March 2000 Volume 81 Number 3 "serving the protectors"
By Mike Horsfall

AT THE CINEMA

THE HURRICANE

Legendary songwriter and vocalist, Bob Dylan, sang about him, and many who heard the music may not have made the connection. The lyrics highlight the injustice to Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, sentenced to three life terms of imprisonment for a crime he didn’t commit. He was a black man in a racist city, and local sergeant, Detective Vincent Della Pesca (Dan Hedaya), wanted his hide - and he got it.

Hurricane - played by Academy Award winner, Denzel Washington - was violent as a youth. Perhaps it was his destiny to become an accomplished middleweight boxer. But he was never meant to spend 22 years in a New Jersey prison - a period in his life that almost drove him over the edge.

The evidence that saw Hurricane and an accomplice convicted of three murders was so flawed and discriminatory that a mountain of people felt compelled to have the conviction dismissed. All failed until an alienated American youth (Vicellous Reon Shannon) read Carter’s autobiography, The Sixteenth Round, and Carter’s quest for freedom was rejuvenated.

After years of appeals, a federal judge finally overturns the conviction, and Rubin “Hurricane” Carter is released. Not content to accept the findings, the State of New Jersey unsuccessfully appeals the decision for a further four years, until the saga is finally put to rest and the indictment is dismissed.

As a special offer to Police Association members, the Police Journal has 50 double passes to a preview screening of The Hurricane at the Academy Cinemas at 6:30pm on Wednesday March 15. For the opportunity to win a pass, put your details on the back of a used envelope and address it to The Hurricane Comp, SA Police Journal (168).

IMAX

A new IMAX Adelaide release this month is Big Value Tuesdays - not a movie but a promotion. From February 1, all IMAX Adelaide tickets will be just $8.50 all day, every Tuesday. Take the opportunity to revisit IMAX or experience the big screen for the first time. Contact the cinema or check newspapers for session details. Journey of Man and Amazon are highly recommended.

ON VIDEO

DEEP BLUE SEA

Your worst fear is about to surface - almost. Scientist Susan McAlester has been experimenting with the brains of Mako sharks - cold-blooded killing machines. Genetically re-engineering their DNA to produce and harvest more brain cells, she overlooks one thing - when their brains get bigger the sharks get smarter, faster and meaner.

While Deep Blue Sea is somewhat predictable, as well as far fetched, it is nonetheless quite entertaining, and possibly one of the better rental releases this month. Starring Samuel L Jackson and Saffron Burrows, Deep Blue Sea is rated M15+ and will be released on March 21.

PECKER

Those looking for something a little on the alternative side might want to rent this new release by famed writer/director John Waters.

Pecker (Edward Furlong) is a teenager who picks up a second-hand camera and starts snapping his way to super-stardom. The sweet smell of success soon turns foul when, after displaying the seedier side of the local townsfolk, Pecker becomes the object of public scorn and disapproval. Also starring Christina Ricci and Lili Taylor, Pecker is rated M15+ and is released on March 7.

ON CD

THE WOG BOYS -The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

This soundtrack CD is recommended to those who look for variety in their music. On the Mushroom label, it includes songs by Deni Hines, Vanessa Amorosi and The Lords of Acid.

For those who remember the disco era there’s Born to Be Alive by Patrick Hernandez and a remix of You Should Be Dancing by Blockster. The Wog Boys is a quality CD that will suit the tastes of a range of music listeners.

GIRL INTERRUPTED -The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

New on the Festival label is Girl Interrupted. Another soundtrack album, this CD includes some classic hits and some interesting new music. Artists include Them and Van Morrison, The Band, The Mamas and The Papas, Jefferson Airplane and Petula Clark. With 29 tracks in all - including the original music score - this CD is well worth a listen, particularly for the movie buffs and lovers of classic music.

EVERLAST/TODAY

Everlast/Today is an EP release certainly not suited to those who like to sit back and relax. It’s loud, gutsy music well-matched to those with action on their minds. The Australian-only track listing features both the radio remix of Today (Watch Me Shine) and the fabulous US Top 20 Everlast duet with Carlos Santana, Put Your Lights On. But it’s hard to go past the live version of the House of Pain classic, Jump Around

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