An Ann Arbor Institution newly relocated Bird of Paradise is ome to A2's own Bird of aradis tochestra. 'howBtim s e AR MONDAY _________ _ars _ SEPTEMBER 11, 2000 Keanu lays an egg in Watcher' By Lyle Henretty For the Daily This is the movie that could have been. It could have been a cold psy- c ogical thriller, the tried but true g e of cat and mouse between a haggard FBI agent and a sleek killer. It could have upped the ante and explored the relationship between these two men. It even suggested that their relationship is liken to that of lovers, two people that know the other's every move, every tic, yet, at the same time, know absolutely nothing about one another. At the very least, "The Watcher" could heen a grimy, over the top cx plIoitat iona film that offered nothing new. but The at least wras fun as hell. Watcher Needless to Grade C say, "Tle At5Shose Watcher" disap- and Quality 16 points on all of these levels. It plays itself out with the pre- dictability of a TV movie or maybe an o v e r b l o w n episode of "NYPD Blue." The usual- ly excellent cast appears to be asleep or most of the movie. and first time director Jio. Charbanic borross t'om, it scemed to me, ever serial movie from "Halloween' to Sn." The story centers o xretired FBI agent Campbell (Jame Spadet, rho has been addicted to Secxnal md collapsing from mraines since e lost the trail of serial ktler riffin (Keanu Reeves). The film inds Campbell, relocated from Los \ngeles to Chicago, just a a few resh corpses show up in The Windy ivith Griffin's calling card (that they've been strangled with piano vire). Griffin begins sending ampbell >ixtures of the victims 24 hours efore he kills thex. At the u-ging of its psychiatrist (Ma isa Tenei) ampbell (brace yourself, this may hock you) decides to cxme out of etirdment to catch the killet .What appens next is a paint-by-numbers op chase, filled with seeral ear lat s a few outlandish explo- ions, and a few revelations that you houd have guessed in the opening Iredits - vou n, Gr tiffin is responsible ?r (Campbell's paitful condition? 1The mrajor sin cemmitted by tis Im is not its predictability, but the ter lack of interest of all invtlted 1 maike it een the least bit enter- i Spader'scharacter is work- 1g e clock, trying to save lives, et he never seems even remotely orried. The one time he does change his emeanor, physically grabbint edestrians off the street to ask them 'they recognize a potential victim ^om a picture, just shows how much an the actor could have had with his >le. What could have been a fun, ver the top actioner, doesn't even avte energy to keep the audience n edge. Hey, if the FBI guy isn't orried, why should we be, right Reeves certainly has the sharp ;atures and blank stare to make a rrifying killer, but his reading of e character makes lines that should e chilling come off as humorous. nagine Reeves' Ted from "Bill and ;d's Excellent Adventuxe" ttying to See WATCHER, Page 12 Food For Thought The Protest Movement - Did it save or cost lives? Truong Nhu Tang, a founder of the National Liberation Front et Cong), writes in his book, A Viet Cong Memoir," "The Western anti-war movements had contributed much to our victory." Question: Did the Protest Movement shorten the war and save lives or prolong the war and cost lives? ary Lillie & Assoc., Realtors www.garylillie.com THE EMMY HAS SPOKEN... Morre'lives again with Emmy victones By Jennifer Fogel Daily TV/New Media Editor The red carpet was rolled out once again for the who's who of the television industry as they ventured out in all their glitz and glam last night for the 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. The show kicked off with a parody of the all too well-known "Survivor" tribal council, pitting the likes of former television show hosts like Arsenio Hall - who have descended into "Where are they now'?" hell - in a faux competition for Emmy host and a Poittiac Aztec. The winner twas, of course, Carry Shandlitag who managed to keep the awards fresh and funny for the entire three hour tele- cast, a very difficult feat for any award show host. Shandliin tmanaged to make liht of everything ranging from reality television to politics to the fashion Bubbie of them all, doan Rivers, of whom Shandling likened to a "htooker twith a microphone." Shandling did have a lot of star powered help from the likes of Conan O'Brien and "The Larry Sanders Show" alum David Duchovney, who popped up as a "friendly" bathroom attendant. The "Survivor" crew extended their 15 minutes of fame, showing up at the ceremony along with "Big Brother" housemate Curtis, who was allowed to ven- ture from the secluded house after finding the hidden Emmy ticket. "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" cast member Wayne Brady pro- vided the musical portion of the evening, reminiscent of Billy Crystal's Academy Awards opening numbers. Alas, the big winners of the night were not the best dressed nor Shandling, but those who left the Shrine Auditorium with the golden statuette. Early winners included Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally for Supporting Actor and Actress for the comedy "Will and Grace," and Richard Schiff and Allison Janney for supporting roles in "The West Wing." While most viewers gambled on the length of the actual telecast, the real competition was between freshmen hit "The West Wing" and the HBO sophomore drama "The Sopranos," both having earned 18 nomina- tions. It was the gangster, James Gandolfini that won out over President Martin Sheen for lead actor. However, in the end, the critically acclaimed political drama, "The West Wing," was left standing when it won for Outstanding Drama Series. In the comedy categories, sentimental favorite Michael J. Fox wron for his final sea- sox on"Spin City," makitg this tis fourth Emmy. Fox was given a standing ovation and th anked the viewers at ]aoce for "a great ride." "Evervbodv Loves Ravmond" star Patricia Heaton took home the award for Best Actress in Comedy Series while "Will & Grace heat out favorites like "Friends" and "Frastet. Also receiving a standing ovation was Jack Lemmon who, along with fellow cast- mate Hank Azaria, won for his role in "Tuesdays With Morrie." The adaptation of Mitch Albom's best-selling book also took home the prize for Outstanding Made for Television Movie. Halle Berry picked up an Emmy for her role in "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge." By far the biggest surprise of the evening was Sela Ward of "Once and Again" winning for Lead Actress in a Drama Series, beating out critic favorites Ldie Falco ofI"The Sopranos" and Julianna Margulies of [ER Altogether the Emmys were unusually active and fun to watch. Even with the Academy's new voting system allowing for a more diversified set of voters that threatened to alter the outcome of the winners, there were not any major surprises. AP PHOTO AP P Jack Lemmon, left, and Hank Azada both won awards Nominated four years in a row for his role on "Spin for their roles in the miniseries "Tuesdays With Morrie." City," Michael J. Fox finally took home the Emmy. AND THE WINNERS WERE.. Outstandin Drama Series: Lead Actor/Drama Series: "The West Wing" James Gandolfini, "The Sopranos" Outstanding Comedy Lead Actress/Drama Series: Series: Sela Ward, "Once and "Will & Grace" Again" Supporting Actor/Actress in Lead Actor/Comedy Series: a Drama Series: Michael J. Fox, "Spin City" Richard Schiff & Allison Janney, "The West Wing" Lead Actress/Comedy Supporting Actor/Actress in Series: a Comedy Series: Patricia Heaton, "Everybody Sean Ha s & Megan Loves Raymond" Mullally," ill & Grace" WWW.MICHIGANDAILY.COM Do'tPan Ict