 |
  |
 |
|||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||
|
Epic
Closure
LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING: Written, directed and produced by Peter Jackson, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. Producers, Barrie M. Osborne. Writer and producer, Fran Walsh. Writer, Philippa Boyens. Executive producers, Robert Shaye, Michael Lynne, Mark Ordesky, Cinematography, Andrew Lesnie. Production design, Grant Major. Special effects supervisor, Richard Taylor. Costumes, Ngila Dickson. Composer, Howard Shore. Visual effects supervisor, Jim Rygiel. Conceptual design, Alan Lee, John Howe. Supervising art director, Dan Hennah. Make-up and hair design, Peter Owen, Peter King. Starring Elijah Wood (Frodo), Ian McKellen (Gandalf),.Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), Sean Astin (Sam) and Andy Serkis (Gollum). With Liv Tyler (Arwen), Bernard Hill (Theoden), Billy Boyd (Pippin), Dominic Monaghan (Merry), Cate Blanchett (Galadriel), John Rhys-Davies (Gimli), Orlando Bloom (Legolas), Hugo Weaving (Elrond) and Miranda Otto (Eowyn). Also with David Wenham (Faramir), Karl Urban (Eomer), John Noble (Denethor), Ian Holm (Bilbo) and Sean Bean (Boromir). New Line Cinema. PG-13. 200 minutes. The conclusion of a sprawling epic such as the final installment of Peter Jackson's brilliant adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy must meet unreal expectations or else disappoint those who have already spent $1.8 billion to see the first two episodes. No one leaving the theater looked disappointed. No one left early, either, despite the film's 3-hour, 20-minute running time. (Add in another 20 minutes for the ads that precede the feature, at least half-an-hour of standing-in-line time, driving and parking time, and you're looking at a 5-hour project.) No one complained, because The Return of the King delivers the goods — moving human relationships; complicated characters brought to life with heart and craft; breathtaking spectacles; stunning vistas; and a story with elemental, universal appeal. Escalating tension is balanced by intimate moments, and the forward momentum is broken by respite. The viewer is not driven to a state of frenzy, but the last great battle at Mordor intercut with Frodo and Sam's final assault on Mt. Doom creates stress that longs for completion. The action here accomplishes the hopeless task undertaken by the ring-bearer and the fellowship. But the film takes its time to get there, showing how success was won only by the collaboration of many individuals, rather like this stunning film series itself. You may already know that all three Lord of the Ring films were made simultaneously, forging film history. But did you know that the movies had 114 speaking roles or that more than three million feet of film was shot during production or that principal photography took 274 days? Here are a few more random facts to help put this massive enterprise in perspective:
10,000 crowd participants were recorded making orc sounds at a New Zealand cricket game; and 200 individually crafted orc masks were made for film production. 2,000 illustrations were drawn for the production by conceptual designer Alan Lee. 180 artists created the computerized effects in the series. 1,600 pair of prosthetic hobbit feet were used during production by the principal hobbit cast. 48,000 swords, scabbards, axes, shields and other implements were made for the production. 12,500 hand-linked rings were used to create the chain mail. 900 suits of armor were made by hand. 15,000 costumes were made by the costume department, including about150 costumes for each Middle Earth civilization. 2,400 crew members were employed at the height of production. 20,602 extras were used to make the films. 350 sets were constructed, and more than 100 locations were used. 250 horses were used in one scene, while 70 specially trained horses were used in the production. One character who really comes into his own in the film is Sam (Sean Astin), the stouthearted friend who wouldn't let Frodo leave him behind. Sam's compassion saves Frodo again, and he becomes the quiet hero of the story. Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), the returning king, gives only one rousing speech, but it is a beauty, mindful of the oft-quoted speech William Shakespeare wrote in 1599's Henry V. Some 4,000 ragtag English troops faced 60,000 French at Agincourt in 1415 and defeated them. In the film, Aragorn speaks eloquently of the need to stand together, and while he does not say "We few, we happy few" as Henry did, he does remind the warriors of the Middle Earth civilizations assembled that to fight the good fight is its own reward. I was happy to hear the text rise to Shakespearean heights, because the beauty of Tolkien's language is often swallowed up by the action onscreen. If there is a commentary on the current world conflict in the film, it would be in this speech, even though principal photography for Return of the King was shot in New Zealand in 1999-2000, well before the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Eowyn (Miranda Otto) gives a performance sure to thrill every girl and young woman in the theatre. Forbidden as a Rohan woman to fight, Eowyn dresses as a man, straps on armor and faceplate, grabs Pippin to ride with her, and takes off for Minas Tirith on her horse. She is fearless and courageous, and she saves the life of her Uncle Thoden (Bernard Hill) in a standoff with the masked rider of Mordor, king of the Nazgul. Little known to American audiences, Otto starred in the wonderful The Last Days of Chez Nous (1992), directed by Gillian Armstrong. Otto deserves your attention; she is that good. Frodo (Elijah Wood) has changed greatly from the carefree Hobbit lad of the first film to the troubled young adult in this film. Frodo manifests the physical and emotional maturation Wood has undergone in this role. Certainly the character of Frodo has deepened, but the actor seems different as well. This arduous three years looks to have made an already accomplished actor (The Ice Storm) ready for anything. Peter Jackson is the man of the hour. He should not be denied the awards due him for this extraordinary seven-year effort, which is as heroic as any on the screen. This is a nearly perfect film, with Jackson's overarching vision in every frame. A co-worker asked me what Jackson will do now that the last film is done. "A remake of King Kong," I said. He starts on the script in January, after a brief vacation. Don't even think about missing this film, now playing at Cinema World and Cinemark. Very highest recommendations.
Through
the Eyes of Children
IN AMERICA: Directed by Jim Sheridan. Written By Jim Sheridan, Naomi Sheridan and Kirsten Sheridan. Produced by Jim Sheridan, Arthur Lappin. Cinematography, Declan Quinn. Production Design, Mark Geraghty. Editor, Naomi Geraghty. Costumes, Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh. Composers Gavin Friday and Maurice Seezer. Starring Samantha Morton (Sarah), Paddy Considine (Johnny), Djimon Hounsou (Mateo), Sarah Bolger (Christy) and Emma Bolger (Ariel). Fox Searchlight Pictures, 2003. PG-13. 103 minutes. Irish writer, producer, playwright and director Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot; The Boxer) and his real-life daughters, Naomi and Kirsten, have collaborated on a heartfelt family story based on their first of eight years of living in New York in 1981. They have taken fictional liberties with the memoir. In actuality, the Sheridans did not lose a child in Ireland. Rather, Jim Sheridan's brother, Frankie, died of a brain tumor when the boys were growing up in Ireland. The film is filled with both a bittersweet humor and raucous good times as two young girls, 11-year-old Christy (Sarah Bolger) and 7-year-old Ariel (Emma Bolger), and their Irish parents, Johnny (Paddy Considine) and Sarah (Samantha Morton) move into a scruffy New York tenement to begin a new life in America. The children harvest laughs for their blanket explanation of all strangeness: "It's how they do it here," applying the maxim to everything from Halloween customs of trick or treating to the dress habits of transvestites. These girls are knowing and wise beyond their years. Christy carries a camcorder, with which she records their new life. They see their mother grieving for their lost brother, and they see the hard time their father has fitting into a truly different world. But Christy, the elder sister, takes care of Ariel, the feisty, fearless younger girl, and soon they get to know everyone in the neighborhood. Their hearts are open to the daily wonder of this sweet life.
The girls knock on each door in their apartment building, including one with KEEP AWAY splashed across it in garish paint. When the door is opened by a large African man, Johnny stands outside while the girls are inside. But Mateo (Djimon Hounsou) is not a monster; he's an artist with a good soul, which Christy and Ariel recognize right away. Sarah likes Mateo as well, but Johnny is a suspicious guardian, and he's not so sure. Johnny becomes the problematic center of the story, because the family's well-being depends on whether he can learn to love again. And while other events unfold, including an amazing (and true) experience at a carnival trying to win an ET doll, Johnny must find his own way back into the heart of the family. For such a well-established film figure as Sheridan (In the Name of the Father), it's risky to let us see Johnny's vulnerability, failings and despair. Considine (24-Hour Party People) said he had lost faith in himself as an actor when he took the role. He shows Johnny as desperate to believe he can protect his family. But both the character and the performance are flawed. The film's over before we see how life changes for the family after Johnny's break-through, but that matters only if we fully embrace the transformation itself. Morton gives an understated but profound performance as Sarah, who realizes the love that has kept her and Johnny together has faded and needs renewing. As an actress, Morton always surprises. She projects a deep emotional range through facial expression. Her work is subtle in all scenes but one, and there Sarah's raw feelings ring out with passion. The Bolger sisters, Sarah and Ariel, perform so naturally and bring such a state of wonder to their roles they deserve special attention. They are sisters playing sisters, but each girl creates a distinct personality and charming way of looking at the world. Their performances are shot through with a sense of magical realism that is rare and beautiful. In America isn't perfect, but it's a film you can give yourself to, heart and soul. Opens at the Bijou Christmas Day. Highest recommendations.
Moral
Decisions and Indecision
TWENTY-ONE GRAMS: Directed by Alejándro González Iñarittu. Written by Guillermo Arriaga. Produced by Alejándro González Iñarittu, Robert Salerno. Executive producer, Ted Hope. Cinematography, Rodrigo Prieto. Production design, Brigitte Broch. Editor, Stephen Mirrione. Costumes, Marlene Stewart. Music, Gustavo Santaolalla. Starring Sean Penn (Paul Rivers), Naomi Watts (Cristina Peck), Benicio Del Toro (Jack Jordan) and Melissa Leo (Marianne Jordan), with Charlotte Gainsbourg (Mary Rivers), Danny Huston (Michael Williams), Clea DuVall (Claudia Williams), Eddie Marsan (Reverend John). Focus Features Release, 2003. R. 125 minutes. Second films are a challenge to directors such as Alejándro González Iñarittu, whose Amores Perros took by surprise the film industry, critics and filmgoers alike. Trouble is, it's hard to be shockingly original second time around. Some people will love what the director does with Twenty-One Grams, while others will find something to carp about. But no one will let him off the hook easily. Can-do filmmakers live and die by these rules. Cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto (Frida, 8 Mile, Amores Perros) adds heightened momentum and immediacy to the film with his hand-held camera work. Intimate shots work really well, and the result, as he describes it is "textured — realism, but with an edge." For fans who care, Iñarittu's second feature film is innovative in new ways. It is a sobering look at the effects of a fatal accident on those who thereafter are bound together unconsciously. It is a film that plays loose and reckless with time and story. You never exactly know where you are on the Mobius strip of Twenty-One Grams. To further complicate the film's deliberate, dissociated narrative structure, we are plunged directly into the action, with no established context. I was confused by the superficial physical similarity between two male characters as well, one of whom dies before we get to know him. The acting is first-rate, and actors live for meaty roles like these. Because the film is about life, death and the liminal space between the living and the dead, the film contains only a few truly happy moments. But it shows a hard-earned compassion that only some characters attain. Paul Rivers (Sean Penn) is a college prof with a bad heart. Jack Jordan (Benecio Del Toro) is a former convict now born again; a man who places all his hope in God. Cristina Peck (Naomi Watts) is a former coke-addict who came back from the dead to have two children with a man she loves. Paul, Cristina and Jack do not know each other before the tragedy, only afterwards when one of them needs to know. Mary Rivers (Charlotte Gainsbourg) is willing to have surgery to have Paul's child, but their relationship is not stable. Marianne Jordan (Melissa Leo) hopes Jack will be less stressed and more forgiving with the kids. Claudia (Clea DuVall) longs to help her older sister, Cristina, but finds herself shut out of Cristina's life. The most interesting aspect of the main characters' difficult stories is how little we know ourselves and how difficult real change is. Paul gets a heart transplant, but his bad habits remain implacable, such as smoking. Jack believes his faith will carry him through any crisis, but it doesn't, although it serves him to do the right thing. Earlier, Cristina realizes the futility of vengeance, but later she is lost and vulnerable to such ideas. You cannot be passive with a movie like this; it requires that you bring your active awareness. I will see the film again, because the fractured narrative needs to be seen twice to create linear story lines. I'm willing to give Iñarittu a second chance to show he knows what he is doing here. And I also plan to pay more attention to images such as the empty motel swimming pool the director returns to over and again. Finally, I need to see Del Toro's performance again, because it is pretty amazing. Likewise, Watts makes an indelible impression and I'd like to see how she does it. Relative to his role in Mystic River, Penn gives a quieter, more nuanced performance here. But he is never less than excellent. Twenty-One Grams opens Friday Dec. 26 at the Bijou. Very highest recommendations.
Cheaper By the Dozen: A remake of the Clifton Webb classic from the 1950s, Shawn Levy's version boasts a new screenplay and stars Steve Martin as the father of 12, who moves his family to the city. Bonnie Hunt plays the kids' mother. PG. Cinema World. Cold Mountain: Anthony Minghella's screen rendition of Charles Frazier's Civil War best-seller stars Jude Law as a wounded Southern soldier walking home across the mountains, Nicole Kidman as his pre-war sweetheart, and Renee Zellweger as a young drifter who teaches her to farm and survive. R. Opens Dec. 25. Cinema World. In America: Jim Sheridan's memoir of living in New York in 1981 with his wife and two daughters. Stars Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine, Sarah Bolger and Emma Bolger. Highest recommendations. PG-13. Opens Dec. 25 at the Bijou. See review this issue. Paycheck: Based on a Philip K. Dick sci-fi short story and directed by John Woo, film stars Ben Affleck, Uma Thurman Aaron Eckhart, Paul Giamatti, Colm Feore, Michael C. Hall. PG-13. Cinema World. Peter Pan: Yet another version of J. M. Barrie's classic adventure story of the best bad boy ever, Peter Pan, makes its way to the big screen. Directed by P.J. Hogan, movie stars Jason Isaacs, Jeremy Sumpter, Richard Briers, Olivia Williams, Lyn Redgrave, Ludivine Sagnier and Rachel Hurd-Wood. PG. Cinema World. Twenty-one Grams: Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu's second feature has astounded critics. Telling three linked stories, Iñárritu again works magic with narrative structure. Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro and Naomi Watts, star in a film The New York Times says reaches a "Faulknerian idea of old-fashioned grace." Also stars Charlotte Gainsbourg, Clea DuVall, Danny Huston and Melissa Leo. R. Opens Dec. 26 at Bijou. See review this issue.
CONTINUING: Bad Santa: Directed by Terry Zwigoff. The story of two con men who go on a road trip to malls dressed as Santa and his elf. Rather than spread good cheer, the duo robs each establishment — a strategy that becomes complicated when they encounter an 8-year-old who teaches them the true meaning of Christmas. Stars Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac, Lauren Graham, John Ritter. Cinemark. 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. Movies 12. Cat in the Hat, The: Mike Meyers stars as the outrageous feline who visits a couple of kids and wreaks havoc in the house while mom's away. Live-action comedy based on beloved Dr. Seuss book. Many parents and many kids can recite it by heart. With Alec Baldwin, Kelly Preston. PG-13. Cinemark. Duplex: Drew Barrymore and Ben Stiller find their Manhattan dream flat but inherit a batty old woman who lives upstairs and drives them nuts. Directed by Danny DeVito, cast also includes Swoosie Kurtz and Harvey Fierstein. PG-13. Movies 12. Elf: Jon Favreau directs Will Ferrell as a human child raised as an elf. Mr. Claus (Ed Asner) and his chief assistant (Bob Newhart) send the lad to New York to find his biological father (James Caan). With Zooey Deschanel and Mary Steenburgen. PG. Cinemark. Freaky Friday: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Mark Harmon, Harold Gould, Chad Michael Murray, Stephen Tobolowsky, Christina Vidal, Ryan Malgarini. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan play a quarreling mother and daughter who accidentally switch bodies. Ooops! Mark Harmon plays the mom's fiancé. Directed by Mark Waters. Highly recommended. PG. Movies 12. Online archives. Gothika: Halle Berry plays a criminal psychologist who blacks out and comes to accused of murdering her husband (Charles Dutton). Now she's a patient in his hospital. Directorial debut of Mathieu Kassovitz. Also stars Penélope Cruz, Robert Downey Jr., Bernard Hill. R. Cinemark. Haunted Mansion: Eddie Murphy stars in Rob Minkoff's (Stuart Little) ghost comedy, with Jennifer Tilly, Don Knotts, Terence Stamp PG. Cinemark. Honey: Directed by Bille Woodruff. Stars Jessica Alba as a music video choreographer and Li'l Romeo, Mekhi Phifer. PG-13. Cinemark. Last Samurai: Directed by Edward Zwick. Stars Ken Watanabe and Tom Cruise. In Japan, Civil War veteran Nathan Algren (Cruise) trains Emperor Meiji's troops in the way of the gun as they prepare to defeat the last of the country's samurais. But he is captured by the samurai (Watanabe) and learns about their traditions and code of honor. R. Cinemark. Cinema World. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King: Peter Jackson completes the film version of Tolkien's trilogy, seven years in the making. Stars Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett. Frodo (Wood) and Sam (Astin) plan to cast the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom, but Gollum — and the Ring itself — test Frodo's allegiances and his humanity. Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) humbly accepts his kingship. Cinema World. Cinemark. See review this issue. 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. Great moments, fine ensemble cast. R. Cinemark. Love Don't Cost a Thing: Directed by Troy Beyer. Stars Nick Cannon as teenager Alvin Johnson who tries to play cool by hiring a cheerleader to act as his girlfriend. Remake of 1987's Can't Buy Me Love starring Patrick Dempsey. PG-13. Cinemark. Master and Commander The Far side of the World: Peter Weir brings the late Patrick O'Brian's best-selling nautical adventures to the screen with Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey and Paul Bettany as Dr. Stephen Maturin, ship surgeon and naturalist. Set during the Napoleonic Wars. Highest recommendations. PG-13. Cinemark. 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. Mona Lisa Smile: Julia Roberts is an idealistic teacher and nonconformist at Wellesley in the 1950s. Julia Stiles, Kirsten Dunst and Maggie Gyllenhaal are her students. Mike Newell directs. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Once Upon a Time in Mexico: Directed by Robert Rodriguez. Antonio Banderas as El Mariarchi, now involved in international espionage. Costars Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp and Mickey Rourke. R. Movies 12. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. 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. 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. Movies 12. Runaway Jury: Gun manufacturer's explosive trial stars John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Weisz. Received some good reviews. PG-13. Movies 12. 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. Movies 12. 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. Something's Gotta Give: Directed by Nancy Meyers. Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson) is a New York music mogul with a libido much younger than his years. Also stars Diane Keaton, Amanda Peet and Keanu Reeves. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Spy Kids 3D, Game Over: Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara continue to embrace the family business — spying — but this time the Toymaker (Sylvester Stallone) may be their nemesis. Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino co-star. 3-D viewing glasses required. Written and directed by Robert Rodriguez. PG. Movies 12. Stuck on You: The Farrelly Brothers (Something About Mary) direct this story of conjoined twins Bob (Mat Damon) and Walt (Greg Kinnear), who move to L.A. so one can become an actor. They become a hit on a TV show starring Cher, but success threatens to drive the twins apart. Eva Mendes, Seymour Cassel and big-name cameos. Cinemark. 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. Movies 12. Tupac Resurrection: Late rap artist Tupac Shakur, who was murdered in 1996, returns to the screen in music videos and interviews. Documentary directed by Lauren Lazin for MTV Films. R. Movies 12.
MOVIE
THEATERS Bijou
Art Cinemas Regal
Cinemas Cinemark
Theaters
NEW
RELEASES ON VIDEO Beyond Reanimator (2003): Jeffrey Comb and Jason Barry star in the Sci-Fi Channel series. Northfork: The Polish Brothers (Jackpot) employ magical realism to tell the story of a dying boy, strange angels, a dedicated caregiver and much more, set against the story of a small Montana town circa 1955 to be flooded by a dam. Haunting. PG-13. Online archives. Order, The: Writer, director Brian Helgeland's mystery, thriller, horror film stars Heath Ledger, Shannyn Sossamon, Peter Weller, Benno Furmann and Mark Addy. Ledger belongs to an arcane order of priests known as the Carolingians. R. Sex and the City: Complete Season 5 on DVD. Just in time. Final season on HBO begins in January '04. 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.
Next week: American Wedding, Stanley and Iris (1990), Babylon 5, Cary Grant Collection, Cheers, Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde (1932 and '41, Frazier, Ikuru, My Darling Clementine, Out of Time, Uptown Girls, The Wind and the Wardrobe.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
