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Movies Run Gamut from Thrilling to Tiresome 3Entertainment Movies run gamut from thrilling to tiresome By Judith Trojan Lakota Indian, who's after the crooks for Catholic News Service killing his brother in cold blood and run­ NEW YORK — Unless you've been ning off with his tribe's sacred lance. cave-sitting for the past few months, you'­ Director Jack Sholder keeps the action re well aware of the ballyhoo surrounding fast and furious, which diverts attention the release of "Batman" (Warner Bros.). from the contrived story line. The Indian With 30-year-old director Tim Burton subplot has great potential, and the chem­ ("Pee-Wee's Big Adventure," "Beetle- istry works between the two mistrusting juice") at the helm, and Michael Keaton protagonists, but the film misses its mark and Jack Nicholson in the roles of Batman as a substantive cop thriller. and the Joker respectively, it's no wonder Due. to some profanity, bloody violence that Batman fans are wary. Despite its off-= including several coldblooded murders and beat production team, no one could have intense comic-book chases', the USCC predicted the mind-boggling, visually bril­ classification is A-m —adults. The MPAA liant film that resulted. rating is R — restricted. "Batman" is worth every penny audien­ ces pay to see it, especially if experienced in theaters equipped with 70mm facilities. 'No Holds Barred' Pro wrestler Hulk Hogan stars in "No But buyers beware! Discard all precon­ Holds Barred" (New Line), a tiresome ceived Batman notions and assumptions be­ turn on die mat that may even insult die­ fore entering theaters and fasten your seat- hard wresding fans. belts, for this is no ordinary, lighmearted summer blockbuster. The Hulkster grunts and winks through his role as TV superstar Rip, a strongman Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bob Batman, played by Michael Keaton, confronts the Joker, played by Jack Ni­ Kane's DC Comics characters, "Batman" wim a heart of gold. When sleazy TV ty­ cholson (right), in "Batman." The U.S. Catholic Conference says the film "is coon Brell (Kurt Fuller) attempts to lure comes with a set of warnings. The film is worth every penny the audiences pay to see it." Due to some grisly comic­ not for preteens and is not a clone of the Rip away from a rival network at any cost, book violence, a nightmare vision of life surrounding a notable folk hero and Rip gets mad and Brell gets even. campy 1960s TV series starring Adam a suggested sexual encounter, the USCC classification is A-lll —adults. West. As in the very earliest Batman co­ much of the violence. With its minimalist plot and some bloody ' This is dumb stuff highlighted by the at­ mics, Robin is non-existent, and the folk Furst will win awards for his startling fisticuffs, the film has maybe three good tractive Joan Severance ("See No Evil, hero vision of Batman as an invincible vision, a vision that says more than the things going for it. Two key attractions are Hear No Evil") as Rip's girlfriend and 1 caped crusader is also out to lunch. film's choppy script by Sam Hamm and Kiefer Sutherland .as an undercover cop media rep, Sam. Director Thomas J. This Batman, a.k.a. Bruce Wayne, is a Warren Skaaren. But if you lose track of and Lou Diamond Phillips as a Native Wright carries his "Battle of the Tough troubled man still unable to cope with an the undeveloped supporting characters and American out to nab some murderous Guys" final bout between Rip and a mean early trauma that destroyed forever his w feel unsatisfied by some of the truncated jewel thieves. Promising young actors who cross-eyed dude named Zeus (Tom "Ti­ hopes of a normal family life. Like many plotlines, there is no overlooking TinrBur- were paired (successfully in last summer's ny" Lister) a tad too far. The stompathon powerful' modern men, he has difficulties ton's fine direction and the stellar perfor­ hit "Young Guns," they make their buddy is excessive, me blacks are stereotyped and making commitments to women. As played mances of Keaton and Nicholson. They do ' scenes work'despite a contrived script and me mindless scenario can best be forgot­ hauntingly by Michael Keaton, not make the eternal fight between good hair-raising but implausible stunts. ten. Wayne/Batman is as much of an outsider as and evil an easy one. "Batman" offers no „ Most ©f thfe film's first 40 minutes cover Due to excessive, gratuitous comic-book is his nemesis Jack Napier, a.k.a. the "Roeky" ending, no celebratory parades. a jewel heist'and far-fetched car chase wim violence, some rough language and vulgar Joker. Due to some grisly comic-book violence, Buster (Sutherland) at me wheel of the ge­ bathroom humor, the USCC classification Both men — although one 'personifies a nightmare vision of life surrounding a no­ taway car. He's infiltrated the gang — al­ is O — morally offensive. The MPAA rat­ good, the other evil — are misfits who are table folk hero and a suggested sexual en­ though no one on the police force knows it ing is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned basically voyeurs to life. A neurotic and a counter between Batman and Vicki Vale, — to nab a crooked cop. He's almost his­ that some material may be inappropriate psychotic, Batman and the Joker have both "Batman" is toe intense for preteens and tory until he's saved by Hank (Phillips), a for children under 13. nurtured unfinished business from their impressionable young adolescents. Older childhoods into suicidal adult vocations. adolescents should have no trouble han­ When bespectacled philanthropist dling this material in context. The U.S. Wayne meets up with feisty photojournalist Catholic Conference classification is A-m Sponsor A Child Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger), he finally faces — adults. The Motion Picture Association like Conchita some of his human failings. But when of America rating is PG-l^ —parents hoodlum Jack Napier is disfigured by nox­ strongly cautioned that some material may ($15 a month) ious chemicals, he returns from the dead to be inappropriate for children under 13. exploit all of his inhuman failings, CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION Nicholson gives a virtuoso performance 'Renegades' as the despicable Napier/Joker. Graduating Watching "Renegades" (Universal) is For CHILDREN from black to purple suits with acid-squirt­ like eating mediocre Chinese food. An ; &AGING ing boutonnieres, Napier's rebirth as the hour later, you'll probably forget you even white-faced Joker is both riotous and horri­ saw it. - fying. An evil clown with a perpetual grin Founded and directed by and wicked laugh, he aims to control DUANE H. NEU'S CATHOLIC LAY PEOPLE. Gotham City at any cost. His villainous acts are gruesome and not fit for clown- loving youngsters, but Nicholson is always M®bil Mart YOUR $15 MONTHLY PROVIDES A NEEDY CHILD WITH. NOURISHING FOOD, MEDICAL in touch with me satiric elements of his role 1508 Buffalo Rd. • 247-2559 CARE, the! chance to GO TO SCHOOL and and will delight adults wim his broad per­ GRAND RE-OPENING SPECIALS HOPE FOR1 THE FUTURE. YOUR CHILD WILL formance. Coffee Travel Mug <tQQ GROW IN f HE DAILY KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S LOVE AND YOUR LOVE. The third key character in this moody thru K'23'89 & FREE REFILLS ^'y ^ Little Conchita lives in a small village in the moun­ drama is Gotham City. Overrun wim tains of Guatemala. Her house is made of cornstalks, You will recejive a photo of your child, description of with a tin roof and dirt floor. 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