Show 4D Friday April 19 1991 Movies Standard-Examin- Tedious defines this one Seagal’s new film is awful ‘Book of Love’ not worth your trouble 'Out for Justice' belongs in prison By DONALD PORTER Standard E rammer er By DONALD PORTER staff SlancarO-Examn- Dear Steven Seagal I'm writin’ to you as a concerned moviegoer and as a guy who up until “Marked for Death" thought you were givin’ more bang for the buck in action movies But lately Steve — can I call you Steve? — lately you’ve been a staff er If you just can’t get enough of drunk teenage boys coaxing teenage girls into bed or countless masturbation jokes or homo-phobreferences or pithy lines like “So we got older and our hormones got bolder” “Book of ic Love” should delight you big-leag- ue REVIEW REVIEW THE FILM: "Out for Justice’ OUR RATING: Vi STARRING: Steven Seagal THE FILM: Book of Lovg’ OUR RATING: STARRING: Chris Young Keith Coogan Aeryk Egan Josie Bissett Tncia Letgh Fisher Michael McKean BEHIND THE SCENES: Directed by Robert Shaye Screenplay by Wil- Wil- liam Forsythe Jo Champa Sal Richards Jerry Orbach BEHIND THE SCENES: Directed by John Flynn Screenplay by David Lee Henry PLAYING: Mann Riverdale Movies 10 North Star Drive-I- n (with The Rookie’) Walker Cinemas 4 liam Kotzwinkle PLAYING: Layton Hills 6 Walker Cinemas 4 Wilshire MPAA RATING: PG-1- 3 friend and fellow cop MPAA RATING: R See when you first did that flick “Above the Law" it was like the coolest It was like Stal- lone with brains You could talk you could act It was unbelievable I mean you seemed to really care about what you was doin’ And the fight scenes Steve — get outta here they were great bones bustin’ and the bad guys goin’ down hard man But now after three films each of which always got worse than the one before you make “Out for Justice" Steve — you're sure this is a good thing that I call you Steve? Anyway this “Out for Justice" is horrible What’s the deal? Now that you got money you can’t make a decent picture? I’m like I dunno So I’m sittin’ there watchin’ you look so cool in your ponytail pulled tighter than Tom Jones’ jeans and bing bang boom — it’s like the LA Police Department’s “Totally Hidden Video” all over again You’re playin’ a cop for the fourth time — which is good I got absolutely no problem with it — but the first guy you beat up is an Now I gotta say this Steve this is not the best way to entertain people right erican now Know what I’m saying Also what’s this thing about your character’s partner always takin’ a bullet? What you can’t ever have a partner who lives? They always die Correct me if I’m wrong here but this is get-tiold man These aren’t the kind of goofs a guy like you should be makin’ you know The way I see iL you oughta be doin’ better work You got potential — like it’s runnin’ out your ears already So what gives? You’re beatin’ up women in this movie This is what a cop on camera does? OK scratch that But is this n’ what a movie hero does? Sure sure there’s — what you call it? — “artistic license” yeah But even guys like me know you only thump a man or a woman when they got it cornin’ when they pull a gun or a knife or whatever Am I right or what? I gotta also say this thing about the subtitles in the movie: You think you’re some kinda Francis Ford Coppola or somethin’? I mean havin’ wiseguys speak in Italian doesn’t exactly make “Out for Justice” any more believable OK? I wouldn’t say it’s as deep as “The Godfather Part III” or “Dances with Wolves” Next time let ’em speak the English And just one more thing Steve if it’s OK The violence is startin’ to make me think of a Freddy Krueger movie man You’re biowin’ guys’ legs off with shotguns knockin’ teeth ouL and the blood is flowin’ like Niagara Falls Not cool Too much Somebody has to tell you But remember Steve you’re my man — the best kick-bu- tt artist in the movies So get it together again will ya? Sincerely If on the other hand your IQ runs into triple digits “Book of Love" spells a relentlessly irritating and tedious 90 minutes in the dark Told in flashback from the vantage of a broken marriage “Book of Love” follows the adolescent experience of Jack Twill-e- r your basic 1950s nerd with a crush on the prettiest girl in school Almost puts’ you to sleep just thinking about iL Chris Young plays the teenaged Twiller a boy with a frightfully vivid Joe Moviegoer imagination: body-builde- ‘Five Heartbeats’ chronicles fictional rhythm and blues band Standard Examiner staff REVIEW Robert Town- Writer-direct- or send's new film “The Five Heartbeats" opens in local the- aters today after a limited release in other parts of the country No previews were made available for local media so we’ve assembled the opinions of several wire service reviewers to let you know something about the film “The Five Heartbeats" is the chronicle of a fictional rhythm and blues band from the group's buoyant youth to its members’ middle age Townsend who pre- - THE FILM: The Five Heartbeats’ STARRING: Robert Townsend Michael Wright Leon Harry J Lennix Tico Wells Diahann Carroll BEHIND THE SCENES: Directed by Robert Townsend Screenplay by Townsend and Keenan Ivory Way-an- s PLAYING: Mann City Plaza MPAA RATING: R viously directed “Hollywood the film with Shuffle” Keenan Ivory Wayans and in the film with Michael co-wro- te co-sta- Ratings Guide Review are by Donald Porter Excellent Good Fair Poor Worthless rs Wright Leon Harry J Lennix Tico Wells and Diahann Carroll Dolores Barclay Associated Press arts editor writes that “Townsend does more than merely track the travails of five song stylists he quivers and rages with their injustices vulnerabilities uncertainties and desires” “The story is seen through the eyes of Duck (Townsend)” writes Barclay “the one stabilizing force in all five lives and indeed the creative vortex of the group Duck defines the hopes frustrations and dreams of the young rassed for John Hughes the guy who wrote the script Layton Hills 6 CLASS ACTION (R) '6 Language Gene Hackman and Mary Elizabeth Mastranto-m- o star in this courtroom drama in which a father and daughter argue on opposite sides of a case Predictable? Yes But the characters are densely drawn with unexpected flaws and attributes Hackman is his usual terrific and does a splendid job too Layton Hills 6 Mann Riverdale Walker Cinemas 4 DANCES WITH WOLVES (PG-13- ) i Language violence nudity Kevin Costner directed this film in which he also stars as a soldier who takes a post in the W'est to see the American frontier before it vanishes A terrific movie with contemporary sensibilities Costner treats the Native Americans in the film with dignity and as ordinary people given to whims and common emotional responses A sweeping epic that is personal in its approach Capitol Movies 10 Wilshire THE DOORS (R) Language nudity sex drug use Director Oliver Stone (“Bom on the Fourth of July") bangs the storock band to the ry of The Doors a screen Val Kilmer stars as the late Jim Mom-so- n and include Meg Ryan Kyle Kevin Dillon and Billy Idol Stone's typical style is on full display but this time out it works in recreating the hallucinatory nature of the music and the behavior of the counterculture Kilmer’s impersonation of Momson is complete and dovetails perfectly dead-o- n with Stone’s hyped-u- p stylistic leaps This movie will leave you drained shock you and maybe even repulse you but you can't help but admire its achievements Movies 10 Mas-tranto- BOOK OF LOVE (PG-1Language violence A teen comedy set in the 1950s about a kid who has a crush on the prettiest girl in school See the review in this section Layton Hills 6 Walker Cinemas 4 Wilshire THE FIVE HEARTBEATS (R) Language sex drug use The new film by director Robert Townsend (“Hollywood Shuffle") follows the career of a fictional rhythm and blues group in the 960s No previews were made available for local critics so see the round-u- p of wire service reviews in this section Mann City Plaza MORTAL THOUGHTS (R) Language violence sex Demi Moore Harvey Keitel and Bruce Willis are among the cast members of this crime film It was directed by Alan Rudolph ("Choose Me") See the review m this section Mann Riverdale Movies 10 3) 1 kfinunBnEi'flrniB i ALMOST AN ANGEL (PG) Language Paul Hogan plays convened thief Terry Dean who after performing a heroic deed believes he has died talked to God and has been given a new lease on life Hogan who also wrote the script has spread his wings further than he should putting his Australian twist on a storyline already provided by the likes of “Heaven Can Wait" and “It’s a Wonderful Life" The theme of the show is nice in reaffirming what has been done so many times before the ploy But the bad packaging of the same wonderful theme makes “Almost an Angel" another one of those films only almost wonh going to see Kaysvtllc Lakeside Newgate 4 Rov — Reviewed by Brvon Saxton AWAKENINGS (PG-13- ) '6 Language Robert Dc Niro and Robin Williams star in this medical drama about a physician (Williams) who attempts to revive apparently vegetative patients through the use of an experimental treatment Based on factual events this moving heartfelt motion picture tells a painful tale about people trapped inside unresponsive shells A musi-se- e Lavton Hills 6 Wilshire CAREER OPPORTUNITIES I co-sta-rs over-the-t- EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (PG-13- ) Language violence Teen hcartthrob Johnny Depp stars in this entertaining comic variation on “Frankenstein" The film was directed by Tim Burton (“Batman" and works on Big Adventure" “Beetlejuice") many levels — as lighthearted comedy poignant examination of teenage awkwardness sexual Dnve-l- n awakening A delight Motor-V- u (with “Goodfellas") Newgate 4 GOODFELLAS (R) 6 Violence language sex Robert De Niro Ray Liotta Joe Pes-c- i and Paul Sorvino head the cast of Martin Scorsese's new film about the life of a gangster Scorsese sandbags his audience luring us into the criminal life lulling us into believing it is something of a violent but fun boys club Then he drops the hammer revealing what an amoral existence life in the mob really is Splendid performances all around especially by IVsci One of the year’s best films and one of the bet(6 “Pec-wee- ’s low-lev- el ter gangster films ever made Motor-V'Dnvr-I(with "fjward Svissortiands") u n (PG-13- ) Language violence implied ex Frank Whaley ("The Doors") and Jennifer Connelly (“The Hot in this comedy about a departSpot") ment store custodian who’s locked in the store with the most attractive young woman n town A rehash of "Home Alone" with a dash of “The Breakfast Club tossed in This movie is dreadful a fantasy so pathetic it makes you embar co-st- long-delay- late-’&- CREEN CARD (PG-13- ) Language A single woman wants an apartment reserved for a married couple A French composer wants his green card so he can stay m Amenca A marriage of convenience takes place and the romance begins A light fluffy comedy that neither offends nor challenges with fine performances bv Andie Mat Dowell and Gerard Depardieu Movies 10 two-ho- action-comed- KINDERGARTEN COP (PG-13- ) V6 Language violence Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this odd amalgam of action and comedy as a police detective who's searching for the estranged wife and child of a murderous dope dealer As part of his investigation he goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher On the cutcncss scale “Kindergarten Cop’ scores an 85 out of a possible 10 But it’s funny-cut- e not sickemngly sweet so we’ll go along with it The real puzzler though is why the film contains such a high level of violence Characters are shot at beaten and killed in brutal fashion here The PG-1rating is Newgate 4 KING RALPH (PG-13- ) '6 Language John Goodman stars in a comedy about a lounge musician who becomes the heir to the English throne when the royal family is electrocuted en masse Goodman makes an effort but his enormous charm can’t save this silly movie Peter O'Toole Capitol Layton Hills 6 — Reviewed bv Bnon Saxton L-STORY (PG-13- ) ‘6 Language sex Steve Martin wrote and stars in this comedy about life in Los Angeles The movie pretends to make fun of LA lifestyles but is really a lose letter to Martin's hometown He plavj TV weatherman who jazzes up the bland forecasts with comedy freeway signs communicate with him everyone eats healthy foods The movie is a senes of vignettes that take an unrealistic Mew of the city and its inhabitants We never see smog only blue skies But there are enough laughs to keep us amused if not thoroughly interested The film Victoria Tennant and Manlu Hrnner Layton Hills 6 THE MARRYING MAN (R) Language sex Molrnce Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin star in this Neil comedy about a millionaire who repeatedly weds a Las Vegas lounge singer Simon writes “cute" but he doesn't necessarily write “funny’ or "interesting" — at least not this time There’s supposed to be hrnt grnrratcd betwren these two charac 3 rs A co-sta- rs d rs men He also has a sweet innoEven so she says maybe Townan unrepairable projector malcence: He truly believes in husend has bitten off more than he man worth and the good in a can chew “Townsend tries to function) man Twiller tries to impress the obmake points about the music in“As a director” she continues in the ’60s artcrossover ject of his desire but must first dustry “Townsend is best at drawing out ists the destructiveness of drugs overcome the obstacle presented good performances from his casL and alcohol the price of womanby her juvenile delinquent boyand understanding the human izing rednecks touring as a black friend It’s all standard stuff recondition artist friendship and family grettably which has been done Christine Dolen of the Miami 'commitment and maturity white with infinitely more finesse in Herald praises the film as “ambiartists covering black hits fathers movies like “American Graffiti" tious” and “vivid” and writes and sons new wealth exploitaand “Diner” “Book of Love" is a that “great chunks of ‘The Five tion of artists lead singers who hack job along the lines of such Heartbeats’ — its electrifying fiascoes as “The Wild go solo — and so on It’s too too early-’80- s musical sequences especially — much for even a movie Life” — all party fantasy and no are wonderfully involving” soul or insighL to contain” THE HARD WAY (R) Language violence Michael J Fox plays a pampered movie star eager to play the role of a gritty homicide detective To research the part he tags along with a reluctant real-lif- e cop played by James Woods This y was directed by John Badham (“WarGames”) There's plenty to laugh at in the film and the performances are splendid But the movie eventually plays out just like the movies it intends to lampoon engaging in predictable action and general silliness that's supposed o pass for suspense It’s a mixed bag Movies 10 HOME ALONE (PG) ‘5 Language violence This comedy directed by Chns Columbus (“Adventures in Babysitting") revolves around a boy whose parents run off to Europe and forget him at home until after they’re on the plane While they try to get back the child has the run of the house and must defend his home against burglars The final 20 minutes or so of the movie are entertaining but the hour and 15 minutes between the time the movie starts and the payoff are a bore Capitol Mann Riverdale Motor-V- u Dnve-l- n (with “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowbovs") Movies 10 Simon-senptr- Female models on tool calendars speak to him male jump out of comic book ads and give him advice and so on It’s a cute idea but it’s also a bit distracting (Not that we wouldn’t welcome the odd diversion — like ur ters but no sparks fly It’s all quite contrived and the basic plot repeats three or four times after our initial introduction to the story A significant waste of time talent and money Layton Hills 6 Mann City Plaza Walker Cinemas 4 MISERY (R) Violence language James Caan Kathy Bates and Richard Farnsworth star in director Rob Reiner’s (“Stand by Me”) adaptation of Stephen King’s novel about a romance novelist who is kidnapped by a rabid fan and tortured Caan’s performance as the writer is static but Bates as the crazed fan is first-rat- e A fairly suspense film that seems oddly out of whack for Reiner whose pacing is usually right on the mark Also he pulls punches when he shouldn’t and delivers others too strongly A mediocre uneven effort Newgate 4 North Star Drive-I- n (with “Sleeping with the Enemy") MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COWBOYS (PG) i Language violence Scott Glenn and Kate Capshaw lead the cast of this drama set m the world of championship rodeo Veteran character actor Ben Johnson and is the only one on hand to lend real dramatic weight to this thinly veiled “Rocky" retread Johnson with his wrinkled tin foil complexion and delivery reminds us that old timers can still pack a punch — even when the material fails them Rodeo fans will like the fantastic g scenes that open and close the film Motor-V- u Dnve-l- n (with “Home Alone") Roy slow-movi- rs damn-straig- ht ner Cliches are abundant as is the mindless action Despite one or two stunts and the occasional Eastwood-delivere- d quip “The Rookie" marks a significant step backward for Eastwood as a director North Star Drive-I- n (with “Out for Justice") SHIPWRECKED (PG) Violence This pirate movie concerns a boy who ships out on a doomed boat only to find himself washed up on a Pacific island and confronted by danger Very much in the spirit of “Treasure Island" the film is a rollicking good swashbuckler with buried treasure tall ships swordplay and everything else that makes the genre crackle — when it's done well Gabnel Byrne as the evil pirate is especially good It’ll make you feel like a kid again Mann City Plaza Movies 10 Walker Cinemas 4 THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (R) W Language violence Jodie Foster stars as an FBI trainee on the trail of a senal killer To aid in her investigation she turns for advice to a convicted mass murderer Hannibal “the Cannibal" Lecter played by Anthony Hopkins A blunt frightening thnller that is sure to give you theheebie-jeebie- s like no film has since “Aliens" A real shocker with great direction by Jonathan Demme (“Something Wild") Mann City Plaza Movies 10 bull-ndin- THE NEVERENDING STORY II (PG) 'i Mild violence A sequel to the popular children’s movie from 1984 about a boy who fantasizes about taking part in the stones he reads Good special effects mask a boring story (hough Kids might like it but parents will snooze Kaysville Lakeside New’gate 4 NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER (PG-13- ) Language violence Sally Field plays an American woman whose Iranian husband while on a vacation in Iran decides to reaffirm his faith in Islam and refuses to allow his wife and child to leave the country So she plans an escape For a film that espouses freedom and understanding the tone of the movie is pointedly racist Field is good but it’s a lost cause Ideal Motor-V- u Dnve-l- n (with “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II) OUT FOR JUSTICE (R) '6 Violence language Steven Seagal ("Marked for Death") stars in another vehicle suited to his particular strengths which consist pnmanly of an uncanny ability to snap the bones of bad guys This time out he plays a cop which is no surpnse at all who must wage war against an old fnend turned bad See the review in this section Mann Riverdale Movies 10 North Star Dnve-l- n (with "The Rookie") talker Cinemas 4 THE ROOKIE (R) Violence sex language Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen head the cast of this buddy-coactionrr about an aging detective and rookie assigned to grand theft auto cases They're on the trail of a ruthless killer (Raul Julia) who killed Eastw’ood's old part- p J SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY (R) Language violence sex bnef nudity Julia Roberts (“Pretty Woman") and Patrick Bergin (“Mountains of the Moon") star in this slick thoughtful thnller about a battered woman who plans an intneate escape from her abusive bus-band Though formulaic in ns plot construction director Joseph Ruben (“The Stepfather") adds a certain flair to the proceedings that elevates the matenal above the norm Cinedome Movies 10 North Star Dnve-l- n (with "Misery") Walker Cinemas 4 ‘ TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES lit THE SECRET OF THE OOZE (PG) ri Violence The heroes on the are back This sequel to the onginal blockbuster is at least as entertaining as the first installment It's great stuff for the kids who should get a kick out of all the silly bloodless violence and wisecracking dialogue And any parents who brave the kiddie throngs might enjoy themselves too These turtles actually listen to their elders — in between kicking and punching the bejabbers out of the bad guys Cinedome Layton Hills 6 Mo-tor-V-u Dnve-l(with “Not W nhout My Daughter") Movies 10 Walker Cinemas 4 half-she- ll n WHITE FANG (PG) Vi Violence Jack London’s classic tale of surv ival has been adapt-f- d to the screen by the folks at Wait Disney Klaus Mana Brandaucr stars Exciting action and good performances make this one worth- while Mann City Plaza Movies 10 — Renewed by Bryon Saxton (Some theater information as not rrcenrd before copy deadlines for information on movies playing at the Country Club Theater call the theater box office ) ’ |