Ill-paced, tiresome Van Gogh film
won’t succeed in commercial arena
By Jim Hanna
Senior Reporter
History remembers Vincent Van
Gogh as a nutso painter who lopped
his ear off and sent it to an es
tranged love.
Director Robert Altman remem
bers the Dutch painter, in “Vincent
and Theo,” as an ordinary human
engaged in extraordinary struggles:
to succeed, to love his brother and
to keep his sanity.
“Vincent and Theo” details the
relationship between Van Gogh and
his younger brother Theo.
The film opens with actual foot
age from a recent auction, where a
Van Gogh painting sold for 22.5
million pounds. A tragic contrast
to this scene is provided as the film
fades to the squalor of Van Gogh’s
apartment in the 1880s.
Vincent (Tim Roth) has opted
to live in poverty and try to make
his living as a painter. His brother
Theo (Paul Rhys), a well-to-do
curator at a local art museum, pro
vides an allowance to keep Vin
cent alive.
When Theo is named head cu
rator of his own art museum in
Paris, his financial status appears
to be moving even higher. Theo
cannot, however, bring himself to
abandon his brother. He believes
Vincent has great talent and con
tinually tries to sell his brother’s
works.
fS
ted
5-13
21/2
Initially, Vincent is presented
as a determined artist with a nor
mal commitment to his craft. Yet,
even when Theo sees Vincent slip
ping into insanity, he still refuses
to forsake his brother and his paint
ings.
At one point, Theo sends an
other artist, Paul Gauguin (Wladi
mir Yctdanoff) to the south of France
to act as a mentor to his seemingly
aimless brother.
This, too, backfires as Vincent
p’mges further into insanity. Theo’s
increasing frustration begins to take
its toll, and he begins to lose his
grip on sanity as well.
The movie behaves like a run
away train, beginning slowly and
increasing speed as Vincent’s mania
grows, sucking his well-meaning
brother into derangement as well.
“Vincent and Theo” is a rarity,
being an “art” film released in one
of Lincoln’s commercial theatres
as opposed to Lincoln’s more tra
ditional art venue, Sheldon Film
Theater. It certainly doesn’t suc
ceed as a commercial Film and,
unfortunately, it doesn’t quite suc
ceed as a “Sheldon” film either.
Being a non-commercial Film
does not excuse it from being con
sistently uninteresting. “Vincent and
Theo” contains too many ill-paced
scenes and simply becomes dull in
spots. Perhaps Film experts will
wallow in the stunning beauty of a
plodding restaurant scene, but most
audiences merely will yawn.
The most effective moments
involved no dialogue. Gripping
scenes showing Vincent at work,
underscored by eclectic snatches
of music, weie extremely well done.
These scenes were not, however,
able to sustain the movie’s energy
through the tiresome intellectual
babble.
Roth is excellent as Van Gogh.
Any actor runs a huge risk when
asked to “play” insanity, but his
dive into madness was entirely
believable and never contrived. Rhys
is less effective as Theo, but his
own fall from sanity is well done
too.
Good acting and a tew powerful
scenes are not enough, however, to
carry “Vincent and Theo” success
fully into the commercial arena.
“Vincent and Theo” is playing
at the Cinema 1 & 2,201 N.13th
St.
Flock
Continued from Page 9
couldn’t locate the ones that did.
“Different Comers,” which Flock
wrote while in high school, has been
performed by high school students.
And her play, “A Crowded House,”
was performed last weekend at the
American College Theatre Festival’s
regional theater competition in Lin
coln.
But Flock says she considers
“Magdalene” the biggest and most
in-depth play she has written in terms
of the total amount of work that has
gone into it.
“This production has really been
the most fully mounted production by
someone other than myself as a direc
tor,” Flock said. “We’ve had quality
actresses come to the auditions and
really want the roles.”
Flock said she believes in live
theater because it gives the audienci
something more than film.
“I think there’s some merit in that
because it gives you a chance as ai
audience member to really connect u
a character in a way that you couldn’
if you were just watching Arthu
Miller.”
“Magdalene” is showing tonight
through Sunday at the Howell The
atre in the Temple building, 12th and
R streets. Aln>ertormances are at i
p.m. Admission is S2
Russia
Continued from Page 9
Much of the cinematography that
was filmed in Moscow was magnifi
cent. One really felt a sense of being
in a foreign place.
But unfortunately, cinematogra
phy doesn’t make up for poor direc
tion. The script and plot have poten -
tial, but the movie dragged on tot
slowly to keep the audience’s ful
attention.
“The Russia House” is playing ai
the Cooper Theatre, 54th and O streets
a /as said, was that “LAC is sending a issued as soon as this month.”
\ vOrrCCl call to artists to ask what they would The newsletter said “panels, meas
. suggest” for the stai design. Accord- uring 3’x3‘and set 3" deep, will b
Continued trom r age 9 ing to the council's January newslet- located near downtown movie thea
would be featured on the sidewalk, ter, “the call to artists to design Lin- ters, tying together the theater dis
Also uncertain at this point, Schi- coin’s own ‘Walk of Fame’ may be trict.”
HBHnMBHHMMBnMnaMBIIHHnHmHWBMIHHnMHfHMBBBBnnHl
$3.00 per day for 15 words on individual student
and student organization ads.
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$ 75 Pilling charge Personal ads must be prepaid.
Found ads may be submitted tree of charge.
DEADLINE: 2:00 p.m. weekday before publica
tion.
The Daily Nebraskan will not print any adver
tisement which discriminates against any person
on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race,
religion age, disability, marital status or national
origin.
2 Appliances
5.0 dorm refrigerator. $150 obo. Factory warranty. Will
deliver. 476 1323.
WASHER/DRYER $25
Down and $25 monthly of three payment!. No interest on
these used machines. Most units. $100 90 day warranty.
Also stoves, refrigerators, and furniture on payments
406-6252. Free deliveryll
3 Bicycles For Sale
1988 Schwinn Le Tour, excellent shape CM 435-5576.
American Arrow 10 speed. Excellent condition, Euro
pean design and construction. $75 Call 464 3730.
Bianchi Premto roadbike, red, 17-inch frame, like new
Paid $425, asking $250/obo. 474-0526.
Corsaro 12-speed. 27 inch frame new SunTour equp
■mem. quick-release alloy rims $85. 436-7938.
For Sale: 12-Speed Schwinn World Spon bicycle, gray,
in excellent condition. S150 o.b o Call 436 8490, leave
message.
Like new. Centurion Ironman 12 speed touring bike. Call
Doug, 421-6481, _
Men’s Sedona mountain bike, brand new. all aocesso
ries $400 435-2578, leave message
Mountain bike. Perlec! condition. Worth $500, will sacri
fice tor $300 Call Mike 4/0 3824
Must sell 1990 woman s Sterling street bike. Like new tor
S200 Call 4 /6 9785.
Performance training rollers. $100 ob.o., avemr wind
trainer, $40 o.b.o. Call after 4pm, 486 1503
Bedline Mountain Bike, *250,436-6082._
Schwinn Super Letour. Excellent condition. Lots of ex
tras. $250, obo. 466-0697. leave message.
4 Books For Sale_
Accounting 202;306 books, cheap. 489-7302, leave
message.
6 Computers For Sale
Amstracl PC (iBM XT Compatible). 512k. DO, 2400
modem, plus star M X1000 printer, both $575.47G-8046
Apple lie, 448k with Ram expansion, double disk drive,
Panasonic printer, over 200 a&ks with business software
and many games. Call Jim 436-8105 pleaso leave mes
sage.
Apple IIGS. 512k. 2 drives. RGB Monitor, mint condition.
Call 438-2546._
Leading Edge Computer, like new. 30 meg hard disk,
Panasonic printer. 438 3844.
MACINTOSH PLUS COMPUTER 20 Meg Hard Drive.
Imagewriter number printer. S150C. 436-6945
7 Jewelry
Half carat oval diamond, with or without setting. Ap
praised value $3,400. Best offer. 483-2064.
8 Furniture For Sale
Dorm lofts for sale. Delivered and installed, $94.23. Call
Todd. 475-0654._ __
Entertainment center, utility carl. 1 large oak and 1 glass
dining table and loveseat. 488-3513.
King size waterbed with drawer base. Good condition
most sell-leaving for Peace Corps. S125 obo. Call Jeff
477-4450. leave message.
Queen-size Waterbed, padded rails, bookcase head
board with etched mirrors, 6 drawer underdresser. $350/
Q.b.0.421-1168 _
Sofa and loveseat. real good condition. S150. Full size
dryer, $50. Call Dan. 470-3824 _
Super-single, soft side waterbed Compleie with frame,
boxspring, heat pad, fill attachments. Call 476-8228.
10 Misc. For Sale
‘Attention.’ Do you feel safe alone walking on campus t
In your neighborhood at night? Call 477-5699 tor free
Information about the "Personal Security System."
14’ color TV with remote control, 3 years old. $300/obo
Peugot ten-speed S'50 786-2216
55 gallon Aquarium, whisper filter, hood, heater, wood
stand Nioel Must selll S175 obo 464-4859
BEER TAP-dual C02 sysiem with chrome tower. Com
plete. new, very nice $150. 464-4859
Bentley series 10 bass with case. $100. 27" Raleigh 12
speed. $125,435-1263.
Historical society series
to highlight Fonda flicks
By Robert Richardson
Senior Reporter
On Super Bowl Sunday, movie
fans will not be forgotten. They will
have a choice between watching sports
or watching Academy Award-win
ning actor and Nebraskan Henry Fonda.
Their choice is made possible by
the Nebraska State Historical Soci
, ety, which will begin their latest film
' series, “Focus on Fonda,” on Sunday
with the movie “On Golden Pond.”
’ “In the past, we’ve done series on
1 a variety of Nebraskans, and we got to
* the point where we wanted to empha
L size the career of one Nebraskan,”
r said Andrea Paul, assistant state archi
vist.
Paul is heading the Fonda series
that was made possible by a $75,000
j national museum services grant,” she
said.
Many people know that Henry
) Fonda is from Nebraska, Paul said,
and Fonda films are sure to have good
attendance because Nebraskans can
relate to him.
“When you hear his voice, he sounds
Midwestern and he sort of epitomizes
the common man, Midwesterner, in
various situations,” she said. “He just
„ seemed like the best to show first.”
Paul said that, ironically, Fonda
was introduced to acting by Marlon
Brando’s mother in an Omaha com
munity theater — Brando being an
other famous Nebraska actor.
She said Fonda had to be coaxed
into auditioning for his first role, but,
once he did, he was hooked on the art,
Fonda and Brando are just a few
famous Nebraska actors who have
made it big in film.
“We’ve been stressing in the past
that there have been a number of
prominent Nebraskans in films,” Paul
said. “The premiere dancer in films,
Fred Astaire. The premiere teen-age
rebel of the ’50s, Marlon Brando. The
handsome leading man, Robert Tay
lor. We have those connections, and
therefore we’re emphasizing film
history."
Film history and education are
important to the historical society. In
fact, it’s their job, Paul said.
“We serve sort of an educational
role. We do provide a little intro to
each of these films, so it’s sort of
fulfilling our mission to tell people
about people from Nebraska that went
on and became successes,” Paul said.
The Nebraska State Historical
Society will continue the film scries
every Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.
until March 24th. “On Golden Pond”
will be shown Sunday at 2 p.m.
Films will be shown in the Black
man Audilorium, 15th and P streets.
Admission is free, but seating is lim
ited to the first 100 people.
FOR SALE: Mademoiselle 3 year membership, includes
Powercue and 1 year free lanmng. $200 obo 267-7705.
Kyosbo Burns R/C Car Capable of 60mph. Compleie
and ready io run. Chris. 436-8475
Panasonic Jetwriter I Typewriter. Brand New: Excellent
Qualities. Call Collette 436-8063.
Super Single Waterbed Semi-wave, mirror'bookshelf
headboard, everything included. S125. 464-6084
12 Musical Instruments
For Sale: Fender Baseman 50 amp. Peavey StudioPro
40 amp. and B.C Rich guitar 489-7884.
For Sale: Yamaha Diversity Wireless Instrument Sys
tem. Good condilion. Great for guitar or bass S200 Call
Jett. 436 8963
For Sale' Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 dual channel amp
and stereo cabinet. Chorus, vibrato, reverb Neai perfect
condition, S500 Jett. 436-8963
For Sale- Peavey wireless microphone with rack mount
receiver Excellent condition, $350. Call Jeff, 436-8963.
Ibanez J-Bass; Fender Tele Crate 60W Bass Amp; 2
Monitors. Dave. 483 5085.
Yamaha console piano, excellent condition. S2000/obo.
489 7884
13 Pets
19 Ticket Exchange
ToTSSt: 2 one-way tickets. Omaha to Atlanta. Expire
January 25. $i20veach. 464-2515.
20 Vehicles For Sale
'87 VW GTI alloy wheel 14x6", $125 ea . including tire.
Call 467-2878 after 6 p.m. _
'82 Kawasaki KE 175, one owner, 1.400 miles, Ifce new,
$500 firm, Jim 423-38U).
02 Mercury LN7 Hatchback, eun roof, S speed, re
conditioned, Excellent school car. $1800, call 436 9777
and leave message.
78 Dodge Omni 4 Dr„ 5800 Neg. Runs good. Call alter 5
p.m, 475-6675.
1988 Honda Hurricane. Red and white, matching helmet,
low miles, $3000,obo 474-9065. leave message.
1986 Escort GT, black, 5-speed, air, 54195/obo 477
6689 alter 5pm.
1985 Kawasaki LTD 1100 with extra*. Call 435-5576.
1983 Audi 5000,5-speed, all options, $3800,obo. Before
6pm, 489-6007, after 6pm 786 3371 Ask for Tom.
1981 Z28, t-tops, code alarm, many extras, must see.
S3100 obo. 477-0025
1980 Mazda GLC Sport, 5 speed. SCOC obo. Must sell.
Call Mathias, 467-1493
Datsun 810 with Z-car motor, needs tune-up. Call 436
2546
For Sale: 1984 Honda Interoeplor, 750cc, Best offer. Call
Todd. 475-0654
FOR SALE: 1983 Thunderbird Turbo Super Coupe. 2 3
litre, great gas mileage, 5-speed overdrive, premium
sound, suspension package. Michelin TRX polished
aluminum wheels with new speed-rated TRX rubber.
Cloth interior with high-option seats. Midnight black with
blackout windows. 42.000 miles, mint condition. S4.500
firm. Cali York 362-2621. Will show on campus.
V.W. Bug. red, good condition, $1,000, obo. 435-3105 or
486-1503. Must sell this week
lJO Announcements
ACT-UP NEBRASKA
AIDS ACTION NOWI Activist group forming now. For
information, Rodney464-0371 .SILENCE-DEATH
Phi Beta Chi
Spring Rush
The newest sorority on carrpus
Monday. January 28.
At 7 p.m.
City Union Room posted
CFA registered Siamese Kittens 435-6585. leave mes
sage._
Sweetheart Teddy Bear Chow puppies, male S'.25,
female St 50. 477-0252.
18 Stereos/1 Vs For Sale
AR GPS100. 7 peice auto speakers, never used New,
$350. Sell $190 477-0025
Car Stereo: KICKER speaker, High Power Yamaha
Deck. $300 lor both. 436-7938
Carver C-4000 pre amp, TX-11 tuner and EV-Interface
home speakers. Must sell fast, make offer. 477-3922.
Mim-advent speakers with subwoofer. Call 435-5576.
New. perfect shape, car stereo. 7-band 300W. booster/
equalizer. $145 436-7967.
Sony 5 disc CD-player CDP30, 16 inch Fisher 120 wan
speakers Make offer. 474-9065. leave message.
Sony stereo: Turntable, C.D. player, dual cassette, re
ceiver, graphic equalizer. 2 speakers, cabinet. Less than
1 year old $800 new. S600 now. 477 3363 .
Technics 100W Stereo, Weave CD, almost new, $550.
476-8046._
Three way Yamaha speakers Great condition. $200 tor
both. 421 8433.
