Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 23, 1989)
Portland Observer NOVEMBER 22, 1989 Page 5 1 * * « ★ ★ ★ * F *****fcÄÄ************************************************ Ar ENTERTAINMENT roadway bountx B R E P O R TU clearly outlines a fairly broad panoram a of that pul up the 46 million which insured the - the pathology of A frican-Am erican people making of this outrageously advanced black “ D O T H E R IG H T T H IN G ,” AND SEE and gives us some insight into the European film, announced that the field reports are that S P IK E L E E ’S H O T N EW F IL M !” (Italian-American) psychic, as it pertains to Alright, m ovie fans, do yourself a favor, the film was a strong m agnet in African- their working among black neighborhoods. American, while and racially mixed neigh as actor, O ssie Davis (he plays “ De Mayor' ’ “ Sal’s Famous Pizzeria is one o f the most in the film), says “ Do The right Thing' ’ and borhoods. vibrant business in the comm unity. We also In three days on some 49 screens in "th e get off your "couch-potato-behind-the-times- see a Korean couple operate a vegetable & Big A pple’ ’ territory, its cash flow averaged self,” and go see Spike Lee’s "co o k in ' & fruit stand, which is very truc-to-life in New $13,714 per theatre (now that’s serious money write on,” new flick, “ Do The Right Thing.” York today. It points out the economical for a black film o f the un-Hollywood-type). while it's still in town! slavery as a serious problem in the African- This is mind-blowing m usic to Ned Tannen It is currently playing at the Clinton American community. A Puerto Rican brother U niversal’s financial ear (I only wish a Theatre in Portland. If you saw Spike L ee’s has a homemade mobile ices stand just like company from our comm unity was doing it two other pow erful films, "sh e Gotta Have it is throughout the city, but not a single black and counting the money). It insures the land It' and ‘ ‘ School D a z e ’ you can call yourself business is featured or appears to e x ist Lee mark new film and its hot young actor/ a “ together and dead-on-it-type” m ovie does not glorify the sickness o f the ’70s. He director/producer and his team of young goer, film afficionado, and will have som e just “ lays it out there for us to observe (dig moviemakers, big success in a “ cold-blooded” thing to tell your grand kids about. “ Ya it!). American film industry and distribution m on,” just how “ coo l” you were in the The ‘ ‘G reek chorus ’' (a group of charac market. a- -end” o f the eighties! ter actors comm enting on the major action) Howsomever, people like New York IN O T H E R C IT IE S T H E A T R E G O E R S of the m ovie, displays a line o f "b rothers,” columnist, Joe K lein’s “ w rite hand really DID “ T H E R IG H T T H IN G ” broken and disillusioned, like I have seen for got caught out on a bias limb. He is quoted in In New York, the Black press has been years in Harlem, Brooklyn and all over New his column; “ the film is irresponsible and shouting about the fact that inspite o f para York. The older brothers, such as “ De Mayor,” could ignite violence and could lead to (check graphs of prior warnings from some white played by my dear friend O ssie Davis, is a this out) the defeat o f New York mayoral critics, Spike L ee’s brilliant and thought- near-homeless old wino-head, but his is “ rich” candidate, the current black NY Borough provoking new film, “ Do The Right Thing,” in character, like “ the old black m an” in the president of Manhattan, my old friend, David did not inspire instant street riots (some silly famous film, Black O rpheus." Other older press people are so “ tired” and behind the Dinkins. W ell, eat ya heart out, Joe, because m en, who should represent wisdom and a it didn’t cause any rioting, ju st lines of “ T im es"). foundation for the com m unity, sit on the The Universal Studio release, opened in interested black, Hispanic, white, young and com er, just as we have seen for years, talking old moviegoers. And now David Kinkins is New York and in other cities without an “ crap” and " B S ," about women and feel- exchange of any “ bad mouth” or dirty stares. m ayor of New York, Doug W ilder is G over ing-literally their penises, the only part of nor-elect o f V irginia, Mr. Rice is mayor- In its initial three days outing on 353 screens, their m anhood that has n o t been “ ripped its cash intake reached $3.5 million. U niver elect o f Seattle and New Haven, Conn, has a off! ’ ’ Hollywood could never have made this sal Studio (and I know Ned Tannen years ago new black mayor! Poor Joe, how wrong can film. So I know why “ the french cinema you be and stay in the new spaper business! in H ollyw ood, 1967, who is now president of cro w d " at theC annes Film Festival had their In “ Do The Right T hing,” Spike Lee the Studio; is very pleased), the company by Garland L e t Thompson Youssou N ’Dour Expresses is Polyrhythmis Sounds Youssou N ’D our has emerged as an essential figure in pancultural world music. His breathtaking voice and innovative, bluesy style have captivated audiences around the globe, most recently during Amnesty Inter national’s wildly successful ‘ ‘Human Rights N ow !” tour. N ow, Youssou takes another step into the future with “ the Lion,” his brilliant new Virgin album featuring “ Shakin’ the T ree," a duet with Peter Gabriel. Youssou N ’Dour (pronounced YOU-sue en-D U R E )-w ho turns thirty this y e a r-is by far the most popular m usical star in Senegal, Africa, his native land. He was bom into a very musical family—his mother was a griot, or an esteemed traditional singer/storyteller. From his early teens, Youssou performed in public at various religious and social cermo- nies, where m usic functioned not only as entertainment, but as a powerful force of unity and history, too. In 1976, Y oussou was performing in D akar’s hottest nightclubs with the city ’s prem iere band, the Star Band. Inspired by traditional African (and, specifically, S ene galese) m u sic -a s well as Cuban and Am eri can popular m usic—Youssou and the Star Band attained great popularity quickly, but, Youssou felt he need to step out on his own. He invited six m em bers of the Star Band with him, and, recruiting six other musicians, he formed the Etoile de Dakar, which matured into today’s Super Etoile de Daker. W ith Super Etoile de Dakar, Youssou has vaulted to international stardom and acclaim, first building up a very loyal fol lowing in Senegal, then reaching beyond to the rest of Africa, Europe, North America, and even Asia. Interestingly, Youssou has just recorded a num ber o f songs with Japa nese superstar Ryuichi Sakamoto for his Virgin debut album, which is tentatively set for release this Fall. It was during Y oussou's first trip to Paris that he was struck by the number o f his fellow Africans who had immigrated from their homeland. This inspired the song “ Im m igres,” the title track from the album w hich was originally released in Europe in 1984, V irgin's Earthworks label issued "Im m ig res” last Fall here in the United Behind-The-Scenes by Lisa Collins minds “ blown away” by this important black film statement o f A frican-Am erican art, rhythm and form. Like jazz, it is unique and indigeous in its total scope. When a young black brother called, "B uggin O ut.” (a fine young actor who has worked with Spike Lee in “ School Daze, and he has worked at the NY Negro E n semble Com pany, Juancarlos Espinsito), complains that “ Sal, the Italian owner pizza parlor," doesn’t have any of African heroes on his all-Italian "W all o f Fam e.” ’ ‘Buggin O ut” “ freaks out,” and threatens to lead a boycott against the place. He becomes the militant in the movie. He is the catalyst for the anger and the need to self-actualization in the frustration of the black community, but is not to be taken seriously because by his very name, h e ’s a psycho, someone to be held up to ridicule, until the fateful moment of truth when the “ real deal goes dow n” in the climax of the film. I’ll let you go see it to dig this heavy piece of business of Spike’s film. Write on. In the absence of strong role models, the young brothers, like the character, “ Radio Raheem,” hides from reality by blasting their "g h etto boxes,” as we have all seen and heard in our black com m unities from one end of this country to the other. A major point in the film is that the film m aker plays a major role, “ M ookie,” the pizza delivery- man at the pizza shop, and the pathology of the black comm unity is thoroughly seen when “ Sal, the w hite ow ner,” makes passes at “ M ookie's” sister. This can be seen as a metaphor for the famous “ Tawana Brawley case” (The young black girl, who accused a group of white men of raping her in upstate New York). There are so many other little subtle shadings and ‘ ‘colors’ ’ in this piece of fresh new work that I just have to say, “ Do The Right T hing," check it out! W rite on. Spike Lee and your "F o rty Acres and a M ule" Company. (Plays the Cinem a 21, Dec. 5 & 6, 1989) Update; See “ M aking Do The Right Thing,” by St. C lair Bourne & Spike Lee’s first film, “ Jo e’s Bed-Stuy Barber Shop, We C ut Heads, at the Cinem a 21, Dec. 3 & 4, 1989, Sunday & Monday.) C o m ed ian -acto r/film m ak er R obert T ow nsend’s releasing a new album , but it s not anything you’d expect. Why? W ell, he s singing for one thing. The other is the m ate rial itself. The first cut from the album, scheduled for a January release, is a C hrist mas song (due out from Atlantic Records next month). Said Townsend: " I always get cheap gifts, and I wanted to m ake a song about not getting cheap gifts, so it’s m y revenge song. ’ ’ Other selections run the gamut from “ Safe S ex” to a love song to a very special lady in his life. Meanwhile, Townsend is slated to begin filming on his next film this month. The film, entitled ‘ ‘The H eartbeats” is set in 1965 and centers around a singing group like “ The D ells.” In it, Tow nsend plays a songwriter. M eanwhile, pal A rsenio H all’s (alias rapper “ Chunky A ” ) m usic comedy LP, “ Large And (n C harge” is due later this month. S h o rt Takes: W hoopi G oldberg is tired of all the press regarding the pregnancy o f her 15-year old daughter, Alexandria. H ow ever, fact is Alexandria is due to make G old berg a grandm other very soon . . . Danny Glover has got to be the busiest black actor in Hollywood. The actor just took off to Hawaii to start filming “ Flight O f The Intruder with Brad Johnson . . . N ext W eek: E ddie M u rp h y releases his latest film -H a rle m o u t." I t ’s “ No C o m m en t” F o r D iana Ross: Now that Randy Taraborelli’s new Diana Ross bio, “ Call Her Miss R oss,” has hit the nation’s bookstores, the superstar has clammed up tight, saying through a spokesperson that she has no intention of reading the book. In fact, the book detailing her rise to super- stardom, tells o f tempestuous affairs, m onu mental temper tantrums and superstar idio- syncrazies. According to the book, Ross left former lover and M otown founder Berry Gordy after being frustrated by endless af fairs with white women and the fact that he w ouldn’t marry her; once caught Michael Jackson using her makeup to transform himself into her likeness; hen-pecked her first hus band; had affairs with Smokey Robinson, Ryan O ’Neal and KISS lead Gene Simmons, who dated C her (a friend) at the time. Tara borelli says the book is really about ‘ ‘hypoc risy, deception, and public relations.” Ironi cally, the 33-year old author maintains he is the ultimate Diana Ross fan. “ Anyone who knows me and reads this book will still know that I am a fan,” said Taraborelli. “ It’s just one thing to be her fan and another to work for her.” N ights. 'The Eyes and Ears of the Community" Office: FAX #: (503) 288-0033 (503) 288-0015 EDDIE MURPHY RICHARD PRYOR They Ire up to jometl bij. HARLEM NI® Youssou N'Dour Y oussou’s worldwide success can be attributed to a num ber o f factors--not the least o f which is his incredible voice, a soaring, celebratory instrum ent that touches any audience, regardless o f the fact that Youssou most often sings in his native lan guage, W olof. That Youssou and the Super Etoile de Dakar have alm ost singlehandedly developed their own distinctive music sty le- the bluesy, polyrhythm ic sound known as “ m b alax "~ h as also brought attention their way. O ne cannot discount the singer and his band’s riveting live performances, e ith e r- shows that have “ an overriding spirit of exultation” as N ewsaday recently wrote. In addition to working with Acogny and David Sancious, Youssou also recorded one so n g -” Shakin’ The Tree” -w ith Peter Gabriel for ‘ ‘The L ion.” Gabriel has been a longtime friend and supporter o f Y oussou’s. Youssou sang on G abriel’s " S o ” album (the song " In Your E y es"), and opened G abriel’s concerts throughout the world during his " S o ” tour. Also, Gabriel and N ’Dour were together throughout last year's Amnesty International “ Human Rights Now!” tour along with Bruce Springsteen, Tracy Chapm an, and Sting. “ When N 'D our broke into one of his trademark w ails, the effect was simply m agnificent,” wrote Rolling Stone of his performance at W embley Stadium during last year’s Amnesty International tour. With "T h e Lion,” the magnificence co ntinues- Y oussou’s is a roar that w ill be heard around the world. » p m w ! m t.- a s ! k - . a TINEES SA T U R O ** A SUMOA* moren ruenrnes LUKunr rneurnes TANASBOURNE JANTZEN BEACH 645-4611 248-6984 LUKunr rnenrnes Starts Friday November 17 At These Theatres! 917SWALPER lux un y lueunr rue n m e s 246 6938 248-6978 < W e lc o m e T o M.J. Toys & Games, Inc. 573 N. Killlngsworth St. Portland. OR 97217 (503) 240-5378 T ee-S h irts Hana* 50 50 Bland S-XL $10. XXL $12. S w eat Shirts C rew Neck NOV. 3 - DEC. 10 Blue Room 1530 S.W. Yamhill $13/515 Hana» 50 50 Bland S-XL XXL MT HOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE- ir $20. $22. A dult S w eat Suits S -X L $30. Hey ! S is te rs and brothers, dont do drugs Introductory Offer! BILLIE HOLIDAY IN STORY & SONG rum ines MALL 205 LLOYD CINEMAS Spedai bv Lanie Robertson ' 248 6976 CIVIC THEATRE at Emersons Bar# Grill CO**U*t<*T’OS CO***“’ T IK E S S A T U R O ** « S UHO A * GRESHAM CINEMA JAZZY FM SY PORTLAND Group discount for 15 or more R RATING on. PORTLAND OBSERVER States. TICKETS: 226-3048 H al W illiam s S ticks H is N eck O u t: “ 227 ” co-star Hal W illiams says h e ’s a little m iffed by the treatm ent the show received from NBC on the recent occasion o f the taping of their 100th episode. Usually, a festive and cerem onius event in the life o f a sitcom , W illiams reports that there was little hoopla from their network. Fearing that NBC could be near cancellation of the show, W illiams is enlisting the support of friends and viewers. If you want to show your sup port for “ 227,” just drop a note to m e, c/0 Serra Syndication, P.O. Box 7274, Culver City, CA 90233. I 'll see that they are passed T odd B rid g e s-A c q u itte d : “ D iff’rent Strokes' ’ star Todd Bridges was acquitted on charges of attempted murder and voluntary manslaughter in the shooting of a convicted drug dealer. W hile the decision on a third charge was pending (as of press), the w orst is over for the 24-year old, form er child star, whose story was one of despair, having been addicted to crack cocaine, and losing his fortune to the IRS, a forgery scam , and a scarcity of acting jobs. Bridges (who had once earned $40,000 per episode) is feeling alot better these days, and according to his fiance, Becky San Filipo, plans to lecture children on the dangers o f drug abuse, once everything is settled. Said Bridges attorney, Johnny Cochran: “ What we’ve said all along is that Todd, after going in the house, blacked Surprise Your Loved Ones With Our "1 Don't Do Drugs" Messages. To Order Our Greeting Cards - Please Write!