APOSTLE, THE
One man's journey to redemption as a Pentecostal preacher starts
life anew after committing a crime of passion when his wife falls
for a younger minister. On the run from the law, the preacher
changes his identity, dubbing himself The Apostle, and starts a
new life with a new congregation. With his fame growing -- via a
successful radio show -- he falls in love anew, but must face his
own demons -- and the state's -- to pay for his past. Directed by
and starring Robert Duvall.
Director: Robert
Duvall. Stars: Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, Miranda Richardson,
Billy Bob Thornton. CC, (MPAA rating: PG-13, 134 min.), Drama,
1997, Box office gross: $20.752 million, (Universal),
No SRP, Priced for rental, Available:
8/18
BIG LEBOWSKI, THE
Coen Brothers' comedy about zonked-out bowler dude Jeff Lebowski
(Jeff bridges) who's mistaken for another, decidedly richer Jeff
Lebowski. When two thugs enter the dude's house and deface his
rug, he goes after the second Lebowski in search of restitution.
Instead, he's enlisted to help rescue the rich man's kidnapped
wife. Along the way there's mishaps, weirdos, sickos and
bizarreness galore. John Goodman and Steve Buscemi are the dude's
bowling buddies-in-crime. A screwy, foot loose comedy with a
great turn by Bridges.
Director: Coen
Brothers. Stars: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore. CC,
(MPAA rating: R, 98 min.), Comedy, 1998, Box office gross:
$17.496 million, (PolyGram), No SRP, Priced
for rental, Available: 8/11
BLUES BROTHERS 2000
Long-awaited sequel falls a bit flat as Dan Aykroyd reprises his
role as Elwood Blues. Here the renegade rocker is released from
prison after 18 years and sets about assembling an all-new cast
of blue-sters with help of John Goodman, Joe Morton, and J. Evan
Bonifant. As in the original, Elwood's "mission from God" faces
plenty of hurdles. But without John Belushi, and the surprise of the
original's freshness, this version plays another, less
exciting tune. Still worth a look for "Blues Brothers" fans.
Director: John
Landis. Stars: Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman, Joe Morton. J. Evan
Bonifant, Nia Peeples. CC, (MPAA rating: PG-13, 124 min.),
Comedy, 1998, Box office gross: $13.880 million, (Universal), No
SRP, Priced for rental,
Available: 8/4
BORROWERS, THE
Family film about a family of four-inch-tall people and their
quest to move when the house they inhabit -- or rather share with
normal-sized people -- is taken over by a behemoth banker (John
Goodman). When the banker evicts the regular-sized family, the wee family --
called the Borrowers because they "borrow" objects from the house -- gets split
up and the movie chronicles their attempt to reunite in safety. Great effects
and an enchanting story.
Director: Peter
Hewitt. Stars: John Goodman, Jim Broadbent, Bradley Pierce. CC,
(MPAA rating: PG, 86 min.), Family, 1998, Box office gross:
$22.300 million, (PolyGram), $22.95 SRP, Available:
8/18
JACKIE BROWN
Quentin Tarantino actioner about a stewardess (played by Pam
Grier) who supplements her income by smuggling cash into the
country for a gunrunner (Samuel L. Jackson). When she gets
caught, she plays the cops against the bad guys in an attempt to
walk away with half a million dollars, with the aid of a
sympathetic bail bondsman (Robert Forster). Tarantino tries to
spruce up his typical sleazy action by turning down the bloodshed
and adding a romantic-love interest between Grier and Forster,
but the director has difficulty working up a truly happy
ending.
Director: Quentin
Tarantino. Stars: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Bridget Fonda,
Robert De Niro, Michael Keaton, Robert Forster. CC, (MPAA rating:
R, 154 min.), Action, 1997, Box office gross: $39.554
million, (Dimension), No SRP, Priced for
rental, Available: 8/4
KUNDUN
Director Martin Scorsese brings to life the true story of a boy
from rural Tibet who grows up to become the spiritual and
political leader of his country. Set against a spectacular
physical world and compelling world politics, the film shows the
devotion and daring non-violent struggle of Tenzin Gyatso as he
becomes the Dalai Lama and leads his people to change.
Director: Martin
Scorsese. Stars: . CC, (MPAA rating: PG-13, 135 min.),
Bio-Drama, 1997, Box office gross: $5.678 million, (Touchstone), No
SRP, Priced for rentalx,
Available: 8/18
MAN IN THE IRON
MASK, THE
Buckle your swashes for this one. Though budding heartthrob
Leonardo DiCaprio got the brunt of attention for playing two
roles in this period piece -- yet another version of the Dumas
classic about the Four Musketeers and their attempt to rescue the
King of France's twin from prison and put him on the throne --
the real heroes are Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Gerard
Depardieu and Gabriel Byrne who had to play second fiddle to the
youngster. Still, the adventure is an enjoyable night's viewing.
Director: Randall
Wallace. Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich,
Gerard Depardieu, Gabriel Byrne, Anne Parillaud. CC, (MPAA
rating: PG-13, 132 min.), Action, 1998, Box office gross:
$56.413 million, (MGM), No SRP, Priced for
rentalx Available: 8/11
MEET THE
DEEDLES
Silly comedy about twin brothers who, when faced with expulsion
from high school, are sent to grow-up at a summer camp. While
there they pose as Yellowstone Park Rangers in order to meet a
sexy female ranger, causing all kinds of mishaps and stupidity. The pair
rise to the occasion and set out to rescue the park from a pack
of prairie dogs and foil the plot of a vengeful ex-Park Ranger
(Dennis Hopper) who wants to destroy Old Faithful.
Director: Steve
Boyum. Stars: Paul Walker, Steve Van Wormer, Dennis Hopper,
Robert Englund. CC, (MPAA rating: PG, 94 min.), Comedy, 1998,
Box office gross: $4.351 million, (Buena Vista), No
SRP, Priced for rental, Available:
8/4
MR. NICE GUY
A return to form for Jackie Chan and his signature stunts, action
and comedy as he plays a TV chef who helps a newswoman escape
from the thugs of a local druglord. When the newscaster gets hold
of a video incriminating the criminal, she's the target of a bevy
of gun-toting bad guys. When she inadvertently passes the tape to
Jackie, he becomes the brunt of the attacks, leading everyone on
a merry non-stop chase featuring plenty of Chan-orchestrated
fights, ambushes, showdowns, pratfalls and chases. Great action
comedy for Chan fans.
Director: Samo Hung.
Stars: Jackie Chan, Richard Norton, Miki Lee, Karen McLymont,
Gabrielle Fitzpatrick. CC, (MPAA rating: PG-13, 87 min.),
Action, 1998, Box office gross: $12.674 million, (New Line), No SRP,
Priced for rental,
Available: 8/11
NEWTON BOYS,
THE
True story of four brothers during the depression who decided
that the real crooks of their time were the banks and the
insurance companies -- and set out to rob them all. The Newton
brothers were America's most successful robbers, knocking over 80
banks from Texas to Canada. Action-adventure starring Matthew
McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, Vincent D'Onofrio and
Julianna Margulies.
Director: Richard
Linklater. Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich,
Vincent D'Onofrio, Julianna Margulies. CC, (MPAA rating: PG-13,
122 min.), Action, 1998, Box office gross: $10.227 million,
(Fox), No SRP, Priced for rental,
Available: 8/18
SENSELESS
An impoverished but brilliant economic student (Marlon Wayans)
takes odd jobs to pay his way through college. When he enters a
competition to join a prestigious firm as a junior analyst (with
a $60,000 paycheck), he's pitted against a wealthy frat snob
(David Spade) who has all the smarts and all the right
connections. In the midst of "battle," he takes one more job:
taking an untested drug that's supposed to heighten one's senses
but, instead, renders him senseless. Typical Wayans/Spade comedy.
Director: Penelope
Spheeris. Stars: Marlon Wayans, David Spade, Rip Torn. CC, (MPAA
rating: R, 93 min.), Comedy, 1998, Box office gross: $12.837
million, (Miramax), No SRP, Priced for
rental, Available: 8/11
WEDDING SINGER,
THE
Winning and sweet romantic comedy about the trials and
tribulations of a struggling singer/songwriter in 1985 who
performs at weddings and bar mitzvahs, making everyone happy but
himself. When he's stood-up on his own wedding day, his life
spirals into comedic twists and turns and he eventually falls for
a waitress who in turn falls for him. But there's one hitch:
she's engaged to a philandering junk bond dealer. Will the lovers
"find" each other? A delightful affirmation of love and romance.
Stars Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.
Director: Frank
Coraci. Stars: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore. CC, (MPAA rating:
PG-13, 97 min.), Comedy, 1998, Box office gross: $78.159
million, (New Line), No SRP, Priced for
rental, Available: 8/4
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