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A weekly uide to who's Thursday, March 25
why you need toe there ... h eL ist Wednesday, March31
40 WAYS TO LOSE YOUR BAI
40 oz. beers more prevalent on Camp
Films opening
Doug's First Movie Hoping to reproduce the success of "Rugrats," Disney
brings this animated kids show to the big screen. At Briarwood: 12:10,
2:10, 4:10, 6:40, 9. At Showcase: 12:45, 2:50, 4:50, 6:50, 8:45, 10:30.
EDtv A lame Truman-like movie about a man who has a TV crew following
him 24-hours a day. At Briarwood: 1:10, 4, 7, 9:40. At Showcase: 1:10.
2:30, 4, 5, 7:10, 7:40, 9:45, 10:15, 12:15.
The Mod Squad **4 Yet another TV-show turned movie comes to the-
aters this weekend. This film is about three kids who become cops to
avoid going to jail and end up tangled in a police corruption scandal. At
Briarwood: 12:50, 3, 5:20, 7:40, 9:50. At Showcase: 1, 3:05, 5:10, 7:15,
9:30, 11:50.
Never Been Kissed A sneak preview of Drew Barrymore's new comedy
about a newspaper reporter who goes back to high school to go under-
cover. Afterwards stay for a free showing of "Ravenous." At Briarwood: 8
(Fri. only).
Films holding
**** Excellent
*** Good
** Fair
* Not Worth Your Time, or Your Money
Analyze This **i A highly funny
and entertaining film about a mob-
ster and his psychiatrist. At
Briarwood: 12:20, 2:50, 5:10,
7:30, 10. At Showcase: 12:25,
1:20, 3, 3:40, 5:15, 7:30, 8:20,
9:50, 10:20, 11:55, 12:25.
Baby Geniuses Just what we need-
ed, a movie about smart babies! At
Showcase: 12:05, 2:10, 4:15,
6:20, 8:15.
The Corrupter *** Marky Mark
and Chow Yun-Fat battle gangs and
corruption in Chinatown. At
Showcase: 12:10, 2:25, 6:15,
10:30, 12:30.
Cruel Intentions *** A guilty
pleasure update of "Dangerous
Liaisons." At Briarwood: 12:30,
2:40, 4:50, 7:10, 9:20. At
Showcase: 1:05, 3:15, 5:30, 8,
10:10, 12:20.
Deep End Of The Ocean ** A
weepy about a kidnapped boy who
returns to his family after 10 years.
At Briarwood: 9:30.
Elizabeth *** Though it only won
an Oscaraforait's maketup, this is a
solid drama about the rise of
Elizabeth I. At State: 1:30 (Sat. &
Sun.), 9:45.
Forces Of Nature I A romantic
comedy about a man who starts to
fall in love with histtravellingdcom-
panion on his way to his wedding.
At Showcase: 12:20, 12:50, 2:40,
3:10, 4:55, 5:25, 7:20, 7:50, 9:35,
10:05, 11:40, 12:10.
The King And I **. A tepid ani-
mation film inspired by the musical
about a governess and ruler who
bump heads. At Briarwood: 12:40,
3:10, 5:15, 7:20. At Showcase: 12,
1:45, 4:20, 6:45.
Life is Beautiful **** After win-
ning Oscars for Best Foreign
Language Film and Best Actor, this
film about a father trying to spare
his son from the horrors of the
Holocaust should be on everyone's
must see list. At Ann Arbor 1&2:
12:15 (Sat., Sun., Tues.), 2:30
(Sat., Sun., Tues.), 4:45, 7, 9:20.
At Showcase: 12:15, 2:45, 5:20,
7:45, 10, 12:15.
Lock, Stock, & Two Smoking
Barrels *i Despite it's bad
review, this British crime comedy is
quite funny and entertaining. At
State: 4 (Sat. & Sun.), 7:15.
The Other Sister i A sorry excuse
for a movie, this film tells the story
of two mentally challenged people
who fall in love. At Showcase: 12
noon.
The Rage: Carrie 2 ** An awful
follow up to the horror classic. At
Showcase: 12:15, 2:15, 8:30,
10:25, 12:25.
Ravenous ** A dark comedy
about a group of soldiers on the
frontier who turn to cannibalism. At
Briarwood: 10:10.
Rushmore **** One of the best
films of 1998 showcases a million-
aire and a 15-year old competing for
the love of a first grade teacher. At
State: 12:15 a.m. (Fri. & Sat.).
Saving Private Ryan **** After
having the Best Picture Oscar
stolen from it, this WWII film bows
its head in Ann Arbor again. At
Showcase: 3:30, 6:40, 9:55.
Shakespeare In Love **** After
Sunday's Oscars there is finally evi-
dence that the Academy Award for
Best Picture is for sale. At State:
1:30 (Sat. & Sun.), 4 (Sat. & Sun.),
7, 9:30, 12 (Fri. only). At
Showcase: 12, 2:20, 4:40, 7:05,
9:25, 11:45.
True Crime *** Clint Eastwood
directs this entertaining thriller about a
journalist trying to save a man from the
death penalty. At Ann Arbor 1&2: 11:50
(Sat., Sun., Tues.), 2:15 (Sat., Sun.,
Tues.) 4:45, 7:20, 9:45 (Fri.-Wed.),
9:55 (Thurs.). At Showcase: 1:15,
3:50, 4:30, 6:30, 7, 9:10, 9:40, 11:35,
12:05.
Wing Commander (No Stars) A sci-
fi action pic only worth seeing
because it has the "Star Wars"
trailer before it. Leave after the
trailer - you'll be glad you did. At
Briarwood: 12:15, 2:45, 5, 7:15.
Thursday
CAMPUS CINEMA
Mapantsula (1988) A South African
film about a petty criminal who is
transformed after being thrown into a
jail with activists contemptuous of
his lifestyle. Angell Hall G127. 7 p.m.
Free.
MUSIC
Econoline Crush These Canadian
industrial rockers aren't players -
they just like to crush a lot. Blind
Pig, 208 S. First St., 996-8555. 9:30
p.m. $8.
Erik Friedlander's Topaz The quartet
will perform music inspired by Miles
Davis, Earth, Wind and Fire and
Herbie Hancock from their debut CD.
Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N.
Fourth Ave. 769-2999. 8 p.m. $10-
15.
Gypsy Caravan Take a journey in
sound with music by Gypsies, span-
ning centuries and continents.
Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St.,
764-2538. 8 p.m. $22-34.
Jazz Ensemble Ellen Rowe directs
the ensemble in classic and contem-
porary big band jazz repertory.
Rackham Auditorium. 8 p.m.
Mudpuppy Bluesy R&B/soul, Royal
Oak-style! Cavern Club, 210 S. First
St., 332-9900. $5.
Steve Nardella Band Greasy rocka-
billy struts and bluesy shuffles from
this Ann Arbor veteran. Arbor Brewing
Company, 114 E. Washington St.,
213-1393. 9 p.m. Free.
Shindig Share a blues-funk shindig
with...uh, Shindig. Cross Street
Station, 511 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti.
485-5050. 10:30 p.m. $4.
World Premiere of "Possession for
Orchestra" by Stephan Rush Be the
first on the block to see this soon-to-
be symphonic masterpiece. Witness
why William Peter Blatty should be
really upset with Rush for stealing his
idea. Still, no heads will spin this
time and theDevil probably won't
have good seats. Detroit Symphony
Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave.,
8 p.m. Call (313) 833-3700 for ticket
information and directions.
THEA TER
Don Quixote One of the most hyster-
ical works ever written, and a time-
less classic. The first-ever "modern
novel" is now a musical production
that can't possibly be as good as the
work of Cervantes, if for no other
reason than it istin English. Still it
should be at least ok as it features
the American Ballet Theater Detroit
Opera House, 7:30 p.m., 1526
Broadway Ave., Detroit. Call (313)
936-7476 for ticket information and
directions.
Fiddler on the Roof Washtenaw
Community College students present
the fun musical about finding hus-
bands. This one's a favorite of the
family of Michigan bands from
Marching to Hockey Pep. Towsley
Aud., Morris Lawrence Bldg., WCC
campus. Call 973-3450 for directions
and ticket information. 8 p.m.
Students $10, others $15.
Jeffrey Basement Arts presents Paul
Rudnick's touching and well-known
love-story, of happiness in life in the
By Reilly Brennan
Daily Arts Writer
There are entire subcultures in America today
earmarked by the type of liquor they consume.
Like rarefied drinkers of malted scotch, the people
who drink beer in 40 oz. bottles have a method
and charisma all their own.
Championed by rap artists who celebrated their
friends' untimely passing with hoisted bottles and
moistened eyes, the 40 is now as much a part of the
suburban and collegiate experience as Britney
Spears albums and football games.
Life at this University is no different. A
rough, informal survey of local liquor stores
proved that the 40 is an important part of
nightly sales, with just as many women throw-
ing down their spare quarters and 50-cent
pieces as men.
And change is usually all it takes. Locally,
Village Corner's 40 of Schlitz is the cheapest at
$1.53, including tax and deposit. And word on the
street is the Woodward Palmer Store in Detroit has
a deal on $I Laser 40s as recently as last month.
But the cheapest might have been found in other
parts of the country. Ricky Eaddy, Webmaster of
one of the Internet's malt liquor review sites
(wwwgeocities.com/CollegePark/Quad/3662) said
he once bought a 40 of Country Club Malt Liquor
for a mere $.75! He claims the store was trying to
unload older stock. Regardless, Eaddy maintains
his obsession has not forced him to over analyze
his favorite swill.
"The longer you let a 40 sit, it begins to get
warm, so the idea is to drink it as fast as possible;"
he said. "The primary reason for drinking a 40 is
to get drunk."
But what exactly is contained in these glass
behemoths? Malt liquor 40s are different from reg-
ular beer, right? Well, liquor store managers and
workers that sell hundreds of 40s a week to of-age
drinkers and don't know for sure. Even a public
relations manager from Miller Beer couldn't
explain the difference.
The truth is that malt liquor is no different
from regular lager. It's more of a legal term
than an actual distinction. The Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms mandates that
some beers use the malt liquor label for certain
alcohol-by-volume levels, dependent upon
state laws. While Michigan is liberal on its def-
inition of malt liquors, some southern states
actually force brewers to sell certain types of
beer with a special lower-than-normal alcohol
content.
Rob Nelson, the beer guide for the Internet's
Mining Co. (wwwminingco.com) said malt liquors
are differentiated by their dilution levels. That is,
breweries make an initial first batch that is very
high in alcohol content, then dilute according to
the desired market need.
Alcoholic content aside, most beer drinkers
agree that malt liquor tastes a bit sweeter than nor-
mal American lager. Ironically, it does not contain
any more malt than a normal beer and does not
have a "malty" flavor. Nor is malt liquor actually
considered a liquor. Rather, the term is mostly
legal, with the most important distinction being
malt liquor's higher alcohol content and occasion-
al sweeter flavor.
And the higher alcohol content usually makes
its presence known. One does not have to look
very hard on any given Ann Arbor night to find
examples of how drinking multiple mat liquor 40s
in one sitting can be disastrous in comparison to
smaller, tamer beers. On couches, in kitchens, on
porches and balconies - where 40s arrive intoxi-
cation is often soon to follow.
McKenzie River Brewing Co.'s St. Ides, a popu-
lar malt liquor with 6.8 percent alcohol-by-vol-
ume, has been the subject of criticism and federal
pressure lately because of their ad campaign. The
ads, which featured rap stars Ice Cube and the
Geto Boys, were said to target black youth. Ice
Cube coined the beer's motto: "Get your girl in the
mood quicker, get your Jimmy thicker with St.
Ides Malt Liquor."
Kristin Gustafson, a first-year student at Loyola
University at Chicago, said that Ice Cube's mantra
might be indicative of a bigger problem.
Omar Epps, Giovanni Ribisi and Claire Danes are the coolest kids this side of the
Mississippi. Now they get to kick criminal butt in "The Mod Squad." Look out!
face of AIDS. Arena Theater, Frieze
Building, 764-6800. 7 p.m.
The Magic Flute Mozart's most
famous" and final opera, the produc-
tion will be performed in English
translation, with Pamina, Tamino and
all the other mystic and lovable char-
acters. Re-bornbuarterback Doug
Flutie will probably not be in atten-
dance, however. Mendelssohn
Theater, 911 North University Ave.,
764-0450. 8 p.m. Student tickets $7,
$14-18 for others.
ALTERNATIVES
Nicholas Delbanco University profes-
sor reads from his latest, "In the
Name of Mercy and Old Scores."
Rackham Ampitheatre, 915 E.
Washington St., 764-2538. 5 p.m.
Farcity Blues The eight cast mem-
bers of the UAC Comedy Company
perform their last show of the year,
featuring sketch comedy, skits and
an hour of improve games with the
audience. Thankfully, James Van Der
Beek will not be anywhere on stage
or in the audience ... And it's still a
pretty cool title, no? The Michigan
Union's U Club, 763-1107, 8 p.m. $3
for students, others $5.
MFA I Performance Dance students
perform their thesis concert. Betty
Pease Studio Theatre, Dance Bldg. 8
p.m. $5 at the door.
Kivi Rogers A guest performer on
"Home Improvement" and "Soul
Man," as well as star of "Romey and
Michelle's High School Reunion," he
will deliver side-splitting comedy.
Mainstreet Comedy Showcase, 314
E. Liberty. 996-9080. 8:30 p.m. $10.
_____-------
Friday
CAMPUS CINEMA
The Bicycle Thief (1948) One of the
greatest films of all time celebrates
it's 50th anniversary. The film tells
the tale of a man in search of the
stolen bike he needs to get to work.
Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St.
7 p.m. $5.50
Chungking Express (1994) One of
the best films of the '90s, Wong Kar-
Wai explores love and alienation in
the daily life of three people. Angell
Aud. A. 8 p.m. Free.
The Controller (1994) After 30 years
as a member of the East German bor-
der patrol, Hermann Hoffstedt finds
himself unemployed as, from one day
to the next, East Germany and the
border cease to exist. Lorch Hall. 7
p.m. Free.
The Eel (1997) A man is released
from jail eight years after murdering
his unfaithful wife, and becomes a
barber in a small town. Michigan
Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 9 p.m.
$5.50.
Panic II (1999) University student
Mark Marabate shows his film about
a lawyer who looks into the murder of
an old flame. Nat. Sci. 8 p.m. Free.
There's Something About Mary
(1998) Really, do we really even
need to tell you what this movie is
about. Michigan Theater, 603 E.
Liberty St. 11:30 p.m. $5.50.
This Is My Life (1997) This film tells
of a number of people who were
entering school in Golzowwin 1961,
just a few days after the Berlin Wall
was built, and who are now middle-
aged. Lorch Hall. 8:30 p.m. Free.
MUSIC
Amazin' Blue The "Miseducation of
Amazin' Blue" will showcase these won-
derful singing talents. None of those per-
forming received a Grammy, however.
Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington
St., 8 p.m. Call 763-TKTS for seating
information. $6.
Disco Biscuits Intense trance-fusion from
this Philadelphia jam band. The kids are
calling the style "Bisco." And the kids
know rock 'n' roll! Ann Arbor's own music
What exactly is contained in a 40? Nobody really k
knows they're cheap. Malt liquor is neither liquor n
"I think some guys just like the security of a car-
rying around a big ass 40 in order to compensate
for their lack of size in other areas."
University Engineering junior Robert Gallagher
noted that in advertisements and movies that fea-
ture rap stars drinking 40s, the bottle is usually
cocked in a chugging position, and the beer is
never more than half-full.
"The young Gs who are drinking them always
have a quarter- to half-full 40 in their hand. Never
a full one. It can be 10 in the morning or 10 at
night, and they have a 1/4 full 40."
ir
FH IE IFAMIIILYiFRI
BEER
-/ A
ooo
ALE
What's malt liquor?
Actually, malt liquor is neither malty nor is it liquor. It falls under the
lager family of beers.
There are basically two categories of beer: Lagers and ales. Lagers use
lager yeast and ferment at cool temperatures. They tend to be clearer,
lighter in body and color, and lower in alcohol and usually range between
3.2 and 4.0 percent alcohol by volume -although malt liquors squash
this belief Most beers produced in the United States are lager beers.
Ales use ale yeast and ferment at warmer temperatures, then age for a
short time. They tend to be less carbonated, fuller bodied and fruitier.
Some may have a higher alcohol content than lagers.
Mgze
Magazin
LAGER
PILSNER
(Miller Lite)
MALT
LIQUOR ST
(Colt 45)(
OUT P
Guinness)
SRTEK
(Sam Adams)
A malt wi
Surprisingly, m
ly have any malt a
Amstel Malt is
alcohol-by-volum
those wanting less
non-alcoholic drir
Because the ak
process, this malt
special malt types
darker in color.
Editors: Aaron Rich, Will Weissert
Writers: Reilly Brennan, Cortney Dueweke, Jewel Gopwani, Elena Lipsc
Steingold, Christopher Tkaczyk and Will Weissert.
Photo Editor: Margaret Myers
Photographers: Dhani Jones, Margaret Myers, Dan O'Donnell, David Ro
Cover: 12 of the beer industry's finest 40 oz. beers strut their stuff. Photo I
Arts Editors: Jessica Eaton and Christopher Tkaczyk
Editor in Chief: Heather Kamins
Phone Numbers: Ann Arbor 1 & 2: 761-9700; Briarwood: 480-4555; Fox Village;
994-8080; Michigan Theater: 668-8397; Showcase: 973-8380; State: 761-8667.
Showtimes are effective Friday through Thursday. Late shows at Ann Arbor 1 & 2
and State are for Friday and Saturday only. Noon and mid-day matinees at Ann
Arbor 1 & 2 are for Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday only; matinees at State are for
Saturday and Sunday only.