The Town Talk from Alexandria, Louisiana • Page 31

Sunday, March 26, 1995 C-5 The Town Talk, Alexandria-Pineville, La. Showtime's 'Outer Limits' off to good start Review whether it's mentally healthy to fall for a machine. Showtime has committed to 43 episodes of "The Outer Limits," regularly airing Friday nights at 10. The cast of succeeding episodes includes many recognizable names: William Hickey, Charles Martin Smith, D.W. Moffett, Rae Dawn Chong, Elizabeth Pena, Len Cariou, Chris Sarandon, Annette O'Toole, John Heard, Rebecca DeMornay, John Savage, Timothy Busfield, Michael Dorn and Frances Sternhagan.

If future stories live up to "Sandkings," then the new "Outer Limits" will be a welcome addition to the TV sci-fi trend. female robot designed as a "companion" for lonely men in isolated circumstances, sort of a mechanized camp follower with class. This "inorganic human" has been programmed with emotions that soon heat up the relationship and eventually bring Sadler's character and a friend to the brink of death. There's a distracting scene of full frontal nudity when Sofia Shinas, as Valerie 23, doffs her gown (somewhat justified by the story but definitely not necessary). And the episode's "thing that wouldn't die" twist is tiresome.

The story works best when it focuses on intriguing questions of what's alive and what isn't, and By John Engstrom Seattle Post-Intelligencer Showtime shows up tonight with a new version of the 1960s sci-fi series "The Outer Limits," and the two-hour pilot is an eye-popping winner, full of great scary stuff about flesh-eating bugs from Mars hatched by a man who would be their god. It even begins with the old "Outer Limits" voice-over: "There is nothing wrong with your television. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are now controlling the transmission. Unfortunately, the one-hour second episode had me disobeying.

I wanted very much to adjust my set to get back to the high quality of the premiere. Instead, I casting trick, which works nicely, is far outdistanced by the strength of the storytelling. There's also a terrific visual scene in which Bridges' scientist finally confronts his buggy friends up close and personal, and makes a startling discovery. "Sandkings," based on a 1979 short story by George R.R. Martin, suffers at one point from an irritating dependence on dreams that look real, and the pace at the end flags badly.

But overall it's a wonderful start well directed by Stuart Gillard. The second episode, "Valerie 23" airing March 31, is more common TV sci-fi fare. William Sadler plays a paraplegic scientist testing a revolutionary new rule: Knock off the nudity if you don't need it! But I'm mostly here to praise the new "Outer Limits" on the considerable strength of the opener. "Sandkings" stars Beau Bridges as an angry, then nutso scientist who fiddles with bugs descended from the hatchlings of ancient eggs that were returned to Earth by a Mars probe. Bridges has the proper, slightly disheveled look of a loner who would buck the government when officials shut down his experiment.

His descent into ego-driven madness is superb. Bridges' father, Lloyd Bridges, plays his dad in the story, and his son, Dylan, plays his son, but this got a lesser show, a cross between "Fatal Attraction" and "Red Shoes Diary" (rated BB for bare breasts). Why do some cable networks feel it's a broadcasting law that women be shown nude despite no script justification? HBO's "Dream On" is a perfect example, gratuitously exposing women simply to gain male ratings. Even in the excellent debut episode of the new "Outer Limits," actress Helen Shaver teases with a side view, exiting a room just as she whips off her top. Here's a new cable broadcast Baseball video good choice for fans of game Video Views "fall through the cracks" when a studio decides not to "push" a film.

Max McQueen writes for The Tribune in Mesa, Arizona. Kusturica's "Arizona Dream." It stars Johnny Depp as a New York punk who moves to Douglas, to run of all things, a Cadillac dealership. Of all people, the place is owned by a rich uncle played by Jerry Lewis. "Second Best" has William Hurt as a socially awkward postmaster who encounters obstacles to adopting a rebellious orphan (Chris Miles). Both of these titles are examples of feature films that ANSWER TO TODAY'S PUZZLE rrr rather than later.

Just as soon as Stallone blows half of Miami to kingdom come. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Episodes 49-52. Unrated, 1989. Paramount, $14.95. Four early episodes of The Next Generation come to video, replete with Patrick Stewart in the driver's seat.

The titles? The Ensigns of Command, Evolution, The Survivors and Who Watches the Watchers? The latter finds aliens mistaking Picard for a god. Arizona Dream. 1994. Warner, Second Best. PG-13, 1994.

Warner, $96.99. For reasons known only to Warners Studios, "Arizona Dream" and "Second Best" were not released in theaters. This, despite some critical acclaim at festivals. Garnering the most praise is Yugoslavian director Emir "Spellbinding And Gripping! A Great Film!" Barry ZeVan. CHANNEL AMERICA NETWORK Kathy Bates Jennifer Jason Leigh Dolores Claiborne FT i iml S-A- I5 LE ar nBb Jo ikIlhthe i -tW I PjA'QjE TjU Ne'rMh A nTt Jm choi RlB 0yH v.a nWh L'T IT GjojplH 'rBg 0 UT A h3 rabat Ia apot PUN Nil I kHse b7a 4T tYV I SBWIA I DBP A a JL aTs eIn tb a i krl 1 yIm "Ht lE IE ftTjcCJ ST ena LE JU eBhIE AD STONE oTCjCT Ui I jSIE RIyMb' 6 SjTlu ElHI I lit! A TlEWSjUjN I Tfciv I KT IiE bTt eC 1 pImIo tToIsBo er NCjS 1 1 Is C3fo 1 1 i A 6 VlFB EiB'S QiN 11 I-!" 1 1 fl "if- suit i c'aIBsiaInIoMb I IeIGiE.S mmmml wIhTT ITl gbe en natty enough to lift Diane Drake's routine screenplay to what could have been and should have been sophisticated heights.

The Specialist. 1995. Warner, $96.99. "Wham. Bang.

Thank you, Ma'm." That best describes Peruvian director Luis Llosa's actioner featuring Sylvester Stallone as an explosives agent with the personality of an armadillo. What's scary is that Sharon Stone brings out the best of Stallone's bomb specialist. How? Well, not in bed. Her slimy character hires Stallone's he-man to rub out the mobsters who killed her parents. In between big bangs, "The Specialist" moves lickety split.

But fast-paced direction does not ensure great home-viewing. It's just comforting to know that stone-faced Stallone and Stone will be off the screen sooner! By Max McQueen Cox News Service Angels in the Outfield. PG, 1994. Disney, $19.99. Only a miracle will end the baseball strike.

Until then, fans of the national pastime can cry in their pretzels and beer while watching baseball-themed videos. The latest is a remake: "Angels in the Outfield." Director William Dear looked to Clarence Brown's 1951 comedy for inspiration for this family film about the "California Angels." This down-and-out major league team is shoved out of the cellar by real angels. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the boy who sees winged players sent from heaven. Danny Glover is the skeptical coach. Dear directs with all ages in mind, so even households without children should find this easy-going, predictable effort a winner.

Only You. PG, 1994. Columbia TriStar, $96.95. In "Only You," Norman Jewison tries to present a light, breezy love story between two Americans in Venice. Marisa Tomei is the star-struck bride-to-be who takes one last fling.

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All-over screen prints on team colors or black. In sizes M-L-XL. Selection varies by store. Boys' 8-20. TALE DUE v-v 7 UMip THEUISUhLItlVAULti ADVENTURES PrrnQ Rn I STAGE iiilllD Alexandria IWall SHOWTIMES SHOWTIMES Monday-Saturday 10-9 Sunday T.n nn rwe..