Page 164 - ThePhoenix1995-96

Thursday, Aprilll, 1996 - Page 12 FEATURES Audiences flock to theaters to see The Birdcage Outrageous performances update the 1978 French stage play La Cage aux Fones life-style by redecorating their apartment and shows fine self-control, letting his costars box office for the entire month it's been in By EMILY STAMATHIS StajfWriler "toning everything down." Getting rid of a go wild. Lane's character is so lovable and theaters, which isn't surprising to me be- few flamboyant paintings and statues isn't comical, every word and mannerism is a joy cause The Birdcage is easily the funniest It's five minutes till showtime at The enough though. He wants to send Albert away to watch. movie I've seen all year. Every moment of Birdcage nightclub in South Beach, Florida. 100. Hank Azaria plays Aganon, the it is entertaining. Everyone in the packed au- The stage is set, the audience anxious, but This is not nearly as easy as it sounds. bumbling, high-strung Guatemalan butler. dience seemed to be having a great time, the star of the show refuses to go on. Albert makes it clear that he's nOI leaving His accent alone was amusing, but the movie laughing out loud throughout the entire film. The beautiful Starina is in no mood to without a fight and a serious case of hurt feel- audience roared as they watched Agancn, The Birdcage is the kind of movie that keeps perform. She feels like a fading star; she's ings, and finally Armand gives up on gelling dealing with an uncomfortable pair of shoes, you constantly laughing so that you tend to not the woman she used to be. Actually, she him out of the apartment. With only a few stumble through the house on the night of miss a lot of the best jokes. I recommend was never a woman to begin with. hours until the senator and his family are due the family dinner. you see it twice. It's even more hilarious the Starina's real name is Albert, and they to arrive, Armand takes on the task of pass- Christine Baranski, costar of the televi- second time. are both played by the amazingly funny ing Albert off as Uncle AI, the tough guy. sion series Cybill, plays Val's mother, who Nathan Lane. His alter ego, Starina, per- forms nightly at The Birdcage, a wild night- Usually Robin Williams takes on the frenzied, wacky club owned by Robin Williams' character, A Child's Wish Armand Goldman. The two men share the performance, but on this occasion he shows fine self- apartment above the club and, along with control, letting his cos tars go wild. A seven-year-old boy, Craig Shirgold, their butler Aganon, form the outrageous but as an inoperable tumor and has only until loving family at the center of the film The bout August of this year to live. His last Birdcage. These scenes are definitely the funniest also figures into the plan to fool the Kealeys. wish is to receive one million cards from When Armand's son Val comes home in the entire movie. Albert is so set in his The least interesting performance of the nyone, anywhere so that he will break the from college with the news that he's get- ways and comfortable with himself exactly movie was given by Dan Futterman, who ecord listed in The Gil/ness Book ofwortd ting married, he makes some serious de- the way he is, that he seems ridiculous only played Val. His acting wasn't very memo- ecords. As a surprise for Craig, the mands of his father and Aibert. The girl's when they take him out of his pink shirts, rable, and I found his character to be unlik- hildren's Wish Foundation is requesting father, portrayed by Gene Hackman, is the straw hats, and purses. Yet Robin Williams able as well. He showed no compassion for hat people send cards to the organization, ultraconservative Senator Kevin Kealey, a still tries to train him to talk sports, eat the his father by almost forcing them to tum their which will then be given to Craig. Anyone devoted Republican and the leader of the "manly way," and even walk like John lives upside down, with little concern for who would like to help this young boy make Coalition for Moral Order. The senator Wayne. Poor Albert just can't seem to get anyone's feelings. This is the only character is last wish come rrue should send cards strongly opposes homosexuality and will the hang of it, but his attempts are absolutely in the film who doesn't deliver a single funny obviously have problems with the life hilarious. line. Even Gene Hackman, who is supposed Craig Shirgold Armand and Albert lead. It's Lane who steals the show in The Bird- to be the straightlaced father, shows his c/o Children's Wish Foundation Since Val is so desperate to make a good cage. Usually Williams takes on the frenzied, goofy side at the end of ''The Birdcage." 32 Perimeter Center East impression, he persuades them to hide their wacky performance, but on this occasion he This movie has been number one at the Atlanta, Georgia 30346 'Coming Soon' previews Show UsYou, Mug l Batman and Robin By MIKE PUSKAR SlaffWriler Cinematic Comics. In The Green Hornet, Jason Scott Lee will Batman Forever and Ever take the part of sidekick Kato, as he did when In the fourth installation of the Batman portraying the protagonist in Dragon: The series of films, tentatively being called Bruce Lee Story. Batman and Robin, the number of multifaced Two comic strips are to be brought to the- characters in limelight will be increased aters as well. The Phantom will star Billy again, now with five. The Dynamic Duo will Zane and Kristy Swanson. The villain will be joined by Batgirl in their battles with Poi- be portrayed by Treat Williams, who will son Ivy and Mr. Freeze. also appear with Nick Nolte, Jon Malkovich Andl W,tll Gi~elou return While as Robin, Batgirl, the Boy Wonder's female by and Melanie comic Griffith in the mystery/suspense 26. will most likely Chris O'Donnell starting April film Mulholland Falls, One Of OUJfS~i; Alicia Silverstone (Clueless, will not be the is Beetle Bailey. original release date counterpart, will be portrayed Another strip to be made live-action The Baby-sit- Barb Wire's This Batgirl, however, Also, ter). police Profile ... Sylvester Stallone Previews of the age difference because Gordon commissioner's daughter Barbara be- of March 22 has changed to May 3. tween Silverstone and Commissioner Gor- Even though recent films such as Judge N~ time you visit fiestas I118kesure you bring don constant portrayer Pat Hingle. Also, it Dredd did poorly in the U.S. box offices, looks like Demi Moore, Julia Roberts and Sylvester Stallone is looking to be the top a mug shot. Because when you show us your Sharon Stone won't be poisoned with the role actor in the States again. 01' Sly wants of Batman's femme fatale counterpart; Vma Harrison Ford-type roles, ones with action student 10 card. )'Our nnt draft Is Just 1(:with Thurman (Pulp Fiction) is a likely candidate and sophistication. a food purchase of 55 or JIlOre. So take a for Poison Ivy. Patrick Stewart is now be- In this summer's Daylight, Stallone plays ing joined by Arnold Schwarzenegger for a rescuer who needs to save those trapped break froID studylnu and have SOftIe fun at possible portrayal of the mad cryogenicist after a terrorist attack on Holland Tunnel in \fi One p« Y"". "I Exp' ,res Moy 31 1996 .. turned over again. his possible Crusader may be dreds trapped survive, flesh and blood like ev- "esta •. We can·t walt to see your face. Mr. Freeze. New York. Yet, only a handful of the hun- • I'ii'(:d The role of the Caped this film thus making \ I~l:e(~".~/) Though Val Kilmer is still more realistic. In reference to his character, Stallone said, "He's c~ in consideration, lead in the TV else." \ _ ~~ ~~/ cl",i,-Io-movi,fli,b,h,dukdfonhi,fall. eryone Next time, there will be a preview of new The Saint costarring Shue (Leav- Elizabeth animated series for the networks' fall lineup. Southwestern Restaurant ~ ~~g~~Sg~:~:~)'~::P~:~:~~kf~:~~~~~ 1012 Baltimore Blvd. (East of Westminster on Rt. 140) Information gathered from Cinescapc (Feb ':"'"1".-;"";"'.-~i'=""""ii-"'I- ""'.-i";dO-;-'- =_=-II::IIII_a._:l1I1 ~~~gh~si:i:~~nc~~,ei: down another vigilante role 96) and Wizard: The Guide To Comics #57 ~estas 876.3169 • www.qis.net/- ~~~~~~l~~:~~:.l~: i recently turned as the lead in The Green Hornet.