Category Archives: 1996

Dragonheart - * 1/2*

Posted on May 31, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

An amazing technological achievement is wasted in this rather bland fantasy. Dennis Quaid stars as Sir Bowen, a valorious knight who follows the old code of King Arthur’s round table. He is the tutor for Prince Einon, a bratty little … Continue reading →

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The Arrival - * * 1/2*

Posted on May 31, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Some surprisingly good science fiction is watered down by tepid dialogue in The Arrival. In perhaps his best work in years (although that’s not saying much), Charlie Sheen plays Zane Zaminski, a paranoid researcher in the SETI program, searching for … Continue reading →

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Welcome to the Dollhouse - * * 1/2*

Posted on May 24, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

How many of you would jump at the chance to relive junior high? Well, here’s your chance…complete with all the aches and pains, the humiliation and utter frustration, all bundled into one 93-minute film. Heather Matarazzo stars as Dawn Wiener, … Continue reading →

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Spy Hard - *

Posted on May 24, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Tiresome spoof of the action/spy genre just doesn’t hold up to previous outings. Leslie Nielsen is Dick Steele, Agent WD-40, who is brought out of retirement when the villainous General Rancor (Andy Griffith) threatens the world with annhilation. Along the … Continue reading →

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Mission: Impossible - * * *

Posted on May 22, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Improbable but highly entertaining suspense yarn. Tom Cruise stars as Ethan Hunt, the point man for a team of IMF (Impossible Mission Force) agents assigned to do highly confidential and dangerous covert operations. The only character returning from the television … Continue reading →

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Flipper - * 1/2*

Posted on May 17, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Weak movie that tries to mix the original tv show with Free Willy, and ends up with something more closely resembling chum than a decent film. Surly teen Sandy (Elijah Wood) has been sent away by his divorcing mother to … Continue reading →

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Dead Man - * *

Posted on May 10, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Dead Man is a depressing revisionist black comedy artistic western. Johnny Depp plays the title character, an innocent named William Blake from Cleveland who travels the the wild western town of Machine to claim an accounting job. When factory owner … Continue reading →

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Cold Comfort Farm - * * 1/2*

Posted on May 10, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

This satire of the traditional English period drama is a mixed bag. Flora Poste (Kate Beckinsale) is the rich young woman forced to live with her hard working relatives, the Starkadders. However, unlike others in her situation, she relishes the … Continue reading →

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Boys - 1/2*

Posted on May 10, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Boys is a poorly written and ill conceived drama that never even tries to involve the viewer. Lukas Haas is a prep school senior, who discovers a whole new spin on life when he finds an unconscious 25-year old woman … Continue reading →

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Twister - * * *

Posted on May 10, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Explosive effects-driven thriller that doesn’t try for any depth beyond the superficial, but doesn’t need to. Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt portray a married (though divorcing) couple of tornado chasers. When a rare and dangerous meteorogical condition throws a rapid … Continue reading →

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