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Identity
Crisis A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Directed by David Cronenberg. Written by Josh Olson, based on the graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke. Produced by Chris Bender, JC Spink and Jake Weiner. Executive producers, Toby Emmerich, Justis Greene, Kent Alterman, Cale Boyter, Roger E. Kass and Josh Braun. Cinematography, Peter Suschitzky. Production design, Carol Spier. Editor, Ronald Sanders. Costume design, Denise Cronenberg. Music by Howard Shore. Starring Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello, with William Hurt, Ashton Holmes, Ed Harris, Stephen McHattie and Peter MacNeil. New Line Cinema, 2005. R. 97 minutes. The opening sequence in David Cronenberg's excellent, disturbing A History of Violence, begins simply enough. Two rough-looking customers of a seedy motel wake tired and surly to another morning on the road. The older man (Stephen McHattie), dressed in funereal black, is in charge; even his facial hair is menacing. He orders the younger man (Greg Bryk) up and out of bed, tells him to drive their gas-guzzler a few feet to the office while he checks out.
Cronenberg establishes the look and intention of the film in these first few minutes. The anonymity of the characters, the palpable undercurrent of malice they exude, the anywhereness of the locale — all are seen through the slightly warped close-up shots (27 mm wide lens) of violence without mercy that erupt here and leave their imprint on the viewer. In another town, a different flavor persists. A mid-20th century version of small-town, midwestern America shows in the dated storefronts on main street, the signs from earlier eras posted on the door of the diner Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) runs. Scenes at the breakfast table have introduced the Stall family: busy lawyer mom, Edie (Maria Bello), 10th-grader Jack (Ashton Holmes) and little sister Sarah (Heidi Hayes). The 15-year relationship between Edie and Tom is still sexy and loving; the kids don't fight or tease each other; finances are not an issue; the house looks lived-in but neat. You can almost smell the goodness of that kitchen — toast, coffee, cereal, milk, orange juice. The Stall's modest farmhouse sits out in the country a bit, up a drive, amid rolling hills, woods and meadows. Nothing fancy, just the American Dream. All that is about to change when the snarly good-for-nothing killers from the motel walk into Tom's café at closing time. While Tom eschews the celebrity the media forces on him as a result of his actions that night, Jack likes it. When Jack confronts his nemesis, the school bully, he is more than able to hold his own. And Edie, who grew up in the town, is proud of her husband. But the publicity surrounding the violent crime and heroic rescue brings other visitors to Tom's cafe, hard-looking men in an ominous black car with tinted windows. Carl (Ed Harris) claims to have known Tom in Philadelphia, while Tom insists it's a case of mistaken identity. Much later, the list of bad guys includes Richie (William Hurt), almost unrecognizable except for his eyes and his voice, while the positive side of the ledger includes Sheriff Sam Carney (Peter MacNeill), who reminds Edie and Tom that the town protects its own. Every performance in this outstanding, contemporary Western is worthy. Mortensen plays Tom as an easy-going guy who turns violent to protect his co-workers and family from death-crazed outsiders but then must confront his inner devils, alone. Bello is magnificent as Edie, a competent woman with a career and family who sees her whole life slipping into darkness. As Jack, Holmes turns in a rare performance as a boy who jokes his way out of confrontations but becomes a young man who discovers an attraction to violence. Harris, who has never played a villain before, is uncommonly comfortable with the role, making Carl a sympathetic, believable avenger. But in his brief screen-time, Hurt walks away with the film. In what is arguably his best-ever role, he gives a stone-cold killer a heart, sort-of. Right on the knife-sharp edge of Richie's ambiguity, Hurt reveals the depths of our cultural familiarity with violence, which Cronenberg has established in this brilliant film. We hate violence. We abhor it. But we also love it. For more than 100 years, we've eagerly watched violence in movies, with an overlapping 50 years of TV murder shows that are the most-watched programs. We are bred to it. It is like family to us. If you only see one violent movie this year, make it this one. Now playing at Cinemark, the genre doesn't get any better, or more focused, than this. Very highest recommendations for one of the best films of 2005.
Improvisational
Truth THUMBSUCKER: Written and directed by Mike Mills, based on the novel by Walter Kirn. Produced by Bob Stephenson, Anthony Bregman. Executive producers Anne Carey, Ted Hope, Cathy Schulman, Bob Yari. Cinematographer Joaquin Baca-Asay. Editors Haines Hall, Angus Wall. Music supervisor, Brian Teitzell. Original music, Time De Laughter. Music performed by The Polyphonic Spree, with additional songs by Elliot Smith. Production design, Judy Becker. Costume design, April Napier. Starring Lou Pucci, Tilda Swinton, Vincent D'Onofrio, with Vince Vaughn, Keanu Reeves, Benjamin Bratt, Kelli Garner, Chase Offerle. Sony Pictures Classics, 2005. 96 minutes. R. 2005 Sundance Special Jury Prize for Acting (Lou Pucci) and 2005 Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear for Best Actor (Lou Pucci). One of a new class of offbeat comedies, Thumbsucker was shot in and around Portland and Beaverton. While its Oregon locations shouldn't influence my affection for the film, it does. I love what I perceive to be the film's Northwest sensibilities. Filmmaker Mike Mills accepts at face-value this family of oddballs and its one "normal" member, the younger brother. Such generosity reminds me of how director Phil Morrison and writer Angus MacLachlan treat Junebug's Southern characters naturally, despite some characters' unfocused anger, confusion and regional idiosyncracies (EW 9/15).
Likewise, Thumbsucker's open attitude toward adolescent sexuality further reminds me of another recent coming-of-age movie I liked a lot, Miranda July's Me and You and Everyone We Know, (EW 8/4). Finally, the parents' lack of self-awareness, which is more or less required by the genre, almost reaches self-delusion in both films. The Cobb family lives well enough in Beaverwood, but 17-year-old Justin (Lou Pucci) still sucks his thumb. Justin's mom, Audrey (Tilda Swinton), and dad, Mike (Vincent D'Onofrio), disagree as to what should be done to fix Justin's problem. While the parents are unable to see the problems in their own relationship, they are eager for Justin to undergo therapy to escape the lure of his thumb. Both parents and Justin are oblivious to his brother, Joel (Chase Offerle), who just toodles on through life on his own. Meanwhile, Justin's New Age orthodontist, Perry Lyman (Keanu Reeves) has plans. As played by Reeves, Perry would have been right at home with Albert (Jason Schwartzman) and Tommy (Mark Wahlberg) in last year's unforgettable comedy, I Heart Huckabees (EW 10/21/04). While Albert and Tommy are relatively innocuous in their belief that they have found the true path to enlightenment, Perry brazenly uses his role as an authority figure to experiment on Justin, with hilarious results. I don't mean to imply that Thumbsucker is derivative of these other films, because this film has its own original take. Rather, I am struck by the similarity of several small films' approach to character and story. Like Huckabees, Me and You and Junebug, this film undertakes a non-ironic, comic investigation of relationship and family dynamics through quirky, flawed but benign characters. It's a forgiving sensibility I would like to see expressed more often, both in life and in the movies. Other characters who fit the description include Justin's sex-and-love interest, Rebecca (Kelli Garner), who seems older than he but is as unsure of herself. And Justin's debate coach, Mr. Geary (Vince Vaughn), is racked with self-doubt despite his intention to help Justin by putting him on the team. Finally, a television star Audrey has worshipped from afar turns up as one of her drug rehab patients. Matt Schraam (Benjamin Bratt) brings the whole celebrity thing crashing down multiple notches on the reality scale, a purpose the similarly admired sexpot Caterine Vauban (Isabelle Huppert) fulfills in Huckabees. Mills achieves Thumbsucker's look through restricting camera moves and imposing a dogma-like naturalism on the set. Extensive improvisational "rehearsals" preceded the cameras, which gives the film what the press notes call "a loose, deceptively casual style." Whatever. It works. Pucci's performance is not over-rated. As Justin, he's flexible, emotionally present and credibly grown-up by film's end. He even looks like he could be Swinton's kid. Swinton, of course, cannot give a bad performance. D'Onofrio plays an older, less malleable character in Mike. His performance is subtle, touching. Offerle is surprisingly present. But Reeves takes the cake as Perry, giving a restrained performance that is laugh-aloud funny. Thumbsucker opens Friday at the Bijou. You don't want to miss this one. Very highest.
OPENING
OR RETURNING: Archaeology Mini Film Festival: The first program includes two films: Time Team-Garden Secrets (U.K.) and Sagalassos, the Forgotten City (Belgium). Plays on 10/9 at 12 noon. $6. Bijou. 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. Movies 12. Online archives. Constant Gardener, The: Directed by Fernando Meirelles (City of God) and adapted from a John Le Carre novel, this thriller also stars the excellent Rachel Weisz and the ever masterful Ralph Fiennes, playing a career diplomat who plunges into the mystery of his wife's murder. He uncovers a world-wide pharmaceutical industry criminal conspiracy. Also stars Danny Huston, Bill Nighy. One of the best of 2005. R. Bijou. Online archives. Gospel, The: Young singer turns his back on his church but after his father's death returns to the fold. PG. Cinemark. Hustle & Flow: Starring 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 is critically regarded as one of the top films of 2005. With Anthony Anderson, Taryn Manning, Taraji Henson, Isaac Hayes, Paula Jai Parker and Ludacris. Film is a human expression of the desperate desire to make something of yourself through the music you hear deep in your bones. Great performances from Howard, Anderson, Henson and Manning are better because of Brewer's direction. Very highest recommendations. Audience and cinematography awards 2005 Sundance. R. Bijou. Online archives. In Her Shoes: Directed by Curtis Hanson. Sisters Maggie (Cameron Diaz) and Rose (Toni Collette) have little in common, but after a major break, they find their way back together with the help of a grandmother (Shirley MacLaine) they didn't know existed. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Little Women (1933): George Cukor's screen adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Civil War novel about the lives and loves of four sisters is regarded as the classic version. Stars Katherine Hepburn,, Joan ?Bennett, Paul Lukas. NR. Doors open at 6:30 on 10/8 in Lorane Grange Hall 54 in Lorane, OR. $7 tix include refreshments. Official Story, The (Argentina, 1985): Emotionally rich story of a privileged Argentinian woman (Norma Aleandro) who slowly realizes her adopted daughter may be a child of one of the country's thousands of disappeared citizens. Powerful indictment of the junta that ruled the country by fear in the 1970s. R. Plays at 7 pm on 10/12 in 180 PLC, UO. Free. Proof: John Madden directs Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Jake Gyllenhaal and Hope Davis in the story of a young woman who took care of her dying father and now must confront her own strengths and fears. PG-13. Cinema World. 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. Movies 12. Soloist, The (1988): Oleg Nikolaevskii's low-key film about an artist who takes destiny into her own hands, with reprecussions. An even-handed depiction of the currents between men and women. Plays at 7 pm on 10/12 in 115 Pacific, UO. In Russian with English subtitles. Free. Thumbsucker: Written and directed by Mike Mills, this offbeat comedy stars Lou Pucci as a 17-year old outsider who sucks his thumb. His mother (Tilda Swinton) and father (Vincent D'Onofrio) seek help. Great performances by these three supported by Keanu Reeves as boy's deadpan orthodontist and Vince Vaughn as his debate coach. You don't want to miss this one! Very highest recommendations. R. Bijou. See review this issue. Two for the Money: Naïve former college football star (Matthew McConaughey) sells his soul to work for a powerful bookie (Al Pacino). When trouble comes, push becomes shove. Rene Russo co-stars, and D. J. Caruso directs. R. Cinemark. Cinema World. Waiting: Comedy about "frustrated waiters, stingy tippers and dicey food" wants to take away your appetite. Stars Ryan Reynolds, Anna Faris and Justin Long. Duh! R. Cinemark. Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit: Nick Park's and Steve Box's outstanding creations, an eccentric inventor named Wallace and his long-suffering, silent but faithful dog, Gromit, finally reach the big screen in their first feature-length film. The mystery of a vegetable-ravaging "beast" must be solved to save the village's Giant Vegetable Competition, and our intrepid hero Wallace (voice by Peter Sallis) is just the man for the job. Lady Tottington (Helena Bonham Careter) and Victor Quartermaine (Ralph Fiennes) co-star. Most excellent, divine comedy. G. Cinema World. Cinemark. 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. Movies 12. Online archives.
CONTINUING: Aristocrats, The: Paul Provenza directs this obscene talent show where 100 comics tell the same filthy joke, an oldie from early vaudeville, in which unspeakable acts are performed. Each skit is original, while the joke remains the same. Comics include Paul Reiser, Jake Johannsen, Chevy Chase, Whoopi Goldberg, Gilbert Gottfried, Kevin Pollak, Bob Saget, Robin Williams, Erik Cartman, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman. Caution: Not for the squeamish. NR. LateNite Bijou. 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. Movies 12. Online archives. Corpse Bride, Tim Burton's: Stop-motion animated film set in a 19th century European village is voiced by Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter and Emily Watson. PG. Cinemark. Cinema World. 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. Movies 12. Online archives. Exorcism of Emily Rose, The: Scott Derrickson directs this unusual film, which incorporates horror with a compelling courtroom drama. Stars Laura Linney as an ambitious attorney, Jennifer Carpenter as a murder victim. With Tom Wilkinson, Colm Feore, Campbell Scott and Shohreh Aghdashloo. PG-13. 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. Movies 12. Flightplan: Jody Foster stars in this Brian Grazer-produced psychological thriller about a woman whose 6-year old daughter disappears without a trace mid-flight in a state-of-the-art aircraft. Directed by Robert Swenke, film also stars Peter Sarsgaard and Sean Bean. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives. Forty-Year Old Virgin: Andy Stitzer (Steve Carell) has lived a life of involuntary chastity, and his friends are determined to do something about his state. Directed by Judd Apatow, the film stars Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd and others. R. Cinemark. Online archives. Greatest Game Ever Played, The: Bill Paxton directs this story about a forgotten sports hero, an amateur golf player from a working class family, Francis Ouimet (Shia LeBeouf (Holes), who beats the world champion golfer (Stephen Dillane) in the 1913 U.S. Open. Also stars Elias Koteas, Peyton List, Peter Firth, Josh Flitter. PG. Cinemark. Cinema World. Herbie, Fully Loaded: More hijinx and shennanigans from that animated, but so unlike Christine, VW bug, Herbie as he heads to NASCAR. Starring Lindsay Lohan and Justin Long. G. Movies 12. History of Violence, A: After foiling a robbery in his small-town diner, Viggo Mortensen's quiet life with his wife and two children is plunged into a media circus, which attracts unsavory characters who claim they are from his shady past. Directed by the great David Cronenberg, the film also stars Maria Bello, William Hurt and Ed Harris. R. Cinemark. See review this issue. Into the Blue: Divers Paul Walker, Jessica Alba, Scott Caan and Ashley Scott discover a legendary shipwreck but also something more mysterious. Directed by John Stockwell, movie also stars Josh Brolin and James Frain. PG-13. Cinemark. Junebug: One of the year's best, it's a strange, sweet film about a Southern family and the prodigal son who returns to visit, with his cultured wife of six months. Going home is an humbling experience. Stars Embeth Davidtz, Alessandro Nivolla and Amy Adams. Directed by Phil Morrison, and written by Angus MacLachlan, North Carolinians who get it just right. Very highest recommendations. R. Bijou. Online archives. Just Like Heaven: Romantic comedy starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo is set in San Francisco, where both claim a charming apartment is theirs alone. When she discovers she can walk through walls, they determine to solve the mystery. Directed by Mark Waters (Mean Girls, Freaky Friday). PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Lord of War: International arms dealer (Nicolas Cage) tries to stay ahead of an Interpol agent (Ethan Hawke), his competitors and his ruthless customers. Also stars Bridget Moynahan, Jared Leto, Ian Holm. A cautionary tale, film is watchable and eye-opening. R. Cinemark. Madagascar: Computer-animated comedy stars voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith as animals who escape from the Central Park Zoo for a big city adventure. But they are captured and put on a ship headed for Africa, where they must survive in the wild. Directed by Eric Darnell (Antz) and Tom McGrath ("The Ren and Stimpy Show"). PG. Movies 12. Mr & Mrs Smith: An action adventure romantic comedy thriller about a bored married couple (Angelia Jolie and Brad Pitt) who is surprised to learn that they are assassins hired to kill each other. Directed by Doug Liman (Bourne Identity). PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Oliver Twist: Roman Polanski directs a re-imagining of Charles Dickens' novel, starring Barney Clark as the orphan lured into a world of crime by evil Fagin (Ben Kingsley). PG-13. Cinemark. Serenity: Galactic outcasts 500 years in the future squabble through outer space until they meet the cannibalistic fury of savages who roam the very edge of space. Filmmaker Josh Whedon directs Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, David Krumholtz and Chiwetel Ejiofor. PG-13. Cinemark. Skeleton Key: Something wicked lurks in the Louisiana mansion where Kate Hudson works as a live-in nurse. PG-13. Movies 12. Transporter 2, The: Former Special Forces operative (Jason Statham) must find the kidnapper who took a boy from the wealthy family he works for. Written and produced by Lu Besson, directed by Louis Leterrier, film also stars Alessandro Gassman, Amber Valetta, Mathew Modine and Kate Nauta. PG-13. Movies 12. 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. Movies 12.
MOVIE
THEATERS Bijou
Art Cinemas Regal
Cinemas Cinemark
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