From: bole@hmivax.humgen.upenn.edu (Greg Bole)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.movies
Subject: Greg Bole's 1992 Mini Reviews
Date: 21 Dec 92 19:36:31 GMT
Organization: HHMI/Human Genetics, Univ of Pa.

Having almost finished another year of movie watching, I thought I'd
post a big list of mini reviews...if this isn't your cup of tea please
ignore it, but it might be of interest to some for video rental suggestions
and/or information on a few current releases.

Any feedback is appreciated, by post (if others may benefit) or E-mail.


Howards End ****
  Hopefully will garner many Oscars this year.  Fantastic E.M.Forester 
  adaptation.  Emma Thompson is a shoe-in for Best Actress.

Patriot Games ***
  I liked _The Hunt for Red October_ alot better, and thought Alec Baldwin
  made a much better Jack Ryan.  So many things were changed from the book, 
  it sort of spoiled this for me, but there were some excellent scenes.
  Look for Patrick Bergin as the leader of the splinter terrorist group.

White Men Can't Jump **+
  Silly but fun.  About two hustlers on the basket-ball court.

Cool World *
  Piece of garbage.  Shame the talents of Brad Pitt and Gabriel Byrne were
  so wasted...

The Player ****+
  My pick for best director and screen-play this year (of what I've seen
  so far).  Very funny, very witty, and a joy for film buffs!

A League of Their Own ***
  One of the more entertaining comedies of the year, I always like Geena Davis.

Unforgiven *****
  Best picture material right here!  Brilliant film...nothing more to be said.

Honeymoon in Vegas ***
  Nicholas Cage is hip, and the jokes are fun.  A nice light comedy.

Bob Roberts ****
  We're talking serious satire here.  Tim Robbins' tour de force.  Very
  enjoyable, but a working knowledge of American polotics sure helps.  Good
  supporting role by Alan Rickman.

Singles ***
  From Chris Crowe, not quite as touching as his _Say Anything_, but 
  fun and entertaining.

Last of the Mohicans ****+
  Brilliant romance/action film.  The movie I enjoyed most this year.

Hero ***+
  Biting satire helped by the considerable talents of Dustin Hoffman and 
  Geena Davis.  Sorta hit and miss, but when it works, it's great.

1492 **
  Terribly dissapointing epic by Ridley Scott...Gerard was good, but the 
  script was chopped to bits...looked beautiful tho.

A River Runs Through It ***
  A slice of Americana.  The beauty of Montana.  Touching family drama.
  Brad Pitt (_Thelma and Louise_) in his best role yet!

Night and the City *+
  Not even Bobby DeNiro and Jessica Lange could save this one.  Not a good 
  role for him actually...

Bram Stoker's Dracula ***+
  I can understand others complaints with it, but I was just overwhelmed.
  Shame it didn't stay even *more* faithful to the novel, but Gary Oldman
  is more amazing in every movie I see him in.  Such an amazing visual feast. 

Aladdin ***+
  Sheer entertainment.  I laughed so hard, and was thrilled by the animation
  and computer graphics.  Just plain fun.

Scent of a Woman **
  Al Pacino made a valient effort as a blind man, but couldn't over come a 
  spotty, and horribly ended script.

Leap of Faith **
  Didn't work for me.  Others liked it alot, and Steve Martin was great, but
  the story was hokey, and didn't go anywhere.

Indochine ****
  A French film with the world's most beautiful woman: Cathrine Denuvre.
  A grand sweeping melodrama...very impressive, but not for all.

Hoffa ***+
  One of the years best dramas.  Jack Nicholson for best actor.  
  Of epic scale and proportion, some flaws, maybe a bit too ambitious,
  but definatly captivating.

Greg Bole                         "I have crossed oceans of time to find you."
bole@hmivax.humgen.upenn.edu         Gary Oldman in _Bram Stoker's Dracula_