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Cliffhanger
Action dominates, but
fellowship prevails.
By Lois
Wadsworth
LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING Directed by Peter Jackson. Written by Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens,
based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien. Produced by Barrie M. Osborne, Peter Jackson,
Fran Walsh, Tim Sanders. Executive producers, Mark Ordesky, Bob Weinstein, Harvey
Weinstein, Robert Shaye, Michael Lynne. Cinematography, Andrew Lesnie. Editor, John
Gilbert. Music, Howard Shore. Production design, Grant Major. Art direction, Joe
Bleakley, Rob Otterside, Phil Ivey, Mark Robins. Set decorator, Dan Hennah. Costumes,
Ngila Dickson, Richard Taylor. Starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo
Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan,
Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean and Ian Holm. New Line Cinema,
2001. PG-13. 178 minutes.
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Frodo (Elijah Wood) learns about
the power of the ring..
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New Zealand director Peter Jackson's holiday gift to appreciative
audiences is an astonishing visual, aural and emotional recreation of J.R.R. Tolkien's
popular tale, The Fellowship of the Rings, the first book in Tolkien's grand
trilogy. The story chronicles the adventures of a band of volunteers from the Middle
Earth world of men, elves, wizards, dwarves and hobbits (or "halflings,"
so called because they are about half the height of men) who embark on a journey.
One of the great quest dramas of imaginative fiction, the fellowship's goal is not
to acquire treasure but to get rid of a spellbound ring that corrupts its wearer
while strengthening the stirrings of the newly awakened, ancient, evil Lord named
Sauron, who created it.
Jackson's work expresses his understanding not only of Tolkien's
contest between good and evil but also the author's ability to make the ring that
turns its wearer invisible seem relatively ordinary. In that sense, this is a "just-so"
story -- the magical elements are given as facts and taken at face value. Like Tolkien,
Jackson is also very even-handed, according equal treatment and respect to the various
populations and cultures represented in the fellowship, especially to old enemies
such as elves and dwarves.
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Gandolf in Bilbo's house in the
shire..
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The first half hour of the film is necessarily taken up with explanations,
which may not enthrall every viewer. However, once the Hobbit ring-bearer, Frodo
Baggins ( Elijah Wood), leaves the Shire with his friends Sam (Sean Astin), Merry
(Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd), they (and we) are in foreign terrain
where frightening creatures such as the Ringwraiths, lurk in shadows, snoop around
the Shire villages and hide in its dark woods. Hooded, faceless spirits riding ghostly
horses, they are the first of many terrifying beings to attack the Hobbits and their
companions.
The company includes the Grey wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen); the
men, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) and Boromir (Sean Bean); the elf archer Legolas (Orlando
Bloom); and the dwarf Gimli (John Rhys-Davies). It has to traverse hostile territory
to the Land of Mordor, and the ring must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom
where Sauron forged it ages earlier. The first installment of the
trilogy covers only the gathering of the fellowship and its fragmentation, leaving
much of Frodo's journey still ahead.
One narrow escape from danger follows another as the Hobbits wend
their way from cozy homes in the Shire to the inn at Bree, the halls of Rivendell,
the bowers of Lothlorien, through the mines of Moriah and across the bridge at Kazadun.
Along the way they meet the elves Arwen (Liv Tyler), Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) and
Elrond (Hugo Weaving) and catch up with the former ring-bearer, old Bilbo Baggins
(Ian Holm) himself.. And Gandalf has an unpleasant reunion with his old wizard mentor,
Saruman (Christopher Lee).
The Fellowship of the Rings is a richly rewarding film experience
of fast-paced adventures that take place in a world where nature and the supernatural
are not as far apart as today. The special effects are in the service of the story.
Howard Shore's music suits the action and is not intrusive. The costumes are inspired,
production design is exquisite, and the camera work heightens the characters' closeness
to nature. Performances are believable and lovely. See it.
Now playing at Cinemark and Cinema World. Highest recommendations.
Note the rating -- too violent for young children.
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The
Champ
Beauty, charisma and
sex.
By Lois
Wadsworth
ALI: Directed by Michael Mann. Written
by Stephen J. Rivele, Christopher Wilkinson, Eric Roth and Michael Mann, based on
a story by Gregory Allen Howard. Produced by Michael Mann, A. Kittman Ho, Paul Aradaji,
Jon Peters, James Lassiter. Executive producers, Howard Bingham, Graham King. Cinematography,
Emmanuel Lubezki. Production design, John Myhre. Editors, William Goldenberg, Stephen
Rivkin, Lynzee Klingman. Costumes, Marlene Stewart. Music, Lisa Gerrard, Pieter Bourke.
Starring Will Smith. With Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles, Ron Silver,
Jeffrey Wright, Mykelti Willamson, Jada Pinkett Smith, Nona Gaye, Michael Michele,
Joe Morton, Giancarlo Esposito, Albert Hall, David Elliot, Michael Bentt, James N.
Toney, Charles Shufford and Rufus Dorsey. Columbia Pictures, 2001. R. 158 minutes.
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Muhammad Ali (Will Smith) faces
the fight of his career in Zaire, Africa..
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Michael Mann has made an exciting film about one of the 20th century's
most outrageous and unique celebrities -- the great fighter first named Cassius Clay,
then Muhammad Ali. Brought to life by Will Smith in a thoughtful, thrilling performance,
Ali is a man of many moods and faces. The boxer's public persona of a wisecracking,
loudmouth heckler was not the whole man. Mann gives Smith important scenes that are
wordless and among the most resonant in the picture. Smith and Mann give us glimpses
of the private man -- more reserved than we imagined, fiercely determined and undeniably
courageous and principled. The Ali they have fashioned truly deserves to be called
a hero of the people.
The opening sequence darts between Sam Cooke (David Elliot) singing
hot love songs to a dancing crowd and Clay (Will Smith) preparing for his 1964 title
fight with Sonny Liston (Michael Bentt). Hooded, he's running at night in a silence
broken only by a white cop calling out, "Who you running from, son?" All
motion and emotion, the sequence culminates in the "sting like a bee" rhyme
that Clay sing-songs to taunt the heavyweight champion. Mann's picture covers the
next 10 years of Ali's life, ending with the "rumble in the jungle," Ali's
comeback fight against George Foreman (Charles Shufford) in Zaire in 1974 that was
celebrated in Leon Gast's topnotch documentary, When We Were Kings.
But these 10 years represent an equally explosive time for the
country. The groundswell of militancy that burst out of the African American community
included the Nation of Islam movement. Mann shows both Ali's respect for Elijah Muhammad
(Albert Hall) and Ali's friendship with the movement's foremost spokesperson, Malcolm
X (Mario Van Peebles), before the estrangement between the two. Rocked by riots and
assassinations, America's cities were challenged by black activists pursued by corrupt
law enforcement establishment agencies such as COINTELPRO. And Ali was smack dab
in the public eye -- an easy target for bigots -- but nobody's boy, a man with no
desire to be victimized or used by any person, agency or government..
Seeing Smith's recreation of Ali both in the ring and in the press
brings back the volatile adrenaline rush mixed with fear that was how many experienced
that time. Ali dances around the ring, avoiding killer punches from his opponents,
using his wits and biding his time. Then he strikes out, and with a few clean, swift
blows brings down his opponent.
Ali employs a similar technique to deal with his draft notice.
He refuses to be inducted into the military. He talks about racism in this country,
says he doesn't have any quarrel with the Vietnamese. He is threatened with a long
jail term; his boxing license is revoked. The "establishment" puts the
screws to Ali because he has dangerous ideas, is way to sexually attractive and speaks
his mind. It's gratifying to finally see the brave, difficult choice Ali made to
be true to himself as a singular act of courage.
Outstanding actors excel in supporting roles -- Jon Voight is compelling
as Howard Cosell; Van Peebles captures Malcolm's pain; Jamie Foxx radiates charisma
as Drew (Bundini) Brown, Ali's cohort and manager; Mykelti Williamson plays glib,
slick entrepreneur Don King; and Jada Pinkett Smith makes Ali's first wife, Sonji,
a woman with her own desires.
Mann stages great fight scenes and warm sexual encounters that
give Ali a fabulous look. Who knew you could make a serious movie that looks
straight at racism in part by showing so many different shades of brown, black and
white skins? The variety is delicious, and Emmanuel Lubezki's cinematography casts
it in the best light, while his shifting focus gives immediacy and urgency to scenes
that create tension. For a few hours after the movie, I just let the images of so
many faces and bodies wash across my mind. Don't pay any attention to the naysayers.
This is superb cinema on every level. Don't miss it. Now playing at Cinemark and
Cinema World. Very highest recommendations.
OPENING
OR RETURNING:
Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless
otherwise noted.
Focus: Neal Slavin directs William H. Macy, Laura Dern, David
Paymer and Meat Loaf Aday in this historically based WWII drama. Set in an anti-Semitic
Brooklyn neighborhood, the story is about local thugs who decide a couple looks Jewish,
and the crisis of faith they go through. Violent. L.A. Weekly calls it's "a
hyperreal, visually layered period style that finds film noir shadows creeping in
at the edges of a blue-sky, get-along-to-go-along America." PG-13. Bijou.
Imposter: In a future world engineer/inventor Gary
Sinise is suspected of being an alien close. Madeleine Stowe is his girlfriend. Directed
by Gary Fleder. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Kiss or Kill: Australian writer/director Bill Bennet's 1997
thriller tracks lovers played by Freances O'Connor and Matt Day on a trek across
the Australian desert where trouble follows every move. Interesting but flawed film
played Eugene briefly. At 7 pm on 1/3 in 122 Pacific Hall, UO. Free.
One, The: A dual role for Jet Lin who straddles parallel
universes - one where he's good, the other where he's evil. A rogue agent is loose
in multiple universes and must be stopped. Also stars Delroy Lindo. PG-13. Movies
12.
Royal Tennenbaums, The: Directed by Wes Anderson (Rushmore),
this critically acclaimed film is about a family of geniuses that's undergone two
decades of failure, betrayal and disaster. Gene Hackman is the family patriarch,
Royal; Angelica Huston plays his wife, Etheline. Their grown children include Ben
Stiller, Luke Wilson and Gwyneth Paltrow. Also with Danny Glover, Bill Murray and
Owen Wilson. R. Cinemark.
Snow Dogs: Disney flick directed by Brian Levant stars Cuba
Gooding Jr. as a dentist who goes to Alaska to claim his inheritance -- a team of
sled dogs with their own minds. Also stars James Coburn, M. Emmet Walsh and Graham
Greene. PG. Sneak 7:30 pm on 1/5. Cinemark.
Wizard of Oz, The: This original Judy Garland musical picture
features some high-tech improvements such as a remastered soundtrack and a digitally
restored picture. Directed by Victor Fleming, the film is based on the children's
classic novel by L. Frank Baum. G. At 2 pm 1/6 at McDonald Theater. See Sunday Calendar.
CONTINUING
Ali: Will Smith plays Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann's (The
Insider) film about the legendary fighter. Also stars Jon Voight, Giancarlo Esposito,
Mario Van Peebles and many others in a drama that follows one of the most controversial
sports hero of our time. Brilliant film, true to Ali's spirit; biting in its exploration
of racism, 1964-1974. Very highest recommendations. R. Cinemark. Cinema World. See review.
Amelie: Jean Pierre Jeunet's popular hit film about a shy
young French pixie who meddles in the lives of her co-workers, family and neighbors
instead of looking at her own need for love. Too sugary sometimes, this little fairy
tale has just enough gravity to stay grounded. Fabulous. R. Bijou. Online archives.
Beautiful Mind, A: Inspired by the true story of a mathematical
genius whose great discovery came early in his career, Ron Howard's film stars Russell
Crowe, Ed Harris and Jennifer Connelly. Crowe plays the man who battled his demons
for many years yet fulfilled his promise late in life. Stunning work by Crowe and
Connelly. Highly recommended. PG-13. Cinemark.
Behind Enemy Lines: John Moore directs this military drama,
which has Gene Hackman as a naval officer and Owen Wilson as the hot dog pilot who
sees where the bodies are buried in a war-ravaged country. He's shot down, and some
soldiers are after him. PG-13. Cinemark.
Bread and Tulips: A sweet Italian love story played out
in beautiful Venice is directed by Silvio Soldini and stars Licia Maglietta and Bruno
Ganz. Highly recommended. Old fashioned story makes you long for more foreign films.
PG-13. Bijou. Online
archives.
Corky Romano: Corky (Chris Kattan) is a kindly veterinarian
who gets drawn into becoming an F.B.I. agent to help out his long-lost Mafia boss
father (Peter Falk), who's being investigated. PG-13. Movies 12.
Hardball: Keanu Reeves plays a soft-spoken baseball coach
for an inner city middle school. He helps the team come together and meets the girl.
PG-13. Movies 12.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Early reviews say
it is utterly faithful to J.K. Rowling's book, which can either be a good thing or
not. Stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane and more.
Directed by Chris Columbus. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives.
Heist: David Mamet's too-clever caper film stars Gene Hackman,
Rebecca Pidgeon, Danny DeVito, Delroy Lindo, Ricky Jay and Sam Rockwell. Hackman,
Lindo and Jay are top-notch; plot is pedestrian. R. Movies 12. Online archives.
How High: Rap superstars Redman and Method Man find some
really good smoke that helps them ace their college entrance exams. Yeah, right.
Somebody's pot fantasy run amok. R. Cinemark.
Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius: Animated tale of an inventive
10-year old boy and his robot dog who live in a world where wishes come true. Jimmy
wishes his parents would disappear. When all the parents disappear, Jimmy and his
pals have to bring them back. G. Cinemark. Cinema World.
joesomebody: John Pasquin directs Tim Allen as a divorced
father whose workplace humiliation in front of his daughter pushes him to change
his life. Also stars Kelly Lynch, Jim Belushi, Julie Bowen, and Greg Germann. PG.
Cinemark. Cinema World.
K-PAX: Ian Softley (Wings of the Dove) directs Jeff
Bridges, who plays a psychiatrist, and Kevin Spacey's the patient who says he's from
another planet. The good doctor notices changes for the better in the other mental
ward patients. PG-13. Movies 12.
Kate and Leopold: Sappy looking time travel romance stars
Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman, who has been accidentally fast forwarded to New York at
the present from the 19th century. James Mangold (Girl, Interrupted) directs.
PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Lord of the Rings, The: The Fellowship of the Ring: The
first book in J. R. R. Tolkien's literary trilogy reaches the screen, directed by
the talented Peter Jackson and shot entirely in New Zealand as Middle Earth. Stars
Elijah Wood as Frodo, Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, with
Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, Christopher Lee. See why so many people love the book. Highest
recommendations. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. See
review.
Majestic, The: Jim Carrey plays a blacklisted Hollywood
writer who loses his memory after a car crash but finds a new life in a 1950s small
town. Directed by Frank Darabont (The Green Mile). Bob Balaban is a Commie-hunter
with HUAC, Martin Landau is the owner of the local movie theater, and Laurie Holden's
the girl. Eugene's David Ogden Stiers also stars. PG. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Max Keeble's Big Move: Seventh grader Alex D. Linz thinks
he's moving in a week so he concocts sweet revenge against classmates, only to discover
that the family's not moving after all. Oops. Directed by Tim Hill. PG. Movies 12.
Monsters Inc.: From Pixar, the creators of Toy Story,
comes a new computer-animated feature about a scare factory, Monsters Inc., and its
top monster, Sulley (voice of John Goodman). Also voices of Billy Crystal, James
Coburn, Jennifer Tilly, Steve Buscemi and Mary Gibbs. G. Cinemark. Online archives.
Not Another Teen Movie: Directed by MTV producer Joel Gallen,
this comedy is set in high school involves a bet a jock (Chris Evans) takes to turn
a nerdy girl (Chyler Leigh) into a prom queen. Duh! R. Cinemark.
Ocean's Eleven: Steven Soderbergh's remake of the old Rat
Pack's '60s heist movie stars George Clooney, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts. Brad Pitt
and Andy Garcia. This gang plans to hit several Las Vegas casinos on the same night,
while everyone's distracted by a high-profile boxing match. Soderbergh never disappoints,
and he's assembled great players. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives.
Princess Diaries, The: Directed by Garry Marshall, this
comedy about a S.F. teen who finds out she's a princess stars Anne Hathaway, Hector
Elizondo, Julie Andrews, Robert Schwartzman and Heather Matarazzo. G. Movies 12.
Riding in Cars with Boys: Drew Barrymore stars in Penny
Marshall's film about a woman who wants to be a writer but ends up with a baby at
15 and a junkie husband. Based on a true story. With Steve Zahn and Brittany Murphy.
PG-13. Movies 12.
Serendipity: Destiny has them meet by chance in a department
story, and fate parts them right away. Now it's 10 years later, and John Cusack and
Kate Beckinsale try to find each other again. Directed by Peter Chelsom (Town
& Country). PG-13. Movies 12.
Shallow Hal: Jack Black plays a neurotic womanizer who gets
hypnotized into seeing women's inner beauty for the Farrelly brothers. But he sees
right through Gwyneth Paltrow's fat suit. Word is the Farrellys are uncharacteristically
good humored. Hmmm. PG-13. Movies 12.
Spy Game: Robert Redford is a CIA officer who mentors Brad
Pitt in this spy thriller directed by Tony Scott (Enemy of the State). Also
stars Catherine McCormack. R. Movies 12.
Thirteen Ghosts: Joel Silver and Robert Zemeckis produced
this special effects remake of a 1960 horror film that stars Tony Shalhoub, Embeth
Davidtz and Matthew Lillard. They're given keys to a fantastic house that contains
the spirits of 13 murder victims. R. Movies 12.
Vanilla Sky: Cameron Crowe directs this erotic thriller
starring Tom Cruise as a publishing executive who's misplaced his soul. Entertaining
but twisted tale of mutable identities, irreconcilable temporal dislocations and
mystifying parallel stories also stars Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Kurt Russell,
Jason Lee and Timothy Spall. Highly recommended. R. Cinemark. Online archives.
Zoolander: In his first directorial foray since The Cable
Guy, Ben Stiller also writes and stars in this comedy about a male model brainwashed
into taking on a secret mission. With Owen Wilson as the ultimate Eurotrash supermodel,
Christine Taylor as a bimbo and Milla Jovovich in leather. Moments of mad genius.
PG-13. Movies 12. Online
archives.
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
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:
Greenfingers: Based on the true story of convict Colin Brigg who turns into a
English gardening marvel, movie stars Clive Owen, Helen Mirren and David Kelly. R.
Jeepers Creepers: Shock schlock designed to scare the pants
off teens and older adolescents. Written and directed by Victor Salva, supernatural
thriller stars Gina Philips, Justin Long, Jonathan Breck and Eileen Brennan. R.
Man Who Cried, The: Eve of WWII movie set in Paris
looks at a few people forced into hard choices just to survive. Stars Christina Ricci,
Cate Blanchett, Johnny Depp and John Turturo.
Queer as Folk: The complete 22-episode first season of Showtime's
original about gay men and women living in Pittsburg is noted for its realistic treatment
of gay life. Not rated.
Next week: American Pie 2, Anniversary Party, Boycott,
Bubble Boy, Dinner with Friends, Glitter, Newsies, Pavilion of Women, Tortilla Soup
and Tron.
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