Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 25, 1994 TAG: 9407220024
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: EXTRA EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Mike Mayo
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
I must admit being a latecomer to this phenomenon. The few times I've heard Stern's show, it has sounded poorly paced, lifeless and not particularly funny. Now, having seen the videotape of his pay-per-view cable special, ``Howard Stern's New Years Rotten Eve 1994,'' I still don't completely get it.
Essentially, the show is a parody of a beauty pageant. Several dozen women in various stages of undress perform salacious acts to win the crown of Miss Howard Stern 1994. The staff of Stern's radio show accompanies him; so does his wife. The contest judges include ex-heavyweight champ Joe Frazier, a loud-mouthed Klansman, Tiny Tim, Mark Hammill and Virginia's own John Wayne Bobbitt.
The production numbers and filmed skits go so far with sexual and racial humor that they cross all conventional boundaries. Stern means to shock, and these days it takes a lot to shock. If there is a point - beyond middle-aged guys acting like hormonally unbalanced adolescents - I missed it. Stern and his writers don't try to comment on race or sex or celebrity, they just mean to be gross. And they want to be paid for it. Seems to be working.
``Sexual Outlaws'' is a more conventional guilty pleasure that turns out to be pretty good. The main attraction is Olympic gold medalist Mitch Gaylord who turns in an effective performance as Francis, a mute ex-con. Days after his parole he finds himself involved with a couple who publish an erotic magazine. Like Francis, they have trouble with the law. While her husband is busy with the magazine (and other activities), Lisa (Erika West) becomes intrigued with Francis' situation.
When the plot focuses on the murder of a prostitute, it becomes standard video stuff. Overall though, the acting is well above average, and Edwin Brown, director/co-writer (with Summer Brown), handles the characters well. The conclusion leaves room for a sequel. Worth a look.
Another celebrity, of sorts, is the drawing card for ``Blindfold: Acts of Obsession.'' Tabloid bad girl Shannen Doherty bares all, as it were, in this ``Basic Instinct'' wannabe. She plays a woman whose demanding husband (Michael Woods) has suggested she see psychiatrist (Judd Nelson) to save their failing marriage. Could hubby be connected with the serial killings that are going on? Her policewoman sister (Kristian Alfonso) wonders if the good doctor himself might be guilty of ``perversive activity.''
Ms. Video veteran Lawrence Simeone directs the film ably enough, though this one has more appeal as a curiosity than as a guilty pleasure.
``Lovers' Lovers'' strikes out on all counts. It's a Rodnunsky family affair - starring, written and directed by Serge; music by Pierre; produced by Albert; photographed by James. It appears to be a romantic comedy, possibly autobiographical, about west-coast couples. The long introductory sequence at a party is boring, boring, boring. I hit the fast-forward button early and often.
``Fleshtone'' is an improbable little mystery, with really sexy box art, about 900-number phone sex. Our hero is Matthew (Martin Kemp), an L.A. artist. He's so lonely and innocent that he answers an ad in the personals. Then he actually believes that a woman he meets over the phone is telling the truth when she describes her fantasies and says she loves him.
After the standard soft-core fantasy stuff, the story does pick up some steam. In the end, it works for two reasons: first, Kemp, last seen in ``The Krays,'' has an intense screen presence. Second, writer-director Harry Hurwitz came up with absolutely the right ending to an uneven plot. Some credit should also go to Mark Stock who painted the pictures that are so important to the film's mood. Yes, it's flawed, but after it's over, ``Fleshtone'' has some odd staying power.
Next week: Women of mystery!
New releases
In the Name of the Father: ***
Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite, Emma Thompson. Directed by Jim Sheridan. MCA/Universal. 127 min. Rated R for strong language, some violence, drug use.
This is a powerful, emotionally complex mix of family relationships and Anglo-Irish political intrigue. But director/co-writer Sheridan has taken liberties with the truth in turning inconvenient history into crowd-pleasing entertainment. Day-Lewis turns in an Oscar-nominated performance as Gerry Conlon, unjustly imprisoned along with his father, played by Pete Postlethwaite. Co-star Emma Thompson was also nominated.
Philadelphia: **
Starring Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Jason Robards Jr. Directed by Jonathan Demme. Columbia TriStar. 119 min. Rated PG-13 for subject matter, strong language.
This film is part courtroom drama, part social-political commentary. Those two sides tend to cancel each other out. Director Demme and a high-powered cast do their best to turn the story into crowd-pleasing Hollywood entertainment. Co-stars Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington do some of their best work - Hanks won the Best Actor Oscar - but they're not enough to overcome the inherent problems in Ron Nyswander's simplistic script.
THE ESSENTIALS:
(All of these contain nudity, sexual content and strong language. Violence is absent or limited.)
Howard Stern's New Years Rotten Eve 1994 *
One Twelve Inc. Time not listed, but it's really long or maybe it just seems that way. Unrated.
Sexual Outlaws ***
Monarch. 90 min. Unrated and R-rated.
Blindfold: Acts of Obsession **1/2
Libra. 93 min. Unrated and R-rated.
Lovers' Lovers x
Triboro. 90 min. Unrated.
Fleshtone **1/2
Prism. 91 and 98 min. Unrated and R-rated.
by CNB