Addams Family: They're altogether ooky
Jason Sandhaus
Capital Times Staff
Dada da dum. Snap, snap. Dada da
dum. Snap, snap. Sound familiar to you?
Qf course, it's the Addams Family
theme. But, who doesn't know that? It's
been in everyone's head since the show
aired on television more than 20 years
ago.
People may not know who the Addams
Family is, but they recognize the theme
song. But, for those of you who missed
the original television series, here's your
chance.
Paramount Pictures has released an
Addams Family movie. At first, you
might wonder why. I, too, asked the same
question. Why would they want to make a
movie of a series that's been dead for over
15 years? I have no answer, just a review.
The producers of the film were lucky.
They picked an ensemble of actors which
could pass for clones of the original cast
Drug culture flick gives audience a rush
Ann Feeney-McGovern
Capital Times Staff
Novice Director Lili Zanuck brings us
a different kind of suspense film, with a
slow-paced, tension-filled story called
"Rush," which takes you into the seedy
world of two undercover narcotics cops
who literally lose themselves in their
work.
"Rush" tells the tale of an experienced
undercover cop, Jim Raynor, played by
Jason Patric. Raynor recruits policewoman
Kristen Cates, portrayed by Jennifer Jason
Leigh. Kristen is not only a rookie in
police work; she also possesses little
personal knowledge about drug practices.
This presents to Jim the added task of
educating Kristen about the proper habits
of hard-core drug use.
Along the way, the two develop a love
relationship. The movie handles this
element of the story differently than love
affairs in other films. Instead of depicting
the relationship as a romantic one, it
presents their attraction as a necessity of
survival. This is one love story that has
forgotten to include the glamour.
Early in the film, it becomes apparent
that the pair is just asking to get caught--
if not by the drug dealers, then by their
supervisors. Their demise begins when the
Conference, from page 1
program is the "Leadership Skills
Certificate," said Dwight Collins, SGA's
senior senator-at-large.
"By attending the conference and three
one-hour programs presented throughout
the semester, a student can earn the
certificate," Collins said.
The topics of the hour-long sessions
include stress management, time
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First, they chose Raul Julia to play
Gomez, originally played by John Astin.
Then, they cast Anjelica Huston as
Morticia, originally played by Carolyn
Movie Review
Jones. Lastly, they had Christopher Lloyd
to play Uncle Fester, (my favorite
character) originally played by Jackie
Coogan. This trio was accompanied by a
well-planned cast, including a Wednesday
lookalike, Cristina Ricci.
As you knowrthe Addams aren't your
typical American family. In fact, there is
nothing typical about this family. The
two children, Wednesday and Pugsley, try
to out-torture each other throughout the
film. An ax here, and an electric chair
there. No problem.
The film's plot centers on the Addams'
lawyer, Tully, (Dan Hedaya) and his
attempt to obtain the Addams' fortune,
couple bend the rules by shaving off parts
of the evidence for their own personal use.
The performances in this movie are
spectacular. Patric, as Jim, dares to be
movie Review
overly confident, if not cocky, as he lives
on the edge with his "I can handle it"
attitude. While he introduces the naive, yet
committed Kristen to the drug culture, he
cites the cure for drag overuse and abuse as
"strong will" and a "few weeks in bed
kickin' up the covers."
Leigh also delivers a great performance.
Her character exudes the terror she feels
about this assignment, but she never
expresses it. She doesn't have to-her body
language and facial expressions do it for
her. The scene where we find her crawling
around on the floor, groping at pieces of
the carpet hoping to find some lost
crumbs of cocaine, sums up her
desperation.
At times, this movie is diffucult to
watch, but these scenes are a necessary
part of the story.
This is a film for those with strong
hearts and strong stomachs. Along with
graphic bloody scenes, it also includes
management, conflict resolution,
assertiveness training, and communication
skills.
Everything learned at the conference is
summed up in the certificate and will
improve any resume, Collins said.
All who attend the conference get free
food and a free t-shirt, along with the
opportunity to enter a raffle.
For more information, call the Student
Activities Center at 948-6237.
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kept in a secret vault The only way to get
to the vault is to open up one of the
literary classics Gomez keeps on the shelf.
The only problem, is when the book is
opened, it comes to life. For example,
Tully opens Gone With The Wind, and a
strong gale emerges from the pages.
Tully devises an idea. At a meeting
with his loan shark and her son, Gordon,
(who closely resembles Uncle Fester)
Tully notices the resemblance and creates a
plan to shave Gordon's head and pass him
off as Fester, who disappeared 20 years
ago. Except for Gomez, the missing
Fester is the only person who knows the
secret, and Gomez trusts him completely.
Tully brings the newly-found Fester to
the home. Fester and Gomez begin to
make up for lost time, but something isn't
right. How could Fester forget so much?
Gomez begins to smell a rat.
This film has a macabre attitude, much
like that of the television series. It
contains many of the series' idiosyncracies
footage of the characters injecting heroin.
These scenes can really shake you up, but
they're effective.
"Rush” is a different kind of police
story. It spares us the good guy/bad guy
routine, because none of the characters
qualify as heroes. And, why is this?
Simply because the cops and the druggies
have the same value system.
Student Leader
Conference
"Set your Goats —Take The Lead"
Josh- Stroup, of the Training Store, presents workshops in these
CeacCership skill areas: a,
y / y
yy y y
January 25, 1992
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Capital Union Building
Call Student Activities for reservations
948-6273
ALL STUDENTS k>£LCOn£l
CAPITAL TIMES 17T7’ A TTTDI?C /O
January 20, 1902 X 1 llr/Y 1 U KtlJ / 7
Based on Kim Wozencraft’s true story,
Rush tries to explain why the drug culture
is so prevalent in our society.
The music, by Eric Clapton and other
artists, is reminiscent of the early '7os and
completes the film’s trip back to its 1974
setting.
and characterizations. I was wondering
when Cousin It would show up. I think he
even combed his hair for the performance.
Of course, you can't forget the others.
Lurch, the silent butler; Mama, Morticia's
mother, and last, but not least, Thing, the
maneuvering hand. In the screen version,
Thing is not confined to a box; he actually
walks. Thank goodness for special effects.
One of the funniest scenes is of
Pugsley and Wednesday doing their
rendition of Shakespeare. They had a
classic sword duel, aided by props from
Uncle Fester. One blade swipe—
Wednesday's wrist squirted fake blood.
Another swipe-Pugsley's arm was gone.
Their family proudly watched and provided
a standing ovation at the conclusion.
If you're a fan of the Addams Family
series, or you want to see a good movie, I
recommend the Addams Family.
I watched the series, but after watching
the movie, I started to wonder about my
neighbors.
You won't regret rushing out to see
this one.