NEW FILMS FRIDAY
ASSASSINATION TANGO — Veteran character actor Robert Duvall's sophomore directorial effort — in which he also stars — is a dramatic thriller about a hitman who becomes obsessed with a dancer while on assignment in Argentina. R (violence, profanity, sex). (Tower.)
BRUCE ALMIGHTY — Jim Carrey and his "Liar, Liar" director Tom Shadyac re-team for this irreverent comedy about a man given omnipotence to teach him a lesson about humility. Jennifer Aniston and Morgan Freeman co-star. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, brief sex, brief drugs). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Old School"; Ritz.)
THE DANCER UPSTAIRS — John Malkovich makes his directorial debut with this dramatic thriller about a detective (Javier Bardem) investigating a possible revolution in a Latin American country. A selection of the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. In English, Spanish and Quechuan, with English subtitles. R (violence, gore, profanity, brief nudity, vulgarity, brief drugs). (Broadway.)
THE IN-LAWS — Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks play the roles originated by Peter Falk and Alan Arkin for this remake of the 1979 caper comedy. Candice Bergen and Robin Tunney co-star. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity, brief drugs). (Carmike 12; Century; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "The Matrix Revolutions"; Ritz; Trolley Corners.)
SNEAK PREVIEWS
THE ITALIAN JOB — This remake of the 1969 European hit, a caper thriller about crooks who start a traffic jam to pull off a heist, features an all-star cast (including Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton and Charlize Theron). To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG-13 (violence, profanity). (Saturday: Century, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing.)
MIDNIGHT MOVIE
WHAT ABOUT BOB? — *** — Bill Murray is a hoot as the title character of this 1991 comedy, a neurotic mess of a man who intrudes on the vacation plans of his unfortunate therapist (Richard Dreyfuss). A lot of laugh-out-loud moments, and Murray's character is one of his most endearing. PG (profanity, vulgarity, slapstick violence). (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. Skydiver 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). (Jordan Commons.) (April 22, 2003) — Ivan M. Lincoln
BEAVERS — One of the earliest large-screen documentaries to be produced, this 1988 film observes several beaver families in their own surroundings — including a look at the dam-building process. Shown in the large-screen format. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). (Clark Planetarium IMAX Theater.)
HANSEL MIETH: VAGABOND PHOTOGRAPHER — The Utah Film and Video Center presents a special screening of Nancy Shiesari's documentary on Mieth, whose haunting photos for such publications as Life magazine helped shape our impressions of the Depression era. This program is not rated but may contain some PG-rated material. (Salt Lake Art Center, tonight, 8 p.m.)
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
AGENT CODY BANKS — ** — Already done better in the "Spy Kids" movies, this so-so action-comedy stars Frankie Muniz as a teenager trained to be a secret agent. Running time: 110 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (March 14, 2003)
AMANDLA! A REVOLUTION IN FOUR PART HARMONY — *** — Though it does get bogged down in its history "lessons," this documentary still does an effective job of showing the influence of music in South Africa's civil-rights movement. In color and in black and white; in English and Zulu, with English subtitles. Running time: 101 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, racial epithets). (Broadway.) (May 16, 2003)
ANGER MANAGEMENT — ** — The much-anticipated teaming of Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson is a big disappointment. Sandler's a bland straight man, playing a mild-mannered guy who is forced to take anger-management classes. Running time: 101 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, brief partial nudity). (Carmike 12; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Basic"; Ritz.) (April 11, 2003)
BASIC — ** — The plot doesn't make a lick of sense, so this re-teaming of "Pulp Fiction" stars John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson winds up being more funny than it is thrilling. Running time: 93 minutes. R (profanity, violence, drugs, vulgarity, brief gore, racial epithets). (Redwood, with "Anger Management.") (March 28, 2003)
BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM — *** — More cute than it is funny, this still-winning British comedy follows two teens (charming newcomers Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley) whose mothers are horrified when they join a soccer team. The message about tolerance is a welcome one as well. Running time: 112 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, brief sex, violence, ethnic slurs). (Broadway.) (April 11, 2003)
BOAT TRIP — * — Can we revoke Cuba Gooding Jr.'s Oscar? Please? His latest, most insufferable, comedy stars Gooding and Horatio Sanz as pals who accidentally sign up for a gay cruise. Running time: 93 minutes. R (vulgarity, sex, profanity, partial nudity, drugs). (Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (March 21, 2003) — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE — * 1/2 — Steve Martin stars as a man who discovers his Internet romance has been with a convict (Queen Latifah)
Shockingly, racially insensitive and unfunny. Running time: 105 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, drug use, racial epithets, brief sex). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (March 7, 2003)
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN — *** 1/2 — Steven Spielberg's latest is also his lightest, most enjoyable movie in many years, a cheeky comedic-thriller about the most successful conman in U.S. history (a never-better Leonardo DiCaprio). Running time: 140 minutes. PG-13 (brief sex, vulgarity, profanity, violence). (Sugar House.) (Dec. 25, 2002)
CHICAGO — *** — Renee Zellweger's the one false note in this big-screen musical about celebrity-crazed murderesses. Her co-stars Catherine Zeta-Jones (an Oscar winner) and Richard Gere make up for it, though. Winner of six Academy Awards. Running time: 108 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, brief sex, ethnic slurs). (Kaysville, Trolley Corners.) (Jan. 3, 2003)
CITY OF GOD — **** — A blistering, enthralling look at the escalating violence in Brazil, as seen through the eyes of an aspiring news photographer. A must-see for those who can stomach its rather graphic violence. In Portuguese, with English subtitles. Running time: 130 minutes. R (violence, profanity, drug use, vulgarity, gore, rape, brief nudity, brief sex, racial epithets). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (March 14, 2003)
CONFIDENCE — *** — This caper thriller is a little too tricky, but the cast is very good, especially Edward Burns, who stars as a cocky con man who runs afoul of a sleazy mobster (Dustin Hoffman). Running time: 98 minutes. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, sex, nudity, gore, ethnic slurs). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (April 25, 2003)
DADDY DAY CARE — * 1/2 — Eddie Murphy practically phones in his performance in this lame comedy about a man who, when he is laid off, starts his own day-care center — with predictable results. Running time: 93 minutes. PG (vulgarity, slapstick violence, profanity). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "What a Girl Wants"; Ritz.) (May 9, 2003)
DAREDEVIL — ** 1/2 — Ben Affleck is bland as the comic-book character, a blind attorney by day and a crime-fighting vigilante by night. Jennifer Garner steals the show. Running time: 105 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, profanity, sex, brief drugs, vulgarity, racial epithets). (Redwood, with "X2"; Sandy.) (Feb. 14, 2003)
DOWN WITH LOVE — *** — Though at times it's a bit naughty, this send-up of the glossy romantic comedies of the '60s is a lot of fun. Ewan McGregor stars as a playboy who tries to romance an author (Renee Zellweger) in order to discredit her best-seller. Running time: 94 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, mild profanity, brief violence, brief drugs, nude artwork). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz.) (May 16, 2003)
DREAMCATCHER — ** — Director Lawrence Kasdan tries to make sense of Stephen King messy best-seller, about an alien invasion that begins in the midst of a blizzard. But it all goes awry in the gory second half. Running time: 135 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, partial nudity). (Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (March 21, 2003)
THE GOOD THIEF — *** — A suave and playful remake of the 1955 French thriller "Bob le Flambeur," starring Nick Nolte as a heroin-addicted thief who must kick the habit if he's going to pull off one last heist. Running time: 108 minutes. R (sex, nudity, violence, drugs). (Broadway.) (April 25, 2003) — Christopher Kelly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
HOLES — *** — This off-beat adventure/mystery, based on the best-selling young-adult novel, has a pleasant "Goonies"-like vibe to it. And such name actors as Sigourney Weaver and Jon Voight have fun in showy supporting roles. Running time: 111 minutes. PG (vulgarity, violence, mild profanity). (Carmike 12, Century, 5-Star, Gateway, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Ritz.) (April 18, 2003)
HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS — ** — Stars Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey have no chemistry, which dooms this dull comedy about the romance between a writer and an ad man. Running time: 116 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, brief sex, violence). (Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Feb. 7, 2003)
IDENTITY — ** — The unbelievably stupid ending is just one of several problems with this thriller that recalls "10 Little Indians." Shrill, ludicrous and not very suspenseful. Running time: 87 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, brief drugs). (Century; Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Phone Booth"; Trolley Corners.) (April 25, 2003)
KANGAROO JACK — * 1/2 — Real-life pals Jerry O'Connell and Anthony Anderson may be having fun with the dumb comedy, about two friends who have to track down a kangaroo with their loot. But few others will. Running time: 95 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, profanity, brief drugs). (Sandy, Valley Fair.) (Jan. 17, 2003)
THE LIZZIE MCGUIRE MOVIE — * 1/2 — The popular Disney Channel television series spawns a really bad feature film, an unfunny comedy about the title character (Hilary Duff) having a chance to become a European singing star. Running time: 90 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, mild profanity). (Carmike 12, Jordan Commons, Jordan Landing, Ritz.) (May 2, 2003)
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS — **** — The second of director Peter Jackson's ambitious J.R.R. Tolkein adaptations is a constantly enthralling, but decidedly much darker adventure, as the Fellowship of the Ring is scattered and is facing several different threats. The cast is exceptional. Running time: 179 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, mild vulgarity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Kaysville; Sandy; Showcase; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (Dec. 18, 2002)
THE MATRIX RELOADED — *** — This sequel to the 1999 smash sci-fi is much like its predecessor: The action scenes are terrific, but the plot is nonsensical mumbo-jumbo. Still, it's a thrill ride. Running time: 138 minutes. R (violence, profanity, sex, vulgarity, brief gore, brief partial nudity, brief drugs). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "The In-Laws"; Ritz.) (May 15, 2003)
A MIGHTY WIND — *** — Writer-director Christopher Guest returns with this gentle send-up of folk music, which not only features funny performances by Guest regulars Fred Willard and Eugene Levy, it also features some surprisingly listenable, original songs. Running time: 92 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, sex, profanity). (Broadway, Century.) (May 9, 2003)
OLD SCHOOL — ** — Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn manage a few laughs as thirtysomethings starting their own "fraternity." But it's little more than "Animal House Revisited." Running time: 91 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, nudity, violence, drugs, brief sex, racial epithets). (Redwood, with "Bruce Almighty"; Sandy; Sugar House.) (Feb. 21, 2003)
PHONE BOOTH — *** — Colin Farrell is terrific in this surprisingly tense thriller about a philandering publicist who finds himself pinned down in a telephone booth by a sniper (Kiefer Sutherland). Running time: 80 minutes. R (profanity, violence, gore, vulgarity, racial epithets). (Redwood, with "Identity"; Showcase.) (April 4, 2003)
PIGLET'S BIG MOVIE — ** 1/2 — More worthwhile for its message than anything else, this latest Disney animated features again follows author A.A. Milne's tiny title character, who this time finds himself thrust into the role of hero. Running time: 75 minutes. G (animated violence). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (March 21, 2003)
THE RECRUIT — ** — Al Pacino's hammy performance sinks this thriller about a man (Colin Farrell) who joins the CIA and comes to regret it. Running time: 115 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, torture, vulgarity, brief sex, brief gore). (Sandy, Sugar House.) (Jan. 31, 2003)
SHANGHAI KNIGHTS — *** — This action-comedy sequel works because of the chemistry between stars Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson. Turn your brain off and have fun with this one. Running time: 107 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, sex). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (Feb. 7, 2003)
THE SHAPE OF THINGS — *** — Writer-director Neil LaBute again looks at sexual politics and power with this lacerating adaptation of his stage play, a well-acted dark comedy about a woman (Rachel Weisz) who tries to give her nerdy boyfriend (Paul Rudd) a complete makeover. Running time: 97 minutes. R (vulgarity, profanity, sex, brief drug use, brief violence, nude artwork). (Broadway.) (May 16, 2003)
TEARS OF THE SUN — ** — Bruce Willis pulls a John Wayne routine with this cornball action-thriller about Navy SEALS trying to rescue a U.S. physician (Monica Bellucci). Running time: 118 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, rape, brief drugs, brief nudity, brief torture). (Sugar House.) (March 7, 2003)
WHAT A GIRL WANTS — ** — This lame rehashing of "The Parent Trap" and "The Princess Diaries" stars Amanda Bynes as an American who visits her biological father (Colin Firth) in England. Running time: 104 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, mild profanity, vulgarity). (Redwood, with "Daddy Day Care"; Sandy; Showcase; Sugar House; Trolley Corners; Valley Fair.) (April 4, 2003)
X2 — **** — This exciting, enthralling sequel to the 2000 hit "X-Men," in which the mutant heroes and villains join forces, is superior in every way to its predecessor. And the cast is terrific (especially Hugh Jackman and Ian McKellen). Running time: 134 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs, brief gore, brief partial nudity). (Carmike 12; Century, 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Commons; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Redwood, with "Daredevil"; Ritz.) (May 2, 2003)