Muncie Evening Press from Muncie, Indiana • Page 20

The MuncTe Evening Press Page 20 Thursday, November 3, 1983 M)(ofr? MOVIE REVIEWS- Ball State's 'Equus' is latest leaves viewer unsatisfied well-acted and well-staged By ELOISE ORR Mark Snvder erows in his role as Of Evening Press suff writer "Equus," currently playing at the Ball State University Theatre, is a vt well-staged, powerful production. Action takes place on a single, stylized set, alternately trans-' formed by the actors into a psychiatric hospital, a stable, a home, a movie theater and a field. The play opens with psychiatrist Martin Dysart. splendidly por-Mrayed by Ray Chambers, as narrator, recounting his introduction to cthe1 17-year-old stableboy Alan Strang. Strang was brought to Dysart for "treatment after he gouged out the eyes of six horses.

1 Dysart learns the boy worships I-horses (for which the Latin word is Veoiius) and envies him his passion. Atone point, Dysart asks, "Can you think of anything worse than to take 'away his worship? What else has he Dysart own life, void of 'gods: seems meaningless by com-" parison. Yet Dysart must treat the boy's at the expense of his great passion for life. Pry or 's By KEITH ROYSDON For The Evening Press Leaving the theater after seeing "Richard Pryor Here and Now," I had an uneasy, unsatisfied feeling. Unsatisfied because the film isn't the equal of either of his previous "live in concert" films, although the new one boasts some funny moments throughout.

Unsatisfied because of the drunken hecklers that Pryor had to contend with when the movie was taped in New Orleans last August, and also because of the feeling that Pryor had rushed this concert movie into the theaters, little more than a year since his last one. The material in the new film isn't especially memorable, and while it is worth seeing, it isn't the instant classic of comedy the previous two were. Much of the first third of the movie is spent on a running dialogue between Pryor and the unnaturally rowdy audience, which can only be explained by the obvious presence of alcoholic drinks in the audience. The audience for the most part lapsed into embarrassed silence while the comedian fended off the asinine advances of the more outspoken, audience Pryor was plainly upset by it; I Richard Pryor in a scene from 'Here and Now' viewer's comments on i movies get attention know I was, upon seeing it on mm. Only once does the situation prove entertaining: When a man from the audience gives Pryor a small crab in a glass, prompting a couple of minutes of funny improvisation.

The balance of the movie is spent on Pryor's funny, often biting comments on his usual racism, sex and drugs. Although funny, none of the material stands out in the memory. Pryor, to his benefit, uses a constant parade of characters to enliven the jokes. Other topics include his trip to Africa, covered in more depth in "Live on the Sunset Strip," and politics, an unusual topic for the recent Richard" Pryor. During that segment the comedian makes some especially strong remarks about President Reagan.

Low points include a lengthy visit with old philosopher Mud-bone, whose recollections are less entertaining with each visit and a long dramatic interlude in which Pryor depicts a junkie waiting for a fix. It is chilling to watch and demonstrates the comedian's rich acting talents, but is out of place in a comedy film. Also slowing, things down "are some self-congratulatory inter- the studio was at the top of its torm. releasing atmospheric chill pictures starring Vincent Price, among others. The talents behind and before the cameras in "The Final Terror" belie the fact that it is a substandard scare picture, with no shocks, suspense or logic.

One of the credited screenwriters is Ronald Shusett. who co-authored "Alien" with Dan O'Bahnon. In front of the cameras is a cast divided evenly between unknowns and. actors who wouldn't normally do this type film unless as a struggling voting performer looking for a break, which leads us to believe that the movie has been finished but unreleased for at least a Morgan Brittany, who plays televi sion newscaster Katherine Wen-tworth on "Dallas." World Wide Pictures is the film organization of the Billy Graham Association, and the internationally known evangelist has a cameo role in the picture. The film centers around Greg Stuart (Hammond), restless, rebellious son of Elton (John Cullum) and You'll find no scares or logic in 'Final Terror' By KEITH ROYSDON For The Evening Press Backed by an expensive television campaign, the movie "The Final Terror" is bringing crowds to theaters nationwide.

The crowds don't know (and can't tell) that the film is part of the "teen-ager in trouble" cycle of a few years ago and apparently has been sitting on a studio shelf somewhere since that time. Best described as a cross between "Deliverance" and "Friday the 13th," the movie is being distributed by Samuel Z. Arkoif, an old-time producer who is best remembered for heading American International Pictures during the 1960s, when Strang. Initially, as an uncooperative patient answering questions with a TV advertising jingle, or self-consciously shouting obscenities, he seems a caricature of the tortured youth. But the hypnosis scene is marvelous and his per-.

formance following the intermission is powerful and convincing. Karen Klee does a fine job as Hesther Saloman, the magistrate who refers the boy to Dysart for treatment. And Becky Mclntyre is excellent as Dora Strang, Alan's mother. She effectively conveys guilt, confusion, and love for her son, at the same time disavowing blame for his condition. Directed by Edward S.

Strother, "Equus" has been entered in the American College Theatre Festival for selection as one of the productions to be performed in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Performances are scheduled for 8 o'clock tonight through Saturday. Tickets can be purchased at the theater box office, 285-4131, weekday afternoons. and about By Keith Roysdon year that isn't a sweepstakes giveaway offer or a holiday season gift suggestion.

If you'd like to comment on anything relating to local entertainment, write to me in care of P.O. Box 2408. Muncie 47302. Keep those cards and letters coming! Who knows? You may even use up all those stamps before the next postal rate increase. MOVIE WITH MESSAGE: Prodigal." one of the few Christian-oriented films to open with an extensive television advertising campaign, begins its run Friday at the Delaware Cinema.

Among cast members are Hope Lange and Morgan Brittany. Other Friday openings include "The Osterman Weekend," based on Robert Ludlum's best-selling espionage novel. The movie, which stars Rutger Hauer and Craig Nelson, is playing, at the Northwest Plaza Cinema' "Deal of the Century," starring Chevy Chase. Sigourney Weaver and Gregory Hines. opens Friday at Movies at Muncie Mall.

Chase plays an illegal arms dealer. Look out only two weeks until the local opening of the last 3-D movie of the year, "Amityville 3-D." This one should be really scary, kids, as Count Floyd would say. senior class will be selling pumpkin 1 pie by the piece for 50 cents or whole pies for $2 each. Coffee will be served. Proceeds will go toward the senior trip.

On Friday evening from 6 to 7:15 the school will host an open house for friends and families interested in seeing the school and meeting the icdcners. are tramed and ready for display in the home. Proceeds will be used to finance the possible participation of the Picasso and the American College ah wotks ineatre Festival. ALL YOU Richard Pryor Here and is certainly worth seeing. especially for hardcore, Richard Pryor fans.

But those same fans might find it no comparison to his earlier concert films. mentioned above, the stars of the film are a couple of unknowns. John Friedrich and Joe Pantoli-ano. Friedrich plays an- intense forestry worker who leads the survivors in a guerrilla warfare campaign against the killer. Pantoliano plays thoroughly unlikeable looney.

(an choice for prime suspect. Supporting players include Mark Metcalf. remembered as bad. guy Doug Niedermyer in "Animal House." and pretty Cindy a model. Despite good performances and photography, "The Final Terror" is lacking in almost every other, virtue one could hope for in a film -especially terror.

Friday the possibility of an extra-marital affair. The Stuart's Son. Scott, seems to bear too often the brunt of his brother's "prodigal" lifestyle. The character. is played by Arliss Howard.

Joey brother of actor John Travolta, plays a minor role as Tony, who enlists Greg in a dope-smuggling enterprise, stepped in for Evening Press columnist Dick Stodghill earlier this week, something that's always fun to do. Dick often uses his "In the Press of Things" column to answer mail, as we sometimes do here. This week is such a No matter what I might write about in these pages, it seems like the topic that gathers more mail than any other is. movies. It's plain to see that Muncie people take their movies seriously.

Most of the mail proposes a contradictory opinio ion to a movie review I've written. something that's not surprising and snot unwelcome. received an especially interest-" ing letter from Emmett Dulaney of Yorktown this week, taking exception, to my. review of the current, 'film "The Dead Zone." based on the by Stephen King. Dulaney 's was strongly pro-book and anti-film, just a little in disagreement with the views expressed in fny Although Dulaney admits to being an ardent admirer of King's books, he makes some valid points about the film's shortcomings in contrast to the novel's fine points.

Mentioning this is by way of thanking Dulaney for his letter. Getting mail from readers is always fun, and a nice way to 5 reassure us that you're paying attention. Not to mention the fact that it's a refreshing change to get anything in the mail this time of the Christian film 'Prodigal' opens views at the top of the film, with Pryor and with audience mem- bers waiting in liner Theses moments distract from the ons- tage intent of the rest of the couple of years. Those actors include Rachel Ward, who's hot since starring in Burt Reynolds' "Sharkey's and "The Thorn Daryl Hannah, who appeared in "Blade Runner" and 'Summer and Adrian. Zmed.

who starred in "Grease 2" and is featured in the TV series Hooker." The simple-minded plot of the film finds a group of forestry service workers and their girlfriends and rafting! through the California wilderness. They are stalked by an unseen killer and ultimately, must use wilderness war tactics to survive. Despite the familiar names Anne Stuart (Ms. Lange). Most of the family's trauma stems from Greg's antics, but they produce some of their own as well.

Elton Stuart is a business-possessed insurance executive, whose business and church activities leave little time for his family. His wife Anne is an unfulfilled woman who finds time on her hands and finds herself confronted with 284-1241 284-3019 SAME GO! 1515 Chesterfield By PATRICK BLACK Evening Press staff reporter "The Prodigal." a Christian film that shows how easily a family can slip into emotional and spiritual breakdown, will open at the Delaware Cinema Friday and run through next Thursday. The film was produced by World Wide Pictures and stars John Hammond Blue and the Hope Lange and Tinocchio' to be presented I by Heritage Hall students THE SATURDAY EVENING POST Founded A'O: 1728 by tWn, Elementary students at Heritage Hall Christian School will present the play. "Pinocchio." at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Nov. 10. and at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11.

Tickets are $1 for students (K-12) and $1,50 for adults. They can be purchased in advance from any Heritage Hall student or at the Beginning at 6 each evening, the SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: 7 30 Mm BiFikUu 8 45 Wurthtp Smart II 00 Worship Wr Mf Silver lupK will "What mean I hntiutrt in SrtuUi LOCATION: novation Rood boowocn N. WALNUT STREET and WHEELING Theater department sets arts show BGUfiH CM. The Ball State University theater department is sponsoring an art show and auction on Friday, Nov. 11, in the Ball State Theatre.

The art works will be exhibited at 7:30 p.m. and the auction will begin at 8 p.m. ROBERT SILVERS Vic President and Aaaodalc Pnbliahxt, Th Saturday Evening Foot will b. .1 CENTER CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, SUNDAY, November 6th, 1983 It includes original such as Calder, uan, theater department in CAN EAT TO 2703 S. Mailitton 23'18 KilKor Wheeling 378-0226 lithographs, etchings Neiman, and other graphics, watercolors and original oil paintings by many of the world's most renowned artists KocKweu.

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