Film

Filmmaker Haile Gerima. He was born in Ethiopia and now lives in America. His latest movie, "Sankofa," which he wrote and directed, is an epic about African-American slavery, from Africans' 18th century journey to America to their struggles for liberation, told for the first time from an African viewpoint. Gerima is a professor of film at Howard University in Washington, DC. Along with "Sankofa," two of his past features, "Harvest: 3,000 Years" and "Ashes and Embers" have won international awards.

Film director Milos Forman. Originally from Czechoslovakia, Forman is the director of such American films as "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Amadeus," "Hair," and "Ragtime." Forman began his film career in his native country, apprenticing with some of the country's best film makers for the Communist state-controlled film industry.

Film Critic Stephen Schiff on Hollywood's latest epic, "House of the Spirits," based on the book by Isabel Allende.

Film critic Stephen Schiff has a review of the new Michael Keaton film, "The Paper".

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the Academy Awards presentation, which aired last night on ABC.

Film director Ted Demme. His new movie is "The Ref," starring Denis Leary, Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis. It's a dark comedy about a burglar stuck with two obnoxious hostages on Christmas Eve. Demme, who is 30, has also directed and produced for MTV; he's responsible for creating the popular hip-hop show "Yo! MTV Raps." His first feature film was "Who's The Man?" He is director Jonathan Demme's nephew.

Film Critic Stephen Schiff on "Guarding Tess", starring Shirley McClaine and Nicholas Cage.

Actor Rip Torn, who now plays the Arty, the producer on the HBO comedy series, "The Larry Sanders Show". Torn has been a stage actor since the mid-1950's, when he left his native Texas (and his first name "Elmore") behind, for New York City and the Actors Studio. Described by one reviewer as "the good-looking no-talent with the ludicrously sinister name", Torn was often typecast as a heavy in television shows like "Dr. Kildare" and "Bonanza." (He also portrayed Henry Miller in an X-rated film version of "Tropic of Cancer.").

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the premiere of TNT's screen adaptation of Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness."

Film Critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new film "The Ref".

Film critic Stephen Schiff on the new comedy: "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective."

Actress and comedian Janeane Garofalo. She's a regular on HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show," where she plays the caustic casting agent, and was a regular on FOX's "The Ben Stiller Show." Now she's appearing in the new film directed and starring Ben Stiller, "Reality Bites." Her stand-up persona has been described as "a bitter, boot-wearing feminista." Which they go on to describe as "no act" on her part.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "On Deadly Ground," the new Steven Seagal film.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the film "Reality Bites," a comedy about Love in the '90's, directed by Ben Stiller and starring Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke.

Singer, actress, dancer, Ann-Margret (no last name necessary) has written her autobiography, "Ann-Margret: My Story," (with Todd Gold, Putnam). In the book she writes about her relationship with Elvis Presley, her battle with alcohol abuse, and the stage accident that almost ended her career. Ann-Margret has appeared in the movies, "Bye Bye Birdie," "Carnal Knowledge," "Tommy," and others.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new movie "Romeo is Bleeding," a black comedy directed by Peter Medak and starring Gary Oldman, Lena Olin, Annabella Sciorra, Juliette Lewis and Roy Scheider.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead fills in for film critic Stephen Schiff and reviews the new movie, "I'll Do Anything," starring Nick Nolte.

Academy Award winning writer-producer-director James Brooks. Brooks will discuss his new movie, "I'll Do Anything," a romantic comedy about a struggling but talented Hollywood character actor, played by Nick Nolte.

Actress Julie Kavner. In her first professional role, she played Brenda Morgenstern, the insecure younger sister of the title character, in the television series "Rhoda." She landed an Emmy award for that role. Also on television, she co-starred in "The Tracey Ullman Show" and now can be heard as the unforgettable voice of Marge on the animated sitcom, "The Simpsons," for which she also won an Emmy. She starred in the movie "This Is My Life," co-starred in "Awakenings," and appeared in 5 Woody Allen movies.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Blink" the new film directed by Michael Apted, starring Madeline Stowe and Aidan Quinn.