Santa Cruz Sentinel from Santa Cruz, California • Page 65

Sp'otfight Santa Cruz Sentinel Friday, Dec. 11, 1987-7 If I a zj I 1 LLcJ JkiOVy everybody's screaming about on the stock market floor but it throws in enough familiar stuff, like greed, to keep you hanging in there as the script plods on in the direction of finally remembering what's right and what's not. "WISH YOU WERE HERE," (R), Nickelodeon, 426-7500 Newcomer Emily Lloyd is an ingenue to watch, launching what should be a brilliant career in films with this British sex comedy. She plays a small town girl whose only diversion from local boredom is sex. She manages to tease all the boys her own age into total craziness, but then almost gets into big trouble when a middle-age man introduces her to more mature passion.

David Leiand writes and directs, winning early raves. "THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK," (R), Capitola Theater, 475-3518 Devil-may-care guy Jack Nicholson more than meets his match with Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer in this occusl thriller and battle of the sexes comedy loosely based on John Updike's novel. We're talking modern witches here the martini-drinking sophisticated sort who long for a man capable of meeting their liberated needs. Is mad Jack up to the task? He seems to be when he happens into their quaint little New England domain, but his thrill at seducing them turns out to be only the ante in the supernatural game they're playing. Nicholson fans or anyone who wants to see the performance he was born to give can't miss this one.

Avenue Playhouse usual ingredients muscles, high tech weapons, sadism, several bad guys and a woman (Maria Conchita Alonso). It's also got Richard Dawson, doing a chilling Richard Dawson imitation. Arnold doesn't say much, but film's scary satire says plenty about media mind manipulation and other facets of the Wheel of Fortune outlook on life. "RUSSKIES," (PG), Scotls Valley Cinema, 438-3260; Pajaro Showplace, 728-3300 "Stand By Me" meets "Peace Child" in this limp satire. Its heart is in the right place, but its head is nowhere to be found.

Someone named Whip Hubley (really) plays a Soviet submarine radio operator who finds himself washed up on the none-too-friendly shores of Florida. Luckily for him, he is rescued by three young boys Peter Billingsly, Leaf Phoenix and Stefan DeSalle. Bad for him, they are into Schwarenegger, camouflage wardrobes, kiddie machismo and other forms of young fascism. Good for him, they finally all become friends, proving "glasnost goes both ways as they teach their elders a thing or two about foreign relations. Rick Rosenthal directs, simpi-ly, in a nouveau patriotic and one-worldly direction.

"THE SICILIAN," (R), UA Cinema, 426-8383 Michael Cimino does a poor imitation of the Godfather as he tries, one more time, to remember how to make a screen epic. This one has Christopher Lambert playing Salvatore Giuliano, the bandit leader who took on all comers the Church, the state and the Mafia in efforts to get Sicily to secede from Italy in the 1940s. Lambert has the smoldering looks to be a big star, but had his best luck communicating with apes in "Greystoke." After hitting mega big with "The Deerhunter," directror Cimino has been writing the book on big screen fiascos ever since. This pizza his heart carries on the tradition, demonstrating ineptitude in every facet from the slopping camerawork and choppy editing to the way Lambert recites his lines. "SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME," (R), The Movie 428-9409 "Platoon" Oscar nominee Tom Berenger briefly regains his sanity before being thrown for another loop and delivering another fine performance.

He plays a happily married detective whose life gets complicated after he is assigned to protect elegant murder witness Mimi Rogers. Shades of that other current hit, "Fatal whatever The ever-artistic Ridley Scott directs this stylish romantic thriller, getting nice work out of Berenger, Rogers and Lorraine Bracco as the wronged wife. New York is thoroughly cinematic and you can't beat that theme song. Film fares better as troubled romance than a thriller, but writer Howard Franklin does what he can to fill the holes in the script with New Yawkish one-liners. Continued from Pago 6 7H-3MI Several very funny people including Mandy Patlniln, Billy Crystal, Wallace Shawn and Carol Kane show up to help the young leads in this new improved variation of an old-fashioned fairy tale.

Rob (I'm no longer a meathead but the hottest director in Hollywood) Reiner nicely directs this expensive, expansive fantasy based on a novel William Goldman wrote for the enjoyment of his own family. It's the familiar story of a stableboy (Cary Elwes) and his mistress (Robin Wright) and all the whimsically frightening obstacles he must overcome to return to her. A labor of love through and through, film is lovely to look at, full of charm, magic and quirky humor. "ROBOCOP," (R), The Movie 426-8409 Toned down from its X-Rating to an (for repulsive dismemberments), this comic stripplsh adventure has become a surprise hit of the year for its gory look at how crime will be dealt with in the future. It's set in Detroit, where things have gotten worse since Axel Foley was on the job.

Fine Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven makes his U.S. debut, upping the ante in the never-ending war against crime and scum or are they the same thing? Peter Weller has the title role as a good cop who gets blown away at the beginning of the movie, only to be reassembled, literally, as a man of steel. Putting a utensil to work on the police force is a novel ideal. Film is steeped in serious violence, but also offers laughs for those who have the stomach for them. "ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW," (R), Nickelodeon, 428-7500 -The 1975 movie that started the cult is still around, around 11 tonight.

It's kinky, it's fun, it promises no surprises since its viewers have already seen it enough times to sing along on "Dammit Janet" and the other Transylvanian rock hits on the soundtrack. Tim Curry leads the fun as the sexually wavy bloodsucker making life difficult for Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick, who find themselves stranded in the proverbial haunted house. Come dressed. "ROXANNE," (PG), Scotls Valley Cinema, 438-3260 Steve Martin does wonderful work updating Cyrano de Bergerac a kind of adult variation on the Pinnochio theme. Actually it's about a guy with an enormous nose who lets it get in the way of his romantic longings for Daryl Hannah.

The genius-like Martin also wrote the script, which happens to be about a guy who writes his heart out to his beloved, In letters she thinks come from handsome Rick Rossovich, who has a normal nose. Australia's Fred Schepisi directs with Shelley Duvall and Michael J. Pollard featured in the cast. Mr. Ex-cuuuuse Me shines throughout, being hilarious in front of the camera while giving a lesson in just how poetic a screenplay can be.

"THE RUNNING MAN," (R), Aptos Twin, 888-4541 Thinking Man's Schwarzenegger. It's the 21st century. The U.S. has gone totalitarian in a big way. Capital punishment has been replaced by a TV gameshow in which convicted felons are set free in burned out sections of LA where mechanized "Stalkers" pursue them and the cameras follow.

If you win, you get a suspended sentence, or maybe even a condo on Maui. No one ever wins. Then along comes Arnold. This latest in the Schwarzenegger chronicles has all the HOLIDAY 'Nuts' at the 41st friend's place. She watches back and Dreyfuss falls in love.

Emilio falls in love, too every time he looks in the mirror. "SUSPECT," (R), UA Cinema, 426-8383 Cher shines playing a harried Washington D.C. public defender trying to save a deaf-dumb streetperson from a murder case stacked against him. Dennis Quaid Randy's good-looking brother is along for some almost love scenes and some amateur sleuthing which threatens to get Cher disbarred. Peter Yates directs in the best tradition of good old-fashioned courtroom drama and suspense, with some new-fashioned governmental corruption thrown in for good measure.

Should be retitled "Cher Goes to Washington" as she shows she's not just a gorgeous superstar, but one of the best actresses on today's screen scene. "TEEN WOLF TOO," (PG-13), Scotts Valley Cinema, 438-3260; Skyvlew Drive-in, 475-3405; Starllte Drive-In, 728-1608 -Jason Bateman stands in for Little Alex playing a high school guy who needs a shave in a big way and makes an invaluable contribution to the boxing team. This exploration of the hormonal problems of your typical high school werewolf follows Teen Wolf the First to the letter, right down to Jason's dilemma whether to pick the good girl or the other one. Abundance of facial hair can't hide the absence of imagination elsewhere in this production. "THREE MEN AND A BABY," (PG), Rio, 423-2000 What do two pretty-boy TV stars and a Police Academy graduate know about being fathers? Absolutely nothing.

But they learn, delightfully, in this frothy Leonard Nimoy-directed comedy which actually improves on the recent French film which inspired it. Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Steve Gut-tenberg play the Peter Pan bachelors whose swinging lifestyles and plans never to grow up are thrown for a loop with the arrival of an infant girl, fathered by Danson. Tone is breezy and charming, FINAL 6 DAYS! "A COLORFUL PORTRAIT OF MEXICAN ARTIST FRIDA KAHLO. AN EYECATCHING TAPESTRY PROJECTING THE TALENT, SPIRIT AND COURAGE OF THE PAINTER-FEMINIST-POLITICAL ACTIVIST, DURING MEXICO'S CULTURAL REVOLUTION OF THE 20 AND 30'S." S.F. Examiner eliding more big laughs from the heart than any film in recent memory.

Selleck reveals a fine flair for comedy, Danson feminizes his Sam Malone side, and Gut-tenberg is the sensitive one but they all trove quite willing when it comes to etting their little costar (actually played by twins) steal one scene after another. "THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN," (R), Aptos Twin, 688-6541 The laughs come painted black but there sure are a lot of them in this skewed tale of what can happen if you miss the point of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. Billy Crystal plays a writing teacher suffering from one big writer's block his ex-wife. Danny DeVito who makes an auspicious directoral debut plays the manchild in the writing class who lives at home with his awful mom (Anne Ramsey) and harbors thoughts of shortening her stay on the planet. Things go into gear when Crystal tells DeVito to see Hitchcock's classic "Strangers on a Train" (you remember, about a criss-cross murder scheme) and DeVito takes things a tad too literally.

The premise is definitely warped, but Stu Silver's screenplay is brilliant and the performances oddly endearing. "WALL STREET," (R), Del Mar, 425-0616 Michael Douglas scores his second direct hit of the season making the Ivan Boesky code of ethics more understandable but no less immoral in writer-director Oliver Stone's topical drama. The Oscar-winning Stone, you may recall, touched a national nerve at this time last year with this trip into gray flannel jungles closer to home is less effective unweildy, predictable, but still fascinating. Charlie Sheen is the young broker who idolizes Michael Douglas but isn't quite up to amputating his own heart to advance his career. His dad Martin does an affecting job playing his dad.

Daryl Hannah is along to look good and be vacant hard to tell if she's acting or just being herself. Film doesn't help you understand what FINAL 6 DAYS! A sweeping, handsome Australian epic. OHN HARTL, SEATTLE TIMES "An epic talc of the Australian Lewis and Clark. A beautiful and personal film full of passion and mysticism." michm.l nm L.v army "Action! Adventure! Love! Tragedy! What a terrific (ihnL.A 10!" c-aryfhakkun kahctv HOLIDAY HOLIDAY 17 HOLIDAY LessonsPro Shop Special theme skate sessions through Dec. 31st Scotts Valley Skating Center 250 Kings Village Road "STAKEOUT," (R), Scotts Valley Cinema, 438-3260 It's comedy cop Richard Dreyfuss to the rescue, saving Emilio Estavez from his out-of-control ego and delivering lots of laughs in the process.

It's one more foray into the buddy-buddy genre, bringing good humor to the old shootout in the bedroom routine. The two play a couple of jokers who stakeout a much wanted ex-con by watching his girl- FINAL WCIKI MUST END WED. DEC. 16 "WONDERFUL." Molly HasfcoH, Vogue Wish You Were Here NIGHTLY 7,05 8.50 5, SUN, BARGAIN SHOWS 3:00 NICKELODEON 7550 FINAL NIGHT Klaus Maria Brandnuer MEpHlsro VISCONTI'S sat. sun.

cjrra pheminqers mm 3TH MONTHI ArVllFE asa Doc VlW 6:30. 8,20, 10,05 2,45, MO SUN.) NICKELODEON NIGHTLY LATE SHOWS ENDS WED. UroTnAcTdSr VW I JL II DOU3Y STEREO I 00 ONCE NIGHTLY 10,30 2,45 SUN) rsiM I bNICKEL0DE0N If 4 Paul Leduc's Frida NATURALEZA VIVA NIGHTIY AT 6,35 8,35 SUN. BARGAIN SHOW 4,35 scotts valley, CA 438-2222 JACK THOMPSON NICEL HAVERS and GRETA SCACCHI NIGHTLY AT 6,45 9,15 SUN. BARGAIN SHOW 4,00 Coke adds life.

PG-13 iNICKELODEON-0 NICKELODEON NICKELODEON-sw Uncoil, ICvtafi' Lincoln Ckx 427-1711.