NEW FILMS FRIDAY
CAPTURING THE FRIEDMANS — Winner of a Grand Jury Prize from this year's Sundance Film Festival, this documentary looks at Arnold and Jesse Friedman, two New York men accused of child sexual abuse. Not rated, probable R (profanity, vulgarity, nude artwork). (Madstone.)
DIVINE INTERVENTION — Outspoken Israeli filmmaker Elia Suleiman wrote, directed and stars in this odd comic tale, which takes a rather skewed look at life in war-torn Palestine. In English, Arabic and Hebrew, with English subtitles. Not rated, probable R (violence, profanity, vulgarity, ethnic slurs). (Broadway.)
FREDDY VS. JASON — After it was teased about a decade ago, this horror movie pits movie monsters Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) and Jason Voorhees against each other. R (violence, gore, profanity, drugs, nudity, sex, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Megaplex 17; Redwood, with "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines"; Ritz.)
GRIND — The title of this action-comedy refers to skateboarding, as four would-be, extreme-sports stars attempt to follow in the footsteps of their idols. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, brief sex, violence). (Carmike 12; Century; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 17; Redwood, with "Lara Croft, Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life"; Ritz; Trolley Corners.)
I CAPTURE THE CASTLE — Based on the novel by writer Dodie Smith, this British-made comedy-drama follows the members of a quirky family living in a dilapidated castle. Newcomer Romola Garai, Rose Byrne and Henry Thomas star. R (nudity, brief sex, violence). (Madstone.)
OPEN RANGE — Kevin Costner returns to directing with this Western, in which he also stars as a cowboy taking revenge on those who killed his friend. Robert Duvall and Annette Bening co-star. R (violence, profanity, brief gore, brief drugs, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Megaplex 17; Redwood, with "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"; Ritz.)
RIVERS AND TIDES — Director Thomas Reidelscheimer's feature-length documentary takes a look at Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy, best known for his works that incorporate natural materials that mimic the "flow" of nature. Not rated, probable PG (profanity). (Broadway.)
RUSSIAN ARK — Shot in one continuous take, director Aleksandr Sokurov's odd fantasy tours St. Petersburg's Hermitage Museum, from the perspective of 19th-century French aristocrat and an unseen narrator "unstuck" in time. In Russian and French, with English subtitles. Not rated, probable PG (violence, mild profanity, vulgarity). (Madstone.)
UPTOWN GIRLS — Brittany Murphy stars in this comedy as a New York socialite who is cut off from her inheritance and who winds up becoming a nanny to a spoiled rich brat (Dakota Fanning). PG-13 (vulgarity, mild profanity, slapstick violence, brief drugs). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.)
MIDNIGHT MOVIE
OFFICE SPACE — *** — "King of the Hill" co-creator Mike Judge made his live-action directorial debut with this comedy about everyday hassles in the workplace. It may be crude but it's also very truthful and extremely funny at times. Gary Cole is pitch-perfect as the annoying boss. Running time: 90 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, violence, sex, racial epithets). (Tower, tonight and Saturday.) (Feb. 19, 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. 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). (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)
LA CERCLE ROUGE — *** — Re-release of director Jean-Pierre Melville's 1970 crime thriller about a thief, a convicted murderer and a sharpshooter who team up for a heist. Stars Alain Delon and Yves Montand are terrific, though the pacing's a bit off. In French, with English subtitles. Not rated, probable R (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Madstone.)
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
ALEX & EMMA — * — Rob Reiner's latest is a painfully unfunny romantic comedy about a deep-in-debt author (Luke Wilson), and a stenographer (Kate Hudson), who fall for each other while collaborating on a novel. Running time: 96 minutes. PG-13 (sex, vulgarity, violence, profanity). (Kaysville, Showcase.) (June 20, 2003)
AMERICAN WEDDING — ** 1/2 — The third "American Pie" movie is sour and nearly offensive, yet the central story line — about the marriage of Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) — is surprisingly sweet. Running time: 96 minutes. R (vulgarity, profanity, nudity, sex, slapstick violence). (Carmike 12; Century; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Megaplex 17; Redwood, with "Johnny English"; Ritz.) (Aug. 1, 2003)
ANGER MANAGEMENT — ** — The 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). (Sandy, Sugar House.) (April 11, 2003)
BAD BOYS II — turkey — Bad is right! This sequel is sickeningly violent and grotesquely cartoonish. And Will Smith and Martin Lawrence make one of the least likable screen teams ever. Running time: 150 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, drugs). (Jordan Landing; Megaplex 17; Redwood, with "S.W.A.T."; Ritz.) (July 18, 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). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (April 11, 2003)
BRUCE ALMIGHTY — ** 1/2 — Jim Carrey mines a few guilty laughs from this sloppy, irreverent comedy — a virtual retread of "Oh, God!" in which a man is given omnipotence to teach him a lesson about humility. Running time: 100 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, brief sex, brief drugs). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older.) (May 23, 2003)
CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE — ** — Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu return for this meaner, not-as-fun sequel to the tongue-in-cheek 2001 hit. This time they have to face-off against a former "angel" gone bad (Demi Moore). Running time: 105 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity, bikini babes). (Jordan Landing, Ritz.) (June 27, 2003)
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). (Sugar House.) (Jan. 3, 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). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (May 9, 2003)
DOWN WITH LOVE — *** — Though at times it's a bit naughty, this send-up of the glossy romantic comedies of the '60s is 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). (Sandy.) (May 16, 2003)
DUMB AND DUMBERER: WHEN HARRY MET LLOYD — * — This prequel to "Dumb and Dumber," about the young Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, makes the first film look like high art. Running time: 81 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, slapstick violence, sex). (Valley Fair.) (June 13, 2003)
FINDING NEMO — *** 1/2 — The Pixar folks have scored another hit with this clever, computer-animated, comedy-adventure about a clown fish searching for his lost son. The the voice cast is great (especially Ellen DeGeneres). Running time: 104 minutes. G (animated violence, mild vulgarity). (Carmike 12, Century, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 17, Trolley Corners.) (May 30, 2003)
FREAKY FRIDAY — *** — Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are terrific as a squabbling mother and daughter who switch bodies is this surprisingly charming remake of the 1977 Disney hit. Running time: 97 minutes. PG (vulgarity, slapstick violence, mild profanity). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Megaplex 17; Redwood, with "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"; Ritz.) (Aug. 6, 2003)
HEROD'S LAW — ** 1/2 — This pitch-black parable of governmental corruption takes a broad, shotgun approach to its satiric targets. The resulting insights aren't so much scattershot as they are examples of overkill. In Spanish, with English subtitles. Running time: 123 minutes. Not rated, probable R (violence, nudity, sex, language). (Tu Cine.) (July 25, 2003)— Bob Strauss, Los Angeles Daily News
HOLES — *** — This off-beat adventure/mystery, based on the young-adult novel, has a pleasant "Goonies"-like vibe to it. And Sigourney Weaver and Jon Voight have fun in showy supporting roles. Running time: 111 minutes. PG (vulgarity, violence, mild profanity). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (April 18, 2003)
HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE — ** — The first 90 minutes of this lame comic thriller starring Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett is a set-up for a 20-minute car chase at the end. Running time: 111 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief sex, gore, vulgarity, brief drugs, racial epithets, nude artwork). (Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (June 13, 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). (Sugar House.) (April 25, 2003)
THE ITALIAN JOB — ** 1/2 — The final third is an extended car commercial, but this remake of the 1969 European hit does feature some exciting vehicular action. Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton and Charlize Theron star. Running time: 104 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Jordan Landing, Megaplex 17.) (May 30, 2003)
JOHNNY ENGLISH — ** — Rowan Atkinson is annoying as the bumbling title character of this spy spoof. There are a couple of guilty laughs. But many more dead spots. Running time: 87 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, profanity, brief partial nudity, brief drugs). (Redwood, with "American Wedding.") (July 18, 2003)
LARA CROFT, TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE — ** — The second "Tomb Raider" movie is an improvement on the first one. But it still feels too much like a filmed videogame, and Angelina Jolie (who reprises her role as the title character) seems a bit bored. Running time: 107 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Megaplex 17; Redwood, with "Grind"; Ritz; Tu Cine.) (July 25, 2003)
THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN — ** — Sean Connery stars in this dumbed-down version of the comic book in which literary characters team up to stop a worldwide threat. Not nearly thrilling or smart enough. Running time: 110 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, vulgarity, mild profanity). (Carmike 12; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 17; Redwood, with "Open Range"; Trolley Corners.) (Aug. 11. 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). (Kaysville, Sandy, Showcase, Valley Fair.) (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). (Sugar House.) (Dec. 18, 2002)
A MIGHTY WIND — *** — Writer-director Christopher Guest returns with this gentle send-up of folk music, which not only features funny performances but some surprisingly listenable, original songs. Running time: 92 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, sex, profanity). (Brewvies, must be 21 or older; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (May 9, 2003)
OWNING MAHOWNY — ** — Another terrific Philip Seymour Hoffman performance goes to waste in muddled dramatic thriller about a bank manager who embezzles money to pay off his gambling debts. Minnie Driver is awful as his love interest. Running time: 107 minutes. R (profanity, brief nudity, brief sex, vulgarity). (Broadway.) (Aug. 8, 2003)
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL — *** — Johnny Depp's a hoot as a besotted pirate captain in this swashbuckling adventure based on the popular Disneyland attraction. One of the few movies this summer that's actually fun. Running time: 138 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, mild profanity, vulgarity). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Megaplex 17; Redwood, with "Freaky Friday"; Ritz.) (July 9, 2003)
THE R.M. — ** — A definite improvement on "The Singles Ward," though this LDS-specific comedy about the title character (Kirby Heyborne) serious bogs down in the second half. Running time: 102 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity). (Sandy, Showcase.) (Jan. 31, 2003)
RUGRATS GO WILD — *** — Though it starts slow, this pairing of characters from the popular Nickelodeon cartoon series "Rugrats" and "The Wild Thornberrys" is pretty fun stuff. Running time: 81 minutes. PG (mild vulgarity, animated violence). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (June 13, 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). (Century, Gateway, Holladay, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz.) (July 25, 2003)
SPELLBOUND — *** 1/2 — As enthralling and as riveting as a particular heated sports competition, director Jeffrey Blitz's Oscar-nominated documentary follows eight of the more than 250 contestants in the 1999 Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee competition. Included are interviews with the young contestants, as well as previous winners. Running time: 95 minutes. G (mild profanity). (Broadway.) (July 18, 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). (Carmike 12, Century, Gateway, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17, Ritz, Tu Cine.) (July 25, 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). (Carmike 12; Century; 5-Star; Gateway; Holladay; Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12; Megaplex 17; Redwood, with "Bad Boys II"; Ritz; Tu Cine.) (Aug. 8, 2003)
TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES — ** 1/2 — Arnold Schwarzenegger looks old as the nearly indestructible cyborg, who again treks to the past to save mankind from the robotic threat. But there's still life in the character and this franchise. Running time: 109 minutes. R (violence, profanity, brief nudity). (Jordan Landing; Redwood, with "Freddy vs. Jason.") (July 2, 2003)
28 DAYS LATER . . . — *** 1/2 — Creepier than any other movie in recent memory, this clever sci-fi/horror film from Danny Boyle examines what happens when a virus turns the population of London into murderous, bloodthirsty zombies. Running time: 108 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, drug use, brief nudity, vulgarity). (Jordan Landing, Trolley Corners.) (June 27, 2003)
2 FAST 2 FURIOUS — ** — In this even-sillier sequel to the 2001 hit "The Fast and the Furious," street-racer Paul Walker take down a Miami crime lord. Co-star Tyrese is good, but the plot's howlingly bad. Running time: 109 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, torture, bikini babes). (Kaysville, Sandy, Sugar House, Valley Fair.) (June 6, 2003)
WHALE RIDER — *** 1/2 — Newcomer Keisha Castle-Hughes impresses as the title character of this New Zealand drama, which explores the relationship between a girl and her tradition-minded grandfather. Sweet without becoming treacly, and it's refreshing to get a glimpse into the Maori culture. Running time: 105 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, brief violence, brief drugs). (Broadway, Century, Jordan Landing.) (June 27, 2003)
WINGED MIGRATION — **** — This breath-taking documentary feature — from some of the same people who made 1996's "MicroCosmos" — tracks several flocks of migratory birds on the four major "axes" (one of which includes parts of Monument Valley). Directed and narrated by French actor and naturalist Jacques Perrin. In English and French, with English subtitles. Running time: 89 minutes. G (violence). (Broadway.) (July 25, 2003)
WRONG TURN — * — This awful horror-thriller follows twentysomethings who encounter cannibalistic mountain men when they're stranded in West Virginia. Running time: 94 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, drug use). (Valley Fair.) (May 31, 2003)
X2 — **** — This exciting, enthralling sequel to the 2000 hit "X-Men" 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). (Sandy; Showcase; Sugar House; Valley Fair.) (May 2, 2003)