VIDEO : FORGET ROBERTS, IT'S EVERETT'S MOVIE.Byline: Robert Bianco Special to the Daily News A good fast-forward can make most any movie better. Indeed, no VCR VCR: see videocassette recorder. VCR in full videocassette recorder Electromechanical device that records, stores on a videotape cassette, and plays back on a TV set recorded images and sound. function is more prized than the ability to selectively speed through a movie. And if any movie was made for it, it's ``My Best Friend's Wedding'' (1997, Columbia TriStar, $14.95). Use the fast-forward button on ``Wedding,'' and it will take you straight to Rupert Everett, who's few scene-stealing moments are alone worth the price of the tape. As Julia Roberts's gay best friend, Everett creates the movie's only appealing character. While that may be a boon for gay rights, it's a less than desirable outcome for a traditional romantic comedy. ``Wedding'' stars Roberts as a lonely food critic The terms food critic, food writer, and restaurant critic can all be used to describe a writer who analyses food or restaurants and then publishes the results of their findings. who has agreed to marry best friend Dermot Mulroney Dermot Mulroney (born October 31, 1963) is an American actor. Biography Early life Mulroney was born in Alexandria, Virginia to Ellen, a housewife and amateur actress originally from Manchester, Iowa, and Michael Mulroney, a law professor at Villanova if neither has found a mate by age 28 - a favorite plot with the movies, perhaps because it never occurs anyplace else. When Mulroney announces his wedding to dim but sweet Cameron Diaz, Roberts attempts to win him back for herself in ways that are increasingly foul and unpleasant. What's worse, they're unfunny. Sure, in his pursuit of Rosalind Russell in the classic screwball screw·ball n. 1. Baseball A pitched ball that curves in the direction opposite to that of a normal curve ball. 2. Slang An eccentric, impulsively whimsical, or irrational person. adj. romance ``His Girl Friday girl Friday n. Informal An efficient and faithful woman aide or employee. [girl + (man) Friday.] Noun 1. ,'' Cary Grant Noun 1. Cary Grant - United States actor (born in England) who was the elegant leading man in many films (1904-1986) Grant did some hideous things to Ralph Bellamy Ralph Rexford Bellamy (June 17, 1904 – November 29, 1991) was a Tony Award-winning American actor with a career spanning 62 years. Early life Bellamy was born in Chicago, Illinois to Lilla Louise Smith, a native of Canada, and Charles Rexford Bellamy. . But we forgave for·gave v. Past tense of forgive. forgave Verb the past tense of forgive forgave forgive him, because we knew Grant and Russell were a perfect match, while Russell and Bellamy were completely incompatible. In a sense, he was doing Ralph a favor. The trouble with ``Wedding'' is neither woman appears to be a good match for Mulroney, or likely to be happy with him. In fact, when Roberts dances off with Everett, you can't help but think she chose the better partner. It's not like there was any sexual tension with Mulroney, so what did she have to lose? So here's the ``Wedding'' fast-forward plan. Watch the cute opening credits Opening credits, in a television program, motion picture or videogame, are shown at the beginning of a show and list the most important members of the production. They are usually shown as text superimposed on a blank screen or static pictures, or sometimes on top of action in the , stick around as the plot is established, and enjoy Roberts falling off her hotel bed. Fast forward to Diaz's karaoke bit in a bar, then skip forward again to Everett's reappearance on the scene. Cut out when he leaves, and don't return until he does. There, you've made it through the ``Wedding'' with all the joy intact - and most of the pain removed. And now that you're warmed up, here are three other movies with scene-stealing supporting stars that cry out for that fast-forward button: The Pope of Greenwich Village Greenwich Village (grĕn`ĭch), residential district of lower Manhattan, New York City, extending S from 14th St. to Houston St. and W from Washington Square to the Hudson River. : (1984, 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. ; $19.98) Geraldine Page took her one big scene in this otherwise unmemorable Adj. 1. unmemorable - not worth remembering forgettable - easily forgotten movie and turned it into a lesson in great - and show-stopping - screen acting. Rosalie: (1938, MGM; $19.98) The fast-forward button could have been invented for Eleanor Powell movies: If she's not dancing, you generally shouldn't be watching. (She was a great tapper, but she could neither sing, nor act, nor interact - even when she dances, she dances among people, not with them.) Rent the movie for the title production number, one of Powell's most spectacular. S.O.B.: (1981, Fox; $19.98) The National Society of Film Critics gave their supporting actor award to Robert Preston, and his scenes are the best ``S.O.B.'' has to offer. As for whether you should stop on the infamous scene where Julie Andrews bares her breasts - well, what you do with your own fast-forward button in the privacy of your own home is your own business. Elsewhere on video I'm not sure even the most skillful skill·ful adj. 1. Possessing or exercising skill; expert. See Synonyms at proficient. 2. Characterized by, exhibiting, or requiring skill. fast-forwarding can help you through ``Con-Air'' (1997, Touchstone; priced for rental), yet another of those high-volume, high-violence action blockbusters that seem determined to pound an audience into submission. Still, if nothing else, the fast-forward button will allow you to narrow the movie's multiple endings down to just one. At least that will make the movie shorter, if no more satisfying. Hey, there's only so much a button can do. Children who loved ``The Land Before Time'' will probably be happily awaiting ``The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island'' (1997, Universal, $19.98), the fourth direct-to-video sequel to the 1988 Steven Spielberg animated release. ``Island'' focuses on the formerly mute little Chomper, who now not only speaks, but sings! Apparently, that's supposed to be good news. Speaking of Steven Spielberg, the world's most successful film director celebrates his 50th birthday this week (assuming the court battle over ``Amistad'' has left him in the mood to celebrate). Fans can commemorate the event at home by renting ``Jaws'' (1975, Universal; $19.95), his first great commercial triumph; ``Schindler's List'' (1993, Universal; $29.98) his proudest achievement; and ``1941'' (1979, Universal; $14.98) his biggest flop, because every birthday should include some reminder of mortality. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Desperate to win back Dermot Mulroney, center, Julia Roberts cooks up a phony engagement to her gay pal (Rupert Everett) in ``My Best Friend's Wedding.'' |
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