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REVIEW
Movie Review: Brideshead Revisited
Restrictive social class obligations. Romantically frustrated young adults. Beautiful English country mansions.What do these things have in common? They're all ingredients for a good British drama. They've already been subjects of great movies like Bright Young Things, Becoming Jane and Atonement, and they are also at the heart of Brideshead Revisited, an adaptation of the classic Evelyn Waugh novel.
This tearjerker focuses on Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode), a first-year college student who strikes up a friendship with Sebastian Flyte (Ben Whishaw), a fellow student who comes from a noble family. For one summer, Charles stays with the Flyte family at their mansion. While Charles considers his relationship with Sebastian to just be friendly, Sebastian, who is homosexual, wants it to be more.After Charles falls in love with Sebastian's sister Julia (Hayley Atwell), the Flytes' strict Catholic mother (Emma Thompson) puts the kibosh on the relationship, and Charles' friendship with Sebastian is destroyed.
The performances in Brideshead Revisited are all good. Thompson does
superbly as Lady Marchmain, the overbearing mother,and Ben Whishaw is impressive as Sebastian. As the lead Matthew Goode also has a good onscreen presence.
Brideshead Revisted fits well in the pantheon of great British drama, but it doesn't really stand out. It's just another lushly photographed, well-acted literary adaptation about class, romantic frustration and—you guessed it—beautiful English country mansions.
Abby Olcese
Music Review: Gym Class Heroes
The boys of Gym Class Heroes have Fall Out Boy—especially lead singer Patrick Stump—to thank for their breakout success with their top single "Cupid's Chokehold," which was produced by Stump, who also sang the hook. The Heroes also owe a lot to Stump for their new record, The Quilt. Once again, he lends his vocals to a fantastically catchy song."Blinded by the Sun," and produced about half the tracks on the record.
It's the catchy songs such as this one that make the album worth listening to. Gym Class Heroes are, quite frankly, little more than a band who can write a great hook, collaborate well with other artists and sound good on the radio, nestled between Katy Perry's "I Kissed A Girl" and "Disturbia" by Rihanna. Highlights of the album include the fabulous horn and hook song "Guilty as Charged" featuring Estelle, and the first single "Cookie Jar."
The album suffers when Gym Class Heroes tries to be a band it's not (i.e. The Roots). "Peace Sign/Index Down" makes
McCoy seem a bit ridiculous trying to keep up with Busta Rhymes' flow, and other songs without a catchy pop hook come off as repetitive and boring.
Gym Class Heroes truly shine when they simply embrace their inner pop stars.
—Elise Stawarz
Movie Review: College
There comes a time in each person's life when old personal records are broken. She's never run that far in one try. He's never failed that many classes. These accomplishments help us determine the direction in which our lives are going. This is the only reason I suggest you see Deb Hagen's, (director of the 2004 smash hit Pee Shy), new movie, College. You'll have found a sound candidate for the worst movie experience of your life.
Let's face it. Expectations weren't high to begin with. Two Disney Channel stars, Drake Bell and Andrew Caldwell, team up with former American Idol contestant Kevin Covais in an effort to take that next step into fame with a low-brow comedy. They certainly stepped in something.
Here's the story, if you could call it that:Three high school kids spend a weekend at the local college to "find themselves" through drunken debauchery. This leads to meeting the members of a fraternity, who end up making their lives a living hell. How do our plucky heroes get revenge? Why, by out-grossing their fratty rivals, of course.
It's not just that this movie is disgusting. Or that the writers rely on the
lowest possible standard for generating laughs. Or that there isn't a creative bit of content in the whole movie. Its main flaw is that it's just not funny. Even those tickled by a good fart joke will be disappointed.
So if you have an hour and 20 minutes to waste, see College so you can tell your friends,"I've never seen a move that bad in my life!"
—Matthew Crooks
September 11,2008
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