Tag Archives: John Travolta

Battlefield: Earth - *

Posted on May 12, 2000 by Madeleine Williams

Roger Christian directs this adaptation of L. Ron Hubbard’s sci-fi novel. John Travolta will star as the alien overlord of a conquered Earth. Barry Pepper will play Jonnie Goodboy, the human who opposes him. Forest Whitaker, Kim Coates, Sabine Karsent, … Continue reading →

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The General’s Daughter - * *

Posted on June 18, 1999 by Madeleine Williams

The hallmarks of a good mystery are an intriguing setup, and an array of unexpected twists. The General’s Daughter does wonderfully with the former, but stumbles a bit around the twists. They’re unexpected, all right, and there are plenty of … Continue reading →

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A Civil Action - * * *

Posted on December 25, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Not your typical legal drama, A Civil Action eschews grandiose cinematic gestures in favor of a slightly more grounded (and definitely more cynical) interpretation of the legal process. It provides an always interesting, and sometimes fascinating, glimpse inside the workings … Continue reading →

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The Thin Red Line - *

Posted on December 23, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

A study in pretension, The Thin Red Line marks the infamously reclusive director Terrence Malick’s anticlimactic return to the cinema. On the surface, the film is a war movie, based on the James Jones novel of the same name. But, … Continue reading →

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Primary Colors - * * * 1/2*

Posted on March 20, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

In 1994, an insider’s look at a scandal-ridden run for the Democratic presidential nomination (closely based on Clinton’s 1992 campaign) was written anonymously (former Newsweek writer Joe Klein later claimed true authorship). Now, the book, Primary Colors, has been made … Continue reading →

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Mad City - * *

Posted on November 7, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

How hard is it to pick on the media? I mean, besides used car salesmen, politicians and television evangelists, it’s pretty difficult to come up with someone more untrustworthy. Mad City stirs up a big commotion over the corruption of … Continue reading →

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She’s So Lovely - * * 1/2*

Posted on August 27, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

She’s So Lovely boasts a superior cast, excellent characterizations, and a good opening. However, with direction as muddled as the minds of its lead characters, the film ultimately loses sight of where it wants to go. Maureen (Robin Wright Penn) … Continue reading →

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Face/Off - * * * 1/2*

Posted on June 25, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

It is not often that you encounter an action film that can actually challenge its actors (not counting featherbrained musclemen, of course). And it isn’t often that you get strong performances, either. Yet, both of those are true for Face/Off, … Continue reading →

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Michael - * * 1/2*

Posted on December 25, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Michael is a slight little romantic comedy that is enjoyable, but has little lasting impact. William Hurt is Frank Quinlan, a once respected journalist, who is now lowered to writing for a supermarket tabloid, the Weekly Mirror. He and a … Continue reading →

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Phenomenon - * * *

Posted on July 3, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Phenomenon is a touching tearjerker that actually has some depth. John Travolta stars as George Malley, a nice normal guy in the small town of Harmon, California. He’s the slow paced, good natured auto mechanic…friend to most in town. On … Continue reading →

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