•*••• REVIEWS
REVIEWS That neither the fihii nor its characters seem to know where they're headed adds to the invigorating sense of spontaneity. Occasionally dark, often hopeful but always intriguing, "Smoke" is a triumph of minimalist independent filmmaking— as leisurely and natural as a Sunday drive, and just as pleasurable. — VTrtde Major BRAVEHEART •*•• Starring Mel Gibson, Patrick McGoohan, Sophie Marceau and Catherine McCormack. Directed by Mel Gibson. Written by Randall Wallace. Produced by Mel Gibson, Alan Ladd Jr. and Bnice Davey. A Paramount release. Drama. Rated R for brutal medieval waifare. Running time: 177 min. It would be easy to say that director/star Mel Gibson in "Braveheart" has simply situated his Road Warrior in a Middle Ages context. Based loosely on the factual exploits of William Wallace, a 13th-century Scot whose ruthlessness and talent for strategy helped his land win independence, the film is filled with enough battle carnage and hand-to-hand combat to sate virtually any "Road Warrior" fan's bloodlust. But this second Gibson-directed film offers much more than kinetic combat; it's a historical epic worthy of comparison to "Spartacus" and "Lawrence of Arabia." Wallace (Gibson) initially wants no part of his countrymen's move to drive the oppressive English from their soil. He's seen the toll taken in life and limb on those who dared contest the authority of the brutal King Edward (Patrick McGoohan), and he'd rather settle down with his lifelong love (Catherine McCormack) to focus on raising a family. When the cruelty of the occupation dashes that dream, however, he leads a small insurrection that snowballs into a revolutionary army strong enough to vanquish the king's previously indomitable troops. As evidenced by director Gibson's first directorial outing, the small and moving "The Man Without a Face," the star is as assured behind the camera as he is in front of it. Despite the larger scale of this period piece, he exhibits an even greater control of the medium. As with Lean's approach to Lawrence and (to a lesser extent) Kubrick's take on Spartacus, Gibson's presentation of Wallace never lets the sprawling epic elements squash the delicacy and elegance of the lead character's personal motivations. Nor does Gibson allow the protagonist's simply told story to trivialize the grandeur of that hero's historic exploits. Wallace's motivations are as plain as the love of a good woman, but that doesn't cheapen the significance of battles that cost thousands of lives and ultimately led to the alteration of European geography. Exquisitely shot by Oscar winner John Toll and superbly acted by Gibson and his entire supporting cast, "Braveheart" is enthralling for all its three hours. —Jon Silberg EVERYTHING YOUR THEATRE WILL EVER NEED* '(We don't provide theatrical films or an audience) FILM HANDLING: Platters, Rewind Tables, Guidance Hardware, Reels, Film Cleaners, Splicers. Footage Counters, Storage Cabinets AUDITORIUM: Seating, Screens, Maskings, Wall Coverings, Aisle Lighting, Draperies, Acoustical Panels, Carpet PROJECTION BOOTH, Projectors & Sound Reproducers, Reverse Scan Analog Soundheads, Lamphouses & Power Supplies, Consoles, Xenon Bulbs, Lenses, Slide Projectors, Booth & Editing Supplies, Porthole Glass & Frame Assys. SOUND: Speakers, Stereo Sound Systems, Digital Sound Systems, Custom Amplifers, Booth Monitors. CD Players, Sound Racks TICKET BOOTH & LOBBY: Ticket Machines & Accessories, Box Office Microphones & Talk Thru Units, Cash Registers, Reader Boards, Crowd Control Ropes & Poles, Mini Marquees & Marquee Letters, Poster Cases, Display Frames, Special Signs BUY/SELL USED EQUIPMENT: Projectors & Sound Reproducers, Lamphouses & Power Supplies, Stereo Sound Processors, Lenses, Platters, Reels, Ticket Machines SPECIAL SERVICES: Consultation, Architectural, Design & Engineering Service For: • Theatres • Viewing Rooms • Auditoriums Theatre Service & Supply 9826 Glenoaks Blvd., Sun Valley, CA 91352 (818)767-0068 Fax (818) 767-0540 (800) 831-8817 E-Mail: TheatreSer@aol.com Response No. 86
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35T»: JULY 1995, $4.95 ^FECIAL REP
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The business magazine of the motion
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This Season's Hottest Sequel. Cinem
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