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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 18, 1974)
"'.. 44 W A- ;' 4 W- J W V 7 do u tf p, PBCino's. role as cod B' sr.ar 4 & 4 V ' sure to nfirner O There's something evasively bothersome about Serpico, the new film taken from Peter Maas' bestse&sr about a New York cop who exposed a vast network of big city police corruption. The movie was supposed to be an explosive indictment of the system. But the story is nearly three years old now, and although the film is a hit, it has created little controversy. The film and its director, Sidney Lumet, have taken care not to show the corrupted police as stereotyped, brutal bastards. Secretly palming bribes was an accepted habit in an organization where "no one can trust a cop who don't take money." Serpho's Diot is not action oriented; it is a string of examples showing what a man like Serpico is up against. Too often, the result is a dry and sometimes confusing story of precinct do's and don'ts. What we do have, though, is Al Pacino in the title role, and there r$ nothing bad that can be said of his performance. The movie wastes no time in grabbing our sympathies and lining them up with Serpico. It begins with a look ahead to the film's ending. Serpico has been shot after fellow narcotics agents faii to help him during a heroin raid. A police chief stands crying over him, soppy music plays in the background, and greg bkow fmn flu we spend the rst of the movie wondering "Is thi where he gets shot?" Starting with a clean shaven Pacino at police school graduation, the movie jumps roughly through various episodes of Serpico's career. At first, he is content to turn his head In uncomfortable amazement when he sees brutality or bribery. But as his facial hair grows, so does his Involvement in police politics. Ultimately, he goes beyond refusing to take illegal money. He informs on his superiors to the mayor's office and to the New York Times. Pacino's acting has been rivaled only by Marlon Brando's performance in Last Tango in Paris during the past year. He's sure to get an Oscar. He is lovable but complex, especially late in the movie when pressures make him hypersensitive and even self-pitying. Pacino is so good that he emphasizes another of the film's shortcomings: what kind of background and motivations create a man like Serpico? He certainly wasn't the only honest cop in New York City, and one wonders if he was really that different from everyone else. Serpico falls short, even if only slightly. If there are some movies that are exciting because they turn out to be more than expected, Serpico is a very good movie that is somewhat disappointing, because it is not all it should have been. r femes Monday Adam's Rib. CSS Late Movie, 10:30 p.m. Perhaps the greatest of the Katherine Hepburn-Spencer Tracy films, this classic is a rented comedy that finds the pair as lawyers on opposite sides in the court room Tuesday-Thursday Death of a Cyclist, Sheldon Gallery Buditorium, 7 and 9 p.m., admission by season foreign film ticket This 1955 film by Spanish director Juan Bardem tells of the reactions of two lovers who accidently kill a lone cyclist. Wednesday King Lear, ETV, 7:30 p.m. Black actor James Earl Jones stars in the title rol of Shakespeare's moving tragedy. Thursday L'Amour, Hollywood & Vine Theatres, through Feb. 27. This is the last in the theater's Andy Warhol series. It is his most recent film, about a group of young swingers having a wild fling amid Paris night life. . Alexander Nevsky, ETV, 8 p.m. Russian director Sergei Eisenstein's battle epic , of Teutonic knights. Made in 1938, the film parallels the Nazi threat to the Soviet Union at the time. It is climaxed by the now-famous battle on the ice-covered lake. Friday Pay For Night, Plaza IV theaters. Francois Truffaur latest film and one of the best of the year. The fulfillment of Truffauf s ambition to make a film about movie making. Friday and Saturday. Up tha Sandbox, Henzlik Hall auditorium, 7 and 9 p.m. Barbra Streisand stars in this film downer about women's liberation and the housewife. Blonde Venus and Saga of Anatahan, Sheldon Gallery auditorium, 3, 7 , and 9 p.rrv, admission $1.25. Both directed by Josef von Sternberg, eionda Venus (1932) stirs Marlene Dietrich fas a woman on the run and features her famous "Hot Voodoo" scene. Saga of Ana to hen (1953) was filmed in Japan and finds Sternberg, in one of his last films, away from the commercial limits of Hollywood. I - .- , .... , ' ' -. -v f . ' - . ..." 1 : - rf. i : ' i. -. v- . ; . - . " ' ' ,"" '. ". '. ' v -.; . t '". r - ' . : .' . - ..-'' .; ; The Food and Fun Place i 1 023 O St. Returning By Popular Demand Patchwork I r , s The Great Sound of Rock Remember No Cover Don't Forget the Reduced Prices and Live Entertainment Friday 3-6 p.m. in the Dragon's Den Food Service Daily From 1 1 a.m. to Midnight A scries of etchings by Peter Milton are on display now through March 10 at Sheldon Art Gallery. Dixon, King blues on stage at Pershing By Meg Greene It; finotvui!l h on stage Tuesday niqht at Pershing Auditorium with Wiliie Dixon and Freddie King. Willie Dixon, guitarist, has been called the binesman's bluesmar. With his songs alone, a small ht parade could be compiled. Many of his songs have been used by other "white" bluesmen (Eric Clapton among them) and many rock groups. Soma of Dixon's more popular songs, "Back Door Man" and "Bring it on Home," have been recorded by these groups and have enjoyed a new popularity among rock fans. Freddie King, also a guitarist, has been acknowledged as King of the Clues. Lika Dixon, he has achieved a new popularity among rock and blues fans. His influence came from B. 8. King and T-Bone Walker and it developed in Chicago bars. His career ended in 19G5, but shortly after, a biues revival occurred in Europs, and King began recording again. Currently he is recording on I .eon Ruiseil's Shelter Records. Also on hand will be the Megatones, a Lincoln rhythm and blues band The concert is Fillmore-style and begins at 8 p.m. mm Emmmm PLAYING SOCCER Ron Wheeler T-Th 6:30 Sun 2 pm, Feb. 24 Fieldhouse & Stadium People interested in soccer can be exposed to the drills and playing procedures. We'll be attendina the UNL Soccer Club's practice sessions and working with them. 5 STRING BANJO Jon Bean 7 pm, Feb. 22 Abe! Half North Lounge For beginners or virtuoso. Group will explore various picking styles (frailing, 3 finger blue grass, etc.) and tunings. Woikshop format. Beginners who feel they need a text should obtain a copy of "How to play the 5 string banjo" by Pete Saeger. INPUT OUTPUT John Schutz 1 pm Sun, Feb. 24 Union Group research project and information exchange-open to suggestions for readings. Would like to explore the concept of group mind and touch on some science fiction. John Lilly's work, Stephen Gaskin's books. Ringolevio by Emmett Grogan, some rock & roll, some math & physics, soma clinical A cognative psychology & divination methods-a free horoscope to anyone who shows. Dedicated to tha proposition that if you rezlly know something you should be able to teach it. IF YOU THINK CHARLIE THONE IS THE BEST NEBRASKA CAN DO, THINK AGAIN... Mary Kris Jensen 8 pm Thurs. Feb. 21 Union (place to be posted) In 1971, our so-celled "independent" congressman voted more consistently with Njxon (74) than even thysupposedly conservative Dave Martin (Nebr. 3rd District, 70). Hess Dyas, Charlie Thone's democratic opponent, has never supported Richard Nixon. Hess will be at this first class meeting to explain his campaign end ask your help. n II II monday, february t8, 1374 daily nebraskan page 7