Playstation: Heart of Darkness (Tantrum /Interplay)
Heart of Darkness is a cinematic cartoon side-scrolling adven-
ture and within those conventional parameters, it’s a stand-out.
The richly rendered environments create a fantasy serting as
immersive as they come. The boy-and-his-dog on a daydream
adventure couldn't be any more genuine, it’s just che pertect
blend of cartoonish fan, bovish enthusiasm and the childlike
purity of overactive imagination. Basically, vou side-scroll
through the adventure, a3 mentioned, but screen by screen, or
pave by page. Like a comic-book except every page contains a
puzzle. You must tind the correet path to the other side of the
sereen by running, hopping, climbing and crawling across it,
One great aspect of gameplay is its forgiving nature:
Unlimited lives, no timekeeper, no scorekeeper. Better still, if
you serew up and blow it there area priceless variety of death.
throes to endure but you won't have to start the whole level
over again: the game simply resets vou a page or ovo back and
gives you another run at the current puzzle/obstacde/toe. If
you're really stuck, a hint sereen pops up. How thoughtful. Then
there are the ‘Tov Story-calibre CG cut-scenes whieh tie the
comic-book adventure with the daydream story-line, amazing lit-
de movies unto themselves, One massive Haw, though: The
adventure’s too short. Even spanning two dise, this game can be
completed in a couple of sittings. What a fet down! E want more!
Excellent rental. Excellent purchase.
Top Rentals:
1. NHL 99 (PSX)
2. Parasite Eve (PSX)
3. Rerurn Fire 2 (PC) . ;
+. Cruisin’ World (N64) . ‘ ATS : ;
5. Madden 99 (PSX/N64) ree a one ae i
Sponsored by: IntevAction Computer Entertainment NEWS photo Cindy Goodman
120 E ard St. N Van (604) 987 3472. www. gameaction.com VANCOUVER photographic artists Jeff Wall and Roy Arden gave a talk Sunday about the significance of
— Shaun Conlin German surzealist artist Wols. The Wois exhibit runs to Oct. 25 at Presentation House Gallery.

Swinging to the sounds of Peroxide Blonde

Layne Christensen j The North Van series is a first for the symphony, which draws
porter yne@nsn many of its supporters trom the North Shore, said VSO resi-

News Re; Ie EWPS.COTA , dent conductor Clyde Mitchell, who will wield the baton at

NORTH Van film-maker Andrew Van Slee’s lat- , all three concerts. |

est project is in full swing. . The dates are: Oct. 26, featuring Beethoven's Svmphony No.

5; Jan. 14, with solos by violist Nicolo Eugelmi and a pertor-
Principal shooting starts this weck on Peroxide Blonde, a mance of West Van composer Jean Coulthard’s Muste for
light romantic comedy about a woman in the °96s who can’t é . ml Saint Cecilia; and May 26, featuring North Van composer
tind love. oes © Steve Chatman’s Dream Fantasy and the accompaniment of

“It’s like a hipper version of When Harry Mes Saily. And ; we North Van band and strings students.

the music is great,” said Van Slee earlier this week. aa At the end of the day Sunday at the Quay, the symphony will
The 36-year-old is writer and director on the project. He ca at oan draw for a subscription for vo for the North Van series.
also plays lead character Van Martin, the owner of Wild & ; y
Swinging, a club that cooks with hot swing and jazz sounds. ne . : Weish Poetry
The film’s score was recorded by Van Slee and a group of . ” e
volunteer musicians and will feature a cameo performance by
Frank Sinatra-style crooner Michael Buble most recent endeavour — 2 Bowen Island pub crawl re-enact-
Sinatra and the swing revival are the inspiration for the : : ; ‘ ment of the Welsh poet’s Te Outing — with a slightly more
film. But Peroxide Bloude is anything but a period piece, said , : sedate affair the weekend of Oct. 23-24.
Van Slee. : , : : : The “circle,” which was formed two years ago to bring togeth-
“Even though we have a swing feel ... we're not trying to : sot er admirers of Thomas's writings, will host professor Walford
emulate the swing cra. It’s all hip. It’s all happening. And it’s Davies from Wales. Davies is a former Oxtord scholar and lec-
all Vancouver,” said Van Slee. oe: turer who has authored two critical studies of Dylan Thomas.
Cast and crew are donating their time on this project, Photo Trevor Bess = [Davies's academic credentials are “big time,” according to cir-
which Van Slee estimates will cost $100,000 to complete. FILM-MAKER Andrew Van Slee (top) plays club owner Van cle co-founder Ted Langley. Yet his approach is straight for-
In order to raise funds, his production company, Martin in his swinging romantic comedy Peroxide Bloride. ward and entertaining. “He brings (Dylan Thomas's life and
Swingtime Productions, is planning a series of swinging works) to life ina very unique way,” said Langley, who should
fundraisers. A dinner dance and evening of swing dance lessons Violinist Karen Gerbrechr, clarinetist Nicola Everton, both of | know. As well asa Dylan Thomas fan, the West Van resident is a
accompanied by the Van Martin Band are in the works. North Van, and cellist Janet Steinberg will perform a selection of retired professor of English literature.
For more information, call the production office at 713-8709. classical works from 1 to 3 p.m. in the market rotunda. An open house with Davies Friday, seminar and ploughman’s
The performers will be there to draw attention to the sym- lunch Saturday and dinner that evening are open to the public.
Free classies phony’s upcoming three-concert series at Centennial Theatre. Call Langley at 921-9177 tor fees and information,

Members of the Dylan Thomas Circle are following on their

Lonsdale Quay is the setting for a free concert Saturday by
three Vancouver Symphony musicians.

drum sets by

PEARL Export Select

performed

The Pro Nova Ensemble

with guest artists . :
BARBARA IRSCHICK (viola) PEARL Forum
featuring works by :
an ——— ie ; Mozart * Beethoven ¢ Barber WESTBURY ‘
. Palisa ; ore Sunday, Oct 18, 7:30 pm i . Cymbals, Sticks, Stands; Brushes, Thrones by. 7
VINTERIOR Des! Ss") : : Mt. Seymour United Church, North Van Eg DIXON, FIRTH: NETWORK:PRO-MARK, *
“ Thursday, Oct ma 230 pm PEARL, SABIAN, YAMAHA, ZILDJIAN.
Ferry Building, West Vancouver TO-OWN DRUMS FROM $33 per m
Ensemble members are : 7 Se eee .
Aurora Felde (violin), Sandra Fiddes (violin), j 4
Audrey Nowell (cello), Hans-Karl Piltz (viola)

ADMISSION by donation