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Show anuary 20, 1998 Hollywood is running out of natural disas-A&After the whirlwind success of Twister, ters. Editor blow-out the suspense of Volcano and Dantes decided directors have screen silver that whatever Mother Nature Peak, throws our way, is bound to make a hit film. In the case of Hard Rain, nature was a disappointment. The plot was as soggy as the performances, reaching a climactic in the first half hour of the film, and coasting through a cliche and point lengthy chase scene. Armored car gets caught in a flooding city, a band of cuminals takes this as an opportunity to take the $3 million cargo. Christian Slater leads the cast with a performance that has as much excitement as a root canal, without anesthetic. Playing a security guard, whose aim is as bad as the corresponding acting, with the integii-tof the Pope and the craftiness of MacGyver. Ilis portrayal was uncre-anvregurgitated and boring. Morgan Freeman, moves from the drama genre into the bad action movie category. The character is neither enthralling nor dispelling, although poorly scripted to evoke emotion. Randy Quaid opened with a stage presence that was magnetically attracting, and almost successfully connected with the audience. His portrayal of the small town sheriff was stunted though, when the script took his character on a moral rollercoaster, severing any viewer connection. By Chaundra Stewart E v e, lh A NNETTE SCEGMUXER St i V Vku (I- - to Fngland has brought an array of musical acts America, to Bush. Stones The Rolling The Beatles to the Spice Girls, with it s storm states by comes Cfaumbawamba, taking the number one hit Tubthumping, If the title doesnt sound familiar, try to think of that song from Now youve heard about a hundred times on the radio and seen on but I get up MTV for the past month dr so. I get knocked down, head their already? in stuck again... Anyone have that song world home er cross-shape- d running to your nearest music store to purchase the entire album. Chumbawamba appears to be the conventional one hit wonder band headed straight into the black hole of obscurity once this song finally goes away, though that may be a timely process. You can probably expect to .u-- lb..s elbji.i si&kcd up to the max on used CD store shelves or covered with a thick layer of dust in the back of your ploset by the end of this year. The album .contains an interesting form of music, with dance and techno sounds, and just a dash of ska undertones. The male and female vocals give the music that added flavor that really gives it a unique sound in the danceNtechno categoe So, in a brief recommendation, save yourself the money and a song go buy the single if you must own this song, and if you feel especially to college students, like ourselves, the the tune is urge to hear the whole album, wait about a year and go get getting totally sloshed with a really catchy for it $5.99 at a used CD store. formula for record sales, but please dont let it send you right... Now, about secret The relationships were also poorly developed starting with a tentative relationship between Slater and his partner, which is ended in death. The only relationship that was worth the actors pay was that of the two elderly citizens. Betty Whites performance is the only redeeming feature of the film, and her suspicious and nagging humor was a welcome oasis from the bleak film tragedy. The special effects were not even a redemption of the film. The water was depressing and the lighting poor. The key question that needshoot? According to ed answering was how many shots can a is the combat in this film, the ammunition unlimited, six shooter is a pseudonym, and prolonged w.ter submersion has no effect on fire arms. Dodging more bullets than James Bond, blater is puisaed by multiple policemen and criminals, and despite being outnumbeic d and outgunned, he escapes with minor injuries inflicted by the wrath of God (a crucifix., and a tombstone.) The script was twisted and showed no prior planning. It was almost like the writers w'ere inspired on mere whim, and were composing as the crews filmed. Hey, lets try warp mg all of the characters. If you are interested in films with plot, characterization, acting expertise, and artistic directing; this is not the film to see. Hard Rain is disappointing and not worth the price of admission. Tubthumping is shouting to change the (then having a few drinks to celebrate). Its stumbling from your local bar, when the world is ready to be put ry. Says the band, Pa8e H The Dixie Sun |