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Features

FEATURES

Movie is not the worst that could happen

By BILL WARD For The State News Despite a few missteps, including its cumbersome title, “What’s the Worst That Could Happen?” is a comedy that provides enough laughs and quirky characters to hold your interest until the end. Billionaire media mogul Max Fairbanks (Danny Devito) manages to turn the tables on a smooth-talking thief, Kevin Caffery (Martin Lawrence), catching him in a bungled robbery attempt at Max’s supposedly vacant summer mansion and stealing the thief’s own ring. The ring was a gift from Kevin’s almost-too-understanding British love interest Amber (Carmen Ejogo), who digs Kevin despite his fishy occupation.

FEATURES

Radiohead shines again

Kevin Tuczek
June 6, 2001

Radiohead Amnesiac (Capitol/EMI) Radiohead’s new album “Amnesiac,” released eight short months after its critically acclaimed effort “Kid A,” is an eclectic mix of musical styles that falls in line with past Radiohead albums, in that each new CD sounds different than the last. A lyric in the opening tune, “Packt Like Sardines in a Crushed Tin Box,” sets a way of thinking for the CD right off the bat.

FEATURES

Masons Case to play at Ricks

Helen Kwong
June 6, 2001

Local favorite Mason’s Case will be the headlining act tonight at Rick’s American Cafe for the first time in the band’s young musical career. And its members couldn’t be more excited. “We’ve been waiting for it for a while,” lead guitarist Jason Lantz said.

FEATURES

Remixes honor composer

Lindy Odonnell
May 30, 2001

Various artists Morricone RMX (Reprise Records) In this tribute to movie composer Ennio Morricone, artists from around the electronic music genre have remixed Morricone’s scores and the result is an interesting mix of Morricone’s classic 1960s music, and the newer, techno-inspired remixes found on “Morricone RMX.” Morricone has recently worked on film scores like “Mission to Mars” and “Bulworth,” although neither of these films are featured on the CD.

FEATURES

Punky Smoother rocks

Lindy Odonnell
May 30, 2001

Smoother Chasing the Dragon (EMI Music Canada) The press release for Smoother cites the Canadian band’s influences as Beck, Blink 182, Daft Punk and Weezer - and, in fact, the sounds of all these artists can be heard on Smoother’s “Chasing the Dragon.” The CD is an odd combination of so many different musical sounds that it’s even accessible to people who are die-hard fans of specific bands. “Rock Her Like a Lion,” the fourth track, is reminiscent of Blink 182 - a punky love song with catchy lyrics.

FEATURES

Lopez unbelievable in Angel Eyes

Lindy Odonnell
May 24, 2001

Odd as it may sound, Jennifer Lopez is too famous to be an actress. Most Hollywood stars want all the publicity they can get, but it’s not always beneficial to their careers - or their acting roles. Lopez has overexposed herself - appearing on magazine covers, MTV music videos, and a very public breakup with P.

FEATURES

Motown's electronic music festival to thump this weekend

Helen Kwong
May 24, 2001

Detroit Rock City will be Electronic City this weekend as the streets of downtown will be trampled by dancing feet at the 2001 Detroit Electronic Music Festival.As one of the largest free festivals in the world, more than 1.5 million people from the suburbs of Detroit and around the globe flooded downtown last year.

FEATURES

Animated film features humorous Myers as ogre; delights all ages

Lindy Odonnell
May 23, 2001

An animated feature-length film doesn’t always get the credit it most often deserves. Many times, cartoon movies are brushed aside as trivial and childish - but anyone who subscribes to this obviously hasn’t seen “Shrek.” Mike Myers, best known for being a “Saturday Night Live” cast member and star of the “Austin Powers” films, does an outrageously hilarious job as the voice of the title character.

FEATURES

Screaming Staind offering has slower-paced gems

Helen Kwong
May 23, 2001

Staind Break the Cycle (Flip Records/Elektra) Sounding a lot like Metallica, Korn and many others before them, Staind’s new album, “Break the Cycle,” should be called “Break the Eardrums.” Staind just added itself to the long list of heavy metal/hard-core bands.

FEATURES

Wharton to host dance performances

Lindy Odonnell
May 17, 2001

East Lansing will be inundated with pirouettes, pointe shoes and dancers this weekend, as more than 300 people take part in the Regional Dance America/Mid-States Dancing Into the Millennium Festival. The three-day festival will include students from 12 dance companies in the Midwest and feature three performances at the Wharton Center.