THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, June 4, 1996 TAG: 9606040022
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: CRAIG SHAPIRO
LENGTH: 108 lines
BEFORE WE get down to the Mid-Year Top 10, the absent-minded professors here at Videomatic are asking for your help with an all-points bulletin:
``IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEA WHERE THE LAST SIX MONTHS HAVE GONE, WOULD THEY PLEASE LET US KNOW?''
For real. Our records (we keep a week-by-week log) show that the video year began Jan. 9 with that Sandra Bullock techno-thriller ``The Net.'' The calendar would have us believe that 180 days (give or take) and 100 tapes (ditto) have passed since then.
Which explains why we feel Fred MacMurray-ish - you know, like we missed something. Could be we just need to get out once in a while. Could be UFOs. Mulder? Scully?
OK, OK! We'll get a grip.
The Mid-Year Top 10 is just what it says. But, as a reminder, the same rule that applies to the year's Top 10 applies here: We avoid the can't-miss titles in favor of those that catch us looking, so to speak. That's why ``The Usual Suspects,'' ``Seven,'' ``To Die For,'' ``Babe'' and ``The Bridges of Madison County'' aren't on the list. They were supposed to be good. And they were.
Here's what is on the list.
``Faust.'' Meticulously restored, F.W. Murnau's 1926 silent masterpiece is mind-blowing by today's standards. His bold lighting and experiments with double imagery and miniatures were years ahead of their time.
``A Pure Formality.'' A writer wandering the rainy, French countryside is questioned by a police inspector about a shooting. Gerard Depardieu and Roman Polanski are perfect. So is the shocking ending.
``Living in Oblivion.'' Steve Buscemi is a riot as a harried director trying to make a small, independent film. Writer/director Tom DiCillo's small, independent film indicts as much as it embraces the business.
``Crumb.'' Terry Zwigoff's acclaimed documentary about cartoonist R. Crumb and his family is part-valentine and part-exploration of the creative process. Dark and depressing. Enlightening and uplifting.
``Mute Witness.'' Working with a Russian and American cast, Anthony Waller borrows from ``Halloween,'' ``Wait Until Dark'' and ``Marathon Man'' to create an original thriller that is truly scary and outright funny.
``Angus.'' You'll see yourself in Angus, a teen-ager who only wants to be accepted for what he is: an overweight, average football player who likes science. First-timer Charlie Talbert is a natural.
``Unstrung Heroes.'' For her first feature as a director, Diane Keaton addresses no less than life and loss, faith and science. Moving, funny in a knowing way and perfectly cast, it's a gem.
``Carrington.'' Not interested in the relationship between artist Dora Carrington and the acerbic homosexual writer Lytton Strachey? Fine. Just rent if for the performances by Emma Thompson and Jonathan Pryce.
``Party Girl.'' Mary (Parker Posey) is a '90s Holly Golightly. Her life is all-night raves and designer clothes, until she finds a future in the Dewey Decimal System and love with a falafel vendor. Witty, sexy and stylish.
``Smoke.'' Wayne Wang's rich character study is set in a Brooklyn cigar shop run by Harvey Keitel. But every patron is connected. Tap into the film's rhythm, and you'll feel likewise.
Honorable mention: ``Frankie Starlight,'' ``The Brothers McMullen,'' ``Love and Human Remains,'' ``White Man's Burden,'' ``Window to Paris'' ROBYN REDUX
My name is Robyn (``Hi, Robyn!'') and I'm a MSTie (applause).
Just giggled through ``Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie,'' and it got me thinking about a few flicks that would make good fodder for Joel/Mike and the 'bots. I don't often sit through lousy movies 'cause, well . . . I have really good taste. Still, a challenge is a challenge.
Devotion to Tommy Lee Jones led to the nonsensical '70s mish-mash, ``Eliza's Horoscope.'' Admiration for Gloria Grahame, the quintessential femme fatale, uncovered ``The Loners,'' an excruciating, bargain-basement ``Easy Rider.'' A barely recognizable Gerald McRaney (yes, I had a crush on Rick Simon) can be seen in ``Mind Warp'' and ``Night of Bloody Horror.'' This is terrifying?
See for yourself, then start riffing away - just like they do on the Satellite of Love. Lousy was never such fun.
TOP TAPES (in Billboard):
Sales: ``Jumanji,'' ``The Aristocats,'' ``Waiting to Exhale,'' ``Babe,'' ``Playboy: 1996 Playmate of the Year''
Rentals: ``Seven,'' ``Waiting to Exhale,'' ``The Money Train,'' ``Braveheart,'' ``The Bridges of Madison County'' THE COUCH REPORT
``Grumpier Old Men'' (Warner, 1995). See how Jack Lemmon got the girl in the first time around, there was no way poor Walter Matthau was going to be left on his lonesome. Thus, the sequel follows the same blueprint, right down to the funny outtakes over the end credits. Fortunately, Lemmon and Matthau are always good for a laugh, and Sophia Loren - the new gal in town - is simply an ageless marvel. Videomatic says: C
(CAST: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Sophia Loren, Ann-Margret. RATED: PG-13 for mild language, innuendo; 101 mins.)
``Heavy Metal'' (Columbia Tri-Star, 1981). Soundtrack copyrights delayed the oft-requested video. With contributions from Richard Corben (``Den'') and Berni Wrightson, there's no denying its influence on animators working today. Still, the anthology hasn't aged well, nor does a snippet of new footage mean much. The appeal is strictly frat-party. The late John Candy adds needed comic relief. Videomatic says: C-
(Voices of John Candy, Eugene Levy, Joe Flaherty, Harold Ramis. RATED: R for violence, language, nudity, adult situations; 90 mins. $19.98.)
Also: Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue in the Oscar-winning drama ``Leaving Las Vegas'' (R); ``The Addiction,'' an Abel Ferrara (``Body Snatchers'') vampire thriller (unrated); the lauded documentary ``The Last Klezmer'' (unrated), and Kristin Scott-Thomas in the haunting love story, ``An Unforgettable Summer'' (unrated).
Next Tuesday: ``Sabrina,'' ``Father of the Bride II,'' ``Bio-Dome,'' ``Lawnmower Man 2: Jobe's War,'' ``Two If By Sea,'' ``Sugartime,'' ``A Boy Called Hate'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
KINO ON VIDEO by CNB