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If you've never seen Jean Cocteau's surreal evocation of the medieval fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast (La Belle et La Bête), you can catch it at 7 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 28 in 138 Gilbert. Following the film, three guest speakers will talk about Cocteau and his work: Mark Gallagher, Denis Reynaud and Toni Pimble, artistic director of the Eugene Ballet Company. Pimble will talk about Cocteau's influence on the ballet she has choreographed that EBC will perform twice next week, at 8 pm on Saturday, March 3 and at 2:30 pm on Sunday, March 4. Cocteau's film evolves in two contrasting realities: a family's ordinary life in a French country home and a troubled Beast's (Jean Marais) enchanted life in an aged but magical estate. The family includes a father (Marcel André) whose shipping business is ruined. He has a wastrel son, Ludovic, and three daughters. The elder sisters are vain and foolish, while the younger girl, Belle (Josette Day) is both good and beautiful. Ludovic's friend, Avenant (Jean Marais), practically lives with the family. He is in love with Belle, but she says her place is with Father. As the film opens, the mean sisters are trying on fine gowns to call on a snobby neighbor, the lads are practicing archery, and Belle is doing the chores that keep the household together. When Father believes one ship has come in, the older sisters ask him to bring them gowns and jewels, while Belle asks for a rose. These scenes are earthy and wonderful, filled with Ludovic's good-natured teasing, the girls' self-absorbed bickering, Avenant's flirtation with Belle, and chickens, geese and a goat roaming the yard. Father returns a broken man. He tells them about the enchanted place he wandered into and the wicked Beast who said he must die for picking a rose. He has to return or send one of his daughters. Belle decides she will go in his stead. Once she enters the spellbound grounds of the castle and its interior rooms, candles held by human hands light automatically, phantom hands pour wine and serve food. Wall sconces are human faces, with eyes that follow. Statues move and watch. Beast (Jean Marais) himself is a work of art. Covered in a heavy fur yet walking upright and dressed as a man, he is truly a noble beast. He's a very solar looking lion-like creature, with a ruff around his proud head with sun-like rays radiating outward. He can be gentle, docile even, but his eyes sometimes burn with a fevered animality, and he forbids Belle to look him in the eye. Once when he is overcome by sensation, he orders her to close her door. When he has killed, his hands smoke. We learn the five secrets to his power are held by the rose, the magical mirror, the golden key to Diana's Pavilion where his earthly treasures are stored, his horse and his jeweled glove. Cocteau has created haunting, visually rich cinema from this simple tale of enchantment. The surreal art direction and technical flourishes by director René Clément (Purple Noon) are brilliant, but the Cocteau's tone is lucid and intimate despite its supernatural surroundings. Fairy tale language is formal, as when Beast tells Belle, "My night is your day." Because stories such as this touch us in ways only dream states do, the film experience leaves you feeling whole.
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. Movies 12. Goonies, The: Written by Steven Spielberg and Chris Columbus and directed by Richard Donner, this action fantasy tracks brothers who find a treasure map and try to get the goods before the goons get them. PG. 8 pm Feb. 23 in 180 PLC, UO campus. $3 general, $2 students. Kolymya (Part One): Russian prize-winning documentary on Soviet forced-labor concentration camps in Kilyma. English subtitles. 6:30 pm Feb. 28, 115 Pacific Hall, UO campus. Free. Matewan: John Sayles' 1987 gritty, moving drama of the massacre of striking West Virginia coal miners in the 1920s by company hired guns stars Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell and David Strathairn. Haskell Wexlers cinematography received Academy Award nomination. Plays at 7 pm Feb. 28 in 180 PLC. Free. Monkeybone: Brendan Fraser, Bridget Fonda and Whoopi Goldberg star in this comedy about a cartoonist who enters a strange world dominated by his creation after receiving a blow to the head. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. See Spot Run: David Arquette plays a mailman who teams up with a crime-fighting canine in this comedy. PG. Sneak 2 pm Feb. 25 only. Cinemark. Shadow of the Vampire: John Malkevich plays silent film director F.W. Murnau, and Willem Dafoe (nominated for an Academy Award) is his bloodthirsty star, Max Schreck. Directed by E. Elias Merhige and written by Steven Katz, this film is about the making of Murnau's masterpiece, the 1922 Nosferatu. It is either an homage to the film or an extended comparison between vampirism and filmmaking or both. It's eccentric, spooky and has a touch of magic, too. Highly recommended. R. Cinemark 17. Late night Bijou. See review. Taxing Woman, A: Juzo Itami's (Tampopo) 1987 comedy about a female tax collector looking for a wily millionaire tax-dodger. Great fun! 7 pm Feb. 27 in 121 Pacific Hall, UO campus. 3000 Miles to Graceland: Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell arrive in Vegas decked out like Elvis but intending to rob the casino. Looks like things go wrong. Directed by Demian Lichenstein, it also stars David Arquette and Christian Slater. R. Cinemark. Cinema World. Unbreakable: New film
by M. Night Shyamalan writer, director of last year's surprise hit, The Sixth
Sense, stars Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson. Both put themselves on the line
in these understated roles. Willis's character is inner-directed and thoughtful,
while Jackson's steely reserve and crushing vulnerability are quietly menacing. Beautifully
directed, it's a great movie. Very highly recommended. PG-13. Movies 12. Antitrust: College graduate (Ryan Phillippe) lands dream job writing software for humongous computer company founded by his childhood idol and mentor (Tim Robbins) and learns lessons the hard way. Directed by Peter Howitt, it also stars Rachael Leigh Cook and Claire Forlani. PG-13. Movies 12. Cast Away: Fed Ex manager Tom Hanks (Academy Award nominee best actor) learns to survive when he washes up on a remote tropical island after his plane crashes. Helen Hunt is the girlfriend he left behind. Intimate direction by Robert Zemeckis, a lean script by William Broyles Jr., and an edgy performance by Hanks. Highly recommended. Nominee for best sound. PG-13. Cinemark. See review. Charlie's Angels: Elite private investigators Natalie (Cameron Diaz), Dylan (Drew Barrymore), and Alex (Lucy Liu) 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. Also stars Bill Murray. PG-13. Movies 12. Chocolat: Best picture nominee directed by Lasse Hallström (Cider House Rules) stars Juliette Binoche (best actress nom), Johnny Depp and Judi Dench (supporting actress nom). It's about the scandal a sexy, free spirited woman causes in a small town when she opens a chocolate shop. Robert Nelson Jacobs nominated for best adapted screenplay, Rachel Portman for original song, Sinful! PG-13. Cinemark. See review. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Ang Lee's cinematic masterpiece, this romantic fantasy set in ancient China involves intrigue, poison darts, a pirate of the dunes, a witch, a magic sword, fabulous women fighters and beautiful, ballet-like martial arts that transcend gravity. Ten Academy Award nominations: best picture, best director, best foreign film, best adapted screenplay, art direction, cinematography, original score, song, costumes and film editing. Stars Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun Fat, Zhang Ziyi and Chang Chen. Superlative! PG-13. Bijou. Cinemark. See review. Down to Earth: Chris Rock gets sent to Heaven by mistake. A heavenly agent tries to fix things by lending him the body of a recently murdered Manhattan mogul. Also stars Regina King, Mark Addy, Frankie Faison and Chazz Palminteri. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Dude, Where Is my Car?: Danny Leiner's one-joke comedy is about a couple of dudes who get too drunk to remember where they parked the car. PG-13. Movies 12. Family Man: Brett Ratner (Rush Hour) directs Nic Cage, Téa Leoni and Don Cheadle in this fantasy of an unmarried investment banker who sees what his life could have been had he married his only love. PG-13. Movies 12. Finding Forester: Gus Van Sant's latest film is badly written by Portlander Mike Rich. Sean Connery plays a reclusive novelist and 16-year old newcomer Robert Brown plays the super-bright teen who brings him back to the world. With Anna Paquin and Busta Rhymes. Film reprises themes of Good Will Hunting without adding anything new, but audience loved it. PG-13. Cinemark. See review. Hannibal: Ridley Scott (Gladiator) chronicles Hannibal Lector's inevitable return in this gruesome sequel to Silence of the Lambs. Stars Julianne Moore as Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins reprising his role as the infamous cannibal. Script by David Mamet, Steven Zaillian (Schindler's List). Bloodsoaked, creepy movie earns its R-rating. R. Cinemark. Cinema World. See review. 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. Academy Award nom for makeup. PG. Movies 12. 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. PG-13. Movies 12. 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. Academy Award nominee for best original song. PG-13. Movies 12. Miss Congeniality: Dubious comedy stars Sandra Bullock as an FBI agent posing as a beauty contestant, Miss New Jersey. Directed by Donald Petrie, flick also stars Benjamin Bratt, Michael Caine and William Shatner. PG-13. Cinemark. O Brother, Where Art Thou?: Ethan and Joel Coen's feel-good Depression-era comedy is their best ever. This Odyssey stars George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson as chain-gang escapees in Mississippi, and the whole wild show is an homage to old timey music and the folk traditions from which it springs. Also with John Goodman. One of the very best films of the year, it gets the highest recommendation. Academy Award nominations for best adapted screenplay and cinematography. PG-13. Cinema World. See review. Proof of Life: Russell Crowe is a special agent for kidnap and ransom who gets involved with the wife (Meg Ryan) of a hostage (David Morse) in this romantic drama set in South America. Directed by Taylor Hackford (Dolores Claiborne, The Devil's Advocate). R. Movies 12. Recess: School's Out: Animated Disney film's about a plot to create permanent winter, thus doing away with summer vacation! G. Cinemark. Cinema World. Rugrats in Paris: Stu Pickles, his brood and the Finsters go to Paris while he works on EuroReptarland, a new amusement park. Tommy Pickles leads the Rugrats on adventures to help Chuckie Finster find the right mom now that his dad is dating again. G. Movies 12. Save the Last Dance for Me: Talented white girl from small town (Julia Stiles) enrolls in an inner city high school in New York where she falls for a popularAfrican American boy (Sean Patrick Thomas) who also loves to dance. She has a chance to dance ballet, but he prefers hip-hop. PG-13. Cinemark. Saving Silverman: Buddies Steve Zahn and Jack Black try to prevent their best friend (Jason Biggs) from marrying a woman he doesn't love (Amanda Peet) when he should be marrying his high school sweetie (Amanda Detmer). PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Snatch: Writer, director Guy Ritchie's (Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels) comedy features an ensemble cast in the wild tale of a diamond heist gone sideways. It's a rollicking ride through London's gangster world starring Benicio Del Toro (Traffic), Brad Pitt, Dennis Farina, Vinnie Jones, Jason Statham and Stephen Graham. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. See review. Sweet November: Pat O'Connor directs this romantic drama about workaholic exec (Keanu Reeves) who falls in love with a unique woman (Charlize Theron). They begin a one-month trial relationship 4 no expectations, no strings attached. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Traffic: Steven Soderbergh's acclaimed new film takes a hard look at the complexities of drug interdiction programs. With an all-star, ensemble cast that includes Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro, Don Cheadle, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Erica Christensen. Brilliant directing, excellent script and dynamite performances make this the best film of 2000 (so far). Five Academy Award nominations: Best picture, best director for Soderbergh, best supporting actor for Golden Globe winner Del Toro, best adapted screenplay and film editing. R. Cinemark. Cinema World. See review. Vertical Limit: Action adventure tale of a former mountain climber who has to save a sibling trapped at 26,000 feet. Chris O'Donnell is the traumatized ex-climber, Robin Tunney is his sis. Directed by Martin Campbell. PG-13. Movies 12. Wedding Planner, The: Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey star in this
romance about a San Francisco wedding planner (Lopez) who meets the man of her dreams
when a handsome pediatrician (McConaughey) saves her from a near-fatal collision
with a runaway dumpster. PG-13. Cinemark. Bijou
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Theaters
Greatest Story Ever Told, The (1965): George Stevens' Biblical epic stars Max Von Sydow, Charlton Heston, Sidney Poitier, John Wayne, Shelley Winters, Pat Boone, Claude Raines, Martin Landau, Angela Lansbury, Roddy McDowell, Carroll Baker, Ed Wynn, Jose Ferrer, Van Heflin. G. Lady and the Tramp II: Animated sequel has voices of Scott Wolf, Alyssa Milano, Jodi Benson, Jeff Bennett, Chazz Palminteri, Cathy Moriarty. G. Last of the Blonde Bombshells, The: HBO romantic comedy sports great cast: Judi Dench, Ian Holm, Olympia Dukakis, Leslie Caron and Cleo Laine. Recent widow (Dench) decides to reunite her girl band of the WWII-era, including its one male musician, the drummer (Holm). Then she falls for him. PG-13. Lost Souls: Thriller stars Winona Ryder as a woman who becomes aware of a conspiracy to enable the Devil to walk the earth in human form. With Ben Chaplin as the crime writer who can't believe he's the target. R. Original Kings of Comedy, The: Spike Lee's concert documentary is topical, hilarious and raunchy. Four stand-up black comics deliver their notions of African American family life in peak comic performances: D.L. Hughley, Bernie Mac, Cedric The Entertainer and Steve Harvey. Highly recommended. R. Right Temptation, The: Kiefer Sutherland, Rebecca DeMornay and Dana Delany star in this thriller about a PI (DeMornay) who investigates a husband suspected of infidelity and a wife who persuades her to seduce him. When he turns up dead, the PI's in trouble. R. Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th: John Blanchard directs this spoof of teen horror flicks starring Tiffani Theissen, Tom Arnold, Coolio, Majandra Delfino, Shirley Jones and Simon Rex. R. Tic Code, The: Eleven year old boy with Tourette's syndrome (Christopher George Marquette) is also a jazz piano prodigy who develops into a protégé of a successful musician (Gegory Hines) with Tourette's. It gets complicated when the musician falls for the boy's mother (Polly Draper). Well-intentioned film is directed by Gary Winick and written by Polly Draper. R. Next week: The Broken Hearts Club, The Contender, The Little
Vampire and Meet the Parents.
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