Cast: Angelina Jolie (Gia Marie Carangi), Elizabeth Mitchell (Linda), Eric Michael Cole (T. J.)
For complete cast, see IMDb's Gia page.
Gia was an HBO movie, but I never saw it when it was on (I didn't even have HBO then). DVD's make catching almost anything very easy now.
Definitely a very slow movie, but there were a lot of interesting things that happened to Gia in her life as a drug addicted model. I wouldn't recommend it for those who want an upbeat or fast-paced movie, but it's pretty interesting if you can handle the fact that it's about an hour and 20 minutes of story stretched into 2 hours.
Grade: C+
Labels: 1998, Angelina Jolie, drama, history, movie
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Joseph Fiennes (Will Shakespeare), Gwyneth Paltrow (Viola De Lesseps), Geoffrey Rush (Philip Henslowe)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Shakespeare in Love page.
Although some of my friends were upset from the first previews that Shakespeare in Love didn't touch on the fact that William Shakespeare didn't really write Romeo & Juliet by himself, I loved this modern take on Shakespeare and thought that the background (whether completely truthful or not) was wonderfully done. I really enjoyed the way this amazing cast portrayed this great story.
Definitely not the happy love story that Hollywood typically generates, and I liked the change. It was very appropriate for a movie built around Romeo & Juliet. If everything had ended perfectly, it wouldn't have fit as well with the play.
Not that anyone would ask me, but this has my vote for best picture of 1998.
Grade: A+
Labels: 1998, Best Picture, comedy, drama, Gwyneth Paltrow, movie, romance, Shakespeare
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: John Travolta (Jan Schlichtmann), Robert Duvall (Jerome Facher), Tony Shalhoub (Kevin Conway), William H. Macy (James Gordon)
For complete cast, see IMDb's A Civil Action page.
This movie about families of children who died suing companies for dumping toxic waste in their neighborhood is very good. It really addresses the issues facing our world today with the environment and dealing with the legal issues involved. It also shows the struggle the families go through fighting corporations in environmental battles. Knowing that they can never replace the loved ones they lost, it's amazing that these people had the courage to continue to fight the corporations involved. Environmental law is a very sticky subject and I think A Civil Action handles it well.
Grade: B
Labels: 1998, drama, John Travolta, movie, William H. Macy
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:10 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Robin Williams (Hunter 'Patch' Adams), Daniel London (Truman Schiff), Monica Potter (Corinne Fisher), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Mitch Roman)
For complete info, see IMDb's Patch Adams page.
This story about a medical student who treats patients more with humor than medicine was sweet, but somehow lacking in substance. I think it's still definitely worth seeing, but it wasn't as good as I expected from the previews. Robin Williams is wonderful, though perhaps a bit too over the top for this particular role. No one could have done the scenes where he uses humor to make the patients laugh better. However, the fact that he's so good at comedy puts the focus on him more than might be warranted in this movie about cancer patients.
I still recommend renting it, though. It's a good movie.
Grade: B
Labels: 1998, comedy, drama, movie, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Williams
Reviewed by Kat at the 1:15 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Ian Bannen (Jackie O'Shea), David Kelly (Michael O'Sullivan), Fionnula Flanagan (Annie O'Shea), Susan Lynch (Maggie O'Toole)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Waking Ned Devine page.
This story about a man who dies just after finding out that he's won the lottery and the town who tries to claim the money is an enjoyable and interesting comedy. Waking Ned Devine can easily be rented, since there are no special effects to miss by watching it on a smaller screen and is interesting, though it has a few dull moments. It's very entertaining overall.
Grade: B
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:10 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Drew Barrymore (Sally Jackson), Catherine O'Hara (Beatrice Lever), Luke Wilson (Dorian Montier), Jake Busey (Angus Montier)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Home Fries page.
This story about a pregnant woman who unknowingly falls for the step-son of the deceased father of her child and copes with the craziness of the family he left behind is very entertaining. I saw it because of Drew Barrymore and Luke Wilson. I'd see almost anything either of them do and I'm rarely disappointed. In spite of the poor marketting campaign, this movie was no exception. Home Fries is hardly high brow, but it's very enjoyable to watch.
Grade: B
Labels: 1998, Catherine O'Hara, comedy, drama, Drew Barrymore, Luke Wilson, movie, romance
Reviewed by Kat at the 1:20 PM show | 0 screams
Cast (voices): Dave Foley (Flik), Kevin Spacey (Hopper), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Atta), Hayden Panettiere (Dot)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's A Bug's Life page.
When the advertising material started appearing for A Bug's Life (initially entitled Bugs, I have to admit that I was very wary of it in spite of the Pixar name. All of my reservations were unnecessary. A Bug's Life was a very entertaining story about ants dealing with every day troubles of dealing with the grasshoppers who rule them and the bugs they meet in a traveling circus troup.
So many of the props used in this animated movie are funny, since it really is from an ant's perspective. The animation is amazing and I highly recommend A Bug's Life, as I would any Pixar movie.
Grade: A-
Labels: 1998, adventure, animated, comedy, family, John Ratzenberger, Kevin Spacey, movie, Pixar
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Will Smith (Robert Clayton Dean), Gene Hackman (Edward 'Brill' Lyle), Barry Pepper (Det. David Pratt), John Voight (Thomas Brian Reynolds), Regina King (Carla Dean)
For complete info, see IMDb's Enemy of the State page.
The tagline of Enemy of the State ("It's not paranoia if they're really after you.") is one of my favorites. And I think the tagline perfectly describes this movie about a lawyer who accidentally finds key evidence to a politically motivated crime. This is a great thriller with a wonderful cast! I'd see Will Smith in almost anything, but Enemy of the State is worth seeing even if you're not a huge Will Smith or Gene Hackman fan. It's an exciting thriller that's fun to watch.
Grade: B+
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:15 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Adam Sandler (Robert 'Bobby' Boucher Jr.), Kathy Bates (Helen 'Mama' Boucher), Fairuza Balk (Vicki Vallencourt), Henry Winkler (Coach Klein)
For complete info, see IMDb's The Waterboy page.
This movie about a waterboy whose mother hates football finding out that he's got a talent for tackling and becoming a member of the team is very funny! The cast is amazing, the characters are ridiculous, and the story is very good. I definitely recommend that you check this out, even if you're not a huge Adam Sandler fan. I think you'll find it worth the time.
Grade: B
Labels: 1998, Adam Sandler, comedy, Kathy Bates, movie, sports
Reviewed by Kat at the 3:45 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Robin Williams (Chris Nielsen), Cuba Gooding Jr. (Albert Lewis), Annabella Sciorra (Annie Collins-Nielsen), Max von Sydow (The Tracker)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's What Dreams May Come page.
What an intense movie What Dreams May Come is... The idea of going to one afterlife (heaven), when your partner has gone to the other (hell) and dealing with that, is really mind-boggling. What Chris does because of his love of Annie is truly amazing.
This is definitely not a bright movie in many parts. The scenes in hell can be very disturbing. I wouldn't recommend it right before bed, since it might prompt really strange dreams, but it's a wonderful movie!
Grade: A-
Labels: 1998, Cuba Gooding Jr., drama, fantasy, movie, Robin Williams, romance
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:20 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Sandra Bullock (Sally Owens), Nicole Kidman (Gillian Owens), Stockard Channing (Aunt Frances 'Fran' Owens), Dianne Wiest (Aunt Bridget 'Jet' Owens), Goran Visnjic (Jimmy Angelov), Aidan Quin (Officer Gary Hallet)
For complete info, see IMDb's Practical Magic page.
I've always liked stories with witches and magic and I loved the cast, so liking Practical Magic was no surprise. It's a very funny movie about some witches trying to fit in and the trouble that can be caused by trying to cover up the truth. It's got a little of everything and lots of laughs with a great cast! I highly recommend renting this one if you missed it.
Grade: B+
Labels: 1998, drama, fantasy, movie, mystery, Nicole Kidman, romance, Sandra Bullock, Stockard Channing
Reviewed by Kat at the 4:40 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Tobey Maguire (David), Reese Witherspoon (Jennifer), William H. Macy (George Parker), Joan Allen (Betty Parker), Jeff Daniels (Mr. Johnson)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Pleasantville page.
Initially, I thought the idea of Pleasantville, where two teenagers get trapped inside a 50's sitcom, which is the boy's favorite TV show, was a great idea. I had no idea how wonderful the movie would be, though.
Pleasantville is an amazing movie about living life to the fullest and experiencing all parts of life. A lot of people I know who saw this thought it was too centered on sex and didn't like it, but I disagree. Not everyone in Pleasantville turns to color for the same reasons. Some turn because of experiencing the joys of reading. Some, due to anger. Pleasantville explores the world without variation, where everything is seemingly perfect and pleasant. It shows us why the seemingly perfect or pleasant life is unfulfilling and why those there won't thrive in their one-dimensional view of the world. The special effects are also very well done.
I highly recommend this movie!
Grade: A-
Labels: 1998, comedy, drama, fantasy, movie, Reese Witherspoon, Tobey Maguire, William H. Macy
Reviewed by Kat at the 4:50 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Ian Michael Smith (Simon Birch), Joseph Mazzello (Joseph 'Joe' Wenteworth), Ashley Judd (Rebecca Wenteworth), Oliver Platt (ben Goodrich)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Simon Birch page.
This is a very sweet and well done movie. I was very surprised that I was actually moved to tears in it. And even more surprised that my friend who saw it with me was also moved to tears. Simon Birch seemed a bit too compressed to me. I think if they'd made it a bit longer and elaborated on Simon's life a bit more, it would have been a better movie.
However, I still recommend renting Simon Birch. It's a very good movie with a great cast.
Grade: B+
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:40 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Matt Damon (Mike McDermott), Edward Norton (Lester 'Worm' Murphy), Gretchen Mol (Jo), Famke Janssen (Petra)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Rounders page.
I knew very little about the world of professional gamblers until seeing this movie and I enjoyed learning about the inner workings. The cast is amazing and the story of a guy who's gotten out of the gambling world only to be dragged back in by an old friend fresh out of "the joint" is really wonderful.
Mike trusts Worm in the way that so many trust those they grew up with... He trusts him with his heart when his mind says it's not the best idea. And it drastically alters his life.
The idea of poker being all about skill for those who are best at it is definitely one that most people don't think about. However, it's clear that the same people are at the World Poker Tournament final round year after year. There has to be a reason for this fact and Rounders explores this, while following a very interesting story of a guy and one of his old friends from his gambling days.
This is a great movie with an amazing cast!
Grade: A-
Labels: 1998, drama, Edward Norton, Gretchen Mol, Matt Damon, movie, sports
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:50 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Nicholas Cage (Rick Santoro), Gary Sinise (Commander Kevin Dunne), John Heard (Gilbert Powell), Carla Gugino (Julia Costello)
For complete cast, see IMDb's Snake Eyes page.
A crooked police detective ends up in the middle of a murder conspiracy at a big boxing match. I found this movie entertaining. Not the best crime drama out there, but it's still worth watching. And, as a Broadway theatre fan, I liked seeing Chip Zien in this movie, even though it was a minor part.
Grade: B
Labels: 1998, crime, drama, movie, mystery, Nicolas Cage, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 12:15 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson (Lt. Danny Roman), Kevin Spacey (Lt. Chris Sabian), David Morse (Cmdr. Adam Beck), Ron Rifkin (Chief Al Travis)
For complete cast, see IMDb's The Negotiator page.
A police negotiator accused of coruption and murder takes hostages to buy the time he needs to prove his innocence... Sounds like a soap opera plot, but it's good and very well done. The cast is wonderful, the movie is fast-paced, and a very good action movie.
Grade: B
Labels: 1998, crime, drama, Kevin Spacey, movie, mystery, Samuel L. Jackson, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 6:55 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Wesley Snipes (Blade/Eric Brooks/'The Daywalker'), Stephen Dorff (Deacon Frost), Kris Kristofferson (Abraham Whistler), N'Bushe Wright (Dr. Karen Jenson)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Blade page.
I think this was a very well adaptation of the Blade story, though I'm only a fan of Blade in the cartoons, so I can't say how it compares to the comic books as much.
I was very surprised by how many children (very young kids) were in this movie with us. Many of them were clearly horrified by what they were seeing. Some children cope well with fake violence, many don't. It seems a lot of people thought "Hey, this is based off a comic book character, it must be for kids" without doing any research. Even the opening scenes are very bloody and not for most young children.
Wesley Snipes and the rest of the cast do a great job (and Wesley Snipes looks amazing!). I would definitely see Blade sequels, if they made any.
Grade: B+
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:35 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Drew Barrymore (Danielle De Barbarac), Anjelica Huston (Baroness Rodmilla De Ghent), Dougray Scott (Prince Henry), Patrick Godfrey (Leonardo Da Vinci)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Ever After page.
Such a wonderful version of the Cinderella story! This story is told by a decendent of Cinderella's as if the whole story really happened and she wants to clear up the facts of the story with the brothers Grimm. Very entertaining!
The acting is amazing and the story is very well written. The costumes are wonderful and the ball is very well decorated.
I'll definitely end up owning this one. It's the classic romantic fairy tale.
Grade: A
Labels: 1998, comedy, drama, Drew Barrymore, fantasy, movie, romance
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Lindsay Lohan (Hallie Parker/Annie James), Dennis Quaid (Nick Parker), Natasha Richardson (Elizabeth James), Elaine Hendrix (Meredith Blake), Lisa Ann Walter (Chessy)
As a fan of the original The Parent Trap movie with Hayley Mills, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about a new version. I was very pleasantly surprised. They did a wonderful job with this updated version. Yes, you've seen the story before, but the updated version works very well. The story is still very possible, even if it is incredibly unlikely. The story of identical twins who meet at camp and hate each other instantly being forced to share a cabin in solitary confinement and learning that they're sisters is sweet.
I also thought it was cool that Joanna Barnes (who played the girlfriend of the twins' father in the original movie) came back to play the mother of the girlfriend of the twins' father in the new version. The little things that make someone who knows the original smile if they realize it...
I'm also a big fan of cuppy bunny (the very well loved bunny that accompanies one of the girls to camp). The story is still very sweet and it's very well done. The cast is wonderful and I highly recommend taking a look at the remake of The Parent Trap.
Grade: B+
Labels: 1998, comedy, Dennis Quaid, Disney, drama, family, Lindsay Lohan, movie, remake, romance
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:55 PM show | 0 screams
Cast:Adrian Lewis Morgan (Roger Davis), Scott Hunt (Mark Cohen)
The cast isn't as good as it was when Neil Patrick Harris, Christian Mena, Sharon Brown, and others from the West Coast Premiere were in the cast of the Benny tour, but Rent is still an amazing musical with a really good cast and I will always recommend it to anyone I know!
The sound at the Orange County Performing Arts Center was horrible. I had to explain parts of what was sung to many of the people I took to see Rent for the first time, since the mics kept cutting in and out. This is what lowers the grade below an A for the first time ever with Rent. Hopefully, they will work out the bugs at the OCPAC soon so that others do not have this problem when they see this fabulous show.
Grade: B+
Labels: 1998, Best Musical, drama, musical, Rent, romance, tour
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:00 PM show | 0 screams