Austin American-Statesman from Austin, Texas • 90

Austin American-Statesman, April 11, 1981, Page 27 Lavish 'Excalibur' just misses the mark review QJlcdmn 8 I ln Norlhwesf Hills. Delicious New York style Plna, Lasagne and Fettuclne Alfredo are lust a few of our specialties Enjoy our warm atmosphere as you sip our Chian-tl and Lambrusco. Monday-Thursday, Friday-Saturday; noon-9pm Sunday. Dine In or carry out. 345-574).

8127 Mesa Drive In the Mesa World Shopping Center. i 1 1 By PATRICK TACGART American Statesman Staff It says right here that the running time for "Excalibur" is 140 minutes, but you'll never convince meof that. John Boorman's lavishly produced new film is an amusing, and sometimes very exciting, failure. (How's that for putting mince to words?) It attempts to stir the King Arthur legend into a vat containing Wagner and "Star Wars," and the results are sometimes successful, sometimes not. Boorman, whose credits contain whopping successes and unredeemable failures "Exorcist II" and directed, produced and co-wrote the film, which is adapted from Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur." Boorman has endowed it with magnificent photography (with the help of cinema-tographer Alex Thomson) and a beautiful, otherworldly design (with the help of production designer Anthony Pratt).

And he has peopled it with excellent actors some known, some not. While almost all of the film's events are richly staged and executed, they do go on and on. Some economy, in both writing and editing processes, should have been exercised. And there's the mildly annoying problem of the soundtrack. Ambient noises were recorded to enhance realism, but the aural clutter sometimes makes the clipped British voices difficult to understand.

"Deliverance" fans will smile smugly when they see a familiar Boorman effect the hand rising out of the water. But in "Excaliber," the goal is not to frighten' but to make even more magical that special moment when the Lady of the Lake reaches out to recover the cursedenchanted blade. Because of some fleeting nudity and some rather graphic violence, "Ex-caliber" alienates what otherwise might have been its best audience children. But it is sure to appeal to those who can forgive some excesses in order to revel in the tr63surcs. rated at the Lakehills and Highland Mall Cinema.) The familiar name is Nicol Williamson that elegant, deep-voiced British actor who plays Merlin the magician in dark robes and a skull-tight silver cap.

The film opens as Merlin agrees to enable a feudal leader, Uther, to seduce the bride of a new ally, the Duke of Cornwall. For his fee, Merlin demands the offspring of the union. A child, Arthur, is born, and 18 years later the young man wows the surrounding nobles when he proves to be the only man capable of withdrawing the enchanted sword, Excalibur, from its home of stone. He becomes a boy king. A lengthy tale unfolds from here, and few details of the Arthur legend are spared.

We see the organization of the round table, the marriage of Arthur (Nigel Terry) to Guenevere (Cherie Lunghi), and the succession of Morgana, the Darth Vader of the Dark Ages, over her teacher Merlin. THE RED TOMATO That little family-owned Italian restaurant for great pizza, tasty spaghetti, lasagne, veal, manicottl, good wine 8 more. For those out of school a. those still In school, "Itsa nicea places" to relax enjoy good Italian foods. If you had your own little Italian restaurant, you'd have one like the Lunch M-F, dinner from 16th Guadetupe, parking at 17th 8, Guadelupe.

476-7202. OIL xican ANTONIO'S-11701 N. Lamar. 837-1193. 11-2, 4-9, Tue-Sat.

Delicious homemade Mexican dishes. Beer. Inexpensive to moderate. top records- Here are the top selling records nationwide for this week, according to Bill-fcoardmagazine. Top singles 1.

Kiss on My List- Daryl Hall 8i John Oates 2. Rapture Blondie 3. The Best of Times Styx 4. Woman John Lennon 5. Just the Two of Us Grover Washington Jr.

6. Morning Train Sheena Easton 7. Crying Don McLean 8. While You See a Chance Steve Winwood 9. Keep on Loving You- REO Speedwagon 10.

Don't Stand So Close to Me The Police Top albums 1. Paradise Theater Styx 2. Hi Infidelity REO Speedwagon 3. Moving Pictures Rush 4. Arc of a Diver Steve Winwood 5.

Winelight Grover Washington Jr. 6. Double Fantasy John Lennon Yoko Ono 7. Zenyatta Mondatta The Police 8. Face Dances The Who 9.

Another Ticket Eric Clapton 10. The Jazz Singer Neil Diamond Country single 1. You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma David Shelly West 2. Old Flame Alabama 3. A headache Tomorrow (Or A Heartache Tonight) Mickey Gilley 4.

Pickin' Up Strangers Johnny Lee 5. Rest Your Love on Me I Am the Dreamer Conway Twitty 6. Hooked on Music Mac Davis 7. Lovin' What Your Lovin' Does to Me Conway Twitty S. Loretta Lynn 8.

Drifter Sylvia FONDA SAN MIGUEL Texas' only restaurant serving exclusively interior Mexican cuisine. Delightful Mexican specialties including San Miguel's corn soup, carne asada tampiquena, enchiladas suisas seafood specialties In the ambience of Old Mexico. Full bar service. Delightful atmosphere. Dinner 7 nights, Lunch Tue-Fri.

Sunday brunch. 2 blcks west of Burnet Rd, at Hancock 8, W. North Loop. 459-4121. STARUTE BALLROOM JAIME'S SPANISH VILLAGE 8th 8.

Red River features fine quality Mexican food in a quaint, old world atmosphere at reasonable prices. Happy Hour Mon-Thur, 4-7. For a challenge try a margar-Ha Jaime. Friday Saturday we have mariachi music with the terrific female vocalist from Chihuahua, Rutrila (La Prita Linda). For reservations call Jaime at 476-5149.

802 Red River. Parking in rear. Open for lunch and dinner, llam-lOpm. Fri-Sat, llam-llpm. 1 tf SPJST1187 Jf ROUND ROCK 1601 FM 1460 For Rmt.

2S5-15S4 SAT. APRIL 11 JESS DEM AINE AND AUSTIN Country-Western Tonight, help uncork a classic. SUN. APRIL 12 5-9 LA RONDA Now 2 locations. tfl-Airport Blvd.

Manor Rd. 476-6811. Open weekdays 11-10; Fri-Sat 11-11. Happy Hour 4-7, Mon-Fri. 2-serving breakfast, Research BlvdFairfield.

454-744). Continuous service Saturday. HEART OF TEXAS CZECH polka 02A Ml BURRITO In Quail Creek Plaza, 9428 Park-field Dr. 837-2802. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Chile rellenos, carna asada, flautas, fajitas, pico de gallo, menudo, carne guisada, barbacoa de ca-beza, huevos rancheros, steak ala Mexicana, shrimp 8. chicken-fried steaks. Mon-Sat Sun Sam-lpm. Come try our delicious burritos other tasty dishes. If going to the same TRES AMIGOS The Mexican food Austin loves to eat is now at two locations.

North at 290 and 183, 926-4441. Southwest at 1801 So. Loop 360, 327-1776. Mexican favorites Include chile relleno, chalupa compuesta, fajitas and chllequiles. North location open Sun-Thur Fri-Sat 'til 11.

Southwest location open Mon-Thur, 'til 11 Fri-Sat, Closed Sundays. Party room available. old night spots has you feeling a little flat, here's cause for celebration. The Veranda is back, serving 'i family (OnMaiwiwtd up the kind of vintage good times that helped make us an Austin classic. Every week from now on, we'll treat you to some of the best nights- SCAMPI'S ORGAN PALACE Koenlg Lane at Lamar Blvd.

451-1115. A family favorite for pizza, spaghetti, lasagne, homemade sandwiches and ice cream. Entertainment features music played by request on a huge antique pipe organ plus movies, magic 8, more to delight all ages. on-the-town around. Nights that include our complimentary hors d'oeuvre buffet every Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 PM.

Dancing 'til all hours to all kinds of music. And a bar that's always bubbling with free first drinks for unescorted ladies. Tonight, help us uncork a classic. And get a taste of what's new at The Veranda. wcUlstening (Day THE VERANDA AMBERMIST- Round Rock-Intersection of IH 35 and Fm 1325, (Burnet Road).

Happy Hour 4 to 7 daily. Open 11am. Unique Aquariums. 11 42 Airport, 926 2708 9207 N. Lamar, 837-5013 8664 Spicewood Springs, 258 3063 501 E.

5th, 478 1166 2304 S. Congress, 444 2272 1721 Briarclitf, 9266226 13th at Lavaca We'll make your night the best part of your day. I 4707 Burnet, 453 6464 4514 westgate mi- win i i t.t 4 4 i i i 5522 PakcresC459 Town greek PV443 2729' at 4 1 I vS I' 1 -I.