Eugene Weekly : Movies : 4.17.08


.MOVIE LISTINGS | MOVIE REVIEW ARCHIVE | THEATER INFO

 

OPENING OR RETURNING:
Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless otherwise noted. See archived movie reviews.

Banff Mountain Film Festival: Short films and documentaries about mountain culture, sports and the environment. 7 pm April 17 & 18, McDonald Theatre. $11 adv., $13 door ($9/$11 for students and Outdoor Program members).

Bratz: The, um, brats in their first animated movie musical. One day only on the big screen: 10 am April 19, Cinemark.

CJ7: The director of Kung Fu Hustle returns with this sci-fi children’s tale (in which he also stars) about a strange, small alien dog and the family who finds him. A sweet, unusual film with a winning young star and themes of everyday heroism and acceptance. PG. 88 min. Bijou. See review this issue.

da Vinci Film Festival: Corvallis’ da Vinci Days expands into spring with this three-day festival featuring more than 50 films and a keynote speech by director Alex Cox (Sid & Nancy). Cox speaks at 7:30 pm April 18 at LaSells Stewart Center; screenings continue that night at LaSells and Darkside Cinema. Screenings continue April 19 and 20; for full schedule, see www.davinci-days.org

DCI: The Countdown: Drum Corps International’s latest film includes six full-length corps performances from among the 36 DCI World Championship finalists of 2005, 2006 and 2007. 7:30 pm April 24, Cinemark.

Eighty-eight Minutes: College professor slash forensic psychiatrist (seriously, you still reading after that?) Jack Gramm (Al Pacino) deals with a death threat that claims he has 88 minutes to live; three grumpy folks might be behind the threat. R. 108 min (isn’t that cheating?). Cinemark. VRC Stadium 15.

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed: Ben Stein’s documentary explores the division between proponents of intelligent design and Darwinian evolution, and finds that “Big Science” allows no diversion from Darwin. “Freedom of inquiry has been greatly compromised, and this is not only anti-science, it’s anti-American,” says Stein in press materials. PG. 90 min. Cinemark. VRC Stadium 15.

Flawless: Demi Moore and Michael Caine star in the ’60s-set diamond heist flick that lacks intensity and spark but does, after all, have Michael Caine, whose presence kicks the film and Moore’s character into high gear against the sexist diamond company for which she works. PG13. 109 min. Bijou. See review this issue.

Forbidden Kingdom: When an American teenager finds a lost relic of the legendary Monkey King, he also finds himself sent back in time to join a band of warriors fighting to free said king. The important bits? Jackie Chan and Jet Li costar, and Wo Ping (Crouching Tiger; The Matrix) handles the fight sequences. Awesome. PG13. Cinemark. VRC Stadium 15.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall: The Apatow Onslaught continues with this romantic comedy (coproduced by Judd Apatow, who also cowrote with star Jason Segal) about a guy who tries get away from it all after his famous girlfriend (the fantabulous Kristen Bell) dumps him — only to find she, and her cheesy new boyfriend, are at the same Hawaiian resort. With Mila Kunis, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd and probably a lot of other funny people. R. 112 min. Cinemark. VRC Stadium 15.

Toxic Sludge is Good for You: Film exploring the use of public relations to manipulate the public into supporting wars, not caring about environmental destruction and, hey, even believing in the benefits of toxic sludge. 7 pm April 21, Cozmic Pizza, with discussion to follow. Free.

Tuff Stuff from the Buff: A collection of “experimental, diary, activist film and video from the fringes of Buffalo, N.Y.,” this exhibit/group of films will be presented by David Gracon, Marc Moscato and Julie Perini. 7 pm April 18, DIVA. $5. See story this issue.

Under the Same Moon: When nine-year-old Carlitos’ (Adrian Alonso) grandmother dies, he leaves his home in Mexico in search of his mother, who went to work in the U.S. to support her family. Costarring America Ferrera and Kate Del Castillo. 109 min. PG13. Cinemark.

Films open the Friday following EW publication date unless otherwise noted. See archived reviews at www.eugeneweekly.com

 

CONTINUING:

Alvin and the Chipmunks: What’s next? A live-action Care Bears movie starring Jason Lee? (He’s in this and Underdog, for those not keeping track.) Those wacky little creatures with the high-pitched voices will surely cause him some trouble in this newest bit of family fare. With, um, David Cross. Now I’m confused. PG. Movies 12.

Bucket List, The: Jack Nicholson, I expect this kind of thing from. But Morgan Freeman? In this schmaltzy-sounding flick about two new friends trying to cram all the adventures of a lifetime into a considerably shorter amount of time? Oh, Rob Reiner. Once upon a time, you made a good movie or two. PG13. 97 min. Movies 12.

Depraved: The latest horror short from local filmmaker Henry Weintraub is the story of a woman who goes on a “violent campaign of revenge” against the people who ran down and kidnapped her. Bijou LateNite. (4/10)

Drillbit Taylor: When three high school kids get sick of being picked on, they hire Drillbit Taylor (Owen Wilson), who pretends to be a teacher in order to keep an eye on his young clients. There’s brand-name talent behind the scenes (producer Judd Apatow produces, co-writer Seth Rogen) but the lack of early reviews doesn’t bode well. PG13. 102 min. Cinemark. VRC Stadium 15.

Horton Hears a Who: The Dr. Seuss classic gets the animated treatment from the creators of Ice Age, with Jim Carrey as Horton and Steve Carell as the mayor of Who-ville, the tiny world on a speck that Horton discovers and defends from his fellow animals, who think he’s gone nuts. G. 110 min. Cinemark. VRC Stadium 15.

Jumper: Adapted from a novel by Steven Gould, this film follows “jumpers” who can leap through space and time. Among these lucky few are Hayden Christensen and Jamie Bell; Samuel L. Jackson provides the tension as a fella who doesn’t approve of these crazy hijinks. Directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity). PG13. 88 min. Cinemark.

Juno: Jason Reitman directs from a screenplay by newcomer Diablo Cody. Ellen Page (who was outstanding in Hard Candy) plays a pregnant teenager dealing with herself, her future, her parents, the best friend who fathered the kid and the couple who wants to adopt it. “Hilarious and sweet-tempered, perceptive and surprisingly grounded,” said the Los Angeles Times. ACADEMY AWARD: BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY. PG13. 96 min. Movies 12. (1/10)

Leatherheads: George Clooney directs and stars in this romantic comedy set in the 1920s against the start of the pro football league. With Jon Krazinski (The Office) as a golden-boy quarterback and Renee Zellweger as the reporter determined to prove he’s not as perfect as he seems. PG13. 113 min. Cinemark. VRC Stadium 15. (4/10)

Married Life: Nice to look at but with little under the surface, this 1940s-set sort-comedy, sorta melodrama about cheating husbands and unfaithful wives (and girlfriends) has a handful of likeable stars (Chris Cooper, Patricia Clarkson, Rachel McAdams and Pierce Brosnan in suave and dapper mode) but not a lot of depth. PG13. 90 min. Bijou. (4/10)

National Treasure: Book of Secrets: Nicolas Cage returns for more adventure and hijinks — something to do with the president’s secret book (hey, this sounds like Crooked Little Vein!) and clearing his family’s name; did great-great grandpa have something to do with Lincoln’s assassination? With Helen Mirren. PG. Movies 12.

Nim’s Island: Moppet-of-the-moment Abigail Breslin stars as Nim, a girl who lives with her scientist father (Gerard Butler) on an island and has a literary heroine whose life is rather similar. When Nim’s father disappears, life brings Nim and her favorite author together to find him. With Jodie Foster. PG. 95 min. Cinemark. VRC Stadium 15.

Penelope: Christina Ricci stars as the title character of this modern-day sorta fairytale, a girl cursed with a pig’s snout instead of a nose. Her family tries to lure suitors (true love will break the curse, of course), but they all run screaming — until the always-charming James McAvoy happens along. With Catherine O’Hara and Reese Witherspoon. PG. 102 min. Movies 12.

Prom Night: If I tell you this is a horror flick set around prom night, is that enough? ‘Cause it seems like all you’d really need to know. Y’know, prom’s supposed to be the best night ever! So it’s really meaningful to make it scary and horrifying! With Brittany Snow and Idris Elba. PG13. 88 min. Cinemark. VRC Stadium 15.

Ruins, The: The ruins are alive … with creepy plant life. At least that’s what it looks like in previews for this horror flick, adapted by Scott B. Smith from his own novel. Two reasons to see this, really: Shawn Ashmore (Iceman in the X-Men movies) and Jena Malone, who deserves better roles (doesn’t anyone remember Saved!?). R. 97 min. Cinemark. VRC Stadium 15.

Semi-Pro: Will Farrell continues to make millions playing idiots; here he’s the coach-player-owner of the Flint Tropics, an American Basketball Association team dreaming of joining the NBA. Thing is, they suck, and wrestling bears isn’t going to make them any better. With Andre Benjamin and Woody Harrelson. R. Movies 12.

Shine a Light: Martin Scorsese directs this Rolling Stones concert film, shot at NYC’s Beacon Theater in 2006 by a “legendary team of cinematographers.” PG. 120 min. VRC Stadium 15.

Smart People: Dennis Quaid stars as a bitter professor who’s juggling an overachieving teen daughter (Ellen Page), a distant son (who doesn’t even rate an appearance on the poster), a new love interest (Sarah Jessica Parker) and a ne’er-do-well (yes, the movie description uses this term; I couldn’t resist) brother (Thomas Haden Church). Also, the score is composed by Nuno Bettencourt. If you know what else he composed, hey, points to you! R. 93 min. VRC Stadium 15.

Spiderwick Chronicles, The: Adaptation of Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi’s books about a young boy (Freddie Highmore, playing twins) who finds that there’s much more than meets the eye to an old family estate. Black has a knack for a different kind of fairy tale; let’s hope the movie can translate that to the screen. With Mary-Louise Parker. PG. Movies 12.

Step Up 2: The Streets: Apparently, 2006’s Step Up was a phenomenon, despite the fact that the RottenTomatoes.com critical consensus is “Not enough dancing.” This time around, street dancer Andie (Briana Evigan) struggles to fit in at an elite arts school, where she — naturally — meets the school’s hottest dancer. PG13. Movies 12.

Street Kings: Tom Ludlow (Keanu Reeves) is tracking down the men who killed his former partner; his supervisor (Forest Whittaker) struggles to keep him in line and out of the way of an Internal Affairs supervisor (Hugh Laurie). With Jay Mohr, Common and The Game. R. 109 min. Cinemark. VRC Stadium 15.

Superhero Movie: The Scary Movie send-uppers turn their attention to spandex-clad superheroes. PG13. 85 min. Cinemark.

Taxi to the Dark Side: Horrifying, intense, sharp and aggravating, Alex Gibney’s documentary investigates the abuse of detainees in by the U.S. military in precise detail, talking to interrogators, lawyers, former prisoners, reporters and others to create a moving and sometimes horribly unsurprising portrait of a system gone entirely wrong. An absolutely must-see film. R. 106 min. Bijou. (4/10)

Twenty-one: An unconventional math professor (Kevin Spacey) recruits his brightest students (among them Kate Bosworth and Jim Sturgess) to count cards in Vegas, leading to tuiton money for them and, one assumes, mad loot for the boss. Until things get complicated. PG13. 123 min. Cinemark. VRC Stadium 15.

Twenty-seven Dresses: Current It Girl Katherine Heigl (Knocked Up) stars in this always a bridesmaid, never a bride story of Jane, whose sister gets the guy Jane’s in love with. But with James Marsden (Enchanted) around, you’ve got to assume Jane’s not going to have a totally unhappy ending. PG. 107 min. Movies 12.

Untraceable: Another movie about the horrors of technology! Goodness! This time, a nasty, tech-savvy internet criminal is killing people at a speed determined by the number of hits his ghoulish website gets. Diane Lane and Colin Hanks are gonna get the bad guy, though. An awful lot seems to go on in the preview for this one. R. 110 min. Movies 12.

 

 

MOVIE THEATERS
Use the links provided below for specific show times.

Bijou Art Cinemas
Bijou Theater 686-2458 | 492 E. 13th

Regal Cinemas
VRC Stadium 15 342-6536 | Valley River Center

Cinemark Theaters
Movies 12 741-1231 | Gateway Mall
Cinemark 17 741-1231 | Gateway Mall