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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

New DVD releases

April 17, 2002

"Captain Corelli's Mandolin Special Edition" (2001) - The somber war drama made a hasty retreat from theaters during the summer sequel deluge. Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz star as a romantic couple entwined in the complications of World War II. The special edition features director audio commentary, a making-of featurette, a soundtrack feature and DVD-ROM capabilities.

"Ghost World" (2001) - One of the most critically acclaimed movies of 2001 finds a wider audience through the local video store this week. Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson and Steve Buscemi star in a tale of two girls and their sarcastic revelations after high school graduation. The DVD presentation also includes a making-of featurette, deleted and alternate footage and a music video.

"Klute" (1971) - The movie that gave Jane Fonda (yes, Jane Fonda) an Oscar for her portrayal as a call girl arrives on DVD with the trailer and a making-of documentary titled "Klute in New York: A Background for Suspense." The disc also features actor biographies with enough information to prove Donald Sutherland's contributions to film.

"Used Cars Special Edition" (1980) - If ever there was a B-movie that ended up as the first listing in many extensive resumes, it would be this comedy. Kurt Russell, Michael McKean and NIU-student-turned-respected-director Robert Zemekis all fine-tuned their chops in this acidic tale of salesmanship. The DVD includes audio commentary by Zemekis, producer Bob Gale and Russell, a photographic still gallery, outtakes and the theatrical trailer.

DVDictionary

Featurette (n.) - A short compilation of footage interspersed with behind-the-scenes footage and cast/crew interviews. Not to be acknowledged as the feminine version of the "manly" feature.

Frailty

By Marcus Leshock | April 17, 2002

Actor/director Bill Paxton just proved something to the world. He's proven that a film doesn't need endless blood and gore to make an audience squirm. He pieces together a picture that's smart, vile, disturbing and, at times, terrifying. Together, all...

CAB seeks student input on films

By Nichole Hetrick | April 10, 2002

In an effort to solicit more interest, the CAB Films committee is surrendering the decision making to the students. The last scheduled movie showing was at 8 p.m. Sunday night at the Holmes Student Center's Carl Sandburg Auditorium. How many people showed...

National Lampoon’s Van Wilder

By Marcus Leshock | April 10, 2002

Van Wilder is quite a character. In the nature of Ferris Bueller, Van (Ryan Reynolds) is a charismatic, hip young male whose peers just can't get enough of him. The big difference between Van and Ferris is that Van is not likeable. He is a womanizing,...

Mer

By John Tillotson | April 10, 2002

When Dave Matthews Band released its major label debut in 1994, it created a previously unheard acoustic rock sound, with saxophone and violins wrapping melodies around unconventional percussion and guitar lines. Continuing that tradition, Mer's latest...

Ultimate Fights From the Movies

By Hank Brockett | April 10, 2002

When popping in a disc accurately titled "Ultimate Fights From the Movies," (Flixmix, not rated) the first reaction for a critic is one of smug contempt. "Hah, I bet there's no New Wave homages in this drek," a critic would say in between "Citizen Kane"...

Big Trouble

By Marcus Leshock | April 10, 2002

Finally, I'm laughing with a movie instead of laughing at it. "Big Trouble"(Touchstone, PG-13) is the perfect B-movie with an A-level cast. The film moves along at blinding speeds and wraps up in a short-but-sweet 82 minutes. This is a key factor of the...

You know where you are…Starbusters

By Nichole Hetrick | April 10, 2002

Starbusters' patrons rode the wild Nightrain Saturday night. Elgin-based Guns N' Roses tribute band Nightrain packed Starbusters, 930 Pappas Drive, with a crowd thirsty for GN'R but willing to settle for the next best thing. After being pumped and primed...

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

By P.J. Osborne | April 10, 2002

New York City's finest, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, returns after a three-and-a-half-year hiatus and attempts to release the animal within. While taking cues from a number of genres (punk, R&B, blues and hip-hop), the task at hand for the Blues...

Thirty Seconds To Mars

By Kelly Mcclure | April 10, 2002

"She's my shelter from the storm/ She's a place to rest my head/ Late at night she keeps me safe and warm/ I call her red ..." There once was a time when this little ditty was all we knew about Jared Leto's musical abilities. As his character Jordan Catalano...

Snoop’s house

By Janna Smallwood | April 10, 2002

Heads that normally might not bop were bopping, most of them with big, silly grins on their faces. Maybe they were just excited to see the biggest Dogg of them all - the Snoop kind. Intensity filled the air for the long time before Snoop Dogg took the...

When it hits, you feel no pain

By Jeff Goluszka | April 10, 2002

While stress, work and worry dominate life, it's vital to keep one's psyche balanced, calm and sound. Dealing with life's obstacles is what determines a person's stability, effectiveness and success. We all develop personal mental support systems to combat...