer from a lack of heartfelt, meaningful love songs, but Sting proves he can keep the feeling alive. Fields of Gold paints a vibrant picture of a summer romance. Sting's unique percussion and song arrangement captures the heart and make it suitable for that romantic moment.
By Brendan Walsh
Kansan movie critic
For the couple or person who wants to stay in this Valentine's Day, selecting the right movie is essential. If you are looking to celebrate the romantic fervor, here are five suggestions:
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
It's hard to find a list of best romance movies that doesn't include an Audrey Hepburn film, Hepburn's character, Holly Golightly, is blessed with a fitting fictitious name in Blake Edwards's adaptation of Truman Capote's novel.
Helen Gurley Brown couldn't have portrayed a New York City playgirl any more convincingly than Hepburn. Her beauty transcends the movie's age and carries a certain grace not found in the likes of Meg Ryan. Holly Golightly's eccentric worldiness is sexy to men and charming to women.
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
This movie stands out among the throngs of '80s high school movies. Every stereotypical high school personality is represented in this story of true love overcoming class differences. There's also a good subplot involving the separation between teen and parent that happens after graduation.
Some Kind of Wonderful is on the long list of semi-cultish movies written by John Hughes. That list includes Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pretty In Pink, and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, among others. Eric Stoltz's performance as Keith Nelson remains a classic.
Sav Anything (1989)
For college freshmen, video copies of Say Anything are about as ubiquitous as are lava lamps. While the movie is a near cliche among college students, it's still a great comedic love story.
Jonn Cusack plays the hopelessly romantic Lloyd Dobler, an in-with-the-out-crowd kind of guy who seduces the beautiful Diane Court, played by Ione Skye. He represents the man willing to go to any length for the sake of love, and is certain to make
The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love (1995)
impressionable viewers swoon.
It's the typical story of a mismatched pair of lovers who are obviously meant for each other. However, the movie doesn't feel cloying and the unconventional obstacles that must be overcome make The Incredibly True Adventure a great Valentine's Day story for any couple.
The two leads, Laurel Holloman and Maggie Moore, were both newcomers to the big screen when the movie was made. One would never have guessed this by the actors' polished performances. Though Moore hasn't gone on to much else, Holloman was in *Boogie Nights* and *Prefontaine*.
There's Something About Mary (1998)
Hit the video store early if you don't want to be stuck with Air Bud; the video was released just a little while ago and is still in high demand. Putting the grotesque (yet effective) humor aside, the heart of There's Something About Mary is the love story of Ted and Mary.
The prolific Ben Stiller comes across as the perfect hero, and Cameron Diaz does a good job of looking great. Matt Dillon portrays Pat, Ted's rival for Mary's affection, and provides the archetypal villain in this blockbuster.
Love's not your thing? It wasn't too good in these movies, either.
Last Tango in Paris (1973)
A middle-aged Marlon Brando finds a French girl with big hair, who he subjects to endless monologues and an unconventional use of soft cheese.
Christian Slater has the heart of a baboon. Literally.
You've Got Mail (1998)
You've got Sleepless in Seattle II. The movie's tag line is "Someone you pass on the street may already be the love of your life." More likely is that the person you're typing to in an Internet chat room is someone you'd be wise to run away from on the street.
Events Calendar
Matt Merkel-Hess
Friday, Feb. 12
Saturdav. Feb. 13
Winter Concert. KU Symphonic Band, Robert E. Foster, conductor, 7:30 p.m. Lied Center, 864-2787.
Day of Percussion. All day. Swarthout
Bereal Hall, Mumbhall, R64-3436.
KU Theatre for Young People. "Ramona Quimby" by Len Jenkin. Based on the books by Beverly Cleary. Directed by Jeanne Klein. 7 p.m. Crafton-Preyer Theater, Murphy Hall. 864-3982.
Dance. "Survival of the Sexiest: Dance and Animal Romance." B: 30-midnight. Natural Museum Museum. $21 advance. $25 day of. 864-4450.
Sunday. Feb.14
Brentano String Quartet. 3:30 p.m. Lied Center. $25/20 adults, $24/19 seniors,
$12.50 students. 864-7878
Choral Concert. "For Valentines." Concert Choir, Men's Glee Club, University Singers, Women's Chorale. 7:30 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Parkway, 864-3436.
Siberian Surf Rock. The Red Elevids with the Budinskis. Sponsored by JKHK 90.7 FM and Liberty Hall. 8 p.m, Liberty Hall. $5, 749-1972.
Leave the love to Cupid... Leave your hair to us.
Pamper your Valentine with a 1 hr. massage & receive a free 15 minute chair massage.
1 hr. massage $50
1/2 hr. massage $35
Reflexology (foot massage) $20
Chair massage $15
Hair Experts Design Team
25th & Iowa • 841-6886
Red Lyon Tavern
944 Mass.832-8228
Enchi(C)lada (its)Friday?
Two large potato enchiladas. Choose black beans, chicken spinach, or turkey to fill them out.Served with rice, beans chips and salsa.
all day at the Glass Onion
$4.99
Spend your Valentine's Day Weekend with the Kansas City Symphony
featuring Leila Josefowicz, violin
featuring Leila Josefowicz, violin with Joseph Silverstein conducting Wagner "Prelude" and "Love Death"
from Tristan and Isolde Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2 Bimsky-Korsakov Scheher
concerto No. 2
Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
8 pm Friday & Saturday Feb 12-13 Lyric Theatre, 11th and Central Tickets $15-37
NationsBank
Symphony Sundays at Yardley Hall 2 pm Feb 14,Yardley Hall Johnson County Community College Tickets $15-27
Symphony Sundays is underwritten by the John S. and James I. Knight Foundation. Ms. Josefina's appearance with the Symphony is sponsored by Heldberg Diamonds.
Sprint.
For Tickets Call (816) 471-0400