8 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, September 3, 2003

ART S



Moore's message bowls to DVD

By Niamh Slevin
Daily Arts Writer
DVD REVI EW
Since its big screen debut last year,
the mere mention of "Bowling for
Columbine" creates an eerie tension
amid its viewers. Especially after his
infamous Academy Award acceptance
speech, the film's director, Michael
Moore, seems to spark controversy
wherever he goes. Now, several post-
ponements later,
"Bowling for Bowling for
Columbine" Boluineo
makes its way to Columbine
DVD, bringing MGM
with it four extra
hours of special features and an emo-
tional intensity like no other.
The film itself is as psychological-
ly haunting as it was on the big
screen. The audience is jerked
through every pole on the emotional
spectrum. At times, the film incites a
kind of nervous laughter, where one
questions whether it is okay to laugh
in the wake of school killings and
international warfare, then shifts to
the indescribable sadness of violence
and fear rampant in American cul-
ture. It easily claims its title as one
of the most influential "box-office
smash" movies of this generation.
More often than not, the scenes are
tough to watch, whether for the first

time or the tenth, and Moore presents
an undoubtedly harsh critique of
American society. It is still undoubt-
edly one of the most thought-provok-
ing films of recent memory.
As for the special features, don't
expect any of the flashy outtake reels
or behind-the-scenes gags of typical
DVDs. Instead, the viewer receives
an abundance of Michael Moore:
interviews, lectures and television
snippets of the film's creator himself
in a simple but entertaining form.
Some segments show him joking
with talk show hosts; others discuss
the movie's numerous awards,
including a recreation of Moore's
Oscar rant in his backyard. In the
"Return to Littleton" segment,
Moore addresses the families of
Columbine, and citizens offering
their reactions to the film.
On the lighter side, Moore and
crew have added a longer rendition of
"Corporate Cops." This is not to say
the extras are in any way banal or
boring for Moore fans. On the con-
trary, it seems Moore can capture his
audience whether his mood is light-
hearted or solemn. However, the
extended period of commentary may
feel like a bit much for some viewers.
Though the sound remains stellar
for the main flick, it tends to fade in
and out for a few of the other fea-
tures. Beware of the live award show
footage as the audience noise and

technical glitches make it difficult to
hear at times.
As a now mainstream movie,
"Bowling for Columbine" can elicit
more reactions from its audience
than previously thought possible
within a five-minute timeframe. It
will infuriate. It will inspire. It will
make its viewer feel physically ill.
And yes, it might even make you
consider Canada as a prime candi-
date for your next home.

I

HEARTBREAK HOTEL
DASHBOARD FINALLY DISCOVER A LITTLE VARIETY

By Sean Dailey
Daily Arts Writer
Music REVIEW
After two full-lengths, countless EP's, year-round tour-
ing, a somewhat redundant MTV Unplugged special and
a bit of indie backlash, it looks like emo poster boy Chris
Carrabba may have finally found his voice on Dashboard
Confessional's latest record, A Mark,
A Mission, A Brand, A Scar. And it's Dashboard
slightly less whiney than everyone C sioal
expected. Confessional
It's an old tale, really. A handsome A Mark, A
guy writes catchy songs on an indie MissionA
label, gets some airplay and a little BMid, AS
media attention, and suddenly he's a rand, car
sellout. Remember when it was still Vagrant
cool to like Weezer? Yeah, it's kinda
like that with Dashboard. Whininess and magazine cov-
ers aside, Carrabba may have redeemed himself with his
latest release.
A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar, the band's third
LP, finds Carrabba backed by a full band on nearly every
track. In the past, Dashboard were more of a solo project
from the front man of Further Seems Forever. This time
around, the songs contain a fullness that acoustic

singer/songwrit-
ers often lack.
Carrabba has also
cantly. He even
branches out into
some almost
country rhythms,
adding a long z
overdue dose ofR
variety.'
But it's on the 'S3$
ballads where A - A M * s-
Carrabba and Co.
really shine. Fan favorite "Hands Down," previously
released on the So Impossible EP, starts the CD off with a
happy tune for a change. "Am I Missing" has a great, lay-
ered chorus. Sing along with a friend. The rest of the
album more or less follows suit, much more upbeat than
the band's earlier work. Gone are the days of, "Your taste
still lingers on my lips like I just placed them upon
yours." Now it's, "Where we come from, we live like it's
the latest attraction." It's good to see you smiling again,
Chris.
All things considered, A Mark is a pretty good album.
Just don't let your hipster friends know you bought it.
Hide it in your Bright Eyes collection or something.

Film: ****I
Picture/Sound: ***I
Features: ***I

Gwyneth hits rock bottom with 'Top' DVD

By Katie Marie Gates
Daily TV/New Media Editor

back to Cleveland to be with her lawyer boyfriend.
The insipid plot is excruciating to sit through, the love
story weak and the acting intolerable. One wonders how
Gwyneth could give such a role a second though.
However, the leading lady is not the only star to blame
for this waste of 87 minutes; Mike Myers, Christina
Applegate, Rob Lowe and Kelly Preston also make appear-
ances. Myers, a flight-attendant instructor
with a massive case of lazy eye, makes for
several bizarre scenes funny only in their

Gwyneth Paltrow won the Academy Award for her per-
formance in "Shakespeare in Love," enchanted audiences
in "Emma" and recently performed for
Prince Charles in London. With such credits
to her name, it is baffling to witness this
acclaimed actress in the _.........__
little seen film "View m
VI w from ,ss .v

l

9

From the Top."
It tells the sad and
unfunny tale of a small
town girl and her
dreams of becoming a

the Top
Miramax
flight attendant.

complete
as fellow
more tha
Special
the histor
.h the-scene
= music fro

idiocy. Preston and Applegate serve
flight attendants who offer nothing
n eye candy.
i features include a documentary on
ry of the flight attendant, a behind-
es look at the making of the film and
om the movie. All are easily skipped
izing no more time should be wasted
saster of a DVD.
mall semi-saving grace of this pro-
s the soundtrack. Classic '80s songs
at melodies provide slight distraction
stion: Why Gwyneth? Why?

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After watching a talk show interview with ftafter real:
motivational speaker and ex-flight attendant on this di
Sandy Weaver (Candice Bergen), Donna-. One s
(Paltrow) decides to make her dreams come ,{ g duction i
true and heads to a small airline to begin and upbe
her life in the skies. from the inevitable que
She slowly moves her way up the flight attendant ladder
and is offered a position working international first class to Film: *1
Paris. But alas, after all her accomplishments, she realizes Picture/Sound: ***J
love is more important than traveling the world and heads Features: **

3.

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