' MPTRESS MOON' AT MICHIGAN
The critically acclaimed film "Temptress
Moon" (by the director of "Farewell My PaC
* Concubine") finishes its run at the Michigan Wednesday
Theater. Shown tonight and Thursday at 7.
Aniston 'Picture' far from 'Perfect'; Ford, Oldman can't
navigate 'Air Force One' to turbulence-free landing
y Bryan Lark his 15 minutes of fame and Kate is By Kristin Long character development is strong. Furthermore, much of the film
Daily Arts \riter forced to produce the living, breathing Daily Arts Writer The mood continues to build as the makes it seem like the president is the
Picture this: You have a cute TV star Nick for a congratulatory dinner. Are wit and morality enough to would-be terrorists enter the plane, sole thinker in the United States. The 30
as your leading lady; a supporting cast Everything seems perfect again when defeat a diabolical enemy? Harrison seemingly unnoticed by security per- to 40 high government officials who
full of cute, familiar actors; and a story Kate seeks nice-guy Nick out to go the Ford attempts this feat in "Air Force sonnel. Because American and Russian collaborate on the ground to save Air
so cute the whole world will want to dinner and engage in a loud, public One," but the film's lack of believabili- armies had just joined forces to capture Force One fail to make any substantial
grab its cheeks. Aren't these are the breakup, that is, perfect until Nick real- ty makes his attempt come up short. a gruesome terrorist leader, both the difference without presidential guid-
ingredients of a perfect romantic come- izes he's really in love with Kate. What's "Air Force One" has the gripping characters on the screen and the audi- ance.
dy? a wacky single girl to do? basics that keep ence in front of it "Air Force One" does deserve some
Not quite, though in "Picture From that synopsis, the ending to the the audience expect some sort of credit, however, for its portrayal of
Perfect," our "Friend" Jennifer Aniston formula-heavy cute-fest can be effort- interested in its R E V I E W reaction from rebel female characters. Unlike the mere
ems cute enough, Jay Mohr of lessly predicted, which is helpful to its characters and forces that has yet to weaklings and mistresses of old, the
Saturday Night Live" and "Jerry instant likeability quotient but detri- their dilemmas. Air Fo ace. film's female characters are strong
Maguire" fame appears cute enough mental to its success as an actual movie. Harrison Ford, ** Gary Oldman women who actually can defend them-
and anyone who's ever seen Its technical failure can be attributed coming off the ("The Fifth selves and hold prominent positions in
"Footloose" knows Kevin Bacon is cute to writer-director and "Moonlighting" disappointing At Briarwood and showcase Element" and "Brain government.
enough. creator Glenn Gordon Caron, who trad- "The Devil's Stoker's Dracula") Glenn Close delivers a fine perfor-
It's just the too- ed in the efferves- Own," is the President of the United gives a superb performance as mance as Vice President Kathryn
cute plot that cent banter and States, James Marshall. Ford has devel- Korshunov, the leader of the in-flight Bennett. While her decisions are often
demeans this movie R E V I E W s p a r k I i n g oped a fine reputation on the screen, terrorist troupe. Oldman's sinister style second-guessed by her male co-workers,
from a potentially romance of his and at the outset, it is easy to support further epitomizes his talent as a force she holds her ground, and is Glenn Close
frothy, fun existence Picture Perfect television show in his character. The initial events that of evil: easy to hate, hard to understand as we know her best - an Oscar-win-
just an average, P ** favor of the define his personality make him lik- and frightening enough to fear his char- ning actress with extensive capabilities.
sporadically funny t B an sowcase glossy, vapid able, thus he has the potential to acter's coming to life. Despite its inital intensity and equal
one. veneer of some become a respectable hero. Despite Oldman's mischievous traits gender balance, "Air Force One" fails to
All this useless failed "That Girl" Unfortunately, the film's plot twists and Ford's heroic persona, "Air Force amount to anything more than a measly
cuteness is apparently the only means spinoff, stealing liberally from every make us sigh with boredom rather than One" fails to maximize the opposition attempt at patriotic heroism. The cast of
of telling the formulaic tale of working recent screen romance, namely "Pretty gasp with despair. After Ford sponta- of forces. Too often it feels as though stars has considerable depth, yet the
girl Kate Mosley (Aniston). Kate's on Woman." neously announces that the United the president is playing mind games overall production has fallen into the
her way up in the advertising world - The sole redeeming factor of the film States will pursue a "non-negotiations" with his opponent, yet Oldman hardly bay of star-studded duds. While Ford
she's got ambition, an iber-trendy - since the usually inspired supporting stance with terrorists, at a diplomatic notices until it is too late - and vice has unmistakable talent, his character's
wardrobe, a rent-controlled apartment cast is terribly wasted and the script is reception in Moscow, he is a lone power versa - thereby ruining any effect that boldness was weakened by his "I-can-
and exciting ideas about mustard. sketchy at best - is Jennifer Aniston, who lacks support from his crew. constantconflict could create, and end- beat-anyone-with-my-mind-and-
c Just when she thinks she's going to who in anti-Rachel mode actually turns His staff is enraged at the president's ing the intensity. morals" attitude.
t that big promotion as a result of her in a great performance as Kate. attempt to define morality without con-
fascinating mustard campaign, she gets Building on the script's one-dinen- sulting his chief advisors; they feel that
passed over because she's - get this - sional working girl to create a heartfelt, his good-guy attitude will only cause '
single. hard-edged human being, Aniston is a outrage among citizens and within the
Instead of calling a lawyer specializ- movie star and is somehow above all the terrorist community. His only stability
ing in discrimination, Kate calls upon forced cuteness of the plot, as if she conses from his wife (Wendy Crewson)
a picture taken at a friend's wedding in knows that she's wasting her comedic and daughter (Liesel Matthews), por-
which Kate, having caught the bou- talents being zany with Jay Mohr, hick- trayed by confident actors who give
quet, is sitting on the lap of photogra- ering with Olympia Dukakis and woo- some strength to the now-withering
pher Nick (Mohr), who caught the ing Kevin Bacon, who here only seems plot.
Sarter. to be adding another degree to his oft- The anticipation that builds in the
With the aiding and abetting of best played parlor game. opening segments of the film gives "Air
friend Darcy (Illeana Douglas), Kate Still, "Picture Perfect" is enjoyable in Force One" immense potential to take
carries ots the lie that Nick is her fiance, a guilty, "Untamed Heart" kind of way the action-thriller of old to new heights.
so the promotion and Sam (Bacon), the - techinically horrible, but just right As the president and other passengers
office player who only dates unavail- for an evening of cute, light entertain- board the supposedly terrorist-proof Harrison Ford will destroy bad guys in order to save the United States every time.
able wonen, will come Kate's way. msent with someone you love or a large airplane, the intensity builds and the
Perfect plan, right? bowl of popcorn.
In true romantic-comedy style, It ain't perfect, but it is a rather cute Ke p g a when N gKets p
Kate's plan goes awry when Nick gets ,picture. i h r s n
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Jay Mohr prepares to drool all over Jennifer Aniston's cleavage in 'Picture Perfect.'