* Schlock, trash and cinematic
insanity at Roxy’s B Festival ©

THE SECOND ANNUAL B FES-
TIVAL (Roxy Cinegog) Tired of big
screen superstars flexing their overpaid
pecs? Had enough of $50 million shoot-
outs and car chases? Sick of sequels that
just don’t stack up? Well, the Roxy
Cinegog has the cure as its 2nd annual
tribute to schlock, trash and general
cinematic insanity continues through
Friday, July 13th.

From the little seen 1932 horror clas-
sic Freaks (starring real-life sideshow
freaks), to Oliver ‘Platoon’ Stone’s 1974

directorial debut
Seizure (featuring the cool

star combo of Dark

mild comedy about an optimistic Long
Island contractor who finds himself
financially strapped (so much so that he
borrows money from mobsters), by the
escalating extravagance of his
daughter’s wedding.

The pleasant cast, including Madeline
Kahn, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Joe
Pesci, Burt Young and Catherine O’-
Hara, is responsible for most of the ap-
peal here since Alda’s script only offers
sporadic laughs and never achieves any
kind of empathy between the characters
and the audience. Try as he might, Alda
can’t transcend his middle-class at-

titudes and pedestrian

Shadows’ Jonathan Frid,

sense of humor, leaving the
film with the detached,

Troy Donahue, and a pre-

static feeling that has crip-

lechaize), this year’s
selections offer a wide
range of full blown demen-
tia, obscure artifacts, and
yes, even a 1950s 3-D clas-
sic. Add a tribute to Russ
Meyer, master of the think-
ing man’s sex film, a salute
to Britain’s Hammer
Studio, and premier show-
ings of 1962’s Carnival of
Souls plus 1989's Flesh

Fantasy Island Herve Vil- 5

ilverSereen

By DAVID RYLAND

pled most of his’ directorial
efforts.

The only saving grace is
newcomer Anthony La-
Pallglia, whose perfor-
mance as a good-natured,
eloquent Mafia hood en-
livens every frame he is in.
Look for more of this young
man in the future. Look for
Betsy's Wedding to be
relegated quickly to your
local video store. **(PG)

Eating Mothers (Betty
Crockers they ain’t), and
you’ve got the makings for hours of
strictly unconventional, out-of-control
summer movie viewing. Phone or visit
The Roxy for details and showtimes.
DICK TRACY (Capitol 6/University
Cinemas) The greatest strength and
biggest key to the success of Warren
Beatty's Dick Tracy is that it never for
a moment betrays its source material.
The film’s look, characters, plotting,
and the very feel and flow of the picture
brilliantly evoke Chester Gould’s
popular comic strip while at the same
time creating something unlike any-
thing we have ever seen before.

language.

GHOST DAD
(Odeon/Caprice) Plodding comic fantasy
starring Bill Cosby as a workaholic
businessman, raising three kids, who
dies (sort of), leaving him three days of
semi-existence to close a big deal at
work, make up for neglecting his
children, and secure his family’s future.

Tailored to please Cosby’s sitcom fans,
Ghost Dad proves amiable on those
terms, but to anyone who has seen Top-
per, Blithe Spirit, The Ghost and Mrs.
Muir, or any of countless other ghosts-
among-the-living comedies, this will
seem tedious and derivative. ~

Sidney Poitier’s competent direction

Dazzling production design, amazing
matte paintings, stunning cinematog-
raphy, bold costumes, and a startling
use of primary colors makes this the
visual treat of the summer.

On the performance side, Beatty’s
Tracy, Madonna’s Breathless Mahoney,
Charlie Korsmo’s The Kid, Glenne
Headly’s Tess-Trueheart, and par-
ticularly Al Pacino’s Big Boy Caprice all
manage to command attention even
when competing with the most enticing
surroundings.

Only the flatness of the second half of
the script and Madonna's renditions of
Stephen Sondheim songs dampen the
total effect, but that is almost trivial
compared to this film’s accomplish-
ments.

The cast also features Charles Durn-
ing, William Forsythe, Dick Van Dyke,
Dustin Hoffman, Paul Sorvino and
Mandy Patinkin. The film is preceded
by Rollercoaster Rabbit, a Roger Rabbit
eartoon which must be the funniest
entry yet. ****(PG) language.

BETSY’S WEDDING (Capitol 6) Alan
Alda wrote, directed and stars in this

HAPPILY EVER AFTER won't be the fate of
Betsy’s Wedding, an Allan Alda comedy.

and interesting effects threaten to make
things palatable, but an obligatory
syrupy ending, a cop-out resolution of
the plot, and Cosby’s cloying perfor-
mance ultimately made me wish Ghost
Dad would just disappear. *(PG) lan-
guage.

BIRD ON A WIRE (Haida) Slick,
noisy action comedy starring Mel Gib-
son and Goldie Hawn, and featuring a
lot of shouting, squealing tires, gunfire,
and an uncountable number of refer-
ences to Gibson’s butt, during the star
duo’s clique-ridden cross-country ad-
ventures.

Bird On A Wire is a classic example of
star power trying desperately to com-
pensate for any measure of development
or likability in either character or story.
Viewers in Victoria will at least get a
kick out of the twelve minutes of screen
time in which various Garden City lo-
cales pass for Racine, Wisconsin but,
that aside, this Bird is one major
turkey. *1/2 (PG) language.

This Week. July 4, 1990..-Page M15

‘CALENDAR

Continued from Page 14
visitors from every part of the world
the Le-La-La Dancers, a Kwakiutl
Dance ensemble, will present a de-
monstration of authentic native
dances in Wa'waditla, the Mungo
Martin House, on the grounds of the
Royal British Columbia Museum. Us-
ing masks, head-dresses and tradi-
tional costume their audience will be
magically transported. Performing
twice a day at 2 pm and 5:30 pm
Wed. through Sunday until August
26. This will be the first time the
public will be able to enter the Big-
house to see this type of event in
Victoria on a scheduled basis and
George Taylor, Director of the dan-
cers believes that this will make the
Le-La-La summer program popular
with Victoria residents as well as
tourists. Box Office 388-7336.
Further info ph. Ernie Stigant 477-
3038. Ph. 727-7958.

The Saanich International Folkdan-
cers — are again hosting folkdanc-
ing in Beacon Hill Park every Fri.
evening in July and August from 7
pm to dusk. Next to the Cameron
Bandshell. Free of charge, everyone
is welcome. No partners needed.
Some teaching, but primarily re-
quests. Ph. Ali Carlson at 598-6888
or Penny Parker at 595-4293. If rain-
ing, call above numbers for alternate
location. 34

Cinecenta (UVic Student Union
Bldg) — Admission is $3 for UVic
alumni and students with cards; $3.50
for UVic faculty, staff and guests; non-
members, $4.50. The public can pur-
chase a Ginemagic card for $8, which
entitles bearer to view films for $3.50.
Ph. 721-8364.

Vintage Videos: The Emily Carr Gal-
lery — presents films depicting many
fascinating aspects of B.C. History and
Culture. Showing this week are:

In the Daytime (1950), a historical look
at Vancouver City Life

Land of the Red Goat (1960), Charlies
Guiguet visits the Spatsizi plateau.
Monday to Saturday, 12:15 at 1107
Wharf St. Ph. 387-3080. 28

The Grand Court of B.C. Order of the
Amaranth — is holding a luncheon and
fashion show on Sun., July 8 from 11
am to 3 pm at Mt. Newton Masonic Hall,
Saanichton. Admission is $4 per per-
son. There will be a door prize, home
baking, and various bazaar stalls. Ever-
ybody is welcome. 27
Capital Mental Health Association —
Fundraiser “Fun Day in the Park” in
Stadacona Park (Pandora and Bel-
mont) on Fri., July 6 from 11:30 am to'3
pm. Scheduled events include BBQ,
craft and bake sales, raffles, bingo,
children's games and races, afternoon
tea with sandwiches. 28

The Vancouver Island Persons Liv-
ing With AIDS Coalition — wishes to
announce that personal and support
services are available to all HIV infected
persons on a confidential basis. We are
also seeking caring and talented sup-
port volunteers. Please call 383-2872.
Smokers Anonymous — meetings
every Wednesday at 7:30 pm at the
Gorge Rd. Hospital In-Service Rm. For
more info ph. Mary-Ann at 598-7816 or

Joyce at 479-6196. TFN
La Leché League Saanich — holds
regular monthly meetings the third
Tues. evening of every month. All wom-
en interested in breastfeeding are wel-
come (babies, too): For more info ph.
721-2661, 385-4257 or 727-7974.

The Resource Centre for Independ-
ent Living — will be doing. question-
naires, personal interviews and discus-
sion groups with the disabled, people
who serve the disabled, concerned
citizens, businesses and organizations.
If you would like to voice your opinions
on the needs and issues. concerning
the disabled, please ph. 383-8077.
Narcotics Anonymous — Think you
have a problem with drugs? We can
help. Ph. 383-3553 (24 hrs.).

A Meditation Workshop — for begin-
ners and meditators alike. Sat., July 7
from 10 am to 3:30 pm, Camosun
College. Free registration: 592-6211.
Offered as a community service by the

Victoria Sri Chinmoy Centre. 28

Tai Chi — Free introductory session
sponsored by Goward House Society
and presented by the Victoria Tai Chi
Assoc., 2495 Arbutus Rd: from 10 am to
11:30 am, Thurs., July 12. Age no
barrier. Loose fitting clothing and flat
shoes recommended. Refreshments
will be served at the break. Please
register by phoning 477-4401. 28

The Dead Poets Society — lives...in
Victoria! Lovers of traditional English
poetry. are invited to come and read or
listen to recitations of their favourite
poems every first and third Monday of
the month at 7:30 pm in the Cedar Hill
Rec Centre. For more info ph. 477-
9634. A newly formed group whose
members seek to share the joys of
reading and listening to the works of the
English masters. Besides reading) for
their own enjoyment, the members of
the group intend to do readings in
schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and
possibly on the radio. There is no fee for
membership in the group, and guests
are welcome. ‘The poetry of the earth Is
never dead.’ ; TEN
Wild Wood, a Forest For the Future _
— author Ruth Loomis will introduce
her new book on Fri., July 6 from 4:30
pm to 7 pm at the Ecology House in
Market Square. Merv Wilkinson, a Van-
couver Island selective sustainable log-
ger will be present. There will be book
signing and hourly readings. Ph. 381-
3114. 27
Rhoda Kaellis — Vancouver Sun co-
lumnist will be autographing copies of
her novel The Last Enemy at 1507
Wilmot Place, lvy’s Bookstore on Fn..,
July 6 at 4:30 pm and 1108 Govern-
ment St, Munro’s Bookstore on Sat.,
July 7 at 2 pm. She will also be reading
at Broughton St., Main Public Library on
Sat., July 7 at 11 am. 27

Bosom Buddies — support group for
women who had breast disease or
surgery, First Thursday of each month.
New members welcome. For more info
ph. 477-0088 or 656-1619:

Kiwanis Club of Saanich — Decicat-
ed to community service. Meets every
Thursday night at 6:15 pm at Tally Ho
Restaurant on Douglas St. Newcomers
invited. For more info ph.-Lou Drage at
595-2141 or 361-4941.

Women’s Bureau Network — next
meeting will be a BBQ at the Meridian
Holistic Health Centre, 5575 W. Saa-

Continued on Page 16

x

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