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1998-05-18
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From: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com (movies-digest)
To: movies-digest@lists.xmission.com
Subject: movies-digest V2 #17
Reply-To: movies-digest
Sender: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com
Errors-To: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com
Precedence: bulk
movies-digest Tuesday, May 19 1998 Volume 02 : Number 017
Re: [MV] Sharon Stone and Gene Hackman
[MV] Carmen Electra's movie
Re: [MV] Actors and Actress and Those Whom we Adore
Re: [MV] Actors and Actress and Those Whom we Adore
Re: [MV] Actors and Actress and Those Whom we Adore
Re: [MV] Actors and Actress and Those Whom we Adore
Re: [MV] Actors and Actress and Those Whom we Adore
RE: [MV] Actors and Actress and Those Whom we Adore
Re: [MV] Actors and Actress and Those Whom we Adore
[MV] Deep Impact / Armageddon
Re: [MV] Deep Impact / Armageddon
[MV] The Movie Report#143, 5/19/98
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 May 1998 16:15:59 -0500
From: Tonya Fleetwood <tfleetwood@bedford.k12.ia.us>
Subject: Re: [MV] Sharon Stone and Gene Hackman
I thought that The Quick and the Dead was a good movie. Personally I can't
stand western movies, I think they are beyond boring. This movie was
different. It had up-to-date actors and actresses (not those that are
knocking on death's door). Sharon Stone was brilliant in this movie.
Leonardo DiCaprio was too. Actually, all the characters did a GREAT job
portraying their character.
- -Tonya
=)
tfleetwood@bedford.k12.ia.us
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 May 1998 23:50:26 -0400
From: gary zeig <mlz@nauticom.net>
Subject: [MV] Carmen Electra's movie
I've heard that ex-Baywatch babe Carmen Electra just finished filming a movie.
It has a title something like "The Story of the Raven". Does anyone know
when/ if this movie
will be in theatres or released direct to video?
GRZ
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------------------------------
Date: Sat, 16 May 1998 00:12:56 -0400
From: gary zeig <mlz@nauticom.net>
Subject: Re: [MV] Actors and Actress and Those Whom we Adore
>>There are many actors and actresses that I adore!
>>
>>
>>Joshua Jackson
>>He has that little boy quality, but yet mature. That is what appeals to me
>>in him. I loved that movie he did for Showtime "Ronnie and Julie". Maybe
>>that was because I love the movie/play/story Romeo and Juliet. I think
>>most of the reason I liked it though, was because this easy-going, great
>>actor played the part of the romantic Ronnie. If anyone has comments on
>>this movie I would love to hear them. He also is great on Dawson's Creek.
>>
>>Claire Danes
>>I like the fact that she can capture all the emotions that she has to
>>produce, and she does it so well. I didn't care for her as Juliet though. I
>>would've picked someone else for that role if it were up to me. BUT I loved
>>her My-So-Called-Life days. She was so-so in Home For the Holidays.
>>
>>Kate Winslet
>>She seems so down to earth. She doesn't even act like the normal
>>stereo-typed actress that just starred in possibly the best movie of the
>>decade. To hear some of her quotes, and interviews, you'd just want to be
>>her friend, because she seems very fun and smart.
>>
>>ALicia Silverstone
>>One of her qualities that I really admire is the fact that she helps out
>>for animal rights. This shows she has a huge heart. I really like the way
>>she talks too. She was so good in Clueless, I really loved that movie. I
>>thought she was good in Excess Baggage too, some people didn't like that
>>movie, but I did. The Crush wasn't that great of a movie, because she
>>played some psycho, but all-in-all she is very talented.
>>
>>Meg Ryan
>>She is so adorable. Her voice is so easy to listen to, it's so romantic.
>>She plays all of her emotions very well, her face expressions are the best.
>>I really loved her in French Kiss. I liked Addicted to Love, but it wasn't
>>how I'd like to see her always. She was good in Innerspace and When Harry
>>Met Sally also.
>>
>> _____________________________________
>>
>>That's about all for now. I will list some other actresses and actors that
>>I like, but I won't elaborate on them.
>>
>>Actors: Mel Gibson, Matthem Lilliard, Jamie Kennedy, Will Smith, John
>>Travolta, Antonio Banderas, Kevin Kline, Kevin Bacon, Brad Renfro, Brad
>>Pitt, Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinear, Ron Elderd
>>
>>Actresses: Reese Witherspoon, Sandra Bullock, Neve Cam pbell, Kathy Bates,
>>Jada Pinkett-Smith, Vivica A. Fox, Sharon Stone, Kirstie Alley, Christine
>>Taylor, Tea Leoni, Katie Holmes, Sarah Michelle Gellar
>>
>>Any comments are appreciated!
>>
>>-Tonya
>>=)
>><tfleetwood@bedford.k12.ia.us>
>>My only comment Tonya would be that you seem to like young actors and
>>actresses.
This is not a criticism, of course, but many of the stars you have
mentioned really
have not yet made a lot of mega- hit movies. Of course, since they are
young, they are the future(next?)
generation of stars. It will be interesting to see how the "Frat Pack" of
the future does
in the next decade or so. Who hits and who fades. By the way, I think you
would want to read
an article the magazine "Entertainment Weekly" did on these young movie
stars last month. (April 24 issue)
It talked about Leonardo, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Brad Pitt,Skeet Ulrich,
Ethan Hawke, Chris O'Donnell etc.
Really interesting reading!
GRZ
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>[ To quit the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe movies" ]
>>[ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
>
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 08:08:39 EDT
From: GeminiJef <GeminiJef@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [MV] Actors and Actress and Those Whom we Adore
In a message dated 98-05-15 17:14:55 EDT, you write:
<< Leonardo DiCaprio
If you like the dude, check out Leo in "Man in the Iron Mask" He plays two
different characters (twin brothers with Cane and Able qualities) and the
movie kicks with action, swashbuckling and adventure!
Skeet Ulrich
He was one of the best cast roles in the recent under appreciated "Newton
Boys" His character is subtle as the youngest of a family of wholesome bank
robbers in the 1920's. He really showed his talent up there on the screen. I
can't wait to see what he does next
Nicholas Cage
An amazing actor, who deserves every bit of acclaim he receives, including
Leaving Las Vegas Oscar! To this day, my favourite performance of his is
still in "Vampire's Kiss" about a man (NC) who goes mad when he thinks he's
been bitten by a vampire. Brilliant.
Joshua Jackson
Who?
Claire Danes
She is one of the few actresses who is able to splatter her emotions all over
her face and not have to say a word to know what she's feeling. She captured
the spotlight in My So Called Life and brought a new dimension to the forelorn
Juliet in Romeo + Juliet. She has the same drive and potential as fellow
childhood actress alumni Jodi Foster.
Kate Winslet
A brilliant actress, who knows what acting is all about, moreso than those
actresses who have been around for way-too-long (read: Meryl Streep). She's
got the looks, the talent, and the bravada to be one of the best actresses of
the turn of the millenium.
ALicia Silverstone
The kid's cute. We shall see what we shall see. She was amazing in "The
Crush" as the teen with the psychotic fatal attraction for Cary Elwes. She
hasn't yet tried to duplicate such a role while doing silly comedies like
"Clueless" and "Excess Baggage." We know you've got it, kid. Let's bring out
the big guns!
Meg Ryan
One of the most vivacious and funny actresses. She can make a gloomy day seem
bright. She was hysterical in "French Kiss" (although it didn't hurt that she
was playing against the remarkable Kevin Kline!) and she turned a brilliant
performance in the recent "City of Angels" She has the same qualities that
make Goldie Hawn also so fun to watch: she has a lot of fun, and she doesn't
take crap from anyone.
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 10:33:45 PDT
From: "Chris Culligan" <culligan@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [MV] Actors and Actress and Those Whom we Adore
I mentioned Christopher Walken as an actor I like, but dern, I neglected
to mention one of my all time favorite male actors, Paul Newman!!
As to Claire Danes and Kate Winslet, I'll have to wait to pass
judgement, I don't think they have a large enough body of work (cinama)
to warrent an opinion. Or perhaps I just haven't seen enough of thier
movies. I can't think of any that Kate's been in besides Titanic, and
Claire only comes to mind in Romeo and Juliet. Did I miss any movies
that I should be renting that might change my opinion??
BTW, I found it hard to believe that Leo got passed up for an Oscar
nomination and Kate got one. All though I like Kate, I thought Leo made
the movie and has also proven a talent in several other movies (read:
more deserving).
Alicia Silverstone amused me in clueless, but since then, I haven't been
overly impressed with her other then that she's pretty and she's blond.
>Claire Danes
>She is one of the few actresses who is able to splatter her emotions
all over
>her face and not have to say a word to know what she's feeling. She
captured
>the spotlight in My So Called Life and brought a new dimension to the
forelorn
>Juliet in Romeo + Juliet. She has the same drive and potential as
fellow
>childhood actress alumni Jodi Foster.
>
>Kate Winslet
>A brilliant actress, who knows what acting is all about, moreso than
those
>actresses who have been around for way-too-long (read: Meryl Streep).
She's
>got the looks, the talent, and the bravada to be one of the best
actresses of
>the turn of the millenium.
>
>ALicia Silverstone
>The kid's cute. We shall see what we shall see. She was amazing in
"The
>Crush" as the teen with the psychotic fatal attraction for Cary Elwes.
She
>hasn't yet tried to duplicate such a role while doing silly comedies
like
>"Clueless" and "Excess Baggage." We know you've got it, kid. Let's
bring out
>the big guns!
>
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 13:38:01 -0600
From: Tonya Fleetwood <tfleetwood@bedford.k12.ia.us>
Subject: Re: [MV] Actors and Actress and Those Whom we Adore
<< I can't think of any that Kate's been in besides Titanic, and
Claire only comes to mind in Romeo and Juliet. Did I miss any movies
that I should be renting that might change my opinion?? >>
Kate Winslet was in Heanenly Creatures and also Sense and Sensibility.
Claire Danes was in Home For the Holidays, she was on the tv show
My-So-Called-Life. She is in the new version of Les Miserables.
<< I thought Leo made the movie and has also proven a talent in several
other movies (read:
more deserving).>>
Although I adore Leo, I don't agree 100 precent when you say that he made
the movie. There were several other note-worthy actors and actresses that
contributed to this movie.<<
<<Alicia Silverstone amused me in clueless, but since then, I haven't been
overly impressed with her other then that she's pretty and she's blond.>>
She was good in Excess Baggage.
____________________________________________
- -Tonya
=)
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 13:40:35 -0600
From: Tonya Fleetwood <tfleetwood@bedford.k12.ia.us>
Subject: Re: [MV] Actors and Actress and Those Whom we Adore
>Joshua Jackson
>Who?
Joshua Jackson is the guy who played Charlie on all those Mighty Duck
movies. He was recently in a version of Romeo and Juliet called Ronnie and
Julie. He also is currently on the hit tv show Dawson's Creek as Pacey.
___________________________________________________
- -Tonya
=)
*************************
Thinkin' of ya,
Tonya
*************************
______________________________________________________
Email me at my new email address: scoobygirl@bedford.heartland.net
______________________________________________________
+PIECE OF ADVICE+
"SHOW RESPECT FOR ALL LIVING CREATURES!!!"
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 12:53:20 -0600
From: "Gregory A. Swarthout" <greg_swarthout@autosoft.com>
Subject: RE: [MV] Actors and Actress and Those Whom we Adore
On Monday, May 18, 1998 11:34 AM, Chris Culligan [SMTP:culligan@hotmail.com] wrote:
> I can't think of any that Kate's been in besides Titanic, and
> Claire only comes to mind in Romeo and Juliet. Did I miss any movies
> that I should be renting that might change my opinion??
Most definitely! She was absolutely delicious in both "Hamlet" and "Sense and
Sensibility".
Greg
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 14:20:26 -0400
From: Mel Eperthener <bcassidy@usaor.net>
Subject: Re: [MV] Actors and Actress and Those Whom we Adore
At 10.33 AM 18/05/98 PDT, Chris Culligan wrote:
>As to Claire Danes and Kate Winslet, I'll have to wait to pass
>judgement, I don't think they have a large enough body of work (cinama)
>to warrent an opinion. Or perhaps I just haven't seen enough of thier
>movies. I can't think of any that Kate's been in besides Titanic, and
>Claire only comes to mind in Romeo and Juliet. Did I miss any movies
>that I should be renting that might change my opinion??
The one that comes to mind for Winslet is Heavenly Creatures. Have to say
that I did not think the movie was as good as everyone else said. Of
course, a lot of people here hated Two Girls and a Guy, but it has been
getting outstanding reviews.
I have found one of the hardest things to do is recommend movies. I was
WARNED not to watch Speed 2. I didn't listen. I watched, and kept on
watching because there was something there, and you felt that the movie HAD
to get better. I was wrong. Those are two hours of my life that I will
never get back. It is my opinion the absolute worst movie I have ever
seen. But I cannot believe how popular it has been as a video release.
There is no accounting for taste. Although I did not find Heavenly
Creatures to be a GREAT movie, I have seen a LOT worse. If you liked Kate
Winslet in Titanic, give it a go.
Some trivia about Heavenly Creatures that Everybody Knows (which means that
a lot of people don't). It is based on the true story of two girls who
killed the mother of one of them in New Zealand in the 1960s (or
thereabouts). The two girls were in jail until the turned 18. Their
release has two conditions: They must never have contact with each other.
And they must never return to New Zealand.
One woman is living in South Africa. The other lives in the UK. She
writes books, murder mysteries. You may have heard of her. Her name is
Anne Perry.
Regards,
- --Mel
- --Mel Eperthener
president, Gowanna Multi-media Pty
email: bcassidy@usaor.net
gowanna@australiamail.com
http://www.webz.com/gowanna
419 Butler Street
PO Box 95184
Pittsburgh, PA 15223-0184
(412) 781-6140
(412) 781-6380
1-888-45-GOWANNA -- TOLL FREE
____________________________________________
That was a wicked googly!
--Jerry Seinfeld, AMEX commercial
______________________________________________
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 15:01:10 -0500
From: Ann <suttons@mail.arkansas.net>
Subject: [MV] Deep Impact / Armageddon
Did I just hear a commericial wrong or are these two movies about the exact
same thing. I saw Deep Impact (except for the last part after the asteriod
hit, a tornado ruined that for us!) - about an asteriod heading for earth,
breaks into 2 pieces, will destroy earth if it hits, team goes into space
to try to destroy it.
Just yesterday, I saw a commercial about Armageddon ----> an asteriod is
heading for earth and will destroy it if it hits, a team goes into space to
try to destroy it.
Can someone help me out here???
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 16:50:36 -0400
From: Mel Eperthener <bcassidy@usaor.net>
Subject: Re: [MV] Deep Impact / Armageddon
At 03.01 PM 18/05/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Did I just hear a commericial wrong or are these two movies about the exact
>same thing. I saw Deep Impact (except for the last part after the asteriod
>hit, a tornado ruined that for us!) - about an asteriod heading for earth,
>breaks into 2 pieces, will destroy earth if it hits, team goes into space
>to try to destroy it.
>
>Just yesterday, I saw a commercial about Armageddon ----> an asteriod is
>heading for earth and will destroy it if it hits, a team goes into space to
>try to destroy it.
>
>Can someone help me out here???
Actually, Deep Impact had a comet. But beyond that, you are correct. But
why are you surprised by this? Hollywood does this all the time, now. As
a matter of fact, I think I wrote another post on this same subject. But
there are some new ones here:
Just this week, Fox (which is famous for this) has been running ads for
Gargantua, basically a Godzilla rip-off. It is on this Tuesday, the same
day as the advanced screenings for Godzilla, IIRC.
We had Volcano and Dante's Peak.
ID4 and The Arrival (and Mars Attacks! to stretch it a bit).
When Outbreak came out, another studio was desperately working on The Hot Zone
There were two movies about Jessica Savitch (one being Up Close and Personal).
French Kiss and Forget Paris
Con Air and Air Force One (this is a stretch, but the viewing public keeps
confusing them)
Grosse Pointe Blank and Romy and Michele (by the same studio even!!)
Wag the Dog was about a President that started a war to take the public's
attention away from his personal life (sound familiar?). Primary Colours
was about a Presendent's election. Guess which one:-)
And with few exceptions, I have not even begun to cover the B-movies and
television movies, some of which are blatent rip-offs of the big-name movies.
So my question to you would be why are you surprised that there are two
Space Debris movies coming out?? A follow-up would be, when will the third
one be out, and where? (Actually, Fox [surprise, surprise:-] had a movie
called Asteroid. Or was it NBC? If it was, then Fox had the storyline in
one of it's series)
Regards,
- --Mel
- --Mel Eperthener
president, Gowanna Multi-media Pty
email: bcassidy@usaor.net
gowanna@australiamail.com
http://www.webz.com/gowanna
419 Butler Street
PO Box 95184
Pittsburgh, PA 15223-0184
(412) 781-6140
(412) 781-6380
1-888-45-GOWANNA -- TOLL FREE
____________________________________________
That was a wicked googly!
--Jerry Seinfeld, AMEX commercial
______________________________________________
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------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 11:56:14 -0700
From: Michael Dequina <michael_jordan@geocities.com>
Subject: [MV] The Movie Report#143, 5/19/98
T H E
M O V I E
R E P O R T
#143
MAY 19, 1998
*VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT*
If you have bookmarked Mr. Brown's Movie Site or linked it from your own
personal websites, *please* change the URL to:
http://welcome.to/mrbrown
The original URL (http://members.tripod.com/~MrBrown) is NO LONGER
FUNCTIONAL. As a rather cruel birthday gift (BTW, my thanks to everyone
who sent me birthday messages), Tripod deleted the primary 'MrBrown'
account, thus wiping out a number of pages, most notably (and
frustratingly) the Movie Site Links pages, and since I am unable to put up
a "This site has moved" page, I have to try and find every single site that
linked me and notify them of the URL change. The entire review archive is
still up and intact (and at located at the same addresses), as are other
pages and subsites, but a number of pages are in the process of being rebuilt.
I appreciate your patience during the rebuilding process.
BTW, if your site was linked on Movie Site Links, please e-mail me your
site name and URL so I don't forget to include it on the new list. Thank you.
=>T H I S W E E K<=
M O V I E S
- -Godzilla
V I D E O
- -As Good as It Gets
- -Shall We Dance?
- -Starship Troopers
Select reviews are available at Hollywood Hotline on CompuServe and:
http://www.HollywoodHotline.com
...on Albany Online at:
http://www.AlbanyOnline.com
...and the Eyepiece Network at:
http://www.eyepiece.com
For links to the official websites of all the current films, past reviews,
exclusive Hollywood event photos, movie discussion board, movie theme MIDI
files, and more, visit Mr. Brown's Movie Site at:
http://welcome.to/mrbrown
Please don't forget to sign the guestbook...
all movies graded out of four stars (****)
~~~
=>M O V I E S<=
N E W R E L E A S E S
Godzilla (PG-13) **
Reviewing a much-ballyhooed "event" movie like _Godzilla_ is a pointless
task. No matter what I or any critic might say about it, everyone and
their mother will still rush out to the theatre to see the movie just to
say that they did. But in the event that anyone out there is listening, be
forewarned that this lavish take on the classic Japanese monster movies is
a technically superb but flavorless piece of sci-fi hackwork.
_Godzilla_'s mediocrity should not come as a surprise to anyone familiar
with the work of the "brains" behind the project, the team of
co-writer/producer Dean Devlin and co-writer/director Roland Emmerich. As
the film's many trailers so bombastically boast, they are the creators of
that overhyped sci-fi phenomenon of a couple year's back,
_Independence_Day_ (they were also behind another inexplicable success,
1994's ridiculous _StarGate_, as well as 1992's unspeakably horrid
Jean-Claude Van Damme-Dolph Lundgren battle royale _Universal_Soldier_). I
was lukewarm on _ID4_ (it earned a fairly charitable ** 1/2 on my
scale--which elicited a rather snottily sarcastic e-mail from Devlin
himself), which had top-flight effects, a charismatic lead (the
incomparable Will Smith), but a sloppy script populated by poorly drawn
characters with vapid individual storylines.
_ID4_'s "human dimension" (which a lot of people actually bought into) is
as profound as _Schindler's List_'s in comparison to what is on display in
_Godzilla_--or, rather, what _isn't_ on display. Our primary human guide
throughout the giant lizard mayhem is Dr. Niko Tatopoulos (Matthew
Broderick), a nuclear scientist who is enlisted by the military to
investigate the origins and analyze the behavior of the behemoth reptile
that is destroying New York City. There, he is reunited with his college
sweetheart, aspiring reporter Audrey Timmonds (Maria Pitillo, sporting wild
Sarah Jessica Parker-ish locks--a coincidence?). Their love story is
supposed to be the emotional hook, but Devlin and Emmerich scarcely bother
to give them any quiet scenes alone together, so what's the point?
Broderick and Pitillo appear to not see one either, woodenly playing their
already-plywood roles and failing to generate any romantic spark whatsoever.
But the flat lead characters are the least of _Godzilla_'s problems. The
film's fundamental flaw can best be summed up in the scene where the
creature's appearance is fully revealed. The work of creature designer and
supervisor Patrick Tatopoulos does not disappoint; sort of a mix between a
T-rex, stegosaurus, and velociraptor with a little iguana thrown in,
Godzilla's look is truly menacing, and the big visual revelation should be
a moment of genuine fright and tension, much like the grand T-rex entrance
in _Jurassic_Park_. But Emmerich completely misdirects the moment. The
audience's first, uninterrupted glimpse is scored with some uplifting,
awe-inspiring music not unlike _Jurassic_'s main theme, and Niko's aghast
look is one more of wonder than fear, which is what I'm sure any person,
scientist or not, would feel in the presence of a giant, hungry lizard.
This is but the first instance in Emmerich's complete botching of what
should be a key element in _Godzilla_--terror. For all the destruction
Godzilla causes, and the threat he poses to everyone's lives, the purported
"thrill ride" feels safe and is not scary in the slightest. This is
especially the case in an extended sequence set in the destroyed Madison
Square Garden. Without giving away a key plot "surprise," the sequence's
obvious model is the showcase raptor sequence in _Jurassic_ (in fact, so
much of _Godzilla_ is derivative of _Jurassic_ it might as well have been
called _Godzilla_Park_), but Emmerich and Devlin mistake quantity for
quality. If you see the film, you'll know what I mean--the threat to the
"heroes" is considerably larger, but I never once felt that they were in
any danger.
The always-visually exciting (as opposed to just plain exciting)
_Godzilla_ would have gone down a bit easier if there was a greater dose of
humor. Unlike _ID4_, which had a comic firecracker at its center in Smith,
Godzilla's stabs at humor are few and, frankly, not terribly funny. Hank
Azaria, as news cameraman Victor "Animal" Palotti, tries to make the most
of the blah wisecracks he's assigned to deliver. A running dig at Roger
Ebert--the stocky, silver-haired, bespackled mayor (Michael Lerner) is also
named Ebert, and an upturned thumb is his big campaign gesture--grows old
quickly. An injokey dig at Warner Bros. and Disney, numerous lame verbal
gags involving Niko's Greek surname, Harry Shearer's pompous news anchor
(who is not too far from one of his _Simpsons_ roles, newsman Kent
Brockman), and some comic stoicism by Jean Reno (playing--what else?--a
shady Frenchman) round out the film's light touches. As a whole, the film
takes itself much too seriously--much like Devlin and Emmerich themselves.
The terrible twosome have proclaimed themselves the Lucas and Spielberg of
this generation (a sad testimony), which could not be farther from the
truth. While they are adept at handling the technical aspects of
effects-laden extravaganzas (_Godzilla_ is, if anything, a superlative
technical achievement, terrifically designed by Oliver Scholl and shot by
Ueli Steiger), they have yet to display any of the imagination, creativity,
or solid ideas of George and Steven. What ideas they do have only work
within the confines of two-minute trailers, which are always far superior
to the full films themselves. The fact that hype-brainwashed moviegoers
don't ever appear to care--and pre-sold _Godzilla_ certainly won't break
the mass hypnosis--shows that their true calling lies within the offices of
a studio's marketing department and _not_ on the creative end of the film
business.
IN CURRENT RELEASE
(full reviews of the following in past MRs and at the listed URLs)
- -The Big Hit (R) ** 1/2 <MR#139, 4/23/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt32.html#bighit
- -Black Dog (PG-13) * <MR#141, 5/7/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt33.html#blackdog
- -The Butcher Boy (R) *** 1/2 <MR#137, 4/10/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt31.html#butcherboy
- -Chinese Box (R) ** <MR#134, 3/13/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt30.html#chinesebox
- -City of Angels (PG-13) ** 1/2 <MR#137, 4/10/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt31.html#angels
- -Deep Impact (PG-13) *** <MR#141, 5/14/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt33.html#impact
- -Go Now *** <MR#141, 5/7/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt33.html#gonow
- -He Got Game (R) *** <MR#140, 4/30/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt33.html#hegotgame
- -The Horse Whisperer (PG-13) * 1/2 <MR#142, 5/14/98
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt33.html#horse
- -Les Miserables (PG-13) *** <MR#139, 4/23/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt32.html#lesmiz
- -The Object of My Affection (R) *** <MR#140, 4/30/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt33.html#affection
- -Quest for Camelot (G) ** <MR#142, 5/14/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt33.html#quest
- -Shooting Fish (PG) ** 1/2 <MR#138, 4/16/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt32.html#fish
- -Sliding Doors (PG-13) *** <MR#140, 4/30/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt33.html#doors
- -The Spanish Prisoner (R) *** 1/2 <MR#137, 4/10/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt31.html#prisoner
- -Titanic (PG-13) **** <MR#121, 12/10/97>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt26.html#titanic
- -Two Girls and a Guy (R) ** <MR#137, 4/10/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt31.html#2girls
- -Woo (R) ** <MR#141, 5/7/98>
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt33.html#woo
O N T H E H O R I Z O N
TUESDAY NIGHT
Godzilla (PG-13) ** <see above review>
Another mediocre piece of sci-fi hackwork from Roland Emmerich and Dean
Devlin, but most audiences won't care.
FRIDAY
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (R)
Terry Gilliam directs this adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's head- and
road-trip novel. Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro star.
The Opposite of Sex (R)
A teen temptress (Christina Ricci) makes trouble for everyone she
encounters in this drama from writer-director Don Roos.
EXPANDING FRIDAY
Bulworth (R)
Warren Beatty's acclaimed political satire opens everywhere this week,
just in time to get crushed by _Godzilla_.
Still Breathing (PG-13)
Making its debut in major markets this week is writer-director James F.
Robinson's award-winning romantic comedy between a street performer
(Brendan Fraser) and a con artist (Joanna Going).
~~~
=>V I D E O<=
N E W T H I S W E E K
As Good as It Gets (PG-13) *** <full review in MR#124, 1/5/98; and at
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt27.html#asgood>
Cute, but horribly overrated (and overlong), comedy about a prickly
romance novelist (Oscar winner Jack Nicholson) who falls for a
down-on-her-luck waitress (Oscar winner Helen Hunt). The performances are
the best thing about the film though whether Nicholson and Hunt truly
deserved their statues is highly questionable. (Columbia TriStar Home Video)
Shall We Dance? (PG) ****
One of the most delightful films released last year was this sparkling
Japanese comedy-drama in which bored businessman Shohei Sugiyama (Koji
Yakusho) takes up ballroom dancing behind his wife and daughter's back.
Writer-director Masayuki Suo's fresh and often very funny film is at once
formulaic and wholly original. Sugiyama does become a good dancer, and
there is a central dance competition scene in which Sugiyama's secret is
revealed. However, said competition plays out in a way that goes against
all expectations, and the scene does _not_ serve as the film's climax.
That title is held by a beautiful closing sequence that earns a surprising
yet most well-deserved poignance. All in all, an absolutely splendid
entertainment that was unjustly disqualified from Oscar contention (it had
aired on television before its American theatrical release). (Miramax
Home Entertainment)
Starship Troopers (R) ** 1/2 <full review in MR#116, 11/6/97; and at
http://members.tripod.com/~mrbrown/movierpt24.html#starship>
The best (terrific action sequences, superb special effects) and worst
(atrocious performances by the acting ensemble largely made up of young
"talent") of Paul Verhoeven are blended somewhat uneasily in this cheesy
but fun adaptation of the Robert A. Heinlein sci-fi novel. (Columbia
TriStar Home Video)
A L S O N E W T H I S W E E K
An American Werewolf in Paris (R)
Belated sequel to John Landis's _An_American_Werewolf_in_London_,
starring Tom Everett Scott and Julie Delpy and directed by _Mute_Witness_'s
Anthony Waller. (Hollywood Pictures Home Video)
Little Indian, Big City (PG)
The original French film that inspired last year's Tim Allen fiasco
_Jungle_2_Jungle_. 'Nuff said. (Walt Disney Home Video)
~~~
=>N E X T W E E K<=
More reviews, including:
- -Hope Floats
'til then...
__________________________________________________________
Michael Dequina
Chat Forum Host, The Official Michael Jordan Web Site
http://jordan.sportsline.com
mj23@michaeljordanfan.com
michael_jordan@geocities.com | mrbrown@ucla.edu
>My personal WWW sites<
Mr. Brown's Movie Site: http://welcome.to/mrbrown
Michael Jordan Beyond the Court: http://fly.to/michaeljordan
A Michael Jordan Fan's Heartbreak: http://fly.to/mj23
Personal Page: http://welcome.to/w3md
>Other WWW sites I work on<
CompuServe Hollywood Hotline: http://www.HollywoodHotline.com
Albany Online: http://www.AlbanyOnline.com
Eyepiece Network: http://www.eyepiece.com
"I didn't know what to expect. It's like something you chase
for so long, but then you don't know how to react when you
get it. I still don't know how to react."
- --Michael Jordan, on winning his first NBA championship in 1991
...or, my thoughts after meeting him on November 21, 1997
__________________________________________________________
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