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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 13, 1994)
Arts (^Entertainment Nebraskan Thursday, January 1®, 19®4 One of year’s best gives vision into author’s life Shadowlands Explorations of living, loving and losing make “Shadowlands,” the latest film from ac claimed director Richard Attenborough, thor oughly compelling. “Shadowlands” is based on actual events that occurred in the life of author C.S. Lewis. Lewis was a brilliant novelist and a compelling essayist on matters of theology. He also was a man who cloistered his heart and his soul deep within himself and deep within the “shadowlands” of life. At least that’s the way writer William Nicholson sees Lewis. Nicholson’s vision of Lewis’ emotional awakening comes alive on screen. His vision is one that is both intensely real and profoundly touching. The film takes place in 1950s England. Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins is Lewis and Oscar nominee Debra Winger is Joy Gresham, the divorced American poet who interrupts his rather staid life. Gresham and Lewis began their acquain tance through correspondence, with Gresham as a reader touched by the author’s words, and Lewis as a polite listener. Their correspon dence leads to a personal introduction in En gland, followed by a close friendship that turns to love. . But Lewis’ emotional constraints inhibit him from expressing himself— an action he longs to take but is unable to—until he has no choice but to give in to his feelings. When he allows himself to love, Lewis’ life is filled with new experiences, ones that lead him to question the theology he espouses, the choices he has made and the destiny that awaits him. Hopkins is superb, as always. He creates an attractive vulnerability in Lewis and allows him both a sense ofhumor and of irony. Hopkins’ special talent seems to be playing men that are somehow trapped, whether it be within the limits of their society or within themselves. His presentation of Lewis is perhaps his most evoc ative performance to date. W inger’ s portrayal of the woman who brings Lewis to life also is wonderful. She transforms what could have been a brash stereotype into a compelling and inspiring character. Steady directing, outstanding acting and a story so extraordinarily real make “Shadowlands” essential viewing and easily one of the best films of the year. — Anne Steyer Editor’s Note: “Shadowlands” was based on the life of C.S. Lewis, a professor and prolific writer from Oxford, England. By Patrick Hambrecht Staff Reporter Clive Staples Lewis, an up-and-coming au thor at Oxford in the early 1920s, was the last person any of his colleagues would have sug gested to become a Christian convert. Lewis hated religion, public ceremony, church and even the idea of a “God.” He despised anti-smokers, teetotalers and puri tans. Lewis dated a married woman who lived near Oxford and spent his time reading and dabbling in the new intellectual and occult fads of the time period. _ #.. See LEWIS on 13 Courtesy of Savoy Pictures Debra Winger and Anthony Hopkins star as British author C.S. Lewis and - -- *— ^-'--— “Shadowlands.” ‘Down Boys’ are back; Warrant rocks the Grove Travis Haying/DN Jani Lane, lead singer for Warrant is surrounded by fans who try and get their hands on him. warrant played in front of about 500 people Tuesday night at tne Royal Grove. Show features much interaction with audience Concert review By Ann Stack Staff Reporter Fall, 1990. Warrant is the open ing act on Poison’s “Open Up and Say Aah’’ tour. They play to a sold out crowd at the Omaha Civic Au ditorium. Jan. 11, 1994. After three al bums and a temporary breakup, nearly 500 die-hard Warrant fans pack the Royal Grove to see if the ‘Down Boys” still have what it takes to rock. They do. •; Opening with “So Damn Pret ty,” the group slugged its way through familiar rockers such as , “Down Boys,” “Uncle Tom’s Cab in,” “Machine Gun” and of course, the mandatory power ballads “Heaven,” “Blind Faith” and “I Saw Red.” In support of an album still in the works, Warrant kicked off a tour of small club dates across the United States on Dec. 30 in Buffa lo, N.Y. For a group that once played sold-out arenas, a club tour might seem minuscule. But band mem bers said they enjoyed the opportu nity toplay at smaller venues, where they had direct contact with the audience. “This is a chance for us to get close to our fans; it’s more inti mate,” lead guitarist Joey Allen said. Allen also said this mini-tour was good practice before going into the studio to make the new album, tentatively titled “Southern Comfort.” “It’s kind of like a paid rehears al,” he said. Warrant had some internal prob lems last year, Allen said, when lead singer Jani Lane left the band to pursue a solo career. The separa tion lasted about six months, then Lane was back in the band. “We weren’t Warrant without him,” Allen said. Bandmates agreed that the cur rent tour was also a rediscovery period, in which the quintet was getting to know one another again. The boys seemed comfortable with each other Tuesday night, and despite difficulties with the speak er systems, they played to an enthu siastic crowd for more than 1 1/2 hours. The band performed some new songs for the audience, including “Inside Out,” “Southern Comfort” and “Get On Your Bike and Ride ” A highlight of the show was a cover of Bad Company’s “Shooting Star.” Lane had a constant interaction with the audience and took several opportunities to express his state of inebriation. Although he was turned down. Lane asked an audience member for a marijuana joint in exchange for a guitar pick. Despite a rough history, War rant is still plugging away. They have some kind of crazy chemistry, some spark of gutter-boy magic that keeps them together, playing their hearts out night after night. For that, at least, they deserve re spect.