Reviews
"Moon Over
Parador"
Starring Richard
Dreyfuss and Sonia
Braga
Directed by Paul
Mazursky
Rated PG-13
★★★★
“Moon Over Parador”
tells the story of a man
who goes from being
an actor to a president
(only in the movies,
right?). Yet, with a
storyline such as this,
the film is not a heavy
political satire. Rather,
“Moon Over Parador”
is a well-made comedy
that reunites the duo of
actor Richard Dreyfuss
and producer/director
Paul Mazursky, who
collaborated on the
smash hit, “Down and
Out in Beverly Hills.”
Dreyfuss plays an
actor who is filming a
movie in the South
American nation of
Parador, which is ruled
by the popular,
charismatic dictator
Alphonse Simms,
whom Dreyfuss’
character resembles.
Early in the film, Simms
dies from a heart attack.
Dreyfuss is then
forced by the
Paradorian secret
police chief (played
with ferocity by Raul
Julia) to take on the
role of his life: to
impersonate Simms so
as to avoid political
turmoil in an already
troubled nation.
The dynamic Sonia
Braga, who plays
Simms’ sexy mistress,
finds out about the
masquerade. With
Julia, she helps
Dreyfuss become more
like the late dictator.
In fact, “Moon Over
Parador” seems a study
of the acting process
itself as well as the story
of a man forced to
become someone else.
Throughout the film we
see Dreyfuss studying
videotapes of Simms,
trying to imitate the
man’s voice,
mannerisms, and
gestures, all under the
coaching of Julia and
Braga. The film is
packed with various
references to acting and
performing.
Dreyfuss, Julia and
Braga all give excellent
performances in this
film, but thereare some
hilarious cameos as
well. Especially
memorable is Mazursky
himself in his
appearance as Simms’
mother.
The only weakness
in “Moon Over
Parador” is the ending,
in which Dreyfuss uses
a predictable trick to
escape the country.
Aside from that, this is
an enjoyable film.
Review by Shane Hall
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"Chameleon Days"
Yanni
Private Music
*★*1/2
Although its earliest recordings
date back to the late 1960s and
early ’70s, the musical style
known as new age was mostly
unknown until the mid-1980s.
Today, many record labels are
recording and releasing new
age albums.
The music itself is diverse,
ranging from the solo piano
recordings of George Winston
to Mannheim Steamroller’s
self-described “18th century
classical rock. ” New age
contains elements of classical,
jazz and pop music.
Several new age artists have
found acceptance among fans
of contemporary pop music.
Greek composer/musician
Yanni appears to have made
the most inroads to this
audience with his newest
album, “Chameleon Days.”
Songs such as “Walkabout”
and “Chasing Shadows” are
the best examples of Yanni’s
ability to compose music that
will appeal to fans of today’s
dance music. Both tracks
feature a throbbing, funk-
oriented bass line combined
with a prominent percussion
beat and upbeat synthesizer
flash.
Yanni’s music is recorded
almost entirely on the
synthesizer, which he uses to
create a wide range of sounds.
On “Chameleon Days” he uses
the electronic instrument to
emulate acoustic piano, bass
guitar, stringed instruments,
and even the harmonica. Yanni
re-creates the sounds of these
instruments so well it is
sometimes difficult to
distinguish them from the real
thing. Percussionist Charlie
Adams, playing both acoustic
and electronic percussion, joins
Yanni on several tracks.
Despite the record’s overall
move toward a more pop-
oriented sound, new age
purists who might prefer the
symphonic scope of some of
Yanni’s earlier recordings are
not left out in the cold.
“Reflections of Passion” should
find favor with this audience.
The song has a rich texture
with the synthesizers taking on
the sounds of a full orchestra.
For the conclusion, the sound
falls back to a minimal lineup of
acoustic piano, synth-
harmonica and a solo
electronic keyboard.
“Marching Season” is
another highlight of the album.
Opening with a soothing
acoustic piano introduction, the
piece soon builds up to an
electronic string section that
carries out the remainder of the
track.
If any new age album
released in recent months has
the potential to appear on both
the classical and pop music
charts in Billboard magazine,
“Chameleon Days” is the one.
Review by Shane Hall
Rating Key
***** — a classic. Not to be missed.
**** — Excellent.
*★* — Some flaws, but good overalI.
** — Fair.
*— El stinko.
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