On Screen (Press, 15 September 1989)

The news published on 15 September 1989 provides a round-up of notable films currently screening in various cinemas. "Babette's Feast," showcased at Pantages in Hornby, is highlighted as a remarkable film that features a Parisian chef creating an unforgettable meal for a small Danish community. This film won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film, praised for its nuanced portrayal of art and culinary transcendence. Another significant film is "Sex, Lies, and Videotape," shown at the Academy. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this film explores the sexual anxieties of a group of yuppies and received critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival, earning the Palme d'Or, Best Actor for James Spader, and the International Critics' Award. At the Metro, "Powaqqatsi" is noted as a captivating documentary that departs from traditional narration, instead presenting a visual exploration of human effort and hardship globally, accompanied by music from Philip Glass. Also at the Metro, "Law of Desire," by Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar, features a complex homosexual love triangle that challenges societal norms, described as entertaining once audiences adapt to its provocative themes. The Hollywood 2 cinema showcases a double feature of the year’s top comedies, "A Fish Called Wanda" and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." Moving to the Regent 2, "The Bear," directed by Jean Jacques Annaud, offers a family-friendly adventure about an orphaned bear cub, being heralded as one of the best wildlife films in decades. In the action genre, "Lethal Weapon 2" returns with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as the iconic cop duo, sustaining high-paced action despite a simplistic plot. "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" is screened at Savoy 2, bringing back Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. This sequel features rapid-action storytelling and comedy, with Sean Connery portraying Indy’s father, weaving an adventurous tale of the Holy Grail crafted by the creative team of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Additionally, "Scandal," shown at Hollywood 1, recounts the Profumo scandal that caused a British government's downfall, balancing titillation with thoughtful commentary. "Beaches," available at Midcity, stars Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey as lifelong friends navigating joys and sorrows, while "Great Balls of Fire" features Dennis Quaid as rock’n’roll icon Jerry Lee Lewis, scrutinising his controversial marriage to his 13-year-old cousin. "Pet Sematary" at Savoy 1 and "The Karate Kid, Part III" at Regent 2 are also noted, with the latter tackling the protagonist’s struggles between ideals and harsh realities in its third instalment. Overall, the round-up reflects a diverse array of films catering to various tastes, from comedy and drama to action and documentary.

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