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Show Film of boredom paved with 'Cruel Intentions' mi Reel Theater "Cruel Intentions' MPAA Rating: R By Veronica Garcia a&e writer-7'ie Signpost High school teenagers have a hard enough time dealing with the confusing issue of sex in the '90s, and the movie "Cruel Intentions" makes it even harder. The film's director, Roger Kramer, was sadly unsuccessful in his attempt to recreate the adult-contented theme of the book "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" in a high school setting. The story focuses on sexually manipulated games played by evil people. 1 . V tit fs1 Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe offer a cruel version of teenagers caught up in sex, hatred and violence. "I've always thought this novel was timeless and could be remade for a younger audience," Kramer said in press information. Stepbrother and sister, Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Gellar, "1 Know What You Did Last Summer") and Sebastian (Ryan Phillippe, "1 Know What You Did Last Summer"), have many things in common besides being part of the wealthy upper class society in Manhattan. They share a need to manipulate other people's lives for their own entertainment, and both of them are completely devoid of any emotions. When a sick wager is made between the two, the sexual games begin. The two unknowing victims in the wager are Cecile Caldwell (Sclma 31air) and Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon; "Jack the Bear"). Cecile is a brainless young woman who hasn't lost her virginity because she has been locked away in an upper-class all-girls boarding school. Annette has great morals and altitudes involving the issues of sex save it for love. ll'Sebastian is successful at taking Cecile and Annette's virginity, he wins a night of passion with his stepsister. If Sebastian loses the wager, Kathryn wins Sebastian's most prized possession, a 1956 Jaguar. Acircus of events follow. Sebastian is successful in his part of the wager. Unfortunately, the tables are turned when Sebastian feels unexpected emotions of love for Annette. Kathryn's jealously forces her to ruin the new-found love between Sebastian and Annette. The movie concludes with one being the hero and other being a poor loser. Despite the failure of this film, there base been several films made from "Les Liaison Dangereuses." The most famous and successful is "Dangerous Liaisons," starring John Malkovich and Glenn Close. This movie's success came from targeting an older audience who can understand the sexually explicit material. Only through the understanding of the material can the audience find the humor. Kramer's failure comes from recreating the story in a high school setting. Shame on him for specifically targeting a younger audience who may not be equipped to understand the material. The movie gives the message that it is perfectly all right to sleep around and ignore society's warning against unprotected sex. The movie also tells audience members it's all right to walk on a person's moral beliefs. Kramer is obviously wrong when he said today's youth act like the characters in the movie. It seems like Kramer's "Cruel Intentions" were to make a quick buck at the expense of the younger generation. Leisure from page 4 1 i magazines. Malcolm X was in prison when he j rediscovered reading. In his autobiog-'. raphy, he said he was attracted to books . that had "intellectual vitamins." He read for 15 hours a day for at least 3 years, and used his knowledge of history, languages and philosophy to become the second-most sought after campus lecturer of the early 1960s". WSU senior Marcus Slease likes books enough to major in English. "It's hard to decide on my favorite book, with so many good ones," he said. "But one book that changed the way I looked at the world, and even changed my writing style, was 'Ulysses', by James Joyce. Joyce changed literature more than any other modern author. You'll never understand today's literature without reading it." Malcolm X would sympathize. "You never know when your life is going to be changed by reading one book," he said. . driving you nuts? rurz STORAGE CONTAINERS UTAH'S BEST & BIGGEST STORAGE CONTAINERS For Sale Or Rent No One Else In Utah Guarantees Their Containers! We Do For " Two Fu 1 1 Years ! . (801) 977-8885 (800) 370-0111 . : 2438 W. 1100 S. Salt Lake City 20', 40' & 48' Units IT2"- s,.rv Tuc. Mar. 9 - 7:00 Rock. NltC Sigma Six Cypher - Lily's Remains Till, Mar.U 7:30 Mind's Eye coUSC Oiin TNI o I els Il;icl Trespass C.inyon Friday, M.mh n In Concert 7:00 pm Unte MncCeo'd 3 i f a m a li if s With Saturday, March u In Concert 7:30 pm II oo Iiiy Who Forth Watch & The Green Mt. Boys Odd from page 4 maps. "It was music beyond my wildest dreams," Sterret said. Inspiration for the show also came from Slerret's admiration for, and affiliation with, 1060 AM, the "Imagi nation Station." This station aired shows during Sterret's high school years and featured disc jockeys like "Doctor Demento." Sterret puts in about eight hours a week developing the show's format. He. invited and followed up on show guests and worked on production. He receives only two hours of semester credit for his time and late Saturday nights. Sterret produces the show with ev erybody in mind. "With comedy it doesn't matter what your musical taste is. Humor attracts a wider audience. 1 try to keep the show as clean as possible. A lot of kids listen to it. Besides, I think what is bad for kids is bad for adults, too," Sterret said. Sterret said he will continue producing the show until next winter. At that time, unless somebody takes over, "Oddity Rock Radio" will conclude. Great Performances Series at the Egyptian proudly presents Rick Benjamin's Paragon Ragtime Orchestra presents "The Charlie Chaplin Film Festival" t f v" v. An evening of classic I y ragtime music mixed with three Charlie Chaplin short films, shown on the big screen while the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra performs the original soundtracks. An evening of fun for all ages!!! Thursday, March 25, 1999 7:30 p.m. '". The Utah Premiere of the PRO. One Night Only!,!!-1 Peery's Egyptian Theater 'm'Ddwntown Ogderr '.' For tickets, please call the Egyptian Theater Ticket Office at 801-395-3227 or the Dee Events Center Ticket Office at 801-626-8500 or 1-800-WSU-TIKS -- ' 98-99 Season sponsored in-part and supported by .BTCI OC1XN .-. rl.r wti-ti wjwimjtit. Am iouir Reserved Seating - $15.00 I $2.00 off - Senior Citizens and Children 4-12. Group discounts for 20 or more. For more information, call 395-3222. For More Information: 627-3988 |