Change Your Image
ComicSutra
Reviews
Supernova (2000)
Competent, if slightly predictable, SF/thriller
Supernova has a fabulous cast and great special effects but after being spoiled by The Matrix, the story is the weakest part. Not that it's bad or incoherent, but it's not hard to guess what's going to happen. The only question is when and how. It's entertaining and didn't deserve to be dumped into the black hole of January releases.
In the Company of Spies (1999)
Fun, smart, well-acted spy movie that should become a series.
Made for cable movies keep getting better and better. In Spies, a deep cover CIA agent is grabbed in Korea before he can transmit the information he found back to the agency. Berenger is excellent as the operative who comes out of retirement to retrieve both the agent and the information. The mission is a real nail biter that deftly balances action, investigation and political intrigue. The entire cast (but particularly Berenger, Silver, Krige, Brown and Gross) have great chemistry together. The last scene begs for this to become a regular series and I hope Showtime gives them the go-head.
Three to Tango (1999)
Amusing piece of fluff
In the tradition of old-fashioned screwball comedies, but with modern-day jokes about penis size. Also includes two vomiting scenes it could have did without (blame the success of Something About Mary). Neve Campbell and Matthew Perry have great chemistry. Oliver Platt is excellent and charming as usual. The rest of the cast is good, particularly the actor playing Kevin Cartwright. But you have to ignore several illogical happenings that propel the plot, such as why Newman's assistant cares in the first place about whether Perry and Platt are gay or not. If you can ignore the plot holes, it's a diverting 90 minutes.
Shadow of Doubt (1998)
Compelling thriller
A surprisingly good thriller. This mystery with conspiracy theory overtones starring Melanie Griffith and Tom Berenger is well constructed. The clues to the killer could have been a touch stronger but it's basically a "play fair" mystery with lots of red herrings to keep you guessing. Berenger, as usual, is very good as the DA opposing defense attorney Griffith, whom he used to date. Griffith is very believable as the sharp attorney often underestimated due to her looks and little girl voice. Singer Huey Lewis is a very pleasant surprise as Griffith's investigator and tech expert.