0 0 0 0 14 U. THE NATIONAL COLLEGE NEWSPAPER Life And Art NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1988 , NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1988 Dollars And Sense U. THE NATIONAL COLLEGE NEWSPAPEF 'Imagine': Film presents no-holds-barred look at John Lennon Engineering students design car. from junk for competition By Tony Tran Daily Bruin U. of California, Los Angeles One of the greatest musical geniuses who ever lived, John Lennon is a person everyone has an opinion about - some hate him, some idolize him. But unlike the millions of bubble-gum bands that come out every week, his music - alone and with the Beatles - never leaves you unaffected. The highly anticipated Imagine: John Lennon tells the story of the man's life and his music. And is definitely worth the wait. Producer David Wolper begins with Lennon's childhood, and from there the film moves quickly to the formation of the Beatles and their establishment as a media entity. To make this particular film, Wolper and his partner Andrew Solt picked the best material from hundreds of hours of interviews, live performances, videos and home movies, incorporating Len- non's voice to narrate the story. ups with Cynthia, Yoko and Paul; mourning the deaths of his mother Julia, manager Brian Epstein and best friend Stuart Sutcliffe. Imagine shows Lennon as a complete three-dimensional human being, neith- er attacking nor defending. He is re- vealed in his myriad different moods: confrontational, friendly, humorous, sympathetic, angry, sardonic. Needless to say, the soundtrack to the film is superb. There is a funny, moving unreleased version of "Imagine," the famous "LetrItBe" concert atop the Abbey Road studios where John sang his wrenching "Don't Let Me Down,"n and psychedelic cartoons of "Strawber- ry Fields Forever." Imagine is a definitive look at one of the most inspiring figures of our time. The world is in constant and dire need of more "dreamers" like John Lennon, and this film biography is highly recom- mended. Jim Pickrell and Mary Alice Murken contributed to this story. John Lennon and son Sean sort through snapshots in their New York apartment. Parts of the narrative are sup- plemented by interviews with some of the people who knew Lennon best: Yoko Ono, his first wife Cynthia, his sons Sean and Julian. Commentary is also provided by George Martin, who pro- duced all of the major Beatles albums. Though there is a high degree of cre- dibility to the film, it doesn't take the easy way out and paint Lennon in idyllic terms. It shows him at his best and worst - his highs as well as his lows. We see Lennon arrested with Yoko Ono for possession of marijuana; performing onstage with the Beatles at Shea Sta- dium in New York; in fights and break- Idealism gone sour sets the story for 'Gorillas' By J. Roger Demary The Daily Reveille Louisiana State U. The transition from real life to the screen is a precarious business. It can be difficult for filmmakers to decide whether they should blend documentary material with entertain- ment or stick with only one of these. The trouble arises when the audience itself isn't certain which it is watching. Gorillas in the Mist producer Terr- ence Clegg originally intended to cre- ate a film autobiography of Dian Fos- sey. Fossey had spent nearly 20 years studying the physiology and social be- havior of the mountain gorillas of Central Africa. Her empathy for this nearly extinct species led her to con- frontations with the Batwa tribe of that region, which poached the goril- las for profit. Soon after Clegg purchased the film's Going progressive.... At Stephen F. Austin State U., Texas, campus station KSAU recently switched their Nightrock format to "new-age prog- ressive college rock" music. Broadcasting Monday through Friday, the station features such bands as R.E.M., New Order, The Smiths, Depeche Mode and The Cure. "We had this feeling we needed to do something like this," said Station Manager Peri Bryan. "We wanted a format that would serve the majority of students." Beth Sammons, The Pine Log, Stephen F. Austin State U., TX Staying out of the mainstream .. .Virginia Polytechnic and State U. (VTU) also strives to present progressive and unusual rock music that students wouldn't be able to hear on the average community station. The station recently switched their programming on the AM station to match the alternative format of the FM station, and will soon be carried on the campus cable system. "I've looked at old playlists (from the AM station) and I think people were driven away," said Station Manager George Bready. "To have to sit there and listen to bad Top 40 dance music, I can think of few things less appealing." Bready said that late at night, student programmers can "pretty much play what they want." Louis King, Collegiate Times, Virginia Polytechnic and State U. . , Getting rid of "burnt" tunes.... Listen- ers at Brown U. who used to tune into campus station rights and decided to travel to Rwanda to meet Fossey, she was mysteriously murdered. The brutal incident, which many attribute to the hostile Batwas, has never been sufficiently explained. At this point, entertainment was de- finitely a second factor to Clegg. Shaken but not thwarted by Fossey's death, he went on with his documentary-style - but poignant - film. In many instances, Gorillas succeeds in this direction; but in many more, it becomes confused. Though always interesting, it is only occasionally captivating. The opening scenes progress too rapidly, as too often happens when trying to compress such a detailed story into two hours. And if documentation is the primary goal, these beginning scenes call for a narrator. The actors, But don't walk out yet. John Omirah Miluwi soon appears as Dian's hired tracker, Sembagare, and gives the film its most wholly believable character and its authenticity. The film also im- proves when Bryan Brown arrives onscreen. Brown portrays Bob Camp- bell, a photographer and filmmaker from Kenya employed by National Geographic, for whom both Campbell and Fossey worked. The script of Gorillas in the Mist is most impressive. Taking justifiable liberties with Fossey's mental status, writer Anne Hamilton Phelan weaves a tale of idealism-gone-sour. As Fossey fought ever diligently for the preserva- tion of "her" gorillas, she is portrayed to have approached madness. In the final count, Gorillas in the Mist is a movie for thinkers. The film is straightforward and unpretentious. It demands the same of its viewers. By Katie Thomason Collegiate Times Virginia Polytechnic State U. "Gerty," an automobile constructed by Virginia Tech students, will compete in its second event this spring at the Formula Society of Automotive En- gineers (SAE) competition in San Anto- nio, Texas. The Tech SAE chapter built the $1,500 car from junked parts using knowledge of engineering, computer science and accounting to make it suc- cessful against cars that cost $10,000 to build. Formula SAE is a national design Trio finds galaxy to be 15 billion light years away By Dan Casey The Daily Californian U. of California, Berkeley A U. of California, Berkeley, astro- nomer, Will van Breugal, and two col- leagues have discovered what they be- lieve to be the world's farthest galaxy ever detected - 15 billion light years from Earth. "We are finally getting a clear picture of the beginnings of our universe," said van Breugal. "We have found some- thing as improbable as a needle in a haystack." Van Breugal's colleagues are Ken Chambers, a graduate student in astrophysics at Johns Hopkins U., Md., and George Miley, an astronomy profes- sor at Leiden U. in the Netherlands. The astronomers first detected the new constellation, labeled "galaxy 4C41.17," in 1986. The trio used 27 different telescopes, totaling more than 20 miles in diameter, "... to sketch a map of powerful jets of radio emissions that we believe are coming from a black hole at the center of the galaxy," Cham- bers said. But it wasn't until earlier this year that the team of astronomers visually observed a fuzzy object that matched the radio emissions from 4C41.17. Then, using an optical color spectrum of the galaxy's light emission lines, they calculated its distance from Earth. Van Breugal said they estimate the galaxy's birth to be only a few billion years after the alleged Big Bang, which may question the authenticity of the Big Bang theory. competition in which students produce a "formula-style prototype" intended for the non-professional weekend racer. The cars must be built for high perform- ance, yet remain inexpensive, -easy to maintain and reliable. "A good car is not the sum of its parts but the geometry used in its assembly," said Curtis Jacobson, Tech's Formula SAE project chairman. Judged in categories such as static and engineering design, solo perform- ance and high performance endurance, a total of 1,000 points can be achieved with a top score in every event. Until the engine "cooked" in last year's competition, the car was reported s chapter at Virginia Polytechnic State U mprised of junked parts costing $1,500. Currently, the club has obtained se al corporate sponsors, includ Goodyear and Valvoline. "We hope to finish first or secon every category except fuel consu tion," Jacobson said. Students in the Society of Automotive Engineers designed and constructed their car, "Gerty," co to be in contention for second place in the Formula SAE competition. The en- gine failure moved the car to 10th place in the standings. This year, the organization will enter an additional car, "Tweak," in the event. How to stan.out , ma crow. including admirably tracted. Sigourney Weaver who plays Fossey, seem dis- Tuning in to college Sigourney Weaver, who plays the lead role of Dian Fossey, poses in the African wilds with one of "her" gorillas. months with the switchover to Top 40, said Chief Engineer Chris Bostak. Diane Deberry, Cavalier Daily, U. of Virginia ... Aimed at college listeners... At the U. of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, campus station WVUA drops a song as soon as it hits the Top 40 charts. The policy may seem somewhat restrictive, but the sta- tion is holding its own, according to Program Direc- tor Wendy Wallace. The "alternative rock" played by the station is aimed "at people our age," Wallace said. "Top 40 is aimed at teenagers and older people." WVUA also makes an effort to promote bands from Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas, she said. U Deirdre McGruder and Chanda Temple, The Crimson White, U. of Ala- bama, Tuscaloosa U.. A showcase for the best homegrown musiC.... WDNS-FM at Western Kentucky U. devotes a full program to spotlighting local talent. Assistant Program Director Bryan Locke came up with the idea for "Home Cookin' " to make people aware of bands from the Bowling Green area. "Bowl- ing Green has always been rich in musical history, and most people don't even realize it," he said. Besides showcasing local music, the show also interviews the bands, providing background and performance dates. Susan Maertz, College Heights Herald, Western Kentucky U. The American Express Card gets an outstanding welcome virtually anywhere you shop, whether it's for a leather jacket or a leather-bound classic. Whether you're bound for a bookstore or a beach in Bermuda. So during college and after, it's the perfect way to pay for just about everything you'll want. How to get the Card now. College is the first sign of success. And because we believe in your potential, we've made it easier to get the American Express Card right now Whether you're a freshman, senior or grad student, look into our new automatic approval offers. For details, pick up an application on campus. Or call 1-800-THE-CARD and ask for a student application. The American Express Card. Don't Leave School Without It.m tt 1 -TRAVE * R EL ll o <' SErn Editor's Note: Despite a constant presence on most campuses, the much maligned area of college radio always seems to be waging an uphill battle for survival. One item of contention that even the most well-established stations have is what musical format to adopt. Here is a brief compilation of recent format decisions from a sampling of stations nationwide. WBRU to hear Springsteen and Zeppelin now hear Tracy Chapman and The Alarm. Gone are what program director Neil Bernstein calls "burnt tunes" - songs that listeners hear over and over on other stations. "Ninety-eight percent (of those who called the station) love" the 20,000 watt station's switch to "cutting-edge rock," Bernstein said. He emphasized that such a change doesn't necessarily involve trashing classic rock. Music that was on the cutting edge when it was created has a definite place in the new WBRU format. Greg Brail, Brown Dai- ly Herald, Brown U., RI Living on Top 40.... Though the others might cry foul, a year-old decision at U. of Virginia to switch to a Top 40 playlist has been successful, according to WUVA-FM President David O'Brien. The change was made for three reasons, he said. First, there was no Top-40 station in Charlottesville, and Top 40 is a "proven format." Also, for years the station had been playing album-oriented rock like their competitors. Most importantly, the station, which once ran off a "shoestring" budget, has in- creased its sales as much as 100 percent in some After much work and a major setback, U. of Mis- souri, Columbia, student Lloyd Bruce's experi- ment has made it into space; his project was aboard the latest space shuttle flight. Conducted simultaneously in space and on Earth, Bruce's experiment - which is sponsored by McDonnell Douglas Corp. - tests for increased strength in alloys of certain elements. Theoretically, the alloys produced in space have a more compact crystal structure than those produced on Earth, which suffer side effects of gravity. Bruce, who said he would like to eventually work as a missions con- trol specialist, had to rebuild his project after it went up in 1986 with the ill-fated Challengerflight. Grant Barrett, The Maneater, U. of Missouri, Columbia