FILM LIST
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colour feature. like his earlier films. draws heavily on a beat-inspired road-movie genre. Three seperate groups ofill assorted people drift through Memphis. in a trio of interlocking vignettes that examined their various experiences in the city that boasts of the blues and Graceland. Central: MacRobert Arts Centre.
I National Lampoon's Winter Holiday ( PU) (John Hughes. US. 1991)) ClievyChase. Beverley D'Angelo. Randy ()uaid. 93 mins. Wacko winter japes. The same old crew with the same ol' sense of humor. if not the same ol‘ gags. In the name ofthe good Lord will they never stop'.’ Strathclyde: UCI Clydebank. L'Cl East Kilbride.
I Next OlKiM 15) ‘5! (John lrvin. US. 1989) Patrick Swayze. Liam Nceson. Adam Baldwin. 109 mins. Familiar slioot-em-up fluff has Patrick Swayze as an Appalachian backwoods boy now plying his trade as a cop in Chicago. but who‘s spurred on to revenge when his kid brother is murdered on the city streets by district crime king Adam Baldwin. Before long hick sibling Liam Neeson has hitched a ride to the big smoke to join in abloody hillbilly feud with the mob. Dog-cared plot and characterisations are only slightly offset by the always reliable Irishman Neeson's endearing stab at an American country bumpkin. Glasgow: Cannon The Forge. Cannon Sauchiehall Street. Edinburgh: Cannon. Central: Cannon. Strathclyde: Cannon. UCI Clydebank. UCI East Kilbride. I A Nightmare On Elm Street ( 18) (Wes Craven. US. 1984) Robert Englund. Heather Langenkamp. John Saxon. 91 mins. High-school kids are terrorised by the delightful Freddy (he ofthe flambc features and uncompromising hand-wear) in their potentially fatal dreams. Marginally more fun than most teen-slash by dint of its surreal special effects. The basis ofthree sequels so far. with a fifthon the way. Edinburgh: Filmhouse. I New York Stories ( 15) (Martin Scorsese Francis Coppola Woody Allen. US. 1989) Rosanna Arquette. Nick Nolte. Giancarlo Giannini. Woody Allen. Mia Farrow. 118 mins. Three of New York‘s finest film directors provide a mixed bagof tales from the Big Apple. Allen eomesout on top with Oedipus Wrecks. a short. Jewish momma comedy in the manner of his less sophisticated early output. Scorcese and Coppola disappoint. Badly. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I Off the Wall A two week programme that encompasses film and theatre. The work of German dramatist. Tankred Dorst. who will be in Edinburgh. comes in for special attention. His films and those by other playwrights will be showing at the Filmhouse while the Royal Lyceum will have performed readings of some ofhis plays (see theatre listings). ()n Thurs 3. Dorst will be at the Filmhouse to talk about his work. followed by the screening of Eiseriharis. w hich deals with the relationship between a lorry driver and his retarded daughter. His first feature. it won him the Bunuel prize at Cannes. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I Peeping Tom ( lb) 1 Michael Powell. UK. 1961)) Karl Boehm. Moira Shearer. Anna Massey. A movie studio focus puller equips his camera with a spike and setsout to murder young women while filming the fear on their faces. L'tterly reviled upon its initial release. Powell's daring examination of voyeurism as a metaphor for the cinema itself is now regarded as one of the most intelligent British films ever made. lidinburgh: Filmhouse.
I Prick Up Your Ears ( lb) ( Stephen 1' rears. LR. 198"!) Gary ()ldniaii. Allrcd Molina. \"aiicssa Redgrave. 11“ mins. \Vickcdly tart and funny biographical portrait oi the seesaw relationship between playwright Joe ( )rtoii and his )ealous Iov er Kenneth llalliwcll. ()ldnian biec/es conlidently through his role as ( )rton w ith cocky assurance. but the chamclon-like Molina
22'l‘hc List 2H April - 3 May 1991)
THE HUNT
*5. . ~' a
I l
The Hunt ior Red October (PG) (John McTiernan, US, 1990) Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Sam Neill, James Earl Jones. 136 mins. Sean Connery as a Russian submarine captain? ‘He did it lorthe money’ you cry. Fortunately however, Sean's participation needs no such iustilication. The Hunt lor Red October is an enjoyable thriller, the latest exercise in nail-biting suspense lrom directorJohn McTiernan, whose previous oiierings Predator and Die
- Hard have made the current specialist
in cinematic claustrophobla.
Sporting a suitably handsome beard, Connery plays Captain Markus Ramius, a Russian naval legend now in charge oi the latest Soviet technological terror, 3 huge submarine called the Red October that's titted with a silent drive system making it undetectable on American sonar equipment. Within a law hours at its maiden test voyage, however, commander Connery has coniounded his crew by setting a new course tor the US coast. Not surprisingly, the reaction at the Russian authorities is that he's detecting with their secret weapon and so has to be apprehended. Similarly. the American military suspect a sneak attack launching World War III and are similarly anxious to halt the Red October's progress. As the superpowers close in, only Alec Baldwin‘s heroic CIA specialist Ryan actually believes that Ramius’
FOR RED OCTOBER
intentions are wholly honourable. He
has a mere three days to make contact with the rebel sub and prove his suspicions correct.
Unwilling to divulge the plot in any underwater depth, l’ll merely add that liie ior both characters becomes increasingly complex as a battle oi wits and technology determines the implausible iinale. Still, anything's possible it the Russian Navy's top man can speak with a broad Scottish accent. Based on Tom Clancy's best-selling novel and overloaded with a cast or iamous laces polntlessly alternating in Russian and English dialogue, The Hunt For Red October boasts high production values, outstanding underwater special effects, and charming lead actors that make it a satisfying voyage into escapist entertainment. Forthis we might even begin to lorgive the rampantly pre-Gorby cold war attitudes and a distressing climactic gush ol pro-American sentimentality. (Dylan Matthew)
From Fri 20. Glasgow: Cannon Clarkston Road, Cannon The Forge, Cannon Sauchiehall Street, Salon. Edinburgh: Cannon. Central: Allanpark, Cannon. Strathclyde: Cannon, Kelburne, Odeon Ayr, Odeon Hamilton, UCI Clydebank. UCI East Kilbride, WMR Film Centre.
goes one better in the smaller part. achieving a difficult blend ofawkward shyness and frighteningly violent paranoia. Frears works well with
screenw ritcr Alan Bennett. though the latter is said to has e struggled with homophobia. Glasgow: GET.
I Psychol 15) (Alfred Hitchcock. L'S. 196(1) Anthony Perkins. Janet Leigh. Vera Miles. John Gavin. Martin Balsam.John Mclritire. 109 mins. Hitch‘smysoginistic masterpiece has a young secretary take off to hicksv ille with a bagful of her boss's money. l'ntortunately for her she chooses to put up at the Bates' Motel. run bythat nice Norman boy. The ironic dialogue l'Mother‘s not quite herself today')make it a Joy to catch anytime around. Some
film. some son. some shower. but we liked itdidn't we mother. . .mother'.’ Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I Purple Rain ( 15) (Albert Magnoli. US. 1984) Prince. Apollonia Kotero. lllmins. Thinly-disguised ()scar-winning autobiographical drama on the life and hard times of l lis Purplcness. The music is all. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I OuelquesJours Avec Moi ( 15 ) (Claude Sautet. France. 1988) Daniel Auteuil. Sandrine Bonnaire. Jean-Pierre Marielle. 131 mins. Veteran French film-maker Sautet offers his latest outpouringon human relationships in traditionally charming style with this witty and refreshing tale of the simple love between Parisian exec Auteuil and the provincial
Bonnaire. As the relationship developil so does the film's complex array of peripheral characters. throwing humour and light on the main subjects. A long overdue return which confirms Sautet as one of France‘s foremost talents. Glasgow: GFT. I Red Shoes (PG) (Michael Powell 8: Emeric Pressburger. UK. 1948) Anton Wallbrook. Marius Goring. Moira Shearer. 133 mins. Ballerina Sheareris torn between an autocratic impressario and a starving young composer as she dances her way towards madness. Remarkably serious treatment of the subject matter is helped by superlative design and cinematography in this classic piece of Powell. Pressburger expressionism. Edinburgh: Filmhouse. I The Rescuers (U) (Wolfgang Reitherman. John Lounsberry and Art Stevens. US. 1977) With the voices of Bob Newhart. Eva Gabor. Geraldine Page. 77 mins. Technically expert and sporadically enthralling cartoon adventure from the latterday Disney studios. which lackstlie inventiveness and lustre of the man himself‘s work. The story concerns two members of the Mouse Rescue Aid Society. who. with the help of ()rville the albatross. set out to save an orphan girl from the wicked Medusa's home in a Louisiana swamp. Glasgow: Cannon Clarkston Road. Cannon The Forge. Cannon Sauchiehall Street. Edinburgh: Cannon. Central: Cannon. Strathclyde: Cannon. UCI Clydebank. UCI East Kilbride. I Rogerand Me ( 15) (Michael Moore. US. 1989) Michael Moore. Roger Smith. 90 mins. See Feature. Glasgow: Cannon Sauchiehall Street. Edinburgh: Cameo. I Running On Empty ( 15) (Sydney Lumet. US. 1988) Christine Lhati. River Phoenix. Judd Hirsch. Martha Plimpton. 117 mins. The family of a couple who bombed a napalm factory during the Vietnam war live together on the run. changing names and hairstyles like socks. When Danny (Phoenix) starts growing up and going his own way. the family must confront permanent separation. Fine acting and restrained ifsentimental plotting make a remarkable. haunting film. which demonstrates Lumet's determination to engage the audience in questions ofsoeial responsibility. Glasgow: GFI‘. I Santa Sangre ( 18) (Alejandro Jodorowsky. ltalyMexico. 1989) Axel Jodorowsky. Blanca Guerra. Guy Stockwell. 118 mins. After l7years' absence from the film scene.Jodorwosky remains one of the few genuine enigmasof world cinema. His instantly recognisable style graces this latest feature. a typical mixture of fantasy and reality. Against the backdrop ofa circus. young Fenix witnesses horrifying events when his strongman father commits suicide after dismembering the boy‘s mother. Committed for 20 years. he eventually escapes. only to find the maternal bonds still strong. driving him to kill any woman he finds attractive. Jodorowsky‘s film is deliberatley disturbing and provocative. but its visual imagination makes it a landmark in cinematic surrealism. Glasgow: GF'T. I Shirley Valentine ( 15) (Lewis Gilbert. UK. 1989) Pauline Collins. Bernard Hill. Tom Conti. l lllmins. Gilbert‘s screen version of the celebrated Willy Russell play. now expanded from a monologue to include Hill as the insensitive hubby and Conti as the Greek bit of stuffShirley meets on a Mediterranean holiday that turns into a voyage ofseIf-( re)diseovery. Collins is outstanding in the title roleof frustrated Liverpudlian housewife. Glasgow: Cannon The Forge. Edinburgh: [)ominion. Strathclyde: ()deon Hamilton. L'Cl Clydebank. L'Cl iiast Kilbride. I Shocker(18)(Wes Craven. US. 1989) Peter Berg. Michael Murphy. Mitch Pileggi. lllimins. See review. Glasgow: ()deoii. Strathclyde: UCl Clydebank. UCl East Kilbride.