BEING JOHN MALKOVICH (R)

If one is to believe everything they see, then somewhere in a New York building on the 7½ floor is an office that has a small passageway into the mind of actor John Malkovich. Those who enter the passageway find themselves inside Malkovich for fifteen minutes before they are deposited on the shoulder of the New Jersey turnpike. Of course you can’t always believe everything you see, but that shouldn’t stop you from having a good time watching “Being John Malkovich.” The brainchild of writer Charlie Kaufman and director Spike Jonze, “Being John Malkovich” is decidedly one of the most unexpected delights you will experience at the movies this year. Click title for complete review. (USA)

DOGMA (R)

A war is being waged on Earth between heaven and hell, and the unlikely protagonists are a pair of fallen angels played by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. The AGood Will Hunting@ stars and Oscar-winning writers play Bartleby and Loki, two angels sentenced to spend an eternity in Wisconsin. When word arrives of a loophole that will allow them back into heaven, the two set off on a road trip to New Jersey and hopefully salvation. What they don=t realize is that their loophole may buy them entrance back into heaven, but will also end civilization. A small price to pay for redemption? Not in writer-director Kevin Smith=s ADogma,@ a miraculously funny comedy that has been taking a lot of heat from the Catholic Church. You can understand their concern. Never one not to pull punches, Smith attempts to answer a lot of questions the church sidesteps. The church always takes the easy way out: it=s a matter of faith. Click title for complete review. (Columbia-TriStar)

GALAXY QUEST (PG)

Delivered with affection and tongue-definitely-in-cheek, “Galaxy Quest” is one big grin of a movie. Arriving amidst the Holiday rush of heavy, dramatic Oscar-contenders, “Galaxy Quest” breaks through with great performances and sharp, witty dialogue. The film begins with a sight familiar to anyone who knows the difference between a Klingon and a Romulan: a Science-Fiction convention. It is here where fans converge to meet and greet their favorite small and large screen heroes and villains, and to buy and trade memorabilia. The floor of the convention center is crowded with fans in costume who have come from far and near to hear former television stars recite old dialogue. It’s a world unto itself, one that sustains the former cast members of the television series “Galaxy Quest.” Like “Star Trek” before it, “Galaxy Quest” was a moderately successful show that has proven more popular in syndication, where it has taken on a life of its own. Click title for complete review. (DreamWorks)

ALSO NEW THIS WEEK:

FOX & THE HOUND, THE (G/Walt Disney)

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE (R/Avalanche)

SALUDOA AMIGOS (G/Walt Disney)

WEBMASTER (R/Sterling)

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 25th, 2000 at 3:12 am and is filed under Film Review. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.