NEW FILMS FRIDAY
RED GREEN'S DUCT TAPE FOREVER — Feature-length comedy featuring the stars of the popular Canadian series "Red Green" (seen locally on KUED), as the residents of Possum Lodge go on a road trip to the United States, hoping to win a contest. Not screened for local critics; to be reviewed in Saturday's theater pages. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, profanity). (Exclusive, Megaplex 12.)
FEAR DOT COM — Horror film starring Stephen Dorff as a detective investigating a mysterious Web site that appears to be fatal to all "visitors." Stephen Rea co-stars. R (violence, gore, nudity, profanity, torture). (Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Eight Legged Freaks"; Ritz; Trolley Corners.)
THE KID STAYS IN THE PICTURE — Based on the memoirs of Robert Evans, this documentary looks at the rise and fall of the former Paramount Studios chief, who narrates. In black and white and color. A selection of the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, ethnic slurs, drugs, brief gore, brief nudity). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
POSSESSION — BYU graduate Neil LaBute adapts the A.S. Byatt novel about two literature buffs (Aaron Eckhart, another BYU grad, and Gwyneth Paltrow) examining the romance between two Victorian poets and discovering their own mutual attraction. PG-13 (sex, vulgarity). (Century, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12.)
READ MY LIPS — Unusual dramatic thriller about a hearing-impaired secretary (French actress Emmanuelle Devos) who becomes involved with a younger temp worker (Vincent Cassel) and suddenly finds herself in great danger. In French, with English subtitles. R (profanity, violence, attempted rape, brief nudity, vulgarity, gore, torture). (Exclusive, Broadway.)
OUT OF STEP — ** 1/2 — At least as likable and as genuinely sweet as it is cliched, this locally produced drama could be called the Mormon "Flashdance." Despite some technical problems, the cast (which includes newcomer Alison Akin Clark) makes it quite watchable. Running time: 90 minutes. PG (brief violence, mild vulgarity). (Carmike 12, 5-Star, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Ritz, Trolley Corners.) (Feb. 15, 2002)
MIDNIGHT MOVIES
SUPERMAN — ****— Probably the best comic-book adaptation ever — thanks to the perfect casting of Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel. This 1978 science-fiction adventure film manages to tell the Kryptonian superhero's origins, as well as the story of his first adventure, and all in one coherent, exciting film. Despite a too-convenient ending and some dumb humor, it's good clean fun. PG (violence). (Tower, Friday and Saturday.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
DONOVAN'S REEF — *** — It may be one of director John Ford's lesser efforts, but this comedy 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 (1963), 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, 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
SHE LIVES BY NIGHT — Offbeat horror film with a few local connections, about a man (John Woodhouse) who accidentally mows down a pedestrian and then gradually falls in love with her (Lilliana Cabal), only to discover that she's really a vampire. The movie makes use of several Salt Lake landmarks. Not rated, probable PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, nude silhouettes). (Trolley Square, Wednesday and Thursday.)
THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN — *** — It's too long, but this big-screen 1964 version of the hit Broadway musical features the always-fabulous Debbie Reynolds in the the title role. Reynolds really shines as the eccentric woman who survived the Titanic, and Harve Presnell is terrific as her husband, Johnny. Made before ratings, probable G (violence). (playing Saturday at Jordan Commons.)
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)
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). (Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Blue Crush.") (July 26, 2002)
BLOOD WORK — ** — Lacking the edge and bite of his best 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). (Century, Ritz.) (Aug. 9, 2002)
BLUE CRUSH — ** 1/2 — Better than its lame trailer made it appear, 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; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Austin Powers in Goldmember"; Ritz; Trolley North.) (Aug. 16, 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). (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). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (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). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (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, 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). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (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). (Redwood, with "fear dot com.") (July 17, 2002)
FULL FRONTAL — * 1/2 — Director Steven Soderbergh's sequel of sorts to his breakthrough film "sex, lies and videotape" seems more like a pretentious student film than something by someone so accomplished. Running time: 101 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, sex, racial epithets, brief nudity, drugs). (Exclusive, Broadway.) (Aug. 16, 2002)
GANGSTER NO. 1 — ** — Paul Bettany is terrific as the younger version of the title character in this British crime drama. But Malcolm McDowell is horribly over-the-top as his older counterpart, who reflects on various misdeeds. Running time: 103 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, brief drug use, brief nudity, racial epithets). (Exclusive, Broadway.) (Aug. 23, 2002)
THE GOOD GIRL — *** — Jennifer Aniston shines in this dark comedy about an unhappily married Texan who has an affair with a younger co-worker (Jake Gyllenhaal). Just offbeat enough to compensate for the unsatisfying ending. Running time: 93 minutes. R (profanity, sex, drug use, vulgarity, brief nudity, brief violence). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Commons, Tower.) (Aug. 23, 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). (Sugar House.) (May 24, 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). (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). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams.") (June 21, 2002)
LITTLE SECRETS — ** 1/2 — The talented young cast helps save this sweet-natured but too-cutesy drama about a teen (Evan Rachel Wood) who keeps others' secrets, while hiding a big one of her own. Directed by Utahn Blair Treu. Running time: 97 minutes. PG (brief violence, mild vulgarity). (Century, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz.) (Aug. 23, 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 — 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 dim-witted, clumsy waiter with a penchant for mimicry. Running time: 80 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Jordan Landing, Ritz.) (Aug. 2, 2002)
ME WITHOUT YOU — ** 1/2 — Yank Michelle Williams does a passable British accent as one of two lifelong friends in this drama. But despite Williams' performances, the tone is inconsistent, as is the performance of co-star Anna Friel. Running time: 107 minutes. R (profanity, nudity, sex, drug use, vulgarity). (Exclusive, Broadway.) (Aug. 23, 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; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "xXx"; 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 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). (Kaysville; Redwood, with "Serving Sara"; Sandy; Showcase; Sugar House; Valley Fair) (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, 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). (Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12.) (May 10, 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"; Sandy; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (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.) (July 12, 2002)
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). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (June 14, 2002)
SERVING SARA — * 1/2 — Star Matthew Perry really tries, but this road comedy teaming up a process server and a jilted bride (Elizabeth Hurley) is painfully unfunny. Running time: 100 minutes. 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.) (Aug. 23, 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)
S1M0NE — ** — A good premise is squandered in this heavy-handed satirical fantasy about a fading filmmaker (Al Pacino) who attempts to make a star out of a "virtual actress." Running time: 117 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, brief sex, vulgarity, slapstick violence, brief partial nudity). (Carmike 12, Century, Holladay, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz, Trolley Corners, Trolley North.) (Aug. 23, 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). (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). (Kaysville, 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 — ** 1/2 — The second prequel is 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. Running time: 142 minutes. PG (violence). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Kaysville; Sandy; Showcase; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (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, Ritz, Trolley North.) (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, 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.) (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). (Sugar House.) (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)