NEW FILMS FRIDAY
ANOTHER GAY MOVIE — * — Some of this painfully unfunny, gay-centric comedy's more graphic material wouldn't be out of place in soft-core porn. Complete review on Page W6. Running time: 92 minutes. Not rated, probable NC-17 (vulgarity, sex, nudity, profanity, drugs, slapstick violence).
LEONARD COHEN: I'M YOUR MAN — *** — As stirring as the musical performances in this concert film/documentary are, you'll probably find yourself wishing that it was Cohen doing his songs instead of others. Complete review on Page W4. Running time: 103 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, nude artwork, drugs).
PULSE — Kristen Bell (TV's "Veronica Mars") stars in this remake of the Japanese horror hit. Not screened; to be reviewed next week. Running time: 86 minutes. PG-13 (violence).
SKETCHES OF FRANK GEHRY — *** — Architect Frank Gehry turns out to be the most truthful and brutally honest commentator on his work. He's refreshingly unpretentious, just like this documentary. Complete review on Page W5. Running time: 83 minutes. PG-13 (profanity)
STEP UP — ** — The by-the-numbers plot causes crucial stumbles and slips that this dance drama just can't afford. Complete review on Page W3. Running time: 98 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, nude artwork).
ZOOM — Tim Allen plays a retired superhero who now instructs would-be crime fighters in this comedy based on the "Zoom's Academy" comic series. Not screened; to be reviewed next week. Running time: 89 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, profanity).
MIDNIGHT MOVIE
SLC PUNK! — * 1/2 —This cheeky look at Utah's '80s-period punk scene is pretty heavy-handed. Running time: 97 minutes. R (profanity, vulgarity, drug use, violence, sex). (Tonight and Saturday, Tower)
KIDS' MATINEES
ANASTASIA — ** 1/2 —The animation on this cartoon feature is a bit inconsistent, but the all-star voice cast helps. Running time: 94 minutes. G (violence). (Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., SCERA, Orem)
CHARLOTTE'S WEB — *** — A great voice cast and catchy songs make this animated version of the E.B. White tale memorable. Running time: 94 minutes. G. (Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m., Towne Cinemas, American Fork)
CHURCH BALL —** — This sports comedy relies on too much dumb and low-brow humor. Running time: 91 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, brief drugs). (Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m., SCERA, Orem)
ICE AGE — *** — Fox Animation's Oscar winner is a familiar, but still fun comedy. Running time: 81 minutes. PG (animated violence, vulgarity). (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Sandy 9)
THE IRON GIANT — **** — This superbly drawn animated adventure follows the friendship between a young boy and a huge robot. Running time: 86 minutes. PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity). (Today and Saturday, 11 a.m., Towne Cinemas, American Fork.)
JIMMY NEUTRON: BOY GENIUS —** — The popular Nickelodeon television character gets his own animated feature. Running time: 84 minutes. G (slapstick violence, mild vulgarity). (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Sugar House)
THE RUGRATS MOVIE — *** — This animated adventure will thrill fans of the TV program. Running time: 89 minutes. G (animated violence, vulgarity). (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Tinseltown Layton)
SHARK TALE — ** —The majority of the jokes fall flat in this underwater animated comedy. Running time: 91 minutes. PG (animated violence, vulgarity). (Sunday, 2 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., 5-Star, Gateway 8, Showcase, Spanish 8, Spanish Fork.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
FINDING FORRESTER — *** — Sean Connery enlivens this tale about a reclusive author who encourages an inner-city athlete to write. Running time: 137 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, brief violence, racial epithets, brief sex). (Tonight, 9 p.m., Park City Park; Monday, 9 p.m., Gallivan Center; Wednesday, 9 p.m., Sundance Village, free.)
MONSTER HOUSE 3-D — Select theaters are showing the new film in 3-D. (Jordan Landing, Megaplex 17)
THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN — Director Taggart Siegel's documentary looks at the plight of a Midwest farmer. Running time: 82 minutes. This film may feature some PG-13 content. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Salt Lake City Library, free)
WAGING A LIVING — Feature-length documentary examining the plight of 30 million Americans living in poverty. Running time: 85 minutes. This film may feature some PG-13 content. (Tuesday, 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). — Ivan M. LincolnTHE ANT BULLY 3-D — Select theaters are showing the new film in the large-screen format and in 3-D. (Megaplex 17)
DEEP SEA 3-D — *** — This entertaining minifeature 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 documentary. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive) — Margaret McGurk, The Cincinnati Enquirer
MAGNIFICENT DESOLATION: WALKING ON THE MOON 3-D — *** 1/2 — This minifeature on manned space missions is as entertaining as it is educational. Running time: 40 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). (Tuesday and Thursday, noon, Clark Planetarium)
SHARKS 3-D — ** 1/2 — This documentary doesn't offer much depth. Running time: 40 minutes. G (animal violence). — Jim Carnes, Sacramento Bee
THE SUPER SUMMER ADVENTURE FILM SERIES — The Clark Planetarium continues its summerlong kids programming with screenings of the 1997 documentary short "Amazon." Running time: 38 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive).
SUPERMAN RETURNS 3-D — Select theaters are showing the new film in the large-screen format, with a handful of 3-D sequences. (Megaplex 17)
T-REX: BACK TO THE CRETACEOUS — *** — This minifeature about dinosaurs is a trip. Running time: 45 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). — John Anderson, Los Angeles Times
WILD SAFARI 3-D: A SOUTH AFRICAN ADVENTURE — *** — This cinematic safari's simple pleasures will be best experienced by the littlest ticket-holders. Running time: 45 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). — Ned Martel, New York Times News Service
WIRED TO WIN: SURVIVING THE TOUR DE FRANCE — ** 1/2 — This sports-science documentary gets so deep into the specifics of cycling that it lacks a certain poetry. Running time: 45 minutes. Not rated, probable G (nothing offensive). — Ty Burr, The Boston GlobeCONTINUING FILMS
AKEELAH AND THE BEE — *** — This low-key drama about spelling bees has something to say about reaping the benefits of an education. Running time: 112 minutes. PG (profanity, vulgarity, racial epithets).
THE ANT BULLY — * 1/2 — A surprisingly mean-spirited and crude animated feature that should be rated PG-13. Running time: 88 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, drugs, brief nudity).
BARNYARD — ** — Another quick-and-dirty "all-star cast" animated feature churned out by digital start-ups hired to steal some of Pixar's cash. Running time: 83 minutes. PG (vulgarity). — Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
THE BREAK-UP — ** 1/2 — Your enjoyment of this "un-romantic comedy" will depend on your tolerance for the fast-talking Vince Vaughn. Running time: 105 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence, brief nudity, brief sex, ethnic slurs).
BRICK — *** — A noirish mystery-thriller set in high school that isn't nearly as precious as its premise would suggest. Running time: 110 minutes. R (violence, drugs, vulgarity, profanity, brief gore).
CARS — *** — This comedy is the least of Pixar's animated features but still better than 90 percent of the big-screen cartoons out there. Running time: 116 minutes. G (vulgarity, violence).
CLERKS II — *** — Filmmaker Kevin Smith returns to rude-and-crude form with this funny sequel to his 1994 hit. Running time: 97 minutes. R (vulgarity, profanity, drugs, sex, violence, brief nudity, racial epithets).
CLICK — * 1/2 — This fantasy-flavored comedy is full of lowbrow humor. Running time: 108 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, sex, violence, drugs).
THE DA VINCI CODE — ** — Ron Howard's adaptation of the best-selling theological thriller is an over-plotted mess. Running time: 149 minutes. PG-13 (violence, gore, profanity, nudity, vulgarity, drugs, brief sex).
THE DESCENT — *** — This low-budget horror film's vivid, scary, atmosphere is what sustains the characters when the plot becomes predictable. Running time: 99 minutes. R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs).
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA — *** — Meryl Streep's fiercely funny performance is the highlight of this catty but predictable comedy. Running time: 106 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence).
THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT — * 1/2 — This film is a very expensive cinematic equivalent of foolhardy boys playing rough with their Hot Wheels cars. Running time: 104 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, sex). — David Germain, Associated Press
GARFIELD: A TAIL OF TWO KITTIES — * 1/2 — Bill Murray can't wring many laughs out of this lame sequel. Running time: 80 minutes. PG (vulgarity). — Christy Lemire, Associated Press
THE HEART OF THE GAME — *** 1/2 — A surprisingly funny and involving, non-fiction look at a girls basketball program. Running time: 97 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity).
ICE AGE: THE MELTDOWN —** 1/2 — Where the first "Ice Age" was low-key, this less-funny sequel is more frantic. Running time: 90 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity).
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH — *** 1/2 — This global-warming documentary is well-crafted. Running time: 100 minutes. PG (violence, nude artwork, brief drugs).
JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE — * 1/2 — An idiotic teen comedy that settles for being cutesy. Running time: 87 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, brief drugs, brief partial nudity).
LADY IN THE WATER — ** — The surprise with M. Night Shyamalan's latest is that he's created a convoluted story mythology for this fantasy/thriller that's almost laughable. Running time: 109 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs).
THE LAKE HOUSE — ** — "Speed" stars Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves reunite for this slow-moving romantic fantasy. Running time: 105 minutes. PG (profanity, violence).
MIAMI VICE — ** 1/2 — This gritty crime thriller is a considerable improvement on the '80s TV show. Running time: 132 minutes. R (violence, profanity, drugs, sex, brief gore, brief nudity, vulgarity).
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III — *** — This exciting sequel is easily the best of the three films.. Running time: 126 minutes. PG-13 (violence, torture, profanity, brief drugs, vulgarity, nude artwork).
MONSTER HOUSE — *** — This animated comedy with horror elements turns a bit too dark in its final third. Running time: 91 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, brief drugs).
NACHO LIBRE — ** 1/2 — Director Jared Hess' wrestling comedy is pretty silly. Running time: 91 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity).
THE NIGHT LISTENER — ** — This thriller finds Robin Williams trying to maintain dignity while the material becomes more frantic and ridiculous. Running time: 82 minutes. R (profanity, violence, nudity, brief sex, rape, vulgarity, drugs, racial epithets).
OVER THE HEDGE — *** — Audiences will have a good time watching it. Running time: 87 minutes. PG (violence, vulgarity).
PEACEFUL WARRIOR — ** — This slow-moving version of the best-selling novel is the kind of metaphysical nonsense that gives new age a bad name. Running time: 120 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, violence, vulgarity, brief drugs, brief partial nudity).
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST — *** 1/2 — A considerable improvement over the first "Pirates" movie in the story department, though it is dark, intense and scary in some parts. Running time: 151 minutes. PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, brief gore, profanity, brief drugs, torture).
A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION — *** — An ambling, rambling, folksy yarn that nicely captures the spirit of Garrison Keillor's music-and-comedy radio revue. Running time: 105 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity). — David Germain, Associated Press
RV —** — Star Robin Williams gets more mileage out of this silly road comedy than you'd expect. Running time: 98 minutes. PG (vulgarity, violence, profanity, brief drugs).
A SCANNER DARKLY — ** 1/2 — Those who have read the book will find much to like in this animated science-fiction thriller. Running time: 100 minutes. R (drugs, profanity, violence, nudity, sex, vulgarity, brief gore, ethnic slurs).
SCOOP — ** — Woody Allen reverts to disappointing lightweight form with this screwball comedy-mystery. Running time: 96 minutes. PG-13 (profanity, brief drugs, nude artwork, vulgarity).
STRANGERS WITH CANDY — ** 1/2 — Basically a stretched-out version of the defunct Comedy Central cable-TV series. Running time: 85 minutes. R (vulgarity, profanity, violence, drugs, brief sex, racial epithets, brief nudity).
SUPERMAN RETURNS — *** — Bryan Singer's continuation of the Superman saga is the first of this summer's movies to actually deliver the goods. Running time: 154 minutes. PG-13 (violence, mild profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs)
TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY — *** — It's dumb, but this auto-racing comedy does have its share of laugh-out-loud moments. Running time: 108 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, drugs, brief sex).
WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR? — *** — A lively, informative whodunit about an energy-efficient vehicle that debuted with fanfare and went out with a whimper. Running time: 92 minutes. PG (mild profanity). — David Germain, Associated Press
WORDPLAY — *** — This documentary feature about the New York Times Crossword Puzzle is fun. Running time: 84 minutes. PG (profanity, vulgarity).
WORLD TRADE CENTER — *** — Oliver Stone sweeps away memories of his recent flops with this gripping 9/11 thriller. Reviewed Wednesday. Running time: 129 minutes. PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, drugs, vulgarity).
X-MEN: THE LAST STAND — ** — The third cinematic X-adventure is certainly not the worst superhero film ever made. Running time: 104 minutes. PG-13 (violence, drugs, profanity, brief sex, brief gore, vulgarity, brief partial nudity).
YOU, ME AND DUPREE — ** — This crass, crude buddy/romantic comedy makes Owen Wilson unlikable. Running time: 108 minutes. PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, sex, brief nudity, brief drugs).
Past movie reviews are available online; search for MOVIES at deseretnews.com.