MOVIE CLIPS | VIDEO RELEASES | THEATER INFO Genius & Madness A great painter chronicles the conflicts of his time. By Lois Wadsworth Goya in Bordeaux: Written and directed by Carlos Saura. Cinematography by Vittorrio Storaro. Produced by Andrés Vincent Gómez. Art director, Pierre-Louis Thévenet. Costumes, Pedro Moreno. Music, Roque Baños. Sound, Carlos Faruolo. Editor, Julia Juániz. Starring Francisco Rabal, Jose Coronado, Dafne Fernández, Maribel Verdú and Eulalia Ramón. Sony Pictures Classics, 2000.142 minutes. R.   Goya (Francisco Rabal) painting at night. .   The first images on the screen depict a bloody, red dirt floor on which a decapitated bull with great curving horns lies. Like a fantasy, the first movement onscreen shows the grotesque body moving of its own will onto a meat hook hanging from above. The camera moves in for an extreme close-up of the beast's gaping interior cavity that morphs into the face of an aged man -- Francisco de Goya, the great Spanish painter who lived from 1746-1828. Goya lost his hearing from a mysterious disease when he was in his 40s, but he turned that reversal to great effect in his art. While his portraits of the royal family and the wealthy were in great demand, he also created etchings that showed the dark side of their pretentious lifestyle. None of the etchings were published during his lifetime: the Caprichos (caprices) from 1799, and the Disparates (follies) or Proverbios (proverbs) that were completed just before his voluntary exile to Bordeaux in 1824. Goya had lived in Spain during the period of the Napoleonic occupation, and the spontaneous uprising against French soldiers by unarmed Spaniards from which an authentic national spirit was born had a great affect on him. As the Spanish guerrillas -- they were the first -- escalated the level of warfare, French soldiers made the Spanish peasantry pay. After four years of war, Goya created the dark etchings he called The Disasters of War. Goya drew on atrocities he witnessed as well as reports from others, and these works also incorporate the edge of madness he had suffered with his illness. Goya's life is told through a series of flashbacks, beginning with the ill, 82 year-old Goya (Franciso Rabal) and his hallucination of a black-cloaked female figure he must follow. He gets out of his sickbed and goes into the streets in his nightshirt in pursuit of her, but he doesn't know where he is and can't speak the language. His daughter, Rosario (Dafne Fernández), finds him and takes him back to the house he shares with her mother, Leocadia (Eulalia Ramón). As the devoted, vivacious Rosario cares for him, Goya tells her about his art and his contacts with the great figures of his time. In midlife, Goya (Jose Coronado) fell in love with the beautiful, cruel and profligate Duchess of Alba (Maribel Verdú). Some of the most gorgeous scenes in this exceptionally beautiful film take place in the studio as he paints her. Later, in one of the most powerful scenes, the older Goya, temporarily restored to health, feverishly paints on the very walls of his house. These somber-hued, apocalyptic murals reflect the sensibilities of his earlier black-and-white etchings. He paints at night and wears a head-dress of lighted candles. In his mind, he sees elaborate tableaux depicting war in its minute cruelties. This shows how close genius and madness lie in this artistic giant. Actors Rabal and Coronado portray Goya as a study in contrasts -- not only imperiously ordering people around and exploding in anger but also sensitively observing the smallest gestures and expressing tenderness. At all ages, he is a sensual man. Rabal expresses Goya's determination to paint as a need as primary as breath itself, while Rabal captures his self-confidence as a man with women and his sharp wit with colleagues. The inspiration of filmmaker Carlos Saura (El Amor Brujo, Tango) and renowned cinematographer Vittorrio Storaro (The Sheltering Sky, Apocalypse Now) is skillfully expressed in this resplendent film. Don't miss. Opens at the Bijou Friday, Nov. 17. Surrealistic Fantasy Groovy Brits made their mark on pop culture. By Lois Wadsworth The Broken Hearts Club: Written and directed by Greg Berlanti. Produced by Mickey Liddell and Joseph Middleton. Cinematographer, Paul Elliott. Costumes, Mas Kondo. Editor, Todd Busch. Starring Timothy Olyphant, Andrew Keegan, John Mahoney, Dean Cain, Matt McGrath, Zach Braff, Ben Weber, Billy Porter, Justin Theroux, with Mary McCormack and Nia Long. Sony Pictures Classics, 2000. 94 minutes. R.   Dennis (Timothy Olyphant) is at the center of a group of gay friends in Los Angeles. .   A recurring theme that delighted the talented, mixed gay-and-straight cast of Greg Berlanti's gay romantic comedy, The Broken Hearts Club, opens the film. A group of guys in their 20s are sitting around a table playing "Who Can Act Straight the Longest?" and they've just unanimously busted Benji (Zach Braff) for using "girlfriend" incorrectly. Dennis (Timothy Olyphant) laughingly tells him, "Straight guys don't call anybody but their girlfriend 'girlfriend.'" The implications of the game extended into the production of the film, with Berlanti (co-producer of "Dawson's Creek") telling actors who were acting "too nelly" -- as Dean Cain, who plays Cole, puts it -- to tone it down. "He'll tell me when I need to turn up the gay volume," Braff adds. The humor and affection between the cast and Berlanti evident in these anecdotes carries over to the screen. Gayness as identity is the major theme of the film, and Berlanti get comedic effect from it while also breaking down stereotypes. Howie (Matt McGrath), who worries about everything, claims that no one can tell he's gay. His buddy Dennis (Timothy Olyphant) who's wandered into a music/video store with him asks a customer -- a stranger -- if she thinks Howie is gay or straight. "Definitely gay," she chortles. This is West L.A. after all! Broken Hearts Club succeeds as a cross-over film -- straights will like it -- because it focuses on the rocky but real friendship between the men and on romance, not just sex. The guys are there for each other in a crisis like the one Taylor (Billy Porter) goes through when his lover dumps him via a long distance phone call from Mexico. But they also compete for boyfriends. When "newbie" Kevin (Andrew Keegan) turns up at Howie's 28th birthday party, Cole, the good looking actor among them, scores. The other guys grumble about always losing out to Cole, especially Howie, who's still hurt by his recent break-up with Marshall (Justin Theroux). On another front, Anne (Mary McCormack) puts her brother Patrick (Ben Weber) in conflict when she asks him to donate sperm so she and her lesbian partner, Leslie (Nia King), can have a baby. Patrick can't stand Leslie, and he's dubious about the whole proposition. But you know when he comes around to saying "yes" that he will be an involved, loving father. As the film develops, it becomes clear that Jack (John Mahoney from "Fraiser"), a gay restaurant owner, is the linchpin that holds together much of the group's fragile network. Taylor cooks for Jack, and Dennis waits tables at the restaurant. Besides being their boss, Jack is also the manager of the Broken Hearts, the league softball team the whole gang plays for. As the older adult, Jack gently mentors and counsels the younger men. Mahoney's performance is sterling, as is Olyphant's (Gone in 60 Seconds, Go), whose role as Dennis emerges as the film's central figure. He's the one man in the group who's trying to figure out who he is besides a gay man who hangs with his friends. Olyphant gracefully and easily balances the demands of the role, lending some gravity to the film. Broken Hearts Club is an enjoyable film for all audiences. It opens at the Bijou Friday, Nov. 17. OPENING OR RETURNING: Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless otherwise noted. Bounce: Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck star in this romantic drama written and directed by Don Roos (The Opposite of Sex). Affleck plays a man who gives up his seat on a flight that crashes, and Paltrow is the widow of the man who took his place. Roos may finally give these two some good material. PG-13. Cinema World 8. Cinemark 17. Broken Hearts Club, The: Greg Berlanti's romantic comedy features a group of 20something gay men friends in L.A. looking for love. Main stars are Timothy Olyphant (Go) and John Mahoney ("Fraiser") among a large ensemble cast. Enjoyable film that should appeal to both straights and gays. Recommended. R. Bijou. See review this issue. Children of Heaven, The: In Majid Majidi's 1998 Iranian film a brother and sister share a pair of sneakers for school. It's a simple story about childhood worries that hits just the right notes. Never sentimental, film builds in intensity as the two try to figure out how to replace the sister's lost shoes without telling their parents. PG. 122 Pacific Hall, UO, 11/21, 7 pm. Free. Goya in Bordeaux: Directed by Carlos Saura (Tango), this resplendent film about the last years of Spanish painter Francisco de Goya is fascinating. Cinematographer Vittorrio Storaro (The Sheltering Sky, Apocalypse Now) brilliantly illumines the artist's beautiful and horrific visions. Stars Francisco Rabal, Jose Coronado, Dafne Fernández, Maribel Verdú and Eulalia Ramón. Highly recommended. R. Bijou. See review this issue. How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Madcap Jim Carrey brings to life Dr. Seuss's green grinch who wants to keep Christine Baranski, Molly Shannon and Bill Irwin and others from celebrating Christmas. Directed by Ron Howard. PG. Cinemark 17. Cinema World 8. Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Directed by Terry Gilliam, this 1974 madness stars the gang (Gilliam, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman and Michael Palin) dragging the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table down to their level, hilariously. PG. 180 PLC, UO, 11/21, 7 pm. Free. Rugrats in Paris: Stu Pickles takes the Finsters and his brood to Paris while he works on EuroReptarland, a new amusement park. Tommy Pickles leads the Rugrats on adventures to solve the mysteries of life and to help Chuckie Finster find the right mom now that his dad is dating again. G. Cinema World 8. Cinemark 17. Movieland 6. Sixth Day, The: Roger Spottiswoode directs this futuristic thriller starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in two roles. One is a clone, but nobody can tell which one. Also stars Wendy Crewson as his wife, Tony Goldwyn and Robert Duvall. PG-13. Movieland 6. Cinemark 17. What Lies Beneath: Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer star in Robert Zemeckis' spooky psychological thriller about a husband who has an affair with a woman who kills herself in their house. PG-13. Movies 12. CONTINUING: Bait: Jamie Foxx (Any Given Sunday, Booty Call) plays a petty thief caught in a sting in this action thriller comedy directed by Antoine Fuqua. Also stars Doug Hutchison, David Morse, Mike Epps, David Paymer, Tia Texada, Robert Pastorelli and Kimberly Elise. R. Movies 12. Beautiful: First-run showing of beauty pageant comic drama directed by Sally Fields. It stars Minnie Driver, Hallie Kate Eisenberg and Joey Lauren Adams. Critics didn't love it. PG-13. Movies 12. Bedazzled: Remake by Harold Ramis (Analyze This) of a late '60's Dudley Moore chestnut, the movie stars a lovesick Brendan Fraser selling his soul to the devil (Elizabeth Hurley) to win the woman of his dreams (Frances O'Connor). PG-13. Cinemark 17. Best in Show: Christopher Guest (Waiting for Guffman) directs and stars in this faux docu about dog-lovers whose goal is to win the annual kennel club show. Michael Hitchcock and Parker Posey are hilarious as a neurotic couple who're afraid they've traumatized their Weimaraner. Also stars Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara. Very funny movie. PG-13. Cinemark 17. Charlie's Angels: Elite private investigators Natalie (Cameron Diaz), Dylan (Drew Barrymore), and Alex (Lucy Liu), work for Bosley (Bill Murray), Charlie's lieutenant. These gals can handle anything on land, sea or air with up-to-the-minute martial arts skills, futuristic vehicles, high-tech tools and toys, and a raft of crafty disguises. PG-13. Cinema World 8. Cinemark 17. Movieland 6. Coyote Ugly: David McNally comedy about cocktail waitresses who perform juggling acts with bottles in a rowdy New York bar. Stars Piper Perabo, Maria Bello, Melanie Lynskey, Adam Garcia and John Goodman. PG-13. Movies 12. Dancer in the Dark: Cannes 2000 sensation, Lars Von Trier's new movie -- he directed Breaking the Waves -- is a musical drama starring Iceland's pop sensation, Björk. Film is very polarizing; critics and audiences love it or hate it. Find out for yourself. R. Bijou. Dinosaur: Disney gets a little risqué with a PG rating, no songs and computer-generated dinos against live-action backgrounds. Stars the voices of D.B. Sweeney, Julianna Margulies and Della Reese. PG. Movies 12. Exorcist (2000), The: Classic 1973 horror tale of a young girl possessed by the devil raises fascinating questions about the nature of evil and fate. Director- (William Friedkin) and writer's- (William Peter Blatty) cut features outstanding performances by Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Jason Miller and Max von Sydow and excellent digital sountdtrack. An A+ movie. R. Late night Bijou. Gone in 60 Seconds: Angelina Jolie, Nicolas Cage, Robert Duvall, Delroy Lindo and Giovanni Ribisi star in Dominic Sena's car-thief drama. Cage and Ribisi play siblings. Surprisingly entertaining. R. Movies 12. Kid, Disney's The: Played by Spencer Breslin, a child meets himself at 40, a man played by Bruce Willis. Is he impressed? Find out in Jon Turteltaub's comedy. PG. Movies 12. Legend of Bagger Vance, The: A down-and-out former golf star (Matt Damon) finds the girl of his dreams, again, (Charlize Theron). A guardian-angel (Will Patton) helps him remembers his "authentic swing." Directed by Robert Redford. PG. McDonald. Cinemark 17. Little Nicky: Adam Sandler plays the shy, awkward son of the Devil who loves heavy metal but has two older brothers who are bullies. When they make trouble in New York, Nicky and a foul-mouthed talking dog go to the city to restore the balance between Good and Evil. Okay. PG-13. Cinemark 17. Cinema World 8. Movieland 6. Meet the Parents: Ben Stiller plays the unfortunate prospective son-in-law to Robert Di Niro's overly protective father. Directed by Jay Roach, the film also stars Teri Polo and Blythe Danner as the engaged daughter and her mother. PG-13. Cinemark 17. Cinema World 8. Men of Honor: Cuba Gooding Jr. plays the first black man in the Navy to try to be a SEAL. Robert De Niro plays the racist officer who tries to break him. Directed by George Tillman Jr. (Soul Food). Cinema World 8. Cinemark 17. Movieland 6. Nurse Betty: In Neil LaBute's latest and most accessible satire, a comic crime story, a small-town waitress played by Renée Zellweger escapes an abusive husband (Aaron Eckhart) for soap opera land. She's followed by two hit men (Morgan Freeman, Chris Rock). R. Movies 12. Nutty Professor II: The Klumps: The oversize family Eddie Murphy introduced in Nutty I is back, and they're having a wedding for Sherman aka Buddy Love. Janet Jackson's the bride. PG-13. Movies 12. Pay It Forward: Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense) star in this drama about a boy whose class project turns into phenomenon taken up by lots of people. Directed by Mimi Leder. PG-13. Cinema World 8. Cinemark 17. Perfect Storm, The: Wolfgang Petersen directs this true action adventure based on Sebastian Junger's nonfiction bestseller. Six fishermen out of Gloucester, Mass. run into a killer storm on the high seas. Stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and William Fichtner. PG-13. Movies 12 Red Planet: Val Kilmer is an American astronaut on the first manned flight to Mars, where the team hopes to find a place for Earth to colonize. With Benjamin Bratt ("Law and Order"), Tom Sizemore, Terence Stamp, Carrie-Anne Moss. Directed by Anthony Hoffman. PG-13. Cinemark 17. Cinema World 8. Movieland 6. Remember the Titans: Football movie based on the true story of a 1971 Virginia high school falling apart from racial conflict until a black coach (Denzel Washington) from out of town pulls them together. Directed by Boaz Yakin, it also stars Will Patton and Kip Pardue. PG. Cinemark 17. Replacements, The: During an NFL players' strike, coach Gene Hackman brings in a bunch of misfits and has-beens to take his team to the play-offs. Howard Deutch's comedy stars Keanu Reeves, with Jon Favreau, Brooke Langton and Orlando Jones. PG-13. Movies 12. Scary Movie: Parody of Scream teen horror directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans stars Carmen Electra in the Drew Barrymore role, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans. Look for lots of improvisations in this spoof. R. Movies 12. Urban Legends: Final Cut: Student filmmakers (Jennifer Morrison, Matthew Davis and Joseph Lawrence) make a psychological thriller about urban legends in a competitive film school where someone is killing off other students. R. 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 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 NEW RELEASES ON VIDEO: Releases subject to change. Available the Tuesday following date of EW publication, sometimes sooner: Chicken Run: Nick Park (Wallace and Gromit) and Peter Lord work their magic on clay creatures. Life on Tweedy's Farm has become brutal, and the chickens' fearless leader, Ginger (Julia Sawalha) recruits an American rooster (Mel Gibson) to teach them to fly. Hilarious good fun for all you chicks and roosters. G. Dirty Picture: Frank Pierson directs this made-for-TV drama about the banning of Robert Mapplethorpe's photography exhibit at the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center. Stars James Woods and Craig T. Nelson. R. Don't Drink the Water: Howard Morris directed this 1969 movie based on Woody Allen's smash play about a typical New Jersey family visiting the USSR, where their picture-taking lands them in hot water. G. Fever Pitch: British soccer fan Paul (Colin Firth) marries Sarah (Ruth Gemmell), who doesn't give a fig for the sport. Critics say David Evan's film doesn't work, even though the romantic comedy is based on a best-selling memoir by Nick Hornby. R. Gladiator: Ridley Scott's Roman spectacle stars Russell Crowe (The Insider) as Maximus, a famous Roman general now slave gladiator. His enemy, Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). One of the best films of 2000, it also stars Richard Harris, Oliver Reed and Djimon Hounsou. Highly recommended. R. No Code of Conduct: Martin Sheen and Charlie Sheen play a father-son cop team in this familiar cops vs heroin dealer drama. R. Octopus: Giant creature attacks U.S. submarine with a terrorist aboard. John Eyres directs; Jay Harrington, David Beecroft, Carolyn Lowery, Ravil Isyanov and Rico Rossi star. PG-13. X-Men: Marvel Comic mutant superheroes are called X-Men regardless of gender. Halle Berry, James Marsden and Famke Janssen help "gifted youngsters" learn to use their powers. Prof. Charles Xavier is played by Patrick Stewart, newcomer Hugh Jackson plays the lead, and Ian McKellan is the evil mutant. PG-13. Back to Top Table of Contents | News & Views | Arts & Entertainment Classifieds | Personals | EW Archive