New films Friday
BEAN - British comedian Rowan Atkinson brings his popular television character to the big screen in this farce, which has the trouble-prone and troublesome nebbish sent from England to a posh California art gallery as an "expert" on "Whistler's Mother." Reviewed in this section on Page W10. PG-13 (vulgarity, nude photo, violence, profanity). (Broadway, Century, Holladay, Plaza 5400, South Towne, Trolley North.)
EVE'S BAYOU - Samuel L. Jackson produced and stars as a womanizing doctor in this family generational drama, from writer/director Kasi Lemmons, about an embattled family in 1962 Louisiana and the accidental death of its patriarch, as seen through the eyes of a 10-year-old (Jurnee Smollett). To be reviewed this weekend. R (profanity, sex). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
MAD CITY - An unemployed security guard (John Travolta) accidentally takes a museum full of schoolchildren hostage, while a disgraced TV journalist (Dustin Hoffman) exploits the situation in this darkly comic drama from Greek director Constantin Costa-Gavras ("Missing," "The Music Box"). Co-stars include Alan Alda and Blythe Danner. Reviewed in this section on Page W3. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity). (Century, Gateway, Holladay, Plaza 5400, South Towne, Trolley Square.)
STARSHIP TROOPERS - Robert A. Heinlein's classic science-fiction novel, about futuristic marines sent off to other worlds to repel an invasion of huge intergalactic insects, comes to the big screen, courtesy of director Paul Verhoeven ("Showgirls," "Robocop"). Reviewed in this section on Page W9. R (violence, gore, nudity, profanity, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Midvalley, Reel, Sandy 9, Trolley Corners, Trolley North.)
SNEAK PREVIEWS
THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO LITTLE - A bungling American (Bill Murray) goes to England to visit his brother, a businessman (Peter Gallagher), but winds up embroiled in cloak-and-dagger activities in this comedy from director Jon Amiel ("Copycat"). To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Saturday: Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Midvalley, Sandy 9, Trolley Corners.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
DRAGONS FOREVER - Action-filled Jackie Chan comedy from the late '80s about a lawyer who uncovers a drug-smuggling ring. Co-stars include childhood Chan friends Yuen Biao and Sammo Hung (who also directed). In Chinese, with English subtitles. Reviewed in this section on Page W9. Not rated, probable PG-13 (violence, profanity, drug use, vulgarity). (Tower, with "Wheels on Meals.")
FEAR OF A BLACK HAT - * * 1/2 - Funny, but extremely foul-mouthed and uneven rap equivalent of "This is Spinal Tap," chronicling a year in the lives of fictional hip-hop act N.W.H. This music-scene parody from actor/director Rusty Cundieff is almost as funny as it is scary, with some uncannily accurate predictions on the rise of gangsta rap. R (profanity, violent, nudity, sex, drug use, racial epithets). (Brewvies.) - J.V.
WARREN MILLER'S SNOWRIDERS 2: THE JOURNEY CONTINUES - A sequel to last year's "Snowriders," featuring world-class snowriding athletes in action. Included is footage shot in New Zealand, British Columbia, the former Soviet republic of Kazakstan, Alaska, Switzerland and Snowbird Resort. This program is not rated. (Abravanel Hall, Wednesday and Thursday.)
WHEELS ON MEALS - Mid-'80s Jackie Chan comedy about two Chinese entrepreneurs in Barcelona caught up in the kidnapping of a beautiful Spanish heiress. In Chinese, with English subtitles. Reviewed in this section on Page W9. Not rated, probable PG-13 (violence, profanity, vugarity, brief partial nudity). (Tower, with "Dragons Forever.")
WORKS FROM THE ALONG THE WASATCH FRONT - The monthly open screening program of the Utah Film & Video Center, including the first 80 minutes of video and film works by local artists submitted each month. This program is not rated but may contain content in the R-rating range. (Salt Lake Arts Center, Friday only, 8 p.m.)
CONTINUING FILMS
AIR BUD - * * - Disney family fantasy built around a contrived concept - a basketball-playing golden retriever. The story has the pooch running away from its master, a cruel birthday clown (Michael Jeter), and befriending a lonely 12-year-old boy. The dog is amazing; the movie is by the numbers. PG (violence, vulgarity). (Cinemas 5, Sandcastle.) (Aug. 1, 1997) - C.H.
AIR FORCE ONE - * * * - More entertaining than it has a right to be, this action-thriller - which cobbles together bits of "Airport '75," "Die Hard" and even "Star Wars" - benefits from taut direction and superb performances, especially from Harrison Ford as the president of the United States, who must rescue his family when Russian terrorists hijack the presidential plane. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity). (Double feature, with "Men in Black": Midvalley, Olympus, South Towne.) (July 25, 1997) - J.V.
BOOGIE NIGHTS - * * 1/2 - The first half of this controversial drama about the adult entertainment industry during the late 1970s, actually lives up to the hype. But when the story moves into the early 1980s, the film turns into yet another "Pulp Fiction" wannabe, with graphic violence and surprisingly bad plotting. Great performances from stars Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore and Burt Reynolds, though. Writer/di-rec-tor Paul Thomas Anderson had to make major cuts just to avoid an NC-17 rating. R (violence, sex, nudity, profanity, drug use, gore, vulgarity). (Broadway, Creekside, Midvalley, South Towne.) (Oct. 24, 1997) - J.V.
CONSPIRACY THEORY - * * * - Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts are terrific together as, respectively, a wacky, paranoid New York cabbie who publishes a newsletter about government conspiracies, and the Justice Department attorney who takes him seriously when bad guys start chasing him. Silly, implausible but filled with action and humor . . . not to mention star power. R (violence, torture, profanity). (Kaysville, Murray, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 8, 1997) - C.H.
CONTACT - * * * - Well-made, scientifically sound adaptation of Carl Sagan's best-selling novel about mysterious signals from space picked up by an astronomer who is obsessed with finding life in outer space. Jodie Foster (at her most mannered) has the lead, with James Woods, Tom Skerritt and Matthew McConaughey lending support. Marred by silly movie conventions but still engrossing. PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity, sex, brief partial nudity). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (July 11, 1997) - C.H.
COP LAND - * * * 1/2 - Sylvester Stallone eschews his muscle-bound persona for this low-key drama about a middle-aged, hearing-impaired sheriff in a small New Jersey town, which is populated by corrupt New York cops. Excellent performances from a great cast (Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, etc.), good script and direction from independent filmmaker James Mangold ("Heavy"). But it's Stallone's show, and he runs with it. R (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief nudity, drugs). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 15, 1997) - C.H.
THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - * * - Al Pacino's over-the-top performance as the "devilish" head of a New York law firm almost saves this excessive and extremely uneven black comedy/thriller about a young hotshot lawyer (Keanu Reeves) torn between love and power. But it's not nearly funny or scary enough to work, and director Taylor Hackford is at his most self-indulgent here. R (nudity, profanity, sex, violence, gore, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Midvalley, Sandy 9, Trolley Corners.) (Oct. 17, 1997) - J.V.
THE EDGE - * * 1/2 - An exciting but ultimately unfulfilling adventure drama/thriller, written by David Mamet, about two rivals (Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin) who are forced to cooperate to survive when they are stranded in the Alaskan wilderness. Hopkins is great, as is local animal performer Bart the Bear, who threatens the duo. But the disappointing plot twist at the end spoils things. R (violence, profanity, gore). (Carmike 12.) (Sept. 26, 1997) - J.V.
EVENT HORIZON - turkey - Ugly, gruesome, extremely derivative sci-fi/thriller about a space crew finding a ship that has been missing for seven years. The "Alien" and "Hellraiser" films are the most obvious inspirations. Good cast (led by Lawrence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Kathleen Quinlan and Joely Richardson) is wasted. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, nudity). (Sugar House.) (Aug. 15, 1997) - C.H.
FACE/OFF - * * * - Bizarre horror/sci-fi/action thriller from director John Woo ("Broken Arrow") has a crackpot plot, laced with absolutely stunning stunts and chases. Troubled FBI agent John Travolta uses high-tech plastic surgery to impersonate a nutso terrorist (Nicolas Cage) - then, the terrorist does the same thing to take on the agent's identity! Too violent and profane but extremely entertaining. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, drugs, nude cartoon) (Sugar House.) (June 27, 1997) - C.H.
FAIRYTALE - A TRUE STORY - * * * - A charmingly low-key children's film based on the real-life Cottingley Fairies controversy, about two young British girls who claimed to have photographed "fairies" in 1917. The performances from both leads are excellent, as are the supporting turns from Peter O'Toole (playing author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) and Harvey Keitel (who plays escape artist Harry Houdini). PG (violence, profanity). (Carmike 12, Cottonwood, Flick, Gateway, Plaza 5400, Reel, Sandy 9.) (Oct. 24, 1997) - J.V.
THE FULL MONTY - * * * - Somewhat raunchy, surprisingly touching and always hilarious British comedy about six financially strapped English steelworkers (including "Trainspotting's" Robert Carlyle) who are inspired by a touring Chippendales show to take it all off for a one-night show, in hopes of making a killing at the box office. But they find that their inhibitions get in the way. Strong characterizations and laugh-out-loud visual gags highlight this winner. R (nudity, profanity, vulgarity). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Cottonwood.) (Sept. 12, 1997) - C.H.
THE GAME - * * * - If you think too much, you'll spoil this tense, funhouse-styled thriller, from "Seven" director David Fincher, about self-absorbed businessman (Michael Douglas) who is trying to figure out the rules of a deadly role-playing game he's reluctantly playing. Not exactly brain food but fun nonetheless. R (violence, profanity, gore, nude photos). (Brewvies.) (Sept. 12, 1997) - J.V.
GATTACA - * * * - Sterile (both in theme and treatment) and not as engaging as it could be, this futuristic cautionary tale about genetic engineering is nonetheless fascinating on its own terms as natural-born human Ethan Hawke tries to infiltrate the world of genetically bred "superiors." Reminiscent of dozens of other sci-fi tales but thoughtful and earnest in a way that has eluded the genre for too many years now. Co-stars include Uma Thurman, Alan Arkin and Ernest Borgnine. PG-13 (violence, sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity). (Broadway, Gateway, Holladay, South Towne.) (Oct. 24, 1997) - C.H.
GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE - * 1/2 - The cult TV cartoon show is adapted as a live-action farce, with Brendan Fraser as the buffed-up dummy in this broad, low-humor spoof of "Tarzan." Some amusing gags and a great computer-generated elephant (that acts like a dog), but too many vulgar and stupid jokes make much of it dull going. John Cleese voices the talking ape. PG (violence, vulgarity, brief partial nudity). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (July 16, 1997) - C.H.
HERCULES - * * * * - Hilarious Disney animated comedy mixes up its Greek mythology and throws in all kinds of modern gags to tell the story of the son of Zeus, trained by a satyr so he can go up against evil Hades. Great sight gags and terrific voice work from Danny DeVito, Susan Egan, Rip Torn, Bobcat Goldthwait, Matt Frewer and especially James Woods. Might be a bit violent for very young ones. G (cartoon violence and gore, mild vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (June 27, 1997) - C.H.
HOODLUM - * * - Violent, overly long and wildly uneven black variation on "The Godfather," despite a great cast and atmospheric period flavor. The story, set during the Depression, chronicles the rise of a cultured Harlem numbers runner (Laurence Fishburne) as he goes up against crass, vicious Dutch Schultz (Tim Roth). Good action, but intimate moments are sluggish. Andy Garcia co-stars as Lucky Luciano, along with Vanessa L. Williams, Cicely Tyson and Clarence Williams III. R (violence, torture, gore, nudity, profanity, racial epithets, vulgarity, sex). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 27, 1997) - C.H.
I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER - * 1/2 - Empty-headed thriller from "Scream" scriptwriter Kevin Williamson about four teens (including TV stars Jennifer Love Hewitt and Sarah Michelle Gellar) stalked and killed, one by one, by a murderer. Even less wit than "Scream," and things play out like a standard "slasher" flick. R (violence, profanity, gore, sex, nude silhouettes). (Carmike 12, Century, Creekside, Crossroads, Midvalley, Reel, Sandy 9, Trolley North.) (Oct. 17, 1997) - J.V.
IN & OUT - * * 1/2 - This hit comedy has small-town high school teacher Kevin Kline about to be married when he's "outed" as gay by one of his former students (Matt Dillon). At first he insists it's not true, then discovers that he really is gay. Some big laughs before it runs out of steam. Kline is hysterical, and Tom Selleck and Joan Cusack are also terrific. Debbie Reynolds, Wilford Brimley and Bob Newhart get a few laughs but are underused. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, sex). (Carmike 12, Cinemas 5, Flick, Olympus, Sandcastle, Sandy 9.) (Sept. 19, 1997) - C.H.
KISS THE GIRLS - * * - This psychological thriller, about a serial killer who kidnaps college co-eds, is fairly compelling in its first half, thanks largely to first-rate performances of Morgan Freeman as a forensic psychologist and Ashley Judd as a victim who has escaped. But it falls apart as with a ridiculous resolution. R (violence, attempted rape, profanity, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Creekside, Plaza 5400, Sandy 9, Trolley Square.) (Oct. 3, 1997) - C.H.
L.A. CONFIDENTIAL - * * * - Good-looking and glitzy but sometimes confusing and very violent crime noir thriller, based on James Ellroy's novel, about a pair of mismatched detectives in 1950s Los Angeles investigating murders and a conspiracy that involves crooked cops and prostitutes who look like famous starlets. The cast, which includes Kim Basinger, Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito, certainly helps. R (violence, gore, profanity, nudity, sex, drug use, racial epithets). (Cinemas 5, Sandy 9.) (Sept. 19, 1997) - J.V.
LA PROMESSE - * * * - Offbeat and downbeat, but still compelling, drama about a Belgian teenager who defies his controlling father, a shady construction contractor/slumlord, to help a widowed illegal immigrant. In it, filmmaking brothers Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne ask some difficult moral questions and offer no easy answers. In French, with English subtitles. Not rated, probable PG-13 (violence, profanity, sex). (Exclusive, Tower.) (Oct. 31, 1997) - J.V.
A LIFE LESS ORDINARY - * * - A solid misfire from the "Trainspotting" team, a romantic comedy/fantasy about an unemployed janitor (Ewan McGregor) who kidnaps his boss's daughter (Cameron Diaz), only to fall in love with her. A funny first half, but things eventually bog down in violent drama. And what's with the bit about the highly unorthodox guardian angels (Delroy Lindo and Holly Hunter)? R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Trolley Square.) (Oct. 24, 1997) - J.V.
THE MATCHMAKER - * * * - A sweetly low-key romantic comedy, helped immeasurably by Janeane Garofalo's performance as an election campaigner who is sent to a town in western Ireland and lands in the middle of a matchmaking festival. Co-star Milo O'Shea almost steals things as a meddling Irish marital broker. R (profanity, vulgarity, sex). (Brewvies.) (Oct. 3, 1997) - J.V.
MEN IN BLACK - * * * - An amusing, if derivative and at times uneven, sci-fi-thriller/comedy from the director of "The Addams Family" and "Get Shorty" and producer Steven Spielberg. In it, two dark-suited security agents (Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones) must stop an intergalactic terrorist from stealing a galaxy. Great special effects and some audacious sight gags greatly help, but some are spoiled by the film's overly revealing trailers. PG-13 (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity). (Double feature, with "Air Force One": Midvalley, Olympus, South Towne.) (July 3, 1997) - J.V.
MONEY TALKS - * 1/2 - Fast-talking Chris Tucker - a poor man's Eddie Murphy - stars in this "48HRS."/"Beverly Hills Cop" ripoff about a con artist (Tucker) and a TV newsman (Charlie Sheen) falsely accused of murder. Utterly predictable and extremely violent. And though he gets off a few funny riffs, Tucker's helium-voiced patter quickly becomes annoying. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, partial nudity). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 22, 1997) - C.H.
MRS. BROWN - * * * - Restrained version of one of history's most unusual relationships, between a Scottish horse-riding coach (Billy Connolly) and Queen Victoria (Dame Judi Dench), who became reacquainted in the years following the death of Prince Albert. At times the action is too subdued and inconsistent, but dazzling performances from the leads help. PG (profanity, violence, brief nudity, vulgarity). (Avalon.) (Aug. 1, 1997) - J.V.
MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING - * * - Julia Roberts is luminous in a part reminiscent of her starmaking "Pretty Woman" role, but her character does some despicable things as she plots to sabotage her pal Dermot Mulroney's marriage to spunky Cameron Diaz. Sluggish in the second half, but Rupert Everett is hysterical as Roberts' gay editor. PG-13 (two extremely vulgar gags, profanity, comic violence). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (June 20, 1997). - C.H.
THE PEACEMAKER - * * * - The story is a by-the-numbers save-the-world yarn, but the stars (George Clooney and Nicole Kidman) and the director's savvy attitude toward character dynamics makes this one a cut above such mindless action-thrillers as "Con Air." Clooney is an experienced military intelligence officer and Kidman is a nuclear scientist who must find stolen nukes. R (violence, profanity). (Carmike 12, Cinemas 5, Gateway, Sandy 9.) (Sept. 26, 1997) - C.H.
RED CORNER - * * - Awfully familiar courtroom thriller, starring Richard Gere, about a U.S. entertainment negotiator framed for the murder of a Chinese fashion model. Good acting by Gere and Asian actress Bai Ling, as a Chinese defense attorney, helps, but the plotting is straight out of a later-period Perry Mason TV movie. R (violence, nudity, sex, profanity, gory photos). (Century, Crossroads, Gateway, Holladay, Plaza 5400, Reel, South Towne.) (Oct. 31, 1997) - J.V.
ROCKETMAN - * 1/2 - Despite a few chuckles that you'll feel guilty about, this comedy showcase for Harland Williams - a poor man's Jim Carrey - is pretty awful. He's a computer geek drafted to fill an empty astronaut spot on the first manned mission to Mars. Basically a children's picture; though anyone over 2 may be too mature for it. The scenes on Mars were filmed in Moab using a red filter. PG (comic violence, vulgarity). (Cinemas 5, Gateway, Olympus, South Towne, Villa.) (Oct. 10, 1997) - C.H.
SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET - * * 1/2 - Beautifully photographed and well-meaning, but emotionless, epic drama about Austrian mountain-climber Heinrich Harrar (Brad Pitt) who escaped from a British P.O.W. camp in India during World War II, and wound up being the tutor for the young Dalai Lama. Good support from veteran Asian character actors and co-star David Thewlis, but Pitt's performance is too distant and the screenplay is a bit shallow. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore). (Crossroads, Gateway, Holladay, Plaza 5400, South Towne.) (Oct. 10, 1997) - J.V.
SPAWN - * 1/2 - A cluttered and badly acted big-screen version of Todd McFarlane's comic-book "hero from hell," who must fight evil forces in order to reclaim his humanity. The dialogue is as bad as it gets, but some B-movie sensibilities and some at-times decent special effects make sure it's not completely unwatchable. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity, brief partial nudity). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 1, 1997) - J.V.
SWITCHBACK - * 1/2 - Screenwriter Jeb Stuart ("Die Hard," "The Fugitive") makes his directing debut with this, the first script he wrote (in college), an idiotic thriller that pits on-probation FBI agent Dennis Quaid against an unknown serial killer who has kidnapped his son. Danny Glover, R. Lee Ermey and Jered Leto co-star. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, nude photos). (Carmike 12, Century, Holladay, Gateway, Plaza 5400, Reel, Sandy 9, Trolley Square.) (Oct. 31, 1997) - C.H.
U TURN - * 1/2 - Annoying exercise in style over substance, as director Oliver Stone ("JFK," "Nixon," "Natural Born Killers") takes a simple film noir yarn and fills it with idiotic headache-inducing technical touches. Weaselly punk Sean Penn's car breaks down in a small Arizona town, where he meets eccentrics and gets involved in a murder plot. Strictly for Stonephiles. Co-stars include Nick Nolte, Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Voight. R (violence, gore, sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity, drugs). (Brewvies.) (Oct. 3, 1997) - C.H.
WISHMASTER - turkey - Dreadful genie-in-a-bottle variation, as a demon grants wishes to trick people into giving up their souls. Cameos by horror stars Robert ("Freddie Krueger") Englund, Tony ("Candyman") Todd and Kane ("Jason") Hodder don't help; executive producer Wes Craven gets top billing but he didn't write or direct. R (violence, gore, profanity, sex, vulgarity). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 20, 1997) - C.H.
*****
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