New Films Friday
I'M NOT RAPPAPORT - Herb Gardner adapted his own Tony Award-winning play and directed this comedy-drama about two reluctant friends - Walter Mattahu as an elderly activist and Ossie Davis as an aging janitor - who try to cope with feelings of being relegated to society's outer edges. Amy Irving, Craig T. Nelson and Martha Plimpton co-start. Reviewed on Page W6. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, drugs). (Exclusive, Avalon.)KAMA SUTRA: A TALE OF LOVE - A tale of sexual intrigue in 16th-century India, as former friends Sarita Choudhury ("Mississippi Masala") and Indira Varma compete for the affections of a king (Naveen Andrews, from "The English Patient"). Not rated, probable NC-17 (sex, nudity, violence, drugs). (Exclusive, Tower.)
ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION - Two aging valley girls (Mira Sorvino, and Lisa Kudrow, of TV's "Friends") pretend to be successful to impress former classmates at their 10-year high school reunion. But fellow misfit Janeane Garofalo knows the truth and can blow the whistle on them in this screwball comedy. Reviewed on page W7. R (profanity, vulgarity). (Century, Creekside, Flick, Gateway, Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "Grosse Pointe Blank"; South Towne.)
UNHOOK THE STARS - This character-driven drama, filmed in Salt Lake City, is an independent production co-written and directed by Nick Cassavetes. His mother Gena Rowlands stars as a lonely woman who becomes the babysitter for a young neighbor boy when his strung-out mother (Marisa Tomei) cries for help. Gerard Depardieu co-stars. Reviewed page W10 R (profanity, vulgarity, violence). (Exclusive, Tower.) VOLCANO - Tommy Lee Jones stars as the head of emergency services who really earns his money when a lava pit beneath Los Angeles erupts, sending a wave of destruction and panic through the city. Anne Heche and young Gaby Hoffmann co-star. Reviewed on Page W4. PG-13 (violence, gore, profanity). (Carmike 12, Century, Holladay, Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "One Fine Day"; Reel, Sandy 9, Trolley Corners, Trolley North.)
SNEAK PREVIEWS
BREAKDOWN - A scenic cross-country trip turns into a nightmare when Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan find themselves stranded in the middle of the southwest desert after their car breaks down. A trucker (J.T. Walsh) gives Quinlan a ride into town, but then Russell can't find her. Filmed in southern Utah. To be reviewed when it opens next week. R (violence, profanity). (Saturday, Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Reel, Sandy 9.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - * * * * - Arguably the best of the "Star Wars" series, this second episode is richer, darker, has deeper character development and still manages to be an action-packed load of fun. George Lucas has added fewer tweaks, but the subtle touches help. PG (violence, gore). (Family Center, Sandcastle, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Feb. 21, 1997) - C.H.
THE LEGENDARY WORKS OF DALE ANGELL - A special one-night-only screening of short films by the local artist and noted sound effects editor, including "Later On That Afternoon," "The Pitch" and "A Gathering of Excellence." This program is not rated, but may contain material in the PG-rated range. (Utah Film & Video Center, Friday only, 8 p.m.)
MODERN TIMES - * * * * - Hysterical Charlie Chaplin film is one of his best, a silent movie (with a few sound effects) produced during the sound era (1936), with a musical score composed by Chaplin himself - including his most famous tune, "Smile." Smart satire of the machine age has the Little Tramp working on an assembly line, where he goes berserk. Paulette Goddard co-stars. Made before ratings, probable G. (Organ Loft, Friday.) - C.H. RETURN OF THE JEDI - * * * 1/2 - The finale of the "Star Wars" middle trilogy may be the least of the series - too many juvenile antics by Muppets and Ewoks - but it's still great fun as the Rebel Alliance gears up for its final showdown with the Empire and Luke Skywalker struggles to redeem Daddy Darth Vader. PG (violence, partial nudity). (Cottonwood, Crossroads, Gateway, Midvalley, South Towne.) (March 14, 1997) - C.H.i
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER - * * * - Though it's a bit silly in some respects - and surprisingly dated - there's no denying the tremendous influence this 1977 disco drama had on movies and culture. John Travolta (in his first starring role) is a Brooklynite whose mundane life gets a jolt when he dances up a storm at the local disco. Bee Gees songs made the soundtrack album the biggest-seller of all time for a while. Rated R (violence, profanity, sex). (Sugar House). - C.H.
STAR WARS - * * * * - George Lucas' special-effects tinkering with his sci-fi classic on its 20th anniversary hasn't hurt the film at all, and in some cases has helped it some. But the bottom line is simply that it's great to see it on the big screen again. PG (violence, profanity). (Family Center, Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Jan. 31, 1997) - C.H.
CONTINUING FILMS
ANACONDA - turkey - Unintentionally funny monster movie about a crew of documentary filmmakers (including Eric Stoltz, Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube) going upriver in the Amazon who are used as snake bait by a crazed poacher (Jon Voight). Camp dialogue to spare, along with blatant theft from "Jaws" and "The Creature from the Black Lagoon." PG-13 (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, sex, native nudity). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "Beverly Hills Ninja"; Reel, Sandy 9, Trolley Corners.) (April 11, 1997) - C.H.
THE BEAUTICIAN AND THE BEAST - * * 1/2 - Fran Drescher doesn't bring much more to this romantic comedy than her "Nanny" character and nasal whine, but as a lightweight take on "The King and I" it still works, thanks to Timothy Dalton's charming performance as a European dictator who falls in love with our unlikely heroine. PG (mild vulgarity, brief partial nudity). (Kaysville, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) - J.V.
BEVERLY HILLS NINJA - turkey - Chris Farley is certainly no John Belushi. Yet, he steals from Belushi's "Samurai" sketches for "Saturday Night Live" in this limp martial arts farce about an orphan who is taken in by a secret Japanese ninja society, where he becomes a bumbling student. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Redwood, with "Anaconda"; Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Jan. 24, 1997) - J.V.
CATS DON'T DANCE - * * * - A real surprise from Turner Animation, a snappy musical-comedy that plays like a cross between "Singin' in the Rain" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." A brash young cat tries to break into movies but discovers the studios only hire animals for demeaning roles, a sly metaphor for the way minorities were treated during Hollywood's golden era. Lots of funny sight gags and one-liners, many aimed squarely at movie buffs. G. (Olympus.) (March 26, 1997) - C.H.
CHASING AMY - * * 1/2 - Writer/director Kevin Smith ("Clerks," "Mallrats") hans't cut back on the profanities or vulgar jokes, but this at-times-charming romantic comedy shows he's grown up a lot as a filmmaker. In it, a comic-book creator (Ben Affleck) falls for a fellow artist (Joey Lauren Adams), who turns out to be a lesbian. To his surprise, however, she reciprocates his feelings. R (profanity, vulgarity, violence, racist epithets, sex). (Exclusive, Broadway.) (April 18, 1997) - J.V.
DANTE'S PEAK - * 1/2 - This yarn has "volcanologist" Pierce Brosnan fearing a northern Washington state volcano is about to blow, but no one believes him. Then he turns into Indiana Jones to rescue mayor Linda Hamilton and her children as they attempt to outrun flowing lava. PG-13 (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity). (Family Center, Kaysville, Sandcastle, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair; Valley Vu, with "Liar Liar.") (Feb. 7, 1997) - C.H.
THE DEVIL'S OWN - * * - Slow, underdeveloped "thriller" about a Belfast terrorist (Brad Pitt) who travels to New York to buy weapons for the IRA and ingratiates himself into the family of a big-hearted but naive street cop (Harrison Ford). At its best in scenes that explore day-to-day police work. R (violence, profanity). (Broadway, Cinemas 5, Holladay; Redwood, with "The Saint"; South Towne.) (March 26, 1997) - C.H.
8 HEADS IN A DUFFEL BAG - turkey - The cast tries hard but this dark comedy looks like what we'd get if Jerry Lewis directed a Quentin Tarantino script. Joe Pesci is a hit man with eight heads of "whacked" mobsters that he must take to his boss. Naturally, his bag is switched with someone else's laundry. Painfully unfunny. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Creekside, Gateway, Midvalley; Redwood, with "Scream"; Sandy 9.) (April 18, 1997) - C.H.
EMMA - * * * 1/2 - Light, but very satisfying - and frequently hilarious - period romantic comedy adapted from the Jane Austen novel (which was updated for "Clueless"). Gwyneth Paltrow shines in this starmaking role, as the meddling, matchmaking title character. Everyone else is good, too, while the film nicely balances romance, humor and attention to period detail. A delightful film for all audiences. PG (nothing offensive). (Kaysville.) (Aug. 16, 1996) - C.H.
THE ENGLISH PATIENT - * * * - Gorgeous, visually captivating but emotionally muted adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's dense novel about an amnesiac burn victim (Ralph Fiennes) cared for by an emotionally scarred Canadian nurse (Juliette Binoche). Flashbacks slowly reveal he is a Hungarian mapmaker who had a tragic affair with an Englishwoman (Kristin Scott Thomas). Winner of 9 Oscars. R (violence, gore, sex, nudity, profanity, drugs). (Broadway, Olympus.) (Nov. 22, 1996) - C.H.
FOOLS RUSH IN - * * - Dull, sitcom-style vehicle for Matthew Perry (of TV's "Friends"), littered with tired jokes about the culture clash between a white-bread New York Presbyterian in Las Vegas who impulsively marries a Mexican Catholic (Salma Hayek) he impregnated during a one-night stand. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, sex). (Murray.) (Feb. 14, 1997) - C.H.
GROSSE POINTE BLANK - * * 1/2 - Some hilarious bits of business punctuate this one-joke, morally bankrupt satire about a hit man (John Cusack) who reluctantly attends his 10-year high school reunion, as he tries to rekindle an old romance (with Minnie Driver) and is stalked by rival assassin Dan Aykroyd. Killing people and cracking wise is wearing out its welcome, but this one is very funny in places. R (violence, sex, profanity, drugs). (Carmike 12, Gateway, Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion"; Sandy 9, Trolley Square, Villa.) (April 11, 1997) - C.H.
IN LOVE & WAR - * * - Chris O'Donnell lacks the passion (and range) to play young Ernest Hemingway, in this story of the future author falling in love with an older Red Cross nurse (Sandra Bullock, who is much better) on the frontline during World War I. This experience supposedly inspired Hemingway's novel "A Farewell to Arms." Deadly dull most of the way. PG-13 (wartime violence, hospital gore, sex). (Sugar House.) (Jan. 24, 1997) - C.H.
JACKIE CHAN'S FIRST STRIKE - * * * - Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan returns for the fourth installment of his "Police Story" series, this time adopting a James Bond persona - if Bond was played by Buster Keaton. Forget the idiotic plot (though it's really no dumber than some Bond pictures) and enjoy Chan's incredible dexterity and elaborate comic stunt work. PG-13 (violence, brief male nudity, one profanity). (Kaysville.) (Jan. 10, 1997) - C.H.
JERRY MAGUIRE - * * 1/2 - This story of a high profile sports agent (Tom Cruise) boasts terrific performances (especially Oscar-winner Cuba Gooding Jr.), but it's also long-winded and preachy, with a mixed message about money vs. love. And it doesn't help that in the final third the film switches gears from clever comedy to sappy sentiment. R (violence, sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity). (Cinemas 5, Murray, South Towne, Trolley Square.) (Dec. 13, 1996) - C.H.
JUNGLE 2 JUNGLE - * * - Tim Allen stars in this silly culture-clash/"wild child" farce about a workaholic Manhattan stock broker saddled with a 13-year-old son who was raised in the Amazon. Some amusing moments but mostly the same old crass gags and pop-culture references. Martin Short, Lolita Davidovich and JoBeth Williams co-star. PG (comic violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Cottonwood, Gateway, Plaza 5400, Sandy 9.) (March 7, 1997) - C.H.
KOLYA - * * * 1/2 - Set during the "Velvet Revolution," this Oscar winner (as best foreign-language film) centers around an aging Prague musician, a middle-aged bachelor who marries a Russian woman and is left with her 6-year-old son when she runs off. Wonderfully performed, utterly charming. In Czech and Russian, with English subtitles. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, sex, brief partial nudity). (Avalon.) (March 14, 1997) - C.H.
LIAR, LIAR - * * * - Jim Carrey stars in this wacked-out fantasy-comedy as a lawyer whose son's birthday wish magically forces Dad to tell the truth for 24 hours. Carrey is way over the top but the material serves him well and there are many hysterical scenes. It's also quite raunchy (though not as crass as the "Ace Ventura" flicks or "Dumb & Dumber"). PG-13 (sex, vulgarity, profanity, partial nudity, violence). (Century, Crossroads, Holladay, Midvalley, Reel, South Towne, Trolley North; Valley Vu, with "Dante's Peak.") (March 21, 1997) - C.H.
LOST HIGHWAY - * * - Filmmaker David Lynch returns to "Blue Velvet" territory with this violent, ethereal melodrama about the apparent murder of a cheating wife (Patricia Arquette) by her musician husband (Bill Pullman) and a doomed romance between a naive auto mechanic (Balthazar Getty) and a gangster's moll (Arquette again). Alternately pensive and exploitative mix of Hitchcock and Tarantino, but ultimately just weird. R (violence, gore, sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity). (Brewvies.) (Feb. 28, 1997) - C.H.
McHALE'S NAVY - * 1/2 - Yet another tired big-screen adaptation of a faded '60s TV sitcom. Tom Arnold takes Ernest Borgnine's role and the action moves from World War II to the modern-day Caribbean. (Borgnine makes a cameo appearance as an admiral). Simple-minded slapstick, laced with explosions and fireballs galore. PG (violence, profanity). (Century, Crossroads, Holladay, Midvalley, Reel, South Towne, Trolley North.) (April 18, 1997) - C.H.
METRO - * 1/2 - Eddie Murphy takes another career step backwards, returning to the genre that made him a household name - violent "buddy" action-comedy pictures ("Beverly Hills Cop"). This time he's paired with Michael Rapaport, as they play cops tracking a psychotic cop-killer. R (profanity, violence, nudity, racial epithets). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Jan. 17, 1997) - J.V.
MICHAEL - * * * - Some audiences will be put off by its irreverent, almost sacrilegious premise, but John Travolta is funny and charming as a hard-fighting, hard-loving archangel living in a motel in Iowa. He's discovered by tabloid journalists (Andie MacDowell, William Hurt), who try to bring him back to Chicago to save their careers. PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief sex). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Dec. 25, 1996) - J.V.
MURDER AT 1600 - * 1/2 - Wesley Snipes tries hard but this contrived murder mystery gets more and more ludicrous as it goes along. Snipes is a D.C. cop investigating a murder that happened in the White House - but all the evidence hsa been classified. More comic relief from Dennis Miller as a wisecracking cop might have helped. Alan Alda and Diane Lane co-star. R (violence, gore, sex, nudity, profanity). (Broadway, Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Midvalley; Redwood, with "Selena"; South Towne.) (April 18, 1997) - C.H.
ONE FINE DAY - * * * - Light but witty romantic comedy with a bright, funny script and sprightly performances from both George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer as antagonistic single parents forced to rely on each other during a hectic workday, and who, naturally, fall in love. The stars make it work, and Clooney's comic timing is a wonderful revelation. PG (profanity). (Redwood, with "Volcano"; Sandy Starships.) (Dec. 20, 1996) - C.H.
101 DALMATIANS - * * 1/2 - John Hughes co-produced and scripted this live-action version of the Disney animated classic, and he's grafted his own most famous movie - "Home Alone" - onto the final third. Glenn Close is great as Cruella DeVil, but when the protracted slapstick climax kicks in, she loses the upper hand and the film loses its way. G (but rather dark and violent for sensitive little ones). (Sandy Starships, Valley Fair.) (Nov. 2, 1996) - C.H.
ROSEWOOD - * * 1/2 - Based on the true story of a black town in 1923 Florida that was burned down by a white mob after a white woman told a lie - that she had been raped and beaten by a black stranger. Some good performances, but the cliche-ridden script really takes a wrong turn when the white lead character (Jon Voight) turns into an American "Schindler" and the black lead character (Ving Rhames) turns into John Wayne. R (violence, gore, sex, nudity, profanity, racial epithets). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Feb. 21, 1997) - C.H.
THE SAINT - * 1/2 - Val Kilmer stars in this action-thriller about a high-rolling thief who adopts various disguises and funny accents. He is hired by a Russian billionaire to steal a formula for cold fusion from love-starved scientist Elisabeth Shue, but falls in love with her. Lots of explosions and chases, but underdeveloped characters and idiotic plotting do it in. PG-13 (violence, sex, profanity, nude statue). (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Flick, Gateway, Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "The Devil's Own"; Reel, Sandy 9.) (April 4, 1997) - C.H.
SCREAM - turkey - Wes Craven attempts to parody the slasher film genre by milking its cliches. Ironically, in trying to spoof violent, crummy horror flicks, he's made one himself. And aside from Neve Campbell as the heroine in danger, the acting is atrocious, especially Courtney Cox's turn as a gung-ho TV reporter. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, sex). (Carmike 12, Creekside, Midvalley; Redwood, with "Eight Heads in a Duffel Bag"; Sandy 9, Trolley Square.) (Dec. 20, 1996) - J.V.
SELENA - * * - Jennifer Lopez delivers a starmaking performance in this story of the Tejano singer who was murdered by the president of her own fan club two years ago. And the other performances are also quite good (especially Edward James Olmos as her father). But too many Hollywood cliches and music videos make it rather dull and underdeveloped. PG (violence, mild language). (Carmike 12, Cinemas 5; Redwood, with "Murder at 1600.") (March 21, 1997) - C.H.
SHINE - * * * * - This wonderful account of the life of concert pianist David Helfgott is alternately harrowing and heart-breaking. Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush is superb as Helfgott, driven mad by his domineering father. And there's winning support from Lynn Redgrave, John Gielgud and Armin Mueller-Stahl, as well as a great score. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, nudity, sex). (Carmike 12.) (Dec. 25, 1996) - J.V.
THE SIXTH MAN - * 1/2 - This committee movie combines "Ghostbusters" with "Hoosiers," as Marlon Wayans' dead brother Kadeem Hardison returns as a ghost to help the college basketball team score in the NCAA championships. Mirthless comedy that relies heavily on mugging, sentiment and special effects. A few mild chuckles but not much more. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence). (Cinemas 5, Gateway, South Towne.) (March 28, 1997) - C.H.
SLING BLADE - * * * - Billy Bob Thornton won an Oscar for his screenplay, and he also directed and stars in this film about a mentally retarded killer released from an asylum who is soon befriended by a young boy whose troubled childhood parallels his own. Can he help without turning to violence? Stirring, rich character drama. R (off-screen violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Broadway, Olympus.) (Feb. 14, 1997) - C.H.
THAT DARN CAT - * 1/2 - Cats are supposed to have nine lives, but this unfunny remake of the 1965 Disney comedy is lifeless. Christina Ricci takes Hayley Mills' place as the owner of a curious cat who uncovers a kidnapping mystery, and Doug E. Doug is the bumbling FBI agent who believes her. PG (comic violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Cinemas 5.) (Feb. 14, 1997) - J.V.
THAT OLD FEELING - * * 1/2 - Frothy sex farce about a divorced couple (Bette Midler and Dennis Farina), both married to others for 14 years, who find their passion rekindled when they are reluctantly brought together again at their daughter's wedding. First third is hilarious and Bette's in rare form, but then it flattens out and forgets to be funny for the bulk of the film. PG-13 (sex, profanity, vulgarity, violence). (Carmike 12, Holladay, Midvalley, Sandy 9, Trolley North, Trolley Square.) (April 4, 1997) - C.H.
TURBO: A POWER RANGERS ADVENTURE - turkey - Ripping off every recent sci-fi epic in memory, this dreadful sequel brings back the TV superheroes of 1994's "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie." Here, they take on a female villain who seems to be a cross between Darth Vader, Princess Leia and Jim Carrey. Made for 5-year-olds (and maybe by 5-year-olds). PG (violence, vulgarity, scary monsters, one profanity, partial nudity). (Family Center, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (March 28, 1997) - C.H.
VEGAS VACATION - * * - The Griswolds fourth "Vacation" movie takes them to Las Vegas, as Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo and Randy Quaid reprise their comic roles with predictable results. Some amusing bits (and an odd running gag with Wayne Newton spoofing his own creepy image), but not much inspiration. PG (profanity, vulgarity, nude statues, bikini babes). (Cinemas 5.) (Feb. 16, 1997) - C.H.
WAITING FOR GUFFMAN - * * * - Christopher Guest ("The Big Picture," "This Is Spinal Tap") co-wrote, directed and stars this witty mock documentary about the residents of Blaine, Mo., who mount a pageant to celebrate the town's 150th anniversary. Condescending wry humor is offset by a genuine affection for small-town life, and the players are hilarious. R (profanity, vulgarity). (Brewvies.) (March 14, 1997) - C.H.
*****
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