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Redemption
Songs HUSTLE & FLOW: Written and directed by Craig Brewer. Produced by John Singleton, Stephanie Allain. Executive producer Dwight Williams. Cinematography, Amelia Vincent. Production design, Keith Brian Burns. Editor, Billy Fox. Costume design, Paul Simmons. Original score, Scott Bomar. Music Supervisor, Paul Stewart. Starring Terrence Howard, Anthony Anderson, Taraji P. Henson, Taryn Manning, D.J. Qualls and Ludacris. With Paula Jai Parker, Elise Neal and Isaac Hayes. MTV. Paramount Classics, 2005. R. 117 minutes. Audience Award and Cinematography Award Winner at 2005 Sundance. One of the best films of 2005, Hustle & Flow hip-hops over racial and generational borders to steal your heart. Set in the muggy summer heat of the South, the film's about the awakening of a low-rent pimp named Djay, played by the astonishing Terrence Howard. Nearing 40, Djay realizes he has squandered his dreams on the back streets of Memphis, pimping $20 whores out of the back seat of his old beater car.
Djay's got the sweet patter to talk anybody into or out of anything. The right words just slide out his mouth, with that soft, silky Southern edge that's so persuasive. He controls his women with that voice. It confuses Nola (Taryn Manning), a young white runaway he's currently pimping. It doesn't mollify Shug (Taraji Henson), a sad black woman who's pregnant and cries a lot. But Lexus (Paula Jai Parker), the beauty he's got working at a strip club, forgets herself. She sees Djay's other side, which ain't pretty. Djay bumps into Key (Anthony Anderson), an old friend from high school who's now a sound engineer, married to an ambitious businesswoman, Yevette (Elise Neal). Around the same time, Djay hears from bartender friend Arnel (Isaac Hayes) that big-time rap star Skinny Black (Ludicris) is coming back to Memphis Fourth of July. A revolutionary idea comes to Djay: He'll cut a demo tape of him putting down some authentic Memphis crunk (a regional version of hip-hop) and get the demo to Skinny. Djay knew Skinny back in the days before he got famous. Key signs on and brings in Shelby (D.J. Qualls), a white kid with a knack for knocking out the right licks from a beat machine. Everything that's truly great about the film happens during this magical time when making music and layering the sound becomes a family project. The characters take on depth and warmth. Differences arise and get resolved. Unexpectedly, it turns out everyone has something to bring to the enterprise. Hustle & Flow is a wondrously human expression of that desperate desire to make something of yourself through the music you hear deep in your bones. White writer and director Craig Brewer spent his childhood in Memphis and moved back to make his first feature film. Black producers John Singleton and Stephanie Allain went way out there to help Brewer bring this film to fruition. She sold her house, and he put $3 million of his own money into the project. Paramount Classics picked up Hustle and Flow for $9 million at Sundance. I love this reversal of fortune. Hustle & Flow deserves to be seen by the widest possible audience — to become what used to be called a "crossover" film. I wrote my master's thesis about the 1970s when white producers and studios were not making films about authentic black life. Few black directors or stars could find work in Hollywood, and even fewer technical jobs were open to blacks. Then the blaxploitation era exploded onto the screen with Shaft, Sweet Sweetback and Superfly, the big three, made by black directors. Middle-class blacks were furious that the only films getting made and shown were about gangs, pimps and whores, while white filmmakers were delighted to discover a new cash cow and copied the genre ad nauseum. Black professionals who wanted to work in the industry were screwed both ways. Hustle & Flow gives me hope. If this film finds the large black and white audiences it should, it may be seen as a film about universal expectation not exploitation. Amen. It's about damn time! See for yourself, I wrote optimistically. So if you're reading this on Thursday, get on your bike, the bus or in a car and hurry to Cinemark to catch the final day's showings. The booker for Eugene Cinemark should be ashamed to pull this widely acclaimed film after a mere two weeks. Eugene audiences deserve better. Complain to the company online, the theater manager(s) in person, and hope it gets picked up again. Great performances from Howard, Anderson, Henson and Manning are better because of Brewer's direction. Very highest recommendations.
The
Tortured Path ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW: Written and directed by Miranda July. Produced by Gina Kwon. Executive producers, Jonathan Sehring, Carolyn Kaplan, Holly Becker, Peter Carlton. Cinematography, Chuy Chavez. Editor, Andrew Dickler. Production design, Aran Mann. Costume designer, Christie Wittenborn. Composer, Mike Andrews. Starring John Hawkes and Miranda July, with Miles Thompson, Brandon Ratcliff, Carlie Westerman, Natasha Slayton, Najarra Townsend and Brad Henke. IFC Films, 2005. R. 90 minutes. Cannes 2005: Multiple awards, including Best Feature Film. Sundance 2005: Special Jury Prize. At first I thought every character in Miranda July's wistful, humorous first feature film, Me and You and Everyone We Know, was isolated, hostile, stressed-out, weird or so lacking in self-confidence as to be pitiful — even the kids. Initially the film's narrative flow feels disjointed, as if a series of character sketches or unscripted scenes were haphazardly strung together. But well before the end, I recognized the film's bumps as tentative attempts by one character and then another to bridge their essential loneliness and separation. July's deliberate structure works, and you can trust it. Jump in and go with the flow.
First off there's Christine, played by July herself. Christine is a video artist, or something like that. She sits in front of her videocam and talks to herself. Certain that the right person would recognize her talent, Christine devotes considerable energy into getting the videotape of her rambling thoughts and conjectures about art to a television producer, who professionally stonewalls such attempts. Then there's Richard (John Hawkes, who plays the sheriff's business partner in HBO's excellent "Deadwood"). Richard looks more than a little strung-out by the dissolution of his marriage, the loss of his home and his sons' apparent lack of feeling about the separation. A soul adrift, Richard's too paranoid to accept Christine's friendly overtures and too harried to be the good parent he wants to be. Richard's older boy, Peter (Miles Thompson) is a disaffected adolescent outsider who communicates only through his computer. The younger, Robby (Brandon Ratcliff), has no idea what's going on between his parents. But both boys are horrified when Richard mimes a ritual act in the front yard by washing one hand with gasoline and setting it afire. As a director, July keeps a distance from the characters, where she observes what they do but wisely refrains from asking why they do it. Clever 7-year-old Peter, for example, has picked up enough ideas about how to play in his brother's Internet chat room to get himself into a mess of trouble, none of which he comprehends. July's directorial restraint with the young actors really pays off in an awkward, intimate scene involving the brothers and two teenage girls. Parents who don't think kids are interested in sex may be shocked. Richard's strange neighbor and co-worker in the shoe department where he works, Andrew (Brad Henke), posts indecent proposals in the windows of his house to the same neighborhood girls, Rebecca (Najarra Townsend) and Heather (Natasha Slayton), who fancy themselves foxy ladies. Another neighbor, 10-year-old Sylvie (Carlie Westerman), tries to make friends with 14-year-old Peter. Failed, embarrassing but repeated attempts to make real contact with others is an unusual theme for a film, but July brings a light, playful touch to the situations. Her film doesn't bog down in depression but sees the major characters through their non-verbalized distress to a more solid sense of self. I came to love the characters, dealing with issues they're unable to articulate. The performance by Ratcliff as young Robby is particularly soulful. This unusual, lovely film is one of the surprise indie hits of 2005. So many movies are coming into theaters between now and the end of the year that wannabe blockbusters will clog the screens. It would be sad for cinema lovers if such a fine, small picture as Me and You and Everyone We Know got lost in the upcoming horse race. The film opens at the Bijou Friday, Aug. 5. See it early and often, with my very highest recommendations. You'll be glad you did.
OPENING
OR RETURNING: Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girls in 3D, The: Cayden Boyd stars as a boy whose imaginary superhero friends come to life and join him on a series of adventures. Directed by Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, Spy Kids). PG. Movies 12. Cinderella Man: Russell Crowe stars as real-life, Depression Era boxer Jim Braddock; Renee Zellwegger plays his supportive wife, Mae. Directed by Ron Howard, picture also stars Paul Giamatti. A complicated, focused and courageous fighter, Braddock not only spars in the ring but also struggles to keep his family together despite the country's widespread, crippling poverty and record unemployment. Very highest recommendations. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Dukes of Hazzard: Good ole boy cousins Seann William Scott and Johnny Knoxville are drivin' the back roads of Hazzard County with cousin Jessica Simpson. With Willie Nelson, Burt Reynolds, Joe Don Baker and Lynda Carter. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Four Bucks Ain't Bad: A program of short films from local independent filmmakers Leif Fuller, Ben Chinburg, Tyler Benjamin, Jerry McGill, Adrian Greyhavens and Henry Winetraub will be screened. $3. LateNite Bijou. Great Raid, The: John Dahl directs Benjamin Bratt, James Franco, Connie Nielsen and Joeseph Fiennes in the true story of the 6th Ranger Battalion's men who travel 30 miles behind enemy lines in 1945 to liberate more than 500 American POWs held by the Japanese in the Phlippines. R. Sneak at 7:30 pm on 8/6. Cinemark. Kiss Me Kate (1953): Adapted for the screen from Cole Porter's Broadway musical production of William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Stars dancers Bob Fosse and Ann Miller, singers Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keele. Directed by George Sidney. At 10 am on 8/5 in Shedd Recital Hall. Free. Longest Yard, The: Lots of world-class athletes from NFL players to kick-boxers and wrestlers star along with Adam Sandler, Burt Reynolds and Chris Rock in this comic tall tale of a group of diverse inmates who team up to play against their guards. PG-13. Movies 12. Me and You and Everyone We Know: Strange-in-a-good-way film by installation artist Miranda July. July stars with John Hawkes, Miles Thompson and Brandon Ratcliff in roles where first one character and then another makes tentative attempts to connect with another person and ease their essential loneliness and separation. One of the year's most interesting film. Very highest recommendations. R. Bijou. See review this issue. Panama Hattie (1942): Screen adaptation of Cole Porter's Broadway musical stars Ann Sothern, Red Skelton, Lena Horne (in her second film), Viginia O'Brien, directed by an uncredited Vincent Minnelli; Norman McLeod is director of record. At 10 am on 8/11 in Shedd Recital Hall. Free. Ryan: Animated tribute to Canadian animator Ryan Larken, documentary is directed by Chris Landreth. Discussion follows. At 6 pm on 8/7 in DIVA. Free. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants: Four young women who've been friends since childhood are now going their different ways. They wonder how they'll stay in touch until they discover a pair of jeans that fit each of them perfectly. Stars America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel and Amber Tamblyn. PG. Movies 12. Star Wars: In 1977, George Lucas's first film in the Star Wars franchise hit theaters, and the film industry has never been the same. Stars Mark Hammill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford. At 9 pm on 8/5 in Washington Park. Free. Top Gun: Tom Cruise plays a bad-boy Navy flight jockey in Tony Scott's 1986 film, which also stars Kellie McGillis, Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer, Tim Robbins, Tom Skerrit and Meg Ryan. PG. At midnight on 8/5 & 8/6. Movies 12. Wattstax: Legendary 1973 concert film with Isaac Hayes, Staple Singers, Richard Pryor, Albert King, Rufus and Carla Thomas and Jesse Jackson. Newly restored, digitally remixed, film captures a peak moment when the "black is beautiful," African American, Los Angeles community came together to celebrate its hope for the future. At 11 pm on 8/9, "P.O.V." on OPB, cable channel 10.
CONTINUING: Bad News Bears: New take on 1976 comedy of same name about a grizzled former minor league baseball player recruited to coach inept Little League team to a championship. Directed by Richard Linklater (Before Sunset), film stars Billy Bob Thornton, Greg Kinnear and Marcia Gay Harden. PG-13. Cinemark. Batman Begins: Christopher Nolan (Insomnia, Memento) directs an all star cast to bring you the story of how young Bruce Wayne (Christopher Hale) becomes the Dark Knight. Also stars Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and Katie Holmes. PG13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Tim Burton's reimagining of Roald Dahl's perennial children's favorite dark chocolate treat stars Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka with Freddie Highmore, his child co-star from Finding Neverland, along with Helen Bonham Carter. Loved it! Highest recommendations. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives. Devil's Rejects, The: Reunion of the homicidal members of the Firefly family (from House of 1000 Corpses) directed by musician Rob Zombie. Stars William Forsythe, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie, Sid Haig. Traditional horror, macabre humor and suspense. R. Cinemark. Fantastic Four: Marvel Comic's superheroes, transformed by cosmic rays while on an outer space mission, battle the evil powers of Doctor Doom. Directed by Tim Story, movie stars Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffudd, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Julian McMahon. PG-13. Cinemark. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Irreverent sci-fi comedy based on the late Douglas Adams' cult novel follows the adventures in space of the most ordinary man in the world, Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) and his best friend (Mos Def). Directed by Garth Jennings, film also stars Sam Rockwell, Zooey Deschanel, John Malkovich, Warwick Davis, Helen Mirren, Thomas Lennon, Anna Chancellor, Alan Rickman and Bill Nighy; with Stephen Fry as the narrator. Great fun! PG. Movies 12. Online archives. Hustle & Flow: Starring the astonishing Terrence Howard (Crash, Ray) as a Memphis pimp with a conscience who becomes a rapper, this indie film written and directed by newcomer Craig Brewer was a big ($9 million) hit at 2005 Sundance. Howard, Anthony Anderson, Taraji P. Henson and Taryn Manning give great performances, with support from Isaac Hayes, Paula Jai Parker and Ludacris. One of 2005's best films. Pulled after only two weeks, which is a crime. Very highest recommendations. R. Only through Thursday 8/4. Cinemark. See review this issue. Island, The: Michael Bay directs Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johanson in an action thriller, futuristic fable of two residents of a carefully controlled environment who discover shocking news about their reality and their fate. PG-13. Cinemark. Kicking and Screaming: Will Ferrell and Robert Duvall as rival youth soccer team coaches. Directed by Jesse Dylan, film also stars Mike Ditka and Kate Walsh. PG. Movies 12. March of the Penguins: Documentary director Luc Jacquet's film chronicles the oft-repeated survival of the species in the wind-strewn wilderness of Antarctica. Film tracks a pair of Emperor Penguins across continent. Includes intimate scenes of the big birds mating. The female lays one egg, passes it to the male and takes off for a three months round trip to the sea and food. Meanwhile, the male penguins don't eat but focus exclusively on keeping the eggs alive for the gestation period. G. Bijou. Cinemark. Monster-in-Law: Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez duke it out verbally in this comedy directed by Robert Luketic (Legally Blonde). Also stars Michael Vartan and Wanda Sykes. PG-13. Movies 12. Must Love Dogs: Directed by Gary David Goldberg, a television sitcom director, pic stars the fabulous Diane Lane as a divorcée beginning to date again. Co-stars John Cusack, Dermot Mulroney, Christopher Plummer and Elizabeth Perkins. Sure to be a popular, commercial romantic comedy. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives. Robots: Chris Wedge's 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. Movies 12. Online archives. Sahara: Penelope Cruz, Matthew McConaughey and Steve Zahn team up to look for a long-lost Civil War battleship that protects a secret cargo. PG-13. Movies 12. Sin City: Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller and directed by Miller, Robert Rodriguez (and "special guest director" Quentin Tarantino), film stars a host of players including Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Elijah Wood, Bruce Willis, Benicio Del Toro, Clive Owen and Josh Hartnett. Highly recommended for style. R. Movies 12. Online archives. Sky High: Son of superheroes The Commander (Kurt Russell) and Jetstream (Kelly Preston), poor Will (Michael Angarano) must go to Sky High, an elite high school, where he battles a nasty gym coach (Bruce Campbell), a bully, teen angst, parental expectations and girl problems. Wow! PG. Cinema World. Cinemark. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith: The long-awaited final episode in George Lucas's series stars Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman. From Village Voice reviewer Ed Halter: "Lucas packs his latest with physics-defying deep-space dogfights and zhoozhing lightsaber battles, frequently cutting back and forth between two simultaneous melees on separate planets, deploying his signature Flash Gordon wipes." PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Stealth: Commanding officer Sam Shepard orders test pilots Jamie Foxx, Josh Lucas and Jessica Biel to bring an AI-based auto-pilot onboard. Then the machine turns renegade and takes over, right, like in Kubrick's 2001. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. War of the Worlds: Directed by Steven Spielberg, this retelling of H.G. Well's seminal sci-fi adventure thriller about an invasion of Earth by Martians, as seen through the eyes of ordinary people played by Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin, Miranda Otto, and Tim Robbins. Riveting, challenging and moving; very highest recommendations. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives. Wedding Crashers: Hyper pranksters Owen Wilson and Vince Vaghn star in this throwback to a rowdier time in movies. Things go well for the boys until they meet up with Rachel McAdams and Isla Fisher and their parents, Christopher Walken and Jane Seymour. R. Cinemark. Cinema World. Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, The: Nonfiction narrative feature film about a flock of wild parrots who co-exist with native species to make San Francisco's waterfront and gardens their territory. Mark Bittner is the gentle, observant man who feeds, cares for and studies the birds. Judy Irving is the filmmaker. Outstanding film, with very highest recommendations. PG. Bijou. Online archives.
MOVIE
THEATERS Bijou
Art Cinemas Regal
Cinemas Cinemark
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