Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 35

D-3 PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1996 ARTS ENTERTAINMENT 321 I U'i I I I Day' will blow 'em away MARYLYIIN URICCHIO MOVIES ITS EASIER TO SUBSCHIBE! CALL MOST MAJOR CUiOlT CARDS ACCEPTED 1 A SONDHEIM I FAVORITE, JlJ starring lesue 'Vlt' 1 UCGAMS! Tickets Available at ft the Benedum Center 1 r- 4 Locations or Call 450-0000 theVgAlden SPONSORS USAir fq7iiil7T4fl enegg iii 5 DOWH PERISCOPE (PG-13)INDEPENDENCE DAY (PG-13) HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME GJTOY STORY G) Presents r-- -1 Jiter ftffi'-K i Hs II A CLO PNCBANK. rF'spw vv r-i NOW SHOWING USMIKI (INtMAS SOUTHUUIDt 655-0500 tWMIK! (IIAS SJlVILUUii 835-7700 SNOUSSt W'ST TWP. 787-5788 SHOwosi imn MdUlltin ID. 935-5885 TI(WMK! OUMS niuiwit 784-1 40? rlui THfl niipctinn nf 1 fff'w. VAtt Through it all runs the driving question: Can we win this real-life game of Space Invaders and if so, how? Emmerich and company give short shrift to the aliens and their motivations for exterminating humankind.

In a way, they're what Alfred Hitchcock called a MacGuf-fin the plot point that seems important but really isn't. "Independence Day" needed a threat and chose aliens. The movie is really about those of us who reside on the third rock from the sun. Turns out we're a pretty feisty and entertaining bunch. no 1J fi-E CHEBWICK CRANBERRY MALL 362-7755JL 772-3111 WASHINGTON HQ.

kj. VERSAlUESflTE. 3D B31-5SS1 aaa.s59Q SQUIRREL HILL 432-7729 MONROE VILLE I 854-4424 Mcknight no. 935-5885 ROBINSON TWP, 787-5788 PTE. 51 SOUTH 1 1 WATERWORKS MAU 655-0500 784-10O2 SEAFOOD SHELL ON EXTRA $1765 LARGE SHRIMP JL lb FRESH ATLANTIC $95 LB.

MEAT (5 LB. OR MORE) U.S.D.A.IKSFECTED $199 BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST lb. U.S.O.A. INSPECTED FAMILY PAK BONE-IN 9 RIB STEAKS 99 LB. PRODUCE LARGE RED RIPE GEORGIA WATERMELONS KITCHEN WHOLE ROTISSERIE CHICKENS DELI ISALY'S CHIPPED HAM OFFERS THL'RS.

6-27 thru WED. 7-3 "NOW OPEN SUNDAYS 9-4" 1711 PENN AVE. IN THE STRIP FREE PARKING IN OUR OWN LOT $995 EA. 4M 1 59 Jl LB. ROBERT WH01ETS 'Independence DAY FROM PAGE D-l larger than life and as much fun as a movie can be that turns many of Earth's biggest cities and their inhabitants into intergalactic barbecue.

The movie efficiently dispenses with the basics. A spaceship emerges from behind the moon and deploys a dozen or so gargantuan saucers directly above Earth's biggest metropolises. As they glide into place, casting ominous shadows, we meet the characters. They seem to have nothing in common a technogeek (Jeff Goldblum), a hotshot military pilot (Will Smith), a drunken crop duster (Randy Quaid), the president of the United States (Bill Pullman), their families, friends and co-workers. Each has his own problems, ambitions and hangups, just like the cast of any other disaster film.

Each plays his part in trying to avert annihilation. That's just one of many well-worn science-fiction themes that "Independence Day" utilizes Earth-lings overcoming their differences to unite against a common enemy. In addition, the movie contains enough sci-fi pop-culture references to fill a "Star Trek" convention. Even a casual observer will note scenes, lines or in-jokes recalling "Star Wars," "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Dr. Strangelove," "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and "The X-Files," to name just a few.

It's probably no accident that Brent Spiner Mr. Data from, "Star Trek: The Next Generation" portrays a mad scientist in the movie. Those explosive trailers and com 1 nMKftH EATER Olradtdbr MARION ISAAC McCLINTOfT LAST 3 WEEKS) NOW THROUGH JULY 21 321 -9800 IU tM HtM HMMf t. Mil CALL THEATRES FOR FEATURES AND SHOWTIMES H2 WATERWORKS CINEMAS rax chapel 734-1402 MATINEES ALL SHOWS BEFORE 6 P.M. KMARIC mercials for "Independence Day" do not prepare you for the amount of humor it contains.

Emmerich and company have tongue planted firmly in cheek through much of this movie. Yet the filmmakers wisely resist the temptation to descend into camp or, worse, into '90s-style cynicism. It may be hip, in this day and age, to view heroism as hokey particularly as presented in the movie's more improbable moments. But there's something of an American archetype in Smith's insouciant bravado, in Pullman's can-do adaptability, in Goldblum's fascination with technology (which he finds more congenial than people) and even in Quaid's nut-case eccentricity. The filmmakers also slip in a little social commentary in imagining how people might react to the coming of the aliens.

NOW RAINBOW VILLAGE I McK NI13HT RD, ROBINSON 93S-BBBB 7B7-679B "Magnificent! Children will Adore it, and adults will be flocking to see it again!" -CeneShiln. TODAY SHOW "AlO! THIS YEAR'S FAMILY HIT!" -Suun Cunger. CRN 6 AMLRIGN MOVIE CLASSICS "A TRIUMPH!" e(f Cmg. sim SECOND preview CAkMIKi UNtMAS MONROEVIUi MAU4 372-6145 CARMIKE CINEMAS SOUTHLAND 9 655-0500 URMIK1 CINLMAS CALLf BIA 6 531-5551 CARMIKE CINEMAS CRANBERRY 8 772-3111 SHOWCASE WEST ROBINSON rWP. 787-5788 SHOWCASE NORTH Mcknight m.

935-5885 WATERWORKS CINEMAS CHESWICK QUAD IT. 28 CHESWICK 362-7755 KM CHAPEL 784-1402 MANOR THRIATEK SO. HIU 422-7729 GREATER PGH OR. IN ROUTE 30 E. 624-5590 DEPENDABLE DEL IN MOON TWP.

264-7011 CARMIKE i. if 1 JOYOUSLY HOWSHOWifiC ut "TTTrtr.iit'ilii aT friMifcWfWffltitfmfnuMfciftr fiiiiinnftffirri ii iVSI llv UUVJ11V11 III TIUVU1V1 VI UVV 11V UIV MIVUV Independence Day arrives 2 days early IVe been warned. I've already seen "Independence Day," and so I'm heading out of this major metropolitan area before the aliens invade. The rest of you can catch it starting tonight the countdown was moved up over the last few days. I'll be back when the coast is clear, so you won't see my column for a few weeks.

Assuming, of course, that we're victorious! KEATON COMING: Michael Keaton is coming home, at least for a few days, to shoot part of his new movie here in September. "Desperate Measures" is being directed by Barbet Schroeder, whose film's include "Single White Female" and "Reversal of Fortune." The thriller will be filmed primarily in Los Angeles, but some scenes will be shot here to take advantage of the acclaimed Richardson courthouse as well as Mellon Center. Keaton plays a prisoner sentenced to life who is approached to help the ill son of a detective by donating his bone marrow. Andy Garcia plays the detective. AN ILL WIND: Things were fine when "Kingpin" was filming here in Pittsburgh last fall.

The film's stars. Woody Harrelson and Randy Quaid, were seen out and about, singing at Graffiti and generally being nice, accessible guys. But things were not so great during the press junket for the film two weeks ago in Washington. First off, the press was miffed that Harrelson would only talk to TV reporters. That's usually a sign an actor is uncomfortable with anything that might require more than a two-minute sound bite.

Then Quaid refused to cooperate, as we've already reported, when the studio wouldn't give his wife, Evi, her own limousine. Evi released a statement saying Quaid's withdrawal had nothing to do with the car, but no better reason was offered, especially since Quaid had been flown to Washington expressly to do interviews. Then Harrelson withdrew, too. He did one day of interviews and left, claiming that he had promised his pregnant girlfriend he would join her for Father's Day. Like he didn't know that before? "That's not the way an actor should act when he's on the way down," a powerful film critic sniped to me in New York this past weekend.

CINERAMA CAMPAIGN: The New Neon movie theater in Dayton is launching an unusual campaign to promote the showing of old Cinerama movies. For those of you too young to remember, which is now most of us, Cinerama screens were long and curved and required three projectors to show the 146-degree picture. The New Neon has the projectors and prints of "How the West Was Won" and "This Is Cinerama." Now its owners are asking for public support to help convince their landlord and backers that enough people will come to make the alterations installing the curved screen, three separate projection booths and 21 speakers worth the effort and expense. So far, the New Neon has received re-spones from as far away as Iowa, New York and Michigan. They are asking people to write, and if possible, promise to buy tickets to the Cinerama events.

If they get 1,000 responss by the end of this month, they will become the only theater in 32 years to show Cinerama in this country. Interested? Write to Larry Smith, "We Want to Save Cinerama," The New Neon Movies, 130 E. Fifth Dayton, Ohio 45402. JUDY, JUDY, JUDY: The Andy Warhol Museum is devoting the month of July to Judy Garland, "Hollywood Icon." You can see "Andy Hardy Meets a Debutante" and "For Me And My Gal," along with Warhol standards like "The Loves of Ondine" and "Empire" there through the month. Call 237-8300 for information.

t4 1 in the universe -s N. VEBSAILLES-RTE. 30 I MONHQEVILLE MALL BS4.5590 I a7K-bia3 RTE. 51 SOUTH FORWARD AVE. B55-OSOO azi-790a nm i) CHEBWICK CRANBfcWRY 3B B-775S 1 1 MALL MOON TOWNSHIP 772-31 11 1 1 eS7011 I mum comedy: oul Wwnfor WRAI RADIO CMMIKI C1HLHAJ CMMIKI CIKEMAS SMOWUSilUT IWRIHVIUi 874-4424 772-31 1 1 664-4991 KAftMAR CIKtMAS lURMILRVILU 876-1960 tOUIRRH KILL KWWUD 421-7900 UUTTI PGHM.M 824-5590 riptlior nr rW wp orp dlnnp will fee answered tosigfit, 4 f.

-L 5 MCKNIGHT O. ROBINSON TWP. BJOOHda -o ao SO. HILLS VILLAGE WATERWORKS MALL i 784-1408 BJS-77UU en SQUIRREL HILL MONROEVILLE SS4-44S4 EDDIE MURPHY THE PROFESSOR srowcasE sf I snowcbse west HUHROtVllXe ROdlKSOVTWP. 7R7 FAe mog(o spirit thai made 'forrest Gmp' so popular is reborn in 'Phenomenon'!" DRAGONHEART PG-13) 7.1 DRAGONHEART (PG-13) ENDS 77 12:45,3:00 ENDS EDDIE (fM 1:20.9:39 niram mms THE CABLE GUY (PG-13) DIM 3:00.

5:05, 7:15. 9:40 TWISTER (PG-13) 12:15.2:30,4:50.7:10,9:30 'STRIPTEASE (S Wtl 12:35,2:50,5:00,7:20,9:40 'THE HUNCHBACK Of NOTRE DANE 0 12:40,2:50,5:00,7:10,9:30 'ERASER R) 71-12 12:15,2:35,4:55,7:20,9:50 'THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (PG-13) 71-72 1:00,3:00.5:00.7:10,9:30 THE ROCK (A) 71-72 1:00,4:00,7:00,9:35 MISSION IMPOSSIBLE P0-1! 71-72 12:50,2:55,5:00,7:20,9:35 THE PHANTOM (PG-13) ENDS 1:00 H0LL FLAKOERS Ft ENDS 4:00,7:00.9:40 sums PHENOMENON (P6-1J1 7,3 12:15 2:35.530.7:30 9:50 mi (rcij, surr ucohi rttmw "In the tradition of 'Ghost', 'Phenomenon' is this summer's sleeper hit!" ui Collin, wwoi-rr "One of the most moving and magital films in Urn Jr.Jf, tHt IUI0AIS MID 1 4th of July Specials FULL COURSE DINNERS Your Choice 95 Little Main Steak LiW i Fried Shrimp CORNER MAIN AND CHESTNUT AM si- www.mct.com unwal, (ilNFMAS mum RiHEMt UiHBOW 1 tBESWICK ouao f4 49? 1 a in estaurant Om 7UI.I U. ML I UL-I UL UT. EIXAXFASTSPECU1 7 BAYS A WOI Eggs, Homt Frui, Horn, Bocon or $4 95 Exctpt 4th ot Jury a 1 CAHHIKE CINEMAS SHOWCASE EAST SHOWCASE WEST LfHANOtMHT MONHQEVILLE t444j4 HOBIN50N TWP, iilniMimi mini urn nilniiifrfcai-in'iarivriiit aiili ni: liSFliiliilill HARMAR(MMAS II RT.28 HARMEFWH-LE 826-1960 MATINMS ALL SHOWS MK1 6 P.M. 'ERASER STRIPTEASE MISSION iPOSSIIU THE PHANTOM SPY HARD 'THE CABLE GUY TWISTER PHENOMENON (I 71111 2:45.

5:00. 7:10. 9:30 711712 10, 7 9:40 (P6-1!) 1147! 1230.245 SM 715. H5 IPG) EM 1:10,3:05.5:10 (PS-It) OH 7:30.9:40 (PG-13) 71112 12:50, 3:00. 5:15, 7:35, 9:45 IP6-13) 11112 12:45, 2:50, 5:05, 7:20, 1:35 lffi-11) iTMSn 12:30,2:50,5:05,1:251:40 CHES WICK QUAD KT.28CHESWICK 362-775 2-tt'H Jl MATINitS DAIIY-S3 50 All SHOWS HK P.M.

TMENUTTt PROFESSOR IPS-ID 1 30.330.538 7 30 9 3t am ire) mw.it THEROCK (H IM 13,48,7110.0:40 I 'THE MUCK ff NOTRE DUE IB 71-11 1:15. 33.5:25, 7:30. 9-35 I WilttlM IP6-1J 7:10145 A mSlf SonyDynamic SUV UUJ Digital Sound. IH SELECttD TMEAinea DIGITAL NO DISCOUNT COUPONS OH PASSFS FOH THESE. FEATURES STARTS TOMORROW BOX OFFICE: The top-grossing movies last weekend (estimated, in millions): 1.

The Nutty Professor $25.6 million 2. Eraser $16.4 million 3. The Hunchback of Notre Dame $13.4 million 4. Striptease $12.3 million 5. The Rock $10.3 million 6.

The Cable Guy $4.8 million 7. (tie) Mission: Impossible Twister $4-5 million. 9. Dragonheart $1.5 million $900,000 iAi f-RaepoRTWo WASHINGTON RD. 531-6551 mzmm ROW S3SS lOAHMIKt CIHtUAS SOU'HLANLiy LIS 77(l SHOWCASE NORTH TtRoniscaEMS MCKNiun I HU.

935 5865 784-1102 RJXLWtL KREATER PGH. OR. IN DEPENDABLE DR. IK HUUIEKE. MOOHJWP.

IMoKNIQHTRdn rOSINSONTWP. RTE. 51 SOUTH WATERWORKS MALL I HAAMAR CINEMAS HARMARVILLE 986-18W 264 fO1 1.