Hot off the presses Go online to see what album releases couldn't he featured in Breaking Rtcords 2 Rft~kft Dalif TUESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2000 michigandaily.corn/arts *Sci-fi'Pitch' packs spacey surprises New 'Taxi' more 'Crazy' than Travis Bickle By David Victor Daily Arts Writer Remember a sci-fi movie from earlier in the year called "Supernova?" Consider yourself for- tunate if you don't. It was a bad, bad movie. Strom Thurmond's bowel movements had more consistency than that film. It left me with a sick- ening disgust for the sci-fi genre and I was eager to trample all over a sim- ilar contender, "Pitch Black" Don't get me wrong, this movie won't win any Oscars or anything, Pitch Black Grade: B- At Showcase and State s, but it's one of those guilty sci- fi pleasures that has it all - creepy alien moments, a unique hero, some nifty sci-fi gimmicks and a couple good one- liners. I jumped in my seat and even laughed out loud. Hey, even a stuffy film crit- ic allows himself starts plummeting towards a nearby planet. The able captain lands the craft, but many of the forty passengers die. Furthermore, in the crash, the dan- gerous convict escapes. The remain- ing survivors find themselves on a desolate desert planet faced with several questions: Where can we find water? Where did the convict escape to? Why did that nice man get sucked into a hole and chewed up? What'll happen when the sun goes down? This film uses several cinemato- graphic techniques to achieve a unique setting for its action. In a desert planet with twin suns that each burn a different color, the land- scape is always changing. From burning red to oddly cool blue, the lighting jars your senses, reinforces the feeling one is on an alien world, and brings originality to the usual desert setting. Also, throughout the film; several distorted cuts and cam- era effects lend an almost artsy, impressionist look to the action. If nothing else, "Pitch Black" gets points for filmic novelty. Admittedly, the acting and writing is nothing to write home about, with lots of unknown talent starring in this film. However, the convict, played by a small-time actor, is a walking talking, epitome of a bad- ass. I mean, even the actor's name, Vin Diesel, is pretty hardcore. His character transcends that of the typi- cal hard-time prisoner stereotype, and ultimately makes for a great per- formance in the lead. I'd like to see more of this guy. However, the rest of the characters are pretty flat, and it boils down to whether you feel A good video game is always a little different, and "Crazy Taxi" is like no other video game you've ever played. A great video game will give you repetitive stress injuries and you should probably keep an eye on your right index finger since it controls the accelerator. You play as one of four San Francisco cabbies, trying to get as many fares and thus as much cash as possible in the time allotted. That is not as easy as it sounds. To get extra time you need to get your fares to their destinations ASAP In order to do that, you need to drive through the tables of an outdoor cafe, crash into telephone booths, drive off the second story of a parking garage at full tilt and any of dozens of other maneuvers that would get you a revoked license and a few meals in county lock up. And that's the great thing about the game. You are required to break all the Courtesy of USA Films Vin Diesel pumps into macho action in the chilling space thrill "Pitch Black." to be entertained now and then. Maybe I was just having a good day, but I genuinely liked "Pitch Black." The film opens with the typical "ship flying through the depths of 0 space" routine, and an ominous voice tells us of the crew on board this ship who are in "cryo-sleep" The voice is that of an escaped con- vict, bound and gagged in a special chamber on board. Through sheer chance, something inexplicable hap- pens, the ship is damaged, and it happy or sad when they're snatched off into the darkness. The technology and aliens in "Pitch Black" further bolster this sci- fi film. In the wake of the crash, there is little salvageable material, and there is a kind of "Mad Max" wasteland look to everything. When the aliens finally emerge from hid- ing, we see precious little of them for quite a while; this shrouding in dark- ness really enhances the creepy-fac- tor. You also see through the alien's point of view occasionally, and it is at the same time both interesting and ominous. Special-effects wise, this film has got it made in the sun, pun intended. From an exhilarating ship crash sequence to the wonderfully rendered creatures of the darkness, the computer-generated effects wow at every turn. At the mid-point of the film, when light turns to darkness (I won't spoil any more of it) the overall design and execution of the sequence caught my breath. Tingles down the spine and everything. Maybe I'm just too appreciative ofCGI, but it was one of the highlights of the film. The plot is executed decently in a field of films where it's basically, "Who will die next?" I thought I could predict things as they unfold- ed, but I was surprised at almost every turn. There are a couple plot contrivances concerning the overall timing of everything, but they are easily brushed aside in the name of entertainment. There's the old adage, "Don't judge a book by its cover." I learned that lesson after watching "Pitch Black." I can't guarantee you'll like it, but if you're a fan of sci-fi or just looking to be entertained, "Pitch Black" may be the film for you. Crazy Taxi Grade: A Sega Dreamcast Reviewed by Daily Arts Writer . Ted Watts beautifully rendered rules of the road to do well. And it is a convincing little universe. The San Francisco in it is huge for a video game, with no pauses for loading more areas as you progress through the inclined streets. Crowds of people scream as Fun games beat those winter doldrums By Eduardo Baraf Daily Arts Writer As Michigan's February winter clamps down, people remain quieter, want to face the outside less and sit around enervated and frustrated. However, there is a solution, something that has the potential to make a dull evening into a down right rowdy one. Look no further than a collection /40f video game classics. Rather than staying home alone and gazing at television or computer screens, one with the right games can make a fun evening out of them. There are some necessary standards though and all the games on this list must comply with these three guidelines: The game must allow at least 4 players to play at once. The players must be in the same room (so this restricts online playing). And one must not need to buy any extra peripherals such as Multitaps to play with the tnaximum amount of player (ruling out most games for the Playstation and earlier machines). Thus, without further adieu, here is a list of top five party games: Super Mario Kart (N64) This is the ultimate party game. Not only does it offer a four player racing mode, but it also has an all out battle mode. The reason this game is at the op of the list isn't because it is so incredibly ddictive or because of its at-times wacky jameplay but because it is one of the simplest games to learn how to play and it is a game that both guys and gals enjoy. It is also one of the few multiplayer games where not even the most expe- rienced gamer is guaranteed the win because it gives the advantage to the losing players (by giv- ing them more consistently good items). Golden Eye 007 (N64) Many would argue this to be the best party game out there, but unlike Mario Kart, people who play enough can consistently blow away newbies and this is its real down fall. The learning curve is very steep and at times it is difficult to keep unsuccess- ful gainers interested. However, with its numerous weapons, selectable characters, themed Gameplay, well-designed levels and customizable options, it is definitely comes in a close second. Blitz 2000 (Dreamcast/N64) Out of the numerous football games currently on the market, few can keep up their intensity like Blitz does. Blitz is constructed around the no- holds-barred, action-first, rules-second Gameplay made famous by NBA Jam. Rarely does a game end with a clear winner, often coming down to the last play where a diving catch into the end zone is the deciding factor. Be careful though, not to develop the "just one more game" syndrome. WCW/ NWO Revenge (N64 or Wrestlemania 2000 (N6 4) Before WCW/NWO Revenge wrestling games had a very limited audience. But after just one sit- ting, few gamers could resist its over the top Gameplay, highly detailed characters and scripted events. Revenge also includes a four-player Gameplay and a slew of easy to execute yet still unique moves for each wrestler. I include Wrestlemania 2000 at the number 4 spot as well because it is simply an update to Revenge. Obviously if one were to go out to buy one of these games today they should pick Wrestlemania but people still playing Revenge (and there are many) aren't missing too much. Mario Party & Mario Party 2 (N64) Mario Party is one of the few (possibly the only) games that have been created specifically for par- ties. It is actually a bad purchase for someone who doesn't have friends over often but for those who do "MP" offers quite a complete gaming package. In the game you move your Nintendo characters around numerous boards and compete in vs. and team vs. mini games. It truly is unique and other than its soon to be released sequel, which will expand on many features, there is nothing like it. It is also set up in such a fashion where it is very profitable to back stab your fellow players so it is worth, prior to playing, pointing out that it's just a game. Before concluding this list there is one game that must be mentioned. It did not fit the criteria and is only available on a Super NES, but "Super Bomber Man 2" is regarded by most of the gaming public as the best multiplayer game of all time. There have been multiple updates on new systems but none of them come close to this game. So for those of you who have access to a SNES and a Multitap check the bargain bins at your local superstore and pick it up. You will not regret it. For those of you who have read through this article but still feel left out because you do not have access to these gaming consoles or know of anvone to play with, Wolverine Soft, a gaming organization on campus, runs periodic tourna- ments in the Union at which you can get your mul- tiplayer fix. For more information, check out www. umich. edu/~wsoft. they dive out of your way as you barrel towards them at alarming speed (you can't seem to actually run anyone down, however), hordes of different cars and trucks zoom through the streets (and head on into your cab too often) and lots of other interactive items like streetcars and subway trains work against you. It is a very convincing reality, and that increases the rush from playing it. The key to getting a better license in the game is to earn big tips from your fares. You earn big tips by performing a lot of tricks in succession without slam- ming into anything so hard your fare yells something like "Hey that hurt" or "Watch where you're going."The easiest trick to perform is the "Crazy Through," which involve cutting in close to other vehicles but not hitting them. These can really stack up when you zoom through oncoming traffic, if you can keep your vehicle under control. Another trick is the "Crazy Jump," which you can get from going over an open draw bridge, off a building or over a severe curb. If you can combine these flourishes well enough, then you can get a license good enough that the game announcer won't insult you. The most addictive mode of play is Arcade mode. You start with about 50 seconds of play, which increases when you pick up a fare and again if you drop them off quickly enough. But you are still limited to only a few minutes of play, no matter how good you are. But since you can increase the time you have by doing well, and are then able tordo better, the game demands immediate and numerous replays. It's like a switch that lab rats can press that stimulates the pleasure centers of their brains. So make sure to eat and stay hydrated while play- ing. There are other options in the game; you can choose different amounts of set time to play and you have two different maps, and so two different San Franciscos to choose from. There are also some practice games, where you need to use your crazy cab to pop a lot of huge bal- loons, make a lot of hairpin turns and meet a bevy of similar goals. These are all fun games, but they are not the addictive source. Arcade mode is what this game was designed for in its initial placement in (where else?) arcades, and it is still the heart, soul and money shot of the console experience. So, you've got a few days off soon. Get "Crazy Taxi" and spend them doing something more worthwhile than throwing beads at some drunk- en Louisiana hoiden. JOIN AN ECOMMERCE COMPANY WRfH AN EDGE! WANT A LITTLE PIECE'Y OF GIOVANNI Riisi? STOP BY THE DAILY ARTS OFFICE AND PICK UP FREE POSTERS OF THE NEW LINE CINEMA FILM 'BOILER ROOM,' STARRING RIBISI AND BEN AFFLECK. HOWEVER, SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED. So COME SOON I The 2000 John D. Evans Distinguished Lecture Series, The Digital Highway and the First Amendment presents: The Constitution, Public Policy, and LIVE AND LEARN T~I