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You're the one for me, Finney: Modine and Al go for a walk where it's quiet and dry and talk about precious things.
'Browning a compelling version
Greek Leadership Conference
(GLC)- 1995
.
' /
By JOSHUA RICH
Perhaps capitalizing on the recent successes of movies
set in conservative boarding schools, "The Browning
Version" is a film similar in setting but vastly different in
meaning from its predecessors. This movie focuses not on
the struggles between tyrannical teachers and careless:
students, but rather the internal conflict of one retiring
This year's GLC will be held on February 4, 1995
from 9:30am to 3:30pm. The Conference will feaure
three pathways for student leaders: Leaders; Emerging
Leaders; and Established Leaders. The registration
deadline for organizations who plan on participating
is January 20, 1995. The registration fee is $50 per
organization and allows all members within the orga-
nization to participate in the Conference. Individual
leaders are also encouraged to participate. For indi-
vidual registration or questions call Erica Strausman
at 663-4505.
The Browning
Version
Directed by Mike Figgis
with Albert Finney
and Greta Scacchi
professor coping'
with the life and
legacy that he is
leaving behind.
Inthiscase, the
teacher is bril-.
liantly portrayed
by Albert Finney
("The Dresser").
With his subtle,
yet engaging per-
formance, Finney
once again shows how he is a pleasant remnant of a time
when actors were groomed more for pure talent than
sexual or financial appeal. Consequently, Finney's An-
drew Crocker-Harris becomes one of the most tragic, yet
understandable characters to grace the silver screen in
recent memory.
Nearing the end of his final term as a professor ofclassical
languages and literature at a prestigious boarding school in
rural England, Andrew Crocker-Harris - dubbed by his
pubescent students as "The Hitler of the lower fifth (form)"
- must cope with his decision to retire from the institution
atwhich he has taught for over two decades. Atthe sametime,
however, he is faced with a crumbling marriage to an
unfaithful and stubborn wife (Greta Scacchi) with whom he
rarely communicates, as well as deteriorating health. In
waiting is his successor (Julian Sands) who brings new and
modern teaching methods and curricula to the classroom that
Andrew dominated during the previous era.
It is his impending departure as well as the mounting
signs that those around him disapprove of his behavior-
his students fear him, his wife hates him, his beloved
school denies him an essential retirement pension - that
cause Andrew to become increasingly dissatisfied with.
his slowly deteriorating life. But amidst all the gloom
associated with his retirement comes a pleasant reminder
of how Andrew has, despite frightening his pupils, touched
many of their lives.
Taplow,oneofAndrew's students, presents his departing
professor with a version of the first edition of Aeschylus'
"Agamemnon"-Andrew's favorite drama- as translated
by Robert Browning. Upon receiving this gift Andrew
breaks down in tears realizing at once both the small suc-
cesses and large failures of his completed tenure.
Director Mike Figgis ("Internal Affairs") has superbly
crafted an updated version of Terence Rattigan's 1939
one-act play of the same title. While some minor plot
devices and pieces of the story do not tie together well -
especially the presence of an American science teacher
(Matthew Modine) with whom Andrew's wife is having
an affair-- the film's technical achievements in photog-
raphy and sound make up for its minor inconsistencies.
The acting is solid throughout, as highlighted by
Finney's memorable performance and the portrayal of
young Taplow by English newcomer, 14-year-old Ben.
Silverstone.
Above all, however, "The Browning Version" is a
complex character study that depends on the talents of its
lead actor to present Andrew as an unfortunate and misun-
derstood man. Not much substantive action occurs in this
film in order to motivate the plot. Rather, the faint, yet
powerful messages this film presents are expressed pri-
marily through the actions, speech and expression appear-
ing on the face of Finney's character.
Andrew enters the movie a cold, fearsome professor
who appears to be the ultimate sadist and heartless mentor. S
Conversely, he departs a wise, yet pitiable man who has
seen a major part of his life close in lieu of a dubious
future. Finney's poignant conveyance of these themes is
proof that he remains one of the purely talented actors in
modern film. He may lead a film to success and, at the
same time touch the heart of his respectful audience.
THE BROWNING VERSION is playing at the Michi-
gan.
'
r
Michigan Union
.... ..... ........ . .
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Relax to the Cool Sounds of Jazz!!
Enjoy Great rood!
Jazz 'n Dinner '
Every Sunday Night .
in the U-Club.
5:00pm-7:30pmr
6a
0
36
Put on your dancin' shoes!!
Classiacs at the (U) Club
Wednesday, January 11
9:00pm
, Saturday Night Fever
only $1
pop & popcorn too!!
Th L Clu b -1s t foo M h in Uniont
kN TRLL PLIUS IT ALL I
<i
Shaq-Fu
Electronic Arts
Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo
The seven-footone-inch, 305 pound
Shaquille O'Neal is more than your
average basketball player. He's an es-
tablished rapper, and now the star of his
very own action video game, "Shaq
Fu." Chock-full of punching and kick-
ing magical mutants, and of course
Shaq himself, "Shaq Fu" is one of the
more entertaining fighting video games
on the market.
While the thought of Shaq having
his own martial arts game might seem
like going a little overboard at first,
"Shaq Fu" has turned out to be a great
success. The game combines good ac-
tion sequences, original villains and
excellent graphics to make a fun and
challenging game.
And how could someone not enjoy
kicking Shaq in the head? Or shooting
him with a laser bolt? Besides getting to.
kill him (there aren't any graphic death
scenes though), players can choose to
be the Fu-ster, or one of the 11 other
grotesque villains.
Shaq's character is actually one of
the more interesting in the game. With
secret flaming kicks and the ability to
shoot lightning, Shaq, like all the other
characters, has special moves that have
to be discovered by each player. How-
ever, Shaq's movements are delayed a
bit, like some of the other larger charac-
ters, putting him at a large disadvantage
when fighting player two with a faster
character, and especially in the one
player mode, fighting against the game.
The awesome graphics and fluid
movements are definitely the most ex-
citing elements of the game, taken from
real-life film footage of Shaq and other
stunt men practicing martial arts. By
feature the basketball star, as part of his
multi-year contract with the company.
"Shaq-Fu" is an excellent leap into
a new trend of action games starring
sports stars, with aMichaelJordan game
soon to follow. "Fu" is a fun action
game, and any fighting enthusiast should
put it to the test.
-Brian A. Gnatt
FIFA Soccer 95
Electronic Arts
Available for Sega Genesis
If you only buy one sports game this
year, the choice is obvious. "FIFA Soc-
cer 95" is not only the best sports game
to hit the streets this year, butmay be the
most exciting sports game ever.
With soccer in the United States
more popular than ever due to the World
Cup last year, Electronic Arts Sports
decided to stack as many cards as they
held to create a thrilling and very thor-
ough game. Everything about "FIFA
95" is more realistic and more exciting
than last year's "94," and most other
sports games.
"FIFA 95" offers a choice of over
200 international teams that can com-
peteintournamentmode, season mode,
or in exhibition games. Teams have
accurate team uniforms, andplayer ani-
mations and graphics are as realistic as
they get on a 16-bit game. The anima-
tion of the rest of
the game is also
superb, with clear
and fluid action of
the ball and of the
other players.
"FIFA 95"
also gives the
player a whole
new level of con-
trol with more re-
alistic passing
intelligent than in previous editions, but
playing in the two-player mode is still
more exciting. The game stays true
with a low number of goals, with
scoreboard animations and controllable
sound effects (fireworks, bells, and the
trademarked soccer announcer's
"GOOOOOALLLLLL!").
Some of the most exciting aspects
of the game are the penalties. With the
ability to turn fouls and injuries on or
off, players push, shove, elbow and
slide tackle one another, frequently get-
ting injured, and more frequently get-
ting yellow and red cards, getting them-
selves thrown out of the game. After
players are injured, they can still play if
not substituted, but they run at about
half the speed and rarely get possession
of the ball.
"FIFA 95" offers a number of im-
pressive tactics and maneuvers includ-
ing bicycle kicks, banana shots, vol-
leys, and headers. Players also have
good dribbling techniques, but passing
and shooting are difficult, and it is easy
to accidentally pass to the other team,
and also score very unfortunate goals
on your own team.
"FIFA 95" gives soccer and sports
games in general a fun and fresh feel,
creating one of themostsophisticatedly
superb and thrilling video games.
- Brian A. Gnatt
If your name is Robert P. Gill or Paresha Patel
you have won free pool in the Michigan Union Games Room
for the week of: 1/9/95 - 1/16/95. (Some restrictions apply.)
ichigar Lea ue
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