FflMINDEX

BACARDIBLACK

programme of rarely seen classic shorts by contemporary filmmakers and artists about ‘the :ity‘. Programme 1 consists of DA. Pennebaker's Daybreak Express. Helen Levitt‘s In The Street. Jean Vigo‘s A Propos De Nice. William Raba's A13 and Red Groom‘s Fat Feet. Sat 23 only. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.

I Claire of the Moon (15) (Nicole Conn. US. 1992) 106 mins. Stereotyped soap with a sexual twist as lesbian liaisons threaten to boil over at a writers' retreat. Groans and giggles aplenty. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.

I Cool flaming: (PG) (John Turteltaub. US. 1993) Doug E. Doug. Leon. John Candy. 99 mins. Speculative comedy based on the firstever Jamaican bobsled team at the last Winter Olympics is harrnlessly amiable. but unfortunately cranks up too many moralistic messages complete with appropriate accompanying music. Still. audiences seem to like its easy-going nature. making it an affectionate tribute to the late John Candy. l-‘ife: Adanr Smith.

I The Crow (18) (Alex Proyas. US. 1994) Brandon Lee. Ernie Hudson. Richelle Davis. 101 mins. infamous as the filnr on which martial arts star Bnrce Lee's son Brandon was killed by a defective stunt gun. this is the most consistent attempt yet to create on film the distinctive feel of the graphic novel. The characterisation and plot development may be slight a rock star comes back from the dead to wrech revenge on the gang who killed him and his girlfriend btrt stylistically. it's a gem. Glasgow: Odeon. Edinbtrrgh: UCl. Fife: MGM. New Picture House. Strathclyde: UCl Clydebank.

I Cutter’s Way (18) (lvan Passer. US. 1981 ) Jeff Bridges. John Heard. Lisa Eichhorrr. 105 mins. Boozy Vietnam vet prods his aimless mate Bridges into action after he thinks he has witnessed a murder. Low-key thriller. btrt the use of much interestingly downbeat detail lifts it above the average. Edinburgh: Cameo.

I Decadence (18) (Stephen Berkoff. UK/Ger/Lux. 1993) Stephen Berkoff. Joan Collins. Christopher Biggens. 108 nrins. A spectacularly inept celluloid transcription by Berkoff of his own play. which tells us nothing we didn't know already about the scumbag nature of the Mayfair set and nouveaux riche. Shapeless structure. barely coherent editing. inelegant mise-en-scene. One of the worst films of the decade. Central: MacRobert.

I Doctor lhirago (PG) (David Lean. US/UK. 1965) Omar Sharif. Julie Christie. Geraldine Chaplin. 193 mins. Big screen romance in the Gone With The Wind style. rather than a genuine adaptation of the Pasternak novel. with Sharif and Christie as lovers caught up in World War One and the Russian Revolution. Notable mainly for its lush. picture postcard photography. Central: MacRobert.

I The Draughtstoan's Contract ( 15) (Peter Greenaway. UK. 1982) Anthony Higgins. Janet Suunan. 103 mins. Sumptuous. seductive enigma in which a young artist accepts a commission from a country manor and also accepts payment in sexual favours. But is there nrore to this than meets the eye? Baroque Greenaway period piece. re-released in a new print. Glasgow: GET. Edinburgh: l‘ilmhousc.

I Edward Selssorhands (PG) (Tim Burton. US. 1991) Johnny Depp. Winona Ryder. Dianne Wiest. Vincent Price. 105 mins. Burton follows up the excesses of Batman with this fairy tale for the 90s. which works as a welcome return to the darker side of the genre. Depp is the unfinished creation of The Inventor (Price). who lives alone in a crumbling mansion. unable to even scratch his nose without needing stitches. Discoverd by a friendly Avon lady. his talent for coiffure and topiary makes him a neighbourhood favourite until tragedy strikes. Beautifully shot. tenderly acted and full of hidden depths. Edinburgh: Cameo.

I ET (U) (Steven Spielberg. US. 1982). Dec Wallace. Henry Thomas. Peter Coyote. 115 mins. An alien creature gets stranded on earth (the opening sequence of threatening legs and flashing torches is beautifully done). where he is adopted by some kids. who help him construct a communication device to summon back his spaceship. All the little guy wanted to do was go home. but Spielberg made sure he had lots of cute and agreeable adventures first. and slipped in the most tear-jerking psuedo-death since Baloo the Bear in The Jungle Book for good measure. Fife: New Picture House.

I The Exorcist (18) (William Friedkin. US. 1973) Linda Blair. Ellen Burstyn. Max Von Sydow. 110 mins. Earnest priest Von Sydow steps in to save poor little possessed girl in this hugely effective scarefest. Dead good. dead scatey. dead 'est. Glasgow: Odeon.

I Fm. Close! (15) (Wim Wenders. Germany. 1993) Otto Sander. Nastassja Kinski.

Bruno Ganz. 144 nrins. Wenders's sequel to Wings OfDesire again focuses on the divide between humans and angels. and has one of the winged ones experience the joys and pains of terrestrial life. However. after an cxhilerating opening and some stunning photography. the film falls apart when it attempts a B movie gun- running narrative. From genius to incompetence in a matter of frames. Edinburgh: Cameo

I Farewell My Concubine (15) (Chen Kaige. China. 1993) Gong Li. Leslie Chetrrrg. Zhang Eengyi. 156 mins. The story of two Peking Opera actors and the woman who comes between them provides an intimately detailed story which is set to a constantly shifting backdrop of Chinese politics during the 20th century. The Opera setting provides colour and spectacle. and questions how far a man will go for his art: the historical episodes give this Palme d'Or winning filrrr the flavour of a genuine epic. Glasgow: Gl-‘l‘.

I Fearless ( 15) (Peter Weir. 1's. 1093) Jeff Bridges. lsabella Rossellirri. Rosie Perez. 13.’ mins. Convinced of his own immortality after suniving a horrendous plane crash. Max Klein‘s reaction to his near-death experience has a metaphysical bent reminiscent of director Peter Weir‘s early work. Bridges is magnificent as his character reassesses the details of daily living. bringing pain to his farrrily and trope to fellow survivors. Glasgow: Odeon. lidinbrugh: Cameo. I The Flintstones (U) (Brian Levant. LS. 1094) John Goodman. Rick Moranis. Elizabeth Perkins. Rosie O'Donnell. 92 rrrirrs. lired is promoted to an execrrtive post at the quarry. btrt only as a stooge for his boss's corporate rip off; nevertheless. money and power go to the l-‘lintstones' heads. catrsirrg friction with the Rtrbbles. The movie keeps to the TV series‘ prehistoric parody of rrrodern suburban life. adds bright and chunky sets and a post-yuppie

morality tale on greed that doesn't quite sit right. and comes out a little plot-heavy. The one liners will be picked up by adults. kids will get bored But it‘s no the yabba-dabba dodo it could have been. See review. General release.

I Fortress ( 18) (Stuart Gordon. CS. 1992) Christopher Lambert. Kurtwood Smith. l.oryrr Locklin. in a harsh America of the future. a former Black Beret and his wife are thrown into a futuristic maximum security prison for atterrrpting to have a second child. Stuart (Retrrrimutor) Gordon delivers an entertaining prison-break drama with sci-fl trappings. great sets. deliciously overcooked acting and a satisfying array of fire-power. Great fun. and a dead cert on video. General release.

I For: Weddings And A Funeral (15) (Mike Newell. UK. 1993) Hugh Grant. Andie MacDowell. Kristin Scott Thomas. 117 mins. Sweet but stuffy Englishman Charlie (Grant) is convinced that he is not the rrrarrying sort. but when he keeps meeting the alluring American Carrie (MacDowcll) at an assortment of church ceremonies. he begins to doubt his resolve. The sort ofcharming British comedy that was destined to storm America. btrt which adds a little grit to the glamour of the pretty settings thanks to Richard (Elmira/(lei) Curtis‘s script. General release.

I Free Willy (U) (Simon Wincer. CS. 1993) Jason James Richter. Lori Petty. Michael Madsen. 112 rrrins. After moving from one set of foster parents to another. young Jesse finds himself helping out with chores at a marine amusement park where Willy the orca whale has also been separated from his family. [and and sea rebels become soul-rrrates. and the plot heads down a distinctly [ff-like path. Easy .to-grasp adventure for the kids; a little too simplistic and manipulative for a rtrorc sophisticated audience. Edinburgh: Eilmhotrse. Central: MacRobert. Fife: Adanr Smith.

I The Getaway (18) (Roger Donaldson. US. 1994) Kim Basinger. Alec Baldwin. Michael Madsen. 115 mins. Much nrore of a star vehicle than the tougher Peckinpah original. this bank- robetTy-revenge‘chase could do well to cut away from the leads and focus more on the weirdo subplot following double-crossed baddie Michael Madsen and loopy hostage Jennifer Tilly. The plot has interesting clerrrerrts. but it‘s all a bit to glossy for a hard crirrre thriller. Glasgow: MGMs. Edinbtrrglr: MGM. L'Cl. Strathclyde: Magnum. L'Cls.

I Glasgow Fair Archive Show (U ) 70 rrrirrs. .-\ celebration of the Glasgow hair with a programme of animation work from Fenian Street Day Centre and archive footage of Glasgwegians on holiday. Strrr 17 only. Glasgow: GET.

I Go Fish (18) (Rose Troche. CS. 1993) Guinevere Turner. V.S. Brodie. Anastasia Sharp. 89 mins. Twentysomcthing would-be author Max is pushed by her wise owl fiatrrrate towards vet's assistant Ely. but the two girls' shyness

could proye an unassailable obstacle. Troche‘s film bustles with visual invention. deliciously catty dialogue and natural performances. These are people. not issues. and even if Spike Lee was a romantic and a lesbian. he couldn't make a rrrovie as fresh. funny and openly entertaining as this. See review. Edinburgh: Cameo.

I Golden Balls (18) (Bigas Luna. Spain. 1993) Javier Bardem. Maria De Medeiros. Maribel Verdu. 95 mins. Benito Gonzales has three passions: fried eggs. building skyscrapers and having sex. When he marries for money. it seems that all his dreams could come true. especially when he's able to see his former girlfriend on the side. A sleazy take on lust and Spain‘s nouveau riche from the director of .ltinron Junron. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.

I Grumpy Old Men (12) (Donald Petrie. US. 1993) Walter Matthau. Jack Lenrnron. Ann- Margret. 103 ttrins. Two grouchy neighbours re. run their earlier fight over the late wife of one

w hen a sparky new woman moves in close-by. Matthau and l,emmon are as irascilbe and ftrrrny as ever. btrt the thin plot and predictable gags don’t give them enough to get their dentures into. Plenty of sharp one-liners but a mite too strained to recapture the glories of yesteryear. Edinburgh: Dominion.

I Hard Boiled (18) (John Woo. Hong Kong. 1992) Chow Yuri-Fat. Tony Letrng. Teresa M0. 126 mins. A tough cop nicknamed Tequila is driven by obsession to nail a Triad gun-runner in John Woo's incomparable llong Kong gangster movie. The action sequences particularly the opening tea-house shoot-out and the climactic hospital finale - show the action movie master at his best. as ire takes moments of on-screen violence to levels of choreographed genius. Glasgow: GET.

I House of Angels (15) (Colin Nutley. Sweden. 1992) Helena Bergstronr. Rickard Wolff. Sven Wolter. 126 mins. A rural comrrrtrnity's suspicions are aroused when the hip grand- daughter of a deceased landowner arrives from the city with boyfriend and motorbike to take over his hotrse. Englishman abroad Nutley effectively dissects the racism and bigotry of a small corrrmurrity with much humour. Edinburgh: Cameo.

I The Joy luck Club (15) (Wayne Wang. US. 1993) 'l'sai Chin. Ming-Na Wen. Tamlyn 'l‘omita. 139 mins. intertwining tales of four Chinese women and their ChineseArrrerican daughters which use elements of ethnicity and the irrrmigrant experience to highlight the rrrore universal themes of mother/daughter

relationships. Above all. it is a very Hollywood-

style movie. attempting to manipulate emotions and downplay much of the insight of Amy Tan‘s novel. btrt it will strike a chord with many in the

audience. and not just the women. Strathclyde:

(3(‘1Clydebank.

I Jurassic Park (PG) (Steven Spielberg. US. 1993) Sam Neill. Laura Dem. Jeff Goldblum. A group of scientists are invited to give their approval to a therrre park filled with genetically

engineered dinosaurs. but the giant reptiles are

soon running amok. Unsurpassed computer

effects ensure that the dinosaurs themselves are terrifyineg believable (rrroreso than the PG

certificate would suggest). btrt by the halfway point. it's more or less a chase movie with

j superior technology. Glasgow: ()deon. Etlirrbtrrglr: l‘ilmhouse. I Kika ( l 8) (Pedro Almodovar. Spain. 1993)

Veronique l-‘orqtre. Peter Coyote. Victoria Abril. ll-l mins. A make-up artist is involved with an American writer and his photographer son; she's also avoiding the attentions of her lesbian maid. whose ex-porn star brother escapes from prison and ends up at the house. and a predatory ‘reality

TV" reporter who takes a ghoulish delight in

other people‘s misfortunes. it all adds up to

Pedro Almtxlovar‘s tenth feature. and his

blackest mix to date of sex. death and stylish kitsch. Glasgow: GET. Edinburgh: Eilmhouse. I The Killing 01 Sister George (18) (Robert Aldrich. US. 1968) Beryl Reid. Susannah York. (‘oral Browne 138 mins. Reid plays an aging actress fired from a TV soap. and finding her life in general and her relationship with her girlfriend (York) in particular collapsing around her. Aldrich. the master of grand guignol excess like Whatever Happened To Baby Jane”. was entirely the wrong director for this screen version of Frank Marcus's celebrated play. and the result is a leering piece of grotesquerie that lacks compassion or understanding of the central characters. Edinburgh: Eilmhouse.

I King Kong (Merian C Cooper. US. 1933) Robert Amrstrong. Fay Wray. 100 mins. A film producer on safari brings back a souvenir monster which terrorises New York. One of the all time great monster movies. even though the plot is somewhat flawed (why. for example. if the natives on the island wanted to keep Kong at

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bay with a giant wall. did they build a door in it large enough for him to get through?) Edinbu h: Filmhouse. I King The Hill (12) (Steven Soderbergh. US. 1993) Jesse Bradford. Jeroen Krabbe. Lisa Eichhom. 103 mins. Why Soderbergh‘s beautifully moving portrait of St Louis during the Depression failed to spark any interest during its London release is beyond me. When his father is forced to go off in search of work and his mother is sent to a sanitorium. twelve-year- old Aaron has to rely on his wits to survive. An engaging. atmospheric rites-of-passage movie that doesn't treat its young hero with condescension. Recommended. Glasgow: GET. I Kiss Me Deadly (18) (Robert Aldrich. US. 1955) Ralph Meeker. Al Dekker. Maxine Cooper. 105 mins. A savage critique of Cold War paranoia that has become one of the key films of 50's consciousness. Although the Spillane brutality is well in evidence. Meeker as Hammer gives his roughness a kind of honesty as he doggedly persists without regard to the consequences. Brilliantly characterised. and directed with baroque ferocity. it remains a superb example of American noir. Edinburgh: Cameo. I lightning Jack (PG) (Simon Wincer. US/Aus. 1994) Paul Hogan. Cuba Goodirrg Jnr. Beverly D'Angelo. 94 rtrins. Although he needs his reading specs. Lightning Jack Kane reckons he's a top bank robber and the fastest gun in the West. Determined to get his name in the history books. he teams up with a rrrtrte sidekick. and sets out in search of some pretty lame adventures. The rascally chamr that Paul Hogan brought to Crtmitlile Dundee is about all there is to recortrmend what is undoubtedly a feeble family comedy masquerading as a western. General release. I The lord of the Rings (PG) (Ralph Bakshi. US. 1982) With the voices of Christopher Guard. William Squire. Michael Scholes. John lltrrt. 133 mins. Successful animated version of the Tolkien epic covers the first two books of the trilogy only. Sticking closely to the text and using live action tracings to give authenticity to the animation. it manages to avoid Disney cuteness and creates an exciting and enjoyable mythical adventure that only the Tolkien purist will find fault with. Edinburgh: Eilmhouse. I love And human Remains ( 1 8) (Denys Arcand. Canada. 1994) Thomas Gibson. Ruth Marshall. Cameron Bancroft. 100 mins. Based on Brad Fraser's play. Arcand's latest grasps the original's any style of dialogue and twin narrative prongs of sexual uncertainty and ongoing serial killings. While the two plots may not always sit comfortably together. the thematic unity - of the dangers of love and tum-on of nrurder is perfectly realised for a 90s audience. Sharp ensemble playing rounds off a clever and symbolic piece. See feature. Edinburgh: Cameo. UCl. I Man Bites Dog (18) (Remy Belvaux/Andre Bonzel/Benoit Poelvoorde. Belgium. 1992) Benoit Poelvoorde. Remy Belvatrx. Jenny Drye. 96 mins. Somewhere in the unexplored hinterland between Henry: Portrait ofa Serial Killer and This Is Spinal lirp came three young Belgians. who spruced up their graduation film. llorrifically comic mock-doc on a poetry- quoting mass-murderer. it soon sharpens its serious edge and becomes trtrly shocking. A real chin-dropper of a film if ever there was one. Glasgow: GET. I Matihattan Minder Mystery (PG) (Woody Allen. US. 1993) Woody Allen. Diane Keaton. Alan Alda. 108 mins. When her elderly neighbour dies mysteriously and suddenly. Carol Lipton (Keaton) does some amateur sleuthing along with the New York literary set. Allen returns to the comic formula that first nrade his name neat plot. snappy one-liners - making this a much more approachable and enjoyable experience than his more serious work of late. Glasgow: GET. I Maverick (PG) (Richard Donner. US. 1994) Mel Gibson. Jodie Foster. James Garner. 127 mins. Romantic gambler Bret Maverick has got to get up a big enough pot to enter a poker game with a stake of half a million dollars. but encounters various loose and at times unconnected adventures on the way. A card-con movie with western trappings. Maverick showcases the ‘unpredictable' quirks of Gibson‘s screen persona. the kind of thing that he gives a lunatic edge in the Lethal Weapon series. Rollicking. pre-packaged entertainment that slips into the sharnbolic. See review. General release. I Hoosier: 1hrlot’s Holiday (PG) (Jacques Tati. France. 1953) Jacques Tati. Nathalie Pascaud. Michelle Rolla. 91 mins. M. Hulot. the bachelor with the accident-prone touch. arrives at a jaunty coastal resort and devastation very soon ensues. Comic timing at its most irresistible. as Tati geLs

24 The List 15-28 July 1994