Monthly Archives: May 1997

Trial and Error - * *

Posted on May 30, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Director Jonathan Lynn (of My Cousin Vinny) tackles another fish-out-of-water courtroom comedy, but this time with less success. Jeff Daniels stars as Charles, an upwardly mobile L.A. lawyer who is set to marry the daughter (Alexandra Wentworth) of the head … Continue reading →

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Gone Fishin’ - 1/2*

Posted on May 30, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Gone Fishin’ is an unfunny, meandering film attempting to be a comedy. Gus (Danny Glover) and Joe (Joe Pesci) have been best friends and fishing buddies ever since they were kids. For as long, their fishing trips have always been … Continue reading →

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Ponette - * * 1/2*

Posted on May 23, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Child actors are problematic. They usually come in two flavors: those who don’t really know what they’re doing, and therefore act natural. They’re convincing, but not always appropriate. The other flavor of child actor is the overactor: hyperaware that they’re … Continue reading →

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Brassed Off - * * *

Posted on May 23, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Brassed off is a drama about how politics can affect a small town that works well on an interpersonal scale. However, when it goes for the grand political statement, the notes seem a bit flat. The small town of Grimley … Continue reading →

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The Lost World: Jurassic Park - * * *

Posted on May 23, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

After an absence of nearly four years, Steven Spielberg has returned to the director’s chair, and has chosen to tackle a large, but simple, project. Large in the sense that his original Jurassic Park is still the top grossing film … Continue reading →

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Addicted to Love - * *

Posted on May 23, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Romantic comedies are an odd lot. You walk in knowing full well how the film is going to end, so there’s never any real suspense (though the films always pretend there is). For example, in Addicted to Love, Sam (Matthew … Continue reading →

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Night Falls on Manhattan - * * * 1/2*

Posted on May 16, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Night Falls on Manhattan is a thoughtful ethics drama that paints a gritty, realistic picture of corruption, law and politics. Andy Garcia stars as Sean Casey, an idealistic new assistant district attorney in New York. He gets his big break … Continue reading →

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The Fifth Element - * * *

Posted on May 9, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

The best science fiction films manage to create a unique world, populated with rich characters and coherent to its own logic. The Fifth Element only meets these goals partway. It creates a visually intriguing setting, but adds rudimentary characters and … Continue reading →

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Father’s Day - * * 1/2*

Posted on May 9, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Father’s Day is a mildly humorous comedy that, though enjoyable, doesn’t quite live up to the talents of its cast. Jack (Billy Crystal) is a high powered lawyer who shares one thing in common with Dale (Robin Williams), a struggling … Continue reading →

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Truth or Consequences, NM - *

Posted on May 2, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Truth or Consequences, NM, is the latest rather brainless pseudo-hip crime drama. This one marks the directoral debut of Kiefer Sutherland. He also portrays the loose cannon, Curtis Freley. Curtis and several cronies begin the film with a drug heist … Continue reading →

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