reiher%UCLA-CS@sri-unix.UUCP (01/09/84)
From: Peter Reiher <reiher@UCLA-CS>
The L.A. Times entertainment section (Calender) for Sunday, January
8th, published a list of all of the films that major studios are willing to
admit that they plan to release in 1984. I have extracted those dealing with
science fiction or fantasy here. Bracketed comments are my own. The original
list was compiled by Julie Richard.
February
"Plein Sud" ("Heat of Desire")
A fantasy about an intellectual who becomes a man of action under the
tutelage of a beautiful adventuress. Starring Patrick Dewaere, Clio Goldsmith,
and Jeanne Moreau. [A French film, if you haven't already guessed, and not too
recent, since Dewaere killed himself early last year]. (Triumph/Columbia)
March/April
"Iceman"
The story of a Neanderthal man who is found frozen alive in glacial
ice. Timothy Hutton and Lindsay Crouse star. Fred Schepisi ("The Chant of
Jimmie Blacksmith") directs. [Probably a good deal more serious than it
sounds at first hearing. Schepisi is an Australian with a very good critical
reputation, and Hutton is still hot enough to avoid trash. Some stills I've
seen of the makeup look very good.] (Universal)
"Ice Pirates"
Pirates-in-outer-space story with Robert Urich and Mary Crosby.
(MGM/UA)
"Le Dernier Combat"
Four survivors of a planetary catastrophe band together to make a last
stand for the human race. [surprise, surprise: another French film] (Triumph/
Columbia)
"Splash"
Ron Howard directs a comedy about a man's love affair with a mermaid.
John Candy and Daryl Hannah star. [Looks like Disney strikes out again]
(Walt Disney Pictures)
May/June
"Firestarter"
Adaptation of Stephen King's novel about a little girl (Drew Barrymore)
who turns her fear into a weapon. WIth George C. Scott, Martin Sheen, and
David Keith. (Universal)
"Gremlins"
Joe Dante ["It's a Good Life" segment of "The Twilight Zone: The Movie"]
directs a Steven Spielberg production about a cute but malevolent creature.
With Phoebe Cates [That brilliant actress who distinguished herself by not
showing her breasts in "Private School"] (Warner Bros.)
"Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"
Harrison Ford and Kate Capshaw have cliffhanging adventures in this
"prequel" to "Raiders of the Lost Ark". Steven Spielberg directs. [The trailer
for this looks good, but not as good as Raiders'. It seems to be set mostly in
the far east, and apparently features a kid sidekick, which could be a mistake.
I'm suspicious of prequels.] (Paramount)
"The Philidelphia Experiment"
A top-secret World War II military experiment is brought to life in
this time travel adventure. With Michael Pare and Nancy Allen. (New World)
[For those not up on movie studios, New World was Roger Corman's old stomping
grounds, and specialized in cheap exploitation films, from beach blanket stuff
to Poe ripoffs, with stopoffs at motorcycle films and topless nurse and student
teacher films, and, of course, the ever popular fifties alien invasion films.
Many of them were fairly amusing.]
"Red Dawn"
John Milius [who directed "Conan the Barbarian" and "The Wind and the
Lion"] directs a story of a group of innocents forced into armed resistence
against an invasion of the U.S. With Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell and
Powers Booth. [Milius would have preferred living in the Middle Ages, when
he would have had more chances to kill people in hand-to-hand combat. His films
reflect this sensibility, for better or worse.] (MGM/UA)
"Star Trek III: The Search For Spock"
The continuing adventures of the Starship Enterprise and the search
for Mr. Spock. With William Shatner, James Doohan, DeForest Kelley, and
Dame Judith Anderson. [And Christopher Lloyd, of "Taxi", as the villain.]
Directed by Leonard Nimoy. (Paramount) [Looks like a big summer for Paramount]
"Streets of Fire"
Diane Lane and Michael Pare in a rock and roll fantasy about a soldier
of fortune. Walter Hill ("48 HRS.") directs. [Coming attractions look really
good, provided you don't mind a lot of violence.] (Universal)
July/August
"All of Me"
One of the world's richest women, who is dying, arranges to have her
soul transformed into the body of a younger, healthier woman. Steve Martin,
Lily Tomlin, and Victoria Tennant star. Carl Reiner directs. [A comedy, if
you haven't already guessed, which sounds like it owes something to Spielberg's
segment of the "Night Gallery" pilot.] (Universal)
"Conan, Prince of Thieves"
Sequel to "Conan the Barbarian", again starring Arnold Schwarzeneger.
With Wilt Chamberlain and Grace Jones. Richard Fleischer directs the Dino de
Laurentiis production. [Fleischer has a reputation as a hack director of
limited talents.] (Universal)
"The Neverending Story"
A boy's odyssey into a timeless world of fantastic beings. Wolfgang
Petersen ("Das Boot") directs. [Based on a current best seller which has
already cleaned up in Europe and Japan, this German film has the largest
budget in German film history.] (Warner Bros.)
"Night of the Comet"
A science fiction comedy about two sisters and the coming of a
fabulous comet. (Atlantic)
"Sheena of the Jungle"
Tanya Roberts ("Charlie's Angels") in a feminine twist on Tarzan.
(Columbia)
"Baby"
A professor [Fred MacMurray?] and his wife discover a baby dinosaur
in Africa. [Sounds like Disney's going to take a bath this year.] (Disney)
"Dune"
Based on Frank Herbert's science fiction novel about mile-long
monsters that devour manlike insects. Max von Sydow and Sting star. David
Lynch directs. [Hey, I'm just copying this stuff, not making it up. As I
recollect, Sydow is playing Liet Kynes and Sting is Baron Harkonnen's
beloved nephew. Lynch is a brilliant stylist and the stills look great.]
(Universal)
"Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes"
is about Tarzan's boyhood, his repatriation to British aristocracy,
and his return to the jungle. Ralph Richardson, Christopher Lambert, and
Ian Holm star. Hugh Hudson ("Chariots of Fire") directs. [This is a real
labor of love for Hudson, whose been trying to film it for a very long time.
The actor playing Tarzan is French, which makes a lot of sense for those who've
read the original book. The trailer looks impressive and faithful.]
(Warner Bros.)
"Ladyhawke"
Richard Donner ("Superman") directs a tale of romance and magic in
the Middle Ages. With Rutger Hauer[chief android in "Blade Runner"], Matthew
Broderick [from "War Games"], and Michelle Pfeiffer. [Also, John Wood, the
scientist in "War Games", as an evil bishop. Donner has been trying to downplay
the sword and sorcery elements, figuring it will be bad for business what with
the entries in that genre of the last couple years, but it's obviously fantasy.
There's a lengthy and interesting article on this $16 million film in the same
issue of The L.A. Times Calender that has this information.] (Warner Bros.)
"Starman"
Love story with a science fiction background produced by Michael
Douglas. (Columbia)
"2010"
Sequel to "2001: A Space Odyssey". Peter Hyams directs this return
to Jupitor's moons to learn the fate of astronaut David Bowman and HAL the
computer. [Hyams ("Capricorn One") is no great shakes as a director. Keir
Dullea has signed, and I think they got hold of the actor who dubbed HAL's
lines, as well.] (MGM/UA)
No release date
"Dream One"
A ten-year-old boy is magically transported to a strange dream world.
With Nipsey Russell and Harvey Keitel. [Talk about your odd couples.]
(Columbia)
"Heaven Sent"
Herbert Ross ("The Turning Point") directs a story of a youth who
time-trips himself backwards until he and his parents are the same age.
(Embassy)
"Supergirl"
Superman's cousin, Kara (Helen Slater), clashes with a sorceress.
Also starring Peter O'Toole, Faye Dunaway, and Mia Farrow. Jeannot Szwarc
("Somewhere in Time") directs. [Szwarc was the director who sank "Jaws II".
Another hack.] (Warner Bros.)
"visionQuest"
A youth searches for adulthood. Matthew Modine and Linda Fiorentinno
star. [Might not be sf/fantasy, but the title sure sounds like it.] (Warner
Bros.)
The chances are good that a few of these films will never be released,
or perhaps even made. The list the Times published last year contained at
least a dozen films which didn't come out. Some were delayed, and some
cancelled. The same might happen with a few of these. It's also my painful
duty to point out the possibility that "Santa Claus", from the Salskynd brothers
who brought you Supermans I-III, may be out by next Christmas. They have an
unpleasant habit of following through on their threats, so we may yet see
Dudley Moore as one of Santa's elves.
Peter Reiherchuqui@cae780.UUCP (Chuq Von Rospach) (01/11/84)
I thought I would add a few comments on the list of upcoming films:
Baby & Splash (disney)
It looks like disney hasn't learned from previous lessons at the box
office. The Disney name no longer sells trash (it never did, actually.
The disney name was a symbol for quality). The 'Black Hole' was the
only movie I can think of that made 'Meteor' look good, and I have this
sneaky suspicion that Baby will be fighting 'Plan Nine From Outer
Space' for hack of the century. Walt would have changed his name a long
time ago....
Indy Jones and the Temple of Doom
I have not only seen the trailer, but was at Baycon for a presentation
to the fans by the Lucasfilm people. It looks to me like this one will
be at least as good as Raiders, if not better, because it looks to me
like that have a better feel for who the characters are. while I am
usually against sequels or prequels of any kind, the Lucasfilm people
have consistently shown that if you make another movie because you
enjoy the premise (rather than simply to make money) you can make a
quality and enjoyable film.
Iceman
I saw the trailer for this. It looks something like a cross between the
thing and any one of a half dozen 'Hide the aliens' movies. I was not
impressed (the makeup was good, but if the acting in the trailers was
cut from the best parts, they're in trouble. It's like seeing a trailer
to a comedy and not laughing: If this is the best parts, why did they
bother?)
--
-- Diogenes looked in and laughed--
From the dungeons of the warlock Chuqui the Plaid
Note the new address: {fortune,menlo70}!nsc!chuqui
~And as I lived my role I swore I'd sell my soul for one love
who would stand by me and give me back the gift of laughter~
- Winslow Leech