NEW FILMS FRIDAY
ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL — * 1/2 — This follow-up to 2001's "Ghost World" seems pleased with itself and is so smug that it's off-putting. Running time: 102 minutes. R (profanity, violence, nudity, vulgarity, brief drugs, brief sex).
BATTLE IN HEAVEN — ** 1/2 — Obsessed with sex, crime, Catholic guilt and soccer, this Mexican import is both interesting and frustrating. Spanish with subtitles. Running time: 94 minutes. Not rated, probable NC-17 (sex, nudity, violence, profanity).— Bob Strauss, Los Angeles Daily News
BRICK — *** — A noirish mystery-thriller set in high school that isn't nearly as precious and cutesy as its premise would suggest. Running time: 110 minutes. R (violence, drugs, vulgarity, profanity, brief gore).
GAME 6 — ** 1/2 — An offbeat, not-quite-successful paranoid comedy following a playwright through a day of fears. Running time: 82 minutes. R (profanity).— Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
GOAL! THE DREAM BEGINS — ** — This formulaic sports drama may not be as long as your average soccer match, but it feels considerably longer— longer than even the dullest live game. Running time: 118 minutes. PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs).
INSIDE IRAQ: THE UNTOLD STORIES — *** — "Adventure traveler" Mike Shiley's extremely watchable documentary is one of the more balanced portraits of the Iraq war. With subtitles. Running time: 84 minutes. Not rated, probable R (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief gore, ethnic slurs).
JUST MY LUCK — * — This surprisingly lowbrow fantasy/romantic comedy is easily the worst of Lindsay Lohan's big-screen adventures. Running time: 102 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, slapstick violence, profanity, brief sex).
POSEIDON — * 1/2 — As far as disaster movies are concerned, this remake starring Kurt Russell is, well, a disaster. Running time: 98 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, vulgarity).
MIDNIGHT MOVIE
OFFICE SPACE — *** — "King of the Hill" co-creator Mike Judge's live-action directorial debut is a crude but hilarious workplace comedy. Running time: 90 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, violence, sex, racial epithets). (Tonight and Saturday, Tower)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
THE 2006 LOCOMOTION INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL — Short documentaries and other works from teens, including some participants in the local Spy Hop program. The films may feature some PG-13 content. (Tonight, 7, Salt Lake City Library, free.)
AGE OF AIDS — This documentary examines continuing efforts to prevent the spread of HIV. This film may feature some PG-13 content. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Salt Lake City Library, free)
THE KID BROTHER — Harold Lloyd stars as a meek country boy in this 1927 comedy. Live musical accompaniment. Running time: 84 minutes. Not rated, probable G (slapstick violence). (Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Organ Loft)
THE NEW REEL FILM COMPETITION — A filmmaker contest featuring shorts produced by students in Summit County. These films may have some PG-13 content. (Tonight and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 6 p.m.; Park City Library)
SPANISH LANGUAGE FILM SERIES — This month's selections are the documentary shorts "Victoria Para Chino" and "Uno, Dos, Tres." Spanish with subtitles. These films may have some PG-13 content. (Monday, 7 p.m., Salt Lake City Library, free)
LARGE-FORMAT FILMS
ADRENALINE RUSH: THE SCIENCE OF RISK — ** 1/2 —This adventure can't decide if it's a documentary or an extreme-sports travelog. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). (Tonight and Saturday, 10 and 11 p.m., Clark Planetarium) — Ivan M. Lincoln
DEEP SEA 3D — *** — This entertaining documentary mini-feature — narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet — is an up-close look at various forms of aquatic life. Running time: 40 minutes. G (animal violence).
JOURNEY INTO AMAZING CAVES — *** 1/2 — The makers of "Everest" manage to scale new heights in their latest big-screen documentary. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive) — Margaret McGurk, The Cincinnati Enquirer
MAGNIFICENT DESOLATION: WALKING ON THE MOON 3D — *** 1/2 — This IMAX mini-feature on manned space missions is as entertaining as it is educational. Narrated by Tom Hanks. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive).
SHARKS 3D — ** 1/2 — It's fun to watch and won't scare kids, but this large-format documentary skims the surface and doesn't offer much depth. Running time: 40 minutes. G (animal violence). — Jim Carnes, Sacramento Bee
WILD SAFARI 3D: A SOUTH AFRICAN ADVENTURE — *** — This cinematic safari's simple pleasures will be best experienced by the littlest ticket-holders, with a thrill ride and a sense of a wider world. Running time: 45 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). — Ned Martel, New York Times News Service
CONTINUING FILMS
16 BLOCKS — ** — This suspense-thriller only gets more ludicrous and contrived as it goes along. Bruce Willis and Mos Def star. Running time: 102 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, brief drugs).
AKEELAH AND THE BEE — *** — This low-key, charming drama about spelling bees has something to say about reaping the benefits of an education. Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne star. Running time: 112 minutes. PG (profanity, vulgarity, racial epithets).
AN AMERICAN HAUNTING — ** 1/2 — A supernatural tale whose overbearing clamor is redeemed by engaging performances and fine 19th-century period detail. Sissy Spacek, Donald Sutherland star. Running time: 82 minutes. PG-13 (violence).— David Germain, Associated Press
AQUAMARINE — ** — Essentially a reworking of "Splash" as a teen-empowerment message . . . or perhaps preteen empowerment. Running time: 100 minutes. PG (mild profanity, vulgarity).
ATL —** — Set in an Atlanta roller-skating rink, this film fails to find the middle ground between its competing dramatic and comic elements. Running time: 105 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence, drugs, racial epithets, brief sex, nude photos).
THE BENCHWARMERS —* — The latest from Adam Sandler's "Happy Madison" production banner severely tests the maxim that "There's no such thing as a bad movie about baseball." Running time: 80 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity).— Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
CURIOUS GEORGE — ** 1/2 — This animated comedy remains within its own candy-colored universe and stays true to the lighthearted spirit of the books. Running time: 95 minutes. G (nothing offensive).— Christy Lemire, Associated Press
DATE MOVIE — * — A pointless, tasteless and laughless spoof of such hit romantic comedies as "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and "Hitch." Running time: 80 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, sex, brief nudity, racial epithets).
DON'T COME KNOCKING — ** — This collaboration between director Wim Wenders and screenwriter Sam Shepard spends too much time on sullen character exploration. Running time: 110 minutes. R (profanity, violence, brief drugs, vulgarity).
DOOGAL — * —The laziest kind of animated children's film: one that features colorful talking animals and flatulence jokes. Running time: 80 minutes. G (vulgarity) — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
EIGHT BELOW — ** 1/2 — This outdoor adventure drama spends too much time with the humans and not enough with the considerably more watchable animals. Paul Walker stars. Running time: 120 minutes. PG (violence, brief gore, mild profanity).
FAILURE TO LAUNCH — ** — Matthew McConaughey stars in this film, which goes back-and-forth between a cutesy romance and a considerably more strained wacky comedy. Running time: 95 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence, brief sex, brief nudity, brief drugs).
FIREWALL — * 1/2 — Harrison Ford looks as if he'd rather be somewhere else — anywhere else — than in this suspense-free thriller. Running time: 104 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, vulgarity, brief drugs).
FRIENDS WITH MONEY —** 1/2 — Each of the players among this so-so comedy-drama's first-rate cast have their moments, and Frances McDormand particularly shines. Running time: 88 minutes. R (profanity, sex, drugs, vulgarity).
GLORY ROAD — ** 1/2 — This racially conscious basketball drama set in the 1960s recalls "Remember the Titans," though it's not quite up to the comparison. Running time: 116 minutes. PG (racial epithets, violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, brief drugs).
HARD CANDY —** — Saying this thriller about the kidnapping and torture of a pedophile is in bad taste would be a real understatement. Running time: 103 minutes. R (profanity, torture, violence, vulgarity, drugs, brief gore).
THE HILLS HAVE EYES — * — This sickeningly violent and gory remake of the 1977 cult horror film is skillfully made trash. Running time: 106 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, rape, vulgarity, brief drugs).
HOOT — ** — As high-minded as some of its material is, this silly family comedy features some of the dumbest slapstick this side of the Disney Channel. Running time: 90 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
ICE AGE: THE MELTDOWN —** 1/2 — Where the first "Ice Age" was low-key, this less-funny sequel is more frantic. And the material is cruder and more lowbrow. Running time: 90 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
INSIDE MAN —*** — As much a mystery as it is a thriller, this suspenseful bank-heist film combines elements of both "Dog Day Afternoon" and "The Usual Suspects." Denzel Washington stars. Running time: 129 minutes. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, racial epithets, brief drugs, brief gore).
KINKY BOOTS — ** 1/2 — Essentially "The Full Monty," with a cross-dressing spin, but some may find this predictable silliness amusing. Running time: 106 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence).
LARRY THE CABLE GUY: HEALTH INSPECTOR — * —Team Cable Guy has made a junky, throwaway comedy that will almost certainly appeal to his fans, for at least the first half hour. Then it runs out of gas. Or jokes. Running time: 89 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, sex, profanity).— Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN —** — This overplotted revenge-thriller starring Josh Hartnett is a little too pleased with itself. Running time: 104 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, sex, brief nudity, brief drugs, racial epithets).
MARILYN HOTCHKISS BALLROOM DANCING & CHARM SCHOOL — ** — This clunky romantic comedy has the annoying habit of turning dead serious at exactly the wrong moment. Running time: 104 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, brief sex, brief gore).
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III — *** — Some ludicrous plotting does strain its credibility, but this exciting, more character-involved sequel is easily the best of the three films. Tom Cruise stars. Running time: 126 minutes. PG-13 (violence, torture, profanity, brief drugs, vulgarity, nude artwork).
NANNY MCPHEE — * 1/2 — It's hard to believe this charmless comic fantasy was written by Emma Thompson, who won an Oscar for her "Sense and Sensibility" screenplay. Running time: 98 minutes. PG (slapstick violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE — ** — Gretchen Mol's assured, confident performance as the infamous pin-up model is about all this superficial biographical drama has going for it. Running time: 90 minutes. R (nudity, violence, vulgarity, profanity).
THE PINK PANTHER — ** — This "prequel" to the classic Blake Edwards comedies isn't a cinematic train wreck. It's just dumb. Steve Martin stars. Running time: 93 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, brief drugs).
THE PROMISE — ** — This romantic fantasy is perhaps the least satisfying of the martial-arts dramas inspired by "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Mandarin with subtitles. Running time: 102 minutes. PG-13 (violence, brief gore, brief sex, brief partial nudity).
RV —** — Star Robin Williams and director Barry Sonnenfeld get more mileage out of this silly road comedy than you'd expect. Running time: 98 minutes. PG (vulgarity, violence, profanity, brief drugs).
SCARY MOVIE 4 —* 1/2 — The latest in this scattershot series of spoofs of horror and other film hits is just as crass as its predecessors. Running time: 83 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, brief sex, brief drugs, brief nudity, ethnic slurs).
THE SENTINEL —** — A nearly suspense-free thriller that has "24" star Kiefer Sutherland taking a back seat to aging Michael Douglas. Running time: 108 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, vulgarity, brief drugs).
SHE'S THE MAN —** — Amanda Bynes stars in this for-teens update of Shakespeare's gender-bending "Twelfth Night." Running time: 105 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity).
SILENT HILL — * — The truly scary thing about this awful fantasy-horror film is that it's much longer than most films inspired by video games. Running time: 127 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, brief partial nudity, brief drugs).
SLITHER —*** — A clever, maniacally paced twist on B-movie slimefests that features a wicked sense of parody. Running time: 96 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity).— David Germain, Associated Press
STICK IT —** — There's a curious lack of energy in this gymnastics comedy's performances and direction. Running time: 105 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity, racial epithets, brief drugs, nude artwork).
TAKE THE LEAD —** 1/2 — This drama is redeemed somewhat by its plentiful dancing scenes, as well as the charismatic lead performance by Antonio Banderas. Running time: 115 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence, brief drugs, racial epithets).
THANK YOU FOR SMOKING —*** 1/2 — The movie adaptation of Christopher Buckley's best-selling satirical novel is a smart, funny and often perceptive work. Running time: 91 minutes. R (profanity, sex, drugs, vulgarity, violence).
TSOTSI —*** 1/2 — This year's Oscar-winner for best foreign-language film says a lot, even when it appears to be saying nothing. With subtitles. Running time: 94 minutes. R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, brief gore, brief partial nudity).
ULTRAVIOLET — * — Milla Jovovich stars in this overstyled, deafening and incoherent, futuristic re-envisioning of the 1980 John Cassavetes film "Gloria." Running time: 88 minutes. PG-13 (violence, partial nudity, profanity). — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
UNITED 93 —** 1/2 — The queasiness that results from watching this dramatic re-enactment of the Sept. 11 events may be more than some audiences can take. Running time: 111 minutes. R (violence, profanity, gore, brief drugs).
THE WILD — * 1/2 — More crude and more violent than "Madagascar," which it resembles, this animated feature is rather questionable for a G-rated film. Running time: 85 minutes. G (violence, vulgarity).
THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN — *** 1/2 — Anthony Hopkins' loose performance propels this motorcycle-racing drama, which has surprising heart and warmth. Running time: 127 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, drugs, violence).