From: Reviews and Criticism of Vietnam War Theatrical and Television Dramas
(http://www.lasalle.edu/library/vietnam/FilmIndex/home.htm)
compiled by John K. McAskill, La Salle University (mcaskill@lasalle.edu)
N2875 NATURAL BORN KILLERS (USA, 1995)
(Other titles: Asesinos por naturaleza; Assassini nati; Szuletett gyilkosok;
Tueurs nes)
Credits: director, Oliver Stone ; writers, David Veloz, Richard Rutowski, Oliver
Stone ; story, Quentin Tarantino.
Cast: Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Robert Downey, Jr., Tommy Lee Jones.
Summary: Melodrama set in the contemporary U.S. A black comedy of violence
and the media obsession with it. Fugitive lovers Mickey (Harrelson) and
Mallory Knox (Lewis) kill lots of people, and become media superstars.
Identified as a Vietnam film by Cynthia Fuchs in her article “Man-made
weather: media, murder, and the future in Natural born killers” cited below.
Allen, Kristine. “Revelation and redemption in ‘Natutal born killers’: Oliver Stone’s
‘western’ road film” Michigan academician 32/2 (2000), p. 143.
Alleva, Richard. “Bloody-minded” Commonweal 121/17 (Oct 7, 1994), p. 22-3.
____________. [Natural born killers] Commonweal 122/16 (Sep 22, 1995), p. 19+
[5 p.]
Ansen, David. “The overkilling fields” Newsweek 124/9 (Aug 29, 1994), p. 54-5.
[Reprinted in Film review annual 1995]
Appleyard, Bryan. [Natural born killers] World press review 42/8 (Aug 1995), p. 30+
[2 p.]
[Reprinted from the Sunday times (Jun 4, 1995)]
Atkinson, Michael. “The movies made me do it” Village voice 44 (may 11, 1999), p.
58-9.
Bailey, John. “Bang bang bang bang ad nauseum” American cinematographer 75/12
(Dec 1994), p. 26, 28-9.
Barker, Martin. “Violence” Sight and sound 5/7 (Jul 1995), p. 64.
___________. “Violent critics” [letter] Sight and sound 5/8 (Aug 1995), p. 64.
Bierinckx, Cis. “Natural born killers” Film en televisie + video no. 445 (Oct 1994), p.
11.
Bjorkman, Stig. “Vinner pa knockout” Chaplin 36/5 [n.254] (1994), p. 67-8.
Blake, Richard A. “Stoned again” America 171/7 (Sep 17, 1994), p. 22-3.
Boone, K. A. “Stoning Tarantino” Creative screenwriting 1/4 (winter 1994), p. 8499.
Bottiroli, Giovanni. “Il mondo e la terra” Segnocinema n.70 (Nov/Dec 1994), p. 6-8.
Bowman, James. [Natural born killers] Times literary supplement n.4790 (Jan 20,
1995), p. 18.
Brennan, Judy. “Film clips: Natural born flap over, yes, violence” Los Angeles times
(Jul 3, 1994), Calendar, p. 24.
___________. “Warners giving ‘Born killers’ a light promotional touch” Los
Angeles times (Aug 12, 1994), Calendar, p. 8.
Brennan, Simon. “Natural born killers” Premiere 10 (Sep 1996), p. 99.
Brown, Corie. “American maniacs” Premiere 7 (Aug 1994), p. 42-3.
Bruni, Frank. “All sights set on serial killers” Detroit free press (Aug 28, 1994), p.
1G.
[Reprinted as “Hack, by popular demand: Serial killers in books and movies:
America can’t seem to get enough murder” Philadelphia inquirer (Sep 4,
1994), p. F1]
__________. “A killer trip: Oliver Stone takes audiences on a roller-coaster ride
through modern mayhem” Detroit free press (Aug 26, 1994), p. 1D.
Busch, Anita M. “‘Killers’ doesn’t go better with Coke” Variety 356 (Aug 29-Sep 4,
1994), p. 7-8.
Bush, Lyall. “Doing Brando” Film comment 32 (Jan/Feb 1996), p. 83-8.
“The business” [on censoring Natural born killers] Sight and sound 4/12 (Dec 1994),
p. 4.
C., J. J. “Urodzeni mordercy” Film pro no. 1 (1995), p. 31.
Campbell, Bob. “Stone calls film social commentary: ‘Killers’ meant to expose
depravity in violence fetish” Star tribune [Minneapolis] (Aug 26, 1994), p. 4E.
Carels, Edwin. “Re-birth of a nation?” Andere sinema n.124 (Nov/Dec 1994), p. 1115.
Caron, Andre. “Natural born killers” Sequences n.174 (Sep-Oct 1994), p. 31-3.
Carr, Jay. “Morality plays: ‘Forrest Gump,’ ‘Natural born killers’ and ‘Quiz show’
couldn’t be more different. But they’re all drawing crowds by exploring
America’s values” Boston globe (Sep 18, 1994), p. A9.
_______. “Oliver Stone’s killer instinct: The director wrestles with his violent
demons - and ours” Boston globe (Aug 21, 1994), p. 55.
_______. “Stone’s age of savagery: ‘Natural born killers’ raises hell - and hellish
images of modern society” Boston globe (Aug 26, 1994), p. 51.
Carro, Nelson. “Asesinos por naturaleza” Dicine n.60-61 (Jan-Feb 1995), p. 36-7.
Carroll, Jerry. “Stone’s Natural born overkill: Director says relentless violence in
latest film is satire of media” San Francisco chronicle (Aug 23, 1994), p. E1.
Chang, Chris. “Feed the reaper” Film comment 30/4 (Jul/Aug 1994), p. 38-9.
Charity, Tom. “Blood from a Stone” Time out n.1276 (Feb 1, 1995), p. 18-21.
__________. “Slashing movies” Time out n.1265 (Nov 16, 1994), p. 68.
Cherchi Usai, Paolo. “Assassini nati” Segnocinema n.70 (Nov/Dec 1994), p. 44-5.
Corliss, Richard and Smilgis, Martha. “Stone crazy” Time 144/9 (Aug 29, 1994), p.
66-8.
[Reprinted in Film review annual 1995]
Courtwright, David T. “Way cooler than Manson: ‘Natural born killers’ (1994)” Film
& history 28/3-4 (1998), p. 28-36.
Covert, Colin. “Madness, gore obscure irony in ‘Killers’” Star tribune [Minneapolis]
(Aug 26, 1994), p. 1E.
Cronin, Peter (see under Verna, Paul)
Csejdy, Andrak. “Aso, kapa, nagyharag” Film vilag 39/7 (1996), p. 18-21.
Davidson, Sally. “Natural born killers” Fatal visions n. 17 (1994), p. 10.
Dawson, Jeff. Quentin Tarantino : the cinema of cool New York : Applause, 1995.
(p. 122-38)
De Bernardinis, Flavio. “Magic world tape” Segnocinema n.70 (Nov/Dec 1993), p.
73.
Deemer, Charles and Nayman, I. “The screenplays of Quentin Tarantino” Creative
screenwriting 1/4 (winter 1994), p. 59-83, 100-107.
De Marinis, Gualtiero. “I [love] Sergej” Cineforum 35/343 (Apr 1995), p. 42+ [7 p.]
Denby, David. “Dead heads” New York 27 (Sep 5, 1994), p. 46-7.
[Reprinted in Film review annual 1995]
Douglas, Susan J. “The devil made me do it” Nation 268 (Apr 5-12, 1999), p. 50-52.
Dupuis, Florent. “Tueurs nes” Cinemaction 103/2 (2002), p. 185-8.
Easterbrook, Gregg. “The makers of ‘Killers’ film are making a bundle off blood:
The director, Oliver Stone, seems shielded by his affectional leftism”
Philadelphia inquirer (Sep 23, 1994), p. A31.
________________. “Natural born excess: Why doesn’t anyone protest Oliver
Stone’s odious new film?” Washington post (Sep 18, 1994), p. C7.
Elley, Derek. “‘Killers’ hottest ticket in London” Variety 357 (Nov 28, 1994), p. 28.
Everschor, Franz. “Zucker oder Peirsche: Amerikanische Realitat in neuen Filmen”
Film-dienst 47/20 (Sep 27, 1994), p. 36-7.
Farber, Stephen. “Tube tales” Movieline 6 (Nov 1994), p. 36+ [2 p.]
Fiedler, Tom. “Tueurs nes” L’ecran fantastique n.138 (Ovt-Nov 1994), p. 5, 22-5, 27.
Fuchs, Cynthia J. “‘Man-made weather’: Media, murder, and the future in ‘Natural
born killers’” Viet Nam generation 6/3-4 (1995), p. 62-8.
Galbraith, Jane (see under Mathews, Jack)
Gillen, Marilyn A. (see under Verna, Paul)
Girard, Martin. “‘Natural born killers’: Ou la controverse dans le sang” Sequences
n.174 (Sep-Oct 1994), p. 50-52.
Gleiberman, Owen. “Natural born killers” in Flesh and blood : the National Society
of Film Critics on sex, violence and censorship (edited by Peter Keough) San
Francisco : Mercury House, 1995. (p. 182-3)
Gleick, Elizabeth. “A time to sue” Time 147 (Jun 17, 1996), p. 90.
Gonzalez Rubio, Javier. “Asesinos por naturaleza” Dicine n. 60-61 (Jan-Feb 1995), p.
38-9.
Gordon, G. “Still born” Modern review [UK] 1/19 (Feb-Mar 1995), p. 20.
Green, Daniel. “‘Natural born killers’ and American decline” in The films of Oliver
Stone (edited by Don Kunz) Lanham, Md. : Scarecrow Press, 1997. (p. 25972)
Gross, Larry. “Exploding Hollywood” Sight and sound 5/3 (Mar 1995), p. 8-9.
Guthmann, Edward. “Stone’s ‘Killers’ will slay you: Harrelson, Lewis star in rude
satire” San Francisco chronicle (Aug 26, 1994), p. C1.
Hagen, John D., Jr. “It’s time to take sides” Commonweal 122/16 (Sep 22, 1995), p.
19-21.
Hampton, Howard. “American maniacs” Film comment 30/6 (Nov/Dec 1994), p.
2-4.
Heinzelmann, Herbert. “Bildablagerungen im Gehirn” Medien + Erziehung 38/5
(1994), p. 285-8.
Helms, Michael. “Natutal born killers” Metro magazine no. 100 (summer 1994/95),
p. 14-17.
Hinson, Hal. “Movies: ‘Killers’: Stone’s fatal repulsion” Washington post (Aug 26,
1994), p. D1.
Hoberman, J. “True romance” Village voice 39 (Aug 30, 1994), p. 41.
[Reprinted in Film review annual 1995]
Howe, Desson. “‘Natural born’ overkill” Washington post (Aug 26, 1994), Weekend,
p. 42.
Iversen, Jon. “Medie mordere” Z filmtidsskrift n. 4 [n. 50] (1994), p. 14-15.
James, Nick. “Natural born killers” Sight and sound 5/3 (Mar 1995), p. 44-5.
[Reprinted in Film review annual 1995]
Johnson, Brian D. [Natural born killers] Maclean’s 107/35 (Aug 29, 1994), p. 52.
Jousse, Thierry. “Les tueurs de l’image” Cahiers du cinema n.484 (Oct 1994), p. 5053.
Kauffmann, Stanley. “Apocalypse now” New republic 211/14 (Oct 3, 1994), p. 26-7.
Khrenov, Abdrei. “M & M: Ili piramida Olivera Stone” Iskusstvo kino n. 4 (1995), p.
166-7.
Klausmann, Viktor. “Szuletett gyilkosok” Film kultura n. 10 (Mar 1995), p. 20.
Klawans, Stuart. “Natural born killers” Nation 259/8 (Sep 19, 1994), p. 284-6.
Kornatowska, Maria. [Natural born killers] World press review 42/8 (Aug 1995), p.
30+ [2 p.]
[Reprinted from Gazeta (May 6-8, 1995)]
Kowal, Patricia. “Natural born killers” Magill’s cinema annual Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
: Salem Press, 1982- (1995, p. 418-20)
Kroll, Jack. “Brilliant nightmare” Newsweek 124/9 (Aug 29, 1994), p. 55.
[Reprinted in Film review annual 1995]
Kronke, David. “Oliver Stone’s killer instinct: Director’s latest is sure to stir up
another controversy” Atlanta constitution (Aug 24, 1994), p. B1.
La Polla, Franco. “Assassini, cinema e videoclip” Cine forum 35/345 (Jun 1995), p.
65-6.
_____________. “Assassini nati” Cine forum 34/337 (Sep 1994), p. 56-9.
Lebouc, Georges. “Tuers nes” Grand angle n.174 (Aug/Sep 1994), p. 75-6.
Loken, Lene. “Hvordan tenker Filmtilsynet?” Film & kino n. 6 (1994), p. 39.
Lordahl, Tommy. “Demoner i Amerika” Film & kino n. 6 (1994), p. 4-5.
Luke, R. “Mickey and Mallory - zum Toten geboren” Film-dienst 47/21 (Oct 11,
1994), p. 22.
Marinelli, Marco. “I serial killer” Filmcritica 46/451-452 (Jan/Feb 1995), p. 54-7.
Marocco, Paolo. “Assassini nati” Filmcritica 45/449 (Oct 1994), p. 486-7.
Maslin, Janet. [Natural born killers] New York times (Aug 26, 1994), p. C1.
Mathews, Jack and Galbraith, Jane. “Between good and evil: The villains get all the
ink but we still root for the good guys” Newsday (Aug 21, 1994), Fanfare, p.
10.
[Reprinted as “Movies/Commentary: Look into the mirror” Los Angeles
times (Aug 21, 1994), Calendar, p. 3]
McCarthy, Todd. “Natural born killers” Variety 356 (Aug 15-21, 1994), p. 43, 45.
McConnell, Frank. “Frank McConnell” Commonweal 122/16 (Sep 22, 1995), p. 23.
McDonagh, Maitland. “Natural born killers” Film journal 97 (Sep 1994), p. 19-20.
Medved, Michael. [Natural born killers] New York post (Aug 26, 1994), p. 37.
[Reprinted in Film review annual 1995]
Meyers, Richard. “The crime screen” Armchair detective 28/1 (1995), p. 56-8.
Miller, Mark. “Hollywood goes on trial” Newsweek 134 (Aug 2, 1999), p. 42-3.
Murray, Steve. “Movies: Review: ‘Natural born killers’” Atlanta constitution (Aug 26,
1994), Preview, p. P3.
[Natural born killers] Empire n.56 (Feb 1994), p. 10.
[Natural born killers] Empire n.66 (Dec 1994), p. 68-76.
[Natural born killers] Empire n.67 (Jan 1995), p. 10-11.
[Natural born killers] Empire n.68 (Feb 1995), p. 11.
[Natural born killers] Empire n.69 (Mar 1994), p. 33.
[Natural born killers] Fanagoria n.141 (Apr 1995), p. 39.
“Natural born killers” Film review annual 1995 Englewood, N.J. : J.S. Ozer, 1981(p. 1038-52)
[Natural born killers] Interview 24/8 (Aug 1994), p. 33.
[Natural born killers] Interview 24/9 (Sep 1994), p. 130-35.
[Natural born killers] Metro n.100 (summer 1994/95), p. 14-17.
[Natural born killers] Premiere 2/11 (Dec 1994), p. 38-9.
[Natural born killers] Premiere 3/2 (Mar 1995), p. 26.
[Natural born killers] Screen international n.973 (Sep 2, 1994), p. 34.
[Natural born killers] Screen international n.980 (Oct 21, 1994), p. 11.
Nayman, I. (see under Deemer, Charles)
“On the run” Sight and sound 4 (Dec 1994), p. 3.
Parkinson, Brian. “Violence and make-believe” [letter] Sight and sound 5/7 (Jun
1995), p. 10-13.
Pawelczak, Andy. “Natural born killers” Films in review 45/11-12 (Nov/Dec 1994),
p. 57-8.
[Reprinted in Film review annual 1995]
Pede, Ronnie. “Woody Harrelson” Film en televisie + video n.446 (Nov 1994), p.
10-11.
__________. “Oliver Stone” Film en televisie + video n.446 (Nov 1994), p. 7-9.
Pedulla, Gabriele. “Assassini nati” Filmcritica 45/449 (Oct 1994), p. 487-8.
Pezzotta, Alberto. “The end” Segno cinema n.70 (Nov/Dec 1994), p. 50.
Pizzello, Stephen. “Natural born killers blasts big screen with both barrels” American
cinematographer 75/11 (Nov 1994), p. 36-46, 48, 50, 52-4.
Plazewski, Jerzy. “Piecdziestiata trzecia ofiara” Kino 29 (Feb 1995), p. 32-3.
Poggi, Evelina. “Assassini nati” Film [Italy] 2/12 (1994), p. 28-30.
Powers, John. [Natural born killers] Vogue 184/9 (Sep 1994), p. 293+ [2 p.]
Rafferty, Terrence. “Helter skelter” New Yorker 70/27 (Sep 5, 1994), p. 106-7.
Rea, Steven. “From Oliver Stone, two kill-crazy kids” Philadelphia inquirer (Aug 26,
1994), Weekend, p. 3.
Regosa, Maurizio. “Natural born killers” Cinema nuovo 43/352 (Nov/Dec 1994), p.
55-6.
Remy, Vincent. “Tueurs nes” Telerama n.2332 (Sep 21, 1994), p. 46-7.
Riordan, James. Stone : the controversies, excesses, and exploits of a radical
filmmaker New York : Hyperion, 1995. (p. 480-515)
Rodriguez, Rene. “Stone lets human nature take its course in dazzling ‘Natural born
killers’: We all answer the call of bloodlust” Miami herald (Aug 26, 1994), p.
5G.
Romney, Jonathan. [Natural born killers] New statesman & society (Feb 24, 1995), p.
49.
[Reprinted in Film review annual 1995]
[Reprinted in his Short orders : film writing London : Serpent’s Tail, 1997. (p.
151-4)]
Rosenberg, Howard. “Stone’s ‘Killers’ shoots wide as TV critique” Los Angeles
times (Aug 31, 1994), Calendar, p. 1.
Rousseau, Yves. “La mort en direct” 24 images n.75 (Dec 1994/Jan 1995), p. 66-7.
Russo, Francine. “Natural born producers” Village voice 39 (May 24, 1994), between
p. 70 and 71 [p. 4]
_____________. “There’s a riot going on” Village voice 39 (Aug 23, 1994), p. 35-6+
[4 p.]
Sandler, Adam. “Grisham vs. Stone: ‘Killer’ opponents” Variety 363 (Jun 17-23,
1996), p. 11+ [2 p.]
___________. ‘ ‘Killers’ raises concerns” Variety 374 (Mar 15-21, 1999), p. 12.
Sawyer, Scott. “Whimpering toward eternity : the waning anger – and art – of Oliver
Stone” Mars Hill review 3 (fall 1995), p. 31-40.
Schechter, Harold. “Perspective on violence: A natural-born mania for mayhem” Los
Angeles times (Sep 16, 1994), Metro, p. 9.
Schiff, Stephen. “The last wild man” New Yorker 70/24 (Aug 8, 1994), p. 40+ [15
p.]
Schubert, Gusztav. “A vernoszo angyal” Film vilag 38/1 (1995), p. 32-6.
Schweizer, Peter. “Bad imitation” National review 50 (Dec 31, 1998), p. 23-4.
Seesslen, Georg. “Natural born killers” EPD Film 11/11 (Nov 1994), p. 42-3.
Seewood, A. “Strikingly lucid Stone” [letter] Sight and sound 5/5 (May 1995), p. 64.
Self, Will. “Paly things” [book review] Sight and sound 5 (Nov 1995), p. 34-5.
Seymour, Gene. “Thrill killers you won’t forget” Newsday (Aug 26, 1994), pt. II, p.
2.
[Reprinted in Film review annual 1995]
Sharrett, Christopher. “Movies vs. the media” USA today 123/2598 (Mar 1995), p.
37.
_________________. “Natural born killers” Cineaste 21/1-2 (1995), p. 83-4.
[Reprinted in Film review annual 1995]
Shnayerson, Michael. “Natural born opponents” Vanity fair no. 431 (Jul 1996), p. 98105+ [12 p.]
Simels, Steve. [Natural born killers - soundtrack] Stereo review 59/12 (Dec 1994), p.
142.
Simon, John. “Clear and muddled danger” National review 46/18 (Sep 26, 1994), p.
71-3.
Siniscalchi, Claudio. “Stop alla violenza” Revista del cinematografo 69 (Nov 1999), p.
77.
Siskel, Gene. “Stunning ‘Natural born killers’ bears simple message” Chicago tribune
(Aug 26, 1994), Friday, p. B.
Smildis, Martha (see under Corliss, Richard)
Smith, Gavin. “‘The camera for me is an actor’ / ‘Somebody’s gonna give you
money, you do your best to make ‘em a good hand’” Film comment 30/1
(Jan/Feb 1994), p. 26-43.
__________. “Oliver Stone: Why do I have to provoke?” Sight and sound 4/12
(Dec 1994), p. 8-12.
Smith, Lynn. “Kids on film: Pastiche of ‘Killers’ appeals to media-raised generation”
Los Angeles times [Orange County ed.] (Sep 1, 1994), OC live, p. 18.
Spillman, Susan. “Dueling off-camera views of ‘Killers’” USA today (Aug 31, 1994),
p. 5D.
Sterritt, David. “Oliver Stone turns his agenda to anger in ‘Natural born killers’”
Christian science monitor (Aug 26, 1994), p. 10.
[Reprinted in Film review annual 1995]
Stimpson, Mansel. “Natural born killers” Film 4/2 (1995), p. 22.
Stone, Oliver. “Level a Cenzorhoz” Film vilag 38/1 (1995), p. 34-5.
__________. “Ubiitsy zavoevyvaiut serdtsa amerikantsev” Iskusstvo kino n. 11
(1994), p. 82-3.
Sweeney, Gael. “The trashing of white trash: ‘Natural born killers’ and the
appropriation of the white trash aesthetic” Quarterly review of film and
video 18/2 (2001), p. 143-55.
Szarnyas, Gabor. “Szuletett gyilkosok” Film kultura n. 7 (Jun 1995), p. 31+ [2 p.]
Travers, Peter. “Blood from a Stone” Rolling stone n.690 (Sep 8, 1994), p. 83-4+ [3
p.]
Turan, Kenneth. “Movie review: Stone removes the gloves in ‘Killers’: A murdering
couple becomes media darlings in the director’s relentless work of visual
dexterity” Los Angeles times (Aug 26, 1994), Calendar, p. 1.
[Reprinted in Film review annual 1995]
Verna, Paul; Gillen, Marilyn A.; and Cronin, Peter. [Natural born killers - soundtrack]
Billboard 106/40 (Oct 1, 1994), p. 58.
“La violenza della teste vuote: ‘Assassini nati – Natural born killers’ (1994)” Castoro
cinema no. 187 (Jan/Feb 1998), p. 93-100.
Viviani, Christian. “Tueurs nes” Positif n.404 (Oct 1994), p. 52-3.
Wall, James M. “Mesmerized” Christian century 111/26 (Sep 21-28, 1994), p. 843-4.
Weldon, Michael. The psychotronic video guide New York : St. Martin’s Griffin,
1996. (p. 389-90)
Williams, David E. “All-American maniacs” Film threat n.16 (Jun 1994), p. 65-7.
Wilmington, Michael. “Oliver Stone links television and psychopaths in ‘Natural
born killers’” Chicago tribune (Aug 26, 1994), Friday, p. C.
___________________. “Road warrior: Outlaw lovers on the run: ‘Natural born
killers’ is the latest in a long tradition of films about violence, romance and
escape” Chicago tribune (Aug 28, 1994), Arts, p. 7.
Zajc, Melita. “Rojena morilca” Ekran 20/10 (1995), p. 50.51.
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