Volume 124 Issue 138
kansan.com
Thursday, April 19, 2012
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ENTERTAINMENT
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Movie Review:
What max
"Lockout" //LANDON MCDONALD
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Motor-mouthed mercenary Guy Pearce must rescue the president's daughter from an orbital prison riot in "Lockout."
There was a time when action heroes didn't have to carry the weight of the world on their brooding, perfectly toned shoulders. There was a time when they were like us: flawed, downtrodden, maybe a bit on the cynical side. Bruce Willis's John McClane and Kurt Russell's Snake Plissken got the job done with a wink and a grunt, saving the day with little more than blue-collar gumption and one-liners cut from the finest premium cheddar.
Agent Snow (Guy Pearce), the pun-happy protagonist of the high-concept, low-yield sci-fi yarn "Lockout," would make a worthy addition to their ranks, despite the fact that almost everything else in his movie reeks of creative compromise and the listless cataloging of hoary action clichés. French action gourmand Luc Besson, who seemed on the verge of a creative renaissance after producing "Taken" back in 2009, appears determined to continue cooking up potentially exciting concepts and diluting them into bloodless, sanitized rubbish.
The film would be a complete waste of space if it weren't for its admittedly astute casting choices. Pearce, a favorite of mine in films like "L.A. Confidential" and "The Proposition." plays Snow like the rascally kid brother of Han Solo and Spike from "Cowboy Bebop." I can't wait to see what he brings to Ridley Scott's upcoming "Prometheus." He develops a natural repartee with the lovely Grace, who between this and "Taken" must require rescue more often than Lois Lane. "Fargo" veteran Peter Stormare brings his usual oily menace to the role of Langal, a shadowy government operative may have framed Snow for high treason.
But honestly, how do you screw up a movie about a wisecracking badass who gets sent into orbit to rescue the president's daughter (Maggie Grace) from a riot that breaks out during an ill-advised humanitarian trip to Space Prison? Answer: you cram it to the gills with incomprehensible Scottish prison slang, green-screened backdrops and woefully derivative action sequences featuring some of the doggiest CGI in recent memory.
But a gifted cast can't save a sub-par movie. In the end, "Lockout" isn't funny or violent or even comically inept enough to warrant a watch. It just sits there for an hour and a half, dragging itself through the same tired paces, dredging up stolen memories of better films from better filmmakers. Trust me, sci-fi fans: this is one for the garbage compactor.
FINAL RATING: ★★☆☆
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unique is the placement or some of the competitions, most notably the shot put and long jump. Last year, these two meets took place in downtown Lawrence between Massachusetts Street and New Hampshire Street. This marked the first time in the United States that a track and field meet was held on a street. The men's shot put drew 2,500 people at the intersection of Eighth and New Hampshire Streets.
I encourage everyone in Lawrence this weekend to attend the Kansas Relays. They are steeped in history. It should be something that students and residents should be prideful about. If you're attending the meets in downtown Lawrence, you're able to not only enjoy watching the meets, but also visit downtown shops, restaurants and bars.
The University will also attempt to break the record for world's largest nacho plate during the Relays. After all, records were made to be broken.
Edited by Pat Strathman
from rooftops and windows and many stood on the street surrounding the giant mound of sand constructed on top of Eighth and New Hampshire Streets as some of the world's best shot putters competed. Reese Hoffa threw over 71 feet to beat former silver medalist Christian Cantwell.
Hoffa won the event on his final throw, outdoing an earlier throw by Cantwell that had already been announced as the longest in the world this year. A day before the downtown competition, Reese discussed why he was looking forward to the event for this year's Kansas Relays.
"I love these kinds of meets because it gets the crowd into it," Hoffa said. "It's up close and personal and if they ever have any questions about what is shot putting, we answer that for them."
Hoffa's winning throw traveled 71 feet, $3'\frac{1}{4}$ inches to show fans why shot put is on a world class level. After the competition Hoffa was the center of attention, answering questions, signing
enjoy the opportunity that the downtown shot put event provided for the fans to be able to see the event at such close range. The throwers normally don't have the opportunity to interact with fans after competition, so they took advantage of the moment.
"I think it's an awesome place to throw and a great way to feature the shot put." Adam Nelson, a two-time Olympic medalist, said.
CHRIS NEAL/KANSAN
"Usually we're in the middle of the field, and you're lucky if the fans are actually able to see the event." Nelson said.
This competition was just the beginning of the outdoor season for many of the competitors, and from here they have just over two months until the Olympic trials take place on June 21.
Edited by Bre Roach
Ryan Whiting, the 2012 World indoor champion said this is the first step toward trials. "We're all going to have to shoot it out in Eugene in two months," Whitting said.
Reese Hoffa of the New York Athletic Club hoists the trophy after winning the Kansas Relays Men's Shot Put competition in downtown Lawrence, Wednesday night.
Jackson, jonifer Audley, towens and sophomore Meghan Potee made the Women's Academic All-Big 12 first team. The women's team has produced at least three first-team selections for five consecutive seasons and 47 first-team selections of all time.
Junior Alex Gutesha made the Men's Academic All-Big 12 second team, which requires a 3.2 GPA over two semesters. Gutesha is one of 22 players to make the list.
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Freshmen and transfer students are not eligible in their first year of academic residence.
The women's team is preparing for Big 12 Championship play at Lawrence Country Club in Lawrence April 27-29. The men's team travels to Trinity, Texas for the Big 12 Championship at Whispering Pines Golf Club.
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— Trevor Graff