NEW FILMS FRIDAY
DIVIDED WE FALL — Oscar-nominated World War II drama examining the relationship of a couple that gives shelter to a Jewish refugee while their town is occupied by Nazi forces. In Czech and German, with English subtitles. PG-13 (violence, profanity, sex, attempted rape, vulgarity). (Exclusive, Tower.)
THE MUSKETEER — Director Peter Hyams puts the swashing and buckling back into this action-packed version of the Alexandre Dumas tale. The international cast includes Tim Roth, Mena Suvari and Catherine Deneuve. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, brief partial nudity). (Carmike 12, Century, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz, Trolley Corners, Trolley North.)
ROCK STAR — Mark Wahlberg stars as the title character in this tongue-in-cheek musical comedy-drama, loosely based on a true story of a heavy-metal enthusiast who became a singer for his favorite band. Jennifer Aniston co-stars. R (profanity, vulgarity, nudity, brief sex, brief drug use, brief violence). (Carmike 12; Century; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Summer Catch"; Ritz; Trolley Corners; Trolley North.)
TWO CAN PLAY THAT GAME — Urban romantic comedy about a woman (Vivica A. Fox) who devises an elaborate plot to get even with her womanizing boyfriend (Morris Chestnut). Anthony Anderson, Gabrielle Union and Tamala Jones co-star. Not screened for local critics; reviewed in this section. R (profanity, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz.)
SNEAK PREVIEWS
HARDBALL — Recently downgraded from an R to a PG-13, this drama tells the real-life story of a former baseball star (Keanu Reeves) who finds himself the coach of an inner-city little league team. Diane Lane co-stars. To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity). (Saturday: Century, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz.)
RE-RELEASES
SPY KIDS — *** — A refreshingly original blast in the kids film genre, director Robert Rodriguez spoofs the spy film with this comic family adventure about the title characters, two children who have to rescue their secret-agent parents (Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino). Includes three minutes of never-before-seen footage. Running time: 92 minutes. PG (violence, mild vulgarity, mild profanity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (March 30, 2001)
MIDNIGHT MOVIES
DIRTY DANCING — ** — The 1987 smash hit has dated badly (as have stars Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey), and the film's Romeo and Juliet-like story line seems a little ridiculous. Still, the dance sequences have spark, and there are many who will remember the hit-laden soundtrack fondly. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity). (Tower, Friday and Saturday.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
ALASKA: SPIRIT OF THE WILD —*** 1/2 — This large-screen documentary is a pleasurable 39-minute trip away from the Utah desert. But apparently the filmmakers felt they had to set up conflicts — potentially violent ones — to keep our attention. Narrated by Charlton Heston. Shown in the large-screen format. Not rated, probable G. (Exclusive, Jordan Commons.) (April 20, 2001) — Diane Urbani
KIESLOWSKI'S THREE COLORS — As part of its Sunday Brunch Series, the Tower Theatre presents back-to-back-to-back showings of late Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colors trilogy, 1993's "Blue" and a pair of 1994 dramas, "White" and "Red." Among the stars are Juliette Binoche, Julie Delpy and Irene Jacob. All three films are rated R and are in French, with English subtitles. (Tower, Sunday only, 11:30 a.m.)
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA — **** — A bona fide Marx Brothers classic, this 1935 comedy is every bit as funny nowadays as when it was originally released. In particular, the interplay between Groucho and Margaret Dumont may be at its best here. In black and white. Made before ratings, probable G (slapstick violence). (Jordan Commons.)
THE PENNY PROMISE — The newest from Utah's own Feature Films For Families is this locally produced romantic comedy-drama starring television personality Scott Christopher (KJZZ's "Movie Guy"), Bobby Edner and Jennifer Capo. Co-written and co-directed by Timothy J. Nelson ("No More Baths," "Who Gets the House?"). G (nothing offensive). (Saturdays and Sundays only, Jordan Landing.)
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
STAR TREK — THE MOTION PICTURE — ** — The first of the "Star Trek" films is also one of the worst of the lot, a bloated, special-effects heavy adventure that features an hour-long TV plot stretched out to more than two hours. While it's fun to see the classic Enterprise crew on the big screen, this one's strictly a snore. G (violence). (Jordan Commons.)
CONTINUING FILMS
A.I.: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE — *** — Uneven, frustrating and even a bit aloof, Steven Spielberg's science-fiction epic is also one of the most provocative, edgy films to come from a major studio in a long time. Haley Joel Osment as a robotic boy trying to find his reason for existence, while Jude Law, Frances O'Connor and William Hurt co-star. Running time: 144 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity, nude artwork, brief gore). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (June 29, 2001)
AMERICAN OUTLAWS — ** — This western adventure might as well have been called "Young Guns 3," considering how unoriginal it is. Still, up-and-coming actor Colin Farrell isn't bad as famed outlaw Jesse James, who tries to stop a railroad baron from destroying his Midwest home. Running time: 94 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz.) (Aug. 17, 2001)
AMERICAN PIE 2 — ** — Less inspired than the original film, this all-too-inevitable sequel still gets some mileage out of similar jokes, and the interaction between Jason Biggs and Eugene Levy nearly makes it worthwhile. Running time: 100 minutes. R (vulgarity, profanity, sex, nudity). (Carmike 12; Century; Five-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Jurassic Park III"; Ritz.) (Aug. 10, 2001)
AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS — ** — Hardly the sweet romantic comedy it appears to be, this major-studio dud is actually a toothless show-biz parody revolving around Billy Crystal's smug character. A couple of laughs, but nearly charmless. Running time: 100 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, slapstick violence). (Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz.) (July 20, 2001)
THE ANIMAL — ** — It's not great art, but this comedy starring Rob Schneider as a would-be cop who receives trans-species organ transplants has a few guilty laughs and is more sweet-spirited than its cruder comedic cousins. Colleen Haskell (TV's "Survivor") co-stars. Running time: 84 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, slapstick violence, profanity). (Valley Fair.) (June 1, 2001)
BABY BOY —* 1/2 — Director John Singleton's seminal 1991 drama "Boyz 'N the Hood" was a plea for some communal soul-searching, but this follow-up of sorts seems more concerned with giving viewers a palatable mixture of violence, laughter, tears and sex and sending them home with their hearts warmed. Running time: 127 minutes. R (sex, profanity, violence, nudity, drug use, racial epithets). (Valley Fair.) (June 27, 2001) — Christopher Kelly, Forth Worth Star-Telegram
BUBBLE BOY — turkey — An hour-and-a-half of exploitation — like watching people with heartbreaking physical deformities cavort as self-described "freaks" and hearing nasty stereotypes played for laughs. Running time: 84 minutes. PG-13 (slapstick violence, profanity, vulgarity, animal gore). (Jordan Commons.) (Aug. 24, 2001) — Anthony Breznican, Associated Press
CAPTAIN CORELLI'S MANDOLIN — ** — The silly accents and some serious miscasting dooms this adaptation of the best-seller, which follows the romance between an Italian soldier (Nicolas Cage) and a Greek beauty (Penelope Cruz) during World War II. Not absolutely terrible but not good either. Running time: 127 minutes. R (violence, gore, nudity, profanity, brief sex). (Century, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing.) (Aug. 17, 2001)
THE CURSE OF THE JADE SCORPION — ** — Woody Allen's latest is also one of his lamest, a forced, mostly unfunny comedy about an insurance investigator who becomes a thief after being hypnotized. There are no sparks between Allen and co-star Helen Hunt, either. Running time: 103 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, mild profanity). (Broadway, Jordan Commons.) (Aug. 24, 2001)
THE DEEP END — *** — The plot's a bit sketchy at times (particularly the all-too-convenient ending), but this dramatic thriller is worthwhile for the Oscar-caliber performance by British actress Tilda Swinton, playing a mother who conceals a body and evidence to protect her teenage son. Running time: 99 minutes. R (violence, profanity, brief sex, brief partial nudity). (Exclusive, Tower.) (Aug. 24, 2001)
DR. DOLITTLE 2 — ** — More clever but just as crude as its predecessor, this sequel to the 1999 smash hit has a good message about preserving wildlife, but buries it under tons of inappropriate sexual humor. Eddie Murphy and an all-star voice cast do try hard, though. Running time: 88 minutes. PG (vulgarity, slapstick violence, mild profanity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (June 22, 2001)
EVOLUTION — *** — It's derivative and decidedly lowbrow, but this sci-fi comedy from director Ivan Reitman has some funny moments and great special effects. And David Duchovny has fun as a scientist who must stop an alien life-form from taking over the Earth. Running time: 104 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, alien goo, brief partial nudity). (Sandy, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (June 8, 2001)
THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS — ** — Exciting but brain-dead action thriller that swipes the plot of "Point Break," adding some street-racing for variety. Bleached blond Paul Walker makes a poor substitute for Keanu Reeves, though, and some of the dialogue is howlingly bad. Running time: 107 minutes. PG-13 (violence, sex, profanity, vulgarity). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.)
FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN — ** — This science-fiction/fantasy film, based on the hit video game, features some of the most sophisticated computer-generated animation ever. But it also has a nonsensical plot borrowing from much-better sources, and the voice cast (which includes Ming-Na, Alec Baldwin and James Woods) is phoning it in. Running time: 101 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity). (Sugarhouse.) (July 11, 2001)
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH — *** — It may not be the salvation of the movie musical, but this energetic rock 'n' roll opus, based on the hit off-Broadway production, is a one-man-show for star/director John Cameron Mitchell, playing a cross-dressing musician trying to become a star in America. Not for all tastes, but it's a hoot. Running time: 91 minutes. R (vulgarity, profanity, sex, violence, nudity, racial epithets). (Exclusive, Tower.) (Aug. 31, 2001)
JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK — *** — It's probably a little too "inside" for many moviegoers, and it's definitely too foul-mouthed for many others, but filmmaker Kevin Smith's latest is a funny comedy about his slacker characters going to Hollywood to stop a major motion picture. Running time: 98 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, slapstick violence, drug use, partial nudity, racial epithets, brief sex). (Broadway; Carmike 12; Century; Cottonwood; Five-Star; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Rat Race"; Ritz.) (Aug. 24, 2001)
JEEPERS CREEPERS —* 1/2 — Every bit as stupid as the bad horror films of the '70s and '80s, this B-grade monster movie follows two college students who are pursued by an ancient evil. Initially tense, but then things get ludicrous. Running time: 90 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, brief nudity). (Broadway; Carmike 12; Century; Five-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Scary Movie 2"; Ritz.) (Aug. 31, 2001)
JOHN CARPENTER'S GHOSTS OF MARS — ** — It appears filmmaker John Carpenter's best days are now behind him, though this gory futuristic thriller, about Earthlings who are possessed by long-dormant Martian spirits, shows some signs of life. Running time: 98 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, drug use, vulgarity). (Century; Cottonwood; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "The Others.") (Aug. 24, 2001)
JURASSIC PARK III — ** 1/2 — More fun than the first sequel, but this rollercoaster ride of a movie has plot holes you could drive a stampede of dinosaurs through, as well as a disappointing, "what-the?" ending. Still, the effects are great, as are stars Sam Neill and William H. Macy. Running time: 91 minutes. PG-13 (violence, brief gore, vulgarity). (Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "American Pie 2"; Ritz.) (July 18, 2001)
A KNIGHT'S TALE —** 1/2 — A mixed bag if there ever was one, this medieval comedy-adventure film has exciting action and a good performance by Aussie actor Heath Ledger as a commoner who tries to become a knight. But it's also ridiculous anachronistic and plays out like an MTV production of "Gladiator." Running time: 132 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief nudity, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugarhouse.) (May 11, 2001)
LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER — ** — Despite having the perfect choice for the title character — Angelina Jolie, who plays the video-game heroine — this is a substandard, lethargic action-adventure piece with relatively few memorable sequences. Running time: 101 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, brief partial nudity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (June 15, 2001)
LEGALLY BLONDE —** 1/2 — It's little more than "Clueless Goes to Law School," but this fluffy little comedy wins points on the strength of Reese Witherspoon's performance as a perky sorority girl who enrolls in Harvard to win back her boyfriend. Running time: 96 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity). (Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Kaysville.) (July 13, 2001)
MADE — ** — This reunion of "Swingers" stars Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau (who also directed) is a tiresome dark comedy about unsuccessful boxers who join the world of organized crime. Vaughn is irritating, while the supporting cast is underused. Running time: 94 minutes. R (profanity, violence, drug use, vulgarity, racial epithets, brief partial nudity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (Aug. 24, 2001)
MOULIN ROUGE —** 1/2 — The extravagant period design and oddly exhilarating musical numbers make sure director Baz Luhrmann's avant-garde musical isn't unwatchable. But he counters every clever move with an equally disastrous one. Still worth a look, though. Running time: 126 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, brief sex, brief violence, attempted rape, brief drug use, nude artwork). (Sandy, Sugarhouse.) (June 1, 2001)
THE MUMMY RETURNS —** 1/2 — So-so sequel to the 1999 smash hit, with Brendan Fraser repeating his role as archeologist/adventurer Rick O'Connell, who must stop the title character once again. The action's fine, but the script's not funny enough and some of the CGI effects look chintzy. Running time: 127 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity, brief partial nudity). (Sandy, Sugarhouse, Valley Fair.) (May 4, 2001)
O — ** — Despite the terrific performances by Mekhi Pfifer and Josh Hartnett, this long-delayed, revisionist version of Shakespeare's "Othello" is preachy and dull, and isn't nearly as daring as it thinks it is. Julie Stiles makes a too-haughty romantic interest for the title character as well. Running time: 95 minutes. R (profanity, violence, sex, drug use, racial epithets, vulgarity, brief gore). (Century, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz.) (Aug. 31, 2001)
OSMOSIS JONES — ** — The Farrelly brothers tame their gross-out antics to a degree . . . not much, but enough to make this live-action/animation hybrid a "family" film that's fun but one that also fails to really dig past the surface. Running time: 98 minutes. PG (vulgarity, animated violence, profanity). (Jordan Landing.) (Aug. 10, 2001) — Pete Thunell
THE OTHERS — *** 1/2 — Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar's English-language filmmaking debut is a chilling, suspenseful horror movie about a woman (a believable Nicole Kidman) who believes her mansion may be haunted. Subtle, with terrific performances by the entire cast. Running time: 101 minutes. PG-13 (brief violence, brief drug use). (Broadway; Carmike 12; Century; Cottonwood; Five-Star; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars"; Ritz.) (Aug. 10, 2001)
PEARL HARBOR —** 1/2 — Producer Jerry Bruckheimer's would-be epic takes nearly 90 minutes to finally get the actual "Date Which Will Live in Infamy" and, as good as the battle scenes are, they're sandwiched between a flat soap-opera romance tale. A disappointment. In English and Japanese, with English subtitles. Running time: 183 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, racial epithets, gore, brief partial nudity, brief sex). (Century, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz.) (May 25, 2001)
PLANET OF THE APES — *** — Less of a remake and more of a jokey homage to the 1968 classic, director Tim Burton's science-fiction adventure is good fun — even if the ape stars (especially villainous Tim Roth) are more interesting than the human hero (Mark Wahlberg) and the plot is full of holes. Running time: 119 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, brief drug use). (Century; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Rush Hour 2.") (July 27, 2001)
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). (Broadway, Carmike 12, Century, Five-Star, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz, Trolley North.) (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). (Broadway; Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back"; Ritz.) (Aug. 17, 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). (Carmike 12; Century; Five-Star; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Planet of the Apes"; Ritz; Trolley Corners.) (Aug. 3, 2001)
SCARY MOVIE 2 — turkey —Much cruder and much less funny than its already unfunny predecessor, this follow-up is nothing more than a series of gross-out gags and stupid movie parodies. Ugh! Running time: 82 minutes. R (vulgarity, slapstick violence, profanity, sex, drug use, nudity, racial epithets). (Redwood, with "Jeepers Creepers.") (July 4, 2001)
THE SCORE —*** 1/2 — Unlike most major-studio films, this thriller favors straightforward storytelling techniques, which allows its stellar cast (which includes Oscar winners Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando, as well as Edward Norton) to actually interact with one another. A bit slowly paced, but worth it for the performances alone. Running time: 123 minutes. R (profanity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (July 13, 2001)
SHREK — *** — If you can endure the opening salvo of flatulence jokes, you'll have fun with this extremely irreverent fairy tale, based on the children's book about an ogre (the voice of Mike Myers) who becomes an unwilling hero. Great sight gags, some of which are laugh-at-loud funny. Running time: 87 minutes. PG (vulgarity, animated violence, brief profanity). (Jordan Commons, Kaysville, Ritz, Villa.) (May 18, 2001)
SUMMER CATCH — * 1/2 — Yet another awful Freddie Prinze Jr. vehicle, this one a thinly veiled rip-off of "Bull Durham" and "Varsity Blues," starring Prinze as a once-promising college baseball player with one last chance to make the major leagues. Running time: 103 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence, partial nudity, brief sex). (Carmike 12; Century; Cottonwood; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "American Outlaws"; Ritz.) (Aug. 24, 2001)
SWORDFISH —* 1/2 — Exploitative thriller starring John Travolta as an anarchistic millionaire who ensnares an ex-con hacker (Hugh Jackman) in his plot to steal billions in illegal government funds. Ludicrous and not very well-acted, with a real nasty streak running through it. Running time: 97 minutes. R (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief nudity, brief sex, brief gore). (Sugarhouse.) (June 8, 2001)