Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 16

IMTTSBI Rf.ll POST-GAZFTTE: 12, 1980 10 11 1 -f I TT I ti npi 'Beat' Has Little Heart ny 16tn: Unlucky Uay tor Moviegoers inearer L10CK I instead for the formula route of accepted and recognizable signals that portend disaster, followed by an explicit dose of gore. Every time a back is turned to the camera, every time a character disrobes or wanders off alone, or investigates a sound, or does anything Post-Gazette Review 4 On Screen ALL THAT Slwwcaaa Eaft Norm Mi, Ml and tli. "BFMO Manor it and Mi. "LACK STALUOW: Flaitr 1, J'l), J.JO, Hi and 10. Cirwnwn tat): 14S and 4S.

StWWCH By CEORCE ANDERSON Pott-Gaiat Orama Critic Hollywood seems to have declared open season on writers. First it was Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone's "gonzo" journalist of the Nixon era. whose life and career are thoroughly trashed in the appalling current film "Where the Buffalo Roam." Now it's Jack Kerouac, literary youth hero of an earlier era, who is given a destructively superficial treatment in "Heart Beat," the new film at the Chatham Cinema, Downtown, the Monti: and "COAL MINE1 Shoocaw Eai A lit and Mi.

the film swear by the spooky stories they have heard. As the counselors (all newcomers including Bing Crosby's son Harry, Adrienne King, Laurie Bartram and Kevin Bacon) prepare for the summer season, endless point-of-view shots let us know someone is watching them, and sure enough, quiet slaughter seeps into the camp. The one plausible villain is quickly excused from suspicion, so the eventual unveiling of the murderer comes as a total surprise. Special effects and stunts are by Pittsburgher Tom Savini, who has worked on "Dawn of the Dead" and other George Romero films as well as Dusty Nelson's "Effects." Savini obviously delights in creating mutilated bodies, and with the exception of some rubbery throat-cuttings, the effects are graphic gurglers all too clearly photographed. "Friday the 13th" is minimal on plot, suspense, and characterization.

It's not very original or very scary, but it is very low-budget. This film is rated because of excessive violence. By MARYLYNN URICCHIO Poat-Gaiatta Staff Wrltar "Friday the 13th" has nothing to do with superstition, but it's a mighty unlucky day for the counselors at Camp Crystal Lake. One by one they meet gruesome deaths at the hands of a throat-cutting, jugular-piercing, ax-wielding maniac, with nary a clue as to why they are being systematically exterminated. Produced and directed by Sean S.

Cunningham, best known for the cult classic "Last House on the Left," "Friday the 13th" is a rather traditional horror film that conjures up images from "Halloween" and "Carrie." But "Friday the 13th" is not as effective as a Carpenter or DcPalma film simply because no attempt is made to distract the viewer from the technique. Conditioned as horror movie audiences are in these days of excess, it is important to disguise the scare set-up if the jolt is to succeed. Cunningham and writer Victor Miller opt iIEAO" "CENTERFOLD McKiwttt: I and 11. Denis in Mt. Lebanon and the McKnight in the North Hills.

the least bit foolish, it is distinctly clear they're going to get it. Horror films teach us not to be brave, inquisitive or independent. Now playing at the Gateway, Downtown, and at a host of area theaters, "Friday the 13th" takes place during the longest 24 hours in filmed history. Camp Crystal Lake has been re-opened after lying dormant for 20 years. It seems an unresolved series of murders in the past has marked the camp as haunted, and the townsfolk, Including Walt Gorney as Crazy Ralph the only interesting performance in "Heart Beat" is a foolish and inept "CHAPTER Sauttl HUa VMaga: and I.

"DARK Klnga Court I and Mi. Onamalta taal, "EVERY WHICH WAY RUT SNowcaaa Wart MJ and MS tank: 4, I and 1ft, Cintmttia South: 7:10 and Cintma 12: ft and 1ft. Cinama World: and It. McKnight. 7.4 and Mi.

attempt to portray the origins of the ulMaf ISick Nolle in "Heart Beat' Post-Gazette Review Road," feeding a roll of paper towels fthoweai "FRIDAY THE into nis typewriter, rade out. Beat Generation, epitomized by Ker- Enl Watt 1, 20 and 70. Cmir. 4, 4, I and 10. Fade in.

He is still sitting there, but Cjnamafla South. North mill 1 1 ouac's novel "On the Road," a literary sensation of the conformist '50s. the paper winds its way all over the room in piles a toot deep. The film is based on the memoirs nf The effect is almost as ridiculous as 'Stunt Rock': Even the Stunts Are Boring Carolyn Cassady, whose late husband Neal was the inspiration for the charis ft. Caiama Work and 1ft.

"HEART Chatham CJnttna: 7:45 and M5. Dann: ft and 10. McKmonr. 7:30 and fciO. "KRAMER VS.

Snowcaia North: and MJ. tank: 4. 4. I and 10 Cinametta Eatf. I and 10.

Damft: 7:45 and 45. "LADIES A MO GENTLEMAN, THE ROLLING STONES'. ShoKcaM Eaii, Wail i North: 1:15, 7:20 and t.lt. the scene of Hunter Thompson typing on the front seat of his car as he drives frantically through San Francisco in By MARYLYNN URICCHIO matic main character in i Kerouar's novel and, thus, a symbol for the "Where the Buffalo Roam." Post-Gaztttt Stan Wrltar It's filler time on the theater circuit, that aimless, embryonic rebellion of what became known as the Beatniks. The Kerouac phenomenon is worth a serious movie, but it will take lull before the nervously awaited summer Neal, Carolyn and Jack shared ev films make their long-publicized appearances on local screens.

"UTTLE someone more skilled than writer-director John Byrum to pull It off. erything together, and their brief menage a trots in surburbia seems to 4, 4, 10. Caiama World: I and I MJ. ft and lAi a Byrum is one of those film-makers This explains how something like "Stunt fascinate the makers of "Heart Beat" more than any literary or sociological "NORMA RAE-: Warnar 1:45. 1 whose continuing employment is a chance to be seen, perhaps the most amazing feat of all.

A cheap quickie comprised of stunt footage from various obscure films and location shooting at the Mayfair Motel in Los Angeles, a very loose narrative is threaded around the exploits of Australian stuntman Grant Page. His dialogue sounds like excerpts from a Wide World of Sports interview, with an occasional "Hi, this is my cousin" thrown in to get the story rolling. His "cousin" is in a pathetic rock group Post-Gazette Review Rock," disguised as a movie, can slip into 11 importance these people possessed. deserted area showcases. mystery.

As a writer, he did "Harry and Walter Go to New York" and "Mahogany." As a writer-director, he The film begins promisingly under the ooenine credits, with thp mmhrnnm It does not explain whv Volker "THE NUDE Showcaw Won ft North: 1:15, 7:10 and 1S. Funon. 4, 4, 1 and 1ft. Cinama World: 7:45 and 1ft. Cmanwtt East 7:45 and 45.

cloud of an atomic explosion, which Scholondorff's "The Tin Drum," winner of this year's Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, usnerea in me uneasy postwar era. garet Gerard, who writes about Page, have nothing better to do than spend their evenings backstage with him listening to Sorcery's monotonous drone. That's about it as far as plot goes. The concept of "Stunt Rock" is touted as unique, which it certainly is. Directed by Brian Tren-chard-Smith from his and Paul-Michel Mielche's script, "Stunt Rock" has nothing to recommend it It is unbelievably shoddy, from beginning to end.

It is also torturously boring. Smith even fails in his attempt to make the stunts look interesting, and it is admittedly difficult to make a man who sets himself on fire and jumps off cliffs seem mundane. "Stunt Rock" is the kind of movie that should never have been made. That it is playing at the Showcase Cinemas and area drive-ins is an insult when there are so many good films available that Pittsburghers never get the opportunity to see. This film is rated PG because some of the stunts revolve around violence.

gradually giving way to a self-parodying shot of a suburban development of or Keinhard Hauff "Knife in the Head," currently receiving rave reviews, or uiue ooxes. soupcon or Incorrigible or any number of Into this paradise of barbecues and "RETURN OF THE TIGER FuttoK IM, fcM, ft and M4. 7 4 nwE ROSE-: Warnar. US and "A SIMPLE SqufcTal Hi 7:45 and Mi. "TUNT Showcata Eatt, Wait 4 North: 1:30, 7:40 and good foreign films could not take "Stunt Rock's" place.

bomb shelters. Cassadv and Kerouac Kiss imitation with named Sorcery, a bad magic as their theme. introduced their own unorthdox life Certainly in a city the size of Pittsburgh style which included cultivating cannabis in the front yard. there is more of an audience for good foreign Tnere is obvious material here for satire, but "Heart Beat" over-simplifies it by introducing a couDle so films than for total garbage. The bottom line is that no film could be worse, or do worse business than "Stunt Rock," so why not risk a little "artiness" and book something substan did Inserts and now "Heart Beat" All total failures artistically, financially and by every known scale including the metric system.

His principal accomplishment in "Heart Beat" is to make the obviously compelling Cassady a self-centered, inarticulate bore. The pity is that Nick Nolte gives the impression he could really play the role if given half a chance. He's an actor who is not afraid to commit himself to a challenging role. Sissy Spacek seems miscast as Carolyn, a Southern debutante with a Bennington education. She sounds like Lo-retta Lynn and her wardrobe seems to have been bought second-hand from an old Joan Crawford movie.

John Heard is oddly twerpy as Kerouac, and Ray Sharkey is unavoidably embarrassing as a Greenwich Village poet modeled on Allen Ginsberg. film is rated because of four-letter words and one short nude scene. The members dress up in costumes, sing about sacrificing virgins and a guy posing as -Merlin chases the Prince of Darkness around the stage with fire balls. Supposedly, rock audiences think this group is hot. Fake TV star Monique Van de Ven, who works with Page, and aspiring journalist Mar- square they make Ozzie and Harript "WHERE THE BUFFALO Manor.

7:45 and MS. BUHL PLANETARIUM: hm Iha Plana!" at 2:15. PITTSBURGH PLAYHOUSE: "Lady Smsi tia Nuaa." ToiugM 41 and 10. look like hippies. Three times we are tial? shown their stunned reaction to dinner at the Cassady home.

Be that as it may, "Stunt Rock" gets the The rest of "Heart Beat" is eauallv misguided. Portraying a writer at work CMU Picks Music Department Head is always dillicult for a visual medium, but Kerouac's efforts are so sillv it is MAXWELL SMART is ACENT 86 Harry Franklin, who has taught Diano at ment or from elsewhere. Franklin, a native Pittsburgher, is hard to accept him as an actual person who was taken seriously bv many Carnegie-Mellon University since 1957, will replace Robert Page as head of the school's music department. widely respected here as a pianist and a teacher. Page is a nationally renowned critics.

The announcement ends speculation We see him sit down to start "On the choral conductor and was recently as to whether the music facultv would named music director of Pittsburgn seek a new head from within the depart Mendelssohn Choir, a job be will retain. i. IPB T-J GENERAL CINEMA THEATRES NEW EDISON HOTEL ii DAtMG RISOUE (NtERTAMMENTt MVH 1 NJU MOMENT AT THE EDISOM EvtTf OrnnilV linimau rntmuinm lyrmriniacyt 1 1 1 a "ftvi-i 1 11 1 1 j.i 'i. Jim CHATHAM Chatham Center DENIS Mt. Lebanon McKNIGHT McKnight Ri i -mm.

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8,00 1 10,00 FOR EVERYONE WHO LOVED IT. FOR EVERYONE WHO MISSED IT. 119 SIXTH DARK STAR At 8 00 9:45 PM (PGl Taday at 7:45 BEING THERE At 7 30 4 9 45 PM (PG) 421.1033 I 1729 MURRAY AVi. Currr Eastwood 3 ctit TWillll I Ml Mil WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM Al 7 45 19 45 PM iff) WILL TURN YOU tjr 1 00, 4.00. 00.

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TONIGHT Adult I iO CHAPTER 2 At 7 304 9-45 P. (PGl BARGAIN NIGHT SI. 50 EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE 7 30 9 30 (PG) Clint Eotwood BARGAIN NIGHT ADULTS $1.50 EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE 'THE BLACK STALLION" NORTH Today at 1 30. 7:10 9 40 wvrt i p- 7:40 i 9 45 (PG) Clint Eastwood LIVE STAGE SHOWS DAILY Al Sh SI SO At AN limn NORMA RAE At 7 4 4 45 PM (PGt FRIDAY THE 13TH AIB004 IO-OOPM (ft) 3 EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE ONE SHOW 8 00 (PG) AU SEATS $1 .50 PG Aaan MiaWaatFri.tSat. Opo KRAMER vs.

KRAMER NORTH ONLY Today at 1 00. 7 30 ft. 9 45 Aault FiU. Syll ALLTHATJAZZr E'ST HOPTH Tody at 1 45 7 20 9 35 CENTERFOLD SPREAD 8 00 4 10 00 PM (P) EVEIT WRICB WAT BUT LOOSE At 7 45 4 9 45 PM rTW4i 3 CHAPTER TWO 7 30 9 45 (PG) Jomej Coon Pilot Fly your own plane. See what's for sale under "Airplanes" in the classified ads.

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