ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 16, 1996 TAG: 9603190009
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 10 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: It came from the video store
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO
This week, the subject is politics: an enigmatic tale from the creators of one of this year's Oscar nominees, an odd bit of Japanese animation and a period piece.
Director Bryan Singer made quite a splash with his second film, "The Usual Suspects." (The film was nominated for the best-supporting actor and best original screenplay Oscars.) His first, "Public Access," is coming out on video, and the two share the same inventiveness and flaws. In some ways, "Public Access" is more interesting and more serious. But don't expect it to answer all the questions it raises.
The film opens in the tranquil little town of Brewster, where the headline of the local paper reads "Crime and Unemployment Reach Record Low." Clearly, things are about to go bad. The source is Whiley Pritcher (Ron Marquette), an enigmatic man who walks into town and buys time on the local public-access cable channel. He calls his show "Our Town." On screen, he asks one question - "What's wrong with Brewster?" - and waits for his viewers to call in with answers.
Like "The Usual Suspects," the conflicts have to do with talk, with words. But here Singer and co-writer Christopher McQuarrie are also interested in the free-floating, often incoherent discontent that's so much a part of today's political landscape. Not surprisingly then, they don't come to a conventional ending.
In a brief telephone interview, Singer explained the film this way:
"It's not a `plotting' movie; it's more an idea.
"This stranger is a real stranger. You have no idea what he's doing and why. Chances are he's from outer space...that he fell to earth. He played with this medium [television], bought this medium, became this sort of metaphor for the political climate at the time.
"As an audience, you've projected assumptions on him. What was his past? Was it this, was it that? It's all about the line that the little boy says at the end, `My mother told me not to talk to strangers, but you're not a stranger. I've seen you on TV.'
"And that's wrong. You don't know who this person is just because he's the lead in the picture, just because he's the main character...the narrator, just like `The Usual Suspects.' If anyone's reliable it's the narrator. Not in my movie."
That's an unusual approach for film to take, and it may not work for all viewers, but "Public Access" still rates a strong recommendation.
"Roujin Z" is a Japanese animated film with an unusually sophisticated premise and enough innovative action for younger viewers. It's about the care of the elderly and the relative roles of government, health care organizations and individuals.
The Z-001 unit is a machine that can do everything for the immobile, incontinent geriatric patient. Literally plugging into the user's brain, it's a super RoboNurse. But when the prototype is tested on an old man, his memories become part of the machine's circuitry. Who's in charge here?
As fans of Japanese manga expect, the action contains lots of explosions and unexpected transformations. But the animation also has a gentler, more reflective side that's rare for the genre. If Katsuhiro Otono's film isn't as visually powerful and ambitious as his masterpiece, "Akira," it's a solid story with well-written characters and a sometimes childish sense of humor.
"Long Road Home" earns points for a strong understated starring performance and an effective evocation of Depression-era California. It loses points for an overly emotional supporting cast and the wrong ending.
In 1937, banged-up cowboy Ertie Robertson (Mark Harmon) moves his family from Texas to California. Looking for work picking whatever crop is in season, they arrive at Titus Wardlow's (Leon Russom) huge farm as union organization is on the rise. When Ertie stands up for his family's rights, he's labeled a "communist agitator."
For a time, the film does a good job of dramatizing a time of massive social upheaval, and the earthy, dirty browns and grays recall the great WPA rural photography of Walker Evans and others. But when it's time to wrap things up, the conclusion is far too neat and easy.
Next week: Gangsters!
Got a question about home
video or film? Contact Mike Mayo at P.O. Box 2491; Roanoke, VA 24010,
or by e-mail at 75331.2603compuserve.com
New releases this week:
Never Talk to Strangers **
Starring Antonio Banderas, Rebecca DeMornay. Directed by Peter Hall. Columbia TriStar. 102 min. Rated R for subject matter, sexual content, nudity, violence, strong language.
Do you want to ride off with Antonio Banderas on his motorcycle? If so, don't miss this silly thriller. It's certainly the sexiest of his recent releases (see below) with lots of black leather, tattoos and a picturesquely grungy loft apartment. He and co-star DeMornay (who also produced) are the only attractions.
Assassins ***
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Banderas, Julianne Moore. Directed by Richard Donner. Warner. 126 min. Rated R for violence, language.
Textbook example of Hollywood filmmaking at its best and worst. All of the tools and resources of a sophisticated industry are employed to create a cheerfully violent story with no substance. Like producer director Donner's "Lethal Weapon" films, it's slick, well-acted escapism. Stallone is the number-one hitman who's being pressured by number-two, Banderas. Moore is the computer whiz they're both after.
Operation Dumbo Drop ***
Starring Danny Glover, Ray Liotta, Dennis Leary. Directed by Simon Wincer. Buena Vista/Disney. 104 min. Rated PG for some violence, pachyderm potty humor and a little rough language.
Offbeat service comedy-adventure about kids, critters and soldiers in Vietnam is based on a true story about Green Berets transporting an elephant and an orphan boy across 200 miles of jungle and river. Fun for the younger set and for grownups, too.
The Essentials:
Public Access *** Triboro. 90 min. Rated R for strong language, violence, brief nudity, sexual content.
Roujin Z *** Central Park Media. 80 min. Rated PG-13 for violence, language, subject matter.
Long Road Home ** Concorde-New Horizons. 77 min. Rated PG for strong language, violence.
LENGTH: Long : 120 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Fans of Japanese animation should check out ``Roujinby CNBZ.'' color.