Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 27

1989 MOVII REVIEW Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Friday, October 6, WHAT'S HOT 1 ft I -MW 41 1 -f 'v Movies in Pittsburgh 1. Sea of Love (7 screens) $68,000 2. Black Rain (9) $38,000 3 In Country (S) $40,000 4. Parenthood (9) $23,000 5. Uncle Buck (8) $20,000 6.

Johnny Handsome (5) 7. lethal Weapon 2 (10) $18,000 8. When Harry Met Solly (9) 9. Teen Witch (6) $12,000 1 0. Turner and Hooch (8) $11 ,000 Source: Variety.

Figures are estimates of business done in week ending yesterday. Theater in Pittsburgh 1. Joe Turner, Public (99) 3,568 Total paid admissions at city's professional theaters for the week ending last Sunday. Videocassette rentals 1. Rain Man 2.

Beaches 3. Tequila Sunrise 4. The Naked Gun 5. Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure 6. Mississippi Burning 7.

The'Burbs S. Her Alibi a ci ri 1 i Unsparing assault on apartheid By George Anderson Magazine Editor, Post-Gazette Dry White Season" is another indictment of the evil apartheid system in South Africa. Like "Cry Freedom" and "A World Apart," it largely draws upon the experiences of a white character, but it does have one distinction those predecessors could not claim. It is directed by a black woman from Martinique, Euzhan Palcy, whose feature "Sugar Cane Alley" was well-received and was shown at the Pittsburgh Playhouse: Surely she is the first black woman ever to direct a major Hollywood film. Palcy brings a distinctive viewpoint to material that is basically familiar.

In tracing how a white school teacher is converted from complacent comfort to angry advocacy on behalf of the oppressed majority, the film reminds us repeatedly of Sir Richard Atten-borough's heartfelt but unsuccessful "Cry Freedom." There are so many points of similarity, especially in scenes contrasting the pleasant lifestyle of the white Afrikaaners to the segregated Africans, that the element of surprise is consistently missing from "A Dry White Season." Even so, the film's earnestness and sincerity count for a lot. Palcy avoids the technical flourishes of Attenborough's film and the emotionalism we might have expected. In its best moments "Cry Freedom" was stronger, but in its weakest sequences, it was clumsier. "A Dry White Season" has been filmed in what we might call a dry gray manner, befitting the unblinking truthfulness of a documentary. Palcy lets the injustice of the film's story speak for itself, without embellishment or obvious anger.

In the film's largest role, Donald Sutherland plays Ben du Toit, a schoolteacher whose naivete about the realities of his own government are all too credible. Only when he sees the results of a severe caning administered to his gardener's son does he begin to have doubts about the kind of law enforcement most of his society is shielded from. When that boy disappears and his father is arrested for pressing too hard to find out what happened to him, du Toit begins to Marlon Brando, left, Donald Sutherland in "A Dry White Season." twin suvu i. twin enoift 10. Dangerous Liaisons in "Her Alibi" Source: Billboard Magazine national survey The chief interest, however, lies in the appearance of Marlon Brando, who believed in this project strongly enough to return to the screen after an absence of nearly a decade and to do the role for no pay.

His bulk is immense now, and he plays his role mostly immobilized. But he brings such ironic wit and freshness that he gives the movie its only levity and warmth. He recalls Sydney Green-street in his appearance, demeanor and florid speech. Also in the film are Susan Sarandon in a small, marginal role as a liberal journalist, Janet Suzman who is excellent as du Toit's wife who prefers that her world not be changed, and Jurgen Prochnow as the cruel police captain. "A Dry White Season" is oddly flat in its overall impact, but the validity and value of the film are beyond question.

If you're going Rated for two four-letter words and fairly restrained torture scenes, the film opens today at the Squirrel Hill and Showcase East. Post-Gazette rating: realize the scope of the cruelty and suppression practiced by the Special Branch of the police. He becomes radicalized by his experience and tries seeking redress through the courts and the press. His barrister advises him that justice and the law are only distant cousins in South Africa, and before long, du Toit finds himself breaking the law on behalf of a greater morality. This white man's conversion is, of course, quite similar to that of the newspaper editor played by Kevin Kline in "Cry Freedom." But if objections are again raised that Hollywood chooses to tell a story of black people through white characters, it can be argued that the system of apartheid affects both races and is not likely to be solved by one.

Also, the black characters are much more important in "A Dry White Season" than in previous films. Zakes Mokae, an exiled South African living in the U.S., is outstanding as a taxi driver who works with du Toit on unequivocally equal terms. Also prominently featured are Winston Ntshona and John Kani, authors of "Sizwe Bansi Is Dead," which was presented at the Pittsburgh Public Theater in the 1970s. HOME SHOW Records singles 1. Janet Jackson Miss You Much 2.

Madonna Cherish 3. Milli Vanilli I'm Gonna Miss You 4. The Cure Love Song 5. Rolling Stones Mixed Emotions 6. Tears for Fears Sowing Seeds of Love 7.

Young M.C Bust a Move 8. Warrant Heaven 9. Listen to Your Heart 10. Babyface It's No Crime Source: Billboard Magazine notional survey Records albums 1 Motley Crue Or. Feelgood 2.

Paula Abdul Forever Your Girl 3. Rolling Stones Steel Wheels 4. Milli Vanilli Girl You Know It's True 5. New Kids on the Block Hangin' Tough 6. Aerosmith Pump, 7.

Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation 1814 8. Tom Petty Full Moon Fever 9. Skid Row 1 0. Cher Heart of Stone Source: Billboard Magazine national survey Books fiction 1 Clear and Present Danger Tom Clancy 2. The Pillars of the Earth Ken Follett 3.

California Gold John Jakes 4. The Russia House John Le Carre 5. The Old Silent Martha Grimes 6. Polar Star Martin Cruz Smith 7. Joshua and the Children Joseph Girzone 8.

Knight in Shining Armour Jude Deveraux 9. Joy Luck Club Amy Tan 1 0. Oldest Confederate Widow A. Gurganus Books non-fiction 1. All I Really Need to Know R.

Fulgham 2. Wealth Without Risk Charles Givens 3. It's Always Something Gilda Rodner 4. Brief History of Time Stephen Hawking 5. Among Schoolchildren Tracy Kidder 6.

ft Was On Fire Robert Fulgham 7. Woman Named Jackie. David Heymann 8. From Beirut to Jerusalem Thomas Friedman 9. Toxic Susan ForwardCraig Buck 10.

Getting the love You Want.Harville Hendrix Source: Publisher's Weekly Baths, 'bobbies' and spuds lure homebodies By Donald Miller Post-Gazette Staff Writer ouch Potato, Revisited" is the name 'of a designer room at the fifth annual Pittsburgh Fall Home Show, I which runs today through Sunday at along the way for traditional and Euro-style installations. Many new products and appliances will be demonstrated in a series of stage presentations. Free design consultations, stage presentations, product demonstrations and experts to answer questions will also be offered. The kitchen and bath collection is coordinated by the Pittsburgh Tri-State Chapter of the National Kitchen Bath Association. metropolitan police of New Scotland Yard, will greet visitors to the show in an English tea garden where crumpets and scones may be enjoyed amid live trees and flowers.

The Fall Home Show is known for its room settings created by designers for celebrity clients. Returning this time will be the remodeling center, the kitchen and bath collection (tripled in size from last year) and the cooking center. In addition there will be an energy center which will focus on how to make a house more energy-efficient with updated heating equipment and insulation. Touring the fully appointed kitchens and baths, visitors will stroll from casual country to sleek contemporary setups, with stops the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

The 7-foot-long spud sofa, created by snack-food maker Snyder of Berlin, is the centerpiece of a "design showcase" neo-deco room coordinated by Pittsburgh designer Ron Kopko. The public will be invited to guess the weight of this furnishing made of Pennsylvania potatoes. First prize is a 20-inch color television, year's supply of Snyder products and a $100 bookstore certificate. Four London "bobbies," members of the If you're going Show hours: today 4-10 p.m. Tomorrow noon-10 p.m.

Sunday noon-6 p.m. Admission: adults $4.50, children 6-12 $2.50, children under 6 free..