Sigourney Weaver as Paolina Escobar, who inadvertantly comes face to face with one of her torturers (during an earlier repressive regime) and captures him. Improbably and implausible, yes, but Polanski makes it work pretty well, while raising fascinating issues of justice and revenge.
BEN KINGSLEY, SIGOURNEY WEAVER
Powerful, gripping drama about court intrigue surrounding marriage of Margot Bourbon to Henry of Navarre in 17th century France. France is wracked with turmoil as protestantism gains adherents. Catharine de Medici sets off the St. Bartholemew's Day Massacre with her attempts to maintain control over her son, Charles IX. Henry subsequently ruled France. Isabelle Adjani is luminous as Margot and imparts a feminist sensibility that barely escapes anachronism at times. The film is uniformly lush, rich, and gripping.
DANIEL AUTEIL, JEAN-HUGUES ANGLADE, VIRNA LISI, VINCENT PEREZ
Fascinating, funny comedy about air-head blonde who isn't really dumb, and mall culture of California. Witty script relies on lingo and repartee but Alicia Silverstone is a gem as our hero. Light entertainment but okay. Reminiscent sometimes of George Axlerod's "Lord Love a Duck", particularly in charisma of leading lady, and off-beat, irreverent, often nihilistic view of materialistic society. The difference is the Lord Love a Duck is right over the top at times.
Dumb and dumber. Hopelessly trite slapstick about charmingly obnoxious patient (Murray) hounding psychologist into an assylum. Waste of time.
Surprisingly good, tense drama... well, as good as any Sharon Stone movie gets. About surveillance. A woman moves into an apartment building which is wired for video and sound by the owner, who seduces her. Raises some issues about privacy (a father is sexually abusing his daughter) but stays with the suspense to the end. Considerably better than "Basic Instinct", which it invites comparison to because of Stone's presense.
Overblown, pompous, over-rated drama about man wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and her lover, sent to prison, endures, escapes... cheap, contrived ending and many unbelievably bad ideas flow through a production with deceptively slick surface values. Based on Steven King story. Sometimes, sin of sins, boring! In a class with "Fisher King", "Dead Poet's Society", and other contrivances that claim to be meaningful.
More polished than some of the other panther entries. Features nudist colony scene, Lom with his cigar guillotine. Sellars is more polished, funnier than later.
Vulgar, polished, impressive comedy by Monty Python troup, with more than a few genuinely inspired laughs. Some nudity, strong language. "Every Sperm is Sacred" is a hoot, sex education class (the kids study hard while someone keeps a look-out for the teacher. When he arrives, they quickly start fooling around). There is an undercurrent of humanism, in the subtle and not so subtle jabs at intolerance and bigotry (as in a skit about British soldiers fighting the Zulu in South Africa-- the officers are in a snit about a colleague with an insect bite while the battle rages around them), and in the mockery of simple-minded religion (a Catholic family with several hundred children dances and sings when the father announces they are to be sold for medical experiments because he has lost his job). Gilliam's animations are wonderful as usual (leaves commit suicide, a building loaded with aging accountants floats away to become a pirate ship), and Eric Idle's songs are witty and charmingly gratuitous.
TERRY GILLIAM
Low-key but compelling film about retired, elderly teacher and his cat crossing America after his apartment is torn down, looking for a new home. He visits his sons, encounters assorted oddballs and other lost souls, and grows no wiser. Restrained and tasteful, and never descends into cuteness or contrivance. Art Carney renders title role with great dignity. Very likeable film, some strong language and sexual situations.
Classic film about bored housewife with strange sexual fantasies, takes up work at a bordello. No rationalization or explanations offered, except subtle clues about childhood. Blends reality and fantasy at times. Beautifully filmed and acted. Jeanne Moreau is an astonishing presense.
Good film about mentally handicapped garbage man (just "slow") and his medical student brother, living together in Pittsburgh, sharing trials and tribulations. Good performances, though it takes some getting used to to accept Liotta as nice guy. Not sentimental or gushy, but not always as crisp or incisive as it could be.
Powerful documentary-style bio of comedian Lenny Bruce, who pioneered raunchy humour in the 1960's. Vivid performances, well-written, graphic and intense. Good performances all around. Uses Fosse's style of telephoto lense on crowds. Some very funny scenes.
Brilliant, caustic study of hustler publicist (Curtis) trying to crony up to big shot columnist, and willing to do anything to score big. Literate, sharp, and unlike anything Hollywood ever does anymore.
Story of a New York cop who promises a waitress half of his lottery winnings in lieu of a tip... and wins, big ($4 million). His wife doesn't appreciate the gesture and eventually sues him for his share and the share he gave away. Rings true to life, in only because of its inherent implausibility. The kids liked it.
Bleak, cripplingly hip film based on the Brad Fraser play, about the loves and lusts of a group of young urganites. Far more realistic than, say, "About Last Night", but sometimes gropes for a point and doesn't make it. Saving grace is that it doesn't pretend to have made a big point either. Performances are interesting, though a bit stilted. Some scenes of S&M, lesbianism... unlike any Hollywood production, males kiss with uncompromised sexuality in gay scenes.
Wonderful satire of war. WW I soldier (Bates) must enter a French village and disarm booby-trap bomb. Unknown to him, the residents have abandoned the village. He inadvertantly releases the inmates of an insane assylum, who take over the town and the roles of its leading citizens. Elegant, poetic, richly suggestive and textured. Must be one of Genevieve Bujold's first films.
Fascinating, rivetting film about unpopular girl named Pauline who becomes the best friend of newly arrived Juliet, whose parents have immigrated to Christchurch, New Zealand, from England, due to Juliet's poor health. The two become inseparable companions, locked into their own mysterious gothic fantasies, linked by the experiences of loneliness and serious illness. When their parents become alarmed and attempt to separate the two, their relationship becomes even more intense and desparate and they driven to attempt a drastic solution. Acting, script, and cinematography are first-rate. Winslett, as Juliet, is a compelling, gifted actor, capable of exhibitionist emotional displays but also of the most subtle shifts in perception. Based on a true story. One of the best movies of the year. After the events of the story, the two girls emigrated to different countries. Juliet became the noted author Anne Perry. Pauline lived in obscurity until a tabloid tracked her down. According to journalists, the movie is remarkably accurate down to the smallest details.
KATE WINSLETT, MELANIE LYNSLEY, SARAH PEIRSE, DIANA KENT, CLIVE MERRISON, SIMON O'CONNER
Interesting but flawed study of gung-ho American twerp who comes to Australia to take on local soft drink producers to win the market for Coca-Cola. Imaginative and sometimes funny, but fails.
Stupid and stupider. Like Jerry Lewis, but worse, if possible. Alleged comedy about two morons who travel across country to return a lost suitcase. One, maybe two laughs in the entire flick.
Drivel about boy who rejects parents and decides to seek perfect pair to become new mom and dad. Multiple celebrity cameos only contribute to sense of fragmented pointlessness. Never makes up its mind whether it wants to be sardonic, slapstick, or touching, and succeeds at none of them. Completely predictable.
Powerhouse film was emasculated by Dr. Strangelove of same vintage. As in Strangelove, a beserk general launches a pre-emptive attack on Soviet Union. The President, played with stalwart integrity by Henry Fonda, can't prevent bombs from hitting Moscow, so he offers to allow the Soviets a limited retaliatory strike on New York-- even though, as we learn, his wife is scheduled to be in the city when it is attacked. Fonda's portrayal is clearly modelled on Kennedy, and some of the generals on known militarists in the Pentagon, including Westmoreland. Generally well-filmed, but not nearly as rich in detail or texture as Dr. Strangelove. Actually, Fail Safe is a pretty good film, with moments of high drama and suspense, and a reasonably intelligent exploration of the issue of automated systems applied to critical institutions. Cool, dry at times, and sometimes misguided in terms of sets and secondary screen actions. Excellent cast, especially Matthau as cynical right-wing professor.
Powerful, haunting film about a young junkie who murders a policeman during a bungled drug store robbery. She is convicted and sentenced to death only to be "rescued" by French Intelligence who want to train her for high risk missions. She resists, fights back, providing propulsion for first hour of film. Scenes of her defiance and self-destructive loathing of society give punch to first part of film. In second part, she undertakes missions. Now straight, feels ambivalent about the violence of it, and establish a love relationship. Intriguing, suspenseful, and horrifying at times.
Off-the-wall one-woman show (with musical accompaniement) consisting of monologues, songs, stories... very unusual and often amusing or compelling or both. About love, family, career. Sarah Bernhard is fascinating. She even does an exotic dance in pasties at the end. You can't stop watching for fear of missing what she's going to do next. Nudity, strong language.
True story of child suffering degenerative nerve disease which physicians seem unable to cure. Husband and wife, through obsessive diligence, are able to find a relatively effective treatment, at least for those diagnosed early. Film dramatizes without halos-- you think at times that this couple really is crazily obsessed, beyond human endurance, beyond rationality. Well-acted and filmed.
Rehash of Terminator, Alien, and a couple of other scary sci-fi films thrown in. Canadian model Natasha whatshername is surprisingly good, but the rest of the film cuts every corner of credibility and ends up using loud noises and blood for shock effects. A travesty.
I didn't see this: the kids watched this while we saw "Species". The kids rate it "very good".
Compelling, well-directed drama of the Apollo 13 mission and the near tragedy that resulted. Sticks pretty close to the facts. Exceptional special effects (especially the launch), and superb explication of technical activities. Hanks is good but miscast-- you just can't over the person behind the role. Ed Harris plays what everyone knows he should play and isn't bad but we've seen this characterization a few too many times (tough but sensitive, caring macho man). No possible Oscars for acting, but an all-round excellent film with some historical importance.
Interesting premise about a copy who falls in love with a woman observed covertly during a stakeout, makes move on her, inevitably must intervene. Somewhat predictable, moderately well-performed.
Well-acted drama about he quiz show scandals of the 1950's, centreing on Mark Van Doren, a clean-cut all-American type who was manipulated into a media darling by NBC on the game show "21". Powerful implications about television today, especially since very little has changed. A bit slow-moving at times-- the kids were bored with it.
Terrifying thriller about woman and child trapped in car by a vicious dog. Subplot is meaningless. Scenes about car suspenseful and relatively believable. Dee Wallace is not overly compelling.
Inferior suspense thriller about team of computer experts, headed by Redford, who discover a black-box device that is capable of unscrambling any computer crytography. Interesting topic, and prophetic about some computer issues, but plot stretches credulity. Tries to remedy the situation with self-parody at points... nah...
Suspense yarn about young boy who may have heard important information from suicidal lawyer, conflicts between police and thugs to determine what he heard, and the intervention of lawyer Sarandon on the boy's behalf. Everything is a little too pure: too purely evil or good, and somewhat predictable. There is no excuse for the pathetic plot twists that lead to the inevitable final showdown. Generally well filmed and editted, and better-written than most, but still disappointing.
Engaging sometimes comic story about a man who, against his own principles, rescues 50 people from a burning plane, then disappears, only to watch an imposter claim credit. Though the movie bogs down with endless twists near the end, it is often refreshingly unconventional. Hoffman is good as the hero. Suitable for kids.
Saw this with Paul. Brilliantly acted and staged movie about King George III's decline into and recovery from mental illness, centred on problem of use of force on the person of his majesty, by doctors and attendants. Fine historical film, lovingly detailed and meticulous without seeming to be. George III, a devout, well-educated, capable monarch, began exhibiting signs of impulsive, inappropriate behaviors in the summer of 1788 which he appeared to recover from by February 1789. The film does not cover his relapse in 1810 from which, blind, deaf, and depressed over the death of his favorite, his daughter Princess Amelia, he did not recover. He died insane in 1820. The acting in "The Madness of King George" is excellent, Hytner's direction is fast paced and acute. All of the secondary parts, especially William Pitt and the reformer, Charles Fox, and Charlotte, his wife (Helen Mirren). Most of the actors are veterans of the British stage production. Nigel Hawthorne (George) lost out for best actor Oscar to... Tom Fricken Hanks.
Well-filmed but forgettable soft porn flick about housewife who longs for real passion. Plays it safe all the way: mommy returns to daddy and little boy, with unexpected help from passion partner. The quality of cinematography is unexpected... until one realizes that this is a niche porn film designed to appeal to voyeurs who need the pretense of high art. The silicon flows high and mighty in this one.
Beautifully acted and directed film about soap opera star who is paralyzed in an accident and retreats in apparent bitterness to her Louisiana home. She is caustic and cynical and refuses to invest any effort into her rehabilitation. She drives away one attendent after another with her shrill peevishness until a stubborn black nurse arrives who can't afford to quit, because of her own abject position. The nurse gradually weans her away from self-pity and begins to inspire her with renewed confidence. Invites comparison to some of the most cliched stereo-types in the Hollywood playbook, but this movie is a class act all the way. It defies convention, takes delightful, poignant turns, and delves beneath surfaces. Rich character study, carefully nuanced. The authentic Cajun background music is a real treat.
Rivetting, compelling drama about a boy, Olivier, who disappears at age 9, reappears in Paris six years later... or does he? His sister, possibly side-tracked by sibling jealousy, suspects it's NOT him. Mother believes it is him, passionately. Father returns from overseas to rejoin family. Based on a true story from France. Rich, subtle, sometimes shocking. Raises questions of what is a family, what is a son? To what extent are family ties illusory and based on parental wish rather than reality? How do emotions begin to determine what we believe or disbelieve? Beautifully filmed and acted, from the rich grain-fields in the early shots (ripeness, a maturing of time?) to the harsher lighting as the family disintegrates.
FREDERIC QUIRING, FAYE GATTEAU, EMMANUEL MOROZOF, BRIGITTE ROUAN, FRANCOIS CLUZET, GREGOIRE COLON, MARINA GOLOVINE
Enjoyable, surprisingly fresh update of TV sitcom, with Brady family, unchanged, floating through 1990's decay. The Brady's almost lose their house to a greedy real estate developer, Marcia finds love, and Jan deals with feelings of inferiority. Director Betty Thomas (Hill Street Blues) ingeniously played it straight, with occasional well-timed jibes at unreality of the tv show. The actors are even made up to look like tv sitcom decor. Three members of the Monkees make an amusing cameo. Generally, something more suited to video than a theatre though.
Interesting western featuring an odd mix of self-parody, myth-breaking, and myth-making impulses. The single gun-fighter against all odds remains, but murder is deromanticized-- one victim is slain in an outhouse. Generally well-acted and elegantly filmed. If you can't act, just look constipated. Filmed in Calgary, Alta. Clint Eastwood's character is shown as remarkably faithful to one woman, his own and always true love. Virtue that sleeps awakes refreshed. Eastwood had at least seven children with at least four other women.
Robin Williams vehicle about real-life dj, Adrian Cronauer, who shocked the army with his irreverent wit and rock'n'roll playlist in Viet Nam during the war. Williams is great, supporting cast is above average, though film gets schmaultzy at times.
Harrowing account of alien abduction of Travis Walton in Arizona, witnessed by five fellow lumber-jacks. Authorities were so skeptical of their stories that they contemplated charging the men with murder until Walton suddenly emerged from the forests, mysteriously dehydrated and malnourished, and offering the incredible, terrifying details of his abduction and examination by alien beings. Based on one of the more credible alien abduction stories floating around, and certainly a compelling film regardless of how you treat the UFO angle. Surprisingly well-filmed.
Entertaining, fresh comedy about a man who falls in love with a woman but is forced to watch as she marries someone else, and mistakenly decides to marry his compromise choice. Andie McDowell is always charming but looks like she's coasting in this one... just busy being her charming self. Supporting cast is good. Lucious wedding scenes.
(Al rented this for the kids.) Somewhat amusing fantasy about three children building a space ship thanks to a special clue from aliens, then travelling to meet the aliens. The technological plot twists are utterly preposterous (an Apple IIc with a battery powered colour monitor...?) but the aliens are amusing and engaging, having absorbed everything about earth culture from television. (The alien's first words to the earthlings are form a Bugs Bunny cartoon.) Also notable as a River Pheonix vehicle.
Intriguing, sometimes shocking portrait of three college students who share a suite of rooms in a dorm, becoming intimate, attempt to solve personal incompatibilities (a male is gay, the other male is hetersexual, the woman loves the gay man). Audacious, sometimes courageous and frank. Concludes with a somewhat limp "update" of subjects lives which doesn't really tell us anything we didn't already know, and isn't as emotionally intense as I think the director would have hoped. Good performances, though "Alexis" was not as appealling as, say, Winona Ryder would have been.
Aren't we all getting a little sick of the word "disturbing" for films like this? In 1969, maybe. In 1979, certainly. In 1989, absolutely. Like Goodfellas, there is a real question here of how much new is there to say about gangsters, thugs, and drug dealers? Nevertheless, a very well-directed, well-acted film, and some compelling characterizations, especially from Travolta.
Usual Marx Brothers mayhem, smartalecky schtick, and physical humour, though beginning to wear a bit thin at this stage.
Somewhat interesting, robust tale of a armoured car heist that goes awry, leaving the robbers in a vicious confrontation with a single security guard. More intelligent than most in this genre, and not excessively violent, though suspenseful. Unusual role by female robber: quietly secure, decisive, yet feminine.
Unusual story at the time about misfits who grab onto female pitcher's coattails to ride to the top of the league. Sometimes startling in authentic brutality of kiddie sports, with Mathau outstanding as cynical coach. Tatum O'Neil is adequate but not exceptional. Supporting cast is good. Doesn't patronize or fall into predictable formula.
Somewhat charming but stilted comedy about a teenage boy's crush on female soccer player. She contrives with a girl who really likes him to set him up for a date with the girl. Pretty low production values. Only virtue is somewhat refreshing style, which is probably accidental.
Wonderful fable about a young pig who charms a wry old farmer into making him his "sheep pig". While a gaggle of other farm creatures prophesy doom and gloom, Babe works hard to learn the trade, provokes some professional jealousy in the dogs, and finally impresses his master enough to make an auspicious debut at a sheep-dog contest. What's great about this film is the way the director resisted the temptation to sentimentalize the story or caricature the humans. Watch for the scene where the farmer dances himself silly at some good news and suddenly realizes the farm animals are watching him through the window.
JAMES CROMWELL, MAGDA SZUBANSKI
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