Worthwhile (or not) 10/12/07

The highest rated film this week by Metacritic is IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON with 84/100, closely followed by MICHAEL CLAYTON with 82/100. WE OWN THE NIGHT with 62/100 is next followed by: ACROSS THE UNIVERSE 56/100, ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE 45/100, THE FINAL SEASON 41/100, and bringing up the rear, TYLER PERRY'S WHY DID I GET MARRIED? unrated at this time.

WE OWN THE NIGHT **½

Writer/Director James Gray's latest is a gritty but unrealistic crime drama starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall, Eva Mendes, and Alex Veadov.

Phoenix and Wahlberg are the sons of Police Chief Duvall, who is very proud of Wahlberg who has followed him into the police force. Phoenix doesn't use the same last name as his father and brother and is the manager of a Russian owned night club. Mendes is the girlfriend of Phoenix. Veadov is the nephew of the owner of the nightclub and is trying to take over the drug traffic in New York, using the nightclub as a base and trying to get Phoenix to help him. When Wahlberg is attacked by one of the Russian mob members after a police raid, Phoenix must finally decide which side he will help.

This could have been a much better picture with just a little more plot reality and development. I found it hard to believe the Russians wouldn't know all about Phoenix's family, even if it was the 80's and Google and the internet weren't available. There's also no background on the two brothers so you don't know why they've taken such different directions. And there's also the fact that the brother's characters aren't all that well developed so it was hard to care what happened to them. I suspect many will like this better than I did, especially those with police backgrounds, and those who've lived on the East coast and find the characters more familiar. The biggest problem for me was that this was such a formula film...there's really no doubt what's going to happen eventually after you're into the film just a few minutes. There's lots of profanity, lots of bloody violence and just a smidgen of nudity, so fans of those elements have something to look forward to.

MICHAEL CLAYTON ****

This is the directorial debut for Tony Gilroy who also wrote the screenplay for this film and all of the Bourne films. That might lead you to expect an interesting and well paced movie, and you'll be happy to learn those expectations have been met. Starring in the lead roles are: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, and Sydney Pollack.

Clooney is the "fixer" in a large law firm. He takes care of all the messy problems that can occur in a client's life, and he's very good at it. But he's not a happy man. He's divorced and deeply in debt and the only way out is to continue doing what has become a distasteful job. Wilkinson is a brilliant lawyer in the firm who discovers a client is guilty of causing the deaths of many and decides to blow the whistle on them and help the plaintiffs. Swinton is the chief attorney of the guilty firm and desperate to protect her new position. Pollack is Clooney's boss and the man capable of helping him out of his financial problem. What starts as a straight legal story turns into a thriller when Swinton hires a black ops firm to permanently resolve her problem with Wilkinson and Clooney.

Flashbacks are not my favorite story method but even though this starts with one, it's well handled. The initial hour is a little muddled but as the story progresses everything falls into place and it becomes a race to see who will be the victor, Clooney or Swinton. The casting is superb and the production values are immaculate. The R rating is basically due to language, which is quite graphic in spots, and some violence. This is a terrific drama and you will be well entertained. Highly recommended.

Opening 10/12/07

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

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE [PG-13] 2 hrs. 10 min. Musical/Romance Trailer Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, Joe Anderson, Max Carrigan, Dana Fuchs, Martin Luther, T.V. Carpio. Plot: a love story set against the backdrop of the 1960s amid the turbulent years of anti-war protest, mind exploration and rock 'n roll, the film moves from the dockyards of Liverpool to the creative psychedelia of Greenwich Village, from the riot-torn streets of Detroit to the killing fields of Vietnam. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE [PG-13] 1 hr. 55 min. Historical thriller Trailer Cast: Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Clive Owen, Samantha Morton, Abbie Cornish. Plot: Queen Elizabeth I faces bloodlust for her throne and familial betrayal. Growing keenly aware of the changing religious and political tides of late 16th century Europe, Elizabeth finds her rule openly challenged by the Spanish King Philip II--with his powerful army and sea-dominating armada--determined to restore England to Catholicism. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

THE FINAL SEASON [PG] 2 hrs. Sports drama Trailer Cast: Sean Astin, Powers Boothe, Rachel Leigh Cook, Michael Angarano, Tom Arnold. Plot: the true story of a coach who inspired his team and brought hope to a town when they needed it most. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

MICHAEL CLAYTON [R] 2 hrs. Drama Trailer Cast: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack, Pamela Gray. Plot: an in-house "fixer" at one of the largest corporate law firms in New York is inextricably tied to the firm by financial problems. When one of the firm's brilliant but guilt-ridden attorneys sabotages an important case, the "fixer" faces the biggest challenge of his career and his life. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON [PG] 1 hr. 40 min. Documentary Trailer Cast: Edwin E. Aldrin Jr, Alan Bean (II), James Lovell, Edgar Mitchell, David R. Scott. Plot: brings together, possibly for the first and last time, the surviving crew members from every single Apollo mission that flew to the Moon and allows them to tell their story in their own words. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

TYLER PERRY'S WHY DID I GET MARRIED? [PG-13] 2 hrs. Comedy/Drama Trailer Cast: Tyler Perry, Janet Jackson, Malik Yoba, Jill Scott, Sharon Leal, Tasha Smith, Michael Jai White, Denise Boutte, Lamann Rucker. Plot: an intimate story about the difficulty of maintaining a solid love relationship in modern times as eight married college friends gather for their annual seven-day reunion. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

WE OWN THE NIGHT [R] 2 hrs. Crime/Thriller Trailer Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall, Eva Mendes, Alex Veadov. Plot: the popular manager of a Russian-owned nightclub has changed his last name and concealed his connection to a long line of distinguished New York cops. He tries to keep a friendly distance from the Russian gangster who is operating out of the nightclub – a gangster who is being targeted by his brother, an up-and-coming NYPD officer, and his father, the legendary deputy chief of police. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

Leaving 10/11/2007

Derby Plaza - 3:10 To Yuma, Resident Evil: Extinction
Movie Machine - Resident Evil: Extinction, 3:10 To Yuma
Northrock 14 - 3:10 To Yuma, Feast Of Love, Good Luck Chuck, Underdog
Palace West - Daddy Day Camp, Bratz, POTC:At World's End, Shrek The Third
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Dragon Wars, Eastern Promises, Becoming Jane, Good Luck Chuck, Feast Of Love
Warren Old Town - Resident Evil: Extinction
Warren West 21st - Sydney White, Dragon Wars

Worthwhile (or not) 10/5/07

None of this week's offerings have high ratings at Metacritic. THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB leads the pack with 64/100; followed by THE HEARTBREAK KID with 45/100; and THE SEEKER: THE DARK IS RISING with 43/100. FEEL THE NOISE evidently wasn't screened as it has no rating as of this writing.

THE HEARTBREAK KID **

Featured in the main roles in this black comedy are: Ben Stiller, Michelle Monaghan, Malin Akerman, and Jerry Stiller. The film was directed by the Farrelly brothers, Bobby and Peter.

Stiller Jr. plays an indecisive 40s man who has never been married. His father, Stiller Sr. and his friends keep encouraging him to take the plunge. One day he meets Akerman when her purse is stolen. They strike up a relationship and before long they're off to Mexico on a honeymoon. It's then he discovers she neglected to tell him several important facts about her past. And, when they consummate the marriage he discovers her sexual proclivities are both strange and extensive. Akerman gets sunburned and while she's recovering in their room, Stiller meets Monaghan and falls immediately in love, a feeling she reciprocates. Things start to go terribly awry at this point as he tries to get out of his new marriage so he can develop the relationship with Monaghan.

There are numerous crude and profanely funny bits in this film, but for me, they never coalesced into a funny comedy. Instead, after an hour or so, I started looking at my watch and I was glad when it was all over. Stiller's character did too many stupid things for me to really care what happened to him. The real scene stealer in this film is Akerman, although it's impossible for me to describe those scenes in which she shines, you'll just have to see them. Monaghan is underused and Stiller Sr. is just as annoying in this film as I usually find him to be. The R rating is very, very much deserved. Teens and younger adults are the target audience with enjoyability fading rapidly with age. There are two extra scenes in the credits, the last one being at the very end of the film.

THE SEEKER: THE DARK IS RISING **½

This film is based on the five volume fantasy series by English author Susan Cooper. Since The Seeker is not one of the titles in the series, and since I haven't read any of them, it's hard for me to know how many of the volumes this film covers. Starring in the major roles are: Ian McShane, Frances Conroy, Christopher Eccleston, and Alexander Ludwig. The feature was directed by David L. Cunningham.

The story starts as Ludwig turns 14. He's contacted by McShane and Conroy and informed he's part of a group by birth who fights for "the light" and tries to protect the Earth from "the dark." He's told he has five days to find six items hidden throughout time that will give him the power to defeat Eccleston, who's attempting to defeat those fighting for "the light."

I've always enjoyed fantasy and I enjoyed this film, more than my rating might indicate. You can think of this as Harry Potter lite. It has a teenage hero, magic and a fight against evil. It's not nearly as detailed as Potter, doesn't have as strong a cast nor nearly as many CG effects. But the time passed quickly and I was sorry to see the ending arrive. This is fine for families and teens. It's a little scary in parts, but not enough to really bother anyone for long.

Opening 10/5/07

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

FEEL THE NOISE [PG-13] 1 hr. 25 min. Drama/Musical Trailer Cast: Omarion Grandberry, Zulay Henao, James McCaffrey, Kellita Smith, Malik Yoba, Melonie Diaz, Victor Rasuk, Giancarlo Esposito. Plot: an aspiring Harlem rapper flees to a place and father he never knew, and finds his salvation in Reggaeton, a spicy blend of hip-hop, reggae and Latin beats. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

THE HEARTBREAK KID [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Comedy/Drama/Romance Trailer Cast: Ben Stiller, Michelle Monaghan, Malin Akerman, Jerry Stiller, Rob Corddry, Carlos Mencia, Scott Wilson, Danny McBride, Stephanie Courtney, Polly Holliday, Roy Jenkins. Plot: a single and indecisive man proposes to an incredibly sexy and seemingly fabulous woman. While on their honeymoon in sunny Mexico, she reveals her true beyond-awful nature and he meets the woman he realizes to be his actual soul mate. Now, he must keep his new, increasingly horrid wife at bay as he attempts to woo the girl of his dreams. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB [PG-13] 1 hr. 45 min. Drama/Romance Trailer Cast: Kathy Baker, Maria Bello, Marc Blucas, Emily Blunt, Amy Brenneman, Hugh Dancy, Maggie Grace, Lynn Redgrave, Jimmy Smits, Kevin Zegers. Plot: five women and one enigmatic man meet to discuss the works of Jane Austen and find their love lives playing out in a 21st century version of her novels. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

THE SEEKER: THE DARK IS RISING [PG] 1 hr. 35 min. Action/Adventure/Fantasy Trailer Cast: Ian McShane, Frances Conroy, Christopher Eccleston, Alexander Ludwig, Amelia Warner, Gregory Smith, Emma Lockhart, Gary Entin, Edmond Entin, John Benjamin Hickey, Wendy Crewson. Plot: based on the acclaimed novel by Susan Cooper, the film tells the story of Will Stanton, a young man who learns he is the last of a group of warriors who have dedicated their lives to fighting the forces of the Dark. Traveling back and forth through time, Will hunts for a series of mysterious clues and encounters forces of unimaginable evil. With the Dark once again rising, the future of the world rests in Will's hands. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

Starlite Drive-in will close for the winter after this Fri-Sat.

Leaving 10/4/2007

Derby Plaza - Sydney White, Balls Of Fury
Movie Machine - The Simpson Movie, Dragon Wars, Rush Hour 3, The Brave One
Northrock 14 - Eastern Promises, Rush Hour 3, Sydney White, Transformers
Palace West - Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer, Evan Almighty, License To Wed
Starlite Drive-In - now open weekends only
Warren East 13th - Paris, Je T'Amie, Mr. Bean's Holiday, Good Luck Chuck, Rush Hour 3, Superbad
Warren Old Town - The Brave One
Warren West 21st - Eastern Promises, Mr. Bean's Holiday, No Reservations, Superbad, Halloween

Worthwhile (or not) 9/27/07

No clear winners this week as far as the Metacritic ratings are concerned. IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH leads the list with 65/100 followed by THE KINGDOM with 55/100, FEAST OF LOVE with 54/100, and THE GAME PLAN with 43/100.

THE KINGDOM ***½

This action thriller with political overtones stars: Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, and Ashraf Barhom in the major roles. Actor turned director for this film is Peter Berg.

After a brief history of modern Saudia Arabia the pic opens with an explosive suicide bombing in an American compound. Among the casualties are two FBI agents. A stateside team of agents (Foxx, Cooper, Garner and Bateman) manages to get permission to go to the scene of the explosion in an attempt to determine who is responsible. The Saudis don't really want them but finally agree only if they are under the strict supervision of Barhom. As the team begins to make progress it soon becomes obvious the bombers have decided the team would make an excellent second target. With the plot racing to its conclusion, the question becomes who will be eliminated, the bombers or the team.

This is not a non-stop action film like THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM since it's also covering some of the political intrigue inherent in dealing with a Middle Eastern culture. But it has enough action to keep you interested throughout. The cast is excellent although I personally question whether Garner's character would be so emotional in real life...but that's the plot, not her. Unknown Ashraf Barhom is excellent as the Saudi police officer who must carefully tread the line between being an investigator and a loyal Saudi citizen. Both action and political junkie fans should find this film entertaining. Lots of violence and profane language. The big screen will show this film most effectively.

THE GAME PLAN **½

This family formula film from Disney stars: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Roselyn Sanchez, Kyra Sedgwick, and Madison Pettis. Andy Fickman, a relatively new director, is at the helm.

The plot is simplistic and the resolution is obvious from the start. The Rock is a football quarterback trying to win a league championship. One day he opens the door to find a daughter, Pettis, he was never aware of. She tells him her mother had to go to Africa and sent her to live with her father for a month. This doesn't happen to be true but it's relatively unimportant to the story. The pair slowly acclimate and he enrolls her in the ballet lessons she wants with a very attractive teacher, Sanchez. The Rock's agent, Sedgwick, is terribly concerned the daughter will negatively affect the financial worth of her client and continually tries to get rid of her.

Based on that outline, if you've ever watched a Disney family film, you know exactly where this is going. That isn't to say it doesn't have its enjoyable moments, but plot surprises are no where to be seen. The cast is fine; Johnson has already proved he can play this type of role and Sanchez and Sedgwick are familiar faces and very competent performers. The scene stealer is Pettis, who does a delightful job as a very precocious little girl. Families with children in tow will be entertained. Teens on up, not so much.

Opening 9/28/07

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

FEAST OF LOVE [R] 1 hr. 40 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Morgan Freeman, Greg Kinnear, Radha Mitchell, Jane Alexander, Alexa Davalos, Toby Hemingway, Selma Blair, Stana Katic, Billy Burke, Fred Ward, Erika Marozsan. Plot: in a coffee shop in a tight-knit Oregon community, local professor Harry Stevenson witnesses love and attraction whipping up mischief among the town's residents. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

THE GAME PLAN [PG] 1 hr. 45 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Roselyn Sanchez, Kyra Sedgwick, Morris Chestnut, Madison Pettis, Gordon Clapp, Kate Nauta, Paige Turco. Plot: a rugged superstar quarterback whose Boston-based team is chasing a championship, discovers the 7-year-old daughter he never knew he had – the product of a last fling before parting years ago with his young wife. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH [R] 2 hrs. Drama/War Trailer Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Susan Sarandon, Jason Patric, Jonathan Tucker, James Franco, Frances Fisher, Tim McGraw, Mehcad Brooks, Wes Chatham. Plot: the story of a war veteran, his wife, and the search for their son, a soldier who recently returned from Iraq but has mysteriously gone missing, and the police detective who helps in the investigation. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

THE KINGDOM [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Thriller Trailer Cast: Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Jeremy Piven, Danny Huston, Richard Jenkins. Plot: when a terrorist bomb detonates inside a Western housing compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an elite team of FBI agents negotiates a secret five-day trip into Saudi Arabia to locate the madman behind the bombing. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

Leaving 9/27/2007

Derby Plaza - Mr. Bean's Holiday, Underdog
Movie Machine - Balls of Fury
Northrock 14 - Dragon Wars, Bourne Ultimatum, War
Palace West - Hot Rod, The Invasion
Starlite Drive-In - now open weekends only
Warren East 13th - The Nanny Diaries, Shoot 'Em Up, Balls of Fury, Halloween, No Reservations
Warren Old Town - 3:10 To Yuma, Bourne Ultimatum
Warren West 21st - The Nanny Diaries, Rush Hour 3, Balls Of Fury, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry

Worthwhile (or not) 9/21/07

EASTERN PROMISES is the clear winner this week as far as MetaCritic is concerned with 83/100. SYDNEY WHITE earns 41/100 and GOOD LUCK CHUCK gets a wimpy 26/100. RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION doesn't appear to have been screened for the critics (surprise, surprise) so it has no rating yet.

GOOD LUCK CHUCK **

This romance/comedy stars Dane Cook, Jessica Alba, and Dan Fogler along with a cast of mostly naked young women too numerous to mention. The film is the directorial debut of Mark Helfrich.

Comedian Cook plays a character who was cursed as a young boy to never be the groom. Every woman he sleeps with ends up marrying the next man in their life. After the word gets out, this works fine for him until he meets a girl he wants to marry, Alba. Because of the curse, he's afraid to sleep with her for fear she'll end up with someone else. His best friend is Fogler who lives vicariously through him and has a thing for grapefruit (I'm not going to explain that, you'll just have to see it if you really want to know).

This is occasionally funny but more often annoying, with Cook's character completely over the top throughout the middle of the film. Given a better script and perhaps a more experienced director he gives the impression he's capable of much better. Alba is basically just eye candy and Helfrich is even more annoying than Cook. There's lots of female nudity, numerous sex scenes, and extremely graphic profanity. This film just doesn't have enough going for it to recommend but might be worth a look on dollar day at the DVD store.

EASTERN PROMISES ***

Director David Cronenberg and actor Viggo Mortensen last teamed in A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, a film about a character with hidden depths whom no one really knew. Once again they explore the same subject, this time with a cast including: Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel, and Armin Mueller-Stahl.

Set in London, Mortensen is a Russian émigré who acts as a driver for a group of Russian mobsters headed by Mueller-Stahl. Cassel is the son and heir apparent of Mueller-Stahl and is close to Mortensen even though he treats him as a servant.Watts is a midwife who helps deliver a baby from a young Russian girl who then dies. Anxious to find relatives of the baby, she sets out to have the girl's diary translated. Unfortunately, for Watts and her family, the diary contains information that would be very hurtful to the gang. As the story progresses, Mortensen is revealed as being far less brutal than the gang members and something far more than a driver.

This story is interesting although rather slow paced. Cast and production values are very good. This will not, however, be a picture for everyone. It is very adult, containing graphic sex scenes, full frontal male nudity (I saw more of Mortensen than I really wanted to), and savage violence. The dialog contains all of the obligatory profane language seemingly required in today's films. If the sex, nudity, violence and profanity aren't bothersome to you, it is a film that will hold your attention.

Opening 9/21/07

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

EASTERN PROMISES [R] 1 hr. 40 min. Thriller Trailer Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Sinead Cusack, Donald Sumpter, Jerzy Skolimowski. Plot: a driver for one of London's most notorious organized crime families' carefully maintained existence is jarred once he crosses paths with a midwife at a North London hospital. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

GOOD LUCK CHUCK [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Dane Cook, Jessica Alba, Dan Fogler. Plot: a successful dentist discovers at an ex-girlfriend's wedding that every woman he's ever slept with has found true love – with the next guy after him. Before he knows it, his reputation as a "good luck charm" has women – from sexy strangers to his overweight receptionist – lining up for a quickie.When he finds the girl of his dreams he's got to find a way to break his good-luck curse... before she winds up with the next guy she meets. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

PARIS, JE T'AIME [R] 2 hrs. Drama/Romance Trailer Cast: Natalie Portman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Fanny Ardant, Elijah Wood, Nick Nolte, Bob Hoskins, Juliette Binoche, Emily Mortimer, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Rufus Sewell, Barbet Schroeder, Ludivine Sagnier, Gena Rowlands, Miranda Richardson and Steve Buscem. Plot: celebrated directors from around the world, including the Coen Brothers, Gus Van Sant, Gurinder Chadha, Wes Craven, Walter Salles, Alexander Payne and Olivier Assayas, have come together to portray Paris in a way never before imagined. With each director telling the story of an unusual encounter in one of the city's neighborhoods, the vignettes go beyond the 'postcard' view of Paris to portray aspects of the city rarely seen on the big screen. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

SYDNEY WHITE [PG-13] 1 hr 45 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Amanda Bynes, Matt Long, Sara Paxton, John Schneider, Jack Carpenter, Crystal Hunt, Jeremy Howard, Samm Levine, Danny Strong, David Skyler. Plot: a tomboy freshman ditches her conniving sorority sisters and finds a new home with a group of very dorky outcasts. Fed up with the way they've all been treated, she's off to war against the reigning campus royalty. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION [R] 1 hr 35 min. Action/Horror Trailer Cast: Milla Jovovich, Oded Fehr, Ali Larter, Iain Glen, Ashanti, Chris Egan, Spencer Locke, Jason O'Mara, Mike Epps. Plot: in the third and final film of this series a group of survivors try to eliminate the deadly virus that threatens to make every human being undead... and to seek justice. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

Leaving 9/20/2007

Derby Plaza - Halloween, Bourne Ultimatum, Nanny Diaries
Movie Machine - Halloween, The Brothers Solomon
Northrock 14 - Becoming Jane, Halloween, Shoot 'Em Up, Superbad
Palace West - 1408, Live Free Or Die Hard
Starlite Drive-In - now open weekends only
Warren East 13th - Death At A Funersl, Arctic Tale, Stardust, Hairspray
Warren Old Town - Halloween, Superbad
Warren West 21st - Shoot 'Em Up, Hairspray, War, Transformers

Worthwhile (or not) 9/14/07

The MetaCritic ratings seem a little strange to me this week but here's what they are: ARCTIC TALE (64/100), THE BRAVE ONE (55/100), MR. WOODCOCK (42/100), and DRAGON WARS (unrated as of this writing but something will show up later). Foster's picture ratings are lowered by a number of terrible reviews that indicate those reviewers are only reviewing for art and not for entertainment. Trust me, most will thoroughly enjoy her pic.

At least there's something for almost everyone. Arctic Tale for families, Brave One for adults, Woodcock for teens, and Dragon Wars for those who march to the beat of a different drummer.

THE BRAVE ONE ****

A few weeks back we had Kevin Bacon's reprise of the old Charles Bronson DEATH WISH. This week we have a much, much better telling of the same basic story but this time starring: Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Nicky Katt, Naveen Andrews, and Mary Steenburgen. The director is Neil Jordan.

Foster and Andrews are lovers about to be married when they go out to walk the dog one night in Central Park (even I know better than to do that, and I've never been there). They are mugged by a gang and Andrews is killed and Foster barely survives. After several weeks of recovery she goes to the police to see if any progress has been made and is basically put on hold. She decides justice is probably not going to be served, gets a gun and almost immediately, but accidentally, must use it to protect herself. She's appalled at the fear she feels because of her attackers and decides she doesn't want to feel that emotion any longer and sets out to remove those who cross her path intending to do her harm. Howard notices her at the scene of a subway killing and remembers her from the earlier attack. They meet, talk, like each other but he starts to put two and two together and the rest of the film is spent figuring out what he will do about the "Vigilante Killer" if he can find enough actual evidence to charge her.

Nicole Kidman was originally slated for this film but it's hard to imagine how she could have done this part nearly as well as Foster, who is absolutely mesmerizing. We watch as she turns from a loving companion into a grief stricken woman who finds herself completely alone. Then she is fearful, vengeful and finally totally bewildered at the person she has become. She reaches a point where she doesn't care if she's caught as long as she can achieve a sense of closure for the loss she has suffered. This is Foster's picture from start to finish. Howard is fine as is Katt, Andrews is hardly there since he's killed early on, and Steenburgen is basically unimportant to the story. There is a fair amount of violence, although it isn't overly stressed, a brief flash of nudity, and some profanity that seems realistic. This is a first class drama that should bring Foster rave reviews. Highly recommended.

Opening 9/14/07

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

ARCTIC TALE [G] 1 hr. 25 min. Documentary Trailer Cast: Queen Latifah. Plot: from National Geographic Films, an epic adventure that explores the vast world of the Great North. Narrated by Queen Latifah, the film features music from Cat Stevens, Ben Harper, Aimee Mann, and The Shins. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

THE BRAVE ONE [R] 2 hrs. Psychological Thriller Trailer Cast: Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Naveen Andrews, Mary Steenburgen. Plot: after her fiancé is killed in a brutal attack, a radio host begins prowling the city streets at night to track down the men she holds responsible. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

DRAGON WARS [PG-13] 1 hr. 30 min. Action/Fantasy Trailer Cast: Jason Behr, Amanda Brooks, Robert Forster, Aimee Garcia, Craig Robinson. Plot: based on a Korean legend, unknown creatures return and devastate Earth, and only an investigative reporter and a young woman (they're reincarnated, don't you know) can stop this from happening. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

MR. WOODCOCK [PG-13] 1 hr. 25 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Seann William Scott, Susan Sarandon, Ethan Suplee, Melissa Sagemiller, Amy Poehler. Plot: a self-help author returns to his hometown only to discover his mother has fallen in love with his old high school nemesis – the gruff, no-nonsense gym teacher who had put him through years of mental and physical humiliation. Determined to prevent history from repeating itself, he sets out to stop his mother from marrying the man who had made life miserable for him and his classmates. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

Leaving 9/13/2007

Derby Plaza -
Movie Machine - The Nanny Diaries
Northrock 14 - Death Sentence, No Reservations, Nanny Diaries
Palace West - Knocked Up
Starlite Drive-In - now open weekends only
Warren East 13th - The Brothers Solomon, La Vie En Rose, Death Sentence, War, I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry
Warren Old Town - Balls Of Fury
Warren West 21st - Death Sentence, Harry Potter

Worthwhile (or not) 9/7/07

Here's how the critics averaged on MetaCritic. The top rated film was the classic Western, 3:10 TO YUMA (73/100), followed by the British comedy, DEATH AT A FUNERAL (67/100), the French film about Edith Piaf, LA VIE EN ROSE (66/100), the over-the-top action pic, SHOOT 'EM UP (53/100) and bringing up the rear, the SNL cast comedy, THE BROTHERS SOLOMON (33/100).

SHOOT 'EM UP **½

This over-the-top action film has a cast of hundreds of dead bodies but only three that are really important to the plot: Clive Owen, Monica Bellucci, and Paul Giamatti. The director is Michael Davis.

The story has Owen sitting around eating a carrot (really) when a pregnant woman about to give birth runs by him being chased by a man who clearly wants to kill her. Owen rescues her (you won't believe how lethal a carrot can be) initially but she's soon killed, leaving Owen with the newborn baby. He takes the baby to a lactating prostitute and the real action begins, as Giamatti arrives on the scene determined to kill the baby for reasons you won't discover until the movie is almost over.

Perhaps Saving Private Ryan had a higher body count but this film would give it a good run for the highest total. You are clearly not meant to take the slaughter seriously. This is a film where you just sit back and go along for the ride, seeing just how many ways one man can take out an army of killers. Owen is perfect for his role and Giamatti absolutely shines as a maniacal killer who's constantly interrupted by his wife wanting him home for their son's birthday party. Bellucci is gorgeous to looks at and participates with Owen in one of the most unusual sexual orgasms you're ever likely to see. As you might surmise, the movie is extremely violent and there's a fair amount of nudity. If you can suspend belief while watching, this is a quick paced action film many will greatly enjoy.

3:10 TO YUMA ***½

Based on an Elmore Leonard short story, 3:10 To Yuma was first made as a Western in 1957 starring Van Heflin as the rancher and Glenn Ford as the desperado. This time around the cast includes: Christian Bale, Russell Crowe, Dallas Roberts, Gretchen Mol, Alan Tudyk, Ben Foster, Logan Lerman, Luce Rains, Peter Fonda, and Vinessa Shaw.

The plot is fairly typical for a "Code of the West" film. Bale is a desperate rancher who's about to lose his spread due to lack of water. Crowe is a well-known desperado who's high on the Pinkerton Agency's list. When he's captured while dallying with a bar maid, the rancher offers to help take him to meet the 3:10 train to Yuma in return for $200 which will help save his ranch. It's obvious this won't be an easy task as Crowe has a gang willing to do anything to gain his freedom. To compound the rancher's problems, his oldest son (14) insists on going along on the deadly trip. Is the rancher as honorable as he appears? Is the bandit as evil as he appears? Those are the questions answered as the trip draws to its conclusion.

No matter what you may think of Crowe's real life actions, he is a terrific actor, (Bale is no slouch, either). Together they bring this story to life and give us an entertaining Western drama, something we haven't seen a lot of in the past few years. There's lots of violence and a little profanity, but this is basically a character study that becomes more absorbing as the plot progresses. Highly recommended for Western and action fans.

Opening 9/7/07

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

3:10 TO YUMA [R] 2 hrs. 10 min. Western Trailer Cast: Alan Tudyk, Ben Foster, Christian Bale, Dallas Roberts, Gretchen Mol, Logan Lerman, Luce Rains, Peter Fonda, Russell Crowe, Vinessa Shaw. Plot: in Arizona in the late 1800's, an infamous outlaw is captured and a Civil War veteran, struggling to survive on his drought-plagued ranch, volunteers to deliver him alive to the "3:10 to Yuma", a train that will take the killer to trial. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Oldtown, 21st Street Warren.

THE BROTHERS SOLOMON [R] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Chi McBride, Kristen Wiig, Malin Akerman, Will Arnett, Will Forte. Plot: two good-hearted but romantically-challenged brothers set out to find someone to have a baby with but their social skills prove to be somewhat lacking and their attempts at fatherhood go hysterically and disastrously wrong. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

DEATH AT A FUNERAL [R] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy/Drama Trailer Cast: Alan Tudyk, Andy Nyman, Daisy Donovan, Jane Asher, Kris Marshall, Matthew Macfayden, Peter Dinklage, Rupert Graves. Plot: a dignified funeral for a loved one erupts into uproarious chaos when romance, jealousy, in-laws, hallucinogens, dark secrets, life-long yearnings and a spot of bold blackmail all collide in this irreverent British comedy. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

LA VIE EN ROSE [PG-13] 2 hrs. 20 min. Drama/Foreign Trailer Cast: Marion Cotillard, Sylvie Testud, Clotilde Courau, Pascal Greggory, Marc Barbé, Caroline Sihol, Emmanuelle Seigner, Catherine Allégret, Jean-Pierre Martins. Plot: Edith Piaf's life was a battle to sing and survive, live and love. But in her audacious attempt to tame her tragic destiny, the Little Sparrow - her nickname - flew so high she could not fail to burn her wings. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

SHOOT 'EM UP [PG-13] 1 hr. 25 min. Action/Thriller Trailer Cast: Chris Jericho, Clive Owen, Daniel Pilon, Greg Bryk, Jane McLean, Monica Bellucci, Paul Giamatti, Stephen McHattie. Plot: a mysterious loner teams up with an unlikely ally to protect a newborn baby from a determined criminal who hunts them throughout the bowels of the city. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

Leaving 9/06/2007

Derby Plaza -
Movie Machine - Nothing
Northrock 14 - Hairspray, Resurrecting The Champ, Invasion
Palace West - I Know Who Killed Me
Starlite Drive-In - now open weekends only
Warren East 13th - Once, Underdog, September Dawn, Harry Potter 3, Invasion, Ratatouille, Resurrecting The Champ
Warren Old Town - Rush Hour 3
Warren West 21st - Stardust, Underdog, I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry, Invasion, Ratatouille, Resurrecting The Champ

Worthwhile (or not) 8/31/07

This week started out with three films scheduled but the best, Death At A Funeral, was dropped for some reason. Hopefully, this British comedy will turn up a little later. That only leaves this week with Death Sentence (48/100) and Halloween (unscreened), according to MetaCritic. Slim pickings, indeed!

HALLOWEEN 0*

John Carpenter started this series back in 1978 with a pretty good little horror film. Several films later, Rob Zombie has gotten his hands on it as writer/director and managed to create a film that for the cast will surely rank as the nadir of their careers. Among this group of unfortunate thespians are: Scout Taylor-Compton, Tyler Mane, Malcolm McDowell, Brad Dourif, Daeg Faerch, Sheri Moon, William Forsythe, Dee Wallace, and Udo Kier.

The film introduces us to Michael as a little boy in what surely must be one of the more dysfunctional households you've been exposed to. The purpose of this prologue is to let you know how he became a sociopath (frankly, I didn't really care, and certainly not for 30 minutes worth). Then we see his first killings, followed by fifteen years of incarceration in a mental institution, and his escape due to the most unbelievably incompetent guards it will ever be your misfortune to see. He immediately heads for home to look for his baby sister, who he last saw as an infant. He has no trouble immediately finding her (we need to send him after bin Laden), and the final slaughter begins.

This has got to be one of the worst films I've ever suffered through. It is full of characters you're more than willing to see slaughtered, makes absolutely no sense, and except for one scene close to the end, isn't in the least scary. The language is continually profane and most of the female cast is occasionally topless. The carnage is virtually unending (you don't know why) and special kudos should be given to the sound man for giving us very realistic sonic depictions of baseball bats crushing skulls, knives rending flesh, and people drowning in their own blood. If you're into this type of thing, OK, but consider therapy. I personally wouldn't advise wasting time or money on something this bad.

DEATH SENTENCE *½

Back in 1974 Charles Bronson made Death Wish. a film about a man seeking random revenge for the death of his wife. This film has the same theme but is a little less random, as our protagonist knows exactly who he wants to kill. Starring are: Kevin Bacon, Kelly Preston, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund, Aisha Tyler, and Matt O'Leary. James Wan, best known as the director of the Saw films, is the director.

Bacon portrays a mild mannered executive with the perfect family. On the way home with his oldest son, a gang initiation leads to the son's death. Convinced the guilty party will not be brought to justice, he determines to take matters into his own hands, leading to deadly consequences.

This pic puts an experienced director in charge of a very experienced cast and comes up wanting. My reaction to Bacon's character for most of the film was one of annoyance. He makes bad choice after obvious bad choice and then compounds it all with some unbelievable choices. Preston is good although mostly wasted and Goodman shines as one of the nastiest characters you'll ever run across. Tyler is fine as the police detective but it's a rather thankless role. There is a fair amount of action and lots of bloody violence but since none of it rings true, it really doesn't matter. This is a DVD bargain day rental at best.

Opening 8/31/07

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

DEATH SENTENCE [R] 1hr. 45 min. Action/Thriller Trailer Cast: Aisha Tyler, Garrett Hedlun, John Goodman, Jordan Garrett, Kelly Preston, Kevin Bacon, Leigh Whannell, Matt O'Leary, Yorgo Constantine. Plot: a mild-mannered executive with a perfect life witnesses/experiences something that changes him forever. Transformed by grief, he comes to the disturbing conclusion that no length is too great when protecting his family. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

HALLOWEEN [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Horror Trailer Cast: Brad Dourif, Danielle Harris, Malcolm McDowell, Scout Taylor Compton, Sheri Moon Zombie, Tyler Mane, William Forsythe. Plot: an entirely new take on the highly successful and terrifying Halloween legacy that began in 1978, as director Rob Zombie turns back time to uncover the making of a pathologically disturbed, even cursed child named Michael Myers. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

Sneak Preview, Sunday 9/2/07

3:10 TO YUMA [R] 2 hrs. 10 min. Western Trailer Cast: Alan Tudyk, Ben Foster, Christian Bale, Dallas Roberts, Gretchen Mol, Logan Lerman, Luce Rains, Peter Fonda, Russell Crowe, Vinessa Shaw. Plot: in Arizona in the late 1800's, an infamous outlaw is captured and a Civil War veteran, struggling to survive on his drought-plagued ranch, volunteers to deliver him alive to the "3:10 to Yuma", a train that will take the killer to trial. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively (7:00 p.m. - replaces WAR at same time).

Leaving 8/30/2007

Derby Plaza - The Simpsons Movie
Movie Machine - Bourne Ultimatum
Northrock 14 - The Last Legion, Talk To Me
Palace West - Ocean's 13, Nancy Drew, Wild Hogs
Starlite Drive-In - now open weekends only
Warren East 13th - The Simpsons Movie, Transformers
Warren Old Town - The Invasion
Warren West 21st - The Simpsons Movie, Transformers

Worthwhile (or not) 8/24/07

So many pictures...so little time. Here's what MetaCritic thought of this week's offerings: Once (88/100), Mr. Bean's Holiday (57/100), Resurrectng the Champ (54/100), Illegal Tender (51/100), The Nanny Diaries (45/100), September Dawn (39/100), and War (not reviewed).

I haven't had a chance to write my review of Mr. Bean's Holiday yet but I'll get it posted later today or tomorrow at the latest.

WAR **½

WAR is a slice 'n dice (literally) action film starring: Jet Li, Jason Statham, John Lone, Steph Song, Nadine Velazquez, Kane Kosugi, Andrea Roth, and Devon Aoki The director is Philip G. Atwell, who has basically been a video/Tv director until now.

The plot is more convoluted than usual for this type of film. It starts with two FBI agents in the middle of a gun battle which includes a deadly killer named Rogue. Rogue is supposedly killed by one of the agents and then some time later, that agent and his wife and daughter are killed by Rogue, who has resurfaced. The remaining partner vows revenge and finds Rogue three years later in the middle of a fight between elements of the Chinese Triads and the Japanese Yakuza. It soon becomes obvious Rogue is working both ends of the fight and instigating a fight to the death between the two groups. The battle you'd expect erupts and ends with the agent and the assassin finally coming face to face.

This is the type of film many males greatly enjoy. It features non-stop violence, sword slicing, explosions, lots of blood and flying body parts, fast cars, and a plethora of scantily clad young women. What's not to like? Most women will be much happier with something like Becoming Jane or The Nanny Diaries. But for those for whom fast paced action equals entertainment, this fills the bill nicely. There is a plot flaw which you'll realize at the end but most won't really care. A big screen and good sound will add to the pleasure.

Opening 8/24/07

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

ILLEGAL TENDER [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Thriller Trailer Cast: Dania Ramirez, Gary Perez, Manny Perez, Rick Gonzalez, Tego Calderon, Wanda De Jesus. Plot: after the gangsters who killed his father come to settle a score, a teenage boy and his mother turn the tables on the killers. Showing at: 21st Street Warren exclusively.

MR. BEAN'S HOLIDAY [G] 1 hr. 25 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Antoine de Caunes, Emma de Caunes, Jean Rochefort, Rowan Atkinson, Willem Dafoe. Plot: in his latest misadventure, Mr. Bean--the nearly wordless misfit who seems to be followed by a trail of pratfalls and hijinks--goes on holiday to the French Riviera where he is wrongly thought to be both a kidnapper and an acclaimed filmmaker. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Warren.

THE NANNY DIARIES [PG-13] 1 hr. 45 min. Comedy/Drama/Romance Trailer Cast: Alicia Keys, Chris Evans, Donna Murphy, Laura Linney, Paul Giamatti, Scarlett Johansson. Plot: the story of the emotional and often humorous journey of a young woman from a working-class neighborhood in New Jersey, struggling to understand her place in the world, who accepts the position as a nanny for a wealthy family and learns that life is not very rosy on the other side of the tax bracket. Showing at: Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

ONCE [R] 1 hr. 25 min. Comedy/Drama/Musical/Romance Trailer Cast: Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova. Plot: the story of a street musician and a Czech immigrant during an eventful week as they write, rehearse and record songs that reveal their unique love story. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

RESURRECTING THE CHAMP [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Alan Alda, Chris Ippolito, Dakota Goyo, David Paymer, Eugene Clark, Glenn Hunter, Harry J. Lennix, Josh Hartnett, Kathryn Morris, Peter Coyote, Rachel Nichols, Ryan McDonald, Samuel L. Jackson, Stephen Strachan, Teri Hatcher. Plot: when an up-and-coming sports writer saves a homeless man from a scrape with a group of rowdy college kids, he discovers he's no ordinary bum, but Champ, a one-time boxing great. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

SEPTEMBER DAWN [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Western/Drama/Romance Trailer Cast: Dean Cain, Huntley Ritter, Jon Gries, Jon Voight, Krisinda Cain, Lolita Davidovich, Shaun Johnston, Tamara Hope, Taylor Handley, Terence Stamp, Trent Ford. Plot: on September 11, 1857 in an unspoiled valley of the Utah Territory-and in the name of God-120 men, women and children were savagely murdered. This controversial film dramatizes who ordered the massacre, and why. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

WAR [R] 1 hr. 40 min. Thriller Trailer Cast: Andrea Roth, Devon Aoki, Jason Statham, Jet Li, John Lone, Kane Kosugi, Kennedy Lauren Montano, Luis Guzman, Mark Cheng, Mathew St. Patrick, Nadine Velazquez, Ryo Ishibashi, Saul Rubinek, Terry Chen. Plot: two adversaries set on a violent collision course in the Asian mob underground. Showing at: Northrock, 21st Street Warren, 13th Avenue Warren.

Opens Wednesday, 8/29/07

BALLS OF FURY [PG-13] 1 hr. 30 min. Action/Comedy/Crime/Sport Trailer Cast: Christopher Walken, Dan Fogler, George Lopez, Maggie Q, Robert Patrick, Thomas Lennon. Plot: a down-and-out former professional Ping-Pong phenom is sucked into the unsanctioned, underground, and unhinged world of extreme Ping-Pong when an FBI Agent recruits him for a secret mission. Showing at: Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

Leaving 8/23/2007

Derby Plaza - Hairspray
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - Ratatouille, The Simpsons Movie, Stardust, Daddy Day Camp, Harry Potter
Palace West - nothing
Starlite Drive-In - now open weekends only
Warren East 13th - Daddy Day Camp, Hot Rod, Talk To Me
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - Rescue Dawn, Daddy Day Camp

Worthwhile (or not) 8/17/07

At first glance this week looked as if it had nothing to offer. But, it turns out I was in for a surprise (see my review below). As far as MetaCrtic is concerned, here's how they rate: SUPERBAD (78), TALK TO ME (69), THE INVASION (49), and THE LAST LEGION (not screened, and you know what that means).

Incidentally, INVASION is the fourth time INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS has been made and according to the bulk of the reviews they shouldnt have wasted their time.

For those who've been enjoying the cult film at the Palace West, here's the lineup for the next couple of months: August 24 & 25- Rocky Horror Picture Show, August 31 & Sept.1- National Lampoon Vacation, September 7 & 8- Revenge of the Nerds, September 14 & 15- Clockwork Orange, September 21 & 22- Monty Python Life of Brian, September 28 & 29- Blazing Saddles, October 5 & 6- The Shining , October 12 & 13- Evil Dead 2.

Update: Here's the latest on the weekend from Nikki Finke's blog.

SUPERBAD ***

This is a rude, crude and highly profane coming-of-age comedy starring: Jonah Hill (Seth), Michael Cera (Evan), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Fogell), Bill Hader (Officer Slater), Seth Rogen (Officer Michales), Emma Stone (Jules), Martha MacIsaac (Becca), and Aviva (Nicola).

The plot involves three high school seniors (Seth, Evan and Fogell) heading out to obtain liquor for a party using a phony I.D. They hope by providing the drinks for the party they'll get lucky with the objects of their desire (Jules, Becca and Nicola) and have girl friends for the summer before they leave for college (thus providing them with some experience they desperately need). Things don't quite go as planned and Fogell ends up riding around with Officers Slater and Michales while Seth and Evan try another approach at obtaining the necessary booze.

I suspect most who read my reviews are older than the target age for this film which is late teens and college age. I can assure you this group will absolutely love this film. Older patrons can plan on being surrounded by the younger ones and may have difficulty hearing the dialogue over the laughter. The language is continually profane and sexually graphic but I don't remember any nudity. What makes this film work is the likeability of the characters and the recognition that many of the situations involved are not entirely improbable. The closest comparison movie I can think of is Porky's. I should also point out the end credits have some of the most unusual graphics you'll see in a film. If you're in the right mood and you're old enough, this is definitely worth the money.

Opening 8/17/07

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

THE INVASION [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Sci-Fi/Thriller Trailer Cast: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Jeremy Northam, Malin Akerman. Plot: the mysterious crash of a space shuttle leads to the terrifying discovery there is something alien within the wreckage causing a growing extraterrestrial epidemic: it attacks its victims while they sleep, leaving them physically unchanged but strangely unfeeling and inhuman. The only hope is to stay awake long enough to find someone who may hold the key to stopping the devastating invasion. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

THE LAST LEGION [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Action/Adventure/Fantasy Trailer Cast: Colin Firth, Aishwarya Rai, Sir Ben Kingsley, Thomas Sangster, Peter Mullan, Iain Glen. Plot: set against the fall of Rome and its last emperor, 12 year-old Romulus Augustus travels to Britannia in search of the last Roman Legion – the fabled Dragon Legion. There, Romulus will fight alongside his friends and take his first steps to becoming a man and the king who would father a legend. Showing at: Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

SUPERBAD [R] 1 hr. 55 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Bill Hader. Plot: two school seniors set out to score alcohol for a party, believing girls will then hook up with them and they will be ready for college. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

TALK TO ME [R] 2 hrs. Drama Trailer Cast: Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson, Mike Epps, Vondie Curtis Hall, Martin Sheen. Plot: the story of the one and only Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr.; set in the mid-to-late 1960s, in Washington, D.C., where vibrant soul music and exploding social consciousness were combined to unique and powerful effect. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren.

Leaving 8/16/2007

Derby Plaza - Harry Potter
Movie Machine - I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
Northrock 14 - Hot Rod, Who's Your Caddy?, Bratz
Palace West - Surf's Up, Spider-Man 3
Starlite Drive-In - now open weekends only
Warren East 13th - Bratz, Live Free Or Die Hard, Rescue Dawn, Skinwalkers
Warren Old Town - I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Harry Potter, Hairspray
Warren West 21st - Bratz, Live Free Or Die Hard, Skinwalkers

Worthwhile (or not) 8/10/07

The highest MetaCritic score this week goes to STARDUST (64), followed by BECOMING JANE (55), RUSH HOUR 3 (43), DADDY DAY CAMP (which opened Wednesday and only got 18) and SKINWALKERS with nothing since it evidently wasn't screened (bad, bad sign). None of these have a high enough score to get excited about although that's not unusual for this time of year. A studio is not going to release a major film just as school is opening.

Added Sunday: Here's a summary of the weekend business from Nikki Finke's blog.

RUSH HOUR 3 *

The first of the RUSH HOUR movies was released in 1998, followed by number 2 in 2001 and now six years later here we are with the threequel. Once again it stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker plus this time: Vinnie Jones, Hiroyuki Sanada, Noémie Lenoir, Yvan Attal, Sun Ming Ming, and Max von Sydow. Brett Ratner returns once again as the director.

After a brief prelude involving an attempted assassination, the boys head off to Paris in an attempt to stop a group of Chinese gangsters, known as the Triad, from killing Chan's former assignment and daughter as a way of keeping secret the Triad's membership. To do so they must find someone named Genevieve, who also knows the membership, then evade a passel of assassins which culminates in a battle at the top of the Eiffel Tower. They are aided by a cabbie who initially doesn't think much of Americans but decides he likes the thought of being a "secret agent."

I thought the first two films in this series were mildly amusing but it becomes quickly obvious this film has nothing new to offer and is just a grab for some fast bucks. The initial few minutes are almost painfully bad, even resorting to a variation on an old Abbott and Costello routine (who's on first) in an attempt to coerce some laughter. Once you become numbed by the lack of an intelligent plot, the latter part of the film has a few entertaining moments, but not nearly enough to justify buying a ticket. There was no joy in this one for me but younger teen audiences will probably find it at least palatable.

Opening 8/10/07

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

BECOMING JANE [PG-13] 1 hr. 55 min. Drama/Romance Trailer Cast: Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, Julie Walters, James Cromwell, Maggie Smith. Plot: the story of the great, untold romance that inspired a young Jane Austen. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

RUSH HOUR 3 [PG-13] 1 hr. 25 min. Action/Comedy/Crime Trailer Cast: Chris Tucker, Jackie Chan, Hiroyuki Sanada, Youki Kudoh, Max Von Sydow, Noemie Lenoir, Vinnie Jones, Yvan Attel, Roselyn Sanchez, Roman Polanski. Plot: in this threequel, the two must travel to Paris to battle a wing of the Chinese organized crime family, the Triads. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock, Starlite Drive-In, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

SKINWALKERS [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Action.Horror Trailer Cast: Scott Anderson, Jason Behr, Lyriq Bent, Sarah Carter, Kim Coates, Barbara Gordon, Tom Jackson, Rogue Johnston, Matthew Knight, Elias Koteas, Natassia Malthe, Carl Marotte, Rhona Mitra, Ramona Pringle, Shawn Roberts, David Sparrow. Plot: a 12-year-old boy suddenly finds himself at the center of a battle between two warring groups of werewolves; one sworn to protect him, the other trying to kill him -- and his mother must find out why before time runs out. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

STARDUST [PG-13] 2 hrs. 10 min. Adventure/Fantasy/Romance Trailer Cast: Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller, Ricky Gervais, Jason Flemyng, Peter O'Toole, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Ian McKellen. Plot: based on the best-selling graphic novel about a young man going on a quest to retrieve a fallen star which has transformed into a striking girl. There are others desperately searching for her but he discovers he must now win the heart of the star for himself as he discovers the meaning of true love. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

Leaving 8/9/2007

Derby Plaza -
Movie Machine - Hairspray
Northrock 14 - Transformers, Live Free Or Die Hard, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
Palace West - Mr. Brooks, Meet The Robinsons, A Mighty Heart
Starlite Drive-In - I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry ONLY OPEN FRI/SAT STARTING FRIDAY
Warren East 13th - Harry Potter, 1408, I Know Who Killed Me, Sunshine
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - Who's Your Caddy, I Know Who Killed Me, Evan Almighty

Worthwhile (or not) 8/3/07

There's a clear winner the week according to MetaCritic with Bourne receiving 84/100, followed by Hot Rod with 47/100 and Bratz bringing up the rear with 29/100. Underdog is evidently so bad it's distributor didn't screen it for critics. That's never a good sign.

THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM ****

This film has the same title as Robert Ludlum's third and last novel in his Bourne series. Before you get worried about no more Bourne movies, two additional sequels have been written by another author and the movies have never closely followed Ludlum's plots in any event. If this film's grossses are as good as I suspect they will be, I don't think there's much doubt we'll see Jason Bourne in future films. Starring this time around are: Matt Damon (Jason Bourne), Julia Stiles (Nicky Parsons), David Strathairn (Noah Vosen), Scott Glenn (Ezra Kramer), Paddy Considine (Simon Ross), Edgar Ramirez (Paz), Albert Finney (Dr. Albert Hirsch) and Joan Allen (Pam Landy).

The story starts in Moscow and never stops moving as Bourne closes in on the people who can help him regain his identity. He reads a story about himself in a British newspaper and heads to London to see if the reporter has additional information. Chasing a lead, he runs into Nicky Parsons again, who helps him in his quest at the risk of her life. After several additional stops he lands in New York where he confronts the individuals in the CIA who know all about him and are determined to kill him before he releases the information he's remembering.

This film passed my entertainment test with flying colors...I never once looked at my watch. The production values are first rate, the cast is perfect and the plot moves at a pace that keeps you constantly involved with nary a draggy moment. If you want an interesting, intelligent, action film, they don't get any better than this. A large screen and good surround sound will add greatly to your enjoyment.