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VARIETY
SPECIAL | The Red * Black
▲ Johnny Depp and Heather Graham star in the Hughes’ brothers ‘From Hell’ —
this season’s spookiest film yet.
‘From Hell currently
burning in theaters
MOVIE REVIEW 3*
By JOHN NIJHAWAN
jnijhawan@randb.com
Johnny Depp has always
maintained respectability by
taking unique rolls that keep
broadening him as a
character actor.
By signing on to play the
somewhat clairvoyant inspec
tor Fred Aberline, Depp con
tinues to win my respect, in
the Hughes’ brothers —
directed “From Hell.”
This is the first credible
spooky film of the season.
“From Hell” combines the
true story of the 1888 mad
man Jack the Ripper with a
dark and filthy London.
But as the minutes go on,
viewers are brought into a
land of prostitution, disease,
crime and ugly British people.
And if that isn’t enough,
the gore presented in the film
might make, a lot of people
vomit — especially if you put
yourself in the place of the
characters.
I can’t recall a “slasher”
flick that gets you so close
you can actually hear intri
cate cuts of flesh and detailed
gargling on one’s own blood.
The gore could have easily
gqne over the top, and
though it sounds like it may,
it is tastefully done. That
being said, the story is simple.
Someone is pureeing a
local group of prostitutes,
and no one seems to
know why.
But for the love of God,
something needs to be done
about it because the neigh
bor’s dog keeps bringing
home kidneys and livers.
Whitechapel, London,
much less any other part of
the world at that time, had
ever seen such gruesome acts
of violence. Though it would
be easy to point the finger at
some complete loon, the
signs insinuate that only an
educated bloke could be
capable of what Jack the
Ripper was doing.
Some doctors in the throes
of medical history, the royal
family and some
ignorant detectives act as
obstacles and a man gets the
hots for the village bicycle
(everyone’s had a ride).
Though it sounds fairly
standard, “From Hell” is not
as predictable as other horror
movies in which sharp instru
ments are the killer’s choice
of weaponry.
There is not much I can
say without ruining the film,
but in my opinion, it will be
remembered for gore, then
cinematography, then acting,
then Heather Graham’s
breasts and then finally
Johnny Depp.
Anyone can go to the
books and learn the story of
Jack the Ripper. What really
sells the movie is the Hughes’
Brothers hellishly romantic
recreation of a disgusting
time.
The cinematography
reminded me of a pizza
topped with Tim Burton
movies, but that could be
FROM HELL
Starring: Johnny Depp & Heather
Graham
Directed by: The Hughes'
brothers
Grade: B
Playing at: Beechwood &
Carmike 12
The lowdown: A film full of
tasteful gore breaking the tradition
from last year’s election
because of Depp. Slews of
film and camera tricks are
used in nightmarish
sequences, and standard
camera techniques are used
in aiding the true aspects of
the story.
With the exception of some
sinister mood lighting and
the occasional computer
affect, detailed makeup and
scene design rule this picture.
Not one scene offers
beauty, but it is damn fun to
look at. Depp gives a
performance just as good,
if not better than the one he
did in Blow, and Heather
Graham maintains her
beauty along with using a
delightful British accent.
The story makes one
question of old medicinal
practices, but by the same
token, if it was not for the
people that seem so corrupt,
we would not be able to have
Prozac today.
“From Hell” is definitely
the best horror movie since
“The Others.”
The Strokes’ ‘Is This It’ raises
rock ’n’ roll to a higher level
® CD REVIEWS
EVERY TUESDAY
Whoever said rock ’n’ roll is dead never
predicted its resurrection in the form of
New York City’s The Strokes.
Coming to deliver us from the evils of
angry white boys and lipstick pop queens,
this NYC quintet delivers a smoldering
package of pure unadulterated rock ’n’ roll.
At once something different, these up-
and-comers also combine Iggy
Pop and early Rolling Stones
with the new wave drumbeats
of the ’80s.
Just like greasy pizza and
shady back alleys, this band is
100 percent gritty New York
City American.
For a full 36 minutes and 30
seconds, you will never be hap
pier New York is a city that
could produce such an amazing
band. What the CD lacks in
length, The Strokes make up
for in the sheer power each
song holds.
Starting the album on a high note, the
title track “Is This It” holds within its
twinkling guitars one of the most singular
bass lines I’ve ever heard.
Track 2, “The Modem Age,” is a
raucous romp through a sunny beach-side
longing, ending suddenly like a wave
breaking on the shore.
“Last Nite,” the absolute greatest song
on the album delivers hand-clapping,
ass-shaking goodness. No question about it,
the music will move you on this one.
Starting with a poppy drum machine
beat reminiscent of the Offspring’s “You
Gotta Keep ’Em Separated,” “Hard to
Explain” quickly breaks into its own as the
vocals radiate to stellar heights.
For those of you who buy the album,
track 9 will be “When It Started” which
replaces the original song “New York City
Cops,” removed from the CD for the line
“New York City cops/ they ain’t too smart”
after the Sept. 11 tragedy.
I have to say, it’s a shame
that this track was removed
because it’s
probably my second favorite
song on the album. A sleazy
bopper with incredibly intense
vocals, this one is definitely
worth checking out if you can
find the UK import single.
With all of this going for
them, I guarantee you’ll hear
more from The Strokes in the
future.
Tapping the vein of rock ’n’
roll, this band will have you
reeling with giddy delight from blow after
blow of the sound of something new for the
desperate masses.
With an upcoming show in Atlanta
Thursday at the Cotton Club and in Athens
at the 40 Watt Saturday, don’t miss your
chance to see the future of rock before they
move onto bigger and better venues.
— Kyle Wehrend
The Strokes
“Is This It”
Grade: A
The 2002 Japan Exchange and Teaching Program
Teach English in junior and senior high schools in Japan
Learn about Japanese culture and people
Gain international experience
Requirements
Have an excellent command of the English language
Obtain a bachelor’s degree by June 30,2002
Be a U.S. citizen
Be willing to relocate to Japan for one year
Applications are now available. The deadline for applying is December 5, 2001. For more information
and an application contact the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta at 100 Colony Square Bldg.,
Suite 2000, Atlanta, GA 30361. Call (404) 892-2700 x30 or 1-800-INFO-JET or email:
jete@cgjapanatlanta.org. The application can also be found at www.embjapan.org.
Tuesday, October 23
7:00 PM
Tate Center Theater
university.
Checkout pj C k up FREE Passes at
CINEMAX.com Tate Center Cashiers
for movies, games Window 9 AM
and prizes! Da V of Show
-
CINEMATIC ARTS
FREE MOVIE POSTERS
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