HAPPINESS -- Controversial dark comedy from writer-director Todd Solondz ("Welcome to the Dollhouse"), about the romantic foibles of three sisters (including Lara Flynn Boyle, of TV's "The Practice") and which was deemed unreleasable by its original distributor. Reviewed in this section. Not rated, probable NC-17 (vulgarity, profanity, sex, violence, drug use, nudity) (Exclusive, Tower.)
PSYCHO -- A new, supposedly shot-for-shot remake of Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 classic thriller, by director Gus Van Sant ("Good Will Hunting"), and starring Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates. Anne Heche, Julianne Moore and William H. Macy co-star. Not screened for critics; to be reviewed next week. R (violence, gore, nudity, sex). (Broadway, Century, Holladay, Midvalley, Reel, Ritz, Sandy 9, Trolley North.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
OF MICE AND MEN -- **** -- Still the definitive screen version of John Steinbeck's tragic novel, this 1939 drama from director Lewis Milestone (1930's "All Quiet on the Western Front") features superb performances from Burgess Meredith, as veteran cowhand George, and Lon Chaney Jr., playing the hauntingly ill-fated manchild Lennie. Also includes an Oscar-nominated score by composer Aaron Copland. In black and white. Made before ratings, probable PG (violence). (Salt Lake Art Center, Friday only, 8 p.m.)
CONTINUING FILMS
AIR BUD: GOLDEN RECEIVER -- * 1/2 -- Lame sequel to last year's surprise hit about a sports-talented pooch, who this time applies his skills to the gridiron and also has to contend with two animal "collectors" trying to kidnap him. Uninspired performances and scripting make this one almost unbearable. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity). (Kaysville.) (Aug. 14, 1998)
AMERICAN HISTORY X -- *** -- There's a horrifying possibility that its message could be misinterpreted, but this controversial, no-holds-barred drama about young neo-Nazis benefits from powerful performances by Edward Norton and Edward Furlong as two brothers trying to escape the lifestyle. And a good ensemble supporting cast (Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Lien and Stacy Keach) helps. R (profanity, racial epithets, violence, gore, nudity, rape, sex, vulgarity, drug use). (South Towne, Trolley Square.) (Nov. 13, 1998)
ANTZ -- *** -- Though it's troublingly vulgar and violent (there's a bug battle scene that may terrify young audiences), this computer animated action-comedy set in an ant colony benefits from a very funny vocal performance by Woody Allen, starring as a nebbish insect who unwittingly becomes a hero by starting a revolution. And the animation is dazzling. Other voice talents include Sylvester Stallone and Sharon Stone. PG (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, torture). (Century, Gateway, Olympus, Plaza 5400, Ritz, South Towne.) (Oct. 2, 1998)
ARMAGEDDON -- ** -- More chaotic, headache-inducing eye candy from producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Michael Bay ("The Rock"). The premise is intriguing: A roughneck crew of oil drillers (including Bruce Willis) is sent into space to destroy an asteroid on a collision course with Earth. But the characters are reduced to spouting one-liners and the action is too hectic and confusing. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, partial nudity, gore). (Sugar House.) (July 2, 1998)
BABE: PIG IN THE CITY -- ** -- Proving you can't make lightning strike twice, this disappointing sequel to the 1995 hit is surprisingly dark and depressing. This time, everyone's favorite talking pig (now voiced by "Rugrats" performer E.G. Daily) has to save the family farm and ends up making new friends in the big city. Some amusing moments, but the gimmick is old hat now. G (violence, bikini babes, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Holladay, Midvalley, Ritz, Sandy 9, Trolley North, Trolley Square.) (Nov. 25, 1998)
BLADE -- *** -- Based on the comic book series, this intense action-thriller stays true to its roots with one-dimensional characters, cartoon violence and heroic poses -- you can almost see the thought balloons. It doesn't try to be more and succeeds as a cathartic experience. Wesley Snipes is the vampire hunter, who is half-human and half-vampire himself. Knockout special effects, powerful fight scenes and buckets of blood. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 21, 1998) -- Rick Mortensen
BRIDE OF CHUCKY -- turkey -- Believe it or not, this sickeningly gory horror/comedy nearly makes the other "Child's Play" movies look good by comparison. Inept storytelling, terrible acting (particularly from Jennifer Tilly, as the title character) and painfully unfunny gags are just the tip of the iceberg. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, sex, partial nudity, drug use). (Valley Fair.) (Oct. 18, 1998)
A BUG'S LIFE -- **** -- Better animated and written than "Antz," this comedy from the "Toy Story" team is a hilarious tale about a klutzy insect (voiced by Dave Foley, from TV's "NewsRadio"), who recruits circus performers to help defend his anthill from an invading grasshopper horde. Don't leave early, or you'll miss a series of hysterically funny bug "outtakes." G (animated violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Crossroads, Gateway, Plaza 5400, Reel, Ritz, Sandy 9, Villa.) (Nov. 25, 1998)
CELEBRITY -- ** -- Like a broken record, Woody Allen's newest comedy keeps skipping over the same groove, or in this case, the subject matter he's been rehashing for years (soured relationships and sex). The all-star cast includes Kenneth Branagh and Judy Davis as a divorced couple whose lives go in drastically different directions following their breakup. Admittedly, there are a couple of bright moments, but not enough to save the film. In black and white. R (profanity, sex, vulgarity, violence, drug use). (Trolley Square.) (Nov. 20, 1998)
DR. DOLITTLE -- * 1/2 -- An uninspired Eddie Murphy plays second fiddle to crass anthropomorphic animals (voiced by Norm Macdonald, Chris Rock and others) in this incredibly crude comedy, "inspired by" the 1967 musical comedy and the children's stories. It's hard to say which is worse here, all the potty humor or the insincere attempts to put across a message. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, partial nudity, hospital gore). (Valley Fair.) (June 26, 1998)
ELIZABETH -- ** -- Cate Blanchett ("Oscar and Lucinda") is fabulous as the title character, England's legendary 16th-century "virgin queen." But this period drama about her tempestuous reign is too concerned with conspiracies and sexual exploits of the characters to be involving, and the darkly lit sets could have used a candle or two to brighten things up. R (violence, gore, sex, nudity, vulgarity, torture, profanity). (Broadway, Century, Holladay, Ritz, South Towne.) (Nov. 26, 1998)
ENEMY OF THE STATE -- ** -- A surprising amount of restraint on the part of the filmmakers (director Tony Scott and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who tone down their usual bombast) doesn't really suit this slow-moving thriller, which stars Will Smith as an innocent man running for his life from rogue government agents. The movie finally comes to life when Gene Hackman comes on screen, but by then it's too late. R (violence, profanity, gore, partial nudity, racial epithets, sex). (Century, Creekside, Gateway, Midvalley, Ritz, South Towne, Trolley Corners.) (Nov. 20, 1998)
EVER AFTER -- ** 1/2 -- Drew Barrymore tries to charm her way through this feministic, revisionist retelling of the "Cinderella" fairy tale, but only the star and Anjelica Huston, who nearly steals the picture out from under her as her wicked stepmother, fare all that well. Handsome production values, though. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (July 31, 1998)
HOLY MAN -- turkey -- Eddie Murphy actually manages to make "The Nutty Professor" and "Dr. Dolittle" look better with this cloying and smarmy comedy, which features Murphy as the enigmatic title character, who finds success when he's enlisted by a shifty television producer (Jeff Goldblum) to host inspiration programs and some at-home shopping programs. Cheap, crude humor punctuates this nearly laughless mess. PG (vulgarity, profanity, violence). (Sugar House.) (Oct. 9, 1998)
HOME FRIES -- ** 1/2 -- Not the sweet romantic comedy the ads make it appear to be, this uneven black comedy melds romance with suspense, as two brothers (Jake Busey and Luke Wilson) try to conceal the killing of their father. Complications arise when one of them falls for a fast-food employee (Drew Barrymore) who unwillingly witnessed the crime. Not funny enough, but the cast certainly tries. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Plaza 5400, Ritz, Sandy 9.) (Nov. 25, 1998)
I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER -- * -- This stupid followup to 1997's slasher flick hit does nothing to dispel the theory about sequels being inferior to the originals. The performances are as awful as the plot is ludicrous: The "killer with a meat hook" returns to torment the survivors from the first film (including star Jennifer Love Hewitt). R (violence, gore, profanity, drug use, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Crossroads, Holladay, Midvalley, Sandy 9.) (Nov. 13, 1998)
I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS -- * 1/2 -- Call this dull teen road picture "The Teen Santa Clause." Jonathan Taylor Thomas (from TV's "Home Improvement") plays a spoiled college student who has to hitchhike cross country so he can win a new car. Most of the jokes fall flat, and the teen star is irritatingly smug. PG (profanity, vulgarity). (Cottonwood, Gateway, Plaza 5400, South Towne.) (Nov. 13, 1998)
JOHN CARPENTER'S VAMPIRES -- ** -- A disappointingly messy (both in terms of gore and storytelling) horror-thriller from the veteran filmmaker. James Woods is terrific as a professional monster hunter hired by the Vatican to eliminate a horde of bloodsuckers living in the southwestern United States, but the movie completely misses the point of the novel that inspired it. R (violence, gore, profanity, nudity, vulgarity, sex, torture). (Cinemas 5.) (Oct. 30, 1998)
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL -- *** 1/2 -- The premise for this unconventional comedy-drama from writer/director/actor Roberto Benigni ("The Monster"), which mixes romantic comedy with concentration camp tragedy, is definitely odd. But Benigni manages to pull it off, thanks to his charming performance as an Italian Jew who attempts to conceal death-camp horrors from his infant son. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize from this year's Cannes Film Festival. In Italian, with English subtitles. PG-13 (violence, ethnic slurs, brief nudity). (Exclusive, Broadway.) (Nov. 6, 1998)
THE MASK OF ZORRO -- ** 1/2 -- Star power (including Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anthony Hopkins) really brings to life this swashbuckling adventure, based on the pulp fiction stories and various movies. A bit too long and too much concentration on explosions at the end but exciting nonetheless. PG-13 (violence, gore, nudity, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (July 17, 1998)
MEET JOE BLACK -- ** 1/2 -- There's a decent 100-minute movie lurking beneath this clunky, three-hour fantasy/romantic drama that's loosely based on the 1934 film "Death Takes a Holiday." And Anthony Hopkins is superb as a dying millionaire trying to tie up all the loose ends in his life. But Brad Pitt is woefully miscast as Death, who finds love with a mortal woman (Claire Forlani, from "Basquiat") when he assumes the identity of a dead man. PG-13 (profanity, sex, vulgarity). (Broadway, Century, Holladay, Midvalley, Reel, Ritz, South Towne, Trolley North.) (Nov. 13, 1998)
MULAN -- *** -- Almost too brisk for its own good, the latest Disney animated offering is an exciting musical adventure about a young Chinese woman who disguises herself as a warrior to save her ailing father's life and earn his respect. Superb animation, and the vocal cast (which includes Ming Na-Wen, Eddie Murphy, Donny Osmond, Harvey Fierstein and George Takei) gives charming performances. G (animated violence). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Valley Fair.) (June 22, 1998)
A NIGHT AT THE ROXBURY -- * -- Yet another unfunny "Saturday Night Life" skit stretched to feature length, as the Roxbury Guys (Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan) pursue their dream of owning a dance club. To be fair, there are a couple of flashes of wit but certainly nothing worth shelling out bucks for. PG-13 (vulgarity, sex, profanity, partial nudity, violence). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Oct. 2, 1998)
ORGAZMO -- turkey -- Idiotic and tasteless comedy from the creators of TV's "South Park," about an LDS Church missionary (Trey Parker), who becomes an adult-film star and a real-life superhero. What Parker doesn't know about the church could fill volumes, and the whole thing is embarrassingly amateurish. Not worth all the hubbub, frankly. NC-17 (vulgarity, violence, nudity, sex, profanity). (Exclusive, Tower.) (Oct. 23, 1998)
THE PARENT TRAP -- *** -- The real surprise of the summer, this remake of the 1961 Disney comedy is too long by at least 20 minutes, but it benefits from terrific performances. Best of all is charming newcomer Lindsay Lohan, who stars as identical twin sisters who have never met but who conspire to get their single parents (Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson) back together. PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships.) (July 29, 1998)
PLEASANTVILLE -- *** -- Though it's marred by overt sexual material and some dry stretches, this comic fable from the writer of "Big" and "Dave" features marvelous performances and an intriguing premise: Two cynical teens (Tobey Maguire, from "The Ice Storm," and Reese Witherspoon) find themselves trapped in a black-and-white, 1950s sitcom. In black and white and in color. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, nude artwork, sex, violence, racial epithets). (Brewvies, Carmike 12, Century, Cinemas 5, Gateway, Olympus.) (Oct. 23, 1998)
PRACTICAL MAGIC -- ** -- Dreadfully uneven fantasy/romantic-comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters who are extremely unlucky in love. A trio of screenwriters muddles the film's tone (it shifts from drama to horror to comedy at will), and Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing are criminally underused as their meddling witch aunts. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity, drug use). (Cinemas 5.) (Oct. 16, 1998)
RINGMASTER -- turkey -- Stupid and tasteless comedy that takes a fictionalized, behind-the-scenes look at "The Jerry Springer Show." Frankly, Springer's TV's sleazefest is better acted and directed than this mess, which has a dubious country-western number sung by Springer himself. Completely awful, as if you hadn't already guessed. R (profanity, sex, violence, nudity, vulgarity). (Century, Creekside, Midvalley, Ritz, South Towne.) (Nov. 27, 1998)
RONIN -- *** -- There's only one really good scene in this thriller, namely a heart-pounding auto chase going the wrong way through Paris traffic. But it's a doozy and helps salvage this otherwise undeveloped tale about a team of assassins and weapons specialists (including Robert De Niro and Jean Reno) who are betrayed by their employers. R (violence, gore, profanity, torture, vulgarity). (Brewvies.) (Sept. 25, 1998)
ROUNDERS -- *** -- Matt Damon and Edward Norton are great playing two gambling buddies in this drama/thriller from filmmaker John Dahl ("The Last Seduction," "Red Rock West"). However, they're hampered by some too-slow pacing and some uneven supporting performances (particularly, Gretchen Mol as Damon's love interest). Still, the finale's pretty tense, and it's an intriguing premise. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, nudity, ethnic slurs, sex, gore). (Sugar House.) (Sept. 11, 1998)
THE RUGRATS MOVIE -- *** -- This animated "adventure for anyone who's ever worn diapers" will probably thrill young fans of the television program. But adults might be bored by this tale about the clever-for-his-age Tommy Pickles, who gets a baby brother and also becomes lost in the woods with his pals Chuckie, Phil and Lil. G (animated violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Plaza 5400, Reel, Ritz, Sandy 9, Trolley Square.) (Nov. 20, 1998)
RUSH HOUR -- ** -- Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan is great as a Hong Kong detective who goes to the states to rescue his prize student in this action comedy. Unfortunately, writer/director Brett Ratner ("Money Talks") pairs him with the ultra-annoying Chris Tucker, who spoils the movie with his fast-talking shtick and some nasty racist humor. PG-13 (violence, profanity, racial epithets, vulgarity, drug use, gore). (Cinemas 5, Cottonwood.) (Sept. 18, 1998)
THE SIEGE -- ** -- The first hour of this suspense-thriller from director Ed Zwick ("Courage Under Fire"), about an FBI agent (Denzel Washington) trying to stop Arab-American terrorists from destroying New York City, is tense. However, it bogs down badly in the second half, with the appearance of a U.S. Army officer (Bruce Willis) who butts heads with him over the most effective solution to the problem. R (violence, profanity, gore, torture, ethnic slurs, sex, nudity, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Midvalley, Ritz, Sandy 9.) (Nov. 6, 1998)
SIMON BIRCH -- ** -- John Irving fans will blanch at this comedy-drama, which was "suggested by" his novel "A Prayer for Owen Meany." And while the revamped plot, about the friendship between a youngster ("Star Kid's" Joseph Mazello) and the title character, his unusually small best friend (newcomer Ian Michael Smith), is promising, director Mark Steven Johnson doesn't have the subtlety or filmmaking skills to pull it off. PG (profanity, vulgarity, violence). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships.) (Sept. 11, 1998)
SNAKE EYES -- ** -- The action is tense during the first hour of this suspense-thriller, starring Nicolas Cage as a corrupt cop who winds up having to investigate a shooting in the midst of a prize fight. But after the conspiracy plot is revealed, the whole thing falls apart. Besides, director Brian De Palma spends most of his time aping Alfred Hitchcock's best camera tricks. R (violence, profanity, gore, torture, vulgarity). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 7, 1998)
SOLDIER -- * -- This Kurt Russell sci-fi actioner, in which he stars as an aging army man who must face the new breed of fighting warrior, almost makes his other films seem like Shakespeare by comparison. The punchless action scenes don't help, either, and the rest of the cast seems to follow Russell's lead by turning in awfully robotic performances. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, nude photos, drug use). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Oct. 23, 1998) (Oct. 23, 1998)
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY -- ** -- Nearly as funny as it is disgusting, the newest comedy from the makers of "Dumb & Dumber" and "Kingpin" follows the misadventures of a lovable loser (Ben Stiller) who hires a sleazy P.I. (Matt Dillon) to find the woman he's been in love with since high school (Cameron Diaz). Screamingly funny at times, but the movie runs out of steam in the second half with an irritating stalking subplot. R (vulgarity, profanity, violence, nudity, ethnic slurs). (Brewvies, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (July 15, 1998)
THE TRUMAN SHOW -- **** -- One of those rare instances of the hype being justified, this thoughtful and subtle black comedy/suspense-thriller stars comic actor Jim Carrey (in his "breakthrough" role) as a man unaware that his "life" is being staged as part of a 24-hour-a-day documentary television show. Kudos also to Peter Weir ("Dead Poets Society"), whose skillful direction forces Carrey to act. PG (profanity, violence). (Sugar House.) (June 5, 1998)
VERY BAD THINGS -- turkey -- Actor Peter Berg (TV's "Chicago Hope") makes an extremely inauspicious filmmaking debut with this dark comedy about five buddies forced to cover up their crimes after a bachelor party goes horribly awry. Berg overcompensates for the underdone script by piling on the gore, and the talented cast members (who include Christian Slater, Cameron Diaz and Jon Favreau) spend their time screaming at each other. R (profanity, gore, violence, nudity, sex, drug use, vulgarity, ethnic slurs). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Creekside, Midvalley, Ritz.) (Nov. 27, 1998)
THE WATERBOY -- * 1/2 -- Adam Sandler reverts to his obnoxious one-note shtick in this mean-spirited gridiron comedy, which reunites him with "The Wedding Singer" director Frank Coraci. But there's no Drew Barrymore to offset his irritating, goofy-voiced shenanigans here, and his performance as the title character, a picked-upon thirtysomething who discovers he has a talent for tackling, leaves a lot to be desired. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, nudity). (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Midvalley, Reel, Sandy 9, Trolley Corners.) (Nov. 6, 1998)
WHAT DREAMS MAY COME -- ** -- Disappointing fantasy/romantic drama based on the Richard Matheson novel and starring Robin Williams as a recently slain physician willing to throw away his chance at the afterlife to rescue his wife (Annabella Sciorra) from eternal damnation. Gorgeous visuals, but the plot is a confusing mess. PG-13 (profanity, violence, nudity, vulgarity). (Cinemas 5.) (Oct. 2, 1998)
Past movie reviews and capsules by Jeff Vice and Chris Hicks are available online. Search for MOVIES.