Reviews by Deseret News film critic Jeff VIce
NOTE: Dates at the end of capsules indicated the film's initial review in the Deseret News.
NEW FILMS FRIDAY
THE FLINTSTONES IN VIVA ROCK VEGAS -- Not a sequel but a prequel to the 1994 live-action comedy, with Mark Addy ("The Full Monty") replacing John Goodman as Fred Flintstone. Kristen Johnson (TV's "Third Rock from the Sun"), Stephen Baldwin and Jane Krakowski (TV's "Ally McBeal") co-star. Reviewed in this section. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Midvalley; Redwood, with "The Road to El Dorado"; Ritz; Trolley Square.)
FREQUENCY -- Director Gregory Hoblit ("Fallen") returns with this fantasy-thriller about a police officer (Jim Caviezel) who accidentally communicates with his long-dead father (Dennis Quaid) by two-way radio -- which winds up changing his reality in unexpected ways. Reviewed in this section. PG-13 (violence, profanity). (Broadway; Carmike 12; Century; Creekside; Jordan Landing; Midvalley; Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "Final Destination"; Ritz; South Towne; Trolley North.)
A MOMENT OF INNOCENCE -- Acclaimed Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf ("Gabbeh") takes a look back at one of the defining moments of his life with this film-within-a-film in which he tries to re-create a stabbing that resulted in his five-year imprisonment. In Farsi, with English subtitles. Not rated, probable G. (Exclusive, Tower.)
THE SILENCE -- Music (including works by Beethoven) play a large role in this drama from Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf about a 10-year-old blind boy who gets a job tuning the creations for a professional instrument maker. In Farsi, with English subtitles. Not rated, probable G. (Exclusive, Tower.)
WHERE THE HEART IS -- Based on the best-selling novel by Billie Letts, this comedy-drama stars Natalie Portman as a teen who goes on to greater things after giving birth in a department store. Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing and Sally Field co-star. Reviewed in this section. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity, brief sex). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Plaza 5400, Ritz.)
RE-RELEASES
AMERICAN BEAUTY -- ***1/2 -- Phenomenal performances -- including an Oscar-winning lead turn from Kevin Spacey -- highlight this scathing but ultimately truthful comic drama about a middle-aged man in a mid-life crisis (Spacey) who decides to risk everything -- and pursue his daughter's best friend. A bit too pat and predictable toward the end, but very well directed and written as well. Winner of five Academy Awards. R (profanity, vulgarity, drug use, sex, nudity, violence, gore). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Cinemas 5; South Towne; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (Sept. 24, 1999)
REAR WINDOW -- **** -- This 1954 suspense-thriller, Alfred Hitchcock's first major box-office success, finally gets the restoration treatment it deserves with this color-enhanced 35 mm re-release. Storywise, it's classic Master of Suspense material, combining dark humor, thrills and romance for the tale of a wheelchair-bound photojournalist (Jimmy Stewart) who spies on his neighbors out of boredom, only to witness what he believes is a murder. Terrific performances from Stewart, Grace Kelly and Raymond Burr, and the final 20-minute sequence is a real nail-biter. PG (violence). (Avalon.)
SCREAM 3 -- ** -- The finale of director Wes Craven's horror-comedy film series is a rather uneven movie-industry parody that starts well but fades badly in the final third. Stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox Arquette and David Arquette reprise their roles, but indie actress Parker Posey steals the show as method actress shadowing Cox Arquette's character. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, brief partial nudity). (Carmike 12; Crossroads; Jordan Landing; Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "The Skulls"; Ritz; South Towne.) (Feb. 4)
SPECIAL SCREENING
EVEREST -- Probably the most popular "large-format" film of all time, this 44-minute documentary follows a team of explorers on an expedition to climb the world's highest -- and one of its most perilous -- mountains. Narrated by Liam Neeson. Shown in the large-screen format. Not rated, probable G. (Exclusive, Jordan Commons.)
FOUR CORNERS -- The Salt Lake premiere of this 1997 documentary by filmmaker James Benning ("Deseret," "The United States of America"), which interweaves different stories, including a look at the shared geography between Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Benning will be on hand to introduce and discuss his work. This film is not rated but may contain some PG-rated material. (Salt Lake Art Center, Friday only, 8 p.m.)
GRAND CANYON: THE HIDDEN SECRETS -- One of the earliest films made in the IMAX large-screen format, this 1984 documentary takes a look at the 4,000-year history of the canyon and includes footage of a ride down its rapids. Directed by former Utahn Kieth Merrill ("Legacy," "Mr. Krueger's Christmas," the Oscar-winning documentary "The Last American Cowboy"). Shown in the large-screen format. Not rated, probable G. (Jordan Commons.)
THE GREAT RACE -- **1/2 -- It's incredibly dated, and it doesn't even come close to living up to its billing as "the greatest comedy ever made," but there are a handful of funny gags in this 1965 farce about the first New York-to-California race. A good cast (which includes Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and the late Natalie Wood) helps, though it's way, way too long. Made before ratings, probable G (slapstick violence). (Jordan Commons.)
KEY LARGO -- ***1/2 -- Overlooked a bit because of an even-better collaboration between star Humphrey Bogart and director John Huston (that would be "The Maltese Falcon"), this 1948 thriller is a tense piece about a burned-out war veteran (Bogart) reluctantly forced into the role as hero for people held captive in a Florida hotel. Look for a great supporting turn by the late Claire Trevor (who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her work in the film). In black and white. Made before rating, probable PG (violence). (Jordan Commons.)
MYSTERIES OF EGYPT -- Featuring contributions by several Utahns (including cinematography by Reed Smoot and musical score by Sam Cardon), this 38-minute documentary from National Geographic explores the history of and sites in Egypt. Omar Sharif stars and narrates. Shown in the large-screen format. In color and black and white. Not rated, probable G. (Exclusive, Jordan Commons.)
MYSTERY OF THE MAYA -- One of the first films made in the IMAX format, this 1995 documentary from Canadian television producer Barrie Howells examines the ancient Central American civilization. Shown in the large-screen format. Not rated, probable PG (violent images, partial nudity). (Exclusive, Jordan Commons.)
WHO GETS THE HOUSE? -- ** -- This comedy, the latest from Utah's own Feature Films for Families, has an amusing premise about a "custody battle" between a divorcing couple and their kids over the family house. But it instead concentrates on dumb humor and sappy sentiments. Not terrible, but nothing very special or original either. The cast includes Carl Marotte ("The Mighty") and original "Star Trek" veteran George Takei. G (nothing offensive). (Saturday, Sunday and Monday: Cottonwood, Ritz.) (Jan. 28)
CONTINUING FILMS
AMERICAN PSYCHO -- ** -- One of those few times when saying a film is "better than the book" isn't necessarily a compliment, director Mary Harron's adaptation of the controversial Bret Easton Ellis novel is a mixed bag. Christian Bale is fine as the serial-killing Yuppie title character, but the satirical aspects of the story are a cliche and the film wastes a talented supporting cast. Running time: 100 minutes. R (sex, nudity, violence, profanity, gore, drug use, vulgarity). (Century, Midvalley, Ritz, Trolley Square.) (April 14)
ANGELA'S ASHES --**1/2 -- It features some fine performances, particularly by Emily Watson and Robert Carlyle, but Alan Parker adaptation of the best-selling, Depression-era memoirs of Frank McCourt is a dreary, "greatest-hits" medley of stories from the book. R (profanity, violence, nudity, vulgarity, sex). (Sandy 9, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Jan. 21)
ANNA AND THE KING --**1/2 -- It's too long and actually tries to tell too much story, but this lavish, non-musical version of the fact-based tale benefits from strong performances by Jodie Foster as headstrong British governess Anna Leonowens and even better, Hong Kong action star Chow Yun-Fat as the equally strong-willed King of Siam. In English and in Siamese, with English subtitles. PG-13 (violence, gore). (Kaysville, Sandy 9.) (Dec. 17, 1999)
BICENTENNIAL MAN -- ** -- Lacking the subtlety and profundity of its source material -- a short story by the late Isaac Asimov -- this too-long, sci-fi based comedy/drama stars Robin Williams as an android household worker who yearns to be human. PG (profanity, vulgarity). (Sandy 9, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Dec. 17, 1999)
BOYS DON'T CRY --***1/2 -- Featuring a deserved, Oscar-winning lead performance by actress Hilary Swank (TV's "Beverly Hills 90210"), this fact-based drama is a powerful but disturbing portrait of a Nebraska woman who passed herself off as a man -- and was later murdered because of the charade. Swank's the standout, but the performances are all terrific. R (profanity, violence, rape, nudity, sex, vulgarity, drug use). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (March 10)
CROUPIER --***1/2 -- A welcome return to form for veteran British filmmaker Mike Hodges, who directed this smart thriller about a young writer (Clive Owen) who takes a job in a casino to research his novel. Surprisingly engrossing, with sharp dialogue and good performances. Running time: 93 minutes. Not rated, probable R (profanity, violence, nudity, sex). (Exclusive, Broadway.) (April 21)
ERIN BROCKOVICH -- **** -- There's a whole new Julia -- and that's not just because of the skimpy outfits she wears throughout the film. Roberts is definitely at the top of her game here, and she carries this picture seemingly effortlessly. R (profanity, partial nudity). (Carmike 12; Century; Crossroads; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Midvalley; Redwood, with "Keeping the Faith"; Ritz; Trolley North.) (March 17)-- Dainon Moody
FINAL DESTINATION -- * -- If ever there was a vehicle destined to be shown late at night on the USA Network, "Final Destination" is it. What we have here is a movie trying quite hard to achieve the mystery and allure of "The Sixth Sense," while completely lacking that film's subtlety and falling instead into the land of thinly disguised B-movies. R (profanity, violence, nudity, gore). (Jordan Landing; Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "Erin Brockovich.") (March 17)-- Dainon Moody
GALAXY QUEST -- *** -- A funny spoof of the original "Star Trek" television series, featuring great special effects and a surprisingly good performance by Tim Allen as the former star of a popular television series, who is abducted by real aliens who want him to help save their race. PG (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, torture). (Cinemas 5, Kaysville, Sandy 9, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Dec. 24, 1999)
GHOST DOG: THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI -- *** -- Like all of oddball director Jim Jarmusch's films, his latest is an acquired taste. But it's also an entertaining black comedy/thriller about the title character (Forest Whitaker), a hitman of few words who is hunted by his former employers. In English and French, with English subtitles. Running time: 114 minutes. R (violence, profanity, racial epithets, gore). (Exclusive, Tower.) (April 21)
GIRL, INTERRUPTED --**1/2 -- Despite terrific performances from Oscar winner Angelina Jolie and Winona Ryder, director James Mangold's adaptation of Susanna Kaysen's autobiographical novel is a superficial period drama that seems like a rip-off of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Not terrible, but a disappointment. R (profanity, drug use, vulgarity, violence, brief nudity). (Sandy 9, Sugar House.) (Jan. 14)
GOD'S ARMY -- *** -- It's of interest mainly to its target audience, LDS moviegoers, but Richard Dutcher's drama about Mormon missionaries in Los Angeles is surprisingly well-made and acted. PG (brief violence, vulgarity, mild profanity). (Carmike 12, Crossroads, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Reel, Ritz.) (March 10)
GOSSIP -- * -- Possibly the final nail in the coffin for all the bad thrillers that have been aimed at teens lately, this dud sports a veritable Who's Who of young actors (including James Marsden, Joshua Jackson and Kate Hudson) in the tale of three college students whose journalism class project regarding rumors goes horribly awry. Running time: 90 minutes. R (violence, profanity, sex). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz, South Towne.) (April 21)
THE GREEN MILE -- *** -- It's no "Shawshank Redemption" -- it's way, way too long, for one thing -- but Frank Darabont's ambitious adaptation of Stephen King's serialized best-seller still has its share of moments. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, racial epithets, gore, sex, drug use, brief nudity). (Cinemas 5, Sandy 9, Sugar House.) (Dec. 10, 1999)
HERE ON EARTH --*1/2 -- The only difference between this snore-inducing romantic drama and other films aimed at teens is that this one isn't aimed for the funnybone. Not that the awful dialogue and chemistry-free pairing of up-and-coming stars Leelee Sobieski and Chris Klein doesn't earn its share of unintentional giggles, though. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity). (South Towne.) (March 24)
HIGH FIDELITY --***1/2 -- It's not quite as good as the source material (Nick Hornby's best-selling novel), but this winning comedy is an astute look into the male perspective of romantic relationships -- shown from the viewpoint of an obsessive record store owner (John Cusack, who produced and co-wrote the script) whose life and business fall apart after his girlfriend leaves him. R (profanity, sex, violence, nudity, vulgarity). (Broadway, Century, Jordan Landing.) (March 31)
KEEPING THE FAITH -- ** -- Too long for its own good, this romantic comedy is an inauspicious directing debut for Edward Norton, who also stars as a priest squabbling with his best friend, a rabbi (Ben Stiller), for the love of another childhood friend (Jenna Elfman). Too many cheap gags, too. Running time: 129 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, sex, violence, profanity, ethnic slurs, nude drawings). (Carmike 12; Century; Creekside; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Midvalley; Redwood, with "Erin Brockovich"; Ritz; Trolley Square.) (April 14)
LOVE & BASKETBALL --**1/2 -- It's a little too sappy for its own good, but up-and-coming star Sanaa Lathan salvages this hoops-centric drama about two talented athletes (Lathan and Omar Epps) trying to take their careers and relationship to another level. Running time: 118 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, sex, violence, brief partial nudity). (Broadway, Century, Jordan Commons, Ritz.) (April 21)
MISSION TO MARS -- ** -- Director Brian De Palma may have gotten over his obsession with ripping off the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. But his latest -- a dull science fiction-thriller about a manned expedition to the Red Planet -- could use any suspense to enliven its cliched story. PG (violence). (Gateway, Jordan Landing, Plaza 5400, Ritz, Villa.) (March 10)
MUSIC OF THE HEART -- **1/2 -- What else is new? A terrific performance by Meryl Streep help salvage this cliched, superficial drama based on the true story of Roberta Guaspari, a New York music teacher who began a violin program in east Harlem. PG (profanity, brief violence). (Sandy 9.) (Oct. 29, 1999)
MY DOG SKIP -- *** -- Though it features annoying voice-over narration (by Harry Connick Jr.), this adaptation of Willie Morris's best-selling memoirs is a sweet family comedy-drama about the misadventures of a Mississippi youngster (Frankie Muniz, from TV's "Malcolm in the Middle") and his dog, circa World War II. Muniz is great, as are his adult co-stars Kevin Bacon and Diane Lane. PG (violence, mild profanity, vulgarity, racial epithets). (Jordan Landing, Plaza 5400.) (March 3)
NEXT FRIDAY -- turkey -- Completely lacking in the low-key charm of its predecessor, the 1995 "in-the-hood" comedy, this unfunny sequel brings Craig Jones (returning star and screenwriter Ice Cube) to the suburbs, where he continues to find trouble. Cheap sexual and drug humor and flatulence gags dominate. R (profanity, drug use, racial epithets, vulgarity, violence, sex, partial nudity, brief gore). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Jan. 12)
PITCH BLACK --*1/2 -- Further proof that today's filmmakers don't give their audiences enough credit for being intelligent, this dumb science-fiction thriller rips off nearly every one that came before it, and then compounds the problem with illogical plotting and stale characterizations. A real disappointment, considering it came from writer/director David Twohy ("The Arrival"), who ought to know better. R (violence, profanity, gore, drug use, vulgarity). (Redwood, with "U-571.") (Feb. 18)
READY TO RUMBLE -- * -- This crude comedy stars the always irritating David Arquette as a pro wrestling fan trying to help save the career of his favorite grappler (Oliver Platt). At least as dumb as it sounds. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity, brief nudity, brief sex). (Jordan Landing, Plaza 5400.) (April 7)
RETURN TO ME -- *** -- Character actress Bonnie Hunt doesn't need to steal scenes for a change in this charming romantic comedy (which marks her directorial debut) about a man (David Duchovny) who falls in love with the woman (Minnie Driver) who received his dead wife's heart. PG (profanity, gore). The leads are good, and the supporting cast (which also includes Carroll O'Connor and Robert Loggia) is terrific. (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz, South Towne, Trolley Square.) (April 7)
THE ROAD TO EL DORADO -- *** -- Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh have fun voicing 15th century Spanish conmen searching for the legendary City of Gold. PG (violence, mild profanity, brief nudity). (Carmike 12; Century; Cottonwood; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Midvalley; Redwood, with "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas"; Ritz; Trolley Square.) (March 31)
ROMEO MUST DIE --**1/2 -- It ain't great art, but this kung-fu-fighting, hip-hop culture update of Shakespeare does have some spectacular fighting sequences featuring Jet Li ("Lethal Weapon 4") in the title character. R (violence, profanity, racial epithets, drug use, vulgarity, brief gore, brief nudity). (Midvalley; Redwood, with "Rules of Engagement.") (March 22)
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT --*1/2 -- With such a talented cast, William Friedkin's latest -- a military courtroom drama about a retired marine (Tommy Lee Jones) who must defend a comrade-in-arms (Samuel L. Jackson) accused of murder in the Middle East -- should be a lot better. But it's surprisingly dumb and uninvolving. R (violence, profanity, gore, racial epithets, brief partial nudity). (Carmike 12; Century; Cottonwood; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Plaza 5400; Redwood, with "Romeo Must Die"; Ritz; Trolley Corners.) (April 7)
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) who claims he is able to communicate with the dead.PG-13 (profanity, violence, gore, vulgarity, partial nudity). (Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 6, 1999)
THE SKULLS --*1/2 -- This paranoid suspense-thriller starring Joshua Jackson (TV's "Dawson's Creek") starts out as a guilty pleasure, but by the end, the writing is so bad that it's impossible not to laugh out loud at scenes intended to be scary or serious. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief sex). (Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Midvalley; Redwood, with "Scream 3"; Ritz.) (March 31) -- Christy Lemire, Associated Press writer
SNOW DAY --**1/2 -- It falls back on that old bugaboo of kids' films -- flatulence humor -- but there are some clever moments in this family comedy about a New York family and their adventures during a "snow day" that threatens to cancel school classes and work.PG (vulgarity, slapstick violence). (Kaysville.) (Feb. 4)
THE STRAIGHT STORY -- ***1/2 -- In the hands of director David Lynch, this true story of an elderly Wisconsin man (Richard Farnsworth) traveling cross-country on a riding lawnmower becomes a beguiling case of a man buying into something larger than his demons. G (nothing offensive). (Kaysville.) (Nov. 5, 1999) -- Wesley Morris, San Francisco Examiner
STUART LITTLE -- *** -- Despite a couple lapses in taste, this live-action version of E.B. White's beloved family tale is a cute romp starring Michael J. Fox as the voice of the title character, a tiny, anthropomorphic rodent who is adopted by a human family. A great cast helps, especially Nathan Lane, who gets the best lines as Stuart's feline competitor for the family's affections. PG (vulgarity, violence). (Cinemas 5, Sandy 9, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Dec. 17, 1999)
SWEET AND LOWDOWN -- *** -- It's not his best work, but filmmaker Woody Allen's latest is free of the bile and self-loathing that marked his most recent material. Besides, there's no denying the quality of the performance by Sean Penn, who stars as a jazz guitarist during the Depression era. And British actress Samantha Morton nearly upstages him as a mute laundress. PG-13 (violence, profanity, drug use, vulgarity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (March 3)
THE TIGGER MOVIE -- *** -- Not as memorable as the earlier adaptations of A.A. Milne's beloved short stories, but this animated feature is still a charming tale about Tigger's efforts to find out whether he really is the only one of his kind. Good animation, but the real stars are six new songs by longtime Disney songwriters Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman, as well as a great message. G (nothing offensive). (South Towne.) (Feb. 4)
TOY STORY 2 -- **** -- Contrary to popular belief, sometimes sequels can be every bit as good as the original. Case in point: this very funny follow-up to the 1995 smash hit, which again stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen as the voices of computer-animated characters Woody and Buzz Lightyear, respectively. Not only is the animation light-years better than that in the original, the story is great, as Buzz and the other toys must rescue Woody from a collector who believes he is a valuable action figure. G (slapstick violence, mild vulgarity). (Cinemas 5, Kaysville, Sandy 9, Sandy Starships, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Nov. 24, 1999)
28 DAYS -- ** -- Though its premise is a good one, this "Lost Weekend" for the post-Boomer era starring Sandra Bullock sinks in a morass of predictability, and by the end you feel like you've sat through a finger-wagging educational filmstrip shown to adolescents in a high-school auditorium. Aggressively mediocre. Running time: 104 minutes. PG-13 (substance abuse, profanity, sex). (Carmike 12, Century, Creekside, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz, Trolley Corners.) (April 14) -- Ted Anthony, Associated Press writer
U-571 -- *** -- This World War II thriller shouldn't work -- the script's full of holes and it conveniently changes historical fact. Yet it's gripping and suspenseful, and stars Matthew McConaughey and Harvey Keitel help bail it out as the crew of a U.S. Navy submarine posing as the crew of a German U-boat. In English and German, with English subtitles. Running time: 118 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity). (Carmike 12; Century; Holladay; Jordan Landing; Midvalley; Redwood, with "Pitch Black"; Ritz; South Towne; Trolley Corners; Trolley North.) (April 21)
WHERE THE MONEY IS -- ** -- As nice as it is to see the always-steady Paul Newman back on the big screen, even he can't save this lame comedic caper film about a nurse (Linda Fiorentino) who discovers one of her patients (Newman) may be faking his coma to stay out of prison -- and then enlists his help in a daring armored car robbery. Not nearly funny or thrilling enough. Running time: 89 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, sex, vulgarity). (Cottonwood, South Towne, Trolley Square.) (April 14)
THE WHOLE NINE YARDS --**1/2 -- Matthew Perry is a hoot as a dentist who befriends the hitman (Bruce Willis) next door but then finds himself falling for the killer's wife. Things start slow, and there are some unfortunate R-rated tendencies, but the cast is good, particularly Amanda Peet as a rookie hitwoman. R (violence, profanity, nudity, vulgarity, sex, drug use). (Cinemas 5, Sandy 9, Sandy Starships, Valley Fair.) (Feb. 18)
Past movie reviews and capsules by Jeff Vice and Chris Hicks are available online at (deseretnews.com). Search for MOVIES.