CABIN BOY (PG-13) 76 minutes BOMB With cheap special effects, humor that is based solely on humiliating Chris Elliott, and a best line of "Purple lightning... that's always a good sign," the only good thing about this movie is that it's short! Still, why make it at all! PG-13 for language.
CABIN FEVER (R) 88 minutes 1/2 Five college kisd rent a cabin in the middle of nowhere... it's the perfect place for something to go wrong. It does, in the form of a guy who shows up out of nowhere with some plague-like disease which they all start catching. Poorly edited, which hurts the flow of the film, but the amateurish writing hurts it even more. R for violence, language, and sex.
THE CABLE GUY (PG-13) 92 minutes 1/2 Talk about the ultimate pest... a cable guy who won't go away... or Jim Carrey in general, since he doesn't seem to be going away either! Shallow characters and lots of Carrey's facial gestures get tiresome very quickly. Matthew Broderick looks as though he's sorry he signed on to do this one! PG-13 for language.
CADDYSHACK II (PG) 96 minutes BOMB Jackie Mason does his best to rip-off Rodney Dangerfield in this worthless sequel. Nothing to do with the first film, and after thirty minutes of watching this, you know it isn't going to get any better.
CADILLAC MAN (R) 95 minutes * * 1/2 Robin Williams and Tim Robbins star, with Williams about to lose his job as a car salesman unless he can sell 12 luxury cars within 48 hours. It's an uneven ride, but Williams manages to carry the film well enough that we're not entirely disappointed. The main problem is that it's a one-joke film and that does wear thin after awhile. R for language.
CALENDAR GIRL (PG-13) 85 minutes * 1/2 It's 1962 and three young guys set off to meet Marilyn Monroe. A coming of age film that's mostly fluff, though there are a few nice clips of Monroe. Not bad, just not very memorable.
CALENDAR GIRLS (PG-13) 103 minutes * * * In an effort to raise money to buy a comfortable couch for the hospital waiting room in memory of Annie's husband, she and her friends decide to create a calendar with photographs of themselves... in the nude. Charming and amusing story, based on a real incident. Helen Mirren and Julie Walters head the cast, but everyone does a great job. The story is a gem, giving us not only the humor that keeps us smiling, but enough of the serious moments we need to keep it feeling real. PG-13 for language and nudity.
CALL ME: THE RISE AND FALL OF HEIDI FLEISS (NR) 82 minutes * * The story of Hollywood's infamous madam, presented in a somewhat tabloid style, with very frequent narration. Jamie-Lynn DiScala makes it worth a look, but this is still a one-note script that wastes the talents of the supporting cast. Not really a suprise for a TV movie, just a little disappointing.
THE CALL OF CTHULHU (NR) 45 minutes * * * H. P. Lovecraft's famous horror story is brought to the big screen in a classic form. The filmmakers decided that since the story was written in 1926, it should be done as a silent film. They have captured the essence of the story and kept much of the style of silent filmmaking in the presentation. Nice use of shadows and an exaggerated sense of performance that is quite appropriate. There are too many words to read at times, and some of the scene changes use more modern methods. Still, it's nice to see the story presented in this style. Filmed in Hollywood and in Providence, Rhode Island.
CAMP NOWHERE (PG) 92 minutes * Low budget and a poor script help this film about a summer camp gone wrong go nowhere. The talents of Christopher Lloyd are wasted though there are a couple of minutes here and there that show a little life. It's basically a party film for the 10-14 age crowd. PG for language.
CANDY (R) 102 minutes * * * Dan (Heath Ledger) and Candy (Abbie Cornish) fall in love, and off the edge. Spinning out of control with an addiction to heroin, this is an almost painfully realistic look at artistic destruction. Ledger and Cornish are both strong here, giving us characters we want to care about, though we struggle with how they just can't seem to get their lives together long enough to make anything work. R for language and sex.
CANDYMAN (R) 94 minutes * * 1/2 Based on Clive Barker's "The Forbidden", this is an interesting exploration of urban mythology and the art of horror storytelling. Great special effects, solid performance by Virginia Madsen, and appropriately eerie music by Philip Glass make this a fine entry in the genre, though the ending is a bit weak.
CANDYMAN: FAREWELL TO THE FLESH (R) 90 minutes * * 1/2 As with many sequels, too much time spent on answering question raised by the first film. Nice sets and special effects and a few good scares that wait for the "second beat" to catch you off guard. Nice! But too many shots of Mardi Gras and minor cast members who can't act ruin much of the overall effect, though the ending manages to spook us and make us laugh as well. Again, a nice touch.
CAN'T BUY ME LOVE (PG-13) 90 minutes * * 1/2 Ronald (Patrick Dempsey) decides to overcome his nerdiness by hiring a cheerleader (Amanda Peterson) to be his girlfriend. Of course, he finds out that being "cool" isn't as important as he thought it was. Interestingly enough, she learns the same lesson. No real surprises here, but the cast have a very well-written script to work with and it helps bring out the best in their performances. Nice light entertainment.
CAN'T HARDLY WAIT (PG-13) 94 minutes * 1/2 Jennifer Love Hewitt stars in this story of finding love where you least expect it. Preston (Ethan Embry) has just one chance to have a date with Amanda (Hewitt)... will things work out the way he hopes? The story fails miserably here, letting us down almost all the way through despite having a flair for effective dialogue. The acting isn't bad either, but there's just no depth to these characters. PG-13 for language.
EL CANTANTE (R) 108 minutes * * Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez star in this biographical film about Hector Lavoe. Anthony does a great job here, but the film focuses too much on its "interview" with his wife, Puchi, and gives us little reason to like her. A more dramatic presentation and more of how Lavoe and salsa became so popular would have made this a much better film. R for language and sex.
CAPE FEAR (R) 124 minutes * * * 1/2 Excellent remake of the 1962 classic about the power of revenge and the importance of honesty as a former felon goes after the lawyer who had him convicted. Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, Robert DeNiro, and the rest of the cast are near perfect. It's also nice to see some of the cast from the original film playing bit parts here. Elmer Bernstein adapts Bernard Hermann's original score to add just the right touch to the creepy atmosphere of the story. R for language and violence.
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE (PG-13) 103 minutes * * 1/2 Gentle, laid-back story of life in Cape Town, South Africa. The relationships, hopes, dreams, and shortcomings of some of the people are interwoven in this easy-going film that will bring a smile to your face. There are definitely some less than pleasant events that happen, but we find ourselves really liking these characters and wanting life to work out well for them. Filmed in Hout Bay, South Africa. PG-13 for language and violence.
CAPOTE (R) 109 minutes * * * 1/2 Truman Capote (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is a successful author, looking for his next story. He stumbles across a newspaper article about a murder and decides to find out more. Befriending one of the accussed killers, the story Truman tells becomes even more powerful than he could have hoped for, taking over his life and affecting him in ways he ever dreamed possible. Hoffman's performance earned him a well-deserved Oscar. Filmed in Manitoba. R for language and violence.
CAPTAIN CORELLI'S MANDOLIN (R) 120 minutes * * 1/2 The real reason to see this film is for John Hurt's performance, not Nicholas Cage or Penelope Cruz. It's really his story... the story of the people of Cephallonia during the Italian occupation of World War II. Yes, his daughter falls in love with an Italian officer who plays the mandolin, but Cage's character is a shadow, a character who is there to elicit fatherly advice from a man whose daughter is caught between two men and her feelings, just like the island is caught in the middle of the war. In fact, Hurt's character even exclaims that it is "his" island at one point, because he was born there. People who are going to watch this as a romance movie between Cruz and Cage may well be a little disappointed. Filmed in Cephallonia. R for violence and sex.
CAPTAIN RON (PG-13) 98 minutes * * Martin an Katharine Harvey inherit a boat and decide to take a cruise. Unfortunately, it's in pretty bad shape and the captain isn't much better. The real comic twist here is that Martin Short plays the straight role and Kurt Russell is the comedian... it doesn't work very well, though there are a few moments here and there. PG-13 for language and nudity.
CAPTIVITY (R) 86 minutes * * Jennifer (Elisha Cuthbert) awakens to find herself trapped, a captive in a room with no way out. She soon discovers that she is not alone, and we soon discover that we already know what's going to happen. The editing is rough in a few spots and rather disjointed. And more suspenseful music might have helped as well. Cuthbert does nice work here, but it isn't enough to keep the film more than mildly interesting. R for violence, language, and sex.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES (PG-13) 79 minutes 1/2 John Hughes' name has been associated with a number of great films. This is not one of them. There is one scene in the film that has some merit. The young stars begin to realize that money won't buy everything, especially hapiness, and that failure in your career or in a particular task doesn't mean your life is worthless. After that momentary lapse into meaningful dialogue, we quickly return to meaningless banter and camera angles designed to highlight certain areas of Jennifer Connelly's body. The film itself is much like Connelly's character, who is a big tease. PG-13 for suggestive language.
CARLITO'S WAY (R) 139 minutes * * Carlito (Al Pacino) has just been released from prison and plans to go straight. The idea is to save up enough money to start a car rental agency in the Bahamas. But trouble seems to have a way of finding Carlito, no matter how hard he tries to avoid it. Not a bad film, but the style is more suited to a television presentation despite Pacino's good performance. R for violence and language.
CARLITO'S WAY: RISE TO POWER (R) 88 minutes * * Prequel to "Carlito's Way", that follows Carlito from his days of stealing cars to his beginnings as part of a powerful trio who sell drugs and start working with the big dealers. This ha even more of that "TV movie" feel to it, but those who enjoy gangster films should still find it enjoyable. Slightly overdrawn characters performed reasonably well by Jay Hernandez, Mario Van Peebles, and Sean Combs among others. R for violence, language, and sex.
CARNOSAUR (R) 79 minutes 1/2 A mad scientist breeds dinosaurs in chicken eggs so they can rule the earth again. A few reasonable effects from John Beuchler, but a pathetic script that make what could have been campy fun, into a real chore to watch.
A CAROL CHRISTMAS (NR) 83 minutes * * Tori Spelling fans rejoice! It's a version of "A Christmas Carol" with Tori as Scrooge! Please don't tell me you didn't figure that out from the title of the film... With William Shatner and Gary Coleman as two of the ghosts, you can probably already guess what kind of cheesy humor will be part of the film. It's not bad, but clearly an inexpensive production made to cash in on the holiday.
CARPOOL (PG) 86 minutes 1/2 Most of this film takes place inside the van which is taken hostage by Tom Arnold as he mistakenly commits a robbery. Making the film was a mistake too, and unless you really enjoy Tom Arnold, you won't find this funny, or even very interesting. PG for language and violence.
CARS (G) 108 minutes * * * The story of a rookie who meets a legend, and learns more than he ever thought possible. You've never seen cars with personality like this, but thanks to Pixar, you can now! Great character voices by Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Cheech Marin, Larry the Cable Guy, Bonnie Hunt, and many more! A great soundtrack by Randy Newman, with an Oscar potential song, "Our Town" by James Taylor. Just remember, there's more to racing than just winning, and a whole lot more to life as well!
CASANOVA (2005) (R) 106 minutes * * 1/2 Casanova (Heath Ledger) is in trouble again and has been given an ultimatum... find a wife by the time the upcoming festival begins, or leave town forever. As the time nears, Casanova finds himself in love yet still with a few tricks up his sleeve. But love has a few tricks of its own to play. Clever retelling of the legend that gets a bit too serious at times, yet manages to recover a sense of humor and keep us interested. Nice job by Ledger, who is well-supported by Sienna Miller, Lena Olin, Oliver Platt and the rest. Filmed in Venice. R for sex and language.
CASANOVA (2005-TV) (NR) 170 minutes * * * The tale of Casanova told in his last days as he continues to flirt with a young maid. It's a story filled with danger and adventure, sex and passion, humor and folly, love and heartache. Solid performances from Peter O'Toole who plays the older Casanova, and David Tennant playing the part during the height of his adventurous exploits. Nina Sosanya delivers a stunning supporting performance as well, playing the part of Bellino, one of Casanova's few friends. Despite his various escapades, his love for the unattainable Henriette (Laura Fraser) never fades.
CASINO (R) 172 minutes * * * Ace (Robert DeNiro) has finally made it big, moving from the streets to being in control of a casino in Las Vegas. But his friend Nicky (Joe Pesci) is along for the ride and thrives on taking longshots. That's not really the way to do business, especially in Vegas. The story builds slowly as we follow these two on their way up and down the ladder of casino success. It's a well-written adaptation of Nicolas Pileggi's book, based on fact, that makes for an interesting, if slightly long, film about power, greed, and relationships. R for language and violence.
CASINO ROYALE (2006) (PG-13) * * * Daniel Craig's first film as James Bond is a revisiting of the 1967 film, an early adventure in the series. The emphasis here is on physical stunts rather than exectronic gadgetry and explosive effects. The running stunts at the beginning of the film are fantastic and set the pace for the rest of the film. Craig does a nice job, and dialogue is kept to a minimum, adding to his mystique. A little intensity is lost late in the film, though that's not uncommon for Bond films. The story winds down and a couple of last minute twists are uncovered before we are set up to imagine what the next adventure will be. Nice work, though fans of the series may find a few discrepancies in the storyline. If you take it on its own though, it's an entertaining film with a bit of a new and different look for Bond. PG-13 for violence and language.
CASPER (PG) 93 minutes * * * 1/2 Full of fabulous animation, courtesy of ILM, and wonderful photography work by Dean Cundey, this is a visual delight. The characters are fun and creative, although I'm not sure why Casper has to be the ghost of a dead boy... Still, kids love this and most adults won't find it too hard to sit through either. Lots of cameo appearances from some you might not expect, like Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, Rodney Dangerfield...
CAST AWAY (PG-13) 135 minutes * * * It was supposed to be a quick trip for his job with FedEx, but when the plane crashes in the ocean, Chuck (Tom Hanks) finds himself alone on a tiny island, several hundred miles away from anywhere they'll be looking for him. The film deals fairly well with the effects of four years of isolation on a person, but sometimes goes a bit too far. For example, the idea that so many FedEx packages would wash ashore on the same little island while virtually nothing else does is a bit much. There are other things as well, but Hanks manages to keep our interest, which is no easy task with so much of the film resting on his shoulders. Though I don't wish to spoil the end of the film for people, I will say that most people are a bit frustrated with how it ends. I felt it was the perfect ending, but I don't mind it if all the questions aren't answered by the time the credits role as long as the story remains true to itself. PG-13 for language and violence.
CASTAWAY (R) 115 minutes * 1/2 Oliver Reed and Amanda Donohoe star in this adaptation of Lucy Irvine's book. It's a sort of "Blue Lagoon" for adults, but without the innocence. Though trying to be thought provoking at times, it never really succeeds. Dreams and memories are intercut in the story, but we're never all that sure why some of the images are there. Confusing, though providing some beuatiful scenery courtesy of the Seychelles, where it was filmed.
CASUAL SEX? (R) 83 minutes * 1/2 Adapted from the stage play of the same name, this is the story of two very different young women and their search for love. The problem is that there's little in the way of sensitivity here, though I guess that makes it no surprise to see Andrew Dice Clay playing a character. It does wrap up nicely at the end, but there are so many other films about love and sex and why relationships are important that this is definitely one that you should probably skip unless you're a fan of Lea Thompson.
CASUALTIES OF WAR (R) 106 minutes * * There are many kinds of casualties when there is war. Not only are enemies killed, but so are friends and innocent bystanders. And those who live through a war are casualties in other ways. It's a good point, but director Brian DePalma manages to muddle it up so much that we lose the impact. It doesn't help matters that Michael J. Fox is asked to deliver preachy monologues as we experience the war through his eyes as a new recruit in the Vietnam war. Sean Penn, on the other hand, does a fine job, and Ennio Morricone's music captures the mood of the film well. R for violence, language, and sex.
THE CAT IN THE HAT (PG) 75 minutes * * As with the adaptation of the Grinch, the sets, props, and costumes, are amazing and capture quite well the feeling of the books. And, as with the first, there is the unnecessary inclusion of adult humor that is far from subtle and that is too often just rude. The subplot of the neighbor who is interested in the children's mother is a boring addition that does little more than annoy us. Thing one and thing two are the best parts of the film. It's at their arrive that mayhem truly erupts and things get interesting. Fans of the Grinch movie may enjoy this, but those who enjoyed the original book will most likely be a bit disappointed. PG for violence and language.
CATCH A FIRE (PG-13) 93 minutes * * 1/2 Patrick Chamusso (Derek Luke) never planned on being a hero. A foreman at an oil refinery, life was fine for Chamusso until he finds himself in jail, targeted by policeman Nic Vos (Tim Robbins). Luke does an outstanding job in his role, but Robbins seems distracted and unsure of his place in the story. It makes for an uneven story where we tend to ignore Robbins' character as much as we can. PG-13 for violence and language.
CATCH AND RELEASE (PG-13) 106 minutes * * 1/2 Cute and lightweight romance film with Jennifer Garner starring as Gray, a young woman who finds herself slowly but surely falling for Fritz (Timothy Olyphant) even as she is still dealing with the death of her fiancee. She's just beginning to learn about who he really was... and who she is herself. Some of the best bits of the film are from Kevin Smith's character, who seems the most in touch with reality. Friends and family, life and death, pain and healing, catch and release. It's a pleasant enough diversion, but there's not a great deal of depth here. PG-13 for language and sex.
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (PG-13) 136 minutes * * * When young Frank Abagnale (Leonardo DiCaprio) is forced to choose which of his parents to live with when they get divorced, his choice is to go on the run. He's a natural con artist, and his brief career of deception is quite spectacular. He masquerades as a lawyer, a doctor, and a pilot, and soon draws the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks). While he tries to avoid being caught, it's also obvious that Carl becomes a strong father figure for Frank. It's a fascinating story, based on Frank Abagnale's autobiographical book by the same title and Steven Spielberg has done a nice job bringing it to the screen. DiCaprio fits the part well and Hanks and the rest of the cast do solid work too. PG-13 for language.
CATCH THAT KID (PG) 86 minutes * * Low budget film aimed at preteens with young Maddy (Kristen Stewart) trying to raise money for an operation her dad desperately needs. She and her friends decide to "borrow" the money from the bank her mom set up the security system for. It's no "Spy Kids", though the sense of adventure is in that style. The film has heart and the actors shouldn't be held too much to blame. It's the low budget and inexperienced direction that leaves this on the low side of average. PG for violence.
CATS & DOGS (PG) 82 minutes * * A formula is on the verge of being developed that will rid humans of their allergic reactions to dogs, thus giving them the advantage over cats. But the cats are on to the plan and will do everything in their power to see that it doesn't happen. Cute story, though the puppetry and computer animations are a bit overdone at times. Most of the under-12 crowd will enjoy it and parents will find it moderately entertaining in spots as well. PG for violence.
CATS DON'T DANCE (G) 69 minutes * * 1/2 Bright and fun carton from Warner Brothers with some cute characters and a nice little story about doing your best and not quitting when things get tough. Scott Bakula, Jasmine Guy, and Ashley Peldon provide the main character voices. This lacks what it needs in the musical area though, which is a surprise when you have Randy Newman writing and Natalie Cole singing. Dedicated to "friend and collaborator" Gene Kelly.
CATWOMAN (PG-13) 98 minutes 1/2 Sexy but incredibly shallow adaptation of the comic boko character to the big screen. Halle Berry does what she can here, but the script gives us a Catwoman who is highly emotional and appears to enjoy sex. Vastly different from the character in the comic who rarely showed much emotion and who used sex and sensuality as a tactic to get the best of her opponents. The origin of the character segment at the beginning is fairly well done. Unfortunately, when we get to the main story, about a cosmetic cream that has damaging effects when not used, we wonder why we're supposed to care. Also, as with the first Spider-man film, there is poor transition between the CGI images and the live footage, and far too much of the CGI in general. PG-13 for violence and sensuality.
CAUGHT (PG-13) 112 minutes * * From the Billy Graham organization comes this overlong and often hard to understand (as in we can't understand the words the people are saying) film. Unrealistically happy ending, though it's not really a surprise. The soundtrack is nice here, but it's cluttered with too many songs.
CAUGHT UP (R) 95 minutes * Nothing new here, the typical messages to inspire African-American youth to get an education, stay away from drugs and guns, etc. The biggest problem is that the acting is far too stilted to draw us into the story. The script ends up getting "caught up" in itself too often as well, losing focus and direction. Tony Todd comes off well, and LL Cool J and Snoop Doggy Dogg are here too. R for sex, language, and violence.
CAUTIVA (NR) 108 minutes * * * Cristina (Barbara Lombardo) finds her world collapsing around her when she is suddenly pulled out of school and informed that the people who have raised her are not her parents. Her identity in question, she has to not only discover who she is, but decide what that means for her. Fascinating and somewhat frightening look at part of Argentina's history.
THE CAVE (PG-13) 92 minutes 1/2 It's about a cave. It has monsters. Don't go in. Don't watch. There actually are some fairly good effects, but most of the film is too dark to see them very much. Too many cut shots keep leaving us disappointed that we don't get to see more. The story does use an interesting idea toward the end, but it gets lost in the bad dialogue and, sad to say, even worse acting. PG-13 for violence and language.
CB4 (R) 80 minutes * Chris Rock bit off a bit more than he can handle by co-writing, co-producing, and starring in this low-budget rap music movie-with-a-moral. The title stands for Cell Block 4, the residence of Rock and his fellow rappers.
THE CELL (R) 101 minutes * * A psychotic killer has finally been caught, but his latest victim is still alive... somewhere. He can't tell anyone where she is though, as he's now in a catatonic state that the doctors say is permanent. Enter Catherine Deane (Jennifer Lopez)and a research team who have been working on a way to enter the mind of another person. Can Catherine discover the victim's whereabouts before it's too late? The story gets mired in the mystery and a side story of a little boy that Catherine has been working with instead of playing on what it might mean to enter someone else's mind. It weakens the story and the direction appears rather aimless at times. Lopez and the rest do a reasonably good job, but the film just never grabs us like it needs to. R for violence and language.
CELLULAR (PG-13) 88 minutes * * Ryan (Chris Evans) was just minding his own business when his cell phone rings and a woman (Kim Basinger) on the other end tells him she's been kidnapped. Now he can't lose the connection or she might not get help. There are a few moments of some real tension here, but the two-dimensional acting of the leads doesn't help. William H. Macy and Jason Statham are both good here, but it's not enough to carry the film. The "cops gone bad" angle works fine, and in fact even helps us overlook the more unbelievable aspects of the story. PG-13 for violence and language.
THE CELLULOID CLOSET (R) 102 minutes * * * 1/2 Documentary film that uncovers the homosexual presence in films. Interviews with filmmakers and actors, discussion of scripts and attitudes in Hollywood provide a revealing look. If you can keep an open mind, you'll be amazed and intrigued.
CELTIC PRIDE (PG-13) 85 minutes 1/2 Two overzealous Celtic fans take things to the extreme to ensure the victory of their team. Kidnapping the opposition's star player, they get drunk and into lots of trouble and don't know what to do. Neither does the film, which has a ridiculous ending.
THE CEMETARY CLUB (PG-13) 99 minutes * * * 1/2 Getting back into life isn't always easy, especially if you've lost someone you love to death. Esther, Doris, and Lucille help each other along though... at least, most of the time. Ellen Burstyn, Olympia Dukakis, and Diane Ladd are superb. It's a drama of life and death, friendship and love... filled with tragedy and comedy, it is both touching and hilarious.
CENTER STAGE (PG-13) 110 minutes * * Accepted into the American Ballet Academy's program, Jody (Amanda Schull) quickly finds out how tough competition at the top can be. You have to find your inspiration wherever you can and follow your heart. That means we have a story with no surprises and an idealized view of the way things happen in real life, but that's no surprise either. It runs a little long and there are some editing problems during some of the dance numbers, though the choreography is good. PG-13 for language.
CENTRAL STATION (NR) 110 minutes * * * 1/2 Dora (Fernanda Montenegro) is a cynical woman who used to be a teacher. Now she writes letters for people passing through the central station in Rio de Janiero. Josue's mother is killed just outside the station and Dora finds herself trying to help despite her better judgement. As they journey to the country to find his father, they find themselves on an inner journey as well. The splendid acting by Montengro and Vincius de Oliveira will draw you in almost immediately. The two characters fit together despite their differences and you find yourself not wanting this film to end. It's a wonderful piece of work from director Walter Salles.
CHAIN REACTION (R) 100 minutes * * * Technology that will give clean, efficient power to everyone at a very low cost... sounds like something that people will be fighting over. That's just what Keanu Reeves discovers in this interesting action film. A nice script that mixes the moments of unbelievability with solid segments that keep things interesting. Jerry Goldsmith's wonderful soundtrack doesn't hurt either! R for language and violence.
CHALK (PG-13) 80 minutes 1/2 Filmed to imitate a documentary style, this is a film about teaching, teachers, and how difficult yet rewarding it can be to be in the educational profession. The humor is dry and sacrastic, which might be fine except that not only are the characters portraying teachers who can't teach, they are played by actors who can't act. An amateurish production that sadly misses the mark. PG-13 for language.
THE CHALK GARDEN (NR) 106 minutes * * * Deborah Kerr and Hayley Mills star in this story of an unruly teenager who finally finds the governess she can learn something from. Adapted from Enid Bagnold's play, this has incredibly strong characters that are played well by the leads. The leads work well together and the supporting cast rounds things out nicely.
THE CHAMBER (R) 108 minutes * * The idea here is interesting enough... that groups like the Ku Klux Klan are actually being used by even more powerful white elite groups to do their dirty work. But this never has the passion it needs to take it anywhere. Chris O'Donnell and Gene Hackman just aren't able to take it to the level it needs to reach. Carte Burwell's music works well, but this is definitely a lesser film of a John Grisham novel. R for violence and language.
CHANCES ARE (PG) 103 minutes * * * 1/2 Alex Finch (Robert Downey Jr.) has the distinct impression that he's been here before. And this isn't your typical case of deja vu either. What's more, he's found his wife from this previous life. Now, if he can only figure out a way to tell her what has happened... Downey turns in a fabulous performance, but the rest of the cast isn't far behind. The script flows smoothly and draws us in along with a wonderful soundtrack from Maurice Jarre. The song, "After All", sung by Cher and Peter Cetera, managed to receive nominations for both an Oscar and a Golden Globe, though the equally fine "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart was ignored. The story is well-worn, but feels fresh and entertains us... nice job! The only real problem is that Cybill Shepherd and Ryan O'Neal don't come across as having aged the 23 years that the story asks us to believe they have. Perhaps a bit picky, but more attention to the makeup and costumes could've added what was needed to give this a perfect four. PG for language and sex, but not much of either one.
CHANGING LANES (R) 95 minutes * * 1/2 Gavin (Ben Affleck) is in a hurry and thinking only of himself. Doyle (Samuel) is in much the same state, but when their lives crash together, the resulting conflict creates a need for at least one of them to "change lanes" and rethink the way they approach life. Not only can that be very difficult, it tends to make us even more aware that even on our present course, our lives touch others and have effects that we frequently aren't aware of. At the end of the day, have you done more good than harm? The ending is a little too sweet considering the rest of the story, but it does manage to be both thought provoking and relatively entertaining. Filmed in New York City. R for language.
CHAPLIN (PG-13) 137 minutes * * * * Robert Downey Jr. gives the performance of his career in this bio-pic of Charlie Chaplin. Not only with Downey's acting, but with camera work presented in the style of the 1920's and 30's, this really feels like we're watching the late, great comedian in scenes we'd missed before. It's a masterpiece that pays homage to the achievements of one of the stage and screen's early and most talented comedians. Bravo! PG-13 for nudity and language.
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (PG) 108 minutes * * * 1/2 Incredibly creative adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl story that focuses a bit more directly on the more macabre aspects of the book. That's what we've come to expect of a Tim Burton film, but it's great to see this story receive a treatment that has this darker feel. Nothing against the classic interpretation with Gene Wilder in the part of Willy Wonka, but it has a more cheerful view in general. It's similar to the difference between the typical versions of the classic Grimm Brothers fairy tales, which are actually quite gruesome and macabre but have been rewritten and turned into so many cute cartoons that we've lost sight of what was there to begin with. Thanks to Tim Burton, we've been reminded that Willy Wonka did not ever really even like children. He loved chocolate. He loved it so much that he had to overcome his distaste (pun intended) for people in general to find an heir who could continue the work of his factory. The amazing musical talents of Danny Elfman accentuate the film as perfectly as ever. And the acting talents of Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, and the rest give life to an amazing set of characters that are difficult to forget. PG for violence.
CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR (R) 94 minutes * * 1/2 Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) was a politician who collected IOU's... until he had a reason to cash them in. Defeating communism became his cause, and he had the cards to play to win the game. The political game, like so many others has many facets, and it's difficult to win because many of the players move on to something else before the game has really finished. Hanks delivers a standard performance and Philip Seymour Hoffman chews up the scenery as he so often does. Julie Roberts gives us the best performance in the film, as Joanne Herring, a powerful woman who has her own political agenda. Adapted from the book by George Crile. R for sex, violence, and language.
CHARLIE'S ANGELS (PG-13) 90 minutes * * 1/2 From the opening moments of this film, it's clear that the idea here was to have fun and not to be a theatrical version of the old TV show. There isn't much to the story, but there's just enough tease and action to keep just about everyone watching. There are editing problems in a few spots with the slow-motion action and the humor is a bit too strong in a couple of segments. But for the most part, this is a fun film that manages to remake and parody the old series at the same time. Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu... are you ready for part two? PG-13 for language and violence.
CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE (PG-13) 98 minutes * 1/2 The angels are back with more of everything. A bit too much more in fact. Too many sex jokes that just don't fit, more extreme stunt work that involves special effects and looks a bit ridiculous at times, more cameos... most of which are just silly. Eric Bogosian, Carrie Fisher, Pink, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and Jaclyn Smith are just a few of those who appear. Perhaps part three will pay a bit more attention to creating something a bit more substantial... I know... I'm not asking for "Citizen Kane", but it wouldn't take much to give this some depth and make it even more exciting. PG-13 for language and violence.
CHARLOTTE'S WEB (2006) (G) 87 minutes * * * Live-action version of the classis children's tale by E.B. White about friendship, starring Dakota Fanning as young Fern. Sheo rescues a runt piglet whose friendship with a spider teaches us all about friendship and sacrifice. Fanning is very good here, but the voices of Charlotte (Julia Roberts) and Wilbur (Dominic Scott Kay) are perfect. The cast of voices that speak for the animals is all top-notch, including Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Oprah Winfrey, Cedric the Entertainer, Robert Redford, Kathy Bates, and Reba McEntire. Complimented with music by Danny Elfman, it's a great film for the family.
THE CHASE (PG-13) 81 minutes 1/2 This film is off balance from the very beginning, never letting us know if we're supposed to laugh or be in suspense, with the final result being just plain irritating. The actual car chase sequences are poor even by TV movie standards, so unless you're a big fan of Charlie Sheen or Kristy Swanson, this will be a waste of time.
CHASERS (R) 98 minutes * Lightweight story about two Navy cops assigned to escort a prisoner from one location to another. Instead of the usual troublemaker, they get beautiful young Erika Eleniak, who's even more trouble. Played far too seriously to be any fun, this just ends up being boring. R for language and sex.
CHASING AMY (R) 110 minutes * * * Bearing little resemblance in quality to its two predecessors ("Clerks" and "Mallrats"), this film tells the story of Holden and Banky as they have become successful comic book artists and Holden falls in love with another comic artist, Alyssa, who isn't what she seems. While some may not be thrilled with how Alyssa's character is handled, I found the story to be very well-written and was particularly impressed with Joey Lauren Adams' portrayal of Alyssa. There is some great dialogue in this film and one can only hope that the trend will continue in the next effort from this group of filmmakers. R for language.
CHASING LIBERTY (PG-13) 103 minutes * * 1/2 She's the president's daughter, which entitles her to quite a few privileges, but freedom isn't one of them. She's eighteen years old, and just wants to get away from things. She thinks she's finally out from under the constant surveillance, but in reality, her new companion is a young secret service agent who works for her father. It's a cute story, nicely played and not overly cluttered with subplots. Mandy Moore does a nice job here as well. PG-13 for language and nudity.
CHATTAHOOCHEE (R) 103 minutes * 1/2 A Korean war veteran wrongfully ends up in a mental institution and ends up fighting for the inmates' rights. It's based on fact, but sorely wastes the talents of those involved. With Gary Oldman, Frances McDormand, Dennis Hopper, and the others involved here, we should've had a much stronger picture. R for violence and language.
CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN (PG) 92 minutes * * This bears little resemblance to the original, but there are some cute bits, mostly by the children. Hilary Duff and Piper Perabo are very out-of-place here, and the film makes the all too familiar mistake of trying to be very funny and very serious. Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt have definitely done better, but this won't look too bad on video. PG for language.
CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN 2 (PG) 89 minutes * * Tom (Steve Martin) and Kate (Bonnie Hunt) decide to take one more vacation at the lake with the kids. Their old rivalry with the Murtaugh family surfaces once again. But some of the younger members of the two families would like to put those rivalries aside and be friends. Reasonably good sequel that keeps things a little more light-hearted than the first. PG for language.
CHEETAH (G) 81 minutes * * * 1/2 Live action Disney film covering the life and times of a cheetah. Definitely aimed at the younger crowd, but the beautiful scenery and well-written story are sure to keep the attention of the adults as well. Just remember, "though we are far apart, our spirits share the same earth and the same sky."
THE CHEETAH GIRLS 2 (G) 100 minutes * * The Cheetah Girls get an opportunity to perform at an international music festival in Barcelona, Spain. They learn lessons about friendship and sing songs. Fans of the Cheetah Girls will be happy. Others will be bored. It's pretty much what you would expect from a Disney TV movie. The production quality is fine, but the girls overcompensate and exaggerate their actions and dialogue to try and appeal to the younger set.
CHERRY CRUSH (R) 85 minutes * 1/2 Budding young photographer Jordan (Jonathan Tucker) falls for one of his models and gets wrapped up in a murder scenario. There's plenty of style here, especially with the photography, but the story is shallow and lifeless. The narration appears to be an attempt to set this in a film noir style, but the photography is too much like a fashion magazine for that to work well. Uneven at best. R for sex and language.
CHICAGO (PG-13) 107 minutes * * * 1/2 Very stylish musical production for the screen, adapted from the stage production and from an earlier film (in 1927). There's a little bit of everything here, romance, murder, comedy, music... all centered around the world of jazz in the heart of Chicago. It's about a young girl dreaming of stardom and discovering what it can take to make that dream become a reality. It's about how life is like show business and how show business is a mirror of life. The three leads all do incredible work here, singing and dancing without the aid of doubles. Catherine Zeta-Jones is most impressive, but Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere are quite good as well. For those who enjoy musicals, this is definitely a must-see. PG-13 for language and sex.
CHICKEN LITTLE (G) 74 minutes * * 1/2 Yes, it's Chicken Little, and yes, the sky is falling. It's because there are aliens. There are a few cute bits here and there, and the little orange alien is adorable. The humor improves as the movie progresses, building on earlier jokes, but it's still a pretty thin story. Most impressive is the list of people who lend their voices to the characters: Zach Braff, Joan Cusack, Steve Zahn, Wallace Shawn, Patrick Stewart, Adam West, and Don Knotts among others.
CHICKEN RUN (G) 78 minutes * * * "No chicken escapes from Tweedy's farm," or so the saying goes. But that doesn't stop them from trying! The creators of the award-winning "Wallace and Gromit" claymation short films bring their talents to the big screen with a story of chickens who want to escape from their chicken farm. It's a cute film with some great animation. The only real problem is the British accents used by the characters which does make it a bit difficult for younger children to understand.
CHILDREN OF MEN (R) 96 minutes * * 1/2 It's the not too distant future and the world has descended into near total chaos. The last child was born over 18 years ago and the world is losing hope. Julian (Julianne Moore) has found something that might change things, if she can just convince Theo (Clive Owen) to help. It's an interesting idea, but either the script neglected to develop the story full enough, or it was hacked up during editing. The story doesn't shy away from sacrificing its main characters to support the plot, but we haven't connected with them enough for us to care. R for violence, language, and nudity.
CHILDREN OF THE CORN II: THE FINAL SACRIFICE (R) 90 minutes BOMB A writer for the World Enquirer stumbles onto the story (of the first film) and begins to investigate... and the killings continue. Attempting to expand on and explain the rather simple story of the first film just doesn't work well at all. The kids don't have the same spooky "look" that they did in the first film, and the pathetic acting makes this utterly intolerable.
CHILD'S PLAY (R) 84 minutes * 1/2 Typically gory horror film with a few decent chills and some good effects that never rises past the silly idea of an evil spirit taking over the body of a doll. The macabre humor helps, but it can only do so much. R for violence.
CHILD'S PLAY 2 (R) 78 minutes 1/2 Nothin' to ruin your day like a doll that won't die! Pretty pointless sequel with the only memorable sequence being the finale in the doll factory with loads of gooey gore. R for language, violence, and lots of smashed, melted, bloody, exploding doll parts.
CHILD'S PLAY 3 (R) 84 minutes 1/2 Eight years after the ending of part 2... the Chucky doll that was blown to shreds at the end of that film somehow managed to retain quite a bit of blood. And when a few drops fall into a vat of plastic... Chucky's back! There are a few bits of music here that are alright, but little else to give this any merit. R for language and violence.
CHILL FACTOR (R) 97 minutes * 1/2 A military chemical weapons experiment goes wrong and one man takes the fall. Now he's out of prison and planning to steal the stuff and seel it to the highest bidder. There is some nice stuntwork here, especially the chase sequences, but the film throws believability out the window far too often. It's also a bit too obvious how much fun Cuba Gooding Jr. and Skeet Ulrich are having. It's nice to have fun when you're making a film, but when it makes you break character, it isn't a good thing. R for violence and language.
CHILLICOTHE (R) 93 minutes * * 1/2 A group of friends in their twenties wrestle with what it means to be growing older, to have meaningful relationships, and to live life. The script is thought-provoking, if a bit wordy, and the performances are both raw and very real. Much of the film is based on the personal experiences of the director and his friends and though the production's low budget is evident in many ways, it is also this very aspect that gives the film the edge it needs to work. Filmed primarily in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Anderson, Indiana. R for language.
CHINA CRY (PG-13) 102 minutes * * * The life story of a young Chinese girl as she finds God while struggling with oppression in China. Involving story that will keep your attention as we see the result of Mao's influence in the days after his rise to power. PG-13 for violence.
THE CHIPMUNK ADVENTURE (G) 72 minutes * The soundtrack is good, but the animation is cheap, Saturday morning TV quality, and unless you're a fan of the Chipmunks, the voices are likely to drive youup the wall.
CHOCOLAT (PG-13) 115 minutes * * * 1/2 A small French village, where things haven't changed for ages, is about to experience a breath of fresh air. A young woman and her daughter take up residence and open a chocolate shop, and the village will never be the same again. It's a charming and fascinating fable with Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, Lena Olin, Alfred Molina, and Johhny Depp and directed with care by Lasse Hallstrom, this is a delight to watch. It's a story of acceptance, love, passion, sensuality, life... chocolat! PG-13 for sex.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1999) (NR) 93 minutes * * * 1/2 Grand retelling of the classic story with Patrick Stewart as Ebenezer Scrooge. Solid special effects, though the ghost of Christmas yet to come could have used some costume help. Stewart carries the film admirably and makes it well worth a look.
CHRISTMAS IN THE CLOUDS (PG) 92 minutes * * 1/2 Its the holidays and romance and mistaken identity are only a couple of the things going on at this ski resort. Filmed in Utah, this is a pleasant and slightly different holiday film. Pacing is a little slow, but if you need a break from the holiday rush, set down, relax, and give this a look. Written, directed and co-produced by Kate Montgomery. PG for language.
THE CHRISTMAS SHOES (NR) 93 minutes * * 1/2 Holiday tear-jerker inspired by the Newsboys' song and the book by Donne Vanliere. Rob Lowe's hard heart is touched with the meaning of Christmas and the importance of family when his path crosses that of a boy buying shoes for his dying mother for Christmas. Sentimental story and very predictable, but it still manages to bring a tear or two at the least. Not rated, but suitable for family viewing.
A CHRISTMAS TOO MANY (PG-13) 93 minutes 1/2 Grandma (Ruta Lee) has invited the family home for Christmas, in part to share in the excitement that she is likely to add another film to her already long list. The trouble is, this may be one Christmas too many for this incredibly disfunctional family. A sad waste of Lee's talent as well as Mickey Rooney. The rest of the cast don't show any real signs of talent... PG-13 for language and violence.
CHRISTMAS VACATION (PG-13) 98 minutes * * Clark and Ellen Griswold are celebrating Christmas, and everything is going wrong... as usual. Although this is much better than "European Vacation", this falls short of the fun of the first vacation film. It's too much a series of one-liners that are poorly strung together. You'll definitely laugh alot, but a series of jokes needs something to hold it together if we're to call it a good film. The religious aspects of the holiday are carefully avoided when it comes to the humor, which was a wise choice, and most people will find this entertaining despite it's failure to really give us much of a story.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS (PG) 93 minutes * 1/2 Adapted from John Grisham's novel about a family who decides that "Skipping Christmas" is the way to go when their daughter is going to be off doing work for the Peace Corp but then have to change their plans when she decides to return home for the holiday. Too much of this sounds like problems the Griswold family had in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation... and that wasn't much fun either. Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis both look like they wish they hadn't signed on to this project. Maybe you should skip watching this like most of the rest of the crowd did when it was in the theaters. PG for language.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: THE DISCOVERY (PG-13) 116 minutes * * This version of the explorer's exploits seems to have some lapses in the story. There are moments of intentional comedy as well, be they appropriate or not. Tom Selleck, Marlon Brando, and Rachel Ward star, but this needed more help than a few big names could provide. Mario Puzo wrote the story and co-wrote the screenplay, but one wonders what he was trying to say.
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE (PG) 132 minutes * * * 1/2 Big budget theatrical adaptation of the C.S. Lewis classic story about three orphans who never thought that a simple game of hide and seek in the big old house where they are staying would lead to the discovery of a door that leads to a land called Narnia. While this is truly and excellent adaptation with magnificent special effects and very good performances, it's definitely not for most children under ten. The first half of the film is paced very slowly and the battle scenes that come later and quite violent. It could almost be rated PG-13 instead of PG for the violence. The integration of computer generated animation with live action is virtually seamless here. Nice job!
THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK (PG-13) 109 minutes * * Riddick (Vin Diesel) is a Furion, perhaps the last of his kind, and he may also be the only hope against the Necromongers, who are about to conquer yet another planetary system. It's an interesting story, but there are too many holes that leave us wondering why certain things are happening. Diesel is perfect for the part though, and makes it entertaining to watch. PG-13 for violence.
CHRYSTAL (R) 103 minutes * * 1/2 Returning home after sixteen years in prison, Joe (Billy Bob Thornton) discovers that the car wreck he was involved in left scars that run more deeply than he expected. Despite his willingness to try, forgiveness may not be possible. The performances are fairly good here, but the story wanders at times, and we wonder where we're going. It does end nicely if you can stay with it. Filmed in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. R for sex, language, and violence.
THE CIDER HOUSE RULES (PG-13) 121 minutes * * * Raised in an orphanage and never adopted, Homer (Tobey Maguire) becomes interested in medicine. He learns by helping Dr. Larch (Michael Caine), who runs the orphanage with the assistance of two nurses. Eventually, he decides that it's time to see more of the world. Leaving friends and all he has known, he begins to experience the world beyond the corner of Maine he has known. Maguire and Caine do nice work here, as do a few other featured actors. But the real gems here are the performances by the other orphan children. Director Lasse Hallstrom has done numerous films that have included children in natural settings and with little in the way of dialogue. His style of direction makes us feel that what we are watching is very real. The scenes in the orphanage are wonderful and give this film the depth and strength it needs to draw us in. PG-13 for language.
CINDERELLA (G) 74 minutes * * * * The timeless fairytale of a poor girl with big dreams and a chance for them to all come true. The comic extras and timeless music add wonders to the story and give it a charm and a heart all its own. One of the handful of truly classic Disney films.
CINDERELLA MAN (PG-13) 138 minutes * * * 1/2 James Braddock (Russell Crowe) was a good fighter, but when the depression hits, spending money to watch a fight becomes a luxury that fewer people can afford. And, after a rather brutal loss, Braddock finds himself without a way to put food on the table. Like so many people during the depression, the Braddocks hang on and hope for the best. Then a last minute chance as a fill-in fighter turns up. It's a one-shot fight, but it turns into the beginning of a comeback for a man everyone thought was through... a cinderella man. Nice performances from Crowe, Renee Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti, and another fine directing job by Ron Howard. It does drag a bit early on, but builds nicely later in the film. PG-13 for violence and language.
A CINDERELLA STORY (PG) 83 minutes * * Modern Cinderella story with Hilary Duff starring as Sam, a girl who works in a diner and lives in her step-mother's attic. It's a pleasant enough retelling, but doesn't require much from any of the cast, playing more like an afternoon TV show than a feature film. Hilary does sing a couple of the songs... PG for violence and language.
CINDERELLA III: A TWIST IN TIME (G) 65 minutes * * 1/2 Cinderella's evil stepmother gets her hadns on the magic wand and takes events back in time to make sure one of her daughters ends up with the prince instead of Cinderella. Of course, the mice and a few other friends help set things straight and it all turns out right in the end. Nothing spectacular, but there are some nice songs, including "I Still Believe" by Hayden Panettiere.
CINEMA PARADISO (NR) 120 minutes * * * * When Toto hears the news that Alfredo has died, it brings back a flood of memories about the movie projectionist who was like a father to him, the man who taught him so much about life and the love for film that they shared. Winner of an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, this is a delight to watch and well-deserving of it's award.
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS (PG-13) 97 minutes * * Minnie Driver's performance is worth watching here, and the film starts out well. But once Benny (Driver) gets to college, falls in love, and starts having problems, the film bogs down and we're ready to watch something else. It all works out well in the end, but that's no real surprise. Soap-opera fluff that in only notable due to Driver's acting.
CITY BY THE SEA (R) 104 minutes * * * Vincent (Robert DeNiro) has always been a good cop, devoting himself to doing the best job that he can. His family life hasn't worked out quite as well though, and now his son is in big trouble. Vince wants to help out, but it's not easy trying to step back into his son's life. New York can be a tough town, but it's often that very toughness that builds strength and creates character. DeNiro once again does an amazing job creating his character and is given the space to give it a depth that doesn't rely on dialogue. The entire cast does a fine job here with the possible exceptopm of James Franco who tends to overplay his part as Vincent's son. Adapted from a magazine article, "Mark of a Murderer". R for lanaguage and violence.
CITY HALL (R) 104 minutes * * Al Pacino still has the energy and charisma, although the script lets him down a little in this film. It's a story that just seems to take forever to unravel. Not very memorable as far as story either, despite the big name cast that includes Danny Aiello, Martin Landau, and John Cusack. R for language and violence.
CITY OF ANGELS (PG-13) 107 minutes * * * Adapted from Wim Wenders masterpiece, "Wings of Desire", this is the story of an angel who wonders what it would be like to be human. Nicolas Cage plays Seth, who is finding himself attracted to Dr. Maggie Rice (Meg Ryan) as she struggles with the life and death issues faced by surgeons. It's an interesting story, but much is lost in the translation. The sense of the surreal that is present in the original German production has given way to sentiment in an effort to increase the popularity of the film for American audiences. This weakens the film as a whole and makes it little more than a love story with fantasy/religious overtones. The best parts of the film are the children, who have some very insightful dialogue, and the photography itself, directed by John Seale. Filmed in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and South Lake Tahoe. PG-13 for language, violence, and nudity.
CITY OF JOY (PG-13) 131 minutes * * * After losing a child in the ER, a young doctor (Patrick Swayze) goes to India to try and find enlightenment. He soon becomes involved in a free clinic and finds himself in a situation where he must run, be a spectator, or make a commitment. The film starts off awkwardly and takes awhile to build, but does manage to move in the right direction. The supporting cast really help the film, giving it the depth and sincerity that are lacking at times in both Swayze's performance and in the script.
CITY SLICKERS (PG-13) 110 minutes * * * Mitch (Billy Crystal), Phil (Daniel Stern), and Ed (Bruno Kirby) are going through mid-life crisis. Each of them hopes that this little excursion will help in their attempt to find themselves. What makes this film so successful is the script. While it could have been just another comedy or an overly emotional search for identity, it is instead, a delightful mix of comedy and drama. Some of the minor characters here are rather useless, but the leads are played well and we feel like we've known them for years. It's a fine comedy about finding one's self and that ever-elusive "meaning" of life. PG-13 for language.
CITY SLICKERS: THE LEGEND OF CURLY'S GOLD (PG-13) 110 minutes * * 1/2 This time around, Mitch (Billy Crystal) and Phil (Daniel Stern) are going back to the wild west in search of buried treasure. And, although Jon Lovitz tagging along as Mitch's brother does add a few laughs, this is mostly a weak copy of the original. The biggest problem is Crystal himself. His attention seems to be elsewhere during the whole film, leaving us to wonder if he thought he had something better to do. PG-13 for language.
A CIVIL ACTION (PG-13) 110 minutes * 1/2 This is a study in how civil action cases take shape. Can we say... boring? We already know that lawyers like to settle out of court. What we need to feel is the emotion that drew John Travolta's character to cross the line and actually care about his client. Script and direction problems here have us watching shallow characters whose actions are two-dimensional. Despite the presence of such stalwart actors as Robert Duvall, John Lithgow, William H. Macy, and Dan Hedaya, this is not a film you'll find interesting or exciting. PG-13 for language.
CLASS ACT (PG-13) 94 minutes * * Kid 'n Play switch identities when they transfer to a new school. The usual problems ensue. This is a bit more interesting than the "House Party" films this duo did, but the production values are still pretty poor.
CLASS ACTION (R) 104 minutes * * * There are a few lawyers who actually try to find out the truth, and to fight for those who are typically abused by big business and the legal system. This particular case is going to be a bit rough though. The prosecution is being led by Jed's (Gene Hackman) daughter Maggie (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) who is an equally capable daughter. And, of course, they get along about as well as the typical cat and dog. The film is more about their relationship than the case as they approach each other like lawyers rather than as father and daughter. They analyze, cross-examine, and manipulate, but rarely feel. It's a great character study, but does fall a bit short on the courtroom drama aspect. R for language.
CLASS OF 1999 (R) 92 minutes * 1/2 Sequel to the "Class of 1984" that should have been titled "Attack of the Robo-Teachers" which gives you an idea of both the plot and the quality you can expect. The film has a promising beginning, but quickly degenerates as the film continues. R for language and violence.
CLASS TRIP (NR) 93 minutes * * * Creepy little French film about a boy who sometimes dreams and sometimes imagines that terrible things are happening. While on a skiing trip with his class, some bad things do begin to happen. It's definitely an unusual film, and well directed by Claude Miller to create and maintain the haunting atmosphere. The acting and photography compliment the story as well, combining our sense of the ordinary and the eerie.
CLEAN AND SOBER (R) 119 minutes * * * 1/2 An excellent performance from Michael Keaton highlights this film about a man struggling with alcoholism. Keaton's performance, though highly dramatic, does include bits of comedy to lighten the mood in a few spots. And there are wonderful supporting performances from M. Emmett Walsh, Morgan Freeman, and Kathy Baker. It's fascinating to watch Keaton develop this character, and we want it to continue, to find out what happens next. But much like life, we can only go from moment to moment, day to day, planning for the future, but never knowing what will happen just around the corner.
CLEAN SLATE (PG-13) 100 minutes 1/2 Every time M.L. Pogue (Dana Carvey) goes to sleep, he loses his memory. Too bad that doesn't happen after you see this movie! It isn't that the idea is bad, but the script is written so poorly that even Carvey can't find a way out. Unless you're a Carvey fan, this is one to stay clear of. PG-13 for language.
CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (PG-13) 136 minutes * * * 1/2 Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) is back and this time he's really got his hands full. More suspenseful than the earlier films in this series, this film is well-paced and sure to keep you guessing the whole way through. Ford does seem a little weak in spots, almost like he's tired of the role, but otherwise it's a great film. Nice suspenseful soundtrack by James Horner too! PG-13 for language and violence.
CLERKS (R) 89 minutes * * * Astounding piece of work in black and white from first-time director Kevin Smith. Filmed for about $27,000 and out classing many more expensive films. It's a slice of the New Jersey life of two buddies that work in a convenience store and a video store that are next to each other. Hilarious and offbeat, yet undeniably real. A must see!
CLERKS II (R) 92 minutes * * Proving once again that more money doesn't always mean a better movie... two other losers end up losing their jobs and finding new employment in the fast food industry. Most of the highlights here involve Jay and Silent Bob, who have supporting roles, and Elias (Trevor Fehrman) a fellow worker/loser. Kevin Smith fans will enjoy this, but also recognize that it's not his best work. R for language.
CLICK (PG-13) 101 minutes * * * What if you had a remote control that could control everything? No, really.... EVERYTHING! William (Adam Sandler) has been given just such a remote. The problem is that it becomes really easy to start abusing it, skipping those moments here and there that seem unimportant or annoying. But maybe those moments are important too. It's typical Sandler material with a powerful and emotional story sprinkled with some crude humor in a few spots. Excellent editing and make-up work! PG-13 for language and sex.
THE CLIENT (R) 116 minutes * * * Young Mark (Brad Renfro) happens to overhear information about a murder and now he needs a lawyer... one he can really trust. Enter Reggie Love (Susan Sarandon) who is willing to fight for Mark and go up against Tommy Lee Jones and others who are trying to use Mark for their own ends. It's a little hard to believe this at times, but for the most part it's quite interesting. From the novel by John Grisham, a solid, suspenseful film. R for violence and language.
CLIFFHANGER (R) 105 minutes * * 1/2 Tragedy strikes when a rescue team member and his girlfriend are being rescued from a mountain peak at the beginning of the film. It sets the stage as the same rescue team member is involved with rescuing some individuals who turn out to be ruthless, but not-so-bright criminals. Cardboard characters are the weakness here, with Trevor Jones' music and the beautiful scenery doing what they can to make up for it. Filmed in Italy and Colorado. R for violence and language.
CLIFFORD (PG) 83 minutes 1/2 Martin Short plays an annoying child in this moralistic and barely watchable comedy. It sat on the shelf for three years while Orion studios went through bankruptcy hearings and was, unfortunately, released when the studio went into production again.
CLIMATES (NR) 96 minutes * * * Isa (Nuri Blige Ceylan) and Bahar's (Ebru Ceylan) relationship has fallen apart. They go their separate ways, but Isa soon finds that he is not who he wants to be without Bahar. Beautifully filmed with the amazing scenery of Turkey as a backdrop. Both the performances and the story are subtle, quiet, and very realistic, aided in part by the fact that Nuri and Ebru are married in real life. Relationships have seasons and climates all their own, and Ceylan does a wonderful job of giving us a glimpse of how that can play out. Not rated, contains sex and language.
CLOCKERS (R) 123 minutes * * A Brooklyn murder, a confession, a closed case. But one cop thinks there's more to it. Another look at life through the eyes of Spike Lee, that does have it's good points. It's an incredibly good story, but the script is wordy beyond belief. Not until the end do we get a chance to give our ears a rest and Lee gives the camera a chance to finish the story without dialogue. Adapted from Richard Price's book, of which they must not have cut anything!
CLOCKSTOPPERS (PG) 89 minutes * * 1/2 Dr. Earl Dopler (French Stewart) has come up with a way to "stop" time by shifting the wearer of a special watch shift into hyper time. The watch is now in the hands of young Zak Gibbs (Jesse Bradford), and it's up to him to find a way to help Dr. Dopler and his father, who is now in danger as well. It's a fun science fiction/adventure and definitely has the feel of a Disney channel TV movie (though it isn't), with the scares and thrills of a slightly tamer variety and yet able to maintain fairly high production values. It's a pleasant enough film and is something the whole family can enjoy. PG for violence.
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (R) 137 minutes * * * * The mind of director Stanley Kubrick is a strange and wonderful thing. And when you see his interpretation of Anthony Burgess’ novel of the near future, you'll know what I mean. It's a satire of extremes that have gone unchecked and the effect they have on society. Starring Malcolm McDowell in a memorable performance, this is not to everyone's tastes. But if you're in the mood to see one of Kubrick's unique films, this is definitely one of his best. R for sex, violence, and language.
CLOSER (R) 99 minutes * * * A story of love and lovers, the lies they tell and how it tears them apart. Talky script adapted by Patrick Marber from his play. This is the sort of film that actors love because the characters are the focus and are explored so thoroughly. The difficulty is that the script gets so invloved in the characters, the flow to the story itself is far from smooth. Great acting by Natalie Portman, Jude Law, and Clive Owen, and Julia Roberts isn't bad here either. R for language and sex.
CLOUD 9 (R) 88 minutes BOMB Billy Cole (Burt Reynolds) has this brilliant idea... how about taking some strippers and teaching them how to play volleyball for a tournament? How about coming up with a better excuse to see some attracive girls in bikinis? Reynolds even looks bored with this, and it's definitely a slap in the face to those who play volleyball. More than a little puzzling as to why Gabrielle Reece would agree to be in it. R for language and nudity.
CLOVERFIELD (R) 74 minutes * * 1/2 If you ever wanted to see what a Godzilla film would look like if they used hand-held cameras, then this is for you. Although there was a great deal of hype about how watching this film might make you sick to your stomach, I didn't have any problem, aside from finding it more than a little silly. The creatures are interesting, but the story is very incomplete and the humans don't exhibit much intelligence. What was that? An earthquake? Let's go up on the roof to see if we can tell what's happening! R for violence and language.
CLUELESS (PG-13) 92 minutes * 1/2 Mostly brainless and slightly annoying modernization of Jane Austen's Emma... with valley girls Alicia Silverstone and Stacey Dash playing the leads. No surprise that this spun into a TV show... we love to watch other people make mistakes so we can laugh at them instead of ourselves.
COACH CARTER (PG-13) 131 minutes * * * Inspirational story of coach Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) who took on the unenviable task of turning around the boy's basketball team of his old high school. Not only do they have a losing record, but they cut classes and don't come to practice. Inspired by the life of Ken Carter, this fictionalized account definitely ranks among the better films of its kind with a very strong performance from Jackson. PG-13 for language and violence.
COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER (PG) 125 minutes * * * 1/2 One of the best biographical films ever made, this tells the story of country singer Loretta Lynn. Sissy Spacek did her own singing for this role and won an Oscar for her portrayal of the legendary singer. It's a rags to riches story that is told with passion and will not be a film you soon forget.
COCAINE COWBOYS (R) 116 minutes * * * Traces the history of Miami, Florida as it became the cocaine capital of the US and was eventually able to regain control and become a vibrant center for tourism and popular culture. Extensive interviews with several people involved on both sides of the cocaine trade in the 1970s and 80s. Fascinating, and somewhat frightening at time as well. R for violence and language.
COCKTAIL (R) 99 minutes * * 1/2 What does being a true friend really involve? What does loving someone really mean? What defines success, and just what can it be allowed to cost? These are some of the topics explored in this film about a pair of bartenders who hope to become multi-millionaires. Tom Cruise, Bryan Brown, and Elisabeth Shue all do great work here, but the story itself begins to grow tedious as the film progresses. It's far from being a bad film, but some fine-tuning of the story would've gone a long way toward helping it.
COCOON: THE RETURN (PG) 111 minutes * 1/2 Overly long, sloppy, and boring sequel that really shouldn't have been made. There are a few good special effects and we get to see some clips from the first film during the credits...
CODE 46 (R) 89 minutes * Dreary and emotionless look at a world where cloning has resulted in rules and regulations about who can have children and remain part of the perfect society. Of course, you have the option to live "outside" without the priviliges but with your freedom to love and create life with the person of your choice... Numbingly dull performances by Tim Robbins and Samantha Morton though it's likely that it's intended to add to the effect of the story. The result is that we just never connect with the film. R for sex.
CODE NAME: THE CLEANER (PG-13) 81 minutes * * After a knock on the head, Jake (Cedric the Entertainer) has no idea who he is, or why the FBI agent who was in bed with him is dead. So much to find out, and so little time, since there seem to be a number of people who are interested in killing him. Could he be a secret agent? Lightweight entertainment, but reasonably fun, with a fair amount of chuckles and a plot that is short and simple. this probably won't be on your list of favorite films, but it's worth a bargain rental fee. PG-13 for language and sex.
COFFEE AND CIGARETTES (R) 93 minutes * * * Writer/director Jim Jarmusch serves up a delightfully ecclectic collection of short stories that are loosely connected by the use of coffee and cigarettes. Three of the stories were previously released as short films. Featuring an amazing array of actors, comedians, and musicians mostly playing themselves, (Roberto Begnini, Steven Wright, Iggy Pop, Tom Waits, Cate Blanchett and Bill Murray to name a few) this is an interesting study in how many of our lives resonate around two simple activities that many of us share. My favorite is "Cousins", but "Delirium", "Somewhere in California", and ""Champagne" are close behind. R for language.
COLD CREEK MANOR (R) 112 minutes * 1/2 Very disappointing effort from director Mike Figgis. Leaving their small place in the city for a large estate in the country, the Tilson's expect to leave stress behind. Instead, they discover that the previous owners had a few problems that they're still working through. Not particularly suspenseful because things take so long to happen and because every move is hinted at before it happens. R for violence and language.
COLD MOUNTAIN (R) 147 minutes * * * Jude Law does a very nice job in this Civil War story that shifts back and forth between time before the war and his experiences in the war. In fact, one of the films biggest problems results from these shifts, which come far too quickly early on in the film. It's somewhat disorienting, though the story manages to take hold after awhile. The other problem here is with Renee Zellweger's performance. Much like Marisa Tomei in "My Cousin Vinny", Zellweger clearly steals ever single scene she's in. It's a wonderful performance, but it so overshadows not only those around her but the story itself. The story also seems to have "vignette syndrome", where too many scenes appear to have little connection to the rest of the film. Several supporting roles seem to be featured in this manner. They are all nicely done, but the flow between them is missing. Adapted from the book by Charles Frazier. R for violence, language, and sex.
COLLATERAL (R) 113 minutes * * * Max (Jamie Foxx) has been driving a cab for 12 years without any real trouble. Now, he finds himself driving a hit man (Tom Cruise) around for the night while he kills the people on his list. Despite the parts of the story where logic seems to disappear, and there are a few, this still manages to keep our interest. It's mostly due to nice performances by both Foxx and Cruise, but James Newton howard's score definitely adds to the tension as it builds throughout the film. R for violence and language.
COLLATERAL DAMAGE (R) 103 minutes * * Gordon's (Arnold Schwarzenegger) wife and son are killed in a terrorosit attack and justice is all tied up in red tape by the government. Gordon decides to head to Columbia to work some justice of his own. Standard action flick for Arnold, filled with the usual amount of nonsense and violence. The film leans toward creating a little sympathy for the terrorists, but doesn't stay there for long. It's unfortunate, as that might have lent this some sorely needed credibility. R for violence and language.
COLOR OF NIGHT (R) 118 minutes * 1/2 Bruce Willis is surprisingly good here as a shrink who ends up playing detective to save his own skin. What ruins the film is a predictable and poorly written script that makes the film almost unwatchable at times. Nothing of substance in those scenes added to the video version either, just a couple more skin shots. R for language, violence, and sex.
COLORS (R) 116 minutes * * 1/2 Sean Penn and Robert Duvall are street cops in Los Angeles in this film directed by Dennis Hopper. They are outnumbered by gang members roughly 280 to 1. The story deals with the questions that arise which seem to have no answers when life on the streets smacks you in the face every day. Choices have to be made and there is a realization that you play your part and do what you can, but you won't be able to solve all the problems. The theatrical version had some awkward scenes which are less so in the video as Hopper was able to restore footage that the studio felt made the picture too long.
THE COMEBACKS (PG-13) 80 minutes BOMB Lambeau Fields (David Koechner) is the worst coach ever. And now he's coaching the worst team ever. Pokes fun at quite a few different sports films and does manage to not dwell on any one film too long. Still... this is about as dumb as they come. PG-13 for language and violence.
COMING TO AMERICA (R) 110 minutes * * 1/2 Eddie Murphy stars in the story of an African prince who decides to find his bride-to-be in America. The comedy here is on a little lighter note than is typical for Murphy, but it works fairly well with the story. A nice change of pace from his usual style. Nice special effects make-up by Rick Baker.
THE COMMITMENTS (R) 113 minutes * * The music is good, but it takes a long time for this story of working-class Irish getting together to form a band. The characters are engaging enough, but they have so many troubles, it's surprising that anything works out at all. This does get quite a bit better with repeated viewings.
COMMUNION (R) 97 minutes * 1/2 Portrayal of one-time skeptic, Whitley Strieber (Christopher Walken), and his contact with extra-terrestrial beings. Walken does a nice job, but the translation from book to screen doesn't work too well, leaving us with too many awkward moments. Believability collapses after about 20 minutes and we still have a long way to go before we get to the end.
COMPANY BUSINESS (PG-13) 95 minutes * * 1/2 An old CIA agent comes out of retirement to do a job, but finds out it's a little more than he bargained for. The film constantly makes us feel that important footage was cut out and the ending is awkward as well. Gene Hackman gives his standard performance, but the film never rises above mediocrity. PG-13 for language and violence.
CON-AIR (R) 107 minutes * * * What happens when you put a bunch of society's worst criminals on the same airplane? You hope that Nicolas Cage can stop them! John Malkovich and Steve Buscemi are outstanding as two of the many villains that populate the film, and John Cusack turns in another fine performance as well. The tension builds well throughout the film, finishing off with a flurry of action in the last half hour that displays some amazing stuntwork. Great music by Mark Mancina and Trevor Rabin help keep us on the edge of our seat till the very end. R for violence and language.
THE CONDEMNED (R) 107 minutes * Death row inmates are purchased by a television producer who has questionable ethics and who ships them to an island where they will fight to the death with the prize of freedom going to the winner. Webcasting the event will make him millions... unless someone stops him. Plenty of violence and muscle-bound fighters, but none of them really draw any sympathy from us. Scott Wiper collaborated on the story and the screenplay and directs the film, which could be part of the problem. R for violence and language.
CONEHEADS (PG) 82 minutes * 1/2 What a surprise! It's the same old bits from "Saturday Night Live" thrown together in a story that has no entertainment value! The skits were hilarious, the movie is not. For diehard coneheads only!
CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND (R) 106 minutes * * * 1/2 Based on Chuck Baris' memoirs that focus on his involvement with the CIA as an undercover assassin. First-time director George Clooney does a great job setting the stage for this with sets, costumes, and props that take us back in time as well as some nice photography and scene change work. In a sense, this is a commentary on the connection between the world of G-men and gangsters and the world of entertainment. Is it true? Maybe. Maybe not. It could just be another of Baris' strange ideas, or it could be close to the truth. It could be the justification of a twisted mind to the way the entertainment world began to treat him. Any way you look at it, the story is well told and interesting to watch with some great performances from Sam Rockwell and Drew Barrymore. Keep your eyes open for cameos by Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. R for language, violence, and sex.
CONFESSIONS OF A SUPERHERO (R) 92 minutes * * 1/2 There are many who dream of making it big in Hollywood. There are many who dream of becoming a superhero. And there are those who dress as superheroes and have their pictures taken on Hollywood Boulevard. They are street performers, and while it has its rewards, it is not an easy life. Ridicule and disrespect are common. The film allows us a glimpse inside the world of four of these individuals. Interesting. R for language.
CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN (PG) 83 minutes * * Showcase for actress Lindsay Lohan works well in that regard but the story is fluff about dreaming big, being honest, and true friendship. Nothing harmful, but not very interesting or different either. The preteen crowd gets this message every day from a variety of TV shows, so Lohan is the real draw here. She does sing her own songs. Adapted from the book by Diane Sheldon. PG for language.
CONFESSIONS OF AN AMERICAN GIRL (R) 83 minutes * * * Yet another stunning performance from Jena Malone, who also co-produced this film. She plays Rena, a depressed young girl who sees no point in life and whose only positive feelings seem to be about her father, who is in prison. The annual prison picnic, which they attend for the first time in three years, stresses the already fractured family beyond the breaking point, which is, perhaps, what it needed most. There's too much narration early on, though the ending bit is quite nice. The lessons here are important ones for the characters and for us. Good intentions often aren't enough, our memories sometimes distort to fit what we need, and the strength we need to survive is already within us... we just have to find it. R for sex and language.
CONFETTI (R) 95 minutes * * 1/2 With a multi-million dollar dream home at stake, which prospective couple can come up with the most original idea for their wedding? Poking fun at reality television, this film also manages to give us some fun characters along the way. It's interesting to note that the film was mostly improvised, and works quite well. But the story clearly could have benefited from the use of a script. R for nudity and language.
CONFIDENCE (R) 92 minutes * * * After running a successful con, Jake and his crew discover that they've upset someone who intends to get his money back. They convince him to help set up another con that he'll benefit from. But who can you trust when there are so many con artists around? Nicely written and well acted by a cast that includes Dustin Hoffman, Edward Burns, Rachel Weisz, and Andy Garcia. The narration detracts from the overall effect at times, but it's still quite good. R for violence and language.
CONGO (R) 97 minutes * * Here is what happens when Hollywood tries to milk success out of everything an author writes. Most of Michael Crichton's books make great films. Congo is an exception, but then, the book wasn't that good either. Extremely uneven in both acting and production quality, we get the feeling that production was rushed far too much on this film. Filmed in Tanzania, Kenya, Costa Rica, and Los Angeles. R for violence and language.
CONSENTING ADULTS (R) 95 minutes * * The Parker family meets the Otis family. The Otis family wants to partner swap. Murder and insurance scams ensue... like that's a surprise. This is a really pathetic, trashy story that is barely rescued at all thanks to the acting talents of Kevin Kline, Kevin Spacey, and a few others. R for violence and sex.
CONSPIRACY (2008) (R) 87 minutes * Thinly veiled slam on Halliburton's connection to war and the government. It's still just a vengeance film with a pudgy Val Kilmer taking revenge for a friend of his that was killed by the company's gunmen. Even Kilmer's fans are likely to be disappointed in this. R for violence and language.
CONSPIRACY THEORY (R) 126 minutes * * * 1/2 Jerry (Mel Gibson) may be a little more paranoid than the normal individual, but he may be on to something. Excellent story with twists and turns that are placed with care and skill and keep us glued to the screen. Great camera work and a wonderful soundtrack by Carter Burwell round things out to make this a superb suspense film. Gibson and Julia Roberts work well together, convincing us with ease that events such as these could easily occur. Don't miss this classy piece of work from director Richard Donner! R for language and violence.
THE CONSTANT GARDENER (R) 120 minutes * * * It was Tessa's (Rachel Weisz) fire and passion that first attracted Justiin (Ralph Fiennes) to her. Little did they realize the trouble that it would later cause. As he investigates the events surrounding her death, it appears that there was a conspiracy in place. Strong performances from both leads in this adaptation of the John LeCarre novel. R for violence, language, and nudity.
CONSTANTINE (R) 114 minutes * John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) is a spiritual warrior who can see both angels and demons. Beings that live among us, that others do not see for who they are. The idea is interesting, but the script is often muddled, moving from action to description with direction that seems to hesitate and then surge forward. There's also the difficulty of understanding a film where much of the dialogue is spoken in very soft tones yet the sound effects in the action sequences practically blast you through the back wall. Rachel Weisz, playing the part of a cop who begins to work with Constantine, does what she can, Reeves... no, it's the same old Reeves... not much there. A disappointing adaptation of the comic book to the big screen. R for violence.
CONSTELLATION (PG-13) 91 minutes * * * As the family of Carmel Boxer (Gabrielle Union) gathers for her funeral, they begin to remember. Some of them memories are sweet, but others are not. Still, family is family, right? Perhaps. It may also be important to let go. Love the people you love, and the ones who love you. We are each part of a constellation, but how brightly we shine is up to us. Very nice ensemble work from a cast featuring Hill Harper, Billy Dee Williams, Rae Dawn Chong, Clarence Williams III, and Zoe Saldana among others. PG-13 for language.
CONTACT (PG) 140 minutes * * * Taken from Carl Sagan's novel, this is an excellent look at the possibility of life on other planets and how we might first hear from them. Jodie Foster plays Dr. Ellie Arroway, who has been fascinated with stars and planets since childhood and is the first to hear the signal being broadcast from Vega. She gives us an outstanding performance as usual, and is supported well by the rest of the cast. The news broadcasts are a shortcoming here, as they will only serve to date the film with their use of real people from the field of TV news. There is also an awkward segment early in the film where we jump back into the past for an explanation. Otherwise, this is a fine piece of work that should make you wonder, because "if it's just us, it [sure] seems like an awful waste of space!" PG for language.
THE CONTENDER (R) 120 minutes * * * The country has been without a vice-president for several weeks and the position needs to be filled. Even when the president makes his choice, they are only a contender who must be approved. Will they survive the scrutiny or will the opposition succeed? Politics can be a rough game. The story moves along well and the performances are solid throughout. The outcome isn't all that surprising, but Jeff Bridges does manage to give us a fine closing speech that is inspiring and patriotic. Joan Allen, William Petersen, Gary Oldman, Sam Elliott, and Christian Slater also star. Filmed in Virginia. R for language.
THE CONTRACTOR (R) 93 minutes * 1/2 James Dial (Wesley Snipes) is a hit man who gets double-crossed by his boss. He seems to care about as much as we do. What's worse is that his lifeless, emotionless performance reminds us of Steven Seagal's films. Eliza Bennett does a nice job as a young girl who helps him out and begins to grow fond of him. R for violence and language.
CONTROL (R) 96 minutes * Lee Ray Oliver (Ray Liotta) is given a second chance. Sentenced to die by lethal injection, if he is willing to take part in a medical experiment that involves behavior modifying drugs, he becomes virtually harmless... or does he... do we care... no... Cardboard performances not only from Liotta, which isn't that much of a surprise, but even from Willem Dafoe and Stephen Rea. Michelle Rodriguez does fairly well here, but then again, her role isn't that big. Poor script and poor direction take most of the energy and excitement away. R for violence and language.
CONVENTIONEERS (NR) 95 minutes * * Interesting mockumentary about a delegate to the Republican National Convention who runs into an old classmate while there. They reminisce, and explore their feelings for each other, while at the same time struggling with their opposing political viewpoints. She is there as a liberal activist. The believability of the emotional connection between the leads is less than convincing, but the film does a nice job exploring the extremes of both the republican and Democratic parties. As the closing credits note, several of the film staff and crew were arrested during filming courtesy of the NYPD.
CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD (PG) 104 minutes * * * Neale Walsch (Henry Czerny) faces a series of crises that leave him injured, homeless, and destitute. It is only then that he hears the voice. What he hears makes sense, and as he follows the teachings and guidance that the voice offer, his life begins to turn around. Sensitive and inspirational adaptation of Walsch's books that are based on his own life. It's an uplifting and spiritual film that promotes no particular religion, but does promote spiritual well-being. PG for language and violence.
THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE, & HER LOVER (NR) 120 minutes * * 1/2 Unusual, strange, hypnotic, and intriguing, while also being frequently repulsive and grotesque. It's an interesting mix of sensations and feelings that definitely makes this a film that won't be of interest to the mainstream moviegoer. If you can stay with it, you'll find that it's a morality tale about greed, and tells the story with overwhelming power, and with virtually seamless transitions between scenes and moods.
COOKIE (R) 90 minutes * * Peter Falk plays the part of a small-time mobster who finally gets out of prison only to have to deal with a daughter who is learning the business a bit too quickly for his liking. Fun performances from Falk, Dianne Weist, Emily Lloyd, Brenda Vaccaro, and the rest, help to brighten up a picture that doesn't really have a lot going for it. R for language.
THE COOKOUT (PG-13) 82 minutes 1/2 Todd Andersen (Storm P) is the #1 draft choice fo the NBA. Now he has lots of money, new friends, and all of the problems that go with it. He's also having a hard time getting his family to appreciate his new lifestyle. Yet another moralistic story about the importance of family and friends, not told nearly as well as many others. PG-13 for language.
COOL AS ICE (PG) 86 minutes * Vanilla Ice didn't see all that much success as a rap star. To feature him in a film, was not, perhaps, the best of ideas. It's basically a few rap numbers strung together with about one short paragraph of story.
COOL RUNNINGS (PG) 94 minutes * * Although this isn't a high quality piece of work, it really is a fun movie to watch and has an appeal to all age groups. A Jamaican bobsled team on its way to the Olympics provides us with plenty of laughs as well as a decent moral. Based on the true story of the 1988 Jamaican bobsled team. PG for language.
COOL WORLD (PG-13) 96 minutes * * Live action/cartoon mix from director Ralph Bakshi about a female "doodle" who wants to become real by having sex with a "noid" (human). The weak story is helped along here by Gabriel Byrne's performance. Kim Basinger... nah, she does a better job acting as a cartoon. It's an interesting idea, but it just never comes together.
THE COOLER (R) 98 minutes * * Bernie (William H. Macy) is a natural cooler. All he has to do is be near someone and their luck turns bad. Shelly (Alec Baldwin) uses him to help keep his casino running in the black. But Bernie's luck, and his cooling effect, seem to be changing. Baldwin is miscast here, though Macy more than makes up for it. The real problem is that the story betrays its offbeat nature in favor of an overly sentimental ending. Macy fans will enjoy this more than the rest of the crowd. R for language, violence, and sex.
COP AND A HALF (PG) 88 minutes * * Young Devon witnesses a murder, and in exchange for the information he provides, he wants to be a cop. But keeping this youngster occupied for a few hours as a pretend police officer turns into much more than the simple task it should have been. Burt Reynolds stars in this lightweight comedy that is well-suited to video release.
COPENHAGEN (NR) 93 minutes * * * Fascinating exploration of the wartime meeting of two brilliant physicists, Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg. Friends before the war, they found themselves on opposite sides. The actual content of their meeting remains a mystery, but Michael Frayn's Tony award-winning play, adapted here to the screen, does a wonderful job of exploring the possibilities. It's definitely more than a bit wordy, but the ideas and the fine acting by Stephen Rea and Daniel Craig compensate fairly well.
COPLAND (R) 97 minutes * * A town full of cops, a crime that has been covered up, an honest sheriff... No real surprises here, except to see Stallone looking and acting more like he did in the first Rocky movie. It takes his character a little while to figure things out and decide what to do, but he gets there eventually. Lots of big names here, Robert DeNiro, Harvey Kietel, Ray Liotta, Michael Rapaport... but the story is fairly shallow and moves along at an annoyingly slow pace. This is more a curiosity item than anything else. R for violence and language.
COPS & ROBBERSONS (PG) 88 minutes * 1/2 Norman Robberson (Chevy Chase) is about to have his dream come true. He's always been a fan of the police shows on TV, and now his house is going to be used to stake out a suspicious neighbor. There are a few cute bits here and there, but Chase is really hard to take and Jack Palance and Dianne Wiest have to work with a one-joke script.
COPYCAT (R) 117 minutes * * 1/2 Sigourney Weaver and Holly Hunter never seem comfortable in this story of a serial killer. Hunter and Dermot Mulroney enlist Weaver's help and we do get an interesting look inside a serial killer's mind, but it's not nearly as scary as "The Silence of the Lambs", or even as intense as "Seven". Too much of the suspense is ruined by obvious hints that leave us waiting for a surprise we never get.
COPYING BEETHOVEN (PG-13) 101 minutes * * * Interesting and entertaining fictional account of the last year or so of Beethoven's life, focusing on his interactions with a young copyist who has musical ambitions of her own. Diane Kruger does a fine job as Anna, the copyist, but it is Ed Harris who steals the show simply because we forget that it is a role. Harris has become a fine actor over the last few years, overlooked by many of his peers and by the Oscars because he disappears inside his characters rather than wearing them with an "Ed Harris" persona. There are historical inaccuracies here, though the spirit of musical creativity and brilliance are clearly evident. All things considered, a very nice piece of filmmaking. PG-13 for sexuality.
THE CORE (PG-13) 126 minutes * * Oh no, the core of the earth has stopped spinning and the world is going to end unles our heroic team can jump start it with some nuclear explosions and a machine that can bore it's way to the center of the earth. Wait, did I just say "bore"? The best part of the film is the chemistry between the crew that is on the ship, Delroy Lindo, Hilary Swank, Stanley Tucci, Aaron Eckhart, and Tcheky Karyo. The whole disaster part of the film is pretty silly and just goes on far too long. PG-13 for violence.
CORKY ROMANO (PG-13) 80 minutes 1/2 Corky (Chris Kattan) infiltrates the FBI to try and help his criminal family. This had the potential to be funny, but the script never manages to capitalize on humor, undermining itself with serious moments that we never care about. The outtakes would've been funnier. PG-13 for language.
CORPORATE AFFAIRS (R) 78 minutes BOMB Cheap sets, lousy dialogue, poor acting by most of the cast, and canned music... And all that on top of a crude story about a guy trying to take advantage of his former lover when she inadvertently gives a CEO a heart attack during sex.
CORPSE BRIDE (PG) 73 minutes * * 1/2 Comparisons to Tim Burton's earlier "The Nightmare Before Christmas" are inevitable, and this just doesn't hold up quite as well. Most of the animation is very similar, in that it's excellent with occassional moments that lapse in quality. Creativity is what's in less abundance here. Fewer characters and more repitition of comments in a story that just doesn't involve us that much. It's still interesting, just not a film that lends itself to repeat viewings like Nightmare does. PG for language and violence.
CORRINA CORRINA (PG) 110 minutes * * * Little Molly Singer (Tina Majorino) misses her mother and her dad isn't really dealing too well with his wife's death either. Enter the new maid/babysitter Corrina Washington (Whoopi Goldberg), who has everything under control. Majorino is adorable and Goldberg is terrific as usual. This is great stuff even though it's fairly predictable. A good mix of drama and comedy although the transitions between are a little rough a few times. PG for language.
THE CORRUPTOR (R) 102 minutes * A violent young gang is trying to take over Chinatown and things are getting out of control. Lt. Chen (Chow Yun-Fat) is on the case with his new sidekick Daniel Wallace (Mark Wahlberg). The story isn't too bad, involving the FBI and Internal Affairs, and a few false leads. The problem is the editing, photography, and sound. All speak of a low budget and work done by people with little experience and it really makes the film hard to watch. There are a couple of supporting roles that have some nice potential, but by that point, it's a little late. R for violence, language, and nudity.
THE COUCH TRIP (R) 95 minutes * * * 1/2 Three great comedians with very different styles of comedy as we follow the story of John William Burns Jr. "a pathological misfit with delusions of grandeur". After managing to be in the right place at the right time, Burns impersonates his own doctor and takes a temporary job as a replacement for a well-known Los Angeles psychiatrist. With Dan Aykroyd's quick wit and boisterous style, Walter Matthau's cynicism, and Charles Grodin's deadpan approach, the film manages to be full of humor at every turn. There are also some thought provoking comments about sanity and insanity, and there's even a little bit of a love story. Aykroyd's films don't always have the strength they need to succeed, but the script and Michael Ritchie's direction give this the support it needs. It's an entertaining piece of work that many people aren't familiar with.
THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (2001) (PG-13) 128 minutes * * * The classic story of honor, betrayal, greed, justice, and love as Edmond Dantes is betrayed and imprisoned, later gaining the opportunity to take revenge on those who caused him his hardship and reclaim the love of his life. This is a very nice adaptation of the story, with fine performances and beautiful scenery. Filmed in Ireland and Malta, this is a very nice, new version of the old story, well worth a look. PG-13 for violence.
THE COUNTRY BEARS (G) 80 minutes * * The Disney crew was really fishing for ideas when they decided that this would be a good project to turn into a film. It was an especially bad idea to recycle the old "mean people tearing down a building we love" story. Kids under the age of seven seem to find this somewhat interesting, but even they didn't seem all that excited by it after awhile. It's basically harmless stuff at least and the bears heads work well, though there isn't much effort to make the bodies look realistic. There are a few interesting cameos from people like Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, and Queen Latifah.
COUPE DE VILLE (PG-13) 93 minutes * * * Three brothers who can't stand each other are supposed to deliver a 1954 Cadillac as a birthday present to their mother. Can they make it all the way from Florida to Michigan? An entertaining script and likeable performances from Arye Gross, Daniel Stern, and Patrick Dempsey make this an entertaining ride.
COURAGE UNDER FIRE (R) 111 minutes * * 1/2 What starts out as a standard investigation of character soon turns into much more when the pieces don't fit. Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan don't seem to give this film the strength it needs to really impress us. There are some nice supporting performances though, by Lou Diamond Phillips, Bronson Pinchot, and Scott Glenn in particular. The scene repetition (to give us the different perspectives) drags on a bit much, but is somewhat of a necessity to help us understand the story fully. R for language and violence.
THE COVENANT (PG-13) 92 minutes * * 1/2 They are the sons of Ipswich, inheritors of an ancient power. But each time it's used, it takes a little bit of them away. Interesting and well-told story with solidly produced special effects. It's definitely predictable and too obviously sets the stage for a sequel, but still fun for those who enjoy witchcraft and "light" horror films. Effective soundtrack by Tomandandy. Filmed in Quebec.
COW BELLES (G) 89 minutes * * Typical Disney TV material about two spoiled girls who have to learn about the realities of life when their father leaves on a vacation and they have to work in the family dairy. Harmless fare for the under 12 set. The big draw here is supposed to be the singing sister act Aly and AJ, who play the lead roles. Let's just say that acting is not their greatest skill.
THE COWBOY WAY (PG-13) 102 minutes * * 1/2 Sonny (Kiefer Sutherland) and Pepper (Woody Harrelson) are two rodeo buddies who head to New York in search of a friend. They find a bit more than they bargained for, with plenty of action and a few laughs along the way. The chemistry between the leads never really gels very well, though the story is somewhat entertaining.
COYOTE UGLY (PG-13) 95 minutes * * * Violet (Piper Perabo) leaves her little home town of Port Amboy, New Jersey in an effort to make it big as a songwriter in New York. Success doesn't come easily, and Violet finds herself struggling to find enough to eat. The film is far less sexual than it's advertised. The emphasis is actually on Violet's innocence and while her eyes are opened to the harsh realities of the "real" world, it's still a rather idealized version of reality. Perabo carries the film well, giving us a wonderful mix of innocence with an underlying sexuality that makes her character nearly perfect for this sort of story. There's also a nice supporting role for John Goodman as her father. And it's nice to see a story that mixes romance, drama, comedy, and a bit of action with such ease. PG-13 for language.
CRADLE 2 THE GRAVE (R) 96 minutes * * 1/2 Jet Li, DMX, and Anthony Anderson star in this action-packed story about a small group of friends who plan a heist that gets a bit more complicated than originally intended. Plot takes a back seat to the stuntwork here, but the stuntwork is pretty impressive. Gabrielle Union's performance is worth noting as well. Still, this is mostly about having the right "look". It's something director Andrej Bartkowiak continues to struggle with as he was the director of photography for so many films prior to taking on the main directing duties of any projects. Corey Yuen choreographed the martial arts sequences. R for violence and language.
THE CRAFT (R) 96 minutes * * 1/2 Fun low budget film about teenage girls experimenting with witchcraft. Nobody in Hollywood thought this would go anywhere, but it managed to take the number one position at the box office for its first week! Spooky and moody enough to give you a few chills, its a story about acceptance and peer pressure. Fairuza Balk stands out in the cast as particularly eerie. R for language and violence.
CRANK (R) 81 minutes * 1/2 Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) is a hitman. Unfortunately, someone is a little upset with the last job he pulled and gives him a drug that will kill him if his heart rate drops too low. That means pretty much non-stop action, much of which is very good. The problem is that we lose too much of the story and never have a chance to get involved. Statham plays his part well, but most everything else is just so much scenery for him to chew up. The exception is Dwight Yoakam, whose sense of humor adds a bit of fun to his supporting role as Chelios' doctor/friend. R for language, violence, and sex.
CRASH (NC-17) 96 minutes * * The films of David Cronenberg continue to get more disturbing and bizarre the older he gets. James Spader plays James Ballard (J.B. Ballard wrote the book this is taken from), a man who is obsessed with sex and soon becomes equally as fascinated with car wrecks. Holly Hunter and Rosanna Arquette are part of a club of sorts, who stage famous car crashes and get high on the adrenaline rush that such participation creates. Bizarre, but memorable film that is intriguing in some spots, but almost unwatchable in others. Cronenberg wrote, produced, and directed this strange piece. NC-17 for sex, language, and violence.
CRASH (2005) (R) 108 minutes * * * 1/2 Why is it that we "crash" into each other to feel our humanity rather than reaching out more intentionally? This film explores not only this question, but the ethics and morality of how we come into contact with one another. Does the good we do outweigh the bad? Why do we make negative comments about one another when we are so often looking for people to make positive comments about us? The cast is an amazing ensemble of talent that continues to impress us throughout the film, though some of the characters don't get much screen time. Don Cheadle's character is the focal point, but is less the lead role and more a point around which other pieces tend to move. Scene changes and bits of the story swirl around you, sometimes raising in intensity, much like Los Angeles itself. It's not a film you can walk away from and expect to understand when you come back. If you enjoy films that make you think, this is definitely one you'll find interesting. R for language, violence, and sex.
CRAZY/BEAUTIFUL (PG-13) 95 minutes * * 1/2 Nicole Oakley (Kirsten Dunst) is a rich girl who is throwing her life away, Carlos Nunez (Jay Hernandez) is from the other side of town and is working hard to make the best of every opportunity that is available. They meet, fall in love, it almost ruins him, but ends up saving her. (Yawn) Dunst does a reasonably good job here, which is more than I expected, but she and Hernandez are never really able to give this story enough energy or enough of a unique flavor to give it much appeal. PG-13 for language and sex.
CRAZY LOVE (PG-13) 89 minutes * * 1/2 Sometimes love makes us do crazy things. Maybe not as crazy as what the Pugach's have gone through... When they were younger, Burt was frustrated and angry and Linda was not willing to do what he asked. If he couldn't have her, no one would. Years later, he finds he still loves her and she agrees, despite what he did to her. Crazy? Strange? Interesting, to be sure. PG-13 for language.
CRAZY PEOPLE (R) 87 minutes * * 1/2 Dudley Moore stars as an advertising executive who is extrememly stressed out. He devises a set of ads that are completely honest, which lands him in a mental institution. But the ads are a success, so maybe being crazy isn't so bad... Moore does well here and the "honest ad" campaign is a treat, but most of the film is formula material that you've seen before. R for language.
CREEPSHOW 2 (R) 86 minutes * * 1/2 The team of Stephen King and George Romero is back to its old tricks again with three new stories, all written by King. "The Raft" is one of King's favorites, but we know so little about the characters that the consequences they face seem a little harsh. "Old Chief Wood'nhead" moves a little slowly, but presents us with some great characters and is definitely fun to watch. "The Hitchhiker" has seveal good points, among them the appearance of King as a truckdriver, but is a bit far-fetched. All things considered, it's not quite as good as the first, but still an enjoyable experience for fans of light horror.
THE CREW (PG-13) 82 minutes * 1/2 Richard Dreyfuss, Burt Reynolds, Dan Hedaya and Seymour Cassel star as four old guys who were "wiseguys" in their young days. They still find themselves together after all these years, though things have changed with the passage of time. When they decide to stage a fake hit to try and get people to leave their apartment building so it will be less crowded, everything seems to go wrong. The characters are likeable, but the comedy is too thick for this story. I guess somebody didn't think this would work as a light drama. Nice soundtrack! PG-13 for language and violence.
CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS (PG) 101 minutes * * * 1/2 Two parallel stories are presented here. A doctor who has been having an affair for years begins to have problems as the two parts of his lifee threaten to interact with each other. Another man who has been faithful to his wife for years despite their incompatibility decides that he wants to have an affair. The two stories weave together slowly, steadily, and suddenly everything is crystal clear in the last few minutes of the film. Writer/director Woody Allen strays from his more typical approach of emphasizing the characters to a much stronger emphasis on the story with this film. To be sure, the characters are strong, and we can debate as to whether one, or both, of them are portrayals of Allen himself. But the crafting of the story is stronger than in most Allen films. It feels a little less like a characters wanderings, and more like a story that Allen wanted to tell. PG for language.
CRIMINAL LAW (R) 110 minutes * * * Ben Chase (Gary Oldman) is a defense attorney who used to be a prosecutor. In his most recent case, his successfully defended Martin Thiel (Kevin Bacon), who he sincerely believed to be innocent... until a few things come up that change his mind. The only problem is that Thiel is now a free man. There is wonderful imagery throughout the film that accentuates the struggle which Chase is going through. Scenes move from darkness to light, from shadow to sunlight, and from beautiful facades to the dark secrets held behind their walls. Complementing the photography and lighting is an extremely different and quite effective soundtrack from Jerry Goldsmith. The biggest drawback is Joe Don Baker, who is less than believable and whose performance manages to ruin several scenes. R for violence and sex.
CRIMSON TIDE (R) 110 minutes * * 1/2 Gene Hackman is the captain who asks no questions and makes no exceptions, while Denzel Washington is the lieutenant who believes in interpretation and making sure that orders are correct. Will this mean a conflict? The strong script gives this film most of its power, creating two characters who are bigger than the plot. The formula story is unworthy of characters like these, but it still lends itself to some exciting moments.
CRISS CROSS (R) 98 minutes * * Very slow-paced film about a mother and her son in Florida after the Vietnam war. Goldie Hawn fans will enjoy her performance, but David Arnott is too stiff as the son and the story is just too uninteresting. Adapted from Scott Sommer's novella and with music from Trevor Jones. R for language and nudity.
CRITTERS 2 (PG-13) 82 minutes * * 1/2 The bouty hunters return to deal with the critters who have once again gone out of control. Forget the critters! Following the adventures of these bounty hunters would make for another decent film or two.
CROCODILE DUNDEE IN LOS ANGELES (PG) 90 minutes * * Mick's family needs to move to Los Angeles to help out with Sue's father's newspaper. The senior editor just might have been murdered, and we know that Mick will end up stumbling across the solution to the mystery in his own inimitable way. Bringing Mick's friend and his son into the story are good moves that help to keep things interesting. It's not a great sequel, but it isn't bad and it manages to have a cute ending. PG for violence and language.
CROCODILE DUNDEE 2 (PG) 107 minutes * 1/2 More adventure and less love story than in the first film, but this change doesn't really work very well. Dundee (Paul Hogan) and Susan (Linda Koslowski) act like a bored married couple who don't know what to do when they're together. Part of Dundee's charm is spoiled as well when we discover that he's actually very wealthy. The drab feeling of the story and scenery is offset to a small degree by fine supporting villainous performances from Hechtor Ubarry and Juan Fernandez.
THE CROCODILE HUNTER: COLLISION COURSE (PG) 86 minutes * * 1/2 This is basically an extended version of Steve Irwin's classic "Crocodile Hunter" TV show with a bit of ridiculous plot thrown in about a piece of a spy satellite that gets swallowed by a crocodile and causes some rather inept agents to chase after Steve and Terri as they go about their "usual" business. If you enjoy watching the TV show, you'll at least find this mildly entertaining, but the TV show is definitely more interesting. PG for violence and language.
CROOKLYN (PG-13) 109 minutes * * 1/2 A slice of life in Brooklyn... noisy, sometimes dirty, hard for a kid to survive in. Zelda Harris does an outstanding job as young Troy, facing the issues of adolescence in a tough neighborhood. Another of Spike Lee's more serious films, this is one that will probably stick with you for awhile.
CROSS MY HEART (NR) 105 minutes * * * * A gem from the French cinema about friendship, loyalty, life, and death . It's the story of a young boy whose mother dies. Not wanting to be taken to the orphanage, he and his friends work to figure out a way around it all. The kids here are incredible, giving seasoned performances that draw us into the film immediately, and keeping us enthralled well past the finish.
CROSSOVER (PG-13) 91 minutes * * Playing streetball and learning about life. Those are the topics in this story about Noah (Wesley Jonathan) and Tech (Anthony Mackie). The story could clearly have used some improvement, but the performances are more than adequate and the basketball sequences are nice. Nothing great here, but not a total time-waster either. PG-13 for sex and violence.
CROSSROADS (PG-13) 90 minutes * * Lucy (Britney Spears) is graduating high school, but she's always been such a good girl and a good student that she feels like she's missed out on things. When the opportunity arises to travel across the country with some friends, she jumps at the chance. A coming of age film that manages to retain most of the innocence of its leads, this isn't too bad as a first film for Spears. She's no great actress, but there are plenty who are worse. Nice pop music soundtrack that's made to market. Spears fans probably won't be disappointed, but others probably won't be overly impressed. PG-13 for language.
CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (PG-13) 115 minutes * * * 1/2 Beautiful production values highlight this story of a warrior who is ready to give up huis quest for vengeance and a young girl who wants nothing to do with the married life that has been planned for her. Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh, and Zhang Ziyi carry the story well and the martial arts are simpy amazing. It's nice to see women getting equal time in the fight sequences. Gone are the silly smacking and cracking noises, but they are replaced with equally silly, though more artistic, flying sequences. Still, the story and the production quality elevate this at least to the level of "Enter the Dragon" if not a step beyond. PG-13 for violence.
THE CROW (R) 93 minutes * * 1/2 Based on the comic book of the same title, this is the story of a man who comes back from the grave to avenge the death of his fiancee. Brandon Lee's last film is slightly better than average, with a number of effectively macabre images throughout. Despite the atmosphere, the direction is aimless and the script sounds too much like a comic book when it doesn't need to. R for sex, violence, and language.
THE CROW: CITY OF ANGELS (R) 79 minutes * Strange camera angels and dim lighting establish an appropriately spooky mood here, but the script is far too weak to keep us interested . Graeme Revell's music is nice, but our new star (and this film) are but a pale shadow of the first film. R for violence and language.
THE CROW: WICKED PRAYER (R) 96 minutes * * Jimmy Cuervo (Edward Furlong) and his girlfriend are killed by a satanic cult, but when he is resurrected as The Crow, he finds himself not only an agent of vengeance and justice, but in a battle with forces of evil far greater than he imagined. The script isn't all that great, but the cast goes a long way to make up for it with Furlong, Tara Reid, David Boreanaz, and Dennis Hopper. Filmed in and around Salt Lake City, Utah. R for violence and language.
CRUEL INTENTIONS (R) 94 minutes * * 1/2 Suggested by the novel Dangerous Liasons, this explores the idea with a younger cast. Kathryn gives her stepbrother the challenge of taking the virginity of a girl unlikely to cooperate. The strategizing seems a bit much, but the cast is talented and makes the film very watchable. Ryan Phillippe comes off the best here, but Reese Witherspoon and Sarah Michelle Gellar are good as well. R for sex and language.
CRUMB (R) 119 minutes * * * 1/2 Biographical documentary about Robert Crumb, the underground comic artist and creator of Fritz the Cat. Interviews with Crumb's family and friends give us an in-depth look at a character who is even more unique than the characters he creates. An incredible film that will have you wondering how Crumb survived his upbringing and was able to succeed.
THE CRUSH (R) 85 minutes * * "The Amy Fisher Story" meets "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" with Alicia Silverstone starring as the 14-year-old with a crush on her next-door neighbor that turns into an obsession.
CRY BABY (PG-13) 80 minutes * * A wonderful cast makes this corny Romeo and Juliet story fun to watch, though it's rather rough around the edges. Keep in mind that it's a John Waters' film and you'll understand what I mean. Johnny Depp, Amy Locane, Ricki Lake, Iggy Pop, Traci Lords, Patricia Hearst, and Willem Dafoe among others are just having fun playing these unique characters for the big screen.
CRY WOLF (PG-13) 84 minutes * 1/2 It starts as a game, spreading a rumor that a serial killer is on the loose, but these friends at a prep school begin to take the joke a little too far. Definitely a low-budget thriller, but rather shy on the thrills, too often pulling its punches and giving hints about what is to come. PG-13 for violence and language.
THE CRYING GAME (R) 108 minutes * * 1/2 Having relationships with others, caring about them... it can be a game we play, or it can be more than that. What do we do with the hurt we feel? These are the issues that Fergus (Stephen Rea) must deal with as he portrays a man who is trapped by his politics and his love. When the plot twist comes (can't tell you now, can I?) the script and direction aren't able to adequately convey Fergus' torment. Rea does a fine job, but it feels more like he's beaten into submission rather than coming to an understanding of what's going on inside himself. Interesting, but somewhat ineffective film, though its plot twist seems to make it a bit more appealing to the general public for its shock value. R for sex, language, and violence.
THE CURE (PG-13) 95 minutes * * * Joe Mazzello and Brad Renfro play two young boys, both outcasts, who become friends. The title refers to Mazzello's battle with AIDS, which plays a key role in the story. Annabella Sciorra and Diana Scarwid play the mothers of the boys, one supportive and one alcoholic. This plays like a TV movie as far as its flow and the topic, but it touches the heart when it needs to and Mazzello and Renfro both do great work. Filmed in Minnesota.
CURIOUS GEORGE (G) 78 minutes * * * Nice cartoon for the very young set, with lots of bright color