Feb. 23: 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.)
THE ABANDONED: (B) In this Spanish supernatural thriller with Anastasia Hille (“Immortality”), a woman returns to her home in native Russia and then faces numerous strange occurrences, including coming face-to-face with a ghost that looks exactly like her. The import was directed by Nacho Cerda, whose credits include the controversial gore film “Aftermath.” Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (94 minutes) Violence, nudity, harsh four-letter profanity, disturbing images. (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)
THE ASTRONAUT FARMER: (B-) In this far-fetched but heartfelt story, Billy Bob Thornton (“School for Scoundrels”) plays a hard-working rancher who once was an astronaut and had an opportunity to blast off with NASA. Due to a family tragedy, he was never able to do that, so he convinces his wife (Virginia Madsen of “Firewall”) and three children to help him build a rocket in his barn so that he can blast into space. On the surface, it seems silly and some of the plot turns stretch credibility to the breaking point, but certain uplifting elements should touch the hearts, if not the minds, of forgiving family audiences. (104 minutes) Scenes of danger and peril, mild language. (PG)
BABEL: (B+) During this intense ensemble drama, an American couple (Brad Pitt of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” and Cate Blanchett of “The Aviator”) visiting Morocco are involved in a tragic accidental shooting that sets in motion a chain of events that touches families in the United States, Northern Africa, Mexico and Japan. Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu has created an absorbing, compelling and unsettling work about how close the connection is between everyone on the planet in this modern era of instant access and political upheaval. The filmmaker considers this film the final part of his multi-story trilogy, which started with “Amores Perros” (2000) and was followed by “21 Grams” (2003). The title won a Golden Globe award as the best drama of 2006. It was nominated for Oscars for best picture and director, and Adriana Bazzaza and Rinko Kikuchi received Oscar nominations for best-supporting actress. (142 minutes) Violence, nudity, sexual content, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
BECAUSE I SAID SO: (C-) In this loud and annoying comedy, a driven mother (Diane Keaton of “The Family Stone”) is obsessed with finding an eligible bachelor for her youngest daughter (Mandy Moore of “A Walk to Remember”). Those suitors include a down-to-earth architect (Tom Everett Scott of “One True Thing”) and a head-in-the-clouds rocker (Gabriel Macht of “The Good Shepherd”). The well-meaning but misguided mom also meddles in the affairs of her other two daughters (Lauren Graham of TV’s “Gilmore Girls” and Piper Perabo of “Coyote Ugly”). Michael Lehmann (“The Truth About Cats and Dogs”) directed the disappointing picture. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (102 minutes) Adult dialogue, mature themes, partial nudity. (PG-13)
BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN: (B+) During this politically incorrect satire, in-your-face comic Sacha Baron Cohen (HBO’s “Da Ali G Show”), who won a Golden Globe as best actor in the musical/comedy category, plays a hilariously misguided Kazakhstani TV reporter who visits the United States, where he continually exhibits inappropriate behavior, makes tasteless observations and asks insulting questions. Director Larry Charles (HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) takes a guerilla-style approach that suits Cohen’s improvisational talents. The comic actor’s best – and most uncomfortable – moments come when he ambushes unsuspecting people who all too readily exhibit their racist and anti-Semitic attitudes. Pamela Anderson (TV’s “Baywatch”), good-naturedly playing herself, is stalked by Borat as soon as he sees a picture of her in revealing swimwear. A little of Cohen’s Borat goes a very long way, but many will applaud his outrageous approach during this comedy that will make some viewers cringe and leave others in stitches. (82 minutes) Nudity, very rude and crude humor, language. (R)
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)
BREAKING AND ENTERING: (B-) With this icy ensemble drama, Anthony Minghella (“The English Patient”) proves to be a writer-director with grand ideas in his head but no fire in his belly. Jude Law (“Alfie”), Juliette Binoche (“Chocolat”), Robin Wright Penn (“The Princess Bride”) and Vera Farmiga (“The Departed”) star in this story about how a robbery connects the lives of some very different people in the distressed King’s Cross section of north London. The film boasts numerous themes, with the title suggesting the way people go into and out of the lives of others, but Minghella’s mannered approach prevents any genuine passion from developing. (119 minutes) Sex, nudity, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
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)
CHILDREN OF MEN: (B) With its nightmarish theme about mankind having nothing to live for, this cautionary tale gets off to an exceedingly chilling start. Clive Owen (“Sin City”), Julianne Moore (“The Hours”) and Michael Caine (“The Prestige”) star in this 2027-set thriller about how humans have lost their ability to reproduce, and consequently, the future of mankind has been threatened. That dire situation could change thanks to the appearance of a miraculously pregnant woman. Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron (“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”) directed the disturbing picture, which warns about the dangers of violence, greed, hate and prejudice. (108 minutes) Strong violence, harsh four-letter profanity, drug use, brief nudity, adult themes. (R)
CONSTELLATION: (C+) An ensemble cast – including Billy Dee Williams (“Lady Sings the Blues”), Gabrielle Union (“Bad Boys II”) and Hill Harper (“The Breed”) – is featured in this drama, set in the deep South. The story concerns relatives who gather after the passing of the family matriarch and try to come to terms with their troubled past. Jordan Walker-Pearlman (“The Visit”) directed. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (96 minutes) Brief strong language, sexual references. (PG-13)
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)
DAYS OF GLORY: (B+) During this acclaimed import, four Arab men enlist in the French army to help fight the Nazis during World War II. The foreigners then face racist attitudes from the soldiers they volunteered to help. It’s nominated for an Oscar as best-foreign-language film. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (120 minutes) War violence, brief harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
THE DEPARTED: (A-) Director Martin Scorsese (“Raging Bull”) gathered a dream cast – including Jack Nicholson (“As Good As It Gets”), Leonardo DiCaprio (“Titanic”), Matt Damon (“The Bourne Supremacy”) and Mark Wahlberg (“Invincible”) – for this gritty Boston-set crime drama. In the picture, government officials are trying to infiltrate the Irish mob with an undercover officer while a gang kingpin is attempting to plant one of his underlings in the state police. It’s based on the acclaimed Chinese crime thriller “Infernal Affairs” (2002). This extremely hard-edged film will turn off many viewers, but fans of Scorsese, who won a Golden Globe award as best director for his work, will find much to applaud. It received Oscar nominations for best picture, director and supporting actor (Wahlberg). (149 minutes) Very strong and brutal violence, sexual elements, non-stop harsh four-letter profanity, drug use. (R)
DREAMGIRLS: (A-) A new star is born and a veteran star is reborn in this glossy, glistening and energizing adaptation of Michael Bennett’s Broadway musical. Beyonce Knowles (“The Pink Panther”) and Jamie Foxx (“Ray”) may get top billing, but the $75 million production really belongs to former “American Idol” contestant Jennifer Hudson in her screen debut and Eddie Murphy (“The Nutty Professor”). They rock the house whenever they’re on screen during this film that is set in the 1960s and is loosely based on the rise of the Supremes and Berry Gordy in Motown. Bill Condon (“Gods and Monsters”) directed. The film won a Golden Globe as the best musical/comedy of 2006, and Murphy and Hudson won Golden Globes as best supporting actor and supporting actress. Murphy and Hudson received Oscar nominations in the same categories. (131 minutes) Sexual elements, drug use, harsh four-letter profanity, adult themes. (PG-13)
EPIC MOVIE: (C+) An ensemble cast – including Kal Penn (“National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj”), Jennifer Coolidge (“Best in Show”), Crispin Glover (“Back to the Future”) and Fred Willard (“Anchorman”) – is featured in this broad and gross comedy that spoofs big-budget hits. The titles lampooned during the comedy include “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Superman Returns,” “Borat,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “The Da Vinci Code.” Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (99 minutes) Crude and sexual humor, harsh four-letter profanity, comic violence. (PG-13)
FACTORY GIRL: (B-) A troubled script plagues this biography, which stars the gifted Sienna Miller (“Casanova”) in a decadent drama about the initially glamorous, ultimately tragic life of Andy Warhol’s 1960s’ “it girl” Edie Sedgwick. Guy Pearce (“Memento”) plays the controlling Warhol, and Hayden Christensen (“Star Wars: Episode I”) appears as a Bob Dylan-like folk singer who tries to coax the ill-fated Sedgwick away from the eccentric artist. (91 minutes) Pervasive drug use, strong sexual content, nudity, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
FREEDOM WRITERS: (B) In this fact-based tale, a 23-year-old teacher (Hilary Swank of “Million Dollar Baby”) tries to win the hearts and minds of black, Latino and Asian gang members in Los Angeles’ Long Beach section. She introduces “The Diary of Anne Frank” in an effort to have the students come to terms with the world around them by writing their own stories in a daily journal and then sharing them. Richard LaGravenese (“Living Out Loud”) directed. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (123 minutes) Violence, adult themes, harsh four-letter profanity. (PG-13)
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)
THE GOOD SHEPHERD: (C+) For many years, Robert De Niro, who previously directed “A Bronx Tale” (1993), worked on bringing this drama about the first 40 years of the CIA as seen through the eyes of one of the agency’s founders (Matt Damon of “Syriana”) to the screen. It’s an ambitious work, but also a rambling one that runs far too long and can’t decide whether it wants to be a history lesson or a political thriller. Angelina Jolie (“Mr. & Mrs. Smith”) is wasted as the unhappy wife of Damon’s composite character, and Joe Pesci (“Raging Bull”), who plays a mobster with interests in Cuba, disappears from the narrative far too quickly. (167 minutes) Violence, sex, harsh four-letter profanity, adult themes. (R)
HANNIBAL RISING: (D) “Hannibal Boring” might be a better title for this adaptation of Thomas Harris’ novel about how the torture and mistreatment of a young Hannibal Lecter transformed him into a serial killer with cannibalistic tendencies. It plays more like a “Friday the 13th” installment than a prequel to the Oscar-winning “The Silence of the Lambs.” (117 minutes) Strong grisly violence, harsh four-letter profanity, sexual references. (R)
HAPPY FEET: (B+) Australian filmmaker George Miller, who brought the heartfelt “Babe” to life on the big screen, scores again with this creatively rendered tale. He uses computer-generated images to tell a story of a looking-for-love penguin and to warn about the destruction man is causing in the icy wilderness of Antarctica. The voices of Elijah Wood (the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy), Brittany Murphy (“Sin City”), Hugh Jackman (“The Prestige”), Nicole Kidman (“Moulin Rouge”) and Robin Williams (“RV”) are featured. (87 minutes) Mild peril and rude humor. (PG)
THE ITALIAN: (B) Soviet filmmaker Andrei Kravchuk directed this family drama about an abandoned 5-year-old boy whose life changes when an Italian couple visit an orphanage in a small Russian town and adopt him. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (90 minutes) (Unrated)
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 nomination for best actor. (121 minutes) Some strong violence, gruesome images, sexual content, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA: (A-) Director Clint Eastwood created this impressive cinematic bookend to “Flags of Our Fathers,” his stirring war picture about the brave Marines and Navy personnel who fought in one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. In this second title, which is presented in Japanese with subtitles, Eastwood, who won Oscars as best director for “Unforgiven” and “Million Dollar Baby,” shows the fight on Iwo Jima from the viewpoint of the Japanese soldiers who died by the thousands either by enemy fire or committing suicide. Ken Watanabe (“The Last Samurai”) stars. It won a Golden Globe award as best foreign-language film, and received Oscar nominations as best picture and director. (141 minutes) Strong war violence. (R)
THE LIVES OF OTHERS: (A) This 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 girlfriend and report on them. It’s nominated for an Oscar as best-foreign-language film. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (137 minutes) Sex, nudity. (R)
THE MESSENGERS: (C) Dylan McDermott (“In the Line of Fire”), Penelope Ann Miller (“Kindergarten Cop”), John Corbett (TV’s “Sex and the City”) and Kristen Stewart (“Panic Room”) star in a thriller about a couple who leave Chicago to escape the stress of city life and purchase a farm house in North Dakota. Once in the rural area, apparitions start appearing to their 16-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. The horror thriller marks the U.S. filmmaking debuts of co-directors Danny and Oxide Pang, identical-twin brothers whose credits include “The Eye” and “Bangkok Dangerous.” Director Sam Raimi (“Spider-Man”) and his producing partner, Rob Tapert (the “Evil Dead” trilogy), co-produced the picture via their company, Ghost House Pictures, which specializes in modestly budgeted fright fare. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (118 minutes) Adult themes, disturbing violence, scenes of terror. (PG-13)
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)
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: (C+) In this bland, family-friendly comedy, a night guard (Ben Stiller of “Dodgeball”) at New York City’s American Museum of Natural History discovers that all of the displays – including one of a T-rex’s skeleton – come to life and run wild each night. Robin Williams (“Good Will Hunting”) and screen veterans Dick Van Dyke and Mickey Rooney co-star. (108 minutes) Mild action, brief rude humor. (PG)
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. Dench and Blanchett received Oscar nominations as best actress and supporting actress, respectively. (92 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity, strong sexual content involving a minor, adult themes. (R)
THE NUMBER 23: (C) In this strained psychological thriller, a seemingly ordinary guy (Jim Carrey of “The Truman Show”) blames a series of numbers for causing his world to be turned into a living hell. The material, which concerns a man who’s haunted by extreme and bizarre visions, has potential but fails to grab the viewer. Virginia Madsen also stars and Joel Schumacher (“The Phantom of the Opera”) directed. (96 minutes) Violence, sex, harsh four-letter profanity, disturbing images. (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. It received an Oscar nomination as best foreign-language film. (120 minutes) Very strong violence, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS: (B+) In this fact-based, feel-good tale with Will Smith (“Bad Boys 2”), who received an Oscar nomination as best actor, and Thandie Newton (“Mission: Impossible II”), an out-of-work salesman who lives on the street with his 5-year-old son, manages to hide his financial problems and lands an internship at a prestigious stock-brokerage firm. The child in the feel-good film is played by Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, the 8-year-old son of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. (117 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity. (PG-13)
THE QUEEN: (A-) British favorite Helen Mirren (“Calendar Girls”) plays Elizabeth II in this involving import about the seemingly indifferent reaction of the queen to the death of Princess Diana in 1997. Mirren, who received an Oscar nomination as best actress, delivers an often icy, sometimes warm performance that makes her a frontrunner for an Oscar nomination as best actress. Stephen Frears (“Dirty Pretty Things”) received an Oscar nomination as best director. (103 minutes) Brief strong language. (PG-13)
RENO 911!: MIAMI: (B for fans of the series; C- for anyone else) In this big-screen adaptation, the characters of the Comedy Central series leave their home base to attend a police convention. The offbeat officers soon become involved in a battle against terrorists in this romp that’s filled with in-your-face sex gags. (84 minutes) Sexual content, nudity, crude humor, harsh four-letter profanity, drug use. (R)
SMOKIN’ ACES: (B-) Those who enjoy outrageously staged action scenes are the intended audiences for this rapid-paced comedy thriller. Jeremy Piven (HBO’s “Entourage”), Ryan Reynolds (“Just Friends”), Ben Affleck (“Hollywoodland”), Andy Garcia (“Ocean’s Eleven”) and Ray Liotta (“GoodFellas”) star in this tale about a Lake Tahoe magician who also works as a mob informant. After the local gangsters find out the magician is a snitch, they dispatch numerous hit men to make him disappear. Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys makes her acting debut, and Joe Carnahan (“Narc”) directed. (109 minutes) Strong violence, harsh four-letter profanity, some nudity, drug use. (R)
STOMP THE YARD: (B-) Columbus Short (a backup dancer/choreographer for Britney Spears), Meagan Good (“You Got Served”) and Darrin Henson (“Soul Food”) bring some fancy steps to this picture. In the plot, a troubled 19-year-old Los Angeles resident transfers to a university in Atlanta, Ga., and then introduces the students to a new street style of dance. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (113 minutes) Scene of violence, sexual material, language. (PG-13)
VENUS: (B) Screen legend Peter O’Toole (“Lawrence of Arabia”), who received an Oscar nomination as best actor, walks a fine line between being a dirty old man and a charming senior citizen during this bittersweet tale about an aging actor and his relationship with a working-class teenager (newcomer Jodie Whittaker) young enough to be his granddaughter. O’Toole, 74, uses his old-school charm to play a character who’s often lecherous but still possesses a certain grace, dignity and warmth to help the woman blossom as he faces his twilight years. Roger Michell (“Notting Hill”) directed, and the strong supporting cast includes Vanessa Redgrave (“Julia”) and Richard Griffiths (“The History Boys”). (94 minutes) Sexual elements, nudity, harsh four-letter profanity, adult themes. (R)
VOLVER: (A-) Spanish actress Penelope Cruz (“Vanilla Sky”), who received an Oscar nomination as best actress, stars in this striking comedy-drama import about two sisters who discover the mother they believed died years ago in a fire may be alive. Talented Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar (“Bad Education”) directed the colorfully enjoyable tale. (121 minutes) Sexual content, adult themes, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
The Associated Press contributed to this report.