13 GHOSTS (R) -- NOT RATED
Dark Castle, run by the daughter of horror-film gimmick master William Castle, offers its second remake of a Castle flick (House on Haunted Hill being the other). A man inherits a house (and ghosts) from his dead uncle and moves in with his daughter only to be alternately haunted and in a hunt for hidden treasure. Tony Shalhoub and Shannon Elizabeth co-star. Palace 16, Palace 20
AMELIE (R) -- B+
Jean-Pierre Jeunet (co-director of Delicatessen and The City of Lost Children) presents this unashamedly joyous and cheeky story of a young woman (Audry Tautou ... or is that Hepburn?) who invests her energy in everyone else's happiness but her own. The Jane Austen vibe of this Miramax darling, heightened by the pulsating glow of Bruno Delbonnel's cinematography, overcomes its drawn-out third act. Watch the Weinsteins push this movie come Oscar time -- but for good reason. In French with English subtitles. (Simmons) Canal Place
ANTARCTICA (NR) -- NOT RATED
This IMAX documentary takes viewers to the previously unseen reaches of the Chaos Glacier, with its icy blue waters and crystalline cave, as part of a look at the world's southernmost continent. Entergy IMAX
BLACK KNIGHT (PG-13) -- NOT RATED
Martin Lawrence is a fast-talking hustler who is thrown back in time to the Middle Ages in order to wreak havoc in this comedy originally slated for Chris Tucker (who costs quite the pretty penny these days). Chalmette, Galleria, Palace 12, Palace 16, Palace 20, Plaza
BONES (R) -- NOT RATED
After being shot down by supposed friends, neighborhood legend Snoop Dogg returns to save the 'hood from crime and drugs in this film by Earnest Dickerson (Juice). Blaxploitation goddess Pam Grier plays Snoop's girlfriend. Palace 20, Plaza
CYBERWORLD (NR) -- NOT RATED
Billed as the first-ever animated IMAX film, Cyberworld features the voice of Jenna Elfman and characters from The Simpsons and the film Antz. Entergy IMAX
DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE (PG-13) -- NOT RATED
Divorced dad John Travolta doesn't like the new husband (Vince Vaughn) of ex-wife Teri Polo and seeks to save his kid from harm in this thriller from Harold Becker (Sea of Love). Chalmette, Galleria, Palace 16, Palace 20
FRANZ FANON: BLACK SKIN, WHITE MASK (NR) -- NOT RATED
Isaac Julien explores the life of psychoanalytic theorist and activist Frantz Fanon, who along with his theories on identity and race was known for his work in the anti-colonial struggle of Algeria and beyond. (Also showing -- Marlon Riggs: I Shall Not Be Moved.) 8 p.m. Thursday at Zeitgeist
FROM HELL (R) -- A-
Albert and Allen Hughes (Menace II Society, Dead Presidents) explore an entirely different form of gritty urban drama to great effect with this adaptation of Alan Moore's acclaimed graphic novel about Jack the Ripper. Johnny Depp is typically subdued as Inspector Abberline, while Heather Graham stays safely within her range as targeted prostitute Mary Kelly. Ian Holm almost steals the show as Sir William Gull. (Simmons) Palace 20
GALAPAGOS (NR) -- A-
Smithsonian Institution marine biologist Carole Baldwin leads an expedition to the mysterious islands explored by Charles Darwin more than 160 years ago. An amazing use of IMAX 3D technology, the film is a feast for the eyes, if not the intellect. (Carlson) Entergy IMAX
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE (PG-13) -- A
Director Chris Columbus plays it safe and allows J.K. Rowling's phenomenally popular story, a perfectly suited British cast and Industrial Light & Magic to provide the magic in this much-anticipated adaptation. This first of a planned seven-part franchise features veterans Maggie Smith (A Room With a View), Alan Rickman (Dogma) and and Robbie Coltrane (From Hell) as well as delightful newcomer Daniel Radcliffe in the title role. Worth the wait and hype. (Jackson Bost) Chalmette, Downtown Joy, Galleria, Palace 12, Palace 16, Palace 20, Plaza, Prytania
HEIST (R) -- B+
David Mamet brings his staccato-like dialogue and fascination with deceipt to the "final score" side of noir film, without all the dark shadows. Rebecca Pidgeon (his real-life squeeze) joins able veterans Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito and Delroy Lindo in a movie that has plenty of pace and energy. (Jackson Bost) Galleria, Palace 12, Palace 16, Palace 20
THE IMAX NUTCRACKER (NR) -- NOT RATED
The classic holiday tale gets the 3D treatment, filmed on location in England with larger-than-life toys, puppets and acrobats. Entergy IMAX
K-PAX (PG-13) -- B
Iain Softley's drama stars Kevin Spacey as a mental patient who claims to be an alien from a planet a thousand light years away. Jeff Bridges is the psychiatrist who tries to help him. Excellent lead performances and a sustained mystery about Spacey's true identity only partially make up for a film with more surface than depth. (Barton) Palace 12, Palace 16, Palace 20
LIFE AS A HOUSE (R) -- B-
Irwin Winkler's family drama tells the story of a man (Kevin Kline) who is dying of cancer and trying to reconcile with his estranged son and divorced wife. Moments of humor and solid performances make this intermittently entertaining, but a sloppy, manipulative script keeps it from being ultimately satisfying. (Barton) Galleria, Palace 16, Palace 20
THE LORD OF THE FRAMES: KURT KREN (1929-1998) -- NOT RATED
Zeitgeist presents this celebration of the director known for his documentaries of such avant-garde artists as Otto Muehl and Gunter Brus. 8 p.m. Wednesday at Zeitgeist
THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE (R) A-
Billy Bob Thornton stars in this drama about a 1940s small-town barber who suspects his wife (Frances McDormand) of infidelity, tries to blackmail her lover (James Gandolfini), and pitches himself headlong into an avalanche of deception, suicide and murder. An homage to film noir, this Coen Brothers picture is typically elusive, but fascinating and more thematically ambitious than some of their other work. (Barton) Canal Place, Palace 12
MONSTERS, INC. (G) -- B+
From the creators of Pixar (Toy Story, A Bug's Life) comes this easygoing animated tale of workmanlike monsters who bottle kids' screams (in their bedrooms at night) in order to provide needed energy. John Goodman and Billy Crystal are so good as the voices of Sully and Mike that they should consider the animation biz as a permanent gig. A fun story that drags a bit in the middle provides plenty of sight gags and a digestible parable about positivity over negativity. (Simmons) Chalmette, Galleria, Palace 12, Palace 16, Palace 20, Plaza
NOVOCAINE (R) -- B+
David Atkins' black comedy stars Steve Martin as a successful dentist who throws away the good life when he falls for drug addict Helena Bonham Carter. The film doesn't quite hold up under rigorous examination, but it's a pleasure in the theater; funny and consistently surprising. (Barton) (Reviewed in this issue.) Canal Place, Palace 12
THE ONE (PG-13) -- NOT RATED
Jet Li (Romeo Must Die) builds strength each time he travels to another universe to kill the parallel version of himself in this action sci-fi flick from James Wong (Final Destination). Chalmette, Downtown Joy, Palace 16, Palace 20, Plaza
OUT COLD (R) -- NOT RATED
It's the slackers vs. the elite at a ski resort when buddies try to open a snowboarding park on a mountain in this comedy made as a tribute to the Caddyshack-style comedies of the late '70s and early '80s. Debut directing effort commercials vets Emmett and Brendan Malloy (what is it with brother directing teams these days?). Chalmette, Galleria, Palace 12, Palace 16, Palace 20
SERENDIPITY (PG-13) -- NOT RATED
Knowing only each other's first names, John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale try to find each other 10 years after a chance encounter in this romantic comedy that also features Molly Shannon and Jeremy Piven. Palace 20
SHALLOW HAL (PG-13) -- C+
The usually fearless Farrelly Brothers (There's Something About Mary) play it comparatively safe with this tepid comedy about a hapless skirt-chaser (Jack Black, acting in second gear) hypnotized into seeing only the beauty inside women. So his very overweight object of desire looks exactly like Gwyneth Paltrow (a highlight). Devoid of audacity as the Farrellys try to say something Important, Shallow Hal unfortunately is shallow indeed. (Simmons) (Reviewed in this issue.) Chalmette, Galleria, Palace 12, Palace 16, Palace 20
SPY GAME (R) -- NOT RATED
Retired CIA agent Robert Redford has to save protege Brad Pitt in this spy thriller from Tony Scott (Top Gun, Crimson Tide). Chalmette, Galleria, Palace 12, Palace 16, Palace 20
TRAINING DAY (R) -- NOT RATED
Rookie cop Ethan Hawke gets a rude awakening in his first day on the job when he is paired up with crooked veteran Denzel Washington. Co-stars Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Macy Gray. Palace 16, Palace 20
THE WASH (R) -- NOT RATED
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg are best buddies who crack wise and keep 'em clean in this apparent tribute to the 1976 comedy near-classic, Car Wash. That film featured Richard Pryor and George Carlin and was written by (of all people) Joel Schumacher! D.J. Pooh (3 Strikes) directs, while comedian George Wallace co-stars. Chalmette, Downtown Joy, Palace 16, Palace 20, Plaza
WAKING LIFE (R) -- C+
Richard Linklater retraces some the footsteps he tread in his magnificent 1991 debut, Slacker, and adds a layer of "rotoscoping" animation (making cartoon images of digital footage). The almost throbbing animation adds to the dream-state fell of this film, but Linklater's sometimes-intruiging meditations wear way thin after about 45 minutes. Stars the voices of Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy and some familiar Slacker cast members. (Simmons) Canal Place
THE YIDDISH CINEMA (NR) -- NOT RATED
This documentary covers the decline of the culture's cinema and language through interviews and film clips. Noon Tuesday at the Jewish Community Center (Uptown)
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Canal Place 581-5400; Chalmette 277-9797; Downtown Joy 522-7575; Galleria 838-8309; Entergy IMAX 581-4629; Jewish Community Center (Uptown) 897-0143; Loyola Film Buffs Program 865-2295 (see projectionist for a parking permit for individual screenings); Palace 12 (Clearview); Palace 16 (West Bank) 263-1618; Palace 20 (Elmwood) 734-2020; Plaza 245-0102; Prytania 891-2787; Zeitgeist 525-2767
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Editor's Note: For showtimes, visit our Web site at www.bestofneworleans.com.
Compiled by David Lee Simmons
Contributors: Rick Barton, Shala Carlson, Bill Jackson Bost, David Lee Simmons
