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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1991)
Page 6 The Battalion Thursday, August 1, 1 Brooks' 'Life Stinks' stinks 'Northern Exposure' actor finds^ long-lost daughter in Texas by Timm Doolen posed to laugh or cry at this Would you believe Mel Brooks, the master of parodies, does a spoof on the homeless? Or is it, Mel Brooks gets seri ous and tackles a delica te issue such as the homeless? Well both and neither. His sometimes funny, often sappy look at the homeless problem in Los Angeles is neither funny nor moving. In a word, Mel Brooks' first movie in four years, "Life Stinks," stinks. Brooks stars as Goddard Bolt, a ruthless billionaire who only cares about two things: money and getting more money. A rival billionaire bets Bolt some important real es tate that he could not live on the streets of Los Angeles for 30 days and survive. ->gn man's dea th? The audience ends up doing neither. And like other of his mov ies, some scenes are thrown in just for the sake of comic value, rather than tiyuig to move the story along. There are several in this movie, but again, the few times I laughed could not offset the many times I felt like taking a nap. B rooks ha s always done best when doing spoofs or parodies, and this could be the reason that this movie was not as good as his work in the early '70s ("Blaz ing Saddles," "Young Franken stein"). But that is no excuse for put ting out such a low-quality movie (even "Spaceballs" was better than "Life Stinks"). If he wanted to do a serious movie, he should have gone all the way — mixing in the schtick only makes a bad movie worse. Brooks' 20-year career on video The only bright parts of the movieare an occasionally funny tooa acting ie takes the bet and be gins his time as a bum and a beggar with vir tu a lly no con nection to the moment and some good acting by Warren as the lady bum. But I (Brooks') sometimes funny, often sappy look at the homeless prob lem in Los Angeles is neither funny nor moving. couldn’t believe the charac- t e r s were real. For in stance, in a ro mantic dance scene. outside world of the rich and famous. He soon runs into Molly (Lesley Ann Warren) who helps him stay out of trouble and find a place to eat and sleep. After living with the poor and destitute for 30 days, he (ofcourse) realizes that his self ish ways are wrong and after regaining his wealth decides to build housing for those people in downtown Los An geles. (What a big surprise!) But the touching moments intermingled with Brooks' nor mal schtick doesn't work on either side of it. For instance, we are sup posed to feel remorse for an old bum who dies on the streets a short way into the movie. But in the next scene. Brooks and two other bums attempt to throw his ashes into the sea and they fly back in their face. Which is it Mel? Are we sup- Molly’s hair looks beautifully groomed despite the fact that she probably hasn't had a de cent shower in months. And not only did I not un derstand the characters and their motivations, I honestly didn’t f ive a damn about them. And rooks’ sudden change of heart towards the homeless was all to pred ictable to be taken seriously. Even tried and true Mel Brooks fans will find this entry disappointing, though it may merit their worth at the dollar movie or on video. Mel Brooks is known as the masterof parodies, hav ing spoofed almost every major genre: western, old horror, silent, suspense and science fiction. After starting out strong in the early '70s, Brooks' movies have declined in quality after 1974's "Young Frankenstein." But nonetheless there are enough funny parts in almost all of his movies to make a Brooks film worth watching. And with only really a handful of movies over his 20-year directing career, it would be easy to rent them all and see them. ’Blazing Saddles” (1972) - This takeoff on westerns is riotously funny, centering loosely on a black man be coming sheriff of a town in the path of a new railroad. There's enough sight gags and racial/sexual jokes to fill several movies over. This is one of Gene Wilder's bet ter performances. "Young Frankenstein" (1974) - This black-and- white film is mostly a parody of all those old Fran- tcenstein movies in their various incarnations. Gene Wilder is the distant rela tive of Frankenstein with Marty Feldman, Terri Garr and Madeleine Kahn in sup porting roles. ”Tbe Producers" (1968) • This is Brooks' first feature film, with Gene Wilder as theguUible accountant who helps aging producer Zero Mostel m a Broad way scam. If you're looking for a seri ous movie that addresses prob lems in the modem worla, see "Boyz 'N' the Hood" or "Jungle Fever." If you want to see some thing really funny, tiy one of Brooks’ previous movies on video (see box). And if you want to see a really bad attempt at a meaningful movie, see "Life Stinks." They get hundreds of thou sands of dollars of support for a show they are sure will flop, and plan to run away with the excess money. But their would-be flop, 'Springtime for Hitler" ends upbeing a hit comedy, and their plans lead them to trying to blow up the the ater the play is in. Others: "High Anxiety" (1977) "Spaceballs" (1987) "Histoxy of the World Part r(1981) "SOent Movie" (1976) To Be or Not To Be" (1983) - T.D. SEATTLE (AP) - Shannon Ross loved the farmer in the Birdseye broccoli commercial long before she found out he was her father. As for actor Barry Corbin, he couldn't have been happier when he learned he had a cowgirl for a daughter in his homestate of Texas. Reality can be quirkier than a script of "Northern Exposure," the TV nit that features the 50-year- old Corbin as Maurice, a wealthy landowner in rural Alaska. "Our case is kind of a rare one," Corbin, a resident of suburban Redmond, said. "When we talk, it's like talking to a mirror image. We a re constantly reaching ou t and touching each other's faces. We hold hands. It's kind of disconcert ing to her husband and my wife." The actor discovered in late June he had a 26-year-old daugh ter, when Ross, who was adopted as an infant, tracked down herbio- logical parents. Ross's mother gave her baby up for adoption at San Antonk/s Methodist Mission Home in Feb ruary 1965 without telling Corbin she was pregnant with his child. Ross, a resident of Arlington, contacted her natural parents to check on possible genetic problems affecting her 18-month-old son. Ross's mother, who asked that her name not be used, initially wouldn't tell Ross who her real father was for fear of disrupting his life. Then she softened. "She told me he was an actor, then she told me his name and it didn't ring a bell," Ross said from Arlington m a telephone interview. "Shesaid, 'He'son aTV show called 'Northwest Territory' or some thing.' I said, 'Could it be "North ern Exposure?'" The CBS sitcom that features a young doctor from New York City working in an Alaskan town where moose stroll the streets is one of Ross's favorite programs. It is filmed in Roslyn, Wash, about 75 miles east of Seattle and the Puget Sound area. "I went through everybody on the show. I thought the doctor is too young, I thought of Holling (the bartender-mayor), but then thought, 'No, he's gotblond ha ir,"' Ross said. "When I thought of Maurice, I felt something really strange in my stomach." Ross admired Corbin long be fore she realized there was any connection. "He's on a broccoli commer cial and everybody knew I loved that broccoli commercial," Ross confided. "It's about Birdseye broc coli with the dog next to him. I loved the way he talked and he seemed like a real nice guy." Originally from Lubbock, Corbin said he dated Ross's mother in the spring of 1964. She phoned him in June of that year when he was playing summer stock (heal in Colorado to announce she pregnant. But a few weeks she called back to say it wasafal alarm. According to Ross, her mo:;* did not tell Corbin about the bar because he would have felt col polled to get married and possr : his acting career. Instfafe- cut short his acting < Ross's mother lived for months 1 the Methodist center, thenanadtr- tion home for unwed mothers ■ Ross, a graduate studentwl plans to get a Ph.D in psycholor was adopted by a doctor and! wife from Arlington, shortly ai birth. She grew up riding as showing horses, a passion noo-i Al else in her adoptive family shan| en do But Corbin, who dresses [•; to cr cowboy hat, boots, Wranelerjea| back, and a big, silver, rodeo belt bud understands just how she feels Strangers for 26 years, the ther and daughter share thesai favorites in country music cowboy western movies. Co: borrowed Ross's spurs in a visit to Texas and won first pi for cutting cattle at a Fort Wc^ competition. Relatives say the two walk, and talk alike. When learned about Corbin, she rentH home videosof his movies Cowboy," "War Games," "Whcp Harry Crumb?" and "Critteis: The Main Course." raisn McLennan’s latest too obscure, vague Nerd House by Tom A. Madis Continued from page 5 humanity, but his confidence that he won’t find it in any earthly church. I can dig the message behind "You Can’t Have Everything," McLennan’s warning against ma terialism. Lines like "You’ve got the Philharmonic playing happy birthday" score points for original ity. But the song just doesn't flow; each line needs to build up the message he wants to get across, but instead, the ideas don't con nect. And that's it. Twelve songs on a record, and only five that I find something interesting in. Defi nitely not going to spin for hours in my player - maybe a few turns for those few songs, but far from a classic. Fans of McLennan’s earlier projects may dig it, but Watershed is nothing to get excited about. McLennan tries too hard to be origi nal; by doing so, he misses the common bond that musical poetry can share with his listeners. ” That‘5 nothing. J 'if nail[o Hemf.t from a hmmI OF OVER. 1200FEEL God. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL ! " Music Information is provided by the individual nightclubs and is subject to change. Showcase. Starts at 8 p.m. Cover charge. Wednesdat - Pat Mears. Blues. Special guest: The Implications. Starts at 9 p.m. $3 cover. AnNam Tea House At Northgate at 103 Boyett. All ages admitted. Call 846- 2898 for more information. Thursday - KANM benefit with four local bands. Starts at 9 p.m. $2 cover with KANM t-shirt, $3 cover wihtout. Friday - Spirits & Trains. Rock. Starts at 9:30 p.m. $3 cover. Saturday - Shoulders. Rock. Starts at 9 p.m. $3 cover. Tuesday - Texas Poetry Gallery Bar In the CoUege Station Hilton at 801 E. University Drive. Only ages 21 and older admitted. Call 693-7500 for more information. Thursday - Karla Lack. Piano. Starts at 5:30 p.m. No cover. Friday, Saturday - Eugene Eugene. Jazz. Starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, 8 p.m. on Saturday. No cover. For more information, call 696- 9191. Friday - Don Overby. Acoustic guitar. Starts at 9:30 p.m. $1 cover. Saturday - Rhythmatics. Rock. Starts at 9:30 p.m. $2 cover. Sneakers In College Station at 504 Harvey Road. Ages 18 and older admit ted. Alcohol served. For more information, call 696-8888. Wednesday - Sneaky Pete. Sing- along. Starts at 9 p.m. $2 cover. Starts at 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. $3 cover ($1 off with TAMU ID). Friday - Special F/X. Country. Starts at 9 p.m., doors open at 8 p.m. $5 cover. Saturday - Southern Blend. Country. Starts at 9 p.m., doors open at 8 p.m. $4 cover. at 9 p.m. $2 cover. Kay’s Cabaret At Post Oak Mall. Ages 18 and older admitted. Alcohol served. Texas Hall of Fame On FM 2818 in Bryan. Alcohol served. For more information, call 822-2222. Thursday - Special F/X. Country. Equinox Located at 329 University Dr. in College Station. Alcohol served. For more information, call 846- 2496. Thursday - Rock-a-Fellas. Rock. Starts at 9 p.m. $2 cover. Friday - 'N the Rutz. Rock. Starts at 9 p.m. $3 cover. Saturday - Rif Raf. Rock. Starts Sundance Club Located at 801 E. University Dr. in the Hilton. Ages 19 and older admitted. Alcohol served. Call 693-7500 for more information. Sunday - "Dance by the Pool" with The Change. Starts at 3 p.m. Wednesday - The Change. Rock. Starts at 9 p.m. Reservations recommended. Ages 21 and older admitted. Alcohol served. Call 693- 1736 for more information. Thursday - Chuck Mont- f omery and Mark Mabray. tarts at 9 p.m. Tickets: $4 in advance, $5 at door. Comedy Information is subject to change. Garfield’s Located at 1503 S. Texas Ave. Sundance Club Located at 801 E. University Dr. in the Hilton. Ages 19 and older admitted. Alcohol served. Call 693-7500 for more information. Thursday - Jimmy Mack and Chip Flatow. Starts at 8 p.m. Tickets: $4 in advance, $5 at door. birtl via, ciet} crati was to J, unr< "I tow: whe ingj "I tia's wor wha capi said M can Eur< "1 stan ovei brin ders ing tries FLOWERAM/V or POST OAK MALL August Rose Special 1 DOZEN ROSES $ 14.99 wrapped or $19.99 boxed $24.99 arranged Post Oak Nall 764-1828 We deliver High Blood Pressure Study Individuals either off or on high blood pressure medication needed to participate in a one week blood pressure research study. No investigationa medication. $100 incentive paid to those chosen to participate and wtio complete the study. PAULL RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL® 776-0400 Skin Infection Study Individuals of any age with symptoms of impetigo (bacterial infection of Ilia skin) to participate in an investigational drug research study using a cream with drug in it. $150 for those chosen and completing the study. PAULL RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL® 776-0400 2 Crc Mo figl nec lie effc h wa atii / Hu; mi< isfc cus wh ov< tia, bia