NEW FILMS FRIDAY
AMERICAN PIE -- Already being compared to last year's outrageous hit, "There's Something About Mary," this comedy follows four high-school seniors determined to lose their virginity before they graduate. R (vulgarity, sex, profanity, nudity). (Carmike 12; Century; Holladay; Midvalley; Redwood, with "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me"; Reel; Ritz; South Towne; Trolley North; Trolley Square.)
ARLINGTON ROAD -- Long-delayed thriller starring Jeff Bridges as a college professor who becomes convinced that his new neighbor (Tim Robbins) is actually a terrorist. Joan Cusack and Hope Davis ("Next Stop Wonderland") co-star. R (violence, profanity). (Broadway; Century; Gateway; Holladay; Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "The Thirteenth Floor"; Ritz; Sandy 9.)
DANCEMAKER -- This Oscar-nominated documentary follows the Paul Taylor Dance Company as the famed American choreographer and members of his dance troupe prepare for a performance of his newest piece, the tango-derived "Piazzolla Caldera." In color and in black and white. Not rated, probable PG-13 (nudity). (Exclusive, Tower.)
THIS IS MY FATHER -- Biographical drama from the Quinn brothers (Paul Quinn co-wrote and directed, and Aidan Quinn co-stars) -- loosely based on the experiences of their parents and grandparents. James Caan stars. One of several special screenings at this year's Sundance Film Festival. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, sex). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
NEW FILMS WEDNESDAY
MUPPETS FROM SPACE -- The late Jim Henson's beloved creations return to the big screen in this comedy/adventure about Gonzo's efforts to find his parents -- a search that takes him and his friends into outer space. To be reviewed when it opens next week. G.
KIDS MATINEES
ANASTASIA --*** -- Fox Animation Studios' first movie is this funny but at-times inconsistent (in terms of animation) musical-comedy about the sole survivors of Russia's imperial family, based on a variety of sources. Great performances by an all-star voice cast (which includes Meg Ryan and John Cusack) as well as some good musical numbers. G (animated violence). (Kaysville, Wednesday only, noon and 2:30 p.m.) (Nov. 21, 1997)
CONTINUING FILMS
AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME -- *1/2 -- Less funny and far cruder sequel to the 1997 surprise hit "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery." Mike Myers reprises his role as the title character, but the only real laughs come from his performance as would-be world dictator Dr. Evil. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, nudity, profanity, sex). (Carmike 12; Century; Crossroads; Holladay; Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "American Pie"; Ritz; South Towne; Trolley North.) (June 11, 1999)
BABY GENIUSES --*1/2 -- The adult performers (who include Kathleen Turner, Christopher Lloyd and Kim Cattrall) look embarrassed to be in this dumbbell kiddie comedy about superintelligent toddlers who escape a secret lab. Think "Baby's Day Out" on an even louder, stupider scale. PG (violence, vulgarity, profanity). (Redwood, with "Big Daddy.") (March 12, 1999)
BIG DADDY -- ** -- Not as irritating as his last film, "The Waterboy," but Adam Sandler's latest -- a farce about a dimbulb thirtysomething who adopts a boy to win back his girlfriend -- is also less funny and is still too crude. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, slapstick violence). (Broadway; Carmike 12; Century; Creekside; Gateway; Midvalley; Redwood, with "Baby Geniuses"; Reel; Ritz; South Towne.) (June 25, 1999)
BLACK MASK --*1/2 -- Horribly violent and gory thriller featuring action star Jet Li ("Lethal Weapon 4") as a medically enhanced super soldier forced to fight his former colleagues. Bad dubbing and a rap soundtrack only exacerbate the many other problems. Dubbed. R (violence, gore, profanity, sex, vulgarity, drug use). (Sandy Starships, Sugar House.) (May 15, 1999)
COOKIE'S FORTUNE --***1/2 -- It's deceptively slow in the beginning, but director Robert Altman's latest is a delectable, character-driven comedy about the questionable death of a Southern matriarch. Wry wit and superb performances by the ensemble cast (which includes Glenn Close, Liv Tyler, Charles S. Dutton and Patricia Neal) make this one of his best. PG-13 (profanity, sex, gore, violence). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (April 16, 1999)
ELECTION -- *** -- Too crude at times, this funny satire is still a much-needed comeback vehicle for Matthew Broderick, who stars as a teacher too involved in school elections. Some very witty observances about modern-day politics, and Reese Witherspoon is terrific as the school's star student. R (sex, profanity, vulgarity, nudity, drug use, violence). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (May 7, 1999)
ENTRAPMENT -- ** -- Lack of chemistry between the leads is only one of several problems with this good-looking but dull thriller starring Sean Connery as an aging jewel thief being pursued by an insurance investigator (Catherine Zeta-Jones) posing as a fellow thief. PG-13 (violence, profanity, nudity, drug use). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugar House.) (April 30, 1999)
eXistenZ -- *** -- Strictly for fans of infamous Canadian director David Cronenberg, this creepy science-fiction thriller stars Jennifer Jason Leigh as a video game designer who gets trapped in her newest artificial-reality creation. Full of Cronenberg's customary goo and gore, but with a wicked sense of humor and fun. R (gore, violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief sex). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (May 7, 1999)
FORCES OF NATURE -- ** -- Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock are OK together, playing a nervous groom-to-be and a free spirit thrown together by circumstances. But the plot for this comedy leaves them nowhere to go, and the ending is a downer. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, drug use, violence, partial nudity). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (March 19, 1999)
THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER -- ** -- Well-acted but convoluted and exploitative thriller starring John Travolta as a U.S. Army officer investigating the death of the title character. And the style-over-substance direction doesn't help. R (violence, rape, profanity, nudity, sex, gore, torture, vulgarity, racial epithets). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Plaza 5400, Ritz, Sandy 9.) (June 18, 1999)
GET REAL --**1/2 -- Give this British coming-of-age drama, based on Patrick Wilde's play "What's Wrong With Angry?" points for telling an actual story and not concentrating on lurid sex scenes. An appealing cast and surprising humor also help, though some of the characterizations are a bit cliched. R (profanity, vulgarity, violence, brief nudity). (Exclusive, Tower.) (July 2, 1999)
GO -- *** -- This comedic thriller, which follows some young Los Angelenos during the course of a fateful Christmas Eve, is without socially redeeming values, yet it's still a thrill ride as most of them get their well-deserved comeuppances. R (profanity, violence, sex, nudity, drug use, vulgarity, racial epithets, gore). (Sugar House.) (April 9, 1999)
AN IDEAL HUSBAND -- *** -- It's lacking the savage bite of its source material -- Oscar Wilde's much-filmed stageplay -- but this comedy-of-errors is also witty and well-acted with a superb cast that includes Oscar nominee Cate Blanchett, Rupert Everett, Minnie Driver and Julianne Moore. PG-13 (brief violence, brief nudity, mild vulgarity). (Broadway, Century, Creekside, Midvalley, Ritz, South Towne.) (July 2, 1999)
INSTINCT -- ** -- Even a terrific lead performance by Anthony Hopkins can't salvage this dull thriller about a gorilla expert imprisoned for murder. And the numerous swipes from other, better movies (including "The Shawshank Redemption") certainly don't help. R (violence, profanity, gore). (Cinemas 5.)
LIFE -- ** -- Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence have surprising chemistry in this uneven comedy about two men serving life sentences in prison for a murder they didn't commit. Unfortunately, the plotting is too ambitious, while much of the humor is still too lowbrow. R (profanity, racial epithets, violence, vulgarity, brief gore). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (April 16, 1999)
LIMBO -- *** 1/2 -- Some audiences will be disappointed with the ending of this well-acted drama from acclaimed independent filmmaker John Sayles. But it's a very deliberate conversation-starter about hope, as personified by three people stranded in the remote Alaskan wilderness. R (profanity, violence). (Exclusive, Trolley Square.) (June 25, 1999)
LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS -- *** -- Violent, gory and yet refreshing British comedy/thriller about four would-be hustlers who turn to crime to pay off a huge gambling debt. A bit slow to start and some of the dialogue is indecipherable, but the humor works, and the ending is gripping. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, torture, nudity, drug use). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (March 19, 1999)
THE LOVE LETTER -- * -- An awful vanity piece for Kate Capshaw (a k a Mrs. Steven Spielberg), starring as a middle-aged bookstore owner who finds an anonymous piece of mail that complicates her love life. Virtually laughless, and there's no chemistry between any of the cast members. PG-13 (sex, profanity, nudity, vulgarity). (Sugar House.) (May 21, 1999)
THE MATRIX -- *** -- Confusing and long but thrilling cyberpunk film starring Keanu Reeves as a computer hacker recruited to become a part of an underground resistance movement. Great special effects and action scenes overcome the murky plotting. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, drug use, torture, brief nudity). (Cinemas 5; Redwood, with "Wild Wild West.") (March 31, 1999)
THE MUMMY -- ** -- Don't expect too much from this special-effects driven action/thriller. Brendan Fraser is good as an adventurer who accidentally frees the title character, but there's too much goofy humor, and the first hour's a snore. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, nudity, mild profanity). (Century, Cinemas 5.) (May 7, 1999)
MY FAVORITE MARTIAN --*1/2 -- The 1960s television sitcom gets the "Dr. Dolittle" treatment with this idiotic comedy, which stars Jeff Daniels as an earthling who hides an extraterrestrial (Christopher Lloyd) in his home. Neat special effects, but there are flatulence gags galore and the ending is troublingly violent. PG (violence, vulgarity, nudity, mild profanity). (Redwood, with "Tarzan.") (Feb. 12, 1999)
NEVER BEEN KISSED -- ** -- Drew Barrymore pours on the charm again in this comedy about a shy newspaper reporter who goes undercover as a high school student. Unfortunately, the script isn't funny, and the geek-to-chic story line doesn't work at all. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, drug use, violence, partial nudity). (Cinemas 5, Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (April 9, 1999)
NOTTING HILL -- *** -- Funny but at-times foul-mouthed reunion for the "Four Weddings and a Funeral" team, including Hugh Grant, playing a bookstore owner who woos a movie star (Julia Roberts). Good chemistry helps, as do the jabs at the entertainment industry. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, partial nudity). (Broadway, Century, Holladay, Midvalley, South Towne, Trolley North.) (May 28, 1999)
OCTOBER SKY -- *** -- A genuine family drama, adapted from Homer Hickam Jr.'s autobiographical novel "Rocket Boys." Young star Jake Gyllenhaal is terrific as Hickam, who escaped life in coal country to become a NASA engineer. And Chris Cooper and Laura Dern lend terrific support. PG (profanity, violence, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Feb. 19, 1999)
THE OUT-OF-TOWNERS -- ** -- A case where the performers make the material better, this remake of Neil Simon's 1970 comedy is marred by sexually oriented material. But Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn are charming, and John Cleese is a real hoot in a supporting role. PG-13 (vulgarity, sex, profanity, drug use, violence) (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (April 2, 1999)
THE PRINCE OF EGYPT -- *** -- Marred slightly by some "Cliff Notes" storytelling, this ambitious, animated retelling of the Book of Exodus is still powerful. The cast of voice talents (including Val Kilmer as Moses and Ralph Fiennes as Rameses) helps, as does some dazzling animation -- especially the breathtaking "Parting of the Red Sea" sequence. PG (animated violence). (Kaysville.) (Dec. 18, 1998)
PUSHING TIN -- ** -- This dark comedy about the personal and professional rivalry between two air traffic controllers (John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton) starts well. But it comes crashing to earth with ludicrous sitcom-like plot contrivances and histrionics. A real disappointment. R (profanity, nudity, violence, vulgarity). (Valley Fair.) (April 16, 1999)
THE RED VIOLIN -- ** 1/2 -- One sour note (or in this case, one bad scene) nearly destroys the musically based, episodic drama that follows the fortunes and tragedies of the title object, a valuable musical instrument. In English, Italian, French, German and Cantonese, with English subtitles. R (sex, nudity, profanity, violence, drug use, vulgarity). (Exclusive, Trolley Square.) (June 25, 1999)
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE -- **** -- There's finally a film that "does" Shakespeare right --this clever comedy follows the romantic misadventures of the famous playwright, who is having trouble writing until he finds a muse (Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow). Intelligent writing, and the great cast also help. Winner of seven Academy Awards. R (sex, violence, nudity, vulgarity, profanity, torture). (Kaysville, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Dec. 25, 1998)
SHE'S ALL THAT --*1/2 -- This bland, ugly-duckling comedy for teens features a mismatched pair of leads -- Freddie Prinze Jr., as high school heartthrob, and Rachael Leigh Cook as an oddball he makes over on a bet. It also compounds the problem by throwing in some crass gags and awful performances. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, bikini babes, violence, brief sex). (Valley Fair.) (Jan. 29, 1999)
SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT -- turkey -- This big-screen, feature-length, animated comedy is just like its source, the cult cable-television series, but is far cruder and surprisingly boring. And the attempts to make a point are only obscured by the offensive on-screen antics. A real waste of time. R (profanity, violence, gore, nudity, sex, racial epithets). (Carmike 12; Century; Cottonwood; Gateway; Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "Summer of Sam"; Ritz; Sandy 9; Trolley Corners.) (June 30, 1999)
STAR WARS: EPISODE ONE -- THE PHANTOM MENACE -- *** -- Not nearly as bad as the initial reviews would indicate, the long-awaited first installment of George Lucas' prequels is a bit icy but still thrilling look back at the early life of Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) as he joins his fellow Jedi knights, including Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). Great effects and action help it overcome some slow spots. PG (violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Midvalley, Reel, Ritz, Sandy 9, Trolley Corners.) (May 19, 1999)
SUMMER OF SAM -- *** -- Spike Lee's latest is essentially an old-fashioned scare movies with a human menace -- the real-life Son of Sam killer. And though it has the structure and ambition of a major film, it works best as entertainment. R (profanity, violence, sex, nudity, gore, drug use, vulgarity, racial epithets). (Century; Creekside; Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut"; Ritz; South Towne; Trolley Corners.) (July 2, 1999) -- Hillel Italie, Associated Press
TARZAN --***1/2 -- Surely the best big-screen adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' jungle tales since the early Johnny Weissmuller films, this cartoon adventure/musical rivals many of Disney's best in terms of animation and story. Voices include Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver, Glenn Close and Rosie O'Donnell. G (animated violence, mild vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Gateway; Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "My Favorite Martian"; Reel; Ritz 15; South Towne; Trolley Square; Villa.) (June 19, 1999)
10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU --**1/2 -- Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" gets the "Clueless" treatment with this too-crude but still somewhat appealing teen comedy about a sullen high school student who is persuaded to woo his hard-to-get classmate. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, nude drawings, violence). (Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (March 31, 1999)
THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR --*1/2 -- Some good visuals, but this science-fiction thriller is also a half-baked noir piece about a programming genius who creates an alternate reality on a computer chip -- one that becomes frighteningly real when he is accused of murder. Awful performances and even worse writing doom things. R (violence, profanity, brief gore). (Redwood, with "Arlington Road.") (May 28, 1999)
TWIN DRAGONS -- ** -- Certainly not one of Jackie Chan's best, this dumb action-comedy (which was originally released in 1992) stars Chan in two roles: as twins who were separated at birth. A couple of exciting action scenes, but the comedy is pretty lame. Dubbed. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, partial nudity). (Valley Fair.) (April 9, 1999)
WILD WILD WEST -- ** -- Not an all-out bomb, but this big-budget, big-screen adaptation of the cult 1960s television series -- which reteams "Men in Black" director Barry Sonnenfeld and star Will Smith -- forgets everything that made the show so appealing. A real disappointment. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, nudity, profanity, racial epithets). (Carmike 12; Century; Cottonwood; Crossroads; Gateway; Midvalley; Redwood, with "The Matrix"; Reel; Ritz; Sandy 9.) (June 30, 1999)
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM -- *** -- A star-studded attempt to make the Bard accessible to the masses again, which benefits from genuine laughs and well-timed comedic performances from Kevin Kline and Stanley Tucci. PG-13 (nudity, sex, mild profanity, vulgarity). (Cinemas 5.) (May 14, 1999) -- Dainon Moody
THE WINSLOW BOY -- *** -- Playwright-turned-director David Mamet still hasn't solved all his filmmaking problems, but his newest big-screen work is a mostly rewarding drama, adapted from the fact-based stageplay by Terence Rattigan about a young cadet who is accused of stealing in 1911 England. Nigel Hawthorne, Jeremy Northam and Rebecca Pidgeon star. G (mild vulgarity). (Exclusive, Broadway.) (June 19, 1999)