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REVIEWS
MOVIE: The Express
In recent years, a formula has developed in sports movies: Find the story of a team or individual where race had been an obstacle, and make a movie.
Of course it's more complicated than that, even if movies like Remember the Titans and Glory Road make it seem easy. Those films are by no means bad. The Express, however, goes a bit deeper.
The Ernie Davis story deals with racism at the height of the civil rights movement, but it turns into something bigger in the end. Davis helped pave the way for the acceptance of black athletes in sports with his amazing football skills and his hard work, but died at age 23 from leukemia, having never reached his goal of playing in the NFL.
Rob Brown plays Davis, a member of the Syracuse University football team in the 1960s and the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy. His journey is as remarkable as it is heartbreaking.
The acting here is solid, anchored by Dennis Quaid's turn as Ben Schwartzwalder, Syracuse's head football coach. Brown's heartwarming performance as Davis pairs well with Quaid's hard-nosed portrayal of Schwartzwalder.
The film is by no means perfect. It runs a little long and has some overly sentimental dialogue. In the end, though, the incredible and tragic story makes up for the film's shortcomings.
No movie could truly live up to Ernie Davis' story, but The Express is more than worth the price of admission and will keep you thinking long after you leave the theater.
Mark Arehart
MUSIC: Ben Folds, Way To Normal
Since his foray into a solo career, Ben Folds has kept himself busy producing, arranging and entertaining in a variety of ways. With his latest release, Way To Normal, Folds is back and armed with his upbeat piano-rock and smirking, humorous attitude.
On the first track, "Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head)," which is live, Folds laughs at himself while describing a concert in Hiroshima during which he fell and hit his head. The fun—and occasional profanity—continues with the fast-paced track "The Bitch Went Nuts," which captures Folds' sarcastic and almost angry outlook on life and, of course, love. Folds collaborates with Regina Spektor on the track "You Don't Know Me." and the two sound as if their voices were destined to be paired, with vocals bouncing back and forth in a lighthearted, easy dialogue about how even the closest couple can't truly know everything about one another. The song "Effington" is cleverly humorous, as well, with Folds wittily contemplating a "new effing life" in a "wonderful effing place."
Moments of quieter, reflective piano
melodies aren't lost on Folds' new album, however. The song "Kylie From Connecticut" has the same light, earnest piano melodies as older Folds tracks like "The Luckiest" and "Landed."
While Folds' blunt sarcasm seems unusual for a 42-year-old, and even a bit recycled from his past albums. Way To Normal is filled to the brim with catchy hooks and cynical humor paired with genuine emotion. With this album, Folds continues his tirade against broken relationships and his search for a normal life, no matter what that life may hold.
—Amanda Sorell
MOVIE: The Duchess
What is the meaning of friendship?
Can a friend be shared with your enemy?
Can friendship turn into romance? Would you sacrifice your own well-being for the sake of a friend? The Duchess presents all these questions.
The movie centers on the epic figure of Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire, played incredibly by Keira Knightley. The film opens in April of 1774 when a marriage contract is made between Georgiana's mother, Lady Spencer, and the Duke of Devonshire, played by Ralph Fiennes. Georgiana's only duty is to give birth to a son, who will be an heir for the Duke.
The marriage ceremony and wedding night are awkward, and Georgiana naively believes the Duke married her out of love. While she bears and adopts daughters, the marriage becomes strained because of her supposed inability to bear a son. To distract herself from her husband's distraught and disgusted attitude toward her, Georgiana dives into the arenas of fashion and politics, where she reconnects with childhood sweetheart Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper), and old emotions come alive again.
Along the journey, Georgiapicks up a best friend. Bess Foster, to accompany her on vacations and outings. But Bess is
not what she seems.
From the writers who brought you 2005's Casanova, The Duchess finally provides Keira Knightley with the role she's been waiting for. She is not a soccer player, a hit woman, a princess or a pirate, but simply a woman who is tested with the trials of her time.
The Duchess is a movie you cannot miss.
Mia Iverson
22
October 23,2008