The Observer • Augustana College • Rock Island, IL • Friday, Feb. 12, 1993 ARTS First terrific film ofnew year... The Diviners' is magicai Dante explores By Angela Mikoslavic Special to the Observer fear in "Matinee" "Mant!" ("Part man, part hat a magicai event By Brian Crowley ant...all terror!"). As the town the theatre is! Itisaplace Staff Repórter creates an uproar over the where characters have the graphic violence of "Mant!", the potential to exist, where /\dvertisements for "Matinee" world teeters on near-destruc- actors breathe life into the sell the film as a screw-ball com- tion nearly one hundred miles likes of a 17 year old edy full of pratfalls and sight- away. "idiot-boy", and a charis- gags. Thepreviewsletyouknow To give more details would matic preacher who has that "Matinee" was directed by ruin the fun of the film. Dante given up the faith. It is a Joe Dante, most famous for the and Haas move the film along at place where the combina- light-weight "Gremlins" and a quick pace that never lets it- tion of lighting and a "Innerspace." Judging by the self fali into slap-stick or high painted backdrop create way the promotional people have drama. A perfect balance of for us the spark of a storm sold this film, you would think goofiness and sentiment is and the beauty of a sunset. that "Matinee" is just another maintained as every aspect of The elements of costume: wacky comedy starring John American life in the sixties is overalls, a work shirt, an Goodman. tackled. (The duo did the same apron, or a staw hat sig- for theeightiesin "Gremlins 2".) nify the typesof people we FilmReview The performances also comple- will meet in this small Susanna Turunen / Observer ment the tone of the picture, with town. Ali of these come Jenny Mae (Greta Hanson) encounters a newcomer to town, C.C. "Matinee" Goodman standing out. together to form Augus- Showers (Estlin Feigley). With "Matinee," Joe Dante tana Theater Department' s has raised his craft above the current produetion: "The Divin- sky behind them. A trio of "You young field workers Dewey (Tony Actually, "Matinee" is a film fluff of "The 'Burbs" and ers." are his sunshine" which took place Maca! uso) and Melvin (Thomas about fear: the childish fear that thrills you as the monster stalks "Innerspace." He has retained Written by Jim Leonard, Jr., on the Layman porch with the faint "S tymie" Skawski), and also by the a woman on the screen, or even the wackiness of his cinematic "The Diviners" is the story of light of the night fading into the women of Zion: Norma (Heather the realistic fear of a world on suburbia while injecting more Buddy Layman (played by Ken close of the first half of the story. McCarty), Luella (Beth the brink of war. The film ex- serious subject matter into the Johnson), a "simple boy", whose And the final scene at the water, Crookham), Goldie (Kari plores the truths of fear that can story-line. This blend works fear of water and quest to under- where Buddy is finally reunited Eisenhardt), and Darlene (Kim- connect these to scenarios and superbly. "Matinee" is the first stand the death of his mother are with his mother, was both unfor- berly Bath). In addition to these show that they are not far off from terrific film of the new year. tunate and gratifying. we have the roles of Jenny Mae made magicai by his ability to each other. "Matinee" is also a "divine" for water and predict the "A simple story, simply told. (Greta Hanson), Basil (Robby comment on film's ability to re- coming of rain. He is encoun- But its effect is magicai and mys- Moore), and Sara (Susan Vairus) flect American society. "Matinee" is a film tered by the newcomer in Zion, a terious," said director Jeffrey who deserve a large round of ap- Yes, "Matinee" is ali this. And about fear: the preacher by the name of C.C. Coussens, whosueceededintrans- plause. it is a wacky comedy as well. Showers (Estlin Feigley), who at- forming his students into town folk Gil and Patty Koenigsaeker childish fear that Director Joe Dante's films tempts to instill Buddy with some of the Great Depression era. The created an incredible set design and thrills you as the have always been a little "differ- understanding of the workings of actors, Feigley (C.C.) and Johnson technical directing, as well as ent." Dante's typical world of monster stalks a heaven and nature, and to help (Buddy), established a tremendous Chris Eicher,the lighting designer small-town suburbia has always Buddyovercomehishydrophobia. sense of interaction and feeling without whom we would not have woman on the seemed much like Steven with one another. Dirk Doughty, There are many scenes in this "felt" the weather changes. Spielberg's, but whereas screen, or even the heart-warming play that deserve who played Buddy's father Ferris, "The Diviners" will be per- Spielberg's suburbia is visited by realistic fear of a displayed a very stableand natural formed from this Thursday through recognition, and these are but a friendly aliens ("E.T." and world on the brink few: C.C. and Buddy, atop the composure through his role on the Saturday , at 8 p.m. on Potter Hall "Close Encounters of the Third mound centerstage, "fly" through stage. Some of the comedywithin stage in the Bergendoff Fine Arts Kind"), Dante's version is in- ofwar. the heavens with the cool shade of the play was provided by the two Building. fested with carnivorous creatures or psycho murderers ("Grem- "Matinee" also offers hope for líns" and "The BurbV"). commercial films that want to Jazz swings into Augustana Throughout his career, Dante has aspire for artistic greatness. always had a biting edge that Faith in Steven Spielberg has gives me an opportunity to do Mercer and Harold Arlen plus Spielberg has apparently soft- been lost in the schmaltz of By Brian Crowley wildly diversified things," said three elassies from Cole Porter ened, and lately, completely "Hook" and "Always." Dante Staff Repórter got it right this time; let's hope Lidral. "I am not locked into any among others. avoided. he can do it again. Spielberg one particular style. It's a lot of "It'sa variety show," Lidral said It is the slightly twisted vision seems to be softening his edge; fun because it allows me tobounce of the upcoming concert. "You of Dante (along with screenwriter Dante is sharpening it. In case you have not noticed (or around from one period of jazz to will hear many styles of music Charlie Haas) that makes "Mati- heard), the Augustana Campus has the next and do whatever comes to represented with different soloists nee" so successful. The film tells Note—While l' m gushing over been overrun recently with the mind." from various sections. It will be the story of a young boy (Simon Joe Danle here, lei me suggest smoothsoundsofjazz. Withthree LidraPs lecture focused on the much more diverse than the combo Fenton) in Key West who's mili- renting 1990's "Gremlins 2." concerts scheduled in as many literature of jazz and the an and setting of the Education Recital." tary father has left for the seas in weeks, Dr. Karel Lidral, Assistant the heat of the Cuban missile Yes, l cringed when I heard thal craft of soul construetion. Sophomore Chris Godwin, who Professor of Music, along with his crisis. Justastheweek-longscare this film was beíng made, but This past Tuesday sa w Lidral on plays alto saxophone in the en- different jazz groups, have filled begins, the boy's hero, "B" Dante and screenwriter Haas take stage again, this time direct- semble, looks forward to the chal- Larson and Centennial Halls with movie producer Lawrence created a sharp comedy thal is ing the larger Augustana Jazz Lab lenges of playing in a larger band. the music of crooning saxophones Band in a concert at Centennial Woolsey (Goodman), pulls into much smarter than it would have "In some respects, there is and rhythm keyboards. Hall. Following the Augustana town with his newest feature you think. Trust me on this one. greater versatility in a large band," In an Education Recital spon- Varsity Band, the sixteen member saidGodwin. "Itcanbecomemore sored by Phi Mu Alpha and given group opened with "Easy Minor" complicated and the writing is on January 27 in Larson Hall, by Tom Davis and fivejazznum- moreintricate. Italsooffersunique Lidral gave both a concert and a bers. Now challenges because it gives both lecture on jazz techniques. The "I am really happy with this con- the players and the audience more concert was attended by students cert," said Lidral. "The music is Open to listen to. But there will still be of jazz as well as general students wonderful, complicated, and di- 11-6 Mon.-Fri. andcommunitymembers. Lidral's versified." outlets for improvisation." three piece combination band, Those who have missed the first Lidral also plays in the smaller 10-4 Sal comprisedof Lidral onsaxophone, two opportunities to hear the combination setting at many off- ÍXCHIINGÍ Terry Lidral on keyboards and R ic campusevents. Upcoming perfor- sounds of "Augustana jazz" will Specializing in Neiv and Penhallegon on drums, played getanotherchanceonWednesday, mances include an appearance at a 1325 30th Street such jazz tunes as "Freddie the Jazz Festival at Blackhawk Col- Recycled Men's and February 17 at Centennial Hall. Rock Island, IL. Freeloader" by Miles Davis, and Lidral will be directing the nine- lege on March 25 and 27.