'

34 — Wednesday, February 24, 1993 - North Shore News

Army of Darkness played strictly for laughs

Army of Darkness * * * (Uni-
versal) Rated R, (playing at the
Park & Tilford, Granville and

other Cineplex Odeon
Theatres—)

he ~H, WHEN will those’
evil dead ever learn?

Not quick enough to
suit a housewares clerk with
a mission.

When the book of the dead, the
Necronomicon, hurls our hero,
Ash (Bruce Campbell) — the
aforementioned housewares clerk
— back to 1300 AD for a dose of
medieval horror, his quest is to
find-his way back home. But first,
he must fulfill a prophecy, by,
locating the Necronomicon in an
unholy cemetery, saving the cas-
tle’s inhabitants (including a com-
ely lass, Sheila, played by Embeth
Davidtz) and vanquishing an army
of sword-wielding cadavers.

That's a tall order for a lowly
employee of S-mart (“Shop Smart
— Shop S-mart’’), But then again
‘director Sam Raimi (Darkman) has
put Ash through this twice before
in Evil Dead | and #,.so he's a bit
of an old hand (And only a hand. |
— the other he had to cut off with
a-chainsaw when it became pos-
sessed and started attacking him...
but that’s another movie.)

~ Armed with his trusty chainsaw
“of justice and a Remington 12-:

gauge tor boom stick-as the pea

Tim Bell
FILM REVIEW

sants get to know it), the forces of
darkness have almost no chance.
\f only Ash could remember the
sacred words -- Klaatu Baradu
Nikto -- when he removes the
tome penned in blood and
covered in human skin.
Unfortunately, the phrase that

pays comes out as Klaatu Varado _

N (cough). Nice try, but no
cheroot.

Though played entirely for
laughs, with Three Stooges
slapstick and stupid one-liners,
Army of Darkness features great

; special effects including stop-

motion skeletons that rival Ray
Harryhausen’s in Jason and the
_: Argonauts. (The latter, by the way,
‘available on a superb Criterion
laserdisc i is highly recommended.)
- Bruce Campbell's tongue-in-
cheek performance makes him a
less-than- ideal hero,
- Self-centred, sexist, not terribly
bright (’Gimme some sugar,

baby"’ is his idea of foreplay), he’s
a bit of a Mad Magazine Max.

In keeping with his traditional
style, Raimi doesn’t have any
serious messages to offer, But
that’s OK. He’s out to give you a
cinematic comic book (or graphic
novel as they say nowadays),

recapturing the campy fun of
Saturday matinees. And where the
recent movie Matinee failed, he
delivers.

Nuts in May *& *&&

(Waterbearer Video) Unrated

’ And they are too. Nuts that is.
Keith (Roger Sloman), a very A-
type husband and his nice, com-
pliant wife Candace-Marie (Alison
Steadman) go camping for two
weeks in picturesque Dorset. The
two vegetarians expect a bit of
peace and quiet but instead they
get a loutish biker, his moll, and a
rugby-loving student as temporary
neighbors. So how long before Mr.
Let's-Give-Peace-A-Chance picks
up a stick and starts thrashing?

Director Mike Leigh’s fine eye .
for detail and deft character study
are especiaily evident in the

“200 song’ scene when the en-
vironmentally correct couple
coerce one of their reluctant
neighbours to join in their

“sing-along.”

Good fun — even for car-
nivores.

Showtime Hotline: Famous
Players 681-4255, Cineplex
Odeon 687-1515.

~ Lodge’s warmth adds to enjoyment r

_ From page a7. -
Fresh B. c. Salmon, $14.95; Veal.
~ Bourguignonne, $15. 95; Prawns
Amoureuse, $16.93; Duckling a -
‘Orange, $16.95; Roast Rack of
Lamb, $19.95; Frog Legs
’ Provencale, $19.95.)
‘It also. showcases some bona.
“fide members of the culinary aris-
tocracy. How about Beluga Caviar

- and Blinis for $75 or a Lobster

-Thermidor for $33.95 or -

Chateaubriand Bouquetiere for
two ($49.95)?

As I said, the Colonel would
_ have approved.

Hamersley House's wine menu
‘would also have inspired a few
rousing “Good show!’’s from the
lord of the manor. -

It features two dozen selections
available by the glass and % litre,
and the balance of the list em-
braces a wide range of interesting
bottles from Europe, Chile,
Australia and Canada ($15 to $30).

* “For alimited time oe g
_ Dinner ‘s-7]
or Two jus t

© Not valid wath any an.

other ater
© Lat one coupon per couple
aml 3 Coupons per party.

Guest Validation

“Because the restaurant is new.—
it opened Jan. 16 — some of the
bottles listed might not yet be .
available, but a 1988 Bodegas.
Berberana Carta de Plata ($21.95)
was, :

The big soft red from Spain’s
Rioga region is also available by
the glass ($4.75) and ¥ litre
($13.95).

it provided sterling company for
what was an impressive meal.

The Cream of Tomato soup was

” ich and piquante, with a good

spicy edge.

My main dish (Tournados
Rossini) featured a thick filet
mignon atop toasted French bread
crowned with a wedge of fois gras
and finished with a well-made
Madeira wine sauce.

The entree was presented with a |

colorful vegetable supporting cast
of steamed baby green beans,
cauliflower, zucchini and tomato,
roast potatoes and sprigs of argula
and other fancy lettuces.

Join us Sunday thru
Thursday for this
ey fabulous offer.

[99

~

Meanwhile, the prawns hada
subtle creole kick and were served
with a vegetable melange of bell

- peppers, onions, carrots and cel-

ery atop white rice.

The dish was interesting, well
prepared and a good.value.

Our Sabayon was prepared by
Aguirre at our table, The rich froth
of whipped egg yolks, orange
juice, sugar, brandy and Grand

.Marnier was heaped over fresh

strawberries — an excellent finish.

The warmth of the lodge’s blaz-
ing fireplace and plush estate at-
mosphere added to the enjoyment
ofthe meal. -

Hamersley House fixtures need
replacing and walls need painting,
details upon which Aguirre plans |
to focus immediate attention.

Fellow customers were few on
our recent Friday night visit, but
their numbers will surely increase

_as word gets out that the Colone!’s

aristocratic spirit is back at the old
Hamersley estate.

STEP 1:

Present this ad to your server.
STEP 2:
gq ANY TWO entrees up to
a value of $12.99 each.

STEP 3:
Enjoy your meal... and
save up to $10.99,
(PS. Choose two entrees greater
than $12.99 ¢ eachanul still receive
~ the maximum discount of $10.99)
Not valid Fridays & Saturdays.
Expires March 18th
RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED OR
Jusy Dror By.
RICHMOND
8331 River Road 273-7835

WHITE ROCK
14935 Marine Drive 536-7320
NEW WESTMINSTER
900 Quayside Drive 525-3474
HORSESHOE BAY
6695 Nelson Avenue 921-8188

WEILIEU nas...

NEW OWNERSHIP
NEW CHEF/MANAGER
Marc de Gruchy

MILIEU'S opsectives...

EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE
QUALITY FOOD.

4495 Bellevud | ]f
West Vancouver _|f

Restaurant: 926-5115
Patisserie: 926-4555 _

ION CENTRE

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FREE COURTESY CARS —

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EXTENDED |
RRSP HOURS

14th & Lonsdale. ....
North Vancouver 987-8111
Thursday, February 25 - 10:00 to 4:00
Friday, February 26 - 10:00 to 6:00
Saturday, February 27 - 19:00 to 3:00
‘Monday, March 1 - 10:00 to 8:00 »

Marine & MacGowan
North Vancouver 987-9305
_ Thursday, February 25 - 10:00 to 4:00
Friday, February 26'- 10:06 to 6:00:
Monday, March 1 - 10:00 to 6:00 |

West Vancouver 926-5455
Thursday, February 25 - 9:30 to 4:00
Friday, February 26 ~-9:30t0 6:00
Saturday, February 27 - 11:00 to 2:00
Monday, March 1 - 9:30 to 7:00