SABRINA (PG) 123 minutes * * * This modernization of the 1954 film works better in some ways than the original. Julia Ormond grows into the part through the course of the film in a much more believable manner than did Audrey Hepburn. Harrison Ford and Greg Kinnear turn in fine performances and Ann Roth's costumes are worthy of an Oscar.
SAFE PASSAGE (PG-13) 94 minutes * * * Susan Sarandon is a single mother of seven boys, in this slice of modern life. Things do seem to work out rather well for this family, but sometimes it's nice to have a picture that gives us that side. What makes it work are the performances of Sarandon, Robert Sean Leonard, Sean Astin, and Nick Stahl. It does feel a little like a TV movie, but a good one.
SAHARA (PG-13) 118 minutes * * Dirk Pitt (Matthew McConaughey) and his buddy Al (Steve Zahn) are off on another treasure hunt. This time, they're looking for a lost ironclad ship from the Civil War that somehow ended up in Africa. They just happen to run across some people who are trying to destroy the world, so they need to help out with that too. Needless to say, the plot is more than a bit farfetched, so we're left to just have fun watching the characters, mostly the wise-cracking Zahn, who manages to keep this fairly entertaining. Director Breck Eisner (son of Disney CEO Michael Eisner) doesn't do a very good job here, though to be fair, he hasn't had much experience. PG-13 for violence.
THE SAINT (PG-13) 110 minutes * * * Simon Templar (Val Kilmer) has always worked alone and trusted no one but himself... until now. Dr. Emma Russell, who has come up with the secret to cold fusion, has managed to see right through the wall Simon has hidden behind. Simon isn't used to dealing with these feelings, but he isn't one to give up on anything very easily. Elisabeth Shue and Kilmer work well together and make this film fun to watch. The sound and make-up work is incredible and may both be up for Oscars. Graeme Revell has provided an interesting soundtrack as well, which keeps us on the edge of our seats. A fine piece of work that stands up well against most of the James Bond films. PG-13 for language and violence.
SAINTS AND SOLDIERS (PG-13) 86 minutes * * * Five American soldiers are trying to return to allied territory just after the Malmedy Massacre of World War II. This best picture winner at 14 different film festivals somehow never saw wide general release, but is well worth a look on video. The characters are well-played and the story manages to deal with the war in a very personal sense as well as in the larger sense. Using over one hundred war re-enactors, this is an emotional and thought provoking film and a wonderful addition to the genre of war films. PG-13 for violence.
THE SALON (PG-13) 95 minutes * 1/2 Writer Mark Brown, who also gave us "Barbershop" and "Barbershop 2" now gives us this film, which he also directs. It's more of the same, from a slightly different angle, and not quite as good. The Salon that Jenny (Vivica A. Fox) is running is about to be torn down, unless she can find a reason for them to leave it alone. Yawn... PG-13 for language.
THE SANDLOT (PG) 96 minutes * * * 1/2 Moving to town just two weeks before the end of school can be tough, but Benny takes Scott under his wing. Now, the summer of his life is about to begin. A summer filled with friends, baseball, mean junkyard dogs, beautiful lifeguards, chewing tobacco, and so much more. Well-written story with a wonderful young cast who give us genuine and often humorous performances. Entertaining and memorable film for all ages, this is a real gem. PG for language.
SANTA BABY (PG) 89 minutes * * Jenny McCarthy is Mary Class. Or, you might call her Mary Claus... since her father is Santa. He's having a bit of a health issue and Mary may need to take over the family business for the season. Her business sense is amazing, but not particularly suited to how Santa has been running the operation. Standard holiday fare. PG for language.
THE SANTA CLAUSE (PG) 93 minutes * * * * Hilarious comedy with Tim Allen as a father who doesn't really believe in all this "Christmas stuff". He's trying to convince his son when events take a rather strange turn and he finds himself believing in everything after all. Hilarious, charming, witty, and thought-provoking entertainment for the whole family. Just remember, as a very wise elf in the movie states... "Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing." PG for language.
THE SANTA CLAUSE 2 (G) 96 minutes * * If Santa doesn't get married by midnight on Christmas eve, he won't get to be Santa anymore. OK, aside from that being a rather important part of the deal, it's a cute idea. What isn't so cute is the subplot involving a robotic Santa that takes his place while he goes to deal with his son and try to find a wife. Watch the first one again and don't worry about this sequel, it pales in comparison.
THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE (G) 85 minutes * * Jack Frost (Martin Short) is trying to trick Santa (Tim Allen) into using the escape clause so he can take over the holiday. As with the second film, it's the subplot that is bothersome. This time it involves Santa's inlaws and a couple of family friends coming to visit at the North Pole. It all ends nicely enough, but still doesn't come close to the first.
SARAFINA! (PG-13) 96 minutes * * * Film version of the anti-Aparteid musical that was so successful on the stage. There is an awkwardness here as the film fluctuates between drama and musical. Both are well presented, but the flow between scenes is forced at times. Where the stage presentation left some of the more violent sequences to the imagination, they are presented here. It's a natural move to make as it's easier to be more explicit on film than night after night in the theater, but perhaps it wasn't necessary. PG-13 for violence.
SAVE THE LAST DANCE (PG-13) 105 minutes * * When her mother dies on the way to Sara's (Julia Stiles) audition for Julliard, she's ready to give up on dance. She moves in with her dad, who lives in an area of town that Sara is completely unfamiliar with. She soon makes new friends who speak the language of dance, with a slightly different style. And, of course, she grows up and becomes a young woman who learns how to cope and gets into Julliard after all. The script is trite and unimaginative at best, and really lets the cast flounder during the potentially more dramatic moments. They do their best, but coupled with some poor editing and mediocre directing, the script does its damage. Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas get the stars for this one and the small screen will help it look a little better too. PG-13 for language and violence.
SAVE THE LAST DANCE 2 (PG-13) 88 minutes * 1/2 Continuing the story from the first film, Sara (Izabella Miko) is now at Julliard, but finding out just how much it takes to stay there. Will she continue to pursue ballet? Is there room for the other styles of dance she loves? Will we care what happens? Fans of the first will enjoy this somewhat, but it's definitely a step below the first. PG-13 for sex and language.
SAVED (PG-13) 88 minutes * * 1/2 American Eagle Christian High School... it's a wonderful place to get an education. Of course, a great deal of learning happens when you begin to think outside the box, especially if it's a box that someone else has given you. Life can teach us many things if we're willing to allow it the opportunity. Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore) chooses a more limited understanding that fits her experiences, but it doesn't make sense any more to Mary. While in one sense this is a parody that pokes fun at the fundamentalist Christian faith of some of the characters, in another sense, it's also a very real attempt to allow other characters the ability to grow a faith that can grow and change with them as the bumps in the road of life come their way. Great performances from Malone and Moore as well as Eva Amurri and Macauley Culkin. PG-13 for language.
SAVING FACE (R) 91 minutes * * 1/2 It seems that everyone here has a bit of a secret, and everyone is trying to keep appearances "normal". But what's normal? And is appearing so worth sacrificing what you love? Joan Chen stars as a 48-year-old woman dealing with a pregnancy and a daughter who is a lesbian in this charming and somewhat offbeat romantic comedy. Nice performance by Michelle Krusiec in the lead role of the daughter. R for sex and language.
SAVING GRACE (R) 91 minutes * * * Grace (Brenda Blethyn) is having a bit of trouble. You see, her husband just died and now she has learned that there isn't any money. In fact, he borrowed so much against their possessions for bad business deals, that she's about to lose everything. Her hobby of growing orchids just may prove useful though, as her groundskeeper asks for some assistance in keeping a struggling plant alive. The plant in question just happens to be marijuana, and with Grace's green thumb, this could soon become a very rich crop! It's a charming little film with fun characters and a story that will keep you smiling all the way through to the end. R for language and nudity.
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (R) 161 minutes * * * 1/2 This film is not for the faint-hearted. The landing at Normandy Beach is almost too realistic for comfort and makes one wonder how anyone survived. The final battle is almost as gruesome but has a little less effect because we've grown accustomed to it by then. The script has been structured around a few very long scenes, which makes the flow of the film a bit awkward despite how powerful those scenes are when viewed. There are also some inconsistencies in how the character of Ryan behaves when we finally do get the chance to meet him near the end of the film. Keep an eye on Barry Pepper, who plays the part of Jackson, the sniper who's performance is the most outstanding in the film. This is one of the better war films we've seen in awhile, but its intensity makes it a film that not everyone will want to watch. R for violence and language.
SAVING SARAH CAIN (PG) 100 minutes * * 1/2 Sarah (Lisa Pepper) has been having trouble coming up with material for her newspaper column. With the unexpected death of her sister, Sarah finds herself legal guardian for her sister's five children. Her sister's five Amish children. Now she has something to write about, but what does it all mean? Adapted from the sentimental novel by Beverly Lewis, the story is unrealistic and two-dimensional. The actors playing the children are fine, but Pepper and the rest of the adult cast seem to be reading their lines off of the wall. PG for language.
SAVING SHILOH (PG) 86 minutes * * This conclusion to the Shiloh trilogy continues the story of Marty and Shiloh as they learn that Judd, who used to own Shiloh and mistreat him, can change for the better. The acting is mediocre, as it was in the first two films, but the script is not as well-written as the others. This entry is even less about the dog and more about the humans than the first two were, but those who enjoyed the first part of the story will probably be interested in seeing it come to completion. PG for violence.
SAVING SILVERMAN (PG-13) 85 minutes * * 1/2 Darren, Wayne, and J.D. have been buddies since childhood. Darren's new girlfriend is threatening to rip that friendship apart, but Wayne and J.D. aren't going to let that happen. Corny, stupid, and not really all that original, but the performances of Steve Zahn and Jack Black give this the edge it needs to be funny. Amanda Peet plays the domineering girlfriend to the hilt. It's obvious that they had fun making this film and it carries through in their performances. PG-13 for language.
SAW (R) 99 minutes * 1/2 Two young men wake up and find themselves chained to opposite ends of a room with a corpse on the floor between them. They are trapped in a room fashioned by the jigsaw killer, a serial killer who finds ways for his victims to kill themselves while he watches without them knowing. There are a few good creepy moments here, but the story has too little room to move and runs out of steam far too early. There is a nice twist at the end, but it's too little, too late. R for violence and language.
SAW II (R) 87 minutes * * Nicely crafted sequel that ties in with the first very well. We know who jigsaw is, but we still have to figure out the clues about the location of his current "victims". The acting and the script are both a bit on the uneven side, but as a sequel, this isn't too bad. Filmed in Toronto, Ontario. R for violence and language.
SAW III (R) 104 minutes * * 1/2 This series just keeps getting a little better each time out. There's a new jigsaw killer on the loose, but something seems a bit different. Maybe the original killer is still around. Maybe there are some new games for people to play. Nice twists and turns here and a catch at the end to set us up for part IV. Filmed in Toronto, Ontario. R for violence and language.
SAW IV (R) 87 minutes * * Continuing with it's inventive storyline, the tests for people to face are more elaborate and the scene changes are well-done. Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) may be gone, but the story continues... and it would appear to have no end. Definitely one of the more clever horror series. Filmed in Toronto. R for violence and language.
SAY ANYTHING (PG-13) 94 minutes * * * A romance begins to blossom ever so slowly, but surely, as a persistent Romeo pursues his Juliet. Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) is sincere, trustworthy, considerate... just about everything a girl could want. Diane Court (Ione Skye) has spent her whole life preparing for the futer while ignoring the present. As Lloyd opens her eyes to the world around her, she begins to realize that it's out of a genuine desire to help her be the best person she can be. Finely crafted story with strong characters that are brought to life well by both Cusack and Skye. More than just another teen romance, this is a truly fine film about relationships and the importance of communication. PG-13 for language.
SAY IT ISN'T SO (R) 90 minutes 1/2 Gilly (Chris Klein) has finally found the perfect girl... if only she wasn't his long lost sister. Rather inane script that pokes fun at ignorance. The performances are too earnest and the jokes are in poor taste. A real shame to waste the talents of Klein, Heather Graham, and Sally Field. R for language.
A SCANNER DARKLY (R) 96 minutes * * * An undercover police officer discovers the dangers of a new drug firsthand as it begins to alter his sense of self and reality. Though not as profound and philosophical as "Waking Life", writer/director Richard Linklater uses the same style of animation drawn over live-action photography to present an interesting film, adapted from the book by Philip K. Dick. The story is both dark and cynical, but manages to elicit a few smiles and chuckles along the way. It's a treat, not only for fans of Linklater and Dick, but for those who appreciate films that are a little different from the normal streams of entertainment. R for sex, language, and violence.
THE SCARLET LETTER (R) 131 minutes * * * As is states at the beginning, this is "freely adapted from the novel". It is a story well-told, though not true to the original, with fine performances by Demi Moore and Gary Oldman and a beautiful soundtrack by John Barry. It could have used a little trimming, but it's a great film for a rainy day. R for violence, language, and nudity.
SCARY MOVIE (R) 80 minutes * * 1/2 This film was orginally titled "Scream if you know what I did last Halloween", which should give you an idea of what to expect. The bulk of the time is spent on parodies of "Scream" and "I Know What You Did Last Summer", though there are comments and jokes that cover "The Blair Witch Project", "The Shining", "The Sixth Sense", and many others. It's full of the usual sex jokes and bathroom humor, but also manages to include some nice effects and stuntwork. Anna Faris' performance also provides a steady note that helps hold the film together. R for language and sex.
SCARY MOVIE 2 (R) 74 minutes 1/2 Cindy (Anna Faris) and the rest are reunited at a weekend retreat at Hell House. More sex jokes and bathroom humor than in the first, but the production quality isn't as good. Faris is the only bright spot in the film. R for language and violence.
SCARY MOVIE 3 (PG-13) 75 minutes BOMB Anna Faris and friends return, poking fun primarily at "The Ring" and "Signs", but managing to lampoon a few other suspense films along the way. The rating has changed from R to PG-13, but all that did was switch the humor from foul to tasteless. Lots of big name people do cameos here, but it doesn't help. PG-13 for language and violence.
SCARY MOVIE 4 (PG-13) 75 minutes 1/2 More of the same, with a few chuckles here and there. More big name people doing cameos and Anna Faris is beginning to look a little bored with this. Primarily a parody of "War of the Worlds" with "Saw", "The Grudge", and "The Village" along with a few others thrown in. PG-13 for language, violence, and nudity.
SCENES FROM A MALL (R) 83 minutes * * 1/2 Woody Allen and Bette Midler star as a couple who have been married for sixteen years. Today they're at the local mall, getting into a fight and making up and getting into another fight and making up and... get the idea? There are bits here and there that are good, and the songs are very well chosen, but the film isn't designed well. There seems to be no purpose for the mall setting and there is little interaction between anyone except Allen and Midler. Fans of theirs may be interested, but most people won't. R for language.
SCENT OF A WOMAN (R) 153 minutes * * 1/2 Al Pacino gives a wonderful performance as Lt. Col. Frank Slade, a blind man who gives a new definition to the phrase, "hard to handle". Young Charlie (Chris O'Donnell) ends up learning a great deal from him as they spend time together. Pacino carries the film, which isn't surprising, but it makes for a rather tedious time during the lat hour. This just lasts too long when we don't have a more balanced presentation. Watch it for Pacino and fast-forward through the rest.
SCHINDLER'S LIST (R) 189 minutes * * * * An extraordinarily powerful film that is almost frighteningly realistic. That it is filmed almost entirely in black and white adds even more to the effect because we feel like we're watching old documentary footage of actual events. Fabulous performances by Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, and many more. Definitely a modern classic. R for violence and nudity.
SCHOOL DAZE (R) 115 minutes * * An activist on a university campus fights apathy as well as the administration. This Spike Lee project is rather choppy and disorganized, with some sequences very good while others are very poor. There are a number of interesting ideas in here, but they get lost in the confusing and conflicting styles used to present them.
SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS (PG-13) 96 minutes * 1/2 Remake of the 1960 film, this one starring Billy Bob Thornton as the teacher and Jon Heder as the loser who needs to learn confidence. Heder plays his part well, but Thornton seems to care as little about the role as his character does about being sensitive. There are a few chuckles here and there, but we're never drawn into the story enough to have much sympathy for Heder's character. PG-13 for language and violence.
SCHOOL OF ROCK (PG-13) 103 minutes * 1/2 Dewey (Jack Black) needs a job and decides that substitute teaching at a prep school might work, especially when he discovers that the kids have some musical talent that he can shape into a band. It's sort of fun, but relies very heavily on Black's energy and comedic talents which begin to wear thin by the end of the film. It does end well, if you last that long. PG-13 for language.
SCHOOL TIES (PG) 104 minutes * * 1/2 A tough prep school is the steeing to explore the topics of loyalty, friendships, and how to get a slice of the good life. Overly dramatic to say the least, but the performances are reasonable and manage to counteract most of the cheap dialogue.
THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP (R) 102 minutes * * 1/2 Stephane (Gael Garcia Bernal) is fascinated with his dreams, and with a particular young woman. In his dreams, it all works out well, but will that translate into reality? Unusual, and a visual treat, with a strong performance from Bernal, but this still misses the mark. The movement between reality and dream is puzzling at times, and despite the effort Bernal shows, we have a hard time sympathizing with his character. At times, Stephane is appealingly quirky, then suddenly will veer toward self-destruction for no apparent reason. Writer/director Michel Gondry did much better when collaborating with Charlie Kaufman on "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". R for sex.
SCOOBY-DOO (PG) 80 minutes * * Mildly entertaining live-action version of the classic Saturday morning cartoon. All our favorites are here, but there have been some alterations. Daphne never used to be quite so empty-headed and Scrappy may have been a little annoying, but he wasn't such an egomaniac. There's also a good deal of adult humor here. Somewhat inapproriate, though sufficiently buried as to go unnoticed by most of the younger crowd. Watch the cartoons, they're better. Filmed in Queensland, Australia. PG for violence.
SCOOBY DOO 2: MONSTERS UNLEASHED (PG) 87 minutes * * It's definitely nice to see all of the old villains again. And to not see Scrappy... still, there really isn't much to the story. The younger crowd (6-10) will probably find it entertaining and they probably won't understand the few more adult oriented jokes that are in a couple of spots. For the most part, it's a harmless and mildy entertaining film that will definitely look quite a bit better on video.
SCOOP (PG-13) 93 minutes * * * Sondra (Scarlett Johansson) is picked from the audience to assist with a magic trick for Sid Waterman (Woody Allen) aka Splendini. That's when she's contacted by the spirit of a recently deceased journalist who gives her the scoop of a lifetime. Now she has to put her college journalism skills to use and uncover the rest of the story along with Sid's help. Of course, Sid isn't so sure about all of this... Typical, quirky Allen comedy, with plenty of chuckles throughout. It's heavy on dialogue, as is normal for a film from Allen, but it helps that he wrote it with Johansson in mind. She delivers yet another amazing performance. Definitely one of Allen's more lighthearted and entertaining films. PG-13 for sex.
THE SCORE (R) 118 minutes * * Jack (Edward Norton) has a plan. If he can pull it off, he'll be set for life. But it isn't going to be easy. Nick (Robert DeNiro) is just about to retire, but decides that this is one last job he's up for, but only because the price tag is high and the risk is acceptable. DeNiro and Norton both do great work here, and Marlon Brando has a reasonably good role as well. The script is amazingly boring despite the presence of these talented actors. It also manages to relegate Angela Bassett to an almost non-existent role as Nick's girlfriend. There are a few nice twists toward the end of the film, but we've had so long to think about what might happen, that they are more of a relief than a surprise. Filmed in Quebec. R for language.
THE SCORPION KING (PG-13) 84 minutes * * Spin-off from the mummy films that introduced this character. In this first entry in the series, we get The Rock portraying Matthias in his early days as he first takes the throne as the Scorpion King. Plenty of swordplay without much in the way of bloodshed keeps this in the PG-13 range. Very nice job by Kelly Hu as the sorceress, and The Rock does a decent job as well. Bits of humor, but not so much that it feels strained. Sets us right up for that inevitable sequel, but manages to be fu enough that we don't mind.
THE SCOUT (PG-13) 97 minutes * 1/2 Another whining performance from Albert Brooks as a baseball scout who may have finally found the dream player he's always hoped for... if he can just smooth out those rough edges. Brendan Fraser and Diane Wiest come off fairly well, but they also seem more relaxed. Brooks is too intense for the story and it ruins the effect of the film is scene after scene. Lots of cameos from baseball professionals throughout the film.
SCREAM (R) 104 minutes * * 1/2 One of the more original horror films in the last several years that manages to poke fun at the genre while still being able to scare us once in awhile. Inventive script, some great music by Marco Beltrami, and fairly good acting. The story does wander a bit too much at times and the ending gets a bit out of hand, but for those who like horror, this is one of the better films that we've seen in awhile. R for violence and language.
SCREAM 2 (R) 112 minutes * * A movie within a movie this time around, and the killings are starting all over. The twists and turns here are much the same as the first. It's a relatively fun film (for those who enjoy horror), mostly thanks to the willingness of the story to poke fun at itself. Several of the first film's cast return, but only a few survive for a possible part three. Marco Beltrami's music sets the mood once again for a sequel that turns out to be better than most. R for violence and language.
SCREAM 3 (R) 109 minutes * * 1/2 The killer is looking for Sidney (Neve Campbell) again. Those who survived the first and second films are back for the third and supposedly final chapter of the story. It does wrap up rather well and maintains suspense throughout the film. The dream sequence that occurs at the twenty minute point works very well. All things considered, it's a nice addition to the series and has a better mix of humor and horror than either of the first two. R for violence and language.
SCREAMERS (R) 105 minutes * * It's 2078, and the warring peoples of Sirius 6B have decided to negotiate peace. But the machines they built for defense have other ideas, and they're changing... The ending is ridiculous, and ruins what is otherwise a fine film adaptation of Philip K. Dick's short story, "Second Variety".
SCREWED (PG-13) 75 minutes 1/2 Willard (Norm MacDonald) works for one of the richest, meanest women around and he's tired of it. In an effort to kidnap her dog for ransom, Willard and his buddies make just about every mistake possible. It's bad and boring slapstick comedy that wastes the talents of Dave Chapelle and Danny DeVito as they take a backseat to MacDonald's abrasive and cynical brand of humor. PG-13 for language and nudity.
SCROOGED (PG-13) 93 minutes * * * 1/2 In this modernized version of the classic Dickens tale, we have a cutthroat television executive (played for laughs) who needs to be taught a lesson. The ghosts of Christmas past and present are absolutely hilarious and are great fun to watch. The ghost of Christmas future is a little disappointing though it starts off well. There are also a number of cameos from well-known actors in a stage production of "Scrooge" within the story of the film. The entire film is a delightful diversion that almost lets us forget the message Dickens had for us, but at the end reminds us of it: It is never too late to change, and to give, really IS better than to receive. It's definitely a film that has earned its place as a modern Christmas classic and should not be missed.
THE SEA INSIDE (PG-13) 121 minutes * * * 1/2 Deeply moving story of Ramon Sampedro, a man who wanted to end his life with dignity after a diving accident left him quadriplegic. Javier Bardem gives an amazing performance that draws us into this powerful story that explores the pros and cons of euthanasia in a way that makes it feel very real. Beautiful cinematography by Javier Aguirresarobe that lends a vibrancy to the film, and sensitive direction by Alejandro Amenabar as well as several heartfelt performances by supporting cast all add up to a film that earned a well-deserved Oscar for Best Foreign Language film. PG-13 for subject matter.
SEA OF LOVE (R) 108 minutes * * * Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin in a very suspenseful murder mystery. He's a cop on the trail of a serial killer and she's the suspect he's begun to fall in love with. Nice roles for both actors and the script and direction keep us interested until the very end. R for language and sex.
SEABISCUIT (PG-13) 132 minutes * * * The story of a champion horse that inspired a nation. Nice work by Tobey Maguire and Chris Cooper and some great bits by William H. Macy as a radio announcer. The narrative bits throughout the film are rather annoying. They mostly pertain to the history of the U.S. at the time and don't offer much in connection with the story. The dialogue does a nice job of mixing personal struggle and societal changes into the story of a horse that few people had faith in early on. The moral here is that true sportsmanship means doing what it takes to bring out the best in our fellow competitors. PG-13 for language.
SEARCH AND DESTROY (R) 87 minutes * 1/2 An absolutely stunning cast is nearly totally wasted in this story of an unlikeable guy trying to finance a film project. The script is awful and the direction sadly lacking the experience we need to carry off a film with dark humor such as this. Even the talents of Martin Scorsese (as executive producer) can't save this one.
SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER (PG) 105 minutes * * * Josh (Max Pomeranc)has a gift for playing chess, a gift like Bobby Fischer, a vision for the game. Taught by both his father and another, each of whom has their own style and reason for helping Josh to be the best, but when it comes gets down to it, Josh is still his own person. Best quote (by Josh): "Maybe it's better not to be the best. Then you can lose and it's OK." Based on fact.
SEARCHING FOR DEBRA WINGER (R) 93 minutes * * * Rosanna Arquette's look at the world of filmmaking and it's effect on women. It begins by asking about the balance, or lack thereof, between art and personal life, career and family. She wonders what happens to women like Jane Fonda and Debra Winger who have left the business. The end result is not only a collection of fascinating interviews with some of the most amazingly talented people in the film industry, but a deeply personal experience of learning for Rosanna. Insightful and thought-provoking, it's a film that reveals the strength and courage it takes not only to be a woman in the film industry, but to be a woman whatever you do. R for language.
THE SEAT FILLER (PG-13) 86 minutes * * He's taken a job as a seat filler to earn some money, she's a wealthy pop star. A lucky turn of events puts him next to her, and a couple of small lies later... but truth wins out in the end. As does love, of course. Light comedy with a twist of romance, nothing special, but pleasant enough to watch. Filmed in Los Angeles. PG-13 for language.
THE SECOND ANIMATION CELEBRATION (NR) 104 minutes * * * 1/2 Unique and eclectic collection of animated short films. A little bit of everything, with "Lazar" and "Finger Wave" tending to the bizarre, and fascinating bits like "Pencil Dance" and "Olive Jr.". Other shorts included are, "Scardey Cat", "ASIFA", "Knick Knack", and "Tin Toy". It's refreshing to see a collection like this that reminds us how animation is still being practiced as an art.
SECOND BEST (PG-13) 105 minutes * * * William Hurt stars in the story of a shy, unmarried postmaster who decides to try and adopt a 10-year-old boy. Fantastic script that takes us through all the struggles of such an attempt. Still, this remains a gentle film overall, quiet and sincere, and well-worth a look.
THE SECOND CHANCE (PG-13) 99 minutes * * 1/2 A minister of music (Michael W. Smith) at a wealthy church and a senior minister (Jeff Obafemi Carr) in an urban church have to learn to work together. Having Michael W. Smith on this project does mean that the music is top-notch, but the characters are two-dimensional stereotypes and the acting needs a good deal of work as well. The more conservative Christian audience at which this is aimed will probably like this, but others are likely to be bored.
SECOND IN COMMAND (R) 88 minutes * 1/2 Sam Keenan (Jean Claude Van Damme) is a former Navy SEAL who has just been stationed in an Eastern European nation where the situation is going from bad to worse. The newly elected president is about to be overthrown by the rebels, the US ambassador is dead, journalists have been taken hostage, and someone has been listening in on all of their plans. Typical Van Damme fare, though there isn't much in the way of martial arts here. The story moves almost too quickly and we don't really ever care much about most of the characters, we just wait to watch people shoot each other and assume that Van Damme and a couple of his friends will make it out alive. R for violence and language.
SECOND SIGHT (PG) 80 minutes * Bronson Pinchot and John Larroquette star in this piece of fluff about a psychic who works for a detective agency. Loads of comic talent here, but the story is far too weak to interest us for long.
SECONDHAND LIONS (PG) 102 minutes * * * 1/2 Delightful story of a young boy whose mother leaves him with his uncles for awhile, uncles who aren't particularly sociable and don't exactly know what to do with a young boy. What they learn from each other are invaluable lessons of life, love, and family. The story feels rushed in a few spots where it's obvious that footage was cut out, but Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, and Haley Joel Osment are a treat to watch. Classy ending too! PG for violence.
THE SECRET GARDEN (G) 99 minutes * * * * Classic story of a young girl who fins an abandoned garden on the grounds of the dilapidated Victorian estate where she now lives as an orphan. It is full of magical, wonderful secrets for everyone who is willing to see them. Kate Maberly is outstanding as young Mary, and Hayden Prowse and Andrew Knott perform well too. Quality family entertainment at its best.
A SECRET HANDSHAKE (NR) 91 minutes 1/2 Repeatedly waking up in a strange room and finding himself the victim of torture, then mysteriously reappearing at home is a rather unnerving experience for Jacob (Robert Olding). What is real, and who can he trust? The half star here is for the story idea, which isn't too bad. Unfortunately, this film is a great example of how not to do a low-budget film. Poor sound quality, bad editing, and inexperienced direction, along with very mediocre acting, pretty much ruin this film within the first 10-15 minutes... and it never really gets better.
THE SECRET LIVES OF DENTISTS (R) 100 minutes * * * David and Dana used to have a wonderful marriage, but somewhere along the line, the passion disappeared. Dana has found new sources for herself, both in a community opera group, and in another romantic relationship. But when their two young daughters begin to notice the tension in their relationship, it becomes something that can't be ignored. Or can it? What happens when secrets like these remain unspoken? It's a nicely handled story, with smart direction and a very capable performance by Campbell Scott. R for language.
THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH (PG) 102 minutes * * * * A magical tale of Ireland, starring Jeni Courtney as a young girl who goes to live with her grandparents on the west coast of Ireland. She discovers the history of her family, wrapped in both myth and magic. Beautiful and memorable, director John Sayles adapted this from the novella The Secret of Ron Mor Skerry, by Rosalie Frye.
SECRET OF THE CAVE (PG) 85 minutes * 1/2 Left by his father in a small Irish fishing village to spend the summer with his uncle, Roy (Kevin Novotny) discovers a mystery. As this is a film from the 7th Day Adventist's organization, it's a pretty tame mystery. The soundtrack is nice, but the performances are rather lifeless and the film itself somewhat uninteresting. PG for language.
SECRET WINDOW (PG-13) 92 minutes * * 1/2 Feature film adaptation of Stephen King's short story, "Secret Window, Secret Garden". It's yet another of King's stories that reminds us of the ever-constant presence of evil and that sometimes... it wins. Johnny Depp does a nice job here and the music by Philip Glass and photography by Fred Murphy both do an effective job of creating the atmosphere we need to feel here. Still, as is often the problem with stretching short stories to an hour and a half, it gets rather thin in spots. PG-13 for violence and language.
SEDUCING DR. LEWIS (NR) 104 minutes * * * St. Marie-La-Mauderne is a tiny fishing village that has one chance to survive. They desperately need a small factory to employ their townspeople, but the factory won't be built unless the village has a doctor. Can they do it? Can they convince a doctor from a city like Montreal to come to a fishing village that only has one restaurant? Wonderfully charming film that does a grand job of showing us the heart of a community and with a little humor along the way.
SEE NO EVIL (R) 78 minutes * 1/2 Eight juvenile delinquents are "volunteered to help clean up an old hotel. For their three days of work, they'll receive a month off of their sentences... if they survive. Evil walks these halls, though its far less supernatural than you'd think. This fairly typical gorefest does boast some wonderfully grungy, creepy sets and a villain who says almost nothing (Yay!) throughout the entire film! R for Sex, violence, and language.
SEE NO EVIL HEAR NO EVIL (R) 98 minutes * * Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor appear to have had fun making this rather ridiculous comedy about two men, one blind and the other deaf, who witness a murder but end up becoming suspects. Cheap humor that really is below par for these two, but there are a couple of good scenes. R for language.
SEE SPOT RUN (PG) 93 minutes * * Agent 11 is in danger after an undercover operation goes bad. (He's a dog, by the way.) He's supposed to go to Alaska for safe keeping, but ends up at Gordon's (David Arquette) house instead. The trouble is, Gordon already has his hands full with the neighbor's kid, who he volunteered to watch because he's attracted to the kid's mom. The story is pretty thin, but Arquette works well with Angus T. Jones (James, the neighbor's kid) and the film makes its points with a sense of humor. PG for language and cartoonish violence.
SEED OF CHUCKY (R) 80 minutes * Chucky's baby is in England and unaware of who his parents are until fate reunites them. Plenty of Hollywood in-jokes here, with references to other films and actors. It's funny stuff at times, but only if you know all of the references. As with "Bride of Chucky", it's Jennifer Tilly and Tiffany that steal the show... what there is of it... R for violence, language, and sex.
THE SEEKER: THE DARK IS RISING (PG) 94 minutes * * 1/2 Will Stanton (Alexander Ludwig) is the seeker, and now that the darkness is coming, he is the only one who can save the world. But he's just a boy, and it's confusing and frustrating and alot of responsibility to deal with. This is a reasonably good fantasy adventure, adapted from Susan Cooper's book, "The Dark is Rising". The problem is that it resolves a bit too quickly and neatly. Ludwig also isn't really very strong in the lead role here either, but there are some nice special effects. PG for violence.
SELENA (PG) 122 minutes * * * Very likeable and easy-to-watch bioography of Tejano music sensation, Selena Quintanillo and her rise to fame. The editing is a bit choppy in a few sequences, but otherwise everything flows well. Nice costumes throughout and some great supporting performances. The clips at the end are of the real Selena and add to the power felt by the tragedy of her early death. PG for language.
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (PG) 134 minutes * * * Emma Thompson's first attempt at adapting a screenplay turns out splendidly and earned her an Oscar. Her performance is a little weak in spots, though direction may be at fault more than her acting. A bit too much attention is focused on the older women at times, leading us away from the main plot. Still, it's a beautiful film, with a fine soundtrack by Patrick Doyle.
SENSELESS (R) 89 minutes * 1/2 Marlon Wayans stars in the story of a not-too-bright college student who decides to be a guinea pig for a new drug to earn money for college. There are side effects, several attempts at humor, and the cliched "moral to the story". There are a few bits of good physical comedy from Wayans, but too much of this is weighed down by a script with no depth. R for language.
THE SENTINEL (PG-13) 103 minutes * * 1/2 The Secret Service is responsible for protecting the life of the president. Pete Garrison (Michael Douglas) is suspected of compromising that security and plotting to kill the president. To protect the president, he now has to elude those pursuing him and uncover the identity of the real traitor. Nothing all that exciting here, but the performances and action are good, and the story manages to keep us reasonably interested. PG-13 for violence and sex.
SEPARATE LIVES (R) 98 minutes * * Beautiful psychology teacher (Linda Hamilton) asks student (James Belushi) to follow her as she thinks she is being stalked. It's no real surprise to discover that she's leading another life, since that is the topic on which she has been teaching. Sketchy story with shallow characters, that Hamilton and Belushi do their best with. It's watchable, but nothing you'll be raving about. R for language, violence, and nudity.
SERAPHIM FALLS (R) 105 minutes * * 1/2 The Civil War may be over, but Carver (Liam Neeson) has one more thing left to do. He needs to track down Gideon (Pierce Brosnan) to pay him back from what he did during the war. Brosnan and Neeson give this enough life to make it tolerable, but the story is transparent and has little to offer as far as depth. Supporting characters and cameo appearances are not well connected and are almost distracting. Filmed in New Mexico and in Koosah Falls, Oregon. R for violence and language.
SERENDIPITY (PG-13) 85 minutes * * * A chance meeting, a beautiful evening in New York... was it meant to be more? Sometimes fate does a little more than hint... if you keep your eyes open for the signs around you. Though this offers little in the way of originality, John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale work well together and the film is beautifully photographed. These aspects give it a little bit of an edge over similar films. PG-13 for language.
SERENITY (PG-13) 113 minutes * * 1/2 Joss Whedon's TV series "Firefly" generated enough positive buzz to support this fun feature film that follows the crew as they continue to evade the alliance. They are in big trouble now that they have taken a young passenger on board. She is the key to secrets that even she herself doesn't yet realize. With an emphasis on entertainment, this works pretty well. There are bits here and there where logic and plausibility are tossed aside, but we tend not to mind because we're having fun. A bit of trimming would have helped, but I'm guessing that Whedon figured this was his only shot for a feature film for this story, so he put everything into this one. PG-13 for violence and language.
SERIAL MOM (R) 89 minutes * 1/2 Satirical film from John Waters that misfires on most levels. Kathleen Turner delivers a fine performance, but the uneven quality of the story undermines her every step of the way. She's too much the perfect mom and the killing comes a bit too easily. And somehow the satirical barbs lose most of their sting because it all becomes too silly.
A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS (PG) 96 minutes * * * Lemony Snicket's delightful series of children's books hits the big screen with Jim Carrey featured as the evil Count Olaf who is desperately trying to get his hands on the fortune of the Baudelaire orphans. The sets and special effects are incredible, though the story (taken from three of the books) does seem a bit rushed in several spots. The real star of the show is Sunny, the youngest of the Baudelaire orphans, played by twins Kara and Shelby Hoffman. They steal almost every scene they're in. Thomas Newman's sountrack, which was nominated for an Oscar, does an amazing job of capturing a mood that varies from light and comical to somewhat dark and creepy at times. PG for language and general creepiness.
THE SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW (R) 94 minutes * 1/2 Lots of semi-gross special effects and not much in the way of story or acting in this film about voodoo in Haiti. Wes Craven fans may be interested, but they may be a bit disappointed too.
SERVING SARA (PG-13) 93 minutes * 1/2 Mildly entertaining comedy of errors as Joe (Matthew Perry) first serves divorce papers to Sara (Elizabeth Hurley) and then flips his mark to serve her husband instead. Definitely a low-budget production, though Perry and Hurley do their best to keep us entertained. Too many times the humor feels forced and we find ourselves barely even smiling. PG-13 for language.
SET IT OFF (R) 116 minutes * 1/2 Jada Pinkett and Queen Latifah star in this story of four friends who go to the extreme and finding out that crime doesn't pay. Thick with morals, as is usual for this genre, but a very fitting ending helps us swallow this a little better. It would have helped to have cut it by about ten minutes or so. R for language and violence.
SEVEN (R) 121 minutes * * 1/2 The week before he retires, Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) stumbles onto a serial killer case, someone who is punishing people for the seven deadly sins. The story is absorbing, but depressing, and we're ready for the muddled ending when it finally arrives because we want out. It's too dark a film to be very entertaining, and too predictable to be all that scary. But it's well-written and acted, so we're somewhat satisfied with the overall effect.
7 SECONDS (R) 93 minutes * 1/2 Wesley Snipes stars in a story of a former Delta Force commando who is planning an armored car heist. He ends up with a painting, a kidnapped crew member, and more trouble than he thought possible. Not the least of the trouble is a plot that is so convoluted that we just want it to be over. There are some nice car crashes, but the best parts are done in slow motion and become a bit boring as well. R for violence, language, and sex.
SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET (PG-13) 132 minutes * * * An impatient member of the German team that is trying to make their way to the top of a mountain near Tibet, Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt) finds more than he expected. We follow him through his time in a World War II prison camp, his eventual successful escape, and his arrival at the forbidden city in Tibet. His friendship with the Dalai Lama and what ensues as the Chinese take over Tibet has a profound effect on his life, teaching him the value of peace and a respect for life. Aiming more at entertaining us than informing us of historical events, the film manages to do both in a rather pleasant manner. Filmed in Argentina, Canada, Austria, and the Himalayas, this is a beautiful film, not to be missed. PG-13 for language and violence.
THE SEVENTH SIGN (R) 93 minutes * * It's the end of the world according to the way Abby Quinn (Demi Moore) sees it and she and her baby may be playing key parts. The music and lighting are quite well done throughout the film, but the story is so full of holes that we never believe it. Things do manage to wrap together at the end, but it's too little too late.
SEX AND BREAKFAST (R) 77 minutes * 1/2 Relationships aren't easy. It takes work to keep a relationship healthy. Two young couples decide to take the advice of a sex therapist and try group sex as a way to keep things interesting, fresh and new. It's not the best decision they ever made. Neither is being in this film. While none of the performances are all that bad, it's the script that really falls short here. Much as the sex that's shown in the film, it's shallow, poorly edited and doesn't even satisfy the characters on the screen. R for sex and langauge.
SEX, LIES, AND VIDEOTAPE (R) 97 minutes * * * Writer-director Steven Soderbergh's first feature is a rather talky exploration of relationships. Unique and intense, we are immediately immersed into two triangles of relationship that interlock. Definitely not to everyone's tastes, but Soderbergh takes a talented cast and works them well. James Spader, Laura San Giacomo, Andie McDowell, and Peter Gallagher bring to life characters whose lives are based on lies about sex.
SGT. BILKO (PG) 90 minutes * * * Who says the military can't be fun? You just have to have Steve Martin, Phil Hartman, Glenne Headly, Austin Pendleton and a few others around! Not much depth to this, but it's a fun, light-hearted look at the military, based on the old TV show and in the same spirit as so many of those old military sit-coms. PG for language.
THE SHADOW (PG-13) 101 minutes * * * The ability to clouds men's minds is the specialty of one crimefighter in particular... The Shadow. Big screen adaptation of the pulp novels succeeds is setting the atmosphere very well though the story is a little less than thrilling. Too often people forget that the hero must have a worthy villain to come off very well. Still, this comes off a little better than some other "hero" films. Kudos to Alec Baldwin for a great job as The Shadow.
SHADOW CONSPIRACY (R) 96 minutes * * 1/2 Good pacing and tension at the beginning of the film, but as things start to fall into place, we get a little bored. The chemistry between Linda Hamilton and Charlie Sheen never gets very far and a number of very talented cast members (Donald Sutherland, Paul Gleason, Ben Gazzara) are wasted on parts that are written without much depth. R for language and violence.
SHADOW MAGIC (PG) 115 minutes * * * The new century has just begun and things are about to change in China. This charming film gives us a glimpse into the world of China as the influence of cinema was just beginning. It clashes with tradition and challenges one man in particular to make choices that will change his life forever. A delightful film with a magic all it's own. PG for language.
SHADOW MAN (R) 92 minutes 1/2 Not only do Steven Seagal's facial muscles seem to not move, his body is moving less and less. Never off balance, never a hair out of place, seeming to fling people across the room with little more than a flick of his wrist. And each new script seems to be nothing more than a reworking of what he's already done, filmed cheaply, and acted poorly, even by the rest of the cast. R for violence, language, and nudity.
SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE (R) 85 minutes * * * Interesting and unique film that explores the filming of the horror classic, "Nosferatu", exploring Max Schreck's obsession with the role of the vampire. The film works much like a documentary and is as much about the director's obsessoin to make the film as it is about Schreck's obsession with the character. It makes us wonder, does what we obsess about become real, or is it merely that our obsessesion makes it appear real to us? Filmed in Luxembourg. R for violence and language.
SHADOWLANDS (PG) 128 minutes * * * 1/2 Biographical film of the life of C.S. Lewis with Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger. Aside from Winger's inconsistent New York accent, this is an artistic masterpiece. Anthony Hopkins just seems to keep getting better with each new film he works on. He portrays Lewis as a man who loved his privacy, but realized that there might be more to life... and all thanks to a brash woman who knew what she wanted and spared nothing to get it. PG for language.
SHADRACH (PG-13) 86 minutes * * * Susanna Styron directs the film adaptation of her father's short story about a 99-year-old former slave who returns to the property he was born on so that he can be buried there as he feels death is near. Harvey Keitel is wonderful here as are the children. Strong on emotion, it's a film Styron told her father she would make one day, and it's good that she did. Filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina.
SHAFT (2000) (R) 95 minutes * * * Based on the novel by Ernest Tidyman and the earlier film version, John Shaft (Samuel L. Jackson) is on the trail of a racist murderer who has already managed to get away from him twice. Solid action sequences, a tightly written story, and very nasty villains make this a great film to watch. One of the nicer touches here is that the film is manages to have that unmistakeable 1970s feel while clearly being set in the 1990s. R for violence and language.
THE SHAGGY DOG (2006) (PG) 92 minutes * * Remake of the old Disney film with Tim Allen as the man who turns into a dog and learns all about what it really means to be a man. Allen definitely makes this fun to watch, playing this as he does most of his comic roles. Some of the computer generated effects make this more than a bit silly at times though. Of course the real star is Cole, the dog who plays the shaggy dog. PG for language.
SHAKEDOWN (R) 92 minutes * * 1/2 Roland Dalton (Peter Weller) and Richie Marks (Sam Elliott) combine forces to combat drugs and corruption in this police-action film. A bit far-fetched at times, but plenty of action and the actors all do fairly good work as well.
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (R) 117 minutes * * * 1/2 Shakespeare is writing a play. It's a love story and an adventure, with pirates... and it becomes Romeo and Juliet. Absolutely fascinating story with great performances all around. It does tend to wander a bit during the first half, but builds incredibly with a finish that is stunning, yet fun to watch. This is a film that bridges the gaps that usually lie between costume epics and entertainment films. It manages to be both which is a great achievement. R for sex.
SHALL WE DANCE (1996) (PG) 118 minutes * * * Different things inspire some of us to try and break out of the monotony that our daily lives sometimes become. For one particular man, it is ballroom dancing that draws him into new experiences and a new appreciation for life. Gently directed film that charms you as it goes along, with an ensemble cast that is just wonderful. It runs a bit long, but the charm is there throughout. PG for language.
SHALL WE DANCE (2004) (PG-13) 100 minutes * * Every day John Clark (Richard Gere) helps people decide what's been important in their lives, but as he faces middle age, he wonders what's really important to him. The characters are fun to watch here, but the script is rather shallow and relies heavily on sentimental appeal. In the original version, the main character is also dealing with the social taboo that participating in this sort of dancing presents. That's missing in this version, and the film is weaker as a result. PG-13 for language.
SHALLOW HAL (PG-13) 105 minutes * * 1/2 Hal Larson (Jack Black) is a shallow person. He's only interested in girls who look good to him. What if he could see the inner person? What if we all could? Nice story with very good performances from both Black and Gwyneth Paltrow. Very tactfully handled subject matter though it does run just a little on the long side. Nice to see shots of the production crew during the credits. PG-13 for language.
SHANGHAI KNIGHTS (PG-13) 105 minutes * * 1/2 Chon's (Jackie Chan) father is murdered and Roy (Owen Wilson) decides to lend a hand, so they head off to London for another adventure of mishaps. The story drags a bit too much here though, despite the number of great stunts and fight scenes that we expect when we see a film with Jackie Chan. Somebody had the bright idea of working Arthur Conan Doyle and Jack the Ripper into the story, but it's nto well done or very funny. Still, I'm sure there will be another sequel and there are definitely worse ones out there. Chan and Wilson work pretty well together and make this a fun film to watch. PG-13 for language and violence.
SHANGHAI NOON (PG-13) 104 minutes * * 1/2 Chon Wang (Jackie Chan) comes to the wild west of America to rescue Princess Pei Pei. Teaming up with Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson), he finds himself in plenty of crazy adventures. It's a typical Jackie Chan film, with lost of action and a good bit of humor. The story isn't much to speak of, but Chan is just fun to watch. And don't miss those outtakes at the end! PG-13 for violence.
SHARK TALE (PG) 81 minutes * * Nice animation and a stellar cast that includes Will Smith, Robert DeNiro, Jack Black, Martin Scorcese, Angelina Jolie, and Renee Zellweger, but Zellweger is the lone stand-out here. The film spends too much time doing parodies of other films and actors and furthering negative stereotypes, and not enough time on the story. It's there beneath all of the garbage, a story about being who you are despite what other people think, but it's hard to see. And most of the humor is completely above the youthful audience this is supposedly aimed at. PG for language and violence.
SHATTERED (R) 91 minutes * * 1/2 Tom Berenger plays the part of a man who survives a car crash, but can't remember his life before the wreck. As he uncovers the facts of his former life, he discovers that all was not quite well. There's a wonderful twist to this story, but the characters aren't well-developed enough during the film for us to be all that interested. We expect a little more from a cast that also includes Joanne Whalley-Kilmer, Bob Hoskins, and Greta Scacchi.
SHATTERED (2007) (R) 86 minutes * * Everything seems to be going well for Neil (Gerard Butler) and Abby (Maria Bello), but that's only on the surface. Their perfect life shatteres one day when a man kidnaps their daughter and begins to toy with them for reasons they can't seem to understand. Of course, all is not what it appears, and the twists and turns begin to surface. The performances are nice here, but the story is ultimately empty and unbelievable. R for language and violence.
SHAUN OF THE DEAD (R) 94 minutes * 1/2 In the midst of dealing with a broken relationship, Shaun (Simon Pegg) almost doesn't notice all of the people around him who have turned into flesh-eating zombies. As he tries to rescue his mom and his former girlfriend, he finds himself thrust into the unlikely role of "hero"... and he's doing fairly well. Unusual zombie film with a very British sense of humor, and more than a few comments about society in general. R for violence and language.
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (R) 138 minutes * * * * Another of author Stephen King's less horrific and far more powerful stories that has adapted to the screen quite nicely. Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins star, but every character here is thought out and played well. It's a fabulous piece of work about what it is that gives you hope and keeps you going through life from day to day. An excellent film that is not to be missed! Filmed in aprt at the Mansfield Correctional facility in Ohio.
SHE-DEVIL (PG-13) 95 minutes * * 1/2 Ruth Patchett's (Roseanne Barr) sleazy husband Robert (Ed Begley Jr.) has been lured away by romance novelist Mary Fisher (Meryl Streep). Well, you know the old phrase... Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned... The characters here have little depth, but they're still reasonably fun to watch. Adapted from Fay Weldon's book, "The Life and Loves of a She-Devil". PG-13 for language and sex.
THE SHEPHERD: BORDER PATROL (R) * 1/2 Jack Robideaux (Jean Claude Van Damme) quits his job with the police force in New Orleans to work with the border patrol. It's hard work and Jack is ready for it. He's after a particular person, and he won't stop until he's found him. Typical Van Damme film with the usual action. R for violence, nudity, and language.
SHERRYBABY (R) 92 minutes * * * Maggie Gyllenhaal delivers a superb performance as Sherry Swanson, out of prison and trying to stay clean and take care of her young daughter. But it's not so easy when there are so many ways to fall back down again. Gyllenhaal manages a realism here that is similar to many of Sandra Bullock's performances, but with a harder edge. It immediately draws you into the story and creates a sympathy for the character. The story itself is definitely familiar territory, but Gyllenhaal makes it work a look. R for sex, language, and violence.
SHE'S ALL THAT (PG-13) 91 minutes * * It's the old game... set a guy up with a challenge to turn a toad into a princess and then he'll fall in love with her. Freddie Prinze Jr.'s performance lends an honesty and sincerity to the film even though there are some inconsistencies in the script for his character. And Rachel Leigh Cook does a fine job as the girl whose inner light finally shines through. It would've been nice to see more of a few of the supporting characters here though. Anna Paquin and Kieran Culkin in particular. It's a pleasant enough little film and few will be sorry they took the time to see it. PG-13 for language.
SHE'S HAVING A BABY (PG-13) 103 minutes * * * * Writer, producer, director John Hughes turns hit wits and talents to the life of a young married couple and their experiences with all of the various aspects of the first years of marriage. Great music from Stewart Copeland, amazing performances from both Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern, and a script that will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you feel alive.
SHE'S OUT OF CONTROL (PG) 89 minutes * * Doug Simpson (Tony Danza) is just trying to raise his daughters the best way he knows how. Katie (Ami Dolenz) is doing her best to make it more difficult as she gets a little older. The music is great and Danza tries very hard, but this is still pretty much a TV sitcom stretched to feature film length. PG for language.
SHE'S SO LOVELY (R) 93 minutes * * 1/2 Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn star in this story of two self-destructive lovers. The characters here are fascinating, but are boxed into a story that doesn't let them grow. Sean Penn lives his parts enough, that he should have been allowed to expand the part. As well, young Kelsey Mulrooney looked like she had things she wanted to say to make her part more real, but was told to stick to the script. Inexperienced direction from Nick Cassavettes is to be blamed for weakening what could have been an impressive film. R for language and violence.
SHE'S THE MAN (PG-13) 100 minutes * * 1/2 Viola (Amanda Bynes) decides to masquerade as her brother in order to get a spot on the boys' volleyball team. In the process, she falls for her male roommate... who doesn't know she isn't a guy. Overused idea that Bynes plays fairly well and seems to have fun doing it. Some of the supporting cast do a nice job as well. It's just too bad the script isn't more creative. PG-13 for language.
SHE'S THE ONE (R) 89 minutes * * Continuation of "The Brothers McMullen" has much the same feel, but a little more polish. Likeable enough, but not a film that will stick well in your memory. Stronger direction and a little scriptwork would've helped. Still, not a bad film to watch and you need not see its predecessor first. R for language.
SHINE (PG-13) 101 minutes * * * * A man so totally overwhelmed by a dictatorial father and the passion of music, that life is beyond him... except when his hands touch the ivory. Fascinating biography of David Helfgott, with an amazingly realistic performance by Geoffrey Rush (who does his own keyboard work). Lynn Redgrave plays Gillian, who eventually marries Helfgott, and John Gielgud is his most understanding teacher, Cecil Parkes. PG-13 for language.
SHINING THROUGH (R) 128 minutes * * * A young woman stumbles into the US spy network and finds herself in a position to be of crucial importance to the war effeort. The story drags out a little too long, leaving Melanie Griffith floundering a bit in the middle, but it starts and finished well. Trimming a few minutes out of this section would have really helped. Michael Douglas and Griffith work well together and Liam Neeson and John Gielgud give solid performances as well. R for violence and sex.
SHIPWRECKED (PG) 90 minutes * * * It's 1859 and a young Norwegian boy must go to sea to earn enough money to pay his family's debt since his father has been injured. It will be a long voyage, and there will be much danger along the way. It will be a voyage that will turn this young boy into a young man. It's nice to see fresh faces doing quality work in a well-told story. Disney studios delivers a quality family-oriented adventure here that barely deserves it's PG rating, and that's nice to see once in awhile.
SHIRLEY VALENTINE (R) 106 minutes * * * 1/2 Shirley (Pauline Collins) is a middle-aged British housewife. Years ago, she said she would leave her husband after the kids had grown. But by the time the kids grow up, she discovers that she has no place to go. The Shirley she once was... exciting and rebellious... is no longer "alive", and she begins to wonder why we get all of those hopes and dreams in our heads if we're never going to act on them. Collins does a fabulous job of bringing us along with her on her jounrey of self-rediscovery. The script is filled with quotable lines which resonate with truth. Pay careful attention to the opening credits as well. Few films take the time to really introduce their story, and it's done quite nicely here. R for language and nudity.
A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM (R) 84 minutes * * 1/2 A businessman on his way to the top, Graham Marshall (Michael Caine) finds himself overlooked for a promotion. So he decides to kill those who are to blame. This strange little thriller serves up solid performances by both Caine and Elizabeth McGovern. A bit laid-back at times, but we aren't really supposed to take it too seriously. R for language.
SHOCKER (R) 105 minutes * Misguided and poorly executed attempt to rip-off the "Nightmare on Elm Street" films. This one has a killer who somehow uses his satanic-like powers to avoid being electrocuted. Now he's able to inhabit the bodies of others and it's up to a kid who is psychically linked to him to stop his murderous rampage. The story is so weak that it just falls apart at the end, though there are a few special effects along the way that are fairly good.
SHOOT 'EM UP (R) 80 minutes * * It all starts out with a pregnant woman who Mr. Smith (Clive Owen) helps. Now he needs to protect the baby, and find out who wants it dead and why. Full of cartoonish violence, this has the feel of a graphic novel on the big screen. Lots of action, lots of emphasis on camera angles and short blurbs of dialogue. It's fun, but it's not something you'll probably remember much either. R for violence, language, and sex.
SHOOT TO KILL (R) 105 minutes * * * The beautiful scenery of British Columbia, Canada is the backdrop for this story. A cop rather reluctantly teams up with a wilderness guide to track down a killer who is on a hiking trip with a group. Nice performances from Sidney Poitier, Tom Berenger, Kirstie Alley, and the rest, though the characters don't seem to relate to each other all that much. The performances have a solitary quality to them which does detract a bit from the overall effect.
SHOOTER (R) 120 minutes * * 1/2 Convinced that he is helping to uncover a plot to assassinate the president, Bob Lee Swagger (Mark Wahlberg) offers his services as one of the world's best sharpshooters. All is not as it seems, and there is a conspiracy that Swagger must uncover quickly, because he is expected to be the fall guy. Wahlberg is fine here, as is the rest of the cast, but the story becomes predictable too quickly, and wraps up too neatly at the end. Adapted from Stephen Hunter's novel. R for violence and language.
SHOPGIRL (R) 102 minutes * * * Mirabelle (Claire Danes) is on her own in Los Angeles, and the singles scene is not something that she's very good at playing. She does meet a guy at the laundromat, but he's a bit on the strange side. Then there's this older man that stops in at Sak's where she works... Adapted from the novella by Steve Martin, this is an interesting film about relationships, presenting the issue in a slightly different light. Relationships are wonderful things. In part, because they are so fragile, so tenuous, so difficult to predict and to maintain... and so worth the risk. We didn't need the narration in the middle or at the end of the film though. R for language and sex.
SHORT CIRCUIT 2 (PG) 106 minutes * * * 1/2 Replacing Ally Sheedy and Steve Guttenberg with Cynthia Gibb and Michael McKean was a move in the right direction for this sequel. On top of that, the dialogue is well-written and the jokes work well to keep things moving along. The focal point of the story seems to have moved as well, putting Fisher Stevens more at the center of things... and it works. Number Five is still getting into trouble, but this sequel has no trouble being better than the first film.
SHORT CUTS (R) 184 minutes * * * Another Robert Altman megafilm with a cast that is a pure delight to watch. The story is a little less satisfying, especially as we near the end. In trying to wrap up some loose ends, even more are created. This is an Altman film that has been painted with large, broad strokes, nad in that aspect, it succeeds.
SHORT TIME (PG-13) 93 minutes 1/2 With only a short time left to serve on the police force, Burt (Dabney Coleman) learns from his doctor that he may have even less time to live. Worried about providing for his family, he begins to take risks in the hope that insurance benefits will take up where he leaves off. It's not a bad idea (taking risks, living life, etc.), but the script is horrible and Coleman has never done all that well in leading roles. Teri Garr does a reasonably good job as his wife, Carolyn, but the dialogue just makes you groan.
SHORTBUS (NR) 96 minutes * 1/2 Sofia (Sook-Yin Lee) is one of many people who frequent Shortbus, an underground sex salon. She's trying to figure out why she can't seem to experience the full pleasures of sex. There are many interwoven, and all sexually explicit stories here. It's more explicit than most people will want to watch, but the end of the film does have some very good things to say, and Sofia's story, in particular, stands out as an important one. Some of the earlier parts of the film are definitely affected negatively by a directorial approach that relied heavily on improvisation for large portions of the story development. Written and directed by John Cameron Mitchell, who also directed "Hedwig and the Angry Inch".
A SHOT AT GLORY (R) 110 minutes * * * Football in Scotland has a long tradition, and the small town of Kilnockie has been part of it for 100 years. Their team has never won a championship and the American owner has decided it's time to bring in a star player. The problem is, he's the son-in-law of the coach... and they don't get along very well. It's a great bunch of characters in a wonderful story that transports you to the Scottish fields of football. Kirsty Mitchell is delightful as Coach McLeod's (Robert Duvall) daughter, but everyone does a nice job. R for language.
A SHOT IN THE DARK (NR) 101 minutes * * * * One of the few sequels that is a little better than the original, this is the second "Pink Panther" film with Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau. He's convinced that Elke Sommer is innocent, even though everything points to the contrary. It's a hilarious film that never slows down enough to let us stop laughing.
SHOUT (PG-13) 85 minutes * 1/2 A story about the birth of rock and roll music with John Travolta as a music teacher at a Texas high school. Broadly painted stereotypes manage to do this in fairly quickly. It's mostly fun just to watch Travolta, Heather Graham and the rest as they work their way through it. Gwyneth Paltrow's first appearance is in this film, though it gave little clue as to what would follow.
THE SHOW (R) 87 minutes 1/2 Concert/documentary with poor photography and sound. It's nice that they mix in older hip-hop artists with the new. Those segments provide the most entertainment as they speak of their wisdom from experience.
SHOWDOWN IN LITTLE TOKYO (R) 75 minutes 1/2 Dolph Lundgren and Brandon Lee star in this action film about the Japanese drug trade in Los Angeles. The action scenes are fine, but the dialogue is atrocious. Lee is apparently supposed to provide some comic relief, but his one-liners are poorly written and poorly delivered. R for violence and sex.
SHOWGIRLS (NC-17) 124 minutes * 1/2 This is a film about the lengths to which people will go to make it to the top. But the top of what? The past can't stay buried forever and whoring can only get you just so far after all. Joe Esterhas's scriptwork has sunk to an all-time low quality with this film. The cast works well toward making this believable, but most folks don't really want to know about this side of life.
SHOWTIME (PG-13) 90 minutes * * 1/2 Mitch (Robert DeNiro) is just trying to do his job. Now he's going to be on a "real cop" TV show and just when he's beginning to really make progress on a big case... The chemistry between DeNiro and Eddie Murphy is good, and the mix of comedy and action is reasonably good as well. The biggest problem is that we've seen it all before. It's entertainment taht's worth catching on the small screen, but nothing to worry about if you don't see it right away. PG-13 for language and violence.
SHREK (PG) 83 minutes * * * Delightful fairy tale based on the book by William Steig. The use of humor based on sexual innuendo makes this a little inappropriate for the youngest in the crowd. I'd recommend they be at least nine years old so that you don't have to explain why you're laughing at something. The animation is wonderful and the story, though not really a surprise, is fun to watch. The soundtrack manages to give us an incredible mix of music that fits the moods of the scenes with both lyrics and style. It all makes for a great combination and fun, modern fairy tale.
SHREK 2 (PG) 81 minutes * * 1/2 Shrek and Fiona return from their honeymoon and accept an invitation to go and meet her parents... with typical results. The story and effects are still aimed more at adults than at children, so be forewarned. Although Puss in Boots is a nice addition to the story, the story just isn't as much fun as the first and there aren't as many little extras in the background either. PG for language.
SHREK THE THIRD (PG) 83 minutes * * Shrek and Fiona are filling in for the king and queen. It's not going very smoothly... especially when Charming convinces the evil fairy tale characters to stage a revolt and take over to create their own idea of a happy ending. There are some great songs here, and moments of "cuteness", but we're missing the subtle bits of humor and sense of playfulness that was more evident in the first two films. PG for language and violence.
SHUT UP & SING (R) 87 minutes * * * In 2003, Dixie Chicks' vocalist Natalie Maines made a negative comment about President George Bush during a concert in England. Faster then they'd ever dreamed, the news made it back to the states and country radio stations were pulling their songs off the air. This film takes a look at the rest of the fallout, how it affected the group, and the creation of their next cd. Already a superstar group that was passing the boundaries of what country music could offer, they were pushed to look ahead and envision new possibilities. Whether you thought you liked the Dixie Chicks or not, if you believe in free speech, this is an important film to see. R for language.
SIBLING RIVALRY (PG-13) 83 minutes * * Mildly entertaining film with Kirstie Alley having a fling with a stranger at the urging of her sister. Lots of talent here, but the film relies too much on Alley, even though she does a reasonably good job.
SICKO (PG-13) 118 minutes * * * As with other Michael Moore films, this documentary on the problems with the health care system in the United States oversimplifies the issue and exaggerates information to strengthen his points. Taking a few people who need health care to Guantanamo Bay to receive the same health care as political prisoners is clearly going over the top, but the points are well taken. The film finishes with a number of strong statements that, even when tempered, clearly show that the system is in dire need of an overhaul with major changes to provide the health care that people really need. PG-13 for language.
SIDEKICKS (PG) 96 minutes * * Daydreaming kid has himself working alongside Chuck Norris and learning the ropes of martial arts and life. "The Karate Kid" this ain't. It also doesn't offer much in the way of acting, or production quality though a few of the daydream fight sequences are fairly good. PG for violence.
SIDEWAYS (R) 123 minutes * * * Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church star in this interesting look at two very different friends as they come to another turning point in their relationship. Jack (Church) is about to be married and Miles (Giamatti) has planned a weekend in California's wine country for them to talk and drink. Jack wants it to be a little more wild than that. Wonderful performances by both men in this nicely adapted script from the novel by Rex Pickett. R for sex and language.
THE SIEGE (R) 110 minutes * * Denzel Washington is FBI agent Anthony Hubbard, a man who has his hands full with the recent bombings in New York City. It seems that there is a terrorist cell operating in the city. Elise Kraft (Annette Bening) seems to know more than she'll share, which is typical of a CIA agent, but where will this end? With martial law declared and General Devereaux (Bruce Willis) in charge? Plenty of action, but the pacing here suffers during the sequences without action. Washington never delivers the intensity we need and Bening's performance is far from her best. It's an awkward film, in part because we just have a hard time believing the characters and the plot. Too much effort was spent on creating conflict between the characters and not enough on setting the story up to be believable. R for language, violence, and nudity.
SIGNS (PG-13) 101 minutes * * * It's been years since crop signs have been found, but now they have begun to occur with alarming frequency. With so many of them appearing so quickly, is it still possible that they are a hoax, or are they actually what some people have claimed all along? It's definitely an interesting story and well-played by the cast. Mel Gibson's performance as Graham Hess draws us in, yet manages to remind us that this is entertainment at the same time. Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin are perfect as Morgan and Bo, Graham's children. We even get a chance to see director, M. Night Shyamalan in a fairly sizeable supporting role. Not only does Shyamalan have the ability to deliver a suspenseful story, the production is strong on all fronts. Ann Roth's costumes, Tak Fujimoto's photography, James Newton Howard's soundtrack... the ending does let us down a little bit, but the trip there is quite entertaining. PG-13 for violence and language.
THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (R) 113 minutes * * * Those who are faint of heart - beware! This is an intense and graphic film about two psychopathic killers. Anthony Hopkins is Hannibal Lecter, a cannibalistic killer who is dangerous, brilliant, and about to assist the FBI in their search for another killer. FBI recruit Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) has her mettle tested as she is the only one Lecter will talk to. He wants to "play" with her while he helps her solve the crime. Their interactions are wonderful, but the film wraps up too quickly and neatly, disappointing us a bit as we approach the end. Still, it's wonderful work from Hopkins and Foster, with effective music, photography and direction. R for graphic violence and language.
SILENT FALL (R) 96 minutes * * A boy witnesses the murder of his parents, but is autistic and therefore unable to communicate any information. Despite the presence of Linda Hamilton, John Lithgow, and J.T. Walsh, the film's highlight is Liv Tyler, who manages to bring a breath of fresh air into a stale story. Richard Dreyfuss dominates the screen far too often, with only the autistic child and a story we can see coming a mile away for his companions. Filmed in Baltimore.
SILENT HILL (R) 118 minutes * * 1/2 You have an adopted daughter who has nightmares of a place called Silent Hill. You know there's a town with that name, but when you get there, you discover that it's a deserted ghost town. What do you do? Based on the video game by Konami, there are several scenes that should send a shiver down your spine. The story is more than a little uneven though, with a great deal of journey toward the beginning and lots of explanation later in the film. The ending is interesting, but we needed more of the story woven more skillfully throughout the film. Nice performance by young Jodeell Ferland as Sharon/Alessa. Filmed in Ontario, Canada. R for violence and language.
SILENT TONGUE (PG-13) 98 minutes * Confusing film with Richard Harris trying to negotiate a deal with his dead daughter-in-law's father for her sister to console his own son's grief. This sat on the shelf for two years before being released and probably should've stayed there. A notable cast though, with Alan Bates, Dermot Mulroney, River Phoenix, and Tantoo Cardinal.
SILK (R) 102 minutes * * Though recently married to a beautiful woman, Herve (Michael Pitt) must travel in search of silkworms that will make or break the survival of his town. In the exotic lands of Japan, he finds himself drawn to the beautiful daughter of a Japanese warlord. The photography and settings are truly beautiful here, and there's a hypnotics style to the camerawork that is accentuated by the soundtrack. The story just doesn't offer very much to compliment the picture though and the characters, for the most part, feel like decorations on the wall rather than people whose lives we should care about. Beautiful... but empty. R for sex.
SIMON BIRCH (PG) 110 minutes * * * 1/2 Simon Birch (Ian Michael Smith) is a unique person, with a gift and a vision. No matter what people say or do, he knows that one day he will be a hero... and he's right. Endearing film with an incredible cast that includes Joseph Mazzello, Oliver Platt, David Straithairn, Ashley Judd, and Jim Carrey. The story does stray off the main path a bit too much at times, but the performances are so good that we don't notice it most of the time. Suggested by John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany", this is a film that you will remember for a long time. Filmed in Toronto and Nova Scotia. PG for language.
S1M0NE (PG-13) 109 minutes * * * Viktor (Al Pacino) is desperate to finish his latest film project, and despite everyone's frustration with him, he does just that. The thing is, he does it with the aid of a rather eccentric scientist who is a fan of his films. He gives Viktor his invention... a simulation. It may be a crime against the world of acting, but it's working. Viktor has created the perfect actress. But how long can he continue the masquerade? It's a fascinating look at the world of cinema and the line between imagination and reality. The sarcasm is sometimes so subtle that it's almost lost, but that's part of the beauty of the story. Pacino is great here, but the story and S1m0ne herself are the stars. PG-13 for language.
SIMPLE MEN (R) 105 minutes * * * 1/2 Two brothers go off in search of their father, a former baseball player and 60's anarchist, now a fugitive. Hal Hartley's direction keeps this film constantly off-beat but on target as we taste a slice of life that is refreshingly different and real. R for language.
A SIMPLE PLAN (R) 118 minutes * * * Chasing a fox into the woods, Hank, Jacob, and Lou find a crashed plane with a duffle bag full of money. What begins as a simple plan for how they can keep the money and split it among themselves at a later date becomes more complex as the weeks go by and as the lies begin to accumulate. Billy Bob Thornton gives a solid performance here, but Bill Paxton is a bit weak. That gives the film an uneven feel despite the strength of the story. Thronton apparently loves to play these tragic characters. I hope he continues to do so as he plays them with a depth that warrants an Academy award nomination every time. Filmed in Minnesota. R for violence and language.
A SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE (PG-13) 101 minutes * * 1/2 This modernization of the "Silas Marner" story features Steve Martin, who also wrote the screenplay. It's a nice piece of work although the characters lack a depth that might have made the film a stronger piece of work. For those who enjoy watching Martin in roles that are a little more serious, this is a joy to watch. PG-13 for language.
A SIMPLE WISH (PG) 85 minutes 1/2 Martin Short stars, and if that doesn't give you a hint on how this will be... he's a fairy godmother who is constantly messing things up. The idea is a cute one, but Mara Wilson can't keep a straight face when she needs to, and the only spark to the film comes from the performances of Kathleen Turner and Amanda Plummer as the evil Claudia and her sidekick, Boots. Wish for this one to be over quickly! PG for language.
SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE (PG-13) 91 minutes * * Amanda runs a restaurant and things haven't been going well since her mother died. A magical crab (no really) and the discovery that she can put her emotions into her food end up turning things around. This starts out well, but loses something along the way as it moves between romantic comedy and pure fantasy. It does end well though, but relies perhaps a bit too much on Sarah Michelle Gellar to carry it through. Filmed in New York City. PG-13 for language.
THE SIMPSONS MOVIE (PG-13) 77 minutes * * 1/2 Once again, Homer makes a mess. This time he puts the one last bit of pollution into the lake that turns it into a toxic danger. The president decides to wipe Springfield off the map and it's up to Homer to stumble across how to make things right. Full of all of the typical Simpson's humor you'd expect, but nothing we couldn't have watched as a two or three part set of episodes on TV. PG-13 for language, violence, and nudity.
SIN CITY (R) 118 minutes * * * Highly stylized film adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novels. An amazing cast has been assembled for this film and one of the few drawbacks is that some of them really aren't used very effectively. Most notably Benicio Del Toro, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Nick Stahl. The film weaves a few stories from life in and around Sin City together as we follow Hartigan (Bruce Willis) protecting a girl (Jessica Alba), Marv (Mickey Rourke) as he tries to avenge the death of his true love, and Dwight (Clive Owen) who helps the girls of Old Town preserve their way of life. Co-directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller with some help from Quentin Tarrantino, those who enjoy film-noir and off-beat mystery that's a little heavier on violence will probably like this film. It's definitely not for everyone, but has some wonderful segments and powerful moments. R for violence and sex.
SINBAD: LEGEND OF THE SEVEN SEAS (PG) 78 minutes * * 1/2 Animated adventure with the voices of Brad Pitt (Sinbad), Catherine Zeta-Jones (Marina), Joseph Feinnes (Proteus), and Michelle Pfeiffer (Eris). Sinbad is tricked by the goddess Eris and spends the bulk of the film trying to rescue Marina and save his friend Proteus. A bit too much focus on the romantic interest here and not enough on adventure, but harmless enough overall. PG for violence.
SING (PG) 94 minutes * 1/2 Attempting to capitalize on the success of "Fame", "Footloose", and "Flashdance" among others, this is the story of a school about to close and the last school talent show. The music and costumes are good, but the rehashed script and the poor choreography leave this far behind the films that inspired it. All we end up with are cardboard figures in a shallow story. PG for language.
SINGLE WHITE FEMALE (R) 105 minutes * * 1/2 After her relationship breaks up, Allison (Bridget Fonda) is looking for a roommate. As luck would have it, she picks someone who is more than just a little crazy. Someone who starts killing people when Allison starts patching things up with her old boyfriend. It's a story of contrasts. The story of a girl who thought her life was falling apart, only to realize that she's stronger than she realized. And another girl, who thinks she has it all together, only to discover she has been living a lie. Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh both do good work here, but the story gives away too many of its surprises along the way. R for sex, language, and violence.
SINGLES (PG-13) 96 minutes * * * 1/2 Sometimes, if you're lucky, you get to see a film where the charaters come to life so quickly and so vibrantly that they seem to almost step right off the screen. Director/screenwriter Cameron Crowe is to thank for this powerful aspect of the film, though credit is also due to a fine ensemble cast who create a very believable group of people. Campbell Scott and Kyra Sedgwick are Steve and Linda, and their story is the central one of the film. But just as in real life, we don't live our lives in complete isolation. Our lives are intertwined with others, and we hear some of those stories as well. It's a slice of life of the singles scene in Seattle. A group of people who are living, loving, and learning how to cope with life while being single, together, and single again. PG-13 for language and sex.
SISTER ACT (PG) 96 minutes * * * The witness protection program puts Dolores Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) in a convent. Definitely NOT where one would expect to find her. She tries to liven things up at the convent, while the nuns try to teach her a few things as well. Everyone has fun along the way, including the audience. We get to watch an incredibly talented Goldberg as she gives a memorable performance that oozes talent and energy. OK, the plot is a bit lightweight, but sometimes that's something we can live with. PG for language.
SISTER ACT 2: BACK IN THE HABIT (PG) 101 minutes * * * Sister Mary Clarence (Whoopi Goldberg) starts working in a school that's about to be closed by the "evil" Dr. Crisp (James Coburn). Can she get the act together again and save the school? Charming despite its obvious plot, and filled with music that will make you move, this is good, light-hearted entertainment, and a reasonably good sequel.
THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS (PG) 111 minutes * * * Four girls who are about to part ways for the summer find one pair of jeans that magically fits them each perfectly. They decide to share them over the course of the summer and keep track of the wonderful things that happen. Of course, life sometimes teaches us lessons we weren't expecting. Adapted from the novel for young teens by Ann Brashares, the story offers nothing we haven't seen before. It's pleasant enough, and well acted, though the strongest performance comes from Jenna Boyd's supporting role. PG for language.
"a name="1474">THE SISTERS (R) 110 minutes * * * Modern retelling of Anton Chekov's "The Three Sisters" featuring a well-deserved Golden Globe nominated performance from Maria Bello. Passionate performances from all of the cast, but Bello, Mary Stuart Masterson and Rip Torn get the most kudos here. This is the sort of film that actors tend to enjoy but audiences struggle with the constant negative interaction between characters, many of whom supposedly care for each other. The film does betray it's stage origins, in part by using a limited number of sets. If you enjoy watching actors chew up the scenery and each other, you'll like this film. R for language.
THE 6TH DAY (PG-13) 113 minutes * * Due to an unfortunate experiment that failed, human cloning has been banned. Of course it still goes on, and when Adam (Arnold Schwarzenegger) meets his, it creates a bit of a problem. It's an interesting film, with plenty of action, and they do a great job of dropping you into the idea of future technology right from the start. Unfortunately, it's a lot of flash and little else. One of the biggest questions surrounding cloning is the godlike power it gives us and what that means in regard to the concept we have of soul. The film barely notes these questions and the film suffers for it. It's not that we need an answer, but we should see Adam struggling with the questions. PG-13 for violence.
SIX DAYS SEVEN NIGHTS (PG-13) 96 minutes * * * Harrison Ford and Anne Heche work well together in this story of a romantic vacation gone awry. Heche and her fiancee (David Schwimmer) have gone to a tropical paradise when she is called away for an important assignment from her job. But she and Ford can't make it through the storm and crash land on a deserted island. Their struggles to find a way off the island are a bit far-fetched at times, but their chemistry makes it entertaining. Filmed on the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii, one wonders why anyone would want to leave such wonderful scenery. The film is guilty of not having much in the way of depth, but the appeal of the stars carries it well and most people will find it an entertaining watch. PG-13 for language.
SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION (R) 108 minutes * * * The Kittridge's (Stockard Channing and Donald Sutherland) play host to Sidney Poitier's son for a night. But is he really who he says he is? Adapted from the stage play, the cast here is superb. Mary Beth Hurt, Heather Graham, Anthony Michael Hall, Richard Masur, Ian McKellan... combined with the wide-angle shots of New York, the film comes alive, making the latter part of the film all that more powerful. A quality piece of work!
16 BLOCKS (PG-13) 94 minutes * * * Jack (Bruce Willis) just wanted to get home, but he ends up running a witness from lock-up to court... sixteen blocks. It shouldn't be a problem to go that far in an hour. The catch is that this witness has information about a bad cop, and there are quite a few people on the police force who want him dead. Then again, Jack is one of the best cops there is. If anyone can get this witness to court on time, it's Jack, and if anyone is familiar with a role like this, it's Bruce Willis. Despite the familiarity of the plot, this manages to work quite well, with good intensity, a couple of nice twists, and a very nice ending. PG-13 for violence and language.
THE 6TH MAN (PG-13) 104 minutes * * It was always "A & K all the way" until Antoine dies of a heart attack near the end of a championship game and Kenny has to fin the strength to go on. Typical Disney mix of humor and drama aimed at young adolescents and heavy with message. Kadeem Hardison and Marlon Wayans both do good work here, which keeps this watchable and mildly entertaining for most of us. Things do slow down a bit too much after the first hour, but then pick up speed again during the last few minutes. PG-13 for language.
THE SIXTH SENSE (PG-13) 99 minutes * * * Cole (Haley Joel Osment) is a rather strange little boy, around whom strange things seem to happen. Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) is a child psychologist who has hit a crisis point in his career. Will he be able to help the boy who thinks he sees dead people? What if he really does see them? Wonderfully spooky film that drags a little during the beginning, but quickly picks up the pace and neatly wrapping us up as it scurries along. James Newton Howard's soundtrack is both unusual and effective. Willis fits well here, which is nice to see, but it's Osment's earnest face and quiet whispers that really entrance us. R for violence.
61* ((NR) 129 minutes * * * Billy Crystal directed this dramatic recreation of the 1961 challenge by Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle to break the home run record of Babe Ruth. Barry Pepper and Thomas Jane both do fine work. In fact, the film only has problems as it strays away from them at times. Maris' and Mantle's families were used as resources and much effort went into making this a faithful recreation of the positive relationship that existed between the two men despite the efforts by the press to pit them against each other. A quality piece of work that can be enjoyed whether you're a fan of the sport or not.
THE SKELETON KEY (PG-13) 98 minutes * * 1/2 A mysterious old house and an elderly couple who seem to have trouble keeping hired help. Carrie (Kate Hudson) is sure she's up to the job, but she may be in for a surprise. Nice atmosphere, though a Ry Cooder soundtrack would have helped a great deal. The twist ending is no surprise if you've read old horror comics or seen a few episodes of "Tales From the Crypt". PG-13 for language, violence, and nudity.
SKI PATROL (PG) 86 minutes 1/2 This is from the people who brought you "Police Academy", but it isn't nearly as funny as the first couple of films in that series. A few good stunts on the slopes, but you'd be better off watching the real sport on TV.
SKIN DEEP (R) 96 minutes * * Blake Edwards' comedy about the distractions a writer is plagued with does have a few memorable scenes, but never stays on track long enough to develop into a really good film. R for language and sex.
SKINWALKERS (PG-13) 81 minutes * They are two clans of werewolves. One who loves the hunt and the other who wants to find a way out of the curse. Young Timothy (Matthew Knight) is about to turn thirteen. His blood holds the key to his family's future. Of course we never really understand why either group really cares that much about how the other one thinks or how Timothy's blood is supposed to offer a cure more than some other option. Maybe it's because no one else seems to live in this town besides these werewolves and Timothy and his mother. Slick visuals, but plastic, action figurish werewolves. PG-13 for violence, sex, and language.
THE SKULLS (PG-13) 101 minutes * * Luke (Joshua Jackson) is offered membership in an Ivy League school's secret society. There is a cost, however... there are secrets that must be kept. And secrets have a way of being uncovered at rather awkward moments. The "rules" get a bit muddled late in the film, but more importantly, it's just never all that interesting. The characters are two dimensional and the direction is stale. The photography and music are nice, but they can't give this production the life it needs. PG-13 for violence and language.
SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW (PG) 96 minutes * * When giant robots are taking over the world, who do you need? Sky Captain, of course! Set in the late 1930's, this has all the right look and feel of a film from the period, but the story just never quite grabs our interest. It's also somewhat strange that Sky Captain's former flame Franky (Angelina Jolie) and his mechanical sidekick Dex (Giovanni Ribisi) are more interesting that Sky Captain (Jude Law) himself or his current girlfriend Penny (Gwyneth Paltrow). Nice effects work, courtesy in part from Pixar, but we're still too bored by it all. PG for language and violence.
SKY HIGH (PG) 94 minutes * * 1/2 Growing up is hard enough, but what do you do when your parents are superheroes and you don't have any special powers? Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano) does eventually get some powers of his own, but this cute and creative film for the younger crowd is not just about growing up but also about friendship and family, and the the importance of doing your best. Kurt Russel and Kelly Preston are Will's parents, better known as Commander and Jet Stream, and Lynda Carter, Cloris Leachman, and Bruce Campbell are here in supporting roles. PG for violence.
SLACKERS (R) 79 minutes 1/2 Dan and his two college buddies have managed to get by for years without doing much besides running scams and cons. Now they're being blackmailed by Ethan, a nerd who has evidence that could get them expelled. Unimaginative and annoying at best. The first five minutes are more than enough to completely understand these characters and realize that this will be a waste of time. R for language and nudity.
SLEEPERS (R) 141 minutes * * * 1/2 Stellar cast in this epic story of a childhood prank that goes awry and the effects it has on the children involved. Barry Levinson's direction and writing are evident as he skillfully handles so many sides of each situation without slowing the pace to a crawl. With a finish that is poetic and complete, this is a haunting story that is not to be missed. Great performances by Robert DeNiro, Kevin Bacon, Bruno Kirby, and many more, with music by John Williams. R for language and violence.
SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY (R) 95 minutes * * Disappointing commercial film that is far too slick and uninspired to keep us interested. Jerry Goldsmith's music really helps, but it's mostly for fans of Julia Roberts. It pushes all the right buttons, but with too little feeling. R for violence, language, and sex.
SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (PG) 97 minutes * * * * Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks star in one of the most romantic films of the 90's. She's just gotten engaged, but when she hears him (a widower) call into a radio talk show, she has a feeling that she might need to change her plans. Charming and tender, this is a classy piece of romantic film that you'll want to see over and over again. PG for language.
SLEEPOVER (PG) 84 minutes * * 1/2 Four friends just out of Jr High are challenged to a scavenger hunt by four of the "cool" girls, where the winning team gets to eat at the cool spot during lunch at high school the next year. It's all about who's cool, who's not, and who you're real friends are. Cute and lightly romantic Alexa Vega and Mika Boorem definitely carry the film, but the story isn't without it's own charm. Nice soundtrack too! PG for language.
SLEEPWALKERS (R) 85 minutes * * 1/2 Charles Brady and his mother could be the last of a dying breed which feeds off the life force of virtuous young women. They are vampires in a sense, but they are also shapeshifters and can only be killed by the scratching and clawing of your average house cat. It starts out on a serious note, but like many of Stephen King's stories, we are reminded before we finish that this is a story, and we're supposed to be having fun whie we watch. There are plenty of in-jokes and cameo appearances that horror film buffs will love. The production is uneven though. The visual effects are wonderful, but the make-up effects are so-so. At times the story is fun and exciting, and at other times it just doesn't make sense. A bit disappointing, but not as bad as some of the films that King has been connected with either. R for violence, language, and sex.
SLEEPY HOLLOW (R) 99 minutes * * As always, Tim Burton's touch lends an eerie, creepy feel to the film from the first moments. This may not be the same story you've heard before (Ichabod Crane is a constable instead of a school teacher), but it presents some interesting ideas and manages to keep us interested. Danny Elfman's music helps create the right atmosphere as well. The dialogue is far from effective though, perhaps due to the inexperience of the writers, and undermines the effectiveness of several scenes. And then there's the ending of the film, which wraps up far too neatly and quickly and goes to extremes in the special effects department, making this too much of a cartoon and losing the suspense in favor of the grotesque and somewhat silly. R for violence.
SLEUTH (PG) 138 minutes * * * * My all-time favorite film, starring Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine. A gentleman's duel of sleuthing that grows more intense as the story goes along and the characters become more serious about winning. Outstanding acting and a script that is simply perfect make this a must film mystery and suspense buffs!
SLIDING DOORS (PG-13) 96 minutes * * 1/2 The door on the tube (subway) slides shut and Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow) stands outside, wondering what might have happened if she'd been a few seconds earlier. We find out through the course of the film as the two storylines are traced, sometimes close, sometimes not, but eventually resolving rather nicely at the end. The film is a bit hard to follow in spots, and it's essential that you see it all the way through to appreciate it. Even so, it is Paltrow's performance that carries the film rather than particularly good writing, direction, or anything else. The rest of the cast do a fairly good job of supporting her, but offer nothing outstanding. It's an interesting idea that could've played out better, but is still worth watching for Paltrow if nothing else. Filmed in London. PG-13 for language and sex.
SLING BLADE (R) 130 minutes * * * * Fascinating story that has you in its grip from the very beginning. Billy Bob Thornton has written a very realistic script that is strengthened even more by his performance as Carl Childers and by his direction. Lucas Black is the standout among the supporting actors as Carl's young friend Frank. The story is one of honesty and trust, freedom and captivity, love and sacrifice. An incredible piece of filmmaking. R for language and violence. Filmed in Benton, Arkansas.
SLITHER (R) 88 minutes * 1/2 Alien life-form lands on earth, inhabits a body and turns it into a slime monster. It has babies and infects others, but the man it used to be still loves somebody. Lots of slimy special effects that are nicely done, though not astounding by any means. The acting is reasoanble and not too campy except in a couple of spots. Unfortunately, it's not too interesting either. Filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia. R for violence and language.
SLIVER (R) 99 minutes * 1/2 Carly Norris (Sharon Stone) has just moved into a new apartment building. Little did she know that the residents and the neighborhood are comprised of voyeurs, child molesters, unemployed authors, call girls, old men who follow people... This is a slick production that definitely has the look it needs thanks to Vilmos Zsigmond's beautioful photography. But the characters have no life or interest outside the apartment building. It could be a commentary on the life of apartment dwellers, but as entertainment, it just doesn't work. In fact, the ending moves this even further into the realm of social commentary. Interesting, but not paced well and definitely misleading to be marketed as a thriller. R for sex, language, and violence.
SLOW BURN (R) 89 minutes * * 1/2 Assistant DA Timmer (Jolene Blalock) has just confessed to killing a man in self defense. But now someone else has offered a different version of the story. To complicate matters, the DA (Ray Liotta) was in the process of cracking the big case of his career. What he didn't know was how complicated it would get. The suspense builds well and the acting is fine, but the plot does get a little convoluted near the end as the final bits of the mystery come to light. Also starring LL Cool J, Mekhi Phifer, and Taye Diggs. Filmed in Quebec. R for sex, violence, and language.
SMALL SOLDIERS (PG-13) 104 minutes * * A small toy manufacturer is taken over by a big conglomerate. An overly enthusiastic employee decides to put a classified military computer chip into some action figures and before you know it, there's an all-out war going on. The story is almost too simple in one sense, but that does manage to keep things light enough that we can enjoy this a little. Director Joe Dante doesn't really give us his best work here, but there are glimpses of what probably started as a fun idea that just couldn't gel when the time came. Tommy Lee Jones and Frank Langella provide the voices for Chip Hazard and Archer, respectively, and Sarah Michelle Geller and Christina Ricci are the voices of the Gwendy dolls. PG-13 for language and violence.
SMALL TIME CROOKS (PG-13) 91 minutes * * 1/2 Four small time crooks have a great plan for robbing a bank. They'll open a cookie shop next to a bank as a front while they drill into the bank from the basement. Everything that could possibly go wrong happens, except that the cookie store is turning a profit. It's a cute story that is very reminiscent of Woody Allen's earlier films. Tracey Ullman co-stars along with Hugh Grant in this comedy of errors. PG-13 for language.
SMILE (PG-13) 102 minutes * * 1/2 Katie (Mika Boorem) is intrigued by the "Doctor's Gift" program that her teacher describes at school one day, and finds herself drawn to it even more strongly when she begins working on a report about a girl who she shares a birthday with. But when she travels to Shanghai, she finds that reality is a bit different from photographs. It's much more difficult... and much more rewarding as well. Based on the real "Operation Smile" program, it's a film with an uplifting message, though a bit heavy-handed with it as well. Boorem does a nice job, but there doesn't seem to be a great deal of depth to the supporting roles around her. PG-13 for language.
A SMILE LIKE YOURS (R) 91 minutes * 1/2 Jennifer and Danny want to have a baby, but the harder they try, the further apart they begin to drift. Very slow moving story with Greg Kinnear and Lauren Holly doing their best with a poorly written story and direction that is sorely lacking. One of theose very forgettable films, though its not unpleasant to watch. R for language.
SMILEY FACE (R) 81 minutes * While I usually enjoy watching Anna Faris, this tiresome comedy is just too much. She puts on a dopey face and plays a pothead who owes too much money, can't keep appointments, and generally has one bad thing after another happen to her. It's cute and mildy funny for about 15 minutes, but relies on Faris to carry the film, which she can't do since the story gives her nowhere to go. R for language and sex.
SMOKE SIGNALS (PG-13) 81 minutes * * Thomas and Victor have been friends since birth. Very different from each other, yet with a journey lying before them that they will take together. Victor's father has died and they must go to bring his remains home. Thomas is the storyteller and Victor is the cynic. This is the story of their journey into adulthood. Set on an Indian reservation in Idaho, the film's biggest problem is the poor quality of camerawork and editing. It has lots of heart, but the polish it needs is lacking. Some films benefit from having rough edges. This is not one of them. Filmed in Idaho and Washington. PG-13 for violence and language.
SMOKIN' ACES (R) 102 minutes * * * Aces (Jeremy Piven) always wanted to be part of the mob. But when things get hot and he gets in trouble, Aces decides to turn state's evidence. Now, everyone seems to want him dead. The script does a wonderful job of setting the stage in the first twenty minutes, introducing us to all of the characters and why they want to be the first to get their hands on Aces. Clint Mansell's energetic soundtrack lends itself well to the wickedly twisted story. Nice work from Piven, Ryan Reynolds, Alicia Keys, Ray Liotta, and a few others. R for violence, language, and nudity.
SNAKE EYES (R) 94 minutes * 1/2 Brian DePalma's latest thriller is anything but. If there's anyone left who hadn't figured it out already, at 45 minutes, we're told exactly the identity of the mysterious fifth person in the conspiracy. No surprises and no inventive camera moves as we've come to expect from DePalma. Nicolas Cage gives us a good performance and is supported fairly well by Gary Sinese, but the film flounders around as if DePalma himself is bored with it. The sappy romantic ending is entirely out of place as well. R for language aand violence.
SNAKES ON A PLANE (R) 99 minutes * 1/2 Not a particularly inventive title, though it is descriptive. Neville Flynn (Samuel L. Jackson) is transporting a witness by plane. It becomes a bit more difficult when the plane is full of snakes who have been provoked to attack. Don't expect too much, though the snake effects are pretty good. Trevor Rabin's music helps a great deal with creating some suspense. R for violence and sex.
SNATCH (R) 99 minutes * * * 1/2 Although this film does bring to mind "Pulp Fiction", it's mostly due to the wonderful way in which both films manage to combine humor and extreme violence. This is a bit more rough around the edges and starts out more slowly, taking time to introduce us to all the characters. Once the dog swallows the chew toy, we start to laugh... and then it just keeps getting better. Gruesome at times and hilarious at others, it's a delight to watch these fascinating characters as they try to snatch a valuable diamond. There really isn't just one person to highlight as the best performer, though Brad Pitt's mumbling performance as Mickey is certainly one that people seem to remember. It's not for the faint of heart, but if you like your films a bit on the unusual side, you won't be disappointed with this! R for language and violence.
SNEAKERS (PG-13) 121 minutes * * * This adventure/thriller has just the right touch of comedy to make it great entertainment. It's unfortunate that Robert Redford's performance lacks the energy it needs to keep things going at times. It's also disappointing that the plot turns so outlandish toward the end. Not that we'd expect everything to be perfectly plausible, but the script here moves a bit too close to the ridiculous. It's a fun ride, but we're ready for a better ending.
SNIPER (R) 95 minutes * * Tom Beckett (Tom Berenger) may be the Marines' best sniper, but this story gives him too little ammunition and targets that are little more than stationary cardboard. The camera trick of following the course of the bullet looks like it was planned for a 3-D film, no sense in using it here.
SNOOP DOGG'S HOOD OF HORROR (R) 80 minutes * * Trilogy of horror tales introduced by Snoop Dogg. The stories are cartoonishly gory, and are similar in style to "Tales From the Crypt" and "Creepshow" among others. As such, they do have some good points, but the acting gives away the lower budget, as do some of the special effects. Not bad as these horror collections go, but not great either. R for violence, sex, and language.
SNOW BUDDIES (G) 82 minutes 1/2 The puppies are cute. But this ridiculous follow-up to "Air Buddies" even insults the intelligence of 6-year-olds. The story has the puppies accidentally being shipped to Alaska where they end up in a sled dog race which they win, of course. The limited amount of acting by human beings in the film is poor, and the entire project looks like it was made with very little budget and simply to cash in on the popularity of the earlier films... which we've already grown tired of.
SNOW CAKE (NR) 106 minutes * * * 1/2 Alex Hughes (Alan Rickman) is working on starting a new life. But after picking up a young hitchhiker, things take a turn he could never have imagined. Sometimes life brings us both challenges and rewards that we don't plan on, and sometimes they are the sweetest and most valuable. Both Rickman and Sigourney Weaver are wonderful, and the script is amazing in its own right. This is one of those gems you might not hear about, but that is well worth watching.
SNOW DAY (PG) 84 minutes * 1/2 The words every child loves to hear on a wintery weekday morning... that it's been declared a snow day and their school is closed. Although the film is full of cute caricatures and does get us to smile, the subplots have little connection with each other and serve to distract us after awhile. The film has the look and feel of something that was thrown together with little experience or concern for quality. Chevy Chase and Chris Elliott are featured, which should also give you an idea about what to expect before you start watching. Filmed in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. PG for language.
SNOW DOGS (PG) 100 minutes * * Mildy entartaining film with Cuba Gooding Jr. heading to Alaska to pick up his inheritance from the mother he never knew, only to find himself the owner of a sled dog team and learning lessons about life he hadn't anticipated. Formula film that has it's moments, most of which involve the dogs. PG for language.
SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS (PG-13) 122 minutes * 1/2 Children from two different cultures fall in love at a young age, but discover that their parents don't approve of the idea. Though they drift apart, they are drawn together again as her husband is accused of a murder, fueled by the communities dislike of Japanese. It's an in-depth story that is told in a rather confused fashion. Sequences are jumbled and moments of photographic artistry are stirred into the mix as well. Another director might have been able to pull this off, but as it stands, this is an over-long muddle of a film that only gives us a glimpse of what it might have been. PG-13 for language and violence.
THE SNURKS (PG) 85 minutes * * Nicely animated film featuring the Gayans and the Snurks, two rival groups of creatures on the TV show Gaya, who have just been transported into the real world. Now they have to find a way back, and it might require working together. The story is not particularly imaginative though the characters are somewhat interesting. PG for violence and language.
SO I MARRIED AN AXE MURDERER (PG-13) 89 minutes * Mike Myers is finally getting married, after always finding excuses not to. But now he thinks his wife is an axe murderer. Myers' overplayed character doesn't work well outside the "Wayne's World" format, and this comes off as not all that funny, entertaining, or well-made.
SOAP DISH (PG-13) 93 minutes * * 1/2 The stars of the fictional daytime soap opera, "The Sun Also Sets" are struggling with distinguishing fantasy from reality. It seems that their lives are becoming more like a soap opera... or is it the other way around? Kevin Kline steals the show here, especially toward the end. Sally Field may be the featured star, but she whines and cries too much and it gets in the way of our enjoying the other characters and watching the story unfold. By the way, you don't have to be a soap opera fan to enjoy this. You might even find it more enjoyable if you'd rather poke fun at them than watch them! PG-13 for language.
SOLARIS (PG-13) 92 minutes * * Something has gone terribly wrong on the Solaris space station. Chris (George Clooney) has been sent for to see if he can negotiate a safe return for the survivors, if there are any, aboard the station. Adapted from the book by Stanislaw Levin, this is a very interesting story, but the balance between philosophy and practical reality is awkward through much of the film. Holes in the story are abundant, but it still makes for an interesting film if you enjoy philosophical science fiction stories. PG-13 for language and sex.
SOLO (PG-13) 90 minutes * Mario VanPeebles plays Solo, a cyborg who has received a message that he is to be reprogrammed. Since that interferes with his prime directive to "preserve self", he goes renegade. A rather dumb ending, but the film manages to deal fairly well with the standard questions about what makes us human, what it means to be alive, etc. PG-13 for violence and language.
SOMEONE LIKE YOU (PG-13) 92 minutes * * 1/2 How do you get past those broken relationships and move on with your life? That's what Jane (Ashley Judd) is trying to figure out. But as she struggles with trying to understand why men leave her, she is missing the point that the one she really needs to understand is herself. Judd, Marisa Tomei, and Hugh Jackman all do great work here. Tomei in particular adds a sparkle to the film with her scenes. We leave the film dissatisfied by the ending though. Things fall into place far too quickly and it feels like a few scenes are missing that could have helped us believe what happens a little more easily. PG-13 for language and sex.
SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME (R) 102 minutes * * * Assigned to protect a witness to a murder, Mike Keegan (Tom Berenger) finds himself attracted to the witness. Can they find the killer? Will he risk losing his marriage? Is she interested in him as well? Berenger delivers a nice performance here, but it's Ridley Scott's direction that gives this film the character it needs. He loves to work with light and shadow and it gives the film the subtle suspense that goes past the elements of the story. Filled with beautiful shots of New York City!
SOMETHING NEW (PG-13) 96 minutes * * 1/2 Kenya's (Sanaa Lathan) star is on the rise... everywhere except in her romantic life. She has this list of qualifications that her ideal man must meet. But we all know how THAT goes! Cute and romantic while still working to address the issues surrounding the idea of bi-racial romance. The emphasis is more on entertainment though, so it rarely delves too far into the more serious points. Nice work by Lathan. PG-13 for language and sex.
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT (R) 101 minutes * * * Strong characters populate this film about a woman discovering her husband's extramarital affair and her attempts to cut him out of the family. Set in the south, the film rambles a bit much at times, but offers us an outstanding performance from Kyra Sedgewick and fine work from Julia Roberts, Robert Duvall, Gena Rowlands, and Dennis Quaid.
SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE (PG-13) 122 minutes * * * Reltaionships are funny things sometimes. They happen when you least expect them and change when you aren;t always ready. Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton are delightful and the story is both chaming and sentimental with humor supplied in all the right places. Amanda Peet does a nice job as well. It does lose steam during the last half hour, though it manages to finish well. Predictably, but well. PG-13 for language and nudity.
SOMETIMES IN APRIL (NR) 134 minutes * * * The tragedy of the genocide in Rwanda is shown from a more strictly Rwandan viewpoint here, with less emphasis on the Unit