Catherine Keener/Peter Dinklane in "Living In
Oblivion"
courtesy Sony Classic Pictures
"Tom DiCillo Isn't Living In Oblivion"
Tom DiCillo isn't a household name, and he knows it. When I spoke with him by phone recently, he acknowledged that his films are not the type that everyone recognizes. But they have been full of stars who are recognized by Hollywood. "I was the first person to really use Brad Pitt in a movie," he said. "It was 'Johnny Suede' and I had to fight to keep him in the movie. Everyone wanted me to go with a big name."
In his last film "Double Whammy" he signed Elizabeth Hurley and Denis Leary as the stars. "And it never even got released," he groaned. "I don't understand it, I really don't."
The movie he is most recognized for is "Living In Oblivion" which was recently released on DVD. This "cult" film stars Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney and James LeGros. It is a film about making an independent film. "Everything that happens to the director (Buscemi) in that movie has happened to me or someone I know," he stated.
The movie really is enjoyable as it goes from daydreams to reality and back. The actors all fit into their roles and the movie has a nice look to it. But at the end of the movie the director swears he will never make another film. "I have felt that way many, many times," DiCillo added.
Still hope must spring eternal as DiCillo is working on a new movie. It is called "Delirious" and it stars Steve Buscemi. Maybe this will be the one to make him a household name, but not if he can help it. He just isn't interested in the big books for the big movies. He just wants to keep it small and simple.
A movie with an impressive cast is "Moonlight Mile." It doesn't get much bigger than having Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon and Jake Gyllenhaal in your cast. Hoffman and Sarandon play the parents of the girl to whom Gyllenhaal is engaged. When she is killed in a freak accident Gyllenhaal helps them mourn.
Ellen Pompeo plays the girl Gyllenhaal meets and is attracted to. She gives him the strength to break loose from Hoffman's plans for his future. This film takes a hard look at grief and its aftermath. It is interesting but not terribly entertaining. A lot of the time it seems like a film that doesn't know where it is going.
More engrossing is "Below," a supernatural thriller about a submarine crew during World War II. It is bad enough to be stuck under the surface of the ocean, but when weird things start happening where do you run!
Bruce Greenwood and Olivia Williams lead the cast of this gripping film. It is creepy and scary and all those other things a horror film should be. If you like that type of movie you are going to relish this one.
"Malevolent" is one of those Alfred Hitchcock type movies in that an innocent man is accused of a crime he didn't commit. In this one Lou Diamond Phillips is the man accused of murder. He has to fight and fight hard to clear his name.
Kari Wuhrer and Steven Bauer also star in this tense thriller. They all may not be A list stars but they are solid in this movie.
The same is true of "Motorcycle Gang" which stars Jake Busey and Carla Gugino. This is the kind of "B" grade flick that is nothing but fun to watch. Busey, following in his father Gary's footsteps, plays the head of a motorcycle who takes a shine to Gugino. Determined that she will be his, he takes her with him and the adventure begins
Gerald McRaney also stars in this fast and furious film that has action and suspense from start to finish.
"Swimfan" is another suspenseful movie. This one is about obsession and its ramifications. Erika Christensen plays a girl who becomes obsessed with a high school swimmer. She literally becomes his stalker and won't stop until he is hers.
Jesse Bradford plays the object of her affection. He knows she is obsessive but he is helpless to make her stop. That is until he is pushed too far. Then he fights back.
This is a teen flick but one with a difference. It is action packed and tackles a serious subject with enthusiasm. Bradford and Christensen make a great odd couple.
For the kids there is "Inspector Gadget 2." French Stewart steps into Matthew Broderick's gimmicky shoes as the robotic detective with a gadget up his sleeve and everywhere else. Elaine Hendrix plays the female robot that attracts him.
For little girls there are some "Strawberry Shortcake" movies out there now. These "SS" movies feature a more modern looking heroine and some great sing along songs. Get them now for your daughter to watch and enjoy.
And for the younger kids there are some "Stanley" stories to be seen, such as "Hop To It" and "Spring Fever." Stanley and his friends, including Dennis the Goldfish, keep the kids entertained and educated from start to finish.
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