UMbe £twm &dl 'The Lady From Shanghai' Orson Welles' 1948 classic shows at the Michigan Theater tonight. Welles stars as a seaman who gets involved in a murder mystery aboard the yacht of a rich man, Everett Sloane, and his wife, played by Rita Hayworth. The film starts at 7 p.m. and is $5 for students, $6.50 for others. Tuesday January 28, 1997 All i*s disappointing 'In Love and War' _ A 13y Kristin Long Daily Arts Writer Converting a true story of love and innocence into a tale for a broad audience sometimes can move such an audience to tears. It can pose identifiable aspects of passion and deceit, so much so that it can be one of the most profound films of___________ our day. R.EVI Other times, the story does not have the effect ofInLv a s intent, and the result isInLv blend of underdeveloped 9 feelings that have no such at showcase impact. It attempts to combine the most heart-wrenching elements, but it only manages to prompt a mere sigh. Take the Ernest Hemingway story, "In Love and War," in which the love felt by one of America's foremost writers is mangled and tried against the odds. He has expectations that only precede an Smense downfall, and like Femingway, we are disappointed in the course of events that transpire. The difference, however, is the emotion in which the story is told and that in which it is perceived. We travel through Europe during World War I from not only the eyes of a young and bewildered newspaper writer, but also those of a nurse whose concepts of life are far ahead of her time. Hemingway (Chris BullIock _ *'Donnell) arrives in Italy with the Red Cross only as a morale booster for the Italian regime. IHe has idealistic principles that make him hunger for the front lines of World War I. The truth that no pre- conceived notions have ever fully matched realistic UI an outcomes never phases his soul. He is vulnerable to war's greatest pains, and acts without logical thinking. It is obvious that Hemingway looks for trouble, but it's the kind of distress that stems from a big heart that overwhelms reasoning. The debonair and innocent-looking Chris O'Donnell has the perfect facial expressions to fit the mood, and his excitement matches the EW naive notions of an American dreamer, ld War but his personality does not quite seem to parallel Hemingway. Before our young soldier even id Briarwood encounters trouble, we know that he is bound for disappointment. Perhaps this is one of the film's greatest setbacks. Depending, too, on one's knowledge of Hemingway and his life, the details and characters are almost disappointing. It is highly anticipated emo- tion that is never devel- sooed. iainmsngvthne soed.andineversnder-e magic that accompanies the story of love it aims plot unfolds. The dynamics between Ernie and Aggs is nothing spectacular. He was in the hospital for what seemed like an eternity, and the entire time, it's hardly as if she gave him the time of day. She was the eye of many a man's affection: Hemingway, his pal Henry Villard (Mackenzie Astin), and a suave Italian doctor named Domenico Caracciolo (Emil io Bonucci). Whether or not Agnes was as lofty as she was por- trayed is a mere facet of history. The lack of continu- ous compassion between all of the characters hinders the film's success and makes its emotions like a roller- coaster that constantly varies. Thle story itself has great potential, and that it is based on truth rather than fiction eliminates the fantastic elements that embellishes average tales of woe. One of the film's redeeming qualities, howev- er, lies in knowing that what occurred on the screen did at one ' > point actually occur in the past. It S was based on the novel "Hemingway in Love and War: The Lost Diary of Agnes von Kurowsky," written by Hemingway's lifetime pal, Henry S. Villard, and James Nagel. Bullock is classy as the savvy Agnes but class and emotion do not always go together. She is the heart of the story, and her confusion creates its demise. "In Love and War" has the potential to be a great tear-jerker, but it never explains the characters enough to build - up the water supply. The base for the story is interesting and enjoyable, butsby the time we are acquainted with the actors, someone leaves and the film is over. It is a realistic story that is a regular story of love; it is highly anticipated and never fully meets expectations. texplore. 51 When Hemingway is wounded while i nvesti- gating and befriending Italian front line sol- diers, he finds himself at the helm of Agnes von Kurowsky (Sandra Bullock), an Americaustrsfretoan O'Donnell Italian war hospital. Upon first sight, Hemingway falls in love, or so he says, and before we know it he has proposed marriage. The thought that Bullock pro- posed in "Speed," of whether relationships created in traumatic situations can last, crosses our mind as the "in Love and War" stars Sandra Bullock and Chris O'Donnell smooch. Spencer vxplodes with 'Worry' The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion Now 1 Got Worry Matador * Following their stellar, ultra-sexy 1994 album, "Orange," the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion return with a faster, noisier interpretation of the blues in "Now I Got Worry:' While not quite as catchy or excellent as "Orange," the new album is nonetheless a pleasure to listen to and a worthwhile possession. Commencing with a howl from vocalist/guitarist Jon Spencer in "Skunk," "Now I Got Worry" quickly 'Occelerates into the band's unique hybrid of funk, punk, blues. and soul, all the while sung by Spencer in his Elvis- like manner. Guitarist Judah Bauer and drummer Russell Simins back up Spencer nicely, as the trio tightly blis- ters through the rest of the album. Some highlights of "Now I Got Worry" include "Chicken Dog," a col- laboration with Rufus Thomas of "Funky Chicken" fame; "R.L. Got qoul," a tribute to Mississippi blues great R.L. Burnside, with whom the band collaborated for an album, "A Ass Pocket of Whiskey"; and "2K(indsa Love, a high-tempo song that's the best extension of the good times of "Orange:'~ -Aaron Rennie Reviewing 1996's rock myths By Aaron Rennie Daily Arts Writer Throughout the great and colorful history of rock 'n' roll, there have been a slew of interesting myths. Perhaps you have heard some of these gems: Ozzy Osbourne biting the head off a live bat onstage (true, in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1982. for which he received 14 rabies inioculations in the muscle wall of his abdomen) or Keith Richards having all his blood replaced in a Swiss detox center in 1974 (false, he made it up as a joke when people asked him how he cleaned up his "human labo- ratory"). The great tales of lore, however, have contin- ued into the present, so good look at some of them, shall we'?: Myth No. Nirvana 1: At least- one of Better Than Ezra, Collective Soul, Crash Test Dummies, Candlebox, Deep Blue Something, or Dishwalla will score another hit single. Fact: Not a chance in hell -= one can't make two Faustian pacts. Myth No. 2 (heard last summer): "Hey, man, did you hear? The drummer from the Pumpkins OD'd on smack and the non-Billy Corgan guitarist got arrested for possession!" Fact: That friend of yours "in the know" was niistaken, as it was a key- boardist touring with the Smashing Pumpkins who sadly died, and Jimmy Chamberlain (the drummer) did not - he merely got sacked by the rest of the band for being a liability. And while James Ihia (the other guitarist) may look strung out at all times, he was not arrested and is still going strong, crack- ing jokes that sail over your head and making those weird facial expressions. Myth No. 3: Nirvana and R.E.M. were going to tour together and alter- nate headlining (a Ia Guns N' Roses and Metallica in 1991) before Kurt Cobain 7 committed sui- cide in 1994. story, one Michael Stipe acknowledged himself in an interview last year. "Releasing R.E.M. "Zooropa" was bad enough, but now U2 are complete- ly going off the deep end with their new album, abandoning their fan base!" Fact: Well, "Zooropa" was a bit of a disappointment, but don't worry your pretty little head, as "Pop" supposedly will mix a good amount of sweet bal- lads -in the vein of "With or Without You" and "One"- with stellar dance- able-rock, like the excellent first single, "Discotheque."~ Myth No. 5: Liam Gallagher of Oasis is a complete tosser. Fact: True, as evidenced by his taking the whole "Beatles" thing a bit too far, flicking a cigarette ash on the head of Fab Four rival Mick Jagger at the Q Awards in London in November. But the lad can sing, though (at least when he's not getting arrested for being "ch~ained to the mirror and the razor blade," as he was the night of the ash incident),. Myth No. 6: Americans have spent 33 percent more money buying 15 mil- lion copies of Alanis Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill" than President Clinton and Bob Dole spent .com- bined on their 1996 campaigns. Fa ct: Horribly, horribly true, as pointed '"Spin", arti- cle. Myth No. 7: Bush and "In Utero" produce Steve Albini.= Nirvana. Fact: Yeah, and Pamela Anderson doesn't need a talent implant. Here's' hoping that 1997 is as fruitful a myth-creating year as those 4n the past, and those who make the, news come in the form - of the good (Radiohead, U2, and James all have new records coming out), the fat (Screaming Trees), and the funny (Beck). The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion released "Now I Got Worry." September 67 Lucky Shoe The Enclave September 67 is songwriter/guitarist Shannon Worrell and drummer Kristin Asbury. Under the watchful eye of pro- ducer David Lowery (of Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker fame), and with the in-studio instrumental help of friends such as former Dashboard Savior Rob Veal, these two women have crafted a solid, folksy debut album. Lyrically, Worrell details relation- ships, both familial and romantic, with a keen attention to subtlety and nuance. The often foreboding or troubled lyrics bubble just under the surface of the upbeat, hummable folk-pop melodies. Musically, their sound is much bigger than their numbers would suggest, aug- mented by several session players on bass, additional guitar and the occa- sional violin. The tracks "Hazel Motes" and "Poor Boy" are standouts, catchy but not fluff. Overall, while "Lucky Shoe" offers little that is unique and certainly noth- ing remarkable, it is a solid debut. - Anders Smith-LindalI See RECORDS. Page 8 -Ii~ .................. ******* ..............I