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The
Atomic Trinity
Bad
boys challenge fate.
BY
LOIS WADSWORTH
THE
DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS: Directed by Peter Care. Written
by Jeff Stockwell, based on a novel by Chris Fuhrman. Produced by
Jodie Foster, Meg LeFauve and Jay Shapiro. Executive producers Graham
King, David A. Jones, John Watson, Pen Densham. Cinematography, Lance
Acord. Animation by Todd McFarlane. Editor, Chris Peppe. Music, Marco
Beltrami. Production design, Gideon Ponte. Costumes, Marie France.
Starring Kieran Culkin, Jena Malone, Emile Hirsch, Vincent D'Onofrio
and Jodie Foster. ThinkFilm, 2002. R. 105 minutes.
This peculiar, moving film grapples with
the absurd, anguished phenomenon blithely dismissed as "coming of
age" by critics safely removed from their own disturbed youth (or
hoping to forget it). Surprisingly, the film communicates a rare appreciation
of the awkward emotional territory its main characters inhabit. And
don't underestimate this achievement just because former music video
director Peter Care uses interwoven animated segments by comic book
luminary Todd McFarlane (Spawn) to express the violence of
these conflicted inner feelings.
 |
|
MARGIE
(JENA MALONE), FRANCIS (EMILE HIRSCH) AND TIM (KIERAN CULKIN)
PAUSE AT THE COUGAR DEN.
|
A trio of extraordinary young actors give lovely performances
here. Francis Doyle (Emile Hirsch) is a burgeoning comic book artist,
and Tim Sullivan (Kieran Culkin) is his best friend. Tim instigates
pranks, and Francis follows, willingly. Tim involves several other
boys as well, and all contribute to the ongoing comic book project
Francis manages. When Francis becomes interested in Margie (Jena Malone),
a vulnerable beauty, his relationship with Tim falters, then recovers.
Margie has tried to take her own life over serious issues that she
confides to Francis. His response: uncertainty and confusion. Their
impasse is as mysterious to him as it is to her.
These are the emotional bones on which a series of
comic and tragic misadventures play. The kids all attend Blessed Heart
Catholic High School in the 1970s, where the boys' least favorite
teacher is Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster). Burdened with the long
black robes and white wimple not yet abandoned by her order, Assumpta
purses her lips, prays for her young charges and tries to influence
their lives for the better. But the boys see her as the Wicked Witch
of the West, and Francis draws her as Nunzilla, a motorcycle-riding
hellion who cavorts lasciviously with Father Casey (Vincent D'Onofrio),
the school's kindly, easy-going principal.
Francis's comic book drawings evolve into brilliantly
executed animated fantasies he daydreams. Along with the escalating
danger of the pranks Tim cooks up, they give Francis a way to escape
from his perceived-as-boring life. Tim's most elaborate trick involves
removing the statue of the saint displayed above the school door,
hiding it and hoping eventually to ransom it. The second stage of
the prank is even more daring: to capture the live cougar at a local
zoo and put it in Sister Assumpta's room.
During their more ordinary moments, the boys ride
their bicycles, read comics, smoke tobacco and drink vile alcoholic
concoctions culled from the open bottles in the liquor cabinet at
home. Francis and Margie explore love cautiously. Tim is an unrepentant
bad boy who knows he doesn't fit in — "too smart for his own
good," the older generation might put it. His parents' constant bickering
makes home a place to avoid.
Based on the late Chris Fuhrman's semi-autobiographical
novel, Dangerous Lives is the first film I've seen since Don
Roos's engaging 1998 comedy, The Opposite of Sex, that lights
up new ways to look at the upheavals of adolescence. It's a very good
film, thanks especially to Hirsch, who lets Francis's feelings show
in a natural, luminous performance that reminds me of the late River
Phoenix. Like Phoenix, Hirsch's star quality is visible in his feature
film debut.
Highly recommended, The Dangerous Lives of Altar
Boys is now playing at the Bijou in its new late night program.
Don't say there's nothing to do after 10 o'clock . You can see first-run
films. It beats getting arrested.
OPENING
OR RETURNING:
Films open the Friday following
date of EW publication unless otherwise noted. See archived
reviews at www.eugeneweekly.com.
Ascent, The (Russia, 1972): Larisa Shepitko's
WWII tale of two Soviet partisans who fall into German hands. Subtitles.
At 7:45 pm on 10/16 in 115 Pacific Hall, UO. Free.
Battle Royale (Japan): Contemporary Japanese
film, with English subtitles. At 7 pm on 10/12 in 214 McKenzie Hall,
UO. Free.
Brown Sugar: Beautiful childhood friends Taye
Diggs and Sanaa Lathan must now choose others or each other. Rick
Famuyiwa directs. Queen Latifah and Mos Def co-star. PG-13. Cinemark.
Fast Runner, The (Atanarjuat, 2002):
Zacharias Kunuk directs the first feature film in 80 years about the
Inuit people of northern Canada. The New York Times called
it "a masterpiece," noting: "You are so completely caught up in the
codes and rituals of a nomadic, tribal society governed by complex
ideas of honor and loyalty that it is easy to overlook the artistry
that has put them before you." It's based on a traditional Inuit folk
epic. R. Bijou.
King of Hearts (France, 1967): Phillipe de
Broca's light-hearted comedy about the patients from a nearby asylum
who are running a French city at the end of WWII. Stars Alan Bates
as the Scottish soldier who discovers them. Powerful, funny, anti-war
film. At 7 pm on 10/16 in 110 Fenton. Free.
Knockaround Guys: Four wannabe Mafiosas —
Vin Diesel, Seth Green, Barry Pepper and Andrew Davoli — sort
of follow instructions from Uncle Teddy (John Malkovich) and Benny
Chains (Dennis Hopper) to buy the silence of a Montana sheriff but
manage to find lots of trouble on their own. "The Sopranos" probably
does it better. R. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Lilo and Stitch: Animated Disney comedy about
Lilo, a lonely Hawaiian girl, and her small, ugly dog named Stitch.
The dog is an alien experiment that's crashed to earth. Six by Elvis
on the soundtrack. PG. Movies 12.
Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat: New routines
by the Bad Boy of Comedy include personal anecdotes as well as social
commentary. R. Movies 12.
Master of Disguise: Dana Carvey plays Pistachio
Disguisey, a waiter who turns into whatever he thinks of next - a
cherry pie, a rockstar, a sports hero. PG. Cinemark.
Once Were Warriors (New Zealand, 1994):
Lee Tamahori directs this drama about a Maori family struggling with
domestic violence and urban ghetto life. Unbelievably good performances
by Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison and the Maori teen actors who play
their children. Emotionally difficult to watch, but fascinating, beautiful
and moving. R. At 7:30 on 10/15 in 122 Pacific, UO. Free.
Pumpkin: Christina Ricci stars as a sorority
girl who falls for a student with disabilities she is supposed to
be helping. Critics say the film is confused but memorable. R. Late
night Bijou.
Ring, The: Gore Verbinski finds a solid cast
in Naomi Watts (Mulholland Drive), Chris Cooper and Brian Cox
for this remake of Hideo Nakata's 1998 Japanese horror film. Sneak
at 7:30 pm on 10/12. Cinema World.
Rules of Attraction: Roger Avary writes and
directs James Van Der Beek, Shannyn Sossamon, Ian Somerhalder and
Jessica Biel in what The New York Times calls "a high-octane
adaptation" of Bret Easton Ellis's novel. R. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Transporter, The: Corey Yuen directs, Luc Bresson
produces and co-writes this crime thriller starring Asian star Shu
Qi and Jason Statham. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.
White Oleander: Peter Kosminsky directs the
film adaptation of this best-seller about a young girl (Alison Lohman)
who moves through several foster home after her mother (Michelle Pfeiffer)
goes to prison. Also stars Renée Zellweger, Robin Wright Penn,
Billy Connolly, Patrick Fugit and Noah Wyle. R. Cinemark.
CONTINUING:
Austin Powers in Goldmember: Third
time is charmed as Mike Myers comes back in multiple roles as Austin
Powers. Michael Caine plays his secret-agent dad and Beyoncé
Knowles is Foxxy Cleopatra. Directed by Jay Roach. Mini-Me takes the
cake! PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.
Banger Sisters, The: Susan Sarandon and Goldie
Hawn play 1960s-era rock star groupies who get reacquainted in Bob
Dolman's comedy. With Geoffrey Rush and Eva Amurri. Highly recommended.
R. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Barbershop: Sweet-natured comedy about a day
in the life of a south side Chicago barbershop stars Ice Cube, Cedric
the Entertainer, Sean Patrick Thomas, Troy Garity, Eve. This movie
makes you feel good. Recommended. PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives.
Blood Work: Clint Eastwood's film adaptation of a
sensational crime novel by Michael Connelly stars Eastwood as a retired
FBI agent with a heart condition who chases down a serial killer.
Connelly's book lends itself to the Eastwood treatment. Also stars
Anjelica Huston, Jeff Daniels, Wanda De Jesus, Paul Rodriguez. R.
Movies 12. Online archives.
Blue Crush: Directed by John Stockwell, this
romantic surfer adventure stars Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez
(Girlfight) and Matthew Davis. PG-13. Movies 12.
Bourne Identity, The: Matt Damon, Franka Potente,
Chris Cooper, Clive Owen and Brian Cox star in Doug Liman's character-based
spy thriller based on Robert Ludlum's best seller. A man with amnesia
tries to discover who he is and why everyone wants to kill him. A
subtle skewing of the genre, it's highly recommended. PG-13. Movies
12. Online archives.
Country Bears, The: An 11-year old bear decides
to reunite his favorite bear rock ban for a benefit concert. Musical
performances or appearances by Don Henley, John Hiatt, Elton John,
Queen Latifah, Willie Nelson,. Bonnie Raitt and Brian Setzer. G. Movies
12.
Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, The: Set in
1974 in a North Carolina Catholic school, the long-awaited film by
British music-video director Peter Care arrives. Stars Emile Hirsch,
Kieran Culkin, Jena Malone and Jodie Foster as the unholy trinity
and the nun who takes the heat for their anti-adult anger. Based on
the late Chris Fuhrman's cult-hit novel. R. Late night Bijou. See
review this issue.
Eight Legged Freaks: Stars David Arquette,
Scarlett Johansson and others in this campy sci-fi movie about really
big, poisonous, mutating spiders. "Let the squashing begin!" PG-13.
Movies 12.
Four Feathers, The: Surely the only reason
to remake this old racist chestnut about the imperialistic Brits in
the Sudan, 1898, is to give Hollywood hunk Heath Ledger something
to do. Kate Hudson may help, as well as casting Wes Bentley and Djimon
Hounsou. Directed by Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth). PG-13. Cinemark.
Jonah: A Veggietales Movie: Christian-themed
direct-to-video franchise goes big screen in this version of Jonah
and the Whale. Biblical figures are played by talking vegetables.
Directed by Mike Nawrocki and Phil Vischer. G. Cinemark.
Men in Black 2: Jay (Will Smith) drags a reluctant
Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) back into the agency with the mission of "Protecting
the earth from the scum of the universe." Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld,
it also stars Lara Flynn Boyle as Serleena, an alien masquerading
as a Victoria's Secret model. With Rosario Dawson, Johnny Knoxville,
Tony Shalhoub and Rip Torn. PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives.
Minority Report: Steven Spielberg directs Tom
Cruise in this sci-fi where killers are arrested and convicted before
they commit murder. In 2054, Cruise heads the Pre-Crime unit until
he's accused of the murder of a man he hasn't yet met. Based on a
short story by the genre's master, Philip K. Dick. One of Spielberg
and Cruise's best. Highest recommendations. PG-13. Movies 12. Online
archives.
Mostly Martha: Martina Gedeck, Maxime Foerste
and Sergio Castellitto star in Sandra Nettlebeck's delightful romance,
comedy, drama about the kitchen life and home life of a great chef.
Highly recommended. G. Bijou. Online archives.
Mr. Deeds: Adam Sandler plays an ordinary guy
who inherits $40 billion in this remake of Frank Capra's 1936 comedy,
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. Also stars Winona Ryder, Peter Gallagher,
Steve Buscemi, Jared Harris and John Turturro. PG-13. Movies 12.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Based on Nia Vardalos's
one-woman stage show, it's about the 30-year old, unmarried daughter
(Vardalos) in an engaging, passionate but demanding Greek family in
New York. She meets the man she wants to marry (John Corbett), and
he isn't Greek. Yikes! Another humorous reminder that weddings are
also a family and community affair, this sweet romantic comedy entertains.
Recommended. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives.
One-Hour Photo: The New York Times calls
writer/director Mark Romanek's debut film "gripping but not wholly
successful psychodrama." Focused performance by Robin Williams, who's
a photo shop employee without a life of his own. When he falls in
love with the "perfect family," he really needs them to be perfect.
Chilling. Also stars Connie Nielson, Eric La Salle. R. Bijou.
Red Dragon: The first literary appearance of
Hannibal Lector was in Thomas Harris's 1981 novel, Red Dragon;
his film debut was in Michael Mann's 1986 Manhunter. Now we
have Anthony Hopkins returning as the cannibal, serial killer made
famous by Jonathan Demmme's 1991 blockbuster, Silence of the Lambs.
Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Harvey Keitel, Emily Watson, Mary-Louise
Parker and Philip Seymour Hoffman flesh out the cast. Directed by
Brett Ratner (Rush Hour). R. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Scooby Doo: TV's 1969 Great Dane, Scooby, returns
as a computer-generated detective dog in this comedy starring Freddie
Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Matthew Lillard. PG. Movies
12.
Signs: Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan
and starring Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix, this supernatural thriller
about crop circles looks like a box-office bonanza. Also stars Rory
Culkin and Abigail Breslin. PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives.
Spider Man: Tobey Maguire stars in Sam Raimi's
film and makes Spidey a comic book superhero we can all appreciate.
Also stars Willem Dafoe as the Green Goblin, Kirsten Dunst as the
girl, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris and J.K. Simmons.
Highly recommended. Double feature with Men in Black II. PG-13.
Movies 12. Online archives.
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones: George Lucas'
second of three Star Wars' prequels comes to the screen with
Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Ian McDiarmid
and Samuel Jackson doing all the heavy lifting. PG. Movies 12. Online
archives.
Sweet Home Alabama: Andy Tennant directs the
fabulous Reese Witherspoon in this comedy about a hot fashion designer
who returns to the South to get a divorce from scruffy hubby #1 (Josh
Lucas) so she can marry rich Patrick Dempsey. PG-13. Cinemark Cinema
World.
Tuxedo, The: PG-13. Jackie Chan's a limo driver
who borrows his boss' tux only to discover that it's a high-tech killing
machine. With Jennifer Love Hewitt and Peter Stormare. PG-13. Cinema
World
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Cinemark
Theaters
Movies 12 741-1231
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Cinemark 17 741-1231 |
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