NEW FILMS FRIDAY
THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO - Martin Landau stars as Gepetto and Jonathan Taylor Thomas is the title character in this live-action adaptation of the oft-filmed story, with special effects provided by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Rob Schneider and Bebe Neuwirth co-star. Reviewed in this section. G. (Cottonwood, Midvalley; Redwood, with "Kazaam"; South Towne, Trolley North, Trolley Square.)
DEAD MAN - Jim Jarmusch ("Mystery Train," "Night On Earth") wrote and directed this eccentric Western odyssey, with Johnny Depp as an outcast who becomes a gunman and hunted outlaw. Gabriel Byrne, John Hurt and Robert Mitchum co-star. Reviewed in this section. R (violence, gore, sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity, drugs). (Exclusive, Tower.)
JOE'S APARTMENT - Jerry O'Donnell (of TV's "Sliders") stars in this dark comedy-fantasy as a naive Iowan who rents a New York apartment and finds he has 50,000 singing-and-dancing cockroaches for roommates. To be reviewed next week. PG-13. (Broadway, Century, Creekside, Midvalley; Redwood, with "Multiplicity"; South Towne.)
KINGPIN - This farce stars Woody Harrelson, as a cheap hustler who used to be a champion bowler, and Randy Quaid, as a naive Amish farmer with unparalleled bowling talent. Naturally, Harrelson introduces Quaid to the ways of the world as he tries to talk him into going pro. Bill Murray has a supporting role. Reviewed in this section. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, sex, partial nudity, drugs). (Carmike 12, Century, Holladay, Midvalley, Sandy 9, Trolley Corners.)
MOLL FLANDERS - Daniel Defoe's story of an orphan (Robin Wright) who runs away from a convent and into the service of a high-class brothel run by an eccentric madam (Stockard Channing). Morgan Freeman co-stars as Channing's servant. Reviewed in this section. PG-13 (violence, sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity, drugs). (Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.)
SUPERCOP - This 1992 Jackie Chan film is one of his biggest international hits, the third chapter of his "Police Story" series (originally released as "Police Story III: Supercop") and contains some of his most harrowing and spectacular stunt work. Dubbed in English. Reviewed in this section. R (violence). (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Midvalley; Redwood, with "Fled"; Sandy 9, Trolley Square.)
KIDS MATINEES
BABE - * * * - This family comedy was last summer's biggest surprise, a whimsical yarn about a piglet who trains as a sheep dog. Low-key and very funny, with a "Muppet" sensibility, this Australian effort is based on the children's book "The Sheep-Pig" by Dick King-Smith - and it received seven Oscar nominations! G. (Valley Fair, Thursday, 10 a.m.) (Aug. 4, 1995) - C.H.
DUNSTON CHECKS IN - * 1/2 - Laughless orangutan-loose-in-a-posh-hotel comedy aims for kids, despite presence of sexual gags. And whose idea was it to cast smarmy Jason Alexander (TV's "Seinfeld") as a warm-and-fuzzy father-figure? The plot has the orangutan wreaking havoc in the hotel, while being pursued by Alexander's two young sons, a jewel thief and a "Rambo"-esque animal-control officer (Paul Reubens, formerly Pee-wee Herman). PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Murray, Wednesday, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) (Jan. 12, 1996) - C.H.
INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD - * * * - A bit slow but still magically entertaining, this adaptation of the award-winning children's book is a fantasy about a young boy who sees a small toy Indian come to life, leading to life lessons for both. Imaginatively directed by former Muppeteer Frank Oz ("What About Bob?" "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels") from a screenplay by Melissa Mathison ("E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial," "The Black Stallion"). PG (violence, mild profanity). (Sugarhouse, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m.) (July 14, 1995) - C.H.
CONTINUING FILMS
THE ARRIVAL - * * - A NASA astronomer (Charlie Sheen) finds himself at the center of a conspiracy when he receives a transmission from deep space that his superiors (led by Ron Silver) destroy and later deny. It's all paranoia-thriller until the final third, when it turns into "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" crossed with "Invaders from Mars." There are some tense moments and neat aliens, but plot holes abound and logic has been discarded in favor of cheap thrills. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, nudity) (Redwood, with "Independence Day;" Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (May 31, 1996) - C.H.
THE BIRDCAGE - * * 1/2 - Funny but artificial Americanized adaptation of the hit French farce "La Cage aux Folles," about a gay couple (Robin Williams and Nathan Lane) posing as straight to fool the prospective, very conservative in-laws (Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest) of the adult son they have raised together. Some wildly funny moments, but it's sluggish and falters in places. Quite faithful to the original film (and a half-hour longer). R (profanity, vulgarity, partial nudity, lewd art). (Family Center, Sugarhouse.) (March 8, 1996) - C.H.
THE CABLE GUY - * * - Jim Carrey's back, this time playing the title character, who wants to be friends with an unsuspecting cable subscriber (Matthew Broderick). But when he's rejected, Carrey tries to destroy his life. This very dark comedy, a variation on "Fatal Attraction," is too mean-spirited to be funny, but isn't scary enough to be a straight thriller. It's a big disappointment coming from director Ben Stiller ("Reality Bites"). PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity, sex). (Cinemas 5.) (June 14, 1996) - J.V.
CELTIC PRIDE - * * - Juvenile comedy about a pair of rabid sports fans (Dan Aykroyd, Daniel Stern) who hope to clinch the chances of the Boston Celtics in the NBA Championship series by kidnapping the opposing team's flamboyant superstar player (Damon Wayans). The opposing team is the Utah Jazz, but only the uniforms are the real deal. Aykroyd and Stern, in recycled roles, have some energy, but Wayans seems to be sleepwalking. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (April 19, 1996) - C.H.
COURAGE UNDER FIRE - * * * 1/2 - High-minded, mostly effective contemporary military drama (which tips its hat to the Japanese classic "Rashomon") about an Army colonel (Denzel Washington) recovering from a gulf war tragedy when he is assigned to review the career of a Medivac pilot (Meg Ryan) killed there. She's also the first female candidate for a combat Medal of Honor, but as he investigates, the colonel finds the witnesses' testimonies conflict. So, who's telling the truth? Cliched government conspiracy subplot weakens the film somewhat, but most of the way it's first rate, with a shocking conclusion. Washington is excellent, as is Ryan, and Lou Diamond Phillips is also strong in a supporting role. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity). (Century, Crossroads, Holladay, Plaza 5400, Reel, South Towne, Trolley North.) (July 12, 1996) - C.H.
THE CRAFT - * 1/2 - Four Catholic high school girls experiment with witchcraft, conjure up magic beyond their wildest dreams and exact revenge on their campus enemies. But when one of them gets conscience pangs about the mayhem and killing, she must square off against another who is mad with power. A cross between "Carrie" and "The Witches of Eastwick," which starts off interestingly, but makes no effort to fill in plot holes or give the characters any dimension. R (violence, attempted rape, sex, profanity, vulgarity, racial epithets). (Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (May 3, 1996) - C.H.
DRAGONHEART - * * 1/2 - Spectacular special effects by the "Jurassic Park" team and a sterling vocal performance by Sean Connery as a dragon save this glorified "buddy picture." Dennis Quaid, with a curious accent, stars as a knight who forms an alliance with a huge dragon named Draco (Connery) to overthrow an evil king in this fantasy-comedy-thriller. PG-13 (violence, gore, vulgarity). (Family Center, Kaysville, Sandcastle, Sandy Starships, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (May 31, 1996) - J.V.
ERASER - * * - Excessive violence and gore (there are three separate impaling scenes!) rub out most of the fun from the latest Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle. He stars as a federal marshal assigned to erase the identities of witnesses whose testimony puts them in danger, and who is eventually framed as a traitor. There are some exciting, if illogical, action sequences, however. Vanessa Williams, James Caan and James Coburn co-star. R (violence, profanity, gore). (Carmike 12, Cinemas 5; Redwood, with "A Time to Kill"; Trolley Square.) (June 21, 1996) - J.V.
FLED - Laurence Fishburne and Stephen Baldwin are federal prison escapees in this action-thriller, heading for Atlanta to retrieve stolen loot and evidence they've collected against a Cuban godfather. Reviewed in this section. R (violence, gore, torture, nudity, profanity, vulgarity, racial epithets). (Century, Creekside, Gateway, Midvalley; Redwood, with "Supercop"; South Towne, Trolley Square.) (July 19, 1996) - C.H.
FLIPPER - * * 1/2 - The intelligent, crime-fighting dolphin gets a new '90s look in this rehash of the familiar story (filmed first as a pair of '60s movies, then two TV series), this time with Elijah Wood as a troubled teen who is sent to live with his fisherman uncle (Paul Hogan) in a tropical paradise. Amusing, if overly familiar family fare. PG (violence, profanity). (Sandcastle.) (May 17, 1996) - C.H.
THE FRIGHTENERS - * * 1/2 - Here's proof that movie trailers can be really misleading. Michael J. Fox plays a con artist pretending to be a ghostbuster, but he's really in league with the spirits he's hired to evict in this special-effects driven film, which starts off as a benign comedy in the "Ghostbusters" vein, but soon turns into a pretty scary, but violent, thriller. R (violence, profanity, gore, sex, vulgarity). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Holladay, Midvalley, Sandy 9, Trolley North, Valley Vu, with "The Nutty Professor.") (July 19, 1996) - J.V.
HARRIET THE SPY - * * * - Michelle Trachtenberg (Nickelodeon's "The Adventures of Pete and Pete") is charming as an 11-year-old who spies on her parents, friends and neighbors. The quick-moving direction and sometimes juvenile humor may try the patience of older viewers, but it's still solid kids' entertainment, especially in light of some of the more unsuitable films being targeted for them. Rosie O'Donnell also stars. PG (mild vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Cinemas 5, Gateway, Olympus, Sandy 9.) (July 10, 1996) - J.V.
HEAVEN'S PRISONERS - * * 1/2 - Alec Baldwin is good (though his accent comes and goes) in this brooding thriller, playing a recovering alcoholic and former New Orleans cop who is thrust into a murder mystery, much to the chagrin of his long-suffering wife (Kelly Lynch). Nice supporting cast includes Mary Stuart Masterson as a stripper and former old flame, Eric Roberts as a local thug and former high school pal and Teri Hatcher, as Roberts' manipulative, femme fatale wife. Some nice moments, but it's packaged rather murkily with buckles under a misguided sense of self-importance. R (violence, nudity, profanity, drugs). (Family Center, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (May 17, 1996) - C.H.
HOMEWARD BOUND II: LOST IN SAN FRANCISCO - * * - Young children are the primary audience for this sequel to the earlier family film, based on "The Incredible Journey," with voice-over dialogue for the animals. Here, the two dogs, aging Shadow (voice of Ralph Waite) and peppy young Chance (Michael J. Fox), along with smart-aleck feline Sassy (Sally Field), try to find their way home when they become lost on the wrong side of the tracks in the Bay area. And along the way, Chance finds romance. G. (Family Center, Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (March 8, 1996) - C.H.
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME - * * * 1/2 - A light, feel-good take on Victor Hugo's classic, but as Disney adaptations go, it's gorgeously animated, sincerely performed and surprisingly thoughtful - with the usual silly touches for young children. But there are dark moments that may be a bit much for the very young in what is arguably the most adult Disney animated feature yet. Voice talents include Tom Hulce, sweet as Quasimodo; Demi Moore, feisty as voluptuous Gypsy dancer Esmerelda; Kevin Kline, nicely ironic as the reluctant captain of the guard; and Jason Alexander as one of three comic gargoyles. G. (Gateway, Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "Phenomenon"; Reel, South Towne, Trolley Square, Villa.) (June 21, 1996) - C.H.
INDEPENDENCE DAY - * * * 1/2 - This derivative but thrilling "Reader's Digest" mix of every seminal sci-fi thriller you can name has evil aliens systematically destroying the Earth's major cities. Great special effects offer a huge "Wow!" factor but it's the quick pacing and terrific eccentric characters that make it work as resourceful Americans gather in the Nevada desert to try to discover the enemy's weakness. Great performances by Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Judd Hirsch, Randy Quaid and Brent Spiner, plus a lot of good-natured humor, help this summer thrill ride deliver the goods. PG-13 (violence, profanity, profanity). (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Midvalley; Redwood, with "The Arrival"; Reel, Sandy 9, Trolley Corners.) (July 3, 1996) - C.H.
JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH - * * * 1/2 - Wonderfully realized adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic children's book, with eye-popping animation and terrific vocal performances (by the likes of Richard Dreyfuss and Susan Sarandon) in the style and by the creators of "The Nightmare Before Christmas." A young boy escapes his unhappy life by sailing away on a giant peach (towed by 100 sea gulls) after being befriended by a spider, ladybug, glow worm, grasshopper and centipede, encountering unexpected adventures on the way to New York City. PG (violence, mild vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (April 12, 1996) - C.H.
JANE EYRE - * * * - Lush, well-acted but aloof adaptation by Franco Zeffirelli ("Romeo and Juliet," TV's "Jesus of Nazareth") of Charlotte Bronte's frequently filmed classic, with Oscar-winner Anna Paquin ("The Piano") as young Jane, Charlotte Gainsbourg as the adult Jane and William Hurt as Rochester. Hurt is surprisingly good, Gainsbourg is too stoic, and the film is good but not great. PG (violence). (Avalon.) (April 26, 1996) - C.H.
KAZAAM - * 1/2 - Even three magical wishes couldn't make this limp fantasy-comedy likable or funny. NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal stars the title character, a 3,000-year-old genie who lives in a boom box instead of a lamp. Unfortunately for him, as well as the audience, the troubled, and particularly irritating, inner-city youth who summons him up (Francis Capra, from "Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home") is skeptical of his promise for three wishes. PG (violence, vulgarity). (Cottonwood, Gateway, Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "The Adventures of Pinocchio"; Reel, South Towne, Trolley Square.) (July 17, 1996). - J.V.
LAST DANCE - * * - Sharon Stone (complete with "Nell"-style Southern accent) plays a killer on death row in an unspecified Southern state who committed her crimes as a teenager on drugs, and whose clemency hearing is being handled by a rookie rebel-without-a-cause lawyer (Rob Morrow) who strikes up a tentative relationship with her. Not even close to the quality of "Dead Man Walking." Randy Quaid fares best as Morrow's cynical boss. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, drugs). (Family Center.) (May 3, 1996) - C.H.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - * * * - If you're looking for another "Twister"-like wild ride, this Tom Cruise vehicle is your E-ticket - but if you want story and character, look elsewhere. Cruise (who also co-produced) eschews the teamwork of the TV series, becoming a lone-wolf agent early on. (The film also deals a crooked hand to fans of the series with its treatment of a particular character.) But the action set-pieces are certainly worth your summer entertainment buck. PG-13 (violence, profanity). (Cinemas 5, Flick, Olympus, Sandy 9.) (May 22, 1996) - C.H.
MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS - * * * - Formula, cliched storytelling gets a boost from several inspiring vignettes and a knockout central performance by Richard Dreyfuss as a high school music teacher who takes the job reluctantly, then, over the next three decades, learns the value of sharing his passion for music with others. Essentially a '90s music-oriented update of "Goodbye, Mr. Chips." PG (profanity). (Kaysville.) (Jan. 19, 1996) - C.H.
MRS. WINTERBOURNE - * * - Disappointing "While You Were Sleeping" wannabe, about a homeless and very pregnant young woman (Ricki Lake) who is on a passenger train when it crashes, and afterward adopts the identity of another pregnant passenger who was killed. This puts her in the home of her wealthy "mother-in-law" (Shirley MacLaine) and creates no end of social complications. Unfortunately, the comedy is hamfisted and Lake seems distracted. MacLaine is the film's primary saving grace. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity). (Kaysville.) (April 19, 1996) - C.H.
MULTIPLICITY - * * * - Flawed but often hilarious special-effects comedy gets a terrific boost from Michael Keaton in four distinctive roles, as a harried businessman who allows a geneticist to clone him - twice. Then the clones get another clone (but you know how bad a copy of a copy is . . . ). There are moments when you would swear Keaton had to be cloned to pull this one off. The film gets sluggish in places and could be edited more tightly but when it's funny, it's really funny. Andie MacDowell co-stars; co-written and directed by Harold Ramis ("Groundhog Day"). PG-13 (sex, profanity, vulgarity). (Broadway, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "Joe's Apartment"; South Towne.) (July 17, 1996) - C.H.
MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND - * * 1/2 - Cute, amusing Disney production reuniting Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang for an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic pirate yarn. And while it's not quite up there with "A Muppet Christmas Carol," it's not bad. Tim Curry is devious pirate Long John Silver - who has a lobster named Polly on his shoulder - and there are some good songs. But it plays like an elongated "Muppet Show" TV skit, with anachronistic asides and inside gags. G. (Kaysville.) (Feb. 16, 1996) - C.H.
MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000: THE MOVIE - * * * - Based on the syndicated TV program (originally a staple of cable network Comedy Central), this expanded, big-screen version has Mike Nelson and his two robot sidekicks cracking wise as they watch the 1954 sci-fi thriller "This Island Earth." How audiences react depends on how they view the movie being roasted - either as a classic or a stinker - as well as how they take to the smart-alecky comments. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity). (Exclusive, Tower.) (July 19, 1996) - J.V.
THE NUTTY PROFESSOR - * 1/2 - Eddie Murphy is very good in this remake of the 1963 Jerry Lewis comedy, a variation on "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde," especially as the title character, a 400-pound lonely science professor. He also plays six other characters, including the result of a potion that makes him a dashing, if obnoxious romantic. But the humor is all fat jokes, flatulence gags and sexual utterances from an elderly woman. A real waste of talent. Jada Pinkett co-stars. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, brief nudity). (Broadway, Century, Midvalley, Olympus, South Towne, Trolley North; Valley Vu, with "The Frighteners.") (June 28, 1996) - C.H.
PHENOMENON - * * * - Reworking of "Flowers for Algernon" (which was filmed as "Charly") casts John Travolta as an ordinary Joe who finds himself thrust into the limelight when a strange blinding flash leaves him with remarkable "off-the-scale" intelligence and telekinetic abilities. Travolta plays it subtly and he's excellent, as are Robert Duvall, Forest Whitaker and Kyra Sedgwick. The film is too long and the windup is certainly protracted (there are at least three endings), but you'll have a great time. PG (profanity, vulgarity, brief partial nudity). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Creekside, Gateway, Plaza 5400;
with "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"; Reel, Sandy 9.) (July 3, 1996) - C.H.
THE QUEST - * * - Suprisingly watchable directing debut by martial arts star Jean-Claude Van Damme, which returns him to his kickboxing roots for an "Enter the Dragon" variation, as championship fighters from around the world gather in Tibet to do battle for a huge golden dragon. Roger Moore is fun as a pseudo-aristrocratic con artist with a sense of humor, but the film is little more than fights, fights, fights - and more fights. PG-13 (violence, profanity). (Valley Fair.) (April 29, 1996) - C.H.
THE ROCK - * 1/2 - Grotesquely violent, irritatingly directed "Die Hard" clone, set on Alcatraz Island where a disgruntled general (Ed Harris) and his commando team threaten to launch rockets armed with lethal nerve gas into San Francisco. Mild-mannered FBI agent Nicolas Cage and 30-year federal prisoner Sean Connery race to the rescue, though they mostly just gawk at fireballs and shattering glass. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, sex). (Carmike 12, Cinemas 5, Creekside, Flick.) (June 7, 1996) - C.H.
A TIME TO KILL - Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Donald Sutherland, Kevin Spacey, Brenda Fricker, Oliver Platt, Charles S. Dutton, Ashley Judd, Patrick McGoohan and newcomer Matthew McConaughey (who is getting great early word-of-mouth based on his performance here) star in this adaptation of John Grisham's novel about a pair of young, idealistic lawyers defending a black man after he kills two racist thugs who assaulted his 9-year-old daughter. To be reviewed when it opens next week. R (violence, profanity). (Carmike 12, Century, Crossroads, Gateway, Holladay, Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "Eraser"; Sandy 9.) (July 24, 1996) - C.H.
TOY STORY - * * * * - Hilarious feature-length Disney cartoon - entirely animated by computers - about two toys, an old-fashioned pull-string cowboy (voiced by Tom Hanks) and a space-age action figure (Tim Allen), who become rivals for the affections of the boy who owns them. Packed with visual gags and witty one-liners, though the toys are treated reverentially. Charming and hysterically funny, and it moves so fast it seems to be half its 70-minute length. G. (Sandy Starships, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (Nov. 22, 1995) - C.H.
THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS & DOGS - * * - The stars are quite appealing in this attempt at old-fashioned romantic comedy - a variation on "Cyrano de Bergerac" - but the film is only sporadically funny. The story has an insecure radio talk-show host (Janeane Garofalo) asking her model-friend (Uma Thurman) to assume her identity when she's asked out by a caller. Garofalo and Thurman make a terrific team. (Be warned, there's a phone-sex scene seems awfully explicit for the PG-13 rating.) PG-13 (sex, profanity, vulgarity). (Sugarhouse.) (April 26, 1996) - C.H.
TWISTER - * * * - Forget the silly story and just go with the amazing special effects and the thrilling, ridiculously implausible "Indiana Jones"-style narrow escapes. This thriller from Steven Spielberg's production company stars Helen Hunt (at her most charming) and Bill Paxton, who lead a team of on a tornado chase, as they try to catch the biggest storm to hit Oklahoma in more than a half-century. Jan De Bont ("Speed") directed. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Cinemas 5, Murray, Olympus, South Towne, Trolley Square.) (May 10, 1996) - C.H.
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL - * * 1/2 - Although supposedly based on the tragic true story of network news anchor Jessica Savitch, this film is merely romantic pap, a fictional, simple-minded tale of a pretty young newscaster (Michelle Pfeiffer) who rises at a local Florida station to network star under the guiding hand of her older lover (Robert Redford), a veteran network newsman whose own star has faded. More like "Pygmalion" than "Broadcast News," but Redford and Pfeiffer prove that movie-star charisma can make an audience forgive the most ridiculous lapses in logic. PG-13 (sex, profanity, violence). (Kaysville, Sugarhouse.) (March 1, 1996) - C.H.
*****
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