The Idaho Statesman from Boise, Idaho • 37

HOME HOME Inside: Songwriter Randy Newman goes for a musical. Page 2D Editor: Michael Deeds 377-6444 Atlakson's new film is all about listening Idaho-made movie could encourage others to follow Reviewed by David Proctor The Idaho Statesman A missionary and a non-believer argue over the Bible a book, it turns out, neither one has read. A student confronts her professor but won't tell him what is really bothering her because she's sure he can't understand. A woman verbally pushes the yuppie-looking man she's just met in a bar until he admits he is a convicted rapist. Phil Atlakson's new film "Not This Part of the World" is constructed with several layers, but at its heart it is about talking and listening.

Specifically, we do too much of the former and not enough of the latter. Though Adam West Adam West much of the conflict is waged across the generation gap older missionary (Stitch Marker) and the younger nonbeliever Flint (Dylan Haas); the student (Heather Hopfer) and the professor (Richard Klautsch); and a father and son (Adam West and Travis Swartz) this failure to communicate spans society. Atlakson himself has no such problem. The message is loud and clear and has been executed with remarkable style and poise by everyone involved. The project had a budget of only $65,000, and it won't be mistaken for a Hollywood film.

That's a compliment. Flaws in the lighting and sound or the need for another take are made up for by Atlakson's readiness to ask tough questions. "NTPW" was shot in Boise last year with Idaho actors and crew, so there is some built-in fun in seeing The Grove, CoffeeNews Coffee-News, Pengilly's Saloon and the Cactus Bar, as well as some familiar faces. But once past that, it offers a lot to chew on. "NTPW" is constructed Robert style, as a series of vignettes.

Most of the characters are connected by their common past at Boise High School and the recent death of a classmate. Their paths cross at the end of the film, but not all the conflicts have been resolved. Haas reads his Bible at Moxie Java, Swartz takes coffee back to West rather than bail to a birthday party, and Klautsch and Hopfer lean on each other over a beer. But a few stories Atlakson leaves unresolved. "NTPW" is the first all-Idaho film since the days of Nell Shipman.

Whether this is the start of something or just a one-shot effort "Not in this part of the world" is no longer the answer to the question: "Can they make feature films in Idaho?" "NTPW" premieres today at 7:15 p.m. at the Flicks. in his office about of the Boise State the new direction atre Program. Klautsch Director University Richard speaks The- spotlight Life The Idaho Statesman Photos by Troy Idaho Cast members of the play "U.S.A." perform during dress rehearsal earlier this week. The BSU Theatre Arts Department has risen to new levels of excellence recently.

For the 1995-96 season, the sights have been set even higher. here has been a quiet revolution going in Boise State added department Subtley, talented University's has without faculty, grown much Theatre by bolstered leaps fanfare, Arts and its the Department. bounds, curriculum, strengthened its ties to the artistic community. And it has turned out students with practical experience who are being admitted to strong graduate schools and working professionally in the field. For audiences, that translates into several seasons of provocative, well-produced plays that rate with any produced in the state.

"I see it's taken some huge strides," says David LeePainter, former artistic director for Idaho Theater for Youth and now assistant professor at the University of Idaho. "I'm excited about the way the program is headed." "It's right on the verge of leaping onto the scene as one of the finest undergraduate departments in the says Stephen Buss, the department's former chair. The success of a theater department, like other liberal arts departments, is hard to measure. But Lee-Painter and others point to the risky season the department embarks on this weekend as an important piece of evidence. For the first time, all four plays center on a single theme "American Myths." "You won't see a season this strong anywhere else," Buss says.

"It's a catalyst for thinking about American See In the Tomorrow: A guide to fall music in the record stores Friday, October Director Richard Klautsch goes over last minute ideas with some of the cast members in one of the dressing rooms prior to dress rehearsal. Blue Lagoon lives up to its limited promise By John Gottberg Anderson Special to The Idaho Statesman Picture this, if you will: As the autumn sky fades to orange across the lake, two young boys cast their bobbers and worms into the water and excitedly hook a small bluegill. A family of mallards, startled by the activity, takes to the air with a rustle of wings. On the arbored deck overlooking this scene, you relax with a beer, a burger and a deep sigh If the Blue Lagoon were trying to be anything more than what it is a waterfront bar and grill in northwest Boise's Lakeharbor subdivision would be sorely disappointed. It's not.

So my disappointment is muted. Section 6, 1995 DE Statesman By David Proctor The Idaho Statesman BEST BETS on't let the name fool The film, about a contempoD you. nual The Gem Faire, seventh which an- the rary edge western of a cultural boomtown fron- on starts at noon today at the tier, features an all-Idaho Western Idaho Fairgrounds, cast and the music of Boise is about more than shiny bands and artists. The prestones. The collection in- miere begins at 7:15 p.m.

For cludes gemstones, jewelry, tickets ($10) call 385-1191. beads, fossils, mineral speci- Regular showings begin at mens, even meteorites. 9:30 p.m. and continue Hours are noon to 7 p.m. through Oct.

12. Admission is today, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Satur- $6 at the door. Bands whose day and 10 a.m.

to 5 p.m. Sun- music was used in the film day. Weekend passes are $4, will perform at Neurolux, 111 seniors $3. Children under 12 N. 11th, starting at 9 p.m.

are admitted free with an adult. 'N ot written, Part of a directed This film Blues still cago Bouquet, is while onstage 1010 Burnin' at Main. Chi- the ou won't be able to sit and produced by BSU theater The Chicago "killer funk arts professor Phil Atlakson, blues" band will play tonight will premiere tonight at The and Saturday night. AdmisFlicks, 646 Fulton. sion: $5.

345-6605. DINING OUT Statesman restaurant review Although the food quality is inconsistent and the indoor atmosphere is basic at best, service is friendly and efficient. And the lakeside deck almost makes up for the establishment's other shortcomings. Under the same ownership as Angell's downtown restaurant since March, the Blue Lagoon is open six nights a week for dinner, with live music for dancing on Fridays and Saturdays. It's come a long way since last winter; Curt Knite, president of Angell's food operations, acknowledges that it still has a long way to go.

"There will be a concept and name change down the road," Knite said. "Right now, we're living with a reputation that's been there for 10 years." In the meantime, a new expanded menu is an improvement over the old Blue Lagoon. But except for pasta dishes, it's still basically a catalog of finger foods. Some work, some don't. A selection of salads, along the line of Angell's, would be a nice addition.

A month or so ago, my companion and my son joined me for an early dinner on the deck. We started with a three- way plate of deluxe nachos. It came with spicy ground beef, refried beans, jalapeno peppers, green onions, olives and tomatoes, melted together with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, dolloped with sour cream and salsa. Clearly, this could have been a meal in itself. We gave up on it when our main courses arrived.

My companion ordered fresh steamer clams "cooked in a select ale with herb butter," one of those dishes that can be very good or not. These were the latter. The mollusks clearly had been left too long in the tarragon-flavored brew, to a point where the meat had shrunk and toughened. At least the grilled See Blue.