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Show Park Record Thursday, January 31, 1991 Page C3 Films find some humor in homicide by BRUCE MARGOLIUS Record guest writer Tastes change, but coldblooded, cold-blooded, self-interested killers usually aren't considered funny. Arnold Schwarzeneggar gets in some good lines in Total Recall, but he's defending himself and liberating Mars. Arsenic and Old Lace is pretty amusing, but the murderous old ladies' hearts were pure their victims were better off dead. I've seen a couple of videos recently, though, that succeed suc-ceed in making humor out of homicide, and I'm pleased to be able to recommend both. In A Shock to the System, Michael Caine plays a corporate executive with a nasty, nagging wife (Swoosie Kurtz) who deserves to die. In fact, she's so obnoxious that the movie's principal prin-cipal defect lies in its failure to explain why she hadn't been kill ed years earlier. Among her numerous problems is the fact that she has already begun to spend the raise that she expects Caine to get along with an all but inevitable promotion. When the promotion goes to an overbearing colleague (Peter Riegerty), Caine accidentally kills an aggressive subway panhandler and gets an idea about how to deal with Kurtz. Once she's out of the way, Caine takes up with Elizabeth McGovern and sets his sights on Riegert's. A Shock to the System works as a comedy because we are in sympathy sym-pathy with Caine as we watch him make the psychological transition tran-sition from a henpecked husband to a killer. It also works because it is a made-for-cable feature that relied upon good acting and a clever script rather than elaborate special effects and gallons of fake blood. Miami Blues, on the other hand, is a picture that didn't make it at the box office, but has done very well on video. It's a twisted cops-and-robbers tale about Junior, a psychotic drifter (Alec Baldwin) . who kills an airport Hare Krishna and then steals the badge, gun, and dentures of the investigating officer (Fred Ward). Junior is an opportunistic, aggressive thief who rips off other robbers and, occasionally, prevents a crime. Jennifer Jason Leigh is his sweetheart, sweet-heart, a coed hooker who's a great cook. George Armitage wrote and directed Miami Blues, but the clearest indication of where it's coming from is that it was produced pro-duced by Jonathan Demme, the director of Something Wild. The picture confused and alienated theatrical audiences, but if you rent it expecting to laugh, you won't be disappointed. Egyptian prepares for next production A talented cast and a well-known well-known director will combine to produce Daddy's Dyin' (Who's Got the Will?) at the Egyptian Theatre beginning February 15. Artistic director Rafael Castanera has announced that Ed Griska, founding director of the Salt Lake Acting Company, will come to Park City to direct this fast-paced play. In the cast will be veteran star Richard Scott, along with a strongcasf Including Frank Bell, Jayceen Craven, Steve Fletcher, JaNae Gibbs, Betsy Nagel, Margo Prey, and Donna Todd. Daddy's Dyin' is set in a small Texas town, where a diverse family gathers to await the imminent immi-nent death of thi patriarch, who has suffered a stroke. The emotional emo-tional action centers on the recombination and rebirth of the family along new structural lines. New relationships are formed, old ones discarded, all in unfolding humor and tenderness. The play is a diverse blending of wit, touching moments, occasional tension, and above all family characters designed to engage our interest and compassion. "I'm excited to be here and to make a contribution to the fast-growing fast-growing company," said guest director Ed Griska. I decided to come after seeing how signifigantly Park City Performances Perfor-mances has grown and is changing chang-ing for the better." Tickets for Daddy's Dyin' will go on sale early in February; reservations may be made by calling the theater at 649-9371. Write your ad in 20 words or less-get a special rate. Now there's even more incentive for listing with the Park Record if you're buying, selling, or just shopping around for something. Compose your ad in 20 words or less and call it in. We'll run it for one week, starting Thursday morning for a flat rate of only $6. THE PARK RECORD classifieds 649-9014 to toss! . Lf: ill il l Blinds by Bern NOW! 60 off selected Verticals and Pleated 50 Off Minis and Wood Blinds FREE estimates fit installations 649-1990 Act now! Sale ends Feb. 21,1991 NOW offering Interior Design Service introducing: Interiors by Rachelle Free 1 hour consultation Call for appointment Rachelle Damron 654-2908 A Family Comidy From John I u c h i $ NIGHTLY 7:30 & 9:30 Sat. Mat. 3:00 & 5:00 REG. ADM. ALL I CALL FOR SHOWS seats $1.50 AND SHOW TIMES PARK CITY HOME VIDEO 1821 SIDEWINDER DRIVE PROSPECTOR SQUARE MOVIES GAMES VIDEO PLAYERS NOW PLAYING Die Hard 2 Problem Child Navy Seals The Freshmen Young Guns 2 Mo' Better Blues Ford Fairlane My Blue Heaven Dick Tracy Robo Cop 2 Short Time Gremlins 2 Ghostdad COMING SOON Taking Care Of Business Days Of Thunder Darkman Flatliners Quick Change Air America Death Warrant The Two Jakes Arachnophobia Exorcist 3 OPEN 365 DAYS RESERVATIONS WELCOME 649-2572 Holiday Village Mall mHmiJ 'jjmfrV f Edward Scissorhands MON-FRI: 4:45, 7:30, 9:40 SAT-SUN: 12:00, 2:15, 4:45, 7:30, 9:40 HOME ALONE MON-FRI: 5:00, 7:15, 9:30 SAT-SUN: 12:15, 2:30, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30 TME (SMFTIEKS MON-FRI: 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 SAT-SUN: 11:45, 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 |