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Venetian
Realism THE MERCHANT OF VENICE: Written and directed by Michael Radford. Produced by Cary Brokaw, Barry Navidi, Jason Piette, Michael Lionello Cowen. Executive producers: Manfred Wilde, Michael Hammer, Peter James, James Simpson, Alex Marshall, Robert Jones. Cinematography, Benoit Delhomme. Production design, Bruno Rubeo. Editor, Lucia Zucchetti. Music, Jocelyn Pook. Costumes, Sammy Sheldon. Starring Al Pacino, Joseph Fiennes, Jeremy Irons and Lynn Collins, with Zuleikha Robinson and Charlie Cox. Sony Pictures Classics, 2004. R. 127 minutes.
Not one of Shakespeare's more upbeat plays, The Merchant of Venice shows in some detail the unpleasant life of Venetian Jews at the end of the 16th century — spat upon, publicly denounced, beaten and ghettoized by the city's Christian population. Moneylending for profit was a dirty job fulfilled only by the Jews, as Christians were forbidden to charge interest on loans. One of the ghetto's (called a geto in the parlance of the time) most dependable and wealthy lenders was Shylock (Al Pacino), a proud man who despised his ill treatment by a certain shipping merchant, Antonio (Jeremy Irons). Uneasy interactions between these men fuel the movie's early conflicts. Further complications include the growing relationship between Bassanio (Joseph Fiennes), Antonio's beloved friend, and Portia (Lynn Collins), a gracious, wealthy, young woman whose successful suitor must pass a test designed by her late father. To woo Portia, Bassanio needs money but hasn't any. He asks to borrow 3,000 ducats from Antonio, whose practice of lending money free of charge has hurt Jewish moneylenders such as Shylock. But Antonio must borrow the sum from his nemesis. Without interest, Shylock says. Unless, of course, the loan is not repaid in time. In the case of forfeiture, Shylock demands a pound of Antonio's flesh. Agreed. A third relationship puts additional pressure on Shylock. His spirited daughter Jessica (Zuleikha Robinson) elopes with Bassanio's friend, Lorenzo (Charlie Cox), taking not only her personal effects but also her father's money. Jessica moves in with Portia on the family estate Portia has inherited. Once all the players are introduced, and the initial dramas have been enacted, the audience is left with a rich tapestry of life akin to our own in many ways: chaotic, busy, racist, envious. The film's editing, cinematography, production design, music and costumes conspire to create a realistic picture of a time when bathing was not a routine matter and one was never far from the filth of the streets. Shylock's tragedy arises from within him as well as without. He is a product of his time, only incidentally a representative of a larger group. Likewise the play's poisonous anti-Semitism is both generic and personal, while Pacino's reading of Shylock is one of deftly nuanced pain and revenge. Pacino recent portrayals of characters as different as Shylock and Roy Cohn (Angels in America) have little in common but the force of the men's personalities, which includes a form of madness. Cohn's insistent demand that his terminal illness be called "liver cancer" rather than HIV sets him up for a lonely death. And when Shylock militantly repeats "I will have my bond" so many times it becomes a rigid denial of the possibility of change, he sets the scene for his own destruction. The sexual ambiguity of Antonio and Bassanio's relationship may have been more acceptable to Shakespeare's audience than to some of today's moviegoers, nursed by a peculiarly American puritanism. Irons is a magnificent Antonio, a man weakened by loss and love, brought to the court as a criminal and threatened by his death. Like Shylock, Antonio is brought low by pride. And while he redeems himself in some ways, Antonio, too, remains a tragic figure for giving Bassanio bad advice. Fiennes as the love-besotted Bassanio works within a smaller range than his role as the title character in Shakespeare in Love, but he is a natural with the words of the bard. He speech is so easy that you never hear it as "Shakespearean." Also, Bassanio is a sexy lover with Portia, and she with him. They make a persuasive couple. For her part, English actress Collins makes the empowered Portia a feminine woman at ease with power, comfortable in the presence of men, and more clever than they by half. Portia is a lively heroine and a model for our time, balancing forgiveness and fairness in judgment. Not as light-hearted a romance as Trevor Nunn's production for Public Broadcasting a few years ago, Michael Radford's film stands on its own strength as a naturalistic production well worth your viewing time. Now playing at the Bijou, it's highly recommended.
A
Mechanical Universe ROBOTS: Directed by Chris Wedge. Co-directed by Carlos Saldhana. Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel. Based on a story by Ron Mita, JimMcClain, David Lindsay-Abaire. Produced by Jerry Davis, John C. Donkin, William Joyce. Executive producer Christopher Meledandri. Editor, John Carnochan. Production design, William Joyce. Music, John Powell. Music supervisor, Becky Mancuso-Winding. Voiced by Ewan McGregor, Halle Berry, Greg Kinnear, Mel Brooks, Drew Carey, Jim Broadbent, Amanda Bynes, Robin Williams. With Stanley Tucci, Jennifer Coolidge, Paul Giamatti and Diane Wiest. Cameos by Jay Leno, Dan Hedaya, James Earl Jones, Al Roker, Stephen Tobolowsky and Terry Bradshaw. 20th Century Fox, 2005. PG. 82 minutes.
Here's a nifty little hour-and-a-half jaunt through a weirdly wonderful habitat for mechanical people of every stripe and fashion. The film's major conflict is between those bots who recycle and reuse old bots' parts and those who want to mandate "upgrades" and conformity and toss worn out bots on the trash heap. (Doesn't this sound like the world your computer inhabits?) Inventive imagination is present in every aspect of life in this richly populated robot world, from tiny details to a sci-fi, vertical cityscape reminiscent of Luc Besson's New York of 50 years from now in The Fifth Element (1996), where traffic jams are three layers deep. Country boy Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor) comes to Robot City to meet the great Bigweld (Mel Brooks), an eccentric inventor greatly loved by the city's ordinary bots. Rodney has invented a helpful, highly adaptive robotic creature he wants Bigweld to see. But first Rodney must catch a train, then deal with CROSSTOWN TRAFFIC!!! Rodney sets out with Fender (Robin Williams), who literally falls to pieces from time to time. Their joyride across the city is delightful, with upside-downers, whirly gigs, roundabouts, sling shots, the eye of the needle and other twisty-turns. The ride reminded me of the zany electric train sequence in an early Wallace and Gromit movie — true slapstick, cinematic to a tee, and tons of frightful fun. Through Fender, Rodney meets the gang: Piper (Amanda Byne), Fender's tomboy sister with pigtails; Crank Casey (Drew Carey), the pessimist; the big Lug (Harland Williams); and Diesel, who's looking for a voice box. They live in a boarding house run by Aunt Fanny (Jennifer Coolidge), so named for her big bottom. Later Rodney meets Bigweld, who fancies Aunt Fanny and refers to his own "round titanium tuchis." These robots are a fun-loving bunch. Then there's the evil corporate spokesrobot and head honcho, Ratchet (Greg Kinnear) and Ratchet's mother, Madame Gasket (Jim Broadbent), who runs the Chop Shop. (Ratchet's dad dangles from the shop rafters in chains.) Together mother and son plan to do away with Bigweld and force the company to stop making spare parts. Then all robots will have to upgrade to the newer models they produce or be treated like scrap metal and scraped off the street. Rodney's love interest is centered on Cappy (Halle Berry), an employee of the corporation. She tries to help Rodney find Bigweld. While she is a sleek, slender-bodied bot, Cappy's also got heart. OK, you've seen this movie before. Several times. But, listen, these bots are cute, creative and smart. They appeal because we sense that we used to know how to fix things, back before we became a throw-away culture. And we valued independence and spirit long before we demanded ever more pricey, brand-label underwear, for god's sake. And one of their best attributes: They don't moralize or preach. I don't write reviews for kids, but this might actually be a movie for the whole family — not too much toilet humor for discerning grown-ups but enough to satisfy the kids. Frankly, there's something really endearing about these pieced-together, talking tin cans, something comforting and safe. Good companions in my book. Robots is now playing at Cinemark and Cinema World. My warmest recommendations.
OPENING
OR RETURNING: Andy Warhol: The first major film profile after the artist's death in 1987, this documentary covers Warhol's life and work through interviews, film clips and conversations with family and superstar friends. Born to Czech immigrant parents and raised in Pittsburg, Warhol's career spanned painting, filmmaking, publishing, rock music and television. A major exhibit of his work is now on exhibit at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art on UO campus through the end of the month. Plays at 8 pm on 3/18 at DIVA. Free. Closer: Director Mike Nichols (Angels in America) looks at the relationships of four strangers, played by Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen. Outstanding performances by all four make this a film not to be missed. Shows the anger, resentment and folly that result from such high-voltage matters as fidelity, sexuality and relationship. Ignore the negatives and see it. Very highest recommendations. One of 2004's top movies. R. Movies 12. Online archives. Coach Carter: Based on a true story. Samuel L. Jackson stars as a basketball coach in a Richmond, CA high school. His tough-love ethic requires players to keep up their grades and dress right. He makes national news when he benches the whole team for poor academic performance. Directed by Thomas Carter (Save the Last Dance). PG-13. Movies 12. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: Director Terry Gilliam works his movie madness on the already over-the-top Hunter S. Thompson chronicle about Thompson's coverage of a drug enforcement conference in the neon wasteland of Las Vegas while stoned on a passel of illicit drugs. Stars Johnny Depp as the late gonzo journalist himself and Benicio Del Toro as his wiped out lawyer; with Christina Ricci and Gary Busey. Highly recommended for the not faint-hearted. R. LateNite Bijou. Hotel Rwanda: During the Rwandan massacres of 1994, a hotel manager named Paul Rusesabagina offered refuge to more than 1,000 Tutsis fleeing rampaging Hutus. Directed by Terry George, film stars Don Cheadle, with co-stars Sophie Okonedo, Joaquin Phoenix, Nick Nolte. Three 2004 Academy Award nominations: Cheadle, best actor; Okendo, supporting actress; original screenplay. Very highest recommendations. One week only. PG-13. Bijou. Online archives. Ice Princess: Fantasy about a smart high-school student who must choose between a career in physics (and a chance to go to Harvard) and a career as an ice skater. Hmm. Stars Michelle Trachtenberg as Casey, Joan Cusack as her mother, and Kim Cattrall ("Sex and the City") as a former ice skater. G. Cinema World. Cinemark. Imaginary Heroes: Despite excellent performances by Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Daniels and Emile Hersh, LA Weekly critic Ernest Hardy says he can't tell if Dan Harris's first film is a family drama, slapstick, or an angst-ridden coming of age movie. Maybe you can. R. Bijou. Pi (1988): Darren Aronofsky's directorial debut about an obsessed New York mathematician who gets really bad migraines, this unorthodox black-and-white film will not appeal to everyone, definitely not to migraine sufferers. But if you like surprising, chaotic, experimental cinema, this one's for you. R. Plays at 6 pm on 3/20 at DIVA. Discussion led by Henry Weintraub follows. Free. Racing Stripes: A farmer (Bruce Greenwood) and his daughter (Hayden Panettiere raise a baby zebra to become a champion racer. Live action, computer animation. Voices: Frankie Muniz, Dustin Hoffman, Whoopi Goldberg, Snoop Dogg. PG. Movies 12. Rhythm from the Wreckage: Adventures in Vidsonic Art: A celebration of ghost frequencies that emerge from malfunctioning technology, these new sounds from broken electronics provide a live score for video compositions. Sound artists present. At 8 pm on 3/19 at DIVA. $2-$5. Ring 2: Sequel to Gore Verbinski's remake of Hideo Nakata's 1998 Japanese horror film is directed by Nakata this time. Naomi Watts stars again, seeking the truth behind a videotape that kills people who watch it. Rated PG-13 for violence/terror, disturbing images, thematic elements and language. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Search for the Ultimate Survivor: Scientists discover that parallel experiments in human evolution gave rise to diverse human forms, from giants to "hobbits." Two-hour special takes cable TV viewers on a seven million-year journey around the globe. Plays at 9 pm on 3/20 on National Geographic Channel. Films open the Friday following EW publication date unless otherwise noted. See archived reviews at www.eugeneweekly.com
CONTINUING: Aviator, The: Martin Scorsese's 169-minute film about lover, aviation pioneer and eccentric billionaire industrialist Howard Hughes stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Hughes, with Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, Alan Alda, Frances Conroy and Ian Holm. DiCaprio is brilliant in the role, and Scorsese makes the film his own. One of the best films of the year. Very highest recommendations. 2004 Academy Awardds to Blaschett, Supporting Actress; art direction; Robert Richardson, cinematography; Sandy Powell, costumes; Thelma Schoonmaker, editor. PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives. Be Cool: Picks up where Get Shorty leaves off. Chili Palmer (John Travolta) quits the movie industry to try the music industry and woos a music exec's widow (Uma Thurman) on the way. PG13. Cinemark. Because of Winn-Dixie: A lonely child adopts an orphaned dog she names Winn-Dixie, who helps her make friends in a small town in Florida. Directed by Wayne Wang, film stars Jeff Daniels, Dave Matthews, Cicely Tyson, Eva Marie Saint and AnnaSophia Robb. PG. Movies 12. Constantine: Stars Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LeBeouf, Tilda Swinton, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Djimon Hounsou and Peter Stormare. An epic set in a world of demons and angels. Hmmm. Based on comic, Hellblazer. R. Cinemark. Cursed: Wes Craven's twist on classic monster fables stars Christina Ricci, Joshua Jackson, Judy Greer, Portia de Ross. Gaining supernatural powers after a near-accident, a brother and sister face a heavy price and ancient omens make their way into the modern world. R. Cinemark. Dark Crystal, The (1982): Sci-fi animated fantasy set on another planet at another time was created and directed by the late Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets; co-director, Frank Oz. PG. LateNite Bijou. Hitch: Will Smith stars in this romantic comedy as a New York "date doctor" who helps hapless men woo the women of the their dreams. Costars Kevin James, Amber Valletta, Eva Mendes, Michael Rappaport and Adam Arkin. Directed by Andy Tennant. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Hostage: Former LAPD hostage-negotiator Bruce Willis moves his family to a low-crime town in Ventura County where criminal teenagers hold them hostage, and he must take over the crime scene investigation. A film by Florent Siri. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. House of Flying Daggers, The: Zhang Yimou's martial arts film about a secret society that destroys an evil Tang Dynasty regional government. Stars Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro. Exciting, beautiful. Highest recommendations. Academy Award nomination to Zhao Xiaoding for cinematography. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. In Good Company: Written and directed by Paul Weitz (About a Boy), this comedy is about the relationship between an older man (Dennis Quaid) and his much younger boss (Topher Grace). Scarlett Johansson co-stars. Sweet comedy about workplace changes and what really matters: career or home? PG-13. Movies 12. Incredibles, The: Writer, director Brad Bird and Pixar Animation Studios create an action-adventure story set in suburbia where a former top crime fighter, Mr. Incredible, gets the call to jump back into actions. 2004 Academy Award Animated Feature. PG. Movies 12. Online archives. Jacket, The: A John Maybury twisted thriller starring Adrian Brody as a military veteran who, with the help of a sensory deprivation jacket, foresees his own death. R. Cinemark. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: The misadventures of three orphans who fall into the hands of an evil count are popular with children and adults. Jim Carrey stars, with many co-stars. Directed by Brad Silberling. PG. Movies 12. Meet the Fockers: Jay Roach follows Meet the Parents (2000) with Ben Stiller's bride and in-laws to-be Teri Polo, Robert De Niro and Blythe Danner meeting his rather eccentric parents, Dustin Hoffman and Barbara Streisand. Culture clash writ small. PG-13. Movies 12. Merchant of Venice, The: Michael Radford brings this complex Shakespeare play to film, starring Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes and Lynn Collins. Naturalistic performances by an excellent cast keep dialogue from sounding Shakespearean, while not skimping on the Bard's intention. Well worth your viewing time. R. Bijou. See review this issue. Million Dollar Baby: Clint Eastwood, who directed, produced and composed the music for this film, co-stars with Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman in this story of a spunky fighter, a reluctant trainer and an ex-boxer who looks after the gym. One of 2004's best films. Very highest recommendations. 2004 Academy Awards for best picture, Eastwood director, Swank actress, Freeman supporting actor. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives. National Treasure: Directed by Jon Turteltub and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, adventure stars Nicolas Cage searching for treasure George Washington hid during the Revolutionary War. Sean Bean plays his British rival who's anxious to score the treasure first. PG. Movies 12. Ocean's Twelve: Director Steven Soderbergh returns with the gang: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Andy Garcia, Julia Roberts and newby Catherine Zeta-Jones. Highly recommended for its unabashedly confident entertainment value. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Pacifier, The: Disgraced Navy SEAL Shane Wolf (Vin Diesel) is given a new assignment to protect 5 kids from enemies of their recently deceased father – a government scientist whose top secret experiment is still in the house. Thriller? Drama? Tear-jerker? Nope, it's a comedy. PG. Cinemark. Cinema World. Robots: Animator Chris Wedge's (Ice Age) amusing tale of a robot lad who dreams of being an inventor. This creative world of mechanical beings is never dull because these endearing, pieced-together, talking tin cans convey comfort and safety. Voices by Ewan McGregor, Halle Berry, Robin Williams, Mel Brooks, Amanda Bynes, Stanley Tucci, Greg Kinnear. Not preachy, but a good teaching tale about differences. Warmly recommended. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark. See review this issue. Sea Inside, The (Spain, 2004): Alejandro Amenábar's acclaimed film about the life of Ramón Sampedro (Javier Bardem) is one of 2004's best films. We meet the man himself, his intellect unimpaired and his observational powers honed to a fine edge despite being unable to move his limbs. We meet the women who love him, and we butt up against Ramón's unwavering desire to die with dignity. Lovely, elegaic film. Very highest recommendations. 2004 Academy Award Best Foreign Language Film. R. Bijou. Online archives. Sideways: Alexander Payne's social comedy follows two guys on a bachelor week in California wine country. Great performances by Paul Giamatti (American Splendor) and Thomas Haden Church ("Wings") sweetens the tale, as do Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh. One of the best films of the year. Don't miss. 2004 Academy Award to Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor for adapted screenplay. R. Cinemark. Online archives. Son of Mask: Family comedy stars Jamie Kennedy as father of a new son, Lavey, who is born with the supernatural powers of The Mask. Throw in a jealous family dog, and the mischievous Norse god Loki, and you've got trouble. Crude and suggestive humor and language. PG. Movies 12. Spanglish: James L. Brooks's comedy/drama stars Adam Sandler, Tea Leoni, Anne Bancroft and Paz Vega. A non-English speaking woman goes to work for an upscale LA family. PG-13. Movies 12. Wedding Date: Debra Messing, Dermot Mulroney and Jeremy Sheffield star in a romantic comedy directed by Clare Kilner. Silly but with some genuinely funny moments. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.
MOVIE
THEATERS Bijou
Art Cinemas Regal
Cinemas Cinemark
Theaters
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