'Arts
Thursday, May 27, 1982
The Michigan Daily
Page 7
The Jam blast out spontaneity
By Michael Huget
IF THE GIFT, the Jam's latest al-
bum gives the depressing impression
that the band's cynicism and anger
may be mellowing slightly, their con-
cert at the Michigan Theatre Tuesday
night quickly and not so quietly
dispelled those doubts.
maliciously stripped rock 'n
'roll of all its pretentious excesses, and
gave the audience an evening of am-
phetamined music for those serious
about rock as a viable vehicle for ex-
pressions of discontent and disillusion.
They relied not on elaborate lighting,
stylish costumes, or other ornate stage
gimmickery on which many rock "stars" F
depend, rather they relied only on the
sheer force of the music - nothing ever
forced or formal, each song a fresh blast
of spontaneity.
The concert was an intense display of
seriousness; no humor, no obligatory
"How's everybody in Ann Arbor feeling
tonight?" nor were there any political was all that was needed.
commentaries on the Falkland Island The Jam, individually and collec-
situation. (I sense that, unlike The tively, were the epitome of vehemence
Police, who earlier this year criticized and concentration. They didn't really
Argentina to the delight of 13,000 at play with an elegant perfection that
Crisler Arena, The Jam would criticize might be expected of a band of their
the whole fiasco, including the British. stature, rather with a refreshing
The police state of Britain has been the garage band zealousness. Lead.
object of their oblique critisism for vocalist/guitarist Paul Weller
many years.) There wasn't any macho- repeatedly sent the microphone stand
posturing or other cheap devices to in- reeling after his hurried rushes to it
cite applause; the fervid performing didn't quite stop in time. A few words
r-A selection of campusfilm highlights
were missed here and there as the
microphone took its time calming
down, but it was a small price to pay for
intensity.
As expected, most of the concert con-
sisted of selections from The Gift. Their
interpretations of the studio versions
were varied enough to make them in-
teresting, but at the same time a little
disturbing. As mentioned above, The
Gift at times portends the maturing of
See THE JAM, Page8
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La Dolce Vita
(Federico Fellini, 1961)
The classic neo-realist film of
debauchery and moral decadence.
Marscello Mastroianni epitomizes
the fall of man as he is taken in by
the vile and crass world of today.
What meaning! What symbolism!
You can pack a lot into three hours.
(Saturday, May 27; Lorch Hall, 6:00,
9:10).
Rebel Without a Cause
(Nicholas Ray, 1955)
They don't understand me!
Adolescent angst reached its zenith
in James Dean's portrayal of
teenage misunderstanding. Natalie
Wood also stars as his erstwhile
girlfriend and allowed Dean's con-
fused brooding style to capture her
heart and a generation of youth.
(Saturday, May 29; Michigan
Theatre, 3:00,7:00).
Time Bandits
(Terry Gilliam, 1982)
You can tell this isn't a Monty
Python film because it's not that
funny. But what it lacks in comic
silliness it makes up for in
imagination. Even if the pacing is on
the slow side, most of the film over-
flows with a childlike innocence and
wonderment generated by the most
bizzare fictional world you'll ever
see. (Saturday, May 29; Lorch Hall,
7:30,9:40).
Shadow of a Doubt
(Alfred Hitchcock, 1943)
Joseph Cotton stars as a man who
has come .to visit his relations in a
small town. His adorable and
adoring niece is happy at first, but
as suspicions arise, his visit turns in-
to a nightmare. Fun non-violence
from the master. (Saturday, May
29; Auditorium A, 9:30).
REGGAE NIGHT
With DJ Michael Kremen
TONIGHT MAY 27 7-11 pm
U-Club Michigan Union
Outside-on the Terrace
SPECIAL PRICES
Happy Hour 4-7 Free Snacks
Bruce Lee Marathon
Sure, these chop-socky films are
trash, but who's gonna argue with
Bruce Lee? The plots, of course,
aren't the reason for watching the
movie; you're there to see our little
friend hack the heck out of the bad
guys. And to be sure, Lee has style to
spare. All films at the Michigan
Theatre.
Fists of Fury (Thursday and Friday,
1:00,6:30).
The Chinese:Connection (Thursday
and Friday, 2:45, 8:30).
Enter the Dragon (Thursday and
Friday, 4:45, 10:30).
I
compiled by Richard Campbell -