Buena Vista Previews

Ealasaid/ September 4, 1998/ Movie Reviews and Features

Originally written for The Occidental.

Well, film fans, we’re back again for another fall of moviegoing. Buena Vista pictures has an impressive lineup of flicks for the next few months, judging by the previews they’ve been showing. Here’s a look at what’s coming up, and some predictions. Check back next week for more of the same!

First up is Simon Birch, which appears to be a warmhearted drama-comedy. It follows the adventures of an unlikely pair of friends: Simon (Ian Michael Smith) and Joe (Joseph Mazzello). Simon was the smallest delivery ever recorded in the history of his hometown hospital, and was proclaimed a miracle. Now, he constantly reminds everyone of that fact, and is convinced that he’s destined to be a hero. The preview itself contains a variety of scenes (generally a good sign) with both humor and pathos. My prediction: it’’ll be a good movie, but without the action and adventure which has characterized the summer. [Check out my review]

Holy Man stars Eddie Murphy, and may well be the first film of his I’’ve actually looked forward to seeing in quite some time. Murphy plays an inspirational religious type, who is persuaded to go into home shopping — where he proves himself a marketing genius. Jeff Goldblum and Kelly Preston co-star, and (provided that they didn’’t pack all the funny parts into the preview) looks like a good movie. My prediction: a lighthearted, witty comedy — or another Murphy bomb. Hard to tell…

Adam Sandler is back as another underdog in The Waterboy. Bobby Boucher (Sandler) firmly believes that delivering water to dehydrated athletes is life’s greatest calling. Unfortunately, the athletes don’t agree, and take every opportunity to pick on him. When he finally loses it, and goes after them, he displays an amazing talent for tackling and is instantly signed or a college athletic scholarship. Unfortunately, that means that he actually has to go to classes — which isn’t his forte. The preview mocks great sports epics, and informs the viewer that The Waterboy is directed by the same fellow who directed The Wedding Singer. My prediction: if you liked Wedding Singer, you’ll probably like The Waterboy.

A Bug’s Life comes to us from Disney and the creators of Toy Story. It looks like another twisted take on a genre film (Toy Story was a buddy movie from the toys’ point of view, while A Bug’s Life looks like a take off of old military flicks). Flik is an ant who tries to save his colony from a mob of grasshoppers who want to steal all their food. When Flik enlists help in fighting off the invaders, the troops turn out to be a collection of performers from a flea circus. Although the storyline is fairly obvious and predictable, it looks like a fun little flick. My prediction: good for the young and the young at heart. So if you liked Toy Story, my bet is that you’ll like A Bug’s Life.

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