2 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, June 14, 1999 The General's Daughter Paramount Pictures At Briarwood and Showcase starting June 18th Can John Travolta play a cop? In the '90s, Travolta has been most acclaimed in his roles as gangsters in "Pulp Fiction" and "Get Shorty." "The General's Daughter" really puts him to the test when he plays the hard-hitting military investigator Paul Brenner. Travolta is forced to dispense with his usual roguish style and assume the guise of a man firmly cemented in his princi- ples ofjustice. Can Travolta pull this off? Yes, he can. Brenner is called down to an army training site where he finds the beautiful Captain Elisabeth Campbell (Leslie Stefanson) raped and murdered. As Brenner had just met Campbell the pre- vious day, he his doubly shocked to dis- cover she is the general's daughter. When Brenner tmeets General Campbell, a somewhat stiff performance by James Cromwell, he becomes uncomfortable with the aura of secrecy that pervades his office. By a chance of fate, Sarah Sunhill, a rape investigator and former flame of Brennan's played by Madeline Stowe, is assigned to work with him on the case. With only two days before the case goes public, Brennon leaves all discretion aside as he boldly tears apart the arny bureaucracy in search of the truth. As Sunhill, Stowe beautifully balances Travolta as she takes a far more subtle, but equally aggressive approach in her investigation. Together they uncover a truth far worse than they ever imagined. Director Simon West returns in fine form after his debut with "Con Atr." West keeps the film quick but sophisti- cated with a sublime flow of mystery and suspense. The excellent cast is rewarded with a top-notch script from screenwriter extraordinare William Goldman, adopt- ed from the novel by Nelson DeMille. Goldman's script is inflected with a quick wit that truly challenges the actors. Without a frivolous scene, "The General's Daughter" is masterful story telling. Wow, what a ride! Jonah tictor Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Animation '99 At the Michigan Theater starting June 18th * "Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Animation '99" is a series of alternative cartoons that take come- dy a few steps further than what is humorously expected. The extremely short yet graphic cartoons use vari- ous parts of the anatomy, gore a cocaine embedded in the animati as a form of jest. While some of these rather differ- ent short stories are funnier than oth- ers, "Sick and Twisted Animation" isn't meant to be taken seriously. Highlighting "Sick and Twisted Animation" is the two original "South Park" shorts, "Frosty the Insane Snowman" and the incredibly crude incredibly funny "Spirit of Christmab in which Jesus and Santa square off. It pushes stereotypes to the limit, often with a strand of distasteful crudeness. Some of the cartoons do have occasional elennents within them that are funny, however, the majority of short sketches are repulsive. These short, simplistic films are the furthest thing from being politically correct, and perhaps this is what makes them strangely laughable. The explicitness of body parts tt borderline crude humor may not be suitable for the tender-hearted and may be somewhat of an insult to any- one's itelligence. "Sick and Twisted Animation" when taken lightly may be a easy way to spend lazy weekend after- noon, for those who have that kind of time to waste. Neshe Sarko- John Travolta investigates a rape-murder in the thriller "The General's Daughter." PUBLIC NOTICE The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners are seeking persons interested in serving as Washtenaw County Commissioner for District 11. Dave Monforton, Commissioner for District #11 has resigned effective at the end of the Board meeting on June 9, 1999. Under Michigan law (MCLA 46.412), the Board must appoint an individual to fill a vacancy on the Board within thirty days after the vacancy occurs. The appointment is only temporary, and is only until a special election is called. District #11 is Ann Arbor City, Ward 1, Precincts 1, 2b, 4, Ward 2, Precincts 3a&b, Ward 3, Precincts 1, 2, Ward 4, Precincts 1, 2b, 3a, Ward 5, Precinct 1. Persons interested in appointment should submit a letter of interest and resume to Tammy Richards, Washtenaw County Administrator's Office, P.O. Box 8645, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107. If you wish to forward via the internet or fax, letter and resume should be addressed to Tammy Richards at richardt@co.washtenaw.mi.us or faxed to (734) 994-2592. Those resumes received by June 29,1999 will be considered by the oar of Commissioners. The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners will appoint an Interim Board member on July 7,1999. For further information, please contact Washtenaw County Administration at (734) 996-3055.