September 9, 1996
Mission Impossible (1996) ***
Superbly crafted spy thriller with impressive action scenes, stellar cast and plenty of surprises.
Matilda (1996) ***
A young girl (Mara Wilson) is neglected by her terrible parents (Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman) and abused by a cruel school headmistress. An adaptation of John Dahl's story.
James And The Giant Peach (1996) ***
Visually stunning puppet-animated film about an orphan boy who travels to New York in a giant peach. Songs:
"My Name Is James" *
"Bright Lights, Big City" *
"This Fantastic Treat" *
"We're Family" *
Independence Day (1996) ***
Evil aliens invade the Earth, destroy the biggest cities and prepare the total annihilation of the human race. The invasion starts on July 2nd. Two days later, humans counterattack. Big-budget, super-patriotic science-fiction film with impressive aerial combat scenes.
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1996) ***
The best adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel. Songs and gags are slightly below Disney's high standards, but action scenes are terrific. Musical numbers:
"The Bells Of Notre Dame" **
"Out There" **
"Topsy Turvy" **
"God Help The Outcasts" **
"Heaven's Light" *
"Hellfire" **
"A Guy Like You" *
"The Court Of Miracles" *
"The Bells Of Notre Dame" **
"Out There" **
"Topsy Turvy" **
"God Help The Outcasts" **
"Heaven's Light" *
"Hellfire" **
"A Guy Like You" *
"The Court Of Miracles" *
Hamlet (1996) ***
Grace Of My Heart (1996) ***
A musical film about a successful songwriter (Illeana Douglas). Songs include:
"Hey There" *
"In Another World" *
"Nobody Knows The Way" *
"Born To Love That Boy" **
"Unwanted Number" *
"I Do" **
"My Secret Love" **
"God Give Me Strength" ***
"The Nitty Gritty"
"Grace Of My Heart" *
"God Give Me Strength" (reprise) ***
"Hey There" *
"In Another World" *
"Nobody Knows The Way" *
"Born To Love That Boy" **
"Unwanted Number" *
"I Do" **
"My Secret Love" **
"God Give Me Strength" ***
"The Nitty Gritty"
"Grace Of My Heart" *
"God Give Me Strength" (reprise) ***
From The Journals Of Jean Seberg (1996) ***
An acerbic and witty film about the tragic life of Jean Seberg. It raises many interesting points.
Fly Away Home (1996) ***
A young girl (Anna Paquin) leads a flock of wild geese from Ontario to North Carolina. Considering the subject, the film is remarkable for its lack of sentimentality.
Flirt (1996) ***
This Hal Hartley's feature consists of three episodes, each telling the same story in a different city (New York, Berlin and Tokyo). Except for the third segment, it's a very amusing and witty film.
Drifting Clouds (1996) ***
With "Drifting Clouds", Aki Kaurismaki, Finland's best known director, has made his most memorable film to date. Like all his previous works, it's an ultra-dry, extremely low-key comedy. This one is about a couple facing unemployment.
Dead Man (1996) ***
Bizarre western starring Johnny Depp. Oddball characters, scatological humor and great b&w cinematography.
First Strike (1996) ***
It's more like a James Bond action movie rather than a Jackie Chan chop socky flick, but there are a few great kung fu sequences (including one set in an underwater tank full of sharks).
Evita (1996) ***
Superlative film version of the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera about Eva Peron, the First Lady of Argentina. The last half hour is deadly, but until then, the film offers a fascinating mixture of music and politics. Musical numbers include:
"Oh What A Circus" **
"On This Night Of A Thousand Stars" ***
"Eva Beware Of The City" **
"Buenos Aires" **
"So What Happens Now ? Where Am I Going To ?" **
"All Is So Sad When A Love Affair Dies" *
"Bye Bye" **
"I'D Be Surprisingly Good For You" ***
"Peron's Latest Flame" **
"A New Argentina" ***
"Don't Cry For Me Argentina" ***
"High Flying, Adored" **
"Rainbow High" **
"Rainbow Tour" ***
"And The Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)" ***
"She Is A Diamond" **
"Santa Evita" **
"Mother Eva" **
"Waltz For Eva And Che" *
"You Must Love Me" **
"Don't Cry For Me Argentina" (reprise) *
"Oh What A Circus" **
"On This Night Of A Thousand Stars" ***
"Eva Beware Of The City" **
"Buenos Aires" **
"So What Happens Now ? Where Am I Going To ?" **
"All Is So Sad When A Love Affair Dies" *
"Bye Bye" **
"I'D Be Surprisingly Good For You" ***
"Peron's Latest Flame" **
"A New Argentina" ***
"Don't Cry For Me Argentina" ***
"High Flying, Adored" **
"Rainbow High" **
"Rainbow Tour" ***
"And The Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)" ***
"She Is A Diamond" **
"Santa Evita" **
"Mother Eva" **
"Waltz For Eva And Che" *
"You Must Love Me" **
"Don't Cry For Me Argentina" (reprise) *
Everyone Says I Love You (1996) ***
It's a typical Woody Allen comedy, except it's a musical comedy. Old classic films like "Sunnyside Up" (1929) and "Whoopee" (1930) were raided for songs. Musical numbers:
"Just You, Just Me" **
"My Baby Just Cares For Me" **
"I'M A Dreamer" *
"Makin' Whoopee" **
"I'M Thru With Love" *
"All My Life"
"Cuddle Up A Little Closer" **
"Looking At You" **
"If I Had You" *
"Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)"
"Hooray For Captain Spaulding" **
"I'M Thru With Love" (reprise) **
"Everyone Says I Love You" **
Bastard Out Of Carolina (1996) ***
An adaptation of Dorothy Allison's novel about an abused young girl (Jena Malone) growing up in South Carolina in the 1950's.
Un air de famille (1996) ***
Funny comedy about family problems. Winner of two awards (Grand Prix Special du Jury and Prix du public) at the Montreal Film Festival.
Palace (1996) ***
The Crucible (1996) ***
An adaptation of Arthur Miller's play about witch hunts in Salem in 1690's. Winona Ryder plays Abigail Williams, a young girl who accuses John Proctor (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his wife (Joan Allen) of consorting with the Devil. Her motif - revenge. Proctor was her lover, but he came back to his wife. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Panna Nikt (1996) ***
Po dwoch bardzo nieudanych filmach, "Nastazja" (1994) i "Wielki tydzien" (1996), Andrzej Wajda wrocil do formy z ta adaptacja powiesci Tomka Tryzny. Film ten najblizszy jest wajdowskim komediom obyczajowym z lat 60-tych, takim jak "Niewinni czarodzieje" (1960) i "Polowanie na muchy" (1969).
Citizen Ruth (1996) ***
A pregnant drug addict finds herself in the middle of a war between pro-choice feminists and right-wing opponents of abortion.
The Celluloid Closet (1996) ***
Provocative documentary about the representation of gays and lesbians in Hollywood films.
Broken Arrow (1996) ***
John Travolta plays a villain in this terrific action flick that features more explosions and more helicopter crashes than any film in recent memory.
Black Mask (1996) ***
Directed by Daniel Lee and Yuen Woo-Ping. With Jet Li, Karen Mok and Lau Ching-Wan. A masked avenger (Jet Li) defends Hong Kong from a squadron of ruthless assassins impervious to pain and suffering. Clearly inspired by the Superman legend, it's an exciting, futuristic action movie, with impressive sets, noir-ish atmosphere, non-stop action and razor-sharp editing. Never boring, pretentious or slow, the film offers an unbeatable mixture of Eastern exoticism, superb martial arts, high-tech surrealism and eye-popping stunts.
Beavis And Butt-head Do America (1996) ***
Both guys are incredibly dumb, but Beavis is actually even dumber than Butt-head. When thieves break into their house and steal their beloved TV set, the moronic duo first take a hilariously long time to figure out what actually happened to them, and then embark on a trip across America, trying to loose their virginity. They get mixed up with a sexy arms dealer and her husband. They are pursued by stern ATF agents who love to strip search everyone. They even meet President Bill Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea.
Young And Dangerous (1996) ***
Directed by Andrew Lau. With Francis Ng and Simon Yam. Excellent film about Hong Kong triads.
When We Were Kings (1996) ***
A documentary film that has a dramatic intensity and suspense usually found only in fiction movies. It's the story of the famous boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Zaire in 1974, known as "Rumble in the Jungle". On one hand we have the flamboyant, controversial, talkative and agressive Ali; on the other - cool and reserved Foreman. It's clear from the outset that Ali is terrified of his opponent and expresses his nervousness through verbal agression. Polite Foreman never looses his cool. He's considered a 7-1 favorite. But when the big day comes, in the ring, everything changes. Ali lands some heavy punches in the first round and enrages Foreman. In the next rounds, Foreman has Ali on the ropes, but his relentless attacks tire him very quickly. Then, in one of the great moments in boxing, Ali lands the knockout punch. Foreman is down and Muhammad Ali becomes a living legend.
Welcome To The Dollhouse (1996) ***
A black comedy about a high-school girl who doesn't look like Alicia Silverstone.
That Thing You Do ! (1996) ***
"Lovin' You Lots And Lots" *
"That Thing You Do !" ***
"All My Only Dreams" *
"That Thing You Do !" (reprise) ***
"Little Wild One" *
"That Thing You Do !" (reprise) ***
"Mr Downtown" *
"That Thing You Do !" (reprise) **
"Dance With Me Tonight" *
"Hold My Hand, Hold My Heart" *
"My World Is Over" *
"That Thing You Do !" (reprise) ***
"I Need You (That Thing You Do)" *
Sling Blade (1996) ***
Director Billy Bob Thornton gives a terrific performance as Karl, a mentally challenged man, who spend most of his life in an institution for killing his mother and her lover. Deeply moving, but also very unsentimental.
She's The One (1996) ***
Ed Burns' sequel to "The Brothers McMullen" (1995) is a equally witty comedy about marital infidelities and sibling rivalries.
Scream (1996) ***
Excellent horror movie directed by Wes Craven, possibly his best film. It's also a self-reflexive critique of the slasher film genre. Rose McGowan gives a terrific performance.
The Rock (1996) ***
A solid action film starring Sean Connery, Nicholas Cage and Ed Harris. Plenty of chases, fireworks and nail-bitting suspense scenes.
Ponette (1996) ***
Nothing is more unbearable than the sight of a 4-year-old girl crying after the death of her mother. Yet even more heartbreaking is her refusal to accept the loss and her blind faith in the possibility of a reunion with her. Like Bess, the heroine of "Breaking the Waves", Ponette believes in miracles with a fervor that will crack viewers' hearts wide open with empathy.
Once Upon A Time In Triad Society 2 (1996) ***
Directed by Cha Chuen-Yee. With Francis Ng. Very different from the first film. It's not a black comedy, but an exciting drama about gangsters, cops, and their girlfriends.
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