Movie Review
Murphy finds home in “Beverly Hills”
By D. Dietrich
Of The Print
Without the help of any industry stars, Eddie
Murphy manages a clean get away in “Beverly
Hills Cop.” Murphy finds a comfortable niche
for his streetwise yet endearing screen charisma
in his latest effort.
Complete with his infectious laugh, Murphy
plays a Detroit cop whose unorthodox manner
keeps him from star status with his superiors.
His immediate boss is played by an actual
Detroit homicide detective, Gilbert Hill. Hill
was cast by director Martin Brest. Hill was call
ed in for an audition because of a certain quali
ty Brest saw in him while he served as a tour
guide for the movie crew.
“Beverly Hills Cop” is a fast-paced,
energetic cops-and-robbers story filled with
Murphy’s zest and precise comic timing. Within
the first five minutes of the film, one knows
that he has found the perfect vehicle for his
sassy style.
Murphy’s trek into the by-the-book jurisdic
tion of the Beverly Hills P.D. begins when an
old friend, who usually is involved in more than
one scam at a time, is murdered on Murphy’s
doorstep after reappearing from one of many
prison terms.
Murphy is naturally driven to find the killer
and begins a vacation that his chief is more than
happy to give him, so long as he doesn’t plan to
start another unorthodox investigation. No, of
course he isn’t.
Plausible or not, Murphy’s initiation into
and manipulation of the glitzy Hills set is
masterfully done. One particular scene with
very lightfooted gallery host (Bronson Pinchot
is a classic hysteria-inciting moment. Soon after
bumble in two of the most ineffective cops the
Hills force can offer, effectively played by
Judge Reinhold and John Ashton. This new
trio appears to have a karmic relationship
which keeps them together through Murphy’s
unofficial investigation.
An audio as well as a visual extravaganza, the
film contains a sound track likely to be played
straight through in any dance club. Cuts from
talents such as the Pointer Sisters, Patti
LaBelle, and Vanity 6 add polish to the film,
which includes one of the most destructive and
thrilling car chases of late, plus the glamour of
Beverly Hills sights.
Except for a failry guresome bloodbath at
the end, the violence is lighthearted (if possible)
and consistent with the standard ratio of the
good guys’ one gunshot being equal to five of
the bad guys’. Murphy, of course, giggles his
way through most of the shootouts and waltzes
into and out of most of the tight spots.
Murphy’s attitude is that of the louder the
voice and more obnoxious one is, the better the
results. A perfect example is when he
maneuvers for a vacant suite at the fully-
booked Beverly Hills Hotel by exclaiming that
just because he is a Rolling Stones reporter
covering a feature on Michael Jackson is no
reason to deny him a room.
Hopefully Murphy will be able to continue
finding scripts that capitalize on his ability to
role-play within his character. The best scenes
in the movie are not when we see the surface
level personality but when he must react to a
situation or create one with other character im
itations.
If you liked the movie “48 Hours,” this is
one you’ll love for all the same reasons, just a
few more because there is more Murphy this
time. Nothing unexpected with this film, lots of
guns, cars, action and a wonderfully wicked
Eddie Murphy.
Cast selected for Christie play
Class offers 50’s flicks
Films of the 1950’s is a class
offered this term as an op
tional history course. Instruc
tors Rick Ramsperger and
Fred DeWolfe are presenting a
look at the period culture of
the 50’s through subjects and
styles of film.
The next film to be shown in
the series is “Steel Helmet”
(1951), a look at the apathy
and lack of patriotism toward
U.S. intervention against the
communist agression in Korea
as compared to the attitudes
-events-
Community Center. Dinner
will be served, followed by the
opening of the casino. Cost is
$6 per person, which includes
dinner and play money for use
in the casino.
On' January 23 Mike
“Boats” Johnson, a local
comedian, will perform at
noon in the Community
Center. Johnson has appeared
on several television shows
and was the winner of the 1984
Portland Stand-up Comedy
Competition.
On Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. in the
Community Center “Winnie
the Pooh and The Ugly Duckl
ing” will be shown for a fami
ly movie night.
“The Hunger,” starring
Catherine Deneuve and David
Bowie, will be shown at 10
a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Com
munity Center on Feb. 13.
The chance to experience an
evening on the “Las Vegas
Strip” will be on Feb. 8 in the
The cast for Clackamas
Community College’s winter
term theater production of
Agatha Christie’s murder
mystery “Towards Zero” was
chosen during finals week of
fall term.
Agatha Christie’s “Towards
Zero” is a murder mystery set
on the coast of Cornwall,
England. The mystery evolves
after a house party given by
the old and arthritic Lady
Tressilian. As the plot unfolds
several are suspected of com
mitting a foul murder. In the
end is a sudden twist as the
prevalent during W.W.II.
The films will be shown
Tuesdays at noon in Pauling
101 and at 6:30 p.m. in the
McLoughlin Theater. A $10
fee is required for the class but
the films are open to the
public. For more information
regarding film schedules call
ext. 328.
“appalling truth” is revealed
in classic Christie style.
Working under guest direc
tor Merril Lynn Taylor are the
following: Neil Hass, Thomas
Royde; Clark Casperson,
Neville
Strange;
Jim
Nicodemus, Matthew Treves;
Joshua-Robin Collins, Ted
Latimer; Roy Osborne,
Superintendent Battle; Joe
Schenck, Inspector Leach;
Dennis Poore’, P.C. Benson;
Marlyce Baird, Kay Strange ;
Linda Kuntz, Mary Aldin;
Patricia Lawrence, Lady
Tressilian and Dona Miller as
Audrey Strange.
Working behind the scenes
will be Chris Parrish, assistant
director; Cynthia Hibbard,
costume and wardrobe; Les
Miller,
lights;
Eric
Steinhäuser, sound and Marty
Yost and Dennis Poore’ will
work with props.
“Towards Zero” is scheduled
to run March 7,8,9,15 and 16
at 8 p.m. with a matinee show
performance on March 17.
The production will move to
the Coaster Theater at Cannon
Beach for performances on
March 28,29 and 30 at 8 p.m.
CCC Cafeteria
—PRESENTS—
The “SALAD BAR”special
SALAD 25%
OFF
Only 9c an ounce
Offer good Jan. 16 through Jan. 22
Cafeteria located in community center building.
7 yc
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Page 5
Wednesday, January 16, 1985
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