 |
ANGER MANAGEMENT (PG-13) -- C
Adam Sandler does the dumbed-down version of his character from Punch-Drunk
Love in this tale of an essentially likable guy suffering from an implosive
anger problem who is ordered to seek help from crazy-like-a-fox Jack Nicholson.
(Carlson) AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20
BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM (PG-13) --
B+ Gurinder Chadha's story of a British girl whose traditional Sikh parents
want her to learn to cook and find a good Indian boy to marry rather than follow
her talent and passion for soccer has a big, open heart. (Barton) Canal Place,
Hollywood Cinemas 9
BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE (PG-13) --
Attorney Steve Martin meets convicted felon Queen Latifah over the Internet in
another salt-and-pepper comedy. AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette, Grand
CONFIDENCE (R) -- B+
James Foley's caper flick stars Edward Burns as chief of a crew of grifters and
Dustin Hoffman, doing a mix of Ratso Rizzo and Tony Soprano, as the mobster they
need to satisfy for having accidentally ripped him off. This isn't The Sting
(and nothing else has been, lately), but it's a thoroughly diverting, more than
adequately clever entertainment. (Barton) AMC Palace 20
DADDY DAY CARE (PG) --
Dot-com bust victim Eddie Murphy tries his hand at a day-care center with his
buddies in this comedy directed by Steve Carr (Dr. Doolittle 2). AMC
Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette, Grand, Hollywood Cinemas
9
THE DANCER UPSTAIRS (R) -- B
John Malkovich directs the screen adaptation of Nicholas Shakespeare's novel of
Latin American revolution. Javier Bardem (Before Night Falls) delivers
a transcendent performance as Agustín Rejas, a policeman set on the trail
of an anonymous terrorist named Ezequiel. Bardem's soulfulness and Malkovich's
deft directorial touch combine for a moving, if not always successful, film. (Carlson)
(Reviewed in this issue.) Starts Friday, May 23, at Canal Place
DEEP THROAT (X) --
The Country Club's poolside movie series continues with the screening of the 1972
porn "classic" starring Linda Lovelace as a woman who discovers a unique way to
find pleasure (is that sanitized enough for ya?). Co-stars another porn legend,
Harry Reems, and is preceded by the campy '60s hygiene short, Personal Health
for Girls. 8 p.m. Thursday at the Country Club
DOWN WITH LOVE (PG-13) --
A female advice columnist (Renee Zellweger) goes against her better judgment and
falls for a swinging ladies' man (Ewan McGregor) in 1963 Manhattan in this romantic
comedy homage to the three Rock Hudson/Doris Day collaborations of the same era.
Supporting cast includes David Hyde Pierce, Rachel Dratch and former Hudson/Day
co-star Tony Randall. AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette,
Grand, Hollywood Cinemas 9
FILM & VIDEO SCREENING/POT LUCK --
Zeitgeist hosts an open event for filmmakers to screen short or excerpts from
longer films or projects. (Call Courtney Egan at 891-3698.) Free admission for
filmmakers and/or those who provide a vegetarian dish or a donation. 7 p.m.
Saturday at Zeitgeist
HEAD OF STATE (PG-13) --
Chris Rock goes for the hat trick in writing, directing and starring as a Washington,
D.C., alderman who finds himself replacing the Democratic Party's dead presidential
candidate. Grand
HOLES (PG) --
B+ Adapted from Louis Sachar's prize-winning young adult novel, this Andrew
Davis film about a young teen in a stern Texas reform school mixes three narratives
over a 100-year period into an often magical brew about family, courage and friendship.
Solid performances and a subtle touch are marred only by an ending wrapped too
tightly and neatly. (Barton) AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette,
Grand, Hollywood Cinemas 9
HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES (R) --
Hard rocker Rob Zombie puts his ghoulish name to the cinematic test with this
writing and directing debut about two couples who get lost on the road and wind
up in a whole mess o' trouble. Grand
IDENTITY (R) -- T
en Little Indians gets the postmodern treatment in this murder mystery thriller
from director James Mangold, which stars John Cusack, Ray Liotta and Amanda Peet.
AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Grand, Hollywood Cinemas 9, Prytania
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY (PG-13) --
Hollywood's famed Douglas family -- Kirk, Michael and those other folks -- plays
a dysfunctional family in this comedy from Fred Schepisi. AMC Palace 20, Grand
THE JUNGLE BOOK 2 (G) --
C Awash in jungle greens, this latest from the Disney sequel factory looks
better than it sounds. John Goodman proved in Monsters, Inc. that he can
infuse character into a character, but his Baloo can't compete with the late jive-talker
Phil Harris. (Tisserand). Chalmette
LAUREL CANYON (R) -- B-
Lisa Cholodenko's light romantic drama about a man (Christian Bale) living with
his mother and struggling to choose between two beautiful women (Kate Beckinsale,
Natascha McElhone) explores predictable places along the way to no place in particular.
But the picture is worth seeing for the always-wonderful Frances McDormand. (Barton)
Canal Place
LIGHT OF MY EYES (NR) --
Giuseppe Piccioni's multiple winner of Italy's version of the Oscars features
a directionless chauffeur offered a second chance at life when he meets a single
mother. Presented by Film Movement. 7:30 p.m. through Tuesday at Zeitgeist
THE LIZZIE MCGUIRE MOVIE (PG) --
Movie version of the TV series starring Hilary Duff as a junior high school student
on summer vacation in Italy who falls in love with an Italian pop singer. AMC
Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette, Grand, Hollywood Cinemas 9
MALIBU'S MOST WANTED (PG-13) --
Jamie Kennedy tries to make it as a white rapper, much to the chagrin of his dad
(Ryan O'Neal), who's running for governor. Co-stars Taye Diggs. AMC Palace
16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette, Grand, Hollywood Cinemas 9
MATRIX RELOADED (R) --
A The badass Wachowski brothers are back with a sequel that's equal as
Matrix Reloaded rejoins Neo (Keanu Reeves) on his quest for digital self-fulfillment.
Amazing choreography by Yuen Wo Ping and the ever-ingenious imaginations of the
Wachowskis fuel a film packed with unbelievable action and that same mystic sensibility.
(Carlson) (Reviewed in this issue.) AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC
Palace 20, Chalmette, Grand, Hollywood Cinemas 9, Prytania
A MIGHTY WIND (PG-13) --
A Christopher Guest's latest mockumentary pokes fun at folk music by staging
a reunion concert. The humor is smart, subtle and so rich you may want to see
it twice to pick up lines and insinuations that flew by you the first time. Co-writer
Eugene Levy gives the best performance of his life as a damaged singer whose best
moments come on stage. (Barton) (Reviewed in this issue.) Canal Place
PHONE BOOTH (R) -- B+
Colin Farrell holds this Joel Schumacher-helmed film together as a fast-talking
PR man trapped in a phone booth by an unknown sniper. A weak script and restricted
set make this one a challenge, but Farrell rivets the audience with his considerable
screen prowess. (Carlson) AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20, Chalmette, Grand
THE SHAPE OF THINGS (R) --
Writer-director Neil LaBute (Nurse Betty, Possession) adapts his
own Off-Broadway drama about how new girlfriend Rachel Weisz affects Paul Rudd's
self-confidence and his relationship with best friends/married couple Gretchen
Mol and Frederick Weller. Canal Place
X2: X-MEN UNITED (PG-13) -- D
An overabundance of lead characters and an empty script make this one of the least
interesting comic book movies ever made. Half the cast is embarrassing (Halle
Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden); the other half ought to be embarrassed (Ian
McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Alan Cumming). Director Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects,
X-Men) does next to nothing to bring his characters to life, obviously
only interested in setting up a third installment of the franchise. (Carlson)
(Reviewed in this issue.) AMC Palace 12, AMC Palace 16, AMC Palace 20,
Chalmette, Grand, Hollywood Cinemas 9
| AMC Palace 12 734-2020; AMC Palace 16 734-2020; AMC Palace 20 734-2020; Canal Place 581-5400; Chalmette 277-9797; Downtown Joy 522-7575; Entergy IMAX 581-4629; Plaza 245-0102; Prytania 891-2787; Zeitgeist 525-2767
Compiled by David Lee Simmons
Contributors: Rick Barton, Shala Carlson, David Lee Simmons |
Other Stories This Week in Movies:
Balcony Seats
A Mighty Wind
The Matrix Reloaded
The Dancer Upstairs
|
|
