NEW FILMS FRIDAY
GOYA EN BURDEOS (GOYA IN BORDEAUX) — Veteran Spanish director Carlos Saura and acclaimed cinematographer Vittorio Storaro ("Tango") re-team for this episodic biography of revolutionary painter Francisco de Goya (Francisco Rabal). In Spanish and French, with English subtitles. R (violence, nudity, gore, brief sex, vulgarity). (Exclusive, Tower.)
TWO FAMILY HOUSE — This low-key comedy-drama, set in 1950s New York, depicts the unlikely romance between an Italian-American dreamer (character-actor Michael Rispoli) and the single mother he's just evicted (Kelly Macdonald). A selection of the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. R (profanity, ethnic slurs, brief violence, vulgarity). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
SNEAK PREVIEWS
PROOF OF LIFE — Off-screen lovers Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe star in this dramatic thriller about an American (Ryan) who falls for the hostage negotiator (Crowe) hired to recover her kidnapped husband (David Morse). To be reviewed when it opens next week. R (violence, profanity, drugs). (Saturday: Broadway.)
RE-RELEASES
GLADIATOR —*** 1/2 — A notch below such sword-and-sandal greats as "Spartacus," but director Ridley Scott returns to form with this visually spectacular story about the title character (Russell Crowe), a once-honored Roman general forced to fight in the arenas while seeking revenge. Shown in the large-screen format. Running time: 154 minutes. R (violence, gore, brief nudity, profanity). (Jordan Commons.) (May 5, 2000)
THE LEGEND OF DRUNKEN MASTER —*** 1/2 — It's been slightly tinkered with for this reissue, but this 1994 action-comedy is still Jackie Chan's best film, a fast-and-funny piece about Chinese hero Wong-fei Hung, who must stop English terrorists from stealing a national treasure. Wall-to-wall action and some great stunt work, and the gags are terrific. Dubbed. R (violence, profanity). (South Towne.)
MIDNIGHT MOVIES
SID & NANCY — *** — Oddball director Alex Cox's biography of late Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious is his most straightforward (and therefore best) film, a well-acted but harsh piece examining the ill-fated relationship between Vicious (a never-better Gary Oldman) and girlfriend Nancy Spungen (Chloe Webb). R (profanity, drug use, vulgarity, violence, sex, gore). (Tower, Friday and Saturday.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
AFRICA'S ELEPHANT KINGDOM — Aussie filmmaker Michael Caulfield directed this 40-minute documentary about the huge mammals, which was originally shown in 3-D. Featuring narration by Avery Brooks. Shown in the large-screen format. Not rated, probable G. (Exclusive, Jordan Commons.)
A CHRISTMAS CAROL —*** 1/2 — Very good adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale, with a wonderful performance by Reginald Owen as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, who not only gets his comeuppance but also receives a chance for redemption. In black and white. Made before ratings (1938), probable G. (Jordan Commons.)
DOLPHINS — *** — A 44-minute underwater dream, suffused with sunlight. Sting (the soundtrack's composer) and Pierce Brosnan (the narrator) are the big names apparently booked to bring crowds to this movie, but a few minutes in and it's clear that they're superfluous. Shown in the large-screen format. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). (Exclusive, Jordan Commons.) (Nov. 24, 2000) — Diane Urbani
MEET JOHN DOE — *** 1/2 — It's a bit too long and seems a tad dated, but Frank Capra's 1941 drama is an interesting examination of media manipulation and fame, as seen through the eyes of a drifter (Gary Cooper) who is groomed to become a spokesman for the common man — only to fall when he begins to exert a will of his own. In black and white. Made before ratings, probable G (nothing offensive). (Avalon, Saturday only, 7 p.m.)
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET — **** — Hollywood has tried to remake this classic Christmas tale more than once, but no one has ever done it better than with this sentimental but sweet comedy-drama about a little girl (the late Natalie Wood, in her big-screen debut) who believes the seemingly wild claims of a department store Santa Claus (Edmund Gwenn). Made before ratings (1947), probable G (nothing offensive). (Jordan Commons.)
OLYMPIC GLORY — Producers Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy join forces with Utahn Scott Swofford for this large-format documentary, shot during the 1998 Nagano Winter Games. Directed by Kieth Merrill. Not rated, probable G. (Exclusive, Jordan Commons.)
WORKS FROM ALONG THE WASATCH FRONT — The monthly open screening program for the Utah Film & Video Center, which spotlights short videos and films from a variety of Utah artists. This program is not rated but may contain some PG-13 rated material. (Salt Lake Art Center, Friday only, 8 p.m.)
CONTINUING FILMS
ALMOST FAMOUS — **** — Filmmaker Cameron Crowe returns to his days as a teenaged journalist with this warm and funny ode to rock music — the best film so far this year. He's helped by a terrific ensemble cast. Running time: 122 minutes. R (profanity, drug use, vulgarity, brief sex, brief nudity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Sandy 9; South Towne; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (Sept. 22, 2000)
BEDAZZLED—* 1/2 — Brendan Fraser is miscast as a nerd who makes a deal with the devil (the even-more-miscast Elizabeth Hurley) to win the woman of his dreams. Running time: 93 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, brief drug use, partial nudity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing.) (Oct. 20, 2000)
BEST IN SHOW — *** — Filmmaker Christopher Guest's long-awaited follow-up to "Waiting for Guffman" has some very funny sequences, but it also has some mean-spirited notions about dog owners, who are spoofed in this mockumentary. Running time: 89 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity). (Broadway, Jordan Landing, South Towne.) (Oct. 13, 2000)
BILLY ELLIOT — *** — This low-key British comedy-drama is a showcase for newcomer Jamie Bell, who impresses as the title character, a coal miner's son who must conceal his love of ballet dancing from his financially strapped family. Some harsh language. Running time: 110 minutes. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, brief partial nudity). (Broadway, South Towne.) (Nov. 10, 2000)
BOOK OF SHADOWS: BLAIR WITCH 2 — turkey — Laughably bad sequel to the surprise horror hit, this one about twentysomethings taking a "Blair Witch reality tour." The only thing scary is the awful performances. Running time: 89 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, nudity, drug use, brief sex, vulgarity). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Oct. 27, 2000)
BOUNCE — ** — Even the natural chemistry between on-again, off-again celebrity couple Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow can't save this contrived romantic drama about the unlikely romance between a widow and the a womanizer who feels responsible for her husband's death. Running time: 104 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, sex, vulgarity). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz, Trolley North.) (Nov. 17, 2000)
BRING IT ON — *** — Surprisingly clever comedy starring Kirsten Dunst as a cheerleader who panics when an inner-city squad "steals back" her team's routines. Running time: 100 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence). (Cinemas 5, Kaysville, Sandy 9, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 25, 2000)
THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB — ** — Disappointing comedy that's essentially a retread of all the other comedies that were trying to be "the gay 'Big Chill.' " A good cast, though, which includes Timothy Olyphant ("Go"), Dean Cain, Nia Long and John Mahoney. Running time: 95 minutes. R (profanity, drug use, vulgarity). (Exclusive, Tower.) (Nov. 24, 2000)
THE CELL —* 1/2 — An uninvolving, "style over substance" rip-off of "The Silence of the Lambs." Jennifer Lopez is awful as a psychologist who journeys into the mind of a serial killer. Running time: 107 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, nudity, torture, rape, brief drug use, brief sex). (Sandy 9, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 18, 2000)
CHARLIE'S ANGELS — *** — More fun than it has a right to be, this campy TV-to-big-screen adaptation is a fast-paced action-comedy about three sexy P.I.s — Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu — hired to rescue a kidnapped computer genius.Running time: 92 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, partial nudity, profanity). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz, Trolley Corners.) (Nov. 3, 2000)
THE CONTENDER — *** — Joan Allen is terrific as the title character, a vice-presidential nominee. But the script fails her. Running time: 132 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, brief nudity, brief sex). (South Towne.) (Oct. 13, 2000)
COYOTE UGLY — * 1/2 — Almost entertaining because of its sheer cheesiness, this "Flashdance" wanna-be gets laughs when it's trying to be dramatic and yawns when it's trying to be funny. Lead Piper Perabo is awful, too. Running time: 94 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity, partial nudity). (Sandy 9, Sugar House.) (Aug. 4, 2000)
DANCER IN THE DARK — ** — Director Lars Von Trier's latest is a noble but failed experiment, a downbeat, musically based drama about a factory worker with fading eye sight (musician-turned-actress Bjork) who retreats into fantasy. Great performances, but there's not enough concentration on the characters. Running time: 140 minutes. R (violence, gore, mild profanity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (Oct. 20, 2000)
DIGIMON: THE MOVIE — * — Better than the "Pok*mon" movies, though just barely, this badly animated feature is little more than an advertisement for action figures. Running time: 90 minutes. PG (animated violence, brief vulgarity). (Cinemas 5, Sandy Starships, Valley Fair.) (Oct. 6, 2000)
DINOSAUR —** 1/2 — Digitally animated prehistoric adventure about the title character. The story's a rip-off of "The Land Before Time," and the characters are surprisingly shallow, but kids will probably eat it up. Running time: 82 minutes. PG (violence). (Sandy 9, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (May 19, 2000)
DISNEY'S THE KID —* 1/2 — A sappy comedy-fantasy about a self-absorbed image consultant (Bruce Willis), who is visited by his 8-year-old alter-ego (Spencer Breslin). Manipulative and unfunny. Running time: 101 minutes. PG (brief violence, mild vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy Starships.) (July 7, 2000)
DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS — *** — As the title character, Jim Carrey steals the show, or more accurately, saves this live-action version of the holiday classic from becoming too overbearing. Despite some imaginative designs, his one-man-show is the real draw here. Running time: 102 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, mild vulgarity, one profanity). (Carmike 12, Century, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz, Trolley Corners, Trolley North.) (Nov. 17, 2000)
GET CARTER —* 1/2 — Sylvester Stallone is supposed to be the moral center of this remake, but he's a vicious killer and pyrotechnics are used to distract us from the dumbness of the dialogue. Running time: 108 minutes. R (violence, profanity, sex, drug use). (Valley Fair.) (Oct. 7, 2000) — Chris Hewitt, Knight Ridder
GODZILLA 2000 — ** — Funnier than this summer's comedy hits combined, and a welcome return to the monster movies from the Japanese film company Toho, especially after the vapid 1998 computer-graphic remake of "Godzilla." Dubbed. Running time: 97 minutes. PG (violence, mild profanity). (Cinemas 5, Sandy 9, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE — ** — Director Robert Redford's latest is a good-looking but shallow fantasy about a mysterious caddy (Will Smith) who aids a once-promising golfer (Matt Damon) in a huge tournament. Not nearly as deep as it thinks it is. Running time: 127 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief sex). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz, Trolley Square.) (Nov. 3, 2000)
LITTLE NICKY — * — Dumb and just plain bad, even by Adam Sandler's usual "standards," his latest is a lame comedy about a demon who heads to Earth to stop his brothers from creating Hell on Earth. A few guilty chuckles, but otherwise awful. Running time: 93 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, brief nudity, brief sex, brief drug use). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz, Trolley Square.) (Nov. 10, 2000)
THE LITTLE VAMPIRE — *** — The first horror film with more "moo" than "boo," this fun and warm children's fantasy, about a small boy who befriends a family of vampires, isn't meant to be scary. Running time: 94 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity). (Kaysville.) (Oct. 27, 2000) —Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle
MEET THE PARENTS —** 1/2 — Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro are great as, respectively, a would-be groom and his hard-to-please, would-be father-in-law. But too often the makers of this comedy stoop to cheap gags to get laughs. Running time: 108 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, drugs, sex, nude photos). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz.) (Oct. 6, 2000)
MEN OF HONOR — ** — Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro are good in this highly fictionalized drama about Carl Brashear, the U.S. Navy's first black Master Diver. But the script is horrid. Running time: 128 minutes. R (profanity, violence, racial epithets, gore, vulgarity). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz, South Towne, Trolley North.) (Nov. 10, 2000)
NUTTY PROFESSOR II: THE KLUMPS —* 1/2 — Crude sequel starring Eddie Murphy in several roles — including those of Professor Sherman Klump and his monstrous alter-ego Buddy Love. Few of the jokes hit the mark. Running time: 110 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, sex, violence, racial epithets). (Valley Fair.) (July 28, 2000)
102 DALMATIANS — ** — Pretty listless, even dull sequel to the 1996 live-action hit, with Glenn Close reprising her role as the evil Cruella De Vil. Her animal co-stars are cute, but the film's not nearly funny or fun enough. Running time: 101 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, mild vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz, Trolley Square, Villa.) (Nov. 22, 2000)
PAY IT FORWARD — ** — Perhaps the year's biggest disappointment so far, a too-sentimental drama about a teacher (Kevin Spacey) who challenges his students (including Haley Joel Osment) to make the world a better place. The heavy-handed ending is particularly awful. Running time: 122 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, drug use, vulgarity, sex, racial epithets). (Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing.) (Oct. 20, 2000)
THE PERFECT STORM — ** — Director Wolfgang Petersen can make almost anything exciting, but he can't bail out this disappointment about New England fishermen and rescue workers contending with a destructive storms. The second half's exciting, but the first half's a snore. Running time: 130 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity). (Sandy 9, Sugar House.) (June 30, 2000)
RED PLANET —* 1/2 — The second sci-fi movie set on Mars this year is a dull thriller about a NASA exploration team (including Val Kilmer and Carrie-Anne Moss), which winds up stranded on Mars. Inane, and not nearly lurid enough to qualify as a genuine "B" movie. Running time: 108 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, gore, brief partial nudity, brief vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz, South Towne.) (Nov. 10, 2000)
REMEMBER THE TITANS — *** — A movie this corny and predictable shouldn't be this involving, but it features a worthwhile core message and another terrific performance by Denzel Washington, who heads up a football team for a newly "integrated" high school. Running time: 113 minutes. PG (sports violence, racial epithets, mild profanity) (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz.) (Sept. 29, 2000)
RETURN TO ME — *** — Charming romantic comedy about a man (David Duchovny) who falls in love with the woman (Minnie Driver) who received his dead wife's heart. The leads are good, and the supporting cast (Carroll O'Connor and Robert Loggia) is terrific. PG (profanity, gore). (Sandy 9.) (April 7, 2000)
RUGRATS IN PARIS — THE MOVIE — *** — Surprisingly funny sequel to 1998's surprising animated hit, focusing is on Chuckie Finster's efforts to get a new mom. Too much potty humor. Running time: 74 minutes. G (vulgarity, slapstick violence). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz, Trolley Square.) (Nov. 17, 2000)
SCARY MOVIE —* 1/2 — What's really scary about this horror spoof is that the MPAA let it slip by with just an R rating. Running time: 89 minutes. R (vulgarity, violence, nudity, profanity, sex, drug use, gore, racial epithets). (Cinemas 5, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (July 7, 2000)
THE 6TH DAY — ** — Essentially a pale copy of all the previous thrillers starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Some good effects and action sequences. Running time: 124 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, gore, brief partial nudity, vulgarity, brief sex). (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz, South Towne, Trolley Square.) (Nov. 17, 2000)
THE TAO OF STEVE — *** — The suavest leading man of any romantic comedy this year is plus-sized character actor Donal Logue ("Mission: Impossible II"), who is great as an overweight but philosophical ladies' man. Running time: 87 minutes. R (profanity, drug use, vulgarity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (Oct. 6, 2000)
UNBREAKABLE —** 1/2 — A particularly weak ending mars director M. Night Shyamalan's otherwise fascinating follow-up to "The Sixth Sense," a fantasy-thriller about the sole survivor of a train crash (Bruce Willis). Running time: 107 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz, Trolley Corners.) (Nov. 22, 2000)
WHAT LIES BENEATH — ** — This thriller starts well, but it turns into "Fatal Ghostly Attraction," as a husband and wife (Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer) are haunted by his former lover. Running time: 125 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, sex, gore, brief vulgarity). (Cinemas 5, Kaysville, Sandy 9, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (July 21, 2000)
X-MEN — *** — The best comic-book-to-film adaptation since "Batman," about the conflict between the title characters and evil mutants trying to subjugate mankind. Running time: 103 minutes. PG-13 (violence, partial nudity, vulgarity, brief profanity). (Cinemas 5, Kaysville, Sandy 9, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (July 14, 2000)