NEW FILMS FRIDAY
THE BIG BOUNCE — ** — Owen Wilson is the only funny thing about this lame caper comedy. Review on Page W4. Running time: 88 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, nudity, vulgarity, brief gore, brief sex, brief drugs).
BUBBA HO-TEP — *** — An aging Elvis Presley (Bruce Campbell) battles a soul-sucking mummy in this cheeky tale. Review on Page W5. Running time: 92 minutes. R (vulgarity, violence, profanity, gore, brief sex, brief drugs, brief nudity).
THE COMPANY — ** — Neve Campbell stars in and co-wrote this dull ballet drama. Review on Page W6. Running time: 112 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, brief nudity, vulgarity, brief sex).
GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING — ** — Scarlett Johansson plays painter Jan Vermeer's maid: pretty but vacant drama. Review on Page W4. Running time: 95 minutes. PG-13 (sex, vulgarity, violence).
THE PERFECT SCORE — * 1/2 — Dumb teens try to steal the SAT answers in this even dumber comedy (also with Johansson). Review on Page W7. Running time: 93 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, drugs, violence, vulgarity, brief sex).
YOU GOT SERVED — * 1/2 — The break-dancing scenes are the only highlight of this silly drama. Review on Page W8. Running time: 94 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, drugs).
SNEAK PREVIEWS
MIRACLE — Kurt Russell stars in this drama about the 1980 U.S. Men's Hockey Team. To be reviewed next week. PG (profanity, violence) (Saturday: Century, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17).
MIDNIGHT MOVIES
ORGAZMO — * — Tasteless comedy from the creators of TV's "South Park" isn't worth all the hubbub. Running time: 95 minutes. Not rated, probable NC-17 (vulgarity, violence, nudity, sex, profanity).
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
ADRENALINE RUSH: THE SCIENCE OF RISK — ** 1/2 — This adventure can't decide if it's a documentary or an "extreme-sports" travelog. Large-screen format. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive).— Ivan M. Lincoln
BEAVERS — *** 1/2 — Documentary timed to be just long enough for most youngsters' brief attention spans. Large-screen format. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). — Ivan M. Lincoln
BUGS! 3D — *** — British-made documentary about insects with plenty of "wow" moments. Large-screen format. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (violence).
DOLPHINS — *** — Soundtrack composer Sting and narrator Pierce Brosnan are the big names but the dolphins are the stars. Large-screen format. Running time: 44 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). — Diane Urbani
GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS — *** 1/2 — James Cameron and crew search the Titanic wreckage in this fascinating 3-D documentary. Large-screen format. Running time: 60 minutes. G (mild profanity).
RESERVOIR DOGS — *** — Quentin Tarantino's gory 1992 debut is still a solid and well-acted thriller. Running time: 99 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, racial epithets).
SEVEN CHANCES — *** 1/2 — 1925 Buster Keaton comedy about marriage and inheritance. In black and white. Featuring live musical accompaniment. Made before ratings, probable G (slapstick violence). (Organ Loft, tonight, 7:30 p.m.)
SHACKLETON'S ANTARCTIC ADVENTURE — *** 1/2 — This exploration of Ernest Shackleton's treacherous Anatarctic expedition is akin to interplanetary travel. Running time: 40 minutes. Large-screen format. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). — Diane Urbani
S.O.S. PLANET — Walter Cronkite narrates this documentary blending 3-D animation and live-action photography. Large-screen format. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive).
SPACE STATION 3-D — **** — Tom Cruise narrates, but the real stars of this breathtaking 3-D film are the International Space Station crew. Large-screen format. Running time: 47 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). — Ivan M. Lincoln
SPIKE 'N' MIKE'S SICK 'N' TWISTED FESTIVAL OF ANIMATION — ** — This latest collection of animated shorts is in questionable taste. Not rated, probable NC-17 (violence, vulgarity, profanity, sex, drug use, nudity, gore, racial epithets). (Ends Saturday.)
CONTINUING FILMS
21 GRAMS — ** 1/2 — The cast of this drama (especially Oscar-nominee Benicio Del Toro) is great, but the storytelling is too gimmicky. Running time: 125 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, nudity, brief sex, brief drugs, vulgarity).
ALONG CAME POLLY — ** — This too-crude romantic comedy wastes Ben Stiller's talents. Running time: 90 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, sex, profanity, slapstick violence, brief nudity, brief drugs).
BAD SANTA — *** — Offensive but funny comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton. Running time: 93 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, violence, sex, nude artwork).
BIG FISH — **** — Director Tim Burton's charming fantasy about father-and-son relationships. Running time: 110 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief nudity, brief sex).
THE BOOK OF MORMON MOVIE, VOLUME 1: THE JOURNEY — ** — Ambition doesn't translate into quality with this lackluster re-telling of LDS scripture. Running time: 119 minutes. PG-13 (violence, brief gore).
BROTHER BEAR — ** 1/2 — Voice performers Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas steal the show as wisecracking moose. Running time: 85 minutes. G (animated violence, vulgarity).
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT — * 1/2 — Ashton Kutcher is unintentionally funny in this depressing sci-fi thriller. Running time: 113 minutes. R (violence, profanity, vulgarity, sex, gore, nudity, drug use, racial epithets).
CALENDAR GIRLS — ** 1/2 — Older British ladies become reluctant calendar models in this sweet and funny comedy. Running time: 108 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, nudity, drugs). — Anthony Breznican. Associated Press
CHASING LIBERTY — ** — Mandy Moore stars as a runaway First Daughter in this lackluster comedy. Running time: 111 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence, nude photos).
CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN — * 1/2 — Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt struggle in vain to retain their dignity in this charmless slapstick comedy. Running time: 99 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity).
COLD MOUNTAIN — ** 1/2 — The supporting cast steals the show in this overlong, aloof Civil War drama. Running time: 155 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, nudity, sex, vulgarity, brief drugs, torture, racial epithets).
THE COOLER — ** — Oscar nominee Alec Baldwin outshines William H. Macy in this dark comedy. Running time: 101 minutes. R (profanity, sex, violence, nudity, drug use, vulgarity, racial epithets).
DR. SEUSS' THE CAT IN THE HAT — * — Mike Myers and company desecrate the beloved children's book. Running time: 82 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
ELF — *** — Will Ferrell charms as a man brought up at the North Pole. Running time: 95 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity).
THE HAUNTED MANSION — ** — The production design is the star of this lifeless live-action comedy. Running time: 98 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, profanity, vulgarity).
THE HOME TEACHERS — * 1/2 — The makers of "The R.M." return with this painfully unfunny LDS comedy. Running time: 80 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity).
HONEY — * — Jessica Alba tries to smile her way through this laughably awful dance drama. Running time: 95 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence, brief drugs).
HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG — *** 1/2 — Oscar nominee Ben Kingsley is superb in this emotionally potent drama. Running time: 126 minutes. R (profanity, violence, gore, sex, drugs, brief partial nudity).
IN AMERICA — *** 1/2 — Director Jim Sheridan's terrific, semi-autobiographical drama eschews sentiment. Running time: 103 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, brief sex, violence, brief drugs).
INTOLERABLE CRUELTY — *** — This dark comedy is only OK by the Coen brothers' standards. Running time: 98 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence, brief sex).
THE LAST SAMURAI — ** 1/2 — Tom Cruise looks too modern in "Dances With Dragons" period drama. Running time: 145 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, racial epithets, nude artwork).
LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION — * 1/2 — This live-action/animation hybrid wastes the talents of beloved Warner Bros. cartoon characters. Running time: 90 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING — *** 1/2 — Peter Jackson's Oscar-nominated trilogy finale is enthralling. Running time: 218 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore).
LOST IN TRANSLATION — *** 1/2 — Oscar nominee Bill Murray is at his best in Sophia Coppola's subtle tone poem. Running time: 105 minutes. R (vulgarity, brief nudity, brief sex).
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD — *** 1/2 — Director Peter Weir's Oscar-nominated sea adventure stars Russell Crowe. Running time: 138 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, profanity).
THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS — ** — The science-fiction series comes to a thudding conclusion. Running time: 129 minutes. R (violence, profanity, brief sex).
THE MISSING — ** 1/2 — Ron Howard's R-rated Western desperately wants to be "The Searchers," but it's nasty stuff. Running time: 130 minutes. R (violence, gore, brief drugs, profanity, vulgarity, brief partial nudity).
MONA LISA SMILE — * 1/2 — Julia Roberts and her co-stars can't save this manipulative drama. Running time: 116 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, nude artwork, brief drugs, ethnic slurs).
MONSTER — *** — Oscar nominee Charlize Theron is excellent as serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Running time: 111 minutes. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, sex, gore, rape, brief nudity, racial epithets).
MY BABY'S DADDY — * 1/2 — This comedy is a lifeless litany of familiar jokes about men's general ineptitude with infants. Running time: 86 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, slapstick violence, brief drugs). — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
MYSTIC RIVER — ** 1/2 — Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated adaptation of the best-seller is emotionally aloof. Running time: 137 minutes. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, brief gore, brief sex).
PAYCHECK — * — Ben Affleck and director John Woo hit new lows. Running time: 119 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore).
PETER PAN — ** 1/2 — The production design is the real star of this somewhat violent live-action fantasy/adventure. Running time: 105 minutes. PG (profanity, vulgarity).
PRIDE & PREJUDICE — ** 1/2 — LDS version of Jane Austen's tale is cuter than it is funny. Running time: 103 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, mild vulgarity).
RADIO — * 1/2 — Cuba Gooding Jr. mugs shameless in this sappy, fact-based drama. Running time: 106 minutes. PG (violence, profanity).
SCARY MOVIE 3 — * 1/2 — Few of the spoofs are funny this time around. Running time: 85 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, slapstick violence, profanity, drugs, sex).
THE SCHOOL OF ROCK — *** 1/2 — Jack Black is hilarious in this surprisingly warm comedy. Running time: 108 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs, slapstick violence).
SECONDHAND LIONS — ** 1/2 — Haley Joel Osment takes a back seat to Robert Duvall and Michael Caine in this coming-of-age tale. Running time: 105 minutes. PG (violence, mild profanity, vulgarity).
SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE — *** — Oscar-nominee Diane Keaton shines as a woman torn between two suitors. Running time: 125 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, sex, brief nudity).
THE STATION AGENT — *** 1/2 — Low-key comedy-drama about a dwarf who inherits an abandoned train depot. Running time: 88 minutes. R (profanity, drug use, vulgarity, violence).
STUCK ON YOU — *** — Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear star as feuding conjoined twins in this goofy but sweet comedy. Running time: 118 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, slapstick violence, brief sex).
TIMELINE — * 1/2 — Time-travel adventure starring Paul Walker is unintentionally hilarious. Running time: 114 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore).
TORQUE — * — Music video-style direction makes this racing thriller unwatchable. Running time: 81 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, drugs, racial epithets, bikini babes).
UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN — ** 1/2 — The beautiful Italian scenery is better than the story in this episodic drama. Running time: 113 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, sex, vulgarity, brief partial nudity).
WIN A DATE WITH TAD HAMILTON! — *** — There's some charm to this familiar tale about a girl who dates a Hollywood star. Running time: 95 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, brief drugs).