NEW FILMS FRIDAY
GERMINAL - Gerard Depardieu is among the stars of this 2-hour, 40-minute French epic, an ensemble story that examines the extreme suffering of miners and their families in 1880s France. Based on the novel by Emile Zola; directed by Claude Berri ("Jean de Florette"); Miou-Miou costars as Depardieu's wife. In French, with English subtitles. Reviewed in this section today on page W4. R (violence, mutilation, sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity). (Exclusive, Tower.)THE RIVER WILD - Meryl Streep has the lead role in this thriller about a family that takes a whitewater rafting vacation, only to encounter a trio of mysterious strangers (led by Kevin Bacon) who become more threatening the farther down river they go. Reviewed in this section today on Page W12. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief veiled nudity). (Century, Crossroads, Holladay, Midvalley; Redwood, with "The Cowboy Way"; Reel, Sandy 9, Trolley North.) THE SCOUT - This comedy has a failed recruiter (Albert Brooks), who is in fear of losing his job, hitting it big when he comes across a hot but eccentric young pitcher (Brandon Fraser) from the boondocks. Reviewed in this section today on Page W5. PG-13 (profanity). (Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Midvalley, Sandy 9, Trolley Square.) SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS SHOW BOAT - * * * - Big, colorful, glossy remake of the Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein stage hit about life on a Mississippi showboat, with great songs and a lovely and underrated performance by Ava Gardner. Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Joe E. Brown, Marge and Gower Champion, Agnes Moorhead, William Warfield. Made before ratings (1951), probable G. (Avalon, with "Widow's Peak.") SNEAK PREVIEWS LITTLE GIANTS - This family comedy has Rick Moranis ("Honey, I Shrunk the Kids") and Ed O'Neill (TV's "Married . . . With Children") as sparring brothers who heat up the competition when both form Pop Warner football teams. To be reviewed when it opens Oct. 14. PG (violence, profanity). (Saturday evening and Sunday matinees at Cottonwood, Sandy 9, Trolley Square.) THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION - Tim Robbins is a banker who may or may not have killed his wife but is sentenced to life in prison, where he learns to adjust as he befriends another lifer, played by Morgan Freeman. To be reviewed when it opens next week. R (violence, profanity, vulgarity, nudity, sex). (Saturday evening at the Broadway and Century.) CONTINUING FILMS AIRHEADS - * 1/2 - Despite an appealing cast, this dumb comedy about three idiot musicians taking a radio station hostage wears out its welcome during the first third, then spirals downhill rather quickly. There are some funny gags, but you can see every one of them in the theatrical preview. Plot ideas come from "Dog Day Afternoon," "The King of Comedy," "The Blues Brothers" and "This Is Spinal Tap!" PG-13 (violence, sex, profanity, vulgarity). (Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 5, 1994) 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) 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). (Redwood, with "Terminal Velocity.") (July 15, 1994) BABY'S DAY OUT - * 1/2 - John Hughes (the "Home Alone" pictures, "Dennis the Menace") concocted this comedy about a baby in perilous, cartoon-style situations as he crawls through Chicago's streets . . . pursued by dumb crooks, of course. Dumb, violent slapstick comedy that may please very young children. PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Sandy Starships, with "Wagons East"; Valley Fair.) (July 1, 1994) BEVERLY HILLS COP III - * * 1/2 - Funny but overly violent and profane Eddie Murphy comedy, with Detroit cop Axel Foley seeking revenge on a killer in a Southern California amusement park, clearly modeled after Disneyland. The gags about the park are hilarious and Eddie Murphy is back in peak form, but the story is ridiculous and the stunts borrow too much from Indiana Jones and James Bond. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, partial nudity). (Sugarhouse.) (May 20, 1994) BLACK BEAUTY - * * * - This lovely new film is by far the best screen adaptation yet of the classic story of a horse born in late 19th century England, finding as he is passed from owner to owner that his lot in life is entirely dependent on humans. Beautifully realized by screenwriter Caroline Thompson (last year's "The Secret Garden"), who also makes a most satisfying directing debut. G. (Kaysville; Sandy Starships, with "The Flintstones"; Sugarhouse.) (July 29, 1994) BLANKMAN - * 1/2 - Mediocre, vulgar and sometimes obnoxious superhero farce, with co-writer/co-producer Damon Wayans ("The Last Boy Scout," TV's "In Living Color") starring as a nerdy inventor who battles the hoods in his hood with homemade gizmos. David Alan Grier and Robin Givens co-star. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, sex). (Family Center, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 7, 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). (Valley Vu, with "In the Army Now.") (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). (Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Plaza 5400, Sandy 9.) (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). (Broadway, Cinemas 5, Creekside.) (July 20, 1994) THE COLOR OF NIGHT - turkey - Dreadful Bruce Willis thriller, in which he plays a psychiatrist who takes over the world's weirdest therapy group, one of whom may be a killer. He also has a hot-and-heavy affair with mysterious Jane March while trying to work with over-the-top cop Ruben Blades. Initially rated NC-17 for sex before being toned down to receive an R. R (violence, sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity). (South Towne.) (Sept. 8, 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). (Century, Crossroads, Holladay, Midvalley, Sandy 9, Trolley North.) (Sept. 16, 1994) THE COWBOY WAY - * 1/2 - Stupid, by-the-numbers and surprisingly mean-spirited comedy-thriller about two New Mexico rodeo stars (Woody Harrelson, Kiefer Sutherland) who head for Manhattan when a friend disappears there. Ernie Hudson fares best, as a friendly mounted policeman they meet in Central Park. PG-13 (though it should be an R, for violence, profanity, vulgarity, nudity, sex). (Redwood, with "The River Wild.") (June 3, 1994) EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN - * * * - Sweet slice-of-life comedy-drama about a widowed chef and his three disparate daughters who live at home because they think their father can't get along without them. Director Ang Lee (the Oscar-nominated "The Wedding Banquet") brings the various storylines together beautifully, and the performances are superb in this witty and warm film. In Chinese, with English subtitles. Not rated, probable PG-13 (sex, profanity). (Exclusive, Broadway.) (Aug. 19, 1994) THE FLINTSTONES - * * - A great cast and terrific sets and special effects make for the most literal adaptation of a cartoon since "Popeye," with John Goodman as Fred, Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma, Rick Moranis as Barney and Rosie O'Donnell as Betty - and Elizabeth Taylor as Fred's mother-in-law. But it's basically a one-joke movie and wears out its welcome by the halfway mark. PG (vulgarity, one profanity). (Kaysville; Sandy Starships, with "Black Beauty"; Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (May 27, 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). (Century, Cottonwood, Flick, Gateway, Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "The Little Rascals"; Reel, Sandy 9.) (July 6, 1994) I LOVE TROUBLE - * * 1/2 - Two sparring reporters (Julia Roberts, Nick Nolte) from competing Chicago newspapers investigate the same story, becoming targets of gun-toting bad guys. This comedy-thriller starts off well, giving Roberts a terrific opportunity to show off her comic skills, then falls apart as it veers into "Lethal Weapon" territory. PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Family Center, Kaysville, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (June 29, 1994) IN THE ARMY NOW - * 1/2 - Lethargic, silly, overly familiar military farce that steals liberally from "Stripes," "Spies Like Us" and uncountable other service comedies, with tiresome Pauly Shore ("Son-in-Law") joining the Army Reserves and finding himself called up for a conflict in Chad. PG (violence, sex, profanity, vulgarity). (Cinemas 5, South Towne; Valley Vu, with "Camp Nowhere.") (Aug. 12, 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). (Broadway, Olympus Starships, Plaza 5400; Queen, with "The Little Rascals"; South Towne.) (July 29, 1994) JASON'S LYRIC - * 1/2 - Jason loves Lyric and Lyric loves Jason but they are in for trouble when their drug-dealing, gangster brothers team up to rob a bank. Meanwhile, Jason is having nightmares about the death of his abusive, crazed Vietnam veteran father (Forest Whitaker). This soap opera in the 'hood, has good performances but the story is loaded with predictable chestnuts and the execution is sometimes unintentionally laughable. R (violence, sex, profanity). (Broadway, Midvalley.) (Sept. 28, 1994) JURASSIC PARK - * * * 1/2 - Eye-popping special effects and Steven Spielberg's skills as a horror director ("Jaws") combine for a thrill-a-minute roller-coaster ride. Adapting Michael Crichton's best seller about genetically engineered dinosaurs running amok on an island theme park, the film is a bit short on character development - but if you'll settle for action, this one certainly delivers the goods. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Cinemas 5, Murray, Olympus Starships, Sandcastle.) (June 11, 1993) 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). (Cinemas 5; Queen, with "It Could Happen to You"; Redwood, with "Forrest Gump"; South Towne.) (Aug. 5, 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). (Century, with "Milk Money"; Cinemas 5, Cottonwood, Gateway, South Towne, Trolley Square.) (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). (Family Center, Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (May 20, 1994) MI VIDA LOCA (MY CRAZY LIFE) - * * 1/2 - Low-budget, independent look at various members of a Hispanic teenage girl gang in Los Angeles, focusing largely on two lifelong friends whose relationship is strained when each has a child by the same boyfriend. Fabulous beginning, but it turns to soap opera in the final third, running out of steam. R (violence, profanity, vulgarity, sex, drugs). (South Towne, Trolley Square.) (Sept. 23, 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). (Century, with "The Mask"; Creekside, Gateway, Plaza 5400, Sandy 9.) (Sept. 7, 1994) NATURAL BORN KILLERS - * 1/2 - Forget all the shouting that this is some kind of masterpiece - it's the ultimate in-your-face, style-over-substance movie, as Oliver Stone leaves Vietnam and JFK behind to go after the media and celebrity criminals. Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis are killers on the run, surrounded by victims and authority figures who are even more corrupt than they are. But all the snazzy camera work and overlapping film techniques can't hide the superficiality. R (violence, gore, sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity). (Broadway, Cinemas 5; Redwood, with "True Lies"; Sandy 9.) (Sept. 8, 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). (Plaza 5400.) (Sept. 11, 1994) NORTH - * * 1/2 - Goofy skit comedy runs out of steam and turns dark after a hilarious first half, telling the story of the title character (Elijah Wood), a model child, abandoning his self-absorbed yuppie parents and becoming a free agent to travel the world in search of more worthy folks. Guest stars include Bruce Willis, Dan Aykroyd, Reba McEntire, Kathy Bates and Graham Greene. PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (July 22, 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). (Holladay, Sandy 9, Trolley Square.) (Sept. 16, 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). (Sandy 9, Trolley Corners, Villa.) (Sept. 23, 1994) THE SHADOW - * * 1/2 - Entertaining but overly violent and underdeveloped fantasy-thriller, owing more to "Batman" and "Darkman" than its radio/pulp novel origins. The plot has the eerie crimefighter battling an evil descendant of Genghis Khan (John Lone). Good support from Penelope Ann Miller, Jonathan Winters, Peter Boyle and Ian McKellen, but Tim Curry steals the show as an unctuous, giggling bad guy. PG-13 (violence, profanity). (Redwood, with "Timecop"; Sugarhouse.) (July 1, 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). (Family Center, Kaysville, Sandcastle, Sandy Starships, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (June 10, 1994) TERMINAL VELOCITY - * 1/2 - Another bid by Charlie Sheen to achieve action stardom, this time playing an obnxious rebel skydiver who finds himself mixed up with spies and intrigue. Nastassja Kinski is a former KGB agent who dupes him and they exchange idiotic one-liners for the film's duration. Sheen seems to think this is "Hot Shots 3." PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Century, Creekside, Flick, Gateway, Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "Angels in the Outfield"; Reel, South Towne.) (Sept. 23, 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). (Century, Holladay, Midvalley; Redwood, with "The Shadow"; Reel, South Towne, Trolley Corners, Trolley North.) (Sept. 16, 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). (Holladay, Midvalley; Redwood, with "Natural Born Killers"; Reel, South Towne, Trolley Corners.) (July 15, 1994) WAGONS EAST - turkey - A sad farewell for John Candy, who died during the filming of this Western spoof. Any humorous ideas about Easterners wanting to head back home when they are disillusioned in the Old West are dashed by inept direction and a script saddled with alternately stupid and offensive gags - none of which are even remotely funny. Movies like this make "Blazing Saddles" seem like high art. PG-13 (violence, sex, profanity, vulgarity, nude painting). (Sandy Starships, with "Wagons East"; Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 7, 1994) WIDOW'S PEAK - * * * - Enjoyable combination of Agatha Christie and Merchant-Ivory set in a small Irish village during the 1920s. Joan Plowright is the town's dominant force, and it is her curiosity about a young widow (Natasha Richardson) that sets things in motion. Mia Farrow plays a quiet spinster who becomes uncharacteristically antagonistic toward Richardson. Great fun. PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Avalon, with "Show Boat.") (June 10, 1994) WOLF - * * * - Intelligent, lushly romantic psychological thriller with werewolf trappings is great until it finally caves in to the genre conventions. Still, Jack Nicholson is so good as a Manhattan book editor bitten by a werewolf and watching himself gradually change that even the ending is palatable. Great support from Michelle Pfeiffer, James Spader, etc. R (violence, profanity, vulgarity, sex). (Sugarhouse.) (June 17, 1994)