“Hannibal” (R, 2 hrs., 11 min.) Splashed across a broader, more worldly canvas than its predecessor (multiple Oscar winner “The Silence of the Lambs,” R, 1991), this sequel unfolds slowly, with more humor and less stomach-churning intensity at the climax. True, there are numerous bloody murders, stylishly filmed (though not lingered on), but high-schoolers 16 or older may find the pace too leisurely and the violent thrills too few, what with all the chat about the Italian Renaissance in between. The more mature and bookish among them will appreciate “Hannibal” (based on Thomas Harris’ novel), as a grown-up thriller.
That said, it’s also true that “Hannibal” contains grossly, nightmarishly inappropriate material for younger teens, let alone preteens. Characters meet their ends via hanging, disemboweling and throat-slitting. An infant is endangered in a thundering shootout. There are disturbing photographs of Lecter’s victims, a scene with a wild boar chomping down on a human, a character with a grotesquely disfigured face, strong sexual innuendo, crude sexual language and profanity.
Ten years after the first film, Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter remains a scary killer, who, time permitting, dines gourmet-style on bits of his prey. His only surviving victim, a reclusive billionaire, plots to lure the escaped killer out of hiding and get FBI agent Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore ably taking over Jodie Foster’s role) back on the case. Lecter is, we learn, living a Travel & Leisure life in Florence, a location that lends the movie (directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Mamet and Steven Zaillian) great style.
Parents may find it unsettling that in some ways, Lecter becomes an urbane hero, a sort of avenging angel, protecting his nemesis, the upright Starling. It makes for good, but morally ambiguous drama.
“Valentine” (R, 1 hr., 33 min.) A slasher movie in which targeted victims receive notes that read “roses are red, violets are blue, they’ll need dental records to identify you,” “Valentine” is a lame variation on the “Scream” theme. (All the “Scream” movies were R-rated, too.) A masked killer goes after a specific group of friends, everyone is a suspect, and the resolution is, supposedly, a surprise.
“Valentine” lacks wit, smarts or good acting but includes the usual number of scenes in which characters wander cluelessly through shadowy rooms while ominous music crescendos just before they get stabbed, axed, shot with a bow and arrow or thwacked with a steam iron. Not only violent but also a showcase for obnoxious social behavior, “Valentine” isn’t a good choice for kids younger than high-school age. It includes leering verbal and visual sexual innuendo, most of it not overly explicit, and profanity. An art gallery scene shows photos and videos of seminude women.
The potential victims in “Valentine” are a quartet of young things (Denise Richards, Marley Shelton, Jessica Capshaw, Jessica Cauffiel) who are old school friends. They’re all gorgeous, superficial and linked by the fact that they mistreated a boy back in middle school who may have come back to wreak his revenge.
Still in theaters
PG-13s:
“Head Over Heels” Monica Potter as sweet-natured art restorer shares fab apartment with four models, falls for mysterious guy (Freddie Prinze Jr.) in lightweight but initially amusing romantic comedy, full of slapstick digs at supermodel narcissism, but plot self-destructs. Subtle verbal sexual innuendo; jokes implying incest; gross toilet humor; randy male dog; understated gun, knife violence.
“Sugar & Spice” Marley Shelton, Mena Suvari in satire about cheerleaders who rob bank to help their pregnant squad leader set up housekeeping with dim quarterback; marred by cardboard characters and tacky, sexualized tone. Crude verbal sexual innuendo; tasteless joke about Jesus; homophobic humor; profanity; flatulence gags. Not for preteens.
“Left Behind” Kirk Cameron stars in passably acted, modestly made cable TV-quality film based on first in popular series of conservative Christian novels about true believers called to heaven by Jesus as apocalypse approaches, their loved ones left behind to face chaos, war, as Antichrist takes over United Nations. Loud gunfire, bloodless battle scenes; barely implied extramarital flirtation. Too dire for preteens.
“The Wedding Planner” Jennifer Lopez as workaholic wedding planner, Matthew McConaughey as groom-to-be fight mutual attraction, in derivative, laborious, too-cute romantic comedy, barely redeemed by stars’ chemistry. Rare profanity; mild verbal sexual innuendo; visual joke involving manly bits of nude statue; drunkenness.
