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Hidden
Malevolence
A ghostly world.
By Lois
Wadsworth
THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE (Spain): Directed
and co-written by Guillermo del Toro. Written by Antonio Trashorras, David Muñoz.
Executive producers, Agustin Almodóvar, Berta Navarro. Production director,
Esther Garcia. Music, Javier Navarrete. Cinematography, Guillermo Navarro. Art director,
Cesar Macarron. Costumes, Jose Vico. Starring Eduardo Noriega, Marisa Paredes, Federico
Luppi, Iñigo Garcés, Fernando Tielve, Irene Visedo, Victor Barroso,
Javier Gonzalez, Daniel Esparza, Adrián Lamana and Berta Ojea. Sony Pictures
Classics, 2001. R. 106 minutes.
 |
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A united front: Luis (Victor Barroso),
Owl (Javier Gonzalez), Marcos (Daniel Esparza), Jaime (Inigo Garces), Carlos (Fernando
Tielve) and Galvez (Adrian Lamana).
. |
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Director, writer, producer Guillermo del Toro's bloody-minded ghost
story set in a remote orphanage for boys during the Spanish Civil War, The Devil's
Backbone, is an international hit. Born in Mexico and strongly identified as
an influential contemporary Mexican filmmaker, del Toro (Cronos, Mimic)
now lives and works in Hollywood, where he just finished post-production on Blade
2, a mass market movie due out later this month.
But del Toro's favorite genre, like that of Chilean born Spanish
filmmaker Alejandro Almenábar (The Others, Abre Los Ojos), is
clearly horror movies. And in Devil's Backbone, he exercises (not exorcises)
many of the genre's spooky conventions: furtive shadowy figures darting across doorways;
wispy half-human figures peering out windows; sigh-like sounds and whispers echoing
in empty rooms; objects that move or break as if by an angry but invisible hand;
horrifying underwater sequences. Beyond spookiness, the atmosphere he creates plays
directly into the mindset of the pre-adolescent boys who scare themselves nightly
with stories of the ghost of a missing boy, Santi (Junio Valverde).
A little history is useful here. The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
was between ultra-conservative fascists supported by Hitler and Mussolini and left-wing
republican forces supported by the Soviet Union. International supporters like American
writer Ernest Hemingway drove ambulances or fought for the Reds and denounced the
right, led by Gen. Francisco Franco, who was Spain's dictator until just before his
death in 1975.
In the film, Carlos (Fernando Tielve) hasn't been told that his
father died fighting the fascists, but he is homesick when abandoned at a school
run by republican sympathizers. Right away, a bigger, older boy, Jaime (Iñigo
Garcés) challenges the newcomer to a middle-of-the-night foray into a locked
building they're forbidden to enter. Carlos gets trapped inside when Jacinto (Eduardo
Noriega), a sadistic former student who now works at the school, comes in, moves
aside a false cabinet front and tries a key to open a safe he thinks holds gold ingots.
But Carlos sees Jacinto and is visited by the mysterious ghost of Santi.
Other significant characters include Carmen (Marisa Paredes of
Pedro Almo-dóvar's films), a wooden-legged widow who runs the school; Dr.
Cásares (Federico Luppi), who cares for the boys as best he can; and Conchita
(Irene Visedo), who loves Jacinto.
All the adults have secrets, so it's no surprise the boys spend
most of their time and energy trying to unravel mysteries and reveal the truth. By
the end, a gruesome battle has taken place between the boys' protectors and Jacinto's
destructive intentions. The boys find the courage to fight for themselves, which
has led reviewers to note the film's similarity to The Lord of the Flies (1963),
in which English school boys deserted on an island revert to savagery as an adaptation
to their changed lives. Del Toro's ending is marginally more comforting.
Opens at the Bijou Friday, March 15. Effective, clever, chilling.
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OPENING OR
RETURNING:
Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless
otherwise noted.
Devil's Backbone: Guillermo del Toro directs and co-authors
this gothic ghost story. Graphic violence set in 1930s Spain at a remote orphanage.
Effective, clever and chilling. R. Bijou. See
review.
Eight Men Out: Reenactment of a tragic baseball scandal.
David Strathairn, D.B. Sweeney and John Cusack give excellent performances. Written
and directed by John Sayles. PG. 6:30 pm, on 3/16 at Lorane Grange Hall, Lorane.
Harrison's Flowers: Andie MacDowell is the wife of a missing,
presumed dead, photographer. She sets off to find him and bring him home. Also David
Strathairn, Elias Koteas. Directed and produced by Elie Chouraqui. R. Cinemark.
Hart's War: Drama set in WWII Nazi concentration camp involves
war hero Bruce Willis who commands his fellow inmates. A murder in camp leads to
a daring scheme. Film rides today's patriotism wave. R. Movies 12.
Ice Age: Chris Wedge directs the voices of Ray Romano, John
Leguizamo, Denis Leary, and Goran Vizjnic in this digitally animated story of prehistoric
creatures trying to save a human child. G. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Journey of Hope (Turkey, 1990): Academy Award winner of
Best Foreign Film, this tale of a Kurdish family relocating to Switzerland, on foot
across the Alps, never played Eugene theaters. PG. At 7 pm on 3/14 in 180 PLC. Free.
Ocean's Eleven: Steven Soderbergh's remake 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. Soderbergh never disappoints. PG-13.
Movies 12.
Resident Evil: Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez play
commando leaders trying to save the world in this action thriller based on the video
game. R. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Rollerball: John McTiernan directs this action thriller
starring Chris Klein, LL Cool J and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as players that Rollerball
creator (Jean Reno) puts in danger on the court. PG-13. Movies 12.
Rookie, The: Dennis Quaid stars as baseball coach who makes
a deal with his team and ends up trying out for a minor league contract. Also with
Rachel Griffiths. G. Sneak at 7:30 pm 3/16. Cinemark.
Showtime: Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro spoof TV cop shows.
Also starring Rene Russo and William Shatner. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World.
CONTINUING
Ali: Will Smith plays Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann's film.
Also stars Jon Voight, Giancarlo Esposito, Mario Van Peebles. Academy noms for Smith,
Voight. Brilliant film, true to Ali's spirit; biting in its exploration of racism,
1964-1974. Very highest recommendations. R. Movies 12. See review.
All About the Benjamins: Miami bounty hunter Ice Cube and
bail jumper Mike Epps team up to take advantage of some hot diamonds in Kevin Bray's
comic action drama. R. Cinemark.
Amelie: Jean Pierre Jeunet's popular hit film about loneliness
in the city stars Audrey Tautou as a shy French pixie who meddles in the lives of
her Paris co-workers, family and neighbors. Worth seeing twice. Academy noms for
foreign language film, art direction, sound, cinematography, original screenplay.
R. Bijou. See
review.
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. Stunning work by Crowe and Connelly, both
nominated for Academy Awards, along with the film, Howard, writer Akiva Goldsman.
Highly recommended. PG-13. Cinemark. See review.
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. PG-13. Movies 12.
Big Fat Liar: Frankie Muniz ("Malcolm in the Middle")
tries to prove sleazy Hollywood producer (Paul Giamatti) turned his class paper into
a hit movie. Directed by Shawn Levy. PG. Cinemark.
Birthday Girl: Jez Butterworth's dark comedy stars Nicole
Kidman as a Russian mail-order bride for a hapless small-town bank clerk, Ben Chaplain.
Her "cousin" and his pal visit on her birthday. Kidman is always worth
watching. R. Movies 12. See review.
Black Hawk Down: Ridley Scott directs this true story based
on the mission-gone-wrong of American special forces in Somalia, 1993. Stars Josh
Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Ron Eldard and Sam Shepard. AFI award for best picture;
academy nods for Scott, cinematography, sound, editing. Highest recommendations.
R. Cinemark. See
review.
Count of Monte Cristo, The: Alexandre Duma's classic tale
of wrongful imprisonment and revenge stars Jim Caviezel, Dagmara Dominczyk, Guy Pearce
and Richard Harris. Scenes in prison are the film's best; much else is overblown.
PG-13. Cinemark. See
review.
Dragonfly: Widower Kevin Costner seeks help from Sister
Madeline (Linda Hunt) as he grieves for his wife. Also stars Kathy Bates, Joe Morton.
PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Forty Days and 40 Nights: Josh Hartnett plays a high school
heartthrob who gives up all sex for 40 days and nights. Then the girl of his dreams,
played by Shannyn Sossaman, walks into his life. R. Cinemark. Cinema World
Gosford Park: Robert Altman's comedy of manners, upstairs
and downstairs, in a 1932 English country house. Fine performances and a splendid
look at class warfare, with a nasty, satiric edge. Academy Award noms to picture,
Altman, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren and screenwriter Julian Fellowes. Highest recommendations.
R. Bijou. See
review.
John Q: Denzel Washington, father of a boy who needs an
organ transplant, does desperate things. With Robert Duvall, James Woods, Anne Heche,
Kimberly Elise, Ray Liotta. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Kate and Leopold: Sappy looking time travel romance stars
Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman, who has been accidentally fast forwarded to today's New
York from the 19th century. James Mangold directs. PG-13. Movies 12.
Kung Pow: Steve Oedekerk acquired a 1976 Hong Kong Karate
film, placed himself digitally into it, redubbed the other characters and shot new
scenes. Here it is. PG-13. Movies 12.
Lord of the Rings, The: The Fellowship of the Ring: The
first book in J. R. R. Tolkien's literary trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson and
shot entirely in New Zealand stars Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Liv
Tyler, Sean Astin, Christopher Lee. Academy Award noms: picture, director, McKellen,
screenplay, original score, song, art direction, cinematography, costumes, sound,
visual effects, editing. Highest recommendations. PG-13. Cinemark. See review.
Majestic, The: Jim Carrey, blacklisted H'wood writer loses
his memory but finds a new life in a 1950s small town. Directed by Frank Darabont
(The Green Mile). With Bob Balaban, Martin Landau and Laurie Holden. PG. Movies
12.
Not Another Teen Movie: Directed by MTV producer Joel Gallen,
high school comedy involves a bet a jock (Chris Evans) takes to turn a nerdy girl
(Chyler Leigh) into a prom queen. Duh! R. Movies 12.
Orange Country: Colin Hanks and Jack Black star in Jake
Kasdan's teen comedy about a transcript mix-up. PG-13. Movies 12.
Return to Neverland: Disney animated tale of the rebellious
12-year old daughter of grown up Wendy (from Peter Pan). Pete's still around,
and he tries to help her. G. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Royal Tenenbaums, The: Wes Anderson directs this critically
acclaimed film that looks at a family of geniuses who turn out to be simply neurotic.
Stars Gene Hackman, Angelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Gwyneth
Paltrow, Danny Glover and Bill Murray. AFI Award: Hackman. Academy noms to Anderson
and Wilson's screenplay. Much sweeter on second seeing. Highest recommendations.
R. Movies 12. Online
archives.
Shallow Hal: Jack Black plays a neurotic womanizer who gets
hypnotized into seeing right through Gwyneth Paltrow's fat suit. Word is the Farrellys
are uncharacteristically good humored. Hmmm. PG-13. Movies 12.
Slackers: Teen comedy stars Devon Sawa, Jason Seagal and
Jason Schwartzman and is directed by Dewey Nicks. R. Movies 12.
Snow Dogs: Brian Levant directs Cuba Gooding Jr. in this
Disney tale of a man who goes to Alaska to claim his inheritance a team of sled dogs
with their own minds. With James Coburn, M. Emmet Walsh and Graham Greene. PG. Cinemark.
Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted 2002 Festival of Animation:
More of what you've come to expect from Spike and Mike. 18 and older only. Bijou.
Super Troopers: Five Vermont State Troopers with not enough
to do create havoc on the highway. Written by and starring a five-man comedy troupe,
Broken Lizard. R. Cinemark.
Time Machine: Guy Pearce (Memento) stars in this
remake of H.G. Welles sci-fi novel, directed by Simon Wells (The Prince of Egypt).
Creator of time machine is hurled 800,000 years into the future, where he finds there
are only hunters and the hunted. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Waking Life: Richard Linklater explores dreams vs reality
in 30 episodes. Film itself is a dream, the result of a live action film digitally
painted. Stars Wiley Wiggins and a cast of 60. Highly recommended. R. Bijou. See review.
We Were Soldiers: Mel Gibson stars as Lt. Col Hal Moore
who led his men in the brutal battle for La Drang Valley in the Viet Nam war. Based
on Moore's memoir. Directed by Randall Wallace, also stars Madeleine Stowe, Greg
Kinnear, Sam Elliot, Chris Klein, Keri Russell and Barry Pepper. R. Cinemark. Cinema
World. See
review.
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:
Because Why: Arto Paragamian directs this independent film
starring Michael Riley as a young man trying to find a place for himself. NR.
Charcoal People, The: A film documenting the struggle of
migrant workers in Brazil who are exploited as the rain forest around them is destroyed.
In Portuguese with English subtitles. NR.
Donnie Darko: A complex and pessimistic story about a teenager
(Jake Gyllenhaal) and his mental illness, with a giant rabbit and a little time travel
thrown in. R.
Focus: Based on an Arthur Miller drama about working-class
anti-Semitism, starring William H. Macy, Laura Dern, David Payner, and Meat Loaf
PG-13.
Lemonade Joe: A 1964 Czech-made musical spoof on cowboy
movies. An absolute original. NR. Facets Video release.
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. PG-13.
Risk: Alan White directs Bryan Brown, Tom Long and Claudia
Karavan in this film about insurance scams and fraud. R.
Training Day: Directed by Antoine Fuqua, this cop show features
a rookie nark (Ethan Hawke) who spends his first day with a rogue senior officer
(Denzel Washington). With Scott Glenn, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre. R.
Next week: Life as a House, K-PAX, Original Sin, Our
Lady of the Assassins, Iron Monkey, How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog, and Bread
and Tulips.
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