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Sybil Maas Movies

1988  
 
The two-part King of the Olympics was released during the 1988 Summer Olympic games. David Selby stars as Avery Brundage, the 19th century sports enthusiast who spearheaded the movement to revive the Olympic games in modern times. We all know the outcome, so there's really no necessity to sit through the film's wearisome four hours. For the record, Part One of King of the Olympics finds Brundage running up against obstacle after obstacle in realizing his dream--and wooing and winning several young ladies along the way. So, for that matter, does Part Two. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1988  
 
Part One of the made-for-TV King of the Olympics recounted the efforts of Avery Brundage (David Selby) to mount the first modern Olympic contest of 1896. Part Two re-recounts what we've already seen. While the rare film clips of the pre-20th century games are fascinating, the surrounding story is a four-hour yawnfest. The full title of this top-heavy effort was King of the Olympics: The Lives and Loves of Avery Brundage, which frankly promised more than it could (or would) deliver. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1975  
 
Love turns out to be all in the family in this romantic comedy from France. When an elderly couple decides to marry, their families come together for a wedding banquet that turns into a raucous, wine-soaked celebration. Marthe (Marie-Christine Barrault) and Ludovic (Victor Lanoux) are distant cousins related by marriage who meet for the first time at the reception; they take an immediate liking to each other and resolve that they should see each other more often. Before long, they've become close friends, but their spouses begin to think there's more going on than just good conversation. However, the more people are convinced the two have become lovers, the more the idea of taking their friendship to the next level appeals to them. Marie-France Pisier has a memorably funny "suicide" scene as Ludovic's wife. Cousin Cousine was a surprise commercial success in the United States, where it received several Academy Award nominations and spawned an Americanized remake, Cousins (1989). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Marie-Christine BarraultVictor Lanoux, (more)
 
1987  
PG  
Add Empire of the Sun to Queue Add Empire of the Sun to top of Queue  
Based on J.G. Ballard's autobiographical novel, Empire of the Sun stars Christian Bale as a spoiled young British boy, living with his wealthy family in pre-World War II Shanghai. During the Japanese invasion, Bale is separated from his parents. With the help of soldier-of-fortune John Malkovich, Bale learns to survive without a retinue of servants at his beck and call. By the time Malkovich and Bale are tossed into a Japanese prison camp, the boy has picked up enough street-smarts and developed enough intestinal fortitude to regard his imprisonment as an exciting adventure. The story ends during the 1945 liberation: on the verge of manhood, the 13-year-old Bale will never again be the pampered, privileged brat whom we met in the early scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Christian BaleJohn Malkovich, (more)