8A - The Michigan Daily - Monday, March 30, 1998

Reruns thrive
on cable's
special FX.
By Ed Sholinsky
Daily Arts Writer
Syndicated programs make it easy for people to get into
a show and understand the newer episodes by viewing the
older ones, and it also lets longtime fans see some of their
favorites.
2 FX is one of Fox's cable networks, and it has built the
best primetime lineup by using such syndicated shows.
Using reruns of "Miami Vice," "The X-Files," "NYPD
Blue," and "In Living Color," FX delves into promising
territory making the old new once more.
Many of today's college students were too young for
"Miami Vice" the first time it came around, so this is a
perfect opportunity to see why our parents wore shoes
without socks in the '80s.
"The X-Files" and "NYPD Blue" have only been on for
a couple of years, but it's a treat to be
able to see the episodes that kicked
off each series. With "NYPD Blue,"
FX gives audiences a chance to see
the David Caruso episodes and com-
Primetime pare them to the Jimmy Smits
Sepisodes.
FX (Channel 61} One of the most influential shows
FX (hanel 6m1) of the early '90s, "In Living Color,"
has not been on for years, and it is
good to see it back. "In Living
Color" started the careers of Jim
Carrey and Damon Wayans, and "In
Living Color" showcased their talent
perfectly.
Recently, FX acquired the syndi-
cation rights for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," one of the
hottest and most exciting shows on television. In an e-
mail interview, FX's Public Relations Manager David
Gardner, said that "Buffy" fit the profile of "program-
Ming that appeals to our core audience."
"Buffy,"along with shows like "The X-Files" and "In
Living Color," are the types of programs Gardner said FX
looks for: "Bold, edgy, distinctive, and daring."
While FX does run some Fox shows, Gardner says that
they are not first in line for them. "We are not given any
kind of advantage by 20th Century Fox Television
because we are a Fox company," Gardner said. Instead,

Stars heat up tame 'Things'.

Courtesy of Fox
Fans of David Duchovny can catch up on old episodes of
"The X-Files" on FX weeknights.
FX has to bid against all of the other networks.
FX has bid on the right shows for its weekday prime-
time. While the networks are force feeding audiences
mid-season replacements, FX has found a formula that
works.
Rather than torturing audiences with the likes of
"Lateline" or "For Your Love," FX has stuck with some-
thing that works. People who did not start watching "The
X-Files" until recently (it was not always a ratings jug-
gernaut) can catch up on the episodes that started the
great conspiracy. For fans of "NYPD Blue," it is great to
tune into the earlier, superior episodes.
And for long-starved fans of "Miami Vice" and "In
Living Color," this is the perfect opportunity to satiate
their appetites.
Gardner was quick to point out that FX is not all syndi-
cation. He mentioned "FX is a mix of hit series, original
programs, films from Twentieth Century Fox and other
major studios, and marquee sports." He also added that
FX is "developing a number of original series," but he did
not give any specifics.
But it's FX's syndicated primetime line-up that is the
channel's main attraction.
FX proves, with the right shows, leftovers can be just as
good as something new.

By Prashant Tamaska
Daily Arts Writer
Featuring an eclectic, attractive cast,
an interesting premise, and a mesmeriz-
ing atmosphere, "Wild Things" has the
potential to be a thrilling modern noir
aimed primarily at the "Scream" gener-
ation.
Unfortunately, director John
McNaughton is unable to fully balance
all the material given to him, resulting
in a clumsy, but often intriguing work.
Set in the wealthy yachting commu-
nity of Blue Bay, Fla., the film opens at
the local high school, where Sam
Lombardo (Matt Dillon) is a guidance
counselor. Many of the girls have a
crush on Sam, including Kelly Van
Ryan (Denise Richards), the seductive,
blue-blood daughter of the town's most
prominent heiress.
Sam, an
award-winning
educator who
quite obviously
Wild cares deeply for
Things his students, is
also a notorious
ladies' man. But,
At Briarwood he appears to
and showcase have settled
down and doesn't
really seem to
take much of an
interest in the
come-ons of the
flirtatious Kelly.
But one afternoon, after washing
Sam's jeep for a school fund-raiser,
Kelly walks into the guidance coun-
selor's house with a wet T-shirt and a
wry smile.
What takes place is not revealed, but
the next day Kelly accuses Sam of
rape. Later in the week, Suzie Toiler
(Neve Campbell), a troubled rebel liv-
ing in a trailer park who is the antithe-
sis of Kelly, tells detective Ray
Duquette (Kevin Bacon) that Sam had
previously raped her, as well.
The teacher is immediately
arrested and hires Ken
Bowden (Bill Murray),
a shady lawyer willing
to take the case. A
trial ensues, marking
the true beginning
of the action.
Early on, "Wild
Things" excels due'
to its creation of an
atmosphere that
spells trouble.
of Blue Bay,
with itsx :
s u n n y ,
vibrant {'t
streets, stun-.
ning ocean

views, and enormous houses appears
too good to be true. But the film slowly
tears away at this paradise by emphasiz-
ing the detached sexuality of its resi-
dents.
Tempting Kelly seems to be follow-
ing the same path as her mother, who
has a new boy toy daily. Even good-guy
guidance counselor Sam has a long his-
tory of sexual conquests.
The movie is suggesting that at the
heart of this fancy community is a
depravity that would lead its townspeo-
ple to manipulate each other by any
means necessary (including sexually) to
get what they want. This notion
becomes more important as the story
unfolds.
The initial development of characters
is crucial in helping set up the film's
key events. Kelly seems like a trouble-
maker from the beginning, but who
wouldn't be with a mother like hers? It
appears that all Kelly really needs is a
little attention and affection, which she
is not receiving at home.
Sam, as mentioned before, is an
excellent guidance counselor, and is
loved by his students. He always gives
them rides home and is teaching a
group how to sail, going so far as to
help foot the costs for a student who
couldn't otherwise afford to be in the
club. But his sexual history seems to be
hinting at another hidden side of him.
Suzie, a tough alterna-chick, obvi-
ously despises Blue Bay for the way the
wealthier residents treat their less fortu-
nate neighbors. She is a bit of an out-
cast, and has a rivalry with Kelly that
makes their connection more interest-
ing.
Unfortunately, after doing a skillful
job of creating the mood, "Wild
Things" fails to execute. The film
becomes far too immersed in a compli-
cated plot, featuring twist after twist.
The audience is not given any time to
absorb what has just happened
before the story

Courtesy of Columbia
"Wild Thing" Kevin Bacon frys In the
Florida heat.
takes another predictably unpredictable
turn.
The characters no longer control the
action. They become mere plot
devices, with the sole purpose of fur-
thering the storyline. The earlier devel-
opment of their personalities becomes
irrelevant.
Of course, the movie would still work
if the twists were somewhat believable
or even slightly innovative. Instead, the
plot advances much too cleanly, with-
out the complications that can make
sudden turns so intriguing. The film-
makers would have been wise to cut out
portions of the plot and to spend more
time focusing on particular aspects.
Instead, the second half of the movie
seems to be in fast forward mode as so
much happens in so little time.
While all of the big names in the cast
(Matt Dillon, Neve Campbell, Kevin
Bacon, Bill Murray, etc.) perform well
with what they are given, their talents
are wasted. The film eventually breaks
down into a plot movie that would be as
effective with unknown actors as with
these stars.
The most frustrating thing

~1


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is the ward
Daily Arts, along with Paramount
Picures, is giving away run of
engagement Passes for grease'!
Stop by the Student Publications
Building at 420 Maynard after I
p. today and name a11 five T-Birds
and you and a friend could go
together to see "Grease" for free.
Supplies are extremely limited.

about "Wild Things" is that
it manages to stay pretty
entertaining throughout
the course of the action.
But this is a function of
the very solid initial
portion of the film, and
is not a reflection of the
later happenings.
Ultimately, "Wild
Things" is the type of
movie that is excit-
ing at first and
manages t
.. maintain inter-
. est until its dis-
appointing
conclusion, leav-
Courtesy of Columbia ing the viewer
Neve Campbell and Denise Richards get wet in 'Wild." wanting more.

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