Friday, October 10.1997
The University Daily Kansan
Section A • Page 7
"Seven Years" tries too hard
By Scott Eric Travers
s-travelers@ukans.edu
Kansas movie guy
Tibet — its mystery, its people, its culture — cries out to be documented. The land is beautiful and its history rich, so an epic film about its tumultuous past is inevitable.
The Dalai Lama (Jamyang Wangkuch) touches the blond hair of Inhernich Harer (Brad Pitman). "Seven Years in Tibet" opens this weekend. Contributed photographer
Director Jean-Jacques Annaud's "Seven Years in Tibet," is the true story of the friendship between an Austrian mountaineer (Brad Fitt) and the Dalai Lama.
Pitt plays Heinrich Harrer, a callous, humorless man who leaves his pregnant wife in the midst of World War II to climb in the Himalayas and make Austrian history. But forced out of the mountains by severe weather, Harrer gets to the base camp only to find that he is now a prisoner of war.
"Seven Years"
The tedious exposition is saved only by the outstanding
- Seven Years in Tibet
- TriStar, 139 minutes
- PG-13, for some violent sequences
- Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud
- Starring Brad Pitt, David Thewl and B.D. Wong
performance of David Thewlis ("The Island of Dr. Moreau"), perhaps the film's best. After a series of shared misadventures, they stealthily enter Lhasa, Tibet's majestic holy city where foreigners are not permitted.
A compassionate political figure allows them to remain. Harrer's attempts to woo the local tailor lead him to teach an old Buddhist monk to ice skate, which the young Dalal Lama witnesses. Intrigued by the
eigner, he arranges a meeting with Harrer, and an immediate friendship is formed.
Choosing not to go back to Austria until the war is over, Harrer teaches the Dalai Lama everything he knows about the world and builds a movie theater (without killing any earthworms). Slowly, the patience and compassion of the Buddhist
community rubs off on him.
Pitt never quite manages an Austrian accent but is convincing as a man who regrets being away from his son.
"Seven Years in Tibet" is filled with beautiful costuming and outstanding cinematography, but its obvious effort to contend for an Oscar underline its ability simply to be a good movie.
Remake of Renaissance play takes center stage
Comedy translated from Machiavelli text
Kansan staff report
Niccolo Machiaveli's sex comedy two thumbs up for its talented and amusing dramatization of 16th century criticism of Florence society.
Director John Gronbeck-Tedesco, chairperson of Theatre and Film, translated the piece from its original Italian form, "La Mangagola."
Gronbeck-Tedesco said the play deals with gender and power issues pertinent in today' society. Students should pay attention to the play's use of education within positions of power, he said. Once people achieve a certain level of power they need to be conscious of how they utilize their authority.
Movie references to films such as "Braveheart" and "Princess Bride" are made by cast members. The silent Madcap of Flawrence entertains the audience with his slow motion running. Even the campus switch to Coca-Cola products is addressed.
"Mandrake"
When: October 11
- tickets: $8 for the public, $4 for students and $7 for senior citizens
- Available at the Lied Center box office, 864-ARTS; Murphy Hall box office, 864-3982; and Student Union Activities office, Kansur Office, 864-3477.
The plot centers around uses of power and influence by the Florentine professional class and entails a betrayal conspiracy against an innocent young wife named Lucretia.
Lawrence junior Becca Booth, who plays the wife, said although her character loses herself in other people's opinions, she becomes more worldly.
Janet tied up in 'Velvet Rope;' 'Afterglow' fades fast
Album selections offer plethora of peace and noise
By Ashlee Roll
Kansan staff writer
Patti Smith- "Peace and Noise"
-Arista
grew wings in 1959.
"Peace and Noise," the new album by Patti Smith, is dedicated to William Burroughs. It is a testament to her talents as a singer and songwriter. Smith creates an intimacy with the listener as every word is wrenched from her soul in a crescendo of pain:
Listen to my story! I've got two tales to tell/one of fallen glory/one of vanity/the world's roof was raging/but we were looking fine/'cause we built that thing/and I
While her contemporaries opt for a more modern sound, Smith stays true to her roots with a bare-bones rock album that has the 'Unplugged' sound everyone tries to emulate. Laced with howling and poetry, it is a rare jewel among today's uninspired music. Smith is
surely, but not hopeless. "Peace and
Noise" pleasures the senses with
pieces like the improvised "Memento mori" and "De a t h Singing." She is the ultimate storyteller, leading the listener down a familiar dark path with grace and ease.
Various Artists—"Lounge-a- Palooza"-Hollywood Records
Yet another compilation, but this one isn't about saving the ocean or seal pups. No. "Lounge-A-Palooza" merely celebrates the koooky. Mod world of lounge music. Bands like Ben Folds Five, Combustible Edison, Pizzicato Five, P.J. Harvey, and Fun Lovin' Criminals lend their talents to the compilation with classic lounge tunes. In some cases, they turn popular songs into new lounge classics. For instance, Ben Folds Five does a version of the Flaming Lips' "She don't Use Jelly." Sinatra's sidekicks, Steve and Eydie Gorme, sing
Janet Jackson—"The Velvet Rope" - Virgin
Surpassed by the title for
Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun." It's fun and stylish, but after a while the novelty is gone, and it is just another compilation. Enjoy it while it's still fun.
bondage. Well, it looks as if Ms. Jackson is a little nasty after all. The Velvet
Velvet Rope" explores the theme of sex in detail, touching on bondage, bisexuality and phone sex. Ms. Jackson abandons her squeaky-clean
image, and reveals her take on erotica. But "The Velvet Rope" shows Jackson's ability to grow and take chances. If you don't think she's taking chances, just check out the track "My Need," where she begins the song by masturbating. This is a far cry from the sweet Janet we were introduced to on "Control." Mr. Jackson even uses the "F-word" several times. Her weak, soft voice hasn't changed, though. Jackson's vocal talents just aren't that impressive. She will never be able to impress an audience based solely on her voice. But Jackson can use her creativity to cover it up and make a good album. This creativity has produced some funky, enjoyable tracks that fuse hip-hop, rock and pop to show that Janet is quickly becoming the most talented Jackson.
Everclear-"So Much for the Afterglow"-Capitol
So much for the originality. After the success of "Sparkle and Fade," Ever-
clear had the task of coming up with an acceptable follow-up. This task was not accomplished. The composition of "Afterglow" can be summed up in the track "Everything to Everyone." If the song sounds familiar, that's because it's identical to "You Make Me Feel Like a Whore" on "Sparkle and Fade." C'mon guys, there are more chords out there, you've just got to find them. Everclear has stuck to the formula that made them stars, and while it makes for some decent music, it's not
exciting anymore. The album isn't a total waste, thanks to the fact Art Alexakis has begun to explore other issues in his life
besides drug addiction. With songs about God and Dad, "Afterglow" is no more than a typical rock album.
CD's courtesy of Seventh Heaven