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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 1989)
ohn Hughes’ film mildly amusing effort I Mark Hain and cky Tideman f Reviewers__ Mark Hain: Remember way back hose days of prepubcscence, when in Hughes’ latest flick was a numental and possibly life-alter event? “This man has glimpsed no my very soul,” murmured the wcstruck teenage masses, their oices cracking. “The screen has ecome a mirror; that is me.” We all unkered down in our seats as the ights went up, hiding from the ushers f wc could in a desperate attempt to ;it through another showing of ‘ ‘The Jrcakfast Club” in rapt silence. But iow Anthony Michael has grown out of hisganglincss.and along; with ithis charm; Molly Ringwald is quickly joining the ranks of the “Where arc they now?” club, and as the world wearmcss and cynicism of “adult lire turns those theater lights to full beam John Hughes is no longer the cure for feelings of alienation and loneliness, only a purveyor of mildly amusing films about the interaction of teenagers and adults. Becky Tideman: I also was hoping this movie would be of the same I . Past Hughes films, but Uncle Buck” displayed none of the humor or effort of Hughes’ previous films. I feel Mr. Hughes should take the advice so eloquently dispensed by Steve Martin in “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (another Hughes film starring John Candy). Martin explained, “Here’s an idea, next time you tell a story, have a point. It makes it so much more enjoyable for the listener.” I think “Uncle Buck” had poten tial. Unfortunately it turned out to be a 90-minute exercise in mediocrity; good TV, but not good film-making. MH: I was expecting to be miser able at this movie. I knew the only way I could get to the theater to see this film was on my bike, and just as I hopped on my rickety love machine, the rain began. I felt like I had been thrown in a pool. Miraculously mak ing it to the theater without getting struck by lightening, I sat down in the air-conditioned dimness. Three teeny-bopper girls giggled mali ciously behind me as I tried to dry my spattered glasses. Once again I was a shy, insecure teenager who had been mesmerised by “Sixteen Candles.” (I suppose you’re wondering why I’m blathering on and on, but there’s re ally not much to say about “Uncle buck” without giving away the plot.) I shivered in my clinging clothes as the lights went down, my bangs thrickling cold, slinging water into my eyes. Despite it all, I had a good time. Not a great laugh riot, and no insight into life, but I laughed. BT: I think I was less satisfied with this movie than you. True, I did laugh occasionally, but the film left no last ing impression; it bounced right off me. I was much more interested in making squishy noises by wiggling my tows about in my drenched Kcds. The premise of the film is that the drinking, smoking, gambling, prodi gal uncle, Buck Russel’ is recruited by his yuppie brother to care for his three children while he and his wife arc called out of town on a family emergency. Candy and his nieces and nephew have a series of battlc-of-the wills confrontations, none of which arc overly entertaining or interesting. Basically pretty Mr. Belvedere/ Punky Brewster type stuff. MH: I wouldn't say it was quite all that bad. I mean, I didn’t ennge in embarrassment or anything. I think some of the faults of the film were overshadowed by appealing per formances by Candy and a surprising cameo role by Amy Madigan. She managed to be her earthy, personable self and still not seem out of place in this film. Also surprising were the two child actors, who were both cute and precocious without being saccha rine and annoying. Most child actors make me want to have a vasectomy, but for the most part I could tolerate these two wee ones. The same, how ever, cannot be said for Jean Louisa Kelly, queen of the withering stare and icy putdown. I have a feeling that she’s really rather a good actress, but she manages to be so callous, that she reminded me of every hateful teen age shrew I’ve ever known. BT: It was the small things that mademe laugh in this movie; Uncle Buck’s pride in his personalized bowling ball, the school principal’s face-encompassing wart, and mi crowaved laudry in lieu of a function ing clothes dryer (it never dawned on Uncle Buck to hang the clothes on a clothesline). MH: It’s interesting that it seems like as we’ve grown up so has John Hughes. But now that we’re young adults he seems to be a cynical old man. While Hughes’ humor has in the past been broad, bawdy and slap sticky, it’s now rather sedate and somewhat disconcerting. (Uncle Buck’s delightful giant pancake does not make up for his creepy, unsettling serial-killer imitations.) Hughes seemed tired and bored. About the only interesting technique he used was a fish-eye lens in shooting Marcy, the neighbor woman in tore ador pants who comes over to rumba with Buck. There is a sense that this film is a half-hearted effort for almost everyone involved. Since all of them didn’t seem to care much, I guess we can’t cither. Nationally known comedians help comedy club celebrate by iireicnen noenr Senior Reporter Noodles Comedy Club celebrates its one-year anniversary Sunday night with nationally known comedi ans. The three-hour show is called “The Best of Noodles” and features Scott Nivotny of Minneapolis, Willie Farrell of Des Moines, Iowa, Craig Peters of Los Angeles and Thor Ramsey of Colorado. Bobby “Red” Tolnai of Lincoln will serve as the master of ceremo nies for Sunday night's show. Tony Coe, manager of the comedy club, said Sunday night's show will bring together comedians with vari ous styles of humor. rarreii and Nivotny, who arc con sidered headliners for the show, have made appearances at Noodles before, Coe said. Nivotny has appeared on “Showtime’s Funniest Person in America’’ and Farrell’s television credit includes the Playboy Channel, Johnson said. Ramsey has been on HBO, Showtime and “The Arscnio Hall Show.’’ Peters also has appeared on Showtime. Coe said the show already is booked. “This is going to be a great show,” Johnson said. “We just wanted to celebrate our anniversary and thank everyone who’s supported Noodles this year.” Mark Johnson, general manager, said Noodles will serve free cham pagne and cake. Noodles opened Sept 8, 1988, Coe said. “When wc first opened wc were unsure if Lincoln would be receptive to comedy,” Coe said, “but we’ve been overwhelmed by customers.” Friday through Sunday, Noodles will feature Farrell, Jeff Sutherland of Minneapolis and Tolnai. The show that runs Sept. 7 through 9 features Jent Monk of Sioux City, Iowa, and Ted Lyde of Chicago. Reservations arc highly recom mended. FOR SALE 1981 Suzuki 550 Very good condition. 988-4735 Bianchi road bike, black 25-inch, SIS, Aero, w/pump. Ik# new 423-9268. Cannon A-1 Motorized winder. 1.4 lens. 70-210 lens. Tsleconverier Leather case. Flash attachment. Excel lent condSion. $650 1-308-381-0189 evenings. Clift's lor Pocket Lightersl 140 N. 12th. Clifts for Pinning Cigar*!, 140 N. 12th For Sale 10 speed bicycle, good shape, reconditioned. Call 474 2295 Furnishing an apartment? Great garage sales. 2800 3000 uack»on Drive, Saturday. 8:30-4.00 Bookcase*, appliances, furniture, snowske, microwave, watertoed. Gorgeousi Off-shoulder while wedding dress. Floor length-tram. Size 10-12. Was $440. Sell: $100.489-3560 evenings. LPO NOTICE OF SALE ON UNCLAIMED BICYCLES Sept 14. 6:30p.m. Al Lincoln Land Towing. 410 West P Street, by Properly Division. No Checks Accepted. Salesman Sample Sale: Book bags. Briel cases. S.A. Knives. Chamoua Shirts. Como clothing, sleeping begs, much more. 8:30-6. Thursday. Friday. Saturday. 201 Redwood Lane. Small, apartment refrigerator with freezer. Approxi mately 24 inches in height. Excellent condition. Call 483-5606. YAMAHA PSR-90 keyboard w/stand $ carry case. Buik m track recorder Best offer 436-7925. 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