Uft ift~mi Dat Midnight Madness! Ann Arbor breaks into a shopping frenzy today as the downtown retail district offers bargains galore. Enjoy late night shopping and a general ly festive atmosphere as this Ann Arbor tradition offers great bargains for all your holiday shopping needs. For more information on the day's happenings, call 668-7652. Friday December 6, 1996 12 Mars ttacks! 0 Burton sci-fi thriller takes no prisoners By Kristin Long Daily Arts Writer A film about Martians invading Earth and making a mockery of humans is perhaps not one of the most intellec- tually stimulating plots for most movie-goers. The theme seems based more on humor than on a well-rounded speci- men of fine cinema, and the slap-stick story borders on pure insanity. In "Mars Attacks!," however, theR imbalance is masked by the creative R genius of its director Tim Burton. When it comes to creativity, Burton knows 100 how to invent a masterpiece that makes the other features less prominent; his Oper latest project is a fine example of his potential. The film's success lies in the warped, yet enchant- ing mindset of the director. "Mars Attacks!" does not have the big plot that involves immense character development or intense drama; the story, in fact, does not touch on either. Big-name stars like Jack Nicholson and Glenn Close play ridiculous roles that stray from their more profound styles of acting, and the lack of seriousness fits accordingly with the plot. Where Burton succeeds in direction, he falters in story strength. The lack of a realistic plot is one thing, but a little substance would suffice. Luckily, the film ends before the story really drags and the theater seats become too uncom- fortable. The models for the story were the alien invasion films and the Topps "Mars Attacks!" trading cards of the '50s and '60s. Burton collaborated efforts with screenwriter Jonathan Gems to produce a film of a "War of the Worlds"-esque style and tone. While its mediocre attempt hardly breaks the surface, the shallow mood accompanies the glorified sci-fi style. E a ns F The location of the movie itself takes place in numerous cities across the country, playing on the mystified American population that is enchanted by the thought of an alien inva- sion. In the midst of an interview between".seductive talk show host Natalie Lake (Sarah Jessica Parker) and the ego- tistical, alien-expert Professor Donald Kessler (Pierce Brosnan), Martians intercept the television transmission sig- nal and send a message to Earthlings of their forthcoming invasion. V I E W Jack Nicholson does a decent job as rs Attacks! president of the United States, James Dale, who somehow seems to evade the yk k r more dangerous aspects of the invasion. Friday, Dec. 13, 1996 Glenn Close is his first lady whose pri- mary purpose is to look good and give flaky moral support. If famous stars were enough to make "Mars Attacks!" a success, it would be at the top of the list. Accompanying Nicholson in the Oval Office is Martin Short as the Press Secretary, Jerry Ross, who is majorly obsessed with a good appearance. Rod Steiger is General Decker, the fierce arm man waiting for his chance to destroy the Martians on th first arrival. His bad-cop attitude is subdued by the peace- making General Casey (Paul Winfield). The list continues with Annette Bening as flaky love- child, attempting to recover from her drinking problem. Danny DeVito has a brief cameo as a big-time gambler, but his role hardly has any substantial effect. Even the ever-cheesy Tom Jones stars as himself in a Vegas casino show. "Mars Attacks!" lacks a balance between Burton's imag- ination with the alien life forms and an artistic plot. T , story and the stars are entertaining for the hour and a ha and thankfully, no longer. Annette Bening guards lounge lizzard Tom Jones, Vegas' most valuable treasure, in Tim Burton's "Mars Attacks!" I "Mars" stars (left to right): Michael J. Fox, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jack Nicholson and Glenn Close. Glory Phi God provides an alternate avenue for worship. By Eugene Bowen Daily Arts Writer For whatever reason - right or wrong - words like "God" and "party" or "worship" and "fun" don't seem to go together too well in many a college student's vocabulary. But ordained min- ister and University sophomore Keith Butler II, son of the legendary pastor of Detroit's Word of Faith International Christian Center, minister Keith Butler, is out to change that. He has brought Glory Phi God, a religious youth orga- nization which was founded at the Christian Center and has since then sprouted to a number of metro Detroit high schools, to the University. And now they're having a party, and it's free. Tonight at the U-Club, from 9 p.m. until the Spirit says otherwise, the first G Phi G talent show / party will take place. "It'll be an opportunity for people to get to know one another in fellow- ship and to worship together," the G younger Butler > said. University junior Mic and G Phi G mem- ber Tesenga Duncan stresses the impor- tance of events such as this. "We need more outlets for Christian events," she said. "We want to show that we can glorify God and have fun doing it." R1 T chigE Speical talent show guests include the female gospel group lntheo (mean- ing "God in us") and the gospel rap group, JC Clan. A number of other performers will also be present includ- ing members of the Christian E VIE W Center and the Dry Phi God University com- alent Show munity. Tonight at 9 p.m. "We'll also have an Union U-Club, Free a little fashion show," Butler noted. "G Phi G has its own clothing line. So we're going to show some of that off." But he and Duncan want everyone to keep in mind that beneath all the fun is a serious purpose and message - that of salvation. "You can't straddle the fence. You're either all the way hot or all the way cold," Duncan said, quoting the elder Rev. Butler. "You can't be a Christian on Sundays and Mondays at the G Phi G meetings, and then the rest of the week live a life exactly the opposite of what your Christianity should stAW for." Along with free admission, G Phi G will also be providing free refreshments. If the Glory Phi God Talent Show won't satisfy all your spiritual needs, check out the University Gospel Chorale's annual free concert. Titled "Stir Up the Gift," the show will take place at HillAuditorium on Dec. 14 at S p.m. 10 11 01~ Recycle the 7ashi pkmns Daily "DISNEY MAGIC HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!* -Ron Brewingtons AMERICAN LRBAIN RADIO NETWORKS "A CLASSIC MASTERPIECE! FANTASTIC. INCREDIBLE. w.