Monthly Archives: December 1996

My Fellow Americans - * * 1/2*

Posted on December 20, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Director Peter Segal manages to draw a few laughs out of a film that might have been titled Grumpy Old Presidents Hit the Road. Republican Russell Kramer (Jack Lemmon) and Democrat Matt Douglas (James Garner) are longtime political rivals, each … Continue reading →

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Beavis and Butthead Do America - 1/2*

Posted on December 20, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Beavis and Butthead Do America is a misguided adaptation of the MTV cartoon that abandons two important ingredients: the music video critiques, and the refreshingly short length. The story begins as Beavis and Butthead’s beloved television set is stolen. When … Continue reading →

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Marvin’s Room - * * *

Posted on December 18, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Well acted, but not often believable, dysfunctional family drama. Meryl Streep stars as Lee, a domineering single mother/cosmetologist in Cleveland, who is raising two children. The eldest (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a semi-insane rebel, put in a mental institution after attempting … Continue reading →

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In Love and War - * 1/2*

Posted on December 18, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

In Love and War is an anemic true-life wartime love story. Chris O’Donnell stars as a young Ernest Hemingway, who volunteered for the Red Cross during WWI. He is stationed in Italy, and yearns to see action. However, on a … Continue reading →

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Albino Alligator - * * 1/2*

Posted on December 13, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Kevin Spacey makes his directoral debut with this moody hostage drama. After a botched robbery, three crooks (Matt Dillon, Gary Sinise, and William Fichtner) hide out in a small underground New Orleans bar. Things get tense when the cops arrive … Continue reading →

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The Preacher’s Wife - * *

Posted on December 13, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

The Preacher’s Wife is a feel-good comedy that doesn’t quite work. The stars and music are appealing, but the comedy in the film never quite gels. Courtney B. Vance is Henry Biggs, a preacher in the broken down church of … Continue reading →

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Mars Attacks - * * * 1/2*

Posted on December 13, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

With Mars Attacks, director Tim Burton has created not only an instant cult hit, but a very offbeat black comedy that parodies martian invasion films, disaster films, and many aspects of our popular culture. It begins in the time-honored disaster … Continue reading →

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Jerry Maguire - * * * 1/2*

Posted on December 13, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Jerry Maguire is an crowded but involving drama about a man of conscience amid a sea of cynicism. Tom Cruise stars as the title character, Jerry Maguire, who begins the film as a top sports agent at a large agency. … Continue reading →

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Everyone Says I Love You - * * *

Posted on December 6, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Woody Allen’s latest film is a musical romantic comedy that should appeal to fans of the genre. It overlays a traditional Allen film with song and dance numbers of early 20th century standards. The film is narrated by DJ (Natasha … Continue reading →

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Daylight - * 1/2*

Posted on December 6, 1996 by Madeleine Williams

Daylight is a rather routine disaster flick, providing no surprises. Sylvester Stallone stars as Kit Latura, a former Chief of the Emergency Medical Service in New York. A few years ago, he made a poor decision that cost several of … Continue reading →

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