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10 - PORT PERRY WEEKEND STAR ana FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2000 Magnolia, The Hurricane among 1999's finest From page 9 MAGNOLIA... Director writer Paul Thomas Anderson scored a huge hit in 1997 with Boogie Nights, a rollercoaster ride through the porn industry during the seventies and eighties. With Magnolia he has created a scathing, bitter, brilliant look at the intertwining lives of sever- al characters. Like Robert Altman, Anderson is a master of bringing togeth- er several plot lines for maximum impact at the film's stunning conclusion. Tom Cruise gives an elec- trifying supporting perfor- mance that must be seen . THE HURRICANE: Denzel Washington gives spoke out, one of the finest perfor- mances in the history of the cinema as boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a one time contender for the middle weight title who was wrongly accused and convicted of murder. During the unrest between blacks and whites in the sixties, Carter was a man who thereby becoming a target for the white police who hated him. He spent 22 years in prison before having his conviction overturned by a judge who believed the new facts about the case to be true. Washington dominates the film, cap- turing the arrogance and rage of Carter, growing into WINTER the man's humility in his later years. Director Norman Jewison focuses on the relationship between Carter and the young boy who set in motion the events that would change Carter's life. Washington is the front runner for the best actor Academy Award, and so he should be. THE GREEN MILE: Frank Darabont's heart- breaking adaptation of the Stephen King novel is a film of enormous power, beautifully acted by the entire cast. Tom Hanks portrays a sympathetic Death Row guard in the thirties who befriends a mysterious black man Asselstine of 111,14 (of 1 [=1 ef [Qe] ¥ our ad on page 20 : i: Pi \'ts @ Accessories ® Collectibles 720 Davis Dr., Uxbridge 852-3932 People you can trust... and bave for 28 years! Davis Dr. Paisley Acres Am war) : awaiting death for killing two children. When he learns of the man's powers for healing, Hanks becomes con- vinced his gigantic friend had nothing to do with the killings, but is helpless to do anything. 'Superbly acted, the film has been criticized for being manip- ulative of the audience, but | was filled with awe and wonder throughout the work. Hanks is again superb, ably supported by Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Barry Pepper, and James Cromwell. THE SIXTH SENSE: "I see dead people" became the most chilling line of the year when young Haley Joel Osment uttered it in this tight thriller from director- writer M. Night Shaymalan. Opposite Bruce Willis, young Osment gives the best supporting performance by an actor this year creat- ing a constant sense of dread through the film, which of course leads to an incredible ending. Willis does a fine job in the demanding role of the shrink trying to help the child, unaware it is he who is being helped. On repeat viewings one can see how perfect this screenplay is, how well directed the film is, and what fine performances are given. THE LIMEY: Indy wun- derkind Steven Soderbergh creates a unique film that pays homage to the hip thrillers of the sixties, but always seems fresh and original. Terence Stamp is the Brit just out of prison who comes looking for the men in America responsible for the death of his daughter. Stamp gives a ferocious performance as he stalks the seedy regions of LA, looking for answers to his questions. He is single minded in this entire mis- sion, an avenging angel who seems to have burst from the depths of hell. Stylish, smart, and superbly acted, The Limey was a treat at this year's Toronto Film Festival. FELICIA'S JOURNEY: Canadian director-writer Atom Egoyan has created a disturbing film about a serial killer unlike any- thing I have seen before. Brash in its style, the film takes .on an unsettling tone when we meet Hilditch, a lonely middle aged bachelor haunted by the memories of his long dead mother. Portrayed, brilliantly by Bob Hoskins, this lonely fellow enjoys helping young women, then killing them, sending them, he believes, to a better place. The growing sense of dread through the film is at times unbearable as Egoyan allows his actors to work their separate magic on us. Hoskins is quietly terri- fying, and young Elaine Cassidy is a naive Irish lass who trusts this mon- ster. - Tying for 10th spot is THE INSIDER, Michael ~ Mann's superb thriller about the tobacco scandal between 60 Minutes and the corporate bigwigs who run cigarette companies. Russell Crowe is brilliant as Jeffrey Wigand, the 'quiet doctor who stepped ~ forward to break a story about the industry, told all. the while he would have the support of CBS and 60 Minutes. Sadly as the story became bigger, the television company backed down, hanging the good doctor out to dry. Superbly directed and written, the film contains fine performances from Al Pacino, and especially Christopher Plummer as arrogant newshound, Mike a he Sin "pad +