KIDS & Other Films
Film reviews by Michael John Legeros
Copyright 1995 Michael John Legeros
Contents ========
- KIDS - MORTAL KOMBAT - THE PROPHECY - THE USUAL SUSPECTS - TO WONG FOO
KIDS ====
Once you get past the novelty of their uncensored (and unrated) behavior, the remarkable first film from celebrated photographer Larry Clark becomes a bit of a bore. Though realistic enough to qualify as a documentary, the *extremely* explicit story skirts dangerously close to the one-note repetition of pornography. (Which some will label this film as.)
KIDS is compelling, but cold. There's very little joy in the lives of these promiscuous, drug-abusing Manhattan teens. I'd like to see a greater contrast between the "adult" abusive behaviors and the "children" performing them. Alas, this is Clark's vision of hell, and his sermon has no place for poignancy.
Grade: B+
MORTAL KOMBAT =============
A single hour of this was plenty for me. Too much talk; too little action. (And poorly filmed at that.) Far more interesting were the male patrons who began grunting as the MORTAL KOMBAT theme played over the opening credits. Perhaps experiencing some sort of post-video combat stress syndrome? Great theme music, tho.
THE PROPHECY ============
Screenwriter Gregory Widen (BACKDRAFT, HIGHLANDER) makes his directing debut with a modestly engaging religious thriller that wouldn't have been out of place 20 years ago as a follow-up to THE EXORCIST. Now, in the nineties, where standards are *much* higher, plot problems and cheap FX nearly sink the fascinating premise of renegade angels waging a millennia-old war on Earth. (The situation isn't helped by that awful, ambiguous title. The original-- GOD'S ARMY-- was much better.)
Christopher Walken stars as Gabriel, horn player extraordinare and leader of the rogue seraphs. He's delightfully wicked in his cross- country search for the "blackest" of human souls. Also watch Viggo Mortensen, sinister fun as the late-arriving Lucifier. Less appealing is the opposition. The good guys include Simon (Eric Stoltz) and his human helper Thomas Dagget (Elias Koteas), a former priest-turned- police investigator. Both are a bore.
Grade: C+
THE USUAL SUSPECTS ==================
I don't know if you'll find a better film in local theaters this week than Bryan Singer's THE USUAL SUSPECTS. His tale of a "heist gone bad" is told in detailed flashback, as part of an interrogation between the sole surviving participant (Kevin Spacey) and a very- interested investigator (Chazz Palminteri). These two are the anchors of a top-notch ensemble cast that includes Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Pollack, Pete Postlethwaite, Benicio Del Toro, and Dan Hedaya.
The convoluted plot requires a second viewing to fully appreciate the intricacies of Christopher McQuarrie's ingenious screenplay. Hint: take notes. However confusing to the uninitiated, THE USUAL SUSPECTS rewards on more levels than I choose to describe here. My favorite is the lush score by John Ottman, who, oddly enough, also edited the picture. Recommended.
Grade: A-
TO WONG FOO ===========
The first mainstream American "drag comedy"-- call it our answer to PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT-- is neither sassy nor subtle enough to be *really* funny. (Think "drag light.") What you *do* get is the remarkably amusing sight of macho macho men Wesley Snipes and Patrick Swayze in high heels and make-up. They're good for more than a few laughs; maybe more than Middle America is completely comfortable with.
The elongated title (TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, JULIE NEWMAR) refers to the inscription on a celebrity photo that the "girls" take with them on a cross-country car trip that lands them broken-down and detoured in a tiny midwestern town. Sound familiar? Of course, no one there has a lick of fashion sense, much less the ability to recognize a man dressed as a woman. [ Insert "Wonder Woman" theme. ]
What ensues is mild hilarity-with-a-message, such as a local yokel with a crush on John Leguizamo. (He plays the third wheel, Chi Chi Rodriguez, a whiny Hispanic queen who is already putting Rosie Perez out of work.) Also pay attention to Chris Penn, a scene-stealer as the hilariously homophobic Sheriff Dollard.
Grade: C+
-- Michael J. Legeros
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