This weeks review looks at Ray Stark's production, "Seems Like Old Times", which ‘is currently playing at the
. Prince Edward Cinemas. written by Neil Simon, "Seems Like Old Times" overflows with fast—
rolling one-liners in typical
Neil Simon fashion.
The movie headlines Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn, and Charles Grodin. Chase, who has met with limited film success since leaving
Saturday Night Live appears
in what must be sidered his best movie to date. L His quick witted lines delivered in a smart assed, sarcastic way keep the
I laughs flowing throughout
_ the film. And, of course,
what piece‘ of work by Chevy ‘
Chase would be camplete without at least one or two falls.
Goldie Hawn is married to the, District Attorney,
Charles Grodin, who is to be
appointed Attorney-General. Nbanwhile, she attempts to hide her ex—husband, Chase, in the house. It's no
wonder she is headed for a nervous breakdown. Hawn is
we11 deserving of a vacation both in the movie- and in real“,
life, haVing'also recently starred in "Private Benjamin" and "Lovers and Liars".
’b.h.b.s.. Ibyline
In my column of last week I went to great lengths to‘
diScuss what I felt was fun- _
damentally wrong with using proven musical formulas over and over again. This week however, to a certain extent I must eat my words. The Police's new L.P. "Zenyatta Mondatta", features again their mique sound, but un- like Steely Dan's latest effort, the Police sound fresh and exciting. ‘
Three years ago the trio of SteWart, Summers, andr Sting broke into the upper echelon of the pop music world with the release of their first album "outlan- dos d'Amour". This brand of Reggae/Ra-inspired new ,wave again proved extremely pOpular as their second albmm "Regatta de Blanc." soared to the top of the charts. Perhaps it is " Nigel Gray's production that. gives thevPolice a fresh. sound, but what-'- ever' it may be," Zenyatta Mondatta" is a standout album, ’ ,
The album starts with a. song with I
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top tenin mind. "Don't Stand so Close to Me"
is a very strong and danceable tune. This combination should ensure it number one status before too long. Throughout the entire album it is clear that
the group has been listening to other performers quite intently over the last few months. A very strong indication of their respect for other bands is the frequent bor— ‘ rowing of musical ideas . (a good band will borrow, a great band will steal). For instance the strong Pink Floydish type intro- _4
" duction of "Don't Stand
so Close....", and the
electronic pyrotechnics
of "Behind my Camel"
remind one of the ‘
Japanese,‘wizard, ‘Ibmita. \ "Canary in a'Coal—
mine" and "Man in a
Suitcase" feature one of A
the bands under—rated talents
{ strong vocal harmonization. '
"Canary" is a funny track reminicent of "On any
_ - other day", which appeared
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0n the "Regatta De Blanc" L.P. "Man in a suitcase" seems to be almost a travel-— ogue of their world tour. The constant paCKing and unpacking, the endless hotel rooms, and the agonizing plane trips come to life. Not since Jackson Browne has life nothe road been
so well represented, the tour which preceeded this album primarily encompassed third world natiOns, and one would assume that the
immersion into such a desolate area wouls produce a political
album. But the Police, un— like their Island counter— parts, have given us a'work devoid of many political implications. The
closest one comes to obtaining a political statement in this album is the‘song "Bombs Away".
This non—political reggae ' is perhaps the selling point of the not necessary. The. band tries on this concept
and the results are brilliant.
"De DO Do Do, De Da-Da Da" is a song which really needs no review. tOO seriously, but. the implications are important.
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It can't be taken
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Neil Simon's script is a romantic comedy. In it, Chase plays a novelist who is kidnapped by robbers who force him to knock over a‘ bank. He hides out frcm the police in the hare of ~‘ hisex-wife, a lawyer, married to a conservative district attorney.
Chase and Hawn make a fun pair but One wonders why they were divorced in the first place. If the only reason for the divorce is Hawn's accusation that Chase was too crazy, is't a little hard to swallow coming from someone who keeps six dogs, two cats, and staffs her household with the convicts and illegal aliens she‘ defends in court. The excuse that she only wants to defend her ex in court starts us wondering if it is iust strictly business
between them. The closing shot of the movie offers an answer.
Although the story is quiet unreal, from the opening bank robbery to Chase hiding under. the bed while Hawn and Grodin are trying to make love in it, the movie is none the less very entertaining. "Seems Like Old Times" is light and snappy and is worth missing the line ups at Jim's to go see.
Overall rating: Good.
Dm
The Police are a white reggae band which have taken out the important factors of reggae )its lyrics and political statements) and replaced them with a Good-time oriented product. I highly reccamend this album, for it could be a turning point in the'direction in which music will take. Perhaps this form of new wave will be a surviving contribution passed on to the next form.
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