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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1988)
Courtesy of Island Pictures Phoenix ‘Reardon ’ has no plot, no skin By Michael Deeds Staff Reviewer Ah, the 1960s. Weren’t they the years to remember? How do I know? I wasn’t there. But judging from the latest teen-age reminisccr, “A Day in the Life of Jimmy Reardon,” neither were a certain director, scriptwriter and producer who created this mov ie. And by the way, the big shot of the movie, actor River Phoenix, knows about as much about that generation as any other typical teen-ager of the ’80s. Actually, he acts like he knows less. “Jimmy Reardon” is a movie based on one day of a 17-year-old boy’s life in 1962. This boy, who happens to a master at the art of picking up women, has a wealthy girlfriend whom, of course, he is patiently and lovingly waiting to dc virgini/.e. Yeah, right. Meanwhile he is trying to decide what college to go to all in one day, but has a limited choice because he was suckered out of part of his tuition money by a female con and her phony abortion story. Better yet, he spends his free time playing a kinky “Jack the Ripper” sex game with his best friend’s girlfriend every afternoon for kicks. Jimmy Reardon is definitely the kind of buddy we all need. But we all have to sympathize with poor Jimmy as he desperately tries to come up with enough tuition money all in 24 short hours in order to go to the college of his choice, instead of his father’s. Ooh, that teen-age rebellion. Well, of course Jimmy has all kinds of neat ways to go about com ing up with money, but these aren’t half as interesting as his family life. Jimmy’s father is a bellowing ruler of the house, and you begin to picture him as a total wife-beating, child hating, racist, sexist bastard by the end of the movie. But soon you find out he’s just a normal guy. He cheats on his wife. Jimmy’s mother has a sleazy friend that his father hollers about all the time, so what happens when she has to leave after one of her visits with Jimmy’s mother? She “allows” Jimmy todrivc her home in Dad’scar and then jump into her bed. Gee, I hope Mom doesn’t mind. Anyway, the whole movie goes like that. Jimmy sleeps with her, then he romps with this other girl, then his grandma’s bridge partner... then he finds out about his father. Cranky old Dad has been sleeping with his mother’s sleazy friend, too. Like father, like son. During all these neat little orgias tic events, Jimmy is worried about poor Lisa, his wealthy girlfriend. Well, let’s just say she finally comes through, but Jimmy isn’t able to function because he has just been with Mom’s friend. So Lisa runs oil with the town jock. And all in straight ’60s-movic style, “Jimmy Reardon” is a phony movie with phony actors playing phony characters. If a 17-ycar-old’s predictably tiresome hormone storm is your idea of entertainment, then maybe you’ll like the movie. But if you get tired of a movie that has no originality and even less plot, then you probably ought to pass this one up. Plus, even though there s sex going on all the time, it certainly isn’t graphic. It’s a skin Hick with no skin. So don’t get excited. It drags and it has absolutely no sensitivity to the times. Other than that, it’s great. “A Day in the Life of Jimmy Reardon” is playing at the Douglas 3 Theaters, 13 and P streets. Local band s Rhythm is inspirational REVIEW from Page 6 Elysium Crossing “Rhythm of the Rain” Independently produced cassette Lincoln’s Elysium Crossing has just entered the burgeoning local tape sweepstakes. Courtesy Elysium Crossing “Rhylhm of the Rain” is, pure and simple, one of the best albums I’ve heard in two or three years, local or otherwise. While sounding very ac cessibfe to alternative radio airplay when compared to most Lincoln bands, it remains a completely origi nal work, and an inspirational one as well. The most noticeable sound on the tape is Shamus Adams’ guitar, which immediately and constantly brings backmemoricsofU2’s“Boy’’album, (if perhaps Steven Kilbcy had been on vocals.) Adams gurtar playing is as tounding. Vocalist Thomas Irvin’s breathy romanticism sounds beautiful throughout,and his near-exact Steven Kilbcy/Robyn Hitchcock voice matches Adams and Vcrmaas per fectly. The lyrics, at their best, have the same feel of romantic idealism that Kilbcy’s do with the Church. Kilbcy is such an obvious influence that he’s even thanked on the liner notes, (along with a host of local ne’er-do-wells.) “Rhythm of the Rain’’ is bounding with poetic youthful optimism, and Adams and Vermaas, along with drummer Bill Sullivan, play with a virtuosity of power and imagination way beyond their years. Although lyrically a bit starry eyed at times, the sheer energy, conviction, and passion of the music overwhelms any skepti cism lingering beyond the opening blast of “Morning Glory.” Although they pay too much homage to their heroes, when a band’s music exudes this much pas sion and beauty, they can afford to be a little derivative. After all, there arc worse people to emulate than U2 and the Church, by Jovi. — Geoff McMlurtry i ----i r ' Catch-A-Ray Without Delay. With spring break coming up the rush for that great tan is on. But Catch-A-Ray can help you beat the rush with their 5 TANNING BEDS which allow you to tan great with less wait. 1 Visit $4.50 Hours 5 Visits $17.50 Mon.-Fri. 9 to 10 } S nn Saturday 9 to 6 dasMSft wwnu.5 30 minute sessions SAFESUN* Catch-A-Ray 233 N. 48th Suite Q In the Eastview Center 464-4386 ^Tan by Walk-In or by Appointment^^^^^^^ CHARTROOSE"! _ CABOOSE Eat in or FAMOUS STEAK SANDWICHB J Lincolns Own Carry Out or . Famous NEW Corner of 15th & “O” St. DELIVERY „ ^ a-7c qnt c We Proudly Support the Big Red Card (rca fXj1 0 The only Chartroose in Town __oaswJ -[COUPON^— »UlmlM DIM Ml Kl JCI Pi JliSM i ilglMHBfM1 LETS PADRE ★ ★ ★ FEATURING PADRE S PREMIERE ACCOMMODATIONS ★ ★ ★ SOUTH PADfife HILTON SHERATON SOUTH PADRE HOLIDAY INN Driving Package , TO SiOVI Up Without Transportation^ Ci QQ OO YOUR TRIP INCLUDES. 0 ' and fWiin*ii-v ▼ I • Seven nights accommodations at one otthe big ET/>r Mnm Infrt yuac utaipwity T three hotels m South Padre Island without a VI lUI IVIVJI C llllvl doubt the hottest spots on the Island during Full P sr kHOf spring Pll located right on the ocean in the very [ Q11 I 17 rt r .IrkFAl gt jkawwipi center otthe strip Each hotel has a nice pool sun Odll LI2 or duel ell With Tramportmon A CO/K 1111 deck pool bar restaurant and some ol the Afifi 1AQQ nr AAA fHQE QuidOcCupincy* ^ ■ WbV/W hottest nightl.tedur.ng spring . 400* I 403 V/l 400’U I OJ • Transportation package includes round trip motor coach transportation to your hotel in South Padre Leave Message on Recorder Also Available: co^V^auabT'5 *e use ,hf s,yle if there is no answer Gulfview Condos • Free pool deck parties and activities featuring our With Transportation $239 . M„,„ „ Without Transportation $175 _ Arrangements by ECHO TRAVEL IRC * The services of lull t.me travel representatives to throw parties and take great care of you all week Number one to the sun tor over 9 years * *",a,es and 9,alu"",s THE BEST OF EVERYTHING TO INSURE YOU THE BEST SPRING BREAK! ★ Best Hotel Guaranteed You know where you will be slaying on this trip (with other trips??) ★ Best Location in Padre Don I let a poor location ruin your trip (the Padre strip goes tor miles!) Shouting Distance from Everything The lop bars, restaurants stores and tree concerts (not a taxi ride away, like other trips) ★ Top of the Line Luxury Coaches For the most comfortable party trip to Florida ★ Pool Deck Parties The hottest biggest parties in South Padre Island1 ■A You might find a cheaper trip but why risk your Spring Break cash on a cheap imitation11