NEW FILMS FRIDAY
10,000 B.C. — ** — An over-the-top spectacle that doesn't quite match the powerful popcorn standards of director Roland Emmerich's other films. Complete review on Page W4, running time: 108 minutes, PG-13 (violence) —Betsy Pickle, Scripps Howard News Service
THE 2007 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATED SHORT FILMS (ANIMATED PROGRAM) — *** —It's not entirely kid-friendly, but the yearly compilation of Oscar-nominated short cartoons has a few highlights. With subtitles, complete review on Page W6, running time: 85 minutes, not rated, probably PG-13 (violence, gore, brief nudity, brief sex, mild profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs)
THE BAND'S VISIT — *** 1/2 —A charming, witty and surprisingly character-driven piece about a waylaid Egyptian police band. With subtitles, complete review on Page W5, running time: 84 minutes, PG-13 (profanity, slurs, vulgarity)
THE BANK JOB — ** —Allegedly based on a true story, this is a sleazy caper thriller filled with unpleasant, unlikable characters. Complete review on Page W5, running time: 110 minutes, R (profanity, violence, nudity, sex, torture, drugs, vulgarity, brief gore, slurs)
COLLEGE ROAD TRIP — * 1/2 —A disingenuous attempt to turn the formerly R-rated comedian Martin Lawrence into a cuddly, family-friendly film star. Complete review on Page W3, running time: 83 minutes, G (violence, mild vulgarity, brief drugs)
MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY — *** —The delightful acting ensemble that helps save this pre-World War II period comedy from its humdrum direction. Complete review on Page W4, running time: 92 minutes, minutes PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, brief partial nudity, violence, brief sex)
MIDNIGHT MOVIE
CHEECH AND CHONG'S UP IN SMOKE — ** 1/2 —The first of the comedy duo's drug-culture comedies is very much an acquired taste. Running time: 86 minutes, R (vulgarity, drug use, profanity, sex, nudity, slapstick violence) (Tonight and Saturday: Tower)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
THE 2008 FOURSITE FILM FESTIVAL — The "all in good taste" film event returns for its fifth year, with four nights of screenings. A schedule is available at www.foursitefilmfest.com. (Through Saturday: Megaplex Junction, Peery's Egyptian Theater, Treehouse Children's Museum, Wildcat Theater, Ogden)
BACK COUNTRY FILM FESTIVAL — The local Winter Woodlands Alliance group is sponsoring this one-night-only screening of short documentaries with environmental themes. (Thursday, 7 p.m.: Brewvies, must be 21 or older)
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN — *** 1/2 — Director Ang Lee's "gay-cowboy" film is not as much a homosexual-rights statement as it is an unexpectedly moving, tragic drama. Running time: 134 minutes, R (profanity, sex, violence, nudity, vulgarity) (Monday, 7 p.m.: Tower)
INTERNATIONAL FILM SERIES — This week's movie is the 1998 Egyptian drama "Date Wine." With subtitles, running time: 110 minutes. (Sunday, 7 p.m.: Orson Spencer Hall, University of Utah)
THE KITE RUNNER — ** — A cinematic CliffsNotes version of Khaled Hosseini's best-selling book. With subtitles, running time: 122 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, rape, slurs, vulgarity, brief gore) (Tonight and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 6 p.m.: Park City Library)
LA RONDINE — Filmed performance of the Puccini work, featuring soprano Angela Gheorgiu and the San Francisco Opera. Running time: 90 minutes. (Saturday, noon; Sunday, 2 p.m.; Monday and Tuesday, 7 p.m.: Megaplex Gateway; $12, $9 for seniors and children)
MY FAVORITE BRUNETTE — *** —Bob Hope amuses in this 1947 spoof of noir detective thrillers. Running time: 87 minutes, not rated, probable PG (violence) (Wednesday, 7 p.m.: Park City Library)
TRUE HEART SUSIE — D.W. Griffith's 1919 drama features Lillian Gish as the title character, a lovelorn country girl. Live musical accompaniment, black and white, running time: 86 minutes, made before ratings, probable G (nothing offensive) (Tonight, 7:30 p.m.: Organ Loft)
SALT LAKE CITY FILM CENTER SCREENINGS — This week's movies include a Cinderella Film Festival, a Mexican Film and Cultural Festival, "Cafe Transit" and "For the Bible Tells Me So." A schedule is available at www.slcfilmcenter.org. (Saturday, 1 p.m.: Salt Lake City Library; Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Utah Museum of Fine Arts, University of Utah; Wednesday, 7 p.m.: Gore Auditorium, Westminster College; Thursday, 7 p.m.: Rose Wagner Center)
LARGE-FORMAT FILMS
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)
THE HUMAN BODY — The 2001 documentary short looks at digestive processes and other functions of humans. Large-screen format, running time: 40 minutes, not rated, probable PG (vulgarity)
SEA MONSTERS: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE — *** — What makes this IMAX minifeature stand out from the pack is its eye-popping visuals. Running time: 40 minutes, not rated, probable PG (violence) —John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
SPACE STATION 3-D — Tom Cruise narrates this documentary short about the International Space Station crew. Running time: 47 minutes, not rated, probable G (nothing offensive)
THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES IMAX — The new fantasy-adventure film, shown in the large-screen format. (Jordan Commons)
U2 3D IMAX — *** 1/2 — The concert film — showing the Irish rock band on its worldwide "Vertigo" tour — is the next best thing to being at one of the concerts in person. Large-screen format, running time: 85 minutes, G (nude artwork)
CONTINUING FILMS
27 DRESSES — ** — A safe starring vehicle for "Grey's Anatomy" actress Katherine Heigl, though it feels like an overlong sitcom. Running time: 112 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, brief sex)
4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS — *** —A well-acted but somewhat disturbing Romanian drama that broaches the abortion issue. Romanian with subtitles, running time: 113 minutes, not rated, probable R (profanity, brief nudity, drugs, brief gore, brief sex, slurs)
ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS — ** — Not as eye-gougingly awful as you might expect, this live-action version is simply mediocre and immediately forgettable. Running time: 92 minutes, PG (vulgarity, violence, mild profanity)
ATONEMENT — *** — A reasonably engaging period piece that suggests Keira Knightley is at her best in "costume dramas." Running time: 128 minutes, R (profanity, violence, sex, vulgarity, gore, partial nudity, drugs)
AUGUST RUSH — ** —A revisionist version of "Oliver Twist" that's so ridiculous and sappy it defies the best efforts of a pretty good cast. Running time: 114 minutes, PG (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs)
BE KIND REWIND — ** —The movie "remakes" are the one really amusing thing about this silly comic fantasy. Jack Black stars. Running time: 101 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, brief drugs, slurs)
BEE MOVIE — *** —In many respects, this animated comedy starring Jerry Seinfeld is more educational and more exciting than it is laugh-out-loud funny. Running time: 90 minutes, PG (vulgarity, violence, brief drugs
BONNEVILLE — *** —A sometimes meandering comedy-drama that boasts a terrific cast of middle-aged actors (which includes Jessica Lange and Kathy Bates). Running time: 93 minutes, PG (mild profanity, vulgarity, violence)
THE BUCKET LIST — ** — Stars Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman can't save this predictable, "Grumpy Old Dying Men" comedy. Running time: 97 minutes, PG-13 (profanity, drugs, vulgarity)
CHARLIE BARTLETT — ** —This teen comedy turns much too serious about midway through. Running time: 97 minutes, R (profanity, drugs, vulgarity, violence, brief sex, brief nudity, slurs)
CIDADE DOS HOMENS (CITY OF MEN) — *** —This Brazilian thriller about crime-ridden slums is at its best when it examines various family relationships and friendships. Portuguese with subtitles, running time: 110 minutes, R (violence, profanity, sex, vulgarity, brief drugs)
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)
DEFINITELY, MAYBE — *** —This "mystery love story" does have considerable appeal — including Ryan Reynolds' performance. Running time: 111 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, brief drugs, slurs, brief sex)
ENCHANTED — *** —Amy Adams enchants as a fairy-tale princess trapped in the real world in this cheeky romantic comedy/fantasy. Running time: 95 minutes, PG (violence, mild vulgarity, mild profanity, nude art)
THE EYE — * 1/2 —The real stiff in this horror remake is Jessica Alba, who gives a flat, utterly un-affecting performance. Running time: 97 minutes, PG-13 (violence) —Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
FOOL'S GOLD — * 1/2 —A charmless romantic comedy-adventure that's dumber than the "National Treasure" sequel. Running time: 110 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief sex, brief partial nudity)
THE GOLDEN COMPASS — ** — A muddled, confusing fantasy. Running time: 113 minutes, PG-13 (violence)
HANNAH MONTANA/MILEY CYRUS: BEST OF BOTH WORLDS CONCERT — ** —A concert film that's for fans of the 15-year-old pop phenom only. Shown in the 3-D format. Running time: 75 minutes, G (nothing offensive) —Eleanor O'Sullivan, Asbury Park (N.J.) Press
I AM LEGEND — *** — More of an improved "Omega Man" remake than a faithful adaptation of Richard Matheson's story. Will Smith stars. Running time: 100 minutes, PG-13 (violence, gore, drugs, profanity)
IN BRUGES — *** —Those who can withstand this darkly comic thriller's verbal assault on their sensibilities will be rewarded. Colin Farrell stars. Running time: 101 minutes, R (profanity, violence, gore, drugs, vulgarity, slurs, brief sex, nude art)
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)
JUMPER — ** —A science-fiction adventure film doesn't do anything with its cool premise. It also has a wooden lead, Hayden Christensen. Running time: 88 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief sex)
JUNO — **** —A teen-pregnancy comedy filled with witty dialogue and genuine emotion — and occasional crudeness. Running time: 97 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, brief sex, brief drugs, brief gore, slurs)
THE KITE RUNNER — ** — See listing under Special Screenings.
LARS AND THE REAL GIRL — *** — This quirky comedy-drama treats some potentially offensive material with surprising taste and restraint. Ryan Gosling stars. Running time: 106 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, mild profanity, brief drugs, slurs)
MAD MONEY — ** — A cutesy-poo caper comedy of the overfamiliar variety. Diane Keaton stars. Running time: 98 minutes, PG-13 (sex, vulgarity, profanity, brief drugs) —Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
MEET THE SPARTANS — * —These cut-and-paste comedies are so worn out that they have devolved to simple pop-culture riffs. Running time: 84 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, sex, profanity, violence) —Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS — ** — Not without a few goofy thrills, but we've seen most — if not all — of this done better before. Running time: 124 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity)
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN — *** 1/2 —The Coen brothers' most assured accomplished movie in years. Winner of four Academy Awards. Running time: 117 minutes, R (violence, gore, profanity, drugs, vulgarity, slurs)
ONE MISSED CALL — * 1/2 —This mysterious, "Can you hear me now?" thriller is spoiled by too many answers to too many questions. Running time: 87 minutes, PG-13 (violence, sex) —Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL — ** —This costume drama features a fairly questionable version of historical events. Scarlett Johansson stars. Running time: 110 minutes, PG-13 (sex, violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, brief gore, slurs)
OVER HER DEAD BODY — * 1/2 —A charmless, mediocre romantic comedy with supernatural overtones. Eva Longoria Parker stars. Running time: 96 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, violence, brief sex, brief nudity, brief drugs)
P.S. I LOVE YOU — ** — Hilary Swank seems out of sorts in this two-hour sitcom. Running time: 126 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity, brief sex, brief partial nudity, slapstick violence, slurs, brief drugs)
PENELOPE — ** 1/2 —This modern-day fairy tale is generally charming. Christina Ricci stars. Running time: 85 minutes, PG (vulgarity, profanity) —Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
THE PIRATES WHO DON'T DO ANYTHING: A VEGGIETALES MOVIE — *** —The latest, theatrical "VeggieTale" has plenty of kid-level humor. Running time: 85 minutes, G (nothing offensive) —Bill Goodykoontz, Gannett News Service
RAMBO — ** —This "Rambo" redux at least recognizes that something subtler than the clamor of its predecessors is needed. Running time: 93 minutes, R (violence, rape, profanity) —Gene Seymour, Newsday
THE SAVAGES — *** —Actress Laura Linney is the best part of the well-acted, dysfunctional family piece. Running time: 113 minutes, R (profanity, vulgarity, sex, drugs)
SEMI-PRO — ** —Will Ferrell's latest is a '70s-period sports comedy that's only funny about half of the time. Running time: 91 minutes, R (profanity, violence, vulgarity, sex, drugs, slurs, brief gore)
THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES — *** —This is also the best fantasy movie to come along in a while. Running time: 97 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, slurs)
STEP UP 2 THE STREETS — ** —The same movie as the 2006 step-dancing hit, at least in terms of story arc. Running time: 97 minutes, PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence) —Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET — *** 1/2 — Tim Burton's sometimes-gory adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical is bloody good fun. Johnny Depp stars. Running time: 116 minutes, R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, nude art)
THERE WILL BE BLOOD — *** — P.T. Anderson's oil drama is pretty riveting stuff — despite the rushed and ridiculous finale. Best Actor Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis stars. Running time: 158 minutes, R (violence, profanity, vulgarity, gore)
VANTAGE POINT — * 1/2 —A hopelessly convoluted and contrived thriller. Running time: 90 minutes, PG-13 (violence, profanity, gore, brief drugs)
THE WATER HORSE: LEGEND OF THE DEEP — *** — The boy-and-his-creature fantasy has some genuine appeal. Running time: 108 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity)
WELCOME HOME ROSCOE JENKINS — *— An alternately gooey and annoying comedy in which Martin Lawrence tries to play straight man. Running time: 114 minutes, PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, sex, racial epithets, brief drugs)
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