NEW FILMS FRIDAY
SOMEONE LIKE YOU — Based on the novel "Animal Husbandry," this romantic comedy stars Ashley Judd as a woman who begins a study of the male "animal" after her latest heartbreak. Greg Kinnear, Hugh Jackman and Marisa Tomei co-star. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, sex, brief partial nudity). (Broadway; Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Midvalley; Redwood, with "Bedazzled"; Ritz.)
SPY KIDS — Director Robert Rodriguez tries a change of pace with this comic family adventure about two children who have to rescue their secret-agent parents. Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino and Alan Cumming star. PG (violence, mild vulgarity, mild profanity). (Carmike 12; Century; Cottonwood; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Midvalley; Redwood, with "Get Over It"; Ritz; Trolley Corners.)
TOMCATS — Veteran screenwriter Gregory Poirier ("Gossip") makes his filmmaking debut with this ensemble sex comedy, which follows friends (Jerry O'Connell and Jake Busey) who gamble on their ability to stay single. Shannon Elizabeth ("American Pie") co-stars. R (vulgarity, profanity, violence, nudity, sex, brief drug use). (Broadway; Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Midvalley; Redwood, with "Down to Earth"; Ritz.)
MIDNIGHT MOVIES
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS — *** — Lively big-screen version of the stage play — adapted from Roger Corman's 1960 B-movie about a nerdy flower-shop employee who nurtures a man-eating plant from outer space. Great songs and performances by Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene and, especially, Steve Martin as a deranged dentist. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, gore, drug use). (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.)
BIG JAKE — *** — One of John Wayne's better later movies, this 1971 Western features the Duke as the tough-as-nails title character, who tries to rescue his grandson from kidnappers. Good action and performances, especially from Richard Boone, but there isn't enough interaction between Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, who plays his estranged wife. PG (violence, gore). (Jordan Commons.)
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: JOURNEY OF MAN —*** 1/2 — A vista of sheer beauty, the kind that mesmerizes your children and seduces adults into a warm visual bath. The images wash over you for 38 minutes — and the less you think and analyze, the better. Three routines by the Montreal-based circus troupe, which symbolize the birth of mankind. Narrated by Ian McKellen. Shown in the large-screen format. G (nothing offensive). (Jordan Commons.) (March 2, 2001) — Diane Urbani
EPIC JOURNEYS: THE GREAT MIGRATIONS — The makers of the large-screen documentaries "Africa: The Serengeti" and "Alaska: Spirit of the Wild" return with this 40-minute feature about animal migrations across the globe. Shown in the large-screen format. Not rated, probable G (animal violence). (Jordan Commons.)
A MAN CALLED HORSE — *** — A fine performance by Richard Harris propels this dramatic 1970 western about an English aristocrat kidnapped by Sioux Indians, who eventually becomes a member of the tribe. Inspired two inferior sequels, 1976's "Return of a Man Called Horse" and 1983's "Triumphs of a Man Called Horse." PG (violence, gore, torture, partial nudity). (Jordan Commons.)
SUNRISE — **** — Regarded by many to be the greatest film of the silent era, director F.W. Murnau's 1928 drama (which shared the first Best Picture Academy Award with "Wings") features great performances by Janet Gaynor (winner of the first Best Actress Oscar) and George O'Brien, as a simple farmer driven to murder. Featuring organ accompaniment by Blaine Gale. In black and white. Made before ratings, probable G. (Organ Loft, Friday only, 7:30 p.m.)
TILAI — The latest presentation by the University of Utah Film Front is a special screening of director Idrissa Ouedraogo's 1990 drama about the ill-fated romance between an African tribesman and his longtime sweetheart, who is now betrothed to his father. In More, with English subtitles. Not rated, probable PG-13 (violence, sex, partial nudity). (University of Utah, Sunday only, 7 p.m.)
CONTINUING FILMS
BEDAZZLED—* 1/2 — Unfunny remake of the 1967 Faustian satire that starred Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. 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). (Redwood, with "Someone Like You.") (Oct. 20, 2000)
BEFORE NIGHT FALLS —** 1/2 — This biographical drama about late Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas reveals next to nothing about him, but Spanish actor Javier Bardem single-handedly makes the material better with his on-fire performance as Arenas. A mixed bag to be sure but watchable. In English and Spanish, with English subtitles. Running time: 133 minutes. R (nudity, violence, profanity, sex, drug use, vulgarity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (Feb. 16, 2001)
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. Fred Willard steals the show as a befuddled color commentator. Running time: 89 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Kaysville; Sugar House.) (Oct. 13, 2000)
THE BROTHERS —** 1/2 — Director-writer Gary Hardwick's ensemble comedy — essentially, "Refusing to Exhale," may have a target demographic. But its themes of family, love and friendship are universal, and refreshingly, the title characters aren't ghetto stereotypes. Running time: 103 minutes. R (sex, profanity, vulgarity, racial epithets). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz.) (March 23, 2001) — Anthony Breznican, Associated Press
CAST AWAY —*** 1/2 — Tom Hanks is superb in this dramatic adventure, which gives him what's possibly his most demanding role to date, that of an obsessive career man who has to reassess his priorities when his plane goes down and he winds up stranded on a desert island. Riveting, though it starts to stumble toward the end. Running time: 132 minutes. PG-13 (gore, profanity, brief vulgarity, brief partial nudity). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz.) (Dec. 22, 2000)
CHOCOLAT —** 1/2 — Filling but unsatisfying comedy/fantasy from director Lasse Hallstrom, adapting the acclaimed novel about a mysterious woman (the always luminous Juliette Binoche) who rankles some in a small French village when she opens a chocolate shop. A good cast helps, but the sometimes inappropriate tone is a distraction. Running time: 121 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, sex, violence, brief vulgarity, brief partial nudity). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley.) (Dec. 22, 2000)
CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON — **** — More than "just" a martial-arts film, director Ang Lee's period fantasy is a beautiful-looking, breathtaking and ultimately heartbreaking piece that finally puts veteran Hong Kong performers Michelle Yeoh and Chow-Yun Fat on the screen together. Easily the best film of 2000, and arguably the best in the history of the underappreciated genre. Winner of four Academy Awards. In Mandarin, with English subtitles. Running time: 120 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, brief sex). (Broadway; Century; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Vertical Limit.") (Jan. 12, 2001)
DOWN TO EARTH — ** — Even Chris Rock can't save this misbegotten remake of "Heaven Can Wait," in which he stars as an unsuccessful comedian who dies and then is reborn into the body of a rich Manhattan mogul. The only time it comes to life is when Rock is onstage. Running time: 88 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity, brief sex, racial epithets). (Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Tomcats"; Ritz.) (Feb. 16, 2001)
THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE —** 1/2 — Boasting one of the most unmemorable story lines and one of the most unlikable heroes (David Spade, as the lead voice) in Disney's history, this animated comedy mines a few laughs in the tale of a spoiled king who is transformed into a llama. But it's still something of a disappointment. Running time: 78 minutes. G (animated violence, mild vulgarity). (Midvalley.) (Dec. 15, 2000)
ENEMY AT THE GATES — ** — This fact-based World War II sets us up for a nifty cat-and-mouse game between a Russian marksman (Jude Law) and his German counterpart (Ed Harris). But then it abandons it for a contrived Hollywood love triangle. Disappointing. Running time: 135 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, sex, nudity, vulgarity). (Broadway, Century, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz.) (March 16, 2001)
EXIT WOUNDS — * — There are movies that aim for the stars. Then there are movies whose stars seem to be aiming at you. This dopey thriller, the latest Steven Seagal vehicle, falls into the latter category as if dropped from a great height. Running time: 117 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, racial epithets). (Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Midvalley; Redwood, with "The Mexican"; Ritz; Trolley Corners.) (March 17, 2001) — Jay Carr, Boston Globe
THE FAMILY MAN — ** — Despite a terrific performance by Tea Leoni, this fantasy is no "It's a Wonderful Life." Instead, it's a holiday classic wanna-be, a treacly fantasy about a self-centered stock broker (Nicolas Cage) who awakes to find himself in a different reality — one where he's married with kids. Running time: 124 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, veiled nudity, vulgarity). (Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Dec. 22, 2000)
15 MINUTES —* 1/2 — Thinly veiled rip-off of "Natural Born Killers," pairing Robert De Niro and Edward Burns as a homicide detective and an arson investigator who team up to stop a pair of fame-obsessed killers. Irresponsibly violent and rather hypocritical, considering its attack on the media. Running time: 120 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, nudity, brief sex, brief vulgarity). (Cottonwood; Redwood, with "Say It Isn't So!") (March 9, 2001)
FINDING FORRESTER — *** — Producer/star Sean Connery enlivens this tale about the unique friendship between a reclusive author (Connery) and an inner-city athlete (newcomer Robert Brown) with a surprising talent for creative writing. The ending's a little weak, but the performances are good and the dialogue is sharp. Running time: 137 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, brief violence, racial epithets, brief sex). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House.) (Jan. 12, 2001)
GET OVER IT — ** — This new teen comedy may be halfhearted, but it's not entirely without heart, most of it supplied by its adorable central couple, Kirsten Dunst and Ben Foster. Martin Short is amusing as a fluttery, egomaniacal high school drama teacher. Running time: 89 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, sex, slapstick violence). (Carmike 12; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Spy Kids"; Ritz.) (March 12, 2001) — A.O. Scott, New York Times
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 (winner of this year's Best Picture Academy Award) about the title character (Oscar winner Russell Crowe), a once-honored Roman general forced to fight in the arenas while seeking revenge. Graphically violent but also thrilling. Running time: 154 minutes. R (violence, gore, brief nudity, profanity). (Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing.) (May 5, 2000)
HANNIBAL — ** — Nauseating and surprisingly dull sequel to "The Silence of the Lambs," with Anthony Hopkins reprising his Oscar-winning role as the serial-killing title character. Hopkins is fine, but the emphasis is on gore, and Julianne Moore seems to be imitating Jodie Foster, whom she replaces in the role of FBI Special Agent Clarice Starling. Running time: 133 minutes. R (gore, violence, brief profanity, brief vulgarity, nude artwork, brief drug use). (Century, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz.) (Feb. 9, 2001)
HEAD OVER HEELS — * — Ho-hum, what else is new? Freddie Prinze Jr. stars in yet another painfully unfunny comedy, this one a laughless mess about a woman (Monica Potter) who falls for a man she believes is a serial killer — but who turns out to be something different. Running time: 91 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, brief sex). (Sandy, Sugar House.) (Feb. 2, 2001)
HEARTBREAKERS — *** — — This dark comedy starring Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt as a mother/daughter con team that targets wealthy men never fails to sink to the lowest common denominator — yet often hits a funny bone. Running time: 124 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, sex, violence). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz.) (March 23, 2001) — Sheila Norman-Culp, Associated Press
THE HOUSE OF MIRTH — *** — This sometimes dour period drama doesn't live up to its title, but it does feature a superb lead performance by Gillian Anderson (from TV's "The X-Files"), who plays Edith Wharton's ill-fated socialite Lily Bart. Excellent work by the supporting cast (which includes Eric Stoltz and Laura Linney) as well. Running time: 140 minutes. PG (drug use). (Exclusive, Tower.) (March 16, 2001)
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). (Sugar House.)
THE MEXICAN —*** 1/2 — Not the romantic comedy it appears to be, but a violent, darkly comic thriller starring Brad Pitt as a small-time crook trying to recover a cursed revolver and recover his kidnapped girlfriend (Julia Roberts). Some very funny moments, though some may be put off by the violence and language. In English and Spanish, with English subtitles. Running time: 123 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Midvalley; Redwood, with "Exit Wounds"; Ritz; Trolley Corners; Villa.) (March 2, 2001)
MISS CONGENIALITY — ** — Sandra Bullock is funny as an FBI agent who goes undercover at a national beauty pageant. But the film can't decide whether it wants to be a comedy, a thriller or "Pygmalion," and co-star Michael Caine is woefully underused. Running time: 110 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity). (Jordan Landing, Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Dec. 22, 2000)
O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? —*** 1/2 — The Coen brothers bounce back nicely from some recent disappointments with this hysterically funny Depression-era comedy, based very loosely on "The Odyssey." The period bluegrass music is terrific, and George Clooney has never been better as he is here, as the fast-talking leader of three prisoners on the lam after escaping from a chain gang. Running time: 103 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, torture, racial epithets). (Century, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing.) (Jan. 12, 2001)
102 DALMATIANS — ** — Listless, even dull, sequel to the 1996 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). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Nov. 22, 2000)
POLLOCK — *** — Well-acted (by both director/star Ed Harris and Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden) biographical drama about infamous American painter Jackson Pollock, the country's film "art star." A little slow at times, and not the most insightful portrait, but the performances make it worthwhile. Running time: 125 minutes. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, nude artwork, brief drug use). (Exclusive, Tower.) (March 23, 2001)
RECESS: SCHOOL'S OUT —** 1/2 — This animated feature, based on the popular Saturday morning cartoon, is acceptable kids fare, though adults may be bored. In it, the elementary school students try to foil a madman's plan to end the summer vacation. The voice cast includes Dabney Coleman and James Woods. Running time: 83 minutes. G (violence, mild profanity). (Cottonwood, Jordan Landing.) (Feb. 16, 2001)
RUGRATS IN PARIS — THE MOVIE — *** — Surprisingly funny sequel to 1998's surprising animated hit, focusing on Chuckie Finster's efforts to get a new mom. Too much potty humor, but guest voice Susan Sarandon is a hoot as one particularly evil, potential mother. Running time: 74 minutes. G (vulgarity, slapstick violence). (Valley Fair.) (Nov. 17, 2000)
SAVE THE LAST DANCE — ** — Formulaic drama about a talented white teen (Julia Stiles) who finds love and rediscovers her love for dance at an all-black Chicago high school. Stiles and co-star Sean Patrick Thomas give it their all, but the material is too heavy-handed, and there's not enough dancing to save it. Running time: 114 minutes PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity, racial epithets, brief sex). (Jordan Landing.) (Jan. 12, 2001)
SAY IT ISN'T SO —* 1/2 — The latest attempt to ape the Farrelly brothers was actually produced by the gross-out kings themselves. But this embarrassment comedy is missing the sweetness, and leads Heather Graham and Chris Klein aren't very appealing. Running time: 95 minutes. R (vulgarity, profanity, slapstick violence, sex, brief nudity, brief drug use). (Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Midvalley; Redwood, with "15 Minutes"; Ritz; Trolley Corners.) (March 23, 2001)
SEE SPOT RUN —* 1/2 — Crude, mean-spirited humor trying to pass itself off as family entertainment, with the painfully unfunny David Arquette starring as a mailman who unwittingly takes in a police dog that's in the witness-protection program. The few sweet moments don't even come close to outweighing the more objectionable ones. Running time: 95 minutes. PG (vulgarity, violence, profanity). (Carmike 12, Century, Cottonwood, Gateway, Jordan Landing, Midvalley, Ritz.) (March 2, 2001)
SNATCH —** 1/2 — Director Guy Ritchie's follow-up to "Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels" is a little too similar to its ultra-violent, darkly comedic predecessor. But Brad Pitt is very funny as a Gypsy brawler, and there's some inspired mayhem among the mean-spiritedness. Running time: 103 minutes. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, gore, ethnic slurs, nudity, torture). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (Jan. 19, 2001)
SWEET NOVEMBER — ** — Dull remake of the 1968 romantic drama, featuring one of Keanu Reeves' worst-ever performances, this time as a career-driven ad exec who is made over by an unorthodox young woman (Charlize Theron). Makes the original look like a masterpiece. Running time: 124 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, sex, brief vulgarity, brief nudity). (Cottonwood.) (Feb. 16, 2001)
THIRTEEN DAYS — *** — Sure, the outcome of the story is already known to most of us, but this political thriller about the Cuban missile crisis, starring Kevin Costner as one of the Kennedy administration's beleaguered advisers, is surprisingly tense. Co-stars Bruce Greenwood and Steven Culp, who play the late president and his brother, respectively, steal the show. In color and in black and white. Running time: 145 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Jan. 12, 2001)
TRAFFIC — *** — Well-acted, riveting ensemble thriller centering on an Ohio Supreme Court justice (Michael Douglas) who's been nominated as the country's new drug czar. The cast is terrific, and the script is intelligent — at least until the final third, when some rather convenient plotting gets in the way of the story. Running time: 147 minutes. Winner of four Academy Awards. R (drug use, violence, profanity, sex, nudity, torture, vulgarity). (Broadway, Century, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz.) (Jan. 5, 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), who discovers he may have unearthly powers. Running time: 107 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Nov. 22, 2000)
VALENTINE — ** — Not nearly as horrible as the ads would suggest. Of course, that's not to say this cheesy horror flick is good, either. But it is what it is and it doesn't try to be anything more. Running time: 95 minutes. R (violence, gore, sex, profanity). Marley Shelton, Denise Richards and David Boreanaz (TV's "Angel") star. (Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Feb. 3, 2001) — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
VERTICAL LIMIT —** 1/2 — Forget the silly plot for this mountain climbing action-thriller and instead concentrate on the action sequences (including one shot in Moab), which make simple acts like breathing and drinking liquids seem dangerous. Chris O'Donnell, Robin Tunney and Scott Glenn star. Running time: 126 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, drugs, brief gore). (Redwood, with "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"; Sandy; Sugar House.) (Dec. 8, 2000)
THE WEDDING PLANNER — ** — Bland, strained romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lopez as the title character, who is torn between love and her career when she falls for the fianc* (Matthew McConaughey) of her newest client. Not unwatchable but not particularly memorable either. Running time: 100 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, nude artwork, slapstick violence). (Carmike 12, Kaysville, Ritz, Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Jan. 26, 2001)
WES CRAVEN PRESENTS: DRACULA 2000 — turkey — In the hands of newcomer Patrick Lussier, Bram Stoker's classic horror tale becomes a thudding, suspense-free montage of unshocking shock effects and more severed heads than were toppled during the French Revolution. Running time: 99 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, sex, drugs, partial nudity, vulgarity). (Valley Fair.) (Dec. 26, 2000) — Stephen Holden, New York Times News Service
WHAT WOMEN WANT —** 1/2 — Erratic, somewhat crude and definitely overlong romantic comedy/fantasy that's redeemed somewhat by star Mel Gibson, who's a howl as a male chauvinist who accidentally acquires the power to read women's minds. Running time: 126 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, sex, brief drug use). (Ritz.) (Dec. 15, 2000)
YOU CAN COUNT ON ME —*** 1/2 — Well-written comedy-drama (which won two awards from the 2000 Sundance Film Festival) about a single mother (Laura Linney) reunited with her irresponsible brother (Mark Ruffalo). Touching, funny and very truthful, with two of the best lead performances in an independently made film this year. Running time: 107 minutes. R (profanity, violence, drug use, brief sex, brief vulgarity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (Dec. 22, 2000)