Word: towns
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...only is the plot hackneyed, so are most of the characters, ranging from the affable old lady (that smiles benevolently throughout the whole movie like a catatonic overgrown Cabbage Patch doll) to the good natured town drunk/basketball maven, played by Dennis Hopper. While certainly a change from his role of homicidal maniac in Blue Velvet, Hopper's performance--though often rather forced--has easily the most depth of any in the movie. His controlled energy and powerful screen presence do much to stabilize the film...
...existential Popeye Doyle of The French Connection. Now, however, he seems strained as he portrays a tough basketball coach who at one time got kicked out of the sport for pasting one of his players but is now an improved man who comes to a wholesome all-American town and tries to teach them boys a thing or two about the game...
...this for a plot: small-town school comes from nowhere, but because of hard work and heartfelt inspiration it recovers from an early season deficit to win its division, the regional semifinals, and the regional finals. (I will not spoil the ending by letting you know how it does in the State championship.) And, to top it off, the team members learn something about themselves in the process. Pass the apple...
...while Beantown has sent many a talented stand-up cut-up out into the brightly lit, dimly conceived world of big-time comedy, it hasn't gotten much back in return. Top headliners don't come to town too often and homegrown prodigies such as Leno and Wright only pop in for occasional, surprise appearances at their old haunts. As a result, Boston comedy has been suffering from the excruciating boredom that inevitably results when the same young comics--those who can't break into the big time--perform at the same old clubs weekend after weekend...
When he first came to town this week, Maher was put up at the Quality Inn. Not that he's a complainer, but the Quality Inn wasn't the most classy hotel he's ever stayed in. "I called room service and asked for a sandwich, and they sent me two prostitutes," he said. At least they didn't send him sushi, a trendy dish whose appeal Maher doesn't quite understand: "Sushi? It's not food--it's bait...