'Osmosis Jones' brings viruses to big screen

Second-run theater features 'Moulin Rouge' as alternative to bodily humor

Jared Kavlock Club/Intramural Sports Beat

The Farrelly Brothers, the directing duo responsible for "There's Something About Mary," have struck once again with the animated/live action comedy "Osmosis Jones."

The title character, voiced by Chris Rock, is a white blood cell cop in the "city of Frank," a metropolis of internal organs in the body of Bill Murray.

As Frank, Murray is a disgusting slob attempting to raise his daughter Shane after his wife passed away. In truth, Shane is the responsible one who seems to be raising Frank.

Due to his less-than-sanitary eating habits, the city of Frank falls victim to a nasty virus named Thrax, voiced by Laurence Fishburne.

As Thrax begins to cause havoc in the city, the mayor of Frank, William Shatner, arranges for Frank to take a cold pill rather than a trip to the doctor, which could delay Frank's vacation plans. David Hyde Pierce, Niles on "Frasier," provides the voice for Drix, the cold pill, who teams up with Osmosis Jones in an attempt to eradicate the virus.

The depiction of the city inside Frank's body is quite brilliant. Everything makes sense according to biology yet functions logically as a city. The mayor's office in the brain, Cerebellum Hall; mafia germs in an armpit sauna even animated "cell" versions of Kid Rock and his dearly departed sidekick, Joe C, rocking a nightclub in one of Frank's zits.

The animation looks very good, the voice-overs give the characters lots of personality and you can never go wrong with Bill Murray.

So if you haven't yet buried the little kid inside you and turned away from anything animated, if you gave "Cool World" or "Monkeybone" a chance (although this flick is much better than those relative flops), then "Osmosis Jones" might be right up your alley.

A CHEAPER CHOICE

For those too cheap or broke to fork over $7.00 for a movie ticket, I shall provide you with an alternative from the second-run theater. This week, for only six quarters from your laundy stash, you can see "Moulin Rouge" at the Appalachian Twin. But I must warn, you will either love this movie or hate it.

Most people seem to have heard little or nothing about this movie, and those who have heard of it, only know of it from this summer's "hit" song, "Lady Marmalade," by Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, and Pink.

Whether you enjoy or detest "Moulin Rouge," you will agree that it was a strange and unique trip. Directed by Baz Luhrmann ("Romeo + Juliet"), "Moulin Rouge" is a musical set in France's Bohemian Revolution at the dawn of the Twentieth Century, yet featuring modern songs such as Madonna's "Like a Virgin" and the Police's "Roxanne."

The visual style of the film is very different from anything else around, similar to the way Luhrmann made his "Romeo + Juliet" update.

In the film, Ewan McGregor stars as a young writer who falls in love with the prize attraction of the nightclub Moulin Rouge, played by the stunning Nicole Kidman. What ensues is a well-plotted love story with interesting twists and strange characters that break out into song more frequently than any Disney animated character.

If you are sternly anti-musical, you probably shouldn't even give this movie a chance. But if you can keep an open mind, give "Moulin Rouge" a shot. It might just surprise you with a visual and audio journey like you've never witnessed before.

Besides, its only $1.50.