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14B - The Michigan Daily - Weekend, etc. Magazine - Thursday, March 16, 2000
A weekly guide to who's Thursday, March 16
why you need to be there ... T il e Wednesday, March 22
The Michigan Daily - Week
ROUNDING UP THE UNUSUAL SI
Eclectic array of pros, amateurs hit ti
Films opening
Beyond the Mat (1999) Documentary
about the reality behind pro-wrestling.
Touching, moving stuff (Snicker, snick-
er). At Showcase: 1:25, 3:30, 5:40,
7:50, 10:05, 12:15 (Sat, & Sun. only).
Erin Brockovich Just think of it as "A
Civil Action Part 11" ... only with
breasts. At Showcase: 1, 1:30, 2, 4,
4:30, 5, 7. 7:30, 8, 9:45, 10:15, 11:00
(Sat. & Sun, only), 12:20 (Sat. & Sun.
only),
The Exorcist (1973) Everyone's favorite
head-spinning, floating demon girl
grosses us out all over again. At
Showcase: 1:40. 3:45, 4:25, 6:30,
7:10, 9:15, 10, 12:05 (Sat. & Sun.
only). 12:35 (Sat. & Sun. only).
Final Destination Death tries to claim
the lives of Devon Sawa and his friends
with slip- and-fall accidents and killer
trees. Oooh, scary. At Showcase:
12:45, 3, 5:20. 7:40. 9:55. 12:10 (Sat.
& Sun. only).
Films holding
A
B
C
D
A Classic
Excellent
Good
Fair
Not Worth Your Time, or Your Money
American Beauty (B+) Lester Burnham.
you stud, you. Go get that Oscar! At
Showcase: 1:10, 3:40, 6:35, 9:05, 11:35
(Sat. & Sun. only).
The Cider House Rules (C) Even with
Oscar nominations, the answer is no, it
still doesn't. At Showcase: 1:35, 4:10,
6:55, 9:25.
Drowning Mona Everyone tries to kill
Bette Midler, and someone succeeds.
Too bad we can't find him and give him
the million-dollar bounty on her head. At
Showcase: 12:40, 2:40, 4:40, 6:40,
8:30, 11:50 (Sat. & Sun. only). At
Briarwood: 1, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:50.
Holy Smoke (D) Check that ego, come
off it, I'm the prophet. I'm teach you
bout the joke that they named "Holy
Smoke." And it's running from the press,
cause the press is always dissing, and
Harvey and Kate put their age aside and
get busy kissing. Now that smack will
help you decide whether or not to go. At
State: 2 (Sat. & Sun.), 4:30 (Sat. &
Sun.), 7, 9:30.
Mission to Mars (D-) You will not like
this movie. Especially if you are a grad
student. Remember, a D-minus is a bad
thing. However, we will soon institute a
new grading system featuring F-minus, F-
minus-minus, and Q-plus. Now, those are
for the really bad movies. At Showcase:
12:15, 1:15, 1:45, 2:50, 4:15, 4:45,
5:15, 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 9:10, 9:40,
10:10, 11:30 (Sat. & Sun. only), 12 (Sat.
& Sun. only), 12:30 (Sat. & Sun. only).
At Briarwood: 1:30, 4:20, 7:10, 10.
My Dog Skip (B+) A cute puppy doggy
movie leaves a warm, fuzzy feeling in
your stomach, not unlike the sensation
you get when you eat a can of Alpo. At
Showcase: 12:55, 3:05, 5:05, 7:35. At
Briarwood: 12:40, 2:50, 5, 7:20, 9:30.
The Next Best Thing (D) Evidently,
Madonna having sex with a gay man is
not a good idea to put on film. Who'woul-
da thunk it? At Showcase: 12:05, 2:20,
4:35, 6:50, 9. At Briarwood; 1:40, 4:30,
7, 9:40.
The Ninth Gate (C-) If this movie taught
me one thing, it's to wear a helmet when
investigating rare books. Or maybe that
the best time to have sex is after you
burn the villain alive. At Showcase: 1:05,
4:05, 7:05, 9:20, 9:50, 11:55 (Sat. &
Sun. only), 12:25 (Sat. & Sun, only).
Pitch Black (B-) Skip "Mission to Mars"
and see Vin Diesel kick ass and take
names. At Showcase: 5:30, 10:20. 12:25
(Sat. & Sun. only).
Reindeer Games (C) Ben Affleck dresses
like Santa Claus to rob a casino. Hilarity
ensues. That or gunplay. At Showcase:
1:20, 3:35, 8:05, 11:15 (Sat. & Sun.
only).
Scream 3 (B) Nothin' but making the
sucker in you equal, don't be another
sequel. At Showcase: 10:30, 12:35 (Sat.
& Sun. only).
The Sixth Sense (A-) Prepare a list for
what you need before you signaaway the
deed. it's not gonna stop, it's not gonna
stop, it's not gonna stop, til you wise up.
Get a clue folks, it's not that good. At
Showcase: 12:50, 3:10, 7:55.
Snow Day They're trying to hype it as a
teen love flick. Maybe they should have
promoted it as a "count the warts on
Chris Elliot's face" flick. At Showcase:
12:10, 2:05, 5:35. At Briarwood: 1:10,
3:15, 5:15, 7:15.
Sweet and Lowdown (B+) Woody Allen's
latest stars Sean Penn as a jazz musi-
cian. At State: 1:30 (Sat. & Sun.), 7:30
Three Strikes A guy is paroled from jail,
but hasto avoid his third strike or he will
go to jail for life as a non-violent offend-
er. Remember, this is a comedy. At
Showcase: 5:45, 10:25, 12:25 (Sat. &
Sun. only).
The Tigger Movie Kanga. Roo and the
gang toke it up with everyone's favorite
Rastafarian, Tigger. Just kidding. At
Showcase: 12 p.m.
Tumbleweeds (B+) It's nominated for an
Oscar, so get in gear and see it. At
State: 4 (Sat. & Sun.), 9:45.
The Whole Nine Yards (C+) A dentist and
a hitman team up with hilarious conse-
quences. At Showcase: 12:35, 2:45,
5:10, 7:20, 9:30, 11:45 (Sat. & Sun.
only). At Briarwood: 12:50, 3, 5:10,
7:40, 10.
Wonder Boys (B-) Think "Dead Poet's
Society," but with sex and pot smoking.
(Cool, man.) Now start thinking of some
wonder boys - Gabe Kapler, Allen
Iverson, W.H. Macy, Michael Penn, Denny
Franklin and my main man Dixon. Check
that ego. come off it. At Showcase:
12:30, 3:15, 7:25, 9:35, 11:40 (Sat. &
Sun. only).
Thursday
CAMPUS CINEMA
38th Annual Ann Arbor Film Festival The
Michigan Theater hosts this festival of
independent and 16mm films. Today's
events: Screenings at 7, 8, 9:30, and 11
p.m. Tickets are either $7, 12/2 shows,
or $50 for the week. Technology discus-
sion at 10 a.m. Free children's program
at 11:45 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Q & A sessions
with directors (free). Juror Anne Marie
Fleming will give a free presentation on
experimental animation at 3 p.m. There is
also an 8 p.m. animation show for $5.
603 E. Liberty.
MUSIC
Ani Di Franco, Greg Brown, Gillian Welch
Three well-regarded folk artists perform
acoustic sets for all to enjoy. Hill
Auditorium. 7:30 p.m. $25. 763-TKTS.
U-M Jazz Combos U-M's best jazz groups
show what they've got. Rackham
Auditorium. 8 p.m. Free. 764-2538.
THEA TER
The Baker's Wife This Basement Arts pro-
duction of the 1970s era musical by
Steven Schwartz tells the story of a
young French woman looking for happi-
ness in love. Arena Theater, Frieze
Building. 11 p.m. Free. 764-6800.
The Ride Down Mt. Morgan Arthur
Miller's first full-length play in ten years
tells the story of a man who married to
two women, who cause his prosperous
life to fall apart when they discover each
other. Performance Network, 408 W.
Washington. 8 p.m. Special Preview
Show: pay-what-you-can. 663-0681.
Once on This Island The Young People's
Theater presents this Caribbean version
of "The Little Mermaid," with reggae and
pop music. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre's
Playhouse, 2275 Platt. 7:30 p.m. $8, $6
students. 971-7207.
Daughter of the Regiment U-M Opera
Theater presents Donizetti's opera about
French soldiers in the Napoleonic era and
their water girl Maria. Mendelssohn
Theater, Michigan League. 8 p.m. $18,
$14, $7 students. 764-0450.
ALTERNA TIVES
Henry Greenbaum and George Wise
Holocaust survivor and liberator share
their powerful stories, followed by Q & A.
Part of the 21st Annual Conference on
the Holocaust. Sallinger Resource Center,
3040 Frieze Building, 105 S. State. 12
p.m. Free. 769-0500.
Alice Mattison A fiction reading by the
author of "Men Giving Money," "Women
Yelling" and her latest novel, "The Book
Borrower." Part of the UM Visiting
Writers Series. Rackham Amphitheatre,
915 E. Washington. 5 p.m. Free. 647-
6471.
Eric Johnson The auhor reads from his
book "The Nazi Terror: The Gestapo, Jews
and Ordinary Germans." Shaman Drum
Bookshop, 311 S. State. 8 p.m. Free.
662-7404.
Classic Books, Classic Movies Russ
Collins of Michigan Theater talks about
classic books that became classic
movies. Ann Arbor District Library
Northeast Branch, 2713 Plymouth. 7:30
p.m. Free. 996-3180.
Bob LaPlante Author discusses his book
"The Ten Million Mile Man." Borders
Books & Music, 612 E. Liberty. 7 p.m.
By Matthew Barrett
Daily Fldm Eilor
Let's face it. these days the
prospect of going to the movies seems
pretty bleak. You've. already seen all
the Oscar-nominated movies and are
now forced to satisfy your movie
cravings by either seeing "American
Beauty" or "Maenolia" for the fourth
time (which could be worse) or bide
week,
M i c h
Theater1
the
hs a n
has the
your time sitting
through tripe
like "Mission To
Mars."
Well, this
38th Ann
Arbor Film
Festival
Michigan Theater
Through Sunday
Germany this ycar.)
Honcyman was part of a screening
committee of five which, every night
for six weeks, viewed the 380 short
films aspirants submitted to the festi-
val Eventually, the committee voted
on the films for the festival, settling
on 114 different films (most of them
short films of length less than your
average sitcom) that will be screened
throughout the event.
Although many films didn't make
the screening cut, all entries are eligi-
ble for the awards that the festival
hands out, which range from Best of
the Festival to Most Promising
Filmmaker. Several awards are spon-
sored by individuals or companies;
these include the Lawrence Kasdan
Award (Best Narrative Film), the
Michael Moore Award (Best
Documentary Film) and the Tio's Red
Hot & Spicy Award (presented at the
judging panel's discretion).
Honeyman also said it's not uncom-
mon for the jurors to select a film
that's not being screened for an
award.
Choosing the awards won't be easy,
but it's left up to the festival's jurors
- Portia Cobb. Ann Marie Fleming
and Matthias Muller all of whom are
respected filmmakers in their own
right.
"I've been doing this for a long
time, so I know who the makers are
out there. So I look for people with
cure for what
ails you - the
38th Ann Arbor
Film Festival.
The festival.
which kicked off
courtesy of NewL ine Cinema
Julia Roberts, as "Erin Brockovich," and Albert Finney team up to bust toxic polluters.
th is
past
Free. 668-7652.
(248) 645-6666.
Tuesday and
continues through this Sunday, pro-
vides a forum for filmmakers to
showcase their 16-millimeter work.
According to Vicki Honeyman.
who'sdin her 13th year as festival
director, the Ann Arbor Film Festival
is a place for "16-millimeter experi-
mental filmmakers from around the
world." (The festival includes film-
makers representing England and
From left, Kent Moorman, Lucy and Allie Eckstein in a scene from Rek
Art Video "Beverly Buchanan." This video
explores artist Beverly Buchanan's child-
hood in the American South and shows
the process of building miniature shacks.
Media Room, U-M Museum of Art. 7:30
p.m. Free. 764-0395.
Gallery Talk Dr. Richard Edwards,
Professor Emeritus of Far Eastern Art,
will share his knowledge and perspective
on "The Orchid Pavilion Gathering"aexhib-
it, in Space, Time, and the Personal
Brush in Chinese Painting. West Gallery,
U-M Museum of Art. 12:10 p.m. Free.
764-0395.
Friday
CAMPUS CINEMA
38th Annual Ann Arbor Film Festival
Today's events: Screenings at 7, 8, 9:30,
and 11 p.m. Tickets are either $7, 12/2
shows, or $50 for the week. Free Film
Jams discussion and Q & A at 10 a.m.
Juror Matthias Muller presents experi-
mental works for free at 3 p.m. There is a
narrative show at 8 p.m. for $5. 603 E.
Liberty.
The Exorcist (1973) A truly freaky movie
that proves two things: A) Little girls are
scary when they vomit green sludge like
a fire hose and B) Jesuit priests are tough
little clerics. Brought to you by M-Flicks.
At Nat Sci. 7 & 9:30 p.m. $3.
A Mongolian Tale (1995) A young
Mongolian boy grows up with a foster
family, changing his life forever. Viewed
best with Mongolian Barbecue and
Mongolian beer. Angell Hall Aud A, 8 p.m.
Free.
MUSIC
Amazin' Blue One of the University's more
reputable a cappella groups performs in
their spring concert. Rackham Auditorium.
8 p.m. $6. 763-TKTS.
H20 Brings their sound to Detroit with spe-
cial guests Kill Your Idols and Saves The
Day. St. Andrew's, Detroit. 5:30 p.m. $10.
WASP They appear with their very special
guests the Impotent Sea Snakes. don't tell
me that doesn't sound interesting. State
Theatre, Detroit. 7:30 p.m. $15. (248)
645-6666.
DJ Cash Money Old school Philly DJ takes
his 1s and 2s on the road. St. Andrew's,
Detroit. 10 p.m. $6. (248) 645-6666.
THEA TER
Love's Fire This show is performed by the
R.C. Players. R.C. Auditorium, East Quad
Dormitory. 8 p.m. $5, $3 students.
Godspell MUSKET presents this rock and
60s youth culture-influenced show of the
Gospel according to St. Matthew. Power
Center, 121 Fletcher Street. 8 p.m. $12,
$7 students, seniors, youths. 763-1107.
Elise This Basement Arts production of a
new musical tells the story of a woman
trapped by the changing society of corpo-
rate America. Arena Theater, Frieze
Building. 11 p.m. Free. 764-6800.
The Ride Down Mt. Morgan Arthur
Miller's first full-length play in ten years
tells the story of a man who is married to
two women, who cause his life to fall
apart when they discover each other.
Performance Network, 408 W.
Washington. 8 p.m. $18. 663-0681.
Once on This Island The Young People's
Theaternpresents this Caribbean version
of "The Little Mermaid," with reggae and
pop music. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre's
Playhouse, 2275 Platt. 7:30 p.m. $8, $6
students. 971-7207.
Daughter of the Regiment U-M Opera
Theater presents Donizetti's opera about
French soldiers in the Napoleonic era and
their water girl Maria. Mendelssohn
Theater, Michigan League. 8 p.m. $18.
$14, $7 students. 764-0450.
ALTERNATIVES
Maestro All Akbar Khan This living mas-
ter of Indian classical music performs on
the sarod instrument, accompanied by
strong reputations, who I think would
be interesting in a group together and
would have interesting impacts on
what's awarded," Honevman said. All
the jurors have a good deal of experi-
ence working in 16-millimeter. The
films selected for awards will be
shown at three separate screenings on
Sunday.
Along with the varied slate of films
submitted by more experienced film-
makers, the festival will be screening
films made by local middle and high
school students as part of an outreach
program to the community. The stu-
dents, who shot and edited their films
on 16-millimeter film, were helped
along by Alfonso Alvarez, a filmmak-
er from San Francisco.
Alvarez spent six weeks teaching
students the ways of film production
and then helping them along with
their work. There will be two special
screenings for the students' work -
Thursday at 11:45 a.m. and Saturday
at I I a.m. Now Alvarez has another
reason to be back in Ann Arbor - he
has a film of his own showing at the
festival. "Flip Film" is a flip-book
style animation piece which Alvarez
directed along with Ellen Ugelstad.
Honeyman said the festival pro-
vides viewers with
see some non-main
the big screen. "It's
experience to see wo
on the screen. You <
an opportunity to
elsewhere," Honeynr
got animation, exp
mentary, narrative ar
ple world premieres
"We've also got a
fun screenings --- o
shown in Cinemascc
is with live organ
another film is in 3
will be distributed al
it's just a really fun
totally different t
Showcase."
Honeyman is also
future of a festival v
has showcased the
directors including
Brian DePalma and
(who went on to di:
Hunting").
"16 (millimeter fil
disappearing. It's
strong and viable me
to use and what I s
that people are really
able to still use it, evc
Get your arts events Listed.
Call Toyin or Jeff
at7763-0379.
Phone Numbers: Briarwood: 480-4555; Fox Village; 994-8080; Michigan Theater: 668-
8397; Quality 16: 827-2837; Showcase: 973-8380; State: 761-8667.
Showtimes are effective Friday through Thursday. Matinee times at State Theater are
effective for Saturday and Sunday only.
'ourtesy of Walter Rosent
"Girl On a Swing" and many other off-the-beaten path innovations will play the festiv.
etC.
Editors: Toyin Akinmusuru, Jeff Druchnt
Writers: Matthew Barrett, Leslie Boxer, Steve Gertz, Chris Kula,
Photo Editors: Jessica Johnson, Dana Linnane, David Rochkind.
Photographers: Louis Brown, Relah Eckstein, Walter Rosenblum,
Cover: Scene from "Why I Hate Bees," a film by Sarah Abbott, p
Managing Arts Editor: Christopher Cousino
Associate Arts Editors: Gabe Fajuri, Chris Kula.
Editor in Chief: Mike Spahn