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Arts & Life
The Clarion | Feb. 22, 2008
Movie Review: Jumper
by Zack Harding
Arts and Life Editor
Let’s keep this short and
sweet, if you are looking for an
inspiring piece of film that
warrants being called a work of
art, Jumper is not the movie to
spend your money on.
Jumper tells the story of a
youth who comes from a
somewhat broken home, and
eventually learns that he has
the ability to teleport. Using
this ability he can instantly
“jump” to any location that he
has ever previously been to or
seen in person. He becomes a
bank robber of sorts and
attracts the attention of some
cultish men-in-black type
government figures, as well as
that of another jumper
The good: There is a whole
lot of very entertaining action.
The theme of constant
m
teleporting is something that
I’ve not seen used so
powerfully as it is in Jumper.
The constant
cutting and
jumping in the
action sequences
create a thrilling
ride that sets
jumper apart from
many actionflicks.
World landmarks
are used
throughout to
great, and often
humorous effect.
The bad:
Jumper stretches
the suspension of
disbelief to new
limits. Plot holes,
contrivances,
theoretical
problems, and
improbabilities are
more than
abundant. Several
key elements of the jumping
ability are presented to the
viewer but never explained, and
Pupil's Underground Review
by Zack Harding
Arts and Life Editor
“Due to censorship and
regulation, true opinions are
often suppressed” it says in the
introduction to The Pupil’s
Underground, a zine compiled
and published by BC students
last week.
What can you find in the little
12 page magazine? Poems,
artwork, mottos, and a non
fiction piece all came together
to form a solid collection of
several student’s creative
output. Many true opinions
(and yes there is such a thing)
are expressed throughout The
Pupil’s Underground, and it
seems that some have found
the publication objectionable.
Leaving the politics behind,
the zine is undoubtedly a rich
artistic contribution to the
college campus. Poet Anna
Hudson should be commended
for her two contributions, “A
Definition,” and “Unplayable
Melodies” which are strong
and ripe with reflection that is
universally relevant.
Another powerful part of the
zine was the section titled “First
Times...” which gave short
stories of the writer’s first
sexual encounters. With the
youngest of these stories
taking place when the writer
was 12, they painted a picture
of the tendency of many
youths to undertake an adult
decision at a very young age.
The layout was varied and
creative throughout, using
angled text, outlining,
handwritten and typed pieces,
and full page artwork. A couple
of spots had clipped text, and
one poem was a little bit hard
to follow due to the layout, but
these were only minor issues.
Some of the content could be
considered “raw” as the
introduction suggested, and
there were light uses of
profanity and slang
throughout the publication.
There is no doubt that some
could have found the material
shocking or perhaps even
vulgar, but that might just be
one of may potential signs of
good art.
After all, isn’t that one of the
great goals of art and
expression, to create questions
and a reevaluation of oneself?
Some art isn’t meant to be
comfortable. It is as much an
exorcism for its audience as it
is for its creator And in this
light. The Pupil’s
Underground, just might have
achieved its goal, true opinions
and all.
later prove to be uimecessary.
The ugly: Acting is almost
universally atrocious,
including star Hayden
Christensen who just reeks of
being in an uncomfortable
position. Likewise, leading
lady Rachel Bilson is downright
bizarre in her weird-maimerism
laden portrayal of token
damsel-in-distress Millie. Even
Samuel Jackson stinks it up in
this movie. The one good
performance is by Jamie Bell,
who plays the smart-mouthed,
quick-witted Brit, Griffm.
The dialogue is atrocious,
filled with cliche after cliche and
phrasing that is worthy of
some ultra low-budget B movie.
Many lines resulted in part of
the theatre audience laughing
out loud; unfortunately, these
lines weren’t meant to be fuimy.
Jumper: action good,
everything else bad.
Watch out next
Monday,
February 25 for a
Health Survey in
your e-mail. By
filling out the
survey you will
become eligible
to win prizes
including movie
gift certificates!