NEW FILMS FRIDAY
GANGSTER NO. 1 — The title character of director Paul McGuigan's crime drama is a British hood (Malcolm McDowell) reflecting on his various misdeeds. Paul Bettany co-stars. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, brief drug use, brief nudity, racial epithets). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
THE GOOD GIRL — Dark comedy starring Jennifer Aniston as an unhappily married Texan who has an affair with a younger co-worker (Jake Gyllenhaal). A selection of the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. R (profanity, sex, drug use, vulgarity, brief nudity, brief violence). (Exclusive, Tower.)
LITTLE SECRETS — Drama about a teen (Evan Rachel Wood) who keeps others' secrets, while hiding a big one of her own. Directed by Utahn Blair Treu ("The Phantom of the Megaplex"). PG (brief violence, mild vulgarity). (Century, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz.)
ME WITHOUT YOU — Michelle Williams and Anna Friel star as Brits whose lifelong friendship is sorely tested in this drama from writer/director Sandra Goldbacher ("The Governess"). R (profanity, nudity, sex, drug use, vulgarity). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
SERVING SARA — Road comedy about a woman (Elizabeth Hurley) who involves a process server (Matthew Perry) in her revenge scheme against her soon-to-be ex. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, ethnic slurs, brief partial nudity, torture). (Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Mr. Deeds"; Ritz.)
S1M0NE — Writer/director Andrew Niccol's latest satirizes Hollywood, as a fading filmmaker (Al Pacino) attempts to make a star out of a "virtual actress." Catherine Keener co-stars. PG-13 (profanity, brief sex, vulgarity, slapstick violence, brief partial nudity). (Carmike 12, Century, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz, Trolley Corners, Trolley North.)
UNDISPUTED — Prison drama starring Ving Rhames as a heavyweight boxing champ who is imprisoned and then is forced to fight a behind-bars pugilist (Wesley Snipes). R (violence, profanity, racial epithets, vulgarity, brief partial nudity). (Century, Jordan Landing, Ritz, Trolley Corners.)
MIDNIGHT MOVIES
ELVIRA'S HAUNTED HILLS — Follow-up to 1988's "Elvira: Mistress of the Dark." This one's a period comedy about misadventures that ensue when the title character (Cassandra Peterson, who also co-wrote the script) inherits a haunted castle . PG-13 (vulgarity, violence). (Broadway, Friday and Saturday.)
X-MEN — *** — One of the best comic-book-to-film adaptations since the first "Batman." Exciting, with great performances (especially Hugh Jackman). Running time: 103 minutes. PG-13 (violence, partial nudity, vulgarity, brief profanity). (Tower, Friday and Saturday.) (July 14, 2000)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
DONOVAN'S REEF — *** — It may be one of director John Ford's lesser efforts, but this 1963 comedy still benefits from the surprising chemistry between John Wayne and Lee Marvin, playing seafaring pals who try to help their friend (Jack Warden) get his act together before his daughter visits. Made before ratings, probable PG (violence). (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, but this large-screen documentary is exciting enough to make you forget that sticking point. Running time: 42 minutes. PG (sports-related violence, mild profanity, mild vulgarity). (Jordan Commons.) (May 10, 2002)
GIGI — **** — 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. 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 — Atmospheric horror movie, shot on digital video, starring John Woodhouse and former television personality Dave Candland 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.)
CONTINUING FILMS
ABOUT A BOY — *** 1/2 — The Weitz brothers (the "American Pie" movies) sweeten up 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). (Sugar House.) (May 17, 2002)
THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH — * 1/2 — This Eddie Murphy comedy is everything you'd expect of a movie that sat on the shelf for more than a year. And worst of all, it's not funny. Running time: 91 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity). (Carmike 12; Century; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Austin Powers in Goldmember"; Ritz; Trolley Corners; Trolley North.) (Aug. 20, 2002) — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
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; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "The Adventures of Pluto Nash"; Ritz.) (July 26, 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, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz.) (Aug. 9, 2002)
BLUE CRUSH — ** 1/2 — This surfing-heavy drama may be cliched, but it's handsomely photographed and star Kate Bosworth impresses. Running time: 104 minutes. 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.) (Aug. 16, 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 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
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). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (July 17, 2002)
FULL FRONTAL — * 1/2 — Director Steven Soderbergh's sequel of sorts to "sex, lies and videotape" seems more like a pretentious student film. Running time: 101 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, sex, racial epithets, brief nudity, drugs). (Exclusive, Broadway.) (Aug. 16, 2002)
HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION — ** — Michael Myers slaughters his way through his eighth cast. Running time: 85 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, drug use, sex). (Carmike 12, Ritz.) (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). (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 but it gets much too serious. 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 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.) (July 19, 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.") (June 21, 2002)
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). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (July 26, 2002)
THE MASTER OF DISGUISE — turkey — Dana Carvey's ill-conceived comeback vehicle is a painful comedy about a dim-witted, clumsy waiter with a penchant for mimicry. Running time: 80 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Blue Crush"; Ritz.) (Aug. 2, 2002)
MEN IN BLACK II — ** 1/2 — 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). (Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "xXx"; 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. Running time: 140 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, drug use, gore, brief sex, vulgarity). (Jordan Commons, 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). (Redwood, with "Serving Sara.") (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, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Nov. 2, 2001)
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING — *** — 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 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). (Valley Fair.) (July 3, 2002)
REIGN OF FIRE — ** 1/2 — Refreshingly, this fantasy/thriller about fire-breathing dragons threatening humanity never pretends to be anything but a B-movie. Running time: 100 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity). (Redwood, with "Signs"; Sandy; Showcase; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (July 12, 2002)
ROAD TO PERDITION — *** 1/2 — 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.)
SCOOBY-DOO — * 1/2 — 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). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (June 14, 2002)
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 — ** — 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). (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, 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, Ritz.) (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). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (May 31, 2002)
TADPOLE — ** — Appealing and funny despite its somewhat appalling concept, this 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). (Broadway, 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
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). (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)