NEW FILMS FRIDAY
THE FEARLESS FREAKS— *** — What really fuels this documentary about Oklahoman art-rockers the Flaming Lips is its warts-and-all approach. Complete review on Page W5. Running time: 110 minutes. Not rated, probable R (drugs, profanity, vulgarity, violence, gore, nudity).
THE LONGEST YARD — ** — Adam Sandler's remake of the 1974 football-in-prison comedy is not quite as awful as his inexplicable 1998 hit "The Waterboy." Complete review on Page W3. Running time: 114 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, racial epithets, drugs, brief partial nudity).
MADAGASCAR — ** 1/2 — Heavy on jokes and light on story, DreamWorks' latest computer-animated comedy does fly by quickly. Complete review on Page W4. Running time: 86 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, brief drugs, mild profanity).
NAKED FAME — Documentarian Chris Long's spare film profiles porn performer Colton Ford. Running time: 84 minutes. Not rated, probable R (nudity, vulgarity, profanity, sex).
SHAOLIN SOCCER — *** 1/2 — Steven Chow's goofy soccer comedy parodies the sports-movie genre with energy, style and good humor. Cantonese with subtitles. Complete review on Page W4. Running time: 89 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, brief drugs, profanity, brief partial nudity).
WALK ON WATER — ** 1/2 — As frustrating and overbearing as parts of it are, the inability to pin this thriller down makes it watchable. With subtitles. Complete review on Page W5. Running time: 104 minutes. Not rated, probable R (profanity, violence, nudity, vulgarity, brief drugs, racial epithets).
THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL — — *** 1/2 — There's no Disney-style anthropomorphism in Judy Irving's wonderful documentary about animal lover Mark Bittner. Complete review on Page W4. Running time: 90 minutes. Not rated, G (nothing offensive). — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Daily News
NEW FILM WEDNESDAY
THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS — Adaptation of the popular teen novel about the relationship between four girls. To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG (vulgarity, profanity).
SNEAK PREVIEW
CINDERELLA MAN — Russell Crowe plays Depression-era boxer Jim Braddock in Ron Howard's biographical drama. Renee Zellweger co-stars. To be reviewed when it opens next week. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, vulgarity, ethnic slurs). (Sunday: Century, Jordan Landing, Megaplex 12, Megaplex 17.)
MIDNIGHT MOVIES
FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF — *** 1/2 — Bueller? Bueller? Writer/director John Hughes' school-sluffing farce (starring Matthew Broderick) is one of the best of the '80s youth-oriented comedies. Running time: 104 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, slapstick violence). (Provo Movies 8, tonight and Saturday.)
THE KARATE KID — *** — The first film in this action-drama franchise still has its charms, especially the wry, Oscar-nominated supporting performance by Pat Morita. Running time: 126 minutes. PG (violence, profanity). (Tower, tonight and Saturday.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
THE CAMERAMAN — *** — Buster Keaton is in top form as a hapless novice newsreel cameraman trying to impress a secretary, and the stunts are hilarious in this 1928 silent classic. Black and white. Live musical accompaniment. Made before ratings, probable G. (Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Organ Loft.)
PROMISES — *** 1/2 — This documentary about the continual Israeli-Palestinian conflict has real weight and vividness that news reports can't match. With subtitles. Running time: 102 minutes. Not rated, probable PG (violence). (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Salt Lake City Library, free.)
LARGE-FORMAT FILMS
BUGS! — *** — This British-made documentary about insects has plenty of "wow" moments. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (violence).
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: JOURNEY OF MAN— *** 1/2 — Three routines by the Montreal-based circus troupe, which symbolize the birth of mankind. Narrated by Ian McKellen. Running time: 38 minutes. G (nothing offensive). — Diane Urbani
FIGHTER PILOTS: OPERATION RED FLAG — ** 1/2 — Curiously uninvolving for any viewer who is not already into military flight or video games. Running time: 45 minutes. G (nothing offensive). — Jim Carnes, Sacramento Bee
THE LIVING SEA — *** — Even for the landlocked, this large-screen documentary resonates, reminding us that we're like so many fish in a school. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). — Diane Urbani
STRAIGHT UP: HELICOPTERS IN ACTION — Martin Sheen narrates this 2002 large-screen documentary about whirlybirds, as well as their role in rescue operations and other efforts. Running time: 42 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive).
T-REX: BACK TO THE CRETACEOUS — *** — The 3-D headgear may make you feel like Rick Moranis in "Spaceballs," but this IMAX minifeature is a trip. Running time: 45 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). — John Anderson, Los Angeles Times
VIKINGS: JOURNEY TO NEW WORLDS — ** 1/2 — As educational as it is, this large-screen documentary feels a little dry and stuffy. Running time: 45 minutes. Not rated, probable PG (some violent imagery).
CONTINUING FILMS
THE AMITYVILLE HORROR — * — Producer Michael Bay's awful music-video-style version makes the original 1979 horror hit look better. Running time: 92 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, sex, brief drugs, vulgarity).
ARE WE THERE YET? — * — Ice Cube sinks to a new low with this mean-spirited, often crude comedy about a man baby-sitting his girlfriend's kids. Running time: 96 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
BE COOL — ** —This "Get Shorty" sequel, starring John Travolta, is a nonstop barrage of unfunny music- and entertainment-business jokes. Running time: 114 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, racial epithets, vulgarity).
CRASH — ** 1/2 —Despite some strong performances, Paul Haggis' directorial debut is too similar to P.T. Anderson's "Magnolia." Running time: 110 minutes. R (profanity, racial epithets, violence, vulgarity, brief sex, brief nudity, brief drugs).
DEAR FRANKIE — ** 1/2 — This British "weepie" manages to overcome most of its faults simply on the strength of its performances. Running time: 105 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity).
DON'T MOVE — ** 1/2 — Penelope Cruz elevates this drama about a doomed affair above its soapiness. Italian with subtitles. Running time: 117 minutes. Not rated, probable R (sex, profanity, nudity). — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
DUST TO GLORY — ** — One of the bigger documentary disappointments in recent memory, Dana Brown's look at the Baja 1000 road race is unfocused. Running time: 97 minutes. PG (violence, mild profanity, vulgarity).
ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM — *** — Documentarian Alex Gibney takes the notorious tale of corporate greed and plays it as Greek tragedy, Texas-style. Running time: 110 minutes. Not rated, probable R (profanity, nudity). — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
FEVER PITCH — *** — Nothing against Jimmy Fallon, but Drew Barrymore steals this winning romantic comedy. Running time: 103 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, brief drugs).
FRANK MILLER'S SIN CITY — *** 1/2 — The violent and sexual content means it's not for all tastes, but this multi-storied thriller is visually stunning. Black and white. Running time: 126 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, torture, nudity, drugs, vulgarity, sex).
HITCH — ** 1/2 — Part buddy comedy, part romantic comedy, Will Smith's latest works better as the former. Eva Mendes co-stars. Running time: 115 minutes. PG-13 profanity, slapstick violence, vulgarity, brief drugs).
THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY — *** — The long-awaited movie version of Douglas Adams' tongue-in-cheek, sci-fi best-seller may be too faithful for casual fans, but it's still amusing. Running time: 108 minutes. PG (violence, mild vulgarity, mild profanity).
HOSTAGE — * 1/2 — All this thriller's credibility is destroyed by the take-no-prisoners excess of its final act. Bruce Willis stars. Running time: 113 minutes. R (violence, profanity, drug use). — David Germain, Associated Press
HOUSE OF WAX — * —This gory remake proves it's actually possible for a movie to get dumber as it goes along. Running time: 105 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, brief sex, brief drugs, nude artwork).
ICE PRINCESS — ** —This ice-skating drama stumbles and falls every time it isn't on the ice. Running time: 98 minutes. G (slapstick violence, mild profanity).
THE INTERPRETER — ** 1/2 — Sydney Pollack's overplotted thriller isn't as smart as it thinks it is, though Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman's performances are effective. Running time: 128 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, brief nudity).
KICKING & SCREAMING — ** 1/2 — The makers of this formulaic sports comedy were apparently content to let Will Ferrell run wild. Smart move. Running time: 97 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN — ** — Ridley Scott's Crusades-era adventure feels like a 90-minute tease leading up to the climactic battle scene — by which time, it's too late. Running time: 145 minutes. R (violence, gore, mild profanity, brief sex, racial epithets).
KUNG FU HUSTLE — *** 1/2 — This cartoonish martial-arts comedy doesn't want you to think about it — just enjoy the action. Mandarin with subtitles. Running time: 95 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, brief partial nudity, brief drugs).
LOOK AT ME — *** — It's downbeat, but this refreshing French drama about self-image doesn't take the easy way out. French with subtitles. Running time: 106 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity).
MILLION DOLLAR BABY — *** 1/2 — No mere distaff "Rocky," Clint Eastwood's Best Picture-winning drama about a female boxer (Oscar-winner Hilary Swank) is his best movie in years. Running time: 132 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, gore, brief drugs, vulgarity).
MILLIONS — *** 1/2 — Danny Boyle's engaging low-key British yarn succeeds by developing characters and situations in an original way. Running time: 97 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
MINDHUNTERS — * 1/2 — This unintentionally hilarious film is not the creepy suspense-thriller it tries to be. Running time: 105 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, drugs, brief sex, brief nudity).
MISS CONGENIALITY 2: ARMED AND FABULOUS — * 1/2 — This sequel to the 2000 hit doesn't even deserve a consolation prize . . . or a booby prize, for that matter. Running time: 115 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity).
MONSTER-IN-LAW — ** —Jennifer Lopez has trouble holding her own with Jane Fonda in this strained dark comedy. Running time: 102 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, drugs).
THE PACIFIER — * 1/2 —Vin Diesel tries to ape Arnold Schwarzenegger in this dumber and considerably more crass rip-off of "Kindergarten Cop." Running time: 97 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA — ** — Miscastings abound in director Joel Schumacher's visually sumptuous but rather dry version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage musical. Running time: 143 minutes. PG-13 (violence, mild profanity, nude artwork, vulgarity).
THE RING TWO — ** —This disappointing sequel to the 2003 horror hit about a cursed videotape is more weird than scary. Running time: 111 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, drugs).
ROBOTS — ** 1/2 — This thinly scripted but brilliantly animated comedy feels as clunky and mechanical as its characters. Ewan McGregor and Robin Williams provide voices. Running time: 91 minutes. PG (vulgarity, slapstick violence).
SAHARA — ** — Matthew McConaughey fails to impress as an action star in this dim-witted adaptation of Clive Cussler's best-selling novel. Running time: 127 minutes. PG-13 (violence, brief drugs, vulgarity, brief gore, brief partial nudity).
SONS OF PROVO — ** — This locally made musical "mockumentary" makes you want to watch "This is Spinal Tap" again — to see how this sort of thing should be done. Running time: 93 minutes. PG (mild profanity, mild vulgarity, slapstick violence).
STAR WARS: EPISODE III — REVENGE OF THE SITH — *** — The best and darkest of George Lucas' Star Wars prequels is not without its problems, but it has many thrilling moments — and at least it ends the series on a high note. Running time: 140 minutes. PG-13 (violence, brief gore, brief drugs).
TURTLES CAN FLY — **** — There are many indelible scenes in this shatteringly realistic, artfully composed study of children in war. Kurdish with subtitles. Running time: 95 minutes. Not rated, probable R (violence, profanity). — Bob Strauss, Los Angeles Daily News
UNLEASHED — *** —Jet Li's best film in years is a thriller about a trained killer trying to reform. Morgan Freeman co-stars. Running time: 104 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, brief sex, brief nudity).
THE UPSIDE OF ANGER — *** — Mike Binder's comedy-drama is funny and touching in all the right places. And Joan Allen and Kevin Costner give fine performances. Running time: 118 minutes. R (profanity, drugs, vulgarity, brief sex, violence, brief gore).
XXX: STATE OF THE UNION — * —All this insipid sequel does is make the first film look better by comparison. Ice Cube stars. Running time: 101 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, vulgarity).
Past movie reviews are available online; search for MOVIES at deseretnews.com