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ON VIDEO IN 2000 AND BEYOND

FANTASIA 2000 3 1/2 No rating but "G" is appropriate

Fantasia 2000 was released as an IMAX film and then in general movie theaters. If you were around for the 1940 Fantasia, it was either roundly trounced by critics of the time, or proclaimed a work of genius. Combining classical music with animation (Leopold Stokowski was the conductor) was innovative to say the least. Now, Fantasia has been renovated with some of the old stories included and new elements added. Composers included are Beethoven, Shostakovich, Respighi, Saint-Saens, Elgar, Gershwin and Stravinsky. James Levine leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in all its splendor. The Sorcerer�s Apprentice with "the mouse" as the apprentice is there. Well, this is a Disney production, you know. There is a delightful segment about Han Christian Andersen�s tale of the ballerina and the toy soldier (Shostakovich�s Piano Concerto), Manhattan in the jazz age (Rhapsody in Blue), and Donald Duck trying to get animals into the Ark (Pomp and Circumstance Marches.) Never a dull moment. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

ANY GIVEN SUNDAY 2 Rated R

Any Given Sunday. By director Oliver Stone, in a take-no-prisoners production, gives football the once over. The film stars Al Pacino (The Devil�s Advocate), Dennis Quaid (The Parent Trap), Cameron Diaz (Being John Malkovich) and Jamie Foxx (television�s The Jamie Foxx Show). Not only that, but look at this supporting cast, Charlton Heston, Matthew Modine, James Woods, Ann-Margaret, Jim Brown, Lauren Holly, Lela Rochon, Jim Caviezel and Clifton Davis. As this "spectator sport" film goes, not only do the Miami Sharks battle opposing teams, the quarterbacks (Quaid and Foxx) are battling each other. Quaid is the aging quarterback who has been sacked one too many times, while Foxx is the up-and-coming talent who goes about game plans a different way. Coach Pacino is deemed too old by new owner Diaz to control the team. What to do? Be aware of drugs, language and sexual situations. The photography is wonderfully done and the audience can grunt and groan along with the Sharks. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY 3 Rated R

The Talented Mr. Ripley is a story from the Ripley series by author Patricia Highsmith. Alain Delain starred in Purple Noon about 40 years ago that told a Ripley story, and now we have director Anthony Minghella�s (The English Patient) take on deception.

The film stars Matt Damon as Tom Ripley (Dogma), Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love), Jude Law (Gattaca), Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth) and Philip Seymour Hoffman (Flawless). Damon has a knack for imitating people, and after passing him self off as someone else, soon is on his way to bring the errant Jude back to his father. In Italy, Matt becomes enamored not only of Jude�s rich life style, but of Jude�s girlfriend, too (Gwyneth). How to have it all is the dilemma facing Matt and murder may be an answer. What to do?

As The Talented Mr. Ripley unfolds, deception can be interesting and it can be desperately serious. In the case of Tom Ripley, the latter becomes essential. The film runs longer than usual, but photography is wonderful and easy on the eyes. The story is really between Jude and Matt and acting comes out about a tie, with Gwyneth and Cate there as window dressing. Matt brings a quiet desperation to his character, while Jude plays a lounge lizard to a "T." By the way, after the successes of Elizabeth and Shakespeare in Love in 1998, did you think you would see these two stunning actresses in a film together? Be aware of language, violence and sexual situations. This film received nominations for 1999 Academy Awards. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

GALAXY QUEST 2 1/2 Rated PG 13

Galaxy Quest does a fair job of poking jabs at Star Trek fans. You don�t have to be a devoted fan to catch the in jokes, but it helps. Sigourney Weaver (Alien), Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub (Men in Black) and Sam Rockwell are some of the actors in a film of space aliens who believe television transmissions they receive from Earth are the real thing. The cast of a now-defunct television series is transported to "another place and time" to help fight a galactic war. Hey, are you kidding? These people can barely make it to the next fan convention. Anyway, it is fun and director Dean Parisot must have had a tough time keeping a straight face at the antics here. Be aware of language, comic violence and suggestive situations. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

MANSFIELD PARK 3 Rated PG 13

Mansfield Park is a good adaptation of a Jane Austen novel with enough fire and polish to satisfy modern day audiences, but may put back purists. Jane Austen wrote six catalogued novels and this one was not considered a major one. Director/writer Patricia Rozema (I�ve Heard the Mermaids Singing) has done a smashing job of transforming the heroine, Fanny Price (played by Frances O�Connor) into a feminist of her time, who tries to move ahead, but just can�t quite do it. As a girl, Fanny is sent to live with upper-class relatives who treat her as something of an outcast. She is there and yet not there. Her true love is her cousin, Edmund (Jonny Lee Miller), but she has to hide the fact and watch as the rest of her cousins engage in romances. A suitor is chosen for her, but she really doesn�t like him and the family is appalled when Fanny rejects him. Now what to do with this "stubborn" girl? Mansfield Park has a wonderful cast, beautiful sets and lush scenery. Watch for Embeth Davidtz, Alessandro Nivola, playwright Harold Pinter (yes, he can act, too), Hugh Bonneville and Hannah Gordon Taylor (as the young Fanny) for quality performances. Be aware of language and sexual situations. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

GIRL, INTERRUPTED 2 Rated R

Girl, Interrupted is the film adaptation of Susanna Kaysen�s year in a mental hospital. Kaysen was 17 and so confused about her life she thought she was crazy. It�s 1967 and the thing to do then for wealthy girls was to sign into a mental hospital and hope for the best. What Susanna did best, was write about her experience and this is her story. Girl, Interrupted stars Winona Ryder (Aliens) as Susanna, with Angelina Jolie (The Bone Collector) as the over-the-top, Lisa, Whoopi Goldberg (Ghosts of Mississippi) as Nurse Valerie, Elisabeth Moss (Mumford) as Polly, Broadway actress Angela Bettis as Janet and Brittany Murphy (Clueless) as Daisy. Actually, the book, Girl, Interrupted is a short read. Kaysen is an observer and tells a to-the-bone story of life behind mental bars. As her story progresses, she begins to realize that she isn�t crazy in that sense of the word, but the Sixties are confusing times and there is no guidance. Her parents live in their world of dinner parties where Susanna is paraded around like a pet dog. Back at Claymoore Hospital, Susanna�s patient friends have their story, too, and it involves incest, drugs and internal anguish so great attempted suicide is the only cry for help anyone can recognize. Janet tried to burn herself, Daisy tries to cut herself, and Lisa thinks she knows the answer to everyone�s problem. Or does she? Nurse Valerie tells Susanna that life at Claymoore is practically heaven compared to being in a state mental hospital. In fact, it�s much like living in a college dorm. You have to earn privileges, take your medicines, and rest. Insurance companies don�t kick you out after thirty days, and wealthy parents, who didn�t want to be bothered with "strange" children, just sent in monthly checks. Psychiatry took its time in finding out what the problem was and terms such as "Borderline Personality Disorder" were catchall phrases. Girl, Interrupted is like a feminine version of One Flew Over The Cuckoo�s Nest, except there isn�t a Nurse Ratchet here. The girls learn how to pick locks, go through their medical records, and in general, have the run of the place at night. Stock up on pills by pretending to take them, rely on cigarettes for a nicotine fix and before you know it, as Susanna realizes, a year of your life is gone. Girl, Interrupted is well acted by Winona Ryder, who plays Susanna as a fragile waif. Whoopi Goldberg is the rock in this institution, but it is Angelina Jolie who steals her scenes. Her character is so flamboyant, and so in need of attention, that she can�t help herself. Here is another look at how confusing the Sixties must have been with societies conventions were loosening. Be aware of language, sexual situations, drugs and suicide. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS 2 Rated PG 13

Snow Falling on Cedars is a love story between an American man (Ethan Hawke from The Newton Boys) and a Japanese-American girl (Youki Kudoh from Picture Bride). This is also adapted from novelist David Gutterson�s book of the same title, and directed by Scott Hicks (Shine.) The story in Snow Falling on Cedars centers on San Piedro Island in the Pacific Northwest. It is 1954 and the body of a local fisherman is found in the waters off the Island. Kazuo (Rick Yune) is accused of murder. The trial begins near the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, which brings the fresh-buried hatred to the surface. Sent to cover the trial is young reporter (Hawke) who, as the trial unfolds through flashbacks, intimately knows the wife of Kazuo. A love affair between a Japanese woman and an American man in these times was inflammatory, so the couple met in secret. Many stories come forward and unwind as the film progresses. For all of its majestic beauty captured on film by cinematographer Robert Richardson, the story lurches along. Ethan Hawke is not a compelling leading man and fades into the background here. The courtroom scenes are adequate. The rest of the cast tries to invoke drama, but just when there is a spark, we have a beautiful outdoor scene that shows just how tiny human problems are, anyway. The supporting cast includes James Rebhorn, Sam Shepard and Max Von Sydow. Be aware of violence, language and sexual scenes. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

PLAY IT TO THE BONE 2 1/2 Rated R

Play It To The Bone is a comedy of friends who are rival boxers�a "road picture" that would do any Crosby-Hope-Lamour film justice. The script was written by Ron Shelton (Bull Durham) and he does what he does best�write about sports.

Woody Harrelson (The Thin Red Line) and Antonio Banderas (The Mask of Zorro) are friends and professional boxers. They haven�t worked professionally in years, but keep in shape. A fluke brings them back to the big time.. If they can make it to Las Vegas immediately, they get to fight each other for $50,000 apiece and are back in the big time. The guys don�t fly�too easy�instead they talk best-friend Lolita Davidovich (Gods and Monsters) into driving them in her GTO convertible. Along the way, they pick up tough-girl hitchhiker Lucy Liu (television�s Ally McBeal) and the foursome manage to get to Las Vegas. Amen.

Ron Shelton�s script crackles with one-liners and the timing between the three leads is great. You can believe Banderas about coming to this country to make it as a boxer, and his scene in the desert where he�s talking to himself in Spanish is very good. Harrelson has the one-beat-behind look that serves him well, even when dealing with hot-to-trot Liu. Davidovich proves herself to be a comedienne , if you can take time away from the skimpy clothes she wears.

The supporting cast of Las Vegas stars plus Robert Wagner as a suave villain, Richard Masur, Jack Carter, Steve Lawrence, Mike Tyson and George Foreman make this film a winner. Play It To The Bone has intense boxing scenes that are done well. Be aware of language, nudity, violence, gambling and sexual situations. . Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

THE HURRICANE 3 Rated R

In The Hurricane, Denzel Washington (Malcolm X) does what he does best�intense acting. His portray of boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter is exceptional Washington lost 40 pounds to portray lean and mean. Washington�s boxing sections are almost undistinguishable from the footage of Carter, himself. The screenplay is by Armyan Bernstein and Dan Gordon and based on the books The Sixteenth Round by Rubin Carter and Lazarus and the Hurricane by Sam Chaiton and Terry Swinton. Norman Jewison (A Soldier�s Story) was the director of The Hurricane.

Rubin "Hurricane" Carter came from a tough family and equally tough neighborhood. He found himself through boxing skills, but also found it wasn�t enough to break through the white barrier of the Sixties. Carter was accused (falsely) of killing people in a liquor store at the height of his boxing career. He was sentenced to life in prison. His first months in prison make a book of silent protest. Later, he achieved a sort of existence by reading and writing.

The film concentrates on the way a group of Canadian sympathizer got Carter out of prison, and along with this story, is the one of the friendship between Carter and a young black man, taken under the wings of the Canadian group. Bob Dylan�s 1975-protest song of Carter runs through the film like a backdrop.

Performances are top-notch with Denzel Washington leading the way as a slow-simmering fuse. Without him, the film would be just another sports film, but he sizzles his way across the screen. Dan Hedaya is the detective who puts Carter behind bars as a personal vendetta. Debbi Morgan is Carter�s wife, Mae Thelma, and Vicellous Reon Shannon is Lesra, the young man who comes to believe in Carter as a friend and an innocent man. Be sure to read the end credits of the film. This film received several Academy Award nominations for 1999. Be aware of violence, language and prison life Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

THE END OF THE AFFAIR 2 1/2 Rated R

The End of the Affair is a remake of the 1955 film with Deborah Kerr, Van Johnson and Peter Cushing. The late Graham Greene wrote the novel of the same name. This time, director Neil Jordan (The Crying Game) brings Ralph Fiennes (The Avengers), Julianne Moore (An Ideal Husband) and Stephen Rea (Guinevere) together for the story of adultery, obsession and lost love. It�s a grand soap opera, indeed. The plot is centered at the latter part of World War II in London. Ralph is a novelist who is smitten with Julianne, who is married to Stephen. They carry on a steamy affair and then Julianne suddenly breaks things off. They part company and Ralph doesn�t see her for years. Suddenly, there is a chance meeting with her husband and Ralph starts thinking intensely about Julianne. How is she? Who is she seeing? Is she happy? Why did they break up in the first place? Ralph hires a private detective to follow her and finds the true reason for their separation. Can love be rekindled again? What are the consequences?

The End of the Affair has kind of a smoldering intensity that is best carried off by Fiennes and Moore�s eyes. They "speak" volumes, as is that old saying, "...eyes are windows of the soul..." Who else but Fiennes can play walking wounded as he did in The English Patient or Oscar and Lucinda. Julianne Moore is having a terrific year, for besides The End of the Affair, she was in An Ideal Husband and Magnolia. Director Jordan, who has worked with Stephen Rea for seven films, knows how to get the best out of his actors. It takes a bit of getting used to here, for the film is in the mode of the emotion-ridden films of past generations such as Now, Voyager. You are to concentrate on the characters and their dilemma and not rely on action around them.

There is an erratic theme of redemption here. A "bargain" is made with God and whether this is good or not is one of the aspects of Graham Greene�s writing. The End of the Affair is beautifully photographed. There are flashbacks that begin to show why people have a certain perception of what happened and why they did certain things. What better way to enter a new century than to have a tearjerker in movie theaters? A look at the past and "what might have been." This film received several Academy Award nominations for 1999. Be aware of war violence, nudity and language. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

CRADLE WILL ROCK 2 1/2 Rated R

Cradle Will Rock is no sentimental film despite the title. This is actor/director Tim Robbins (Arlington Road) work about the art and theater world of New York City in the 1930�s. Robbins assembled an all-star cast including wife Susan Sarandon (Anywhere But Here), Hank Azaria (Mystery, Alaska), John Cusack (Being John Malkovich), Joan Cusack (Arlington Road), Vanessa Redgrave (Girl, Interrupted), Emily Watson (Hilary and Jackie) and Cherry Jones, to name a few. The film is based on a real life incident where Nelson Rockefeller (Cusack) commissioned Mexican artist Diego Rivera (Ruben Blades) to paint the lobby of Rockefeller Center while Italian propagandist Margherita Sarfatti (Sarandon) sells Da Vinci paintings to fund the Mussolini war front. Also, a ventriloquist (Bill Murray) thinks he has communists in his vaudeville troupe while Orson Welles (Angus MacFadyen) wants his Federal Theater group to do the play, Cradle Will Rock which is close down on just before opening by U. S. soldiers.

Robbins has an ambitious project here and he pulls it off. The actors are great in their characters and you can sit back and wonder how the director brought this in for 32 million dollars. A handful in Hollywood terms. Who has the right to say what is art and what isn�t? Can the government intervene in play productions? Watch Cradle Will Rock and see what happened.

DIAMONDS 2 Rated PG 13

Diamonds with Kirk Douglas is a nod for sentimentality. . The film also stars Dan Ackroyd as one of Kirk�s sons and a grandson, Corbin Allred, besides Lauren Bacall as the Madam of a "house" and Jenny McCarthy as one of the ladies of the "house."

The plot concerns Douglas� recent stroke and possibly going to a retirement home. (In real life, Kirk Douglas did have a stroke.) Kirk is not one to lead a sheltered, planned life, so he embarks on a grand adventure by convincing Dan and Corbin that he knows where a stash of diamonds is hidden. Kirk, you see, is a former boxer who had questionable activities. The footage used is from Douglas� former film, Champion from 1949. Well, before you can say, "hit the road," the three are off to Nevada where they go to a brothel (the "house") and meet with the gambling establishment and gangsters. Ackroyd takes a back seat here and young Corbin Allred steals his scenes.

This idea for a story could have been a lot of fun, but everyone in the cast so backs away when Kirk Douglas says or does anything, it steers away from "awe" and becomes "reverence." This becomes a backlash to the talent of an actor. What is successfully utilized are the exercises Douglas shows that helped him regain speech after his real life stroke. This is used as part of a comic element in Diamonds. Be aware of language, sexual situations, violence and gambling. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

LIBERTY HEIGHTS 3 Rated PG 13

Liberty Heights is director/writer Barry Levinson�s next visit to his past and life in Baltimore of the 1950�s. Levinson, who did Avalon that launched Aidan Quinn on a cinema career, now brings Van (Adrien Brody from Summer of Sam) and Ben (Ben Foster television�s Geeks and Freaks) to the forefront. Also in the cast is Joe Mantegna as father Nate, Bebe Neuwirth as mother Ada, plus Rebekah Johnson as Ben�s friend, Sylvia, and Carolyn Murphy and Justin Chambers as Van�s friends, Dubbie and Trey. The rest of the cast just plain sparkles with wit and humor.

Liberty Heights is where Jewish families live in Baltimore. This is a time where people who formerly "knew their place," are now venturing into other worlds. The boys from Jewish families want to see how the Gentiles live and vice versa. Not to mention, Sylvia�s black family, who try to keep her confined without success. Besides this going on, are the business activities of Nate. The family tries hard to believe that what he does is legitimate, however, when Nate and his associates become involved with Little Melvin (Orlando Jones), things take a turn for the worse.

Liberty Heights has moments with a warm, fuzzy feeling, such as at the dinner table with conversation flowing between the boys, their parents and their grandmother, Frania Rubinek. Not to mention the talk of dating and sex. This is the time of reciting Psalm 23 as part of the morning school ritual. What turns Liberty Heights into a semi-serious film, at least for part of it, is when Little Melvin decides he isn�t get paid what he is owed and embarks on kidnapping as a persuasive factor.

Liberty Heights has sterling performances, especially from the young actors mentioned above, plus David Krumholtz and Kevin Sussman. Nate�s business partners, Charlie Scalies, Richard Kline and Vincent Gustaferro are forces to be reckoned with, too. This is a carefully chosen cast and their banter and timing are exquisite. Be aware of sexual situations, some violence and language. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

TOPSY TURVY 2 Rated R

Topsy-Turvy is a visual feast of theater toward the end of the 19th century in England. The story chronicles the writing life of William Gilbert (Jim Broadbent from Little Voice) and (Sir) Arthur Sullivan (Allan Corduner from The Impostors), who did such operettas as The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore and The Gondoliers.

The story is set at a time when the team had a falling out, though were under contract to produce another operetta. Gilbert, the librettist, was at a standstill, so his wife (Lesley Manville) takes him to a Japanese exhibition and there the idea strikes for what would become, The Mikado. When the words are done, Sullivan takes over and the rest is history.

The first 45 minutes of the film are a wonder in set decoration and costume, but move slowly. However, this gives the audience time to figure out who is who, in and out of costume, so when the last part of the film kicks in�producing The Mikado�you can sit back and enjoy it. The rest of the cast includes Timothy Spall as a top actor of the time, Ron Cook as the manager of the Savoy Theater and Eleanor David as Sullivan�s lover. Oh, yes, lots of things went on back stage.

Topsy-Turvy was written and directed by Jim Leigh (Secrets & Lies) who knows how to put a film together, abet slowly at first. The one-liners are beautifully timed and the film is more a comedy than anything else. This film received several Academy Award nominations for 1999. Be aware of sexual situations, drugs and language. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

THE BEACH 2 Rated R

Bored young person looking for ideal locale. Finds locale but it�s not what it�s cracked up to be. Ring a bell? How about Brad Pitt in Seven Years in Tibet or Kate Winslet in Hideous Kinky? This time, it is Leonardo DiCaprio and The Beach, his first film since Titanic. The Beach is adapted from the Alex Garland novel by John Hodge (Shallow Grave) and directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting.)

Garland�s novel is about a young man named Richard (DiCaprio), who wants to find something so unspoiled in nature he can linger and linger. A remote Eden, in other words. Backpacking his way through life, Richard lands in Thailand where he meets a seedy Daffy (Robert Carlyle from Angela�s Ashes) who gives Richard a map of an exotic beach where the sand is whiter than white.

Richard has two friends who go with him, Etienne (French stage actor Guillaume Canet) and Francoise (model Virginie Ledoyen). The trio eventually finds this paradise, and the others (led by Tilda Swinton from Female Perversions) living there. All seems perfect, too perfect, that is, if anything can be "too perfect." The snake enters Eden in the form of jealousy and rivalry. Can anyone leave this paradise?

The Beach may seem an odd choice for DiCaprio after his fame in Titanic. The Beach, too, is about water, but this is the kind that washes up on white, sandy beaches and doesn�t include icebergs. There are touches of Apocalypse Now, in that the vision of the beach is ever before Richard, in almost a dreamlike state. People who find such a treasure as an untouched environment, will fight to keep it unknown. As with Brad Pitt and Kate Winslet in their adventures, Richard finds it difficult to adjust.

DiCaprio does an adequate job as Richard, showing depth and that he can do some action if called for. Virginie Ledoyen acts too coy for the film, Guillaume Canet does emote, and Tilda Swinton isn�t there long enough. The scenery is spectacular. The Beach may not appeal to everyone, especially if you wanted a deep love story like Titanic. Be aware of sexual situations, violence, language and drugs use. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

THE BOILER ROOM 3 Rated R

"The Boiler Room" doesn�t always refer to the retreat in the basement of a building, instead it also refers to that hot room on Wall Street where deals are made and broken in minutes. This Boiler Room stars Giovanni Ribisi (Saving Private Ryan) as a guy out to make a fast buck on the stock exchange. Ben Affleck (Dogma) is a recruiter for the firm, Nia Long (Stigmata) is the firm�s receptionist, Vin Diesel (also Private Ryan) is a supervisor at the firm and Ron Rifkin (L. A. Confidential) is Giovanni�s father. The Boiler Room is a first time effort by writer/director Ben Younger who was a boiler room trainee.

The story has Giovanni has a 19-year old college dropout. He has come to the firm of J. P. Marlin and is working with Vin, a mentor. The adrenaline rush is catchy. Millions of dollars can be made in a day, or lost in a day. The thrill of the chase is infectious. Well, all Giovanni wants to do is earn a million dollars and his father�s respect. He tried it by running a small time gambling operation out of his apartment, but that didn�t work too well.

Giovanni�s snappy style does him well in this new world that includes friends Nicky Katt, Tom Everett Scott, Affleck, Scott Caan and Jamie Kennedy. Is everything at the firm of J. P. Marlin on the up and up? What do you think?

The Boiler Room is an incisive look at what goes on behind the scenes. Playing the stock market is as much a fix as cocaine and men who use this to their advantage. There are three steps to a customer�s wallet. Number one is the cold-call, or calling at random. Number two is a "hot stock tip" to stir interest and number three is the experienced broker taking over and sewing up the deal. You might want to take notes during this film. The Boiler Room is well acted and a showcase for new talent. Be aware of sexual situations, some violence and substance use. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

THE TIGGER MOVIE 3 Rated G

The Tigger Movie is in The Hundred Acre Wood with inhabitants Tigger and Winnie the Pooh, not to mention Roo, Rabbit, Kanga, Owl, Piglet, Eeyore and Christopher Robin.

As the tale is told we learn that Tigger is rather lonely and wants to see if there are other "tiggers" in the area. He wants to find his family tree in the forest, so plans on going on a merry search. His friends, in the meantime, try to cheer him up by dressing in "tigger" costume, but this only makes matters worse and before you know it, Tigger is gone. Where to find him?

REINDEER GAMES 1 1/2 Rated R

Reindeer Games refers to the Christmas season and a robbery by men wearing Santa Claus outfits. Oh, but I�m getting ahead of myself. Reindeer Games stars Ben Affleck (The Boiler Room), Gary Sinise (Ransom), Charlize Theron (The Astronaut�s Wife) and James Frain (Hilary and Jackie.) The supporting cast includes Dennis Farina, Clarence Williams III, Donal Logue, Danny Trejo and two men I spent half the film trying to identify. They are composer Isaac Hayes and the Washington Redskin�s Dana Stubblefield, who also studied at the University of Kansas. As you can see, this is an all-star cast. The script is by Ehren Kruger who did Scream 3 and also worked with Gary Sinise in Impostor John Frankenheimer (Ronin) is the director.

Reindeer Games is full of twists and turns. The basic premise has Affleck and Frain as cellmates in prison. Frain has Charlize as a pen pal, but Affleck secretly yearns for her. When Frain is fatally stabbed in a prison brawl and Affleck finally released, he has a chance to meet her. Affleck knows enough about Frain to impersonate him, so he does. Before you can say, "Baby, it�s cold outside," they two are sleeping together. Enter Sinise and his cohorts who are to rob a gambling casino that sits on the edge of nowhere. They think Affleck worked as a security guard there before going to prison and they want him to show them how to get in. However, Affleck isn�t who they think he is. What to do? How long can the charade last?

Reindeer Games is full of plot holes and has continuity problems as well. When Ben sees Charlize for the first time, her hair is a pale reddish-blonde, but gets darker as the film progresses. Some of the dialogue doesn�t connect from one scene to another, as well. Director Frankenheimer, best known for The Manchurian Candidate and French Connection II does his best with this script, but ultimately, there isn�t much to go on. Sure, there are gun fights and chase scenes, but when it comes down to it, Ben Affleck looks out of place in a prison, Theron is a mediocre actress and Sinise steals all the scenes he is in. Reindeer Games should be been reined in for an overhaul. Be aware of sexual situations, profanity, gambling and violence.

HANGING UP 2 Rated PG 13

Hanging Up with Diane Keaton (who stars and directs), Meg Ryan (You�ve Got Mail) and Lisa Kudrow (Analyze This) as three sisters at the beck and call of their aging father, Walter Matthau (Grumpier Old Men.) The script is by Nora Ephron and her sister, Delia Ephron and is from Delia�s novel of the same name

Hanging Up shows family life at its best and worst. Each sister has something unusual about her personality. Diane is editor-in-chief of her own magazine; Meg is "Daddy�s girl" and supposedly the responsible one, while Lisa is a soap actress. Dad keeps them hopping, though all is not roses in this family. Some of Dad�s problems have to be dealt with, too. In the middle of this mess is Adam Arkin as Meg�s patient husband, Jesse James (his real name) as Meg�s young son, and Cloris Leachman as the girl�s mother, who left the family and didn�t come back.

Just when you start to reach for a hankie, Hanging Up tosses in a funny section. This bouncing back and forth is confusing. When Walter is admitted to a hospital, should the girls be glad or sad? Acting is well down, with Keaton playing the business type nicely, Ryan does the "I�ll do everything" routine well, and Kudrow chalks up yet another oddball character with grace. Be aware of sexual situations and language. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

PITCH BLACK 2 1/2 Rated R

Pitch Black is yet another chapter of "Hark, what lies out in yonder space?" In this case, don�t go out after dark if you have crash-landed on a distant planet. The heat may try to get you in the daytime, but it�s what comes out at night that is totally frightening. The cast includes Radha Mitchell (High Art), Vin Diesel (Saving Private Ryan), Cole Hauser (The Hi-Lo Country), Keith David (Where The Heart Is), Australian actors Lewis Fitz-Gerald and Rhiana Griffith and Claudia Black from television�s Farscape.

Writer/director David Twohy (The Arrival) did the honors with the film and though it is science fiction, it is a notch above the usual. This critic thought The Arrival an adequate film (starred Charlie Sheen), Pitch Black runs on the premise that everything frightening comes out when it gets dark. Just like your childhood fears of what and if there is anything under your bed. It will be interesting to find out what premise Twohy uses in his next film. Be aware of violence and sexual situations. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

MISSION TO MARS 2 Rated PG 13

Mission to Mars is by director Brian De Palma from a script by Jim Thomas, John Thomas and Graham Yost. In this movie, it is the year 2020 and a flight, gone awry, has already landed on Mars. The cast includes Gary Sinise (Reindeer Games), Don Cheadle (Devil in a Blue Dress), Connie Nielsen, Jerry O�Connell (television�s Sliders), Kim Delaney and Tim Robbins (director of The Cradle Will Rock.)

The premise of the film is basically a rescue mission. Is there someone alive from the first crew, and if so, how to bring them back? On the way to the Red Planet, the second crew (Sinise, Robbins, Neilsen and O�Connell) encounters problems making it difficult to land, but they manage it. There is Cheadle, the only one alive from the first expedition. His tale of monstrous tornados and an enormous "face" on the planet is a cause for concern. Is the "face" natural or man-made". How often to the storms come? But, most important of all, how to get back to Earth? The special effects are fairly well done, especially those in the ship involving weightlessness. This film is as close an approximation to traveling to Mars as film companies can product. Once on the planet, though, some special effects are questionable, but all in all, it is exciting. There is a story here, of loss, survival, exploration and finding one�s place in the universe. Gary Sinise is good in Mission to Mars (forget the villain of Reindeer Games), in fact, each of the astronauts has a sad moment in their lives, and I believe this adds to the entire film. Tim Robbins and Connie Nielsen are a team and Jerry O�Connell provides some comic moments. As it stands, Mission to Mars will remind one of 2001 (the talking computer) and perhaps even The Abyss.

MY DOG SKIP 3 Rated PG

My Dog Skip is a charming film (be forewarned, bring hankie) about a young boy and his dog in the 1940�s. This particular boy Frankie Muniz (television�s Malcolm in the Middle) is eight years old, smaller of stature and finds it difficult to grow up around the town bullies. His Mom (Diane Lane from Walk on the Moon) decides it�s time for him to have a dog and get a Jack Russell terrier. The father (Kevin Bacon from Stir of Echoes) has his own problems to deal with, but eventually relents on the dog, which is named "Skip." With Skip as a friend, Frankie begins to enjoy life and gets into adventures such as being initiated into a "Big Boy�s gang" and his first case of love (OK, so it�s puppy love) with Caitlin Wachs. Frankie also has a unique friendship with the older Luke Wilson, but Luke enters the army and Frankie and Skip must find their own friends. As you can imagine, with a frisky Jack Russell terrier (played by many dogs, but at the end of the film by Moose from television�s Frasier), the fun and pranks are endless.

As with Haley Joel Osment who stole The Sixth Sense from adult actors, Frankie Muniz steals the film here. The only one to rival him here is Skip.

My Dog Skip is heartwarming entertainment. I once owned a Jack Russell terrier when I was Frankie�s age, and yes, the fun was endless. Be aware of schoolyard situations and sentimentality. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

ERIN BROCKOVICH 2 1/2 Rated PG 13

Erin Brockovich is actress Julia Roberts (Runaway Bride) latest film. Julia turns serious here, as a single mother with three children, no money in the bank account, no job training and living in a town where cancer is in everyone�s conversation. The film is directed by Steven Soderbergh (Out of Sight) from a script by Susannah Grant and Richard LaGravenese.

As Erin�s story goes (and by the way this is based on a true story) Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) is the largest employer in the area. Erin, trying to make something of her life and provide for her children, manages to get a job as an assistant to an attorney (Albert Finney from Simpatico). In another one of life�s coincidences in this film, living next door to Erin is an unemployed biker (Aaron Eckhart) who can take care of her children while she is at work. It doesn�t hurt that Erin is seen in various outfits designed to highlight her figure, either.

While working for the attorney, Erin stumbles across evidence that there is chromium in the water supply, and this may be a contributing factor to the cases of ovarian and breast cancer, plus leukemia, that plague the area. This is beginning to sound like John Travolta�s film, Civil Action, but instead of the Grace Company, there is PG&E. Erin somehow persuades Finney to go against the big utility and their high-priced lawyers. Do you hear "courtroom battle" in the distance?

Erin Brockovich is out to clobber people with the idea that you can win your lawsuits against big business. Well, perhaps you can, but remember, here Erin is gorgeous and people just keep doing things her way. Oh, well, Julia Roberts does make the character of Erin appealing and the supporting cast is good. There is Cherry Jones (Cradle Will Rock), Conchata Ferrell, Marg Helgenberger, Lynn Redgrave and Josef Sommer. Finney is wonderful as the mature lawyer. Be aware of language and sexual situations. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

FINAL DESTINATION 2 Rated PG 13

Final Destination (previous known as Flight 180) is an intriguing film that looks as though it could have come from television�s The Outer Limits. Devon Sawa (Idle Hands) and his high school French class are about to board a plane for a trip to Paris. Just before takeoff, Devon has a premonition of disaster and persuades people around him to immediately leave the plane. The group later learns the plane has, indeed, crashed. How to conduct your life now that you have escaped such an impending fate?

This is the premise of Final Destination. As the story follows the survivors, we see that one by one, they start to meet death. Can you really cheat death? This is a good cast, besides Sawa there is Seann William Scott, Chad E. Donella, Ali Larter, Kerr Smith, Kristen Cloke and Amanda Detmer. The group also finds that the FBI is on their trail. What to do? Who to fear the most, death or the FBI?

Final Destination is certainly thought provoking and a cut above the average supernatural thriller. The film is a showcase for new talent, after all the Scream and I Know What You Did film series have just about run their course. Director James Wong (a producer of X-Files) knows how to add suspense to the story. Haven�t we, all, had a premonition at sometime in our lives? Final Destination is rated R. Be aware of violence and sexual situations. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

HERE ON EARTH 1 1/2 Rated PG 13

Here On Earth stars Chris Klein (Election), LeeLee Sobieski (Eyes Wide Shut) and Josh Harnett (The Faculty.) The film is directed by Mark Piznarki and was done in Welsh, Minnesota which doubles for the Berkshire Woods.

The premise of Here On Earth has Chris has a wealthy young man with a raving sports car. Venturing into small town territory, he races Josh, one of the locals, and they end up burning a local restaurant when there is an auto accident. The judge imposes a unique sentence: the boys must rebuild the restaurant, which belonged to LeeLee�s mother. Chris ends up staying with Josh�s parents. Before you can say "burger and fries," sparks happen between LeeLee and Chris. The trouble is, LeeLee�s childhood friend, Josh, is in the wings and doesn�t know what to make of this "rich kid-poor girl" attraction, plus LeeLee has a secret of her own. What will happen?

Here On Earth has a bit of everything thrown into the mix. There is a car race, restaurant burning, young love, adjusting to small town life, romance, parental influence, jealousy, am I forgetting anything? It is better acted than some films of this genre, but still tries to say too much. It�s as though a year of television�s Dawson�s Creek was shown as a 90-minute film. The supporting cast is good, including Bruce Greenwood and Annette O�Toole as LeeLee�s parents and Stuart Wilson as Chris� father. Here On Earth ends up being a slightly above-average film that borders on soap opera. Be aware of some violence and sexual scenes. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

THE THIRD MIRACLE 2 1/2 Rated PG 13

The Third Miracle concerns a priest, Harris, who is confused about the status of his faith. He prefers wearing a turtleneck to a clerical collar. OK, this sounds familiar and so is the beginning of the movie about blood coming from a statue. As the film progresses, we see that Harris is assigned to investigate a dead woman, Helen O�Regan (Barbara Sukowa) and find out if she should be recommended for sainthood. It takes three confirmed, documented miracles to do this. Harris is a devoted skeptic, if nothing else, and so begins the search to find the truth.

The Third Miracle is different than other films concerning the Catholic religion. This one doesn�t bash it (Stigmata), but doesn�t whitewash religion, either. Mueller-Stahl�s character, an archbishop, is against almost everything, but you see where he is coming from. On the other hand, the cardinal (Charles Haid) thinks miracles don�t happen. As Harris begins to believe in O�Regan, he begins to question himself. Can it be, that he is rediscovering himself?

The Third Miracle doesn�t push the audience into the middle of things, as Stigmata did, instead, it goes at its own pace. As a subplot, there is O�Regan�s daughter (Heche), who, while reproaching her deceased mother, finds herself attracted to the priest anyway. If that isn�t enough to test your faith, nothing will. Heche�s clinging style of acting is annoying in this film.

The Third Miracle is a better than average film about miracles and the people who research them. Harris, though with an almost immovable face, glides through the film well. Agnieszka Holland treats the matter of religion with a deft hand. Be aware of violence and sexually suggestive scenes. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

THE ROAD TO EL DORADO 2 Rated PG

The Road to El Dorado is an animated feature comedy concerning two schemers who decide to find the fabled City of Gold, El Dorado. The film comes from DreamWorks and turns out to be well done with good animation, dialogue and storyline. Voices are of Kenneth Branaugh and Kevin Kline (both from Wild, Wild West) who play Miguel and Tulio, con men of centuries past.

The plot has the guy�s playing cards and winning a map to the fabled city. They have to beat a hasty retreat, however, and escape by hiding in barrels and going to sea-on Cortes ship, no less. When they land, they have to execute another escape so with the help of a handy horse, are off to find gold. Eventually, the guys find what they are looking for, but then fall into the clutches of an evil priest (Armand Assante) and are helped by a beautiful native girl (Rosie Perez). What to do when everyone is looking for you?

The Road to El Dorado has a PG rating and is not a film for younger children. The film has a good beginning, fair ending, but sags in the middle. What makes it entertaining is the vocal camaraderie between Branaugh and Kline. It�s like a "Road" picture with Hope and Crosby and Rosie has the Dorothy Lamour part. Songs are by Elton John and Tim Rice, with soundtrack by Hans Zimmer.

Be aware, the music has an "adult" tone to it, which makes it easy to listen to. Perez outfit will make adults sit up and take notice, while the language definitely veers toward "adult." Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

HIGH FIDELITY 2 Rated R

High Fidelity is a smart comedy that uses the talking-to-the-camera device. John Cusack (Being John Malkovich) stars as the owner of a record store specializing in vinyl records. He�s on the cutting edge of out-of-business, but manages to make it with friends Todd Louiso (Jerry Maguire) and Jack Black (Cradle Will Rock). This quick-witted script was adapted from the novel by Nick Hornby and directed by Stephen Frears (The Hi-Lo Country.) One change, though, the novel was set in London and the film locale has been changed to Chicago.

John knows the world of vinyl records like the back of his hand. The trouble is, when it comes to women, he�s out of his league when his girlfriend (Danish actress Iben Hjejle) walks out on him. John talks to the camera and tries to figure out why he can�t connect with a girl. In the meantime, Todd and Jack try to help, but Jack usually ends up being mean to Todd. It�s just his nature. When will John really grow up and enter the adult world? Some men are consumed by sports or computer games. John loves old recordings.

The supporting cast is wonderful including Lisa Bonet, Joelle Carter, Joan Cusack, Sara Gilbert, Lili Taylor and Natasha Gregson Wagner. John Cusack seems to be making a specialty out of playing guys on the cutting edge of sarcasm. High Fidelity caught my attention and may turn out to be a "sleeper" hit of the spring. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

ROMEO MUST DIE 2 Rated R

Romeo Must Die is a martial arts film that highlights the talent of Jet Li (Lethal Weapon 4.) The story concerns gang wars between Asian and African-American gangs in Oakland. The film is directed by Andrezej Bartkowiak, who is a renowned cinematographer (The Devil�s Advocate and Lethal Weapon 4) and making his directorial debut here.

The heat along Oakland�s waterfront picks up when Po, son of an Asian warlord is killed. Jet Li was Po�s brother, and is an ex-cop currently in a Hong Kong prison. Eventually, he comes to America and begins to ask questions. He becomes a target and finds himself between the warring factions. Li also finds romance with Aaliyah (who also sings on the soundtrack) and then finds she is the daughter of his enemy. A bit of Romeo and Juliet thrown into the mix.

Romeo Must Die has terrific martial arts fight scenes, music and visual effects going for it. Just when you think you have seen it all, there is a scene where Li is in prison, chained and hanging by one foot, yet manages to subdue the guards. Supporting cast is great including Delroy Lindo (Cedar House Rules) as an African-American gang leader, Henry O (Snow Falling on Cedars) as an Asian warlord, Russell Wong, Isaiah Washington, D. B. Woodside and Anthony Anderson. The film is rated R, but don�t try these stunts at home. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

THE SKULLS 1 1/2 Rated R

The Skulls has a title that makes it sound as though it should be a Halloween film. However, this movie is one, in a long run of films about secret societies (example: The Star Chamber or The Firm.) This particular society is on an Ivy League campus. It�s directed by Rob Cohen (Daylight.) Joshua Jackson (television�s Dawson�s Creek) wants to make it big in college, and this includes fast cars, money and girls. He quickly learns that if you get into something called "The Skulls," the world virtually opens for you. Soon, Joshua is in the group with their rules of secrecy and oaths. When Joshua�s roommate is found dead, a possible suicide. Joshua begins to wonder about The Skulls. What is their true purpose and how far will they go to protect themselves. What do you think?

The Skulls could have been a topnotch thriller, but instead wanders down the path of teenage love and dialogue from nowhere. The supporting cast acting surpasses that of the stars (here is Craig T. Nelson, William Petersen and Christopher McDonald) and that�s not a good sign. The Skulls fizzles out and ends up on the bone yard. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

THE CLOSER YOU GET 3 Rated PG 13

"The Closer You Get", and you will have to get closer to the screen to catch some of the Irish dialogue, is a humorous film of men in a small Irish town trying to get American woman there. Object? Matrimony. There are lovely women in the town of Donegal, but no one notices them. The arrested-development men have eyes only for glamour. As you can imagine, there is much humor involved when the town men decide to post an ad in the Miami Herald and eagerly await a barrage of women. In the meantime, they undergo a bit of a transformation themselves, with regular bathing, haircuts and the like. What do the town women think of this? They have a plan of their own.

The Closer You Get stars Ian Hart, Sean McGinley, Niamh Cusack, Ruth McCabe and Ewan Stewart. The audience gets involved with how the village priest rationalizes what his parishioners are doing, and begins to see just who is really meant to be together. There isn�t much to do in this small seacoast town except visit the pub in the evening or watch monthly films brought in by the priest (The Ten Commandments, for example). The Gaellic music score by Rachel Portman ads a lilt to the film which has quiet humor and quiet jabs at men who wear blinders through life. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner

PRICE OF GLORY 2 Rated PG 13

Price of Glory has a wealth of talent, but the mediocre script allows it to slip away. Scriptwriter Phil Berger knows his way around a fight story, having published Blood Season: Tyson and the World of Boxing. Price of Glory is a man�s film and women are relegated to staying home. The story centers on the Ortega family headed by Arturo (Jimmy Smits from NYPD Blue), wife Rita (Canadian actress Maria Del Mar) and sons Sonny (Jon Seda from television�s Homicide: Life on the Streets), Jimmy Clifton Collins Jr. from Light It Up) and Johnny (newcomer Ernesto Hernandez). Arturo�s life was boxing, but after a mismatch, he left the ring, got married, and has a nominal job and three sons. The kids don�t have a chance to turn into anything but boxers. Arturo won�t hear of it. Winning is absolute, positively everything.

Fast forward to the boys in early twenties, each has a particular boxing style and this comes to the attention of questionable promoter Nick (Ron Perlman from A Few Good Men) and his henchman, Pepe (comic Paul Rodriguez.) You can figure out what comes next. There is the old family friend who is also a trainer, the vintage Cadillac convertible and "surprise," here is a new boxing robe.

Price of Glory does have wonderful boxing scenes that are better than Play It To The Bone with Woody Harrelson and Antonio Banderas. The young actors have good physiques and perform the roles well. Smits, however, pulls back and Maria Del Mar isn�t allowed to do much of anything. Tightening the story, putting an edge on the dialogue would have improved this film. . The boxing ring is a bloody place and you must use strategy against your opponent as in any sport. Copyright 2000 Marie Asner