NEW FILMS FRIDAY
CQ — Indie actors Jeremy Davies, Angela Lindvall and Jason Schwartzman head up the cast of Roman Coppola's film-within-a-film comedy-drama about a young filmmaker whose ambitions get the best of him. R (nudity, profanity, vulgarity, brief violence). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
THE LADY AND THE DUKE — Veteran French director Eric Rohmer returns with this period piece, based on the true story of an English gentlewoman who was front and center for the French Revolution. In French, with English subtitles. PG-13 (violence). (Exclusive, Tower.)
LAGAAN: ONCE UPON A TIME IN INDIA — Oscar-nominated Indian epic — complete with lavish musical numbers — about an impoverished village that agrees to a high-stakes game of cricket to avoid unfair taxation. In Hindi, English and Bhojpuri, with English subtitles. PG (violence, profanity, ethnic slurs). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
LATE MARRIAGE — Acclaimed Israeli comedy-drama about a bachelor whose parents try to arrange a marriage for him — unaware that he's carrying on a relationship with a single mother. In Georgian and Hebrew, with English subtitles. Not rated, probable R (nudity, sex, vulgarity, profanity, brief violence). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
MARTIN LAWRENCE LIVE: RUNTELDAT — Comedian Martin Lawrence "comes clean" — but not much — about his recent troubles and related personal problems in this concert film, shot during a show in Washington, D.C. R (profanity, vulgarity). (Exclusive, Jordan Landing.)
THE MASTER OF DISGUISE — The title character of this comedy is a dimwitted, clumsy waiter (Dana Carvey) who must learn to use his family's secrets to rescue them from a criminal mastermind (Brent Spiner). PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Stuart Little 2"; Ritz.)
RAIN — A hit at this year's Sundance Film Festival, the filmmaking debut of New Zealand director Christine Jeffs is a coming-of-age period piece about a teenage girl experimenting with her sexuality. Not rated, probable R (sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity, violence). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
SIGNS — Director M. Night Shyamalan's latest is a thriller about a farmer (Mel Gibson) investigating a series of mysterious crop circles that have popped up overnight in his cornfield. Joaquin Phoenix co-stars. 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.)
NEW FILM WEDNESDAY
SPY KIDS 2: THE ISLAND OF LOST DREAMS — — Sequel to director Robert Rodriguez's surprise 2001 hit action-comedy about a family of spies. In this one, the adolescent agents have to stop a mad scientist (Steve Buscemi) and contend with a rival spy family. To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG (violence, vulgarity).
KIDS MATINEES
HARRIET THE SPY — ** 1/2 — Michelle Trachtenberg is charming as an 11-year-old who spies on her parents, friends and neighbors. The quick-moving direction and sometimes juvenile humor may try the patience of older viewers, but it's still solid kids' entertainment. PG (mild vulgarity). (Gateway, Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.)
BATMAN— *** — Director Tim Burton's dark adaptation of the DC Comics series remains the best of the series, though it hasn't aged that well (the Prince songs on the soundtrack are particularly irritating). Still, it's exciting and imaginative, and Jack Nicholson steals the show from Michael Keaton's Dark Knight as the villainous Joker. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief gore). (Tower, Friday and Saturday.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
CHARIOTS OF FIRE — *** — A great cast (especially supporting performers Ian Holm and the late Sir John Gielgud) and premise help bail out this 1981 drama about two Olympic hopefuls, circa 1924. Like the too-familiar Vangelis score, this Oscar winner hasn't aged particularly well — it's paced much too slowly — but the ending more than makes up for its faults. PG (nothing offensive). (Saturday-Thursday: Jordan Commons.)
DRIVING MISS DAISY— *** 1/2 — Director Bruce Beresford's 1989 touching, Academy Award-winning adaptation of the stage play benefits from stunning performances by the late Jessica Tandy (who won the Best Actress Oscar) as the title character and Morgan Freeman as her faithful chauffeur. PG (profanity, vulgarity, racial epithets). (Saturday-Thursday: Jordan Commons.)
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)
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
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
WESTWARD THE WOMEN — *** 1/2 — The Sundance Institute's Great Westerns series continues with a free screening of this well-acted, made-in-Utah 1951 western that concentrates on the title characters, mail-order brides making a treacherous trek from Chicago to California. Robert Taylor is superb as the veteran cowboy who accompanies them. In black and white. Made before ratings, probable PG (violence). (Gallivan Utah Center, Monday, 8:30 p.m.)
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). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Sandy; 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). (Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (June 7, 2002)
THE BOURNE IDENTITY — *** — It bears little resemblance to the best-selling source material, but 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). (Carmike 12; Century; Jordan Commons; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "K-19: The Widowmaker"; Trolley North.) (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). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz, Trolley North.) (July 26, 2002)
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). (Jordan Landing, Ritz.)— 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
EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS — * 1/2 — Not as funny or as scary as it should be, this science-fiction horror film, about gigantic spiders terrorizing a Southwestern town, settles for being idiotic instead. Eww! Running time: 99 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, vulgarity, profanity, brief sex). (Gateway; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Halloween: Resurrection"; Ritz.) (July 17, 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). (Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (May 24, 2002) — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION — ** — Michael Myers slaughters his way through his eighth cast in this sequel, which isn't scary but is mildly satisfying anyway, thanks to a primo finale. Running time: 85 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, drug use, sex). (Redwood, with "Eight Legged Freaks.") (July 13, 2002) — Chris Hewitt, Knight Ridder
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, 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). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Sandy; Showcase; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (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). (Valley Fair.) (June 21, 2002) — David Germain, Associated Press
K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER — ** — Bad accents abound, as Harrison Ford plays a Russian commander ordered to take over a nuclear submarine at the height of the Cold War. A couple of tense moments, but the story won't interest American filmgoers. Running time: 138 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, brief nudity). (Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "The Bourne Identity"; Ritz.) (July 19, 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). (Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, 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, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Dec. 19, 2001)
LOVELY & AMAZING — *** 1/2 — Writer/director Nicole Holofcener's second feature is the antithesis of contrived Hollywood "chick flicks." It's a smart, funny and moving treatise on women and issues of self-worth, and the cast (which includes Catherine Keener and Brenda Blethyn) is uniformly excellent. Running time: 91 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, nudity, racial epithets, brief sex). (Exclusive, Tower.) (July 26, 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). (Carmike 12; Century; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Spider-Man"; Ritz; 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). (Century, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz.) (June 21, 2002)
MR. DEEDS — ** — It's 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). (Carmike 12; Century; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Austin Powers in Goldmember"; Ritz; Trolley Corners.) (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). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House.) (Nov. 2, 2001)
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 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; Sugar House.) (Dec. 14, 2001)
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). (Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; 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; Gateway; Holladay; 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; Sugar House.)
SCOOBY-DOO — * 1/2 — As bad 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). (Jordan Landing.) (June 14, 2002)
THE SINGLES WARD — ** — Essentially a filmed road show, 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). (Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Men in Black II.") (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)
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 begins 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). (Century, Jordan Landing, Trolley Corners, Trolley North.) (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; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "The Master of Disguise"; Ritz; Trolley Corners.) (July 19, 2002) — Krisy Gashler
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). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Jordan Landing.) (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). (Sandy, Valley Fair.) (May 31, 2002) — Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
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). (Kaysville, Showcase, Valley Fair.) (June 14, 2002)