Category: 1990s

Johnny Depp is a rare books dealer who finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy involving a book that was allegedly written in collaboration with the devil. I enjoy a good story with old books and this one has a decent mystery regarding the provenance of copies of the specific book. Unfortunately it quickly verges on the silly as soon as it beings to involve satanic cults. Satan worship is a tough theme to present without getting absurd and this one doesn’t manage, particularly with its cheesy special effects. Frank Langella does his best to try to sell the occult theme as the collector who initially hires Depp to investigate his copy. It’s also ridiculous how Depp roughly handles the supposedly rare books with complete disregard.

Living as a companion of sorts in the home of Hollywood couple Gene Hackman and Susan Sarandon, ex-cop and private detective Paul Newman finds himself drawn into a 20 year old mystery involving the death of Sarandon’s first husband. It’s not a particularly strong or surprising story, but all of the actors involved could phone it in and still make it compelling. The leads are further buoyed by a supporting case of equal caliber including James Garner, Reese Witherspoon, Liev Schreiber, Stockard Channing, Giancarlo Esposito, and Margo Martindale.  

When her husband Jon Seda is arrested for looting during a blackout, young mother of three Lauren Velez must find a way to earn money for her family and stumbles into a job as the assistant to a record executive. It’s a little raw in its telling, but there’s a lot to love in this film. While the characters’ decisions are often infuriating, the performances make them feel real and definitely of the era. This is especially true of the handling of Jesse Borrego’s character as Velez’s sister. It’s powerful to see the two women struggling with the limitations in their lives while also coming into their own despite them.

I’m a sucker for films where one actor plays two characters. Here we have Jean-Claude Van Damme as twin brothers separated at infancy. One is left in an orphanage in Hong Kong, while the other becomes a martial arts instructor in Los Angeles. They are brought together to avenge their parents’ murders. It’s really silly, but it’s fun to see Van Damme switching between the fluffy, candy colored Chad to the slick haired, leather wearing Alex and back again. I enjoy that Jean-Claude seems to embrace the silliness but still continues to kick butt.  

It’s amazing how a film with this cast can be such an unfunny mess. On a train to Monte Carlo to return a dachshund to a wealthy heiress, Americans Sean Young and Richard Lewis meet up with John Candy. Also on the train are gambler Jim Belushi and his wife Cybill Shepherd. When the group reaches Monte Carlo, the heiress is discovered dead and everyone is a suspect. I had watched this film for Candy, despite seeing awful reviews, and he’s not bad in his role. Unfortunately, while watching this is a relatively harmless way to spend an hour and a half, the film itself remains so unintriguing that’s it’s also not one I’d recommend.

After a series of rules violations, Texas State University’s football team is forced to restart with an entirely new coaching staff and team. Enter a ragtag team of underdogs that include 34-year old Scott Bakula, graduate assistant Sinbad, and soccer player Kathy Ireland. For no real good reason, a dean of the university does whatever he can to make them fail, plus there’s a love interest for Bakula. It’s such an incredibly forgettable sports film that even the relative likability of Bakula and Sinbad offer nothing to save it.  

Returning to his neighborhood after being released from jail, ex-gang member Glenn Plummer finds himself trying to save his pre-teen son from a similar fate. It’s a familiar story that is unfortunately drawn out here by focusing too much time on the exploits that wind him in jail instead of the redemption he later experiences. It picks up in the latter bit when Plummer discovers some inner peace in jail at the same time his son is struggling on the outside. It is a film that has has its heart in the right place but other than a few of the performances is lacking.