Muncie Evening Press from Muncie, Indiana • Page 14

THE MUNCIE EVENING PRESS, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1984 PAGE 14 MOVIE REVIEWS 'Country' By KEITH ROYSDON Evening Press staff writer Part of the rash of farm-oriented films this fall, "Country" is a strikingly moving family drama that isn't just for moviegoers looking 1 for homespun wisdom and down-home homilies. It is a stirring experience. Although plagued by behind-thecamera troubles through much of its production, "Country" emerges as one of the year's best and most effective films. Jessica Lange, who also cofarmwife in don, Iowa. She produced, stars Jewell Ivy, a is the backbone of a family that includes her husband, Gil (played by Sam Shepard), her father, Otis (played by Wilford Brimley) and her children (Levi Knebel and Therese Graham as the oldest).

Together, the family farms 180 acres of land that has been in Jewell's family for 100 years. The farm is threatened when government agencies review the Ivy family's financial status. Told they are losing money every year, the Ivys face the cancellation of their goverment loans. Once the loans are recalled, the government forecloses on the farm and begins to sell the family's property and land. Although ostensibly about a farm family Gil pronounces farming "a of life" the appeal of "Country" springs from the actions of the family once it is threatened with the loss of all that they own.

Surprisingly, Gil retreats into called a 'stirring experience' Jessica Lange stars in the contemporary drama "Country" family overcome inner turmoil to stand united against adversity. It may sound trite and maudlin, but "Country" presents it all in an unsentimental, unsensational way that has won praise from critics and more importantly real farm families throughout the country. Miss Lange, Shepard and young Knebel are all topnotch. Brimley, in another of his patented "crusty old drunken self-pity. Jewell rises to the occasion and fights back.

She supports neighbors in similar circumstances, then recruits the neighbors in a gripping, climactic showdown with the government at the foreclosure auction. While some moviegoers may leave the theater disappointed that "Country" doesn't resolve all the troubles of the Ivy family, they can take comfort in seeing an American grandpa" roles, is given too little to do. The supporting cast is the most realistic, un-Hollywood seen on screen this year. The film, released by Disney's Touchstone distributing arm, is directed with a painter's eye by Richard Pearce, the second director brought in to oversee the film. "Country" is a richly rewarding experience for moviegoers of either urban or rural backgrounds.

'Silent Night, Deadly Night' is poorly made and acted By KEITH ROYSDON Evening Press staff writer If bad taste was visible, the accumulated bad taste of the makers of "Silent Night, Deadly Night" would be as visible from space as the Great Wall of China. The ineptly made horror film has raised a chorus of protests around the country since it opened last Friday. Parents of young children were among the most vocal, complaining that the movie's depiction of Santa Claus as a psychotic axe murderer is not something they want their kids to see even in TV commercials for the film. On the other hand, a few local parents have complained because Picasso pastel brings $4 million NEW YORK (AP) A 1923 Picasso pastel sold for $4.29 million Tuesday night and a Modigliani painting was purchased for a record $1.925 million as 45 impressionist and modern works of art were auctioned, a spokeswoman for Christie's auction house said. The pastel, "Femme Assise au Chapeau," was one of two Picassos depicting seated women that sold at the auction.

The sale brought a total of $21.3 million, according to Lili Friend, a spokeswoman for Christie's. The pastel, which was sold by the Edward James Foundation and purchased by an anonymous private buyer, brought the second-highest price at auction for a Picasso, she said. A self-portrait sold for $5.8 million in May 1981, she said. The second work by Pablo Picasso sold Tuesday night, "Femme a la Mandoline," was bought by the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, for $1.925 million, Ms. Friend said.

The painting was from the collection of publisher and former ambassador Walter Annenberg, who also is a close friend of President Reagan. A Claude Monet painting, "La Promenade," also from the Annenberg collection, was sold for $2.09 million to an anonymous New York collector, Ms. Friend said. the Muncie theater showing the film won't admit their under-17 children. Movies at Muncie Mall has instituted a virtual rating for the film, anticipating protests over the movie's controversial content.

At any rate, the producers of "Silent Night, Deadly Night" which was made under the title "Slayride" are chuckling with holiday glee. All the attention this laughable movie is getting helps sell tickets. The movie is about Billy, a young man whose parents were brutally murdered 14 years before by a armed robber dressed as Santa Claus. Billy's already warped perceptions of life in general and Christmas in particular are reinforced by his upbringing in a Catholic orphanage that's run by one of the most malevolent nuns in movie history. One Christmas eve Billy's mind snaps.

He goes on a murder spree, killing residents of a small Utah town with whatever sharp object is handy including at one point the antlers of a stuffed moosehead. It all leads to a showdown at the orphanage between the psycho boy and the nasty nun. The film features something to infuriate and offend almost everyone. Although Billy does not kill any children, despite despicably teasing hints that he might, he does mutilate a number of adults most of them engaged in sexual relations at the time. The nudity, harsh language, gore and disturbing theme of the film add up to an unpleasant experience.

"Silent Night, Deadly Night" would be more of a shocker if it weren't so dull and so badly made, with terrible acting, phoney-looking Thanks To All Of Those Who Supported Me MARY LOUISE BAKER Pd. for by Campaign Committee Mary Louise Baker for Judge Thank You from the Village Banquet Facilitles It's our first anniversary. On behalf of the staff and management of the Carolina and Delaware Banquet Rooms, we would like to thank, Muncie and surrounding areas for their support during our first year. The Village Banquet Facilitles 4805 Wheeling Ave. (Adjoining The Village Bowl) 289-4430 'Just the Way You Are' an enjoyable comedy By KEITH ROYSDON Evening Press staff writer What might have been a refreshingly adult treatment of the way we feel about the handicapped and the way they feel about themselves is undercut by a jumbled screenplay.

Nevertheless, "Just the Way You Are," which opens locally tomorrow, is an enjoyable romantic comedy. Kristy McNichol stars as Susan Berlanger, an accomplished concert flutist with more than a little wit. She is single and has the typical movie-type goofy best friend (played by Kaki Hunter) and an untypical fiance named Frank, played by Timothy Daly. Susan and Frank, a stockbroker, make a terrific couple in every way but one Frank is gay. Really just friends, the two have turned I to each other as mutual security blankets.

Susan makes a good impression to Frank's status-conscious colleagues, and Frank is understanding about Susan's affliction she wears a leg brace as a result of a birth defect. Her handicap causes the people around Susan, especially eligible bachelors, to feel differently about her. Tired of being treated with pity, Susan comes up with a scheme: she convinces a doctor to put a false cast over her brace and then travels to a European ski resort. There, she's just another injured skier, free to vacation without fear of pitying stares. Complications arise when she meets and falls in love with a photographer (Michael Ontkean) on the slopes.

Should she break it off and go back home or risk losing her new romance by telling him of her deception? "Just the Way You Are" is a' better movie than might be; expected, considering that some of the scenes were filmed more than a year after others were shot the delay was due to the illness of Miss McNichol. The young actress comes, across pretty well, nicely under-: playing her role. The supporting cast, including Robert Carradine and Lance Guest, is fine. As the movie progresses you get the idea that "Just the Way You Are" was hurt less by the delay in filming than in the reported back; stage struggle among a crew of writers. Alan Burns, a TV veteran, gets credit for the screenplay.

Director Edouard Molinaro, in his first English-language film, does well. "Just the Way You Are" is a pleasant enough romantic comedy. (An interview with Kristy McNichol appears on page 11.) 'Oh God, You Devil' debuts at top in theaters HOLLYWOOD (AP) "Oh God, You Devil," starring George Burns in the dual title roles, gunned down "The Terminator" at theaters nationwide last weekend, while a horror film depicting Santa Claus as an ax murderer drew both big bucks and picket lines. Warner "Oh God, You Devil" was worshipped to the tune of $5.6 million in its Fridaythrough-Sunday debut, while Orion's "The Terminator" captured $3.4 million to slip to second place after two weekends on top. Columbia's "No Small Affair," the second of three films to open last weekend, was the No.

3 moneymaker. The other newcomer was TriStar's "Silent Night, Deadly Night," which scared up $1.4 million for an eighth-place showing a fairly strong performance since it was playing at only 398 theaters compared to more than 1,000 houses showing each of the three topthe grossing films. just However "Silent Night, Deadly Night" also drew some protest over killing spree. People picketed theaters in New York, Peoria, Ill. and Milwaukee, and some television stations, including four in New York, either refused to air the ads or would only run them late at night.

Some theater owners also reportedly refused to screen the film. Tri-Star's New York spokeswoman was in a meeting and did not return telephone requests for comment on the protests and on reports that the company was expecting to expand release of the film. Orion reported a 62 percent gain in business for "Amadeus," which checked into 308 new theaters for a total of 419 screens and scored $1.6 million for a sixth place showing. MIDNIGHT CONFRONTATION. Lilyan Chauvin, who plays Mother Superior in "Silent Night, Deadly Night," confronts Danny Wagner, who plays Billy, in this scene.

makeup and inept direction by Charles Sellier. Sellier, interestingly enough, is the man behind a made films like "Chariots of Gods" and "Grizzly Adams." It just goes to show you that some types number of dumb, low-budget Utah- will do at ything for a buck. its subject matter Santa on a Phone 747-5777 FAMOUS BRANDS GIFTS SPECIAL SAVINGS MEN'S BIG MAN Children's Jackets SWEATERS Flannel Shirts MICHAEL JACKSON CAMPUS-ROBERT BRUCE NO ONE ELSE OFFERS THESE NEW WAVE LOOK LE TIGRE EXTRA SIZE SHIRTS AT A FANCY STYLES OTHER NAME BRANDS DISCOUNT PRICE 2 COLORS -SIZE TO XL TO XL SIZE 2X to 3X REG. VALUES WERE $13 to $31 ASSORTED COLORS TO WHILE $31.00 00 ALL VALUE PRICED 300 LAST FINAL (MANY HIGHER PRICED STYLES SALE PRICED OFF) THEY SALES Down 999 LADIES' LADIES' RAINCOATS LADIES' JEANS ALL WEATHER COATS SWEATERS A SPECIAL PRICE ON NAME KNOW THE BRAND! WE ARE NOT SPECIAL GROUP SIZE TO THINK OF THE BEST YOU'LL BRAND JEANS ALLOWED TO ADVERTISE AT HIGH FASHION STYLES SIZES to THESE PRICES. ZIP-OUT (ASSORTED STYLES) LINED -ASSORTED STYLES WHILE THEY LAST REG.

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