Reviews for the week starting on June 5, 1995

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MOVIES IN THEATERS

I've been on vacation for a while but I'm back with a new review from the movies.

Die Hard With A Vengeance (1995)

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There are three things I like about the "Die Hard" films. One is that it always has a good sense of humor. Two, Bruce Willis' excellent performance in the lead, and three, of course, is the action. In this one, Willis once again must go up against a mad terrorist who is planting bombs all over New York. Only Willis can stop him. This does not disappoint the "Die Hard" fans. It's loaded with action that could almost top the first two. The supporting roles are good too. Such as Samuel L. Jackson in another great performance as a Harlem Shop owner who helps Willis out in finding the bombs, and Jeremy Irons makes a formidable villain.

This is making good money already and it sure hasn't disappointed me. Unlike a lot of sequels, this one seems to one-up the first two over and over again. In short, I liked it. Hope you do too.

My Rating =

Rent

MOVIES ON VIDEO

Here are some films on video and/or laserdisc. Two of them are newly released films.

The Professional (1994)

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This is the American debut of French Director Luc Besson. It is the story of a hit-man (Jean Reno) who becomes the father figure to a young girl (Natalie Portman) whose family is killed by a corrupt cop (Gary Oldman). She wants him to help her kill him.

The action in this is fast pace and the acting is good, such as Reno, Portman and especially Oldman as the bad guy, But Danny Aiello's character is more of a glorified cameo. Still, it's an all around good action film. Very different than most action films, simply because the story between Reno and Portman has heart. You just might like it.

My Rating =

Rent

Ed Wood (1994)

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One of the funniest films I have seen in a long time. The story of the world's worst director (and funniest, depending on your point of view) and the awful movies he made including "Plan 9 From Outer Space" and the cross-dressing story "Glen or Glenda". Johnny Depp is hysterical in the lead role but Martin Landau's excellent portrayal of Bela Lugosi, one of the greatest horror movie stars ever, is very sympathetic. Landau shows Lugosi in his later years as a broken man who has a morphine addiction. Depp and Landau's scenes are the truly sad and moving scenes. I liked this movie a lot and Tim Burton has got his best film since "Edward Scissorhands. It's a movie that you can enjoy.

My Rating =

Rent

1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)

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This was the second film dealing with the 500th Anniversary of Columbus' "discovery" of America in 1992. It is the worst of the two. First, there is the lighting of the film. It's so dark, you can't tell what's going on half the time. Second, it's long and dull, two words I hate put together. Finally, the casting choice. Personally, I would pick De Niro or Andy Garcia to play Columbus. But, why Gerard Depardieu??? As for the supporting cast, Sigourney Weaver doesn't save the three sinking ships (pun intended), and considering her other film credits, (Alien, Working Girl, Gorillas in the Mist and Dave) this is a real acting disappointment.

When you see it, it's hard to accept that this is from the same director as that of "Alien", "Blade Runner" and "Thelma and Louise". Believe me, you'll fall asleep before the first twenty minutes roll by, it's that dull. I agree with a statement made by Leonard Maltin (in Cinemania) about this: "Might have been better, had the action aped director Scott's finale to Thelma and Louise, by having Columbus and crew sail off the edge of the world."

Footnote 1997:I had forgotten to acredit this to Maltin. I sincerely apologize.

My Rating =

Rent

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