Poughkeepsie Journal from Poughkeepsie, New York • Page 4D

4D Poughkeepsle Journal Friday. January 31. 1986 'Down Out in Beverly Hills' should have been a lot better Fine, funny performances abound in 'Best of Times' By Bob Thomas Poor Beverly HIHs. First It takes the rap for roosting an honest Detroit cop, Eddie Murphy. Now it is depleted as haven (or kooks, flakes, nuts and neurotics.

The latest treatment of the quiet, rich, conservative municipality is "Down and Out In Beverly Hills." Paul Maxunky, adept at portraying social topics such as the new morality C'Bob Carol It Ted and women's rights Unmarried now takes a look at conspicuous affluence and finds it rotten. But wait a messiah arrives on the scene to set things right Richard Dreyfuss made a mint manufacturing hangers, but his life is a misery. He is plagued with labor problems, a ditsy wife (Bette Midler), anorexic daughter (Tracy Nelson) and swishy son (Evan Richards). Dreyfuss' only solace comes In his midnight Journeys to the room of the erotic Latin maid (Elizabeth Pens). All their lives change when a seedy bum, played by Nick Nolle, review Film KHMDMIVNH MTTIMBUa tries to drown himself in the family pool Rescued by Dreyfuss, he moves into the bouse and starts spreading his free living philosophy.

The situation could be the basis for a clever movie In tact. It was In Jean Renoir's 19M "Boudu Saved From Drowning." But aa directed by Maxursky and adapted by him and Leon Capetanoa, "Down and Out In Beverly Hills" stumbles In translation. The sledgehammer satire pounds everything In sight, including some dated subjects such as gurus and dog psychiatrists. Maxursky tries to punctuate lame Jokes with quizzical reactions by the family dog, but the device soon tires. Nor is there much comedy In having New Year's Eve guests leap Into the swimming pooL The biggest flaw is the character of Nolte.

He can play Debussy on piano but he lives a derelict life. Who is be? And how good is his advice? He takes Dreyfuss on an all night wine binge at the beach and tells the son It's OK to be gay. His solution for all three women of the household Is to take them to bed. "I gave folks what they wanted," he explains. "Down and Out In Beverly Hills" has some funny moments, such as the stontdbeaetrrats singing "We Are the World." It also ideals In stereotypes, such as the next door Iranian millionaire with a veiled harem and the Japanese gardener with a condo in Hawaii DOWN AND OUT IN BCVtRlV HIllS R) ploying at On! South H.tl, Mall, touM 9.

PoughliMPsiai JuUat 1 24, Raymond Avenue, PooghliMptiai SoomwN. Rout 9. Hyda ByTUlUmWolI Guactt Newt Senrfco Many people think of what might have been in their lives. Robin Williams, as the sweet but hapless Jack Dundee In "The Best of Times," appears forever doomed to be known as the Jerk who dropped the pass that could have won the football game for his high school back In 1972. It only that game could somehow be replayed.

Just as he constantly does In his mind to the eternal boredom of his wife. The Best of Times," set In California and scripted by Ron Shelton, is really a one Joke affair. It takes much stretching to keep the plot building toward the only possible climax, a replay of the Taft vs. Bakersfield game by the aging athletes. What the film does have going for It is a talented and affable cast Wil Film review Hams as Jack is both funny and pathetic enough to get your hopes up for him.

Kurt Russell manages to also be funny by playing it straight as the auto repair shop operator who was the hotshot quarterback who threw Jack the bobbled pass. Holly Palance and Pamela Reed are enjoyable as their wives, who have bad it with their marriages but still love the lugs. Reed especially brings a sparkling Individuality to every role she does, and she's on target once again. Some of the episodes get silly, and the story is strung out to the breaking point Nevertheless, score one for the little guy looking for his place in the sun. INI St 0 TIMES IPO I It ploying at Of ma Hudian VolWy MaS.

Rout 9W at 209. Klngitoni dnM Sou H.IH Mall, (out 9, Poughkoopiioi JuUot I 2 3 4, Raymond A mx). PoogMcMpuai Moviu 4, Dutdwu MoU, WHW1 j. LssssP sawOaW ifTif 1b BSt aaLssssssssssssiaS idt0dk J9I llsssssssssssssssssW ft VKAvVfeF ttiPS'' Jl stffc mr "jarTBBBBSslsSSBBF Robin Williams plays Jack Dundee, the likeable yet hapless central character In "The Best of Times." 'Sugar baby1 is oddly entertaining By Winiam Wolf Marianne is fat Not obese, but plenty plump. Her life Is as drab as her looks, although she enjoys working In a funeral parlor and feels sympathy for for the dead.

In "Sugarbaby," a German import, Marianne suddenly decides there must be something more to life than candy bars and work. She takes swift Asking leave from her job, she heads straight for the beauty parlor, shops for sexy clothes, and makes herself into an attractive stout person. She methodically sets out to meet the handsome young subway train conductor whom she has noticed. Marianne is determined to seduce him and make him her "sugarbaby," a nickname inspired by the recorded 'Eliminators' should have been erased By William Wolf OaaaMt Ntm Sonta It's movie comic strip time again. "Eliminators" tosses in everything from bionics to time travel and mixes It with the customary dose of violent action.

Get the plot Patrick Reynolds plays Mandroid, half man, half robotrobot He started out all man, bnt has been turned partly into a machine by the evil scientist Abbott Reeves (Roy Dotrice), who wants to go back in time and rule the world with his advanced technology. Mandroid escapes when learning he's to be dismantled. The rest of the film is devoted to his expedition to destroy the evil one at his scientific base in the jungles of Mexico. With him are pretty scientist Nora Hunter (Denise Crosby), who is rebelling against Reeves, and reinforcements picked op along the way. The movie, not worth further discussion, was written by Danny B1I son and Paul DeMeo, and directed by Peter Manoogian.

There are lots of special make up effects, shootout, and explosions IUMINATOU (KM Jl ploying at ChM a. South HdU Mol. Rout 9, Poughkooptioi Moy foir Iwta, Rout 9W lUbm Annuo Moll, Kftgston. Film review song she repeatedly plays. Actress Marianne Sagebrecht gives this lonely woman both vulnerability and Usability.

Her Marianne is a bundle of love and sex, spurred by the desire to smother a boyfriend with attention and affection. Elsi Gulp plays the very willing young man, who happens to be married but cant get such pampering and loving at home. It's not much of a part His job is to get into the spirit of the combination as well as into a bubblebath with his new love. As written and directed by Percy Aldon, "Sugarbaby" Is oddly entertaining, bnt somewhat contrived with a cloud of doom banging over a situation you dont think can last The lovers also looks a bit silly at times, but Sagebrecht acts with such conviction she makes you root for her. She could convince a lot of people that bulk can be tin.

SUOARSASY It ploying at Opttoto FfciM. 26 Montgomery St Rhinabock. Cinematographer Johanna Heer will be at Upstate Films Sunday afternoon at 4 for a screening of "Sugarbaby." Her work on "Sugarbaby" has been praised by film critics across the country. Born in Vienna, she has lived in New York since 1975. She is an artist and a producer as well as a cinematographer; mA' VftEiwfiwfiwMlMn JEslpSSferir4i os? Irodittonally your fon Wight, grociout totyico, hnm foods and winot arm our troditton.

Wo cotor to your dtning plootuto. lata portimt and wedding arm our fort: fnioy your specie! day omttUt to ood yot otogantatmospheto Wo'tt guorantoo a day you'll choritn fo mf. Th Cottonwood alto prloVl itself on defiooys lunches ond ontroordinory dmnert tunchoon served Monday tlu Saturday Dmnort ftvod Mon day thru Sunday Open 7 day. Coll tor Information on our newly expanded banquet and wedding facilities. 113 tarn MsuMotM tiavtn wif Vshs Hsjwf, Dttvmi MtAtniCAtO VrtA AMffiCAM lirttU OaNtU ClUt "nlBrn arf" i5tJMsJa, Mid Hudson BOAT SHOW sponsored by Hudson Valley Pmmobons.

Ik Mid Hudson Civic Center Poughlceepsie, N.Y. February 1415 16 TOaCTBHBSION HOOBBHaWW ON FOWB MAT, TUMI AND MOTOI M.FlfillPM.S.WLlS ltPM.Suifi6.IMIlOAM SaPU BQMIANO Huoui ht. Sa FW, Sen, few. NY NAPOU i WJMXtOMSHIS.Omtt NWto NY DCfEO COVt UAWNtRtgd BotB.Cnod la. uv ucTcwwuiatc iw.

li.it IN WMinMMVE luftttf. Sm Strtt Slom Pom NY UUSTER MAWC Ort Cull Klngrtx NY. WHTtS IMni KMi MM Wri OA No. HNY.JfllttNtCttt UntmbMnsaLNT Atr tlifciartHlliiHH Alli. Dutchessy MallW Now in Stopk! 8 mm Software Video 8 Prerecorded Movies Curious George The Hobbit David Bowie Tina Turner Many Morel SONY STR AV 460 AMFM Receiver 45 Watts per channel Audiovideo control center Direct Access Tuning Wireless Remote QQ DO 'Silver only I9WiOO (60.Savinc (60.

Savings) tCui St. Elmo's Fire I Jj 71 Q5 i MutO mriT AV i My Science Project isj sj 71.95 Mad Max vT Beyond Thunderdome 7195 Buy Them or Rent 2.40 overnight Sign up for the Mardi Gras give away 1 st prize 250 gift certificate from Gaynes Sight Sound Dept. SONV JNfC flfl PIONEER' 'nac dtpeg iS v. AAjr saimyo discwasher maeW fisher scott nav; WHistler: sw 9 3f NOW OPEN IWt I 7J0 il (n la MM oil alta Mpojalll. ri 9ofie nshkiii nY PRIME RIB COMStnt DINNtt STEAK SHRIMP 'THURSDAY COMPLETE DINNER AU MAJOR OlfXJ CARM ACOfTtO aXAnriiimsir.mriMBffl TUINU HOKWHl Kt.ttUU Un tKiw.

4 It JO frl. II JO HwllH tan IM.IIH IT VoS i szy 0 (tir YQ Cselebrate 0 at the Dutchess Mall Mini Mardi Gras 0 SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, FEB. 1 2 Swing to th" Sounds of Dixieland Bana Delight in the delicacies by: SPANKY'S, nes by Exposure, bnax Ihen borne, Jun Lady Pretzel AND I Ion 4 ai III Aifn Un llnlltfitin nv use iiiiiiy uiuiiivs Ul uiuics LJizyiay Purple "Celebrate" Bags TO WIN? Dinner at Soanky's Gift Certificates from GAYNES SIGHT SOUND Ski passes to Sugarbush or Killington (Must be 18 or over to win, Not open to Mall employees) Freeuthentic Mardi Gras beads to those attending the testival! l) 101.5 VMJm rv LCV.