Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 22, 1994 TAG: 9411160071
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Guillermo Del Toro's "Cronos" is an elegant horror film that's completely unlike any that have been produced in this country for years. It's reminiscent of David Cronenberg's early work, though Del Toro's use of special effects is much more restrained. Where Cronenberg, for example, might have had a human head explode on screen, Del Toro will use a glittering golden needle in the most fiendish manner you ever imagined.
The story begins with a 14th-century alchemist's invention of the Cronos Device, a bejeweled gizmo that confers immortality upon the owner -- immortality with a price. In present-day Mexico City, it falls into the possession of Jesus Gris (Federico Luppi), an aging antiques dealer who's devoted to his young granddaughter Aurora (Tamara Shanath). De la Guardia (Claudio Brook), a crippled and corrupt millionaire, owns the instruction manual and has been searching for the device for years. He sends his mercurial nephew (Ron Perlman) to Gris's shop, and from that moment on, the plot defies description.
The film's quirky humor has a strong Fellini-esque edge, and compared to American horror movies, the pace is almost stately. There are also some genuinely tender moments, to go along with those that are utterly revolting.
Writer-director Del Toro has a masterful visual style. He tells the story through a series of slow, vivid nightmare images. More importantly, he got a winning performance from his star. Federico Luppi has the engaging charm of a Jimmy Stewart. He's the kind of actor that audiences warm to instantly, and so the film is much more involving than it sounds. Some of the scenes between him and Tamara Shanath are really touching.
Horror fans of the "Friday the 13th-Elm St." school may not have the background or the patience to appreciate "Cronos," but if they give it a chance, they may be happily (and creepily) surprised. Recommended.
"Orson Welles' `Ghost Story'" is an even more restrained chiller. Under the title "Return to Glennascaul" it was nominated for an Oscar in the best short subject category in 1953.
In a commendably succinct introduction to this restored tape, Peter Bogdanovich explains how the film came to be made. Welles and his Irish friends Hilton Edwards and Micheal Mac Liammoir were involved in other projects, and took advantage of gaps in their production schedules to film an elegantly simple little ghost story.
In plot and construction, it's a cinematic adaptation of a campfire tale. Welles, playing himself, tells how he picked up a man (Michael Laurence) stranded near Dublin late one night. He then retells the man's own story about the two women he'd met in similar circumstances years before.
Imagine a low-key, elegantly staged episode of "The Twilight Zone," and you'll understand what Welles and the others were up to. It's a nicely atmospheric yarn that's helped immeasurably by Welles' rich narration.
Next week: More Halloween horrors on tape and disc!
New releases:
Guarding Tess ***
Starring Nicholas Cage, Shirley MacLaine. Directed by Hugh Wilson. Columbia TriStar. 98 min. Rated PG-13 for some strong language, mild violence.
Though director/co-writer Hugh Wilson's screen work has been in more raucous humor - "Police Academy," "Rustler's Rhapsody" - this film is closer in tone to his television credits - "WKRP in Cincinnati," "Frank's Place" and "The Famous Teddy Z." It's a surprisingly enjoyable dramatic comedy about two strong, oddly matched characters: a former first lady and the Secret Service agent in charge of her protection.
Jimmy Hollywood **
Starring Joe Pesci, Christian Slater, Victoria Abril. Written and directed by Barry Levinson. Paramount. 108 min. Rated R for strong language, some violence, subject matter.
From beginning to end this curious film is off beat and different. At the same time, it's so understated that it's never quite as involving as it ought to be. Levinson tells the story of a struggling, 40-plus actor (Pesci) trying to break into the movie business. Instead, he winds up becoming a media hero-vigilante. Sort of.
The Cowboy Way 1/2*
Starring Keifer Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, Ernie Hudson. Directed by Gregg Champion. MCA/Universal. 123 min. Rated PG-13 for a lot of strong language, mild violence and sexual content.
Despite its promotion as a comedy, this is more or less a crime film. It's also meant to be a buddy picture, but that side of the story so flat and unconvincing it barely deserves a mention. Sutherland and Harrelson impersonate contemporary cowpokes in the Big Apple.
Clifford *
Starring Martin Short, Charles Grodin, Mary Steenburgen, Dabney Coleman. Directed by Paul Flaherty. Orion. 90 min. Rated PG for some profanity, mild violence.
If there's anything less funny than an evil child, then it's an adult playing an evil child. That's the premise underlying this a toxic comedy. It wastes the considerable talents of Charles Grodin, Mary Steenburgen and Dabney Coleman. Martin Short is at his scenery-chewing worst as a wicked 10-year-old.
George Balanchine's `The Nutcracker': turkey
Starring Macaulay Culkin. Directed by Emile Ardolino. Warner Home Video. 88 min. Rated G.
This is a dreary film version of the New York City Ballet stage production. In the opening credits, the camera moves through a pop-up proscenium arch, warning viewers that the film is never going to leave the theater. It's the worst of both media: slow, darkly lit and poorly acted. Macaulay Culkin appears in a small role, but the real work in done by professional dancers.
The Essentials
Cronos *** 1/2
Vidmark. 92 min. Rated R for strong special effects, violence, language.
Orson Welles' `Ghost Story' ***
MPI. 30 min. Unrated, contains no objectionable material.
by CNB