Larry H's Movie Reviews for 1998
Index of Movies:
Stepmom | Patch Adams | Prince of Egypt | Mighty Joe Young | You've Got Mail | Very Bad Things | Psycho | Rugrats and A Bug's Life | American History X | Enemy Of The State | The Waterboy | Meet Joe Black | The Siege | Soldier | Pleasantville | Beloved | Rush Hour | Holy Man | AntZ | Simon Birch | Ronin | One True Thing | Rounders | Blade | 54 | Ever After | The Avengers | Snake Eyes | The Negotiator | Saving Private Ryan | Small Soldiers | The Mask of Zorro | Something About Mary | Lethal Weapon 4 | Doctor Dolittle | Armageddon | Paulie | Out of Sight | Dirty Work | The X-Files | Six Days Seven Nights | Hope Floats | A Perfect Murder | The Truman Show | Deep Impact | Bulworth | Godzilla | The Horse Whisperer | The Big Hit | U S Marshalls | Wild Things | City of Angels | 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain | Mercury Rising | Lost in Space | The Newton Boys | The Man in the Iron Mask | Primary Colors | The Big Lebowski | Twilight | Sphere | Blues Brothers 2000 | The Apostle | Spice World
The grading system99 - the highest grade ever given ("To Kill A Mockingbird") there has never been a 100 yet
95 - the highest grade available on first viewing
69 - means the movie was so bad that I want my money back
65 - is even lower than 69, but is the lowest available grade
W - after a numerical grade means that I could not stand to finish the movie and "walked" out
S - after a numerical grade means that I went to sleep during the movie due to lack of interest
God Bomb Theory - kicks in when I start praying for God to send down a bomb to blow up the characters and/or the scene so I can leave the theater and get on with my life.
July 15, 1998, at Loews Theatre #10 which is one of the small theatres, but "Something About Mary" is showing on two screens on this its first official opening day. One of my law school buds was in town from San Antonio so I let him go with me with the standard conditions that he could not sit next to me. Rusty graduated #1 in our class at St. Marys Law School so he quickly catches on and agreed to the terms; I even showed him my favorite parking place/pole. Someone had parked in my spot so I hope he doesn't think that I am not really successful and important.
This flick was the most fun I've had in a long time at a movie that is a total piece of crap and offers little if any redeeming social value especially if you have lost the ability to think like a teenager. Fortunately, I have not lost that ability and am still honing some of the finer nuances of silliness and slapstick. Example: young man gets his unit caught in his zipper while in the bathroom at Mary's house on prom night and the big discussion is ".... is it his frank or beans..." that are in this precarious position. "... We have a bleeder here," yells one of the paramedics. The story begins to crescendo early and reaches mediocrity and holds that level until the very end. Ben Stiller is the young man that has been in love with the dreamy Mary played by Cameron Diaz since high school. Ted (Ben) hires a sleazy private investigator to find Mary thirteen years after high school. The PI is wonderfully played my Matt Dillon who sports a mustache that would cause envy by Schnieder on TV's "One Day At a Time." All three of the stars and supporting cast are charming and likeable and save this movie and make it very funny - sometimes. But when its funny, its real funny. Ben Stiller is the son of George Constanza's TV father so he comes from good stock. Diaz and Dillon are real life lovers and they seemed to be having fun in their roles. The stars career will get a boost from this gig.
Love, shame, fun, pimples, hives, humiliation, sacrifice, lies, kindness, deciet, doublecross, and more love. One of the nice touches of humor and music was to have the ongoing-out-of-nowhere appearances of a singing guitar player and his spaced-out drummer a la Stubby Kaye and Nat King Cole in "Water Hole No. 3" and "Cat Ballou." This movie has cult possibilities. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 87. Larry H. (DOB: July 16, 1950)
July 10, 1998. I have been in a legal seminar for two days and I noticed that we had an hour and half for lunch on Friday. So guess what I did. I have been anxiously waiting for LW4 for months. I have enjoyed LW1-3 and like all the shoot 'em up action. Great guns. Gibson's Berretta 92 FS even has a laser attached to it this time. Chris Rock shows up as a wise-talking, kiss-up cop that carries a Colt Gold Cup. Glover still carries a frumpy revolver. LW4 is out of the mold of the first three, but I was very disappointed. Gibson and Glover appeared to have lost that charm that made us play along with their silliness in deadly situations and have fun doing it. It did not help my attitude when an anti-gun poster and slogans showed up in the police squad room with the classic red circle with a line through "NRA". Director Richard Donner was making a political statement by allowing this poster to be seen in several camera angles and he can kiss my foot. About an hour into this flick, I walked out very sad and returned to my seminar. Darn. Rock ' n Roll.
69W. Larry H.
July 2, 1998, theatre #4 at AMC @ 4:30 pm. Matinee time. Lots of kids and they don't mind speaking/hollering out. Eddie Murphy is the good Doctor that has been "talking to the animals" since childhood and has not adjusted very well emotionally to this special gift. Murphy shows a side of his acting ability that is a new stretch for him and he was up for the job. Murphy's Dolittle is sensitive, charming, and funny. The animals and their human voices are well done and dialogue is on point for the various species. Some of the stars are a dog (Norm Macdonald as Lucky), rats, pigeons, guinea pig (Chris Rock as Rodney) and a tiger (Albert Brooks).
The film is an updated version of Hugh Lofting's classic children's story and kids and animal lovers will love this movie. I only went to sleep once, but was awakened by the screams of little children hollering at other little children in the theatre. Many of the children in attendance felt at ease blurting out whatever entered their stream of consciousness. What a country! Even though Eric was with me, there was just too much Doo in Dolittle to entertain me. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 75 S. Larry H.
Big opening day for "Armageddon". July 1, 1998. It will be a blockbuster. Mucho money for Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and his friends. Big winners are Steve "God has blessed me again and I didn't deserve 'Fargo' either Buscemi, Ben "how lucky can a young guy get what with an Oscar and all" Affleck, and Liv " its pretty neat to be the only female interest in a summer mega hit" Tyler. The cast is wonderful, but these three will profit greatly from their performances
This movie was not made more skillfully than "Deep Impact" but its got a story that's bigger and better. This film gets the audience to buy into the plot that an asteroid the size of Texas is coming to destroy the world in eighteen days and we better do something quick or we're toast. Let's send up the space shuttle with some oil drilling experts and explode a nuclear bomb deep enough in the little booger to cause it to safely pass by earth. Let's get Harry and his band of misfits and borderline felons who are funny, interesting, scary, and behave like the "Dirty Dozen" while taking a crash course in space flight to help us with this dangerous plan and the world will be saved. Harry is ably played by Bruce "where's my Demi?" Willis. Other "crew" members that are part of this drilling team are Will Patton and some other guys that like tattoos and fast women. The Willis boys are teamed up with real astronauts and blast off into space in two shuttles. Lots of stuff happens and the special effects are good and predictable. Tragedy and suspense is part of the mix and the story never allows the audience much breathing room while we contemplate the end of civilization; "... nothing will survive not even bacteria..." if the mission fails. The lead NASA guy is Billy Bob "Sling Blade" Thornton who turns out to be an actor as well as an Academy Award winning writer. Thornton has had a string of hits - "The Apostle" and "Primary Colors".
Eric and I attended the 4:05 pm showing and there were 100-110 folks and they laughed and gasped when they were suppose to. Held their breath with suspense and did not leave immediately after the end, but stayed and viewed the closing credits and sat quietly as people do when they have just finished an emotional and enjoyable experience. There was a long line outside Theatre #11(the big one at AMC) waiting to get in. We're talking big hit, folks. Lots of teenage girls, too. Can anybody say "Titanic?" OK, "Armageddon" will not win Academy Awards but it will make a ton of money with its universal appeal. 150 minutes PG 13. Rock 'n Roll
Grade 90. Larry H.
It was Sunday afternoon and I was on my way to Barnes and Noble and as I drove passed the AMC theatre which is on the way, my jeep swerved into the parking lot and soon I was at the ticket counter trying to determine the next showtime of a movie that I had not seen. I was also hungry so popcorn and a coke was part of the mix. "Paulie"? What the heck's "Paulie" about. Oh, well. I bought a ticket and hurried to theartre #1 after purchasing coke and popcorn with butter.
"Paulie" is the greatest movie ever made about a parrot. Brought tears to my eyes three times. That Paulie could talk and comprehend the English language. Separation from loved ones, dedication and determination to reunite, lies, fraud, and frivolity. Wings clipped. Wings grow back. Great cast; good family film. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 85. Larry H.
Opening day June 26th at Loew's Theatre #17 at 11:25 am. Had a rough morning at the office and left for the show very tense, but I start winding down immediately upon sitting down in my rocking chair in the dark. Blood pressure low. Fantasy is good. I don't need therapy anymore, you know.
"Out of Sight" is about George I'm handsome and have a killer voice Clooney as a bank robber ex-con who breaks out of prison and gets "hooked" up with FBI agent Jennifer I've got a hot body and a new gun Lopez. Typical formula movie with the sexy stars and simple plot? No, actually this movie works because the characters are likable and charming in a criminal sort of way. Pull for the bad guys syndrome. Even the wacko murderers have a certain redeeming quality that can only be revealed by a skillfully written script and good direction. Director Steven Soderbergh does his part and the screenplay is adapted from a novel by Elmore Leonard. The supporting cast of Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction), Don Cheadle, and Steve Zahn are the right mix of good guy/ bad guy/ murderer/ thief/ bully to make the film click with the mystique of a "Fargo."
The film let the viewer know in what direction the characters were going without being predictable - a little suspense is vital and this picture had a "fresh" quality that is required of a successful story. Uncut diamonds worth $5 million and characters called "Snoopy, White Boy, and Buddy" blend nicely in the mix of beauty and braun. Even the film editing was good with the use of repeated stop action, flashbacks, flash forwards, and dreams.
The scene between Clooney and Lopez in the trunk of a car is memorable. Lopez' character is certainly a 90's woman and my kind of woman, I might add, because she is genuinely pleased when she receives from her father a birthday gift of a new Sig Sauer .380. However, when she needs to do some serious shooting she pulls out her Beretta 92FS. Do Clooney and Lopez get together and live happily ever after? Rock 'n Roll
Grade 88. Larry H.
I figured that I would slip off to the movies on the way home from work Wednesday June 24th about 5:40 pm.. Some people stop off at the bar and others go .... Well, anyway I decided to see "Dirty Work" because I like Norm MacDonald and Chevy Chase and that whole Saturday Night Live thing so what the hay. Wrong twelve-year-old breath. This movie was totally unimaginative and stupid, but the teenagers in attendance howled at every attempt at humor. So if you are under age 20, go see this piece of ..... Please forgive me; I know this is a family email list but "I lost my mind and went to the Bahamas" (Steve Martin 1979).
After suffering for forty minutes of this Work of Dirt, I walked. Its Dirty Work, but that's why I get paid the big bucks. Most of you should not try this. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 69W. Larry H.
June 20, 1998, at Theatre #18 (capacity 391) at Loew's at The Fountains. Could not go to my regularly scheduled Friday afternoon flick because Eric H. was flying in from his 12-day European tour so I checked the paper for convenient showtimes on Saturday and between Loew's and AMC there were only 26 choices for "X-Files". So 12:05 pm was ok and I even got my appointed parking spot near the light pole in the rear.
"The X-Files: Fight the Future" is the big screen version of the popular, cult-status TV series and the brainchild of Chris Carter who produced and co-wrote the screenplay. Carter is the primary force of "X-Files" and deservedly so because his imagination rivals Jules Vern and Michael Chrichton. The X-philes will feel at home because the TV characters and standard plot of the weird and wacky keep the fight for Truth going and will not disappoint its loyal fans. David Duchovny is Special FBI Agent Fox Mulder and Gillian Anderson is his partner Special Agent Dana Scully. Mulder is understated with a wry humor and a stone face that looks just like his panic face. Scully is a MD which helps with plot explanation and serves as the anchor for Mulder who is also known as "Spooky" because the boy has proffered his fair share of conspiracy theories and alien tales. His sister was snatched by aliens when he was a child. And that's the Truth.
The story begins in North Texas 35,000 BC with cavemen and a black ooze substance and some sort of monster/thing that kills or does something. OK, now lets get it on and get to the bottom of this. Agent Mulder and Scully are in Dallas during present time when an office building is blown up (as a cover-up?) and we are off to the races in a fast-paced suspenseful plot that takes us all over the world and involves virus, anti-virus, international alliance conspirators, extra-terrestrial beings, Martin Landau playing Mr. Conspiracy Theory but perhaps he is just a caring OB/GYN who knows too much and "They" want to shut him up, and the US government exerting its secret power through the little known Federal Emergency Management Agency. Its the agency (FEMA) that helps folks after a big disaster such as mass flooding, hurricanes, and black virus ooze.
Let's look at this movie by the numbers:
15,000
2
1,000's
4
0
110probable folks involved worldwide in various conspiracies
movie stars that have a bright future and 2-3 sequels
infected honey bees that threaten the world
tender moments between Scully and Mulder, but do they kiss?
TV episodes of "The X-Files" seen by Larry H.
Heat index outside the theatreThe picture was 120 minutes and I would trim about 15-20 minutes even though the ending is worth the wait. Mulder and Scully are in desperate need of a fashion coordinator; so much so that a young boy did not believe they were FBI agents because they looked "... like door to door salesman". Scully wears high heeled combat shoes and a tailored suit that accents her model-thin waste and Mulder's hair is always out of place and his tie is loose. They are perfect. The film is a big budget version of a TV show. Oh, duh. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 82. Larry H.
I tried real hard not to go see this movie because I thought it would be predictable and puny. Well I was right for the most part except this silly little movie tricked me into caring about the characters and hoping everthing would work out peachy keen in the end. You know the plot: Harrison Ford and Anne Heche crash on a deserted island and woe is them. David Schwimmer plays his typical immature, slow talking, dim-witted character that he has patented on "Friends". Does the older guy yet again get the young blond?
This movie probably is salvageable because the director is Ivan "I'm Crazy, Aren't You?" Reitman. The story is one part "Lagoon," Rock Hudson and Doris Day, "Flight of the Phoenix," and one part "Gidget goes to Hawaii/Kaui," and one part Indiana Jones is older now so this must slow down so I can still be a leading man in an action film.
The crowd at Loew's was around 60 for a Friday June 12th 12:30 pm showing which bodes well for potential box office, but more importantly the crowd was very diverse: old, young, women, men, kids, dates, and goofy lawyers. Speaking of handsome lawyers, and you know who you are, people are now saying that I am aging well and looking more and more like Harrison Ford. Aw shucks, I don't know, maybe its just a name thing. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 80. Larry H.
Wednesday evening AMC theartre #4 - small capacity located in a side corner. Coke (no Mr. Pibb, thank you) hotdog, mustard, catchup, relish, popcorn, butter, and junior mints for dessert. Me and Kramer like junior mints. The show is about to start and the theatre complex has a "power outage". The reason I know other than the house lights were turned on high beam was because a man explained it to us over a PA system not unlike an airline captain. While the lights were turned up, I got the chance to check out the crowd and realized that of the 35-40 humans in attendance that 36 of them were women. There were gangs of women together. One pregnant woman was with three of her nonpregnant girl friends. Uh, oh - Chick Flick alert. In about 8 minutes a female (presumably the flight attendant) voice told us over the PA system that we would be continuing the movie shortly. And we did.
Sandra Bullock plays Birdee Calvert who is going through a painful divorce so she leaves Chicago with her young daughter and returns to Smithville, Texas, where she was Prom Queen (actually Queen of Corn) as well as the local foxy lady many years ago. She and the daughter Bernice (Mae Whiman) move in with Birdee's mother played by Gena Rowlands. Where are the men? Either they had a stroke or ran off with a floozy. Heart break, tears, anger, mother-daughter issues-conflicts, high school syndrome, small town gossip and competition, funny, sad, I need a job please, I just want to be a good mother, your daddy does not love me anymore, I can't get out of bed because I am too depressed but let's not call it depression, there's always hope, yada, yada, yada. In the new dictionaries, the phrase "Chick Flick" has a picture of Sandra Bullock with her arm around Mae Whitman with the notation: "see Hope Floats"
Finally, Harry Connick, Jr., (Justin) comes on the scene to woo Birdee out of her funk and of course Birdee has a hard time realizing what a great deal she has with "aw shucks I'm just a handyman-architect high school guy that you never spoke to" Justin.
All four of these actors were excellent in their roles. The acting saved this movie for me because the "God Bomb Theory" was dangerously close to kicking in. If you are a woman, stop what you are doing and call 2-3 of your buds and insist that they call off Bunko Night and go see this movie. If you are a man you should see this movie if: a) you like to cook and give massages or b) shopping is routine and fun for everyone c) like cats and/or your mother in law or d) do not like Mike or e) aren't really from Mars just say that you are or f) secretly think John Wayne was a Communist. Rock 'n Roll
Grade 75. Larry H.
Monday night June 8, 1998, at Loew's Theatre #18. The boy is in Vienna on tour with The Fort Bend Boys Choir so the wife and I do Mexican food and a movie. I let her sit by me at the movie and it was sort of a mistake. We talked off and on the entire movie. Quietly of course. The movie breeds discussion about the clues of who is after whom and double and triple crosses. The wife is pretty good at these mysteries which frustrates me when she gets stuff figured out before me. She is currently out of town so please do not mention this to her.
The cast is Michael Douglas as the rich New York older guy who is married to a trophy wife young rich girl Gwyneth Paltrow who is in love with ex con artist cleft chin Viggo Mortensen who is a low runner and will kill you or Gwyneth for $500K. The film is an updated version of "Dial M for Murder" which is one of Hitchcock's best. The "latch key" left outside the door for the would-be murderer is pivotal in this version as well.
The main sleuth in the story is none other than actor David Suchet who will be immediately recognized by you Agatha Christie freaks as a former Hercule Poirot without a mustache and a full head of hair. The script is clever and the acting is adequate. So if you like this sort of movie you will be cool; otherwise, wait for video or better yet go rent "Dial M for Murder" and the treat is guranteed. What's up with all the older Hollywood men getting the real young women? Is this going on in Sugar Land, Texas, and I just don't realize it? Tell me. I'll be 48 July 16th. Rock 'n Roll
Grade 86. Larry H.
June 5, 1998, theatre #13 at AMC First Colony. "She had blond hair, blue eyes, and still perky whilst the sky was warm and smokey." Sorry, that's not a movie, that's my wife and today's weather. Today's movie was "The Truman Show" which stars Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank the insurance salesman that was adopted at birth by a corporation and filmed 24 hours a day 365 days a year and broadcast worldwide. Truman's life is the ultimate soap opera except the star does not know he is the star. The film begins on Day 10,909 of Truman's life so the TV audience is quite familiar with Truman's life and personality as manipulated and scripted by "Christof" the creator and director of the Truman Show. Ed Harris as Chistof is the ultimate manipulator and plays the part of the antagonist without offending the viewer of the movie because we are too busy trying to decipher his unholy mix of uncaring and compassion conflicts.
The emotional connection with Truman is almost instant and does not let up throughout the movie. Even though Truman's life is contolled on the world's largest soundstage and filmed by approximately 5,000 cameras, we never forget that he is one of us - meaning he is a human with the need for love and acceptance and is challenged by fear. The show is "not fake, just controlled" is the way its presented so the movie's TV audience will not feel too badly about thier 30-year participation in this deceitful abduction of Truman's life. All of the characters on the "The Truman Show" are "in on it" so the show can continue as long as the ruse will last and the TV audience's voyeurism and soap opera mentaliy is fed. But "how will it end?" and what about Truman the Human?
Following Truman's thought process and the clues that we learn about with him further set us up to connect with him when we realize that he is the "classice" example of the human experience and need for freedom. The basis to the movie is Truman's stiving to be free and his stuggle to find real love. The soundstage fantasyland will not cut it.
Jim Carrey has sealed his place as a superstar actor and not just a baffoon being "Dumb and Dumber". Not that there's anything wrong with that. Carrey will not recieve a nomination for his performance because of the Burt Reynolds syndrome. Too popular. However, Robin Williams was able to break out of the BR syndrome but it took years and Carrey will have to have several more quality hits before "they" will reward him. But Larry H. knows that Carrey turned in a nomination type performance. On the other hand, the screenplay by Andrew Niccol will almost certainly recieve a nomination for originality and freshness. Rod Serling only wishes he had thought of this one. Director Peter Weir and Ed Harris have a shot at acclaim. This is a great movie that will become a classic because we are suckers for the human emotions and Truman is like most folks - " I just want to be me." Rock 'n Roll
Grade 93. Larry H.
May 23, 1998, I have already been to four McDonalds with the wife and boy looking for teenie beanie babies, fired 150 rounds at my local indoor range, dropped by the office to check the mail, went to the main post office to ensure that a letter got in the mail on a Saturday afternoon before Memorial Day, and was headed to AMC when the next thing I knew DPS Trooper Olive is explaining to me that I was going "....58 in a 45...". Gulp. Trooper: "....were you going anywhere that required you to speed?" Larry H. "No, Sir." Trooper: "where are you going?" Larry H. "The show, Sir." Trooper: " Alright, but you have got to slow down and I believe you will, so I am just going to give you a warning, Mr. Harrison.... I don't forget a face." "Yes, sir, good bye, sir." I made it in time for the 2:45 pm start (within the speed limit) and to get popcorn, medium coke, and milk duds. Kinda wish I had junior mints. Oh, no, I think I am suffering from Seinfeldism and could be guilty of "Criminal Indifference."
"Deep Impact" is a must see. A giant comet is heading for earth and could possibly destroy civilization. The US and Russia have sent a space ship to nuke the comet and throw it off course, but the voyage is risky and desparate. Meanwhile, the president announces to the US that a contingent plan has been in place for saving 1 million people by living in caves dug in the limestone of Missouri for the next two years. Which 1 million? A lottery.
The movie is primarily about the human stories and emotions that evolve around the central characters and the split of families and gut wrenching fear and love. Instead of allowing the comet and special effects to dominate the film, the writers held the course and made the viewer search his/her soul and innermost loves and emotions while the human tragedies and feelings of lonliness and helplessness unfolded. Don't get me wrong, the special effects were spectacular yet balanced.
Major fear and love is the basis to this picture. The sign of a great movie. One of the Executive Producers is Steven Spielberg. The writers Bruce Joel Rubin and Michael Tolkin have produced a classic. Mimi Leder, the director, will continue to be a force in Hollywood. Good writing and directing - so what do we need now? Robert Duvall and Morgan Freeman. Oh, sure, I could make a great movie if I had all that. But there's more. Outstanding performances by Tea Leoni, Elijah Wood, Vanessa Redgrave, and Maximilian Schell. This movie was emotionally draining and I would have cried more, but an unauthorized lady was sitting by me. Big crowd. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 93. Larry H.
Bulworth is Beatty. Warren co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in this film about a rather uneventful US Senator that goes haywire and hip-hop in a span of hours. Those hours were in the Spring of '96 when Dole and Clinton were slugging it out with each other and Sen Jay Bulworth quits eating and contemplates suicide the weekend before the California primary. The good democratic senator from California hatches a secret plan that yields a bizarre, twisted assination/suicide scheme to solve his demons. The plan is on again off again ...or is it? Bulworth goes bonkers. And says and does whatever comes to mind or has been suppressed while offending Jews, Blacks, Whites, the rich, and any one else that no longer is needed by a man that knows the end is near. There are some very funny scenes and the writing in the first half of the movie is hilarious. Unfortunately, about the time I was ready for Bulworth to progress into another layer of his psyche and shock us again, his spontaneity became predictable. Comedy is hard to sustain.
Supporting characters played by Halle Berry, Paul Sorvino, and Oliver Platt were wonderful and did not slow down the movie. The writing ultimately ran out of gas. The movie is rated R primarily because of "explicit language". Nudity none. Beatty has created a memorable character and mocked the system in this farcical tale that will remind the viewer of the immense charade that goes on around us and we routinely choose to ignore it because we have our own problems. Bulworth is full of bull, but he utters one of the all time lines: "...never make life and death decisions when you are thinking suicidal..." Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 85. Larry H.
GO, GO, GOdzilla! I felt like I was a kid again going to see a Japanese movie about a big creature that caused people to speak funny and the words not match the movement of their mouths. Sneak preveiw at Loew's The Fountains Wednesday night May 19th. "Size Does Matter" is part of the hype and I must admit that it was the biggest lizard that I have ever seen attack New York City. Did I say attack? That might not be accurate because the army types that were shooting at it/him were dumb as a board and did not seek good lines of communication with the creature. Even though Matthew Broderick, the biologist, aka "the worm guy," tried to explain stuff; folks take off half-cocked whenever an enormously large lizard comes out of the ocean with an attitude.
The basic plot is the same as before, but there are some new twists and surprises. The special effects and computer enhanced images control the flow of the show which is expected in the 90's. But I was disappointed that I did not bond with the creature as much as I wanted. Bonding with a giant lizard can be a wonderful experience if the director allows the true character of the monster to evolve. The involvement of the French "CIA" was a nice addition and the subtle humor of their leader played by Jean Reno was fun. This flick was a combo of "Jaws," "Jurassic Park," and "Fatal Attraction" with a backdrop of an almost constant rain on Manhattan. The command headquarters was in New Jersey. The proverbial news cameraman was named "Animal" and his sidekick was the proverbial dumb blonde. I did not say this movie had a lot of imagination, but if you think you will like to see "Godzilla" then you will probably like it and will not like it unless you show up with an appropriate attitude. I enjoyed the movie because I do not mind "silly". Oh, come on, if you can buy in on a giant lizard the rest is easy. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 86. Larry H.
May 15, 1998, opening day for Robert Redford's "The Horse Whisperer" adapted from a best selling novel about a tragic accident that severely injures horse and rider. The horse is Pilgrim and the rider is twelve year old Grace. Grace's mom is Kristin Scott Thomas (Annie) and her father is " second banana" Sam Neill (Robert). They are a successful editor and lawyer in New York who are devoted to their only child and not to each other. The child and horse need physical and emotional healing.
The scenes depicting the tragedy that sets up the entire film are spectacular. The first thirty minutes of the film are gripping. Out of desperation and parental frustration, Annie takes the bold step to help her daughter and Pilgrim recover by contacting the guru of horses "The Horse Whisperer" who owns a cattle ranch with his brother Frank in Montana. So we're off to Montana to see if Robert Redford can solve all the problems. Redford is 61. His hair is only 30.
This story is about horses and humans. And tears, big skies, tall grass, family, snow- capped mountains, anger, sadness, marriage, disappointment, patience, failures, and ... love....forbidden love. Annie tries to act like she has no plans to fall in love with Redford's Tom Booker, but she is no match for the beautiful scenery and his golden hair. Ok, so Redford has other attributes, but its the hair that still causes women to swoon.
There are many touching and tender moments. Redford the director allows the scene and the visuals to tell the story and minimizes the dialogue. Give him high marks for skill and courage in his directing. Editing and cinematography are noteworthy.
Great lines about/by The Horse Whisperer: "I help horses with people problems." "A horse whisperer sees into the creature's soul." "He has a gift from heaven above."
The beginning and ending of the film are emotionally delightful and gut wrenching. The film is 169 minutes but does not seem to be too long given the complicated characters. I am shouting about "The Horse Whisperer". Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 89. Larry H.
Note: Long live "Yada, Yada, Yada...."
May 1, 1998. Happy Law Day! Earlier this Friday morning, Monique announced that she would be going to see "City of Angels" at Loew's at the first showing 11:50 am. I countered with my proposal that perhaps I would see her because I planned to see "The Big Hit" also at Loew's. On the way to Loew's for the 12:25 pm showing I was listening to some tunes and had cranked up my tape of Rockin Dopsie who we all know is the "Crown Prince of Zydeco." As I pulled in the theatre parking lot, I begin the search for my light pole. When I get closer I realize that my reserved spot is indeed vacant and waiting, but hold on, who has parked on the opposite side of the light pole? Why - its Monique Mangum Harrison. Last month we were married 17 years. Monique was in theatre #16 and I was in the next theatre #14. Her car was gone when I returned to my Jeep.
"The Big Hit" is big fun and big stupid. More guns, grenades, and shots fired than your average goofy gansta movie. Mark Wahlberg plays Melvin the reluctant hit man who is very good at what he does, but he is also distressed that he is over two weeks late in returning a rented video. The fact that he has a girlfriend and a fiancee does not faze him. His fiancee is Christina Applegate ("Married with Children") who is Jewish and her parents are Lanie Kazam and Elliot Gould. The parents are concerned that Melvin is Catholic. Melvin is part of a "gang" of hapless hitmen whose leader is Cisco played by Lou Diamond Phillips. Cisco has a Big Hit planned and as one might expect, things do not go accordingly even though they employed a phone tracer buster- buster-buster. Slapstick murder. That's where we are folks. This movie is a combo of "Pulp Fiction" "Help" "Ghost" "Pritzi's Honor" and "Spice Girls". Rock 'n Roll
Grade 84. Larry H.
April 23, 1998, Theatre #7 AMC First Colony Sugar Land, TX. Approximately 2:00pm. If you liked Tommy Lee Jones' character Sam Gerard in "The Fugitive" then the chances are you will like this picture because Sam and his band of MOD Squadders return to chase a crafty Wesley Snipes who is elusive and just maybe he is as innocent as Dr. Richard Kimble. Snipes is not any trickier than Dr. Kimble but he has better training and guns.
Tommy Lee continues his pursuit of the bad guy without regard for guilt or innocence because we all know he "...does not care". And Tommy Lee is always ahead of everyone in figuring out the next move and barking orders to the young marshalls who hang on his every word. All the good guys carry Glocks and are not scared to shoot. Robert Downey Jr is forced on Gerard's team and appears to be trying to put people in jail which is certainly a character stretch for the boy. TLJ offers his little wisecracks throughout which makes him beloved and revered as the great Gerard that always gets his man. The chase is fun and suspenseful as much as a 1990's action-shoot-em-up film can be. This show saved my day - literally. See "Wild Things" for further explanation. Rock 'n Rock.
Grade 88. Larry H.
It's Thursday around 1:00pm and I have been pestering Margaret the Legal Assistant and she has threatened me with a charge of "Obnoxous Boss" so when I mention that maybe I should go to the show, she says: "go and good riddance". Seems fair to me. I chose to see "Wild Things" because Kevin Bacon is in it and it started at 1:05pm. I'm out of here. No lunch, but I catch a bag of popcorn and a Sprite less 25 cents at AMC because I have a "Movie Watcher" card. Oh, boy.
"Wild Things" are also stars Matt Dillon, Neve Campbell ( "Scream 2") and Denise Richards ("Stormship Troopers"). Dillon plays a school guidance counselor that is entrapped apparently by these two bimbos on a trumped-up charge of rape. I say "apparently" because I walked out after I finished my popcorn. If you are 16 and need to see some skin, then I highly reccommend this film. Otherwise, pass.
So about the time I know I am leaving and popcorn is running low, I think I remember that "U S Marshalls" is starting at 1:50pm also at AMC. So I have some time to kill so I tell the ticket clerk that I did not like "Wild Things" but I do not want my money back, I just want another chance at a good movie. "Hey, Dude, give me that list of movies over there and I'll decide where I'm going." Yep, USM is starting in about 20 minutes. I call Margaret to tell her that I "walked" the movie and she is none too happy about the thought of me coming back to the office. Not to worry. On the way to theatre #7 I stop off at theatre #8 and watch Olivia Newton-John sing "Hopelessly Devoted to You". The review of "U S Marshalls" to follow shortly. Rock 'n Roll
Grade 65 W Larry H.
April 17, 1998 Theatre #16 Loews. I like Loews: got nice bathrooms, tickets sales are inside, theatres are intimate, house lights are brighter than AMC before the feature which aids in finding a seat, Sesame Street characters yelling "...Movie Movie Movie Movie Movie Movie..." gets me all jazzed up and then the Brass section blasts out as we swoop down on the red carpet to "enter" the picture show theatre with the beautiful people and I am amped up for the movie and rocking in my chair. Of course the theatre manager holds my parking spot open for me until about 2:00pm on Fridays.
Nicolas Cage plays Seth the Angel with the sensitivity of Jimmy Stewart and the heart of a Humphrey Bogart warrior. Cage carries this story as the lead by not overdoing his already lofty character. We learn that Guardian Angels like to hang out on the beach at sunrise and sunset, libraries and pistol ranges. Ok, so I'm lying about the pistol range, but the other two are accurate. Larry H. is using the term "Guardian" but the characters do not. There are lots of angels and they save folks as well as come to take them "home." This show is about love, death, and humanity with all of its joy and pain. This is a "Chick Flick" that also works for the people from Mars. The emotion and make-believe believability of a "Field of Dreams" and forbidden love of ....well you get the point. Miss Cute Meg Ryan ("Maggie) is the charmingly flawed heart surgeon that temps Seth to turn in his angel credentials so he can "....smell her hair ..... feel her touch.... or have a kiss ... just once." I'm talking the kind of love you people from Venus only dream about because the people from Mars just can't hack it - but Seth and Maggie ....????
"Things are true whether you believe them or not" is a typical line written by Dana Stevens who wrote the screenplay and she gets away with it because this story is about Heavenly Beings and Love of Biblical proportions. The camera angles and close- ups of faces and eyes is remarkable. The camera shots from above and while "falling" will take your breath away. The biggest revelation during the movie is that all of the angels wear real long overcoats. Gotta get one of those. Kinda like a dress duster. Way cool. Rock 'n Roll
Grade 92. Larry H.
Note: coming attractions "Godzilla" Memorial Day and "Lethal Weapon 4" in July. What a country!
3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain
Eric is still on Easter vacation and "Dad, you said you would take me to 3 Ninjas..." Ok, son, lets go to the 1:15 show, have Mom drop you off at AMC and I'll meet you there." Taking one's son to the show is a parental responsibility and I thought I could pull this off and be back at the office by 3:30pm. We got back to the office in a timely fashion, but the show was painful. The good news is that I went to sleep. Good news for Eric is that he gave it a "100".
The plot was simple: three kids beat and ninja kick many bad guys and keep them from getting the money and blowing up the amusement park - Mega Mountain. You will not believe who the leader of the bad guys was: Loni Anderson. She was looking a little long in the tooth. Also "starring" as a good guy was Hulk Hogan hisownself. Thirty years of steroids has taken a toll on the Hulkster. Oh well, its a gig. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 65 S Larry H.
Saturday 10:25am at Theatre #20 AMC. The theatre in Sugar Land has been opened sinced December 18, 1998, and the chairs and carpet still have that "new theatre" smell. "Mercury Risisng" stars Bruce Willis, the Steve McQueen of the 90's. This is a fun and suspenseful "action" flick that involves the FBI vs. Art Jefferies (Willis) vs. the NSA vs. Art and his new found friend Simon. Simon (Miko Hughes) is a nine year old autistic boy who is wanted by bad government types becuse the little tike broke the unbreakable security code (named "Mercury") that Alec Baldwin and his kill you if you mess with the code or make us look bad to other stupid government types and it does not matter if you are right goons must account for to preserve the identity of undercover agents around the world.
But, alas, these government goons have underestimated the fallen from grace Jefferies. Early in the show we learn that Art got a little POed at his FBI superior and hit the dude right upside the head. Uh oh, Art, you gotta go do stakeout duty until we really need you on a big job. Like protecting young Simon from kidnapping and sure death. The character development and plot building is superb. In the first thirty minutes of the show, I had already been brought to tears and had a couple of waves of goosepimples.
The story is taken from the novel "Simon Says" and must be a good read, because this Hollywood version is a cross between "Rainman" austitic kid, "Bullit" S. McQueen protecting a witness, "Wargames" kid breaks nuclear codes, and "Lethal Weapon" modern cop on the edge and has to shoot a lot and has facial lacerations.
By the Numbers - Tears: 2 Goosepimples: 8 Redeeming Social Value: 0 Art's gun: 9mm Sigma
Rock 'n Roll
Grade: 89 Larry H.
"Warning, Warning!" I do not normally like sci-fi films. And I did not like this one. Went to the 5:00PM flick Wed April 8th at AMC. Took the wife and boy. They loved it. Go figure. Neither sat by me, though. Monique gave it a grade of "at least a 90" and Eric gave it a "101". These people are not trained. Be advised. Sure, the picture sold over $20 million the first weekend - but we all know how goofy some people are.
Larry H. has been sweet on Angela "Penny" Cartwright since regularly watching her on the 1960's TV series. I like the TV show a lot. I thought that weasel Dr. Smith on TV was the classic guy you love to hate; I wanted to routinely choke him. But this teenager girl Lacey Chabert who played "Penny" is no Angela Cartwright. She looked like a street waif. My man Gary Oldman played Dr Smith with his usual skill, but I didn't care. Ditto for Willliam Hurt as Professor Robinson who took his entire overachieving family on this save humanity trek to a never-never land named Alpha Prime. The year 2058 - things were bad on earth. But "oh, no" they got lost in space. The Robinson family put the "fun" in dysfunctional. So the film's Major West, the pilot, fit nicely with the Robinsons because the character was played by Matt "hey 'Friends' cast I gotta go over here and make this film thing about space and I play a hunky hero ok Blanc. You know what happens when those TV types try to make it to big screen. Sorry, Helen.
Bright spots: special effects were wonderful; cinematography beautiful; and the sound was extraordinary. However, the story was dumb as a board, corny, and campy. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 78. Larry H.
The Newton BoysAwaken this morning with sunshine through the window at 6:15am. I don't normally get up at 6:15am, but I love an early morning sun. So I started plotting before even getting out of bed to go to the show on this fine Tuesday because I will be travelling to San Antonio on Friday for a big pistol match and will be unable to attend my assigned Friday afternoon movie. I know God wants me to go to a movie this week so I better get moving. We go to Daylight Savings Time Sunday morning so this week is maximum for early morning sunrises. I enjoy these sunrises a bunch. Loew's Theatre #18 @ 1:15pm. No problem getting my parking spot on Tuesdays. Number of clouds in the sky? None. Low 70's and slight wind. Excellent weather for a movie - my favorite inside sport. Number of folks in attendance? Five.
The Newton Boys are from Uvalde, Texas. They have the mentality of a cowboy from the Hill Country and the accent to back it up. I know that kind of White Trash. Opening scene is 1919 and we go along for a ride with the four Newton Brothers on a bank robbing rampage for the next five years. They rob many banks, but do so without trying to hurt anyone. "Just one thief stealing from another thief....why hell, boys, those banks aint out no money.... they got insurance." The first half of the picture, when character development is vital, was weak and borderline corny; but the second half saves the story and increases the action level and excitement to a tolerable level. I added extra points to this movie's grade because the men's and women's hats were awesome. Those folks in the Roaring Twenties knew how to style it. And the Newtons knew how to steal it.
The Newton Boys were Willis (Mathew McConaughey), Jess (Ethan Hawke), Dock (Vincent D'Onofrio), and Joe (Skeet Ulrich) and the fifth wheel was played by Dwight Yoakam, not a Newton but needed for his safe blowing up abilities. All roles were adequate in this rather unremarkable yet quaint flick. Traces of "Bonnie and Clyde" and "The Sting" cropped up in my mind as the plot progressed and we pulled for the "bad guys" as though they were "good guys".
In a courtroom scene, the prosecuting attorney is played by Daniel T. Kamin who is a lawyer in real life but primarily earns his living as an actor these days and went to law school with a very famous person - Larry H. I don't make this stuff up. I just go to the show and report what I see. The judge is played by former Appellate Judge Ross Sears who lives in Fort Bend County and is a longtime member of my church - Christ United Methodist in First Colony. Now you tell me America is not a great place! Rock 'n Roll
Grade 80. Larry H.
March 27, 1998. Theatre #4 at AMC First Colony. Less than ten people in attendance for the 1:10 pm showing of yet another twist of tales of King Louis XIV of France and none other than the original "One for all and all for one" boys - The Three Musketeers. They could stab you with a sword quicker than rain. Leo I am going to make at least 15 million bucks on my next film DiCaprio was the King and the dual part of Evil Twin or is it the other way around? Larry H. thinks he can get Leo $18 million on his next flick and I only want my usual 10%. Someone please get the word to Leo - I think I can help the boy, and you know me, always trying to help others.
The Three Muskers were ably played by the wonderful actors: Jeremy Irons (Aramis), John Malkovich (Athos), and Gerard Depardieu (Porthos). Their antagonist is D'Artagnan superbly performed by Gabriel Byrne as the head of the King's version of the Secret Service. Randall Wallace wrote, directed and co-produced this picture and will take some heat because we are familiar with the basic story and the middle third is slow, but it will make a ton of money and I am glad I saw it. That iron mask is some really bad duty, though. I do not want any part of an iron mask. Those people could be cruel.
Highlights: Malkovich's anger and intensity, Depardieu's buttocks and legendary nose, Irons' voice of reason but especially his Hall of Fame voice, Byrne's/D'Artagnan honor and sense of duty, DiCaprio's wide ranging and dreamy looks, great costumes, beautiful set designs and music, an Alamo finale with a touch of "Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid" with the love of a father that brought me to tears and emotion so deep that my throat was hurting. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 89. Larry H.
Note: Tell us what the word is, Larry H.
"Grease" is the word!
March 20, 1998, the first day of Spring. Loew's. Parking spot #1. Going to see a political movie with big stars. What a country! "Primary Colors" was surprisingly funny even though it twisted off and became boring in the last third of the film. The story is about a presidential campaign from New Hampshire to the White House loosely fashioned after the Clinto campaign. John Travolta plays Jack Stanton, a governor from a Southern state, that is slightly puggy, eats doughnuts, loves his momma and some other women that are not his wife, and has a very involved highly skilled wife played by Emma Thompson. One of the political gurus is played by Billy Bob Thornton which is one of the bright spots of the picture. Kathy Bates is memorable as "Libby" who is called the "Dust Buster" among other things because she cleans up the Governor's messes.
This picture is not the dramatic inside story of a real campaign that reveals to the viewer what really goes on the way "The Candidate" starring Robert Redford did in the 1970's. The plot and character development was predictable and puny. Maybe I am just an old political hack and needed more than this movie could give. This story would have been better if it was just an all out comedy. But noooooo they had to try to make political statments and present moral issues. Boooorrrrriiiinnnnggg. Acting good. Rock 'n Roll
Grade 82. Larry H.
March 13, 1998, at theatre # 12 at the Fountains/Loew's. Start time: Noon. Got my favorite parking spot butted into the light pole near the back entrance. Crowd was about twelve total. Person that laughed the most and in loud obnoxous outbursts was Larry H. Written, directed, and produced by Joel and Ethan Coen. The Coen boys leave thier unique fingerprints on thier movies as does Tarrintino. Tlhis movie was very Fargoesque. One of the ongoing plots in this film involves a peculiar kindapping....hmmmm.... where have we seen that before?
But "Fargo" did not have Jeff Bridges playing Jeffery Lebowski as a stuck in the 60's, dope-smoking, long haired, nonviolent, charming, unemployed bum who insisted on being called "The Dude" or just plain "Dude". Dude mostly "....drove around, bowled, and had an occassional acid flashback." Until he got involved with the Big Lebowski and some serious shenanigans that were way beyond Dude's everyday routine. Dude's main bud, Walter played by John Goodman, was a stuck-in-Viet Nam vet who had a slight problem with his temper that could get you shot with a semi-automatic at the bowling alley if you disagreed with his scoring interpretation. The third player/bowler, Donny, is the hapless Steve "got no money for dental care" Buscemi. Buscemi must have the goods on the Coen boys.
Bridges performance was typical of a seasoned actor. Very adequate, but nothing fancy. Goodman on the other hand was a mega-presence in every scene that he appeared in as the wound-too-tight Walter with the plan. The script is disjointed yet cohesive in a free association marijuana kinda way. Dude does have the manners to ask "... do you mind if I smoke a J?" Dude drinks a lot, too. Everyone in the film is terribly flawed and loveable which is one of the Coen trademarks.
Trophy wife, severed toe, chewed off ear, heart attack, F word 375 times, kidnapping schemes and counter-schemes, tape decks, Credence Clearwater Revival, upper private parts, dream sequences periodically, bowling league semi-finals, $1 million, Nihilists and Nazis, porno, nymphomaniacs, a stranger (cowboy type - Sam Elliott), and a couple car wrecks and fires. This is a fun movie and accomplishes its goal: entertainment.
Rock 'n Roll. Note: Voting by Larry H's email list for Academy Awards next week.
Grade: 90 Larry H.
March 6, 1998. Back at Theatre #11 at AMC First Colony Sugar Land, TX aka "Home of Tara Lapinski" a close personal friend of Larry H. I am like an older brother to her.
Was having difficulty choosing between "U S Marshalls" starring Tommy Lee Jones and "The Big Lebowski" with Bridges/Goodman. So I decided to see "Twilight". Good move on my part. To refer to "Twilight's" cast as "all star" is an understatement. Paul "Cool Hand Luke" Newman, Susan "Dammit Janet" Sarandon, Gene "Little Bill" Hackman, Stockard "Rizzo" Channing, and James "Maverick" Garner. Yeah but can they act if you put them all in the same movie. Darn tootin. If these old warhorses were playing for the Rockets, we could get in the NBA Finals.
OK, so the acting was a delight - the story was trite and slow. But the mood and the characters of this dramatic mystery were entertaining because Newman's semi-retired private eye charater of "Harry" was a cross between Colombo and Sam Spade with a twist of The Thin Man. Director Robert Benton did the best he could with a weak script. The use of shadows and indirect lighting was fun and probably would have been awesome in black and white, but that's against the rules. Sarandon and Hackman are has/been actors that have been married for about 20 years with a questionable past but have a strange and wonderful love for each other. Silly line said to Channing the Lt. Cop Lady by Harry who is in deep doo but is close to solving the mystery: ".... just give me 24 more hours and I can square this whole thing..." The humor is subtle. Much of the movie and most of the characters are convinced that Harry has met with an unfortunate accident a couple of years ago down in Mexico and got his "pecker" shot off. I will not tell you if Paul's Pecker is in one piece. The film was only 94 minutes which is a plus. Love, murder, mystery, more murders, Hollywood secrets and blackmail, blood, old friends. To insure that the three main characters are appropriately emeshed, Harry the washed- up private dick (no pun intended) lives over the garage at the mansion of the washed-up actors a la Kato. This is the most fun I've ever had at a B movie plot because Good Acting wins games. Rock 'n Roll
Grade 86. Larry H.
Note: Oscars will be awarded March 23rd and you people on the email list will be involved in the First Annual Larry H. semi-scientific poll to determine the real Oscar winners. Stay tuned.
February 13, 1998, back at the Fountains in theatre #1 for "Sphere" starring Dustin Hoffman and directed by Barry Levinson. Aren't these guys competing with themselves since "Wag the Dog" is still in wide release? No, because this film is also a flop. However, it is an interesting Sci Fi action film so the domestic gross will be $90-110 million, then there is always video sales and rental plus international. 133 minutes which began at 11:55 am opening day. 35 in attendance. Larry H. was out of court mid morning, quick stop at the office, grab a dog, coke, and popcorn to insure a well-rounded meal and settle down in my rocking stadium seat.
This is a Michael Crichton book/film that is near impossible to communicate and depict on the big screen, but the big boys figured that if anybody could do it, Barry and Dustin could do it. Wrong underwater breath. Spacecraft, ULFs, and visual effects. Ninety five percent of the show is "underwater". Maybe that's why the story is all wet. Hoffman plays a psychologist who is teamed with Harry the mathematician, Ted the physicist, and Beth the biologist a la Crichton's first movie "Andromeda Strain". Sharon Stone is Beth and I want you people to quit calling her a "Blonde Bimbo" because she gave a solid performance and did not show any of her private parts. Samuel L. "Ted" Jackson is bald and believable. I like SLJ, but he and Dustin and Sharon cannot save this flick Now get out of here, you knucklehead. ULF's are Unknown
Life Forms. Rock 'n Roll
Grade 79. Larry H.
Friday February 6, 1998, 1:45 pm at AMC 24. Theatre #12. Had a date with Mabel Colley Chapman Harrison. Mother of Larry H. She is a hoot, funny and cute. Just two buds out on the town. She's got a bad knee and ticker, but she's got a great spirit, so we thought we would go to the show and have some fun. The woman makes me laugh. You know the rules: Can't sit by Larry H.- but I did let her sit just one seat over.
"Blues Brothers 2000" starring Dan Ayckroyd and John Goodman (Mighty Mack) suffers from "sequel sickness" and should have waited till the year 2000 so Dan and director John Landis could work out the kinks and deliver the goods. The show was dedicated to John Belushi, Cab Callaway, and John Candy. Amen. The show opens with Dan/Elwood Blues getting out of prison 18 years after we last saw him. Elwood gathers up the band and buys a used cop car as his main mode of travel. Gotta be a really fast car so he and his band of bandmorons can outrun the Illinois State Police, FBI, Russian Mafia, and the Local Weekend Militia. Oh, duh. Let's do the scene where a bunch of cars (40) pile up in a giant wreck because Elwood has outsmarted them again.
Mother Superior, kidnapping a minor, and police car chases ad nauseum are but a few highlights. Aretha sings R E S P E C T. Ok, that was cool. I give the movie extra points for giving every Blues singing in America a gig: Wicked Wilson Pickett, B B King, James Brown (out on furlough) Eric Clapton, Lou Rawls, to name a few. I would have "walked" out on the movie, but Mabel seemed to be rockin and rollin, so I hung in there. Later, she said that she liked hearing Aretha sing even though she could not hear it very well and her hands went to sleep, but she liked the movie and " I don't normally like that kind of music..." What a trooper! Mabel's cool.
The God Bomb Theory kicked in for me about half way through the movie and I suffered greatly without John Belushi until the end with a brief respite during the last ten minute extravaganza. Paul Shaffer was credited with the music which was the best part of the movie. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 72. Larry H.
January 30, 1998 1:15 pm Friday afternoon and I am back on schedule. "The Apostle" was written, produced and directed by Robert Duvall. And Bobby is "The Apostle" in the form of a small town/Texas evangelist that gets crossways with his wife, his church, and the law and has to leave his entire existence behind and start over, so he thinks. Sonny Dewey had been an evangelist since age twelve and his stuggling relationship with the Lord was all he ever knew and did. He had a good heart but a flawed brain; he was a sinner. "Lord, I love you, but I am mad at you" is a product of his intense desire to tell the story of Jesus. "Jesus, this is Sonny.....what do you want me to do?....Sonny leaves Texas and changes his name but not his passion for the Lord. "I started churches all over and I can start another one." But this time using the name "E. F." The Apostle in Bayou Boutte (Bootay) Louisiana.
E F The Apostle rebaptizes himself and starts his lifelong quest to build churches and serve the Lord in a style that is unique to Sonny/E F. Duvall has created a story with a preacher that is part saint and part sinner with a sincere desire to do the right thing, but the devil seems to have a grip on him when success comes knocking. Duvall's passion and physical performance is highlighted when actually preaching about Holy Ghost Power to his "bench jumpin" flock. They deeply love the Lord and The Apostle. Duvall's character cries tears of joy and sadness and dances in the aisle, but he is not a charlatan.
During the film I realized that I was watching greatness and that Davall's development of Sonny and The Apostle is classic. Want to know how to act? Study Duvall. When E F was sad, I was sad; when E F was happy, I was happy; and when E F cried, I cried... more than once.
Farrah Fawcett as Sonny's wife turns in a good performance and still looks great even without a lot of glamour makeup and hair. Billy Bob Thornton is the local Louisiana redneck that challenges The Apostle and invokes the help of a bulldozer. The bulldozer scene is emotional and memorable between two actors that understand the power of the moment and the obligation not to goof it up by overacting. As I type this, I wish I could see the scene again now. "The Apostle" was showing in only one theatre in the entire Houston area - River Oaks Landmark on the edge of downtown Houston. The audience totalled about 110 and there were a lot of senior citizens in attendance and nobody went to the bathroom for over two hours; can happen during a great movie. I don't fully understand the marketing of one theatre, but it will be in the burbs soon. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 92. Larry H.
Its Saturday January 25, 1998, and Eric ( age 11, son of Larry H.) made me promise that when I got home from my shooting match that I would take him to see "Spice World" starring The Spice Girls. At least the boy has his priorities straight. So we pick up Andy, age 12, on our way to the 5:30 pm showing at AMC and the crowd is large and the average age is 10-12. We sit down front.
These girls are a hoot. Their real names are not important; their stage "nicknames" are Sporty, Ginger, Scary, Posh, and Baby. Go figure. They are cute, long legged, British, zero fat (ok maybe a little) young 20's, hip and hippy, five different colors of hair and personalities - one for everyone. The plot is about ...... oh never mind. The girls ride around London in their really happening mega bus doing cool stuff, acting silly, dancing, singing, and changing outfits and scenes and moods in a nano second. They have "fun talent" and are sexy and sassy in a "Girl Power" kinda way. The film does NOT involve sadness, blood, alcohol, drugs, cursing, nudity, men as love interest, smoking (only 2 cigarettes), meaness, death, or a meaningful storyline. And Eric, Andy and I enjoyed it.
During the movie I kept having flashbacks and thought at any moment the girls would break out and sing "Hey, Hey, We're the Monkeys" or "Its Been a Hard Day's Night". Fluff still sells.
Any movie that also stars George "Norm" Wendt and Richard "Rocky Horror Picture Show" O'brien can not be all bad. Rock 'n Roll
Grade 86. Larry H.
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