`KICKED IN THE HEAD' LESS THAN SUM OF ITS PARTS.Byline: Jay Boyar boyar Any male member of the upper class of medieval Russian society and state administration. In Kievan Rus (10th–12th centuries) the boyars belonged to the prince's retinue, holding posts in the army and civil administration and advising the prince in matters of Orlando Sentinel ``Kicked in the Head'' is a semi-comic, tragically hip crime movie with an impressive cast, some powerful behind-the-scenes support and, I am sorry to report, very little to recommend it. Set on some of the meaner streets of New York's Lower East Side, this small, unfocused film focuses (so to speak) on the misadventures of a spacey spac·ey adj. Slang Variant of spacy. Adj. 1. spacey - stupefied by (or as if by) some narcotic drug spaced-out, spacy unconventional - not conventional or conformist; "unconventional life styles" slacker named Redmond (Kevin Corrigan). Early in the film, Redmond does an errand for his shifty shift·y adj. shift·i·er, shift·i·est 1. Having, displaying, or suggestive of deceitful character; evasive or untrustworthy. 2. Uncle Sam (James Woods) and ends up with a stash stash Drug slang noun A place where illicit drugs are hidden of cocaine that belongs to a gangster (Burt Young). Meanwhile, our unlikely hero is romantically pursued by the hapless Happy (Lili Taylor) while pursuing a tough-talking flight attendant named Megan (Linda Fiorentino). Corrigan and Matthew Harrison co-wrote ``Kicked in the Head,'' which was directed by Harrison. High-powered filmmaker Martin Scorsese (``GoodFellas'') is listed as executive producer. Although the movie's spirit is generally easygoing, the filmmakers reach for deeper significance by trying to make some sort of metaphorical linkage between Redmond and the tragedy of the Hindenburg disaster. There is also much talk of Redmond's ``spiritual quest'' to write a book about ``the truth'' and about his ``attendant godling'' (i.e., guardian angel), who, according to a fortune cookie, ``has lost her way.'' Sometimes one of the actors - especially Woods, Fiorentino or Michael Rapaport (``Cop Land''), who plays Redmond's beer-distributor buddy - gets something going that's compelling or funny enough to make you forget that the movie is going nowhere. But, finally, Redmond's attendant godling god·ling n. A minor god. isn't the only one to have lost her way. THE FACTS The film: ``Kicked in the Head'' (R; drug use, a racy sex scene and profanity Irreverence towards sacred things; particularly, an irreverent or blasphemous use of the name of God. Vulgar, irreverent, or coarse language. The use of certain profane or obscene language on the radio or television is a federal offense, but in other situations, profanity ). The stars: Kevin Corrigan, Linda Fiorentino, James Woods, Lili Taylor and Michael Rapaport. Behind the scenes: Directed by Matthew Harrison. Written by Harrison and Corrigan. Distributed by October Films. Running time: One hour, 29 minutes. Playing: Selected theaters, including Woodland Hills AMC (Advanced Mezzanine Card) See AdvancedTCA. Promenade 16. Our rating: One and One Half Stars. |
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