 |
  |
 |
|||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||
|
Texas
History Lesson THE ALAMO: Directed by John Lee Hancock. Written by Leslie Bohem, Stephen Gaghan, John Lee Hancock. Produced by Mark Johnson, Ron Howard. Executive producers Todd Hallowell, Philip Steuer. Cinematography, Dean Semler. Production design, Michael Corenblith. Editor, Eric L. Beason. Costumes, Daniel Orlandi. Music, Carter Burwell. Starring Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Patric, Patrick Wilson, Emilio Echevarria, Jordi Molla. Touchstone Pictures. Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, 2004. PG-13. 137 minutes.
A large-scale historical film, The Alamo didn't have a chance on Easter weekend against Passion of the Christ. This deliberate, solemn evocation of the famous 1836 battle that pitted a few embattled warriors for independence against a well-equipped, armed occupation force deserves a wider viewing than it may attract. Co-writer and director John Lee Hancock grew up in the Gulf Coast Texas town where I lived in fourth grade. I heard the story of the Alamo throughout my public school education in Texas, where the study of Texas history is required. But if what you know about the battle is based on John Wayne's 1960 movie version, you may expect grandstanding, mythic heroics and jingoistic posturing. But Hancock has done his homework, and while he may have taken the gloss off the great names, he has made credible the sacrifice of their lives. Early in the story, Gen. Sam Houston (Dennis Quaid), a troubled, hard-drinking military man, sends Jim Bowie (Jason Patric) and his ragtag band of irregular soldiers, back to San Antonio de Bexar (pronounced bay-are) to tear down the Alamo before the Mexican Army led by Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (Emilio Echevarria) returns to occupy it. These guys do a lot of drinking, Bowie in particular. He swaggers about wearing the long knife that made him famous, even though he is quite ill with tuberculosis. On the other hand, Lt. Col. William Travis (Patrick Wilson) has been sent to guard the Alamo and to stand there against Santa Anna. Travis is a bit thin-lipped and definitely a dandy, which does not help him win the allegiance of Bowie's men. But as his illness takes its toll, Bowie urges his men to follow Travis, who acquits himself in their eyes in a simple act of bravery. Capt. Juan Seguin (Jordi Molla) is the leader of the Tejanos in the Alamo. He raises the moral questions about the war against the Mexicans. Tejanos are the Mexicans long settled in what eventually becomes Texas. They fought for independence from Mexico before the Anglos, called Texians, took up the cause. Travis sends Seguin to Houston with an urgent message before the attack. Now add to this mix the Tennessee legend, Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton), who enlivens all the men and gives them a hero to emulate. Crockett takes the limelight with both modesty and style, truly winning over their hearts with his fiddling. You can't watch anyone else if Thornton is on screen. This charismatic character is right for him in some endearing fashion. Unlike most reviewers, I find a lot to like in the movie. It is not an action-packed war film, and that is good in my book. Crockett understands that his actions are influential, and while he doesn't look forward to dying in the mission any more than any soldier present, he accepts his responsibility to be clear about why they are fighting and to keep up the men's morale. The film's poignancy comes from the human way the characters are portrayed. The actors' understated performances add to the emotional quality of the work for me. I don't trust heroes. The actual siege of the Alamo took place over 12 days, but on March 6, when the Mexican army advanced, the fighting was over in 90 minutes. All 189 Texian and Tejano defenders fell before Santa Anna's 2,500 men, of whom several hundred were killed. As the film shows, the fight for Texas independence was not over. Spurred on by calls to "Remember the Alamo," recruits volunteered and were sent against the remainder of the Mexican army. The decisive victory was won by Gen. Houston in the Battle of San Jacinto, where a tall monument now honors them. The Alamo, now playing in Cinema World and Cinemark, is highly recommended.
Intelligent
Entertainment WHAT THE BLEEP DO WE KNOW?: Produced, directed and written by William Arntz, Betsy Chasse and Mark Vicente. Musical composer, Christopher Franke. Starring Marlee Matlin, with Robert Bailey Jr., Barry Newman, Elaine Hendrix, Armin Shimerman. Interviews with Amit Goswami, William Tiller, John Hagelin, Fred Alan Wolf, David Albert, Stuart Hameroff, Jeffrey Satinover, Andrew Newberg, Daniel Monti, Joseph Dispenza, Candace Pert, Ramtha, Khempo Yurmed Tinly and Miceal Ledwith. Captured Light. Lord of the Wind Films, 2004. Not rated. 120 minutes.
The breakthrough film you may have heard the buzz about, What the Bleep Do We Know? offers a brand new way of thinking through questions about consciousness, intentionality and the ability to make a difference in the world. But it begins with Amanda (Marlee Matlin) asking herself basic questions, which is where we all must start. What is reality? Who am I? Who are you? What is the purpose of my life? How can I change my life? How can I affect change in the world? The answer to the last two questions: Change the way you think. But the near impossibility of altering even the simplest habit has shown most of us that mega-changes such as this are way too encompassing to take on. Right, say the experts. Ideas such as this demand a new way of looking at reality. The interviewees in this film point toward developments in quantum physics as reasons to begin to change how we think about ourselves and our world. The physicists, neurologists, anesthesiologists, physicians, molecular biologists, spiritual teachers, mystics and scholars in Bleep make a persuasive case that such a paradigm switch begins with people called the "cultural creatives," a demographic I've been writing to for 20 years, the same people who go to see films such as this. The film follows Amanda as her ordinary life begins to unravel, and she is faced with reality in flux. She is shaken by the experience of playing basketball briefly with a friendly 9-year-old boy, Reggie (Robert Bailey Jr.), who asks her, "How far down the rabbit hole of mysteriousness do you want to go?" He isn't being a smart-aleck. He really wants to know how deeply she intends to investigate other realities existing side-by-side with what we call the real world. One of the most thought-provoking concepts in the film concerns the observer. We think we share with others the common experience of observing what is around us, that we know what we think and feel about what our senses experience. We may even "know" what we'll remember about the experience. That's an example of the dominant paradigm we currently operate within. But the new science says it can't find the observer anywhere in the human body or brain. The I who observes is a function of consciousness, and the smallest form of consciousness in the body is the cell. Do we experience and communicate at the cellular level? On multiple levels of reality at the same time? And why can we look back in time but not forward? And why can't we change the past if we can change the future by our actions today? Turns out scientists and spiritual teachers are talking about the same reality or realities. And we might as well go along for the ride, because if it turns out the only reality is the one we choose to make, we better start working on ourselves and changing our world view right away. This is a fascinating and entertaining film experience. Not a boring minute in it. Highest recommendations. Starts at the Bijou this Friday, April 16.
Banff Festival of Mountain Films: Catch larger-than-life outdoor adventure films. At 7 pm on 4/17 in McDonald Theater. Advance tix through EMU, REI, Fastixx. Color Purple, The (1995): Steven Spielberg's adaptation of Alice Walker's novel set in the South during the 1920s stars Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Margaret Avery and Oprah Winfrey. First film for Goldberg and Winfrey. Great performances. Plays at 7 pm on 4/21 in 180 PLC, UO, Free. Connie and Carla: Nia Vardalos and Toni Collette observe a Mafia hit, head for LA and become drag queens until Connie meets Jeff (David Duchovny). PG-13. Cinemark. Havana Nights, Dirty Dancing: Re-telling of Dirty Dancing set in 1958 in the Cuban capital, where an American woman (Romolo Garai) and Cuban man (Diego Luna, Y Tu Mama Tambien) dance at a steamy local hot spot, La Rosa Negra, on the eve of the revolution. PG-13. Movies 12. Kill Bill 2: The Bride (Uma Thurman) pursues her next foes, Budd (Michael Madsen), Ellie Driver (Daryl Hannah) and finally, Bill (David Carradine). Bound to be bloody. R. Cinemark. Cinema World. Lessons at the End of Spring (1990): Oleg Cavun directs film set at end of Krusckchev's regime about a teenager who is detained by police. In Russian with English subtitles. At 8:45 pm in 115 Pacific, UO. Free. Love and Diane: POV Spring Special on OPB television. Chicago Tribune review: "One of the most searing, heartbreaking and ultimately triumphant mother/daughter stories ever put to film." directed by Jennifer Dworkin. Documentary airs April 21. Check local listings for time. Mystic River: Clint Eastwood directs Brian Helgeland's adaptation, based on Dennis Lehane's dramatic tragedy. Stars Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden, Laura Linney and Emmy Rossum. Very highest recommendations. 2003 Academy Awards for Penn and Robbins; nominations for picture, supporting actress Marcia Gay Harden; director Eastwood; adapted screenplay, Helgeland. R. Movies 12. Online archives. Punisher: Marvel comic book character Charles Bronson (Thomas Jane) pursues with a vengeance after his family is murdered. Also stars John Travolta and Laura Harring. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. Reckoning: Paul McGuigan directs this adaptation of Barry Unsworth's excellent Morality Play, set in medieval England. A priest in flight joins traveling players. The murder of a child sets in motion a new stage show and the solving of the crime. Stars Paul Bettany, Willem Dafoe, Brian Cox. R. Bijou. Thirteen Going On 30: Jennifer Garner goes to bed 13, wishing she were older. Wakes up 17 years later, and she is. Directed by Gary Winnick, also stars the always excellent Mark Ruffalo, Andy Serkis and Kathy Baker. PG-13. Sneak at 7 pm on 4/17 at Cinemark. Watch: Cascade Wildlands Project says, "Documentary of the Watch Mountain campaign. Familiar faces from the Warner Creek campaign." At 7 pm on 4/21 in 100 Willamette Hall, UO. Free. What the Bleep Do We Know? Through interviews with cutting-edge scientists and spiritual teachers, a brand new way of thinking about consciousness, intentionality and the ability to make a difference in the world emerges. But it begins with Amanda (Marlee Matlin). Highly recommended. NR. Bijou. See review this issue. 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. Movies 12. Films open the Friday following EW publication date unless otherwise noted. See archived reviews at www.eugeneweekly.com
CONTINUING: Agent Cody Banks 2 Destination London: Frankie Muniz returns as spy Cody Banks, this time he's undercover in London as a student at an elite boarding school. PG. Movies 12. Alamo, The: The famous 13-day battle of 1836 in a San Antonio mission pitted 200 men against an overwhelming Mexican army. Stars Patrick Wilson, Jason Patric, Billy Bob Thornton, Dennis Quaid and Emilio Echevarria. Directed by John Lee Hancock as understated drama. Highly recommended. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. See review this issue. 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. Movies 12. Battle Royale: Super-violent Japanese thriller is "arguably the most extreme and controversial film" of its kind. About a deadly game played by deadly serious kids. NR. LateNite Bijou. 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. Movies 12. Online archives. 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. Movies 12. 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. Movies 12. Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen: Stars Lindsay Lohan (Freaky Friday). Welsh director Sara Sugarman's first movie. PG. Movies 12. Ella Enchanted: Anne Hathaway is a perfectly obedient girl. She does what she's told, literally. Based on Newberry-winning novel. PG. Cinemark. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Highly acclaimed film directed by Michel Gondry from screenplay by Charlie Kaufman (Adaptation). Stars Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, with Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Kirsten Dunst. Carrey discovers Winslet had memories of their relationship erased. Now he wants to do the same. Or does he? The best new film of '04. Very highest recommendations. R. Cinema World. Online archives. Girl Next Door, The: Emile Hirsch and Elisha Cuthbert (Kim Bauer of "24") star in Luke Greenfield's teen comedy, romance. R. Cinemark. Cinema World. Hellboy: Based on Mike Mignola's Dark Horse Comics series, this supernatural action adventure stars Ron Perlman, John Hut, Selma Blain and Doug Jones and is directed by Guillermo del Toro. Highly entertaining, sweet film. Don't be afraid; see it. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives. Home on the Range: Disney animated feature features voices by Roseanne Barr, Judi Dench, Jennifer Tilly, Cuba Gooding Jr., Randy Quaid, Steve Buscemi, Carole Cook and Governor Ann Richards., while singing comes from k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt, Tim McGraw and The Beau Sisters. PG. Cinemark. Jersey Girl: Written and directed by Kevin Smith, film's about a music publicist (Ben Affleck) trying to balance work and fatherhood as a single parent. Also stars Jennifer Lopes, George Carlin, Liv Tyler, Jason Biggs. Raquel Castro is his independent daughter. PG-13. Cinemark. Johnson Family Vacation: Cedric the Entertainer takes his family on a cross-country trek to the annual family reunion, and boy, do things go wrong. Comedy also stars Vanessa Williams, Bow Wow, Solange Knowles. PG-13. Cinemark. Ladykillers, The: Based on the 1955 British comedy starring Peter Sellers and Alec Guiness, Ethan and Joel Coen's adaptation stars Tom Hanks and Marlon Wayons. When these bank robbers move into "no hip-hop" house of a Southern church-going woman, anything goes. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King: Peter Jackson's stunning work stars Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett. Frodo and Sam make it to Mount Doom as Aragorn leads the warriors of Middle Earth in the final battle against Sauron. 2003 Academy Award sweeps for Best Picture; Director, Peter Jackson; adapted screenplay; art direction; sound mixing; original score; original song; costume design; film editing; makeup; and visual effects. Very highest recommendations. Movies 12. Online archives. Master and Commander The Far side of the World: Peter Weir brings Patrick O'Brian's best-selling nautical adventures during the Napoleonic era to the screen, with Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey and Paul Bettany as Dr. Stephen Maturin, ship surgeon and naturalist. Very highest recommendations. Academy Awards for cinematography, sound editing; nominated for picture; director; art direction; sound mixing; costume design; film editing; makeup; visual effects. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Passion of Christ, The (2004): Mel Gibson film opens amid charges (denied) of anti-Semitism. A..O. Scott of The New York Times writes, "'The Passion of the Christ' is so relentlessly focused on the savagery of Jesus' final hours that this film seems to arise less from love than from wrath, and to succeed more in assaulting the spirit than in uplifting it." Others call the graphic torture unwatchable. R. Cinemark. Prince and Me, The: Stars Julia Stiles, Luke Mably. She's a pre-med student. He's the Crown Prince of Denmark. Also stars James Fox and Miranda Richardson. PG. Cinemark. Scooby Doo 2 Monsters Unleashed: Some scary action, rude humor and language. PG. Cinemark. Spartan: Written and directed by David Mamet, thriller stars Val Kilmer as an unquestioning, secret ops investigator partnered with a new guy (Derek Luke). They're searching for the president's kidnapped daughter (Kristen Bell ) and must evade corrupt functionaries (Ed O'Neill, William H. Macy). R. Movies 12. Online archives. Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation (2003): Highlights of this year's festival and goodies from the past. Adults only. Bijou. Walking Tall: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson returns home after military career to find his hometown overrun with crime, drugs and violence. He's elected sheriff to shut down his former rival's criminal biz. Directed by Kevin Bray. PG-13. Cinemark. Whole Ten Yards, The: Bruce Willis, Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet and Natsha Henstridge star in this comedy sequel. Willis is a retired hitman living the life of a happy homemaker until Mafioso mayhem ensues. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.
MOVIE
THEATERS Bijou
Art Cinemas Regal
Cinemas Cinemark
Theaters
NEW
RELEASES ON VIDEO Casas de los Babys (2003): John Sayles' ensemble piece about six American women in a South American motel waiting for babies to adopt. Stars Lili Taylor, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Daryl Hannah, Marcia Gay Harden, Susan Lynch, Mary Steenburgen, Rita Moreno. The New York Times says it's "rooted in Mr. Sayles's profound awareness of the degree to which the personal is political in everyone's lives, and the ways in which money, class and ethnicity shape our points of view." R. Fool for Love (1985): Sam Shepard's vivid play brought to the screen by director Robert Altman is one of my favorite films of the era. Stars Shepard and Kim Basinger, with Randy Quaid and the unforgettable Harry Dean Stanton. DVD extras include an interview with Altman. R. Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984): Stars Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach and the late Linda McCartney. Haunted Mansion: Eddie Murphy stars in Rob Minkoff's (Stuart Little) ghost comedy, with Jennifer Tilly, Don Knotts, Terence Stamp PG. Kill Bill 1: Quentin Tarantino's first of two films stars Uma Thurman as a woman with a mission: Kill Bill (David Carradine), the former boss who betrayed her. With Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah, LaTanya Richardson, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Madsen and Samuel L. Jackson. R. Master and Commander: See movie clips. Next week: Big Fish, The Cooler, Ghosts of the Abyss, Love Actually, Love Don't Cost a Thing, Osama, The Statement, Stuck on You, Timeline and Twist and Shout: Zappa. |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
