2B - The Michigan Daily - Weekend, etc. Magazine - Thursday, March 30, 2000 EJFrom the Vault - Jack Nicholson Nicholson plays image-sealing role like a fine piano . 0 0 OThe Michigan Daily - Xekend, etc. Ma2 MUSIC By Laura Flyer Daily Arts Writer We've seen a lot of Jack Nicholson during the past week, starting with his fierce performance in the eerie classic "The Shining," which ran last week at the Michigan Theater as part of a StanleyKubrick series. Then, Sunday night, he pre- sented the Thalberg Award at the Academy Awards to his longtime pal and collaborator Warren Beatty. A full decade before "Heeeere's Johnny!", however, Jack's career was just beginning to blossom, notably through his role in the Oscar-nominated film "Five Easy Pieces." Psychopath or disillusioned soul- searcher - whatever role Jack takes on, he carries the same demeanor in each of his performances. His biting sarcasm and overwhelming irrever- ence for just about everything is his stamp-of-approval. signature on- screen character. "Five Easy Pieces," as directed by Bob Rafelson (the same fellow who introduced American television to the Monkees), is a remarkable study of the complexities of a singled-out character who struggles to make sense of his life. Robert Dupea (Nicholson) has abandoned his talent at playing the piano to basically waste his life working on a southwestern oil rig - just ask his high-toned and musical family. Robert, -who clearly fails to fit into their high-brow lifestyle, at the same time is restless with his own conditions. Construction work is where he takes his aggressions out, aggressions which stem from unresolved tensions with his father and recurring troubles with his girl- friend Rayette (Karen Black). Whether to stay with "Ray" eats Bobby up inside on a daily basis. Courtesy of Warner-r os. Jack be nimble, Jack be slick. She's pretty and sweet, but exceed- ingly flaky and nagging. Rather than confronting situations, Bobby tends to avoid them until they drive him crazy. Ray nearly sends Bobby into the depths of insanity until he finally finds a logical reason to ditch her (thereby avoiding the last resort of an act of bravery he is too cowardly to muster) upon visiting his sister in Los Angeles. She tells him their father has had a stroke and is approaching death. Jack takes off for Puget Sound, reluctantly bring- ing Ray, and becomes equally dis- gruntled about the upcoming family reunion. Helena Kallianiotes and Toni Basil's performances as picked-up hitchhikers on Bobby and Ray's trip westward are fantastic; their juxta- position with Ray makes Bobbv question even further the realities of his life with his incredibly superfi- cial and uninteresting girlfriend. But Bobby faces his greatest identity crisis when he falls in love with his brother's girlfriend Catherine (Susan Anspach), the very day of his arrival at the Puget Sound cottage. Catherine is strong by comparison with the weak Ray, and does not put up with Bobby's mood swings and drifter lifestyle. He therefore must test his own wants and the strength of his deci- sions in order to resolve his own personality battle. Because Jack's acting emits non- stop intensity, he accounts for much of the quality of the film. Still, Rafelson really does hone in on the frustrating relationship between Ray and Bobby in a way that is deep and probing. Rafelson also does a good job in closing up any missing loopholes in the story; the viewing of the film isn't interrupted by questionable gestures or scenes. From the dimly lit scenes of Jack sitting by the fire to the long takes of natural settings, cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs sticks to details without letting the lighting or camera shots override or interfere with the drama of the scene. Furthermore, Nicholson's bold, witty banter with his family mem- bers and Ray is funny and entertain- ing in "Five Easy Piecs.' molding Jack into the icon he has since. become. Steve Lacy/Roswell RuddI Quartet These two were playing Thelonious Monk tunes before the pianist was a household name. Bird of Paradise, 312 S. Main. 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. $20. 662-8310. Knee Deep Shag Benefit concert in support of the band's new name, changed from Ankle High in Linoleum. Blind Pig, 208 S. 1st. 10 p.m. $5. 996- 8555. Thornetta Davis I'd sing the blues too, if I were from Detroit like Thornetta. Cavern Club, 210 S. 1st. 10 p.m. $5. 332-9900. Moscow Virtuosi This world-famous string chamber ensemblefeatures famous conductor and violinist Vladimir Spivakov as its head. Rackham Auditorium. 8 p.m. $26-40. 764-2538. THEA TER S'lichot See Thursday. 8 p.m. Unity The last show of the Theatre Department's annual "Playfest," this piece looks at the loss of idealism during the college years. Arena Theater, Frieze Building. 7 p.m. Free. 764-5350. The Crucible See Thursday. 8 p.m. The Ride Down Mt. Morgan See Thursday. 8 p.m. A LTERNA TIVES Kimberly Kafka The author reads from "True North," a literary yet adventur- ous novel set in Alaska. Shaman Drum ' Bookshop, 311 S. State. 6 p.m. Free. 662-7404. Aspros Dromos See Thursday. 8 p.m. Saturday CAMPUS CINEMA Being John Malkovich (1999)See Thursday. At State: 12. $5.50. Earth (1999) It's not just our planet, it's a new movie from filmmaker Deepa Mehta. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty. 4:45, 7 & 9:15. $5.50. The Shining (1980) Jack Nicholson gets nasty for probably the last time this year in this classic from Kubrick. At State: 11:30. $5.50. MUSIC Steve Lacy/Roswell Rudd Quartet See Friday. 8:30 p.m. Govt. Mule See if the former Allman Brothers members can still ramble, man. St. Andrews, Detroit. 9 p.m. 313-961-M ELT. Dirty Three with Shannon Wright & Storm & Stress Odd instrumental trio of violin, guitar and drums plus a bunch of 'and's. Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave, Detroit. 9 p.m. 313- 833-POOL. Czech Philharmonic Orchestra The orchestra pays tribute to its first con- ductor Antonin Dvorak by performing his Symphony No. 7. Hill Auditorium. 8 p.m. $14-46. 764-2538. THEA TER S'lichot See Thursday. 8 p.m. The Crucible See Thursday. 8 p.m. The Ride Down Mt. Morgan See Thursday. 8 p.m. A LTERNA TIVES Liza Nelson Author reads from her debut novel "Playing Botticelli." Shaman Drum Bookshop, 311 S. More twentysomethings pretend to be your peers in "The Skulls," only this tim State. 8 p.m. Free. 662-7404. Theater, 603 E. Liberty. 8:45. $5 Aspros Dromos See Thursday. 8 p.m. Sunday CAMPUS CINEMA Earth (1999) See Saturday. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty. 4:45 & 9:15. $5.50. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) See Thursday. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty. 2 & 7:30. $5.50. The White Balloon (1995) It's the only time this is showing, so if you want to see it, you better go. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty. 7. $5.50. MUSIC A Musical Millenium Celebration A guy from PBS and his friends sing songs from the 20th Century. Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward, Detroit. 3 p.m. $5. 313-576-5111. THEA TER S'lichot See Thursday. 2 p.m. The Crucible See Thursday. 2 p.m. The Ride Down Mt. Morgan See Thursday. 2 p.m. ALTERNA TIVES Docent Tour This free tour will show spectators through the Annette Lawrence installation, "Transparent/Opaque." Museum of Art. 2 p.m. Free. 764-0395. Monday CAMPUS CINEMA Angela's Ashes (1999) If you like the colors blue and green then you'll flip for this film. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty. 7:30. $5.50. Earth (1999) See Saturday. Michigan The Key (1987) Once again, it's only time this movie is showing, you want to see it, you better go Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty $5.50. MUSIC Korn Go ask them why they didn' spell it "corn," because I bet the got a real profound answer. Palac Auburn Hills. 248-377-0100. Bryan Adams Maybe he'll play th great song from the "Robin Hood Prince of Thieves" soundtrack:! c Theatre, 2115 Woodward, Detroi 7:30 p.m. 313-961-5450. Bad Livers Bluegrass, punk and s absurd humor. The Ark, 316 S. M 8 p.m. 761-1451. A LTERNA TIVES Nathan Englander Author reads fi his short fiction debut "For the F of Unbearable Urges," followed b signing. Borders Books & Music, E. Liberty. 7 p.m. Free. 668-765e Brian Porter U-M Assistant Profe of History reads from "When Nationalism Begins to Hate," a s of the relationships between mod ty and nationalism in turn-of-the- tury Poland. Shaman Drum Book 311 S. State. 4 p.m. Free. 662-7 Michael Zadoorlan Author reads his latest novel "Second Hand." Shaman Drum Bookshop, 311 S. State. 8 p.m. Free. 662-7404. Tuesday CAMPUS CINEMA Earth (1999) See Saturday. Mic Theater, 603 E. Liberty. 6:45 & i $5.50. Eyes Wide Shut (1999) Stanley' final masterpiece returns to thea for one last waltz. Look for Tom, Nicole, Sydney (the director, not movie) and a boatload of crotch shots. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty. 7. $5.50. wifllbethe guest sekrfor the13til ao , -s~o , . annual aulan april 1- q tzlnbffm data michigan anion an loge amerkan art ihow courtesy of Eektra Entertainment The elevator stops here for the gracefully aged Allman Brothers by-product that is Gov't. Mule. Their concert is at St. Andrew's Hall this Saturday night.