Mister Roberts (DVD) Premiere Collection The film represents Henry Fonda`s return to the screen after an absence of seven years, part of which was spent playing the eponymous officer in the immensely successful stage version of Thomas Heggen`s novel. As ca...
The film represents Henry Fonda`s return to the screen after an absence of seven years, part of which was spent playing the eponymous officer in the immensely successful stage version of Thomas Heggen`s novel. As cargo officer and second in command on a supply ship during World War II, the easygoing Lt. Doug Roberts is excluded from a much desired combat role while playing whipping boy to dyspeptic tyrant Captain Morion (James Cagney). Ensign Frank Pulver (Jack Lemmon), a brash yet cowardly wheeler-dealer, entertains Roberts with his elaborate pranks while the fatherly Doc (William Powell in his last screen appearance) offers advice. The young crew tries every available means of killing boredom, including eyeballing the nurses on a nearby island through a telescope, and Roberts does what he can to get them the R and R they badly need. The film had a troubled production history, mostly because of conflicts between Fonda, a friend of author Thomas Heggen`s, and Ford, who wished to make changes that Fonda disliked. Shortly after physically attacking Fonda, Ford suffered a ruptured gallbladder and was replaced by Mervyn LeRoy. Fonda is excellent, and Lemmon gives an inspired, Oscar-winning performance in a film that flows evenly from the comic to the tragic and stands among the best World War II films produced in the 1950s.
NR"
Director: John Ford|Mervyn LeRoy
ACTORS: Henry Fonda, Jack Lemmon, James Cagney, Betsy Palmer, Ward Bond
Croupier (DVD)
CROUPIER tells the complex story of an aspiring writer who must take a job in order to pay the bills.
CROUPIER tells the complex story of an aspiring writer who must take a job in order to pay the bills. Experienced as a professional croupier, Jack Manfred (Clive Owen) is hired by an upscale casino in London, where he intends to silently observe the goings on while continuing to work on his latest novel. Tensions begin to emerge between Jack and his girlfriend, Marion (Gina McKee), when he finds himself succumbing to the temptations that the gambling world presents; most notably, the gorgeous Jani (Alex Kingston), whose mysterious intentions eventually make themselves clear. As the story unfolds, Jack begins to realize that he is becoming the immoral hero of his novel, and is, in fact, giving in to these temptations to provide him with subject matter that will make for a memorable work of fiction.
Mike Hodges and Paul Mayersberg have crafted a taut thriller that keeps the twists unfolding until the film's very last shot. As a tribute to Mayersberg's script, Hodges insisted that he share the film's author credit with the scribe. This unprecedented decision, combined with Clive Owen's seductive, highly irresistible performance, results in a motion picture that is an intelligent throwback to the crime films of yesteryear.
NR"
Director: Mike Hodges
ACTORS: Clive Owen, Gina McKee, Alex Kingston, Alexander Morton, Kate Hardie
Haven`t We Met Before (DVD)
A law student (Nicolette Sheridan) finds herself being pursued by a an escape from a mental institution who claims to have known her in a previous life. Based on the novel by Mary Higgins Clark, HAVEN`T WE MET BEFORE originally aired on television.NR"
Director: Rene Bonniere
ACTORS: Nicolette Sheridan, Anthony Lemke, Daniela Lunkewitz, Diego Matamaros, Page Fletcher
Anywhere But Here (DVD) Full Frame and Widescreen Director Wayne Wang, known for family dramas about Chinese Americans that focus on mother-daughter relationships (DIM SUM, THE JOY LUCK CLUB), here adapts Mona Simpsons ANYWHERE BUT HERE, a novel perfectly su...
Director Wayne Wang, known for family dramas about Chinese Americans that focus on mother-daughter relationships (DIM SUM, THE JOY LUCK CLUB), here adapts Mona Simpsons ANYWHERE BUT HERE, a novel perfectly suited for his talents. Teenage Ann (Natalie Portman) wants a normal life, but her mother, Adele (Susan Sarandon), has a different idea of what is considered normal. When Adele grows tired of claustrophobic small-town life in Wisconsin, she takes the constantly complaining Ann across the country to Los Angeles, where she wants to start a new life. Ann, however, doesnt want to go, and her behavior wavers between typical adolescent annoyance to real insightfulness into her mothers character. Much of this comes from the voice-over provided by the adult Ann, who explains it all from her mature point of view. This sentimental story, long on feelings and more feelings, is nicely played, with Sarandon enthusiastic as the eccentric single mother that her daughter cant wait to get away from.
PG-13"
Director: Wayne Wang
ACTORS: Susan Sarandon, Natalie Portman, Eileen Ryan, Corbin Allred, Ray Baker
Great Expectations (DVD)
A rising artist, flourishing with the help of a benefactor, falls fruitlessly in love with his wealthy childhood playmate, who has grown to be a beautiful coquette.
A rising artist, flourishing with the help of a benefactor, falls fruitlessly in love with his wealthy childhood playmate, who has grown to be a beautiful coquette. But the nefarious influence of her eccentric, spiteful maiden aunt taints their relationship. A stylish, heavily romantic updating of the eponymous Dickens classic, staged in 1970s south Florida. Bancroft, as the Miss Havisham character, steals the show.
