2B the Michigan Daily \W kend, etc. Magazine -Thuay, March 22, 2000 Oscars. Best Picture, some thoughts * _ _ S The Michgai ail!- WeekoenJ VIEWPOINT I am hoping, but not altogether confident, that "Traffic" will take (he Academy Award for Best Picture of 2000. "Traffic" masterfully employs parallel development, skip- ping among four geographic loca- tions, to construct the interconnected web of illegal drug dealing. The film's eff'ect on me was a visceral one aN Steven Soderbergh seamlessiy .raced the drug-trade business through from its origins to its most personal kind of hurt. "Traffic" is an expertly-made. important film with outstanding performances by actors as talented as Benicio Del Toro. In my estimation, these qualities lift it above the other four Best Picture nominees. But the work that I would hay. : selfcted as the top film of the year failed to get a Best Picture nomina- tion. My choice is the independent. low-budget film by the writer-direc- tor Kenneth Lonergan. "You Can Count On Me." This is the kind of film one sees so rarely these days- an unusually honest and intelligent character study about everyday-type people. "You Can Count On Me" finds it dramatic life in the reunion of a brother and sister in a small town ir, upstate New York. There are no charged displays of digitalitcd image's. and the film's action is no more intense than names -' pool in the town tavern. Mr. Lonergan. who has also estab- lished himself as a gifled playwright. can cut to the quick of a character's MEXICAN CAFE Ann Arbor's Finest Mexican Style Food! Michigan's Largest Selection of Gourmet Hot Sauces & Salsas! Happy Birthday! Charley's would like to be the first to congratulate you with a free meal. Just bring along a friend and proper ID, and select your favorite entree from our famous menu. It's just our way of saying (CoodTjfl' Congratulations and thanks for C celebrating with us. --------- - --------- emotional spine, and move the film- ioer to an understanding of just how complex seemingly ordinary people can be. This is exactly what happens \\ ith Sammy (Laura Linney), a single mother. and her brother Terry (Mark RulTalo), a drifter who returns home briefly after an aimless lie and a siint in jail. These characters are presented as people who reflect on the meaning of their lives, the impli- cations of their behavior, the morali- ty of the choices they make as head- strong individuals. Many philosoph- ical and even spiritual responses are raised, but never kith pat answers or easy resolution. There is an intimacy achieved through character and dialogue in "You Can Count On Me" that is simultaneously heartmarming and heartbreaking. One senses that as a director Mr. Loneriaan has used a collaborative improv isational process with his actors. such as that employed by Mike Leigh to achieve the emotional impact of "Secrets and Lies." "You Can Count On Me" did not receive the full attention it merit- ed although Laura Linney will com- pete for Best Actress and Kenneth Lonergan for Best Screenplay writ - ten directly for the screen. Some critics, while writini admirably about the film. wcnt on to improperly label "You Can Count On Me" a "made-for-television" movie. Please! 1. like many another, was grateful to be able to experience this unforgettable film in the psychologi- cally-powerful arena that is the movie theater. FRA\K ii WA t Profes.vor of Film c and Video WHA T IS wii , iW PICTURE Of UMIOLEDU WITHtORIw MONDA , ..v. . ... " Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields This popular chamber orchestra teams up with guest conductor and pianist Murray Perahia to perform the works of Handel, Mozart. and J-S. Bach. Hill Auditorium. 8 p.m. $20-55.. 764-2538. THEA TER Test One This is the first fully realized performance by The Project, a group consisting of U-M Musical Theater majors. Its goals are to move outside of typical university and community productions, and present original works of singing, dancing, musical theatre, and poetry. Arena Theater. Frieze Bldg. 11:00 p.m. Free. Email the.project@umich.edu. Into the Woods See Friday. Power Center. 2 p.m. $12, $7 students. 764-0450. Struggling Truths See Thursday. Performance Network. 8 p.m. $20. 663-0681. ALTERNATIVES Paradise Now: Picturing the Genetic Revolution See Thursday. Museum of Art. Free. 764-0395. Scenarios: Recent Work by Lorna Simpson See Thursday. 20th Century and West Galleries, Museum of Art, 525 S. State. Free. 764-0395. Sunday CAMPUS CINEMA Boseman & Lena (2000) Danny Glover without Gibby? That's like Taco Salad without meat, cheese, sauce or chips. Michigan Theater. 6 & 8 p.m. Caveman's Valentine See Friday. State Theater. 2, 4:30, 7 & 9:15 p.m. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon See Thursday. State Theater. 4:15 & 9:30 p.m. House of Mirth See Thursday. Michigan Theater. 1:30 & 6:45 p.m. Pollock See Thursday. Michigan Theater. 5 & 7:30 p.m. University Festival of Student Works: Varied Screenings See Friday Michigan Theater. 12 p.m. MUSIC Homegrown Night What does "Home Grown" mean anyways? Home Grown like in South Africa where everyone's favorite folkster started, yeah you know it, Dave Matthews. T.C.'s Speakeasy, Ypsilanti. 10:30 p.m. $2. 483-4470. THEA TER Into the Woods See Friday. Power Center. 2 p.m. $12, $7 students. 764-0450. Struggling Truths See Thursday. Performance Network. 8 p.m. $20. 663-0681. A LTERNA TIVES Paradise Now: Picturing the Genetic Revolution See Thursday. Museum of Art. Free. 764-0395. Scenarios: Recent Work by Lorna Simpson See Thursday. 20th Century and West Galleries, Museum of Art, 525 S. State. Free. 764-0395. Art Video: "Poor Man Shames Us All" This video contrasts Kenyan and Indonesian beliefs, concerning the value of relationships over material possessions, with the Western views of wealth. Media Room, Museum of Art, 525 S. State. 1 p.m. Free. 764- 0395. Monday CAMPUS CINEMA Caveman Valentine See Friday. State Theater. 7 & 9:15 p.m. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon See Thursday. State Theater. 9:30 p.m. Michigan Theater. 6:45 p.m. Pollock See Thursday. Michigan Theater. 7:30 p.m. West Side Story (1961) When you're a Jet you're a Jet, from your first cig- arette and thennyou're all set and you can bet you're not wet when you meet Boba Fett. Michigan Theater. 7 p.m. "Exit Wounds" is number one with a bullet, which says something about WE DELIVER! Mon. - Sat.'t1 a.m. Sunday 'to12:00a.m. ca" 761-450 333 E. Huron Saigon Garben (734) 747-7006 Vietnamese & aChinese Cuisine Dine-In & Carry-Out 1220 South University (at Forest) Ann Arbor, Michigan BUSINESS HOURS Mon.-Thur 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fri. 11 am.to 11 p.m. Sat. 11:30 a. m. to 1] p.mn. Sun. 12 Noon to 10 p.m. s Gs * e beSt '40blePia Stye We also carry your 747-SPOT favorite party subs 'Michigan Daily Readership Poll or- 7769 Midd~le Eastern D~iner ,307 S. Fisth Rve. 955060 M-F 10-9 Sat 11-9 Sun 12-8 Ir -®s s-s-a- _ _ I n FalaEcdfel andeih- IiCotipoI Per Visit ;Iot valid wtht other offer House of Mirth See Thursday. MUSIC Jazz Jam Session Oh, but Mr. Music List maker, Ally McBeal is on Monday nights. So what, shut up, go jam. Wuss. Pierpont Commons. 8 p.m. >; :> Free. ' " Acoustic Open Mic or see previous. Tap Room, Ypsilanti. 9:30 p.m. Free. 482 -5320. ALTERNATIVES Now President, Playboy Editor Face Off Patricia Ireland and Asa Baber will sign copies of their latest work to :, 4?promote their upcoming debate, Uncovering the Naked Truth." Borders. 5:30 p.m. Free. 763-1107. .4 Paradise Now: Picturing the Genetic :> Revolution See Thursday. Museum of Art. Free. 764-0395. 4 Scenarios: Recent Work by Lorna Simpson See Thursday.k20th Century f.,.:andWest Galleries, Museum of Art, " '. k" 525 S. State. Free. 764-0395. M Tuesday / CAMPUS CINEMA Caveman Valentine See Friday. State Courtesy of 20th Centuryox Theater. 7 & 9:15 p.m. "Say It Isn't So": Rollergirl Heather Grahams stars in the latest gross-out goof- ball comedy, helmed by the assistant director of the Farrelly brothers.. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon See Thursday. State Theater. House of Mirth See Thur Michigan Theater. 6:45 I Pollock See Thursday. M Theater. 7:30 p.m. Snatch (2000) Brad Pitt his teeth into this film. Theater. 8:30 p.m. The Unknown (1913) Yep silent film, but if your ce off during it, I'll still kic Michigan Theater. 7 p.m MUSIC Blind Pig Showcase Nigf missing Bob Barker: N Denial, Spinfist, Elsew Great American Killer. Ir order. Blind Pig, 208 S. 1 Free. 996-8555. Blues Jam I used a je already, and there really good on television on T anyways. Didn't Doogie Tuesdays? No that waE with the Wonder Years, back on ABC. Hey, than me with that. Tap Ro( 9:30 p.m. Free. 482-532 ALTERNATIVES Paradise Now: Picturing Revolution See Thursday Art. Free. 764-0395. Scenarios: Recent Work Simpson See Thursday. and West Galleries, Mus 525 S. State. Free. 764. Wednesi CAMPUS CINEMA Caveman Valentine See Casual dining at its best! REWARD YOURSELF! Corner of 1st and Huron St. Downtown AA (734) 823-7400 www.damatosxcom ****Detrout Free Press 9 out of 10 Ann Arbor News