The Daily Herald from Chicago, Illinois • Page 100

6 Fux Friday, October 25,1996 DaflyHerald reunion stirs up comedy in 'Beautiful Girls' Continued from Page 27 time. Before long, four Doug clones run around his house, each one with an individual personality. This leads to hilarious results, and finally to Doug questioning the marvels of modern technology You will enjoy the special effects, and will wonder how they got multiple Keatpns on the screen at the same time. "Beautiful Girls', (1996, Miramax, 110 minutes, Hated B-language, no suggested retail) This ensemble dramatic comedy, set during a 10-year high- school reunion in the snowbound small town of Knights Ridge; stars Matt Dillon as Tommy Rowland, who plows snow with help from lifelong friends Paul (Michael Rapaport), a pin-up obsessed knucklehead, and the sweet-natured Kev (Max Perlich). The lone married man of the group, Mo (Noah Emmerich), has settled down.

Also coming to the reunion, Willie (Timothy Button), a New York piano-player, takes time away from his conflicted relationship with his lawyer girlfriend (Annabeth Gish). The cast includes Mira Sorvino as the insecure Sharon, who loves Tommy, even though his heart belongs to the sexy Darian (Lauren Holly). Martha Plimpton plays Jan, who cannot get Paul to commit, so she dates a butcher. Natalie Portman and Uma Thurman also star, and look for Rosie O'Donnell and a hilarious tirade inspired by a copy of Penthouse magazine. "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood" (1996, Miramax, 89 minutes, Rated R- language, no suggested retail) This very funny film chronicles the comic exploits of a young black man named Ashtray (Shawn Wayans), whose mother returns him to the "hood to live and learn from his father at a time when the lad prepares to become a man.

Upon his arrival in South Central, Ashtray immediately seeks out his old neighborhood homies Loc Dog (Marlon Wayans), Crazy Legs (Suli McCullough) and Preach (Chris Spencer). From block parties to beepers to high tops and high-powered weapons, growing up in the 'hood has never been funnier. The hit soundtrack features "Boys Men," "SWV," Kelley" and others. Special interest Comedians: Good Stuff, "IRRESISTIBLY Rl ONE OFTHEYEAR'S Dnnli Cunmlnjh.jn, CBS-TV "OSCAR'-CALIBER PERFORMANCES by Peter Gallagher and Claire Danes." Wolf, JEANNE WOWS HOLLYWOOD Peter Gallagher Claire Danes Kathy Baker Wendy Crewson Bruce Altman Michelle Pfeiffer "Gil onheo? Ml tibirtlidaij. rowa Uniinj 70MW-0052 2iamc-26B-.

Matin's MlSlWNS ChldBO HUgfe OpaisCHTCDW CXii THUTRESFOR (BBMTSM-IIM VI I8IT THE SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT SITE AT I CALL 444-FILIVI the Movers BILLBOARD'S TOP 10 Here's a list of the 10 video sales and rentals last week as compiled by Billboard Magazine. Video 1. "Twister" Warner, 2. "Oliver and Company" Disney 3. "The Wizard of Oz" MGM-UA 4.

"E.T. Extra Terrestrial" 5. "Braveheart" Paramount 6. "Cops: Too Hot for TV!" MVP 7 "Will Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" Warner 8. Caught In the Act" MVP 9.

"The Sound of Fox 10. "Playboy's Cheerleaders" Playboy Video centals 1. "The Birdcage" MGM-UA 2. "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" Fox 3. "Up Close and Personal" Touchstone 4.

"Executive Decision" Warner 5. "Twister" Warner 6. "From Dusk Till Dawn" Miramax 7. "The Quest" MCA-Universal 8. "Before and After" Hollywood 9.

"Mulholland Falls" MGM-UA 10. "Fargo" Polygram Stand-up Debuts from the Tonight Show" (Buena Vista Home Video, 50 minutes, $14.99) "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," unlike any televi- sion show in history, could transform young comedians from hopefuls into household names. On this volume, you'll find "good stuff" (a pet Carson phrase) from some of today's most popular comedians. You will see Jerry Seinfeld, Gary Shandling, Roseanne, Drew Carey, Louie Anderson, Rita Rudner and others doing their first stand-up acts on "The Tonight Show." It will bring back some memories. "Billy Graham: Biography" Home Video, 50 minutes, $19.95) He has preached to more people than any other person in history, and his name virtually means modern evangelism.

In the eyes of his followers, Bill Graham's powerful sermons have elevated him to a spiritual level matched only by the Pope. A confidant of U.S. presidents, Graham has political influence that also rivals the pontiffs. This riveting look at the man behind the pulpit comes with historical footage of pivotal events and interviews with the reverend himself. Witness the rise of Billy Graham, the evangelist and crusader who has become one of the world's most popular and powerful religious leaders.

You can order tapes by calling (800) 4231212. Jeff Tuckman's column appears Fridays in Time out! and Thursdays in Showcase. He also may be heard on WGN (720-AM). MICHAEL: Staid film fails to evoke passion Continued, from Page 27 friend Kitty. Kiernan (Julia Roberts) in a hotel room, the se- Collins making time with his girl- quence conjures up the superior OUTRAGEOUSLY "A 'Working Girl' for the 90s!" SIXTY SECOND PREVIEW Fresh, funny and filled with fun! it" CHNINTONATIONALA AMERICAN MnVlECLASSICS "Whoopi Goldberg delivers a hysterical performance!" TOWER: (LINCOLN MALL .7 K.uaiTni<i.(V1iq CINEMA CITY 14 CINEMA W7 VILLAGE PpRCIWHD B1DCE CRESTWOOD HOLUNC MEADOWS MmlHiN 2W73HBS OSTRATFORI) 9Q, IOU I'M KITS IN I CALL 444-F1LM montage from "The Godfather" and suffers from the comparison.

The most damage to "Michael comes from Roberts, whose in-and-out Irish accent makes her sound like a freshman drama student trying to imitate Liza Doolittle via the Leprechaun on those "Lucky Charms" cereal commercials. In fact, the Kitty Kiernan- Michael Collins romance -really took place. However, Jordan commits the blunder, of underwriting Kitty to the point where her character appears to be an afterthought, put into the script in a last-minute to inject some obligatory romantic interest The real Kitty caused a triangle between Collins and his best friend Harry Boland (Aidan Quinn), who eventually took up arms against Collins when the IRA split over the treaty. While Jordan gives his title character the hero's treatment, Alan Rickman plays Eamon De Valera, the American-born President of the Irish Republic, as an effeminate, shrewd politician who sends Collins off to negotiate the English knowing that he will denounce both his friend and the treaty to further his political gains. "Michael Collins" marks a new twist for Jordan, whose original films "The Crying Game" and "Mona Lisa" explored dark, romantic fascinations.

Here, Jordan resorts to the staid and stately filmmaking style of Richard Attenborough's "Gandhi," resulting in his most conventional and least Intriguing movie to date..