Film

Film critic for The Boston Phoenix, Steve Vineberg. He reviews "Richard III."

Actor/director/writer Sean Penn. The "reluctant actor" is starring in the new film "Dead Man Walking" directed by Tim Robbins, co-starring Susan Sarandon. (It's based on the book, of the same title, by Sister Helen Prejean). Penn has moved away from acting in favor of writing/directing: the 1991 film "The Indian Runner" which he wrote based on a Bruce Springsteen song, and last year's "The Crossing Guard" starring Angelica Huston and Jack Nicholson.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Dead Man Walking."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "12 Monkeys"

Film critic Stephen Schiff gives us his year's best.

Critic Steve Vineberg reviews the film adaptation of "Sense and Sensibility."

Critic Steve Vineberg reviews a new film version of Shakespeare's "Othello." It stars Laurence Fishburne as Othello, and Kenneth Brannagh as Iago.

Film director Ang Lee. He grew up in Taiwan, but studied theater and film production in the United States. His second feature film, "The Wedding Banquet," was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, as was his next film, "Eat Drink Man Woman." Lee's films often portray family relationships with poignancy, respect, and a light comic touch. His latest film is "Sense and Sensibility," the film based on the novel by Jane Austen.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews Oliver Stone's "Nixon."

Actor Harrison Ford. He's starred in "Star Wars," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," "Witness," and "The Fugitive." He's starring in the new film, "Sabrina."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the remake of the film "Sabrina," starring Harrison Ford.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Heat" starring Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino.

Children's book author and illustrator Chris Van Allsburg. His book The Polar Express a fable about a little boy who meets Santa Claus was/is a bestseller. It was written ten years ago, and each year at Christmas it's a big favorite. His new book is Bad Day At Riverbend (Houghton Mifflin). His book Jumanji (published in 1981) has been made into a new movie starring Robin Williams. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Actress/painter Mary Woronov. She was part of Andy Warhol's "Factory" in the 1960s. She was discovered while still a college student and was in Warhol's film, "Chelsea Girls," about New York bohemian life. She has a new memoir about those years, Swimming Underground: My Years in the Warhol Factory (Journey Editions).

From the United States Catholic Conference's Film and Broadcasting office, Henry Herx. He's is office director. They provide reviews of current films, evaluating them for plot, entertainment value, and moral content. Their number is 1-800-311-4222. The office has five ratings, A-1 (for general audiences) to O (morally offensive).

British film director and screenwriter Mike Figgis. His latest film is "Leaving Las Vegas." The film is based on the novel by John O'Brien. Figgis wrote the screenplay. Shortly after the film went into production, O'Brien killed himself. His father said that the book was O'Brien's suicide note. In the film an alcoholic named Ben, played by Nicholas Cage, goes to Las Vegas to end his life in a final binge. He meets and falls in love with a prostitute and they form a desperate bond.

Dublin actor and sculptor Corban Walker. He is making his film debut in "Frankie Starlight." The film is based on the novel "The Dark of Cork" by American author Chet Raymo about a dwarf who is an amateur astronomer who is love with beautiful women and the stars. The film is produced by Noel Pearson who also produced "My Left Foot." Walker is "of small stature." The film also stars Gabriel Byrne and Matt Dillon. (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE REVIEW SEGMENT)

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Toy Story."

French filmmaker Louis Malle in February 1988. Malle died last Thursday [11/23] of complications from lymphoma. He was 63. Malle was best-known for such films as "Atlantic City," "My Dinner with Andre," "Au Revoir, Les Enfants," and "Pretty Baby," the 1978 movie about child prostitution that made Brooke Shields a star. He was married to TV actress Candace Bergen for 15 years. They have a ten-year-old daughter, Chloe. (Rebroadcast of 02/19/1988)

Larry McMurtry is considered one of Texas most prominent fiction writers even though he has not lived in that state for nearly two decades. Over his career, he has written 19 novels...including the 1986 Pulitzer Prize winning book Lonesome Dove.. His newest Dead Man’s Walk (Simon & Schuster 1995) takes readers to the early days of his Lonesome Dove heroes Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call. Other books by McMurtry include: Streets of Laredo (sequel to Lonesome Dove), Terms of Endearment and The Last Picture Show.