Last Months Reviews - June - 2008
10,000 B.C. (PG-13: v) Action/Adventure/Fantasy
Omar Sharif narrates this story of a tribe of prehistoric mammoth hunters at a time when their tiny mountain top village is pillaged by evil horsemen (prophecied by the matriarch of the clan as “four-legged demons”), who kill most of them and capture others to serve as their slaves. Among the few survivors is young D’leh (Steven Strait), whose lover Evolet (Camilla Belle) has been carried away. D’leh and two of his friends set off in pursuit of the raiders, travelling across extreme terrain and encountering stampeding elephants, flying velociraptors, and a saber-toothed tiger. When the trio finds Evolet and the others being used to build an enormous pyramid, they are joined by thousands of other African warriors who have also lost friends and family to the slaveholders. D’leh’s effort to save Evolet is met with the evil leader’s fascination with the girl, putting her in serious danger. Splendid computer graphics enhance this timeless tension-filled tale of human emotion. 109 min. (Slavin)
THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES (PG) Fantasy/Drama
Helen Grace (Mary-Louise Parker) has moved her three children into an old estate given to her by her Aunt Lucinda (Joan Plowright). Daughter Mallory (Sarah Bolger) knows why they’re there, but the twin boys (both played by Freddie Highmore) think this is temporary and that their father is coming to get them. Simon is a bright, quiet kid who does what he’s told; but Jared, mischievous and full of anger, pokes around and finds a book with a note warning him not to read it. But he does, and big time trouble follows. An elf-like creature (voice of Martin Short) tells Jared what damage he has done, and what he must do about it. No one believes Jared until evil monsters led by a giant ogre (Nick Nolte) threaten them with their lives. A tree elf (voice of Seth Rogen) supports the kids, but their mission is more dangerous than they could imagine. David Strathairn is featured as Arthur Spiderwick. 97 min. (Slavin)
THE BUCKET LIST (PG-13: bd, bl) Comedy/Drama
Two of America’s best actors match wits in this touching film about death and how a couple of guys prepare for it. Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) is a billionaire owner of hospitals. When he becomes a patient himself, he’s upset at finding auto mechanic Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) sharing his room. Both are dying of cancer, but are as different as they can be. Cole is as irascible as they come; Chambers is quiet and brilliant… and neither one of them seems to care for the other. But after a few days, their common situation brings them together, and they decide to jump the joint and do all the things they’ve only dreamt about. As they share their adventures, they also share their philosophies and innermost thoughts, becoming the closest of friends. And even though their attempt to influence the other often causes conflict, their ultimate fate is a direct result of their relationship. Sean Hayes is featured as Edward’s assistant. 97 min. (Slavin)
JUMPER (PG-13: bl, bs, v) Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi
In high school, he fell through the ice and ended up in the library… and couldn’t figure out how that happened. But when he did, he robbed a few banks and began to live a life of luxury all over the world… by simply transporting himself to wherever he wanted. Eight years later, David Rice (Hayden Christensen), now very rich and very sure of himself, decided to return home to see how his teenage crush, Millie (Rachel Bilson) was doing. He took her on a trip to Rome, but didn’t tell her anything about himself. But when Roland (Samuel L. Jackson), the head of a group called Paladins, intent on destroying all the “Jumpers” showed up, David’s world became one of chaos and mayhem. He joined up with another Jumper (Jamie Bell) in an effort to escape from or kill Roland. Diane Lane is featured as David’s mother. Until now, he never knew why she left him when he was only five. 90 min. (Slavin)
FOOL'S GOLD (PG-13: m, bd, bn, bs, bv) Adventure/Comedy/Romance
Almost three hundred years ago a Spanish ship went down loaded with a treasure worth millions. Now treasure hunter Ben Finnegan (Matthew McConaughey), diving off the coast of Key West, came upon a plate that he was certain was from that ship. But while he and his sidekick were underwater, their hunting boat went up in flames and sunk, much to the chagrin of his ruthless investor, Bigg Bunny (Kevin Hart). Ben escaped from BB’s henchmen, but now had to face divorce proceedings initiated by his wife Tess (Kate Hudson), a college graduate serving as a crew member on a yacht belonging to billionaire Nigel Hunnicutt (Donald Sutherland). With no boat and no money, Ben finagled his way onto Hunnicutt’s yacht and convinced him to fund his venture. With Hunnicut’s nutty daughter (Alexis Dziena) as well Tess aboard, and Ben’s cutthroat rival (Ray Winstone) competing for the treasure, this story turns into a merry mix of mayem and mirth. 113 min. (Slavin)
SEMI-PRO (R: m, gd, gl, bs) Comedy
Owner, player, coach, and singing sensation who before each game introduces his teammates to a paltry crowd, Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell) must move his last place Tropics into fourth position so they can merge into the NBA. To accomplish that, Jackie obtains the talents of has been Ed Monix (Woody Harrelson). But then he finds out that they also have to average two thousand fans for their home games in order to qualify. Jackie’s antics designed to bring in the crowds are wild, but Ed insists they focus on the game. The team, led by Clarence “Coffee” Black (André Benjamin), asks Ed to be the coach, and Jackie remains in charge of promotion. Up goes the team in the standings and up goes attendance; however, fate deals an awful blow. But nothing can stop men with heart. Patti LaBelle has a heavenly cameo, and Maura Tierney, Andy Richter, Will Arnett, and Jackie Earle Haley are featured in this crazy comedy. 90 min. (Slavin)
DEFINITELY, MAYBE (PG-13: m, bl, d, bs) Romantic Comedy
Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) has a few good things going for him… he does have a good job and he has a wonderful eleven year-old daughter, Maya (Abigail Breslin), whom he sees every Tuesday and Friday. On the other days, she’s with her mom… you see, Will and his wife are getting divorced. Maya, a very bright and inquisitive child, wants to know all about his life before marriage in an effort to guess which of the three women in Will’s life turned out to be her mother. Was it his first love Emily (Elizabeth Banks), whom he left behind in Wisconsin to go to New York? Or April (Isla Fisher), the girl in Bill Clinton’s campaign office? Or perhaps Summer (Rachel Weisz), a journalist for the New Yorker magazine? More important to Maya, however, than guessing which is her mom, is making sure that her dad is now happy. He says he is, but she’s determined to make certain. With Kevin Klein. 112 min. (Slavin)
WELCOME HOME ROSCOE JENKINS (PG-13: m, d, bl, s) Comedy
He’s the host of a less than sophisticated TV audience participation show based in Los Angeles, where he fled from his family years ago. But it’s his parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary, so Roscoe Jenkins (Martin Lawrence), grabs his annoying fiancee (Joy Bryant) and heads back home to rural Georgia. Waiting there with open arms are his mom (Margaret Avery), dad (James Earl Jones), shiftless silver-tongued brother Otis (Michael Clarke Duncan), sinful Christian sister Betty (Mo’Nique), jerky car salesman cousin Clyde (Cedric the Entertainer), no-good cousin Reggie (Mike Epps), and his hometown sweetheart Lucinda (Nicole Ari Parker). This dysfunctional group is jealous and scornful of Roscoe, and continues to make him uncomfortable in the midst of slapstick violence, crude sex jokes, and humping animals. But we do learn the true value of family in this comedic film that, in spite of its crude humor, gives us a sense of what is important. Keep watching after the closing credits for the very funny epilogue. 114 min. (Slavin)
MEET THE SPARTANS (PG-13: m, d, bl, s, bv) Comedy
This comic parody of the recent hit flick “300” follows its plot closely, but throws caution to the winds with tons of wild humor, much of it sexual, scatological, or foisted at current TV shows and movies represented by celebrity look-alikes. After Leonidas (Sean Maguire), leader of the Spartans, threw the Persian messenger into the pit, he followed up by tossing in a whiny Britney Spears, as well as screeching Sanjaya and the American Idol judges. Leonidas then left his wife Margo (Carmen Electra), and accompanied by the Captain (Kevin Sorbo) and thirteen soldiers, danced into battle to the tune of “I Will Survive,” and stomped the yard against the army of Xerxes (Ken Davitian, the fat guy from “Borat”). The crazy conflicts continue, interspersed with spoofs of “Deal or No Deal,” “Ghost Rider,” “Transformer,” and others, as well as a betrayal by a malformed Paris Hilton. A full cast production number is a fitting finale to this farcical flick. 84 min. (Slavin)
THE EYE (PG-13: m, v) Supernatural Thriller
Blinded as a child, Sydney Wells (Jessica Alba) has found happiness and success as a talented concert violinist. But after fifteen years without sight, she decided to have a double corneal transplant. Emotionally supported by her older sister (Parker Posey), Sydney gets through the operation with, according to her doctors, no problems. But according to Sidney, all is not right. She kept seeing things… horrible things, both in her dreams and while awake. So her doctor sent her to a specialist, Dr. Paul Faulkner (Alessandro Nivola), who told her that it was all in her mind and that she just had to get used to the new world that her eyesight was introducing her to. But Sydney was persistent, insisting that Dr. Faulkner tell her who her eye donor was. Divulging this information could cost him his license, but his feelings for Sidney had a strong influence on him. What the two of them found out was astounding and surprising. 97 min. (Slavin)
THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL (PG-13: m, bd, bpn, s, bv) Drama/Romance
Mary Boleyn (Scarlett Johansson) was an uncomplicated, unassuming young lady; her sister Anne (Natalie Portman), on the other hand, was ambitious and clever. The girls and their brother George (Jim Sturgess) were very close and loving with each other. But things changed when their uncle, The Duke of Norfolk (David Morrissey) offered their parents the opportunity for Anne to go to court to satisfy the sexual needs of King Henry VIII (Eric Bana). Their father (Mark Rylance) readily agreed, although their mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) was less pleased. But the king chose the married Mary instead. With no choice, Mary did what she was commanded, fell in love with Henry, and bore his bastard child. Shifting his desires from Mary to Anne, Henry offered her everything but the crown. Her ambitions, however, forced the issue, and as history tells us, caused Henry to lose the Catholic church and Anne to lose her head. A strong supporting performance from Ana Torrent as Catherine of Aragon. 115 min. (Slavin)
UNDER THE SAME MOON (PG-13: m) Drama
Nine-year-old Carlitos (Adrián Alonso) is one of the countless children left behind by parents who come to the U.S. seeking a way to provide for their families. His mother, Rosario (Kate del Castillo), has worked illegally as a domestic in Los Angeles for four years, sending money home to her son and mother to give them a chance at a better life. When the death of his grandmother leaves young Carlitos alone, he takes his fate into his own hands and heads north across the border to find his mother. Along the way he meets a middle-aged migrant worker, Enrique (Eugenio Derbez), who becomes his reluctant protector. The unlikely pair finds its way from Tucson to East L.A., but the only clue Carlitos has to his mothers whereabouts is her description of the street corner from which she has called him each Sunday for the last four years. They are unaware that Rosario is only hours away from returning to Mexico. 109 min.
BE KIND REWIND (PG-13: bd) Comedy
In Pasaic, New Jersey, stands a dilapidated video rental shop belonging to good old Mr. Fletcher (Danny Glover). The city wants to build a new modern office building there, but Mr. Fletcher resists and goes on an investigative trip to figure out how to save the store. Leaving employee Mike (Mos Def) in charge, Fletcher tells him never to let his pal Jerry (Jack Black) into the store, because he’s trouble. Of course, crazy Jerry inadvertantly erases all the tapes, but the duo comes up with an idea to satisfy neighbor and long time customer, Mrs. Falawicz (Mia Farrow) by filming their own version of “Ghost Busters” for her. While it sounds ridiculous, and the versions they film are both short and primitive, the idea takes off, and the whole neighborhood stands in line to rent their movies. With help from their friends, Mike and Jerry make a load of money with their films, but will it be enough to save the store? 101 min. (Slavin)
IN BRUGES (R: m, gd, gl, bs, gv) Comedy/Drama/Action
If you gotta get out of town, this quaint little village in Belgium is a nice place to go. At least that’s what their boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes) thought when he sent Ken (Brendan Gleeson) and Ray (Colin Farrell) there after a hit Ray did for him. Ray performed his job by killing a priest, but what else happened at the church was a serious mistake. Ken loved Bruges with its churches, cobblestone streets, and medieval buildings full of history, but Ray was bored to tears. While waiting for further instructions from Harry, Ken did some sightseeing, while Ray hit the pubs, where he met up with a pretty filmmaker (Clémence Poésy) and a dwarf (Peter Dinklage) who was in her movie. When Harry called and told Ken what he was to do next, Ken was not pleased. His refusal caused Harry to travel to Bruges to finish the job. Lots of humor in this suspenseful tale with a stunning climax. 107 min. (Slavin)
PERSEPOLIS (PG-13: m, bd, bl, bv) Animated Drama
Based on Marjane Satrapi’s bestselling graphic novel of a spunky girl who surmounts countless obstacles to grow into a wise young adult. Marjane (Chiara Mastroianni) is an innocent nine-year-old living in1970s Iran, surrounded by a loving but protective mother (Catherine Deneuve) and father. She finds comfort in the carefree spirit of her loving grandmother, as well as music by artists as diverse as ABBA and Iron Maiden. However as Marji grows up, she witnesses first hand how the new Iran, now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists, after the Shah's defeat in the Iranian Revolution, has become a repressive tyranny on its own. With Marji dangerously refusing to remain silent at this injustice, her parents send her abroad to Vienna to study for a better life. However, this change proves equally difficult leading her back to Iran and then to France on another journey, not sure where she truly belongs. The English-language version features the voice talents of Sean Penn, Gena Rowlands and Iggy Pop. 95 min.
WITLESS PROTECTION (PG-13: m, d) Comedy
Larry Stalder (Larry the Cable Guy) is a small-town deputy who enjoys hanging out with his buddies and waitress girlfriend, Connie (Jenny McCarthy). Yet, he dreams of becoming something bigger and better in the law enforcement arena, such as a full-fledged FBI agent. He thinks he might have the chance to prove his worth when some dark-suited men, led by Alonzo Mosely (Yaphet Kotto), enter the local diner escorting the none-too-happy Madeleine (Ivana Milicevic). Thinking they're not really FBI agents, Larry kidnaps her. In reality, she's a witness set to testify in Chicago against her former boss, the wealthy Arthur Grimsley (Peter Stormare). It seems she has the key to some incriminating evidence, and he's none too happy about that. Accordingly, he has his tenacious head of security, Wilford Duvall (Eric Roberts), out looking for her. Thinking he's doing the right thing, Larry keeps Madeleine as his rescued hostage, with their decidedly different lifestyles and demeanor clashing along the way. 97 min.
CHARLIE BARTLETT (R: m, bd, bn, bs) Comedy/Drama
Wealthy, charming seventeen year-old Charlie (Anton Yelchin) has entrepreneurial talents that have gotten him expelled from a lot of private schools. Now he’s back home living in the mansion with his sweet, innocent mom (Hope Davis), and going to public school, where he’s definitely a fish out of water. On his first day he is laughed at, sneered at, and promptly beaten up by the class bully (Tyler Hilton). Intent on becoming popular, Charlie succeeds by getting prescription drugs from family retained psychiatrists, and in turn selling them to the kids with whom he has been holding therapy sessions in the boys’ bathroom. He’s also become smitten with Susan (Kat Dennings), the daughter of the alcoholic principal (Robert Downey, Jr.), who has his own problems. Charlie is great at solving the problems of others, but is oblivious to his own. This is a sharp, clever film that provides humorous as well as thougtful insights into the true value of life. 97 min. (Slavin)
FUNNY GAMES (R: a, bgd, bl, bs, v) Suspense/Thriller
Ann (Naomi Watts) and George (Tim Roth) enjoy playing games… like listening to CD’s and guessing who is singing what aria from what opera. But they are ill prepared to handle the game directed by Paul (Michael Pitt) and Peter (Brady Corbet), a couple of intelligent, well-mannered, appropriately dressed young men who come visiting their lake house on the first day of their vacation. While George and their ten year-old son (Devon Gearhart) are at the dock getting their boat prepared for sailing, Paul comes to the door and asks Ann if he can borrow some eggs for the neighbors with whom he is staying. She is taken aback at first, but when the boys begin their game, she, her husband and son soon become afraid… deathly afraid. Paul bets them that they won’t survive the night… and even asks us, the audience, our opinion. Tension, trauma, and terror are at the center of Michael Haneke’s remake of his German surrealistic film. 112 min. (Slavin)
FLAWLESS (PG-13: bl) Drama
In swinging 1960s London, Laura Quinn (Demi Moore) is a bright, driven and beautiful executive at the London Diamond Corporation who finds herself frustrated after years of faithful employment, as man after man is promoted ahead of her despite her greater experience. Mr. Hobbs (Michael Caine), the nighttime janitor at London Diamond who is virtually invisible to the executives that work there, has amassed a startling amount of knowledge about how the company runs over the years. Hobbs has his own bone to pick with London Diamond. Observing Laura’s frustration, he convinces her to help him execute an ingenious plan to steal a thermos full of diamonds… not enough to be missed in the mighty vault, but enough for Hobbs and Laura to live quite comfortable for the rest of their lives. But of course, things don’t go as smoothly as planned, and the two find themselves in the midst of an intense investigation. 100 min.