NEW FILMS FRIDAY
DR. SEUSS' THE CAT IN THE HAT — Live-action comedy, based on the beloved children's book and starring Mike Myers as the title character, who entertains two children while their mom is at work. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, mild profanity). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.)
GOTHIKA — Halle Berry stars in this thriller (which has some horror undertones) about a psychiatrist who wakes to find herself in a mental institution, apparently having committed a murder. Penelope Cruz and Robert Downey Jr. co-star. R (violence, profanity, nudity). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.)
THE HUMAN STAIN — Director Robert Benton's adaptation of the Philip Roth best-seller stars Anthony Hopkins as a widowed, then fired classics professor with secrets — including one about his affair with a married woman (Nicole Kidman). R (profanity, vulgarity, violence, nudity, sex, racial epithets). (Madstone, Ritz.)
OT: OUR TOWN — Documentary about a high school class in Compton, Calif., mounting a production of Thornton Wilder's classic stage play — the school's first theater production in nearly 25 years. Not rated, probable R (profanity, violence, vulgarity). (Tower.)
SHATTERED GLASS — Hayden Christensen stars as journalist Stephen Glass in this drama about the New Republic reporter who was caught fabricating nearly half of his stories. Peter Sarsgaard and Steve Zahn co-star. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, brief drug use). (Broadway.)
THE SINGING DETECTIVE — This adaptation of the 1986 BBC television production stars Robert Downey Jr. as the title character, a hospitalized man having a fevered dream. A selection of the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. R (violence, profanity, sex, vulgarity, brief gore, brief drugs). (Madstone.)
SYLVIA — Gwyneth Paltrow stars as late poet/author Sylvia Plath ("The Bell Jar") in this biographical drama about her relationship with fellow poet Ted Hughes (Daniel Craig). Jared Harris and Blythe Danner (Paltrow's real-life mother) co-star. R (profanity, sex, brief nudity, brief drugs, vulgarity, brief violence). (Broadway.)
TIBET: CRY OF THE SNOW LION — Director Tom Peosa's feature-length documentary looks at the history of the so-called "rooftop of the world," including the current Chinese occupation. Narrated by Martin Sheen. Not rated, probable R (violence, gore, vulgarity). (Madstone.)
NEW FILMS WEDNESDAY
BAD SANTA — Dark comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton as the title character, a con man who hopes to make a big score robbing malls while dressed as a department-store Santa. Bernie Mac and Lauren Graham co-star. To be reviewed when it opens next week. R (profanity, vulgarity, sex, slapstick violence).
THE HAUNTED MANSION — This live-action comedy, based on the popular Disneyland attraction, stars Eddie Murphy as a workaholic who inadvertently takes his family to a ghost-ridden home. To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG (slapstick violence, profanity, vulgarity).
THE MISSING — Ron Howard's Western stars Tommy Lee Jones as a man who must reconcile with his estranged daughter (Cate Blanchett) if they're to rescue his kidnapped granddaughter. In English, Navajo and Spanish, with English subtitles. To be reviewed when it opens next week. R (violence, gore, brief drugs, profanity, vulgarity, brief partial nudity).
TIMELINE — Paul Walker heads up the cast of this science-fiction adventure, based on Michael Crichton's best-seller about archeological students who journey back to 14th-century France to retrieve their professor. To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG-13 (violence, profanity).
MIDNIGHT MOVIE
BEING JOHN MALKOVICH — *** — This comedy/fantasy stars John Cusack as a puppeteer who discovers a portal into the mind of actor John Malkovich. Bizarre but refreshingly different — until it starts to run out of steam midway through. Running time: 112 minutes. R (profanity, sex, vulgarity, violence, brief partial nudity, drug use). (Tower, tonight and Saturday.) (Nov. 5, 1999)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
ADRENALINE RUSH: THE SCIENCE OF RISK — ** 1/2 — This adventure can't make up its mind between being a documentary or an "extreme-sports" travelogue. Sky diver Adrian Nicholas puts to a real-life test Leonardo da Vinci's 500-year-old sketch for a parachute. Shown in the large-screen format. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). (Megaplex 17.) (April 22, 2003) — Ivan M. Lincoln
BEAVERS — *** 1/2 — Cleverly tagged "the biggest dam movie ever made," this large-screen documentary is timed to be just long enough for most youngsters' brief attention spans — and it's packed with plenty of interesting activity, both on land and underwater. Shown in the large-screen format. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). (Clark Planetarium IMAX Theater.) (May 23, 2003) — Ivan M. Lincoln
BUGS! — *** — The 3-D format both helps and hurts this British-made documentary, which looks at the life cycles of butterflies and praying mantises. At times the 3-D effects are too gimmicky and distracting. However, Judi Dench makes the perfect narrator. Shown in the large-screen format. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (violence). (Clark Planetarium IMAX Theater.) (Aug. 1, 2003)
EVEREST — Probably the most popular "large-format" film of all time, this documentary follows a team of explorers on an expedition to climb the world's highest — and one of its most perilous — mountains. Narrated by Liam Neeson. Shown in the large-screen format. Running time: 44 minutes. Not rated, probable G. (Megaplex 17.)
PROVINCIAL ACTORS — The University of Utah's Film Front Group presents a special screening of filmmaker Agnieszka Holland's 1980 drama about a young stage director feuding with the cast of his latest production. In Polish, with English subtitles. Running time: 100 minutes. This film is not rated but may contain some R-rated material. (Orson Spencer Hall, University of Utah, Sunday, 7 p.m.)
SANTA VS. THE SNOWMAN 3-D — ** 1/2 — This 35-minute digitally animated IMAX comedy may not fit Clark Planetarium's science and educational mission. It's basically a larger-than-life Christmas card, with the first five minutes being just that, holiday greetings from the IMAX Corp. with spectacular 3-D effects. The "Santa" short looks like a TV special, and it is — an expanded version of a 1997 TV short with Jonathan Winters as the voice of Santa Claus. It's been gussied up with high-tech 3-D graphics. Kids will enjoy the story of a lonely snowman discovering Santa's North Pole workshop and battling over the delivery of toys on Christmas Eve. Shown in the large-screen format. Not rated, probable G (animated violence). (Clark Planetarium IMAX Theater.)— Ivan M. Lincoln
SPACE STATION 3-D — **** — Tom Cruise narrates, but the real stars of this breathtaking 3-D film are the U.S. astronauts, Russian cosmonauts and the global crew assembling the International Space Station. There's humor and suspense in an adventure that blends "in your face" with "larger than life." Shown in the large-screen format. Running time: 47 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). (Clark Planetarium IMAX Theater.) (April 22, 2003) — Ivan M. Lincoln
CONTINUING FILMS
THE BOOK OF MORMON MOVIE, VOLUME 1: THE JOURNEY — ** — Proving that good intentions don't necessarily translate to good filmmaking, the first part of director Gary Rogers' ambitious live-action series (based on LDS scripture) is a lackluster re-telling of the books of Nephi, with actor Noah Danby making a bland hero. Running time: 119 minutes. PG-13 (violence, brief gore). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 12, 2003)
BROTHER BEAR — ** 1/2 — Not exactly Disney's best animated feature, this touchy-feely comedy does have two things going for it: Voice performers Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, who steal the show as a pair of wisecracking moose. Running time: 85 minutes. G (animated violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Oct. 31, 2003)
DICKIE ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR — * 1/2 — David Spade has never been as unlikable as he is in this unfunny comedy, in which he plays a former child actor trying to become a star again — or at least recapture his youth — with help from a "foster family." Running time: 99 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, slapstick violence, profanity). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 5, 2003)
ELF — *** — Will Ferrell charms as the title character of this silly holiday-themed comedy about a man brought up at the North Pole as an elf. Zooey Deschanel nearly steals the show as his love interest. Running time: 95 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Nov. 7, 2003)
THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS — ** — If not for the rousing musical numbers, this comedy would be unwatchable. Cuba Gooding Jr. gives another insufferable performance as a man who has to put a gospel choir together to collect his inheritance. Running time: 120 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, slapstick violence). (Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 19. 2003)
FINDING NEMO — *** 1/2 — Not quite as good as their "Toy Story" movies, but the Pixar folks have scored another hit with this clever, computer-animated comedy-adventure about a clown fish searching for his lost son. The voice cast is great (especially Ellen DeGeneres). Running time: 104 minutes. G (animated violence, mild vulgarity). (Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (May 30, 2003)
FREAKY FRIDAY — *** — Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are terrific as a squabbling mother and daughter who switch bodies in this surprisingly charming remake of the 1977 Disney hit. Running time: 97 minutes. PG (vulgarity, slapstick violence, mild profanity). (Trolley Corners.) (Aug. 6, 2003)
GOOD BOY! — * 1/2 — The dogs are cute but this live-action comedy about talking, extraterrestrial pooches is too lowbrow, and it feels twice as long as it is. Matthew Broderick (who provides a canine voice) sounds embarrassed. Running time: 88 minutes. PG (vulgarity, violence, brief drugs). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Oct. 10, 2003)
INTOLERABLE CRUELTY — *** — The latest from the Coen brothers may not be their best, but it affords plenty of prime comic opportunities for star George Clooney, who plays a divorce attorney falling for a client's wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Running time: 98 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence, brief sex). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Megaplex 17.) (Oct. 10, 2003)
THE LEGEND OF JOHNNY LINGO — ** — This feature film stretches a thin premise too far. (It was also the inspiration for the BYU-produced 1960s short film.)
It looks good, but at times feels like a 90-minute infomercial for Tahitian Noni juice. Running time: 90 minutes. G (mild vulgarity, slapstick violence). (Carmike 12, Ritz.) (Aug. 29, 2003)
LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION — * 1/2 — More "Monkeybone" than "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" this live-action/hybrid wastes the "talents" of the beloved Warner Bros. animated characters. Brendan Fraser stars. Running time: 90 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, mild profanity). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Nov. 14, 2003)
LOST IN TRANSLATION — *** 1/2 — Director Sofia Coppola's sophomore effort is even better than her impressive debut, 1999's "The Virgin Suicides." This one is a subtle tone poem about two Americans, a burned-out actor (Bill Murray, never better) and an unhappily married woman (Scarlett Johansson) who meet in Japan. Running time: 105 minutes. R (vulgarity, brief nudity, brief sex). (Madstone.) (Sept. 26. 2003)
LOVE ACTUALLY — ** 1/2 — There are too many characters and too many subplots (including a porn-industry story) in this funny but inconsistent holiday-themed romantic comedy, which features an all-star cast (Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, etc.). Running time: 130 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, nudity, sex). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Nov. 7, 2003)
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR END OF THE WORLD — *** 1/2 — Better and brainier than this summer's at-sea smash "Pirates of the Caribbean," this rousing adventure film stars Russell Crowe as the captain of a British ship assigned to stop a bigger and better-armed enemy. Enthralling from start to finish. Running time: 138 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, profanity). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Nov. 14, 2003)
MATCHSTICK MEN — *** — This solid comedy-drama follows a neurotic con man (Nicolas Cage) who drags his teenage daughter (Alison Lohman) into the family business. Clever stuff, though it turns sentimental at the end. Running time: 116 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, drugs, vulgarity, brief gore, brief partial nudity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House.) (Sept. 12, 2003)
THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS — ** — The Wachowski brothers' science-fiction series comes to a thudding conclusion with this effects-heavy but leaden thriller that finds Neo (Keanu Reeves) and the rest of the human resistance making their final stand against their machine oppressors. Running time: 129 minutes. R (violence, profanity, brief sex). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Nov. 5, 2003)
THE MEDALLION — * 1/2 — Yet another Jackie Chan movie in which the outtakes are better than the film itself, an action-comedy that is far too derivative of "Highlander." Running time: 89 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, torture). (Valley Fair.) (Aug. 22, 2003)
MY LIFE WITHOUT ME — ** 1/2 — The only difference between a Lifetime cable-channel movie and this melodrama is the cast. Still, Sarah Polley is terrific as a twentysomething mother who decides to embrace life after discovering that she's dying. Running time: 102 minutes. R (profanity, brief sex, brief drugs, vulgarity). (Broadway.) (Nov. 14, 2003)
MYSTIC RIVER — ** 1/2 — Clint Eastwood's disappointing, emotionally aloof adaptation of the best-selling mystery novel tries to cram in too much of the source material, although star Sean Penn is terrific as a grieving father who finds himself at odds with a pair of childhood friends, though. Running time: 137 minutes. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, brief gore, brief sex). (Century, Madstone.) (Oct. 10, 2003)
OUT OF TIME — ** — Some too-convenient and morally questionable plotting ruins this tense dramatic thriller about a Florida police chief (Denzel Washington) who becomes a murder suspect. Running time: 108 minutes. PG-13 (violence, sex, profanity, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Oct. 3, 2003)
PIECES OF APRIL — *** — Strong performances by Katie Holmes and Patricia Clarkson as an estranged daughter and mother salvage this otherwise formulaic but likable comedy-drama, about a young woman trying to cook Thanksgiving dinner for her family. Running time: 80 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, brief sex, drug use, nude photos, violence). (Broadway.) (Nov. 14, 2003)
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL — *** — Johnny Depp is a hoot as a besotted pirate captain in this swashbuckling adventure based on the Disneyland attraction. One of the few movies of last summer that's actually fun. Running time: 138 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, mild profanity, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Megaplex 17, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Trolley Corners, Valley Fair. ) (July 9, 2003)
RADIO — * 1/2 — Cuba Gooding Jr. mugs shamelessly, which destroys this sappy, fact-based drama about a mentally disabled man (Cuba Gooding Jr.) who is recruited by a high school football coach (Ed Harris) to help with the team. Running time: 106 minutes. PG (violence, profanity). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Oct. 24, 2002)
RUNAWAY JURY — ** 1/2 — The all-star cast — led by John Cusack, Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman — makes watchable this somewhat contrived potboiler, based on the John Grisham best-seller. Running time: 125 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief sex, brief drugs). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17.) (Oct. 17, 2003)
SCARY MOVIE 3 — * 1/2 — Few of the spoofs are funny in this third effort in the continuing horror-movie parody series, which sends up "Signs," "The Ring" and other recent hits. Running time: 85 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, slapstick violence, profanity, drugs, sex). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Oct. 24, 2002)
THE SCHOOL OF ROCK — *** 1/2 — Jack Black is hilarious in this surprisingly funny and warm comedy about about a failed rock musician who influences the musically talented students of a prep school. Running time: 108 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs, slapstick violence). (Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17.) (Oct. 3, 2003)
SEABISCUIT — *** 1/2 — Now here's something that's really worth cheering for. Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper all shine in this wonderfully low-key drama, based on the best-selling non-fiction novel about the famous race horse, as well as its owners and jockey. Running time: 141 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House.) (July 25, 2003)
THE SECRET LIVES OF DENTISTS — *** — At times it's as much fun as a real trip to the dentist's office, but this drama features superb performances by Campbell Scott and Hope Davis as married tooth-pullers whose suspicions of infidelity get the best of them. Running time: 104 minutes. R (profanity, sex, brief drugs, violence, vulgarity, brief gore). (Broadway.) (Sept. 5, 2003)
SPY KIDS 3-D: GAME OVER — ** 1/2 — The third film in the series overuses its 3-D gimmick. Still, Sylvester Stallone does seem to be having fun as the villainous Toymaker, who menaces the title characters. Running time: 87 minutes. PG (violence). (Kaysville, Trolley Corners.) (July 25, 2003)
THE STATION AGENT — *** 1/2 — Writer-director Tom McCarthy's low-key comedy-drama, about a dwarf (Peter Dinklage) who inherits an abandoned train depot in a small New Jersey town, features terrific performances, especially from Dinklage and co-stars Patricia Clarkson and Bobby Cannavale. Running time: 88 minutes. R (profanity, drug use, vulgarity, violence). (Broadway.) (Nov. 7, 2003)
STEP INTO LIQUID — *** 1/2 — Dana Brown's feature-length documentary (a follow-up to his father's "Endless Summer" surfing films) is enthralling and well-shot, and may make a few people in the audience want to try the sport. Included are interviews with board athletes Taj Burrow, Dave Kalama, etc. Running time: 88 minutes. Not rated, probable PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (Sept. 26. 2003)
S.W.A.T. — *** — Better than it has a right to be, this crime thriller based on the '70s television series is surprisingly exciting. Colin Farrell and Samuel L. Jackson star. Running time: 117 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, vulgarity). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 8, 2003)
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE — * 1/2 — Considerably less scary than the original, this remake of the 1974 cult film simply ups the gore and consigns chainsaw-wielding killer Leatherface to a minor role. In color and in black and white. Running time: 98 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, drug use, vulgarity, brief sex). (Jordan Landing.) (Oct. 17, 2003)
TUPAC RESURRECTION — ** 1/2 — Newcomers may marvel, but after you get past the device of the late Tupac Shakur as its narrator, this documentary about the slain rapper provides little substantial new material. Running time: 90 minutes. R (profanity, violence, drugs, sex, vulgarity, racial epithets). (Century.) (Nov. 14, 2003) — Jesse Washington, Associated Press
UNDERWORLD — ** — This style-heavy horror-thriller wastes an intriguing premise. And stars Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman give bland performances as lovers stuck in the middle of a war between vampires and werewolves. Running time: 121 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, drugs, vulgarity, torture). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.)
UPTOWN GIRLS — * 1/2 — Brittany Murphy is irritating in this supposed comedy about a New York socialite who becomes a nanny to a spoiled rich brat (Dakota Fanning). Lazy, unfunny it feels too long. Running time: 89 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, mild profanity, slapstick violence, brief drugs). (Showcase.) (Aug. 15, 2003)