The Michigan Daily - Weekend etc. - Thursday, January 26, 1995 - 3 MelRose Place 'Grace' redeeming, Oldman cool By FRED RICE Gary Oldman has rounded out his career quite nicely with several inter- esting roles. He has played a roman- tic vampire, an ill-fated Shakespearian More MelRose gor your money Watchin' the State of the Union thing ... One of these days it's going to be "The Crying Game" in the cabi- net, when they discover Janet Reno is really a man. At least Hillary's hair looks better. I don't know why Clinton is so happy. Glenn Close gets bigger stand- ng ovations eight times a week in 'Sunset Boulevard." You know you've been alone too long when even Al Gore looks ap- pealing. At least he's doing this on a Tues- day night when there's no good TV on. Now if he had done this on a Thursday, or worse, during "Chicago Hope" on Monday.. "Our country is stronger than it vas two years ago" my fanny. Notice how Newt Gingrich didn't exactly burst into applause at that statement. Uh-oh, an FDR-"New Deal" ref- erence - I sense a gimmick ... Whatever with that "New Cov- enant"; it's just a new term for Clinton's old double-talk. Trim the fat from Congress - yes! Let's start with Clinton's waistline. Apologies /desperatepleas ...One f my New Year's resolutions was to become a betterperson -to stop being so snide, especially toward what's-his- name, our President. Well, I'm never going to stop insulting Clinton, because I think he's a buffoon. But I am going to start recogniz- ing and applauding those who make significant contributions to my life, or rather to my column. I wouldn't *ave 19 inches of text every week if it weren't for the generosity of my resi- dents, fellow Daily staff, Alice Lloyd staff and random strangers. Now pay attention because this is the only seri- ous thing you'll probably ever hear me say. Recently I spit in the face of all my contributors when I disgraced our books editor, Kirk Miller, and his position. Kirk gave me some hilari- us material for my last column and I rewarded him with embarrassment. For that I am deeply sorry, and re- quest his and your forgiveness. The world needs more random acts of kindness ... Tuesday someone sent me a five-pack of Total cereal. That really brightened my day. Now I can start my morning right. I just wish they had sent a quart of milk . Speaking of gifts ... My sincere hanks to everyone who gave me a birthday gift. (Thanks Kim, Kev, Vaeth, Austin.) Especially whoever's responsible for the shirtless cowboy on my door. Someone sent me some lovely balloons, and "P.B." took the time to create a beautiful pencil sketch of a dozen roses. And it's not every RA who receives chocolate-flavored condoms from his/her residents. Thanks Adrienne, Ronelle, Karen, Cho-mama, et al - they were yummy!) And even if you didn't get me a birthday gift, it's not too late. After all, it's not the timing but the size of the gift that counts. My thoughts on the O.J. trial.. I'm trying not to pay too much atten- tion to the trial thing. I'm waiting for the movie: "Juice Gone Sour: O.J.'s tory ... starring Will Smith in his ost challenging role yet, Sarah Jes- sica-Parker as Nicole Brown- Simpson, Brian "Kato" Kaelin as him- self, Tom Cruise as Robert Shapiro, with a special appearance by Noriyuki "Pat" Morita as Judge Ito." But seri- ously, let's get to the real issue here: Which legal team is better dressed? Clearly it's the defense. Does Marcia Clark really expect to get anywhere with that Ogilvie home perm and poly- ester Polyanna suit? Dress for suc- cess, honey. Advantage: Defense. I just don't get it ... This obses- sion with Michigan athletics that my residents seem to have. I don't care what they say, Dugan Fife's bottom Gary Oldman plays a complex character in "State of Grace," not a smurf. Hom Entertainment Center character, and two musical geniuses. The first time was in "Sid and Nancy" (1986) as the memorable punk icon, Sid Vicious. Now you can see him as Beethoven in the new "Immortal Be- loved." And last year you might have seen his brief appearance as a nasty gangster in "True Romance." But he played an even better crimi- nal in an aptly titled film, "State of Grace" (1990). This lesser known entry of Oldman's repertoire places him in a central role of an Irish gangster in Hell's Kitchen. His old buddy, played by Sean Penn, returns to the old neigh- borhood, hoping to work for the crime boss, played by Ed Harris. What nei- ther Oldman nor Harris knows is that Used & Rare <:. BOOKS Bought & Sold 113 W. Liberty (112 block W of Main St.) 995-1891 It's Worth :hithe Trip!' Penn is actually an undercover cop who has come to eliminate their orga- nization. The title "State of Grace" refers to a redemption theme laced throughout this engaging story of love, loyalty, and betrayal. And, of course, a lot of gun violence. But it also best de- scribes Oldman's manic yet sympa- thetic performance as he flips be- tween a sweet and caring sibling and an enraged sociopath. His enraged firecracker scenes border on wretched excess, leading many to consider his style a good example of overacting. Just take a look at this past fall's "The Profes- sional." His over-the-top histrionics as a corrupt police detective were more comical than terrifying. Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure Activision Sega Genesis, Sega CD, Super NES In 1982, Activision revolutionized the video game industry with their vine swinging and alligator jumping Atari 2600 classic "Pitfall!" 13 years and 16-megs later, Activision has sprung itself back with "Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure," creating a new sequel and a breakthrough game. After starting the video game craze in the early '80s, "Pitfall!" sold mil- lions of copies, becoming a staple of many of our childhoods. Activision and original designer David Crane have now created a new adventure for the son of the original Pitfall Harry. This time out, Harry Jr. has to trek through the snake-filledjungles, dodg- ing numerous possessed foes to res- cue his father from the evil Mayan powers that hold him captive. After creating the side view game format for the original and making it the most common form in video games, it took an enormous effort to change the industry in the same way for the new chapter of "Pitfall!" In "Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure," the game revamps the three-tree jungle But he tames these reactions in "State of Grace." The angry animal only erupts in appropriately crucial moments. Penn's character is at the center of an ugly mess. Meeting his old friends saps him of the strength necessary to incriminate them. He is a self-pro- claimed Judas. Penn plays out the confusion and torn loyalties splen- didly. Ed Harris also churns out a terrific job as the crime boss and Oldman's brother. His desire for power and money lead him to coldly destroy just about everything, as the tragic finale shows. He does it all without ever looking scathed. STATE OF GRACE is available at Liberty Street Video and Campus Video. from the original, into a spectacularly animated and intense forest of amaz- ing enemies and graphics. The new game is much more im- pressive than the original. This time out, Harry Jr. has got a slew of weap- ons and boogies through the jungle, even bungeejumping and skateboard- ing at times. The soundtrack also adds to the game, with drums and authentic sounds from the rain forests of Costa Rica and Central America. Not convinced that the new is su- perior to the old? Then give it a try! The original Atari 2600 "Pitfall!" is hidden in the game, and is an exact replica of the 1982 version. "Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure" pays an excellent tribute to the origi- nal, while blowing the Atari alliga- tors right out of the water. The game fails to slip into the quicksand, and gives the scorpion a swift kick in the head, letting him know that Pitfall Harry is back. HINTS: To go directly to the Atari 2600 version of "Pitfall!" on Sega Genesis, go to the title screen and push down once, then push "A" 26 times. Then push down again. This should take you to the original ver- sion that is hidden in the game. -Brian A. Gnatt SCOREKEEPERS a0 $2 PITCHERS OF KILLAN S ARTIC ICE 9 - CLOSE gggfCor - 18 BEERS ON TAP ON DRAFT THIS MONTH YOUNG'S OATMEAL STOUT NEW CASTLE BROWN ALE DETROIT MACKINAC BLACK SAM ADAMS HONEY PORTER J.W. DUNDEE'S HONEY BROWN LEINE'S WINTER LAGER + OTHERS 310 MAYNARD 995 - 0581 (U of M CENTRAL CAMPUS) Westside Bookshop since 1975 I E 1 I7 1I t I \VootlED eB6T tJ Ati Apsoz. I I r 215 S. State St. Ann Arbor 995-DEAD (upstairs) I Ii ( n oI o . Os I ( i 1 .. 6 ... ,. 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