NEW FILMS FRIDAY
THE BUBBLE — * 1/2 — An Israeli-made drama (with strong gay themes) that is perhaps too overtly political for its own good. With subtitles, running time: 117 minutes, not rated, probable R (sex, violence, vulgarity, nudity, profanity, brief drugs, brief gore)
DAN IN REAL LIFE — *** — A pretty warm, genuine comedy that succeeds, at least in part, because of some gutsy casting choices. Steve Carell stars. Running time: 95 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, mild profanity, violence, brief partial nudity)
THE DARJEELING LIMITED — *** — It's a little warmer and more dramatic, but Wes Anderson's latest is still rather quirky and goofy. Running time: 92 minutes, R (profanity, drugs, violence, brief sex, brief partial nudity)
DESERT BAYOU — * 1/2 — An unfocused and rambling, documentary feature about Hurricane Katrina refugees living in Utah. Running time: 90 minutes, not rated, probable R (violence, profanity, drugs, vulgarity, slurs)
LARS AND THE REAL GIRL — *** — This quirky comedy treats some potentially offensive material with surprising taste and restraint. Running time: 106 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, mild profanity, brief drugs, slurs)
RESERVATION ROAD — * 1/2 — A hopelessly contrived dramatic thriller that wastes the talents of its cast. Joaquin Phoenix stars. Running time: 102 minutes, R (profanity, violence, sex, vulgarity, brief drugs)
SAW IV — The killer Jigsaw may be dead, but he's left one last trap for investigators in this "torture-porn" sequel.To be reviewed next week, running time: 108 minutes, R (violence, gore, torture, profanity)
RE-RELEASES
BLADE RUNNER: THE FINAL CUT — *** — Probably the definitive version of the cultily adored, 1982 science-fiction thriller starring Harrison Ford. Complete review on Page W3, running time: 117 minutes, R (violence, gore, vulgarity, brief nudity, profanity, slurs, brief drugs)
TIM BURTON'S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS — *** 1/2 — This wonderfully bizarre 1993 animated fantasy-musical is a little dark but the songs (by Danny Elfman) are terrific. Shown in the 3-D format, running time: 76 minutes, PG (animated violence, disturbing imagery)
MIDNIGHT MOVIE
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW — ** 1/2 — The uneven film version of the popular rock opera about transvestites from outer space is entertaining when viewed with interactive crowds. Running time: 100 minutes, R (violence, sex, profanity, vulgarity) (Tonight, Saturday and Wednesday: Tower)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
THE BIG FRIENDLY GIANT — Animated 1989 musical based on the Roald Dahl book. Running time: 87 minutes, not rated, probable G (nothing offensive) (Tonight and Monday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m.: SCERA, Orem)
GHOSTLY GUARDIANS — Locally produced documentary about paranormal sightings at Fort Douglas. (Through Thursday: Megaplex District)
HALLOWEEN 4/HALLOWEEN 5 — Selected theaters are hosting a double-feature of the horror sequels. (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.: Jordan Landing)
THE HALLOWEEN MONSTER MOVIE MASH — Brewvies Cinema Pub is screening several horror movies (check www.brewvies
.com for titles). (Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Brewvies, must be 21 or older)
KEEP WINTER WHITE — Feature-length documentary about snow sports. Not rated, probable PG (sports-related violence) (Thursday, 7 p.m.: Brewvies, must be 21 or older)
NIGHT WATCH/DAY WATCH — A double-feature of the Russian-made horror/fantasy films, based on the best-selling novels. (Tonight, Saturday and Sunday, 6 p.m.: Park City Library)
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA— **** — One of the all-time great horror films, this 1925 silent version stars Man of a Thousand Faces Lon Chaney in the title role. Black and white (with color sequences), live musical accompaniment, running time: 79 minutes, made before ratings, probable PG (violence) (Tonight, Monday and Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.: Organ Loft)
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW — See listing under "Midnight movies." (Wednesday, 8 p.m.: Tower)
SALT LAKE FILM CENTER SCREENINGS — This week's films include "Freedom Writers," "War Dance" and several documentaries spotlighting immigration issues. A monthly schedule is available at www.slcfilmcenter.org. (Salt Lake City Library)
WARREN MILLER'S PLAYGROUND — The latest ski film from Warren Miller Productions features such spotlighted athletes as Johnny Moseley. Not rated, probable G (sports-related violence) (Tonight, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.: Eccles Center, Park City; Saturday, 6 and 9 p.m.: Peery's Egyptian Theater, Ogden)
WESTERNS OF THE WORLD FILM SERIES — This week's selection is the Greek feature "Blood on the Land" (1966). Black and white, greek with subtitles, running time: 130 minutes, not rated, probable PG-13 (violence) (Tuesday, 7 p.m.: Broadway)
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN— **** — Mel Brooks' hilarious horror spoof, starring Gene Wilder as the title character, has only improved with age. Black and white, running time: 105 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, sex) (Tonight, 7:30 p.m.: Peery's Egyptian Theater, Ogden)
LARGE-FORMAT FILMS
ANTARCTICA — The 1991 IMAX documentary explores one of the most remote places on Earth. Running time: 40 minutes, not rated, probable G (nothing offensive)
DEEP SEA 3-D — *** — This entertaining documentary is an up-close look at various forms of aquatic life. Running time: 40 minutes, G (animal violence)
DINOSAURS 3-D: GIANTS OF PATAGONIA — *** — The makers of this IMAX science film get us about as close as we'd ever want to be to these enormous creatures. Running time: 48 minutes, not rated, probable PG (violence) —Jeff Strickler, Star-Tribune (Minneapolis)
DINOSAURS ALIVE! — Large-screen documentary featuring computerized re-creations of Jurassic-era carnivores and other creatures. Running time: 40 minutes, not rated, probable PG (violence)
HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX 3-D — The new film in the large-screen format, with a handful of 3-D sequences.
SEA MONSTERS: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE — *** —What makes this IMAX mini-feature stand out from the pack is its eye-popping visuals. Running time: 40 minutes, not rated, probable PG (violence) —John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
TRANSFORMERS: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE — The summer blockbuster, converted to the large-screen format.
CONTINUING FILMS
3:10 TO YUMA — *** — The acting duel between Christian Bale and Russell Crowe is the highlight of this remake of the classic 1957 western. Running time: 117 minutes, R (violence, gore, profanity, slurs, vulgarity, nude art, torture)
30 DAYS OF NIGHT — ** — This comics-based vampire yarn is a real mess — both literally and figuratively. Running time: 110 minutes, R (violence, gore, profanity, drugs, vulgarity)
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE — ** — The Beatles song covers are the highlight of this muddled, overlong musical fantasy/romance. Running time: 134 minutes, PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, profanity, drugs, nudity, brief sex, slurs, brief gore)
THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD — *** — This "Assassination" offers enough in the way of performance and mood to earn itself a solid place in the ranks of Jesse James movies. running time: 160 minutes, R (violence, profanity, vulgarity) —Mary F. Pols, Contra Costa Times
BALLS OF FURY — * — A table-tennis spoof that's considerably dumber than it is funny. Running time: 90 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, slurs, brief drugs, brief sex)
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM — *** — The third Bourne film begins with an exciting foot-chase scene and doesn't let up. Running time: 111 minutes, PG-13 (violence, drugs, profanity, torture, brief gore)
THE BRAVE ONE — ** — Despite Jodie Foster's strong performance, this vigilante thriller is ludicrous and wrong-headed. Running time: 119 minutes, R (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, sex, drugs, brief nudity, slurs)
THE COMEBACKS — ** — One of those parody movies that presumes that merely making reference to another film constitutes a joke.Reviewed Tuesday, running time: 84 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, sex, violence, drugs) —Matt Zoller Seitz, New York Times News Service
EASTERN PROMISES — *** — Some particularly graphic violence and sexuality will probably keep some away from this well-acted mystery/mob thriller. With subtitles, running time: 96 minutes, R (violence, gore, profanity, nudity, vulgarity, sex, drugs, slurs)
ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE — ** — There is little in this "Golden Age'" to distinguish it from other filmed royal soap operas. Cate Blanchett stars. Running time: 114 minutes, PG-13 (violence, sex, nudity) —Eleanor O'Sullivan, Asbury Park (N.J.) Press
EVAN ALMIGHTY — ** — The sequel to "Bruce Almighty" isn't much funnier than its predecessor. Running time: 93 minutes, PG (vulgarity, violence, mild profanity, brief drugs)
THE GAME PLAN — ** — This attempt to make Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson "cute and cuddly" is not horrible. But it is overly familiar and too long. Running time: 110 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, brief drugs)
GONE BABY GONE — *** 1/2 — This well-acted thriller based on the best-selling novel is an assured and confident directorial debut for Ben Affleck. Running time: 114 minutes, R (profanity, drugs, violence, vulgarity, slurs, brief gore)
GOOD LUCK CHUCK —* 1/2 — This Dane Cook vehicle unsuccessfully tries to duplicate the salty-sweet comic mix of "Knocked Up." Running time: 96 minutes, R (vulgarity, sex, nudity, profanity, violence, drugs, slurs)
HAIRSPRAY — *** — John Travolta's turn is the one sore-thumb element in this musical comedy. Running time: 107 minutes, PG (vulgarity, profanity, racial epithets, violence)
HALLOWEEN — ** 1/2 — Adding sex, nudity, blood and a lame back story does not make a better "Halloween" movie. Running time: 109 minutes, R (violence, gore, profanity, nudity, vulgarity, sex, slurs)
HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX — ** 1/2 — For diehard Potter-philes only. Running time: 138 minutes, PG-13 (violence, mild profanity, vulgarity)
THE HEARTBREAK KID — * 1/2 — The Farrelly brothers' latest comedy reunites them with Ben Stiller and is so raunchy it's grotesque. Running time: 114 minutes, R (vulgarity, profanity, sex, nudity, drugs, violence, slurs)
I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK & LARRY — * 1/2 — The usual tasteless humor we've come to expect from an Adam Sandler movie. Running time: 115 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, nudity, slurs, brief sex, brief drugs)
IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON — *** 1/2 — A dream come true for space aficionados, this documentary about the NASA missions features some never-before-shown footage. Running time: 100 minutes, PG (violence, mild profanity, vulgarity)
INTO THE WILD — **** — Sean Penn's adaptation of the best-selling book is touching, thoughtful, sad, funny, sweet and ultimately redemptive — all at once. Running time: 149 minutes, R (violence, profanity, nudity, gore, brief sex, vulgarity, brief drugs)
THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB — ** — The big-screen adaptation of the "chick-lit" best-seller is predictable and too talky. Running time: 105 minutes, PG-13 (sex, vulgarity, profanity, drugs)
THE KINGDOM — ** — Jamie Foxx stars in this heavy-handed counterpoint to the nightly news. With subtitles, running time: 110 minutes, R (violence, profanity, gore, torture, vulgarity, slurs)
LUST, CAUTION — ** — Despite all the early furor about its graphic sex scenes, Ang Lee's latest is curiously sedate and unexciting. Mandarin with subtitles, running time: 157 minutes, NC-17 (sex, violence, nudity, gore, profanity, slurs, vulgarity, brief drugs)
MICHAEL CLAYTON — *** — Taut, well-written and directed thriller that provides a quality vehicle for George Clooney. Running time: 119 minutes, R (profanity, drugs, violence, vulgarity)
MOONDANCE ALEXANDER — ** 1/2 — A rather familiar girl-and-her-horse drama. Stars Kay Panabaker and Don Johnson are good, though. Running time: 93 minutes, G (violence)
MR. BEAN'S HOLIDAY — ** — The second big-screen Mr. Bean adventure is a slight improvement over its predecessor. Running time: 84 minutes, G (violence, vulgarity)
MR. WOODCOCK — * 1/2 — A painfully unfunny, mean-spirited comedy that feels like a series of mismatched parts. Seann William Scott stars. Running time: 87 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, sex, slurs, brief drugs)
NO RESERVATIONS — *** — Cinematic comfort food, something that goes down easily and doesn't leave you with heartburn. Running time: 104 minutes, PG (vulgarity, mild profanity)
PASSAGE TO ZARAHEMLA — * — This locally produced adventure-fantasy is laughably awful at times, with some jaw-dropping dumb plotting. Running time: 107 minutes, PG-13 (violence, gore, brief drugs, slurs)
RATATOUILLE — *** 1/2 —The newest Pixar animated comedy lets the humor flow naturally from the story's details. Running time: 110 minutes, G (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity)
RENDITION — ** — Even this political thriller's top-notch cast doesn't seem too excited about it. With subtitles, running time: 120 minutes, R (violence, torture, profanity, nudity, gore, brief sex)
RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION — * — Cut-rate Laura Croft Milla Jovovich hasn't had much luck turning this hit Z-movie franchise into a career renewal.Running time: 95 minutes, R (violence, gore, nudity) —Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
SARAH LANDON AND THE PARANORMAL HOUR — * 1/2 — This would-be franchise might be better suited to an early grave. Reviewed Tuesday, running time: 81 minutes, PG (violence, profanity) —Andy Webster, New York Times News Service
THE SEEKER: THE DARK IS RISING — * 1/2 — Some well-done computer-graphic effects are all this unexciting fantasy has going for it. Running time: 99 minutes, PG (violence)
THE SIMPSONS MOVIE — *** 1/2 — This film spin-off of the irreverent TV cartoon has big action and bigger laughs than most of the competition. Running time: 87 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, nudity, brief drugs)
STARDUST — ** 1/2 — The amusing supporting cast helps save this less-than-magical fantasy. Running time: 128 minutes, PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, brief gore)
SUPERBAD — *** — The preoccupation with teen sex will turn off many but parts of this buddy comedy are laugh-out-loud funny. Running time: 113 minutes, R (vulgarity, profanity, nudity, sex, violence, drugs, slurs)
SYDNEY WHITE — ** 1/2 — This cutesy, collegiate "Snow White" tale, which stars Amanda Bynes, has some charm. Running time: 95 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, drugs)
THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE — **** — Halle Berry redeems herself in this aching drama, giving a performance of depth, power and vulnerability. Running time: 119 minutes, R (drugs, profanity) —Robert W. Butler, McClatchy Newspapers
TRANSFORMERS — ** 1/2 — This sometimes rewarding science-fiction thriller's problems are story-related. Running time: 144 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, drug use)
TYLER PERRY'S WHY DID I GET MARRIED? — * 1/2 — The characters become one-liner cartoons in writer-director-actor Perry's latest. Running time: 113 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity) —Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
WAR — * —Another generic Jet Li thriller. Running time: 103 minutes, R (violence, gore, sex, nudity, profanity) —Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
WE OWN THE NIGHT — ** — James Gray's crime thriller squanders a lot of opportunities, as well as a first-rate cast. Joaquin Phoenix stars. Running time: 116 minutes, R (violence, profanity, drugs, sex, gore, vulgarity, nudity, slurs, torture)