MARCH 6: '990 -cT hi EVER . PAGE 9 The Retriever Arts & Entertainment Ibsen's Enemy: power to the people by Ari Fishkind

T he nagging doubts are hardly JtL. new: Is public opinion inva- riably correct? How many politicians are truly honest? Do democratic systems really encourage truth and justice? These provocative questions are the essence of Henrik Ibsen's play, An Enemy Of The People, currently showing at Baltimore's Center Stage. Masterfully directed by Stan Woje- wodski, this 19th century Norwegian drama fairly resonates with explosive relevance and brutal honesty; topics such as corruption, freedom, and censorship are unabashedly explored. Marginally flawed by a questionable conclusion and uneven acting, the play (See ENEMY, page 10) An Enemy's cast (l-r): Morten Stockmann (Christopher Montgomery), Mrs. Stockmann (Kristin Griffin), Eilif (Lance Tinstman), Petra (Katy Selverstone). Fresh tunes from New Zealand and beyond by Rob Thornton ("Hail", "Dialing A Prayer", "She game) 1 recommend this album metal("Touch Me"), 60's rock holds its all together. An album for Morrow, the god of the Hoboken(?) We have for your inspec- Speeds", "Life In One? Chord") highly, and if you are an "Alter- ("Dizzy", and weirdness/psychede- specialized tastes music scene. In this album, Morrow tion some of the best new seethe with fuzz and distortion. native" fan, go get this! seems to be expounding a hybrid music that has appeared on the Late Sonic Youth fans will find Forgotten Rebels: self- of garage rock (the Sonics, the scene: Straitjacket Fits, Forgotten these songs especially interesting, titled(Restless) - Recently a band But even in these songs, the raw power of the Original Sins) and college rock- Rebels, Rage To Live, and though the Fits are totally different. called "Raging Slab has been (early Cult, Echo and the Bunny- Psychefunkapus. On the other side, songs like the described as " Forgotten Rebels holds it all together. An men), livened up by many different Straitjacket Fits: Hail (Rough Smith-y "Sparkle That Shines", meets . Well, this band at album for specialized tastes. influences and a few ballads. "Jok- Trade) - This band is from New "Fabulous Things" and a cover of their best is reminiscent of "Lynyrd ers' Punch", "My Heroine", Zealand, and they have a sound that Leonard Cohebs' "So Long Mari- Skynyrd Axe', and "The Girl Can't "Countdown to Imagination" and is totally their own; a combination anne" are gorgeous songs that linger Come', this mix works superbly, lia("Science Fiction Double Fea- Rage To Live; Blame The Vic- others of that ilk are good exam- of burning and chiming that long after the album is over. (These and these they are less successful ture"). But even in these songs, the tims(Restless/ BarNone): This band fires the soul. The songs that burn songs beat the Connells at their own in other experiments which include raw power of the Forgotten Rebels is actually the creation of Glenn (See MUSIC, page 13) A rythmic rap flick is happenin' by Teddy Durgin

Yo! This MC Movie T. And, man, what a rap! Kid is the one It's still worth a look rappin' to you. I'm gonna' When they're on the mike With the 6-foot hair. Go see the movie tell you what time it is. You don't dare take a nap. Don't wait for the book It's a film critic's job Kid has problems To give good advice; So they look too old Besides his head I know what you're thinkin" To seeRocky 10 To still be in school. His father is strict I'm one strange fella And not pay the price. This is their movie And his mother is dead I liked Hard to Kill And they make the rules. But I didn't like Stella I'm a tell you'bout a film He gets into fights Called House Party They ain't just rappers With the group Full Force But take my word It's a can't-miss-hit Posin' as actors. But Kid fights back Go stand in line So don't be tardy. Like a thoroughbred horse. House Party's comin' On March the These guys have skill. nine. The movie takes place They aim to thrill. But the film has flaws Right after school. When you see their act With no real cause It's a 3-star gem You can't sit still. It gives us cops It's a 3-star jewel. Who break all laws. Play is the one Kid and Play star Without a care. Forget this fact n Men Don't Leave touches reality Ten year old Charlie Korsmo steals the show Baby, sing them blues by Mark McGurrin & the film, she is called upon to jump into bed with any pimple- display a wide variety of emotions, faced teenager who comes her way. (I've noticed this). Teddy Durgin ranging from anguish to depression Throughout the course of the film, by Joab Jackson Perhaps though, it is the mythology, the lore to happiness. Lange pulls it off she develops into a loving and (See BLUES, page 10) beautifully, creating yet another caring human being who even helps I got to keep movin' Men Don't Leave is different memoreable character. Her work in Macauley out of her depression. blues falling down like hail from other films because it doesn't this film is even better than her But the real treasure in the cast And the days keep on worrying me hammer-punch its audience with recent, Oscar-nominated perfor- is 10-year-old Charlie Korsmo. there's a hell hound on my trail •fake emotion. Instead, the film mance in The Music Box. Korsmo's character, Matt, tries to hell hound on my trail. . . . provides us with a rare oppurtunity help his mother pay the bills by -Robert Johnson, 1937. to experience the personal lives of turning to a life of crime. Despite people, with whom we can easily the fact that this is his debut Little is known about the haunted voice who identify. This film is performance, Korsmo is able to Men Don't Leave stars Jessica convey genuine emotion and sang this song over 50-years ago. A few Lange as Beth Macauley, a troubled touching because honesty. Men Don't Leave is only photos still exist. Scattered tall-tales and half- young homemaker who moves her the second film directed by Paul forgotten memories linger for a few old blues- family to Baltimore after the death it clearly reflects Brickman whose previous effort, men. But tha't is all. Born an illegitimate child of her husband. For the first time Risky Business, was a critically- and killed by the poisoning from a jealous in her life, Macauley is forced to the normal acclaimed 1983 blockbuster. In husband, Robert Johnson's life is shrouded in assume the responsibility of pro- both films, Brickman presents mystery. Peter Guralnick's slim new biography, vider. She lands a job in a gourmet feelings and ordinary people in extraordinary Searching For Robert Johnson, collects what food shop where she meets Charles situations. He has a way of trans- information is known, and, along the way, Simon (Arliss Howard), a man who problems of a real porting his audience right out of attempts to find out why this man sounded so struggles desperately to develop a their seats and into the lives of his relationship with her. family, as the characters. troubled, so in need of "redemption and rest." Besides the persistant romantic This film is touching because it During his lifetime, Robert Johnson recorded interest, Macauley has other prob- strain to stay clearly reflects the normal feelings only 29 songs (plus 12 alternate takes). Yet, these lems. Her teenage son Chris (Chris and problems of a real family, as tracks laid the groundwork for contemporary O'Donnell) is going out with an they strain to stay together. By blues. His style can be traced through the older woman (Joan Cusack) against together. going in a new direction, the movie recordings of Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters her wishes. Her other son Matt takes a chance, where most others as it worked down to The Rolling Stones (who (Charlie Korsmo) is turning out to The supporting cast is equally stay in the safe confines of a proven, covered "Love In Vain" and "Stop Breaking be a fine, young hoodlum, stealing terrific. Cusack, best known for her but predictable money-making Down"), Eric Clapton ("Crossroads") and VCRs and selling them for a profit. roles in Broadcast News and Work- formula. Z.Z.Top ("Dust My Broom"). Even today, As for herself, Lange is still trying ing Girl, is delightfully unrestrained This chance pays off and Men Robert Johnson's recordings are rich. More to live down that debut perfor- as the woman who seduces Macau- Don't Leave takes its viewers on a mance in King Kong (1976). ley's son. When her character is first roller-coaster ride of emotion that hooks are abound in any two of Johnson's Lange gives a credible perfor- introduced, she appears to be a will keep them hanging-on songs than in an entire album by someone like mance in the lead role. Throughout simple-minded floozy, ready to to the end.