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Show The Daily Utah Chronicle Friday. January 17, 1992 - Page Seven uj Day dream vs. reality in new movie 'Juice' considers crazy. And last is Steel, the youngest, who is the butt of the crew's jokes. But it is Q whose loyalties become torn By Andrew Wade Chronicle Film Critic Juice between the crew and his the leave to desire Distributed by Paramount crime which goes awry and Directed by Ernest R. Dickerson Produced by David Heyman and Neal H. Moritz Starring Omar Epps Juice is not a documentary on citrus products. It is, rather, a colloquial term for "respect on the streets of Harlem" and the title for the most recent entry on a growing list of films by black directors. The familiar strains of rap music fill the soundtrack as if emitting from a giant unseen boom box. Four friends or neighborhood. Eventually he is swayed into participating in a murder is the result. This tale of respect defined as violence is the directorial debut of Ernest R. Dickerson. He has gained notoriety as the award-winnin- g of director for all Spike cinematography Lee's features including Jungle and the upcoming easily join the ranks of his Fever Malcolm X. And now he may former employer. His film adroitly combines the world of reality with that of fiction. While it covers familiar "crew" as they call themselves awaken for a strenuous day of reading, writing and arithmetic. But instead, the boys; Q (Omar Epps), Raheem (Khalil Kain), Steel (Jermaine Hopkins), and Bishop (Tupac Shakur) spend their time in the neighborhood urban territory there is gangs as well as truant officers. has aspirations of Q becoming the top D.J. in a club preachy and more palatable way. This can also be said of the message Juice delivers about guns and inner city violence. But what truly these elements cements together is the believability of pool hall avoiding the area contest, The Mixmaster Massacre, while his friends can only envision pulling off a convenience store robbery. Raheem is the group's mediator, attempting to keep them together, as tho group threatens to tear itself apart through differing ambitions. Bishop is a loose cannon whom everyone a narrative element that adds an air of suspense easily attributed to pure poetic license as well as simple plot device. similar formula was used in last year's New Jack City, A where a serious message about drugs was delivered in a less the actors whose performances seem to be lifted directly from the streets of Harlem. If you have enjoyed other offerings of this ilk then Juice will be no exception. :?s 1 V'r') it Vl- - ik ' P ' & ,,,, lll -l- Q (Omar Epps) is the talented DJ who dares to dream (top) and "the crew' The luck of the Irish begins and ends with Commitments video. But don't worry, if you missed it in the theaters last summer, Union Movies will be bringing it back for you this By M. Sean McBride Chronicle Feature Writer weekend. The Commitments a 20th Century Fox picture Based on the Novel by Roddy Doyle Directed by Alan Parker The film follows Jimmy Rabbitte (Arkins) as he sets out to together a band that will Eut the quest of "bringing soul of unemployed Dublin youth, who manage to achieve some unknowns. Doyle insisted that real youth from Dublin's northside be used to accurately the realities of Dublin's problems affect the band's Parker auditioned over 3,000 local musicians for the roles. music to Dublin." He puts together a mismatched ensemble degree of success, but not before jealousy, quarrels and ego demise. The cast is made up of Eortray life. Consequently, And he found some real gems. Notably, Deco (Strong) the lead Robert Arkins, Strong, Johnny Murphy, Dave Finnegan and Starring Andrew Angeline Ball they had to share the honor with Michael Bolton). Okay, I'll admit that the music wasn't the very best soul that I've ever heard, but when I walked out of the theater I noticed that a lot of people (myself included) were humming, whistling or singing "Mustang Sally" and many of the film's other songs. So it won't win the Grammy for soul music (although it might for the soundtrack), but I'm sure that Parker and his ensemble cast are very pleased with the effect the music has had on audiences all over the world. Sorry, but all s will you Spin Magazine-purist- admit that Fox because (Murphy), who is wonderful as the middle-age- d trumpet player who instills the group with its religious vision, and then turns around and shags all three of the backup singers which ultimately destroys the band. ed about the note But it's obscene. it's language also Irish slang, so you probably won't understand what they're saying half the time (not that you won't get the idea by their vocal tone). Be prepared to hear "shagging," "wanking" or "bullocks" for every other word, but as Doyle would say, the language is necessary to accurately portray the scruffy and profane lot of Dublin's they Commitments makes it out on er One the weren't properly credited or may paid. Which means that it The before a while be bouncer-turned-drumm- petty differences so they can go on to success. It doesn't have the typical Hollywood ending, but at least it's typical of a lot of real life bands. Commitments did big time box office mainly because everyone else loved the soul. That is everyone except James Brown and a few other soul musicians who have sued 20th Century lot of fun as the who would rather scrap than finish the set. And there's Joey the Lips a well-portray- Soul Songs" award (actually, to voice to has the raspy soul-fille- d Mickah him. (Finnegan) is carry Despite generally having no prior acting experience, the and characters are a as It band succeeds intriguing. movie mainly because the audience is never certain if the characters will overcome their Spin Magazine awarded Alan The hit film Parker's dubious the Commitments with "Most Casual Murder of Great have singer who isn't the sexy character in Doyle's novel, but Nope, it's not Meatloaf, it's Deco (Andrew Strong) lead singer of Ireland's The Commitments. wanna-b- e band in the movie youth. I'll buy that. The Commitments will play at the Union Movie Theater Friday and Saturday at 7:00 and 9:15 p.m. and on Sunday at 7:00 p.m.. Tickets are only $1.50 and $1.00 on Sunday. For more information call the theater |
