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Austin Powers II, the Spy who Shagged Me (PG-13, June 1999)
If you liked the first one, you'll probably like this one as well. There
are some very funny moments, but there is no real sense of continuity --
it's as if a bunch of sketches were just thrown together. We love Mike Myers
and especially enjoyed the interactions between him as Dr. Evil and Seth
Green as his son Scott Evil. (added 11/29/99)
The Big Lobowski (1997, R) -- well, it's definitely a Coen borhters' film. That speaks both for and against this film. With the exception of Fargo and the Hudsucker Proxy, most of their films have seemed more appealing ot us at the second viewing (hatied Raising Arizona the first time, love it now) and that may be the case here as well. We like Jeff Bridges and his 'dude' is interesting. Some of the dream sequences are pure genius. How do we like the film? Only time will tell.
Blast From the Past -- (February
1999, PG-13 ) Brendan Frasier plays Adam, a man who has spent his whole
life with his parents (Christopher Walken and Sissy Spacek) in a fall out
shelter believing that the bomb had been dropped in 1962. When the safety
doors open, Adam emerges to get supplies for his family. There he finds
his Eve (Alicia Silverstone). The movie is cute and entertaining, although
the best part of the film is the depiction of life in the shelter. It did
inspire us to go out and take swing lessons.
The Borrowers - (this is the first of what we hope to be many outside reviews) Natasha McDonald, age 7, says that everybody should go see this funny movie about a boy who wants to find out where stuff keeps disappearing to and a "little" little girl who forgets to follow the little people's #1 rule of borrowing - "not to be seen". Tom Arnold plays the villain in this cute film. There are good special effects (a la Indian in the Cupboard) and there's even a Hansen song at the end.
Cosi -- (1996, rated R) - delightfully funny, quirky Australian comedy, directed by Mark Joffe and starring Colin Friels as unemployed would be director who is hired to stage and direct Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutti with the inmates of a local mental institution. One of the added bonuses of this film is Toni Collette's (Muriel's Wedding) astounding voice and her rendition of the Hunters and Collectors' "Throw Your Arms Around Me".
Election (4/99; R) Mathew Broderick gets the tables turned on him (from his Ferris Beuller highjinx) as a High School teacher who tries too hard to foil a go-getter candidate's (Reese Witherspoon) race for president of the student body. This dark comedy satarizes popularity politics and high school in general. The story is told imaginatively through flash-back perspective's of teacher Broderick, and the three candidates; Witherspoon's win-at-any cost Tracy Flick, a good-guy jock and the jock's jealous lesbian sister. Alexander Payne shot this film in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska and his is one of the first films I've seen in which a High School has any resemblence to the one I remember. This film provided our greatest laughs so far this year! (added to videos 11/29/99)
Flirting With Disaster a wacky road trip gone wrong featuring Ben Stiller, Patrice Arquette, Tea Leoni, Mary Tyler Moore, George Segal, Alan Alda and Lily Tomlin. Highly recommendable!
Forces of Nature (March 1999, PG-13) -- Planes, Trains and Automobiles
with a romantic twist. Ben (Ben Affleck) has every imaginable trouble getting
to Savannah in time for his wedding. Sandra Bullock plays Sarah, Ben's free-spirited
traveling partner on this wacky road trip. The film lacks the wit of the
Steve Martin - John Candy adventure, but Bullock and Affleck are cute together
and it's a fun ride nonetheless. Directed by Bronwen Hughes, the film does
have some very interesting weather-effects.
The Full Monty - lots of fun. If you enjoyed films like The Snapper, Muriel's Wedding or The Commitments then you'll likely like this one, too. Great sound track!
Kiss Me Guido (1997; R) In this little, light comedy of misadventure (starring Nick Scotti, Anthony Barille, Anthony DeSando) aspiring actor/pizza maker from the Bronx decides that moving to Manhattan will give him his break. Thinking that 'GWM' means 'Guy with Money,' this "Guido" (i.e., very heterosexual Italian) answers a newspaper classified ad, and moves in with a gay actor in Manhattan. (added 11/1/99)
Lost and Found (1999, PG-13) David Spade stars as a resaurant owner trying to woe his cellist neighbor (Sophie Marceau) by stealing her dog. (added 11/29/99)
Please send us your comments and video recommendations c-sims@students.uiuc.edu
last updated 11/29/99
