home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
ftp.xmission.com
/
2014.06.ftp.xmission.com.tar
/
ftp.xmission.com
/
pub
/
lists
/
movies
/
archive
/
v02.n165
< prev
next >
Wrap
Internet Message Format
|
1999-02-25
|
52KB
From: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com (movies-digest)
To: movies-digest@lists.xmission.com
Subject: movies-digest V2 #165
Reply-To: movies-digest
Sender: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com
Errors-To: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com
Precedence: bulk
movies-digest Thursday, February 25 1999 Volume 02 : Number 165
Re: [MV] Re LEO
Re: [MV] Re LEO
Re: [MV] Re LEO
RE: [MV] Re LEO and thoughts...and Rosie
[MV] re: ...and Rosie
Re: [MV] Re LEO
[MV] Movie News - 02/25/99
[MV] The Movie Report#179, 2/25/99
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 99 01:34:09 PST
From: "Rebecca Bezant" <sunybruk@infoblvd.net>
Subject: Re: [MV] Re LEO
your right Mel, Titatic was good, but thank god there was more characters=
, other than that of Leo's Jack, that the movie was focused on.
Tim
- ----------
> At 09.45 PM 24/02/99 -0600, I Love New York! wrote:
> >I seriously disagree with you about Leo being a bad Romeo! Romeo and
> >Juliet is my favorite movie. I didn't see one single thing wrong that=
he
> >did in that movie. I would just love to hear why you think he was
> >bad......
> >
>
> OK, since I was one of the ones to start this string.
>
> It seems you either love Leo or hate him (esp the females. Sort of lik=
e
> Julia Roberts or Meg Ryan for guys:-) In part, it is a generational =
thing.
>
> Titanic is the only Leo movie I have seen in full (I saw Gilbert Grape
> before he was big, and thus it was not *his* movie). I thought it was =
a
> pretty good movie, but cannot understand what the hype was about.
>
> I have not seen R&J, but have heard many reviews, and this is a movie =
that
> definately splits on the generational lines. Older people (who tend =
to
> know more about Shakespeare) think it is an afront to the Greatest
> Playwright of All Time (TM). Younger people enjoy it, and many were =
turned
> onto the Bard because of this. As such, you have to appreciate R&J. =
Just
> like West Side Story for our generation, it is a jumping off point into
> other works.
>
> As for Man in the Iron Mask, I refuse to watch it, having heard SO MANY=
bad
> reviews. It is summed up by the person that said that since Leo plays
> twins, his acting is twice as bad as everyone else's in the film.
>
> 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
> (1-888-454-6926)
> ____________________________________________
> "Mulder, if you had to do without a cell phone for
> two minutes, you'd lapse into catatonic schizophrenia"
>
> --Dana Scully
> ______________________________________________
>
>
> [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
> [ movies (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
>
[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
[ movies (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 14:36:06 +0800
From: "=?big5?B?uM4=?=" <s07674@cc.ntnu.edu.tw>
Subject: Re: [MV] Re LEO
- -----¡∞⌐l╢lÑ≤-----
▒HÑ≤¬╠: Mel Eperthener <bcassidy@usaor.net>
ª¼Ñ≤¬╠: movies@lists.xmission.com <movies@lists.xmission.com>
ñΘ┤┴: 1999ª~2ñδ26ñΘ AM 03:04
ÑDª«: Re: [MV] Re LEO
>At 09.45 PM 24/02/99 -0600, I Love New York! wrote:
>>I seriously disagree with you about Leo being a bad Romeo! Romeo and
>>Juliet is my favorite movie. I didn't see one single thing wrong that he
>>did in that movie. I would just love to hear why you think he was
>>bad......
>>
>
>OK, since I was one of the ones to start this string.
>
>It seems you either love Leo or hate him (esp the females. Sort of like
>Julia Roberts or Meg Ryan for guys:-) In part, it is a generational thing.
>
>Titanic is the only Leo movie I have seen in full (I saw Gilbert Grape
>before he was big, and thus it was not *his* movie). I thought it was a
>pretty good movie, but cannot understand what the hype was about.
>
>I have not seen R&J, but have heard many reviews, and this is a movie that
>definately splits on the generational lines. Older people (who tend to
>know more about Shakespeare) think it is an afront to the Greatest
>Playwright of All Time (TM). Younger people enjoy it, and many were turned
>onto the Bard because of this. As such, you have to appreciate R&J. Just
>like West Side Story for our generation, it is a jumping off point into
>other works.
>
>As for Man in the Iron Mask, I refuse to watch it, having heard SO MANY bad
>reviews. It is summed up by the person that said that since Leo plays
>twins, his acting is twice as bad as everyone else's in the film.
>
>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
>(1-888-454-6926)
>____________________________________________
>"Mulder, if you had to do without a cell phone for
>two minutes, you'd lapse into catatonic schizophrenia"
>
>--Dana Scully
>______________________________________________
>
>
>[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
>[ movies (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
[ movies (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 02:31:08 EST
From: SkipyLlama@aol.com
Subject: Re: [MV] Re LEO
okay, where to begin. First of all, the whole movie was little more than MTV
roving camera shots that were intended to distract from the events going on in
the movie. Secondly, Leo's performance seemed to me to be little more than
whining. Perfect example, his convo w/benvolio about loving rosaline.
Grrrrr. Another example was when he killed tybalt. I'm sorry, his actions
and face conveyed the emotion, but I did NOT sense any sort of genuine remorse
or guilt that he'd just done something that, according to the prince (Or,
"captain prince." shudder.), he would be killed for. Anyway, I'm gonna stop
now before I get too into this. But you get the point (I hope.....)
[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
[ movies (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 06:44:26 -0700
From: jkrudy <jkrudy@micron.com>
Subject: RE: [MV] Re LEO and thoughts...and Rosie
I don't give a flying flip either way about Leo, but as far as Rosie Perez
goes, I couldn't agree with you more. How could somebody with that voice
(something akin to scratching ones nails down a chalk board or chewing tin
foil if you have fillings in your mouth or hitting ones self over the head
with a ball peen hammer) ever make it into a movie? Her acting sucks too.
(let me define what I see as a good actor. When I watched The Flintstones
with my kids, while I was watching John Goodman, all I could see is John
Goodman, not Fred Flintstone, but when I watch Rick Morantis all I could see
is Barney Rubble. I thought Rick did a great acting job whereas John was
subpar. The same is true in Rob Roy. I didn't even know that was Jessica
Lang until the closing credits. To me, that defines a good actor or acting
job) When I watch Rosie in any movie all I can see is Rosie. She doesn't
even try to be a different person. I keep thinking of the casting couch as
the only possible explanation for her success.
Just my 2 cents worth.
James K. Rudy
If somebody said to you "a penny for your thoughts" and you give them your 2
cents worth, who gets the change?
- -----Original Message-----
From: Jason Cormier [mailto:movieman@netcom.ca]
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 1999 9:06 PM
To: movies@lists.xmission.com
Subject: Re: [MV] Re LEO and thoughts...
You know - it's great that people have different opinions - that's what
makes each of unique - but I am curious to what lead you to this conclusion?
What brought about this amount of disgust for another human being? I mean -
I will never see a Rosie Perez movie because I cannot stand to hear her
voice (you can include Fran Dresher in there as well) - but what are your
"problems" with the Leo man? I find it interesting the way society tends to
'hate' the famous just because of their fame - though I am not accusing you,
Christi, of this - it is just something that came out in my thought process.
We find it difficult to say that we enjoy listening to the music of New Kids
on the Block - or todays equivalent - Hanson or The Spice Girls. It feels
like we are living in a very intraverted society in which everything we do
has to be accepted by others - or else we will be ostrisized or laughed at.
Well I find it quite thrilling and a great sense of freedom to be myself and
state what I like even if it doesn't seem to be the norm. I understand that
a lot of readers out there are younger - and being accepted is a huge part
of that whole growth process - but I guess what this abnoramlly long
essay-type message is trying to say - is to not be afraid to have your own
feelings. I like Leonoardo because of his fine work in Gilbert Grape,
Basketball Diaries, Quick and the Dead and yes, even Titanic - a highly
entertaining movie. I also like the Spice Girls because their songs are
just so damn catchy! (Sorry for this though-provoking intrusion in our
movie discussions!)
>I am very proud to say that I have had the misfortune of only seeing one of
>Leo's movies, and was thourally dissappointed. No, it was not titanic.
You
>couldn't drag me to that movie at gunpoint. It is unfortunate that Leo was
cast
>in this new movie, since I wont be seeing it because of its lead. Maybe
I'll
>just read the book.
>Leo should buy a farm in Memphis and grow pumpkins. Yup, that's right.
>Christi
>
>[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
>[ movies (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
>
[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
[ movies (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
[ movies (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 09:24:13 -0600
From: cHriS <csothman@nwchiro.edu>
Subject: [MV] re: ...and Rosie
James K. Rudy noted:
"When I watch Rosie in any movie all I can see is Rosie. She
doesn't even try to be a different person."
While I'm not certain about the trying bit, I share the same basis for
judging good acting. I know the actor's doing their job if I see their
character on screen - not the actor themselves. I enjoy Bruce Willis
movies, but I'll never think of him as a great actor - he always plays
himself! One could argue, I guess, that he's an action film star, thus his
main area of expertise is physical fight scenes and one-liner dialogue.
Still, would it kill him to do more for his characters than just
shaving/bleaching his hair? Christopher Walken's another one, but I think
I'll cut my rant now before it gets out of hand...
- - cHriS
[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
[ movies (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 17:44:37 -0700
From: "Gregory A. Swarthout" <gregorys@xmission.com>
Subject: Re: [MV] Re LEO
Mel Eperthener wrote:
>
> As for Man in the Iron Mask, I refuse to watch it, having heard SO MANY bad
> reviews. It is summed up by the person that said that since Leo plays
> twins, his acting is twice as bad as everyone else's in the film.
Leo's acting was in the only weak point in an otherwise excellent film.
Gabriel Byrne, John Malkovich, Jeremy Irons (!), and Gerard Depardieu were
great, as were the supporting cast. Swashbuckling fun at its best, with
a score that was scandalously overlooked by the Academy.
Greg
[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
[ movies (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 18:24:55 -0700 (MST)
From: The Reporter <gregorys@xmission.com>
Subject: [MV] Movie News - 02/25/99
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) - In a sign that relations between Beijing
and Hollywood are on the mend, Chinese officials wooed American
filmmakers Wednesday with the prospect of doing business with the
image-conscious government. The visit suggests Chinese officials have
set aside the ire prompted by films such as Walt Disney Co.'s 1996
"Kundun." The movie about the life of Tibet's Dalai Lama was seen as
critical of Chinese rule over Tibet and never officially screened in
China. "Everything is normal now," Zheng Quan Gang, president of the
China Film Co-Production Corp., said of relations with Disney.
-=> * <=-
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A star-struck fan left Charles Bronson her
entire estate - worth nearly $300,000 - but relatives who didn't know
the retired chemist was worth that much are contesting her
hand-scrawled will. Audrey Jean Knauer, 55, who never met or
corresponded with the tough-guy actor, scribbled her wishes on a list
of emergency phone numbers before she died in 1997. She asked that
nothing - not "blood, body parts, financial assets" - go to her
mother, Helen, and whatever Bronson didn't want be given to
Louisville's public library. Bronson has already received about half
the money, but Knauer's sister, Nancy Koeper, filed a lawsuit two
months ago, saying Knauer was mentally unfit and the money should go
the family.
[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
[ movies (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 18:22:50 -0800
From: Michael Dequina <michael_jordan@geocities.com>
Subject: [MV] The Movie Report#179, 2/25/99
In memory of Gene Siskel
1946-1999
T H E
M O V I E
R E P O R T
#179
FEBRUARY 25, 1999
PLEASE HELP...
...keep the MR and Mr. Brown's Movie Site alive. I am undergoing a
serious funding and resource crisis. Please send any donations (every
little bit does help) to:
Michael Dequina
3650 Denver Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90810-2205
You can also help by purchasing videos and DVDs from Reel.com! Please visit:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-reel.exe?COBRAND=MRBR&OBJECT=welcome.html
Thank you very much.
=>T H I S W E E K<=
M O V I E S
- -_8MM_
- -_Goodbye_Lover_
- -_20_Dates_
- -_200_Cigarettes_
- -_October_Sky_
- -_Six_Ways_to_Sunday_
V I D E O
- -_Pecker_
- -_Permanent_Midnight_
- -_Ronin_
- -_Urban_Legend_
- -_Your_Friends_&_Neighbors_
E V E N T S
- -30th Annual NAACP Image Awards
For my analysis of the recently announced Academy Award nominations, the
best and worst of 1998, links to the official websites of all the current
films, past reviews, exclusive Hollywood event photos, movie MIDI music,
movie discussion board, a comprehensive link section, and more, visit Mr.
Brown's Movie Site at:
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown or
http://welcome.to/mrbrown or
http://mysp.com/p/mrbrown or
http://mrbrown.webjump.com
Please don't forget to sign the guestbook...
If you are reading this on Usenet, you can subscribe to the MR at:
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/moviereport.html
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
...and Film Frenzy at:
http://www.filmfrenzy.com
I am always up for a good live chat. Feel free to message me on ICQ at
#25289934 or on AOL Instant Messenger under the handle "MrBrown23."
all movies graded out of four stars (****)
~~~
=>M O V I E S<=
N E W R E L E A S E S
_8MM_ (R) **
As his follow-up to the candy-colored camp catastrophe that was
_Batman_&_Robin_, director Joel Schumacher has gone to the opposite extreme
with the lurid thriller _8MM_. Schumacher obviously intended this
down-and-dirty film to cleanse his artistic soul, and while _8MM_ certainly
is better than that infamous franchise killer (then again, what wouldn't
be?), the film is grainy and unfocused as the object at the center of the
plot.
That object is a so-called "snuff" film, a pornographic work in which the
woman is killed. The film is found in the safe of a recently deceased
millionaire, and private detective Tom Welles (Nicolas Cage) is hired by
the millionaire's widow (Myra Carter) to investigate its origin and track
down the family of the young girl who was brutally killed in it.
The mystery is just a perfunctory device for screenwriter Andrew Kevin
Walker to get to his main concern, which is the psychological effects Tom
feels takes when he becomes immersed in the seedy world of underground
porn. But did it have to be so perfunctory? Walker doesn't even bother to
hide the fact that it is a mere device. The mystery is more or less
resolved in an overblown sequence that comes at the end of act two, and the
revelations are contrived and incredibly underwhelming. While that may be
some sort of sly in-joke on Walker's part, to the viewer, it is simply an
unsatisfying cheat.
But once the mystery is out of the way, and Walker frees himself to zero
in on Tom's psyche, the movie does get better, and it finally gives Cage
something meaty to work with. The pain and anguish of his downward spiral
are acutely felt through Cage's chillingly convincing performance. But by
this point, the movie is nearly over, with two-thirds of it having been
spent on characters plot mechanics that, for the most part, bear little to
no weight in the end.
_8MM_ is a competent attempt by Schumacher to reclaim his directorial
voice after suffering the grind of a blockbuster studio franchise. Yet
while a directorial voice does rings throughout _8MM_, it is not
Schumacher's--rather, it's that of David Fincher, helmer of Walker's
_Se7en_; Schumacher apes his style from the ample rain to the deliberate
pacing. _8MM_ may indeed be a step up from Schumacher's last film, but he
still has a few more steps to go before recapturing his own artistic identity.
_Goodbye_Lover_ (R) ***
Imagine you're the head of a major studio. You have an interesting little
film that is hard to categorize, yet you have enough faith in the project
to unveil it at a major international film festival. Your faith is
confirmed when the film receives, on the whole, a warm reception. What do
you do now? If you're the head of Warner Bros., apparently you don't do
anything.
Despite good notices at Cannes last May, Roland Joffe's
description-defying _Goodbye_Lover_ has been sitting on the studio shelf
ever since, its release date being randomly tossed around the schedule like
a hot potato (until recently, it had been targeted for a release in
January... of 2000). But after much headscratching in the WB marketing
department, the studio has now finally decided to bite the bullet, setting
an all-but-concrete mid-April release. So what exactly was the problem?
After watching the film, it's easy to see why Warner was at a loss as to
what to do. _Goodbye_Lover_ is a very enjoyable lark of an entertainment,
but the film's virtues are exactly what made it such hell to market--it's a
deliciously unpredictable thriller with a dark, very offbeat sense of
humor. That the film juggles both elements is unusual enough; that the
film juggles them as well as it does is even moreso.
A lot of the enjoyment to be had with _Goodbye_Lover_ hinges on surprise,
so I'll speak of the plot in the vaguest possible terms. Sultry Los
Angeles real estate agent Sandra Dunmore (Patricia Arquette) is married to
Jake (Dermot Mulroney), whose career as an ad exec is threatened by his
little drinking problem. Jake's older brother is slick, pompous public
relations exec Ben (Don Johnson), who is dutifully served by staff
underling Peggy Blaine (Mary-Louise Parker). Needless to say, nothing is
quite as it seems in this twisted little circle, and eventually a crime
within it brings the group to the attention of burned-out police detective
Rita Pompano (Ellen DeGeneres).
Warner Bros. is describing _Goodbye_Lover_ as a "film gris" (as opposed
to noir), and the description is apt (for the French-challenged, "gris"
means grey). In the most basic sense, its underlying, tongue-in-cheek
sense of humor keeps it from reaching the darkness of pure noir, yet the
mordant nature of the humor doesn't exactly make the film a sunny romp,
either. But the "gris" label also fits how seamlessly Joffe and writers
Ron Peer, Joel Cohen, and Alec Sokolow meld their two genre worlds. They
have their cake and eat it too, coming up with a comic thriller that
genuinely surprises or, rather, a twisty comedy that delivers
laughs--though, it must be said, that a number of wisecracks, which
primarily come from the mouth of Pompano, clang.
However, the occasional groaner is forgivable when there is such an
intriguing cast of characters. All are well-played by the actors, but
there are two cast members who stand out the most. The most interesting
character is Sandra, who looks and dresses like a siren, yet she's also a
devout churchgoer (a volunteer, no less) who loves listening to
self-improvement tapes and _The_Sound_of_Music_. Arquette's typically flat
line delivery, which often fails her (most recently in
_The_Hi-Lo_Country_), is actually works here, a perfect fit for the
character's ambiguity. DeGeneres has an ideal film showcase as the heard-
and seen-it-all Pompano, and though her character's sarcastic asides don't
always hit the mark, she delivers them with aplomb.
The greatest irony of year-long marketing-mulling session on
_Goodbye_Lover_ is that regardless of what direction Warner Bros. decides
to take with its publicity campaign, the film is just about certain to
flop; its sensibilities are much too warped to appeal to a wide audience.
Nonetheless, its fresh, unique voice will likely win _Goodbye_Lover_ a
devoted group of admirers, as it did nearly a year ago at Cannes. (opens
April 16)
Hollywood Hotline Featured Review
_20_Dates_ (R) ***
It's one thing for first-time independent directors to make their feature
debuts with movies about struggling filmmakers, and it's quite another
thing entirely to engage in the singular act of self-indulgence that Myles
Berkowitz pulls off in _20_Dates_. Instead of making a thinly veiled
fiction film about himself, he has unabashedly made a film about himself.
And, in an added twist, the film he has made traces the making of the film
he has made (got that?).
By that description, _20_Dates_ sounds like an exercise in cinematic
masturbation--and, to a certain extent, it _is_--but it doesn't feel that
way. That's because Berkowitz has an interesting story to tell. Bored
with the movies' unrealistic view of love and frustrated with his
nonexistent film career _and_ love life, he came up with a high-concept
idea: make a movie about his own quest for true love. A camera would
follow him on twenty dates (hence the title), and if he somehow fell in
love during the course of these dates, not only would he have found love,
he would have also captured on film the exact, true moment where people
fall for each other--which, he felt, had never been captured in a Hollywood
film. But if love never comes, at least he would have his movie.
Because it details real-life events, _20_Dates_ can be considered a
documentary, but it isn't entirely one. The film is peppered by
Berkowitz's own narration, in which he makes wry comments and observations
on the events in retrospect, and, I suspect, he's also taken certain
dramatic liberties with some situations (most notably, the downward
fortunes of his producer, Elie Samaha). But 100% true or not, the film is
quite funny and never less than amusing, due mostly to Berkowitz himself.
He is an entertaining, engaging host, with a charmingly self-effacing
attitude about him.
So as one watches _20_Dates_, one hopes that he will find success--in his
career and in love. Does he? Fox Searchlight's theatrical release of
_20_Dates_ answers the former question, but as for the latter? You'll just
have to sit through the film's fun, if ultralightweight, 88 minutes to find
out.
Hollywood Hotline Featured Review
_200_Cigarettes_ (R) ** 1/2
As much fun as they may be to make, and as interesting as the assembled
talent often is, multi-story and -character ensemble films have a built-in
problem: all the stories and characters never hold the same amount of
interest. While Robert Altman has shown that it is possible to come up
with a consistently engaging pastiche of narrative threads, more often than
not similar efforts by others come out wildly uneven. Such is the case
with Risa Bramon Garcia's somewhat amusing but underachieving
_200_Cigarettes_.
Within the loose narrative framework of people finding their way to one
big Big Apple bash on the Eve of 1982, Garcia and screenwriter Shana
Larsen, both first-timers, do come up with one completely successful plot
thread: that of platonic friends/roommates Kevin (Paul Rudd) and Lucy
(Courtney Love). Kevin is depressed over his recent breakup with
performance artist girlfriend Ellie (Janeane Garofalo, as hilariously
acerbic as ever) and the fact that it's also his birthday, and Lucy wants
to cheer him up and make him forget about Ellie--in any way she can. Right
off the bat one can see where this storyline will lead, but the terrific
pairing of Rudd and Love makes it never less than involving. Love is
particularly impressive, displaying a warmth and vulnerability that is as
delightful as it is surprising; her performance here--in tandem with her
breakthrough work in _The_People_vs._Larry_Flynt_--reveals Love to be the
real thing, actingwise.
Unfortunately for Garcia and Larsen--and even worse for us--there is one
huge dud of a storyline involving two Long Island teens, Val (Christina
Ricci) and Stephie (Gaby Hoffmann), who get lost on the mean streets of the
East Village. Along the way, they hook up with a couple of punk rockers,
Tom (Casey Affleck) and Dave (Guillermo Diaz). It's always nice to see
Ricci onscreen, but her talents are wasted in this story, which is an
absolute waste of time--it's not funny; there is no payoff whatsoever; and
only two of the characters play notable roles in Garcia and Larsen's grand
scheme. Making this thread even more unbearable is a truly grating
performance by Hoffmann, who is actually given more to do than Ricci.
The other stories in the hodgepodge that is _200_Cigarettes_ are varying
degrees of just-passable, with some of the actors turning in standout
character work. Dave Chappelle is amusing as a slick cabbie who taxis many
of the characters around town. Ben Affleck is a hoot as an incredibly
square bartender who catches the attention of many a patron, most notably
starving artist friends Caitlyn (Angela Featherstone) and Bridget (Nicole
Parker). Martha Plimpton is nicely neurotic as the big party's harried
hostess, but she's saddled with a tedious thread revolving around her ex's
(Brian McCardie) sexual inadequacy. But the one person, other than Love,
who makes the strongest impression is newcomer Kate Hudson, who plays the
purehearted Cindy, who spends her New Year's Eve with Jack (Jay Mohr), whom
she doesn't know is quite the ladies' man. Hudson is effortlessly likable
and charming, but Garcia and Larsen too often have her engage in cheap
pratfalls and other acts of clumsiness.
"Clumsy" can also describe the way Larsen chooses to close out the film,
with a hamfisted monologue about how people "hide" behind cigarettes--as if
she were somehow required to explain her title (as if the virtually
non-stop lighting and puffing weren't explanation enough). Yet as
heavy-handed as that touch and statement is, it also pretty much sums up
_200_Cigarettes_: what's good about it is hidden behind the smoke of
mediocrity.
IN BRIEF
_October_Sky_ (PG) ***
To a certain extent, Joe Johnston's fact-based film is every bit the piece
of manipulation its advertising suggests. In 1957, after seeing the Soviet
satellite Sputnik traverse the October sky (we have a title!), young Homer
Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal) and a group of fairly nondescript friends (with
the exception of ubergeek Quentin, played by Chris Owen) is inspired to
take up rocket science. The problem is, he's just a kid in a small West
Virginia coal mining town (aptly named Coalwood), and his father (Chris
Cooper), who runs the mine, wants nothing more than for Homer to follow the
family and town tradition of mining.
Lewis Colick's script goes through familiar paces: Homer runs into a
series of obstacles in pursuing his dream, but he keeps at it, egged on by
a kindhearted teacher (Laura Dern) and others. But as manipulative as the
film is whenever the proceedings threaten to degenerate into treacle,
Johnston pulls back; as such, the unforced and honest power of the emotion
ever so quietly sneaks up on you by film's end. This understatement and
sensitivity extends to the actors, especially Gyllenhaal, one of the rare
young newcomers who actually displays some real promise.
_Six_Ways_to_Sunday_ (R) no stars
What is it with independent films with days of the week in their title?
Last fall brought the awful _Thursday_, a pointless, plotless, blood-soaked
exercise in nihilism. I thought it couldn't possibly get any worse than
that detestable film, here comes _Six_Ways_to_Sunday_, which would more
aptly be called _97_Minutes_to_Nowhere_.
_Six_Ways_ exemplifies, all too painfully, the traditional criticisms of
independent film: pretentiousness, self-indulgent artiness, graphic
violence, a would-be "hip" sense of humor, a touch of "taboo" subject
matter. The flat-out awfulness shouldn't be a surprise once one discovers
what director/co-scripter (with Marc Gerald) Adam Bernstein's only other
credit is: arguably the worst big screen _Saturday_Night_Live_ of all time,
_It's_Pat_. _Six_Ways_ follows Ohio teen Harry Odum (Norman Reedus), whose
progress up the mafia ranks and budding romance with a mafia maid (Elina
Lowensohn) causes some strain with his beloved, overprotective--to say the
very least--mother (Deborah Harry).
As with any film, _Six_Ways_'s effectiveness--or, rather, lack
thereof--lies in the execution, and while the basic story (loosely based on
Charles Perry's novel _Portrait_of_a_Young_Man_Drowning_) may not sound so
bad, it's everything else that makes the film as unwatchable as it is. The
dialogue is often laughable in the wrong way; the direction a study in how
_not_ to make a film (all flashy cuts and "surreal" visual narrative
devices; jarringly abrupt shifts in tone); and the acting is even worse.
Reedus is a former model for Prada, and his sub-amateurish performance
shows it; Harry and Lowensohn duke it out for worst performance when their
characters square off over Harry's affections. The only person, in front
of or behind the camera, who makes any kind of positive impression is
Adrien Brody, who plays Harry's wannabe gangsta best friend. That it is
also one of the lesser performances I've seen Brody give says a lot about
just how insufferable this worst-of-'99 shoo-in is. (opens March 5)
I N C U R R E N T R E L E A S E
(full reviews of the following in past MRs and at the listed URLs)
- -_Affliction_ (R) *** <MR#173, 1/15/99>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt44.html#affliction
- -_At_First_Sight_ (PG-13) ** 1/2 <MR#174, 1/21/99>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt44.html#sight
- -_Blast_from_the_Past_ (PG-13) ** <MR#177, 2/11/99>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt45.html#blast
- -_A_Bug's_Life_ (G) *** 1/2 <MR#167, 11/20/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt42.html#bugs
- -_Central_Station_ (R) *** 1/2 <MR#171, 12/16/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#central
- -_A_Civil_Action_ (PG-13) ** <MR#172, 12/24/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#civil
- -_Elizabeth_ (R) *** 1/2 <MR#162, 10/16/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt40.html#elizabeth
- -_Gods_and_Monsters_ *** 1/2 <MR#171, 12/16/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#gods
- -_Hilary_and_Jackie_ (R) **** <MR#172, 12/24/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#h&j
- -_Jawbreaker_ (R) *** <MR#174, 12/24/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#jawbreaker
- -_Life_Is_Beautiful_(La_Vita_E_Bella)_ (PG-13) **** <MR#162, 10/16/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt40.html#vitabella
- -_Little_Voice_ (R) *** <MR#164, 10/29/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt41.html#lv
- -_Message_in_a_Bottle_ (PG-13) ** 1/2 <MR#177, 2/11/99>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt45.html#message
- -_My_Favorite_Martian_ (PG) no stars <MR#177, 2/11/99>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt45.html#martian
- -_My_Name_Is_Joe_ (R) *** <MR#172, 12/24/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#joe
- -_Office_Space_ (R) *** <MR#178, 2/19/99>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt45.html#office
- -_Patch_Adams_ (PG-13) * <MR#173, 1/15/99>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt44.html#patch
- -_Payback_ (R) ** 1/2 <MR#176, 2/4/99>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt45.html#payback
- -_Playing_by_Heart_ (R) *** <MR#173, 1/15/99>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt44.html#architecture
- -_The_Prince_of_Egypt_ (PG) **** <MR#171, 12/16/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#prince
- -_Rushmore_ (R) **** <MR#170, 12/11/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#rushmore
- -_Saving_Private_Ryan_ (R) **** <MR#151, 7/24/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt37.html#ryan
- -_Shakespeare_in_Love_ (R) *** 1/2 <MR#171, 12/16/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#shakespeare
- -_She's_All_That_ (PG-13) * 1/2 <MR#175, 1/28/99>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt44.html#allthat
- -_A_Simple_Plan_ (R) **** <MR#167, 11/20/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt42.html#plan
- -_Simply_Irresistible_ (PG-13) ** <MR#177, 2/11/99>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt45.html#fog
- -_Stepmom_ (PG-13) ***<MR#170, 12/11/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#stepmom
- -_Still_Crazy_ (R) ** <MR#169, 12/3/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt42.html#crazy
- -_The_Thin_Red_Line_ (R) **** <MR#172, 12/24/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#red
- -_Varsity_Blues_ (R) * <MR#173, 1/15/99>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt44.html#varsity
- -_Waking_Ned_Devine_ (PG) *** <MR#164, 10/29/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt41.html#ned
- -_You've_Got_Mail_ (PG) **** <MR#171, 12/16/98>
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#mail
O N T H E H O R I Z O N
FRIDAY
_8MM_ (R) ** <see above review>
Joel Schumacher treads David Fincher territory in this lurid, sometimes
intriguing, but wholly unfocused drama about a private eye's (Nicolas Cage)
investigation into a snuff film.
_The_Faculty_ (R) *** 1/2
Full review in MR#, 12/24/98; and at:
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt.html#faculty
Since it didn't live up to box office expectations last December,
Dimension is reissuing the Robert Rodriguez/Kevin Williamson rip-roaring
teachers-from-outer-space thriller in a less competitive movie season.
Hopefully, audiences will show up this time around; if not, their loss.
_Just_the_Ticket_ (R)
Andy Garcia and Andie MacDowell star in this romantic comedy about a
ticket scalper (Garcia) and his fed-up ex-girlfriend (MacDowell).
_The_Other_Sister_ (PG-13)
Garry Marshall's comedy in which a mentally challenged young woman
(Juliette Lewis) falls for an also-mentally challenged young man (Giovanni
Ribisi), much to the chagrin of her overprotective parents (Diane Keaton
and Tom Skerritt).
_The_School_of_Flesh_ (R)
French drama, adapted from a novel by Yukio Mishima, about the
relationship between a bartender (Vincent Martinez) and an older woman
(Isabelle Huppert).
_20_Dates_ (R) *** <see above review>
Fun, if slight, quasi-documentary about filmmaker Myles Berkowitz's
struggle to find love and finish his first movie.
_200_Cigarettes_ (R) ** 1/2 <see above review>
Uneven ensemble comedy following a number of characters and stories on New
Year's Eve, 1982, in New York City. Paul Rudd, Courtney Love, Kate Hudson,
Jay Mohr, Christina Ricci, Gaby Hoffmann, Martha Plimpton, and Ben Affleck
head the cast.
~~~
=>V I D E O<=
N E W T H I S W E E K
_Pecker_ (R) ** 1/2
Full review in MR#153, 8/7/98; and at:
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt37.html#pecker
Buy at Reel.com:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=MRBR&OBJECT=moviepage.as
p?MMID=43490
More cinematic dementia from John Waters, telling of a teenage Baltimore
photographer's (Edward Furlong) rise to fame in the New York art world. An
interesting array of supporting players (including Brendan Sexton III and
the ever-fascinating Christina Ricci) cannot compensate for the blandness
of the lead character and Furlong's all-to-complementary performance. (New
Line Home Video)
_Permanent_Midnight_ (R) **
Full review in MR#158, 9/17/98; and at:
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt39.html#midnight
Buy at Reel.com:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=MRBR&OBJECT=moviepage.as
p?MMID=43266
Ben Stiller Week at the video store begins with David Veloz's
underdeveloped adaptation of Jerry Stahl's memoir about heroin addiction.
Elizabeth Hurley, Maria Bello, and Janeane Garofalo also star. (Artisan
Entertainment)
_Ronin_ (R) **
Full review in MR#158, 9/17/98; and at:
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt39.html#ronin
Buy at Reel.com:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=MRBR&OBJECT=moviepage.as
p?MMID=43265
The presence of Robert DeNiro and some exciting car chases aren't enough
to redeem John Frankenheimer's muddled thriller about secret agents on the
trail of a valuable suitcase. Jonathan Pryce, Natascha McElhone, Jean
Reno, and Stellan Skarsgard also star. (MGM/UA Home Video)
_Urban_Legend_ (R) *
Full review in MR#159, 9/25/98; and at:
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt39.html#urban
Buy at Reel.com:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=MRBR&OBJECT=moviepage.as
p?MMID=43498
A promising horror premise--a killer's victims are offed through urban
legends come true--is wasted in this lame-brained, poorly-acted and
- -directed slasher yarn. Alicia Witt, Rebecca Gayheart, Jared Leto, and
Joshua Jackson star. (Columbia TriStar Home Video)
_Your_Friends_&_Neighbors_ (R) *** 1/2
Full review in MR#154, 8/13/98; and at:
http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt38.html#friends
Buy at Reel.com:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=MRBR&OBJECT=moviepage.as
p?MMID=42886
Writer-director Neil LaBute follows up his terrific debut, the dark and
uncompromising _In_the_Company_of_Men_, with this even bleaker look at the
battle of the sexes in which a circle of "friends" and "neighbors" cheat
on, lie to, and cheat on each other some more. Ben Stiller, Amy Brenneman,
Aaron Eckhart, Catherine Keener, Nastassja Kinski, and a truly creepy Jason
Patric (who should have been nominated for an Oscar) star. (PolyGram Video)
A L S O N E W T H I S W E E K
_Digging_to_China_ (PG-13)
Buy at Reel.com:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=MRBR&OBJECT=moviepage.as
p?MMID=43301
A young girl (Evan Rachel Wood) befriends a mentally challenged man (Kevin
Bacon) in this drama. (BMG Independents)
_Shadrach_ (PG-13)
Buy at Reel.com:
http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=MRBR&OBJECT=moviepage.as
p?MMID=43489
Harvey Keitel and Andie MacDowell star in this drama about a 99-year-old
former slave's (John Franklin Sawyer) return to his hometown during the
Great Depression. (Columbia TriStar Home Video)
~~~
=>E V E N T S<=
February 14, 1999 -- 30th Annual NAACP Image Awards
Last Sunday I spent my Valentine's Day making my big debut at a full-on,
bust-out-the-tux Hollywood gala: the 30th Annual NAACP Image Awards at the
Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
For those unfamiliar, every year the Image Awards celebrates the
achievements of African-Americans in film, television, music, and
literature. While the event calls for unity within the African-American
community, that was not quite the case--at least not this year, outside of
the auditorium. As walked toward the beginning of the red carpet, I
noticed a number of protesters amid the throng of fans standing across the
street. On their signs read such things as "NAACP OBSOLETE" and "Kweisi
Mfume is a sellout"--referring to the organization's president.
But once I stepped onto that red carpet, the atmosphere changed. Any
nervousness I might have felt was eased away by the general niceness of
everyone, from the fellow guests to (surprisingly) the security. For a few
moments, I stood with other photo-snapping guests and joined them in
stargazing. Among those we caught glimpses of were gospel group Nu Nation
(sans Kirk Franklin); Pam Grier (Actress in a Comedy Series nominee for
_Linc's_); Steve Harvey (Actor in a Comedy Series nominee for his eponymous
WB show); Tatyana Ali (New Artist nominee for her album _Kiss_the_Sky_);
Giancarlo Esposito (Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series nominee for
_Homicide_); Holly Robinson Peete (Actress in a Comedy Series nominee for
_For_Your_Love_); T'Keyah "Crystal" Keymah (Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Series nominee for _Cosby_); and Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
nominee Morgan Freeman, as he gave an interview with one of the television
crews lined up along the carpet. After a few minutes of waiting and
watching, I decided it was time to make my way into the theatre. Along the
way, I exchanged hellos with Actor in a Daytime Drama winner Shemar Moore
of _The_Young_and_the_Restless_.
Not long after I took my seat (which, of course, was toward the back of
the auditorium, fairly removed from the VIPs), everyone was asked to take
their seats, and the producer and director of the Image Awards telecast,
and , gave some introductory remarks. These remarks ranged from thanks to
the sponsors to instructions for the audience, most notably being the
request to hold all applause for the video tribute to those who passed on
until the end of the montage. A few moments later, the show was off and
running, opening with a high-energy number by Kirk Franklin and Nu Nation,
one of the four musical numbers of the evening. Midway through the program
was a guitar jam session with Eric Clapton, George Benson, and Hall of Fame
inductee B.B. King. Later came an aria by another Hall of Fame inductee,
Kathleen Battle, which underscored the aforementioned video tribute to
those who passed on. Despite the repeated instructions to hold all
applause until the end, every the image of each individual was met with
applause. (One surprising inclusion was that of Matthew Shepard, the gay
Utah teen who was killed in a brutal hate crime.) The capper to the
night's entertainment (not counting co-host Mariah Carey's typically slutty
mode of dress, disparaging comments on which were a bonding point between
me and those seated next to me) was disappointing: New Artist nominee Mya,
backed by the Children of the World Mass Choir, performing "One Voice" in
tribute to Chairman's Award honoree Harry Belafonte. While Mya has been
able to get by vocally in her recordings, her voice is considerably less
than spectacular live, outdone by the youngsters'.
Unlike a lot of awards shows, the Image Awards are taped for broadcast on
a later date and not telecast live, which leaves a margin for error. This
was most fortunate, for the production ran less than smoothly (which,
according to others seated next to me, had always been the case in previous
years). A number of the glitches came courtesy of Carey, who flubbed her
lines on more than one occasion. (Her considerably more composed co-host
was Blair Underwood, who won the award for Actor in a Television Movie for
_Mama_Flora's_Family_.) Other production snafus included a missed entrance
cue for presenter Queen Latifah and, perhaps most embarrassingly, a faulty
guitar amp for Benson during the King tribute, which meant having to redo
the number from the top.
Fortunately, the gremlins did not follow the guests to the post-awards
reception, which took place at a hall downstairs from the theatre; what did
follow, however, was the festive and friendly atmosphere. Unfortunately,
not too many of the VIP guests made an appearance at the afterparty, and
those who did end up going generally turned little more than cameos. Among
those I managed to spot were Rev. Jesse Jackson, surrounded by an entourage
of security guards; Esposito; his _Homicide_ co-star Clark Johnson (also
nominated for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series); Keymah; MTV VJ Ananda
Lewis; Tim and Daphne Maxwell Reid; Leon (Actor in a Television Movie
nominee for _The_Temptations_); D.L. Hughley (Actor in a Comedy Series
nominee for _The_Hughleys_); and, on their way out, Freeman (who ended up
winning his award, for his work in _Deep_Impact_) and Isaac Hayes (Actor in
a Comedy Series nominee for his work on _South_Park_). In spite of the
afterparty's rather frenzied atmosphere, I did manage to converse with two
of the VIPs who managed to make it down: Underwood and Kevin Rodney
Sullivan, who directed evening's big winner in the film categories,
_How_Stella_Got_Her_Groove_Back_ (winner of three awards, including
Outstanding Motion Picture).
Although the show itself was entertaining (hilarious comedy bits from
Sinbad and, especially, Actor in a Motion Picture nominee Chris Tucker were
the highlights), and the afterparty interesting to say the least, what
sticks out in my memory is the level of true, honest emotion in the
acceptance speeches. The bar was set from the get-go with the first honor
awarded, Actress in a Comedy Series, won by _Sister,_Sister_'s Tia and
Tamera Mowry (curiously nominated--and winning--as an individual). The
twins fought tears as they gave their thank yous, as did Actor in a Comedy
Series winner Harvey. Other emotional moments came with just about every
award, from the affectionate standing ovations met by Actress in a
Television Movie winner Cicely Tyson and Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
winner Ossie Davis; to a genuinely shocked Terry McMillan's teary
acceptance for Oustanding Motion Picture _Stella_, which was based on her
novel ("I loved [fellow nominee] _Beloved_," she declared). As can be
expected, the honorary award presentations also registered high on the
emotional scale: in addition to Battle, King, and Belafonte, the other
special awardees were Lauryn Hill (President's Award, given to an
outstanding newcomer), Will Smith (Entertainer of the Year), and the
(rightful) recipient of the evening's longest standing ovation, Jackie
Robinson Sports Award honoree Michael Jordan.
Now comes the point where one would expect me to go into great detail
about Mr. Jordan: the award presentation, his speech, the obligatory
meeting, etc. But out of respect to my longtime readers, whom I am sure
are more than a little tired (to say the least) of all the space I've spent
(and am ever so willing to spend) on Mr. Jordan over the years, I will
spare you the details. However, in the event that anyone is interested, a
full report on that side of the story is at:
http://members.xoom.com/jordanhost/mjmd.html
A complete run-down of the evening's winners:
Motion Picture:
_How_Stella_Got_Her_Groove_Back_
Actor in a Motion Picture:
Danny Glover, _Beloved_
Actress in a Motion Picture:
Angela Bassett, _How_Stella_Got_Her_Groove_Back_
Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture:
Morgan Freeman, _Deep_Impact_
Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture:
Whoopi Goldberg, _How_Stella_Got_Her_Groove_Back_
Youth Actor/Actress (Motion Picture or Television):
Jurnee Smollett, _Cosby_ (CBS)
Actor in a Comedy Series:
Steve Harvey, _The_Steve_Harvey_Show_ (WB)
Actress in a Comedy Series:
Tia and Tamera Mowry, _Sister,_Sister_ (WB)
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:
Ossie Davis, _Promised_Land_ (CBS)
Television Movie/Mini-Series/Dramatic Special:
_The_Temptations_ (NBC)
Actor in a Television Movie/Mini-Series/Dramatic Special:
Blair Underwood, _Mama_Flora's_Family_ (CBS)
Actress in a Television Movie/Mini-Series/Dramatic Special:
Cicely Tyson, _Mama_Flora's_Family_
Album:
_The_Miseducation_of_Lauryn_Hill_, Lauryn Hill
New Artist:
Lauryn Hill, _The_Miseducation_of_Lauryn_Hill_
Song:
"Lean on Me," Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Artist: Kirk Franklin, R. Kelly,
Mary J. Blige, Bono, Crystal Lewis, and the Family)
Jackie Robinson Sports Award:
Michael Jordan
Chairman's Award:
Harry Belafonte
Hall of Fame:
Kathleen Battle, B.B. King
President's Award:
Lauryn Hill
The following awards were presented at a ceremony the previous night,
Saturday, February 13:
Comedy Series:
_Cosby_ (CBS)
Drama Series:
_Touched_by_an_Angel_ (CBS)
Actor in a Drama Series:
Eriq LaSalle, _ER_ (NBC)
Actress in a Drama Series:
Della Reese, _Touched_by_an_Angel_ (CBS)
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:
Cedric "The Entertainer," _The_Steve_Harvey_Show_ (WB)
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:
Jackee Harry, _Sister,_Sister_ (WB)
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:
Ruby Dee, _Promised_Land_ (CBS)
Daytime Drama Series:
_The_Young_and_the_Restless_ (CBS)
Actor in a Daytime Drama Series:
Shemar Moore, _The_Young_and_the_Restless_ (CBS)
Actress in a Daytime Drama Series:
Victoria Rowell, _The_Young_and_the_Restless_ (CBS)
Variety Series/Special:
_Sinbad's_Summer_Jam_4:_'70s_Soul_Music_Festival_ (HBO)
Performance in a Variety Series/Special:
Patti LaBelle, _Patti_LaBelle_Live!_One_Night_Only!_ (PBS)
News, Talk or Information Series:
_BET_Tonight_with_Tavis_Smiley_: "Is Slavery Funny?" (BET)
News, Talk or Information Special:
_4_Little_Girls_ (HBO)
Youth or Children's Series/Special:
_Teen_Summit_ (BET)
Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special:
LeVar Burton, _Reading_Rainbow_ (PBS)
Outstanding Literary Work, Fiction:
_Mama_Flora's_Family:_A_Novel_ by Alex Haley and David Stevens
Literary Work, Non-Fiction:
_With_Ossie_&_Ruby:_In_This_Life_Together_ by Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee
Literary Work, Children's:
_Let_My_People_Go:_Bible_Stories_Told_by_a_Freeman_of_Color_ by Patricia
and Fredrick McKissack; James E. Ransome (Illustrator)
Male Artist:
Luther Vandross, _I_Know_
Female Artist:
Lauryn Hill, _The_Miseducation_of_Lauryn_Hill_
Duo or Group:
Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey, "When You Believe"
Rap Artist:
Will Smith, "Just The Two Of Us"
Jazz Artist:
Lena Horne, _Being_Myself_
Gospel Artist:
Kirk Franklin, _The_Nu_Nation_Project_
Music Video:
"Just the Two of Us," Will Smith
The 30th Annual NAACP Image Awards will be telecast on Thursday, March 4 at
8PM EST/PST on Fox.
~~~
=>N E X T W E E K<=
More reviews, including:
- -_Analyze_This_
- -_Lock,_Stock_and_Two_Smoking_Barrels_
- -_Ravenous_
'til then...
[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
[ movies (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
------------------------------
End of movies-digest V2 #165
****************************
[ To quit the movies-digest mailing list (big mistake), send the message ]
[ "unsubscribe movies-digest" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]