Braving the Elements
Rob Nelson finds an unusually good year at Sundance, but he doubts you'll get to see many of the movies; not even Noel Murray can stomach "Spice World." [2]
Rob Nelson and Noel Murray

Act of Faith
Robert Duvall sings the praises of the preachers in "The Apostle." [3]
Ray Pride

Prophet and Loss
Writer/director/star Robert Duvall's "The Apostle" features fire, brimstone, and often hilarious performances. [4]
Peter Keough

Film Tip of the Week
An interview with Bill Pullman about his new movie, "Zero Effect." [5]
Ray Pride

Spice Island
Eerie smilarities exist between the Spice Girls' new movie and the old "Gilligan's Island" TV show. [6]
Stacey Richter

Movie Guru
The Movie Guru knows what he wants -- what he really, really wants -- and it ain't "Spice World." [7]
Coury Turczyn

Cartoon Planet
The Pre-Fab Five confess in "Spice World." [8]
Jim Hanas

Visual Splendor
The dazzling camerawork of Scorsese's "Kundun" overshadows his sad but human portrait of the Dalai Lama. [9]
Mary Dickson

Want to know what all these checkboxes are for? Click here to find out, or just ignore them.

Videos a Go-Go
Every week, we explore a movie genre for your enhanced rent 'n' view pleasure. The week: non-Spicy rock-n-roll movies. [14]
Matthew T. Everett

Scanlines
John Steinbeck on video? Read the books instead. [15]
Jay Hardwig

Now What?
What's the matter, couldn't find a review of that blockbuster film you're excited about? We certainly don't want to leave you disappointed -- why not try some of these larger-than-life movie links? [16]

Build your own custom paper. To find out more about this feature, click here.

y illusions have been shattered, my dreams destroyed. According to this writer, the Sundance Festival isn't the pure event I thought it was. Instead of an enlightening way to experience the state of the art in dramatic moviemaking, Sundance has become -- egads! -- a place to make deals and act creepy. Who woulda thunk it? My heart aches.

At least some people get to see their dreams come true. Robert Duvall did when he got the green light to direct and star in "The Apostle," his Pentecostal-preacher pet project. (How's that for alliteration? Watch this.) Duvall discusses the development of his directing dream in two interviews this week. Note: you'll find the second one cleverly hidden after a review of the movie.

Speaking of dreams, "Spice World" recently opened, inspiring all sorts of nocturnal, um, cogitations among little boys and girls across the land. You'll find quite a few reviews of "Spice World" in this issue. One of them is attached to a "Phantoms" review; another's lurking at the end of the Sundance article. But before you read any of the above, be sure to check out this article explaining why the Spice Girls are just like the characters on "Gilligan's Island." Funny, I once read that the cast of "Gilligan's Island" represented the Seven Deadly Sins; does that mean that the Spice Girls are personifications of lust, vanity, and other evil tendencies as well?

You be the judge. I'll just sit here and watch TV.

Want to know what all these checkboxes are for? Click here to find out, or just ignore them.

Boston Phoenix

• Conspirators of Pleasure
• Deceiver
• Great Expectations
• Phantoms
• Tupamaros
• Zero Effect

Tucson Weekly

• Phantoms
• Spike & Mike's Sick And Twisted Festival Of Animation '98
• Taxi Driver

NewCityNet Chicago

• Deceiver
• Deep Rising
• Eye Of God
• Illtown
• Whales

Austin Chronicle

• Deep Rising
• Desperate Measures
• The Education Of Little Tree
• Great Expectations
• Illtown
• It's In The Water
• Phantoms
• Spike & Mike's Sick And Twisted Festival Of Animation '98
• The Tango Lesson

Curious about a particular director's work? Not sure what to rent at the video store? Enjoy reading several contrasting opinions of the same film? This is the place for you. One of the all-time best film-review resources on the Web. Sort alphabetically or by publication, genre, director, or date. Check it out!