Films screening this fortnight are listed below with certificate. credits. brief review and venue details. Film index compiled by Alan Morrison.
Absolute Power ( I 5) (Clint Iiastwood. US. I997) Clint Eastwood. Gene Hackman. lid Harris. [2| mitts. During a tight and gripping opening twenty minutes of edge- of-the-seat cinema. art thief Luther Whitney (Eastwood) witnesses a compromising bonk-fest while burglarising a mansion one night. then finds himself implicated in a scandal that goes to the top of society. 'l‘hose spellbinding initial moments. along with performances from Scott (ilenn and Judi Davis. really are the finest parts of the movie. The rest is something of a let down. Kirkcaldy: Adam Smith.
Addicted To Love ( l5) ((iriffin Dunne. US. I997) Meg Ryan. Matthew Broderick. 'chieky Karyo. l()() mins. Hard-hearted Ryan teams tip with romantic Broderick to spy on and sabotage the new partnership of their respective cx-Iovers. btit discover that love might just be kindling between themselves. Ryan tinkers with her sweet image btit it never really rings true. The cinematic equivalent of a frozen ready-meal — not turkey. btit close ~ this is bland. predictable and convenient. btit just about digestible. (ilasgow: ()deon Quay. Showcase.
Albino Alligator ( IS) (Kevin Spacey. US/l-‘rancc. I996) Matt Dillon. I-‘aye Dunaway. (iary Sinese. 97 mins. Spacey's directorial debut sees Dova (Dillon) as a complex and compromised gang leader who seeks refuge after a bungled raid in a basement bar otin to be hemmed in by the cops and conflicts with fellow bad guys. While there are some fine performances to be had. including Dunaway as the world- \seary bartender. the whole seems to lack direction. falling down on its awkward family values message. (ilasgow: ()deon Quay. lidinburgh: I-‘ilmhotisc.
The American Friend (I’(i) (Wim \Vcnders. West (iermany/I5rancc. I977) Dennis Hopper. Bruno (iaiiz. (ierard Blain. I.isa Kreu/cr. l3? mins. Based on the Patricia Highsmith novel Ripleva (innit: this excellent. existentialistfilm noir centres on an alienated Hopper at large in (icrmany. where his task is to locate atid motivate a killer without a track record. He finds his hired man in the innocent (ianz. btit loses his sense of identity in the process. Stirring stuff. vs itli all that eloquent desolation that typifies \\'enders‘ vsork. Iidiiiburgh: I‘iIiiihouse.
Apocalypse Now! ( IS) (I'i‘ancis' Coppola. US. I980) Martin Sheen. Marlon Brando. Robert Duvall. Dennis Hopper. 153 mins Vietnam as 'Ihe l'ltimate 'I'rip. We follow US Army assassin Sheen dow nrivci' and deeper into the llmrl of Darkness ruled over by Brando’s mad Colonel Kurtz. Alternatcly pretentious and visually overpowering (the Milk) ries helicopter attack. for example). its graiidiloquciit folly somehow pierces right to the bone of the conflict. Iidiiibtirgh; (.illllL't).
Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery ( I 5) (Jay Roach. US. I997) Mike Myers. Elizabeth Hurley. Michael York. 94 mins. Austin Powers. the Sixties' silliest superspy. is brought otit of suspended animation and pitted him against his old nemesis. Btit the world has moved on three decades. so his tin-PC catchphrases and behaviour create a bit of a comic time-clash. Written by and starring lliiym' iv World's Mike Myers. Austin Powers has perfect detail. spot-on casting and a hilarious mix of clever pastiche and toilet gags. See review. (ieneral release.
Babe (U) (Chris Noonan. Australia. I995) James Cromwell. with the voices of Christine (‘avanatigh Miriam Margolyes. Hugo Weavitig. 92 mins. An orphaned pig falls under the eye of a kindly collie and 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 — and a great one ~ btit there‘s enough skewered humour (hail the psycho mice?) for adults to discover an unexpected cult hit. .\ triumph for the underpig. (ilasgovv; (iI~'l'.
Batman 8t Robin (PU) (Joel Schumachcr. L'S. I997) (ieorgc (‘looiiey. Arnold
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MATT DILLON
FROM THE STAR OF
. ' KEVIN SPACEY'S "The impact of '
RESERVOIR DOGS”
Premiere
"EXHILARATING"
los Angeles Times
"DAZZIJNG"
New York Post
FAYE DUNAWAY SEVEN AND THE USUAL SUSPECTS
mins. Moving even further way from the (iothic melancholy of Tim Burton's first two films. the fourth Barnum movie brings in Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman) and disaffected scientist Dr Freeze (Schwarzenegger). 'I'hurman's scene-stealing performance saves the film from total failure. while (Tlooney does exactly what's required. but no more. Noisy. empty and without a hint of wit or intelligence. Glasgow: ()deon Quay. [East Kilbride: UCI.
Battle of Algiers ( l8) ((iilo Pontecorvo. Algeria/Italy. I965) Brahim Haggiag. Jean Martin. I35 mins. A documentary-ster reconstruction of Algeria's struggle for liberation. Brilliantly realistic. quite brutally so in the controversial torture sequences. this is a textbook example of political cinema at its most persuasive. (ilasgow: GI’I‘.
The Battle Of Stirling Bridge ( L‘) As part of the celebrations marking the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Scottish composers Alasdair Nicolson and Martyn Bennett composed two new pieces of music for two short animated films made by Arts In Motion and Siriol Scotland. iii Conjunction with local Stirlingshire schools. The world premieres of both films and music takes place on Wed |() Sep at 7pm. Stirling: MacRobert.
FAN“ ,\
index FILM
Bean (PG) (Mel Smith. UK. 1997) Rowan Atkinson. Peter MacNicol. Pamela Reed. 97 mins. Bean the movie makes an attempt to broaden the range ofAtkinson's tremendously successful TV sight-gag character by sending him off to California to be mistaken for an an expert. Most gags are agreeably daft; several are tiresomer Iavatorial; eventually. however. the film upholds family values and true blue American schmaltz. You'll like it if you like the TV show. Real grown-ups should stay away. General release.
Big Night (I5) (Stanley Tucci/Campbell Scott. US. I995) Stanley Tucci. Tony Shalhotib. Ian Holm. 110 mins. Brothers Primo and Secondo Pilaggi run a New Jersey Italian restaurant that's all but bankrupt because of Primo's punctilious attitude to cuisine. so Secondo is persuaded to set tip a ‘big night' for famous singer Louis Prima. 'Ihe 50s setting is nicely but simply detailed. the characterisations strongly observed and the dialogue gently humorous. A warm and inviting independent movie that doesn't slip into easy resolutions. lidinburgb: Cameo.
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