NEW FILMS FRIDAY
BULLETS OVER BROADWAY - Woody Allen wrote and directed but does not appear in this period comedy about a dedicated playwright (John Cusack) who compromises his ethics to do a broadway production with a big stage star (Dianne Wiest). Reviewed today on Page W3. R (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Exclusive, Broadway.)DOUBLE DRAGON - This sci-fi comic action-thriller, set in the future, is based on the video game of the same title, with two young martial arts experts battling evil Robert Patrick ("Terminator 2"). Reviewed today on Page W5. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Century, Plaza 5400, South Towne, Trolley North, Trolley Square.)
MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN - Kenneth Branagh directed and stars as Dr. Victor Frankenstein in this chaotic but fairly faithful adaptation of the oft-filmed horror yarn, with Robert De Niro as the monster. Tom Hulce, Helena Bonham Carter. Reviewed in this section today on Page W3. R (violence, gore, nudity, sex, mild profanity). (Broadway, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Midvalley, Sandy 9.)
SUNDAY'S CHILDREN - A Swedish drama about an estranged father and son, written by Ingmar Bergman and directed by his son Daniel as a sequel to "The Best Intentions." Reviewed in this section today on Page W6. Not rated, probable R (violence, nudity, profanity, sex). (Exclusive, Tower.).
THE WAR - Kevin Costner has a supporting role in this allegory that has a brother and sister building a treehouse and then battling neighborhood kids who want to take it over. Elijah Wood stars. Reviewed in this section today on Page W5. PG-13 (violence, profanity) (Century, Crossroads, Holladay, Midvalley, Reel, Sandy 9.)
WHAT HAPPENED WAS . . . - The horrors of a first date are explored by writer-director Tom Noonan, who also co-stars with Karen Sillas in this Sundance Film Festival award-winner. Reviewed in this section today on Page W6. Not rated, probable PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity). (Exclusive, Tower.)
MIDNIGHT MOVIE
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW - * * 1/2 - Popular rock opera about transvestites from outer space is ludicrous but surprisingly entertaining much of the way. The real show, however, is in the audience - wear a raincoat or risk a large dry-cleaning bill. R (violence, sex, profanity). (Tower, 11:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday) (July 4, 1980)
CONTINUING FILMS
THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT - * * 1/2 - Three Australian nightclub performers - a pair of transvestites and a transsexual who lip-sync '70s disco music - travel in a pink schoolbus through the outback, shaking up the macho saloons along the way. Amusing, outrageous comedy in the "La Cage aux Folles" vein. R (profanity, vulgarity, partial nudity, violence, drugs). (Exclusive, Broadway.) (Sept. 16, 1994)
ANDRE - * * - Set in the early '60s, this cutesy girl-and-her-seal yarn is purportedly a true story, about a Maine family that nurses a baby seal to health, teaches it tricks and then finds the darn thing won't go back to live in the sea. A sort of "Free Willy," seal-style. The major assets here are Tina Majorino, a wonderful little actress, and the oldies soundtrack. PG (vulgarity, violence). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships, with "Lassie"; Valley Fair.) (Sept. 7, 1994)
ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD - * * 1/2 - Fantasy-comedy about an 11-year-old foster boy whose prayers cause angels to begin helping out his favorite baseball team, the California Angels, in the pennant race. Good performances (especially by Danny Glover, Christopher Lloyd, Tony Danza and Brenda Fricker) and some razzle-dazzle special effects help this otherwise tepid, overly sentimental yarn. PG (violence, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (July 15, 1994)
CAMP NOWHERE - * * - This summer camp spoof isn't too bad, as a group of subteens deceive their parents so they can organize their own camp. Naturally, chaotic freedom reigns, complete with the expected mudbaths and food fights, and the only adult in the vicinity is wacky Christopher Lloyd. Predictable and runs out of steam before it's over but kids will enjoy it. PG (vulgarity, profanity, comic violence). (Sandy Starships, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 7, 1994)
CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER - * * * 1/2 - Harrison Ford is terrific in this sequel to "Patriot Games" (which was a sequel to "The Hunt for Red October"), reprising his role as CIA agent Jack Ryan. This time, he travels to South America to expose a drug cartel that has a link to the U.S. presidency. A bit too "Indiana Jones"-ish toward the end but quite thrilling. PG-13 (violence, profanity). (Cinemas 5, Flick; Olympus Starships, with "Milk Money"; Queen, with "Princess Caraboo.") (Aug. 3, 1994)
THE CLIENT - * * 1/2 - A young boy witnesses a suicide by a mob-related lawyer and finds himself in a tug of war between mobsters and the FBI in this adaptation of John Grisham's best-selling novel. Young Brad Renfro, who plays the central character, is just OK, but Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones are magnificent and make it well worth seeing. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, drugs). (Avalon, with "Maverick"; Kaysville, Sugarhouse.) (July 20, 1994)
CORRINA, CORRINA - * * * - Whoopi Goldberg is good as an educated woman in the late 1950s who takes a job babysitting a traumatized young girl, but Tina Majorino ("Andre"), as the girl, is a knockout. That story is very good but a tentative interracial romance in the second half is less successful. Uneven but enjoyable. Ray Liotta co-stars. PG (profanity, vulgarity). (Family Center, Sandy Starships, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 16, 1994)
FORREST GUMP - * * * 1/2 - Tom Hanks gives a brilliant performance in this technically dazzling, episodic look at three decades in the life of a slow-witted man who inadvertently makes history and subtly affects the lives of those he encounters. An ambitious, sprawling comedy-drama with plenty to say and some huge set pieces, though at its best during quiet, reflective moments. Hanks should have a lock on another Oscar nomination. PG-13 (violence, sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity, drugs). (Cottonwood, Murray, Plaza 5400, Sandy 9.) (July 6, 1994)
I LIKE IT LIKE THAT - * * 1/2 - This gritty, rough-around-the-edges romantic comedy-drama is uneven but occasionally blisters with savvy wit. The story has a young wife and mother in the Bronx striking out for independence when her husband is arrested for looting during a blackout. Lauren Velez is terrific in the lead and writer-director Darnell Martin (a Spike Lee protege) is someone to watch for in the future. R (violence, profanity, sex, nudity). (Trolley Square.) (Oct. 30, 1994)
IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU - * * * - Funny, warm and surprisingly effective old-fashioned, low-key screwball comedy about a good-natured cop (Nicolas Cage) who tips an unhappy waitress (Bridget Fonda) with the promise of half his lottery ticket - then wins $4 million. The phrase "Capraesque" is overworked, but this one is truly in the spirit of Frank Capra's best work. The hilariously hyper Rosie Perez co-stars. PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Family Center, Kaysville, Sandcastle, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (July 29, 1994)
LASSIE - * * - OK kids film, an update of the classic series about a collie who is smarter than his masters - and who proves it by repeatedly rescuing them. This time Lassie befriends an inner-city troubled youth who is transplanted to the country and teaches his family to herd sheep. PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Family Center, Kaysville; Sandy Starships, with "Andre"; Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (July 22, 1994)
LITTLE GIANTS - * 1/2 - Lame comedy for kids has has Rick Moranis ("Honey, I Shrunk the Kids") and Ed O'Neill (TV's "Married . . . With Children") as small-town brothers who compete with peewee football teams. Parents should bring a book and a flashlight. PG (violence, profanity). (Cinemas 5, Cottonwood, Gateway, Reel, Sandy 9.) (Oct. 14, 1994)
THE LITTLE RASCALS - * * - Mediocre adaptation of the old shorts, modernized and updated (sort of) as nostalgic kiddie fare. Look-alikes impersonate Spanky, Alfalfa, Darla, Stymie, etc. - and some are better than others. But it's all rather forced and artificial, with a surprising number of recycled gags. Star cameos include Whoopi Goldberg, Mel Brooks, Donald Trump and Daryl Hannah. PG (mild vulgarity, comic violence). (Sandcastle, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 5, 1994)
LOVE AFFAIR - * * * - Warren Beatty produced, co-wrote and co-stars with real-life wife Annette Bening in this remake of the 1939 comedy-drama about a shipboard romance, which was itself remade as "An Affair to Remember" in 1957. Bening really shines in this faithful update, though the film is not as witty as its past incarnations. Comic relief is supplied by Garry Shandling and there's a wonderful extended cameo by Katharine Hepburn. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity). (Century, Creekside, Gateway, Midvalley, South Towne, Trolley Corners.) (Oct. 21, 1994)
THE MASK - * * * - The summer's wildest movie has wacky Jim Carrey ("Ace Ventura, Pet Detective") as a mild-mannered bank clerk who dons a mysterious mask and becomes a green-faced superhero, part Tasmanian Devil, part Bugs Bunny. Special-effects-driven comedy boasts hilarious computer animation but Carrey's performance makes it click. His dog Milo is also hysterical. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity). (Cinemas 5; Olympus Starships, with "The Specialist.") (July 29, 1994)
MAVERICK - * * * - Loud, bombastic but highly entertaining adaptation of the beloved '50s TV series, with Mel Gibson in the title role as the Old West rambling gambler and Jodie Foster as a con artist with whom he locks horns. The original TV Maverick, James Garner, is along as well, playing a U.S. marshal. Overblown but funny and gorgeously photographed (by Vilmos Zsigmond), especially the Lake Powell scenes. PG (violence, profanity, sex). (Avalon, with "The Client.") (May 20, 1994)
MILK MONEY - turkey - This dreadful, wrongheaded coming-of-age comedy is a real mess, with a trio of preteen boys pooling their savings and heading for the big city to see a naked woman. They are picked up by a hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold (Melanie Griffith) who moves into a treehouse while one of the boys tries to fix her up with his widowed father (Ed Harris). Ridiculous, tasteless, offensive and unfunny. PG-13 (sex, profanity, vulgarity). (Cinemas 5; Olympus Starships, with "Clear and Present Danger.") (Sept. 7, 1994)
THE NEXT KARATE KID - * 1/2 - Silly third sequel in the series offers a gender twist, with Hilary Swank as the new title character. There are also some truly ludicrous subplots - monks who leave the monastery to do some zen bowling and a group of high school students trained as a Nazi-style cadre. Pat Morita, back as Miyagi, is the film's best element. PG (violence, profanity). (Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 11, 1994)
ONLY YOU - * * * - Enchanting romantic comedy from director Norman Jewison, who is obviously trying for another "Moonstruck." This one's not that good but it's a most enjoyable yarn, as Marisa Tomei leaves her fiance at the altar to search for her written-in-the-stars true love in Italy. But is it really Robert Downey Jr.? The stars are very good but Bonnie Hunt, as Tomei's wisecracking sister-in-law, steals the show. PG (violence, profanity, partial nudity). (Century, Gateway, Holladay, Plaza 5400, South Towne.) (Oct. 7, 1994)
PRINCESS CARABOO - * * * - A delightful surprise, this period comedy stars Phoebe Cates as the title character in a variation on "Anastasia," as a young woman in 1817 England who speaks an unknown language is accepted as a foreign princess. But there are skeptics who think she may be a fraud, most notably reporter Stephen Rea, butler Kevin Kline and linguist John Lithgow, until Cates wins them over. Funny and charming. PG (vulgarity, violence). (Queen, with "Clear and Present Danger.") (Sept. 16, 1994)
PULP FICTION - * * * - Quentin Tarantino ("Reservoir Dogs") shows off his remarkable filmmaking skills with this arresting gangster yarn, a three-act melodrama (running 2 hours, 40 minutes) that is laced with dark humor and graphic bloodshed. It also features superb performances from Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, John Travolta, et. al. The big winner at the Cannes Film Festival in May - but be advised that the wall-to-wall foul language and gory violence are jarring. R (violence, gore, sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity, drugs). (Century, Crossroads, Holladay, South Towne, Trolley North.) (Oct. 14, 1994)
THE PUPPET MASTERS - * * - Donald Sutherland heads the cast in this sci-fi thriller based on Robert A. Heinlein's book about an invasion of extraterrestrial body snatchers. Wasn't Sutherland also in the second "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" picture? Plays like a bigger budget episode of "X-Files," without the sense of humor. OK but overly familiar. R (violence, profanity). (Cottonwood, Flick, Plaza 5400, South Towne.) (Oct. 23, 1994)
QUIZ SHOW - * * * * - Superlative filmmaking from director/producer Robert Redford, based on the true story of the television quiz show scandals in the late 1950s, focusing on contestants for the program "Twenty-One," who were given answers in advance. Knockout performances, especially from Ralph Fiennes, Paul Scofield and John Turturro. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity). (Creekside, Sandy 9, Trolley Corners.) (Sept. 23, 1994)
THE RIVER WILD - * * * 1/2 - This incredible thrill ride gets a major boost from Meryl Streep, playing a former guide who takes her family white water rafting, only to encounter desperate thieves (led by Kevin Bacon) who manipulate her skills to get them down river. Chilling fun, with terrific direction by Curtis Hanson ("The Hand That Rocks the Cradle"). PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief veiled nudity). (Broadway, Century, Holladay, Midvalley, Reel, Sandy 9, Trolley North.) (Sept. 30, 1994)
THE ROAD TO WELLVILLE - * * - Some big laughs and a rousing first half-hour aren't enough to save this cheerfully vulgar comedy, a one-joke movie - and a very vulgar joke, at that. Anthony Hopkins stars, with a Bugs Bunny overbite and John Huston's voice, as turn-of-the-century health guru John Harvey Kellogg. Top-notch supporting cast (Bridget Fonda, Matthew Broderick, John Cusack, Dana Carvey) tries, but writer-director Alan Parker's heavy-handed approach quickly wears out its welcome. R (violence, sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity). (Broadway, Century, Creekside, South Towne.) (Oct. 28, 1994)
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION - * * * 1/2 - Offbeat, ethereal prison picture, with Tim Robbins as a banker who may or may not have killed his wife, sentenced to life and eventually befriended by another lifer (Morgan Freeman). Surprising plot twists and an unexpected sensibility help but it is the terrific performances by all concerned that really make this one work. Based on a non-horror Stephen King novella. R (violence, profanity, vulgarity, nudity, sex). (Cinemas 5, Cottonwood, Reel, Trolley Square.) (Oct. 7, 1994)
SILENT FALL - * 1/2 - "Witness" meets "Rain Man" in this thriller that casts Richard Dreyfuss as a retired child psychologist, recruited to help extract information from an autistic child who has witnessed the brutal murder of his parents. Lousy character development, a choppy editing and some silly plot devices make this one a mess. Co-stars Linda Hamilton and John Lithgow have very little to do. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity). (Century, Crossroads, Holladay, Plaza 5400, South Towne.) (Oct. 28, 1994)
THE SPECIALIST - turkey - Dour Sharon Stone seeks out brooding explosives expert Sylvester Stallone to get him to blow up three hoods who killed her parents. This amazingly awful thriller is like the Bad Acting Olympics, with Stone, Stallone, James Woods and Eric Roberts delivering over-the-top performances - but the winner is Rod Steiger as a Miami godfather, complete with ridiculous Hispanic accent. R (violence, sex, nudity, profanity). (Midvalley; Olympus Starships, with "The Mask"; South Towne, Trolley Square.) (Oct. 7, 1994)
SPEED - * * * - Brainless but thrilling, this is indeed "Die Hard" on a bus . . . and on a high-rise elevator . . . and on a speeding underground train. Keanu Reeves is a Los Angeles SWAT cop out to save the passengers of these various modes of transportation after mad bomber Dennis Hopper rigs them with deadly explosives. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity). (Sugarhouse.) (June 10, 1994)
SQUANTO: A WARRIOR'S TALE - * * - This good-natured Disney family film has its heart in the right place but is nonetheless a disappointment, with muddled plotting and silly "Indiana Jones"-style heroics. The story has an American Indian being captured by English traders who put him on display for public amusement. When he escapes, he is taken in by a group of monks who nurse him to health and help him return home. PG (violence). (Gateway, Plaza 5400, Reel, Sandy 9, Trolley Square, Villa.) (Oct. 28, 1994)
STARGATE - * * 1/2 - This extrapolation of the "Chariots of the Gods?" theory, that ancient civilization was established by space aliens, has a mild-mannered Egyptologist (James Spader) and a suicidal military officer (Kurt Russell) traveling millions of light years to a planet on the other side of the universe. There, they encounter slaves and their god, who is really a power-mad alien (Jaye Davidson). Essentially a sci-fi biblical epic, with flat characterizations and a murky storyline. But it's fun if you accept it as merely a big-budget B-movie. PG-13 (violence, profanity). (Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Sandy 9, Midvalley, Reel, Trolley Square.) (Oct. 28, 1994)
TIMECOP - * * 1/2 - Jean-Claude Van Damme exhibits some genuine charisma in this high-tech sci-fi thriller with some terrific effects and well-choreographed fight scenes. Van Damme is a cop in the future, where the government has time-traveling cops chasing criminals who try to profit from historical knowledge. Over-the-top violence, plot loopholes and exploitative sex mar the proceedings. R (violence, sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity). (South Towne.) (Sept. 16, 1994)
TRIAL BY JURY - * * - Implausible courtroom thriller stars Joanne Whalley-Kilmer as a divorced mother serving jury duty who is terrorized by the mob boss (Armand Assante) on trial. A few interesting moments and a terrific cast (William Hurt, Kathleen Quinlan, Joe Santos, etc.) but largely disappointing. R (violence, gore, profanity, drugs, partial nudity). (Family Center, Sandcastle, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 11, 1994)
TRUE LIES - * * * 1/2 - Overblown and somewhat coarse (and even a little mean-spirited), this James Cameron film is nonetheless frequently hilarious and loaded with stunts that will knock your socks off. Arnold Schwarzenegger does James Bond crossed with Clark Kent, as a high-tech spy who has domestic problems and inadvertently involves his wife (Jamie Lee Curtis) in his latest mission. A wild ride all the way. R (violence, profanity). (Family Center, Kaysville, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (July 15, 1994)