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The University Daily Kansan
Section B • Page 3
Local Charlie's Angels look-alike shines in Hollywood
By Erin Taggart Special to the Kansan
Andy Warhol once said that everyone would have their 15 minutes of fame. Last weekend, I had mine when I had a unique taste of the elite motion picture industry. This is my story of win-
nmg the "Be an Angel: Charlie's Angels Look-alike Contest."
My prize was an all-expensespaid trip for me and a guest to Hollywood, tickets to the world premiere of Charlie's Angels and its after-party, tons of publicity and the possibility that I might
Charlie's Angels Look-alike Contest winners Lise Lefevre, Susan Marshall and Erin Taggart, Overland Park sophomore, pose at the movie's world premiere. Taggart won the contest because of her likeness to Drew Barrymore. Contributed art
come face to face with my counterpart — Drew Barrmore.
My best friend Mimi, who attends Marquette University in Milwaukee, accompanied me. Because we've been best friends since I was 5, and she loves Tom Green, Barrymore's boyfriend, she was my first choice. We arrived Saturday afternoon and had cocktails with my native Los Angeles friends in my swanky hotel room by 6 p.m. By 7:30 that night we were at my favorite bar on the Sunset Strip. Unfortunately, by 9 p.m. we were in the emergency room of Cedars Sinai hospital because one of my friends was suffering from severe alcohol poisoning.
miere, the camera crew still with us. I hadn't been nervous until this point, but once my heels stepped onto the red carpet, my knees were suddenly Jell-O.
The next day, I was with a TV crew from Inside Edition by 4 p.m. and had met the other two winners, Susan Marshall and Lise Lefevre, the respective Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu look-a-likes. We had a blast while we did hokey poses for the camera and were interviewed. By 6:30 p.m., about 10 of us were in the biggest limousine I had ever seen, rolling down Hollywood Boulevard on our way to the pre-
People were everywhere. Fans watched from across the street behind barricades. We were escorted down the red carpet as bulbs flashed and photographers beckoned personalities to look their way. We passed all of the still photographers who asked us to pose, smile and imitate judo chops. Right in front of us, Patrick Fugit, the young star of Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous, was being eaten alive by the press — they loved him. Matt LeBlanc, who co-stars in the movie as Lucy Liu's beau, was standing next to us.
I expected him to be like Joey, his character on Friends, but he was reserved, and I didn't see him smile once.
During all the commotion I didn't see the arrival of many celebrities, but Mimi was watching the action as they trickled in
including Tony Danza, who brought his daughter to see the show. We waited as long as we
could on the red carpet because we were supposed to have a photo shoot with Lucy, Cameron and Drew. Unfortunately, things got too crazy and we ran out of time, so we never had a chance to meet them. I grabbed a small bag of popcorn, we were seated, and the movie started.
So after the premiere I ran to the ladies' room. I was priming in the mirror when Mimi intervened and told me to pay attention. I stopped and heard a familiar voice. I couldn't believe it. I turned around and found myself in the middle of the ladies' room in the company of Drew Barrymore and Tom Green. She was talking with friends. Finally, she stopped talking and I happened to catch her eye. I spoke up, realizing this was my only chance. "Uh, hi ... I'm sorry — I just — well — I am your look-alike." Yeah, real smooth, Erin. She came running over to me. "You're beautiful!" was the first thing she said. "I was so excited to meet you. What's your name?
Where are you from?" She gave me a huge hug.
I couldn't believe it. Drew was so amazing. I can't even remember what I said because I just went on this babbling rampage commending her as tears streamed down my cheeks. She posed for some pictures, then excused herself to use the facilities. I then joined Mimi and Tom Green. He was quiet but funny. "Tom, you are in the ladies' room." Mimi mused. "Am I actually in the ladies room or am I just in the outskirts?" he asked. It was surreal.
Mimi and I waited for our limo to take us to the after-party at the Hollywood Athletic Club, where we were interviewed and photographed again. During my final interview with Inside Edition, I looked over to see Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner and three of his busty, blonde bombshell girlfriends standing right beside me.
So that was that. The next day it was back to Kansas — boring, flat, cold Kansas.
Parody of a parody: These Angels have style but lack substance
Erin Taggart is an Overland Park sophomore.
Edited by Erin Adamson
By Clare McLellan
Kansan movie critic
By Clare McLellan
Three beautiful women sport revealing outfits while employing mad martial arts skills, all filmed using peeping Tom camera angles in first-time director McG's film version of the popular '70s TV show, Charlie's Angels.
I suppose I could end this review right here and not only have given an accurate and complete description of Charlie's Angels, but also enticed a majority of the male population to beeline-it to the closest theater tomorrow to see this piece of "female asset exploitation" cinema.
But for those whose cinematic tastes are a bit more difficult to satisfy, and in an attempt to fulfill my duties as a film critic, I will delve a bit deeper.
The plot is truly not worth mentioning — that's not why anyone is going to see this movie. Most people will see Charlie's Angels because:
b. ) They were a fan of the TV show.
a. ) They want to see Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu prince around in revealing clothes.
Review
d. ) They got a free pass (this was my reason).
In case,however,there is some poor
b.) They were a fan of the TV show.
c.) It's the movie their date wanted to see and he's buying.
soul dying to know what this movie's about: The Angels are after some stolen high-tech software and end up trying to save their heard-bulner-season boss, Charlie. To mod-up the film from the TV show, the girls exercise their Kung Fu talents on the bad guys instead of relying on guns.
Not that this film isn't enjoyable — it definitely has its moments of humor. Tom Green's cameo as "the Chad" (Drew Barrymore's pseudo-boyfriend) is amusing. And Cameron Diaz showcasing her killer "running man" and other outdated dance moves to "Baby Got Back" is one of the funniest scenes in the movie. In general, the three angels handle their parts devilishly well.
Some other actors make notable cameos in Angels, Crispin Glover, best known for his role as George McFly in Back to the Future, turns in an unsettling performance as The Thin Man—and is almost too creepy for the light-hearted mood of the film.
Unfortunately, someone let Matt LeBlanc off the set of *Friends* to play Lucy Liu's boyfriend, and, well, that guy just isn't much of an actor.
Bill Murray's supporting role as Bosley, the Angels' go-between to Charlie, doesn't make much sense for
Charlie's Angels
Acting: ●●●○○○
Writing: ●●○○○○
Hot Girls in Tight Clothes Factor:
●●●●●
his character. He's too big a star with too strong a presence to take the back seat in a movie like this.
When I say "a movie like this," here's what I mean: The original Charlie's Angels series worked because it made fun of itself — the ridiculous clothes, the perpetually perfect hair and makeup, and the basic concept of gorgeous girls fighting crime. Why do we need a movie to parody a parody? What is it trying to accomplish? It just doesn't make sense.
But hey, with a guy presumptuous enough to go by "McG" directing, who's accusing Charlie's Angels of trying to accomplish anything artistically?
And any movie coming in under two hours these days deserves credit in my book.
To anyone out there who may still doubt the purpose of this film: Cameron Diaz frolics about in a T-shirt and boy's Underoos for several minutes in one scene and wears a head-to-toe white body suit in another. Any questions?
Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore star in the film version of the 1970s television show Charlie's Angels. Bill Murray, Tom Green and Matt LeBlanc make guest appearances in the movie. Unlike the original show, the angels use Kung Fu instead of guns to battle eviloides. Contributed art
- Edited by Clay McCuistion
AN OPEN LETTER TO FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS
We urge you to consider the outstanding qualifications of Barbara Ballard to continue to represent the 44th District in the Kansas House of Representatives:
Barbara Ballard is an experienced leader in forming and implementing public policy. She is a hard worker, a realist, and an optimist.She believes that difficult problems can be solved, and she brings an extraordinary energy and determination to her responsibilities.
Barbara Ballard is open and fair-minded. She listens to all sides of an issue, she considers both the advantages and disadvantages of any course of action, and she respects differences of opinion.
Barbara Ballard is thoroughly familiar with the challenges of creating and supporting high-quality programs at all levels of public education. She has a clear and admirable record of leadership and service in USD #497, and she has an exemplary record of leadership and service to The University of Kansas. She is an outstanding advocate for public education in the state of Kansas.
Barbara Ballard has legislative experience, ability, and character. She is a superb legislator. She has served in Topeka as she has served the Lawrence community; with good will and hard work, with poise and intelligence and with an unquestioned sense of responsibility to the public trust. We are fortunate to have Barbara Ballard among us. She deserves our support on November 7th
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