OCR Text |
Show Tues/Wed/Thurs, December 28-30, 2004 The Park Record C-6 'Hotel Rwanda' is bleak, brutal film Season Treat yourself to a manicure and a pedicure at Ooh La La Hair Studio & Boutique both for only $47, a 25% savings*. Ooh La La...ato\\hf now you look great! NEW YORK (AP) Words like "harrowing" and "devastating" somehow seem insufficient when talking about "Hotel Rwanda." Director and co-writer Terry George's film, about the genocide of hundreds of thousands of Rwandans in the mid-1990s, is both bleak and brutal - but it's also -enormously educational and, in 'time, inspirational. Because in the midst of the slaughter, when the rest , of the world wasn't paying attention, hotel manager Paul f Ruscsabagina managed to save ' 1.268 lives. "Hotel Rwanda" is his story, and theirs. Thanks largely to a powerful performance from Don Cheadle as Ruscsabagina, the world should start paying attention now. Cheadle has always been a solid, insightful supporting actor, consistently capable of losing himself in the smallest of roies - from "Boogie Nights" to "Traffic" to "Ocean's Eleven," to name a few. He gets his first real shot at starring here. His transformation is subtle and utterly believable, and it's the heart of the film. Rusesabagina is slick at the beginning, all business, keeping up the appearance of impenetrable luxury at the Hotel des Millc Collines in Kigali. Even as his neighbors arc being killed all around him, prompted by battle cries of ethnic cleansing across the radio waves, lie refuses to help anyone but his wife, Tatiana (the beautiful and strong Sophie Okonedo), and their young children. He is a member of the Hutu ethnic group, married to a woman from the rival Tutsis, but he won't get involved in politics. He slays out of the fray and keeps the military leaders at bay by paying them off with single-mall scotch and Cohibas. Even when Ruscsabagina agrees to begin hiding Tutsi refugees inside the hotel, he's still primarily concerned with aesthetics. His immediate reaction when he walks into the suite where his family will be forced to live is that it's "unacceptable." The bed is unmade, he complains to one of his employees, and there's a leftover room service tray. When the situation starts getting really bloody. United Nations peacekeepers step in under the, leadership of Col. Oliver (a remarkably nuanced Nick Nolte). But they're largely ineffective, despite the colonel's best intentions, because there is simply too much chaos raging all around them. One scene, in which endless numbers of massacred bodies lie stacked along a dirt road, is reminiscent of "The Killing Fields." Then the Europeans puU out, turning their backs and essentially leaving the Rwandans to fend for themselves. Rusesabagina finds himself doing something he never would have done before: buying the safely of his Tutsi neighbors, often at gunpoint, often using stolen money, jewels and other luxury items. In effect, he becomes an accidental Oskar Schindler figure. Despite its frequently powerful imagery, "Hotel Rwanda" is a hard film to recommend - not because of any insurmountable problems with style or substance, but because it's hard to get people to want to watch a film about a decade-old African genocide. Il could be construed as the cinematic equivalent of eating your vegetables. While it's often moving, "Hotel Rwanda" also is not a perfect film. George's script (which he wrote with Kier Pearson) can be a bit heavy-handed at times. It isn't enough for Joaquin Phoenix's character, a sympathetic American 'IV news photographer, to notice that two beautiful women sitting next to him at ihc hotel bar could be sisters, even though one is a Hutu and the other a Tutsi. He has to say so out loud. And the use of music can be a bit obtrusive, especially considering that the film's subject matter has so much inherent drama. We don't need a sweeping score to signal the emotional intensity of a mother being ripped from a child (or being reunited with one). But there's so much else to admire that "Hotel Rwanda" is very much worth digesting. "Hotel Rwanda,"' a United Artists release, runs 121 minutes. Three stars out of four. Generosity brings bicycles to the needy Thinking of Buying or Selling? NOW is the Time! By DIANA SHOLLEY Media News Group Wire In one second, Manuel Contreras' life changed. He closed his eyes lightly, reached into a cardboard shocbox and pulled out a ticket. On the back of the orange ticket was one word printed in bold black letlers: bike. No longer will this 9-year-old San Bernardino youngster have to run behind his friends while they ride their bikes in play. "I was so scared because I didn't know if I would win one and I wanted to win one so bad," Manuel said. "This is the best Christmas I've ever had." He and his mother Carmen had waited in a line of almost 1,000 children since 2 a.m. Christmas Eve morning outside of Mary's Mercy Center. Inc., in San Bernardino for a chance to see Santa and win a bicycle. It's the first bicycle Manuel's ever owned. Mary's Mercy Center is a nonprofit organization committed to serving those in need. It was established in 1987 by Father Michael 592 Main Street, Park City For reservations call 435-513-1791 or just drop-in! A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS! • 5 BDRM • $679,900 CALLUS FOR FREE MARKET ANALYSI Great Frizes Nightly! Get on over for a friendly game of Texas Hold'en Hours 8 pm - Midnight TERRY & LANNIE SCOPES, Call Your Home Team! Free Lessons 7 pm - 8pm ' Terry's direct 435-647-3206 • cell 435-640-1591 Lannie's direct 435-647-3228 • cell 435-640-0741 terry@jessreidrealestate.com • lannie@jessreidrealestate.corn ] E?M!U www.4yourhometeam.com Texas Hold Em' is for entertainment purposes only. No cash prizes. Brought to you by Tournament Solutions Barry and has been organizing a Mary's Table, feeding the hungry Christmas visit with Santa and toy with Mary's Mercy Center. But the abundant need that gathered on giveaway since 1991. This year, as in years past, fami- Christmas Eve overwhelmed the lies began lining up at midnight Heins. They talked between themChristmas Eve. They waited, shiver- selves, told family members, friends, ing, while cold winds bit through neighbors and just about anyone blankets and jackets that tried to that would listen. keep children from freezing. Early Then their talking turned to morning temperatures hovered in action. For Christmas 2003, the the mid 30s. but not a complaint was Heins made a selfless decision. heard. "We always struggled about what Children knew if they were to get each other, and we don't need patient they would get to sit on anything," said Elaine, and Pat Santa's lap and reveal to him their agreed. "So we decided to take the secret, and not-so-secret, Christmas money we would have spent on each wishes. They would also get a small other and buy bikes for children." bag of candy, a wrapped gift and the "Family members, friends and best chance in 13 years to win a bicy- friends of friends we didn't even cle. Thanks to a Rancho Cucamonga know started giving us checks and family, their friends and neighbors, telling us to buy bikes." Elaine said. this year the center was able to give "We were able to buy 60 bikes, some away 160 bicycles, 15 tricycles, more skateboards and some helmets." than 60 bicycle safety helmets, 36 Several Hein family members skateboards, and a variety of gift and friends went to Mary's Mercy certificates and toys. Center and helped. 'l"his included It all started on Christmas Eve their children Patrice. 20. Iliomas, 2002 when Pat Hein, one of Sanla"s IS, and Christen, 12. most trusted helpers, witnessed a The experience had an especially sight he would never forget. profound effect on Christen. "One little boy about S years old "I have learned I take a lot of went up to Santa and asked for a things for granted." she said. "\Vhen bicycle," said Hein, a Rancho I see the innocence in those chilCucamonga resident and an engi- dren's faces I just want to grab neer with the Montclair Fire everything I own and give it to Department. "'Hie boy said all he them." ever wanted was a bike and asked The Heins intend to remain dedSanta if he could help him. That lit- icated to their Christmas Eve comtle guy stayed with me. It was gut- mitment, hoping to someday assist wrenching not being able to help Santa in answering that repeated him.11 Christmas wish each lime it's asked. In 2002 there was only one new "You know they look at .Santa as bicycle and a handful of used ones. "you're it,1 their only chance to get Almost every child wanted a bike, that special gift." Pat Hein said. but almost all went home without "Bikes are big things for kids, espeone. cially those about 8 or 9.1 remember Pat and his wife Elaine couldn't I lived on my bike. I traveled all over stop talking about their Christmas town that way. I remember the wind Eve experience. Elaine thought she . in my hair and that feeling of indewas used to seeing need. She pendence. All kids should know donates her time once a month at what that feels like." Taste of Saigon 5R0 Main Street ftirk riiy Park City's Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine A HEALTHIER CHOICE IN ASIAN DINING FREE DINNER ENTREE When you purchase another arrtrfie of equal or greater value Present tfiis coupon to your server when you order. Limit one coupon per table Not valid with lunch or sunset special. Available for dine-in only. Expires 1/15/04 Open for lunch and dinner every day except Mondays Domino's Pizza 649-7788 750 Kearns Blvd. I Park 'Business Is Great. Drivers are needed!" ®^ 2000 Domino's Pizza Inc. Domino's'is a registered trademark of Domlnos Pizza LLC. LARGE FAVORITE Large Pizza with up to 3 of your favorite toppings. Medium pizza with up to 3 of your favorite toppings. $10" ^ I Vt+ t TOUCHSTONE HOME ENTERTAINMENT PHILLY CHEESE STEAK Medium Philly ill Cheese ese Steak Stea Pizza. fi! tax HUGE SELECTION OF DVD MOVIES FOR RENT AND SALE Over 5000 Titles to Choose From Conveniently Located Next to Rite Aid Drug Open Sun.-Thurs. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m. until midnight 645-9234 Make It A BLOCKBUSTER Night IN PARK CITY 2"Pizzasfor$17.98^ii! 2 Pizzas for $14.98 Oetp Dhh cxli* Si-5 Iff •I* I! l li'.' Three Medium 1 -topping pizzas $15 99 t + tax f DOUBLES & CINNA STIX Two large 2-topping pizzas & an order of CInna Stix'5' 3 MEDIUMS IP 2 Pi S10 99 + tax \dd any 2nd medluni pizza for $5 more! MEAL DEAL Sjjn 2 Large 1 topping pizzas, | ! | l 10 piece Buffalo Wings & f!'£ 2 Liter Coke In! + tax jjiij *4rt»+tax Deep rath rulm li I I I I I I "I 3! |