Times Colonist from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • 48

Thursday, April 1, 1999 Times Colonist LIFE TELEVISION D6 MOVIES IN BRIEF D8 LIFE D9 e-mail: features victoriatimescolonist.com Matrix an assault to senses ARTS ONSTAGE 1 tZ Sci-fi thriller's special effects keep us on edge of our seats I By Michael D. Reid Times Colonist staff IMAGINE that every experience you've ever had the birth of your child, that trip to Europe or even this morning's breakfast was nothing more than a illusion, and that you're a mere puppet controlled by evil machines. That's the dizzying, mind-bending premise of The Matrix, a kinetic, bizarrely provocative and eye-popping science-fiction thriller that defies description as it engagingly fuses superhuman martial arts, existential meditation and visually stunning special effects in the service of an eerie extravaganza that will appeal to sci-fi and action fans in equal measure. As written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, the brothers who brought us the taut, stylishly edgy lesbian thriller Bound, this unremittingly compelling live-action comic book draws upon sources as diverse as Alice in Wonderland, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Total Recall and John Woo's Hong Kong action spectaculars as it stunningly juggles alternate realities. Although it's sometimes too confounding for its own good and a little heavy on the Zen-inspired techno-bab-ble, The Matrix is a consistently absorbing assault on the senses as it details the nightmarish plight of Neo (Keanu Reeves), a crackerjack computer hacker who is clearly disturbed by those weird messages like "The Matrix has you.

Follow the white rabbit" that have started to appear on his screen. the Capitol.The science-fiction thriller also stars Keanu Reeves and Lawrence Fishburne. Actress Carrie-Anne Moss connects with a punch in this scene from The Matrix, opening Friday at machines and free the human race, Morpheus and his ragtag band of rebels who have unplugged from the matrix take him on an astonishing odyssey. It isn't easy being the One, though, as Neo discovers after being captured by Agent Smith and injected with a slithering metallic tracking bug that the machines hope will lead them to their arch-enemy Morpheus. And it doesn't get any easier when Neo gets a cyber-refit in a spectacular morphing sequence in which synthetic metal organs replace body parts.

He's also outfitted with a plug in his head that can instantly upload knowledge. Neo on a mind-twisting journey after explaining that life as the young hacker knows it is nothing more than a computer-generated dreamscape manipulated by formidable machines in human form. Although Neo has a hard time buying Morpheus's claims that the forces of artificial intelligence conquered their makers long ago and have survived by using humans as disposable power sources wired into a virtual reality world that mimics the Earth in 1999, his skepticism is shortlived. Convinced that Neo is the "chosen one" with the power to disable the The Wachowskis get the adrenaline pumping from the start as a lean, leather-clad woman named Trinity (Carrie-Ann Moss) uses gravity-defying martial arts techniques to outwit sinister, sunglassed agents in a grim, shadowy metropolis. It turns out Trinity was sent to inform Neo that "they" i.e.

those malevolent, earpiece-wearing men in black led by by the mysterious Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) are after him. She's there on behalf of the legendary Morpheus (Laurence Fishbume), an elusive, enigmatic entity of the 22nd century who will later take ilL BritesVfinnQ dpJl MEW SEMBATIW Hf WIK-iMIN8i it '-'iiai: At The Box Office Stars: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishbume Where: Capitol Rating: A guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do if he wants to annihilate the new world order, right? Suffice to say Neo is soon battling the chameleonic, seemingly indestructible machines amid a mind-bogglingly convoluted plot. As this increasingly disorienting extravaganza unravels, though, you'll get caught in its maelstrom of mystical philosophy and technological wonders. Highlights include the breathtaking, Woo-inspired martial arts sequences in which Reeves and others contort every which way and appear airborne using a computer-aided, lightning-speed shooting process known as "bullet-time photography" to create dazzling superhuman effects inspired by Japanese anime. The film also benefits immensely from the jaw-dropping wire-fighting techniques choreographed by stunt coordinator Yuen Wo Ping.

Although there's stiff competition from all that hardware, those visual effects, Bill Pope's stunning cinematography and Owen Paterson's cool production design, The Matrix also boasts some respectable performances. In one of his better roles, Reeves capably conveys Neo's bewilderment and metamorphosis; Moss is icily affecting as his no-nonsense associate; and Fishbume is persuasively commanding as the rebel leader. It's Weaving Proof), though, who steals this show with deadpan flair as Neo's opponent. ON STAGE The Buttless Chaps With: They Drive By Night When: Friday, 9 p.m. Where: Steamers Tickets: $4 ing independent Canadian film.

Roller-mih-r. Not bad for an band that only a year ago was readying to play their first gig at a local piJ bar. "We had to improv that entire show heeaiNf we luln't plived tigctlM before, (lowaiis viid. "Dul that's how we started olf tltc KmkL as siit of a fun pnject anninJ town. Tlicn it kind of just pu kcJ up." Cowans and the rest (if Tltc Uuttless Chaps guitarist l.assc Lutkk, key-Nsifdisl Morg.in NKlm.ilJ and drummer Morgan Wilson arc currently putting the linisliing tmahes on their second album.

7i'i'( uf, whivh shmld be stMiietime in May. "I lie new album is all over the place." lie said, during a stmlto break while mi ing (lie new aINiitt h.o cap lka a )ay sw mg vug. a cheesy cruise slop rtumtcf and a h.iruVotc tevhiwi sng. Itut we sure we can posliKC them live so lliey ill still be p.ul of mt sIkiw," Amazingly. Ihc Kind's debut Was captured live to tape only (wo months after (licit firM slmw.

It was recorded over five early morning hours irt an abandoneJ warehouse a Ui cry from the tela! I sriow -itneu'd settings of the Burns Ljt a studio used this time (Hit. I Make your own wine now Drink it with your lunch The Buttless Chaps bring their fun-infused show to Steamers Friday. These Chaps are out to play country music and kick a little Butt UJ It's 7 as easy as 1-2-3 CACV 1. Start with a six- EA5Y ounce glass of water. AFFORDABLE 2.

Cut out the secret- formula wine glass on QUICK this page, crumple it into a ball and place it DISTINCTIVE inthewater. FLAVOUR 3. Add one teaspoon of sugar so that fermentation occurs, wait 10 minutes and place it in the refrigerator for 1 hour. By Mike Devlin Timci Coloniit tuff Their name might cause the occasional snicker, bul when the sweet country sounds ofTlie Huttlcss Chaps start to permeate your ears. Lushing will he the furthest thing from your miiul.

In fact, they may even have you crying in your beer. This young banJ delves into the same lyrical bayous and lonesome musical nwids that were explored decades ago by country music legends like Hank Williams. Stonewall J.nksoit and Johnny Cash. They've become a welcome addition to our local music scene iih their plain-live, country-tinged acoustic tales, but uccotding to (he band's singer unJ lytui'J. 2fvye.mild lhc (5ow.hk tlic aim of Hie lluiiless (1ta isn't to become Victoria country rtk licrocs.

Iliey'rc just in it to have fun. "We dnit'i have any gisil to mhiiuI like anything, we jiM play whoever feels good," ans s.iid. "I kit's wli.il enjoy able ahmt King in this banJ every thing we play we enjoy, vi it wmk Hmogh thciKipsatc Kttcly aye.tf iU they have already cikounlercd uMi-id-ctal'le aiiKHinl of sikvcss; thtit self-titled ilcbul figiites ifoitmiently Ik" play lists for college radio stations CKMO and I UV, and they have Ivcn pkked up for nation wide record disttibuiioii by the csfcciiK-d I Umhim ask vl. mk I'ny n. Their song (hnhw povMl-ly of finesi to ever tottjc Kit of SV is also due to appear over the ojoiing and clitsing credit of lltciijxoii- Wc think after trying this tfvVftvWhinC ptuluet )tm'li vv ant create your own iit-humc winery using our sccrct-fonnula tablets.

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