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14B - The Michigan Daily - Weekend, etc. Magazine - Thursday, January 31, 2002
A weekly guide to who's "TT hursdayJanuary 31
wherewhat'shaening and WedePuthbrough
why you need to be there ... '"in'- Wednesday, February 6

The Michigan Daily - Weekend, etc. Magazir

ON A MISSION TO FIND
AZS BEST PIZZA DELIVERY

Films opening

Birthday Girl Nicole Kidman as a
Russian mail-order bride, where do I
sign up? Now seriously, where the hell
do I sign up? She is hot and I want her.
At Showcase: 1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30,
945, 11:40 (Fri. and Sat.)

Slackers Jason Schwartzman returns
from a way-too-overdue absence in a
teen comedy that is sure to make you
understand why he is more proud of his
band, Phantom Planet. At Showcase:
1:25, 3:25, 5:30, 7:55, 10:00, 12:00
(Fri. and Sat.)

BY MICHAEL

GRASS

WEEKEND,

ETC. FOOD AND DRINK CRITIC

Films holding

A Beautiful Mind Opie doesn't deserve
all the bashing he has been getting in
this paper for this overrated film, but its
his own fault for casting Russell "I can
have any woman" Crowe. At Showcase:
1:10, 4:00, 6:55, 7:25, 9:40,' 10:10.
12:20 (Fri. and Sat.)
Black Hawk Down It's a showcase for
every hot, young, white actor in the busi-
ness; Jerry Bruckheimer sure knows
how to keep the minorities down. At
Showcase: 12:45, 1:45, 3:40, 5:05,
6:40,8:05, 9:00, 9:30, 11:00 (Fri. and
Sat.), 11:25 (Fri. and Sat.), 11:45 (Fri.
and Sat.)
Brotherhood of the Wof Its hard to
believe that Mark Dacascostcould actu-
ally make a film worse than "Only the
Strong," yet here it is; congratulations
Mark and don't comeback to our coun-
try. At Showcase: 12:30, 3:30, 6:30,
9:25, 12:10 (Fri. and Sat.)
The Count of Monte Cristo The tagline is
"Count on Revenge." I got a new one for
you: Count on being out of theaters in
two weeks. At Showcase: 1:20, 4:25,
7:10, 9:55, 12:30 (Fri. and Sat.)
Gosford Park Robert Altman makes a
comeback after the awful "Dr. T and the
Women." I guess Richard Gere brings
down every film to his stnkin' Buddhist
level. At Showcase: 1:55, 4:50, 7:35,
10:20
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
They are actually going to make like 47
more of these, and I can't wait to rip on
every one of those as well. Stick your
broom where the sun don't shine. At
Showcase: 1:30. 4:30
I am Sam How bout "I am a bad movie?"
Or, "I am a good actor in a bad movie?"
Wait, I got it, "I am a pretty actress who
can't act but thank god I have a husband
who makes redundant yet popular TV
trash." At Showcase: 1:15, 4:10, 7:05,
9:50, 12:25 (Fri. and Sat.)
In the Bedroom It looks like another year
where one of the best films will not even
be nominated for Best Picture. Here's to
you "Dancer in the Dark," "Magnolia"
and "Ice Storm." At Showcase: 1:40,
4:35, 7:40, 10:25
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of
the Ring Viggo Mortenson is so good

and badass here that you almost forget
he was in the botched remake of
"Psycho," almost. At Showcase: 12:35,
4:20, 8:00, 11:30 (Fri. and Sat.)
Monsters, Inc. "Mike Wazowski. Mike
Wazowski." When you say it, don't you
just hear Boo's voice? You do, don't you?
I sure do; that girl was so cute! At
Showcase: 12:05
The Mothman Prophecies Based on true
events? Sure, I believe that, just like " A
Beautiful Mind" is a true story, too.
Yeah, Nash and his wife never got
divorced, sure Richie Cunningham, I
believe you. At Showcase: 12:10, 2:40,
5:15, 7:45, 10:15, 12:35 (Fri. and Sat.)
Ocean's 11 Nice cameos by Lennox
Lewis and Joshua Jackson because to be
honest with you, the one thing this film
was missing was definitely star power ..:
Julia who? At Showcase: 12:00, 2:20,
4:45, 7:00, 9:15, 11:35 (Fri. and Sat.)
Orange County To be serious for a
moment, Jake Kasdan, son of Michigan
grad Larry, is actually a very talented
director. For proof, go rent the off-beat,
funny "The Zero Effect." At Showcase:
1:35, 3:35, 5:45, 8:15, 10:30, 12:20
(Fri. and Sat.)
The Royal Tenenbaums Danny Glover
hasn't been this cool since "Lethal
Weapon." And Gene Hackman hasn't
been this cool since "Get Shorty." Has
Anjelica Huston ever been cool? At
Showcase: 12:10, 2:35, 4:55, 7:50,
10:05, 12:15 (Fri. and Sat.)
Snow Dogs Remember the days when
Cuba was touted as the greatest young
actor in Hollywood and won an Oscar. I
guess "Chill Factor" and "Rat Race"
killed that buzz pretty quickly. At
Showcase: 12:20, 12:50, 2:30, 3:00,
4:40, 5:10, 6:45, 7:15, 9:20, 11:25 (Fri.
and Sat.)
Vanilla Sky Who gave Cameron Diaz all
the good lines? At Showcase: 3:45,
6:35, 9:10, 11:55-(Fri. and Sat.)
A Walk to Remember I know.she is only
17, but watching Mandy Moore walk
around for two hours is the best $9.50
I've spent in a long time. At Showcase:
12:25, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:35, 11:50
(Fri. and Sat.)

It was something that had to be done.
Sixteen pizza delivery establishments. Twelve empty stomachs. Four cell phones
out and ready. One apartment. And a good amount of beer.
At 7:10 p.m. two Fridays back, I, along with an adventurous group of colleagues
from the Daily, set off on completing the first ever "Ann Arbor Pizza Challenge."
Our goal was simple: Sample pizzas from every single delivery establishment in
town. Ignoring common sense and the capacity of our stomachs, we were
determined to do it and in retrospect, maybe, just maybe, we started a new
college tradition.
But it's not as easy as it sounds. The "Michigan Daily Ann Arbor Pizza Challenge"
took a lot of planning and was subject to many arguments on how best to oper-
ate and accomplish the endeavor. Vegans, the small-stomached and the lactose-
intolerant need not try to replicate because they will fail. Only those with large,
flexible stomachs, deep pockets and the guts to push the limits of common sense
should attempt such a feat.

Bella Napoli's cheese pizza may be messy, but the quality of
excellent rating.

Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Looking at Mandy Moore, Shane West thinks, "I wanna be with you ... when you're legal," in "A Walk to Remember."

Thursday
BOOKS
Acedemic Reception Reception for
Ben Novick and his, latest book
Conceiving Revolution: Irish
Nationalist Propaganda During the
First World War. 4 p.m.,Shaman Drum
Bookshop, 315 5. State, free; 662-
7407.
Michigan Visiting Writers Series
Contemporary fictionist Don Lee reads
from his provocative works. 5 p.m.,
Hale Auditorium, 701 Tappan, free;
647-6471.
CAMPUS CINEMA
Amelie Its been on campus cinema
forever so if you haven't seen the
amazing Audrey Tatou yet, hurry up!
State Theater, 7 & 9:15 p.m.
Gosford Park Young British men and
old British women stuck in a country
estate for a weekend, what's not to
like? Michigan Theater, 7:30 p.m.
In the Bedroom "Or in my case, never a
doctor, never a doctor." Director Todd
Field has achieved gold, getting a great
performance out of the intellectually chal-
lenged Nick Stahl. Michigan Theater, 7:45
p.m.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of
the Ring Christopher Lee gives a little hint
of how scary he can be; there's much
more to come from him in "Attack of the
Clones" and "The Two Towers" so be pre-
pared . for Christopher Lee mania! State
Theater, 7:30 p.m.
MUSIC
Before The Tum If this is what happens
before what happens after? T.C.'s
Speakeasy, Ypsilanti, 10:30 p.m.$3 483-
4470.
Blues Night: John Primer The man has
played with Muddy Waters and Willie
Dixon, when he cries his tears are blue.

The Firefly Club, 207 S. Ashley St. 5 p.m.
$7. 665-9090.
Bliss 66 You knew they, were coming,
sooner or later.The Blind Pig, 208 S. 1st
St., 10 p.m. $4 ($6 under 21) 996-8555.
THEA TER
"The Laramie Project" Basement Arts pre-
sents this profoundly moving play about
Laramie, Wy., in the aftermath of Matthew
Shepard's 1998 murder. Arena Theatre,
Frieze Bldg. Free. 764-6800.
"Elizabeth Rex" A runaway hit at
Stratford, this play centers on the meeting
of Ned Lowenscroft, Shakespeare's
genius player of women and Elizabeth I,
England's genius player of men. 8 p.m.
Performance Network, 120 E. Huron. Pay-
what-you-can preview. 663-0681.
ALTERNATIVES
"Ancient Steps, Forward Glances"
University Productions presents this mod-
ern dance show, inspired by exotic Java,
the Renaissance and the internet. 8 p.m.
Power Center. $15-20, $7 w/id. 764-
2538.
"Local Color: Dan Bradt's Watercolors
from Michigan's Historical Scenes" This
exhibit features the artist's paintings
based on photographs and postcards from
local main streets and railroad yards from
the Bentley archives.Bentley Historical
Library, 1150 Beal. Free. 764-3482.
"People and Places: The Baker Gift of
20th-Century Photography" In memory of
Michigan School of Architecture grad
Morris D. Baker, this exhibit features
images of people and landscapes from var-
ious 20th century artists. UMMA, 525 S.
State. Free 764-0395.
Friday
CAMPUS CINEMA

Amelie See Thursday. State Theater, 7 &
9:30 p.m.
Gosford Park See Thursday. Michigan
Theater, 6:30 & 9:30 p.m.
in the Bedroom See Thursday. State
Theater, 7 & 9:30 p.m.
MUSIC
Orbitsuns Vinnie from Sponge is
singing, if that excites you your brain
is a rotting pinata. The Blind Pig, 208
S. 1st St., 10 p.m. $8 ($10 under 21)
996-8555.
Chad Dubin Pregnant Chad? Hanging
Chad? Come and find out. Zou Zou's,
Chelsea, 8 p.m. Free 433-4226.
Art Stephan Art and his trusty piano
play songs that are older than the
habit of writing this list. T.C.'s
Speakeasy, Ypsilanti 6 p.m. free 483-
4470.
THEA TER
"The Laramie Project" See Thursday. 7
p.m. and 11 p.m.
"Elizabeth Rex" See Thursday. 8 p.m.
$25.
A LTERNA TIVES
"Ancient Steps, Forward Glances" See
Thursday. 8 p.m.
"Local Color: Dan Bradt's Watercolors
from Michigan Historical Scenes" See
Thursday.
"People and Places: The Baker Gift of
20th-Century Photography" See Thursday.
Saturday
CAMPUS CINEMA
Amelie See Thursday. State Theater, 1:45,
4, 6:45, 9:15 & 11:30 pm.

Here were our ground rules:
Every establishment located within the
city limits that had delivery to Central Campus
were called. The Big Three - Pizza Hut,
Little Caeser's and Domino's - were exempt-
ed.
Participants had to be willing to purchase
at least one pizza.
Every order had to be a large pizza and
have at least one-half cheese. The other half
could be cheese as well, or a topping of the
buyer's choice. No deep-dish.
No coupons or specials.
The buyer got the first slice. As the
"Challenge" supervisor, I had to sample every
single pizza to make sure evaluation was fair
and objective.
Taking ratings and comments from partic-
ipants into account, along with criteria like
speed of delivery, courteousness of delivery
personnel, price and slice size, our group
would choose the winners and bestow the
honor of having the best pizza delivery in
town.
Admittedly, our plan was not foolproof. For
instance, getting a plain cheese pizza from
Anthony's Gourmet Pizza when they are
known for their excellent Chicago deep-dish
was problematic.
Additionally, topping selection was not uni-
form, and that threw in another obstacle in
way of the scientific method.
Getting a cheese pizza from each place was
the best measure for the Challenge in our
opinion. If a place has a terrible cheese pizza,
it's a good indication that quality of toppings,
crust, etc. are equally as bad.
THE FIRST ROUND: MAYHEM AND
THEN JUDGEMENT
We decided to tackle the first four on our alpha-
betical list: A Hello Faz Pizza, Anthony's

Gourmet Pizza, Bella Napoli and Bell's. With
cell phones ready, four people called at the same
time. While it doesn't seem like a big deal to order
four pizzas, from four different places, to one loca-
tion, all with a group of onlookers laughing, the
first order degenerated into a hectic and chaotic
mess.
When the round of calls finished, the orderers
recorded estimated time of arrival, what was
ordered and price into my notebook:
Faz: half-cheese/half-
mushroom, 35-45 min-
utes, $9.95.
Bella Napoli: cheese,
35-45 minutes, $11.65.
Anthony's Gourmet
Pizza: half-cheese, half-
green pepper, 45-60 min-
utes, $12.95.
Bell's: half-cheese,
half-Hawaiian, 30 min-
utes, $10.37.
At 7:35 p.m., five
minutes ahead of sched-
ule, the delivery man
from Bell's pizza rang :
the doorbell. We opened
up the box and out came X
the half-cheese and half-
Hawaiian pie. The sauce
had the right amount of
spice, the crust was crisp
and cheese had solidified
to just the right consisten-
cy. Although Bell's was
quick, something was Pizza Challenge particip
wrong with the pizza: The senior, dumps the rest o
Hawaiian half of the pizza monstrosity into a trash
had tomatoes, but no ham.
"They screwed up the order but it was still good,"
said Chip Cullen, an Art and Design senior and
Daily cartoonist. "Overall the quality of the pizza
was pretty good"

The next pizza to arrive was the large cheese pizza
from Bella Napoli, the newcomer to Ann Arbor's
pizza scene. The pie was huge and molten. With the
cheese in a semi-liquid state, Bella Napoli's pizza
specimen was a turn-off - at first. "Look at the
cheese leakage, that's a faux pas," said LSA senior
Nick Woomer, co-editor of the Daily's editorial page.
Even though the cheese burned the hand of one
participant, the high-quality mozzarella saved Bella
Napoli from ridicule. It was unlike any mozzarella
I've had; it had a hint of brie. And most people
agreed.
"I want that piece with the bubble, that looks awe-
some," said LSA junior Luke Smith, an arts editor,
referring to a massive piece
with a hemorrhaging moz-
zarella goiter.
At 7:59 p.m., A Hello
Faz's pizza arrived. Then
came the pie from
Anthony's 11 minutes
later. While Faz was the
first in a series of mediocre
and average pizzas to
make its way past the jury,
Anthony's was more dis-
tinct. A good crust and
sauce, it appropriately fell
under its self-proclaimed
category of gourmet.
ROUND TWO: MORE
OF THE SAME
While I'm not going to
go into the specific details
of every individual pizza
because it'd be boring and
add unnecessary length to
ROB GOODSPEED/Daily this article, I will provide
t Jim Secreto, an iSA h ltFrom thes
Piza Bob's cheese ghlights. sec-
n on State Street. ond round of ordering, we
sampled pizzas from
Cottage Inn, DaVinci's, Famous Famiglia and
Hungry Howie's.
Out of this bunch, Cottage Inn reigned supreme,
and the rest were average.

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Weekend
Magazine

Weekend, etc. Editors: Matt Grandstaff, Jane Krull
Writers: Stacy Anderson, Autumn Brown, Will El-Nachef, Michael Grass, Rich
Fabe.
Photo Editors: David Katz
Photographer: Laurie Brescoll, Emma Fosdick, Yoni Goldstein, Rob Goodspeed,1
Cover Photo: Rob Goodspeed
Arts Editors: Lyle Henretty and Luke Smith, Managing Editors, Jeff Dickerson,.
Editor in Chief: Geoffrey Gagnon

Phone Numbers: Michigan Theater: 668-8397; Quality 16:827-2837; Showcase: 973-8380;
State: 761-8667.
Showtimes are effective Friday through Thursday. Matinee times at State Theater are
effective for Saturday and Sunday only.

K