FFWD Weekly
Copyright © 1997. All Rights Reserved.
Be Kind, Please Rewind
Three good reasons to stay home and watch TV
by Jane McCulloughConspiracy Theory starring Julia Roberts and Mel Gibson begins in an unconventional way; both the subject matter and approach are not typical of Hollywood. Gibson stars as Jerry Fletcher a cab driver and publisher of "Conspiracy Theory" - a zine filled with so-called government cover-ups - who has stumbled upon a truth. His only savior is Roberts' character, who works in the DA's office. You will be relieved to discover that once the film gets Jerry on the run, the Hollywood formula begins and recognizably average filmmaking is exposed.
Out To Sea starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau is a non-stop series of geriatric antics. Unfortunately, this movie doesn't even have its moments. This time around, the odd couple wind up on a cruise ship together as dance hosts in order to catch a wealthy dame.... The crazy scheme is predictable and fluffy. Go back to their earlier teamings for a higher quality of comedy.
Tim Roth, Laurence Fishburne, and Andy Garcia (as Lucky Luciano) take center stage in Hoodlum, directed by Bill Duke. Nothing new is explored or explained in this look at Gangland USA and the gangsters who ran it. The dialogue is dull, the editing is choppy, Vanessa Williams is pretty, and I couldn't understand a word Cicely Tyson said. The film's conflict is between "Bumpy" Johnson and Dutch Schultz competing over power in Harlem in the 1930s. Try The Untouchables (which stars a better Andy Garcia), or A Rage In Harlem which is also directed by Duke.
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