Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Oct. 21, 2004, edition 1 / Page 6
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6 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2004 ‘Diaries’ balances intimate, epic BY JACKY BRAMMER STAFF WRITER Most people only know Che Guevara from the tattoo on Mike Tyson’s pectoral or, mistakenly as a Rage Against The Machine band member. Granted, Guevara and his involve ment with communism are fairly well known. However, to viewers’ surprise, Walter Salles’ powerful new film “The Motorcycle Diaries” is not about that aspect of the communist activist and revolutionary’s life. Instead, “Diaries” is a Spanish language retelling of eight months in the ’sos when Guevara and his best friend, Alberto Granado, traveled across South America with nothing but the clothes on their backs, some youthful idealism and charm. Forget Paris and Nicole this is the real simple life. The film lacks an overarching thread to pull the audience through its events other than this bare-bones synopsis, but this fact is a virtue rath er than a drawback. The story feels like screenwriter Jose Rivera was faithful to his source material, Guevara’s memoirs, and did not try to artificially create dramatic situations. Although Guevara has a big family, the only communication he has with anyone back home is through periodic letters that are read as voiceovers. These narrations are unnecessaiy, because Rivera lets the real story speak for itself. Salles can concen- p2ayo Meanposna. Spodfkc 'T/v-tiy ' VT)be t ?6!t s Hat! L? ’ Show Info: ’■** 5 - music ol Putumayo latmas showcases the tafents of three extraordinary Latin American i ~ women artists as they perform an exhilarating aoss-secOon of contemporary and traditional Latin American music / jy| 919 962 1449 I WWW pertor mmjw tw* i*k odu fOo you want to influence the future of technology? This is the place to start. Department of Computer Science Open House Thursday, October 21 st s:oopm Sitterson Hall Research and Technology Demos Undergraduate Research Opportunities Learn why YOU should major in computer science gumumiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiimmiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiik | | Free pizza! I jpiWiWHIHIIIIIIIIIIIiIIIIIHUIIIIIIIIIIiIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIf | For more information about a major in computer science, email csc@unc.edu MOVIE "THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES" trate more on reality and bring out the humanity in the situations. The movie feels long, but it’s nec essarily long. Salles fleshes out scenes that would warrant little attention in a biography. Certain scenes are extended beyond apparent necessity, shunning the en vogue quick cuts of MTV editing. * However, this helps to provide a grander scale for the production. Guevara and Granado’s travels through South America become the audience’s because they are there every second of the way not quickly rushed away to the next scene. Salles’ editorial tendency’ to give his charac ters and scenes breathing room also aids the film, deftly walking the line between comedy and drama. Side-splitting moments often fol low somber moments. Of particular note is the frighteningly genuine portrayal of an asthma attack and scenes involving lepers. None of this would be possible without the stunningly beautiful on-location photography provided by Eric Gautier. There is no mistak ing any of the scenery for Hollywood sets or backdrops. The travelers and the audience are experiencing the real South America. Worth note is the supporting work of Rodrigo de la Serna and Mia Maestro. The sincerity and Diversions m - fl ' : lpi|-- Jf figT m| JWfci COURTESY OF FOCUS FEATURES Rodrigo de la Sema (left) and Gael Garcia Bemal star as Alberto Granado and Che Guevara, respectively, in the terrain-tackling 'Motorcycle Diaries.' chemistry between these actors and the entire cast is remarkable, espe cially across the English audience’s language barrier. Gael Garcia Bernal is a revelation as Che. In a just world, he would receive an Oscar nomination. He conveys the candid honesty and dedication of the young Guevara, shining as a character who is just looking for a purpose. Salles’ effective direction is again illustrated in his decision to splice black and white stills of the dis affected into Guevara’s dreams. Unwittingly, he becomes concerned with the peasants he meets on the /fl.- ■ m Lunch 11-3 ■ Dinner Late Night Menu 10-2 fIjHIMI Sunday Brunch 11-2 f Burgers, nachos, wings & a smorgas f\ bord of other things. DRINK SPECIALS Margarita Monday $3.00 Tues - $2 All Draft, $2 Well Drinks Wed - $4 Long Island Teas Thurs - $2 Well Drinks Fri - $2 Domestic Bottles Sat - $1.75 Lite Bottles Sun - $2 All Draft Eat inside or if the weather outside is rH®* delightful, enjoy our spacious terrace. V - Catch all the college and pro games on Hi—l many of our TV’s including the 62” tube. Conveniently located in The Bank of America Building 137 E. Franklin St. 919-967-0909 JJNC Pizza Headquarters 4i2 E. Main Street, Carrboro 1. Medium Mopping Pizza 2. Large Cheese Pizza 3. 2 Small Cheese Pizzas 4. Breadstix, Cinnastix &a 20 oz. drink 5. 1 Small Mopping Pizza & a 20oz. drink ( ROOMMATE SPECIAL^ 3 Small 1 Topping Pizzas a 2 liter drink for SI 3.99 J niiiitim (Delivery on campus only) Sides: Coke: Fresh Express Salad $2.49 20-oz. bottle SI.OB Cheesy Bread $3.99 2-liter $2.08 Cinnastix $3.99 Breadsticks $3.99 Buffalo Wings $6.29 Domino's Buffalo Chicken Kickers $6.29 AVAILABLE NOW! trip. In an early scene, with character istic bravado, Guevara narrates the joy he and Granado felt riding into towns on a motorcycle with people shooting frightened looks. The scene shows the dualism in Guevara, who feels like a cowboy, like an outlaw. The effect is striking, as is the film. Guevara is both dash ing and reckless in his journeyman’s pursuit to make a difference. If he only knew then what he would become. Contact theA&E Editor at artsdesk@ unc.edn. String-plucking ‘Way’ models inconsistency BY KRISTEN WILLIAMS SENIOR WRITER It’s been said that people can mellow with age, and the same can be true for bands especially in the case of Acoustic Syndicate. On its latest release, Long Way Round, the band stumbles, slump ing from its last effort, the bubbly and bouncy Terra Firma. Acoustic Syndicate’s albums have a penchant for blending introspec tive lyrics with more narrative fare. The band’s newest product con tinues the trend, but its lyrics are weaker than those on Terra Firma. The title track starts off strong, its plucky banjo chords and hum ming ushering in a swirly jam of percussion and guitar. Twangy vocals from Steve McMurry fuse with undulating instruments, offer ing the familiar and quintessential Acoustic Syndicate style. Even the lazy, bluesy lyrics evoke the band’s persona: “I got up this morning/Took the long way round/ Not too much upon my mind/ Trying to slow it down.” But after “Long Way Round,” the album seems to follow its title, lack ing a consistent punch but spottily exhibiting skill on certain songs. The second track, “Talk,” fails to live up to the title song. It begins with a more driving and synco pated beat before segueing into a Marvin Gaye-lite criticism of soci ety, then delving into a repetitive and annoying chorus: “Talk to your father/Talk to your mother.” The album remains in the ter ritory of copycats with the narra tive jam “The Blue Bird Train.” The band evokes Marc Cohn (think “Walking in Memphis”) with the plodding and pointless song. The album finally starts to redeem itself in classic Acoustic Syndicate style with “They Come This Way.” The song, offering up a hyper banjo and catchier lyrics, is a welcome break from the album’s monotony. The upbeat intrumen tals contrast the song’s lamenting lyrics: “We don’t miss them till they’re gone/Gone, then it’s too late/But we can do better/We can love them while they’re here.” T-SHIRTS SWEATS T-SHIRTS ■Prttttmj Licensed for UNC Trademark. Fine Quality Screenprinting 1201 Raleigh Road • Suite 102 • Chapel Hill, NC 27517 (919) 942-4764 - (919) 942-7553 qualiteessmindspring.com • T-SHIRTS * NUMBERS i 1 - TOTES • T-SHIRTS • SWEATS | Events you can’t miss! TONIGHT Thrill on the Hill Thursdays $5 Bartenders' Choice Cocktail $2 Imperial Pints (20oz) on Brewmaster's Choice Beer Drain the Tank and win a t-shirt! Live Music 6t No Cover . l HilL j ymmasamma/ EVERY MONDAY Drain the Tank Monday $2 Imperial Pints (20oz) on Brewmaster's Choice Beer The person that drains the tank wins a t-shirt! EVERY TUESDAY Charity Tuesday $1 from every selected Charity Beer goes to support this week's Charity Go to topofthehillrestaurant.com to book your Charity Q&r Hrel ■R m / MDSICHEVIEW ACOUSTIC SYNDICATE LONG WAY ROUND kirk The song evokes the band’s live show, as band members managed to do on Terra Firma, by highlighting a penchant for bluegrass. Moving seamlessly between the band’s lilting harmonies and its driving underbeat, the track is a high point midway through a stagnant album. The next track, “Carry the World,” also seems as if it would fit comfortably on the group’s previ ous album. The song’s wailing cho rus, jazzy banjo and mandolin —as well as its superior lyrics seem ill-placed on an album the average listener could have tuned out after the first track. But luckily for Acoustic Syndicate, the band has a pretty large local fol lowing, and fans won’t tune out or hesitate to purchase the album or tickets for the next show. While Long Way Round lacks the tenacity of the group’s previous album, it still showcases the band’s musicianship albeit briefly. Contact the A &E Editor atartsdesk@unc.edu. STARSYSTEM ★ POOR ★★ FAIR ★★★ GOOD ★★★★ EXCELLENT kkkkk CLASSIC t NUMBERS T-SHIRTS .
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Oct. 21, 2004, edition 1
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