THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 25, 1995 TAG: 9511230081
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
WHAT DO Richard Nixon and Robin Williams have in common?
Both are featured in the do-or-die, last-minute splurge of would-be blockbusters due out before year's end. It's the second-biggest season of the year in the movies, and Hollywood is trotting out the heavy guns.
The industry set records in 1993 and 1994, but only a miracle stampede at the box office will mean another record this year. With production costs skyrocketing and some superstars making $20 million per movie, everyone is looking feverishly for a hit.
``Goldeneye,'' ``The American President,'' ``The Money Train,'' ``Nick of Time'' and ``Carrington'' were the first out of the gate. Nearly a dozen ultra-expensive films will be released before the end of the year. As usual, some of the most-likely Oscar candidates won't be booked here until next year, when they can capitalize on nominations.
Still, the field is so crowded, 20th Century-Fox moved ``Broken Arrow,'' its potential John Travolta hit, until next year, saying, ``There are must too many films out there next month.''
Let's go shopping:
``Wild Bill.'' Jeff Bridges has the title role, as Wild Bill Hickock, and Ellen Barkin in Calamity Jane in a rip-roaring Western that again compares legend to fact. The investors are hoping it won't be another ``Wyatt Earp.'' (Friday)
``Crossing Guard.'' Sean Penn, the critically acclaimed actor who married Madonna and lived to tell about it, directs Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston in a poignant drama about a father who seeks vengeance after his child is killed by a drunken driver. (Friday)
``White Man's Burden.'' John Travolta and Harry Belafonte star in a provocative drama that reverses the racial percentages in America and asks, ``Would anything be different?'' Travolta plays a down-on-his-luck factory worker, while Belafonte is an executive. (Friday)
``Father of the Bride II.'' The entire cast of the big hit returns. Steve Martin and Diane Keaton are the parents, only this time they're about to become parents again - and grandparents. (Dec. 8)
``Heat.'' A crime shootout that for the first time pairs Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Pacino is a tough cop. De Niro is a tough crook. It's directed by Michael Mann and co-stars Val Kilmer and Jon Voight. Crime shootout. (Dec. 8, but may change)
``Jumanji.'' A board game comes to life and unleashes a mass of special effects, plus Robin Williams. But is Williams funny? Will the special effects be enough? The buzz says it will be a hit, but the plot sounds skimpy. (Dec. 15)
``Sabrina.'' A remake of the 1954 Audrey Hepburn-Humphrey Bogart-William Holden romance. This time, Julia Ormond has the title role, the girl who goes to Paris and has two millionaires - Harrison Ford and Greg Kinear - fighting over her when she returns. If audiences insist on comparing Ormond to Hepburn, the movie is in trouble. There was only one Audrey. (Dec. 15)
``Nixon.'' Oliver Stone returns to the director's chair. Will he take the same historical liberties he did with ``JFK''? Anthony Hopkins has the title role. It's sure to be controversial, and maybe an Oscar contender. (Dec. 20)
``Waiting to Exhale.'' Four African-American women bond to discuss romance, careers and life. Pop diva Whitney Houston stars in her first movie since ``The Bodyguard.'' Angela Bassett provides the real acting, but are men getting tired of being bashed? It's based on the book by Terry McMillan and directed by actor Forest Whitaker. (Dec. 22)
``Cutthroat Island.'' Geena Davis plays a female pirate for her husband, director Renny Harlin. Matthew Modine co-stars. It's perhaps the riskiest of the lot. (Dec. 22)
``Persuasion.'' The first of several new films based on works by Jane Austen, this one concerns a woman who gets a second chance at capturing a love she once discarded. (Dec. 22) ILLUSTRATION: Color photo, Rysher Entertainment
Travolta and Belafonte...
by CNB