— — — FLASHBACK: JAA^f/A/JF 5, 1959 What BOXOFFICE said about... A NIGHT TO REMEMBER [Because it looks unlikely James Cameron's "Titanic" will sail this summer, we thought we'd at least bring our readers a look at a four-decade-old retelling of the sea disaster itself then four decades past. In February 1959, Rank brought Walter Lord's book to the big screen memorably with "A Night to Remember." Notably, exhibitors were already worrying about another see disaster: TV.] One of the greatest catastrophes of modern times—the sinking of the "unsinkable" Titanic after it struck an iceberg in the Atlantic in 1912—has been superbly recreated on film in almost documentary fashion by the Rank Organization. If heavily exploited, this two-hour feature should do fine business, particularly in key cities. Although Walter Lord's best-seller was the basis for an outstanding live TV show, plus a live repeat, a few seasons ago. Rank producer William MacQuitty maintains that these merely serve as trailers for this far more complete and frighteningly realistic film. After 40-odd years, this astonishing tale still has tremendous impact, especially for patrons who remember or had read or heard about the events of that awful night. The picture is splendidly directed by Roy Baker, and Eric Ambler's screenplay evenly divides the screen footage between the nautical side of the disaster and the human angle. The technical credits, including the sharp black-and-white photography and the special effects, could scarcely be surpassed. Kenneth More, who plays the heroic second officer, is the best-known player, but Laurence Naismith (as the Titanic's captain), Michael Goodliffe, Anthony Bushell and John Merivale all makes their scenes count. Frank Lawton and Harriette Johns co-star. EXPLOITIPS For local engagements, advertise for Titanic survivors, who could be honored guests and give interviews about that tragic night Bookshops will cooperate with window displays of Walter Lord's best-seller, and fashion shops might display ladies' styles of that era along with copy for the picture. Kenneth More starred in "Genevieve" and "Doctor in the Hoase" and is in the forthcoming "The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw." CATCHLINES A Picture You'll Never Forget..The True Story of the World's Great Sea Disaster—Brilliantly Told by Walter Lord in His Best-Selling Novel—Now Comes to the Screen...The Full, Fantastic Storj' of the Night the Titanic Went Down in an Icy Sea. with its fish-out-of-water time-waip mayhem, and though there are many hilarious moments (esjjecially those that parody the cheesier aspects of '60s spy flicks) just as many miss the mark. Christine James WARRIORS OF VIRTUE ••• Starring Angus Macfadyen, Mario Yedidia, Marley Shelton and Chao-Li Chi. Directed by Ronny Yu. Written by Michael Vickerman and Hugh Kelley. Produced by Dennis Imw, Ronald Law, Christopher Law, Jeremy Imw and Patricia Ruben. An MGM release. Fantasy. Rated PGforfantasy action violence and some language. Running time: 102 min. Essentially a cross between "The Neverending Story" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," "Warriors of Virtue" could be the most impressive Hollywood debut yet for a Hong Kong director, although lackluster writing and a needlessly muddled storyline somewhat tarnish the effort. Talented newcomer Mario Yedidia stars as Ryan, a standard-issue misfit adolescent whose fertile imagination propels him into a mystical world of martial arts and magic known only as the land of Tao. The once tranquil paradise, however, is threatened by an evil tyrant named Komodo (Angus Macfadyen) who supports his power by draining Tao's Lifespnngs to mine an element called Zubrium. Only one Lifespring remains, ju.st outside Komodo' s reach and guarded by the amazing Warriors of Virtue, aka Roo-Warriors. Nonetheless, the balance of power in Tao lies neither with the Roo-Warriors or Komodo, but with Ryan. Skillfully blending popular motifs from both Hong Kong and Hollywood fantasy films, director Ronny Yu ("The Bride Witn REVIEWS White Hair") and his mostly Hong Kong crew lend "Warriors of Virtue" an exquisite look and feel. Expert martial arts action in the best Hong Kong tradition and first-rate Hollywood special effects and makeup work together to create a magical adventure. Although the Warriors themselves lack the strong personality traits and humor of the Ninja Turtles, they make for more compelling onscreen characij ters, helping to divert attention from a surprisingly amateurish and cliched script. Occasional lapses into overly technical Chinese philosophical jargon, though distracting, are forgivable in view of the overall theme. Wade Major ROMY AND MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION •••* Starring Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, Janeane Garofalo and Alan Camming. Directed by David Mirkin. Written by Robin Schiff. Producedby Laurence Mark. A Buena Vista release. Comedy. Rated R for language. Running time: 91 min. Buena Vista's second high school reunion film in as many weeks, "Romy and Michele" is just as charming and quirky as "Grosse Pointe Blank," with a lighter yet equally witty script. Fun and funny are the adjectives that characterize the mood of the film (based on the stage work "The Ladies' Room," adapted by the playwright, Robin Schiff), with hilariously wmsome performances by Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow as the titular dimwit duet. Sorvino' s talent for amusingly odd vocal inflections (which helped get her that Oscar for "Mighty Aphrodite") is key to Romy's Valley Girl appeal; Kudrow's Michele may be "Friends'" Phoebe redux, but it works well in this tale of two nonconformist but slackerly misfits who fabricate glamorous lives to impress their former school nemeses. "Romy and Michele' s High School Reunion" is replete with audiovisual delights; with our heroines' outrageous fashion sense and a soundtrack jam-packed with '80s hits, the film captures much of the glamor and glitter indigenous to Me Generation-era offspring. Yet, in addition to bubbly baubles, there are some real gems in the script, and in the performances as well. With clever flashbacks and wacky dream sequences, there's never a lag in the movie's humor or its pace. If the film wants anything, it's probably more allusions to the last decade to sate the nostalgia of the target audience; more investigation into how everyone else's lives turned out; and more inventiveness regarding payback and karma. Christine James
— — — I i I I I iniv 10Q7 rR.ino^ q^ REVIEWS IN BRIEF UNFORGOTTEN ••^^ Narrated by Danny Aiello. Directed by Jack Fisher. Written by Stuart Warmflash. Proauced by Danny Fisher. A Castle Hnl release. Documentary. Unrated. Run time: 57 mm. A generation ago, before Special Olympics and community group homes, huge state-run institutions were society's way to core for, and deal with, the mentally retarded. In the massive buaget
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