Movie Capsules
The following capsule reviews, listed alphabetically, will give you an idea of the caliber of films unreeling locally. Please refer to the movie schedule for theaters and show times. The films are graded as follows: Very Good, (A); Good, (B); Fair, (C); Poor, (D); Turkey (F). Those with (NP) have not been previewed. (To locate a Web site, go to www.google.com and type in the film’s title.)
AFTER THE WEDDING: (B) During this import, a benevolent Danish man, Jacob Petersen (Mads Mikkelsen of “Casino Royale”), devotes himself to running an orphanage and helping poor street children in India. When the orphanage faces closure due to a lack of funds, a mysterious businessman offers a donation of $4 million under the condition that Petersen returns to his homeland to attend a wedding. At that ceremony, some uncomfortable truths are revealed. Susanne Bier (“Open Hearts”) directed the picture, which received a 2006 Oscar nomination as best-foreign-language film. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (120 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity, sexual elements. (R)
AMAZING GRACE: (B) Ioan Gruffudd (“Fantastic Four”) stars in the modestly mounted biography of William Wilberforce (1759-1833), the forward-thinking British politician who headed the abolition movement in England and fought to pass a law to end the slave trade in the late 18th century. Albert Finney (“Tom Jones”) portrays John Newton, the reformed slave-ship captain who wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace” and urged Wilberforce to continue to fight for his cause. The supporting cast includes Rufus Sewell (“Dark City”), Michael Gambon (“Sleepy Hollow”), Toby Jones (“Infamous”) and, in his screen debut, African-music pioneer Youssou N’Dour. Michael Apted (“Coal Miner’s Daughter”) directed. (111 minutes) Thematic elements involving slavery, mild language. (PG)
AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE COLON MOVIE FILM FOR THEATERS: (B) Matt Maiellaro and Dave Willis, who co-created the animated favorite for the Cartoon Network’s late-night series Adult Swim, wrote and directed this perversely humorous big-screen adventure that should entertain the show’s fans. The story examines the mysterious circumstances that brought Meatwad, Frylock and Master Shake – three fast-food products who consider themselves crime-fighting heroes – together. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (87 minutes) Crude humor, sexual images, harsh four-letter profanity, violent images. (R)
ARE WE DONE YET?: (B-) Rapper-turned-actor Ice Cube and Nia Long return in this silly follow-up to “Are We There Yet?” In the slapstick sequel, Cube and Long marry and move with their two children to the suburbs. Soon after, the head of the household tangles with a meddlesome neighbor who keeps destroying the couple’s plans to renovate their new home and battles wild animals that make his life miserable. The plot is a rewrite of the vintage comedy favorite “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” (1948) with Cary Grant and Myrna Loy. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (92 minutes) Innuendo, brief language. (PG)
BLADES OF GLORY: (B-) Moms and dads who sensitive to the content of the movies seen by their children will quickly realize that they’re skating on thin ice in terms of being responsible parents if they take their youngsters to this crude figure-skating spoof. The gross moments include a scene of incest, a recreation of Marilyn Monroe’s suicide and a fondling of a young woman. Will Ferrell (“Old School”), Jon Heder (“Napoleon Dynamite”), Jenny Fischer (TV’s “The Office”), Amy Poehler (TV’s “Saturday Night Live”) and Will Arnett (TV’s “Arrested Development”) star in the outlandish comedy about two battling figure skaters. After being dropped from the professional skating league due to fighting with each other during a competition, the singles skaters find a loophole that allows them back into competition if the two men skate as doubles. Plenty of gross gags follow. (95 minutes) Strong sexual elements, harsh four-letter profanity, drug references, brief violent image. (PG-13)
BREACH: (B) TV-movie production values slightly damage this chilling fact-based drama about Robert Hanssen (Oscar-winner Chris Cooper of “Adaptation”), the FBI agent who for 22 years sold secrets to the Russians, caused operatives from the United States to be compromised and cost our country billions. Ryan Phillippe (“Crash”) co-stars as Eric O’Neill, the young agent-in-training selected by the FBI to help gather evidence against Hanssen by working as the nefarious spy’s assistant. The degree to which Hanssen was able to manipulate his superiors at the FBI proves absolutely shocking. (110 minutes) Violence, sexual content, harsh four-letter profanity. (PG-13)
BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA: (B) Teen performers Josh Hutcherson (“RV”) and AnnaSophia Robb (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”) star in this melodrama fantasy. The tale follows a 14-year-old boy and girl who together create a magic kingdom that contains fantastic creatures, beautiful forests and dangerous enemies. The touching tale, presented by Walt Disney Pictures and based on the Newbery Award-winning novel by Katherine Paterson, contains a heart-breaking twist that may upset some children. Parents should be prepared for it. (95 minutes) Scenes of bullying, unsettling emotional issues, mild language. (PG)
DADDY’S LITTLE GIRLS: (B-) Gabrielle Union (“Bad Boys II”), Idris Elba (HBO’s “The Wire”) and Louis Gossett Jr. (“An Officer and a Gentleman”) star in this romantic drama about a single father who works as a garage mechanic in a poor neighborhood and struggles to raise three daughters on his own. When his drug-dealing ex-wife wins back custody, the dad hires a brilliant attorney to take his case and ends up romantically involved with the lawyer. Tyler Perry (“Madea’s Family Reunion”) wrote and directed. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (95 minutes) Adult themes, drug and sexual content, some violence, language. (PG-13)
DISTURBIA: (B-) Shia LaBeouf (“Holes”) and Carrie-Anne Moss (“The Matrix”) star in this diverting teen thriller inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window.” In the story, an emotionally unstable 17-year-old guy blames himself for an automobile accident that claimed the life of his beloved father. After a violent incident at school, the voyeuristic young man is sentenced to house arrest, and during the boring hours at home, he uses binoculars to spy on his those nearby – including a cute girl (Sarah Roemer of “The Grudge 2”) who moves next door – and comes to believe that a hulking neighbor (David Morse of “16 Blocks”) is a serial killer. Talented D.J. Caruso, whose credits include the haunting drama “The Salton Sea,” directed. (104 minutes) Scenes of terror, violent images, drug reference, sensual elements. (PG-13)
FIREHOUSE DOG: (B-) During this canine comedy with Josh Hutcherson (“Bridge to Terabithia”) and Bruce Greenwood, a four-legged Hollywood star gets lost far from Tinsel Town. The animal eventually ends up in a town and is adopted by firefighters who are then inspired by the very-smart shaggy dog. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (111 minutes) Scenes of action peril, mile crude humor and language. (PG)
FIRST SNOW: (B-) In this often-intriguing suspense tale, starring Guy Pearce (“Memento”) and Piper Perabo (“Coyote Ugly”), a tightly wound salesman’s car stalls in the middle of nowhere and he meets a fortune teller who sees a bleak future for the struggling wheeler-dealer. The businessman becomes increasingly paranoid and suspects that an old enemy may be trying to destroy him and a deal that’s worth a fortune. This tale boasts a strong opening and a soft ending but still keeps a viewer’s interest and attention. (121 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity, sexual elements, some violence. (R)
GHOST RIDER: (C) Nicolas Cage (“National Treasure”) has the title role in this adaptation of the Marvel comic about a motorcycle stunt driver who sells his soul to the devil to save a loved one and then becomes an eerie superhero known for exploding into flames. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (114 minutes) Horror violence, disturbing images. (PG-13)
GRINDHOUSE: (B+) Filmmaking buddies Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, who previously teamed on “Sin City,” each directed an exploitation picture and then put them together as an old-fashioned double-feature. Tarantino’s title, “Death Proof,” stars Kurt Russell (“The Thing”) as a madman who uses his car to kill victims, and Rodriguez’s “Planet Terror” has Rose McGowan (TV’s “Charmed”) leading the fight against a zombie army attacking a small town. Fans of exploitation films should find this production a blast from the past, while others may consider watching it more painful than a kick in the head. (185 minutes) Strong graphic violence and gore, non-stop harsh four-letter profanity, some sex, nudity, drug use. (R)
THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2: (C) In this follow-up, starring Michael McMillian (TV’s “Big Love”) and Jessica Stroup (“School for Scoundrels”), some new recruits to the National Guard stop at a remote research post in New Mexico. They then battle deadly cannibalistic beings who are seeking women to use as “breeders” to keep their mutant clan alive. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (89 minutes) Gruesome violence, rape, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
THE HOAX: (B) If this story wasn’t true, it’s doubtful that anyone would ever believe it. Richard Gere (“Chicago”) stars in a fascinating tale of Clifford Irving, the author who convinces a major publishing house that he is co-writing a book with the reclusive Howard Hughes and then receives a $1 million advance. (115 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity, adult themes. (R)
THE HOST: (B+) This inspired creature-feature import, starring Kang-ho Song, ranks as South Korea’s highest-grossing movie of all time. In the picture, directed by the very talented Joon-ho Bong, the U.S. military dumps some toxic chemicals into Seoul’s Han River. A couple of years later, a flesh-eating monster, which is about the size of a Hummer and faster than a Porsche, comes out of the depths and hits the shore looking for food. It’s simultaneously funny, scary and touching. It will be presented in Korean with subtitles. (119 minutes) Violence, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
I THINK I LOVE MY WIFE: (B-) Comic actor Chris Rock (“Head of State”) is joined by Kerry Washington (“Little Man”), Gina Torres (“Serenity”) and Steve Buscemi (“Con Air”) in this dark romantic comedy about a married guy bored with his wife. He starts having fantasies about other women after an old girlfriend enters his life and reminds him of his carefree, sex-filled days as a bachelor. Rock also wrote and directed the picture, which is a loose remake of director Eric Rohmer’s French favorite, “Chloe in the Afternoon” (1972). Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (98 minutes) Sexual content, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND: (B+) Gifted Forest Whitaker (TV’s “The Shield”) won a Golden Globe award as best actor/drama for his terrific performance as the equally charismatic and chilling Idi Amin. In the 1970s’-set story, a young Scottish doctor (James McAvoy of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”) becomes the personal physician of the Ugandan dictator, a post he lands because of Amin’s respect for the Scottish people due to their fight against England’s oppression. Kerry Washington (“She Hate Me”) co-stars. Whitaker received an Oscar as best actor. (121 minutes) Some strong violence, gruesome images, sexual content, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
THE LAST MIMZY: (B-) In this family adventure, starring Rainn Wilson (TV’s “The Office”), Timothy Hutton (“Ordinary People”) and Michael Clarke Duncan (“The Green Mile”), a brother and sister discover a toy from the future. They then develop incredible and frightening talents while playing with it. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (94 minutes) Scenes of peril, mild language. (PG)
THE LIVES OF OTHERS: (A-) This involving political drama, which is set before the fall of the Soviet empire, reveals the surveillance methods used by the East German government to spy on citizens. The import follows a party loyalist who begins to question his allegiance after being ordered to infiltrate the life of a playwright and his actress/girlfriend and report on them. It won an Oscar as best-foreign-language film. (137 minutes) Sex, nudity. (R)
THE LOOKOUT: (B+) Talented Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“Brick”) stars in this intense suspense tale about a high school golden boy whose reckless behavior leads to a car accident that claims some lives and leaves him with damaged motor functions and gaps in his short-term memory. A few years later, he works as a maintenance man in a bank, and a local hood uses the easily manipulated employee to help him get into the vault. Jeff Daniels (“Gettysburg”), Carla Gugino (“Sin City”) and Isla Fisher (“Wedding Crashers”) co-star in this tightly knit thriller, which marks the directing debut of scriptwriter Scott Frank, who previously adapted two Elmore Leonard novels, “Out of Sight” and “Get Shorty,” into screenplays. (99 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity, violence, sexual content. (R)
MEET THE ROBINSONS: (B-) The voices of Angela Bassett (“What’s Love Got to Do With It”), Tom Selleck (“Three Men and a Baby”) and Adam West (TV’s “Batman”) are featured in this computer-animated tale about a 12-year-old orphan who has a genius IQ and is adopted by a family from the future. The picture is based on the book “A Day with Wilbur Robinson” by William Joyce. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (102 minutes) (G)
MUSIC AND LYRICS: (C) Highly appealing stars Drew Barrymore (“50 First Dates”) and Hugh Grant (“Four Weddings and a Funeral”) work hard to generate some good vibrations in this featherweight romantic comedy about a fading singing star who approaches an eccentric young woman who possesses a way with words and asks her to help him write a pop song. The mismatched couple soon find they were made for each other in the mildly intriguing tale. (96 minutes) Some sexual content. (PG-13)
THE NAMESAKE: (B+) In this touching multi-generational melodrama, the members of an Indian-American family move from Calcutta to New York and then try to come to terms with living in a foreign land while maintaining their traditions. Mira Nair (“Monsoon Wedding”) directed the import, which is based on the novel of the same name by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri. Kal Penn (TV’s “24”) stars. (122 minutes) Sex, nudity, drug use, some disturbing images, profanity. (PG-13)
NORBIT: (C) Comic actor Eddie Murphy (“Dreamgirls”) uses state-of-the-art shape-shifting imagery to play numerous roles in a broadly staged, vulgar comedy about a sad-sack guy who vows to get out of his unhappy marriage to a tyrannical wife (also portrayed by Murphy) and marry the girl (Thandie Newton of “Mission: Impossible II”) of his dreams. Brian Robbins (“Varsity Blues”) directed. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (90 minutes) Crude and sexual humor, some nudity, language. (PG-13)
NOTES ON A SCANDAL: (B) In this intense melodrama, a married teacher (Cate Blanchett of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy) begins an affair with one of her teenage boy students. She is then blackmailed by an older instructor (Judi Dench of “Casino Royale”), a closeted lesbian with her own possessive agenda. Bill Nighy (“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”) co-stars as the husband who can’t understand how his wife could do such a thing to her spouse and their children. The film, which features flawless performances from the two British actresses, is based on the 2003 novel “What Was She Thinking?: Notes on a Scandal” by Zoe Heller. (92 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity, strong sexual content involving a minor, adult themes. (R)
PAN’S LABYRINTH: (A-) Mexican writer-director Guillermo del Toro (“Blade II”) has created what might be described as a magical misery tour. This dark, violent and chilling gothic fairy tale concerns a 12-year-old girl (Ivana Baquero) seeking refuge from her fascist stepfather by entering a magical labyrinth. During the hard-edged picture, she comes to believe those in her secret universe will help her cope with the dangers of the outside world and soon finds she can trust no one. Despite long stretches of darkness, the brilliantly rendered import concludes with a sliver of light. (120 minutes) Very strong violence, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
PATHFINDER: (NP) Karl Urban (the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy), Moon Bloodgood (“Eight Below”), Russell Means (“The Last of the Mohicans”) and Clancy Brown (“Highlander”) star in this action tale. In the story, a Viking boy is left behind after Viking warriors retreat following a battle with an Indian tribe. The tribe members then raise the boy, who helps them fight the sadistic Vikings when they return years later to get revenge and locate the child they left behind. Marcus Nispel, who helmed “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” remake, directed. (78 minutes) Brutal violence throughout. (R)
PERFECT STRANGER: (C+) The star power of Halle Berry (“Monster’s Ball”) and Bruce Willis (“The Sixth Sense”) fuels this cable-level thriller about a reporter investigating the murder of an old friend. She concludes that the prime suspect is a powerful businessman known for his roving eye and brutal ways. Giovanni Ribisi (“Saving Private Ryan”) co-stars, and James Foley (“Glengarry Glen Ross”) directed the by-the-numbers revenge picture. (109 minutes) Sexual content, nudity, violence, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
PREMONITION: (C) During this flimsy psychological thriller, a wife (Sandra Bullock of “The Lake House”) is told by police that her husband (Julian McMahon of TV’s “Nip/Tuck”) died in a car crash. Upon awakening the next morning, she finds him still alive, realizes she has had a premonition and then struggles to change the future by keeping him safe. Nia Long (“Are We There Yet?”) co-stars, and German filmmaker Mennan Yapo makes his directing debut with the disappointing suspense tale that seems like a combination of a soap opera, “Twilight Zone” episode and Dr. Phil marriage-encounter seminar. (110 minutes) Violence, disturbing images, adult themes, profanity. (PG-13)
PRIDE: (B) Terrence Howard (“Hustle & Flow”) and Bernie Mac (“Ocean’s Eleven”) star in this uplifting, fact-based sports tale about Jim Ellis, an educator/coach who founded Philadelphia’s first African-American swim team. In the picture, the caring teacher must convince administrators and politicians that the program is worthwhile after the pool is scheduled for demolition. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (106 minutes) Adult themes, racial epithets, brief violence. (PG)
THE REAPING: (B-) Oscar-winner Hilary Swank (“Million Dollar Baby”), David Morrissey (“Basic Instinct 2”) and AnnaSophia Robb (“Bridge to Terabithia”) star in this supernatural thriller about a young Christian missionary who loses her belief in God following an incident in which her family members die tragically. She regains her faith after going to a small Louisiana town and helping the residents to battle Biblical plagues. Stephen Hopkins (“Predator 2”) directed. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (96 minutes) Violence, disturbing images, some sexual elements. (R)
REDLINE: (NP) Comic-actor Eddie Griffin (“Undercover Brother”), Angus Macfadyen (“Braveheart”) and Nadia Bjorlin (TV’s “Days of Our Lives”) star in this action picture involving high-stakes racing. Investor-turned-producer Daniel Sadek used his personal collection of exotic cars in the $26 million production. In one highly publicized incident, Griffin accidentally destroyed an Enzo Ferrari, one of only 400 ever produced, while driving it for a media event. The distributor declined to screen the film in advance for reviewers. (95 minutes) Violence, reckless behavior, sexual content, harsh four-letter profanity, drug use. (PG-13)
REIGN OVER ME C) Comic-actor Adam Sandler (“Click”) struggles as he takes a dramatic turn in this picture about a man who has been emotionally withdrawn since losing his wife and three daughters on Sept. 11, 2001. The gifted Don Cheadle (“Hotel Rwanda”) co-stars as the man’s former college roommate who tries to help him learn to handle his grief. Writer-director Mike Binder (“The Upside of Anger”) means well, but the story lacks depth and Sandler doesn’t possess the acting skills to create a totally believable character. The project is also damaged by some disturbingly sexist material. Jada Pinkett Smith (“Collateral”) and Liv Tyler (the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy) appear in supporting roles. (130 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity, sexual elements, adult themes. (R)
SHOOTER: (B-) If John Rambo used his survival skills to help solve an X-Files mystery, the result might resemble this politically driven action picture with a military protagonist and more conspiracy theories than the JFK assassination. In the story, a former Marine sniper (Mark Wahlberg of “The Departed”) is framed for an assassination attempt on the president and then must use his deadly skills to stay alive and prove his innocence. Danny Glover (“Lethal Weapon”) and Ned Beatty (“Deliverance”) co-star in the uneven picture, which slows down due to director Antoine Fuqua’s habit of weighing down the story with heavy-handed references to subjects ranging from non-existent weapons of mass destruction to the late Anna Nicole Smith. (120 minutes) Violence, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
SLOW BURN: (NP) Ray Liotta (“GoodFellas”), LL Cool J (“Deep Blue Sea”) and Jolene Blalock (TV’s “Star Trek: Enterprise”) star in this thriller about a district attorney dealing with a gang leader, being manipulated by an assistant and facing an unknown enemy. The distributor declined to screen the film in advance for reviewers. (93 minutes) Sex, violence harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (TMNT): (B-) Director-screenwriter Kevin Munroe brings back the karate-kicking turtles Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello and Raphael via computer animation. In the action adventure, the heroes use their hand-to-hand combat skills to stop an evil industrialist from unleashing an army of monsters capable of taking over the world. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (93 minutes) Cartoon violence, scary images. (PG)
300: (A-) Blood, sweat and spears dominate the screen in this epic adaptation of Frank Miller’s popular graphic novel abut the battle of Thermopylae in which just 300 Spartan warriors held off the army of Persia, killing thousands of the invaders and changing the course of history. Zack Snyder (“Dawn of the Dead” remake) directed the visually impressive, heavily stylized picture, which was created via state-of-the-art, computer-enhanced imagery. The actors playing the Spartan soldiers, including Gerald Butler (“The Phantom of the Opera”), spent six hours a day – two devoted to sword-fighting moves and four to body-building techniques – over a six-week rehearsal period preparing for the highly intense action scenes in the strikingly original cinematic achievement that ranks as a work of pop art. (116 minutes) Graphic battle sequences, some sexual elements and nudity. (R)
WILD HOGS: (C) A strong ensemble – John Travolta (“Pulp Fiction”), Martin Lawrence (“Big Momma’s House”), Tim Allen (“The Santa Clause”) and William H. Macy (“The Cooler”) – can’t save this boring mid-life-crisis comedy from crashing and burning. Like the far superior “City Slickers,” the strained comedy follows four good buddies after they decide to rejuvenate their boring lives by traveling together on a motorcycle road trip. The journey, which is more mild than wild, comes to a quick halt when they run into outlaw motorcycle gang members who hassle the middle-class guys. (99 minutes) Crude humor, sexual content, gay-bashing jokes, some broad violence. (PG-13)
ZODIAC: (B) Director David Fincher (“Fight Club”) takes almost three hours to tell the story of the elusive serial killer who terrorized residents in the San Francisco area in the late 1960s and early 1970s and how his ugly crimes impacted the detectives who investigated the case and the journalists who covered it. Jake Gyllenhaal (“Brokeback Mountain”), Robert Downey Jr. (“Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang”), Anthony Edwards (TV’s “ER”) and Mark Ruffalo (“Collateral”) star in the intense, detailed picture, which proves ultimately unnerving and truly gets under a viewer’s skin. (156 minutes) Strong violence, harsh four-letter profanity, brief sexual images, drug material. (R)
The Associated Press contributed to this report.