Shameless Self Expression

Humbert Humbert (Jeremy Irons) is a professor of French literature who finds himself in America in the 1940s, renting a room from a lonely widow (Melanie Griffith). He eventually marries the woman, but this is mostly because he is obsessed with her 14 year-old daughter Lolita (Dominique Swain), which the older woman eventually discovers. When tragedy strikes, Humbert finds himself the guardian of Lolita, and basically thinks he has won the lottery. But is this young girl both vixen and virgin? She certainly seems to be aware of her power over men, despite her age. Frank Langella plays the mysterious Quilty, a sinister paedophile who may or may not be trying to take Lolita away from Humbert. I’ve never read the Vladimir Nabokov novel, but I love the Stanley Kubrick film version from 1962, and this 1997 version from Adrian Lyne ( “9 ½ Weeks” , “Flashdance” , “Fatal Attraction” ) and writer Stephen Schiff (a magazine writer in his film writing debut) is a solid effort too. Seei...

Set in the 1860s, John Wayne and dentist pal George ‘Gabby’ Hayes (!) have a sweet deal going where Wayne knocks people’s teeth around, sending them to Hayes’ dentist chair. They end up in Lawrence, Kansas where Wayne falls for pretty Claire Trevor (who co-starred with Wayne previously in “Stagecoach” ), who is being courted by schoolteacher Walter Pidgeon. Due to recent violence, the town decides to elect a marshal, with Pidgeon being nominated, but Wayne also steps up to the plate to impress Trevor. When Pidgeon loses and Wayne gets the girl too, he becomes embittered and goes the outlaw way of his no-good kin (gun-running, mostly), despite promising devoted mother Marjorie Main that he wouldn’t end up like his brothers. Roy Rogers is Trevor’s brother, who gets himself into some trouble over a shooting, which Pidgeon uses to his advantage to woo Trevor back. Pretty enjoyable, surprisingly mature 1940 Raoul Walsh ( “Gentleman Jim” , “White Heat” ) western features OK work by...

Several characters are headed towards Ozona, Texas, as a serial killer has been stalking the area. The killer has also been calling into Radio KWOK and speaking to the local late night DJ (Taj Mahal- hey, that’s the name I see listed, what can I tell ‘ya?). Mahal has been defying orders by playing whatever the hell he wants and taking live calls, virtually giving station manager Meat Loaf a heart attack. Kevin Pollak and Penelope Ann Miller play a crummy clown and his stripper wife, respectively (You’d have to pay me to watch Miller strip. Seriously). Robert Forster plays a lonely trucker who is sweet on Navajo woman Kateri Walker. Lois Red Elk plays Walker’s ill grandmother, Swoosie Kurtz plays an annoying cliché...er...the local gum-chewing waitress, whilst Sherilyn Fenn plays a woman travelling with her somewhat uppity sister. David Paymer plays a psychiatrist who hitches a ride with Fenn and her sister when his car breaks down. Written and directed by J.S. Cardone (direct...

The story of, you guessed it, Forrest Gump (Michael Humphreys), limited with an IQ of about 75, he is dismissed by most of society and seen as unworthy of an education, though his beloved momma (Sally Field) works real hard to see her boy gets the best life possible. He also forms a strong bond with troubled local girl Jenny (Hanna Hall), from the first day of school. As an adult (now played by Tom Hanks) goes on to live a rather extraordinary life as a Vietnam War hero, ping-pong champion, and witness to some of the most important events in American history. He also gets to meet a whole slew of important political and pop culture figures. Seemingly always eluding him, however, is the love of Jenny (played as an adult by Robin Wright), who has a tough time of it living the counter-culture lifestyle of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. Mykelti Williamson plays Bubba, Forrest’s best friend and Vietnam comrade, who also isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Gary Sinise plays gruff Lt. Dan T...