Category Archives: 1998

One True Thing - * * 1/2*

Posted on September 18, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Director Carl Franklin tackles this small-scale tearjerker, based on Anna Quindlen’s novel One True Thing. Although good, and appropriately sad, it never reaches its full potential. Ellen Gulden (Renee Zellweger) never had a good relationship with her mother, Kate (Meryl … Continue reading →

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Permanent Midnight - * 1/2*

Posted on September 16, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

David Veloz directs his adaptation of Jerry Stahl’s autobiographical portrait of a Hollywood writer succumbing to the downward spiral of drug addiction. Despite some adequate performances, the film merely treads water with nowhere to go, and nothing to say. Ben … Continue reading →

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Without Limits - * * 1/2*

Posted on September 11, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Without Limits is the second biopic of Olympic track athlete Steve Prefontaine (following last year’s Prefontaine). Both films hit all the same bases, and have about the same effect: a modest appreciation, but little understanding of the man. Steve Prefontaine … Continue reading →

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Cube - * 1/2*

Posted on September 11, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Vincenzo Natali directs this science fiction thriller with an intriguing premise. Unfortunately, there’s little to Cube besides that premise and some creative filmmaking techniques. The plot of Cube seems to have fallen right out of the Twilight Zone. Six complete … Continue reading →

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Rounders - * * *

Posted on September 11, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Rounders introduces us to the world of high-stakes poker. With an electric cast, and some apt direction, it transforms a run-of-the-mill storyline into a fascinating movie. Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) is a master poker player. He claims that poker is … Continue reading →

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Knock Off - 1/2*

Posted on September 4, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Jean Claude Van Damme’s recent string of films haven’t been too inspiring, and Knock Off doesn’t do anything to change the trend. Van Damme stars this time as Marcus Ray, of all things, a designer jeans rep. Yes, you read … Continue reading →

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Simon Birch - * * *

Posted on August 29, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Simon Birch is a film loosely based on John Irving’s novel, A Prayer for Owen Meany. Names, dates, plot elements and places have been changed…so fans of the books should be wary going in. It may not be a faithful … Continue reading →

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Why Do Fools Fall in Love? - * *

Posted on August 28, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Why Do Fools Fall in Love is an unusual biopic…one that isn’t terribly interested about its subject. It’s more concerned with the various other lives which are intersected and thrown into turmoil. Why Do Fools Fall in Love tells the … Continue reading →

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54 - *

Posted on August 28, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

The 70s are a hot era in Hollywood right now. 54 is the latest film to jump on the retro train. This time, the infamously exlcusive disco, Studio 54, is the backdrop for yet another drama detailing the soullessness of … Continue reading →

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Next Stop Wonderland - * * * 1/2*

Posted on August 21, 1998 by Madeleine Williams

Next Stop Wonderland is a nice little independent gem hidden in the post-Summer, pre-Fall film wasteland. A quirky and enjoyable romantic comedy, the film provides refreshing characterizations and plenty of humor. Erin Castleton (Hope Davis) is hopelessly single. Her last … Continue reading →

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