NACHO LIBRE (PG) 1/2 Silly, and somewhat boring parody of the Mexican wrestling film genre. Ignacio (Jack Black) has been raised by monks at an orphanagebut finds himself inexplicably drawn to wrestling. Pursuing his dream, he becomes a wrestler, though not very good at actually winning. PG for violence.
NADINE (PG) 80 minutes * * All Nadine (Kim Basinger) wanted to do was get back some photos she wishes she hadn't had taken. Instead, she finds herself in the middle of a murder and a land deal gone bad. Her husband (Jeff Bridges) is trying to help, but she really just wants him to go away too. Bridges does a nice job here, but we never really believe Basinger. The combination gives us a mediocre and rather forgettable film, though fans of the two leads might find it interesting at some level.
THE NAKED BROTHERS BAND: THE MOVIE (NR) 76 minutes * * Even fans of the Nickelodeon television show this springs from may find it more than a little tedious at times. There are a few cute bits, and there's no denying that young Nat Wolff is extremely talented. Unfortunately, most of the rest of the people here aren't. More than 30 minutes at a time of this is a little difficult to justify, especially when the music is interrupted by bad acting.
THE NAKED GUN (PG-13) 81 minutes 1/2 As with most films in this genre, it's better when seen with a bunch of friends late at night when you aren't really watching the TV anymore anyway... PG-13 for language and sex.
THE NAKED GUN 2 1/2: THE SMELL OF FEAR (PG-13) 80 minutes BOMB Those who enjoyed the first one might like this, but all evidence of quality and talent is missing from this film.
NAKED GUN 33 1/3: THE FINAL INSULT (PG-13) 75 minutes * Filled with cameo appearances, especially at the "Academy Awards" ceremony. More of the same as far as comedy, lampooning numerous contemporary films with minimal success. The funniest material appears during the credits.
NAKED LUNCH (R) 112 minutes * Bizarre art trash film from director David Cronenberg about a writer's downhill slide into drug abuse and depression. A message from the Interzone is delivered to Bill (Peter Weller) by a talking bug's butt, telling him to kill his wife. But it's just a hallucination as he's addicted to a powdered insecticide. The film almost tries to make a point toward the end, but lapses into insanity again. Adapted from the William Burroughs novel. R for sex, violence, and language.
THE NAMESAKE (PG-13) 113 minutes * * * What's in a name? Gogol (Kal Penn) finds that the name he has been given means far more than he imagined, both to his parents and to himself. The story follows him as he struggles to grow away from his family while staying close, valuing his traditional upbringing while becoming more modern, and as he gains a more clear sense of who he is and what that really means. Nice work by Penn. PG-13 for sex and language.
NANCY DREW (PG) 93 minutes * * 1/2 Nancy is going with her dad on an extended business trip to California. The house they are staying in has a mystery that needs to be solved... even though Nancy has promised she won't do any sleuthing while they are on this trip. Trying to fit in at the school is a bit difficult, and makes Nancy really want to focus on the mystery at hand. Emma Roberts does a very nice job here. Primarily for the 8-12 crowd, but others in the family should enjoy it as well.
NANKING (R) 86 minutes * * * Taken from the diaries, journals, letters and notes of the people of Nanking who lived through the horrors of World War II and the years just preceeding it. Several survivors are interviewed as well, and their accounts will tear at your heart. R for violence.
THE NANNY DIARIES (PG-13) 101 minutes * * 1/2 After graduation, Annie (Scarlett Johansson) begins a journey of self-discovery, stumbling into a career as a nanny. She learns much about life and about herself. We learn too much of it through narration rather than through just watching it happen. Johansson gives a heartfelt performance, and Laura Linney's shrill one off-sets it quite well. They are two talented actesses, and that's what makes this worth watching. Based on the novel by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. Filmed in New York. PG-13 for language.
NANNY MCPHEE (PG) 92 minutes * * * After their mother dies, the Brown children work their way through seventeen nannies before Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson) arrives. But as she explains to them, "There is something you must understand about the way I work. When you need me but do not want me, I must stay. When you want me but no longer need me, I must go. It's sad really, but there it is." Delightful fairytale about family, love, good wishes, and dreams that can come true. Emma Thompson adapted the script from the Nurse Matilda books and does a wonderful job as Nanny McPhee, doing the work that needs to be done. PG for cartoonish violence.
NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (PG) 92 minutes * * Coming of age film about misfit Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder). There are some funny bits here and there, but this is too slow paced and keeps losing our interest. Tina Majorino adds a few bright spots to the film as Napoleon's shy friend Deb, but it's not enough to give this the strength it needs. PG for language.
NARC (R) 99 minutes * * Jason Patric stars as Nick Tellis, a former undercover narcotics officer, who gets a second chance by helping with the investigation of the death of another undercover narcotics officer. The story is the same tired one we've heard before about cops gone bad, but the performances of Patric and Ray Liotta give it some credibility. It definitely betrays its low budget origins, but at times that actually lends itself to a more realistic feeling to the film. R for violence and language.
NARROW MARGIN (R) 93 minutes * * * This remake of a 1952 film stars Gene Hackman and Anne Archer with Hackman protecting murder witness Archer as they travel by train through the Canadian Rockies. Plenty of tense and eventful scenes with some great stuntwork. Editing is a little sloppy in spots, but Bruce Broughton's music does a great job of keeping our mood right where it needs to be for every segment of the film.
THE NASTY GIRL (PG-13) 92 minutes * * * 1/2 A young Bavarian girl enters an essay contest and the research she embarks upon (about her home town during World War II) leads her to dig deeper and deeper into the truth, which most people want to leave buried. Director Michael Verhoeven presents a visually stunning film that mixes theatrical backdrops and actual location work in this adaptation of a true story. PG-13 for language and violence.
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S GOLDDIGGERS (PG-13) 81 minutes BOMB Cal and Len grew up in an orphanage together and became best friends. They have an idea... marry a couple of rich old women and inherit their fortunes. Of course, the women they choose have an idea of their own... marry a couple of young fools, insure them, and then kill them. It's definitely one of the most boring comedies you'll ever watch... Don't say you weren't warned. PG-13 for language and violence.
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S LOADED WEAPON 1 (PG-13) 76 minutes * 1/2 Mercifully short parody of several films including the Lethal Weapon series. Notable only for the number of cameo appearances, this is like most other films of it's genre... better when viewed when you're low on sleep and with lots of friends who are in the same condition.
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S SENIOR TRIP (R) 84 minutes BOMB Ten kids in detention write a letter to the president and get invited to Washington. Tommy Chong is their bus driver. A few amusing characters, but a story that goes nowhere and would barely have made a funny skit for "Saturday Night Live".
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VAN WILDER (R) 88 minutes * 1/2 Van (Ryan Reynolds) has been in college for seven years and his father has decided it's long enough. Now Van is faced with paying for things himself, or perhaps finally moving on. This is yet another of those films with the strange mix of a very sound message (about growing up and taking responsibility) and a style of presentation that is crude and vulgar and very deserving of its "R" rating. R for language and sex.
NATIONAL SECURITY (PG-13) 83 minutes * Hank (Steve Zahn) just watched his partner get killer during a robbery and through a series of events ends up as a security guard. His path crosses taht of Earl Montgomery (Martin Lawrence), police academy reject, and the rest is history. Zahn does fairly well here, but Lawrence lets the one-liners fly no matter the circumstance. Part of the problem here is the old one of not knowing how to balance comedy and drama. There is some very nice stuntwork here, but the script just does such a poor job of telling us the story that we almost don't notice. PG-13 for violence and language.
NATIONAL TREASURE (PG) 121 minutes * * * Generations of his family have spent their lives looking for the treasure. Hot on the trail, Ben (Nicolas Cage) reaches a dead end of sorts and the man who was helping him decides to cross him and try something extreme. Ben sees no option but to go for it himself, despite the increased risks. Fun adventure film with plenty of comic relief as well and a great soundtrack by Trevor Rabin. Cage almost has too much fun with this! PG for violence and language.
NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS (PG) 117 minutes * * * They say that there is a book that is kept by the presidents of the United States, passed from one to the next, full of national secrets. A book that must never be seen by anyone else for fear of how it could change the perception of history, and thus the future. Ben (Nicolas Cage) needs to see if there is information in the book that will clear his family's name from being implicated in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. It's another fun adventure film with bits of humor scattered throughout. Part history, part conspiracy theory, and lots of fun. PG for violence.
THE NATIVITY STORY (PG) 94 minutes * * * Retelling of the biblical story of the birth of Jesus, beginning with King Herod ordering the death of all the infants in the area and then flashing back to one year before. The script elaborates on the story in a few spots, but most will find this a faithful presentation. It's a beautiful production, and a nice religious film for the holidays. PG for violence.
NATURAL BORN KILLERS (R) 112 minutes * * 1/2 Another Oliver Stone "beat-you-over-the-head-with-an-idea" film, portraying Mickey and Mallory, fictional serial killers who become media stars. Part of what Stone is after is to tap into the macabre part in all of us that continues to watch a story, real or unreal, when it deals with people being killed. The major weakness here is the same as with most of Stone's films, that is, his inability (or unwillingness) to let the camera and music tell the story once in awhile. If you can get past that, it is a fascinating piece of work, though most people will find it rather unsettling to watch.
NAVY SEALS (R) 107 minutes * * Action/thriller that pits the Navy's elite team against some Middle Eastern terrorists. Charlie Sheen, Michael Biehn, Joanne Whalley- Kilmer, and Bill Paxton aren't bad at all, but the story is full of holes that really weaken the overall effect.
NECESSARY ROUGHNESS (PG-13) 104 minutes * * The Texas State Armadillos have to train a new football team. It's a bizarre cast of characters they use, and they have to play "iron man" football, but you know they'll win. It's a "losers who make good" story for adults. It does have it's moments, though not so many that you'll be too impressed. The low budget hurts this more than anything else. PG-13 for language.
NEEDFUL THINGS (R) 117 minutes * * Following faithfully in the steps of most adaptations of Stephen King books to the big screen, this is a pale shadow of the original material. This one relies heavily on your having read the book before you see the film. Yet, the ending is totally reworked, losing all of its mysterious and sinister aspects. Nice production quality, but it's all empty inside. R for violence and language.
THE NEGOTIATOR (R) 135 minutes * * Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey star in this suspense/thriller about cops gone bad. Danny Roman's (Jackson) partner uncovers information about some dirty cops and then turns up dead. Roman is framed for the murder and has to prove his innocence. The idea of a negotiator calling in another negotiator is interesting and Jackson and Spacey play their parts very well. The film takes a long time to set the stage though, and could've been better served by cutting several scenes from the first hour. Actors like Jackson and Spacey don't need all the extra time to draw us in and most of the supporting characters here are of little importance the way the story is played. R for violence and language.
NELL (PG-13) 108 minutes * * * * A backwoods girl who has been raised in isolation comes under the scrutiny of a small town doctor and a university research scientist when her mother dies. Jodie Foster gives an astounding performance in this story about solitude, friendship, love, and the need to be in relationship to other people. From the play Ideoglossia, this is a beautiful piece of work that also stars Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson. Filmed in North Carolina. Rated PG-13 for nudity and language.
THE NET (PG-13) 111 minutes * * Angela Bennett (Sandra Bullock) has a computer disc that some people want very badly. In fact, they erase her identity as they attempt to retrieve it. The suspense here is short-circuited by overly long sequences that drain the intensity and place too much emphasis on Bullock's acting. She can't carry this all by herself when the story is made to be so boring. It's not a bad film, but trimming five to ten minutes off would have helped tighten it up.
NEVER BEEN KISSED (PG-13) 100 minutes * * 1/2 Drew Barrymore is Josie Geller, assigned to undercover work for the newspaper that involves her going back to high school, which was not the most pleasant of experiences the first time around. Barrymore is wonderful here, having the chance to sink her teeth into a well-developed role. Leelee Sobieski shines here as well, playing the girl who first befriends Josie as she goes back to school. It's a predictable story, but the cast wins us over and makes this fun to watch. PG-13 for language.
NEVER DIE ALONE (R) 82 minutes * * 1/2 "King" David (DMX) gets out of prison and sets up a new business selling heroin. It goes quite well for awhile and then things begin to take a turn for the worse. Paul (David Arquette) is a writer, immersing himself in the culture of the streets to get a better feeling for the story he's writing. When he ends up lending King a helping hand, he finds himself in possession of a record of King's activities. Something that some other people would gladly kill him for. Based on the Donald Goines' book and also featuring a very nice performance from Michael Ealy. R for language, violence, and sex.
NEVER TALK TO STRANGERS (R) 81 minutes * Psychologist meets and falls for a surveillance consultant... and now someone is sending her dead flowers and killing her cat. No surprises here, though Rebecca DeMornay and Antonio Banderas are pleasant enough to watch. The story is just so much rehashed thriller with no creativity.
THE NEVERENDING STORY II: THE NEXT CHAPTER (PG) 88 minutes * * It's a really thin story this time around as we follow Bastian on another adventure in Fantasia. Even the small ones in the audience didn't seem too impressed by this. It does wrap up nicely, but the kids may not sit still long enough to get there.
NEVERWAS (PG-13) 100 minutes * * * When Zach (Aaron Eckhart) goes to work at the psychiatric institute where his father spent a good deal of time, he discovers more than he expected. His father wrote a children's book about a magical land, a land that one of the current residents of the institute seems to know a great deal about. Is Neverwas real? Zach can't believe that it's possible, but life has taught him to be a bit cynical. The film does a wonderful job of balancing both the magical and the real as Zach learns about his father and in the process, about himself. Ian McKellan and Brittany Murphy are standouts in an amazing cast that also includes William Hurt, Nick Nolte, Alan Cumming, and Jessica Lange. PG-13 for language.
THE NEW GUY (PG-13) 81 minutes * * 1/2 Dizzy (D.J. Qualls) is a loser. No, really... the ultimate loser. He ends up getting expelled from school and sent to prison. Luther (Eddie Griffin) takes him under his wing and teaches him self-confidence which Dizzy then uses to become the most popular kid in school. Of course, your past never really leaves, and Dizzy must come to terms with that and decide who his real friends are. Wonderfully fun look at friendship and the high school scene with a top-notch performance from Qualls. Eliza Dushku plays the popular cheerleader who falls for him, and who is hiding something of her own past as well. Filled with great cameos and hilarious parodies of numerous films. Not slapstick, but nicely worked into the story. PG-13 for language.
NEW JACK CITY (R) 96 minutes * * 1/2 Violent, but moralistic look at the beginnings and problems of the "crack" industry. The solution proposed at the end of the film will only create other problems, but... From the Van Peebles school of filmmaking, with lots of pop video style material and strong moral messages. R for violence and language.
A NEW LIFE (PG-13) 100 minutes * * Alan Alda wrote, directed, and stars in this moderately entertaining look at a couple who divorces and begin to reestablish their own lives. Ann-Margret, Hal Linden, and Veronica Hamel co-star.
THE NEW WORLD (PG-13) 132 minutes * * * 1/2 Virginia 1607, ships arrive on the shores of a land far across the ocean. Interactions between the natives and the new arrivals are cautious at first, then friendly, then tragic. Slow-moving and beautifully photographed, using an approach that is somewhat abstract. There are ways in which this story of how one world of existence was affected by that of another is almost hinted at rather than boldly stated, perhaps finding even more of the truth in the telling. Some of the almost operatic quality will definitely be lost on the small screen.
NEW YORK MINUTE (PG) 86 minutes * * 1/2 Jane (Ashley Olsen) is the organized one and she's supposed to give a speech on which her college scholarship depends. Roxy (Mary-Kate Olsen) is skipping school to catch the filming of a music video where she hopes to be able to get someone to listen to her demo. If you've followed Mary-Kate and Ashley's video film career, you'll find that this is a nice transitino to the big screen. It's similar, yet moves them to the next logical step in their careers. PG for language.
NEWSIES (PG) 116 minutes * * * 1/2 Musical story of the newsboy strike of 1899. Outstanding choreography and solid direction from Kenny Ortega and great music from Alan Mencken. Of course there are spots where the story isn't too logical, but that's fairly typical for musicals. If you enjoy a show with alot of dance and like to watch talented young performers, you won't be disappointed. PG for language.
THE NEWTON BOYS (PG-13) 117 minutes * * 1/2 1919, the days when the streets of towns were deserted at night, and the only alarms banks had were the neighbors who might wake up and holler for help. It was in this environment that the Newton boys pulled off the most successful series of bank robberies in history. Not that they didn't get caught in the end, but they lived to ripe old ages. The film has a rather laid-back style, which is somewhat awkward when we're watching the more active scenes. Matthew McConaghey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and the rest, all seem comfortable here, but the film lacks the energy it needs in some spots. Don't miss those segments with the real Newton boys during the credits! PG-13 for language and violence.
NEXT (PG-13) 87 minutes * * * (Cris (Nicolas Cage) is just another one of many Las Vegas magicians... but there's one small difference. Cris can see the future. Only two minutes ahead, but it comes in handy. The FBI thinks it would come in really handy for a case they're working on. But Cris doesn't want to be a government experiment. Adapted, and quite different in some ways, from Philip K. Dick's novel, "The Golden Man". There are definitely some problems here as far as the story. We never learn much about the villains, and we never get to explore why Cris is able to see farther into the future when Liz (Jessica Biel) is around. But the rest of the story work well enough, and Cage's performance shows us a man who has fun with his talent, while at the same time feeling frustrated at how others don't understand the problems it can cause. As wonderful as it seems, seeing the future isn't what you might expect. "Here's the thing about the future... every time you look at it, it changes... because you looked at it. And that changes everything else." PG-13 for violence and language.
THE NEXT BEST THING (PG-13) 103 minutes * * * Real-life best friends Madonna and Rupert Everett star in a story about two people who can't seem to win at love and decide to settle for the next best thing... each other. Everett and Madonna both do great work here, giving consistent and solid performances. Everett gives the film a touch of humor, but the film is for more drama than comedy, much like life itself. No matter who it is that makes up your family, it takes work to keep it going. PG-13 for language.
NEXT FRIDAY (R) 91 minutes * 1/2 Debo is getting out of jail and so Craig is leaving town to live with his Uncle Earl to avoid the beating he's sure to get. Of course, Earl's family and neighborhood have their own problems. It's just another crazy Friday, whether it's your neighborhood or someone else's. A few funny bits here and there, but nothing much to speak of. And way below the caliber of material that these guys should be putting out. R for language.
THE NEXT KARATE KID (PG) 103 minutes * * Miyagi (Pat Morita) has his hands full this time. He's taking care of the granddaughter of a friend, and she has a major attitude problem. Of course, she also knows a little karate, which is all the edge Miyagi needs. His new student has a lot to learn... will he be able to teach her in time? Have we seen this all before? Actually, it's not too bad, but relies more heavily on the philosophy behind karate and less on action until late in the film. PG for language and violence.
NEXT OF KIN (R) 104 minutes * * Patrick Swayze is the big draw here. It's a story of the mafia and hillbillies coming into conflict with familiy loyalties at stake. Justice mixed with revenge is the order of the day. The ending is rather awkward, but the story had some problems anyway. R for violence and language.
NICK OF TIME (R) 83 minutes * * John Badham's flair for action and a talented cast (Johnny Depp, Christopher Walken, Marsha Mason) give this a little spark. Unfortunately, the idea that someone would kidnap your child and use them as a hostage to get you to commit a murder for them, just doesn't work. When we forget what the basic premise is, we can feel some of the tension, but we keep being reminded and return to thinking how foolish it all is.
NIGHT AND THE CITY (R) 100 minutes * * Harry Fabian (Robert DeNiro) is a two-bit lawyer who decides that it's time to bring back ringside fighting the way it used to be, with more excitement and less glitter. Trouble is, Harry's luck has never been very good. The film tries to recapture the sense of the 1950's and does a good job as far as the look and the sound. The acting, however, doesn't come off nearly as well. DeNiro delivers one of the worst performances of his career, with a stumbling, awkward performance that makes us shudder. Jessica Lange does a good job, but she is a single star in a sea of darkness. It's an uneven film that is only a shadow of what it might have been. R for language and violence.
NIGHT ANGEL (R) 82 minutes 1/2 Wasted film interpretation of the myth of Lilith, cohort of Satan, following her antics as she tries to take over a fashion magazine. R for violence and nudity.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM (PG) 104 minutes * * * Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) was just trying to get a job to show how he actually could be a responsible adult and a better father. Little did he know that being the night watchman at the Museum of Natural History would involve an ancient curse and museum exhibits that come to life each night. Fun and magical film that does a nice job of entertaining all ages. Stiller does a nice job here, and it's great to see Dick Van Dyke and Mickey Rooney here too. Adapted from the book by Milan Trenc, this film is a great reminder that history CAN come alive, just visit a museum near you! PG for violence and language.
A NIGHT AT THE ROXBURY (PG-13) 77 minutes * 1/2 The Butabi brothers want to run their own nightclub, but they have a bit of trouble getting into their "favorite" club... ever. Chris Kataan has some talent, but his sidekick is more like a lead weight than a straight man. The only other real highlight here is some reasonably good dance music. As with most Saturday Night Live skits-turned-movies, this would've been served better had it stayed a skit. PG-13 for language.
NIGHT FALLS ON MANHATTAN (R) 109 minutes * * 1/2 A drug dealer kills three police officers and puts one in the hospital, but was he allowed the right to defend himself? First half of the movie deals with the court case and gets a bit tedious. Makes for an uneven film as the second half takes shape. Interesting, but many won't want to sit through the first half to get to the second. Andy Garcia does a good job, but Richard Dreyfuss doesn't have much to work with as far as script. R for violence and language.
A NIGHT IN THE LIFE OF JIMMY REARDON (R) 90 minutes * * 1/2 Less the story of a high school senior who can't get the girl he wants and more the story of that same boy and his relationship with his father. Director William Richert wrote the book (Aren't You Even Going to Kiss Me Goodbye) and adapted the screenplay for this rather wordy project, with far too many voice-overs that we really don't need. River Phoenix does a nice job using the camera to highlight what he is saying and doing rather than allowing the camera to shape him. A nice soundtrack from Bill Conti sets the mood, but the ending to the film is rather unsatisfactory.
THE NIGHT LISTENER (R) 77 minutes * * * Late night radio talk show host Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) begins to feel an attachment to one of his young fans as his own personal life is hitting a rough spot. But is this person who they say they are? The more he tries to discover, the more questions he has. Low-key performance from Williams that works nicely in this slightly suspenseful story. Based on a novel by Armistead Maupin, and also starring Toni Collette, Sanda Oh, and Rory McCulkin. It's a short film, but the story will stay with you for awhile. R for language.
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1990) (R) 85 minutes * * 1/2 This remake of the original, though written by George Romero, who directed the first, doesn't carry the same impact. It's in color this time and relies too much on the grotesque and not enough on the ideas within the story. Tom Savini's direction emphasizes these effects as one might expect with his expertise in the field of special effects. The social commentary is still there, but the original is still more impressive. R for violence, language, and general grotesqueness.
NIGHT OF THE RUNNING MAN (R) 89 minutes * * This adaptation of Lee Wells' novel is interesting, but rather predictable. Scott Glenn, Andrew McCarthy, Wayne Newton, and John Glover make up the talented cast, but this probably won't be a film you remember for long.
NIGHT WATCH (R) 108 minutes * * There are those who watch the night and those who watch the day, to make sure the balance is kept in place. But one will come who makes a choice, and that choice will upset the balance... Sounds impressive, but the film has the feel of a disjointed music video and is not that easy to follow. There are some nice effects, but one wonders if Sergei Lukyanenko's novel was as difficult to read as this is to watch. And although the end of the film does make a bit more sense, it leaves us wondering if there is supposed to be a sequel... though not all that excited about seeing it. R for violence and language.
THE NIGHT WE NEVER MET (R) 94 minutes * 1/2 Kevin Anderson, Matthew Broderick, and Annabella Sciorra (all strangers at the beginning of the film) share an apartment with the typical complications. Part of the problem here is that the characters don't start interacting with each other quickly enough. Good actors can have a really rough time when the script and director don't give them a chance to work.
NIGHTBREED (R) 96 minutes * * * Boone is having dreams about monsters. His doctor tells him that the monsters are personifications of his sins. The place called Midian that Boone dreams of is a fabrication created to house his sins. The only thing is, as Boone and many others soon find out, Midian is real... and so are the monsters! This adaptation of Clive Barker's novel, "Cabal" is filled with fascinating characters and an incredible amount of story. This isn't a horror film that will make you scream or shock you with gross special effects, though there are some wonderful effects. And what this WILL do, is stay with you long after you've finished watching it. You'll wonder what else could happen... and if Midian is real. R for violence, language, and nudity.
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (PG) 71 minutes * * * The creative mind of Tim Burton spins us a story about Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, and his wish to be a part of the Christmas season instead of Halloween. Part fantasy, part parable, with fascinating characters that come to life through stop-motion animation. Danny Elfman's score is amazing as well, making the soundtrack alone worth buying. Creative, unique, and tremendously enjoyable.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER (R) 87 minutes * * * Kristen Parker, the last of the children of Freddy's killers finally bites the dust here, but she manages to pass her powers along to another girl who is able to control her dreams. Alice, along with her friends Dan and Debbie, forms the new triangle of power. The story here is by far the best of the sequels, but the acting is not what it needs to be. Some great special effects from Dream Quest, Kevin Yagher, and John Buechler are here too. A very solid entry in the series.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD (R) 84 minutes * * The "dream child" of the title is the unborn baby of Lisa Wilcox, our heroine from Part 4. It is through the dreams of this unborn child that Freddy is now entering the world of reality. It's an interesting idea and it ends well too. The big surprise is that the special effects are very poor. Filmed in dim light whenever possible, they look cheap and ruin much of the intesity the film tries to deliver.
NINE LIVES (R) 108 minutes * * * The lives of nine women are explored in this powerful drama. Nine short films, each exploring a few moments in each woman's life, yet telling us so much about them. Some of the stories are connected more directly than others, but there's a sense in which they are all connected and we are connected to all of them as well. Nice work from all involved! R for language and sex.
NINE MONTHS (PG-13) 96 minutes * * 1/2 Sam (Hugh Grant) may be a child psychologist, but he doesn't want a child of his own... The real stars here are Tom Arnold and Joan Cusack, who work very well together and liven things up every time they're on screen. Grant and Julianne Moore are less likeable and their scenes together tend to drag. Adapted from the French film "Neuf Mois", by writer/director Chris Columbus.
1969 (R) 91 minutes * * * * Playwright Ernest Thompson makes his directorial debut with this wonderful period piece about the end of the 1960's. The incredibly talented cast features Robert Downey Jr., Kiefer Sutherland, Bruce Dern, Winona Ryder, and many more, who give us a glimpse into a year filled with struggles and with friends. Thompson packs a great deal of material into the script in an expert manner, and the songs are well chosen to highlight the atmosphere. R for language.
THE NINTH DAY (NR) 90 minutes * * * Father Henri Kremer (Ulrich Mattes) has been released from the prison camp at Dachau for nine days. Nine days in which he will be faced with many opportunities, challenges, and decisions. Adapted from the book "Pfarrerblock 25487" by Jean Bernard, on whom the character of Kremer is based. It's a powerful film with noteworthy performances by both Mattes and August Diehl. Director Volker Schlondorff gives us a story that is full of tension between despair and hope, faith and doubt, choices that are sometimes made in more extreme circumstances than most of us can imagine.
THE NINTH GATE (R) 127 minutes * * 1/2 There is a book that was written by Satan himself, the reading of which can conjure him. Three copies are known to exist, but are any of them authentic? It's an interesting idea, but we soon tire of the search and long for the climactic scenes we know will come at the end. Johnny Depp gives an appropriately creepy performance, but the film is far too long to sustain the suspense. Adapted from the book El Club Dumas and rated R for violence and sex.
NIXON (R) 181 minutes * * * As is typical of Oliver Stone movies, this film does drive its point into the ground a little bit too much. Still, if the portrait of Nixon as a child is close to accurate, the picture of the man is probably close as well. The big disappointment here is that there are so many well-known actors who are seen in roles that are important, but are on screen for a very short time. Anthony Hopkins does well as Nixon, but the real standout is Joan Allen as Pat Nixon. Settle in and relive a little history through the eyes of Oliver Stone as he takes a look at Richard Nixon. R for violence and language.
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (R) 117 minutes * * * 1/2 Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) has a feeling that someone might be coming after the two million dollars. What he doesn't know is that Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) isn't like most people. It may not be the "old days", but the west is still wild. Intense story adapted from Cormac McCarthy's novel with subtle, strong performances from Bardem, Brolin, and Tommy Lee Jones. Another fine piece of work from the brothers Coen. Filmed in New Mexico. R for violence and language.
NO END IN SIGHT (NR) 99 minutes * * 1/2 Straightforward documentary that traces the history of the war in Iraq. Beginning with information on how the stage was set, both in Iraq and within the United States government, and how mistakes were made with regard to the ways in which war should be waged if success is to be expected. The film does a reasonably good job of steering away from opinion and simply uncovering the details of the events. The criticism that is offered is focused more on the management of the war than on the reasons for its beginning.
NO ESCAPE (R) 113 minutes * Ray Liotta escapes a maximum security prison in the year 2022 and finds himself in a jungle with other inmates. Can they survive and create a workable society? Who cares? This asks the question, "can the uncivilized become so when left to the wild?" Unfortunately, the story is rather boring and trite, with performances that are lifeless, at best.
NO HOLDS BARRED (PG-13) 89 minutes 1/2 This Hulk Hogan vehicle has virtually nothing to recommend it. Fake fight scenes that are worse than normal, a plot that is almost non-existent, and acting that... well, it isn't. This is only for diehard fans of Hogan.
NO RESERVATIONS (PG) 100 minutes * * 1/2 It's hard enough to be a great chef in New York. But when Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones ends up taking care of her niece, and her boss brings in another chef to help (Aaron Eckhart), Kate is faced with a few more challenges than she anticipated. Based on "Bella Martha", with Zeta-Jones giving a rather passionless performance, though Echkart does a nice job compensating for it and Abigail Breslin delivering another fine performance in her young career. PG for language.
NO WAY OUT (R) 110 minutes * * * When a politician's mistress turns up dead, it's up to Lt. Cmdr. Tom Farrell (Kevin Costner) to find the killer. The problem is, Farrell was having an affair with her too. Intense pacing and plenty of action keep us involved right up until the end... which is a bit disappointing and seems to drift away from the direction we'd been going all along. Based on the novel "The Big Clock" by Kenneth Fearing.
NOBODY'S BABY (R) 108 minutes * * * Offbeat story with Skeet Ulrich delivering a very nice performance as an orphan who finds himself looking after another orphan. This does a nice job of mixing the humor of a couple of characters who never seem to be able to get things to go their way, with the sentimentality of the need for family and love. Gary Oldman co-produced and co-stars as Ulrich's friend, along with supporting roles by Mary Steenburgen, Radha Mitchell, and Anna Gunn. An overlooked film that is definitely worth a look. R for language, violence, and nudity.
NOBODY'S FOOL (R) 106 minutes * * * 1/2 A slice of the life of Donald "Sully" Sullivan (Paul Newman). One could say that he's a real character in this small northeastern town... but he's been around the block a few times. Enough to know how to handle most anything that comes his way. Richard Russo's book comes alive on the screen and Newman fits the part so well that it's sometimes hard to tell where Sully ends and Newman begins. A nicely paced and absorbing story that keeps you watching. Filmed in Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, and Hudson, New York. R for language and brief nudity.
NOBODY'S PERFECT (PG-13) 86 minutes * 1/2 Extremely predictable film that does manage to be a little fun to watch toward the end. It's about a guy who's too shy to talk to the girl he's interested in, so he disguises himself as a girl and ends up being her roommate. Chad Lowe stars as Steven/Stephanie, but don't expect too much. PG-13 for sexual language.
NOMAD (R) 103 minutes * * 18th entury Kazakhstan is the setting for this story of a divided country that must unite to survive. Lots of emphasis here on the viual aspects of the film, with plenty of battle scenes and nice photography. Character development is fairly low on the list of priorities though, and aside from a little detail with a couple of the main characters, we know and care little about virtually everyone in the film. R for violence.
NORBIT (PG-13) 100 minutes * Norbit (Eddie Murphy) has always been a bit of a loser. But he's not the only one who has bad luck with relationships. This is nowhere bear as entertaining as Tyler Perry's "Madea" films, in part because of the script, but even the characters are less appealing here. This clearly has the look of a contractual obligation for both Murphy amd Thandie Newton. Not a film you'll mind missing. PG-13 for lots of foul language.
NORTH (PG) 82 minutes * Elijah Wood stars as the title character who wins the right to choose his own parents but can't find the "perfect" folks anywhere in the world. Thick morality mires the script, but no more than the annoying stereotyped characters North meets along the way. Notable for a wonderful collection of actors who gives brief and mediocre performances.
NORTH COUNTRY (R) 121 minutes * * Charlize Theron is good here, but the story (about women's rights to work without fear of mistreatment by men) is far from strong. The more dramatic sequences are all offset by artistic photographic moments that leave us wondering why. Even the closing court scene, which does manage to have some power despite being a bit overplayed, is followed by an ending sequence that hardly fits the film at all. Nice supporting work from Frances McDormand. R for language, violence, and sex.
NORTH SHORE (PG) 91 minutes * * An Arizona boy goes to Hawaii and quickly loses everything except his surfboard... which breaks the second time he goes out. He begins working for and living with Chandler (Gregory Harrison) who shapes boards and has an approach to surfing that is both scientific and spiritual. Nice to see several pro surfers in the film (Laird Hamilton, Gerry Lopez, Mark Occoluppo, and Alex Rogers), but not much aside from scenery and surfing to see here.
NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE (R) 82 minutes 1/2 But it IS... full of tastless humor, stereotypes, and parodies of other movies. It fails miserably as far as its intended audience because many of the films it parodies are ten to fifteen years old and haven't been seen by today's teens. There are a few cute cameo appearances (by people from those films), but we should've seen more. The soundtrack is definitely worth a listen, but don't waste your time on the film. R for sex, violence, and language.
NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER (PG-13) 111 minutes * * 1/2 Sally Field gives an emotional performance as a woman who goes with her Iranian husband back to his homeland. When he decides to stay, she finds out that she has no right to take her child out of the country. It's definitely a one-sided story and most of the characters aside from Field's are rather one-dimensional. Since she is able to leave the country, why not leave the country and then hire someone to get the daughter out?
THE NOTEBOOK (PG-13) 118 minutes * * * Love story with James Garner and Gena Rowlands struggling as she loses her memory of all their years together. He reads her the story of their lives, which we see acted out by Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. These flashback sequences are nicely done, but its the segments with Garner and Rowlands that keep us watching. The story itself is overly romantic and sentimental during the flashbacks, but perfectly romantic and sentimental in the present day sequences. PG-13 for sexuality.
NOTES ON A SCANDAL (R) 88 minutes * * * Two women, each with their own secrets, begin a friendship. But what will happen when they each learn what the other is hiding? Powerhouse performances from Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett make this somewhat mediocre thriller worth watching. It's a one-note twist that we've seen before, but it's just great to watch these two at work! R for language and sex.
NOTHING BUT TROUBLE (PG-13) 88 minutes 1/2 Nothing but a waste of time... Chevy Chase, John Candy, Dan Ackroyd... plenty of talent here, but things just never get rolling. There are some wonderful costumes and props, but the story got lost somewhere along the way... sort of like the characters do in the rather strange town of Valkenvania.
NOTHING TO LOSE (R) 94 minutes * * 1/2 Nick (Tim Robbins) is having a bad day. So when "T" (Martin Lawrence) tries to rob him, Nick has nothing to lose by taking a risk. This film has a rather good mix of comedy and drama although the transitions are a bit choppy at times. Excellent camera work during the dramatic sequences is what helps gives those segments the strength they need. There is a nice twist fairly late in the film, but otherwise the story doesn't have much in the way of anything interesting. Robbins and Lawrence keep it afloat better than most. R for language and violence.
THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE (R) 85 minutes * * 1/2 Gretchen Mol stars as Bettie Page, whose upbringing in a conservative religious family didn't stop her from becoming a famous pin-up model. When a senate investigation into pornography targeted some of her photos as examples, she became even more famous. Mol does an excellent job here, but the story just seems to wander through her life in a somewhat disinterested fashion without much in the way of supporting roles, almost as if no one really knew her. While that may or may not be true, it doesn't help us to connect with her character. R for sex and language.
NOTTING HILL (PG-13) 118 minutes * * * William Thacker (Hugh Grant) is minding his own business, working in his little travel book shop in England, when who should walk in but major American film star Anna Scott (Julia Roberts). Something clicks and they find themselves bumping into each other and falling in love despite their different life styles. Hugh Grant has outdone himself here, giving a fine performance in a well-written part. But what really makes the film a treat are the supporting characters. Thacker's family and friends are both funny and sincere, providing the heart of the film as they support this newfound love. PG-13 for language.
NOVEMBER (R) 69 minutes * * Courteney Cox stars in this psychological drama about a photographer who is trying to piece together the events surrounding the death of her boyfriend during a robbery. The story is told repeatedly from slightly different vantage points, but if you're paying attention, the clues are there and the outcome is no surprise. Cox does a nice job here, but the material is rather thin. R for violence and language.
NOW AND THEN (PG-13) 97 minutes * * * 1/2 The stories of the lives of four women, remembering their childhood times together. The summer which they remember with the most affection is the one during which they began to grow apart from each other. Gaby Hoffman is the most outstanding of the young girls, but Thora Birch and Christina Ricci are always a delight to watch as well. Set in Shelby, IN, but filmed in Savannah, Georgia. PG-13 for language.
NOWHERE TO RUN (R) 91 minutes * * 1/2 Jean Claude Van Damme is an escaped convict who helps out widow Rosanna Arquette and her two kids as they are "fighting" a big corporation. Boring story, and Van Damme is never going to be nominated for an acting award, but Arquette and the two kids (Kieran Culkin, and Tiffany Taubman) make it worth a look.
THE NUMBER ONE GIRL (R) 80 minutes 1/2 Hollywood martial arts star is invited by long-time friend to be a judge for a beauty contest. The top four girls are supposed to be "hands-off", but when he ignores the rule, trouble ensues. The real trouble here is a horrible script and mediocre action sequences. Vinnie Jones and Pat Morita have a few moments where you can see that they actually have some talent, but the script gives them so little to work with that even that is hard to see. R for violence, language, and sex.
THE NUMBER 23 (R) 93 minutes * * * It was just an old book in a used bookstore, but it was a story of obsession... and it sounded like his own life. Walter Sparrow (Jim Carrey) finds himself drawn into a world where the number "23" is everywhere. The more he tries to unravel the mystery, the more he becomes controlled by it. Carrey does a wonderful job here, spinning and falling through the story, taking us with him through his mad obsession. While this is an unlikely candidate for an Oscar nod, it clearly shows that Carrey does have what it takes to deliver strong, dramatic performances and to do it more than once. R for violence, language, and sex.
NUNS ON THE RUN (PG-13) 90 minutes * * 1/2 Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane star as two bungling henchmen who try to do a job on their own and end up hiding in a convent disguised as nuns. The story works pretty well early on, but loses momentum. The low-budget doesn't help much either. Still, there are some good laughs along the way. PG-13 for language and nudity.
NURSE BETTY (R) 105 minutes * * * When Betty (Renee Zellweger) wintesses her husband's murder, something snaps. Reality and imagination blur together and she begins to live as if the characters in her favorite soap opera are real. Zellweger's performance carries the film well, innocent, desperate, romantic, dramatic, and humorous. It's a story about who we are, who we want to be, the dreams we hold close, and the faith we need to have in ourselves. This is one of those often over-looked films with loads of charm that is sure to bring a smile to your face. Chris Rock's performance is a bit strong, but Morgan Freeman manages to keep him in line pretty well. R for violence and language.
THE NUTCRACKER (G) 86 minutes * * New York City Ballet version of the classic piece "featuring" Macauley Culkin. Beautiful sets and costumes as one might expect, but the dancing early on is of rather mediocre quality. Special dance numbers later in the film fare much better. Not really of much interest to those who don't enjoy the ballet.
NUTS (R) 117 minutes * * * Somewhat lengthy adaptation of Tom Topor's play with a strong performance by Barbra Streisand. The intensity of some of the dialogue helps quite a bit, as do the supporting performances of Richard Dreyfuss and the rest of the cast. Nice photography throughout, especially in some of the sequences with Streisand and Dreyfuss.
THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (PG-13) 90 minutes * * Fantastic special effects work by Rick Baker in this remake of the Jerry Lewis comedy. The idea of going from fat to fit rather than strange to suave works a little better and Eddie Murphy does alright. There just isn't much to make this film really stand out. It's pleasant enough and is good for a few laughs, but don't expect it to be on your list of favorites.
NUTTY PROFESSOR II: THE KLUMPS (PG-13) 99 minutes * The most memorable sequence from the first film, around the dinner table, is stretched into a long sequence at the beginning of this film, and the film goes downhill rapidly from that point. Little more than a collection of jokes about sex and bodily functions, this is a terrible waste of Eddie Murphy's talents. There are some cute outtakes at the end, so I recommedn watching the first five minutes and skipping to the end. You won't miss much in between. PG-13 for language.
O (R) 89 minutes * * * Things aren't going the way that Hugo wants them to. He's not being appreciated. But he has a talent for manipulating people... his peers in particular... and so the game begins. This is a fascinating modernization of the story of Othello. Liberties are taken here and there, but except for the times that style is emphasized over content, it works well. R for violence, sex, and language.
O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? (PG-13) 103 minutes * * * Everett, Pete, and Delmar... three convicts on the run and the adventures that ensue. One of the more fun adventures involves them recording a song to earn a few buck that becomes a hit while they're too busy running to even notice. Only Joel and Ethan Coen could have come up with a version of Homer's "The Odyssey" that's set in the rural south with a bluegrass music soundtrack. It's most definitely unique. Those who enjoy the work of the Coen brothers will find it a treat. Those who don't will probably find it a bit too strange to enjoy. PG-13 for language.
THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION (R) 107 minutes * * 1/2 Dumped by his lover, George (Paul Rudd) moves in with Nina (Jennifer Aniston). When she gets pregnant with her boyfriend, she decides that George would make a better father, but he isn't really interested. She's starting to fall in love with him, despite his sexual preference and things are getting complicated. The characters are likeable here, though events are still rather predictable. Aniston is fairly good here as well, though Rudd is the one with the best performance. The story needed some tightening up, which would have helped us feel like things were headed somewhere instead of wandering around before getting to the point we already knew was going to be made anyway. R for language and subject matter.
OCEANS 11 (2001) PG-13) 110 minutes * * * Remake of the classic heist film from 1960 about a plan to rob several Las Vegas casinos. The story has been updated quite well and the cast is a treat to watch as they try to work together to accomplish the unthinkable. I wouldn't say this is better than the original, but it's a classy and well-made update. PG-13 for language.
OCEAN'S THIRTEEN (PG-13) 116 minutes * * 1/2 When Reuben (Elliott Gould) gets double-crossed on a casino property deal, the crew goes back into action to settle the score for their friend. It's one slick move after another with plenty of twists and turns to keep us interested. The biggest complaint here is that we don't get to see enough of the whole team. What we do see is nice, and the story works well, leaving us more pleased than we were with "twelve". PG-13 for language and violence.
OCEANS TWELVE (PG-13) 119 minutes * * Benedict (Andy Garcia) wants his money back and the eleven have to become twelve to get it done. The only trouble is, Benedict isn't the only one who's after "Ocean's 11". Although this sequel has glimmers of energy every once in awhile, it relies heavily on the first film and just never manages to carry it's own weight. Annoying photography in a few spots as well, and the ending seems very misplaced. PG-13 for language and violence.
OCTOBER SKY (PG) 101 minutes * * * 1/2 It's 1957 and the Russians have launched Sputnik. The cold war is heating up and four industrious young boys from West Virginia begin experimenting with model rocketry. What starts as a hobby soon becomes an obsession, but the demands of a mining town can sometimes get in the way of dreams. Jake Gyllenhaal does a wonderful job as Homer Hickam, creating a picture of a dreamer who won't give up. This is a well-structured film that will keep your interest throughout and perhaps remind you that there are dreams worth dreaming and that with dedication and hard work, you can make them come true. PG for language and violence.
THE ODD COUPLE II (PG-13) 91 minutes * * 1/2 Felix (Jack Lemmon) and Oscar (Walter Matthau) haven't seen each other for years... and they like it like that! But they're about to have a reunion thanks to their children who are about to get married... to each other! Lemmon and Matthau have worked together on so many projects that have all capitalized on these same basic characters that there isn't much of a difference here. They work well together, and we find their conflicts and frustrations amusing. In the end, it is the two actors who make this work, rather than the script, which is far below what one would expect from Neil Simon. PG-13 for language and violence.
OFF THE MAP (PG-13) 107 minutes * * * There was a time when Bo was young that her father was always depressed. It wasn't too long after that when a young man from the IRS came to audit her family and ended up staying. The desert of New Mexico can have that effect on you sometimes... It's a gentle story of one particular summer that slowly works its way into your heart. Valentina DeAngelis does a very nice job as Bo, and Joan Allen and Sam Elliott do great work here as well. The film has a very natural "feel" to it, relaxing us as we learn along with Bo, some of the important lessons of life, love, and loss. PG-13 for language and nudity.
OFFSIDE (PG) 90 minutes * * 1/2 In Iran, only the men are allowed inside the stadium to watch the soccer games. It doesn't stop women from trying, but if they are caught, they risk both prison and disgrace. But sometimes risks are worth taking, and national pride can often erase differences, at least for awhile. It's an interesting character study, but the story remains just distance enough that we don't connect well until the very end. PG for language and violence.
OLD GRINGO (R) 115 minutes * * * 1/2 Jane Fonda, Gregory Peck, and Jimmy Smits deliver excellent performances in this story of a young Mexican general, an older American writer, and the woman who knew them both. Based on Carlos Fuentes' novel, this is a fine study of three strong characters. Set in 1913, during Pancho Villa's revolution, their chance encounter will change the way they look at life.
OLD JOY (NR) 71 minutes * * 1/2 Kurt (Will Oldham) and Mark (Daniel London) plan a camping trip to a semi-hidden paradise known as Bagby Hot Springs, deep in the Cascade mountains of Oregon. Adapted from a short story by Jonathan Raymond, this is a quiet, gentle film about two men, coming to terms with becoming adults, remembering their more radical younger days, and understanding what it means to have and to be a friend. It's a very relaxing film, with a quiet beauty that is not easy to find in a film. Not-rated, but essentially PG-13 for language and nudity.
OLD SCHOOL (R) 86 minutes * 1/2 Mitch (Luke Wilson) is recovering from a broken relationship, Frank (Will Farrell) is having trouble with his new wife, and Beanie (Vince Vaughan) just wants to help his friends. The result is that a new fraternity starts in Mitch's house with numerous, somewhat funny happenings resulting. This is another of those films that has trouble with the balance between comedy and drama, drifting more toward drama as the film moves along. The soundtrack is worth a listen though - great collection of songs!
OLIVER & COMPANY (G) 72 minutes * * * Not one of Disney's better efforts, this animal version of "Oliver Twist" suffers from mediocre animation throughout. The cast of voices is wonderful, with Bette Midler, Billy Joel, Cheech Marin, and Dom Deluise among others, but the songs are weak, with "Savoir Faire" being the only one that's very memorable.
OLIVER TWIST (2005) (PG-13) 125 minutes * * 1/2 Faithful adaptation of the classic Dickens' novel with Ben Kingsley doing a nice job as Fagin. Sets and photography do a nice job of creating the atmosphere though Barney Clark's performance as Oliver leaves a bit to be desired. Nice soundtrack by Rachel Portman. PG-13 for violence and language.
THE OMEGA CODE (PG-13) 93 minutes * The Omega code (aka. the Bible code) is based on the theory that there is a secret code that has predicted all major events that have occured since the Bible was written and will do so until the end of time... which is, of course, almost upon us. Despite whether you believe this, what is hard to dispute is how absolutely atrocious the script is for this film. Casper Van Dien does nothing to help, and Michael York and Michael Ironside both look like they wish they were doing something else. Based on Hal Lindsey's interpretations of the scriptures and rated PG-13 for violence.
OMEGA SYNDROME (R) 92 minutes 1/2 White supremacists kidnap the daughter of a former soldier. He and his buddies go after them. Looks like it was put together over a weekend for about $100. They used 26 stunt people for this, but I'm not sure why.
THE OMEN (2006) (R) 106 minutes * * The 1976 classic horror film is given another turn in this remake, but it doesn't even come close to the original. Not only are there far too many cheap noise scares when creepy chills would have been more effective, but the acting is far from top quality. To even think of comparing Liev Schreiber to Gregory Peck is ludicrous, and while Julia Stiles is usually quite good, she seems puzzled by her character in this film. Mia Farrow is appropriately creepy and Marco Beltrami's soundtrack fits well, but it just isn't enough to lift this out of mediocrity. R for violence and language.
ON A CLEAR DAY (PG-13) 95 minutes * * 1/2 After being laid off from his job, Frank (Peter Mullan) decides to challenge himself, and tackle a few personal demons along the way, by swimming the English channel. His friends are willing to help, but know that this is something that Frank will still have to deal with on his own. It's an interesting story, but never really goes deep enough into the character to bring us all the way in, though it does finish fairly well. PG-13 for language.
ON DEADLY GROUND (R) 97 minutes * * This Steven Seagal film is very strong on environmental ethics, but not so strong on quality performances or special effects. Aside from a few explosions and a handful of martial arts sequences, not much money was spent on this one. In fact, the production quality tends to get worse as the film goes along. It's too bad, because the message is a good one and tends to get lost as we lose interest in the film. R for language and violence.
ONCE (R) 84 minutes * * * He (Glen Hansard) plays music in the street to earn a little extra. During the day, he plays the songs people want to hear, but at night, he plays a bit of his own material. When she (Marketa Irglova) hears the music, she is drawn to him. They find themselves working together and falling for each other, though sometimes love and music don't work exactly the way we expect. It's a bittersweet story about a guy and a girl and how music brings them together for awhile. A wonderful piece of work with excellent music and fine performances all around. R for language.
ONCE AROUND (R) 110 minutes * * * Renata (Holly Hunter) is bouncing back from a broken relationship, right into the arms of super salesman Sam Sharp (Richard Dreyfuss). Except that Sam can't quite sell a few of her family members on his good intentions. It's a wonderfully acted film, with a cast who grab your attention from the first minute and don't let go until the end.
ONCE UPON A CRIME (PG) 89 minutes * Wonderful cast, wasted in an unfunny comedy/mystery about a missing dachshund. The mystery isn't bad, but the comic elements are dumb and distracting and waste the talents of this cast. Eugene Levy is credited with directing, but the film seems to have little in the way of direction, as scenes that have little to do with anything interrupt us throughout.
ONCE UPON A FOREST (G) 65 minutes * * 1/2 Environmental awareness cartoon for the kids as the effects of chemical waste are felt in the forest. Cute characters, but with the musical talents of Michael Crawford, Ben Vereen, and James Horner, this should've been a bit better. The kids will probably enjoy it, but it's doubtful they'll sit through it more than once.
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS (2005) (PG) 86 minutes * * 1/2 Disney's adaptation of the Broadway production uses the same writing team that created the 1964 TV movie and moves Carol Burnett from the role of princess to that of queen. (Burnett was also the princess in a 1972 TV movie version as well.) It's a fun story, the music is good, and Tracey Ullman plays the role of the princess with flair. Zooey Deschanel does a nice job as well, and Burnett and Tommy Smothers (as the king) have fun here as well. The story has undergone a little updating here and there which wasn't really necessary, but seems to be something that Disney just can't stop themselves from doing. Fun for the kids, but the PG rating is definitely in order for some of the topics addressed.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO (R) 96 minutes * * * El Mariachi is back! Although by virtue of having Antonio Banderas as El Mariachi this is a sequel to Desperado, there are ways in which it brings the original El Mariachi to mind as well. Sometimes the inventiveness and energy that results from working with a very small budget can really help a film. The story is obviously one that director Robert Rodriguez has fun with, and the cast appears to enjoy themselves as well. Johnny Depp is a delight, Salma Hayek is sexy yet fun, and Mickey Rourke, Cheech Marin, Willem Dafoe, Ruben Blades and the rest, seem to have stepped right out of a legend onto the screen. The violence is a bit much in spots, as if Rodriguez gets a little overzealous while telling us the story. Still, it's fun, and that's what we expect from a film like this. Budding directors take note: there are incredibly few directors who can direct, produce, edit, photograph, and score their own films and make it work. Rodriguez is one of them! R for violence and language.
ONCE UPON A WEDDING (PG) 88 minutes * * A Caribbean island where the wealthy live on one side and the poor live on the other. Of course, when the rich daughter of El Comandante (Esai Morales) falls for one of the poor islanders, everything will change. That includes the fact that El Comandante's right hand man has a plan to take over the island. The plays very much like a movie for children, but there are no younger characters in the film to keep them interested. Instead, what we have is a film that is great for families to watch, but that few will find that appealing. Nothing harmful or poorly done, just not very interesting or all that funny. PG for language.
THE ONE (PG-13) 81 minutes * * 1/2 Interesting premise... that there are multiple parallel universes and that by killing yourself in another universe, the energy is distributed among your other selves. Of course, somebody has to get greedy and try to become all-powerful... The special effects are top-notch, and there's plenty of action and great martial arts fight scenes, choreographed by Cory Yuen. The ending is somewhat disappointing though and as short as this is, there was plenty of time to follow up on a few things. Jet Li does some nice work here as do Delroy Lindo and Jason Statham, who play the multiverse police out to apprehend the villain. Filmed in Los Angeles. PG-13 for violence and language.
ONE EIGHT SEVEN (R) 115 minutes * * Samuel L. Jackson and John Heard star in this mix of "Dangerous Minds" and "The Substitute". Teacher Trevor Garfield (Jackson) has already been stabbed in the back (literally) by a student, and as he takes on a temporary position, at a different school, it doesn't take long before he reaches his limit. There is some powerful story here, but it's weakened by dialogue that too often sounds idiotic. Watch either of the films already mentioned and leave this one unless you're a real fan of Jackson's work. R for language, violence, and nudity.
ONE FINE DAY (PG) 102 minutes * * * Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney star in this story of two divorced (and extremely busy) people bump into each other and discover that they may have finally found what they were looking for. Mae Whitman is adorable as Pfeiffer's daughter, Maggie, and this is some of Pfeiffer's best work in quite awhile. James Newton Howard provides the soundtrack for this romantic story that is sure to be one you'll like. PG for language.
ONE GOOD COP (R) 100 minutes * * * Artie Lewis (Michael Keaton) is a good cop. When his partner dies in the line of duty, Artie finds out that he's the legal guardian for his partner's three children. Although a good deal of the story seems to have been cut out, we still get a great performance from Keaton. We see the tough cop who can definitely handle the action, a sensitive husband who cares about his wife and her feelings, and a man who is learning what it means to be responsible for children and who is struggling to see if that is something he really wants. All things considered, this is a good film that is hurt by a script with some weaknesses and a director who apparently couldn't compensate for the problems created by the script. R for violence.
ONE HOUR PHOTO (R) 89 minutes * * Quiet and unassuming, Sy (Robin Williams) is the photo guy at the local SavMart. He goes home to his pet hamster and eats his lunch at work by himself. He dreams of having a family, a dream he's becoming a little obsessed with, especially since he just got fired from his job. Williams is fascinating to watch, as usual, but the story just isn't big enough for his character. And it feels a little mundane to blame Sy's behaviour on childhood abuse. The soundtrack is quite nice, with an approach that is both melodic, yet rather creepy, and the films does have a nice, stylish ending, though it's a bit much for a film that's been so simple up until that point. R for language and nudity.
101 DALMATIONS (G) 95 minutes * * 1/2 The live action approach actually works very well in this Disney remake of the classic cartoon. Glenn Close is the perfect Cruella De Vil, and most of the other actors do an adequate job. Things really drag during the second half of the film, despite Michael Kamen's soundtrack and John Hughes' screenplay. Like so many other recent movies, this seems to have been made purely to capture the box office for a few weeks with no interest in making a quality film, worthy of being compared to its predecessor.
102 DALMATIANS (G) 94 minutes * 1/2 Basically this is the same story as the first film with less detail and a feeling that it was put together in a hurry. The closing minutes make you wonder how Glenn Close could have sunk so low as she is dipped in batter, made into a cake, and squirted with icing by dalmatian puppies. The really young members of the audience are mildly entertained, but that's mostly due to watching the puppies.
ONE MISSED CALL (PG-13) 83 minutes * 1/2 The phone rings... it's a call from a friend... the moment before they die... sometime in the near future. Based on the Japanese film which was also adapted as a brief Japanese television series. As with many US adaptations, the scares are less subtle and the music just isn't as creepy as the original version. There are a few good scares here, but the Japanese version has quite a few more. PG-13 for violence.
ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING (PG) 115 minutes * * 1/2 Adapted from the novel Hadassah by Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen, this is the story of Esther, also known as Hadassah, and how she was able to influence a king and to rescue her people from certain death. Fairly elaborate production with very nice sets, costumes, and props. Luke Goss does a nice job as King Xerxes, and Tiny Lister has a nice supporting role as well. Tiffany Dupont is less than memorable as Esther, though not as disappointing as Peter O'Toole's two minutes on screen. Script and editing both needed some work here as the film drags in several spots. PG for violence and sensuality.
ONE TRUE THING (R) 123 minutes * * * Elly (Renee Zellweger) and her mother (Meryl Streep) were never close, but Elly's father (William Hurt) has asked her to come home and care for her mother, who is undergoing cancer therapy. Solid performances from all three actors help make this story of family a powerful one that rings true. A bit of a tearjerker in spots, but not enough to draw us away from the points the film tries to make about the "one true thing" that makes life worth living. Filmed in Maplewood and Morristown, New Jersey. R for language.
ONG-BAK (PG-13) 101 minutes * * Just before the festival of Ong-Bak, which happens only once every 24 years, vandals remove the head of the town's statue of Ong-Bak. Tony Jaa goes off to retrieve it. He's learned the art of Muay Thai, but has also been instructed not to use it because it is so dangerous. Jaa does fairly well here, but the claims that he's the next Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan might be a bit premature. The film's editing is not helpful to the overall effect, repeating and slowing down many of the action sequences to let us see them over and over is not necessary... or all that interesting. PG-13 for violence.
ONLY THE LONELY (PG-13) 100 minutes * * Sentimental romance story of a 38-year-old bachelor who lives at home with his mother. Ally Sheedy does an admirable job as the love interest, but we never really believe John Candy as the bachelor. The relationship between them is too tense and puts a stress on the film that never leaves.
ONLY YOU (PG) 104 minutes * 1/2 Faith (Marisa Tomei) is about to be married... but she thinks she may really be in love with another man. She hasn't met him yet, but she knows his name. The dialogue is absolutely horrible and Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. struggle with it valiantly, but to no avail. The more interesting part of the story actually centers around Faith's sister-in-law who accompanies her on her trip to Italy in search of the mystery man of her destiny. PG for language.
OPEN RANGE (R) 133 minutes * * * Just a couple of cattlemen driving a small herd across open range... it's a story that evolves slowly, like most of Kevin Costner's work. It's a good story, one of conflict, love, and the old west's struggles to adapt to newer ways. Adapted from the book "Open Range Men" by Lauren Paine and co-starring Robert Duvall, it's a solid piece that offers entertainment and quality acting. The biggest problems are the length and Costner himself. Duvall does a great job, but Costner once again does little more than amiably walk through his role. It does manage to work fairly well in this story, but it's still the same old character he's played before. R for violence and language.
OPEN SEASON (PG) 78 minutes * * Boog had a nice life until Elliot came along. Now he's out in the wilderness... and hunting season is starting. Amusing in spots, but Elliot is too annoying and we have a hard time liking Boog that much, though we sympathize with how upset he gets with Elliot. Voices by Martin Lawrence, Ashton Kutcher, Debra Messing, and Gary Sinise. PG for language and violence.
OPEN WATER (R) 78 minutes 1/2 The poor sound quality and just plain bad cinematography at the beginning of this film do a nice job of setting you up with what to expect... nothing. Not very suspenseful despite the fact that the idea itself is interesting and could have been handled much more effectively. And, if you manage to sit through the whole film, you'll definitely be disappointed by the ending. R for violence, sex and language.
OPEN WATER 2: ADRIFT (R) 88 minutes BOMB More of the same as the first. What's worse is that the characters are even less appealing and appear to be even less intelligent. And this time, the ending is not only disappointing, but it doesn't seem to make sense. Then again, what made sense about making this film, which, by the way, isn't a sequel, just another story about people dying out in the ocean. R for R for violence, sex, and language.
OPERATION CONDOR (PG-13) 86 minutes * 1/2 Although not one of Jackie Chan's better films, this is still fun to watch. The story drags a bit too much as we follow everyone around as they try to find the long lost gold of the Third Reich. The martial arts and stuntwork are average for a Chan film, which puts them a few notches above most others. PG-13 for violence.
OPERATION DUMBO DROP (PG) 104 minutes * * 1/2 Ray Liotta is a new captain who finds himself, in the middle of the Vietnam War, struggling to replace a sacred elephant for a strategic village. A rather strange topic for a Disney film, but the characters are somewhat entertaining. Filmed in Thailand.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (PG-13) 97 minutes * * Dana Carvey stars as a street-wise, fast-talking con man from the south side of Chicago. He stumbles onto the perfect con, but falls in love at the same time. Things start falling apart when he decides to be honest, but it all works out in the end. What a surprise. Carvey's talents are evident, but they aren't put to very good use here.
THE OPPOSITE OF SEX (R) 100 minutes * * * 1/2 Cynical comedy with a hard edge it not to everyone's tastes, but Don Roos has delivered an amazing script with fascinating characters. Christina Ricci and Lisa Kudrow are perfect here. Bitter towards life, but for different reasons, they frame the story as it moves along, slapping us in the face more than a few times. We laugh at some of the extremes, but there's a truth here that cuts through the bitterness. Roos has a talent for writing strong parts for female characters (Boys on the Side) and displays it again here. Ricci and Kudrow both grow in these parts, showing us talents we hadn't seen before. Bravo! Filmed in California. R for language and sex.
OPPOSITE SEX (R) 81 minutes * * Arye Gross and Courteney Cox star in this comedy of the struggles of two people from different backgrounds in a budding relationship. The passion and romance are a bit strained here, but the comic bits make it fun to watch. R for sex and language.
ORANGE COUNTY (PG-13) 77 minutes * * It takes Shaun (Colin Hanks) awhile to decide what he wants to do with his life. When he finally does, nothing seems to go quite the way he's expected. Not really the slapstick comedy you might think, but this suffers from that age-old struggle to balance comedy and drama, never quite achieving what it needs. Hanks is a bit too earnest to be believable and despite the heart of the film, which seems to be in the right place, the energy doesn't seem to get us past the first twenty minutes. PG-13 for language.
THE ORDER (R) 98 minutes * * 1/2 Alex (Heath Ledger) is a priest of the Carolingian order, an order that values knowledge above all else. When his mentor dies under rather mysterious circumstances, Alex must discover what happened. What he discovers is that sin-eaters are still around and that it was the Catholic church that hid the truth. But why? And what does it mean, now that he knows? Religious suspense rather than horror is the story here, and it's a story that dares to make you think a little. It's definitely interesting, but its supernatural tone keeps it just unreal enough that it loses an element of fear and some of our attention as well. R for violence.
ORIGINAL GANGSTAS (R) 95 minutes * Fred Williamson stars in this film about original gang members from years ago who come back to kick some sense into the current gang. Typical film about empowering the residents to take back their community is mostly of interest for its cast. Pam Grier, Paul Winfield, Isabel Sanford, and Jim Brown among others are fun to watch. Filmed in East Chicago and Gary, Indiana, which happens to be Fred Williamson's home town.
THE ORIGINAL KINGS OF COMEDY (R) 113 minutes * 1/2 Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bernie Mac do live stand-up comedy for almost two hours. If you love their material, you'll enjoy this, but it's not a great movie. Few live recordings work well and when you have an irritating stage camera that keeps running back and forth on its track, it's somewhat distracting. There are a few "backstage" moments and the best comic sequences come from Harvey, which is probably why he works well as the headliner. R for language.
ORIGINAL SIN (R) 111 minutes * An arranged marriage, based on a lie, leads to one deception after another. The pacing is terrible, and by the time we get to the potentially interesting twists and turns during the last thirty minutes, we no longer care. Angelina Jolie is almost too aloof, and Antonio Banderas is never really convincing as a distraught husband. Weak direction makes the uneven script even worse, and the length of the film just adds to the problem. Based on the book, Waltz Into Darkness, and rated R for sex and violence.
OSCAR (PG) 104 minutes * * * The dialogue is great in this comedy that features Sylvester Stallone in a rather uncharacteristic role. He does a nice job here and has an excellent supporting cast. The music has a snappy, upbeat rhythm that fits and the cast keep straight faces during the whole show, which makes it even funnier. Don't overlook this just because you can't imagine Stallone in a comedy, it really is worth watching! PG for language.
OSMOSIS JONES (PG) 88 minutes * * * Clever and creative story of Osmosis Jones, a white blood cell in the body of Frank (Bill Murray). Frank is not a person who takes particularly good care of himself, and as we see through the animated experience of what goes on inside him, there can be some problems. Accomplishing an amazing feat, the film manages to be educational, entertaining, dramatic, and hilarious. Featuring appropriately gross performances from Murray and Chris Elliott, it's a film that kids will love and parents should manage to find entertaining as well. PG for language.
OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY (R) 98 minutes * 1/2 Larry Garfield (Danny DeVito) is a Wall Street businessman who takes over companies, disolves them, and sells the pieces for a profit. We have the usual fight from those who love the company, those who are willing to sell out even though you thought they wouldn't, and the last minute save by someone who can pull the right strings. It's a tired script that does a great injustice to a fine cast. Gregory Peck, Piper Laurie, Dean Jones, and DeVito deserve better than this. R for language.
THE OTHER SISTER (PG-13) 126 minutes * * * 1/2 Carla (Juliette Lewis) is sent away to a special school for eight years. Her problems are just too much for her parent to deal with while raising two other daughters. Now she is returning home, but she wants to be on her own. While this is primarily Carla's story, it's nice to see that the film presents a well-rounded picture of the whole family. This is a wonderful example of solid acting by an ensemble. It's a heartwarming picture that reminds us how important it is to love and to let go. PG-13 for language.
THE OTHERS (PG-13) 100 minutes * * 1/2 Welcome to a somewhat spooky house where the current inhabitants discover that they aren't alone... the previous occupants are still around. Reasonably good use of music, light, shadows, etc. which give us the right ambiance, but it still manages to drag a bit. The ending is nice as well, but there are too many hints along the way that manage to spoil things. Nicole Kidman is in her element here, and Alakina Mann delivers a superb debut performance as her daughter Anne. Filmed in Spain. PG-13 for language and suspense.
OUR FATHERS (R) 126 minutes * * 1/2 Based on the book by David France, this takes a look at the sexual molestation scandal that rocked the Catholic church. The responsibility reached farther and affected more people than anyone thought possible when it started. Standard dramatic performances, with an emphasis on the legal issues and the church's ability to keep the details hidden for so long. Also starring Christopher Plummer, Brian Dennehy, and Daniel Baldwin. Filmed in Toronto, Ontario. R for language.
OUT COLD (PG-13) 85 minutes BOMB Small time Bull Mountain ski resort is being sold to a major (as in Lee Majors) developer. The local ski bums don't want that to happen. And with the way they act, who would want to hang around anyway... and that includes the audience... Jason London is a far cry from being a superlative actor, but he deserves better than this. PG-13 for language and nudity.
OUT FOR JUSTICE (R) 87 minutes * * 1/2 Two kids from the same neighborhood in New York. One grows up to become a police officer, who is a little bit of a renegade and is able to do things his own way without much interference from his supervisor. The other one is on drugs, deals drugs, and is now killing people just because he's in the mood. We never learn much about Richie (William Forsythe), but he's the bad guy who's going to get it in the end so it doesn't matter, right? Wrong! Without a well-developed villain, a hero is nothing. Stephen Seagal does show some improvement here as an actor, but he's still stuck in the same genre. R for violence and language.
OUT OF SIGHT (R) 116 minutes * * George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez are on different sides of the law, but sometimes the chemistry between two people doesn't know those boundaries. This adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel is acted well (watch for bit parts by Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, and Nancy Allen) but the photography is annoying. There are a couple of nice sequences, but someone was trying for a film noir style that just didn't happen. It won't be quite as noticeable on video, but it still takes a toll on the overall effect. R for violence and language.
OUT OF TIME (PG-13) 103 minutes * * Matt Whitlock (Denzel Washington) is having an affair, involved in a double homicide, an insurance fraud, has tampered with evidence, and even more may be going wrong. The story does a nice job of intensifying as it progresses, but it borders on getting too convoluted at times. Everything pulls together at the end, but it seems to happen a bit too easily and too quickly... like most TV movies... PG-13 for violence and language.
THE OUT-OF-TOWNERS (PG-13) 86 minutes * * Their last child leaves for school and now Nancy and Henry have to figure out what to do with their lives. Goldie Hawn and Steve Martin work well together and the script isn't too bad. Still, this suffers from being a remake and just doesn't quite have the spark of the original. Fans of Hawn and Martin probably won't be disappointed, but better direction might have given this the extra energy it seems to be lacking. PG-13 for language.
OUT TO SEA (PG-13) 101 minutes * * 1/2 Yet another odd couple/grumpy old men outing with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau on a cruise ship flirting with women. This has its moments, but is mostly fluff and hard to distinguish from so many similar outings. It's nice to see Donald O'Connor and Gloria De Haven, but their parts are too small to show off their true talent. PG-13 for language.
OUTBREAK (R) 121 minutes * * 1/2 It's a killer virus from the jungles of Africa... and it's on the loose! Reasonably good entry in the disaster genre, but the main cast are less interesting than the supporting cast. James Newton Howard's soundtrack helps keep the tension high when it needs to be there. Perhaps a little long, but most people will find this an exciting film that they'll remember for quite awhile. R for violence and language.
OUTLAW (NR) 96 minutes * 1/2 A unlikely group of people who have in common a feeling that the law has let them down or betrayed them decide to form a vigilante group. Most of them aren't all that committed to it at first, though the idea does have its appeal for them. The story doesn't seem to have much focus until late, and we've lost most of our interest by then despite the reasonably good performances by the cast.
OUTRAGEOUS ANIMATION (NR) 84 minutes * 1/2 Huge collection of animated short films, but many of these just aren't that good, or are just rude. Among the best included here are, "Haploid Affair", "Flush", "Spaghetti", "Rondino", and "Jac Mac & Rad Boy". There are other, better collections than this.
OVER THE HEDGE (PG) 75 minutes * * * 1/2 Absoultely delightful animated feature about the adventures of a group of wild animals who find themselves surrounded by surburbia and being helped by a raccoon who has another agenda they aren't aware of until it's almost too late. A stellar cast of voices, but what really makes this succeed are a story that just never seems at a lack for comic lines that keep you rolling, and animation that takes extra care in creating facial expressions that are virtually perfect in their ability to play on your emotions. Hammy, in particular, will keep you laughing long after the film is over. Featuring the voices of Gary Shandling, Steve Carell, Bruce Willis, Wanda Sykes, William Shatner, Nick Nolte, Thomas Hayden Church, and many more. PG for language.
OVERBOARD (PG) 109 minutes * * * 1/2 Spoiled rich girl falls overbaord, gets amnesia, and ends up with a poor handyman who has lost his wife. It's always fun to watch Goldie Hawn and this is yet another of those films that you just can't help have fun watching. There's a bit much foul language for a PG film, but the light tone of humor and the message about the importance of love and family over money help soften it a bit.
OVEREXPOSED (R) 79 minutes 1/2 Someone is stalking the soap opera stars. Low-budget suspense film that actually does manage to give us a nice story move, but it's comes so late in the film that most people have already given up on it. The closing scene comes across more humorous than I'm sure it was intended as the cast all seem to want to say something profound, but nobody wrote it, so they just play a mediocre song instead. Produced by Roger Corman and featuring David Naughton and Karen Black.
PACIFIC HEIGHTS (R) 96 minutes * * If you decide to fix up an old house and rent part of it out while you live in the rest, you'd better be careful who you rent to. They might be scheming to take the house away from you. Michael Keaton does a wonderful job as the sinister James Danforth, but the film moves along too slowly, removing most of the suspense. Events are staged too carefully, with props obviously shown to us before they are used and music swelling to a crescendo with each potentially suspenseful scene. We're never able to really let go and have fun with this because we're always being reminded that we should already know what's going to happen. R for violence, language, and nudity.
THE PACIFIER (PG) 90 minutes * * Lt. Wolf's (Vin Diesel) new assignment is to protect the children of a scientist who has been killed. His secret formula may be in the safe deposit box his wife is going to open, but it may still be in the house. It's cute, formula Disney entertainment with Diesel doing a nice job of making it look fun and easy. PG for violence and language.
THE PACKAGE (R) 103 minutes * * 1/2 Political thriller starring Gene Hackman as Sergeant John Gallagher, a man caught in the middle of a conspiracy. The tension builds well through much of the film, but as things progress, it somehow manages to get rather boring and even tedious at times. Nice cast of supporting characters that includes Joanna Cassidy, Tommy Lee Jones, and Pam Grier.
THE PAGE TURNER (NR) 78 minutes * * 1/2 Melanie (Deborah Francois) gives up playing the piano after a bad experience involving a judge at the music conservatory where she auditions. When she's a little older, the opportunity arises for her to become a page turner for the woman who treated her so badly. It's a classy and chic production, but there are no real surprises here, and most of the characters are rather difficult to like.
THE PAGEMASTER (G) 68 minutes * * 1/2 The story of a boy lost in a storm who finds refuge in the library and becomes intrigued by the world of books. Nice idea that is rather interesting for a movie to promote, but the mix of live action and animation is less than it should be. Great character voices help keep things interesting along the way, thanks to Christopher Lloyd, Whoopi Goldberg, Patrick Stewart, Leonard Nimoy, and Frank Welker.
THE PAINTED VEIL (PG-13) 120 minutes * * * Adaptation of the W. Somerset Maugham novel, filmed before in 1934 and 1957 (as The Seventh Sin). While Naomi Watts is no Greta Garbo, she still does a fairly good job. This version manages to holds its own against the 1934 version quite well, thanks to a fine performance from Edward Norton and more extensive location footage shot in China. It's a classic story of love, infidelity, and justice, with a solid, if slightly sentimental ending. PG-13 for sex and violence.
PALINDROMES (NR) 97 minutes * * * Aviva wants to have babies... lots of babies. But her first attempt to begin is cut short by her parents. She runs away to find freedom, love, and possibilities. While she does find these things, she also discovers that she can't be something she isn't. It's a fascinating look at innocence, love, and motherhood through the mind of director Todd Solondz. While it is a story of adolescent sexuality, it is also a sensitive story of a young girls search for love - both to give and to receive. In a strikingly unique move, he chose to have the role of Aviva played by eight different actors who vary not only in age, but in race, sex, and size. It reminds us that we aren't always who we appear to be on the outside, but we are still who we are. And it challenges us to keep rethinking the way we are looking at this character. Not rated due to sexual subject matter.
THE PALLBEARER (PG-13) 94 minutes * * 1/2 Strange little film about a guy who has horrible luck with women. That is, until the mother of a high school classmate he doesn't remember reaches out to him for comfort when her son dies. This is a mix between Woody Allen and Neil Simon as far as the story and most of its appeal is based on the earnestness of David Schwimmer's performance in the lead role.
PALMETTO (R) 109 minutes * * Harry (Woody Harrelson) is an honest reporter who landed in jail after being framed. Now he's out on the streets in need of money and right smack in the middle of another situation that doesn't look too promising. Harrelson does a good job here, but the plot gets too complicated, especially towards the end, taking twists and turns that muddle the story and have us wanting this to just explain itself and be over. Elisabeth Shue struggles with the overtly flirtatious role she has and Gina Gershon is sidelined in a fairly small role. Some bad directing and editing decisions result in this being a mediocre suspense film, though worth watching for Harrelson. R for violence, language, and sex.
PANIC (R) 93 minutes * * * Interesting and rather quirky little film about a hitman who is questioning his line of work. Going to a therapist is making it more confusing since he's started flirting with a girl he met in the waiting room, and since his latest target is supposed to be his therapist. Great acting by the entire cast. It's a film that one might expect to see William Macy in, but Donald Sutehrland, Neve Campbell, Tracey Ullman, and John Ritter do nice work as well. For those who like their comedy on the darker side, this is definitely a treat. R for language and violence.
PANIC ROOM (R) 108 minutes * * 1/2 This wastes little time in getting us into the panic room itself, a small hidden security room inside the house that Meg (Jodi Foster) has just purchased. The only problem is that the people who've broken in are after something in that room. Foster is convincing, but that's no surprise, and Howard Shore delivers a nice soundtrack. The difficulty lies with the story itself. As we near the end, there's little the story can do to keep us interested. Much as Meg and her daughter are trapped in a small room, we find ourselves trapped in a small story with only one way out. It's definitely worth a look for Foster's performance, but not for much else. R for violence and language.
PAN'S LABYRINTH (R) 113 minutes * * * 1/2 Spain 1944. The civil war is officially over, but there are still those who are resisting the new fascist regime. The young stepdaughter (Ivana Baquero) of a particularly vile fascist, finds that the fairytale worlds she has read about may be more real than she had imagined possible. Writer/director/producer Guillermo del Toro has skillfully woven a magical fantasy tale and a violent war story together into a fascinating experience that is part truth, part metaphor and a visual masterpiece. The violence is a bit extreme in a couple of scenes, though it does clearly establish how evil Ofelia's stepfather is. R for violence and language.
PANTHER (R) 120 minutes * * * One of the best Van Peebles productions. This film takes us through the earliest days of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. Perhaps a bit more tame than the actual events, but this is very watchable, thanks to fine performances from a cast loaded with talent.
PAPARAZZI (PG-13) 81 minutes * 1/2 Bo Laramie's (Cole Hauser) latest film is a big hit and he's now a popular figure. So popular that the paparazzi are taking pictures of his every move. It's a bit more than he's used to, and when push comes to shove and there's an accident that injures his wife and son, Laramie responds with violence. How far will it escalate? Hauser's two-dimensional acting doesn't help this film much, but Tom Sizemore does a nice job as the most irritating of the paparazzi. PG-13 for violence and language.
THE PAPER (R) 107 minutes * * * 1/2 A day in the life of a tabloid newspaper is full of ups and downs, murder and mayhem, and much more. The story here is woven together on so many levels it's like a Steven Sondheim musical. Elements that might appear at times to be incongruous actually end up resulting in a perfect fit. It makes this both intense and fun to watch, and gives us a feel for what it might really be like to do this for a living. R for language and violence.
PAPER CLIPS (G) 79 minutes * * * Powerful documentary that chronicles the work done by the students and faculty of Whitwell Middle School in Tennessee on a holocaust project. The film does a nice job of covering the details and outcome of the project, though more time talking to the youth involved could have made this film even more effective. There seems to be a focus on how much the adults who were working on the project learned and that they were surprised by how much they were affected by the project. That's important, but seems to be stressed a bit too much until the end of the film.
PAPRIKA (R) 86 minutes * * 1/2 Unusual images throughout this tale of a machine that allows people to enter into your dreams as well as record them. In the wrong hands, it could spell big trouble. Paprika is a young therapist, who joinces forces with a detective to discover who has the machine and how to get it back. Amazing images, but the understanding the story might take a second watching if you want to catch everything. R for violence and sex.
PARADISE (PG-13) 108 minutes * * * Willard (Elijah Wood) has to go stay with his mother's best friend for a few weeks one summer. His mother is dealing with her ninth month of pregnancy and the fact that her husband probably won't be coming home. Things are so great where Willard's staying either, but maybe things will change. This is a quiet film, relaxed and gentle in many ways, but dealing with the hurting and healing that occur in relationships. Touching and memorable, the performances carry the film, in particular, a very strong performance from Don Johnson. We feel like we know these characters before the end of the story, and that's part of what a film like this is all about. PG-13 for language and nudity.
PARADISE NOW (PG-13) 87 minutes * * * Said and Khaled have been chosen for the highest honor of self-sacrifice to further the cause of their people and their faith. When events don't proceed exactly as planned, they both find themselves with more time to explore just what this sacrifice can mean. Thought-provoking look at the motivations that surround the idea of suicide missions. Golden Globe winner for best foriegn film and an Academy award nominee in the same category. PG-13 for language.
THE PARENT TRAP (PG) 123 minutes * * * * Quite simply, this is one of the best remakes I've ever seen. The cast itself is sheer perfection. Not only are Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson fun to watch, but Lindsay Lohan is a great find as young Haley/Annie. Even the supporting cast, with a special commendation to Lisa Ann Walter for her performance as Chessy. It's a fun film, that the family will enjoy and the story has only been tweaked here and there to update things from the original. Disney films have been all over the board in the last few years, but this one is right on the mark. Don't miss it! PG for language.
PARENTHOOD (PG-13) 119 minutes * * * * Ron Howard's golden touch makes this film about families and parenting and perfect combination of entertainment and wisdom. The script is delightful with the ability to take us from laughter to tears and back again. The interactions between members of different generations reminds us of how much we can learn from others if we will only listen. The cast is exceptional and thanks to their collective experience, we find ourselves quickly drawn into the story. This is definitely a film that should not be missed! PG-13 for language.
PARIS, JE T'AIME (R) 113 minutes * * * * Fascinating collection of short films or scenes, artfully woven together to paint a picture of the many faces of Paris, and of love. With an amazing array of fabulous talent (both in front of and behind the camera), and many moments of absolute brilliance, this is a gem to treasure. It's likely that you'll find some scenes more to your liking than others, but they all fit together to describe Paris. If you haven't already fallen in love with the city, you will by the end of the film! R for language.
PASSED AWAY (PG-13) 93 minutes * * 1/2 Johnny Scanlan (Bob Hoskins) had never really considered his family to be all that strange. In fact, he never really thought that much about it at all until his father died. But now he has to plan the wake for his father and deal with the relatives as they arrive, and he begins to notice just how strange they are. It's the observations of a misunderstood outsider, a mysterious young woman, that teach Johnny a lesson he should have known all along. Although the cast assembled here is extremely impressive, the film doesn't work as well as it should. What we have is a collection of some great short scenes that don't flow together, as if a good bit of material was removed to keep the film close to the 90 minute mark. Hoskins' character is the only one we connect with at all, and that's unfortunate, because more depth with the other characters might have made this a great film. PG for language.
PASSENGER 57 (R) 81 minutes * * 1/2 Formula action/suspense film aboard an airplane with Wesley Snipes as the hero. It's good to watch as far as Snipes, but if you've seen one of these, you've pretty much seen them all. The villains are fairly good here, but are (of course) outwitted in the end.
PASSION FISH (R) 127 minutes * * * A soap opera actress is involved in a taxi accident in New York and is crippled. As she recuperates at home, she chews up home care nurses by the dozens, until she finds just the right one. A girl who has been through detoxification herself, so she can help Mary Alice with her own. Mary McDonnell gives an inspirational performance in this film from director John Sayles. A film with memorable characters whose challenges are inspirational and whose humor is real. R for language.
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST (R) 119 minutes * * 1/2 Director Mel Gibson does get some points for style here, but as with "Braveheart", we have too many scenes with slow-motion and/or extremely graphic violence that really isn't necessary to carry the point. The flashbacks also seem to happen at rather inopportune times and can be confusing if you don't already know the story. Speaking of the story, it definitely strays from the scriptural version in a few spots. Interesting bits have been added, most of them harmless enough, but they don't really add anything important either. Jim Caviezel does a wonderful job, but it's Gibson's over-involvement in the project and lack of understanding about how to use the camera to help tell the story that do this the most damage. R for violence.
PATCH ADAMS (PG-13) 110 minutes * * * 1/2 Absorbing, if a bit overly sentimental, story of real-life doctor Hunter "Patch" Adams. Robin Williams plays the lead with his usual gusto, though the real Patch was supposedly even more outrageous. It's a tear-jerker in several spots, but if this doesn't grab ahold of you and work its way into your heart... And I have to repeat the line from the preview that sums up the film: "You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a patient, I guarantee you win, no matter what the outcome." Bravo! Filmed in San Francisco, CA and Ashville & Chapel Hill, NC. PG-13 for language and nudity.
PATHFINDER (PG) 83 minutes * * * Magical and inspiring folklore from Lapland. Beautiful Norwegian scenery and a story that wraps you up in history and tradition. The PG rating is for the violence, which is definitely part of the story as it emphasizes the importance of the direction the boy takes in the efforts to mislead those who would do his friends harm.
PATHFINDER (2007) (R) 99 minutes * Inspired by the 1987 film of the same title, this takes that beautiful legend and uses it to pit Native Americans against Vikings. There's plenty of action, not much dialogue, poor lighting, and drab colors. Nonsensical and in poor taste, but the actors give it a good try. R for violence.
THE PATRIOT (R) 156 minutes * * * 1/2 It isn't always easy to remain a pacifist when your home is destroyed, your children and friends are being killed, and those who are responsible ignore your pleas for reason and mercy. Intense and even a bit disturbing at times, the film doesn't hesitate to talk about revenge, patriotism, freedom, hatred, and more in the same breath. It's a bit overly graphic at times, in the same vein as "Braveheart", but what moves this a notch ahead is how well balanced the acting is throughtout. This is much more of an ensemble cast film that features Mel Gibson, rather than being a one man presentation. Nice job! Filmed in South Carolina. R for violence.
PATRIOT GAMES (R) 111 minutes * * * 1/2 An American tourist happens to be passing by as an assassination attempt is made on a member of the British royal family. He intervenes and saves the potential victim, killing one of the attackers in the process. But Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) is no ordinary tourist. He's a former CIA employee, and when things begin to get more dangerous, he starts working for them again in an attempt to save his family and himself from an angry renegade IRA member who is the brother of the man he killed. The story is well-paced and James Horner's music, great photography, and the special effects all add to the mix. And don't forget Thora Birch, who turns in a wonderful performance as Ryan's daughter. Even the slight twist at the end is a crowd pleaser in this film! R for violence and language.
PAULIE (PG) 84 minutes * * 1/2 Paulie is a parrot who can talk. More than that, he knows how to really communicate. But he finds that talking only gets him into trouble most of the time, separating him from the little girl he loves, and landing him in a research institute. The story is told in a series of flashbacks featuring the talents of Gena Rowlands, Buddy Hackett, and Cheech Marin. Tony Shaloub is his Russian friend who sees things through to the end, and Trini Alvarado is featured as well. It's a gentle film with a few bits of humor and excitement that has a flavor of the charm that makes films like "Princess Caraboo" so appealing. PG for language.
PAY IT FORWARD (PG-13) 115 minutes * * * What does the world mean to you? What does the world expect of you? The assignment is to come up with an idea that will change the world, and young Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment) may have ddiscovered something that could do it. Trouble is, change rarely happens overnight, but then again, sometimes we have an effect on others that we aren't even aware of. Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey are wonderful as Trevor's mother and teacher, and the film weaves together well. Filmed in Las Vegas. PG-13 for language and violence.
PAYBACK (R) 97 minutes * * Porter (Mel Gibson) is a man who knows exactly how much his life is worth... $70,000. That's how much his partner double-crossed him for. Now he has to get his money back, which will involve quite a bit of manipulating. Gibson does alright here, but could really use a partner. The film just isn't all that exciting. Considering it was released almost a year after originally scheduled, this may be the reason. R for violence and language.
PAYCHECK (PG-13) 114 minutes * * Yet another Philip K. Dick story makes its way to the big screen. This one is about a man who does work for a company after which they erase his memory. It comes in handy for stealing creative ideas from others and then not able to trace where they came from. Until they figure out how to send him into the future to see what's going to happen. The course of the film is devoted to Michael (Ben Affleck) trying to figure out what happened from a handful of clues he left himself. That part of the film works fairly well. It's the science fiction aspect that is full of holes that aren't addressed very well. It ends up playing things a bit too much "by the numbers". PG-13 for violence and language.
PCU (PG-13) 77 minutes 1/2 It's pre-frosh weekend at Port Chester University. OK, that's the setting... This is what you get when you combine "Animal House" and "House Party", but decide you aren't going to spend much money on the project. The result is a film that sorely lacks the personality of the films it copies.
PEACEFUL WARRIOR (PG-13) 115 minutes * * 1/2 Adapted from the autobiography of Dan Millman, "Way of the Peaceful Warrior", this story follows Dan, played by Scott Mechlowicz, from his days as a risky, rude, and fairly talented gymnast, to his discovery of something else within. It will take an encounter with an unusual and mysterious mentor (Nick Nolte), and a life-altering accident, but Dan will find that there is something more than he was expecting... or even dreaming was possible. Despite all of this, the film remains rather lifeless at times, and our attention wanders. Not bad, but nothing to rave about either. PG-13 for sex and language.
THE PEACEMAKER (R) 119 minutes * * * Nuclear weapons have been stolen and are on their way to the middle east. Can they be stopped in time to avert a worldwide disaster? Thanks to Hans Zimmer's intense soundtrack, this film involves you right from the start. As with most adventure/suspense films, there are aspects of the story that are stretched a bit too far, but the pacing is good. George Clooney and Nicole Kidman work well together, so even though we've seen this all before, it's still fun to watch. Filmed in New York, Slovakia, and Macedonia. R for violence and language.
PEARL HARBOR (PG-13) 172 minutes * * * Big-budget action film version of the attack on Pearl Harbor from Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer. Dramatic license is taken in several spots, but we expected that. What's a little disappointing is to have an extra 45 minutes of film at the end that really don't have a good point to make. The tide of the war didn't really change with a rather ineffectual bombing run on Tokyo that we made after the attack on Pearl. It changed with a different sort of bombing that we did a little bit later. Anyway, the cast does a very good job and the story does give us a nice mix of romance and war with sequences that allow Bay and Bruckheimer to exercise their action film expertise. PG-13 for violence and language.
THE PEBBLE AND THE PENGUIN (G) 68 minutes 1/2 Among the worst of feature-length cartoons you can subject yourself to, as we follow a penguin who is trying to rescue his girl and give her a rock. Boring, with poor animation, way too much narration, and only one good song by Barry Manilow. Stay away!
THE PELICAN BRIEF (PG-13) 135 minutes * * Two supreme court justices have just been murdered, and law student Darby Shaw (Julia Roberts) has an idea as to who might have done it. It's a far-fetched idea, but since everyone who reads here idea keeps turning up dead, it must be on track! The story here is really hard to swallow, and mediocre performances from Roberts and Denzel Washington don't help. It drags on far too long, though the ending plays well. Adapted from John Grisham's best-seller and rated PG-13 for violence and language.
PENNY DREADFUL (R) 90 minutes * * After seeing both of her parents die in a car accident, Penny (Rachel Miner) has a phobia of cars. So she goes on a trip with her therapist and ends up trapped in a car with a psychotic hitchhiker. Aside from some major flaws with that idea in the first place... this does score points for an inventive title, some reasonably good suspense on a very modest budget, and an ending with a sense of humor. R for violence, sex, and language.
THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS (R) 98 minutes * * Fun, satirical horror film from Wes Craven. No cheap scares here! Just remember, it isn't always the people UNDER the stairs that you should be scared of...
THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT (R) 125 minutes * * * 1/2 Director Milos Forman and the scriptwriters have given us a well-balanced picture of a very controversial figure. This is the best work Woody Harrelson has done in years and Courtney Love has established herself as an actress with a great deal of talent. This isn't a film that will appeal to everyone, but it does ask some important questions and does so in a surprisingly non-judgmental fashion. R for language and sex.
THE PEREZ FAMILY (R) 109 minutes * * 1/2 Marisa Tomei is Dorita Evita Perez, a girl who wants to become a U.S. citizen but needs a family or person to sponsor her. We're reminded of the old adages, "You'll find love where you least expect it", and "If you love someone set them free". I kept expecting people to break into song all the way through this... maybe it would have been better that way... fans of Tomei won't be disappointed, but others might find it less appealing. R for language.
A PERFECT DAY (NR) 90 minutes * * Sentimental film based on the novel by Richard Paul Evans. Robert Harlan (Rob Lowe) loses his job and finishes the book he'd been working on in his spare time. It becomes a best seller and he becomes a jerk. He sees the error of his ways, thanks to some intervention by the mysterious Michael (Christopher Lloyd). Mediocre performances by the supporting cast make Lowe work harder than he should have to on this trite story.
THE PERFECT MAN (PG) 97 minutes * * 1/2 Holly's (Hilary Duff) mom keeps herself and her girls on the move. Every time a relationship breaks up, she packs up and moves. But Holly is tired of it all and wants to find a place to stay. The only problem is that she may have learned how to leave better than she's learned how to stay. The cast does a nice job here, but the script never really gets anywhere although there are a couple of light comic relief bits for the supporting characters. PG for language.
A PERFECT MURDER (R) 103 minutes * 1/2 Based on the play, "Dial M for Murder", this comes off as little more than a slick, but trashy remake. The twists and turns in the story are obvious and annoying, and the modernization serves only to add to some of the story holes we already knew were coming. Michael Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow look good together, but they're cold, plastic people about whom we care very little. James Newton Howard's soundtrack is worth a listen, but the film is very disappointing. R for violence and language.
THE PERFECT SCORE (PG-13) 87 minutes * 1/2 Matt and Kyle have a plan to steal the SAT scores. Of course they're going to need some help... There's not a great deal of depth to the material, and the characters are a bit too nice. Scarlett Johansson and Erika Christensen's experience and talent show, but the end result is still forgettable for the most part. PG-13 for language.
THE PERFECT STORM (PG-13) 122 minutes * * 1/2 Billy's luck hasn't been very good lately, so he decides to take a crew out one more time to a fishing spot a bit farther out... right where the perfect storm is brewing. It's a stellar cast, with George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, Diane Lane, Karen Allen, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and others. The effects are too evident though, and the story too ridiculous at times to believe. There's also the matter of the secondary plot about the small yacht that seems to serve little or no purpose. Far from perfect, the film has a hard time coming close to delivering what it needs to keep us interested to the end. PG-13 for violence and language.
PERFECT STRANGER (R) 102 minutes * * 1/2 When Rowena's (Halle Berry) friend turns up dead, she has a hunch about who did it. Putting her investigative reporter skills to work, she begins to move herself closer to Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis). But sometimes there are more things buried than should be uncovered. There are a few nice twists here, though they aren't that unpredictable, and the story does make some interesting comments on how people may be connected online and not connected in life. That said, it's still the performances of the leads (Berry, Willis, and Giovanni Ribisi) who keep this film on the positive side of average. R for violence, language, and sex.
THE PERFECT WEAPON (R) 80 minutes * * Jeff Speakman's first starring role has him taking on the Korean mob after they kill his martial arts mentor. Speakman's character is interesting and there are some nice supporting roles here, but the story is weak and poorly directed.
THE PERFECT WITNESS (R) 94 minutes * * * Mickey (Wes Bentley) is a struggling filmmaker who happens to catch a murder on tape. Rather than going to the police, he decides to contact the killer and make a documentary. Now an accessory, he finds himself continually drawn more deeply into the disturbing life of a serial killer. Though the story is similar to "Mr. Brooks", this is missing the gloss and instead has an intensity that Brooks doesn't. James (Mark Borkowski) moves with disturbing ease between sadistic killer and family man. But even all in his world is not as he thinks. Very nice thriller! Filmed in Philadelphia. R for violence, nudity, and language.
A PERFECT WORLD (PG-13) 133 minutes * * * A wonderful performance from young T.J. Lowther as a boy who is kidnapped by two escaped convicts. But Butch Haynes (Kevin Costner) ends up being more of a father to the boy than a kidnapper. The difficult part here is believing Costner's character, who is just too nice, too perfect, too idealized for the rest of the story to have any credibility. It leads to several awkward moments when the parable and the reality are forced to meet and just don't mix very well. R for violence and language.
PERFUME: THE STORY OF A MURDER (R) 138 minutes * * * 1/2 Born into the squalor of the fish market, Grenouille (Ben Whishaw) survives despite the odds, and discovers that he has a gift. He's able to distinguish smells far better than most. His attraction to the pleasures of scent drives him to find the perfect scent, and that leads him to darker pursuits. The narration works effectively here, because this is told in the style of a fairytale, though one that is of a more sinister nature. Even the title points to the dual nature of the story, adapted from the novel by Patrick Suskind. Some trimming might have helped with the pacing of the story in a few spots, but it's a fascinating story with unusual characters that will stay with you for awhile. R for sex and violence.
PERSUASION (2007) (NR) 92 minutes * * 1/2 British television production of the Jane Austen classic starring Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliot. While there's nothing particularly outstanding about this production, Hawkins is charming and the sets and costumes are well done. A nice adaptation of one of Austen's less often adapted stories.
THE PEST (PG-13) 81 minutes BOMB Comic version of "The Naked Prey" with John Leguizamo as the victim. This is very much in the style of Jim Carrey's humor, but not as good. Cheaply made and not worth your time. PG-13 for language and nudity.
PET SEMATARY (R) 100 minutes * * 1/2 Fast-paced Stephen King story that starts out relatively well on the big screen. Suspense is built well by both music and camera angles and there is a sense of urgency and emotion in Mary Lambert's direction that fits well with the story. As with the book, the film goes just a little too far at the end, showing us what would have been more effective if left unseen or undescribed. The biggest improvement over the book is the stronger presentation of the character of Victor Pascow, who comes across a bit less negative and a bit more concerned about the fate of the Creed family.
PET SEMATARY II (R) 97 minutes * 1/2 Though returning to the site of the original story, this bears little resemblance to its predecessor. Technically, the film is adequate, but the story is so bad that it's hard to sit through. Edward Furlong and Clancy Brown make a valiant effort, but this is best left to gather dust on the shelf. Filmed in Georgia. R for violence and language.
PETER PAN (2003) (PG) 101 minutes * * * Delightfully magical version of the classic story that does a very nice job of going back to the original material for it's inspiration. The ending does feel a bit rushed, as though a few bits might have been cut out, but Tink's mischievous antics make up for it. Jason Isaacs does a wonderful job as Mr. Darling/Captain Hook, and James Newton Howard's music adds the finishing touch. PG for violence.
PETER'S FRIENDS (NR) 98 minutes * * This British version of "The Big Chill" struggles with a story that flies all over the place, though the characters are interesting and performed well. Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson are just two of these talented actors who needed a stronger script to help them breath more life into characters we have a hard time getting to know.
PHANTASM II (R) 92 minutes * 1/2 This sequel managed to spend more money without doing much more except adding a few more graphic effects. There are a few moments of "greatness" here, but there are some terribly boring spots as well.
THE PHANTOM (PG) 94 minutes * * * Comic strip character Kit Walker aka The Phantom comes to the big screen in this fun adventure film starring Billy Zane. This plays very well on video where the less-than-perfect special effects aren't quite so noticeable. An evil power will be unleashed unless The Phantom can stop three magical skulls from being reunited! 1940's style adventure that reminds us that fun doesn't have to be ultra-realistic or violent. PG for violence and language.
PHANTOM OF THE MALL: ERIK'S REVENGE (R) 87 minutes 1/2 Campy modernization of the classic phantom story that takes place in a mall built on top of the phantom's home. Low budget and low talent production that falls on its face rather quickly despite the mildly inventive idea of the mall setting.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1989) (R) 90 minutes * * 1/2 Nice effects (by Kevin Yagher) and superbly moody photography are the highlights in this version of the classic story. Robert Englund stars as the phantom, with Jill Schoelen in the role of Christine. This particular version is a bit more gory than mos