The Akron Beacon Journal from Akron, Ohio • Page 31

The Beacon Journal www.Ohio.com Friday, August 13, 1999, Page D3 movies Family Views Going beyond movie letter ratings Column goes into detail on new releases to try to give you better idea on content behind that PG-13 or Nope. This is best reserved for the 10-and-over set. George Thomas is an Akron Beacon Journal entertainment writer. He can be reached at msm: NOW PLAYING DENcno WEST MARKET PLAZA INTERSTATE PARK 14 666-1311 644-0414 Teens may want to see Mystery Men (rated PG-13), because of one character the Spleen (Paul Reubens, a a Pee Wee Herman). The Spleen is a member of a group of heroes that includes Mr.

Furious, the Shoveler, Invisible Boy, the Bowler, Blue Raja and the Sphinx. When Champion City, their hometown, loses its top crime fighter, Captain Amazing, this group is forced to save the day. Yeah, right. It's unlikely this group of ego-challenged superher-oes will put fear into any criminal. And this film really shouldn't put any fear into many parents.

The humor is sophomoric in Mystery Men, but that will likely draw more teens to the film. The Spleen's flatulence problem and cartoonish violence may attract younger kids. Should they all see it? TMs TTEflfl'S rf I "THUMBS UP! Rogtr Ebart, SISKEL 4. EBERT "BRILLIANT! -J EtiH Br jjoli, WESTWOOO ONE "FUNNY! WITTY! Jaffray Lyons, WNK i sexual talk and more than few spots of nudity. Some parents may take issue with one teen's mother being portrayed as a cold, shrewish Bible-thuniping zealot This is one for those under the age of 16 to skip.

'The Blair Witch Project' This mockumentary about three filmmakers who disappear while looking for a witch in a Maryland forest has pulled in audiences at a steady clip. While it's labeled a horror film, it's not of the slasher variety that until recently had typified the genre. Here the thrills and chills are generated by psychological terror. That's ultimately what earns Blair Witch its rating. The filmmakers create a generally creepy mood that's likely to give audiences the heebie-jeebies after seeing it.

The rating comes primarily because of a terror-filled mood, some profanity, alcohol consumption and jokes about smoking marijuana. 'The Iron Giant' This fable is set against the paranoia that gripped the United States after the Soviet Union suo cessfully launched Sputnik, the first man-made satellite, into space during the late '50s. Hogarth, a young boy, finds and befriends a giant robot from another planet. The giant is pursued tirelessly by a federal agent who almost causes a catastrophe. Although it's rated PG for a couple of mild expletives, Giant is suitable for the entire family.

The sight of an army convoy firing on the metallic hero may frighten smaller children, but my 4-year-old got through it unscathed and wants to see it again. 'Mystery Men' "HILARIOUS! WW Here's a rundown on those and other recent releases: 'Bowfinger' Murphy portrays Kit Ramsey, a Hollywood hotshot that D-list director Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) needs to star in his new movie. Rather than pay Ramsey's exorbitant salary, Bowfinger shoots footage of him without his knowledge. Bowfinger straddles the fence between a film suitable for teens and adults, earning its PG-13 rating because of a promiscuous, wannabe actress (Heather Graham) who sleeps her way to the top, some racial dialogue and profanity. 'Detroit Rock City' This is the type of film that puts parents in a quandary.

It carries an rating, yet is aimed squarely at a teen audience. This film is suitable for older teens, but what do you do when your 13-year-old wants to go? This story about four Cleveland-area teens trying desperately to get to a Kiss concert at Cobo Hall in Detroit earns its rating three minutes into the film. Sometimes you leave a theater scratching your head wondering how a film received the rating the MPAA brands it with. For two months now, I've wondered how Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me snagged a PG-13 with its overt sexuality and humor drowning in potty jokes. I have no doubts as to why Detroit Rock City received an I gave up counting the four-letter words after a half-hour.

The characters in the film fired up more than a few joints. There was frank Mlu Cidoni, STEVE IlRTiN RiOAL CINEMAS HUDSON MOVIES 10 )J3 OARHOW ID. 655-7732 REOAL CINEMAS INTERSTATE PABX18 AUING10N ID. 01 INTERSTATE KWT 644-0414 1 I 'DIGGER, GETTER, MORE FRIBIITEHIIIG THAN 'JAWS'!" Jules Pelmer REOAL CINEMAS TjTP REOAL Even if a lot of people didn't like Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut, parents can thank the late director's last work for one thing once again raising the debate about the Motion Picture Association of America ratings system. A controversy was generated when Eyes George Thomas Wide Shut was altered so it wouldn't be slapped with an NC-17 rating.

That rating is normally box-office death for a film because it's difficult to promote and audiences haven't embraced films with that rating. These subjective ratings PG, PG-13, and NC-17 are supposed to serve as a guide for bewildered parents who have little idea what to think when little Ashley or Brad wants them to plunk down hard-earned benjamins to see Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. But it's not always clear why a film gets a particular' rating. In other words, a little detail would be nice. I hope that this col umn will help in that area.

This week's new releases will likely generate high interest among the teen set One, Bowfin-ger (PG-13), stars Eddie Murphy as a Hollywood action hero and the other, Detroit Rock City (R), will attract teens because the story involves a group of youths desperately trying to get to a Kiss concert in Detroit Break Prison is not really a bad place in this movie Continued from Page Dl kids are actually dumb and rebellious slacker kids are always brilliant) They are lifelong friends who just graduated from high school in Upland, Ohio, and they want one last thrill before going their separate ways. The girls initially plan to go to Hawaii, but they decide a secret trip to Bangkok might be more memorable (the scheme is hatched when Alice notices the label on a bottle of Thai beer at the graduation kegger, even though it's somewhat hard to believe that many high school kids drink imported Thai lager at parties). Their first explorative days in Southeast Asia are unremarkable, but things go awry when they meet a handsome Australian stranger (Daniel Lapaine). He tricks them into smuggling heroin to Hong Kong; the two girls get busted in the Bangkok airport and end up with a "so-called life" term in prison. The glaring problem with Brokedown Palace is that jail never seems like a very bad place; this is not Cool Hand Luke or Midnight Express.

These innocent women are trapped in a Third World dungeon, but they make jokes that would sound more appropriate in a high school cafeteria. They never get dirty and they never lose weight, and they rarely seem to realize how horrific this scenario truly is Darlene honest- (Area code: 330) Assistant Managing EditorFeatures Joette Richie 996-3525 Features Editor Ann Sheldon Mezger 996-3586 Entertainment News Joan Bice -996-3564 Television, Health Yuvonne Bruce -996-3573 Food Jane Snow -996-3571 Travel BetyLammerding- 996-3573 Navigating around the globe? Come home, to Ohio.com, Ohlo.com'8 Web site offers easy access and endless choices. The intuitive Web site. http:wmOhio.com ml IMi.TR AREA GUIDE TO rk rv BLUE SKV DRIVE IN INSPECTOR GADGET (PG) SENSE (PG-13) 10:20 RUNAWAY BRIDE (PG) FRIDAY AT SAT. SUN.

AT BOWFINGER (PG-13) FRIDAY AT SAT. SUN. AT HIGHLAND THEATRE 86 MARKET ST. 375-1823 TEA WITH MUSSOLINI (PG) LINDA GOODYEAR i. NEWTON SI 784-3443 MUPPETS IN SPACE (Gi THE MUMMY (PG-13J 5:10 AUSTIN HOWEKS 2 (PG-13) 7:30 THE MATRIX (R) 9:15 MAGIC CITY DRIVE-IN SMS cit.E Mib 0 BKfes'a 8254333 1THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (R) 9:10 DETROIT ROCK CITY (R) 10:40 BOWFINGER (PG-13) 9:00 MUMMY (PG-13) 10:40 MIDWAY DRIVE-IN St.

Rl. 59 296-9829 1 LAKE PLACID (R) 10:45 BOWFINGER (PG-13) 9:00 and 12:10 BIG DADDY (PG-13) 10:50 2 MYSTERY CAFE 854 LET'S KILl THE BOSS PM EVERT rKIPAT WEST 1017 WOOSTER RO BAROERTON 825-6912 55.00 ROCKY HORROR RI LIVE CASTI SAT. AT WlDNIGHTI i3.00 TARZAN (GJ DAUGHTER (R) 7:45 REOAL CINEMAS HUDSON MOVIES 10 5339 DARROW RD. 655-7722 REGAL CINEMAS INDEPENDENCE 10 1210 INDEPENDENCE AVE. 633-7668 REGAL CINEMAS INTERSTATE PAP.X18 ARLINGTON RD.

ol INTERSTATE PKWT 644-04 14 GENERAL CINEMA WEST MARKET PLAZA 7 1-77 I RTE 18 (WEST MARKET ST.) 666-1311 CINEMARK MACEDONIA ALL STADIUM, lmi 1 -T-inrpjpjiri OPENING 82099 Teaching Mn. Tingki, Mitkey Blue Eyes, Universal Soldier; The Return THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (R) 00 3 Ot TARZAN (G) AMERICAN PIE R) 7:2010:05 THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER (R) 9 30 'THE IRON GIANT (PG) INSPECTOR GADGET (PG) DEEP BLUE SEA R) DETROIT ROCK CITY (R) 1015-12 35 THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (R) 10 BOWFINGER (PGI3) 1 005-1 55 0:35 BABE (PG) WEDS. AUGUST 1 ONLY! RUNAWAY BRIDE (PG) 1020-1 10-42O-70O945 BROKEDOWN PALACE (PG13) MYSTERY MEN (PG13) BIG DADDY (PG1J) DICK (PGI3) THE HAUNTING (PGI3) 8 STAR WARS (PG) 1000-12 50-3 4CV6 45 9 40 THE SIXTH SENSE (PG13) CINEMA 5 ALLIANCE I.rJ '-NO PASSES THE SIXTH SENSE (PG13) 12:55 4:10 7:00 WWW 9:501 ABC REGAL CINEMAS MONTROSE MOVIES MARKET SQUARE 01 ITES. Hi 77 666-9373 WKDM RADIO -if if GENERAL CINEMA the PLAZA 8 AT CHAPEL HILL. HOWE AVENUE 923-9093 CINEMARK VALLEY VIEW ALL STADIUM, d.

SEATING. i-iii-iiiiiiiiii-i-iM-iiiriiiri Come Check Out The Best And Biggest Place In Town! BOWFINGER (PGU) BROKEDOWN PALACE (PG13) 95J-'24C-34C-705-(3C DETROIT ROCK CITY (R 1 1 THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (R) 3 IRONGUNT(PO) 1 105-1 THE SIXTH SENSE (PGU) 1 0.40-1 740-1020-1040 MYSTERY MEN (PGU) DKK (PGU) RUNAWAY BRIDE (PG) tO 00-1 1 THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (R) 10.30-10:45-12:45-1:103:45-4:40-6:50-7:35-9:30-10:05 DEEP BLUE SEA (R) 20-7: 1 (H 10:25 THE HAUNTING (PGU) INSPECTOR GADGET (PG) 05-7: 15-9 40 LAKE PLACID (R 9 35 AMERICAN PIE (R) UG DADDY (PGU) 1 1 30-2. 25-5: 1 0.30 TARZAN (G) 11:10 GENERAL'S DAUGHTER (R) 9 55 SOUTHPARK (R) 1 1 55-4 55-7 25 STAR WARS (PG) 9-55-100-3 50-6 50-9 50 MOVIES 10 CANTON NOW PLAYING DEEP BLUE SEA (R) 1 1 09:50 THE WOOD (R) TEA WITH MUSSOLINI (PGU) THE HAUNTING (PGU) DICK (PGU) WILD WILD WEST (PGU) 1 1 mu I ED ill GENERAL CINEMA the PLAZA 8 AT CHAPEL HILL. HOWE AVENUE 923-9093 Details Movie: Brokedown Palace Stars: Claire Danes, Kate Beckinsale, Bill Pullman and Lou Diamond Phillips Director: Jonathan Kaplan Studio: Fox Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes Theaters: 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 Rating: PG-13 (language, minor drug use, adult themes) Chuck's grade: ly seems more annoyed when she discovers Alice may have slept with the cute boy who framed them. Bill Pullman (Independence Day, While You Were Sleeping) plays a maverick lawyer who tries to spring the girls from lockup, but his character is so concerned with being "complex" that he adds nothing to the plot.

We're supposed to wonder whether he's a money-hungry scoundrel or a softhearted messiah, but he comes across only as a lousy lawyer. Ml REGAL CINEMAS MONTROSE MOVIES GENERAL ffle CINEMAS MONTROSE MOVIES MARKET SQUARE at RTES. It 77 666-9373 Pullman has several vapid, contrived conversations with his two framed clients, usually categorized by Danes acting snotty and Beckinsale behaving like a deer caught in a car's headlights whenever she whines, "But we're innocent!" It's possible young females will relate to the jealousy-laden friendship between the two heroines, but Brokedown Palace often feels like a shallow teen melodrama that's been forced into an adult situatioa This becomes all-too-obvious at the conclusion: After finally offering a glimpse of genuine insight into Danes' personality, the filmmakers tack on an extra scene and some voice-over narration, and the only purpose is to make sure we all realize she's a positive, likable person. It's a truly gutless decision by director Jonathan Kaplan (who's best known for making The Accused with Jodi Foster). That extra scene is a microcosm of the entire production.

Brokedown Palace might be the least gritty prison movie ever made, and it makes human tragedy seem like an inconvenience. INTERSTATE PARX18 RSOAL CINEMAS MUNOTON RD. at IN TftS WE KWT 03-04 4 N- tfEW LINE CINRMA REGAL CINEMAS MONTROSE MOVIES MAMft SOUAKI at RTU. II A 77 66-9373 the PLAZA GENERAL CINEMA CINEMA PLAZAS AT CHAPEL HILL HOWE AVENUE 923-9093 INTERSTATE PAF.X18 ARLINGTON RD. ol INTERSTATE WY 644-0414 rgi ftrkfefcwrp n.

canton ALL STADIUM, m.i.jj.o.,. THE LATE SHOW "THE CROW" DETROn HOCK CITY (I) llffi 'BROKEDOWN PALACE () 1 RUNAWAY BRIDE (PG) 1 1 THE tlAIR WITCH PROJECT (I) 10 40 THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (S) THE SIXTH SENSE (PGU)' l' 1C-40 THE IRON GIANT (PG)' IN5PEO0R GADGET (PG) BIG OADDY (PG13) TARZAN (G) THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER (I) 6 STAR EPISODE I THE PHANTOM MENACE (PG) DTS MOVIES 4 -CANTON J.WlJjBBI jy.B!KI..T,W NOTTING Hia (PG-13) 1:1 5-7: 1510:00 AUSTIN POWERS 2 (PG-13) 1 50-4 50 7 50-1020 MUPPETS FROM SPACE (G) LAKE PLACID (R) 10:10 MATRIX (R) WOOSTER 'NO PASSES OR SUPERSAVERS RUNAWAY BRIDE (PG) THE HAUNTING (PG13) DICK (PG13) 11:104:509:55 MYSTERY MEN (PGI3) 10 BOWFINGER (PGI3) 1 2: 1 5-245 5: 1 1 0: 1 5 THE SIXTH SENSE IP0131 -05-1 45-4 25-7 TQ-lOOty DEEP BLUE SEA (R) MYSTERY MEN (PG13) THE IRON GIANT (PG)' RUNAWAY BRIDE (PG) THE HAUNTING (PG13) 12 MOVIES FRIDAY SATURDAY ONLY iiiililTir 10 KISS THE RULES G0003YE nucAMLMLiA. mot keyword: dtrottroofc THE IRON GIANT (G) DEEP BLUE SEA (R) THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (R) 20 4 THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (R) BROKEDOWN PALACE (PGU) WSPtaOR GADGET (PG) 1025-12 40-3W-5 15-740-945 DROP DEAD GORGEOUS (PGU) MYSTERY MEN (PGU) EYES WIDE SHUT (R) ARLINGTON ROAD (R) BiOAL CINEMAS REG At CINEMAS HM MOVIES 10 nam INTERSTATE PAHX 18 MUNOTON TO. ol INTIUIali PKWT 644-0414 i'm" i In Lilll.