8 Thursday, January 22, 1987 / University Daily Kansan Artist's multi-media movie mess suits the desperate and devoted I may not know art, but I know what I like. I didn't like "Home of the Brave," a film by the multi-media artist Laurie Anderson. John Benner Columnist Judging by the reaction of the audience when I went to see the movie, I wasn't alone. Actually, I was alone, after about an hour. I am exaggerating just a little, but the point is still the same. If you're not already a Laurie Anderson fan, this isn't going to win you over. As the film begins, Anderson describes her bit/byte philosophy. With the numerals "0101" projected behind her, she lambasts that there is so little room for the vast majority of mankind that must fall between being a zero and being number one. Deep. She expands on this theme with a witty poem. "There but for the grace of angels go 1/He was an ugly girl with an ugly face/An also-ran in the human race/At his funeral everybody acted sad/But they were just thinking of the sandwiches in the next room." The movie is superbly filmed and the sound recording was nearly faultless. Warner Brothers released the film, and somebody dropped big bucks on it. Speaking of money, Anderson herself must have spent a bundle. The 90-minute film is in color and is a collection of her performances in a New Jersey theater during a ten-day engagement last summer. The backdrop for her act is a 20-foot screen on which various images are projected throughout the film. Some of the most amusing parts of I waited in vain to hear Anderson perform at least one piece with a discernible melody. I realize she was trying to make a point, but I would have enjoyed something as musical as her "Superman." the film are these projections. One example is a question and answer: "Q: Should the unborn have civil rights? A: Yes, because they can thank you for it later." In other words, the final result must have been precisely what Anderson wanted, whether I appreciated it or not. Anderson has said the film uses technology to criticize itself. This film might be overkill. Her stage is a playground of electrical toys including the video screen, an electric string bass, voice modulators, synclaviers and various items too numerous to list. Mondays, January 26, February 2 and 9 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. READING FOR COMPREHENSION AND SPEED (Six hours of instruction.) Anderson sings, dances and recites poetry during the film. She has an annoying but calculated habit of starting what might be a fascinating story and leaving it unfinished. The choreography and positioning of Anderson, her backing singers and the band, are quite interesting and are the only cohesive units in the film. If you are an Anderson fan, go see the movie at Liberty Hall. It's playing January 18-23 and January 25-30 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. My final impression was that the film had its moments but pursued an unstated and mostly hidden hypothesis. If you're not an Anderson fan, but there's nothing better to do than watch the "A-Team," then give it a try. If you don't fit into either of these categories, stay at home and listen to some of Anderson's music - it's a little more palatable. Register and pay $15 materials fee by 5:00 p.m. on January 26 at the Student Assistance Center, 121 Strong Hall. Class size limited. The Arab student organization is having a meeting for the election of new members to the committee. Refreshments will be served. Saturday, January 24th 7:00 p.m. Jayhawk Room, Kansas Union SAVE YOUR MONEY, CLIP A COUPON! Get Something Going! Make the most of! Make the cash flow Kansan Classifieds 119 Stauffer-Flint Hall 864-4358 Get business back in the place by increasing the number of customers. Many people shop classified daily and associate it with quality, value, and making them feel more valued. The profitable in classified Make the cash flow grow. University Film Society Presents Friday and Saturday January 23, 24 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 p.m. a tragic musical theatrical photography by Taula Tharo Coming Next Week: A Boy and His Dog Don Johnson in a kinky tale of survival January 30, 31 If you need abortion or birth control services, we can help. control services, we can help. Confidential pregnancy testing • Safe, affordable abortion services • Birth control • Gyn exams • Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia Providing quality health care to women since 1974 Insurance, VISA & MasterCard accepted Comprehensive Health Associates 4301 West 100th (1325 & Roe) Oyster Park, Knoxville (913) 345-1400 BEFORE YOU BUY, Check the KANSAN. Our advertisers might save you money. Varsity Presented by The University of Kansas School of Fine Arts Chamber Music Series Friday and Saturday Midnight all seats $2.50 Seat Yourself with the First Family of Chamber Music Robert Mann, Violin Joel Smoffi, Violino Samuel Rhodes, Viola Joe Krosnick, Cellek 3:30 p.m. Sunday, February 1, 1987 Crafton- Prey Theatre Program: Quartet in D major, K. 575 Mozart Quartet in G minor, Op. 10 Debussy Quartet in C-sharp minor, Op. 131 Beethoven Tickets on sale in the Murphy Hall Box Office All seats reserved/For reservations, call 913/864-3982 VISA/MasterCard accepted for phone reservations Public: $11 & $9, KU & K-12 Students; $5.50 & $4.50; Senior Citizens & Other Students; $10 & $8 A 1987 University Arts Festival Event. Funded in part by the Kansas Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts; additional funding provided by the KU Student Activity Fee, Swarthout Society, and the KU Endowment Association M Half price for KU Students MISTER GU MENS & WOMENS TRADITIONAL CLOTHIERS 920 MASS. LAWRENCE, KS. HOURS: M-T-W-F-Sat. 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Th 9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sun. 12-5 p.m.