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HOLES: Produced and directed by Andrew Davis. Written by Louis Sachar, based on his novel. Produced by Mike Medavoy, Lowell Blank, Teresa Tucker-Davies. Executive producers Marty Ewing, Louis Phillips. Cinematography, Stephen St. John. Production design, Maher Ahmad. Costumes, Aggie Guerard Rodgers. Visual effects supervisor, William Mesa. Editors, Thomas J. Nordberg, Jeffrey Wolf. Music by Joel McNeely. Music supervisor, Karyn Rachtman. Starring Shia LaBeouf, Khleo Thomas, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Patricia Arquette, Tim Blake Nelson and Dule Hill. With Henry Winkler, Nate Davis, Rick Fox, Eartha Kitt, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Brenden Jefferson, Jake M. Smith, Byron Cotton, Miguel Castro and Max Kasch. Buena Vista Pictures, 2003. PG. 117 minutes.
I don't always love movies for young people, but I lowered my expectations and was surprised and delighted to enjoy every bit of this movie. The adult characters are drawn with broad strokes, but the kids are pretty much like kids of a certain age really are — sweet underneath a tough posture and secretly befuddled. Take our main kid, Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf), for instance. Stanley is minding his own beeswax, walking down the sidewalk, when a nifty pair of new sneakers lands on his head and knocks him to the ground. Stanley's eccentric family believes him when he says he didn't steal these special, celebrity baseball cleats that were intended for a fund-raiser for homeless kids. His grandfather (Nathan Davis), however, sees it as just one more example of the family curse. But the cops and the judge don't buy Stanley's story, and he is sent to Camp Green Lake, a detention center where escape isn't a possibility. There's no water for a hundred miles in any direction, just dust, desert and lizards. Once there was a town here, but when the lake dried up, the town died. The other boys who sleep in D Tent give Stanley a hard time at first, but they come around after he passes a few tests. Squid (Jake M. Smith), Armpit (Byron Cotton), X-Ray (Brenden Jefferson), Magnet (Miguel Castro) and ZigZag (Max Kasch) begin to informally include him, but they ignore Zero (Khleo Thomas). A small kid who doesn't belong in juvenile detention, Zero's glad when he and Stanley become friends. The camp's plan to build character is simple: Every day the kids go out with shovels and dig holes. They're given fresh water in the morning and again in the evening. In between, they dig. Apparently no one has ever found anything special to show Mr. Sir (Jon Voight), the demented, rifle-carrying guard who scares the boys with tales of the resident lizards' fatal bite. Mr. Sir reports to the unhinged warden (Sigourney Weaver), who demands to know immediately if anything interesting turns up in the dry lakebed where the boys dig. Dr. Pendanski (Tim Blake Nelson), the youth counselor, runs hot and cold. The kids snicker behind his back. On the surface, the story's about a wrongly accused and imprisoned boy who finds the right way to behave in a variety of circumstances, and in so doing breaks the family curse. At another level, it's a sad love story from the past and an example of how the past holds lessons for those who come later. It's also about just desserts, karma and comeuppance on one hand and solving the mystery, decoding the riddle and finding the treasure on the other. This spunky, contempo fairy tale is a recasting of the hero's journey, writ small for our time. To help the young actors accustom themselves to the high winds, blowing dust and 100 degree temperature of the desert, stunt coordinator Alex Daniels ran a two-week boot camp. The guys got into physical shape through hikes, calisthenics and — yes, learning to dig holes. No animals were harmed in the making of this movie, especially not any lizards. Larry Madrid of Animals Unlimited was in charge of turning the ferocious-looking but actually harmless Bearded Dragon lizards into fictionalized Texas Yellow-Spotted Lizards. Madrid and his crew painted on the lizards' spots and cleaned them off at the end of the shoot. Holes is now playing at Cinema World and Cinemark. A not-icky movie that's highly recommended for adults and kids, it's one of the better films in town. Enjoy!
Ashes of Time: Wong Kar-Wai's untypical martial arts film, set in ancient China, examines a warrior's conflicts between duty and home of a warrior. Called "a philosopher's movie" (NYTimes), it stars Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu Wai as the blind swordsman. Highly recommended. NR. At 4 pm on 5/9 in 115 Pacific Hall, UO campus. Free. Daddy Day Care: Eddie Murphy and Jeff Garlin lose their jobs and can't afford day care for their sons, so they open their own facility. Comedy directed by Steve Carr also stars Anjelica Huston, Steve Zahn and Regina King. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark. PG. Elements of Adrenaline: Multi-sport film travels the globe to find the best in kayaking, skiing and base-jumping. Scott Lindgren production. At 7:30 pm on 5/13 in 100 Willamette, UO campus. Free. Hunted, The: Tommy Lee Jones plays a retired special-ops trainer and Benicio Del Toro is his former student, now an ace assassin gone bonkers. Directed by William Friedkin. R. Movies 12. Impassable Canyon: Photographer and river runner Matt Leidecker documents the thrill of running the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. At 7 pm on 5/15 in 100 Willamette, UO campus. Free. In-Laws, The: Andrew Fleming directs Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks as the reluctant fathers of the bride and groom. PG-13. Sneak at 7:30 pm on 5/10. Cinemark. Korean Film Fest: Joint Security Area (2000): Park Chan-Wook directs this film, which "captures the everyday ironies and intense humanity of four ordinary people" from both sides of the dividing line between North and South Korea. At noon on 5/10 at Bijou. My Sassy Girl (2001): Directed by Kwak Jae-Young, this gender-bending, romantic comedy will be remade by Hollywood, so see the real thing. At noon on 5/11 at Bijou. Matrix, The: Original futuristic thriller takes place in virtual reality. Some people see through the takeover by artificial intelligence overlords and fight for the freedom of others. Great special effects. Stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss. R. LateNite Bijou. Mighty Wind, A: Christopher Guest's (Best in Show) pseudo-documentary narrative about a folk music reunion show of folk is one of his craftiest satirical offerings, critics say. Stars the usual suspects: Eugene Levy, Parker Posey, Bob Balaban. Harry Shearer, Michael McKean and Guest himself. PG-13. Cinemark. Missing: Costa Gavras' 1982 film based on the real-life case of Charles Horman, an American freelance journalist missing in Pinochet's Chile. Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek play his family, in the country to find answers. IMDB has 10/99 story about declassified US intelligence document that implicates US in Horman's death. At 7 pm on 5/14 in 180 PLC, UO campus. Free. No Man's Land (Serbo -Croatian, 2001): Written and directed by Danis Tanovic, this brutal anti-war absurdist film stars Branko Djuric, Rene Bitorajac, Filip Sovagovic, Simon Callow and the late Katrin Cartlidge. At 7 pm on 5/9 in International Lounge, EMU, UO campus. Free. Of Freaks and Men (Russia, 1998): Directed by Aleksei Balabanov, this film's about "the seamy side of the early 20th century's upper classes." At 7:15 on 5/14 in 115 Pacific Hall, UO campus. English subtitles. Free. Pan Tadeusz (Poland, 2000): Polish director Andrzej Wajda's love letter to Poland, based on an epic poem. At 7:30 pm on 5/13 in 115 Pacific Hall, UO campus. Free. Songs From the Second Floor (1995): Directed by Roy Andersson, this "entertaining absurdist comedy" (NYTimes) of random anecdotes seen through a stationary camera won a special jury prize at Cannes 2000. At 6 pm on 5/13 in International Resource Center, EMU, UO campus. Free.
CONTINUING: Adaptation: Director Spike Jonze and writer Charlie Kaufman blur boundaries between reality and fictional representation. Nicolas Cage plays Charlie Kaufman, stuck while writing a screenplay of Susan Orlean's book, The Orchid Thief. Meryl Streep gives a fabulous, comic turn as Orleans, and Chris Cooper's an avid orchid collector. 2002 Academy Award to Cooper. Very highest recommendations. R. LateNite Bijou. Movies 12. Online archives. Anger Management: Adam Sandler plays a man who must undergo anger management. His shrink, played by Jack Nicholson, moves in with him. Also stars Marisa Tomei. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Bend It Like Beckham: Soccer-crazy girls in London suburb drive their respective families crazy because they'd rather play soccer than think about marriage and shopping. Warm-hearted, generous film is likely to be a big hit. Get onboard early and enjoy!. Highly recommended. PG-13. Bijou. Online archives. Better Luck Tomorrow: Asian American high school seniors dabble in criminal activities in this satiric, exciting film directed by Justin Lin on a shoestring budget. Honest performances and relevant subject raise it above the usual teen flick. Highly recommended. R. Cinemark. Online archives. Bullet-Proof Monk: Chow Yun-Fat is a Zen-calm martial arts master who must find a successor to guard a sacred scroll. Seann William Scott is the unlikely choice. PG-13. Cinemark. Catch Me If You Can: Steven Spielberg directs Leonardo DiCaprio in tale of Frank Abagnale Jr., an actual '60s con man who passed himself off as a pilot, a doctor and a college professor and forged millions in checks before he was 21. Christopher Walken plays his father, and Tom Hanks is an F.B.I. agent. 2002 Academy Award noms for John Williams' music, Walken. Highly recommended. PG-13. Movies 12. 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 Awards for best picture, supporting actress Zeta-Jones, art direction, sound, editing and costumes. 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. Movies 12. Dreamcatcher: Buddy reunion camping trip horror film from Lawrence Kasdan, based on Stephen King's book, stars Morgan Freeman, Donny Wahlberg, Damian Lewis, Timothy Olyphant, Jason Lee, Thomas Jane and Tom Sizemore. R. Movies 12. Holes: Adventures digging holes at Camp Green Lake for Stanley, who comes from a strange family that's been cursed for generations. Embarrassingly, Jon Voight, Sigourney Weaver and Tim Blake Nelson co-star. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark. See review this issue. Hours, The: Complex, critically acclaimed film directed by Stephen Daldry stars Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep. Based on Virginia Woolf's novel, Mrs. Dalloway, and Michael Cunningham's novel. Inner lives, daily experiences of three strong women. Also stars Ed Harris, Stephen Dillane, Claire Danes, Miranda Richardson and John C. Reilly. Very highest recommendations. 2002 Academy Award to Kidman. PG 13. Movies 12. Online archives. Identity: Ten travelers caught in a rip-snorter of a storm seek refuge at a creepy motel in the desert, and sure enough they begin to die. Directed by James Mangold, stars John Cusack, Ray Liotta and lots of screaming women.. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. It Runs in the Family: Fred Schepisi directs Michael Douglas as a father trying to avoid his father's mistakes. His father, Kirk Douglas, plays his father onscreen. PG-13. Cinemark. Jungle Book 2: Same song, second verse from Disney. Voices include John Goodman, Haley Joel Osment, Phil Collins. G. 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. Movies 12. Lizzie McGuire Movie, The: Disney comedy about a girl on a class trip to Italy who is mistaken for an Italian pop star. Stars Hillary Duff, directed by Jim Fall. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark. 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 Awards for sound editing, visual effects. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Malibu's Most Wanted: Jamie Kennedy, Taye Diggs and Anthony Anderson in an urban comedy about hip-hop culture. PG-13. Cinemark. 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. Movies 12. Phone Booth: Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, Katie Holmes and Radha Mitchell star in Joel Schumacher's thriller. R. Movies 12. 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. Movies 12. Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Works with Time: Splendid documentary by Thomas Riedelsheimer about famous Scottish sculptor Andy Goldsworthy. He makes site-specific art from found natural objects. Accessible to anyone who has ever been a child. A visual treat, it's the most beautiful film of the year. NR. Bijou. Online archives. 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. Movies 12. Spirited Away: Re-issue 2002 Academy Award-winner for best animated feature. Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki follows adventures of 10-year old girl, Chihiro, who discovers a secret world and learns to take care of herself. Not just for kids, and too scary for preschoolers. Very highest recommendations. PG. Movies 12. Online archives. X-Men 2: The next link in the evolutionary chain? Directed by Bryan Singer, stars Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden and more, lots more. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World.
MOVIE
THEATERS Bijou
Art Cinemas Regal
Cinemas Cinemark
Theaters
NEW
RELEASES ON VIDEO Analyze That: Sequel reunites crazy-as-a-fox Paul Vitti (Robert De Niro) and Dr. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal), but Sobel's wife (Lisa Kudrow) is not happy about having Vitto around. Has he really lost his mind, or is it just a ruse to get out of the slammer? Directed by Harold Ramis. R. Borderline: Taut thriller by director Evelyn Purcell about a psychiatrist (Gina Gershon) who works with mentally ill patients. An inmate (Sean Patrick Flannery) threatens to implicate her in a murder. The cop (Michael Biehn), who is also her lover, begins to think she might be guilty. R. Comedian: Documentary about Jerry Seinfeld by Christian Charles is more ethnographic than a revelatory profile of him. The NYTimes reports that Seinfeld "can count on the immediate goodwill of audiences, who are predisposed to laugh even when he freezes, flails or misses his beats." R. Extreme Ops: Extreme sports athletes accidentally photograph a war criminal hiding out in the Austrian Alps and must out- ski and snowboard his avengers. Stars Devon Sawa, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, Rupert Graves and Rufus Sewell. Directed by Christian Duguay. PG-13. Hot Chick: Verbally abusive cheerleader wakes up in the body of Rob Schneider. Yikes! Directed by Tom Brady. PG-13.
Next week: Adaptation, Antwone Fisher, Star Trek Nemesis, Twenty-fifth Hour, Max, Pursuit of Happiness, The Sky is Falling and Underground Zero.
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