INDEX FILM
FILM
Films screening this fortnight are listed belovr with certificate, credits, brief review and venue details. Film index compiled by Alan Morrison.
I Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (PG) (Steve ()edekcrk. US. 1995) Jim Carrey. Simon Callow. lair McNeice. 94 mins. This puer'ile. stereotyped and occasionally brilliant follow-up to the surprise hit that launched Cart'ey's career finds the pet detective in Africa. The natives are defined by silly rituals and a war-like nature. the linglish as upper-class tw its. and amongst it all. Cariey's hit-and-miss antics beconre wearisome. General release.
I The Adventures Of Priscilla. Queen Of The Desert ( IS) (Stephan lilliott. Australia. 1994) Terence Starrrp. Hugo Weaving. Guy Pearce. 101 rrrius. Two transvestites and a trans-sexual team up for a trrp across the Australian outback fora drag show in Alice Springs. Serious issues pop tip from tirrre to time. btrt the emphasis is on the camp humour of are iii-bus bitchiness and outrageous musical set-pieces. lidinburglr: Cameo.
I The American President ( 15) (Rob Reiner. (’S. 1995) Michael Douglas. Annette Bening. Martin Sheen. 1 15 mins. Widower and leader of the Western world Andrew Shepherd (Douglas) falls for a sparky environmental lobbyist (Bcnitrg). birt finds that press intrusion. opposition slurs and his (lay-to-day chores get in the way of romance. Director Reirrcr (When Harry Met Sally) again pulls off a perfectly balanced romantic comedy. throwing in sonic serious points along the way. Glasgow: MGM Sauchiehall Street. lidinburgh: Dominion.
I Apollo 13 (PG) (Ron Howard. CS. 1995) Tom Hanks. Bill Paxton. Kevin Bacon. 140 nrins. ()rr 13 April 1970. an oxygen tank exploded on the service module of the Apollo 13 spacecraft. leaving three astronauts stranded some 300.000 miles frorri home. Howard's screen retelling is a big. epic adventure with a proudly patriotic stance. The space photography is just fantastic and the acting as good as it gets. Great entertainment. if a little rich in the apple pie department. lidinburgh: Cameo. Central: .‘ylacRobctt. l‘il'e: Adam Smith. New Picture House.
I L'Avventura ( 18) (Michelangelo Antonioni. Italy. 1960) Monica \'itti. Gabriele Feizetti. Lea Massari. 145 mins. Slow and detached from plot devices. Antonioni's focus concentrates more on the developing relationship of a couple searching the Sicilian landscape fora missing friend than the how or wiry of the disappearance itself. A prime example of European chic. now looking a bit too self~conscious. Glasgow: (il’l‘. I Babe (1‘) (Chris Noonan. Atrstralia. 1995) James Cromwell. with the voices of Christine Cavanaugh. Miriam Margolyes. Hugo Weaving. 92 mins. Arr orplratied pig falls under the eye of a kindly collie atrd begins to think he's destined for glory at the regional trials. Talking animals suggest that this is a kids' movie: to an extent it is -- atrd a great one - btit there's enough skewered humour (hail the psycho mice!) for adults to discover an unexpected cttlt hit. A triumph for the underpig. General release.
I le Ballon D’Dr ( 12) (Clreik Doukoirre. Fiance/Guinea. 1993) 90 mins. A Guineatr village boy. obsessed with football. is exploited by a city businessman. btit falls under the wing of a caring football clth manager. Like many Black (as opposed to North) African films. the thematic focus is on the difficulty of keeping alive traditional cultural values iii the face of the modern world. lidinburgh: l‘llltlllOtiSC.
I Beethoven (l’)(Brran Levant. CS. 1992) Charles Giodin. Bonnie Hunt. Dean Jones. 87 nrins. A small St Bernard pirp escapes from an evil vet and attaches itself to the Newton family. Soon it grows to enormous proportions and begins to wreck domestic havoc. lindless visual gags and good timing. particularly front Grodin. enliven what might have been a run-of-the-mill nrutt rrrovre. Fife: Robin‘s. Strathclyde: Cannon. I Beethoven's 2nd (1?) (Rod Daniel. L33. 1993) Charles Grodin. Bonnie Hunt. Debi Mazar. Chris Penn. 89 rtrins. lt's love at first sight when cinema's favorite St Bernard sees Missy. looking delectable with a pink bow in her hair. Pretty soon. this Beethoven has produced a not-so- musical quartet of pooprrrg pups. whose ability for mischief is matched only by their sickening cuteness. Cloying stuff. certain to be lapped up by kids and people who smile at Andrex adverts. Glasgow: MGM Parkhead. Strathclyde: Cannon. I Blade llunrier(15)(Ridtey Scott. US. 1982) Harrison Ford. Rutger Hauer. Sean Young. 117
mins. A tough cop tracks dowrt a group of malfunctioning androids in this gritty hi-tecli retread of Raymond Chandler. executed with Scott's customary visual flair. and with strong performances. especially from Ford and Hatter. Btit try following the confusing plot first time around. lidiirburgh: Cameo.
I Braveheart ( l 5) (Mel Gibson. CS. 1995) Mel Gibson. Patrick McGoohan. Sophie Marceau. 177 rrriris. Mel Gibson's long and bloody account of the life of Scottish warrior hero William Wallace boasts sortie remarkable battle scenes and great performances. particularly McGoolran's merciless King lidward. Aiming to entertain on a wider scale ilrair the more literate Rob Roy. Iiravr/rt'ari's Scottish passion is tempered by a few Hollywood moments — touches of sentiirrcntality and 'dramatic' historical inaccuracy. Nevertheles. it's a fine. full-blooded attempt to tap itrto the spirit that fires Scotland's history atrd heroes. Glasgow: ()deon. liditrburgh: ()deorr. CCl. Borders: Pavilion. Strathclyde: Kelbume. l'Cls.
I The Bridges Df Madison County ( 12) (Clint liastwood. CS. 1995) Clint Eastwood. .Metyl Strecb. 91 mins. Robert James Waller's book may be literary tripe. brrt one's admiration for director-star liastwood increases a thousand- fold. as Ire conjures one of his finest achievements as a filmitraker. It's a classic love story between a passing photographer and a woman whose husband arid children are off at the state fair. atrd liastwood has created a work with real tear-slitting potency despite its utter lack of sentiemental guslriness. lidinburgh: Cameo. Central: MacRobeit. Fife: Adarir Smith. I Burnt By The Sun ( 15) (Nikita Mikhalkov. Russia. 1991) Nikita Mikhalkov. ()leg Metrclrikov. ltrgeborga Dapkounaite. 15-1 mins. Mikhalkov‘s ()scar—w inner is a genuine masterpiece. The gradual slide frorri the glory of the Revolution into the terror of the Stalin dictatorship is concentrated into the events of a single sumrrrer's day in 30s Russia. as the country household of a popular Soviet officer is disrupted by the return of his wife's former lover. now a goverrrrrrerrt rnforriier. The sense of tragedy is immense. as the sunny. idyllic opening gives way to a darker. more uncertain reality. l‘ife: Adanr Srrrith. Strathclyde: l'iast Kilbride Arts Centre.
I Cape Fear ( IS) (Mattirr Scorsese. CS. 1991) Robert De Niro. Nick Nolte. Jessica Lange. Juliette Lewis. 127 mins. Scorsese's stunning remake of the 1902 original leaves Silence oftlre Lani/iv pallid by cotrrpai'ison. De Niro is terrifying as w lrite trash psycho Max Cady. otrt of prison and stalking the family of the lawyer who suppressed evidence to ptrt him away. Disturbing sexual undertones. cetrtiing on 15- year-old Danny (Lewis). make this an evetr more uncomfortable. but unitiissable. top-notch scare- fest. Glasgow: (ii-'1‘.
I Carrington (18) (Christopher Hampton. UK. 1995) Emma Thompson. Jonathan Pryce. Steven Waddington. 123 mins. Hampton's debut as writer-director concentrates on the deeply loving. platonic relationship between Bloomsbury Group writer Lytton Strachey (Pryce) and painter Dora (‘an'ington ('l‘horirpson). The film takes an episodic approach to their life together. letting the performances flourish. btrt providing some extremely funny and literate one-liners to lighten the moments when tragedy looms. Darker and more intriguing than the typical British period piece. Strathclyde: Magnum.
I Casablanca (PG) (Michael Curtiz. CS. 1942) Humphrey Bogart. Ingrid Bergman. Dooley Wilson. 102 rrrins. You tnusi remember this . . Bogart being inrpossibly noble. Bergman tom between two lovers. Claude Rains playing both ends against the middle. devious Nazis. a fogbound airport. at piano-player titrklirig that tune . . A wonderful hill of beans. Glasgow: Gl-‘T.
I Casper (PG) (Brad Silbei'ling. 178. 1995) Christina Ricci. Bill Pullman. Cathy Moriarty. 100 nrins. liver‘yone's favourite friendly ghost has been living with his three bad-tempered uncles in an abandoned mansion. When it‘s bequeathed to a money-grabbing heiress who thinks it‘s filled with hidden treasure guarded by unquiet spirits. Casper comes into contact with ghost psychologist Pullman's tomboy daughter (Ricci). A very messy amalgam of Glroxlhuslerx effects. Addams Family gothic humour and the sort of overblown feelgood Spielbergiana that revels in funny gadgetry and family values. Glasgow: MGMs. Strathclyde: Magnum.
I The City Of lost Children (15) (Jean-Pierre Jeunet/Marc Caro. France. 1995) Ron Perlman. Daniel Emilfork. Judith Vittet. 112 mins. On a mist-shrouded oil rig. mad scientist Krank ages prematurely because he cannot dream. and so he kidnaps children from the local port and steals into their sleeping hours. A visually wonderful. wacky fairytale from the makers of Delicatessen. that brims over with cinematic imagination. Fife: New Picture House. Strathclyde: East Kilbn'dc Arts Centre.
I Clueless ( 12) (Amy lleckerling. CS. 1995) Alicia Silverslone. Stacey Dash. Brrtanny Murphy. 98 mins. Beautiful. fashionable and streetsmart Beverley Hills schoolgirl Cher (Alicia) is spoilt to distraction. but when teenage romance floors her. she‘s as clueless as anyone. This has all the ingredients for an unasliatrredly brainless smash teen comedy — including a new- line in kooky dialect »- brrt unfortunately it doesn't do anything that Hear/m \ didnt do better. lidrnburglr: MGM. Central: MacRobert. I Comrades (l’GHBilI Douglas. t'ls’. 19%) Vanessa Redgrave. Robin Soams. Mrclracl Hot'dern. Long-awaited epic account of the 'l‘olpirddle Martyrs. which attempts to capture the human story behind these icons of the Labour movement. lixecuted with minimum resort to dialogue arid a relish in carefully composed images. it is rrltiiirately a film about the indoiiritable nature of freedom. equality and justice. Well worth the wart. Watch oirt for Scots actor Alex Norton in at least half-a dozen different roles. Glasgow: Gl-T. I Crimson Tide ( 1 5) (Tony Scott. ('8. 1095) Gene llackmatr. Den/cl Washington. George Dzundza. 11(r rnrrrs. When a rebel Russian tratiorialist general with his mitts on the nuclear trigger brings Arirragcddon back onto the agenda. the [SS Alabama. with its 3-1 'I rrdcnt missiles. is called into action. With a rrrglrtrirare scenario. two top stars acting their socks off and a director who knows how to get the most from big budget effects. this tense and claustrophobic strbrirarinc thriller is a prime slice of weekend entertainment. lidinburglt: Cameo. I Dangerous Minds ( Ifir (John N. Smith. ('5. 1995) Michelle Pfeiffer‘. George Dzundza. Courtney B. Vance. l()(r rrrins. in a tougher role than sorrre she's played to date. Pfeiffei is an ex marine who becomes linglislr teacher to a bunch of tmderaclriev mg inner city kids w rtlr academic potential. The Hollywood optimism of the plot sits oddly with the classrooirr realisrrr that comes from casting fledgling actors and streetwrse tron- pi‘ofessionals. btrt it's a brave attempt at tackling the serious subject of education rn modern day America. General release. I Dark Star (PG) (John Carpenter. l'S. 197-1) Brian Nar'elle. Dre Palriclr. Cal Kuniholm. Dari ()‘Bannon. 85 mins. Carpenter's excellent. low- budget debut has four End-century astronauts and their extra terrestrial pet freaking otit on an interminable journey through space. Witty arid ironic. it satiiiscs l'S society. popular culture and 200/.~ A Space ()(/\'.\\t'_\' while providing solid entertainment. lidinburgh: Cameo I Devil In A Blue Dress ( l 5) (Carl liranklin. CS. 1995) Denlel Washington. Jennifer Beals. Tom Sizemore. 102 mitts. The social realism and detailed atmosphere remain true in l’rariklin's screen translation of Walter Mosley"s novel. with the added borrtrs of superb photography and a sensuous performance by Washington. He stars as liasy Rawlins. newly unerrrployed in post- WWZ LA and trying to earn a birck searching for a mysterious woman. The Chandler tradition with a more cynical racial twist. Glasgow: Gl-"l‘. I Dolores Claiborne ( 18) (Taylor llackford. t. 1995) Kathy Bates. Jennifer Jason Leigh. Christopher Plummer. 131 mins. This is about as un-Stephen-King-like a story as you could get. more consistently mehxlramatic than horrific. .lliwrt's Kathy Bates stars as a helper-irraid working for an elderly society queen. btit w hen she‘s discovered one day murdering her employer. it rekirrdles thoughts on a related murder two decades before. Poignant atrd thought-provokrng. with some fine performances to enjoy. lidinburglr: Cameo. I The Edge Of the World (PG) (Michael Powell. 17K. 1957) Niall MacGiiinis, John Laurie. Belle Chrystal. SI mins. Powell's first major feature was shot on the wild remote landscape of forth in the Shetland Isles. lnspired by the evacuation of St Kilda. the narrative charts how the struggle to survive breaks down even the closest of friendships. Powell returned to the project in 1978 to add new footage for a BBC vetsiorr. but the enterprise only proved that his original material and imagination had stood the test of time. Glasgow: (il’l'. I The Exorcist ( 18) (William Friedkin. CS. 1973) Linda Blair. lillen Burstyn. Max Von Sydow. 1 10 nrins. [Earnest priest Von Sydow steps in to save poor little possessed girl in this hugely effective scarefest. Dead good. dead scary. dead priest. Glasgow: ()deorr. I Fair Game ( 18) (Andrew Sipes. US. 1995) Cindy Crawford. William Baldwin. Steven Berkoff. 96 mins. In her acting debut. supermodel Crawford plays a Miami attorney on the run from ex-KGB assassins led by Berkoff; her only helping hand comes from cop Baldwin. Stick to the calenders and fitness videos. Glasgow: MGMs. Edinburgh: L'Cl. Borders: Pavilion. Strathclyde: Kelbume. UCls. I Farinelll (15) (Gerard Corbiau. France/Belgium. 1994) Stefano Dionisi. Enrico Lo Verso. Jeroen Krabbe. 110 mins. Biographical details. period splendour and a
Catch the
best Film this fortnight.
k. . FIRST BUN I Heat The long-awaited on-scr'een pairing of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in Michael Mann‘s seat-edge. dranratically rich thriller is everything we‘d hoped for. See feature and review. General release. I The Flower Of My Secret Leaving rrrost of his traderrrark kitsch behind him. Pedro Almodovar moves on with his first truly mature work. See feature. Glasgow: GF'l? Edinburgh: Cameo.
I Seven Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt descend into sonre stylishly bleak shadows to solve a series of murders based on the seven deadly sins. General release.
I Devil in A Blue Dress Denzel Washington is firsy Rawlins. a World War 11 vet tumed detective. in Carl Franklin‘s moody noir version of Walter Mosley's novel. Edinburgh: Mini/rotate.
I Babe Far more than a kids' comedy about a talking pig. this surprise cult crossover is to One Man Aral His Dog what Have I Got News For You is to Question Time. General release.
REPERTOBY
I Panther Melvin and Mario Van Peebles combine their talents to produce a hard-hitting. urrcorrrprorrrisirrgly political. yet still entertaining rrrovie account oftlre early days of the Black Panther Party. Edinburgh: Film/rouse.
I L’Avventura A season of Antonioni films begins at the OFT with his nrasterpiece about the affair between two idle rich people on an aimless search for a missing friend. La None also falls into this issue. Glasgow: (IF/f
iictronalrsed narrative combine for an account of the life of lSth century castiato Carlo Broschr. Dependent on his brother‘s nrtrsic for his stardom (wlrrle his brother is dependent on him for an outlet for his cornjxrsilions). his main desire is to sing the more ctrrotional music of Handel rather than the custorrr-wrrtten ornamental dittres hrs fans love ()rrrate costumes. arresting vocal set pieces and a strong dramatic undercurrent make this a feast for the eyes and ears that doesn't ignore the mind. lidinburgh: Filmhouse. Central: MacRobett.
I Father Of The Bride Part II (PG) (Charles Shyer. US. 1995) Steve Martin. Diane Keaton. Martin Short. 107 mins. As a plot development from what was probably the worst movie of 1992. George Banks (Martin) not only has to face tip to becoming a granddad. but also a dad again. as wife Nina (Keaton) falls pregnant. Srirug comedy with babies. General release.
I Fellini’s Roma ( l8) (Federico Fellini. lialy. 1972) Peter Gonzales. Stefano Majore. Britta Barnes. 128 mins. A personal tour of the eternal city and its highlights by the maestro. split between the 70s and the 20s (when Fellini first arrived). Brothels. music-halls. murals. traffic jams — all merge together with fantasy. autobiography and documentary. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
The List 26 Jan-8 Feb 1996 27