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Worth catching on video


Jackie Brown. Crime dra ma US 1998
Tarantino's overlong study of a corrupt airline hostess, a bail bondsman and a gun dealer. Excellent turns from Pam Grier, Robert Forster and the always watchable Samuel L Jackson. Another helping of Elmore Leonard which slots neatly into the Get Short and Out of Sight league as well-made crime thrillers with enough twists and turns to keep the viewer interested. Alas, it takes ages to get going and that closing shot goes on forever, but aside from that, the soundtrack and direction are fine. Look out for The Fifth Element's irritating Chris Tucker as the victim in the boot of Jackson's car. This was just before he went off to make the smash hit Rush Hour.****

Sphere. Moist sci-fi thriller US 1998
Damp Michael Crichton thriller with Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone and the always watchable Samuel L Jackson.Imagine The Abyss and Alien crossed with 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and you get the picture. Director Levisnon was also making Wag The Dog at the time and it seems his mind was on other things. Worth a look for Hoffman, Stone and Jackson but it's a shame this damp and expensive squib had to be the vehicle that united three of the finest thesps in Hollywood.****


  • Event Horizon (more info) (Dir: Paul Anderson, 1997, UK)
    In a nutshell: The Shining in Space. Elements of Hellraiser too as Sam Neill and Larry Fishburne find a haunted spaceship and then fight for their lives. Good effects, greats sets and opening titles with assured direction from Mortal Kombat's Anderson. A pity about the over-the-top CGI effects though.****

  • Grosse Pointe Blank (more info) (Dir: George Armitage, 1997, US)
    In a nutshell: High school reunion. Fine if you're a businessman. Tricky if you're an assassin. John Cusack's best role to date; sister Joan is superb and Minnie Driver almost steals the film as a sexy DJ. Featuring the now immortal line: "Yah caahnt come in". Great soundtrack too and proof that Dan Aykroyd can make a decent movie if he wants too.*****

    Starship Troopers (Dir: Paul Verhoeven, 1997, US)
    In a nutshell: Zulu meets Robocop with Aliens, Full Metal Jacket and Star Wars thrown in for good measure. Hilariously bad with some super effects (some, not all), a sexy double act for the lads in the form of Dina Meyer and Denise Ricjards while the girls can lust over the plank-like Caspier Van Dien. Oh, and Doogie Howeser MD also pops up as a Nazi. Best line: Oh my god, they sucked his brains out (or something).***

    Denise Richards on a bug hunt
    Wild Things (Dir: John McNaughton, 1997, US)
    In a nutshell: Twisty turner double cross thriller with Matt Dillon, the gorgeous Neve Campbell and the even more gorgeous Denise Richards. The ubiquitous Kevin Bacon also pops up too. The lads will wear out the tape when Richards, Dillon and Campbell get it together, but as with Bound, this is a great hook for a fine thriller. Maybe one too many twists and turns but great entertainment and a subtle performance from the great Bill Murray.***

    Neve Campbell gets wild...

    with Denise

    The Jackal (Dir: Michael Caton Jones, 1997, US)
    In a nutshell: Super assassin Bruce Willis attempts to kill the head of the CIA (Sidney Poitier). Oirish Richard Gere tries to stop him. Formulaic but engaging. Rent the original, Day of the Jackal, if you want to see how this should be done. ***

    Boogie Nights (Dir: Paul Thomas Anderson, 1998, US)
    In a nutshell: The decline of porno movies in America. Over-long, and I don't mean what Mark Wahlberg keeps down his shorts although that is the funniest bit of the movie. Other best bit is Alfred Molina. Great supporting cast including Heather Graham and Julianne Moore. Best seen on video where you can take many pauses.***

    The Butcher Boy (Dir: Neil Jordan, 1998, US/IR)
    In a nutshell: Memorable adaptation of the Patrick McCabe novel set during the time of the 1960 Cuban missile crisis. Eamonn Owens is outstanding as Francie Brady, the disturbed young Irish lad who drifts off into his own dream world at the drop of a hat. Good turns too from Jordan regular Stephen Rea, Fiona Shaw and even Sinead O'Connor as the Virgin Mary. 108 mins***

    turkey of the year
    The Avengers (Dir: Jeremiah Chechik, 1998, UK)
    It was a long time coming - 30 years in case you're counting - and was it worth it? No, not really. Jeremiah Chechik 's big screen version of the hit Sixties series fails on so many levels it's hard to know where to begin. Ralph Fiennes was seemingly perfect as suave spy John Steed but on the big screen he looks decidedly uncomfortable. Uma Thurman is pretty and well cast as Emma Peel but the necessary spark between her and Steed or Sir August DeWynter (Sean Connery) is sorely absent. Ironically, only Eddie Izzard and Shaun Ryder come off best as well cast villains. Jim Broadbent (Mother) and Fiona Shaw (Father) did their careers no good by appearing in a hash of a movie. Easily one of the worst motion pictures of the year and best avoided at all costs. If you liked this try these: The Avengers TV series; Austin Powers *

    Gratuitous Wild Things shot

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    roger crow 1998

    Disclaimer: All of the above is just my opinion. This does not reflect that of my employer or anyone else. So don't sue me. Cheers.


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