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Outside
the Law DARK BLUE: Directed by Ron Shelton. Written by David Ayer, based on story by James Ellroy. Produced by Caldecot Chubb, David Blocker, James Jacks, Sean Daniel. Executive producers, Moritz Borman, Guy East, Nigel Sinclair. Cinematography, Barry Peterson. Production design, Dennis Washington. Editor, Paul Seydor. Music, Terence Blanchard. Costumes, Kathryn Morrison. Starring Kurt Russell, with Ving Rhames, Brendan Gleeson, Scott Speedman, Michael Michele and Lolita Davidovich. United Artists and Intermedia Films, 2003. R. 118 minutes.
Similar to other Hollywood movies about a criminalized detective and his naive recruit, Dark Blue is not very original, but its unique time-frame is one of the film's strong points. It begins with videotapes of the beating of Rodney King and ends on the day the jury returns its verdict on the cops who beat him, those tension-filled days of 1992. And it shares with the best of contemporary noir, L.A. Confidential., a story by hard-core crime writer James Ellroy. But in Confidential, the raw talents of writer, director Curtis Hanson, writer Brian Helgeland, and actors Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, James Cromwell and Kim Basinger bring narrative lucidity to Ellroy's gritty notions of scumbag reality in Los Angeles. In Dark Blue, Ellroy's unpublished story feels less crucial to the film than scriptwriter David Ayer's own interests, as explored earlier in his screenplay for Training Day. In Dark Blue, Kurt Russell, who hasn't had a role this demanding in many years, gives a strong, electrifying performance as Eldon Perry. Ordinarily, a veteran movie cop in an elite detective unit such as the LAPD's Special Investigations Squad just takes down the bad guys with impunity, preferring expedience to moral choice every time. So what if Officer Perry is led to pin a murder on some low-life who didn't actually commit the crime? They've all committed worse crimes, and he's saving lives that matter. That's Perry's credo, his badge of honor within a racist, corrupt, venal institution. There are too many overlapping plot lines in Dark Blue, but Perry's is the most central. He's been indispensable to SIS boss Jack Van Meter's (Brendan Gleeson) rise to power in the department. Now Van Meter orders Perry to ignore his instincts to go after the real killers in a convenience store robbery murder and just find a couple of sex criminals to take the rap. Perry smells a rat, and Van Meter begins to doubt his golden boy's loyalty. A bone-deep weariness with his own self-righteous swagger sets in for Perry, who lets his pain and alienation show on his ravaged, alcoholic face. Complications involve Perry's SIS rookie, Bobby Keough (Scott Speedman, "Felicity"), who is Van Meter's nephew; Perry's wife, Sally (Lolita Davidovich), who's leaving him; Bobby's girlfriend, Beth Williamson (Michael Michele, Ali, "ER"), who once had an affair with Arthur Holland (Ving Rhames), the good detective for whom she now works. You can see from this survey how tangled up in blue these actors become as the movie goes along. Too many complications for my taste. In a simpler story, the final show-down between the bad guys — Orchard (Kurupt) and Sidwell (Dash Mihok) — and the good guys, Perry, Williamson and Keough would have been more intense. It takes place in South Central L.A. on the day that part of the city erupts in a massive civil disturbance marked by racially based looting, arson and random beatings. During the riots, the LAPD did not respond to calls from some inner-city neighborhoods. They just waited for events to run their course. Dark Blue should have made more of that decision.
Towering
Ego THE LIFE OF DAVID GALE: Directed by Alan Parker. Produced by Parker, Nicolas Cage. Writen by Charles Randolph. Cinematography, Michael Seresin. Production design, Geoffrey Kirkland. Editor, Gerry Hambling. Costumes, Renée Ehrlich Kalfus. Music, Alex Parker, Jake Parker. Starring Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet, Laura Linney, with Gabriel Mann, Matt Craven, Leon Rippy, Rhona Mitra. Universal Pictures, Intermedia Films, 2003. R 130 minutes. One-third of the way into Alan Parker's latest film, The Life of David Gale, I realized I should have followed my instincts and stayed home. Like other regular filmgoers bombarded by annoying trailers, I sat through this one too many times. I hated the tepid, not credible performance by laconic Kevin Spacey as a college professor behind bars. I groaned through the fuzzy-minded journalism practiced by the Kate Winslet character, and I longed for her to slap her smart-ass sidekick, played by Gabriel Mann. Mostly I wondered why anyone would want to see Parker's movie about the death penalty who recalled his insulting treatment of the civil rights movement in Mississippi Burning. Still, I reasoned, with Winslet and Linney it couldn't be all bad. Wrong. If you care deeply about the institutional murder of prisoners on death row in this country, don't bother with David Gale. Watch Dead Man Walking instead, a heartbreaking, brilliant film that fearlessly shows both sides of this controversial, profound issue. Parker warps the death penalty issue with sicko plot twists and cheap shots, which won't be revealed here. Not a subtle director, Parker bludgeons viewers with title cards that flash on the screen with one word messages such as "martyrs," to make sure the intellectual challenge won't be too tough. News reporter Bitsey Bloom (Winslet) and her tag-along intern Zack (Mann) are dispatched to the Texas penitentiary where David Gale (Spacey) is housed awaiting execution in four days. Accused of rape and murder, Gale wants to tell Bitsey the real story so she can find the real killer. Told primarily in flashbacks, the story shows Gale as a popular but ego-driven university professor in Austin, who works against the death penalty with a colleague, Constance Harraway (Laura Linney). With a young son he loves and an absent wife he doesn't love anymore, Gale is seduced at a party one night by a student, Berlin (Rhona Mitra). Add Dusty (Matt Craven) into the mix as Constance's cowboy boyfriend and co-activist, along with Braxton Belyeu (Leon Rippy) as Gale's worthless lawyer, and you've got the main players. I certainly don't intend to defend Texas as a bastion of democracy nor George W. Bush's governership as liberal — he encouraged the state murder of 146 inmates during his tenure — but Parker takes Texas-bashing seriously. We assume it is the director's voice when Bitsey comments that there are more churches than Starbucks in Huntsville, a city of prisons. The sections of Huntsville and East Texas shown in the film are mostly backwoods sleazy, while the Austin conjured here is pure Southern California decadence. In actuality, Austin remains one of the few cities in the Lone Star State that could be considered left of center, and the barely disguised University of Texas is the leading liberal institution in the state. But in Parker's Austin, you can say one thing, believe another and never examine the contradiction that results. Hypocrisy rules crooked lawyers, menacing hayseeds, posturing politicians and pious do-gooders, while alcoholic college professors roam bars mumbling philosophy such as "dialogical exhaustion." I'm tired already. Performances reflect the psychological muddle onscreen. Spacey stinks. He's a bad liar. Winslet's intelligence and charm is stifled by Bitsey's bubble-headed belief that she can change things, while Linney persuades as a contemporary spinster who believes she can change things. Neither moved me. The Life of David Gale is now playing at Cinemark. No stars. Agent Cody Banks: Teen action adventure stars Frankie Muniz as an undercover CIA operative, Angie Harmon as his boss, and Hilary Duff as girlfriend. PG. Sneak 3/2 at 3 pm. Cinemark. Business of Fancydancing, The: Sherman Alexie's directorial debut is a goodnatured look at the trials of a Native American poet who returns to the reservation for the funeral of an old friend and a deeper question about being an artist. Highly recommended. NR. Part of the 11th Annual UO Queer Film Festival, it plays at 8 pm on 2/28 in 180 PLC, UO. $4 UO students/$5 general. Online archives. Clearcut (1992): Progressive lawyer finds his mettle tested among Native Americans. Stars Graham Greene, Floyd Red Crow Westerman. Poses difficult questions. At 7:30 pm on 3/5 in 100 Willamette Hall, UO. R. Free. Cradle 2 the Grave: Jet Li/DMX "Born 2 the life, True 2 the code, Bad 2 the bone." R. Cinemark. Dazed and Confused: Richard Linklater's 1993 comic portrait of high school life circa 1976, with the clothes, cars and music that made this post-60's era so memorable. Some young actors (and their characters) include: Parker Posey (Darla), Matthew McConaughey (Wooderson), Joey Lauren Adams (Simone), Milla Jovovich (Michelle) and Ben Affleck (O'Bannion). PG. Latenite Bijou. Eat Drink Man Woman: Romantic comedy filled with spectacular Chinese cooking. Taiwan's greatest living chef tries to cope with three rebellious adult daughters and the men in their lives. Directed by Ang Lee (The Wedding Banquet). In Chinese with English subtitles. Unrated. At 7:30 pm on 3/4 in 122 Pacific Hall, UO. Free. King of Masks, The (1996): This Chinese film tells the story of an aged street performer whose talent is being able to change masks with lightening speed. He adopts a child whom he mistakenly believes will become his male heir only to discover that the child is actually a girl. Not rated. At 4:15 on 2/28 in 115 Pacific Hall, UO. Free. Maid in Manhattan: Ralph Fiennes is a well-off politician staying at a swank New York hotel. Jennifer Lopez is a single-mother maid working there. He sees her dressed in a guest's clothing and falls for her, like Richard Gere fell for Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Not too enlightened nor original an idea. PG-13. Movies 12. Me You Them (El Tu Eles, Portugal): Critics liked Andrucha Waddington's film based on the true story of a creative, earthy woman (Regina Case) who lives in surprising harmony in a poor village in NE Brazil with her three husbands and many children under one roof. PG-13. At 7 pm on 2/28 in International Lounge, EMU, UO. Free. Moonlight Mile: Brad Silberling directs this semi-autobiographical film about a young man (Jake Gyllenhaal) who's adopted by the grieving parents (Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon) of his girlfriend who was killed. Then he falls in love again. With Ellen Pompeo, Dabney Coleman, Richard T. Jones and Holly Hunter. R. Movies 12. Narc: The New York Times' Elvis Mitchell says writer, director Joe Carnahan's second movie is "a believable, fleshed-out film where men's worst impulses lead to their ruin" and notes that it's about "a guilt-ridden cop who has nowhere to turn." Stars Jason Patric and Ray Liotta. R. Movies 12. Prisoner of the Mountains: 1996 Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language picture, anti-war film set in present day Chechnya follows a young Russian recruit and a seasoned fighter after their capture by Muslim villager who wants to trade them for his imprisoned son. Unsettling, beautiful film. Realistic view of how little control one has over fate in wartime. R. At 8:15 pm on 3/3 in 115 Pacific Hall, UO. Free. Rabbit-Proof Fence: Based on the true story of three young, kidnapped Australian Aboriginal girls who escape white control in 1931 and run 1,200 miles back to their families, while pursued by authorities. Controversial film directed by Phillip Noyce stars Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury , Laura Monaghan, David Gulpilil and Kenneth Branagh. The New York Times praised Sampi's performance of the young heroine, who is "Profoundly intuitive, indomitably courageous, endowed with superhuman resilience, she is the stuff of legend." Bijou. Ruling Class, The (1972): Peter O'Toole was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of a deluded British heir who thinks he's either Jesus Christ or Jack the Ripper. Videohound calls it a "classic cult satire" that's "uneven, chaotic, surreal and noteworthy." PG. At 7 pm on 3/6 in 180 PLC, UO. Free. CONTINUING: About Schmidt: Jack Nicholson stars in Alexander Payne'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. 2002 Academy Award nominations to Nicholson and Kathy Bates. R. Cinemark. Online archives. Adaptation: Director Spike Jonze and writer Charlie Kaufman's film that blurs the boundaries between reality and fictional representation. 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. 2002 Academy Award noms to Streep, Cage, Cooper, the Kaufmans for adapted screenplay. R. Cinema World. 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. Washington and Luke overcome sentimentality to create an enduring work. Highly recommended. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Catch Me If You Can: Steven Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio's chase movie about an actual con man of the 1960s who passed himself off as a pilot, doctor, lawyer, professor and forged millions in checks while still in his teens. Christopher Walken and Tom Hanks co-star. Highly recommended. 2002 Academy Award nom for John Williams' original score, Walken. PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives. Chicago: Broadway spectacular directed by Rob Marshall stars Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones as killer dames behind bars who compete for tabloid coverage. With Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly and Richard Gere. 2002 Academy Award nominations for best picture, director, Zellweger, Reilly, Latifah, adapted screenplay, original song, cinematography, costumes, sound and editing. PG 13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives. Daredevil: Marvel Comic's Man Without Fear is directed by Mark Steven Johnson. Stars Ben Affleck as the masked vigilante, Jennifer Graner, Michael Clarke Duncan, Colin Farrell, Joe Pantolliano, Jon Favreau and David Keith. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Dark Blue: Detective yarn directed by Ron Shelton stars Kurt Russell as the veteran and Scott Speedman as the rookie, with Brendan Gleeson, Michael Michele, Lolita Davidovich and Ving Rhames. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. See review this issue. 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. Final Destination 2: More teenager with near-death experiences that end in actual death experiences. A.J. Cook stars as Kimberly, a car crash survivor who is stalked by Death. R. Movies 12. Gangs of New York: Martin Scorsese's epic set in mid-1800s N.Y. stars Leonard DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis as rival gang leaders. The notorious Civil War draft riots also rock the city. Co-stars Cameron Diaz, John C. Reilly and Jim Broadbent. One of the year's great films. Academy Award nominations for best picture, Scorsese director, Day-Lewis, original screenplay, original song, art direction, cinematography, costumes, sound and editing. Very highest recommendations. R. Cinema World. Online archives. Gods and Generals: Jeff Shaara's epic novel about the Civil War, adapted by director Ronald F. Maxwell, stars Jeff Daniels, Robert Duvall, Stephen Lang and Mira Sorvino. Nearly four hours long, with intermission. PG-13. Cinemark. 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. Online archives. Movies 12. Hot Chick: Verbally abusive cheerleader wakes up in the body of Rob Schneider. Yikes! Directed by Tom Brady. PG-13. Movies 12. Hours, The: Complex, critically acclaimed film directed by Stephen Daldry stars Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep. Based on Virginia Woolf's life, her novel, Mrs. Dalloway, and Michael Cunningham's novel. Reflects the inner lives and daily experiences of three strong women. Strong support from Ed Harris, Stephen Dillane, Claire Danes, Miranda Richardson and John C. Reilly. Very highest recommendations. 2002 Academy Award nominations for best picture, director, Kidman, Harris, Moore, adapted screenplay, original score Philip Glass, costumes and editing. PG 13. Cinemark. Online archives. How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days: Magazine columnist Kate Hudson and ad agency professional Matthew McConaughey try to get the other to fall in love, but things go awry. High-energy romantic comedy. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Jungle Book 2: Same song, second verse from Disney. Mowgli now lives in the man village, but he misses his friends and runs away to the jungle to find them. But he may be found first: by Shere Khan the tiger, his old jungle pals, or his new family. Voices include John Goodman, Haley Joel Osment and Phil Collins. G. Cinema World. Cinemark. Just Married: This honeymoon from hell is directed by Shawn Levy and stars Ashton Kutcher, Brittany Murphy and Christian Kane. PG-13. Movies 12. 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. Cinemark. Life of David Gale, The: Suspense drama directed by Alan Parker stars Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet and Laura Linney. Death penalty opponent on death row claims he was framed to reporter. R. Cinemark. See review this issue. 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. 2002 Academy Award noms for best picture, art direction, sound, sound editing, visual effects, film editing. PG-13. Cinemark. 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. 2002 Academy Award nominations for Vardalos' original screenplay. PG. Movies 12. Online archives. Old School: From Road Trip, Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn try to recapture the fun of their college years by starting their own off-campus frat house. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. Pianist, The: Winner of the Cannes Best Picture award, this critically acclaimed film is based on the life of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish Jew, composer and pianist. When the Nazis invade, he finds salvation in his art. Directed and produced by Roman Polanski and starring Adrien Brody as Szpilman. Highest recommendations. 2002 Academy Award noms include best picture, Polanski director, Brody, adapted screenplay, cinematography, costumes, film editing. R. Bijou. Harbor Theater in Florence is closing. Last show Sun. Mar. 2. Online archives. Recruit, The: Al Pacino and Colm Ferrell star in this story about the inner workings of the CIA. Also with Bridget Moynahan, and directed by Roger Donaldson. PG 13. 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. Shanghai Knights: Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson are out to settle a score in Victorian London in this comedy directed by David Dobkin. PG-13. Cinemark 17. Cinema World. Sick and Twisted Animation: Really. NR. LateNite Bijou. Star Trek: Nemesis: Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Enterprise face an alien race, the Remans. Picard takes a diplomatic mission to the Romulans, but a surprisingly personal nemesis appears, and all is at stake. Stars Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Ron Perlman, Tom Hardy. Dir. by Stuart Baird. PG-13. 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. Movies 12. Talk to Her: Pedro Almodóvar's film about two men who take care of two comatose women — and the complicated inter-relationships that develop — reaches beyond expectations to make it one of the most interesting and resonant films of the year. Very highest recommendations. 2002 Academy Award nominations for director Almodóvar, original screenplay. R. Bijou. Online archives. MOVIE
THEATERS Bijou
Art Cinemas Regal
Cinemas Cinemark
Theaters
NEW
RELEASES ON VIDEO Blue Kite (1993): Tian Zhuangzhuang's restrained Mandarin language film tracks a Chinese family from Mao's first days to the ruinous Cultural Revolution of the 1960s. NR. Dr. Akagi (Japan, 1998): Directed by Shohei Imamura, this tale of a physician near Hiroshima in 1945 was highly regarded by critics. On many top ten lists of the year. NR. It All Starts Today (1999): Bertrand Tavernier directs this stirring film about children neglected by social services who find in a creative school and wonderful teachers real compensation for their deficient home lives. Stars the great French actor, Philippe Torreton, who plays the teacher with great restraint and instinctive gentleness. Never played Eugene, but very highly recommended for home viewing. Not rated. Released by Accent Cinema, Facets Video. 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. Movies 12. Knockaround Guys: Four wannabe Mafiosas — Vin Diesel, Seth Green, Barry Pepper and Andrew Davoli — follow instructions from John Malkovich and Dennis Hopper) but manage find lots of trouble on their own. R. Road to Perdition: Sam Mendes directs this Depression era film starring Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Tyler Hoechlin, with Jude Law, Daniel Craig, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Stanley Tucci and Liam Aiken. Beautiful cinematography, powerful drama. Highly recommended. Newman nominated for supporting actor, 2002 Academy Award; also, original score, art direction, cinematography, sound and sound editing. R. Online archives. See the Sea (France, 1998): English woman with baby girl meets sullen woman who camps in her yard, leaves child with her. Movie builds "to unexpected heights of irony and horror," according to NY Times reviewer Janet Maslin. NR. 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. Next week: Alias Betty, Below, Half-Past Dead, I Spy 2, Inspector Gadget 2, Moonlight Mile, Quitting, The Ring, Ringu, Swimfan and White Oleander. |
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