COURTESY PHOTO
Music group The Wonders exalt over their meteoric success in the Tom Hanks flick “That Thing You Do.”
Hanks movie provides feel-good fun
REVIEW
That thing ^
You Da
★★★
(Feel-good
heartwarmer)
■ WHERE: Movies
12 at Gateway Mall,
Movieland
■ STARRING:
Jonathan Schaech
and Steve Zahn
■ DIRECTOR: Tom
Hanks
■ RATED: PG
By Damon Houx
Freelance Reporter
' | ’ om Hanks’ charm has always
been like a sucker punch. When
JL you least expect it, his charm
hooks you and draws you in.
Hanks was at his best in mid-1980’s
films such as "Bachelor Party” and
“Dragnet.” Despite the poor quality of
the movies themselves, Hanks carried
the audience through with his charm.
In the nineties, his career altered. He
did his best work in “Joe Vs. the Vol
cano,” a film that is worth a look, and
then went on to a string of successes
with the films “Sleepless in Seattle,”
“Philadelphia,” “Forrest Gump” and
“Apollo 13.” All were hugely success
ful, and two of them wielded him
Academy Awards.
In contrast, Hanks has a small acting
role in “That Thing You Do,” which he
wrote and directed. He plays the Phil
Spector-like manager of a music group,
and for the most part he remains in the
shadows.
The main character is a drummer,
played by Tom Everett Scott, who
looks like a younger Hanks. Scott
becomes the temporary drummer for a
group that later becomes known as The
Wonders. The Wonders create a hit
song called “That Thing You Do,” and
the movie follows their meteoric rise as
they become a smash.
The lead singer, played by Jonathan
Schaech, is self-centered, but he is the
group’s only real musician other than
the drummer. Steve Zahn plays the
lead guitarist, who is the funny one
and delivers all the best lines. Ethan
Embry plays the practically nonexis
tent bassist who lurks in the back
ground.
Like Hanks’ charm, “That Thing You
Do” delivers a sucker punch. The first
hour is well-done and, unlike many
recent films, filled with decency and
charm. When the song is first played
on the radio, the group’s youthful exu
berance at success is compelling, and
the song itself is perfect in its 1960’s
catchiness. You can’t help but like it.
Altogether, “That Thing You Do” is a
charming film that unfolds like a nice
breeze. You won’t hate it, you’ll proba
bly remember liking it and it’s as light
as air.
Glol
al Ecology, Global Economy, Global Security:
Making Linkages
The International Studies Association
West 1996 Conference
Thursday through Saturday, 10-12 October 1996
Erb Memorial Union, University of Oregon
Environmental Security?
Friday, 11 October 10:15-11:45 EMU Ballroom
Valerie Assetto, Colorado State University
Davis Bobrow, University of Pittsburgh
Geoffrey Dabelko, University of Maryland
Daniel Deudney, University of Pennsylvania
Ann Tickner, University of Southern California
e
The International Students Association (ISA) is the
premiere international organization for scholars in
the field of international studies. This annual
meeting of the ISA - West Region will feature
distinguished scholars and graduate students from
across the United States, in such disciplines as
international relations, comparative politics, and
international law. In addition to these two featured
roundtables, over 80 papers will be presented on a
range of topics related to the conference theme.
Are Free Trade and
Environment Compatible?
Friday, 11 October 1:30-3:00 EMU Ballroom
John Audley, Purdue University
Dan Goldrich, University of Oregon
William Harbaugh, University of Oregon
Raymond Mikesell, University of Oregon
Steven Mumme, Colorado State University
Laura Strohm, Monterey Institute for
International Studies
Generous Financial support has been provided by the
Carlton Raymond and Wilberta Ripley Savage Visiting
Professorship in International Relations and Peace, the
International Affairs Advisory Council, the Junior
Professorship Development Program, the ISAis
Environmental Studies Section, the University of
Oregon’s Institute for a Sustainable Environment, the
Department of Political Science, the International Studies
Program, Environmental Studies Program, The Oregon
Humanities Center, and The Department of Geography,
and Office of Student Academic Progress.
Conference registration begins Thursday at 9:00 a.m. outside the Gumwood RoomFor more information,
visit the Conference Home Page at http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/-rmitchel/isawest.html
Admission is free for students.
iKATEE—
GOLF CLUB
(fatj at iti "plant
College Students - 1/2 Price
Exp. 10-30-96
1 -800*452-6376
V-T
Weekend
Event
Calendar
<0 FRIDAY, OCT. 11 D
Walker T. Ryan
BLACK FOREST
2657 WILLAMETTE
344-0816
Twisterama
EMU BALLROOM
9PM-MIDNIGHT
LGBA National Coming
Out Day Dance
EMU FIR ROOM
8PM-MIDNIGHT
Ballroom Dance
220 GERLINGER
8:30-11 :30pm $2 students, $3 gen.
<1 SATURDAY, OCT. 12 C>
Peter Bach
BLACK FOREST
2657 WILLAMETTE, 344-0816
60s, 70s, 80s
Karaoke/Dance
EMU BALLROOM
9PM-MIDNIGHT $2 siuomn, $3 GEN.
The Refreshments
plus Superdrag & Ocean Blue
W.O.W. HALL
$10 ADVANCE
Stand-up Comedy
SCANDALS
2222 CENTENNIAL BLVD., 343-4734
9pm- I 0:45pm
This calendar is provided courtesy of the advertising department. For more information call 346-3712.
UO Cultural Forum
Presents
(formerly of the J.B.’s & Parliament)
Oct. 14,1996O8:00PM
EMU Ballroom
$15.00 (UO Students)
$17.00 (Gen. Public)
8c The Holy
Mackerel &
specixl cuesxs
Oct. 17,1996 0 8:00PM
EMU Ballroom
$11.00 (UO Students)
$13.00 (Gen. Public)
8k SPECIXL CUES!
Oct. 30,1996 0 8:00PM
EMU Ballroom
$15.00 (UO Students)
$17.00 (Gen. Public)
Tickets available at: EJVIU Main Desk, Face the Music,
House of Records, Record Garden, CD World.