INDEX FILM
FILM mas:-
Films screening this fortnight are listed below with certificate, credits, brief review and venue details. Film index compiled by Alan Morrison.
I Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (12) (Tom Shadyac. US. 1994) Jim Carrey. Sean Young. Courtney Cox. 86 mins. When Snowfiake. mascot of the Miami Dolphins. goes missing. there's only one man for the job — Ace Ventura. a cross between Phillip Marlowe and Dr Doolittle. Another American TV comedian to successfully make the transfer to the big screen. Carrey's wacky persona doesn't outstay its welcome in this funny and bizarre movie. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I The Adventures 01 Priscilla, Queen 01 The Desert (l8) (Stephan Elliott. Australia. 1994) Terence Stamp. Hugo Weaving. Guy Pearce. 104 mins. Two transvestites and a trans-sexual team up for a trip across the Australian outback for a drag show in Alice Springs. Serious issues pop up from time to time. but the emphasis is on the camp humour of the in-bus bitchiness and outrageous musical set-pieces. Glasgow: Odeon. Edinburgh: Odeon. UCl. Strathclyde: UCl Clydebank.
I Baby's Day Out (PG) (Patrick Read Johnson. US. 1994) Joe Mantegna. Lara Flynn Boyle. Brian Haley. 98 mins. Talk about regression! After Home Alone and Dennis. writer John Hughes now has a drooling toddler on the loose in the big city after he escapes from his kidnappers. led by man-with-no-shame Mantegna. Sacchan'ne sweet storytelling which diabetics would be well advised to steer clear of. Glasgow: MGM Parkhead. Strathclyde: UCls. I Bad Boy Bubby (18) (Rolf de Heer. Australia/ltaly. 1993) Nicholas Hope. Claire Benito. Ralph Cotterill. 114 mins. Bubby‘s lead something of a sheltered life. trapped by his mom and used for sex in a bunker. When he emerges at the age of 35. he‘s got a rather limited view of the outside world and its inhabitants. An exceedingly warped and unforgetable cinematic experience. See review. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I The Deguiled (15) (Don Siegel. US. 1971) Clint Eastwood. Geraldine Page. Elizabeth Hartman. 109 mins. An odd. early change of image for Clint. while still drawing on his Western persona. Here. he's a wounded Yankee soldier who takes refuge in a woman's seminary. The great Don Siegel builds an atmosphere of sexual tension that builds towards an explosive climax. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I Being Human (PG) (Bill Forsyth. US. I994) Robin Williams. John Turturro. Vincent D'Onofrio. 122 mins. After a troubled history and substantial cuts forced upon it. Forsyth's ambitious feature still disappoints. lts five stories. spread across the decades and continents. follow different men called Hector (all played by Williams) who are separated from their families. But none of the segments satisfies In itself. and cumulatively they build to nothing. A pointless exercise. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I Belle Epoque (15) (Fernando Trueba. Spain. 1992) Jorge Sanz. Fernando Fernan Gomez. Ariadne Gil. Penelope Cruz. 109 mins. During the Civil War. a young deserter finds himself under the wing of an elderly libertine. enjoying the pleasures of his four daughters — a lesbian. a widow. a bride-to-be and a virgin. Sparkling. feel-good. period comedy that revels in the joys of life and love. Glasgow: Grosvenor.
I Drainscan (18) (John Flynn. US. 1994) Edward Furlong. Frank Langella. T. Ryder Smith. Sixteen-year-old Michael (Furlong) sends off for the latest state-of—the-art terror toy. an interactive CD-ROM game that lets him ‘enjoy' first-hand a brutal murder with himself as the killer. But. back in the real world. the event has really happened. A hi-tech nightmare in which interesting ethical arguments are casually tossed around; but despite the great initial idea the on- screen realisation is poor and the ending yet another cop-out. Strathclyde: UCl East Kilbride. I Broken loses (15) (Bruce Weber. US. 1987) Andy Minsker. The Mount Scott Boxing Club. 77 mins. Fashion ph0tographer Bruce Weber‘s engaging debut is an impressionistic documentary focusing on failed pugilist Minsker. his fantin background in the fight game. and his current occupation in training a group of boy boxers at a local club. There‘s some telling observation on the futility of such a masculine culture in this deceptively casual- looking affair. but for many the appeal lies in the beautifully shot young men going through their paces to the accompaniment of a cool jazz
soundtrack. Edinburgh: Cameo.
I The Drowning Version (15) (Mike Figgis. US/UK. 1994) Albert Finney. Greta Scacchi. Matthew Modine. 97 mins. An unpopular classics teacher is given a surprise gift by a pupil on the day of his retirement. unleashing a torrent of emotions. Finney. as the repressed man. coming to terms with his failings and his wife's infidelity. is marvellous. But there‘s just enough sense of deja vu — English repression. nice manners. pretty countryside. - to make you think you've been here several times before. See preview. Edinburgh: MGM. UCl.
I The Cabinet 01 Doctor Caligari (PG) (Robert Wiene. Gemtany. 1919) Werner Krauss. Conrad Veidt. Lil Dagover. 90mins. A landmark of expressionist cinema. feasting the eyes with bizarre. angular visuals despite its technical crudity. The acting and directing are superb. and the story of a fairground hypnotist who uses a Sleepwalker to carry out murders still retains a unique sense of horror. Edinburgh: Filmhouse. I Casablanca (PG) (Michael Curtiz. US. 1942) Humphrey Bogart. Ingrid Bergman. Dooley Wilson. 102 mins. You must remember this . . . Bogart being impossibly noble. Bergman torn between two lovers. Claude Rains playing both ends against the middle. devious Nazis. a fogbound airport. a piano-player tinkling that tune . . . A wonderful hill of beans. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I Cinema Paradiso: The Special Edition (l5) (Giuseppe Tomatore. Italy/France. 1988) Salvatore Cascio. Philippe Noiret. Jacques Perrin. 170 mins. The nostalgic chronicle of a Sicilian youngster"s formative relationship with his local movie house and its wise old projectionist is largely unaltered: the new material details the older Salvatore's traumatic return home. showing exactly what happened to his teenage paramour. Consequently. the tone is darkened. a counterpoint to the central slushiness. A masterpiece restored. Glasgow: GET.
I City Slickers II (12) (Paul Weiland. US. 1994) Billy Crystal. Jack Palance. Daniel Stern. 115 mins. Subtitled The Legend Of (‘arlv'r Gold. this sequel is less concerned with American mid-life crises and is more enjoyable as family entertainment dressed up as a traditional Western romp. This time the city boys team up with the deceased Curly's twin brother (Palance again) and set off in search of buried treasure. Cue that typical Crystal blend of genuinely funny one- liners and yucky. sentimental. character- strengthening resolutions. Strathclyde: Magnum. I Clear And Present Danger ( l 2) (Philip Noyce. US. 1994) Harrison Ford. Willem Dafoe. James Earl Jones. 141 mins. In the third and least exciting instalment in the series. Jack Ryan (Ford) is promoted to Deputy Director of the CIA and has to deal with high office treachery and South American drtrg lords. An elephantine but not especially interesting narrative that might work better on the bestseller page. this is a new milestone in big budget tedium. General release. I The Client (15) (Joel Schumacher. US. 1994) Susan Sarandon. Tommy Lee Jones. Brad Renfro. 121 mins. Roundly superior to both The Firm and The Pelican Brieflwhich isn't saying much). this John Grisharn adaptation has the benefit of credible performances by its leads. A young boy becomes the pawn in a legal battle when he finds himself on the run from both the Mob and the FBI. No masterpiece. but as a popcorn movie. there's more to savour than other airport novel fillers. See review. General release.
I Cool Runnings (PG) (John Turteltaub. US. 1993) Doug E. Doug. Leon. John Candy. 99 mins. Speculative comedy based on the first-ever Jamaican bobsled team at the last Winter Olympics is harrnlessly amiable. btrt 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. Glasgow: Odeon. Strathclyde: ()deon Ayr.
I The Crow (18) (Alex Proyas. US. 1994) Brandon Lee. Ernie Hudson. Richelle Davis. 101 mins. Infamous as the film on which martial arts star Bruce 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 - but stylistically. it's a gem. Edinburgh: Cameo. Fife: Adam Smith. New Picture House. Strathlcyde: Odeon Ayr.
I Darkness In Tallinn ( I 5) (llkka Jarvilaturi. Est/Fin/US/Swe. 1993) lvo Ukkivi. Milena Gulbe. Juri Jarvet. 95 mins. Shot in visually captivating high-contrast black-and-white. this cracking heist movie chronicles the problems that beset a gang of crooks trying to capture Estonia‘s national gold reserve. The first film from the newly independent Baltic state. this is
surprisingly cool and caring. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I Dazed And Confused (18) (Richard Linklater. US. 1994) Wiley Wiggins. Jason London. Rory Cochrane. 95 mins. The last day of the 1976 term for a bunch of US schoolkids. and. for some. it's time to face the initiation humiliations as they move from junior to senior high. Linklater abandons the baton passing narritive style of his seminal work. Slacker. and shows masterful skill as he weaves together a multitude of plot strands a la American Graffiti. C oo-ul. Edinburgh: Odeon.
I Distant Trumpet (PG) (Raoul Walsh. US. 1964) Troy Donahue. Suzanne Pleshette. James Gregory. 116 mins. A watchable Western. the last in the career of director Walsh. who had previously brought us High Sierra and White Meat. The cavalry/Indians quota is about average. Edinburgh: St Bride's.
I 8 Seconds (PG) (John G. Avildsen. US. 1994) Luke Pen‘y. Stephen Baldwin. Red Mitchell. 105 mins. Based on a true story. this straightforward
biopic tells of the rodeo ambitions of Lane Frost.
his marriage and his pushy Dad. Director Avildsen. who brought us the original Rocky. presents a far too one-dimensional figure set in a world that few UK audiences will find lrerioc. See review. Glasgow: MGM Film Centre. Edinburgh: UCl.
I The Exorcist ( l 8) (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 scarey. dead priest. Glasgow: Odeon. Edinburgh: Odeon.
I Farewell My Concubine (15) (Chen Kaige. China. 1993) Gong Li. Leslie Cheung. Zhang Fengyi. 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 ()pera 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 film the flavour of a genuine epic. Glasgow: Grosvenor.
I Fear Of A Black Hat ( 18) (Rusty Cundieff. US.
1992) Mark Christopher Lawrence. Larry B. Scott. Rusty Cundieff. 88 mins. A late addition to this issue's releases. this is another all-too- predictable rap spoof. where the inspiration can be read in the names of the band members — lce Cold. Tone Def. etc. The particular target would seem to be NWA. as the bank in this mock-doc are Niggaz With Hats. rather than Attitude. Edinburgh: ()deon.
I The Flintstones (U) (Brian Levant. US. l994) John Goodman. Rick Moranis. Elizabeth Perkins. Rosie O'Donnell. 92 mins. Fred is promoted to an executive post at the quarry. but only as a stooge for his boss‘s corporate rip-off; nevertheless. money and power go to the Flintstones‘ heads. causing friction with the Rubbles. The movie keeps to the TV series' prehistoric parody of modem 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 dodoit could have been. Fife: Glenrothes. Strathclyde: UCl East Kilbride.
I Forrest Cump (12) (Robert Zemeckis. US. 1994) Tom Hanks. Robin Wright. Gary Sinise. 142 mins. Even those with the lowest le can rise to the top in the land of the free. as this picaresque tale sets out to prove. But despite its incurably sweet hero and its fairly standard love story core. Forrest Camp has a surprisingly dark-tinted view on recent American history — complete with racism. drug and child abuse. war
Catch the best Film this fortnight.
FIRST Bill
III Pulp Fiction Hitmen. boxers. double-crossers and other down-at- heel types in Quentin Tarantino’s interlocking tales. Funny, violent, ambitious and so hip it hurts. Glasgow: Odeon, MGM Par/dread. Edinburgh: Cameo. UCI. Strathclyde: Odeon Ayr. UCls.
III Mina Tannenbaum Brilliantly observed and performed portrait of friendship and growing up in Paris. Edinburgh: Cameo.
I Bad Boy Bubby Exceedingly warped Australian cinema as Bubby emerges from his bunker prison for the first time in his 35-year life. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I Speed The fastest. most finely tuned white-knuckle ride of the year. with cop Keanu Reeves up against mad bomber Dennis Hopper. General release.
REPERTORY
I The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari German Expressionism never looked better than in Robert Weine’s eerie tale of silent sonambulism. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I If . . . The late Lindsay Anderson’s anarchic vision of the British public school still has a shock impact some 26 years after its first release.
Edinburgh: Cameo.
and political assassination. There are some bitter tasting choices hidden among the soft centres. General release.
I Four Weddings And A Funeral ( l5) (Mike Newcll. UK. 1993) Hugh Grant. Andie MacDowell. Kristin Scott Thomas. 117 mins. Sweet but stuffy Englishman Charlie (Grant) is convinced that he is not the marrying sort. but when he keeps meeting the alluring American Carrie (MacDowell) at an assortment of church ceremonies. he begins to doubt his resolve. The sort of channing British comedy that was destined to stonn America. but which adds a little grit to the glamour of the pretty settings thanks to Richard (Blackadder) Curtis‘s script.
CAAT 041 339 3923
Campaign Against Arms Trade
lndro Cahyono. an Indonesian Human Rights Activist and CAAT are speaking at
Rentield St Stephen's Church Centre 260 Bath Street, nr King's Theatre, Glasgow Thursday 3rd November 7.30pm
Indonesia, one of the most repressive countries in the world, invaded its tiny neighbour East Timor in 1975 killing an estimated third of the population.
The war continues to this day.
Britain is Indonesia's major arms supplier.
The List 21 October-3 November 1994 21