NEW FILMS FRIDAY
AMERICAN BEAUTY -- Already receiving substantial Oscar "buzz," this dark comic drama stars Kevin Spacey as a middle-aged man in a mid-life crisis who decides to risk everything -- to pursue his daughter's best friend. Annette Bening co-stars as his disapproving wife. R (profanity, vulgarity, drug use, sex, nudity, violence, gore). (Exclusive, Century.)
BETTER THAN CHOCOLATE -- Lesbian-themed sex comedy about an artist forced to conceal her sexuality when her mother decides to visit. Complications ensue when her mother then decides to move in with her. Not screened for local critics; reviewed in this section. Not rated, probable R (sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity, violence). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
DOG PARK -- Bruce McCulloch, one of the "Kids in the Hall" comedy troupe, wrote, directed and co-stars in this romantic comedy about a twentysomething (Luke Wilson) forced to share custody of his beloved pet with his ex-girlfriend. Janeane Garofalo and Natasha Henstridge co-star. Not screened for local critics. R (sex, profanity, vulgarity). (Century, South Towne, Trolley Square.)
DOUBLE JEOPARDY -- Ashley Judd stars in this thriller as a woman falsely convicted of murder, who has one thing on her mind after being paroled: revenge. Tommy Lee Jones co-stars as her parole officer, who tries to keep her from doing something rash. Directed by Bruce Beresford ("Paradise Road"). R (profanity, violence, gore, sex, brief nudity, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; Cottonwood; Crossroads; Gateway; Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "The General's Daughter"; Reel; Ritz; Sandy 9.)
JAKOB THE LIAR -- In what looks to be a cross between "Good Morning Vietnam" and "Life is Beautiful," this World War II-period drama stars Robin Williams as the title character, a cafe owner who brings hope to a Nazi-occupied Jewish "ghetto" by creating fictional radio newscasts. PG-13 (violence, torture, vulgarity, profanity, brief gore). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Ritz, South Towne.)
MUMFORD -- Writer/director Lawrence Kasdan makes his long-awaited return to filmmaking with this comedy about a stranger (Loren Dean) who impersonates a psychologist and revitalizes a small town. Hope Davis, Jason Lee and Alfre Woodard co-star. R (profanity, nudity, drug use, vulgarity, sex, ethnic slurs) (Broadway, Carmike 12, Gateway, Plaza 5400, Ritz, South Towne, Villa.)
MY LIFE SO FAR -- The "Chariots of Fire" filmmakers (director David Hudson and producer David Puttnam) reteam for this drama about a French woman (Irene Jacob) who teaches an entire family lessons of love. Colin Firth, Rosemary Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio star. Not screened for local critics. (sex, nude photos). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
XIU XIU: THE SENT DOWN GIRL -- Actress Joan Chen ("The Last Emperor") produced, co-wrote and directed this tragic drama about the title character, a young woman sent to study with a nomadic horse trainer as part of a cultural exchange program. In Mandarin, with English subtitles. R (profanity, sex, nudity, violence, hospital gore, vulgarity). (Exclusive, Tower.)
MIDNIGHT MOVIE
RUBIN & ED -- ** -- Utah filmmaker Trent Harris ("Plan 10 from Outer Space") wrote and directed this eccentric comedy about two dimwits (Crispin Glover and Howard Hesseman) lost in the desert with a frozen, rapidly thawing dead cat. Some funny moments, but very eccentric. Filmed in Salt Lake City and Hanksville. PG-13 (mild violence, profanity). (Tower, Friday and Saturday.) (May 22, 1992) -- Chris Hicks
SPECIAL SCREENING
THE FILMS OF JON ELSE -- Two special programs featuring works by the acclaimed documentary filmmaker, including Emmy-winning 1989 television documentary "Yosemite: The Fate of Heaven," "Sing Faster: The Stagehands' Ring Cycle," which won the Filmmakers Trophy from this year's Sundance Film Festival, and the Oscar-nominated 1980 film "The Day After Trinity." "The Day After Trinity" will be screened Friday at the Utah Film and Video Center, while the other two films will be shown at the University of Utah Fine Arts Center Sept. 29. These programs are not rated but may contain some PG-rated material. (Salt Lake Art Center, Friday, 8 p.m.; Fine Arts Center, University of Utah, Thursday, 7 p.m.)
TRAPPED BY THE MORMONS -- Turkey -- This silent picture is a real hoot, though at the time it was intended as a warning to people. Now it is an unintentionally hilarious party flick about an evil missionary who "mesmerizes" young women to add to his harem. In black and white. Featuring accompaniment by Blaine Gale on the Wurlitzer Theater Organ. Made before ratings (1922), probable PG (violence). (Organ Loft, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.) (Nov. 11, 1982) -- C.H.
CONTINUING FILMS
ARLINGTON ROAD -- ** -- Watchable but still contrived paranoia thriller starring an over-the-top Jeff Bridges as a college professor who becomes convinced that his new neighbor (Tim Robbins) is actually a terrorist. Possibly a bit too paranoid for its own good. R (violence, gore, profanity). (Sugar House.) (July 9, 1999)
THE ASTRONAUT'S WIFE -- ** -- The idea behind this uneven paranoid science-fiction/thriller, starring Charlize Theron, is to take "Rosemary's Baby" and put it in '90s dress, with the action revolving around the imminent birth not of Satan but of the creature from "Alien." R (violence, profanity, sex, nudity, gore). (Redwood, with "Stigmata.") (Aug. 27, 1999) -- Roger Anderson, Scripps Howard News Service
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). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (June 11, 1999)
BIG DADDY -- ** -- Not as irritating as his last film, "The Waterboy," but Adam Sandler's latest -- a farce about a dim-bulb 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). (Cinemas 5; Redwood with "Blue Streak"; Sandy Starships; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (June 25, 1999)
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT --***1/2 -- Don't buy into all the hype: This ultra-low-budget horror film isn't the scariest movie ever made, nor is it based on "real" events. However, it is a surprisingly subtle and effective chiller, shot documentary style, about three student filmmakers who get lost in the Maryland woods while researching an urban legend. R (profanity, violence, gore, vulgarity). (Century, South Towne.) (July 30, 1999)
BLUE STREAK -- ** -- Comedian-turned-actor Martin Lawrence's first real chance to distinguish himself as a movie lead is a bleached, cluttered photostat of "Beverly Hills Cop" that's only a bit more clever than the original. Some amusing moments, though. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; Cottonwood; Gateway; Midvalley; Redwood, with "Big Daddy"; Reel; Ritz; Sandy 9; Trolley Square.) (Sept. 17, 1999) -- Gene Seymour, Newsday
BOWFINGER --**1/2 -- Funny but frantic and somewhat mean-spirited comedy starring Steve Martin (who also co-wrote the script) as a shady movie producer who stalks a big-name star (Eddie Murphy) to get him to be in his film. Some laughs but some dry spots as well. PG-13 (profanity, racial epithets, violence, vulgarity, gore). (Carmike 12, Holladay, Midvalley, Ritz, Trolley North.) (Aug. 13, 1999)
BROKEDOWN PALACE --*1/2 -- "Midnight Express" for the MTV generation, this dumb dramatic thriller stars Claire Danes and Kate Beckinsale as two recent high school graduates nabbed for drug possession in Thailand. Surprisingly awful performances from the leads, and lacking intelligence and substance. PG-13 (profanity, violence, drug use, vulgarity, brief nudity). (Valley Fair.) (Aug. 13, 1999)
DEEP BLUE SEA --*1/2 -- It wants to be part "Jaws" and part "Jurassic Park," but this stupid, gory thriller about superintelligent sharks preying on researchers at a floating laboratory is really part "Jaws: The Revenge" and part "The Poseidon Adventure." A few thrills and surprises, but nothing worth seeing this mess. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity). (Cinemas 5.) (July 28, 1999)
DETROIT ROCK CITY -- **-- Silly and crude but at times funny '70s-period road comedy about teens (including Edward Furlong) who try to sneak into a sold-out concert by the band Kiss. Good performances help, as does the vintage soundtrack. R (profanity, violence, drug use, nudity, vulgarity, brief gore, ethnic slurs). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (Aug. 13, 1999)
A DOG OF FLANDERS -- ** -- Aside from some decent performances by the adult cast, this family film (based on the much-filmed tale) comes off as somber and dull, and its ending is a trifle overdone. And on whole it's lacking the magical quality of great children's fare. PG (violence, mild profanity, mild vulgarity). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 27, 1999) -- Robert Denerstein, Scripps Howard News Service
DUDLEY DO-RIGHT -- ** -- Mixing slapstick, dumb humor and action, this live-action cartoon, starring Brendan Fraser as the dim-witted Canadian Mountie, adds more mediocrity to the dog days of summer. It doesn't come close to the parody standard its animated predecessor set. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, profanity). (Cinemas 5.) (Aug. 27, 1999) -- Robert Denerstein, Scripps Howard News Service
EYES WIDE SHUT --*** -- Late director Stanley Kubrick's already controversial final film isn't just about sex. Instead, it's a bizarre, dreamlike thriller that stars real-life marrieds Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as a married couple whose sexual experimentations land them in danger. Certainly not for all tastes, but Kubrick fans will probably rejoice. R (nudity, sex, profanity, drug use, vulgarity, brief violence). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Sugar House) (July 16, 1999)
FOR LOVE OF THE GAME -- *** -- It's nearly as long as a real baseball game and equally sappy, but Kevin Costner actually acts in this sports-based romantic drama (based on the best-selling novel) about a professional baseball pitcher who reflects on key moments in his life while pitching in a big game. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, brief sex, brief gore). (Carmike 12; Century; Holladay; Midvalley; Redwood, with "Notting Hill"; Reel; Ritz; Sandy 9; Trolley Corners; Trolley North.) (Sept. 17, 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). (Redwood, with "Double Jeopardy"; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (June 18, 1999)
GENGHIS BLUES --***1/2 -- Fascinating, funny and even touching, this terrific documentary (winner of an Audience Award from the 1999 Sundance Film Festival) follows blind blues musician Paul Pena as he enters a 1995 Tuvan "throatsinging" competition -- which has him going up against the masters of that unique style. In English and Tuvan, with English subtitles. Not rated, probable PG-13 (profanity, brief violence, animal gore). (Exclusive, Tower.) (Sept. 17, 1999)
THE HAUNTING -- **-- The sets are appropriately spooky, and all the parts are in place, but this very loose remake of the 1963 movie of the same name is a lame, special effects-driven piece that isn't particularly scary. And the cast, which includes Liam Neeson, Lili Taylor and Catherine Zeta-Jones as the unfortunate guests at a haunted mansion, seems uninspired. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore). (Cinemas 5, South Towne.) (July 23, 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). (Avalon, Kaysville, South Towne.) (July 2, 1999)
INSPECTOR GADGET -- *1/2 -- It's been drastically slashed from 100 minutes, but even 80 minutes of this messy live-action comedy, based on the kids' cartoon series, is too long. Inappropriately vulgar humor and awful performances from Matthew Broderick (as the title character) and Joely Fisher certainly don't help. PG (violence, vulgarity, profanity). (Gateway, Midvalley.) (July 23, 1999)
THE IRON GIANT -- ****-- There's finally a non-Disney animated film that gives the mouse studio a run for its money: this funny, superbly drawn and moving science-fiction adventure film about the friendship between a young boy and the title character, a huge robot of extraterrestrial origins. In a word, terrific. PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Holladay, Plaza 5400, Ritz, South Towne, Trolley Square.) (Aug. 6, 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). (Sugar House.) (March 31, 1999)
MICKEY BLUE EYES --**1/2 -- Take Hugh Grant as a romantic leading man, toss in some mobster elements to shake things up a bit, and you have this slight but fun romantic comedy. James Caan is terrific as a gangster who is also his prospective father-in-law. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity). (Redwood, with "Runaway Bride"; Trolley Square.) (Aug. 20, 1999) -- Dainon Moody
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). (Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (May 7, 1999)
MUPPETS FROM SPACE --**1/2 -- There's a good message to this comedy/adventure about Gonzo's efforts to find his parents -- a search that takes him and his friends into outer space. But on whole the film's not very funny or particularly original. G (slapstick violence, mild vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sugar House.) (July 14, 1999)
THE MUSE --**1/2 -- This showbiz satire, about a failing screenwriter (Albert Brooks, who directed and also co-wrote the script) who turns to one of the mythical Greek Muses (Sharon Stone) to help him, features a few inspired gags. But it's also one of his weakest, most unfocused works. Andie MacDowell co-stars. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, brief nudity). (Holladay.) (Aug. 27, 1999)
MYSTERY MEN --**1/2 -- Delightful, if inconsistent, spoof of such comic-book based action films as "Batman," about a handful of wannabe superheroes (including Ben Stiller, William H. Macy and Janeane Garofalo) trying to save the world. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity, nude artwork) (Midvalley, South Towne.) (Aug. 6, 1999) -- Dainon Moody
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). (Kaysville; Redwood, with "For Love of the Game"; Sandy Starships; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (May 28, 1999)
RUNAWAY BRIDE -- **-- "Pretty Woman" stars Richard Gere and Julia Roberts are back for this romantic comedy about a reporter (Gere) on the trail of a woman he believes is an unrepentant heartbreaker (Roberts). Unfortunately, the old chemistry isn't there, and the script is awful. PG (profanity, vulgarity, violence). (Carmike 12; Century; Cottonwood; Gateway; Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "Mickey Blue Eyes"; Reel; Ritz; Sandy 9; Trolley Square.) (July 30, 1999)
THE SIXTH SENSE --**1/2 -- Surprise, surprise, surprise. Bruce Willis actually acts in this creepy fantasy/thriller about a child psychologist attempting to treat an 8-year-old (Haley Joel Osment, from "Bogus") who claims he is able to communicate with the dead. The ending is a real shocker. PG-13 (profanity, violence, gore, vulgarity, partial nudity). (Carmike 12; Century; Creekside; Crossroads; Gateway; Midvalley; Redwood, with "The 13th Warrior"; Reel; Ritz; Sandy 9.) (Aug. 6, 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). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Cinemas 5; Kaysville; Sandy Starships; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (May 19, 1999)
STIGMATA -- Turkey -- This MTV version of "The Exorcist" is possibly the least scary horror movie in recent history, with headache-inducing editing and an awful performance from Patricia Arquette as a hairdresser suffering from stigmatic wounds. More than a little hateful toward the Catholic Church, too. R (violence, gore, profanity, partial nudity, sex). (Broadway; Carmike 12; Century; Midvalley; Redwood, with "The Astronaut's Wife"; Ritz; Sandy 9; Trolley North.) (Sept. 10, 1999)
STIR OF ECHOES -- ** -- Kevin Bacon is terrific in the lead role and things start out creepy, but this is a pretty routine horror-thriller about a man who begins suffering from terrifying visions -- and gains the power to communicate with the dead -- after being hypnotized at a party. And the ending is much too predictable. R (violence, rape, profanity, sex). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Plaza 5400, Ritz, Trolley Corners.) (Sept. 10, 1999)
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). (Creekside, South Towne.) (June 19, 1999)
THE 13TH WARRIOR --*1/2 -- Based on one of Michael Crichton's worst novels, this overly violent, badly photographed and almost laughable fantasy/horror film stars Antonio Banderas as a banished Arab poet who joins a band of Viking warriors in their battle against seemingly unbeatable foes. R (violence, gore, partial nudity, vulgarity, mild profanity). (Creekside; Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "The Sixth Sense"; Ritz; South Towne.) (Aug. 27, 1999)
THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR --**1/2 -- A good-looking but ultimately unsatisfying remake of the 1968 thriller, starring a too-frigid Pierce Brosnan as a billionaire moonlighting as an international art thief. Rene Russo sizzles as an investigator on his trail but there are too many slow spots, as well as some dumb plotting. R (profanity, nudity, sex, violence, vulgarity). (Broadway, Century, Creekside, Midvalley, Ritz, South Towne.) (Aug. 6, 1999)
TRICK -- ** -- There are a few decent laughs in this first half, but on whole this is a disappointing gay-culture comedy about two frustrated young men unable to find a place for a one-night stand. Christian Campbell (brother of Neve) is rather stiff as the lead character, and Tori Spelling is her usual irritating self, co-starring as a would-be actress. R (profanity, nudity, vulgarity, sex). (Sept. 11, 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). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (June 30, 1999)