THESE THREE WILL KEEP YOU IN SUSPENSE

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 5, 1992                   TAG: 9202050263
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Mike Mayo
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long
THESE THREE WILL KEEP YOU IN SUSPENSE
1991 will not be remembered as a good year for movies, either commercially or critically. But it was a terrific year for suspense films. Several of the best that played in theaters last year will be showing up in video stores over the next few weeks. And perhaps "The Vanishing" is a brilliant suspense film. the best of the year has just arrived as a video original.
It's a Dutch import called "The Vanishing," and it's brilliant.
Tim Krabbe's story, based on his novel, begins with a young couple, Rex and his girlfriend Saskia (Gene Bervoets and Johanna Ter Stegge), on their way to a vacation in France. After a curious quarrel, she disappears. Also involved is a middle-class family man, Raymond Lemorne (Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu). That's all anyone should know about the plot.
Director George Sluizer lets events unfold at their own pace, using completely ordinary settings and situations to study the nature of evil. Though "The Vanishing" does have some thematic similarities to "Silence of the Lambs," it's working on an entirely different and more subtle level. Sluizer's quiet approach is like another fine sleeper, "Monsieur Hire," though this one is more unusual and much, much more frightening.
Without showing a single drop of blood or overt physical violence, "The Vanishing" will scare you in a way that movies almost never attempt, much less succeed at. It's an unsettling experience that you'll find yourself remembering at odd moments. And when you do, you'll feel a deep chill.
On the other end of the suspense spectrum, we've got Kenneth Branagh's razzle-dazzle "Dead Again." The release date is still several weeks away (March 12), but it's not too soon to reserve a copy at your favorite video store.
This is a wild tale of past lives and double-dealing that's not meant to be taken completely seriously. Director/star Branagh plays two roles, private detective Mike Church and 1940s composer Roman Strauss. Emma Thompson (the real Mrs. Branagh) is both Margaret Strauss and Grace, a contemporary amnesiac who may be the reincarnation of Margaret. That's what Mike is hired to find out. The thing is, Roman killed Margaret. Or did he?
Does the hypnotist (Derek Jacobi) who's leading Grace back to Margaret have an ulterior motive? And what about the reporter (Andy Garcia) who covered the trial? What really went on between him and Margaret?
Branagh seasons his mix with references to Hitchcock and film noir, and the terrific opening will remind you of "Raiders of the Lost Ark." If Branagh had handled this material as seriously as he did his first film, "Henry V," it would have been ridiculous. But with "Dead Again," he's fast, slick, and his tongue is never far from his cheek.
\ "Defenseless" wasn't as big a hit at the box office. I suspect that it will be much more popular on tape. The plot clips right along from surprising twist to surprising twist, but the most interesting thing about the story is the way the sexual roles are reversed.
Barbara Hershey is T.K. Katwuller, our protagonist. As police detective Burtell, Sam Shepard provides little more than handsome window dressing, but, hey, he's got the profile for it.
The plot has just about everything you want in a mystery. There are sleazy porno merchants, an outraged father, adultery, murder, a cover-up and a few dozen red herrings. T.K. is a lawyer who finds herself personally involved in the mixed-up case, and unsure of her own motives. The real subject of the film is violence against women. Director Martin Campbell never exploits it, though he is able to maintain suspense in some powerful scenes.
"Defenseless," due in video stores on Feb. 26, may be the weakest of this trio, but it's more than watchable and well worth your time.
\ New releases this week\
The Rocketeer: *** Stars Bill Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Timothy Dalton, Terry O'Quinn. Directed by Joe Johnston. Disney PG. 110 minutes.
Short on story but long on action and adventure: An homage to 1930s and '40s pulps and serials, it tells the story of a stunt pilot and the rocket-pack that he stumbles across. Everyone wants it including the FBI, Nazis and a swashbuckling actor. A great look that evokes the Los Angeles of the period and some nifty flying sequences are only part of the fun. - CHRIS GLADDEN

Regarding Henry: **1/2: Stars Harrison Ford, Annette Bening. Directed by Mike Nichols. Paramount. PG-13. 120 minutes
Nichols' stab at Frank Capra uplift - sentimental, simplistic and unobjectionable despite its overt button pushing. Simplistic, sentimental story about a man who loses his memory and becomes a better person features good performances. - CHRIS GLADDEN\
What the ratings mean:
**** Memorable. One of the best of its kind; maybe worth owning.
*** Outstanding. An excellent video, worth searching out.
** Average. You've seen better, you've seen worse, but if it sounds interesting . . .
* Poor. This is why your VCR has a fast-forward button.
A waste of time and an insult to your intelligence. More a warning than a rating.
Note: Star ratings are not available for reviews from wire services.
THE ESSENTIALS\ The Vanishing ***1/2 Fox Lorber. 105 min. Subtitled. Unrated. Contains no graphic violence or sexual content but is still too strong for younger viewers.
\ Dead Again *** Paramount. 107 min. Rated R for strong language, violence.
\ Defenseless ** LIVE. 106 min. Rated R for subject matter, violence, strong language, brief nudity.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB