THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, January 6, 1995                TAG: 9501060035
SECTION: DAILY BREAK              PAGE: E11  EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY ALAN CHANG, TEENOLOGY MOVIE CRITIC 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   51 lines

``HOUSEGUEST'' HAS SOME LAUGHS BUT WEARS THIN

SINBAD TRIES HIS comedic talent on the big screen, starring in the new comedy ``Houseguest.''

Here, we witness again an outsider who stumbles into the lives of a dysfunctional family and attempts to bring them together. Haven't people seen enough of this? Despite the recurring theme, ``Houseguest'' has a few hearty laughs.

Sinbad plays Kevin, a dreamer of high goals but a loser in achieving them. Newly released from prison, he attempts to make it by watching ``how to get rich quick'' videos and selling baseball cards. His luck runs out when he meets two mob hit men who want Kevin to return $50,000 he borrowed.

Trying to slip out of town, Kevin poses as a long lost dentist friend of Gary Young, played by Phil Hartman of ``Saturday Night Live,'' and is invited to stay with the family. Realizing the family's problems, Kevin decides to help.

There is not much emphasis on the relationship between Kevin and the family. Instead, much like in ``Home Alone,'' we see Sinbad trying every silly way to dodge and outsmart the two hit men throughout the film.

The movie is more like a one-man stand-up comedy routine starring Sinbad. His punch lines are always dressed up nicely with witty facial expressions, which add more spice to the humor. Hartman, as the rich businessman, and his wife, played by Kim Greist, are the kind of characters that people tend to watch and forget the next day.

The only memorable part of Hartman's character is his lazy grin, the one that people generally associate with his imitation of Bill Clinton on ``Saturday Night Live.'' And their kids, what about them? They appeared to only occupy space, although some disappointing attempts were made to give them personalities.

Other than the laughs, the movie is nothing. If you find yourself in the glooms and need a bit of humor, this movie might do. MEMO: ``Houseguest'' is rated PG. ILLUSTRATION: Photos

Alan Chang is a junior at Kempsville High School.

MARSHA BLACKBURN/Hollywood Pictures

Chaos results when Kevin Franklin (Sinbad), who is posing as a

dentist, is coaxed into showing his skills in ``Houseguest.''

by CNB