Films Review July
BEACH, THE (R)
Disappointing effort from director Danny Boyle, who has never been able to match the intensity of “Trainspotting.” “The Beach,” based on the popular novel by John Hodge, plays like “Apocalypse Light.” The film has the feel of Conrad but the sensibilities of a director trapped by the conventions of a Hollywood studio. Boyle attempts to make a statement but ends up making a pretty travelogue for fans of boyish star Leonardo DiCaprio. DiCaprio plays Richard, an American tourist in Bangkok who runs into a crazed traveler who slips him a map to a secret island paradise. Skeptical at first, Richard ignores warnings to forget about the island and heads off with a French couple to find it. They do, and immediately learn that even paradise comes with a price. The film looks great, and the plot features some exciting passages. Overall, the film is so derivative of “Apocalypse Now” anyone familiar with Coppola’s film will feel cheated. When Richard screws up and the other islanders banish him to the jungle, he becomes one with nature and begins acting like Martin Sheen in, well, you know. Guillaume Canet and Virginie Ledoyen are fine as the French couple who accompany Richard, while Tilda Swinton shows great strength as the island matriarch. (Fox)
BEETHOVEN’S 3RD (PG)
Direct-to-video sequel proves you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. The loveable oversized Saint Bernard from the first two theatrical films (starring Charles Grodin) is back, but due to budget cuts, Grodin and the rest of his on-screen family are gone. Enter Judge Reinhold, who stars as Richard, anxious to take his family on a cross-country trip for a reunion. Of course that means dad must rent the largest recreational home available, creating all sorts of pratfalls and mishaps. The family trip is also marred when Richard is asked to take care of his brother’s Saint Bernard while he’s away in Paris. Lucky him. What could be funnier than a larger, drooling Saint Bernard on a cross country trip in a motor home? Shock therapy? The laughs are pretty slim, even for a congenial family film. Reinhold tries to hard too ape Chevy Chase and the National Lampoon Vacation films, and the attempt is more than obvious. Julia Sweeny is okay as mom Beth, who takes some time before warming up to the big furry guy. No, not Ed Asner. Available at sell-through. (Universal)
BOYS, THE (R)
Exceptional performances distinguish this film version of Gordon Graham’s riveting drama shot in Australia. David Wenham is honestly scary as Brett Sprague, recently released from prison and seeking revenge again the person who sent him there. What begins as a domestic drama about how Brett tries to get on with his life after moving back in with his mother and brothers spirals into a harrowing dissection of human despair. Brett’s overwhelming obsession with getting even eventually affects his brothers, who join him on his quest for justice. Director Rowan Woods can’t escape the conventions of the stage play, centering his film inside the Sprague home. Fortunately the actors take us away with their intense performances. Toni Collette shines as Brett’s girlfriend. (A-PIX)
DROWNING MONA (PG-13)
“Drowning Mona” wallows in white trash. Writer Peter Steinfeld skillfully sets up the jokes, and director Nick Gomez (“New Jersey Drive”) and his talented cast delight in knocking them down. By the time the film comes to a close, you feel so good about your life that you can’t help but laugh. Bette Midler plays Mona Dearly, whose untimely death at the beginning of the film sets off an investigation that turns up no shortage of suspects. Danny DeVito (who co-starred with Midler in “Ruthless People”) plays the small town sheriff who tries to balance his investigation with the upcoming wedding of his daughter (Neve Campbell). Steinfeld’s screenplay is filled with all sorts of off-beat, witty observations and insights. He has created a gallery of white trash characters, all of whom occupy the small town of Verplanck, N.Y., former home of a Yugo automobile plant. Except for a handful of characters, none of the citizens of Verplanck have a clue. They are as dense as fresh cut lumber. Click title for complete review. (Columbia-TriStar)
FOREVER TOGETHER (PG)
Wonderfully engaging tale of first love and love ever after. Bryan Burke is excellent as Danny Perrillo, a seventh-grader who believes he has fallen in love with his best friend Julia (Michelle Trachtenberg). He receives advice from a mysterious jazz musician played by Ralph Macchio. The cast couldn’t be better, including the lovely Rachel Ticotin as Danny’s widowed mother looking for love with a nice guy (the durable Matt McCoy), and Diane Ladd as Danny’s wise grandmother. Sweet and innocent on all counts, “Forever Together” is a perfect Valentine for anyone interested in a film that touches the heart instead of rips it out. (A-PIX)
MAGNOLIA (R)
Grey skies are going to clear up, but not before writer-director P.T. Anderson rains on the parade of his cast of characters in “Magnolia.” One half biblical epic, one half human opera, “Magnolia” emerges as one of the best films of 1999. “Magnolia” arrives two years after “Boogie Nights,” Anderson’s deliciously decadent and sprawling look at the adult film business in the late 1970s. The critical success of “Boogie Nights” has allowed Anderson to create a film that is even more personal, yet just as epic. Click on title for complete review. (New Line)
PERFECT TENANT, THE (R)
With house guests like this, who needs a security deposit? Run-of-the-mill thriller about a woman and her daughter who take in a boarder, unaware that he has a personal agenda. Linda Purl plays the woman who doesn’t realize that man staying in their guesthouse is actually the crazed son of man she was involved with. Since his father’s death, David Summer has plotted his revenge against the woman he believes is responsible. One of those movies that relies on everyone but the killer and the smart daughter to be stupid enough to let all of this happen. (Trimark)
WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM? (R)
Major waste of talent, especially from director Mike Nichols, who should know better. One of those “What were they thinking'” efforts, this extraterrestrial comedy miss fires on all cylinders. Writer-star Garry Shandling is featured as an alien from a planet of men trying to impregnate an Earth woman. Since this is a comedy (one with no laughs), that means all sorts of embarrassing encounters with members of the opposite sex. It doesn’t help that the alien’s privates buzz when they get excited. Shandling mugs throughout the entire film, while the rest of the cast seem resigned to say their lines and pick up their check on the way out. There’s very little here that warrants mention, although one wonders why Nichols would even bother. It’s hard to blame the cast, including a benign Annette Bening and Greg Kinnear, for wanting to work with Nichols. He should have known better. (Columbia-TriStar)
ALSO NEW THIS WEEK:
AN AMERICAN TAIL
THE MYSTERY OF THE NIGHT MONSTER
