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Wednesday, June 11, 1997
U N I V E R S I T Y D A I L Y K A N S A N
Mostly sunny with a chance of late evening showers.
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Mostly sunny with a chance of late evening showers.
Mostly sunny with a chance of late evening showers.
Con Air offers laughter
Weak story doesn't stop movie from providing humor.
By Jeff Ruby Kansan staff writer
Con Air has set some kind of record. Never before in the history of cinema has such a talented ensemble of actors been united to say so many ridiculous things in a two-hour span.
But when the movie is as amusing as Simon West's action-stoked Con Air, it isn't tough to forgive anyone involved. Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Ving Rhames and Steve Bussemi are among the gang of reliable thespians asked to temporarily disregard their acting skills. They do so in favor of blurting lame, Schwarzenegger-esque one-liners against a backdrop of non-stop music and fire.
Con Air's screenplay, which seems still in rough draft form, hopes to induce more giggles than sheer terror. But if you're really into adrenaline-pumping, Sweet Home Alabama-playing macho films, you could do a lot worse than this summer's version of The Rock (last summer's version of Die Hard).
Cage plays our hero Cameron
MOVIE REVIEW
Poe, a nice-guy convict who, through a series of unlikely onlypossible-in-a-summer-movie incidents, finds himself aboard a plane transporting every convicted scumbag and scalliwag this side of Carson City. He's been paroled after eight years of doing chin-ups, sit-ups and push-ups in prison and simply wants to get his sweaty body home to his loving wife and their obnoxiously cute daughter whom he's never met.
Of course the plane gets taken over by the rogues planning an escape. They are led by Cyrus "the Virus" (John Malkovich in his familiar cerebral psychotic role), the silliest and most obvious nickname since Hannibal the Cannibal. His supporting cast features guys with names like Diamond Dog, Swamp Thing and Johnny 23 (for every woman he has raped).
Poe finds himself in a bit of a snag and feels compelled to play action hero. Cusack, who plays an idealistic U.S. Marshal named Larkin, does his best from the ground to stop the baddies from disappearing to Mexico.
Lots of explosions, crashes and random gunfire ensue. People die in new and surprisingly laughable ways. The wisecracks, most of which seem aimed at a fifth grade level, are distributed evenly among the main players.
What did you expect? Shakespeare?
This is an action movie, and it's summer. Cage seems quite at home as an offbeat action hero, and, as always, brings his human element to the kind of role usually deserved for pumped up Eurotrash hulks. But he's got to feel silly for putting on his Elvis accent yet again for no apparent reason. Poor Cusack looks like he accidentally stumbled onto this movie from the set of his latest quirky film. He simply doesn't belong, and almost appears to be running around in his own movie alongside the Con Air we're laughing at.
One letdown the convicts were surprisingly humdrum. When Buscemi's Dahmer-influenced serial killer is dramatically introduced, one expects some weird business from the pervert who once wore a girl's severed head as a hat as he drove through three states. But, like the rest of the reprobates, he only serves as a flaccid attempt at comic relief.
When the destructive finale goes on way too long and annihilates way too much of Las Vegas, you can't help but laugh about how out-of-control the film has become.
I know, I know. I should lighten up and just enjoy the escapist fun we're provided with all summer long. Truth be told, I did. And I found *Con Air* to be hilarious. Whether it meant to be is another story.
Renting camping gear reduces cost
By Gale Garber
Kansan staff writer
At $175 for a tent, $90 for a sleeping bag and $55 for a stove, camping can quickly add up. But KU students, faculty and staff have some inexpensive alternatives.
With a $20 deposit and a current KUID, gear can be rented at Wilderness Discovery, a service sponsored by Student Union Activities. Wilderness Discovery rents camping equipment like two- and four-person tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, stoves, lanterns and ice chests.
Greg Bollinger, Wilderness Discovery recreation coordinator, said that the rental fees allowed campers to use equipment that might otherwise be too expensive.
"Students can get higher quality equipment than they can afford for short-term camping or a one-time outing," Bollinger said.
Prices at Wilderness Discovery, located on the first floor of the Kansas Union in the Jaybowl, range from $1.50 for a sleeping pad to $10 for a four-person tent for one day. The fees decrease for additional days.
Gale Garber / KANSAN
Campers interested in buying camping equipment may want to go to Sunflower Outdoor and Bike Shop's store at 844 Massachusetts St.
Although Sunflower once rented camping equipment, the satellite store does not have the space to accommodate the additional equipment. The store still sells camping equipment.
Once campers have their gear, they must choose a location. The KOA Campgrounds of Lawrence, located north of Lawrence on Highway 40, has tent sites and two cabins. All sites include access to a swimming pool.
Prices range from $14 per night for tent sites to $26 per night for a cabin. Weekly and monthly rates are also
Wilderness Discovery offers an inexpensive rental of high quality, easily assembled camping gear for KU students, faculty and staff.
available
Clinton State Park, four miles west of Iowa in Lawrence, offers 460 camp sites and summer outdoor activities for everyone.
Eleanor Wells, a volunteer at Clinton State Park, said the park had areas for boating, water skiing, camping and swimming. For the less adventurous, the park has playground equipment in picnic areas, horseshoe pits and an archery range.
Nature lovers can observe wildlife such as deer and a variety of birds, or see native flowers in a prairie setting, said Jerry Schecher, Clinton State Park manager.
"Students will enjoy the beautiful scenery, friendly people and the many things to do," Wells said.
Park fees are $4 daily for automobiles or $30 for an annual permit. Overnight fees are an additional $5 for camping sites.
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The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee.Additional copies of the Kansan are 25 cents.
A new feature has just been added to the UDI. If you've ever needed to find out more from one of the many local businesses that advertise in the Kansan, visit the Business Listings site. It's one of the gold buttons on the homepage. By going to it, you can look for a business based on the products they sell (such as a forlorn for that special someone) or a specific name. Another virtual service of your UDI.
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1029 Massachusetts
The Jubilee Cafe is a breakfast feeding program for homeless and needy persons staffed by KU students and community volunteers. Breakfast is served on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 10th and Vermont. Guests are served with dignity and respect in a restaurant-style setting and order from a menu. The Cafe needs servers and cooks. If you'd like to volunteer, call Joe at Canterbury House (843-8202) or Amy (841-9808).
The University Daily Kansan (USPS 650-640) is published at the University of Kansas, 119 Stauffer-Flint Hall, Lawrence, Kan. 66045, daily during the regular school year, excluding Saturday, Sunday, holiday and final periods, and Wednesday during the summer session. Periodical postage is paid in Lawrence, Kan. 66044. Annual subscriptions by mail are $120. Student subscriptions of $1.68 are paid through the student activity fee.
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University of Kansas Student Health Insurance Notice
through G-M Underwriters
Students may enroll in the University of Kansas Student Health Insurance Plan underwritten by Gerbor Life Insurance Company through G-M Underwriters
Monthly Premium Rates
25 years of age and younger Student Only - $42.00
26 years of age and older Student Only - $81.67
Please note: This is the only Student Health Insurance Plan endorsed by the Student Senate
If you are interested in enrolling, please contact
G-M Underwriters Agency, Inc, at (800) 521-2623 or e-mail: gmu2@concentric.net or enrollment materials are available at Watkins Health Center
G-M Underwriters Agency, Inc. at (800) 521-2623 or e-mail: gmu2@concentric.net or enrollment materials are available at Watkins Health Center.
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