Feb 2001 Volume 82 Number 2 "serving the protectors"
By Mike Horsfall

AT THE CINEMA

ALMOST FAMOUS

Cameron Crowe’s first film since his Academy Award nominated hit Jerry Maguire captures a pivotal time in the history of rock-and-roll. Set in 1973, Almost Famous chronicles the funny and often poignant coming of age of 15-year-old William (Patrick Fugit), an unabashed music fan who is inspired by the influential bands of the time.

His love for music lands him an assignment to report on up-and-coming band, Stillwater. But as he becomes less an observer and more a participant, he soon learns a life-changing lesson about the importance of family – the one we inherit, and the ones we create.

Opening in cinemas nationally on February 22, Almost Famous is said to be so clever and endearing, you can forget the ALMOST.

Almost Famous features the music of the era, including tracks by Led Zeppelin, The Who, Simon and Garfunkle, Joni Mitchell, Black Sabbath and Peter Frampton. Almost Famous - Music from the Motion Picture is also available on the Dreamworks label. While not including the Peter Frampton track, it includes other titles by The Beach Boys, Rod Stewart and Elton John.

MEN OF HONOUR

Also opening nationally on February 22, Men of Honour features a quality cast, including Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding Jr. Men of Honour is based on the true-life story of Carl Brashear, the first African-American navy diver (Gooding Jr.). The film chronicles his perseverance against seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

The setting of his journey is the little known and dangerous world of deep-sea diving in the US Navy of the 1950s and ’60s. A major obstacle is presented by Billy Sunday (De Niro), a celebrated master chief navy diver whose exploits as a troublemaker are as legendary as his accomplishments as a diver. Sunday is certain that the rigorous dive program is no place for Carl, the son of a Kentucky sharecropper with a seventh-grade education.

But nothing will stand in Brashear’s way, and eventually he is awarded the titles of master diver and master chief, the navy’s highest rate for an enlisted man.

BEDAZZLED

What if you could be anyone you wanted to be? What if your every wish came true? Director Harold Ramis had those very questions in mind when he began creating a new version of the 1967 film comedy, Bedazzled.

In cinemas since January 25, Bedazzled stars Brendan Fraser as Elliot Richards, and Elizabeth Hurley as the Devil. Desperate to gain the affections of a female co-worker (Allison) Elliot strikes a deal with the Devil – a lusty, drop-dead-gorgeous woman with a wicked sense of humour. In exchange for his soul, the temptress will offer him seven wishes.

To start, he asks to be rich, powerful and married to Allison. When he wakes the next morning he finds things just as he had wished, except that he is all that and more – he’s also a Colombian drug lord.

After a series of not-so-successful wishes, Elliot realizes that he really has to be careful what he wishes for. The Devil is always a step ahead, dishing up hilariously subversive versions of Elliot’s desires.

For the opportunity to win a double pass to one of these great new films, put your details on the back of an envelope and send it to Movie Comp, SA Police Journal (168).

SMALL TIME CROOKS

A new comedy from Woody Allen, Small Time Crooks sees him return to form in the starring role as Ray Winkler, a dim-witted ex-con who works as a dishwasher while dreaming of making it rich. When he hatches his latest scheme, his socially ambitious wife Frenchy is incredulous.

He plans to set up a phoney cookie shop close to a bank and tunnel through the basement into the vault. However, it seems that their cover has more hope than their plan, and the cookie business becomes a surprise success. The Winkler’s are rich. But will they be happy?

Small Time Crooks is screening now at Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, and stars Tracey Ulman, John Lovitz, Michael Rapaport and Hugh Grant.

ON CD

MEET THE PARENTS - Original Soundtrack

Showing in cinemas recently, Meet the Parents starred Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller in a romantic comedy all about life and growing up. Dreamworks records have released the original motion picture soundtrack. It features A Fool In Love, a new Randy Newman original, plus a duet version with Susanna Hoofs of The Bangles. The disc also boasts his version of Fats Domino’s Poor Me and the Muddy Waters classic Got My Mojo Working. Several excerpts from Newman’s orchestral score are also presented, from the lush to the whimsical and downright cheery.

For the opportunity to win the CD, put your details on the back of an envelope and send it to Parents Comp, SA Police Journal (168).

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