8 - The Michigan Daily - Weekend etc. - Thursday, November 10 , 1994 I . 'Clerks' director is in the express lane to success By ALEXANDRA TWIN Filmmakers, like all artists, come a dime a dozen. Yet, few come with as much energy, innovation and pure sass as 23-year-old Kevin Smith. In just one feature, the scathingly origi- nal convenience store epic "Clerks," Smith has proven that for all its ca- pacity to transcend reality, film is often at its best when its just about regular life. Particular life in the 'burbs. "Growing up, I was nothing spe- cial," said the director in a recent phone interview."I played little league but I sucked. The thing that made me want to be a filmmaker was seeing "Slacker" on my 21st birthday. I was like, 'that counts as a movie?' It was dialogue heavy, there was no car chase, there was no villain. It was just life as it happens. I thought, 'if this is filmmaking, this is what I want to do."' Yet, the transition from high school graduate to filmmaker was not an easy one. Aside from having attended the Vancouver Film School and hav- ing watched a lot of movies by direc- tors like Hal Hartley and Jim Jarmusch, Smith was by all accounts a rookie. "I really relied on my cin- ematographer and producer," said Smith. "Basically, the only thing that I learned in film school was that I hated film school. But that's the beauty of the field. You don't have to be anything in particular. My forte is dialogue, so I use that. I'm more of a writer than a director." Like his idols, Smith is part of a new wave of filmmaking that stresses sharp dialogue, character-heavy nar- ratives, little camera movement and even smaller budgets. "Clerks" was made for $27,575 and shot in black and white over 21 consecutive days. It featured a cast of unknowns. "Which I think was really good for the film," said Smith. "I mean, could this have worked with Joey Lawrence?" Probably not. Set in Smith's home- town of Leonardo, N.J., "Clerks" is the story of two guys, Dante and Randal, who work at Quick Stop, the store Smith worked at on and off for the last five years. It was also the site of the film. Didn't the owners mind? "Well, we shot at night, so it basically didn't affect business. Also, I was working 12 hours a day, opening and closing the store for them, so even if they did have qualms about it, I don't think they would have said anything." Surprisingly, the most difficult as- pect of production was not getling started - "I had the credit cards, I had the people backing me" - but keep- ing the momentum. "The first week, everyone was like 'Wow. We're mak- ing a movie,' by the third they're just totally disenchanted with the whole process, particularly Jeff." Jeff Anderson, who plays the cryp- tic Randal, was a high school buddy of Smith's. He had never acted be- fore. He dropped by the store one day to hang out and ended up getting cast. "By the time we were done," laughed Smith, "he declared that he never wanted to act again." Yet, Anderson's performance is arguably the freshest and most genuine. "I think that he got that when he finally saw the film. He was like 'Wow, I'm pretty cool,' and now he wants to be an actor." Next up for Smith is "Mall Rats," followed by "Dogma." While "Dogma" will be released by Miramax, the same independent com- pany behind "Clerks," "Mall Rats" will be released by Universal, a major production company. This begs the question of compromise. Must it nec- essarily accompany a move to the majors? "Our peers are wary of the majors, but we want to try it and decide for ourselves," said Smith. "If we don't like it, we won't do it again." However, Smith sees the freedom of the independents. A recent issue - in which the film was given a com- 0 mercially unmarketable "NC-17" rat- ing, due to the explicit language - comes to mind. "The ratings board never pinpointed the problem," said Smith. "All they said was "extremely sex-related dialogue." It's like, come on, that's throughout the whole film. Where would we even begin to cut?" Miramax was supportive. The rating has now been changed to an "R." So the film stands as is. And what an achievement. It was the hit of last year's legendary Sundance and Cannes film festivals. Were Smith and his crew surprised? "We knew it was a good film for us, that it made us laugh, but that wasn't saying much. Each step, we never quite realized what we had. We hoped there were a few people out there with the same sense of humor as us. Apparently there's lots." CLERKS is playing at the Michigan Theater through November 21st. Here we see Quick Stop Groceries, home of the clerks in the film "Clerks." The Gandy Dancer: everyone seems to go there, and there's a reason mmmmm By PAUL BARGER Some things in life are guaran- teed. Death, taxes, Michigan beating Ohio State - and when parents ar- rive 'in droves during home football weekends they eventually take their children to the Gandy Dancer. There is only one way to ad- equately describe the Gandy Dancer: it is flat-out the best restaurant in Ann Arbor. But those of you that have been there already know that. For those of you that have not, take the next chance you get and head on over. One cannot do justice to the Gandy Dancer without discussing the atmo- sphere. The restaurant is located in a building that once housed a train sta- tion. The old-fashioned charm com- bined with the hospitality of the staff make for a great dining experience. Many people believe that the best part of the Gandy Dancer is the trains ANYmWHVERE ANYTIME NY PHONE E Gz 8 w Buy the easy to use Western Union Phone Card, a pre-paid calling card. Available at all locations. FIF-REE LIVE SERVICE LOAL GIRLS iting to talk to you CALL 24 HOURS 305-430-3825 REG. LDGOSrMCBA1CHAAY-MUSTBEl & OVER * DE.W +*Go itqu.e REUEVE EXAM TENSION WITH A RELAXING THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE $5 o* oUM STUOEWs WITH THS AO uamt 12-1594 *aU *o * w w mm hssEO m L " R*Aubmo.,rmcoogai mENwCA" that pass adjacent to the back of the restaurant throughout the evening. Everyone applauds as the trains come into view through a series of large windows. Personally, I feel that the best part of the Gandy Dancer is the pate and matzah that comes as you are seated. This is a nice change from the bread and butter that most restaurants serve. The Gandy Dancer's menu offers a wide-range of choices, including an impressive selection of soups and sal- ads. Charley's chowder ($3.00) is a house specialty and highly recom- mended. Other soups include black bean ($3.50) and vegetable ($3.00). The caeser salad is outstanding and patrons are given the opportunity to order a small ($3.25) or a large ($4.25 since the latter is big for even the heartiest of appetites). The menu changes from day to day, but customers will find similar choices on any day they decide to dine. Specials include anything from barbecued whitefish ($15.00) to potato horseradish encrusted salmon served with acorn squash ($18.75). There is always a large selection of fresh catches that range from $14.50 to $19.75. The Gandy Dancer has a wine cellar that allows customers to choose from Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons and many others. The wine ranges from Paul Mason Chardonnay ($2.95/glass) to Chateau LaLoubre Bordeaux ($6.50). The Raw Bar is another favorite, featuring a large selection of oysters and various seafood. On the weekends the Gandy Dancer is saturated with people hop- ing to feast on the famous prime rib. Unfortunately, it has occurred in the past that too many people want this item and it has run out. There is no reason to be upset, however, because there are plenty of other items that can serve as outstanding substitutes. The Gandy Dancer offers filet mignon ($21.50), shrimp fettucine verde ($16.75), lobster ($25.50) and lamb ($21.50) to name just some of the many possibilities patrons will have. All of this food and selection leaves diners with one minor problem: des- sert The most difficult part about an evening at the Gandy Dancer is hav- ing to turn down the many delicious options. The dessert tray varies from week to week, but it always contains some type of mousse, a fruit dish (such as key lime pie) and a cheese- cake. The restaurant has its own pastry kitchen and desserts are made fresh daily. So save room. The Gandy Dancer is the type of restaurant that you should look for- ward to dining at weeks in advance. However, reservations are scarce due to the high demand so it is wise to call as soon as you know when you will be dining. For all of you who are think- ing about going to the Gandy Dancer this weekend be warned: once again, Hours: Dinner: M-Th 5-10 Fri.-Sat. 5- 11, Lunch: 11:30-4 Mon.-Sat., Brunch: Sun. 10-2, Early Bird hours: Mon-Sat. 4:30-5:30, Sun. 3:30-4:30 Price:Appetizers from $3.0, Entrees up to $25.50 Notes: Can be vegetarian friendly (but tell them) 80% non-smoking Visa, MC, AmEx Handicap accessible Dress: Casual to dressy May want to call ahead or make reservations on weekends Rating: TheGandy Dancer 401 Depot 769-0592 1 IFREE MOVIE 4S A n WHNA IAN Lvs A WOMAN 9 pm atState Theatre Fart of U of M Alcohol Awareness Week funded by the VII of Student Affairs Office, the Housing Division, and UHS. it is ookedsolid. 215 S. State St. Ann Arbor 995-DEAD (upstairs) I i MOOO . u I . Ai0ow-1: ' i t Singers Singer/Dancers Musicians Darts + Dart Supplies Darts starting at only $12.00 Boards, Shafts, Flights, + Parts " Ann Arbor, Michigan Monday, November 14, 1994 University of Michigan Michigan Union - Anderson Room Auditions: 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. 4[ - SI I I M- - APOS/FI'S U A AV A L Ar .' >: