Eugene Weekly Movie Text

Movie Clips | Movie Times | Video Clips | Reviews

clips
Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless otherwise noted.

opening or returning:
Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless otherwise noted.

Cider House Rules: Loss-of-innocence fable stars Tobey Maguire and is directed by Lasse Hallstrom. John Irving's screenplay is adapted from his long novel. Also stars Charlize Theron, Delroy Lindo, Paul Rudd, Michael Cane, Jane Alexander, Kathy Baker and singer Erykah Badu in a memorable film debut.. Took two Academy Awards for adapted screenplay and supporting actor, Michael Caine. Fearlessly pro-abortion stance is remarkable. PG-13. Late night Bijou.

Color of Paradise: Iranian drama about a sightless boy who is more insightful about what is important in this life that his sighted father. Good reviews. Bijou.

Como Era Gostos O Meu Frances: Film about a white man's encounter with a tribe of cannibals in the Amazon who mistake him for their enemy. 7 pm on May 23 in 122 Pacific Hall, UO.

Dinosaur: Disney gets a little risqué with a PG rating, no songs and computer-generated dinos against live-action backgrounds. Otherwise, this film is your classic cuddly Disney. Stars the voices of D.B. Sweeney, Julianna Margulies and Della Reese. PG. Cinemark 17. Cinema World 8. Movieland 6.

Hanging Up: Nora and Delia Ephron's latest effort stars Diane Keaton, Meg Ryan and Lisa Kudrow as sisters who are forced to iron out the problems in their relationship when their father (Walter Matthau) becomes ill. PG-13. Movies 12.

Mission: Impossible 2: Tom Cruise returns to star in this sequel based on the 1960s TV series. This time British actress Thandie Newton (Beloved) plays the sexy love interest. R. Opens May 24 at Movieland 6 and Cinema World 8.

My Name is Harlequin: Film about youth gangs in modern Russia. 6:30 pm on May 24 in 115 Pacific Hall, UO.

Point Blank: Director John Boorman's first film starring Lee Marvin is about a killer out for revenge. 8 pm on May 19, 180 PLC, UO.

Romeo Must Die: Andrez Bartkowiak directs Stuart Baird's action drama which riffs on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in today's inner-city Asian and African American gangs. Stars Jet Li, Aaliyah, Delroy Lindo, Isaiah Washington and Russell Wong. R. Movies 12.

Shanghai Noon: Jackie Chan plays a Chinese imperial guard sent to the Old West to rescue a princess played by Lucy Liu. PG-13. Sneak preview. Cinemark 17.

Small Time Crooks: Woody Allen's latest film takes place in (surprise) Manhatten. Allen and Tracey Ullman star as a married couple who join a trio of bumbling hoods to rob a bank. Hugh Grant tries to educate the couple in the ways of the upper-crust. PG. Cinemark 17. McDonald.

continuing:
American Beauty: Great direction by Sam Mendes, script by Alan Ball, cinematography by Conrad Hall and non-stop glorious performances by Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley, Mena Suvari and Chris Cooper took this fearless film to five Academy Awards. R. Movies 12.

Battlefield Earth: Set 1000 years in the future, the late Scientologist L. Ron Hubbard's 1982 sci-fi novel stars John Travolta and Barry Pepper as alien and earthling locked in deadly battle. Directed by Roger Christian. PG-13. Cinemark 17. Movieland 6. Cinema World 8. See review this issue.

Bicentennial Man: Chris Columbus directs film based on an Isaac Asimov tale of a robot that wants to become human. Stars Robin Williams, Sam Neill, Embeth Davidtz. PG. Movies 12.

Center Stage: Director Nicholas Hytner's tale about young ballerina (Amanda Sethall) from Indiana who comes to the Big Apple to dance and the friends she meets in the city. Also stars the respected dancer Ethan Stiefel. PG-13. Cinemark 17. Cinema World 8.

Drowning Mona: Bette Midler plays Mona, the most unpopular woman in her town, and Danny DeVito is the police chief who investigates her death. Nick Gomez gets excellent performances from ensemble cast including Jamie Lee Curtis, Casey Affleck and William Fichtner. Funny movie. PG-13. Movies 12.

End of the Affair: Neil Jordan's steamy adaptation of Graham Greene's autobiographical 1951 novel about a 1940s war-time romance in London stars Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore as the lovers, Stephen Rea as her husband and Ian Hart as a detective. One of the best films of 1999, it got two Academy Award nominations. R. Movies 12.

Erin Brockovich: Gutsy single mom brings a class-action lawsuit against PG&E for discharging chemical pollutants into community drinking water. Steven Soderbergh directs. Julia Roberts stars, with Albert Finney and Aaron Eckhart. Top-notch screen entertainment. R. Cinemark 17.

Flintstones in Viva Las Vegas, The: Young Fred Flintstone (Mark Addy) courts Wilma Slaghoople (Kristen Johnston) in this comedy directed by Brian Levant. Also stars Stephen Baldwin, Jane Krakowski, Joan Collins and Harvey Korman. PG. Cinemark 17. Movieland 6.

Frequency: Sci-fi thriller involves a son (Jim Cavaziel) who time travels to save his father (Dennis Quaid); then both become embroiled in unforeseen consequences. Directed by Gregory Hoblit with complex script by Toby Emmerich. With Andre Braugher, Noah Emmerich and Elizabeth Mitchell. PG-13. Cinemark 17. Cinema World 8. Movieland 6.

Galaxy Quest: This hilarious sci-fi send-up of "Star Trek" is directed by Dean Parisot and stars Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shalhoub and Alan Rickman. PG. Movies 12.

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Jim Jarmusch's new film has received praise for Forest Whitaker's role, music by the RZA (RIZZ-ah) and cinematography by Robby Müller. The New York Times reviewer called it a "visual essay on brutality, honor and tribalism." R. Bijou.

Gladiator: Ridley Scott's Roman spectacle stars Russell Crowe (The Insider) as Maximus, once a famous Roman general and potential emperor, now a slave Gladiator killing for the pleasure of his enemy, Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Crowe's excellent as a principled man within a corrupt system. Other great performances by Richard Harris, Oliver Harris and Djimon Hounsou. Highly recommended. R. Cinemark 17. Cinema World 8. Movieland 6.

High Fidelity: Stephen Frears directs his adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel in this romantic comedy starring John Cusack, with Iben Hjejle, Jack Black and Todd Louiso. A funny, credible movie with everything going for it. Very highly recommended. R. Cinema World 8.

I Dreamed of Africa: Kim Basinger and Vincent Prerz star in the film version of wildlife activist Kuki Gallmann's autobiography about living in the Kenyan bush with her family. Directed by Hugh Hudson. Cinemark 17.

Keeping the Faith: Edward Norton is a priest and Ben Stiller a rabbi. Successful New Yorkers and childhood friends, their lives fall into turmoil when an old girlfriend played by Jenna Elfman comes back into their lives. PG-13. Cinemark 17.

Next Best Thing, The: Madonna and Rupert Everett are best friends who conceive a child together in John Schlessinger's romantic comedy. Complication: He's gay. PG-13. Movies 12.

Next Friday: Comedy stars Ice Cube as a guy still living with his parents in South Central LA while looking for a job. Also stars Tommy "Tiny" Lister, Jr., John Witherspoon, Don "DC" Curry and Mike Epps. Written, produced and edited by Ice Cube. R. Movies 12.

Pitch Black: Sci-fi thriller about a spaceship that crashes while trying to deliver felons to a deep space prison. Stars Vin Diesel and Radha Mitchell. Movies 12.

Return to Me: Romantic drama written and directed by Bonnie Hunt stars David Duchovny and Minnie Driver. PG. Cinemark 17.

Road Trip: College partying silliness directed by Todd Phillips stars Breckin Meyer, Tom Green and Amy Smart. R. Sneak 5/12. Cinemark 17. Cinema World 8. Movieland 6.

Scream 3: The final installment in the lucrative horror film franchise is set in Hollywood and stars Neve Campbell, David Arquette and Courteney Cox Arquette. R. Movies 12.

Screwed: Norm Macdonald and Dave Chappelle in a caper flick about a dog-napping. PG-13. Cinemark 17. Movieland 6. See review this issue.

Skulls, The: A college secret society with muscle panders to elite male students and then keeps them for life. Stars Joshua Jackson, whose troubles start when he wants out. With Paul Walker, Hill Harper and Leslie Bibb. Directed by Rob Cohen. PG-13. Movies 12.

Toy Story 2: John Lasseter directs this wholly computer-generated sequel to the '95 original. Vintage toy collector steals Woody (Tom Hanks). Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the gang go to the rescue! Joan Cusack plays a cowgirl from Woody's past, and Barbie puts in an appearance. G. Movies 12.

Twenty-eight Days: Sandra Bullock gets 28 days in rehab after she smashes her sister's car. Co stars Steve Buscemi and Viggo Mortenson as counselors, Dianne Ladd, Marianne Jean-Baptiste as fellow alcoholics. PG-13. Cinemark 17.

U-571: WWII thriller about the race to break the German Enigma code and rescue an enemy U-boat with Americans aboard. Directed by Johnathan Mostow, stars Harvey Keitel, Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey and Jon Bon Jovi. PG-13. Cinema World 8. Cinemark 17.

Virgin Suicides, The: Writer/director Sofia Coppola's debut film about five beautiful teenaged sisters growing up in 1970s affluent suburbia in a very strict, religious household. Kirsten Dunst is fabulous as the family's "stone fox," with Josh Hartnett as her dope-smoking boyfriend. James Woods and Kathleen Turner are the parents. Strange, disaffecting film. R. Bijou.

Where the Heart Is: Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing and Joan Cusack star in Matt William's film based on Billie Letts' novel. PG-13. Cinemark 17. Movieland 6.

movie theaters
Times subject to change. Please use the links provided below for specific show times.

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

Regal Cinemas
Cinema World | 342-6536 | Valley River Center
McDonald | 344-4343 | 10th and Willamette
Movieland | 342-4142 | W. 11th and Seneca
Springfield Quad | 726-9073 |

Cinemark Theaters
Movies 12 | 741-1231 | Gateway Mall
Movies before 12:30 are Sat. Sun. only. $1.50 all shows all days.
Cinemark 17 | 741-1231 | Gateway Mall
Movies before 12:30 are Sat. Sun. only. $3.50 all shows before 6:00 pm.

video clips
New Releases on VideoReleases subject to change. Available the Tuesday following date of EW publication, some times sooner:

American Movie: Documentary by Chris Smith and Sarah Price follows Mark Borchardt, a Wisconsin filmmaker from Menomonee Falls. Borchardt has no formal training but is persistent and devoted to making a back-yard horror-flick he calls Coven. This is inspired lunacy. The subjects of the documentary are wonderful, warm beings who are treated with sensitivity. Review features an exclusive interview with Smith and Price. One of the best films of the year. R.

Devil's Island: Intricate family drama set in Iceland after WW II. Icelandic with English subtitles. NR.

Eye of the Beholder: Surrealistic thriller directed by Stephan Elliott stars Ewan McGregor as a surveillance expert who becomes obsessed by a criminal played by Ashley Judd. Co-stars Patrick Bergin, k.d. lang, Jason Priestley and Genevieve Bujold. R.

Hide and Seek: Daryl Hannah stars in this thriller about a happy couple whose idyllic life turns nightmarish when a deranged couple kidnaps the wife. R.

Last Stop, The: A Colorado State Highway Patrol officer who stops over at the Last Stop Motel during a major snowstorm stumbles onto a crime scene involving bank robbery suspects. R.

Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The: Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci star in Tim Burton's bloody gothic tale of Ichabod Crane and the headless horseman of Washington Irving's 19th century novel. Besides Depp and Ricci, the film's other positive attribute is that Tom Stoppard did a major re-write on Andrew Kevin Walker's screenplay. Burton's weird - Edward Scissorhands, Mars Attacks, Beetlejuice). R.

Next week: Miss Julie, Man on the Moon and Snow Falling on Cedars.

movie reviews
Sartorial Calamity
Travolta squeezes a few good moments out of an otherwise dismal sci-fi.
by Lisa Miller

BATTLEFIELD EARTH Directed by Roger Christian. Screenplay by Corey Mandell and JD Shapiro. Based on the novel by L. Ron Hubbard. Produced by Elie Samaha, Jonathan D. Krane, John Travolta. Executive Producers, Andrew Stevens, Ashok Amritraj, Don Carmody. Director of Photography, Giles Nuttgens. Production and Costume Design, Patrick Tatopoulos. Edited by Robin Russell. Music by Elia Cmiral. Visual Effects Supervisor, Erik Henry. Co-Producers, Tracee Stanely, James Holt. Casting by Lynn Stalmaster. Starring John Travolta, Barry Pepper, Forest Whitaker, Kim Coates, Richard Tyson and Sabine Karsenti. Miramax, 2000. PG-13. 117 minutes.

Tracing the disastrous path that brought this sci-fi fantasy to the screen isn't rocket science. Years ago, long-time Scientologist John Travolta optioned this novel by L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology's founder. With minor changes it might have become a camp, cult-classic comicbook, but it's beyond me to imagine the brain trust that green-lighted Battlefield Earth as a serious sci-fi offering.

Travolta's best moments are as he yuks it up in the role of Terl, the Psychlo alien's chief security officer for earth's gold mining project. Living up to the most obvious expectations of the alien species' name, he confronts every crisis with his best, over-the-top hyena cackle. The aliens' appearance also fits their name.

Parents may point to the Psychlo's blackened teeth as yet another reason to brush, while their "Andre the Giant" foot size and 18" calf extensions recall R. Crumb's cartoon characters, except these aliens, toddle uncertainly on stilts rather than with Crumb's assured "Keep On Trucking" gait. Completing this sartorial calamity are Jamaican dreadlocks festooning suits of heavy metal rocker black leather.

A thousand years of enslavement have rendered man a primitive lot, many of whom think the Psychlos are gods. Enter Jonnie Goodboy Tyler (Barry Pepper), a young scrapper bent on overthrowing the alien vermin. His opportunity comes when Terl carelessly allows "man-animals" to be trained in gold mining, an activity providing tools and aircraft to the humans in an unsupervised setting.

Numerous human vs. alien confrontations present an opportunity to gaze nostalgically into matte paintings of ruined cities which could be recycled from 30-year-old Planet of the Apes. I felt mildly sympathetic during a rare, insightful moment when a Psychlo observed they might have been better off training the superior and more cooperative "dog-animals."

Am I the only sci-fi fan bruised by the dismal gray, black and blue palate now serving as standard coloring for alien-schlock flicks? With his round face made-up to a ghostly blue white pallor, Travolta looks like the "man in the moon," the same entity he appears to be consulting on his career moves, having already promised to star in the sequel.

Truth in Advertising
Movie-goers screwed by latest Norm Macdonald flop.
by Lisa Miller

SCREWED Executive Producers, Brad Grey, Ray Reo. Produced by Robert Simonds. Written and directed by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. Starring Norm Macdonald, Dave Chappelle, Elaine Stritch, Daniel Benzali, Sherman Hemsley and Danny DeVito. Universal Pictures, 2000. PG-13. 82 minutes.

Movie goers patronizing this dreary comedy may be surprised to learn it practices truth in advertising as the title correctly describes the paying customer's situation. Norm Macdonald, fired from Saturday Night Live for being unfunny, joins the ranks of SNL cast members making movies and proves that getting the ax is no impediment to starring in bad films!

The bigger question is: What's a nice, chubby short guy like Danny DeVito doing in this movie playing the undertaker, Grover Cleaver? Being modeled on a displaced biker with long stringy hair and a Fu Man Chu mustache, doesn't prevent DeVito from milking the film's best joke that casts Cleaver as national vice president of the Jack Lord fan club. The undertaker's dedication to his hobby includes watching re-runs of Hawaii Five-0, and reciting each line of dialog ahead of the actors.

Macdonald portrays Willard Fillmore, the whining butler of Pittsburgh's bazillionaire cookie maker Virginia Crock (Elaine Stritch). Stritch gamely appears in nothing but her pink underwear, (setting the benchmark for most fabulous senior citizen figure), as she orders Willard to fetch her blue hat from a closet bigger than many apartments. Willard's case for butler-abuse remains unconvincing though he is required to wear his deceased father's butlering suit - he inherited Dad's job after mishearing his deathbed statement as, "Stay with Miss Crock and you'll get ahead."

Frustrated with his lot, Willard kidnaps the pastry queen's Pomeranian dog for ransom. Finding their ransom note, Crock assumes her butler has been kidnapped.

Macdonald's and Chappelle's lack of loser-friendly chemistry, further mangled this script written by the Karaszewski brothers, the ingenious minds behind The People vs. Larry Flynt and Man on the Moon. Their surprise super-fiasco perhaps justifies Hollywood's "So what have you done for me lately?"cynicism.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Lisa Miller is a movie reviewer based in Reno. Lois Wadsworth is on vacation and will return next week.