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Starring Samuel L. Jackson, John Heard, Kelly Rowan, Karina Arroyave
Director Kevin Reynolds
Opens July 30
No boats. No flippers. No Kevin Costner. After helming one of the decade's costliest films — the $175 million washout known as Waterworld — Reynolds is wisely returning to dry land, with a $20 million urban drama about a New York teacher (Jackson) who relocates to L.A. after being stabbed 10 times by a student. ''I wanted to concentrate on acting and filmmaking rather than worrying about getting a hundred boats in the water,'' says the director. The title, in case you were wondering, refers to the California state penal code for murder. UPSIDE If it works, Reynolds will never have to endure another Fishtar joke. DOWNSIDE A movie that's half Death Wish and half Mr. Holland's Opus is a tough sell.
