ARTS
The Michigan Daily - Friday, March 31, 2000 - 9
'U' alum
dire cts
pick of
Rage
by Matthew Barrett
Daily Film Editor
Tonight, filmmaker and Universi-
ty graduate Jim Stern will screen
his new film "It's the Rage," fol-
ed by a question and answer ses-
on in conjunction with M-flicks.
Stern calls the film a "dark comedy
about guns" where "the wrong peo-
ple have them at the wrong times
and the wrong things happen."
Considering that the film marks
Stern's directorial debut, he assem-
bled quite an impressive cast for his
first time out. Those appearing in
e movie include Joan Allen, Gary
ise, Jeff Daniels, David Schwim-
mer, Andre Braugher and Robert
Forster ("Jackie Brown"). Stern said
the script, along with his experience
in the theater, were the main rea-
sons responsible for attracting such
a talented collection of actors.
"They loved the script and I had
HI-FI
Continued from Page 8
Rob's so-called mid-life crisis is
thrust upon us with little explanation
aside from woman trouble. His life does
not seem too bad and he does not
appear too unhappy. Maybe more than
a crisis, Rob is actually just going
through growing pains - coming of
age (at age 30, no less).
These character and story problems
are not necessarily the fault of the act-
ing. Cusack is as good as he ever is -
very frank, smart and sarcastic. Black
jumps around wildly spitting out
tongue-in-cheek remarks that come
across believably and amusingly.
What is at fault here is the screenplay
(which, along with Scott Rosenburg,
Cusack co-wrote with D.V DeVincentis
and Steve Pink, his co-writers on
"Grosse Pointe Blank").
Most of the writers' energy seems
to have been spent on the extensive,
and well-researched, music trivia
sections. It appears they took less
time working on mundane things
such as character development (few
to no characters actually grow in
this film) and a plot outline.
The rather simple (over-used) story
feels at least 30 minutes too long.
Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
Jack Black gets it on in "High Fidelity."
This is especially noticeable when,
late in the film, new plot branches
are added that seem to only multiply
the number of scenes in which we
hear more pointless talking.
"High Fidelity" feels like it would
work and sound better on stage -
the same way John Guare's endless
babble in "Six Degrees of Separa-
tion" works better on stage than on
film. There's just not much espe-
cially cinematic about the film.
After awhile, all the dialogue gets
tiresome and I long for a pretty shot
or two in front of which to relax and
rest my ears.
I
I
Degrees
been in the theater
It's the
Rage
Directed by
Jim Stern
Nat Sci at8
"Joan's such an
for a long time
and I feel pret-
ty comfortable
when I deal
with actors and
they felt pretty
comfortable
with me," Stern
said.
The casting
process took
off once Joan
Allen read the
script and com-
mitted to the
film, Stern
said.
amazing actor
of Freedom
London........... $461
q, 4w
lip
I*"
-at
MaR osee ... . %.. 33
AN faress r rndr~ipfrom [Damn
Tn nout~cied. Some restritins apply.
(734) 769-2555
MkchSgn Union Ground Floor
I,'
and has such a huge following in
the community that once I got her
... Jeff Daniels was interested after
doing 'Pleasantville' with her and
Gary Sinise was interested after
starting Steppenwolf (a theater
company in Chicago) with her and
things sort of snowballed," Stern
*id.
"It's the Rage" was shot in Sep-
tember of 1998 and the movie pre-
miered at the 1999 Toronto
International Film Festival roughly
a year later. As of now, the film is
slated to be released on July 14.
At the moment, Stern is busy
working on another project
"Michael Jordan To The Max," an
.AMAX film on the life of the bas-
etball superstar. Stern shot
500,000 feet of 70 millimeter
footage during the 1998 NBA play-
offs (Jordan's last) for the film, and
then took time off to make "It's the
Rage." Afterwards, he turned his
attention back to the Jordan project
- conducting more than 30 inter-
views for the film and spending a
day with Jordan himself.
Making the film was something
a dream come true for Stern, a
ngtime Jordan fan who hails from
Chicago. "I probably saw him (Jor-
dan) play 500 times," he said. The
film "uses the '97-98 playoff run to
go back and sort of show what made
him a champion," Stern said.
Ten minutes of footage from the
film was shown and met with posi-
tive reactions at this year's NBA
All-Star Game. Currently, "Michael
*rdan To The Max" is scheduled to
open on May 5 and Stern said "this
film is going to be great."
Stern's advice for aspiring film-
makers is simple and straightfor-
ward. "No matter what, care about
what you doing," Stern said. The
film business is "so hard, so if
you're at least passionate about
what you're doing at the end of the
day it doesn't get stale."
IS OREKEEPERS
S, W t&gd ;'~
(734)66'S55
1103 Sout uwnaltey, Suft.1
TRAVEL
WE'VE BEEN TH.RE.
--I
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
III
11
THEATRE DEPARTMENT: S'lichot by Kim Yaged
L
Thursday-Sunday, March 30-April 2 (Thu-Sat 8:00PM; Sun. 2:00PM)
Trueblood Theatre, Frieze Building
How do our parents' expectations of us affect our own? What do we expect of our
parents? The Levy family attempts to come to terms with the terminal illness of their
matriarch. For tickets call 764-0450.
OPERA WORKSHOP OPERA SCENES II
Friday, March 31, 7:00 PM
McIntosh Theatre
Students of opera workshop Joshua Major and Timothy Cheek.
GUEST RECITAL: Umberto Pineschi, organ
Sunday, April 2, 4:00 PM
Blanche Anderson Moore Hall
Concert is part of the Italian Organ Festival (March 31-April 2). Mr. Pineschi will
perform Italian Organ Music.
JESSYE NORMAN MASTER CLASS SERIES:
Simon Estes, bass baritone
Monday, April 3, 3:30 PM
Britton Recital Hall.<>
One of the world's greatest dramatic basses, Afadde. Simon Estes will be giving a
masterclass for UM Music students. Because nfi seating, UM music students
will be seated first.
CHAMBER CHOIR: Vesper All- ght Vigil), Op.37
Monday, April 3, 8:00 PM
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Chur in An Arbor
2270 E. Stadium Boulevard in Ann rbor.
Jerry Blackstone, conductor
and
Tuesday, April 4, 7:30 PM
St. Lazarus Serbian Orthodox00athedral "Ravanica"
4575 East Outer Drive (cor 1et Dyke & Outer Dr.) Detroit, MI
Completed in just two weekse wers, written in 1915, is considered one of the
most beautiful and importar lia wags in the choral repertoire.
SAXOPHONE STj4UDIO PN:
Students of DonSinta
Tuesday, April 4, 8:00PM I
Britton-Recital Hall
CAMPUS SYMPION ORHESflA
Wednesday, April 5, 8:00PM
Hill Auditorium
Mei-Ann Chen, director. CoriolaiOveture, efreen; Symphony No.100 Military,
Haydn; Prelude to Act IIl of La Traviata Pines of Rome, Respighi.
WOMEN'S GLEE CLUB
Thursday, April 6, 8:00 PM
Britton Recital Hall
CAMPUS PHILHAIRNONIA ORCHESTRA
Thursday, April 6, 8:00 P%..
McIntosh Theatre*N£
Andrew George, Ken Raskin, Mehdi Javanfar, conductors.
Peer Gynt Suite, Grieg; Symphony No.8, Schubert; Symphony No.4, Tchaikovsky.
MUSICAL THEATRE DEPARTMENT: Cabaret
Thursday-Sunday, April 6-9, (Thur-Sat 8:00 PM; Sun 2:00)
Power Center
0, 75 CALL1E
U DINKS
® 11
i
- ) ~---------- I