The Collegian Wednesday, February 21, 1990 Laughs rare in poorly structured Madhouse by Christi Luden Collegian Staff Writer What do John Larroquette from "Night Court" and Kirstie Alley from "Cheers" have in common? A unimpressive new comedy movie entitled Madhouse . Although the lading roles arc played by two of television's most hilarious and popular stars, I would not advise anyone to waste their money on this mediocrity. The film begins with a happy, newlywed couple sharing their first apartment together. Mark and Jessica Bannister (Larroquette and Alley) are madly in love and very successful in their areas of business and news broadcasting. All is bliss until cousins Fred and Bernice come to visit. What starts out as a happy reunion ends up causing unbelievable fiascocs in the Bannisters' lives. The first incident occurs during the ride from the airport to Mark and Jessica’s apartment. Their wonderful cousins bring along Scrubby, the family cat. Scrubby doesn't like the car ride 100 much and literally soaks everyone because of ill feelings. This occurrence, which foreshadowed many more terrible events, provides one of very few moments that causes laughter. On the supposed last day of Fred and Bernice's vacation, hugs arc exchanged and the Bannisters' moments of peace arc again well on their way. Well on their way, Liner (continued from page 8) tribute to the late reggae pioneer. Island will donate profits to fund Amnesty's humanist efforts in the third world. • Lock up your old Barbies. Five new dolls have entered the toy market representing (you guessed it) the New Kids on the Block. Is nothing sacred? • Olcta Adams, the back-up singer discovered on the latest Tears For Fears LP, will release her solo debut on March 12. The release was written and produced by Tears For Fears member Roland Orzabal. • The Cowboy Junkies will premiere their second LP on March 13. Titled The Caution AOR Hits taken from Radio and Records 1. Aerosmith - "What it Takes" 2. Alannah Myles - "Black Velvet" 3. Whitesnake - "The Deeper the Love" 4. Rolling Stones r "Almost Hear You Sigh" 5. Tom Petty - "A Face in the Crowd" that is, until a pregnant Bernice takes a little spill on the front porch and, under doctor's orders, has to spend the rest of her pregnancy in bed. This is when the couple begins their descent into a living hell. Bernice becomes demanding and very obnoxious, Fred leaves to find his real self again, and Scrubby began to use up his nine lives by dying and rising again throughout the entire movie. If these house guests aren't enough <o put up with, Jessica's spoiled and debonair sister leaves her husband and decides to move in also. Needless to say, she and Bernice arc totally opposite and at each other's throats from the first lime they meet. Following Claudia's intrusion, her son also decides to join the Madhouse. Now with four guests and an ever-living cat, Mark and Jessica Bannister arc starting to lose their sanity. Privacy becomes a word of the past, their jobs start to suffer and sleeping on the floor takes a toll also. The fun doesn't end here though. A rare passionate moment in the backyard sends a burning grill into a nextdoor neighbor's pile of straw and the neighbor's house is burnt to the ground. What's the best possible way for the Bannisters to avoid a lawsuit while the adoring neighbor and his two lovely children vail for the insurance payoff? Thai's right, let them move in. Notes Horses, the release contains eight original compositions and a cover of Neil Young's "Powdcrfingcr." • The meaning behind the numbers in the title of Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 has been explained. According to Jackson, she jokingly told recording engineers that she hoped for the release to become a "national anthem for the 90's.” She later learned that Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star- Spangled Banner” on September 14, 1814. Talk about a disappointing revelation. • U 2 guitarist The Edge has completed the score for a theatrical adaptation of Anthony Burgess’ novel A Clockwork Orange. Added to the bunch is a crazed car salesman with an obsession for power tools, a mischievous little boy who sets off firecrackers and kills the cat a few limes, and a teenage girl who's in love with Mark and constantly tying up the phone line. It's enough to push the Bannisters over the edge. They nearly lose their jobs, resort to living in a tent in their backyard, and totally lose what sanity they had left. What's next? The Bannisters also deal with police, cocaine, an elephant, and surprisingly enough, a happy ending. If you plan to view this movie,try to wait until it comes out on videotape. It is worth the price of a video rental, but definitely no more than that. The humor is rare and dry. The many subplots and different characters throughout the film are somewhat corny, but the movie isn't a total disaster. A few scenes caused an eruption of laughter in the theater and for that I'll give writer and director Tom Ropclcwski a just a tiny bit of credit. Thursday, February 22, 1990 Bpm Reed Lecture Hall Pw<gs<smils s Comedian TONY powki .1. Tony has made appearances on many local shows, with an original approach as well as impersonating the like of Eddie Murphy and Bill Cosby. Admission - FREE Page 9
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