 |
  |
 |
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
|
Cutting
Hair in Chicago
BARBERSHOP 2: Directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan. Written by Don D. Scott, based on characters created by Mark Brown. Produced by Robert Teitel, George Tilman Jr., Alex Gartner. Executive producers, Ice Cube, Matt Alvarez, Mark Brown. Cinematography, Tom Priestley. Production design, Robb Wilson King. Editor, Paul Seydor. Costumes, Jennifer Bryan. Music by Richard Gibbs. Additional music by Wu-Tang Clan featuring The RZA. Starring Ice Cube and Cedric the Entertainer. With Sean Patrick Thomas, Eve, Troy Garity, Michael Ealy, Leonard Earl Howze, Harry Lennix, Kenan Thompson, Robert Wisdom and Queen Latifah. MGM Pictures, 2004. PG-13. 98 minutes. The original Barbershop rewarded viewers with its fresh take on black barbershop culture, enriched by the loose lips of Cedric the Entertainer, whose grumpy, irreverent opinions about black icons brought down the house. You could say the sequel to such a movie is doomed from the git-go. But before the opening scenes of Barbershop 2, the audience sees Queen Latifah promoting her upcoming Barbershops' spin-off, Beauty Shop. It rankles when Hollywood lets the patrons see too much of the calculated, bottom-line, deal-making apparatus that runs the movie industry. Cynicism cramped my initial enjoyment. Money drives the collaborative art of filmmaking, but blatantly emphasizing marketing takes the shimmer right off the rose. Barbershop 2 has a few funny bits, a couple of nifty scenes and a smidgen of the school's-out madness that erupted whenever solemn Calvin Palmer (Ice Cube) left the shop in the original. But the movie's heart is a little colder, Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer) is a little more restrained, Calvin a little less gullible. I like Cedric raw, uncensored, and unapologetic. He doesn't need to work the middle to ensure a crossover film. Black culture is pretty mainstream now, get it? The opening sequence, however, is hilarious — a tour of black hair through time, with a strong focus on the 1970s Afro look, which is quite wonderful. And it is good to see the original cast again: Jimmy (Sean Patrick Thomas), a customer now that he has a new job working for a politician; Dinka (Leonard Earl Howze), the love-hungry but sweet Nigerian immigrant; Ricky (Michael Ealy), the tough-talking ex-con who's turning his life around; Terri (Eve), still single but not so angry these days; and Isaac (Troy Garity) now the shop's primo cutter, even though he's white. Queen Latifah puts in an appearance as Gina, who owns the beauty shop next door. This time the threat to Calvin's barbershop comes from the smarmy white entrepreneur, Quentin Leroux (Harry Lennix), who's buying up the old neighborhood for gentrification and plans to put a Nappy Cutz super-salon across the street. Quentin is in cahoots with an oily commissioner, Alderman Brown (Robert Wisdom), who knows when the community speaks, he'd better listen. Fun and mildly entertaining, Barbershop 2 doesn't quite cut it. Now playing at Cinemark.
UO QUEER FILM FESTIVAL 2004 SCHEDULE FRIDAY FEB. 20: 7 pm Suddenly - 180 PLC 9 pm Reception - 180 PLC, outside 10 pm 3 Short Films - 180 PLC
SATURDAY FEB. 21: 12:30 pm A.K.A. - Bijou Theater, FREE 4 pm Don't You Worry - 180 PLC 7 pm Short Films - 180 PLC
SUNDAY FEB. 22: 1 pm 2 Short Docs - 180 PLC 3 pm Brother Outsider - 180 PLC, FREE 6 pm 2 Documentaries - 180 PLC 8 pm Audience Choice - 180 PLC
A.K.A.: British director Duncan Roy's autobiographical feature film splits the screen into vertical thirds to tell the story of a working class youth's identity theft in the late 1970s in London and Paris. "Elegant and precise filmmaking." Plays at 12:30 pm on 2/21. Bijou. UO 2004 Queer Film Festival. Free. Against the Ropes: Fictionalized drama inspired by successful female boxing manager. Directed by Charles S. Dutton, movie stars Meg Ryan and Omar Epps. PG-13. Cinemark. Chasing Liberty: In this young adult romantic comedy, Mandy Moore plays the only child of the US Prez, and Matthew Goode is the Brit she meets in Europe who helps her escape from her Secret Service agents. PG-13. Movies 12. Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen: Stars Lindsay Lohan (Freaky Friday). For Welsh director Sara Sugarman, it's her first movie. Cinemark. Cinema World. Crime and Punishment (USSR, 1969): Directed by Lev Kulidzhanov, based on Dostevskii's masterpiece of psychological turmoil. At 8:15 on 2/23 in 115 Pacific Hall, UO. Russian with English subtitles. Free. Eurotrip: Teens from USA invade Europe. Crass commercialism. R. Cinemark. Cinema World. Girl Next Door, The: Emile Hirsch and Elisha Cuthbert (Kim Bauer of "24") star in Luke Greenfield's teen comedy, romance. R. Sneak at 7:30 pm on 2/20. Cinemark. Late Marriage: A 31 year-old man in love with a divorced woman with a child allows his traditional parents to run his life. At 7 pm on 2/20 in International Lounge, EMU. UO. Free. Lathe of Heaven (2002, TV): Based on Ursula Le Guin's sci-fi novel, this surrealistic future tale is about a man (Lukas Haas) haunted by dreams that come true. Psychiatrist (James Caan) tries to harness his dreams for his own ends. At 3 pm and 7 pm on 2/21. $3-$10 donation. McKenzie Theater. Passion of Christ, The: Notorious film by Mel Gibson opens amid charges (denied) of anti-Semitism. Opens Wed. Feb. 25. Cinemark. Cinema World. Salvador: Oliver Stone's film stars James Woods as an American journalist caught up in the 1980 revolution in El Salvador. Excellent film. At 7 pm on 2/26 in 180 PLC. Free. Starsky and Hutch: Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson are the street-smart cops in this remake, also starring Vince Vaughn, Juliette Lewis, Chris Penn and Snoop Dog. PG-13. Sneak at 7:30 pm on 2/21. Cinemark. Suddenly: Diego Larman's comic drama (Argentina, 2002) reflects the original voice of a young director who knows how to meld wit, pathos and edgy sexuality. Story follows two tough girls, Mao and Lenin, and a shop clerk, Marcia, as their friendship deepens. Plays at 7 pm on 2/20 in 180 PLC. UO Queer Film Festival, $. Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion: Documentary film about the humanitarian crisis in Tibet, where more than a million people have died of torture, starvation and execution, since the Chinese occupation, according to the Tibetan government in exile. His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks to the issues. Includes interviews with Tibetans jailed for their beliefs. NR, Bijou. Welcome to Mooseport: Ray Romano, running for small-town mayor, and Gene Hackman, former US Prez, square off for Maura Tierney's love. Also stars Marcia Gay Harden, Christine Baranski, Rip Torn. Directed by Donald Petrie. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Welcome to the Doll House: Junior high blues. Called "Wiener Dog" by her classmates, 11-year-old Dawn Wiener is trapped in school and unloved at home. Very dark comedy by Todd Solondz. R. Plays at 7pm on 2/25 in 214 Mckenzie Hall, UO. Free.
Films open the Friday following EW publication date unless otherwise noted. See archived reviews at www.eugeneweekly.com
CONTINUING: Along Came Polly: Ben Stiller plays Reuben, a hapless husband whose bride dumps him. Then he meets up with a childhood friend, Polly (Jennifer Aniston). Also stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Hank Azaria, Bryan Brown and Alec Baldwin. John Hamburg directs. PG-13. Cinemark. Barbershop 2 Back in Business: Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer and the barbers are back at Calvin's Barbershop, with hair stylist Queen Latifah next door. PG-13. Cinemark. See review this issue. Big Fish: Tim Burton's film about a son (Billy Crudup) who tries to figure out his father's (Albert Finney) life through the wild stories he's told. Also stars Ewan McGregor, Helena Bonham Carter, Danny DeVito, Jessica Lange, Alison Lohman and Steve Buscemi. Truly wonderful film; highest recommendations. Academy Award nom for original score. PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives. Brother Bear: Disney tale of young man who is transformed into a bear and his adventures in the great Northwest. Academy Award nom for animated feature film. G. Movies 12. Butterfly Effect: The trailer is about a young man (Ashton Kutcher) who time travels back to the past to fix the broken lives of a childhood girlfriend (Amy Smart) and his friends, Lenny (Eldoen Henson) and Tommy (William Lee Scott). R. Cinemark. Cat in the Hat, The: Mike Meyers stars as the outrageous feline who visits a couple of kids and wreaks havoc in the house while mom's away. With Alec Baldwin, Kelly Preston. Parents who have seen it say don't go. PG-13. Movies 12. Catch That Kid: Bart Freundlich directs this caper film about three smart kids on a mission without permission. Stars Kristen Stewart, Corbin Bleu, Max Thieriot, Jennifer Beals, Sam Robards, John Carroll Lynch and James LeGros. PG. Cinemark. Cheaper by the Dozen: Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt play the parents of 12 children, including Piper Perabo, Hilary Duff and Tom Welling. Directed by Shawn Levy. PG. Cinemark. Clockwork Orange (1971): Stanley Kubrick's compelling, violent film was banned in UK for many years. Led by a sadistic psychopath (Malcolm McDowell), a gang rapes and kills. One of the master's most unforgettable films. R. LateNite Bijou. Cold Mountain: Anthony Minghella's adaptation of Charles Frazier's Civil War best-seller stars Jude Law as a wounded Southern soldier walking home across the mountains, Nicole Kidman as his pre-war sweetheart, and Renee Zellweger as a young drifter who teaches her to farm and survive. Elegaic. Excellent performances, beautiful film. Very highest recommendations. Academy Award noms for Jude Law, Best Actor; Rene Zellwegger, Supporting Actress; cinematography; original score; two original songs; film editing. R. Cinemark. Online archives. Elf: Jon Favreau directs and Will Farrell stars as an elf who doesn't look like the other kids, er, elves. The big elf searches for his biological father (James Caan) in New York. PG. Movies 12. Fifty First Dates: Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler in a romance with a catch: she has no short-term memory recall, so she forgets him every night. Also stars Rob Schneider, Sean Astin and Dan Aykroyd. Directed by Peter Segal. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Girl With the Pearl Earring: Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth give consummate performances in this underrated, lovely film about Vermeer and the model for his famous, mysterious painting. Based on Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel. Very highest recommendations. Academy Award nom for cinematography, art direction, costume design. PG-13. Cinema World. Online archives. Gothika: Halle Berry plays a criminal psychologist who blacks out and comes to accused of murdering her husband (Charles Dutton). Now she's a patient in his hospital. Directorial debut of Mathieu Kassovitz. Also Penélope Cruz, Robert Downey Jr., Bernard Hill. R. Movies 12. Haunted Mansion: Eddie Murphy stars in Rob Minkoff's (Stuart Little) ghost comedy, with Jennifer Tilly, Don Knotts, Terence Stamp PG. Movies 12. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King: Peter Jackson completes Tolkien's trilogy on film, and the result is stunning. Stars Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett. In parallel stories Frodo and Sam make it to Mount Doom as the warriors of Middle Earth under the leadership of Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) fight the final battle against the forces of the evil Sauron. Very highest recommendations. Brilliant! Academy Award noms: Best Picture; Director, Peter Jackson; adapted screenplay; art direction; sound mixing; original score; original song; costume design; film editing; makeup; and visual effects. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives. Lost in Translation: Directed by Sofia Coppola (The Virgin Suicides), this highly acclaimed film was shot entirely on location in Japan. It stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as lonely Americans in a Tokyo hotel who become friends. With Giovanni Ribisi. Very highest recommendations. 2003 Academy Award noms: Best Picture; Best Actor, Bill Murray; Director, Sofia Coppola; original screenplay, Sofia Coppola. R. Cinema World. Online archives. Love Actually: Written and directed by Richard Curtis (Bridget Jones's Diary), this romantic comedy stars Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Martine McCuthcheon, Bill Nighy. Good fun. Highly recommended. R. Movies 12. Online archives. Love Don't Cost a Thing: Directed by Troy Beyer. Stars Nick Cannon as teenager Alvin Johnson who tries to play cool by hiring a cheerleader to act as his girlfriend. Remake of 1987's Can't Buy Me Love starring Patrick Dempsey. PG-13. Movies 12. Master and Commander The Far side of the World: Peter Weir brings the late Patrick O'Brian's best-selling nautical adventures to the screen with Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey and Paul Bettany as Dr. Stephen Maturin, ship surgeon and naturalist. Set during the Napoleonic Wars. Highest recommendations. Academy Award noms: Best Picture; Director, Peter Weir; art direction; cinematography; sound mixing; sound editing; costume design; film editing; makeup; visual effects. PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives. Miles Davis: Live in Munich (1988): LateNite Bijou. Miracle: The: 1980 US Ice Hockey team beat the greatest team in the world (the Russians) at the Olympics. Stars Kurt Russell as the coach of this inspiring tale of a sports-world miracle. PG. Cinemark. Cinema World. Mona Lisa Smile: Julia Roberts is an idealistic teacher and nonconformist at Wellesley in the 1950s. Julia Stiles, Kirsten Dunst and Maggie Gyllenhaal are her students. Mike Newell directs. PG-13. Movies 12. Monster: Patty Jenkins' feature film about real-life killer Aileen Wuornos stars Charlize Theron (Academy Award nominee) in an unforgettable performance. Theron's physical transformation not only captures Wuornos's fragile hold on human decency but also show that her tough exterior is the only buffer she has between her marginal life and an uncaring world. Co-stars Christina Ricci. Hard-to-watch violence, but outstanding. R. Bijou. Cinemark. Online archives. Mystic River: Directed by Clint Eastwood; written by Brian Helgeland, based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, this dramatic tragedy stars Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden, Laura Linney and Emmy Rossum. Very highest recommendations. Academy Award noms: Best Picture; Best Actor, Sean Penn; Supporting Actor, Tim Robbins; Supporting Actress, Marcia Gay Harden; Director, Clint Eastwood; Adapted screenplay, Brian Helgeland. R. Cinemark. Online archives. Peter Pan: Directed by P.J. Hogan, movie stars Jason Isaacs, Jeremy Sumpter, Richard Briers, Olivia Williams, Lyn Redgrave, Ludivine Sagnier and Rachel Hurd-Wood. PG. Movies 12. School of Rock: Substitute teacher and wild guitarist Jack Black turns elementary musical prodigies into a high-voltage rock band. Directed by Richard Linklater, it also stars Joan Cusack, Mike White and Sarah Silverman. PG-13. Movies 12. Stuck on You: The Farrelly Brothers direct this story of joined twins Bob (Mat Damon) and Walt (Greg Kinear). Also stars Cher, Eva Mendes, Seymour Cassel, big name cameos. PG-13. Movies 12. Timeline: Based on Michael Crichton's novel about archaeologists who travel back 600 years to rescue their teacher, trapped in 14th century France. Stars Paul Walker, Frances O'Connor, Billy Connolly, David Thewlis. PG-13. Movies 12.. Triplets of Belleville: Sylvain Chomet's animated tale features the writer, director's whimsical, skewed architecture looming over the bizarre figures, who populate his strange and wonderful story. A don't-miss gem from 2003, the film's Academy Award noms include Best Animated Film and original song. Very highest recommendations PG-13. Bijou. Online archives. Under the Tuscan Sun: Diane Lane plays writer Frances Mayes in this screen adaptation of her best selling book about buying a run-down villa in Italy and creating a new life. Escape from real life — beautiful people, gorgeous scenery, everybody's got money. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. You Got Served: In competitive street dancing, crews battle each other for money and respect. Cast includes Marques Houston, Omarion, Raz B, J Boog and Lil' Fizz. PG-13. Cinemark.
MOVIE
THEATERS Bijou
Art Cinemas Regal
Cinemas Cinemark
Theaters
NEW
RELEASES ON VIDEO |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
