Thursday, December 2, 1993 "Saturday Night Live:" continuing to make us laugh by Scott Moore Cdkg iag Staff When "Saturday Night Live" began on NBC in the 70's, it was about the only TV show of its kind: a comedy showcase that featured a variety of skits performed by a recurring cast of players and a different musical guest each week. Some said that it wouldn't last, but with a cast including Dan Akroyd, John Belushi, and Gilda Radner, SNL quickly won the collective hearts of the nation. SNL has weathered some low points, like the horrendous mid 80's, but the current crop of talent on the show is one of the best yet. This season is no exception. Although I was dismayed at Chris Rock's senseless defection to Fox's "In Living Color," the '93-'94 season has brought What's coming to the b by ism Tosbakaris Calk:ion Stqr The months of December and January promise to be filled with a variety of films and are jam packed with excellent actors. Here is a preview of the movies to see while at home for break. WAYNE'S WORLD H Staffing: Mike Myers, Dana airvesf Story: Get ready for the rock concert extravaganza as Wayne and Garth headline with none other than Aerosmith! Romance is also in bloom for Garth with beautiful and sultry... Kim Basinger'!!! OUT ON VIDEO: "HOFFA" by Vince Smith Colkgian Staff Forget anything you may have heard about any of Danny Devito's other films being his crowning achievement-- "Hoffa" blows it away. Devito directed, co-produced, and co-stars in this film about the legendary union leader Jimmy Hoffa. Hoffa helped found and eventually became president of the International Brotherhood of teamsters. This trucker's union is even today one nothing but laughs. Sure, I miss Dana Carvey, but his departure is a blessing in disguise for other cast members like Tim Meadows and David Spade who have been allowed to shine like never before. Out with the old and in with the new, they always say. I've enjoyed most of the guest hosts' performances, especially Charles Barkley and Nicole Kidman. The musical acts have been superb. Personal favorites have been Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins. SNL still has not become part of the establishment. It remains fresh and subversive when others would've gone stale and ammo. The cast isn't afraid to take chances or rub some the wrong way. But most importantly, they continue to make me laugh hysterically week after week. screen PHILADELPHIA Starring: Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington Story: Hanks plays a gay lawyer who's fired when his firm discovers that he has AIDS. Washington plays his extremely homophobic attorney. GERONIMO Starring: Jason Patric, Gene Hackman, Wes Studi Story: Studi ("The Last of the Mohicans") portrays Apache leader Geronimo as he battles the US Calvary for the rights to his tribe's lands. WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE Starring: Johnny Depp, of the most powerful unions in the world. Starring as Hoffa is Jack Nicholson and (as usual) he's great. He affects a perfect old Brooklynese accent and adds to it an extremely cocky demeanor. He brings the long-dead Hoffa to life again. Devito is equally stunning as Bobby Ciaro, Hoffa's sidekick and partner in crime (pardon the pun). The two of them confront many truck company bosses, the mob, and eventually Robert Kennedy (marvelously played by EN T BR TA INNEN T Soap Scraps by Sally Stone Michael Damian says that being a Broadway star has a lot of ad vantages. (Of course,it helps if you're in a hit vehicle, such w "Joseph and the Amazing Tech nicolor Dreamcoat.") One of those percs is becoming part of the Broad way and New York show business community and all the good things they do for all the right reasons. That's why he joined other Great White Way luminaries such as Chita Rivera of "Kiss of the Spider Woman," and David and Shaun Cassidy of "Blood Brothers," as well as several soap stars including "As the World Turns' " Martha Byrne (Lily) in a fund raiser for the American Foundation for Children and Youth. This group believes that preventing problems that can lead to drug addiction, teenage pregnancy, violence, and dropping out of school is the best way to cope with the country's severe social crisis among its young. "Soap Parents" is the theme of the December 8 airing of "Vicki!". Vicki Lawrence has assembled a group of soap actors who are parents in real life to talk about their ex periences as moms and dads. The actors are, from "The Bold & the Beautiful," Scott Thompson Baker; from "The Young and the Restless," J. Eddie Peck, Tracey Bregman Recht, and Scott Reeves; from "General Hospital," Jacklyn Zeman, and from "Days of Our Lives," Melissa Reeves. Juliette Lewis Story: Depp plays a small town grocery clerk who takes care of his six hundred pound mother and retarded brother. Just when he thinks he can't take anymore Lewis steps in. THE PELICAN BRIEF Starring: Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington Story: Based on the best selling novel by John Grisham, Roberts plays the young law student whose theory on how two Supreme Court Justices were murdered is a little too close to the truth. Washington, a newspaper reporter, is the only one Roberts has to turn to as she runs for her life. Robert Prosky) in their quest to make the teamsters a name to be reckoned with. Another great thing about "Hoff's" is its believability. Devito has successfully managed to depict over four decades of time in this film. In summary, "Hoffa" is great. Nicholson and Devito have teamed up for easily "one of the year's ten best" on video. Still, one question comes to my mind after seeing this film, and it's an al one. What really happened to Hoffa anyway? The Cranberries: don't skip out on the new album by J Coen Tonbakaris llegian Staff Everybody else is doing it, so why can't we? is The Cranberries' new album. But I think this statement is incorrect, at least in regards to their group. The Cranberries AREN'T doing what everybody else does; they're following their own unique style. Lead singer, Dolores O'Riordan, has a breathy and expressive voice. She jumps forward and then pulls back, but the intensity is always there. In today's musical world, most female singers sound like a copy of Madonna, but "THE THREE MUSKETEERS:" true love, bravery, and swashbuckling action by Jen Dugan Collegian Step Walt Disney has once again produced a fun-loving family film. It is the tale of "The Three Musketeers" and what a lineup of actors they've chosen! Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, and Chris O'Donnell play the three rebelling musketeers. Tim Curry plays the evil cardinal and Oliver Platt, a new face to the movie screen, plays the young d'artagnan. The film follows the traditional story line. The deceiving cardinal is plotting against the king. He has broken up the king's army, the musketeers, to form an alliance with France and to take over. The three musketeers, who believe in protecting the king, refuse this and will continue to proudly wear the musketeer O'Riordan's voice stands out an individual. The lyrics are sometimes powerful, as in "How" anti "Waltzing Back." In "Dreams" and "Linger" we see the lighter side of the group. In one song O'Riordan exclaims, "You've got me wrapped around your finger." Correction: the audience is wrapped wound her finger. If you're looking for a break from the ordinary, don't skip out on The Cranberries' new album. Listen to the whole CD; none of the songs will disappoint you. You'll want the group and their style to "linger" for years to come. amblem. This disturbs the cardinal. "I want them dead or alive. Dead preferred!" he proclaims. d'artagnan, a young swordsman, has come to England to join the musketeers. He meets up with the three famous misfits. Together the outlaws bravely defeat the "bad guys." They manage to save the king, the country, and the musketeers. d'artagnan finds love and fulfills his dream of becoming an honored musketeer. Yes, it's a fairy tale, and everything you'd expect from Walt Disney. There's true love, bravery, and lots of swashbuckling action! The actors all do a great job. For those of us who are good at and enjoy the idea of "suspension of disbelief," it is a wonderful film. Page 5
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