ARTS
The Michigan Daily
Wednesday, October 15,
1986
Page 7
"She's Gotta Have It'
definitely has it
By David R. Draper
She's Gotta Have It takes a
little and goes a long way. The
budget for the film is small, the
four main characters are virtual
unknowns, and most of the movie
takes, place in one woman's
apartment. To top it all off, the
storyline is absurd: one woman
trying to juggle three boyfriends
Records:
Sam Lapides
YESTERDAY'S DREAMS
(Cassette only)
There seems to be a conspiracy
amongmusic critics that the only
good pop music comes from far off
places - be they England or
Athens, GA - and often the
farther, -the better (like New
Zealand's Chills). We often display
a tendency to ignore what exists
right under our noses, despite its
apparent quality, simply because of
i't's close proximity to our own
front porch. A new cassette release
by Ann Arbor's Sam Lapides
should prove to the pop-faithful
that a British or Athenian accent is
not a precursor to the worth of a
pop song.
For starters, there are few factors
that point against Lapides' success.
One is his name. "Sam Lapides"
just doesn't have the same mythic
American, backwoods and bacon
ring to it of a Peter Case, or a
Mitch. Easter, or Will Rigby.
Another is his do-it-yourself ap -
proach. You aren't going to find
posters for this cassette plastered all
over Discount Records, or even
Schoolkids' simply because the
tape is a product of ultra-cottage
industry, and without the
promotion and advertising of a
label, a curious listener will have to
actively seek out this recording in -
stead of having it thrust towards
them.
All this cannot belie the fact that
Yesterday's Dreams showcases
4 beaut full arranged pop songs
at are a ear-tickling as any
American release of recent vintage.
Acoustic guitar strum ming sets the
structure for Lapides' husky and
mellifluous, whisky smooth voice
to glide around. With whale-sized
hooks from the very first note, the
tunes are instantly hummable,
whether their tempo is quick and
upbeat (like "Still") or slower and
plaintive (as in "24"). The effort is
more than merely a throwback to a
simpler sound: 80s technology
makes a pleasant intrusion into the
delicate guitar tapestry with
electronic drumtracks provided by
local studio wizard and fellow ex-
Tool and Die member Phil Seiden.
See RECORDS, Page 8
who all know about each other.
How car, a movie like this possibly
be successful in these days of mega-
stars and huge budgets?
One way is to have Spike Lee
write, edit, direct, and act in the
film. Lee plays Mars, a frail, wise-
cracking punk who vies for Nola
Darling's (Tracy Camilla Johns)
attention. Mars is reminiscent of
Woody Allen with his self-
deprecating wit and neurotic idio -
syncracies. Mars doubletalks and
taunts everyone, but is not the only
source of comedy.
Each of Nola's boyfriends,
including Mars, treats -this love
cube as an apparantly normal
situation. How can three decent
men date one woman knowing
about one another? It isn't easy for
them to do, but it is hilarious to
watch. What can the three men see
in Nola to keep them around for so
long?
This question is not an easy one
to answer. Obviously, Nola is cute
and independent, and quite a breath
of fresh air for all of her men. But
they are attracted by more than just
her physical appearance and'
character traits. In general, people
want what they can't have. In this
case, Nola is the prize that they all
strive for. The competition
culminates when all four spend
Thanksgiving together at Nola's
house.
During dinner, each of the men
trade sly insults. However, Nola is
oblivious to all of it, never taking
anyone's side. This is the turning
point in the film. The three begin
to see that Nola is unattainable and
that all of their efforts are in vain.
This scenario reveals more about
Nola. As the men spend less time
with her, she begins to realize her
mistake.Nola loves the attention,
but it ends up backfiring on her.
Nold realizes that she can no
longer lead this triple love life and
live with herself at the same time.
This point in the film is
disconcerting, as Nola make a lame
attempt at settling down. 'The sud -
den turn of events is convincing.
The film is too complex for such a
simple ending. Other than the last
ten minutes, the film is hilarious
and well worth the $5.00 admission
price-(including popcorn).
The Center for Japanese Studies
Presents:
Japanese Human Resource:
r Management Policies in Transition
A Brown-Bag Lecture by
Returning Sumitomo Intern
GERALD IAN WILSON
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16
12 noon
LANE HALL IN THE COMMONS ROOM
Call 764-6307
forfurther
information.
i::.:*: *.i i%> ii:.><i?'...........:Sii:
The Center for Japanese Studies Presents
~ef~tS*4
WINNER OF THE
BEST FILM AWARD
in Japan in 1983.
scathing deadpan comedy about Japan's affluent
iddle class and its obsession with success.
-
9K..
THE CRITICS ARE EAIlNG IT UP!.,.,
-Vincent Canby, New York Times
"WICKEDLY FUNNY! 'The Family Game' is so rich that Mr. Morita
would seem to be one of the most talented and original of Japan's new
filmmakers....a visual adventure:'
-Richard Freedman, Newhouse Newspapers
"****** A BEGUILING CHARMINGLY ECCENTRIC COMEDY'
-Stephen Schaefer, Us Magazine
"Challenging comedy blends wry criticism with tenderness, hope and
DAFFY HUMOR:'
-J. Hoberman, village Voice
"FUNNY AND ENERGETIC RIGHT DOWN TO ITS 'THREE STOOGES'
FINALE:' _
-William Wolf, Gannett Newspapers
"* * * * VERY FUNNY...a striking contemporary comedy:'
-Kathleen Carroll, Daily News
"A DELICIOUSLY WRY COMEDY"
-Joseph Gelmis, Newsday
"* *** A SUBVERSIVE SCREWBALL COMEDY reminiscent of
'Zero For Conduct'...one of the most bizarre slapstick finales of any
comedy in recent memory. Full of marvelous secrets and evocative
humor that ricochets around in the mind after one leaves the theatre:'
FRIDAY,
October 17
Admission:
FREE
7 - 9 p.m.
Japanese with
English subtitles
AUDITORIUM A
Angell Hall
Call 764-6307
for further information
In conjunction with
Professor Edward's
Japan Through Film class.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
U.S. INFORMATION AGENCY
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
offer
A Foreign Service Career
Representing the United States abroad as
a Foreign Service Officer
The Initial Step:
The Annual Foreign Service
Written Examination
December 6, 1986
Deadline for receipt of application:
October 24, 1986
You may obtain an application from your
Campus Placement Office
or by calling
(703) 235-9369 or 235-9377
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Residence Hall Students-
YOUR FIRST
TELEPHONE BILL
will arrive on October 17.
Payment is due on October 31.
From Moscow
The State Symphony
Orchestra of the
U.S.S.R.
Yevgeny Svetlanov, Conductor
Oleg Kagan, Violin
Natalia Gutman, Cello
Program: Brahms: Double Concerto in A minor
Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2
Ticket Prices: $22, 21, 16, 12, 10
Thursday, October 16 8:00 pm Hill Auditorium
PUBLIC LECTURE Mr. Charles Wick, Director of United States
Information Agency will give a free lecture concerning the role of the
U.S.I.A. in re-establishing cultural relations with the U.S.S.R.
Rackham Auditorium, 5:00 p.m.
If You Don't Receive a Bill,
CalUMTel
RUSH TICKETS will be sold on Thursday, October 16 at Burton Tower.
Tickets are $5.00 each with a limit of two per person; seating location at the
discretion of the Musical Society.
Andrea Lucchesini
Pianist
Remember ...
All roommates are equally responsible for
i