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Show THE SIGNPOST Tuesday, August 1, 2000 Arts & Entertainment 'Survivor' contestants not alone By Melissa Mikesell features editor - The Signpost Page 6 "X-men." a movie that is based on characters from the best-selling comic book series in history, has a very original story and even more unique characters.The film is different, but definitely has a good, intense plot with some powerful acting as well. "X-men" is obviously not the most realistic film out there, but it has some qualities that draw all kinds of audiences. There is a long list of the unique characters, and most of them are portrayed by very talented actors. Patrick Stewart stars as Professor Charles Xavier, the mentor of the X-men. Although he is wheelchair-bound, he is the world's most powerful telepath. Stewart is just the man for the part of the professor. Like in his "Star Trek" series and movies, he has a commanding presence with great intelligence to accompany it. The professor is a gentle man and has a desire to help all mutants like him. He teaches his "gifted" students control over their powers and respect for mankind. The X-men fight to protect a world that fears and detests them. Wolverine and Rogue are two new mutants that are in danger, but are found by the X-men and taken to the professor's school. Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman, is a fighting machine and has retractable metal claws and an unbelievable power to heal. Jackman did an ideal acting job as Wolverine, or Logan as his fellow X-men call him. "X-men" is his first major role on the big screen. Rogue is portrayed by Academy ft J If It : 3 Wolverine (left), played by Hugh Jackman, fights the evil Mystique (right), played by Rebecca Romijn-Stamos while trying to find fellow X-men friend, Rogue. Award-winning actress Anna Paquin. Paquin is beautiful as the young runaway. Her character, Rogue, can absorb the powers of any person with a single touch. According to the professor, her power is extremely unique. Ian McKellen is Magneto, the strongest and most powerful mutant on the planet. McKellen does well in the part of evil and has a way of making viewers detest him. Halle Berry (Storm), Famke Janssen (Jean Grey), James Marsden (Cyclops) and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos (Mystique) are a few of the other names of actors involved with the film. Magneto is disgusted with humans and decides he will lead all mutants to their rightful place above humankind. He has a special machine that will turn humans into mutants. The only problem is that it drains all of his energy. But he finds Rogue, who can stand in his place and use her power to do the killing. The X-men figure out Magneto's plan, so Storm, Wolverine, Cyclops, and Jean set out to fight a tough battle and save humankind. "X-men" is good, but it has quite a few characters that could have been better developed. The end of the film was left wide open, which suggests more "X-men" films to come. Hopefully this will be the solution to the problem and in future films there should be more time for character development. The film is rated PG-13 for violence and is playing at the Cinedome in Riverdale and the Layton Cineplex Odeon. Wonce RJHaB (rJeiBueirs sGromiffg uocaDs ion iroetfj a cappeDia reOease 'IHlooExed' By Melissa Mikesell features editor - The Signpost The six-man contemporary a cappella ensemble Voice Male released their newest CD "Hooked," which displays a powerful range of voice and music. "Hooked" contains a wide range of songs that are "100 percent a cappella" ranging from "Walking on Sunshine" to "Good Lovin'," and the original songs "Give Them a Vision" and "You Lift Me Up." Voice Male has a unique sound and an uplifting style. The group sounds full of energy throughout the 13-song CD, and each member supplies a quality voice to complete each song. Michael Bearden, tenor, is responsible for two-thirds of the arrangements on "Hooked." It is clear to listeners that Bearden has a special musical talent when his first arrangement is finished. John Huff, tenor and baritone, was the creative force behind several of the songs recorded for "Hooked." According to a press release, he can do it all: he sings, he recently completed his MBA. and he can also put both legs behind his head. Phil Kesler and John Luthy are the baritone and basspercussion, respec tively. Luthy, who rarely sings lead, sings a fun solo of "Rainbow Connection" on the newly released CD. Richard McAllister is the first tenor and Mike Wilson is the bass. Both add to the extreme talent of this a cappella group. Voice Male will continue their full performance schedule introducing the album at two album release concerts in their hometown of Logan, according to a press release. A live Voice Male performance would definitely be worth the price of ticket. The sounds that emanate from the group are crystal clear and full of quality. "Walking on Sunshine," the first song on "Hooked," is upbeat and fun. If listeners didn't know Voice Male was an a cappella group, they would never know the music was only voices. Each sound heard is made with a member's mouth and voice. Luthy is the main voice of the incredible range of sounds and background music. He also is the one who took the lead in forming the group and takes care of the business side of things. Voice Male has been together since 1994 and were first a nine-man group. In 1996, the group went to six Men. That allows them to perform professionally and pursue other interests as well. The group is fresh and original. J y , V-'to if 'V4?- 'w 'I ji? The six-man a cappella group Voice Male has been together since 1996. The group includes Mike Bearden, tenor; John Huff, tenor and baritone; Phil Kesler, baritone; John Luthy, bass and percussion; Richard McAllister, first tenor; and Mike Wilson, Bass. full of fun, all of which makes them exciting to listen to. Other CDs available by Voice Male include "Jingles" (Nov. 1998), "HIMS" (Aug. 1998), "up, up and away" (May 1997), and "Voice Male" (1996). Any listener who hears these talented men will surely want to hear more. By Erica Anderson a&e writer The Signpost How else do we explain this voyeuristic trend that began with "The Real World" and now has all of America or at least 25 million of us tuning in to see "Survivor." The premise of 'Survivor' is 16 people 'stranded' on an island. Each week, voting is conducted to see who is going to leave and who will stay and attempt to. claim $1 million in the end. It has been argued by people such as Bill Maher, the host of Politically Incorrect, that it is nothing "more than a hoax. He recently stated that the people really are not stranded there, not with television crews, producers, and directors present. How can it be real? Good point, but real or not, it has audiences glued to their television sets waiting to see who the next outcast will be. Now, with only seven people left on the island, and competition getting fierce, why do we continue to tune in? Is it possible that we see a primitive form of our daily struggles in life reflected? According to Paul Caldarella assistant professor of psychology at WSU, with the professional fields becoming so competitive, students are constantly finding that they need to diversify their skills and education and look out for themselves in order to find jobs. Comparatively, the remaining survivors having to largely rely on themselves are probably finding that they have to diversify their talents, even if it is just hunting and cooking. Another possibility could be with the advancement of technology. The amount of time that people spend behind a computer and not building relationships could be leaving us with a void that shows of this genre are filling. "Research is coming out now showing that we are really disconnected from each other more so than ever before." Caldarella said. "We are spending more on a computer and less time interacting." If so, now we have turned to the television to fill a void. It could be said that many of the participants on the island are filling a need of their own. Many who have left have signed contracts and filmed commercials. Endorsements from Reebok and an unnamed health food chain have been pouring in and the outcasts have eagerly accepted.Lastly, Caldarella points out that these types of shows appeal to our basic emotions and feelings: greed, anger, hostility, physical attraction, and even life and death. On June 30, 2000, Newsweek stated that "Survivor" is the most popular summer series ever. Even if we think that watching "Survivor" is nothing more that entertainment, it could be speaking volumes about us: what we need, what we want and even more important, what we are missing. |