Page 24 - ThePhoenix1987-88

Page SlWestern Maryland College/October 29, 1987 _CraigCecil Barker's Hellraiser is bizarre horror Have you ever noticed that the Hellraiser's story centers easily grasp the beauty/beast audiences in theaters enhance'the around a mysterious cube, which motif, but when biblical enjoyment of good films, but whenmanipulated,opens an inter- references start cropping up, the only seem to annoy you during dimensional doorway to (?). At scenarios become increasingly bad ones? If awareness of other the outset of the film, a man bizarre. It seems as though Clive viewers is any indication of a opens this doorway, through is attempting to make a film's quality, then let me. say which step some of the most statement on some higher level, that while reviewing this movie, I bizarre beings seen in recent but it. just doesn't materialize was more consciousof a spectator movie history. Ropes with enough for most (if any) in the with a black-lung cough than the hooks transfixed at their ends audience to comprehend. The action on the screen. And swing down from the blackness, entities summoned forth state Hellraiser , from New World rip into the man's hide, and throughout that they "offer both Pictures. will distract you enough proceed to scalp his body like a pain and pleasure" and that they so that you will notice those child tearing wrapping paper off a (you guessed it) any object sharp enough to slice are "devils or angels". If these typesof things. Christmaspresent. her lover. (Here we have the flesh like butter, creatures are really angels offering Hellraiser was written and Clive then sets up a stable makings of a horror-ble soap are used to embed images in a pleasurable swing from a hook directed by Clive Barker, Stephen environment by introducing opera). At this point, skinless viewers' minds. The inter- in the back. then I surely don't King's British counterpart in viewers to a married couple in Frank convinces Julia to help him dimensional beings appear so understand. Clive Barker, novella horror. Touted as the new their mid-40's (Andrew Robinson re-acquire his outer layer. hellish because they seem both himself, is probably the only man prince of darkness, what Clive and Clare Higgins) who move In Hellraiser, Clive Barker bizzare and familiar at the same who fully comprehends this film. delivers here in his premiere into the house recently occupied does not rely on shock horror like time, like deja vu from repressed And therein lies the problem. movie, is an amalgamation of by the husband's late brother, that so often seen in slasher nightmares. One individual Taken purely as a horror film, scenes, both horrific and utterly Frank. It doesn't take a genius to flicks, but rather he manages to sports a horrifically-emphasized without heed of the biblical inter- bewildering, not to mention realize that Frank was the man produce a longer-term effect Jimmy Carter smile with teeth twinings, Hellraiser is not bad. stomach-churning. who stretched his luck (and skin) through the use of bizarre imagery that constantly chatter, while But without full comprehension The movie's plot reads like a Iiule 100 far at the film's outset. which lasts in viewer's minds far another has nails and needles of those references, the movie can one of the director's typical But, by a twist of fate (of course), longer than the film's running imbedded in face and head like not succeed. Viewers will emerge novels: (1) a quick shock to grab he regains life, albeit as a skinless time. Indeed, some scenes may a demonic pin-cushion. It seems from the theater, scratch their viewer's attention; (2) the shell of a man relegated to the be hard to forget, Clive succeeds as though Clive wants to be the head, and say, "What the hell was establishment of the main attic. When the wife, Julia, first with this type of effect through source of every little boy's that?" Is the world ready for characters in a stable encounters Frank, she doesn't flip the manifestation of pain in nightmares. Clive Barker? Soon. environment; (3) the introduction out because she somehow realizes objects, and the nightmarish Hellraiser's strengths, of some lurking horror to destroy the hollow remnant of a man quality of creatures he presents. however, are also what hurts this Rating out of 10: that environment. standing before her used to be' Hooks, knives, needles, almost film overall. Most viewers can **** _Bill Desciak Billy D. reviews sports on campus and nationwide In sports: On and off Washington at 5-1 in the Cincinnati not far behind. Talk: Campus: east, leading Dallas 3-3, Philly about a weak division. If How about that 97 yard and St. Louis at 2-4, and those Columbia was in it I'd take them, rumble by the Terrors' Danny SuperBowl stud Giants at an but they're not, so I'll take Blackburn!? I asked Dan if he felt impressive 1-5. They need some Cleveland winning it with a .500 like he was running out of gas Curaid for those scab wounds. (0- .record. Lame! during that last 10 to 20 yards. 3, HAl Nice life Cardea!) I like Finally we have the AFC He replied "Yeah, a little." I Dallas in the end with West with San Diego at 5-1, guess he didn't feel like Washington settling for a wild followed by Denver, Seattle, the elaborating for fear of more card. Raiders and K.C. bringing up the conditioning. Credit Coach The Centralhas Chicagoat 5- rear with a 1-5 mark. I like Sprague for going for the two and 1, followed by Green Bay (3-2-1) Seattle winning "the hard-fought the win. That is the kind of Tampa Bay (3-3). Minnesota (2-3) battle with Denver settling for the gutsy call that will -help the and Detroit (1-5). No surprises other wild-card. The most exciting Terrors in the long run. field here, Chicago with ease. hero? This week's most overated Ali Hair-Sheikh of the Terrors The The West has the always- Lady fewhours hockey blanked Catholic 2-0 tough 49crs also at 5-1, followed Skins. The local sports scene by New Orleans, Atlanta, and behind the scoring of Stacey made him out to be the second you'll spend allweek. Bradley and Nancy Kammerer. L.A. at 1-4. Look for Atlanta to coming of Gus, the field goal- make a run, but San Fransico will kicking wonder mule! I mean the JenniferTestarecordedeight saves guy did win the game, but it was hold them off.' as the Lady Terrors go 9-4 for their best season record ever. The AFC is up for grabs only a 28 yarder. I mean, anyone Run. Climb. Rappel. Navigate. Lead. The Lady Terrors volleyball especially the East, now a four of the Econ teachers here at And develop the confidence and team is up to its usual antics-- way tie. Buffalo, Indianapolis Western Maryland could have skills you won't get from a textbook. winning. This time Coach Fritz's (thanks to top-notch scabs), the done that! Give me a break! Enroll in Armv ROTC team won the sixth annual NOM- Jets, and New England are all at 3- The most unsung local hero as one of vour electives. Get the facts South Volleyball Classic, 3, with Miami at 2-4. award here at WMC? The Terrors' today. ll}.: ALI. YOU CAN BE. defeating Eastern Mennonite Ll- I see it close all the way cross country runner Doug Military Science Department is, 15-8, 15-tO. The victory with Buffalo making a valiant run Ripley. Hey, I know cross- Upper Level of Gill Center raised their record to 30-12, and but the Jets taking it in the end. country is not exactly a big 876-3804 or campus ext. 620 we are not even into the regular Hey, they ran out of gas last year, spectator sport here on the Hill, season! this year they only have half a but give credit where credit is due. This is how the NFL season! Ripley, only a sophomore, has standingslookafter lastweekend's In the liu1esister divison we been the men's top finisher for the "wake up smell the coffee" have Houston and Pittsburgh at 4- Green in every meet he has run games. 2, followed by Cleveland and in. Not bad at all!