Newspapers / Grimsley High School Student … / Feb. 23, 2003, edition 1 / Page 9
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Entertainment High Life Friday, February 28, 2003 Sequential cinema: Movie sequels dominate box office Blockbuster movies develop into fiscally fruitful franchises as studios tailor sequels to replicate the success of their predecessors. By Emma Williams Staff Writer “Goldmember,” “Men in Black 2,” “Red Dragon,” and “Hany Pot ter and the Chamber of Secrets” share one commonality: all are se quels. The year of movie sequels, 2002, passes the torch to 2003. Sequels to blockbuster hits dominate the coming attractions. The fast-paced action flick, “The Fast and the Furious 2,” is due to hit theaters in Jime of 2003, while in July, “Terminator 3” and “Bad Boys 2” expect to be released. “Dumb and Dumber” fans also can get hyped for the delivery of the prequel to the comical original movie. The plethora of sequels that has erupted seems inexplicable, but many Grimsley students hold their own theories about the sequel- fiUedsummer. “The [directors] are hard up for ideas. All the good movies have already been made, so they can’t do anything else but make se quels,” said sophomore Itai Baron. Freshman Bryson Young agreed. She said, “They are mak ing so many sequels because the directors are nmning out of origi Upcoming Shows Weekend Excurskm, Evrdui Project, Creamy Velor Saturd^, 3/1/03 at 9 p.m. Ziggy’s in Winston-Salem, NC $8 Papa Roach, Nonpoint, Reach 454 Sunday, 3/2/03 at 8 p.m. Ziggy’s in Winston-Salem, NC $15 Voodoo Glow Skulls, Rt^er Miret and The Disasters Monday, 3/3/03 at 7 p.m. Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte, NC $8 Eugene Chadboume Fri%, 3/7/03 at 8 p.m. The Green Bean in Green^ro, NC Free, donations accepted YoLalbngo Mtmday, 3/10/03 at 9 p.m. Cat’s Cradle in Canboro, NC $14 Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds Frid^.3/28A)3at7;30ixm. LJVM Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC Sum 41, He Starting line. No Use for aNune Mondacy, 3/31/D3 at6 p.nL Tteinmt Musk Hall in Clmtfotte, NC lift" nal ideas.” Sequels draw their crowds based firom a loyal fan base of the original movie. The first films, prototypes for the sequels, will ei ther attract or repel the viewers. “If I like the first one, then I will probably like the second one,” said sophomore Alex Ford. Seeing the original is usually key before diving into the movie theater seats to view its successor, but some Grimsley students do not find seeing the first necessary. Ford said, “I like to see the first one, but if I hear good things about the sequel then 1 will go and see it.” Ford saw the third installment of “Austin Powers” without hav ing seen the first or the second. Some, however, prefer experi encing the first prior to the second release. “I always try to see the first before seeing the sequel because then I don’t miss anything,” said junior Tony Cumes. Most commonly, the initial film is favored. “Usually I like the first [movie] better. It is more original,” said Alex Ford. Sometimes, however, students tend to prefer sequels. Cumes said, “I liked the sec ond ‘Lord of the Rings’ better. The director was able to incorporate the original ideas into the sequel, stay ing along the lines of the original, while adding exciting new scenes.” Maintaining original aspects is one of the many expectations stu dents have for follow-up movies. “I go to see if the [writers and directors] can make another good movie. They should try and make it better, but it has to fit in the origi nal plot,” said sophomore Daniel Yount. Many students also expect to see the original actors with whom they are familiar. Jodie Foster, who played the role of Clarice in “Silence of the Lambs” turned down the role for the movie’s se quel, “Hannibal,” not only affect ing the viewer turn-out but the movie’s ratings as well. Many moviegoers avoided seeing the sequel due to the fact that Clarice was played not by Foster, but Ity Julianne Moore. “When you go off and replace people they don’t always work,” said senior Joanna Franz. Students’ familiarity with the original actors will sometimes draw them to the sequels. Cimies said, “1 like to see the original actor. They help me to catch more intricate details, and 1 know them better.” The movie, however, need not lack new characters. “I look for the original charac ters, but there can be a few addi tional characters if it makes the movie better,” said Yount. Grimsley students’ expecta tions and predictions may be ful filled in this year’s movie sequel menu. Max’s Oscar Picks The Academy Awardte are harcSy the be-all, end-all of cinematic Judg- nmnt Year in and year out they astound and dism^ with their ques- tion^e calls and &^'%%ful snubs. Still, the power of Oscar is unde niable, and the awards never fail to provide a few memorable m(m[imits.This year’s nominees have there fair share of surprises, snubs, and preposterous choices, but, for the most part, the academy has fol lowed maiQ' of its usual patterns, and these will most likely hold true Now, on to the nominees; BestPicture Nmninees: “Gangs of New York,” “Chicago,” “The Pianist,” “The Hours,” “The Lord of the Rings; The Two Towers.” Lord of the Rings m^ seem the obvious choice (the acadewy toes love a ^and spectacle), but it is a sequel, and its predecessor was un- aWe to scrounge iq) the votes for a win last year. Loc^ for Acaden^ voters to honor “The Hours.” It may seem a little un-Hollywood, but stars often like to pat themselves on the back for giving the award to the “smart” movie every once in a while (see “Shakespeare in Love”). Best Actor Nominees: Daniel Day-Lewis, Jack Nicholson, Adrien Brod^, Nicho las Cage, and Michael Cane. Until JackNicholson won the Golden Globe, Daniel D^-Lewis seemed like a lock. Nicholson is an Academy favorite, and it hardly matters that Nicholas Cage and Daniel Day-Lewis both acted circles around him this year, but I still give the edge to Daniel Day-Lewis. Best Actress Nmninees: Selma H^ek, Diane Lane, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, and Renee Zellweger. Here’s at least one category in which even the blindest Academy vot ers couldn’t miss the rightfiil wiimer. Nicole Kidman’s portrayal of Virginia Wolfe in “The Hours” is one of the most remarkable perfor mances recently recorded on the screen. Best Supporting Actor Nominees: Christopher Walken, Ed Harris, John C. Reilly, Paul Newman, Chris Cooper. Look for Christopher Walken to walk away with this one easily. He’s a great actor, and, for the first time in years, he’s in a movie that’s worthy of him and worthy of a nomination. Best Supporting Actress Nmninees: Queen Latifah, Kathy Bates, Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, (Catherine Zeta-Jones. Meryl Streep has her past on her side, but she hardly stole the show in “Adaptation.” Juliaime Moore gave an outstanding performance, but she may ^lit her own vote by being nominated in two categories. Like wise, Latifah and Zeta-Jones could split the “Chicago” vote. Look for Streep to narrowly eke out a victory. Movie fans marvel at Marvel’s movies Comic book films quench a popular thirst for superhero fun. By Ricky Leung Staff Writer It’s a blind lawyer; it’s Ben Affleck; but more importantly it’s a hot Jennifer Gamer kicking some butt. “Daredevil” came out on Valentine’s Day, one of several comics- tumed-movies done by Matvei and Fox. X- men and Spidertnan have both alreacfy made their way to the big screen and the Hulk is soon to come. The movies attract fens of the corttics as well as moviegoers who have never even heard of the Daredevil and his cohorts. The Daredevil, one of Marvel’s mote prominent super-heroes, lost his sight in a fieak accident as a child and developed other superhuman senses. The movie stars Ben Affleck as the Daredevil, also tte blind law yer Matt Murdock, and Jennifer Gamer as Electra. The pair faces enenues such as the Kingrin and Bullseye. “He girl from Alias [Gamer] is hot but the movie [Darertevil] won’t be any good because Ben Affleck is not a good actor; he just rides on the coat tails of Matt Damon,” said junior Larry Durgin. Much of the corttic-movies’ appeal lie in special effects and actors such as Halle Berry, Tobey Maguire, Ben Affleck, and Jennifer Gamer. “I’m not a feg fen of corttics because they are cheesy. The movies are much better because of the (fynantics; you can hear the voices. Tobey was good in Spiderman, but Spidey wasn’t,” said senior Chip Pendergraft, “And [the movies] sell because people want to relive their childhood.” The contic book characters also create a cotmnon ground between the generations. “[The comic-movies] ajqreal to a wide audience, adults who grew up with these characters and [their] children,” said settior Ashley Wyble. “Everyone needs a hero and corrtic books [and the movies] give the au dience just that.” However, contic-movies are not without their critics. “Some of them like ‘Spiderman’ are alright and done well for a comic-movie; others like ‘X-men’ didn’t stand out as a good movie. The movies are not as good as the contics because they are too short and don’t give enough time for character devel opment,” said jiutior Ricky Watson. Whether directed to habitual corrtic read ers or to curious moviegoers who just want to see what “Daredevil” is all about. Mar vel and Fox have provided a gerue of ac tion-packed fantasy that utilizes modem- day’s power of special effects to bring he roes to life; and with that great power, of course, comes great responsibility. ^ Whirlies! Juice SMOOTHIES $. 50 Off Any Smoothie EXPIRES 3/31/03
Grimsley High School Student Newspaper
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Feb. 23, 2003, edition 1
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