NEW FILMS FRIDAY
THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH — Long-delayed science-fiction comedy starring Eddie Murphy as a nightclub owner who refuses to sell out to the mob. Rosario Dawson co-stars. Not screened for critics; to be reviewed next week. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity). (Carmike 12; Century; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Blood Work"; Ritz; Trolley Corners; Trolley North.)
BARTLEBY — Oddball character actor Crispin Glover stars in the title role of this dark comedy, an updated version of Herman Melville's short story about a newcomer who wreaks havoc in his workplace. PG-13 (vulgarity, brief sex, profanity, nudity). (Exclusive, Century.)
BLUE CRUSH — The title of this surfing-heavy drama refers to the love of its lead character (Kate Bosworth) for the sport, as well as her growing attraction to a professional athlete (Matt Davis). PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity, brief sex, brief gore, brief partial nudity). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "The Master of Disguise"; Ritz; Trolley North.)
FULL FRONTAL — This sequel to director Steven Soderbergh's breakthrough film "sex, lies and videotape" parodies Hollywood with a film-within-a-film premise, and stars David Hyde Pierce, Catherine Keener, Mary McCormack and Julia Roberts. R (profanity, vulgarity, sex, racial epithets, brief nudity, drugs). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
THE PIANO TEACHER — Isabelle Huppert is the title character in this dark drama, based on the Austrian novel about a music instructor tormented by her personal demons. In French, with English subtitles. Not rated, probable R (sex, violence, vulgarity, nudity, profanity, brief gore). (Exclusive, Tower.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
THE CHERRY ORCHARD — The Tower Theatre presents a special screening of this 1999 drama, based on Chekhov's stageplay about a cash-strapped Russian matriarch (Charlotte Rampling) who steadfastly refuses to destroy the family's prized fruit trees. Directed by Michael Cacoyannis ("Zorba the Greek"). Not rated, probable PG (profanity, vulgarity). (Tower, Wednesday only, 7 p.m.)
ESCUELA — The Utah Film and Video Center and KUED present a special screening of this documentary by director Hannah Meyer, which profiles a Mexican-American teen trying to finish her schooling, despite constantly moving with her migrant-worker family. In English and Spanish, with English subtitles. This program is not rated but may contain some PG-level material. (Salt Lake Art Center, Thursday only, 7 p.m.)
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)
GANDHI — *** 1/2 — Director Richard Attenborough's Oscar-winning biography of the man known as as the "Great Soul" is just as powerful 20 years later. And Ben Kingsley has yet to come close to matching his Academy Award-winning performance as the Indian leader. The supporting cast (which includes Candice Bergen, Martin Sheen and the late Sir John Gielgud) is also terrific. PG (violence) (Saturday-Thursday, Jordan Commons.)
GIGI — **** — The always-lustrous Leslie Caron stars as the title character, and Louis Jordan is terrific as her charming suitor, but the real treat in this beloved, Oscar-winning 1958 musical is scene-stealing co-star Maurice Chevalier, as well as some of the best-ever work by song-and-story team Lerner & Loewe. Directed by Vincente Minnelli. Made before ratings, probable G (nothing offensive). (Saturday-Thursday, Jordan Commons.)
LEWIS & CLARK: GREAT JOURNEY WEST — *** 1/2 — The latest six-story-high movie 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). (Jordan Commons.) (June 14, 2002) — Diane Urbani
SCRANTON — Alternative Grounds moves over to Trolley Square and begins its spotlight on locally produced cinema with showings of this atmospheric horror movie, shot on digital video. John Woodhouse and former television personality Dave Candland star as brothers who uncover terrifying secrets in a derelict small-town cemetery. Shown on video. This program is not rated but may contain some PG-13 rated material. (Trolley Square, Wednesday and Thursday.)
THE SALT LAKE CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL — A four-day festival spotlighting films with positive messages, with little in the way of objectionable material (all films are rated G or PG). Included are the premieres of the animated feature "The Princess and the Pea" and the live-action dramas "Children on their Birthdays" and "Little Secrets," the latter directed by Utahn Blair Treu. Jeff Vice interviews Treu on Page W1. (Through Monday: Megaplex 12.)
CONTINUING FILMS
ABOUT A BOY — *** 1/2 — The Weitz brothers (the "American Pie" movies) sweeten up considerably with this funny and surprisingly insightful comedy. Running time: 102 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, brief violence). (Sugar House.) (May 17, 2002)
AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER — ** — The third Austin Powers movie is more of the same: Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) is still funnier than the main character and the jokes are more crude than funny. Running time: 100 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, brief sex, brief partial nudity, brief drugs). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Mr. Deeds"; Ritz.) (July 26, 2002)
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). (Sugar House.) (June 7, 2002)
BLOOD WORK — ** — Director/star Clint Eastwood's latest is a predictable, oddly cold thriller about a retired FBI profiler trying to track down the serial killer he never caught. Running time: 110 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, racial epithets). (Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "The Adventures of Pluto Nash"; Ritz.) (Aug. 9, 2002)
THE BOURNE IDENTITY — *** — This engrossing suspense-thriller benefits from a strong performance by Matt Damon as a man who discovers he may be a secret agent. Running time: 117 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, gore). (Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing.) (June 14, 2002)
THE COUNTRY BEARS — * — Lame live-action musical comedy, based on the old Disneyland attraction about an ursine band. Some decent original songs, but it's a laughless retread of "The Blues Brothers." Running time: 88 minutes. G (slapstick violence, mild vulgarity). (Jordan Landing.) (July 26, 2002)
CQ — * 1/2 — Writer-director Roman Coppola's feature debut is trying to make two movies at once. Unfortunately, the "good" one is awful and vice-versa. Jeremy Davies stars. Running time: 92 minutes. R (nudity, profanity, vulgarity, brief violence). (Exclusive, Broadway.) (Aug. 2, 2002) — Tim Molloy, Associated Press
THE CROCODILE HUNTER: COLLISION COURSE — ** 1/2 — This feature-length movie about crocodile hunter Steve Irwin is the laugh-out-loud comedy of the summer — though sometimes it doesn't mean to be. Running time: 90 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.)— Christy Lemire, Associated Press
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). (Broadway.) (June 7, 2002) — David Germain, Associated Press
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). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (May 24, 2002) — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
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). (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 — 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). (Sugar House.) (May 24, 2002)
K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER — ** — Bad accents abound as Harrison Ford plays a Russian commander ordered to take over a nuclear submarine. Some tense moments, but the story won't interest American filmgoers. Running time: 138 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, brief nudity). (Carmike 12, Jordan Landing, Ritz.) (July 19, 2002)
LAGAAN: ONCE UPON A TIME IN INDIA — ** 1/2 — This Oscar-nominated Indian epic starts marvelously — thanks to some lavish musical numbers but bogs down in the second half, with excruciatingly slow cricket action. Worth a look, though it's very long. In Hindi, English and Bhojpuri, with English subtitles. Running time: 225 minutes. PG (violence, profanity, ethnic slurs). (Exclusive, Broadway.) (Aug. 2, 2002)
LIKE MIKE — ** — Surprise, surprise. This fantasy/comedy, starring rapper Lil' Bow Wow as a teen who becomes a basketball star thanks to magical sneakers, isn't nearly as terrible as the trailers make it appear. Running time: 95 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, mild vulgarity, mild profanity). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (July 2, 2002)
LILO & STITCH — ** — Disney's latest animated feature is a 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). (Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams"; Ritz; Trolley North.) (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). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Dec. 19, 2001)
THE MASTER OF DISGUISE — turkey — Possibly the least funny movie ever to star a "Saturday Night Live" alum, Dana Carvey's ill-conceived comeback vehicle is a painful comedy about a dimwitted, clumsy waiter with a penchant for mimicry. Running time: 80 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Blue Crush"; Ritz.) (Aug. 2, 2002)
MEN IN BLACK II — ** 1/2 — Sure, it's got a couple of amusing moments, but this rather lackluster sequel to the 1997 smash hit sci-fi comedy feels more obligatory than original. Still, there's some nice comic chemistry between stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. Running time: 88 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity, brief gore, brief drugs). (Century; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "xXx"; Ritz; Trolley Corners; Trolley North.) (July 3, 2002)
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). (Jordan Landing.) (June 21, 2002)
MR. DEEDS — ** — Not quite as awful as 2000's "Little Nicky," but Adam Sandler's latest — a loose remake of the Frank Capra rags-to-riches classic — has only a few laughs (most of them coming from John Turturro's butler character). Running time: 93 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief partial nudity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Austin Powers in Goldmember.") (June 28, 2002)
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). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Nov. 2, 2001)
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING — *** — 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 Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12.) (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.) (Dec. 14, 2001)
THE POWERPUFF GIRLS MOVIE — ** 1/2 — This violent, feature-length animated adventure, based on the hit TV series about young super-powered heroines, won't make any new converts, though fans may be charmed. Voice talents include Tara Strong and E.G. Daily. Running time: 78 minutes. PG (animated violence, mild vulgarity). (Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (July 3, 2002)
REIGN OF FIRE — ** 1/2 — Refreshingly, this fantasy/thriller about fire-breathing dragons threatening humanity in the near future never pretends to be anything but a B-movie. Running time: 100 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity). (Redwood, with "Signs"; Ritz.) (July 12, 2002)
ROAD TO PERDITION — *** 1/2 — Good-guy Tom Hanks is convincing as a less-than-nice character in this dramatic thriller about a Depression-era hitman on the run from his former bosses. The supporting cast (which includes Jude Law and Paul Newman) is great, and the cinematography may be the real star. Running time: 119 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Commons, Megaplex 12, Ritz.) (July 12, 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.)
SIGNS — *** — Director M. Night Shyamalan's crop circles thriller is more akin to his "Unbreakable" than "The Sixth Sense." But it's still a creepy, thoughtful piece, and Mel Gibson is nicely restrained. Running time: 106 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief gore). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Reign of Fire"; Ritz; Villa.) (Aug. 2, 2002)
THE SINGLES WARD — ** — This locally produced romantic comedy relies too heavily on cameos by such local celebrities as Steve Young, Richard Dutcher and Danny Ainge and "inside" humor, though leads Will Swenson and Connie Young do have a certain charm. Running time: 102 minutes. PG (slapstick violence). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House.) (Feb. 1, 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). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Kaysville.) (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). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (May 24, 2002)
SPY KIDS 2: THE ISLAND OF LOST DREAMS — ** — Whatever rough-hewn, gee-whiz charm "Spy Kids" offered last year is lost in this ill-conceived sequel. In its place is a slick, bombastic sense of desperation. Running time: 100 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Lilo & Stitch"; Ritz.) (Aug. 7, 2002) — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
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). (Jordan Landing, Trolley Corners.) (May 16, 2002)
STUART LITTLE 2 — ** 1/2 — This sequel to the 1999 smash hit is another fanciful, joyously unbelievable, feel-good film about the orphaned mouse adopted by a loving human family (based on the books by E.B. White). Running time: 83 minutes. PG (violence, mild vulgarity, mild profanity). (Carmike 12, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Ritz, Trolley Corners.) (July 19, 2002) — Krisy Gashler
SUNSHINE STATE — *** 1/2 — Writer/director John Sayles' latest is as talk-heavy as you'd expect, but it's also a smart, funny and well-acted ensemble comedy-drama about developers trying to take over a coastal Florida community. Edie Falco (from pay-cable's "The Sopranos") is the cast's real stand-out. Running time: 140 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, racial epithets, vulgarity, brief violence). (Exclusive, Tower.) (Aug. 9, 2002)
TADPOLE — ** — Director Gary Winick's dark comedy boasts a strong debut performance by Aaron Stanford as a private school student with a serious crush on his much-older stepmother (Sigourney Weaver). Running time: 78 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, brief sex). (Century.) (Aug. 9. 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). (Valley Fair.) (May 31, 2002) — Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
WHO IS CLETIS TOUT? — * 1/2 — Dark comedy follows a hitman (Tim Allen) who mistakenly kidnaps an ex-con (Christian Slater) living under a false identity. Some good ideas, but they're badly executed. Running time: 93 minutes. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, sex). (Exclusive, Broadway.) (Aug. 9. 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). (Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (June 14, 2002)
XXX — ** — As stupid as it is thrilling, star-in-the-making Vin Diesel's break-out vehicle may feature terrific stunts but also has one of the dumbest plots ever. A guilty pleasure at best. Running time: 124 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, drugs, vulgarity, brief torture, brief gore). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Men in Black II"; Ritz.) (Aug. 9. 2002)