The Akron Beacon Journal from Akron, Ohio • Page 30

Page D2, Friday, August 13, 1999 The Beacon Journal www.Ohio.com movies One yea, 2 nays from readers on 'Blair Witch' Excerpts edited from recent reviews posted by readers on Ohio.com: On The Blair Witch Project: The Blair Witch Project proves that, in entertainment, nothing is You can share your views about new movies on Reel Reviews, on Ohio.com, the Akron Beacon Journal's Internet site. You will find Reel Reviews at http:www.ohio.comjustgo reelreviewsreview.htm. If you sign your name, age and hometown to your review, we will consider it for publication in Weekend Movies More. Even if you don't want to post a review on Reel Reviews, you can check out the site to see what others are saying about current films. in a major way! The Blair Witch Project, on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 give a 1.

The marketing of The Blair Witch Project I give a 10! After all, a movie about nothing is grossing millions. This reminds me of when pet rocks were all the rage! Christina, 34, Louisville I totally agree with Christina's review of The Blair Witch Project. I had exactly the same reaction she did; the only difference is that I walked out of the theater (only the second time in 45 years of movie-going) after VA hours of watching jerky camera shots of leaves on the ground and out-of-fo-cus panning of woods. The camera motion (not to mention the dialog) nearly made me motion sick literally. This film gives home movies a bad name.

Ed Notoak, 55, Hudson vised arguments. No script could ever capture what these three revealed It was not acting, rather living in desperatioa This film, though not as terrifying as one might assume, did deliver the creeps to the audience with its overall eerie mood. However, in order to be absolutely horrified by what may or may not lurk in the woods, one must study the myth before seeing the actual footage. It's a good idea to go to the official Web site (http:www.blair-witch.com) or to see the mock documentary called The Curse of the Blair Witch, now airing on the Sci-Fi Channel. This can be incredibly beneficial due to certain scare tactics used by Sanchez and Myrick to frighten the actors through the course of the film.

The only valid complaint to be had concerning this particular theater experience is the wretched use of movie preview time to show commercials one can watch at The Blair Witch Project turned into a project for me, a project of burden! The filming was almost entirely shot with the camera facing down on the ground while the main characters ran around lost in the woods. My eyes strained to focus on what I was seeing on the ground, as the characters ran, swore and swore some more. The entire movie was spent anticipating something happening; needless to say, it never did. I sat through an entire film and experienced disbelief that I had just paid money to see this. I feel the rest of the audience was in as much shock as I was.

Was this a cruel joke? How could anyone rave about this movie? I was in such disbelief when the movie ended that I sat there with a blank stare on my face. Surely this was not the end but it was. I felt someone just ripped off me and the rest of the country ley Kubrick's haunting final masterpiece, Eyes Wide Shut) and should not be missed. Regardless of how uncomfortable one may or may not feel on the basis of fear, The Blair Witch Project still satisfies aesthetically as a creative breakthrough. If only something could be done about those pre-film commercials.

Thorn Kudla, 1 7, Hudson 'V- "A 'jk New Line Cinema Natasha Lyonne and Sam Huntington in Detroit Rock City. as truly frightening as something be-lievably realistic. Daniel Myr- ick and Eduar-do Sanchez directed this Artisan Pictures movie, to an extent. They created the entire Blair Witch myth. They wrote no script They did not film a single scene.

The three actors Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael Williams knew only of the myth and their own characters prior to filming the motion picture themselves. Each delivered a superb performance: actual tears, blood-curdling screams, impro Ratings as appeared in Beacon Journal film critic and wire-service reviews: Weak Mediocre' Worth Seeing Shouldn't Be Missed Opening today BOWFINGER- (PG-13 language, adult themes) The absurd, often hilarious story of a hapless film director (Steve Martin) who tries to make a blockbuster with no money and no talent. Smartly wntten (by Martin) and featunng two stellar performances from Eddie Murphy, it will particularly appeal to movie buffs. Tinseltown USA, Plaza 8 at Chapel Hill, Hickory Ridge, Canton Centre, Garrettsville Cinemas, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, University Plaza, Montrose Movies, Great Oaks Cinema, Wooster Cinema 10, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24, Magic City Drive-In, Midway Drive-In BROKE DOWN PALACE (PG-13 language, minor drug use, adult themes) Claire Danes and Kate Beckinsale are two girls from Ohio who get framed for heroin smuggling while vacationing in Thailand. Perhaps the least-gritty pnson movie ever made.

Tinseltown USA, Plaza 8 at Chapel Hill, Lake Cinemas 8, Hickory Ridge, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Hudson Cinema 10, Kent Cinema, Montrose Movies, Wooster Movies 10, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24 DETROIT ROCK CITY- (R brief nudity, extreme language, sexual situations, copious drug use) Four kids from Cleveland circa 1978 drive to Detroit in the hope of seeing their idols, the rock band Kiss. It's crazy and sometimes stupid, but it also represents the true spirit of youth and rock 'n' roll. Tinseltown USA, Lake Cinemas 8, Hickory Ridge, Canton Centre, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, University Plaza, Montrose Movies, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24, Magic City Drive-In Now playing AMERICAN PIE-y2 (R strong sexuality, crude sexual dialogue, language and drinking all involving teens) -Jason Biggs, Jennifer Coolidge, Alyson Hannigan and Chris Klein are featured in this comedy filled with gross-out gags involving four high school senior boys, raunchy yet likable, intent on losing their virginity. Tinseltown USA, Plaza 8 at Chapel Hill, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Kent Plaza, Montrose Movies, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24 ARLINGTON ROAD- AY: (R language, violence) Jeff Bridges and Hope Davis star in this manipulative thriller involving his neighbors (Tim Robbins and Joan Cusack), who have deadly secrets. The movie gets progressively more stupid until the unexpected ending.

Jackson Township Movies 10 AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME- (PG-13 sexual humor and situations, language, cartoon violence) In this fast-paced and frequently hilarious sequel to Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Powers' archenemy Dr. Evil uses a time machine as part of a typically dastardly scheme. Mike Myers plays both roles. Linda, Movies 4, Medina Twin BIG DADDY-ya (PG-13 language, sexual references, comic violence) Adam Sandler finds himself taking care of a 5-year-old boy who is his roommate's love child. Tinseltown USA, Independence 10, Brunswick Cinema, Canton Centre, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Montrose Movies, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24, Midway Drive-In THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (R language) This surpnsingly effective horror film uses mood, style and suggestion to build a creepy atmosphere.

It claims to be the footage of three documentary filmmakers who disappeared while searching for a witch. Tinseltown USA, Plaza 8 at Chapel Hill, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Huntington Street Cinema 16, University Plaza, Montrose Movies, Wooster Movies 10, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24, Magic City Drive-In, Midway Drive-in DEEP BLUE SEA (R graphic shark attacks, language) -Super-smart sharks track down their captors on a mid-ocean research station, after storms and explosions trap the characters below sea level. This implausible but fearful film has the ingredients to terrify. Plaza 8 at Chapel Hill, Carnation Cinema, Lake Cinemas 8, Hickory Ridge, Canton Centre, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Jackson Township Movies 10, University Plaza, Montrose Movies, Wooster Movies 10, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24 DICK- (PG-13 language, drug consumption) A clever and surprisingy fresh comedy that suggests two high school girls (Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams) caused the 1974 Watergate scandal. The gags are rarely Irjgh-out-loud funny, kit the espouefc conspiracy is remably home on television.

Sanchez and Myrick, as independent filmmakers, must be outraged. This was a movie created to counter the fake emotions of many poorly conceived Hollywood motion pictures, so why must it be a victim of commercialization at the theater? Overall, The Blair Witch Project is probably the most memorable film this summer (as well as Stan MUPPETS FROM SPACE (G) Gonzo stars as an alien from a distant planet trying to find his real family. Without Kermit and Miss Piggy in major roles, this films lacks some ofthe excitement of earlier Muppets movies. Linda, Brunswick Cinema, Movies 4, Medina Twin MYSTERY MEN- (PG-13 comic action violence, crude humor) Captain Amazing (Greg Kinnear) is losing his popularity, so he springs his archenemy (Geoffrey Rush) from jail to inspire headlines. But the bad guy captures Amazing, and a second stnng of superheroes teams up to save him.

Independence 10, West Market Plaza 7, Carnation Cinema, Lake Cinemas 8, Hickory Ridge, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Jackson Township Movies 10, Kent Cinema, Wooster Movies 10, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24 NOTTING HILL- (PG-13 sexual references, language) In this charming and witty romantic comedy, Julia Roberts stars as a famous movie star who wanders into a London bookshop and meets the owner, played by Hugh Grant. Rim serves up hearty laughs while resisting cloying sentimentality. Mowes 4, Medina Twin, Montrose Movies THE RED VI0UN-y2 (No rating adult themes) Samuel Jackson plays an expert evaluator of musical instruments in this film that follows a famous violin from 17th-century Italy to an auction house in modem Montreal. The movie offers something for everyone, including music, passion, politics, crime, history and more. Montrose Movies ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Not rated) (R language, adult themes) The 1975 outrageous cult musical horror spoof stars Barry Bostwick, Susan Sarandon and Tim Curry.

West Theatre RUNAWAY BRIDE (PG mild language) Richard Gere and Julia Roberts reunite for this vapidly charming story of a woman terrified by romantic commitment. Not much to think about and fairly implausible, but impossible to hate. Tinseltown USA, Independence 10, West Market Plaza 7, Carnation Cinema, Lake Cinemas 8, Hickory Ridge, Canton Centre, Garrettsville Cinemas, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, University Plaza, Great Oaks Cinema, Wooster Movies 10, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24 THE SIXTH SENSE- (PG-13 language, violence, mild horror) -Bruce Willis plays a child psychologist treating a little boy haunted by visions of dead people. The stylized look and surprise ending create a well-packaged psychological thriller Willis' best effort in years. Tinseltown USA, Plaza 8 at Chapel Hill, Carnation Cinema, Hickory Ridge, Canton Centre, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, University Plaza, Montrose Movies, Wooster Movies 10, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24, Blue Sky Drive-in SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER UNCUT- (R extremely graphic language) This is the bigger, longer and raunchier version of Comedy Central's animated series.

The ndiculously profane film is about as edgy and politically incorrect as any movie imaginable. Cinemark 24 STAR WARS: EPISODE I THE PHANTOM MENACE (PG violence) Ewan McGregor, as young Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Liam Neeson, as Jedi knight Qui-Gon Jinn, lead us to a galaxy far, far away. This is a high-tech marvel that's heavy on adventure and light on story. It lacks the depth of the earlier trio, but it probably isn't going to matter. Tinseltown USA, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Montrose Movies, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24 TARZAN (G The deaths of four characters, although bloodless and more suggested than shown, might be disturbing to very young children) This fast-paced, high-energy animated family film from Walt Disney Pictures retells the story of the most durable of all movie heroes.

Tinseltown USA, Independence 10, West Theatre, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24 TEA WITH MUSSOLINI (PG language, brief nudity, some mild violence) Based on the autobiography of its director, Franco Zeffirelli, this movie starnng Cher tells the story of an illegitimate manufacturer's son who is taken under the wings of eccentric British ladies in 1930s Florence. Movie seems the stuff of anecdote, not drama. Also stars Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright and Lily Tomlin. Highland Theatre, Jackson Township Movies 10 THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (R nudity, sexual situations, mild language) In this sporadically charming film, Pierce Brosnan is a zillionaire who steals a $100 million painting for a lark, and Rene Russo is the insurance investigatoiwho knows he did it but can't prove it. Tinseltown USA, Independence 10, West Market Plaza 7, Lake Cinema 8, Hickory Ridge, Canton Centre, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, University Plaza, Wooster Movies 10, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24 WILD WILD WEST (PG-13 violence, sexual references and adult humor) Will Smith is agent James West, and Kevin Kline is disguise master Artemus Gordon in this reasonably entertaining big-screen version of the '60s senes that was part Western, part spy adventure, part science fiction.

Kenneth Branagh is the master criminal opposing them. Jackson Township Movies 10 THE WOOD- (R strong language, strong sexuality) -This lighthearted comedy is about three African-American friends who stick together from high school until a wedding day. The movie starts in the present and flashes back to the '80s, snowing how the trio went through various rites of passage. Independence 10, West Market Plaza 7, Jackson Township Movies 10 Area theaters Akron Highland Theatre 330-375-1823 Independence 10 330-633-7668 Linda Theatre 330-784-3443 Plaza 8 at Chapel Hill 330-923-9093 Alliance Carnation Cinema 330-823-5328 Barberton Lake Cinemas 8 330-848-9100 West Theatre 330-825-6912 Brunswick Brunswick Cinema 330-273-1700 Hickory Ridge 330-225-1604 Canton Canton Centre 330-477-8144 Garrettsville Garrettsville Cinemas 330-527-2026 Green Interstate Park Cinemas 18 330-644-0414 Hudson Hudson Cinema 10 330-655-7722 Jackson Township Tinseltown USA 330-305-9888 Movies 10 -330-497-1222 Movies 4 -330-497-9158 Kent University Plaza 330-673-4450 Kent Cinema 330-673-3115 Macedonia Cinemark 15 330-908-1000 Medina Huntington Street Cinema 16 330-723-4416 Medina Twin Theatre 330-722-6021 Montrose Montrose Movies 330-666-9373 West Market Plaza 7 330-666-1311 Orrville Orr Twin Cinema 330-682-5941 Valley View Cinemark -216-447-7900 Wadsworth Great Oaks Cinema 330-336-4464 Wooster Movies 10 -330-345-8755 Drive-ins Blue Sky -330-334-1809 Magic City 330-825-4333 Midway -330-296-9829 ALSO SHOWING Cleveland Cinematheque- (Cleveland Institute of Art, Aitken Auditorium, 11141 East 216-421-7450). The Big City at 7 tonight.

Hitman at 8:45 tonight, 9:25 p.m. Friday. Steam: The Turkish Bath at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 9:15 p.m. Saturday.

The Dreamlife of Angels at 7 p.m. Saturday. Sao Bernardo at 7 p.m. Sunday. The Deceased at 9:10 p.m.

Sunday; $6 for one film per night, $10 for two. Omnimax Theater at the Great Lakes Science Center- (601 Erieside Ave. at North Coast Harbor, Cleveland; 216-694-2000) Show times change often; call ahead. Alaska: Spirit of the Wild at 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 4 p.m. Everest at 3 p.m.

daily. children, $5.25. Science Center and theater combination tickets, $10.95 and 330-945-9400. Palace Theatre- (1615 Euclid Cleveland; 800-766-6048.) Young Frankenstein at 7 p.m., Frankenstein at 9 tonight. Frankenstein at 7 p.m., Young Frankenstein at 8:30 p.m.

Friday. Alien, at 2 p.m. Aliens at 4:30 p.m., Alien 3 at 7 p.m., Alien Resurrection at 9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Funny Girl at 2 and 7 p.m.

Monday-Tuesday; $5, seniors, students and children under 12, $4. University of Akron- (Gardner Student Center, 303 E. Carroll Akron, 330-972-6757) The Mummy, 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Idle Hands, 9:45 p.m.

Thursly-Saturday. $2.50. DreamWorks Pictures Lili Taylor (left), Catherine Zeta-Jones in The Haunting. seamless. It's a legitimately new take on an old idea.

Independence 10, West Market Plaza 7, Lake Cinema 10, Hickory Ridge, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Jackson Township Movies 10, Wooster Movies 10, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24 DROP DEAD GORGEOUS (PG-13 irreverent and crude humor, sex-related material and language) A teenage beauty contest in Fargo country pits former winner Kirstie Alley and her daughter (Denise Richards) against hard-drinking mom Ellen Barkin and her daughter (Kirsten Dunst). The story is funnier on paper than on the screen. Jackson Township Movies 10 EYES WIDE SHUT-y2 (R nudity, sexual situations, adult themes, language, recreational drug use) Stanley Kubrick's difficult, visually stunning finale. It's not as sexy as advertised, nor is it always coherent but the atmosphere is chilling, the themes are compelling, and the chemistry between Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman is intriguing (if not necessarily electric). Independence 10, West Market Plaza 7, Jackson Township Movies 10 THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER (R violence, language, nudity, sexual situations) John Travolta is in command as an Army investigator called in after the daughter of an Army war hero is found brutally murdered.

Among stars are James Woods, Madeleine Stowe, Timothy Hutton. Tinseltown USA, Plaza 8 at Chapel Hill, West Theatre, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Montrose Movies, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24 THE HAUNTING (PG-13 language, violence, supernatural spookiness) Boring, unonginal update of the classic 1963 thriller based on Shirley Jackson's novel. Four total strangers are forced to stay in a mansion cursed by evil spmts it's almost like a combination of MTV's The Real World and an episode of Scooby-Doo. Independence 10, West Market Plaza 7, Carnation Cinema, Lake Cinemas 8, Canton Centre, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Huntington Street Cinema 16, Jackson Township Movies 10, University Plaza, Wooster Movies 10, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24 INSPECTOR GADGET VX (PG wacky violenceaction, language, innuendo) This is the live-action retread of the '80s cartoon, with Matthew Broderick as a security guard who is turned into a bionic man equipped with a limitless supply of gadgets. Rupert Everett plays the evil Dr.

Claw. Movie doesn't make the viewer care about the characters. Tinseltown USA, Independence 10, West Market Plaza 7, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, University Plaza, Wooster Movies 10, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24, Blue Sky Drive-In THE IRON GIANT-Yi (PG fantasy action, mild language) With echoes of E.T., this animated film tells the story of a boy who makes friends with a towering robot from outer space. Among the featured voices are Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Clons Leachman, John Mahoney and M. Emmet Walsh.

Tinseltown USA, Plaza 8 at Chapel Hill, Carnation Cinema, Lake Cinemas 8, Canton Centre, Interstate Park Cinema 18, Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, University Plaza, Montrose Movies, Wooster Movies 10, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24 LAKE PLACID (R raw language, graphic crocodile violence) An Asian crocodile swims across the Atlantic Ocean and ends up in Maine. Local authorities are miffed, and several people are bitten in half. Sometimes it's 'so bad it's good," but mostly it's just bad. Mowes 4, Cinemark 24, Midway Drive-In MATRIX- (R sci-fi violence) This cyber thriller starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss is a visual knockout with good performances, but it leaves you wanting more. Linda, Movies 4, Medina Twin THE MUMMY- (PG-13 violence, graphic special effects, frequent depictions of killings) Brendan Fraser stars in this high-tech, high-speed, high-adventure remake of Boris Karloff's creepy classic.

The film is full of fun and fright, but it isn't for those who go for really hard-core horror. (PG-13) Linda, MedinaTwin, Magic City Drive-In gives smooch REVIEW Detroit Rock City The war against disco is a central component in Detroit Rock City, as is the assault from anti-Kiss authority figures who long insisted the group's name was an acronym for Knights In Satan's Service. Mirroring the band's musical themes, Detroit Rock City has a martyr complex and suggests that people are constantly trying to persecute Kiss fans; there are several overt (and sometimes mean-spirited) attacks on Christianity and adulthood. And just like the Kiss members' onstage personas, the folks in this movie are "caricatures," not There are a few in-jokes in Detroit Rock City clearly designed for diehard fans the girls all have names like "Beth" and "Christine" (both are from Kiss song titles, although there's unfortunately no female named and the four male hooligans joke about how Kiss would never ever make a disco song (which they did with 1979's I Was Made For Lovin' You). This stuff may seem like insular nonsense to anyone outside of the so-called "Kiss Army," and it's not like the concept of kids going to rock shows is original; some critics are calling Detroit Rock City a rip-off of I Wanna Hold Your Hand, a 1978 movie about New Jersev teens trvinu to sw a Beatles concert, while others feel it's merely a glam rock version of the Ramones' 1979 Rock Roll High School.

In other words, it's totally and entirely possible this movie might be horrible (or maybe just ridiculous). But I'm still seeing it again this weekend. Details Movie: Detroit Rock City Stars: Edward Furlong, Natasha Lyonne, Lin Shaye, Kiss Director: Adam Rifkin Studio: New Line Cinema Running time: 1 hour, 36 minutes Theaters: Tinseltown USA, Lake Cinemas 8, Hickory Ridge, Canton Centre, Interstate Park Cinema 18. Hudson Cinema 10, Huntington Street Cinema 16, University Plaza, Montrose Movies, Cinemark 15, Cinemark 24, Magic City Drive-ln Rating: (brief nudity, extreme language, sexual situations, copious drug use) Chuck's grade: Kiss fan 'Rock' a Critic admits bias, allows how the rest Of US migrit not HKe movie By Chuck Klosterman Beacon Journal staff writer Much like the rock group it celebrates, Detroit Rock City is so brazenly moronic that it ends up seemingly brilliant for all the right reasons. It's difficult to predict whether anyone who isn't mildly obsessed with the band Kiss will find this remotely entertaining (or charming, or even watchable).

But one can safely assume a fraction of the populace will view this film as the incarnation of everything they like about being alive or at least as the best 96-minute rock video they've ever experienced. I suppose it's necessary for me to admit my relationship with Kiss is probably unlike most average moviegoers (I've seen Kiss perform live seven times, I often wear, a Kiss bathrobe around my apartment and I currently have a poster of guitarist Ace Frehley in my living room). It's also important to note that the members of Kiss appear in this film for less than three minutes and have no dialogue whatsoever this is not a concert movie. Detroit Rock City is not so much about Kiss the band as it is about Kiss the concept, and the result is a remarkably savvy reflection of what's fascinating about youth culture. The true importance of rock 'n' roll and particularly heavy metal has very little to do with chords or lyrics or even musicians.

What makes rock music so socially indispensable are the kids who love it, and that's the linchpin for Detroit Rock City. Four juveniles from Cleveland want to see a 1978 Kiss concert at Detroit's Cobo Hall; that is the movie's entire plot. And within the scope of this motion picture, that's the only thing on Earth that matters. Granted, these kids are not exactly an admirable portrait of late '70s youth: They are dim-witted, homophobic, sexually retarded stoners, and they despise everyone who listens to disco. The leader of the clan is Edward Furlong (Terminator 2, American History X), an eternally dour adolescent who portrays troubled teens with an amazing sense of realism.

He is joined by three relatively unknown young actors and Natasha Lyonne (The Slums of Beverly Hills), a disco diva with an inexpli-caWe Brooklyn accent I r-.