FFWD Weekly
Copyright © 1997. All Rights Reserved.


Be Kind, Please Rewind
by Jane McCullough

The Boys Club
Directed by John Fawcett
Starring Chris Penn, Dominic Zamprogna, Devon Sawa and Stuart Stone

That's right, if you just missed the run of this film from Canadian filmmaker John Fawcett, you can rent it. Excellent casting in this story of three 14-year-old boys and a stranger who intrigues and deceives them. While the film deals with serious matters, the adolescent characters are as believable as my kid brother in dealing with their own crazy world. Indie rock product-placement also runs amok.

Marvin's Room
Directed by Jerry Zaks
Starring Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro

A well-conceived and executed drama about estranged family ties that mend through a series of events. This type of film makes you wonder why Streep starred in She-Devil. The cast is extremely talented and the story delves deeper than just constant pathos. Comparable to Terms of Endearment on an emotional level, Marvin's Room extends beyond one single focus.

Beavis and Butthead Do America
Directed by Mike Judge

So the two cartoon characters you learned to love on the Nation's Music Station have moved up in the world and have now "done" America. You know the schtick and if you don't, just get Cher to tell you. Despite all the annoying sound effects, these two metal heads are still clever with the delivery of their commentary. Yes, Beavis and Butthead can now be seen on the sunny beaches of Cannes.

Michael
Directed by Nora Ephron
Starring John Travolta, Andie McDowell, William Hurt and Bob Hoskins

There's something not quite as appealing when you have a pudgy, bad-haired Travolta without a gun. However, if anybody is going to be an "earthy" angel and do it right, Danny Zucko is your man. It's one of those feel good comedies that Ephron is known for (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle), however, I think that she should probably stick to screenwriting only, as in Harry and Sally.

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