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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (June 8, 1984)
A n (O YF n n 0 rAJi lib to " LiilillSii iLcdSiillufflO n 11 I M 'Firestarter' script bland By Ussk Holt Presenting the latest addition to the Stephen King horror film family, ladies and gentlemen, I give you "Firestarter." Unfortunately, "firestarter" turns out to be no ball of fire and is worthy of no such introductions. The stoiy revolves around Charlie McGee (Drew Barrymore) and her career as an aspiring young pyroki netic. Her unique gift is the result of the union between Andy and Vlcki McGee (David Keith and Heather Lock leer), who were both participants in a bizarre and not-so-ethical drug exper iment during their college days. The drug has some unexpected qualities, though, and a few neato side effects show up; Vicki becomes telepathic and Andy a mind controller. So everything is just swell in the McGee household; Charlie discovers her ability and after a few bdoboos learns to control it instead of setting fire to everything and having a poten tially fun childhood. But the Shop, the agency responsible for the experiments, soon catches wind of Charlie's talents and decides she's a hot prospect (ick!) for research and dissection. The chase is on. Many miles and a few charred bodies later, Andy and Charlie, minus a kayo'd Vicki, find themselves in the Shop's evil clutches. After a hundred thwarted attempts to buy Charlies' services with toys, the leader of the Shop, Martin Sheen, employs John Rainbird, played by George C. Scott, to pose as an orderly and win her confidence. He does, and eventually persuades her to show her wares to the research depart ment. Boy, can that girl torch ctutf. Meanwhile, Andy, who's kept sedated in another wing, finagles a way out and sets up a rendevous with his daughter. They meet at the appointed hour, and the pyrokinetic fun begins. I don't want to give away the conclusion, but the fire technicians have a field day. . This reviewer i3 a devoted King fan, and although I wasn't expecting great things, I was mildly excited about this newest installment But "Firestarter" like most other King movies, doesn't make the transition to the screen very well. The storyline is there, but the chemistry is lacking. The good charac terizations that fill the book make few. appearances in the film, and the viewer ends up not-caring who lives, who dies, who makes it or who combusts. If Charlie would have ignited the writer of the mashed potatoes-bland screenplay it would have made a bet ter ending. There was one good performance, though. George C. Scott was perfect as John Rainbird, the one-eyed Indian vet who does the company dirty work and kills just for laughs. Martin Sheen was competent but should probably save himself for less nondescript roles. Darl ing little Drew Barrymore, who was sorta cute in "E.T." is only little this time, and come3 off as flat as does David Keith, maybe moreso because she's forced to recite some very stupid lines. Oh, well.- See "Firestarter" if you have to, King fans, but drink lots of coffee first. All power to the corporate people; this ain't rock and roll, this is TV Black Flag is booming TV Party After a moment of sober reflection Tonite" at the usual pain level as the on the merits of cultural heroes, Billy set warms up. Billy idly scans USA moans in disbelief as a commerical Today while Pat frantically tries to interrupts. reach his bookie. "Good God. Isn't that Devo shilling for Honda scooters? On prime-time network TV, no less?" "Hey that's just the Devo corporate anthem put into practice. Can you believe they were considered avant garde just a few years ago?" That's-history. There is no cultural 'underground' anymore unless you rfkiinfr the prav&A vmith whn hantt nut icau, i tnuiK. iic was a uig Keucen at the Brickyard. . . Billy Shaffer "Get this Lou Reed is going to sing the national anthem at the Democratic Convention." Askew man. Oops, we just missed a sex joke on Threes Comoanv.' r. 4,bTa oi 10 worry, mere u De another one in before the next commercial. What a night of viewing. Magnum, the NBA kin' on soaps to Grand- and Bill Murray on Letterman. Can master tiasn. your heart stand it?" B12 deal The real excitement 1 5 ri "Culture is more easily consumed than a six-pack of Atomic Dogs. Look at Breakdancing. Only a year ago it was limited to the South Bronz. Now they're brea- IS rty like it's 1999. Pass the 4My welfare check came in today so tomorrow on MTV when they debut tne uevo vmeo xor Keagan. "Didn't Warhol direct it? Should be a big hit. They're doing 'Freedom of Choice.'" we can p "Watch it with that stuff. That's what got BelushL" "Alright Magnum's having a Nam "Speaking of freedom of choice, who flashback, always a sign of a good dta you hate more, the Lakers or the episode." Celtics? Give me the Sixera or give me "Magnum is cooler than the Clash." death." "Granted, but he's not un in Paul "What?? Is that Adam Ant and Grace Shaffer's league." ft $ 1 V t ? tf&t 4ff k m . w J (CT 1 j The Centrum Jones..." u Hsrrfs the besf . Hcrsfe the b or co Hot FhS 3 n o D n OFFER GOOD TILL JULY 1 WATCH FOR . SUMMER EVENING 2-FER SPECIALS IN AROUNO IUWN MAGAZINE . . .. ii I u n J 0 o n OHIO IMCLUOED OTHER IK'GHEDIENTS EXTRA D D D 1321 O t. 477-1 f i I i I , J . r r ry f. ttt Fcrx nasi Food v;;;,---a J 4T7-E713 n r H NOT VALID WITH riELIYRY,tMU3TEESENT COUPON f L.. ; . d CZ3 . - 'Zt CZ-J ELj ET.i LJ On Eadio On KZUM (sounds like Kay-Zoom) G9.3 FM, tonight at 10 p.m., the Bel Airs bop the blues in an Alive in Lin coln broadcast. The show was taped live at the Zoo Bar. On Television Good old Bill Shakespeare's earli est romance, "Pericles," airs Monday at 9 p.m. on "The Shakespeare Plays" pro gram on NETV. This production of "Pericles" is directed by David Jones of the Royal Shakespear, Company. It is a i-dic in me viriuous rrince or lyres (Pericles) quest for a wife, a tab fraught with complications entwined in love, L jeaiousy, mcest, xamine, resurrection and joy. Caxibs Ds.'fy tiiZTLz'Xu. On Stage Around Town Two struggling writers must deal It's a sweatfest at the Drumstick with obnoxious roommates in two one- tonight and Saturday as Caribe brings act plays at the Lincoln Community their own furious brand of reggae and Playhouse Gallery Theatre, 8 p.m. to- Latino dance music to Lincoln, night and Saturdavand 2-30 V - wrw f-riAtll ItSVt uay. I Income H Shopping! The Centrum Cl Accessories for the discriminating gentleman 1 r His Perfect Gift I n . for Fathers Day is a tie from our - f extensive cnllectinn tnpether wi 1 extensive collection together with a new dress shirt. - Bring in his vest, material swatch or jacket and we will help you color . coordinate that perfect gift. V f In addition, when you purchase a !, tie you will get X 20 off on the purchase of a dress shirt. We feature Hathaway shirts and over 2,000 ties from which to choose. Lincoln's headquarters for ties. East Park Plassa 464-1 113 - Come FcrThe utThat ".Isttr. Come for the cut thafstus tomized to suit you your hair type, your facial type, your way of life. Then take home the Roffler profes sional hair-care products chosen just for you, to keep your hair looking its best between cuts. Keep Your Hair lookinc its Best Between Cuts! Take Roe fler PROf essional hair-care Products home with you. Gome FoThe Cut. Take HomeThe Care 477-S555 cf 477-5221 .3 ISA S P St. Ml ' f .J X 1 ' I 1 J I ! Friday, June 8, 1984 Dally Nebraskan Page 7