Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 23, 1995 TAG: 9509260097
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Janna (Lisa Dean Ryan) is the emotionally unstable new girl at a California high school. Bo (Sasha Jenson) is the BMOC; Sharon (Soleil Moon Fry) is his girlfriend. Without giving too much away, it can be said that an accident puts a seriously injured Bo in Janna's care at an isolated mansion, and the plot spins merrily away.
Mark Evan Schwartz's script shifts between conventional B-movie cliches and absolutely accurate observations of teen-age characters and their insecurities. Lisa Dean Ryan and Sasha Jenson handle most of the dramatic action and they do excellent work, even in scenes that stretch credibility. Some credit must go to director Eb Lottimer (``Love Matters"). He also gave the film a cold, grungy, rainy look that serves the story well. So does Amotz Plessner's simple music.
All those elements fit together smoothly. Most of the film's flaws occur early on, and so the conclusion is really tense and effective - for my money, much more tense and effective than the big-budget screen adaptation of King's novel. "Twisted Love" is another overachiever from Roger Corman's organization.
"Beyond Forgiveness" doesn't live up to its breathless, hyperbolic title. It's a less-than-serious thriller that often looks like a spaghetti western. The plot revolves around a particularly nasty international rumor about children from underdeveloped countries being kidnapped and used as involuntary organ suppliers in richer nations.
Thomas Ian Griffith is a Chicago cop who goes to Poland to avenge his brother's murder and uncovers a diabolical plot led by surgeon Rutger Hauer who, as usual, seems to be having a grand time. Most of the action is typically senseless shoot-outs and explosions quickly and artlessly staged by director Bob Misiorowski. The Polish locations give the film a different and semi-exotic atmosphere.
Much the same could be said of "Hong Kong '97." Plotwise, it's a formula shoot-'em-up that's brightened by an ensemble cast of familiar character actors and excellent Far East locations in Hong Kong and the Philippines.
Reg (Robert Patrick) is a corporate assassin who kills a corrupt Chinese general on June 30, 1997, the eve of the Red Chinese takeover of the city. In short order, Reg is betrayed and finds himself on the run with his friends Jack (Tim Thomerson) and Simon (Brion James, doing an excellent mushmouthed British mumble). They turn to Reg's ex-girlfriend Katie (Ming Na Wen) and her grandfather (Michael Lee).
Whenever the plot slows, veteran director Albert Pyun has a dozen armed extras jump out of the woodwork to attack our heroes, and a gunfight ensues. These are a pale imitation of John Woo's brilliantly choreographed action scenes, but "Hong Kong '97" is still an acceptable time-waster.
South Africa stands in for Louisiana in "Never Say Die." This low-voltage actioner gets full points for inventiveness, if not logic. And the subject could hardly be more timely. James (a somnambulant Billy Drago) is a messianic cult leader who has visions of Jonestown and Mount Carmel dancing in his head. He's also an ex-Green Beret. As it happens, his old pal and fellow vet Blake (Frank Zagarino) lives just down the river from James' compound. He's ready to leap into action when a visiting congressman is killed, and FBI agents botch the ensuing raid. (See what I mean about timely?)
Actually, the religious elements are just the premise for a standard chase/fight flick. The clunky plot depends on wild coincidence at almost every key point. Director Yossi Wein keeps the things moving quickly but again, like everyone else in this field, he's following in John Woo's footsteps. Fans aren't going to mistake his work for the original.
Next week: Sgt. Kabukiman and Cinderella!
New releases:
Don Juan DeMarco ***
Starring Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp, Faye Dunaway. Written and directed by Jeremy Leven. Turner/New Line. 92 min. Rated PG-13 for subject matter, mild violence, language, brief nudity.
All right, this one is not exactly a full-fledged original. The same story has been told often before - most memorably in "Harvey." It's the tale of the unconventional soul (Depp) who is labeled insane - he claims to be the son of the legendary lover - but is actually more perceptive than the doctor (Brando) trying to treat him. A fine mix of fantasy, romance and reality.
The Jerky Boys *
Starring Johnny Brennan and Kamal Ahmed. Directed by James Melkonian. Buena Vista (Touchstone). 78 min. Rated R for language, comic violence.
The Jerky Boys have produced two popular comedy albums based on prank telephone calls. Now they've taken that "talent" and turned it into a mostly pointless prank movie about comic gangsters who think the heroes are tough hoods. At least it's short.
\ Twisted Love *** Concorde-New Horizons. 80 min. Rated R for violence, subject matter, strong language, brief nudity.
Beyond Forgiveness ** Republic. 95 min. Rated R for violence, subject matter, strong language, brief nudity.
Hong Kong '97 **1/2 Vidmark. 91 min. Rated R for violence, nudity, strong language, subject matter.
Never Say Die ** New Line Home Video. 99 min. Rated R for violence, strong language.
by CNB