Critic offers brief reviews of new movies to light up silver screen
CITY OF GOD: (B+) A cast of unknown performers brings to life this controversial tale about the out-of-control crime in the slums of Brazil due to the deadly drug gangs turning the streets into dead zones. Paulo Lins, who grew up in a Brazilian housing project, wrote the 1997 novel on which the film is based. Fernando Meirelles (“Golden Gate”) directed. Quality rating courtesy of AP. Violence, sex, drug use, harsh four-letter profanity. (R) CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND: (B+) A terrific ensemble – including Sam Rockwell (“Charlie’s Angels”), Drew Barrymore (“Riding in Cars With Boys”), Julia Roberts (“Full Frontal”) and George Clooney (“Ocean’s Eleven”) – stars in this intriguingly offbeat picture. The tantalizing tale is based on the tongue-in-cheek autobiography of TV host Chuck Barris, who created “The Gong Show,” “The Newlywed Game,” “The Dating Game” and other shows. Barris claimed to have eliminated more than 30 people after being recruited by the CIA for some “wet work” (assassinations), something he did between game-show tapings. Clooney, who made his directing debut, hired Rockwell, a talented but little-known performer most famous for his role as an outrageous villain in “Charlie’s Angels,” to play Barris It proves an inspired choice. Gifted writer Charlie Kaufman, whose credits include “Being John Malkovich” and “Adaptation.,” created an inspired script from Barris’ book and captures its eccentric elements. Strong sexual elements, nudity, violence, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
DARKNESS FALLS: (NP) In this fright film, an evil spirit known as “The Tooth Fairy” returns to possess those who escaped it in the past. Emma Caulfield (TV’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) and Chaney Kley (“Legally Blonde”) co-star. Famed makeup artist Stan Winston, whose credits include “Aliens,” “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” and “Jurassic Park,” created the creature effects. Horrific images, profanity. (PG-13)
A GUY THING: (C+) A part-time exotic dancer (Julia Stiles of “Save the Last Dance”) ends up in a compromising situation with a very conservative groom (Jason Lee of “Almost Famous”) after his wild bachelor party. That turn of events in the comedy causes the guy to wonder whether he should spend his life with the fresh-faced hula-dancer-turned-stripper rather than walking down the aisle with his demanding fianc’e (Selma Blair of “Legally Blonde”). Quality rating courtesy of AP. Profanity, crude humor, sexual elements. (PG-13)
INTACTO: (C+) During this foreign thriller, some people who have survived catastrophic disasters gamble their lives in a deadly game that only one of them can survive. The import, which stars Max von Sydow (“The Exorcist”), earned its creator, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, a Goya Award (the Spanish equivalent of an Oscar) for best new director. Quality rating courtesy of AP. Violence, harsh four-letter profanity, brief nudity. (R)
KANGAROO JACK: (C) A couple of bumbling city slickers (Jerry O’Connell of “Jerry Maguire” and Anthony Anderson of “Exit Wounds’) get in trouble with the mob, agree to deliver a small fortune to Australia and then have the cash lifted by a wild animal. Estelle Warren (“Planet of the Apes”) and Christopher Walken (“Catch Me If You Can”) co-star in the comedic road picture. Quality rating courtesy of AP. Profanity, crude humor, violence, sensual elements. (PG)
LOVE IN THE TIME OF MONEY: (NP) Sex, romance and business link nine New York City residents during this ensemble tale, which is set at the height of the stock-market boom during the 1990s.
The drama looks at the empty lives that often result when people are consumed by material goods and bored by meaningful relationships. Rosario Dawson (“25th Hour”), Steve Buscemi (“Reservoir Dogs”) and Carol Kane (TV’s “Taxi”) co-star.
Strong sexual elements, profanity, disturbing violent image. (R)
NATIONAL SECURITY: (C) Two mismatched guys (Martin Lawrence of “Black Knight” and Steve Zahn of “Joy Ride”) wind up as partners in a lowly security job and then find themselves chasing criminals involved in a dangerous smuggling operation. The comedy co-stars Bill Duke (“Red Dragon”), Robinne Lee (“Hav Plenty”), Colm Feore (“Chicago”) and Eric Roberts (“Heaven’s Prisoners”). Quality rating courtesy of AP. Violence, sexual elements. (PG-13)
THE WAY HOME: (NP) A deaf 77-year-old grandmother (Eul-Boon Kim), who lives in a rural area, is visited by her city-reared grandson (Seung-Ho Yoo). She teaches the spoiled 7-year-old boy about the important things in life during this Korean import. Adult themes, profanity. (PG)