NEW FILMS FRIDAY
HOW HIGH — Rappers-turned-actors Redman and Method Man star in this drug-culture comedy about two stoners whose intelligence is increased dramatically by the genetically altered drug they've been smoking. Not screened for local critics; wire review in this section. R (drug use, profanity, vulgarity, nudity, sex, racial epithets). (Broadway, Century, Jordan Landing.)
JIMMY NEUTRON: BOY GENIUS — Digitally animated comedy about the title character, a whiz-kid who may be the last line of defense against alien invaders. Among those providing voices are Martin Short and Patrick Stewart. National wire review in this section. G (slapstick violence, mild vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, 5-Star, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz.)
JOE SOMEBODY — The title character of this comedy-drama is a picked-on man (Tim Allen) who decides to fight back after being bullied on Bring Your Daughter to Work Day. Jim Belushi and Julie Bowen (of TV's "Ed") co-star. PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz, Trolley North.)
THE MAJESTIC — Capra-esque fable from filmmaker Frank Darabont, starring Jim Carrey as a blacklisted Hollywood writer who "reinvents" himself as a theater owner after a car wreck causes him to lose his memory. The supporting cast includes Martin Landau and Laurie Holden. PG (profanity, violence). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz, Trolley Corners.)
SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK — Actor Edward Burns returns to filmmaking with this ensemble comedy-drama about the lives and loves of several New Yorkers. The cast includes Heather Graham, Brittany Murphy, Stanley Tucci and Dennis Farina. R (vulgarity, profanity, brief sex). (Exclusive, Tower.)
VAMPIRE HUNTER D: BLOODLUST — Animated sequel to the popular 1985 anime horror film. This time, the title character must rescue a woman kidnapped by a Creature of the Night — though it appears she may not want to be rescued. Dubbed. R (violence, gore, profanity, brief nudity). (Exclusive, Tower.)
NEW FILMS CHRISTMAS DAY
THE AFFAIR OF THE NECKLACE — Based on real-life events that may have helped start the French Revolution, this historical drama stars Hilary Swank as a young woman who, stripped of her royal heritage, hatches a revenge scheme. To be reviewed when it opens next week. R (sex, nudity, violence).
ALI — Will Smith "transformed" himself to play the legendary prize fighter in this biographical drama from director Michael Mann. Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight and Mario Van Peebles co-star. To be reviewed when it opens next week. R (violence, profanity, vulgarity, racial epithets).
A BEAUTIFUL MIND — Drama based on the true-life story of paranoid schizophrenic John Forbes Nash Jr., with Russell Crowe starring as the troubled, Nobel Prize-winning mathematician. Ron Howard directs. To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity).
KATE & LEOPOLD — Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman star as the title characters, a contemporary woman and a time-lost 19th-century nobleman, in this time-traveling romantic comedy written and directed by James Mangold ("Girl, Interrupted"). To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity).
MIDNIGHT MOVIES
RAGING BULL — *** — Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning but extremely uneven 1980 biography of boxer Jake La Motta is perhaps a bit overrated. But there's no denying the sheer power of the lead performance by Robert De Niro, who gained more than 50 pounds to play the controversial prizefighter. In black and white. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity). (Tower, Friday and Saturday.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
BEARS — **** — This 40-minute documentary on North American bear species is a reverie, a sweet ride through bear territories that happen to be some of the most beautiful land on Earth. Directed by David Lickley (1999's "Gold Fever") and featuring in-the-field interviews with Alaskan bear researcher and guide Chris Day. Shown in the large-screen format. Not rated, probable PG (animal violence). (Jordan Commons.) (Sept. 30, 2001) — Diane Urbani
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 (nothing offensive). (Jordan Commons.)
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET — **** — Hollywood has tried to remake this classic Christmas tale more than once, but no one has ever bettered this sentimental but sweet comedy-drama about a little girl (the late Natalie Wood) who believes the seemingly wild claims of a department store Santa Claus (Edmund Gwenn). Wonderful performances, and the message about the meaning of Christmas makes this one essential for families. Made before ratings (1947), probable G (nothing offensive). (Jordan Commons.)
SCROOGE — *** — The always steady Albert Finney is superb as the title character in this 1970 musical, faithfully adapting Dickens' classic tale "A Christmas Carol." It's somewhat uneven, and not all the songs are great ("Thank You Very Much" being the obvious exception) but the cast is good, especially the late Alec Guinness, playing Scrooge's ill-fated business partner, Jacob Marley. G (nothing offensive). (Avalon.)
SHACKLETON'S ANTARCTIC ADVENTURE —*** 1/2 — This exploration of Ernest Shackleton's treacherous expedition into the Antarctic wilds is akin to interplanetary travel, with its vistas of the unearthly land- and seascapes surrounding the South Pole. Narrated by Kevin Spacey. In black and white and color. Shown in the large-screen format. Not rated, probable G. (Jordan Commons.) (Aug. 26, 2001) — Diane Urbani
SOLARMAX — *** — This short documentary, examining scientific efforts to understand the sun, including unusually heavy solar activity, provides both thrilling escapism and astonishing views of reality. Shown in the large-screen format. Not rated, probable G. (Exclusive, Jordan Commons.) (Sept. 21, 2001) — Diane Urbani
CONTINUING FILMS
AMELIE — **** — Sure, it's a bit off-beat (there are some unfortunate R-rated moments as well), but French director Jean-Pierre Jeunet's comedy/fantasy is also clearly the best foreign film released this year. It's a delightful whimsy about a young woman (star-in-the-making Audrey Tatou) who meddles in the lives of others while neglecting her own personal affairs. In French, with English subtitles. Running time: 120 minutes. R (nudity, sex, profanity, brief violence). (Exclusive, Century.) (Nov. 9, 2001)
ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE — *** — It's troublingly violent and a little thin in the story department, but the latest Disney animated feature is a pretty exciting action-adventure tale about a linguist (the voice of Michael J. Fox) involved in an expedition to find the legendary underwater city. Running time: 98 minutes. PG (animated violence, vulgarity). (Valley Fair.) (June 15, 2001)
BANDITS — *** 1/2 — It runs out of steam about two-thirds of the way in, but this darkly comic caper still manages to charm, thanks its stellar cast — including stars Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton, playing bank robbers who squabble over a hostage (Cate Blanchett). Not perfect, but funny and smart. Running time: 125 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, brief sex). (Broadway, Kaysville.) (Oct. 12, 2001)
BEHIND ENEMY LINES — ** — This military thriller has a few exciting sequences, but it's ham-fisted and preposterous, and comic actor Owen Wilson isn't convincing as a U.S. Navy pilot shot down in enemy territory. Running time: 108 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz, Trolley North.) (Nov. 30, 2001)
CORKY ROMANO — * — Unfunny "Saturday Night Live" performer Chris Kattan stars as the title character of this stupid comedy, which feels like a protracted "SNL" skit. Pity Peter Falk, slumming as Corky's long-estranged, mob-boss father. Running time: 85 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity, drug use, torture, ethnic slurs). (Sandy, Valley Fair.) (Oct. 12, 2001)
DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS —** 1/2 — As the title character, Jim Carrey steals the show, or more accurately, barely saves this live-action version of the holiday classic tale 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). (Sandy, Valley Fair.) (Nov. 17, 2000)
HARDBALL — ** — By-the-number, touchy-feely drama, based on the real-life story of an unrepentant gambler (Keanu Reeves) who became the coach of an inner-city little league team. Too manipulative, and Reeves' performance is awful. Running time: 112 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity, brief gore, brief drug use). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 14, 2001)
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE — *** — This big-budgeted adaptation of the first of J.K. Rowling's best-selling children's novels is perfectly cast — especially with newcomer Daniel Radcliffe starring as the young wizard-in-training. But some of the magic is missing, and it's too long for neophytes. Still, Potter-philes will be pleased. Running time: 153 minutes. PG (violence, mild profanity, mild vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, 5-Star, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz.) (Nov. 16, 2001)
HEIST— ** 1/2 — This ensemble dramatic thriller, written and directed by David Mamet, often outsmarts itself with too many twists. Still, the cast is good, especially Gene Hackman, who stars as a professional thief pressured into committing one last job. Running time: minutes. Running time: 109 minutes. R (profanity, violence, brief gore, racial epithets, vulgarity, brief drugs). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Showcase; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (Nov. 9. 2001)
THE LAST CASTLE — ** — Plot holes abound in this dramatic thriller, about a once-honored general (Robert Redford) leading a military prison uprising. Rather corny, and so implausible it's almost laughable. Running time: 129 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, racial epithets). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House.) (Oct. 19, 2001)
LIFE AS A HOUSE — ** 1/2 — Fine performances salvage this weepy melodrama, about a dying, middle-aged architect (Kevin Kline) trying to reconnect with estranged family members — but just barely. Newcomer Hayden Christensen (the upcoming "Star Wars" prequel) really impresses as his troubled son. Running time: 123 minutes. R (profanity, drug use, vulgarity, sex, brief nudity, brief violence). (Cottonwood, Trolley Corners.) (Nov. 2, 2001)
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING — **** — New Zealand director Peter Jackson's big-budgeted adaptation of the first of the much-read fantasy trilogy is also the year's best, an awe-inspiring, thrilling adventure with plenty of "Wow!" moments. Also, the all-star cast (which includes Elijah Wood, Sir Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler and Christopher Lee) is top to bottom excellent. Running time: 178 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz, Villa.) (Dec. 19, 2001)
MAX KEEBLE'S BIG MOVE — * 1/2 — An unfunny movie packaged as a comedy that hopes to make a few bucks at the box office on its way to too many replays on the Disney Channel. Alex D. Linz ("Home Alone 3") stars. Running time: 86 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Oct. 5, 2001) — Valerie Kuklenski, Los Angeles Daily News
MONSTERS, INC. — **** — The Disney-Pixar teaming strikes it rich again with this hilarious, digitally-animated comedy about the mishaps that occur when a little girl wanders into an alternate universe populated by monsters. The voice performers (who include Billy Crystal and John Goodman) have a ball, and so will audiences. Running time: 92 minutes. G (slapstick violence, mild vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz.) (Nov. 2, 2001)
MULHOLLAND DRIVE — *** — It won't convert any newcomers, but the latest from always enigmatic director David Lynch should delight his longtime fans. This noir mystery/thriller (which began as a TV pilot) is classic Lynch, full of head-scratching moments but enjoyable dark humor as well. Running time: 146 minutes. R (violence, nudity, profanity, sex, brief gore). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (Oct. 19, 2001)
NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE — * — Unfunny, tasteless sendup of the glut of teen-oriented films, including spoofs of "Bring it On," among many others. Even a promising Molly Ringwald cameo and gag falls flat. Running time: 82 minutes. R (vulgarity, profanity, violence, nudity, sex, brief drug use, brief gore, racial epithets). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Jordan Landing, Ritz.) (Dec. 14, 2001)
NOVOCAINE — * 1/2 — It's not quite as painful as oral surgery without anesthesia, but writer-director David Atkins' darkly comic thriller still goes horribly awry, beginning with the miscasting of Steve Martin as a naive dentist who winds up becoming a murder suspect, thanks to his new patient. Running time: 95 minutes. R (violence, profanity, sex, gore, drugs, brief nudity, vulgarity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (Nov. 16, 2001)
OCEAN'S ELEVEN — *** — Director Steven Soderberg's all-star remake of the 1960 Rat Pack heist picture is a little shaky, materialwise, but it is fun to see George Clooney interacting with Brad Pitt and the others, and the script is pretty witty. Running time: 116 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity, racial epithets, nude artwork). (Carmike 12, Century, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz, Trolley North.) (Dec. 7, 2001)
THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN — ** 1/2 — Handsome-looking but too superficial drama, based on the harrowing real-life experiences of an LDS general authority when he was a teenager serving a mission to the Kingdom of Tonga. A good cast, including Anne Hathaway ("The Princess Diaries"), helps, but it's a little too squeaky-clean for its own good. Running time: 113 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, brief gore). (Broadway, Carmike 12, 5-Star, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz.) (Dec. 14, 2001)
OUT COLD —** — A low-rent remake of the 1984 low-rent teen-age sex comedy "Hot Dog . . . The Movie." But the characters are pretty likable, and the cinematography is gorgeous. Running time: 89 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity). (Jordan Landing.) (Nov. 21, 2001) — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
THE PRINCESS DIARIES — ** — Despite having a luminous big-screen return by Julie Andrews, this family comedy is a labored attempt by "Pretty Woman" director Gary Marshall to repeat that successful formula. It's at least a half-hour too long as well. Running time: 115 minutes. G (slapstick violence). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House.) (Aug. 3, 2001)
RAT RACE — * — Director Jerry Zucker's all-star screwball comedy is a "Bad Bad Bad Bad Rip-off" of "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World," with one painfully unfunny gag after another. Running time: 108 minutes. PG-13 (slapstick violence, vulgarity, profanity, brief partial nudity). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House.) (Aug. 17, 2001)
RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS — ** — Drew Barrymore is miscast as colorful author Beverly Donofrio in this comedy-drama, which makes her seem extremely unsympathetic. Co-star Steve Zahn impresses as her drug-addicted husband, though. Running time: 123 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, sex, drug use, vulgarity). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Oct. 19, 2001)
RUSH HOUR 2 — ** 1/2 — This inevitable follow-up to the 1999 hit succeeds in spite of loud-mouthed Chris Tucker and because of Jackie Chan, as well as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's" Zhang Ziyi, playing the villain. In English, and Cantonese with English subtitles. Running time: 91 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief partial nudity, racial epithets). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 3, 2001)
SERENDIPITY — ** 1/2 — This uneven but watchable romantic comedy stars as John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale as two would-be lovers who leave their relationship up to fate. Hilarious co-stars Jeremy Piven and Eugene Levy steal the film. Running time: 90 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, sex, vulgarity, brief slapstick violence). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Oct. 5, 2001)
SHALLOW HAL — *** — The Farrelly brothers' much-maligned, "weight-ist" comedy is actually a sweet, funny piece about an arrogant twentysomething (comic character actor Jack Black) who falls in love with a "plus-sized" woman (Gwyneth Paltrow in disguise) after being hypnotized into seeing her "inner beauty." Running time: 113 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, sex). (Jordan Landing, Trolley Corners.) (Nov. 9, 2001)
SPY GAME — ** 1/2 — Robert Redford and Redford-for-the-New-Millenium Brad Pitt make this style-over-substance spy thriller better just by being in it. The rather convoluted plot is full of holes, though, and Tony Scott overdirects as usual. Running time: 126 minutes. R (profanity, violence, sex). (Broadway, Gateway, Jordan Landing, Ritz.) (Nov. 21, 2001)
THIR13EN GHOSTS — * — Even showman William Castle couldn't salvage this gory remake of his cult horror film about a family trapped in a mansion with murderous spirits. Good production design, but that's about it. Running time: 91 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, nudity, brief drugs, vulgarity). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Oct. 26, 2001)
TRAINING DAY — ** 1/2 — Even the horrid ending can't completely ruin this scathing cop drama, which features a never-better Denzel Washington as a veteran narcotics investigator whose methods begin to trouble an idealistic rookie (Ethan Hawke). Running time: 122 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, drug use, racial epithets, vulgarity, brief nudity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Sugar House.) (Oct. 5, 2001)
VANILLA SKY — ** — Director Cameron Crowe's enigmatic romantic fantasy-thriller doesn't do justice to its source material, the 1997 Spanish-language film "Open Your Eyes." Also, Tom Cruise is too showy and not very charismatic as the central character. Running time: 134 minutes. R (profanity, violence, sex, brief nudity, vulgarity, drugs, brief gore). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz.) (Dec. 14, 2001)
ZOOLANDER — *** — A surprisingly funny star vehicle for co-screenwriter and director Ben Stiller, who reprises his role as a dim-witted male supermodel brainwashed into becoming an assassin. Owen Wilson makes a strong bid to steal the film. Running time: 90 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, brief sex, nude artwork). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House.) (Sept. 28, 2001)