Fall Film Round-Up
Previews of the zillions of films heading to local theaters this Autumn. [2]
Marjorie Baumgarten

      September Releases
      October Releases
      November Releases

Character Studies
Here's a "chick flick" just about everybody will love. [6]
Stacey Richter

Little Substance, Less Taste
She's So Lovely tries to be offbeat, but is just off. Paperback Romance doesn't even try very much. [7]
Hadley Hury

Under the Influence
She's So Lovely is rambling Cassavetes; Excess Baggage is Toro-iffic. [8]
Noel Murray, Donna Bowman, and Jim Ridley

Movie Guru
Zak Weisfeld dumps his Excess Baggage and ponders the sad fate of Alicia Silverstone. [9]
Zak Weisfeld

Excess Baggage
Alicia Silverstone produces as well as stars in this new romantic comedy. [10]
Devin D. O'Leary

Film Reviews
Comprehensive reviews of current films. [11]

Film Clips
Check out Tucson Weekly's capsule reviews packed with links to the hottest movie home pages on the Web. [12]

TV Eye
Emmy Awards predictions. [13]
Christopher Gray

The Nutty National Treasure
Dismiss him and his famous Labor Day telethton, but Jerry Lewis is a genius. [14]
Tom Shales

Videos a Go-Go
Every week, we disassemble a movie genre for your enhanced rent 'n' view pleasure. [15]
Jesse Fox Mayshark

The VideoPhile
Reviews of movies now on video. [16]

Scanlines
Reviews of Pacific Heights, Sneakers, So I Married an Axe Murderer, and The American Experience: Huey Long (all video). [17]

King of the Hill
FOX's top comedy gets ready for its return. [18]
Devin D. O'Leary

Now What?
What's the matter, couldn't find a review of that blockbuster film you're excited about? We certaintly don't want to leave you disappointed -- why not try some of these larger-than-life movie links? [19]

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t's a really slow time of year for movies. The last several I've attended, Mimic, Event Horizon, G.I. Jane, and Cop Land, have been disappointments. It's as if the studios are cleaning house, getting rid of their excess baggage--or should I say Excess Baggage--before autumn arrives.

Fortunately, this Fall Movie Preview is helping me keep my eyes on the future. No matter how bad Hollywood's output seems to be, I'm always suckered in by the promise of cinematic spectacles to come. "Another flick about a super-smart serial killer?," I'll think to myself. "Hmm, maybe it will be the exception to the rule... You never know." I'm such a fool.

But let's get back to the subject of Excess Baggage. What is it about this movie that has critics so divided? I saw the film the other day, and here's my theory: Excess Baggage is a "blank slate" movie that's neither awful nor enjoyable enough to leave you 100% sure of your own opinion. A lot of it depends, I suspect, on your level of sleepiness upon entering the theater, your susceptibility to the foggy beauty of the rural Pacific Northwest setting, and your reaction to Alicia Silverstone's girlish pout and Benicio Del Toro's tired-eyed Brando impersonation. Here's what four critics had to say:

• Del Toro's performance makes the movie worthwhile
• the film is so lame it could spell the end of Silverstone's career
• it's a subtly comic, offbeat charmer
• after the kinetic first 20 minutes, the plot dies a slow, static death

If you think that's a bundle of contradiction, just wait till you read the reviews of She's So Lovely, the Nick Cassavetes-directed, Sean Penn-produced character study. Read on:

• the movie's "raw honesty" feels false
• it would have been infinitely better with Gena Rowlands in the lead
• stellar ensemble acting makes the film a winner
• the lead performances are inauthentic

Our other reviews provide insights on the following flicks:

• Mike Leigh's Career Girls
• Leave it to Beaver
• Paperback Romance
• In the Company of Men, Anna, and Hoodlum

And then there's the reviews of video releases...

• three Gen-X movies.
• Stuart Saves His Family and The Stratton Story
• The American Experience: Huey Long

And for you TV-minded folk, don't forget to check out these stories about Emmy Award predictions, the unlikely triumph of Jerry Lewis, and the season premieres of The Simpsons and King of the Hill. Like I said, no matter what you think of the current state of entertainment, there's always something to look forward to.

Talk Back
If you're one of the few who didn't think Volcano blew, The Lost World bit, or The Fifth Element was one element too many, here's the forum to defend your opinion--crazy though it may be.

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. Hundreds of reviews lie at your fingertips, sortable by genre, date or director.

Movie Guru
Zak Weisfeld hops aboard Air Force One. [08-04-97]
Zak Weisfeld

From Nowhere to Here
A conversation with Nowhere's James Duval. [09-02-97]
Marc Savlov