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About What's happening. (Eugene, OR) 1982-1993 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 13, 1983)
CINEMA CINEMA CINEMA Never Say Never Again Produced by Jack Schwartzman, starring Sean Connery What must be something like the fourteenth or fifteenth James Bond movie opened at the McDonald Theater last Friday. Never Say Never Again is unique because it marks the return of Sean Connery to the role of 007. The last time Connery played the role was in 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever. The word is that when he finished that film Connery said, “Never again.” Hence the title. This James Bond movie has some differences from the Films we are used to seeing. The famil iar title music is not used, and though “Q” and Miss Money penny are around, they are not played by the people we are used to seeing in those roles. The rea son is: This movie was not pro duced by the same people who usually bring us Mr. Bond. Al bert R. Broccoli didn’t own the rights to this story the way he does to all the other Ian Fleming material. But have no fear. Jack Schwartzman, who produced Never Say Never Again, came as close to the Broccoli formula as he could without breaking any copyrights. Like all the past Bond Films, this one is a mix of softcore porn, violence, and technology. And the screenplay is full of the glib comments the films in this series are known for. What makes this 007 a little better than the ones of recent years is the return of Sean Con nery. Connery delivers his lines with much more humor than Roger Moore has ever mustered. Moore (of the latter Broccoli Bond Films) plays Bond flat footed and flat-voiced. Connery cannot only change the tone of his voice; he keeps the tone in his muscle. At Fifty-three Connery is still in better shape than most younger actors. The result is a vigor he brings to the role that the lackluster Moore is missing. But Connery is not the film’s only saving grace. The overall acting skills of the cast are way above what’s been seen in the most recent Bond films. From Klaus Maria Brandaure’s villain to Kim Basinger’s heroine, the individual characters all give off a sense of being real people. As with the return of Connery, this lifts the movie a little higher than we’re used to seeing. The story is the biggest disap pointment in this film. It’s just a remake of Thunderball. Of course, like all the James Bond films, Never Say Never Again reeks with the smell of sexism. Under the thin plot about stolen “H” bombs, the men are really battling for the sexual attention of the women. And that’s all the women of the film are given—sexual attention. Though there is no nudity in the film, the women are always dressed in something that looks like it’s about ready to fall off. And any time James Bond shows up—it does. Irvin Kershner (The Empire Strikes Back) directed this spy wars episode. But like the Star Wars films, the James Bond films are really the creation of the producer. And as was stated before, this one is like the others in production quality. This is the twentieth year of the James Bond films. It all started in 1963 with Doctor No. They seem to be telling us some thing. And it is this: when sexual prowess is coupled with superior technology, there is no enemy who can’t be beaten or woman who can’t be kept in her place. A sad comment on our times. —John Mitchell (Film reviews by John Mitchell can also be heard on KLCC 89.7 FM.) NI B00l Fri., Sat. and Sun. 5:30 to 9:30 pm Daily 7 am to 2 pm in Homecooked Food and Desserts 395 W. 5th SATURDAY MARKET Where high-quality, hand-crafted products are sold directly by their creators. Every Saturday. April thru December, 10-5, "Park Blocks" 8th & Oak • 686-8885 Downtown Eugene, Eugene’s Weekly Celebration This week’s featured entertainment: 1-3 p.m. Don Lax, violin and viola d'amore 3-5 p.m. Stan Fink Trio, straight ahead jazz MOVIES THIS WEEK Big Chill: A group of old college friends meet for one friend's funeral and spend weekend together. National (344-3431). Eddie and the Cruisers: Cinema World (342-6536). Emanuelle, The Joys of a Woman: Criti cally acclaimed. Rated R. Wed.-Sai. Bijou l .ate Nile (686-2458). The Golden Seal: A boy saves a seal from hunters. Springfield Quad (726-9073). Halloween/The Zombie: Mav flower (345-1022). Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence: David Bowie is a British POW in a Japanese WW II prison camp. Valley River Twin (686-8633). Mr. Mom: Dad stays home to raise three kids while Mom pursues her Springfield Quad (726-9073). Never Say Never Again: Sean Connery re turns to the .lames Bond role. McDonald (344-4343). Porky’s II: Oakway Cinema (342-5351). Revenge of the Ninja: Springfield Quad (726-9073). A Romantic Comedv: Cinema World (342-6536) Say Amen. Somebody: A delightful and informative Him about gospel music and the people behind it, including some of the most influential of gospel greats. An intimate look at this unique and wonder ful piece of American culture. Back by popular demand. Oct. 13-19. Cinema 7 (687-0733). Snow White: Disney animation. Showing with Tron. Cinema World (342-6536). Survivors: Pine Arts (747-2201). Tootsie: Dustin Hoffman stars as Tootsie. Showing with The Survivors. Fine Arts (747-2201). Trading Places: Comedy starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. Cinema World (342-6536). Tron: Computer fantasy from Disney studios. Showing with Snow White. Cine ma World (342-6536). Vacation: A National I ampoon comedy with Chew Chase. Springfield Quad (726-9073). We of the Never Never: Nominated for six awards. this Australian film is the story of a woman who goes to live at a cattle sta tion in the Outback around the turn of the century. Bijou (686-2458). Zelig: Woody Allen's new 111m with Mia Farrow. Valley River Twin (686-8633). A s Aj BBQ RIBS, BEEF, PORK, HAM, CHICKEN AJ’S BBQ SAUCE LUNCHDINNER-SUPPER HAPPY HOUR PRICES FREE HORS D OEUVRES 5:00-7:00 M-F CARRY OUT ORDERS TO GO! GREAT FOR TAILGATE PARTIES 756 W. PARK STREET SMEEDE HOTEL BUILDING ORDER TO GO-343-9587 We of the Never Never i Directed by Igor Auzins (Australia, 1982) Starring Angela Punch McGregor, Arthur Dignam we or the Never Never, the second film of young Latvian born director Igor Auzins, is a stirring historical drama based on a classic Australian novel. A bolder version of Richard Pearce’s 1979 film, Heartland, We of the Never Never concerns thirty-year-old, city-bred Jean nie, who must make the transi tion from civilized Melbourne to the barren outback of the North ern Territory—called “Never Never Land” by the aborigi nes—when she marries the Sta tion boss (Arthur Dignam). Jeannie’s struggle to over come the rejection of the stock men and the suspicion of the na tives, and to assert her indepen dence and strength as a woman is vividly realized in Angela Punch McGregor’s commanding performance as Jeannie Gunn. Jeannie takes every hardship in stride, uses her intuition and em pathy to counter the stockmen’s resentment and the aborigines’ skepticism of a woman’s pres ence. Nominated for six Australian Academy Awards, the cinema tography of We of the Never Never manages to capture the outback in all its paradoxical beauty and harshness. The Aus tralian Film Institute awarded the Film a posthumous award for Best Cinematography to Gary Hansen, who was killed shortly after the Film’s completion in a helicopter crash while working on another project. The combin ation of cinematic splendor and thematics such as the struggle to come to terms with an alien envi women’s emancipa ronment, tion, and racism make We of the Never Never a visually and intel lectually striking film. —Cathy Sarkowsky tFihn reviews by Cathy Sarkowsky an also be heard on KLCC 89.7 FM.) ==. I kip krieger a o O custom work in the precious metals - _ 345-3562 ■ informal consultations by appointment Christmas orders; Dec. 1 deadline 29 03 ew ° eQ. a soC’ C.^ press 0s AA oP"Sxp & oCa"or0”” o Joletdtce $8-83*8*13% IC" Jol A 1963 ALL YOU CANEAI! CRISP TACOS & CRISP BURRITOS ONLY $2.80 PER PERSON Dine in Only WEEKENDS ONLY Get a great price on great tasting food from II TacoTime®. The more you eat — the more you save! 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