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Driven
to Live THE HOURS. Directed by Stephen Daldry. Written by David Hare, from the novel by Michael Cunningham. Produced by Scott Rudin and Robert Fox. Executive Producer, Mark Huffam; Cinematography, Seamus McGarvey. Editor, Peter Boyle. Music, Philip Glass. Production Designer, Maria Djurkovic. Costumes, Ann Roth. Starring Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris, Toni Collette, Claire Danes, Jeff Daniels, Stepehn Dillane, Allison Janney, John C. Reilly, Miranda Richardson. Paramount Pictures, 2002. PG-13. 114 minutes.
Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway" attempted to, in the words of Woolf herself (as channeled through Nicole Kidman) capture a woman's life in a single day. That novel becomes the gossamer thread that ties the stories of three women in three ages in The Hours, adapted from Michael Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize winning novel, his tribute to Woolf's book. This day in the life in triplicate is a portrait of women on the verge of a nervous breakdown. You could say it all flows from one day in 1923 as Woolf finds the opening line of her new novel: "Mrs. Dalloway decided she would buy the flowers herself." The lines resonates across the years as Laura Brown (Julianne Moore), a fragile middleclass housewife and mother in 1951 LA, whispers the line like a revelation as she reads the book, and Clarissa Vaughn (Meryl Streep), a book editor in contemporary New York named for Mrs. Dalloway, shouts across her Greenwich Village apartment to her lover: "I think I'll buy the flowers myself." Each woman springs from this line into her own frustrated life, but echoes of their lives resonate through the eras, from impulsive sapphic kisses to tremulous struggles with worlds that threaten to smother them. Kidman's Woolf, plagued by crippling depression and bouts of madness and bouncing from total concentration to complete distraction, drops her head to look up at the world through narrowed eyes from under her lashes as if studying the world for the next line of her novel. Her physical transformation — the narrow, homely nose appliance, mousy hair, and thin lips make her all but recognizable — is so startling that you might miss how she's vividly created another being under her skin. Where Woolf rages against the demons in her mind, Moore's Laura Brown — a delicate-as-an-eggshell cousin to her Far From Heaven character Cathy Whitaker — knows only that she's miserable trying to play the model suburban housewife. She doesn't struggle so much as retreat from her adoring, terrified son and oblivious schlub of a husband (John C. Reilly), but apart from her inarticulate misery, she's something of a blank page. There are no such prisons of repression and social expectations for Streep's Clarissa Vaughn, yet her engagement with life is channeled through her maternal care for Richard (Ed Harris), a poet dying of AIDS. Once her lover and still her friend, this gaunt, grizzled, mottled man has become her entire life. Streep brings a clipped, crisp quality to the emotional restraint of Clarissa, who plays the comforting hostess so she doesn't have to deal with her own life, while Harris is all anger and helplessness and frustration as Richard, a drama queen who takes to his illness like a comic doing tragedy, unable to resist a self-deprecating remark. Death hangs over the film — it opens on Woolf's 1941 suicide — yet The Hours is about life and living, about the sacrifices we make for our spiritual survival and the opportunities we create for happiness and love. It just doesn't always come through the film so neatly. Apart from one dramatic (and fatal) gesture and a few minor stabs at possibilities, this drama of inner lives happens between the words and behind the eyes: strangled possibilities, inarticulate need, loneliness, and disconnection. There's clearly a reverence for the material in David Hare's literate script and Stephen Daldry's precise direction. The stories and struggles are suggested in impressionistic brush strokes, some of them more evocative than others, and gracefully knit together across the years, jarred only by the insistent rhythm of the Philip Glass score, which fills moments better left to silence. But ultimately this film belongs to the beautifully modulated performances that anchor the stories, especially the revelatory work of Kidman. Where so many would hide behind their make-over, Kidman lights up her drab surface with the glow of determination and intelligence. Her Woolf is all the more tortured because of the brilliance between bouts and the drive to live, to love, to create. Sean Axmaker writes about movies for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and DVDs for the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com).
Burning Season, The: Retelling of a true story of Brazilian peasants uniting to defend their land from corrupt developers. Raul Julia stars, in one of his last roles, with Edward James Olmos and Sonia Braga. NR. 7:30 pm on 1/29 in 100 Willamette. Free. Chicago: Finally on film, this Broadway spectacular stars Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones, with Queen Latifah, Richard Gere and more. The New York Times says "This movie ... may be accused of being inspired by Baz Luhrmann's 'Moulin Rouge.'" PG 13. Sneak preview at 3:30 on 1/25 & at 7:10 on 1/26 at Cinemark. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind: The (almost) true story of Chuck Barry's double life as a television producer, creating such jewels as "The Newlywed Game," and an assassin for the CIA. Directorial debut by George Clooney, starring Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, Rutger Hauer, Clooney and Julia Roberts. R. Cinemark. Darkness Falls: A hundred year old ghost who wants revenge on a small town imitates the tooth fairy and wreaks havoc. With Chaney Kley and Emma Caulfield, directed by Johnathan Liebesman. PG 13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Die Another Day: Pierce Brosnan returns as James Bond for a new mission that takes him to Iceland in this action adventure yarn directed by Lee Tamahori. Costars Halle Berry, John Cleese and Judi Dench, with Rosamund Pike. Evil enemies played by Toby Stephens and Rick Yune. PG-13. Movies 12. Farewell my Concubine: Kaige Chen directs this epic story of two men's friendship and the woman who comes between them. Set on the backdrop of China's tumultuous history. R. 4 pm on 1/29 in 115 Pacific. Free. Half-Past Dead: A Steven Seagal violent action movie directed by Don Michael Paul. As undercover FBI, Seagal tries to stop intruders from murdering a Supreme Court Justice and a death row inmate in Alcatraz. PG-13. Movies 12. Kiss of the Spider Woman: William Hurt, Raul Julia and Sonia Braga star in this classic story of prisoners in a South American jail. R. At 7 pm on 1/30 in 180 PLC. Free. Komissar (The Commissar): A Soviet Red Army commander's career is disrupted by pregnancy. Staying with a poor Jewish family for the pregnancy, she is deeply moved by their warmth. This film is not rated. 8:15 on 1/27 in 115 Pacific. Free. Nicholas Nickleby: The story of a young man who's family broken apart by poverty and cruelty is retold in this adaptation of the Dickens classic. Directed by Douglas McGrath. Staring an impressive cast, including Charlie Hunnam, Jim Broadbent, Christopher Plummer, Jamie Bell, Tom Courtenay, Timothy Spall, Anne Hathaway, Nathan Lane, Barry Humphries and Alan Cumming. PG. Bijou. Shanghai Knights: The amazing Jackie Chan and entertaining Owen Wilson team up in this predictable sequel. This time they're in London, and Chan's character has a sister, played by Fan Wong. PG 13. Sneak preview at 7:30 on 1/25 at Cinemark. Twenty Fifth Hour: Spike Lee directs Edward Norton as man with only 24 hours before he's due in prison for the next seven years. Also with Rosario Dawson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper, Anna Paquin and Brian Cox. R. Cinemark. They, Wes Craven Presents: Nighttime terrors return in this pseudo-psychological thriller starring Laura Regan, directed by Robert Harmon. PG-13. Movies 12.
CONTINUING: A Guy Thing: Selma Blair, Julia Stiles and Jason Lee star in this film directed by Chris Koch. Lee's character has to iron out the truth to tell his fiancé (Blair), but doesn't seem to know himself. PG 13. Cinema World. Cinemark. About Schmidt: Jack Nicholson stars in Alexander Pain's (Election) film about a just-retired man who feels adrift. His only daughter, Jeannie (Hope Davis) is about to marry unwisely, and his wife of 42 years dies suddenly. He goes on the road to find himself. R. Cinemark. Online archives. Adaptation: Director Spike Jonze again teams with writer Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich) for a film that blurs the boundaries between reality and fictional representations of it, such as movies. Nicolas Cage plays Charlie Kaufman trying to hold back the terrors of writer's block while writing a screenplay of Susan Orlean's book, The Orchid Thief. Meryl Streep plays Orleans, and Chris Cooper's an avid orchid collector. R. Cinemark. Online archives. Antwone Fisher: Denzel Washington directs and stars in the true story of an alienated African American sailor (Derek Luke) and the Navy psychiatrist who helps him find himself. Critics say Washington and Luke overcome sentimentality to create an enduring work. PG-13. Cinemark. Bowling for Columbine: Michael Moore takes on America's love for guns in his usual abrasive, in yo' face manner. He covers the Columbine High School shootings, and doesn't let national chain gun sellers off lightly. A major hit documentary at Cannes, it's been rightly challenged for its sloppy journalism in this country. R. Bijou. Online archives. Catch Me If You Can: Steven Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio have fun in this chase movie about Frank Abagnale Jr., an actual con man of the 1960s who passed himself off as a pilot, a doctor, a lawyer and a college professor and forged millions in checks while still in his teens. Christopher Walken plays his father, and Tom Hanks plays the F.B.I. agent determined to capture him. Highly recommended. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives. Drumline: Directed by Charles Stone, this tale of a talented street drummer who goes to college expecting to lead its marching band stars Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldana and Orlando Jones. PG-13. Movies 12. Eight Crazy Nights, Adam Sandler's: Animated holiday musical stars Adam Sandler. Other voices include Jon Lovitz, Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider and Tyra Banks. Directed by Seth Kearley. PG-13. Movies 12. Eight Mile: Set on the gritty streets of Detroit, Curtis Hanson's greatly anticipated film stars Eminem in his first screen role, Kim Basinger as his mom. Also, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer and Taryn Manning. Recommended. R. Movies 12. Online archives. Erotic Tales: Twenty-four short films by international filmmakers offers unique opportunity to see really creative and compelling cinema. Jan 23rd & 24th: Can I Be Your Bratwurst Please, Georgian Grapes, and The Red Garter. Jan. 25th through 27th: Wet, Vroom Vroom Vroom, and Touch Me. Jan. 28th through 30th: Sweeties, Hotel Paradise and Devilish Education. Highly recommended. NR. LateNite Bijou. Online archives. Far From Heaven: Director Todd Haynes and cinematographer Edward Lachman deliver an exceptionally beautiful, emotionally resonant film. Excellent performances by Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert and Patricia Clarkson. One of the very best pictures of the year. Very highest recommendations. PG-13. Bijou. Online archives. Gangs of New York: Martin Scorsese's epic film about New York gangs in the mid-1800s. Leonard DiCaprio plays an Irish Catholic hoodlum seeking vengeance from his father's killer, played by Daniel Day-Lewis as the leader of the Protestant gangsters. Both are caught up in the notorious Civil War draft riots that rock the city. Also stars Cameron Diaz, John C. Reilly and Jim Broadbent. Written by Steven Zaillian, Kenneth Lonergan and Jay Cocks, this is one of the year's great films. Very highest recommendations. R. Cinemark. Online archives. Harry Potter: Chamber of Secrets: Again directed by Chris Columbus, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) try to uncover a dark force terrorizing Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. G. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives.. Hours, The: This complex and critically acclaimed movie stars Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep in a story based around Virginia Woolf's life and writings. Based on a book by Michael Cunningham's, the New York Times calls the movie "Clear eyed and austerely balanced ..." PG 13. Cinemark. See review this issue. Just Married: This honeymoon from hell is directed by Shawn Levy and stars Ashton Kutcher, Brittany Murphy and Christian Kane. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Kangaroo Jack: Taking mob money to Australia, two New York doofuses loose it to a kangaroo. Stars Jerry O'Connell, Anthony Anderson, Christopher Walken and Dyan Cannon. David McNally directs. PG. Sneak at 7 pm on 1/11, 3 pm on 1/12. Cinemark, Cinema World. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Directed and re-imagined by Peter Jackson, part two of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy continues. New characters, a surprise return and great battles. Director Peter Jackson's second masterpiece. Very highest recommendations. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives. My Big Fat Greek Wedding: It's about the 30-year old, unmarried daughter (Nia Vardalos) in a passionate but demanding Greek NY family, who meets the man she to marry (John Corbett), but he isn't Greek. This sweet romantic comedy entertains. PG. Movies 12. Online archives. National Security: Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn star as LAPD wannabes who end up as security guards, yet still manage somehow to nab the bad guys. PG 13. Cinema World. Cinemark. 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. PG-13. Movies 12. Santa Clause 2: Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) begins looking for the perfect Mrs. Claus, because if he doesn't get married by Christmas Even, he'll stop being Santa forever. G. Movies 12. Signs: Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan and starring Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix in this supernatural thriller about crop circles. Also stars Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Stuart Little 2: Stuart goes to school now, and he has big brother George and baby sister Martha to play with. But a mysterious bird named Margalo involves everyone in an adventure. Voices of Michael J. Fox, Melanie Griffith, Nathan Lane, Geena Davis and more. PG. Movies 12. Standing in the Shadows of Motown: Director Paul Justman has made a documentary on Motown's history. The story is told well, especially by two of the Funk Brothers, the keyboardist Joe Hunter and the percussionist Jack Ashford. PG. 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. Movies 12. Treasure Planet: Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure set on a spaceship that runs into hazards like black holes and supernovas. Animated film directed by Ron Clements and John Musker includes voices of Emma Thompson and Martin Short. PG. Movies 12. Tuck Everlasting: The story of a teenager (Alexis Bledel) who wants to get away from her mother (Amy Irving). Lost in the woods, she meets a boy named Jesse Tuck (Jonathan Jackson). His family (William Hurt, Sissy Spacek, Scott Bairstow) has a secret spring that makes one immortal, and they're trying to keep it safe from Ben Kingsley. PG. Movies 12. Two Weeks Notice: Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock star as a very, very rich man and his lawyer. When she quits, and he replaces her with Alicia Witt, she reconsiders. Written and directed by Marc Lawrence (The Out-of-Towners). PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. MOVIE
THEATERS Bijou
Art Cinemas Regal
Cinemas Cinemark
Theaters
Serving Sara: Matthew Perry. Elizabeth Hurley and Bruce Campbell star in Reginald Hudlin's romantic comedy. Also stars Cedric the Entertainer and Vincent Pastore. PG-13. Master of Disguise: Dana Carvey plays Pistachio Disguisey, a waiter who turns into whatever he thinks of next — a cherry pie, a rock star, a sports hero. PG. Next week: Sweet Home Alabama, Igby Goes Down, Formula 51, Hansel & Gretel.
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