2B • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
ENTERTAINMENT
THURSDAY, NOV. 8,2001
HOROSCOPES
Today's Birthday (Nov. 8)
Today's Birthday (Nov. 8).
You can expect a lot of discussion this year, along with some resistance to your authority. This isn't necessarily bad. You'll fine-tune the skill of getting along with others — and, of course, the skill of teaching them how to get along with you.
Aries (March 21-April 19). Today is a 7. You're a straightforward, honest person. With you, what people see is what they get. But that doesn't mean you can't have a private side. Right now, love and money both fit into that category. You can be confident and successful with out-telling everybody how you do it.
Taurus (April 21-May 20). Today is a 5. Don't expect much progress until later tomorrow. You're locked in negotiations. Your partner, mate or main adversary is very persuasive. Are you going to be swayed by this person's argument? Only if it's to your ultimate advantage. You be the judge.
Gemini (May 21-June 21). Today is a 6. OK, now it's time to really get serious. You may not get far, though. If the best you can do is to keep somebody from running all over you, that's good enough. Tonight, stay close to home. There's work to be done.
Cancer (June 22- July 22). Today is a 7.
Love is聚汁le, but money is temporarily scarce. Put your heads together and come up with a plan. Doing isn't so bad when you're doing it together.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22). Today is a 6.
Home is where your heart is tonight,
and that's where your body should be,
too. That may require a slight modification to your schedule, but it's worth the effort. Tell the boss you can't work late. You have more important things to do.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Today is a 7.
An insider tip could help you find the perfect thing for your home. If it gives you the look you want, go for it, even if it means going without something else. Make a change for the better.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22). Today is a 6.
Be careful about what you say for the next few weeks. Let business take top priority. Learn to be a strategist. This could cramp your style socially for a while, but your friends will understand.
**Scorpio** (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 7.
You're getting stronger, smarter and cuter. Not everyone agrees with you yet, but don't let that slow you down. Don't hobbie to convince you. You'll win more votes with your smile.
**Sagittarius** (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 7.
Conditions are changing again.
Although you're exuberant and enthusiastic, it's best not to gloat.
Keep recent victories to yourself, and start planning your next move.
**Capricorn** (Dec. 21-Jan. 19) Today is a 7.
Your friends mean the world to you, even though you rarely say so. One of them will need a favor soon. It's a chance to show your appreciation and your love.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Today is a 6. You'll have to hold off for a little while longer. There'll be too much opposition to your suggestions. Instead of feeling squashed, take notes. If you address those issues, the opposition will dissolve.
ruscs(Feb.19-March20) Today is a 7.
Your attention turns to a new idea or a very attractive person. The two may even be linked. But something is in the way. You can't get together yet. Actually, tomorrow's better anyway. For now, concentrate on your work.
Meridian, a comic book published by Florida-based CrossGen Comics, has a coming-of-age story that focuses on 16-year-old Stephie and how she deals with the death of her parents and the actions of her evil uncle.
'Meridian' brings new vision to comics
Because of her near-magical abilities to heal and fly, Steph has been thrust into a conflict with her uncle, who possesses special abilities that cause destruction.
At the beginning of Meridian, Stephie has lost everything. Her mother is long dead, her father recently died and the people of Meridian, the city-state her father ruled as Minister, believe she is dead.
Before Sophie can take the job as the new Minister of Meridian, she is taken in by her uncle, Ihlan, the Minister of the city-state of Cadador.
Sephie's life would be looking up except for the fact that Ihan controls the vast shipping monopoly that manages the planet Demetria. He also plans to take away Stephie's right to take the Meridian Minister position.
Sephie does manage to escape from her uncle and she creates a plan to destroy Cadador's monopoly, relying
Commentary
heavily on her ability to heal and to fly.
Donovan Atkinson
Columnist
jayplayykansan.com
heavily on her ability to heal and to fly. Sophie becomes the unexpected leader of a band of pirates, and rumors of her exploits as the flying Minister of Meridian have propelled her into a hero-like status among the underprivileged of her world.
in the current issue, No. 17, Stephie has made progress in her struggle to break her uncle's shipping monopoly by allying herself with the city-state of Massintak, an intellectual city that has made great strides in the study of science. With the help of Massintak's revolutionary airships, Stephie is able to convince others to join her cause.
Meanwhile, Ilhan has been furthering his own plans for an airstair armada.
Series writer Barbara Kesel always wanted to do a series that would appeal to the untaptied readership of female comic fans. She has accomplished her goal with Meridian.
Several strong female characters are present in the series, from main characters Stephie and expert pirate Deren Beq, as well as minor characters such as Lady Wyntren, a technological genius who aids Stephie.
Kesel has made the focus of the story the plot and the characterization and not action as most comics tend to do. Emotional entanglements evolve between Sophie and her long-time friend, Jad, who also happens to be the object of affection for the character Feabie.
Kesel's writing is easy to follow, straightforward and focuses on the key characters of the story—not in subplots involving the supporting cast. Also, a story recap is included with each issue, reminding regular readers what has happened and allowing new readers a way to jump in by providing the basic plot elements.
The artwork of Meridian is clear and wonderfully executed. The pencil drawings by Steve McNiven are well suited for the fantasy aspects of the book, and the inks by Tom Simmons and colors by Morry Hollowell further bring the images to life.
Meridian is not a typical comic book.
By focusing on a young girl, the creatine
team has brought a story that can appeal
to a wide variety of readers, whether or
not they have read comics before.
Meridian is published monthly with a newsstand price of $2.95 an issue.
Deep thoughts slow pace of 'Shallow Hal'
Contact Atkinson at 864-4810
Real beauty is on the inside. It's a valuable lesson taught to children from an early age, teaching them to look past outward appearances and judge others for who and what they really are.
Of course, it is total rubbish and people, initially at least, judge others totally based on what they look like. No amount of political correctness will ever change that. Guys will always want the girl who looks like Britney Spears. And girls always want the guy who looks like Brandon Stinnett. We are, after all, only human.
Shallow Hal ★★★
Brandon Stinnett
Movie Reviewer
ajpaylukansan.com
But there is another rule in life that most people come to realize. People, guys and girls both, usually try to hook up with people at similar levels of attractiveness.
Commentary
Great movie of the week: Traffic. Acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh deservedly won the Best Director Academy Award for this film, which examines the different aspects of society's seemingly unsolvable drug problem. Traffic elegantly intertwines three distinct plot lines without struggling to keep viewers' undivided attention.
Bad movie of the week: Spice World. For reasons I will never fully comprehend, this movie about the talentless group of English pop stars actually got made. For an equally incomprehensible reason, I actually saw the movie. My sister wanted to go and needed someone to take her. It is one decision I will never forgive myself for.
In the new movie Shallow Hal,
somebody forgot to tell Hal that rule.
He's a short, pudgy guy who hits on
all the best-looking girls, which,
predictably always results in rejection.
One day that all changes when he is hypnotized into seeing only the inner beauty in everyone he meets.
Hal, who doesn't realize he's been hypnotized, is pleasantly surprised to find the beautiful women he now hits on actually want to go out with him. Of course, they're not really beautiful, but
he thinks they are and attributes his new found success to a string of good luck.
Hal's friends, however, judge the women on their real outward appearances—fat and ugly—and wonder what the heck has gotten Hal so desperate.
Eventually Hal meets a woman named Rosemary (Gwyneth Paltrow, who wears a gigantic fat suit in scenes when people other than Hal look at her) whom he really likes. He's initially attracted to her striking beauty, but as they grow closer, he realizes that she's a really great person.
Problem is, Hal doesn't realize that Rosemary weighs about a ton or that she's the daughter of his boss at work.
Predictably, troubles arise and ultimately Hal must decide if it's outward or inner beauty that matters most.
Shallow Hal is directed by Peter
and Bobby Farrell, the comedic geniuses behind There's Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber. Unlike their previous efforts, there's a lesson to be learned in Shallow Hell.
But the intended message about society's preoccupation with outward appearances gets muddled by the Farrelly's usual assortment of jokes that poke fun at disabled and fat people. The Farrelly's have never been ones to conform to the mainstream cries for political correctness, but in this movie they contradict themselves.
Shallow Hal tells us that judging people because of how they look is bad, but making fun of them isn't.
There is plenty to laugh at in *Shalou Hol* Hal, such as scenes when Hal
can't figure out how Rosemary can eat like a cow and still maintain a perfect body, or why the chairs she sits in at restaurants keep breaking from the pressure of her petite 110-pound frame.
Many scenes aimed at being funny invoke a smile rather than laughter, but there is enough comedy that works to keep the movie from growing dull too quickly. Only during later scenes when the comedy gives way to the message do the minutes start to drag bv and boredom sets in.
Next time, the Farellys should skip the sappy, feel-good moral-of-the story trash and stick to making fun of people. It's what they're good at.
Contact Stinnett at 864-4810
Club to celebrate festival with Indian culture, dance
By Mandalee Meisner Jayplay writer
Every year. Hindus around the world celebrate the beginning of the New Year with Diwali, a festival of lights.
Saturday, the Cultural India Club will bring the dance, food and culture of the traditional Hindu festival to the University of Kansas with its own Diwali celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. at Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union.
This year's festivities include a fashion show in the form of a traditional Indian wedding, singing and dancing performances, skits and Indian food catered by Ruchi's Kitchen.
"There'll be a lot of music, a lot of dance, a lot of colorful dresses and great tasting Indian food," said Iqbalijit Singh, Lawrence junior and the club's events coordinator.
According to Singh, Diwali commemorates the return of the Hindu god Rama from 14 years of exile. Hindus traditionally celebrate Rama's return by lighting lamps and candles, exchanging gifts and performing rituals in honor of Rama.
Singh said the celebration brings a sense of home to many KU Indian students. Diwali is one of the main celebrations of the Hindu faith and culture.
"It brings everyone together and
gives them an opportunity to see the traditional dances here in Lawrence," Singh said. "It gives everyone the home kind of feeling you get from seeing your own nation's songs, dresses and people."
A main aspect of Diwali is the buying, exchanging and wearing of new clothes; in some countries. Appropriately, the main event on Saturday will be a fashion show featuring traditional Northern Indian wedding outfits.
Although the focus is on costumes, the show remains true to Indian custom.
"It shows how an Indian marriage takes place, portraying everything
from the engagement to the reception and the actual ceremony." Singh said.
Jubie Johnson, Overland Park sophomore, said that although she was Indian, the mock wedding would still be a learning experience for her. She will portray the equivalent of a bridesmaid in the fashion show.
"I'm from South India and it's a Northern Indian wedding, so the clothes that I'm wearing for the show I've never worn in my life," Johnson said. "This is probably the first and last time I'll wear an outfit like this, so I'm very excited."
Contact Meisner at 864-4810
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