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Show J., - . - " - mpact:' not too deep, just fantasy "".i V- . Reel Life MOVIES AND VIDEO w Deep impact By Josie Scothern a&c writer-The Signpost If ticket sales were a true reflection of the quality of a movie, "Deep Impact" is definitely making bigger impact than anyone ever expected. "Deep Impact" is a movie that presents much more conflict than just a comet headed on a collision course for the earth. The story is centered around several characters who must deal with the reality that although the president (Morgan Freeman) has devised a plan to divert the comet form its course, it is not a perfect plan and they still may die. Elijah Woods plays a 14-year-old astronomy student who unknowingly discovers the comet. He is unaware of his discovery until a presidential press conference reveals him as the founder of the deadly object. He is then thrust into the face of tragedy as he discovers his love for a young girl and is forced to leave her to die, while he is put into one of the thousands of Filling ballrooms, jazz style nil' Jazz Ensemble review By Tom Purdue a&e writer-The Signpost The Weber State University Jazz Ensemble played its thick sounds to nearly 200 people in the Shepherd Union Building Ballroom last Tuesday night in a concert that swung its way smoothly into the audience's eardrums.The ensemble itself was comprised of 28 individuals from around the Utah Area. One of those individuals was Amanda Bradfield, a tenor sax player and senior in the WSU music department. Bradfield played four solos that smoothly showed her great love for jazz music. When Bradfield wasn't playing the saxophone, she bopped her head and tapped her toes to the rhythms she felt. "I was a music major.. .changed my major to Zoology, but I'm changing my major back to music I just love it too much," Bradfield said. After the concert, Bradfield felt positive about the ensemble's performance."I thought the concert went great," she said. "Everyone was playing really good tonight." MPAA Rating: PG-13 giant caves designed to prevent the extinction of the human race. However, if anyone knows anything about astronomy, an asteroid of this size hitting the earth, at that speed, would completely dissipate mountains, and those wonderful caves of protection would cease to exist. But who really cares? This is a fantasy adventure and reality has never played a good part in these films. The movie continues as a new reporter trying to make a name for herself, stumbles across the story by accident. She's suddenly thrown into the spotlight when the president visits and promises her great coverage if she can keep the secret for a little longer. Robert Duvall plays a former astronaut who, entrusted with the welfare of an entire planet, is called on an international mission to land on the surface of the actual comet. The plan is to either break up the comet into millions of tiny pieces or change its course away from the earth. Watch It PERFORMING ARTS The playing was good. The ballroom seemed to favor high pitches more than low pitches; sometimes the trombones and bass were muddied in the reverberation of the large room, but the muted trumpets filled the ballroom like beautiful elephant calls. The effect was a thick sound wisping with sizzling cymbals and bristling with quick, soft guitar runs. As with most WSU jazz concerts in the past, every time Kenji Aihara played one of his blinding solos or dream-filled guitar interpretations, the crowd whistled and applauded wildly. Aihara's skill can't be mistaken. His style is beautiful and technically adept. Donald Keipp, the band leader and director of the evening, told the crowd he had purposefully chosen a Pat Metheny (avant-garde guitarist) song, "Minuano," because of Aihara's talent and love for the guitar player. The crowd responded to Keipp's choice and Aihara's playing. Matt Moore, a WSU sophomore music major, attended the concert. "That last song" was intense," Moore said. "He (Aihara) does everything."Tiffany Adams, a senior in the music department, added to Academy Award-nominated Meanwhile on earth. ..doomsday plans (which the government has kept secret for a long time) include a lottery in which one million people will be chosen to be taken away from their loved ones, placed into caves and hidden from daylight until the devastating effects of the comet have subsided. The individual stories are touching, although at times they seemed a little outrageous, and the suspense is V hp Donald Keipp Moore's comment. "Kenji is phenomenal." Aihara also arranged a song called "Revelation" that was originally performed by the Yellow Jackets and Take Six. The audience clapped along while the drummers shook their tambourines and swayed to the beat. After the song, Keipp was even impressed with the audience. "Hey! You clapped on two and four!" he said. "Way to go!" Another highlight was the unexpected change in the program, because Mark Henderson decided to sing a medley of Frank Sinatra songs instead of "You Must Believe in Spring" by Michel Legrand. Sinatra died on May 14th. Henderson commented on the widespread effect Sinatra's death has had on musicians. "At this moment I imagine someone in the world singing 'My Way' their way, but quite frankly, that's not see Jazz page 5 Robert Duval plans to save extremely enthralling: Of course, the special effects which have been the major attraction to this summer hit deserve every ounce of publicity and hype they have received. Even though the film was not blown out of proportion with hype, it is the beginning of an obsession of comet-destroy ing-Earth films. The summer setup will bring disaster with the Touchstone release of"Armageddon." American Symphony, relaxing, quality music By Tiffany Thomas a&e writer-The Signpost A blend of musical talent filled the ballroom as the New American Symphony Orchestra performed May 16 in the Weber State University Shepherd Union Ballroom. The orchestra has been playing for nincyears under the direction of Michael A. Palumbo, chairman of WSU's performing arts department. "It's a community orchestra made up of professional and amateur players from the Wasatch area. A few members are WSU students as well," Palumbo said. The group plays three concerts during the regular season. Each concert is played twice in a weekend. This year's previous New American Symphony concerts have been successful by combining quality music with relaxing entertainment. "If you enjoy classical music, these are a good concerts to attend," Palumbo said. "It's a new experience to listen to an orchestra play. But a new experience is always a good thing." The program consisted of two songs. "Symphony No. 31 Hornsignal" by Franz Joseph Hayden was the first piece played. It consists of four different the world in "Deep Impact. Despite the blockbuster talk which "Deep Impact " is being given, it's actually a rather small story set against a huge backdrop. Take the special effects out and remove the source of impending disaster and the-plot would still work. This movie is well-worth seeing. It allows the audience to place its lives and existence under the microscope and in a perspective far too few films ever allow us to do. movements each with its own personality and feeling. The second piece, "Pictures at an Exhibition" by lvlodeste Mussorgsky, is a musical description of a scries of drawings by Russian artist and musician Victor Hartmann. 'T enjoyed the second song better," said Carol Thomas of Clearfield. "The song as well as the conductor were both more animated and enjoyable."WSU student Scott Brody shared his thoughts as well. "I quite like classical music," Brody said. "I could tell there was a lot of time and effort involved. They were well rehearsed." As this was the third and final concert of the regular season, the orchestra will start their summer season June 16-17 in a performance with the Clytie Adams School of Ballet at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City. The orchestra is a volunteer community ensemble. If you are interested in joining the orchestra or have questions concerning performances, contact Douglas Swcnson at (801) 745-1000 or Catherine Palmer at (801) 546-0079. You may also write to the New American Symphony, Ballet and Opera Association at P.O. Box 1245, Layton, Utah, 84041. |