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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 24, 1998)
111 17, 'n J^fi^i _ Courtesy Photo CHRISTINA RICCI AND Ivan Sergei explore sexuality, psyches and each other in the Don Roos film “The Opposite of Sex.” The film opens tonight at the Mary Riepma Ross Film Theater, where it will run through Sunday and again next weekend. ‘Opposite of Sex’ lays out twisted relationship tale By Jim Zavodny Staff writer In “The Opposite of Sex,” Christina Ricci adds yet another role as a troubled teenager to her repertoire, and with this film she demonstrates why critics have recently crowned her the “Queen oflndie.” The 18-year-old Ricci is probably best known for her portray als as Wednesday in the “Addams Family” movies. The actress has been causing rip- __, pies in Hollywood since her acting debut The Facts as the youngest daugh ter in the Cher vehicle Title: The Opposite of Sex' “Mermaids” at the ten- Stan: Christina Ricci, Martin Donovan, Lisa derage of 9. Kudrow, Lyle Lovett After a dry spell Director: Don Roos that saw her befriend a Rating: “R' (adult content language) ghost in the horrible Grade: B children s tale Five Words: Wed shines as sex kitten Casper, the young ___ actress’ stock has risen as of late because of her striking performances in indie films such as “The Ice Storm” and “Buffalo 66.” Ricci has grown up the last few years, to say the least, and her new-found sexuality helped her land the leading role in “The Opposite of Sex.” She plays the part of Dedee Truitt, a 16-year-old runaway who shows up at her half-brother Bill’s doorstep one day and basically attempts to ruin his life. Bill, played by Martin Donovan, appears to live a perfectly normal existence as a dedicated English teacher in a small Indiana town. But Bill subsists as an independently wealthy gay man in a secret world with his new boyfriend, Matt (Ivan Sergei), who took the place of Bill’s deceased former lover. Dedee immediately takes a liking to her half-brother’s boyfriend and seduces Matt into having sex with her, an act he has never performed with a woman. Of course, Bill is clueless about the rendezvous, but his “friend” Lucia (Lisa Kudrow) becomes suspicious of the little vixen working her way into their lives. It doesn’t take long for Bill and Lucia to find out what is going on between the two, as Dedee confesses to her dirty deeds with Matt and tells all that she is pregnant with his child Dedee then convinces Matt to abandon his gay lifestyle and steal $10,000 from Bill, so they can move to Los Angeles and begin their new life together. Soon after the two relocate, Bill meets up with Matt’s jealous ex-lover, who frames him for sexual harassment at school. The scandal causes Bill to be suspended from his job, and he and Lucia then must find Matt and Dedee in order to clear his name of any wrongdoing. The plot winds up as a cross-country chase that ends in betrayal, and, you guessed it, more sex. The twisted tale of relationships along with five people’s search for love dominates “The Opposite of Sex,” and makes for an interesting story that will have you laughing as yon totter on the edge of your seat. The movie’s strong supporting cast helps Ricci develop a character that she plays to perfection. And Dedee’s narration throughout the film is smart and amusing but is overshadowed by the better films Ricci performed in this year. “The Opposite of Sex” begins tonight and runs through Oct. 3 at the Mary Riepma Ross Film Theater, 12* and R streets. For show times and other information, call (402) 472-9100. Surf-rockers send <clones' in place of selves By Jason Habdy Senior staff writer Life Can get pretty lonely when you’re stranded on a strange planet. Just ask E.T. or ALE For six years now, the members of the astronomical surf rock outfit, Man or Astro-Man?, have been trying to fix their crashed spacecraft. The group members claim to be spacemen who’ve disguised themselves as a human rock band in order to travel safely across the planet in search of spare parts for the wrecked ship. This week they’ll be in Nebraska for two shows ... or will they? The show, scheduled at Knickerbockers, 901 O St., on Thursday, is not the original Man or Astro-Man? at all; it’s Man or Astro-Man? Clone Project Gamma. Chicks, dude. Four female Astro-clones of the origi nal Astro-men. You’re probably thinking - “Why would a band want to clone itself?” Here’s the story: Earth years have taken their toll and recently the members of Man or Astro Man? have become more aware of their mortality and the probability that they’ll never make it home. So, like any good aliens, they devised a plan. “We might just re-engineer the whole Courtesy Photo SPACE SURF GROUP Man Or Astro-Man? has created clone bands to help it con quer planet Earth. Clone Project Gamma, which consists entirely of female clones, plays at Knickerbockers tonight. Man or Astro-Man? doesn’t release pho tos of clones, because, members claim, there would be no point. planet to better suit us,” said the band’s bassist, Coco, the Electronic Monkey Wizard. “Which means, of course, proba ble annihilation of all humans.” Sounds like a good plan, but Coco’s Atari-like mind has already found a flaw. “Why take over the planet if you’re no longer gbihg to be around after one gener ation of Astro-men?” he said. So back to the lab they went, and when they emerged they had two groups of Man or Astro-Man? clones - genetical ly engineered super beings to act as exten sions of the originals. Each of the two clone bands is equipped with the neces sary technology to successfully perform and showcase all of the band’s music live. “I think rock ’n’ roll with genetics is a combination that’s long overdue,” said the nefarious mastermind Coco in a phone interview from his underground lair, located somewhere on planet Earth. OK, so it was Georgia. Come on kids, indulge your imagination. Anyway, the bottom line is that the original Man or Astro-Man? is not com ing to Lincoln on Thursday, nor is it com Please see ASTRO on 14 Drag quartet to entertain at Q Matt Haney/IDN ■ Kinsey Sicks makes its third appearance in Lincoln with a comical show will attract an open-minded crowd. By Sarah Baker Senior staff writer After a two-year hiatus, the queens of harmony are back in drag to entertain the more open-minded populace of Lincoln. The Kinsey Sicks, an a cappella quartet who takes the stage dressed in tacky drag, will make its third appearance in Lincoln tonight at the Q, 226 S. Ninth St. Jim Friedman, co-owner of the Q, said the Kinsey Sicks always put on a popular show. “They attract a very diverse crowd,” Friedman said. “Usually it’s a more intellectu al crowd because you have to think about their songs to real ly get them.” The Sicks, lovingly known as “America’s Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet,” take popular songs and change the words to make Please see SICKS on 14