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PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2000-9 Latest outing announces Portman's arrival SILI | ROOM By John Foote WHERE THE HEART IS (Yeevx) Directed by Matt Williams THE FLINTSONES IN VIVA ROCK VEGAS (¥) Natalie Portman gives an enchanting performance in Where The Heart Is, firmly establishing herself as the finest actress of her generation, and perhaps a latter day Jodie Foster. Portman first drew atten- tion and rave reviews for her fine perfor- mance in Luc Besson's film The Professional (1993), but it was her lumi- nous turn as the precocious kid next door in Beautiful Girls (1994) that caused critics to sit up and take notice. Cast as a young teenager, wise beyond her years, she became the focus of adult Timothy Hutton's fascination. Though nothing hap- pens between the two of them, we feel throughout the film it could, and that it just might work. Last year Portman appeared in two films, the first being the blockbuster hit Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999) in which she portrayed Queen Amidala, who will eventually become the mother of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, and then the young actress earned a Golden Globe nomina- tion for her strong work opposite Susan Sarandon in Anywhere But Here (1999). Signed for the next two Star Wars films, Portman is already a major star, but this new picture reminds us that she is first and foremost an actress. As Novalee Nation, a very pregnant 17- year-old, Portman is simply superb in every frame of this film. En route to California, she is abandoned in Oklahoma by her good for nothing boyfriend, and: forced to take up residence in the local Wal-Mart. Sleeping in the camping sec- tion, eating in the grocery section, her hideaway is revealed when she gives birth in the store. Something of a celebri- ty, she is integrated into a strange makeshift family, which becomes the fam- ily she has never known. Transformed from a homeless teen to a loved family member, Novalee begins the process of growing up, over the years becoming a fine mother and strong independent woman. Portman's performance in the role is what carries the film and makes it work. Without a strong lead actress here, we have nothing more than a conventional made for television film. The growth in the character from awkward, frightened teen to confident mother is astonishing as the actress allows the audience to virtual- ly take part in her evolution to adulthood. Rarely can actors invite us into their worlds, but Portman seems to have a gift (like Streep and Robert Duvall) for finding that absolute authenticity within each and every character she portrays. The supporting cast is somewhat errat- ic in their portrayal of the eccentrics who take in the young woman, but there are strong performances from Ashley Judd as Lexie, who becomes Novalee's surrogate big sister, and the mother figure por- trayed by Stockard Channing. Based on the novel by Billie Letts, the film is nicely directed by Matt Williams, but there are times when one feels that we have seen this sort of story before. One thing is certain, Natalie Portman ele- vates the screenplay and film and great heights, giving a fresh, original perfor- mange that allows this picture to be a life- affirming experience. THE FLINTSTONES IN VIVA ROCK VEGAS Why make a prequel to a film that was dreadful? The Flintstones (1994) a live action movie based on the hit cartoon of the 60s was a horrific movie experience; a film that required 33 writers, endless reshoots, and complicated visual effects provided the audience with nothing. Children I know dislike the original film, with the exception of the lovable dog- dino Dino. Obviously Universal feels there is a market for this film, obviously the first picture made money. This time we have a film that takes place before the original picture, involving Fred's wooing of heiress Wilma Slaghoople. Fred and Bamey have just graduated from the Bronto Crane Academy and have secured jobs at the rock quarry in Bedrock. Wilma has been promised in marriage to the caddish Chip Rockefeller, and the poor girl could not be more miserable (well, she could be watching this movie). She meets and becomes fast friends with Betty O'Shale, who works at the local Bronto King. Of course they meet Fred and Bamey, and because the series is a part of our pop culture, we know the rest. Fred and Wilma will marry, and wouldn't you know it? Barney will marry Betty! First of all, Wilma as an heiress? Poor old Fred must rue the day he lost that family fortune, because in the animated series they barely scrape by, and Wilma's loud mouth mom never displays any wealth! Second of all, again, the story is god awful. Could someone not write a screenplay that is actually funny? The actors are terrible, but considering they are asked merely to speak bad dia- logue and toss off goofy one liners, one can hardly blame them. Mark Addy replaces John Goodman as Fred, while Third Rock from the Sun star Kristen Johnston is aboard this time as Wilma. Mercifully Rosie O'Donnell is gone as Betty, replaced by Alley McBeal star Jane Krakowski, who gives the film its only comic zip, and the least of the Baldwin brothers, Stephen, is cast as Barney. Brian Levant again displays no true tal- ent as a director. The production designers had a field day this time out, creating some really imaginative set dressings and art direc- tion. The dinosaur roller coaster is wildly fun to look at, the look of the film sur- passes the content in every way. Again, from Bedrock comes a horrible movie 'experience that should be avoided at all costs. Anti-Inflammatory = 539 62? |* 53? -2231 ANRER Neo Citra (Colds & Flu) Wild Cherry Cough Syrup Extentabs Water (with Dextromethorphan) (Steam Distilled) ; 589 15 | Acetaminophan Metamucil Caplets Smooth Powder (Extra Strength) (Orange Flavour -- Sugar Free) = 389 « 100% = 500 mg Zantac Heartburn/indigestion (75 Tabs - 12 Hours Coverage) Allegra Tabs ~ Antihistamine (Non-drowsy - 12 Hours Coverage) : 489 ie 1099 Crystal Springs JER ose: 1099 Crabtree & Evelyn In-Store Special! FREE SOAP, (with $20.00 purchase) Windex Refill Glass Cleaner 299 Palmolive Dishwasher Detergent Gel 289 | 49%. 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OlulEdinlsleliGhidhielinkldeiRe Me llI@nulEnlo lH oH C4 Rug Under 10 Boys [raveling Girls Teams 5x5 Computing Tennant Auto Scugog Lumber Port Perry Auto Glass Curanjo Carpentry Re/Max Port Perry Optical Classic Aluminum Howey Bath & Kitchen ~~ Cyan Star Red Leaf Landscape Framer's Gallery Valview Farms Port Perry IGA Cashway Pioneer Gas Bar Coldwell Banker Redline Auto Traveling Boys Teams Uxbridge Nurseries CCS Multitrade Reliable Plumbing Dr. Workman Port Perry Rod & Gun Pineridge Sports Ray's Towing Season begins week of May 29 Coaches General Meeting: May 2 or 3, 7 p.m. Pentecostal Church Sponsor Day Tournament/Official Grand Opening Ceremonies: June 24 Tryouts for Select Tournament Teams - Coach Training Sessions' May 27 4 contact your convenor for more information pa _ Club voicemail: 985-7553 ¢® F Club email: scugogsoccer@aol.com wi U8 Mixed, U10B, U12B; May 27 - 1 p.m. - Basic @ am.; Advanced 10.30 am -> w /