Ve __{ a predicament audiences — This Week August 1, 1990. Page M15 FEAR OF SPIDERS isthe central theme of doiywood Pictures’ latest summer offe eacmac. Jeff Daniels. left. Jo _ ARACHNOPHOBIA (Capitol 6/Caprice) This debut of the self-described “Thrill- omedy” has been promoted solely on the basis of its genre-bending aspects, but there is a far more interesting and pertinent debut being presented here, that of producer Frank Marshall (who along with Kathleen Kennedy has worked on virtually every Steven Spiel- berg project since #7), making his first ap- pearance behind the camera as director. During the near decade Marshall has spent working with one of todays master film makers, if is apparent that aside from his producer duties, Marshall was the busy note- _ taker as well. Like Spielberg, Marshall knows that the necessary ingredients which make up a successful thriller are a good cast portraying likable (or hateable) characters, odman and Bian McNamara pian extermination procedures film also features eiey Jane Kozak. pote right. — | ‘Th rill. omedy’ Arachnophobi a ars " debut of ‘producer Frank Marshall Graton ofa blisg sues (Greta Scacchi) with whom he recently had an extra-marital affair. Deliberate direction by Alan J. Pakula (Ali the President's Men) allows the complex plot to unfold without leaving the audience be- hind, but plenty of attention must be paid. If Frank Pierson’s (Dog Day Afternoon) screenplay had been a little more dynamic and human, letting us inside the story, we might not feel so much like clinical ob- servers, straining to catch all the new facts and information. Not until the surprise en- ding do we really get inside any of the story’ Ss components or characters. What the script | lacks however, the cast tries hard to compen- sate for. Harrison Ford once again proves he is the _ Most substantial of today’s identify with, and a careful | balance of scares and hunk male actors, while Brian Dennehy, as Ford’s humor to bring out the politically motivated boss characters humanity Jy Jaws is a textbook ex- ample of this formula). While Arachnophobias premise of South American killer spiders infesting a sleepy little Californian town, sounds like it might _ have been dredged up from _ some long lost 1950s drive- in, its the director’s supe- rior, polished presentation that makes it work so well. By DAVID RYLAND shows off his bear-sized ver- satility. Sexy Scacchi fits the bill as the power-grabbing other woman (and she happi- ly fulfills the nudity clause apparently written into all her contacts), and as Ford’s wife, Bonnie Bedilia (who can currently also be seen in Die Hard 2), gets a real chance to perform without the aid of guns and ex- plosions. Suave Raul Julia _ deff Daniels @erms of _ Endearmeni) as a young doctor (who just happens to be deathly afraid of you-know-whats) moving his family to the quiet security of small town life, sets just the right sympathetic tone, while the public’s uneasy fascination/mortal fear of eight legged beasties is exploited perfectly by Mar-_ shall The story (by four different writers) remains plausible (within obvious limits) _throughout, building to an exciting climax _ that will keep viewers caught up in the plot- _ ting right to the end. The cast also includes | Julian Sands as the classic expert-on-hand, _and John Goodman, who adds comic relief as a Ghostbuster-like exterminator. _Some observers might be disappointed — of | _ Arachnophobia’s description due to ads | featuring Goodman’s off-the-wall character. with the (c)-omedy portion In fact, Goodman’s part is rather small, but _ the excitement, thrills and fun this terrific 2 summer fare offer certainly are not. An im- pressive first effort for Marshall, with notable help from Trevor Jones’ evocative _ score and Michael Kahn’s effective editing, both of which help make the finale a real wow. ***1/2 (PG) Language, gory scenes. PRESUMED INNOCENT (University Cinemas) Solid but somewhat detached suspense drama from Scott Turow’s best sell- ing novel, starring Harrison Ford as a _ prosecuting DA who finds himself the inves- -tigator then key suspect in the murder inves- rounds out the cast as Ford’s capable attorney. Despite its few faults, Presumed Innocent offers intelligence, a compelling story, and superior performances that should attract a virtually forgotten segment of the movie going populace: Grown-ups. *** (R) Lan- guage, nudity, suggestive scenes. DIE HARD 2 (Haida/Canrice) Capable se- quel to the 1988 hit follows the original’s winning formula (lots of guns, lots of ex- plosions, lots of people getting wasted by guns and explosions), but spends too much time setting up the plot (with all this violence do we really need a story too?) Once the real actions rolls around though, it's a blast. Bruce Willis returns, as does Bonnie Bedilia and William Atherton. Directed by Renny Harlin. *** (R) Language, violence. NEXT WEEK - Troubles at home and on the job are the themes of two new comedies. Family life and parenthood take a beating _ in Problem Child as John Ritter’s adopted bundle of joy turns out to be a pain. talking seven year old from hell. And in The Freshman, novice New Yorker Matthew Broderick scores what appears to be solid employment only to find himself involved with mobsters, their daughters and a six-foot lizard. Marlon Brando plays up his Godfather role in this film which he has denounced so many times you would think it was a diet plan- CALENDAR Continued from Page 14 Friday, 9 am to 3 pm or 7:30 am to 5:30 pm during August. Karate, dance, swimming, sports, drama and bus trips are just some of the many weekly programs available for five to 11 year olds. For more information or to register ph. Debbie at 380-6883. .35 The Blanshard Community Centre — is now accepting registration for Camp Blanshard for children ages six to 12 years old. The camp will run to Aug. 24 from 10 am to 4 pm Mon. to Thur. and 10 am to 12 pm Fridays. Cost: $25 a week or $75 a month. Ph. 388-7696. 33 Divorce Lifeline — is offering four workshops for children of separated families. The four hour classes will help children, ages six to 12 deal with their feelings and fears around family breakup. Classes will be held Aug. 7 and 14 at 10 am: For more info or to register for one or more of the classes call 386-4331. 34 Celebrate Summer Day Camp — sponsored by St. John’s Anglican Church, 1611) Quadra St. Continues to Aug. 24. 9 am to 3:30 pm week- days. Only $100 per child per camp. Ages five to 11 yrs. Ph. 383-7169. .32 Imagination Market — Join the one and only Imagination Market, Mickey Mouse and the Gang at May- fair Shopping Centre on Thurs., Aug. . 2 starting at 8:30 am. Create your “Disney Party Hat" from Imagination Market's coilection of colorful and captivating reclaimed materials. Then be part of the BIG parade at 9:30 am led by Mickey Mouse and the Gang through Mayfair's newly expanded area. 31 5 G8 DSG08Do - 2efFe2s9 bans 2077 “ Fy Siaent sotikh: 6 Louise Rose — Fn., Aug. 3rd, 7 pm on Rogers Cable 11. Louise is featured in a special interview with Pud Smith, and talks of her life and music. Shown here in a performance from last year. Friday’s Dances — Solid Gold Hits for the 30’s or more. Every Friday at-the Princess Mary. Tickets are $8 at the door — includes munchies at 11 p.m. as well as a door prize. The dances start at 9 pm every. Fri. For info call 655-0912. Country Western Dance Lessons — — 2 step, waltz, polka, swing, line dance. Thursdays from 7:30 to 9 pm at Esqui- malt Inn. Mondays and Wednesdays at private clubs, plus private lessons. Ph. 595-4528. 35 Scottish Country Dancina —tThe Vic- toria Branch of the Royal Scottish Gountry Dance Society hosts “Danc- ing in the Park”, featuring Scottish country dancing every Thurs. during July. Location is the Cameron Band- shell in Beacon Hill Park and the starting time is 7 pm. All ages. Cancelled if raining at 4 pm that day. Ph. 592-8870. TFN Victoria People Meeting People Club — Dance on Sun., Aug. 5th from 7:30 pm to 11 pm at Leonardo Da Vinci Centre. Music by Parisiennes. Cost $6. Ph. 385-4820; 479-4303, or 381-3115. Singles and couples welcome. No jeans. 30 Le-La-La Dancers — A Victoria- based Native dance troupe - asking people to journey with them to an- other time and place this summer. In response to countless requests from visitors from every part of the world the Le-La-La Dancers, a Kwakiutl Dance ensembis, will present a de- monstration of authentic native dances in Wa’waditla, the Mungo Martin House, on the grounds of the Royal British Golumbia 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. Box Office 388-7336. Further info ph. Emie Stigant 477-3038. Ph. 727- 7958. The Saanich International Folkdan- cers — are again hosting folkdanc- ing in Beacon Hill Park every Fri. evening in August from 7 pm to dusk. Next to the Cameron Bandshell. Free of charge, everyone is welcome. No part- ners needed. Some teaching, but pn- marily requests. Ph. Ali Carlson at 598-6888 or Penny Parker at 595-4293. If raining, call above numbers for alter- nate location. 34 McMorran’s Gala Summer Dances — in the spacious Seaview Room, the Island's finest maple floor, 5109 Cor- dova Bay Rd. Featuring big band sound for those who enjoy “the way it was."Doors open at 8:45. Dancing 9 pm til midnight. Cool summer tecien 5 nan. alana nal AAR} a4 attire welcomed. Admission wis poi couple. Reservations 658-5224. Something for Everyone — Camosun College's Fall ‘90 credit-free Communi- ty Course is available Thurs., Aug. 16. Pick up your copy at any Camosun Campus, public library or major shopp- ing mall. In-person registration starts Sat., Aug. 18 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Isabel Dawson Bidg., Lansdowne Cam- pus, 3100 Foul Bay Rd: Free pa: Register early. 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 Cinemagic card for $8, which entitles bearer to view films for $3.50. Ph. 721-8364. Cinecenta, in conjunction with the Eng- lish Dept. of UVic, is pleased to present a showcase of 10 Icelandic films, eight of which are Canadian premieres. Most of these films are being shipped directly from Iceland. Each film will play twice in one week, generally on Tues. and Thurs. evenings. Reg. admission ap- plies for each screening. Dr. Maureen Thomas of Cambridge Univ. and the Univ: of London, will introduce the 9:15 showings of all the films in the senes. in addition, she will give a lecture on the filming of The Saga of Gisli Fri., Aug. 3 at 8 pm in Clearihue D126. For info ph. Mike Gower, 721-8364 or John Tucker, 721-7247. 31 Centinued on Page 18 1 oO 8 EI Rod PEOPLES FESTIVAL Share the pageantry ... the hospitality ... the traditions ... the history ... of the First Peoples Lic Presented by THE VICTORIA NATIVE FRIENDSHIP CENTRE AUGUST 4-6 at the ROYAL BRITISH COLUMBIA MUSEUM Province of British Columbia Ministry of Municipal Affairs, AEP 2aUIOL TE Cullsire Se