Friday, October 25, 1996
"Sunchaser"
Directed by Michael Cimino. Starring Woody Harrelson and Jon
Seda
Academy Award-winning director Michael Cimino made himself a
legend with his masterpiece "The Deerhunter." He then made everyone
who praised him lose credibility with his "Waterworld"-like flop
"Heaven’s Gate."
Since then he has busied himself trying to make another
‘Deerhunter’ and proving that the magnificent film was not a
once-in-a-lifetime fluke. His latest attempt, "Sunchaser," does not
help his plight.
The story follows a juvenile delinquent named Blue (Jon Seda of
"12 Monkeys," "I Like it Like That") who is dying of cancer and a
strait-laced doctor (Woody Harrelson of "Kingpin," "Natural Born
Killers") who has a big promotion and an empty but successful life
in front of him. When Blue decides to seek a magical mountain his
Native American family and friends promise could cure his terminal
cancer, he hijacks the doctor and escapes the hospital where he was
sent for a regular check-up.
The film is full of unbelievable scenes that have nothing to do
with the outlandish plot. Cimino actually does a good job of making
the mystical aspects of the film realistic. But his problem is that
he is completely out of touch with reality and desperately tries to
be so. From the practically naked waitress in the biker
bar/breakfast diner to the rap lines Blue randomly spouts, it is
obvious that Cimino has not quite arrived in 1996. Cimino clearly
wants his film to be cutting edge from the very beginning, when
fluorescent-colored credits scrawl across the screen  but he
doesn’t realize that making the credits and characters bright and
angst-ridden does not make them modern or realistic in any way.
Surprisingly, Seda and Harrelson give excellent performances in
spite of their washed-out characters. Harrelson is particularly
good as the unwilling hostage with his volatile patient. His
intense blue eyes reveal a mixture of resentment and sympathy that
is difficult to convey with such uninspiring lines. And Seda gives
a good show as the angry inner-city tough guy. Despite the
humiliating speeches he is forced to give, he remains an
interesting character with his mistrustful scowl and deep hollow
voice.
Also, the scenery in the film’s second half is magnificent. From
amazing Western vistas to mist-encircled mountain tops, the
cinematography perfectly captures the awe-inspiring American
landscape.
Maybe "Sunchaser" would be a cool movie to watch on mute.
By Emily Forster
Grade: D
"When We Were Kings"
Directed by Leon Gast
In the many years since this documentary’s conception, there has
been a debate brewing over its title. The director, and slightly
over half the hands raised in an impromptu poll at a Sundance Film
festival screening, favor the current name. The co-editor (director
Taylor Hackford of "Dolores Claiborne" and others), a vocal
contingent of supporters, and Muhammad Ali himself would pick the
more visceral "Rumble in the Jungle." Both names work, and neither
hurts the movie in any way, but the current label better reflects
this film’s strong sense of spirituality and power.
True, the documentary focuses on the Ali-George Foreman 1974
fight in Zaire, unanimously hailed as one of boxing’s greatest
bouts. And yes, Ali is omnipresent in the film, constantly
demonstrating the charisma and humor that made him a sports
journalist’s dream. But under Gast’s steady direction, "When We
Were Kings" transcends its sports underpinnings and captures an
amazing moment for Africans (American and otherwise) and for the
world.
This film is one of those rare non-fiction works  coverage
of an event so multi-faceted that an entire film could be made from
each minute, each moment and each happening. That the polished
package ties it all together, creates an unbelievable spirit of
unity and makes everyone in the audience a lifelong Ali fan is
reason enough to elect this the year’s best documentary. African
American, white, male, or female, you owe it to yourself to catch
this film during its one-week Academy-aimed theatrical run.
By Michael Horowitz
Grade: A
"Twelfth Night"
Directed by Trevor Nunn
Starring Ben Kingsley
Are audiences getting bored and tired from constant Shakespeare
plays being turned into movies? By the looks of it, they aren’t.
Directors from all walks of life are still coming up with at least
one or two Shakespeare movies a year. They may not be box-office
successes, but there is definitely an audience for them.
With "Twelfth Night," produced by Stephen Evans and David
Parfitt ("The Madness of King George," "Much Ado About Nothing")
they have taken this extremely popular Shakespeare comedy and have
freshened it up with a wonderful cast of English actors.
Mistaken identities is the constant theme that runs through the
movie. Viola (Imogen Stubbs) was separated from her twin brother in
a shipwreck. She lands on foreign ground only to pose as a servant
boy to protect her identity. As a servant, she aids Duke Orsino
(played by Toby Stephens) in pursuit of the beautiful Olivia, for
whom he has an undeniable love. In the process of doing this,
Olivia falls for Viola, and Viola finds herself in the middle of a
complex romantic circle.
Helena Bonham Carter ("Howards End") plays the beautiful and
enchanting Olivia, Nigel Hawthorne ("Madness Of King George") plays
the head of Olivia’s household and Ben Kingsley ("Gandhi") plays a
clown, who is also Olivia’s court jester. These are the actors and
actress that keep the entire movie interesting and enjoyable to
watch.
This wonderful comedy is adapted for the screen and directed by
Trevor Nunn, who has directed many of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s
musicals including "Les Miserables" and "Sunset Boulevard." He
takes the comedy and concentrates on the things that matter in a
Shakespearean play: the characters.
All the characters are so well-defined that it’s obvious the
emphasis in this adaptation is definitely on the actors who breathe
life into their parts. Helena Bonham Carter has to take most of the
credit. Her presence and beauty were meant for this movie. If she
was not a part of the charming cast, this would be a totally
different movie.
By Simon Dunstan
Grade: A
Dr. Michael Reynolds (Woody Harrelson, center), is assaulted by
bikers in director Michael Cimino’s latest film "Sunchaser."