Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 162

Asbury hrk PressSunday, September 7, 1986 G3 Movies 7 Raul Julia wants what studios hate Film convention for East Coast opens Tuesday The Associated Press SAN MIGUEL DE ALLEN)E, Mexico Actor Raul Julia is all for reading the scripts that Hollywod studios won't do. "They're usually the most interst-ing scripts," he said. "I'm all forihe independent film and all for the kw-budget film and reading the Hdy-wood rejects." The 43-year-old actor won crical acclaim for his role as an impnsoed political activist in "The Kiss of lie Spider Woman" with his homoseual cellmate, William Hurt, who wonthe Academy Award for best actor. He was in San Miguel de Allo.de filming "The Penitent," written md directed by veteran character ator Giff Osmond, a story about a kve triangle set amid the Lenten ritual of Hispanic communities in the Sagre de Cristo mountains of northern tew Mexico. There was a 17-year lag betwen writing and filming "The Penitet," now being done as a $1.5 milon independent production.

"We did ('Spider Woman') -cause we were in love with the preset taking the chance it would lot make any money," Julia said, siting down for an interview after a tenis game one recent hot day in this de By ELEANOR O'SULLIVAN Press Movie Writer Last year, the organizers of the first Showeast convention of movie theater owners and concession companies promised an even bigger and better get-together this year in Atlantic City. Judging from the scheduled lineup of attendees and activities at this second convention, to be held Tuesday through Thursday at Resorts International, the organizers are making good on that promise. This year, screenings of soon-to-be released movies have been added to the convention. There will be screenings of Buena Vista's "Tough Guys," starring Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster, and Orion's "Hoosiers," starring Gene Hackman. Suppliers, equipment and concession companies will give a breakfast for conventioneers as well as the seminar, "Meet the Showeasters," an afternoon session on new equipment services and trends within the industry.

In addition, film distributors of specialty movies will be able to partici- pate in a seminar on effective marketing for non-mainstream and art films. The seminar will be led by Ralph Donnelly of RKO-Cinema and George Mansour of Cinema Selections, SBC. Cuba to find an old love and take her to the United States. "It's an adventure movie no politics," he said. Still wearing tennis clothes and gulping down apple-flavored soft drinks after the heated match, Julia said breaking down stereotypes for Hispanic actors can be difficult He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and came to New York in 1964, after studying at the University of Puerto Rico.

"It depends on the individual, it depends on your type and your physical appearance," he said. "Casting directors don't see actors as actors; they see actors as a type. "You can break those stereotypes," Julia said. "It's tough, but it can be done. "You're fighting against people's minds, who have a set thing about what a Puerto Rican should do." Julia has not been limited to Hispanic roles.

He has had an active career in Shakespearean productions in New York and co-starred in the Broadway production of Harold Pinter's "Betrayal." He has been nominated four times for Tony awards, for "Threepenny Opera," "Two Gentleman of Verona," "Where's CharleyT' and the leading role in "Nine," the musical version of Federico Fellini's "8'2." Among his screen credits before "Spider Woman" were Francis Ford Coppola's musical fiasco, "One From the Heart," "The Escape Artist," Paul Mazursky's "Tempest" and "Compromising Positions." Julia said he always wanted to be an actor, appearing as much as he could in theater when he still lived in Puerto Rico. with its annual Showeast award. Tom Stansfield, manager of UA theaters' Movies at Middletown, Mid-dletown Township, is general chairman of the second Showeast convention. Stansfield has upped the potential profile of this year's three-day convention by enlisting an impressive committee, including Robert H. Sunshine, publisher and editor of The Film Journal.

With assistance from Sunshine and a dozen other industry insiders, Stansfield has drawn new blood into the convention, which was attended by New Jersey theater owners last year. Participating this year are members of the New Jersey and New York branches of the National Association of Theater Owners, as well as representatives from the Theatre Owners of Pennsylvania and the Connecticut Association of Theatre Owners. The idea, Stansfield said, was to unify theater owners in the eastern region, who share many of the same concerns and problems. Declining attendance and the popularity of home video cassettes, rising insurance costs, a proposal to have sales tax on tickets reduced, and improvement of facilities are among topics for discussion. Serving on the honorary committee are Richard Fox, president of the National Association of Theater Owners; Salah Hassanein, executive vice president, United Artists Communications Bud Levy, president, Trans-Lux and Bernard Myerson, president, Loew's Theatres, New York.

"The response last year was very good, but this year we feel it's going to be even better," said Stansfield. "We've Barbara Hershey and Gene Hackman. broadened the scope of the convention nial Mexican town. ine remtent is tne closest Jiia has come to that experience si filming "Spider Woman." Last year, together with Paul Petersen, former president of New Jersey NATO, and Richard Horn, its current president, Stansfield assembled the first Showeast in response to the needs of theater owners and operators. The name is drawn from the Las Vegas trade show and convention, Show West, held in February each year.

In October, the nationwide membership of the National Association of Theater Owners, which represents about 80 percent of the country's exhibitors, will hold its annual convention in Los Angeles. and added a lot of new activities. We did that because we wanted Showeast to be a little different from the usual convention." The Showeast convention will held within a few days of the Miss America pageant The hoopla of the beauty contest has not dampened interest in the convention, which is expected to draw a record number of industry representatives. The Showeast public relations office reports capacity bookings at Resorts International. In between "Spider Woman" "Penitent," he has worked on "Tl Morning After," directed by Sidn Lumet, as the husband of an alcohol actress played by Jane Fonda, an "Florida Straits," about a Bay of Pid And to close the three-day conven- tion, Coca-Cola will give a banquet for Paramount's Barry London, president of distribution and marketing.

At that banquet, Showeast will honor London veteran who decides to go back Movie Mini Reviews ABOUT LAST NIGHT: David Mamet's scorcher "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" denuded and transformed into a fashionable item that's sure to fade with the next fad. Rob Lowe and Demi Moore star as folks wrestling with commitment but there's little juice in their plight. Jim Belushi aives the movie some oomph but ho HicannAarc iiiQt whan ha'c haaHpH most. R. ARMED AND DANGEROUS: A flabby loser starring John Candy and Eugene Levy of "SCTV" fame, about two hapless security guards who break an inside scam.

There is hardly a moment in this movie when you're not aware of how hard Candy and Levy are trying, but the script and direc- Tion give tnem nownere to go out aown. a rnuck es nere ana mere dui nor THE S84-NEN6MAN IS COMING TO caught between clinging, estranged parents (Jackie Gleason, Eva Marie Saint) while trying to maintain a hip lifestyle and successful advertising career. Gleason's tough and honest performance as a loser is a revelation; he and Hanks work beautifully together and you're apt to shed a tear or two at the end. Co-stars the indispensable Hector Elizondo. Directed with verve and a knowing eye by Garry Marshall.

PG. RUNNING SCARED: A gamy, haphazard script cannot keep the talented Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines down. They are entertaining and convincing as two Chicago cops who yearn to retire but must first settle the score with a drug dealer. Like Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, Crystal and Hines make an engaging comic duo; they're naturals. Co-star Dan Hedaya turns in a yeoman-like job as their boss.

R. STAND BY ME: What is was like to be 11 going on 12 in a small, rural town in the northwest 27 years ago. Rob Reiner directs the four boys of this story (Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell) with a fine sense of the passing of youth and encroaching adult responsibilities and there's a sweetness about this movie that's practically nonexistent in contemporary kid flicks. The only question is: Will today's youth will be interested in a slow-moving ode to lost innocence? R. TOP GUN: A trite, predictable script, weak on characterization, draws commensurate performances from Tom Cruise as a hotshot Navy pilot and Kelly McGillis as his teacher and lover.

Some nice aerial photography and military lingo dialogue lend authenticity but the film needs more than that. PG 'enough. PG. EXTREMITIES: The harrowing story of a young woman held captive by a psychopath who plans to rape and kill her is a simplistic look at humanity triumphing over evil. And with the beautiful Farrah Fawcett looking remarkably good TOMS RIVER AMD I throughout the ordeal, the movie loses some of its power.

Adapted by Trenton native William Mastrosimone from his play. Co-stars James Russo, Diana Scar-wid and Alfre Woodard. R. FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR: A surprising Disney movie about a 12-year-old boy who briefly becomes master of his own fate. When David (Joey Cramer) slips and falls, he wakes up to discover that it's 1986, not 1978.

Where has he been all these years? And why? A surefire hit for all ages. G. NOTHING IN COMMON: Tom Hanks comes of age in this wonderfully comic and poignant movie about an only son FREEHOLD New Woman proudly announces their newest and most fabulous location -for the first time in Toms River. Now you can enjoy all the prosrams, facilities and luxuries of the nation's leadins and largest chain of super-size spas exclusively for women! Continuous classes including aerobic, slimnastic, low-impact, pre-natal more! Huge indoor swimming pool, whirlpool and sauna in a Caribbean setting! Personal programs on Nautilus, Cam-Star, Universal and Lifecycles Optional tan plans and child care Now 16 locations in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey many more coming! 'PHASE ONE PRE-OPENING SPECIAL iWillil 1 77 $9.95 $16 I I MONTH JF Sirgle club membership. Cash, check or Other plans available.

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