Film

Book critic John Leonard reviews the new collection of reviews by film critic Pauline Kael, "Movie Love: Complete Reviews 1988-1991." (Plume: A William Abrahams Book).

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews, "Europa, Europa," the foreign film based on a true story about a Polish-German Jewish boy who escapes the Germans and Russians by hiding his true identity.

Actor and director Kenneth Branagh (rhymes with "Savannah"). His new movie, "Dead Again," is a psychological thriller starring Branagh and his real-life wife, Emma Thompson. In 1989, Branagh made a film adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry the Fifth," with himself in the title role. That movie was nominated for an Oscar as best film. Branagh studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, spent two years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as acting, managing, and directing other groups and working on several BBC productions.

Actress Mary Beth Hurt. She co-stars in the new thriller "Defenseless."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new movie by Joel and Ethan Coen, "Barton Fink," starring John Turturro and John Goodman.

From the Comedy Central cable channel's "Mystery Science Theater 3000," creator and host Joel Hodgson, and head writer Mike Nelson. Their show spoofs badly made science-fiction movies by talking back to the them, much like you'd talk back to your TV.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "The Commitments," the new movie about a struggling R 'n' B band in Dublin, Ireland. The film's directed by Alan Parker, who made the movie "Mississippi Burning" and "Fame."

Screenwriter and novelist Bruce Wagner. He wrote the screenplays for "Nightmare on Elm Street 3," and "Scenes from The Class Struggle in Beverly Hills." He's just come out with his first novel, a black comedy, "Force Majeure." It's a collection of his "Bud Wiggins" stories. Wiggins is a struggling screenwriter, actor, and some time chauffeur who is "circling the drain." (published by Random House). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews two new comedies starring two stars from "SCTV," and wonders why they haven't been more successful. They are Martin Short who's starring with Danny Glover in, "Pure Luck," and John Candy whose new film is "Delirious."

Two Interviews: 1) Film maker Samuel Fuller. Fuller's B-movies of the 50s and 60s have influenced many other directors. His 1982 movie, "White Dog," about a racist who trains a dog to attacks blacks, was considered too controversial to be released in this country. It's finally being shown, along with all Fuller's other works, during a major retrospective of his work at New York's "Film Forum.
2) Martin Scorsese, one of today's most prominent filmmakers, tells us the movies of Samuel Fuller influenced him.