July 8, 1987, Portland Observer, Page 7
£
THE ENTERTAINMENT SEEN
A rt and the Real (Reel) Thing'
Catering by
by Keedah Giannetti
As a parent of an artist and an
artist parent, I find it necessary to
ferret out the roles we play as
actors. For instance, the part of a
"beautiful thug" was sent my way
during a financial crisis. No need for
me to audition for that, or to weigh
it out; it just doesn't belong on my
scale. In determining what my son,
Alan, portrays, it simply must be
positive and meaningful, as we do
have to live with the choices we
make.
If we stay within a certain para­
meter, which means any of a set of
physical properties whose values determine the characteristics or behavior
of something, then we keep ourselves trained in exemplifying good moral
judgement. Being that we may feel we are playing, others who are not a
part of us, believe we are seriously being serious.
America is built on selling. Products we endorse sell us, sell them, sell
souls. Money is too often the main factor for lowering standards, even
though some people enjoy doing advertisement for no compensation, ex­
cept for a free trip to Egotrip Land.
The bottom line for my family in balancing it all out is staying in the
BLACK. When someone says, "See what I did. It bought me this luxury
car. Looks like you walking," correct, they are, but I'm walking TALL,
and the foundation I'm laying out for this manchild validates his walking
TALL, as well. We know we w on't go hungry, as a greater authority always
intervenes.
With images being torn down all around us of what I know African Amer­
ican men are and can be, the best I could do is build some. Leaders, entre­
preneurs, somebodies that are doing and not saying.
Sisters, let's help our sons know God, love, honor, strength, respect,
and kindness. Pride. Pride that we share if there's never a February, be­
cause every month is our month, and we can enrich our history be making
history.
Know that I don't mind a sister correcting my son, and I won't hesitate to
Th is S u m m e r's M o v ie H its
Scaled 1-10
Dragnet
This spoof of the popular no-nonsense television series is a great example
of "all that glitters is not gold." Starring Dan Aykroyd as "Sgt. Joe Fri­
day", this nostalgic comedy surprisingly comes up dry, and, as must as I
hate to say, boring! Dan Aykroyd is right at home with the stern, mono­
tone-voiced "Joe Friday", and, even though the script is corney, there are
a few good laughs; but even more than a sweet trivial reminder of Dragnet,
who can remember those not-so-good Saturday Night Live's?
5
Predator
If what you are expecting is another "Rambo" full of muscle-bound
machine-gun-carrying maniacs, then you will be surprised, because "Pre­
dator" offers a whole lot more.
Carl Weathers plays a C.I.A. agent who has the State Department en­
gage his old army buddie Arnold Schwarzenegger and his rescue team to
brave the South American jungles to rescue a U.S. official. What they
don't know is an unseen enemy awaits them to engage in a battle of hide
and seek that had me jumping and ducking in my seat. Lots and lots of
good action. ,
8
The Untouchables
Elliot Ness is back on his quest to crunch the mob, namely "Big Al Ca­
pone", played by Al Paccino, along with The Untouchables that include
old 007 hero Sean Connery. This time they give Elliot a family and a con­
science. This human side takes away the no-nonesense, shoot-em-up Elliot
that we knew from TV days and makes him a little chicken, it seems to me;
but his squad is still the bunch of sharp-shooting, law-and-order fellas we
kqew from days of old.
; The whole cast and set design are sharp and save the lack-luster screen­
play from being the sudden death turn-off that it really is.
514
Beverly Hills Cop II
7'Have gun (and grin), will travel." Eddie Murphy returns as Axel Foley
irl one of the best sequels of summer '87. Axel returns to Hollywood to
avenge the shooting of the old captain and turns Hollywood inside out.
Lots of laughs, action and suspense. Never a dull moment, and a sure bet
for a good evening's entertainment.
814
"Your Party will
be our best party
check yours. Remember folks laying down the law, and the children walk­
ing the chalk line? Our people and our peoples people taught us to straigh­
ten up and fly right. No, times aren't that different. We did not get a lot of
choices and did not need them, nor do ours need too many choices. Our
children need guidance.
If my nephew says, because of a commercial he saw, that he would like
to see a Spielberg movie, I search for an alternative, and luckily I find Holly­
wood Shuffle, a movie that hits home. Being that the budget is limited and
the media doesn't try terribly hard to sell it, I look forward to a clip before
the movie opens. I've heard of a Superman kind of scene, but I'm some­
what anxious to see a brother with what I know will be style, but I'm told by
a TV station that the particular clip was there but not "too clear or easy to
see,” as was the Rambo clip, they said. The object was to really not be
effective in pushing the movie of a talented, young Black man by the name
of Robert Townsend that was writing, producing, directing, flying through
the air as a superhero, and rescuing P.O.W.s in Vietnam. Maybe they
thought our hearts couldn't take it (maybe not), so they showed us the
actor moonlighting to get him over, instead of him living his dream. It's not
a coincidence; it was done a number of time; because too many children
would have said they wanted to see the movie and want a doll like him and
be like him. When I saw the brother flying (and it was well edited and clear
to see, I might add), I could see my son, your son, soaring up higher and
higher.
So I feel obligated to seek some type of reflections of family and friends,
be it on film, stage, museums, libraries, churches, or wherever it is con­
ducive to learning and growing.
This particular movie is past satire; it's more meaningful than that.
Robert Townsend, and his friends that helped him with the project, de­
signed a real (reel) piece of art.
I've been an artist in some form or another for over 20 years and I have
seen a lot of nonsense. This brother makes sense with a few cents. I know
about dreams remaining dreams forever. Films die in the cutting room,
plays playing out on paper, sad images becoming sadder; but positive
images keep on keeping on. Let's help keep this movie alive and do good
things for people doing good things for us. Go see the movie and gas your­
self. I see it as art and the real (reel) thing.
Early American colonists used milk
in which berries had been boiled to
paint their houses: gray, not purple.
Summer Dance
Experience
Come to Peninsula Park for a
summer dance experience. Learn
the rhythm dance routines based on
Black Ethnic music choreographed
by Laura Teverbaugh
A recent
arrival in Portland, Laura has
choreographed for dance groups in
Texas and New Jersey.
Classes
will be held at Peninsula Park Com­
munity Center, 6400 N. Albina -
located at N. Portland Blvd. and Al
bina Ave —July 11 to August 29,
Saturdays from 2-5 p.m
Cost is
$10 for 8 weeks. Partial scholai
ships are available. Contact Lesley
Unthank at 285 4222 for moie infor­
mation.
I
Public Service
Announcement
get your licks in at THE LICK,
the Children's Museum's ice cream
extravaganza on July 18th, 11 am to
4 p.m. In the shade of giant firs,
listen to cool music, let your kids
play with ice, try tastes of some of
the best ice creams, frozen yogurts
and gelatos in the state, and take
your chance at winning 4 round­
trip airfares and passes to Disney­
land. To pick up a ticket for the
drawing sooner, go to Bravo Italia
at Yamhill Marketplace or City Kids
downtown. So Lick your calendar
for July 18th - the coolest, sweetest
summer day in town.
THE LICK is sponsored by Friends
of the Children's Museum, the Dairy
Farmers of Oregon, Disneyland, and
Alaska Airlines. Proceeds benefit
the programs of the Children’ Mu­
seum.
KBOO to Hold Volunteer Orientation
KBOO 90.7FM is this area's only Independent, listener-supported com­
munity radio station. KBOO is volunteer run and operated. If you are Inter­
ested in getting involved with your community radio station, learn technical
skills or put your creative energy to good use, come to the Volunteer Orien­
tation, July 15th at 7:00 PM. The Orientation will take place at KBOO,
20S.E.8th.
THEATRE
SAMIA BLVP.P
S.E. 9th AT V
9 Days W o n d e r
Fossil Fuel
G ary E w in g
Light Show
Royce Alexander
Owner
Portland Pipes & Tobacco Co.
740 N.E. Killingsworth
PIPES • SCREENS • PAPER
CIGARETTES - Reg. $1.18
100's $1.23
(18 yrs £t older only)
HRS: Tues - Fri, 11 A M - 7 PM
•
Sat, 11 A M - 6 PM
284-7040
Owning a franchise can be a fast
and inexpensive way to become an
entrepreneur.
G R O CER IES BELOW
WHOLESALE
N A M E BRAN D S
CANNED
DELI
FROZEN, ETC.
This Coupon
Good For
1
00
F O O D STAM PS
W ELCOM E
off
ANY REGULAR PRICED
ALBUM, CASSETTE OR
| COMPACT DISC IN STOCK
|
-Excludes Red Tag Merchandise
THE BEE COMPANY
Groceries Below Wholesale
8 0 0 N Killingsworth
Serving Portland for
I
Ì
M U S IC
I M IL L E N N IU M
Over 3 0 Years
I
283-3171
I
OPEN
I
A EC O A D S S TAPES
A O M T » -e P E O P L E W H O K N O W M J S C
I
I I
Mon.-Sat. 9:30-6
EAST PORTLAND
32nd b E Burnside
NW PORTLAND
21st b NW Johnson
231 8943
248 0163
Limit 1 per customer
VISIT OUR DELI
Expires 6-23-87
FLIR T B A N D LIVE
W eekends Are Fun A t The
Wed. Night is
Ladies' Night
with
s p.vt
WEAVING HAIR
i__
Michael Holiday
and Click
with Dr. Rock
$18.50 Et up
or by the ft. $4 Et up
Betty Cabine Proprietor
FMtunng -ng. by NAOMI SIMS ANDRE DOUGLAS NATALIE COLE 6 MICHAEL WEEKS
ROYAL
E S Q U IR E
The Flirt Band
1708 N.E. ALBERTA
with Dr. Rock
Friday
287-5145
MEMBERS & GUESTS
Wig Styling $7.50 AND UP
Under New M anagem ent
Pre-Dead
Show Bash
KINGFISH
10209 N W 2 1st Ave
Vancouver WA 98685
»
B u lk H u m a n H a ir $ 2 3 .9 5 Et u p
Friday,-
July 17th
Ca« c ° " eC
(206) 573-9622
MRS. C’s
WIGS
Hollywood Shuffle
d PINE STREET/
W s o S e i'- " '9
at THE ROYAL ESQUIRE
Simply marvelous and another milestone in the saga of Black films. DO
NOT MISS IT!!! Warning: Bring Kleenex or handkerchiefs, as you will
laugh 'til you cry.
9
VUI1H1 Till
Royce” & Company
(long or specialty styles slightly higher)
S p ecial on C h ic k e n
B R A ID S $2.95
2 pc. chicken, 2 pc. JoJos
potato chips, small drink
S8 A d v , G I Joes
$1.99
Wednesday.
July 22nd
SAT J
V n Ì
i
Tm nu itïï.l
$5 At the Door.
Pepsi 6pk/12oz.
Summer Triple
Threat
PALADINS
Jackals
•
'
$1.99 plus DEP
9300
Bonnie
C la rk e s
H A R O T IM E S
Cc
All age«
Portland s Largest Dance Floor
Phone: 235-0027
Advance Tickets on Sale N ow ’ Usual Outlets
MRS. C’s WIGS
707 N.E. Fremont 281-6525
Closed Sun. A Mon. O FIN Tuoo. thru tot. 11:30 AM to S:00 FM
Bill's Kwik M art
7 Days A Week
HRS: MON-THURS
7 am
SAT 8 am -1 am
11 pm • FRI 7 am - 1 am
1 SUN 8 am -11 pm
3510 N .E . U n io n A v e
•
281-0357