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4B -- The Michigan Daily Weekend- Thursday, January 14, 1999
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- The Michigan Daily Weeken~d Magazine - Thursday, January 14, 1998
A weekly guide to who's
where, what's hap ening and
By Gina Hamadey
Daily Arts Writer
Nineteen Ninety-Eight was an
important year for literature. There
were many new releases from new
authors, respected authors, and, of
course, the obligatory releases com-
pliments of such prolific authors as
Tom Clancy, John Grisham, Anne
Rice and Stephen King.
But the very best of the best in
books, happen to fall under certain
trends that will be remembered as
characteristic of this ast vear First
Courtesy of Farrar, Straus, Giroux
Charles Croker, main character of Tom Wolfe's "A Man In Full.".
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t411d14t;U1S% L Jl 1 tiAA.i pdbi yc J. s us,
there was the not-necessarily-new
trend of the emergence of self, usu-
ally aided in some way by family or
friends.
One example of this is Alice
McDermott's "Charming Billy,"
which won the National Book
Award. In this case, the ultimately
emerged self does so posthumously
when Billy Lynch dies an alcoholic
death, leaving his .family just with
their memories of him. The tender
accounts of his family lead not only
.) to the discovery of the significance
of Billy's life, but also serve as an
insight to postwar, Irish-American
immigrant life.
Another such example of the self
or emerging is Tim O'Brien's latest
novel, "Tomcat in Love," his first
r
novel since 1995. This also happens
to be O'Brien's first attempt at writ-
ing a novel that is not directly relat-
ed to the Vietnam War, though he
does incorporate the subject by
making the main character a veteran
of the war. This middle-aged profes-
sor is forced to deal with life after
his wife leaves him for a Florida
business tycoon. His fantasies and
post-divorce delusions make his
specific emergence an entertaining
one.
Helen Fielding's "Bridget Jones's
Diary" revealed itself as one of the
year's most surprising stories as the
title character recounts each day in
her 30-something, NYC life with
remarkable cynicism. Her journal is
full of witty observations and easily
identifiable phrases such as her res-
olutions to "visit the gym three
times a week, not merely to buy a
sandwich, form a relationship with
an adult, and not fall for any of the
following: misogynists, megaloma-
niacs, adulterers, workaholics,
chauvinists or perverts." Bridget's
perpetual quest for self-improve-
ment is ever empathetic to all
women and even is entertaining for
all men.
Another equally entertaining
novel, and perhaps a bit more
enthralling, is'Divine Secrets of a
Ya-Ya Sisterhood: A Novel," by
Rebecca Wells. The story is that of
Best of Books 1998
1. Tom Wolfe"A Man in Full"
2. Mitch Albom, "Tuesday's With
Morrie"
3, Helen Fielding, "Bridget
Jones's Diary"
4. John Irving, "A Widow for One
Year"
5. Rebecca Wells, "Divine
Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood"
6. Toni Morrison, "Paradise,
7. Alice McDermott, "Charming
Billy"
8. Tim O'Brien, "Tomcat in Love"
9. Barbara Kingsolver, "The
Poisonwood Bible"
10. Stephen King, "Bag of Bones"
- Compiled by the Daily Books Staff
the vibrant spirit of a mother, Vivi,
who is revealed to her daughter,
Siddalee, through flashbacks of
Vivi's life. In their small town in
Louisiana, Siddalee sees the future of
the female inhabitants as confined to
baby-producing. Her mother proves
the supposition completely false,
through her many accounts with
See BOOKS, Page 5B
Films opening
At First Sight (No Stars) It's a good thing that Val Kilmer plays a blind man in this
romance, that way he can't see his career plummeting. At Briarwood: 1:10, 4:10,
7:30, 10:20. At Showcase: 12:50, 3:40, 6:30, 9:20, 11:55.
Hurlyburly This wonderfully acidic comedy stars Sean Penn and Kevin Spacey as a
pair of womanizing, cocaine-addicted casting agents. At Showcase: 1:10, 3:45,
6:35, 9:15, 11:50.
In Dreams A new psychological thriller from the director of "The Crying Game." At
Ann Arbor 1&2: 12:20 (Sat.-Tues.), 2:30 (Sat.-Tues.), 4:50, 7, 9:10, 11:15 (Fri. &
Sat.). At Showcase: 12:15, 2:35, 5, 7:20, 9:50, 12:05.
The Thin Red Une Terrence Malick returns with this gripping war drama that the
Daily named one of the 10 best movies of 1998. At Briarwood: 12:30, 3:45, 7,
10:10. At Showcase: 12, 1, 3:30, 4:30, 7, 8, 10:30, 11:30.
Varsity Blues ** Dawson's first movie is a realistic look at a red neck town dom-
inated by high school football. At Briarwood: 12:40, 3, 5:15, 7:40, 10. At
Showcase: 12:30, 1:30, 2:50, 4:15, 5:10, 7:15, 7:45, 9:45, 10:15,12, 12:30.
Virus Some movies just shouldn't be made: A perfect example of why January is
the dumping ground of films. At Showcase: 12:45, 3, 5:15, 7:30, 10, 12:15.
&~ : i First Baptist Church (entrance on Washington St
512 E. Huron Road, Ann Arbor n
For ride and information, please contact:
Timothy (763-8860, clei engin.umich.edu),
Maggie (528-2497, magghuiv'umich.edu)
Courtesy of Paramount
Annette Bening In "In Dreams."
Courtesy of Paramount
James Van Der Beek In "Varsity Blues."
Films holding
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2 p.m.
Monday,
January 18
Michigan
Union
Ballroom
FREE!
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* 8t? *
Celeste Bedford Walker's play tells the true
story of a 1917 uprising by Black soldiers in
the 24th U.S. Infantry Regiment in Houston.
Thinking they were training to fight World
War I, the "Buffalo Soldiers" found instead
that they would be used as laborers at home.
Tensions escalated to mutiny, a court martial,
and the hanging of 19 soldiers.
"Camp Logan" won the 1994 NAACP
Image Award as Best Play and is performed
by a highly acclaimed professional troupe.
Sponsored by:
University Library
Information Technology Division
School of Information
***** A Classic
**** Excellent
*** Good
** Fair
* Not Worth Your Time, or Your Money
A Bug's We **** From the creators
of "Toy Story," this animated film is
essentially "Seven Samurai" with
insects. At Briarwood: 1:30, 3:50, 7:15.
At Showcase: 12, 2, 4, 6:05, 8:05.
A Civil Action ** Chillie Palmer gets
tough with a couple of ecoterrorists. At
Ann Arbor 1&2: 12 (Sat.-Tues.), 2:15
(Sat.-Tues.), 4:40, 7:15, 9:45, 12 (Fri.
& Sat.). At Showcase: 1:15, 1:45,
4:20, 4:50, 7:10, 7:40, 9:40, 10:10,
12:10, 12:35.
Enemy Of The State ** The NSA go
hunting Big Willie Style in this mess of a
technological action thriller. At
Showcase: 2:15, 4:55, 7:25, 9:55,
12:20.
The Faculty ** Teen angst worked
out on a bunch of aliens who possess
the teacher of a Ohio high school. At
Briarwood: 9:20. At Showcase: 12:40,
5:25, 7:55, 10:25, 12:40.
The Mighty Joe Young I don't know
which is hairier, the premise of this
movie or the ape. At Showcase: 1:05,
3:50, 6:20, 9, 11:35.
Patch Adams * Robin Williams plays
another character who should be sainted
in this skewed look at the medical pro-
fession. At Briarwood:1, 4, 6:50, 9:30.
At Showcase: 12:55, 1:25, 3:35, 4:05,
6:25, 6:55, 8:55, 9:25, 11:15, 11:45.
Prince of Egypt ** The Bible gets ani-
mated by Dreamworks in this tale of
Exodus. At Ann Arbor 1&2: (Thurs.
only) 5, 7, 9. At Showcase: 12:05,
2:30, 4:45, 7:05, 9:10, 11:10.
The Rugats Movie ** A kids' movie
that college students can like to - with
the help of a lot of beer.. At Showcase:
12:25, 2:55.
Shakespeare In Love ***
Shakespeare finds his love and muse in
this charming romantic comedy. At
State: 1:30 (Sat. & Sun.), 4 (Sat.-
Mon.), 7:15, 9:15, 11:30 (Fri. & Sat.).
At Showcase: 12:20, 2:45, 5:20, 7:50,
10:20, 12:35.
Star Trek: Insurrection *** Take yet
another voyage with the crew of the
Starship Enterprise. At Showcase:
10:05, 12:20.
Stepmom ** Bring mom and the tis-
sues, because you're going to need both.
At Brairwood: 1:20,4:20, 7:20, 9:50. At
Showcase: 1:35,4:10,6:50,9:30.11:25
Waking Ned Devine **** Wonderful
Irish comedy about a winning lottery
ticket and a dead winner. At State:
1:30 (Sat. & Sun.), 4 (Sat.-Mon.), 7,
9:30, 11:45 (Fri. & Sat.).
You've Got Mal*** "Sleepless in
Seattle" with e-mail. At Briarwood: 1:40,
4:40, 7:10, 9:40. At Showcase: 1:20,
3:55,6:40,9:35, 12:15
Thursday
CAMPUS CINEMA
Porgy And Bess: An AmericanVoice
(1997) Documentary by University Prof.
James Standifer about the long history
of George Gershwin's controversial
musical. Ann Arbor District Library, 343
ยง. Fifth Ave. 6:30 p.m. Free.
Blow Up (1966) Antonioni film about a
mod London fashion photographer who
takes a series of pictures of an unknow-
ing, seemingly romantic couple. He real-
izes later that he may have pho-
tographed a murder, and he searches for
the killers. Michigan Theater, 603 E.
Liberty St. 7 p.m. $5.25.
Zabriskie Point (1969) Antonioni's film
aboutyouth rebellion andthe free-love
society. Michigan Theater, 603 E.
Liberty St. 9:15 p.m. $5.25.
MUSIC
Dar Williams, Richard Shindell and Lucy
Kaplansky Acoustic rock-a-go-go! The
Ark, 316 S. Main St., (734) 761-1451,
7:30 p.m., $21.
Thometta Davis It's finger lickin', Detroit-
area soul. Cavern Club, 210 S. First St. 10
p.m., $5.
Electric Boogaloo Hey, wasn't this the
name of the sequel to "Breakin' It?"
Those kidsthave so much spirit. Blind Pig,
208 S. First St., Ann Arbor, (734) 996-
8555, 9:30 p.m.
The Element This local band will make
you shake your money-maker at least 'til
the cows come home. Touchdown Cafe,
1220 S. University Avye, (734) 665-7777,
8 p.m.
Ren6e Fleming The thrice Grammy-nomi-
nated American soprano will perform a
program including works by Schubert,
Liszt, Debussy and Strauss. Hill
Auditorium. 8 p.m. 764-2538. $14-40.
Wayne Kramer Following in the proud tra-
dition of artists named Wayne, this MC5
guitarist hits Motown. Alvin's, Detroit,
(734) 99-MUSIC, 8 p.m., $10.
THEATER
Edmond Mamet's story of a business-
man looking for the meaning of life
performed by Casting Couch Theatre
Co. Riverside Arts Center, 76 N.
Huron, Ypsilanti., 483-4122. 8 p.m. $8
for students, $9 others.
The Blackness Blues-Time to Change
the Tune (A Sister's Story) A
Basement Arts production incorporat-
ing poetry, drama, dance and music
about the beauty of Black culture.
Arena Theatre, Frieze Building. 7 p.m.
The Moon Wolf A celebration of life,
love and freedom, in a magical tale
about a wolf. Performance Network,
408 W. Washington, 663-0681, 8 p.m.
Pay-what-you-can.
ALTERNATIVES
Tom Grace Author reads from his book
"Spyder Web." Borders Books and
Music, 612 E. Liberty St., 668-7652, 7
p.m.
Liquid Lounge Re-opening: Swing Night
Join the celebration as the place you
once might have known and loved opens
its doors again. The night of tomfoolery
will involve lots of the area's new-found
hottest dance. Liquid Lounge. Call 662-
Sean Penn stares at his
Line." This shocking war
2828 for details.
Thomas Lynch Funeral hon
and poet reads from his wo
Rackham Amphitheatre, 91
Washington St., 764-2538,
Music of Delacroix's Tie Al
exhibit of Delacroix's art, pia
present an evening of music
temporaries. Museum of Art
p.m.
Friday
MUSIC
Jim Carroll Spoken word
temporary poet/musician
He's the one who broughi
Basketball Diaries." This
sans Leo. Magic Stick, 4:
Woodward Ave., Detroit, I
MUSIC, 9 p.m, $12.50.
Michael Hill He's better 1
Tesh and Yanni, but still t
Zamphir. Sisko's, 5855 N
Detroit, (313) 278-5340.
The Gospel at Colonus TI
Oedipus' salvation set to
gospel music, with giants
stage. Power Center. 8 ps
2538. $16-34.
Poignant sGrat
dictionary then catch some
mental rock. Blind Pig, 208
Ann Arbor, 9968555,'9:30 K
THEATER
Edmond See Thursday. 8
The Blackness Blues-Tim
the Tune (A Sister's S
Thursday. 7 p.m. and 10 r
The Moon Wolf See Thur
$12.
Steve Weiss Bloomfield I
ney discusses and signs (
Phone Numbers: Ann Arbor 1 & 2: 761-9700; Briarwood: 4804555; Fox Village; 994-8080;
Michigan Theater: 668-8397; Showcase: 973-8380; State: 761-8667,
Showtimes are effective Friday through Thursday. Late shows at Ann Arbor 1 & 2 and State
are for Friday and Saturday only. Noon and mid-day matinees at Ann Arbor 1 & 2 are for
Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday only; matinees at State are for Saturday and Sunday only.