14B'-" The Michigan Daily -Weekend; etc. Maaziny-. Thursday; February' 4, 1999
A weekly guide to who's Thursday, Feb. 4
why you need to be there ... h eL is t Wednesday, Feb. 10
W
The Michigan Dailyy - Weekendt
AMERICA WITH AN OPEN SHL
Gordon Parks uses visual images to tran
Films opening
Payback ** Mel Gibson stars as Porter, a bad ass thief looking for
revenge. At Briarwood: 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:40, 10:10. At Showcase:
12:15, 12:45, 1:15, 2:30, 3, 4:15, 4:45, 5:15, 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 9:10,
9:40, 10:10, 11:25, 11:55, 12:25
Rushmore **** One of the best films of 1998 stars Jason Schwartzman
and Bill Murray, who are competing for the love of a first grade teacher. At
Showcase: 12:10, 2:15, 4:20, 6:35, 9, 11:10
Simply Irresistible Sarah Michelle Gellar is just that in this new romantic
comedy. At Briarwood: 12:40, 2:40, 4:45, 7:10, 9:20
p ~ -, I ~"I
L 20 5# Ku.
Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Courtesy Touchstone Pictures
Gellar in "Simply Irresistible." Schwartzman (left) in "Rushmore."
Films holding
***** A Classic
**** Excellent
*** Good
** Fair
* Not Worth Your Time, or Your Money
At First Sight (No Stars) Val Kilmer and
Mira Sorvino watch their careers go
bye-bye as they tank yet another
movie. At Briarwood: 4:10, 9:50. At
Showcase: 12:50, 3:40, 6:40, 9:45,
12:20.
A Bug's Life **** The best animated
film since "Antz." At Showcase: 12, 2.
A Civil Action ** John Travolta
takes on corporate polluters in his
latest, a legal thriller. At Ann Arbor
1&2: 12:15 (Sat., Sun., Tues.),
2:30 (Sat., Sun., Tues.), 4:45,
7:00, 9:20. At Showcase: 1:15,
4:25, 6:55, 9:25, 11:45.
Gods And Monsters *** Ian
McKellen delivers a grand performance
as gay director James Whale in a film
about the last days of his life. At State:
11:30 (Fri & Sat only).
in Dreams **A Neil Jordan's latest is
a psychological thriller staring Annette
Benning. At Showcase: 10:25, 12:35
Little Voice *** Jane Horrocks
sings the blues and various other
vocal movements while being
wooed by pigeon-toed Ewan
MacGregor in this British romp. At
Ann Arbor 1&2: 12:30 (Sat., Sun.,
Tues.), 2:30 (Sat., Sun., Tues.),
5:00, 7:20, 9:35.
Patch Adams * Robin William's perfor-
mance as a real-life doctor can make
all the money in the world, but it's
never going to be a good movie. At
Brairwood: 1, 3:50, 6:50, 9:30. At
Showcase: 1:25, 3:50, 6:30, 8:55,
11:20.
Prince of Egypt ** The Bible final-
;yfinlly gets animated. At
wcase: 12:05, 2:10, 4:10,
6:20, 8:20.
Saving Private Ryan **** The
best film of 1998 returns to the-
aters. At Showcase: 12:30, 3:45,
7, 10:25.
Shakespeare In Love ****
Shakespeare falls in love in this
aptly titled romantic comedy. At
State: 1:30 (Sat & Sun), 4 (Sat &
Sun), 7, 9:30, 11:45 (Fri & Sat). At
Showcase: 12:20, 2:45, 5:20, 7:50,
10:20, 12:35.
She's All That **** Rachael Leigh
Cook stars in this update of the
Pygmalion story. At Briarwood: 12:50,
3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:45. At Showcase:
12:40, 1:10, 2:55, 3:25, 5:05, 5:35,
7:25, 7:55, 9:35, 10:05, 11:50, 12:20.
A Simple Plan **** A crashed plane
with $4.4 million upends the lives of
three men. At Showcase: 1:40, 4:50,
7:20, 9:50, 12:15.
Stepmom ** A melodrama about
motherhood, staring Julia Roberts and
Susan Sarandon. At Briarwood: 1:20,
4:20, 7:20, 10. At Showcase: 1:30,
4:05, 6:50, 9:30, 12:05.
The Thin Red Line *** This year's
other World War I1 film. At Showcase:
12, 1, 3:30, 4:30, 7:05, 8, 10:30,
11:30.
Varsity Blues ** Dawson plays foot-
ball for Jon Voight in this coming of age
story. At Briarwood: 1:30, 4, 7, 9:40.
At Showcase: 12:25, 2:50, 5:10, 7:40,
10, 12:30.
Waking Ned Devine ***4 An Irish
comedy about a winning lottery ticket
and a dead winner. At State: 1:30 (Sat
& Sun), 4 (Sat & Sun), 7:15, 9:15 (Sun-
Thurs), 9:45 (Fri & Sat).
You've Got Mail **i Meg Ryan, Tom
Hanks and Nora Ephron give it another
shot in this romantic comedy about the
ups and downs of love that begins over
the Internet and e-mail. At Briarwood:
1:40, 7:15. At Showcase: 4:40, 7:10,
9:45, 12:10.
Thursday
MUSiC
Al Hill & the Love Butlers Come see
why Al and the butlers are so
smooth. Arbor Brewing Co., 114 E.
Washington St., 213-1393. 9 p.m.
Free.
Kennedy, Paige & Smith We don't
know about the other two, but we
hear this Smith character is pretty
money. Conor O'Neil's, 318 S. Main
St., 665-2968. 9 p.m. Free.
Leo Dufour Leomania hits Ann Arbor
for this Canadian stand-up. Main
Street Comedy Showcase, 314 E.
Liberty St., 996-9080. 8:30 p.m. $8.
Michigan Opera Works Benjamin
Britten's opera "The Rape of
Lucretia" will be presented under
the musical direction of Tania Miller,
and stage direction of David Gordon.
McIntosh Theatre, E.V. Moore Bldg.
8 p.m. 930-2776. Suggested
Donation $5 for students, $10 for
others.
Quasar Wut Wut Wut? Wut? Wut
time is it? GAMETIME. Blind Pig,
208 S. 1st St., 996-8555. 10 p.m.
$4.
Twistin' Tarantulas You can talk the
game, but can you twist the game?
Karl's, 9779 Gotfredson St.,
Ypsilanti, 455-8450. 9:30 p.m. Free.~
THEA TER
The Hole Music Prof. Wendy
Hammond's play performed by the
Purple Rose Theatre Co. follows the
lives of a young couple in the American
West. Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park,
Chelsea. 8 p.m. 475-7902. $15-25.
Private Eyes Malcolm Tulip directs
this play, which looks at the nature
of infidelity. Performance Network,
408 W. Washington. 8 p.m. 663-
0681. $12-15.
Razzmatazz! Jazz music, with a
highlight of Gerschwin's "American
in Paris," will feature the
University's dance students in this
night of inspired choreography and
music. Power Center, 121 Fletcher
St. 8 p.m. 764-0450. $7 for stu-
dents, $14 for others.
Split Basement Arts present experi-
mental theatre examining the con-
cept of middle ground. Arena
Theatre, Frieze Building. Call 764-
5350 for details. Exact show times
still T.B.A.
A LTERNA TIVES
Art Videos "Nevelson in Process,
showssculptor Louise Nevelson's
process of creating art. University
Museum of Art, 525 S. State St.,
764-0395, 7:30 p.m.
Leo Dufour Premiere Canadian stand-
up comedian performs his routine
focusing on differences between the
U.S. and Canada. Main street
Comedy Showcase, 314 E. Liberty.
8:30 p.m. 996-9080. $8-10.
Hank Greenspan University psycholo-
gist and playwright reads from his
book of essays: "On Listening to
Holocaust Survivors: Recounting and
Life History." Shaman Drum, 313 S.
State St., 662-7407. 4 p.m.
Mark Slobin Wesleyan University pro-
fessor of ethnomusicology presents a
By Aaron Rich
Weekend, etc. Editor
DETROIT - Our modern perception
of the world is - for better or worse -
made up of visual images, including tele-
vision programs, films and photographs.
Many times it is difficult for us to separate
the "actual" world from that presented to
us in these various media. It is not easy to
think of Bill Clinton without seeing a
video-taped, resigned and frustrated man
testifying in front of a grand jury.
In evaluating our history as Americans
there are some equally visual signs that
stick out in our minds to represent and,
many times, entirely sum up an entire
epoch. A group of "fore-fathers" standing
around the signing of the Declaration of
Independence is the totality of the senti-
ment behind the American Revolution; a
beaten Kent State University Student
lying on the bloody ground is the epitome
of the anti-Vietnam movement through
the '60s and '70s; a triumphant Mark
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Mel Gibson looking especially dark and sinister for his new thriller "Payback."
No, this Is not a photo from "The Man Without A Face," It just looks like one.
McGwire circling the bases, with tree-
trunk arms raised in celebration symbol-
izes the climactic, and heroic levels that
athletes can attain in their careers.
Likewise, a photograph of a working
class black woman standing with a mop in
one hand and a broom in the other in front
of an American flag is the quintessence of
the pre-civil rights era treatment of
minorities.
Gordon Parks, the genius eye behind
that image, has always°maintained a
respect and unrelenting understanding for
the fact that a well-constructed image has
the power to sway people. He has never
missed a moment to use his talent as a
photographer to transmit such visuals.
Opening this Sunday at the Detroit
Institute ofArts - and on display through
April 25 - "Half Past Autumn: The Art
of Gordon Parks," shows the life work of
the American photographer whose work
has - whether we recognize it or not -
affected the way we see the world in
lecture on studying the Klezmer
world. West Conference Room,
Rackham, 915 E. Washington St.,
764-2538. 4 p.m.
Friday
MUSiC
14
Edward Scissorhands (1990) Johnny
Depp stars as a bizarre creature
with the ability to create beautiful
sculptures with his scissorhands.
Nat Sci. 7 & 9 p.m. $3.
Blush (1995) Set immediately after
1949, the film follows two former
prostitutes as they struggle to find
their place in the "New China."
Angell Aud A. 8 p.m. Free.
MUSIC
The Alligators Do alligators play in
the band? Do angels live in my
town? Coming to the show will
answer at least one of the two.
Cavern Club, 210 S. First St., 332-
9900. 10 p.m. $4.
The Blackjack Band Will they bring
the house down with a five of
spades? It could happen. Elbow
Room, 6 S ,Washington St.,
Ypsilanti, 483-6374. Free.
Heavy Weather Enjoy this weather
while you can, cause the sun don't
shine forever. Cross Street, 511 W.
Cross St., Ypsilanti, 485-5050.
10:30 p.m. $2.
Leo Dufour Leomania continues in
Ann Arbor. Rumor has it that James
(modesty) Cameron may be in atten-
dance. Main street Comedy
Showcase, 314 E. Liberty St., 996-
9080. 8 & 10:30 p.m. $10.
The Still Silence. Lack of motion.
All is still. Gypsy Cafe, 214 N. Forth
Ave., 994-3940. 9:30 p.m. $4.
Witch Doctors Which doctor is leav-
Ing "ER'" this month? I hope it's not;
Carter. Tap Room, 201 W. Michigan
Ave., Ypsilanti, 482-5320. 9:30 p.m.
Young Wally & the Tallboys He may
be young, but rest assured that
Wally has some serious shame in his
game. T.C.'s Speakeasy, 207 W.
Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, 483-4470.
9:30 p.m. $3.
THEA TER
Razzmatazz! See Thursday. 8 p.m.
Private Eyes See Thursday. 8 p.m.
The Hole See Thursday. 8 p.m.
Split See Thursday. Times T.B.A.
Call 764-5350 for details.
Mentality University student group
aims to educate the public about
mental illness. Residential College
Auditorium, East Quad. 8 p.m.
A LTERNA TIVES
Leo Dufour See Thursday. 8 and
10:30 p.m.
Bret Easton Ellis New York City-
based writer reads from his latest
release, "Glamorama," which is
about the fashion andcelebrity
scene of New York. Shaman Drum,
313 S. State St., 662-7407. 8 p.m.
--- - --------- --
Saturday
MUSIC
The Articles In this paper are pretty
interesting. Amer's First Street Grill,
102 S. First St., 213-6000. 10 p.m.
$6.
Contemporary Directions Ensemble
James R. Tapia conducts this
extended concert of music by
George Crumb. Rackham Auditorium,
915 E. Washington St., 764-2538. 8
p.m.
Five Guys Named Moe No wordtop
which we live and in many ways, changed
the environment itself
Parks, the youngest of 15 children, was
born in Fort Scott, Kan. in 1912. As a
young man, he picked up a camera and
taught himself the basics of photography
- simply as a hobby. When all other
career opportunities seemed to be dead
ends, the artist took his camera and began
shooting fashion photographs for small
boutiques and individuals.
After a few years, he moved to
Chicago, where the south side's poor
black population proved to be an endless
source of inspiration and subject matter
for his work.
His fn-st job as a professional photogra-
pher came in 1942 when Parks submitted
his portfolio to Roy Stryker, the director
of the Farm Security Administration. The
New Deal office paid photographers,
such as Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans
and Arthur Rothstein, to photograph poor
farmers hit hard by the Depression. Parks
was hired by Stryker as the first black
photographer on staff in the agency.
Parks' boss tried to prepare him for the
racism he would face while on the road
for the bureau, but, in the end, he was
forced to learn on his own the hate that
some people have for his race.
This awareness of race, racism and
hatred is a constant thread that runs
through much of his work. From shots of
iconoclast boxer Muhammad Ali, to pic-
tures of gang warfare from 1948 Harlem
even to color photographs of Spanish
matadors, Parks refers to a unique sense
of pride, dignity, honor and violence
rarely seen by one sole artist.
Another unique aspect of Parks' oeuvre
is the diversity of images and situations
captured on film. Most artists are known
for one genre of work or another -
Chardin painted domestic scenes, Caulder
made mobiles and stabiles, Lebowitz
shoots portraits. But Parks cannot be
labeled with such ease. His work ranges
in subject matter from Berkeley, Calif.
Black Panther meetings led by Eldridge
Cleaver, to varied slices of European life
to recent colorful landscapes and still-lifes
shot purely for the beauty of the interplay
between color, light and shape.
Beyond this, Parks seems to have been
nearly omnipresent from the '40s through
the '70s, taking pictures of now-immortal
people such as Malcom X, Duke
Ellington and Langston Hughes in many
major American cities. Important gather-
ings and movements from the dynamic
'60s seem to have been caught by his
unblinking lens. His interests lay in South
"Gid with Baby, Estorl, Porti
America and Europe as v4
spent extensive time with
urban and remote locations
It's no surprise that Park
known work is probably his
picture "Shaft," starri:
Roundtree as the tough, an
"black private dick."
No surprise that even in
sial "blaxploitation"
genre, the director
was able to set forth
his own view of the
world - one filled
with style and fash-
ion, racism and the
black experience.
Above all, "Shaft"
shows the story of an
artist discontent with
the injustice and built-in
modern American society.
Gordon Parks, Jr., lat
"Superfly," perhaps the
respected blaxploitation filn
Parks' career did not st
film stock trades; he also w
lished poetry and prose. The
works, just like any of his c
worldly life.
The nearly-300 images tf
display in the exhibition at
resent only a fraction of the
the artist. Some of the we
known, some are more ra
shows a piece of history -
IA
VI
A
'D
Courtesy of Gordon Parks
"American Gothic," taken in 1942, is one of the thousands of photographs Parks
shot while working for the Farm Security Administration.
igbe 9£irbigun auiq
Weekend
Magazine
Editors: Aaron Rich, Will Weissert
Writers: Matthew Barrett, Gabe Fajuri, Sasha Higgins, Kristin Long,
Photo Editor: Adriana Yugovich
Photographers: Gabe Fajuri, Dhani Jones, Dana Linnane and Adriana
Cover: "Department Store, Birmingham, Alabama" by Gordon Parks
socially aware subject matter.
Arts Editors: Jessica Eaton and Christopher Tkaczyk
Editor in Chief: Heather Kamins
--------------------------
Phone Numbers: Ann Arbor 1 & 2: 761-9700; Briarwood: 480-4555; 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
4 Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday only; matinees at State are for Saturday and Sunday only.