NEW FILMS FRIDAY
CRUSH — Comedy about three fortysomething women whose close friendships are tested when one of them (Andie MacDowell) starts dating a much younger man. A selection of the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. R (sex, profanity, vulgarity, brief violence). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS — Drama based on the best-selling novel about Catholic schoolboys who plot an elaborate revenge scheme against their tyrannical teacher (Jodie Foster, one of the film's producers). A selection of the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, drug use, brief gore, brief sex, nude artwork). (Exclusive, Tower.)
HEY ARNOLD! THE MOVIE — The Nickelodeon star gets his own feature with this animated comedy about his efforts to stop an industrialist planning to erect a huge "mall-plex." PG (animated violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron"; Ritz; Trolley Corners.)
MR. DEEDS — Loosely based on the classic Frank Capra comedy, this rags-to-riches tale stars Adam Sandler as a sweet-natured pizzeria owner who inherits a fortune. Winona Ryder co-stars. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief partial nudity). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Spider-Man"; Ritz.)
NEW FILMS TUESDAY
LIKE MIKE — Youthful rapper Lil' Bow Wow makes his starring debut in this family fantasy about a teen who becomes a basketball star after donning a pair of old shoes belonging to Michael Jordan. To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG (mild profanity).
NEW FILMS WEDNESDAY
MEN IN BLACK II — Stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones return for this sequel to the 1999 smash science-fiction comedy. This time, agents Jay and Kay must stop an alien monster disguised as a lingerie model. To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity).
THE POWERPUFF GIRLS MOVIE — Feature-length animated adventure based on the hit TV series about three little girls who also happen to be superpowered heroines. Voice talents include Tara Strong and E.G. Daily. To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG (animated violence).
MIDNIGHT MOVIE
PULP FICTION — *** — Quentin Tarantino's overrated 1994 ensemble thriller-dark comedy is notable for several things — including John Travolta's comeback performance. But it's also lurid and overlong, with several sequences that should have been cut for time and taste (especially the one with Bruce Willis). It's still got some moments of cleverness, though. R (violence, profanity, gore, drug use, vulgarity, sex, nudity, rape, racial epithets). (Tower, Friday and Saturday.)
RE-RELEASES
AMADEUS: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT — Director Milos Forman's Oscar-winning adaptation of the hit stage play (which received Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor, the latter going to F. Murray Abraham) has been expanded, with 20 minutes of never-before-seen footage, and the score has been digitally enhanced. R (sex, vulgarity, brief nudity). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST — **** — Disney's wondrous, Oscar-nominated 1991 animated musical has been remastered (both the picture and color) and "blown up" for the large-format screen for this 10th anniversary re-release. The new musical number, "Human Again," only adds to the splendor of one of the studio's all-time classics. G (violence). (Saturday and Sunday: Jordan Commons.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
ESPN'S ULTIMATE X: THE MOVIE — *** 1/2 — It may be just an advertisement for the cable sports channel's popular Summer X Games, an extreme-sports exhibition/competition featuring wheeled-sports. But this large-screen documentary is exciting enough to make you forget that little sticking point. Running time: 42 minutes. PG (sports-related violence, mild profanity, mild vulgarity). (Jordan Commons.) (May 10, 2002)
INDEPENDENCE DAY — ** — Looking at it now, this 1996 science-fiction/thriller hasn't aged particularly well. Despite a charming lead performance by Will Smith, it's a cheesy, painfully cliched piece that fails to even acknowledge its main source, H.G. Wells's "War of the Worlds." PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, gore). (Saturday-Thursday: Jordan Commons.)
LEWIS & CLARK: GREAT JOURNEY WEST — *** 1/2 — The latest six-story-high movie, which whisks us away from St. Louis and across the prairie with the Corps of Discovery and lays out a wide range of facts that will have you shaking your head in amazement. Shown in the large-screen format. Running time: 45 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). (Friday, Saturday, Monday-Thursday: Jordan Commons.) (June 14, 2002) — Diane Urbani
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. (Friday, Monday-Thursday: Jordan Commons.) (Aug. 26, 2001) — Diane Urbani
TROMAVILLE ON TOUR — The makers of such low-budget cult films as the "Toxic Avenger" series, "Class of Nuke 'em High," "Tromeo & Juliet" and other cheeky works, return with screenings at Brewvies Cinema Pub. Films to be shown are "Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger 4" and the parodic slasher film "Terror Firmer." These two films are not rated, and contain strong violent and/or sexual content. (Friday: Brewvies, must be 21 or older.)
CONTINUING FILMS
ABOUT A BOY — *** 1/2 — The Weitz brothers (the "American Pie" movies) sweeten up considerably with this funny and surprisingly insightful comedy, based on the best-selling novel about a shallow thirtysomething (Hugh Grant) who pretends to be a father to pick up single mothers. Running time: 102 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, brief violence). (Trolley Corners.) (May 17, 2002)
ALEXANDRE DUMAS' THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO — ** — Jim Caviezel is too bland as the title character of this swashbuckling revenge tale, a sailor who seeks vengeance on his former best friend (Guy Pearce), and there are too many anachronistic touches. Running time: 131 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, torture, brief sex, brief veiled nudity). (Kaysville.) (Jan. 25, 2002)
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). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (Nov. 9, 2001)
BAD COMPANY — * 1/2 — This latest — and lamest — of the "Rush Hour" imitators stars Chris Rock as a man who must impersonate his twin. He and co-star Anthony Hopkins look embarrassed. Running time: 111 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, torture, racial epithets, brief veiled nudity, brief sex). (Jordan Landing.) (June 7, 2002)
A BEAUTIFUL MIND — ** — An intellectually dishonest and highly fictionalized biography of troubled, Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. Even the talented cast (which includes Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly) can't save this one. Winner of four Academy Awards. Running time: 129 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief sex, racial epithets). (Sandy, Sugar House.) (Dec. 25, 2001)
BLADE II — *** — This sequel to the surprising 1998 horror hit, one in which the title character (Wesley Snipes) must team up with his undead foes to stop an even more terrifying threat, is more exciting but even gorier. Running time: 110 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, drug use, vulgarity, torture, nude photos). (Valley Fair.) (March 22, 2002)
THE BOURNE IDENTITY — *** — It bears little resemblance to the source novel, Robert Ludlum's best-selling spy novel, but this surprisingly engrossing suspense-thriller benefits from a strong performance by Matt Damon as an amnesiac who discovers evidence that he may be a secret agent. Running time: 117 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, gore). (Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Windtalkers"; Ritz.) (June 14, 2002)
CLOCKSTOPPERS — ** — Lackluster science-fiction adventure about a teen (Jesse Bradford) who discovers one of his father's devices can make time nearly come to a stop. Some nifty effects, but the story's a snore. Running time: 94 minutes. PG (violence, mild vulgarity). (Sandy, Valley Fair.) (March 29, 2002)
DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD — ** — This talky, all-star adaptation of the best-seller is staged in such an affected manner that it cheapens the impact of the film's more subtle and sincere moments. Running time: 116 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, brief sex, brief violence). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz.) (June 7, 2002) — David Germain, Associated Press
ENIGMA — *** — Though it's got a couple of unfortunate R-rated moments, this World War II-period piece does recall several classier British thrillers. It's also a mystery about a Brit (Dougray Scott) trying to break a Nazi code while searching for his missing girlfriend. Running time: 117 minutes. R (profanity, violence, brief sex, vulgarity, brief partial nudity). (Broadway.) (June 7, 2002)
ENOUGH — ** — If you saw "Sleeping With the Enemy," you may have seen enough of this revenge-thriller, starring Jennifer Lopez as the wife being stalked by her wealthy, abusive husband (Bill Campbell). Running time: 114 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (May 24, 2002) — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
HUMAN NATURE — ** — Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman's follow-up to "Being John Malkovich" has some high-falutin' ideas, but stoops to lowbrow antics when the going gets tough. A few laughs, but it's a disappointment, considering some of the talents involved. Running time: 92 minutes. R (nudity, sex, profanity, vulgarity, violence, brief gore). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (April 12, 2002)
ICE AGE — *** — The first digitally created cartoon from Fox Animation is a familiar, but still fun comedy about prehistoric animals trying to reunite a human child with its parents. The voice cast (which includes Ray Romano and John Leguizamo) has a ball, and so will most audiences. Running time: 81 minutes. PG (animated violence, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (March 15, 2002)
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST — ** 1/2 — Oliver Parker's adaptation of the Oscar Wilde stage play (starring Rupert Everett and Colin Firth) has its charms — especially Dame Judi Dench's scene-stealing supporting turn. But the tone gets much too serious and it doesn't seem as biting as it should. Running time: 94 minutes. PG (mild vulgarity, profanity, brief nudity). (Broadway.) (May 31, 2002)
INSOMNIA — *** 1/2 — A rare case of a remake being better than the original, this Americanized re-do of the 1999 Norwegian thriller is a chilling, well-acted piece about a sleep-deprived detective (Al Pacino) playing a cat-and-mouse game with a killer (Robin Williams). Running time: 118 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, brief nudity). (Century, Trolley Corners.) (May 24, 2002)
JUWANNA MANN — * 1/2 — The people behind this comedy about a basketball star given the boot for bad behavior should be suspended themselves until they make a movie that isn't awful. Running time: 90 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, slapstick violence). (Broadway; Century; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Scooby-Doo"; Ritz.) (June 21, 2002) — David Germain, Associated Press
LILO & STITCH — ** — Disney's latest animated feature is a charmless and surprisingly mean comedy about the unusual friendship between an extraterrestrial and a girl who believes the visitor is actually an earthly pet. Running time: 85 minutes. PG (animated violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "The New Guy"; Ritz; Trolley Corners.) (June 21, 2002)
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. Winner of four Academy Awards. Running time: 178 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Dec. 19, 2001)
MINORITY REPORT — ** 1/2 — This science-fiction thriller, teaming director Steve Spielberg and actor Tom Cruise, does have some dazzling action sequences. But what starts out smart gets progressively dumber in the final third. Running time: 140 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, drug use, gore, brief sex, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "The Sum of all Fears"; Ritz; Trolley North.) (June 21, 2002)
MONSOON WEDDING — *** 1/2 — Oscar-winning filmmaker Mira Nair's latest is a winning ensemble comedy-drama about a New Delhi family preparing for the wedding of one of its members. Surprisingly touching and not as superficial as you'd probably think. In English, Hindi and Punjabi, with English subtitles. Running time: 113 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, brief sex). (Broadway.) (May 10, 2002)
MURDER BY NUMBERS — ** — This dull thriller attempts features two story lines, the less interesting one starring Sandra Bullock as a homicide detective investigating a murder committed by manipulative teens. Running time: 118 minutes. R (violence, profanity, sex, gore, vulgarity, drugs, nude artwork). (Sugar House.) (April 19, 2002)
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING — *** — It's pretty much a filmed sitcom, but this romantic comedy has its charms. Screenwriter Nia Vardalos stars as a thirtysomething Greek woman who bucks tradition when she decides to marry a non-Greek. In English and Greek, with English subtitles. Running time: 95 minutes. PG (profanity, vulgarity, brief sex, brief violence). (Century, Gateway, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12.) (May 10, 2002)
THE NEW GUY — * — This long-delayed, teen-oriented comedy, starring DJ Qualls as a nerdy high school senior who "reinvents" himself at his new school, probably should have gone unreleased. Running time: 89 minutes. PG-13 (sex, profanity, vulgarity, slapstick violence, drugs). (Redwood, with "Lilo & Stitch"; Sandy; Showcase; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (May 10, 2002)
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, helps, but it's a little too squeaky-clean for its own good. Running time: 113 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, brief gore). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Dec. 14, 2001)
PANIC ROOM — *** — This thriller, about a woman (Jodie Foster) hiding from a group of robbers who have invaded her home, has some extremely tense moments . . . just enough to make up for the flat ending. Running time: 108 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, drugs, brief torture). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (March 29, 2002)
THE ROOKIE — *** 1/2 — A warm and wonderfully low-key family drama, based on the true story of a once-promising baseball prospect (Dennis Quaid) who decides to give the big leagues one more try as he hits middle age. Refreshingly old-fashioned, with some well-placed humor and sentiment. Running time: 129 minutes. G (mild profanity, mild vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.)
THE SALTON SEA — ** — Half an American "Trainspotting," half formula Hollywood revenge thriller, this gleefully violent Val Kilmer dope-fiend flick is cinematic sleaze for sleaze's sake. Running time: 103 minutes. R (violence, drug use, profanity, vulgarity, sex). (Exclusive, Broadway.) (June 14, 2002) — William Arnold, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
SCOOBY-DOO — * 1/2 — As they may be, the Hanna-Barbera cartoons look almost Shakespearean after watching this digital-effects-heavy, supposed family-friendly comedy. Ugh! Running time: 87 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, brief drug content). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Juwanna Mann"; Ritz; Trolley North.) (June 14, 2002)
THE SCORPION KING — ** — Professional wrestler The Rock is laughably bad as he reprises his role as an ancient Egyptian assassin. The action's OK, but the dialogue and acting make it a chore to sit through. Running time: 94 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, brief gore). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (April 19, 2002)
SPIDER-MAN —*** 1/2 — The long-awaited, live-action adaptation of the beloved Marvel Comics character is one of the best superheroes films ever, a surprisingly exciting and involving adventure about an unpopular teen (Tobey Maguire) who gets superpowers from a spider bite. Running time: 121 minutes. PG-13 (violence, mild profanity, mild vulgarity, brief gore). (Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Mr. Deeds"; Ritz.) (May 3, 2002)
SPIRIT: STALLION OF THE CIMARRON — ** — DreamWorks' latest animated offering, an American Frontier adventure, takes some risks, and several of them backfire — such as Matt Damon's sleepy-voiced narration and the cringe-inducing Bryan Adams songs. Running time: 84 minutes. PG (animated violence, mild vulgarity). (Gateway; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Hey Arnold! The Movie.") (May 24, 2002)
STAR WARS: EPISODE II — ATTACK OF THE CLONES — *** — The second of George Lucas's prequels is better and more exciting than its predecessor. But some of the performances are awful — especially Hayden Christensen as heroic Jedi Knight trainee Anakin Skywalker, who begin his descent into the Dark Side of the Force here. A mixed bag, but "Star Warriors" will be pleased. Running time: 142 minutes. PG (violence). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz, Villa.) (May 16, 2002)
THE SUM OF ALL FEARS — ** — Ben Affleck stars as a younger, blander Jack Ryan in this lackluster adaptation of Tom Clancy's espionage best-seller, which builds to something of an anticlimax. In English and Russian, with English subtitles. Running time: 125 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, gore, brief sex, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Minority Report"; Ritz; Trolley North.) (May 31, 2002)
UNDERCOVER BROTHER — ** 1/2 — This send-up of blaxploitation films, starring Eddie Griffin, is surprisingly smart and funny, though it starts to run out of inventiveness halfway through and starts to repeat itself. Running time: 86 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence, drugs, racial epithets). (Century.) (May 31, 2002) — Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
UNFAITHFUL — *** — "Fatal Attraction" director Adrian Lyne tries his hand at an erotic thriller again with this dull piece about a couple (Richard Gere and Diane Lane) whose marriage is torn apart when she begins an obsessive affair with another man (Olivier Martinez). Running time: 123 minutes. R (sex, nudity, profanity, gore, brief violence). (Sandy, Sugar House.) (May 10, 2002)
WINDTALKERS — ** — Director John Woo botches an interesting idea by focusing on angst-ridden U.S. Marine Nicolas Cage rather than the most compelling Navajo soldiers his character has been assigned to protect during World War II. Running time: 134 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood with "The Bourne Identity"; Ritz.) (June 14, 2002)