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| 1 } ; | | 12 - "WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2000 Li. lA La How 2 VY JOO A 4 VN], wl A Za W Nolo. A CC A A ck an WC k es A WOOA as nck -e, n A = Scugog Shores Spinners QL and Weavers Guild ne ----- 11th A N N A _ od IL. THE GUILD SALE October 14 & 15, 2000 Saturday 10am to 5 pm; Sunday noon to 4 pm Masonic Hall Queen & Simcoe Streets, Port Perry Guest Artists: Barry Page-Wood, Jan Pierson-Silk, Barbara Kimball- Pottery, Bonnie Thomson-Stained Glass, Karen Richardson-Watercolours, Sheila Nicholson-Quilts, Anna Vicherek-Raku Ceramics, Jean Pierre Schoss-Metal, Lis Simpson-Glass & Wire Jewelry. 'BLACKSTOCK AND PORT PERRY LION'S CLUB PRESENTS THE MILLENNIUM SHOW BACK TO THE FUTURE WITH The Legends of Rock & Roll SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2000 SCUGUG COMMUNITY CENTRE P. t BE ' DOORS OPEN AT 7PM ¢ SHOW TIME 8PM TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: * OPPERS (905) 985-4910 * ALL FLAGS SERVICE CENTRE (905) 986-0017 » REMAX PORT PERRY (905) 985-4427 Each show features a mininum of 15 pep ep) FUND RAISER FOR ONGOING LIONS PROJECTS & CAMP TRILLIUM Brilliant war picture avoids cliches From page 9 will go to the ends of the earth to make that happen. His company sees him as their friend and savior, but his superiors see him as a born leader, capable of helping them prepare the men for war. Inadvertently, but unselfishly, Bozz becomes the heart and soul of the group, the con- fidante to the men, and their protector. Without a single sequence set in Vietnam, Schumacher brilliantly captures the horror of war by showing the private conflict raging in the tor- tured minds of the sol- diers. "Avoiding cliches, we encounter Paxton (Matthew Davis), who is surviving the experience with the Hemingway- esque notion he will write about the nightmare of war and the strength required to survive it. Miter (Clifton Collins Jr.), devastated by the failure of his marriage and his wife's infidelities, hopes war will prove him to be a man. And Wilson (Shea Whigman) approach- es the war (and training) with a dangerous patrio- tism that borders on psy- chosis. What 1 found remark- able about the portrayals of the characters in the film was the manner in which movie familiarity was left behind. Sure, we have seen people like Wilson in previous films about war (Vincent D'Nofrio in Full Metal Jacket) comes to mind, but they have never seemed as real as they are here. More so than any other director before him, Schumacher understands that the American govern- ment sent children to war instead of soldiers. What gives Tigerland its edge, its great power, is the awareness of the charac- ters that Vietnam is a nightmare from which they may never wake. When told to kill everything that moves, one young soldier remarks with sadness and wisdom, "...just like My Lai? ..."" referring to the massacre of men, women and children by American troops in the late 60s. The free-wheeling cam- era movement gives the film an energy, an immedi- acy that transcends con- ventional Hollywood film making, to which Schumacher had been a 'slave. Not since his superb Falling Down (1993) with Michael Douglas and Robert Duvall has he cre- ated so intelligent and fine work. Conlin Farrell, an Irishman, grounds the film with his superb perfor- mance as Texan Bozz, who is disgusted by the idea of killing another human being. His performance promises that he, like: the other actors in the film, especially Shea Whighman will certainly not be unknown for very long. An astounding film of soaring power that signals the arrival of a new veteran director. Joel Schumacher's next work will be highly anticipated, and though the low budget Tigerland will not likely earn the accolades of Schindler's List, it will certainly earn 'the director the absolute respect of his peers, audi- ences, and the critics who so viciously disparaged the man. Easily among the best film of the year. REMEMBER THE TITANS Directed by Boaz Yakin Now in theatres (Vee) Remember the Titans is the type of inspirational study of racial problems Hollywood likes to see. The problem with the film is that it is so littered with cliches and heavy-handed moments from other films we keep thinking we have seen the film before (well, we have). With that said, | must make clear what an astounding performance is given by Denzel Washington, who takes an average screenplay and elevates it to something quite grand. Based on a true story, the film explores what occurrs when two segregat- ed high schools are merged, forcing students, black and white to attend the same classrooms, walk the same halls, and above all (according to the film) play football together. In what is a potentially volatile situation with far reaching consequences, Herman Boone (Washington) is brought in to coach the team, hired over a popular white coach with several years seniori- ty and a popular following. As Boone works his magic in the locker room, he finds a fast friend in the man he replaced, and slowly the racial issues between the coaches and 'players melt away. With both men possessing decency, integrity and a strong work ethic, they mould angry young men into a solid football team where each and every player respects the other. Further to that, their coaches help the team off the field becoming caring, responsible young men ready for the challenges of the world. With elements of In the Heat of the Night (1967), Brian's Song (1971) and Driving Miss Daisy (1989) merged into the screen- play, how can it not have a familiar feel to it? The cliches often become unbearable, yet Denzel Washington delivers the lines with such ringing clar- ity and truth we believe every word he says. This is a complete performance without the benefits of a complete screenplay, a sit- uation where the greatness of the actor comes into view. Refusing to give a conventional performance in what is essentially a feel good move, Washington transcends the material to deliver one of the finest performances of the year in a film he allows to be far better than it ever should have been. Manilla book sale A yard, book and bake sale will be held at the Manilla Library building on Saturday, Oct. 7. This event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be featur- ing Thanksgiving good- ies, pumpkin and apple pies (among others), dessert loafs, and much more. If you would like to preorder a pie to pick up, please call 357- 2181. There will also be a variety of rummage items, and used books - fill a bag of books for a low, low price. This event raises funds for the renovation of Manilla's library building. For more information call 357- 1506.