Monthly Archives: September 1998

Clay Pigeons - * * 1/2*

Posted on September 25, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Clay Pigeons is the sort of wacky dark comedy that tries to be irreverent right off the bat. But, unfortunately, it’s about halfway through before it settles into a good comedic groove. Luckily, if you stick it out, there’s something … Continue reading →

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Urban Legend - 1/2*

Posted on September 25, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Did you ever notice how a copy of a copy is never quite as sharp as the original? How about the copy of a copy of a copy, and so on? That’s what we get in Urban Legend, the latest … Continue reading →

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Ronin - * * 1/2*

Posted on September 25, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Ronin takes the concept of the generic spy thriller to new heights. In the post-Cold War atmosphere, it doesn’t matter who the bad guys are (as long as they’re sufficiently bad), nor who the good guys are (as long as … Continue reading →

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Rush Hour - * * *

Posted on September 18, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Brett Ratner, the director behind Chris Tucker’s surprisingly funny buddy comedy Money Talks, tackles yet another Chris Tucker buddy comedy with Rush Hour. Can lightning strike twice? Yes, particularly when Jackie Chan gets involved. James Carter (Chris Tucker) is a … Continue reading →

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One True Thing - * * 1/2*

Posted on September 18, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Director Carl Franklin tackles this small-scale tearjerker, based on Anna Quindlen’s novel One True Thing. Although good, and appropriately sad, it never reaches its full potential. Ellen Gulden (Renee Zellweger) never had a good relationship with her mother, Kate (Meryl … Continue reading →

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Permanent Midnight - * 1/2*

Posted on September 16, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

David Veloz directs his adaptation of Jerry Stahl’s autobiographical portrait of a Hollywood writer succumbing to the downward spiral of drug addiction. Despite some adequate performances, the film merely treads water with nowhere to go, and nothing to say. Ben … Continue reading →

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Without Limits - * * 1/2*

Posted on September 11, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Without Limits is the second biopic of Olympic track athlete Steve Prefontaine (following last year’s Prefontaine). Both films hit all the same bases, and have about the same effect: a modest appreciation, but little understanding of the man. Steve Prefontaine … Continue reading →

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Cube - * 1/2*

Posted on September 11, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Vincenzo Natali directs this science fiction thriller with an intriguing premise. Unfortunately, there’s little to Cube besides that premise and some creative filmmaking techniques. The plot of Cube seems to have fallen right out of the Twilight Zone. Six complete … Continue reading →

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Rounders - * * *

Posted on September 11, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Rounders introduces us to the world of high-stakes poker. With an electric cast, and some apt direction, it transforms a run-of-the-mill storyline into a fascinating movie. Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) is a master poker player. He claims that poker is … Continue reading →

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Knock Off - 1/2*

Posted on September 4, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Jean Claude Van Damme’s recent string of films haven’t been too inspiring, and Knock Off doesn’t do anything to change the trend. Van Damme stars this time as Marcus Ray, of all things, a designer jeans rep. Yes, you read … Continue reading →

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