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  • Western Carolina University
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  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1993-03-25_Vol58_No23_06

The Western Carolinian Page 6 Thursday, March 25. 1993 Features Volume 58 Number 23 Pick of the Flicks Falling Down's theme disturbing, very possible Dan Warlick, Jr. Film Critic WilliamFostCT(MicnaelDou- glas) suffers from the same problems as many of today's citizens in this week's Pick of the Flicks Falling Down. He has dedicated his life to serving his country through military service and working in the defense industry. With theendoftheCold War, Foster soon finds himself under-skilled, over- educated, middJe-agedand unemployed. Sounds depressing, doesn't it? It may very well sound familiar, too. On top of these problems, he neverccmpletelyreujrnedfromthecom- batzone. Post-traumatic stress disorder has contributed to his failed marriage and caused him to develop a propensity for violence. Aftersix weeks of fruitless job hunting, stress overcomes him and Foster cracks under the pressure. As he grows fed up with our society, Foster tries to change iL He embarks on a spread of gross violence, unexplainable actions, and becomes a danger to every one around him. Robert Duvall portrays a detective on the eve of an early retirement With little else to do, and a reputation to restore, Duvall begins tracking Michael Douglas to a classic confrontation between "good guy" and "bad guy." Falling Down can be very disturbing. While all of the events portrayed may not be exactly realistic, the basic concept of the movie is entirely possible. All toooften,weread in newspapers or hear on television a story in which an "average" citizen has grown depressed enough to want to kill innocent people before turning the gun on himself. Readers of such a story may wonder what could possibly lead a person to do such a thing. Well, Falling Down portrays the concept very well. I find the entire movie is disturbing because of the fact that virtually the same thing could actually happen. It's pathetic to think that our society has become callous enough to disregard re- spectforotherstothedegreerepresented in this move. Frighteningly, realisucmay be too strong fee an accurate description of Falling Down. Disturbingly possible would be accurate. What little plot there is to Falling Down begins slowly and staggers to the only America andhow each is typically justified. Falling Down has a very de- scriptivestyleliigMghtingtoday'strends and allows Douglas' character to ask the questions everyone should ask. Comparing the photos on fast-food menus to the final "it's pathetic to think that our society has become callous enough to disregard respect for others..." possible climax. The film simply plods from crime scene to crime ' scene while the police try to catch up. Douglas even announces that he has reached a point of no return. At this point even a cancer-stricken laboratory chimpanzee could predict the resolution. The script of this move has its good and bad qualities. The writer has done an excellent job portraying the various current lifestyles of urban Sex, drugs, and ... weight Students surveyed on health concerns What health issues are college students most concerned about? Sex, drugs...and being overweight, according to an informal survey of telephone calls at one California college. The findings come from a statistical analysis of calls made between August 1992 and January 1993 to De Anza Community College's Campus Awareness System, a free, 24-hour recording of drug, alcohol, health and campus information. The system receives an average of 2,500 anonymous calls per month from students and other community members. Since the system begar; at the Cupertino, Calif., college, the mostcommonly requested individual message, with 418 calls, was "Need to lose 10-15 pounds." It was followed closely by, "How to use a condom and where to find them on campus," with 413 calls. Ruth Foy, health center coordinator for the college, said she is not surprised by the students' top picks. "Look at the emphasis in our society about being thin. Look at the pressure that's put on," she said. "These are things that people are thinking about." The largest general category of calls came for "AIDS and other STDs"(sexually transmitted diseases), with 2,087 calls. "Illicit and Prescription Drugs" was the next most-often-called category with 2,055 calls. Students can choose more specific individual messages under the general headings. The calls also indicated concern in some new areas. The message for the trendy drug Ecstasy received 316 calls, while 256 calls were recorded for "Pregnancy, Drugs, and Your Baby." Unhealthy relationships also concerned a significant number of callers. Among self-esteem issues, requests for information on co- dependency received 107 calls. For each problem, the system did more than answer questions. At the end of each two-minute recording, callers receive information on where to call for additional help. "We're hoping that it is like a springboard," Foy said. "People will go ahead and take care of the problem." The Institute for Drug and Alcohol Prevention, a San Marcos, Calif., firm that markets the message system, has similar systems in operation at the University of Nevada- Las Vegas, the University of New Mexico and the College of Staten Island in New York. Even though the institute has no national statistics from these colleges on most requested health messages, spokeswoman Christine Whitten said that they have been able to spot some trends among the nation's college students. "Systems on the West Coast are a little more interested in the health issues—diet and stress," Whitten said. "Northeast systems are more focused on self-help options," There are seasonal trends, as well. "Before Christmas, there are a lot of calls for depression," Whitten said. "Right after the holidays, there's a big request for career goals and self-esteemmessages. Kindof.'Who am I?'" I! Roommates from Hell" not uncommon Karen Neustadt College Press Service Meet the Roommate from Hell. She borrows your white sweater, the slips it carefully back in your closet — with a new tea stain. He comes in drunk. She flicks on the overhead light as you are drifting off to sleep. She plays music of questionable taste at top decibels. She snores; you don't. Your lunch money vanishes. There is no more bitter rite of passage than sharing space with a disastrous roommate. Many college students have never bunked with a brother or sister, much less experienced being trapped with a stranger who does things they don't understand. Some first-year students are so distraught over a Roommate from Hell that they pack their bags and call it quits. "Come get me," they tell bewildered parents. Everyone has a horror story. Leanne Call, a reporter for the Western Star, the newspaper for Poet's Corner We must believe in Promises, We simply Must believe in Dreams. For to want Good is to accept the premise of Promises, and to hope for Good is to indulge the promise of Dreams. taken from "Meaning" by J. Ramon Ziadie Western Oregon State College in Monmouth, interviewed dozens of students about their experiences for a recent story about living situations that are less than perfect. One student said he found a roommate rummaging through his drawers. "Fmjustlookingfordrugs," she announced. Another student came home to find his roommate having sex with someone - on HIS bed, no less. One unfortunate student reported that his roommate did his laundry only once the entire semester, and an ever-growing mountain of dirty clothes threatened to take over the small room. Another student said a former roommate hosted a four-day orgy in the middle of finals, made drunken phone calls to 911 and put a vodka bottle full of dimes in the microwave oven. One former college student recalled an unexpected guest for two weeks - her roommate's boyfriend, who camped out on the floor. Then there was the Irish Setter and his owner, cleverly hidden from the resident advisors, who took up residence in the suite next door. Still another nightmare roomie had a penchant for making harassing calls to the girlfriend of a policeman for whom she had developed a "Fatal Attraction" obsession. What's a student to do? "Learning to live with roommates, to share, is part of the college experience," said Adrian Schiess, director of freshman programs at Xavier University in Cincinnati. Until the 1970s, say offi- "Roommate" see pg. 7 %/ VOTE i/ •JAY SMALI7 for SGA President •2 years Senate Experience ■Capable of representing all students! IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE! March 31, 1993 product, seeking explanations for extensive road repairs, and interpreting the various gang mentality are a sample of the issues addressed in Falling Down. This is a quality script for the most part There is a high degree of sick humor visible throughout the movie. Manyofthecharacters react toeveryday situations in an uncaring, self-centered manner. Much of the dialogue may seem humorous as it is presented, but it is sad to think that people actually re- spondthisway. Itdoesn'tjusthappenin inner-city Los Angeles. It happens ev- erydayin Cullowhee. Itis<Mjjrbingthat this behavior is accepted by society. A very bleak future for our society is presented in Falling Down. Douglas presents a stunning performance. If my information is correct it has earned him an Oscar nomination. Douglas' performance,aqual- ity script a potentially realistic concept and a supportive cast are the positive qualities of a disturbing movie. I give Falling Down three and one half stars outoffive. The movie is basically good but the theme is disturbing. I was not entertained watching one man's life become so pathetic that he looses everything, including his sanity. Part of me feels pity for the guy while another part of me shudders at the thought that the same thing could happen anywhere. Next week's Pick of the Flick: The Crying Game. Starts Friday, March 26: At the Quin Theaters of Sylva: 1) Army of Darkness, starring Brace Campbell. Rated R. 2) Falling Down, starring Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall. Rated R. 3) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III. Rated PG. 4) The Crying Game, Rated R. At the United Artists/Biltmore Square Cinemas of Asheville: 1) Sommersby, starring Richard Gere, Jodie Foster. Rated R. 2) Bom Yesterday, starring Melanie Griffith Don Johnson. Rated PG. 3) Falling Down, starring Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall. Rated R. 4) Crying Game, Rated R. 5) Rich in Love, Rated PG-13. 6) GroundhogDay,StaniagBiaMunay. RatedR. 7) CB-4,RatedR. 8) TMNTIII, Rated PG-13. For specific show times, phone the theater at (704) 667-7776. Pictured above is an exhibit which is part of national "Youth Art Month," sponsored by The Student Chapter of the National Art Education Association (SNAEA) and the Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC). This exhibit is located in Killian Building, rooml()4 from 8 am to 8 pm through April 5. Vote in the SGA election March 31 CONTACT LENS Absolute lowest prices! 99! AF* I s69f£! 100% Satisfaction! Send Mam?,Address.Rx and chsx* I I payable to: STUDENT SIHVTCES. ■ 760 NW 65th Ave..Plantation. ■ [Florida 33317 ^ 1 10 Year Open House at David's Place /Hammocks'X April 3rd i Rockers, Gifts, fHammocks, \ Rockers, Gifts, ] \ and Gourmet ; 7 Door Prizes \ and Gourmet ; \ Kitchen Shop/ \ Kitchen Shop/ V^__.^' Live Music 1 - 3pm V„ y Locate Everything will be 15% off cmokeboUS Hours 9- S.N.Wolf &Co.,Inc Investment Bankers Full Service National Brokerage Firm Will He On Campus Recruiting Saturday, April 3rd Seeking Entry-level Positions for Account Executives tockbrokers All majors considered Training Sign up in the Placement Office For More Information Raleigh Office Charlotte Office Greg A. Piper Jean Kilmartin 800-537-2190 800-428-5494 Space is Limited

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1993-03-25
  • Date digitized: 2019-10-23
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.75" x 14.25"
  • Pages: 10 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
  • Western Carolina University -- Periodicals
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1993-03-25_Vol58_No23
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library