THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 10, 1995 TAG: 9510100032
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Videomatic
SOURCE: Craig Shapiro
LENGTH: Long : 114 lines
YOUR BEST BUDS here at Videomatic hear one question more than any other: ``Seen anything good?'' That's usually followed by, ``You oughta check out (fill in the blank).''
Seeing as how we'll soon top the 250 mark in videos watched this year - and it's only October - yeah, we have seen some good stuff. The odds favor it. But the sad truth is it takes a carefully monitored regimen of Visine and No-Doz just to wade through each week's new releases. Watch a movie for fun?
Told you it was pitiful.
Don't go feeling too bad, because once in a while our sacrifice pays off. Like today. ``Rob Roy'' (MGM/UA, 1995) is so darned good we watched it twice, so you know that's saying something. In fact, none of the sourpusses around here could recall the last time they enjoyed themselves so much.
Small wonder. Director Michael Caton-Jones (``This Boy's Life,'' ``Memphis Belle'') has crafted a perfect adventure, one of those old-fashioned epics that doesn't lose its characters in the sweep.
Set in Scotland in 1716, when English greed was forcing many Highlanders to emigrate, it stars Liam Neeson as Robert Roy McGregor, the real-life clansman who defied the crown. When his young sons ask about honor, he tells them, ``It is what no man can give you and none can take away. Honor is man's gift to himself.'' Rob Roy is a man of honor.
Neeson's a commanding actor, both physical and sensitive, and he uses those gifts to his advantage. Jessica Lange is his match as Mary, a strong-willed woman who loves and chides her husband for his honor. You could warm your hands on the heat they generate.
On the opposing side is John Hurt as Montrose, the wonderfully slimy English marquis, and Tim Roth as Archibald Cunningham, his foppish but lethal champion. It is one of the best villains you'll see. ``Love is a dung hill,'' he says, ``and I am but a cock who climbs upon it to crow.'' The gifted Roth eats up the role, making Archibald somehow pitiful where a lesser actor would play him as a caricature.
When Rob Roy and Cunningham meet in a final duel, it is not simply sworn enemies settling a score.
Cinematographer Karl Walter Lindenlaub captures breathtaking vistas of the Scottish countryside. Credit Assheton Gorton (production design), Sandy Powell (costumes) and Carter Burwell (music), too. Crisp editing turns the sword fights and chases into real nail-biters.
All ``Rob Roy'' needs is a money-back guarantee. MGM/UA wouldn't have to worry - movies just don't get any better. But you probably figured that out.
What's left to say? Nothing, except . . . Videomatic says: easy A+. (RATED: R for violence, situations; 120 mins.)
TOP VIDEOS (in Billboard):
Sales: ``Playboy: The Best of Pamela Anderson,'' ``Star Wars Trilogy,'' ``A Goofy Movie,'' ``Star Wars'', ``Mortal Kombat-The Animated Video''
Rentals: ``Pulp Fiction,'' ``Outbreak,'' ``Kiss of Death,'' ``Just Cause,'' ``Major Payne''
The Couch Report
``Friday'' (1995, New Line). Ice Cube co-wrote and stars in a rich, genuinely funny look at life in South Central. That doesn't mean it's any less topical. Its points - anti-violence, family, self-respect - are well-taken. They just aren't rubbed in your face. Cube, who's made big strides as an actor, is convincing as the sensible son dragged into trouble by his bumbling homeboy. Chris Tucker is a hoot as Smokey. Videomatic says: B+
(CAST: Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Regina King, Nia Long, John Witherspoon. RATED: R for language, mild violence, marijuana use; 91 mins.)
``John Carpenter's Village of the Damned'' (1995, MCA/Universal). Hard to believe this limp remake is from the man behind ``Halloween.'' Forget any mood or tension. The hammy acting and cheesy FX belong on rye bread. Children born in a remote village are mind-control aliens who plan to take over the world. Bet on Pinky and the Brain instead. Videomatic says: D
(CAST: Christopher Reeve, Kirstie Alley, Linda Kozlowski, Mark Hamill. RATED: R for violence, language; 99 mins.)
``Destiny Turns on the Radio'' (1995, HBO). Tower of Power once asked ``What Is Hip?'' Not this comedy, though it really tries. Dylan McDermott plays an escaped con who returns to Vegas to claim his loot and lady. The weak link is Quentin Tarantino's Johnny Destiny, the mysterious man of fate. As an actor, it's a good thing he's a writer and director. Videomatic says: C
(CAST: Quentin Tarantino, Dylan McDermott, Nancy Travis, James LeGros, James Belushi. RATED: R for language, violence; 101 mins.)
``Tommy Boy'' (Paramount, 1995). Another from the ``Dumb and Dumber'' mold with ``SNL'' vets Chris Farley trying to save the family business and David Spade as his partner. Yes, it's predictable, but it delivers some belly laughs. Farley is OK in his starring gig, even if he lays it on a bit thick, and Spade isn't nearly as obnoxious as he is in those phone ads. Videomatic says: C
(CAST: Chris Farley, David Spade, Bo Derek, Rob Lowe, Brian Dennehy. RATED: PG-13 for language, mild violence, brief nudity; 98 mins.)
Vids for kids
``Casper'' (MCA/Universal, 1995). Superior FX make the Friendly Ghost's debut fun. Bill Pullman is a para-shrink hired to rid a haunted house of its otherworldly tenants. Christina Ricci is his loner daughter who befriends Casper. The movie is better when the riotous Ghostly Trio is on; it's also cavalier in its treatment of life and death and a bit schmaltzy. But it's harmless enough. Parents, look for cameos by Don Novello and Dan Aykroyd. Videomatic says: B (Due Friday)
(CAST: Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle. RATED: PG for a few scares; 101 mins.)
Next Tuesday: ``While You Were Sleeping,'' ``Tales From the Hood,'' ``Farinelli,'' ``Panther,'' ``The Perez Family,'' ``Picture Bride,'' ``A Pyromaniac's Love Story,'' ``The Howling: New Moon Rising,'' ``Nightscare,'' ``Out of Sync,'' ``The Babysitter,'' ``New York Cop,'' ``Girl in the Cadillac,'' ``The Last Winter,'' ``Blood for Blood'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Liam Neesom plays a real-life Scottish hero defied the english crown
in "Rob Roy."
UNIVERSAL PICTURES
Casper the ghost befriends the newest occupant of Whipstaff Manor,
Kat Harvey (Christina Ricci), in ``Casper.''
by CNB