Robert De Niro (Ronin) plays an Italian American Mafia Paul Vitti with a repressed psychological problem which is seriously affecting his performance as a musculine violent figure in the underworld. He breaks into tears watching a father and son bond on a television insurance commercial and even fails to 'get-it-up' with his girlfriend. Billy Crystal (When Harry Met Sally) is the shrink hired to treat him days before his wedding to Laura (Lisa Kudrow of Friends). This mafia with his head problems comes knocking on Billy's hotel room door whenever he has a 'crisis' and even gets him involved with his dirty company. Ben (Crystal) meanwhile, is trying desparately to get out of having a mobster patient.

This film comes highly recommended by critics and proves to be a sleeper hit in the US but personally, Analyze This is just a typical video-movie with a talented cast. De Niro sheds the action drama genre for this funny role as an insecure mafia which clearly showcases his comic-timing. Crystal plays another one of his typical character roles : edgy and smart wimp-of-sort. Kudrow is as usual but the similarity between her characters across her work is starting to wear the audience. A humourous script with a cute context do make this movie digestible and enjoyable but don't set your expectations too high.


THE MUMMY

After a wave of good timing and wise choices, Brendan Fraser, the cooly quiet dude who brought us With Honors (costarring Joe Pesci) and School Ties with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, is opening this summer with a blockbuster hit that broke opening records. The Mummy, a slick Hollywood big-budget project filled with computer wizardry and gothic action, is Brendan's consecutive hit after Blast From The Past, Gods And Monsters and George Of The Jungle. Grossing over US$100 million within a few weeks of its opening, Mummy box-office performance has reportedly doubled Brendan's asking fee from US$5 million to US$10 million.

The big-built stud plays Rick O'Connell, an adventurer of sort (French Foreign Legion soldier) not disimiliar to Indiana Jones. He leads a beautiful and knowledgable Egyptian-obsessed librarian to the mysterious ancient city of Hamunaptra in search of some of Egypt's most famous artifacts. Together with a group of treasure-hunting Americans, they unknowingly unleash a 3000 year old spirit cursed to destroy the earth. A series of hide and seek and Indy-like adventure in the caves and neighbouring town packs the 2 hour movie with enjoyable action and ground-breaking visual effects. A crew ensemble with Titanic and Star Wars special F/X experience created realistic rotting-walking mummies, thousands of man-eating bugs, exciting sandstorms and loads of other never-before witnessed scenarios in a movie.

Despite a slightly pale storyline, Mummy manages to keep the adrenaline pumping throughout the seemingly short action thriller with a couple of quick-scares and a fast plot Indiana-style. The movie is more exciting than scary and definitely more fun than expected. Brendan plays a typical action hero with charisma while the pretty damsel Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) plays well, a damsel often in distress. British actor John Hannah who rose to American recognition when he starred alongside Gwyneth Paltrow in the endearing romantic comedy Sliding Doors plays Evelyn's slightly wimpish brother. He displays a remarkable sense of comedy and wins the hearts of laughter of audiences.

The Mummy is the perfect way to start the holidays as we await impatiently for Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman's sexual thriller Eyes Wide Shut and Julia Roberts second project with Richard Gere in the romantic comedy Runaway Bride. And no, the latter is not a John Grisham novel-turn-movie.


AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME

This comedy totally redefines the word hilarious. The over-the-top crude humour, slapsticks, sexual innuendoes and word-play is fatal to the lungs and cheeks. With references to modern day jokes, spoofs on Star Wars and personalities, it's no wonder The Spy Who Shagged Me grossed more than it's predecessor in a week and broke The Mummy's opening record to become the 3rd highest opening movie in Hollywood history, behind The Phantom Menace and The Lost World (queerly, all 3 being either sequels or prequels).

Spy may be funnier but the original movie beats the sequel in terms of storyline and its female lead. Seemingly going nowhere and digressing into stomach-wrenching jokes every now and then, Spy is a quintessential no-brainer that often leaves you stranded. Yes it may be funnier but a movie that is directionless is not unlike a joke book : a compilation of laugh-evoking anecdotes. Elizabeth Hurley who makes a 10 minute appearance at the beginning of the movie as the former Austin babe steals the limelight in the tailored-made role (think Drew Barrymore in Scream). Despite the blonde hair and killer-bod, Heather Graham who plays Austin's next big crush Felicity Shagwell seems lacklustre in a poorly written role with little or no witty one-liners and weak punchlines. She pales in comparison to Elizabeth as the babelicious-bimbo-with-a-brain.

If you're an Austin fanatic or loves unrestrained and uncensored humour, this will be the movie of the year for you (second to The Phantom Menace of course). Mike Myers is a genius who manages to redefine corny as something being obviously stupid but nevertheless tastefully comic. The comedy stands at 90 minutes odd, any longer and you'll need standby paramedics at the theatres. Catch Mike in 3 different roles and here's another tip, don't leave till the credits have finished rolling. The movie doesn't end with "The End".


A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

This Shakespearean play adaption may start off ununderstandable but once the juicy plot rolls, it'll put you into stitches. A perfect antithesis to The Spy Who Shagged Me perhaps, Midsummer manages to inject lethal doses of humour with Shakespeare's trademark situational comedy. Said to be the funniest and brain-friendly Shakespearan play, this romantic comedy is in a league of its own. The talented cast ensemble is perfect for this movie : Calista 'Ally' Flockhart does her endearing vunerable girly thing, Michelle Pfeiffer (Catwoman) is the beautiful and graceful Queen Titania, Rupert Everett (My Best Friend's Wedding) tries to court the latter as the suave Oberon and Stanley Tucci is the blur pixie-like sidekick Puck while Kevin Kline (A Fish Called Wanda) is hilarious as usual as the 'actor' Nick. The storyline is like a romantic love-potion comedy of sort set a century ago where fact and fantasy realms collide. A refreshing choice from the big Hollywood projects jammed with special effects and hype. Do give this a shot. Shakespeare isn't always modern-day viewer-unfriendly.


PLUNKETT AND MACLEANE

Never judge a movie by its trailer. But Plunkett's 2 minute commercial is too enticing and way too cool for anyone to think of the movie as otherwise. Beginning well and ending not too poorly, Plunkett is fair but could have been far better with more action and a thicker plot. A tad bit too predictable and slow moving at parts, this promising film falls short of expectations. The beautiful opening sequence has an A-rate style pervasive throughout the movie. The intricate props and expensive sets coupled with fine camera work earns this film a sound art direction with Oscar calibre. Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty) is excellent as the ruffian with a good heart while Johnny Lee Miller (Afterglow) and Liv Tyler (Armageddon) aren't too bad either. Catch this if you're out of much choices.


LAKE PLACID