THE TRUMAN SHOW

The Truman Show is indeed a film so original it's like none other. A foetus adopted by a corporation whose entire life will wholly be aired worldwide, without his knowledge, that is. This is 'possible' when his neighbourhood, friends, family and basically everyone and everything that he may be in contact with is controlled by the corporation, including the weather. The plot gets juicy when Jim's character smells a rat (at long last) and begins some investigation of his own. The fun in the Jim Carey box-office success lies in his discovery. Forget the fact that the story's implausibile and the movie should prove to be entertaining. 'Good morning and in case I don't see you again, good afternoon, good evening and goodnight.'

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY

Cameron Diaz plays Mary (good guess), the high school crush of Ted (Ben Stiller) whom he manages to find thanks to the private investigator aka scumback (Matt Dillion). Things get 'sticky' when Mary falls for the lying P.I. This hot summer flick is quirky and grossly funny from the beginning to the end. Such glowing chemistry within the cast has not been seen since As Good As It Gets. Although not exactly Oscar-material, the situational comedy and vulgar humour are so infectious they leave you panting for more. Creeps out there can definitely pick up a pointer or 2 from Matt while Ben proves that there's still hope for ugly chaps like us out there. This year's answer to last year's My Best Friend's Wedding if you will, There's Something About Mary and you'll have to find out why.

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN

As with almost every Spielberg film, there's both value and entertainment. Tom Hanks plays a captain in WW2 assigned to search for a Pte James Ryan with the help of 7 soldiers played by fresh hollywood faces (including 2 guest stars of the sitcom Friends). The film does a splendid job in portraying the brutality of war, not just visually but emotionally as well. Combat scenes were vivid and frank, displaying so much gore and violence one can barely take. Be especially prepared for scenes of spilling guts, gushing blood, torn flesh and blasted faces...

Tom Hanks, winner of 2 Oscar statuettes is definitely en route to another one, as is Steven Speilberg. This war film compared to 1993's Best Picture, Schindler's List by the same director is not only shorter but tighter. The pace never drops and combat scenes form the majority of the pic. The plot, although simpler, serves to shift the focus on the eye-opening scenes of war as it is and the foul stench of death. A classic war film that would probably be better appreciated in a movie theatre.

BLADE

Private party in a sewer-like basement playing hard underground music when suddenly the sprinklers on the ceiling start to spray blood... that's a vampire night-out for you. Stephen Dorff leads the non-true-blooded vampires (the Mtv bunch) and rebels against the original species to take over the world as we know it. His feline build, messy long fringe and pale complexion compliments his role and performance flawlessly. Blade (Wesley Snipes), the child of a mother bitten during her pregnancy possesses the qualities of both man (daywalkers) and vamp(bloodsuckers). He is on a lifelong crusade of extermination. Stephen's character (Frost) is out to get Blade's unique blood in order for him to perform some cult ritual to summon some god.

Paling to the original comic, this action flick is corny and predictable. Injection of liquid garlic to curb vampire syndromes... need I add more? The redeeming factors come in the form of violence, action and more violence. Like most other senseless action-pics, these are enough reasons for guys like us to watch but for ladies out there, keep a safe distance.

RUSH HOUR

This action-comedy opened US$33 million in America, hitting a new opening record for September movies. Jackie Chan (Supercop, Who am I?) plays a Hong Kong policeman who teams up with Chris Tucker(The 5th Element), an LAPD cop and FBI-wannabe to rescue the kidnapped daughter of a Chinese consul. Martial artist meets chatterbox, bringing loads of spontaneous glee and facial spasms to the audience. Jackie does what he does best and proves that the action hero can throw jokes as well as his kicks. Chris Tucker's smooth talking and his loud and piercing in-your-face voice is on the verge of being annoyingly funny. The combination is fatal to those breathing-impaired and their seemsless blend of humour is most well-received and compensates for a clear lack of originality in the plot. Paying to watch an action-comedy and getting both that, one should not have much to complain. This flick should skyrocket both artistes' careers well into the next millenium.

Chris' next project entitled Double O Soul begins filming this fall where he'll be teaming up with songstress Mariah Carey. No wonder her '95 hit single Fantasy received airplay in a hilarious scene in Rush Hour. Mariah will play the daughter of a mafia in the movie. Sink or swim, it'll be known hopefully by this time next year.

THE BIG HIT

Directed but Kirk Wong, this action-packed hour and a half movie concerns a voyeuristic-yet-sensitive hitman (Mark Wahlberg of Boogie Nights) getting double-crossed by one of his partners (Lou Diamond Phillips of Courage Under Fire) and landing into mafia hotsoup big time. The other Calvin Klein-model actor in the show, Antonio Sabato Jr. (Melrose Place) plays one of Mark's partners with a washboard stomach in a minor supporting role.

This generation Mtv movie is sleazy and provocative, with credits owing mainly to Tinseltown's eastern Drew Barrymore, China Chow. She plays a sexy kidnappee who seduces and falls for her charming abductee. Expect lots of sizzle and tension as the 2 leads unfold their libido effortlessly. Christina Applegate (Married With Children) plays the beautiful blonde fiancee of Mark's character whose role is nothing more than ornamental. This movie is well paced and showcases John Woo's trademark choreographed action sequences. Sex and violence's nothing short of abundant.