April 2000 Volume 81 Number 4 "serving the protectors"
By Mike Horsfall

AT THE CINEMA

EAST END ENTERTAINMENT?

After the frenzy associated with this year’s Fringe, it’s probably safe to return to the east end of Adelaide. The selection of films on show at Palace Nova - Eastend Cinemas this month includes East is East, The Dinner Game, Topsy Turvy and Mansfield Park.

It is likely that the controversial Romance will also be showing. The Office of Film and Literature Classification initially banned the film and, later, the Review Board erred when it overturned that decision.

The board had supposedly taken into consideration the film’s artistic merit and serious intent. It should have focused more on the need for the public to be exposed to some seriously distasteful scenes. Romance is too sexually explicit and, at times, in very poor taste.

The Review Board spokesman also recognised that adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want. Should your curiosity get the better of you, don’t say you weren’t warned.

ON VIDEO

THE ASTRONAUTS WIFE

No matter what role Johnny Depp seems to play, he’s always just a little off centre - remember Edward Scissorhands !

In The Astronauts Wife, Depp portrays astronaut, Spencer Armacost. While on a routine space mission (if such a thing exists) he and his partner suddenly lose all contact with earth. After two minutes, contact with the crew abruptly resumes and the shuttle returns to earth.

While the nation celebrates their return, Spencer’s wife, Jillian (Charlize Theron), senses something is horribly wrong - her husband is not the man he used to be. Her fears soon become reality as she fights for her life and is forced to comes to grips with the man she once loved and the being now growing within her.

Available for rental on April 18, The Astronauts Wife is rated MA15+. My score: 7/10.

TEACHING MRS TINGLE

Another film with a violent twist, Teaching Mrs Tingle, stars Molly Ringwald and Katie Holmes as two teenage students out to seek revenge on their teacher.

Mrs Tingle (Helen Mirren) is the type of teacher everyone just loves to hate, and when she suddenly disappears, no one really cares. What most of the school doesn’t realize is that the girls have paid a visit to her home. It’s now time for her to be taught a lesson she’ll never forget.

From the writer of Dawsons Creek and Scream, Teaching Mrs Tingle is rated M15+ and available for rent on April 11. As it doesn’t quite reach the depth of wickedness required, my score: 6/10.

OUTSIDE PROVIDENCE

Alec Baldwin takes on the role of a somewhat over-stuffed, over-critical father in this surprisingly funny movie. He not only provides support to the younger cast members, Shawn Hatosy and Amy Smart, but also exhibits his talent and versatility as an actor.

Outside Providence tells the story of the troubled adolescent years of his son Timothy “Dildo” Dunphy. After rear-ending a police vehicle while innocently attached to a bong, Dildo is packed off to Cornwell Academy to correct his behavioural problems. But life at Cornwell isn’t quite what he expects and the road to graduation is very bumpy.

Outside Providence is rated MA15+ and although lacking any depth, the acting of Alec Baldwin pushes it up to a 7/10. It’s available for rent on April 4.

ELECTION

The cover to this video suggests it’s about a teenager’s quest for success at Carver High. But it’s more aptly described as a distasteful expose of the school faculty.

Reese Witherspoon plays Tracy Flick, the straight-A go-getter who’s determined to become president of the student body. Popular teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) decides to derail Tracy’s obsessive over-achieving by recruiting an opposite candidate. Mr M never imagines that stopping Tracy will dramatically alter the course of his life.

Rated MA15+, this high school flick should be suited to the young adult. Most adults, however, will find some of the language excessive and somewhat offensive.

Election is available for rental on April 14. Adults will rate it around 6/10, while younger ones and lovers of the earlier Broderick classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, will rate it much higher.

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