Pick flicks

Eruptions and other disasters hit the screen

by Peter Keough

Dueling volcanoes, long-delayed sequels, a continuing plague of directorial debuts by actors, new efforts by some bright up-and-coming directors, and attempts at comebacks by past great directors who have lost their shine are among the treats being offered by Hollywood in 1997. Here's a glimpse at what's hitting the big screen in the next few months.

JANUARY

Albino Alligator. After winning an Oscar for his creepy performance in The Usual Suspects, Kevin Spacey probably deserves a shot behind the camera. But his Albino Alligator (with Faye Dunaway) sounds like standard neo-Tarantino, with Matt Dillon and gang holding the denizens of the title dive hostage after the inevitable botched heist.

Blood and Wine. Bob Rafelson tries to return to form, reaching for that same magic he had with Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces. This time, Jack's a down-on-his-luck wine merchant who works a jewelry heist with Michael Caine while trying to get in the sack with his stepson Stephen Dorff's girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez. Sounds a little busy, but, with the great Judy Davis as Nicholson's wife, it might go down easy.

Citizen Ruth. At last, now that John Salvi is gone, we can look at the lighter side of the abortion debate. Laura Dern is the citizen of the title in this satiric comedy; a ne'er-do-well four-time unwed mother whose fifth pregnancy becomes a rallying point for both pro-lifers and pro-choicers. Director Alexander Payne will try to make this funny.

Fierce Creatures. It took eight years to make the sequel to A Fish Called Wanda, and the delays and doubts surrounding its release suggest it might have been too soon. John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, and Michael Palin return from the original cast, and among the newcomers are a wallaby, a tarantula, and a gorilla. Set in a zoo, the plot makes no sense. Could be fun.

Hamlet. Kenneth Branagh may be pushing the Bardwagon a bit too hard with this full-length, four-hour adaptation of the play that's had people scratching their heads for four centuries. Can't fault his casting, though: himself as the Prince, Julie Christie as Gertrude, Kate Winslet as Ophelia, and a surprisingly poised Pauly Shore in an unbilled turn as Fortinbras, Prince of Norway.

The People vs. Larry Flynt. The publisher of Hustler magazine has paid for his sins through years of litigation to protect his First Amendment rights and a sentence in a wheelchair after a failed assassination attempt. Milos Forman attempts to do him justice with this biopic, casting Woody Harrelson in the title role. Courtney Love has been getting Oscar buzz for her performance as Flynt's junkie wife, Althea.

Portrait of a Lady. Jane Campion strives to expand her range beyond The Piano with her adaptation of Henry James's great novel (move over, Jane Austen). Nicole Kidman and John Malkovich help out, but what's the cinematic equivalent of a semi-colon?

FEBRUARY

Absolute Power. What's left for Clint Eastwood after Oscars for Unforgiven and, that ultimate triumph, turning The Bridges of Madison County into a watchable movie? Why, Absolute Power, of course. Clint directs and stars in this adaptation of the David Baldacci best-seller, playing a criminal who witnesses the murder of the First Lady and is pursued by a nefarious president played by Gene Hackman. Hillary might want to take a look at this one.

Dante's Peak. Inner space is in and outer space is out as volcanoes replace aliens this year as apocalyptic high concept. Roger Donaldson takes us through the gentle pleasures of vulcanism, and seismologist Pierce Brosnan tries to convince the locals that the picturesque mountain of the title is about to make them a modern-day Pompeii.

Volcano. Ditto Mick Jackson, except this time the film takes place in Los Angeles. With Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche looking menaced, resourceful, and brave.

SubUrbia. No slacker he, Richard Linklater adds to his repertoire of eclectic independent films with this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's stage play about an aimless bunch of suburban twentysomethings who try to get a grip. With Jayce Bartok, Steve Zahn, and the inevitable Parker Posey.

Lost Highway. He's made a few wrong career turns of late; will David Lynch find his way back with Lost Highway? It sounds like a return to his Blue Velvet period, as Bill Pullman plays a guy who slips into one of those pesky alternative universes and confronts his murderous alter ego, played by Balthazar Getty. With Patricia Arquette in two roles, and a supporting cast including Gary Busey and Richard Pryor, this could be an interesting ride.

AND BEYOND

The spring promises Great Expectations, with Robert DeNiro. Demi Moore plays the first female Navy SEAL in Ridley Scott's A Matter of Honor. David Cronenberg has an NC-17-rated adaptation of J.G. Ballard's Crash, with James Spader and Holly Hunter. And Steven Spielberg's The Lost World: Jurassic Park devours screens everywhere as the summer sweepstakes begin in May.