Comedy

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews Ghostbusters II. He says the movie relies too much on prior knowledge of the original. But he enjoyed the performances, particularly Bill Murray's weird take on domesticity.

Director and actor Paul Bartel. Bartel's acting credits include roles in "Fame" and "L.A. Law," but he's best known for his direction of several black comedies, such as "Eating Raoul," which he also co-wrote and acted in. Bartel's new film, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills," has just been released. It stars Ed Begley Jr. and Jacqueline Bisset.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews a few of the current crop of summer movies - "Great Balls of Fire," "Lethal Weapon II," and "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids."

Comic Andrea Martin. She was an original member of the Canadian SCTV comedy troupe and one of its brightest stars for seven years. Her co-stars included John Candy, Eugene Levy and Martin Short. Martin brought to life the neurotic talk show host Libby Wolfson, cleaning lady Pirini Scleroso, and, perhaps her best known character, the TV station manager Edith Prickley. Martin recently starred in her own cable TV comedy special on the Showtime channel.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Turner and Hooch," the new comedy starring Tom Hanks as a man who's life is turned upside down when he inherits a huge, slobbering dog.

Film Critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Parenthood," a comedy starring Steve Martin and Rick Moranis, and directed by Ron Howard. Howard's previous films include two hits and a flop: "Splash," "Cocoon" and ""Willow."

Guest film critic Owen Gleiberman reviews the home video release of "Naked Gun," the police farce produced and directed by the makers of "Airplane." "Naked Gun," which premiered on movie screens early last spring, was based on the six-episode TV program "Police Squad," which recently aired on cable TV.

Actor Charles Grodin. Unlike his contemporaries - and friends - like Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford, Grodin achieved the great success that every actor strives for only recently. He starred with Robert De Niro in last year's "Midnight Run," his first major success in a long, twisted journey through the acting profession. Grodin has written a memoir about his passage; it's titled It Would Be So Nice If You Weren't Here.

Director, screenwriter, musician and actor Christopher Guest. Guest makes his feature directorial debut in the new film "The Big Picture." Guest co-wrote the rock parody "This Is Spinal Tap," and he was a writer and regular performer on Saturday Night Live.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the theatrical re-release of "Tom Jones." The 1963 film adaptation of Henry Fielding's novel of a bawdy 18th century playboy won Oscars for best picture, director, screenplay, and score. It stars Albert Finney and Susannah York.

Film director Arthur Penn. Penn's latest film is "Penn and Teller Get Killed." His previous movies include "Bonnie and Clyde," "Little Big Man," "The Miracle Worker," "Alice's Restaurant," and "The Missouri Breaks."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new movie, "The Fabulous Baker Boys," starring Jeff and Beau Bridges and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new Woody Allen movie, "Crimes and Misdemeanors."

Critic Owen Gleiberman (GLY-ber-man) reviews the 1964 movie "Bedtime Story" starring David Niven and Marlon Brando as a pair of conniving womanizers. It's now out on home video. That movie inspired last year's film, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Steel Magnolias," starring Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Shirley McLain, and Darrell Hannah as a group of friends in a small Southern town.

Film critic Owen Gleiberman reviews "Back to the Future II."

Film critic Owen Gleiberman reviews two new cynical comedies: "The War of the Roses." It stars Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas as the once-perfect couple going through the world's ugliest divorce, and Danny DeVito as divorce lawyer caught in middle. And "She-Devil" starring Meryl Streep, Roseanne Barr, and Ed Begley, Jr.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the movie, "Enemies, a Love Story," based on an Isaac Bashevis Singer novel, directed by Paul Mazursky and starring Angelica Huston, Lena Olin, and Ron Silver.

Critic Laurie Stone reviews the film "The War of the Roses," starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner as a divorcing couple, and directed by Danny de Vito, who also plays a divorce lawyer.

Movie critic Stephen Schiff reviews the film, "Sweetie," about an eccentric Australian family.