Opening 10/3/08

For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.

AN AMERICAN CAROL [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Kelsey Grammer, Kevin Farley, Trace Adkins, Jon Voight, Leslie Nielsen, Dennis Hopper. Plot: the story of a modern-day Ebenezer Scrooge which lampoons contemporary American culture, particularly Hollywood. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town.

APPALOOSA [R] 1 hr. 55 min. Action/Western Trailer Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris, Renée Zellweger, Jeremy Irons, Timothy Spall, Lance Henriksen. Plot: a pair of hired guns come to clean up a dangerous town run by a ruthless, powerful rancher and his band of outlaws. While boldly bringing new order to the town, the two fearless lawmen meet a provocative outsider whose unconventional ways threaten to destroy their decade-old bond. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA [PG] 1 hr. 30 min. Family/Comedy Trailer Cast: Piper Perabo, Manolo Cardona, Jamie Lee Curtis, Eugenio Derbez, Andy Garcia, Placido Domingo, George Lopez, Edward James Olmos, Paul Rodriguez, Cheech Marin, Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo, Luis Guzman. Plot: when a diamond-clad Beverly Hills Chihuahua gets lost in the rough streets of Mexico, a tough looking Chihuahua who happens to be head-over-paws for her comes to the rescue. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

BLINDNESS [R] 2 hrs. Pschological Thriller Trailer Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Julianne Moore, Gael Garcia Bernal, Sandra Oh, Danny Glover. Plot: when a sudden plague of blindness devastates a city, a small group of the afflicted band together to overcome the horrific conditions of their imposed quarantine. Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

FLASH OF GENIUS [PG-13] 2 hrs. Drama Trailer Cast: Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, Dermot Mulroney, Alan Alda, Bill Smitrovich, Tim Kelleher, Jake Abel. Plot: based on the true story of college professor and part-time inventor Robert Kearns' long battle with the U.S. automobile industry over receiving credit and payment for his invention of the intermittent windshield wiper. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst, Danny Huston, Gillian Anderson, Megan Fox, Max Minghella, Jeff Bridges. Plot: the outrageous escapades of a smalltime, bumbling, British celebrity journalist who discovers creative ways to annoy nearly everyone after being hired by an upscale magazine in New York City. Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

NICK AND NORA'S INFINITE PLAYLIST [PG-13] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy/Romance Trailer Cast: Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, Ari Graynor, Jay Baruchel, Rafi Gavron, Aaron Yoo. Plot: a comedy about two people thrust together for one hilarious, sleepless night of adventure in a world of mix tapes, late-night living, and, live, loud music, which ends up becoming the first date in a romance that could change both their lives. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

Leaving 10/2/08

Derby Plaza - Righteous Kill, House Bunny
Movie Machine - Righteous Kill, Burn After Reading
Northrock 14 - Burn After Reading, My Best Friend's Girl, The Women, Tropic Thunder
Palace West - Babylon A.D., Prince Caspian, Iron Man
Starlite Drive-In - Open weekends only
Warren East 13th - Death Race, The House Bunny, Tropic Thunder, Dark Knight, Man On Wire, Righteous Kill
Warren Old Town - The Women, Righteous Kill, My Best Friend's Girl
Warren West 21st - Fly Me To The Moon, Journey To The Center Of The Earth, The House Bunny, Tropic Thunder, The Dark Knight, Tyler Perry's Family That Preys

EAGLE EYE ***

Director D.J. Caruso once again directs Shia LaBeouf as well as Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, and Billy Bob Thornton in this action thriller. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and for language, the film is two hours long.

Two strangers (LeBeouf and Monaghan) are thrown together by a mysterious phone call from a woman they have never met. Threatening their lives and family, she pushes them into a series of increasingly dangerous situations – using the technology of everyday life to track and control their every move. As the situation escalates, these two ordinary people become the country's most wanted fugitives, chased relentlessly by a FBI terrorism agent (Thornton) and an Air Force investigator (Dawson), who must work together to discover what is really happening – and more importantly, why.

Put a couple of attractive characters in a fast paced story that never gives you a moment to think about the plot implausibilities, and you have a film most will enjoy. There's a fair amount of unexpected sci-fi but, unfortunately, it's not all that outlandish. See this one on a big screen for maximum effect.

NIGHTS IN RODANTHE *½

George C. Wolfe directed this film starring: Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Viola Davis, and Mae Whitman. One hour and thirty-seven minutes long, the film is rated PG-13 for some sensuality.

A woman with her life in chaos (Lane), retreats to the tiny coastal town of Rodanthe to tend to a friend's (Davis) inn for the weekend. Here she hopes to rethink the conflicts surrounding her, including a daughter (Whitman) very upset by her parent's impending divorce. The only guest at the inn (Gere) is there to face his own crisis of conscience. The two turn to each other for comfort and, in one magical weekend, set in motion a life-changing romance.

This film is the antithesis of the type of film I enjoy. It's very well done and the cast is very good and quite attractive, but the plot is a shameless, textbook example of emotional manipulation. To put it bluntly, it's a three hanky tear jerker, the type most men will do anything to avoid. If you're a rabid fan of Harlequin Romances, well, this one's for you. Otherwise, if anyone suggests going to see it...run for the hills.

CHOKE **½

Written and directed by Clark Gregg, this perverse comedy stars: Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston, Brad William Henke, and Kelly Macdonald. Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and language, the film is eighty-nine minutes long.

A sex-addicted con man (Rockwell) keeps his increasingly deranged mother (Huston) in an expensive private medical hospital by working days as a historical reenactor at a Colonial Williamsburg theme park, along with another sex addicted friend (Henke). At night he runs a scam by deliberately choking in upscale restaurants to form parasitic relationships with the wealthy patrons who "save" him, and then send him money when he writes them tales of woe. At his mother's hospital he meets a doctor (Macdonald) who has a rather strange treatment in mind for her.

I thought I'd seen just about every possible plot, but I was mistaken. This is like nothing I've ever seen before. I will tell you I was entertained by it, but if you often utter the phrases "family values" or "moral absolutes", you most assuredly won't be. The characters in this plot have no compunctions about having unlimited sex, any time and virtually any place and with anyone. They recognize they have a problem and they attempt to resolve it, but to say they fail more than they succeed is putting it lightly. There are no deep thoughts here and no attempt at serious analysis. For those who aren't easily offended, the pace is fast and there are a lot of laughs. If you don't fit in that category, avoid this one like the plague. This will be just as good on DVD as it is in a theatre.

Worthwhile (or not) 09/26/08

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). CHOKE will be laughed at by those not easily offended by sexual material, EAGLE EYE is action eye candy, FIREPROOF is a church film masquerading as a regular release, MAN ON WIRE is a highly acclaimed documentary, MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA is another tribute to Spike Lee's ego, and NIGHTS IN RODANTHE is a three hanky tear jerker most men will want to avoid like the plague.

48 Choke,
47 Eagle Eye,
xx Fireproof,
89 Man on Wire
34 Miracle at St. Anna,
39 Nights in Rodanthe

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.

My review of CHOKE, EAGLE EYE and NIGHTS IN RODANTHE will be on this site between 4:30-5:00 p.m. Friday.

Watch the previews of what's opening 10/03: AN AMERICAN CAROL, APPALOOSA, BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA, FLASH OF GENIUS, HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE, and NICK AND NORA'S INFINITE PLAYLIST.

Opening 9/26/08

For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.

CHOKE [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Romantic comedy Trailer Cast: Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston, Brad William Henke, Kelly Macdonald. Plot: a sex-addicted med-school dropout, keeps his increasingly deranged mother in an expensive private medical hospital by working days as a historical reenactor at a Colonial Williamsburg theme park. At night he runs a scam by deliberately choking in upscale restaurants to form parasitic relationships with the wealthy patrons who "save" him. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.

EAGLE EYE [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Thriller Trailer Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Anthony Mackie, Billy Bob Thornton. Plot: two strangers are thrown together by a mysterious phone call from a woman they have never met. Threatening their lives and family, she pushes them into a series of increasingly dangerous situations – using the technology of everyday life to track and control their every move. As the situation escalates, these two ordinary people become the country's most wanted fugitives, who must work together to discover what is really happening – and more importantly, why. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

FIREPROOF [PG] 2 hrs. Drama Trailer Cast: Kirk Cameron, Erin Bethea, Ken Bevel, Harris Malcom, Phyllis Malcom, Stephen Dervan, Eric Young, Jason McLeod, Renata Williams, Dwan Williams, Stephanie Makulinski. Plot: in this religious film, a couple prepares to enter divorce proceedings when the husband's father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day experiment he calls "The Love Dare." Wondering if it's even worth the effort, he agrees, but more for his father's sake than for his marriage. When he discovers the book’s daily challenges are tied into his parents' newfound faith, his already limited interest is further dampened. Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

MAN ON WIRE [NR] 1 hr. 30 min. Documentary Trailer Cast: Philippe Petit, Paul McGill, Ardis Campbell, David Demato. Plot: on August 7th 1974, a young Frenchman named Philippe Petit stepped out on a wire illegally rigged between New York's twin towers, then the world's tallest buildings. After nearly an hour dancing on the wire, he was arrested, taken for psychological evaluation, and brought to jail before he was finally released. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.

MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA [R] 2hrs. 40 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Laz Alonso, Omar Benson Miller, Pierfrancesco Favino, Valentina Cervi. Plot: the story of four African-American soldiers, members of the all-black 92nd Buffalo Soldier Division stationed in Tuscany, Italy, during World War II. They experience the tragedy and triumph of the war as they find themselves trapped behind enemy lines and separated from their unit after one of them risks his life to save an Italian boy. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

NIGHTS IN RODANTHE [PG-13] 1 hr. 35 min. Drama, Romance Trailer Cast: Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Scott Glenn, Christopher Meloni, Viola Davis, James Franco, Mae Whitman, Pablo Schreiber. Plot: a woman with her life in chaos, retreats to the tiny coastal town of Rodanthe to tend to a friend's inn for the weekend. Here she hopes to rethink the conflicts surrounding her. The only guest at the inn is there to face his own crisis of conscience. The two turn to each other for comfort and, in one magical weekend, set in motion a life-changing romance. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

Leaving 9/25/08

Derby Plaza - Star Wars:Clone Wars, The Longshots
Movie Machine - The Women
Northrock 14 - Disaster Movie, Righteous Kill, The Longshots, Wall-E
Palace West - Wanted, Kit Kittredge, Hellboy II, Zohan, Hancock
Starlite Drive-In - Open weekends only
Warren East 13th - Mamma Mia, The Mummy, Bottle Shock, Traitor, Bangkok Dangerous
Warren Old Town - Bottle Shock
Warren West 21st - Babylon A.D., Mirrors, Mamma Mia, The Mummy, Righteous Kill, Death Race

GHOST TOWN ***

Writer turned director David Koepp is in charge of a cast which includes: Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, and, Tea Leoni. Rated PG-13 for some strong language, sexual humor and drug references, the supernatural romantic comedy is one hour and forty-two minutes long.

When a man whose people skills leave much to be desired (Gervais) dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he discovers he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts (Kinnear and lots and lots of others). Even worse, they all want something from him. At the same time, he begins falling in love with the widow of one of the ghosts (Leoni).

There's nothing original in this film and the outcome is obvious from the beginning. What makes it work is the skill of the three main actors, Gervais, Kinnear and Leoni. Many may not be familiar with the British, Gervais, but he nails the characterization of Bertram Pincus, D.D.S., who doesn't really like people and practices dentistry because he doesn't have to listen to patients talk when their mouth is full. The pic is all about his growth as a human being after his near death experience and his introduction to the needy dead who inhabit his neighborhood. Leoni is a delight as always, even managing to convince us a woman could actually fall for someone as thoroughly disagreeable as the obnoxious dentist in her apartment building. Kinnear is also fine but his role doesn't require nearly as much artistic talent. This film will be just as enjoyable as a DVD but it is one most will enjoy wherever they choose to see it.

Worthwhile (or not) 09/19/08

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). This week we have a comedy, an animated family film, an interracial confrontation drama, and a comedy the distributor's afraid of so they haven't screened it (that one you want to avoid until some reviews are available).

My review of GHOST TOWN will be on this site between 4:30-5:00 p.m. Friday.

72 Ghost Town,
40 Igor,
47 Lakeview Terrace,
xx My Best Friend's Girl

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.

Previews of what's opening next week: EAGLE EYE, FIREPROOF, MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA, and NIGHTS IN RODANTHE.

Opening 9/19/08

For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.

GHOST TOWN [PG-13] 1 hr. 45 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, Kristen Wiig, Tea Leoni, Billy Campbell. Plot: when a man whose people skills leave much to be desired dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he discovers he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts. Even worse, they all want something from him. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

IGOR [PG] 1 hr. 25 min. Animated comedy Trailer Cast: John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Jennifer Coolidge, Arsenio Hall, Sean Hayes, Eddie Izzard, Jay Leno, James Lipton, Molly Shannon, Christian Slater. Plot: the story of one Igor, sick of being a lowly lab assistant with a Yes Master's degree, and dreams of becoming a scientist. When his cruel master kicks the bucket a week before the annual Evil Science Fair, Igor finally gets his chance. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

LAKEVIEW TERRACE [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Thriller Trailer Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington, Eva La Rue, Bitsie Tulloch. Plot: a young couple has just moved into their California dream home when they become the target of their next-door neighbor, who disapproves of their interracial relationship. Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL [R] 1 hr. 45 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Dane Cook, Kate Hudson, Jason Biggs, Alec Baldwin, Lizzy Caplan. Plot: when guys get dumped, they hire Tank to take their ex-girlfriends out on the worst date of their lives – an experience so horrible it sends them running gratefully back to their beaus. So when Tank's best friend, Dustin, is dumped by his new girlfriend, Tank naturally offers to help out... and ends up meeting the challenge of a lifetime. Smart, beautiful and headstrong, Alexis is the first girl who knows how to call his bluff, and Tank soon finds himself torn between his loyalty to Dustin and his love for his best friend's girl. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

What's Leaving 9/18/08

Derby Plaza - Bangkok Dangerous, Tropic Thunder
Movie Machine - The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants 2
Northrock 14 - Bangkok Dangerous, Mirrors, Babylon A.D.
Palace West - nothing
Starlite Drive-In - Open weekends only
Warren East 13th - Swing Vote, Pineapple Express, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Disaster Movie, Babylon A.D., Mirrors
Warren Old Town - The Dark Knight, Tropic Thunder, Bangkok Dangerous
Warren West 21st - Bangkok Dangerous, Traitor, Disaster Movie, The Step Brothers

BURN AFTER READING ***

Written and directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen this Dark comedy stars: George Clooney, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, and Brad Pitt. One hour and thirty-six minutes long it's rated R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence.

An ousted CIA official's (Malkovich) memoir accidentally falls into the hands of two unwise gym employees (McDormand and Pitt) intent on exploiting their find. At the same time a Treasury employee (Clooney) is romancing both the CIA official's wife (Swinton) and McDormand, whose boss (Jenkins) is is also trying to romance McDormand.

This is one of those "Who's On First" comedies whose plot is almost impossible to explain. You just have to sit through it and try to keep up. While entertaining, it's not a laugh riot although there are several chuckles. Parents might want to think twice about taking teens to see this with them as one scene in particular might prove embarassing to explain. Unfortunately, the plot is so convoluted it's almost impossible to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion which may leave many somewhat disappointed. There's nothing here that requires a big theatre so waiting for the DVD is a viable option.

RIGHTEOUS KILL **

Jon Avnet directed this Action/Thriller/Drama which stars: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Donnie Wahlberg, John Leguizamo, and Carla Gugino. The film is one hour and forty minutes long and is rated R for violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and brief drug use.

A pair of veteran New York City police detectives (DeNiro and Pacino) are on the trail of a vigilante serial killer who targets criminals that have fallen through the cracks of the judicial system. His mission is to do what the cops can't do on their own--take the culprits off the streets for good. Helped by DeNiro's detective girlfriend (Gugino) they are suspected of being the vigilantes by two other detectives (Wahlberg and Leguizamo).

This is disappointing because you're expecting so much from these two A list actors. What you get is a competent performance from everyone in a rather pedestrian cop picture that works hard at misdirection but fails to really hold your attention. It's not a bad film, it's just that you have a right to expect a whole lot more for your money. I'd wait for the DVD.

Worthwhile (or not) 9/12/08

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). The critics seem to have taken a liking to the Cohen brothers comedy/drama while lambasting the DeNiro/Pacino cop drama and the Diane English remake. PREYS was evidently not screened so you're advised to avoid it.

My reviews of BURN AFTER READING and RIGHTEOUS KILL will be on this site between 4:30-5:00 p.m. Friday.

60 Burn After Reading,
xx Family That Preys, The,
38 Righteous Kill,
28 Women, The

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.

Previews of what's opening next week: GHOST TOWN, IGOR, LAKEVIEW TERRACE, and MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL.

Opening 9/12/08

For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.

BURN AFTER READING [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Dark comedy Trailer Cast: George Clooney, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, Brad Pitt. Plot: an ousted CIA official's memoir accidentally falls into the hands of two unwise gym employees intent on exploiting their find. Showing at: Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

RIGHTEOUS KILL [R] 1 hr. 40 min. Action/Thriller/Drama Trailer Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, 50 Cent, Donnie Wahlberg, Carla Gugino. Plot: a pair of veteran New York City police detectives are on the trail of a vigilante serial killer who targets criminals that have fallen through the cracks of the judicial system. His mission is to do what the cops can't do on their own--take the culprits off the streets for good. The similarities between the recent killings and an earlier case raise a nagging question: Did they put the wrong man behind bars? Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

THE WOMEN [PG-13] 1 hr. 55 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Jada Pinkett Smith, Debra Messing, Candice Bergen, Bette Midler, Cloris Leachman, Carrie Fisher, Lynn Whitfield, Joanna Gleason, Ana Gasteyer, Debi Mazar. Plot: the story of a clothing designer who seems to have it all – a beautiful country home, a rich financier husband, an adorable 11-year-old daughter and a part-time career creating designs for her father's venerable clothing company. Her best friend leads another enviable life – a happily single editor of a prominent fashion magazine, a possessor of a huge closet of designer clothes and a revered arbiter of taste and style poised on New York's cutting edge. When the designer's husband enters into an affair with a sultry 'spritzer girl' lurking behind the Saks Fifth Avenue perfume counter, the two women's relationship is tested to the breaking point while their tight-knit circle of friends all start to question their own friendships and romantic relationships as well. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

TYLER PERRY'S FAMILY THAT PREYS [PG-13] Family comedy/drama Trailer Cast: Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, Tyler Perry, Cole Hauser, Sanaa Lathan, Rockmond Dunbar, Taraji P. Henson, Kadee Strickland, Sebastian Siegel. Plot: the matriarchs of two very different families —one upper-crust and the other working class—become inextricably linked by scandal. Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

Leaving 9/11/2008

Derby Plaza - Babaylon A.D., Disaster Movie
Movie Machine - Disaster Movie, Tropic Thunder, The Dark Knight
Northrock 14 - College, Hamlet 2, Traitor, House Bunny, Death Race
Palace West - The Rocker
Starlite Drive-In - Open weekends only
Warren East 13th - Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants 2, Mirrors, Star Wars:Clone Wars, Step Brothers, Hamlet 2, Collete, Longshots
Warren Old Town - Babylon A.D., Death Race, Tropic Thunder
Warren West 21st - The Longshots, Hamlet 2, Star Wars:Clone Wars, College, Mirrors, Pineapple Express

BANGKOK DANGEROUS *

Based on a 2000 Thai film by the same writer/director team, Oxide Pang Chun and Danny Pang, this Action/Thriller stars: Nicolas Cage, Shahkrit Yamnarm, and Charlie Yeung.

A remorseless hitman (Cage), in Bangkok to execute four enemies of a ruthless crime boss, hires a street punk/pickpocket (Yamnarm) to run errands for him with the intention of killing him at the end of the assignment. Instead, he finds himself mentoring the young man while simultaneously being drawn into a tentative romance with a local deaf/dumb shop girl (Yeung). After he decides he wants more money for the fourth killing, the crime boss decides it's time to clean house and have Cage and his companions killed.

I hope Cage got a hefty paycheck for this film because his reputation is going to take a real nosedive as a result of being in it. He appears to be the only American in the film with the rest of the cast and crew being Thai. Perhaps this will be acceptable for Europe and Asia but Americans are used to more highly polished and technically proficient films and this pic is far from that. The locations do look authentic but the whole film is dark, so much so at times it's hard to discern what's going on. Neither of Cage's relationships with his "student" and "girlfriend" feel right and are for the most part simply padding. The action scenes aren't bad but don't nearly make up for the film's deficiencies. Avoid this like the plague.

BOTTLE SHOCK **½

Produced, written and directed by Randall Miller, this drama with light comedic overtones stars: Alan Rickman, Chris Pine, Bill Pullman, Rachael Taylor, Freddy Rodriguez, Dennis Farina, Eliza Dushku, Bradley Whitford, and Miguel Sandoval. Rated PG-13 for brief strong language, some sexual content and a scene of drug use the film is one hour and fifty minutes long.

In 1976, a small American winery (owned by Pullman and his son Pine) bested the exalted French wines of the time in a blind taste test (held by Rickman and Farina) and sent the wine industry into a tizzy - putting California wines on the map for good. The other cast members are in peripheral but interesting roles as friends and lovers.

This film won't make a big splash on the cinema scene but it's a pleasant, enjoyable way to spend a couple of spare hours. Filled with a group of second tier actors it's nonetheless a very well made and performed drama about real events. If you're a wine connoisseur, especially of the Napa Valley vintages, you should find it particularly interesting. You won't have to worry about fighting crowds to see it so if you have the tme, I recommend it.

Worthwhile (or not) 9/5/08

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). You've got your choice this week between a very nice independent art film and Nicolas Cage's latest shoot-em-up action drama.

Since BANGKOK DANGEROUS wasn't made available for review I'd be very, very leery of spending any money on this until I knew a little more about it.

My reviews of both features will be on this site after 4:30 p.m. Friday.

xx Bangkok Dangerous,
56 Bottle Shock

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.

Here's what's opening next week, BURN AFTER READING, RIGHTEOUS KILL, THE WOMEN, and TYLER PERRY'S FAMILY THAT PREYS.

Opening 9/5/08

For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.

BANGKOK DANGEROUS [R] 1 hr. 40 min. Action/Thriller Trailer Cast: Nicolas Cage, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Charlie Yeung, Panward Hemmanee, Nirattisai Kaljaruek, Dom Hetrakul. Plot: a remorseless hitman, in Bangkok to execute four enemies of a ruthless crime boss, hires a street punk/pickpocket to run errands for him with the intention of killing him at the end of the assignment. Instead, he finds himself mentoring the young man while simultaneously being drawn into a tentative romance with a local shop girl. As he falls further under the sway of Bangkok's intoxicating beauty, his boss decides it's time to clean house. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 13, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

BOTTLE SHOCK [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Alan Rickman, Chris Pine, Bill Pullman, Rachael Taylor, Freddy Rodriguez, Dennis Farina, Eliza Dushku, Bradley Whitford, Miguel Sandoval. Plot: there are certain moments in history when America has proven itself to the world: Neil Armstrong setting foot on the Moon; or the US Men's Hockey team beating the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympics. One such moment, however, never got the recognition it deserved: In 1976, a small American winery bested the exalted French wines of the time and sent the wine industry into a tizzy - putting California wines on the map for good. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.

Leaving 9/4/2008

Derby Plaza - The Rocker
Movie Machine - Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Rocker
Northrock 14 - The Rocker
Palace West - X-Files: I Want To Believe
Starlite Drive-In - Open weekends only
Warren East 13th - Wall-E, The Rocker
Warren Old Town - Pineapple Express
Warren West 21st - The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants 2, The Rocker