Show ' Standard-Examin- Fnday Nov 23 er 1 990 50 Movies Fun thrill of westerns found again in ‘Dances’ By DONALD PORTER StanaarOExarwner staff The western rookie director Kevin Costner proclaims loudly and w:th passion in his new “Dances with Wolves" is not a relic of the cinematic past as various people have been saying for the past decade and a half In this thrilling film Costner has recaptured a basic ingredient of the American experience by harking back to a time when filmmakers told grand and poetic stories about the settling of the frontier and the people who figured so prominently in this period of our history If you recall with admiration the better westerns of John Ford Howard Hawks Anthony Mann and William Wellman Costner’s “Dances with Wolves” is your kind of movie A genuine epic in scope — and length at three hours — Costner plays heavily on contemporary concerns for the environment within the context of a good frontier fable rip-roari- ng The movie is vital alive and not least of all politically correct Costner says his piece about our forefathers’ genocidal tendencies conjures the specter of pollution and ponders the benefits of kindness between opposing cultures He has set an agenda and molded a movie around it resulting in a story that will move you — perhaps provoke is a better word — to think about the issues at stake n The film opens in America near the close of the Civil War Costner’s character a Union lieutenant named Dunbar is given the opportunity to choose his next post He opts to be stationed at a fort in the Dakota Territory deep in Sioux country' His reasoning is that he wants to see the American frontier “before it’s gone" war-tor- Once out West he encounters the misfits who have drifted away from civilization all of whom seem to harbor racist feelings toward the Native Americans who populate the vast wilderness Dunbar however is of a different mind-se- t his attitude toward the native people is one of intense curiosity When he arrives at the fort — which is really just a mud hut — he finds a post that has been abandoned by the troops who came before him Or a more ominous possibility is that they have been killed So he sets about cleaning up and making friends with an equally curious wolf (the lone-wometaphor is obvious and constant) which in time becomes the source of the lf Review Th film: 'Dances with Wolves' Vt Our rating Starring: Kevin Costner Mary Graham Greene Rodney A Grant Floyd Red Crow Westerman Tantoo Cardinal Behind the scenes: Directed by Kevin Costner Screenplay by Michael Blake Playing: Cinedome Layton Cinema Six 1 MPAA rating: PG-1- 3 McDonnell film’s title And eventually he confronts Sioux warriors But this is where “Dances with Wolves” takes a detour from the way many films have attempted to deal with the relationship between the white and red man as well as the in- trarelationships of tribal cul- tures Costner working from a script by Michael Blake not only fashions the Native American char- acters into full-bodi- ed individuals he makes most of them vastly more interesting and appealing than Dunbar We glimpse an Indian way of life that we have only seen snippets of in past films never has there been a portrait of a Native American tribe this sympathetic Accurate or not — ultimately a question for others to answer — the characterization lends an air of authenticity to the story that is usually found lacking in westerns Granted Dunbar is the only white character who displays a shred of understanding toward the Sioux — the rest of the whites in this film are particularly bloodthirsty — but given the mandate of troops to pacify the frontier for white settlement it’s probably a lot closer to the truth than white Americans enjoy admitting Costner is also attentive to informative and rich detail Instead of taking the normal route — Indians speaking in halting English — Costner preserv es the Lakota-Siou- x language and uses subtitles It’s a bold move for a director especially a but one that makes abundant first-tim- Onon Pictures Lt John Dunbar (Kevin Costner) returns the injured Stands With A Fist (Mary McDonnell) to her Sioux camp njTfM er sense Dunbar after all is but one man in the company of scores of Indians and so it's logical that he would learn to speak their language The script bridges this pp by introducing an interpreter named Stands with a Fist a white woman who has been a part of the tribe since she was a small child Stands with a Fist hasn't spoken English for 30 years or thereabouts but she manages to recall it bit by bit And not surprisingly she even- - Rodney Grant stars as Wind in His Hair (left) and Costner is LL tually serves as Dunbar’s love Kicking Bird and Rodney A Grant as Wind in His Hair deinterest Furthermore Costner employs liver memorable portrayals Native Americans in the roles of turning this film into a buddy Native Americans The actors movie of sorts “Dances with Wolves" may alhe’s found are splendid and form their characters into real so be one of the talkiest westerns since “McCabe and Mrs people as opposed to the stereotypical Indian who has oodles of Miller" — Costner’s dignity but no sense of humor narration is the film’s most glaror charm Graham Greene as ing flaw — but that doesn’t dull-as-di- rt John Dunbar in ‘Dances with Wolves’ which opened Wednesday mean there aren’t spellbinding action sequences The standout is the buffalo hunt in which into the Dunbar rides confusion and danger with his Sioux friends The cinematography and fearless riding — Costner does some of his own stunts — combine to create a spectacular scene hell-be- Watching nt “Dances with Wolves” in all its r splendor and running time is what going to the movies is all about This film takes you out of your seat and into another world for a good chunk of the afternoon or evening entertaining and surprising you along the way For those of us who that’s the very defini- -' tion of fun wide-scree- n’ three-hou- love-movi- Several poor to marginal movies now available for home viewing “Another 48 HRS” off renting the original and Video Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte in this sequel to the film that made Murphy a star “48 HRS” Director Walter Hill returns to guide his stars through this one which is as the title suggests about the cop and the con trying to solve a case in an- co-st- ar watching it again (Rated R for violence and language) Vignettes Poler “Betsy’i Wedding” Don StanaanHamme! Stef 6 Alan Alda wrote and directed other two days This one so this familial comedy about a father who wants to give his daughclosely follows the plot and action of the first film though — ter a grand wedding despite his and so lamely — you’d be better limited resources Alda Molly Madeline Kahn and The film has Ally Skeedy is severely but intentions good numerous the hampered by subplots that never gel at film's end Anthony LaPaglia steals the movie as the gangster who falls in love with Betsy’s sister — a New York City cop (Rated R for language and adult situations) Ringwald “Men at Work” co-st- ar Charlie Sheen and real-lif- e brother Emilio Estevez (who wrote and directed this film) star as sanitation engineers — garbage men — who find a body in the trash and must use their street smarts to survive the resulting ordeal Evel Knievel would balk at making the leaps in logic that Estevez’s screenplay employs The movie is nothing more than two guys having fun dragging a dead body around — anyone remember “Weekend at Bemie’s"? Or “The Trouble with Harry"? Oh yes and he plunders “Rear Window" too (Rated PG-1- 3 for language and violence) Movies at a glance Ratings guide Reviews are by Donald Excellent Good Fair Poor Wortniess Playing Wednesday Ud- SMOOTH TALK (PG-13- ) guage implicit sex Laura Drm (“Wild at flm as Heart") stars in this frank commg-of-ag- e Polar a young woman testing her sexuality lor the first time It is based oh the Joyce Carol Oates story “Where are You Going Beer’" Treat Williams New releases 1 LanDANCES WtTH WOLVES (PG-13- ) guage violence sex Kevin CostneT directed this film in which he also stars as a soldier who takes a post in the West to see the American frontier before it vanishes See the review in this section Cinedome Lavton Cinema Six THE KING OF NEW YORK (R ) Language violence nudity sex Christopher Walken stars m this drama as a dmg lord in the Big Apple See the wire service review m this secnon Wilshire THE NUTCRACKER PRINCE (G) Nothing oflensive An animated film based on the LTA Hodman stein 'The Nutcracker and the Mousrking’ See the review in this section Mann City Plaza PREDATOR 2 (R) V loience language ru-dsex Danny Glover leads a strong cast m to the Arnold Schwarernt-ggr- r this hit This time the buttlegmund moves from Central American junpies to the urban jungle of Los Angeles See the rev irw in this section Leyton CinV alkcr ema Six Mann f x THREE MEN AND A LITTLE LACY (PC Language A sequel to the enormous's popular ’Three Mrn and a Bubs” brings Tom Set le'-Ted Danson und Sieve OuttenbcTf back Uigeiher io he'p raise the little girl who s brn doing sonic growing up See the review in this section Lenon Cinema Six Mann J curplex i m 'I t -- A — Where have You as a manipulative man wno wedges himself into her hie and Mary Kay Place plays her worried mother Play ing Wecnesdav at 7 pm at Your Community Connection 226 Adams Ave Ogden The film will be introduced by Kathrine Mac kay a professor of history at W eber State College Admission and refreshments are free of charge The public is invited and Mackay will lead a discussion of the film at the conclusion of the co-sta-rs Continuing films ARACHNOPHOBLA (PG-13- ) violence John Goodman and Jeff Dany iels star in this about a small California tows overrun by nary spiders Obviously patterned after "Jaws" — an outsider sets small-tow- n hardliner straight — the film hopes to rnaxe us more afiaid of spiders than we should be It dccs that if onK momentarily A suitabK creepy and extremely funny little movie that won't be an enduing classic Still it's worth a look Country Club Newgate Cinema I our CHILD’S PLAT 2 (R) Language A segue! to the sirrjirr hit of a toupir kilter's ghost inhabiting veil's bark uboul a a cute little Ootl This one is as dumb as the fire and it's mcnnrr too from the vantage of the child in danger the fim is pa'tirulur-l- v bruta! toward authurm f gures A sic k mess Lavton Cinema Sx Mutin C iy Plaza Lan-gua- horror-comed- vit-len- se-i- a! S'-e- FANTASIA (G) Nothing offensive The 5Crb anniversary reissue of Disney's classic animated feature The print of the flm has been restored and features a remastered sound track as well A wonderful cinematic experience Beware though that smaller children may be restless Walker FLA TUNERS (R) Language violence sex nudity Kiefer Sutherland leads the ensemble cast of this supernatural thriller about medical students searching lor the secrets of Lfe after death Joel Schumacher’s sometimes stunning direction makes this film a visual treat and the secrets the students discover are hardly wnat we might have opened Julia Roberts and KevThe whole in Bacon are among the concept may be supremely illogical but the dam things a good time anyway Newgate Cinema Four GH02T (PG-13- ) Language violence sex Patrick Swayze Demi Moore and W hoopi Goldberg head the cast m this film about a dead man who walks among the living trying to solve his own murder and save his former grlfnend from danger A surpnsmg'y sentimental hut not sappy flm about heartfelt emotions The special effects are great loo along with Whoopi Goldbcg’s performante Trolley North WUshirt HONE ALONE fPG) Language violence This corned v drened by Oris Columbus ("Ad‘rrtures in Baby sitting") revolves areiund a boy whose parents run off to Eu'ipe and for-g-n him at home untl a'ter they're on the plant w hue thrv rev to g't back the child has the run of the house arid must defend his home against The final 30 minutes or so of the movie ate cntereaimtig bul the hour arid 15 minutes tirwrrn the time the movie tta- -t and the payoff are a bore Lavton Cinema S x Mshire JACOB'S LADDER P) Wiener gore nudi’v sex language Tim Robpms ('Bull Durham’) stan in tt s odd fm about a X vet whos oprnrncmg irghtrmng flash co-sta-rs bu-gu- rs let-ru- backs and strange visions of demonic bemgs A fascinating flm ngbt up to the end which effectively pulls the rug out from under the viewer leaving you to wonder “Is this it’'” Directed by Adrian Lyne (“Fatal Attraction”) Mann City Plaza MEMPHIS BELLE (PG-13- ) Language violence Matthew Modine and John Lithgow head the cast of this World War II epic e about the crew of the Memphis Belle a 7 that flew 25 missions into battle A rouswar movie in which the ing Americans fight the Good Fight Some of the material skirts cliche but there are subik quiet moments that more than make up for it Fine performances by the ensemble cast Mann City Plaza MEN AT WORK (PG-13- ) Language violence Charlie Sheen and real-lif- e brother Emilio Estevez (who wrote and directed this film) star as sanitation engineers — garbage men — who find a body in the trash and must use their street smarts to survive the resulting ordeal Evel Knievel would balk at making the leaps m lope that Estevez’s screenplay empioys Tne movie is nothing more than two guvs having fun dragging a dead body around Oh yes and he plunders "Rear Window” loo Newgate Cinema Four real-lif- PRESUMED INNOCENT (F) sex nudity Harrison Ford has the lead m this film adaptation of Scott Turow’s g novel The actor plays a attorney accused of murdering a tolnague with whom he had an aair A scripted whodunnit that should keep you guessing — if vou haven't read the book of course Ford and supposing plavrs Bonnie BedeUa Raul Julia Brian Dennrby Paul Wir field and Greta Scacchi are fint-ret- e Newgate Cinema f our THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER G) Nothing oflensive Tt is animated "featu-Tere- ’ is playirg before "The Restores Down I rider" and stars Mickey Mouse Donald Duck Pluto and GooN Buvd on the Mark Twan sto ta-t- ly ry about a prince who swaps places with a pauview of life as a subject per and gels a dear-eye- d in his kingdom Lots of fun Layton Cinema Six Mann Citv Plaza QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER (PG-13- ) Language violence Tom Selleck stars in this western with a twist — its set in the Australian outback Selleck plays a sharpshooter hired to shoot wild drgos but then he's asked to lake aim at aborigines Selleck is good but the subject matter of the film is a bit heavy for director Smon Wmcer's ("Lonesome Dove") treatment Somehow I think genocide should be played with a Lttle more thoughtfulness Mann Four-ple- x Trollev North THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER (G) Nothing offensive Disney’s first animated sequel lakes the characters from the Rescue Aid Society to Australia to help a boy who's been kidnapped The necessity for the sequel seems questionable but it's fun enough and some of the animation ts fantastic Paving with "The Prince and the Pauper" Layton Cinema Six Mann City Roza l ROCKY V (PG-13- ) Language violence nudity The Italian Stallion is penniless in this one and takes a young fighter under his wing A blatant recycling of the themes from the first "Rocky" movie this is a tired and completely unneessa-- exercise Cinedome Layton Cinema Sx T rolrv North WtTCHES FG) Violence Anjelica Huston stars in this film sbout a boy who stumbles onto a scheme hatched by the witches of England to turn all the children in that country into mice A frightening children s horror movie that might bother sensitive yourgstrre Its anarchic spirit is as entc-airin- g for adults as their kids Newgate Cinema lour ( (Some thrum inf rmaV'ff ws' orrnrd firGre (' r didd'nn in( "mail' n on m" in fiStiri at tnt ( u’tt-- Idiu! am ileM luhe-sidKioivr-lIn Rev und uiher x Theaters call tne l |