'Step Up' treads water at lowest denominator C By Imran Syed Daily Arts Writer When is a dancing movie more than just its (emphatically, determinedly, attractively) moving parts? I'll tell you when - when it saves lives and redeems souls. And if there's one thing "Take the Lead," starring Step Up Antonio Banderas, At the Showcase taught us, it was that and Quality 16 salsa music can do Touchstone just that for a group of underprivileged urban youths. But can a smooth meld of hip hop, R&B and classical concertos do the same for a self-demeaning lifelong underachiever from the mean streets of Baltimore? For the answer to that, we turn to the apparent sister film of "Take the Lead;' the rousingly boisterous and ener- getic, if sappy and cliched "Step Up." Our scruffy hooligan is Tyler Gage (Channing Tatum, "She's the Man"), a troubled and broken product of a seem- ingly for-profit foster home. Tyler spends most of his days sleeping in school, ball- ing and stealing cars with his buddy Mac (Damaine Radcliff, "Glory Road") and Mac's annoying little brother Skinny (newcomer De'Shawn Washington). One night, their vandalistic pursuits lead them through a broken window into the Mary- land School for the Arts, where they pro- ceed to break shit 'til security arrives and Tyler gets busted. His punishment, wouldn't you know it, is to work 200 hours of community service at the school he vandalized. While there to "just do his hours" and feeling no remorse, Tyler spots Nora (Jenna Dewan, ironically from "Take the Lead"), who embodies the arche- typal role of "girl who straightens out deviant boy because she's perfect and he wants her." But all's not well in Nora-land, no sir. She's got her big senior showcase coming up, and her partner just busted his ankle because he, despite his 15 years of dance les- sons, apparently never learned not to land a jump on the side of his foot. Who can poor Nora turn to as a fill- in partner for her showcase? Her only options are scruffy-looking, stubbled sophomores in lavender shirts and tights, but they're too creepy. What about that tall, handsome boy who's been mopping floors and changing light bulbs the last few weeks? Yes, Noi the street thug who destroyed the school's theater is the obvious choice, cou but will he and Nora get their chem- fere istry right in a few short weeks? Will mu they be able to look past their differ- of ent backgrounds and vibe deliciously seer on the dance floor? Will Tyler buy a ney belt? Will Nora learn to avoid strange star men who seem to take instant interest infe in her? (Yes, yes, no and we hope so.) "Step Up" goes shamelessly through just about every cliche there - eprieve' Courtesy ofTouchstone reputable dancers were harmed in the making of this film. Ild ever be about people of dif- colorful frame, an electric anticipa- nt races, classes, interests and tion charges the entire theater - in sical inclinations. It's a collage spite of the audience's impending storylines and scenes we've all disapproval. Ultimately, we buy into n before, most likely on the Dis- it, look beyond the thin dialogue and Channel (remember "Genius" simply learn to appreciate the flawless ring Emmy Rossum?). But an choreography and persistent beat the ectious energy inhabits its every movie carries from beginning to end. Ani shoots par on 'I By Abby Frackman Daily Arts Writer MUSIC R EMEW * Ani DiFranco is a veteran. By the time artists like Ala- nis Morissette and Kelly Clarkson struck gold with their "Yay! Women rule!" hits, DiFranco was already the poster child of female empowerment. She started her own record label, Righteous Babe, on which she has released an album nearly every year since 1990. This year brings her Ani DiFranco latest effort, Reprieve, a rich mix of Reprieve poetry and politics, DiFranco's bread Righteous Babe and butter. One of the album's unique features is that the majority of tracks find DiFranco ditching her grainy, raw vocals in favor of a sweeter, melodic approach. But don't let that fool you into thinking that she is going soft - a fascinating side of Reprieve is that DiFranco is still able to convey strong emotion through her gentle tone. The title track is DiFranco's take on living in a "man's world." "Reprieve" isn't a traditional song, but rather a spoken-word poem (such as the title track off 1999's To the Teeth), relying on DiFranco's poetics as the standout element. The minimal instrumentation allows the lis- tener to pay greater attention to the heavy subject mat- ter: "Feminism isn't about equality / It's about reprieve." Feminist themes and outspoken opinions lace the album, and "Reprieve" is chief among them. The politically charged "Millennium Theater" finds DiFranco targeting the state of the world, specifically America: "Patriarchies realign / While the ice caps melt I And New Orleans bides her time." While she again remains collected while singing, her passion still seeps through. For those eager to hear more of DiFranco's signature slap- folk guitar, "Half-Assed" and "Decree" are the go-to tracks. "Half-Assed" is a beautiful blend of honest vocals and edgy folk riffs. The unique arrangement of "Decree" has the words and music. work together - the louder DiFranco's voice gets, the more urgent the playing. Reprieve suffers when the tracks blend together, mak- ing it difficult to tell them apart. While it's nice to hear a true vocalist shine without shouting, at times DiFranco's tone is too calm. That's a shame, too, because the subject matter on the album is too relevant to ignore. Reprieve is another solid album by Ani DiFranco. But Difranco's formula, while sufficient for her follow- ing, lacks a creative dynamism crucial for widespread appeal. Her poetry is relevant and profound, but her albums aren't. We've been supporting the UM Community since 1939... Now come support us! DASCOLA BARBERS 304 1/2 S. STATE ST. 2" FLOOR 734 668 9329 WWW.DASCOLABARBERS.COM WALK-INS WELCOME T ES T, 2333 S. State Street (1 nile north of 1-94) (734) 222-0277 We sell our previously leased furniture at a fraction of the retail price! 341 E. Liberty (Downtown Ann Arbor) 734-327-4500 Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5 Free parking behind store Bedroom Sets, Desks, Sofas, Chairs and More! Ceouto eCenter THE STORAGE CHEST 3033 West Liberty (Between Stadium & Wagner) (734) 663-6443 storagechest@pogodaco.com statestreet@pogodaco.com ' ~-p The Self Storage Specialists! S _ www.selfstorage.net/nss S j