NEW FILMS FRIDAY
MURDERBALL —**** — This inspiring look at quadriplegic rugby is one of the best sports documentaries to come along since 1994's "Hoop Dreams." Running time: 88 minutes. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, brief sex, brief nudity, brief drugs).
MUST LOVE DOGS —** 1/2 — It feels like a sitcom, but this romantic comedy starring Diane Lane and John Cusack works as cinematic comfort food. Running time: 98 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, brief sex, slapstick violence).
SCHIZO —** — This Russian-made dramatic thriller about a young hustler is seriously lacking in energy. Russian with subtitles. Running time: 83 minutes. Not rated, probable R (violence, profanity, gore, brief drugs, vulgarity, brief nudity).
SKY HIGH —*** — The charm eventually wears off of this superhero spoof, but there are a few funny gags. Running time: 98 minutes. PG (violence, mild profanity, mild vulgarity).
STEALTH —* 1/2 — Idiotic thriller about a robot-controlled fighter plane that develops a mind of its own. Running time: 121 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs, brief gore).
UP FOR GRABS —*** — Entertaining documentary about the fight over Barry Bonds' record-breaking 73rd home-run baseball. Running time: 88 minutes. Not rated, probable R (profanity). — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Daily News
KIDS MATINEES
DR. DOLITTLE 2 — ** — This Eddie Murphy sequel has a good message about preserving wildlife but buries it under tons of inappropriate sexual humor. Running time: 88 minutes. PG (vulgarity, slapstick violence, mild profanity). (Wednesday, Cinemark Provo.)
ELLA ENCHANTED — ** — This "Cinderella" spoof, starring Anne Hathaway, has only a few worthy gags. Running time: 94 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity). (Monday-Thursday, Gateway 8.)
GARFIELD: THE MOVIE — * 1/2 — Bill Murray sounds bored voicing the overweight feline in this live-action comedy based on the long-running comic strip. Running time: 90 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, brief drugs). (Monday-Thursday, Spanish 8, Spanish Fork; Movies 10, Layton.)
RACE FOR YOUR LIFE, CHARLIE BROWN — ** — This animated film featuring the "Peanuts" characters has too much slapstick and not enough story. Running time: 75 minutes. G (animated violence). (Monday-Thursday, Towne Cinemas, American Fork.)
THE ROAD TO EL DORADO — *** — Voice stars Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh have fun in this animated feature about con men searching for the legendary City of Gold. Running time: 89 minutes. PG (violence, mild profanity). (Today, Towne Cinema, American Fork.)
RUGRATS GO WILD! — ** 1/2 — Though it starts slow, this animated pairing of characters from "Rugrats" and "The Wild Thornberrys" is fun. Running time: 81 minutes. PG (mild vulgarity, animated violence). (Monday-Thursday, University Mall, Orem.)
SCOOBY-DOO 2: MONSTERS UNLEASHED— * 1/2 — Scooby and the gang are back in this only slightly more tolerable but still tasteless live-action/animated sequel. Running time: 88 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, brief drugs). (Thursday-Thursday, North Pointe, Ogden.)
SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW — *** 1/2 — The only word to describe this retro science-fiction adventure about heroes foiling giant robots is "neat." Running time: 107 minutes. PG (violence, mild profanity, mild vulgarity). (Monday-Thursday, Spanish 8, Spanish Fork.)
TUGGER : THE JEEP WHO WANTED TO FLY— Animated feature starring the voices of Jim Belushi and Carrot Top. G (nothing offensive).(Today-Thursday, Carmike 12, Ritz, Wynnsong, Provo.)
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 1980s youth-oriented comedies. Running time: 104 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, slapstick violence). (Tower, tonight and Saturday.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
MISS AMERICA — Tongue-in-cheek documentary feature (a hit at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival) investigating beauty pageants. Running time: 90 minutes. Not rated, probable PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity). (Wednesday, 9 p.m., Sundance Village, Provo Canyon.)
NAPOLEON DYNAMITE — ** 1/2 — Local filmmaker Jared Hess' comedy about Idaho misfits is quirkier than it is funny. Running time: 86 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity). (Today-Thursday, Showcase.)
OUTBREAK— ** 1/2 — The first-rate cast (Dustin Hoffman, Morgan Freeman) improves this preposterous science-fiction thriller about a deadly virus. Running time: 127 minutes. R (violence, profanity, drugs). (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Salt Lake City Library.)
SEDUCING DOCTOR LEWIS — *** —This charming French-Canadian comedy about a small fishing village trying to dupe a doctor into taking up residence is similar to TV's "Northern Exposure." French with subtitles. Running time: 100 minutes. Not rated, probable PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, sex, brief drug use, violence). (Tonight, 9 p.m., Park City Park; Monday, 9 p.m., Gallivan Center.)
SPACEBALLS — ** 1/2 — Yes, it's silly, but Mel Brooks' 1987 parody of the "Star Wars" movies does have a few laugh-out-loud gags. Running time: 96 minutes. PG (vulgarity, slapstick violence, profanity). (Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Trolley Square.)
LARGE-FORMAT FILMS
ALIENS OF THE DEEP — ** 1/2 — James Cameron's latest 3-D IMAX extravaganza about undersea exploration could do with less of him on camera. Running time: 47 minutes. G (nothing offensive). — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
BUGS! — *** — This British-made documentary about insects has plenty of "wow" moments. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (violence).
FIGHTER PILOTS: OPERATION RED FLAG — ** 1/2 — Curiously uninvolving documentary for any viewer who is not already into military flight or video games. Running time: 45 minutes. G (nothing offensive).— Jim Carnes, The Sacramento Bee
INTO THE DEEP —*** —One of the first IMAX films, this underwater documentary is a visual treat, stunningly photographed and always entertaining. Running time: 35 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive).— Joe Baltake, The Sacramento Bee
THE LIVING SEA — *** — Even for the landlocked, this large-screen documentary about the ocean 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 about dinosaurs is a trip. Running time: 45 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). — John Anderson, Los Angeles Times
CONTINUING FILMS
BAD NEWS BEARS—*** — Depending on your taste, this rude-and-crude remake with Billy Bob Thornton coaching a Little League team of losers is either cringingly funny or an assault. Running time: 111 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence, brief drugs, racial epithets).
BATMAN BEGINS — *** — Director Christopher Nolan's involving but darker superhero remake is the best of the big-screen adventures featuring the Caped Crusader (Christian Bale). Running time: 140 minutes. PG-13 (violence, drugs, profanity).
BEWITCHED — ** —The clever clips from the 1960s TV sitcom used here only remind us of how disappointing this film is. Running time: 105 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, slapstick violence, brief drugs, veiled nudity).
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY — *** 1/2 — In many respects, Tim Burton's inventive, visually rich fantasy about a tour of a mysterious candy factory is faithful to Roald Dahl's source material. Johnny Depp stars. Running time: 110 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
CINDERELLA MAN — *** — Ron Howard's film about Depression-era boxer Jim Braddock (Russell Crowe) is a rousing and effective human drama. Running time: 138 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, vulgarity, ethnic slurs).
CRASH — ** 1/2 —Despite some strong performances, Paul Haggis' directorial debut about racial strife in Los Angeles 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).
DARK WATER —** — Jennifer Connelly stars in this Americanized remake of a Japanese ghost tale, as a single mother in a rundown apartment building, but the film is all wet. Running time: 105 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, brief drugs, vulgarity).
THE DEVIL'S REJECTS — * — Rob Zombie's horror sequel to "House of 1,000 Corpses" is just a deafening, repetitive, gratuitous mess. Running time: 101 minutes. R (violence, sex, gore, profanity, drugs). — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
DOT THE I — * — An irksome romantic comedy that gets even worse when it turns into a thriller. Running time: 91 minutes. R (sex, profanity, violence, brief gore, brief nudity, vulgarity).
FANTASTIC FOUR —** — Not as horrid as the trailers make it appear, but this superhero adventure is more of a "Mediocre Four." Running time: 110 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity, brief gore).
FRANK MILLER'S SIN CITY — *** 1/2 — The violent and sexual content means it's not for everyone, but this multistoried thriller is visually stunning. Black and white. Running time: 126 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, torture, nudity, drugs, vulgarity, sex).
GEORGE A. ROMERO'S LAND OF THE DEAD — ** 1/2 — Veteran horror filmmaker Romero's latest installment in his "Living Dead" zombie saga is something of an acquired taste . . . so to speak. Running time: 96 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, brief sex, brief nudity, brief drugs, racial epithets).
HEIGHTS — ** — Pretentious drama about interconnecting lives in Manhattan, with Glenn Close as an actress playing Lady Macbeth. Running time: 93 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, nude photos, violence, brief sex, brief gore).
HERBIE: FULLY LOADED — ** — The addition of some sexually suggestive humor ruins Herbie the Love Bug's return. Lindsay Lohan stars. Running time: 95 minutes. G (vulgarity, slapstick violence, mild profanity).
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).
HOUSE OF WAX — * —This gory horror 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).
HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE — *** 1/2 — Hayao Miyazaki's latest is entrancing, with more magical and laugh-out-loud moments than any other animated feature so far this year. Dubbed in English. Running time: 119 minutes. PG (violence, mild vulgarity, brief partial nudity, brief gore).
HUSTLE & FLOW — ** — It would be easier to swallow this insipid musical drama if it had left the main character unredeemed and unrepentant. Running time: 114 minutes. R (profanity, violence, drugs, vulgarity, racial epithets, brief sex, brief nudity, brief gore).
THE INTERPRETER — ** 1/2 — Sydney Pollack's overplotted thriller about an assassination plot at the United Nations isn't as smart as it thinks it is, though Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman are effective. Running time: 128 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, brief nudity).
THE ISLAND — ** 1/2 — If you can turn off your brain, Michael Bay's science-fiction thriller about clones in a futuristic society is somewhat enjoyable. Running time: 134 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, drugs, brief gore, vulgarity, brief sex, nude artwork).
KICKING & SCREAMING — ** 1/2 — The makers of this formulaic comedy about a dad coaching his kid's soccer team were apparently content to let Will Ferrell run wild. Smart move. Running time: 97 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
LADIES IN LAVENDER —** 1/2 —Judi Dench and Maggie Smith are aging sisters in 1930s Cornwall who take in a mysterious Polish pianist in this light British comedy. Running time: 104 minutes. PG-13 (profanity).
LAYER CAKE — ** 1/2 — As stylish as it is, this dark comedy that glamorizes the drug trade gets a little tiresome. Running time: 105 minutes. R (drugs, profanity, violence, vulgarity, brief nudity, brief sex, racial epithets, brief gore).
LORDS OF DOGTOWN — ** — The Hollywood "creative" process has turned the origins of skateboarding into a conventional cautionary tale. Running time: 107 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, drugs, vulgarity, brief sex, nude artwork, racial epithets).
MAD HOT BALLROOM — *** — This documentary tries to tell a few too many stories about children in a ballroom dancing program in New York, though the kids' enthusiasm buoys the material. Running time: 105 minutes. PG (mild vulgarity).
MADAGASCAR — ** 1/2 — Heavy on jokes and light on story, DreamWorks' latest computer-animated comedy about zoo animals who escape does fly by quickly. Running time: 86 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, brief drugs, mild profanity).
MARCH OF THE PENGUINS—*** 1/2 — The acclaimed penguin documentary features a life-and-death struggle that's much more compelling than any similar story line in any film so far this year. Running time: 80 minutes. G (animal violence).
ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW — ** 1/2 — This urban romantic comedy is oddly affecting, but it does contain some surprisingly frank sexual material that may be off-putting. Running time: 90 minutes. R (vulgarity, profanity, brief sex, nude artwork).
MILLIONS — *** 1/2 — Engaging low-key British yarn about two young brothers and how they react to finding a cache of money. Running time: 97 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
MONSTER-IN-LAW — ** —Jennifer Lopez has trouble holding her own with Jane Fonda in this strained dark domestic comedy. Running time: 102 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, drugs).
MR. & MRS. SMITH — *** — Celebrity couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie amuse in Doug Liman's violent, action-packed comedy-thriller. Running time: 115 minutes. PG-13 (violence, sex, vulgarity, profanity).
MY SUMMER OF LOVE — *** — Beautifully shot, sensual movie about young lesbian lovers. Running time: 86 minutes. R (profanity, sex, drugs).— Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Daily News
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 PERFECT MAN — ** — Unfortunately, this mother-daughter comedy focuses mostly on so-so Hilary Duff as the daughter, instead of much-better Heather Locklear as the mother. Running time: 96 minutes. PG (vulgarity, mild profanity).
REBOUND — * 1/2 — Martin Lawrence sounds intoxicated in this painfully unfunny basketball-oriented "Bad News Bears" knock-off. Running time: 87 minutes. PG-13 (slapstick violence, vulgarity, racial epithets, mild profanity).
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 yarn about globetrotting treasure hunters. Running time: 127 minutes. PG-13 (violence, brief drugs, vulgarity, brief gore, brief partial nudity).
THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS — ** — This well-meaning adaptation of the popular teen novel about four disparate girlfriends doesn't exactly go out of its way to reach beyond its obvious target demographic. Running time: 120 minutes. PG (profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs).
STAR WARS: EPISODE III — REVENGE OF THE SITH — *** — The best and darkest of George Lucas' "Star Wars" prequels is not without its problems but has many thrilling moments, ending the series on a high note. Running time: 140 minutes. PG-13 (violence, brief gore, brief drugs).
THIS DIVIDED STATE — *** — It's not groundbreaking documentary work, but this locally made piece about the Michael Moore-Utah Valley State College controversy is still worthwhile. Running time: 86 minutes. Not rated, probable PG-13 (profanity).
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).
WAR OF THE WORLDS — *** — Steven Spielberg's dark and creepy version of the classic alien-invasion tale may be a bit much for very young audiences. Running time: 118 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, vulgarity).
WEDDING CRASHERS —** 1/2 — Mixing sappy sentiment with crude sexual material makes this Owen Wilson-Vince Vaughn vehicle about womanizing buddies a sweet-and-salty movie snack. Running time: 119 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, sex, violence, nudity, drugs).
XXX: STATE OF THE UNION — * —Ice Cube stars as a highly trained secret agent in this insipid sequel that just makes the first film look better by comparison. Running time: 101 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, vulgarity).