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Racism Hollywood-Style 
How movies have portrayed the civil-rights struggles of African Americans. [2]
Chris Herrington
Ho Ho Hum 
With the exceptions of "Wings of the Dove" and "Titanic," this is one lousy year for holiday movies. [3]
Mary Dickson
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Time Machine 
James Cameron floats in his shiny new "Titanic." [4]
Ray Pride
Think or Swim 
Director James Cameron's $200 million "Titanic" opens amid a sea of troubles, but stays afloat. [5]
Peter Keough
The Love Boat 
James Cameron keeps his $200 million plus film afloat. [6]
Devin D. O'Leary
Slash Deeper, Please 
Why slasher movies have a lot in common with porno flicks, among other thoughts on Wes Craven's "Scream 2." [7]
Stacey Richter
Extraordinary People 
Gus Van Sant talks about what he found in "Good Will Hunting." [8]
Ray Pride
Pet Project 
"Good Will Hunting" is smartly directed but no work of genius; "As Good As It Gets" is worse than it should be. [9]
Jim Ridley and Donna Bowman
Up From Slavery 
"Amistad" juggles the demands of history and entertainment. [10]
Noel Murray
Set Me Free 
Stephen Spielberg tackles slavery in "Amistad." [11]
Susan Ellis
Equality of Man 
Reviews of "Amistad" and "Sick." [12]
Rick Barton
Film Tip of the Week 
This week's must-see flick: "The Tango Lesson." [13]
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Videodrome 
Mind-bending video reviews from our psychotronic couch critic. [19]
Scott Phillips
Scanlines 
George Romero's flops are now entertaining videos: "Martin," "The Crazies," and "The Affair." [20]
TV Eye 
Nickelodeon's nostalgia programming lets you remember some of the best Christmas episodes. [21]
Margaret Moser
For Your Information... 
TV gives so much and asks so little. [22]
Devin D. O'Leary
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? [23]
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Volume I, Issue 29
December 22 - December 29, 1997
finally got around to seeing "Amistad," and I feel
very ambivalent. Though I have great respect for what Spielberg
was trying to do (in spite of his excesses), the movie left me
emotionally uninvolved. The worst moment, bar none, was Cinque's
cathartic courtroom explosion. "Give us free!," he shouts
out of nowhere, as if suddenly contacted by abolitionist aliens.
When a scene like this, in a movie this serious, fails, I
want to make fun of it as a coping mechanism. I'm left pondering
questions like "Will there be a Tickle Me Cinque doll that shakes and shouts 'Give us free!' when you touch his tummy?" and imagining
how Cinque would react if he discovered the true contents of Soylent
Green. (My apologies to Djimon Hounsou, who gave a heartfelt performance
in what was, sadly, an underwritten role.)
This kind of problem always seems to result whenever well-meaning
white guys attempt to sum up the tragedy of another race. Just
look at "Mississippi Burning," where two honkies
did all the work and the only black characters were victims. What
condescending message does that send? Here's a further look at
Hollywood's shoddy track record when it comes to documenting the
historical facts of slavery and racism. And while we're at it,
here are some very balanced reviews of "Amistad."
Now to switch historical gears a little. While some real-life
tragedies (such as slavery) are politically complex and hard to
film, others are quite simple and cinematically exploitable. I'm
talking, of course, about "Titanic," James Cameron's
latest budget-busting special effects spectacle. Despite predictions
that the movie would "sink" at the box office, the outlook
appears favorable for its success. The two new reviews we've got this
week certainly seem positive. So does this interview with Cameron. By the way, I hate to ruin a movie's
ending, but this time around I just can't resist: Glub, glub,
glub, glub.
Sorry,
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Reel World 
Reebok has "Jerry Maguire" on the run; Kevin Kline out-draws George Clooney; "L.A. Confidential" gains a boost in L.A. confidence. [18]
Devin D. O'Leary
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Chicago NewCityNet 
- The Deli
- Mouse Hunt
- Tomorrow Never Dies
Boston Phoenix 
- As Good As It Gets
- For Richer or Poorer
- Hugo Pool
- The Mouse
- Mousehunt
- Office Killer
- Out at Work
- Scream 2
- Tomorrow Never Dies
Austin Chronicle 
- Amistad
- For Richer or Poorer
- Mouse Hunt
- Scream 2
- Titanic
- Tomorrow Never Dies
Tucson Weekly 
- Amistad
- Home Alone 3
- For Richer or Poorer
Curious about a particular director's work? Not
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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!
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