The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 103

FILM 22 Friday, September 22, 1995 The Cincinnati Enquirer 'Showgirls' descends to new depths iM Hi. A A NOW PLAYING AT THESE SELECTED THEATRES 12 30,3:50, 12:15,3:30, 12:15,3:35, 12:30,3:45, 12:00,3:30, 12:30,3:45, 7:10 7:00 4 10:30 7:05 410:30 7:00 4 10:30 7:05 410:30 SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT NO PSSES OR DISCOUNT TICKETS ACCEPTED "A terrific, crowd-pleasing comedy!" BY MARGARET A. McGURK The Cincinnati Enquirer. I never have walked out on a movie, but was sorely tempted during Showgirls. It took every ounce of control I possess to sit through this gruesome assault to the end.

That's my job. I saw it so you don't have to. I'm here to tell you, it's bad. This movie makes the Pia Zadora disaster Lucky Lady look like Wuthering Heights. Showgirls is the first major studio release since the art-house Henry and June in 1990 to be rated NC-17 the successor to the old rating.

The alleged story here is about an aspiring Las Vegas chorus girl who does a stint as a lap dancer on her way to the casino stage. It is jammed with nude women doing violent raunchy dances and simulating violent sex. It is also littered with ugly gutter language and throws in a thoroughly gratuitous sexual attack against its only marginally sympathetic character. Take away the sex, skin, profanity and violence and what do you have? Nothing. There is no story here.

There is a collection of repellent people caroming off each other in one meaningless confrontation after another. Not one 342-8S66 Strict rating enforced National Amusements Inc. will place signs at box offices and theater entrances to remind moviegoers that the company is enforcing the NC-17 rating on Showgirls. In addition, theater staff will stand at auditorium entrances to make sure that only those 18 or older get in to see the movie. National Amusements' policy adds one-year to the guidelines set by the Motion Picture Association of America, whose rating recommends no one younger than 17 be admitted to NC-17 films.

minute of it made sense. Not one word of it resembles conversation. Everyone associated with this $40 million abomination deserves to be booted out of the business. Writer Joe Eszterhas and director Paul Verhoeven, the same jerky-boy duo who gave us Basic Instinct, bear special responsibility; their pathology is not just degrading to women, it is degrading to the entire species. Perhaps you have been tempted by the hype over this movie's rating to go see what all the fuss is about.

Crush that impulse. VIDEO GUIDE Jefferson in Paris (1995, Miramax, 150 minutes). Nick Nolte, Gwyneth Paltrow. Nolte stars as Thomas Jefferson. PG-13 (sexual suggestion)." A Little Princess (1995, Warner, 97 minutes.) Eleanor Bron, Ian Cunningham, Liesel Matthews.

Matthews goes from princess to pauper. (animated monster, parentchild separation). Little Odessa (1994, LIVE, 98 minutes.) Tim Roth, Edward Furlong. Yet another piece of accomplished villainy from Roth. (violence, language, sex).

Losing Isaiah (1995, Paramount, 108 minutes.) Jessica Lange, Halle Berry. A well-acted weeper. (profanity, drugs). The Madness of King George (1994, Hallmark, 110 minutes.) Nigel Hawthorne, Helen Mirren. Superbly acted version of the hit play.

MOVIE REVIEW Showgirls No stars (NC-17; graphic nudity and sexual simulations, foul language, violence.) Elizabeth Berkley (above), Kyle MacLachlan, Gina Gershon, Glenn Plummer, Robert Davi. 131 minutes. At National Amusements. 351-2232 I YORKTIMES "Romantic!" -Kenneth Tunw, LOS ANGELES TIMES "Irresistible!" -Bruce Williaimon, PLAYBOY "Hilarious!" -CKarla Krupp, CLAMOUR -Janet MuJIn.THE NEW 1 i' fSQDIBS 320 LUDLOW ST. -0750 ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION MEM(W WALK ffl.wMi.m.j 791 -ggaa I Sunday, October 1, 1995 Schott Amphitheater, Sawyer Point RegistrationCheck in 9:00 AM Walk Begins 10:00 AM Castihui (Call Saturday, Sept.

23 Registration 10-11 am Auditions Immediately following Landinark Theater, Carcw Tower Actors needed for a new comedymurder mystery show in Cincinnati. Wanted: male and female actors, over 21 years old, with strong improv skills, willing to commit to a 13 week contract. Must le available for 3-5 shows jcr week. Bring head shot and resume to registration. The Landmark Theater is located In the old Ray Combs Comedy Club, lower level, Carew Tower.

Call Classified when you want to REACH A CROWD To place your ad, call 421-6300. Classified Advertising Department The Cincinnati Enquirer a The Cincinnati Post Memory Walk Registration Card Name Address, City State Phone Zip. Bring this form to the walk along with your pledge dollars, or to: Alzheimer's 644 Linn Street Suite 1026; 45203 For more Information on Alzheimer's disease or the Memory Walk, call 721-4284 1.