THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 8, 1995 TAG: 9508080031
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Craig Shapiro
LENGTH: Long : 115 lines
WE'VE NO PROOF, not even circumstantial evidence or hearsay. Videomatic is convinced, though, that movie critics have been sworn to pooh-pooh anything made for your everyday, know-it-all, no-time-for-girls, 12-year-old boy.
Either that or they miss the point entirely. Is that possible?
Check the record: ``Dumb and Dumber,'' ``Blankman,'' ``In the Army,'' ``Cabin Boy.'' But give the Bum Rap Award to the Ernest series. Hey folks, ``Ernest Goes to Camp,'' ``Ernest Saves Christmas,'' ``Ernest Goes to Jail'' and ``Ernest Scared Stupid'' aren't supposed to be Shakespeare.
(The staff gets worked up about Ernest for two reasons: 1. His movies are a panic. 2. So was his TV show; in fact, one of the treasures in the Videomatic Archives is every episode of ``Hey Vern, It's Ernest.'')
The latest example of critical prejudice is ``Billy Madison'' (MCA/Universal, 1995). Adam Sandler plays the do-nothing son of a hotel magnate (Darren McGavin) who, to show Dad he's grown up enough to run things, goes back to grade school so he can pass on his own merit. It seems that Dad pulled strings the first time around.
Billy's picked on by bullies; Billy's the most popular kid in third grade; Billy gets a crush on his teacher (Bridgette Wilson). Sandler takes to the role naturally, so when Billy learns about responsibility and kindness, it doesn't come off as forced.
Yes, the humor's broad - the same schtick we laughed at as kids. Yes, the adults are dorks - just like when we were in school. If ``Billy Madison'' (PG-13 for language) isn't exactly new, it is likable enough (plus, Chris Farley and Steve Buscemi show up in demented cameos) to get a solid C+ rating on the Videomatic scale.
Don't take our word, please. Take Brian's and Jerry's, your everyday, know-it-all, no-time-for-girls, 12-year-olds whom we recruited for their opinions. Between them, they've seen the movie, like, 11 times, so their thumbs-up mean something.
``It's so funny,'' said Brian. ``It has all sorts of humor. Most of the characters are really nice, and no one dies. It sort of teaches generosity at the end.'' Brian said the naughty words didn't bother him because he already knew them.
Jerry, the more thick-skinned of the two - he has older sisters - insisted that the sight gags (burning bags of dog doo, falling clowns) made the movie. Later, he said ``Billy Madison'' had a point: ``You shouldn't give up.''
Brian says: A; Jerry says: A-
Moral: Never send a fogy to do a boy's job.
ODDS & ENDS: Time for all good Trekkies to crack open the checkbooks. Paramount has Episodes 67-70 of ``Star Trek: The Next Generation'' - ``Captain's Holiday,'' ``Tin Man,'' ``Hollow Pursuits,'' ``The Most Toys'' - for $14.95 a pop.
``Megazone 23 (Part One)'' is sci-fi from the East - an animated adventure from Japan. A young rebel learns the truth behind a bizarre war machine and avenges a murder. (Orion/Streamline, $29.98)
TOP TAPES (in Billboard):
Sales: ``Playboy: The Best of Pamela Anderson,'' ``Forrest Gump,'' ``Pink Floyd: Pulse,'' ``The Lion King,'' ``The Crow''
Rentals: ``Dumb and Dumber,'' ``Disclosure,'' ``Interview With the Vampire,'' ``Nell,'' ``Star Trek Generations''
The Couch Report
``Nobody's Fool'' (Paramount, 1994). In a career of fine performances, Paul Newman gives one of his best as a 60-year-old construction worker just scraping by, accountable only to himself. His character, Sully, puts up a good front, but he's running from his past - an abusive father, a busted marriage, his own failure as a parent. And in a small town, you can't get far. The late Jessica Tandy, playing his landlady and former teacher, is the only one who believes in him. When Sully does get a shot at making good, it's done in a personal, dignified way that fits the tone of this quiet, thoughtful movie. Videomatic says: A
(CAST: Paul Newman, Jessica Tandy, Bruce Willis, Dylan Walsh, Melanie Griffith. RATED: R for language, nudity, mild violence; 110 mins.)
``Outbreak'' (Warner, 1995). Wolfgang Petersen, who created such tension with an unseen enemy in ``Das Boot,'' does it with a crack thriller about a virus threatening the United States. It works as a medical mystery, an out-and-out actioner and as an indictment of the men who make war. Because it reads like today's headlines, it goes straight for the gut. Dustin Hoffman makes the transition to man of action, humanizing his role with just enough humor. The supporting cast is skilled. No ``types'' here. Videomatic says: A-
(CAST: Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman, Cuba Gooding Jr., Donald Sutherland. RATED: R for language, violence, suffering; 128 mins.)
``Man of the House'' (Disney, 1995). All that stands between a decent DA and a divorcee is her son, who'll stop at nothing to break up the match. This comedy is warmer and fuzzier than billed, and while it putters along predictably, it says something about faith and communication. The real news is Chevy Chase, who chucks that tired Clark Griswold silliness and plays it (almost) straight. It's a pleasant surprise. Videomatic says: C+
(CAST: Chevy Chase, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Farrah Fawcett, George Wendt. RATED: PG-13 for mild language, mild violence; 91 mins.)
Also: Judge Reinhold in the murder-mystery ``As Good as Dead'' (PG-13); Judd Nelson in the thriller ``Circumstances Unknown'' (R); ``Leapin' Leprechauns!'' is family fare from Moonbeam (unrated); ``Never Say Die,'' a ``Rambo''-like actioner (R); and ``Illegal in Blue,'' the erotic thriller of the week (R and unrated)
NEXT TUESDAY: ``The Quick and the Dead,'' ``Tank Girl,'' ``Circle of Friends,'' ``The Pebble and the Penguin,'' ``Tall Tale,'' ``Heavyweights,'' ``The Expert,'' ``Wicked City,'' ``The Langoliers,'' ``Vibrations,'' ``Red Hot'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by KERRY HAYES \ Paramount
Paul Newman gives one of his best performances, starring with
Jessica Tandy, in ``Nobody's Fool.''
Photo by PETER SOREL \ Warner Bros.
Dustin Hoffman, right, and Cuba Gooding Jr. star in ``Outbreak,'' a
thriller about a virus threatening the United States.
Photo by WALT DISNEY CO.
Chevy Chase, right, plays it (almost) straight in the comedy ``Man
of the House'' with Jonathan Taylor Thomas.
by CNB