Monthly Archives: December 1999

The Hurricane - * * *

Posted on December 29, 1999 by Madeleine Williams

Wrongful impisonment movies are a dime a dozen. In fact, in most prison movies, the protagonist is innocent of all wrongdoing. At first, The Hurricane follows meekly along with the trend. However, a spectacular lead performance, and an invigorating second … Continue reading →

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The Talented Mr. Ripley - * * * 1/2*

Posted on December 25, 1999 by Madeleine Williams

It has been three years since director Anthony Minghella’s Best Picture winner, The English Patient, hit the screens. He has taken his time to carefully make his next picture, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Serendipity has struck for Minghella, as three … Continue reading →

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Galaxy Quest - * * *

Posted on December 25, 1999 by Madeleine Williams

Robert Gordon scripted this action comedy in which the cast of a popular science fiction TV show (including Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, and Tony Shalhoub) must save a planet, after being abducted by aliens who think the cast … Continue reading →

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Snow Falling on Cedars - * * * 1/2*

Posted on December 22, 1999 by Madeleine Williams

Scott Hicks directs this tale of a Japanese-American man (Rick Yune) on trial for murder. Ethan Hawke stars as a journalist covering the trial, whose childhood sweetheart married the accused. James Cromwell will play the judge. Max von Sydow, Youki … Continue reading →

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Man on the Moon - * * 1/2*

Posted on December 22, 1999 by Madeleine Williams

Andy Kaufman was such a distinct comedic performer that it is surprising that it took this long to have a biopic devoted to his life. Director Milos Forman takes the helm, and in an unusual move, has cast Jim Carrey … Continue reading →

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Any Given Sunday - *

Posted on December 22, 1999 by Madeleine Williams

Oliver Stone directs this look at the NFL. Al Pacino will star as the coach who pressures a veteran QB (Dennis Quaid) to play hurt, or risk getting replaced by an up-and-coming QB (Jamie Foxx). Elizabeth Berkley will portray Pacino’s … Continue reading →

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Topsy Turvy - * * 1/2*

Posted on December 17, 1999 by Madeleine Williams

Mike Leigh directs this period piece about Gilbert and Sullivan and the creation of their most famous comic opera, The Mikado. Timothy Spall, Alison Steadman, Jim Broadbent and Lesley Manville star.  Capsule Review: Interesting, but way overlong. The first hour … Continue reading →

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Magnolia - * * * 1/2*

Posted on December 17, 1999 by Madeleine Williams

Exodus 8:2 – And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs Paul Thomas Anderson, director of such films as Hard Eight, and Boogie Nights, examines the accidental intersections of life in … Continue reading →

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Fantasia 2000 - * * *

Posted on December 17, 1999 by Madeleine Williams

The original Fantasia was a bold experiment merging animation and classical music. Its episodic nature was originally intended to be an ever-evolving work in progress (with new segments swapping out the old ones). After 60 years, Fantasia/2000 is the result, … Continue reading →

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Stuart Little - * *

Posted on December 17, 1999 by Madeleine Williams

E.B. White’s classic children’s story, Stuart Little, has long defied a successful screen adaptation, primarily because its main character is a walking, talking mouse. Now, with the latest in animation technology, Stuart is vibrantly brought to life. And yet, the … Continue reading →

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