NEW FILMS FRIDAY
DON'T TEMPT ME — Penelope Cruz and Victoria Abril star in this dark comedy as a demon and angel, respectively, competing for the soul of a boxer. With English subtitles. R (profanity, violence, sex, vulgarity, brief gore, racial epithets). (Broadway.)
IN JULY — This German romantic comedy follows a teaching student who finds love when he stays home during his summer break. With English subtitles. Not rated, probable R (profanity, drugs, violence, brief sex). (Madstone.)
LOVE DON'T CO$T A THING — This urbanized remake of 1987's "Can't Buy Me Love" stars Nick Cannon as a high school loser who pays a cheerleader to pose as his girlfriend. PG-13 (vulgarity, sex). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 17, Ritz.)
SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE — Diane Keaton stars in this romantic comedy as a woman with two suitors — her daughter's much older boyfriend (Jack Nicholson) and his doctor (Keanu Reeves). PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, sex, brief nudity). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.)
STUCK ON YOU — The newest Farrelly brothers comedy stars Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear as conjoined twins who begin feuding when one of them wants to become an actor. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, slapstick violence, brief sex). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.)
NEW FILMS WEDNESDAY
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING — The finale to director Peter Jackson's J.R.R. Tolkein adaptations finds Frodo (Elijah Wood) and the rest of the Fellowship of the Ring locked in mortal battle, defending Middle Earth from the forces of Sauron. To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG-13 (violence, gore).
RE-RELEASES
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS — **** — New Line Cinema is re-releasing the second of director Peter Jackson's ambitious Tolkein adaptations with more than 30 minutes of additional footage. Running time: 222 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, mild vulgarity). (Megaplex 17.) (Dec. 18, 2002)
MIDNIGHT MOVIE
HEAVENLY CREATURES — *** — Director Peter Jackson's 1994 bizarre, chilling fantasy-thriller, based on Anne Perry's memoirs, features terrific performances by stars Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey. Running time: 99 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, brief sex, brief nudity). (Tower, tonight and Saturday.)
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 as sky-diver Adrian Nicholas puts to a real-life test Leonardo da Vinci's 500-year-old sketch for a parachute. 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 is packed with plenty of landbound and underwater activity. 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 gimmicky 3-D format both helps and hurts this British-made documentary, which looks at the life cycles of butterflies and praying mantises. Large-screen format. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (violence). (Clark Planetarium IMAX Theater.) (Aug. 1, 2003)
DOLPHINS — *** — A 44-minute underwater dream, suffused with sunlight, and, despite the presence of Sting (the soundtrack's composer) and Pierce Brosnan (the narrator), the dolphins are the stars. Large-screen format. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). (Megaplex 17.) (Nov. 24, 2000) — Diane Urbani
THE RACKETEERS — The Utah Film & Video Center presents a special screening of this locally made drama about the title characters, childhood friends who become entrepreneurs. This program is not rated but may contain some PG-rated material. (Salt Lake Art Center, tonight, 8 p.m.)
SANTA VS. THE SNOWMAN 3-D — ** 1/2 — This 35-minute digitally animated IMAX comedy is basically a larger-than-life Christmas card, with spectacular 3-D effects added to an expanded version of a 1997 TV short, with Jonathan Winters as the voice of Santa Claus. 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. 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
BAD SANTA — *** — This dark comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton as the larcenous title character is also very funny — if you can stand the assault on your sensibilities. Running time: 93 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, violence, sex, nude artwork). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Landing, Madstone, Ritz.) (Nov. 26, 2003)
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. Running time: 119 minutes. PG-13 (violence, brief gore). (Kaysville.) (Sept. 12, 2003)
BROTHER BEAR — ** 1/2 — This touchy-feely, lackluster Disney animated feature has 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, Gateway, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Oct. 31, 2003)
DR. SEUSS' THE CAT IN THE HAT — * — Surprisingly crude and witless, this live-action comedy (based on the beloved children's book) features a never-more-one-note Mike Myers as the title character. Ugh! Running time: 82 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, mild profanity). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Gateway, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Nov. 21, 2003)
DUPLEX — ** — Director Danny DeVito's mean-spirited dark comedy wastes the talents of Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore, who play a couple trying to bump off their elderly tenant. Running time: 89 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, slapstick violence, profanity, brief sex). (Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 26. 2003)
ELEPHANT — *** — Director Gus Van Sant's effective, fictional exploration of school violence starts slow but builds up the tension to almost unbearable levels. Running time: 82 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, brief drug use, brief nudity, brief sex). (Tower.) (Dec. 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. Running time: 95 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Nov. 7, 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). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Aug. 6, 2003)
GOOD BOY! — * 1/2 — The dogs are cute but this live-action comedy about talking, extraterrestrial pooches is too lowbrow. Matthew Broderick (who provides a canine voice) sounds embarrassed. Running time: 88 minutes. PG (vulgarity, violence, brief drugs). (Valley Fair.) (Oct. 10, 2003)
GOTHIKA — ** 1/2 — Brooding atmosphere and silly revelation pretty much sums up this supernatural thriller (starring Halle Berry), which desperately searches for a third act and comes up empty. Running time: 98 minutes. R (violence, profanity, nudity). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17.) (Nov. 21, 2003) — David Germain, Associated Press
THE HAUNTED MANSION — ** — The production design is the star of this lifeless live-action comedy, based on the Disneyland attraction. Star Eddie Murphy is simply collecting a paycheck. Running time: 98 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Nov. 26, 2003)
HONEY — * — Jessica Alba tries to smile her way through this laughably awful drama about a dance teacher torn between success and her conscience. Running time: 95 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence, brief drugs). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Dec. 5, 2003)
THE HUMAN STAIN — ** — Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman are woefully miscast in this literate but disappointing adaptation of the best-seller about a widowed, then fired classics professor with secrets. Running time: 114 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, violence, nudity, sex, racial epithets). (Madstone.) (Nov. 21, 2003)
INTOLERABLE CRUELTY — *** — Not the best Coen brothers work, but still it affords plenty of comic opportunities for star George Clooney, as a divorce attorney who falls for a client's wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Running time: 98 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence, brief sex). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House, Trolley Corners, Valley Fair.) (Oct. 10, 2003)
KILL BILL, VOL. 1 — *** 1/2 — Quentin Tarantino's action-thriller about a revenge-minded assassin may be the most violent film ever released, but for those who can stomach the ultra-violence, it's exhilarating. Running time: 112 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs, torture, rape, racial epithets, brief nudity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (Oct. 10, 2003)
THE LAST SAMURAI — ** 1/2 — Tom Cruise looks too modern in this period drama, which is essentially "Dances With Dragons," albeit with spectacular costuming and photography. Running time: 145 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, racial epithets, nude artwork). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Dec. 5, 2003)
LOST IN TRANSLATION — *** 1/2 — Director Sofia Coppola's impressive sophomore effort 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 — Too many characters and too many subplots (including one set in the porn industry) bog down this funny romantic comedy with an all-star cast (Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, etc.). Running time: 130 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, nudity, sex). (Century, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17.) (Nov. 7, 2003)
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD — *** 1/2 — Better and brainier than "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. Running time: 138 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, profanity). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, 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). (Sugar House.) (Sept. 12, 2003)
THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS — ** — The science-fiction series comes to a thudding conclusion with this effects-heavy but leaden thriller. Keanu Reeves stars. Running time: 129 minutes. R (violence, profanity, brief sex). (Jordan Landing.) (Nov. 5, 2003)
THE MISSING — ** 1/2 — Ron Howard's R-rated Western wants to be "The Searchers," but it's nasty stuff, and only stars Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett, playing an estranged father and daughter, make it watchable. Running time: 130 minutes. R (violence, gore, brief drugs, profanity, vulgarity, brief partial nudity). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Nov. 26, 2003)
MYSTIC RIVER — ** 1/2 — Clint Eastwood's disappointing, emotionally aloof adaptation of the best-seller tries to cram in too much of the source material, although star Sean Penn is terrific as a grieving father. Running time: 137 minutes. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, brief gore, brief sex). (Broadway.) (Oct. 10, 2003)
ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO — ** 1/2 — It doesn't make a lick of sense, but Johnny Depp provides some goofy fun as a CIA agent stirring up trouble for Antonio Banderas' mariachi character. Running time: 100 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 12, 2003)
PARTY MONSTER — * 1/2 — Macaulay Culkin's unsuccessful and nearly unwatchable comeback attempt finds him starring as infamous "club kid" Michael Alig. Running time: 98 minutes. R (drug use, profanity, violence, vulgarity, brief gore). (Madstone.) (Dec. 5, 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. Fun stuff. Running time: 138 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, mild profanity, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair. ) (July 9, 2003)
PRIDE & PREJUDICE — ** 1/2 — This LDS-specific version of Jane Austen's tale is cuter than it is funny. Better than most locally made comedies, though. Running time: 103 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, mild vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17.) (Dec. 5, 2003)
RADIO — * 1/2 — Cuba Gooding Jr. mugs shamelessly in this sappy, fact-based drama about a mentally disabled man (Gooding) recruited by a high school football coach (Ed Harris) to help with the team. Running time: 106 minutes. PG (violence, profanity). (Jordan Landing.) (Oct. 24, 2002)
RUNAWAY JURY — ** 1/2 — The all-star cast — led by John Cusack, Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman — is watchable. But this potboiler, based on John Grisham's best-seller, is contrived. Running time: 125 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief sex, brief drugs). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House, Trolley Corners.) (Oct. 17, 2003)
THE RUNDOWN — ** 1/2 — Dwayne Johnson basically plays his WWE wrestler character (The Rock) in this overly busy action-comedy. But he gets surprising mileage out of it, and the references to other adventure films are fun. Running time: 104 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, drugs, racial epithets). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Trolley Corners, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 26. 2003)
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). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Showcase.) (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. Running time: 141 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House.) (July 25, 2003)
SECONDHAND LIONS — ** 1/2 — Haley Joel Osment takes a back seat to co-stars Robert Duvall and Michael Caine in this familiar, but appealing, coming-of-age tale. Running time: 105 minutes. PG (violence, mild profanity, vulgarity). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Sept. 19. 2003)
THE SECRET LIVES OF DENTISTS — *** — At times it's as much fun as a 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)
SHATTERED GLASS — *** — This fictionalized drama about Stephen Glass, the New Republic reporter caught fabricating stories, is a bit hypocritical, but the performances are good (particularly Peter Sarsgaard and Steve Zahn). Running time: 93 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, brief drug use). (Broadway.) (Nov. 21, 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. Running time: 87 minutes. PG (violence). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (July 25, 2003)
THE STATION AGENT — *** 1/2 — Filmmaker Tom McCarthy's low-key comedy-drama, about a dwarf (Peter Dinklage) who inherits an abandoned train depot, 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)
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). (Sugar House.) (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.. Running time: 98 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, drug use, vulgarity, brief sex). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Oct. 17, 2003)
TIMELINE — * 1/2 — This preposterous, unintentionally hilarious science-fiction adventure stars Paul Walker as a man who journeys back to 14th-century France to rescue his father. Running time: 114 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (Nov. 26, 2003)