Here are selected capsule reviews of movies in current release. Information is based on the most up-to-date theater schedules available and subject to change.
Aliens of the Deep (star)(star)1/2
Following 2003’s “Ghosts of the Abyss,” director James Cameron journeys deeper into the ocean, exploring the earth’s volatile crust with NASA scientists. All in all, it’s a fascinating, kid-friendly journey, minus clunky dialogue and on-screen hypothesizing about what Europa’s aliens might look like (predictably, like luminescent aqua-aliens from “The Abyss”). G. 47.–R.E.
Are We There Yet? (star)(star)
Ice Cube shows his kid-friendly side in “Are We There Yet?” and he and the movie, though nothing special, are fitfully amusing. Playing a Portland Lothario who falls for a young divorced mom (Nia Long) and has to woo her two little kids on a long distance SUV ride to Vancouver, Ice Cube and the kids connect. PG. 1:31.–M.W.
The Aviator (star)(star)(star)(star)
Martin Scorsese’s flamboyant, brilliantly crafted bio-drama on Howard Hughes, visionary airplane tycoon, unbuttoned movie mogul and one of the great, wild American figures. With star Leonardo DiCaprio as Hughes and Cate Blanchett as Kate Hepburn, the film misses some rich possibilities but it’s still the year’s best: seething with life, gorgeously designed and thrillingly articulated. PG-13. 2:46.–M.W.
The Ballad of Jack and Rose (star)(star)1/2
Rebecca Miller’s ambitious but disappointing drama about a counter-culture casualty in 1986, with Daniel Day-Lewis as a ’60s idealist, hanging on to an old East Coast island commune with his teen daughter (Camilla Belle), while violently colliding with the1980s. Saving graces: a fine cast (Catherine Keener, Beau Bridges, Ryan McDonald) and brilliant cinematography (Ellen Kuras). R. 1:51.–M.W.
Be Cool (star)(star)1/2
Even if you enjoyed the meanly funny 1995 Elmore Leonard-derived, John Travolta crime comedy “Get Shorty,” this forced sequel based on the follow-up book is a comedown. A colorful, bright, misfiring semi-dud, which wastes Travolta (as Chili Palmer), Uma Thurman, Vince Vaughn, Cedric the Entertainer, Harvey Keitel, The Rock and Leonard’s smart, tough lines. Directed by F. Gary Gray. PG-13. 1:59.–M.W.
Beauty Shop(star)(star)(star)
This “Barbershop” spinoff for star-producer Queen Latifah (as a transplanted ace hairdresser in Atlanta) is full of cliches, but it’s also a bright, funny, bouncy picture that I liked: another David and Goliath tale, with Gina (Latifah) going up against the phony-baloney Jorge (Kevin Bacon in a fey mode, with sassy help from Alfre Woodard, Alicia Silverstone, Djimon Hounsou and Della Reese. PG-13. 1:45.–M.W.
Because of Winn-Dixie (star)1/2
When Opal (AnnaSophia Robb) moves to small town Naomi, Fla., the only friend she finds is Winn-Dixie a mangy, orphan pooch who leads her on a journey of personal discovery. Wayne Wang’s shaggy-dog tale “Because of Winn-Dixie” tries so hard to be sweet, but plays like “Pollyanna” with fleas. PG. 1:46.–R.E.
Born Into Brothels (star)(star)(star)
One of the most heavily awarded documentaries of 2004, “Born into Brothels” plunges us into an exotic, painful world: the daily lives of a group of children, whose mothers work as prostitutes in Calcutta and who are pushed toward education and taught photography by Zana Briski (who co-directed with Ross Kauffman). Shot on HD, stunning looking, sometimes intensely moving. In Bengali and English with English subtitles. R. 1:25.–M.W.
Bride and Prejudice (star)(star)(star)
Gurinder Chadha (“Bend It Like Beckham”) makes a goofy and voluptuous labor-of-love: a big, gorgeously shot imitation Bollywood-Hollywood musical loosely based on Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” with Bollywood’s biggest star, Aishwarya Rai, as leading lady. It’s a pretty crazy movie, but it’s knowingly crazy–and entertaining, if you’re in an adventurous mood. In English, Hindi and Punjabi with English subtitles. PG-13. 1:51.–M.W.
Constantine (star)(star)
Keanu Reeves is caught between heaven and hell in his latest fantasy thriller, playing doomed L.A. exorcist John Constantine (from the graphic novel series “Hellblazer”)–and though the source is interesting and the visuals sometimes spellbinding, the movie itself is stranded in the purgatory of the second-rate. “Matrix” it isn’t. With Rachel Weisz, Tilda Swinton and Peter Stormare. R. 2:01.–M.W.
Cursed (star)(star)
The latest terrorfest from Wes Craven, not at his bloody best here–even though the movie reunites him with “Scream” writer Kevin Williamson. It’s another somewhat tongue-in-cheek Hollywood horror pastiche, starring Christina Ricci and Jesse Eisenberg as siblings faced with werewolf attacks, but the screams and laughs are fewer, less clever and less startling. PG-13. 1:36.–M.W.
Downfall (Der Untergang) (star)(star)(star)(star)
This extraordinarily gripping bio-drama takes us inside Hitler’s bunker during his last 10 days. Director Oliver Hirschbiegel and producer-screenwriter Bernd Eichinger use Hitler secretary Traudl Junge’s eyewitness account, with Alexandra Maria Lara fine as the naive Junge, and Bruno Ganz’s great performance as a mad, vulnerable Hitler heading a brilliant cast and crack production. In German with English subtitles. No MPAA rating (adult, parents cautioned for violence, sensuality and language. 2:28.–M.W.
Dust to Glory (star)(star)
Filmmaker Dana Brown tries so hard to tell us a compelling story that he misses out on a great story of a solitary racer against the elements, in his documentary of the 2003 SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race. Cliches abound, along with so many cinematic off-course excursions that you lose track of whom you’re following. PG 1:35.–K.W.
Eros (star)(star)(star)1/2
A classy triple shot of film erotica from three masters: Michelangelo Antonioni, Wong Kar-wai and Steven Soderbergh. Wong’s Tennessee Williamsesque tale of a courtesan and tailor is the best, Soderbergh’s (with Robert Downey Jr.) is wry and spry and Antonioni’s look at sex and ennui (shot when he was 89) has been underrated, as most late works by great directors are. In Chinese, Italian and English with English subtitles. R. 0:43 (“The Hand”); 0:26 (“Equilibrium”); 0:31 (“Thread”).–M.W.
Fever Pitch (star)(star)(star)
With a romantic and comic touch not often applied to romantic comedy–go figure–and a fan’s exuberance for America’s pastime, Peter and Bobby Farrelly have got themselves a natural and heartfelt screen romance, in which a rabid Boston fan (Jimmy Fallon) must find a balance between the love of his life (Drew Barrymore) and the love of his life (the Red Sox). PG-13. 1:38.–A.B.
Finding Neverland (star)(star)(star)1/2
Johnny Depp surprises us again with a portrayal of writer James M. Barrie brimming with insight and whimsy. The story, about Barrie’s bond with a widow (Kate Winslet) and her boysis a charmer too. Director Marc Forster (“Monster’s Ball”) avoids darker speculations, giving us a period bio of visual delight and honest sentiment. With Dustin Hoffman and Julie Christie. PG. 1:56.–M.W.
Guess Who (star)(star)
Ashton Kutcher plays white boy Simon Green, a big-shot financial whiz whom black fiance Theresa brings home to meet Mom (Judith Scott) and Dad (Bernie Mac) without advance warning of his pasty complexion in this misguided, lazy and broad comic remake of the Stanley Kramer classic “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” PG-13. 1:45.–A.B.
Head-On (Gegen die Wand) (star)(star)(star)1/2
From writer-director Faith Akin: a brutally convincing yet compassionate movie about two hell bent young Turkish-German lovers dancing over destruction in a Hamburg underworld of drugs and casual sex. Akin’s taut, driving storytelling and the bravura performances of Birol Unel and Sibel Kekilli as the lovers suck you in, shock and move you. Winner of five German Oscars and the Berlin grand prize. In German and Turkish with English subtitles. No MPAA rating (adult for nudity, sexuality, violence, language and drug use). 1:58.–M.W.
Hide and Seek (star)(star)(star)
Robert De Niro shows his acting chops in “Hide and Seek” as the troubled father of traumatized little Emily (Dakota Fanning), who has an evil, violent imaginary friend. Starting out like an ordinary psychological thriller, with a hint of the supernatural, “Hide and Seek” gradually turns eerier, more unexpected. It scared me. With Famke Janssen, Elisabeth Shue and Dylan Baker. R. 1:41.–M.W.
Hitch (star)(star)
In this flashy, cliched romantic comedy, Will Smith plays a romance-savvy dating doctor who runs into troubles with his coaching (of shy Kevin James) and his own love life, wooing hard-case tabloid columnist (Eva Mendes). Most of the good gags are in the trailers, and the strongest chemistry is between Smith and James. Directed by Andy Tennant (“Sweet Home Alabama”). PG-13. 1:57.–M.W.
Hostage (star)(star)1/2
A snazzy, full-throttle cop thriller with lots of style and energy but much less sense or impact, “Hostage” stars Bruce Willis as a burnt-out ex-L.A. hostage negotiator, pulled into a perilous standoff with street thieves, gangsters and a rich accountant. It’s a mixed bag of a picture, at first entertaining, then sinking into mad implausibility. Directed by French thriller ace Florent Siri (“The Nest”). R. 1:53.–M.W.
Hotel Rwanda (star)(star)(star)1/2
Don Cheadle gives a phenomenal performance as Paul Rusesabagina, a quiet, meticulous hotel manager who, in the face of the 1994 massacres, became a real-life hero and unlikely savior. Director-co-writer Terry George’s film is a calm, riveting ground-zero look at a terrible slice of history. But Cheadle, backed by Sophie Okonedo and Nick Nolte, is superb, humbling in his humanity. PG-13. 2:01.–M.W.
Ice Princess (star)(star)
All the usual suspects line up in Disney’s entirely predictable and utterly soothing new ice skating flick: bookworm-cum-beauty (Michelle Trachtenberg), disapproving parent (Joan Cusack), popular girl who is dying on the inside (Hayden Panettiere) and her controlling mom (Kim Cattrall). Oh yes, and the dream to skate. G. 1:32.–A.B.
In Good Company (star)(star)(star)1/2
This funny, meaningful look at men and male workplace culture sets its site on Globecom, a multinational conglomerate that sees fit to anoint young gun Carter (Topher Grace) as the head of its latest acquisition’s advertising department, leaving in the dust ad sales dinosaur Dan (Dennis Quaid, at his surest and most easygoing). Dan teaches Carter a thing or two and satisfying synergy bashing abounds. PG-13. 2:11.–A.B.
In My Country (star)(star)(star)1/2
A fine film drama about South Africa’s mid-’90s Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings, based on Antjie Krog’s “Country of My Skull.” This stirring, large-soul movie about an event that was both excavation into horror and celebration of forgiveness, has strong performances by Samuel L. Jackson, Juliette Binoche, Brendan Gleeson and Menzi “Ngubs” Ngubane. In English and Afrikaans. R. 1:44.–M.W.
The Jacket (star)(star)(star)
Intense psychodrama and fine performances elevate “The Jacket” from a formulaic thriller, as Adrien Brody plays a Gulf War veteran with amnesia, framed for murder. While undergoing isolation therapy in a hospital for the criminally insane, Brody’s character finds that he can see into and visit the future. He learns the day of his death, and sets out to discover how he dies. R. 1:43.–K.W.
Meet the Fockers (star)(star)
Gaylord Focker (Ben Stiller) is back, this time bringing together his future in-laws (Robert De Niro and Blythe Danner) and his aggressively Yiddishkeit and overtly sexual parents (Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand). It’s all repeat performances and rehashed gags for director Jay Roach, who with the hilarious original, set us up for a big fall. PG-13. 1:56.–A.B.
Melinda and Melinda (star)(star)(star)1/2
Woody Allen has elegant fun with the interchangeability of comedy and tragedy. Focusing on beautiful, complex young Melinda (Radha Mitchell), he waltzes her through two different stories, one comic, one dramatic. No Woody this time, but another crack ensemble (Will Ferrell, Chloe Sevigny, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Wally Shawn) keeps it witty or moving. PG-13. 1:40.–M.W.
The Merchant of Venice (star)(star)(star)
A richly atmospheric, mostly traditional version of William Shakespeare’s poetic and troubling classic, about a loan borrowed from Shylock, the usurer who demands “a pound of flesh” if not repaid on time. Al Pacino gets by as Shylock, shrewdly employed by director Michael Radford more as a mournful image than eloquent speaker, and Jeremy Irons (Antonio) and Lynn Collins (Portia) are both superb. R. 2:07.–S.S.
Million Dollar Baby (star)(star)(star)(star)
Clint Eastwood admirably returns as both director-producer after last year’s classic “Mystic River”–for a tough, pungent boxing drama with a delayed-action wallop. One of Eastwood’s best, it starts out like another “Rocky”-style Cinderella story, but turns dark, savage and heart-breaking in its final act. With Hilary Swank (as the contender) and Morgan Freeman. PG-13. 2:12.–M.W.
Millions (star)(star)(star)1/2
A magical British film about two boys (Alexander Etel and Lewis McGibbon) in a Liverpool suburb, stumbling on piles of money and having their lives radically changed, this Christian fable/fantasy about Mammon and kids is done with wide-eyed wonder, wit and imagination. Director Danny Boyle (“Trainspotting”) and writer Frank Cottrell Boyce (“24 Hour Party People”) shine. PG. 1:37.–M.W.
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (star)1/2
FBI agent Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock) gets another makeover, this time to become the new face of the Bureau, traveling the country with her entourage–stylist Joel (Diedrich Bader), hair, makeup and partner Sam Fuller (Regina King), a problem agent with anger management issues. When old pageant pals are kidnapped in Vegas, guess which stiletto-heeled Miss FBI saves the day? PG-13. 1:55.–A.B.
NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience (star)(star)
This educational IMAX overview of NASCAR, which trips along through a re-enactment of stock car racing’s origins, its mechanics, rules and race day, could make a city-dweller wish they were sitting atop an RV parked in the infield, drinking a cold one. But true fans might be disappointed by the brevity of 3-D racing action. PG. :48.–E.F.
National Treasure (star)(star)(star)
In this kinder, gentler Jerry Bruckheimer production, Nicolas Cage plays Benjamin Franklin Gates, the eighth generation of Gates men to hunt down the Knights Templar Treasure, a priceless cache said to have been hidden by our Founding Fathers. Since the treasure map exists only on the back of the Declaration of Independence, Ben and his trusty sidekicks must steal it (for the good of the country, of course). PG. 1:58.–A.B.
Nobody Knows (star)(star)(star)(star)
A wonderful new film by Hirokazu Kore-eda (“After Life”), with immaculate skill and compassion, transporting us into the special domain of childhood, a trip both joyous and shattering. Based on fact, it shows a year in the lives of four children, abandoned by their mother and forced to fend for themselves. With Cannes “best actor” prize-winner Yuya Yagira as 12-year-old Akira. In Japanese with English subtitles. PG-13. 2:21.–M.W.
Off the Map (star)(star)(star)1/2
The mysterious alchemy of art is the central subject of actor-director Campbell Scott’s lovely little comedy-drama, set in the New Mexico desert and based on Joan Ackermann’s play: the story of a sweetly eccentric, unself-consciously artistic family (Joan Allen, Sam Elliott and Valentina de Angelis) that helps turn its uptight IRS investigator (Jim True-Frost) into a cult-idol painter. PG-13. 1:51.–M.W.
Oldboy (star)(star)(star)(star)
A stunner from Korea: Park Chanwook’s high voltage revenge saga about the deadly cat-and-mouse game waged between a rich sadist (Yoo Ji-tae) and his dangerous prey: a businessman-turned-killer (Choi Min-sik, star of “Chihwaseon”) and his Seoul angel (Gang Hye-jung). Set in a noir wilderness, it’s a movie of jaw-dropping violence and dazzling style. Grand Jury Prize Winner, Cannes 2004. In Korean with English subtitles. R. 2:00.–M.W.
The Pacifier (star)1/2
Vin Diesel tries to follow in the footsteps of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “Kindergarten Cop,” playing a tough guy hero tamed by adorable kiddies. “Cop” wasn’t very good, but this is worse: a bland, dopey, over-produced comedy that mixes crude humor with gooey sentimentality and wastes a good cast: Diesel, Lauren Graham, Carol Kane, Brad Garrett. Directed by Adam Shankman. PG. 1:37.–M.W.
Paper Clips (star)(star)
This documentary tells of the Paper Clip project, Whitwell Middle School’s attempt to collect 6 million paper clips to commemorate the Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Though it’s moving to watch a small, depressed town in rural Tennessee come together for such a foreign cause, the film overdoes it on the symbolism, giving us paper clips in slow motion set to Yiddishkeit music. G. 1:27.–A.B.
The Phantom of the Opera (star)(star)
This immensely successful musical finally comes to the screen and, for once, the shortcomings can’t be blamed on the moviemakers. Director Joel Schumacher retains much of the sweep, panorama, Grand Guignol horror-movie antics of the original. Alas, unavoidably, he also retains Lloyd Webber’s sugary tunes and the story’s vapid mix of monster movie and creepy, repressed sexuality. PG-13. 2:21.–S.S.
Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (star)(star)(star)
The Hundred Acre Wood crew is on a hunting expedition for the Heffalump, a creature it’s been told is very dangerous. When little Roo finds a Heffalump, he discovers that the creature is friendly and rather a lot like himself. Soaring anthems by Carly Simon, skilled storytelling and attractive animation make this tale of tolerance and acceptance a perfect film for young movie fans. G. 1:08.–M.E.
Racing Stripes (star)(star)1/2
In this endearing but predictable celebrity- and joke-packed talking-animal pic, a zebra with an identity crisis (voiced by Frankie Muniz) dreams of racing at the Kentucky Open, a widower and former prize trainer struggles to find his way back to the track, and his daughter just wants to ride. PG. 1:34.–A.B.
The Ring Two (star)(star)
This creepy follow-up to the 2002 American remake of Japan’s most popular horror movie, the1998 “Ringu” (about the killer video that destroys its audiences), turns into just another unnecessary sequel. Directed by “Ringu’s” helmer, Hideo Nakata, parts of it are stunningly made and star Naomi Watts acts well above the call of duty. But it’s still a pointless, if fitfully scary project. PG-13. 1:50.–M.W.
Robots (star)(star)(star)
A young sparkplug of an inventor, Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor), visits Robot City in search of fame, but instead finds corruption and misfits (Robin Williams, Drew Carey). Wildly inventive and sweetly subversive, even the occasional dent can’t keep animated “Robots” from being a compelling bit of comic clockwork. PG. 1:31.–R.E.
Sahara (star)(star)
Adventurer Dirk Pitt (Matthew McConaughey) searches for a Civil War-eraConfederate ship in Africa, gets the girl and exhibits an almost genetic predisposition for repeated, serendipitous escapes. Penelope Cruz provides the love interest, and Steve Zahn the laughs, but neither keeps “Sahara’s” teetering stack of improbabilities from sinking it. PG-13. 2:04.–R.E.
Sideways (star)(star)(star)(star)
Alexander Payne’s great movie of Rex Pickett’s novel–a boisterous, brilliant, heart-warming tale of aging college buddies Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church and their last bachelor fling through the California wine country–mixes road film, drama and romantic comedy with vintage perfection. Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh fuel the romance and comedy. R. 2:04.–M.W.
Sin City (star)(star)(star)1/2
Frank Miller’s post-“Kiss Me Deadly” comic book world of hard guys, rich degenerates and hookers looks even better as a movie, shot in gleaming monochrome. Co-director-writers Robert Rodriguez and Miller charge up three of Miller’s stories, “That Yellow Bastard,” “The Hard Goodbye” and “The Big Fat Kill,” with stunning visuals and a top hard-boiled cast: Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, et al. R. 2:04.–M.W.
Son of the Mask (star)1/2
This follow-up to Jim Carrey’s “The Mask” stars Jamie Kennedy as a struggling animator who conceives a talking, dancing, top-hat-wearing baby while wearing the famed wooden, green mask. There’s more plot stuff, but none of it matters, because this entire film is in the service of its special effects, which just don’t seem all that special. PG. 1:26.–A.B.
Uncle Nino (star)1/2
Writer-director Bob Shallcross’ after-school special of a movie promotes healthy family living through the Micelli family. Though they appear to live the idyllic gated community life, behind closed doors, dad is a workaholic, mom’s lonely and the kids have friends who smoke. Then Uncle Nino pays a visit from Italy, and everyone learns what’s important in life. PG. 1:44.–A.B.
The Upside of Anger (star)(star)
An ambitious but unsatisfying little suburban comedy-drama, with Joan Allen and Kevin Costner enjoyable as an unconventional couple who stumble into a fortysomething affair when the woman’s husband disappears. The rest of the film, involving Allen’s four unlikely daughters (Evan Rachel Wood, Keri Russell, et al.), is less credible. Written and directed by Mike Binder, who co-stars as Costner’s sleazy producer. R. 2:01.–M.W.
Walk on Water (star)(star)1/2
Polemical, but not without charm, Eytan Fox’s (“Yossi & Jagger”) Israeli thriller/travelogue pairs a surly government assassin (Clive Owen look-alike Lior Ashkenazi) with two sparkly Germans, who he hopes will lead him to their grandfather, a Nazi war criminal. Cross-cultural debates–over homosexuality, the Holocaust, Palestinians–ensue, but so does some bonding. In English, German and Hebrew with English subtitles. No MPAA rating. 1:44.–E.F.
White Noise (star)1/2
In this straight-faced supernatural shocker, Keaton plays a bereaved architect who tumbles into the world of Electronic Voice Phenomena or EVP. The movie plays like a message from the dead: a communique from some inert world of lifeless cliches, empty flashy style, wooden characters and moribund shtick. PG-13. 1:41.–M.W.
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (star)(star)(star)1/2
Judy Irving’s intimate documentary profiles Mark Bittner, a wandering ex-musician who cares for a flock of discarded and escaped parrots in San Francisco. This insightful, glorious documentary reveals larger personal truths for Bittner while exploring a hidden society of unwanted parrots. G. 1:23.–R.E.
