Just by looking at the Strokes, one is enthralled by the band’s messy charisma without even listening to their music. These mod-punks appear as if they have emerged from the Warhol-era art scene, sporting moppy bed head haircuts, their dads’ jackets, skinny ties, straight-legged trousers, and old-school Converse while still being able to carry an image very much tied to today’s zeitgeist.

However, this stylish, young Manhattan band (ages range from 20 to 23) won’t let their deep affinity for dated fashion come before their true mission: making good guitar music. Their distinctly urban style and 1970’s-influenced alternative sound has garnered them comparisons to the Velvet Underground, Television and early Smiths. Says Entertainment Weekly, “They may recall another era, but there’s nothing polite or retro about them.”

Although an American band, the Strokes have found more immediate success and fame in England than in their homeland. Recently on tour in England, the band has drawn a legion of fans, critical praise, and interest from important music figures such as Thom Yorke of Radiohead and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders.

Immediately following the release of The Modern Age EP, a demo CD, the Strokes have found themselves thrown amidst record company battles while sitting high on Britain’s Top of the Pops.

The brevity of their debut album, Is This It, has received acclaim from many and deservedly so. Their quick-fix of success may be suspect, but says frontman Julian Casablancas, “A lot of bands tour for so many years and they’re learning as they go along…If you think we got off easy, that’s bull…because we know what we’re doing.”

In response to the recent tragedy, their first single “New York City Cops” was kept off the U.S. Is This It album version (released October 9). Though there has been some hype from the press about the band (snatching Next-Big-Thing articles in various magazines and a cover slot for The Fader magazine), America has yet to see the true potential of these New York natives.

For those tired of the nihilistic nature of nü-metal, the toilet jokes, ill-informed politics of today’s pop-punk, and generally, the vapid bombast of today’s rock mainstream, turning to the Stokes may be returning to something more dignified and earnest. Their success might come and go as quickly as a fashion trend, or they may be the force that lifts music out of the hole it has been digging itself into in recent years. But it doesn’t really matter because the Strokes are essentially just cool.

The Princess Diaries brings the audiences way back into the pressures of fitting in.  Anne Hathaway, a newcomer, acts alongside Julie Andrews in this comedy-drama. Hathaway, inheriting princess royalty, is trained by her grandmother and queen, Andrews, to become a princess. The movie puts a smile on your face and your heart – G

Summer Catch, staring Freddie Prinze Jr. and 7th Heaven's Jessica Biel, is a movie of the first loves, in and out of the field. The movie is a little too suggestive for PG-13. Freddie does not put much heart in his role as a baseball player. Biel acted her role well as a wealthy teenager with strict parents, but that's not a challenging role to play. The expectations of the roles in this movie weren't very high; therefore, it wasn't an extravagant movie. - PG-13

Angel Eyes Jennifer Lopez's second big movie is a delightful one. Lopez, a cop, struggles to stop her abusive brother from taking advantage of his wife and a stranger from continuously following her.  Eventually, secrets of the man's shaky past unfold, and Lopez and the man find themselves close together. - PG-13

 
Dr. Dolittle 2  I don't recommend this movie to adults due to its immaturity.  It explores the joy of animals and their comedic lives as they communicate to star, Eddie Murphy, by talking.  It stars rapper Lil' Zane, who is quite funny when he goes on first dates with Murphy's daughter.- PG-13

Legally Blonde is completely hilarious and entertaining.  Reese Witherspoon is definitely back with this comedy hit.  Witherspoon portrays the role of a full-of-life teenager who works her way into Harvard Law School to win back her high school sweetheart who dumped her for a more sophisticated girl.  Later, Witherspoon realizes her ex-boyfriend wasn't worth her time of day and that she must believe in herself to make her dreams come true.  Selma Blair stars as a snobby classmate engaged to Witherspoon's ex.- PG-13

America's Sweethearts includes great actresses Julia Roberts and Catherine-Zeta Jones.  Catherine plays a famous, beautiful actress who gets all the attention, while her sister, Julia Roberts, who is not as attractive and popular, takes care of her.  The movie is decent, but Julia Roberts’ role does not compare to her excellent work in Erin Brokovitch. As for Catherine-Zeta Jones, she acts well, though she usually plays the snobbish higher-class role, so it's nothing new. - PG-13

The Animal is a knockout.  It's strange sense of humor is what makes it one of the funniest movies of the year.  A man is involved in a near-death car accident and rescued by a scientist out in the woods. The only dilemma in order to save the man's life is that the man’s body parts are replaced with those of animals. The movie stars Colleen from Survivor 1 and has a surprise ending so big, it will make your mouth drop open. - PG-13

Tomb Raider.  A direct transformation from the Playstation video game, Tomb Raider is truly like a live video game with the sets similar to caves. Angelina Jolie plays a female detective who tries to solve a mystery within the cave.  It’s an exciting journey. - PG-13

American Outlaws is a nice, western-style movie.  It is action-packed with fighting and a lot of professional horse-riding.  It included the star, as named in the movie, Jesse James, who plays the delinquent, one of the Most Wanted.  Though this was true, everyone adored him and looked up to him as a heroic figure. Enjoyable for teenagers and adults. - PG-13

Glitter offers a mixture of drama and fun.  You're jamming to the back-in-the day music one minute, and the next, shedding a tear for Mariah's losses and gains.  Glitter was old-fashioned, though true-to-life.  Mariah works her way up from being a singer at a music club to a popular star.  It may not be her best, but it's an enjoyable movie based on the achievement of your dreams, the power of a strong love, and how love is 'never too far away' once it's gone. - PG-13

The Planet of the Apes.  Mark Wahlburg strikes back with this remake of the original 1960's film.  He portrays a man who works on a space shuttle station that teaches monkeys how to go to the moon.  Then one day, going against the rules, Wahlburg flies into space in a capsule and crashes.  He ends up on a planet known as The Planet of the Apes.  Now instead of the humans controlling the animals, it's the opposite.  Wahlburg must now face horrible treatment and a painful reality.  This movie is wonderful and has a great theme. - PG-13

The Glass House. Leelee Sobieski shines bright in this unique movie about trust. Sobieski and her brother are taken in by a neighbor after her parents get into a car accident and don’t make it. The problem is that they're not normal people.  They're extremely rich and live in Malibu but have secrets they would never want anyone to find out.  That is, until Sobieski sneaks around to find them out and gets herself into more trouble than she can handle.  This movie is both suspenseful and dramatic. - PG-13

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