Rising Sun * *& (20th Century Fox) Rated R (at the Park & Tilford, Granville, Oakridge, Station Square, Richport, Eagle Ridge and Clearbrook cinemas) EX, VIOLENCE and karaoke ... what a lethal combination! Add a crooked politician (are there any other kind in the movies?) and a blond bombshell who, in order to reach orgasm, needs to be strangled to a point of unconsciousness (oh yeah, like who doesn’t?) and you've got yourself a thriller. Now add a lot of Japanese, a Scotsman, and an Afri- ccan-American and you've got yourself a potential racist thriller. Well, it’s not racist and it’s not much of a thriller either. Based on the novel of the pro- lific Michael Crichton (who has taken to bad-mouthing the film because they changed the ending), the movie centres on a japanese- built office highrise in Los Angeles where a murder has been commit- ted. The prime suspect is Eddie Sakamura (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) who likes karaoke singing, eating sushi off taut tummies, squat red sports cars, anid blond, statuesque women like the victim, Cheryi (Tatjana Patitz). He also has a mean temper, especially when . backed by his henchmen (the only ones loyal enough to stomach his _ warblings). On the evening of a Nakamoto office reception and after a vigor- ous sexcapade on the boardroom FILM REVIEW table (which we get to see over and over (yawn) and over again), Cheryl ends up dead. And thanks to surveillance cameras, Eddie is caught with his pants down (the victim evidently wasn't wearing any, a la Sharon Stone). That’s when Captain John Con- nor (Sean Connery) and Lieutenant Web Smith (Wesley Snipes) are called in as a special liaison team for the Los Angeles Police Department. Connor for his knowledge of the japanese business community and Smith because in the movies, you always get paired up. Tension between the Americans and Japanese is high and the LAPD doesn't want undue stress put on the situation. So while Connor and Smith tread lightly, racist-mouthed officer Tom Graham (Harvey Keitel) stomps around just to mess up the delicate balance. Although the film is elevated by the performances of Connery and Snipes, the intriguing Asian business politics are watered down to a routine chase with stock characters and contrived plot. This Rising Sun may have star power, but it sure doesn’t shine. CRUISE & COACH y _ Sept.30-Oet, 4,1993 IREGENCY BB@CRUISES 5 days from a 9 g Cdn | Price includes 2 night cruise Vancouver/San Francisco aboard the Regent Star’’ in an inside stateroom with all meals and entertain- ment while onboard, 1 night hotel in San Francisco, motorcoach’ ‘ transfer to Vancouver with overnight stop in Eugene. ‘ on double occupancy. Taxes not included. a, Choose any 4 dishes Vengeance is Mine « % * (Crite- rion Laserdisc/Home Vision Video) Rated R Vengeance is Mine Japanese with English subtitles) is based on a true story of a Japanese murderer who dons the disguises of respect- able citizens to elude the police. Ken Ogata is the star of this sor- did tale of a serial killer and his sadist(masochist lifestyle. You | won't find any Hollywood sheen or soft angles in this stark, com- pelling character study, The un- motivated murders are as clumsy and brutal as the sex. What's fascinating, though, is how this renegade trom the Japa- nese culture uses Asian conven- tions to hide his violent nature —- well, for a while anyway -- and how his parents endure the shame. SHOWTIME HOTLINE: Famous Players .. «+ 681-4255 Cineplex Odeon . +. 687-1515 Designer lines include: lagerfeld Heidemann K.S. Chacok Dino Valiano Joye & Fun Paul Costelloe and Jewellery Wednesday, August 11, 1993 - North Shore News - 27 IMPROVE YOUR SWING Come and enjoy our 15 acre driving range Bucket of balis $4.00 Club Rental $1.00 Lessons available with CPGA Professionals Jason Poukkunen Muncie Booth Takaya Golf Centre 700 Apex Drive, North Vancouver 929-6672 Mrmous | paw, Fy = < My NORTH VANCOUVER DoLLaatom ey Enjoy our New Menu! _ Fate, oe th Street, West Vancouver Having @ Party? Talk to our chef 926-8922 PA” bla on our menu and P This sale was initiated only after careful consideration. {1's our way of thanking our loca receive a FREE CRAB! customers and friends for their valued patronage and at the same time accomplishing our goal to quickly clear our merchandise and made room for fall goods. ‘ Sincerely Sandi Graham, President fi = | HEATHERINGTONS for CASH Park Royal) South, West Vaneéeouver Bring in a friend A who purchases receive a free pair of Doug Chin Earrings. Value $50, while BR E supply fasts.