This
was the dismal film I was referring to in the previous review! This contemporary
version of the brilliant Dangerous Liaisons lacks the spark, chemistry, and timing
of the predecessor. It also lacks the previous films sheer acting power (Keanu
Reeves excluded).
Ryan
Phillipe and Sarah Michelle Gellar are wealthy step-siblings who make a mean spirited
bet--if the womanizing Phillipe can win over an intellectual virgin (Reese Witherspoon),
he'll receive Gellar as his prize. If not, Gellar inherits Phillipe's prized vintage
automobile. The film comes across as being campy when the filmmakers are trying
to take the material seriously. The relationship between Phillipe and Witherspoon
is quite poorly executed. Their characters meet and fall in love so fast that
it doesn't allow the audience time to sympathize with their dilemma.
Cruel
Intentions is a mess of a movie. It's full of mean spirited people who are completely
uninteresting. Writer/director Roger Kumble might have benefitted from studying
the characters in Your Friends and Neighbors, In the Company of Men, and the original
Dangerous Liaisons. These are films that have a mean streak but managed to hold
my attention because they had fully realized characters, unlike this unintentionally
campy farce. Star Wars News
The
new Star Wars trailer has been released and boy is it a doozy. It looks as if
George Lucas has re-invented technology again. As for a future trailer, Lucas
has stated that this is the last one, because he doesn't want to oversell it.
Mr. Lucas my friend, you couldn't possibly over-sell it if you tried. As a special
treat, Lucas & Co. bumped the release date up by two days. The force will
now be with you on May 19, 1999.
