AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER (PG-13) -- A-
Perhaps the funniest of the Austin Powers trilogy, Goldmember introduces the eponymous bad guy (Mike Myers), a Dutch madman maimed in a smelting accident, as well as Powers patriarch, Nigel (Michael Caine). Myers has ratcheted up the bathroom humor to great effect, proving that silly can be a satisfying, side-splitting and strangely sophisticated venture. (Carlson) (Reviewed in this issue.) AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette, Plaza, Prytania
THE BOURNE IDENTITY (PG-13) -- C
Doug Liman's spy thriller seems an odd artifact in the post-9/11 world. Matt Damon stars as an amnesiac assassin on the lam from his own CIA handlers. Franka Potente is the innocent passerby who becomes his companion and romantic interest. (Barton) AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20
THE COUNTRY BEARS (G) -- NOT RATED
You've seen the Disney attraction, now see the movie! A bear named Beary (Haley Joel Osment's voice) who was raised by humans decides to seek his real, pawed family in Tennessee. AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette
THE CROCODILE HUNTER: COLLISION COURSE (PG) -- NOT RATED
Steve and Terri Irwin, hosts of the popular TV show, chase around wildlife in the movie feature. The Big Question: Will Paul Hogan make his rumoured cameo? AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette
DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD (PG-13) -- NOT RATED
Sandra Bullock, Ellen Burstyn, Ashley Judd and Maggie Smith bring to life Rebecca Wells' 1996 novel about a Louisiana playwright (Bullock) who moves to Seattle to get away from her mother, only to learn about mom's adventures through a diary. AMC Palace 20
EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS (PG-13) -- NOT RATED
David Arquette, Kari Wuhrer, Scarlett Johansson and Doug E. Doug co-star in this campy homage to the radioactive sci-fi/monster movies of the 1950s. AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette, Plaza
HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION (R) -- NOT RATED
They say the eighth time is the charm, eh? Since Halloween: H2O was such a success, here we go yet again, with six gullible teens holing up in Michael Myers' old home to host an Internet chat about the killer, who shows up and kills. And, yes, Jamie Lee Curtis is back. AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette, Downtown Joy, Plaza
JUWANNA MANN (PG-13) -- NOT RATED
Tootsie takes it to the hoop with Miguel A. Nunez Jr. as an outcast NBA player who goes drag in order to play in the WNBA. Complex sexual and gender issues (and laughs) ensue, with co-stars Vivica A. Fox and musical artists Ginuwine and Lil' Kim. AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20
K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER (PG-13) -- NOT RATED
Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson star in this fictional account of the Soviet nuclear submarine that almost suffered a meltdown in 1961 -- thereby almost touching off a nuclear war. AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette
LIKE MIKE (PG) -- NOT RATED
Lil' Bow Wow plays a little kid who, through a freak accident, becomes an NBA star. Features cameos by NBA stars including Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd and Chris Webber. AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette, Downtown Joy, Plaza
LILO & STITCH (PG) -- B-
Disney kicks it old school with this hand-painted animation effort. Unfortunately, some of Disney's other old habits resurface, like cultural stereotyping. A meandering storyline and an inexplicable Elvis soundtrack often are overcome by the arresting animation. (Simmons) AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette
LOVELY AND AMAZING (R) -- B+
Nicole Holofcener's (Walking and Talking) family drama examines the low self-concept that sometimes cripples people who have more going for them than they recognize. The characters here aren't likable, but fine performances by Brenda Blethyn, Catherine Keener and Emily Mortimer help us to care about them in spite of themselves. (Barton) (Reviewed in this issue.) Canal Place
MEN IN BLACK II (PG-13) -- B+
The sequel to the 1997 box office barn burner Men in Black is fresher and funnier -- although even more familiar -- than ever. Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith and Rip Torn obviously relish the opportunity to reprise their roles. (Carlson) AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20,Chalmette, Downtown Joy
MINORITY REPORT (PG-13) -- B+
Steven Spielberg presents one of his most assured works in years, with Tom Cruise as a futuristic cop who prevents murders before they occur, only to find himself accused as a killer. (Simmons) AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20,
MR. DEEDS (PG-13) -- C-
Loosely based on the 1936 classic Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, this Adam Sandler "comedy" is neither a remake nor an homage. It's more like a raised middle finger to cinema history and a yawn of indifference to contemporary audiences. (Barton) AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING (PG) -- NOT RATED
Nia Vardalos wrote and stars in the screen adaptation of her autobiographical one-woman play about the misadventures of a Greek woman marrying a non-Greek man. AMC Palace 20, Canal Place
THE POWERPUFF GIRLS MOVIE (PG) -- NOT RATED
The popular TV show comes to the big (animated) screen, featuring voices by Cathy Cavadini, Tara Charendoff and E.G. Daily. AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette
REIGN OF FIRE (R) -- NOT RATED
Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey fight fire-breathing dragons in a futuristic England in this science-fiction confection from Rob Bowman. AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20
ROAD TO PERDITION (R) -- C
Sam Mendes' rampantly disappointing follow-up to American Beauty is a Depression-era crime drama that ought to be about a father's search for redemption but is instead about a father's search for revenge. Great cinematography by Conrad L. Hall and a terrific cast (Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jude Law, Stanley Tucci) can't save a story that proceeds from plodding to preposterous to predictable. (Barton) (Reviewed in this issue.) AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Canal Place, Chalmette
SCOOBY-DOO (PG) -- B-
Anyone for whom Scooby-Doo cartoons were an after-school staple should get a kick out of this silly, though poorly crafted romp. Shaggy (Matthew Lillard) and a delightfully digitized Scooby are as kid-friendly as ever, but moments of more adult humor may make this one more appropriate for adults with a juvenile sense of humor. (Carlson) AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16
SKYDANCE (NR) -- NOT RATED
This final installment of the IMAX Film Fest features breathtaking swoops about the French landscape during an air race. 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. nightly through Sunday, Aug. 4
STAR WARS: EPISODE II -- ATTACK OF THE CLONES (PG) -- A-
The Empire bounces back as George Lucas brings us ever closer to the Star Wars mythology we know and love. Plenty of action, stunning visuals, a kick-ass Yoda and Hayden Christiansen's pitch-perfect performance as young Anakin Skywalker make this one more The Empire Strikes Back than Phantom Menace. (Carlson) AMC Palace 20
STUART LITTLE 2 (PG) -- NOT RATED
The voices of Michael J. Fox, Geena Davis and Nathan Lane return for this sequel to the smash hit about a mischievous mouse. AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette, Plaza
SUNSHINE STATE (PG-13) -- A
John Sayles' melancholy look at two Florida beach communities undergoing the wrenching transition from mom-and-pop motels to corporate resort development offers an array of sharply drawn characters and the director's trademark determination to afford dignity to one and all. Angela Bassett's performance as an actress come home to visit her estranged mother deserves an Oscar nomination. Edie Falco's turn as the beaten-down manager of a family motel deserves the Oscar itself. (Barton) Canal Place
