THE MICHIGAN DAILY
Arts & Entertainm ent Thursday, March 3, 1977 Page Five
'Cassandra
Crossing
Limp disaster
By MICHAEL BROIDY
at political "awareness" occurs,
when we learn that the virus
TH"flE HOLLYWOOD disaster is part of an illegal experiment
sweepstakes continues with by the United States, making
its latest cataclysmic entry, They things rather sticky for Burt
Cassandra Crossing, now play-, Lancaster (very busy these days
ing at The Movies at Briarwood. at playing military officers),
What this misbegotten ven- who is assigned to prevent both
ture lacks in intelligence, it at- panic on the train and embar-
tempt's to make up for with assment to his country.
sheer profusion of disasters as
painfully familiar as these
things are likely to get.
Very little of the film makes
even the slightest bit of sense.
This problem hays not kept oth-
er similar movies from attain-.
ing at least some modicum of
success as carefully construct-
ed thrillers (witness Robert Ald-
rich's Twilight's Last Gleam-
ing). But Cassandra Crossing
lacks even this safety valve, and
ends up being nothing more thanj
a terrible embarrassment toz
all concerned - especially its C
audience, who shelled out good
money to see otherwise compe-
tent performers ambushed by a
ludicrous script and direction
which borders on sheer care-!
lessness.y
THE FILM OPENS as a mem-
ber of some terrorist group isk
exposed to a deadly plague vi-
rus during an attempt to bomb Simpson
the International Health Organ-
ization headquarters in Geneva. As the "thousands" of pas-
He then boards a train headed sengers (we see only the 10 or
for Stockholm, in the process so big-name cast members plus
exposing the 1,000 passengers to a few extras) sweat it out, Lan-
the deadly virus. caster and medical assistant In-
The film's rather limp attempt grid Thulin (of the Ingmar Berg-
j
man repertory company) re- and quite busy); Sophia Loren Cosmatos wrote the original er films of this genre to evade
route the train to Poland. This as his twice divorced wife; O.J. story and much of the material the pratfalls inherent in dis-
means going over the Cassandra Simpson as a government agent seems to have been gleaned aster flicks. A relatively ui-
Crossing, a bridge that has been! masquerading as a priest in or-, from other films in this or oth- known Greek filmmaker, Cos
closed since shortly after World I der to grab heroin smuggler er genres such as Panic In The matos does display a flair for
War II and doesn't look as if Martin Sheen; and Lee Stras- Streets, The Andromeda Strain, action. But this talent is giv-
it could hold a caboose, much' beirg as an elderly Jew who and, of course, the rather ob-, en little chance to manifest it-
less this elongated and im- fears returning to Cassandra scure mystery, Murder On The self. Cosmaltos, however, has
mensely weighty express train. and facing horrible memories. Orient Express. The dialogue only himself to blame - he co-
Robert Katz and George Panithat has been given to these scripted, after all.
K actors (courtesy of the Robert THE INITIAL break-in and
a.:i:i{<rl Katz-Tom Mankiewiez-George subslequent exposure to the virus
fPan Cosmatos screenplay) mak- is constructed very nicely with
es that of the lowliest television some breathtaking montage and
drama look like Paddy Chayev- fluid camera movement, but the
remainder of the film is apt
Thg direction, by George Pan to induce, at best, drowsiness.
Y Cosmatos is lacking in the styl- Even the climactic scene as the
S vc u e htrain arrives at the Cassandra
rstic. flourishes that permi oth-Crossing lacks the technical ex-
pertise and special effects usu-
ally exhibited in this fare.
± rC .s f dThe film as a whole just
y II $ II U doesn't work. One leae' the
film hoping that it is not an
Rea and s indicator of things to come in
' 'on this much maligned , but often
fascinating genre.
"I HAVE CALLED YOU*;BY YOUR NAME"
Lancaster
THE EQUALLY immense and
stellar cast are wasted in this
ill-ventured vehicle; caught in
the mire and muck are Rich-
ard Harris as a neurosurgeon
(the only doctor on the train,
Loren
- -r -- .- ...- - -
BROTHERS OF
HOLY CROSS
Responding through educational, health,
social, pastorial and other
service ministries.
Dailv Photo by CHRISTINA SCHNEIDER
Yamnini Krishlnamnurli
IF
Comprehensive
Health
Counseling
Br. Thomas
Box 308, Notre
Maddix, CSC
Dame, IN 46556
Indian danceA
By MARA BRAZER anguish in love, the full moon,
Y A M I N I KRISHAMURTI, contemplation of beauty, anger,I
recognized as one of the praise, or fruit hanging from a'
most proficent and polished ex- stem.
ponents of South Indian dance, The 'mountain peak hand,' a
performed elegantly on the closed fist with the thumb up,
stage of Rackham Auditorium can denote the god Eros, liba-
Monday night. tion to ancestors, a bee enter-#
Both Monday night and in a ing a flower (the mountain peak
lecture-demonstration at Rack- hand gesturing toward a lotus:
ham on Tuesday, Yamini show- hand), a phallic symbol, a recol-I
ed Ann Arbor the "Bharata lectiorn and the embrace ofl
Natyam," an ancient traidtional lovers.
dance form.
Bharata Natyam was original- The last hand Yamini demon-:
ly a dance of the great southern strat d is the 'index finger
temples. It spans the spectrum hand,' which is like the moun-
of the sacred and secular, com- tain peak hand with the index
plementary elements essential finger raised. Combing hair,j
for the wholeness of body and slenderness, thorniness, and a
spirit which the Hindu strives to s u p r e m e person ("number
reach. one") may be symbolized by!
this formation.
spans sacred, secular
FREE
PREGNANCY
TESTS
Bharata Natyam, dancing bare- the masters, but once she prop-!
foot, then used these in con- erly perfected the technique she
junction with the three essential felt comfortable enough to im-e
elements of Indian classical provise. Some of her pieces
dancing: speed, stability and were strictly choreographed and
line. performed as she learned them;
One memorable number was others were entirely improvised'
"Navarasa Slokam" where, as according to the spirit YaminiI
Yamini explains, the 'prism' of felt the moment she arrived oni
the dance breaks the sentiments stage. She likes to dance with
of Sri Rama (a national folk various musicians because "dif-r
hero) into nine parts. Each ele- ferent minds m different direc
ment blended subtly and quickly tions yield different patterns"
into the next, danced in pre- and the result is always refresh-i
cision and harmony with the ing and exciting.
percussion and flute. Yamini's
own vivacious style shone
through the classical represen-
tations of love, valor, pity, won-
der, laughter, fear, disgust, an- M INI-C
ger and tranquility. The University of MichiganN
Yamini received a standing
ovation, and rewarded the audi-
ence with a fascinating encore
danced on a broad metal plyte.
Yamini seemingly effortlessly
guided the plate across the
stage by smoothly vibrating her
body, her ankle bracelets jangl-
ing in perfect tempo.
Yamini Krishnamurti certain-
ly displayed a charming embodi-
ment of the meaning of Bharata
Natyam dance: an interweav-
ing of power, sentiment, melody
and rhythm.
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YAMINI EXPLAINED that all=
girls (mainly those of the upper
castes) learn the traditional
forms of dance from an early
age in order to become enriched
and develop womanly charms.
She herself decided to become
a profesisonal dancer at the
age of 12.
The hands are the most impor-
tant means of spiritual and epic
expression in the classical
dance, with the eyes and face
depicting what is felt in the
heart. The movements are high-
ly stylized and comprise a,
storytelling vocabulary in them-
selves.
There are four basic hand,
movements. One is called the
'upspreadhand,' which is a flat,
closed-fingered hand, palm out-
stretched. It may be used to
convey many things - clouds,
woods, light, a river, horseback
riding, severe sunshine, opening
doors, denotion of the equality
of things, and the seven case
endings of the Sanskrit nouns.
YAMINI'S HAND and body
movements spoke fluently to the
accompaniment of three musi-
cians and a vocalist with whom
she occasionally joined in. Dur-
ing the program Yamni demon-I
strated the basic movements of
Yamini said she learned from
-
NO. 413, entitled "HUMAN SEXUALITY" which is organ-
ized by Dr. Harold Stevenson. Following an initial introduc-
tory session on Monday, March 14th at 4:00 p.m., the
class will meet Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 4:00-
5:30 p.m. for 3 weeks. Registration for the course is
through Drop-Add. for permission to register or more i.nfor-
motion contact Sharon Carlson at 341 Victor Vaughn or
call 763-1227.
Tere IS a d ifferenceff .(7
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lessons and for use of supplementary materials. Make-ups
for missed lessons at our centers
THE RUDOLf STEINER INSTITUTE
OF THE GREAT LAKES AREA
presents two lectures by
JOHN DAVY
ASSISTANT DEAN OF EMERSON COLLEGE
FOREST ROW, ENGLAND
"THE PROMISE AND TRAGEDY OF MARXISM"
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, AT 8 P.M.
AND
"FREUD, SKINNER, AND STEINER"
SUNDAY, MARCH 13,,AT 3 P.M.
RUDOLF STEINER HOUSE
1923 Geddes Avenue, Ann Arbor
I.
JEWISH WOMAN ADDITIONAL
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700 p.m.-CHABAD HOUSE
- ~715 Hill St.
10QUESTIONS
TO ASK FOR YOUvR
STUDY ABROAD
ECFMG 0 FLEX
NAT'L MEDICAL & DENTAL BOARDS
Flexible Programs & Hours
Write or calf-
1945 PAULINE BLVD
ANN ARBOR 48103
662-3149N
OuCsde NY State Only s8002219840EDUCATIONAL CENTER
CALLn Toll Free n-d o- e P A T
L. C -' a si S a d n sgno 0,r TEST PRPARATIAID
THE 'LOTUS HAND' s an
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The Dean of American Film Critics
on ROBERI ALTMAN __
I
,_
{
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0
0
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a
Why is it 50% cheaper (including the cost of tuition,
dorm and travelling expenses) when spending a
semester at Tel Aviv University than to study at any
similar University in the United States?
What are the courses offered; are they taught in English;
and how can i be assured of accreditation?
Why is Israel's largest University with 16,000 students,
located in Israel's largest city, offering this program?
How many students can be accepted to this program and
what must my credentials be?
What is the curriculum?
Why is a student's life on Tel Aviv University's campus
enriching and rewarding?
How will studying in Israel help me to define my goals?
What schools have participated in this program in the-
past?
What is involved in dorm life and social activities?
Is this opportunity confined only to students of Jewish
background?
TEL AVIV UNVERSITY
LAMA W& 11111 111ORM A AVA I!/d /ice. 1AVA IIII 1111 hill /ai ti I