Eugene Weekly : Movies : 12.15.05

.MOVIE LISTINGS | MOVIE REVIEW ARCHIVE | THEATER INFO

OPENING OR RETURNING:

Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless otherwise noted. See archived movie reviews.

Family Stone, The: Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) brings his girlfriend (Sarah Jessica Parker) home for the holidays. Parents (Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson) and siblings (Rachel McAdams, Elizabeth Reaser, Luke Wilson, Ty Giordano) welcome her in their own ways. Also stars Claire Danes. Directed by Thomas G. Bezucha. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.

King Kong: Peter Jackson's highly anticipated re-imagining of the original film stars Naomi Watts as an actress, Jack Black as an adventurous filmmaker, and Adrien Brody as a playwright. Their troubles begin when they capture a giant ape and bring him to the city. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Opens 12/14.

Legend of Zorro, The: The original masked man again played by Antonio Banderas is now working to gain statehood for California. (Huh?) Catherine Zeta-Jones and director Martin Campbell from the original return as well. Action adventure with a flair. PG-13. Movies 12.

Princess Mononoke (1997): Animation and story by the great Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, this is an eco-fable from 15th century Japan about a prince and a princess and their attempt to save the forest for the animals while also making a place for humans. Beautifully accomplished. Not for very young children. Highly recommended. PG-13. Plays at 8 pm on 12/16 at DIVA.

Squid and the Whale, The: Writer, director Noah Baumbach's heartfelt film about divorce stars Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg and Owen Kline. Funny, poignant, and subtle, the film is one of the best of the year. Highest recommendations. R. Bijou. See review this issue.

Tampopo (1986): Juzso Itami's excellent comedy about a widowed noodle shop owner who learns how to make the perfect noodle from a stranger (Ken Wantanabe). Parody of American Westerns and Japanese samurai films. Deliriously good movie. NR, Plays at 8 pm on 12/17 at DIVA. Free.

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. Movies 12.

Weather Man, The: Chicago TV Weather Man (Nicolas Cage) finds successful career no match for family life. Directed by Gore Verbinskin, film also stars Michael Caine, Hope Davis and Michael Rispoli. R. Movies 12. Online archives.

CONTINUING:

Aeon Flux: Starring Charlize Theron and Marton Csokas and directed by Karyn Kusama (Girlfight), this futuristic sci-fi thriller is based on characters created by Peter Chung for the MTV animated series. PG-13. Cinemark.

Capote: Director Bennett Miller and writer Dan Futterman create a moving portrait of writer Truman Capote (In Cold Blood) during the years following grisly Kansas murders that rocked the country. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives an indelible performance, likewise Catherine Keener. Clifton Collins plays Perry Smith, one of the killers befriended by Capote. Very highest recommendations. R. Bijou. Online archives.

Chicken Little: Disney's first fully computer-animated feature film is a comedy adventure that brings a satirical twist to the classic fable. Voices by Zach Braff, Garry Marshall, Joan Cusack, Steve Zahn. G. Cinemark.

Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: One of the most beloved adventure stories written, this is the tale of four siblings who walk into a magic land and meet astonishing creatures who change their lives forever. Based on C.S. Lewis' timeless stories, the film is directed by New Zealander Andrew Adamson. It stars Tilda Swinton, Rupert Everett, Jim Broadbent, Ray Winstone and children: Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes and William Moseley. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark.

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. Movies 12.

Elizabethtown: Cameron Crowe (Vanilla Sky, Almost Famous) directs Orlando Bloom as a young man who's just lost his job, his girlfriend and his father. He meets Kirsten Dunst on a plane. This romantic comedy-drama tells his story of returning home to Kentucky and finding new meaning in his life. 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. Movies 12. Online archives.

Fog, The: Remake (and slight re-write) of John Carpenter's horror flick by the same name, this version tells the story of ghostly lepers returning to take their revenge on a small town's descendants. Stars Tim Welling, Maggie Grace and Selma Blair. PG-13. Movies 12.

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. Movies 12. Online archives.

Good Night and Good Luck: Edward R. Murrow did more to make television a serious news venue than almost any other journalist. George Clooney's film is set in 1953, when the CBS newsman (played by David Strathairn) battled powerful Senator Joseph McCarthy (shown only in archival shots and speaking his own words).. McCarthy's witch hunting tactics were on display in the House Un-American Activities Committee, and Clooney wants us to remember Murrow's courage. As The New York Times puts it: "Murrow, a war hero in his own right, recognized McCarthyism as a domestic echo of Nazism." This may be the best movie of the year. Very highest recommendations. PG. Bijou. Online archives.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Starring Daniel Radcliffe. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, this episode finds Harry's friends trying to help him through difficult times, as evidence of the presence of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) appears. Voldemort was last seen 13 years ago, the night he murdered Harry's parents. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.

Jarhead: Screen adaptation of Marine Anthony Swofford's memoir of his disorienting experiences in the Gulf War stars Jake Gyllenhaal as "Swoff," Jamie Foxx and Peter Sarsgaard. Directed by Sam Mendes. Highest recommendations. R. Movies 12. Online archives.

Just Friends: When Chris (Ryan Reynolds) returns to his 10-year high school reunion, he's hoping his best friend (Amy Samart) will be more than friends. PG-13. Cinemark.

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. Movies 12.

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, Bridget Moynahan, Jared Leto, Ian Holm. R. Movies 12.

Pride & Prejudice: Jane Austen's romantic, witty and emotionally delicious romance stars Keira Knightley as Lizzie and Matthew Macfadyen as the man she loves to hate, Mr. Darcy. Ably directed by Joe Wright and adapted by Deborah Moggach, film also stars Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland, Simon Woods, Tom Hollander. Playful and pleasing but with strong subtext of the situation of poor women, this excellent social comedy has stayed timely since its publication in 1813. Highest recommendations. PG. Cinemark. Cinema World. 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. Movies 12.

Syriana: Long-anticipated Middle East thriller about oil and the treacherous politics of producers vs. business interests was written and directed by the great Stephen Gaghan (Traffic). Stars George Clooney as CIA agent, energy analyst Matt Damon and Washington attorney Jeffrey Wright. Also Chris Cooper, William Hurt, Mazhar Munir, Tim Blake Nelson, Amanda Peet, Christopher Plummer and Alexander Siddig. Very highest recommendations. Don't miss. R. Cinemark. Cinema World. See review this issue.

Walk the Line: The new Johnny Cash biopic stars the excellent Joaquin Phoenix as the singer, songwriter known as the Man in Black and Reese Witherspoon (with dark hair) as singer, songwriter June Carter Cash, his second wife and partner for 35 years. Directed by James Mangold. Highest recommendations for this musical love story. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives.

Yours, Mine and Ours: When single parents Frank (Dennis Quaid) and Helen (Rene Russo) marry they have 18 children between them. The kids don't approve of the merger. Trouble follows. Co-stars Rip Torn and Linda Hunt. PG. Cinemark.

MOVIE THEATERS

Use the links provided below for specific show times.

Bijou Art Cinemas

Bijou Theater 686-2458 | 492 E. 13th

Regal Cinemas

Cinema World 342-6536 | Valley River Center

Springfield Quad 726-9073 |

Cinemark Theaters

Movies 12 741-1231 | Gateway Mall

Cinemark 17 741-1231 | Gateway Mall