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Show CLIPPER Friday, September 24, 1993 9 Tempo Filmmakers turn to families for revenue By FAWNA JONES This summer introduced us to many new chdd proteges hoping to be the next MaCaulay Culkin. From "Searching for Bobby Fischer" to "Dennis the Menace," the industry was looking for the d revenue that only "Home Alones" and "ETs" bring in. Movies are being softened to receive the coveted PG-- 1 3 rating so the industry can glean profit from the lucrative teenage market. But as the summer box office receipts are being calculated, adults are out in droves. The "adult" movies are on family-inspire- top. FAWNA JONES Richard Corliss of Time writes, "Wait a minute. Except for "Jurassic Park," whose PG-1- 3 rating is meant to scare off the very young, these are all what used to be called adult movies...Weren't the studios primed for pint-siz- e blockbusters about emotional overachievers? Well, yes--athe kids are at the movies, too...But given all the toddler fodder Hollywood produced, the Children's Crusade did not show up in force." (Time, August 23, 1993) "Undercover Blues" er a production, a presents LobellBergmanHera Herbert Ross film. Starring Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid. Written by Ian Abrams. Rated PG for violence. Fred Waitzkin (Joe Mantegna), center, observes his son, Josh (Max Pomeranc), compete in a game of speed-ches- s with Vinnie (Laurence Fishburne) in Searching for Bobby Fischer, a film directed and written by Steven Zaillian based on Fred Waitzkin's Two movies seeking adult audiences By FAWNA JONES Columbia's "Striking Distance" and Warner Bros. "True Romance" are hoping to keep the adult audience shelling out cash at the box office. "Striking Distance," starring Bruce Willis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dennis Farina, Tom Sizemore, Robert Pastorelli, While discovering that the title "Undercover Blues" refers to a Mr. and Mrs. and Jr. Blue who work undercover for the CIA, one might think "thats kind of clever." When John and Jane Blue (Dennis Quaid and Kathleen Turner) start spouting off caustic witticisms with an L.A. smile while holding a baby in one hand and pummeling bad guys with the other, the clever turns to "bogus." This happens in only ten minutes. "Undercover Blues" is flat, worse than shallow. Turner's milky voice and Quaid's charismatic wink cannot save this poor screenplay from insulting the audience's need for grounding. For, example one never believes that the two are parents. The child is there, but as flat prop only. (Okay, she does get to take her first steps.) The baby is only a plot point to give the couple a reason for an interrupted extended maternity leave in New Orleans. () You won't Bottom Line miss, if you miss this. book chronicling his true experiences with his son. The Paramount drama was produced by Scott Rudin and William Horberg. Syndey Pollack is executive producer and David Wisnievitz is and John Mahoney, presents itself as a tough suspense thriller. Not in the same class as "Silence of the Lambs," the Pittsburgh-se- t story does involve a murdering young girls psychopath and throwing their bodies in the river. The movie sends' blood levels rising as it starts with one of the most amazing car chase scenes on celluloid to date. As a result of this chase, homicide detective Willis loses the suspect, his policeman father (Mahoney), his suicidal partner (Pastorelli), and his job. A quick tw6 year jump finds Willis as a low respected river patroller who has masked his losses with callousness and alcohol. Sarah Jessica Parker shows up for love interest. A few twists and turns, a homicidal maniac finally revealed, a huge fight scene, and your average adult male will feel his money well spent. His date might like it, too. (12) Bottom line: "Striking Distance" is another chapter in Miami Vice with extra profanity and the charisma of Willis and Parker to raise the energy level. As for "True Romance" starring the Hollywood hipster Christian Slater, Val Kilmer, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldham, and newcomer Patricia Arquette. I get teased sometimes for finding something redeeming in every movie I see. For example, when everyone else walked away from "Joe vs, the Volcano and wanted their money back, I was commenting how wonderful Tom Hanks was even with a problematic script. As for "True Romance," a story about a deadbeat (Slater) who marries a call girl (Arquette), kills her pimp (Oldham), and talks to Elvis (Kilmer). I sat through the first forty-fiv- e minutes, then promptly walked out. (I even got my money back.) Not because of excessive violence, vulgarity, profanity, or sex (which do rear their heads), I was bored. Nothing abut the characters pique interest let alone empathy, nothing constitutes sticking around. The screenwriter, Quentin Tarantino, is supposed to be critically acclaimed. This critic is unimpressed. The only nice thing one might say is the costumer brilliantly created unattractive realistic-lookin- g scumbags. But movies like "True Romance" have no redeeming value for the general populous. If someone has a death wish for themselves and the world, they might enjoy this rambling ride among the wretched. (An-if-- y might.) I think even Christian Slater fans should stay away. Rewatch "Untamed Heart," a good movie. (It's out on video.) "True Bottom line: Romance" with its sporty cast claims to be an off-bedaring experiment but really just a waste minutes of two hours (or forty-fiv- e depending on how much time one has to bum.) () at Brown Bag Lunch Seminars scheduled Brown Bag Lunch Seminars will be sponsored by the Health Promotion Program of the Davis County Health Department starting in October. The purpose of the seminars is to increase personal health awareness and encourage a healthier lifestyle. The seminars will be held in the County Annex building, 50 E. State Street, Farmington, in the downstairs conference room from p.m. There is no cost for the seminars and the public is invited to attend. On Oct. 7, Steve Varechok will speak on "Body Image." Varechok is a consultant for the Nutrition Clinic at the University of Utah as well as a private consultant. He is a certified instructor in strength and weight training and has his master's in social work. Steve, an excellent motivational speaker, has developed an innovative program that combines body image, nutrition, and strength training to encourage a healthier lifestyle. On Nov. 10, Joyce Smith, director of the Davis County Council on Aging will speak on "Caregiving, the Stresses and Concerns of Caring for the Elderly." Joyce Smith has worked in various capacities with the Davis County Council on Aging for over fifteen years. She received her master's in social work from the University of Utah and has been the Director of the Davis County Council on Aging since 1991. For further information and registration for the Brown Bag Seminars Promotion, contact 451-359- 0 or Health 451-332- 2. |