SANTA FE SCENE - Movie Reviews - Alphabetical

When schools become war zones and both sides start taking casualties, what then?

Trevor Garfield (Samuel L. Jackson) is a serious high-school science teacher in New York City who really cares about his subject and looks for unique ways to teach it to his students. When he finds the numbers "187" written all over a school text he knows it is time to worry, since that's the police code for Homicide. His fears turn out to be well-founded, as he is viciously stabbed repeatedly by a student whom he had failed to pass. Fifteen months later, after moving to Los Angeles and recovering physically from his wounds, Garfield embarks on a teaching assignment as a sub at an L.A. school as rough as the one he left behind. His reputation has preceeded him, and in spite of his standoffish manner, he makes friends with teachers Dave Childress (John Heard) and Ellen Henry (Kelly Rowan) who are impressed with the fact that Garfield would continue teaching after such an attack. The macho students in Garfield's class are not easily impressed; they know that the administration is so afraid of litigation that teachers don't dare attempt to follow through with disciplinary measures, and a few gang members (including Clifton Gonzalez Gonzalez, Jonah Rooney and Lobo Sebastian -- all of whom put in outstanding performances) do as they please both on and off campus. Garfield and Ellen begin dating; she seems to draw strength from his no-nonsense attitude (she's been threatened by a student herself). Garfield compromises his position by tutoring a young female student (Karina Arroyave) in his home. The stress on both sides escalates when Ellen's beloved dog is killed; soon subsequent events awake Ellen's suspicions about Garfield.

Directed by Kevin Reynolds

Produced by: Icon Productions / R U Dun Productions
Certification: USA:R
Sound Mix: DTS / Dolby Digital
Distributed by: Warner Bros.

Out to Sea

Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau
Dyan Cannon
Gloria DeHaven
Brent Spiner
Elaine Stritch
Hal Linden
Donald O'Connor
Edward Mulhare
Rue McClanahan
Alexandra Powers
Sean O'Bryan
Esther Scott
Allan Rich
...and many others in a GREAT CAST!

20th Century Fox/Davis Entertainment

USA: PG-13 for language and
sex-related humor

Directed by Martha Coolidge

We went to this movie expecting the same old shtick as we have come to expect from these grumpy old dudes. Of course, there is that, but this is simply a hilarious and thoroughly entertaining film. Matthau plays Charlie, a down on-his-luck gambling man, who offers his pal and widowed brother-in-law, Herb (Lemmon, of course!) an opportunity to take a cruise. However, there's a catch... Charlie has signed them both up as dance hosts - never mind that Charlie can't dance, he only wants to find a rich broad and live happily ever after. The reticent and soft-spoken Herb, on the other hand, is a reluctant hit with the ladies - particularly one, Vivian (the ever-lovely Gloria DeHaven). Charlie manages to stay out of the ballroom for awhile by pretending an injury - much to the chagrin of Entertainment Director Gil Godwyn (Brent Spiner, who just about stole the show). Charlie's in a tux gambling with the big boys and falling for Liz (Dyan Cannon - can you believe she's actually 60 this year?), whom he believes is a wealthy Texan.

Rue McLanahan plays Mrs. Carruthers, the owner of the cruise line, and she should be given an award for making it through the dance sequence with Matthau! And what an absolute pleasure to see Donald O'Connor dance and hear Hal Linden sing. Elaine Stritch had us in stitches as Mavis LaBreche, Liz's wisecracking mother, and the entire supporting cast was first-rate.

Guess you know how I would rate this movie. I'd throw them all a handful of stars. Maybe life really does begin at 60?

************