Tag Archives: Biopic

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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Why Do Fools Fall in Love? - * *

Posted on August 28, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Why Do Fools Fall in Love is an unusual biopic…one that isn’t terribly interested about its subject. It’s more concerned with the various other lives which are intersected and thrown into turmoil. Why Do Fools Fall in Love tells the … Continue reading →

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Kundun - * * 1/2*

Posted on December 25, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

And here we have the second film of the year to tell the tale of the Dalai Lama. First came Seven Years in Tibet, an interesting, yet somehow uninformative view of the Dalai Lama’s live, from a decidedly Western outsider’s … Continue reading →

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Seven Years in Tibet - * * 1/2*

Posted on October 8, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

The first of this season’s two Dalai Lama related stories, Seven Years in Tibet is likely to be more successful of the two, due to its casting alone. Brad Pitt is the star of Seven Years in Tibet, versus an … Continue reading →

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Selena - * *

Posted on March 21, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Routine biography of the slain Tejano singer. Jennifer Lopez stars as Selena, who has a natural talent for singing. Her father (Edward James Olmos) was a failed musician in the 60s (he was part of a hispanic doo-wop group, failing … Continue reading →

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Private Parts - * * *

Posted on March 7, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Howard Stern’s movie debut, while impressive, is unlikely to win him many new listeners. Howard, for those of you who have been out of touch for the last decade, but still manage to have an internet connection, is a “shock … Continue reading →

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Prefontaine - * * 1/2*

Posted on January 24, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Prefontaine is a bio-pic of long distance runner Steve Prefontaine that is interesting, but never quite captures his essence. Jared Leto stars as Pre, an unusual runner who suceeds more with sheer will than natural talent. Although not built like … Continue reading →

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The People vs. Larry Flynt - * * *

Posted on December 25, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Director Milos Forman delivers an effective Free Speech plea along with an entertaining movie. The film follows the true life story of Larry Flynt (Woody Harrelson), a low class guy who panders to the baser needs of people in order … Continue reading →

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Shine - * * * 1/2*

Posted on November 9, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Shine is a small, but astonishing tale of the fall and rise of a prodigal pianist. The first half of the film is told in flashbacks as the mentally unstable middle-aged David Helfgott (Geoffrey Rush) recalls his childhood. Here, David … Continue reading →

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