12B - Michigan Daily WeekenPvagazine -. Thursdays Dec er 3, 1998. 0 0 0 0 Thursday, D4 Video Classic of the Week 'Swingers' is always worth catching again From Theodore Cardman's backyard . ... to over 450,0 aroun< By Matthew Barrett Daily Arts Writer School is hard. Finals. Term papers. CRISP. So take a break from the grind and rent "Swingers," a comedy you can roll with. "Swingers" is the story of five wannabe actors who tool around Los A-gles looking for jobs and, more importantly, beautiful babies. Yet their drives for digits are only a small part of what makes this a must-rent for rounders and squares alike. The movie starts with Mike (Jon Favreau) a struggling comedian moaning about his old girlfriend. He's in Los Angeles and she's in New York, and he misses her so much, and he keeps getting shaqed by other girls. Simply put, things are on the down tip for old Mike. And no matter how many times his friends tell him that he's so money and he doesn't even know it, he just doesn't buy it. Trent (Vince Vaughn), Mike's friend has heard enough of the whining and decides the only cure is a late night run to "Vegas, Baby, Vegas." From here the movie explodes for the next 90 minutes, never letting up with its non-stop humor. "Swingers" hits on everything from "Goodfellas" to House Of Pain and does it in style. In one scene the characters are talking about Quentin Tarantino ripping off other movies, and in the next they are stealing shots from him. The film also boasts the most vicious game of hockey on Sega Genesis ever to grace the big screen. Favreau (most recently seen in "Very Bad Things"), who also wrote the film's script, is perfect as the guy who just can't seem to shake his ex. Mike whimpers through his encounters with girls, the low point coming during a tough encounter with the dreaded answering machine. Painful encounters aside, Vaughn steals the show in a dead-on performance as Trent, the ringleader of the group. Vaughn's over-the-top acting fuels the film and rightfully catapulted him to star- dom. The actor's latest work can be seen starting Friday as he tackles the part of Norman Bates in the updated version of "Psycho." Also look for a pre-Rollergirl appear- ance by Heather Graham, as the girl that catches Mike's eye at the bar. Graham is another person who basically came out of nowhere for "Swingers" and has seen her career take off afterwards. Although she doesn't appear until late in the film, Graham gets the job done playing sly with the guys and gives Trent reason to proclaim, "It's on. The film's high point comes when Mike, desperate for a baby that he can get his hands on, finally strikes gold on the dance floor. In a swing dancing scene that lifts the spirits, cleanses the soul, and makes viewers happy to be alive, Mike dances his heart out with a beau- tiful baby he can roll with. AP PHOTO With snow on the way any day there will be many a day when you wake up with the ground absolutely white. Though you may have class in less than 25 minutes you better get up because a day of cancelled classes due to excessive snow is far from likely. Hopng for a snow dav to CanCe classes? Don't hold your br!&*eath Ban k~tripe The By William Nash Daily Staff Reporter Uncross your fingers. Save that snow chant. Let go of the dreams of class-less weekdays due to a snow-in and instead, save that energy to put on your golashes and bundle up. It's been more than 20 years since the last time the University was closed due to winter weather. Most University employees can't even remember the last snow day. Associate Vice President for Business Operations Hank Baier, a University employee for seven years, doesn't recall one. "It would take an act of God to have one," he said. Actually, it would only take an act of Lee Bollinger. According to the University's Standard Practice Guide only the "President or his designated repre- sentative" can announce an "inclement weather period." The president can only do so after consultation with local meteorolo- gists and local, county and state police officials. When deemed "inclement weath- er," the "University will continue to provide as many of (its regular) ser- vices as possible, with particular emphasis on all the services which are basic to health care and daily sustenance." Very rarely has daily sustenance not included holding regular class. A: The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College: promotes spiritual growth and professional development prepares rabbis for congregational pulpits, Hillel, chaplaincy, communal organizations, and Jewish education creates a learning community com- mitted to diversity and pluralism fosters an informal participatory atmosphere * applies the vision of Judaism as an evolving religious civilization to studying Jewish thought, history and practice " unites traditional learning and modern scholarship " provides innovative programs for Jewish Ethics, Women's and Gender Studies combines intensive course learning and practical internships ..I RRC announces full tuition merit scholarships plus living expenses for two rabbinical students entering the College in the Fall of 1999. Renewable annually for up to five years. Applications must be completed by March 1, 1999. Other scholarships and financial aid also available. Ifyou want to study in an environment that will support your personal journey and help you prepare to serve the Jewish people, consider RRC. Together we can add vitality to Jewish life. We invite you to come and visit in suburban Philadelphia. CONTACT Rabbi Reena Spicehandler Dean ofAdmissions Reconstructionist Rabbinical College 1299 Church Road Wyncote PA 19095 5) 576800 ext. 5 E r r What does a 2-year-old child know that a chimp NEVEWIL FIND OUT IN LINGUISTICS 211 INTRODUCTION TO LANGUAGE Lecture: MW 12-1 Discussion: F 9, 10;,11,12,1 I-] Only long-time University employees can recall the last snow day, which occurred in January 1978. The University "was closed for one or two days," said History Prof. Nicholas Steneck, who teaches a class on the history of the University of Michigan. "The snow storm got so bad I guess they thought it threat- ened public safety." Before 1978's blizzard, the second most recent snow day came in the late '60s. "I think it was 1967," said Capital Planning Assistant Director Fred Mayer. "It snowed so heavily the roads couldn't be cleared before classes." So why have there been two in the last three decades when most high schools get at least that many days off in every year? Baier speculated that with so many other services that must be performed on a daily basis, it only makes sense to hold class. "The University depends on ser- vices like the campus police, the power plant, and food service," Baier said. "Since they are a neces- sity, classes are usually able to con- tinue on." Another reason the University could be hesitant to declare snow days is because, unlike students attending public high school, University students pay for and expect to attend classes. With finals rapidly approaching, some students may be praying to have finals postponed due to inclement weather, despite their investment in their education. After 20 years, maybe a snow storm is due, then again maybe not. Feeling lucky? SUse Mca rd ebit anywhere you See the I ncludling: \{~ ~jcr ~ 4i~ ALi