THE
MIKE
DURRETT
SHOW

Today's Episode:
Summer Comedy Movies Preview

Dateline: 05/18/98
Updated: 07/12/98

Hi, and welcome to the show.

Summer is here. Hollywood says so.

The summer movie season is at full speed with the long-awaited comeback of The Biggest Star on the Planet, Godzilla. Marlon Brando lost the title by two cases of moon pies and a Frosty.

I've compiled a list of the comedies most likely to appear at your favorite theatre before Labor Day. Some of these flicks are wall-to-wall funnies, while others, like the big lizard's New York adventure, should have their moments.

Titles and release dates are subject to change, and will. Some movies may be delayed and new ones not mentioned below could magically appear. It's the motion picture industry, not you, or me. Just enjoy yourself and smile.

Godzilla - TriStar - May 19
For the past year, we've been bombarded with the tag line "Size Does Matter." Well, G-Day is upon us and we'll learn, financially, if the film sizes up as a bomb or a franchise. It sure matters to studio conglomerate Sony and star Matthew Broderick, who has already signed for several sequels. Opening on a gigantic total 7363 screens across America (exceeding record holder The Lost World: Jurassic Park by nearly 1200 auditoriums), Godzilla, that big boy or big girl (hey, I ain't looking -- that guy/gal has a temper!) should amuse quite a few teeny-tiny boys or girls or men or women (hey, I ain't looking) squooshing themselves down into multiplex seats.

Helmed by the creative team of Independence Day, we should expect from the tone of that movie and The Large One's advertising campaign, to witness some humorous goings on. Also, expect colossal merchandising tie-ins with a barrage of sponsors, including Taco Bell (Godzilla Enchiladas? ReptileMelt Gorditas? Megaton Mylanta Nuke Tabs?) and K-mart. (Can't you just see those commercials, Godzillie whining alongside Rosie and Penny? "Ladies and gentlemen, for K-Mart, The Three Nooges....")

Bulworth - 20th Century-Fox - May 15 - May 22
Sixtyish, squeaky clean cut white guy Warren Beatty talking rap. It sounds amusing. The question is, is it enough to sustain an entire film? I certainly hope so; but Beatty has not been too lucky with his comedy choices before: The Fortune, a deservedly forgotten 1975 Jack Nicholson-Mike Nichols collaboration, Heaven Can Wait (1978), a pleasant enough remake lacking its implied laughs, and the infamous Ishtar, the Dustin Hoffman-Elaine May disaster which has the ironic pedigree of generating a billion giggles -- unfortunately off screen, not on.

His undeniable success in Shampoo instills the hope Beatty has returned to the front of the satirical track in Bulworth, wherein a politician tells folks what he really feels. In this modern American day of liars and scoundrels lurking, fleecing, and oozing through our houses of government, it will be refreshing to hear one speak his truths. Humor is often about juxtapositions. Will Warren be funny because our real leaders aren't?

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Universal - May 22
"It started when I left Vegas that first time, skipping the hotel bill, driving off in the red convertible all alone, drunk and crazy, back to L.A. That's exactly what I felt. Fear and loathing," says novelist Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, quoted from the film's Web site.

For many, 1971 America was a bad scene, man. Thompson had had about enough, turning a reporting assignment into a wild road trip, careening between grins and grotesqueries. His exaggerated adventures became legend and remain popular reading on college campuses. Johnny Depp plays the man who introduced the world to gonzo journalism in a film by Terry Gilliam (Time Bandits, Brazil, The Fisher King), perhaps the only director welcome in Hollywood today who could aptly handle this bizarre, skewed tale. I suspect creator Gilliam's best known image, Monty Python's meteor-sized human foot splatting Earth from the sky, would be right at home in this picture.

The Opposite of Sex  - TriStar - May 22 - May 29
Christina Ricci (The Addams Family, Casper) is all grown up, it seems, if you judge by her role in this film: a jailbait runaway (Wednesday Addams), who wouldn't mind seducing her brother's (Martin Donovan) friend (Lisa Kudrow) and his best -- if you know what I mean, wink, wink -- friend (Ivan Sergei). So, you may ask, this is comedy? Let me check my watch. Yep, it's the '90s.

Almost Heroes - Warner Bros. - May 29
This picture has its work cut out. I think audiences maybe to be too saddened to laugh heartily at loveable clown Chris Farley in his final appearance. I hope I'm wrong, because it looks like good, silly fun, otherwise. It's a full comedic western about the exploration of the Louisiana Purchase by those heroic explorers, Lewis and Clark? Nope, Edwards and Hunt. Matthew Perry co-trailblazes.

The ace in the pack may well be director Christopher Guest (Waiting for Guffman, This Is Spinal Tap).

The Truman Show - Paramount - June 5
No, it's not about post-WWII U. S. president Harry Truman. It's the world's most famous television star, Truman Burbank. Since infancy, he has been the subject of 5000 hidden video cameras chronicling his life -- without his knowledge. Now he knows and he wants off the air.

It's a subdued role for star Jim Carrey. This movie may be the trick that turns the heads of detractors of his earlier celebrated goofiness. Carrey is a rare talent, and may have the chops to become a member of the sound era's most gifted full-ranged comedic movie actors, able to execute cartoonish human buffoons or subtle, realistic, humorous characters. That's a small group: '40s-'50s Bob Hope, Peter Sellers, Steve Martin, and Robin Williams. Peter Weir (Dead Poets Society) directs.

Can't Hardly Wait - Columbia - June 12
Jennifer Love Hewitt stars in this comedy set at a wild graduation party, as the class looks to the future. I remember my high school graduation party. All we did was scream laugh about the kid who put Vaseline on his palm and shook hands with our principal during the diploma ceremony. Hah-ha-hah! Hah-hah-hee-ha! Hah-hah-hah! Oh, my, that was the best, huh?! Funny times. I wonder if there's any of that punch left...

Cousin Bette - Fox Searchlight - June 12
There was a time, not too many years ago, when I routinely told fellow film enthusiasts of the two types of movies I didn't like: costume pictures and anything with a camel in it. Then, I saw Lawrence of Arabia and -- d'oh! -- it had both. Later, I saw Beau Geste (1939) and Gunga Din, both are desert pictures, which should've had camels, if they didn't. I also saw costumers sans camels like Roman Polanski's Tess, Gerard Depardieu as Cyrano de Bergerac (1990), and a string of Kurosawas. Surprise, Mike, you twit, these kinds of movies are good. And, at times, downright delightful.

In the spirit of my late-blooming cinematic maturity, I look eagerly toward Cousin Bette, an adaption of Balzac's comic novel set in 19th century France. It's one of those sprawling soap operas told with love, mystery, lust, treachery, greed, and romp -- yes, these stories must always include romping. Jessica Lange, Elisabeth Shue, Bob Hoskins, and Hugh Laurie lead the cast in a genre I have learned can be the perfect Sunday afternoon entertainment.

Dirty Work - M-G-M - June 12
Unceremoniously dethroned Saturday Night Live anchor Norm MacDonald may get the last laugh as he stars in his first movie vehicle, which he also co-wrote. Losers, used to suffering the world's cruelties, decide to create a lucrative business doing other people's dirty work, because things couldn't be any worse.

Another former Weekend Update anchor joins the fun, Chevy Chase, plus Jack Warden, Christopher McDonald, and Don Rickles.

Six Days, Seven Nights - Touchstone - June 12
Like last year's My Best Friend's Wedding, this romantic comedy adventure seems to be the ticket to the perfect summer goodtime entertainment. Two complete opposites, a gruff pilot and a sophisticated magazine editor are stranded on a tropical island with a tide of danger is rolling in.

Seeing the word "gruff" attached to Harrison Ford makes me smile, because, you know, that's one of his endearing strengths -- think of Hans Solo or Indy Jones -- and nobody does gruff more amusingly, with the possible exception of Cary Grant, than Ford. Fellow castaway Anne Heche co-stars in the Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters, Stripes) production.

Dr. Dolittle - Twentieth Century-Fox - June 26
I know all the little school children around the world are preparing for Dr. Dolittle by polishing up their Anthony Newley impressions, crooning "Talk to the Animals" from the original film. Well, kids, Uncle Mikey's got some bad news for you. This Eddie Murphy version is not a musical; so you'll have to put your Tony Newley impressions on the back burner for later, maybe prom night. But don't cry, because Uncle Eddie's version may be even better. Hugh Lofting's charming stories have been updated to take advantage of computer effects and the decline of civilization.

Lethal Weapon 4 - Warner Bros. - July 10
Can the wacky-detectives-elude-big-boo-boos-and/or-boom-booms formula stand another go around? Word is this one has been literally racing to the finish line. July 10th is the villain, not the plot's crime lord. But will we care? Probably not, since Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are on the case with Joe Pesci, Rene Russo and new element Chris Rock. Richard Donner (Lethal 1, 2, 3) directs again.

Madeline - TriStar - July 10
The beloved children's story of a mischievous little girl and her 11 friends' adventures in Paris finally comes to the screen in this family package, starring Hatty Jones and Frances McDormand (Fargo).

There's Something about Mary - Twentieth Century-Fox - July 15
The Farrelly Bros. are a writer-director team you may not recognize by name; but you certainly are aware of their films -- the study in stupids, Dumb and Dumber, and the Amish bowling epic, Kingpin. They film by their own rules. To use a metaphor, these boys ain't rinsing and repeating. (And, trust me on this, stay away from their hair products. My drift will become very evident when you see the movie.)

This outrageous love story centers on a school prom and its years later aftermath. Ben Stiller and Cameron Diaz are the couple in question with Matt Dillon as the dastardly villain. Prepare to be trampled with rudeness, and if you're of willing mind, prepare to laugh. Hard.

Dead Man on Campus - Paramount - July 24
A student faces failing out of college when he discovers the university has an unusual policy; the roommate of anyone who commits suicide is automatically passed. A dark comedy from MTV.

Jane Austen's Mafia - Walt Disney - July 24
The title kills me, and knowing it's the product of Jim Abrahams (Airplane!) means I'm there! It's a spoof with tongue-in-cheek Lloyd Bridges as the Godfather figure. Also starring Olympia Dukakis, Christina Applegate, and Billy Burke. Yes, Billy Burke! --

Um, uh, my mistake. I thought they meant Billie Burke a/k/a Glinda the Good Witch (The Wizard of Oz). Sorry. Got excited. I've always wanted a red ruby zipper.

Ad copy: "See It Early. Avoid the Mob."

The Parent Trap - Walt Disney - July 29
Having no continuity linkage to the 1961 Disney classic or its triplet TV sequels, this movie is a fresh start remake telling the comic and tender tale of identical twins scheming to reunite their divorced parents, played by Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson.

Personal note: For little boys exactly my age in 1961, the original twins, Hayley Mills and Hayley Mills, were our first loves. And, so, to newcomers Lindsay Lohan and Lindsay Lohan, I must say: Sweethearts, I'm very sorry; but I'm, I'm old enough to be your Mining Co. Guide. Can't we just be friends?

BASEketball - Universal - July 31
The grapevine on this zany release from director David Zucker (Naked Gun) is that it's truly funny. A simple idea to take the rules of a baseball game and apply them to a basketball court may become a $100,000,000 boxoffice movie. May I be the first to suggest an idea for the sequel? May I suggest it right here in this Copyright 1998 by Mike Durrett feature? Here it is, your Honor: the kids take the rules of a basketball game and apply them to a baseball field.

Hey, Mom! I'm gonna be on Court TV!

Anyway, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of South Park, star in this summer's prequel to my forthcoming BASKETball. Good luck on your acting debuts, fellas. See ya on the set!

Be the Man - M-G-M - July 31
The greatest stunt man who ever lived, of course, is Super Dave Osborne. He's coming out of retirement to perform one more incredible feat for charity. The cast from the Super Dave cable series is back together in this project.

Wrongfully Accused - Warner Bros. - August 7
Wasn't Harrison Ford's The Fugitive a pretty good movie?

Sure, you are absolutely correct; it was solid.

Okay, let's remake it.

And they have. This time with lead Leslie Nielsen playing the role of Ryan Jack Harrison -- Aha! You're catching on. It's a spoof of The Fugitive and other films, by Pat Proft, a writer from the Hot Shots and Naked Gun chucklers.

Nielsen, a strong humorous actor, textbook perfect for the necessities of straightfaced parody, says in TV Guide, "Nothing's sacred; you get a little Humphrey Bogart and Maltese Falcon, a little Riverdance, even a little Titanic."

My reaction? Do I hate it?

Wrong. Fully amused.

The Avengers - Warner Bros. - August 14
Fans of the '60s British television program zeroing in on stylish heroes John Steed and Emma Peel are promised a contemporary update, which retains the original's chic, oddball characteristics and then some. Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman are on the trail of arch villain-weatherman Connery, Sean Connery.

Forecast? Sunny and wild with a Catsuit Watch in effect throughout.

Slums of Beverly Hills - Fox Searchlight - August 14
An adolescent girl moves to the hills of Beverly, where she copes with the "horrors" of her developing body, such as her family watching her body develop. Set in 1976, writer-director Tamara Jenkins based this story on true-life remembrances, which include a wide range of eccentric characters. Marisa Tomei, Alan Arkin, Carl Reiner, and Natasha Lyonne star.

Rush Hour - New Line - August 28 (possibly delayed to September)
A young woman is abducted, while her father (Jackie Chan) is on a diplomatic mission to the U. S. The FBI, for reasons which seem to always exist in action movies, assigns a fast-talking LAPD detective (Chris Tucker) to stall the case; but (say this next part in your best announcer's voice), the detective has other plans.

Nah! Really? Cool!

Okay, I don't want to give away too much. Let's just say -- and you take this however you want -- let's just say, there might be some quarreling -- oops, forget that, sorry. I'll type no more.

Baby Geniuses - Columbia - To be announced
Here's a cute idea for a family comedy. Suppose baby talk is a really sophisticated language and we elders (anyone older than say two) can no longer discern the translations. Kathleen Turner is the scheming doctor determined to break the code and turn her findings into vast riches. Christopher Lloyd and a bevy o' babbling babes co-star in writer-director Bob Clark's (A Christmas Story, Porky's) fancy.

Welcome to Woop Woop - M-G-M - To be announced
A remote town in Australia, Woop Woop, accommodates a conman fleeing from the States, by marrying him off to the lawman's sexy tomboy daughter. Johnathon Schaech, Susie Porter, and Rod Taylor (The Birds, The Time Machine) play the inhabitants of the community under martial law, where Rogers and Hammerstein only are allowed on the radio station and at the movie theatre.

About Your Guide: Mike Durrett worked in a movie theatre for many years. It was his job to force feed Milk Duds to small children.

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