Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • 54

CZ SUNDAY, FEB. 1, 2004 DETROIT FREE PRESS WWW.FREEP.COM 1 I 1 i "THE STATION AGENT IS HILARIOUS! -in MtruM, mi mr (if urn FT restoration serves BRITISH ACADEMY FILM 1 AWARD NOMINATIONS BEST PICTURE nV VnfVJ odern Tunes' very well Mm Bv JOHN MONAGHAN IKl I. I'KtSS SPLC I.U WRIItR V' mww This is Chaplin's last appearance as the character known as the Little Tramp. 'Modern Times' out of 4 stars Unrated; nothing objectionable 1 hour, 27 minutes 7:30 p.m. Monday Detroit Film Theatre at the DIA 5200 Woodward, Detroit 313-833-3237 $6.50 211 S.

Woodwaid 248.S44.Fli.fVI ULuruiK uniu ivn WAIKt MIKI NOW PLAYING NOW PLAYING UPTOWN STAR THFA1HE STAR THEATRES STAR IH1 AIRES UPTOWN PA11ADIUR li SRATIOT B.BU,uu.u. ramtiM tnilluriflD S8681-342I) PHOENIX THEA'WS Al BEL AIR Curat 3134i8-i494 SHOWCASE CINEHAI IEAC0H EASI CISEtU 248644-FllM 24S454-0J66 248372 2222 1 STAR THEATRES STAR UIO 6REAT LAKES THEATRES Other surprises await in "Mod' S0UIHFIE10 24832-2222 CROSSING 248454-0366 GOODRICH STAR THEATRES CARTON i 10HR-R 734981-1900 UNITE 0 ARTISTS AMC ern Times," including a brush STAR THEATRES MIR I0HN-R SOUTHOAtE 20 COMMERCE LAUREl PARK 10 734284-3456 248585-2070 STA0I0M 14 7J4462-6200 with a cocaine-like nose powder, the kind of moment that helped spark interest in Chaplin and the other silent comedians during the 2480-b01 AMC STAR LIVONIA FAIRIAHF 7.U442-990S 734284-3456 SHOWCASE CINEMAS Slf REINS 1-10 S8699-3I60 STAR THEATRES IAF10R 734287-2200 PHOENIK THEATRES WEST RIVER CERIRI 24S88-6572 SHOWCASE CINEMAS WESI1AROI-0 UN.TFO ARTISTS CDHMFRCC I SIA0IUMI4 248o-5aol SHOWCASI 1, C.NEMAS DEARBORN I I 313561-3449 STAR EAIRIASE 313240.6389 AMC FORUM 30 586254-S663 313240-6309 EMAGINE SHOWCASE CINEMAS IIERLINGI-IS S8699-3I60 STAR THEATRES TAILOR 734287-2200 PHOENIX THEATRES WESI RIVER CENTRE 248788-6572 AMC R0VI FORUM 10 248319-FILM AMC LAUREL PARA 10 734462-6200 AMC LIVONIA 70 734442-9909 IMAGINE N0VI 248319-FILM hippie days. He's also joined here A 586254-5663 STAR THEATRES STAR THEATRES R0CHESIER BRAII0T HILLS by Paulette Goddard, his offscreen love interest and most-fetching costar. 7J42H-IOW) Accttd For Thl FniAienient. Sony.

No Paism AcDoptoif Fo Tltn ChorA ThMlw OifflrtotiM for Shnwiimol Dir.rtnt'M Fw Shnwl, Cherli Characters like Goddard's "A Gamin" an orphaned, barefoot Charlie Chaj)lin is rightly cited jjs one of the past century's most popular and influential figures. The restored print of "Modern Times," playing Monday at the Detroit Film Theatre, only helps further that reputation. Restoration can be a tricky word at the DFT, meaning every-thing from a new print to a frame-by-I'rame digital cleanup. This one, commissioned for the film's Kirent release on DVD, falls in the Liter category, bringing a revelatory brightness and clarity to Chaplin's Depression-era gem. I doubt this could have looked any heller during its original release.

There is now an added texture and metallic sheen in the scenes that open the film, where Chaplin plays an overworked factory employee. The sequence, a cross between Henry Ford's assembly line and "Metropolis," still has relevance as Chaplin, unable to keep up with the work, gets swallowed by the machine he is slave to. This is Chaplin's last appearance as the character known as the Little Tramp and, though spry enough, he shows the effects of two decades in Hollywood. Chaplin was well into his 40s when the film was made and his face, a chalky glow in previous releases, P4TV girl whose father was killed in a labor demonstration give some weight to the claim that Chaplin focused too much of his energy on sentimentality and pathos. Yet she also fuels some of the movie's 4 now shows lines of age.

In many ways, "Modern Times" works as a survey of Chaplin's career, including its four-part structure, which gives the impression of four Chaplin two-reel shorts strung together Charlie in the factory, Charlie the night watchman, Charlie the singing waiter, etc. Scenes and shots recall earlier films as well, like those in a rundown cabin mined from his 1925 masterpiece "The Gold Rush," to a roller-skating interlude fresh from "The Rink," a short from 1916. Most amazing is how Chaplin used his own score and sound effects, but effectively avoided creating a truly sound film. By 1930, silent movies were officially dead, so for Chaplin, circa 1936, to make a popular movie whose only dialogue came from mechanical devices (a TV intercom system or a recorded sales pitch) is testament to the power that he had at the time. NOW SHOWING AMC FORUM 30 If AMC LIVONIA 20 best comic situations.

MAPLE ART MJR S0UTHGATE 20 NOV) TOWN CTRTSI STAR GRATIOT STAR GREAT LAKES! MM COMMERCE Corny or not, Chaplin keeps his sights set on the audience that initially embraced him and made him a superstar. In the swan song that is "Modern Times," the Little Tramp displays the silliness, but also dignity, of the common man. 21 THE YEARS BEST PICTURE!" Contact freelance writer JOHN MONAGHAN at madjohnearthlink.net. NO PASSCS OR DISCOUNT COUPONS ACCEPTED CHECK MOVIE GUIDE OR CALL THEATRES FOR SHOWTIMES 1 I ON THE WEEK AHEAD .4 OUirLliOL IliliiLLLIl 4 JUST DOiTT GET AN1 Alva BETTER THAN TKiSI Mill blow om j' i I fA Sffl ACCESS HOUVWOOO GAME ON! LIKE OLD TIMES They were among the greatest titles back In the days when you played video games on a refrigerator-sized box "Joust," "Spy Hunter," "Pitfall." Now they're back, and everything old is new again. Catch Free Press Game Master Jim Schaefer's review today in Game On, Page 6L 1 St "Rok.

I l.uiilio ACL AMPAI. AK, in U. Un NT. IMA, MKC, MME, SDMM a sP80 ftna Super movie deal Whether or not you're going to watch the Super Bowl, Star Southfield is providing a deal that could lure you out to the movies, offering anyone who buys a ticket today a free pass for a companion. John McCauley, senior vice president of Loews Cineplex, says the offer is not only good for those who want to catch a flick before the game.

"If you are in the small percentage of the population that won't be glued to the TV come game time, this is a great reason to get out of the house to see a movie with friends." The Star Southfield, which is the only Loews Cineplex in the area offering the deal, will also have Detroit Lions players Luther Elliss, Eric Beverly and Chris Cash on hand to sign autographs from noon to 2:30 p.m. Star Southfield is at 12 Mile and Telegraph. For showtimes, call 248-372-2222. By Todd Spangler, Free Press staff writer Cabaret Fest '04 It says something profound about composer Ricky Ian Gordon that his songs have been embraced by interpreters as diverse ns Audra McDonald, Dawn Up-shaw, Renee Fleming and Betty Buckley. Gordon's sound is based in the classical art song but also embraces the modernist aesthetic pioneered by Stephen Sondheim.

Gordon's songs are melodically generous and they revel in literary sources, drawing on texts by poets ranging from Langston Hughes to Edna St. Vincent Millay to Jane Kenyon. The Kerrytown Concert House celebrates Cabaret Fest '04 with a program titled "An Evening with Songwriter Ricky Ian Gordon." Performing with Gordon will be Wendy Bloom, Deanna Relyea, I. eah Dexter, Karen Roberts, Paul Tipton and Jason Wilhoite. 8 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, 415 N. Fourth, Ann Arbor. Reservations, 734-769-2999. By Mark Stryker, Free Press music writer NOW SHOWING CHECK MOVIE GUIDE FOR SHOWTIMES 9 1 1 3 vmvEiuuminnpnPPn RV Til nflfPI mum CALENDAR GIRLS 'XMXM iyj III! 1 -i- si 4 IP" SI I I BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE THE FOG OF WAR Jm Irrol Morris fil PG -1335? calendarglrls.movies.com eSUEW VI8IA INTEFWATIOHAL Ml RIGHTS RESERVED. now iHjlsrjMSSP mm (Jt BROSXSR wwwfoqofwBrmovfecom www sonydassics com al AMC FORUM 30 586-254-5663 CANTONS 734 98I-I9O0 i- PHOENIX WEST RIVER 248-788-6572 SHOWCASE WESTLANO 734-729-1060 AMC LAUREL PARK i 248-462-6200 EMAGINE N0VI 248 319 3456 SHOWCASE DEARBORN 313-561-3449 STAR FAIRLANE 313-240-6389 ,1 mm hi pK main art AMC LIVONIA 20 734-542 9909 MJR S0UTHGATE 20 734-284-9456 SHOWCASE STERLING HTS.

586979-3160 STAR GRATIOT at 15 MILE 586-791-3420 STAR ROCHESTER HILLS 248-853-2260 UA COMMERCE STADIUM 14 248-960-5801 STAR JOHN Rat 14 MILE STAR GREAT LAKES CROSSING 248-454-0366 STAR TAYLOR 248-287-2200 check directory for SHOwnMB, STAR SOUTHFIELD 248-327-2222 UPTOWN PALLADIUM 12 248-644-FILM GOME OUT OF THE COLD 'E Mm ma IHTO THE KlEflT! Ru rmnl Rociicr, CNctuto Siaritinatr NOW PLAYING In-. "lllli UliSl HCTLKli Br nr? onm li MAX "Sara Foster is V-fVXV H'FVl" stunninjShefs 'YVf4r-bnetowatchl" n'vUt VK NBC-TV (MIAMI) 4 Pi I ill Jan. 31: 10am 3pm 7pm Feb. 1: 10am 3pm Feb. 2: 3pm Feb.

3: 3pm Feb. 3pm Feb. 5: 3pm TICKETS ON SALE NOW! At. 20900 0AKW00D BLVD. DEARBORN, Ml CALL: (313)98? 600! FOR ACWANOf TICKET SALES GROUP TICKET SALES A WORK OF ART I'LL RRMEaMBIiR FOREVER." "The Big Bounce1 will bounce you down a road A-'iX; no.mi.m;i-1 4tM- I I Bl-ST SCRtLMtAV WiiT OIuXjLNAL SONG fcA iV a- TXT mystery and Intrigue, -WBWB DETkOIT jr i Fki mm NOW PLAYING BIRMINGHAM 8 EMAGINE IMOVI CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORY 248-644-FILM 248-319-3456 FOR SHOWTIMES.

0 $11 PS COMEDY 1 ACADEMY AWJIRDY" NOMINATIONS I 1 II I 8 l-S-i best Pienini IN AMERICA TWO IMS MA ROW 0EST DSRECTOIS PG13 PARENTS STROKGUr CAUDOm RUSSF.I.I. CROWE WARNER BF(M. TO.T1 mtS EilflSTEBjiNo iiagriia' INfllTAIMMIMT faxuil CoiHsnt AnJ Hudlly, Violence ml Langmgt Amtrlci Onllm K((wor: Tin Big Booses www Asbiglisunu esni NOW SHOWING AT THESE THEATRESP the rAn hue or ihi whi. iskttf JiU. BIRMINGHAM 1 AfC hJ LfVONIA MAU AWCf0NUM30 AffCUURUPARK AMC UVONIA 20 BIRMINGHAM NUAMM litiHAWI II4JUIU1 TMUWM TJ4 MJ Mt WM4IU EMAGINE NOVI 248-319-3458 AMC LivOlMIA ZD 734 642 9909 CHECK DIRECTORY FOS SHOWTIME J.

248-644-FILM STAR FAIRLANE 313-240 6389 CANTON 6 (MAG INC NOV! Mft S0VTHGATC 20 PWr1 MX 8H0WCA5I 'IIW Mt II MM tMWMW SUfHrt IIIMIUM STAR GRATIOT at 15 MILE 086-791-3420 showcase iTiuti showcak somas. iJ VMSLm1 tJH 7)4'JtjaM HlMJMII IUTI1HM 141414 MM two mrvn mm csil tmfstrm rm SHowTiMfs NO PUSH OR OtCOIWT COUPONS ArCFPTf STAR SOUTHFIELD UA COMMERCE STADIUM 14 SMP I0HN I Ml If It STAR TAYLOtt UA C0MMERCC fllllllJW MtWMIMI STAR TAYLOR fllllllJW STAR ROCHESTER STAR SOUTHMU) Ml HI Ufl Mi7 tlil 248 m)l t.Mi-v"i,r.ijMrnV.t,i..,l...!t!,a 'Ht I Pi.