Michael Lamont

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -- Based on the wildly popular J.K. Rowling's book about a young boy who, on his eleventh birthday, discovers that he is the orphanedboy of two powerful wizards and has unique magical powers of his own.

The Avengers -- A scientist who develops the means to control large-scale weather changes uses his discovery to wreak evil. Emma Peele and John Steed must stop the villian.

The second of Zucker-Abraham-Zucker's theatrical-feature spoofs (Airplane was the first, discounting the patchwork Kentucky Fried Movie), Top Secret! lampoons practically every film genre. Specifically, however, this is a hybrid of an "Elvis" movie and a World War II "underground resistance" thriller. In his film debut, Val Kilmer plays Nick Rivers, a Presley-like American rock idol sent behind the Iron Curtain on a goodwill tour. Before long, he is involved in a complex espionage scheme thanks to beautiful Lucy Gutteridge, the daughter of a scientist (Michael Gough) held captive by the Communists. Also essential to the action is flamboyant resistance leader Christopher Villiers, who behaves like Victor Mature in Betrayed (1954) and talks like James Mason. Adhering to Z-A-Z's cheerful disregard for people, places and events, the East Germans are depicted as Nazis, while the Underground is comprised of Frenchmen. The plot is mainly an excuse for the Z-A-Z team's fondness for joke-a-minute lampoonery, skewering cinematic targets ranging from The Blue Lagoon (1980) to The Wizard of Oz (1939). As in Z-A-Z's other efforts, Top Secret! scores its biggest yocks when invoking cliches that we never realized were cliches-and falls on its face whenever attempting a too-obvious gag (the biggest clinker: that pigeon statue in the park). Everyone has his or her favorite bits in this film: our faves include the resistance fighter named Deja Vu ("Haven't we met somewhere before?"), Kilmer's horrible nightmare while being tortured (he arrives too late to take final exams), the army-booted cow, the sensitive Pinto, and the East German National Anthem, sung to the tune of the Shorewood (Wisconsin) High School marching song. But let's say no more: comedy of this nature is designed to be seen, not written or read about.

In this enchanting film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's delightful bestseller, Harry Potter learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned first son of two powerful wizards and possesses magical powers of his own. At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. He learns the high-flying sport Quidditch and plays a thrilling game with living chess pieces on his way to face a Dark Wizard bent on destroying him. For the most extraordinary adventure, see you on platform nine and three quarters!

Based on the wildly popular J.K. Rowling's book about a young boy who, on his eleventh birthday, discovers that he is the orphanedboy of two powerful wizards and has unique magical powers of his own.

Based on the wildly popular J.K. Rowling's book about a young boy who, on his eleventh birthday, discovers that he is the orphanedboy of two powerful wizards and has unique magical powers of his own.

The classic horror story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde gets a chilling new twist when seen through theeyes of Dr. Jekyll's devoted maid Maru Reilly. Julia Roberts and John Malkovich, along with the writer and director of Dangerous Liasons, take terror to a new level as the immortal conflict between good and evil is played out in the soul of one man. Equally attracted to her kind employer Dr. Jekylland his mysterious assistant Mr. Hyde, Mary Reilly must confront her own dangerous desires if she is to survive humanity's greatest evil.

Based on the sophisticated, quirky British secret-agent television series of the 1960s. A scientist who develops the means to control large-scale weather changes uses his discovery to wreak evil. Emma Peel and John Steed must stop the villain.

This much-maligned, big-budget blockbuster adapted a 1960s TV favorite for the '90s big screen. Ralph Fiennes stars as classy British secret agent John Steed and Uma Thurman as his girl Friday -- the brilliant, beautiful scientist Emma Peel. Their impossible mission: thwart Sean Connery's diabolical plan to bring the world to its knees by controlling global weather.

A scientist who develops the means to control large-scale weather changes uses his discovery to wreak evil. Emma Peele and John Steed must stop the villian.

A scientist who develops the means to control large-scale weather changes uses his discovery to wreak evil. Emma Peele and John Steed must stop the villian.

Based on the sophisticated, quirky British secret-agent television series of the 1960s. A scientist who develops the means to control large-scale weather changes uses his discovery to wreak evil. Emma Peele and John Steed must stop the villain.