Daily News from New York, New York • 223

3) MOVIE REVIEW mm fl As SEW The mariachi returns, with more money and Banderas By JOYCE J1LLSON Pot JUAN M. MENDEZ El Daiiy News Staff Writer DESPERADO. Antonio Banderas, Joaquim de Almeida. Steve Buscemi. Salma Hayek.

Directed by Robert Rodriguez. At area theaters. Time: 106 mins. Rated R. If i 4 1 i 4 Three years ago, a young Mexican-American director surprised Hollywood and the rest of the country with a zero-budget action film called "El Mariachi." Columbia Pictures distributed the picture and hired director Robert Rodriguez to make several follow-ups to the story of a musician who surv ives a violent persecution by a gang of mafiosos.

This first effort was a great financial and critical success for Rodriguez, immediately hailed as a young prodigy. So it was a matter of time for "Desperado" to come our way. This is the 10-times bloodier and meaner sequel to the adventures of the guitarrista avenger. Some things have changed, starting with the mariachi himself. Carlos Gallardo, who played him in 1992, is substituted by Spanish sensation Antonio Banderas.

And now Rodriguez has a bigger budget It seems the director spent most of it on buckets of fake blood. Boy, does it flow! Actually, this is helpful, since the all-out violence is not to be taken seriously. However, you can bet that Republican Bob Dole will put "Desperado" in his list of films that are bad for the American people. Rodriguez catches up with the man and his mission as he searches for Bucho (Joaquim de Almeida), the drug lord responsible for the death of his girlfriend in the first installment Banderas travels from town to town with only revenge in mind. On the way there, he runs into beautiful bookstore owner Carolina, played by Mexican TV star Salma Hayek, with whom he forms an explosive alliance.

Also at hand in two fun cameos are Steve Buscemi as Bandera's "gringo" pal and Cheech Marin as the bartender who's not that afraid because in these stories "the bartender never gets killed." Original mariachi Gallardo has a tiny role as one of Desperado's guitar-and-gun partners. That's about it in the plot department But then again, it's all about the action. With Rodriguez claims his place next to Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction) as part of the young crop of American directors who are giving Hollywood what John Woo and others gave Hong Kong: a post-modern jump-start with kinetic editing, artfully choreographed shootouts, plenty of high drama, and enough self-parody. Banderas eases his way into the title role, even though his mariachi has more of flamenco dancer than of ranchera singer But alter the first 10 murders or so, we love him anyway. Rodriguez made a fantastic choice for female lead in Salma Hayek, who provides the right amount of sexiness, vulnerability and power to make Carolina the mariachi's equal partner.

We just hope the director doesn't acquire the James Bond-esque custom of giving the hero a different female counterpart in each film. Carolina is a great character and deserves to be back for more. J. ARIES (March 20-April 19). Others respond best when you're expressive.

If you feel pressured to make up your mind, check references and ask for opinions. Show that you are willing to budge. Eliminate ambiguity in a relationship. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Plan a journey with someone special.

A slick individual wants to sell you the earth and sky. Have faith in guarantees and promises. You're commended for recent artistic contributions. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You can heal emotional wounds by helping others.

Someone you admire confides in you. Avoid being your own most severe critic. You excel in the media and public relations. You're considered a valuable asset by a VIP. CANCER (June 22-July 22).

You can re-establish a relationship that once brought you joy. Diverse groups of people can relate to you. A chance encounter reminds you of what once was. A significant domestic adjustment brings happiness. LEO (July 23-Aug.

22). A new scenario is refreshing and liberating. Something you enjoy could be lucrative. Someone keeps coming back for more. If your heart is in it, let others know.

You're revered and respected behind the scenes. TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (August 25). Open yourself up to revolutionary experiences. A romance in September is possibly the real thing. Deals involving money in August will balance out in your favor.

December and January provide opportunities for you to become close to estranged friends. Enjoying life should be your goal in February. Your profound insight draws diverse people to you in April. Your best signs for courtship? Libra and Aquarius. VIRGO (Aug.

23-Sept, 22). Throw yourself into new experiences without being overly tentative or unnecessarily cautious. Acting impatient gets you nowhere, so sit back and allow things to unfold naturally. Romance is renewed. LIBRA (Sept, 230ct, 23).

You excel at anything requiring a group dynamic or community effort. A new person arouses your interest. Take familial goals seriously. Tonight, you awaken from a rut and begin to feel energy and confidence again. SCORPIO (Oct.

24-Nok. 21). You may need to tighten financial reins for awhile. Someone is understating the fact that he or she needs you right now. Assert yourself without appearing overeager or aggressive.

Find new ways to release anxiety. SAGITTARIUS (Now. 22-Oec 21). You dazzle others with your thorough preparation and focused attitude. You get a great deal of work done outdoors.

Those who act superior are simply insecure and intimidated by you. CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan. 19). Social activities are immensely gratifying. Establish a rapport with new neighbors or friends of friends.

A friend repays you financially on a whim. If you're feeling stressed or confused, write down your thoughts. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18).

Begin a new phase in which your own objectives and plans take center stage. Be absolutely positive before pledging or promising anything. You have the power to see through others and know what's really going on. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20).

Take a step to the side, and try to observe a situation through someone else's eyes. Decipher whether you're in love or just infatuated with the idea of love. Return phone calls. I ANTONIO BANDERAS and Mexican TV star Salma Hayek form an explosive alliance in Robert Rodriguez' "Desperado." The only disappointment in this sequel is a premature climax and most abrupt ending. After building up so much adrenaline in the audience, Rodriguez decides to not bring it home.

Was this to make us aware of our own attraction for violence? Whatever the reason, it was a misguided choice that may send the audience home with a bad aftertaste from an otherwise satisfying banquet of pulp filmmaking. MUSIC REVIEW t4 i By JOS'JE R. RIVAS El Daily News Staff Vinter 1 Id Time Shifter Giovanni Hidalgo Ralph Mer-cado, Executive Producer Giovanni Hidalgo, Musical Producer Giovanni Hidaigo, Musical ArrangementsMusicians: Hidalgo. Eddie Rivera. Eric Figueroa.

David Rodriguez. Lwe Soloff. Richard Nant. Mario Rivera. Johnny Al-mend'a.

Carlos Rodriguez. Hamilton Sanchez, Angie Machado, Jacques Schwartz, Anders Bostrom, Ulli Geizendorffer, Nelson Jaime, Jerry Gonzalez and Jose 'Manengue' Hidalgo Tropi Jazz Production The son of Manengue, as many people know Hidalgo, distinguishes himself in themes such as "Time the track title by Marty Sheller; "Call of the Jungle Bird" by Gil Lopez; "Yesterdays" by Jerome Kern and "Etho's Voyage (Viejo San Juan)" by Hidalgo himself, where he gives himself entirely. The CD's most 'jazzy', rhythmic and hot tunes are "Good Bucks," "Barandanga" by Armando Peraza and Nino Peraza, and "From this Moment on" by Cole Porter. The surprise of the album is the theme "From this Moment on," not only for its musical arrangement but also for the remarkable participation of singer Jill Amesbury in the vocal part Also appearing in the theme is Hidalgo's father, the well-known musician Manengue. The song is a real in cn () a "TIME Giovanni Hidalgo's new release is a Latin jazz collection backed by 16 Latino Jazz masters.

hit "Time Shifter," more than an album, is a good instrument to perfect that musical voyage undertaken by many musicians like Hidalgo, that its known as Latin jazz. Percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo comes back with his second album for the Tropi Jazz label in which he offers seven magnificent themes, with the musical backing of 16 Latino Jazz masters. 1 i'y at i.