Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Jan. 22, 2004, edition 1 / Page 14
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Page 14 • Thursday, January 22, 2004 A&E The Pendulum KSSSSSSSJ Coming attractions In Theaters Friday 1/23 The Butterfly Effect (R)‘ ; Ashton Kutcher, Amy ! Smart ‘ Win a Date With Tad : Hamilton! (PG-13) Kate Boswbrth, Josh Duhamei, Topher Grace i Friday 1/30 I The Perfect Score ! (PG-13) : Scarlett Johanssen, Erika I Christensen, Chris Evans i 1 I The Big Bounce i (PG-13) i Owen Wilson, Morgan I Freeman, Gary Sinise You Got Served (PG-13) , Marques Houston, Omarion, Raz-B, Li! Fizz In Concert Friday 1/23 Cat’s Cradle - Carrboro Urban Sophisticates show at 9 p.m., tix $5 Saturday 1/24 Cat's Cradle - Carrboro Weekend Excursion show at 10 p.m., tix $10 In the Bubble Thursday Black Box Theater “When You Comin’ Back Red Ryder?" Jan. 22-24 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m., The same old Stiller returns in ‘Along Came Polly’ Photo courtesy of movies.com Jennifsr Aniston and Bon Stiller star in “Along CarQe Polly, the latest Stiller comedy with a large cast of familiar faces such as Alec Baldwin, Debra Messing and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Blake Hinton Reviewer Ben Stiller is easily one of the funniest comedians around today. He has found a niche that suits him well and has played that role over and over. In “Along Came Polly,” Stiller once again plays the average Joe faced with maximum embar rassment. Combified with the talents of co-stars Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jennifer Aniston; Stiller is once again very funny. The plot, while serviceable, is far from original. Stiller plays a man named Reuben who has just married a woman, named Lisa (Debra Messing). Sadly, while on their honeymoon Lisa cheats on Reuben and he’s once again single. The rest of the movie details Reuben’s relation ship with a woman named Polly, played by Aniston. Things get complicated, of course, as Polly is Hollywood’s version of a “free spirit.” Reuben works as a risk assess ment analyst and is quite terri fied of Polly and her adventur ous ways. Things get even more complicated when Lisa comes back asking Reuben to lorgive her. While there is really nothing new 10 this movie, the lack of nuance does not seem to be detrimental to its overall suc cess. The storyline is not bad. In fact, it is decent. The problem is the story could have been writ ten in someone’s sleep, as all the twists and turns seemed to have come out of Plot-O-Matic. Everything from the eventual epiphany on Reuben’s part to the typical Hollywood “gays are funny” jokes are elements audi ences have seen a hundred times before. What does work here are the jokes. Wiiile not hysterical, the movie is quite amusing. There are many very funny set pieces, including one where Reuben shows off his salsa dancing to Polly. The only problem that . _ -arises from the film’s jokes is the sometimes odd reliance on bathroom humor. What makes the intrusion of bathroom humor even more odd is the treatment of the film’s ^ characters. Despite the familiar ity of the plot, it is obvious that the script cares about its two leading characters. It can even be said that the screenwriter hoped to elevate the script above the norm with its atten tion to character. As said before, the stereotypical characteriza tions do not entirely work, but the groundwork for an entertain ing time is there. Therefore, the intrusion of crude jokes does not seem to fit with the sensitive nature of the film. It is too bad that studios feel that this type of humor is obligatory to all come dies now. Another positive aspect of the movie was the acting. Stiller is a very talented comedian, and so is Aniston. They make a great pair on screen and bounce off each other well. Yet it is really the supporting characters who get most of the laughs, with great turns by Alec Baldwin and Philip Seymour Hoffman. In the end, this is a safe but very funny film. It does not do anything new, but the amusing aspects and the attention to characters works„ If only they would take out the potty jokes. “Along Came Polly” makes an amusing and engaging film. Contact Blake Hinton at pendu- lum@elon.edu or 278-7247. Paint your own pottery, ANYONE can do it! And we have over 100 pieces to choose from... plates, mugs, bowls, frames, pet items, etc. AH irt One Pricing! No additional studio fees! A Great place for parties... Sorority Paint Parties. Birthdays, Team Events. Pottery Around Town win come to your function or event. We'll sketch it, you paint it! The perfect personalized gifts for family, teachers, k coaches. « Every Wednesday is IJjj _ College Day, show your college id and receive 75% off! a cc>n(cn»pcjriirij ptirtcnj, cfcsi^n ^ gijt stuciio Correct Time Plaza*3324 S, Church Street*Burlington*336.584.0339 No appointment necessary... except for large parties!
Elon University Student Newspaper
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Jan. 22, 2004, edition 1
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