Tri-City Herald from Pasco, Washington • 25

TRI-CITY HERALD CS Around Town: Film FRIDAY FEBRUARY 1 1999 should never have appeared 'Homeward a boring animal film Bill Murray makes Jodie Foster shines in I didn't see the original The Incredible Journey which my Dad says was released by Walt Disney In 1961 He soys it was great movie For some reason Disney decided to do it again This time called Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey The movie is about a family that lives in the country with two dogs and a cat They to move to the city but cant take their animals with them The oldest son Peter thinks be back in a week and tells that to the animals Animals always believe their masters so they wait patiently for his return After a week they begin to worry about the fomily and decide in trouble So they head for the city to look for them The rest of the movie Is about the adventures they have crossing the mountains in search of their masters I like the idea that animals can communicate with each other which happens in cartoons a lot but not in real life In this movie the two dogs and the cat talk about a lot of ordinary stuiT Instead of some deep animal thinking what you get is the same things humans would talk about if they went camping My favorite character was Chance who was a young American bulldog He was always getting into trouble by sticking his nose where it be stuck Michael Fox did his voice The other dog was a golden retriever named Shadow He was the leader and the oldest ofthe group The foith-fiil Shadow always did what he was In 1988 George Sluizor directed a critically acclaimed foreign film The Vanishing Its popularity prompted some producers to give the story a shot in English seen both films bother with either The Americanized version stars JelTBridges Kiefer Sutherland and Nancy Travis Bridges plays a college professor who is a card or two shy of a fiill deck He's unhappy in his marriage and dreams of killing someone Not all is bliss in the relationship even though it crawled along much of Sutherland and his girlfriend like its American cousin Sandra Bullock They're on vacation With a really geeky haircut and near Seattle when they have a major some coke-bottle glasses Bridges spat After kissing and making up makes agreatvillain The way he us-Bullock goes into a convenience es his voice facial expressions and store to grab some refreshments mannerisms are perfect Sutherland never sees her again Sutherland also is good as the Assuming the worst he mourns stressed obsessed boyfriend He for her for three years while wallpa- Rives this role an underweight diapering the countryside with posters tracted feet a nice touch but not bearing her image His obsession enough with knowing what happened to Bui- Sluizer does a better job of direct- lock leads him to a confrontation ing the new version than he did the with the slightly off-centered 1988 film It has more tension and Bridges better acting but still lame In the three years since Bullock's 77w Vanishing is rated and is disappearance Sutherland has met playing at the Clearwater Cinemas and married Travis She quickly It rates two bags on the Mr Movie ze-tires of his obsession and tries to ro-to-five scale make him choose the future or the past GROUNDHOG DAY Like all movie heroes Sutherland Great writing makes great films makes the wrong decision and stays Actors often get all the glory but with the past which eventually writing is where at brings him into contact with Bridges In the case of Groundhog Day Bill and the truth about what happened Murray will grab all the glory beta Bullock cause after all the star Unfortunately In both films by the unfortunate because the raves time we get to that point we no should go to Harold Ramis and Dan-longer care what happened to her ny Rubin who wrote a brilliant in-him or any of the other characters sightful and original story I haven't The premise is terrifying but the ex- seen a film this unique since Woody ecution is poor Thrillers should Purple Rose cfCaxm grip us and keep a knot of tension in Murray is TV weatherman Phil the middle of our stomachs This Conners a jerk who wears an ice-film trudges rather than grips and storm-sized chip on his shoulder has a lame Hollywood-ized ending The only thing he could really love is I liked the 1988 ending a lot better a fiill-length mirror Each year Murray visits Punx-utawny Pa to do a weather segment at the annual Groundhog Day celebration when a groundhog also named Phil lets us know how much winter is left Mumy hates Groundhog Day and takes his frustrations out on fellow crew mates Andie MacDowcll and Chris Elliot Arrogance and ego rule until the fickle finger of fate taps the man on the shoulder zipping him into a Twilight Zone-like time-warp From there Murray is doomed to repeat Groundhog Day over and over until he gets it right The resulting story is a hilarious and pointed look at the importance of living each day as it should be lived Ramis who has given us Ghoct-bustera and a dozen other films outdoes himself with this one This is an utterly charming piece of work that asks and answers some life-changing questions In a very clever way Ramis and Rubin illustrate the different combinations and possibilities that face us each day Every decision or event in our lives can be positively lifechanging yet the net result may still be the same This movie is brilliantly thought out and works on every level Murray is ideally cast as the droll egocentric and ultimately frustrated weatherman He deadpans his way through some very meaty material with nearperfect timing the best done since toeRazor's Edge in the The supporting cast is a delight as well MacDowell fairly glows as the perfect foil to the curmudgeonly MurrayElliot (Late Night WithDoirid Letterman) stands out as a hapless TV photographer who is often the focus barbs Groundhog Day is a fresh and inventive film filled with laughs and thought-provoking ideas I loved it Groundhog Day is rated PG-13 and ASSOCIATION FOR COMPUTING MA- CHINERY SIGGRAPH A computer graphics dub 375-2784 ASTRONOMY CLUB 783-1 845 AUDUBON SOCIETY Lower Columbia Basin told Don Ameche who played in Folks and Cocoon was the voice of Shadow Sally Field was the cat Sassy She was real snotty and was always complaining about something And like most cats she spent too much time cleaning herselfi Although I like the movie I think interesting that they can train animals to act Sometimes the animals almost seemed like they were really talking Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey reminded me too much oflots of other animal movies I've seen this plot before in Benji the Hunted and several other movies that also that interesting Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey is rated and opens tonight at Pasco Family Theater Rate it two-and-a-half child-sized bags ofhot-but-tered popcorn on the Junior Movie zero-to-flve scale AndyWolcott12lsasMh-gnderat Badger Mountain Elementary In Richland PurchiM imm price tqutranm) bodysmith Introducing Body Smith ProSystem The complete strength training system with a power rack and a built-in lat machine No cable changes Flat and incline bench Arm curl leg curltextension and low row stations Limited lifetime warranty 310 LB GIVE YOUR PROGRAM A LIFT RESTON Wine starts today at Clearwater Cinemas Give it five bags ofhot-buttcrcd popcorn SOMMERSBY Love stories just work for me Success means the plot has to be a bit contrived and it will generally move with all the speed of molasses A person can stand only so much syrup before the gag reflexes set In Character chemistry is everything in a love story There has to be a real spark sizzling beneath the surface of every scene to give it any credibility atalL Sommersby with Richard Gere and Jodie Foster docs just that It sizzles This is an absolutely electric love story But it's still a love story moving in molasses-like fashion to its corny Harlequin-romance-like ending Set in the post-Civil War South Gere is a soldier returning home after a six-year absence Though he knows a lot about the town and the people there Is some doubt as to whether really the guy As his wife Foster should know She docs but she Or at least she telling She love her husband before he went to war and begins to like the changes since he got back Eventually the really foil in love butamurder trial and a jealous suitor get in the way of wedded bliss Sommersby crawls along and we have to stretch to buy off on the plot However the magnetism between Foster and Gere makes this a film to catch Their characters are compelling and both bring real passion to their roles Foster proves again she is as good as they get Her performance is top-notch Could this be another bestae-tress nod? that good Sommersby is rated PG-13 and is playing at Uptown Cinemas It garners four bags of hot-buttered popcorn chapter 946-8966 BRIDGE LEAGUE 94601 68 or 7836823 Please see AROUND Page 1 ewsemble- VMS I IfllMMt (-Umfttd oWir wtth ton mlrtcMom FREE Come visit our winery gift shop park and vineyards and taste our wines Located 5 miles north of Pasco on Highway 395 Must be 21 to taste wine videos Cost is $5 CaH 9465157 THREE RIVERS CHILDREN'S MUSEUM at Columbia Center CaH for group lours 783-631 1 A fly-tying workshop Is 1 1 am-1 pm Saturday at the museum DESERT VALLEY PONY CLUB 547-6035 MOTHER'S CENTER PLAYTIME 3754901 PRE-SCHOOL ACTIVITY TIME at the Pasco Parks and Recreation Department CaH 545-3456 ACTIVITY TIME for 6 to Syear-oWs 586-41816X1293 TRI-CITY FAMILY CHILD CARE ASSOCIATION 735-7830 or 7360520 ACTIVITY TIME for 3-to 5-year olds 545-3456 BENTON FRANKLIN COMMUNITY ACTON COMMITTEE 547-1 224 Clubs AFS INTERCULTURAL PROGRAMS Kennewick -Pasco chapter 545-0664 or 582-9599 ACCESS-APPLE II Computer Users Group 582-2926 AIR FORCE AUXILIARY 946-2586 ALTRUSA CLUB (a classified professional service dub) of Pasco-Kennewick 547-2776 or 5864277 AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY of the Mid-Columbia 586720a AMERICAN SOCIETY for Training Development 3762503 AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR QUALITY CONTROL (Richland section No 0614) 37651 83 AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SAFETY ENGINEERS 373-2291 AMERICAN LEGION AUXUARY 5461 200 AMERICAN HISTORICAL Society of Germans from Russia 5864098 Mickey Co Clothing New Arrivals! GRETAWCO OLYMPIC SET MORE THAN 50 OFF COLUMBIA RIVER CELLAR WINES Case Lots Only (12 Bottles) With ProSystem Purchase uysi $199 Retail Value) Packages from as low as Chardonnay Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Reg Price $80 Case Now $28 Case White Reisling Reg Price $60 Case NOW $24 Case OPEN DAILY 10 PM Continued Page C4 RETIRED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES Counci Chanter 21 Cal 943-3511 COLUMBIA EDGEWATER RETIREMENT rtkHiwi1 fvift Aftnn RICHLAND SENIOR CENTER 506 Newton SL Call 943-7377 SL George Senior Concert Band from Vancouver British Columbia perform at 4 pm today at the Richland Senior Center 51 5 Swift BML Historic driving tour of Richland is Thursday Ckt is $11 and includes lunch and transportation Line dancing lessons: Six-week dass begins Feb 22 at the center Cost is $1 5 AARP CHAPTER 658 Cal 943-3627 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of Retired Federal Employees Call 582-5995 FUN FTTNESS classes tor people older than 50 at the Richland Kramer Center CaH 943-7377 55 AND OLDER SINGLES dub 582-2884 SUNNYSIDE RHYTHM BAND free Call 837-8660 KENNEWICK SENIOR CENTER 500 Auburn SL Kennewick Cal 562-3475 ELDER DAYCARE 586-9344 SENIOR INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE Franklin Comity is available through the Pasco Senior Center 1315 Seventh Ave in Pasco Cal 545-3459 Kid stuff KIDS AFTERNOON OUT for ages 2-12 is 1 1 '30 am-330 pm Feb 20 at the ARC of the Trf-CIties 767 Wiliams BML in Richland Festivities Include arts and crafts games and THE vENESCO 04 COLLECTION BE MY VALENTINE This year show your Valentine how much you care with a gift of love that will always be remembered An exquisite figurine from The ENESCO PRECIOUS MOMENTS Collection is a loving reminder of your most heartfelt sentiments Come see our extensive selection of PRECIOUS MOMENTS figurines and accessories and give one to your special Valentine today! gjfrrarfreril CgmmcgcgrTfi Soprano Penny Johnson Thursday May Carpenter's Tools Monday Mar 29 7:00 pm Toby Barb Waldowski Sunday Feb 21 7:00 pm Bass George Hogan 6 7:00 pm i ii 11 rrrr cfiamfcet -j- $30 Donation for Season Ticket Sponsored by Central United Protestant Church 1124 Stevens Drive Richland Steve Harter Director of Music For Tickets or Information Call 943-1143 I il 'SS- 2601 Albany jj Kennewick 783-6178 Sunday June 6 7:00 pm Sunday Dec 19 7:00 pm NatPIfanilttMCMt 1ST tw.