IOA - The Michigan Daily - Monday, October 12, 1998

I

Dr-ear film is tough to swallow

Courtesy of University of Michigan Museum of Art
"Thunderbolt-bearer," by an unknown artist, is on display at the museum.
Bri ght painXtins
give ian insight

By Brie Tiderington
For the Daily
There is a Korean word that per-
fectly describes the current exhibi-
tion at the University Museum of
Art. The word is ch'aesaekhwa. It
means "painting in brilliant col-
ors." What you'll find when you
go to see these decorative paint-
ings of Korea will surprise you.
These are compelling works, rep-
resenting stylized and subtle deco-
rative elements that make one con-
template their nature.
The pieces of the show titled.
"Hopes and
Aspirations:
Decorative
Painting of
Hopes and Korea," tell
Asitstories from
spiraiot1S three topics:
University r oi s:
Museum of Art religious.
royal and
Through Nov. 15 folk art.
These scenes
are at once
both serene
and bursting
with color
andtdetails,
and they are
well worth taking even a quick
visit to the museum this month. If
you've never been to the museum,
this would be a fine time to go
look at the permanent works as
well as this visiting show.

Marshall Wu, the Museum
senior curator of Asian art con-
tends that, "when Americans today
think of Korea, they probably
imagine the modern Korea; few
realize the breadth of the rich cul-
tural traditions of this Asian coun-
try."
Wu further implies that, "this
exhibition not only testifies to the
delicate and graceful nature of
indigenous Korean art; it also
explores its history, as well as the
temperament and sensibilities of
its people."
The exhibition comes from the
organizers at the Asian Art
Museum of San Francisco. The
works shown are from that muse-
um as well as from three private
U.S. collections. The exhibition
consists of 10 scrolls and six large
screens depicting scenes of nature-
and court, as well as colorful reli-
gious abstracts.
Included are works such as
"Inaugural Procession to Annung,"
which is a scroll that extends more
than 250 inches and portrays the
lives of people in old Korean soci-
ety. Buddhist beliefs play an
important role in the exhibit with
such works as "The Tenth King of
Hell," which examines punishment
and afterlife in Buddhist mytholo-
gy.
A free tour of the exhibition will
be given on Sunday at 2 p.m.

By Gerard Cohen-Vignaud
Daily Arts Writer
The filmmakers behind the real-life inspired
movie "One Tough Cop" probably were aiming to
create a gritty portrait of police work. But it's not
the subject matter that's so tough to watch in "One
Tough Cop." The hardest part is keeping a straight
face as director Bruno Barreto navigates through
dreadful dialogue and barely passable acting.
The movie follows Bo Dietl (Stephen Baldwin),
who is supposedly one tough cop. At times, he
seems more like one dumb cop. Perhaps, it's
Baldwin's acting that makes the character so, but
for whatever reason, the audience doesn't feel
much toughness.
For the first half of the movie, we get an over-
load of background information. Bo's friendship
with a Mafia gangster Rickie La Cassa (Mike
McGlone) is under investigation by the federal
government. Unless Bo hands over his friend, his
career will end in disgrace.
Meanwhile, his partner, Duke Finnerty (Chris
Penn), has accumulated thousands of dollars in
debts and faces the consequences of his compul-
sive gambling.
To add even more elements
to this aheady crowded plot,
Bo pursues a relationship with
One Rickie's ex-girlfriend (Gina
Tough Cop Gershon).
There is no subtlety at play
in "One Tough Cop." From
At Briarwood the moment we see Gershon,
and Showcase we know she and Baldwin
will match up, thus betraying
Rickie.
f One might think that such
action would suffice for "One
Tough Cop," but Barreto
doesn't leave it at that.
Bo and Duke must get
involved in the highly politicized murder and rape
of a nun. Defying precinct orders, they investigate
the murder and - surprise, surprise - solve the
case.
But the self-aggrandizing detective in charge of
heading the investigation won't have Bo and Duke
sharing the spotlight.
"One Tough Cop" is clearly meant to be an ode
to the everyday policeman, whose grunt work
keeps the city running civilly. The movie's first
scene, a ludicrous romp into melodrama, shows
Bo rescuing a cute little girl from her large
depraved captor.

C.outesy of Gramercy Pictures

Stephen Baldwin, seen here in "The Usual Suspects," gained weight for "One Tough Cop."

The opposite of the tough cop, everyday good
guy, who has foibles and appears gruff on the out-
side, but is basically good at heart, is the detective
who claims credit for solving the case. He is more
educated, dresses in fancy suits and, while giving
the impression he cares for justice, really only
cares for himself.
The film buckles under the pressure of its own
weighty material. The main action happens too
late in the movie to resolve itself in a satisfying
way. Bo and Duke spend less time unmasking the
murderers than they do drinking in Rickie's pseu-
do-classy bar.
In concert with the plot, the cliche dialogue caus-
es heavy uncomfortable pauses in the movie.
Intended to be revelatory, these moments only serve
to illuminate the words' utter lack of profundity.

As far as the acting goes, Baldwin, as the main
character, delivers a performance devoid of
nuances. For all the specific idiosyncracies he
gives his character, Bo could have been an irritat-
ing cab driver or "Rocky"-like boxer.
The only front where Baldwin's acting doesn't
grate is when he is opposite Gershon, wh'ose daz-
zling smile and shining star quality mate her per-
fect to play the no-nonsense, entrepreneurial
woman.
In spite of all that happens in "One Tough Cop,"
the movie bores with its conventional treatment of
the cop versus criminal, good guy/bad guy story.
Instead of breaking new ground, "One Tough Cop"
retreads the same timeworn path, stumbling ob
its own inadequate direction and dialogue the
whole way.

Jon Stewart's nude portraits bare all

The Medical Scientist Training Program
at the
Medical College of Wisconsin
offers a combined M.D.-Ph.D. degree program. Trainees
receive full tuition scholarships and stipends throughout their
studies. Highly qualified students with a background in research
are encouraged to apply. The training program application
deadline is November 1. Write or call:
- Medical Scientist Training Program
Medical College of Wisconsin
8701 Watertown Plank Road
Milwaukee, WI 53226-0509
M EDICAL Phone: (414)456-8641
COLLEGE 1-800-457-2775
OLFL ESC NSIN E-mail: mstp@post.its.mcw.edu
http://www.mcw.edu/mstp

Jon Stewart
Naked Pictures of Famous
People
Weisbach
With his recent addition to the
broad number of books by comedi-
ans, Jon Stewart has broken new
ground. He has actually written a
funny book.
This is a refreshing change of pace
from the recently intense march of
various varieties of published dreck.
These include: 1) regurgitated stand-
up material (Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen
DeGeneres, Drew Carey), a curious
editorial decision, since one would
think that people familiar with the
author's work would be the target
audience for such a book; 2) funny
people who simply can't translate
that quality into being funny writers
(George Carlin, Dennis Miller); and
3) people who were never funny in

person, so that the only mystery is
what satanic spawn got them a book
contract in the first place (Paul
Reiser, Jeff Foxworthy, Carrot Top).
But Jon Stewart has never seemed
like a run-of-the-mill comedian.
Even while pro-
ducing stellar - --
work first on the
stand-up cir-
cuit, then on his
much-mourned
but low-rated
late-night talk show, he
seemed smart and capa-
ble enough to handle more
demanding pursuits. So a
book seemed like a natural
move for Stewart, especially
since his admirers likely have a
higher literacy rate than those of,
say, Foxworthy or Carrot Top.
Stewart's book, "Naked Pictures
of Famous People," is by no means a
mere gizmo to occupy fans until
Stewart takes over hosting "The

Daily Show" in January. The 18
short pieces in this book are entirely
original and consistently demented.
Only "The New Judaism" even has
seeds in Stewart's stand-up material,
and it develops into a much more
coherent and complex satire
than anything that the
soundbyte format of
::>: stand-up comedy could

produce.
Some of the
pieces are far
absurd than

other
more
could


lfrLlA

THU
--- a p -1


DOn't Pan ic!!
if you think you're pregnant...
call us-we listen, we care.
PROBLEM PREGNANCY HELP
975-4357
Any time, any day, 24 hours.
Fully confidential.
Serving Students since 1970.

be imagined as
the product of
any other brain
but Stewart's.
Case in point:
"Martha Stewart's Vagina," a
m6lange of decorating advice for
both the exterior and interior of an
area neglected by even some of the
most sophisticated hostesses - "For
the summer you may want to go with
a top-hanging translucent white cot-
KRAVITZ
Continued from Page 6A
Lennon's performance. Kravitz moved
the audience into "Television In My
Head," as the lights began to shift again.
Toting a new guitar, Kravitz
unleashed an exquisite performance of
"Momma Said," with a seemingly effort-
less 10-minute guitar solo. Off Kravitz's
"Circus" album he played "Don't Put A
Bullet In Your Head," perhaps referring
to the way the audience felt during the
opening performance by Sean Lennon.
When Kravitz began the intro to "Rock
And Roll Is Dead," the audience cheered
like the student section at a Michigan
football game.
Slowing it down, Kravitz played a 12-
string acoustic version of "I Can't Get

ton drape. One you can easily pull
aside for a dramatic voila effect."
Additional highlights incl
Lenny Bruce pitching a sitcom
ABC and Adolf Hitler resurfacing to
do an interview with Larry King
"But seriously, folks, the book is
called 'Mein Comfortable Shoes'-
get it?." Only a lame, one-note
Gerald Ford sketch seems unworthy
of Stewart.
The only significant downside to
the book is the rather imposing price
for goods received: $24 in hard co
for just a little more than 150 pages.
At a less unreasonable figure,
Stewart's work would certainly
receive a higher rating. But that price
is comparable to what Steve Martinis
asking for his even shorter, less funny
and aptly titled "Pure Drivel." So
maybe interested readers will wish to
economize by waiting for the paper-
back edition, or giving the book as a
gift - after they read it themselves.
- Jeff Druchn*
You Out Of My Mind." After the sooth-
ing ballad, "Stand By My Woman,"
Kravitz brought back the electric guitar
for "Mr. Cab Driver" and "Let Love
Rule." Because of the capacity of the
State Theater, and Kravitz's audience
interaction the show had a very intimate
feel. Kravitz soon exited the stage wav-
ing his arms and bowing in thanks.
For the encore Kravitz strummed
an acoustic version of "Believe" per-
haps the best all-out performance of the
night. From the audience response, it
seemed Kravitz's music was drug
enough. To fulfill their need, he busted
out "Are You Gonna Go My Way."
Signs of illness in Kravitz were non-
existent. His variety of hits and amazing
solos left the audience saying, "I Can't
Get You Out Of My Mind."
0s


MAT(tuesday)
K.Swect -Come...}
~ NOW ~ 'yc k'iiConcert
release dates subject to change without notice, sorry.
sonf~er ae s from smie toat ss agaN, dates coukichan (ecord c isto tod A 
10 . 0 - ck '5: su ie b C em

p.-'

I L~uin 7E355 0( roundsItL 1