May 18: 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. (120 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity, sexual elements. (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)
AWAY FROM HER: (A-) British favorite Julie Christie (“Darling”) and Olympia Dukakis (“Moonstruck”) star in this critically lauded Canadian drama about an aging woman who has long harbored a grudge against her two-timing husband and finds herself battling increasing memory loss. Actress Sarah Polley (remake of “Dawn of the Dead”) makes her directing debut with the picture, based on “The Bear Came Over the Mountain,” a short story by Alice Munro. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (110 minutes) Strong language, adult themes. (PG-13)
BLACK BOOK: (B+) Paul Verhoeven (“Basic Instinct”) directed this intense World War II historical drama about a Jewish woman (Carice van Houten) who survives a murder attempt, joins the resistance movement in Holland and becomes intrigued by a seemingly sympathetic Nazi officer (Sebastian Koch). The picture reflects how greed brought out the absolute worst in so many people during the war. The import is being presented in Dutch, German and Hebrew with subtitles. (145 minutes) Strong violence, sex, nudity, harsh four-letter profanity, adult themes. (R)
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)
CIVIC DUTY: (C+) During this melodrama, an American accountant (Peter Krause of HBO’s “Six Feet Under”) becomes increasingly paranoid after watching hours of news shows about terrorism. He then goes into a mental meltdown when an Islamic graduate student (Khaled Abol Naga of “Sleepless Nights”) moves next door to him. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (98 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity, threatening situations. (R)
THE CONDEMNED: (C) Athletes-turned-actors “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Vinnie Jones (“Lock, Stock and Two-Smoking Barrels”) team in this bloody tale about a television producer who creates a reality show by marooning 10 convicted killers on a desert island. He then films their fights to the death until only one man is left standing. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (113 minutes) Non-stop brutal violence, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
DELTA FARCE: (C) Larry the Cable Guy (“Health Inspector”), Bill Engvall (“Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie”) and Danny Trejo (“Grindhouse”) star in this broad military comedy about some good ol’ boys who are mistaken for Army Reservists, placed on transport to Iraq and accidentally ejected over Mexico, where they battle a local warlord. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (90 minutes) Crude and sexual humor. (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)
THE EX: (C+) TV favorite Zach Braff (TV’s “Scrubs”) stars opposite Amanda Peet (“The Whole Nine Yards”) and Jason Bateman (TV’s “Arrested Development”) in a half-baked romantic comedy about a guy whose life is thrown into turmoil after his wife decides to stay home and raise their baby and quits her lucrative job. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (93 minutes) Sexual content, brief language, drug reference. (PG-13)
FAY GRIM: (B-) Parker Posey (“Superman Returns”) and Jeff Goldblum (“Jurassic Park”) star in director Hal Hartley’s sequel to “Henry Fool” (1997). In the darkly humorous thriller, which Hartley’s hard-core fans will appreciate, the title character is pressured by a CIA operative to travel to Paris and obtain notebooks that belong to her ex-husband and could compromise the security of the United States. The independent picture recently played at the 16th Philadelphia Film Festival. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (118 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity, some sexuality. (R)
THE FLYING SCOTSMAN: (B) British actor Jonny Lee Miller (“Mindhunters”) stars in this fact-based story about Graeme Obree, a champion cyclist who suffered from mental-health problems and constructed his bicycle from the parts of old washing machines. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (96 minutes) Mature elements, language. (PG-13)
FRACTURE: (C) During this lifeless thriller, a wealthy old millionaire (Anthony Hopkins of “The Silence of the Lambs”) is arrested for murdering his much-younger wife (Embeth Davidtz of “Schindler’s List”), a crime to which he readily confesses. He soon matches wits with a blindly ambitious twentysomething prosecutor (Ryan Gosling of “Half Nelson”) and makes it clear that he might have committed the perfect crime. Hopkins and Gosling seem ready to rumble, but their characters never really get an opportunity to go toe to toe and generate some dramatic sparks. David Strathairn (“Good Night, And Good Luck”) co-stars. (115 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity, violence, sexual elements, adult themes. (R)
GEORGIA RULE: (C+) A strong ensemble – Jane Fonda (“The China Syndrome”), Felicity Huffman (TV’s “Desperate Housewives”) and Lindsay Lohan (“A Prairie Home Companion”) – stars in this often-uncomfortable comedy drama that awkwardly blends humor with a subplot about sexual abuse. In the story, a frustrated mother moves her out-of-control teenage daughter from San Francisco to Idaho, where she hopes the troubled girl’s no-nonsense grandmother can handle her. Garry Marshall (“Beaches”) directed. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (113 minutes) Sexual content, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
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 HIP HOP PROJECT: (B) Rapper-activist Chris “Kazi” Rolle is featured in this interesting documentary about a program, founded in 1999, that gives teens an opportunity to write, produce and record an album with songs about the hardships they face. (88 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity, adult themes. (PG-13)
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)
HOT FUZZ: (B) British performers Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, who previously teamed for “Shaun of the Dead,” star in this action-film spoof about a tough London cop who’s transferred to an out-of-the-way quiet town by superiors jealous of his arrest record. Once in the remote location, the driven officer begins to suspect that some of the residents are being murdered. (121 minutes) Hard-edged violence, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
IN THE LAND OF WOMEN: (C+) In this romantic comedy, starring Adam Brody (TV’s “The O.C.”) and Meg Ryan (“Sleepless in Seattle”), a television writer goes into a depression after being dumped by his actress-girlfriend. He becomes emotionally renewed when he visits his grandmother in Detroit and is befriended by the interesting ladies living in the neighborhood. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (97 minutes) Sex, adult themes, harsh four-letter profanity. (PG-13)
INTO GREAT SILENCE: (B) Filmmaker Philip Groning directed this documentary about the meditative and spiritual lives of the monks of the Carthusian Order in the French Alps. It is being presented in French and Latin with subtitles. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (169 minutes) (Unrated)
THE INVISIBLE: (C+) During this chiller, starring Justin Chatwin (“War of the Worlds”) and Marcia Gay Harden (“Pollock”), a teenager is beaten nearly to death by a troubled person. He then becomes caught between the world of the living and the dead as he is trapped in a ghostly position and must solve the mystery behind the real reason for the violent attack. It’s a remake of a Swedish film of the same name. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (97 minutes) Violence, sensual elements, and harsh language – all involving teens. (PG-13)
JINDABYNE: (B-) In this drama, an Irishman (Gabriel Byrne of “The Usual Suspects”) and three friends embark on a fishing trip in a remote section of Australia and discover the body of a dead girl. Rather than reporting it immediately to authorities, they decide to contact police after their vacation is over. That selfish choice by Byrne’s character, who sees nothing wrong with what they did, causes his wife (Laura Linney of “You Can Count on Me”) to be intensely disappointed in him and question their relationship. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (123 minutes) Disturbing images, nudity, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
KICKIN IT OLD SKOOL: (D) Comic-actor Jamie Kennedy (“Scream”) stars in this comedy about a guy who spends 20 years in a coma due to a break-dancing accident. He wakes up with plans to continue his quest to be the world’s best break dancer. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (107 minutes) Crude and sexual humor, harsh four-letter profanity. (PG-13)
KILLER OF SHEEP: (A) Filmmaker Charles Burnett (“Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Wedding”) directed this 1977 black-and-white film about a sensitive man living in Los Angeles’ distressed Watts area in the mid-1970s and suffering emotional turmoil due to a job at a slaughterhouse. The critically acclaimed film, which examines the issue of urban poverty, is receiving its first major theatrical release. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (87 minutes) (Unrated)
HE 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)
LUCKY YOU: (C) During this strained relationship picture starring Eric Bana (“Munich”) and Drew Barrymore (“50 First Dates”), a slick poker player tries to win a Las Vegas tournament. At the same time, he’s attempting to impress his seemingly indifferent father (Robert Duvall of “Open Range”), a former poker champion who left his family many years ago. Director Curtis Hanson (“In Her Shoes”) should have added more poker- playing scenes and fewer dysfunctional-family themes. (122 minutes) Sexual humor, harsh four-letter profanity. (PG-13)
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)
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)
NEXT: (C+) Nicolas Cage (“Ghost Rider”), Julianne Moore (“Children of Men”) and Jessica Biel (“The Illusionist”) star in this offbeat sci-fi thriller about a man with the ability to see a few minutes into the future. He changes his identity and takes a job as a magician in a remote Las Vegas lounge to prevent the government from finding him and doing experiments to find the source of his gift. He must decide whether to surface after a terrorist group threatens to detonate a nuclear device and his psychic powers may be able to help government agents locate the weapon of mass destruction. (91 minutes) Intense sequences of violent action, harsh four-letter profanity. (PG-13)
OFFSIDE: (B) This import, directed by Jafar Panahi, follows some Iranian girls who dress as boys and attempt to enter Tehran’s Azadi Stadium – a place where only males are allowed – to watch a soccer match. Some are recognized and then face charges for their act of defiance.(93 minutes) Adult themes. (PG)
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)
PROVOKED: A TRUE STORY: (C) In this fact-based drama, starring Aishwarya Rai (“The Mistress of Spices”), Miranda Richardson (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) and Naveen Andrews (TV’s “Lost”), a Punjabi woman leaves India to marry a Londoner, is physically abused and ashamed to tell anyone about it. After suffering in silence, she murders the man and faces a prison sentence. The simplistic picture, directed by Jag Mundhra (“Natasha”), is a co-production between England and India. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (113 minutes) (Unrated)
THE SALON: (B-) Vivica A. Fox (“Kickin’ It Old Skool”) stars in this copy-cat comedy – inspired by “Barbershop” (2002) with Ice Cube and “Beauty Shop” (2005) with Queen Latifah – about an urban hair-styling place where all of the employees speak their minds. Fox’s character must fight city hall when politicians plan to take her building and turn it into a parking lot. It’s predictable but still offers some fun. (90 minutes) Sexual content, language, adult themes. (PG-13)
SHREK THE THIRD: (B) Franchise regulars Mike Meyers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas return as the voices of Shrek, Princess Fiona, Donkey and Puss In Boots, respectively, during this easy-going follow-up in which the title character learns to accept responsibility and ponders his future as a father. The colorful characters seek young King Arthur (voice by Justin Timberlake) to become ruler of the kingdom of Shrek’s late father-in-law and want to stop the opportunistic Prince Charming (voice by Rupert Everett) from taking over the throne. Other performers lending their vocal talents include: Amy Sedaris, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Cheri Oteri, John Cleese, Julie Andrews and Eric Idle as Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, Sleepy Beauty, the King, the Queen and Merlin, respectively. The third one may not be in the same league as the first two installments, but there’s still some comfort and joy in it. (92 minutes) Crude humor, suggestive content, swashbuckling action. (PG)
SPIDER-MAN 3: (B+) Talk about a superhero assuming biblical proportions. In the emotionally uplifting second installment, Peter Parker’s web-slinger (Tobey Maguire) is a Christ figure willing to sacrifice himself for the sins of others. In this dramatically compelling third entry, the Marvel comic character transforms into a satanic figure fighting his dark side as he faces three supervillains, Sandman (Thomas Haden Church of “Sideways”), New Goblin (James Franco of “Annapolis”) and Venom (Topher Grace of TV’s “That ’70s Show”). Kirsten Dunst returns as Mary Jane Watson, and Bryce Dallas Howard (“The Village”) joins the cast as Gwen Stacy in this physically imposing, emotionally intriguing $270 million superhero epic. Sam Raimi directs for the third time and once again offers a multi-layered work with flashy action supported by important themes about guilt, vanity, compassion, sacrifice, vengeance, corruption, redemption and – most importantly – forgiveness. (156 minutes) Sequences of intense action violence. (PG-13)
THE TV SET: (B-) In this satire, featuring David Duchovny (“The X-Files: Fight the Future”), Sigourney Weaver (“Alien”) and Ioan Gruffudd (“Fantastic Four”), friction develops between an idealistic writer and a profit-driven network executive who clash as the artist attempts to create a television pilot. Jake Kasdan (“Orange County”) directed. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (87 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
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)
28 WEEKS LATER: (B) This bloody apocalyptic thriller about a “rage” virus transforming humans into flesh-eating beings in London is a grisly and grim sequel to “28 Days Later” (2002). In the intense and unsettling work, starring Robert Carlyle (“The Full Monty”), members of the United States military go to England to contain the virus and nothing goes according to plan. Certainly those looking beneath the surface may feel it echoes the war in Iraq as brave soldiers do their best despite intensely dangerous circumstances and fight a relentless enemy with no intention of surrender or retreat. Spanish filmmaker Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (“Intacto”) directed. (100 minutes) Very strong violence, harsh four-letter profanity, sex, adult themes. (R)
VACANCY: (C) During this contrived, scare-challenged chiller, a couple (Luke Wilson of “Old School” and Kate Beckinsale of “Underworld”), who have endured a personal tragedy and are about to be divorced, become stranded in a remote area. They find a motel and soon realize that it’s the spot where snuff films featuring previous customers have been filmed. The couple then learn that they’re being set up as the next victims to die in front of the camera. (85 minutes) Brutal violence, scenes of terror, brief nudity, harsh four-letter profanity. (R)
THE VALET: (B) In this comedy import, starring Gad Elmaleh, a billionaire hires an average guy to pretend to be the boyfriend of his super-model mistress so that his wife doesn’t suspect anything. To make the relationship seem believable, the husband insists that his lover move in with the title character, and she becomes attracted to the simple man. Quality rating based on Web and wire-service reports. (85 minutes) Sexual content, language. (PG-13)
WAITRESS: (B+) Keri Russell (TV’s “Felicity”), Nathan Fillion (“Serenity”), Cheryl Hines (HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and Jeremy Sisto (HBO’s “Six Feet Under”) star in this warmly rendered slice-of-life tale about a pregnant diner worker dealing with an abusive husband, falling in love with her caring doctor and dreaming of a better life. The picture was written and directed by Adrienne Shelly, who was murdered in her Manhattan apartment last fall shortly after completing the heartfelt film. (104 minutes) Sexual elements, adult themes, spousal abuse, adult themes. (PG-13)
THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY: (B+) Talented Cillian Murphy (“Red Eye”) stars in this downbeat and upsetting import about the brave volunteers who challenge the brutal English militia that was ordered to crush Ireland’s war of independence in the 1920s. They ultimately end up turning on each other due to the manipulation of Her Majesty’s government. British filmmaker Ken Loach (“My Name Is Joe”) directed. (127 minutes) Harsh four-letter profanity, sexual innuendo, strong violence, adult themes. (Unrated)
YEAR OF THE DOG: (B+) “Saturday Night Live” veteran Molly Shannon shines in this offbeat tale about a single middle-aged woman who works as a secretary in a faceless office building and spends most of her time off with her beloved dog, Pencil. When the canine dies from accidental poisoning, she goes through an emotional meltdown that alters her relationships, causes her to confront her personal situation and changes the path of her life. Laura Dern (“Blue Velvet”), John C. Reilly (“Talladega Nights”) and Peter Sarsgaard (“Kinsey”) co-star. (97 minutes) Adult themes. (PG-13)
The Associated Press contributed to this report.