cTi £kb[h~tt tmxDiIp Be a Star Tired of hearing the same old music? If you are suffering from '90s "alterna-shock," then head on over to the Blind Pig tonight for an open mic. Don't miss your chance to be a celebrity - if only for a few hours. Page 5 Tuesday, January 23, 1996 BUllock's T wo i j B Sea' bare staysR / afloat By Prashant Tamaskar Daily Arts Writer Within the last year and a half, no performer has risen in popularity faster than Sandra Bullock, Hollywood's new ,-.golden girl. With her goofy grin, lov- able and sincere personality and under- rated acting ability, she is one of the few * actresses in the motion picture industry who can carry a film, as she did with "While You Were Sleeping" and "The iNet." Every film in which Bullock stars turns out to be better than it should be, simply because of her. The mediocre "Two ifby Sea," her latest work, proves to be yet another example. The film begins when Frank (Denis Leary) and Roz (Bullock) are chased by several police cars. Frank has just stolen J~ Two If By Seal Directed by Bill Bennett; with Sandra Bullock and Denis Learv At Showcase a painting worth about $4 million and is getting ready to sell it, as part of a deal arranged by his cousin, Beano. After escaping the police, Frank and Roz break into a picturesque waterfront home that is conveniently vacant for the weekend. The FBI remains hot on the trail; they are searching for the buyer The Golden Globe Awards Best Picture (Drama): "Sense and Sensibility" Best Picture (Musical or Comedy): "Babe" Best Director: Mel Gibson, "Braveheart" Best Actor (Drama): Nicolas Cage, "Leaving Las Vegas" Best Actress (Drama): Sharon Stone, "Casino" Best Actor (Musical or Comedy): John Travolta, "Get Shorty" Best Actress (Musical or Comedy): Nicole Kidman, "To Die For" Best Supporting Actor: Brad Pitt, "Twelve Monkeys" Best Supporting Actress: Mira Sorvino, "Mighty Aphrodite" Best Screenplay: Emma Thompson, "Sense and Sensibility" Best TV Drama Series: "Party of Five" Best TV Musical or Comedy Series: "Cybill" Best Actor (TV Drama): Jimmy Smits, "NYPD Blue" Best Actress (TV Drama): Jane Seymour, "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" Best Actor (TV Musical or Comedy): Kelsey Grammer, "Frasier" Best Actress (TV Musical or Comedy): Cybill Shepherd, "Cybill" Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement: Sean Connery Always a somewhat misunderstood ceremony, the 53rd Annual Golden Globe Awards (which aired Sunday night on NBC) featured a wide range of honorees that was as strange as the enigmatic broadcast itself. This year, the awards given every year by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for achievements in television and film - included the usual crop of predictable victors with few surprises. Nevertheless, one might be shocked to find that such TV'powerhouses as "ER" and "NYPD Blue" were defeated by the less popular, although not necessarily inferior FOX-TV drama, "Party of Five." At the same time, the army of N BC "Must See TV" comedies succumbed to the wild-card entry, "Cybill," from the ever-struggling CBS. But save Mel Gibson's win as Best Director for his period epic, "Braveheart," and Sharon Stone's shocking triumph in the Best Actress category (for her work in ,Martin Scorsese's unheralded "Casino"), there were no major sur- prises in the movie categories. The acclaimed adaptation of Jane Austen's novel, "Sense and Sensibility," took home the Best Drama prize, the praised "Babe" won for Best Musical or Comedy film, and Nicolas Cage added to his cache of awards by snagging the Best Actor in a drama Golden Globe. Unfortunately, after a drawn-out, emcee-less ceremony that ultimately proved little, the most memorable moment came at the beginning of the show, when the always eloquent Brad Pitt accepted his Best Supporting Actor award. "Thanks to the makers of Kaopectate - you've done a great service to your fellow man," he said. And if nothing else, we had something to ponder for the following three hours. - Joshua Rich i~. ~ . .. - ~ .~. ....~ ~ "Oh, Sandy. You're America's sweetheart. What are you doing with an ugly, washed-up comic like me?" and for Beano, who discovers that the painting is worth a lot more than he originally believed. As Frank and Roz wait for the day of the deal to arrive, tension builds between them. Roz, after meeting Evan, a rich handsome neighbor, begins yearning for stability and direction that Frank may not be able to provide. Frank must somehow find a way to save his relationship and receiveproper compensation forthe paint- ing, while avoiding the FBI. The true weakness of the film is the messy screenplay, which was co-writ- ten by Leary. The many subplots blur the overall focus of the story. The main flaw of Leary's character in the movie is his lack of direction, which is ironi- cally due to his writing. The film constantly jerks back and forth between Frank and Roz's crisis, Evan's courtship of Roz, Beano's at- tempts to get the painting and the FBI's obsessive chase of a big-time art thief. And unfortunately, the complex situa- tions all have simple, neat resolutions that ultimately lead to the perfect Hol- lywood ending. "Two if by Sea" lacks any sort of identity. Although it begins as a humor- ous chase movie, it later changes focus, only to capture the relationship between the dead-end crook and his frustrated girlfriend. At this point, the humorous scenes don't seem to have same sting that kept the earlier parts moving. The shifting tone, therefore, manages to ruin a fair amount of the continuity and flow of the picture. But, in the end, the film is worth watching, simply for Sandra Bullock. She excels at playing confused, but strong characters, whojust happen to be victims of circumstance. Leary's Frank puts her in this position by denying Roz the stability she desires. Although their characters aren't nec- essarily compatible, Bullock and Leary (displaying convincing New York and Boston accents, respectively) have good chemistry, which is most evident in the strong dialogue between them. Some- how, the two stars are able to overcome the limits of poor writing by offering quality work. Despite a typically humorous perfor- manceby Leary, Bullock once again man- ages to outshine everyone else. She con- tinues to do the one thing that justifies her popularity with producers and the public - Bullock makes movies more enjoy- able. And thankfully for the makers ofthis film, her magic hasn't run out yet. r It's Party' time! Come open your mind New York's racy gay comedy doesn't fly in Detroit ,- , ., . By Melissa Rose Bernardo Daily Theater Editor Fully naked men licking whipped cream off each other. If this phrase entices you, you're in the mood to "Party" at 1515 Broadway. But if you want a little more from your theater, PARTY Where: Detroit, 1515 Broadway When: Through Jan. 28 Tickets are $25 at the Fisher Theater or TicketMaster. Cali (313) 872-1000 or (810) 645-6666. you're bound to be sorely disappointed with this rendition of the David Dillon comedy. "Party" has been playing to sold- out crowds in New York, Chicago and, most recently, Los Angeles - and for good reason. It's full of really funny gay men. These men get to- gether and drink, dance, dredge up secrets, hook up, and not a nasty epi- thet is uttered. At least not one with- out a joke behind it. But we love these men, even though they're playing a ridiculous version *of truth-or-dare in which they all end up naked. Right. We all do that with our friends, don't we? The problem with this non-equity production, embarrassingly misdirected by Jennifer Jones, is that no one knows quite how to handle Dillon's comedy. Off-Broadway, the actors are so in touch with their characters and the direction is so flawless that you don't mind the raunchy comedy or the flamboyant nu- dity. Example: Kevin: "Who were you with last night?" Brian: "How should I know? I don't have eyes in the back of my head!" The almost entirely gay male audi- ence appreciated that remark, but Grant Stokes-the production's only Equity actor - had no clue what he was saying. Stokes, in fact, had little to no clue as to the rest of his charac- ter, a loose but not easy Broadway dancer whose sexual escapades rival those of the late Joey Stephano. In fact, the only actor who had a sem- blance of a clue was Bob Cafagna, whose passion and energy for the role of Ray, the wonderfully bitchy gay priest, was both sincere and well-in- formed. Adrial Thornton also gets points for giving the character of Pe- ter a spine, and for keeping a straight face during "I'd explore every inch of your body with my tongue and you'd explore mine. Then I'd take you in my mouth..." and other variations on dime store romance-novel dialogue. But for the most part, the cast isn't comfortable with this talk, and nei- ther is Jones. Her staging is com- pletely without regard for the con- straints of this street-front theater (sit in the front row if you want to see the "Philip-sundae"), and she doesn't seem to know what to do with seven completely naked men. As soon as underwear is shed, the character sits down with crossed legs or stands be- hind a chair/sofa. Except for a lights- dimming smooch between James ("the leather queen") and Andy (who thinks Stonewall is "that thing in England where they can't figure out how it was built"), all the kisses appear to be stage kisses - that is, lots of head movement and mouths hidden from the audience. The playwright had no shame when he wrote "Party." The audience is relishing these portrayals. Why the embarrassment? And speaking of embarrassment, whoever made cuts in Dillon's script should be feeling a little sorry. If you're going to add a local reference (the Haagen-Dazs shop in Birmingham), cut out the references to "lemon-chicken Chelsea fags" and the rest of New York City. "Party" should be an easy evening of no-holds-barred gay comedy. The nu- dity is just a perk. But in this produc- tion, the nudity is the only asset. A ticket to "Party" costs S25; for a mere S3 you can get better action in the comforts of your own living room. I.r We are tiny Soundgarden. Raaaaaaaaa' Soundgarden Alive in the Superunknown/l Songs From the Superunknown A&M OK, first of all, "Alive in the Superunknown" is a special Mac/PC CD plus, "Songs from Superunknown" is a domestic CD single. "Alive... "has four songs that can be played on a normal CD player; "Superunknown," "Fell on Black Days (Video Version)," "She Likes Surprises" and "like Sui- cide (Acoustic Version)." "Songs . has those and a track named "Jerry Garcia's Finger," a boring track which accounts for some of the background music on 'Alive ..." See RECORDS, Page 10 .I Career Fair January 30 & 31, 1996 OLDE, America's Full Service Discount Brokersm, is looking for motivated people to establish a career in the stock brokerage business. OLDE offers: 4-12 month paid training program Potential six-figure income Excellent benefits If you possess excellent communication skills, general market knowledge and the desire to excel, see us at the Career Fair on January 30 & 31, 1996. If you are unable to attend the Career Fair call: 1 800 937-0606 or send resume to: OLDE Discount Stockbrokers National Recruiting 751 Griswold Street Detroit, MI 48226 A0 OLDE DISCOUNT STOCKBROKERS Member NYSE and SIPC An Equal Opportunity Employer r I 7&117(uuse RECORDS fl~ r phone: 663.5800 1140 south university (above goodtime chadeys), AA mon.-thurs.: 9:00a-10:OOp sundays fri. & sat.: 9:00,-11:00P 11 :oo-8:oo VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR INFLUENZA TREATMENT STUDY The University Health Service seeks volunteers to participate in a medical study evaluating an experimental antiviral for the treatment of symptoms of influenza infection. To be considered for this study, candidates must: * be 18 years of age or older and in good health; * currently have influenza-like symptoms; symptoms include fever plus head and muscle aches, cough and sore throat; * be willing to receive treatment and participate in evaluations; * be enrolled in 48 hours of illness. Involvement in the study will require an initial University of Wisconsin - Platteville "If you have built castles in the air, your work neednot be lost. That is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." -Henry David Thoreau Learn Your Way Around The World * Study abroad in Seville, Spain, or London, England, for a summer, for a semester or for a full academic year * Courses in liberal arts and international business " Fluency in a foreign language .not required " Home-stays with meals * Field trips " F~inancj'ia qd nlpc(,renrt fr d imme-v~r v"ziCn C O1 C, scheduled for: i'to A , Jt. '!,rf4 / 1 t O.C. aN I-' {- (2 9/c Tmvt LNLwf YCo 5t..bb ing kA eu A N\ W* Mlotw~ do elite W 0r£z a. . ro a - I °' I i I