Good Will Hunting

100584 / 12 / US / 1997 / Van Sant, Gus / / drama
Good Will Hunting / Will Hunting. © Miramax Film Corp. P: Lawrence Bender. D: Gus Van Sant. SC: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon. DP: Jean Yves Escoffier. CAST: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, Stellan Skarsgård. 126’. 1,85. Finnish / Swedish subtitles by Timo Porri / Janne Staffans. DIST: Scanbox Finland. Viewed in Helsinki, VET, Friday 30 January 1998. *** Probably one of the top ten films of the year, this is Gus Van Sant’s best achievement so far. It takes place between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and South Boston: the elite and the underdog. Damon plays the boy wonder from the slums. He has become a delinquent, a multiple offender, on a serious downward spiral. He is noticed by the master mathematicist Skarsgård who finally finds for him a psychiatrist whom the boy cannot drive crazy - Robin Williams. There is true anger and true wisdom in the story. Gus Van Sant keeps developing his visual style, too, here together with his excellent DP Escoffier.

As Good As It Gets

100580 / 12 / US / 1997 / Brooks, James L. / drama / comedy
As Good As It Gets / Elämä on ihanaa. © TriStar Pictures. P+D: James L. Brooks. SC: Mark Andrus, James L. Brooks. CAST: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding, Jr. 138’. 1,85. Finnish subtitles by Timo Porri. DIST: Columbia TriStar Egmont Finland. Viewed in Helsinki, VET, Thursday 29 January 1998. *** New York stories of a misanthropic writer (Nicholson), a gay artist (Kinnear) and Helen Hunt as the only waitress in town who can stand Nicholson. It is a different and surprising story where one never can tell what will happen next. In the attempt at a relaxed tempo the film loses momentum, but it has interesting things to say.

Muistiratoja

A-027719 / G / FI / 1998 / Salmenhaara, Eero / documentary essay
Muistiratoja. © Kari Kekkonen Ky. D: Werneri Salmenhaara = Eero Salmenhaara. SC: Alpo Ruuth. FEATURING: Alpo Ruuth, Werneri Salmenhaara. 42’. 16mm. DIST: Kari Kekkonen Ky. VHS /PAL 25 fps: 40’/ projection in Helsinki, VET, Wednesday 28 January 1998. The filmmaker and the screenwriter, the well-known author Alpo Ruuth, share the common fate of paralysis. Together they travel the railway tracks running through the city of Helsinki. It’s a personal documentary essay.

The Celluloid Closet

Robert Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman: The Celluloid Closet (1995).

/ / US / 1995 / Epstein, Robert etc. / documentary
    Celluloid Closet, The / Luuranko kaapissa.
    US 1995 © Reflecting Image Ltd. D: Robert Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman. Based on the book by Vito Russo. Narration written by Armistead Maupin. M: Carter Burwell. Theme song: ”Secret Love” performed by k.d. lang.
    CLIPS: Their First Mistake, Morocco, Queen Christina, Red River, Calamity Jane, Rebecca, The Maltese Falcon, Ben Hur, Victim, Advise and Consent, A Walk On the Wild Side, Cruising, Making Love, Sunday Bloody Sunday, The Color Purple, Thelma & Louise, Boys On the Side, Philadelphia, Parting Glances, Desert Hearts, Pillow Talk, Caged, Silkwood.
    FEAT: Tony Curtis, Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Dyer, Gore Vidal, Farley Granger, Stewart Stern, Shirley MacLaine, Tom Hanks, Ron Nyswaner, John Schlesinger, Susan Sarandon. 101’.
    Telecast by Yleisradio TV2 ”25th Hour” on 27 January 1998 (PAL). Finnish commentary and subtitles by Petri Griinari, Tuija Westerholm. Below average transmission quality. Viewed in Helsinki on VHS on Saturday 31 January 1998. ****

A first rate compilation film about the hidden story of homosexual love in the history of the American cinema. The clips are marvellous and put in context get new resonance. The international dimension is completely missing. The first feature film depicting homosexuality was Wings (1916) directed in Sweden by the Helsinki-born Mauritz Stiller.

Cop Land

James Mangold: Cop Land (US 1997) with Harvey Keitel (Ray Donlan), Sylvester Stallone (Freddy Heflin), Robert De Niro (Moe Tilden) and Ray Liotta (Gary Figgis).

100578 / 16 / US / 1997 / Mangold, James / thriller

Copland / CopLand / CopLand. © Miramax Film Corp. EX: Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Meryl Poster. D+SC: James Mangold. M: Howard Shore. CAST: Sylvester Stallone, Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro, Janeane Garofalo, Annabella Sciorra. 105’. 1,85. MPAA 35498. Rated R = 17. BBFC: 15. Finnish subtitles by Movision. DIST: Scanbox Finland. Viewed in Helsinki, VET, Tuesday 27 January 1998. *** Fine realistic police drama reaches dimensions of true tragedy as slow witted sheriff Stallone has to confront a team of corrupted top officers. Moving, elegiac score by Howard Shore.

Flubber

100577 / 8 / 5 / US / 1997 / Mayfield, Les / / comedy
Flubber / Maailman mahtavin mönjä. © Disney Enterprises. P: John Hughes, Ricardo Mestres. D: Les Mayfield. Based on the screenplay by Bill Walsh for The Absent Minded Professor / Hajamielinen professori (Walt Disney Company 1961). M: Danny Elfman. CAST: Robin Williams, Marcia Gay Harden. 93’. MPAA 35540. Rated PG-13. Finnish subtitles by Hannele Vahtera. DIST: Finnkino. Viewed in Helsinki, VET, Monday 26 January 1998. ** I have never seen the original and did not warm up to this remake. Loud noise and special effects cannot fill the void when style and warmth are missing.

Pornographic videos 23 January 1998

Stripper Nurses
100576 / 18 / US / 1997 / Holliday, Jim / / pornography
Stripper Nurses / Stark medicin / Vahvaa lääkettä. PC: Plush Entertainment. A Max’s release. D: Jim Holliday. CAST: Debi Diamond, Bionca, T.T. Boy, Nick East. 115’ /25 fps/ PAL. Finnish subtitles. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Friday 23 January 1998.

Shock
100571 / 18 / US / 1996 / Ninn, Michael / / pornography
Shock / Shock. © VCA Labs. A Max’s release. D: Michael Ninn. CAST: Shayla LaVeaux, Tyffany Million, Jon Dough, Peter North. 130’ /25 fps/ PAL. Swedish subtitles. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Friday 23 January 1998.

Pirate 1 - Fetish Hotel
100572 / 18 / FR / 1997 / Thring, Frank / / pornography
Pirate 1- Fetish Hotel. © Milcap Publishing Group. A Private / Max’s release. D: Frank Thring. CAST: Jessica, Reka, Ana. 74’ /25 fps/ PAL. Swedish subtitles. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Friday 23 January 1998.

Woodman Casting 4
100573 / 18 / FR / 1997 / Woodman, Pierre / pornography
Woodman Casting 4. © Milcap Publishing Group. A Private release. D: Pierre Woodman. CAST: Barby, Bettina, Laura, Pierre Woodman. 121’ /25 fps/ PAL. Swedish subtitles. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Friday 23 January 1998.

The Temptations of Clarisse
100574 / 18 / FR / 1997 / Clark, Christophe / pornography
Temptations of Clarisse, The / Clarisses frestelser / Gaia 5 - The Temptations of Clarisse. © Milcap Publishing Group. A Private release. D: Christophe Clark. CAST: Carmen, Hyapatia, Andrew Youngman, Christophe Clark. 75’ /25 fps/ PAL. Swedish subtitles. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Friday 23 January 1998.

Triple X Files
100575 / 18 / FR / 1997 / Clousot, F., etc. / / pornography
Triple X Files. © Milcap Publishing Group. A Private release. D: F. Clousot, A. Milo, C. Clark. CAST: Nicole, Angelica, Christina. 106’ /25 fps/ PAL. Swedish subtitles. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Friday 23 January 1998.

The Winter Guest

Alan Rickman: The Winter Guest (GB 1997) starring Emma Johnson and Phyllida Law.

100568 / G / GB / 1997 / Rickman, Alan / / drama / Winter Guest, The. © The Winter Guest Ltd. D: Alan Rickman. Based on the play by Sharman MacDonald. DP: Seamus McGarvey. CAST: Emma Thompson, Phyllida Law, Gary Hollywood. 106’. Finnish subtitles by Movision. DIST: Scanbox Finland. Viewed in Helsinki, VET, Friday 23 January 1998. ** The minimalistic chamber piece takes place on a cold day in a Scottish seacoast town. Excellent photography and performances don’t add up to a stirring experience.

Beavis and Butt-head Do America

/ 12 / US / 1996 / Judge, Mike / / animation
Beavis and Butt-head Do America. © MTV Networks. A Paramount release. D: Mike Judge. Tracks and performers include: ”Two Cool Guys” theme by Isaac Hayes; ”Lesbian Seagull” by Engelbert Humperdinck; tracks by White Zombie, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc. Voice talent: Mike Judge, Demi Moore, Bruce Willis, Robert Stack. 81’ = 78’ /25 fps/ PAL. DIST: Finnkino. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Tuesday 20 January 1998. **** First rate animated feature succeeds in the difficult task of transcending the televisual origins of the material. Most of the Beavis and Butt-head routines are discarded. Instead, the story is based on the picaresque form. The film starts as the duo’s TV set is confiscated. During their quest of a new one they get to travel from coast to coast , become America’s Most Wanted criminals, darken the lights of Vegas, break the Hoover Dam and cause the worst freeway catastrophe in history. Well paced, with a solid soundtrack, and many good jokes.

Pornographic videos 20 January 1998

Andrew Blake: Paris Chic (US 1997).

Megameloner 4

100557 / 18 / US / 1997 / / / pornography
Megameloner 4. © Max’s. CAST: Meesha Lynn, Angelica Fox, Veronica Brazil, Holly Body. 126’ /25 fps/ PAL. Finnish subtitles. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Tuesday 20 January 1998.

New Wave Hookers 5 – The Next Generation
100558 / 18 / US / 1997 / Ninn, Michael / / pornography
New Wave Hookers 5 - The Next Generation. © VCA Labs. A Max’s release. D: Michael Ninn. CAST: Juli Ashton, Vicca, Peter North, Mark Davis. 118’ /25 fps/ PAL. Finnish subtitles. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Tuesday 20 January 1998.

Super Max’s Magazine 8
100559 / 18 / SE / 1997 / / / pornography
Super Max’s Magazine 8. © Max’s. CAST: Selena Steele, Jill Kelly, J.R. Carrington, Max Hardcore. 178’ /25 fps/ PAL. Finnish subtitles. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Tuesday 20 January 1998.

Nya nyp 9
100560 / 18 / SE / 1996 / / / pornography
Nya nyp 9. © Max’s. CAST: Tina Tyler, Sean Michaels, Stacey Valentine, Jessie James. 141’ /25 fps/ PAL. Finnish subtitles. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Tuesday 20 January 1998.

Paris Chic
100561 / 18 / US / 1997 / Blake, Andrew / / pornography
Paris Chic / Erotica 2. © Studio A Entertainment. A Max’s release. D: Andrew Blake. CAST: Lea Martini, Coralie, Anita Blond, Bruno Aissix. 92’ /25 fps/ PAL. Finnish subtitles. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET,Tuesday 20 January 1998.

Amistad

Steven Spielberg: Amistad (US 1997). Matthew McConaughey (Roger Sherman Baldwin), Djimon Hounsou (Cinque), Anthony Hopkins (John Quincy Adams), Morgan Freeman (Theodore Joadson).

Steven Spielberg: Amistad (US 1997).

/ / US / 1997 / Spielberg, Steven / historical drama

Amistad / Amistad. © DreamWorks. P+D: Steven Spielberg. CAST: Djimon Hounsou (Cinque), Matthew McConaughey (Baldwin), Anthony Hopkins (John Quincy Adams). 152’. 1,85. Spoken in English and Mende. Finnish subtitles by Janne Staffans. DIST: UIP Finland. Viewed in Helsinki, VET, Monday 19 January 1998. *** A pedagogical historical drama, a message picture about the 1839 Spanish slave ship rebellion of La Amistad. A meticulous production.

Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari

Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari, poster by Theo Matejko. Please click to enlarge.

011308 / 16 / DE / 1920 / Wiene, Robert / / horror
Cabinet des Dr. Caligari, Das / Tohtori Caligarin kabinetti. PC: Decla-Film. EX: Erich Pommer. D: Robert Wiene. SC: Carl Mayer, Hans Janowitz. DP: Willy Hameister. AD: Walter Röhrig, Walter Reimann, Hermann Warm. CAST: Werner Krauss (Dr. Caligari), Conrad Veidt (Cesare), Lil Dagover (Jane), Friedrich Fehér (Francis), Hans-Heinz von Twardowski (Alan). Silent b&w toned. Originally 1703 m /18 fps/ 82’. ZDF 1983 reconstruction with music, not toned by Gerd Luft and Jürgen Labenski based on the 1923 re-release with material from the Munich and SDK Archives, ca 74’. Finnish subtitles by Riitta Piironen. Silent frame uglily cropped to Academy. With the edges cut off, the beautiful title cards turn illegible and the composition of the image is thrown off balance. Yleisradio TV2 transmission viewed in Helsinki, Sunday 18 January 1998. **** The film is one of a kind, still magnetic. One has to adjust to the twisted style to find the strange fascination and the black humour of the film. It is the first great zombie story of the cinema. This Luft / Labenski reconstruction was the best available 15 years ago, although the music and sound effects are best turned off at once. Today one should screen the 1995 Lumière Project restoration.

Pornographic videos 16 January 1998

Gregory Dark: The Devil in Miss Jones 5: The Inferno (US 1995).

The Devil in Miss Jones 5: The Inferno / Gregory Dark's DMJ5: The Inferno / The Inferno.

100552 / 18 / US / 1995 / Dark, Gregory / / pornography
Inferno, The / Satans slynor. © VCA Labs. A Max’s release. P: The Dark Bros. D: Gregory Dark. CAST: Juli Ashton, Felecia, Darcy McDaniels, Leslie Forbes. 93’ /25 fps/ PAL. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Friday 16 January 1998.

Woodman Casting 1
100553 / 18 / FR / 1997 / Woodman, Pierre / pornography
Woodman Casting 1 / Woodman Casting X 1. © Milcap Publishing Group. A Private release. D: Pierre Woodman. CAST: Blondie, Inna, Julia Channel, Pierre Woodman. 124’ /25 fps/ PAL. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Friday 16 January 1998.

Woodman Casting 2
100554 / 18 / FR / 1997 / Woodman, Pierre / pornography
Woodman Casting 2 / Woodman Casting X 2. © Milcap Publishing Group. A Private release. D: Pierre Woodman. CAST: Aliza, Barbara Doll, Christy, Pierre Woodman. 125’ /25 fps/ PAL. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Friday 16 January 1998.

Woodman Casting 3
100555 / 18 / FR / 1997 / Woodman, Pierre / pornography
Woodman Casting 3 / Woodman Casting X 3. © Milcap Publishing Group. A Private release. D: Pierre Woodman. CAST: Nikky Anderson, Betty, Diana, Pierre Woodman. 124’ /25 fps/ PAL. DIST: Obsession Oy. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Friday 16 January 1998.

Police Investigation 14 Jan 1998

Mikko Jylhä: Russian Sexmachine Rasputin (FI 1996) starring Gregory Smirnov, Alexandra Romanov and Isak Novgorod.

Pintaa syvemmältä
 / 18 / FI / 1992 / Koivisto, Kullervo / pornography
Pintaa syvemmältä. PC: Dawai Corporation. D: Kullervo Koivisto. CAST: Jorma K. Salonen, Ina Uni, Martin Bär, Michelle Brant. Director’s cut. 86’ /25 fps/ PAL. Police investigation. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Thursday 15 January 1998.

Russian Sexmachine Rasputin
 / 18 / FI / 1996 / Jylhä, Mikko /  / pornography
Russian Sexmachine Rasputin. PC: Reindeer Film Company / Nitoly. D: Mikko Jylhä. CAST: Gregory Smirnov, Alexandra Romanov, Isak Novgorod. 83’ /25 fps/ PAL. In English. Police investigation. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Thursday 15 January 1998.

Sabina Story 1
 / 18 / FI / 199- / Jylhä, Mikko /  / pornography
Sabina Story 1. PC: Calbourne Trading; Papillon Films. D: Mikko Jylhä. CAST: Sabina, Lynn Lemay, Edwin, Vivian. 75’ /25 fps/ PAL. International cut. In Spanish. Police investigation. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Thursday 15 January 1998.

Sabina Story 1
 / 18 / FI / 199- / Jylhä, Mikko /  / pornography
Sabina Story 1. PC: Calbourne Trading; Papillon Films. D: Mikko Jylhä. CAST: Sabina, Lynn Lemay, Edwin, Vivian. 85’ /25 fps/ PAL. Finnish cut. In Finnish. Police investigation. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Thursday 15 January 1998.

Maistuisiko sexi?
 / 18 / FI / 1996 / Kooma, Kauko /  / pornography
Maistuisiko sexi? / Do You Think I’m Sexy? PC: Sexy Sally Video Production. D: Kauko Kooma. CAST: Tiina, Berit, Wilma, Anne, Marco. 71’ /25 fps/ PAL. Dubbed in Finnish. Police investigation. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Thursday 15 January 1998.

Euro Clips Doppel
 / 18 / DE / 199- /  /  / pornography
Euro Clips Doppel / Euroturbo 2. Compilation edited by Sex-Shop Finland. 177’ /25 fps/ PAL. Dubbed in German. Police investigation. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Thursday 15 January 1998.

Amatöörivideot 1
 / 18 / FI / 1996 / Jylhä, Mikko /  / pornography
Amatöörivideot 1. PC: Calbourne Trading. D: Mikko Jylhä. CAST: Ilona, Virpi, Leena, Sepi, Martin. 81’ /25 fps/ PAL. Finnish commentary. Police investigation. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Thursday 15 January 1998.

Teiniorgiat 4 - Kiimainen kesä
 / 18 / FI / 1995 / Koivisto, Kullervo / pornography
Teiniorgiat 4 - Kiimainen kesä. PC: Calbourne Trading. A Seventeen Production release (Amsterdam). D: Kullervo Koivisto. Filmed in Estonia. 75’ /25 fps/ PAL. Finnish commentary. Police investigation. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Thursday 15 January 1998.

Pissa Video
 / 18 / FI / 1997 /  /  / pornography
Pissa Video. PC: PNG Productions. Filmed in Estonia. 56’ /25 fps/ PAL. Police investigation. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Thursday 15 January 1998.

Boogie Nights

Paul Thomas Anderson: Boogie Nights (US 1997).

100543 / 16 / US / 1997 / Anderson, Paul Thomas / drama Boogie Nights / Boogie Nights. © New Line Productions. EX: Lawrence Gordon. D+SC: Paul Thomas Anderson. Tracks and performers include ”Boogie Shoes” by K.C. & The Sunshine Band, ”Livin’ Thing” by ELO, ”You Sexy Thing” by Hot Chocolate. CAST: Mark Wahlberg (Dirk Diggler), Burt Reynolds (Jack Horner), Julianne Moore (Amber Waves), Heather Graham (Rollergirl). 152’. Scope. MPAA 34763. Rated R = 17. Finnish titles by Jari Niittylä. DIST: Warner Bros. Finland. Viewed in Helsinki, VET, Wednesday 14 January 1998. ****

The saga of the California porn movie business from the 1970s to the 1980s. A fast-moving excursion into a soulless, tawdry world. Required viewing for anybody interested in that huge, mysterious, and little explained industry. Great performers, great pop music selections.

The Front Page (1931)

Lewis Milestone: The Front Page (US 1931). Pat O'Brien as Hildy Johnson.

072986 / G / US / 1931 / Milestone, Lewis / drama / comedy

Etusivu uusiksi / Det stora reportaget. PC: The Caddo Company. P: Howard Hughes. D: Lewis Milestone. SC: Bartlett Cormack – based on the play by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. CAST: Adolphe Menjou (Walter Burns), Pat O’Brien (Hildy Johnson), Mary Brian (Peggy Grant), Mae Clarke (Molly Malloy), Edward Everett Horton (Roy Bensinger), Slim Summerville (Irving Pincus). B&w Early Sound 1,2. 101’ /25 fps/ PAL = 105’ /24 fps/. This film was never released in Finnish cinemas nor on video. Yleisradio TV2 transmitted it in 1996 and again 11 January 1998. Transmission’s 16 mm start material had awful definition and poor sound, and the early sound aperture was uglily cropped. Viewed in Helsinki on VHS, Monday 12 January 1998. *** Because of the miserable TV print it was impossible to enjoy the film. But it is evident that this is a superbly acted version of the tough, almost horrifying, Hecht / MacArthur play. This Pre-Code version is probably the toughest of the four films based on the play, and in many ways more daring than the 1940 remake His Girl Friday. It was not such a big step for Hawks to turn Hildy into a woman. Not that Pat O’Brien is at all feminine, but in this version, too, it is obvious that the true love story is between Walter Burns and Hildy Johnson.

Anastasia (1997 Don Bluth & Gary Goldman animation)

Don Bluth & Gary Goldman: Anastasia (US 1997).

100541 / 8/5 / US / 1997 / Bluth, Don & Gary Goldman / animated
Anastasia / Anastasia. © 20th Century Fox. P+D: Don Bluth, Gary Goldman. SC based on the screenplay by Arthur Laurents for the 1956 20th Century Fox live action motion picture. Finnish voices: Petra Karjalainen, Paavo Kerosuo, Markku Riikonen. 94’. CinemaScope. MPAA 35550. Rated: G. Finnish version. DIST: Columbia TriStar Egmont Finland. Viewed in Helsinki, VET, Friday 9 January 1998. *** Breathtaking, sumptuous animated historical fantasy with a strong, temperamental central character and several engrossing setpieces (the runaway train, the butterfly dream). History is played for fairytale as the Russian Revolution is crystallized in the figure of Rasputin as the Mad Monk From Hell. The animation of the fantasy elements is first rate. The human characters are wooden, Anastasia fortunately being more lively. Everybody keeps praising the Finnish dubbing of the animated films, but I find it affected and condescending. Children should not be insulted by talking down to them, on the contrary, the standards should be higher.

Spawn

Mark A. Z. Dippé: Spawn (US 1997). Michael Jai White as Spawn.

V-003445 / 16 / US / 1997 / Dippé, Mark A. Z. / fantasy

Spawn / Spawn. © New Line Productions. P: Clint Goldman. D: Mark A. Z. Dippé. Based on the comic book by Todd McFarlane. DP: Guillermo Navarro. FX: Steve ”Spaz” Williams - Industrial Light & Magic. Music selections include performances by Incubus, Marilyn Manson, Prodigy, and Metallica. CAST: Michael Jai White (Spawn), John Leguizamo (Clown), Martin Sheen (Jason Wynn), Theresa Randle (Wanda), Nicol Williamson (Cogliostro), Melinda Clarke (Jessica Priest). 95’ /25 fps/ PAL. MPAA: PG-13. BBFC: 12. DIST: Warner Home Video Finland. VHS projection in Helsinki, VET, Thursday 9 January 1998. *** An astounding feast of special effects from Industrial Light & Magic, Spawn is full of sound and fury, signifying almost nothing. It is an exhibition of the state of the art of special effects.

The Arrangement

078229 / 16 / US / 1969 / Kazan, Elia / / drama
Arrangement, The / Tilinteko. © Athena Enterprises; Warner Bros.-Seven Arts. P+D+SC: Elia Kazan - based on his novel (Sopimus elämän kanssa in Finnish translation). DP: Robert Surtees. PD: Gene Callahan. CAST: Kirk Douglas (Eddie Anderson), Faye Dunaway (Gwen), Deborah Kerr (Florence Anderson), Richard Boone (Sam Anderson), Hume Cronyn (the lawyer), Harold Gould (the analyst). 125’. Scope. MPAA 22184. SEA / Warner Bros. print with Finnish / Swedish subtitles by Christina Kilpi / . Viewed in Helsinki, SEA, Cinema Orion, Wednesday 8 January 1998. *** The film definitely gains being seen within a week from America, America. Its protagonist is on his deathbed now, and we follow the life of his son. It’s ”about a man whose entire life is a series of phoney arrangements: his marriage, his work, his sexual escapades and his friendships”, to quote the synopsis of the BFI CD-ROM. Kazan’s ultra sharp dialogue is delivered with gusto by top performers. The film is marred by clumsy and overdone satire, awkward hallucinations and flashbacks, and irritating experiments without style of any kind. In many ways it’s terribly dated, but still retaining a sense of epic vision, especially in the context of America, America. Together they are a great counterpart to the Godfather trilogy.

Eurodisc Playlist for 14.64.12

100536 / G / US etc. / 1997 / various / / music video
Eurodisc Playlist for 14.64.12 / Musiikkikooste 14-64-12. Compiled by Pioneer Video Manufacturing. DIST: Ulkokaupat Oy. Laserdisc. Projected at VET, Helsinki, Wednesday 7 January 1998.
Natalie Imbruglia: Torn ***
Brand New Heavies, The: You’ve Got A Friend **
Rolling Stones, The: Anyone Seen My Baby? ***
Puff Daddy: It’s All About The Benjamins ***
Sly & Robbie Featuring Simply Red: Night Nurse **
Depeche Mode: Useless **
Joe Cocker: N’oubliez jamais qui tu es **
Jimmy Ray: Are You Jimmy Ray? **
Smash Mouth: Walkin’ On The Sun **
Barbra Streisand & Celine Dion: Tell Him *