From: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com (movies-digest) To: movies-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: movies-digest V2 #194 Reply-To: movies-digest Sender: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk movies-digest Tuesday, June 1 1999 Volume 02 : Number 194 Re: [MV] The Eight-Week Rule Re: [MV] The Eight-Week Rule Re: [MV] The Eight-Week Rule Re: [MV] The Eight-Week Rule [MV] Movie News - 05/27/99 [MV] The Movie Report#193, 5/27/99 [MV] MovieJuice! - ADVANCE - THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER - Mildly Travolting [MV] Movie News - 05/30/99 [MV] test [MV] Notting Hill review [MV] Movie News - 05/30/99 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 21:26:12 -0400 From: "Chris Culligan" Subject: Re: [MV] The Eight-Week Rule He could have put no effort into this film and still walked away with cash to spare. I'm glad that he saw fit to put some heart into it and give us an enjoyable movie (IMO). On the subject, would you say he's "in it" for the money or would you say that the Star Wars movies are a "labor-of-love" for Lucas? I'd be interested to hear what y'all think. CHRIS - ----- Original Message ----- From: Phoenix To: Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 1999 7:29 PM Subject: Re: [MV] The Eight-Week Rule > > > > > >Even if Lucas ends up "in trouble" I wouldn't mind having those kind of > >problems. I don't think he'll go bankrupt and I'm sure the sequels to this > >prequel will be made regardless of the revenue it generates. Good hell, if > >we can have 4 or 5 Iron Eagle movies we can have more Star Wars movies. > > > >James K. Rudy > > > [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 21:15:35 -0500 From: torq@mo.net Subject: Re: [MV] The Eight-Week Rule At 09:26 PM 5/26/99 -0400, Chris Culligan wrote: >He could have put no effort into this film and still walked away with cash >to spare. I'm glad that he saw fit to put some heart into it and give us an >enjoyable movie (IMO). another reason i personally surmise that this movie will be the biggest money-maker of all-time is based on myself. i saw star wars at midnight wednesday night (24 hrs after it opened). i came into it with VERY low expectations - i've never thought much of the other three films, and didnt expect this movie to be any good, especially since i'm not really into "impressive" special effects. well, i enjoyed this movie quite a bit. and i even went back and watched the other three again, and also saw this movie for a second time. i plan on seeing it a few more tmes, too. now, i dont see a huge number of movies in the theatre, but i do see a movie every couple weeks. and only two other films - "sling blade" and "american history x" did i see more than once - until now (and i almost went to see "sling blade" a third time). if i'm any indication - a NON star wars fan who really enjoyed the film and wants to see it many times, i'm sure the film will be #1 of all-time. (and for the record, i did not see titanic in the theatre, but think that it is a HORRIBLE, trite, pretentious piece of garbage) >On the subject, would you say he's "in it" for the money or would you say >that the Star Wars movies are a "labor-of-love" for Lucas? I'd be >interested to hear what y'all think. from the interviews i've watched lately (both recent and dating back the past twenty years - thank you "time and again" on msnbc), this seems to be something lucas has enjoyed doing quite a bit, regardless of the money. he's funded them himself, he's said that he hasnt really changed the script much at all since he wrote it back circa 1974 (except, apparently, luke & anakin's last name was originally "skykiller")., and he generally doesnt seem to be a terribly fame-oriented type of guy. although, for the record, i still think "THX-1138" is his best film (though, i havent seen "american graffiti") - and one of the best films ever. [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 23:59:36 -0400 From: Mel Eperthener Subject: Re: [MV] The Eight-Week Rule At 09.26 PM 26/05/99 -0400, Chris Culligan wrote: >On the subject, would you say he's "in it" for the money or would you say >that the Star Wars movies are a "labor-of-love" for Lucas? I'd be >interested to hear what y'all think. I think Lucas is one of those lucky few b@$^@^ds who gets to do what he loves, and becomes filthy rich doing it. And in a world of Albert Belles and Neon Diones and Val Kilmers, he is still someone to be looked up to. We should all be so lucky, eh?? Regards, - --Mel - --Mel Eperthener president, Gowanna Multi-media Pty Please support the endeavour of a friend and fellow Australian. Political Corrections by Michael Jaymes Cassidy http://www.angelfire.com/ma/politicalmusings ____________________________________________ If people are worried about the whole Y2K thing, just wait until they try to get technical support the day "Phantom Menace" opens. __________________________ [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 08:29:48 CDT From: "Wade S." Subject: Re: [MV] The Eight-Week Rule I only wish I had that kind of trouble.............. I think this week-end, with the holiday crowd, >is key. If it falters much at all, Lucas is in trouble. If the audience >increases (and I still hear people making the argument that it might), then >he's set. Of course, I can't think of anything coming out this week-end to >threaten the movie's number one spot, so at this point, all we can do is >wait and see. > >Regards, > >--Mel _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 11:04:50 -0600 From: "The Reporter" Subject: [MV] Movie News - 05/27/99 HONG KONG (AP) - A week after the new Star Wars blockbuster opened in the U.S., pirated copies have already hit store shelves in Hong Kong and Macau. Pirated video CDs of "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" are widely available in shopping malls for Hong Kong for $3.20 to $3.80, the South China Morning Post reported Thursday. In nearby Macau, the pirated VCDs are selling for about $1.50. The "Star Wars" film, which began screening in the U.S. last Wednesday, is scheduled to be screened in Hong Kong in July. It became the fastest movie to reach $100 million (five days, versus six for "The Lost World: Jurassic Park"). -=> * <=- BURBANK, Calif. (AP) - Actress-director Sondra Locke has settled her long-running breach of contract lawsuit against Warner Bros. Locke accused the studio of scheming with former boyfriend Clint Eastwood to offer her a three-film deal in exchange for her dropping a 1989 palimony suit against the actor. Locke claimed she never got to direct any films under the deal. She said she proposed 30 projects and all were rejected. Jury selection was beginning Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court when the lawsuit was settled, said her attorney, Neil Papiano. [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 17:50:13 -0700 From: Michael Dequina Subject: [MV] The Movie Report#193, 5/27/99 T H E M O V I E R E P O R T #193 MAY 27, 1999 You can help support the MR and Mr. Brown's Movie Site by purchasing videos and DVDs from Reel.com. Please visit: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-reel.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dwelcome.htm= l Thank you very much. =3D>T H I S W E E K<=3D M O V I E S - -_Notting_Hill_ - -_Buena_Vista_Social_Club_ - -_Trekkies_ - -_Black_Mask_ - -_Trippin'_ - -_The_Winslow_Boy_ V I D E O - -_Gloria_ - -_In_Dreams_ - -_Saving_Private_Ryan_ - -_The_Theory_of_Flight_ E V E N T S - -_Buena_Vista_Social_Club_ premiere =3D>U P D A T E S<=3D @MR. BROWN'S MOVIE SITE - -Photos from the Independent Spirit Awards, Sean Connery Day in Hollywood, and more, starting at: http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/celeb/44.html - -Movie Site Links has finally been updated: http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movielinks.html For that, inks to the official websites of all the current films, past reviews, exclusive Hollywood event photos, movie MIDI music, movie discussion board, and more, visit: http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown or http://welcome.to/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=20 ...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 screen name "MrBrown23." all movies graded out of four stars (****) ~~~ =3D>M O V I E S<=3D N E W R E L E A S E S Hollywood Hotline Featured Review _Notting_Hill_ (PG-13) *** 1/2 While their careers are far from flagging, neither Julia Roberts nor Hugh Grant have quite recaptured the heights of the projects that propelled them to stardom. This has been especially the case with Grant, whose last project, the 1996 medical thriller _Extreme_Measures_, found the actor acquitting himself surprisingly well in a serious role, but it offered little reminder of self-effacing British charms that broke him through in 1994's _Four_Weddings_and_a_Funeral_. Roberts, on the other hand, has had (to put it lightly) her fair share of successes since 1990's _Pretty_Woman_, but few of the hits she has had possessed the simple magic of that modern-day romance classic that made her career--even her role in 1997's entertaining smash _My_Best_Friend's_Wedding_ had her stretch somewhat, playing, to use the words of her character, "the bad guy" (albeit a charming one). Roberts has always been best at being, as in _Pretty_Woman_, a glowing presence--something she has never been content to do since. _Notting_Hill_, from two of Grant's _Four_Weddings_ collaborators, writer Richard Curtis and producer Duncan Kenworthy (director Roger Michell is new to the mix), casts the two likable stars in their well-trodden element. As such, the film does not uncover any new talents that they might have buried within, but it gives audiences exactly what they want from them--and in a smartly written and wholly irresistible package. Many stars have been accused of essentially playing themselves in film, but never has that been more blatantly the case with Roberts's role in _Notting_Hill_: that of Anna Scott, a world-famous movie star whose private life is often fodder for the tabloids. (Further blurring the Julia/Anna divide is the opening montage of red carpet arrival footage, most of it culled from actual news coverage of Roberts at gala events.) This may reek of shameless self-indulgence, but the movie star conceit allows Roberts to poke fun at her image and, more effectively, enables Curtis to deftly let off some pointed barbs at the Hollywood machine. One hilarious sequence perfectly captures the often ridiculous nature of a press junket (naturally, this section received the best response from the all-media audience); and in one single, simple line, Curtis takes a stinging jab at the writing-by-committee tactic so often used for so-called "blockbusters." The main intent of _Notting_Hill_, however, is not satire but romance, and Curtis and Michell have crafted a truly enchanting one. The premise is pure fantasy: one day Anna walks into the travel book store of Notting Hill (a neighborhood in London) resident William Thacker (Grant, comfortably back in _Four_Weddings_ stammer mode), and in quick time this average joe finds himself striking a friendship with the glam starlet that eventually develops into something deeper--which, of course, leads to some problems with anonymity. As far-fetched as the story is, it is done with such style and grace--the latter especially the case with Roberts and Grant's effortless rapport--that there is no difficulty in suspending disbelief. While Roberts and Grant make an immensely appealing center, the characters at the periphery provide memorable support. Emma Chambers, Hugh Bonneville, Tim McInnerny, and Gina McKee are all given their individual moments to shine as William's sister and close friends, respectively. Likely to generate the most talk, though (aside from a funny surprise cameo by a name star), is Rhys Ifans, a scene stealer William's disgusting slob of a flatmate, Spike. If there is a misstep made in _Notting_Hill_, it is the ending. Admittedly a crowdpleaser, it's also so overdone as to be the only moment in the movie that is far less than convincing. But by that point, Roberts, Grant, and everyone and everything else will have so effortlessly endeared the audience that such a complaint is moot. That one moment may ring false, but what remains true throughout is the enrapturing spell this sparkling entertainment casts upon the audience. IN BRIEF _Buena_Vista_Social_Club_ *** Artisan Entertainment is selling this documentary by Wim Wenders as being about "the history of the best Cuban music," but the mere presence of old-time Cuban musicians is as deep as the history lesson gets. The film, which follows composer/musician Ry Cooder as he gathers Cuban music veterans for an album and subsequent concerts in Amsterdam and New York, functions better as an affectionate cinematic celebration of that all-but-forgotten music. Along the way, we get to know a few of the musicians, most memorably singer Ibrahim Ferrer, who is genuinely touching as he walks the streets of New York in almost teary awe. At times _Buena_Vista_Social_Club_ plays like a feature-length infomercial for the soundtrack album, but the film is so heartfelt in its simplicity that it's almost rude to quibble about it--even if you are, indeed, compelled to buy the album afterward. (opens June 4) _Trekkies_ (PG) ** 1/2 The most indelible image of the news coverage of the hoopla surrounding _The_Phantom_Menace_'s opening was not the many people in line dressed up as Darth Maul, but people out of line dressed up as characters from that _other_ long-running sci-fi series, in particular one woman: leading a protest of all the media attention lavished upon _Star_Wars_ while dressed up as Borg, she held a Yoda doll in a noose, dropped it onto the ground, and then proceeded to stomp on it furiously. Sadly, such (for lack of a better term) "deviant" behavior is not chronicled in _Trekkies_, a documentary about _Star_Trek_'s fervent fans, but there are plenty of extremes on display. Witness the Whitewater juror who insisted upon wearing her Starfleet uniform to court and only likes being addressed as "Commander." Marvel at the dentist who turned his office into a pretty neat microcosm of the _Trek_ universe. Listen in astonishment as one fan, who already dresses his poodle in Starfleet clothes, contemplates having his ears surgically altered to resemble a Vulcan's. Laugh hysterically at the infamous "Q Virus" story and one fan who drives around in a working replica of an unusual transport vehicle featured in the TV series. All of this holds a strange fascination, but as one can glean from the above paragraph, it does get somewhat redundant after a while. Not to mention grating at times--the fan who gets the most screen time, 14-year-old Gabriel Koerner, is so smugly pretentious one wishes he would end up on the wrong end of a phaser. _Next_Generation_ star Denise Crosby, who also produced, makes an engaging tour guide to all the madness, but the film loses steam halfway into its slim 86-minute running time. I N C U R R E N T R E L E A S E Hollywood Hotline Featured Review _Black_Mask_ (R) *** After stealing the show from Mel Gibson and company in _Lethal_Weapon 4_, it was only a matter of time before American distributors started invading the vault of Jet Li's Hong Kong work. The first of what is sure to be a long line of wide American releases is _Black_Mask_, a gritty, hyperstylish 1996 adventure that plugs Li's talents into a superhero yarn. However, as fun and exciting as the film often is, it is far from Li's best showcase. That distinction belongs to _Fist_of_Legend_, an electrifying 1994 reworking of the Bruce Lee vehicle _The_Chinese_Connection_ whose American distribution (through Quentin Tarantino's Rolling Thunder Pictures) was scrapped. However, it is easy to see why _Black_Mask_ ended up as his first HK effort to widely reach U.S. screens. It isn't so much that the film is a diverting entertainment (which it certainly is), but that it is one of Li's few actioners set in contemporary times. Most of his high-flying films, from _Fist_of Legend_ to his starmaking _Once_Upon_a_Time_in_China_ series, were set in period China--not exactly inaccessible to Yank audiences considering the amount of action in these films, but a difficult sell nonetheless. _Black_Mask_ is much more easily marketable: a dark, extremely violent comic-book-style adventure where Li plays Tsui, a medically-enhanced supersoldier who escapes the shady outfit that created him. He attempts to live a quiet existence as a pacificist librarian, but soon he jolted back to action when his former cohorts have taken to killing off all of Hong Kong's drug lords. His identity kept a secret under a black mask (hence the title), Tsui, with the reluctant help of aptly named policeman Rock (Lau Ching Wan), attempts to set things right. _Black_Mask_ has much more of a technical sheen than any of Jackie Chan's fun yet rather crudely produced HK imports. The English dubbing job is actually competently done (Li doesn't do his own dialogue, but his stand-in does an adequate job). There is some inventive production and costume design, as well as some often stunning cinematography. Director Daniel Lee's strong suit is definitely his visual style, which appears to be influenced by the frenetic camera techniques of Michael Bay. While the glossy approach keeps the film never less than visually stimulating, it also shortchanges the many fight sequences, which, of course, are what people see Jet Li films for. Granted, no amount of MTV-style editing can rob Li's acrobatic martial arts skills of their electrifying effect, but the quick cuts do dilute it a bit. One is left in greater awe when one is actually able to see what Li can and does do--without any flashy frills. But until _Fist_of_Legend_ or any of his better showcases--such as _Once_Upon_a_Time_in_China_, _Fong_Sai-Yuk_, or _The_Tai-Chi_Master_, the latter which co-stars _Tomorrow_Never_Dies_ scene stealer Michelle Yeoh--is made available to the masses (those films are all available, though on a fairly limited basis, on video), _Black_Mask_ nicely gets the job done as either a showcase for Jet Li's athletic talents or an undemanding blast of action and mayhem. _Trippin'_ (R) ** Daydreaming high school senior Greg (Deon Richmond, a long way from playing Kenny, a.k.a. "Bud," on _The_Cosby_Show_) is inspired to wake up and think about his future by the sensible girl of his dreams (Maia Campbell). This often racy teen comedy is as formulaic as it sounds, and a subplot in which Greg's best friend (Donald Faison) runs afoul of a local crime boss (Stoney Jackson) is heavyhanded in its preachiness. Nonetheless, due in no small part to the likable leads (in particular Campbell), this good-natured film is as harmless and goes down as easily as your typical WB sitcom. _The_Winslow_Boy_ (G) *** 1/2 David Mamet, he of the puzzle box screen thrillers and profanity-laden plays, would seem like an odd match for a stately (and G-rated, no less) costume drama. Yet he tackles the genre beautifully in this superbly acted adaptation of Terence Rattigan's play about the court battle waged by a lawyer (Jeremy Northam) in defense of a wealthy man's (Nigel Hawthorne) youngest son (Guy Edwards), who was expelled from military school for petty theft (a mere five schillings). But this is no conventional courtroom drama, or romance for that matter. At the heart of the film is a beautifully muted pas de deux between Northam's character and Hawthorne's spunky daughter (Rebecca Pidgeon), who are divided by political differences. The suspense of their simmering will-they-or-won't-they relationship is matched by the court case--a fact made all the more remarkable that there are scant few actual courtroom scenes; hearing almost everything unfold through second-hand accounts suddenly makes the stakes even higher. That touch, and the economical device of showing political cartoons to track the public's attitude toward the court case, is indicative of the considerable clarity and precision with which Mamet has crafted this intelligent and very satisfying work of art. (full reviews of the following in past MRs and at the listed URLs) - -_Analyze_This_ (R) *** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt46.html#analyze - -_Besieged_ (R) ** 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt49.html#besieged - -_The_Castle_ (R) *** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt49.html#castle - -_Cookie's_Fortune_ (PG-13) *** 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt47.html#cookie - -_The_Dreamlife_of_Angels_(La_Vie_R=EAv=E9e_des_Anges)_ (R) *** 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt48.html#dreamlife - -_Election_ (R) *** 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt48.html#election - -_Endurance_ (G) ** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt49.html#endurance - -_Entrapment_ (R) ** 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt48.html#entrapment - -_eXistenZ_ (R) *** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt48.html#existenz - -_Get_Real_ (R) *** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt48.html#real - -_Go_ (R) **** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt47.html#go - -_Life_ (R) ** 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt48.html#life - -_Life_Is_Beautiful_(La_Vita_E_Bella)_ (PG-13) **** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt40.html#vitabella - -_Lost_&_Found_ (PG-13) ** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt48.html#lost - -_The_Love_Letter_ (PG-13) * 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt49.html#letter - -_Lovers_of_the_Arctic_Circle_(Los_Amantes_del_C=EDrculo_Polar)_ (R) *** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt49.html#amantes - -_The_Matrix_ (R) **** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt47.html#matrix - -_The_Mummy_ (PG-13) * 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt49.html#mummy - -_Never_Been_Kissed_ (PG-13) *** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt47.html#never - -_The_Out-of-Towners_ (PG-13) ** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt47.html#out - -_Pushing_Tin_ (R) ** 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt48.html#tin - -_Shakespeare_in_Love_ (R) *** 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#shakespeare - -_Star_Wars:_Episode_I--The_Phantom_Menace_ (PG) *** 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt49.html#phantom - -_Tea_with_Mussolini_ (PG) *** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt49.html#mussolini - -_Three_Seasons_ (PG-13) *** 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt49.html#3 - -_A_Walk_on_the_Moon_ (R) ** 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt49.html#walk - -_William_Shakespeare's_A_Midsummer_Night's_Dream_ (PG-13) *** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt49.html#midsummer - -_Xiu_Xiu:_The_Sent-Down_Girl_ (R) **** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt49.html#xiuxiu O N T H E H O R I Z O N FRIDAY _Eternity_and_a_Day_ The Palme d'Or winner at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival went to Theo Angelopoulos's Greek drama in which a dying writer (Bruno Ganz) searches for higher answers in his final days. _The_Loss_of_Sexual_Innocence_ (R) Episodes from a man's (Julian Sands) life are juxtaposed with the story of Adam and Eve in Mike Figgis's unconventional drama. _Notting_Hill_ (PG-13) *** 1/2 Delightful romantic comedy about the unlikely relationship between a movie star (Julia Roberts) and an average Briton (Hugh Grant). _The_Thirteenth_Floor_ (PG-13) This science fiction thriller about parallel universes and virtual reality has been sitting on the Sony Pictures shelf since last spring. If that isn't enough to scare you, it was produced by uberhack Roland Emmerich. Craig Bierko, Dennis Haysbert, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Gretchen Mol star. ~~~ =3D>V I D E O<=3D N E W T H I S W E E K _Gloria_ (R) ** Full review in MR#175, 1/28/99; and at: http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt44.html#gloria Buy at VHS and DVD at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D44626 Sharon Stone did no favors for her career or her fans by starring in Sidney Lumet's dull, unsatisfying remake of the 1980 John Cassavetes drama about a gangster's ex-girlfriend and the orphaned boy (Jean-Luke Figueroa) she reluctantly takes under her wing. (Columbia TriStar Home Video; DVD also available)=09 _In_Dreams_ (R) * 1/2 Full review in MR#173, 1/15/99; and at: http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt44.html#dreams Buy at VHS and DVD at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D44626 With Darius Khondji's atmospheric cinematography downsized for the small screen, there is precious little to recommend Neil Jordan's muddled, hokey thriller about a woman's (Annette Bening) psychic dream connection with a killer (Robert Downey Jr.)--even on video's lower standards. (DreamWorks Home Entertainment; DVD available in June)=09 _Saving_Private_Ryan_ (R) **** Full review in MR#151, 7/24/98; and at: http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt37.html#ryan Buy at VHS at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D41948 No amount of panning and scanning can rob the raw visceral impact of this film's opening D-day invasion sequence. However, the added intimacy of the small screen only puts the key flaw at the center of Steven Spielberg's multiple Academy Award-winning (with the exception of one key award) film into sharper focus: sketchy characters, with the exception of Tom Hanks's Capt. Miller. But in any format, the film is indeed a spectacularly riveting entertainment, one whose memory lasts long in the heart and mind. (DreamWorks Home Entertainment; widescreen version also available)=09 _The_Theory_of_Flight_ (R) ** 1/2 Full review in MR#173, 1/15/99; and at: http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt44.html#flight Buy at VHS at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D44406 The eccentricities of this comedy/drama about the relationship between a woman (Helena Bonham Carter) stricken with Lou Gehrig's disease and her reluctant caretaker (Kenneth Branagh) put it a step above disease-of-the-week movies made for the tube. But the offbeat too often stretches into the unbelievable, in particular when Branagh schemes to rob a bank in order to hire a gigolo for unhappy virgin Bonham Carter. Strong performances (in particular Bonham Carter's) and chemistry between the leads rate this one a near miss--and, as such, a fairly safe risk at the video store. (New Line Home Video)=09 A L S O N E W T H I S W E E K _Insomnia_ Buy at VHS and DVD at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D41458 Norwegian psychological thriller/character study of a detective (Stellan Skarsgard) tracks down a killer. (Home Vision; DVD available June 22) _Un_Air_de_Famille_ Buy at VHS and DVD at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D41556 Acclaimed French comedy in which a dysfunctional family gathers for a turbulent birthday dinner. (Fox Lorber Home Video; DVD available June 15) R E C E N T R E L E A S E S (full reviews of the following in past MRs and at the listed URLs) - -_Another_Day_in_Paradise_ (R) ** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt44.html#paradise Buy at VHS or DVD at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D44449 - -_Babe:_Pig_in_the_City_ (G) ** 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt42.html#babe Buy at VHS or DVD at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D44140 - -_A_Cool,_Dry_Place_ (PG-13) ** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt45.html#cooldry Buy at VHS at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D44678 - -_Holy_Man_ (PG) * 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt40.html#holyman Buy at VHS and DVD at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D43614 - -_The_Impostors_ (R) ** 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt40.html#impostors Buy at VHS or DVD at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D43530 - -_Orgazmo_ (NC-17) * 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt41.html#orgazmo Buy at VHS at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D43740 - -_Star_Trek:_Insurrection_ (PG) ** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#insurrection Buy at VHS or DVD at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D44281 - -_Velvet_Goldmine_ (R) ** 1/2 http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt41.html#velvet Buy at VHS or DVD at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D43872 - -_Very_Bad_Things_ (R) **** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt42.html#bad Buy at VHS or DVD at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D44179 - -_You've_Got_Mail_ (PG) **** http://www.godamongdirectors.com/mrbrown/movierpt43.html#mail Buy at VHS or DVD at Reel.com: http://www.reel.com/cgi-bin/nph-session.exe?COBRAND=3DMRBR&OBJECT=3Dmoviepag= e.as p?MMID=3D44362 ~~~ =3D>E V E N T S<=3D May 26, 1999 -- _Buena_Vista_Social_Club_ premiere I made one of my all-too-rare forays into the world on the other side of the barricade Wednesday night at the Los Angeles premiere of Wim Wenders's new musical documentary. Due to a friend's generosity (thank you, Chuck), I was able to enjoy the VIP treatment and walk past the autograph hounds camped out on the sidewalk (yes, they seem to cover every single event) and into the doors of the Directors Guild building on Sunset Boulevard, where the event was being held. After Chuck checked in and got our tickets (rather, his tickets, one of which he gave to me), we hung out in the lobby, taking in the scene. A small but substantial line of still photographers and TV news media were standing behind some velvet ropes set up in the lobby, awaiting arrivals of luminaries. This being the premiere of a small film, those were in a short supply. The only person for whom I saw the media pounce was Wenders, clearly the center of attention for the night. Before I was able to recognize anyone else, a security guard told us to take our seats in the auditorium. Even by the time we had taken our seats, per the usual premiere rule of thumb, it was still about a half hour before the night's presentation began, for guests took their time trickling into the auditorium. Before the lights dimmed for some opening remarks by Wenders, composer Ry Cooder, and a representative for the charity Operation USA (the beneficiary of the proceeds from the event), I was able to spot actor Jeremy Piven (_Very_Bad_Things_, TV's _Ellen_ and _Cupid_), who had taken a seat several rows behind us. Following the film was a reception in the DGA building's spacious lobby, where a bar was set up as well as three tables serving food. On the way from the auditorium to the lobby, I spotted a couple more familiar faces: Esai Morales, perhaps best known for his work in _La_Bamba_; and _Titanic_ Oscar nominee Gloria Stuart, who, I must say, is rather energetic for a woman closing in on age 90. After hanging out around Wenders for a while (the center of well-wishing, as is typical for the director of the showcased film), Chuck and I decided to indulge in the free food. I have not attended many premieres or similar events, but I must say that the food and beverage service was the most disorganized I have seen at a Hollywood function. There was a fairly quick line for a cart that served small but delicious Cuban corn tamales, but the main food line was long and slow, and, needless to say, everyone quickly grew impatient. However, I was able to distract myself for a little while when I discovered who had been standing in front of me--_Three_Seasons_ writer-director Tony Bui, who caught my attention as he was being introduced to musician Jackson Browne. After Browne had taken leave, I introduced myself to Bui and complimented him on his beautiful award-winning film. Bui, his friends, Chuck, and I were on deck at the food table when the line came to a crashing halt. The reason? Apparently someone had miscalculated the number of people there, and they had actually run out of plates. More minutes of waiting ensued as the crew tried to figure out if they had any more plates available; in the meantime, there were salads interestingly stored in those doggie bag boxes you get at Chinese restaurants. When the wait got far too ridiculously long, the idea dawned on a few of us--eat or dump the salad, and use the box to get the rice and potato dishes that awaited. (However, I must say that they were _not_ worth the wait.) Problem solved... ...only to face another. Not so surprisingly, the line at the bar was also a crowded mess, and rather than have to wait in another line, Chuck and I (with empty glasses in hand) decided to track down one of the few wine-size bottles of water that had been floating around the room. As I looked away for a moment, Chuck finally found one in the possession of one guy who apparently wanted it all for himself. I turned and saw who it was, and it was Jeremy Piven. Never one to pass up an opportunity, I introduced myself to Piven as one of the few critics who really liked _Very_Bad_Things_. I quickly explained myself as being a "sick fuck," but he just as quickly shot down that explanation, saying that I simply got the joke. With his energetic lead, he and I then launched into an involved discussion about the film, covering everything from the bum rap it got to its apparent signs of life on video (and a number of points in between). Along the way, he made a statement that struck me as being interesting, if somewhat oddly out of the blue: "I know I can be friends with someone when they get the joke [of _Very_Bad_Things_]." As our conversation drew to a close, he lifted the bottle, and grinned, waiting for me to lift my glass. I did, and he poured me some of the water he had so closely guarded (but, unfortunately, after he took a sip directly from the bottle). A fitting end to our meeting, if I do say so myself. ~~~ =3D>N E X T W E E K<=3D More reviews, including: - -_Instinct_ 'til then...=20 __________________________________________________________ Michael Dequina Chat Forum Host, The Official Michael Jordan Web Site http://jordan.sportsline.com mj23@michaeljordanfan.com | jordan_host@sportsmail.com michael_jordan@geocities.com | mrbrown@iname.com >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 Film Frenzy: http://www.filmfrenzy.com "Life is knowing the toughest competition you ever face is yourself." - --Michael Jordan __________________________________________________________ [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 15:27:10 -0400 (EDT) From: maillist@moviejuice.com Subject: [MV] MovieJuice! - ADVANCE - THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER - Mildly Travolting THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER - MILDLY TRAVOLTING by Mark Ramsey http://www.moviejuice.com/1999/generalsdaughter.htm May 28, 1999 Is John getting fat? Is Tubby going tubular? Does he experience "career setbacks" or just "belly flops"? Is "Travolta" Italian for "three-voltas-in-one"? Here's the deal: The best looking chick in the entire history of the Army is found brutally murdered and no one wants to touch the case. Except John Travolta, that is, who'll touch any case that might contain Ring Dings. John does not fear death, as long as it's Death by Chocolate. Jeez, we could have solved this case in a New York minute if the road to the killer had been paved with Twinkies! Who is this chick anyway? She's the hotter-than-Hell daughter of a big-shot General, a Captain in "Psychological Operations" or "Psy-Ops," where (in her words), "we fuck with people's minds." To which Bon Bon John replied, "I was with ya until the 'minds' part." At "Psy-Ops," the goal is to "blunt the enemy's will to fight." Unfortunately, Travolta's will evaporated when the Chinese stole our menu secrets. Naturally, the General's pissed when his baby girl is found dead and tied naked to tent posts outside a military base which, notes Muncharino Barbarino, is not far from a good place to eat. Tubby Travolta, whose cholesterol stands at attention during inspections, promises to "find the sonofabitch, if it's the last thing I eat." Let's see, rape, torture, murder. And you can even visit the official web site to send The General's Daughter e-postcards to all your friends! It's something to settle for if you can't find those "ethnic cleansing" e-postcards. Enter Madeleine Stowe, who hasn't been on the big screen in a while and is barely on this one when Husky John is in the same frame. Heston can part the Red Sea in a frame like this, but Mondo Manero can barely roll through a doorway! Go figure. Madeleine, who's channeling Morticia Adams for much of this flick, is a highly effective rape investigator. And not since the dessert tray has Travol-ton found such a useful asset. But wait! The General's Improbably Good-Looking Daughter is not what she seems! Suffice it to say there's a seedy underbelly to this tale, and I don't mean the seeds under John's belly, either. Enter James Woods who does a terrific job being...well...James Woods. Who's gonna do that better? Jimmy and John try to outsmart each other in a tiresome, "writerly" sequence, much like I try to outsmart nasty unpopped kernels in my popcorn bag. Meanwhile, so convincing is Jimmy as Jimmy, I'm thinking: Doesn't every character know this is James Woods? Shouldn't they be asking for his autograph? Why isn't every scene interrupted with "Hey, it's James Woods! What are you doing here on the base, Jimmy? What's up with that Sean Young thing, anyway? I loved it when Roy Cohn played you on HBO!" The General's Daughter is like one long episode of TV's Homicide except the singing actor from the original Broadway cast of Chicago is replaced by the singing actor from the original cast of Grease. Enter Clarence Williams III, "Linc" from the original Mod Squad, who - from what I can tell - is now is a charter member of the Sedentary Squad. "Raise your remote controls and aim, men! Don't fire until you see the whites of Must-See TV!" Linc may not be "groovy," but he's definitely "heavy." Says Linc, "There are three ways of doing things: The right way, the wrong way, and the Army way." What about "the Way of the Wizard," for Chrissake! Linc is "Mr. Smithers" to the General's "Mr. Burns." He represents loyalty, devotion, and acting so stiff he was tented for termites at the one-hour mark. Maybe it's just me, but it's a distinctly ominous sign whenever a senior officer thoughtfully examines his medals near the climax of a movie. It implies some complex moral or ethical conflict and represents a sure obstacle to a timely Travolta three-course meal. This flick is written strictly by "the book," which isn't surprising since writer William Goldman wrote the book and keeps getting re-hired to re-write the book. I think he uses one script now and just changes the names. "Cross out 'Redford,' write in 'Travolta,' go to Wells Fargo and deposit check." "In Psy-Ops," says the General's Daughter, "we deal with the blackest of black and the whitest of white." Not to mention the cliché-est of clichés. Is Goldman laughing all the way to the bank? Now he's getting dialogue ideas from the Turner Classic Movies color scheme. Believe me, you've seen this flick before. It's set in that alternate movie universe where the star could always be Bruce Willis. He's always partnered with a woman from his past. The bad guy is always a star of modest proportions (so as not to be too obvious while avoiding no-names), and the sinners reach to the highest levels of government power and always include an actor best known for his work with swine. My favorite scene is where Jiggle-Belly John and Madeleine visit a psychiatrist and tell him his former patient was just strangled. Slowly and deliberately, the psychiatrist rises and walks about the room looking deeply upset, thus duplicating a thousand other scenes in a thousand other movies. Where's he going, anyway? Did he leave his smokes in the Star-Wagon? Is he picking up crumbs after Travolta? Is he getting too old for this shit? Are Butch and Sundance in the waiting room? Ho hum. To quote the Army code of conduct: Don't ask, don't tell, and - most importantly - don't place your sandwich upwind from Travolta. Copyright 1999 Mark Ramsey. All rights reserved. NO PORTION MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR. ******************** VACATION NOTICE MovieJuice! is officially on vacation! See you all mid-June, right around Austin Powers time. ******************** DON’T FORGET TO VISIT MOVIEJUICE.COM! Hey, kids, don't forget to visit the MovieJuice! Site at http://www.moviejuice.com. The pictures are half the fun (and sometimes more than half the laughs)! ******************** TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS LIST: DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL! Just go to http://www.moviejuice.com and follow the directions at the top of the left frame. It's very easy. NOTE: YOUR NAME CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE LIST UNLESS YOU UNSUBSCRIBE USING THE EMAIL ADDRESS YOU REGISTERED WITH). And don't write me lots of mean-spirited crap. I won't read it. ******************** IF YOUR LINES AREN'T WRAPPING… Your browser and/or email client (why DO they call it that?) has a setting called "Wrap Long Lines." Select it! [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 13:48:17 -0600 From: "The Reporter" Subject: [MV] Movie News - 05/30/99 LOS ANGELES (AP) - And you thought adults hated Barney. Just listen to what they're saying about Jar Jar Binks, the flop-eared amphibian from the new "Star Wars" movie. Many fans, echoing the views of a number of film critics, see the character as an annoying goofball at best and a racial stereotype at worst. Since George Lucas' "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" opened May 19, the Internet has been afire with messages - and several entire Web sites - calling for no less than the annihilation of the creature. "The tally so far is running about 10 to 1 in favor a having a festive Jar Jar-B-Q," said a Web site called Jar Jar Must Die. -=> * <=- HONG KONG (AP) - Pirated copies of the "Star Wars" prequel with washed out desert scenes and noise from a theater's audience have hit stores in Asia, after the film opened in the U.S. and before its Asia debut. Pirated video CDs of "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" are widely available in shopping malls in Hong Kong for between $3 and $4, a fraction of the cost of movie tickets. In Beijing, street vendors were sold out. Roadside vendors in Malaysia and at least one store in Jakarta, Indonesia, were also selling the discs. All copies sold in Hong Kong appeared to be from the same source: a home video recorded in a U.S. movie theater. The video is dark and fuzzy and the sound quality is poor. [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 20:57:23 +0100 From: "Gerald Taylor" Subject: [MV] test This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - ------=_NextPart_000_000E_01BEAADF.03D6F2C0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable - ------=_NextPart_000_000E_01BEAADF.03D6F2C0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
 
- ------=_NextPart_000_000E_01BEAADF.03D6F2C0-- [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 17:14:30 -0700 From: "Jason Cormier" Subject: [MV] Notting Hill review If romantic comedies is your cup of tea then pour yourself on over to Nitting Hill (ughh - what a terrible opener). Anyway this is a nice little movie that has a surreal essence due to the fact that Julia Robert's character is Julia Roberts. Not literally - but she plays an actress by the name of Anna Scott who is the most popular film actress of her time - and who just got paid $15 mil for her last movie. Sound familiar? And Hugh is in familiar territory doing what he does best (no bj jokes please) - acting like a very charming but bumbling goof. There is a lot of humour here - which is good as it makes up for some stretches in the last half. I definitely had a good time - and if you enjoyed Four Weddings and a Funeral or The Tall Guy (which you should rent if oyu haven't seen it - Jeff Goldblum and Emma Thompson - very funny!) then you will definitely enjoy Notting Hill - 82%. [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Jun 1999 11:42:25 -0600 From: "The Reporter" Subject: [MV] Movie News - 05/30/99 LOS ANGELES (AP) - The new "Star Wars" film topped the $200 million mark in a record 13 days while "Notting Hill" took in $27.8 million and was second at the box office with its mix of Julia Roberts and romance, according to industry estimates Monday. The only other new film in wide release, "The Thirteenth Floor," opened in fifth place. The science fiction film noir had a disappointing $4.3 million. "The Mummy" was in third place with $12.7 million. It has grossed $117.1 million in four weeks. "Entrapment" was in fifth place with $6.3 million. "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" topped the four-day Memorial Day holiday box office with $64.8 million, for a total gross of $205 million in less than two weeks. It took "Independence Day" 30 days to reach the mark in 1996. [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ End of movies-digest V2 #194 **************************** [ To quit the movies-digest mailing list (big mistake), send the message ] [ "unsubscribe movies-digest" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]