The Bowdoin Orient

February 2, 2001
Volume CXXXII, Number 14

Fight with the Film Society

by JIM FLANAGAN - COLUMNIST

If you're like me, then even though there have only been two weeks of classes, you are already starting to feel the burden of work. You probably have lots of aggression and stress building up, but what can a poor boy do except to sing for a rock and roll band? Because in sleepy Brunswick town, there's just no place for a street fighting man. But don't worry, the Film Society has got you covered with a weekend of fight movies. We've got new movies and older titles, classics and camp. As always, they will be shown in Smith Auditorium, Sills Hall, and are completely free and open to the public.

   Rocky - Friday at 7pm
   Drop Dead Gorgeous - Friday at 9pm
   Raging Bull - Saturday at 7pm
   Godzilla vs. Mothra - Saturday at 9pm

Friday at 7pm - Rocky (1976)
Directed by: John G. Avildsen
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith, Burt
Young, Carl Weathers

If you needed to find one film that is the embodiment of the American Dream, odds are that Rocky would do the trick. It's the story of a poor Philadelphia boy who becomes a boxing legend. Along the way, he falls for pet shop girl Adrian and gets trained by the Penguin himself, Burgess Meredith. Don't be fooled by all the lousy sequels, this movie is truly great (it did win the best picture Oscar). The Gonna Fly Now training sequence is especially moving. So go punch some frozen meat, drink some raw eggs, and make your way over for a moving American classic. Rated PG

Friday at 9pm - Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)
Directed by: Michael Patrick Jann
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Ellen Barkin, Denise Richards,
Kirstie Alley, Mindy Sterling, Nora Dunn and Adam West

Fight movies aren't always testosterone filled, as this film proves. One of the finest mockumentaries that doesn't involve Christopher Guest, the story involves a crew covering a Minnesota beauty pageant. A former winner will stop at nothing to get her daughter crowed the winner. This means making sure underdog Amber doesn't steal the spotlight. There are lots of great "behind-the-scenes" catfights and bickering between contestants. In reality though, this film is all about privileged vs. white trash, rich vs. poor, good vs. evil. And best of all, it's hilarious. Rated PG-13

Saturday at 7pm - Raging Bull (1980)
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert DeNiro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent

This movie is the tale of real-life boxer Jake La Motta. He has problems with controlling his anger, and the rage that makes him unstoppable in the ring spills over into his home life. This movie was filmed almost exclusively in black and white so Scorsese could ensure against fading of the print, a problem that he feels very strongly about. Beyond this, there is so much care put into this film by Scorsese. The way everything is presented and planned out is amazing. There are incredible things done with film speed, sound effects, camera tricks, and the way the characters are presented. It is a remarkable film that shouldn't be missed. Rated R

Saturday at 9pm - Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
Directed by: Takao Okawara
Starring: Godzilla, Mothra, Battra

OK, so it's not the 1964 classic version, but no grudge match like this one could be contained in a single movie. A group of research scientists travel to famed Infant Island and come across The Cosmos (you know, the girls in the shells). They say that Mother Earth is mad at the way the humans have mistreated her, so she has released Battra to destroy them. The Cosmos offer assistance in the way of Mothra, who will battle Battra. Simple enough, right? Well Godzilla must have thought that with all the other monsters around, he would get another chance at leveling Tokyo, because he comes out of nowhere to join in the mayhem. OK, this movie is really silly, but so what? You know you want to see it. Not Rated