ELM.

Wednesday, December 16, 1992 ~ North Shore News - 43

Actors rise above Rules

Formulaic material gets better than it deserves

Breaking the Rules « ¥:
(Miramax) Rated Mature (at the
Granville Cinema)

CCORDING TO

death diva Dr.

Kubler-Ross, there
are five stages to dying.
Anger, denial, bargaining,
depression and acceptance.

But now there’s a sixth phase.
It's the sitcom syndrome. and it
goes something like this.

You convince two childhood
friends who hate each other to
drive you across country for (in
sitcomese) ‘wacky adventures,”
like bumping into a bear in the -
woods or breathing fire on some
barroom deviants.

FILM REVIEW

the movie some merit. Some,

While lasen Bateman as the
terminal Phil Stepler is a bit afa
stiff in the camedy department
(and more of a stiff later on), he
handles the serious scenes with
conviction,

C. Thomas Howell plays his

éé The mish-mash of styles, while

Dhilosophising about death, seems

dubious at best and insensitive at
worst. ¥F

You pick up a female free spirit
(preferably played by a sitcom ac-
tress), make tension-breaking jokes
and briefly fall into physical decay
before cashing in your chips.

So, what is this? National Lam-
poon’s Dying Young? The mish-
mash of styles, while philosophis-
ing about death, seems dubious at
best and insensitive at worst.

The actors somehow rise
enough above the material to:give

From page 27

ing of entertainment for the whole
family starring Foote, Shari Ulrich,
Rick Scott and more. Proceeds to
Camp Goodtimes. Dec. 16 at 7
p.m. Tickets: $8.50 available at

’ Centennial Theatre box office,
984-4484.
West Vancouver United :
Church: B.C. Boys Choir present a
celebration of classical and con-
temporary music. Dec. 18 at 7:30
p.m, Tickets: $10/6.
Vancouver Cantata Singers per-
form a Christmas concert featuring
music from 16th cantury Spain
and Bohemia, 19th century Ger-
man composers and 20th century
English composers, such as
Warlock and Walton. Dec. 2G at 3
p.m. Tickets through Ticketmaster:
280-3311.
St. David's United Church:
Traditional Christmas feast hosted
by the B.C. Boys Choir, Dec. 19 at
6p.m,, with a candlelight concert
to follow. Res.: 980-7809.

Elsewhere

Cheist Church Cathedrat:
Christmas Candlelight Celebration.
Features North Shore harpist Rita
Costanzi and Celtic singer and sto-
ryteller Treasa O'Driscoll. Dec. 21
at 8 p.m. Tickets: $15/12, available
at Capers Restaurant: 925-3316.
Orpheum: Vancouver Bach Choir
presents Sing Along Messiah, Dec.
20 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets through
Ticketmaster, 280-3311.
Vancouver Chamber Choir cele-
brates Christmas with the CBC
Vancouver Orchestra and the
Vancouver Chorale, Dec. 18 at 8
p.m.

Vancouver Aquarium: The Lady

one-note character, Gene, in the
monotonous key of hostile, while
compassionate levity goes to
Jonathan Silverman as Rob.

At least Designing Woman An-
nie Potts shows she’s bigger than
the small screen, unlike many TV
actors whose appeal can’t stretch
beyond 25.

But breaking the rules? What
rules?

The rule of making a good

Bugs. North Shore band performs
two concerts, Dec. 19 and 20.
Lonsdale Quay: Members of the
VSO and Vancouver Children’s
Choir team up for a Christmas
sing-along. Two concerts, Dec. 19,
at 1 and 2 p.m. Admission by
donation of food, toys or money.
Proceeds to the North Vancouver
Christmas Bureau.

North Shore

Centennial Theatre: Carol's
World. Art by Carol Shumas. To
Dec. 31. Viewing hours: Mon.-Sat.
from noon to 4 p.m.

Ferry Building Gallery: Gallery
closed until Jan.4.

Silk Purse: Artitudes. Artwear,
pottery and weaving exhibit by
North Shore artists including
former Ferry Building Gallery cu-
rator Susan Aoki. To Dec. 20.
Sponsored by West Vancouver
Community Arts Council. Gallery
hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tues.-
Sat.

Correction note

A PHOTO caption in last Friday's
paper misidentified a West Van-
couver portrait artist. The caption
should have read Gillian Witchell,
not Mitchell, A graduate of McGill
University, Witchell paints por-
traits of people and their pets-in
various North Shore shopping
centres. This month she is working
at Park Royal Mall’s new south
market.

movie that will fast longer thas a
week at the theatre?

the rule of giving people their
eight bucks’ worth? Yeah, come to
thak of it, | puess they did break
the rules.

The Loved One * *& % (MGM/
UA Home Video)

Made in 1965, Evelyn Waugh’s
satire of garish Hollywood (and by
estension, North American)
funeral business remains one of
the most nihtmarish comedies.

British outsider Robert Morse
lands on Calitornia soil to bury his
uncle John Gielgud). While mak-
ing the arrangements wilh Mr.
loyboy (Rod Steiger), he falls in
love with the comely and morbid
assistant, Anjanette Comer,

Once touted as the comedy with
something to offend everybody,
it’s mainly memorable for guest
stars like Liberace, Robert Morley,
Lionel Stander and Jonathan
Winters in a dual role.

And keep an eye out for the ac-
tor playing the 12-year-old rocket
genius — it’s 24-year-old Paul
Williams.

The Brides of Dracula * * '%
(MCA Home Video)

Of course, eternal life in horror
movies ts just a nip in the neck
away. Although the undead count
is absent in this classy Hammer
production, his disciple Baron
Meister (David Peel) is putting the
bite on a girls’ school.

’ Fine acting from Martita Hunt as
the Baron’s mom, who falls victim
to her own son and Peter Cushing
as the stalwast Dr. Van Helsing
make this a guilty pleasure.

SHOWTIME HOTLINES
Famous Players scones 681-4255
Cineplex Odeon .......... 687-1515

Children’s Dress-u

2 DAYS ONLY
Thursday and Friday
December 17 and 18

Girls’ Dresses 40% off
Sizes 2 to 14

Boys’ Suits, Blazers. & Slacks

Sizes 2 to 14

‘BIZ

“CHILDREN'S GLOTHING *