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From: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com (movies-digest)
To: movies-digest@lists.xmission.com
Subject: movies-digest V2 #58
Reply-To: movies-digest
Sender: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com
Errors-To: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com
Precedence: bulk
movies-digest Friday, August 7 1998 Volume 02 : Number 058
[MV] Movie News - 07/31/98
[MV] Family Movie Worth Watching
[MV] Re: Family Movie Worth Watching
[MV] Coming Monday, 8.03, to The Flick Filosopher...
Movie News - 08/03/98
[MV] Re: Family Movie Worth Watching -Reply
[MV] Movie News - 08/04/98
[MV] Movie News - 08/05/98
[MV] Movie News - 08/06/98
[none]
[MV] Armageddon
[MV] HELP
[MV] Coming Monday, 8.03, to The Flick Filosopher...
[MV] HELP -Reply
[MV] Megan
Re: [MV] Armageddon
[MV] The Movie Report#153, 8/7/98
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 16:41:33 -0600 (MDT)
From: The Reporter <gregorys@xmission.com>
Subject: [MV] Movie News - 07/31/98
"A Hard Day's Night," the Beatles movie that encapsulated the mania
surrounding the band and is credited with inspiring the era of music
videos, will be re-released by Miramax Films next year, the 35th
anniversary of the film's launch. The 90-minute, black-&-white film,
directed by Richard Lester for United Artists at a cost of about
$500,000, received two Academy Award nominations, for screenwriter
Alun Owen and music director George Martin. Propelled by the Beatles'
popularity when released in the summer of 1964, "Night" was a
thumping success around the world and became a blueprint for rock
movies.
-=> * <=-
Sixteen blacklisted screenwriters whose names were omitted from films
on which they worked will at last get the recognition they deserved.
The board of directors of the Writers Guild of America has voted to
change the credits on 21 films made between 1950 and 1969 after
conducting an investigation into each movie's history. The research
was complicated by the pseudonyms some writers used so as to sidestep
allegations that they were Communist sympathizers. Some writers,
conscious that the blacklist lingered, continued to use pseudonyms
into the 1970s.
-=> * <=-
After being cold-shouldered last fall in a lineup decidedly light on
big-name U.S. fare, features from major American studios and key
indie players, along with accompanying stars, will be out in force at
this year's Venice International Film Festival. The festival's latest
edition, running Sept. 3-13, will include world premieres of new
films from Woody Allen, Bryan Singer, Mike Figgis, John Dahl, Larry
Clark, Abel Ferrara and James Ivory. The lineup, unveiled Wednesday
at a Rome press conference, also features European debuts of pictures
by Steven Spielberg, Warren Beatty, Peter Weir and Steven Soderbergh.
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 17:39:04 -0600
From: "just me!" <kridon00@micron.net>
Subject: [MV] Family Movie Worth Watching
Hi All,
I'm heading to the movie store in 15 minutes and looking for
suggestions on a good movie to rent. Something that will keep a man,
woman & 9 yr. old kid all entertained. We just took him to see
Armegeddon
the other night and it turned out pretty good. Just hard these days not
knowing the content beforehand, to know what's going to be suitable or
not.
I've heard Austin Powers is funny. Is it too old for him? Is Man in
the Iron Mask out yet and how is that one?
So......any quick suggestions would be appreciated!
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 17:40:59 -0600
From: "just me!" <kridon00@micron.net>
Subject: [MV] Re: Family Movie Worth Watching
Hi All,
I'm heading to the movie store in 15 minutes and looking for
suggestions on a good movie to rent. Something that will keep a man,
woman & 9 yr. old kid all entertained. We just took him to see
Armegeddon
the other night and it turned out pretty good. Just hard these days not
knowing the content beforehand, to know what's going to be suitable or
not.
I've heard Austin Powers is funny. Is it too old for him? Is Man in
the Iron Mask out yet and how is that one?
So......any quick suggestions would be appreciated!
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[ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
------------------------------
Date: 1 Aug 1998 02:11:58 -0000
From: The Flick Filosopher's Coming Attractions <flickfilos@aol.com>
Subject: [MV] Coming Monday, 8.03, to The Flick Filosopher...
The Flick Filosopher's Coming Attractions - http://www.flickfilosopher.com/flickfilos
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++++++++++++++
It looked to me like ListBot didnÆt send this the first time round. I
apologize if youÆve received this twice.
MaryAnn
++++++++++++++
"Sit down!" the older cop yelled, shoving The Flick Filosopher into a
rickety chair in the interrogation room.
"Now, Bob," the younger cop soothed. "Go easy on her. Look how scared she
is." The handsome young cop patted The Flick Filosopher's hand. "My
partner gets a little worked up, you know?"
The older cop's face reddened. "Don't apologize for me, Joe! I've eaten
snotty little punks like her for breakfast! And if she doesn't tell us
what we want to know right now, we'll see if a forced viewing of
*Armageddon* loosens her tongue at all!"
"Oh God no!" The Flick Filosopher pleaded.
The younger cop shook his head at his partner and pulled up a chair next
to The Flick Filosopher. "Look," he said quietly, "there's no reason why
we can't settle this right here, right now. Just tell us what Monday's
movies are gonna be, and you can go home."
"I--" The Flick Filosopher said.
The older cop slammed his fist on the table. "Listen, you Janet Maslin
wannabe, you don't wanna get the DA in on this, I promise you--"
The younger cop threw a nasty look at his partner, then turned back to The
Flick Filosopher. "What can you tell us?"
"Well," she said, her voice trembling, "I thought I'd go see *The
Negotiator* and watch a video of *Cop Land.* The theme is..."
"Go on," the younger cop said.
The Flick Filosopher glanced fearfully at the older cop, glowering down at
her. "Good Cop, Bad Cop."
"Very funny," the older cop growled.
<-------------->
Got a Web site? Support The Flick Filosopher by displaying a cool linkback
banner or button.
Grab one at
www.flickfilosopher.com/flickfilos/banner.html
<-------------->
Don't eat the Jujubes -- they'll rot your teeth!
(Still searching for the right signoff...)
MaryAnn
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 13:04:17 -0600 (MDT)
From: The Reporter <gregorys@xmission.com>
Subject: Movie News - 08/03/98
DRIVER GETS SPIRITUAL After avoiding the cliched British
costume drama with fresh, modern roles in "Good Will
Hunting," "Big Night" and "Grosse Pointe Blank," Minnie
Driver has taken the lead in the period piece "The
Governess." "I wanted to do a period drama, but I didn't
want it to be chocolate-boxy," Driver, 27, told The New York
Times. "And sure enough, along came this twisted take on
spiritual subterfuge and blind eroticism." It's the story of
a young Jewish woman in 1840s London who learns she must
hide her religious faith to find work as a governess. "I'm
fascinated by how much we, as women, have to subjugate and
hide ourselves in order to get on in the world," Driver
said.
-=> * <=-
TOM HANKS STILL GOLDEN While Steven Spielberg hosted the
Clintons in the Hamptons, the director's movie "Saving
Private Ryan" continued to dominate the nation's box office
with an estimated $23.3 million during this past weekend,
say studio sources. (The D-Day drama, starring Tom Hanks,
has so far made $73.1 million in 10 days.) Disney's updated
remake of "The Parent Trap" finished a respectable second
with $11.5 million, edging out the third weekend of the very
gross -- and very funny -- "There's Something About Mary"
($11.2 million). "The Negotiator," a police thriller with
Kevin Spacey and Samuel L. Jackson, came in a solid fourth
with $9.7 million, and the debut of "Ever After," with Drew
Barrymore as Cinderella, happily ended with $9 million.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 04 Aug 1998 08:11:45 -0700
From: Bruce Bridges <bruce@SABAN.COM>
Subject: [MV] Re: Family Movie Worth Watching -Reply
Well my friends, it seems like only yesterday that we were joshing and
joking about a "Titantic" toy line. These good folks just couldn't
let a goldmine pass them by (see below). Do you think the retailers
will observe a moment of silence before each sale?
Galoob Toys to Market Titanic Dolls
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 4, 1998--
Galoob Toys, Inc. (NYSE: GAL) today announced that it will produce a
series of Titanic collector's dolls based on the film's lead
character, "Rose DeWitt Bukater," portrayed by Kate Winslet in her
Academy Award-nominated performance. Marketed under Galoob's "first
look" licensing agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and
Merchandising, the first doll in the series is expected to reach
retail shelves in October of this year.
"We are very happy to have the opportunity to market a series of
dolls based on the very popular character of Rose from the biggest
film of all time," said Gary Niles, Galoob's Executive Vice President
of Marketing and Product Acquisition.
"We're thrilled to collaborate with Galoob on Titanic," noted
Steve Ross, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Twentieth
Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising. "The doll's quality,
attention to detail and natural collectability are a tribute to the
film and its popularity."
The first in a planned series of Galoob limited edition
collector's dolls inspired by Titanic's "Rose DeWitt Bukater," the
doll stands 11-1/2 inches tall and wears the evening gown worn by
Rose in her first meeting with the "Jack Dawson" character. The
doll's elaborately detailed crimson silk empire dress is fashioned
after the original costume created for the film by Academy
Award-winning costume designer Deborah Lynn Scott.
Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising licenses and
markets properties worldwide on behalf of all Fox film and television
properties as well as third party properties.
Galoob Toys, Inc. designs, develops, markets and sells high
quality toys worldwide. For more information about the Company and
its products, visit Galoob's World Wide Web site at
http://www.galoob.com.
CONTACT:
Robert Marston And Associates
Karen Levine
(212) 371-2200
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------------------------------
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 12:56:12 -0600 (MDT)
From: The Reporter <gregorys@xmission.com>
Subject: [MV] Movie News - 08/04/98
"Saving Private Ryan" won its second consecutive weekend box-office
battle, as audiences continued to storm theaters showing the
critically acclaimed war drama. Steven Spielberg's grisly World War
II picture ceded little ground, dropping just 24% to $23.3 million,
while fending off attacks from four rookie films. With the best
second-week hold of any chart-topper this summer, "Ryan" clearly has
dug in for the long haul. With $73 million already under its ammo
belt, the movie is on target to gross at least $160 million
Stateside.
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 12:42:14 -0600 (MDT)
From: The Reporter <gregorys@xmission.com>
Subject: [MV] Movie News - 08/05/98
Galoob Toys Inc. said Tuesday it will produce a series of
collectable dolls based on Rose, the female lead character
played by Kate Winslet in the blockbuster "Titanic." Galoob
said the dolls will be marketed under a licensing agreement
with 20th Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising. The first
doll in the series is expected to go on sale in October. It
stands 11-1/2 inches tall and wears an elaborately detailed
crimson silk empire dress, which Rose wore at her first
meeting with Jack Dawson, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. No
word yet on turning him into a doll, too.
-=> * <=-
Disney's latest animated movie, "Mulan," based on a Chinese
folk tale, was banned from being shown in China. The country's
official news agency, Xinhua, offered no concrete reasons for
the hold-up of the film, but quoted a China Film Corp. official
as calling the issue "complicated." There's speculation that
this could be retaliation for Disney's "Kundun," which was
about the Dalai Lama, who is most unpopular with the Chinese
government. Bootleg versions of "Mulan" can already be
bought on the streets of Beijing.
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 12:35:34 -0600 (MDT)
From: The Reporter <gregorys@xmission.com>
Subject: [MV] Movie News - 08/06/98
Woody Allen's "Celebrity," which focuses on the world of the
famous and infamous in the Big Apple, will open the 36th New
York Film Festival Sept. 25. The film features an all-star
ensemble cast that includes Kenneth Branagh, Judy Davis,
Leonardo DiCaprio, Melanie Griffith, Joe Mantegna, Winona
Ryder, Charlize Theron, Famke Janssen and Gretchen Mol.
"Celebrity," a Miramax Films release, is the first Allen
film to be selected as the opening-night film of the New
York festival. His "Bullets Over Broadway" inaugurated the
Festival Centerpiece slot in 1994. No word yet on which
members of Woody's cast -- or if the filmmaker himself --
will attend the premiere.
-=> * <=-
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who played Bill Cosby's son on TV,
will star in a new independent movie, "A Fare to Remember."
It's described as the story of a businesswoman who has to
take a taxi from Seattle to Los Angeles -- where she is to
be married -- but along the way she falls in love with the
taxi driver. Warner, soon to be 28, will play the cabbie.
-=> * <=-
The computer-animated comedy "Antz," which features the voices of
Woody Allen and Sharon Stone, has been chosen to close the 23rd
Toronto International Film Festival. Organizers said Tuesday "Antz"
will have its world premiere as the closing night gala of the
festival, which runs from Sept. 10 to 19. Produced by Steven
Spielberg's DreamWorks Pictures, "Antz" tells the story of a worker
ant (Allen) who inadvertently ends up leading a revolution in his
Central Park colony. Other voices in the film include Gene Hackman,
Sylvester Stallone and Anne Bancroft.
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1998 04:59:38 -0400
From: "Meyers, Megan" <megan.meyers@labatt.com>
Subject: [none]
Hey there everyone!!
I just finished watching Anastasia. And I have to say that even though
it was not a disney movie it was awesome. I would reccommend this to
everyone, if you haven't watched it. It is well worth your time!!
Megan
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------------------------------
Date: 07 Aug 98 10:39:01 +0100
From: "ABYRNE.IE.ORACLE.COM" <ABYRNE@ie.oracle.com>
Subject: [MV] Armageddon
I went to see Godzilla recently.Muck.Absolute rubbish.I heard some of the
reviews that you guys posted and I thought that this was worse.Probably the
worst movie I have seen in a couple of years
Second came Lost In Space. Another crap film. Allthough the acting wasn't
too
bad, and Matt Le Blanc did a good job, along with Gary Oldman, the plot just=
didn't get me at all.Boring rubbish all the way through.
Then was Armageddon. Brilliant! Probably the best film I have seen this
year.
I'm a sci-fi fan aswell, so I actually rate this over Titanic.
Affeleck was excellent, and Willis ws pretty good, with Tyler throwing out a=
better than ever, Will Patton(I think that was his name), was brilliant, and
I
was loughing out loud along with everyone else in the cinema with Buscemi,
whose character was just hillarious. Best film of the year so far.
But I hear that Saving Private Ryan was pretty good aswell.
Thanks & Regards,
****************************************************************************=
**
****************************************************************************=
**
Anto Byrne Net:abyrne@ie.oracle.com
Oracle E.M.E.A. Fulfillment Dept.
Unit 14 Phone:8031461
Airways Industrial Estate Fax:8031541
Cloghran email:abyrne
Dublin 17.
Ireland
****************************************************************************=
**
"Float like a cannon-ball,sting like a shark
I'm the one who's waiting for you in the dark"
****************************************************************************=
**
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1998 06:26:02 -0400
From: "Meyers, Megan" <megan.meyers@labatt.com>
Subject: [MV] HELP
Hey there!
Okay I have to be the worst movie watcher ever!! I have only seen two
that's right two movies this year. One was City of angels and the other
one was Anastasia. I know, I know. I haven't even seen Titanic. I am one
of the few ( if there are any left that is). I just got off a mini
mission, and now I am getting ready to go on a full time mission. I
would love to watch a movie, but I have about a million things to do
before I head to the MTC. If any of you can help me fill in my movie
gap, I would be grateful!!
Megan in Canada
Email megan.meyers@labatt.com
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------------------------------
Date: 7 Aug 1998 11:40:56 -0000
From: The Flick Filosopher's Coming Attractions <flickfilos@aol.com>
Subject: [MV] Coming Monday, 8.03, to The Flick Filosopher...
The Flick Filosopher's Coming Attractions - http://www.flickfilosopher.com/flickfilos
- ---------------------------- Sponsor Message ----------------------------
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"Sit down!" the older cop yelled, shoving The Flick Filosopher into a
rickety chair in the interrogation room.
"Now, Bob," the younger cop soothed. "Go easy on her. Look how scared she
is." The handsome young cop patted The Flick Filosopher's hand. "My
partner gets a little worked up, you know?"
The older cop's face reddened. "Don't apologize for me, Joe! I've eaten
snotty little punks like her for breakfast! And if she doesn't tell us
what we want to know right now, we'll see if a forced viewing of
*Armageddon* loosens her tongue at all!"
"Oh God no!" The Flick Filosopher pleaded.
The younger cop shook his head at his partner and pulled up a chair next
to The Flick Filosopher. "Look," he said quietly, "there's no reason why
we can't settle this right here, right now. Just tell us what Monday's
movies are gonna be, and you can go home."
"I--" The Flick Filosopher said.
The older cop slammed his fist on the table. "Listen, you Janet Maslin
wannabe, you don't wanna get the DA in on this, I promise you--"
The younger cop threw a nasty look at his partner, then turned back to The
Flick Filosopher. "What can you tell us?"
"Well," she said, her voice trembling, "I thought I'd go see *The
Negotiator* and watch a video of *Cop Land.* The theme is..."
"Go on," the younger cop said.
The Flick Filosopher glanced fearfully at the older cop, glowering down at
her. "Good Cop, Bad Cop."
"Very funny," the older cop growled.
<-------------->
Got a Web site? Support The Flick Filosopher by displaying a cool linkback
banner or button.
Grab one at
http://www.flickfilosopher.com/flickfilos/banner.html
<-------------->
Don't eat the Jujubes -- they'll rot your teeth!
(Still searching for the right signoff...)
MaryAnn
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 08:28:32 -0700
From: Bruce Bridges <bruce@SABAN.COM>
Subject: [MV] HELP -Reply
Hi Megan,
I was beginning to think that nobody was left on the list. I suggest
that you see "Something about Mary" and "Saving Private Ryan". The
first is an incredibly funny, romantic comedy that has changed the
genre and the second is a stunning look at the horror of war. Both
can be revolting in their own way but if you have the constitution
then you should catch both.
bb
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1998 10:11:05 -0700
From: mjohanson@earthlink.net
Subject: [MV] Megan
Hey, Megan:
Go see "The Mask of Zorro" -- it's the most fun movie since any
Indiana Jones flick (see my review at http://www.flickfilosopher.com/flickfilos/archive/3q98/maskofzorro.html).
MaryAnn Johanson
The Flick Filosopher
http://www.flickfilosopher.com
- -----
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The FREE way to access your mailbox via any web browser, anywhere!
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 7 Aug 98 18:19:19 +0100
From: Garrett Winters <gargoyle@iol.ie>
Subject: Re: [MV] Armageddon
A Byrne writes
>I went to see Godzilla recently.Muck.Absolute rubbish.I heard some of the
>reviews that you guys posted and I thought that this was worse.Probably the
>worst movie I have seen in a couple of years
I guess you don't remember the utter crap that the originals were, this
current Godzilla lays everything from Toho to rest ( and I can say that
as I have seen at least 75% of their output over the years). The
originals were fun to watch but production values were abysmal, insisting
on using models where real things could have been used( such as stock
footage of airplanes) There was more of a plot than in any other monster
movie, great character interaction and drop dead special effects ( the
only movie to surpass it is Lost in Space). I have seen hundreds of films
in the last few years that didn't even come close to it. Anyone who
thinks the current monster isn't far superior to the rubber Toho variety
is wearing rose coloured spectacles. I really don't know what people
expect from a movie nowadays but this film delivered on all counts ( the
only downside was all the rain but having lived in New York for nearly
16 years I can testify that the weather did turn like that three to four
times a year and as a lizard she wouldn't have been able to operate like
she did)
>
>Second came Lost In Space. Another crap film. Allthough the acting wasn't
>too
>bad, and Matt Le Blanc did a good job, along with Gary Oldman, the plot just
>didn't get me at all.Boring rubbish all the way through.
Man oh man, did you never watch the original? I have never seen a better
made homage to an original in all my years of film watching. there must
have been dozens of little pointers to the original show ( the robots
voice, the damaged navigation control, the interplay between Don and
Judy, and I could go on) and plenty of updating to keep it from
seeming like just a remake. Again brilliant effects that will only be
surpassed IMO by the new Star Wars flick. The plot wasn't meant to be
selfcontained that's why it didn't seem to finish up, there are two
sequels already planned to continue their voyage.
How many people remembered that Penny used to keep a diary of her
adventures? that was updated to a diary watch ( or whatever it was). I
thought the time travel pieces fit well as it gave us an idea of what
would happen if one or two had been stranded for years.
all in all the best movie of the year bar none ( even pvt Ryan can't
compete as it is more of a semifactual retelling of history) and although
I await the Xfiles movie and Armageddon I doubt either will see me keen
to go again ( which I plan to do for LIS and Godzilla)
Garrett
My stock reply to someone when they say this movie or that tv show sucked
is " Could you do better?" All it is at the end of the day is the Tall
Poppy Syndrome which is rampant all over the world.
>
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 10:23:25 -0700
From: Michael Dequina <michael_jordan@geocities.com>
Subject: [MV] The Movie Report#153, 8/7/98
T H E
M O V I E
R E P O R T
#153
AUGUST 7, 1998
=>T H I S W E E K<=
M O V I E S
- -_Snake_Eyes_
- -_Jane_Austen's_Mafia!_
- -_BASEketball_
- -_Pecker_
V I D E O
- -_Deceiver_
- -_Jackie_Brown_
PLEASE HELP...
...keep the MR and Mr. Brown's Movie Site alive
(_I_don't_even_own_a_computer_) by renting or purchasing videos from
Reel.com! Visit:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/reel.exe/session/MRBR/welcome.html
You can now pre-order _Titanic_ for only $9.99! Order at:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/session/MRBR/sale/sale.html
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 or
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown
Please don't forget to sign the guestbook...
Select reviews are available at CompuServe Hollywood Hotline:
http://www.HollywoodHotline.com
...and the Eyepiece Network at:
http://www.eyepiece.com
...and Albany Online at:
http://www.AlbanyOnline.com
all movies graded out of four stars (****)
~~~
=>M O V I E S<=
N E W R E L E A S E S
_Snake_Eyes_ (R) **
_Snake_Eyes_ is less a description of the film it titles than the manner
in which director Brian DePalma wields his camera--like a serpent,
slithering its way through the halls and over the walls of an Atlantic City
casino. The title takes its cue from the differences in people's visual
perception from what really happens, and DePalma runs with the idea. A
seamless 20-minute shot opens the film, following cop Rick Santoro (Nicolas
Cage) through the labyrinthian walkways of the casino's arena before and
during a championship boxing match. Later, there's a flashback where a
subjective, point-of-view camera suddenly becomes objective without a
jarring break. That's just one in a series of instances where DePalma uses
a subjective camera to enable the audience to see through characters' eyes,
which is a clever gimmick when assuming the fuzzy perspective of a woman
who has lost her glasses. Then there's the use of a split screen to
document simultaneous action, a trick DePalma used to great effect in
_Dressed_to_Kill_.
I tend to meet a director's decision to juice up the visuals with a raised
eyebrow, for it generally signifies that he or she is trying to distract
the audience from a problematic script. And that is certainly the case
with _Snake_Eyes_, a pro forma conspiracy whodunit written by David Koepp
from a story he devised with DePalma. The U.S. Secretary of Defense is
assassinated during a boxing match, and out to solve the crime is Santoro,
along with best friend Kevin Dunne (Gary Sinise, in a role originally
pegged for Will Smith), a Navy commander who was in charge of security.
Somehow figuring into the mystery is a mysterious blonde-wigged woman
(Carla Gugino) who took a seat in front of the Secretary seconds before the
shooting and caught a bullet herself.
DePalma guides the audience through overlapping flashbacks and a flurry of
plot points with a rapidly-paced yet clear-eyed finesse. But craftsmanship
is all anyone will get a sense of, from the direction to the strong acting
by Sinise and especially Cage, who adds another oddball characterization to
his resume with the fast-talking, Hawaiian shirt-wearing, morally
questionable Santoro. The twists are thoroughly predictable, but even if
any tension and suspense were generated, it would all be squandered by the
film's contrived fizzle of an anticlimax, which is not only disappointing
but makes little sense.
For all its metaphoric meanings, the title _Snake_Eyes_ is derived from a
line of dialogue. One character tells another, "You have nothing. Snake
eyes." With his bottomless bag of stylish visual tricks, DePalma does have
"something" to offer in _Snake_Eyes_, but, ironically, it is that
"something" that points up just how much "nothing" lies underneath.
IN BRIEF
_Jane_Austen's_Mafia!_ (PG-13) **
_BASEketball_ (R) no stars
_Pecker_ (R) ** 1/2
The freshness date for the joke-a-second comedy style pioneered by the
writing-directing team of David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker in
1980's _Airplane!_ has just about expired--look no further than Abrahams's
latest ZAZ-flavored solo effort, _Jane_Austen's_Mafia!_ (which is being
promoted as just plain _Mafia!_ in spite of the onscreen title prefix).
While Abrahams had been able to keep the style, which crams ridiculous
sight and verbal gags within single scenes and shots, fresh, and funny in
his _Hot_Shots!_ films, most of the gags in the film (which he co-wrote
with Greg Norberg and Michael McManus) are simply uninspired. A spoof of
_The_Godfather_, _The_Godfather_Part_II_, and _Casino_ (including riffs on
_The_English_Patient_, _Forrest_Gump_, _Child's_Play_, and even
_Showgirls_), _Mafia!_ packs no big laughs, only a handful of
smile-inducing jokes. Not helping matters is the lackluster efforts of the
cast, led by a bland Jay Mohr as the Al Pacino stand-in and the late Lloyd
Bridges, noticeably frail, as the Marlon Brando-esque don.
While Abrahams tries to milk the old ZAZ formula for more riches (and
coming up mostly dry), one of his former cohorts, David Zucker, tries to
modernize it by incorporating the background-gag style into a '90s lowbrow,
gross-out comedy. The result, however, is simply disastrous.
_BASEketball_, about two losers (Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of
the cult hit TV series _South_Park_) who create a baseball/basketball
hybrid that becomes the national pastime, is a painfully unfunny would-be
satire of the commercialization of professional sports--or, rather, it
_initially_ sets out to be a satire, with its sharply written prologue
about how money became the center of all things athletic. But once that
passage is done, Zucker, Robert LoCash, Lewis Friedman, and Jeff Wright's
script degenerates into a tedious series of unamusing and rather forced
gross-out gags, such as milk squirting from male nipples and the licking of
a vibrator. There was only one funny gag, and that was when a familiar
buddy-buddy reconciliation scene culminated not in a warm hug, but in a
long, wet, tongue-heavy kiss (now that I've given that joke away, there's
no reason for you to see the movie). As actors, Parker and Stone are...
well, creators of a cult cartoon show. One has to wonder about Universal's
marketing campaign that boasts "starring the creators of _South_Park_."
I'm a big fan of _The_Simpsons_, but that doesn't mean I'll watch a film
starring creator Matt Groening.
As low as Zucker or the modern masters of lowbrow comedy,
_There's_Something_About_Mary_'s Farrelly Brothers, go, no one can tap into
the uniquely warped wavelength of writer-director John Waters. His latest,
_Pecker_, features more of his singular brand of cinematic dementia. Among
the hilariously eccentric pieces of Baltimore white trash featured: a
sweets-obsessed young girl named Little Chrissy (Lauren Hulsey), who
guzzles Jolt cola and eats sugar straight from the sack; her mother Joyce
(Mary Kay Place), a thrift-shop owner who enjoys offering her fashion
"expertise" to the homeless; Chrissy's older sister Tina (Martha Plimpton),
who works at a gay male strip bar known for "teabagging" (don't ask); and
Chrissy's grandmother Memama (Jean Schertler), whose sacred statue of the
Virgin Mary not-so-miraculously "speaks" (she makes the voice herself).
Toss in running gags about the pubic hair on lesbian strippers, and what
could possibly be wrong? In short, the film doesn't have much of a pecker.
The title character (a truly dazed Edward Furlong) is Little Chrissy's
perky older brother, who snaps photos of everyone and everything he sees
around him. Pecker's photos of his "culturally challenged" family and
community come to arouse great interest in the New York art world, building
to a rise to fame that causes the inevitable friction with his family; his
girlfriend Shelley (Christina Ricci, wonderfully acid as always), who runs
her laundromat with an iron fist; and his gleeful shoplifter of a best
friend, Matt (Brendan Sexton III). This main thrust of the film, however,
is downright flaccid compared to the comic potency of the fascinating and
wildly amusing weirdness of all else. There's quite a bit to laugh at in
_Pecker_, but the sturdy jokes stand up at the periphery of a very limp
center. (_Pecker_ opens September 25)
IN CURRENT RELEASE
(full reviews of the following in past MRs and at the listed URLs)
- -_Armageddon_ (PG-13) *** <MR#149, 7/1/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt36.html#armageddon
- -_Billy's_Hollywood_Screen_Kiss_ (R) *** <MR#148, 6/26/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt36.html#billy
- -_Disturbing_Behavior_ (R) no stars <MR#151, 7/24/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt37.html#disturbing
- -_Doctor_Dolittle_ (PG-13) ** <MR#148, 6/16/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt36.html#dolittle
- -_Ever_After_ (PG-13) *** <MR#152, 7/30/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt37.html#everafter
- -_Gone_with_the_Wind_ (G) **** <MR#147, 6/17/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt35.html#gwtw
- -_Lethal_Weapon_4_ (R) *** 1/2 <MR#150, 7/10/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt36.html#lethal4
- -_The_Mask_of_Zorro_ (PG-13) *** <MR#150, 7/10/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt36.html#zorro
- -_Mulan_ (G) **** <MR#147, 6/17/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt35.html#mulan
- -_The_Negotiator_ (R) *** <MR#151, 7/24/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt37.html#negotiator>
- -_The_Opposite_of_Sex_ (R) *** 1/2 <MR#144, 5/29/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt34.html#sex
- -_Out_of_Sight_ (R) *** 1/2 <MR#149, 7/1/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt36.html#outofsight
- -_Polish_Wedding_ (PG-13) * 1/2 <MR#151, 7/24/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt37.html#polish
- -_Saving_Private_Ryan_ (R) **** <MR#151, 7/24/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt37.html#ryan
- -_Six_Days,_Seven_Nights_ (PG-13) *** <MR#146, 6/11/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt35.html#67
- -_Small_Soldiers_ (PG) ** 1/2 <MR#150, 7/10/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt36.html#soldiers
- -_There's_Something_About_Mary_ (R) *** 1/2 <MR#150, 7/10/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt36.html#mary
- -_The_Truman_Show_ (PG) *** 1/2 <MR#145, 6/4/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt35.html#truman
- -_The_X-Files_ (PG-13) *** 1/2 <MR#147, 6/17/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt35.html#x
FUTURE FILMS
- -_Lolita_ (R) ** 1/2 <MR#151, 7/24/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt37.html#lolita
(September 25)
O N T H E H O R I Z O N
OPENED WEDNESDAY
_Halloween:_H20--20_Years_Later_ (R) *** <full review in MR#152, 7/30/98;
and at http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt37.html#h20>
Formulaic but fun 20th anniversary installment of the long-running horror
series, with Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) once again stalked by her
murderous brother, Michael Myers.
FRIDAY
First Love, Last Rites
Music video director (and former musician himself) Jesse Peretz makes his
big screen helming debut with this Louisiana-set romance between a drifter
(Giovanni Ribisi) and a young woman (Natasha Gregson Wagner).
Safe Men (R)
Two lounge singers (Sam Rockwell and Steve Zahn) are mistaken for mob
safecrackers in this indie comedy.
Snake Eyes (R) ** <see above review>
Brian DePalma's visually stylish fizzle of a whodunit, set in an Atlantic
City casino. Nicolas Cage and Gary Sinise star.
~~~
=>V I D E O<=
N E W T H I S W E E K
_Deceiver_ (R) **1/2 <full review in MR#129, 2/5/98; and at
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt28.html#deceiver>
Rent or buy at Reel.com:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/session/MRBR/moviepage.asp?MMID=40902
Stylish, convoluted, moderately involving suspenser centering around the
interrogation of an heir (Tim Roth, terrific as always) suspected of
murdering a prostitute (Renee Zellweger). (MGM/UA Home Video)
_Jackie_Brown_ (R) *** 1/2 <full review in MR#123, 12/24/98; and at
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt27.html#jb>
Rent or buy at Reel.com:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/session/MRBR/moviepage.asp?MMID=40819
Quentin Tarantino made a solid return to screenwriting and directing with
this gripping, if overlong, and surprisingly moving adaptation of Elmore
Leonard's _Rum_Punch_, focusing on a flight attendant (Pam Grier, robbed of
an Oscar nod) trying to outwit the arms dealer (Samuel L. Jackson) she
works for and the authorities. Oscar nominee Robert Forster, Bridget
Fonda, Michael Keaton, and Robert DeNiro round out the solid ensemble.
(Miramax Home Entertainment)
A L S O N E W T H I S W E E K
_Blues_Brothers_2000_ (PG-13)
Rent or buy at Reel.com:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/session/MRBR/moviepage.asp?MMID=40908
Sequel to the musical comedy, with John Goodman filling the void left by
John Belushi beside Dan Aykroyd. (Universal Studios Home Video)
_Meet_the_Deedles_ (PG)
Rent or buy at Reel.com:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/session/MRBR/moviepage.asp?MMID=40991
A couple of surfer dudes (Paul Walker and Steve Van Wormer)
become park rangers in this juvenile comedy from Disney. (Walt Disney Home
Video)
_The_Proposition_ (R)
Rent or buy at Reel.com:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/session/MRBR/moviepage.asp?MMID=40988
A well-to-do couple's (Kenneth Branagh and Madeleine Stowe)
decision to use a surrogate father sets off the usual chain of twisted,
scandalous
events. William Hurt and erstwhile Doogie Howser, Neil Patrick Harris,
also star. (PolyGram Video)
_The_Wedding_Singer_ (PG-13)
Rent or buy at Reel.com:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/session/MRBR/moviepage.asp?MMID=40925
The latest Adam Sandler vehicle finds the comedian playing a
wedding singer in the year 1985 who falls for the bride (Drew Barrymore) at
one
of the ceremonies. (New Line Home Video)
~~~
=>N E X T W E E K<=
A much longer MR _will_ arrive on Thursday, with more reviews, including:
- -_Dance_with_Me_
- -_Return_to_Paradise_
- -_Your_Friends_&_Neighbors_
'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
"Oliver Stone doesn't know shit about basketball."
- --Michael Jordan, on why he refused to work with the
director on a hoops-themed Nike commercial
__________________________________________________________
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