Titanic ★★★ 1997 (PG-13)

Skipper Cameron's mega-budget threehour tour had its own brushes with disaster with a mammoth budget and delays. A love story that happens to have the sinking of the historic ship as a backdrop, real and fictional characters are blended for a detailed re-enactment of the luxury liner's only voyage. The two lovebirds, Jack Dawson (DiCaprio) and debutante Rose Bukater (Winslet) are from different ends of the economic and social ladder. DiCaprio and Winslet are dynamic and make the running time less of a chore. The special effects are impressive, with a lifesize version of the ship built just for this film. Cameron's prowess as a storyteller keeps the outcome of the ship suspenseful and tense even though the ending is no secret. 197m/C VHS, DVD . Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Gloria Stuart, Jonathan Hyde, Danny Nucci, David Warner, Bill Paxton, Bernard Hill, Victor Garber, Suzy Amis, Bernard Fox; D: James Cameron; W: James Cameron; C: Russell Carpenter; M: James Horner. Oscars ‘97: Art Dir./Set Dec., Cinematog., Costume Des., Director (Cameron), Film Editing, Picture, Song (“My Heart Will Go On”), Sound, Sound FX Editing, Visual FX, Orig. Score; Directors Guild ‘97: Director (Cameron); Golden Globes ‘98: Director (Cameron), Film—Drama, Song (“My Heart Will Go On”), Score; MTV Movie Awards ‘98: Film, Male Perf. (DiCaprio); Screen Actors Guild ‘97: Support. Actress (Stuart); Broadcast Film Critics ‘97: Director (Cameron).