Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - 5A

The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com

The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - 5A

TV COLUMN
Life as hockey and
The Simpsons'
J ve spent the majority of finally see the film most thought
my existence obsessing far would never be made. It will
too much over two things: be just like "Star Wars" except
the Detroit (hopefully) no jackass man-child
Red Wings will be waving an overpriced
and "The glowing phallic symbol in front
Simpsons." of my face. Until then, all I can
The former do is speculate about what Hans
is an NHL Moleman will look like on a giant
franchise screen.
that plays in My primary concern is that a
a building bloated plot will get in the way
where old of the classic "Simpsons" charm.
bathtubs are MICHAEL Based on the trailer - which
considered PASSMAN happens to be mind blowing, and
toilets. The even includes a Gabbo cameo - it
latter is a car- looks like an epic plot is in store,
toon about a town of primarily which could shorten the movie's
bright yellow people. I can't say comedic legs. The show usually
that I've had any tangible impact relies on a tight plotline with a lot
on either of these things, but they of comedic freedom. The film's
certainly have impacted me. storyline may end up being too
Almost 10 years ago, I sat in Joe grand and restricting.
Louis Arena and watched Steve Most people, however, are just
Yzerman raise the Stanley Cup concerned with how funny the
over his head. It was probably the movie will be. A common percep-
happiest moment of my life. I've tion among most of the "Simp-
certainly experienced many more sons" elite is that the past couple
important and gratifying events, seasons have suffered because
but I was nine and at the time I Groening and Co. were hoarding
couldn't have fathomed a more the best jokes for the film. This
exciting experience. To this day, would be great, but it's highly
I still care way too much about unlikely. Unlike "Family Guy,"
a sport that basically no one else which doesn't derive any humor
cares about. from the plot, "The Simpsons"
I say this because "The Simp- works for its humor, so the jokes
sons" has meant just about as aren't exactly interchangeable.
much to me as the Wings have, Others hope the show's best writ-
which is a whole hell of a lot. I ers have been focusing on the film
own all of the DVD box sets and for the past few seasons, but the
will continue to buy them even show's best writers left in 1998.
All things considered, I'm still
kind of shocked that a "Simp-
Does it matter if sons" movie is actually being
made. If this ends up being some
'The Simpsons elaborate hoax I may hurt some-
body - or at least pay someone
Movie' is good? to hurt somebody. Although I've
never been this excited to see a
movie before, I remain cautiously
optimistic about the quality of
though the later seasons aren't so the final product. "The Simpsons
awesome. My DVR is mostly filled Movie" has to be good, doesn't it?
with "Simpsons" reruns that I've Well, maybe not, but it might not
already seen many times and, for matter.
the most part, own on DVD. I've If the movie is decent but not
bought way too much "Simpsons" a classic, it will confirm every-
merchandise including "Krusty's one's belief that the show isn't
Super Fun House" for SNES, and never will be what it once
which was basically "Lemmings" was. It may be a mildly depress-
with clowns. And I was Bart ing reminder of the current state
Simpson for Halloween - more of the show, but it. shouldn't
than once. really be a surprise. At the same
But, as I'm sure you know, the time, if the movie ends up being
show isn't what itusedtobe.Istill great, then the recent so-so sea-
watch the new episodes, but rare- sons won't matter so much. "The
ly do I walk away from them sat- Simpsons Movie" could end up
isfied. At the same time, the show validating seasons 10-18. The
is nearing its 400th episode, so it show has nothing to lose.
had to drop off eventually. Fortu- Only time will tell what kind
nately - or maybe unfortunately of mark "The Simpsons Movie"
- the most important chapter in leaves 'on TV's longest-running
"Simpsons" history is just ahead. animated series. But as long as
On July 27, "The Simpsons Gabbo's there, you can count me
Movie" will open across the in.
country. Nerds will stand in See you in line, fellow nerds.
line the night before its release. __-________
Many of these people will see - Passman will be camped
the film multiple times the next out in a Krusty tent. You can e-
day. Legions of devoted fans will mail him at mpass@umich.edu.
What hasn't Keith
Richards put up his nose?

Answer at
michigandaily.
com/thefilter.
Dr. David Fivenson
Clinical Study: Athelete's Foot Fungus
Do you suffer from athlete's foot -scaly, itchy red rash on feet or
toes? Dr. Fivenson is conducting a 6-week clinical research study
for healthy volunteers 12 years or older with athlete's foot or tinea
pedis. Qualified participants will receive study related procedures
and will receive compensation for time and travel. If you or
someone you know would like more information, or would like to
schedule a screening visit, please call, 734-222-9630

The
-
singles
have it
NOT ENOUGH OF THE
YOUNG BUCK WE KNOW
ON 'BUCK THE WORLD'
By CHRIS GAERIG
Daily Arts Writer
On Young Buck's solo debut Straight Outta
Ca$hville, he exploded with "Let Me In." It was
a defiant cry to anyone who
stood in his way, and Young
Buck was unabashedly gang-
ster and confrontational.
New to the rap game and a Young Buck
prodigy of the G-Unit crew Buckthe World
- but strangely an outcast due
to his Southern style - Buck Interscope
showed up with guns blaz-
ing. He threw everything he
had into the album and it showed. Ca$hville dis-
played an incredible blend of hardcore street rap
and infectious choruses.
After the radio-shunned and ultimately
ignored follow-up T.IP., Buck is finally back to
reclaim his throne. Unfortunately, it's a bit out
of reach. He lifted the crown too high - even for
himself.
Buck the World is a collection of songs that are
simply too ambitious. Recruiting everyone from
Talib Kweli's former cohort Hi-Tek to the noto-
rious Lil' Jon, Buck tries to do too much with no
room left to breathe. The album sounds as if he
employed everyone he knew and attempted to fit
to their molds rather than stick to the bold vitriol
of his first album.
Where the album truly flounders is in the
all-too-frequent mellow jams. Most rappers
s
moo

use these as throwaway tracks, but with 17 cuts
on the album, most of which are melodramatic
introspective pieces, Buck the World becomes
quickly forgettable. The album's first single "I
Know You Want Me" hung ominously in the
radiowaves before the album dropped. Jazze
Pha's ear-gratingly obnoxious voice consumes
the track as Young Back falls to the background.
The title track featuring R&B crooner Lyfe and
"Slow Ya Roll" starring Chester Bennington of
Linkin Park (when did rappers agree that Linkin
Park was legitimate?) are particularly telling of
the problems with the album. Their monotonous
and tepid rhymes are something you'd expect
from the most recent Jay-Z incarnation, but not
the violently aggressive Young Buck.
Buck the World isn't all disposable, though,
because when Young Buck hits, he hits hard.
Case in point: the monolithic "Get Buck."
Unquestionably the best single of the year thus
far, its angelic choir, squealing keyboards and
plodding tubas create a colossal backdrop for
Buck's cocky swagger. "Pocket Full of Paper" is

courtesy of
Interscope
No one doubts
his hellfire
badassness -
it's his albums
that seedsa
little work.
similarly massive. Teaming with Young Jeezy
for a verse, the rat-a-tat of the hi-hat and soar-
ing electronics pump the southern style Buck's
become known for.
It's not until the Eminem-produced closer
"Lose My Mind" that Young Buck lets everyone
know what he's about. Em's signature minor-
key piano creeps along as Buck literally screams
his rhymes in sheer anger. And letting everyone
know he's not done, Buck closes the albumshout-
ing, "You motherfuckers don't know me ... yet."
But it's really the singles that do it. If "I Know
You Want Me" is the drunken uncle everyone is
hoping won't show up, "Get Buck" is the grandpa
with all the great stories. As Young Buck opens
the latter singing, "OK, I'm reloaded," we know
he's not done. "Let Me In" was his introduction
and "Get Buck" his triumphant return. It seems
he knows that there's still a lot more to be done.
If he can siftthrough radio-friendly smooth jams
and get back to the dirty South, Young Buck can
easily get past Buck the World and back to what
he does best.

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