 |
  |
 |
|||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||
|
Something
for the Boys BUBBA HO-TEP: Written and directed by Don Coscarelli. Produced by Jason R. Savage and Coscarelli. Based on short story by Joe R. Lansdale. Photography, Adam Janiero. Production design, Daniel Vecchione. Costumes, Shelley Kay. Music, Brian Tyler. Editors, Donald Milne, Scott J. Gill. Starring Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis, with Bob Ivy, Ella Joyce, Larry Pennell, Reggie Bannister and Heidi Marnhout. Silver Sphere. Vitagraph, 2003. NR. 92 minutes.
One thing you have to come to terms with right away: The people who put this film together and act in it come to you, the viewer, with a wide range of awards, some weird, some as mainstream as you can get. And they play it straight. No wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Cult filmmaker Don Coscarelli (Phantasm; The Beastmaster) received the best screenplay award from US Comedy Arts Film Festival for his adaptation of Joe Lansdale's short story, which was a Bram Stoker Horror Award-winner. Star Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead) is a cult celebrity in his own right, with credits as an actor, director and recently as a writer of the NY Times best-selling memoir, If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor. Actor Ossie Davis has an influential career that includes work as director, producer, screenwriter, playwright, historian and social activist. He's received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild, the National Medal of Arts Award from President Bill Clinton, the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame and the Theater Hall of Fame. I once spoke to him on the telephone and felt his warmth and generosity through 3,000 miles of phone lines. Whether you love it or hate it, Bubba Ho-Tep is movie of the year for the least-likely premise to reach a theater. Living in a run-down nursing home in East Texas, Elvis Presley (Campbell) and JFK (Davis) join forces to dispatch an Egyptian Soul Sucker, a mummy who has been liberated in the neighborhood and spends his nights sucking the soul from Elvis and JFK's fellow patients. You have to love the way Elvis calls JFK "Jack" as they hash out plans to confront the mummy after hours on the nursing home's park-like grounds. Elvis uses a walker, and Jack has a motorized wheel chair. If you are up for this madness, you can catch it at the Bijou beginning Nov. 7. Also at the Bijou starting Friday, you can see Stealing Time, an independent feature with Eugene ties.
STEALING TIME: Co-written and directed by Marc Fusco. Co-written and produced by Michael Garrity. Produced by Mike Gabrawy. Photography, Stephen Sheridan. Editor, Peter Fandetti. Music, Joey Newman. Starring Peter Facinelli, Ethan Embry, Charlotte Ayanna and Scott Foley. Crazy Dreams Entertainment, 2003. R. 103 minutes.
This professional-looking, short feature film follows four UO graduates who end up sharing a house in Los Angeles, working or looking for work, and trying to get ahead. Alec (Peter Facinelli), wears a suit to work and writes screenplays on the side. Trevor (Ethan Embry) wants to do stand-up, so he auditions for comic jobs but nothing has come through yet. Samantha (Charlotte Ayanna) comes to L.A. because she has been accepted in a school of social work, only to discover the acceptance letter was a mistake. Casey Shepherd (Scott Foley, "Felicity"), is still looking for his niche but is happy to be with his pals. Don't be surprised when the film switches from a party-down, drinking buddies atmosphere to a more serious drama. I'm not sure the slender relationship the actors have created with the audience can survive, but check this movie out for yourselves. Co-writer, producer Michael Garrity grew up in Eugene, graduated from South Eugene High School and the UO, with a degree in journalism. Garrity said the Eugene sequences were shot two-and-a-half years ago. A year ago Garrity, director Marc Fusco and producer Mike Gabrawy sold foreign rights to the film, and it was shown overseas. Now they have sold domestic distribution to the theatrical division of Blockbuster, and the film has played in various venues before opening Nov. 7 at the Bijou.
Black Monk, The (Russian, 1988): Directed by Ivan Dykhovichnyi, tale of an ill-fated romance between an educated, slightly mand ma and a landowner's daughter. At 9:15 pm on 11/10 in 115 Pacific Hall, UO campus. Free. In Russian, with English subtitles. Black Orpheus (Argentina, 1958): Orpheus and Eurydice love story played out during carnival in Rio by a street car conductor and a young woman pursued by a man who wants to kill her. Classic film, filled with music, dancing, magic. Academy Award 1959, Cannes '59. Free. At 7 pm on 11/07 in International Resource Center, EMU, UO campus. Bubba Ho-Tep: NR. Bijou. See review this issue. Capturing the Friedmans: Controversial documentary about Long Island family shattered by accusations that the father, a high school teacher and clown for children's parties, had molested two boys. Director is even handed. A strange story about a strange family, unquestionably one of the most talked-about films of the year. Took top awards at Sundance 2003. NR. Bijou. Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star: Sam Weisman directs David Spade in his role as a 35-year old out of work actor who hires a family so he can relive his childhood and finally grow up. With Mary McCormack, Jon Lovitz, Craig Berko, Rob Reiner. PG-13. Movies 12. Elf: Jon Favreau directs. Accidentally transported to the North Pole when he falls in Santa's bag, a human child grows up to be Will Ferrell, and a little disturbed that he doesn't resemble the other elves. With the help of Mr. Claus (Ed Asner) and his chief assistant (Bob Newhart), he sets out for New York in search of his biological father (James Caan). With Zooey Deschanel and Mary Steenburgen; Jon Favreau directs. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark. Love Actually: Written and directed by Richard Curtis (Bridget Jones's Diary), this romantic comedy stars Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Martine McCuthcheon, Bill Nighy. R. Cinemark. Magnificent Ambersons, The: (1942) In Orson Welles (writer, director) second film, a wealthy family falls apart in early 20th century. Stars Joseph Cotton, Anne Baxter. The studio took the film away from Welles and added a happy ending. Included in the National Film Registry. NR. At 6:30 pm 11/08 at Lorane Grange Hall. Matrix Revolutions: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss are back for the third (and final?) Matrix episode. Written and directed by the Wachowski Brothers. Called the most violent film ever made. Produced by Joel Silver. R. Opened Wed. 11/5. Cinemark. Cinema World. Pirates of the Caribbean: Non-stop adventure directed by Gore Verbinski stars Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. Depp sashays, Rush dissembles, Bloom fences and Knightley swashbuckles. Depp and Rush's over the top performances are great. Recommended. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Stealing Time: NR. Bijou. See review this issue.
CONTINUING: Brother Bear: Disney tale of young man who is transformed into a bear and his adventures in the great Northwest. He picks up a bear cub and runs into a pair of misguided moose, or is that meese? Six new songs from Phil Collins, including one with Tina Turner. G. Opens Sat.11/1. Cinema World. Cinemark. Cabin Fever: Four college friends vacation at a remote cabin, but one of them gets very sick, and the others struggle with life and death decisions as their terror rises. Directed by Eli Roth; stars Jordan Ladd, Rider Strong, James DeBello, Cerina Vincent, Joey Kern, Arie Verveen. R. Movies 12. Cold Creek Manor: Sharon Stone and Dennis Quaid star in Mike Figgis' horror flick about city folk who find a repossessed mansion in the country that the owner (Stephen Dorff) really wants back. Also stars Juliette Lewis and Christopher Plummer. R. Movies 12.. Finding Nemo: Pixar's computer-animated fantasy of two Clownfish, Marlin and his son Nemo, who get separated in the Great Barrier Reef. Written and directed by Andrew Stanton (A Bug's Life), with voices by Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Willem Dafoe, Geoffrey Rush, Allison Janney. Very highly recommended. G. Movies 12. Online archives. Good Boy: Doggie sci-fi comedy stars Liam Aiken as a dog walker who finally gets a dog of his own, Hubble (voice by Matthew Broderick), only to discover he's really an alien agent from the Dog Star Sirius. PG. Cinemark. In the Cut: In Jane Campion's new psychological thriller, Meg Ryan plays a lonely woman who becomes involved with a tough homicide detective investigating murders in her neighborhood. Also stars Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Damici. R. Cinemark. Intolerable Cruelty: The Coen brothers comedy about L.A. divorce attorney Miles Massey (George Clooney), who falls for g old-digger Marylin Rexroth (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Also stars Geoffrey Rush, Cedric the Entertainer, Billy Bob Thornton, Edward Herrmann and Richard Jenkins. PG-13. Cinemark. Kill Bill 1: Quentin Tarantino's first of two films stars Uma Thurman as a woman with a mission: Kill Bill (David Carradine), the former boss who betrayed her. With Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah, LaTanya Richardson, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Madsen and Samuel L. Jackson. R. Cinemark. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life: Angelina Jolie stars as action heroine Lara Croft who saves the world, again, from unspeakable evil. Directed by Jan De Bont, also stars Gerard Butler and Noah Taylor. PG-13. Movies 12. Lost in Translation: Directed by Sofia Coppola (The Virgin Suicides), this highly acclaimed film was shot entirely on location in Japan. It stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as lonely Americans in a Tokyo hotel who become friends. With Giovanni Ribisi. Very highest recommendations. R. Cinema World. Online archives. Matchstick Men: Ridley Scott directs this tale of a couple of grifters working small-time cons, until personal issues arise. Stars Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, with Alison Lohman and Bruce McGill. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Mystic River: Directed by Clint Eastwood; written by Brian Helgeland, based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, this tragic masterpiece stars Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden, Laura Linney and Emmy Rossum. Very highest recommendations. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives. Open Range: Kevin Costner directs and stars with Robert Duvall in traditional Western about a corrupt cattle baron (Michael Gambon) who forces the cowboys to fight. Annette Bening's performance is warm and real. With Abraham Benrubi, Diego Luna. Recommended. Movies 12.Online archives. Radio: High school football coach (Ed Harris) shocks a Southern town by taking on a mentally challenged youth (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and developing a decades-long friendship with him. Also stars Alfre Woddard and Debra Winger; directed by Mike Tollin. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark Runaway Jury: Gun manufacturer's explosive trial stars John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Weisz. PG-13. Cinemark. Rundown, The: Peter Berg directs Seann William Scott, The Rock, Rosario Dawson and Christopher Walken in this adventure about a kingpin's son who disappears in the Amazon in search of a valuable artifact. PG-13. Movies 12. S.W.A.T. Police Special Weapons and Tactics unit buddies Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell star in this action-thriller based on the 1970s TV series. Also with Michelle Rodriguez, LL Cool J. PG-13. Movies 12. Scary Movie 3: Horror spoof satirizes movies such as The Ring, Signs, The Matrix Reloaded, Eight Mile. Stars Anna Faris, Charlie Sheen, Denise Richards, Eddie Griffin and Queen Latifah. Directed by David Zucker. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. School of Rock: Faking it as a substitute teacher, wild guitarist Jack Black turns elementary musical prodigies into a high-voltage rock band. Directed by Richard Linklater, it also stars Joan Cusack, Mike White and Sarah Silverman. PG-13. Cinemark. Seabiscuit: A has-been racehorse becomes America's Depression-era success story, along with jockey Tobey Maguire, trainer Chris Cooper, and owner Jeff Bridges. Written, directed by Gary Ross based on Laura Hillenbrand's best-selling non-fiction book, also stars Elizabeth Banks, William H. Macy. Highest recommendations. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Secondhand Lions: Haley Joe Osment is sent to his great uncles' rural Texas farm, where the city boy has much to learn. Robert Duvall and Michael Caine may have been bank robbers. Written and directed by Tim McCanlies (writer, The Iron Giant). PG. Movies 12. Secret Lives of Dentists: Campbell Scott, Hope Davis and Denis Leary star in Alan Rudolph's wonderful, whimsical tale of a 10-year marriage that's getting shaky, and a houseful of little girls who reflect every tremor. One of my favorite films of the year, it gets my very highest recommendations. R. Bijou. Online archives. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Remake of Tobe Hooper's1974 horror classic is directed by Marcus Nispel, music video guru. Backwoodsy killer clan runs amok. Stars Jessica Biel, Eric Balfour and Andrew Bryniarski as Leatherface. R. Cinemark.
MOVIE
THEATERS Bijou
Art Cinemas Regal
Cinemas Cinemark
Theaters
NEW
RELEASES ON VIDEO |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
