Bullock sinks, again, on video

Daily Arts Writers

"Eddie Adams from Torrence." Errr, maybe not, but Dirk - well, actually Mark Wahlberg" - is back digging in "The Big Hit." After doing a film loosely based on John Holmes, Wahlberg needed a little release and found it in the form of this slick flick. Jack Horner thinks that all of the men in this movie will become big, bright, shining stars. If we're lucky, soon we'll see a documentary on the making of "The Big Hit" by Amber Waves.

"Sassy" Sandra Bullock slips to a new career low in "Hope Floats." This weepy flick shows a Texan rekindling the coals of her love life after an embarrassing trip to a TV talk show. It also stars Harry Connick, Jr. as the man who helps Sandie get her groove back. Director Forrest Whitaker raises the bar for films about jilted lovers. After "Hope Floats," it would take Jack Dawson in a deep-sea diving getup to save Bullock's sinking career.

Like a rose, finally reaching its full blossom, Christina Ricci has become a respected movie actress and quite a woman. "The Opposite of Sex" confirms that there is life after "The Adams Family" for this former child star. This twisted tale of sexual relationships, family values and a spunky teen serves up heaps of laughs and illicit affairs. Picture Lisa Kudrow - the opposite of sex.

For those left unsatisfied with the first "Species" movie, we offer the second generation, "Species II." This sequel is about as welcome as a late-inning Yankees grand slam. Michael Madsen, the only non-alien from the first film desperate enough to come back for seconds, shakes his well-defined booty in hopes of hooking up with Natasha Henstridge. The odds of appreciating this film and the Tigers winning the World Series next year are about even. Tony Clark: Dream on.

10-20-98