THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 11, 1995 TAG: 9507110050
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Videomatic
SOURCE: Craig Shapiro
LENGTH: Long : 152 lines
IF THEY EVER get around to making a Spider-Man movie, Gary Oldman just has to play the Chameleon, one of Spidey's first arch-enemies.
The versatile Brit is a natural. Not only does he throw body and soul into every edgy performance, he changes his appearance and alters his speech so convincingly you're half-tempted to bet good money it's not the same person.
Same goes for ``Immortal Beloved,'' which comes out today. Oldman gives a note-perfect performance as Ludwig van Beethoven, capturing his genius and anguish - often without saying a word.
Compare it with ``Murder in the First'' and ``The Professional,'' recent releases that illustrate this skilled actor's range and willingness to take risks. In ``Murder,'' he plays a self-righteous warden at Alcatraz, a man more sadistic than the prisoners he abuses. As a wigged-out DEA agent in ``The Professional,'' he's over the top, frightening and funny at the same time.
Every Oldman film, a varied list that includes ``Prick Up Your Ears,'' ``Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead'' and ``Romeo Is Bleeding,'' make the same case. Here are five favorites:
``Sid & Nancy'' (1986). Oldman plays another musician - Sid Vicious, the Sex Pistols' self-destructive bassist. Remarkable, chilling and engrossing only begin to describe his performance.
``Criminal Law'' (1989). You'd swear Oldman was born and bred in Boston. He's an attorney who gets his client acquitted of murder charges, only to find out the man really is guilty.
``JFK'' (1991). While Oliver Stone's film was praised and condemned, there's no arguing over Oldman's eerie turn as Lee Harvey Oswald. Brrrrr.
``Bram Stoker's Dracula'' (1992). A bloated dud that wouldn't be worth the time if not for Oldman. He brings a degree of suffering to the count that is apparent even under layers of latex.
``True Romance'' (1993). Written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott, this wild road trip balances black humor and horrific violence. Oldman is barely recognizable as a pimp/pusher.
Flashback
Can't add much to what's been said about ``American Graffiti.'' George Lucas' paean to an America uncorrupted by the JFK assassination and Vietnam made him a bankable name and stars out of Richard Dreyfuss and Harrison Ford.
Instead, watch it and think fondly of the great Wolfman Jack, who made his movie debut in 1973 - putting a face on the voice that reinvented rock radio. Wolfman knew the role: He played himself.
Near the film's end, some of the kids, just out of high school and unsure of their next step, find the Wolfman at his remote studio and are crushed to learn he's a mere mortal. Ten days ago, many others felt the same way.
ODDS & ENDS: MGM/UA is adding ``National Velvet'' ($19.98) and the 1949 remake of ``Little Women'' ($14.95) to its Family Entertainment series. Both star a young Elizabeth Taylor.
Its first ``Little Rascals'' set was such a hit, Cabin Fever has released nine more tapes, including several features that were banned on TV and some silent films. $14.95 for each four-episode tape, $112.50 for the bunch.
``Barefoot Gen'' is heavy-duty animation. It recounts the bombing of Hiroshima through the eyes of a 6-year-old child. (Orion, $29.98). More Japanese animation from Orion: ``Babel II'' amd ``Casshan: Robot Hunter.'' They're four-part adventures and run $9.98 a tape.
Orion also has marked down a fistful of foreign films. ``Raise the Red Lantern,'' ``Too Beautiful for You,'' ``Mystery Train,'' ``Chocolat'' and ``Leningrad Cowboys Go America'' are $19.98 each.
Columbia TriStar is working the blue light, too, with ``Orlando,'' ``Threesome,'' ``The Accompanist,'' ``Dr. Faustas'' ($19.95) and ``Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams'' ($14.95).
TOP TAPES (in Billboard):
Sales: ``Forrest Gump,'' ``True Lies,'' ``The Crow,'' ``Pink Floyd: Pulse,'' ``Michael Jackson: Video Greatest Hits-HIStory''
Rentals: ``Interview With the Vampire,'' ``Legends of the Fall,'' ``Disclosure,'' ``Junior,'' ``The Shawshank Redemption''
The Couch Report
``Nell'' (FoxVideo, 1994). Jodie Foster earned a most-deserved Oscar nomination as a girl raised in a remote cabin who, because her God-fearing mother suffered a series of strokes, develops her own way of speaking. That doesn't mean the film has a unique dramatic premise. It raises the expected questions about ``civilization,'' leaving it to the cast to sell it. Foster gets strong support from Liam Neeson, who shows great range, and Natasha Richardson as doctors with differing ideas about her care. The gorgeous cinematography is another plus. Videomatic says: B+
(CAST: Jodie Foster, Liam Neeson, Natasha Richardson. RATED: PG-13 for mild language, tasteful nudity; 114 mins.)
``Immortal Beloved'' (Columbia TriStar, 1994). It fits that the strongest voice here is Beethoven's music. The hokey story involves a Kane-like search for the mystery woman to whom the maestro leaves his estate. While Gary Oldman captures the great man's anguish, a line he delivers sums it best: ``The power of music is to carry the listener into the mental state of the composer.'' An excerpt from the mighty Ninth Symphony illustrates how this lavish film can soar. Videomatic says: B+
(CAST: Gary Oldman, Isabella Rossellini, Jeroen Krabbe. RATED: R for mild language and violence, brief nudity; 121 mins.)
``I.Q.'' (Paramount, 1994). Meg Ryan as a math genius? Buy in and this romantic-comedy is fun, especially since it co-stars Tim Robbins as her suitor, a likable mechanic, and Walter Matthau as Albert Einstein, her uncle/yenta. Kudos, too, for having Stephen Fry play the snooty British fiancee. OK, it's fluffy and predictable - she learns to listen to her heart - but with Fred Schepisi at the helm, it has wit and charm to spare. Videomatic says: B
(CAST: Tim Robbins, Meg Ryan, Walter Matthau, Stephen Fry. RATED: PG for very mild language; 95 mins.)
``Bad Company'' (Touchstone, 1994). Cast + set-up + twisty plot. All the parts are here; still, they don't add up to film noir. Laurence Fishburne is a disgraced CIA man trying to clear himself by cracking an industrial espionage ring. Problem? It's soooo self-conscious. Result? The characters play as types, there's no subtlety and forget any dramatic tension. Even Fishburne and Ellen Barkin fail to create sparks. Videomatic says: C
(CAST: Laurence Fishburne, Ellen Barkin, Frank Langella. RATED: R for language, nudity, adult situations, violence; 118 mins.)
``The Walking Dead'' (HBO, 1994). The African-American experience in Vietnam should be addressed. Too bad writer/director Preston Whitmore II chooses to go with cliches and stereotypes. Joe Morton leads his Marines on a suicide rescue mission. Flat characters and prolonged flashbacks bog down what is a slow-moving, unenlightening story. Videomatic says: C-
(CAST: Joe Morton, Allen Payne, Eddie Griffin. RATED: R for language, violence, brief nudity; 89 mins.)
``Death in Brunswick'' (Columbia TriStar, 1994). A dark comedy from Down Under. Sam Neill is a decent, ordinary guy who's in deep: dead-end future, domineering mother, murder, arson and other ills not of his doing. Think ``After Hours.'' While the story has its moments, the fun is watching Neill, in a biker jacket, jeans and Ray-Bans, roll with the role. Videomatic says: B-
(CAST: Sam Neill, Zoe Carides, John Clarke, Yvonne Lawley. RATED R for language, brief nudity, violence; 106 mins.)
Also: ``Darkman II: The Return of Durant,'' a made-for-vid job with Larry Drake back as the bad guy and Arnoo Vosloo on board as the good guy (unrated); and ``The Dangerous,'' an erotic thriller with Playboy playmate Paula Barbieri in one of her first roles and Oscar winner Joel Grey in surely one of his last (R and unrated).
NEXT TUESDAY: ``Star Trek: Generations,'' ``Before Sunrise,'' ``Red,'' ``Houseguest,'' ``Boys on the Side,'' ``My Summer Story,'' ``Zooman,'' ``Boulevard,'' ``The Crew,'' ``The Tin Solider,'' ``My Christmas Story, '' ``Outside the Law,'' ``Witchcraft 7: Judgement Hour'' ILLUSTRATION: COLUMBIA TRISTAR
Gary Oldman plays Beethoven in "Immortal Beloved," out today.
20TH CENTURY FOX
Liam Neeson and Jodie Foster star in ``Nell,'' the story of a girl
raised in a remote cabin who learns her own way of speaking.
THE SAMUEL GOLDWYN COMPANY
Gary Oldman plays Sex Pistols bass player Sid Vicious in ``Sid and
Nancy.''
by CNB