“All the Pretty Horses” (PG-13, 1:57) A romantic adventure that stars Matt Damon as a young Texan who tames wild horses down in Mexico, and his doomed love for the boss’ well-guarded daughter, ought to attract teens of both genders. But “All the Pretty Horses” will disappoint many with its slow, often mournful tone and an odd sense by the end that nothing much has happened. Cinema-savvy teens, however, will savor the camerawork, good acting, desert-dry Western repartee and lyrical bits of narration from Cormac McCarthy’s 1992 novel first book in “The Border Trilogy”).
Not a great choice for preteens, “All the Pretty Horses” is a strong PG-13, with graphic knife fights in a squalid prison. Other violence involves a shootout, and moments that strongly hint at (but don’t show) policemen torturing and murdering prisoners. There are a couple of gently implied sexual situations, and characters smoke and drink.
Damon plays John Grady Cole, a West Texan who, circa 1949, loses the ranch he’d hoped to inherit when his parents divorce. Longing to stay on the range, he and his pal Lacey (Henry Thomas) ride down to Mexico and become horse breakers at the huge ranch of a stern patriarch (Ruben Blades). Cole falls for the man’s daughter (Penelope Cruz), but such a romance is a no-no. There are trysts, suspicions, then Cole and Lacey are abruptly arrested. Their troubles also relate to a violent young runaway (Lucas Black) they befriended back on the trail into Mexico. But these strands don’t quite make a yarn. The movie is disjointed and emotionally distant.
“Dracula 2000” (R, 1:40) Surprisingly solid acting and relatively understated violence raise this vampire flick just barely above horror’s least common denominator. The movie still makes precious little sense, with its ludicrous mystical take (we won’t give it away) on why the immortal bloodsucker does what he does. It isn’t terribly scary and has a bit of wit, and high school horror fans may find it diverting. Yes, the violence is less gory than usual for this genre, but it includes impalings, stabbings, point-blank shootings and erotically tinged, neck-puncturing embraces. There are also more mundane, understated sexual situations, sexual innuendo, toplessness and profanity.
The prologue shows a ship full of dead sailors in 1897, their necks bloodied, and rats (there are also leeches) skittering on them. After that, the action moves to present-day London, where an aging antiques collector (Christopher Plummer), famously named Van Helsing (from the Bram Stoker novel), discovers too late that thieves have stolen a silver casket from his vault and flown it to the United States. They expect to find treasure inside, but to their regret they unleash the long-dormant Dracula, who goes on a rampage. The action moves to New Orleans, where a woman (Justine Waddell) has scary vampire dreams she can’t comprehend. Van Helsing and his loyal factotum Simon (Jonny Lee Miller) face down the undead dude in the Big Easy.
Still in theaters
Tots and older:
“The Emperor’s New Groove” (G) Riotous, hip animated feature about self-absorbed young emperor of ancient Peru, voiced by David Spade, who’s turned into whiny llama by conniving crone (Eartha Kitt); with John Goodman as kindly peasant who helps despite emperor/llama’s snooty ‘tude. Tots may quail at snarling jaguars. Should tickle all ages.
Kids 5 and older:
“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (PG) Jim Carrey rants brilliantly as funny-scary Grinch in droll, visually rich, sometimes ponderous adaptation. Tots may quake at Grinch’s roar or when girl falls down trash chute or careens down mountain; dog treated badly, used in crude joke; Grinch eats glass, trashes Whoville; pig-nosed Whos might spook some tots.
PG-13s:
“Finding Forrester” Famously reclusive author (Sean Connery) mentors brilliant inner-city teen (Rob Brown) in refreshing, unsentimental tale of bridging social divide, living life of the mind. Occasional profanity, mild urban slang; sexual innuendo; upsetting scene when character has anxiety attack. A little obscure for preteens.
“O Brother, Where Art Thou?” George Clooney heads terrific cast in wonderfully odd Coen Brothers saga of three chain gang escapees in 1930s Mississippi, based on Homer’s “Odyssey” and 1941 film “Sullivan’s Travels.” Posse whips prisoner, threatens lynching, cows shot, hit by car; Ku Klux Klan rally; sexual innuendo; Not for preteens.
“Cast Away” Tom Hanks subtly sketches a man’s epic journey in riveting tale of workaholic FedEx exec who survives plane crash, spends four years of physical, spiritual deprivation on uninhabited island, then difficult return to civilization. Harrowing crash; bloated body; bloody injuries; rare profanity.
“The Family Man” Nicolas Cage as smug Wall Street trader magically glimpses suburban life he’d have led if he’d married college sweetheart, in nicely unsentimental transformative tale. Mild or implied sexual situations; scary robbery; profanity, crude language; dirty-diaper gag; drinking.
“Miss Congeniality” Sandra Bullock as tomboyish FBI agent who goes undercover at beauty pageant in crackerjack romantic farce with message for girls about being real and men who appreciate that; Michael Caine, William Shatner in great supporting roles. Mild sexual innuendo; occasional profanity; brief mild gunplay, an explosion and fights.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh as middle-aged martial arts warriors with unspoken love, in pursuit of arrogant young fighter with stolen sword in ravishing blend of gravity-defying battles with romance in pre-Communist China. Mostly bloodless fights; mild sexual situations. Subtitles.
“Dude, Where’s My Car?” Dippy slacker comedy about pot-happy pizza delivery guys who can’t recall why their car’s missing, or why space aliens are after them. Marijuana use implied; character gets a dog stoned; crude verbal, visual sexual innuendo; homophobic humor; blindness spoofed; toilet humor. Not for preteens.
“Chocolat” Charming fable of conformists vs. free spirits in pious French village circa 1960; single mother (Juliette Binoche) opens sinful chocolate shop during Lent; Alfred Molina as uptight mayor; Johnny Depp as Irishman who romances her. Mild sexual situations, innuendo; implied spousal abuse; fight.
“What Women Want” Mel Gibson as male chauvinist suddenly able to hear women’s thoughts, Helen Hunt as boss he tries to sabotage, in amusing but clunky romantic farce. Mild sexual situations. Not for preteens.
New this weekend
The following movies opened too late for a review in the Health & Family section.
“Cirque Du Soleil Journey of Man”: A celebration of the human spirit — following the stages of human development from birth to maturity — that combines the unique artistry and music of Cirque Du Soleil with the IMAX format. Filmed on location at various natural and historical landmarks around the world. MPAA rating: G; running time: 0:38.
“Antitrust”: A computer geek lands a dream job, but finds some dark secrets in the high-stakes world of computer technology. Stars Ryan Phillippe, Rachael Leigh Cook, Claire Forlani and Tim Robbins. MPAA rating: PG-13 (some violence and brief language); running time: 1:48.
“Double Take”: Comedy and chaos collide when successful New York investment banker Daryl Chase (played by Orlando Jones) suddenly finds himself on the run and having to switch identities with low-life petty thief Freddy Tiffany (Eddie Griffin). MPAA rating: PG-13 (violence and language); running time: 1:28.
“Save the Last Dance”: This musical drama depicts a complicated clash of cultures, both ethnic and artistic, in telling the story of a small-town teen thrust into an unfamiliar world when she enrolls in an inner-city Chicago high school following her mother’s death. MPAA rating: R (violence, sexual content, language and brief drug references); running time: 1:53.
“Ratcatcher”: Haunted by a secret, 12-year-old James Gillispie (William Eadie) has become a stranger in his Glasgow family. He finds tenderness and a place of solace with 14-year-old Margaret (Lynne Mullen). No MPAA rating (adult); running time: 1:34.
