About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 19, 2000)
ATTENTION! Dae to MLK Holiday, schedules an Incomplete. PLEASE CALL AHEAD! ANGELA'S ASHES (R) Based on the best-selling memoirs by Irish author Frank McCourt and directed by Alan Parker, this grim drama depicts the tough, impoverished life of an Irish family living in the slums of the town of Limerick in the 1930s. Starring Robert Carlyle, Emily Watson and young new comer Joe Breen. Opens Friday. {Call ahead lor into). ANNA AND THE KING (PG-13) Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat star in director Andy Tennant* (EverAftei) lengthy historical drama about the King Of Siam and a British schoolmarm determined *o "civilize* him. (Carmike) ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (R) Director Oliver Stone* lengthy and jarring expose of American professional foot ball in which a veteran coach (A! Pacino) tries to talk some life into a losing team, but clashes with a hotshot third-string quarterback (Jamie Foxx) and the ambitious daughter (Cameron Diaz) of the team* late owner. Ai Pacino is the perfect hot-headed loud mouth for the role, but the film ioqs through an endless series of shouting matches and confusing (and violent) on-field action sequences and ultimately fails to tran scend the dich6-riddled "sports movie’ genre. (Beechwood, Carmike, Commerce Drive-In) THE BEST MAN (R)Taye Diggs. Monica Calhoun. Morris Chestnut and Nia Long star in this tight romantic dramedy about a young novelist who finds himself in hoi watei at his best friend* wedding. (Mall Outside) BICENTENNIAL MAN (PG) Robin Williams is the robotic house servant that interacts with four generations of its wealthy family and shows signs of curiosity, creativity, friendship and joy. This overfy-sentimental dranWcomedy begins as a thoughtful and funny explo ration of the human condition in the modem age, but concludes as a glum study in mortality. With Sam Neill, Oliver Plait and Embeth Davidtz. (Beechwood. Carmike. Commerce Drive-In) THE BIG LFBOWSKI (R) 1998 Filmmaking sidings Ethan and Joel Coen {Fargo) veer into bizarre comic territory with this quirky and well-made "mistaken identity" flick. Jeffrey "The Dude* Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) is the ultimate LA. slacker, until one day his house is broken into aid his rug is peed on by two angry gangsters who have mistaken him for Jeffrey Lebowski (the “big" one), a millionaire, whose wife owes some bad people some big money. The Dude becomes entangled in a hilariously complicated plot when he goes to visit the real Lebowski in order to get some retribution for his soiled rug. With John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi and Philip Seymore Hoffman (see if you can spot rock musicians Flea and ^mee Mann!). Recommended. (Tate) BLUE STREAK (PG-13) Martin Lawrence is a crafty LA jewel thief who poses as a hotshot detective in an attempt to relocate a prized diamond and accidentally becomes the hero of the force in this amusing buddy comedy. (Mall Outside) THE BONE COLLECTOR (R) A serial killer plays mind games with a paralyzed forensics expen played by Denzel Washington in this gory and highly implausible Gothic crime thriller. Angelina Jolie plays the rookie "with an eye and ear for sniffing out clues’ who follows her mentor* directions as me ouo tries to track down the killer. (Mall Inside) THE CIDER HOUSE RULES (PG-13) Director Lasse HallstrOm* screen adap tation of John Irving* 1985 epic novel is a quietly beautiful and touching tragi comedy. Set during the WWII years, the story follows Homer Wells (Toby McGuire), a young man living in an iso lated orphanage in the remote Maine village of St. Cloud's. Under the gentle guidance of Dr. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine), Homer learns the ins and outs of obstetrics and gynecology as he is schooled to take over the aging doctor* role of aborting or delivering the unwanted babies of the troubled wor. .en who pass through the orphanage* clinic. Swept away by a dashing young ftyt/7 (Paul Rudd) and his girlfriend (Chariize Theron). Homer abandons his vocation to discover love, lust and the darker side of life in the real world as he spends a couple of seasons working in an apple orchard near the coast. The film version sacrifices the novel* most comic characters and transforms this tale into a simple story of a young man* rediscovery of his allotted role in life. (Melissa Link] (Beechwood) DEUCE BIGALOW: MALE GIGOLO (R) The ever faltering Rob Schneider accidentally becomes a "male gigolo’ in this truly horrible "comedy." (Carmike. Commerce Drive-In) DOGMA (R) Director Kevin Smith {Chasing Amtf pokes fun at the elabo rately structured Catholic Church in this wild and often vulgar comedy about angels and the afterlife. Two fallen angels try to sneak back into heaven after discovering a legal loophole, but a descendant of Jesus Christ ;s tapped by God* wise-cracking minions and two homy, pot-smoking prophets to avert certain disaster. (Mall Inside) DOUBLE JEOPARDY (R) Ashley Judd and Tommy Lee Jones star in this brittle crime drama about a wrongfully con victed wife who sutlers through an amazingly frustrating series of terrible circumstances. Starts Friday. (Mall Outside) DOWN TO YOU (PG-13) Much like the mediocre television sitcom world it so obviously emulates (or maybe it* the other way around), the current romantic "high school comedy" trends on the big screen are gradu^ing somewhat into to their college years. The latent ^fe-leen sex/romance involves a hunky dork (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) and a reluctant babe (Julia Stiles) who may or may not hook up. With Selma Blair, Henry Winkler and Shawn Hatosy. Opens Friday. (Beechwood) END OF DAYS (R) Arnold Schwarzenegger, Satx’el Byrne and Robin Tunney star in this goofy super natural thriller from director Pete r Hyams {TheRelid). Not recommended. (Mall Outside) THE END OF THE AFFAIR (R) Director Nerl Jordan {In Dreams, Interview with the Vampird) brings Graham Greene* novel of love, lust and sacrifice to the big screen. Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore are ex lovers reunited by his obsession with the abrupt end of their affair two years earlier. Opens Friday. (Beechwood) FIGHT Cl UB (R) Edward Norton and Brad Pitt star in one of the most chal lenging and black-humored films of last year. Equally as naueatmg as it is clever. (Georgia Theatre) “FLICKER" (Quality Warehouse) The weekly series sponsored by the local film society continues with a Monday evening screening of several 8mm films including The House 01 Frankenstein, The Chipls Vacation, Farmer Alfalfa and When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth among possible others. GALAXY QUEST (PG) Director Dean Parisot (Home Fries) not only makes sport of the entire B-grade sci-fi genre, he pokes fun at the genre* obsessive fans as well in this surprisingly enter taining spoof. In an inspired blend of fantasy and reality, several actors from a cheesy TV show are mistaken for heroes by kindly aliens and embark on a reai- lile space mission. Starring Sigourney Weaver. Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub and Daryl Mitchell. (Beechwood, Carmike) GIRL, INTERRUPTED (R) A some what melodramatic but simple story about mental health and self realization. Winona Ryder is a 17-year-old New England girl "inter rupted" by a bout with clinical depres sion. Set against the tumultuous late 1960s, the film follows her as she strug gles to find her place in the world and to understand her condition. The doctors diagnose her with "borderline person ality disorder" and send her to a mental facility (one expert tells her. "It* the best place for someone like you."). As she befriends a group of eccentric young women—led by' a cold-hearted, eccen tric "liter" named Lisa (Angelina Jolie)—in the ward, the lines between "crazy" 2nd "noimal" become blurred. She nearly gives up on confronting her condition and drops anchor in the platr. but with help from some of the more sensitive authorities (Whoopie Goldberg and Vanessa Redgrave), she finds the strength to start climbing out. The role is custom-made for Ryder, delivers a fine performance, but the film never quite strikes an emotional chord. Based on the book by Susan Kaysen. Directed by James Mangold (Copland, Heavy). (Beechwood. Carmike) THE GREEN MILE (R) A well-con structed, slow-moving, supernatural cinematic fable about redemption and forgiveness from director Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption. Tom Hanks is the head guard at a * Louisiana penitentiary who looks after convicted killers awaiting execution in the electric chair. His life changes after he encounters an enormous convicted murderer (Michael Clarke Duncan) who seems to possess a supernatural gift for performing small miracles. The great cast includes David Morse, Michael Jeter, Doug Hutchison and Dabbs Greer. Highly recommended. (Beechwood, Carmike) HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (R) Geoffrey Rush, Famke Janssen, Taye Diggs and Peter Gallagher stai in a goofy “haunted house' movie. (Mall Inside) THE HURRICANE (R) See Movie Pick. (Beecnwood, Carmike) THE LIMEY (R) A fantastic crime thriller that focuses instead on broader themes such as revenge, redemption and mortality. Veteran British actor Terence Stamp is a tough ex-con from England seeking the truth &out his estranged daughter. He becomes con vinced that Terry Valentine (Peter Fonda), an aging music industry insider with a blinding smile and a wormy demeanor, is the culprit. The action unfolds with Soderbergh* stylish quick edits, flashbacks and multiple shots within scenes. (Tate) MAGNOLIA (R) According to writer- director Paul Thomas Anderson* (Boogie Nights) extraordinary cinematic expenment. life is exceptionally arbitrary and coincidental. Life isn't short; it* long and painful. Strange things happen all the time. Set in the often plastic world of modem Los Angeles, this lengthy drama bounds back and forth between several intertwined stories cut multiple audio tracks and sudden visual edits cluttering the way. It* a bizarre film—sort of a Short Cuts on hallucino gens—that shifts suddenly between emotional extremes (tragedy and sorrow, vulgarity and sensitivity). It compares and contrasts the world of adults to the world of children—both of which look incredibly dysfunctional in Anderson* camera eye. The excellent ensemble cast includes William H. Macy, Philip Seymore Hoffman, John C. Reilly, Tom Cruise, Jason Robards and Julianne Moore. Highly recommended for those who like a challenge. (Carmike) MAN ON THE MOON (R) Jim Carrey portrays late performer Andy Kaufman in this ambitious biopic. The story oounces from Kaufman* awkward childhood and early days as an enter tainer through his tenure as ‘I Jtka" on "Taxi," his increasingly dangerous ‘character stunts" and pranks and his obsession with the wrestling world in Memphis. Those unfamiliar with Kaufman may find themselves lost by the time wrestler Jerry Lawler and blank-faced "actress" Courtney Love appear on the screen, but others will love this Danny DeVito and Paul Giamat: are excellent as Kaufman* han dlers. Directed by Milos Fomun (Amadeus. People vs. Larry Flynt). Cautiousty recommended. Ends Thursday. (BecJhwood, Carmike) NEXT FRIDAY (R) Peep this; Ice Cube* shows his scary ass with this lame and ugly-minded sequel to 1995* entertaining bood comely Friday. This time around, the monstrous bully Debo (Tommy "Tiny" Lister, Jr.) busts out f jail and comes looking for his nemesis. Craig (Ice Cube). Craig* dad (John Witherspoon) helps him escape from the inner city to the suburbs where his cousin Day-Day (Mike Epps) and Unde Elroy (Don Curry) are living comfortably off of Lottery winnings. This is a low- biow comedy full of unfortunate, exag gerated stereotypes in which blacks are snifttess thieves high as kites of weed; Hispanics are violent, sexist criminals; women are whores, vandals and vengeful psychos and adults are either sexually perverted, filth-smeared idiots or both. Skip this. (Beechwood) PLAY IT TO THE BONE (R) Woody Harrelson aid Antonio Banderas star in this flashy-fooking sports comedy as two over-the-hill boxing pals who jump at the sudden chance to fight in a mid dleweight championship bout of ques tionable validity. The two take a road tnp from LA to Las Vegas and tangle with two fiery chicks (Lolita Davidovich and Lucy Lu) along the way. Directed by Ron Shelton (Tin Cup). Opens Fnday. (Call ahead for info). POKEMON: THE FIRST MOVIE (G) Based on the hugely popular cartoon series and trading card phenomenon, this bizarre animated feature follows the ‘pocket monster" creatures and their human "trainers" as they confront a confused, superpower Pokemon clone with a chip on its shoulder. The main feature is preceded by a gratmg 20- minute short entitled Pikachu's Vacation. (Mall Inside) RUNAWAY BRIDE (PG-13) A scruffy journalist (Richard Gere) tracks down a beautiful woman (Julia Roberts) famous for leaving nearly a dozen grooms-to-be at the alter. What do you know? They fail in love! There* little spark to this generic romantic comedy, despite the reunion of the Pretty Woman alums. (Mall Inside) SENSE ANO SENSIBILITY (PG) 1995. Director Ang Lee* award-winning screen adaptation of Jane Austen* novel set in 19th century England about two very different, newly-impoverished sis ters. The stellar cast includes Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, James Fleet, Tom Wilkinson and Hugh Grant. (Athens-Clarke Library) SLEEPY HOLLOW (R) Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci star in Tim Burton* creepy adaptation of Wahington Irving* "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. (Georgia Theatre) SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS (PG- 13) "It takes a rare thing; a true turning point to free oneself of obsession," says one crusty character in director Scott Hicks' (Shind) visually impressive and complex drama. Based on David Guterson* best-selling novel in which a post-WWII reporter (Ethan Hawke) covers the murder trial of the husband of a Japanese-Ameriuan woman (Youli Kudch) he once loved, the film focuses less on crime and romance and more on the prejudices and the confusion of the post-war Zeitgeist in America. Unfolding mostly in flashback sequences, it* a film with many layers and subtleties. Hicks' cinematic glimpses of vast snow-covered landscapes, lire, fog, rain and smoke both intensify and distract from the sad theme, vrtiile veteran actor Max Von Sydow* stunning performance as the wise defense attorney is worth the price of admission. (Beechwood) STUART LITTLE (PG) An amusing but light kid* flick. This silty and peculiar "fairy tale" comedy otters lessons about family loyalty and the sense of belonging. Stuart is a dapper Write mouse (voiced by Michael J. Fox) who gets adopted by a strangely naive New D FLAGPOLE JANUARY 19, 2000
