OCR Text |
Show life B4 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 2 4 - 2007 Even more than meets the eye Hickman's Column Extended Transformers in IMAXonly Luke Hickman COOL BEANS A letter to the editor that can be found on A8 inspired this week's Cool Beans. This letter, written by Patrick Svensson, asked that I renounce my position as movie reviewer. He claims, as a "movie buff," that I am "contradictory," "flat-out lame," that I am offensive "to both journalism and the English language," and that I don't have the "chutzpah" (I don't understand that word, either) or knowledge to write strongly. Wow. Where do I begin? Well, the first thing anyone should know is that Svensson used to write feature movie articles for The College Times. He and I started at the same time, and we both applied for the same position that he calls "movie editor." As you can tell, I got the job. I'm not suggesting that either anger or jealousy is the only ground for his fallacy-filled claims, but it's need-to-know information considering he wants to see me impeached. Second, the last thing I want to be is pretentious. Even though I may like artsy films that most people don't understand, I'm not about to publish a huge, biased article to a mainly conservative, fairly young society about something they're not into. I don't assume the 18-year-olds on campus know about obscure movies that were made a decade before they were born. I can't write a lengthy article on how great some R-rated indie movie is to an audience that doesn't watch R-rated movies and doesn't want to drive to Salt Lake to see it. This is my audience, and if I don't write on the movies they want to know about, then whom am I speaking to?. What purpose do I serve? I'd be better off speaking my thoughts to myself on my drive home than wasting time converting them into written articles. Third, by the time my articles are printed, they have been read by at least three people, one being Life's usual copy editor and fellow movie reviewer, Jason Pyles. We only have two copy editors, so if you're interested, Patrick, come by SC220 and pick up an application. Then you can't complain about what you call a lack of "proofreading." And lastly — my most important counterargument — I am a critic. My job is to tell people what I think and what they will, perhaps, think. Please take it with a grain of salt, because, while I might like something, there's always going to be somebody who doesn't like it. And vice versa. While the majority of normal people will agree in stating that Spice World is one of the worst movies ever, there's somebody out there who thinks it is the best movie ever. I have a list of certain critics that I like; and even though our opinions are not the same for every movie, I don't write them hate mail and ask that they be fired. That's ridiculous. Your opinion is something you'll have to make on your own. And if I've ever hyped a movie up to the point where you went out and saw it (even though you previously didn't want to), and you didn't like it, then I'm sorry. Please keep reading The College Times. It's called "criticism," and whatever opinion you have, you're entitled it. Life editor Hollywood sure knows how to sucker more money out of people these days: Extended cuts. Director's cuts. Unrated cuts. Special editions. Completely remastered. IMAX. 3D. They make it; we pay for it. Most of the time it's a waste of money. But every once in a while, it's something else. But unfortunate- ly, the extended version of Transformers now showing in IMAX is not one of those rare exceptions. First off, in order to see it in IMAX, you have to drive to the Jordan Commons Megaplex in Sandy. With gas prices around two and a half bucks per gallon, that's at least five bucks you're spending in gas alone. Second, IMAX costs a Grindhouse^ Death Proof now on DVD Death Proof is a dialogue-driven movie about the deranged sociopath Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) hunting down his "girlfriends" (including Luke Hickman Rosario Dawson and Mary Elizabeth Winstead) with Life editor his "death proof stunt car. Though the exploitative It's divided into two double feature Grindhouse halves with Stuntman was not well received, acMike stalking two differcording to domestic box ent groups of girls, one half office stats, the internabeing tragic, and the other tional numbers and cribeing another classic Tarantiques from people who tino chick-revenge storyline actually saw it disagree. (see Kill Bill) that mirrors But therein lies the prob- the classic car-chase movies lem: notenoughpeoplesawit. made popular in the '70s. The two films, Quentin The extended cut feaTarantino's Death Proof tures more than 20 minand Robert Rodriguez's utes of scenes not shown Planet Terror, are being rein Grindhouse, includleased individually in their ing even more dialogue, full, extended cuts on DVD. back story and subtle nods Though Planet Terror to other Tarantino flicks. won't be available until Some of the additional Oct. 16, Death Proof is alfootage makes scenes from ready here, and the great the Grindhouse cut make thing about it is you can more sense, but most are now see the same version just for geeky fanboys that wowed the Cannes who can't get enough of Film Festival's audiences. Tarantino releases extended cut of his Grindhouse chapter The Weinstein Company what they've already got. If you like Tarantino, have ne ver seen Gri/irf/iowse, or are drawn in by the story and love classics like Vantage Point, then definitely check out Death Proof If you enjoyed Grindhouse, then this is the cut for you. But if none of this applies, you're most likely not the Death Proof demographic. HYPNOTIST from Bl » NEW ON DVD This week Foo Fighters-ECHOES, SILENCE, PATIENCES GRACE Joni Mitchell -SHINE RASCAL FLATTS - STILL FEELS GOOD Amazon.com Internship & Career Fair October 4 from 10:00 a m to 3:00 p.m. in the Grande Ballroom Discover Opportunities with More Than 80 Employers! you might (keyword being "might") recognize the additional footage, which merely consists of more military stuff and a few more elaborate jokes with Shia. There aren't any new or extended battle sequences, which is why most of us would go in the first place. While Transformers was one of the most fun movies of the summer (and is definitely worth seeing), paying the extra-high price is not worth the cost. If you missed its run or want to see it again, don't worry. Transformers will soon hit the discount theater circuit and will be available on DVD Oct. 16. few dollars more than regular ticket prices. If you're taking a date, you're looking at shelling out at least $25, so far — and that's only if you don't buy snacksor go out to eat. Third, when you think of e xtended, Paramount you're hoping for new action sequences or a stronger plot. You don't get either with Transformers. If you've seen it once. Dress professionally and bring your resume! teers were more vocal, or quicker to take their shirts off, than others. Rachelle St. Jeor, a current student at UVSC, was chosen to be a volunteer on stage. After the show, she adamantly professed that the selection was completely random and no pre-screening occurred. She described the sensation of hypnotism as feeling completely relaxed and at ease. Another UVSC student, Bart Todd, was not handpicked by McDonald but jumped on stage anyway. He said he tried to focus intently, but the hypnosis did not work for him. Todd claimed the process of McDonald lulling the group on stage to sleep was too fast to have an effect on him. As audience members filed out, groups of friends buzzed with their individual philosophies on the spectrum. Whether Bruce McDonald's hypnotism was an act or not, the entire audience left thoroughly entertained, if not from the display of another Great Awakening, then from simply laughing at their peers humiliate themselves publicly. HOLLYWOOD from B3 At one point, Raimi told Thomson, "Tyler, you've become one of my best animators; so while I am going to fire you, I will fire you last," referring to the inevitable time when the film would be finished. Thomson said that for as much animation finally made it to the screen, there was four times as much that was thrown out, which is a testament to all the hard work that goes into moviemaking that is never fully appreciated. After finishing Spider-man 3, Thomson began working on the set of Avatar, director James Cameron's new endeavor, which leads the way for revolutionary filmmaking. If you're an aspiring filmmaker, Thomson's advice to you is to find out exactly what aspect of filmmaking you enjoy most, and then practice it until you become the best. Be ready to sacrifice and decide beforehand what you're willing to give up. Then you need to find a way into the industry. Some people get lucky by knowing someone and getting a foot in the door; but in any case, you had better be the best at what you do, because Hollywood is fiercely competitive. *Editor's note: Zach Thomson, the author of this article, is Tyler Thomson's brother. |