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Show Your Life MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2005 PAGE B2 Movies Courtesy photo Courtesy photo Courtesy photo Check out Cher in "Moonstruck," Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon in "Harold and Maude/' and Adam Sandier and Emily Watson in "Punch Drunk Love" this Valentines Day. Celebrate Valentine's Day with a love-fest feast Patrick Svensson Life Writer It's a little disheartening that the three greatest romance films are also three of the most underappreciated. Perhaps they're passed by because the protagonists in each' film are asocial, depressed, confused, and spring from dysfunctional families. Another reason could be that the romances presented are eccentric and weird, breaking away from safe or expected "cutesy'" norms, of modern romance. Whatever the case may be, these films are beautiful and unique. It would be a splen- did treat for Valentine's Day to impress your significant other with a knack for choosing a great film. Here is my gift to you, a chance to avoid the tedium of sitting through another Kate Hudson movie: "Harold and Maude" (1971) A socially awkward 20-year old man, Harold, falls in love with a free-spirited 79-year old Maude in this splendid tale of crossgenerational love. Director Hal Ashby ("Being There") tastefully handles the screenplay and enriches the film with sequences of transcendent beauty. Cat Stevens's soundtrack is a perfect complement. Had this movie been made nowadays, it would probably involve "hilarious'* gags involving Maude break-dancing or Harold accidentally taking some "old folk" pills or some such nonsense. This is a film of warm spirits and bizarre (often macabre) humor that realizes that there is so much to life that we miss without love. "Moonstruck" - (1987) Cher plays Loretta, a widow who is getting remarried. Nicolas Cage plays Ronny, a tempestuous one-handed baker who is the brother of Loretta's fiance'. Naturally, Loretta and Ronny fall in love. What ensues is both hilarious and touching as the characters struggle to figure out what's important to them. "It would be a spendid treat for Valentine's Day to impress your significant other with a knack for choosing a great film." Director Norman Jewison ("Only You") deftly handles humor and pathos as the plot twists through unexpected corridors. The characters are steeped in their Catholic Italian-American culture, and their overblown characteristics border on stereotype. But the movie's intelligence and humanity forgives any missteps. The film understands that love's tendrils reach out and affect everyone, not just the lovers. "Punch-Drunk Love" (2002) Adam Sandier, in a variation of his usual idiotic characters, plays blue-suited Barry, a maladjusted lonely man. Along comes the radiant pink-clad Lena, played with sweetness by Emily Watson. Through many chaotic events (and a subplot that involves a phone-sex company based out of Provo, Utah!), Barry and Lena develop a unique and slightly odd relationship. P.T. Anderson (Magnolia) creates a vibrant world of music and color. Jon Brion's brilliant harmonium chords swell ecstatically as bands of red and blue stretch magically across the screen. There are many surreal elements at play, making for an interesting'"art-house" romantic experience. This 14th, do you and your loved one a favor: check these films out. These three films masterfully capture the confusions and tumults of amour. Music Songs that will make you believe in the thing called love John Garlock Life Writer I would rather have someone punching me in the face than hear another sappy, poorly written, vomit inducing, love (more like lust) song. It's a terrible trend that has our music industry in an ugly tail-spin being piloted by untalented "artists," greedy record labels with a quantity over quality outlook, and a herd of "Well if it's on TV it must be good" consumers. I offer these songs and artists as an antidote to the worthless music that plagues our society. "Twilight," Elliott Smith: The late folk-pop singer/ songwriter's careful voice is the windless breeze that hushes the senses while you soak up the romantically simple acoustic strumming and orchestrated string additives. "TVansatlanticism," Death Cab For Cutie: Climatic musical build up and honest open heart lyrics tug the strings of loneliness as a slowly echoing piano and harp like guitar meet in a twisted slow motion embrace. "The Blower's Daughter," Damien Rice: This charis- matic Irish singer/song writer baptizes, with an emotionally vulnerable voice, crisp guitar and consistently addictive cello. This is one of ten unbelievably unique offerings from his debut album, "O." ''Love and Some Verses," Iron & Wine: Simple folk arrangements, whisper hushed vocals, and "I wish I wrote that" lyrics wilt have you lying less clothed in the "The Job Place" ...and Morel Career & Student Emploj Utah Valley State College AD-113 801-863-8395 www.uvsc.edu/cse lent emotional over intellectual "When the Stars Go Blue," lyrics backed by a lovely batRyan Adams: The alt-coun- tle of instruments. try heartbreak exhales incred"If You Fall," Azure Ray: ible harmonies while per- These female dream creators fect piano, gentle guitar and reestablish hope in relationfeathered drums send a tingle ships with an effortless singcaravanning across the skin. ing voice and unusual lyric "Love Will Come confidence while turning you Through," Travis: Hidden head over heels before the in the shadows of Coldplay chorus has begun. is this brit-rock gem, offering "When U Love Somemelodic monotone vocals, body," Fruit Bats: Clapping along never felt so good as you reminisce on your elementary school crushes while smiling along with these grade school pop-rock pilgrims. "Neighborhood #1" (tunnels), Arcade Fire: The gradual build up of yearning vocals laced with a sympathy like band allow this modern day score to stretch its tired legs and lie down to colorfully dream. "Sorry Signs on Cash Machines," Mason Jennings: Classical piano preludes the true love folk ballad. Strengthened by straightforward storytelling and reinforced through a young fresh voice which has been compared to young Dylan. s. ind a great job at: '"*** Hall of Flags > v Relationship Evaluations Partnering Love with Science www.Fclatc-in8titutc.orf; |