FALL FILM PREVIEW '98.Byline: Bob Strauss and Glenn Whipp Daily News Film Writers As usual, we offer this caveat: Dates may change, films may disappear, others may appear. One thing you can count on: Stanley Kubrick's long-awaited ``Eyes Wide Shut,'' starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, will not be on the schedule. (At last check, it had been moved to next summer, but nobody's really betting it will be here before the millennium.) Here, however, are the films that are supposed to be here before we party 'cause it's 1999: Sept. 18: The Eel Shohei Imamura's Cannes Film Festival Cannes Film Festival Film festival held annually in Cannes, France. First held in 1946 for the recognition of artistic achievement, the festival came to provide a rendezvous for those interested in the art and influence of the movies. award winner about a Japanese wife-murderer who tries to rebuild his life on parole, then prevents a young woman from committing suicide. Starring ``Shall We Dance's'' Koji Yakusho. Esmeralda Comes by Night A Mexican nurse has five husbands. Hey, if I ever need painkillers, I want her to administer 'em. Directed by the always naughty Jaime Humberto Hermosillo (``Dona Herlinda and Her Son''). (Fine Line Features) Free Tibet Documentary of the San Francisco Tibetan Freedom benefit concert. The usual historical/political/religious info about the beleaguered be·lea·guer tr.v. be·lea·guered, be·lea·guer·ing, be·lea·guers 1. To harass; beset: We are beleaguered by problems. 2. To surround with troops; besiege. Himalayan country is interspersed with performances by 20 bands and solo artists, including the Beastie Boys, Beck, Foo Fighters, the Fugees, John Lee Hooker, Sean Lennon, Rage Against the Machine and the Smashing Pumpkins. (TSG TSG The Smoking Gun (web site) TSG Technology Services Group (UK) TSG Technical Specification Group TSG Timing Signal Generator TSG Technical Support Group TSG Tumor Suppressor Gene TSG ThermoSalinoGraph Pictures) Ill Gotten Gains Anger builds to rebellion below the decks of a 19th-century slave ship. Akosua Busia (``The Color Purple'') and ``Amistad's'' Djimon Hounsou star. (Spats Films) Lilian's Story An Australian woman is released from a mental institution after 40 years and must not only try to live a normal life but confront the family abuses that got her into this awful situation. (Phaedra Cinema) One True Thing Adaptation of Anna Quindlen's prize-winning novel about an ambitious journalist who moves back home to care for her ailing, difficult mother. Meryl Streep's the mom, Renee Zellweger is the Anna stand-in and William Hurt plays her father. Carl Franklin, of ``One False Move'' and ``Devil in a Blue Dress'' fame, directed. (Universal) Permanent Midnight Ben Stiller tries his hand at dark drama in this adaptation of Jerry Stahl's autobiography. He's a Hollywood writer with a nasty drug habit - understandably so, since he had to write ``ALF'' episodes. Elizabeth Hurley and Maria Bello play the unaccountably impressed women in his life. (Artisan Entertainment) Rush Hour Another kick in the head from Jackie Chan. This time, the action hero is paired with comedic powerhouse Chris Tucker. (New Line) Six-String Samurai Oddball apocalyptic adventure in which a superwarrior/Elvis impersonator crosses the Western desert to be crowned King of Lost Vegas. (Palm Pictures/Manga Entertainment) A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries'' James Ivory does his literary adaptation thing again, this time to Kaylie Jones' semiautobiographical sem·i·au·to·bi·o·graph·i·cal adj. Of, relating to, or being a work that falls between fiction and autobiography: a semiautobiographical novel. Adj. 1. coming-of-age novel set in Paris and Long Island in the 1960s and '70s. She was the daughter of war novel author James Jones (``From Here to Eternity,'' ``The Thin Red Line'') and, at least according to this film, he was an ideal, open-minded dad. Kris Kristofferson plays the novelist, ``Deep Impact's'' Leelee Sobieski is the budding young authoress Au´thor`ess n. 1. A female author. Noun 1. authoress - a woman author author, writer - writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay) , and Barbara Hershey does loving mom and wife duty. (October Films) War Zone Documentarian doc·u·men·tar·i·an also doc·u·men·ta·rist n. One that makes documentaries or a documentary. Maggie Haddleigh-West got sick of guys acting rude on the street. So she got out her camera and asked them why. Sept. 25: Chicago Cab Kooks take rides. Based on a play. Gillian Anderson, John Cusack and Julianne Moore pay their fares. (Castle Hill) Clay Pigeons ``Return to Paradise'' castmates Vince Vaughn and Joaquin Phoenix team with Janeane Garofalo in this dark comedy about a small-town gas station attendant who gets caught up in adultery, suicide and murder. Sounds like a million laughs, huh? (Gramercy) Just Write A love struck bus driver pretends to be a writer in order to impress his favorite actress. Dude, don't you know drivers have more respect than writers in this town? ``Ellen's'' Jeremy Piven and ``Rude Awakening's'' Sherilyn Fenn star. (Curb Entertainment) Lolita Following its one-week run in August and its cable TV debut, Adrian Lyne's evidently not-so-controversial adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov's classic novel comes to a theater you still might not want near you. Jeremy Irons is the sullen, soulful pedophile pedophile Forensic psychiatry A person with pedophilia; there are an estimated 500,000 pedophiles in the world. See Child prostitution, Megan's law, Pedophilia. in love with the pubescent pubescent /pu·bes·cent/ (pu-bes´int) 1. arriving at the age of puberty. 2. covered with down or lanugo. pu·bes·cent adj. 1. lollipop, played by a bright young Dominique Swain. Warning: The most upsetting thing in this movie is the sight of Frank Langella naked. (Samuel Goldwyn Films) Monument Ave. Some working-class Boston lugs steal the property of gentrifying yuppies who are taking over their neighborhood. Denis Denis, king of Portugal: see Diniz. Leary, Colm Meaney, Billy Crudup, Martin Sheen and Jeanne Tripplehorn star. (Lions Gate Films) Pecker John Waters' latest exercise in lovable outrageusness follows the damaging effect artistic success has on a young Baltimore photographer's relationships with his eccentric friends and relatives. Edward Furlong and Christina Ricci lead the ensemble cast. (Fine Line Features) Ronin ronin (rō`nĭn), in Japanese history, masterless samurai. Ronin were retainers who were deprived of their place in the usual loyalty patterns of Japanese feudalism. John Frankenheimer, the master of '60s political paranoia (``The Manchurian Candidate,'' ``Seven Days in May''), directs a top-flight international cast in this thriller about ex-Cold Warriors joining forces for a dangerous new enterprise. But can Robert De Niro Noun 1. Robert De Niro - United States film actor who frequently plays tough characters (born 1943) De Niro , Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgard and Jonathan Pryce trust each other? (United Artists) Shadrach A Southern boy learns about kindness and human dignity from a 99-year-old former slave. Andie MacDowell and Harvey Keitel star in this 1930s period piece. (Sony) Urban Legend You know ... alligators in the sewers. Psychology professors carving up college students. The latter is the subject of this fright-fest, which stars Jared Leto, Alicia Witt and the requisite ``Dawson's Creek'' actor, Joshua Jackson. (Sony) Who the Hell Is Juliette? Acclaimed Mexican documentary about a young Cuban girl. (Kino kino the juice of certain plants, some tropical and some Australian eucalypts, used in medicine as an astringent. International) Oct. 2: Antz The first of the season's two computer-animated insect cartoons features the voice of Woody Allen as a worker ant who starts a class war in the name of love. Other pests sound like Sharon Stone, Sylvester Stallone, Gene Hackman and Jennifer Lopez. (DreamWorks) Biker Dreams Documentary about 250,000 Harley riders holding their annual conclave conclave In the Roman Catholic church, the assembly of cardinals gathered to elect a new pope and the system of strict seclusion to which they submit. From 1059 the election became the responsibility of the cardinals. in a lucky South Dakota town. Music by Metallica, but of course. (Castle Hill) Day for Night Reissue of Francois Truffaut's delightful 1973 tribute to the joys and frustrations of filmmaking. (Warner Bros BROS Brothers BROS Benefits and Retirement Operations Section (King County, Washington) BROS Barnes and Richmond Operatic Society (London, UK) . Classics) The Imposters Actor/director Stanley Tucci (``Big Night'') co-stars with Oliver Platt as Marx Brother-style cutups whose antics almost sink a luxury liner. (Fox Searchlight) Life of Jesus Youthful aimlessness aim·less adj. Devoid of direction or purpose. aim  less·ly adv.aim degenerates into racism in a small French village. A Merry War Adaptation of George Orwell's comic novel ``Keep the Aspidistra Flying Keep the Aspidistra Flying, first published 1936, is a grimly comic novel by George Orwell. It is set in 1930s London. The main theme is the protagonist's romantic ambition to give up money and status, and the squalid life that results. .'' Richard E. Grant Richard E. Grant (born May 5, 1957) is a British actor known for portraying the world-weary, drug-crazed alcoholic Withnail in Withnail and I. Biography Early life Grant was born Richard Grant Esterhuysen plays a snotty 1930s Englishman who quits his real job to become a poet. Helena Bonham Carter plays his inconveniently pregnant girlfriend. (First Look Pictures) A Night at the Roxbury Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan's head-bopping club crawlers can barely hold our attention for a four-minute ``Saturday Night Live'' skit, which makes you wonder how the would-be hipsters are going to fare in a full-length movie. (Paramount) See the Sea Two French women meet on vacation. They can make a movie about anything over there, can't they? (Zeitgeist Films) The Souler Opposite Stand-up stand·up or stand-up adj. 1. Standing erect; upright: a standup collar. 2. Taken, done, or used while standing: a standup supper; a standup bar. comedian Bill Kalmenson created this comedy about - big surprise - a stand-up comedian's difficult affair with a politically committed, spiritually searching woman. Summer in the City Loose adaptation of Gorky's ``The Lower Depths'' set in the New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of underground. Sandra Bernhard stars. (Artistic License) What Dreams May Come Computer graphics create artistically inspired visions of heaven and hell in this modern gloss on the Orpheus legend. Robin Williams is a recently deceased doctor who must find his grief-striken wife (Annabella Sciora) in the afterlife when she commits suicide. Cuba Gooding Jr. co-stars; directed by the metaphysically minded Vincent Ward (``Map of the Human Heart''). (Polygram) Oct. 9: Detroit 9000 This 1973 blaxploitation blax·ploi·ta·tion n. A genre of American film of the 1970s featuring African-American actors in lead roles and often having antiestablishment plots, frequently criticized for stereotypical characterization and glorification of violence. film about the robbery of a political fund-raiser gets a re-release for reasons that will forever remain a mystery to us. (Miramax) Fantastic Planet The 1973, French-Czech sci-fi head trip cartoon is re-released. Hit Me Adaptation of Jim Thompson's hard-boiled thriller, ``A Swell-Looking Babe.'' Bellboy Elias Koteas goes bad under the influence of French femme fatale Laure Marsac. Phillip Baker Hall, William H. Macy and the late Haing S. Ngor This article is about the actor and physician. For the Tibetan Buddhist school, see Ngor. Dr. Haing S. Ngor (Traditional Chinese: 吳漢,[1] co-star. (Castle Hill) Holy Man Eddie Murphy plays a guru who turns home shopping into a religious experience. Hallelujah Hallelujah (hăl'əl  `yə) or Alleluia (ăl–) [Heb.,=praise the Lord], joyful expression used in Hebrew worship; cf. Pss. and pass the Ginsu knives! (Disney) Love Is the DevilInfernal English painter Francis Bacon's tortured relationship with a cockney thief is delineated through all manner of disorienting dis·o·ri·ent tr.v. dis·o·ri·ent·ed, dis·o·ri·ent·ing, dis·o·ri·ents To cause (a person, for example) to experience disorientation. Adj. 1. cinematic devices. Derek Jacobi and Daniel Craig play the troubled lovers. (Strand Releasing) The Mighty Seriously ill kid moves next to lonely big kid and they become the best of friends. Standout supporting cast includes Sharon Stone, Gena Rowlands and Gillian Anderson. (Miramax) One Tough Cop Based on New York police New York Police may refer to:
Practical Magic Two witchy sisters, played by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, take decidedly different approaches to dealing with their mystical gifts and members of the opposite sex. Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing are their spellbinding spell·bind tr.v. spell·bound , spell·bind·ing, spell·binds To hold under or as if under a spell; enchant or fascinate. [Back-formation from spellbound. aunts. (Warner Bros.) Slamnation Documentary about urban slam poetry. Not to be confused with next week's feature film on the same subject. Some Nudity RequiredDocumentary about the exploitation movie world, focusing on what it's like to work for B-movie king Roger Corman. Julie Strain and Maria Ford are the scream queens profiled. (Seventh Arts Releasing) Oct. 14: Rudolph Cartoon feature about the red-nosed reindeer. Jeez jeez interj. Used to express surprise or annoyance. [Alteration of Jesus1.] , can't they at least wait until after Halloween to put up the Christmas decorations? John Goodman, Bob Newhart, Whoopi Goldberg and Richard Simmons (!) provide some of the voices. (Good Times Entertainment) Oct. 16: The Alarmist a·larm·ist n. A person who needlessly alarms or attempts to alarm others, as by inventing or spreading false or exaggerated rumors of impending danger or catastrophe. Home security system salesmen start staging burglaries in order to move more product. Didn't you always figure that's how it worked? David Arquette, Stanley Tucci and Kate Capshaw star in the comedy. (Avalanche Releasing) Apt Pupil ``Usual Suspects'' director Bryan Singer brings the Stephen King novella novella: see novel. novella Story with a compact and pointed plot, often realistic and satiric in tone. Originating in Italy during the Middle Ages, it was often based on local events; individual tales often were gathered into collections. about a teen-ager who discovers a Nazi war criminal living in his town. Ian McKellen and Brad Renfro star. (Sony) Bad Manners Evidently not afraid of Virginia Woolf, two angry academic couples spend a long weekend of recriminations and mind games together. With David Strathairn, Bonnie Bedelia, Saul Rubinek and Caroleen Feeney. (Phaedra Cinema) Beloved Toni Morrison's intricate novel about a woman who escapes slavery but is haunted - literally - by its heritage comes to the big screen courtesy of director Jonathan Demme (``Philadelphia,'' ``The Silence of the Lambs''). Oprah Winfrey, Thandie Newton and Danny Glover head the cast. (Disney) Bride of Chucky Just when you were getting to like this hip horror movie revival trend, there's a sequel to the ``Child's Play'' films. This time, the homicidal hom·i·cid·al adj. 1. Of or relating to homicide. 2. Capable of or conducive to homicide: a homicidal rage. doll falls in love with a dismembering dolly, and they hit the road together. Jennifer Tilly's in it. (Universal) Cannibal! The Musical An early (well, 1996) feature film by ``South Park'' co-creator Trey Parker. It's a singing slasher slash·er n. One that slashes. adj. Characterized by gory violence: slasher movies. slasher Noun Austral & NZ movie. The Celebration A bunch of Danes gather for the 60th birthday of their family patriarch, whom they all apparently hate. The party heads south from there. (October Films) Hands on a Hard Body In Texas, they have this contest where you can win a fully loaded Nissan truck if you can stand next to it longer than anybody else. Yet another documentary reminder of how lucky we are to live in California. (Legacy Releasing) Killer Condom German, um, comedy about a prophylactic on the loose in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. . ``Alien'' designer H.R. Giger was a creative consultant. The Last Big Thing The L.A. 'zine scene gets skewered in what sounds like a pretty insular satire of would-be anti-hipsters. (Stratosphere Entertainment) The Last Days A Shoah Foundation documentary about Hungarian survivors of the Holocaust. Executive produced by Steven Spielberg. (October Films) Slam This Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury prize-winner is about a poor D.C. druggie drug·gie also drug·gy n. pl. drug·gies Slang One that takes or is addicted to drugs: "They're like druggies, but without drugs; they're drugged on their own apathy" (Saul Williams) who finds himself through a combination of rapping and poetry. (Trimark Pictures) Oct. 21: Shattered Image Chilean-French art filmmaker Raul Ruiz helms this existential puzzle thriller in which the same woman (``La Femme Nikita's'' Anne Parillaud) seems to simultaneously live a double life as a cold-blooded assassin and a honeymooner whose groom may be trying to kill her. With William Baldwin. (Lions Gate Films) Oct. 23: Happiness The latest inky, kinky comedy by Todd Solondz (``Welcome to the Dollhouse'') got a prize at Cannes and lost its initial American distributor. Dysfunction runs rampant in an extended New Jersey family. A pedophilia pedophilia, psychosexual disorder in which there is a preference for sexual activity with prepubertal children. Pedophiles are almost always males. The children are more often of the opposite sex (about twice as often) and are typically 13 years or age or younger; theme is apparently what's scaring everybody. Cast includes Lara Flynn Boyle Lara Flynn Boyle (born March 24, 1970 in Davenport, Iowa) is an American actress who was raised in Chicago, Illinois and Wisconsin. Although she is of mostly Irish descent, Boyle also has an Italian-American great-grandfather. , Cynthia Stevenson, Dylan Baker, Philip Seymour Hoffman For other persons named Philip Hoffman, see Philip Hoffman (disambiguation). Philip Seymour Hoffman (born July 23, 1967) is an Academy Award-winning American actor. Biography Early life Hoffman was born in Fairport, New York to Gordon S. and Ben Gazarra. (Good Machine) Home Fries A man dies mysteriously, leaving his pregnant girlfriend (Drew Barrymore) to cope with small-town skulduggery and, for some reason, a Cobra attack helicopter. (Warner Bros.) La Separation French superstars Daniel Auteuil and Isabelle Huppert play a couple whose marriage is falling apart. (Phaedra Cinema) Life Is Beautiful A father shields his son from the brutal reality of life in a concentration camp by pretending that the whole thing is just part of a contest to win an army tank. This unlikely comedy from Italian director Roberto Benigni won the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes and will probably be one of this year's Oscar foreign-film nominees. (Miramax) Orgazmo A devout young Mormon makes money for his wedding by starring in pornographic movies. ``South Park'' co-creator Trey Parker wrote and directed this bad-taste spectacular, in which he also stars. (October Films) Pleasantville Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon play modern-day teens trapped in a black-and-white 1950s sitcom. Will Truman Burbank be stopping by for a visit? (New Line) Soldier Kurt Russell is a future warrior trained from birth only to fight. When he gets too old, he's put out to pasture on a garbage planet, where he learns a few new human traits. Sounds stupid, but it was written by ``Unforgiven's'' David Webb Peoples, so maybe it isn't. (Warner Bros.) Oct. 30: American History X Drama about the consequences of prejudice has turned into a real-life drama about the consequences of studio meddling med·dle intr.v. med·dled, med·dling, med·dles 1. To intrude into other people's affairs or business; interfere. See Synonyms at interfere. 2. To handle something idly or ignorantly; tamper. and directorial mismanagement mis·man·age tr.v. mis·man·aged, mis·man·ag·ing, mis·man·ag·es To manage badly or carelessly. mis·man age·ment n. . Still, director Tony Kaye has a provocative premise (ex-skinhead tries to save brother from life of hate) and a great cast (Edward Norton, Edward Furlong). (New Line) John Carpenter's Vampires Just in time for Halloween comes this tale about a vampire hunter (James Woods) who wages war against the bloodthirsty blood·thirst·y adj. 1. Eager to shed blood. 2. Characterized by great carnage. blood night crawlers. (Sony) A Little Bit of Soul ``Shine's'' Geoffrey Rush stars in this dark Australian comedy about bickering, greedy scientists trying to figure out a formula for eternal youth. ``Kiss or Kill's'' provocative Frances O'Connor co-stars. (Phaedra Cinema) Living Out Loud An elevator operator (Danny DeVito) woos a divorcee di·vor·cée n. A divorced woman. [French, feminine past participle of divorcer, to divorce, from Old French, from divorce, divorce; see divorce. (Holly Hunter) in a comedy written and directed by Richard LaGravenese, writer of ``The Bridges of Madison County'' and ``The Fisher King.'' (New Line) Talk of Angels An Irish governess goes to Spain on the eve On the Eve (Накануне in Russian) is the third novel by famous Russian writer Ivan Turgenev, best known for his short stories and the novel Fathers and Sons. of the civil war. Polly Walker, Vincent Perez, Franco Nero and Frances McDormand. (Miramax) October unscheduled: La Sentinelle A former German border guard becomes obsessed ob·sess v. ob·sessed, ob·sess·ing, ob·sess·es v.tr. To preoccupy the mind of excessively. v.intr. with a severed head For the Australian electronic music group, see . A Severed Head is a satirical, sometimes farcical 1961 novel by Iris Murdoch. Primary themes include marriage, adultery, and incest within a group of civilized and educated people. in this French Cold War thriller. (Strand Releasing) Welcome to Woop WoopAn American con artist (Johnathin Schaech) winds up trapped in a grungy grun·gy adj. grun·gi·er, grun·gi·est Slang In a dirty, rundown, or inferior condition: grungy old jeans. [Origin unknown. , isolated town in the Australian Outback ruled by an eccentric, Rodgers & Hammerstein-loving tyrant (Rod Taylor). Directed by ``Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert's'' Stephan Elliott. (Goldwyn) Nov. 4: Belly Rappers DMX See DMX512. , Nas and T-Boz headline this tale of two childhood friends who take different paths in life after growing up together on tough inner-city streets. Directed by music-video wiz Hype Williams. (Artisan) Nov. 6: The Big Chill The 15th anniversary re-release of the Lawrence Kasdan film that defined yuppie scum forever more. Now it's nostalgia; feeling old yet? (Sony) The Cruise Documentary about a homeless guy who finds meaning in life by narrating bus tours of New York City. (Artisan Entertainment) Elizabeth You know, Queen Elizabeth. Sixteenth-century monarch. House of Tudor. Yes ... that Elizabeth. Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush star. (Gramercy) I'll Be Home for Christmas Jonathan Taylor Thomas Jonathan Taylor Thomas (born September 8, 1981) is an American child actor and former teen idol, perhaps best remembered for his roles of middle child Randy Taylor on the sitcom Home Improvement and the voice of the young Simba in Disney's The Lion King. is a spoiled rich kid who learns an Important Lesson after friends leave him stranded in the middle of the desert. Did we mention he's wearing a Santa suit and has a white beard glued to his face? (Disney) The Siege This film, now under its fourth title, is a complex thriller from Ed Zwick about the aftermath of Arab terrorism in New York City. As chaos mounts, Arab-Americans are rounded up much like Japanese-Americans were during World War II. When does the protection of citizens conflict with the protection of their rights? Can a movie featuring Bruce Willis really answer such a deep question? Denzel Washington and Annette Bening also star. (20th Century Fox) Ten Benny Dreams develop and die at the horse races. With Adrien Brody (``The Thin Red Line'') and Michael Gallagher. (Palisades Palisades, cliffs along the west bank of the Hudson River, NE N.J. and SE N.Y., extending from N of Jersey City, N.J., to the vicinity of Piermont, N.Y., with a general altitude of from 350 ft to 550 ft (107–168 m). Pictures) Velvet Goldmine It's glam-rock all over again in Todd Haynes' (``Safe'') harrowing tale of decadence and cross-dressing. Hopefully this soundtrack of a movie will have something more to offer than the empty-headed ``54.'' (Miramax) Waking Ned Devine Ne'er-do-wells in a small Irish village try to suss out which of their eccentric neighbors has a winning lottery ticket. Ian Bannen and David Kelly star. (Fox Searchlight) The Waterboy Doofus doo·fus n. pl. doo·fus·es Slang An incompetent, foolish, or stupid person. [Perhaps blend of doof, fool (from Scots) and goofus, fool (from goof). waterboy turns into football fiend. Adam Sandler reteams with ``Wedding Singer'' director Frank Coraci in what they hope will be their second hit of the year. (Disney) Williamstown Richard Horian directs and stars in this wordless interpretation of the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams Noun 1. Ralph Vaughan Williams - English composer influenced by folk tunes and music of the Tudor period (1872-1958) Vaughan Williams . Nov. 13: Autumn Sun Federico Luppi (``Men With Guns'') and Norma Aleandro (``The Official Story'') headline this twilight years romantic comedy from Argentina. (Capitol) Gods and Monsters In the last year of his life, famed ``Frankenstein'' director James Whale (Ian McKellen) develops an interest in his hunky hun·ky 1 n. pl. hun·kies Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a person, especially a laborer, from east-central Europe. young gardener (``George of the Jungle'' Brendan Fraser), much to the dismay of his controlling housekeeper (Lynn Redgrave). Based on Christopher Bram's acclaimed novel ``Father of Frankenstein.'' (Lions Gate Films) Hard Core Logo The rock mockumentary takes a serious turn in this sometimes funny, more often harrowing examination of an imaginary Canadian punk band's contentious reunion tour. (Rolling Thunder) Meet Joe Black In this remake of ``Death Takes a Holiday,'' Brad Pitt is a particularly buff Grim Reaper who insinuates himself into a wealthy businessman's home and falls in love with his beautiful daughter. Anthony Hopkins and Claire Forlani co-star in this romantic fantasy, which director Martin Brest (``Scent of a Woman'') has reportedly spent an inordinate amount of money making. (Universal) Nov. 20: A Bug's Life The Pixar people follow up ``Toy Story'' with this feature about a misfit mis·fit n. 1. Something of the wrong size or shape for its purpose. 2. One who is unable to adjust to one's environment or circumstances or is considered to be disturbingly different from others. ant who enlists a flea circus to help him battle some mean ol' grasshoppers Grasshoppers may refer to one of the following:
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" , Julia Louis-Dreyfus and David Hyde Pierce David Hyde Pierce (born April 3, 1959) is a Screen Actors Guild, Tony and Emmy Award-winning American actor, best known for his co-starring role as psychiatrist Dr. Niles Crane on the NBC sitcom Frasier alongside Kelsey Grammer. are among those who lend their voices to the animated ant-ics. (Disney) Celebrity Woody Allen looks at the crazy nature of fame. And who better to help him than a cast that includes such tabloid favorites as Leonardo DiCaprio, Melanie Griffith and Kenneth Branagh? (Miramax) Central Station This Portuguese movie about a woman who helps a young boy find his father has won prizes at Sundance and the Berlin Film Festival. We'll see if Oscar (or audiences) take notice. (Sony Pictures Classics) I Still Know What You Did Last Summer I know. You know. So ... um ... what's the point? Jennifer Love Hewitt returns to soak up more spilled blood. (Sony) River Red A brother takes the blame when his older sibling kills their abusive father. Sounds cheery. With Tom Everett Scott. (Castle Hill) The Rugrats Movie TV-conquering animated babies assault movie theaters. Can they be stopped? (Paramount) Nov. 25: Babe: Pig in the City Self-explanatory sequel to the acclaimed talking animal movie. This time, ``Mad Max'' maker George Miller, who produced the first ``Babe'' film, also directs. (Universal) Enemy of the State Will Smith plays a lawyer set up for murder in what's supposed to be a complex thriller from director Tony Scott and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Gene Hackman and Jon Voight co-star. (Disney) The Last Emperor Re-release of Bernardo Bertolucci's 1987 Oscar winner about the odd, often harrowing life of China's last monarch. John Lone plays the figurehead figurehead, carved decoration usually representing a head or figure placed under the bowsprit of a ship. The art is of extreme antiquity. Ancient galleys and triremes carried rostrums, or beaks, on the bow to ram enemy vessels. buffeted by the 20th century's most powerful historical forces. (Artisan) Very Bad Things ``Swingers' '' Jon Favreau goes on one last Vegas fling before marrying the beautiful but controlling Cameron Diaz. Unfortunately, his bachelor party stripper ends up dead. Christian Slater, Daniel Stern and Jeremy Piven co-star in this dark comedy written and directed by actor Peter Berg. (Polygram) November unscheduled: Blood, Guts, Bullets, & Octane Loser used-car salesmen come into possession of a Pontiac LeMans that, unknown to them, is connected to a long string of murders. (Lions Gate Films) Dry Cleaning French provincials are titillated tit·il·late v. tit·il·lat·ed, tit·il·lat·ing, tit·il·lates v.tr. 1. To stimulate by touching lightly; tickle. 2. To excite (another) pleasurably, superficially or erotically. and challenged by a night at a kinky Paris club Paris Club A monthly meeting in Paris attended by creditors of 19 countries to discuss debt issues. Among other things, the Paris Club addresses the issue of coordinated debt relief for developing countries that cannot service their debt. . Miou-Miou and Charles Berling star. (Strand Releasing) A Letter From Death Row Poison lead singer Bret Michaels wrote, co-directed, scored and stars in this look into the mind of a convicted murderer. Martin Sheen co-stars. (Showcase Entertainment) Steam: The Turkish Bath An Italian designer inherits the title facility in Istanbul and proceeds to have a gay old time. (Strand Releasing) The Sticky Fingers of Time Time-traveling lesbians encounter film noir sci-fi suspense. Whatever floats your boat, this film's probably got it. (Strand Releasing) Fall unscheduled: The Inheritors Austrian film about peasant farmers' struggle to take over the land of a mysteriously murdered benefactor. (Stratosphere Releasing) A Simple Plan In this long-in-the-making project, two brothers played by Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton fall out after they find $4 million at an airplane crash site. ``Evil Dead'' and ``Xena'' entrepreneur Sam Raimi directs. (Paramount) Dec. 4: Hallelujah Documentary about outrageous L.A. performance artist Ron Athey. (Artistic License) Psycho Which they must've been to try to remake Alfred Hitchcock's best-known masterpiece. Vince Vaughn, Anne Heche, Julianne Moore and William H. Macy give it the old-school try, while director Gus Van Sant SANT South African Native Trust claims to be closely following the original's shooting script. Remember, Gus, that means no slipping Shakespeare in among the knife slashes, like you inscrutably did in ``My Own Private Idaho.'' We're very afraid. (Universal) Shakespeare in Love Will Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) has a case of writer's block writer's block Psychiatry An occupational neurosis of authors, in whom creative juices are temporarily or permanently inspissated . But when he meets the beautiful Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow ... English again!), he's a new man and has enough inspiration to create ``Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet star-crossed lovers die as teenagers. [Br. Lit.: Romeo and Juliet] See : Death, Premature Romeo and Juliet archetypal star-crossed lovers. [Br. Lit. .'' Geoffrey Rush, Ben Affleck and Judi Dench round out the cast in this romantic comedy. (Miramax) Tango Wife abandons gifted director, who turns his attention to making a movie about tango. Turns out to be a good call when he meets a beautiful young dancer while casting. Then it turns out to be a bad call when he discovers that said woman is the mistress of his film's primary investor. (Sony Pictures Classics) Dec. 11: Dancing at Lughnasa Dancing at Lughnasa (see also Lughnasa, the ancient pagan ritual) is a play by Brian Friel set in Ireland's County Donegal in August 1936. Set in the fictional town of Ballybeg (Baile Beag - small town Meryl Streep stars in this adaptation of the Tony Award-winning play about five lonely sisters living in 1930s Ireland and how their world is changed forever when their priest brother returns. (Sony Pictures Classics) Jack Frost A dead, neglectful ne·glect·ful adj. Characterized by neglect; heedless: neglectful of their responsibilities. See Synonyms at negligent. ne·glect father (Michael Keaton) comes back into his son's life as a snowman. Directed by Troy Miller, creator of HBO's acclaimed ``Mr. Show.'' (Warner Bros.) Little Voice Incredibly shy girl can only communicate by singing the classics, but oh how she sings them. She sounds just like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday and Judy Garland. (Miramax) Star Trek: Insurrection The ``Next Generation'' crew discovers a fountain of youth Fountain of Youth legendary fountain of eternal youth. [World Legend: Brewer Dictionary, 432] See : Unattainability planet and a high-level conspiracy, inspiring Patrick Stewart's Capt. Picard to lead a mutiny against the Federation. Directed, like the last good Trek film, by second-in-command player Jonathan Frakes. (Paramount) Dec. 18: Dancing About Architecture Eleven people spanning the generations contend with love in every one of its maddening manifestations. The cast includes Sean Connery, Gena Rowlands, Anthony Edwards, Madeleine Stowe, Angelina Jolie and Ryan Phillippe. (Miramax) The Hi-Lo Country American West. Just after World War II. Two cowboy best friends are reunited after the war and return to the satisfying ways of ranching. Then, wouldn't you know it, a woman comes along and ruins everything. Woody Harrelson, Billy Crudup and Patricia Arquette star in this film from director Stephen Frears. (Gramercy) Mighty Joe Young Remake of the 1949 movie about a monkey on a rampage. Fifty years later, themes of ecology and understanding leaven leaven (lĕv`ən), agent used to raise bread or other flour foods. Physical leavens include water vapor, which is released as steam at high temperatures (as in popovers), and air, which is incorporated by beating. the mayhem and, more than likely, raise the hokum. (Disney) The Prince of Egypt For DreamWorks' first salvo in the cartoon wars with Disney, the studio sought aid from a higher power. The Moses story may not be what we're used to in animated musical entertainment, but at least it's not the same old talking animals. Voices supplied by Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Sandra Bullock, Steve Martin and Michelle Pfeiffer, among many others. Songs by Stephen Schwartz (``Pocahontas''). (DreamWorks) You've Got Mail The audio announcement heard millions of times per day by AOL users. The voice was recorded by Elwood "El" Edwards in 1989 at the suggestion of his wife Karen, who worked in customer service for Quantum Computer Services (before Quantum became AOL). The ``Sleepless in Seattle'' team - Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan and director Nora Ephron - re-ups for this oh so contemporary remake of Ernst Lubitsch's eternal charmer charm·er n. 1. One that charms, especially a disarmingly attractive person. 2. One who casts spells; an enchanter or magician. Noun 1. ``The Shop Around the Corner.'' The stars play rival bookstore managers who hate each other in the flesh but inadvertently fall in love over their computers. (Warner Bros.) Dec. 23: The General Another movie about Irish mobsters Mobsters is a 1991 crime drama detailing the creation of the National Crime Syndicate/The Commission. Set in New York City during the Prohibition era, it's a somewhat fictionalized account of rise of Charles "Lucky" Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Frank Costello, and Benjamin "Bugsy" , although this one differs from previous efforts in that it's actually supposed to be good. John Boorman (``Hope and Glory,'' ``Deliverance'') won the Best Director award at Cannes. (Sony Pictures Classics) Dec. 25: A Civil Action Real-life best seller comes to the screen starring John Travolta as the lawyer who stalks the corporations he believes are responsible for giving eight Northeastern families leukemia. If everyone who bought Jonathan Harr's prize-winning book shows up, the movie will be off to a good start. (Disney) Down in the Delta Poet Maya Angelou makes her directorial debut with this story of an elderly woman who pawns the family heirlooms to move her drug-addicted daughter and her two grandchildren back to their ancestral home. (Miramax) The Faculty High school students think their teachers just don't understand, and it goes beyond the usual generation gap - the faculty are worm-infected aliens hellbent on world domination. Sounds kind of stupid, but then again it is from ``Scream''-meister Kevin Williamson and director Robert Rodriguez (``From Dusk Till Dawn''), so maybe stupid is good. (Miramax) Hurlyburly David Rabe's scathing play about Hollywood players behaving badly comes to the screen with the help of bad-behavior expert Sean Penn, experienced show-biz satirists Kevin Spacey (ever seen ``Swimming With Sharks''?) and Garry Shandling, along with such relative innocents as Chazz Palminteri, Robin Wright Penn, Anna Paquin and Meg Ryan. (Fine Line Features) Patch Adams Robin Williams plays the true-life doctor who uses zany humor to cure what ails ya. The behind-the-scenes team includes the director and writer responsible for ``The Nutty Professor,'' ``Liar, Liar'' and ``Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls.'' (Universal) Stepmom Tear-jerker about the unlikely friendship between a divorced mother of two (Susan Sarandon) and the woman her ex-husband dumped her for (Julia Roberts). Initially they clash over just about everything, but when a terminal illness enters the picture, well ... just make sure you bring some tissues to the theater. (Sony) The Theory of Flight Kenneth Branagh and Helena Bonham Carter star in this romantic drama about a frustrated artist sentenced to perform community service by caring for a woman with a neuromuscular condition. (Fine Line Features) The Thin Red Line The year's other World War II picture comes from the reclusive re·clu·sive adj. 1. Seeking or preferring seclusion or isolation. 2. Providing seclusion: a reclusive hut. Terrence Malick, who hasn't made a movie since 1978's ``Days of Heaven.'' When word got out that Malick was making this film about American soldiers trying to take Guadalcanal from the Japanese, actors like Sean Penn, John Travolta, Nick Nolte, George Clooney and John Cusack were more than happy to enlist. Now the question is: Has Spielberg's ``Private Ryan'' rendered Malick's return a moot point moot point n. 1) a legal question which no court has decided, so it is still debatable or unsettled. 2) an issue only of academic interest. (See: moot) ? (20th Century Fox) The Wizard of Oz Wizard of Oz reaches and departs from Oz in circus balloon. [Children’s Lit.: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz] See : Ballooning Wizard of Oz false wizard takes up residence in Emerald City. [Am. Lit. The 1939 fantasy favorite, digitally fixed up and all of that stuff. (Warner Bros.) Dec. 30: Affliction Paul Schrader (``American Gigolo gig·o·lo n. pl. gig·o·los 1. A man who has a continuing sexual relationship with and receives financial support from a woman. 2. A man who is hired as an escort or a dancing partner for a woman. ,'' ``Hardcore'') scripted and directed this adaptation of Russell Banks' (``The Sweet Hereafter'') downbeat down·beat n. 1. Music a. The downward stroke made by a conductor to indicate the first beat of a measure. b. The first beat of a measure. 2. Informal A period of stagnation or inactivity. novel. Nick Nolte is a depressed, small-town cop who confronts his dreadful father (James Coburn) while investigating a murder involving a friend. Sissy Spacek and Willem Dafoe co-star. (Lions Gate Films) Hilary & Jackie Two angry first ladies get some guns and go after their philandering husbands ... No, actually, this is the true story of British cellist Jaqueline De Pre's close relationship with her sister. ``Breaking the Waves' '' Emily Watson and Australian actress Rachel Griffiths star. (October Films) CAPTION(S): 28 Photos Photo: (1) Practical Magic: Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman cast a few spells in this supernatural romantic comedy from Warner Bros. (Oct. 9) (2) You've Got Mail: Where have we seen this couple before? Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan team up again with director Nora Ephron in this romantic (what else?) comedy from Warner Bros. (Dec. 18) (3) Star Trek: Insurrection: Patrick Stewart's Captain Picard leads a mutiny against the Federation. From Paramount (Dec. 11) (4) Celebrity: Gretchen Mol, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kenneth Branagh star in Woody Allen's new Miramax release. (Nov. 20) (5) The Siege: Denzel Washington plays an FBI agent who confronts a general (Bruce Willis) over the declaration of martial law martial law, temporary government and control by military authorities of a territory or state, when war or overwhelming public disturbance makes the civil authorities of the region unable to enforce its law. in New York City. From 20th Century Fox. (Nov. 6) (6) Psycho: Vince Vaughn plays Norman Bates in this remake of the Hitchcock classic. From Universal. (Dec. 4) (7) The Thin Red Line: Ben Chaplin, John Cusack and Jim Caviezel are part of an impressive ensemble cast in this tale of World War II in the Pacific. From 20th Century Fox. (Dec. 25) (8--9) (Left) Enemy of the State: Will Smith is an attorney framed for murder in this Touchstone thriller. (Nov. 25) (Above) Very Bad Things: Christian Slater and Cameron Diaz star in this dark comedy about a bachelor party that goes very wrong. From Polygram. (Nov. 25) (10) A Bug's Life: Ants are the heroes - and grasshoppers the villains - in this Pixar-animated Disney release. (Nov. 20) (11) One True Thing: Renee Zellweger discovers there's much about her mother (Meryl Streep) she didn't know in this drama from Universal. (Sept. 18) (12) American History X: Prejudice is the topic in this New Line drama starring Edward Furlong and Edward Norton. (Oct. 30) (13) Beloved: Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey get close - really close - in a Touchstone drama based on Toni Morrison's novel. (Oct. 16) (14) Shakespeare in Love: Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes get together in a romantic comedy about the young Bard. From Miramax. (Dec. 4) (15) Jack Frost: Joseph Cross and Michael Keaton play father and son in this family comedy from Warner Bros. (Dec. 11) (16) Meet Joe Black: Brad Pitt takes a holiday as death and falls in love with Claire Forlani in this romantic drama from Universal. (Nov. 13) (17) John Carpenter's Vampires: James Woods, center, leads a team of mercenaries against a nest of the undead un·dead adj. No longer living but supernaturally animated, as a zombie. . From Sony. (Oct. 30) (18) The Waterboy: Henry Winkler plays the coach who turns Adam Sandler's waterboy into a powerful tackler in this Touchstone comedy. (Nov. 6) (19) I Still Know What You Did Last Summer: Jennifer Love Hewitt, left, returns to be stalked again. This time with a new friend, Brandy. From Sony. (Nov. 20) (20) Life Is Beautiful: Roberto Benigni directs, writes and stars, along with Giorgio Cantarini and Nicoletta Braschi, in Miramax's tale of happiness threated by World War II. (Oct. 23) (21) Mighty Joe Young: Bill Paxton's zoologist tries to save the 15-foot-tall gorilla Charlize Theron raised in Disney's adventure/drama remake. (Dec. 18) (22) Babe: Pig in the City: It's time to go hog wild again as the lovable oinker returns in a new adventure from Universal. (Nov. 25) (23) The Wizard of Oz: Oh my, the gang's all back in this digitally restored re-release of the timeless classic. Warner Bros. is releasing the MGM MGM in full Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. U.S. corporation and film studio. It was formed when the film distributor Marcus Loew, who bought Metro Pictures in 1920, merged it with the Goldwyn production company in 1924 and with Louis B. Mayer Pictures in 1925. film. (Dec. 25) (24) Living Out Loud: Danny DeVito's elevator operator falls in love with Holly Hunter's divorcee in this New Line comedy. (Oct. 30) (25) Patch Adams: Robin Williams stars as a medical student whose unconventional methods give the medical profession headaches. From Universal. (Dec. 25) (26) Home Fries: Drew Barrymore and Luke Wilson star in this romantic comedy from Warner Bros. (Oct. 23) (27) Ronin: Robert De Niro plays a hired gun hired gun Forensic medicine A popular term for a physician, lawyer or other highly paid expert who is not a regular employee of a particular enterprise, whose services are paid only as long as necessary; the term is an analogy from the use of mercenaries to fight in the this action-thriller from MGM. (Sept. 25) (28) Stepmom: Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts are unlikely friends in this comedy-drama from Sony. (Dec. 25) |
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