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Two
Years Later SPIDER MAN 2: Directed by Sam Raimi. Written by Alvin Sargent, based on screen story by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Michael Chabon. Based on Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee, Steve Ditko. Produced by Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad. Executive producers, Joseph M. Carraciolo, Stan Lee, Kevin Feige. Cinematography, Bill Pope. Production design, Neil Spisak. Editor, Bob Murawski. Visual effects designer, John Dykstra. Costumes, James Acheson, Gary Jones. Music, Danny Elfman. Starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, with James Franco, Alfred Molina and Rosemary Harris. With Donna Murphy, J.K. Simmons, Dylan Baker, Bill Nunn, Willem Dafoe. Columbia Pictures, 2004. PG-13. 110 minutes.
In Spider-Man 2's opening credits, the splintered screen reveals some of the original Marvel Comics drawings by Steve Ditko, CGI characters from the movies, and a photo of Kirsten Dunst, who plays Mary Jane Watson. I would have liked a photo of Tobey Maguire as well, because if Dunst is the heart of the film, he's the soul. Maguire brings a sensitive, inward-looking thoughtfulness to the character of Peter Parker, showing him to be vulnerable, confused, guilty and mildly depressed — a condition heroes are rarely allowed to exhibit. Maguire and Dunst raise the film out of its genre, making it a story of human conflict — duty to others? or duty to self? While the questions are particularly apt for Spidey's generation at this time in our history, the choice between doing good in the world and the real need for personal happiness and love is a conflict between responsibilities, which underlies difficult choices at different times in our lives. The powerful image of Spider-Man's costume half-in and half-out of a garbage speaks to the wish for an easy fix. Dunst endows MJ with a strong inner compass that she follows, which allows her to express her feelings, even when they make her uncomfortable. MJ spends a lot of time dithering about Peter, as if she were plucking flower petals — he loves me, he loves me not. But when Mary Jane knows her true mind, she acts on it, and through her certainty Peter finds his own. Character development and the love story are set in a reality recognizable as our own, sort of. But surrounding this island of daily life — going to work in a pizza shop, dodging the rent 'til payday, taking care of Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) — is the vaster universe of super-heroes and super-villains. Peter dons a homemade, weblike costume and assumes supernatural strength. Then he flies around, stopping bad people from doing worse things. But despite his good intentions, Spider-Man cannot halt deranged scientist, Dr. Octavius (Alfred Molina), from building a doomsday fusion device. Nor can he stop Peter's friend, Harry Osborn (James Franco), from wanting to kill whoever killed his late father, Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe), aka the Green Goblin. Peter's relationship with Harry is tough, because Spidey knows who did it but won't say. Once the fantastical takes over the story, I have to work extra hard not to just check out. Unless, that is, the new reality is more compelling than ordinary life — as is the case with the best film of 2004 so far, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. But in comic book villainy, the bad guys are so unrelentingly evil they're uninteresting. Not so with Dr. Octavius, whose mind has been hijacked by the four tentacle-like arms attached to his body. The doctor was in love with his wife, Rosalie (Donna Murphy), who is killed through his actions, and the monster he becomes still holds a vague memory of her, a vulnerability through which he may be turned from evil. Meanwhile, he kills and destroys with abandon. It's the film's use of graphic brutality and senseless fury that keeps me from wholly endorsing Spider-Man 2. The mayhem struck me wrong. It was too real, and I couldn't file it away as comic book action. What does such violence accomplish except to numb us to real suffering? Spider-Man 2, now playing at Cinemark and Cinema World, attracts and repels. Most of it is quite wonderful, but the ultra-violence is obnoxious.
Three
Films For the second year, a series of international films and videos will be shown at the McDonald Theatre for five days in July. This year, the Archaeology Channel presents films from 19 countries. The jury selected these 19 films on ancient cultures, archaeology and indigenous peoples to be shown from Tuesday, July 13 through Saturday, July 17 on the big screen. However, all 55 entries will be available for private viewing in the video bar in the theater lobby during the festival. Doors open at 5:45 pm daily through Friday. On Saturday, doors open at 10:15 am, and the last film plays about 4:30 pm. Prizes for best entries, as determined by jurists and audience voles, will be announced at the end of the festival. For ticket information, call 344-5572 or go to filmfest@archaeologychannel.org. Jane Waldbaum, president of the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA), is the festival's first keynote speaker. Waldman will talk about "Cultural Wars: Tales from the Trenches" on Tuesday night. Her illustrated talk is sandwiched between Guardians of Angkor and Iraq's Lost Treasure, two films that detail the looting of ancient sites and the loss and occasional recovery of treasures. David Hurst Thomas, Curator of Anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History, delivers a second keynote address, "Skull Wars Revisited," mid-afternoon Saturday. Thomas is the author of the critically acclaimed book, Skull Wars: Kennewick Man, Archaeology, and the Battle for Native American Identity.
IRAQ'S LOST TREASURE (USA) by Jason Williams. National Geographic Film and Television. 2004, 57 minutes. Plays at 8:45 pm on July 13. Shot during the days following the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the film chronicles the efforts of international archaeologists to assess the damage of major looting at the National Museum in Baghdad, restore order and search for missing treasures, including priceless solid gold artifacts discovered in the ruins at Nimrud. The Nimrud ruins, now guarded by U.S. troops, had been hit by looters, who destroyed priceless pieces of world history and culture. Important antiquities are successfully recovered, but the film highlights the uncertain future of such projects.
SASTUN: MY APPRENTICESHIP WITH A MAYA HEALER (USA, Belize) by Guido Verweyen and Eva Langsdorff. 2002. 20 minutes. Plays at 9 pm on July 15. This documentary follows the quest of American herbalist Rosita Arvigo to preserve the ancient wisdom of one of the last, great Maya shamans, Don Elijio Panti of Belize, and to protect the rain forests where healing plants grow. Arvigo's journey is circuitous, yet Don Elijio hears of her and comes to talk with her. He makes Arvigo his apprentice, secured by her promise to save his knowledge to help his people. Arvigo has attracted international attention to the plight of such plants threatened by deforestation and to bring science to bear on traditional healing plants, but much remains to be done.
KURTAL: SNAKE SPIRIT (Australia) by Nicole Ma. Australian Film Commission., 2003. 27 minutes. Plays at 1 pm on July 17. Set against the deep red of a spectacular Australian sunset, a single dancer pounds the earth rhythmically, his chant the hypnotic summoning of the snake spirit, Kurtal, who lives in the waterhole revered by his people. Spider, an 80-year-old Aboriginal elder, has brought his family across the Great Sandy Desert of Western Australia, to visit the sacred site. The family encompasses a wide age-range, from older and younger women and men, children and babies. The pilgrimage is the way for Spider, who was born at Kurtal, to pass on the ancient ceremonies to the new generation. A moving testament to the continent's original people, Kurtal shows a community that wants to keep its links to the past strong and vital. Spider's dance and the vivid paintings and colorful weavings of the people express a spiritual connection to their unique cultural history. Under the stunning visuals run the words of Spider, a man who lives in both the contemporary world and in the world invoked by the dreaming song. Kurtal is Spider's desire to share the mystery of this ancient culture with us. It's a generous, loving gift.
Afropunk: Director James Spooner delves into the tensions of race in America through the eyes of African American punk rockers in this 70-minute documentary. Following the film, musician Vince Black will lead a discussion. $2-$5. At 9 pm on 7/9 at DIVA, 110 W. Broadway. Anchorman: Subtitled "The Legend of Ron Burgundy," this comedy stars Will Ferrell as an unctuous, untalented newscaster who's a legend only in his own mind. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Archaeology Film Festival: Showing 19 juried films selected from 55 entries from July 13 through July 17 at the McDonald Theatre, including Iraq's Lost Treasure, Sastun: My Apprenticeship with a Maya Healer, and Kurtal: Snake Spirit See reviews this issue. Breakin' All the Rules: When his fiancée dumps him, Jamie Foxx writes a "how to" book on dumping, which becomes a best seller. Also with Morris Chestnut and Gabrielle Union. PG-13. Movies 12. PG-13. Flesh Gordon (1972): A little soft-core sex comedy based on the 1930s sci-fi serial, Flash Gordon. NR. LateNite Bijou. King Arthur: Excellent cast includes Clive Owen, Keira Knightley, Stellan Skarsgard, Stephen Dillane, Ray Winstone, Ioan Gruffudd. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, this revisionist history, action adventure is not your great-great grandpa's Arthurian tales. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Love Me If You Dare (Jeux d'Enfants): Childhood relationship between Sophie and Julien persists into their adult years, when they've become love-hungry but strangely unable to see their love for each other. Directed by Yann Samuell, film stars Guillaume Canet and Marion Cotillard. R. Bijou. Mean Girls: Lindsay Lohan plays a high-school student raised by zoologist parents in the African bush, who falls for a popular girl's ex-boyfriend. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Mother, The: Directed by Roger Michell and written by Hanif Kureishi, movie stars Anne Reid as a suburban grandmother who gets involved with a much younger man (Daniel Reed, Sylvia), who is sleeping with her daughter (Cathryn Bradshaw). The NYTimes Stephen Holden: "Neither good nor evil, the characters are complicated, ordinary people coping as best they can with their emotional wounds and fear of the future." R. Bijou. Sleepover: Teen comedy adventure pits two rival groups of girls against each other in an all-night scavenger hunt. PG. Cinemark. Thirst: Alan Snitow and Deborah Kaufman's documentary looks at how water is becoming the catalyst for explosive community resistance to globalization. Activists claim that water is a human right, while corporations call it a commodity. On "POV" at 11 pm on 7/13 on OPB, but check listings to be sure. Films open the Friday following EW publication date unless otherwise noted. See archived reviews at www.eugeneweekly.com
CONTINUING: 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. Movies 12. Online archives. Big Lebowski, The (1997): The Coen brothers' bowling flick with a kidnapping subplot stars the marvelous Jeff Bridges, with Coen regulars John Goodman, Steve Buscemi and John Turturo as assorted bowling eccentrics. The plot is a thin excuse for a Coen brothers romp, a laugh-out loud series of mistaken identities, dream sequences and chases. With Julianne Moore, Peter Stormare. R. LateNite Bijou. Chronicles of Riddick, The: Riddick (Vin Diesel) ends up on a multicultural planet invaded by a despot planning to subjugate everyone with his non-human warriors, the Necromongers. (Named for a bad rock band?) Also stars Thandie Newton, Alexa Davalos, Colm Feore, Linus Roache and Judi Dench. PG-13. Movies 12. Day After Tomorrow, The: Directed by Roland Emmerich, starring Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, Emmy Rossum, Sela Ward. A climatologist (Quaid) tries to figure out a way to save the world from abrupt global warming. He must get to his son (Gyllenhaal) in New York, which is being taken over by a new ice age. PG-13. Movies 12. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story: Can social rejects save their small local gym from gentrification? Only director Rawson Thurber and his stars Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Christine Taylor and Rip Torn know for sure. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Ella Enchanted: Anne Hathaway is a perfectly obedient girl. She does what she's told, literally. Based on Newberry-winning novel. PG. Movies 12. Envy: Ben Stiller, Jack Black in Barry Levinson's film about kooky inventor (Black), who suddenly becomes wealthy from a spray that makes dog poop disappear. Neighbor (Stiller) grows murderously envious. Christopher Walken co-stars. PG-13. Movies 12. Fahrenheit 9/11: Winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes 2004, Michael Moore's nonfiction film is more restrained than his later films and better for it. The film is respectful, moving and informative, as well as opinionated and occasionally heavy handed. Don't miss. Highest recommendations. R. Bijou. Cinemark. Online archives. Garfield, The Movie: The poster promises "frisky business" as Garfield, the smarty pants kitty, makes his film debut. PG. Cinemark. Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban: Alfonso Cuarón directs the third film based on the series by J.K. Rowling. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), now teenagers, return to Hogwarts, where they face their darkest fears. The very best so far. Highly recommended. PG. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives. 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. See it. Movies 12. PG-13. Online archives. Hidalgo: Based on autobiography of distance rider Frank T. Hopkins, played by Viggo Mortensen, this epic action-adventure takes place during a 3,000 mile survival race across the Arabian Desert in 1890. PG-13. Movies 12. Home on the Range: Disney animated film 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. Movies 12. Kill Bill Vol. 2: The Bride (Uma Thurman) pursues her next foes, Budd (Michael Madsen), Ellie Driver (Daryl Hannah) and finally, Bill (David Carradine). Bloody. Quentin Tarantino's epic shows he makes movies that move and characters who kill, but to what end, besides his own self-gratification? R. Movies 12. Online archives. Notebook, The: Nick Cassavetes directs Gena Rowlands and James Garner, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in the screen adaptation of Nicholas Spark's best-selling romantic novel. With Sam Shepard and Joan Allen. Deserves to be seen for its depiction of real first love, with a great performance by McAdams. Recommended. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives. Scooby Doo 2 Monsters Unleashed: Some scary action, rude humor and language. PG. Movies 12. Shrek 2: Mike Myers returns as Shrek, Cameron Diaz is his new wife, Princess Fiona, and Eddie Murphy's his sidekick, Donkey. Now the newlyweds face Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews) and King Harold (John Cleese). Fairy godmother (Jennifer Saunders), Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) and the ferocious Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas). So-so sequel. Cinemark. Online archives. Spider Man 2: Peter Parker aka Spidey (Tobey Maguire) returns as a college student by day who still loves Kirsten Dunst and a superhero when needed against his new nemesis, Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina). Sam Raimi directs. Looks great! PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. See review this issue. Stepford Wives, The: Frank Oz directs Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick, Bette Midler, Christopher Walken, Faith Hill and Glenn Close in this updated comedy-thriller about a perfect, 1950s-era community in Stepford, Connecticut. PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives. Terminal: Steven Spielberg directs Tom Hanks as a tourist who has to live at Kennedy airport because his homeland disappeared in a civil war, so his passport is no good. He falls in love with Catherine Zeta-Jones, whose comic talent is wasted in a dumb-dame role, while Hanks only works part-time. Too long and too cute. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives. Two Brothers: Jean-Jacques Annaud (The Bear) directs this adventure story about the power of friendship between twin tiger cubs. Stars Guy Pearce, Jean-Claude Dreyfus and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu. PG. Cinemark. Van Helsing: Monster killer Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) teams up with Kate Beckinsale in Transylvania to bring down Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh). PG-13. Movies 12.. 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. Online archives. White Chicks: Comedy about FBI agents who go undercover as high school debutantes to investigate a kidnapping ring. Stars director Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn and Marlon Wayans. PG-13. Cinemark.
MOVIE
THEATERS Bijou
Art Cinemas Regal
Cinemas Cinemark
Theaters
NEW
RELEASES ON VIDEO Barbarian Invasions, The: Canadian writer director Denys Arcand's acclaimed 2003 film revisits the generation created for The Decline of the American Empire (1987). LA Weekly's Ella Taylor writes, "The film has the fluid rhythms, the delight in talk and food, and the nourishing intellectual richness of Renoir, Louis Malle and, in a certain mood, Bertolucci." Highest recommendations. R. Bourne Identity, The: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen and Brian Cox star in Doug Liman's character-based spy thriller based on Robert Ludlum's best seller. A man with amnesia (Matt Damon) sets out to discover who he is and why everyone wants to kill him, and along the way he discovers love (Franka Potente). A subtle skewing of the genre, it's highly recommended. PG-13. Online archives. Dreamers, The: Bernardo Bertolucci's film, set during the Paris uprising of 1968, stars Michael Pitt, Eva Green and Louis Garrel as three young cineastes who hole up in their apartment and play sex and movie games. It's a beautiful reminder that youthful dreams may not change the ways of the world, but they may forever alter the dreamers. Very highest recommendations. NC-17. Bijou. Online archives. Manchurian Candidate, The (1962): One of the few Cold War era films to survive with anything like its original punch, this John Frankenheimer political thriller sports amazing visual imagery and a taut screenplay by George Axelrod that's still shocking. Based on Richard Condon's novel about a brainwashed veteran of the Korean War (Laurence Harvey) and his buddy (Frank Sinatra). Janet Leigh is the love interest; Angela Lansbury's his criminally manipulative mother. Sinatra's best ever screen roles, Fabulous. Not rated.
Next Week: The Human Stain, Port of Shadows, Stage and Spectacle: Three Films by Jean Renoir, and Starsky and Hutch.
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