8- The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, November 18, 1997

'Little Mermaid'

swims into theaters

Prashant Tamaskar
&.D.Iy Arts Writer
With the return of Disney's "The Little Mermaid" to the-
aters this week, the war has officially begun. In an attempt to
end Disney's monopoly of the animated feature business,
Twentieth Century Fox is releasing E
"Anastasia" in time for the holiday sea- R
son. Probably because it resembles a
Disney film, the story of a Russian com-
moner turned princess looks like a sure-
fire hit.
But Disney is not letting Fox chal-
lenge its supremacy without a fight.
The company has summer successes "Hercules" and
"George of the Jungle" playing in second-run theaters,
and is opening Robin Williams' "Flubber" around
Thanksgiving as well.
Yet the most interest-
ing decision made by
Disney executives is
the re-release of "The
Little Mermaid," a
movie that made nearly
$200 million worldwide in
1989, and brought life back
into a genre that was fading
fast. Disney is hoping that,
combined with the other
movies, the already-
on-video "Little
Mermaid" will
help spoil
Twentieth
Century Fox's
foray into the
market.
Based on Hans
Christi an
Anderson's fairy
tale, "The Little
Mermaid," is the
Sebastian and Flounder wonderful story of

E

aquatic princess Ariel who, after falling in love with
handsome Prince Eric, wishes to become part of the
human world. Despite the objections of her father, King
Triton, Ariel makes a deal with Ursula, the evil sea
witch. She exchanges her beautiful voice for a pair of
legs, which she will use to search for
V I E W Eric. If Ariel can get her prince to kiss
TLittle her within two days, she will live
The Lhappily ever after on land. But
Mermaid if Eric does not kiss her, she
**** belongs to Ursula, who
At showcase plans on using her to
usurp the sea kingdom

Arel Is The Uttle Mermaid.

LEAGUE
Start your evening... Underground...
9 PM

Reality bites: Adult cartoons poke fun at life
By Michael Galloway that is high school. The show's only prob- comes "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" bunny, suit. The Tick sleeps on Art
For the Daily lem is that Daria and her friend Jane are Taking the cast from the original "Space couch, and they start the day at
Cartoons. They're not just for kids the only interesting characters. The others Ghost," a very dated cartoon show, this car- a.m., fighting such evil villains as
anymore. are merely stereotyped paper targets set toon mocks all talk shows with its flat, Evil Midnight Bomber What Bom
A new genre of animated television up for Daria and Jane to shoot down. superimposed host interviewing live guest Midnight, Chairface Chippendale
has sprung up, attracting a large and But banal characters and story plots stars. His archenemies are the other mem- Deadly Bulb and Man-Eating Cow.
loyal adult following. This new breed of aren't necessarily bad, especially if it's bers of the show: There's Moltar, a giant "The Tick" puts a dose of reality
cartoon provides viewers weaned on being underlined and parodied. Take preying mantis in charge of the band, and the superhero fantasy, even though
Disney family fare with mature and bit- "Beavis and Butthead" - for gutter there's Zorak, a guy wearing what looks like come away from the show with a mo
ing criticism on everyday life, and an humor and revelry in all things imma- a radiation suit who is the director. less surreal experience - which I th
outlet for dark satire, too. ture and delinquent, it's tough to beat "The Tick" follows this same track, the point of all these cartoons and th
Criticized at first for its bad influence this monstrous creation of Mike Judge. mixing the everyday mundane with the son for their popularity. Surre
on children and its depiction of the middle (Huh-huh. He said beat. Huh-huh.) superhero eccentric. This blue moun- involves breaking down the normal
class, "The Simpsons" is now ackbowl- But the superior Judge project by far tain of justice in tights often has to rely one sees reality, and cartoons allow (
edged as one of the most intelligent is "King of the Hill," which depicts a on his sidekick Arthur, a former see how ridiculous our everyday live
comedies on television. Some of you may normal, white trash family in the accountant who wears a moth, not a beliefs can be.
laugh at that, but maybe you also laughed Republic of Texas. Mike Judge is the
at the show's depiction of sports gam- voice of Hank Hill, expert on propane, W hen to W atch!
bling, the space program, homophobia, its accessories and all things thrown or
and the '96 Presidential Election. mown. Both shows defy the traditional
"Dr. Katz" is even more mature in the idea of comedy by not having punch Beavis and Butthead: MTV, Sunday, 9:30 p.m.
tone of its clever, satirical depiction of lines but instead having laughably inept
our everyday, and not so everyday, prob- and inane characters reacting within Dlada: MTV, Monday, 10:30 p.m.
lems. You have to like dry, wry humor to mundane, everyday situations.
enjoy this show because those not used to "South Park" also makes fun of the Dr. Katz. Professional Therapist: Comedy Central, Sunday, 10 p.m.
the wavy lines that surround everything banality of the everyday while playing
could become sea sick. Also dry and wry with the formulaic elements of televi- King of the Hill: Fox, Sunday, $:30 p.m.
is that epitome of teen-age cynicism, sion shows. One can always expect
"Daria." Originally a character on Chef to sing, Kenny to die, an appear- The Simpsons Fox, Sunday, 8 p.m.
"Beavis and Butthead," Daria is a smart, ance by a poor imitation of a celebritySotPar:Comedy Central, Wednesday, 10 p.m.
nihilistic teenager who has to deal with and Cartman to be called a "fat ass.' It
her family life and the popularity contest criticizes America's more conservative , n*.#N

9

ANNOUNCING
A SET OF COURSE OFFERINGS IN MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
FOR WINTER TERM 1997
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Department of Biology will be continuing a
series of courses set in a modular format. Each one credit module runs for one third of a semester. In some
cases multiple modules can be combined to make up a traditional course. Students may choose from the
various modules to create a program that best fits their educational objectives and interests.
Microbiology 607, 608. and 609 are three modules focusing on mechanisms of microbioal pathogenesis.
They are designed for graduate students and advanced undergraduates. These modules will be offered
consecutively and will meet TTH from 10 -11:30 AM in 5623 Medical Science Building II.
Prerequisites for the modules - first year biochemistry and genetics or permission of course director.
Module I (1/8-2/5)
Microbiology 607 - Host-Pathogen Interactions (1 credit)
Module II (2/10-3/17)
Microbiology 608 - Mechanisms of Extracellular Pathogenesis. (1 credit)
Module III (3/19-4121)
icrobiology 609 - Mechanisms of Intracellular Pathogenesis. (1 credit)
The first module addresses the effects of microbes on the infected human host at both the individual and
population levels. The second module explores the mechanisms of pathogenesis caused by mucosal and
xin producing pathogens. The third module focuses on host pathogen interactions in infections caused
y intracellular pathogens.
SMicrobiology 641 and 642, are two modules focusing on molecular and cellular events in the immune
Tesponse. They are designed for upper-class advanced undergraduates and graduate students interested
r n the health sciences. These modules will be offered consecutively and will meet TTH from 1-2:30 PM
-in 5631 Medical Science Building II.
..r ;.us fr the iw mndules - first unear biochemistru and genetics: permission of instructor for

Comedy Central's "South Park" makes fun of the banality of life. In the show,
[FINALS FREAKOUT???

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