MOVIE CLIPS | VIDEO RELEASES | THEATER INFO All in the Family Love, corruption and betrayal bind these characters. By Lois Wadsworth The Yards: Directed by James Gray. Written by Gray and Matt Reeves. Produced by Nick Wechsler and Paul Webster. Executive produced by Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein and Jonathan Gordon. Cinematographer, Harris Savides. Editor, Jeffrey Ford. Production design, Kevin Thompson. Costumes, Michael Clancy. Music, Howard Shore. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Theron, Charlize Theron and James Caan, with Ellen Burstyn, Faye Dunaway and Steve Lawrence. Miramax, 2000. R. 115 minutes.   Mark Wahlberg in James Gray's excellent film. .   If you're as tired of irony in movies as I am, here's a film for you. The Yards, rich in the tangled, emotional connections of family and friendship, is about working class, streetwise guys trying to rise up in a mean labor system. Naturalistic in style, not operatic, it is a welcome original in this postmodern, ironic age and one of the year's best. The camera settles on the somewhat troubled gaze of subway rider Leo Handler (Mark Wahlberg), who's remote and uncomfortable. He looks away from the glance of a uniformed cop, acknowledging the other's power. The scene shifts to a flurry of activity for Leo's homecoming. His cousin Erica (Charlize Theron) helps in the kitchen, while her boyfriend and Leo's best friend, Willie (Joaquin Phoenix), entertains the guests. Sisters Val (Ellen Burstyn), Leo's mother, and Kitty (Faye Dunaway), Erica's mother, put the last trays of food on the table. Leo's inner-directed focus contrasts sharply with the demands and freedoms of the social world he re-enters in his mother's apartment. The party is his initiation back into life after six years in prison, but it is also here that the seeds of new troubles are sown. He took the fall for his buddies but now wants to have a productive life. The major conflict the film explores is the split between Leo's inner resolution and what his world expects from him. Leo hopes Frank (James Caan), his new uncle by marriage, has a place for him in his Electric Railroad Company, which does business with the transit authority. The company repairs or manufactures broken parts for the trains in the city's subway system. Willie already works for Frank, keeping politicians, rail yard operators and city officials happy. Director James Gray and cinematographer Harris Savides make the film visually intriguing. Reminiscent of Antonioni's startlingly beautiful industrial scenes, Frank's red brick building is stately in the early morning light. Its dark interior is gorgeous but dangerous. Through a window into Willie's office, Leo sees him hand over a wad of bills to someone. This scene establishes Leo's discovery through carefully listening and looking and also sets up the high-contrast light and dark that characterize the film's most significant scenes. Wahlberg sensitively plays this damaged guy who never smiles. Passivity in so dynamic and animated an actor creates a character with strongly bottled emotions who expresses himself through his voice and eyes. Phoenix gives a nuanced performance as a tragic character whose ambition for the good life dwarfs his ethical choices. He wants what Frank has -- lots of money, a big house, a nice car and a beautiful family -- and he can't forsee the costs. Caan is brilliant as the enigmatic Frank, a man who would be king of the contractors until the high rollers he plays with order him to do their dirty bidding. In a scene with Erica late in the film, Frank withdraws into the shadows. When he emerges, his look recalls Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, a moment of chilling recognition. Theron is an accomplished actress, who fearlessly portrays Erica's determination and courage in her final scene with Willie. Unforgettable. Dunaway and Burstyn are committed, professional actors. Each creates a distinct, fragile personality in these sisters who share life's disappointments and tragedies. Kudos to Gray (Little Odessa, 1994), whose second feature film shows his gift is great. Too bad Miramax, once known for its ability to promote worthy films, has done nothing for this one. Great Date Movie Emotionally balanced performances are a treat. By Lois Wadsworth Bounce: Written and directed by Don Roos. Produced by Steve Golin, Michael Besman. Executive produced by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Bob Osher, Meryl Poster. Cinematography, Robert Elswit. Production design, David Wasco. Editor, David Codron. Music, Mychael Danna. Costumes, Peter Mitchell. Starring Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow. With Joe Morton, Natasha Henstridge, Jennifer Gray, Tony Goldwyn, Alex D. Linz and Johnny Galecki. Miramax, 2000. PG-13. 102 minutes.   Buddy Amaral (Ben Affleck) and Abby Janello (Gwyneth Paltrow). .   Irony -- look but you won't find it here after the first few scenes. The only ironic thing about Bounce is that it stars Ben Affleck, an actor who has built his career largely playing affable, hard-partying playmates with a handy quip for every occasion. But in his role as Buddy Amaral, Affleck sheds these characteristics to become a man sensitive to the drawbacks of such a life. For, along with courting Abby (Gwyneth Paltrow), Buddy is also coaxing his better self to help him stay grounded, centered and real. It's not easy for a former alcoholic and ambitious yuppie salesman to give up the very qualities that have brought him creative and financial success. But Abby, Paltrow's least glamorous, most sincere role, is great motivation. However, they don't even meet until a year or so after the opening scene. First, Buddy's at an airport terminal, where bad weather has grounded his flight. Hanging out in the bar with others in the same fix, he casually lays his return ticket on a traveler trying to get home and instead opts for a shared layover with a woman (Natasha Henstridge) he just met. And he counts on his friend (Jennifer Gray) to doctor the airline records. Buddy's scam would have worked, except the plane crashes, killing everyone on board. Cut to Abby, mother of two, waking from a deep sleep. For the next several hours, she will deny that her husband was on the doomed flight. Paltrow's response to learning that he was indeed on the airplane is a true-to-the-bone treatment of grief. Jump forward a year, and Abby is a real estate agent, trying to support herself and the boys. Despite an aura of sadness and unforced emotional fragility, Abby makes a strong impression on a new client who is -- you guessed it, Buddy. Now so far you don't know more than you could learn from watching the trailer. But what happens between Abby and Buddy is so convincing in its rightness that you instinctively understand why Buddy can't tell her he lied to get into her life because her husband died in his place. You also know that his subterfuge will come out, and he will lose her, even though you don't want that to happen because he's a good man, she loves him, and he would be a good father to the children. That's the movie's delicious dilemma, and watching it work out is a pleasure. You can't call what transpires between Affleck and Paltrow chemistry, because it's too delicate for the lustful expectations that term suggests. Rather there's a trust between the actors that creates a state of gentle intimacy between them. It's refreshing to see what good work Paltrow and Affleck can do with material worthy of their talents. Writer, director Don Roos made a spectacular splash with his 1998 black comedy, The Opposite of Sex, winning a slew of awards and giving Lisa Kudrow, Martin Donovan and Christina Ricci terrific roles. But the quirky pranks and acerbic language that made Opposite so appealing appear here only as comic relief in minor characters, such as Buddy's smart-mouthed gay assistant, Seth (Johnny Galecki from "Roseanne"). Likewise, both films are blessedly free of hypocrisy and cliché. Roos is generous toward the characters in Bounce, just as in his earlier film. And while Bounce doesn't sound very original on paper, on the screen it works beautifully because the lead actors are so skilled. Now playing at Cinema World and Cinemark, it's highly recommended. OPENING OR RETURNING: Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless otherwise noted. Almost Famous: Cameron Crowe's critically acclaimed ode to rock and roll music stars Patrick Fugit as a 15-year old music writer for Rolling Stone magazine sent on tour with a rock band. Also stars Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Jason Lee and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Fabulous movie, wonderful performances. One of the year's best. R. Late night Bijou. Anna 6 to 18: Russian filmmaker Nikita Mikhalkov's underground documentary about his daughter growing up in the USSR and post-Soviet Russia. 115 Pacific Hall, UO, Nov. 29, 6:30 pm. Free. Blair Witch 2 Book of Shadows: Directed by documentary filmmaker Joe Berlinger, this sequel has a docu-feel as young people in Birkittsville, MD, lead tourists into the woods looking for whatever scared hell out the earlier film crew. R. Opens Wednesday. Movies 12. Bring It On: Kirsten Dunst (The Virgin Suicides) is a cheerleader who wants to lead her squad to a national title. Gabrielle Union (She's All That) is head of a rival, inner-city hip-hop squad that has a score to settle with their suburban counterparts. PG-13. Opens Wednesday. Movies 12. Cell, The: Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughan and Vincent D'Onofrio star in this science fiction thriller. Lopez is a psychologist who becomes trapped in the mind of a serial killer. R. Opens Wednesday. Movies 12. Get Carter: Sylvester Stallone stars in remake of 1971 British film about a revenge-seeking man looking for his brother's killer. Directed by Stephen Kay, it also stars Michael Caine and Miranda Richardson. Derivative and clunky film fails to excite. R. Opens Wednesday. Movies 12. Legend of Drunken Master (2000): Re-release of Jackie Chan's 1994 Hong Kong action flick directed by Chia-Liang Liu with a new title. Chan's father has taught him how to fight in the style called Drunken Master, which requires unbelievable, ballet-like movements. R. Late night Bijou. 102 Dalmatians: Cruella De Vil (Glenn Close) is back, and this time she's got a partner in crime Jean Pierre Le Pelt (Gerard Depardieu). Live action comedy from Disney. G. Opens Wednesday. Cinemark 17. Cinema World 8. Place in the World, A: 1992 Argentine film about the return home of a couple (Federico Luppi, Cecilia Roth) exiled during the military dictatorship. Directed by Adolfo Aristarain, film's bid for an Academy Award was retracted because of controversy. Highly acclaimed. 122 Pacific Hall, UO, Nov. 28, 7 pm. Free. Seventh Seal, The: Ingmar Bergman's classic 1956 film about a knight who returns from the Crusades to a land swept by bubonic plague. The knight plays chess with "death" to secure his and his wife's survival. Max von Syddow's performance as the knight is brilliant. 180 PLC, UO, Nov. 28, 7 pm. Free. Stolen Years: Documentary about the Kolyma Gulag featuring interviews with Gulag survivor Semyon Vilensky and other former political prisoners. Vilensky will be present for the screening. 240C Grayson Hall, UO, Nov. 30, 7 pm. Two-Family House: Written, directed by Raymond De Felitta, sweet romantic comedy set in 1956 is about a man's dreams. Buddy (Michael Respell) wants to buy an old house, live upstairs and open a bar downstairs, but his complaining wife Estelle (Katherine Narducci) doesn't. A couple already live upstairs, and the pregnant wife (Kelly Macdonald) doesn't want to move with her drunken husband (Kevin Conway). The New York Times said going on this adventure with Buddy "is to experience filmgoing joy." R. Bijou. Unbreakable: PG-13. New suspense thriller by M. Night Shyamalan writer, director of last year's surprise hit, The Sixth Sense, stars Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson. PG-13. Opens Wednesday. Cinema World 8. Cinemark 17. Movieland 6. Yards, The: One of the year's best films is written and directed by James Gray. It stars Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron and James Caan in a drama about corruption, love and betrayal. Never over the top, this understated, underrated film deserves your attention. Very highly recommended. R. Bijou. See review this issue. CONTINUING: 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. Opens Wednesday. Movies 12. 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. 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 gives these two great material, and they know how to make the most of it. Highly recommended.. PG-13. Cinema World 8. Cinemark 17. See review this issue. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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). R. Cinemark 17. Movieland 6. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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: Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire: Direct-to-video dinosaur saga's latest entry to the franchise. G. Replacements, The: During an NFL players' strike, coach Gene dead, such as his father. NR. 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. Trois: Erotic thriller about a man who persuades his wife to join in a menage a trois. Consequences are terrible. Directed by Rob Hardy and stars Gretchen Palmer, Kenya Moore and Gary Dourdan. R. Next week: Gone in 60 Seconds, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps. Back to Top Table of Contents | News & Views | Arts & Entertainment Classifieds | Personals | EW Archive